58- A Journey at Dawn

Late Spring

Pan let out an irritated sigh as she paced on the top of the Dragons Den. Kalamity sat a few yards away, his head tilted in confusion as he watched her.

"Well, do you have any better ideas?" Pan muttered to him.

Kalamity gave a low rumble from his throat. Of course he didn't.

Pan raised her hand and started chewing on her thumbnail before she groaned and shook her hand free. Nahum's arrival was approaching quickly. Pan and everyone else had been busy training every day. To make matters more stressful, Pan wasn't sure about anything when it came to her powers. Sure she had them, but what would make hers stronger than Nahum's?

She needed to talk to Shenron or her ancestor, but neither of them was around anymore, which was why Pan had come to the Dragons Den, hoping to feel something that connected her with Shenron or her ancestor. But instead, she felt nothing.

Ta'lah kept telling her to meditate and look within, but all Pan could ever find was a scared little girl. Because that's what she was. She was terrified of failing because then everyone she loved would die. She was nauseous at the thought that her fate would be the same as her ancestor's. Would she leave her family too? The thought caused Pan's knees to buckle.

Pan fell to the ground with a grunt. Tears burned her eyes. Years ago, she had premonitions that her life was going to end. After the dragons arrived, she just thought that was it. But now she wasn't sure. What if that had been leading up to this? Would she have to give up her life?

She would do it in a heartbeat if it came down to it. Pan would do anything to protect the ones she loved. But how would she make sure Nahum came down with her?

Kalamity walked over to Pan and leaned against her with a soft whine. Pan leaned against him as well and let out a heavy sigh. She rubbed her eyes free from tears. She didn't have time to cry; she needed to think.

There was a gust of wind, and Pan felt Trunks and Crescent land. Trunks walked over to her and squatted down in front of her. He looked as exhausted as Pan felt. He had been training just as hard as she had. His tired blue eyes looked at her warmly and lovingly, and Pan felt herself trembling.

What had she been thinking earlier?! She couldn't leave Trunks! Or Takehiko and Takara! Her family needed her! She wouldn't fall into despair; she wouldn't fail like her ancestor did!

"Did you connect with anything?" Trunks asked gently.

"No," Pan frowned. "I think it's just up to me."

"No," Trunks shook his head. He stood up and held out his hand. "You're not alone."

Pan smiled and took his hand as he helped her up. He was right. She wasn't alone.

"Are you ready to go home?" Pan asked him. "I miss Take and Kara."

"Yeah," Trunks squeezed her hand. "Let's go."

Trunks felt sick and shaky. He had gone into countless battles while under Frieza's rule, and he had never felt as nervous as he did now. He knew it was because he had so much to lose this time around.

He looked across the room where Pan sat on the bed, watching the twins sleep. Ta'lah had contacted them just an hour ago, informing them that Nahum would arrive just after sunrise. Quickly, Trunks and Pan moved the twins to earth, where they would be safe during battle.

Trunks walked over to Pan and placed his hands are on her shoulders. "Are you ready?" He knew they couldn't linger long. It'd be harder to say goodbye. He was just glad the twins were asleep.

"Yes," Pan choked out. She stood up and straightened out the tight-fitting black suit she was wearing. She and his Eomma had created new battle suits for them that would be more durable and flame resistant.

Trunks took Pan's hand, and in seconds they were gone from the room their children were sleeping in and on Vegeta-Sei. Most of the army was already stationed on the flat plains Nahum was set to land on. Tents were set up with many resting before the battle.

"You two should rest," Ta'lah said when he spotted them. "It will still be several hours before he lands."

Trunks led Pan over to where Kalamity and Crescent were waiting for them with Goten, Bulla, Tremor, and Whirlwind. Gohan and Marron joined them soon. It was quiet with everyone deep in thought with their own worries.

Trunks didn't know what would happen come sunrise, but he did know that he was going to fight with everything he had to keep the ones he loved safe. That was all he could do.

Pan woke up with a small gasp. It was dark, though she could see the sky starting to lighten. Sunrise was just an hour away- Nahum was an hour away.

The camp was silent as if it had been put under a sleeping spell. Pan carefully got up from her spot next to Trunks and walked away from the camp. Something was pulling her to the north where the Dragons Den was. She swallowed hard. Maybe it was Shenron or her ancestor.

Pan followed her gut and started her walk. She only got a few steps in before she heard heavy footsteps behind her. Pan turned to see Kalamity running up beside her.

"Hey," Pan reached out and petted his neck. "Can you feel it too?"

Kalamity purred and rubbed his head against hers. He was the size of a horse so he loomed over her.

Pan felt the pull again. It was stronger and more urgent. She let out a breath before she climbed onto Kalamity. "Let's go."

Kalamity stretched out his wings and jumped into the sky. The warm air blew around Pan as they soared, and she narrowed her eyes and set them ahead. Dawn was beginning to break. Nahum would be there soon.

Pan's heart pounded in her chest, nervously. She didn't know what she would find in the mountains, but it would help her- she knew it.

"Faster Kalamity," she urged him.

He shook, and Pan gasped and quickly wrapped her arms around his neck as he grew. He was his proper adult size, which was much bigger than just a horse. He rarely grew to this size, but he knew the situation was urgent. His wings, which were bigger and wider now, moved much faster.

They reached the Dragons Den just as the first sun was starting to break into the horizon. Pan jumped off of Kalamity and ran up the mountain. Her body was shaking from nerves.

"I'm here!" She called out breathlessly.

Pan swallowed hard and glanced around until her eyes found a cave on the other side of the mountain that Shenron had been in. Her gut pulled her forward, and slowly, Pan obeyed it.

Kalamity, who was hanging off the mountain much like Shenron had done, whined at her.

Pan glanced back at him and smiled as she met his dark eyes. "It's okay, I'll be back," she promised him.

Pan stepped up to the entrance of the cave, and a cold gust of wind swept by. She could hear the whispers in the wind, and chills ran down her back. Her heart pounded as she held out her palm and formed some Ki for light. She breathed deeply and held her breath for several seconds. Slowly, Pan released her breath, and took her first step into the cave.

Trunks woke up with a strangled gasp. His heart pounded as he looked up at the reddening sky. His stomach twisted. Nahum would be there soon. Trunks took a deep breath to try to calm his nerves. He didn't remember falling asleep, but as quiet as the camp was, he assumed everyone must have dozed off.

Trunks reached over for Pan, who had been beside him, and he frowned when he didn't feel her. He sat up, and his heart began to pound painfully as he looked around for Pan. Where did she go? Did something happen to her?

With shaky movements, Trunks stood up. His legs felt heavy as he moved them across the camp that was starting to stir. But where was Pan? Kalamity was missing too.

Crescent walked in front of Trunks, stopping his search. Her dark eyes were calm, and Trunks had been with her long enough to understand what she was trying to tell him. Pan and Kalamity had gone to the Dragons Den, and they would be back.

Trunks let out a breath and glanced up at the sky as the first sun started to peek over the horizon. Nahum would be there soon.

"Trunks!" Gohan and Goten ran up to him. "Where's Pan?"

"Kalamity is missing too," Goten added.

"The Dragon's Den," Trunks answered softly.

"The Dragon's Den?" Goten's eyes bugged. "Why?"

"I don't know," Trunks said. "When I woke up, they were gone, but I do know that they'll be back," he said. "You guys know Panna. She wouldn't just leave."

"You're right," Gohan sighed with a nod. "Maybe she got a connection with our ancestor."

Trunks nodded. That's what he was hoping for as well. "The suns are rising quickly," he told the brothers. "Gohan, make sure your army and those from Saibogu are ready. Goten, check on those who came from Josen and Thueria. Make sure everyone's okay, and if someone wants to leave, let them," he said. He didn't want to force anyone to fight that didn't want to, but he was grateful for the alliances who stepped up and offered their men.

"Will do," Goten nodded before he and Gohan took off.

Trunks took off with Crescent on his heels as he checked on his men, the Saiyans. He knew they were tired of fighting. Most of them had been apart of Frieza's evil raids to take over planets. This time was different though. Trunks had given them a choice, and he was brutally honest with them as well. Still, they all showed up, ready to fight for what was theirs.

The first sun had risen silently. It was the smaller one, so a reddish hue cast over the land. In half an hour, the bigger one would rise.

The camp was in a frenzy to get ready. Trunks' stomach was still twisting. He had gotten used to Pan being by his side, and he felt like a part of him was missing with her gone. He let out a breath and cleared his thoughts. He believed in her and knew she would be back.

Trunks heard it before he saw it. The whirl of engines that vibrated the air. He looked up to see a large ship entering the atmosphere.

The camp had grown silent. The second sun was rising. Storm clouds were gathering in the west.

Trunks glanced back and saw the wide eyes of his army. They were all scared and uncertain. So was he, but he wouldn't let the unknown control him.

"I can't promise that all of you will come out of this alive," Trunks announced loudly. "The enemy we are about to face is one we had little time to prepare for, but I do believe in you. My people-" his eyes looked across the Saiyans gathered before him. "My friends-" he bowed his head to the ones from the earth, Josen, Saibogu, and Thueria, who had come to help. "And my family," he caught his Appa's eyes before he looked at Bulla and Goten huddled together next to Gohan and Marron. Goku, Endou, Tarble, Yamcha, and Radtiz all stood nearby. "I believe in all of you and your strength, and I promise you that I will fight with everything I have right along beside you."

Trunks felt his heart swell at the sounds of cheers. They believed in him, just as he did them.

"But-" one of the men from Josen spoke up with a nervous quiver to his voice. "The Dragon Queen; she's not here."

"No, she's not," Trunks admitted over the nervous whispers. "But she will be! Until then, we have to take down as much of the enemy as we can.

"We thought fighting Freiza was the most important fight of our lives," Trunks continued. "But it wasn't. This is! We're fighting not just for our freedom but for our planet and the other planets around it. Today is the day that we will become the legends of future tales. Today is the day that we finally finish what our ancestors ran away from! Today, we fight!"

With the thundering roars of his people, friends, and family behind him, Trunks turned to face the ship. It had just detached several smaller ships that were heading straight to Vegeta-Sei. He grabbed his sword that was resting on his back and got ready. He'd tear Nahum's army apart and protect what was his.

The cave was bigger than Pan expected it to be. After taking a few steps inside, she found a set of stairs made out of stone. The thud of her boots against the stone was in sync with the pounding of her heart.

Pan wondered how much more time had passed. Were the others awake? Did Trunks know she was gone? Was Nahum there?

Pan quickened her steps. She had to find what pulled her there and quickly so she could join the battle.

The stairs ended in a hallowed part of the mountain. It was cold, and Pan felt herself shivering as she held out the Ki in her palms. All she could see were the walls of the cave. There seemed to be no passages.

"Hello?" Pan called. Her voice echoed loudly across the cave, and she winced.

An intense burst of wind swept through the cave. Pan's Ki vanished from her palms as she caught herself from falling. The cave was dark, and Pan could hear nothing but labored breathing.

"Who's there?" A ghostly voice asked.

Quickly, Pan formed more Ki in her palms. The cave was just as empty as it had been when she arrived.

"Who said that?" Pan demanded. "Show yourself!"

The air dropped several more degrees. Pan was shaking as shadows from the cave began taking form. She gasped and swallowed her scream as ghostly figures of skeletons started to surround her.

"Who dares stirs us from our restless slumber?" A skeleton in front of Pan rattled his jaw as if he were the one that spoke.

Pan glanced around with wide eyes. Were these the soldiers of legend? The one that abandoned the first Super Saiyan? Is this what had tugged Pan to the mountains?

Pan's heart felt as if it could explode, but she stood tall. She forced the tremor from her voice as she spoke, "I am your reaper, here to free you from your restlessness."

"Your ancestors did not survive everything that nearly ended them for you to shrink yourself to make someone else comfortable.

"This sacrifice is your war cry, be loud, be everything and make them proud."

-Nikita Gill

So, I'll just admit now that a lot of the inspiration for this part of the story is from the Lord of the Rings trilogy *cough* Return of the King *cough*. I'm a LOTR over Star Wars kinda girl if you haven't noticed lol.