The Ghost of You

The high winds brushed firmly against the stern faces of Trunks and Goku, better known as the Judge. It had been an agonizing 10 minute flight towards the area where they had tracked Vegeta. After he had awoken from his comatose sleep, the prince of Sayians attacked Bulma and kidnapped Pan. Vegeta planned to enact his revenge on the Judge with Pan as bait. However, with Pan's radioactive virus still inside of her, Goku had to be very careful.

"Are you sure he's going to be there?" Trunks asked, following Goku to wherever Vegeta had taken Pan to. The Judge nodded to the young boy "Positive, it's the same spot I battled him and Nappa at 10 years ago. No doubt he plans on resurrecting his pride by defeating me in the exact same place where I defeated him. Fortunately for us in his weakened condition, he should be very weak". Trunks frowned bitterly "To hell with his condition.

You know dam well that he doesn't need to be that strong to hurt Pan. She's an innocent in all of this, and I won't let you or anyone else jeopardize her life by under estimating our opponent". Despite the fact that things were easier now that Goku's violent nature had been quelled, he still preferred to work alone, and was worried about Trunks behavior around Pan. Five minutes of stone cold silence passed as the duo flew over the rocky cliffs.

The bright orange rocks shimmered brightly in the glittering rays of the sun. Trunks and Goku blinked, seeing a figure standing on the highest rock mountain top, with a second figure beside him. Both boys knew it was Vegeta and Pan. The warriors settled down onto a near by rock formation, and immediately entered a defensive position. Vegeta was covered in bloody bandages, his arms and legs trembling from the half busted body braces.

It was time, to end this fight, once and for all……

"Long time no see Kakkarott (cough) I see you haven't changed a bit (wheeze)" Vegeta gagged. The weak mechanical breathing device pumping his aching heart squeaked, desperately trying to keep his body alive. Vegeta hissed under his breathing mask "But as for me, I've changed a GREAT deal, all thanks to you Kakkarott". The Judge growled "Let her go right now, she has nothing to do with this, this is just between you and me Vegeta".

The frail, fractured Sayian laughed, his cackle muffled down by his breathing mask. "I couldn't agree more Kakkarott but you'll find that I'm quite the sore loser" Vegeta growled, "What you did to me was completely unforgivable. You slaughtered my Saibamen, annihilated Nappa, and made me look like a galactic joke, ME, the Prince of all (gag) Sayians. My body is ruined forever; I'll never be able to breathe on my own again, thanks to you.

I'm cursed to live out the rest of my humiliated and embarrassed little life as a walking corpse. You owe me Kakkarott, and innocent or not, someone's blood is going on you're hands whether you like it or not". Trunks quickly cupped his hands behind his back, massive amounts of energy charging up. Angrily grabbing Pan's head, Vegeta aimed his open palm against Pan's cheek. The feverish sweat dribbled off her cheeks onto Vegeta's gloves.

"Don't even try it punk, or I'll (gasps for air) vaporize her skull into a pile of ashes" Vegeta said. Trunks angrily shouted to him "Let her go, take me instead, I won't fight you". But Vegeta clearly wasn't interested in some stranger he'd never seen or heard of before. However, Trunks still insisted "I know you're beef is with Goku but my friend is seriously sick. Let me take her place, you can do whatever you want to me, just please, let Pan go".

The desperation burning brightly in Trunks eyes was very visible, even to Vegeta's hardened heart. Vegeta nodded and then turned his hateful eyes towards The Judge. "Drop your weapon, right now" Vegeta demanded. The Judge hesitated at first, but a quick look at Pan's struggling neck reminded him. Goku groaned as he removed his black hammer from his cloak and dropped it. A swift kick knocked the hammer clear away from Goku's feet.

Vegeta laughed "You FOOL".

The crippled Sayian blasted a powerful energy blast from his right hand, striking Goku right in the face. The Judge collapsed and held his right eye in pain. Trunks charged forward only to be slammed in the ribs by Vegeta's foot. The Sayian teen sprawled to the ground in agony.

Trunks grunted in pain "Ugh".

Vegeta growled "You witless insects, did you REALLY think I would be satisfied with your miserable hide? Killing some stupid punk won't give me back my health, or the years I've lost, rotting away in that hospital like some bug in a jar. No amount of blood can ever repay that".

Trunks snapped back "You bastard, GR let her go; she's done nothing to you. Leave us the hell alone".

"That's going to cost you her life boy, time to say goodbye to your little friend" Vegeta said.

The mangled man charged another energy blast in his hands, but this time it was being pressed against Pan's cheek. Flesh started to sizzle as the girl whimpered weakly in pain. But the green seething in Trunks eyes was much hotter, as was the fury that was rapidly climbing inside his rage filled heart.

Trunks roared "NOOOOOOO".

Roaring golden flames exploded from Trunks body, his form brimming to the brink of self destruction with hate filled golden rays. Trunks had transformed into a Super Sayian right in front of Vegeta's bewildered eyes.

The Sayian prince stuttered "N-n-n-n-no, no, NO, it's impossible, he's a Super Sayian".

Trunks hissed "You are SO dead".

The boy leapt at Vegeta and tackled him to the ground; Trunks higher power level easily gave him an advantage. The crippled Vegeta was powerless against his other worldly son. Trunks crushed down on Vegeta's snapping hands, his IV covered veins started to pop from the pressure.

Vegeta gasped "This can't be happening".

Trunks angrily scowled "Yeah but you know what the funny thing is? It IS happening, and now you're going to suffer even MORE for what you tried to do to Pan".

Suddenly that gave Vegeta an idea; the Sayian prince looked to where he had dropped Pan. Panicking under Trunks power, Vegeta forced his hand away from the teenager. Vegeta blasted a beam towards a rock formation above Pan. The blast vaporized the statue of stone, a thunderous shower of razor sharp rocks started to fall. Trunks looked to the right and gasped.

"Pan, NO" Trunks screamed.

Vegeta smirked "What's the matter hero? Can't beat the bad guy and save the girl at the same time?".

Dropping Vegeta in seconds, Trunks rushed over towards Pan and rushed to protect her. The boy raised his hands and pushed against the raining onslaught of showering boulders. Immense weight and pressure cracked down on Trunks trembling arms, sweat dribbled off his frustrated face. Even with Super Sayian strength, this was a lot of mountain for one little body.

The brave boy struggled "ARGH, don't worry Pan. I promise no matter what happens, you're going to be safe, I swear on my very life. I won't let you die".

Pan stirred and weakly gasped in terror at seeing Trunks suffering under the rainstorm of stones. A blanket of darkness engulfed her and Trunks as it collapsed around both of them. Vegeta laughed and quickly turned to leave the 2 Sayian children buried, weakly holding his left arm, shaking with pain.

The Judge screamed "You animal".

Goku tackled Vegeta from behind and slammed the Sayian into the rocky cliffs, wincing at the huge scar on his right eye. Vegeta cried out in pain.

Vegeta grunted "Blast you, Kakkarott".

The Judge ignored him "You're suffering hasn't even begun Vegeta. I won't let you hurt anyone else, not now, not ever again. Mark my words, after were done here, I'll see to it personally that you rot in hell, even if it means I go with you. Now, what do you say we get started".

To be continued……