Frieza's P.O.V.

I couldn't help but stare in awe at the ball of energy in front of me. I didn't even realize I was reaching out to hold it in my hands. This was what she saw in me? This is....my soul?

"You see that golden light, at the top of the sphere?" Zira asked. My gaze shifted to where she instructed, seeing the small beam of light peaking out of the black sphere. "That's what I've been talking about. The hidden light in your soul. As long as that still exists, there's always a chance for you to change. In fact, it's already brighter than when we first met." she explained. I stared at that light for a long moment, unsure of how to respond. It was right before me, and yet I had a hard time believing it. Why does this light still reside in me anyway? Why is it not completely black? I've counquered hundreds of worlds, killed thousands of beings. There shouldn't be anything left at all....

There's no way this can be real.

I growled, knocking Zira's hand off my shoulder, causing me to lose sight of the sphere before me. "There's no way that can be possible. In case your unaware, I am Lord Frieza. Such things like redemption or second chances don't matter to me, not that I believe it'd be possible anyway!" I stated. Zira blinked in surprise before giving a small disappointed sigh. 

"Unfortunately, I figured you'd say something like that. That doesn't mean I'm willing to give up on you." she stated firmly. I rolled my eyes, arms folded across my chest as I walked a few feet away. "Oh please, the moment I decide to turn against you or your friends, you'll give up." I stated. The Saiyan gave a determined look, following me and standing beside me.

"You don't know that. You don't know me."

"And you clearly don't seem to know me."

I looked down at the cursed bracelet I still wore, clenching my fist tightly. "And if this damn thing still wasn't on me, I'd show you myself." I added. Zira perked up upon hearing that, her eyes immediately moving to the bracelet. I sighed, looking away from her and out into the canyon. Agitation and annoyance clouded my mind. I don't care what this Saiyan thinks she sees, I will not allow her to believe I have any chance of being like her friends. To regret my actions, to actually care, why would I need such thoughts plaguing my mind-

*Clink*

I blinked, feeling a weight leave my wrist. I snapped my gaze downwards, eyes widening upon seeing the bracelet was no longer on. 

"What in the..." I turned to face the Saiyan, who held the bracelet in one hand, while wearing a confident smile on her face, "just what in the world has gotten into you-"

"Well, you said if it wasn't on you, you'd show me the real you. And you know what, I believe you." she casually tossed the bracelet to the side, then folded her arms across her chest. "However, you and I both have different definitions on what that means - you think you would kill me, and I don't." she stated. I blinked, absolutely dumbfounded by her outrageous logic. After a moment of simply staring....I let out a laugh, hand over my face. Zira didn't seem phased, waiting patiently for my response. Once I calmed down, I gave her an evil smirk.

"There's certainly no doubt now - you are the most moronic Saiyan I have ever met in my entire life!! Hahahahaha!!" I turned to face her, my smirk widening. I allowed my power to flare up, causing a purple aura to envelope my body. Zira tensed slightly, slowly getting into a fighting stance. I let out a small sigh, relishing in feeling my power flow in my veins once more. "I must admit, I wasn't sure when or how I'd escape that wretched basement! Here I thought I'd need to manipulate you with kind words or false friendship. But here you are, letting me out like it's nothing! I assure you....you will regret this for the rest of your life! Cause the first thing I demand is a rematch!"

I didn't hesitate to let my power flow entirely, the purple aura swiftly changing into a bright gold color. With a few moments of changing and glowing, I had returned to my beloved golden form, giving the woman a wide smile. 

"And even better, with this lovely trinket you've provided me," I further explained, holding up the necklace by the chain, "no one will even know I'm gone until you're long dead."

"You have a bad habit of speaking too much during these situations. If you really mean what you say, and intend on killing me....then you should get it over with." Zira stated. Suddenly she held her hands out, and once again her shadow overtook her body. I tensed slightly, watching as soon the shadow cracked open, revealing her god form. Within a few moments the pink hair returned, the purple stripes ran across her body, and those red eyes flashed before me.

"You act all tough, and you're power might be impressive....but it means nothing if you don't put in your full effort." I stated. Zira didn't respond right away, arms held out to her sides, and taking one small step back. 

"....the same goes for you, Lord Frieza."

To my utter shock, she had the audacity to give me a cocky smirk....and it infuriated me to no ends.

I growled as I lunged forward, throwing the first punch. She immediately blocked it, and before I knew it, we threw a fury of punches at one another, both of us only managing to connect a few here and there. Eventually one of our punches collided, causing us to spread back a few feet. I didn't give her the chance to recover as I once again lunged forward. She did the same, catching my hands in hers. I gave her a fierce glare as we pushed each other back and forth, our auras becoming more intense. Struggle and concern remained on her expression, looking at me as if she might hurt me. I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Look at you, you're already holding back. I'l admit, normally this would insult me to no ends, but this time around....I couldn't care less." My tail lashed forward, slamming into the side of her waist. Her eyes widened as she gasped in pain, releasing my hands. I laughed as I raised my knee and slammed it into her stomach. She clenched her teeth down, eyes shut. With her stunned, I brought both my hands together, raised my arms, and slammed my fists into her shoulder.

She cried out as she was sent crashing towards the canyon's bottom, disappearing into the darkness. My smirk widened as I heard the loud crash below. "You're a very foolish woman, Zira! Not even Goku would be foolish enough to do the things you did!" I shouted. I blinked however, seeing a purple light starting to glow at the bottom of the canyon. A large beam of light shot up, heading straight towards me. My eyes widened as I flew back, watching as the beam missed me.

"See, there you go talking again." An involuntary gasp escaped my lips upon hearing the voice behind me.

"WHAT?! How did you-"

A sharp pain in the back of my neck cut me off, causing me to cry out and go flying. I would've crashed right into a canyon wall had I not stopped myself midair. I raised one hand to rub the back of my neck, looking up to glare at the Saiyan. She watched me quietly, her long hair flowing high above her. 

I growled, prepared to reply with some sort of snide remark. But the more I stared at her, the more I became strangely....entranced. The way the purple aura enveloped her body, and how her hair flowed behind her, she looked almost elegant. The stripes on her body and her piercing red eyes only added to strangely exotic look. Whatever remark I had planned died in my throat, and I could only stare as that strange heat returned to my cheeks. However after what felt like forever, but couldn't have been more than five seconds, her expression turned into one of concern.

"Are you okay?"

I blinked, finally snapping out of my trance and shaking my head violently. With a light smack to my cheeks I glared up at her once more, giving an annoyed snarl. "Shut the hell up! This isn't even close to being over!" I stated. I raised a hand, charging a red energy beam and shooting it towards her. She quickly turned to the side, dodging it. I didn't slow down however, and continued to shoot multiple blasts towards her. Her response was to hold up her glowing hands, creating that energy shield, causing the blasts to explode on the shield. I smirked, quickly circling around her while she was distracted. By the time I was behind her she was already looking at me in shock.

"Heh, for once I caught you off guard." I shot a blast directly at her waist. While it didn't go through her skin, she still winced in pain as she flew back, about to crash into a canyon wall. However I charged straight towards her, firmly grabbing both her shoulders and pinning her to the wall. She winced slightly before looking at me with wide eyes. I felt my smirk widen as my tail lunged forward, wrapping around her waist and trapping her arms at her sides.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, very foolish monkey indeed. I'll admit, you were somewhat amusing at least. But I'll never understand why you don't use your full potential. Unfortunately, now you won't get another chance to change that." I stated. I removed one hand from her shoulder and slowly pointed at the middle of her chest, red energy glowing at my finger. Her gaze never left mine, watching me intensely.

"Now....any last words, Zira?" 

She didn't say anything. She just continued to stare at me. Eventually though, that scared and shocked look in her eyes faded away, returning to a neutral expression. My smile quickly disappeared as she closed her eyes, her body completely relaxing. Her god form even faded away, and she returned to her base form. 

What is she doing? Why is she....don't tell me she's giving in so soon?! "Nothing? No snarky remark? No begging for mercy? You're not even gonna resist in the slightest?" I asked. She only shook her head lightly. Growing irritated, I growled. "You do understand I'm going to kill you. Right here. Right now. And no one else is going to come rescue your pathetic life!" I stated more sternly. But she only gave a small nod, her eyes remaining shut. I sighed. Fine, if that's how she wants it, then that's how it'll be.

The energy beam in my finger glowed brighter as it charged up. My tail constricted tighter, ensuring she would not have any chance in escaping. I prepared to release the energy beam, prepared to see a hole in her chest, and to see the dead look in her eyes. I continued to stare, the image becoming more vivid in my mind. However....the more vivid it became, the more conflicted my mind felt. This....doesn't feel nearly as satisfying as I had envisioned. In fact, in some strange way, I actually began to dread releasing the energy beam. 

"Ugh, what the hell is wrong with me?! Just shoot her already!" My mind shouted. I gave my head a slight shake, once again preparing to release the energy beam. But something about how she waiting so....willingly, disturbed me. As if she almost wanted this to happen. 

It actually made my heart twist in a strange way....and I didn't like it.

After nearly 10 minutes of arguing with my own mind, I finally let out a sigh of defeat and lowered my finger, the energy disapating into nothing. My tail loosened around her, and slithered away from her body. Zira's eyes finally opened, stretching her arms before looking at me in surprise. Disgust immediately overcame me, and I turned my head away. 

"Hmph. I suppose....you did spare me life once. So, I'll let you live this time. Don't expect me to show such kindness in the future though." I stated. Zira blinked before smiling, pushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I see. Well, I appreciate your mercy, Lord Frieza." she replied. I rolled my eyes, my golden form soon disappearing. "Yes, yes, mention a word of this to anyone, and you'll regret it." I stated. Zira nodded. I turned to face her, arms folded across my chest once more.

"And I want answers - why in the world did you give in so easily? You were on the verge of death, and yet you didn't resist. Why?" I demanded. The Saiyan blinked, looking at me surprised before sighing. "I....I've told you before that I don't like my power. And that I've tried locking it away forever. But as you can see, that failed. I guess....I'm not scared of my death, because that would mean it makes the rest of the world safer." she explained. My eyes widened, slightly taken aback.

"....so, you would've allowed me to kill you....just to protect the world from yourself?"

Zira nodded. I gave a long sigh, placing a hand over my face. This woman, just what has been through her that would ever think such logic was acceptable? 

"Anyway, we've been gone for awhile. We should probably head back." Zira pulled something out from behind her, revealing he bracelet. "Ready to go?" she asked. I blinked, momentarily confused, only to realize she was waiting for me to willingly hold my arm out. This could still be my chance....I could still fly away from here, and leave to the next closest planet, find out how to get into contact with my other forces....*sigh* but most likely, the Saiyans would find me before I could get far.

I rolled my eyes, begrudingly holding out my arm, and she carefully latched it back onto my wrist. Once again, I could feel my power start to slip away, leaving me only capable of flying in midair. 

"*sigh* Let's just go...." I grumbled. Zira nodded, and led me back towards the city, and back to Capsule Corp.