Woohoo! Look who got this next edition out a lot faster! Well this one is pretty long. Who didn't say good things don't come to those who wait? Enjoy!!!
Part 15
By: Christina
The loud siren cut the early morning silence in half as all the warriors bolted up and dressed in their battle attire ready.
"This isn't good." Pan murmured to herself as she threw on her battle gear. She hadn't had time to really concentrate on suppressing her bosom, so it was more obvious than it had been before.
"Hurry Pan, something's going on." Goten said. "This is the emergency siren; I've only heard it twice in my life."
"Yeah, let's go." Pan murmured running out and aligning with her troops behind her. They all looked up at the ships that were coming in through Vegetasai's atmosphere. Had it not been hundreds of Saiya-jin space pods, it would have looked beautiful like a shooting star.
Pan's eyes narrowed as she recognized the signature ki. It was Freeza's troops with Freeza not too far away.
"ALIGN!" Pan yelled to her troops that had assembled. They all stood up straight for Pan's scrutiny. She saw that everything was just as she wanted it and continued to wait for orders.
"King Vegeta wishes to speak to you." Another commanding General whispered. Pan nodded her consent and nodded over to her uncle and grandfather to join them in the tent.
"Your majesty." All commanding generals bowed.
"Good, you are all here. I've called you all here to talk about Freeza. As you can see, his minions are already arriving, with him being not too far away. They are planning on setting up camp somewhere soon, and I've already sent a spy out to see where that is. I want all troops to raid the camp and take as many prisoners as possible. Some may hold valuable information while others are able and capable of breaking through Freeza's system. You and your troops are not to kill anyone unless it is absolutely necessary. Is that understood?"
"Yes your majesty." They all rang together.
"Good, you are dismissed. Son Itsu, I need to speak to you alone." The King stated emotionlessly.
"Yes your majesty." The young officer bowed as he was left in the room. Pan couldn't help but gulp in fear, had she been caught?
"You are the youngest officer I have, and it is to my understanding that this is also your very first siege. I don't know how you'll fare out in this war, but I have a feeling that you may do fine. Since you are obviously very inexperienced but powerful and an asset to Vegetasai…"
'What did he just say?' Pan wondered in amazement.
"…I will have my son accompany you on the next raid and throughout this battle. Perhaps it will be a learning experience for you and maybe will lead to many more opportunities later for your family and you." The King affirmed emotionlessly.
"Yes your majesty." Pan couldn't help but rise a bit to look him in the eyes.
"You are dismissed." The King nodded looking away.
"Thank you your majesty." Pan said before leaving the tent.
"…many more opportunities later for your family and you." Pan repeated to her uncle and grandfather at breakfast.
"Get out of here." Goku said with pride.
"I'm serious!" Pan whispered loudly.
"Ah, we might actually see the light at the end of the tunnel." Goten said as he relaxed a bit. "Finally, all our hard work will finally get us up there where we belong."
"I thought you never wanted me to be like those first-class snobs." Pan whispered.
"And that's exactly what I want to stress. If we ever were moved up status', that doesn't mean you have to forget where you came from. Just always remember to be grateful for what you have and always be willing to help in every single way possible. These first classers were once in our position long, long ago and probably even generations ago. But it is our job to prevent that. We have to remember to always take care of the people who are under us. It's almost like a family. You always are to take care of your younger siblings…and that is what we must do."
Pan smiled at Goten's words. "I'll never forget."
"Then you haven't let us down." Goten said as he finished his toast and leaned back to relax before the raid was to begin at nightfall.
"So what do we do now?" Pan asked never experiencing this part in videos she had watched.
"Well, before a raid we usually just lounge around like this till nightfall. What's the point in training now if we're going to be tired later on in the day? That's not very good if we've trained hard all day and we lose a raid later because we were tired; we could lose valuable information."
"Ah, I understand. You know, I have to say that this is a life changing experience."
"Yeah, we're also allowed to go home if we want or need to."
"Why is that?" Pan asked.
A serious flicker appeared in Goten's eyes. "Because sometimes these men go home to their families before a raid…and sometimes that's the last time they ever see them."
"I understand." Pan said dejectedly. "I'd like to go home then."
Goten nodded his understanding as did Goku. "We all will then. We are allotted to leave after breakfast."
"Okay." Pan smiled unsure of how her family would react. "I'm kind of scared."
"You should be." Goku laughed. "I wouldn't want to have to face your grandma Chi Chi either."
Pan couldn't help but laugh. She would never hear the end of it from her grandmother. "Good point Grandpa."
Pan smiled as she walked down the unpaved streets to her all too familiar home. She passed the college where she was gaining her education to be a doctor and shuddered. She must be far behind now.
She looked ahead of her and knew her house was just at the corner. Goten and Goku had gone to see Chi Chi as Pan went to her house to see her parents also. It would probably break her heart to see them since she hadn't talked to them since about a month ago while they were lost in a deep slumber.
She knocked on the door carefully and treaded on soft ground. She looked down, not being able to look at her mother and father just yet.
"Yes?" Videl questioned as she opened the door. What was a soldier doing at her front door?
"Hello mother." Pan said looking up broken.
Videl gasped. Was this really her daughter? Her little girl who she hadn't seen since a month ago?
"PAN!" Videl screamed pulling her into a tight embrace while bringing her into the house. She shut the door behind her as she analyzed Pan. "Are you hurt? Did they hurt you over there? Are they treating you good?!" She screeched.
"I'm fine mother, really I am." Pan assured.
"Good, because now you need to explain what you were thinking!" Videl yelled at her daughter, changing moods instantly. Pan laughed as she hugged her mother again.
"You're too much, you know that." Pan winked at her mom. "Where's dad?" Pan asked.
"Right here." His gruff voice sounded as he came down the stairs with his cane in hand. The limp in his stride was a lot less than the last time Pan had seen him.
"Hello father." Pan said shamefully.
"Hello Pan." Gohan nodded as he sat down on the loveseat. "Why don't you sit down and tell us about your travels."
Pan lifted her head and smiled. "I think I will." She said taking a seat in the recliner. Videl joined her husband on the loveseat and listened intently to all that was happening in Pan's life.
"Well, after the first week of training, I had already excelled than any other soldier. I was immediately upgraded to General and I even have my own troops. I've been training vigorously and I even had a small talk with King Vegeta." Pan stated happily.
Gohan's face immediately fell. "You didn't yell at him or anything did you?"
"No, no, no father." Pan assured as Gohan's face fell back into its relaxed state. "I've actually learned to hold my tongue…I'm more disciplined than before."
"That's very good to hear." Videl smiled.
"Well as I said, I met up with King Vegeta and he was talking about my performance. He said that if I were to keep up everything I'm doing now, I may even see more opportunities for not just myself, but my family also!"
Gohan and Videl gasped and looked at each other.
"Do you hear that?! We might get to get out of this dump!" Pan yelled ecstatically.
"It's all wonderful news Pan, but who did he say this to? You?" Videl asked leaning forward grasping Pan's hands.
"Yes, he said it to me mother." Pan laughed. "It's not like he told Goten to tell Grandpa to tell me."
"No, did he say it to you as girl Pan or as boy Pan." Videl soothed.
Pan understood and sighed sadly. "He said it to Son Itsu – boy Pan."
Videl went over and hugged her daughter. "I'm sorry Pan."
"It's okay mom, I did this to help dad anyway…not to win an award." Pan said forcing a smile.
"Remember this Pan, if you're intentions are good, the outcome will also be good." Pan nodded her head just as the door bell was sounded.
"I'll get it." Videl said letting go of her daughter to get the door. Pan looked over at her father for some support.
"You've done me proud Pan. I'm very proud of you." Gohan said from his spot. Pan got up and threw herself into her father's arms.
"SON PAN YOU HAVE A LOT OF EXPLAINING TO DO!" A voice sounded into the once peaceful silence.
"Hi Grandma Chi Chi," Pan stood as she was ready to take on the verbal assault.
"I'm so proud of you, but I want to hurt you at the same time!" Chi Chi screamed as she hugged the girl.
"I missed you too Grandma."
"The tea was wonderful Videl, but we must go." Goku said as he stood up.
"So soon?" Videl whimpered as she placed an arm around Pan.
"I'm afraid so. We have to prepare for a raid."
"A raid?!" Chi Chi screamed. "Pan isn't going is she?"
"I'm afraid she has to. She's a general mom, she has troops to attend to." Goten soothed.
"Well you be sure you keep an eye on her, you understand?" Chi Chi said defeated.
"She has Prince Trunks with her." Goten shrugged. This caught Chi Chi, Videl, and Gohan's attention.
"What?" Gohan asked.
"Yeah, the King said that since I am inexperienced with sieges but a valuable asset to Vegetasai, he wanted the Prince to go with me in case and for learning purposes."
"You shouldn't have to go, I should be the one." Gohan said. "This is going to be your only siege anyway; you really don't need this for experience."
Pan's eyes narrowed. 'This will NOT be my last siege. I'm 21, general of my own troops, and an "asset" to Vegetasai.'
"We have to go. Good bye mother, father, grandma." Pan said standing and hugging them. With each hug, each person held onto Pan just a little tighter.
"Be careful." Videl whispered in Pan's ear. Pan knew what she meant – be careful during the raid and not to get discovered.
"Love you all." Pan said as she left the small shack with her Uncle and Grandfather. As she walked towards where she had once been, she couldn't help but look back. She was leaving her safety circle again and going into danger.
"Come on Pan." Goku said as he placed an arm around his granddaughter and son.
"Yeah, let's go." Pan smiled happily seeing she was in good company.
'I'll be back home soon – I promise.' She said to herself as well as to her mother, father, and grandmother.
Pan eyed her troops suspiciously. She had gained some of her confidence back now that she was before her troops looking as male as she could get.
"Remember your orders; no one is to be killed!" Pan barked at them.
"Yes sir!" They all called out.
Pan mentally flinched. 'Sir?' She questioned. What her mother had questioned earlier had struck a real nerve in her. What was she supposed to do? She lied when she said she didn't want to accept recognition for what she was doing; she did want it. She wanted to be known as the first female to jump up statuses without the help of a male. She wanted to be known as the first female to participate in a siege. She wanted to be known as the first female that triumphed in a world where men were superior.
"Are they ready?" A voice sounded next to her.
Pan looked next to her and her breath caught in her throat. She had once had a dream that the Prince stood this close to her and looked at her with endearing eyes. Now he looked at her with the cold harshness of the leader of a group of rebels.
"Yes your highness." Pan said looking away. She hadn't wanted to be caught staring for too long. 'Damn him.' She thought.
The Prince looked at her as if she had said something, but looked away. 'Odd.' He thought.
The Prince signaled for Pan to the side where the troops couldn't hear them. "The other troops are going in the direction of the larger camp; we're simply taking care of the smaller one."
"I understand your highness." Pan said.
"Oh and another thing, call me Trunks." He said flashing his pearly whites.
"Sure thing, Trunks." Pan said as she had done so many times in her dreams.
"Very good then." He stalked off to talk to the other commanding generals. Pan wanted to die inside. Why did everyone respect Itsu more than they did if she were Pan?!
"This isn't fair." Pan muttered as she waited with her troops.
"This way." Trunks motioned to Pan and the troops. They all treaded softly on the grounds, but were eager to finish this job. The others might need help, and it was imperative they get to help them as soon as possible.
Just then, they were heavily ambushed by all sorts of different kinds of life forms – all minions of Freeza.
"Attack!" Trunks just yelled as they all fought. It's not that they were all powerful, but that the minions were large in numbers.
"You didn't really think you could win, did you?" A raspy voice said above all the noise. Pan looked up instantly and saw him – Freeza. She had seen pictures of him or on television. This was definitely a first for her. With blind thinking, she ran inside the tent where he was. Trunks picked up on her departure and also ran after her into Freeza's tent.
"I hope Pan is having better luck." Goten said to himself as the large number of fighters kept getting larger. "Damn, I'm hungry." Goten muttered to himself as he continued to beat up everything he came in contact with; food wasn't too far away now.
"Ah, look what we have here." Freeza smirked as Pan came to a halt. "The Prince of the monkeys and his commanding general; how nice of you to join me."
"We're not joining your anything…give up." Trunks said.
"You think I'd give up that easy boy?" Freeza retorted jumping up and kicking Pan down by surprise.
Pan grasped her sides instantly and felt around for the tenderness that would surely form into a bruise. "Cheap shot bastard." Pan muttered.
"What was that?"
"I said…CHEAP SHOT BASTARD!" Pan yelled attacking him. The tent instantly wore away around them as Trunks and Pan both powered up.
"Go and assist the others…NOW!" Trunks yelled to the troops who stood victoriously. They all were gone as soon as Prince Trunks had roared his orders.
"You're nothing against me!" Freeza laughed as he allowed them to power up.
Trunks instantly flared into Super Saiya-jin 2. Pan's eyes flared with anger. 'Go ahead buddy, keep pushing your luck.'
She powered up as much as possible. Her muscles stretched and protruded, ripping her armor and spandex. The tape that held back her bosom ripped as she continued to push herself further. Her spandex had grown tattered and torn in some places. She finally had finished powering up and was beyond words. She snorted at Freeza and ripped off the pieces of spandex around her abdomen and from her arms.
The Prince looked at her wide eyed. He would question her later on, but now Freeza was his concern.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa…it looks like this one has some spunk in her." Freeza said. "But, dare I say it, aren't women not allowed in the Vegeta army?"
"Enough talk! Are you afraid that it is a girl that will kill you?" Pan taunted.
"No, I'm not worried one bit. If anything, I'm thinking that you could possibly be used to my liking." Freeza said licking his lips.
"Over my dead body." The Prince said stepping in front of her. Pan blinked at the man before her. Was he really standing up for her?
"And it will be your dead body that I hand over to your father dear boy." Freeza taunted.
Trunks snorted, "No, that is over your dead body." With that said, Trunks launched himself at Freeza.
Pan was still taken aback by his gesture, but came back to reality and decided to help. She attacked with full force. What were the odds that Freeza could last against two super Saiya-jin 2?
She used her speed to her ability again. It seemed to be her strong point in this game of cat and mouse. She instantly reappeared behind Freeza and hit him into the ground where he fell. Pan and Trunks took this opportunity to fly into the air and deliver their strongest blasts.
"FINAL FLASH!" Trunks roared.
"Ka…me…ha…me…HA!" Pan said in unison as their blasts went together into the ground where Freeza lay.
The smoke cleared and Pan and Trunks smiled triumphantly as they heard no more grunts. They grew wide eyed at what they saw below them and levitated to the ground.
Quite a cliffhanger there if I do say so myself. Well, not as bad as I could have made it, so you all are welcome! I'm already half way through the next part, so we'll see when I'll have it out by. Ja ne!
-Christina
