I Don't Want To Be A Monster: Chapter 2

Vegeta almost fell over laughing while everyone just hovered around and was confused. “You? Destroy the universe? HA HA HA! Oh God, that’s rich! Listen, kid, I don’t have time for these stupid games. There’s no way you have that kind of power. Trunks here,” patting his son on the back, “now that I can see. He could destroy a planet with one hand tied behind his back, and he isn’t even half as strong as me yet. I don’t sense nearly that much power in you.”

It took every ounce of will power Violet had not to punch him straight in the face. She clenched her fist as tightly as she could. She met him not even five minutes ago, and he’s already mocking her. “First of all, I’m not a damn kid! I’m only eight years younger than you. Second of all, I’m not lying!”

The more she argued back, the more Vegeta laughed. He wouldn’t let her get a single word out, which only infuriated her more. Goku decided now would be a good time to step in and try to mediate the problem. “Listen, Vegeta, just hear her out. What harm will it do? She wouldn’t be getting this upset if there wasn’t some truth behind to what she’s trying to saying. Besides, the last time we both underestimated someone it was when Buu turned into a kid. I don’t think I need to remind you how painful that mistake was.”

As much as he hated to admit it, he knew Goku had a point. Underestimating Buu almost cost him his life. Twice. There really was no harm in at least listening to her, even if he did find it all to be ridiculous. “Fine then, speak. Explain the rest of it.”

She gave a slight bow to the taller of the two “thank you ahh… Goku? Kakarot? I’m sorry; I’m not sure which your name is since I’ve heard you respond to both. I’m assuming Kakarot is your Saiyan name?”

Goku gave her his cheeky grin while rubbing the back of his neck like he always does. “Yep! You can call me Goku since it’s a bit easier though. Vegeta is the only one to call me, Kakarot. I don’t mind since we’re best buds. Right, Vegeta?”

“Shut up, Moron.”

“See? The best!” As tense as the situation was everyone couldn’t help but laugh. Goku always knew how to lighten the mood, even if that meant he was the butt of the joke.

Eventually everyone remembered why they were all so serious in the first place and slowly stopped laughing. Violet cleared her throat before being the first to speak. “I do wish to explain the situation; however I understand this day is a special one for, Trunks. I do not want to trouble you all with my problems right now, especially the birthday boy.” She looked at her nephew who stood proudly by his father. A small smile crept on her face while she took her first good look at him. “I apologize for the interruption, Trunks.”

Trunks grabbed a hold of her right hand in both of his. “Don’t be sorry! This is the best birthday ever! I just found out that not only do I have a badass Aunt, but she’s got a super cool secret. I wanna know! Please tell us! I can keep secrets I promise!”

The next thing she knew her other hand was also being yanked on by her nephew’s best friend. “Yeah pleeeease! I can keep a secret too!”

The boys finally wore her down and she agreed. They all gathered around the table to hear her explain her worry, Trunks and Goten of course sitting right beside her while Vegeta kept more of his distance. “I suppose I must start from the very beginning. Vegeta, from the moment Mom and Father knew she was pregnant with me; one of father’s guards had a vision. I believe his name was Bardock, and he claimed to see into the future. He said he knew mother was pregnant with a third child, a girl, and that I would wreak havoc throughout the universe. Once I tapped into my hidden power, I would be purely evil, and I would lose control and be unstoppable. At first they both dismissed his accusations, but every few weeks mother’s energy would fluctuate to incredible and terrifying levels. They knew that power belonged to me, the unborn heir. No one had ever seen a power like that before, especially from a baby that wasn’t born yet. As time went on, Father began to worry that perhaps Bardock was right. He feared that even if they tried to raise me, I would grow up to become a monster and maybe even slaughter our own race one day. It was a chance he was not willing to take, so he ordered me to be killed the second I was born. Mother would not have it. She already had to send Tarble off to another planet because he was too weak. She refused to lose another child just because the thought of a future that might happen was too scary.”

For the first time since she started, she looked over at Vegeta. However he wasn’t looking back. He was listening to every word, but he couldn’t bring himself to look at her. She decided to continue. “Vegeta, you were not allowed to know of my existence because Father thought it would leave you too vulnerable. You were still grief stricken about Tarble being sent off, and he didn’t want you to be more so with the thought of never meeting me. He needed you to be strong since you were still under the eyes of Frieza. Father didn’t want that vile man to use that against you, too. Anyway, Mom knew the only thing she could do was run away with me. Not forever, but long enough so I would hopefully no longer be seen as a threat to our Father. Before she left she went in your Quarters. Do you remember that? She told you she had to leave on a Diplomatic mission and would be gone for two weeks. She told you to be a good and strong warrior while she was away.”

“I remember that” he said in a low voice. “She hugged and kissed me before she walked out of my room. I remember counting the days I would get to see her again. I always hated when she left me to go on those missions.”

“She regretted lying to you every day since then. She wanted to take you with us, but that would only cause more suspicion and put you in further danger. We didn’t even make it off the planet before Frieza’s men captured us. Frieza found out about the vision and figured out Mom was planning on escaping, so he decided to use us to his advantaged. Whether the vision was true or not, he only saw it as another couple of Saiyan slaves to whip. A week after that, I was born, and that day he destroyed our planet. He told mother he spared your life, along with three other Saiyans, but we were never allowed to come into contact with you again. While you were stuck doing his dirty work in the Northern Galaxy, we had to do it in the Southern one. He made sure there was no way we would cross paths.”

Vegeta un-expectantly slammed his fists into the table. Violet was prepared for him to start accusing her of lying again. She was surprised when it never came. Bulma stood by her husband and took hold of his trembling hand to try and take some of his pain away. He began to calm down with her help, but the anger was still evident in his voice. “That bastard told me my Mother came home a week early to surprise me! He said she was caught in the explosion and- and I believed him! It all makes sense now. Zarbon and Dodoria would tease me about the “long lost Saiyan Princess and Queen”, but I thought they were just being assholes and mocking me about losing my mother for all those years. I didn’t think anything of it. Violet?”

She cautiously answered “Yeah?”

“Where’s Mom?” He was afraid he already knew the answer, but he had to ask. He had to know. The way her eyes watered as she broke eye contact confirmed what he already thought.

“She died not too long ago.” Each word was harder for her to say than the last. “We heard from Frieza’s men how Frieza was on a Planet named Namek and that he killed you there. We were also informed of the reason why Frieza was there in the first place and how he wanted to acquire the Dragon Balls. Mother and I planned on escaping to go see you, even if that was the only way we could, but we needed to get stronger first in case we got caught and had to fight. The exact opposite happened though, at least for Mom. She was slowing getting weaker and we didn’t know why. One night I couldn’t sleep, so I was walking around my Quarters when I overheard the guards say how they’ve been poising her food. She was slowly dying and to this day I still don’t know why they decided to kill her, or why not me too. I don’t remember what happened after because next thing I know Mom and I are in a space pod flying away from our base. Mom said I transformed into the Legend, a Super Saiyan, but she said I lost control. I destroyed anything and everyone one within a blink of an eye. The only reason I stopped was because when I was finished killing everyone, I passed out. Mom was worried Bardock’s vision all those years ago was actually coming true. I was worried, too. That moment I vowed to never transform again, but it became harder as I grew older. Whenever I transform I never know until it’s too late. I have no control over when it happens, or for how long. Each time in that state I grow stronger. It is terrifying.”

“Hold on,” Trunks interrupted, “I can go Super Saiyan, Dad, Goten, Gohan and Goku can too. Heck, Dad, Gohan and Goku can all go even beyond that, and that’s never happened to any of us. So why does it happen to you?

“I wish I knew. As time went on Mom thought our only chance was to try and find the Dragon Balls while we were on Namek and see if the rumors behind them were true. If they were, we would wish for it to stop. However, mom grew sicker on our travels. After much convincing, I told her we will wish for her health back. If we wasted the only wish we got for that, then so be it. We finally arrived on Namek and the locals were very kind and aided our search for the Dragon Balls. When we finally collected all seven and summoned the eternal dragon, I knew we didn’t have much time. Mom was minutes away from breathing her last breath. Before I could make the wish, she stopped me, and collapsed to the ground a second later. She told me not to go through with the wish. She wanted to die and see Father again. I wanted to beg her to change her mind because I could fix her. With one wish, I could take it all away. Then I realized something. She sacrificed anything and everything for me, and here I was ready to ask for more. I couldn’t deny the only thing she’s ever asked of me, so I agreed. One of the locals then explained how I had not one wish, but three. Thrilled about the news, we decided that for our first wish, we wanted to be transported with the eternal dragon to your burial spot because she wanted to be buried next to you. He did as we asked but told us how you were no longer at that spot because you were alive, and you were living on planet Earth. I don’t remember the last time I saw her that happy. She brought me close to her as she told me one last thing before she died. She told me to use the second wish to find you because if anyone could help me, it would be you. Maybe I didn’t have to make that wish to change me because maybe you knew what to do. Mom believed in you so much, Vegeta, and so do I. My second wish was to have the dragon put your exact coordinates in my space pod so I could head over to you. Mom died before I could ask her what she wanted the third wish to be, so I used it to bury her in the spot she wanted. You might not have been there physically, but spiritually you were, and I knew that was enough for her. The flight from here to Namek was about two weeks. It was enough time for me to think about how I wanted to play out this very moment.”

The others awkwardly shifted in their seats, not knowing what to say, or if they should say anything at all. A million things ran through Vegeta’s head. He had so much to say, but he wouldn’t. At least not until everyone left. He could already feel their pity and he’d be damned if he gave them a reason to give him more. Thankfully Bulma stepped in. “Alright everyone, it’s ahh, getting kind of late. I don’t want you guys driving, or flying, homes in the dark while you’re all still slightly buzzed. I think we’ll call it a night. Thank you for coming!” No one needed to be told twice as they all quickly got up to leave and wished Trunks Happy Birthday one last time.

“Hey mom, is it alright if Goten sleeps over tonight?”

“Of course, sweetie.” The two little boys gave each other a high five while racing inside.

Violet began to head towards her pod, but Bulma stopped her by grabbing her shoulder. “Where are you going?”

“Back to my pod. I figured I would try and get some rest in-“

“Nope! Not a chance. You’re staying with us for however long you need.”

“That’s very kind of you, but I don’t want to intrude.”

“Nonsense. You’re family, and it’s not like we don’t have the space. Trust me, we’ve got plenty of it” Bulma said as she winked. Violet thanked her as she accepted her offer and followed her inside. Bulma gave her some spare clothes and pajamas and showed her to her room.

After about an hour, Violet could feel her hunger taking over, so she managed to find her way to the kitchen only to find  that Trunks and Goten had beaten her to most the food. She sat down with them at the table and grabbed a few plates that they clearly had no interest in and joined them.

“You’re really pretty!” Goten said in between bites.

Trunks punched him in the arm “Hey, dummy! That’s my Aunt that I just found out about. You can’t flirt with her!”

Goten mumbled his apologies as he continued to stuff his face and steal a couple of glances at Violet. She chuckled and thanked him for his compliment.

“Hey, Aunt Violet, can you tell us some of the stuff Frieza had you do? I asked Dad before but he kind of got mad and told me not to ask him again.”

“I’m sorry, Trunks. I can’t tell you my past without you figuring out his. It’s not my place to share what he does not want to be told.”

Trunks then dropped the subject, understanding it was a difficult topic to speak about for her as well. Before the two cleaned up their mess and went to bed, they asked if she would spare with them in the morning. Violet happily agreed. Besides, she was curious to see just how strong these kids actually were. They both hugged her good night and scampered off into Trunks’ room.

Violet couldn’t sleep, so she wandered the spacious house some more until she found her way on the roof of Capsule Corps. The view was breath taking. All the stars in the sky were so bright, and she found the brightest one and thought of her Mother. Her tailed slightly twitched as the pain resurfaced again at her loss. A little while later she noticed she had company. Vegeta sat right beside her and looked in the direction she was looking in. “I like to come out here too when I have a lot on my mind. The landscape can be beautiful at times here on Earth, especially at night.”

Silence fell between them, but it wasn’t uncomfortable or awkward. It was rather nice. “There wasn’t a day she didn’t think about you, you know.” She finally spoke. Vegeta didn’t have to ask who she meant. It was hard for him to hear though. “Every night she would dream about seeing you, at least one last time. I wish I could have given it to her.”

“She wouldn’t have wanted to see me. I’ve done terrible shit for Frieza once she was gone. She would have feared me, she wouldn’t have loved me. Not after she knew what I had done.”

“We knew, Vegeta.”

“There’s no way you could have-“

“We knew because after every mission, Frieza would either message us or personally tell us what he had you doing. You were just a boy, Vegeta. You had no choice. If you didn’t listen to him he would have killed you. All that blood isn’t on your hands. He forced you to do those things, and Mother knew that. She knew no matter what, the little boy she kissed goodbye all those years ago would still be there somewhere.”

“I was evil, cruel, and sadistic.”

“No, you were lost, confused, damaged. There’s a difference. I had mom, you had no one. Every day I still regret all the shit he made us do. All those people we hurt, all those people I hurt, but at least I had Mom to help me forget. That’s why I need your help, Vegeta. Look at you now. You’re a friend, husband, father, and a hero. You changed once Frieza was killed. Please help me do the same. I don’t want to hurt anymore innocent people. I don’t want to be a monster.” Violet hardly ever let herself cry. It was a sign of weakness and it was an advantage for the enemy, but she wasn’t in front of an enemy. She was with her brother, so she didn’t stop the tears from trickling down her face. Thankfully Vegeta didn’t comment. He just let her cry without saying a word. There was a time he feared becoming the same thing. They were a lot more alike than he originally thought.

He nudged her with his elbow “hey, c’mon. Let’s go to bed.”

Violet agreed and followed him to her room. She tucked herself into bed and before Vegeta could leave she grabbed his arm. “Please stay tonight. I’m sorry, it’s just that I still get nightmares and I don’t think I’m strong enough to handle them on my own tonight.”

He nodded his head and sat next to her, letting her use him as a pillow. “I still get them, too.”

“Even after all these years?” She asked.

“Yeah, even after all these years. They’re not as bad now because I have Bulma. She wakes me up when she notices they’re getting bad, and her just being there when I’m awake calms me down enough usually, but some nights are harder to calm down from then other.”

Violet wanted to apologize for all the pain he holds in his heart, but she knew it wouldn’t make a difference. Sorry wouldn’t make him forget no less than it would her, so she left it at that. As she started falling asleep she whispered “I love you, Vegeta."

He blinked a few times in surprise of her admission “How can you love me? You just met me today.”

“True we just met today, but I’ve known you all my life. I’m glad I can finally say it. Good night.”

“Good night.” When he was sure she was finally asleep, he whispered those three words back. He lost his home planet, his father, his mother, and his brother. They were all taken from him, but he won’t let it happen again. He planned on being the brother he was never allowed to be. He was going to save his sister.