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{1 month and 2 days; Tuesday Morning}
Due to her and her grandmother's conversation last night, she hardly got any sleep last night. All she could do was hope that her lack of sleep wouldn't get in the way of her training today. Mina looked at Trunks out the corner of her eyes for a moment, before shaking her head and then looking straight ahead again, mentally reminding herself that she needed to stay focus even if that was easier said than done.
Gohan, Trunks, and Mina were on their way to a clearing, having just left Mina's cabin half an hour ago. Today, Gohan had deemed it appropriate for Mina to make her first transformation attempt (as he had stated many previous times before), though he wasn't completely certain if she'd be able to go through with it yet. The transformation of a Super Saiyan has to be triggered by a great need, and needless to say, if that need wasn't strong enough, then there would be no transformation. He wasn't stating that Mina's need wasn't great enough, nor was he stating that she wasn't capable of transforming. He was merely stating that transforming took time, and just more than one attempt. But from what he'd seen so far, Mina has the potential to ascend, just like Trunks. Though, Trunks was somewhat stronger than Mina.
Gohan ceased his thoughts when he saw a particular clearing that looked good enough for today's training. It wasn't too far off from Pepper Town, a town that had yet to be attacked. "Here is good enough for today. " Gohan called out to the other two, slowly descending. The clearing they were in had plentiful grass, and no trees. It really wasn't all that vast, but it suited what he had in mind perfectly.
Wordlessly, Trunks and Mina descended along with him, taking in the surroundings of the clearing. Gohan spun around to face the two Saiyans, his expression serious. "Alright, Mina. Trunks. I want you both to attempt to transform. Spread out a little, clear your heads, and power up as much as you can. " Gohan coached.
Satisfied that both had done what he said, he continued. "I want you two to picture the Androids, and everything that they've done so far. Picture all of the harm they've done. The damage they caused, and the innocent people they killed without mercy."
Gohan paused, mentally observing Trunks and Mina. Mina appeared to be struggling, her aura was still white. Trunks' aura, on the other hand, was constantly flickering between yellow and white. 'Good. With a few or more pushes, Trunks just might finally transform today.' "Picture all of the terrified faces of the people, and the sadistic smile on the Androids' faces as they kill them. Channel those feelings, that hatred, you feel for the Androids' into energy."
Trunks released a battle cry as he pushed harder, letting only Gohan's words swim around in his head. All of those people. All of those innocent people. They've been getting killed off for over a decade, and the Androids, being the destructive monster's that are, don't care. When would they stop? When would they realize that enough was enough? When would they realize that it wasn't right to kill anyone for fun? That it wasn't right to enjoy killing or destruction?
"That's it, Trunks. Don't let up. You're getting there." Gohan encouraged, a faint smile on his face. He turned to face Mina, her aura still white. He frowned. Perhaps, she needed a little more of a push. He could definitely tell that she was giving it her all, and to him, that was what counted. He didn't want her feeling dejected or anything just because she wasn't getting too far, though. Maybe, it was time to amp it up a bit.
%%%
"Alright. Let's take a break you two." It was the Afternoon now, and he could tell that they were pretty much exhausted from the transformation attempts. Mina was panting heavily, and looked as if she on the verge of passing out. Trunks appeared to be much better off, and happened to be just panting. Though, they did take several breaks in between, they've been at it since this morning, and he honestly didn't want them to drain their selves too much. Especially, Mina since this was her first day at it.
Mina sighed in annoyance with herself as she complied with Gohan's order, plopping down on the green grass. She hadn't made any progress at all today. If she couldn't transform, then how in the world was she suppose to take on the Androids? How was she suppose to protect those she loved, and how was she suppose to protect the people that inhabited this planet? She already stated that she didn't want to lose this planet as well, but what good would that statement do if she couldn't even transform.
"Mina." Gohan called.
Mina looked up in curiosity. "Yes?"
"Don't look so dejected. It takes more than one attempt to become a Super Saiyan. Trust me. " He reassured.
Mina nodded, but said nothing. Still feeling dejected, despite Gohan's attempt to lift her spirits up.
Suddenly, several explosions could be heard, jerking the trio's heads in the direction of the source: Pepper Town. Mina shakily stood up, mentally cursing. She wouldn't be of much use in the fight with the Androids'. "Gohan. " Mina called out as she slowly walked towards him. "The Androids - "
" - I know. " Gohan interrupted. "I'm going to go alone. You two are too exhausted. "
Trunks was first speak, not too keen on the notion of Gohan going alone to fight the destructive duo. "But Gohan, please let us go with you." Trunks pleaded.
Gohan turned to face the two, a light smile on his face, as he took the two younger Saiyans in wordlessly. "You're right. " He finally stated. "Mina. Trunks. Let's go."
The two younger Saiyans' nodded, and prepared to take off. Both of their eyes were filled with determination. And neither knew what happened, each finding themselves unconscious the next minute.
Gohan stared down at them for a minute, slight regret coursing through within him. "He dug around in his blue sash for a moment before pulling out a small, beige bag and placing it besides Trunks' head, and then shortly after, he was gone.
It was dark, and it was pouring, that much Trunks could tell when he awoke, along with the fact that it was oddly silent.
Eerie silent.
He didn't like it.
Something felt odd. No, something felt wrong, horribly wrong. He could feel his heart racing as his memories came rushing back to him in full-force, and without him realizing it, he was suddenly flying through the dark skies, the cold rain slamming against his body, but he didn't care. The last thing he was worried about right now was himself. He had to make sure Gohan was okay. He needed to make sure Gohan was okay. Gohan was all he had left. Gohan was his mentor. His master. His best friend. Gohan was like an older brother to him. Surely, he didn't - No. He refused to think anything like that. Gohan was strong. There was no way - just no way.
Gohan, please be okay.
He couldn't feel his ki, but he was probably unconscious, he reasoned mentally. He nodded to no one in particular at that thought as he slowly descended in Pepper Town. The buildings were destroyed, and it was empty, desolate, not a sound could be heard with the exception of the rain coming in contact with the ground. Everything was quiet.
Too quiet.
The further he walked into Pepper Town, it was as if the damage became more and more evident, more apparent: collapsed buildings, craters on the ground. His eye's widened, tears already spilling out and mixing with the rain as he spotted a body - a familiar body - lying face down on the ground, motionless.
Gohan... No.
Suddenly, as if his body was on autopilot and as if he was no longer in control, his pace was quickening and in less than a minute, he was at Gohan's side, already on his knees, clenching his fists at his sides until they drew blood.
Gohan...why?... why did you do this to me? Why did you leave me? ...I...Gohan, oh gosh. What did they... what did they do to you? If only I could have been here...if only I had...
Trunks didn't know what to do. He felt lost. Alone. There was so many emotions swirling around in him: Anger, Hatred, Shock, Pain, Helplessness...And he could feel something coursing within him. Something foreign. He couldn't identify it. It was...It was -
"GOHAAAN!" Trunks threw his head back, releasing a loud agony-filled yell, his hands grasping his head as he shook his head. All of his emotions were swirling within him, and intensifying with each second that passed. He could feel something swelling inside of him. Something powerful. But he didn't care. Gohan was dead.
There was no way to bring him back.
And it was all because of the Androids'.
Trunks slammed his fist into the ground in pure anger.
%%%
Trunks had no idea how long he'd been out here. Sitting on the ground, while the rain continued to pour, staring lifelessly at Gohan's body, but he numbly felt someone pull him into an comforting embrace. And he numbly felt someone rocking him back and forth, holding him tightly.
Mina...
That was the last thought Trunks had before his teal eyes returned to its original color, and passing out.
