Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Branded ❯ Chapter 14

“Vegeta!”

Beli’s voice was music to his ears, even under such extreme circumstances. She was about to run to him, but caught sight of Dodoria in the corner. Instead, she stood still and waited to see what was going on. After the frightening episode with the green bodyguard, she wasn’t about to trust anyone on this ship.

It was all Vegeta could do to keep from pulling her into the safety of his arms. He could only guess what the sadistic Frieza would do to her if he did. Instead, he stood as if frozen by Frieza’s powers, his facial expression carefully free of emotion.

His concern for her was the only thing that kept his body immobile while she was tortured and beaten before him. Inside, though, his head ached, his stomach churned, and his heart screamed for him to intervene. His muscles were so tense, he felt they were in danger of snapping and his energy level rose and fell so rapidly he knew he would lose control, even explode, if it went on much longer.

At one point, Beli lunged at Vegeta for support. He gasped at the amount of pain he saw in her eyes, but still did not reach out for her. Her hand touched his armor and he felt a burning sensation in his chest. The symbol over Beli’s heart glowed for a brief moment, then faded away completely.

Vegeta blinked, unable to believe what he had just seen as she was dragged back to the middle of the room. How could a mark like that just disappear? Did it have something to do with the odd pain on his own skin over his heart?

Then something strange happened. Although his eyes were still open, he no longer saw what was going on. A red haze covered his vision, bringing with it an unusual calmness. The screams were quieted by a low humming in his ears and even the scent of blood and scorched flesh wasn’t as prevalent as before.

Vegeta relaxed and crossed his arms, now leaning casually against the wall with one boot resting atop the other. It surprised him how at ease he suddenly was. The feeling was not only welcome, it was embraced. His heart had completely shut down and let his warrior blood take over.

He felt empowered. He felt in control. He felt alive. Thoughts of Beli and his home planet were completely eradicated. He now thought only of himself, thirsted only for power, craved only the thrill of the fight.

More regal than even his father could master, Vegeta strode across the room, oblivious to the commotion going on around him. He looked and felt more like a warrior prince than he ever had. Enough so, that Zarbon and Dodoria paused to watch him. Just as Vegeta reached the door, it slid open to reveal a very satisfied looking Frieza.