Trunks and Goten: The Teenage Years

Chapter Fourteen: What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted…

Disclaimer: I don't own anyone or anything that I didn't make up.

A/N: Okay, first let's take a moment to remember the great show that was Buffy the Vampire Slayer. If not for this show, many shows of this nature dedicated to teens would not have been possible. I am gonna miss my weekly dosage of witty banters, refined British wiggins', Andrew, Xander and his Xanderisms, Willow and her Willowisms and poor Anya. It was a damn good show and had a good run. Okay, moment over! ^_^ Glad you enjoyed the last chapter. Okay, here we go. It's the second to last chapter of this story. When we last left the gang, Trunks' girlfriend Valerie had seen Trunks using his powers and well…there we are!

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Trunks was lying on his bed at home later that Tuesday evening. While he should have been thinking about whether or not anyone had seen him use his powers, he was preoccupied. He was still thinking about Goten and Paresu. CJ had decided not to tell Goten what had happened but was it right for him to keep a secret from his best friend? He felt that either way, he would be betraying Goten in some way or another and he didn't want him and Goten to fall out over something so trivial. Goten was more than his best friend, he was family. That fact made it harder for Trunks to keep this secret to himself.

"What I would give for the days when my stalkers were my only problems!" Trunks sighed.

"TRUNKS!" Bulma yelled.

"YEAH?"

"TELEPHONE!"

"THANKS!" Trunks picked up the extension in his room. "Hello?"

"Hi."

"Hey Val, how are you?"

"Um, I'm fine. Listen, we need to talk."

"Uhh…" Trunks paused. **What was it that Gohan's friend told me?**

Flashback…

"What you need to know about relationships is, whatever happens you are always in the wrong. Women tend to get angry sometimes for a reason, but we will never understand what it is. They will always stay mad at you until you figure out what made them upset and reconcile it with flowers or chocolates. And always remember, the words 'we need to talk' always means some kind of impending doom." David said, as if reciting an oath of some kind.

End Flashback…

"Trunks, are you still there?"

"Yeah Val." Trunks gulped. "Sure, what do you want to talk about?"

"Meet me in ten minutes in the park near your house."

"Um, okay." Trunks said. Before he could say goodbye, Valerie hung up the phone. "Oh boy."

At the park…Trunks POV

"Hey, so I'm here! What's up?" I looked at her face and saw that she was a little worried.

"Um, okay. I don't know how to say this but…I saw you save Marron by doing some kind of blasting thing. So, I wanna know what's up with the whole powers bit cos frankly, I'm a little scared." Valerie said. I sighed. Of course my brain was doing the complete opposite, mainly screaming and freaking out.

"Um. Okay." I said, not knowing what to say really. There was a brief silence. "Oh yeah. There's nothing to worry about. I'm not evil or anything. These powers aren't science induced so I won't mutate into anything. I'm human mostly, well kinda half-half but still, yeah. Um, they're a part of me and I am in complete control over them. Did I cover everything?"

"Well, mostly what I wanted to know." Valerie said edging closer. I realised what she meant. Or at least, what I thought she meant anyways.

"Okay, if it's about, um, that thing…I can so totally do that! In fact…"

"No, not that. I mean, what kind of powers do you have?" Turns out I was flat out wrong. What can I say, I'm a 17-year-old guy. A certain Xander quote comes to mind about linoleum. (A/N: Can anyone quote it? Invisible prize for who can!)

"Ohh, okay! Well um, strength. Flying. Fire blasts from my hands, basically. That kind of thing." I said, kind of worried that Valerie was taking this so well. I mean, if I found out she had powers I'd be friggin surprised!

"Oh. So no telepathy or anything? You know, anything that could help me in school say?"

"No…" This conversation was beginning to get awfully weird. This is why girls make me nervous. You never know what they're thinking!

"Too bad. Ah well, at least you got the physical side right?"

"Yeah."

"Besides, you're a computer guy by genetics so I'm sure you could hack into the system and change my grades if I don't do well." Valerie said. I looked at her surprised. "Then, if anyone catches you, you can beat the snot out of them!"

"Valerie? Is that you?" Stupid question yes, but I had to ask. She was being so random!

"Yeah. It's me, why?"

"Sorry, complete personality changes make me paranoid. And right now I'm thinking…pod person?"

"Trunks!"

"Okay, maybe the body snatchers have their hand in this somehow…"

"Trunks, I'm being totally serious. I need your help or I won't pass to the next grade!" Valerie said.

"You're pretty smart Val. And besides, I can't use my powers to help you cheat. It's not right."

"You won't be using your powers to help me cheat. You'll use them in case you get caught!" This is when I realised; I didn't know Valerie at all. Sure, we hadn't been going out all that long but I thought I had a better judge of character than that. Here she was, telling me to use my powers for kind of evil and it wouldn't stop there. If I did this for her now then she would be asking me to rob banks pretty soon. I realised that this had to end now.

"I can't…no, I won't use my powers for something so trivial."

"You have to! Damn it Trunks, why are you being such a jerk?"

"Oh my God, how random are you? I mean, this has all come out of nowhere and now you're asking me to put my ass on the line just so you don't have to do any work! Bull!"

"Fine! Be an asshole. I just won't be your girlfriend anymore, you freakazoid." What a flake! Seriously, who even uses the word freakazoid anymore! This is exactly why I didn't date before.

"Fine. Listen, I'd appreciate it if you kept this to yourself."

"Um, too late?"

"Please tell me you're joking!"

"I would but then I'd be lying?"

"Damn it Valerie!"

"I'm sorry! I just told a few of my friends. But they've probably told everyone by now. They've kinda got a problem with keeping secrets."

"Gee, maybe it comes from the company they keep!"

"No need to be snappy. I didn't think it'd be such a big deal!"

"My school life, my whole life in fact, is now ruined! And it's all because of you! You and your womanly randomness!" Okay, so I was a bit out of line but I was really angry.

"Oh, you are such a little bastard!" Valerie said as she walked away from me. "I'm gonna make your life a living hell!"

"It's a little too late for that! You were already born!" I sighed and fell on the floor. "How in the hell do I get myself into these messes?" I was so screwed. Teenagers in mass numbers can become angry mobs! Last thing I needed was to be hunted down at school with torches and pitchforks!

Next day…(3rd person)

"I think pitchforks and torches are bit too Frankenstein Trunks." Goten said, as they walked to the school entrance. "Whatever happens, you know I have your back right?" Trunks stopped walking and looked at Goten with a sad face.

"Actually Goten, I'd prefer it if you didn't tell anyone that you have powers too."

"What?! Trunks, you have got to be kidding me!"

"I'm not Goten, this thing will blow over and I don't want the consequences to fall on you just because I was stupid enough to let Valerie see me use my powers."

"You can't decide that! Besides, you were helping Marron. It's nobody's fault."

"Fine, if not for yourself then do it for Paresu."

"That's a low blow Trunks. Don't bring her into this."

"Well she will be if people find out about your powers. She'll be treated as badly because she's dating you. Not to mention how she'll react when she finds out herself!" Goten looked to the ground. "She already knows?! And you didn't tell me?!"

"Well it was kinda by accident that she found but she's totally cool with it!" Goten said. "She thinks I'm her guardian angel or something." Trunks couldn't believe it. He wasn't surprised that Paresu knew really, but more surprised that she was fine with it. He was expecting her to act exactly like Valerie did. Trunks felt a twinge of guilt, he didn't know Paresu as well as he thought he did. "You mad?"

"No, not really. Just wish Val had taken it the same way." Trunks sighed. "Please Goten, just do this for me yeah?"

"Fine, but if it gets too hairy I'm not going to stay out of it Trunks." Goten said, as they walked in. Trunks could feel the stares of the student body on him as he walked through the halls and to his locker. Lil Tak and Remy were already at theirs and looked up at him with sympathetic faces.

"Trunks, I'm so sorry." Remy said.

"Yeah, I never thought that Valerie would do that to you man." Lil Tak said, patting Trunks' shoulder.

"You and me both Tak." Trunks sighed. "Damage report?"

"The whole school knows." Remy said. "I mean, they just think you have powers. They don't know anything else. I suppose that's kind of a plus."

"What about you guys? Are you getting any abuse because of this?" Trunks asked.

"Not yet." Lil Tak said. "Even if they do, so what? We don't know half these people anyway."

"Thanks Tak."

"I've already learned my lesson when it comes to backing up my friends." Lil Tak said. Trunks nodded knowingly. "And here comes my chance to prove it." The gang looked over to see that the jocks were walking over to Trunks.

"So, Trunks." Steve said. "I hear you think you're some kind of Superman."

"Well I hear that you think you're a good basketball player. You shouldn't believe everything you hear Steve." Trunks replied. Steve frowned but decided to laugh it off.

"Listen Briefs, it may not be illegal for you to be in our school but some of the students feel under threat with you here." Steve said.

"Listen Downey, if you have a problem with me then come right out with it and cut all the bullshit okay?" Trunks said. His friends looked at him surprised, as did Steve.

"You are a freak Briefs, and people don't like freaks. Just thought I'd warn you."

"That a threat?"

"More like a piece of advice." Steve said, as he and the rest of the jocks walked away. Goten looked at Trunks and saw his hands flaring up with chi.

"Easy Trunks, don't let him get to you." Goten said. Trunks drew in a sharp breath.

"Alright." Trunks sighed.

"Guys, I'll be right back." Remy said, walking off. Before they could ask where she was going, more students crowded round Trunks, asking him a million different questions all at once.

Meanwhile…

"I saw you hiding." Remy said. Brad turned around and laughed nervously.

"What are you talking about Remy?" Brad said. Remy folded her arms angrily.

"Why were you hiding? You could've easily told those goons to leave Trunks alone. They do whatever you tell them to!"

"It's not that easy when you're dealing with a situation like this." Brad sighed. "I mean, there's this thing going around that Trunks is not human or he has powers or something. This isn't your run-of-the-mill high school rumour Remy. No one would go to great lengths to spread this around unless it was true."

"Come on, you're listening to rumours now! Where's the proof Brad?"

"There is none, but you gotta admit weird things always happen when Trunks is around. When he beat up Dominic, the guy looked like he got pound on by a friggin gorilla! Then there's the little matter of the avalanche that suddenly disappeared when we went on that ski trip…"

"Which are all coincidences Brad. Trunks was very pissed off when he beat up Dominic, and I'm sorry but he isn't exactly a wimp so that doesn't help your assumption. And that avalanche was a freak accident, the mountain ranger said so himself!" Remy sighed. "If I didn't know you any better I'd say that you want to believe these rumours."

"Remy, I'm just worried. Trunks has been keeping a big secret from us all this time, who knows what else he's hiding?" Brad asked, as he edged closer to Remy. "I just don't want anything to happen to you."

"Nothing will happen to me because there is nothing for something to happen!"

"Huh?"

"You know what I mean! Trunks is not dangerous okay? He's my friend."

"You shouldn't be hanging around with him!"

"You and Trunks never really got along anyways, this shouldn't be a big deal to you."

"But it is! I practically had to ask his permission to date you, when I don't see how it's any of his business. He was all on his high horse because he thought I was such a bad guy when it turns out that he's the one who's…"

"Is that what all this is about? Because he dissed you?"

"No…and yes. I just don't like people who look down on me."

"Isn't that exactly what you're doing?"

"No, I'm looking out for you."

"I am a big girl, and I can take care of myself thank you."

"So, you'd prefer to be with him rather than me?"

"The hell?!" Remy stared at Brad with her mouth wide open.

"Well?"

"I don't wanna dignify that with an answer." Remy threw her hands up in the air. "This is just some macho thing isn't it? Like who can chug a beer faster and who's Johnson is…"

"Do you have feelings for Trunks?"

"No. He is my friend you idiot and I can't believe you'd imply anything different." Remy sighed. "You are not the guy I thought you were. I thought you didn't care about appearances and reps, I thought you cared about what's inside a person."

"I do."

"Then why are you being this way?" There was silence. "I thought as much. You're just following the crowd and trying to justify your reason so that I won't be mad at you. I know we've been having our share of problems lately but…"

"Are you, Remy? Mad I mean."

"Yes. You're like a completely different person to me now Brad. So much different than the guy I…"

"…What?"

"Than the guy I fell in love with."

"What are you saying?"

"If you're like this to just a rumour, I can't imagine what you'd be like in a real crisis. You've been so different ever since I came back from Tokyo and you were a little weird before then too."

"I don't like the fact that you're friends are all guys."

"Well in case you haven't noticed, the girls don't like me! It's Johnson envy but with girls. Are you jealous or something?"

"Maybe…I don't know. I just get angry when they're around you."

"Don't you trust me?"

"Of course, it's them I don't trust."

"So, what you're saying is them or you?"

"Remy…"

"Is that the case?"

"I guess."

"Well, you made my choice for me." Remy said, kissing Brad on the cheek. "My friends would never make me choose."

"Is this it?"

"Yeah, this is it." Remy said. "It was nice while it lasted but I guess it's au revoir Cher." Remy walked away, leaving Brad standing in the hallway.

Elsewhere…

"Thought I'd find you here." Marron said. Trunks was sitting alone in the cafeteria.

"I wanted to get some time away from the angry mob." Trunks said. "But you can stay, if you're real quiet." Marron chuckled and sat down next to him. "I can't believe this has escalated so much! I was banking on them not believing her."

"No offence Trunks, but there are a lot of people that don't like you. Unfortunately, they have quite a following." Marron said.

"Yeah well, it won't be long before I'm kicked out of school."

"They can't kick you out of school just for hearsay Trunks." Marron said. "In fact, Jules is going around telling everyone that Val is crazy and she's just saying that because you dumped her."

"Really? I didn't think Jules would." Trunks said. **I guess that whole CJ debacle changed her prospective as well as Lil Tak's**

"Well she is, and people believe her but they aren't going to go against the word of the cheerleaders." Marron said. "And as per your request, Paresu is staying quiet. I wouldn't let any of this bother you too much. Valerie's just a bitch. You deserve someone much better than her."

"I'm not so sure. It's like girls only want me because they think I'm good looking or because of the Capsule Corp or because I'm unattainable…" Trunks sighed. "It seems they don't like me for who's inside. Except that one girl at that Halloween party. I wish I could've got to know her better. She didn't even know who I was until the end of the night."

"End of the night?" Marron said, raising an eyebrow. Trunks blushed a deep crimson.

"Nothing like that!!" Trunks said defensively. Marron laughed.

"Trunks, you're only 17. You don't have to find a life mate just yet. Besides, I hear college girls are really mature."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I hear they even ask the guys out sometimes."

"Wow…" Trunks said, slightly mystified. "It's like an evolution or something."

"Too bad you can't just erase her memories or something. Then everyone would think she was making it all up." Marron said. Trunks' eyes widened and he grinned.

"Marron, you're a genius!" Trunks said, hugging her. Marron blushed furiously.

"I am? Better alert the media!" Marron said, as she watched Trunks run off. "Thanks for the hug puddin'." Marron sighed.

Elsewhere…

"GOHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!" Trunks yelled as he practically beat up Gohan's front door. Gohan opened the door, looking very annoyed.

"I don't know what my door did to you Trunks, but I'm sure it is very sorry." Gohan said. Trunks sweat-dropped.

"Sorry Gohan! Um, I need your help." Trunks and Gohan went into the living room and Trunks proceeded to tell his situation to Gohan.

"That's terrible!" Gohan said, very concerned.

"Tell me about it. So, I was thinking maybe we could get the dragonballs to help?"

"Lucky for you Trunks, we have something better than the dragonballs for this particular situation. And she's in town this week." Gohan smiled. Trunks just blinked in confusion as Gohan dialled the phone.

An hour later…

"There's the door. Now Trunks, this may come as a shock to you so just…relax." Gohan said, as he opened the door to reveal Natalie.

"Miss Natalie?" Trunks asked.

"Aww, that's so cute." Natalie said. "He talks to me like he's still a little kid." Trunks blushed in embarrassment. "So, Gohan told me the sitch Trunks and I think I can help."

"I'm confused, how?" Trunks asked.

"Can you keep a secret?" Natalie asked. Trunks nodded. "I'm a telepath."

"Get out!" Trunks said in surprise.

"Hmm, I thought only Dave still used that phrase…" Natalie said. "Anyway. Yes, I am. And I can erase or alter the memories of people, that's one of my powers and the one that can help you."

"But…how?" Trunks asked. Natalie sweat-dropped.

"I think it's better if you don't know that. Too much on one day you know?"

"Definitely." Trunks sighed. "Wait, telepathy. You can read minds?"

"Yes."

"Then you knew about…?"

"Uh huh."

"Oy."

"Don't worry, it's not a big deal. Goten was just a kid."

"Is there something I'm missing here?" Gohan asked. Natalie and Trunks laughed nervously. "Maybe I'd better not ask."

"Okay, so do you need to find them and do it or can you do it from a distance?" Trunks asked.

"Not from this much distance, I need to be at least in the neighbourhood and all the neighbours Gohan has are his parents." Natalie said. Gohan made a face at her and she returned one.

"Okay guys, focus on the crisis please." Trunks said. "Okay, Valerie's house then. I need you to kind of make her feel guilty about what she said and confess to everyone that she was just lying because she was so sad over losing me."

"Trunks, melodramatic much?" Natalie asked. "Let's just see what she accepts."

"Huh?"

"I can only make her think something that she would believe."

"Oh. Okay then can the guilt trip. I don't think she has a conscience anymore."

"Trunks, everyone has consciences!" Gohan said.

"Actually Gohan, people can lose their conscience. It's been scientifically proven." Natalie said. Gohan looked at her wide-eyed. "Nah, I'm just yanking your chain Son."

"My chain prefers to remained unyanked thank you."

"Too easy."

"Nat!"

"Hehe!"

Later, a few yards away from Valerie's house…

"In some parts, this is considered stalking." Natalie joked.

"Please, don't mention stalking." Gohan and Trunks both said.

"Okay, which one is she?" Natalie asked.

"She has kinda pinkish hair."

"Okay, I can see her."

"You can visualise hair colour?"

"No, I can see her through the window." Natalie said. She closed her eyes and appeared to be in deep concentration. Valerie also stopped in her tracks. After a minute or two, Natalie snapped out of her trance. "And it's done."

"Oh, thank you so much Miss Natalie!" Trunks said, as he hugged her and then shyly backed away.

"No problem. But this stays between us three okay?" Natalie said. Trunks nodded.

"I'm off home. Bye, and thank you!" Trunks said, as he sped away.

"Are you okay?" Gohan asked.

"Actually, I can barely stand. These things take a lot out of me." Natalie said. "But I should be okay. Good thing I've been working on developing my powers. Unlike you, you lazy!"

"Shut up! Seriously though, thanks a lot Natalie."

"Hey, what are these powers for if not to help people?"

The next day…

"Trunks, the best news! Valerie just apologised and said she was lying!" Juliana said.

"Yeah, I heard." Trunks said, smiling inwardly. "I want to thank you guys, you know, for having my back."

"That's what we're here for!" The gang all chorused, the bell rang and they all went to their different classes.

"So, did your plan work then?" Marron asked. Trunks nodded. "Well I'm glad I could help."

"Hey Jules?" Remy said.

"Yeah?"

"It's nice to have the old you back." Remy said. "We all missed her a lot."

"What do you mean?"

"Lately, you've been very self-involved. It's nice to see the old you, you know, the girl who didn't follow the crowd." Remy said. Juliana nodded in appreciation.

"I heard what happened between you and Brad. I'm so sorry."

"Me too. I guess jealousy really does consume people." Remy said. "I've got my life ahead of me to fall in love with someone else."

"You wanna go to the ice cream shop after school?"

"Definitely."

"I'm glad things are back to normal." Trunks said.

"I think we all are Trunks." Goten said. "I wonder what made Valerie do that though."

"Who knows, Goten?" Trunks said, smiling inwardly.

To Be Concluded…

Okay, so the next chapter is definitely the last one people. It'll end very ant-climatic. Just to end it. After that, I've decided to save the separate Trunks and Goten for another time and skip right ahead to the big-ass story. I'll probably do some other stories, concerning both gangs and stories that were mentioned but never told. So keep an eye out for the new story. Bye!