Judgement Saga:
51: Time to Breathe
After many hours the battle for West City between the Red Ribbon Revolution, the Earth's Military and the Z-Fighters had come to a close. The remaining RRR Soldiers had either been defeated or fled, but now the city lay in shambles.
The dull winter winds echoed through cracked concrete and broken windows of the sky-top buildings, some in surprisingly better conditions than others. Dry crimson stained the black paved roads and pavements littered with toppled ruined hover cars, tanks and fighter-jets with either RRR and KG logo's on the sides of the weapons.
In the centre the yellow dome shaped building with a white top twin towers protruding from opposite sides stood tall. The long stretching windows around the large dome building with several smaller dome buildings around it's grassy and tree covered perimeter stood tall in the wake of the destroyed city. The words CAPSULE CORP imprinted on the face of the building over the doorway. Goku had done a good job protecting the Brief's family home and the area around it.
Around the home were many smaller Capsule Corp homes had been set up by Bulma for the refugees and the Earth's Military soldiers who now had a suitable shelter.
From atop the balcony overlooking the destroyed city half Human-Saiyan hybrid stared with his blue eyes as he scratched his lavender stubble. His long lavender pony-tail fell down his back with his fringe hanging over the sides of his temples messily. He still wore his sleeveless purple jacket with the Capsule Corp logo on the left side, with the long black sleeved shirt and black trousers with his yellow tipped black boots from the previous battle a few hours ago.
Trunks sighed, the water vapour of his breath visible in the air as he looked at the devastation caused by the Jero Ribbon and his Red Ribbon Revolution from the balcony of his old room.
The President of Capsule Corp peered into the gloom and could see his company building. Though covered by the fog he could make out his bulky sculptured skyscraper, higher on the left side the azure Capsule Corp logo shinning as bright as always, with the azure bold capitalised words "CAPSULE CORP" on the top just before the right side extends upwards.
The base around thirty-something floor was joined by buildings running around in a C shape around the tower with the inside being filled with a statue of his Grandfather, Mother and him standing in the centre over the large fountain around the stone pavements of grass and trees.
He wouldn't be going there tomorrow, no morning breakfast and the cafe opposite his company with Goten who along with Valese and the others were especially worried about after he had reacted hours earlier when he found out he could no longer transform. And just how many of his employees who lived around the city had lost their lives today? How many would he never get to see again?
Trunks placed his hands on the side of the balcony and looked down. His heart ached, how could this have happened? And what made it worse was that there was no Dragon Balls to wish this all away.
Jero and his RRR would fall. They just needed to plan.
Senator Occidente nodded at what Bulma said. He had been evacuated from the Wukong Hospital immediately following the RRR attack and followed his Major Incident plan and was evacuated to Capsule Corp. He now wore his circular glasses and blue suit, his short brown hair brushed back and he furrowed his wrinkled tanned face.
"Yes. The young man who was with Jero Ribbon you speak about. His name is Android Seventeen, he's Lapis Termina the teen who was said to have died years ago by driving him and his twin sister Lazuli Termina off Culver Down's Cliff in North City. I looked it up after Cell..."
"So this Dr. Gero, Jero's previous life actually abducted these two and faked their deaths before converting them into Androids. So Lazuli... She would be referred to as Sixteen or Eighteen?"
"She's number Eighteen. Krillin's wife and Marron's mother."
"Eighteen... So she would be the woman with short blonde hair from 25th and 28th Tenkaichi Budokai Tournaments. Could Jero be trying to upgrade her in order to gain more ground against us?" Occidente frowned, cupping his chin as he looked upwards.
"It's what I fear." Bulma sighed, looking down. "Listen I don't want Krillin or his daughter hearing this about this. They're worried enough about this whole ordeal as it is."
"I propose a plan of action to counter the RRR. Unfortunately the RRR crippled most of the city's military. Now we only have three-hundred of our KG Soldiers out of the five-hundred, a third of them undergoing a healing process in your chambers." Senator Occidente paused, positioning his hands and furrowing his brow as he spoke. "By my calculations I estimate that the healing process will be completed in two days, giving us one extra day before Jero attacks. We fortify Capsule Corp perimeter and have our soldiers positioned around the areas to protect the civilians here and to protect Capsule Corp, whilst others fend off the RRR alongside the Impulses, Goku and the others."
Bulma looked up. "Personally I wouldn't bother." Bulma shrugged, crossing her arms watching Occidente who was now taken aback.
Occidente frowned. "What do you mean? Explain."
"Not only do we have Gohan and Uub, but we also have my son, my daughter, my husband, my best-friend Goku, his son, his granddaughter, her Impulse friends, Krillin and Yamcha. There's no need to prepare, should Jero come here even with Seventeen they'll be stopped instantly."
Occidente pondered on this. "Listen I understand how strong the people who you listed are, which is why this is the safest place in the world right now." Occidente replied. "However, Jero knows this and he isn't the type to come here without preparations and what was that he said to Gohan over the intercom?"
"But trust me you'll be begging for more time when I confront you in West City." Bulma rolled her eyes, sipping from her coffee. "It's a bluff. I can't even fathom how he'd upgrade his Android by that much. I know the man created Cell in his previous life, and his Androids were responsible for the destruction of my son's timeline in the future but he I can't imagine him powering them up to Gohan's or Uub's level. That would be one hell of an upgrade."
Occidente shook his head. "Nevertheless it's best we prepare for Jero's coming. The health and safety of the people here justify that."
"I'm glad you came to your senses Uub. I'm proud."
Goku said to Uub opposite him, sitting around the metallic table with the C logo of Capsule Corp in their meeting room. Gohan sat next to Uub him still in his jade tie and white shirt and black trousers with Hercule Satan on his other side who wore his usual brown tunic and white trousers and short spiky grey haired Vegeta sat next to Goku in his black Capsule Corp wheelchair.
"Please he shouldn't have joined the RRR at all, it's about time he came to his senses. Foolish boy,"
"Hey Vegeta he had good reasons at first the RRR weren't what they seemed –"
"No," Uub cut Goku off looking at the floor. He now wore his blue Gi, yellow belt and wristbands with red boots. His black mohawk hung over his forehead and hung over the back of his neck like Majin Buu's antenna. The scar from his battle with Baby ten years ago still ran down left brow and cheek. "Vegeta's right. I was a fool to go to the RRR; I shoulda known they weren't capturing the bad Impulses for the peace."
"Well I for one don't care about what's happened. All I wanna know right now is where is Buu?" Hercule crossed his arms, his balding afro reflected the light above.
"Buu's missing?"
"Yes." Gohan stepped in as Hercule's head bowed looking at the adolescents' bewildered face – Uub was his last hope. "A woman named Aprilotine who we know is an Admin of the RRR, she's the one who abducted Goten, fought Pan and she's abducted Buu when she persuaded Hercule into being their PR Man before things got messy..." Gohan paused. "We were wondering if you would know anything that could help us."
"It's not just the pink blob that's missing either. Eighteen's gone too." Vegeta added, much to Hercule's frustration.
Uub furrowed. "I had no clue they were gone. I don't know about Buu, but I could hazard a guess with Eighteen." He turned to Goku. "When you came to my apartment the other night you were talking about Jero and Seventeen who attacked King Furry's castle."
"Yeah," Goku replied. "What does this have to do with Eighteen?"
"It's just a hunch but I'd doubt someone the reincarnation of would stray very far from his Androids. From what I've heard Jero is usually at the RRR Headquarters so perhaps Eighteen's there, perhaps Buu too."
"Maybe, it's worth a shot and it's the only lead we have." Gohan agreed. "So I'd suggest we make a small team and aim to find Eighteen and Buu."
"Hey there's, err, one thing I wanna say." Hercule said looking at Uub who furrowed. "Well, you and Buu, err, you're connected ain't ya? You're basically the same person so if you concentrate hard enough you can find him?" Hercule hoped, squeezing his knees.
Uub blinked. "I... I don't know how. I can't sense him..."
"Hm, Hercule has a point," Goku cupped his hand to his chin and looked up. "You are the closest person to Buu. It's almost like Piccolo and Kami before they split; they were one of the same being and always knew where the other was. So maybe if you tried meditating, then maybe you could find Buu." Goku said holding his index finger out. "It's worth a shot right?"
Uub nodded. "I'll try."
"Thank you Uub!" Hercule grinned.
"Anyway, we'll continue this conversation after dinner." Gohan removed his left arm from his lap and began to stand before his serious face transitioned into a cheeky smile as he closed his eyes and rubbed the back of his head – he could sense that Pan and the others had been setting the dining room for everyone downstairs. "Besides after everything that's happened today I'm starving."
As if in response to the word food Goku's stomach growled audibly echoing through the room. "Gee, yeah! I haven't eaten in hours I'm so hungry!" Goku laughed.
"I don't know how you Saiyans can even think of food after what's happened today." Hercule uttered before getting up and walked with Uub and Gohan to the rooms exit.
Goku stood up ready to join them when he felt a hand tighten around his wrist.
"Wait Kakarot,"
"What is it Vegeta?"
"These Impulses, I don't care how they came about but they're useful, right? They fought alongside you and the others and helped to stop the RRR army earlier."
"Yeah, what's your point?"
"Imagine if we trained them, taught them how to use Ki. They'd be strong enough to fight alongside Uub, Pan and Bra in the future to uphold the peace when we're gone." Vegeta said almost bitterly.
Goku furrowed and nodded finally. "Of course, from what I've seen Pan's friends seem nice, but we've only just met the three other ones today can we trust them?"
"Hn, they won't go rogue on us. If they did I'd just annihilate them."
Goku chuckled smiling slyly. "I guess. I'll see what I can do."
"We'd best get started now." Vegeta frowned and began to wheel himself through the door. "It's not like we're getting any younger."
Goku stuffed the last lamb chop into his mouth and munch before swallowing let out a yell of relief.
Grinning, he petted his stomach now full from eating Bulma's delicious food. He had now earned a crowd of bystander watching him and Vegeta consume tons of food like there was no end; a surprisingly happy distraction to drown out the horrors of today.
"I should be used to this by now," Bulma sighed, sitting next to Bra, Trunks and Hollien who chuckled at the sight
"Have you mentioned it yet?" Vegeta asked, wiping his mouth before yawning before looking over at the small group of Impulses on the table opposite him with Marron near Yamcha, Krillin, Master Roshi and Turtle whom had been moved here hours ago. Pan was no longer present.
"Oh!" Goku turned to his old rival with a shocked expression. "Oh no I completely forgot!" He said, standing up and walked over to where Eugene, Mako and the other three Impulses sat.
Gohan watched from behind his glasses, sitting by his wife Videl. "What he up to?" Gohan turned to Vegeta.
"It's something we discussed alone regarding the Impulses. We're going to train them." Vegeta said soberly, watching.
"Train them?" Videl questioned, the News Reporter of GT-TV News watched her Father in law walk towards the table and sit down by Marron.
"Hey guys, how's it going?" Goku greeted, smiling.
"Good," Marron said shyly. "Still a little shaken about today though..."
"It's normal to be a little shaken, don't worry about it this will all be sorted out soon." Goku said confidently. "Say, I heard that you did really well today Marron." He laughed, placing his hand on her shoulder.
"She did real good. She is my daughter after all, you know." Krillin added before laughing.
"You can't take all the credit!" Master Roshi yelled. "I'm the one who trained her, she may be your daughter but she's my pupil." Roshi said before chuckling nervously as he stared at Marron's breasts bulging under her pink crop top as his hands stretched out ready to grope but then he let out a yell holding his head as Krillin slapped him.
The old moustached dwarf closed his eyes, his frown deepened as he shook his head. "Not on my daughter bud."
Goku laughed a little, but then the scene reminded of Chi-Chi with her frying Pan chastising Roshi. He sighed. He really did miss her. But he couldn't dwell on the past's misfortunes; he had to concentrate on the future.
"Anyway," Goku turned to the five Impulses. "I already know you two. Your Mako," He pointed to the man with dark skin and a short black beard and hair. "And you're...Eugene." He furrowed, looking at the nerdy looking guy with short brown messy hair, glasses in a purple hoody a Z symbol displayed on it with jeans. "Pan's told me a lot about you both already and your powers a quit impressive. But I want to know about you three, what's your story?" He said, looking at Deval Frutti and the two other Impulses.
Deval smiled, he wore his tattered red shirt, blue three quarter jeans with a straw hat hanging on a string on his neck over his back showing his messy black hair. "Well guess I'll go first. My names Deval Frutti, I live in a small Fishing Village just outside the city. I came to West City for supplies; I managed to keep my powers a secret from the RRR all this time."
"What are those powers?"
"Well," His arm suddenly began to stretch up and touched the roof with his index finger, other people sitting in the dining room where suddenly taken aback from the scene. "It's weird, it's like my body is made entirely of rubber and I stretch my body like an elastic band. Comes in handy, gotta admit."
Goku laughed in glee staring in wonder as Deval's arm began to retract back into its normal size. "That's awesome, now I'm real excited to see what you two can do!"
The large chubby but muscular man sitting next to Deval looked up at Goku. "The names Brick, I work in construction and then when people started gettin' powers I got mine to. I can turn into stone; err easier if I just show ya." He lifted his hand and ball it into a fist as rock substance began to grow from his skin before dissipating.
"Guess that leaves me," The young man with short white hair and ice blow eyes spoke. "I come from East City, by Impulse abilities changed me physically hence the white hair and pale skin. My powers are that I can control ice and form it from the matter around me."
"Neat," Goku smiled and swallowed this was the time to ask. "So there's somethin' I wanted to bring up... I know you already have powers, but maybe you could learn to use your Ki on top of this. Think about it, you'd be really strong!"
"You mean you 'Supers' aren't unique? Other people can fire energy beams? For real?" Deval gaped, his mouth in an O as he clenched his fists.
"Sure you can," Yamcha turned on his chair, overhearing the conversation. "I'm a normal human and I can fly and fire energy beams and all that. I mean I'm the strongest Martial Artist here like, but hey you can maybe one day get this strong with a little training." Yamcha said, flexing his bicep under his tight red blazer.
"I'm pretty sure they'd overtake you Yamcha. Say I'm pretty sure I could take you now," Roshi laughed.
"Hey I'm not that weak or old...yet. Still got a little of King Kai's training in me!"
Goku chuckled.
"Just to put it out there I know a little bit from training with Pan." Mako replied. "I was nearly done cracking down on Ki sensing until...well all this happened today..."
"Well I for one would be up for it," Bliz confirmed, crossing his arms. "It'd be great to stretch my abilities as far as they can go."
"Me too," Brick nodded.
"Err," Eugene sighed nervously. "Yeah I guess I'll give it a try."
"Really? That's fantastic!" Goku grinned, clenching his fists. "I can't wait to get started. We should get started right away. We still have a bit of training time before we hit the hay!"
Uub sat crossed legged on top of the roof looking into the distance, buildings were ruined, cars were crushed into the walls with glass and debris littering the icy roads.
The cold breeze cut into his skin making him shiver as his black mohawk and blue Gi fluttered.
He hadn't really felt like eating. He still couldn't get over what happened today, how blind he had been to the RRR's true intentions and he was supposed to be Goku's successor.
He exhaled. Hopefully he could find Buu and Eighteen, try to redeem himself after his failures. Hopefully he would be forgiven by his friends. Pan, Bra and Marron couldn't even look at him during dinner...
"Grandpa said you'd be up here." Pan said soberly, looking at Uub sitting on top of the Brief's roof looking into the cold starry skies. "How're you holding up?"
"I'm fine." Uub lied; he looked down at the yellow/brown roof. "I just can't believe everything that's happened today..."
Pan sighed and stretched her arms. "Well... I did say that the RRR would end up doing this."
Uub snorted. "Okay, okay. I get it you were right all along oh great one."
Pan smiled. "You know I always am, about time you recognised it."
"Pan?" Uub turned his head. "Do you think the others will trust me again?"
Pan remained silent. "I'm not gonna lie, your reasons for joining the RRR are at first were pretty noble. We all saw what the majority of people who gained powers did and what was needed to stop them. But what the RRR has done and the fact you were a part of it has seriously crippled your creditability. For the others they'll need to give it some time. But for the Impulses, especially Mako and Eugene – they're terrified of you, Uub. It'll be a long time before they trust you."
He nodded and looked back into the distance with a sigh. "Sorry for everything that's happened between us this past week."
"It's okay, just help us beat Jero," Pan turned around to the door and then back again and lowered her brow. "But know this. I'll be the one to take that Aprilotine down. I swear it."
"Hm, you shouldn't have any problem now that I won't get in your way." Uub smirked.
"That's right." Pan giggled. "And Uub I'm glad you're out of that hideous uniform." She said as she grabbed the door knob and went back inside.
The door closed.
'Now let's find Buu," Uub closed his eyes, inhaled and breathed out through his nose connecting with his senses.
Thank you for reading! Now we're drawing closer to the end of this arc and from what's happened we have a plan being prepared for how to defend against Jero's attack, Uub searching for Buu and Goku/Vegeta setting up another generation of fighters.
Let me know your thoughts in a review and stay tuned for the next one!
Q&A:
Q: Yaaaayyy finally uub got his s*** together and finally quit the RRR but I was sorta hurt on how goten lost his saiyan ability also has anyone else gone through the experiment of gaining saiyan blood/ability anyways great chapter I enjoyed keep it up can't wait till the next one
A: Thanks for reading and reviewing. I'm glad you liked the chapter and to answer your question it's only Aprilotine who has gained the Saiyan blood/ability to transform as of now, she's the only one to have undergone the experiment. Hope this answered your question if you have any more don't hesitate to ask!
Q: Wow a lot happened this chapter didn't it. The emotions that echoed through this chapter were amazing with pain, loss, and even depression all being present only to be wiped away by joy from the Uub finally waking up to the RRR means, and absolute domination from Gohan. Also there were three new Impulses which I did not mind, Deval Frutti really subtle with that on. Good job man.
A: Thanks for reading and reviewing. I'm glad you liked the chapter and I'm happy to hear the emotions played out well for you they were intended to do so.:) I'm glad you liked the subtle pun for the new Impulse - totally not from One Piece or anything (Sarcasm). Thanks again for your review!
