REASON
Disclaimer: I do not own Dragonball Z or any of the Dragonball Z characters or concepts. They belong to Akira Toriyama. I am not making any money off posting this.
Chapter 8: Revised Chance
"I've got it!" Bulma yelled as she skidded in the doorway. She started to draw some of the liquid into a syringe holding it up to the light as she did so, scrutinising for any trace of yellow. She laid the syringe down on the table next to her and started to draw another when Videl lay a gentle hand on Bulma's wrist. Bulma looked up, curious as to Videls motivations.
Her words surprised Bulma though, something she never thought Videl was strong enough to utter. "Can you start with Gohan?"
Bulma wondered if Videl had overheard the conversation that had taken place earlier with Gohan. Deciding to test her theory she eyed Videls face watching for any waver in her conviction, "Why?"
Videl thought for a second, wondering how she could explain her gut feeling to Bulma. "Because that is how he would want it. He's not as far into the symptoms as Goku and Vegeta so he's more likely to survive if you are wrong. He is your best bet and you know it."
Bulma wondered if she should be relieved. Not waiting for her mind to give her an answer she finished drawing up the other syringes of liquid and grabbed three needles. She took Gohans arm and raised it slightly and bit down on the needle cover, pulling it off with her teeth. She pressed down, waiting for the liquid to merge with Gohans blood stream and watched for any signs of trouble.
Bulma kept her eyes on the computer screen beside Gohan, "I think he's going to be OK. If anything was going to wrong then I think it would have happened by now." Bulma traced a line moving up the screen with her finger, "Look, already its taking effect."
Videl didn't waste any time in taking up Gohans hand and sitting at his side once more, trying to coerce him into consciousness. Bulma kept her eye on Gohan's statistics for a second more before returning her attention to the others. "I think he'll be fine. In fact, I don't imagine it will be long before he comes around." This news was too much for Chichi who ran up to her son with a sound that was half laugh and half sob. She proceeded to push Bulma out of the way and started to weep on Gohan's shoulder.
Bulma returned to the seat that sat at Vegeta's side. 'There is so much to be said,' Bulma thought. 'But you'll never know, or maybe just never care.'
Gohan shifted in his bed, a small groan escaping. Bulma's head darted upward and she rose quickly from her seat to stand at Gohans side. Chichi reluctantly moved aside to give Bulma better access to her son. Gohan groaned once more and began to grind his head into the pillow.
"Come on, Gohan. Open your eyes. Its me Videl."
"Mmm, Videl?" Gohan muttered, his voice barely audible and cracking. He opened one eye a small way, not yet willing to greet the conscious world.
That was enough for Videl and Chichi though. Bulma was thrust aside and the two women happily greeted him. Gohan's eyes were forced open in shock. He smiled at his mother and wife before passing a silent eye towards Bulma, thanking her in his own way. She gave him a weak smile causing him to wonder exactly what had gone on while he was unconscious.
"How's Dad?" Gohan asked weakly.
Bulma was snapped rudely back into reality, reminded of her task. Bulma nodded towards Goku's bed and said, "He's OK. We have not yet given him the anecdote yet."
Gohan said nothing. He knew what Bulma meant and why she had not yet given his father the cure, he was the lab rat, just as he had requested.
Bulma continued, "So how do you feel?"
"Great," Gohan replied with a certain air of sarcasm. "I'm fine though, really. I'm just feeling a little weak. But first, where is Goten? Is he alright too?" It was as if Gohan had only just remembered his brother and in fact he almost had. His brain was still clouded and his body felt so tired. Nothing was working as fast as it should.
Chichi was the first to say anything. "Goten is out there," she said waving a hand outwards. "He's fighting the androids."
With that Gohan began to pull the covers off himself and try to clamber out of the bed. Videl moved to stop him, but he shot her daggers. "I'm going," he stated. "Goten and Trunks can't take care of this alone. They are going to need some experienced fighters out there."
"Gohan, you are in no condition to fight. Goten, Trunks, Piccolo, Yamcha, Tien, Krillen and Juuhachigou are all out there. They can handle it. Live first, then fight. If you go out there now you will be killed and probably get others killed trying to save you." Bulma knew exactly what buttons to press with Gohan. It came with watching him grow up.
Gohan looked at Bulma indecisively. Her words made sense but he couldn't sit in a bed while his brother was out there dying. "No, I can't stay here, I have to go." Gohan replied, a little more sedated as if he no longer believed the words himself.
"You know that there is no way you can fight when you are like this. I know its hard, but you'll only get in the way."
Gohan lifted his head slightly and Videl could see the torture in his eyes. "He's my brother..." Videl continued to look Gohan in the eye, silently pleading him to rest. Gohan gave a resigned sigh, "Alright, just until I get my strength back though." Videl smiled and attempted to push Gohan back down onto the bed, but instead he sat up, cross-legged with his hands on his calves and went into a meditative state to gather his energy.
Taking this as a signal to leave Gohan for a while Bulma returned to her husbands side, needle in hand. In one swift movement she had the needle embedded in Vegeta's arm. Taking only a second to press on the prick wound she smiled a small smile to herself, knowing that it would be over soon. Although she knew that there was still a mighty struggle that lay ahead, she had done her part and her work would be done. Bulma then repeated this procedure on Goku and flopped into a chair, resting her weary eyes for just a second.
*
This could not continue, there had to be something that she could do. Trina had spent her time running arguments through and through her head until it ached. She knew that she couldn't live with this though. She could not survive knowing that she had been an accessory to murder. That is what it was, a cold-blooded murder, no matter what the reasons were – they weren't real reasons, they were pathetic attempts to justify killing another being. Above all people, she had to live with herself and the only way to do that was to stop this massacre. She knew she had to do something, for herself and maybe for Mike too. He was trapped, sucked in by the elegant myths despite the fact that they were incongruent with humanity. The only question that remained was how, how could she possibly hope to overcome such a powerful might..
At school Trina had not been a model student, but she was certainly smart. Knowing that against these power giants science was really her only chance she thought back to what Mike had told her about the androids. It was true that he had seen too much, but she could use that to her advantage...somehow. Then she remember something Mike had muttered just before her silencing him with a engrossing kiss. At the time she had been so afraid of someone hearing and would have done anything to shut him up, but now she wished he had let him talk. She may not know as much as she'd like to, but it would have to be enough. After all, her life was all about creating something from nothing.
Quietly a plan began to form.
*
"Androids?!" Vegeta shrieked, his voice suddenly finding new strength. "Whu...what?"
"Vegeta...don't you remember?" Bulma asked softly.
Vegeta continued to stare blankly, waiting for an explanation. When none came he began to grow irritated, as well as he could when drained of energy. "Is anyone going to tell me what's going on? I thought that..." A look of recognition washed over Vegeta's face and he sat quietly for a second before suddenly forcing his face into a scowl of determination. "I remember," he declared, his voice low and dangerous. "Something attacked Kakkarot. An android wasn't it?"
"Yes" came the calm voice from across the room. Everyone turned around to see Gohan standing behind the crowd, decked out in his training gear once more.
"Gohan?" Videl asked, seeing no need to complete the question.
"I'm fine, really. I've got my strength back, now I just need to get out there and help Goten, Piccolo and all the others." Gohan's voice had returned to its normal pitch and he looked as though he had recovered. Bulma, having plenty of experience with such acts, walked over to him and started to give him a thorough inspection. Gohan took her shoulders in hand and gently pushed her aside, "I'm fine, really." With that he walked out the door and turned down the hallway.
"Gohan," Bulma called out.
Gohan peered back around the door. "Yeah, other way, right," and began to walk through the corridor in the other direction.
Chichi looked as if she were about to say something but the stream of consciousness was interrupted by a low groan. "Goku!" Chichi cried, returning her attention fully to her husband. Goku shifted slightly in his bed, writhing and pushing the sheets off him. With a start he sat up in the bed to be greeted by several faces smiling back at him and one scowl.
"Hi guys."
Chichi had a huge grin spreading across her face and she was at Goku's bed within seconds with her arms wrapped around him. Goku put his arms up to comfort Chichi and this brought new strength to Chichis racking sobs that were shaking the bed.
"Its alright, Chichi. I'm OK now."
Chichi lifted her head to look at him, wiping the tears from her eyes with a trembling hand. "Oh, I was so worried about you...and Gohan."
The statement caused Goku to crinkle his head in concentration. He tipped his head and looked at the others, "Where is Gohan? Is he alright?"
Although the faces surrounding him were grim, they were not downright depressed, reassuring Goku a little. "He's fine..." Chichi stopped and looked down, wondering how much Goku needed to know right now. Looking up to face her husband again she found him swaying out the door. "Goku."
He cringed visibly. Much to her surprise though when Goku turned around he did not have an embarrassed look on his face. Rather it was set in hard lines, his mind clearly so focussed on what lay before him he had barely noticed the fact that his body was well beyond being recovered.
"Goku, come back. You need to rest a little longer at least."
Goku stood there for a second, the words made sense and he was keenly aware of the trauma his body had been through. "I've fought with worse," he replied.
Seconds later a heavy thud could be heard outside. Everyone looked knowingly around the room. To their surprise however it was Vegeta who left, returning with the dead weight. Vegeta unceremoniously tossed Goku back onto his bed, wishing that his rival wasn't always so stubborn. In the time spent discussing the weather Vegeta had been concentrating on getting back into a state fit to fight...and he was almost there. After all, he was the Prince of Saiyans, he wasn't about to miss a fight.
*
Goten could feel his insides squirming beneath the pressure. His cracked and broken ribs pressed into his lungs which cried out for air. He could feel his energy draining quickly and he knew that his resources would be depleted long before an ending was within reach.
Trunks looked knowingly over at Goten, fully understanding what he had done to his friend. Even amidst the flaring powers Trunks had a firm lock on his friends signature.
Then it came, with such a force and speed that everyone paused, even the androids. The androids were stunned for less than a millisecond though after a flash of recognition that would take the Z-Warriors at least several seconds to understand. The familiar presence of Goku embraced them, letting hope glimmer for a second. However this was broken by Gotens desperate cries. "Its not Dad, its another one of them!"
"Huh?" Trunks barely had time to get the incredulous words out before a looming figure flashed into his vision. His eyes traced upward, his eyes growing progressively wider as he realised what he was about to be put up against. The close proximity was close enough to force a normal man to his knees, but the thought of his father standing fearlessly before far greater threats kept Trunks' reaction at bay. He never got to make eye contact though before the mans enormous hand was embedded in Trunks' stomach, followed by a sharp kick to the thigh causing Trunks' stance to waver. Without hesitation a blast of energy went flying towards Trunks' from point blank range. Even though he wasn't fully recovered Trunks moved enough so that the blast only grazed the side of his arm. However, the attack was not complete and with a final blow to the jaw and an elbow in the back Trunks dropped to the ground, breathing in the musty smell of the dirt mingling with his own blood. He coughed lightly, blood flowing with his breath before pushing himself back up to his knees. Determined to get a look at his attacker he raised his head, ignoring the pain that flashed through his body with the movement.
Whatever image had been built up in Trunks' mind, it was incomparable to the sight that befell his eyes. Without even taking in the face Trunks noticed the cold emptiness buried in the androids eyes. The two locked eyes, caught in a childlike staring contest.
"Very good, you've successfully taken down a child about half your size." Trunks couldn't help but smile at the familiar voice. In his preoccupation he hadn't even noticed his fathers approach. "Now, do you care to take on someone your own size?"
The android didn't even seem to hear Vegetas taunts. Instead his eyes remained locked on Trunks', probably fully aware of the things he was doing to the young boys mind. He was aware of his victory and smirked. Then he raised his hand, breaking the eye contact between the two and Trunks felt the energy gather and swirl in his palm. He closed his fist and pulled his hand back, ready to strike, but just as he did so Vegetas own blast intercepted the motion, effectively saving Trunks' life.
Letting out a sigh of relief, fatigue and fear Trunks' let himself fall back onto his hands before pushing himself up into a fighting stance.
Staggering towards his friend he left his father to handle the new threat. That guy was simply too strong and fast for him to be any use. In the end, he would simply end up in the way and in turn frustrating his father.
*
"Umm, Jacq-, err...Sir, Hyakugou."
"What about it?"
"He's arrived."
"He has? Finally, it shouldn't have taken this long." His eyes ran along the five screens until he reached the one with a hasty 100 scribbled underneath in a black marker. The screen was blank. "Paul..."
"Yes sir?"
"I can't see it."
"Well, I was just waiting to turn on the visuals before we are certain the others are aware of his arrival. It could give away his position."
Jacques waited patiently, fidgeting for a further ten seconds before the stress overcame him. "Just get us a damn picture!" he yelled.
*
Gohan didn't need energy signatures to tell him that he had to hurry. The familiar sounds of fighting rang through the empty and dark hallways causing his human half to shudder. He never got used to the unnecessary bloodshed.
As fast as his body would allow Gohan raced towards the flaring and fading power beacons, namely his brothers.
Gohan didn't have time to think and had he not been half-saiyan he wouldn't have had time to react. Goten stood defeated, wounds tracing across his body and his clothes torn and hanging oddly off his thick frame. All that Gohan saw was a massive energy wave accelerating towards his brother.
"Goten, get down!" Gohan yelled, despite the fact that the blast was already searing into his newly healed flesh.
Grudgingly he sank to his knees.
"Gohan!" Goten dragged his tired body to attention. Gohan had told him to get down and he had done so without thinking. As his eyes granted him small snippets of vision he realised that Gohan was on his knees, breathing heavily.
To Gotens delight, Gohan turned around and smiled at him.
As the dust continued to clear Goten realised that Gohan had not been letting on everything. Already a huge red patch had begun to form down the left side of Gohan's shirt.
Gohan seemed to notice the worried stare. "Don't worry, its just a scratch." Gohan told Goten, trying to sound reassuring, but only succeeding in portraying the pain he was really in.
Goten was fully aware that it wasn't 'just a scratch' but he was willing to let it slip because right now he had bigger problems to overcome. Gohan was strong enough to survive a lot worse and so was he. Concentrating on his energy Goten pushed the pain away and felt strangely rejuvinated. With a burst of power both brothers flew towards the waiting android.
Goten nodded at his brother, knowing exactly what was needed – time. However, Goten was injured...badly. It made sense that Gohan didn't want him involved in any serious fighting until he was able to back him up. Gohan had to swallow his honourable intents though and assure himself that he and his father had trained Goten to stand up to a lot worse. As much as he hated to, Gohan would have to leave Goten temporarily and once again render himself useless in protecting his brother. He simply had to.
And then the heavens erupted and Gohan felt the power surge through him. The real fight was about to get started and the odds were beginning to look better.
*
Thanks for reading. Please review – I'd love to know what you think.
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