Chapter Eight: Hope Restored?
Trunks Briefs watched carefully at his mother trying to comfort Chi-Chi and make sense of what was going on. He knew Chi-Chi was so lost, and that Bulma couldn't really explain what was wrong. But he knew. Trunks felt differently about this situation that was beyond him.
To Trunks, Chi-Chi had only been 'Goten's Mom' and from what he heard from his parents and the Z warriors, she was strong-willed, yet understanding. Scary was a term that didn't quite suit her at times. Trunks had never seen this side of his best friend's mother.
She was weak and vulnerable, lost and alone like a child.
"Don't be confused anymore, Chi-Chi," Trunks whispered at the sight of an uneasy and sorrowful woman. He wouldn't allow someone to suffer for something they didn't deserve. He knew exactly what had happened, and he was going to tell. Trunks stepped toward his mother and Chi-Chi.
"Trunks, stop."
Trunks froze in his tracks. He heard his father speak to him telepathically, but why did he tell him to stop?
"Dad?"
"Trunks, don't tell your mother or Kakarot's mate."
"What, why? It's not fair to keep this from them, especially Goten's mom."
"Stop thinking with your heart for a minute. I told you I have a plan. Just listen to me."
Trunks clenched his fists, stepping back. Whatever Vegeta was saying made no sense, but he obeyed reluctantly. But what could possibly be better than revealing the answer to suffering?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Vegeta flew overhead in the sky, looking for the place destined to heal the wounds Chi-Chi was facing. Vegeta kept his concentration on his son's movements as he continued his flight. He didn't want Trunks to say anything just yet.
Admitting it now would cause problems far worse than what it is now. He has to just believe in me, Vegeta thought.
Vegeta landed at Kami's Lookout and his eyes darted around, looking for someone who he knew would be able to help. He spotted Piccolo meditating a few feet away, followed by Dende coming from inside the dome.
"Oh, I thought I sensed another life force besides Piccolo's," Dende said. "What brings you here, Vegeta?"
Piccolo opened one eye and glanced to his left to indeed see Vegeta standing there. "What does he want to destroy now?" he mumbled.
Vegeta crossed his arms as Dende approached him, with Piccolo following closely behind. "This isn't Happy Hour. I need help." Piccolo chuckled. "So you finally admit it."
"Namek, this is no time to be cracking jokes!" Vegeta barked. "I'm serious here. You and Dende had better help me with a crisis."
Dende's eyes widened. "A crisis? What's going on?"
"Well, I'll tell you if you and Joker here are willing to help," Vegeta said. Dende nodded, serious. "We'll help, won't we, Piccolo?" The green-skinned Namekian rolled his eyes, though he agreed with a slight nod.
Vegeta was now serious as well. "First I need to know if any of you two have any connections with either dragon, Shenlong or Porunga. It's important that you do because this will be able to help Kakarot's family and his mate."
"No," Piccolo answered, and Dende seemed thoughtful.
"Don't you care at all?!" Vegeta fumed at Piccolo. "Don't be so simplistic! We're talking about Kakarot and his family here, man!"
Piccolo chuckled again. "Since when did you care about Goku, Chi-Chi, or their kids? Our soft spot is emerging, isn't it, Veggie?"
Vegeta clenched his teeth and fists. His energy flickered wildly as he growled under his breath. "I don't care about them; I just want everyone to quit whining! If we're going to talk about caring, it's you who cares for Gohan! I do not have a soft spot and NO ONE, I repeat, NO ONE calls me VEGGIE!"
Piccolo suppressed a laugh. His pride and ego are so big he doesn't see a joke when it comes to him. Vegeta is truly a funny character.
Then he turned to Dende. "Can you do anything? This is one of the rare moments I side with a stubborn simpleton like Vegeta. I'm only in this to help Gohan."
"Hmm," Dende mused. His face lit up as an idea came to him. "Yeah, I can talk to the dragons! I'm a Namekian and so is Porunga so I'm sure it will work. I've done it before!"
"But that was after Namek was destroyed by Frieza and the Dragonballs were here on Earth. Then Porunga came. There aren't any Dragonballs here," Piccolo pointed out.
Vegeta shook his head. "It doesn't matter. It's still worth a shot."
Dende nodded. "I'll try." The young god closed his eyes, focusing on his task. His arms were outstretched toward the sky, and he chanted a phrase in the Namekian language. Nothing happened, and Dende tried again.
Suddenly, a bright light filled the sky and took the form of Porunga's silhouette. Dende smiled. "I've done it. We can talk to him, though he isn't physically here. His spirit is with us now."
Vegeta nodded. "Good. Now let me talk to him."
"We need to be connected through our energy. Then you can talk to him," Dende explained. Vegeta walked up to him and placed his hand on Dende's shoulder. Then he looked up at Porunga's silhouette.
"Dragon of Namek, I ask for your help," Vegeta started. "Can you see the suffering of others down on Earth? A fellow Saiyan is lost, and his family has been torn apart from a foolish decision. I need your help to mend their broken hearts. Reverse the pain that has entered their hearts."
Porunga's voice was heard from the silhouette. "Hmmm, you have proven you aren't selfish. I will do as you ask… on one condition."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I'm serious."
Yamcha looked at Gohan and the others as he told his thoughts. "Bulma wouldn't just hand the Dragon Radar over without a price. How much do you think she'll charge us?"
Kuririn shook his head. "Bulma is different since when you two were dating back then. I'm sure if we just explain the circumstance, she'll oblige in handing the Dragon Radar over. She's not heartless. All we've gotta do is explain the wish and how hurt everyone is."
Yamcha shrugged, guessing that made sense. He, Kuririn and Goten began to walk away, finding Bulma.
"Guys, no."
They turned back to see Gohan, who stared down at the grass, hesitantly. "No, what?" Yamcha asked. He looked over the embarrassed teenager, and then shook his head. "What are you? Afraid?"
"Gohan, how else do you expect us to solve this?" Kuririn asked gently. "You know this is the only way to get things back to normal. Fear can't stop us now. It can't stop YOU now. You have to do this, but we're going to be here beside you."
Gohan felt a tiny hand slide into his, and he looked down at a smiling Goten. "Kuririn's right, 'Nii-chan. Mommy says we have to take responsibility for our actions, and now it's your turn. But we're going to be next to you. Don't be afraid; you can hold my hand. Let's go!"
Gohan had no choice but to tag along behind Goten, who cheerfully led the way. Though he comprehended Kuririn and Goten's words, Gohan couldn't help but interpret it as pain.
It doesn't matter how many people stand beside me. Only I will feel the pain of my actions. I do have to take responsibility, even if Mom hates me more than she does now. Comfort had left me long ago.
Gohan looked down at Goten, who seemed older as he walked ahead, tall, confident, and strong.
Keep that smile, Goten. That will be your last smile aimed at me. Soon, you will no longer think of me as your 'Nii-chan. You will hate me too…
***
Slowly, without thought, a worried Saiyan was able to obtain sleep. Peacefully he slipped away into a fantasy, dreaming of the one he desired most.
"Hey, Goookkkuuu-chaan!"
The young voice was calling young Goku, luring him away from a delicious, dangling apple in an apple tree. The monkey-tailed boy turned to see his young fiancée run toward him, and he was frozen in his tracks as she neared him.
"Goku-chan," Chi-Chi panted, out of breath. She took in air, and then tilted her head at the lost look on Goku's face. "What?"
Goku looked at his hands, which contained small, pudgy fingers. "Hey, Chi-Chi! We're… How'd we get little again?"
Chi-Chi giggled, her thick, raven hair falling forward as she leaned forward to plant a kiss on Goku's cheek. "Don't be silly. We've always been twelve. I know you're just eager to get older because then we can get married, huh?"
Goku blinked, even more so at the pinkness in Chi-Chi's cheeks. "I thought… I know we were older than this! You were a grown-up and I was too!" Chi-Chi laughed again. "Whatever you say. I'm just glad we're together now so that when we do get married, we'll know how to do it right."
"Do what right?"
"What else? We'll know how to be married properly."
Marriage was reoccurring beautifully in Goku's mind, and the moments afterward and life days and weeks after. Everything Chi-Chi had ever done for Goku, even the insignificant things, like sewing his gi and picking up after him, was playing like a video in his mind.
Everything Chi-Chi was, her personality and qualities, reminded Goku of why he loved her so much. The sad and happy faces she makes were always in front of him. Her beauty captivated him and made his heart flutter like a butterfly all over again.
It was undeniable. He loved her, but now it was different. The feelings she had for him had been wiped away, like writing in the sand by a seashore. And pain had been replaced ever since…
In his sleep, crystal tears trailed down the Saiyan's face.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"What condition do you want, Dragon?"
Vegeta waited for Porunga's response, and the mighty beast answered at last.
"A sacrifice."
Piccolo and Dende's faces had been overtaken by shock, while Vegeta seemed curious. "A human sacrifice?" The head of Porunga's silhouette nodded, and Vegeta sighed, as a new feeling overcame him. Before he had time to identify it, Porunga spoke again.
"I may do as you ask, one who summons, but a sacrifice is required since I am here without the Dragonballs. You may offer your life to assist the Saiyan you speak of, but if you are not noble and sincere in your sacrifice, it will mean nothing."
Vegeta looked down. Did he really want to give up his life for Goku and his family? Why had he come this far, so determined to help them? Had he secretly tolerated, even grown to like, the Son family? What else could explain it?
But, he couldn't just agree immediately. He had a family of his own. Would Bulma and Trunks cooperate in life without him? Would they truly be okay?
"And what happens if I give a sacrifice?" Vegeta asked quietly.
"If you choose to be the sacrifice, that will not compensate the Dragonballs' presence. They will not be used for two years instead of one," Porunga answered.
"Vegeta, are you sure you want to do this?" Piccolo asked doubtfully. "You never seem to be the one to do these kind of-"
"Quiet, Namek," Vegeta interrupted. "I'll do what I feel is right." And deep down, Vegeta thought it would make sense to put an end to the suffering everyone was going through.
I'll be the sacrifice, he thought. I once told Kakarot's mate that she had to remain strong or else it will destroy her. But she can't do it alone, so I'll help her. Think of this as support, woman.
"I'll do it," Vegeta told Porunga. "I will be the sacrifice, and I am sure of it."
"Vegeta…" Dende's face cast low as he realized Vegeta has a heart…
"Very well, Vegeta," Porunga replied. "Slowly, you will be a spirit and join me. I will reverse the wish you speak of because I have the power to do so."
Vegeta took his hand off Dende's shoulder and stood alone as a white atmosphere surrounded him. You'd better appreciate this, Kakarot…Chi-Chi…Gohan and Goten….
Goodbye, Bulma…Trunks.
***
Gohan and the others had arrived at Kame Island, where Chi-Chi, Bulma, and Trunks were. Instead of carrying out the intent, a startling revelation filled the Z warriors' minds.
Trunks froze, as his pupils grew small. A very familiar energy was decreasing, and it was doing so rapidly. Trunks looked at the Z warriors.
"My dad!"
Immediately, Trunks and the others flew to where they could pinpoint Vegeta's location, and they left a very confused Chi-Chi and Bulma behind.
As soon as Trunks and the others arrived at Kami's Lookout, a blinding light prevented them from getting close to the scene of Vegeta's sacrifice. Shading their eyes, they turned away until Porunga and Vegeta were gone.
Trunks pulled his arm away from his eyes and ran to where he had seen the light. "Dad… Where is my Dad?" He looked at Piccolo and Dende for help, but they only gazed at him, their eyes displaying sympathy.
"I think the Dragon was here," Goten theorized. "What else is so shiny?" He rubbed his eyes. "Ow."
"Piccolo," Kuririn said. "What just happened here?" Yamcha nodded. "Yeah, we felt a huge energy draining away and then Trunks started panicking. We came here and…well?"
Piccolo looked at Trunks. "Your father did a very noble thing. Although it always seemed he was heartless and stone-faced, Vegeta did what he had to do for the good of mankind."
"Piccolo," Trunks said, his voice quavering. "What happened to my Dad?"
Piccolo smiled slightly. "He's not with us, but he sacrificed himself to save the lives of Goku and his family." Goten blinked. "He did what for us?"
Dende explained what had happened. Trunks hung his head, his eyes focused on the concrete floor. An unreadable expression was on his face, and his fist was clenched.
Dad… I knew honor and nobility was your core, but why did you have to go? He thought.
Goten shrunk back. "Vegeta," he whispered. Though Vegeta wasn't affectionate or very fatherly, Goten knew he could depend on Vegeta whenever he went to see Trunks or spend the night.
Gohan's eyes grew wide. "Vegeta did that for…?" For what I've done?
Piccolo nodded. "Yes. He should be honored for what he's done."
"No!"
Everyone looked at Dende, who had a shocked expression on his face. "T-That can't be," he stuttered. "What is it?" Goten asked. Dende looked at everyone slowly, his eyes small with shock.
"It… It didn't work," he spat. "Vegeta sacrificed himself to reverse the wish, but it didn't work…"
Disbelief was written on everyone's faces. Kuririn jumped back. "Impossible! I know Vegeta was sincere when he did it! How couldn't it work?!"
Dende looked down, concentrating as Porunga spoke to him telepathically. He told the others what Porunga was telling him.
"Though the requirements for Vegeta's request were met, I can't control what happens next. I can't do as Vegeta asked because it was not I who granted the wish, but Shenlong," Dende said.
"What?!" Trunks blurted, furious. "You mean my father did that for NOTHING?!" He glared at Gohan, but the perplexed Saiyan avoided his gaze.
"It appears so," Piccolo said slowly. "But I don't understand it…"
Gohan felt arrow after arrow of guilt strike him as he refused to look at Trunks. He knew why… The question now wasn't about knowing how to fix things. Now it's a time to act. "Dende," Gohan said quietly.
Dende looked at Gohan, and Gohan spoke, "You can speak to Porunga, right? Please ask him if he can talk to Shenlong. I… I want Shenlong to come forth."
Dende grimaced, but did as Gohan asked. The silhouette of Porunga was fading into the one of Shenlong, and Gohan stepped forward, placing his hand on Dende's shoulder.
Gohan could feel Dende tense. He could tell Dende was angry as well. Gohan swallowed and looked up at Shenlong.
"Dragon of Earth, I know it's been a while since I've talked to you. This time my emotions aren't driving me to make a decision. There has to be a change in what's happened. Shenlong, please… Though you aren't here through a wish, sacrifice or the Dragonballs, I know your spirit is here.
You're a very powerful creature, and I ask one last request of you… Please, may you reverse this wish? No one needs to suffer anymore for what I've done. I want to right the wrongs…
Can you reverse this wish?"
Silence settled in the atmosphere; no one breathing; only awaiting the response, and the brightness of Shenlong's silhouette glowing. One minute passed…Two…Three.
Finally, a reply arrived.
"No."
To be continued…
Chapter Nine: Don't I Know You?
A/N:
(1) Hmm…Why does the title of the next chapter hint at something? ^^;
(2) I hope you like angst because there's a lot more coming up!