Disclaimer: DB/DBZ/DBGT belongs to Toriyama and other rich Japanese guys, not me.
A Brief Moment in Time
Author: Cka3ka
Chapter 1: A Wrinkle in Time
It was three days after the Summer Solstice. The sun was shining high and a cool breeze blew off the Pacific giving relief to the sweltering heat of summer. The grass was green and the birds chirped happily in the exclusive residential area. Things had quieted down in the last two years since Trunks had defeated the strange monster that he had called Cell.
At the moment, Bulma sat quietly on the front porch of her home looking outwards. Her long hair was tied behind her near the small of her back; she wore a pink blouse with red pants. A cup of tea in hand, she sat quietly looking out at the landscape lost in her own little world. She didn't quite see the young maple saplings or the coalescent colors of the myriads of flowers that now bloomed. Instead theoretical algorithms and complex equations flashed through her mind as she though about ways to improve the various power sources that were currently available to the denizens of Chikyuu.
A flash of light in her peripheral vision brought her out of her reverie. She looked up and saw a streak of blue light heading towards her. Her heart fluttered for a second relieved that he was coming back her. She knew that he was probably the most powerful person in the world since Goku wasn't around, but she still worried every time he went out.
She stood up and went to meet the man as he slowly descended from the sky. I can't believe he is so handsome, she thought to herself as she looked him over. His well-muscled arms and physique were shown off by his attire, he was only wearing a black tank top and pants of matching color. His lavender hair had been cut short again except for two long bangs in front and his eyes glittered as he saw her.
"Trunks, I think I'm going to have to restrict your wardrobe. If you keep wearing that all the girls are going to just swoon at the sight of your handsome self."
"MOM," cried Trunks. He was utterly embarrassed by her remark. Thankfully no one was around besides her. His mother always joked about his looks and how he had to beat off girls with a stick. This was somewhat true. When he had first defeated the androids he had become a little bit of a celebrity, as much as one could be in this post-apocalyptic world. He'd had several relationships, one of which would remain in his heart for the rest of his life. However, he didn't think he was someone that special. He was just a guy out to do his best and to help people.
His mother simply chuckled as all mothers do when they embarrass their children on purpose. Parents do have to be entertained after all and there simply isn't anything as entertaining as watching your children blush when you embarrass them. In private of course, well sometimes in public too.
"Come on. I've got some tea made. Come in and tell your mother about your day," she said as she opened the door and walked to the kitchen. Trunks followed a second later and sat down at the table as he waited for her to heat up the water.
"So? How is Apple City doing?" she asked curiously as she poured tea from a red kettle into a cup for her son.
"Pretty good mom. They seem to have everything going. Sewer system is working, fresh water and electricity. It looks like things are looking up," answered Trunks as he took a careful sip from the cup. It was his favorite, Earl Gray tea with a hint of honey and a dab of milk.
"Well anything is better than having unstoppable mass murdering androids running around," Bulma said casually, "The world has really begun to recover. I hope the day comes when the androids will just be a shadow of the past… Anyway how's your training coming along?"
"Well mom you know I've managed to ascend beyond Super Saiyan a while ago. I'm way more powerful than Cell or even Gohan was the last time I saw him," answered Trunks before he grew quiet. After a moment, he finally said, "I think there is something more though. I think there is a level even beyond the Ascended Saiyan, mom."
"That's incredible son," smiled Bulma as she took another look at her son. He truly was the man that she had hoped that he would become. "I am so proud of you."
"Thanks mom," he said with a grin that would have made anyone else's knees grow weak. "I think that Dad would be proud of me too. I'm even thinking of taking a trip back to visit everyone."
"I'm sure your father would be very proud of you," assured Bulma quietly but with a hint of skepticism as she took another sip, "Go take a shower Trunks and when you get done come down to the hanger where the time machine is kept. I'm going to run some quick diagnostics on the Dimensional Matrix to see if it's still in usable condition. You may even learn something son."
Trunks laughed good naturally at his mom's little jab. "Sure mom. I'll see you down there in a little bit."
She watched him as he stood up and walked up the stairs towards his room. I really wish I could believe that your father would be proud of you Trunks… But I can't.
Standing up, Bulma gathered up the dishes and put them in the sink. She turned on the water and began to wash them. Now that her thoughts had turned to Vegeta she could feel the aching loneliness within her. She had loved the man. Sure he gave new meaning to the word egotistical and had been a mass-murderer but she had thought she had seen a part of him that was different—a caring and, perhaps, nurturing part. She was sure that she was right. After Goku had defeated Freeza on earth he had stayed with her at Capsule Corps. They had started an affair about two years later when she and Yamcha had broken up for good. To say that he cared for her would have been pushing things, but she was sure that he was warming up to her. He would do little things for her or allow her to get away with things that he would allow no other to get away with. That had all changed when he had left for space and attained the Super Saiyan level. He had come back and announced that he was the Prince of all Saiyans again and that had been the beginning of the end. His ego had become unbearable and he returned to the way he had once been. She could still remember their final conversation.
"Vegeta I'm pregnant?" she had told him. Pride had beamed in her eyes on that day, he would be a father and she would be a mother. They could finally settle down and raise a family though she knew it would not be a normal one.
"What does that have to do with me?" he snorted, "I am not the father of some half breed child. This is your child not mine."
"Whawhaaat…" she had whispered, "Vegeta what IS the MATTER with you? Why?"
"I am the Prince of all Saiyans and you are just a measly earthling. Now leave me so that I can train to defeat Kakkarot."
"Vegeta you don't mean…"
"Woman I said get out… get out now before I do something YOU will regret."
She still had hoped that he would come around afterwards. She had tried to get things to the way they were before he had left for space. However, it didn't work and he had left to battle Goku. Funny thing about that, Goku died on that day but not from Vegeta. Rather the heart virus had taken his life and Vegeta's desire for revenge had been thwarted by fate. A few days later the Androids killed him.
Bulma wiped a tear away. She still loved him; why she didn't know. He had some hold over her even though he didn't care about her. Oh maybe it would have grown to something but it never did. Now she was forty some years old and was growing old fast. Maybe it was time to move on, not that she thought about Vegeta much anymore. Well lately she had simply because Trunks kept mentioning him and it made her happy that he looked at his father in such a good light. Maybe her past self would have better luck. Shaking herself, Bulma forced her mind away from bad memories. After seventeen years of android havoc and watching her friends die she was quite good at that.
"Ok, Bulma time to work on the Time Machine," she said to herself. Turning off the water she wiped her hands dry and left the kitchen. Walking through a few doors taking a left here and a right there she walked into her lab and took a good look at the time machine.
It was her masterpiece. A scientific marvel and she had built it herself in a world where technology had been dieing fast. It had taken her ten years to design and complete but she had done it. More importantly it had been successful. Trunks had become powerful enough to destroy the androids and now the world was safe.
"Yep, you are not only beautiful, but brilliant Bulma…" she told herself quietly. It had been one of things she used to say when she had been younger around her friends. Now… she was older, wiser, and far less idealistic. I can't believe I was going to wish for a perfect boyfriend… she reminisced; I can't believe I was that naive. As she started to open the machine she thought, maybe I should take a trip to the past. I could see Goku, Gohan, Chichi, Krillan… wow maybe even Yamcha. She made her way down the list of people she would visit until she hit finally hit the one and stopped cold, Vegeta. Well scratch that idea; there is no way I could handle that.
She quickly stifled a sob as the memories came welling up again. Bringing one hand up to wipe away a tear she lost her balance. Falling forward she touched the dimensional matrix without any sort of protection and suddenly she felt white-hot pain sear through her.
"TRUNKS!" she cried as everything changed and her world twisted away in a myriad of colors.
Trunks heard his mother scream his name and he came racing down from his room as fast as he could. Not wasting any time he crashed straight through the floor in Super Saiyan form into the lab. He could only stare in horror as he saw his mother glow with a bright white light and then suddenly vanish.
"MOM!" he cried as he ran to the spot she had just been. No! This can't be happening, he thought. Of all people in this world he only had his mother. They had been very close their entire lives as he had few friends and his father had died before he had been born. That and the androids had kept everyone hidden in fear causing almost all families to become that much closer. You never knew when your mother, father, brother, or sister would be killed, and the fact that you could wake to find your loved ones gone at anytime taught everyone not to take them or life for granted. Tears began to well up in Trunks' eyes.
Get a hold of yourself Trunks. She disappeared and she probably just got sent into the past. Dad, Goku, and Gohan are all there and they'll take care of her… You know that Trunks. Now you just have to find mom's plans and fix the time machine. Anyway she'll see all her old friends and that might even be good for her.
Slightly relieved Trunks climbed into the time machine to see if his mom had worked on anything in the cockpit. Apparently she hadn't and he did a quick systems check to see if everything still worked. They did. Ok, all I have to do is create a new matrix and mom has detailed notes so it can't be too tough. Getting up he started to climb out of the cockpit but stopped when he saw the destination panel. His eyes grew wide and his heart skipped about five beats. He knew the destination code for Goku's time by heart and looking at the panel… he saw a different code.
Bulma found herself screaming as she felt herself being wretched apart and then put back together. Suddenly she found herself a few feet above a polished stone floor. Shit this is going to hurt. Sure enough the next thing she knew was the feel of slamming into solid stone. Hearing buzzing all around her she decided that she must have hit a little harder than she had thought. I really shouldn't be hallucinating from that. I didn't fall that hard.
Standing up shakily she looked around and saw herself surrounded by a few dozen people. A few dozen aliens rather. All of them seemed to be dressed up and at some type of reception, or some type of court. Worse, all of them were staring at her. Before she knew it she was tackled to the floor and pinned by two guards.
"Sir, the assassin has been disabled," said the first guard into the air.
Bulma turned her head slightly to yell at the guard and noticed that he was wearing a scouter. "Let me go you dim witted Neanderthal. I'm not an assassin."
"Shut her up Saxon," said the first guard to his companion. The second guard pulled out a gag and shoved it, not too tenderly, into Bulma's mouth.
"That'll keep her mouth shut," said the second guard as he fought off Bulma's struggles easily, "She sure is wimpy for an assassin."
"Yeah, aren't assassins supposed to be dangerous?"
"Yes… and this one is far more dangerous than you can possible imagine," came another voice. This voice was one that Bulma knew… It had been a long time since she had heard the gruff masculine sound but she could place it… oh could she place it.
"Tell me Bulma, why are you here and who sent you?" came the voice again.
Bulma looked up only to find herself staring into the charcoal black eyes of a man she thought she would never have to see again. A man she loved and hated at the same time; a man who was the father of her son. She stared into the eyes of Vegeta no Ouji.