A Sky of Dust
"...Graffiti decorations
Underneath a sky of dust
A constant wave of tension
On top of broken trust
The lessons that you taught me
I learned were never true
Now I find myself in question
[They point the finger at me again]
Guilty by association
[You point the finger at me again]"
- 'Runaway' Linkin Park
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Contains occasional scenes of violence and warnings where appropriate.
Disclaimer: Dragonball/Z/GT are owned by Toriyama-sama, Toei, FUNimation and such. I didn't make them. I just like to put them in odd situations ^_^;
However all original creations and characters are made by meh.
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Chapter 1- Introductions
The dark forest loomed above reaching out to the sky, and even that was filled with an icy chill in itself. Day was almost non-existent. Grey-black clouds floated above, mocking the defeat of light. Shadows flickered among the thick forest, which was murky in appearance. The smell of smoke was strong in the air and a trail of destruction was an average sight for the people of this time. A dark figure walked non-chalantly through the path of death, folds of their mantle sweeping along beside them. The only sound that was heard was the soft crunching of vegetation beneath their boots. No more sounds were heard. For there was no other life to make a sound. Blue eyes filled with electricity observed the empty area. Their eyes seemed to have lived through much more than their time...much more. Suddenly the figure stopped in the midst of the shadows. As if they were sensing something. Without a moments hesitation the figure began to run silently among the woodland. Not making a sound. They had done this before. In the distance, they could now see the flames...
The fire twisted up as if it were dancing to a silent tune. Destroying everything in its path to the song. Screaming was heard as the people ran to escape their sure death and their murderers. Without warning they appeared huge, merciless monsters with blood dripping from their first kills. These citizens had been unprepared for such an attack.
A little boy cried as he watched these monsters destroying his home and family. Tears streaming from his face he threw a stone at one of the creatures. The monster shot around and gave an inhuman scream at the boy. The boy stood strong trying to appear brave although inside he knew there was no hope. The creature loomed towards him. It seemed to be 2 storeys tall and was of a brown-green colour. Venom dripped from its dagger sharp fangs, its very small eyes watched fascinated. It seemed as if it were a giant scorpion minus the tail. The monster slapped the boy across the mouth hard sending him skidding along the floor. The boy groaned sitting up and closed his eyes. The creature seemed to even smirk at this. Suddenly, it's head exploded in pain and the next thing it knew was the rushing of air as it was thrown violently against a boulder to rip in half and lay in a puddle of oozing, dark blood.
The boy slowly opened his eyes to see a shapely figure wearing a dark cloak. It was of a blue, which was almost a black. And it was obvious now that the figure wearing it was a woman. She turned to the small boy; boots crunching against the ashes left on the ground and pointed to the direction the others were going. "Go" she said sternly. The boy didn't ask questions. He ran.
Another monster saw it's fallen comrade. Then it saw the cloaked woman. It growled. It recognised her from a previous attack. Or at least it thought it recognise her. It could just have been a fool attempting to make a difference. It lunged towards her almost at the speed of light and at that same moment the woman seized it's two fangs ripping them off and thrust them into the monsters chest, letting out it's last shrill cry before falling victim as the other had.
Then the others realised what was going on and began to attack against her in an army form, almost an orderly fashion.
The woman narrowed her blue eyes threateningly at them.
They began their assault as the woman began her defence. She had the agility of a cat and any false movement could assure her a torn limb, even fatality but she remained clam and knew what she was doing as she assassinated the creatures one by one using them even against each other. One swiped a blade sharp claw at her and she flipped back floating into the air as she did so allowing the monster to stab another sending it down with the other carcasses. She shot down small white balls of light. Ki attacks and completely obliterated some of the monsters from the inside out. They now knew that this would be a good time to retreat and flew or ran away. Too fast for the eye too see and seemed to disappear into thin air.
The woman let out a sigh from under the hood of her cloak, the hooded cowl leaving only flaring blue eyes visible. She descended to the ground and landed without a single sound. The carcasses of the monsters lay around her dripping with their own body fluids, smoking and some were even on fire. The remaining towns people who had been unable to escape slowly approached. Some of their own were dead causing a terrible sight.
They looked curiously at the woman who had saved them. Watching. Observing. She raised her hand to the top of the hood and pulled it back setting it behind her shoulders.
It revealed a beautiful young woman's face who appeared to be no more than her late teens. Her hair blew around her face now free from its prison inside the hood and a single strip fell in front of her eyes. Her hair seemed to be a dark black colour, but had streaks of lavender throughout it in random places and was tied up in a small ponytail, although her hair was so short that most of it was not held up. But the most noticeable feature on her tanned face were her eyes. They seemed to flare up with blue electricity within themselves and were of a crystal blue.
She looked around the ruins if the town. This was a normal sight for her. She could not show feelings anymore for if she did she would have died from grief long ago.
Suddenly there was a shrill inhuman scream from behind her and she turned around to feel a monsters hot breath on her face, able to see her reflection in the creature's fangs. Then a blast was heard and the creature blew up into a thousands pieces flying into the air. It was definitely dead, the severed ends blackened and frayed. The woman flicked a piece of the body off her shoulder and looked at her rescuer. Another figure in a cloak, this one of a blood red, had her hand outstretched to where the figure once was, surrounded in an aura of ki. The teenage woman's blue eyes widened.
Another person was able to manipulate ki?
The town's people upon seeing the red-cloaked figure bowed down respectively as if he or she were a king or queen.
The blue eyed woman raised her senses defensively and inspected this new person as they lowered their hand.
"Who...are you?" She asked.
Her voice was soft and husky, but had a hint of sweetness to it.
The red cloaked figures charcoal eyes flared up lighting the shadows within the hood of their cloak to reveal a mischievous feminine face and they removed the hood from their head freeing their long ebony hair, the wind catching it. She was a much older woman, although she had not much of a figure as the teenager had.
"I am the protector of this small once peaceful town. My home. And I have been for 10 odd years." The red-cloaked woman said.
She spoke as if she was still young at heart, although her looks proved otherwise. She seemed young, although her charcoal eyes weary and tired from battles gone past. The blue eyed woman looked at the stranger. She was no stranger. She knew her...although this woman did not know her.
"S.... Son Pan," She breathed.
The woman, Pan nodded slowly and studied this new stranger. She had watched this teen fighting the monsters that had attacked her town...she had potential.more than she had most likely ever seen. And it was scaring her to death. All the strongest people in this world she knew. Or at least she had once known..
"I return the same question to you young one.who are you?" Pan said, her piercing gaze not leaving this stranger.
The teen studied Pan's face.
'Yes.... Just like...the picture. And her spirit is just as father described her. Strong.'
She thought. She bowed in a respective manner and then standing up looked directly into Pan's eyes.
"My name...is Celeste Vegeta Briefs".
Pan's eyes widened as she heard the second name of this woman. She knew it too well. Although she tried to hide her emotions. What did this mean? Pan turned around and walked towards a small hut to the side of the town with had been left unmarked by the attack while the townspeople had turned their attention to the remainder of their village.
"Come with me," said Pan.
The stranger, Celeste, cautiously followed.
"Some thing to drink?" Pan said all too calmly pouring herself hot chocolate from a thermos into a mug.
Celeste shook her head.
"No thankyou Pan-san".
Pan waved a hand at her
"Hey don't worry about that formal stuff. Just Pan is fine."
Pan lifted the warm mug up to her lips and sipped at the hot chocolate. Celeste twitched nervously. She felt that she didn't belong here. She could never stay in one place too long. And now an awkward silence filled the air as Pan continued to study Celeste adding to the stress.
"..I guess you're wondering who I really am. Not only on my name" Celeste stated not looking at the carefree female Son.
Pan set her mug down and looked at the brown bubbles in it.
"Well the thought did cross my mind.but I don't know who anyone is anymore..Not ever since the war began. Everyone seems to be simply a name.."
She shuddered, as she seemed to be reliving past memories in her head. Celeste stood up suddenly, her ki flared up and kept rising, then her hair flickered in a bright white light then revealing rebellious spiky golden hair and her eyes went through the same procedure, then becoming an empty emerald green.
Pan watched with unblinking eyes.
"I am the daughter of Trunks Vegeta Briefs...and I'm three quarters Saiya- jin,"
Then her ki lowered again and her hair returned to its black-lavender colour and her eyes filled with blue fire.
Pan raised a hand to her mouth
"Trunks...Trunks' daughter..." she said repeatedly looking at Celeste, "..So he had a daughter..." she smiled very Son-like at Celeste "I guess the name could explain that. Celeste means light blue after all.."
Celeste sat back down carefully placing her cloak back on her shoulders
Another thought hit Pan "But if you're Trunks' daughter... why are you 75% Saiya-jin? Shouldn't you be only 25%? As I am?"
Celeste closed her eyes lost in her own reminiscence. "..It's a very long story"
Pan took another sip of her chocolate "And one I should like to hear.."
Celeste looked away then standing up "I must go. My duty is to defend the innocent not tell stories."
Pan shot up at the speed of light and held Celeste's arm lightly looking at her pleadingly
"Please. I know how much it hurts.. And believe me I've had my fair share of emotional pain. But it's better to let it out no than to lock it up and let it grow and grow until it consumes you."
Celeste didn't look at her.
Pan smiled sympathetically.
"I suffered that same thing. Let me tell you my own story. About 20 years ago the Sons and the Briefs were close. Very close. Best Friends. But the next Generation didn't have training on their minds. And it seemed that strength wasn't the only thing they had in common, nor did they find a need for this. We didn't realise that this was a gift we needed to treasure. And that it would one day save our lives..."She said the last part with a hint of sadness and regret in her voice.
Celeste turned to face her intrigued by what she was saying
"Kuririn was the first one to die..although that was of old age. 18 and Marron managed. Of course 18 never aged thanks to her mechanical enhancements. In that time she realised what a burden that truly was.
My grandmother, Chi-Chi also died from old age, as did Bulma-san...Your Grandmother. If you ask me they were the lucky ones. They had the most peaceful partings, which I wouldn't call deaths.
Vegeta-san was devestated when Bulma died, as were his children. And Grandfather or Goku as you most probably know him tried to keep his cheerful self. But things just got too hard. He had to sacrifice himself to save Earth a few years earlier. He most likely is back with his wife. But if he had stayed who knows what would have happened. For after all, even the people who never frown eventually break down.
Then the two families parted ways. To live their own lives. There was no need to stay together. I was 15 at the time.
4 years later, it happened. Earth was attacked by yet another outside force. And this time, there was no one to help.
Vegeta-san had lost all his will to fight. And it was even said he couldn't. Dende is very much alive. But there's nothing he can do. And the Dragonballs disappeared along with Goku.
Grandpa wasn't here to save Earth yet again. And the next generation had never fought. We were completely inexperienced, as we had stopped training. And it showed who the weakest of us were as we fell one by one.
First Marron. She had no training at all when it came to fighting. Her parents never taught her. My uncle Goten had been acting cold even before the Pasadria attacked. Although I never knew why and when Marron died he went ballistic and attacked the invaders without thinking. She was after all one of the only friends he had left, alive. That's when he lost his eye.
He's still alive now and helps out from time to time. Him and I are the last Sons left after...my father Gohan died. Unfortunately for us demi Saiya-jin we still age inside even if not much by appearance. It shows when we go into battle." Pan choked back a sob as she tried to keep a straight face.
Her father was the most important person to her. And losing him was like losing half her heart
"My mother is also alive. Although she's very old. She can't do anything now and it's killing her. I tried to regain contact with the Briefs but to no avail.
I do not know where Bra is.
And Vegeta died by saving the Earth one last time. He killed the leader of the invaders but also taking himself in the process. And the minions are still attacking. They have no conscience. All they have on their mind is kill. Leader or no leader.
When I tried to find out where Trunks was, I heard he had been killed in action. He used to be one of my best friends too. Even if he was much older than I.
But these aliens, no, murderers who took away everyone I loved are called Pasadria. But the town's people here call them Hell's army.
I don't know why they came.
I don't know why they want to kill us.
I don't know how they found us.
All I know is there's always a light at the end of the tunnel.."
A crystal tear ran along Pan's face and she quickly brushed it away
"...Always."
Celeste looked at Pan her eyes glimmering
"Gomen Nasai Pan-san..I had no idea"
Pan wiped her eyes and shook it off "I told you just Pan. And that's' the past. I'm looking forward now. Like a greyhound chasing a rabbit. But I'll eventually catch it" She smiled.
Celeste sat down.
"I should tell my memories. It's something you should know. The missing pieces of your puzzle are within my mind.." a smile crossed her face "and I assure you my father is very much alive."
Pan smiled "I'm glad to hear it. That man wouldn't fall that easily."
Celeste took in a deep breath
"Well...this is the story as I know it..."
Flashback 20 years ago
It had been one year after the events of Dragonball GT. Goku had been gone for 1 year now. And the people of Earth had all aged by one year. Some things had become different, and yet, most things were still very much the same.
Green. That was the first colour which was noticeable outside.
Every shade imaginable filled the scenery of grass, tress and the such full of life. Both animal and plant. The blue sky free from clouds loomed over head as the sun gave its life and light unto the world. It was a perfect day to say the least. Well..for most.
A young man yawned and leaned back in his chair stretching. He looked up at the plain white ceiling of his office. That seemed far more enjoyable to him than even looking at the pile of paper work stacked on his desk.
Being Company president was hard to say the least. He was always on call for something or other. He had a ton of work to get through *every* day. But along with this came other things.
It was a part of human nature to be greedy. And when it comes to money, that can be the ultimate temptation. Not to him though. He would want nothing more than to live like his best friend Goten. Goten didn't have to work as hard and didn't get much money. But he could enjoy something greater in life. Freedom. Sometimes he thought what the point of it all was. Why didn't he just quit now? He had enough money to last him a lifetime anyway.
But everyone wanted a piece of his fortune. And because of his publicity complete strangers acted as if they knew him...when in fact no one knew him. At least not the true him. Only his closest friends knew him. The once mischievous little boy. And he still had a sense for adventure within him just longing to be released. A quick fly out the window now and then was a brief break and then back to the prison which was being the President of Capsule Corporation.
He leaned forward resting his head in his hands looking at a photo of his family on his desk. It was his favourite photo, taken about 10 or so years ago. His father was looking at the camera for once and his mother had never looked happier. His sister was also much calmer back then, although she was only 5 at the time. And he himself had not been as stressed. He had been a normal 18-year-old boy. That's what they were. Normal. Not the richest people in the world. Nor the strongest people in the world who had to save the Earth now and then. They were just a family.
The mans lavender hair fell half across his face obscuring part of his vision. He blew the lock of hair out of his eyes with an upturned lip and a gust of breath. And slowly he closed his eyes...
*President Trunks! Your mother on Line 4*
Came the shrill voice from the intercom causing the young man, Trunks fell back off his chair in shock. He sat up quickly regaining his composure. He sat down on his chair and sighed. He had been meaning to change the volume on that thing for a while now. He dusted off his navy suit. He had gotten rid of the mustard one months ago. Both Bra and Goten had ganged up against him and told him it made him look like Lurch from the Adam's family. Trunks frowned.
He picked up the phone and pressed the button that would connect him
"Hello?" He said.
"Hi Honey! How's everything going?" Came Bulma's voice.
Even if she was aging she still sounded as cheery as ever.
Trunks smiled. At least she still treated him normally
"I'm fine mom. What's up?" he leaned back again.
"Well Trunks. I've just been noticing you've been a bit uptight lately. And I think I know what it is. I know how hard it is to be President' Not even I could handle it. You're strong. That's why I handed the company down to you. But even thought you even rival your father in physical strength you still have the emotional strength of a human."
Trunks grinned "So what are you getting at?"
"You deserve a break. Not just a weekend but a nice long vacation. How does that sound?" She said with a note of musical laughter.
Trunks grinned the most he had in months "Hai! Sound great! Thanks mom. You're a life saver"
"Well I try. See ya later son."
"Bye mo-"
Suddenly she cut him off short
"Oh but you still have to have all those reports for today finished young man! Don't think I forgot!"
Trunks bashed his head against his desk
"Ungh..." He groaned and hung up the phone.
'Paper finished. Next one. This paper finished. Next one. Fisnished. Next one. Ugh. Damn. What does this word mean anyway? Oh well. next one.'
He thought as pen to paper worked away. As soon as this was done he could go on a vacation anyway. There was a knock at his door.
"Come in" Trunks said in a monotone voice.
If it was more work he could just tell them to shove it up their ass anyway since he was going on vacation.
"Hey, man. Still pushing paper I see" Came a familiar cheery voice.
Trunks looked up to find his Best Friend wearing his usual Son smile. Trunks smiled back and went back to work
"I'm almost finished Goten. Then I'm on vacation so I can hang out a lot more."
"Yeah I heard. That's great. No offence but you've been getting to business like for my taste. Maybe you'll end up like those rich snobby fat men when you're older " Goten laughed.
Trunks snorted still writing away. "There. Last one!" He said standing up and shoving all the paper into a file and putting it into the cabinet.
"Let me just lock up Goten. I'll be out in a sec" Trunks went to the next room.
"Okay then."
Goten walked outside the office door.
"5 O'clock exactly." He said looking down at his watch.
Trunks closed the door. "5 o'clock??" He groaned locking it.
"What's wrong?" Goten said looking at him.
"Well 5 o'clock is when everyone finishes work here" Trunks said frowning.
Goten blinked.
"Yeaaaah so..?"
Trunks shook his head
"Don't worry."
They both began walking down the hall towards the exit. Trunks kept his eyes fixated on the tile floor. Then there was a sound of giggling.
Goten looked around. All the female secretaries and employees were looking at Trunks and whispering to each other and giggling. Goten heard one girl say
"What a hunk!"
Another came up to them
"Goodbye Mr. President!" She said beaming.
Trunks forced a smile "Bye" he said and looked back at the ground a blush now covering his face.
They got outside the giant building and Trunks let out a deep breath and walked to his car. Goten looked back at the building for a while then back at Trunks whose blush was now fading as he got into his convertible car. Goten got into the car as Trunks turned in on and drove away.
Goten laughed "Trunks?! What's wrong with you?!"
Trunks didn't look at him.
"What are you talking about?"
Goten blinked "What am I talking about?! Back at the building! Every girl in there wants you and whenever you talk to one you blush! It's happened before too. Why is it the cute girls all go for you when you don't even seem the slightest bit interested?"
Trunks didn't say anything.
Goten smirked "See? You know I'm right. When was the last time you had a date anyway? Just pick one and go out already. That could help your vacation too." He laughed.
Trunks shook his head "You don't understand Goten. All those kind of girls want from me is money. And when I've dated before all I've seen in them in lust. That's not what I want. Someday I hope on having a family but that's not looking good for me right now. I'm looking for someone who won't only want money. Just someone who knows and loves.... me. And whether I'm looking for her or not won't matter. We'll find each other. But I guess you wouldn't know seeing as you have Pares and all.."
Goten groaned and lowered his head at that last sentence. Trunks raised an eyebrow at him
"What?"
Goten looked sheepish
"Uhh..about Pares..."
"You're not together anymore?"
Goten shook his head
"Things were getting...well they weren't getting anywhere. She's beautiful but she's...well...you know it's hard to explain..Uhh...some people said she was-"
"-A ditz?" Trunks said bluntly.
Goten frowned
"If that's how you want to put it. Anyway since we're now both single I guess we can go looking for this dream girl of yours," He smiled, "And maybe she'll have a lady friend for me!"
Trunks laughed.
Goten stuck his head out the window and the fast speed of the car made his wild hair fly all over the place.
"Oh and you remember it's Marron's birthday tomorrow, right?"
"Yes I remember. 24th. Man...it's been a long time"
Goten nodded.
"I want to get her something special..." he said meekly.
Trunks grinned knowingly
"Oh? Am I sensing something between you two Goten? You sly dog...planning this all along. Ditch one, play the innocent victim and go to the friend for sympathy. Hoping you'll spend the night in each others arms I suppose?" He said teasingly.
Goten blushed "What the hell are you talking about?! She's a good friend dammit!"
He said defensively punching Trunks on the arm *hard*. Trunks shrugged and sent smoke and tyre flying as he turned the next corner.
*The next Day- at Marron's Party*
"Happy Birthday Marron!"
The teens cheered as firecrackers were set off to celebrate their close friend's day of birth.
Marron giggled
"Aww..You guys are too much. Thanks" She grinned from ear to ear, ice blue eyes she had inherited from her mother shining.
The night went on, but at this party everyone had known each other for what seemed to be ever since they were born. Goten, Trunks, Bra and Pan. They were inseparable. Although sometimes they had their differences and disagreements, they always seemed to work themselves out. And tonight was no exception.
The teens laughed together as they talked about fond memories. At first glance, you could have sworn they were just your average teenage friends. Although these teens weren't normal. Far from it. They had the potential to become the strongest warriors in the world. But that didn't matter to them. They didn't care about this "gift". All they wanted was to be normal. After all, that's all they would ever need.
Pan sighed leaning her head upon the palm of her hand. She had seemed sad all night and didn't seem to be enjoying herself. The now 15 year old quarter Saiya-jin had grown up a fair bit. She had the Son gene in her after all, and they were known for their height. And both her grandfather and father, Goku and Gohan had been short when they were young. In a mere year she had bloomed in an adolescent, although she was very well built and had not much of a figure which gave her a tomboyish appearance.
She drummed her fingernails along the hard surface of the table. Bra looked over at Pan while eating a piece of the cake Kuririn had prepared. It still seemed that #18 refused to cook. The demi-Saiya-jin female tilted her head at her friend
"What's wrong Pan? Don't like cake?"
Pan snapped out of her daze and shot up at Bra
"Hmm?" She said confused.
Bra waved the slice of cake she was holding in front of Pan's face
"Well, I know Kuririn's cooking is not all it should be but the least you could do is have a piece of cake Marron's dad made! Honestly Pan." she took another bite.
Pan raised an eyebrow
"What?! Bra-chan! That's not what I'm worried about!" The quarter Saiya-jin said frustrated, crossing her arms.
"Well, what's up Pan-chan?" Marron said listening in on the conversation.
Pan sighed "...No don't worry about it. I don't want to ruin your party with bad news Marron"
Marron waved her hand at her "Don't worry about it Pan! You're gonna have to tell us anyway because if you don't I'm going to be wondering what it is your keeping from us and then I won't enjoy myself anyway"
Bra nodded "spill the beans Pan-chan!" she then grabbed Pan's favourite orange bandanna from her hair and waved it around like a flag.
Pan growled and tried to get it back but knew it was hopeless. Bra was the fastest one among them, so catching her was impossible.
Bra giggled waving the bandanna teasingly then putting it on her own head.
Trunks and Goten came over to see what was going on. Trunks raised an eyebrow
"Something wrong Pan?"
Pan groaned and buried her head with her arms "Does everyone have to know about this!?"
"I already know" Goten piped up.
Everyone turned his or her gaze to him. Goten grinned sheepishly and pointed to Pan. Their gazes fell to Pan once more.
Pan shot her uncle a deadly look. Goten didn't notice and ate the last that was left of the giant cake. After all, with 4 demi-Saiya-jin it would need to be a big cake.
Pan traced her finger in a circle on the wooden table
"Well. I really didn't want to tell you this but since it looks like I'm going to have to anyway here goes.,"
She took in a deep breath and a look of sadness replaced the one of mischief she always wore on her face.
"My dad has been working alot lately. He is a scholar after all, and now he's just gotten a letter that has a work placement for him over in Tokyo. It's a really big opportunity and he said he would have never imagined he would be offered something like that. But it's in Tokyo..which means-"
"-That you'll have to move?" Marron finished for her.
Pan nodded sadly
"I don't want to go. But I haven't got a choice. I'm only 15 and nobody listens to me. And I know that I'll miss you guys so much. You're the only ones that understand me"
He voice then became shaky and she croaked the last words ut on the verge of tears.
Bra patted her back.
"Pan-chan...I'm so sorry. But you're a nice girl. You'll make plenty of friends wherever you go. I'm sure of it" she winked at her "And if that don't make you happy then here"
She then gave Pan her bandanna back. A smile tugged at the corners of Pan's lips as she took her bandanna back.
"Thankyou B-chan"
Marron sighed "So when are you moving?"
"A week"
An awkward silence fell among the teens. They were all like family with each other, and even losing just one was like losing a piece of themselves. They gave comforting smiles at Pan.
"Well then we'll have to make the most of what we have left then won't we?" Trunks said smiling charmingly at her.
Pan blushed a little and returned the smile.
They returned to having their fun, and forgetting what was to come, but little did they know, that this was the beginning of what would change their whole lives...
The silver moon hung in the night sky, lightly glowing the land beneath. It's full round surface was clear in the night sky. Not a sound could be heard but the soft rustling of leaves in the trees caused by the cool spring breeze. And the sound of teenagers laughing and talking to each other.
Trunks narrowed his eyes looking at the moon. It's eerie light seemed to draw him to it. And it stirred a feeling within him, one he couldn't explain. But he felt...empty. Something was missing and the smell of spring seemed even more enticing than ever.
A violent slap on the back snapped him out of his train of thought.
"Hey Trunks! We're going to go walk around the arcade. It's the only thing open at this time of night. Wanna come with?" said Goten, a Son grin covering his face.
Trunks shook his head "Nah. I think I need to be a lone for a while. Clear my head."
Goten shrugged "It's your loss. Later, man!" he waved walking outside the building with the other Z teens following.
Trunks sighed and turned his gaze back to the moon. The nagging feeling started up again at the back of his mind.
A grey cloud floated by covering the moon.
Trunks blinked snapping out of his daze as the moons glow disappeared. He sighed and shook his head
"I need a walk" he thought out loud and walked outside.
It was dark as should be expected. There was a thick amount of cloud in the sky still blocking the moon, which made it look like rain would be possible at any moment. And the only light was the faint flickering of a street lamp.
Trunks kicked a rock with his foot and it made a much louder noise than usual as it skidded along the empty alleyway. Any human walking in this part of town at night was tempting fate. Of course the demi saiya-jin need not worry about that. Suddenly he heard the faint sound of footsteps a little further down the alley.
'That's either Goten and the others or a bunch of street punks' He thought.
Non chalantly, he continued walking along. He heard a drunken hoarse laugh with his sensitive hearing and decided that it wasn't Goten after all.
There was 2 of them. And from the sound of it both seemed to be around their early to mid thirties. And they were both very drunk. A liquor bottle shattering on the ground proved that.
Trunks turned the corner and saw the two liquor influenced males and decided to wait for them to leave so as not to cause any trouble. He didn't want to gain attention to himself. He leaned against the wall's corner as the 2 thugs kept walking along. One was extremely tall and bulkily built with a shaved head. The other was only a bit shorter and had an athletic frame with short spiky red hair. He listened closely as they stopped and seemed to be talking to someone else.
Trunks rolled his eyes. This could take a while. He decided to take the easy way in the sky. He looked up when he picked up to what they were saying. Suddenly he became intent again.
"Aww common baby" The bald one laughed drunkenly.
"Get Lost" A woman's voice said as her soft footsteps echoed throughout the alley.
The two men followed her.
Trunks looked around the corner and followed in the shadows. This didn't look right. The woman wore a long dark blue cloak and her back was turned to the two men as she walked away calmly.
The red haired one spoke up
"Well what else would a little girl like you be doing out her at a time like this without wanting some action?" his voice tinged with lust and liquor.
The woman stopped in her step.
"Little?!" She said viciously and slowly went to turn her head towards them.
"Well why don't you show us how big you can be?" said the red haired man and grabbed her shoulders pushing her against the brick wall.
The woman frowned and shot him a deadly gaze.
"Foolish"
The two men proceeded onto her.
Suddenly the red-haired man fell to the floor as his neck snapped back and he was thrown several feet along on the floor and crashed into the other brick wall.
The woman's eyes widened as she saw a shadow appear his arm still outstretched from where he had thrown the red haired man.
The bald man growled and turned to look at the shadow.
"Who the hell are you?!" his voice boomed.
Even though the other man was in shadows it was obvious he was frowning. A shiver ran down the bald man's spine. He shook it off and went to attack the shadowed figure with the broken glass bottle. He clumsily aimed and struck at him but failed every time as the figure avoided every strike with the agility of a gymnast. The man growled angrily and his strikes soon became furious lashes in all directions with the hope the one of them would hit.
The shadowed figure reached out and with the blink of an eye he held the mans wrist in his vice like grip. The bald man winced in pain and let out a cry as his hand automatically let go of the bottle sending it smashing to a million pieces on the floor. Then the figure flicked his wrist hitting the bald thug on the neck, which instantly sent him into a state of unconsciousness, and he fell to the ground with a thud.
The figure looked up at the woman. Her eyes were still widened and she looked at the two unconscious men on the floor. She then slowly looked at the shadowed figure. He stepped into the dim light to reveal he was a bit taller than she was. He had lavender hair that fell in his handsome face in front of electric sky blue eyes. And he had a well-built, yet compact frame.
"Are you okay, Miss?" He asked looking over her.
The woman blinked dark purple eyes.
Her long ebony hair flew around her face with the slight gust of wind present and her dark blue cape floated around her as if it were a spirit. Her eyes narrowed at him and she regained her serious face.
"...I could have taken care of myself:"
And with that she ran down the other way of the dark alley disappearing into the shadows.
Trunks looked down at where she went.
He shrugged.
A small drop of water fell on his nose. Soon the water dropping from the sky became more consistent. He looked up. Sure enough, it had started to rain although now the clouds had moved out of the moons way.
His gaze locked back on the hypnotic light of the round full moon. He felt the same feeling in him again and shuddered. He slowly lifted up into the sky and locating Goten's ki decided to head back to the others.
Authors notes:
Yatta! First chapter done. In this space here after each chapter I'll give a few explanations and comments. Yes, I know that you know who Celeste's father is already. But after I solve the mystery of her true heritage and how she came to be born, something more will happen. Although I'm not going to say what ;p Celeste's name also came up because Bulma's family to me has always been associated with Blue. There's also the underwear theme but that's a trend I don't think Trunks and Bra would want to follow. ¬_¬;
Email: capsule_corp01@hotmail.com
"...Graffiti decorations
Underneath a sky of dust
A constant wave of tension
On top of broken trust
The lessons that you taught me
I learned were never true
Now I find myself in question
[They point the finger at me again]
Guilty by association
[You point the finger at me again]"
- 'Runaway' Linkin Park
*********************************************************************
Contains occasional scenes of violence and warnings where appropriate.
Disclaimer: Dragonball/Z/GT are owned by Toriyama-sama, Toei, FUNimation and such. I didn't make them. I just like to put them in odd situations ^_^;
However all original creations and characters are made by meh.
*********************************************************************
Chapter 1- Introductions
The dark forest loomed above reaching out to the sky, and even that was filled with an icy chill in itself. Day was almost non-existent. Grey-black clouds floated above, mocking the defeat of light. Shadows flickered among the thick forest, which was murky in appearance. The smell of smoke was strong in the air and a trail of destruction was an average sight for the people of this time. A dark figure walked non-chalantly through the path of death, folds of their mantle sweeping along beside them. The only sound that was heard was the soft crunching of vegetation beneath their boots. No more sounds were heard. For there was no other life to make a sound. Blue eyes filled with electricity observed the empty area. Their eyes seemed to have lived through much more than their time...much more. Suddenly the figure stopped in the midst of the shadows. As if they were sensing something. Without a moments hesitation the figure began to run silently among the woodland. Not making a sound. They had done this before. In the distance, they could now see the flames...
The fire twisted up as if it were dancing to a silent tune. Destroying everything in its path to the song. Screaming was heard as the people ran to escape their sure death and their murderers. Without warning they appeared huge, merciless monsters with blood dripping from their first kills. These citizens had been unprepared for such an attack.
A little boy cried as he watched these monsters destroying his home and family. Tears streaming from his face he threw a stone at one of the creatures. The monster shot around and gave an inhuman scream at the boy. The boy stood strong trying to appear brave although inside he knew there was no hope. The creature loomed towards him. It seemed to be 2 storeys tall and was of a brown-green colour. Venom dripped from its dagger sharp fangs, its very small eyes watched fascinated. It seemed as if it were a giant scorpion minus the tail. The monster slapped the boy across the mouth hard sending him skidding along the floor. The boy groaned sitting up and closed his eyes. The creature seemed to even smirk at this. Suddenly, it's head exploded in pain and the next thing it knew was the rushing of air as it was thrown violently against a boulder to rip in half and lay in a puddle of oozing, dark blood.
The boy slowly opened his eyes to see a shapely figure wearing a dark cloak. It was of a blue, which was almost a black. And it was obvious now that the figure wearing it was a woman. She turned to the small boy; boots crunching against the ashes left on the ground and pointed to the direction the others were going. "Go" she said sternly. The boy didn't ask questions. He ran.
Another monster saw it's fallen comrade. Then it saw the cloaked woman. It growled. It recognised her from a previous attack. Or at least it thought it recognise her. It could just have been a fool attempting to make a difference. It lunged towards her almost at the speed of light and at that same moment the woman seized it's two fangs ripping them off and thrust them into the monsters chest, letting out it's last shrill cry before falling victim as the other had.
Then the others realised what was going on and began to attack against her in an army form, almost an orderly fashion.
The woman narrowed her blue eyes threateningly at them.
They began their assault as the woman began her defence. She had the agility of a cat and any false movement could assure her a torn limb, even fatality but she remained clam and knew what she was doing as she assassinated the creatures one by one using them even against each other. One swiped a blade sharp claw at her and she flipped back floating into the air as she did so allowing the monster to stab another sending it down with the other carcasses. She shot down small white balls of light. Ki attacks and completely obliterated some of the monsters from the inside out. They now knew that this would be a good time to retreat and flew or ran away. Too fast for the eye too see and seemed to disappear into thin air.
The woman let out a sigh from under the hood of her cloak, the hooded cowl leaving only flaring blue eyes visible. She descended to the ground and landed without a single sound. The carcasses of the monsters lay around her dripping with their own body fluids, smoking and some were even on fire. The remaining towns people who had been unable to escape slowly approached. Some of their own were dead causing a terrible sight.
They looked curiously at the woman who had saved them. Watching. Observing. She raised her hand to the top of the hood and pulled it back setting it behind her shoulders.
It revealed a beautiful young woman's face who appeared to be no more than her late teens. Her hair blew around her face now free from its prison inside the hood and a single strip fell in front of her eyes. Her hair seemed to be a dark black colour, but had streaks of lavender throughout it in random places and was tied up in a small ponytail, although her hair was so short that most of it was not held up. But the most noticeable feature on her tanned face were her eyes. They seemed to flare up with blue electricity within themselves and were of a crystal blue.
She looked around the ruins if the town. This was a normal sight for her. She could not show feelings anymore for if she did she would have died from grief long ago.
Suddenly there was a shrill inhuman scream from behind her and she turned around to feel a monsters hot breath on her face, able to see her reflection in the creature's fangs. Then a blast was heard and the creature blew up into a thousands pieces flying into the air. It was definitely dead, the severed ends blackened and frayed. The woman flicked a piece of the body off her shoulder and looked at her rescuer. Another figure in a cloak, this one of a blood red, had her hand outstretched to where the figure once was, surrounded in an aura of ki. The teenage woman's blue eyes widened.
Another person was able to manipulate ki?
The town's people upon seeing the red-cloaked figure bowed down respectively as if he or she were a king or queen.
The blue eyed woman raised her senses defensively and inspected this new person as they lowered their hand.
"Who...are you?" She asked.
Her voice was soft and husky, but had a hint of sweetness to it.
The red cloaked figures charcoal eyes flared up lighting the shadows within the hood of their cloak to reveal a mischievous feminine face and they removed the hood from their head freeing their long ebony hair, the wind catching it. She was a much older woman, although she had not much of a figure as the teenager had.
"I am the protector of this small once peaceful town. My home. And I have been for 10 odd years." The red-cloaked woman said.
She spoke as if she was still young at heart, although her looks proved otherwise. She seemed young, although her charcoal eyes weary and tired from battles gone past. The blue eyed woman looked at the stranger. She was no stranger. She knew her...although this woman did not know her.
"S.... Son Pan," She breathed.
The woman, Pan nodded slowly and studied this new stranger. She had watched this teen fighting the monsters that had attacked her town...she had potential.more than she had most likely ever seen. And it was scaring her to death. All the strongest people in this world she knew. Or at least she had once known..
"I return the same question to you young one.who are you?" Pan said, her piercing gaze not leaving this stranger.
The teen studied Pan's face.
'Yes.... Just like...the picture. And her spirit is just as father described her. Strong.'
She thought. She bowed in a respective manner and then standing up looked directly into Pan's eyes.
"My name...is Celeste Vegeta Briefs".
Pan's eyes widened as she heard the second name of this woman. She knew it too well. Although she tried to hide her emotions. What did this mean? Pan turned around and walked towards a small hut to the side of the town with had been left unmarked by the attack while the townspeople had turned their attention to the remainder of their village.
"Come with me," said Pan.
The stranger, Celeste, cautiously followed.
"Some thing to drink?" Pan said all too calmly pouring herself hot chocolate from a thermos into a mug.
Celeste shook her head.
"No thankyou Pan-san".
Pan waved a hand at her
"Hey don't worry about that formal stuff. Just Pan is fine."
Pan lifted the warm mug up to her lips and sipped at the hot chocolate. Celeste twitched nervously. She felt that she didn't belong here. She could never stay in one place too long. And now an awkward silence filled the air as Pan continued to study Celeste adding to the stress.
"..I guess you're wondering who I really am. Not only on my name" Celeste stated not looking at the carefree female Son.
Pan set her mug down and looked at the brown bubbles in it.
"Well the thought did cross my mind.but I don't know who anyone is anymore..Not ever since the war began. Everyone seems to be simply a name.."
She shuddered, as she seemed to be reliving past memories in her head. Celeste stood up suddenly, her ki flared up and kept rising, then her hair flickered in a bright white light then revealing rebellious spiky golden hair and her eyes went through the same procedure, then becoming an empty emerald green.
Pan watched with unblinking eyes.
"I am the daughter of Trunks Vegeta Briefs...and I'm three quarters Saiya- jin,"
Then her ki lowered again and her hair returned to its black-lavender colour and her eyes filled with blue fire.
Pan raised a hand to her mouth
"Trunks...Trunks' daughter..." she said repeatedly looking at Celeste, "..So he had a daughter..." she smiled very Son-like at Celeste "I guess the name could explain that. Celeste means light blue after all.."
Celeste sat back down carefully placing her cloak back on her shoulders
Another thought hit Pan "But if you're Trunks' daughter... why are you 75% Saiya-jin? Shouldn't you be only 25%? As I am?"
Celeste closed her eyes lost in her own reminiscence. "..It's a very long story"
Pan took another sip of her chocolate "And one I should like to hear.."
Celeste looked away then standing up "I must go. My duty is to defend the innocent not tell stories."
Pan shot up at the speed of light and held Celeste's arm lightly looking at her pleadingly
"Please. I know how much it hurts.. And believe me I've had my fair share of emotional pain. But it's better to let it out no than to lock it up and let it grow and grow until it consumes you."
Celeste didn't look at her.
Pan smiled sympathetically.
"I suffered that same thing. Let me tell you my own story. About 20 years ago the Sons and the Briefs were close. Very close. Best Friends. But the next Generation didn't have training on their minds. And it seemed that strength wasn't the only thing they had in common, nor did they find a need for this. We didn't realise that this was a gift we needed to treasure. And that it would one day save our lives..."She said the last part with a hint of sadness and regret in her voice.
Celeste turned to face her intrigued by what she was saying
"Kuririn was the first one to die..although that was of old age. 18 and Marron managed. Of course 18 never aged thanks to her mechanical enhancements. In that time she realised what a burden that truly was.
My grandmother, Chi-Chi also died from old age, as did Bulma-san...Your Grandmother. If you ask me they were the lucky ones. They had the most peaceful partings, which I wouldn't call deaths.
Vegeta-san was devestated when Bulma died, as were his children. And Grandfather or Goku as you most probably know him tried to keep his cheerful self. But things just got too hard. He had to sacrifice himself to save Earth a few years earlier. He most likely is back with his wife. But if he had stayed who knows what would have happened. For after all, even the people who never frown eventually break down.
Then the two families parted ways. To live their own lives. There was no need to stay together. I was 15 at the time.
4 years later, it happened. Earth was attacked by yet another outside force. And this time, there was no one to help.
Vegeta-san had lost all his will to fight. And it was even said he couldn't. Dende is very much alive. But there's nothing he can do. And the Dragonballs disappeared along with Goku.
Grandpa wasn't here to save Earth yet again. And the next generation had never fought. We were completely inexperienced, as we had stopped training. And it showed who the weakest of us were as we fell one by one.
First Marron. She had no training at all when it came to fighting. Her parents never taught her. My uncle Goten had been acting cold even before the Pasadria attacked. Although I never knew why and when Marron died he went ballistic and attacked the invaders without thinking. She was after all one of the only friends he had left, alive. That's when he lost his eye.
He's still alive now and helps out from time to time. Him and I are the last Sons left after...my father Gohan died. Unfortunately for us demi Saiya-jin we still age inside even if not much by appearance. It shows when we go into battle." Pan choked back a sob as she tried to keep a straight face.
Her father was the most important person to her. And losing him was like losing half her heart
"My mother is also alive. Although she's very old. She can't do anything now and it's killing her. I tried to regain contact with the Briefs but to no avail.
I do not know where Bra is.
And Vegeta died by saving the Earth one last time. He killed the leader of the invaders but also taking himself in the process. And the minions are still attacking. They have no conscience. All they have on their mind is kill. Leader or no leader.
When I tried to find out where Trunks was, I heard he had been killed in action. He used to be one of my best friends too. Even if he was much older than I.
But these aliens, no, murderers who took away everyone I loved are called Pasadria. But the town's people here call them Hell's army.
I don't know why they came.
I don't know why they want to kill us.
I don't know how they found us.
All I know is there's always a light at the end of the tunnel.."
A crystal tear ran along Pan's face and she quickly brushed it away
"...Always."
Celeste looked at Pan her eyes glimmering
"Gomen Nasai Pan-san..I had no idea"
Pan wiped her eyes and shook it off "I told you just Pan. And that's' the past. I'm looking forward now. Like a greyhound chasing a rabbit. But I'll eventually catch it" She smiled.
Celeste sat down.
"I should tell my memories. It's something you should know. The missing pieces of your puzzle are within my mind.." a smile crossed her face "and I assure you my father is very much alive."
Pan smiled "I'm glad to hear it. That man wouldn't fall that easily."
Celeste took in a deep breath
"Well...this is the story as I know it..."
Flashback 20 years ago
It had been one year after the events of Dragonball GT. Goku had been gone for 1 year now. And the people of Earth had all aged by one year. Some things had become different, and yet, most things were still very much the same.
Green. That was the first colour which was noticeable outside.
Every shade imaginable filled the scenery of grass, tress and the such full of life. Both animal and plant. The blue sky free from clouds loomed over head as the sun gave its life and light unto the world. It was a perfect day to say the least. Well..for most.
A young man yawned and leaned back in his chair stretching. He looked up at the plain white ceiling of his office. That seemed far more enjoyable to him than even looking at the pile of paper work stacked on his desk.
Being Company president was hard to say the least. He was always on call for something or other. He had a ton of work to get through *every* day. But along with this came other things.
It was a part of human nature to be greedy. And when it comes to money, that can be the ultimate temptation. Not to him though. He would want nothing more than to live like his best friend Goten. Goten didn't have to work as hard and didn't get much money. But he could enjoy something greater in life. Freedom. Sometimes he thought what the point of it all was. Why didn't he just quit now? He had enough money to last him a lifetime anyway.
But everyone wanted a piece of his fortune. And because of his publicity complete strangers acted as if they knew him...when in fact no one knew him. At least not the true him. Only his closest friends knew him. The once mischievous little boy. And he still had a sense for adventure within him just longing to be released. A quick fly out the window now and then was a brief break and then back to the prison which was being the President of Capsule Corporation.
He leaned forward resting his head in his hands looking at a photo of his family on his desk. It was his favourite photo, taken about 10 or so years ago. His father was looking at the camera for once and his mother had never looked happier. His sister was also much calmer back then, although she was only 5 at the time. And he himself had not been as stressed. He had been a normal 18-year-old boy. That's what they were. Normal. Not the richest people in the world. Nor the strongest people in the world who had to save the Earth now and then. They were just a family.
The mans lavender hair fell half across his face obscuring part of his vision. He blew the lock of hair out of his eyes with an upturned lip and a gust of breath. And slowly he closed his eyes...
*President Trunks! Your mother on Line 4*
Came the shrill voice from the intercom causing the young man, Trunks fell back off his chair in shock. He sat up quickly regaining his composure. He sat down on his chair and sighed. He had been meaning to change the volume on that thing for a while now. He dusted off his navy suit. He had gotten rid of the mustard one months ago. Both Bra and Goten had ganged up against him and told him it made him look like Lurch from the Adam's family. Trunks frowned.
He picked up the phone and pressed the button that would connect him
"Hello?" He said.
"Hi Honey! How's everything going?" Came Bulma's voice.
Even if she was aging she still sounded as cheery as ever.
Trunks smiled. At least she still treated him normally
"I'm fine mom. What's up?" he leaned back again.
"Well Trunks. I've just been noticing you've been a bit uptight lately. And I think I know what it is. I know how hard it is to be President' Not even I could handle it. You're strong. That's why I handed the company down to you. But even thought you even rival your father in physical strength you still have the emotional strength of a human."
Trunks grinned "So what are you getting at?"
"You deserve a break. Not just a weekend but a nice long vacation. How does that sound?" She said with a note of musical laughter.
Trunks grinned the most he had in months "Hai! Sound great! Thanks mom. You're a life saver"
"Well I try. See ya later son."
"Bye mo-"
Suddenly she cut him off short
"Oh but you still have to have all those reports for today finished young man! Don't think I forgot!"
Trunks bashed his head against his desk
"Ungh..." He groaned and hung up the phone.
'Paper finished. Next one. This paper finished. Next one. Fisnished. Next one. Ugh. Damn. What does this word mean anyway? Oh well. next one.'
He thought as pen to paper worked away. As soon as this was done he could go on a vacation anyway. There was a knock at his door.
"Come in" Trunks said in a monotone voice.
If it was more work he could just tell them to shove it up their ass anyway since he was going on vacation.
"Hey, man. Still pushing paper I see" Came a familiar cheery voice.
Trunks looked up to find his Best Friend wearing his usual Son smile. Trunks smiled back and went back to work
"I'm almost finished Goten. Then I'm on vacation so I can hang out a lot more."
"Yeah I heard. That's great. No offence but you've been getting to business like for my taste. Maybe you'll end up like those rich snobby fat men when you're older " Goten laughed.
Trunks snorted still writing away. "There. Last one!" He said standing up and shoving all the paper into a file and putting it into the cabinet.
"Let me just lock up Goten. I'll be out in a sec" Trunks went to the next room.
"Okay then."
Goten walked outside the office door.
"5 O'clock exactly." He said looking down at his watch.
Trunks closed the door. "5 o'clock??" He groaned locking it.
"What's wrong?" Goten said looking at him.
"Well 5 o'clock is when everyone finishes work here" Trunks said frowning.
Goten blinked.
"Yeaaaah so..?"
Trunks shook his head
"Don't worry."
They both began walking down the hall towards the exit. Trunks kept his eyes fixated on the tile floor. Then there was a sound of giggling.
Goten looked around. All the female secretaries and employees were looking at Trunks and whispering to each other and giggling. Goten heard one girl say
"What a hunk!"
Another came up to them
"Goodbye Mr. President!" She said beaming.
Trunks forced a smile "Bye" he said and looked back at the ground a blush now covering his face.
They got outside the giant building and Trunks let out a deep breath and walked to his car. Goten looked back at the building for a while then back at Trunks whose blush was now fading as he got into his convertible car. Goten got into the car as Trunks turned in on and drove away.
Goten laughed "Trunks?! What's wrong with you?!"
Trunks didn't look at him.
"What are you talking about?"
Goten blinked "What am I talking about?! Back at the building! Every girl in there wants you and whenever you talk to one you blush! It's happened before too. Why is it the cute girls all go for you when you don't even seem the slightest bit interested?"
Trunks didn't say anything.
Goten smirked "See? You know I'm right. When was the last time you had a date anyway? Just pick one and go out already. That could help your vacation too." He laughed.
Trunks shook his head "You don't understand Goten. All those kind of girls want from me is money. And when I've dated before all I've seen in them in lust. That's not what I want. Someday I hope on having a family but that's not looking good for me right now. I'm looking for someone who won't only want money. Just someone who knows and loves.... me. And whether I'm looking for her or not won't matter. We'll find each other. But I guess you wouldn't know seeing as you have Pares and all.."
Goten groaned and lowered his head at that last sentence. Trunks raised an eyebrow at him
"What?"
Goten looked sheepish
"Uhh..about Pares..."
"You're not together anymore?"
Goten shook his head
"Things were getting...well they weren't getting anywhere. She's beautiful but she's...well...you know it's hard to explain..Uhh...some people said she was-"
"-A ditz?" Trunks said bluntly.
Goten frowned
"If that's how you want to put it. Anyway since we're now both single I guess we can go looking for this dream girl of yours," He smiled, "And maybe she'll have a lady friend for me!"
Trunks laughed.
Goten stuck his head out the window and the fast speed of the car made his wild hair fly all over the place.
"Oh and you remember it's Marron's birthday tomorrow, right?"
"Yes I remember. 24th. Man...it's been a long time"
Goten nodded.
"I want to get her something special..." he said meekly.
Trunks grinned knowingly
"Oh? Am I sensing something between you two Goten? You sly dog...planning this all along. Ditch one, play the innocent victim and go to the friend for sympathy. Hoping you'll spend the night in each others arms I suppose?" He said teasingly.
Goten blushed "What the hell are you talking about?! She's a good friend dammit!"
He said defensively punching Trunks on the arm *hard*. Trunks shrugged and sent smoke and tyre flying as he turned the next corner.
*The next Day- at Marron's Party*
"Happy Birthday Marron!"
The teens cheered as firecrackers were set off to celebrate their close friend's day of birth.
Marron giggled
"Aww..You guys are too much. Thanks" She grinned from ear to ear, ice blue eyes she had inherited from her mother shining.
The night went on, but at this party everyone had known each other for what seemed to be ever since they were born. Goten, Trunks, Bra and Pan. They were inseparable. Although sometimes they had their differences and disagreements, they always seemed to work themselves out. And tonight was no exception.
The teens laughed together as they talked about fond memories. At first glance, you could have sworn they were just your average teenage friends. Although these teens weren't normal. Far from it. They had the potential to become the strongest warriors in the world. But that didn't matter to them. They didn't care about this "gift". All they wanted was to be normal. After all, that's all they would ever need.
Pan sighed leaning her head upon the palm of her hand. She had seemed sad all night and didn't seem to be enjoying herself. The now 15 year old quarter Saiya-jin had grown up a fair bit. She had the Son gene in her after all, and they were known for their height. And both her grandfather and father, Goku and Gohan had been short when they were young. In a mere year she had bloomed in an adolescent, although she was very well built and had not much of a figure which gave her a tomboyish appearance.
She drummed her fingernails along the hard surface of the table. Bra looked over at Pan while eating a piece of the cake Kuririn had prepared. It still seemed that #18 refused to cook. The demi-Saiya-jin female tilted her head at her friend
"What's wrong Pan? Don't like cake?"
Pan snapped out of her daze and shot up at Bra
"Hmm?" She said confused.
Bra waved the slice of cake she was holding in front of Pan's face
"Well, I know Kuririn's cooking is not all it should be but the least you could do is have a piece of cake Marron's dad made! Honestly Pan." she took another bite.
Pan raised an eyebrow
"What?! Bra-chan! That's not what I'm worried about!" The quarter Saiya-jin said frustrated, crossing her arms.
"Well, what's up Pan-chan?" Marron said listening in on the conversation.
Pan sighed "...No don't worry about it. I don't want to ruin your party with bad news Marron"
Marron waved her hand at her "Don't worry about it Pan! You're gonna have to tell us anyway because if you don't I'm going to be wondering what it is your keeping from us and then I won't enjoy myself anyway"
Bra nodded "spill the beans Pan-chan!" she then grabbed Pan's favourite orange bandanna from her hair and waved it around like a flag.
Pan growled and tried to get it back but knew it was hopeless. Bra was the fastest one among them, so catching her was impossible.
Bra giggled waving the bandanna teasingly then putting it on her own head.
Trunks and Goten came over to see what was going on. Trunks raised an eyebrow
"Something wrong Pan?"
Pan groaned and buried her head with her arms "Does everyone have to know about this!?"
"I already know" Goten piped up.
Everyone turned his or her gaze to him. Goten grinned sheepishly and pointed to Pan. Their gazes fell to Pan once more.
Pan shot her uncle a deadly look. Goten didn't notice and ate the last that was left of the giant cake. After all, with 4 demi-Saiya-jin it would need to be a big cake.
Pan traced her finger in a circle on the wooden table
"Well. I really didn't want to tell you this but since it looks like I'm going to have to anyway here goes.,"
She took in a deep breath and a look of sadness replaced the one of mischief she always wore on her face.
"My dad has been working alot lately. He is a scholar after all, and now he's just gotten a letter that has a work placement for him over in Tokyo. It's a really big opportunity and he said he would have never imagined he would be offered something like that. But it's in Tokyo..which means-"
"-That you'll have to move?" Marron finished for her.
Pan nodded sadly
"I don't want to go. But I haven't got a choice. I'm only 15 and nobody listens to me. And I know that I'll miss you guys so much. You're the only ones that understand me"
He voice then became shaky and she croaked the last words ut on the verge of tears.
Bra patted her back.
"Pan-chan...I'm so sorry. But you're a nice girl. You'll make plenty of friends wherever you go. I'm sure of it" she winked at her "And if that don't make you happy then here"
She then gave Pan her bandanna back. A smile tugged at the corners of Pan's lips as she took her bandanna back.
"Thankyou B-chan"
Marron sighed "So when are you moving?"
"A week"
An awkward silence fell among the teens. They were all like family with each other, and even losing just one was like losing a piece of themselves. They gave comforting smiles at Pan.
"Well then we'll have to make the most of what we have left then won't we?" Trunks said smiling charmingly at her.
Pan blushed a little and returned the smile.
They returned to having their fun, and forgetting what was to come, but little did they know, that this was the beginning of what would change their whole lives...
The silver moon hung in the night sky, lightly glowing the land beneath. It's full round surface was clear in the night sky. Not a sound could be heard but the soft rustling of leaves in the trees caused by the cool spring breeze. And the sound of teenagers laughing and talking to each other.
Trunks narrowed his eyes looking at the moon. It's eerie light seemed to draw him to it. And it stirred a feeling within him, one he couldn't explain. But he felt...empty. Something was missing and the smell of spring seemed even more enticing than ever.
A violent slap on the back snapped him out of his train of thought.
"Hey Trunks! We're going to go walk around the arcade. It's the only thing open at this time of night. Wanna come with?" said Goten, a Son grin covering his face.
Trunks shook his head "Nah. I think I need to be a lone for a while. Clear my head."
Goten shrugged "It's your loss. Later, man!" he waved walking outside the building with the other Z teens following.
Trunks sighed and turned his gaze back to the moon. The nagging feeling started up again at the back of his mind.
A grey cloud floated by covering the moon.
Trunks blinked snapping out of his daze as the moons glow disappeared. He sighed and shook his head
"I need a walk" he thought out loud and walked outside.
It was dark as should be expected. There was a thick amount of cloud in the sky still blocking the moon, which made it look like rain would be possible at any moment. And the only light was the faint flickering of a street lamp.
Trunks kicked a rock with his foot and it made a much louder noise than usual as it skidded along the empty alleyway. Any human walking in this part of town at night was tempting fate. Of course the demi saiya-jin need not worry about that. Suddenly he heard the faint sound of footsteps a little further down the alley.
'That's either Goten and the others or a bunch of street punks' He thought.
Non chalantly, he continued walking along. He heard a drunken hoarse laugh with his sensitive hearing and decided that it wasn't Goten after all.
There was 2 of them. And from the sound of it both seemed to be around their early to mid thirties. And they were both very drunk. A liquor bottle shattering on the ground proved that.
Trunks turned the corner and saw the two liquor influenced males and decided to wait for them to leave so as not to cause any trouble. He didn't want to gain attention to himself. He leaned against the wall's corner as the 2 thugs kept walking along. One was extremely tall and bulkily built with a shaved head. The other was only a bit shorter and had an athletic frame with short spiky red hair. He listened closely as they stopped and seemed to be talking to someone else.
Trunks rolled his eyes. This could take a while. He decided to take the easy way in the sky. He looked up when he picked up to what they were saying. Suddenly he became intent again.
"Aww common baby" The bald one laughed drunkenly.
"Get Lost" A woman's voice said as her soft footsteps echoed throughout the alley.
The two men followed her.
Trunks looked around the corner and followed in the shadows. This didn't look right. The woman wore a long dark blue cloak and her back was turned to the two men as she walked away calmly.
The red haired one spoke up
"Well what else would a little girl like you be doing out her at a time like this without wanting some action?" his voice tinged with lust and liquor.
The woman stopped in her step.
"Little?!" She said viciously and slowly went to turn her head towards them.
"Well why don't you show us how big you can be?" said the red haired man and grabbed her shoulders pushing her against the brick wall.
The woman frowned and shot him a deadly gaze.
"Foolish"
The two men proceeded onto her.
Suddenly the red-haired man fell to the floor as his neck snapped back and he was thrown several feet along on the floor and crashed into the other brick wall.
The woman's eyes widened as she saw a shadow appear his arm still outstretched from where he had thrown the red haired man.
The bald man growled and turned to look at the shadow.
"Who the hell are you?!" his voice boomed.
Even though the other man was in shadows it was obvious he was frowning. A shiver ran down the bald man's spine. He shook it off and went to attack the shadowed figure with the broken glass bottle. He clumsily aimed and struck at him but failed every time as the figure avoided every strike with the agility of a gymnast. The man growled angrily and his strikes soon became furious lashes in all directions with the hope the one of them would hit.
The shadowed figure reached out and with the blink of an eye he held the mans wrist in his vice like grip. The bald man winced in pain and let out a cry as his hand automatically let go of the bottle sending it smashing to a million pieces on the floor. Then the figure flicked his wrist hitting the bald thug on the neck, which instantly sent him into a state of unconsciousness, and he fell to the ground with a thud.
The figure looked up at the woman. Her eyes were still widened and she looked at the two unconscious men on the floor. She then slowly looked at the shadowed figure. He stepped into the dim light to reveal he was a bit taller than she was. He had lavender hair that fell in his handsome face in front of electric sky blue eyes. And he had a well-built, yet compact frame.
"Are you okay, Miss?" He asked looking over her.
The woman blinked dark purple eyes.
Her long ebony hair flew around her face with the slight gust of wind present and her dark blue cape floated around her as if it were a spirit. Her eyes narrowed at him and she regained her serious face.
"...I could have taken care of myself:"
And with that she ran down the other way of the dark alley disappearing into the shadows.
Trunks looked down at where she went.
He shrugged.
A small drop of water fell on his nose. Soon the water dropping from the sky became more consistent. He looked up. Sure enough, it had started to rain although now the clouds had moved out of the moons way.
His gaze locked back on the hypnotic light of the round full moon. He felt the same feeling in him again and shuddered. He slowly lifted up into the sky and locating Goten's ki decided to head back to the others.
Authors notes:
Yatta! First chapter done. In this space here after each chapter I'll give a few explanations and comments. Yes, I know that you know who Celeste's father is already. But after I solve the mystery of her true heritage and how she came to be born, something more will happen. Although I'm not going to say what ;p Celeste's name also came up because Bulma's family to me has always been associated with Blue. There's also the underwear theme but that's a trend I don't think Trunks and Bra would want to follow. ¬_¬;
Email: capsule_corp01@hotmail.com