Twice Upon a Time
Summary- All Vegeta wants to do is fall asleep and wake up to see his dead wife, Bulma, in the Otherworld. Instead, Vegeta wakes up rejuvenated over thirty years in the past to find that he's been given a second chance.
Disclaimer- Dragon Ball Z is owned by Akira Toriyama and Toei Animation
AN- The chapters aren't coming as fast because of two things. First, it is growing closer to college finals and I have projects. Second, I have to rewatch some DBZ for this part, as well as read episode summaries. This arc is not solely from my imagination, and so it is harder to write. Once I get past the android and Cell stuff, I'll be back to my creation again, and so updates will probably speed up.
BTW, I have Vegeta do destructo disk (Krillin's attack). I don't remember him doing this attack, but the DBZ wiki says that he does do this at some point, so I went with it.
Chapter 12-
Sasebo, the only city on Amenbo Island, bustled with normality. Cars of different colors and size strolled through the streets. People, young and old, male and female, walked about, conversing. There was currently no sign of a skirmish. The fighters spread out, separating, trying to pinpoint the androids' location. Vegeta hovered over the busy pedestrians, frustrated that he had no knowledge of this event. He'd neglected to show up until later last time around, trying to use every last moment he could to prepare and show Goku his superiority. He did, however, have the advantage of knowing what to look for.
He scouted the area from the sky, vigilant, trying to pinpoint the androids before anyone else. When a little boy with a blue balloon raised his head and pointed at him in the sky, Vegeta figured he should land. He discretely went behind a tall building and lowered. A horn honked. Someone shouted, "Move it, buddy!"
Vegeta wasn't gung-ho to be around so many humans at once. A few at a time he could suffer through, but large crowds came with emotional women, rude comments, stares, crying infants, sluggish old people, and authority figures. Possibly all at once. A loud teenage girl passed in inappropriate clothing, speaking into her cellphone. He winced.
A familiar voice shouted in the distance, "I've found them!"
Great, it was the weakling, Yamcha. Vegeta sprang into action and traveled toward the direction of the yell. He came to a scene near a gas station, in which two men lay unconscious on the ground and a devastated white car was parked to the side. Android 20, white hair and mustache, with a tall black hat, had his hand over Yamcha's mouth and pulled him upward. Moaning came from Yamcha, and his eyes went wide. Vegeta hardly paid attention, not really taking in the man, so insignificant, and focused on the other android.
The baby-faced pale android with earrings and a weird pointed hat, turned. He seemed interested. "He's not the one we want either, but he is strong."
"Keep him preoccupied while I deal with this one, 19," said 20.
Vegeta laughed in amusement. He powered up and performed destructo disk at Android 19 before he even could react. The razor sharp disk of energy hit the android's neck, severing head from body. The head rolled, sparks coming from exposed wires and gismos.
"How pathetic," Vegeta proclaimed.
Just then, a semi sped their way. Anticipating the collision, Vegeta stood with his hand out and the vehicle slammed into it. He stopped it with force. The front end crumpled, driver terrified as the airbag puffed out.
When Vegeta turned he discovered Android 20 had his arm sticking right through Yamcha's chest. Abruptly, Android 20 released the man, and he landed with a thud. Vegeta stared at the bleeding, drained man who used to be his wife's boyfriend. There was no emotion. No attachment. He'd been so concerned with attacking he hadn't paid any attention to the other fighter's distress. Showed how irrelevant Yamcha was to him. He didn't feel guilty. The man would most likely survive, having done so before.
Android 20 stared him down. Vegeta decided to have a bit more fun with him and began berating with punches. Android 20 phased, avoiding most of them. Vegeta remembered that his power draining ability was located in his hands. He needed to rid the machine of this. Before then, it wouldn't be wise to shoot any blasts. But then again, he could make the android stronger to give more of a challenge. Contemplating this, Vegeta lifted and turned into Super Saiyan. He accumulated a blast at the android.
20 raised his hands and sucked in the massive blow. He laughed maliciously. "Thanks for the boost, fool."
"No, you are the fool. I did it on purpose so there was more competition," Vegeta said.
"Then you are even more of a fool than I thought," Android 20 replied.
He was about to continue the fight when Goku and company arrived. Shock came over Krillin. He shook at the sight of Yamcha's still form.
"Krillin, get him out of here. There may be still time. Take him to Bulma for a senzu bean," Goku demanded.
Krillin stepped over and took his friend in his arms. He flew off.
Goku took in the scenery and fray. "Vegeta, stop, we need to get out of the city. There are too many innocent people around."
A growl escaped Vegeta. Android 20 phased massively, escaping, and playing hide and seek. He emerged on a roof and shouted," You are right." Laser beams streamed out of his eyes. He shifted down and from side to side, demolishing buildings.
"No!" Goku cried.
"Let me do this my way, Kakarot!" Vegeta said.
"But we can't fight here."
"I'll lead him away. You get out of here. You aren't looking so well."
And he wasn't. Nobody would have noticed, but Vegeta was paying extra attention. He noticed the sweat on Goku's brow and the racing breath.
"What do you mean? I'm fine," Goku said.
Piccolo came forward, astute, and observant. "He's right. You don't look at full percent."
"Go home to your woman, Kakarot, and get that antidote before you keel over," Vegeta said. "I can handle this myself."
Goku placed a hand over his heart. "How did you know about the virus? Trunks told only me about it."
He had to come up with something. On the top of his head, he said, "I've been training under 600 times Earth's gravity. That does astonishing things to the mind. Sometimes I can see images of the future now." It sounded lame.
Goku bought it. "Wow, Vegeta. You are psychic now. That's as amazing as my instant transmission and telepathy."
"Hn, yeah. Now, get out of here!"
"But-"
Android 20 was nowhere in sight. He'd run away. Vegeta growled and sped away. "Coward, where are you?" he shouted.
The machine was most likely searching for more energy to steal. Which meant, he would target someone with a high power level. Vegeta glanced back and saw Piccolo and Tien, with no Android 20 in sight. He might follow Goku. Or Gohan. And Gohan was . . . with Bulma.
Bluff
Bulma stood. There was no way she was sitting for hours, and the act of defiance gave her a smidgen of pleasure. She had always been a little mischievous ever since a child.
"Yamcha, I don't get it. You said the androids can absorb powers," Krillin said. He held the brown bag of senzu beans, ready for anything.
Yamcha stood, legs wide, arms up, prepared to fight again if need-be. A giant hole in his uniform gaped in the middle of his chest. Bulma couldn't bear to look at the hole directly. When Krillin brought her unconscious friend she'd been sure he was dead. A familiar pang of sorrow and despair filtered through her, although not as severe as before. He wasn't her boyfriend, she wasn't in love with him, but she still cared. It was a relief to have these magic senzu beans.
"I don't know how he did it but when the android grabbed me I could feel all the energy drained from my body," Yamcha explained.
"Well, what are you waiting for, get moving and stop that android before he grabs someone else," Bulma said.
Anger was on Gohan's expression. He gazed out toward the city. "We have to warn my dad."
"I'm not so sure I want to go back down there, Gohan," Yamcha said. He paused and then looked over at Bulma. "Sorry to bust your bubble, but your husband didn't even help me when the android was draining my energy. He went straight on to the next android as if I wasn't even there. The guy sure is self-centered and uncaring."
A lump formed in Bulma's throat. She'd like to think better of Vegeta but she knew he still could be cold-hearted when it came to those he found trivial. It wasn't that he'd attack everybody anymore but wasn't about to put himself out for just anyone. Only those he considered family, or even what appeared to be Goku now, seemed to register as great enough to matter on a large scale. She found that she couldn't blame him. He was raised on a conquering planet and later enslaved by a barbaric tyrant. He'd never been taught to care. She was satisfied that he'd come this far.
People wouldn't understand. But she did. Vegeta's upbringing had psychological repercussions. If Goku had been raised the same way, and hadn't hit his head, he'd probably be as unfeeling as well.
The topic was interrupted by something in the sky. It moved closer and closer towards them. Gohan watched carefully with narrowed eyes. He pointed. "Hey, that's my dad."
Bulma drew closer and waved. "Goku!"
Goku flew over and touched down. He was a little out of breath. Gohan ran over to greet his father.
"Dad, are you okay?"
Goku nodded. "Boy, am I getting tired."
"Did the android drain you too?" Yamcha asked.
Goku smiled. "Nah, I'm embarrassed to say it's just this heart virus."
"Just a heart virus? Goku, you shouldn't be out here," Bulma said, not realizing the statement was hypocritical.
Taking a deep breath, Goku said, "That's what Vegeta said. He told me to go home and take the antidote. I thought I'd stop by and tell you before leaving."
Krillin frowned. "Do you really think it is wise to leave Vegeta in charge down there?"
Goku scratched his head. "Oh, don't worry. Vegeta is stronger than me now. I'm sure he has it covered."
Krillin's eyes bugged. "He's stronger than you?"
"Oh, yeah. We had a sparring session and he won with flying colors." Goku turned.
Yamcha stepped forward and grabbed hold of Goku on the shoulders. "Look, buddy, you are looking more and more awful. I think I better escort you back."
"Yeah, Dad, I think you better let Yamcha," Gohan said.
Deflating and relaxing, truly showing how exhausted he was, Goku leaned into his friend. "Thanks."
"No problem, buddy" Yamcha said.
The two men left, leaving only Bulma, Gohan, Krillin, and Yajirobe. Krillin's frown fell even more. His aura was full of gloom.
"I don't like this," Krillin said. "No offense, Bulma, but I'm not sure I want to leave things up to Vegeta."
Bulma nodded. She understood where he was coming from, given her husband's past. He didn't know him like she did.
"I trust Vegeta," Bulma said. "He's been working so hard. Even after he beat Goku. So, I don't think it was all about being the best. He came out here to beat the androids and protect us, and that is what he'll do."
Krillin's mouth lined. "That's a nice thought, but I think I'll feel better if I go check up on the others. I don't know how much of a help I'll be but . . . "
"I'll go too," Gohan offered.
Krillin hesitated. "No, Gohan, you stay and look after Bulma."
She knew she should just leave. Still, she hadn't gotten a good look at anything, and she really wanted to make sure Vegeta was doing all right.
The bald ex-monk soared off, along with the senzu beans.
"You're not going with them?" Bulma asked Yajirobe.
He crossed his arms. "Not on your life, babe."
"What I hear is that you are a pretty good fighter and they could use all the help they can get. I suggest you quit being a coward and get yourself into gear."
He glowered. "Can't do it."
"I'm tired of hearing your lame excuses. Get down there and help out your buddies now!"
Well, one person was worse than Vegeta. Yajirobe. Even if Vegeta would ignore Yamcha's need for assistance, at least he was using his time to rid the world of the villains. He wasn't trying to protect himself and hide like a baby.
His stance was like a wall. "I don't know how to fly, Bulma."
"Huh?" She blinked. The wind picked up. She was about to offer her hovercar parked a few feet away when another something sped their way. It neared and she made out that it was an older man. She spotted the double R label on its hat and shrieked. "Do something!" she yelled at Yajirobe.
To her horror, instead of helping, the dusty and unkempt man raced over to the hovercar and jumped in. The engine roared. He took off in an escape.
"Hey!"
Gohan stood with his arms out, trying to form a barricade between the android and Bulma. "Stay back."
She obeyed and backed up until she was pressed against the wall of the bluff. Gohan and the android began to fight, but it didn't last long. She covered her eyes when the android put his hands over the boy's mouth. She heard Gohan struggle. Something wasn't right. He must be stealing his energy, she realized, just like Yamcha had explained. She had to do something. But what could a pregnant woman do?
Bulma grabbed a rock and threw it at the android's head. It bounced off. She shuddered, water seeping from her eyes. She was so helpless. How stupid she'd been. I'm sorry Little Trunks, she silently thought. She held her stomach and prayed to any guardian that would listen.