True Strength
The Throne Room doors flew open and Vegeta glared at his father who was talking with some elders.
King Vegeta: "Ah, Prince Vegeta you're just in-"
Vegeta: "WHERE IS HE?"
King Vegeta: "Where is who?"
Vegeta: "Don't play dumb with me!"
With his finger pointed at his father, Vegeta stomped his way down the carpet and towards his father in a rage!
Vegeta: "You know full well who I'm talking about! Where-Is-Toushiro?"
King Vegeta: "Oh you mean that boy who is representing Earth. I don't know, son. But since you are here we might as well finish this meeting."
Elder 1: "We were discussing the ceremony to which you will be announced as the new King."
Vegeta looked over the group of elders and his father. He wasn't surprised to hear this. He had already known that his father would try to hand over the role as King to him while he was here.
Elder 3: "When do you want the ceremony, your majesty?"
Vegeta: "Never because I don't want to be King!"
The elders were all shocked but King Vegeta thought his son was joking!
King Vegeta: "I'm sure that my son's temper is getting to him. Of course he wants to be King!"
That was that last straw for Vegeta! The elders and royal guards all watched in shock and horror as the prince grabbed his father by the shoulder straps of his armor and pulled him right up to his face! With his teeth bared and snarling like never before, Vegeta just let out his anger.
Vegeta: "Now you listen to me and you listen carefully! Just because you're my father you think that I'll do whatever you tell me to do, and just because I'm the chosen prince you think I'm going to take over! Well think again, pal! Yes, you are my father and I love you because of that, but that's it! I'm 50 years old, I'm not your little boy anymore! And speaking of which... What kind of father just hands over his child to a tyrant like Frieza as if he were nothing? I understand that Frieza was stronger then you but you could've had a little more backbone! You could've asked for a little more time to at least say goodbye or something, but instead you just tell me that I'll be staying on Frieza's ship from then on! You have no idea what kind of pain you put me through! And speaking of pain... The title as 'Prince of All Saiyans' that you think I'm so proud of... Has done nothing but give me grief! You wanna know why? Because your lust for a powerful heir is to blame! You see this scar across my chest, father?"
King Vegeta looked down at his son's chest as Vegeta pulled his shirt back to reveal the massive scar that stretched nearly across his whole chest.
Vegeta: "Take a good look at it because that is only 1% of the hatred and anguish Coge has towards me! That's right, I said Coge! He's alive and his sole desire is to kill me and prove that he's the rightful prince! He's been hunting me down for years and this is proof of how close he came to succeeding if it hadn't been for my friends and family back on earth!"
King Vegeta: "Your... Family!"
Vegeta: "Yes, my family! I have a family back on earth! A beautiful and loving human wife and a son who I'm proud of! And I wouldn't give them up for anything nor my friends either! I love my family, I cherish my friends and I love my life on earth! That's all there is to it! I don't want to be the king, I don't even call myself 'the prince' anymore! I'm tired of being what you want me to be, all I want to do is be more like me and less like you! I can't be you nor do I want to be you! But I know you've got Toushiro so you'd better start talking before I get REALLY angry because this is only the tip of the iceberg!"
Vegeta was shouting so loud that it took minutes for the echo to die down. The prince just huffed as he continued to glare right into his father's eyes. He was beyond pissed. He was at a level of anger that no one had ever seen him in before! The ambassadors had all heard the yelling and came to see if their host was alright. None of them dared to confront Vegeta. King Vegeta could see his son's anger and that he was not kidding with his threats. He sighed. Meanwhile, in the dungeon... Poor Toushiro was almost in tears. The whole time he's been here, he's had nothing but trouble. He could hold his own in the Soul Society, but here... It was a completely different story. Everything here was more violent and harsh. Toushiro knew that when he came here, but nothing could have possibly prepared him for what he'd gone through this week. First there was the violent reunion between Vegeta and his father, then the meetings with the king and the ambassadors which never really went well. The drunk saiyan from the bar, the close call with Salmu, and now this... Being locked in a cold, dark and damp dungeon. As he began to feel the tears coming, the young captain sat there with his arms resting on his knees and his chin resting on his arms. The only sound was that of the chain shifting every time the boy moved. He had tried to break free but the latch around his neck was too thick for him to cut and the chain was firmly attached to both it and the wall. Toushiro began wishing that he was home, far away from this horrible planet... Or at least with Vegeta. He began to wonder wether or not Vegeta was going to be able to save him this time. At that moment, the tears came flooding out and he buried his face into his arms. Toushiro was cold, wet, lonely and scared.
Toushiro: "Vegeta... ... Where are you?"
The boy decided to try one thing. Toushiro cupped his hands together and brought them up over his mouth. He then softly whistled into his cupped hands twice, making a sound that was much like that of an owl's hoot. It was his special way of calling Vegeta. Just at that moment, he heard the dungeon door open up and a number of shadows stood that the doorway. One shadow started walking down the steps towards the boy. It was only when he spoke to him that Toushiro joyously realized who it was.
Vegeta: "Toushiro!"
Toushiro: "VEGETA!"
Overwhelmed that Vegeta had found him, Toushiro tried to run to him but the chain and latch stopped him. The saiyan prince rushed over to his captain and pried apart the latch off of the boys neck. The second he was free Toushiro threw his arms around the saiyans neck and cried into his shoulder. He didn't care if he looked like a kid at the moment, he had been through a traumatizing ordeal. But when Toushiro looked up, he saw that the other shadows were the ambassadors and the king! The young captain gasped at the sight of the king and just seconds after he did, Vegeta turned around and snarled at his father! And then... King Vegeta finally pushed his son way too far.
King Vegeta: "There my son, your little friend is safe now lets get back to discussing your inauguration ceremony."
All at once, Vegeta's pint up rage towards his father exploded and he lashed out at the king with a roar! Salmu and Ebebu watched with grins as Vegeta wrestled his father to the floor! The other ambassadors watched in horror as the king was forced to defend himself against his own son's wrath! But the king was no match for his son's power and soon he was overwhelmed. Vegeta was blinded by his anger! His eyes were actually glowing gold as he shoved his father into the wall! But just when he was about to unleash his final attack, Vegeta was stopped cold.
Toushiro: "VEGETA STOP!"
The prince turned to the young captain. All of the other ambassadors stood by quietly as they watched the Earth ambassador calm the king's son down.
Toushiro: "Vegeta, don't do this, please! Think about what you're doing! If you kill the king you're basically declaring war against the entire saiyan race, not to mention killing your OWN FATHER! I understand that you're angry but this is going too far! Look at him!"
Vegeta glanced back at his father for a moment before looking down at his feet and closing his eyes. The king had a clear look of fear on his face.
Toushiro: "You've made your point, Vegeta... It's time to let go of the past... And think about the future. You said that you wished that the saiyan race could be a race of galactic protecters, protecting the innocent from those whose goals are to do harm, right? Well that wish can become a reality! Start by setting an example to them, Vegeta! ... ... You once asked me a long time ago if I knew what 'true strength' really was. I didn't understand what you meant back then but... Now I do."
Vegeta loosened his grip on his father as he listened to his young captain. All but two of the ambassadors looked at the Earth Ambassador softly, like their eyes and hearts have been opened for the first time ever as they listened to the boys words as he enlightened them all about what true strength really is.
Toushiro: "True strength isn't how hard you can throw a punch, or how many energy waves you can fire, or how fast you can run or fly, or how hard you can swing a sword or claws... No in fact, you don't have to be the strongest to have true strength! It's not HOW MUCH you have, it's what you DO with it and knowing when it's enough! Vegeta... You have all this strength and all of these amazing abilities, you could easily rule over everything!... But instead, you've chosen to be a defender. Isn't that what true strength is? You've had the worst past that I'll probably ever know, a past that would have broken most people for good or turn them into psychotic killers... And yet... You'll gladly lay down your very life to defend me, Trunks, Bulma and many others too! You used to be evil, now you're good! You try to do everything on your own, but you're also not afraid to ask for help! Your appearance alone scares people at times, but you quickly show them what a kind and gentle heart you have. You've overcome so much pain and suffering to become who you are today! To have overcome so much... Goku maybe stronger than you, but... In a way and to me... You're even stronger."
A long silence echoed around them as the child prodigy's words loomed in their ears. Vegeta just stared at the Soul Reaper for a few seconds before he turned his gaze over towards his father once again. This time, the look on his face was a mixture of confusion and apology as he tried to find forgiveness for his father. As he did, he closed his eyes, trying his hardest to let go of it all. Toushiro walked up to his second lieutenant and gently placed his hands on the great saiyan's arm. Assuring him that it was ok.
Toushiro: "Let go, Vegeta. ... ... Let go... of everything."
Soft gasps were heard all around as Toushiro helped Vegeta let go. The prince let go of his father and, at the same time, let go of his past. Toushiro smiled at the saiyan prince as he pulled his arm back. What Vegeta did... Was not easy. Vegeta opened his eyes and glanced at Toushiro. He then smiled and thanked the young captain with a hoarse voice.
Vegeta: "Thanks, Toushiro."
Toushiro just smiled back. But the moment was interrupted.
Ebebu: "Now!"
Salmu suddenly sprang forward and grabbed the king! He then joined his comrade up at the top of the stairs with an evil grin.
Ebebu: "Thank you so much, Prince Vegeta! Because of you, your father became an easy target after your little tussle!"
Vegeta: "What?"
King Vegeta: "What's the meaning of this?"
Salmu: "Ha ha ha! Saiyans are so easy to fool!"
Ebebu: "Indeed. You see, Salmu and I have always dreamed of ruling the universe."
Salmu: "And with Frieza out of the picture, we could finally accomplish that dream!"
Ebebu: "And when you summoned for a peace meeting, dear king, you made it so much more simpler for us to take control. The saiyan race now works for us!"
Salmu and Ebebu stormed out of the palace before anyone could stop them! The entire saiyan race quickly got word of what was going on and all rushed to aid their king, but to no avail. The two villains stopped on a hill just outside of the palace and city. The ambassadors, Toushiro and Vegeta all joined the crowd that were overlooking the scene. It looked grim for the saiyan race. The kidnap of their king had broken their spirits. Some looked to Vegeta for orders. But not even Vegeta had an idea of what to do. No one had any idea of what to do. If they tried to rescue the king, he would surly be killed. Salmu and Ebebu were keeping him alive in order to show that they had complete control. As Toushiro looked on with the saiyans, ambassadors and Vegeta, he started to mumble something repeatedly, gradually saying it louder each time he repeated it. Vegeta glanced down at the young captain when he realized what the boy was saying. And then, Toushiro started shouting the saiyan war chant!
Toushiro: "Yo ho! All together! Hoist your pride up high! Heave-ho! Wether kings or beggars! We'll never say die!"
Toushiro started to repeat it again, just as loud. But Vegeta whirled around when he heard others singing it. He was astounded! The whole saiyan race was singing it at the top of their lungs! Toushiro alone had rallied the whole saiyan race together and brought their spirits back! He, who had but not even a drop of saiyan blood within him, was leading the entire saiyan race into battle! The prince smiled down at his young captain and joined in!
"YO HO!
ALL TOGETHER!
HOIST YOUR PRIDE UP HIGH!
HEAVE-HO!
WETHER KINGS OR BEGGARS!
WE'LL NEVER SAY DIE!"
The song has been sung! This was war!