Authors Notes: This fic begins three years after the events of Episode 63 of DBGT. Since this stems into an A/U from that point, I do not recognize the events of episode 64 and the GT Special where things flash 100 years into the future. Also, I do not recognize GT as canon to the Dragon Ball Saga so I have taken the liberty of changing a few things that might have happened in GT and have excluded/changed them in this fic.
BTW, for those of you who thought Gohan was just a tad OOC, I went back and fixed that. As well as Bra's age and a few other important minute details. This IS an A/U, but I'm trying my best to keep the main characters in character.
Warnings: Strong Language in Japanese and English. MAJOR tissue alert.
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Dragon Ball Z or Dragon Ball GT (unfortunately). This is a work of fiction created for my amusement and anyone else's. No profit will be made from this.
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Generations Come and Gone
Part One
By Insane Dragon
"OTOSSAN!" Screamed Trunks looking on in shocked horror as the immense creature sent his father crashing against a mountain wall with a swift flick of its tail.
Trunks froze, it seemed like the days of Majin Buu revisited. Images of his father being battered by the blown up freak played in his mind.
He had been just a kid then. Cocky and brash, so sure of himself. "Just like your 'Tossan", his mother Bulma would say. To Trunks, then it seemed that no one, nothing compared to his 'Tossan. Not even Goten and Gohan's dead father Son Goku. Sure he'd heard all the stories, so why had Son Goku been killed in the fight against Cell?
Even after Son Goku's return for the 23rd Tenchki Budokai, in Trunks eyes, his father, Vegeta, the proud prince of the Saiya-jins was the greatest fighter in all the universe.
Though he'd never said the words or heard them in return Trunks loved and respected his father and deep down knew Vegeta felt the same way. He would do anything for the old man.
When Majin Buu beat and batted his father twenty years earlier he didn't hesitate to step in and help his 'Tossan and by Dende he wasn't about to now.
"TRUNKS! BEHIND YOU!"
"Nani?" The sound of his name brought Trunks back to the present. He turned just in time to avoid being swatted like Vegeta had been moments earlier.
"You bastard. I'll destroy you if it's the last thing I do." Trunks screamed at the Colossal lizard like monster.
In response to Trunks declaration the creature roared loudly, shaking any nearby structures that were left from there foundations. Then it spewed a stream of scorching fire from it's mouth towards him.
Trunks cursed himself for his lax in training over the years. With the little energy he had left he powered up to Super Saiya-jin 2 and blocked the path of breathing fire with a ki blast.
It was almost too much for him, as he felt his hands burning.
~Kuso, I won't be able to beat him at this level. If Papa couldn't take this freak down at Super Saiya-jin 4 how the hell am I going to beat him at a measly level 2? Shimatta! If only Goten would wake up~
*******
Back on the ground the remaining fighters lay either beaten, unconscious, or nearly dead.
Gohan kneeled beside his younger brother Goten, urging him to wake up from his unconscious state.
"Shimatta!" Growled Gohan. "Goten, wake up!" Gohan shook him with his left arm. His right hand lay beside his side having suffered sever burns. He started when he heard a faint familiar voice from behind him.
"O-Otossan…Ojisan…"
"PAN!" Gohan staggered the few steps to where his daughter struggled to crawl out from beneath the rubble of a demolished store.
Gohan blasted at the remains of concrete and metal that pinned Pan down. Gingerly he pulled her out and held her in his lap.
A pained moan escaped Pan's dry and cracked slips. Along with numerous broken bones and lacerations, most of Pan's left side blistered and sizzled with third degree burns right down to the bone.
"Oh Panny." Gohan choked at the site of his little girl.
"O-Otossan, w-where's 'Jisan?" Pan asked with much pain.
"Shh Pan. Don't Speak. Save your energy. He just took a nasty blow. He'll wake up soon." Gohan whispered against her clammy, dusty forehead.
"I-I wish O-Ojisan Goku were here," she sputtered. A trail of blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.
"Shh Pan. Don't speak. Save your energy." Gohan murmured. His little girl suffered massive internal bleeding and he felt helpless to save her. He cursed himself for choosing Philosophy over Medicine.
Truth be told, he also wished his father was still around to help fight the latest threat to Chikyuu.
Three years had passed since Son Goku left with Shenlon, never to return or be heard from again.
Otossan why did you leave us? We need you.
A thunderous roar from the creature made Gohan jump. The creature approaching where he, Pan and Goten were.
"Kuso! If I move Pan I could hurt her more, but I can't leave Goten alone."
Gohan looked up to see Trunks fending off the monster with all he had. From a distance he saw where Vegeta still lay on the ground after he crashed into the mountain wall.
The monster continued to approach the battered trio just one step away from crushing the unconscious Goten.
Gohan laid Pan down beside him and staggered to his feet. His right leg was broken. He struggled towards Goten before the creature stepped on him, but he was too late.
"GOTEN!" Screamed Gohan in horror. As the monster casually stepped on his unconscious brother.
"NOOOOOOOOO!" Trunks let out a blood curdling scream as he saw his best friend's body disappear beneath the monster's heel.
Something inside Trunks snapped as he continued to wail in anger and pain. He felt his body contract and expand, felt a new surge of energy and power through out every pore of his being.
In the back of his mind he realized he had attained the next level with out having to fuse with Goten and he continued to cry out in anguish at the loss of his best friend.
*******
Not too far away in an underground shelter two women sat huddled close in a corner; each holding a small child in their arms. Both women gasped as the walls of the shelter shook violently.
"This is bullshit! We should be out there fighting along side the men!" At the sudden movement of the shelter and the rising sound of her voice the three year old boy that slept in Videl's lap stirred and whimpered.
"Oh Dende. Shh, shh, Gumo-chan." Videl cooed as she rocked the small boy back to sleep.
Bra looked down at the much smaller and younger child she held. "Such poor things," she said in a sad tone. "To never know their 'Kassan's."
"Hai." Whispered Videl. ~Or 'Tossan's~ She thought, but kept the thought to herself not wanting to pain the still grieving Bra.
Videl looked at the young teenager whom three years earlier had been a weak and spoiled rotten adolescent of 12. The Princess of Capsule Corp. The loss of her mother less than a year earlier and the subsequent birth of her sister had forced Bra to mature and grow up much faster than she probably would have liked.
Gumo stirred in Videl's arms again and she gently brushed a wild and thick lock of ebony hair from his face. ~So much like Goku-san's~ She thought. Her gentle touch quickly settled the small boy.
"Gohan and I helped Chi-Chi-san as best we could." She said absently. Not really talking to Bra. But the young girl listened on quietly.
"I even took time off from work. I felt so bad for Chi-Chi. I was surprised that she was able to carry Gumo-chan to full term at her age. But it went surprisingly well for her. Gumo was no trouble at all and Chi-Chi recovered from the birth rather quickly. That woman had one hell of a will." Videl chuckled.
"I know she loved Gumo-chan, just like she loved Gohan and Goten, but to raise another child with out Goku-san was too much for her I think. I found her body you know. She said she was going to take a warm bath and asked if I would watch over the baby for a little while.
An hour later I went upstairs to feed Gumo his bottle. I noticed water running from beneath the bathroom door."
Bra held back a sob, knowing what was coming next.
Videl continued her story. Somewhat detached. Her eyes unfocused and distant as they stared at nothing.
"I opened the door. The room had filled with water up to my knees. Chi-Chi lay in the tub, floating, lifeless, dead. Yet, she seemed… so at peace.
I cleaned up the mess before Gohan and Goten returned from work. I didn't know how I was going to tell Gohan and Goten that their strong mother had given up and taken her own life.
So I called a friend of mine at the station and told to him that I needed to report an accidental death."
Both women sobbed openly now.
"I called Gohan at his office at the University and told him that Chi-Chi had had an accident. He called Goten at his work. When they arrived the coroner, another friend of mine, explained to them that Chi-Chi had slipped in the tub and had subsequently drowned.
"Poor Goten was inconsolable. Gohan kept himself together pretty well. He kept looking at me though. I think he knew. Somehow he knew what had really happened but didn't question or probe for more details, choosing to leave the matter as it was.
Goten on the other hand was very angry with me for a while. He didn't exactly blame me for Chi-Chi's death, but he felt that I should have paid more attention to his 'Kassan."
And that was that. Neither woman said anything for a long while.
"'Kassan…" spoke Bra after a while, somewhat hesitant.
The Briefs and Son's had parted ways after the Evil Shenlon encounter and Goku's departure. The news of Bulma Brief's death was known world wide. Less than a year ago, at the age of 54 Bulma had died giving birth to her third child. A little girl named Sarada.
Videl could tell that the subject of her deceased mother was still a raw subject for Bra.
"You don't have to talk about it-"
"No Videl-san, I'm all right. It's just that…I still miss her so much." Bra choked back a sob.
She looked down at her sleeping sister, teary-eyed. She lowered her head and planted a soft kiss on the child's smooth forehead.
"I hated her you know." She said softly, still looking down at Sarada.
"I blamed her for 'Kassan's death. So did Trunks. But I think he was more angry with 'Kassan for getting pregnant again then he was at Sarada.
"I remember the day 'Kassan and 'Tossan told us about the baby. Trunks was furious. He stormed out of the kitchen. I didn't say anything, just kept eating my breakfast, pretending I hadn't heard.
"I had expected 'Tossan to throw a fit, but he stood by 'Kassan. She was determined to have this baby. I realize now that it had been pretty deliberate on both their parts."
"Sarada? Is that a Saiya-"
"Yes," Bra interjected gently. "Mama wanted the new baby to have a Saiya-jin name. A royal name. 'Tossan was so pleased.
"You wouldn't believe it, but Papa did everything for Sarada. You should've seen him try to change and feed her." Bra giggled.
Videl chuckled at the mental image of the proud Saiya-jin prince cursing up a storm as he bottle fed the tiny infant in his strong arms.
"But he did. He was so gentle and careful with her." Bra lightly fingered her sisters faint widow's peak. Like Vegeta's, but not as profound.
"He could have forced me or Trunks to help more, but he didn't bother us. Didn't even threaten us. Trunks busied himself with running the company and I continued on with my frivolities."
"What changed your mind?" Asked Videl quietly.
Bra shifted Sarada in her arms. "'Kassan did."
"Nani?"
BEGIN INTERLUDE
"PAPA!" Yelled Bra from the kitchen. "The baby is crying again. PAPA!
"Damned brat," growled Bra as she slammed the refrigerator door shut nearly tearing it off from the hinges.
She marched out the kitchen towards the stairs that led to the second level of the mansion.
"PAPA, 'TOSSAN," she yelled up the stairs. The only response she got was more of Sarada's screeching wails.
Ticked off beyond belief, Bra stormed up the stairs. As she passed her parents bedroom she heard the shower running.
"Well that explains that," she muttered.
"Guess I should go check in on the brat before she sets off the alarm system or something.
"All right all ready," Bra yelled as she burst into the nursery. "What is it brat. Hungry? You wet your self-" Bra stopped her ranting as she approached the crib and got a good look at Sarada for the first time since the baby had been born..
"Oh my…" She said in an awed whisper. "You…you look exactly like Papa."
Sarada stopped crying as she looked up at the approaching figure with curious eyes. The infants face was the spitting image of Vegeta. Coal black angular shaped eyes blinked up at Bra. A faint widows peak, not as deep as Vegeta's traced her forehead, just a mini triangle of hair really.
"Well, almost like Papa." She mused. Unlike Vegeta's raven flamed hair, Sarada's was flat and straight. Much like the rest of the Brief's clan.
After a moment of eying one another, Sarada's lip began to tremble and she let a piercing scream as she resumed her crying.
Bra rolled her eyes in frustration, the moment having passed.
"What do you want?!" She yelled in exasperation at the baby. She looked around the room then noticed a purple cat shaped rattle on the floor and hastily snatched it up.
At the site of the rattle Sarada quieted and gurgled, flailing her pudgy arms excitedly.
"Is this what your making such a fuss about?" Growled Bra incredulously.
She started to hand the plastic rattle to Sarada's little hand, but paused when she noticed something on the head of the toy.
"What the- This looks like a decapsulizer." Murmured Bra intrigued.
Sarada began to whimper at the loss of the toy.
Bra ignored her sister and inspected the rattle a little more closely. She pushed the small button and gasped as it hum and billowed out smoke. She let go of it, expecting it to fall, but the contraption stayed afloat in mid air.
Sarada's whimpers subsided as she stared at the now suspended toy as it began to glow as a projection of some sort lit the room.
A moment later Bulma's form appeared. Bra gasped in surprise. Sarada squealed and gurgled at the image of Bulma.
"'K-Kassan?!" Bra stared openmouthed at the projected image of her mother. It almost seemed to look back at her.
"Trunks, Bra... if either of you have found this, then I have passed on and your little sister survived." Bulma paused for a moment before continuing.
"Trunks-kun, Bra-kun, I know that you're both very upset with me for going along with this pregnancy. But please, try and understand that your father and I both wanted this."
Bra's eyes began to water as emotion took over her.
"I'm an old woman," continued the projection. "I'm well over my prime for child bearing. I don't expect to survive this birth, but the Gods have willed it for me to have another child.
"My passing will be hard on your 'Tossan. Though he may not show it, he loves you both very much and he will need your support during this time," Bulma's voice cracked just a little.
"I can imagine how angry and hurt the two of you must feel, but please, don't take it out on your baby sister, or your father.
"Please, even if you don't feel like it, take care of your Sarada and Vegeta. They're going to need you as you will them.
Take care of each other and never forget me. Tell your sister about her beautiful, adventurous and intelligent mother," Bulma winked her trademark wink.
Bra's lips curled into a brief smile.
"Goodbye my children, my babies. I love you all so much," and the projection ended.
Bra caught the rattle before it fell into the crib and handed the toy to the eagerly awaiting Sarada.
"'Kassan…" Bra said in a choked whisper. "'Kassan, I miss you so much."
Bra felt a strong hand on her shoulder and instinctively turned into her father's waiting, comforting arms.
Vegeta held his eldest daughter close as she sobbed and shook against him. Finally allowing herself to grieve the loss of her mother.
END INTERLUDE
Videl sobbed quietly as Bra finished her story. "I-I take it Trunks came around as well." She choked out. A feeble attempt at lightening the mood.
"Yeah, he did." Bra sobbed and laughed.
All of a sudden the small shelter shook with such a force that parts of the walls caved in.
"Nande yo?" Cried Bra as she hugged a now squealing Sarada closer to her.
"Shimatta…" Said Videl through clenched teeth. "The monster's right over us!"
"Oh no! 'Tossan, Niichan…oh Dende please let them be all right."
"Bra, we can't stay here. The shelter is going to cave in on us." Cried Videl. "We have to find another place to hide out with the children. Come on!"
Videl grabbed Bra's arm pulling her to her feet. They climbed the pipe ladder up to the surface. When she reached the top Videl handed Gumo to Bra.
"Hold on to him while I check to see if things are clear."
"Hai."
Videl cautiously pushed the man hole up and peered out. She eyed the beast who was several yards away. Trunks was busy distracting it up in the air. She vaguely noted that he had transformed to another level of Super-Saiya-jin. It looked like level 3. And wondered what had brought about the change.
She looked around some more and spotted Gohan crouched near some rubble. "Gohan-chan," she whispered with excitement and relief.
"Bra, can you fly?" Videl asked looking down at Bra.
Bra shook her head no, her expression a bit embarrassed. "Iie, Videl-san. I never bothered to learn how."
"That's ok Bra. I see your 'Niichan and Gohan. I think they can distract the monster long enough so that we can make a run for it. Come on Bra."
Videl quickly climbed out of the shelter. Once she was top side she reached down for the children, settling them on the ground beside her then helped Bra up.
Each woman grabbed they're respective kin and ran for cover. The monster turned it's head and noticed the two scurrying figures. Roaring, it moved to follow the two women.
Trunks looked at where the creature headed. "KUSO! GOHAN!" Yelled Trunks. "The monster is going after Bra and Videl!"
Gohan, still in shock from Goten's ill fate, looked up at the shouting Trunks. Trunks flew down to him.
"Trunks, you've gone to level 3." Gohan noted absently.
"Gohan, snap out of it. The monster is going after your wife and my sister damn it!"
Gohan shook his head, clarity sinking in. ~Videl? But she was at the shelter with Bra and the kids~ He turned to look, sure enough the monster slowly made it's way to the two running females.
"Videl-chan," Gohan whispered. "VIDEL!" He staggered to his feet once again, and began to power up…
~Oh Shimatta!~ Thought Trunks. ~He needs to calm down before he blows us all up…~
Trunks helped the warrior, by pulling him up with him flying to where the creature stalked Videl and Bra.
"Gohan, please try and clam your self otoko," Trunks implored the older Saiya-jin as he kept an eye on his sisters on the ground.
Trunks looked on in horror as his little sister tripped and fell, little Sarada falling from her arms.
"Bra! Sarada!" He screamed.
Videl paused to help the fallen girl.
"Iie Videl-san! Get away from here!"
"Don't be silly Bra-chan!" Videl pulled the girl to her feet.
"Sarada. Videl, I have to find her! I dropped her when I tripped."
"I'll look for her. Here take Gumo-chan, find shelter. Hurry Bra!"
"H-Hai." Bra ran with the three year old, limping slightly. Her left ankle felt sore and her jeans were torn and bloody just below her right knee.
Videl frantically searched for the small infant amongst the rubble. ~Where could that baby have fallen too~ She wondered worriedly.
In her preoccupied state, Videl failed to notice the earth shaking around her.
"VIDEL! LOOK OUT!" Screamed Gohan.
"Nani? Gohan?" Everything shadowed around her, she turned to see the creature looming over her. In one breath of a moment all that remained of Videl were ashes.
Bra turned around when she heard Gohan's voice. "Videl-chan, Iie. IIE!" She screamed in horror as the monster breathed fire down on the helpless Videl.
"Videl…" Gohan choked against Trunks. He cocked his head to the sky and released a heart wrenching cry of anguish. "VIDELLLLLLLLLL!" The earth began to shake with Gohan's power surge.
"BRA! RUN DAMN IT! Get the Fuck out of here NOW!" Trunks screamed at sister as he tried to control Gohan. Bra quickly turned and ran off with the screaming toddler in her arms.
Moments later, a sudden explosion sent the running girl sailing across the sky several yards, knocking her unconscious as she hit the ground.
*******
"'PAPA!" yelled Trunks with a mixture of sadness and elation as he felt his father's approaching ki. "You're alive!"
"Of course I'm alive brat." Growled Vegeta. "It's going to take more than a mere overgrown lizard to defeat the all mighty Prince of the Saiya-jin's."
"Vegeta-san," choked Gohan having calm somewhat.
"You two, get your asses out of my way now. I'm going to finish this kuso off for good!"
"But 'Tossan-"
"I said NOW brat. Take Kakaroto's sniveling off spring with you, find your sisters and take cover."
"'Tossan...," Trunks was beyond pride or caring as bitter tears streaked his face.
Vegeta clenched his teeth in frustration. "Kuso," he spat. "what the hell does it matter now?" He hastily pulled his son in a tight embrace. "I love you brat. I'm proud that you're my son. Take care of your sisters and never forget your heritage. Do you hear me boy?" Vegeta shook the crying young man.
"I asked you a question brat."
"H-Hai P-Papa."
"Well, then. Now get the fuck away from here."
Trunks gave his father one last squeeze and whispered, "I love you old man," then flew off with Gohan in search of his sisters.
Vegeta smirked as he watched his son disappear in to the distance.
"Now it's just you and me you fucking bakayaro."
The monster roared and howled, lashing out at Saiya-jin. Vegeta gathered all his energy concentrating it all into the center of his being. A myriad of images flashed through his mind.
His brief child hood on Vegetasei, his days with Freeza, when he first came to earth, his first death on Namek-sei. His resurrection and return to earth. Bulma's invitation to stay at Capsule Corporation. His son, both present and future. The Androids, Cell, Kakaroto's death, Bulma again, Kakaroto's return. The 23rd Tenchki Budokai, Babi Dee, Majin Buu, his second death, as well as Bulma's and Trunks deaths. His second resurrection, the birth of his first daughter Bra, Babi, Super Android 17, Kakaroto's departure. And finally Bulma's last death as she struggled to push out they third child. Sarada. His Legacy.
"I'll see you again, Bulma, onna, my mate, my love, and our children."
With those last words Vegeta unleashed all the power he had in him and the earth began to shake all around him.
End Part One
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End Notes: So what do folks think? Please no flames. My fragile ego can't handle it, however, any CONSTRUCTIVE criticism is welcomed!
All comments to insane_dragon00@hotmail.com