Rights: All rights belong to Akira Toriyama, Toyotarou and Toei Animation
This is based on the manga cannon, so there may be some discrepancies with the anime.
WARNINGS: This story is very, very dark, with a large amount of violence, gore, and sexual references, including references to non-consensual sex.
No one would or could tell her where her husband had vanished to, so she was forced to simply sit and wait, sipping at her afternoon coffee while she tried to focus on her work. But images of the abandoned room kept entering her mind at inopportune moments, distracting her quite thoroughly. If he'd simply left of his own accord, abandoned their crying child in her room, she was going to castrate him. Raking her hands through her hair, Bulma gave a frustrated sigh, beginning again from the start of the paragraph.
She had decided to do her work in her bedroom, just in case her husband returned, so she wouldn't miss him. But that proved to be a poor choice as voices down the hall pulled her away from the tedious text.
"What have you done?!"
Merus.
Putting her laptop aside, Bulma crept towards the door, forsaking her shoes in favour of stealth. Opening the door a fraction, she peered out, ready to duck back inside at any moment.
In the corridor outside Beerus' room Merus and Beerus, and that sounded like the duo of a children's program, stood, radiating auras of violence. Merus' hands were clenched into fists, his back to Bulma, concealing much of Beerus' form with his smaller body.
"What have I done?" Beerus swayed sideways in a definite swagger, leering over the top of Merus' head, "In what sense?"
"To Ternyp! What have you done to him?!"
"What makes you think I've done anything to him?"
"You didn't bother to hide your energy in his hospital room! And his spiked and further indicated that he was in distress!" Merus cried.
"So? I may simply have been present for a relapse."
"Ternyp does not relapse!" Merus protested, "You had something to do with this! What have you done to him?!"
Beerus gave a wicked grin.
"I killed him," he said simply.
Bulma gasped, hand coming up to her mouth, knob shaking in her grip.
"You can't," Merus objected, "You can't kill him. He's immortal."
"Oh yes, he's not dead," Beerus allowed, "But you see, I have realised that he seems to recover remarkably slowly, for an Old God. If I continue to injure him, or even kill him repeatedly, then he will never regain strength enough to resume his evil ways."
"He doesn't have evil ways!" Merus exclaimed, "He's not like that anymore!"
"I really wish you people would stop insisting that he's a different person because he has lived another life in the interim. I tell you now, and you will realise later that I was right if I am not successful in containing him, that power corrupts and his instincts will prevail. He will be back to his reprehensible ways before you know it if you allow him to."
"You're wrong," Merus growled, fisted hands shaking at his sides, "You're wrong, and you're cruel."
"I would reprimand you for speaking to me in such a way, but I take no offence to that," Beerus informed him, "Still, I'm sure Whis will be interested to hear about your mutinous attitude."
"You mean you'll tell on me?" Merus accused.
"I don't owe you my silence, given how you obstruct and disobey me at every turn. You should hardly be surprised if I inform your overseer. It's my civic duty."
She could almost hear Merus grinding his teeth from metres away. Beerus simply shrugged, slipping into his own room and closing the door with a soft snick, leaving Merus alone in the hall to let out a huff of frustration, as if wanting to roar but barely refraining from it.
"That dirty swine," she heard him mutter to himself, turning sharply towards her. His eyes widened as they found her, and he hurried over.
"Miss Bulma," he gasped, "I didn't mean for you to hear that."
She frowned in the direction where Beerus now resided, commenting, "You're playing a dangerous game with him."
"I can't keep silent. I won't! Ternyp doesn't deserve this! I can't imagine what Lord Beerus must have done to him to kill him. He's tough as nails!"
Bulma gave him a sad look, before opening her door wider.
"I don't think it's a good idea for you to talk about this out in the open," she explained, feeling very awkward about inviting another male into her bedroom. But Vegeta wasn't there to complain, was outside of everyone's awareness, apparently, and she was mad at him so she bit her tongue and gestured for Merus to enter.
"Oh, ah, thank you," he blushed beautifully, standing meekly before her bed, all traces of the defiant angel gone.
"So…" Bulma paused, unsure if Merus actually did have anything more to say to her.
"I'm worried," the angel confessed, "Beerus has got it into his head that he can keep Ternyp locked in a cycle of injury and violence. And I think that might be possible!"
"Really?" Bulma's eyes widened.
"Yes. Gemuse isn't your typical immortal; he recovers fast, but not instantly, not if he can't heal himself. And if he can't muster the strength to do that then he's doomed."
Bulma gulped.
"There has to be some way we can dissuade Beerus, to make him think that it won't work," Merus continued, beginning to pace the length of the room, "If he thinks his experiment is a failure, he might desist. But what to do…? If I interfere too much I'll vanish again, and this time I won't be coming back...Was this what destiny wanted me for, or was it something else?"
Bulma watched him walk back and forth across the carpet as he thought, unsure if she had anything to contribute.
"I've been specifically banned from entering the room," Merus muttered aloud, "so I can't give him energy like I did before."
"I'm allowed in," she pointed out.
"Yes, but you," he paused, a light flicking on behind his eyes as he let out a woop, "Of course! You can take him some of my energy!"
"Your energy?" Bulma clarified, "Won't you vanish?"
"Not specifically forbidden, and it takes a few instances of misconduct to complete the process."
"Surely if Whis finds out—"
"Then we'll have to make sure he doesn't, won't we?"
"How? He sits by Ternyp's bedside all day and night."
"I suppose you'll have to wait until he goes to the bathroom."
Bulma blinked, "Whis uses the bathroom?"
"Of course," Merus appeared taken aback, "Did you think angels weren't subjected to such bodily functions?"
"Ah, yes, actually. I did." You learnt something new every day.
"What's his favourite drink?" she asked, a plan forming in her mind, but Merus just shook his head.
"You're better of mussing up his hair somehow. Spill some coffee on it, anything. He'll race out right away to find a mirror, even though he could fix it up with his magic."
"Okay," she nodded, "Spill coffee on a powerful angel who seems to have no moral compunctions."
"He won't mind," Merus pressed, "He doesn't really hold grudges or anything like that. And it'll be an 'accident', remember?"
"Right. An accident," Bulma nodded.
Merus backed up a step, cupping both hands in front of him, scrunching his face up in concentration. Momentarily, a small dot appeared in his hands, glowing brightly as it expanded into an orb, growing to the size of a cricket ball. White with a light blue tinge, the sphere pulsed merrily, a thin aura surrounding it, reaching Merus' hands as the main globe hovered above them.
"Here," he held it out to her, "It won't harm you. It's not much, but I have to be careful. Place this against Ternyp. He'll be able to use it."
"Alright," she reached out to collect the orb, with exuded a gentle warmth as it rested above her palms, "It's beautiful."
Merus shrugged, "It could save his life, and by that I mean it could save him from a long life of torment under Beerus."
"Right," she nodded.
Packing the light securely in her brief case, Bulma began to plan her stealth mission as she pulled on a pair of shoes. A coffee would need to be purchased from the kiosk, and then spilt over Whis' head. That would be best achieved if the lid came off, or…she used her keep-cup with the broken hinge. Snatching her handbag and briefcase, she bounded down the stairs, hastily informing her mother, busy baking, where she was going as she rushed into the kitchen. She burrowed through the drawers and cupboards, eventually finding what she was looking for, the cup she had broken throwing at Vegeta when she had been angry at him over his actions with Babidi. The poor plastic container had never recovered. Hurrying out onto the lawn, she reached into her handbag, rummaging around for her keys. They were never exactly where she left them, she was sure of it. She had a special pocket for them and everything, but they never seemed to be there when she needed them.
Finally securing the keys, she unlocked her craft and rammed open the door, thinking that time could be of the essence. She really wasn't sure when it came to Ternyp/Gemuse, considering that he was immortal. But surely the longer he went without proper treatment, the more it would set him back, and the less likely Beerus would fall for their ruse.
She thought.
Besides, it couldn't be pleasant, if he did have some form of consciousness. Not at all.
Placing her mobile in the hands-free holder, she revved the engine, feeling the craft buzz as the blades began to spin. Always quick to start, she was in the air in a matter of seconds, watching buildings lower as she climbed, feet on the accelerator. There were a few hospitals near where she lived, but the city's state hospital had the highest quality intensive and acute care services. Unfortunately, it was about a ten minute flight sticking to the speed guidelines plus ascent and descent, and finding a parking place. That was always a challenge. At this hour of the day, when many day-surgery patients were being released, she might be forced to leave her vehicle in a loading bay or on a strip of grass, if she could find one.
Cursing Beerus' poor timing, Bulma accelerated, tossing up the various merits and disadvantages of speeding versus being pulled over in an emergency situation. Unfortunately, or fortunately, her decision was made for her as she caught sight of a police helicopter gliding out from behind a sky-scraper. What luck! Growling into the joy-stick, Bulma pushed the limit, watching the buildings go by with frustrating slowness.
Then her mobile began to ring.
Taking her eyes off the skies for just a moment, she noticed Dr Green's number appear on the screen, making her stomach swoop.
Answering it, Bulma waited for information.
"Hello, Bulma, I'm afraid I have some bad news."
"I'm on my way over right now," Bulma stated, "Beerus claims he's killed Ternyp."
"I'm afraid I can confirm that. We've been attempting resuscitation for the last ten minutes, but he isn't responding."
"Keep going," Bulma instructed in a fierce voice.
"I'm sorry to say that isn't your decision to make. His heart's in asystole, which means he's gone flat-line. That's usually irreversible. For a human, at least."
Bulma took a deep breath to steady herself. She was going to kill Beerus.
"Keep going," she insisted, "I have something that will help him. I'll be there in a few minutes. Just one question."
"Yes."
"Is Whis in the room?"
"The blue one with the white coif? Yes, he's been extremely stubborn about it."
Bulma swore, adding on a few minutes to her travel time because of her need to relocate that obstacle. The line went dead, a phrase which made a shiver run down her spine. The hospital was coming into view, but she still needed to park, she wouldn't bother with a ticket, and buy a coffee to spill all over Whis, and then hurry to Ternyp's room.
"Hang in there, Ternyp," she urged the cockpit, "I'm coming."
Finally reaching the multi-storey campus, Bulma descended, searching left and right for an empty space suitable for her vehicle.
"Come on," she hit the dashboard in frustration, eventually giving up on the search and dropping into the disabled parking bay. She would be in a lot of trouble, but she really had no choice. Ternyp was dying, and she had no idea how long that condition would last for if they lost him. What if Merus' energy was insufficient? A revival on the dragon balls might be quicker. Except that Beerus would most definitely not allow it.
Dismounting and slamming the door, locking it automatically, Bulma hastened into the building, darting around slow patients and visitors as she barrelled along.
"Excuse me, excuse me," she at least remembered her manners, but the people were probably used to others rushing around in such an environment. Especially near intensive care.
"Coffee, quickly," she gasped, shoving another customer out of the way and wishing she had thought to take one with her instead, "It's an emergency."
The barista took her cup with an inquisitive glance, before shrugging and setting to work.
"How can a coffee be an emergency?" the shunted customer whined.
"He wants one last drink," Bulma answered, not needing to fake her anxiety, watching his face fall with an 'oh'.
Fortunately, hearing this seemed to speed up the process, and the coffee was in Bulma's hands momentarily, the barista commenting, 'no charge'. She didn't care about the money, but the time saved was essential. Saying she would return to pay for it, words falling over her teeth, Bulma set off at a run, hoping the sad lid would hold for the duration.
Room 081.
She skidded to a halt, rattling the door knob as she struggled, sweaty hands slipping off the metal as she let out a roar of frustration. Leaning heavily against the door, she found her plan much easier to carry out as it opened, spilling her into the room, coffee sloshing in her hands. It wasn't much of a hassle to continue the momentum, briefcase dropping to the floor as she tumbled into the 'porter' with his ridiculous coif, broken lid flying off with a clatter and scolding liquid pouring over her victim's hair.
"Ah!" Whis cried in shock, retreating and raking his hands through his hair, before sprinting off into the private bathroom. The sound of running water permeated the room as Whis hurried to fix his style.
Bulma breathed a sigh of relief, retrieving her briefcase and taking in the room.
Ternyp's cage was upturned by the bathroom, machines and instruments lying in pieces on the floor, IV-bag seeping fluid onto the tiles. A broken bed was embedded in the opposite wall, splintered pieces poking out of the plaster. And in the centre of the room was a gurney with an occupant.
An occupant with a sheet over him.
Dr Green gave her a sad smile as she approached, nearly tripping over a wheel.
"You stopped!" she accused.
"It would have made no difference if we had continued," Dr Green responded, twitching the sheet back as Bulma neared, "He was clinically deceased."
Ternyp's face was pale and slack, mouth slightly open, exposed shoulders sickeningly still.
"You could have kept the blood-flow up," she reasoned, placing her briefcase beside the gurney, trying not to look at the corpse, "Now I'm not sure that this will work."
"Bulma," Dr Green sighed, "We have no idea how long he went without treatment. It could have been an hour."
"An hour?" she balked, snapping the clasps of her briefcase open, brightness pouring out into the room. She hadn't noticed before that the lights were off. But surely, she thought, surely Beerus would not have remained in there for an hour with a dead Ternyp. He would have returned to gloat right away, wouldn't he?
One hand reaching in to retrieve the orb, Bulma pulled the sheet back, revealing a nauseating sight. Bruises were stark against his otherwise pastel skin, almost the same colour as the patches which littered it. His chest was still, frozen in what seemed to be an expanded state, and there was a giant handprint branded above his heart.
"He was electrocuted," Dr Green explained.
"Unfortunately," she continued as Bulma prepared, no longer feeling a sense of urgency in the face of Ternyp's clear death, "his heart suffered not only the shock, but also extremely cruel pummelling. When he didn't respond to defibrillation, we were forced to give manual compressions. But I think his heart had already ruptured significantly from the abuse. When another visuals machine arrived, we saw that the damage was extensive. Far too extensive to justify continuing the resuscitation. We were just pumping the blood into his chest cavity."
"Couldn't you have admitted him to surgery?" Bulma asked, hand hovering above Ternyp's immobile chest along with the promised sphere.
"He was pronounced dead. The staff are still extremely sceptical about him, I'm afraid. There were some who remembered him from earlier, and would have assented, but all the theatre rooms were in use. I decided to wait for you."
Bulma nodded, looking down at the deceased victim, pain written over his breast like a horror movie. The handprint haunted her, re-energising the fire of anger within her as she decided that she was definitely going to see Beerus pay for this.
Somehow.
Gently, gingerly, as if contact could possibly hurt him in this state, Bulma lowered the energy sphere into his chest, watching it sink into him as if it possessed no mass. He remained stationary as the orb slowly disappeared, glow receding until the room was lit only by the afternoon sun.
A second passed, no change being noted as Dr Green began to question Bulma's idea.
Then there was an abrupt gasp.
"Ternyp!" Bulma cried, tears filling her eyes as his chest began to heave, tearing up and down like a pair of bellows.
"He's back," Dr Green commented, astonished as Ternyp kicked aggressively, arms coming up from his sides to rest over the brand.
He began to scratch violently at the burn, as if trying to burrow his way inside his own chest, making Bulma scream for him to stop. His face was twisted, but he wasn't crying out, instead letting out a quick moan with each rapid breath. Head squirming from side to side, legs threatening to break the gurney with their movements, Ternyp continued to claw at his breast. She was glad that only nails tipped his fingers, managing to pierce the skin yet not drawing blood.
His back began to arch, slamming down into the gurney over and over until the metal legs snapped, sending Ternyp onto the floor. Dragging the sheet down with him, he rolled onto his stomach, head thumping into the tiles repeatedly until he managed to flip back over again to face the ceiling, the whites of his eyes staring at it.
Dr Green dived down beside him, movements belying her age as she wrestled with his arms, strength no match for even a convalescing Ternyp.
"Something is terribly wrong," she commented, "I think…"
Bulma shunted the broken gurney aside, dropping down opposite Dr Green. Ternyp was clearly having some sort of fit, and it seemed to be focusing on his injured heart, legs folding underneath him only so he could arch his back further, tail whipping the ground like an excited dog as he extended, head taking his weight.
He flopped back down with a slam that seemed to shake the entire building.
Only to do it again.
And again.
"What's wrong with him?!" Bulma cried as Ternyp's mouth opened in a silent scream, air rushing in and out with audible force. He scratched desperately, breaking through the skin, blood finally oozing out as he rolled from side to side.
"I don't think his heart is beating," Dr Green answered.
"What?" Bulma stared at him, hands clawing to reach the injured organ, "But how can he possibly be moving around?"
"He is not human, and moreover, he is immortal, or undead, as some might put it."
"What do we do?" Bulma asked, breathless.
"I don't think there's much we can do," Dr Green replied fatalistically, "There's no way I can treat him until he calms down. And then we're back to the surgery option I was waiting on before."
"He should have the strength to heal himself now," came an unexpected voice from behind, making Bulma jump.
"Whis!"
"Heal himself?" Dr Green questioned, "Then why hasn't he?"
"I believe he is operating on instinct alone. It simply hasn't occurred to him. Nothing is occurring to him at the moment, I would expect. But perhaps if someone could get through to him," he gave Bulma a significant look.
Taking the hint, wondering why Whis was condescending to help them when his master clearly wanted poor Ternyp to suffer, Bulma lowered herself by his ear, trying and failing to hold his head still.
"Ternyp!" she hollered into the ear-lobe, "Ternyp, you need to heal yourself!"
He continued to gasp desperately, ignoring her as he clawed away at his ribs.
"TERNYP! Come on, buddy!" she slapped his face as hard as she could. The force could not have damaged him, not in the slightest, but his wildly shuddering ebony irises appeared, zipping around the room. His legs gave out, dropping him back to the floor with a definitive 'thump' as his hands ceased their scraping motions, instead resting, splayed over his breast.
Letting out a long breath, Ternyp's eyes scrunched shut, warm glow appearing on his fingertips as his body went rigid. Inhaling deeply, the glow ceased after only a moment as Ternyp relaxed, limbs falling limp and face slack.
"Ternyp?" she asked, Dr Green easily removing the bloody hands, inserting a stethoscope into her ears.
"Ternyp, can you hear me?"
There was a long moment of silence.
"He's sleeping," Dr Green was the one to finally answer, moving the bell of her stethoscope to a new area, "But it seems to have done the job. His heart's completely healed. Now I've got to see about hooking him up to all those monitors and equipment again," she glared at the decimated paraphernalia, "Plus a new bed. Probably a new room, even. He seems to go through them."
"It isn't his fault," Bulma insisted, "But I'll pay for it if necessary."
"I'm sure his hospital bill is going to be large enough without the added expenses. I don't think they'll charge you for this one, given it was a security breach."
She nodded. She really didn't care about the money. She could spend a whole year's salary on this poor individual's bills and still have savings for a luxury liner.
Not that she was going to brag.
Speaking of money, though, she excused herself, intent on reimbursing the kiosk attendant as promised, and then heading home. She had been spending a lot of time at the hospital lately, and wanted to make it up with her children. Since Ternyp was sleeping soundly, now was the perfect time. Plus she had to report back to Merus.
And find out what had become of her husband.