Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Saiyans Return ❯ Goku meets a new friend- or three ( Chapter 6 )

Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ. That makes this just for fun, not profit, so don't sue me or all you'll end up with is a handful of lint and a few jellybeans.

Notes…hmmm… see below…

Saiyans Return

Chapter 6

Goku followed Vegeta's Ki to the gravity room, pausing at the door wondering why the Prince was in there when Goku could tell by his Ki that he wasn't training. As much as the two of them still enjoyed baiting each other, Goku knew he had never made a more loyal friend than Vegeta. They still tried to one-up and insult each other all the time, but these days it was only play. They both knew without ever saying it, that they would always be there for each other. They would fight and even kill for their friendship. It had been this way for more than 20 years now, a bond that was rarely spoken of, but still incredibly powerful.

The Saiyan Prince had obviously been distracted by what he had told them tonight, about his old friend, Goku growled, couldn't the others see how hard that had been for Vegeta to do? Vegeta never spoke of his past, not even to Bulma. Vegeta had only told him things about his past that pertained to their race. He had never once mentioned any of his other enemies or allies… Vegeta had done and seen things most people couldn't even imagine, and survived. His past was a dark one and Goku had always feared that it might return to haunt Vegeta one day, but he hadn't ever imagined anything quite like this, and he was glad that he was here to help.

The other fighters who had always been his friends never seemed to be able to understand that the Saiyan Prince that was only acting when he treated them coldly. He was as close to them as his past and his iron will would allow him to be. Vegeta had fought beside them many times, and even died with them, and somehow his loyalty and determination never wavered.

Instinctively, Vegeta kept his emotions and reactions very guarded. He had been doing it his whole life, and Goku knew the Prince hid things he wasn't comfortable with feeling better than anyone else that he had ever met, but he did still feel them. Gohan's actions tonight had hurt Goku a lot, and even though he wouldn't admit it, Vegeta had been hurt even more.

Gohan should not have acted that way. Goku had to admit he was deeply ashamed of his older son's coldness to everyone tonight, but mostly to Vegeta. The Saiyan Prince had stood by them without question many times, and never asked any of them for anything... How could Gohan have said such things? It was hard to imagine.

Goku opened the door of the gravity room quietly, not really knowing if Vegeta would be angry or act like nothing had happened. "Vegeta?"

"Shut up and get in here."

Goku smirked at the command, but obeyed. He found Vegeta sitting on the floor in front of the screen Bulma used to tell them that supper was ready while they were sparring, but right then, it was displaying a room he'd never seen before and a handsome group of what looked like aliens. "Are you watching a movie?"

"Max, this idiot is Kakarrot. The warrior who defeated Frieza on Namek..."

The blue skinned man on the screen rose from his chair and bowed deeply to Goku with a smile. "Your reputation precedes you, sir. And it is an honor to finally meet you. The universe already owes you a debt it can never repay."

Goku blushed at the elegant greeting and compliment. "It wasn't that great, I mean, Frieza did come back. He came to Earth and it was Vegeta's son from the future that killed him and King Kold. "

"Frieza was never the same after you beat him. He was more dangerous in terms of his power, but he lost his edge and I have heard… his sanity."

"So you knew Frieza too?" Goku asked.

"Yes. He destroyed my planet, my parents and forced me to join his ranks. I spent 10 years leading missions to destroy planets before I was betrayed by one of Frieza's other lieutenants. I lost my team and was declared an outlaw, but I escaped, and found this ship. Since that day I've spent all of my time fighting against Frieza and his Allies, for that I was called a Space Pirate." Max sighed, then he glanced at Vegeta. "So, how many are you bringing, Vegeta?"

"Probably ten." Vegeta said. "And like I mentioned, one of them is going through bonding withdrawal. Her mate from a previous lifetime is in danger, and she didn't even know what was wrong with her until tonight. Gohan must have been putting up one hell of a block to keep himself from feeling that she was in such pain."

"Is Pan going to be alright, Vegeta?" Goku asked worriedly.

"Now that she is with us, yes, she will live. We can keep her distracted and watch over her, but that solution is only temporary. We need to find her mate. Max has already told me that all six of his Saiyans are fine, and in fighting condition. Not one of them shows any signs of withdrawal, so that means there are more of them than these that Durmast had. But where could they be?"

"The Thunderhead Sector seems like the most obvious place to start searching to me, but that area is probably too dangerous to explore without a full crew." Max sighed.

"What's the Thunderhead Sector?" Goku wondered out loud.

"A place most of the universe considers either magical, or haunted." Max told him. "Fierce electrical storms and energy vortexes open suddenly in the middle of a clear radar screen, destroying even the biggest ships. Sometimes entire fleets, moons, even planets and stars are gone in an instant before the huge disturbances vanish again just as suddenly as they came. On the other hand there are some of these energy storms that don't move; and they are all beautiful, but still very deadly."

"You are too cautious, Max. The Thunderhead Sector is a dangerous place, but I refuse to believe all of the legends that I have heard about it. I've crossed it twice and never seen anything but Energy Dolphins and Storm Dragons. We need to deal with Durmast first, I don't like thinking about your crew imprisoned there after all you've done to piss him off. But I don't like the idea of letting Pan suffer, either."

"I may be too cautious about that sector, but I still say you are crazy, Vegeta. Crossing into that area in a Saiyan space pod was madness the first time. Doing it again, it just proves that that sector is as crazy as you are. On the other hand, I was thinking… If we have to, we could split the group in half, take part of the Atlantis to Kwanzaa and send the other part out to try and scout the location of these strange Saiyans…"

"We will if we have to, but if the Skulls want me on Kwanzaa I want to know why. And, I also want to work with Pan and show her how to find her mate. I think you could teach her if you had to, Kakarrot, but I've actually had practice at covering the sort of distances that she will need to learn to bridge."

"Well, we will arrive in 23 standard hours and…"

"Captain?" A girl to his left interrupted shyly. "I'm sorry sir, but I think you need to see this call that we are receiving. I'm not familiar with this crest, Sir… "

"Put it on the two way screen, Lilanna." Max told the girl calmly. "That's Talon, isn't it, Vegeta?"

Vegeta would've known that crest anywhere, which was why he nearly choked in surprise at seeing it. "It's definitely Elven... " Vegeta nodded finally. " But that isn't the crest of the Empire of Talon, Max. That's the insignia of the Silversong House, and only one person could be using that… it is the Empress herself. "

"Shall we accept it then?" Max asked.

Vegeta nodded still staring at the crest he had not seen in nearly 30 years.

Goku watched curiously as the screen split, into two images and the shiny silver picture on the left was replaced by the image of a woman of astonishing beauty. She had golden skin, rich, lustrous golden hair and sharply pointed ears with eyes of soft lavender. The woman smiled, enhancing even more her radiant beauty. "Vegeta," She said, her voice was soft, like the whisper of a summer breeze but still clear, her speech sounded very refined as she continued. "Captain Maxwell… I would like this to be a purely social call, as I haven't seen my two favorite young Princes in years. I glad to see that I am fortunate enough to meet you for the first time, Goku. I would like to tell you what an honor it is to meet you… But I wanted you three to hear this first."

"What is it, my Lady?" Vegeta asked.

"The war is over." The woman answered, her soft voice was heavy with dread and sadness.

Max and Vegeta were silent for a long time, until finally Goku frowned, nudging the Saiyan Prince with his elbow. "What war?"

"But how?" Max asked ignoring Goku's question. "Their communications…"

"Those were planted so that anyone receiving them would think that there was still a standoff between home base one and the Imperial Palace." The golden lady told them quietly. "The Saurians have not answered a hail in more than four hours. I have dispatched several of my ships to investigate… but I already know that Prince Kold is on his way to the Palace for his coronation, and his troops are already on the move. Soon there won't be any place to hide. That is why the Skulls want you, Vegeta."

"I don't understand…" Goku told the Elven Empress. "What war is over and what is why these Skulls want Vegeta?"

Vegeta broke his silence before The Empress could answer. "The Ice-Jinn have been fighting a civil war since you defeated Koola. Frieza and the older members of his family are all dead. But there are still Ice-Jinn left. Their generals, close advisors and the power structure of the Empires they commanded still exist. The Empires were too large and diverse in their political beliefs and economic interests to go back to being isolationist states, even without a strong leader. I had hoped that since I could not destroy them completely, that they would wipe themselves out in an all out war for control. Koola had a son, and he has been fighting King Kold's best general for the leadership of their race. The general was a venerable elder, very gifted in strategy and tactics, politically he was almost as feared as King Kold himself, but he was no longer a fighter. He tried to assassinate his young rival... all the while the warriors still loyal to the Kold Family simply concentrated on raising Koola's son and training him to be a great warrior. While the general spent huge amounts of gold, the lives of his warriors and time coming up with his clever schemes, all the Prince had to do was wait. Since he couldn't fight anymore the general's control over the capital city and the Palace would fall apart as soon as the boy's forces invaded... that was how they kept it from us… But Kakarrot is right, my lady, I don't see what it would have to do with me?"

"You are the most powerful warrior in the universe, Prince Vegeta. Prince Koola has a great oracle among his advisors. She has told him that you will stop him from exceeding the conquests of his family in the previous generation. The Skulls are also aware of her prophecy, and they seek to protect their interests within the new Empire's power structure by pledging their loyalty with a unique gift- the one who is meant to stop him."

"My Lady," Max inquired. "what is this oracle's name?"

"She is the one true seer. It is Omegus."

"She still lives?"

"Her lineage makes her a different species, but basically she is still Elven. Like any elf she is immortal, Vegeta."

"Who is Omegus- and what exactly is an Elf?"

The Empress of the Elves laughed and smiled sweetly. "Have you told him nothing of your past, Vegeta?"

"It seems that it was another lifetime ago, Lady Arrianna. Kakarrot, this is Empress Arrianna Silversong the ruler of the Elves. She is an Elf, and there are several dozen different species of Elves, her particular type is called a Gold Elf and they are one of the last races to favor magic over technology. She and her line, the Silversong's are the guardians of Magic and the rulers of the Empire of Talon. Their Princess, Arrianna's niece was my best friend when I was a child."

"So Frieza let you have a friend?" Goku asked innocently, "That's nice, but what happened to her?"

"What do you think happened to her?" Vegeta snarled. "Frieza murdered her, right in front of me. He ripped her heart out of her chest and tossed her aside like a broken doll."

"W-why?" Goku gasped when he could finally speak again. Arrianna and Max both seemed troubled by Vegeta's answer, but Goku scarcely noticed, trying to imagine the cold hearted villain he had faced on Namek doing something so terrible to a little girl… After what Frieza had done to Krillin and the others on Namek, he found himself believing Vegeta but he didn't want to- he had restrained himself from killing Frieza because he had wanted to give him a chance to change… But if Frieza could be that cruel, that long ago then Vegeta had been right, Frieza was the worst sort of evil.

"He did it because I was too young to stop him and to show me that it is dangerous to let yourself care about others. Shani was actually just like you Kakarrot, if she could see it or touch it, she wasn't afraid of it, she never took a backward step from anything in her life and she trusted others completely- even Frieza. She didn't even have a chance to scream and I couldn't save her."

"B-but, Vegeta if you were just a kid it wasn't your fault, I mean Fri…"

"It was my fault because if I hadn't gotten attached to her she'd still be alive." Vegeta snapped and stormed out. Goku was about to follow him when he glanced up at the screen and looked at the Elven Empress. Her expression was heavy with sadness, and she was crying silent tears, looking in the direction that Vegeta had gone.

"Frieza was a terrible evil, Goku. Millions died on his orders, he ruled hundreds of planets and enslaved entire races. But I think one of the cruelest things he did was the way that he raised Vegeta. A boy that could formulate brilliant strategies and destroy an entire planet on his own when he was only five years old- but he was still a child. Like all children, Vegeta simply acted as he was raised to, he wasn't evil. He and my niece met onboard Frieza's ship when he was five years old. They had nothing in common except that they were the same age, and yet somehow they became friends. For two years they were inseparable- apart only when Vegeta had to go on a mission either for training with Frieza or on a mission to destroy another planet. They caused harmless mischief when they were together, and Frieza didn't seem to pay them much attention one way or the other. Then, on a visit to his palace, he saw Vegeta and Shani playing in the gardens and she kissed him on the cheek as over exuberant little girls are sometimes prone to do. I have searched both Vegeta's and Shani's memories looking for some other reason that might have angered Frieza- and found nothing. It happened as Vegeta told you, except that the monster had one of his henchmen hold Vegeta while he 'talked' to him. Shani got angry with Frieza for hitting him and for telling Vegeta not to get attached to anyone, so she kicked him in the knee. Frieza was so powerful he couldn't possibly even have felt it, but he got angry- and he did rip out her heart… But Goku, the story of Vegeta and my niece does not end there. Shani should have died that day- but her mother's magical familiar- you might think of them as something of a pet, was a powerful animal called a Spell Dragon. My sister and Blaze gave both of their lives to keep Shani alive… Their combined sacrifice kept Shani alive long enough for her to be put in a rejuvenation chamber and for it to repair enough of the damage that she would live. Frieza never told Vegeta that Shani was still alive. When Vegeta was 18 years old, Frieza reintroduced them to each other. Shani was as beautiful as her mother and deeply in love with Vegeta. She was still innocent and sweet natured, and she proved as irresistible to Vegeta as she had been when they were children. Unfortunately one night as they talked, they ended up kissing. They only made love one time and after he realized what they had done, Vegeta was furious with himself- but Frieza had expected it and let himself in. They raped her- right in front of him. Vegeta couldn't take it attacking Frieza and Dodoria again and again- but in the end, when he woke up, they were gone and she was already dead. Goku- Vegeta doesn't know this but after they knocked him out, I was able to save their child with my magic. I couldn't save Shani because of a medallion that she was forced to wear. I was allowed to talk to her once a month over a monitored transmission, and Shani told me what Frieza had told her that she was supposed to get close to him again. She loved him, she didn't want to hurt him, but because she loved him, she became pregnant. I had seen this coming in a terrible vision, so I prepared to save what was left of my family. I bought one of the incubation chambers that were built for the Saiyans and installed it here in my palace. When the medallion no longer stopped my magic from affecting Shani, I knew she was already dead. I teleported the tiny body and spirit of the infant into the incubator. I had to let Frieza send Shani's body home to me at his leisure, or I knew that he would be suspicious. Not knowing what to do with her, I had Rashanna kept in stasis in the incubator, you see, Frieza visited my planet often, so I was still afraid that Frieza might find out about her and try to use her to hurt Vegeta. So, I continued to wait to bring her out of stasis. When I heard about what had happened on Namek, I knew it was safe, so she was finally born three years after Frieza's defeat. Rashanna knows who her parents are, but Vegeta still doesn't know, about her and I haven't the heart to tell him. I had hoped by now that he would be over Shani's death enough that I could tell him."

"I had no idea that Frieza did such terrible things to Vegeta- but don't worry Lady Arrianna. Vegeta has a daughter here on Earth and she has him wrapped around her little finger. I think he'd like the idea that he has another one- even if she did grow up without him."

"That is another tricky part of the situation. Elves grow up very slowly. The equivalent of a five year old human or Saiyan is twenty five years old for a pure bred elf. But Rashanna is only a half Elf- the rest of her is Saiyan, and Saiyans have a much longer total lifespan than a human, so when you combine two races that have live such a long time it made her age at the same rate as a purebred elf."

"I'm confused… how little could she be if she was born after Namek?" Goku asked. "That was a long time ago."

"Would you like to meet her?" Arrianna asked, seeing that he probably wouldn't understand the difference in the length of their lifespan otherwise.

"Can I really?" Goku was so excited he started hopping up and down.

"Yes, I'm curious too" Max agreed with a mischievous grin. "Let's see the secret you've been keeping for the last 41 years, Empress Arrianna."

The Empress smiled and asked a servant to fetch the young princess. A few moments later a little voice called in a language Goku had never heard before, followed by a little blur of gold pouncing into the Empress' lap. She hugged her great aunt and then spoke again in the unfamiliar language before the Empress turned her to look at the screen. Goku couldn't believe his eyes. She was beautiful and she looked about five- maybe six years old. Rashanna had long blonde hair that fell to her waist, her skin was golden like her aunt's but her eyes were pure silver- and she had a tail, who's fur was the same liquid gold as her hair. "Can you say hello?" The Empress asked the little girl finally interrupting Goku's thoughts.

"Tena." Rashanna said shyly.

"Can you say it in common?"

The little girl nodded. "Hello. Who are you?"

"I'm Goku. I'm friends with your dad."

"I'm Max."

"You know my father? Did you know my mother too?"

When they both shook their heads, the little girl looked crest fallen and looked down, grabbing the end of her tail sadly.

"Oh, don't be sad, Rashanna." Goku told her happily. "I think your dad would love to meet you, and I have a son that seems to be about your age."

"Really?" Rashanna sat up and stared at him with huge eyes, when he nodded, she turned to her aunt. "Is it ok? Can I go meet my father?"

"I hope so, Chemar. I hope so." Her aunt said, hugging her gently. "Alright, young lady, you have lessons in the library now, don't you?"

"Oh please not today!! I can't study now! I want to go-" The girl protested.

"Rashanna!" The Empress cut in expectantly. "As the princess of two races it is doubly important that you attend to your responsibilities, is it not?"

Rashanna looked down and nudged the polished marble floor with the toe of her tiny boot. "Yes, Lady Arrianna. A proper lady must be smart and bootiful… but can't I get smart later this time?"

Max and Goku couldn't help but laugh, and the Empress cracked a grin. Rashanna's head snapped up and she scowled at them, it was the first time since she had arrived that she looked anything like Vegeta at all. "What are all of you laughing at?"

"Wow! I guess maybe there is some of Vegeta in you after all." Goku grinned, shaking his head wonderingly.

"I want to talk to these gentlemen for a while about when you will get to meet your father. If you really don't want to study, have Raya take you out into the gardens and play for a while, ok?"

"Why does Raya have to come? Can't I just take Darkness?"

"Darkness can play too, but Raya will go with you or you will return to the library and your lessons. Is that clear?"

Rashanna nodded, sticking her bottom lip out. "Yes, Aunt Arrianna."

,

"Alright then, go play for a while."

"Ok!" She grinned and disappeared from the screen in a blur of gold. "Oh!" She cried and came back to the screen and curtsied. "I'm sorry. I forgot to say goodbye! It was nice to meet you, a lady needs good manners and eddicut too. Right?"

The Empress laughed. "Yes dearest, now you may go."

"She's amazing." Goku said happily.

Max nodded. "Yes, it seems you are doing a remarkable job of raising her."

"I love her, and I don't have any children of my own, so she truly is the only family I have left, but I want her to have the chance to get to know her father. I hated to keep this from him- but I really felt I had no choice, I only pray you understand."

"I think you did what you had to." Max told her. "Vegeta was always stubborn and difficult to talk to if he wasn't in the mood- I can't imagine trying to tell him that he had a daughter to look after…"

"I wouldn't have asked him to raise her. She has been the equivalent of a five year old for nearly three years- and she was four for almost four years. She is 26 years old and she is just now starting to seem like she might be approaching six years old… Only an Elf could have the patience to raise a child who grows so slowly, we expect it. But Saiyans were already considered adults by the time they were 18- even if he had wanted to he couldn't possibly have been that patient with her. By the time he met Shani she was already beginning to age a little faster, so she appeared to grow up almost like a Saiyan. I admit I think it would help Rashanna a lot if there was another child that's her age in the palace for her to spend time with."

"Well, we'll just have to introduce her to Kayin." Goku shrugged.

"You were serious?"

"Yeah, I think they'll get along great!"

"Good but I meant do you really think Vegeta will want to meet her?"

"I'm positive he'll like her. When I think back to all the stuff that Vegeta's done and compare that to what he's like now- It's like he's a totally different person from the way that you knew him. He's had a pretty rough day today or I'd just pop over there and pick her up and take her to him right now for you. I think that if we wait a few days and let Vegeta cool off that he'll be just as crazy about Rashanna as he is about Bra."

"What bra?"

"Bra is his daughter's name here on Earth." Goku told them happily.

"Vegeta named his daughter Bra?"

Goku shrugged. "Actually it was Bulma's idea. It's tradition in her family…name the kids after underwear, their son's name is Trunks."

"I can't believe Vegeta would let that tradition stand."

"Well, Bulma can be pretty convincing and she's definitely got a mind of her own. Oh! And speaking of Bulma- I wonder if I ought to tell her about Rashanna ahead of time…"

"If she is his bonded mate and you think it might upset her, then I wouldn't," Arrianna warned, "because he will pick up on her thoughts and I would rather tell him myself, since I am the one that kept her from him."

"Alright then, I respect your wishes. I think it's great that you care so much about him, I'm sure after the shock wears off that he will understand."

"I pray that you are right, but honestly, I do not share your enthusiasm." She said sadly.