Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ The Prince's Captive ❯ Chapter 19

Chapter Nineteen

Amara, Bardock, Chi Chi and Gohan stood amongst the soldiers at the landing grounds. The ship, which they were all awaiting, was just a twinkle in the night sky.

"Is that it?" Gohan asked his mother, pointing up into the sky.

"Yes, I think it is," she replied.

"It's about time," Amara said, crossing her arms under her breasts.

Bardock gave one curt nod.

"They are all in good health?" Chi Chi asked.

Bardock nodded again. "Yes, see for yourself in a moment."

When the ship landed, soldiers filed out around it, as if to protect its passengers from danger, but there wasn't a ki signature around for miles. The hatch opened and the soldiers tensed.

Bardock began to move towards the ship and Amara hurried to fall into step with him. Chi Chi and Gohan trailed behind.

"By the looks of it, they're expecting an attack," Amara said, glancing up at the sky and the surrounding area.

"Wouldn't you rather be safe than sorry?" Chi Chi asked.

"I suppose so."

"We wouldn't want anything unfortunate to befall our soon-to-be King, would we?" Bardock added.

Amara gave a small smile. "Guess not."

The first one out of the hatch was Vegeta. He looked around at the soldiers and was immediately approached by a few councilmen, including Amara's father, Cole.

He waved off all of their questions and barked out, "We'll talk later!"

Amara laughed. "I can't blame him. After coming back from a trip like that, talking to them wouldn't be the first thing I'd want to do."

Vegeta approached the four as Bulma made her way out of the ship. When he got to them, they each bowed politely before him.

His eyes passed over their surroundings. "Nice to see this place is still intact."

"Of course."

Amara held out her closed hand to him. He frowned at her and she said, "It's for you."

He held out his hand below hers and she let something slip into his palm. It was the necklace that King Vegeta used to wear. Vegeta's eyes widened a touch and he closed his fist around the pendant, letting the chain hang loosely.

"He wanted you to have that," Amara said, sternly. "That was his last request." She smiled and walked around him when she caught sight of Radditz.

He turned halfway to see where she was going and then looked down at the necklace in his hands again. He felt someone's gaze on him and raised his eyes to meet Bardock's.

"I want to see Malem," Vegeta said.

Bardock nodded. "I will take you to him." His eyes flicked past him to the others.

"Fine." He turned to look also. "After all the reuniting is done."

Kakarot had his arm around Chi Chi and his free hand on top of Gohan's head, ruffling his hair. Chi Chi was speaking urgently to him, but he just looked amused.

Amara was trying to look casual enough standing before her lover. She put her hands on her hips. "I'm glad to see that you didn't do anything stupid."

"It's nice to see you too," he said.

"The King is gone, but the rules haven't changed," she said. "We're even more vulnerable now. I'll give you a proper welcoming back tonight. If that's all right with you." She smiled seductively.

He laughed. "I have no objections. I've been saving it all up for you."

She fought the urge to laugh and failed. "Oh? Well, I can't wait." Bulma walked up to them and Amara switched her attention over to her. "Hey."

She smiled at her. "Hello."

Amara noticed a man standing a few feet behind Bulma. "Who's he?"

Bulma glanced back at him and her smile withered a bit around the edges. "His name is Yamcha. He is help my father sent from Earth."

"Help?" Amara asked. "What is he going to do?"

"Maybe help me with some technological things," Bulma said.

"Hmm. Maybe Bardock could assist you also," she said, looking up at Radditz. "Right? Doesn't he do that kind of stuff?"

"Yeah."

"Come on, damn it!" Vegeta cried in the distance. "We're going to go see Malem now!"

"Finally," Radditz said. "I bet Vegeta has a lot to say to him." He smirked. "What do you think he's going to do to him, `Mara?"

She shrugged and started in Vegeta's direction. "I don't know. We'll have to wait and see."

When they all got to Vegeta and Bardock, they headed for the palace.

"We should make an example out of Malem," Radditz said. "You know, do something public to show them that disobedience is intolerable."

"Ha! Disobedience?" Amara asked. "That's putting it lightly."

"Don't worry about his punishment," Vegeta said. "He'll get what he deserves, if not more."

>>>

The prison area was located in the basement of the castle. As each person walked the sound of their shoes echoed throughout the room. The floor was made of cold tile and there wasn't much in terms of lighting.

They walked through the cold, stagnant air as Bardock led them to Malem's cell. Bardock stopped suddenly and turned. "It's here."

Vegeta peered through the bars to see a form huddled against the far wall. It was a pitiful sight. Malem looked up when he sensed them standing there.

"So I see you have returned alive," Malem said, standing slowly.

"My well-being is none of your concern," Vegeta replied. "You should be worried about yourself."

He smiled. "Is that so?" He moved closer to the bars, but still out of the Prince's reach.

"Still cocky when your death is so near?" Amara spoke from behind Vegeta.

Malem glanced at her and then smiled wider. "I almost had you, didn't I?"

She frowned and Radditz moved in front of her. "Let me in there with him."

Amara placed her hand on his shoulder. "Stop it."

Radditz crossed his arms over his chest, but didn't say anything. A look of satisfaction came over Malem's face. He took a few steps closer to them and Vegeta grabbed him by the throat.

Malem's eyes widened and Vegeta tightened his grip on him. Malem put his hands over Vegeta's as he lifted him off the ground a little.

"You're a fool," Vegeta said. "You're going to die slowly for all the atrocities you have committed."

Malem gasped and found enough air to speak. "I'm not sorry for what I did."

Vegeta's eyes narrowed and he slammed Malem's body into the bars of his cell. Yamcha took a few steps back as Vegeta continued his assault on Malem. Each blow became punctuated by a sickening cracking sound and Malem began to scream.

Vegeta dropped Malem's body on the cell floor, turned and began to walk away. Malem scooted away from the bars and sat near the wall again.

Bardock took one last look at Malem before following the Prince out of the doorway. Amara's hand tightening on Radditz's shoulder and she turned. He turned to her and she motioned towards the door.

When the Saiya-jins, Bulma, Chi Chi and Gohan had left, Yamcha stood alone and gazed at Malem. He put his hands on the bars. "Hey. What did you do to get thrown in jail?"

Malem lifted his head. "Who are you? You're not a Saiya-jin."

Yamcha shook his head. "No, I'm not. I'm from Earth."

Malem looked at Yamcha, summing him up. "Help me get out of here and I promise you I'll get you anything you want."

"Anything?" he asked.

Malem nodded.

Yamcha put one hand under his chin. "That's an awfully tempting offer."

"What is it that you desire the most?"

"Maybe it's not what, but who," Yamcha said.

Malem gave him a sideways look. "It's that woman, isn't it? The blue-haired one."

He nodded. "It is."

Malem smirked and thought, He's so transparent. Malem moved closer to Yamcha, though he was bleeding in various places and his body was beginning to ache. "So how about it? You get me out of here and I'll get the woman for you. They may have me in prison, but there are people in this city and in the council who will assist me."

"Hmm. I'll think about it." Yamcha turned his back on him.

"Oh please do think it over and act soon. I don't know how much longer I have until they decide to execute me," he said. "And if I die, your only chance of being with her will die also."

Yamcha nodded. "I understand."

"Hey!"

Yamcha whirled around and saw Amara standing in the doorway. She placed her hands on her hips.

"Yes?" Yamcha asked.

She frowned. "You better come along before you get yourself into trouble."

"Of course," he said, moving foreword a step. "I'll be along in a minute, I was just looking around."

She turned and left the room. Yamcha started after her, but Malem reached out and grabbed his arm. Yamcha turned to him with inquisitive eyes.

"She's beautiful, isn't she?"

"Who?" Yamcha queried.

"Amara," he said. "When I escape I want to take her with me. So that means you are not to lay a hand on her. She's mine."

"Don't worry about that," Yamcha said. "I have no interest in anyone expect for Bulma."

"Good." He released his arm. "I'll hear from you soon?"

"Yes," he said, glancing around the room. "Are there guards here?"

Malem nodded. "Usually, but Vegeta ordered them out when he came in. Is that a problem?"

"Of course not. It just makes it more of a challenge." He turned to leave. "I think you'll be out of here soon enough." He walked away from Malem.

Malem smiled and turned to lean against the bars. "Fool. As soon as he frees me and I have my precious Amara, I will kill him." He clenched his hand into a fist and his smile widened.

>>>

A/N:

Celestial Princess: Well, as if the gang didn't have enough problems all ready. Yamcha how dare you plan to betray them like that!

Yamcha: What? I never pledged loyalty to them, so how am I betraying them?

Celestial Princess: Uh…well…

Yamcha: (Looks smug)

Celestial Princess: (Hits him over the head with a blunt object)

Yamcha: (Falls on the floor and doesn't move)

Celestial Princess: On another note, school will be starting soon for me. (Sniffs) This summer sure wasn't long enough. This means I might not be able to update as much as I'd like to. Don't worry, though! I'm not going to forget about any of my fics. But on the bright side I'll be a senior this year! Yay! (Fanfare) Until the next update! Ciao!