3- Of Old

Spring

"How much?" Pan grinned as she looked up at Dr. Brief.

The older man chuckled, his lavender mustache shaking and he grinned at the twelve-year-old. "Two inches," he said.

Pan gasped loudly before she turned to face Chi-Chi. "Did you hear that, Mama? Two inches!"

"I sure did," she smiled at her daughter. "Why don't you go tell Goten while I talk to Dr. Brief?"

"Okay," Pan nodded.

Chi-Chi watched as Pan rushed to the door and opened it. On the other side of the hallway, Goten leaned off the wall and glanced at her expectedly.

"Two inches, Ten!" She told him with a grin. "Two!"

"Wow!" He grinned as well. "Little Panny is getting so big!" He patted her head with a chuckle. "C'mon, I'll take you to the kitchens for a celebratory ice-cream!" Chi-Chi could hear him saying as the door was closed.

The woman smiled to herself. Her two youngest were best friends and it made her heart so happy to see them together. Goten was such a good big brother to Pan.

"My Lady."

She turned to Dr. Brief now and frowned. "How is she?" She asked quietly.

"The same," he answered. "Her health is stable, and that's the most important thing. As always, I just recommend that you take things easy with her. Don't let her strain herself too much with physical activity."

Chi-Chi nodded slowly. It had started four years ago when Pan was just eight. She became sickly often and at first, Chi-Chi just thought it was a cold she couldn't get over. Soon though she realized that it was much more than just a common cold and her fear from when Pan was born came back. She was terrified that her illness was back with a vengeance. After examinations and X-rays, Dr. Brief had discovered that nestling inside Pan's uterus was the strangest thing- four pearl-like beads. They had started tiny, being no bigger than a little pebble but now they were as big as marbles and Chi-Chi feared they were still growing. Dr. Brief had tried to remove them once, but couldn't because the pearls simply wouldn't allow him. When he got too close to them with an instrument, they would give off a shocking amount of electricity, shocking both him and Pan. The Doctor was afraid that if he probed any more, the girl's health could be at risk and so now they were just stuck watching it and hoping it wouldn't grow.

"Goten does well to make sure she doesn't overdo anything," Chi-Chi told the doctor. "Thank you," she said as she stood up and bowed. "We'll be back soon."

Dr. Brief bowed his head back. "Of course. I will be here."

Chi-Chi walked out of the office with a small sigh. Pan was sick, there was no doubt behind it, but now Goku wasn't here to save her again. Or perhaps, what Goku had done all those years ago to save Pan was the cause of her sickness now? Chi-Chi shook her head. Even if it was the cause, Goku had tried his best and now she too had to try her best.

"Mom?"

She turned to see Gohan walking down the hallway with his Royal Advisor, Lapis behind him. Chi-Chi eyed the Advisor and his blank face. Truthfully, she didn't know much about him. Four years ago when Gohan had become the King, he had joined the Royal Court. He had helped Gohan a lot, which Chi-Chi was thankful for but there was just something about him that left a sour feeling in her mouth.

"Lapis, you can go," Gohan told them. "I'd like to walk with my Mother."

"Yes, Your Majesty," he bowed to Gohan. His icy blue eyes landed on Chi-Chi. "My Lady," he bowed again before turning and walking down the hallway.

Gohan smiled at Chi-Chi warmly and offered her his arm. With a smile, she took it before the two of them began their walk. Over the years, Gohan has grown into a handsome young man, and a great King, just like he wanted to be. Out of all of her children, Chi-Chi felt the guiltiest towards him. He had the responsibility of being a King, something she hadn't meant to give him while he was so young.

"I passed Goten and Panny a few minutes ago," Gohan spoke. "Panny said she has grown two inches," he chuckled. "Her and Goten are going to go eat some ice-cream and then I think Panny talked him into going to the library with her."

"Really?" Chi-Chi smiled. "Well, someone needs to get that boy away from the training grounds from time to time."

"I know," Gohan laughed. "The soldiers are saying they're getting tired of being beaten up by him. He'll make one great General someday, just like Uncle."

"Yes, he will," Chi-Chi nodded. Goten reminded her so much of Goku. His strength just kept growing to unmeasurable lengths.

Gohan let out a soft chuckle. "It's nice to think about us three siblings. Me, the King, making sure all is well. Goten, the General, the one that will protect everyone and then Panny, our Princess who gets whatever her heart desires."

"You boys spoil her too much," Chi-Chi told Gohan with a faint smile.

"It's hard not to," he told her. "Plus, after everything, she's gone through, I'm going to work extra hard as a King to make sure she gets everything she deserves."

Chi-Chi gave his arms a gentle squeeze. "All of you children deserve everything you want," she told him quietly. "I'm just sorry I can't give it to you."

Gohan didn't speak. What he wanted couldn't be reached and Chi-Chi knew that well because Goku had been dead for seven years now.

"Panny, do we have to spend so much time here?" Goten sighed as he glanced at the library.

"It's not bad, Ten," she told him with a smile. She was already seated in a plush chair with a book on her lap. She enjoyed reading; Goten, did not. "On the second story, in the furthest right corner, there's a section of old war books. Why don't you go check them out?"

"Have you read any of them?" Goten raised a curious eyebrow at her.

"No," she scrunched her nose up. "You know I don't like that stuff."

"Of course," Goten snorted. "Okay then, I'll look, but I doubt anything will hold my interest for long," he told her with a pout as he headed towards the stairs.

The Royal Library was one of the biggest open areas in the castle. With it being three stories high with walls filled with books higher than eight feet, it was a boring room- at least to Goten. He much preferred the training deck.

With a sigh, Goten looked at the row of books in front of him. All then seemed dull in color and faded and no doubt, each book was older than his grandfather. His eyes skimmed the rows until a glimmering title on a book spine caught his attention. It was a bit smaller than the rest, and honestly, Goten was surprised he had even seen it. The spine was black with bright, yellow lettering that read, Of Old. Goten knitted his brows together as he tugged the book off the shelf.

For the book to be smaller than the rest, it was thick and heavy. The cover was black as well with a sparkling green dragon with red eyes on it. Goten's eyes widened as he looked at the picture. It was just an illustration but it was beautiful. Slowly, Goten opened the book and gasped as a folded piece of paper fell out of it. He bent down to pick up the paper and unfolded it curiously. His eyes widened slightly when he saw it was a letter and it was addressed to him, Pan, and Gohan.

Goten glanced around slowly. Pan was still downstairs reading, perhaps he should show her the letter? Then again, he didn't know who wrote it or what it said, so maybe it would be best if he read over it first.

Gohan, Goten, and Pan,

I hope that one day one of you finds this book and you treasure it as much as I have all these years. I fear that I will not be able to be with you three anymore and so I'm leaving this behind as a piece of me. It's hidden but I have a feeling at least one of you will find it one day, or at least it is my hope.

These are more than just legends, these are stories from where I'm from. Stories that I grew up hearing and believing in. Let me tell you from personal experience that some legends are real and the hero's in the book are the very ones reading the stories.

Please forgive me for not telling you all more about where I'm from and know I didn't intentionally keep it a secret. I didn't say anything to keep you all safe. Please take care of each other.

All my love,

Your father

Goten blinked at the letter in shock. His father left this book? Just what legends were written in it? His father was from the East District, wasn't he? The only legend Goten knew about over there was about a perverted hermit.

Slowly Goten flipped to the front page. Again, the illustration of the green dragon greeted him, but there was wording now on it.

Curious Saiyan

Are you ready to find dreams?

Dreams that are in fact realities.

Young Saiyan

Are you ready to learn?

Learn about the greatness you can become.

Brave Saiyan

Are you ready to go on adventures?

Adventures that will leave you waiting and wanting more.

Dear Saiyan

Come with us and find all that awaits you.

The book tumbled out of Goten's hands and thudded to the floor. The book was for Saiyans, and if it was about where his father was from then that meant that his father- his father had been a Saiyan?

"Ten?" Pan called from downstairs. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine!" He called back. Quickly he gathered the book up and placed the letter back into it. He put the book inside of vest and quickly grabbed another book. He couldn't tell Pan about what he just discovered, at least not yet. He had to read all of that book and try to find out exactly who his father was first.

Sixteen-year-old Trunks frowned as he glanced around his father's study. He liked the study. It was quiet and peaceful. It was also hidden so not just anyone could find it, so it was the perfect place for him to hide from Endou, who wanted to train until their muscles felt raw. Most days Trunks would have no complaints about it, but today was different.

It was seven years to the day that his world changed. It was the day his childhood stopped and cold reality washed over him. The world was filled with cold-blooded monsters using their power to scare others.

Trunks clenched his fist and set his jaw. He would get his revenge, one day.

The door opened and Trunks turned quickly to see his father entering. They met each other's eyes, both of them widening in surprise.

"I thought you were in a meeting," Trunks said.

"I'm hiding," Vegeta admitted. "What about you?"

"I'm hiding too," Trunks mumbled.

Vegeta simply nodded as he shut the door behind him. Trunks watched as he walked over to his desk and sat down, his eyes going to the papers pilled up but Trunks knew he wasn't paying any attention to them. His father wasn't the one for deep talks and sentiments, which was why Trunks always came to find him on this day. He could have some peace with his father. If he went to his mother, he would be coddled, which he couldn't stand. Even Bulla tended to tip-toe around him on this day, and it aggravated Trunks more than anything. He knew it was just their way of trying to let him mourn, but it drove him crazy sometimes.

With a sigh, Trunks got up and headed to a bookshelf across the room. His father had a ton of books, all ranging from old war journals to ancient history. A glistening spine caught his attention and he picked it up.

"Of Old," Trunks read it. He turned it around and looked at the picture of the Dragon on the cover. "Appa," he called as he walked back over to his father's desk. "What's this?" He held up the book.

"Ah," Vegeta's eyes widened before he let out a small laugh. "I forgot about that book. When I was younger, I had an author write it for a friend and me. There are only two books like that in existence."

"Really?" Trunks glanced at it. "Is about dragons?"

"Partly," Vegeta nodded. "Do you remember the story of the Great Super Saiyan who rescued us from the Tuffles centuries ago?"

"Of course," Trunks said. That used to be his favorite bedtime story. "The Super Saiyan took down the Tuffle Army single-handedly and won."

"Yes, but did you know that the legend claims that the Super Saiyan wasn't alone- they had their army of dragons that helped."

"Wow," Trunks' eyes widened. "Is that true Appa, or is it just a legend?"

"Well," Vegeta leaned back in his chair and glanced towards his window. "Do you see those two tall mountains in the north, Trunks?"

"Yeah, they say it's haunted."

"It's called the Dragon Den," Vegeta said with a small smirk. "You see, the Super Saiyan might have won the Tuffle war, but it cost them their life. The dragons, having lost their master, fled into the mountains to mourn and it's there that they died. Those mountains are also where al the Saiyans who lost their lives during the Tuffle War were buried. That's why people say it's haunted. Saiyans go there, trying to see if they can spot a dragon and they never return."

Trunks stared at the mountains for several seconds. "Has anyone ever went there and returned?"

"Only one person that I know of," Vegeta said.

"Who?"

"He was an old friend of mine. He probably was about your age at the time."

"And he went there to try to find a dragon?"

"No. He went there to run away," Vegeta sighed. "His mother had died giving birth to him, and so growing up it was just him, his father, and brother but his father died in a raid. He fled into the mountains and for three whole days he was missing, until soldiers found him walking down the from the mountains. His clothes were torn and he was visibly shaken by something, though he never did tell anyone the whole story. It was only me he confided in that the mountain still had at least one beast in it, and it had red eyes."

Trunks let out a small laugh. "You know, if I was still a kid, I would believe that."

"I'm being truthful, brat," Vegeta narrowed his eyes at him.

"But Appa, wouldn't it be cool though if a Dragon were still alive?" Trunks asked. "If the legends are true and Dragons used to exist, maybe they can again. Maybe they're just waiting for another Super Saiyan," he said.

"Maybe," Vegeta nodded slowly. "Maybe they're just waiting until all the cards fall into place."

Trunks glanced down at the book and the red eyes of the dragon the cover. If the legend was real, Trunks prayed that it would come true in his lifetime. Even if he didn't get the chance to fly with a dragon, he wanted to at least see one before he died.

Fall

Pan squinted her eyes at the darkness of her room as she started to wake. Someone had been calling her name.

"Are you awake?" Her lamp beside her bed flickered on and in the dim light, she saw Goten.

"Ten?" She yawned. "What time is it?"

"It's late," he said. "Sorry for waking you. I just wanted to see you."

"Huh?" She knitted her brows together. "Why?"

"Can't a guy come see his cute sister?" He smiled as he leaned over and patted her head.

"You're so weird," she told him with a fond smile. "You could have seen me in the morning."

"You're right," he whispered. "Go ahead and go back to sleep," he told her. He helped her lay down before tucking the covers around her. "Goodnight, Panny."

Pan yawned again as he shut off her lamp. "Night, Ten."

Pan woke up feeling strange. She couldn't describe the feeling, only that it felt like something was missing. Sitting up she glanced around her room. The early morning light was starting to shine through her curtains and as her eyes fell on her nightstand she saw an envelope. Quickly she picked it up and instantly recognized the handwriting- Goten. Faintly she could recall him waking her and telling her goodnight.

With careful fingers, Pan opened the letter. Somehow she just knew that what she would read wouldn't be good.

Panny,

I'm sorry for telling you this through a letter but I knew that if I told you in person I'd lose my nerve. I'm leaving the castle. I'm unsure how long I will be gone but there's something I must find out. Please don't be sad, because I will be back for you and don't worry about me either, because I promise I'll be safe. Please take care of yourself, Baby Sister.

I love you,

Ten

Pan blinked back her tears as her heart hammered against her chest. Goten was gone and she hadn't a clue as to where he went or why. He promised he would be back and he always kept his word to her. She would have to trust him, but she was hurt. He had left her and now she was all alone.

Pan curled up in her bed as she clutched Goten's letter to chest and cried until she couldn't anymore.

"Golden Child,

Lion boy;

Tell me what it's like to conquer.

Fearless Child,

Broken boy;

Tell me what it's like to burn."

- oh darling, even Rome fell II p.s. (via madzie-bane)