TRUNKS: WARRIOR OF DREAMS
Chapter 4
Trunks and Bra watched the Z Fighters on Earth for a couple of months as they continued their search for Nappa and Raditz. Pikkon had found King Vegeta and Bardock and the three of them joined the Brief children on their vigil. The children laughed when they saw King Vegeta and Bardock for it was like they were looking at their father and Goku. Trunks was perplexed, as the attack seemed to come to a standstill; his mother was the only one struggling with nightmares. They were able to breathe a sigh of relief as Vegeta had beaten the heart virus, Bulma hadn't caught the virus, and Goten was regaining his strength and health. "Vegeta seems to have done well for himself," King Vegeta said to Bardock and Trunks as the three of them watched the Z Fighters, who had all gathered at the Son house for the day.
"Dad is a great man. He's helped save the Earth several times. He's even died to save it," Trunks said, remembering when Vegeta had sacrificed himself against Buu and had hugged Trunks for the first time. Trunks teared up a little at the thought of Vegeta for he missed his dad terribly.
"Well, Trunks, you'll get to see him soon. Find Bra, you two are going to Earth. I'm sending you two in order to warn the Z Fighters. We might have a better chance of winning if they know about the threat," King Kai said as he walked up to the three saiyans.
"I know where the princess is, I will go retrieve her," Bardock said and then left. He found Bra sparring with Pikkon not far off. She was training every moment she could to try to reach the ascended level so she would be more help to the Z Fighters when she fought. "Princess Bra," Bardock said as Pikkon and Bra landed when they saw him, "You are need by King Kai and Prince Trunks. It's about your friends."
Bra didn't even bother to thank Bardock, but rather, she immediately took to the sky; Bardock and Pikkon followed. When they landed, they saw Trunks, King Kai, and King Vegeta talking. Bra ran to them. "Trunks, what's going on? Has something happened?" Bra said, frantic.
"Everything is fine, Bra. King Kai is sending the two of us to Earth for a day to warn the Z Fighters of the impending danger. We're leaving immediately because right now, all the Z Fighters are at Goku's house. It will be easiest to tell them all together," Trunks replied as he held Bra's hands. She nodded with tears in her eyes; she was glad to have the chance to see her loved ones again, even if it was only for a day.
"Now, Trunks, remember what I told you. You must be careful. No mistakes or our entire plan could be ruined. Are you sure you can transport yourself and Bra to Earth without any problems?" King Kai stated. Trunks had, over the past couple months, learned the instant transmission technique from King Kai.
"I won't forget, King Kai, and yes, I can get Bra and I to Earth without any problem," Trunks said, wrapping his arm around Bra. He nodded and then transported his sister and himself to Earth.
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"It's so quiet around Capsule Corp., ChiChi," Bulma said as the two of them watched their husbands spar, "I used to love the privacy in that house until now. I hate how big it is. Vegeta and I are thinking of moving out into the country and into a smaller house. Neither one of us want to stay in that house without…without Trunks and Bra." ChiChi just nodded, not knowing what to say.
"Give up, Kakarot! You will never beat me," Vegeta smirked as he lunged at Goku.
"I believe you're the exhausted one," Goku panted, dodging Vegeta's attack. They paused for a moment to catch their breath. Below, the Z Fighters all looked on, amazed; Vegeta and Goku had been sparring for over three hours straight. Vegeta lunged at Goku again only to stop just in time to keep from running straight into Trunks and Bra who had just appeared in between their father and Goku.
Trunks pushed Bra away from him and turned ascended saiyan just in time to block attacks from both Vegeta and Goku. Vegeta stopped, his hand against his son's, shocked to see Trunks. "Trunks! Why did you put us in the middle of their fight!" Bra yelled as soon as she found her balance again.
"You think I meant to?" Trunks replied, wiping the blood from his mouth from Goku's punch, "Give me a break, I'm still learning the instant transmission. I'm not perfect at it."
"What are you two doing here?" Vegeta asked once he found his voice again. Was he really looking at his children? Trunks powered down, returning to normal; Goku and Vegeta followed suit. Trunks looked toward his sister and went to her to calm her down, for she was crying. Vegeta and Goku glanced at each other and then Vegeta flew over and placed a hand on Trunks' back. "Is everything okay?" Vegeta asked.
"Let's go down to the others. What I have to say needs to be said to everyone. Bra is just overwhelmed. She just found out today we were getting to come back for the day," Trunks said and Vegeta nodded. Vegeta glanced at his daughter and then the four saiyans flew to the ground to where the other Z Fighters were waiting.
"Trunks! Bra! Oh my goodness! What are you doing here!" Bulma ran to her children and embraced them as she let tears run down her cheeks. She had just been talking about how much she missed them and now they were standing right before her.
"Mommy, I've missed you so much," Bra said, crying, as Bulma held her. Trunks stood back by his father as they watched Bra and Bulma.
"Trunks, why are you here? They don't let people come back from Other World for no reason," Vegeta demanded of his son.
Trunks looked at his dad and then the rest of the Z Fighters. Bra turned from her mother to look at Trunks; did they have to tell them now? "Don't give me that look, Bra. You know this is why we came back today. We're here for twenty-four hours. News first and then we can spend time with them," Trunks chastised. Vegeta and Bulma looked at Trunks worriedly; he was never harsh with Bra. Bra looked at the ground and sobbed; she didn't mean to make Trunks mad. Trunks walked over to Bra and took her chin in his hand. "Listen, Bra, I'm sorry. I found out about this threat the day I arrived in Other World and have been on watch for the attack since. Gathering the forces too has taken much time, and as you know, we're still looking for Nappa and Raditz. I'm just on edge; I didn't mean to jump at you," Trunks said gently.
"Wait. Nappa and Raditz. What in the world are you looking for those two? Surely whatever is wrong, you can handle it without them. You two are far stranger than them together," Vegeta said, shocked his children would need Nappa and Raditz's help.
"It's not that we really need their strength, but their numbers," Trunks replied, "We've found Bardock, Goku's father, and grandfather, King Vegeta, and they have joined us; Pikkon, a friend of Goku, has also joined us. We need a group of fighters in the Other World as well as the Z Fighters here on Earth to fight this new threat. King Kai has become aware and made myself and then the others aware of the threat. It seems all of our old enemies have gathered together in the HFIL and are planning to attack the Z Fighters. They have found a way into the dream world and plan to use the Z Fighters to take over the universe. They will attack in your dreams. If they beat you in your dreams, then they can control you. That is why Bra and I are gathering fighters in the Other World. Since we are in Other World with the Kai's, our enemies cannot enter our dreams. King Kai has found a way for us to also enter the dream world; we will be fighting in your dreams against our enemies. That is why we need Nappa and Raditz."
"Who and when will the attack begin?" Goku asked.
"So far, we know Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu have joined together. We're not sure if more will join or not. As far as when they will start to attack, we believe they already have," Trunks replied.
"But with who? As far as I know, none of us have been attacked yet," Krillin asked, looking at the others. The Z Fighters replied by shaking their heads.
Trunks was about to answer when his mother softly spoke. "It's me, isn't it?" she said and everyone looked at her, "They've started by attacking me, haven't they? All the nightmares since Bra died; it's them, isn't it?"
"We think so," Bra said softly as she embraced her mother who buried her head in Bra's shoulder and cried. Bra glanced at Trunks and their father; what were they going to do now?
Trunks approached his sister and mother and wrapped his arms around them both. "We're not sure, mom. But they won't hurt you. They'll attack you to get to dad. If they can get any of the three of dad, Goku, or Gohan under their control, the rest of the Z Fighters are expendable," he said and then released his mom and sister, "For now, why don't we just relax. Frieza and the others won't know Bra and I have warned you and so now, we have the upper hand. Everything will turn out fine." Trunks and the others knew they could lose the battle, but they also knew Bulma just needed to hear those words.
The Z Fighters took Trunks' advice and tried to relax. ChiChi, Videl, 18, and Chiatzu began to fix dinner as most of the others trained for a while. Bulma took the opportunity to spend some time with her children; even Vegeta was happy to spend time with Trunks and Bra. After a while, Bra left her parents and brother and wandered off to find Pan and Marion. Eventually, Bulma went in to help prepare the meal, knowing Vegeta wanted to spend some time alone with Trunks. After Bulma went inside the house, Vegeta and Trunks walked off into the nearby woods. "So, you looking after your sister?" Vegeta asked after they were away from the others.
"Yes. She's been training hard with Pikkon to try to reach the ascended saiyan level so she can help us better in the fight. She was watching Earth with me, that is until." Trunks stopped and turned to face Vegeta, "Until she saw you interact with mom."
Vegeta stopped and turned to look Trunks in the eye. "What do you mean?" he demanded, "I have never done anything to your mother."
"That's just it, dad," Trunks replied, keeping calm despite his father's temper, "She's only seen you like the other Z Fighters have, like I did before you sacrificed yourself against Buu. You haven't held her since she was a baby and you've only been harsh to her. Her whole life she's asked me why you won't have anything to do with us. I couldn't give her a reason why and I didn't tell here that you treat me much differently. When she was on watch just a couple of days after she came to Other World she saw that side of you only mom and I have seen. She ran crying to me, yelling, wondering why you didn't act like that around us. I couldn't lie to her anymore. I told her I have seen you like mom has since Buu. That's when she got even madder at me. She quit training with me and started training with Pikkon. Grandfather has had to step in for me with Bra a number of times because she won't talk to me; though he can't figure out why. He's only seen you with mom; he can't understand why Bra is so upset about it. Grandfather is extremely proud of you."
Vegeta cast his eyes away from Trunks and walked a few steps down the path. He paused for a moment and then turned to Trunks. "I didn't even realize I didn't know Bra until she was gone. Frieza hardened my heart, you know that. I don't realize I treat people harsh until I have them no longer. With you, I changed, like you said, after Buu. I am grateful I did. I am proud of you, Trunks. You have always been a wonderful son. And Bra has always been a wonderful daughter, but I've never shown that to her. It took her dying for me to realize that. Now, I only have this one day with her until I come to Other World," Vegeta admitted. After the Z Fighters had taken care of Buu, Vegeta vowed to change. While he didn't keep the promise with the Z Fighters, he had with Trunks and Bulma. In fact, he had become good friends with his son. When he found he was going to have a daughter, he made the same promise but he had failed to keep it with Bra.
"It's not too late, dad. You do have this one day with her, use it. Let's go find her," Trunks replied. Vegeta nodded and the two saiyans took to the sky, following Bra's ki signal. They soon found her at a nearby creek with Goten. "Hey, Goten!" Trunks called as he and Vegeta landed nearby, "I need to talk to you for a few minutes. Can you come with me?"
"Sure," Goten said, standing, "But we'll have to walk. I don't have enough energy to fly yet."
"That's fine," Trunks said and then the two friends walked back toward the Son's house, leaving Vegeta and Bra alone.
Bra stood and looked at the ground. Vegeta began to approach her and she felt her heart beat quicken; she knew he didn't like her hanging out with Goten. "Dad, I'm sorry. Goten and I were just talking. I didn't mean to disobey you. I'm." Bra began to quickly apologize.
Vegeta gently placed his finger on Bra's lips to silence her. Bra stopped, looking at her father, shocked. Vegeta removed his finger from her lips and brushed the hair out of her face as she began to cry. Vegeta pulled her close to him, hugging her as she cried. "No, Bra, it is I who should apologize. I have been a father to Trunks but not to you. I know I can't make it up in this one day, but I do love you and I am very proud of you," Vegeta whispered to his daughter.
Bra pulled back a little and looked Vegeta in the eye. His black eyes sparkled with the love Bra never knew was there. She threw her arms around his neck and embraced him. "I love you, daddy," she said as her tears wetted his shirt.
"I love you, too, my daughter," Vegeta said softly as he allowed a few tears to roll down his cheeks.
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"Trunks, where is your sister and father?" Bulma asked as she sat the last of the food on the table. Over and hour had passed since Goten and Trunks left Vegeta and Bra by the creek.
"We're here, mom," Bra said as she and Vegeta landed nearby, "We wouldn't miss dinner." The Z Fighters laughed, Bra was a true saiyan.
"Mom and the others fixed…fixed your…your favorite," Trunks struggled to tell Bra. Vegeta looked worriedly at his son; Trunks shouldn't be struggling to talk. Yet, Trunks not only was struggling to talk, he was also very pale and his ki signal was low. The other Z Fighters had watched Trunks slowly lose energy over the last hour.
"Trunks, what's wrong? Why are you so tired?" Bra asked as she and Vegeta approached Trunks.
"Because, it's time for me to return to Other World," Trunks replied, panting.
"What! But twenty-four hours isn't up yet," Bulma said. How could her son already have to leave after being there only three hours?
"I couldn't even stay twenty-four hours to begin with," Trunks said, looking at his family, "I had at most five hours, having to transform to ascended when we first arrived shortened what little time I had. See, in order for Bra to come back too, I had to sacrifice part of my time. What Bra doesn't know is she's staying here more than twenty-four hours. We need someone on Earth who can't be attacked by our enemies. King Kai, grandfather, Bardock, Pikkon, and I agreed it should be Bra. She'll be here on Earth until we've beat this threat. In order for her to stay, she has to share in my energy. She's doing his already, even though she doesn't know it. That's why I am low on energy. I must return to Other World soon."
"Trunks, don't leave me by myself. I don't know what I'm suppose to do," Bra pleaded as she knelt next to Trunks, who had collapsed to his knees.
"I'll be in contact with you. While you still can, before Frieza and the others attack, train with dad. He is a wonderful teacher. He can help you reach the ascended level," Trunks said, taking her hand; then he turned to Vegeta, "She's a willing student. She works hard and learns fast. Please, train her."
"I will, Trunks. Take care, my son," Vegeta said, kneeling next to his children.
"Mom, I love you. I'm sorry I couldn't stay longer," Trunks said, looking at Bulma as she too knelt next to her children.
"I love you, too, Trunks. Take care of yourself, son," Bulma said as she choked back tears.
"Bra, take care of mom and dad. I'll talk to you soon. If you need anything, just call out my name, I'll hear you," Trunks said. Bra nodded through her tears as she and their parents stood up and moved away from Trunks. Vegeta and Bulma wrapped their arms around Bra. "Goodbye, everyone. Take care," Trunks said and then transported back to Other World.