Disclaimer: I do not own Dragonball, DragonballZ, or DragonballGT.
Chapter 3: Twist of Fate
The next morning Yamcha woke up on the couch. He had faint bags under his eyes and he moved with caution as he sat up. The sound of thunder shook his surroundings and rattled his ears. The smell of breakfast was in the air, but for the moment it was absolutely sickening. His head was spinning. "Get up and do something with yourself today." Vegeta told him as he passed by the couch. He had his dark pair of training shorts and he was shirtless. Yamcha merely had a scar on his cheek, but Vegeta's skin was covered in battle scars. It didn't matter who had more anyway. It wasn't a contest… Despite how much Yamcha hated being bossed around by Vegeta, he got up off the couch and left the house in peace to begin another day pretending he wasn't a jackal.
No one except for Vegeta even noticed he left. Nor did anyone speak of him being there. Bulma didn't allow it. She had been hopeful that over the years he would get over her and he did from time to time. Unfortunately, it was only temporary. Why couldn't he just be happy for her? Bulma strode over to the couch and folded the blanket he had used and placed it out of sight.
Shortly after, Bulma set out four plates for her family at the living room table and then called them down for breakfast. Vegeta was the first to sit down. He had his fork and knife at the ready while Bulla came down moments later. "TUNKS!" Bulma shouted at him from the stairs. "You better get down here and eat this instant! Don't make me send your father up there!"
Vegeta was hoping he wouldn't have to get up as he stuffed his face. As if that one threat was a death threat Trunks was down instantly. Apparently he had been getting ready for work. His freshly shaven face and white teeth radiated on his countenance. Unfortunately, his eyes were extremely dark from his poor sleep habits. "I have no time to eat mom. I gotta head out early." His suit case was in one and he was looking at his watch on the other.
"You are the president of Capsule Corporation. You can't be late. Now you better sit down and eat!" Bulma had a stern look on her face. She was in no mood to deal with Trunks this morning. "If it's a meeting, you can be late. It's happened to me plenty of times. Now sit!" She was pulling a Chichi as she yanked out a chair at the table and pointed to it. Vegeta and Bulla had their mouths full of food as they were watching the whole thing.
Trunks hesitated as he looked at his father. He was testing him, looking in his dark eyes to see if Vegeta would really get up and chase after him if he left without breakfast. Even if he wasn't trying to look challenging, Vegeta stared back at him and Trunks sat down with nothing left to say. On his plate were eggs, sausage, biscuits, and gravy. Reluctantly and ate his breakfast for he wasn't hungry.
A single flower stood out against the green rose bush. It was slightly pink, but mostly red. The rain from a strong thunder storm had demolished its fellow flowers. Yamcha sat beside Puar, his companion and long term friend for years. She made everything a little better. He enjoyed thinking of all their fun times together and how much he had teased her with cat commercials. He used to sing the meow-mix jingle before he fed her even though she ate human food like he did. She wanted to be treated like a human while he hated being human. Since they had known each other for so long, when something perturbed him, she could feel it. He looked at her with a smile.
"Hey Puar, what are you staring at you weirdo!" Yamcha flashed his teeth at her.
"Oh nothing…" Her high pitched voice filled the air. They were sitting on his candy red hover craft. He wore a dark pair of jeans and a white t-shirt. He was due for a haircut since he had let it grow out again for a couple of months. It was pulled back into a hair tie and his bangs were in his eyes. Together they were looking up at the vanishing grey clouds in the sunset. It was as if with the night a clear sky was on its way.
"Hey Yamcha, do you ever wonder what it would've been like if we would've got to travel to planet Namek?"
Yamcha went into deep thought. Puar had merely asked the question due to the fact that they were looking up at the emerging stars and it reminded her of space travel. As for Yamcha, it made him think of Krillin, Gohan, Bulma, and Goku's trip. He had missed out on it because he was… dead, having been killed by Vegeta and Nappa's Saibamen. It made him realize just how big of a coincidence it was that Vegeta even met Bulma. What would things have been like if he would've been able to go on the trip with them? He could've protected Bulma and the others and then she wouldn't have strayed from him. Unfortunately, that's not how things went. Regardless, even if he did go, he probably would've ended up dead. He hated the fact that he was simply an expendable human.
"Yamcha?" Puar interrupted his train of thought.
"Oh… I don't Puar. Why do you ask such silly questions?" He looked down at his companion.
"I just thought I'd ask. I didn't mean to upset you." She frowned.
Yamcha went right back to thinking and his thoughts filled with day dreams of space travel. All his images reflected terrible human science fiction movies. On a white spaceship, shaped like one from NASA's first launch, with his girlfriend, Krillin, and Gohan, he pictured them hurtling into outer space, strapped in their seats with their space gear on. He then thought of the landing on planet Namek. Gohan had described it to him, but all he could picture was alien land with weird plants and animals running around and scaring Bulma. He would protect her from little creatures, but nothing more. It was ridiculous how he shot down even his own day dreams with cold reality. Instead of dwelling on his weakness, he should've been working out. However, no amount of training would close the gaping distance between him and Vegeta's power. He would need a miracle in order for that to happen.
He sighed heavily and looked at Puar with a conflicting smile. Her face began to glow a bright blue and her glimmering eyes moved away from him. He couldn't understand what was happening until he looked up. In the sky, a large comet streaked through the air. It was so close to Earth he was certain that it was going to crash against the surface. Quickly he flew into the air. "This looks fun Puar! Let's follow it!" Together they took off as fast as they could towards the space debris that flew through the sky. As they neared it, they slowed down to avoid the ugly collision. It exploded and sent pieces of ground into the air. Trees were broken in its crater and it sat smoking and radiating heat.
As they watched it cool, Puar made a suggestion. "Yamcha, we should make a wish on it."
"That doesn't really work Puar. It's a myth. The only wishes that work are the ones made on the Dragonballs." He seemed dismayed.
"So what?" Puar shrugged. "I think you should still try it at least."
Yamcha looked at the large hunk of space debris. It was cooling off. The ice had melted away leaving the dark black metal exposed. If it would make Puar happy he would make the wish. He closed his eyes and tilted his head back. He wanted nothing more than to be stronger than Vegeta. He wished he could beat the Saiyan Prince. "There." He opened his eyes and smiled at Puar. "I made my wish."
"I didn't hear it though…" Puar frowned.
"If you know what I wished for, then it won't come true." He laughed. "Now! I'll race you to it!" He took off towards the hunk of space metal.
"No fair! You got a head start." Puar chased after him. She was nowhere fast enough to catch up to him.
As they approached the metal they noticed that it was glowing red from the inside out. However, it wasn't hot anymore. Yamcha dared to touch it just to make sure. It was cold to the touch, despite all the logic it defied to be cold.
"That's strange." He pulled his brows together.
"You should see what's inside." Puar told him. Hopefully he was strong enough to break it open. He prepared his fists for a collision with metal, but as soon as his fist met it, he could feel something break. "Owww!" He pulled his hand back with regret.
"I don't think I'll be able to physically break it. I should try using energy instead, so stand back." He prompted Puar. Copying Goku's trademark move didn't make him feel bad either, since they all knew it from King Kai. The only credit Goku deserved was being the first to use it and stick with it. Once the blast was complete the only thing that existed was a chip in the metal and a small glowing red crystal. "What is that?" He pointed to it and then dared to touch it. It wasn't hot. It was just… a glowing ruby red crystal. As soon as he plucked it from the metal, its glowing property faded. Nowhere else on the ball of space matter appeared to be glowing. He assumed it was the only crystal on the hunk of metal.
"It's beautiful. Maybe you should turn it into a necklace Yamcha. For you girlfriend…" Puar suggested. Yamcha remembered the fact that he still had a girlfriend. They were both pretty busy. She was a veterinarian and all. Either way, he didn't want the others to see her or for her to see them. He was worried she would think he was a freak for hanging out with such abnormally strong folks. He continuously lied to her about his whereabouts so that when he went long days without seeing her she wouldn't be worried. "I will make it into a necklace." He smiled. It was a great idea. This would make Zoey happy. She was an American girl, therefore she was easy to impress. Aside from the gift of a necklace, he was understanding at once that he needed to treat her better instead of being concerned with Bulma so much. Again… It came and went.
"Let's go Puar. I need to buy a chain for it." He smiled. Together they took off to head back to his red hover craft.
Sitting on top of his desk in his office, Trunks had his feet in his seat as he looked out the large glass window. He was watching the sun fade into the night. His chin was rested in his hand and he wore his glasses low on his nose. They had slid down on the account of gravity. "Excuse me…" A feminine voice sounded behind him. "I filled out your paper work for you Mr. Briefs." Since the sun was still faintly in the sky, he could not see his reflection in the glass, nor could he see hers. He was wearing his suit from earlier this morning.
"Leave them on my desk." He told her. He wasn't entirely demanding. Instead his voice was low and bored. It was saturated with sadness. Normally he would've heard her high heels move across the floor, but she stood in place. Perhaps she failed to hear him. "I said leave them on my desk." Still, all was quiet. Just as he went to see if she was still there, her voice sounded again.
"Don't turn around!" She yelled at him. Shortly after that, he heard what sounded like the soft click of a gun.
"If you are planning on assassinating me, it won't work." He assured her.
With uneven steps her footfalls moved over the floor. Her scent hung in the air as she moved closer. She smelt of flowers and Earth… "Put your hands in the air." She demanded.
"I'm warning you…" Trunks shook his head back and forth.
"Just do it!" She shouted at him. He sat up straight on his desk and rolled the black leather chair out from under his feet. His hands then rose in the air.
"President of Capsule Corporation, son of Mrs. Bulma briefs, and grandson of world renowned Dr. Briefs. I bet you're a pompous, proud, jerk with a huge ego because of your prestigious connections, but I don't want to confuse you with… your father."
Instantly, despite how the woman had told him not to turn around, Trunks jumped from his place on his desk and turned towards her voice. From her white Saiyan boots, to her blue under armor, and white and gold over armor, he recognized her instantly, but as he searched her face… Her short black hair, dark eyes, and soft pink lips and cheeks…
Only then was he assured it was her.
For the moment, he was speechless. His hands trembled and his heart raced in his chest. What he once thought was the sound of a gun was actually the door which was now shut behind her. "How…" He went to ask how it was that she had returned, but she quickly appeared before him in the blink of an eye and placed her white gloved index finger over his lips. She then wrapped her arms around his waist. He didn't hesitate to return her embrace either. "I'm enthralled that this isn't a dream!" He said happily.
"How do you know?" She asked.
"I kept having these nightmares that you were gone. I couldn't find you anywhere."
Although she was drawn into his arms, she ended the sentimentality. Her voice became full of haste. "Look Trunks." She pulled away from him quickly and stared into his blue eyes, keeping a good distance between them. "Just before my soul was supposed to be cleansed and my memories extracted to erase my existence, King Yemma pulled me away to send me on one last mission years ago. I went to train in Hell to prepare me for this strife. I'm back because I have to protect you. Something terrible has happened!"
He began shaking his head back and forth at the whole 'one last mission' statement. "No. No. Don't tell me you are going to have to leave again." His mind was already shutting down with her last few words.
"Listen to me damn it!" She instantly acquired his attention once more by yanking on his chin. "I'm not important, you on the other hand are. Without you… there will be no future at all. You're supposed to go on a long journey with Pan and Goku to save the world and the universe, but none of that will happen if we don't take action now!" He was looking at Belia like she was crazy. Why would he agree to go anywhere with Pan? She was a bossy brat. "Like I told you before Trunks, you have yet to accomplish so many great things. Your travels with Goku and Pan are just the start of events to come."
Trunks closed his eyes for a moment. "Is there any way I can restore peace and get to keep you too?"
Belia shrugged her shoulders. It was a twist of fate that she was even there at that exact moment. "I don't know. But that doesn't matter right now! Get that through that thick skull of yours!" She was furious with him. It showed in her fiery eyes.
Whether, conflict or peace, he was excited to be blessed with her presence once more. She was right. The issue at hand had to come first. "Can you tell me what has happened and how I can stop it?"
She nodded her head. "Years ago a giant meteor passed through your solar system's asteroid belt knocking some space debris out of place. A small piece has fallen to Earth, containing a crystal called Starmond. If anyone is exposed to it for a long period of time they will acquire a strengthening euphoria that musters aggression." She paused for a moment. Luckily King Yemma just so happened to be gazing at the area in space around the time it happened or else they wouldn't have caught it.
"Alright. That sounds easy enough. Find a crystal, then how do we destroy it?" Trunks turned from her and reached for the window latch. He was ready.
"Wait!" She grabbed his hand. "There's more…" In other words, Trunks was getting ready to hear the catch. "Assuming someone has found it at all by now, in mere days they will be unstoppable if they continue to be exposed to the Starmond. No one knows where the piece landed either. It could be anywhere on Earth and the only way to completely destroy it is to burn it in the largest star in your solar system, the Sun."
"If Starmond is so powerful, why didn't Frieza or any others seeking ultimate power come after it?" Trunks asked suddenly.
"Everyone thought it was just a myth. No one knew where the only known piece in the universe was located anyway. So, it's up to us to make sure this piece is eliminated." A smile was spreading across Trunks's face. He was happy even though so much was at stake. She was excited, yet stressed all at the same time. "Just promise me you won't let the Starmond take you over alright? It's like an addictive drug. You can't become incapacitated, but it does cause a euphoria that enhances the body. Once it's taken away, the body goes through awful withdraws."
Trunks stuck his thumb in the air. They were both thinking that they had to warn the other fighters. They needed as many people as they could possibly assemble helping on this mission.
Yamcha sat with the little crystal in his hand. It was about the size of his thumb nail and it was rather flat. He didn't make a habit or a hobby of making jewelry, but he wanted it to be a gift made from his heart for Zoey. Using long pieces of wire, he wrapped it around the crystal in a beautiful pattern and then connected it to the chain he had chosen for a necklace. The stone was still glowing quite beautifully. "Does this look okay?" He asked Puar.
"I think it's too big. It looks heavy." Puar answered honestly.
Yamcha went back to work on his master piece. He unwired the crystal in hopes that he could break it to make it smaller. He found it nearly impossible though with just his hands. He resorted to using a ball of Ki to cut the crystal like jewelers used lasers to cut diamonds. Two equal pieces resulted from the use of his energy. He then rewired the crystal. "How does this look?" He asked Puar again.
"Much better! I think you should surprise her tonight with it." Puar smiled.
Yamcha was in a state of accordance. Surprises made everyone's day. It eased his mind off Bulma to start thinking of Zoey. "I'm going to get dressed Puar, real sharp! I'm going to take a shower first." Yamcha hopped up from his table, leaving the other piece of the crystal on his wooden table and the necklace clinched in his hand, as he strode happily into his bathroom. He was excited and giddy. Hopefully Zoey wasn't busy tonight. It was Sunday. Normally she didn't work on Sundays. They had been together since he and Bulma broke up. Zoey was his rebound so to say. She was a beautiful red headed girl with fiery locks and a beautiful body. Sometimes he thought she was too smart for him, but that's what drew him to her in the first place. She had brains.
Shortly after his shower, Yamcha dressed up in a pair of dark jeans and a grey button up shirt. He shaved and even cut his own hair as best as he could. It turned out looking pretty good. It was a crazy messy look that made him appear on edge. He stood checking himself out in the mirror. Puar was watching him as she tried to keep from laughing. "You sure are cocky lately."
"I'm just being me Puar!" Yamcha laughed as he flexed in the mirror. He completely ignored his scars now days that were on his face. He almost forgot how he had even gotten them.
"Wow…" Puar exclaimed. "Have you been working out?"
"Not lately. I've always been this ripped. I can't believe you're just now noticing!" He kissed his 'guns'.
"You better get going Yamcha! It's getting late. She might go to sleep soon."
Yamcha nodded his head and kissed his mirror reflection goodbye. It left a smudge on the glass. "I've never been this happy Puar!" Yamcha couldn't stop smiling. The necklace was in his pocket and he squirted himself with cologne just before he reached for the door handle of his tiny apartment.
"You look happy. You look amazing!" Puar complimented him. Her little blue self was levitating towards the door after him.
"Why thank you Puar. I'll be back soon okay." He waved goodbye to his little friend and thus he headed out into the night.
