You Never Knew
I'm surrounding by things and admirers. I can have almost anything I want; I am the fifth richest person on the planet. I'm sorry if that seems conceited, but it's the truth. I've seen the world, many times. I've met so many people, but none seem to have impacted my life more than those whose company I parted with about nineteen years ago. It's been nearly 12 years since I parted ways with Tien and Choatzu.
My name is Launch, though people often spell my name Lunch. I don't care, it's pronounced the same way. I have two personalities. One is a ditz, and I mean that as not an insult, though she really isn't that smart. The other, the one I am now, is not a ditz. I like violence when I am in this form. I don't know why I am like this, I just am.
I look young for my age. I am 37 years old, but many think I am in my early twenties. I have been blessed in the looks department. Both of my personalities have been. As a ditz, I have purple hair that's long and violet eyes. People often think I'm sweet and innocent, but I'm not. When I was younger, whenever I changed personalities, I couldn't remember a thing that happened, but as I've gotten older, I have been able to remember. The body may change, but the mind. Not anymore at least. I often just act whenever I cause damage and that's when I'll use my ditzy side.
Acting, my job. Yes, I am an actress, which explains why I am so rich. The only ones richer than me are Bulma Briefs, her father Dr. Briefs, Hercule, and the owner of the Budokai tournament whom no one seems to have a name for. Like I stated earlier, I am the fifth richest person on the planet. I like acting. Or at least I did. Back when I started out, just a few 8 years ago, it was fun, new, exciting. It was a new world open for me. I still find it hard to believe that in the past 8 years I have made 15 films, that's almost two a year. I have won four Sammy's and two Green Meadow awards. My life has been so busy I hardly have time to think.
Lately, I find myself wishing for the old days, the days when I never knew what would happen. I had no idea what was around the corner and I had to be ready for anything and everything.
I remember Cell. I remember watching with the entire planet. We all watched as Cell threw Hercule, the winner of the last Budokai, out of the ring. I never liked Hercule. I always found him annoying and I knew that if Goku, Tien, Yamcha, or Krillen were there that they would have beaten Cell. I knew that they were stronger than the fool Hercule was. I remember watching a man, blonde haired and an aura of strength pulsing around him stepped into the ring. Hercule could never put out an aura. He was too weak.
I saw him and I thought that the blonde man looked so familiar. I felt like I'd seen him before. And then he spoke. I'm not sure if everyone understood what was going on, but I did. I rejoiced for I knew that voice. He may have changed his looks, but I knew that it was Goku and he was going to save the day. Again. I was one of the few who actually saw him beat Piccolo back at the 23rd Budokai, or was it the 24th? I can't remember. It was forever ago and as I get older so does my mind.
So I was confused when he didn't. What had happened to Son Goku, hero of the world? He didn't defeat Cell. Hercule did. But then again, I don't believe that. I think that maybe the boy who stepped in after Goku defeated Cell. But who was that boy? I wish I knew. I wonder who were the others with blonde hair? The short man who seemed to be almost as powerful as Goku. The man with the sword who seemed like he had been through more than a person should. The boy who I think stepped in and saved the day. I saw Krillen at the Cell Games. I know he's alive, but I can remember wondering, where were all of my friends. Where were Bulma, Yamcha, Tien, and Choatzu? They must have been there. I'm sure of it. Bulma always puts herself in danger. She always wants to see the outcome. The others probably went after the cameras stopped working.
Death is not eternal, it is not the end, as we are led to believe. Many people I once knew have died and I find myself morbidly thinking of how I myself wish to depart.
Life is amazing. You never know what it will throw at you. I'm sure many would disagree with that statement. The next Budokai is coming up. I think I'll go. If just to relive the memories of my youth. Who knows what I'll do next, maybe write an autobiography. There have been more than a few times that I've been in real danger. My life is busy and it has been for many years now.
I know Hercule will win. He does so by bribing. I've known martial artists' well and that is one thing I have been able to conclude. I doubt he is stronger than most of those that enter the tournament. He may be strong, but I doubt that he is that strong.
But I remember when you never knew who would win. I'll go, and I'll remember the past. I'll remember the good old days. And maybe, just maybe, I'll crack a smile. Those are a rare thing on me now.
I'll go, and I'll remember. I'll remember my younger days. Who knows, maybe I'll spot a young girl who reminds me of myself. Because, just like in the Budokais before Hercule, you never knew what would happen next.
A/N: Wow, I really like how this turned out. I may add more to this in the future and it will play a small part in one of the future chapters of the Budokai in The Meaning of Father. I always did love Launch. I thought she was really cool. But she leaves, as I found out from dabaka, at the end of the 23rd, and I guess she never shows up again. If you hadn't realized, this is Launch's thoughts as she thinks about things. It can be a side story to The Meaning of Father, but I think that it does well on its own. Also, I got the age by adding 19 to 18. I figure she was about 18 at the 23rd Budokai. I have no idea how old Launch really is.
I don't own anything in this story.