A Chance of a Lifetime – Chapter 25
Trunks choked back a sob, laying a hand on his mothers body, not moving. He stayed on the ground, staring down at the woman who just stepped into a blast to save his life. Smoke still curled from her body, her back black where the blast hit her. He felt a tear escape him as he heard the others run up.
"Where the hell did she come from!?"
He didn't know who asked the question, staying quiet as he slowly stood up. He moved her, her head hanging over his arm as he lifted her. He felt something squeeze his chest. Trunks vaguely heard blasts being shot, someone shouting in outrage.
"Man! I've never seen Vegeta so enraged!"
Trunks finally looked up, his gaze going to his father, a couple yards away, a look of fury blanketing his features. But he saw something else in his eyes. Desperation. He watched his father send everything he had at Cell, before looking down at his mother. Her skin was white, her body limp. He choked back another sob. He fell to his knees, ignoring the hands that shot out to help him. He kept his mother's body against him, a tear sliding down his face. The young man could feel rage starting in his gut, his eyes beginning to shine with fury. The others backed away as the emotion spread over his features. He looked down at his mother one more time, before laying her gently down on the ground.
"Krillin," he said softly, not looking up. He felt the man step towards him. "Watch over my mother."
"You got it," the bald man said softly, watching Trunks slowly stand, stepping towards the fight progressing in front of them.
They all jerked their attention to him as he screamed in rage, transforming in front of their eyes, his hair growing behind him as he blasted off so fast they couldn't track him. They all heard a sonic boom vibrate through the air as he joined the fight, floating beside his father, deadly intent on both their faces. Krillin had Yamcha watch the woman as he went over to 18, gently picking her up and returning, ignoring the others' protest. They all looked over a few minutes later, watching the massive ball of energy Cell and Gohan had engaged against each other. Their eyes widened as Gohan cried out, his ball of energy lowering. They looked at one another, then back to the women on the ground.
"Come on you guys," Piccolo stated, "Lets join in. Maybe we'll make a difference."
The others slowly nodded, each taking up a position by Trunks and Vegeta, giving everything they had left as they shot their special moves at the android. Elation started through them as they watched Gohan's massive ball of energy encompass the monster, listening to his scream, and a few minutes later...Cell was no more.
They took them to the lookout, Trunks carrying his mother, and Krillin carrying the android. Yamcha went and got Bulma, looking up as she sobbed when she found out Goku had sacrificed himself to save them. And Trista doing the same for her son. They all looked down at the woman laying before them, 18 having taken off after she came to. They didn't try to search for her, just left her alone.
"Well you guys," Krillin said softly, "Do you wanna go ahead and summon the dragon?"
They all waited as the new guardian of earth, Dende, walked out with the orange balls, not saying a word as he laied them down and stepped back. His hand tightened on the staff towering over him, his face sad as he looked at the woman on the ground. Bulma stepped forward, and with a brokenhearted voice, she summoned the dragon.
The fighters watched the sky turn black, the massive dragon contained in the balls glaring down at them for a moment before speaking.
"You have summoned me. What is your first wish?"
There was a beat of silence, before Bulma spoke, taking a deep breath.
"We wish for our friend, Goku, to be brought back."
There was a beat of silence, then the dragon's eyes glowed.
"It is done. What is your next wish?"
They all looked around, giving a cry of surprise as Goku suddenly appeared behind them. They all rushed him, yelling happily.
"What is your next wish!?" the dragon demanded, his voice raising.
They all quieted down, looking at the woman laying still on the tiles. Bulma stepped forward, her jaw clenched.
"I wish for Trista to be brought back," she stated, all of them watching with bated breath as the dragon's eyes glowed.
After a moment, nothing happened.
"I cannot grant that wish," the dragon stated, staring down at them.
They were quiet, a cry coming from Bulma as she looked down at the woman. Her eyes narrowed as she looked back at the dragon.
"Why not!" she demanded, putting her hands on her hips.
The dragon was quiet for a moment, seeming to be contemplating something.
"The one you call Trista is not among the dead. If she is brought to the check in station, she and the child she is carrying will die."
They all gasped, looking at the woman on the ground.
"But why won't she wake up," Trunks asked softly, walking up to his mother. They saw Vegeta then, standing at the edge of the lookout, his gaze steady on her still form. No one said anything as he walked towards her, bending down. He picked her up, and without another word, blasted off, the woman firmly held in his arms.
"What is your next wish?" the dragon demanded.
Krillin spoke up. "I have one, if I may." He rubbed the back of his head. "Um...Android 18, if you could take the detonation device out of her, I'd appreciate it," he said softly, not meeting anyone's eyes.
The dragon's eyes glowed.
"I can grant this wish."
A few minutes later, the dragon vanished into the balls, the sky clearing.
"Why did you do that?" Yamcha asked, watching Krillin blush.
"Well you guys," he said, chuckling a little. "She was a normal human being, until Dr. Gero got a hold of her. I just want her to be happy, even if it is with that black haired guy."
"Hey, you idiot!"
Everyone turned as 18 stepped out, glaring at Krillin. He blushed and stepped back.
"17 is my brother!" she stated loudly. "But, thank you," the blond woman finished softly, before turning and blasting off.
"Krillin! You dog!" Yamcha said, laughing.
Krillin looked at everyone sheepishly.
"She's into you!" Yamcha stated loudly, laughing again.
"You think!" the short man asked hopefully, a smile appearing.
"Yeah Krillin," Goku said, "maybe you two can become friends."
Everyone chuckled, watching the bald man blush furiously.
Trunks found his father in the lab. He had his mother in the rejuvenation tank. He studied the woman, watching her hair sway in the gel before looking at the hardened warrior beside him. The young man eyed the prince for a moment before turning back to his mom. She still had her clothes on, the fabric floating around, the same as her hair. He watched her twitch for a moment, then still. Trunks walked up to the tank, looking down at the panel. He lifted his head, looking behind him.
"Did you administer pain killers in the gel?" he asked softly, watching Vegeta's eyes narrow.
His father glared at him before speaking.
"That's a stupid question!" the prince stated, crossing his arms.
Trunks smiled a little, returning his gaze to his mother. He laid a hand on the glass, a foot away from his mothers' head, before turning and leaving. Vegeta stayed, not emerging the two days the woman was in there.
They all knew when she came out.
Vegeta started yelling. They all flinched as Trista yelled back, quickly making their way to a quieter part of the house. Trunks snickered, listening to them. He knew his father wouldn't lay a hand on her, now that she was pregnant. He smiled at that. I was afraid they would never have me! He quickened his steps, heading towards the training pod to spar with Goku. He had noticed the older saiyan spending more time around Bulma, and hoped everything worked out, for everyone.
She glared at the man across from her, stalking to the shelf and pulling dry clothes on. She didn't turn as he spoke.
"What kind of stupid move was that! You fool woman! Appearing in the middle of a battle!"
Trista jerked the shirt over her head, clenching her jaw. She didn't look at him as she spoke.
"It saved my son, didn't it?"
"Our son!" Vegeta snapped behind her.
She didn't comment, just pulled her hair back into a ponytail, stalking to the doors. Vegeta stepped in front of her.
"What!?"
"We're not done talking," Vegeta stated, crossing his arms.
Trista glared at the prince, going around him and opening the door.
"Yes we are!" she stated, before the door closed with a bang behind her.
The man stalked into her room hours later, slamming the door behind him. She sighed, laying her book down. Shooting him a glare, she turned her back to him.
"When were you going to tell me?" Vegeta asked softly, watching her back tense.
"What?"
He stopped at the side of the bed, studying her for a moment before turning her head. She shot him a look, snatching her book back up and returning to it, not saying anything else.
"The baby," the prince stated, watching her.
"What baby?" she said, flipping a page in her book.
Vegeta snatched it from her, clenching his jaw as he flung it across the room. He leaned down, resting his hands on the mattress. He ignored the dirty look she sent him.
"Our baby," he stated softly, watching as a puzzled look appeared on her face.
"We don't have a baby, unless you're talking about Trunks," her brows furrowed. "He's a damn man!"
Vegeta let his gaze slide down her, before meeting her eyes.
"The dragon said you were pregnant," he murmured. He watched her face go white.
"You didn't know?" Vegeta asked suspiciously.
Trista slowly shook her head, staring at the bed. "Shit!" she muttered, jumping in surprise when Vegeta snarled.
"What?" he snapped, "Disappointed!?"
She glared at him for a moment, gritting her teeth.
"Yes," she seethed, gasping when he yanked her off the bed to stand in front of him.
"Why?" the prince demanded loudly, his eyes roaming her face. He felt a sinking sensation in his chest as her eyes snapped. She snatched her arm away from him.
"I told you Vegeta," she said softly, her eyes narrowed. "The day you practically forced me," she yelled slightly, before pausing for a moment. "I didn't want a traitors child."
"How can you still be holding that against me?" he asked in surprise, the prince's eyes widening a little. He swallowed, watching her as she walked away from him.
"Would you please leave," she said softly, not turning towards him. Vegeta studied her for a moment, before taking a step towards her.
"Please!" Trista said, almost desperately.
He watched her wrap her arms around her waist, not saying anything. He looked away, a few minutes later walking through the bedroom door, leaving her to her thoughts.