Zira's P.O.V.

About another month has passed since my rematch with Frieza. To make sure he didn't stay all cooped in his cell all the time, I would occasionally try to sneak him out for a bit of fresh air at night. I was honestly quite shocked that we were getting away with it. Frieza was surprised as well, to the point where he began to feel suspicious. Despite this, we continued with our little outings, and our conversations. 

I started paying more attention to his attitude and behavior. Ever since he spared me that night he's been extra harsh, occasionally sprinkling in a few insults during our talks. But they didn't feel as natural as when we first met. In fact, his behavior felt slightly....forced. As if he was trying too hard to dislike me. I thought about bringing this up to him, but I decided to keep it to myself, feeling a bit happy he was changing, even if it was just a little bit.

In any case, it was the afternoon now, and I had just finished making some wonderful crab for myself and Goten and Trunks. When we were done eating, I noticed there were quite a few leftovers, so I decided to place some on a plate and head down to the basement. It didn't take long for me to arrive at his cell, seeing he was laying on his bed, eyes closed contently. 

I blinked, finding myself staring at him for a moment. I had seen a few other alien species on planet Vegeta, but none like Frieza or his race before. Especially in his final form, he looked very....interesting. The shining purple biogems on his body contrasted well against his white skin, which somehow looked both rough and smooth at the same time. His tail was also something to admire - and fear. Somehow you wouldn't think it'd be so strong, but it seemed useful for holding a constrictive grip. His eyes were probably the most intimidating feature, somehow able to pierce right into your soul....

"How much longer do you plan to stare?"

I jumped slightly, caught off guard. I was fully convinced he was asleep. "Oh, s-sorry. I guess I spaced out a bit...." I murmured, feeling heat flush to my cheeks. His eyes finally opened, and he looked towards me. Once he spotted the plate of food, he sat up from his bed, looking at me curiously.

"My understanding is that we only get two meals a day." he stated. 

"That's usually the case, but I made some crab for the boys, and there were a lot of leftovers. So I thought I'd bring you some, since it seems to be your favorie." I replied. Frieza raised a brow before folding his arms across his chest. "More like it's the food I dislike the least." he replied, tail curling behind him a bit. I smiled, giving a small shurg.

"Oh? I guess you don't want this then-"

"I never said that," Frieza stated, looking away as he spoke, "You're lucky I just happen to have an appetite right now." I nodded, punching in the code to the cell and watching as the electric fence went down. "You doing alright today?" I asked as I stepped inside, handing him the plate. The tyrant merely shrugged, taking a bite of the crab. His tail gave a sudden swish in the air, making my smile widen a bit. I noticed that was something he does when something pleases him. It was how I discovered crab was his favorite in the first place. 

"I'm doing just as well as any other day; bored and frustrated." he replied bitterly. I stepped back and put the electric fence back up, folding my arms across my chest. "Well, maybe we can try going for another outing tonight. What do you think?" I asked. Frieza perked up at this idea, a small smirk forming on his lips.

"I suppose that would improve my mood a bit." he replied before taking another small bite of crab. 

I suddenly froze, looking down the hallway. Someone with a large power level was coming this way. Frieza noticed my sudden alertness, raising a brow. "Hmm? Has something caught your attention?" he asked. "Kinda...." I couldn't explain what I meant before a orange blur rushed towards me, and I felt an arm around my shoulders, practically crushing me really. I yelped in surprise, completely startled.

"HEY ZIRA!! There you are!! I've been looking for you everywhere!!" Goku said excitedly. I immediately forced his arm off me and pushed him back slightly. "Oh, uh, h-hi Goku. What're you doing here? I thought you were training on Lord Beerus's world." I said, still trying to calm down a bit. "We were. But something came up." I looked down the hallway, seeing Vegeta approach us as well.

"Great, they're both here...." Frieza muttered, setting his plate aside. Goku looked to Frieza and gave a friendly smile.

"Hey Frieza! How're you doing?"

"Peachy." Frieza spat, venom tracing his tone. 

Vegeta snickered at the tyrant before looking to me. "Listen Zira, there's something we need to talk about." he stated. I blinked, surprised. What do these two need to talk to me about? "Uh, okay? Is something wrong?" I asked. Goku shook his head, practically jumping up and down like an excited child. "No, just the opposite actually! Lord Beerus is setting up a cool tournament with the ruler of Universe 6! And we're gonna get to fight lots of cool warriors! It'll be so awesome! And it'll happen in an area between Universe 7 and 6, and-"

"Whoa whoa whoa, please slow down. I'm having trouble comprehending what you're saying...." I said, rubbing the top of my head in confusion. "Seriously, act like an adult for once." Vegeta growled, making the Saiyan hero pout slightly. 

"Anyway, what Kakarot is trying to say, is there's a tournament coming up. It'll be between our universe, Universe 7, and between another universe called Universe 6." Vegeta explained. My eyes widened. "Against another universe? You mean, there's really other universes out there?" I asked. For the longest time, I thought the universe was the biggest thing out there. To think, there's other universes out in the world....

"Oh yeah, apparently there's 12 of them! Pretty cool, huh? And Universe 6 is ruled by Lord Beerus's twin brother, Lord Champa!" Goku explained. "He has a twin brother?!" I exclaimed. "Yep! And he's a destroyer too! Although they don't look that similar; Lord Champa is pretty fat." Goku replied.

"That's not the point," Vegeta stated, clearing his throat before continuing, "the tournament will happen in three days. And there will be 5 warriors on each side. Lord Beerus already has one warrior in mind, and Kakarot and I will participate as well. And we managed to get Piccolo to join us as well." he explained. I blinked, counting the numbers on my fingers before looking at them confused.

"Okay, but that only leaves you with 4. You still need one more, right?" I asked. 

"Yep, exactly!" Goku stated with a wide grin, placing a hand on my shoulder. I blinked, looking at Goku, then back at Vegeta. They both gave me expectant  stares....and only then did I realize what they wanted.

"No."

My tone was stern, almost borderlining on angry. Goku flinched slightly, moving his hand away before giving me a desperate expression. "Oh come on, please!! You're one of the toughest fighters we've ever seen! You'd defeat anyone who takes you on!" he stated. "I don't care! I'm not going to participate. You know I don't like to fight unless absolutely necessary. There's no point other than to hurt others, and I refuse to be a part of that!" I stated firmly. Vegeta gave me an annoyed scowl. "Oh don't pull that pacifist crap now. Look, it's not like you'll be killing anyone. Killing isn't allowed anyway. All you have to do is down a few fighters. Is that so hard?" he said.

"I'm not like you guys. I don't like to fight. So I won't do it." I stated. Vegeta growled, taking a step closer and glaring at me. 

"Knock it off already! Don't be such a wimp-"

"I said no."

My eyes flashed red as I spoke, giving the Saiyan prince a fierce glare. Both Saiyans flinched and stepped back, shocked by my harsh tone. Even Frieza's eyes widened slightly, seemingly not expecting me to speak in such a way. I blinked, realizing how harsh I came off and looked away, rubbing my arm nervously.

"I-I'm sorry....but you'll have to find someone else. Okay?" 

Vegeta stared at me for a moment before a frustrated expression came across his face. "Tch, fine then. We'll find someone else...." he stated. "But who else can we ask? Gohan already said he'd be busy that day. I'm not sure who else to ask. Maybe Majin Buu or something....?" Goku said, rubbing the back of his neck. Frieza gave a small chuckle, taking a small bite of crab before licking his lips. 

"My my, quite a situation. Perhaps you're doomed to fail this little tournament of yours." he replied. Vegeta glared at him. "Shut up, you bastard! This has nothing to do with you!" he stated. "Normally I'd agree with you, but considering you've discussed this entire ordeal in front of me, I can't help but be a little intrigued." Frieza replied, standing up and approaching us, or at least get as close as he can with the fence in between us.

"Hmph, go to hell!" Vegeta spat.

"You seem to forget, I'm already in hell," Frieza stated, gesturing to his cell, "I grow tired of this little space you barely call a room."

"Well you should've thought of that before you had the nerve to invade our planet. You should be lucky you even continue to breathe right now!" Vegeta stated. "Believe me, Vegeta, you should consider yourself the lucky one, for had it not be for this damn bracelet, you'd perish here and now!" Frieza stated. 

"Tch, damn bastard!"

"Filthy monkey!" 

Now they were straight up just growling at one another, and I swear I could see sparks ignite between them. I sighed, firmly grabbing Vegeta's shoulder and pushing him away. "Enough! Both of you!" I stated. The two enemies glared at each other before turning their heads away, arms crossed. Goku sighed.

"Man, this sucks. You know, it's kinda too bad Frieza is locked up. He'd be perfect for this tournament." 

I perked up, snapping my fingers.

"That's it!" I stated, catching everyone's attention. I smiled, giving a nod. "I think I have an idea that'll satisfy everyone; why not let Frieza join your team?" I asked. A moment of silence passed, my words hanging in the air. The three of them just stared at me dumbfounded, before Vegeta narrowed his eyes at me.

"You can't be serious?! You really think we'd let that bastard join our team?! Don't you realize the moment we take that bracelet off his wrist, he'll try to destroy us all?!" he stated harshly. I nodded. "Which is why the bracelet will stay on until he goes onto the battlefield. And the moment he's off the battlefield, it'll go right back on. At that point, Lord Beerus will be there to observe, and I'm sure if Frieza tried to pull anything, he'd stop him. Plus I'd come along too, to help keep an eye on him." I explained. 

Vegeta blinked, somewhat surprised by my careful thinking. Goku leaned closer to him. "I mean, she has a point. If we do it like that, he can't hurt anyone. And he is crazy strong! We'd definitely win with his support." he stated. Vegeta looked away, thinking to himself for a moment before speaking.

"....I suppose."

"Excuse me," Frieza spoke up, eyes narrowed in disapproval, "and just what makes you think I'd agree to participate in the first place?"

"Because if they win, they'll be something in it for you too." I replied. This caught his attention, tail swaying behind him and hand resting on his chin. 

"....I'm listening."

"You hate being locked up in here, right? Well, I bet we could change that. For the rest of the time you're here, you can leave your cell as you please until nighttime. You'd still have to keep on your bracelet, and I'd still go wherever you went. But at least now you won't be stuck down here all the time." I explained. I looked to the Saiyans. "Well? Does that sound fair? This way you guys get your 5th member, Frieza gets to leave his cell, and no one is at any risk." I stated. 

"I mean, it sounds good to me. What do you think, Vegeta?" Goku asked. Vegeta didn't respond right away, taking a moment to glare at Frieza before letting out a sigh.

"Fine. But Frieza only gets to leave that cell if we win the tournament. No acceptions." he stated. I nodded, and looked to the tyrant.

"Well, Frieza? Do you accept this deal?"

The tyrant closed his eyes for a moment, pondering on the thought. It didn't take long for a wicked smile to spread across his face.

"Well, when you put it like that....how can I refuse?"