A/N: So this is it. I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did and I hope to
see you all for the sequel. Look for it to start sometime in June, it will
be called "Voices from the Past." If I say anymore I know I'll start crying
and I won't be able to write so for the last time, would you do the honors
Cat?
Cat: *Nods* Sorry folks, but we just don't own it. Remember though if you sue there won't be a sequel so I hope you have your priorities straight.
***
Her touch was gentle, like a cool autumn breeze on a warm day. But her eyes were deep, with a sad story hidden within. She let her hand drop and started to speak again, after a long pause.
"I don't have the time to explain everything, but you have the right to know."
She pressed two long fingers to his forehead gently. A piercing light was emitted from the touch and memories poured through him as if he had known them all along. He saw it all, the mission, Goku, his grandfather, the baby, and her death. Trunks couldn't believe this, it was all so wrong. His father had done this right under his nose; he had been seven when he killed her. But it wouldn't go away, he watched as it kept replaying over and over again in his head and he was powerless to stop it.
Krista watched his blank eyes; suddenly realizing what was going on. She shook her head sadly; he was in denial. He didn't want this to be true, and if he didn't pull out of it, the truth would consume him. She couldn't wait for him to let it go on his own though. Her hand slid from his forehead to his cheek and she lifted his head softly to face hers.
"Release." Her whisper echoed through the air and Trunks could suddenly see her.
"What---"
"Trunks, listen to me there is something you need to know."
"How did you know my name?"
"I've known you for a very long time."
Trunks blinked at her response. How, how could this be?
"Your father was not the power that was foretold in the prophecy you read. He only thought that because his ego blinded him. He understands now Trunks; you almost lost him. You should be proud of him for realizing his fault, and he is willing to start over if you give him the chance."
Trunks snorted. His father had been unbelievably hard on him from the beginning. He forced him to train to get stronger, and his mother pushed him through his studies. His sister didn't understand because she wasn't the successor to the throne. He had no friends his age except for Goten, because of this. And when he finally finds the person he could spend the rest of his life with, his father tries to kill her and disable him in the process, and to do that he bribed an innocent child. He was a monster.
Krista frowned at his reaction. "Do you not think it is better to forgive and have a chance for a better life than to hold a grudge and die a bitter man?"
"What he did is unforgivable." He bowed his head and clenched his fists.
"Do you understand what that power is, Trunks?" He shook his head.
"Pure evil. It spreads like a sickness and no one can escape it, Angel was given the power to help those who are corrupted by it, but even she can't stop it all. It will never end, it washes over the universe like a tidal wave consuming those with weak hearts and an eye for power."
"Like my dad."
"No Trunks, your father realized the truth before it was to late. That alone should be proof that he truly cares."
"How can I forgive him after what he did?"
She closed her eyes softly. "Even now, after all that has happened, you are letting the evil consume you."
"But I," he was cut off.
"Evil comes in many forms Trunks. Your hate has become a breeding ground for an evil born from betrayal. If you can not forgive your father, and yourself, you will be taken by it, and you will drag your loved ones down with you, causing Angel great pain. Even as we speak it is at work."
"What do you mean?"
"Your sister is being filled with the rage and hate you felt in the instant that you fired the kamehameha on your father. She is fighting him now, with everything that she is."
"But she can't beat him, even I can't beat him. Only Goku has that kind of power."
Krista shook her head. "I told you Trunks, your father understands the truth now. He won't defend, and he won't fight back, he can not bring himself to strike his own flesh and blood any more."
The young prince's eyes widened. Maybe his father really does understand.
"If she takes his life, there is no turning back for her. Only you can show her the truth Trunks, but you must believe the truth yourself, first."
"What about---"
"Angel forgave your father a long time ago when she realized her destiny. She knows what is truth and what is merely an illusion. This is why she is sealed with the crest of the dove."
"What is her destiny?"
"She will fight for as long as it takes, for a peaceful land."
Trunks contemplated her words silently, and awkward feeling lingered in the air between the two. It was Krista who broke the silence first.
"She loves you Trunks, never forget that."
"I wasn't planning on forgetting that." His voice dripped with sarcasm. How could she expect him to look at his father the same way he had before? Betrayal died hard.
"Don't put up these barriers now Trunks, your sister needs you, and so does your father."
"Well maybe I needed him along time ago to, but I didn't get him. I got the king." He bowed his head, trying to hide the tears of the child he had left behind with the day that his father had sold his soul for power.
Krista walked closer and wrapped her slender arms around him. He blinked in surprise and tensed, but only for a second. This felt right, like his own mother's arms around him during his days of innocence. He allowed his head to fall gently to her shoulder.
"I know that it is hard to forgive and forget. To just let things like this pass under the radar as if it was never there. I believe you can do it Trunks, try it. It is hard to swallow ones pride, believe me I know. Imagine my surprise as an elite warrior of the saiyan race, who had taken countless lives for "the greater good", when my partner told me to let Earth go, and that he wanted to stay and fight for them instead of for Vegeta."
Trunks swallowed hard. She was talking about Goku, and he wondered if Goku had been the same before he met Chi Chi.
"Go to them Trunks, but know this: when Angel wakes, she will have to make a decision. One that may affect you in an unpredicted way, you will have to understand that she possesses the power to change this world and she will carry that burden forever. You say that you love her, that loyalty will be tested more than once in the future Trunks, be ready for it."
Dumbfounded, Trunks couldn't form his questions into sentences at this point. She backed away from him slowly and broke the embrace.
"Take care of her for me."
Her lips were pressed gently to his forehead before she released him for the last time. She lifted her hand and closed his eyes for him with her gentle touch.
Trunks opened his eyes to find himself back in the lab, back in his chair, back in reality. He sighed still a little puzzled by Krista's words and stood to walk over to the recovery tank. He watched Angel silently, picking through various parts of his conversation with her.
*Flashback*
"I believe you can do it Trunks, try it."
***
"You say you love her, that loyalty will be tested more than once in the future Trunks, be ready for it."
*End Flashback*
Trunks turned around warily, for he was still gaining back his own energy himself. He faced the door and realized what had to be done. After all why not? Why not try to make life better while he still could?
Suddenly, he felt his sisters ki rise threateningly.
"No," Trunks hissed as he remembered Krista's warning.
As he ran down the hall, Angel's eyes opened slowly. 'Hurry Trunks.' Her hand went to the oxygen mask wrapped around her mouth and her nose. She pulled it away and lifted herself from the tank.
***
Trunks flew down the corridors and out the door. When he reached the battle scene he was relieved to find nothing had happened-yet.
He slowed his pace, allowing himself a few extra moments to think. He didn't take into account Bra's rapidly fading patience.
***
'How could this have happened to me? What have I become?' The questions warped the king's mind, consuming him. So much so, that he did not sense his daughter's anger flare.
***
He was mocking her. Standing still as a silent stone statue as if she could not possibly be regarded as a threat. Her energy rose with the sudden rage she felt. The need to prove to him her hatred for the man that he had become was the power she had become addicted to. She felt her mother's hand find her shoulder but shook it off angrily.
"He'll never change."
Bra's icy word struck a nerve in her mother's heart. It couldn't be true. Vegeta had made some mistakes sure, because while he would not admit it, it was a mortal flaw that everyone possessed. Even he, the king of all saiyans, was not without fault. But that didn't mean that he couldn't change.
"I believe you have proved your point Bra, let it drop."
"How can you say that? He killed her, he has to pay. He deserves to pay."
Bra began to power up her own energy blast, aimed for Vegeta.
***
Vegeta had only unconsciously registered the fact that he was in danger, being still absorbed in his own thoughts. It was only after his daughter let the blast fly that he snapped from his daze, and by then it was too late to dodge. And so the king of the saiyans bowed his head in defeat.
He looked up curiously when the blow never came. He was shocked to see super saiyan Trunks, holding the blast for him. He could see the strain in the boy's eyes. Bra's power was backed by an instant of pure insanity, rage and sorrow, even for a single SSJ it was hard to block. Vegeta stepped up.
***
Trunks blinked in surprise as his father took a stance beside him and held off the blow with him. But he smiled for a split second, knowing that Krista had been right.
They powered up and Vegeta transformed, the duo was more than enough for this energy now. They through it to the side and watched as it became nothing more than a pinprick in the distance.
Trunks looked to where his sister had collapsed then back to his dad. He pulled his dad into a hug before the proud king could object. His father did not oblige him with the same, but it didn't matter, he understood his that dad cared, whether he decided to show it or not.
Bulma was crying as she ran to her boys. This time, Vegeta wasn't so reluctant to give out a hug. Trunks picked up his sister who was only have awake.
"Forgive him," he whispered. "She's alive."
His sister smiled and on their walk back home Trunks explained what had happened. When they reached the lab though, Angel wasn't there. He laid Bra down and his mother and father watched him worriedly. He could feel hot tears in his eyes and he turned to leave.
"I'll be right back." He told them quietly and departed slowly for her room.
His mother went to object but Vegeta placed a hand on her shoulder and shook his head.
'Is this what Krista meant?' He contemplated as he made it to her room. He entered to find the room neatly made and clean. As he walked to the bed, he noticed a small piece of paper on the pillow. He smiled sadly, tears trickling down his face as he reached for it.
It was rolled up carefully, tied shut with a strangely familiar black ribbon. Gingerly, he loosened the knot.
Dear Trunks,
I'm sorry for leaving like this; I never did favored good byes. I want you to know that I'm okay, but I have something that I need to do. None of this was your fault, I guess I'm just sorry that I dragged you into it. Tell your father I hold no grudge, and I consider him an excellent king, send Bra and your mother my thanks. Hold on to them Trunks, you'll never understand their worth until you lose them.
He could see his tears soaking into the paper, and he hastily wiped them from his eyes as they blurred his vision.
Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. I love you Trunks, never forget that.
*Flashback*
"She loves you Trunks, never forget that."
*End Flashback*
He smiled at Krista's voice, at her advice. They had saved him, her and Angel.
I promise you that I'll come back. If you need anything---if you have any questions about this, ask Goku.
Trunks' eyes widened for a second. So it was Goku who had been harboring the bandit all along. Another smile tugged at his lips, she was really something else.
Thank you for everything, we'll be together soon, wait for me.
Love always,
Angel
He sighed. This time he believed her, he knew now there was nothing about her he could not trust, and he would wait for as long as it took. For now, he would have that belated talk with his dad and maybe his life would get better, just like Krista advised.
***
Two figures in dark hooded cloaks crept their way through the crowd. When they had made it to the outskirts of the village, they threw back their hoods.
"So Angel, you got a plan?" Pan nudged her companion.
"Always do." She smiled.
Momentarily her gaze drifted back to the castle in the distance with a longing that could never be expressed with words.
"Don't worry," Angel replied to her friends inquiring eyes. "We'll be back."
Pan smiled, accepting the answer and adopting a mischievous grin as she threw her hood up.
"Then lead the way."
Angel smiled, copying her friend. They turned and left with their backs to the city, content and ready for anything.
As they walked, Angel glanced down at her ankle to smile at the white ribbon that adorned it.
'I love you mom, thank you for everything.'
***
A/N: OMG that was so sad! See, now, we all know Vegeta is good at heart. Sorry to all of you who wanted him to get his butt seriously kicked in this chapter but it just didn't seem appropriate. I guess I have to leave you all now don't worry though, we'll be back. Thanks again to all of my reviewers and their unwavering loyalty and support, and to my friends and family who have always been there for me. I'll see you all in June!
Cat: And I'll come too, remember-look for "Voices from the Past" we hope to see you there! 0.~*
~ Angelgirl
Cat: *Nods* Sorry folks, but we just don't own it. Remember though if you sue there won't be a sequel so I hope you have your priorities straight.
***
Her touch was gentle, like a cool autumn breeze on a warm day. But her eyes were deep, with a sad story hidden within. She let her hand drop and started to speak again, after a long pause.
"I don't have the time to explain everything, but you have the right to know."
She pressed two long fingers to his forehead gently. A piercing light was emitted from the touch and memories poured through him as if he had known them all along. He saw it all, the mission, Goku, his grandfather, the baby, and her death. Trunks couldn't believe this, it was all so wrong. His father had done this right under his nose; he had been seven when he killed her. But it wouldn't go away, he watched as it kept replaying over and over again in his head and he was powerless to stop it.
Krista watched his blank eyes; suddenly realizing what was going on. She shook her head sadly; he was in denial. He didn't want this to be true, and if he didn't pull out of it, the truth would consume him. She couldn't wait for him to let it go on his own though. Her hand slid from his forehead to his cheek and she lifted his head softly to face hers.
"Release." Her whisper echoed through the air and Trunks could suddenly see her.
"What---"
"Trunks, listen to me there is something you need to know."
"How did you know my name?"
"I've known you for a very long time."
Trunks blinked at her response. How, how could this be?
"Your father was not the power that was foretold in the prophecy you read. He only thought that because his ego blinded him. He understands now Trunks; you almost lost him. You should be proud of him for realizing his fault, and he is willing to start over if you give him the chance."
Trunks snorted. His father had been unbelievably hard on him from the beginning. He forced him to train to get stronger, and his mother pushed him through his studies. His sister didn't understand because she wasn't the successor to the throne. He had no friends his age except for Goten, because of this. And when he finally finds the person he could spend the rest of his life with, his father tries to kill her and disable him in the process, and to do that he bribed an innocent child. He was a monster.
Krista frowned at his reaction. "Do you not think it is better to forgive and have a chance for a better life than to hold a grudge and die a bitter man?"
"What he did is unforgivable." He bowed his head and clenched his fists.
"Do you understand what that power is, Trunks?" He shook his head.
"Pure evil. It spreads like a sickness and no one can escape it, Angel was given the power to help those who are corrupted by it, but even she can't stop it all. It will never end, it washes over the universe like a tidal wave consuming those with weak hearts and an eye for power."
"Like my dad."
"No Trunks, your father realized the truth before it was to late. That alone should be proof that he truly cares."
"How can I forgive him after what he did?"
She closed her eyes softly. "Even now, after all that has happened, you are letting the evil consume you."
"But I," he was cut off.
"Evil comes in many forms Trunks. Your hate has become a breeding ground for an evil born from betrayal. If you can not forgive your father, and yourself, you will be taken by it, and you will drag your loved ones down with you, causing Angel great pain. Even as we speak it is at work."
"What do you mean?"
"Your sister is being filled with the rage and hate you felt in the instant that you fired the kamehameha on your father. She is fighting him now, with everything that she is."
"But she can't beat him, even I can't beat him. Only Goku has that kind of power."
Krista shook her head. "I told you Trunks, your father understands the truth now. He won't defend, and he won't fight back, he can not bring himself to strike his own flesh and blood any more."
The young prince's eyes widened. Maybe his father really does understand.
"If she takes his life, there is no turning back for her. Only you can show her the truth Trunks, but you must believe the truth yourself, first."
"What about---"
"Angel forgave your father a long time ago when she realized her destiny. She knows what is truth and what is merely an illusion. This is why she is sealed with the crest of the dove."
"What is her destiny?"
"She will fight for as long as it takes, for a peaceful land."
Trunks contemplated her words silently, and awkward feeling lingered in the air between the two. It was Krista who broke the silence first.
"She loves you Trunks, never forget that."
"I wasn't planning on forgetting that." His voice dripped with sarcasm. How could she expect him to look at his father the same way he had before? Betrayal died hard.
"Don't put up these barriers now Trunks, your sister needs you, and so does your father."
"Well maybe I needed him along time ago to, but I didn't get him. I got the king." He bowed his head, trying to hide the tears of the child he had left behind with the day that his father had sold his soul for power.
Krista walked closer and wrapped her slender arms around him. He blinked in surprise and tensed, but only for a second. This felt right, like his own mother's arms around him during his days of innocence. He allowed his head to fall gently to her shoulder.
"I know that it is hard to forgive and forget. To just let things like this pass under the radar as if it was never there. I believe you can do it Trunks, try it. It is hard to swallow ones pride, believe me I know. Imagine my surprise as an elite warrior of the saiyan race, who had taken countless lives for "the greater good", when my partner told me to let Earth go, and that he wanted to stay and fight for them instead of for Vegeta."
Trunks swallowed hard. She was talking about Goku, and he wondered if Goku had been the same before he met Chi Chi.
"Go to them Trunks, but know this: when Angel wakes, she will have to make a decision. One that may affect you in an unpredicted way, you will have to understand that she possesses the power to change this world and she will carry that burden forever. You say that you love her, that loyalty will be tested more than once in the future Trunks, be ready for it."
Dumbfounded, Trunks couldn't form his questions into sentences at this point. She backed away from him slowly and broke the embrace.
"Take care of her for me."
Her lips were pressed gently to his forehead before she released him for the last time. She lifted her hand and closed his eyes for him with her gentle touch.
Trunks opened his eyes to find himself back in the lab, back in his chair, back in reality. He sighed still a little puzzled by Krista's words and stood to walk over to the recovery tank. He watched Angel silently, picking through various parts of his conversation with her.
*Flashback*
"I believe you can do it Trunks, try it."
***
"You say you love her, that loyalty will be tested more than once in the future Trunks, be ready for it."
*End Flashback*
Trunks turned around warily, for he was still gaining back his own energy himself. He faced the door and realized what had to be done. After all why not? Why not try to make life better while he still could?
Suddenly, he felt his sisters ki rise threateningly.
"No," Trunks hissed as he remembered Krista's warning.
As he ran down the hall, Angel's eyes opened slowly. 'Hurry Trunks.' Her hand went to the oxygen mask wrapped around her mouth and her nose. She pulled it away and lifted herself from the tank.
***
Trunks flew down the corridors and out the door. When he reached the battle scene he was relieved to find nothing had happened-yet.
He slowed his pace, allowing himself a few extra moments to think. He didn't take into account Bra's rapidly fading patience.
***
'How could this have happened to me? What have I become?' The questions warped the king's mind, consuming him. So much so, that he did not sense his daughter's anger flare.
***
He was mocking her. Standing still as a silent stone statue as if she could not possibly be regarded as a threat. Her energy rose with the sudden rage she felt. The need to prove to him her hatred for the man that he had become was the power she had become addicted to. She felt her mother's hand find her shoulder but shook it off angrily.
"He'll never change."
Bra's icy word struck a nerve in her mother's heart. It couldn't be true. Vegeta had made some mistakes sure, because while he would not admit it, it was a mortal flaw that everyone possessed. Even he, the king of all saiyans, was not without fault. But that didn't mean that he couldn't change.
"I believe you have proved your point Bra, let it drop."
"How can you say that? He killed her, he has to pay. He deserves to pay."
Bra began to power up her own energy blast, aimed for Vegeta.
***
Vegeta had only unconsciously registered the fact that he was in danger, being still absorbed in his own thoughts. It was only after his daughter let the blast fly that he snapped from his daze, and by then it was too late to dodge. And so the king of the saiyans bowed his head in defeat.
He looked up curiously when the blow never came. He was shocked to see super saiyan Trunks, holding the blast for him. He could see the strain in the boy's eyes. Bra's power was backed by an instant of pure insanity, rage and sorrow, even for a single SSJ it was hard to block. Vegeta stepped up.
***
Trunks blinked in surprise as his father took a stance beside him and held off the blow with him. But he smiled for a split second, knowing that Krista had been right.
They powered up and Vegeta transformed, the duo was more than enough for this energy now. They through it to the side and watched as it became nothing more than a pinprick in the distance.
Trunks looked to where his sister had collapsed then back to his dad. He pulled his dad into a hug before the proud king could object. His father did not oblige him with the same, but it didn't matter, he understood his that dad cared, whether he decided to show it or not.
Bulma was crying as she ran to her boys. This time, Vegeta wasn't so reluctant to give out a hug. Trunks picked up his sister who was only have awake.
"Forgive him," he whispered. "She's alive."
His sister smiled and on their walk back home Trunks explained what had happened. When they reached the lab though, Angel wasn't there. He laid Bra down and his mother and father watched him worriedly. He could feel hot tears in his eyes and he turned to leave.
"I'll be right back." He told them quietly and departed slowly for her room.
His mother went to object but Vegeta placed a hand on her shoulder and shook his head.
'Is this what Krista meant?' He contemplated as he made it to her room. He entered to find the room neatly made and clean. As he walked to the bed, he noticed a small piece of paper on the pillow. He smiled sadly, tears trickling down his face as he reached for it.
It was rolled up carefully, tied shut with a strangely familiar black ribbon. Gingerly, he loosened the knot.
Dear Trunks,
I'm sorry for leaving like this; I never did favored good byes. I want you to know that I'm okay, but I have something that I need to do. None of this was your fault, I guess I'm just sorry that I dragged you into it. Tell your father I hold no grudge, and I consider him an excellent king, send Bra and your mother my thanks. Hold on to them Trunks, you'll never understand their worth until you lose them.
He could see his tears soaking into the paper, and he hastily wiped them from his eyes as they blurred his vision.
Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. I love you Trunks, never forget that.
*Flashback*
"She loves you Trunks, never forget that."
*End Flashback*
He smiled at Krista's voice, at her advice. They had saved him, her and Angel.
I promise you that I'll come back. If you need anything---if you have any questions about this, ask Goku.
Trunks' eyes widened for a second. So it was Goku who had been harboring the bandit all along. Another smile tugged at his lips, she was really something else.
Thank you for everything, we'll be together soon, wait for me.
Love always,
Angel
He sighed. This time he believed her, he knew now there was nothing about her he could not trust, and he would wait for as long as it took. For now, he would have that belated talk with his dad and maybe his life would get better, just like Krista advised.
***
Two figures in dark hooded cloaks crept their way through the crowd. When they had made it to the outskirts of the village, they threw back their hoods.
"So Angel, you got a plan?" Pan nudged her companion.
"Always do." She smiled.
Momentarily her gaze drifted back to the castle in the distance with a longing that could never be expressed with words.
"Don't worry," Angel replied to her friends inquiring eyes. "We'll be back."
Pan smiled, accepting the answer and adopting a mischievous grin as she threw her hood up.
"Then lead the way."
Angel smiled, copying her friend. They turned and left with their backs to the city, content and ready for anything.
As they walked, Angel glanced down at her ankle to smile at the white ribbon that adorned it.
'I love you mom, thank you for everything.'
***
A/N: OMG that was so sad! See, now, we all know Vegeta is good at heart. Sorry to all of you who wanted him to get his butt seriously kicked in this chapter but it just didn't seem appropriate. I guess I have to leave you all now don't worry though, we'll be back. Thanks again to all of my reviewers and their unwavering loyalty and support, and to my friends and family who have always been there for me. I'll see you all in June!
Cat: And I'll come too, remember-look for "Voices from the Past" we hope to see you there! 0.~*
~ Angelgirl