Chapter 107
The ringing of a phone gets quizzical looks as lunch is eaten. Sasami eagerly jumps from her chair and rushes to get it even as Vegeta apathetically continues consuming as much as he can. She chirps a friendly greeting down the receiver and then there is a moment of confusion and then her childish brows furrow. Sasami grumbles to herself as she marches back into the kitchen and hands the phone over to Vegeta, saying that it is the nasty Queen and she is saying bad things. He swallows his mouthful and makes a gruff sound of acknowledgement down the phone.
"Prince, I have not been told of the official strength of the Cold Empire that I am the de-facto leader of. Tell me of what happened to the army after Frieza's timely demise." Queen Vegeta barks down Gohan's landline at him.
"Me, you, and when she feels like it Ryoko. The rest either splintered and disbanded or I personally persuaded to leave, both employment and life. An army won't make up for your status as a weakling."
"Shut it. So there are no other claimants then, that is what I like to hear. When you slaughtered the rest did you become the one to take over Frieza's resources?"
"No. I don't need them, don't want them." Vegeta shrugs, talking on the phone and piling more food onto his plate. If he wanted planets and money he can take them himself.
"The single most wealthy individual in the galaxy and you left all of his planets, wealth and technology to waste! I claim them. Me, Queen Vegeta of the Saiyans claim possession of all goods of the Planet Trade Organisation and the Cold Family for myself and place them under the banner of the new Saiyan Empire." She greedily proclaims to Vegeta who still does not care. 10 years of war to take one planet leaves her with a want to beat that record.
" … You don't even know what planets Frieza personally owned, nor can you get to them. What idiocy has taken your mind?" Flaws are pointed out. Unless Washu is asked he sees no means to reach this end of inheriting King Cold and Frieza's wealth.
"Unlike yourself I am trying to rebuild the Saiyan Empire to the greatest of heights. This one planet shall not suffice. At the bare minimum we require one with adequate gravity, and we shall cast our mighty shadow over the puny Jurai."
"The choice is there for you. Either train to become a Super Saiyan, or set about playing as a pseudo Frieza. You cannot gain both powers at once."
"So that is why you did not take them … I shall heed your council, but given any opportunity to do so I shall seek this inheritance that I am owed."
"Do as you will."
Vegeta hangs up on his mother and drops the phone onto the table as food is stuffed into his awaiting mouth. From far across the table he sees Azusa looking at him. With a short chortle of amusement Azusa informs Vegeta that a fair chunk of what was Frieza's oppressed area of space has chosen liberation under Juraian rule or alliance. The Saiyan swiftly counters that who owns the planet is not a concern to his mother. The magpie of the group has her ears twitching and her eyes fixed on Vegeta. Ryoko wafts her eyelashes at Vegeta and in as sweet a tone as she can politely asks if she could get some of that money and maybe a planet as a gift.
"I am the third wealthiest man on this planet, is that not enough? Why do you want a planet? What are you planning?"
"I don't like that distrustful tone. I want us to own a planet 'cos then we have land for our plans to get our own love nest together." Ryoko grins.
"You'd get bored on a planet with a population of two. Where would you buy your alcohol on a cleansed and desolate world? I have no intention of leaving this planet whilst my son continues to reside under my care anyway – that and I require access to Washu for my training room."
"But if you ever did have a planet to give, can I have it? I'd even settle for a Juraian planet."
He sighs to himself and concludes that this conversation is for a later time and that he shall need to comfortably overtake Goku's power to have the free reign to start taking planets as he used to. She is obviously trying to bait for some form of argument or fun. Vegeta shall not indulge. A woman he shall indulge however is sat at the opposing side of him. Lunch has conveniently bought him more time but after he is done eating he knows he shall be called by Ayeka to smooth over the whole almost making love to Ryoko business. She is staying quiet and mindfully biding her tongue to ensure Ryoko does not get under her skin. Ayeka is aware that she has not properly introduced herself to Vegeta's mother, despite her fear of the wayward queen her customs do dictate this to be done at some point. A twitch of anger tenses Ayeka as she recalls the words of the Saiyan Queen surrounding Ryoko and Vegeta's promise through their tails that she is without.
Once lunch is finished Vegeta is pulled aside by Ayeka and surprisingly she asks for Ryoko to accompany them as well. All too happy to stop Ayeka spending time alone with Vegeta, Ryoko floats on behind them. They stand together outside the house by the lake. Ryoko's feet touch down as she stands next to Vegeta. Ayeka takes a few deep breaths and maintains her composure.
"Lord Vegeta, I have failed to properly thank you over the effort you put in to ensure my mother's safety during Kagato's trap, and also I must profess my apology for the wanton destruction I caused to your kitchen earlier. I- I shall attempt to keep my emotions under control-"
"Your emotions are nowhere near under control. What you did to my kitchen I don't care for, I break things all the time. Take your time, you need not rush." Vegeta can sense her tumultuous ki and knows her anger and fraught nerves are but under a veil of self control. If she needs more time to process or get in a position where she is less likely to start throwing fists then he can wait.
"And therein lies- lies the heart of the matter. Vegeta, I gave you a declaration of my intent to leave and for all you know that could be at any given moment. In spite of this, you have no haste." A pained expression takes hold of her face as she looks at her prince with hurt and disappointment. Wasted time should not be something he wants no matter what ego and overblown confidence he holds. She threw his ring in the dirt and nought has been done about it.
"Me rushing headlong into this when you are still in such a charged state would help no-one." He reasons.
"I accept you not rushing, what I do not is you being stationary. Besides failing in a conversation against my grandmother what efforts have you made? You act purely when it suits you, when it makes sense for you to and when it is most effective according to whatever machinations you have concocted. … Ryoko, surely you have noticed this too. He acts when it serves him best and when his warped logic dictates he should. Vegeta you fail to ever act with just-just emotion."
The Saiyan pauses as he looks to his side at Ryoko and ponders over what Ayeka is trying to do here. A mischievous smile births on Ryoko's lips. For now an alliance is sounding fun. She steps over to Ayeka and curls her fake tail around the slender waist of the Juraian. Vegeta is not pleased with the direction this is heading.
"I see what ya getting' at. I mean yeah when he was pawing at me to come back after the shit he did to me it wasn't – it never felt like he had that emotional drive backing him up. His mistakes were just him being stupid, not heat of the moment stuff. Guess this leads onto this morning too. 'Cos I was the best thing to do, 'cos choosing to sleep with me made sense given the circumstances and not anything to do with him falling for me or wanting it himself -which by the way does sting. I can go one further, Ayeka, he said yes to me due to Bulma."
"I find it hard to believe you think Bulma of all people could be a reason-"
"A woman about to die alone and in pain, scared and with nothing she can do to stop it, and you can do something, anything, to help her. Fucking me is pure self gratification for trying to ease my death, make up for your failure to Bulma."
Blonde flashes through his hair. That cuts far too close. She edges closer, daring him to make a move or tell her that she is lying for she knows what goes on in his mind. Vegeta shakes his head in disgust. The tip of his wrapped about tail flicks in the air. He points a finger to the two women rallying against them and raises his voice.
"I do what I believe to be the best course of action I can take, and do it to the best of my ability."
"But, Lord Vegeta, it would be foolhardy of you to look past all the other times your 'good intentions' have caused harm to others. So often have I heard this excuse, it simply does not cut it any-more." Ayeka does not want Vegeta's anger in this. Those words of his intentions always follow her hurt, his plans are not perfect.
"So what of it? Is my best yet again not good enough for any kind of victory? How dare either of you bring Bulma into this as you pretend to psycho-analyse me as a veil for insults. I am no Juraian. I am Saiyan. At the moment you hold my mind to the same standards as your own your entire argument is worthless."
"Ooh and here we get some emotion. Shame it only surfaces for yourself and no-one else. Wait is Seto right you always have to play the victim, Mr Best-isn't-good-enough?" Ryoko goads and chuckles in a low tone.
" … I will not be acting out of raw love for either of you at the current time. My training around control and my Saiyan psychology shall not be undone. How about you ask yourselves why I bother giving it my all and doing my best for either of you." He simmers down instead of rising to Ryoko's bait and reasons with them that he does not think in the same way as they do and naturally cannot.
"I think what you said when you tried winning me back was that you're selfish and doing this 'cos then you get two beautiful women to choose from. You want options, and you don't want to be a lonely widower. So the reason's you, my Vegey. I mean, hey, I'm terrified of ending up alone too so glass houses an' all."
"My limited powers might not grant me the same sight as Ryoko, but I can see this all the same. Vegeta, you believe that as your standard behaviour was satisfactory to your late wife then we should hold the same standard. I am afraid- afraid that is not true. I have told you before, I want to see the man and the emotions under what Frieza did to you."
"And you saw that grief. And it bested you."
"Ayeka, I can read his mind so … I can tell you what you might think is in there, well it's a helluva lot more complex and messy in there. I don't fancy dumpster diving in there again, I mean it's either training, fighting, hurting and maybe something else on the rare occasion. Look at Queen Vegeta for example, she just learnt every Saiyan's dead and her strength is pitiful and she's not crying or emotional."
"It is true that your mother the Queen of all Saiyans serves as a fair comparative measure for your growth away from Saiyan stoicism, but you are two separate people with different behaviours and I cannot accept your behaviour purely on the grounds that you act better than Queen Vegeta does." She shakes with a small tremble of rage. Ayeka's composure is finite. She covers her face with her hands and talks into them. "Even the ring you gave me, it all was because you had promised me it and not for the reason of you wanting me to h-hold an engagement ring to you."
The Saiyan inhales and closes his eyes, then exhales and thinks.
" What do you want to come of this? That I do naught until the miracle either of you want happens? My mind is not like yours, I am Saiyan – and by that stretch on the extreme end of the scale for emotional attachment with my family." He states in the belief that in reaching a compromise he has gone far enough to likewise be met halfway.
"I wonder though if I read Kakarot's mind … ?" Ryoko chides in.
"A half-brain-dead buffoon who acts the way he does due to being dropped on his head as a child? He would think before he acted like me if he were capable of higher brain functions. I am not and shall never be Kakarot. If that is what you seek then join the queue behind my mother."
"That is not what I am asking. If you are not comfortable around us to drop your guard and to act freely without deception and cunning then … what does that say about our prospective relationships?" Her hands lower and her red eyes fix on him in earnest want for an answer.
"You ask this of me as if this is not something you have to achieve on your end. My emotions towards romance have to be earnt." The prince shakes his head for it is not his failure in not having fallen in love whilst grieving.
"I-I agree. Consequently, you have to enable us and allow us to earn this favour towards yourself." Ayeka argues back that there is more he can do to alleviate the situation.
"Am I not in this mess due to allowing a certain act from Ryoko? I believe myself to be receptive of your wants, requests, demands and the like. So how does this effect the now? Until one of you gains victory my actions shall not be swayed. If-"
"If you want me to act without inhibitions then my power will be too much, I'm dangerous, I'll hurt you, I'm a killer. Yadda yadda, heard it all before. Yes you can keep control, and yep it is sure as hell good you do. … Chase me, Vegey. Chase me. I think that's what Ayeka's saying. Let your hair down and do something stupid once in a while." She takes the words out of both royals' mouths as Ryoko interrupts impatiently.
"... I see this as the limit to which either of you shall understand my point, and there is little immediate action I see as possible surrounding the larger issues of your behaviour. Now, Vegeta, am I to be leaving this planet with my family or not?" With resignation Ayeka sighs to herself and rubs at her face as the other poignant question is asked since Vegeta is not proactive enough to bring it up himself at this moment.
"Can you leave? The political situation of peace with Saiyans is quite dependent on your choices." He knows a bluff and knows how to call bluffs. His reasoning for not acting with urgency is that he does not believe her determination to leave his side over this. This conversation bores him and is meaningless.
"Miss Ryoko did you hear the sound of 1 hour without training?" Righteous fury burns within Ayeka at her feelings and declaration to him being treated as something so minor. She has been bound to a relationship through politics before, this is not going to happen again. His words shall not stand.
"Mmhmm, yup that was a nasty comment for no reason. What a shame Vegey has to talk with us for a long time now."
"When coming to this planet my goal was not to trade Frieza for two other overlords. You want me to drop my guard yet any moment I speak my mind I am at risk from having the guillotine dropped on my training room, I have to keep thinking before I act save I lose all freedom I have within my own home infested with all the tag along parasites you bring with you. There is no happy middle ground here. Boss me about like tyrants under your thumb and I shall respond in turn with forethought and distance, or if you want me to act freely then have away this noose from my neck!" The dichotomy of their wants is roared out at them and Vegeta growls at having this punishment of losing his time training.
"But I like holding power over you, if it's just me then that's fine right?" Ryoko smiles and winks at Vegeta, her alliance with Ayeka comes to an end and she drifts closer to this angry man.
"You abuse your power over me less, so sure. That's if I feel like playing along. I lose my temper then you women remove my purpose of being for any given time you feel. Ayeka, you at a moment's notice shall try and end Ryoko's life over insults and words and destroy whatever is in your path in your juvenile outbursts. Where is the fairness here, the equality of a relationship? If I suffer for my mistakes what discipline do I have at my disposal to keep you in check?"
He turns his back and marches away to the lake's edge and stares up at the sky. Ayeka yells out to him to not walk away from them. Vegeta ignores her and darts off straight up into the sky. A furious princess stares at where Vegeta abandoned them after insulting her. Then a bright speck appears in the sky. She turns to Ryoko and asks whether Vegeta has transformed. Ryoko shakes her head and muses that the light is not his ki. The spot of light grows. It enlarges further and a screaming rumble becomes audible. A shield is summoned around the two women as Ayeka questions if this is an attack from Kagato and Ryoko does not seem scared and points out the obvious that the sound they are hearing is an engine.
The very sudden and uncontrolled re-entry of a red shuttle is brought to a steady and safe halt a couple hundred metres in the air. Its own propulsion fights against Vegeta's strength until sufficient yelling gets the engines to cut off so that he can save them hassle free. Next to the crashed Ryuoh the shuttle is gently put down. Vegeta stands beside the craft as a hatch opens and a shaken Mihoshi steps out. She thanks him for stopping her crash landing, gives him a grateful peck on the cheek and rushes off into his house claiming that she has got to see Washu. Vegeta turns to looks back at Ayeka and raises a smug eyebrow. Dashing towards the house Mihoshi skids to a stop and runs back to the shuttle to fish out her luggage and then runs back with her suitcase giving a brief formal greeting to the heads of the Juraian state.
Luggage left at the door no assistance is needed as Mihoshi miraculously navigates her way straight to where Yamcha and Washu are. She catches her breath and waves at Yamcha. A full detailed report was sent to her and she had time on her return flight to familiarise herself with it. Yamcha nods at her and quietly greets her with Washu still in an induced coma. It has been a good while since Mihoshi has last seen Washu in her child form, she does not know what to say. With 20,000 years between them and no clear indication where her Tuffle inheritance originated she has no idea in how she has turned out to be related to Washu. Mihoshi tries to lighten the mood in the only way she can. She points to Yamcha and calls him 'Grandpappy'. He rightfully winces and forces out a chuckle.
Yamcha reaches behind him and a few taps on a keyboard have a robot arm lower near Washu and inject her with a stimulant. He apologises for having cut into Mihoshi's time off with their personal problems which she waves off. Mihoshi asks where Queen Vegeta is and Yamcha responds that for now she is being supervised by Gohan but he believes that shall change shortly.
"If my family is Washu's family, and you found that out from Kagato's evil trap, then he knows. I guess the Galaxy Police are his enemies anyway, how safe are my- or our folks- like, will the Saiyans and Jurai keep him distracted enough?" Mihoshi cautiously asks with abject worry. She was already zooming away in her ship by the time this thought came to her.
Reassurance comes that after what has transpired Washu will do her damnedest to not let any harm befall her relatives so that Mihoshi's family shall be protected. Mihoshi knows as much yet still has to worry about this new target being painted over her and her loved ones. She messes with her blonde hair and neatens up her ponytail. A slight stirring comes from Washu. Her small hands twitch and there is movement beneath her closed eyelids. Yamcha reaches out and holds her hand. Mihoshi watches as they both silently wait for her to awaken.
"... You hanging in OK?" A quiet voice comes from Washu as she keeps her eyes shut. She knows these hands. The warmth of his ki she could never forget.
"It ended in a scenario 57-b, so-"
"No it didn't. … That starts off with Ryoko being shot not Vegeta."
She clenches her eyelids tighter in a grimace. Washu bites at her lower lip to stifle her pain with something physical, and Yamcha calmly stops her committing any level of self harm. She shakes her head and grabs hard at Yamcha's hand holding her. Tears break through her eyelids. No matter how she tries to turn from it that sight of her son, and of her granddaughter, being murdered does not dissipate. Her emerald eyes snap open to find comfort in Yamcha and at that point she sees the other person watching over her.
"Nana Washu?" Blue eyes implore toward the stricken scientist.
Arms that are too short lengthen. Silver streaks enter her pink hair. Washu desperately reaches out and pulls Mihoshi into her now enlarged bosom. For 20 long millennia she has been devoid of any familial relationship, all her offspring never knowing their relation to her, never having been called a mother or a grandmother. Now she is being called for and she answers strongly with the tightest embrace she can muster. There is no hesitation, she will not let this one go, she shall not lose anyone else, Mihoshi came for her and here she shall be. Loud wails erupt from the middle-aged Washu as she hugs her several hundred generation ancestor. This is the product of her lost child in some form. This is what her long centuries of loneliness and waiting has brought to her.
Washu has a family now – one that acknowledges her and loves her.
Engines of a ship impatiently hum and Funaho raises her eyebrows at this scene. For now the short and impromptu diplomatic mission from Airai is coming to a close and it has concluded with far more progress than either side could ever expect. Empress Funaho does not want to know how Lady Seto schemed for this eventuality to come about – nor why it had to be done now of all times with all else on their plate. She awkwardly watches from the sideline as even though she is the Empress the attention of their visitor is solely fixed on another. For now it appears that only the child Sasami is not improving and making personal relations with enemies of Jurai. Funaho smiles and graciously says a farewell to their guest, interrupting her son.
Airi's loose fringe on the right side of her head wafts in the breeze of the hangar as she turns and bows with the allowed respect the species she represents shall allow. For all intents and purposes her appearance is little different to that of a Juraian or human and beyond being an adult her age is likewise in-discernable like Juraians – the Kais found a design that worked and they like and it propagated as they took care of the living universe. Her hair is green, a far darker green than Lady Seto's and for but part of her fringe is neatly brushed back and tied up in a bun covered by a baby blue fabric. Below seemingly stern eyebrows are bright yellow pupils that hold a far different emotion currently. Her lips hold recently applied red lipstick, though Funaho fears it is more re-applied. Height-wise there is minimal difference between her and the Juraian Prince escorting her at her side.
Since her purpose here is of utmost importance with Juraian royalty at all times she has been wearing her uniform from the high echelons of the Galaxy Police as that is her most formal wear. Unlike the blues that Mihoshi and Kiyone have her jacket has an orange body with black shoulders and upper sleeves with the lower sleeves being a dark burgundy, cuffed with the same orange and all hemmed in red with large buttons of gold at her collar. Underneath her jacket's rigid collar is only a hint of a cream and black hemmed under shirt that fits around her neck. A few triangular medals of blue adorn her left breast. Slim and figure fitting is the matching orange skirt reaching her lower shins leading to black tights with gold circlets about her ankles and smart women's navy shoes. Airi is not as ostentatious as Jurai fashion, and her clothes are practical enough for her to easily carry out her official capacities within the galaxy spanning judicial system.
Saying her farewell to Funaho in a well mannered tone a spark of childish mischief lights in her eyes which her inhibitions fail to keep in check. Airi whips back around to Prince Yosho and puts her face close to his to whisper in his ear. Whatever she is saying is causing a reaction in even this playful and carefree Juraian Prince. Yosho awkwardly coughs and looks at the gleaming yellow eyes of this woman from a rival foreign power. Airi leans in closer to his cheek and waits for him to react until she pulls back. With a playful spring in her step she flees to the ramp of the shuttle, turning to wave a last farewell mostly to Yosho and not the Empress of Jurai seeing her off.
The ship departs. The mother looks to her son and Yosho fails to feign any semblance of innocence.
"Since you mastered the art of skulking off behind Ayeka's back would it be correct of me to assume that Airi somehow never met Haruna? Even as we busy ourselves planning and preparing for that wedding and dealing with her family over the matter of adoption … maybe I will have to ask Sister Misaki what grace Tsunami blessed you with to make you a Prince so popular with the majority of the masses?"
"I was given the task of improving relations with the neighbouring power of Airai, and I believe that I have done just that. How could I have known that the representative they sent would get along so well with me?" Yosho raises his hands at his mother's accusations.
"Did the topic of Ayeka ever come up, or of the whereabouts of the rest of the royal family? Airi is Galaxy Police and it is unfortunate that the company Ayeka has chosen might cause a rift between our family and them. More-so than there already is." Funaho focuses on her son. There is no quip or defence coming. She finds his actions highly suspicious, and she has right to question his judgement for now their relationship with Airai might balance on Yosho's romance. "Why are you being quiet?"
"That tournament's coming up soon, I should probably get back to preparing for-"
"What secrets are you keeping from your mother? Would you prefer to tell me before or during my call with Haruna about the 'success' of your visit?" Her son is older than Misaki and she has known him all those long centuries. He is not leaving till he explains his actions.
"Go ahead and tell her, mother. Though, it is far too early to speak of the presumptions you are making after one short visit, and let us welcome the fact that I have obtained the contact information of a person of diplomatic interest and she is readily willing to exchange dialogue with Jurai." Yosho smiles back at her. His affairs are his own and Haruna is only half a threat since – unlike Ayeka - she embraces all of Jurai's culture which includes polygamy.
Funaho warns Yosho that this was all set up through Lady Seto and to not abandon all care in walking into this planned dalliance, Yosho sees no issue in his current closeness to Airi and his mother's words are swaying him little. The Devil Princess of Jurai is a well known matchmaker and her hobby is mostly successful which Yosho is turning towards vouching for. Funaho sighs. At the very least dealing with Airai is easier than Saiyans. She points a finger at him and tells him to keep her informed about goings on with Airai and Airi – within reason.
Back on Earth two royal Saiyans are unimpressed and looking at the other as a reunion they would rather be far delayed is not. Gohan has returned Queen Vegeta to her son's house as with Washu having awoken has given him strict instructions and threats to have no dealings with that savage – and mysteriously enough to also only bring harm to her after knowing she has viewed the slip of paper still in her possession. As soon as the hybrid Saiyan followed any orders of Washu Queen Vegeta wanted away from that place. However, a parent being near an adult child is too unnatural for a Saiyan. His power is great and the constant threat of this child to usurp her position as head of the family and kill her is ingrained in Saiyan culture. She would rather be with Goku, that option is not one Gohan offered.
Having returned from her venture to seek answers the living should not know, Lady Seto is back in the company of her family. She does want to have a talk with Queen Vegeta, or at the very least set up plans for chat with the Saiyan leader and others among Juraian leadership and royalty. Queen Vegeta's demand is to be taken to Goku and her son declines for he has already done so today and if she cannot do it herself that is her issue. Seto smiles and says that she has a rough idea of the location and looks towards Mihoshi's vacant shuttle with clear insinuation whilst keeping an eye on Prince Vegeta. The devilish Juraian matriarch also questions Queen Vegeta on her proposition of marrying Vegeta in Ayeka's stead. The Queen does not care, it is already set in stone for her that the contract of mated partner's has been made with another through Ryoko's tail. Lady Seto asks Prince Vegeta on the whereabouts of Mihoshi for the keys to the shuttle, the answer of her having disappeared into Washu's lair quite some time ago is dissuading Seto from wanting to chase this since an emotional Washu with a slight vendetta after her is a dangerous thing.
"I do not care to be ignored and sit in a corner trying to think about nonsense like sensing ki, that room of yours I shall use." Queen Vegeta approaches her son and ignores the foreign dignitary. Gohan left her bored. Her disinterest comes at the risk of violence.
"You do that and it shall shut down as Washu can override it remotely, same with Kakarot's. Be productive and learn ki sensing, it is a must at even the weaker levels of power as is hiding your presence."
"... The Queen of all Saiyans learns through combat, she does not sit and think like a weakling.-"
"You don't know how to meditate properly do you? That would explain your abysmal ki control. Learn it, or your combat efficiency shall leave you barely able to fight someone even matching your lowly strength." Prince Vegeta calls her out on her reluctance on meditation and mocks her inability from the self-assured position of his indomitable power.
"Demonstrate and explain how."
"What? A true Vegeta never accepts or asks for aid! Train yourself or not at all if you have any pride." Vegeta roars out to his incredulous mother. His fists clench and a booted foot cracks into the earth. Lady Seto takes several steps back and watches with interest.
"Under what lunar light is any of that true? 'Vegeta's do no ask', no we demand. Your Queen has given you a task. Fulfil it, or challenge me for my right to do so. How dare the babe who mewled at my bosom so arrogantly state of never asking for aid! You who cowers at the prospect of being rid of the plague befallen your household has no right to besmirch my Saiyan pride."
Purple light flashes out from the insulted monarch. The short mother grabs hold of the front of her son's outfit as she shouts in his face and his nose fills with her stench. Her other hand grabs onto the tail about his waist and digs its sharpened nails in to discipline her wayward child. Now gold dwarfs purple as the violet light around the Queen dims in comparison to the bright rays of a mad Super Saiyan inches from her. The light show gains the notice of those within the house and the crowd at the doorway to witness. Azusa stands before and blocking his children however he was too slow to protect all he cares for as Misaki saw her mother's proximity and rushes to Seto's side. An intrigued Ryoko floats above the roof. The words being said here are interesting her.
"Would you question the authority of a Super Saiyan on how to train? My power is-"
"Yes. … Of course, always I shall challenge you until both of my children are responsible for ending my reign. You are a fool. The chains of slavery have bound your mind to a wrong and self-imposed ideology. Prince Vegeta, when the Tuffles were slaughtered and our planet taken it was done by the Saiyan army, forming the Saiyan Empire. I fought and served for most of my childhood in that army, not even King Vegeta could take that planet on his own. Your time in servitude has robbed your mind of common sense." Her steely eyes do not shy from this display of outrageous power. This child of hers requires educating.
"I know how planetary invasions work unless you forget that was my occupation under Frieza and I got my record down to days not decades like yourself! How the weaklings fight amongst themselves matters little, you have no need to even think of asking-"
"How much do you ask of non-Saiyans, of enemies, when you follow the will of Washu-"
"My fighting prowess is mine and mine alone! I need no crutch to become the best. I am a Vegeta by only the power of a Vegeta." Flaring his energy around him he begins to sear the air and burn his mother in proximity. He shall not be attacked by her without recompense. The only reason he can see for requesting aid is personal failure and weakness, hence never doing so rids him of those characteristics.
"You are lesser to a low class Kakarot, a Prince not a King, and you think that entitles you to the rank of Vegeta?" The Queen roars and rams her head into her son's chin. Raw energy hurts her, a sensation she did not think possible.
"And you are lesser to even his unborn, another infant that can send you to the grave. Train alone. Succeed alone. If you have no determination to do things in solitude then you never were a Saiyan in the first place."
Prince Vegeta takes a long drag of air, a purposeful inhalation, and with effort reverts himself back to black hair and eyes. Now in base form he breathes deeply again. Prince Vegeta brings a fist to bear on his mother's solar plexus. Using the same determination to deny his sexual urges during his mating season he represses more of his basic instincts through willpower alone and strikes the woman with the lingering stench of pregnancy to her. Her hold on him is undone. The strike takes her feet from the floor. As she is launched through the air a second open palm strike sends a concussive blast to propel her further. He shall be a slave to no-one but himself, and certainly not a smell.
Asserting his dominance Prince Vegeta stands tall and lets his tail hang free and unguarded as he stares at the crumpled form of his mother. In the background Kaia makes a confused sound. Misaki tries to get her mother to retreat to a safer but Seto is staying where she is as this observation is informing her of a lot about these two Saiyans. Queen Vegeta hacks and coughs as she gets to her knees. The short and muscled woman rises and with a solemn expression faces her son.
"... How alone were you? To be driven to think there is no-one to turn to and demand aid from, those long years after Frieza destroyed our people I know the summary but not the details. A low class, the brother of Kakarot, and General Nappa, a decent enough Saiyan warrior by any regard. Comrades, brothers in arms, fellow soldiers, hell even friends, those terms should not be foreign to any Saiyan." She states in question. Now she believes she understands the cause of his beliefs. Her son never learnt to ask as there was no-one left alive to ask and from that his young mind took it and embedded it within his persona.
"1,200 and 5,000. What more do you want? Even before your death they were not a challenge to my power. Am I, Vegeta Prince of all Saiyans, supposed to call out for the help of what is akin to a toddler for myself? They are nothing! They were always nothing." Vegeta roars back in defence. He is not some sick and addled Saiyan suffering a broken mind. Only those with the greatest strength can live without aid and he shall ensure that he upholds that.
"The Saiyan Empire holds its strength within its entire populace. If you can get your half blood child to Super Saiyan then it is your failing as a prince to have not led your warriors into glory! You had 2. 2! Was that too many for yourself to handle?" Her voice raises as she speaks now as a ruler and not as a mother. They are of royal blood, what they are transcends the individual and he shall be taught that forgetting about his people is akin to betraying that royal blood. If his subordinates were too weak then the blame lies on him. She puffs herself up with pride at mocking his failure at ruling two for in this she watched over millions.
The Saiyan Prince stands. He snorts out of his nose. Simply he shakes his head. There is truth to her words. His arrogance only partially blinds him. What speaks to him now is a true Saiyan. Born, bred and living the culture in which he had but ashes to learn from. Throughout his anger at her he cannot hold to it for there is a great contentment to her simple company. Though he himself is guilty of making it so that there are but himself and Goku left this connection he could never share with his Earth raised rival. As of now he is no longer the last embodiment of his race, he has his mother now to understand him and how he thinks. Vegeta shakes his head at her.
"You don't understand. You … Lord Frieza never abided our growth. We were struck down as a species due to his growing paranoia over our strength, did you think he would allow those he kept so vigilantly under his watchful eye to grow into any semblance of a threat? There are many reasons why my strength did not continue to grow in my adult life under him as it did in my youth."
"And so you turned inwards during the tortures and punishments and humiliation. This queen shall not fall to your lowly levels of losing basic Saiyan social ability. I command the Saiyan forces, I cannot have a weak link as my second. Queen Vegeta demands of her Prince to give her education on ki control, sensing, meditation and the like. Then, satisfied, I shall train alone until this post-natal protection leaves and we can train properly in combat – for your strike was of great promise." Queen Vegeta smiles at her son as they reach this understanding. Impatient for a response she continues to ensure her victory over him. "I do not intend to repeat myself. You are supposed to agree now, and then ask of me something in return. On their own Saiyans are frightful things, you are right to strive to do as much as your pride can shoulder but never forget that together Saiyans cause any being of power to cower. Did you think the Royal blood ran things without a council? I require advisors, so educate me."
A chuckle comes from either Saiyan. The Saiyan Prince raises his hands in fake confusion and teases as to whether he is commander of the army, the army itself or her advisor. To this her answer is a simple 'whatever she needs to use him for'. The two then pay notice to their audience and Vegeta keeps a watchful eye on his mother in case she tries to attack. The Queen's heckles raise in sight of one individual. She points through the crowd to the red headed woman. Both Ryoko and Ayeka move to place themselves in the way with the queen noticing that Ryoko teleports. The Queen roars to Kaia that she shall ensure that she learns and masters this ki sensing ability to a greater degree than someone with a disability, and if the sculptor ever finds herself alone that she shall not be alone for long. A blade of red ki ignites and Ryoko dares the queen to try. Cockily the queen taunts Ryoko to try and to test whether she is anywhere suitable to join her bloodline.
Counting three heartbeats Queen Vegeta turns about and places a hand out in the air as it fizzes and a woman appears. Fingers close around Ryoko's throat expectantly and the queen takes a half step forward so that she is too close for the sword's swing and locks down Ryoko's weapon wielding hand with her tail. There is a substantial height difference between the two that Queen Vegeta rectifies by dragging Ryoko down so her knees bend. Reflected in the golden eyes of Ryoko Queen Vegeta sees a flash of red. Her body twists to the side as this multi-form of Ryoko stabs from behind, narrowly dodging and a foot kicks out sharp to the chin of this duplicate. A loud crack sounds and the broken jawed multi-form vanishes. Now Queen Vegeta raises an open palm towards Kaia with a blast charged and looks back to the pirate and claims her victory. She releases Ryoko and lets the blast go off into the forest surrounding the lake. The presence of her son is the only saving grace for the blind woman.
"It is wonderful to see an estranged family bond, and it warms my heart to know of the substantial hand I played in this scene. The Royal Vegetas, would now be a pertinent time for myself to ask for an audience with you?" A smile holding no warmth is on Lady Seto's face. She bows her head.
"... You are annoyingly persistent given my words to yourself concerning diplomacy between our factions. Since Prince Vegeta appears to be vastly lacking in the aptitude to lead as a Saiyan monarch I shall take this opportunity against my better judgment and use it to train him. Now, woman, what tribute do you bring me?" Queen Vegeta sighs and ignores Ryoko and fixes on this new target.
Though she is perplexed by this request she is careful to not let her face give her away. Lady Seto of Jurai has a careful consideration of what she can truthfully offer and what this Saiyan Queen would want or accept. First she clarifies that this tribute is only a humble gift between budding friends before they talk. Queen Vegeta steps closer to the one who revived her and nods. Seto idly points behind her.
"What you seek is already partially exchanged with your son, final agreements of it entering your family's possession lie within Prince Vegeta becoming wed to my granddaughter Princess Ayeka. The ship Ryuoh will give you the independence to travel at great speed, luxury and with near unrivalled naval firepower. Currently it has taken root to the planet yet the lovely craftsmen who service my Mikagami would be able to restore its disrepair given time. Would their expertise be a modest gift to yourself?"
" Prince Vegeta's mated partner is the Ryoko woman, that is whom the contract has been made with, between the two personally I care little but his pledge shall be upheld. That puts me down a ship – and yes I can guess the political strain that severance between us might make. You are a complete fool! You gave me life and have not the backbone to stand up and decline my demands for more when your empire hinges upon it. This talk is over, worthless hag, begone from my planet and take your senility and decrepit body with you."
"So it is like that, fair enough. Good - in fact – for Ryuoh is bonded to Ayeka and shall know no other master. You are an easy one to deceive, little one. Of course I know how Saiyans attempt to perform diplomacy though it is painfully apparent why the superior King Vegeta never thought you competent enough to hold dialogues. Is that response to your satisfaction?" Seto takes this in her stride. Insults to her are face are a rare treat and for this she shall allow some anger to eke out into her voice to play the part the Saiyan wants. A competitive snarl comes from the queen.
"Mocking height? That seems a little beneath someone of your calibre. You have us conversing now so out with it. And before you continue trying to press your proposal onto me I'd like you to take a second and think what the ashes you have for parents would think of you begging to enter their murderer's bed. The terms for discussing a formal end to the war are clear: the victory is ours and you should take this loss before we have want to pressure you into surrender." Prince Vegeta joins this fight and with a flick of his wrist telekinetically sends his mother flying backwards several metres. As a Saiyan he is the expert on Jurai and knows these talks exist solely due to him. He wants his revenge against the woman claiming him to be a perpetual victim.
"And how do you propose to force Jurai to concede? Queen Vegeta I can understand what she wants but she shall ultimately fail with her lesser strength. You, Prince, have the ability to topple us, however in doing so you shall destroy all that you have built for yourself here. That is without taking into equation whether a discussion with Goku or any of your children would fortify our position into one you shall not attack. I, on the other hand, have plenty points to apply my own kind of pressure to. Right now in fact I have got the rival species of Airai in the palms of my hands through simple matchmaking. Prince Vegeta, I could describe your situation with Ayeka to be quite similar." Alone time with Trunks in transit to Goku's house has served her well. His power he can threaten with but not act on in anything but a minor sense. Every action he takes against her shall be repaid in turn by Ayeka and she knows that he is aware of this.
"My son has no involvement with your granddaughter!"
Purple light flashes towards the haughty Juraian purposefully ignoring her previous statement. Queen Vegeta shall not be swept aside as if she means nothing to Jurai. Flying fast and low at Seto with the intent to attack she expectantly turns her attention to Misaki moving to intercept her. She smashes through a small blue shield and finds a second far larger and brighter one slowly being summoned. As she hits through that shield she finds neither of her targets exist. Two women yelp with alarm as they are unceremoniously dropped from high up into the lake. Prince Vegeta floats back down to the lakeside and calls his mother out on behaving like a full moon is out and not showing herself or her royal bloodline in a good light by erupting at such a minor provocation.
Ayeka starts to call out in anger to Vegeta for taking action against her mother and grandmother and he roars back at her that this is a match of two sides: that of Jurai and that of Saiyan. He shall not side with Jurai against his mother. At most he not shall allow their lives to not be taken prematurely. An argument begins that he need not take such a harsh stance in this and he should not be needlessly cruel in this. Queen Vegeta barks with laughter and coldly states that they are at war. To this Prince Vegeta nods. Ayeka steps forward in fury.
"A war you have already lost! You hold no territory, no populace, you have no laws nor legislation. You do not represent Saiyans here but the same Planet Trade Organisation both of you have died due to! The same one you led a rebellion against. If you want a victory here then you also want Frieza to hold a victory here which you both seem loyal in serving up to him as the brain-dead monkeys you are!"