To all of you who have been PATIENTLY waiting for this update... DÔMO ARIGATÔ- GOZAIMASU!!! I know it's been like a week since I've updated, and I'm really sorry to keep you all in dire suspense. My lack of posting is entirely due to extended spring musical rehearsals. But now that we've performed, it's done forever!!! So, here is chapter 12, and I promise to update more often! ENJOY!!!

Chapter 12: Preparation

This was the day. The naming ceremony was to be held at 2:00 that afternoon. It was now 10:00 in the morning. There were about five maids tending to Pan and Bra alone. They were in a special dressing room, where they both stood upon stools while the maids fitted their dresses just right. Pan's dress was bright red with white and yellow blossoms all over, while Bra's was yellow with blue and red blossoms.

Neither Pan nor Bra spoke to each other. They had failed miserably. And now their baby brother would be named after some big bulky bodyguard instead of the great hero he was destined to be named after.

But Pan had wanted to talk to Bra. She had had another weird dream again...

It was raining. She was running up a huge mountain, and then came to a cave. She looked back to see her castle smoking, but there were no flames. She did not want to return there ever again, but she couldn't help but wonder what would cause so much smoke other than a fire. She shrugged, and turned back to the cave in front of her. She entered the cave, and after wandering through it for a little while, taking various turns at random forks in her path, she came to a dead end where she saw a pool of water. She could hear the sound of running and screaming behind her. Afraid to look back, she dived into the pool. It was much deeper than it had looked from the surface. It hollowed out into a long tunnel in front of her. Pan kept swimming ahead, until she saw a small light coming from the surface at the end of the tunnel. She had to get there; she was running out of air. She swam faster and faster, toward the light... she was getting lightheaded... almost there...

...then she had woken up.

"What do you mean, right now?!? We can't possibly just start a whole revolution whenever we want to!" Gohan stared at Trunks, sweat drops running down the back of his neck.

"I mean, it has to start today, right now. We have to get to the castle now, before it's too late." Trunks stood calmly in front of his audience. They were once again holding a small meeting in Gohan's household.

Aside from Gohan, Trunks' audience included Goku, Goten, Kuririn, Juuhachi-gou, Yamucha, Tenshinhan, Hercule Satan, Piccolo, Dende, and even Zamuri and Uub. They had been told to stay with the adults because they were now thought old enough to be involved in adult matters, such as the rebellion Trunks claimed to have been planning for the last three months. Videl and Chi-Chi had taken Marron, Puar, Chiaotzu, and Bee, Mr. Satan's dog, outside to play.

"Look, we have four hours until the naming ceremony I told you all about. As you recall, my mother told me she wanted to name my baby brother after you, Goku." Trunks looked at Goku, who nodded in understanding. "It was the last thing she wanted. But unless we stop the ceremony and my father, he will be named Nappa instead."

"Just one question, Trunks." Goten said, raising his hand. "If we are to start this rebellion, just what do you plan to have us do? I mean it's not like we're going to just waltz right in to the castle, declare we're rebelling, and then leave, right?"

"Of course not, Goten. I plan to lead you all out of this land, and start a new kingdom. One where no one will be taken away from their homes, one where everyone will be treated equally, and with respect, and one where their leader will think of his people first!"

"And just where do you plan to lead us?" Yamucha asked.

"Well, I have been scouting the lands beyond the mountains to the west, and there is a huge valley right in the middle of the mountain range where we could go. It's surrounded by huge jagged mountains so tough to cross that anyone who tries to climb them would have to be suicidal!"

"And we're just that group of suicidal people to try it then, right?" Yamucha glared at Trunks.

"Well I knew you'd say that, but listen. We don't have to climb the mountains to get to the valley. There's a secret entrance in one of the caves about half way up the mountain. I've been there. We'll be able to get through it, but any guards wearing armor won't be able to!"

"Sounds like a plan to me!" Goku shouted, standing up and placing a hand on Trunks' shoulder. "So when do we leave?"

"Whenever we're ready, but preferably before my dad's naming ceremony. I have to get Pan and Paris out of the castle first. They're coming with us."

"Paris is coming too?!?" Goten jumped up. "Alright! Dad, I'll get to see Paris again!" Goku smiled and nodded.

"Okay, how about this..." Trunks suggested. "What if we send a first group to meet us at the cave entrance, so they won't be around when the fighting starts? I suggest it be composed of mostly the women, children, elderly, and disabled. It's going to be a slow group, so we'll have to stall the troops for a while, by means of fighting."

"Wait a minute! There's going to be fighting too?!?"

"Sit down Yamucha..." Tenshinhan grumbled.

"Yes, of course there'll be fighting. Once my dad realizes what we're doing he's sure to send his troops after us. Believe me, we won't get out of here unnoticed."

"Should we take anything with us?" Kuririn asked.

"Only necessary items if you must, and make it light. Chances are we'll be running and flying a lot."

"So who is going to break in to castle and get Pan and Paris?" Gohan asked.

"Leave that to me." Trunks said. "I'm the only one here who knows his way around the castle. It'll be easy; I already have it all planned out in my head."

"If you say so, Trunks..." Gohan said.

"Now, I suggest we start leaving right now. The sooner we leave the better. I'll instruct one of you to direct the first group up the mountain, and then I'll go back for Pan and Paris. Their disappearance is what's going to start the fighting, so once I'm out of the castle, I'll need some backup. We just have to stall long enough for the first group to get through, then I'll lead my backup crew through, and we're safe."

"Okay, so who's your backup crew then?" Goten asked.

"Well... I was kind of hoping you all would like to..."

Goku jumped up. "Of course we'd all like to! Wouldn't we, guys? All volunteers please stand up!"

All the Z fighters stood up except for Yamucha and Hercule.

"I'm not about to go out there and face the most powerful army on the planet!" Hercule stuttered. "Besides, I need to be with Videl to make sure she doesn't get hurt!"

"Fine..." Trunks sighed, rolling his eyes. "Yamucha, what about you?"

"Sorry guys, but I'm not really all that great at fighting. I'd probably just get in the way, and I was hoping that I could lead the first group through the mountains?"

Trunks hesitated, and then said, "Sure Yamucha. But do you mind if I send Uub and Zamuri with you?"

"Yeah, that's fine."

"Wait a minute! But I want to be part of the fighting, Trunks-san!" Uub exclaimed.

"Yeah, me too, Dad!" Zamuri said.

"Chances are you will, boys. If my group and I can't distract the troops long enough, you'll have to step in." Trunks said. "Can you do that?"

"Yes sir!" Uub and Zamuri exclaimed simultaneously.

"Good. Now, let's get out there, and rally the first group! Spread all throughout town, and gather all those brave enough to join us!" And with that, the Z fighters ran out of the little house, and down the streets of the city. The rebellion had officially begun.