Brothers
By Gozilla
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks you so much for those of you who read and/or reviewed the last chapter!! I hope I didn't ruin anyone's weekend mood by depressing them with the last chapter.
Please continue to give me comments so that I can improve my writing and story-plotting skills. ^-^
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Disclaimer: I don't own anything and I don't have anything. So don't sue me!
Please excuse my poor English. ^-^
Reviews are most welcomed!!
Enjoy!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*crap* - thoughts
"crap" - conversation
(crap) - author's note
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 4 - The End?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~In the underworld~
"Trunks Brief, I have been expecting you." said Kai King of Trunks' timeline, sitting behind a gigantic office desk, "My other-self in the past sent me a message about you. As your case are such a very special one, I will handle it myself."
Trunks stood, silent, his head lowered.
"I have read through your file." Kai King continued, flipping though a thick file, "You are one of the greatest people I have ever seen. You have saved the world from total destruction. There is no doubt that I can grant you eternal after-life as a reward."
"If I am granted with eternal after-life," the young man asked, "can I stay in the human world and look after my son?"
"Well, basically no." Kai King said, "You may go to the human world once in a while. But you can't stay more then 30 days in the human world in a year. Otherwise, your soul will be damaged."
Trunks' eyes waved with emotions, "Is there any way I can stay in the human world and look after my son? He is too young to live without me."
"Hm... There is." Kai King said hesitantly, "But I am certain that it is not a good idea."
"What is it?" Trunks asked.
Kai King answered, "Well, I can concentrate your spirit energy for the eternal after-life, allowing you to stay in the human world for a longer period of time. In doing so, you must stay in this timeline during the period. However, spending all your spirit energy in such rate means that your body and soul will be destroyed to nothing afterwards. You won't even be able to be reincarnated."
"Kai King." Trunks said in determination, "Please help me to survive in the human world until my son turns 18."
Kai King was shocked at the request, "Are you sure? Did you listen to me? Your body and soul will be totally destroyed afterwards."
"Yes, I understand that. This is my decision." Trunks raised his head, looking straight to Kai King's eyes.
Kia King sighed, "This is the very first time I have ever seen a person sacrificing his eternal life to another person. Very well, your wish is granted."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~In future timeline~
~In the human world~
V-chan sobbed quietly in his room, holding a pillow tightly. He didn't know what to do. He had no living relative or friend in this world. He was scared and confused.
Suddenly, he sensed a familiar ki appeared outside the house. Shocked, he rushed out of the house and saw a too familiar shape of a person's back.
The purple-hair young man turned around, looking at the child with his bright-blue eyes, a warm smile on his face, "Hi, V-chan, why are you crying?"
"Dad!!!" the child shouted and jumped into his father's embrace, crying, "I thought you would never come back. I was scared."
"Don't worry." said the young man, "I am back."
The child stopped crying, "Dad, please promise me that you will never leave me."
"Don't be silly." a wave of sadness flashed through the bright-blue eyes, "I know you must be tired. Let's get back to the house. I will cook dinner for you." Trunks said as he walked into the house, with his son in his warm embrace.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~In present timeline~
Little Trunks slowly opened his eyes, *Where am I?* he thought, searching his memories but no avail.
"Finally you wake up." came a deep voice from the door, it was Vegeta.
"Dad?" the child got up, confused, "What happened? Wasn't I training with you in the gravity room? How come I am in my bedroom all of a sudden?"
Vegeta frowned, "You don't remember? The visitors? The battle?"
"What battle? You mean the training with you?" Little Trunks was even more confused.
"No. Forget it." Vegeta turned and walked out of the room, leaving his son in the room, *What is going on? Maybe the incidence was too much for him to handle and the memories is locked in the subconscious mind for his protection.*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~In future timeline~
~13 years later~
"Dad, we have won the 'Best Corporation of the World' award again! It is the fifth one in a roll!" a well-built youth with short soft sea-blue hair shouted, charging through the large door made of beautiful oak wood, into a luxury office room.
"Calm down, Vegeta." a young man with purple hair sitting behind a large office desk said with a warm smile on his face, "This is a recognition of your hard work in building up the Capsule Corporation. Well done."
"Come on, dad." Vegeta said, blushing, "It is a recognition of YOUR hard work. I have just started helping you in the corporation three years ago. You have been working so hard to rebuild the world and CC over the years while taking good care of me. You are such an amusing person."
Vegeta leaned over the desk, looking at his father curiously, "Hey, dad. I always wonder why you don't seem to age at all over the past 13 years. You have been working so hard that I rarely seen you sleep at all. Is there a secret of forever youth you haven't told me?"
"My son, you have been reading too many science fictions." Trunks said, a bitter smile on his face, "There is no such thing as forever youth. Everything has its costs."
"OK, I know. 'There is a cost for everything.' You says it all the time." the youth turned and sat on the desk, "Oh, my 18th birthday is coming this weekend. I want to invite some friends to come over and have a small party. Do you mind joining us?"
Trunks felt his heart sank like a lead at the mention of the words '18th birthday', *Time really flies... Vegeta is turning 18 this weekend... And I...*
"Dad? Dad? Are you alright?" Vegeta asked, his eyes filled with concern, "You feeling alright?"
"I... I am fine." Trunks said hesitantly, "Sorry that I don't think I can join you. You guys have fun, OK?" he forced a smile to his son.
"Sure." Vegeta replied, still looking at his father in suspicion, "You sure you are OK?"
"Yes, I am fine." Trunks said, "Vegeta, are you free the evening before your birthday? Shall we go to a decent restaurant so that the two of us can celebrate your big day?"
"No problem." said the youth cheerfully, "I will pick you up after work as usual that day. Bye." as he left the room.
Unaware by the excited youth, his father slowly turned and looked out of the window, facing the lively city, his heart ached for the coming permanent departure from his son and all those he knew, both in the human world and the underworld.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~In future timeline~
~The evening before Vegeta's 18th birthday, 8pm~
"Hey, dad, are you ready to leave?" Vegeta went into his father's office room, excited. The big smile on his face faded as he saw his father lied beside the desk, unmoving.
"Dad!" the youth shouted in shock as he rushed to his father, holding him with his arms, "Dad! Wake up! Dad!"
Trunks opened his eyes, slowly came to focus, "Vegeta?"
Vegeta frowned as he saw his father's face was paper-white and hands were icy-cold, "What happened? Are you sick? I am taking you to a doctor."
"No, no need." Trunks said weakly, feeling his energy, both physically and spiritually, was draining away as the final deadline approached, "Just stay with me. I just feel tired. There are only a few more hours and it will be over."
Vegeta frowned deeply, reminding Trunks of his own father, the good old Vegeta. "Dad, what are you talking about?" the youth asked in total confusion, "What a few hours? What is going to be over?" as he gently put his father on his chair.
"It's a long story. And I believe you are mature enough for me to tell you the truth." Trunks sighed and looked at his to-be-adult son, "Do you remember our trip to the past 13 years ago?"
"Of course." Vegeta replied, sadness filled with his eyes, "You died protecting me and your younger-self. When we returned, you disappeared for an hour or so before you came back alive."
Trunks looked at his son, amused that the four years old child remembered such details of the incidence. "That's right. But I didn't tell you all the facts. When I was in the underworld, I was offered with eternal after- life as a reward of what I have done in my life. But then I was told that I couldn't stay in the human world in my spirit form."
Vegeta was even more confused, "Then how could you lived with me in the past 13 years?"
Trunks looked away, avoiding his son's eyes, "I was offered with another option. I could choose to stay in the human world until you turn 18. So I chose the second option. As a result, I will be leaving you after tonight."
Shocked, Vegeta ran through all the facts in his mind again, something's not right, "You chose to stay in the human world until I turn 18. But at what cost?"
Trunks lowered his head, not looking at his son.
"Dad." Vegeta pleaded, "Please tell me. You always tell me that there is a cost for everything. What is the cost for you to stay in the human world to take care of me?"
"The cost is..." Trunks hesitated, unwilling to tell the truth, "The cost is the eternal after-life."
Vegeta inhaled deeply, unbelieving of the high price his father had paid for taking care of him in the past 13 years. Vegeta shivered as the next question struck him, "Then... What is going to happen to you when I turn 18?" he whispered, hoping for the best, "Are you going to be reincarnated?"
"No..." Trunks answered, regretting for bringing up the topic at all, "I will disappear. Both my body and soul."
"No... I don't believe this..." Vegeta shook his head before burying his face with his hands, tears started rolling down his cheeks, "Why? Why did you make such a stupid decision? It didn't worth it! This is the most ridiculous decision I have ever heard!" he yelled in anger as more tears fell.
Eyes widened, Trunks was shocked to see the reaction of his son. His eyes softened as he realized how much his son had treasured him as a father, "Vegeta, I tell you what, I believe it was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I enjoyed so much of your companion, watching you grow up, knowing that you have become a useful person and a power worrier. I have never ever regretted my decision." as he stroke his son's soft hair gently.
Silence.
Trunks looked out of the window, "Vegeta, do you remember the first time I trained you?"
The youth raised his head, surprised by the sudden change of subject, "Yeah... I remember I was about three. You taught me the basic fighting skills. Before that, you just allowed me to work on my physical strength." as he wiped away the tears.
"You were so excited when I asked you to fight me." Trunks continued, memories flooded back, smiling, "Until I accidentally hit you in the face. You cried for a good hour and you didn't talk to me for the day."
"Yes, I remember." a small smile returned to Vegeta's face, "It hurt a lot. It was the first time I got hit. By then, you cooked all my favorite dishes for dinner in order to tempt me out of my room."
Trunks laughed, "You know how much time did I spend on preparing that dinner? I made all the 16 dishes in five hours."
"No wonder the roasted pork was cold when I eat it!" Vegeta also laughed.
"But you still ate it all. So no complaint."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~In future timeline~
~11:58pm~
The father and son laughed and laughed again, revisiting memories like old friends.
Slowly, the laughter faded. Vegeta looked at the clock hanged on the wall, *Two more minutes.* he thought as he felt his heart sank.
"Vegeta." Trunks said, "Can you promise me two things?"
Vegeta looked up, "Sure."
Trunks looking straight into his son's eyes, "Promise me that you will take good care of yourself and be brave in my absence."
Vegeta's looked at his father, determined, "I promise you."
Trunks hugged his son, "I am sure you will do well."
Vegeta blushed as he hugged his father for the last time, unable to hold back tears, "Thank you father. Thank you for all you have done for me."
Sound of the bell from a nearby church indicated the arrival of the mid- night.
"Happy birthday, Vegeta." Trunks whispered as he slowly disappeared in the embrace of his son.
Vegeta looked at the empty space where his father once existed. He whispered in grief, "Father, thank you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~In the future timeline~
~In the underworld~
Goku, Gohan and Bulma stood in front of Kai King, while Vegeta leaned against a wall nearby, all looking at a small crystal ball with dimmed blue light held by Kai King. The four of them had been granted with eternal after-life for their contribution to the world.
"Is there any way we can save him?" Bulma asked, holding back tears in her eyes.
Gohan looked at the small ball, "He doesn't deserve such an end. He had done so much to the world."
"He knew the consequences of his choice." Kai King sighed, "There is only one way to keep his soul from being totally destroyed. But I am not sure if it is a good idea."
"What is it?" Goku asked.
Kai King sighed deeply, "The four of you can inject some of your eternal after-life spirit energy into Trunks' soul. This will keep his soul alive and basically granting him eternal life."
Kai King continued, "However, as this is against the laws of the world of the dead. Not only he will lose all his memories of this life, he will be expelled from this timeline. All I can do is to grant him the ability to travel through time and send a message to the Kai Kings in all timelines so that they will look after him. I know this is cruel but it's the last thing we can do."
"I guess we have no choice." Goku said as he put an assuring hand on sad mother's shoulder.
Bulma looked at blue crystal ball before turning to her husband, meeting the glaze of the Saiya prince.
Silently, Vegeta nodded lightly.
"I will inject some spirit energy into Trunks' soul to make sure he agrees to the option." Kai King said, "And you can say the final goodbye to him."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~30 minutes later~
~In the underworld~
Trunks opened his eyes slowly, slightly disoriented.
"Trunks." a female voice called.
Trunks' eyes focused and found that he was lying on soft grassland, his head rested on his mother's lap. "Mum." he said weakly, happiness filled his voice, "I missed you."
"I missed you too." Bulma replied, "I am so proud of you. You have done so much to the world and your son. Your father is very proud of you too." as she looked over to the Saiya prince standing not far away.
"Dad?" Trunks turned and looked at his father, who looked away as their eyes met. He smiled as he found his father in this timelines acted exactly the same as the one in the past.
"You were very brave." Gohan approached the young man.
"Gohan." Trunks said, his eyes sparked with excitement, "I thought I will never see you again. I owe you for every battle I won."
"I had never have a chance to thank you for saving my past-self." Goku approached.
Trunks smiled.
"Trunks." Bulma said, hesitantly, "You know what you are facing, right?"
"Yes, mum." Trunks said, his eyes staring up the sky, "I know. I guess it is the best outcome I can get."
Bulma looked at her son, waves of emotions reflected in her eyes, "I guess so."
Trunks kept his eyes on his mother, "I wish I will never forget you."
Bulma stroked her son's soft purple hair, tears filled her eyes, "I will never forget you."
Slowly, Trunks closed his eyes with exhaustion. Goku, Gohan and Vegeta walked towards the mother and son. The four held out their hands over the sleeping young man, spirit energy started flowing towards him.
"Goodbye, my son." Bulma said. A tear rolled down her cheek as a cloud of light surrounded the young man.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
End of Chapter 4
Hope you enjoyed the chapter. The last chapter will be posted soon. So stay tuned. ^-^
Please feel free to review and comment! Thanks!!
By Gozilla
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks you so much for those of you who read and/or reviewed the last chapter!! I hope I didn't ruin anyone's weekend mood by depressing them with the last chapter.
Please continue to give me comments so that I can improve my writing and story-plotting skills. ^-^
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Disclaimer: I don't own anything and I don't have anything. So don't sue me!
Please excuse my poor English. ^-^
Reviews are most welcomed!!
Enjoy!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*crap* - thoughts
"crap" - conversation
(crap) - author's note
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 4 - The End?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~In the underworld~
"Trunks Brief, I have been expecting you." said Kai King of Trunks' timeline, sitting behind a gigantic office desk, "My other-self in the past sent me a message about you. As your case are such a very special one, I will handle it myself."
Trunks stood, silent, his head lowered.
"I have read through your file." Kai King continued, flipping though a thick file, "You are one of the greatest people I have ever seen. You have saved the world from total destruction. There is no doubt that I can grant you eternal after-life as a reward."
"If I am granted with eternal after-life," the young man asked, "can I stay in the human world and look after my son?"
"Well, basically no." Kai King said, "You may go to the human world once in a while. But you can't stay more then 30 days in the human world in a year. Otherwise, your soul will be damaged."
Trunks' eyes waved with emotions, "Is there any way I can stay in the human world and look after my son? He is too young to live without me."
"Hm... There is." Kai King said hesitantly, "But I am certain that it is not a good idea."
"What is it?" Trunks asked.
Kai King answered, "Well, I can concentrate your spirit energy for the eternal after-life, allowing you to stay in the human world for a longer period of time. In doing so, you must stay in this timeline during the period. However, spending all your spirit energy in such rate means that your body and soul will be destroyed to nothing afterwards. You won't even be able to be reincarnated."
"Kai King." Trunks said in determination, "Please help me to survive in the human world until my son turns 18."
Kai King was shocked at the request, "Are you sure? Did you listen to me? Your body and soul will be totally destroyed afterwards."
"Yes, I understand that. This is my decision." Trunks raised his head, looking straight to Kai King's eyes.
Kia King sighed, "This is the very first time I have ever seen a person sacrificing his eternal life to another person. Very well, your wish is granted."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~In future timeline~
~In the human world~
V-chan sobbed quietly in his room, holding a pillow tightly. He didn't know what to do. He had no living relative or friend in this world. He was scared and confused.
Suddenly, he sensed a familiar ki appeared outside the house. Shocked, he rushed out of the house and saw a too familiar shape of a person's back.
The purple-hair young man turned around, looking at the child with his bright-blue eyes, a warm smile on his face, "Hi, V-chan, why are you crying?"
"Dad!!!" the child shouted and jumped into his father's embrace, crying, "I thought you would never come back. I was scared."
"Don't worry." said the young man, "I am back."
The child stopped crying, "Dad, please promise me that you will never leave me."
"Don't be silly." a wave of sadness flashed through the bright-blue eyes, "I know you must be tired. Let's get back to the house. I will cook dinner for you." Trunks said as he walked into the house, with his son in his warm embrace.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~In present timeline~
Little Trunks slowly opened his eyes, *Where am I?* he thought, searching his memories but no avail.
"Finally you wake up." came a deep voice from the door, it was Vegeta.
"Dad?" the child got up, confused, "What happened? Wasn't I training with you in the gravity room? How come I am in my bedroom all of a sudden?"
Vegeta frowned, "You don't remember? The visitors? The battle?"
"What battle? You mean the training with you?" Little Trunks was even more confused.
"No. Forget it." Vegeta turned and walked out of the room, leaving his son in the room, *What is going on? Maybe the incidence was too much for him to handle and the memories is locked in the subconscious mind for his protection.*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~In future timeline~
~13 years later~
"Dad, we have won the 'Best Corporation of the World' award again! It is the fifth one in a roll!" a well-built youth with short soft sea-blue hair shouted, charging through the large door made of beautiful oak wood, into a luxury office room.
"Calm down, Vegeta." a young man with purple hair sitting behind a large office desk said with a warm smile on his face, "This is a recognition of your hard work in building up the Capsule Corporation. Well done."
"Come on, dad." Vegeta said, blushing, "It is a recognition of YOUR hard work. I have just started helping you in the corporation three years ago. You have been working so hard to rebuild the world and CC over the years while taking good care of me. You are such an amusing person."
Vegeta leaned over the desk, looking at his father curiously, "Hey, dad. I always wonder why you don't seem to age at all over the past 13 years. You have been working so hard that I rarely seen you sleep at all. Is there a secret of forever youth you haven't told me?"
"My son, you have been reading too many science fictions." Trunks said, a bitter smile on his face, "There is no such thing as forever youth. Everything has its costs."
"OK, I know. 'There is a cost for everything.' You says it all the time." the youth turned and sat on the desk, "Oh, my 18th birthday is coming this weekend. I want to invite some friends to come over and have a small party. Do you mind joining us?"
Trunks felt his heart sank like a lead at the mention of the words '18th birthday', *Time really flies... Vegeta is turning 18 this weekend... And I...*
"Dad? Dad? Are you alright?" Vegeta asked, his eyes filled with concern, "You feeling alright?"
"I... I am fine." Trunks said hesitantly, "Sorry that I don't think I can join you. You guys have fun, OK?" he forced a smile to his son.
"Sure." Vegeta replied, still looking at his father in suspicion, "You sure you are OK?"
"Yes, I am fine." Trunks said, "Vegeta, are you free the evening before your birthday? Shall we go to a decent restaurant so that the two of us can celebrate your big day?"
"No problem." said the youth cheerfully, "I will pick you up after work as usual that day. Bye." as he left the room.
Unaware by the excited youth, his father slowly turned and looked out of the window, facing the lively city, his heart ached for the coming permanent departure from his son and all those he knew, both in the human world and the underworld.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~In future timeline~
~The evening before Vegeta's 18th birthday, 8pm~
"Hey, dad, are you ready to leave?" Vegeta went into his father's office room, excited. The big smile on his face faded as he saw his father lied beside the desk, unmoving.
"Dad!" the youth shouted in shock as he rushed to his father, holding him with his arms, "Dad! Wake up! Dad!"
Trunks opened his eyes, slowly came to focus, "Vegeta?"
Vegeta frowned as he saw his father's face was paper-white and hands were icy-cold, "What happened? Are you sick? I am taking you to a doctor."
"No, no need." Trunks said weakly, feeling his energy, both physically and spiritually, was draining away as the final deadline approached, "Just stay with me. I just feel tired. There are only a few more hours and it will be over."
Vegeta frowned deeply, reminding Trunks of his own father, the good old Vegeta. "Dad, what are you talking about?" the youth asked in total confusion, "What a few hours? What is going to be over?" as he gently put his father on his chair.
"It's a long story. And I believe you are mature enough for me to tell you the truth." Trunks sighed and looked at his to-be-adult son, "Do you remember our trip to the past 13 years ago?"
"Of course." Vegeta replied, sadness filled with his eyes, "You died protecting me and your younger-self. When we returned, you disappeared for an hour or so before you came back alive."
Trunks looked at his son, amused that the four years old child remembered such details of the incidence. "That's right. But I didn't tell you all the facts. When I was in the underworld, I was offered with eternal after- life as a reward of what I have done in my life. But then I was told that I couldn't stay in the human world in my spirit form."
Vegeta was even more confused, "Then how could you lived with me in the past 13 years?"
Trunks looked away, avoiding his son's eyes, "I was offered with another option. I could choose to stay in the human world until you turn 18. So I chose the second option. As a result, I will be leaving you after tonight."
Shocked, Vegeta ran through all the facts in his mind again, something's not right, "You chose to stay in the human world until I turn 18. But at what cost?"
Trunks lowered his head, not looking at his son.
"Dad." Vegeta pleaded, "Please tell me. You always tell me that there is a cost for everything. What is the cost for you to stay in the human world to take care of me?"
"The cost is..." Trunks hesitated, unwilling to tell the truth, "The cost is the eternal after-life."
Vegeta inhaled deeply, unbelieving of the high price his father had paid for taking care of him in the past 13 years. Vegeta shivered as the next question struck him, "Then... What is going to happen to you when I turn 18?" he whispered, hoping for the best, "Are you going to be reincarnated?"
"No..." Trunks answered, regretting for bringing up the topic at all, "I will disappear. Both my body and soul."
"No... I don't believe this..." Vegeta shook his head before burying his face with his hands, tears started rolling down his cheeks, "Why? Why did you make such a stupid decision? It didn't worth it! This is the most ridiculous decision I have ever heard!" he yelled in anger as more tears fell.
Eyes widened, Trunks was shocked to see the reaction of his son. His eyes softened as he realized how much his son had treasured him as a father, "Vegeta, I tell you what, I believe it was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I enjoyed so much of your companion, watching you grow up, knowing that you have become a useful person and a power worrier. I have never ever regretted my decision." as he stroke his son's soft hair gently.
Silence.
Trunks looked out of the window, "Vegeta, do you remember the first time I trained you?"
The youth raised his head, surprised by the sudden change of subject, "Yeah... I remember I was about three. You taught me the basic fighting skills. Before that, you just allowed me to work on my physical strength." as he wiped away the tears.
"You were so excited when I asked you to fight me." Trunks continued, memories flooded back, smiling, "Until I accidentally hit you in the face. You cried for a good hour and you didn't talk to me for the day."
"Yes, I remember." a small smile returned to Vegeta's face, "It hurt a lot. It was the first time I got hit. By then, you cooked all my favorite dishes for dinner in order to tempt me out of my room."
Trunks laughed, "You know how much time did I spend on preparing that dinner? I made all the 16 dishes in five hours."
"No wonder the roasted pork was cold when I eat it!" Vegeta also laughed.
"But you still ate it all. So no complaint."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~In future timeline~
~11:58pm~
The father and son laughed and laughed again, revisiting memories like old friends.
Slowly, the laughter faded. Vegeta looked at the clock hanged on the wall, *Two more minutes.* he thought as he felt his heart sank.
"Vegeta." Trunks said, "Can you promise me two things?"
Vegeta looked up, "Sure."
Trunks looking straight into his son's eyes, "Promise me that you will take good care of yourself and be brave in my absence."
Vegeta's looked at his father, determined, "I promise you."
Trunks hugged his son, "I am sure you will do well."
Vegeta blushed as he hugged his father for the last time, unable to hold back tears, "Thank you father. Thank you for all you have done for me."
Sound of the bell from a nearby church indicated the arrival of the mid- night.
"Happy birthday, Vegeta." Trunks whispered as he slowly disappeared in the embrace of his son.
Vegeta looked at the empty space where his father once existed. He whispered in grief, "Father, thank you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~In the future timeline~
~In the underworld~
Goku, Gohan and Bulma stood in front of Kai King, while Vegeta leaned against a wall nearby, all looking at a small crystal ball with dimmed blue light held by Kai King. The four of them had been granted with eternal after-life for their contribution to the world.
"Is there any way we can save him?" Bulma asked, holding back tears in her eyes.
Gohan looked at the small ball, "He doesn't deserve such an end. He had done so much to the world."
"He knew the consequences of his choice." Kai King sighed, "There is only one way to keep his soul from being totally destroyed. But I am not sure if it is a good idea."
"What is it?" Goku asked.
Kai King sighed deeply, "The four of you can inject some of your eternal after-life spirit energy into Trunks' soul. This will keep his soul alive and basically granting him eternal life."
Kai King continued, "However, as this is against the laws of the world of the dead. Not only he will lose all his memories of this life, he will be expelled from this timeline. All I can do is to grant him the ability to travel through time and send a message to the Kai Kings in all timelines so that they will look after him. I know this is cruel but it's the last thing we can do."
"I guess we have no choice." Goku said as he put an assuring hand on sad mother's shoulder.
Bulma looked at blue crystal ball before turning to her husband, meeting the glaze of the Saiya prince.
Silently, Vegeta nodded lightly.
"I will inject some spirit energy into Trunks' soul to make sure he agrees to the option." Kai King said, "And you can say the final goodbye to him."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~30 minutes later~
~In the underworld~
Trunks opened his eyes slowly, slightly disoriented.
"Trunks." a female voice called.
Trunks' eyes focused and found that he was lying on soft grassland, his head rested on his mother's lap. "Mum." he said weakly, happiness filled his voice, "I missed you."
"I missed you too." Bulma replied, "I am so proud of you. You have done so much to the world and your son. Your father is very proud of you too." as she looked over to the Saiya prince standing not far away.
"Dad?" Trunks turned and looked at his father, who looked away as their eyes met. He smiled as he found his father in this timelines acted exactly the same as the one in the past.
"You were very brave." Gohan approached the young man.
"Gohan." Trunks said, his eyes sparked with excitement, "I thought I will never see you again. I owe you for every battle I won."
"I had never have a chance to thank you for saving my past-self." Goku approached.
Trunks smiled.
"Trunks." Bulma said, hesitantly, "You know what you are facing, right?"
"Yes, mum." Trunks said, his eyes staring up the sky, "I know. I guess it is the best outcome I can get."
Bulma looked at her son, waves of emotions reflected in her eyes, "I guess so."
Trunks kept his eyes on his mother, "I wish I will never forget you."
Bulma stroked her son's soft purple hair, tears filled her eyes, "I will never forget you."
Slowly, Trunks closed his eyes with exhaustion. Goku, Gohan and Vegeta walked towards the mother and son. The four held out their hands over the sleeping young man, spirit energy started flowing towards him.
"Goodbye, my son." Bulma said. A tear rolled down her cheek as a cloud of light surrounded the young man.
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End of Chapter 4
Hope you enjoyed the chapter. The last chapter will be posted soon. So stay tuned. ^-^
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