Dragon Ball © Toriyama Akira, Shuheisha, Inc.
Chapter 5: The Warrior's Daughter
Otō-san…
The word tasted warm on her tongue and it streamed her entirety with happiness. Throughout her life, all she could do was to watch people calling their fathers in person without being able to do so. It was the chance she had been dreaming ever since she was a kid.
"I'm your daughter, Otō-san," she said again. Deep within her, there was a fear that he wouldn't believe her when he remained silent. Contrary to that, the said person's heart was pounding with an immense excitement that he didn't know how to react.
"You're my daughter…" Goku repeated. "I'm going to have a daughter?"
The girl nodded with equal excitement.
"I'm going to have a daughter! Chichi is going to be thrilled if she knows this!" He pulled the girl into his embrace (meanwhile Bulma shouted, "Son! What are you doing?! Why are you embracing another woman in front of your kid?!" from afar.)
Though she was stiffened in his embrace at first, his warmth gradually seeped into her. Slowly, she put her arms around him and returned his hug. She wondered if being in her father's arms made her feel like she was in the safest place on earth.
"I think it's better to keep this as a surprise to the family. Don't you think so?" she softly said.
"Hmm, you're right." Goku put his hands on both of her shoulders, staring right into her eyes with the same warm eyes she knew from the photo. "I'm looking forward to your arrival—at this time."
She chuckled to cover how she actually envied her past self. "Yes, Otō-san." She took a deep breath. "Unfortunately we didn't come just to tell you this. There is something very important that we would like you to know."
Goku noticed the seriousness she implied and nodded. "Okay. What is it?"
"In four years' time, on May Twelfth…" Trunks began, "…at approximately ten in the morning on an island about nine kilos southwest of Metro South, a fearsome duo is going to appear…"
"There would be two monsters possessing power unimaginable for anything in this world…" the girl added.
"Who are they? Aliens?"
"They are artificial humans born on this Earth, otherwise known as Androids… And the one who created them was a mad scientist of the Red Ribbon Army, Dr. Gero."
"The Red Ribbon Army!? For what reason? Was it the usual 'World Domination' goal?" It had been years since Goku destroyed the Red Ribbon headquarters. Ever since then, he never heard even the slightest news about the cursed paramilitary crime organisations that their terrors had started to fade from people's memories.
They used to be very powerful in the past and had such a massive influence that the Earth's Military couldn't stand a chance against them. The organisation used to be officially led by a diminutive Commander Red, who at the time had the goal to obtain the Dragon Balls and use any means necessary to collect them. There should be remnants of loyal followers that decided to make a comeback.
"We don't know for sure. He eventually created two more artificial humans, #19 and #20. They were intended to be the ultimate killing machines, but they ended up killing Dr. Gero instead. Which means all that remained are the artificial humans who were taking delight in slaughter and destruction."
"Even Super Saiyan like you who killed Freeza in the blink of an eye can't beat them?"
"We are powerless against them…" the girl muttered with her eyes on the ground. "They are always stronger than us. Always…" She then looked up to the sky. "They have set their terror like an iron cage all around the earth and we're the birds. No matter what we do, we'd never be free from them." Though she looked calm outside, Goku could sense her Ki swirling differently at that moment.
"Is it that bad?"
"We're trying to take them ourselves. But even one-on-one took everything we had to escape with our lives," Trunks said as he looked away.
"Hold on! What about the others? Don't you have any allies?"
The girl shook her head. "Twenty years from now, only Trunks and I remain."
"In the battle four years from now, my father along with Krillin-san, Yamcha-san, Tien Shinhan-san, Chiaotzu-san, and Piccolo-san… all of them were killed. And, Son Gohan… he barely managed to escape alive and become our teacher, until four years ago…" Trunks clenched both of his fists until they turned white and snapped his eyes shut in exasperation.
Goku glanced at his daughter at the mention of Son Gohan, surprised to see her barely react. She remained constant, void of emotion—as if she could feel none.
"As you're aware, with Piccolo-san's death, the Dragon Balls are gone as well and no one was able to come back to life. The Androids slowly killed everyone, our world becomes a living hell…" the girl continued.
"Hold on, what about me? Did they get me too?"
"You never had a chance to fight them, Otō-san. Just before they came, you'll come down with an illness and you'll die from it. It's a virus that attacks your heart. Not even Super Saiyan can beat such an illness," his daughter said.
Goku let out a small growl, clenching his fists like a kid who failed to get the toy he wanted. "What a bummer… Not even Senzu beans work against it? Damn it! I really wanted to fight these guys!"
The pair stared at him with eyes widened. "Are you actually upset because you won't get to fight? Aren't you feeling… afraid?"
"Sure, I'm afraid, but… They're so strong. I really want to know if I can beat them!" he innocently replied. She chuckled in response.
"Okā-san always said about how you're a fighting maniac, so I guess she was right about it."
"Well, your mother never likes me fighting but that's not how I live." Goku grinned from ear to ear. "Don't you think so?"
She nodded. "I never expect less from you, Otō-san. You're truly a genuine Saiyan warrior… Exactly the sort of man Onii-san told me about." She took something out of her pocket and handed him a small bottle. "When the symptoms appear, I want you to take this."
"What is it?"
"This is the medicine. The disease is incurable in this era, but in twenty years, there's a wonder drug for it. And this will save your life, Otō-san."
"Really!? That's great! Thank you so much!" Goku said while jumping around and hugged his daughter.
Across from the spot they were on, the blue-haired scientist stared at Goku with a disapproving look.
"Gohan, this is the second time your father has hugged another woman," Bulma said while lifting her eyebrows. "I wonder if living on another planet changed his habit. He barely shows affection to anyone aside from you."
Gohan laughed sheepishly. "Yeah, it seems so."
"You don't feel angry with this?" Bulma asked again.
Gohan scratched the back of his head. "Uh, I'm not sure why, but I feel okay with it."
Bulma shifted her glance back at them. "He doesn't think that she's your mother, right?"
Gohan laughed. "No way, Bulma-san."
Krillin sighed. "Come on, Bulma! This is Goku we're talking about! He only found out the meaning of 'marriage' a second before he proposed to Chichi!"
"Oh, okay. You're right about that." Bulma nodded. She stared at the lavender haired man who was also staring at her. Bulma would always proudly tell everyone that this guy might be interested in her but there was something different about this guy. She felt deeply connected with him, the bond she never felt towards anyone.
The lavender haired man smiled as he glanced at the only woman at the party across from them before shifting his attention back to Goku.
"Son Goku-san, we shouldn't be doing this, change history like this. But the world we live in is terrible. I have faith that you'll be able to do something to help. That's What my mother hoped for as she worked hard to finally complete this time machine."
"H-hold on…" Goku paused as he scrutinised more details on Trunks' features. "Your mother know about me?"
"Yes, very well," he confirmed.
"A-And she made you a time machine…? D-Don't tell me y-your mother is…" Goku couldn't even swallow his saliva upon the realisation that the only woman that was possibly capable of making something as complicated as a time machine was…
"Yes, she's standing right over there," Trunks said while pointing towards Bulma.
"Oh my gosh!" Goku was so shocked that he accidentally threw the medicine that was supposed to save his life. Fortunately, his daughter was around to catch it. "B-Bulma?! That's really surprising! I thought she would settle down with Yamcha!"
"Apparently, she got fed up with Yamcha and broke up. Then, she saw my father. She told me how he looked so lonesome, and well it happened. They never did marry, you know the kind of person my mother is," Trunks said – looking down and turning magenta while explaining his parent's unique relationship.
"B-but Bulma and Vegeta?" Goku stared at the pair who were still curiously staring at him across the crater. "I never imagined Vegeta would settle with Bulma."
"Please, keep that part especially secret, okay? If you say anything, and things get awkward between them, then my entire existence could be wiped out," Trunks pleaded.
"Yeah, I got it! I got it! It would be bad for my daughter to fight the Androids alone if you're not there to protect her." He winked at Trunks.
"True. How would my life be without Trunks?" the girl nonchalantly said.
Trunks blushed at the comment and stared at his female companion with meaningful eyes.
"Imagine no one helps me bring groceries, do laundry, and fix the walls." She sighed. "I really need him alive, Otō-san. Please be extra careful about his identity."
"Copy that!" Goku laughed as he patted Trunks on his shoulder while the said man sighed in exasperation.
"Anyway, we should take our leave now. I'd like to hurry back to the future and reassure my mother that everything went fine."
"Okay, tell her thanks a bunch for this!" he pointed at the medicine he held between his fingers, "And I hope that the future does change."
"Right, knowing your strength Goku-san, I can finally let myself hope again."
"Will I ever see both of you again?
They were exchanging looks before his daughter replied, "I'm not sure, Otō-san. It takes a long time to store up the energy required for a round trip in the time machine. If we're still alive after that, we will definitely come to help in four years time."
"Stay alive, both of you. You have something to work towards. In the meantime, I'll be training good and hard for these four years."
"Okay, we will take our leave then. Please take care, Otō-san…"
There was a faint smile crossed on her lips as she turned around to follow Trunks, but she did it slowly, didn't feel like wanting to leave her father because a second in his presence meant so much for her.
"Oh, wait!"
She turned around at her father's call.
"I'm sorry to leave you so soon… And to leave you with a world in such a bad state." Goku slightly bowed to her. "I'm really sorry for being a bad father!"
The girl chuckled in response. "What are you saying, Otō-san? I never get to know you because you died before I was born. But I know that you're not a bad father at all."
Goku shook his head. "That cage—I would break it for you if I could!" She widened her eyes at this. "I wish I could fight alongside you, but you're going to break free from that cage. I believe that you'll be able to save the Earth even without me! Just don't give up on that hope!"
The wind softly blew, as if carrying Goku's intention to his daughter. Hope—there was something warm and cheering about that word. She had heard the promise of the word a lot of times but hearing it directly from her father engraved that feeling in her heart, smouldering her spirit so much that for the first time ever…
She could see the possibility to break through that cage.
"I won't, Otō-san…" She smiled. "I will always remember that."
Trunks watched the father and daughter with a satisfied smile. He honestly envied how the two managed to form a deep bond, unlike him and his father. However, it didn't matter as long as his lady companion was happy, and he could see how her face brightened after she met her father.
With a heavy heart, the girl flew away, seeing how her father's figure was getting smaller in her line of vision.
"Do your best… Both of you!"Goku said while looking in their direction until they vanished from his sight.
Good luck… my little bird, he thought with a smile. The smile quickly vanished upon the realisation.
"Wait! Come back here! Please tell me your name!" Unfortunately for him, she had left with her companion. "Oh, no… It's going to be troublesome to pick names with Chichi…" he said as he scratched his head.
"So, what do you think about him?" Trunks asked.
"The same as… no. He's so much more than how I imagined him to be." The girl replied while a smile that could rival the sunshine crossed her lips. "What about you, Trunks?"
"Strong, proud, stern, and lonesome man, just as my mother said he was. I hope they will survive what's coming… and my young Mother too…"
She held his left arm and rested her head on his shoulder. "Let's go back and train harder. For this time, and for our time too."
Trunks stroked her hair before leaving a chaste kiss on her forehead and covered her hand with his. She released her arms from him when they saw the warriors gathered below the time machine, looking at them. Both of them waved their hands before they vanished into the tunnel of time.
Suddenly he remembered something and decided to ask her something that had bothered him for a while. "Are you deliberately keeping your name a secret from him?"
She smiled. "Yes, my brother told me a funny story about how they named my brother. I would like to know the story when they're giving my name too."
He chuckled as he clicked some of the buttons in preparation to teleport to the future. The girl rested her head on his shoulder, shutting her eyes for a moment before fiercely staring at him.
"I just remembered something."
"What is it?"
"You sure have a lot of guts to attack my Father," she said with an icy tone that stabbed him deep into his bones.
AN: Some of you might've known her name already knowing that I've posted this story before. XD But if this is your fanfic, what would you name her?
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