Joining As Yamcha

"Ok...you can do this."

The King had requested a private audience with his youngest son; Tarble. The young Prince didn't think nothing of it, in fact, he was excited.

It had been so long since his father even looked at him, let alone talked with him. He had been so busy teaching and training Vegeta, making sure he was ready to succeed the King in case any ill-begotten circumstance would befall him - that it almost seemed as if he was embarrassed of Tarble, as if, he didn't even exist.

But now things were looking up for the Saiyan, and he had a special gift for his father once they were to meet face to face.

His march through the palace came to a screeching halt at a lavishly designed door. He placed his hand on the marble knob and squeezed tight. Now all he had to do was turn it, and he would be able to see his father on the other side of the throne room.

Yet he hesitated.

This is it. This is what he had always wanted. He wanted his father to finally recognize him as his son, to at least acknowledge him as a possible heir other than Vegeta. But why was he so scared?

Was it all just to good to be true?

No. He had to shake himself from that feeling. He knew what he was capable of. Sure he was weaker than his brother, but many people were, even hardened Saiyan veterans would cower under his might. But who's to say that he couldn't be useful? At least in some way?

"That's right. I can do it. If I'm chosen to be heir, I can make my father proud. I'm going to show him right now," Tarble said.

He opened the door to the throne room and sure enough his father - King Vegeta, stood tall facing his chair.

"Ah, so you have come," The King spoke.

"Yes father. I have something for you," Tarble said.

He approached his father with nothing less then the composure of a child's innocence. He reached into his pocket and revealed a bouquet of flowers to him.

"Here father. These are your favorite right?" Tarble asked rhetorically as he stretched his arm out to the King, inviting him to take it.

Of course the question was rhetorical, he already knew what his father's favorite phylum of flower was.

The Ruby Lilly.

A breed of plant that is said to bloom only during the summer. It has a radiant red glow that is said to light up an entire room; of course that sentiment is greatly exaggerated, still it doesn't take away from its beauty.

The King looked down at his son, his face devoid of any expression.

A brief moment of silence passed, and the King placed his hand on his youngest son's cheek.

Tarble blushed faintly. He honestly didn't expect for his father to react so kindly to his gesture, though it was his every intention.

"Son. There is something you must know," The King started.

Tarble's eyes started to glow with anticipation. Was his father finally going to recognize him as a legitimate heir to the throne? He had waited so long for this day to come! All his father had to do was finish his statement for his dream to be realized.....

"I have chosen for Vegeta to be the heir. He is an incredibly talented warrior, and I know in my heart that he will make a great king someday."

Those words....those were the last words Tarble wanted to hear. The King was able to, with one phrase, shatter the young prince's pride. But more importantly....he broke his heart.

The Ruby Lilly began to crumble within his grasp as his fist tightened. He turned away from his father as his eyes began to glisten with his tears.

"I....I respect your decision," Tarble said, his voice choking as he spoke. It was obvious to any onlooker that he was lying through his tears, and since the King was his father; he knew his son that much more.

Immediately Tarble ran out the throne room, the burgundy petals from the ruby Lilly scattered across the marble floor, leaving a trail.

Tarble ran until his face turned blue, and then ran some more. He just wanted to get away from everyone - from everything. He had no friends, and as far as he was concerned, he had no family.