Disclaimer: DB/DBZ/DBGT belong to Rocky theme song on repeat and then read this chapter. .

Toriyama and other rich Japanese guys, not me.

A Brief Moment in Time

Chapter 20: The Eye of the Tiger

In the Capsule Corps Laboratory…

Mirai no Bulma slowly pulled herself up with her one good arm. She cast a look around the laboratory and saw that it was in total ruin. Parts of the ceiling had collapsed and rubble was scattered across the floor, the parts that could still be considered a floor. The room itself was almost completely dark. Sparks from loose wires and the flickering of some of the lights that somehow had remained intact gave off enough light so that she could make out the fallen form of her counterpart. Slowly she staggered over to check on the woman, all the while clutching her shoulder. To her dismay her wound was still bleeding and she could feel herself feeling a bit light headed from blood loss. Deciding that the condition of the Bulma of this time didn't quite matter to her, Mirai no Bulma pulled herself along to where the regeneration tank was. To her relief, it was still intact and though power was cut off to it, Vegeta's vital signs were still strong. Ignoring her own pain she felt for the latch that would shut down the tank, and revive him.

It took several minutes of groping in the dark to find the proper lever. Once she pulled it, she sat down on the floor and watched the tank slowly drain itself of the DNA fluid. She watched with satisfaction, and a little bit of anxiety as Vegeta's eyes slowly opened. After all, she had no idea how he was going to react to seeing the devastation. Who knew what Vegeta would do?

With a hiss the door to the tank opened, and Vegeta stepped out. A frown appeared on his face as he surveyed the room and saw the remains of what once had been an immaculately clean lab.

"What the hell happened here woman?" he asked in tone that blended a reprimand as if the destruction were her fault with a bit of wry humor and concern. Displeased with the lighting of the room, he created a small ki ball and let it float up to light the room. It was then that he noticed the wound on Bulma. Whatever amusement he had been feeling vanished.

Bulma noticed his change of demeanor and laughed wearily, then staggered. Vegeta immediately reached out to steady her. "The me of this universe decided that there should be only one of me."

"She will die at my hands," stated Vegeta flatly. Fury danced in his eyes and Bulma could see his black eyes slowly turning turquoise.

"Help me over there, Vegeta," she said gesturing with her head to a corner of the room. "I always keep a few Senzu there and it'll patch me right up."

Vegeta picked Bulma up and tossed her over his shoulder and started to pick his way across the ruble to the area she had indicated.

"VEGETA! Put me down… I said help me over there, not carry me like a sack of potatoes over there."

"Woman, if you don't shut up I'll dump you like your sack of potatoes, whatever those are." As he reached the corner, he let her down and began to look through the shattered desk that was there for the Senzu.

Bulma walked up and softly pushed him away. She reached under the desk and opened moved aside a panel in the floor. "This is super reinforced titanium. It's designed to resist even the impact of a Super Saiyan. In my time, Gohan helped me test it, and I created the time machine out of it. I also put it in here just in case so that there would always be some Senzu around for emergencies. Not that there were any Senzus left in my time."

Reaching down, she pulled out a familiar looking bag. Opening it, she reached in and popped a bean out and then ate it. She closed her eyes as a warm feeling surged through her body re-energizing, and healing all the injuries including the bullet wound. "I'll guess I'll have to have the bullet itself removed later," she said non-chalantly. Turning she saw that Vegeta wasn't paying attention to her at all anymore. Instead his brow was furrowed and it seemed that he was concentrating on something elsewhere.

"Vegeta? What is it Vegeta?" she asked worriedly.

"There is a battle going on out there. I sense it… This place must have been destroyed by a stray ki blast." He turned to her and held out his hand. "Come woman, we must leave."

"What about the Bulma of this time? She's not dead Vegeta and we can't just leave her down here."

"We can, and we will. After I annihilate those pathetic cronies of Bojack's I can come back and take the pleasure of killing her slowly."

Shit…thought Bulma, Out of the frying pan and into the fire. Bulma, finally just shook her head and took Vegeta's hand. She felt his ki explode and envelop her in a dazzling golden aura. Then the two of them were shooting upwards towards the surface, and into what both of knew was a raging firefight not knowing, or perhaps forgetting about the little shop of horrors that was the laboratory of Bulma Yamcha Briefs.

In the skies above Capsule Corps…

The upper class suburb that had once sprawled across the area where the Capsule Compound had been was devastated. Now, instead of rich green lawns, large craters criss-crossed the scorched earth in this part of West Capitol. As for the Capsule Compound itself, there was nothing left of it except smoldering ruins from stray ki blasts that had struck it during the titanic battle that was taking place in the skies above.

"Kyaaaaa," shouted Goku as he summoned more ki to deflect a blast from Bujin. The pre-eminent Saiyan was, amazingly, being hard pressed in his fight against the diminutive blue skinned mystic. He didn't understand why he was having such a hard time. His senses told him that Bujin's ki level wasn't as powerful as his own, but every time he struck or was struck, it seemed that something was amplifying his power. His Gi was torn to shreds and his body was covered in bruises. A quick glance around told him that his second son was being pummeled by Bidu, and was just barely holding on. Marron as well as being hard pressed, but the two of them were hardened veterans of countless of battles and fought like demons possessed despite being outclassed.

He felt rather than saw another ki blast coming and he turned to deflect it. For the umpteenth time in this fight he felt as if wire strands suddenly snared him and was struck backwards by the ki blast. Yet, he was Son Goku. The warrior that did not lose and he bounced back again and launched a flurry of attacks against his opponent. Again, as had been happening throughout the battle, the little blue fellow seemed to absorb his attacks without taking much damage at all. The fight was becoming more and more one sided.

On the other side of the battle Marron landed on the ground with a sickening crunch. Slowly she dragged herself up from the newly formed crater. Her blond hair was scorched and she was bleeding from dozens of wounds. Worse, she knew she had several cracked ribs and her left wrist was shattered. She wouldn't last more than five minutes if Zangya pressed her assault. She, like Goku, couldn't understand how their opponents were winning so handily. They didn't seem to be that powerful, yet their blows were much more powerful than hers.

Five years of sloth…her mind screamed at her. You've spent five years on Chikyuu getting soft. Of course you wouldn't be able to beat any competent opponent.

It was unfair. Just when she had made up her mind to again live life to the fullest, to be with the one she truly loved, to bend fate to her own will, she was going to die. Despair wasn't an emotion that she had often experienced, but now she could feel it welling up deep inside her. Tears threatened to spill forward, but they never got the chance. Zangya appeared before her and struck her three more times sending her already battered body sprawling across the ground.

Barely holding onto consciousness, Marron was only able to push herself up onto her knees. She didn't remain there for long as another body impacted into her knocking her over. As she staggered up again she saw Goten lying on the ground panting. He too was badly wounded and near death. In fact, he didn't even have the energy to get up. He simply lay limply on his back. Marron slowly crawled over to him. She touched him softly on the cheek and bent down and kissed him on the forehead.

"I'm sorry Goten… I never should have left…" she whispered. Tears slowly flowed from her now, and they slid down her cheek dripping onto him. "Why is it that we only see clearly before death?" Goten didn't respond. He simply reached over and squeezed her hand with his.

Goku disengaged from his battle for a moment when he felt Marron's and Goten's ki drop dramatically. He fired off a blast at his opponent to give himself an opening to disengage. Seeing Bidu dropping back to dodge his attack, Goku brought two fingers to his forehead and teleported.

He appeared in front of Marron and Goten right before another ki blast struck them. It took almost all his effort to deflect that blast. Yet, though Goku was also bruised and battered, he was far from being finished. He turned and was about to ask them if they were ok, but with one look at Marron's face he could see that despair had settled in. They were expecting to die and the two former lovers, nay lovers, wanted to die together. He would not allow it. His bright turquoise eyes hardened with determination. He would not allow his son to die, not when he knew the pain that he had gone through to provide others happiness. No, he would allow his son to experience joy as well… even if he had to die doing it.

Above Goku the three alien assassins of Bojack had gathered together. Goku could see that all three of them were powering up for a massive ki attack to finish all three of the earth defenders. He knew that he had this one shot of destroying them. Bringing his hands behind him, he began to summon as much ki as he could. And at the same time the three aliens released an enormous blast of red ki energy Goku unleashed his Kamahameha in a last ditch effort to win.

The two massive bolts of energy collided with each other a thousand meters above the surface of the earth. For a second it seemed that the blue blast from Goku pushed the large red death ball back. Then that second ended and the sphere of pure red ki slowly began its inexorable march downwards. Goku seeing this gave a cry of determination and threw himself into stopping the ki with all his might, all his being. His aura crackled as he pushed himself beyond his limits and amazingly the sphere stopped and slowly began to move back along its flight path gathering speed as it went.

It was then that Goku realized that there was a presence next to him. Another golden aura had joined him and was now feeding ki into a blast that melded with his to drive the death ball upwards, straight into their opponents enveloping them in a fiery explosion.

Panting, Goku turned and looked to see who could have aided him. The ki had felt familiar but it wasn't one that he recognized as being one of the Chikyuu guardians.

"Kakkaroto," a deep bass rang as Vegeta's gaze swiveled to the younger Saiyan. "Your life belongs to me Kakkaroto. Did you forget this? None are allowed to take your life save me."

It had been thirty years since Goku had last seen his greatest rival. He noted that Vegeta had changed over the years. His face was more hardened, but there seemed to be a small glimmer of hope and happiness in his eyes. Other than that he was still the same short stocky warrior as always.

"Ahhhh… Vegeta…" Goku broke into a genuine smile. "I guess I forgot… It's been thirty years."

Vegeta simply grunted and looked upwards to where the dust was clearing up from the explosion. "Woman… Give Kakkarot one of those beans. This is far from over."

It was then that Goku noticed that Vegeta wasn't alone. A buxom blue haired woman that he should have recognized stood next to him with a bag in her hands.

He stared. She stared. For him it was a shock to see a younger version of Bulma Briefs. For Mirai no Bulma, it was the shock of seeing a man, whom she had considered a brother, alive for the first time in almost twenty years. Slowly she walked over and placed one of the Sensu beans into Goku's hand. Not being able to help herself, she threw her arms around him and gave him a vicious hug. Tears fell from her eyes as she looked at him. She loved this man. Memories of their great dragon ball hunt, and the insane adventures that they had shared together welled up in her mind and her tears became sobs. This was why she had sent Trunks back into time instead of going herself. Meeting Vegeta again had been intensely emotional, and now seeing Goku again was nearly as bad.

Vegeta said nothing as he watched Bulma cry in Goku's arms. There was, of course, a little pang of jealousy, but he also understood. She had watched all her loved ones die, and he knew exactly what that felt like. He, too, had watched his mother, father, and all his subjects die. He, too, had been helpless in doing anything. Unfortunately, even though he understood, he had to stop her. Kakkarot couldn't be distracted from this upcoming fight, and there time was running short. The three minions of Bojack were already studying them and gauging their power levels. They could attack any second and he wanted to make sure that she was safe.

"Woman, enough of this pathetic emotional display," snapped Vegeta. His voice was sharp and to the point. "Give the last bean to the brats."

Bulma stiffened when she heard his voice, but then she also understood Vegeta. Drying her tears she pushed away from Goku, but not before giving him a peck on the cheek. "You don't know what it's like for me seeing you again Goku… I'm sorry about my little display."

Goku just smiled. He was rather baffled by Bulma's action. His gut told him that this was Bulma before him, but he had just spoken to her earlier that day, and she was a heck of a lot younger than a few hours ago. She was also real. She didn't seem to hide her emotions or put on a false front like she usually did. Maybe it was Vegeta's presence thought Goku.

"Don't worry about it Bulma… Just stay here and keep your head down," he said while at the same time giving Vegeta a quizzical look. It was one of the 'what the hell is going on' expressions that people have when they are totally confused. Vegeta simply smirked in response.

"I'll explain everything later Goku," she said when she caught the look that Goku gave Vegeta. For now, she knelt down and broke the last Senzu in half. She gave half to Goten and half to Marron, both of whom had not noticed that they were still, for some reason, alive. Instead, they were totally absorbed in each other, still waiting for death. Bulma had to forcibly make the two of them ingest the beans. Instantly she could see the beans working their magic and the wounds start to disappear from the two.

"Whatt?" Marron blinked as she noticed that she was able to move without feeling excruciating pain. Her wounds weren't totally gone but were healed enough so that she was able to stand without help.

Goten, too, stood up without any aid. Though when he glanced over to see who had helped him he nearly fell over again. He was completely taken by surprise to see Bulma Briefs standing there giving him a look of genuine concern. As far as he was aware of, Bulma hadn't given a damn about anyone since he had been fifteen or so.

"Are you two alright?" asked Bulma.

"Fine… Bulma?" replied Marron hesitantly. She, too, was confused at Bulma's actions. Not only that, but also Bulma looked a lot younger than she did this morning. Her mind was trying to cope, unsuccessfully, with what was going on. I might still be unconscious and just be dreaming, she thought to herself. Bulma Briefs genuinely concerned about someone. It has to be a dream.

"Brats," came a voice that she recognized and in a tone that she reacted to instantly with obedience.

"Thy bidding, Master," shot both her and Goten simultaneously. In instant later, they both blinked in shock that Vegeta was here on Earth.

"Stay here and protect her. Kakkarot and I will deal with these weaklings while you recover your strength," commanded Vegeta.

"Mas…"

"No arguments." Vegeta looked at his two young apprentices. They had grown into two of the most powerful and intelligent warriors in the universe. No matter what happened to him, he wanted them and Bulma to live. "If we are losing, I want you to take Bulma and withdraw."

"Vegeta!" snapped Bulma. "I'm not going anywhere. Don't you dar…"

He placed a finger on her lips to shush her. Slowly he leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips. It had the desired affect. Bulma was completely stunned. Vegeta with a public display of affection was something… completely mind blowing.

He pulled back and smiled at her. Kissed her again on the forehead and without another word he powered up and blasted up into the sky.

"I think you guys should do what Vegeta said. If something happens, Goten get your brother, Videl and everyone else to safetly," said Goku. He turned and smiled at them and then he, too, powered up and blasted off after Vegeta.

Marron and Goten didn't quite hear what Goku said. The two of them were, quite frankly, floored by Vegeta's actions. It took them a moment to shake off their shock and the two of them began to examine the woman that somehow had captured their Emperor in a way that no one ever had before.

Bulma was oblivious to their scrutiny. Staring at the sky where two golden auras were approaching three red ones, she could only hope that everything turned out for the best. For some reason, though, she had a feeling of Déjà vu.

Outskirts of West Capitol…

"TRUNKS!" shouted Pan as the two of them sped over the highways that led from Capitol City. Below them the streets were jam packed with cars and people on foot trying to escape the battle that was raging further west in the suburbs.

Trunks slowed down slightly allowing Pan to catch up. His anxiety level had slowly begun to climb as he had been approaching the city. At this point they were almost through the roof. He wanted to move faster, but he didn't want to leave Pan behind either.

His senses were telling him that the Chikyuu defenders were losing to whoever was attacking. Though that was worrisome it was not until he felt the ki's of TWO Bulma's that his heart really had begun pounding. He nearly had a seizure when he felt the ki's wink out for a second, and had almost left Pan behind. Luckily, it had only been for a moment and he felt his mother's ki return to normal. As if he didn't have enough to worry about, he also felt that his father's ki there. In fact, his father's ki was very close to his mother's so he could only assume that they were together. Moreover, he feared for Pan's safety. He knew that she stood no chance against their opponents and he wanted to tell her to stay behind. However, he knew that would be a really bad idea and he swore to himself that he would protect her.

"TRUNKS!" shouted Pan again. It really bothered her that Trunks could fly faster than she could even though her senses told her that he had a lower power level. That meant was that he was hiding his true power level and was more powerful than she was. She knew she could accept that. However, she was a little upset that he had hid it from her for so long. A part of her, the rational part, kept telling her that 'Look he didn't know you. Why would he reveal his true strength to you?' On the other hand, the more emotional part of her mind screamed that he loved her didn't he? He should have spilled the damn beans the moment he set eyes on her.

"Pan?" His voice brought her out of her emotional turmoil and reminded her that she wanted to know what was going on.

"Do you know who's fighting? I can guess that it's my uncle and grandfather. There was a third power source I don't recognize, but it's huge. As powerful as a Super Saiyan."

"It was Goten, Goku, and I don't know the third source either. It flickers in and out… sometimes it's as powerful as a Super Saiyan and sometimes its not even there. Don't worry; your father and mother are ok. I can still sense them," he said guessing the true reason behind her quesiton. "I don't know who they are fighting, but their enemies are strong… maybe stronger."

There was relief on Pan's face when she heard his words. Then, when she realized what he said she frowned. "What do you mean by 'it was'?" she asked.

"Goten's and the third ki are still there but they aren't fighting… Now it's Goku and my father battling the enemy," he answered, not realizing that he made a slip.

His father? Pan reached out with her senses to see if she could recognize the power sources. She felt her grandfather since he was the strongest power in the area… then she felt another power and it felt very familiar to her. The surprise that came when she made the connection caused her to stop in mid-flight. She knew that other power source, she knew it very well.

"Pan?" asked Trunks as he, too, stopped. He saw the wide-eyed look of awe and disbelief that she was giving him and couldn't help but wonder if he had said something wrong.

"Nothing Trunks," she replied as she powered up again and blasted off towards the direction of the fight. Trunks did the same and pondered briefly on what could have caused Pan to stop. It didn't last long, because they were fast approaching the battleground and he pushed those thoughts aside to prepare for the upcoming battle.

Pan, on the other hand, couldn't get his words out of his head. He said that his father was fighting now… and I know that power source… That is the Emperor's power signature… His father is Vegeta. As she flew behind him she couldn't help but look at Trunks in a new light. She began to understand his desire for secrecy… the bastard child of the Emperor and by Bulma Briefs of all people. She chuckled to herself. Pan, you've fallen for one interesting guy… yes indeed you have.

The raging battle…

Vegeta smirked as he dodged another blast by Bidu, the large muscle builder alien that had been fighting Goten. He knew he was more powerful than his opponent and was relishing toying with him. He could see the man's growing frustration and found it amusing. Taking a moment to glance at Goku's battle, he frowned at the site. Goku was now handling Bujin and Zangya both at the same time. Though he was being made to work and was powered up almost as far as he could, he was still winning. Kakkarot was still more powerful than him, and even though he had come to terms with that a long time ago, a part of him was still rather bitter about it. This had unfortunate consequences, but not for Goku or Vegeta. Rather, Bidu happened to be nearby and a good outlet for Vegeta's anger and frustration. In seconds, the big blue man was being beaten rather badly as Vegeta smashed into him again and again. Finally, in a extreme moment of rage, Vegeta powered up and crushed him with a heavy two handed blow from above that sent him crashing into the ground above. There was simply nothing like violence to make a Saiyan feel better when he's in a bad mood.

On the other side of the battle, at the same time Vegeta sent Bidu crashing into the ground below, Goku struck Bujin into a cliff with a backhand when the little mystic attempted to break through his guard. Turning he blasted Zangya into a cliff as she tried to trap him with ki bindings.

"Well this is like old times Vegeta… we haven't fought together in a long time," said Goku as he floated over to where Vegeta was.

"Spare me the platitudes Kakkarot," scowled Vegeta. Taking a look at the younger Saiyan he noticed that he was breathing a little more heavily than he should have for the level of exertion that he showed. He, himself, also felt a little short of air. "Kakkarot, is it just me or do you feel a bit winded."

Goku nodded as each breath he took became shorter and shorter. He also started to scratch his left breast right above the heart as if there was an incredibly itch there. Vegeta, also, felt the same urge and he knew at that moment that something was dreadfully wrong. As usual, things got from bad to worse as the three aliens came hurtling toward them to engage for a second round.

Bulma, Goten and Marron knew something was wrong. At first they could tell that Vegeta and Goku were stomping Bojak's minions into the ground. Then, all of a sudden it seemed that their Ki began to fluctuate and begin to lower. Goten and Marron watched worriedly as they saw Goku and Vegeta take blow after blow when they should have been able to block.

"Something is wrong…" said Marron. "They should be able to block those easily… I don't know why they aren't."

"What's going on?" asked Bulma as she peered in the direction Marron was. Unfortunately she could only see the auras and not the actual blows as her eyes weren't trained for the speed that the combat was taking place in. "Why are they losing now when they were winning?"

"I don't know… They shouldn't be. They seem to be sluggish and Vegeta seems to be scratching at his chest at times… Dad too," said Goten.

"What? Did you just say he was scratching at his chest? Sluggish?" gasped Bulma as her eyes widened. She suddenly realized what was going on. It was the heart virus. It had to have been in the laboratory in some type of containment unit and when the lab was breached the virus must have escaped. "Oh my god…"

"Bulma?" asked Goten as he saw that she was near panic.

"It's the heart virus… oh my god it's the virus. We have to get them to a medical treatment center and fast. We only have a few hours otherwise they will be dead."

"What are you talking about Bulma?" Both Goten and Marron were worried now, but they didn't know this Bulma and both instinctively distrusted her. With good reason as the Bulma of this time was worthy of their distrust.

"The heart virus… the me of this time created a virus to kill the Saiyans and it was in her laboratory when I took the collar off of Vegeta. It existed in my time as well, but I created a cure for it." Bulma spluttered all this out within seconds and when she saw the hesitation in Marron and Goten's eyes she decided that she had to act. "Look… We have to get them to a medical center. They are losing the fight and I'm telling you now that if they keep fighting they will die. We have to do something."

"Ok," said Goten as he picked up Bulma and flew off to get closer to the battle. Marron followed right behind them.

It took only moments for them to get right underneath the battle. Goten flared into Super Saiyan and blasted off to take some pressure off of Goku and Vegeta. A minute or two later Goku came crashing onto the ground and fell out of Super Saiyan form. He screamed in pain as he clutched at his chest.

Bulma ran over to Goku and forced him lay on the ground. She felt his forehead and looked at the way he was grabbing at his chest and was sure that it was the heart virus. A moment later Marron brought Vegeta over who was equally in pain. He had the exact same symptoms.

"Bulma what's going on?"

"It's a virus… a disease… Is there any chance we can… break away form the fighting? Can we get them to a medical center?" asked Bulma frantically as she popped open her capsule case and encapsulated a small medical kit.

Marron just looked up at the sky where Goten was fighting the three aliens alone and shook her head. "Goten can't hold off for long and even if I take all three of you they will catch up."

Bulma nodded without looking up. She was frantically searching through the medkit until she came upon a small bottle. "YES!" she cried. It was an extra bottle of the heart medicine that she had sent back in time with Trunks. She had always kept it with her just in case Trunks came down with it. Opening the bottle she walked over and gave half to Goku and half to Vegeta. "Ok we have some more time but they can't fight. If they use ki their metabolism will burn the medicine that much faster… we have to get them to a medical facility before the virus goes into its second stage."

"Bulma…" gasped Vegeta as he staggered up.

"Lay down Vegeta…"

"Bulma get out of here… leave…"

"No way Vegeta… I'm not leaving you now that I have a second chance with you. You don't understand what my life has been like. I'd rather die then live like that again." She could almost see tears in his eyes at her words. He was pleased, she could tell.

"Marron," he said as he stood and began to power up. "Take her… Get the other brat and get out of here."

"MARRON!" came Goten's voice as he blurred right above them and intercepted a ki blast that was heading there way. "Get them out of here now!"

"Brat..." "Goten…"

However, it was too late. Already Bujin, Bidu, and Zangya stood before them with smiles on their faces.

"How sweet… It looks like they all get to die together," laughed Bidu. "Saiyans really are a pathetic race."

Bulma looked up and saw that they had no chance for escape. Oh well…she thought. Kneeling next to Vegeta she took his hand in her hand and gave him a smile. The last few weeks have been the happiest in my life. She was at least grateful for that.

"You should be careful about who you call pathetic," came a man's voice that she hadn't heard in about the same time she had been with Vegeta. A Ki blast that forced the three minions to scattered punctuated the man's point.

It was like the battle with Frieza. Trunks Vegeta Briefs landed and stood between Marron and Goten who were about to lay down their lives in a last desperate attempt to battle off the three. Pan landed next to him.

"Trunks... Pan," said Goten sadly. "Damnit you two shouldn't have come."

"Don't worry Mr. Son," said Trunks politely and with perfect calm. "Everything will be alright."

Goten wasn't the only one who shot Trunks a disbelieving look. Everyone except his mother was slightly taken aback at his confidence.

"Who the hell is that?" gasped Vegeta as he struggled to get onto his feet. He gasped in pain and fell over clutching at his chest. His eyes were glued to Trunks.

"That's my son… that's Trunks Vegeta Brief," said Bulma quietly into his ear. She smiled when he nodded and she wrapped her arms around him in an attempt to comfort him in his pain.

"Mom are you ok?" he asked as he walked over to his mother.

Pan was shocked at his declaration. He had been right all along. She really hadn't believed that his mother was Bulma Briefs until just now. It was then she felt a power surge as Zangya fired a blast at them. It was powerful enough to smash through the defenses of a weakened Goten who was the only fighter that still had enough power to deflect it. She was the only one who could hope to block it, but before she could act, Trunks whirled and flicked his wrist in an absurdly nonchalant manner to deflect the blast with an unseen blast of ki.

"Trunks… I'm fine but Goku and your father aren't. You have to hurry so we can get them to a medical center. It's the heart virus."

"Ok… just give me a minute to take out the trash," he said to his mother. Then turning to Pan, "Can you stay here and help my mom get Goku and my father ready to leave?" It was more an order than a question. Pan frowned and was about to say something when she noticed that he wasn't paying attention to her at all. She saw that his face had hardened into that of a battle scarred warrior. It was something new to her but not for Bulma. She had seen it once right before he had been about to go back into the past and Cell had come creeping up on them.

Trunks floated slowly up to where the three warriors were waiting for him. "I'd give you a chance to leave, but that's more Goku's style. I take after my father and since I'm in a hurry you best prepare to meet your maker. I'll give you ten seconds."

"Boy do you think you can defeat us?" laughed Bujin. "How absurd. Your Saiyan friends stood no chance… and you think you do?"

"Let me show you the power of a Saiyan," smirked Trunks. He flared into the first level of Super Saiyan as those words left his mouth. He could almost feel the shock that was running through the minds of the watchers below. It was just like when he had exploded into Super Saiyan when he had gone back in time to give Goku the heart medicine. He was sure he was going to shock them again when he dispatched these three like he did Frieza.

With a cry of rage he let his emotions flood through him and began the accession to level 2. Clouds gathered and blocked out the sun on what had been a clear day. Golden flashes of lightening began to streak across the sky, and hurricane strength winds began to whirl around Trunks. His golden aura pulsed and then exploded outwards and when he was finished blue lightening crackled around him.

"Time's up," said Trunks simply.

Trunks could see the fear in the eyes of the assassins. It was almost like battling the androids again. He appeared in front of Bidu before the man even knew that he had moved. Bidu never even saw the swipe of Trunks' hand that decapitated him. Neither did anyone else. It was as if his head simply flew off for no apparent reason.

As for the other two, Bujin could only gasp as he saw his comrade die. He signaled to Zangya and the two of them flew upwards to put some distance between Trunks and them. Powering up as much as they could the two of them combined all their ki and fired a massive blast at Trunks.

Trunks merely laughed at the blast. He reached out with a single hand and stopped it. Powering up, he fired his own blast that retraced the exact route that theirs had come from. The two assassins could do nothing but watch with horror as their red ki slowly disintegrated in front of the awesome power of Trunks' golden ki. They never had a chance to dodge and were incinerated instantly. It was over in less than a minute.

As soon as he was sure that his opponents were dead, Trunks dropped out of SSJ2 and blasted off to meet the others. Landing he looked over to where his father was being held by his mother. The affects of the virus were obvious. His father and Goku were extremely pale and they were in agony. He was sure of it.

"Mom… where can we take them?"

"We're taking them up to my flagship… a shuttle is on its way down as we speak?" said Goten. "I hope we'll be in time."