Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Branded ❯ Chapter 13

“Welcome to my ship,” Frieza said with a cold smile. “I’m sure I will enjoy having you here.”

“Thank you,” Vegeta answered cautiously, keeping as much distance from him and Dodoria as the control room would allow. His new armor was tight, but easy to move in and he was quickly becoming used to the new scouter affixed over one eye.

“Tell me. Will you miss this miserable rock?” Frieza asked, motioning to the screen that showed Planet Vegeta shrinking in size as they left the atmosphere. When Vegeta remained silent, Frieza sighed and turned off the screen. “Sorry I kept you waiting. Zarbon found something he thought would interest me.”

“Is that so?” Vegeta said, not even mildly curious as to what the tall, green bodyguard would find interesting on his planet.

“Do you understand why you are here?” Frieza asked.

Vegeta crossed his arms, but did not answer.

“You are here to learn how to become the most powerful being in the universe,” Frieza said. “It’s true that I was impressed by your power level. It is quite high compared to the other Saiyans. But what you lack is the proper training and ... motivation ... to become the greatest.”

“You mean a Super Saiyan?” Vegeta asked.

Frieza froze. Fear showed on his face for an instant, only to be replaced by anger. “I’m talking about becoming my successor!” he roared. “My adopted son! But, I cannot tolerate weakness of any kind!” He floated toward the door and gestured for Vegeta to follow. “Your first lesson will begin immediately.”

He led Vegeta to a small, empty room and stood before a monitor built into the wall. Dodoria closed the door and stood like a large rock in front of it.

“The first thing you will learn is that a powerful ruler has no heart. He has no ties to any planet, any race, or ... anyone.” Frieza pressed a button on the monitor and another room flashed on the screen. This one containing a very familiar face.

“Beli?” Vegeta took an involuntary step towards the screen before catching the look on Frieza’s face. A look of complete understanding and sadistic mirth.

“Beli. A Tuffle, isn’t she?” Frieza asked, running his finger over her image on the screen.

Vegeta tensed, his hands curling to fists. He wanted to fly into Frieza, but first had to know what he had planned. Behind him, Dodoria chuckled.

“Zarbon tells me you asked this slave to look after your son when it is born. Yet you did not say goodbye to the mother. That interested me greatly,” Frieza purred, making the hairs on the back of Vegeta’s neck stand on end. “Why would a prince make it a point to say goodbye to a palace slave and not his mate?”

Vegeta had to use all his energy to keep his feet on the ground and his fists at his side. His jaw ached from clenching his teeth to keep from demanding Beli’s release.

“And,” Frieza continued, enjoying Vegeta’s discomfort, “when Zarbon told her she was invited onto my ship at your request, she practically raced him aboard. Quite a faithful servant, wouldn’t you say, Vegeta? The problem is . . . I don’t want her here.”

“Then take her back,” Vegeta ground out from between his bared teeth.

“No. I don’t think so,” Frieza said. “I guess I’ll just have to dispose of her.”

Vegeta lost control. He flew at Frieza in a blind rage, prepared to give the evil tyrant everything he had in his attack. In the back of his mind, he envisioned his fist going completely through Frieza’s head. But his hand was stopped just centimeters from its mark.

Frieza stood smirking at Vegeta’s surprise as he hung there in midair. When he looked behind him, he realized that Dodoria had moved even faster than he could have imagined and was now holding onto Vegeta’s ankle.

“Now that’s no way to treat your host,” Dodoria said, shaking a finger at him.

Vegeta attacked Dodoria with all the ferocity he could muster, but none of his punches or kicks landed on the fat bodyguard. He even had the audacity to look amused by the Saiyan’s attempts. The harder Vegeta tried, the easier it seemed to be for Dodoria to block.

“That’s enough playing, Dodoria,” Frieza said, already bored by the display.

“Yes, Lord Frieza.” With a punch so fast he wasn’t even able to see it, Vegeta found himself lying in a heap on the floor at Frieza’s feet.

“Remember, Vegeta, no ties to anyone,” Frieza said and motioned to Dodoria. Vegeta was drug to his feet and made to face the screen. “A truly powerful warrior would feel nothing if this were to happen.”

On the monitor, Vegeta watched helplessly as Zarbon entered the picture. At first, Beli was delighted to see him, expecting him to lead her to Vegeta, but her smile turned to a look of horror as Zarbon advanced menacingly toward her.

“Stop!” Vegeta cried out. When he realized he couldn’t break free of Dodoria’s iron grip, he gave in. “I’ll do anything you want! Just stop this!”

Frieza pressed a button and Zarbon paused, his hand poised for a crushing blow to Beli’s head. Calmly, he turned around and left the room, leaving her sobbing in fear and alone once more.

“Sometimes,” Frieza said, taking hold of Vegeta’s chin so he was unable to look away, “the only way to fix something is to break it first. That female is going to die, you know. But how slowly and painfully is up to you. Prove to me she means nothing to you and I promise her a merciful death.”

Dodoria set Vegeta on his own feet and released his arms. Vegeta stood, defeated, before Frieza’s smug gaze. He would just as soon give his own life for that of Beli’s, but knew that was not possible. He had seen and heard enough of Frieza’s power to know he could make her suffer for a very long time.

“Your assignment is to stand by and watch her die,” Frieza said simply and floated out of the room. Before the door closed behind him, he added, “Remember, if you interfere or show any signs of emotion, her torture will drag out as long as I wish. Detach yourself completely and she will not suffer.”

Dodoria stood, arms crossed, and watched Vegeta. The smile on his face made Vegeta sick to his stomach. He couldn’t believe he was stuck on this ship with these powerful, demented beings and there was nothing he could do about it. Would he be able to restrain himself and watch Beli be murdered?