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Survival of the Fittest	By : 2dragonkat Category: Dragon Ball Z > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 11967 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ and its characters, they belong to Akira Toriyama. The only parts that do belong to me are the plot and the twins. I also do not make any profit/money from this either.

Chapter List
- 19
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"A Dead Man Sits in a Throne on a Hill"

WC: 3,456

The Bakulan ship landed in the jungle just outside of the main city an hour after dawn. It touched down while the rest of the fleet orbited the planet. Vegeta didn't like it. The Saiyans were already on the defense because of these Bakulans. They arrive and expect the Saiyans to come to them while they circle the planet like vultures, leaving no route of escape.

For all the Saiyans' technological advances, they are no match for the ships the Bakulans arrived on. Vegeta just hoped his people are strong enough physically to be a match for the Bakulans, or he worried for their fate.

Vegeta placed a hand on his father's shoulder, the two of them looking out where the massive flag ship for the Bakulans had landed. They were waiting for their own smaller ship to be ready to take them there. They would have flown in, flaunting their power but…

Vegeta glanced down at his father from the corner of his eye, taking in his stature in his wheelchair. His father was at a disadvantage. It will no doubt make them look weak to the Bakulans. They would look weaker though if Vegeta went in his father's stead. So they are going together to confront this threat, just as soon as their ship is ready.

"Let me do all the talking, son."

"Yes, father."

"Keep quiet. If anything seems wrong, if we are in any danger at any point, I expect you to use your power. Out of all of us that are going, you are the strongest. I do wish your mate was coming, though."

"He needs to stay here, for our family."

"Of course."

Vegeta tried not to take offence to his father's tone, but it was hard not to. His father cared about family, but only as far as necessary being a father. Vegeta had undoubtedly inherited his need to care for his family from his mother's side. His father was much more worried about these intruders than his own family. Vegeta was worried too, but seeing two of his sons lying pale in a hospital bed was of much more concern.

It was why Goku was staying in the hospital while Vegeta went to deal with the Bakulans. Goku was the strongest on the planet, and Vegeta wanted him here to protect the weak and innocent should anything go wrong.

Vegeta had a very bad feeling that things were going to go very wrong.

The ship arrived and Vegeta escorted his father onboard, followed by Brolli, Bardock and three more guards. Vegeta cast a sidelong glance at Brolli as he settled into his seat on the ship. The guard was looking rather calm that morning. In fact he looked happy. Vegeta caught the guard's eye and shook his head. Brolli frowned in confusion and looked away, but his happy demeanor did not return. Good, the last thing they needed was for the second strongest of their party to look weak by smiling giddily about meeting his soul mate. Vegeta didn't blame him for being happy, but he needed to tone it down.

They took off. Vegeta's stomach lurched as the ship got airborne, shooting away from the castle towards the flagship. He looked out the window, arms crossed over his chest. How were they going to play this? Should they automatically be on the defensive, letting the Bakulans know they were on to their scheme. Or should they play more ignorant? It was hard to say. Vegeta glanced at his father. The king would no doubt be cautious but allow his opponent to set the tone of the meeting. King Vegeta had already been blindsided once by a tyrant, he would not let it happen again.

Minutes after they took off the ship came to a stop above the jungle floor, hovering before descending. The ship shook when the engines shut off and they settled onto the ground. Vegeta got up and went to his father's side. Bardock stood behind the king, to push his chair while Brolli stood on the king's other side. The three other guards went first, leading the way to where the Bakulan's were waiting.

Vegeta squinted as they stepped out into the light, the jungle canopy was nonexistent where they were. All the trees had been knocked down, no doubt from the force of the engines as the Bakulans' massive ship settled.

Their trek was slow over the fallen debris, many times the three guards had to lift King Vegeta's chair so they could get over the terrain. The party stayed together as they neared a small hill in a clearing. On the hill a man sat in what could only be described as a throne. Only one other man was with him, a man as large as Brolli standing to his right. The man in the chair must be Decebal. It could be no one else. The arrogance in the way he sat and watched their progress was exactly as his son and brother had described.

King Vegeta was able to be wheeled up the hill, but unless they wanted the two chairs right next to each other, they had to stop on the side of the hill, putting them below the Bakulans. Vegeta felt his hackles rise at the positioning. Those bastards. So this was how they were going to play it. Intimidation.

Decebal stood up and held his arms out wide, a grin on his face. "I have waited for this day for far too long. It's an honor to meet you, King Vegeta."

"I'd say the same, but I have no idea who you are," King Vegeta shot back. Vegeta felt a small smirk curve his lips without his permission.

Decebal's face didn't overtly change, but Vegeta saw the tightening of his jaw and the way his grin no longer reached his eyes. "Of course, how rude of me. My name is Decebal, and this is my first mate Kudret. And we are, in a sense, related to the Saiyans."

"Oh?"

"Yes! It's a fascinating story. Our species were once one, but we split off some couple of thousand years ago. My people come from a different part of the galaxy. When we heard of Freiza's demise, we set out, wanting to reunite our species."

"Why were they split in the first place?"

"Different ideals or some such nonsense. I'm not really sure. History is not my forte and our records are rather limited." Decebal said this flippantly but Vegeta could sense the twisting of truth in his words. There was more to the story, more to the reason why the Bakulans split off from the Saiyans in the first place.

"I see… yes I can see a resemblance. So you're here for reunification?" King Vegeta did not sound suspicious in the least. He sounded genuinely interested. But Vegeta could see the tightness of his jaw. His father was on guard, but wouldn't react unless provoked.

"Yes. I thought maybe a union between our species would get the process going."

"Well we have plenty of eligible Saiyans among us. I'm sure we can figure out something."

Decebal's eyes shifted to Vegeta. So quickly it was almost unnoticeable his eyes raked up and down Vegeta's body. Vegeta suppressed a shudder, taking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly before he did something stupid like slap Decebal's ugly face.

"I'm sure we will. Come, have a drink with me and we can discuss more about our union. This is a beautiful planet you have."

"Yes, we were lucky to find it uninhabited. It's going to make a wonderful new home for us, since our previous home is gone." Vegeta appreciated his father's lie. The last thing they needed was for Decebal to know about the Dragonballs. It would no doubt lead to conflict on Earth. The last thing humans needed was more destruction on their planet.

"Indeed."

Kudret was busy filling up glasses and passing them out to everyone. Once all of them, including the guards, had a glass, Decebal raised his in a toast. "To new beginnings."

Everyone, except Vegeta, lifted the glasses to their lips and drank. Everyone in their party had been chosen for the important reason that they were not mated. Vegeta was the exception. But it was part of the plan. He wanted Decebal to realize they were on to him. They wanted Decebal to crack first and show his true colors. Putting him on the defensive for a change.

Everyone drank their fill. Decebal lowered his glass and eyed Vegeta, grin fading just a bit. "Is there a problem Prince Vegeta?"

"I don't drink." Vegeta still held his glass but loosely, like he could barely be bothered to hold it.

"Won't you make an exception."

"No. Not for a drink like this."

Vegeta kept his face expressionless but inside he was waiting with baited breath. Decebal's face changed, from curious to confused and then to understanding. Decebal's lips twisted into a cruel smirk as he twirled the stem of his glass. "I was wondering if that brat and my former bitch had survived. The sensors weren't clear. But just before impact their life signs disappeared."

Vegeta let his own smirk grace his lips even though inside he was seething. He was going to wring this man's neck, and he was going to take great pleasure in it. "I saved them."

"Really? Well that makes you quite the catch."

Vegeta frowned, narrowing his eyes at Decebal. The other man was upset his plan was discovered, but he still looked like he was in control. Like he was a step ahead of them.

Vegeta screamed as an electric shock ran up his arm, sending his body to the ground in spasms. Through the haze of pain he saw the rest of the Saiyans fall in a similar manner. Their glasses fell from their limp hands, alight with electricity.

Breathing was difficult and Vegeta's line of vision was going dark around the edges. A boot came into sight and Vegeta was lifted up, his body immobilized from the shock. Something metal was fitted around his neck, clicking as it snapped into place. Decebal's smirking face came into view and Vegeta wished he could curse at the man, or at least spin in his face. In reality, all Vegeta could do was watch helplessly.

"I do so hate being on ceremony. It's so boring and painfully proper. But I thought it would get the job done without bloodshed. I have to say I'm glad it didn't work. I do love bleeding people for my own gain. Now I have you, and soon, I'll have the whole Saiyan race in the palm of my hand."

Decebal stepped away but Vegeta was still being held. It had to be Kudret that was holding his body then. "Kudret," Decebal called from far away. "Take the prince to my suites. I'll send the rest of these pathetic creatures back to the castle with my message."

Vegeta's head hung limply over Kudret's arm. He watched, upside down, as Decebal kicked his father out of his chair and then destroyed the piece of furniture. More Bakulans came to Decebal's side, gathering up the fallen Saiyans.

Just before he was taken in the Bakulan ship, his eyes caught his father's gaze. Vegeta wished his face wasn't so slack, because he might have been able to hide the fear in his eyes if his muscles worked. Instead all he could do was stare in horror at his father, tears gathering as he was captured.

"What the hell do you mean he's captured."

"Please, calm down."

"How could you let them take him."

"We didn't know-"

"The hell you didn't know. This guy is a psychopath. Trunks told us this. You know this from experience. How could you not figure that he would pull shit like this?"

"Calm-"

"Don't you dare tell me to calm down! My mate has been captured, my son is in a coma and we've got some damn race of assholes wanting to conquer us by any means necessary. In what way should I be calm?!"

Goku ran a frustrated hand through his hair, pacing the length of the hallway for the hospital wing his family was in. Six more rooms were occupied, one containing King Vegeta. Goku violently rubbed his eyes, pacing from one end of the hallway to the other, looking in each window to each room as he passed.

Damn it, everything had gone so wrong. Vegeta was gone and Goku had no idea what to do. He couldn't figure out where his mate was. Their bond was murky, like trekking through a dense, dark swamp. Vegeta was probably unconscious. Goku couldn't feel Vegeta's energy either, it was blocked so he couldn't use his instant transmission.

Goku had known something was wrong before everyone got back from the failed meeting. He had felt Vegeta's burst of pain and then nothing. It had woken him from his nap and he had dropped Takeo on the floor. His son's wellbeing had taken precedence just long enough for Vegeta's energy signature to disappear from his senses.

When everyone else had arrived, paralyzed on a ship that had been auto pilot programmed, the palace had been sent into a panic. Decebal had left an automated holographic message onboard. It had said:

"I have Prince Vegeta and he will be my mate. Unless every last Saiyan kneels to Bakulan rule, we will attack and force a surrender. You are no match for us."

Goku had been livid, ready to tear apart every last ship in order to find his mate. He was still livid, but Tarble kept insisting that he stay there, in the hospital where he could do nothing to help.

"Please, Goku," Tarble pleaded, putting a hand on his shoulder, stopping his relentless pacing up and down the hallway. "Please listen to me."

"WHAT?!" Goku rounded on his mate's younger brother, causing Tarble to jump back, startled.

Tarble raised his hands in a placating manner. "It's not as black and white as it seems."

Goku felt himself deflate a bit and he sagged in place. He backed up to a wall and slid down its surface until he was sitting on the polished floors of the hallway. His hands were shaking.

Tarble knelt down in front of him, reaching out and placing a light hand on Goku's knee. "Decebal's views are not shared by the rest of his race. They honestly believe they are here on a peaceful mission to reunite our species. But Decebal is power hungry. And he loves war. The Bakulans have fought and defeated many species on their way here. Decebal forced the other species to attack first so the only way the Bakulans could respond was in force. He's baiting you to attack first Goku. If you do, then he can convince his people that fighting us is the only answer, because Saiyans are more violent than Bakulans."

"Then we show them Decebal's true colors." Goku hissed, his fists clenching tightly.

"That's much easier said than done. As bloodthirsty as he is, Decebal is cunning. He'll convince the Bakulans that we're lying, which would probably also lead to war."

"Then what are our options?"

Tarble opened his mouth, a soft sound escaping before he closed his lips and shook his head. "I'm afraid I don't have any."

Goku sighed and looked down. Tarble's hand on his knee reminded Goku of his mate, and how Vegeta would touch him to calm him down. He felt lost, like a kite with no strings. Just floating away with no one to stop him. His head throbbed with his rage and frustration. His body felt hot with the effort of holding himself back from doing something irreparably damaging.

If they attacked, they would start a war. If they spread propaganda, war would follow. If they did nothing, he would lose Vegeta and war would be the least of their problems.

Whispers down the hall drew Goku's attention and he saw a group of guards standing together, speaking over one another in worry and confusion.

"What's going on?"

"Did that guy say that Prince Vegeta was his mate, I thought the prince was already-"

"This is Freiza all over again."

"Who does this guy think he is?"

"I'm worried, the King is-"

"What do we do?"

"If war breaks out I'll take pleasure in kicking some Bakulan ass."

Goku looked away from the guards, tuning out their ramblings. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He could still feel Vegeta on the other side of their bond, the connection was still there. That could only mean Decebal hadn't broken their bond yet. Either he was bidding his time, or Vegeta was resisting. Goku was sure it was the latter.

"Goku," Tarble called softly.

"We wait." Goku stood up, looking down the hallway.

"What?"

"Decebal said we needed to surrender or there would be war. But you said the Bakulans are a peaceful race unless provoked, and they don't know Decebal's true intentions. So we wait. Decebal will have to convince his people to go to war when the other side shows no aggression. If we're lucky, his people won't buy it."

"It could work," Tarble muttered, a hand on his chin.

"If nothing else it buys us time. You start spreading the word that no one is to react to Decebal's taunts. We are to stay passive. But everyone should also be ready to fight, if it comes to that."

"Alright. But what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to get some help from the family. Piccolo might be able to find Vegeta better than I can, and Trunks is an amazing strategist. Goten will probably be helpful too. We need to figure out our next moves."

Tarble nodded and turned down the hallway. The young Saiyan went into King Vegeta's room, no doubt to relay Goku's plans.

Goku took a moment to gather himself in the hallway. He took a deep breath, getting himself back in control. He felt his Saiyan side, the side that wanted blood and revenge clawing to get out. But he held it back. Now was not the time for rash action. Now was the time for patience.

Goku walked over to Takeo and scooped his son up. His little boy was sleeping still, lost to world without Keigo around. He held Takeo close and opened the door to Keigo's room. Goku walked over to the bed, staring sadly down at his youngest son. He laid Takeo down next to his brother, feeling his chest tighten as Takeo responded to Keigo's proximity by curling close. Keigo showed no reaction.

Goku leaned down and kissed both of their foreheads. "I'll be back soon," he murmured, brushing their hair and faces. "Stay together. You're both stronger when you're together. I'll get your Papa back. I promise."

Goku spent another minute just looking at his two boys. Two perfect little mixes of him and his mate. He left the room, shutting the door quietly. Goku crossed the hallway and opened the door to his oldest son's room. He peeked his head in, giving a wan smile at the sight of Gohan curled protectively around his egg.

He turned his eyes to Piccolo, who was watching him quietly from Gohan's bedside. "I need your help, Piccolo."

"So I hear," Piccolo said softly.

For a moment Goku thought he would need to forcibly remove Piccolo from Gohan's side. But Piccolo just took some time to look at Gohan and lean over to embrace him. Gohan murmured sleepily and Piccolo murmured something back, but Goku couldn't hear their conversation. Not that he should, it was a conversation only between mates.

Piccolo left Gohan's side after a few more whispers and strokes, placing a kiss on Gohan's lips before departing. Goku waiting for him in the hallway and when Piccolo closed the door to the room, the two of them set off.

"How much have you heard?"

"Enough to know this is a shitty situation we're in. Especially you."

Goku hummed in agreement, closing his eyes and stamping down on the roaring beast inside of him.

"We need to pick up Goten and Trunks. And we might want to make a call to Earth. We need to get one step ahead of this bastard."

They walked side by side down the hallway and Goku's resolve thickened. There was no way this wasn't going to end in war. Goku was just going to make sure the war was on their terms and not Decebal's.

AN: Things sure are getting hinky. What's going to happen? Well you'll just have to wait and see. Heck so am I. I'm kinda flying by the seat of my pants at this point.

Right now I'm in the thick of studying for the GRE so I don't expect to have anything for the next two weeks. Once I'm done with the test things though hopefully be smooth sailing for this story.

I encourage everyone to check out my new author's blog (check my profile for the address). It's still super new but it'd be great to get some support and hear from people about what they'd like to see from me writing wise. I'm getting close to the end of this saga, so I'll need to figure out where to go next.

TTFN
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Survival of the Fittest