Chapter Four



Bra slowly recovered from her trauma as the months passed, while the war became deadlier day by day. Both herself and Trunks decided to keep Pan's identity to themselves. Trunks said she would not come to Vegeta again, but in his heart, he hoped he was wrong. He told his father that she just disappeared the night he ordered marshal law, not that he cared much. After many battles, both armies suffered huge losses, but Vegeta-sei was continually on the loosing end, and the hardest battle was always yet to come. So far Trunks had been right, the "Commander" hadn't been seen. There had been speculation that she had been killed, others said she was afraid to face the wrath of King Vegeta, but no one knew for sure. Trunks stayed on the battlefield with his father for days at a time, hoping to see her again, to fight her again. As time drifted on he began to loose hope, moreover, he lost focus of what he was fighting for. It was no longer about Vegeta-sei and Earth, it all seemed so silly. It was about finding her and doing what they were meant to do, bring peace by joining in marriage.

More weeks past and there was still no sign of her. Vegeta saw how sluggish he son had become and ordered him be at the palace by morning. Late during the twilight hours when the fighting briefly halted, he felt it. Trunks shot up and hastily fastened his gear, making as little noise as possible. Fully armored, he peered out the tent and flew into the pink horizon, following the Ki. Soon, he could see the opposing troops marching in the distance. As he got closer, he could see the female figure leading them. This was it, he thought to himself and flew and top speed. Pan looked ahead and ordered her fleet to stand by. She took to the air and saw him. He was alone, no troops with him, only his broadsword. She sped to him as her troops looked on intently. Within seconds, the two where face to face, swords unsheathed, ready to battle. "We don't have to do this," Trunks yelled pleadingly to her. Forever nonchalant, she swung her sword around, just a hair's width away from his neck. "Yes we do, Trunks. We are the spawn of hate and war. This is what we are bred to do. There is no love, no fairness.just killing," she said, almost choking up. Trunks shook his head and raised his sword. "You are a fool for believing those things." Pan, enraged, powered up and lunged at Trunks.

The energy the pair threw off caught the attention of Vegeta, who quickly threw on his gear and ordered his people in place.

Pan and Trunks had put away their swords and engaged in hand to hand combat. She had the advantage over the exhausted Trunks. He was tired, unable to keep up with her swift attacks. She kicked him in the side, then switch-kicked and punched him in the face. He flew back and held his jaw. Agitated, he phased infront of her and grabbed her wrist, then spun around her, pinning her arm in the middle of her back. She writhed in pain and struggled to get free. With his free hand, he tilted her head toward his and smiled. "Listen to me and listen to me good. Either we can fly off and forget this bullshit war, or we fight like there's no tomorrow. What will it be?" Pan weighed her options carefully. There was no way it could be that easy, to fly off and forget about your family, your heritage. There was no way they could be together, no way at all. There was only one thing to do. Gaining a bit of leverage, she swung her legs over her head and around Trunks' neck. In the odd position, his arm became twisted and he released hers. She then let go and flew in front of him and got in his fighting stance. "Have it your way," he said. In the blink of an eye, his hair turned golden and his eyes turned green. Pan smirked and yelled out. A bolt of lightning came out of the clear blue sky and struck her. The air around her turned gold and her hair rose, turning a deep shade of yellow. Her eyes rolled back and her pupils disappeared. Both in Super Saiya-jin form, they began to battle.

The two were evenly matched in their ultimate forms. Neither could land a hit, nor get the upper hand. Before long, Vegeta had arrived with his regime and watch the pair fight. He was furious at the sight, but he knew he could not interfere. The held his troops on stand-by, just yards away from the enemy, all watching Trunks and the Commander fight. The dueling pair eventually locked grips and tested their raw strength. Trunks strained against Pan's power, amazed that she was truly his equal. The sweat began to run down Pan's face. She could not overpower him, and she tried hard to do so. Straining almost to the point of exhaustion, she screamed, "KAIO- KEN," and a red aura engulfed her. Stunned, Trunks loosened his grip slightly and she kneed him in the stomach. Spinning around, she kicked him in the chest then slammed him in the back. He yelled out in pain and began to cough up blood. The red energy then dissipated back to gold. She placed her hands around his shouldered and kicked him in the stomach repeatedly, he was too weak to break free. "I will not stop. I cannot stop," she chanted, drunk with adrenaline. Every blow took more and more of out Trunks. He couldn't find to strength to raise his head and try to talk some sense into her.

Vegeta looked on as the female commander from Earth was defeating his son. His blood began to boil, his paternal instincts seemingly taking over his Saiya-jin ones. His private squad noticed his Ki rise and his teeth clench. Chizu grabbed his shoulder and pulled him to her. "Sire, do not interfere. This battle will decide the war." Vegeta shook her arm off of him and sneered. "Who made you the expert on things of this nature, woman?" Chizu pointed to her dog tags and badges. "You did, sire," she said with a hint or arrogance. "I am certain this will be the deciding battle." Vegeta growled and took his sights back to the air.

Trunks was still getting slapped around, Pan showing no mercy. He began to float to the ground, but she caught him by the next and raised him to her eye level. Both of his eyes where almost swollen shut and his jaw was puffy and red, blood trickling down the side of the mouth. He put his hands around her wrists in a pitiful protest. Pan laughed and tightened her grip. "So, you wanted to know what fire burned in my soul? This is it. War, blood, guts, pain, all pleasure in my eyes. To fight with every ounce of my being, that is the fire that burns in me, Trunks. I was born to bring my planet to victory!" Trunks got his fingers under hers and loosened her grip just enough for him to breathe, but only because she allowed it. He gasped for air and tried to speak, but his words were inaudible. She then loosened her grip more and he struggled to get his words out. "Victory for what," he strained. "What exactly are you fighting for? I don't know what this war is about, do you?" His words struck her. Had she been fighting a war with no meaning? She searched her brain for the answer. He grandfather said it was because he was exiled, but that was generations ago. Why were they still fighting? Is it to gain ground, or just because they hate each other? Pan released Trunks and he held his neck, coughing.

Pan flew over to him and spoke. "Do you know what this war is about," she asked, but more so demanded. Trunks straightened up, still rubbing his neck. "We exiled some low class Saiya-jin warriors to Earth and they retaliated to show they were not weak. Startled by the show of power, we declared war to save face. It wasn't for government or money or people being killed.it was all about Saiya-jin pride. We both have been killing each other for nothing, basically." Pan lowered her gaze and thought about how she was just being programmed all these years. She was as powerful as her grandfather, and just a tactically smart, but she had been raised to fight a faux war, a staged battle. Fighting had no meaning. She then flew to the ground, and Trunks followed. Taking off her helmet, she motioned for her troops to stand at ease.

Vegeta looked at her and sneered. "Son Pan. You are the last person in the world I expected to be the Commander. Did my boy know of your identity all along?" She shook her head and replied. "No, sire. He did not know until the night Nappa was killed. He let me go because I said I would never return, but I was ordered to come back." Vegeta looked the woman up and down, not trusting a word that came out of her mouth. "Why didn't you defend Nappa, since he was one of your own? I can't believe a word you say, woman, until you answer that." Pan motioned for Vegeta to come near her and he complied. She leaned over and whispered in his ear. "We both know what he did to your daughter. The man was evil, he deserved to die for what he did to Bra. No alliances justified his actions." Vegeta turned his back to Pan and called Chizu over to him. She walked over and bowed before him. "Woman, prove your skill. What would be the best move to make in this situation?" Chizu nearly passed out. Never had Vegeta asked her directly for her opinion. Regaining her composure, she spoke. "I think negotiating would be best in this current situation." Vegeta turned his nose up and spun back around to Pan. He was hoping she would say, "Kill her." He leaned over to Napu and whispered something in his ear. Napu turned to the troops and ordered them to the palace. "Son Pan," Vegeta said, raising his voice because of the commotion, "we will go back to the palace and see what we can come up with. This is not a promise of peace, just consideration." Pan nodded in agreement and took to the air. Trunks caught up behind her and held her hand. She looked over and smiled as they powered to the Military Tactics room in search of peace.