REASON
By The Alchemist
Disclaimer: I do not own Dragonball Z or any of the Dragonball Z characters. I am not making any money off this either. That's why I have a part-time job. I don't clean up after animals after school and on Saturday's for fun.
Reason transformed into prejudice is the worst form of prejudice, because reason is the only instrument for liberation from prejudice.
-Allan Bloom
Chapter 2: A Single Blast
"Dammit Vegeta, there is no way you are leaving me here with Trunks like this."
"I'm sure the brat will cope, just let him rest."
"But we don't have any senzu Vegeta."
"He doesn't need one, he's just a little beat up."
"Vegeta you practically blasted him into the next dimension."
"Maybe he will train harder then to avoid such incidents in the future."
"Vegeta, you are not going."
"Woman, you can't stop me."
"Maybe not, but I can make your life a living hell when you come back."
"Perhaps I won't then."
Bulma was surprised Vegeta had let up so easily, far too easily for her liking, but tried to hide it. "I knew you'd come to your senses."
"No, I meant I won't come back."
"Oh yeah, you'll be back. Just you wait."
The words were wasted on thin air. Vegeta had long since departed to his sparring session with Goku leaving Bulma to look after her unconscious son.
As Vegeta flew he sensed a familiar power. He would almost have gone so far as to say that it was Goku himself if it had not been so undeniably low. Intending to ignore it Vegeta put on a burst of speed and carried on. However, on contemplation Vegeta could not differentiate between the mysterious power and that of Goku and curiosity overcame him. Slightly altering his course he headed towards it, scolding himself for his idiocy the whole way.
There was no doubt about it now - it was Goku. Now Vegeta was faced with a decision, either Goku had been defeated by some power that he was unable to sense in which case Vegeta should power up, or Goku was hiding his power in order to hide in which case Vegeta should be doing the same. A snap decision was made and Vegeta dropped to the forest floor and continued on foot. "I trust that idiot too much," Vegeta muttered.
When the power seemed closer Vegeta began to encounter craters and burnt scrub indicating a battle had taken place recently. Starting to doubt his decision to mask his power Vegeta reminded himself that Goku was far too powerful to be defeated by a battle that nobody else had sensed. There had been no powers raised to a fighting level for ages and Goku wouldn't have gone down without an almighty battle. Despite the logic, something still bothered Vegeta, something he couldn't put his finger on.
A flash of orange could be seen behind a large bush. Vegeta knew now, not only from the power signal, that it was Goku. He stealthily crept towards the orange, glad he could finally clear up this whole episode. However, as he approached he became more aware of the other colour standing out in the clearing, red. No longer bothering to hide Vegeta dashed out from his hiding place and knelt beside the unconscious Goku who was bleeding from a huge wound in his stomach. Vegeta checked for other injuries, unable to find how such a relatively small wound could cause a saiyan to be knocked unconscious.
"Kakkarot," Vegeta urged, shaking Goku's shoulder. Goku's head lolled from side to side, but it seemed that he was out cold. Vegeta began to shake Goku more violently now, desperate for some kind of explanation.
A small groan cracked from Goku's lips and his eyes partially opened, but dropped leaving only two small slits. "Vegeta," he said, his voice strained and his throat sounded dry. "They're...they're coming." With that his head rolled sideways and his body loosened. Instinctively Vegeta's hand started to head out towards Goku's carotid artery, but he withdrew his hand without touching him comforted by the fact that he could still sense Goku's power. "That woman's had too much of an influence on me," he mumbled under his breath.
Once more something began to nag at Vegeta's mind and he tried to brush the feeling aside, but it wouldn't fade. Ignoring it he grabbed Goku's arm and held it over his shoulders and Vegeta wrapped his other arm about Goku's waist and was about to take off when he felt pain, then nothing more.
"Trunks, honey, it's OK." Bulma sat at her son's bedside whispering softly to him as he groaned softly and shifted. He was just starting to come around. His eyes fluttered open, but quickly shut again trying to avoid the glare in his eyes. Pushing the blanket and sheet aside he swung about on his bed and rested his feet on the floor. Forcing his eyes open he found himself facing out his window where the sun was beginning to sink low in the sky.
"Whoa, what's the time Mum?" Trunks groaned groggily.
"It's almost 5 o'clock."
"Damn, Dad's gonna kill me. How long was I out for?" Trunks asked, his eyes slowly attempting to open.
"Almost 9 hours, but don't worry about it. I'm going to kill your father before he ever lay's a finger on you again."
"He's only trying to train me Mum. It's for my own good really. It's just that I haven't been training much lately and..."
Trunks was cut of by his mother, "and he shouldn't have been so hard on you."
"But still, I shouldn't have been sleeping for so long. Dad is so going to kill me."
"You weren't sleeping, you were unconscious and I'll cut a deal with you. Your Dad's not home yet, he's training with Goku, so I will tell him that you came 'round shortly after he left if you will rest a little longer."
"Mum, I'm fine, really. I think I can get up."
"Then you should be well enough to face your father when he finds out you were sleeping for a whole day."
Resigned to his fate Trunks swung his feet back into his bed and lay his head on the pillow, not even realising that he was still only semiconscious.
A few hours later Trunks took in a deep breath and let his eyes shoot open. He felt around his floor for his watch. When he found it he fell back into his bed and read the time, 8.38. As if stung he leapt out of his bed and began tossing on some clothes before running towards the kitchen to grab a snack, fearing the worst from his father. He began to imagine the gruelling hours of training that surely lay ahead of him. It's not that he didn't like training, in fact it was quite the opposite. It was about the only time he got to spend with his father, but Vegeta took it way too seriously. It would seem that the world was at peace, so why did they have to constantly prepare for war? However, of all the things Trunks had expected from his father, he had not anticipated the sight that was about to greet his eyes. When he entered the kitchen he found his mother sitting at the breakfast bar next to the phone with her chin resting on her hands, what he had not expected was the tears that ran down his mother's face.
"Mum, what's wrong?"
Startled Bulma jerked her head up and she hurriedly wiped the tears from her eyes. "Trunks, you're up. How do you feel?"
"Fine. What's wrong?"
Bulma seemed to pause for a second before she said, "It's your father, he's still not come home."
"I thought he went training with Goku, he's probably just lost track of time."
Bulma reached an arm out for her son and he quietly approached and wrapped his arms about her. Bulma began to speak a lot more quietly as if she no longer had any strength. "Normally Chi-Chi would have sent him home by now, but I haven't heard anything from her either."
"Mum, Dad's always disappearing without a word. It's kinda rough for you I know, but you've gotten pretty used to it over the years, so what's the real problem?"
"You're not your father's son for no reason are you? You always want an explanation don't you?"
"I just want to help Mum."
"I know, but you can't help me. I really need to talk to Vegeta about this one first and we had a fight before he left and I just wish he'd come home so I could tell him." Bulma's words began to speed up and she ended up in tears with her face buried in her son's torso.
Trunks silently cursed his father for leaving his mother like this. He didn't really understand what had happened, but if his Mum wanted Vegeta around then he would get him. Placing his hands gently on Bulma's shoulders he drew her back. "I'll go find him for you, OK?"
Her son's kindness brought more tears to her eyes, but she managed a small thank you.
Unsure about leaving his mother in this state Trunks glanced backwards as he was about to take off. Thinking quickly he ran to his room and when he returned he waved his cell-phone by Bulma. "I'll take my phone and if Vegeta turns up or you need me for any reason, just give me a ring."
"Mmhm, thanks Trunks."
Trunks shot his mother one final smile then blasted off towards the Son house.
As he flew Trunks grew more and more angry with his father. It was no longer about the constant insults he received from Vegeta, but rather his attitude towards Bulma. She needed him and he was out sparring with Goku. His anger almost overtook him and he returned his concentration to locating his father's power.
Before long he began to wonder where his father could possibly be. Trunks was close enough to the Son house to locate the power, especially if Vegeta was training with Goku, but he couldn't feel a thing. "What are you up to Dad?" Trunks spoke quietly to himself, almost wishing his father would answer.
Suddenly Trunks felt something, a faint power, but very familiar. "It can't be Dad," Trunks said to nobody in particular. "It's far too weak..." he trailed off realising the implications of his words and repeated them as if hoping it would change something, "It's far too weak." Thinking back to his numerous lectures he recalled that a low power would mean someone hiding equally as often as someone badly injured. Proud he had recalled his lessons he pushed his power down and began to approach the power on foot. Once again he began to wonder what was going on.
"Dad! Goku!" Trunks yelled when he saw his father and Goku. He pressed his fingers onto his father's neck, then repeated the process on Goku. He found that each of their pulses were weak and rapid. He shook his father, hoping for some kind of response but got none. Panic began to set in because there was no way he could carry both Goku and his dad at once and he surely couldn't leave one of them alone in case whatever attacked them returned. Whatever had done this was strong and clever. They had taken down two of the world's strongest men without anyone even sensing a battle. This was what worried Trunks the most, the fact that neither Goku's or Vegeta's power levels had been raised significantly today, at least not that he had noticed. He had been unconscious, but he was sure that the other Z-Warriors would have come running at any indication of such a fight and there was an apparent lack of anyone other than himself.
Not wanting to waste time reflecting on the situation while his father and close friend bled to death he pulled out the cell-phone and called Gohan's house on the automatic dial.
"Hello, this is Videl speaking."
"Videl, its Trunks here. Can I please speak to Gohan? It's urgent."
"Sure, just a sec Trunks." Videl hadn't wasted time in dragging Gohan away from his book, knowing that something was very wrong, just from the tone Trunks had used. Indecipherable mutterings were heard in the background as Videl gave Gohan the phone.
"Trunks? You there?"
"Yeah. Gohan we've got trouble."
"What?"
"I've just found Dad and Goku lying unconscious in the middle of nowhere."
"What happened?"
"I don't know, but it looks a lot like they were attacked."
"But we would have sensed any major battle going on. That's not right. Are you sure?"
"Pretty sure, but Gohan, we haven't got time for this. I need help getting them out of here."
"Sure, sorry. Where is the middle of nowhere? Tell me and I'll be right there."
"Umm, well about four fifths of the way between my house and your dad's."
"OK, I'm on my way. Oh, and Trunks, do we need senzu?"
"Definitely."
The simple reply caused Gohan to worry even more. Gohan turned off the phone and turned towards his wife who had been listening to the conversation. "Where's Pan?"
"She's sleeping in her room. Why? What's happened?"
"Dad and Vegeta are in trouble. Can you take Pan to your father to take care of, then go to Karin's tower and get some senzu."
Trunks had considered ringing his mother, but decided against it. She would only get really worried and then start crying again and both of these activities would not prove fruitful. Instead he went about trying to stop the bleeding on the two unconscious warriors, without much success.
By the time Gohan arrived Goku's power had slipped even more and Vegeta was beginning to follow suit. "Dad!" Gohan's voice echoed through the forest and caused Trunks to wince. However, he did not blame Gohan for his shock. It was a truly scary sight to see the strongest man alive lying in a pool of his own blood. Taking his father in his arms Gohan said to Trunks, "We'd better take them to your place. It's further, but I can't think of a better plan. We don't really want them in a hospital because the questions tend to get a little hard to answer when they want to know what the scar at the bottom of the spine is from and other stuff like that."
"Kay, but what about the senzu beans?"
"Well, I sent Videl to go and get some so she'll meet us at your place. The sooner we get there the better."
With that the two took their fathers and blasted off towards Capsule Corporation.
When they touched down Trunks and Gohan wasted no time in getting their fathers inside and onto a bed in the medical section of Capsule Corporation. Bulma and Videl had followed trying to keep up with the two boys. Bulma had been asking questions left, right and centre, most of which Trunks couldn't answer.
It did not take long for Bulma's medical knowledge to kick in and she began to hook up the two injured men to every machine imaginable. Trunks and Gohan stood back, suddenly feeling very stupid and helpless.
"Videl, have you got the senzu beans?" Trunks enquired. Gohan had completely forgotten, having been swept up by the shock of seeing his father so vulnerable. Bulma who hadn't even known of the plan also stopped to see if Videl did indeed have any senzu beans.
"Umm..."
"Oh damn. You haven't have you." Trunks seemed to become highly agitated and Gohan could tell he was trying his hardest to restrain himself. It seemed strange to Gohan that Trunks could still love his father so devotedly despite the treatment he constantly received.
"Well, I really need to talk to you about that. You see, when I got to the top of Karin's tower the whole place was pretty torn up, like there had been a fight or something. The place was deserted though, so I'm hoping everyone got out OK, but the real problem is that there was no senzu beans or senzu plant in sight."
The room fell silent except for the quiet beeping of Goku and Vegeta's heart monitors. Gohan was the first to speak up, "We should ring the others and get them together. Whatever is going on it's not good and with Dad and Vegeta down we are going to need all the help we can get."
Bulma and Videl nodded in agreement, but Trunks just stood at his father's side staring at the calm face. Gohan noticed, but said nothing, making a mental note to talk to Trunks as soon as he got the chance.
Videl noticed the tension present in the silence and offered to go and make the phone calls. Bulma announced that she would help her. Had either of the boys been in their right minds they would have realised that it only took one person to make a phone call, but neither noticed this flaw in Bulma's normally impeccable logic. Their thoughts were on the apparent task ahead of them, which at the time seemed far too big for the entire Z-Force combined without the help of Goku and Vegeta.
"Wake up soon Dad," Gohan whispered.
"I'm sorry Dad," Trunks whispered.
Back in the kitchen Videl had rung Yamucha, Tien, Chaotzu and Master Roshi. She had left the two hardest calls to last.
"Hi Maron, it's Videl. Is your Dad there please?"
"Yup, just a minute please Videl."
Videl took the silence as a chance to rub Bulma's arm in silent support. Videl had wondered why Bulma hadn't stayed with Vegeta and Goku, but decided against saying anything.
"Hello, Krillen here."
"Hi Krillen, its Videl."
"Hi Videl. How are you?"
"Fine thanks. Krillen, you'd better come over to Capsule Corporation and bring Juuhachigou. Goku and Vegeta have been attacked and Karin's tower looks like it's had similar treatment."
"Is Goku OK?" Krillen's voice stung of urgency.
"We don't really know."
"How did that happen. Goku's power has barely risen today and he wouldn't have gone down without a fight."
"We don't know, just come and we'll discuss it then."
"OK, I'll be right there."
"Umm, Krillen."
"Yeah."
"You might want to take Maron to my dad's place. He's looking after Pan so I'm sure he won't mind."
"Well, OK."
"Bye Krillen."
"Bye."
Videl hung up the phone then began to dial Chi-Chi's number. This would be the hardest call to make.
Back in the infirmary Gohan had tried to talk to Trunks, but his efforts proved to be in vain. Instead they just sat in silence waiting for the others to arrive.
Videl poked her head around the corner and beckoned to Gohan who silently rose and left. He stared at her puzzled at what she could possibly want.
"We just rang your mum. She's on her way and bringing Goten."
"How'd she take it."
"Not good."
"I'm not surprised." Gohan tried to smile but didn't manage more than a tiny twist of his lips.
"Gohan, do you know where Piccolo is?"
"No, but he wouldn't be hard to find."
"Would you mind? Yamcha, Tien and Chaotzu probably won't be any more than backup and Piccolo, well, he's Piccolo."
At that Gohan did smile. "Nah, it's OK. I'm probably the only one who could find him anyway. Just..." Gohan trailed off for a second as he glanced back towards his father. "Just look after my Dad, please."
"Sure honey." With that Videl drew Gohan towards her and hugged him for a moment before he gently broke the embrace. Videl watched as her husband strode down the corridor.
*
"Jacques, Gohyakugou and Yonhyakugou have destroyed Karin tower. Sanbyakugou and Nihykugou have incapacitated Goku and Vegeta."
"Are they dead?"
"There was a small error in my calculations and..."
"Are they dead?"
"No, as I said there was a small error in my calculations and it would seem that too much power was put into the blasts causing the androids to run out of power before they could destroy Goku and Vegeta."
"So we are going to need Hyakugou?"
"I don't know yet, but I'd say so. Goku will not go down without a fight."
"Goku is a Saiyan. We have five of the most perfect warriors ever. We will win this time."
"I'm just saying that we are going to need to let Nihyakugou, Sanbyakugou, Yonhyakugou and Gohyakugou recharge before we jump into battle again."
"We don't really want to wait. I want Goku out of the equation as soon as possible. Anyway, I thought the androids had unlimited power source."
"They do, but if it is heavily exerted it can take some time to restore the battery to its previous levels. I'll just alter the programming to avoid such an incident again. Do you want me to send out Hyakugou too?"
"Yes. We will not allow them a chance to know what hit them?"
*
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