Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ, kay? I'm gonna stop putting this cause you all know I don't own it so I don't want to sound like a broken record! So for the record I don't own it. Check the prologue for disclaimer.
A/N: Thank you guys for your reviews! -Winks- Don't worry guys! V-Chan has an idea!
C-town Chica: No, Pan didn't know that Trunks was sick before she left. She had a feeling he wasn't in good health, but she thought it would pass.
LoveThatSmirk: As for as they know right now there is nothing that can't be done. Don't give up hope!
Now, on with the story.
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Chapter Three Pan's Visit
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Pan stayed by Trunks' side through the night, watching him sleep and dozing off herself sometimes. She awoke again early the next morning. Trunks' was still sleeping and Pan was sure it was too early for anyone, but Vegeta to be up. Pan sat watching Trunks once more before she got an idea. She stood up and kissed Trunks' forehead.
"I'll be back soon, don't worry," she whispered. She wrote a small note incase he woke up before she returned. She left the infirmary and walked through the halls and rooms of Capsule Corp until she got to the door leading into the Gravity Room, Vegeta's favourite place. She placed an ear to the metal door and sure enough there was movement inside. She knocked lightly on the door and heard the movement stop.
"What is it, brat?" Vegeta called as Pan opened the door.
"I need to ask you something since Bulma isn't up yet," Pan answered.
"What, I'm in the middle of training," Vegeta looked agitated as he wiped sweat from his face with the towel around his neck.
"Dende said that whatever caused Trunks' illness is not caused by anything known to this Earth right?" Pan looked at the older man. He nodded.
"That's right," he answered.
"Well, I was thinking maybe I could go up to the lookout and talk to Dende about it. Maybe we can figure out a cure if it's somewhere out in the universe. I could go in search of it," Pan explained.
"What makes you think you could find the cure and be back here in time? We don't know how much time he has left," Vegeta stated.
"But if there is a chance we can save him then we should try it right? Dende will know how much time Trunks' has left wouldn't he? At least he could give me a time limit right?" Pan argued. Vegeta thought for a moment.
"Your father would have a fit and then it would be me that got it taken out on, you know that right?" Vegeta cocked an eyebrow.
"Yes, but wouldn't you enjoy a good battle?" Pan countered.
"Of course, brat," Vegeta snorted.
"I want to try it. If this can help Trunks then it's worth it. When Bulma gets up could you tell her where I went?" Pan asked.
"Whatever, brat. Just get back here soon," Vegeta said, turning to get back to training. That's all Pan needed. She headed out and heard the metallic whine of the door shutting behind her. She headed away from the door, towards the front door. Once outside she took off into the sky towards the lookout. A little while later she landed on the edge of the lookout and looked towards the palace. There was no sign of Dende or Mr. Po-Po. She walked towards the palace and stepped inside, looking around.
"Dende? Hello? Are you here? I need to speak with you," Pan called. There was movement in the shadows and suddenly the tall, green Namekian guardian appeared in front of her. He was holding the wooden stick in his hand that he carried with him everywhere. There was no sign of the round, black spirit named Po-Po.
"Yes, Pan, can I help you?" Dende asked in a friendly voice.
"I heard about Trunks and I came here to see you about it. Vegeta told me that you have been looking for a cure for his illness?" Pan looked at him questioningly. Dende nodded.
"Ah, yes, that. I did find something, but you would have to travel a long ways into space to find it and I'm afraid Trunks does not have much time left. Though if you left within the next few days you would be able to make it there and back again just in time to save him, that is if the old witch will tell you how to get the cure. She sees all from her crystal ball, but only one with the strength and a pure heart can find her. You must endure difficult trials and they can begin at any time. She knows you are coming and she will be watching you," Dende said. Pan's heart lifted at the hope of being able to save Trunks. She nodded her head.
"I will try it then, for Trunks. I have to do whatever I can. I can't stand by and watch him suffer," Pan replied to him. Dende nodded his head.
"Always be alert and keep your guard up Pan. You have two months," he said. He then turned and walked back into the shadows and disappeared from sight. Pan turned and walked away from the palace. She took off into the air and headed back to Capsule Corp.
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By the time she made it back, Bulma and Bra were awake and Vegeta was out of the Gravity Room. He had exited as soon as he had felt her ki getting close to Capsule Corp. Pan walked into the kitchen and all eyes turned to her. Vegeta had informed Bulma and his daughter of Pan's plans.
"What did he say, Pan?" Bulma asked, watching the young girl with her piercing blue gaze.
"He told me that I must travel into space to find an old woman who can tell me how to find the cure for Trunks. The problem is that I have very little time and that I must endure the old woman's trials before I can get it," Pan explained. Bulma was silent for a moment as Bra and Pan traded glances. Vegeta stood leaning against the wall with his arms folded.
"When do you need to go, Pan? Are you sure you are up to it? Vegeta could go. Gohan and Videl would have a fit if anything happened to you," Bulma finally spoke.
"Dende said that they must be pure hearted, no offense to Vegeta, and strong. Everyone has done what they can do to help Trunks, now it's my turn. I want to do this. I can't just sit by and watch him suffer like this without doing my best to help him. I know there is a chance that I won't be able to pull it off and I may die, but I've got to try, Bulma," Pan said, making up her mind. Bulma nodded her head, knowing it was no use arguing with Pan. She was as stubborn as Chi Chi and had a temper to match her grandmother's. Not even Bulma dared to mess with a fire like that.
"I'll go get the space ship ready and the equipment you will need. You may be the one who has to face whatever this woman has, but you will need to bring someone with you to pilot the ship and at least one person to cook," Bulma said.
"I can pilot. I remember from when we went on the trip for the Dragon Balls, but I don't know who would be able to cook that would want to go," Pan said.
"Marron can and if she is going I'm going with you," Bra spoke up. Pan and Bulma both turned towards her.
"Bra, I can't let you come. Vegeta would have my head if anything happened to you!" Pan cried. Bra glared at Pan.
"Dad's been training me since Trunks became too ill to spar with him. Goku and my dad have been helping me. I can fight and if you want me to prove it we can go out and spar now," Bra challenged. Vegeta smirked and looked at Pan. Pan looked from Bra to her father.
"Is this true, Vegeta? Do you think she will be able to go?" she asked. Vegeta nodded.
"I would like to see a good spar myself. If you doubt her then try fighting her. You may be surprised, brat. She is stronger than she looks," Vegeta answered. Pan looked at Bra.
"Alright then, Bra. I'll fight you, but if you can't hold your own I can't allow you to come with us, alright?" Pan asked.
"Fair enough," Bra said.
"Bra! As of right now I'm losing my little boy, I can't lose you too!" Bulma cried. Bra looked at her mother.
"Mum, I can do it. If I fight Pan and I can endure it will you let me go?" she asked. Bulma sighed.
"Only if she spars against your father and Goku first. She might be a little rusty and I don't want to see either of you hurt. Pan is only going because she may be the only one capable of doing so," Bulma said. Bra nodded to her mother.
"Oh, okay," she sighed. Bulma left the room and Bra went to call Goku so he could come over. Pan and Vegeta stepped outside to await her grandfather.
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A little while later, Pan and Bra went back inside Capsule Corp. a little beat up and sweaty, but pleased with themselves. Pan had held up really well against her grandfather and Vegeta. When she fought Bra she was surprised at her strength and agility. She held up against Pan pretty well and they were about evenly matched, but Pan got the better of Bra and got in a nicely aimed punch, winng the spar. Pan decided to let Bra go with her.
After their showers, Bra went to call Marron about the trip and Pan went in to visit Trunks. He was awake and sitting up in bed when she came in. He smiled at her and she smiled back.
"So you guys were sparring without me, eh?" Trunks asked. Pan knew he had been following the whole thing since Goku arrived. She nodded her head.
"Yeah. I had to test Bra out," she answered. He looked at little confused.
"What for?" he asked her. She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"There is a chance that we can save you, Trunks, but it's going to be a hard process. I'm leaving and going into space with Marron and Bra. We are going to seek out an old woman who lives far away from here that may be able to tell us how to get the cure for you. The problem is I have to go through certain tests according to Dende in order to get to this woman," Pan told him. He stared at her with wide eyes.
"Pan, I don't want you to get killed because of me. You don't have to do this," he said. She shook her head.
"Don't try to talk me out of it, Trunks. I've made up my mind and I'm going. I can't sit around and watch you deteriorate bit by bit in front of my eyes. I have to do this," she said.
"Pan, what if you don't make it back? Would it have been worth all that and the danger you are putting yourself in?" he asked. She looked him in straight in the eye.
"Trunks, you are worth it all. I'm going to do this and I'm going to come back to you. Even if it gets hard and you feel as though you should just give up and die, don't. Just remember that I'm coming back for you," she said softly. He reached out and gently touched her face.
"When are you leaving?" he asked her.
"Tomorrow morning, as soon as your mum gets everything together. The sooner I leave the better chance I have of getting back in time," she answered him. He nodded his head slightly.
"Just come back to me, Pan-Chan," he said softly. He traced her face with his hands, running his thumbs gently over her lips.
"I will, Trunks, don't worry," she replied, watching his face. She put her hand into her pocket and took out her old, worn, orange bandana. She brought it up and looked at it. She took one of his hands in hers and placed the bit of cloth in his hand. He looked at it and then up at her.
"You're old bandana..." She smiled at him.
"Keep it safe for me, will you?" she asked. He nodded, running his thumb over the cloth. She leaned forward and kissed his forehead. "You should get your rest. I'll be back in the morning to say goodbye."
"Goodnight, Pan," he said softly, looking up at her.
"Goodnight, Trunks," she replied, turning to leave the room. She went up to the room she was staying in and laid down on the bed. She closed her eyes and thought about all that was happening and what was about to happen. Eventually she drifted into sleep.
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"Open your eyes, my child," a soft voice spoke to her. Pan opened her eyes and found herself standing in an open field, the grass as tall as her waist. She looked around for the source of the voice.
"Who are you?" she asked. There came a soft laugh.
"I am here, in your dream, child. You seek to find a way to help your friend right?" the voice answered. It sounded like a young woman's voice, not much older than herself.
"Yes, I do," she answered.
"Well, then, you must find your way to me. I never stay in one place and I only appear to one who is worthy. You shall be tested soon enough, young one. I shall be watching you from a far. I will only appear to you when you know how to See. That is why you cannot look upon me now. There are many tasks to be done, child, in order for you to master the Gift. If you are worthy, then you shall be able to See that which cannot be Seen," the voice told her. Pan looked confused.
"I do not understand," she said.
"You will in due time, child," the voice said, fading away.
"Wait!" Pan called out, but it was too late. The field began to fade and she was once again in her room.
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A/N: Sorry for the late update! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and my new twist. What was the voice talking about? You shall See soon enough. :D Please review on your way out!
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