TRUNKS: WARRIOR OF DREAMS

Chapter 6

"Kakarot, what are you doing here?" Vegeta sneered; Kakarot should not be on the Planet Vegeta.

As Kakarot advanced toward him, Vegeta snapped into defensive stance. Something was not right. Planet Vegeta was gone; they should not be here. "You failed, Vegeta," Kakarot said as he advanced toward Vegeta, "You're not worthy to be called the prince of the Saiyans. Because of you, our people are gone. Now, you shall die." Kakarot attacked Vegeta at full force. Vegeta barely had time to transform to ascended Saiyan before the battle was going.

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Bulma yawned as she slowly woke up. For the first time since Bra had died, she had not had a nightmare. She smiled, resting her head gently on Vegeta's bared shoulder as he was still asleep. She glanced over him at the clock, it was nearly ten in the morning. Had they really slept that late? She could hear the others moving in the rest of the house. She gently ran her hand down Vegeta's chest; he stirred at the motion but did not wake up. Bulma ran her hand down his chest again and again, he reacted the same way. She sat up worried, he usually woke up at that. "Vegeta," she said softly as she shook him. His only reply was a soft moan, but he still didn't wake up. She proceeded to call his name and shake him, but he wouldn't wake up. Soon, she was crying, fearing the worst. She pulled on her robe as she tried to call Bra. Shortly, Bra and the other Z Fighters appeared at the bedroom door.

Bra quickly moved beside her mother as Goku pulled Bulma to her. "Mom, what's going on?" Bra asked, looking first at her mother and then her father.

"I've been trying to wake him for almost 15 minutes now, but he wouldn't wake up. I...I think he's being attacked," she sobbed into Goku's shoulder. Bra looked down at her father, what was she going to do now?

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"Bring me the dream mirror! Hurry!" Trunks called to the others who were training nearby. He was on watch and shared his mother's fear of Vegeta being attacked.

"Here you go. What's going on?" King Vegeta asked as he handed the dream mirror to Trunks.

"Dad might be getting attacked. Show me my father's dream," Trunks replied. Shortly, there appeared in the mirror the scene of Vegeta fighting with a small demon, only Vegeta was calling it Kakarot. "He is, I have to warn the others," Trunks said as the others gathered around him, "Where is King Kai?" Trunks needed King Kai to communicate with the others on Earth.

"He is taking care of things elsewhere in his quadrant, but I can help you. I will open a direct link between the six of you and the Z Fighters on Earth. That way, you won't need a Kai to talk to them." The Other World Fighters looked at the purple guy who resembled a Kai standing before them.

"Kabito Kai," Trunks stepped forward and embraced Kabito Kai, "I didn't know you were involved in this."

"I am the one who alerted North Kai to the threat and showed him the door to the dream world. I had hoped to be a part of the plan from the beginning, but I was called away to another part of the universe just before you arrived in Other World. Now, that is done and I can focus on this problem. Let's get that link open," Kabito Kai replied and then concentrated for a few seconds, "There you are, it's open."

"Thank you," Trunks said and then turned toward Earth, "Bra, can you hear me?"

"Trunks?" Bra looked up from where she was resting her head on Vegeta's shoulder, her cheeks tear-stained.

"Yep, it's me. Kabito Kai just opened a direct link between all of us in Other World and all of you on Earth. Now, we can talk to you without the help of a Kai," Trunks told the Z Fighters.

"Trunks," Bulma said, withdrawing from Goku, "It's it what we fear? Has...has Vegeta been attacked?"

"Trunks," King Vegeta interrupted, putting a hand on his grandson's shoulder, "Go. You must go help your father. You are the only one strong enough to help him right now. I will tell the others."

"Of course," Trunks nodded and then ran off to the door to the dream world, "Keep watch while I'm gone."

"We will," King Vegeta said, holding up the dream mirror, then he turned back toward Earth, "Yes, Vegeta has fallen under attack."

Bulma looked at her sleeping husband and then collapsed to her knees in tears. Goku and Yamcha wrapped their arms around her, while Goten approached Bra. "Bra," he said gently, putting his hand on her shoulder.

"No," she barely said, shaking her head and fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. She turned around and cried on Goten's shoulder. The other Z Fighters just stood in silence, not sure what to say.

"Bra, please, listen to me," King Vegeta tried to calm his granddaughter down, but it didn't work, "Bra! Stop that now!"

The Z Fighters were in shock at the harsh treatment she was receiving from this new fighter. Goten felt his anger begin to rise as Bra shook in his arms. Bra began to dry her tears but still held fast to Goten. "I'm sorry, grandfather," she said softly, "I'm listening."

"That's your grandfather?" Goten asked as he looked down at Bra.

"Yes, son of Kakarot, I am Bra's grandfather, Vegeta's father. Now, Bra, I know this is hard, but you have to pull yourself together. You will do your father no good if you loose your wits. The first time in battle is never easy; be grateful you have friends and family by your side," King Vegeta replied.

"Yes, grandfather," Bra replied, pulling away from Goten and wiping her tears away, "You told Trunks to help dad; is he going to the dream world?"

"Yes, he is. He should be entering Vegeta's dream soon," King Vegeta replied, "Keep watch from that side."

"I will, grandfather, I will," Bra replied, turning to look at her sleeping father.

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"Kakarot, stop this now!" Vegeta yelled as he tried to catch his breath, but Kakarot kept on coming.

"You had your chance. Now, die!" Kakarot released a Kamehameha Wave big enough to destroy the entire solar system.

Vegeta braced himself for the impact, but worried he couldn't survive the attack. Suddenly, Kakarot's blast was cut off by another. Before Vegeta could see the other fighter, Kakarot was knocked down from the sky. "Trunks," Vegeta said breathlessly as Trunks hovered where Kakarot once was.

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"Trunks," Vegeta called out. The Z Fighters all looked at their sleeping comrade.

Bra walked over and sat down on the bed next to her father. "Trunks must have entered his dream," she said.

"If anyone can beat what's attacking Vegeta, then Trunks can. They're both amazing fighters and together they are practically unstoppable," Tien commented. The others agreed as they all watched Vegeta and waited.

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"Prince Trunks has proven himself to be quite a fighter. Hopefully his and Prince Vegeta's powers will be enough for this battle," Bardock said as the Other World Fighters gathered around the dream mirror to watch Trunks and Vegeta fight.

"They are both capable fighters. This low level demon should be nothing for the two of them," Kabito Kai replied, smiling.

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"Trunks," the winded Vegeta repeated, looking at his son.

"Father," Trunks said, landing next to Vegeta, "I know this is going to sound strange, but it's not Goku you're fighting. Do you remember what Bra and I told you about the coming attack?"

"You mean that Kakarot over there is one of the ones attacking us?" Vegeta asked, trying to catch his breath as they watched the demon Kakarot begin to advance on them again.

"Yes. You will know when it is one of the Other World Fighters here to help because our halos will remain. Even the halos on Frieza, Cell, Buu, and any others they might gather will not appear," Trunks said and then transformed to Ascended Saiyan, "Now, what do you say you take a break while I fight for a while."

Vegeta showed his approval by powering down and backing away from Trunks. Trunks attacked the demon in his father's dream, hoping to drive the demon out. Before too long, the demon spoke once again, "You may have won for now, but I will return." Then he disappeared.

"I, too, must leave you now, for you will soon wake up. Take care," Trunks said. He powered down then disappeared.

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"Look, Vegeta's waking up," Goten said as Vegeta began to stir. Bra was still sitting on the bed next to her father and Bulma was sitting behind her.

Vegeta slowly came to. He opened his eyes despite being exhausted. Shortly, he was able to focus on his wife and daughter. "Welcome back," Bulma said softly with a smile.

"I feel like I've been in battle with Frieza once again," Vegeta said as he struggled to sit up; his energy drained.

"You were attacked in your dreams. Trunks helped you fight," Bra replied as she and Goten helped him sit up.

"I remember now," Vegeta said slowly, recalling the battle, "No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't seem to win but Trunks won with ease."

"You both fought hard." The Z Fighters stood in awe at the man who made his way through them from the door to Vegeta; he looked just like Vegeta, only he wore a halo. Accompanying him was a man who looked just like Goku. "I am proud of you both," the first man said, standing over the bed.

"Grandfather! Bardock! What are you doing here?" Bra jumped up from the bed and hugged King Vegeta.

"Father?" Vegeta could scarcely believe his eyes.

"My son," King Vegeta said softly as he touched Vegeta's hand then he turned back to Bra, "I can only stay a few minutes. There's been a change in plans. Trunks would have accompanied Bardock here instead of me but he all but passed out when he returned from his battle. He's about in the same shape Vegeta is."

"But why are you bringing Bardock here? I don't understand," Bra questioned, not knowing why the two older Saiyans were here on Earth.

"You will soon, if Trunks' plan works. I must go now. Bardock will explain. Take care, Bra, Vegeta," King Vegeta said and then returned to Other World.

The others stared at where King Vegeta had stood only seconds ago. Bra turned to the older Saiyan. "Bardock, what's going on? What change in plans was grandfather talking about?" she asked.

"I'm not entirely sure. Prince Trunks said you would understand," Bardock replied.

"Prince Trunks?" Goten looked odd at the new Saiyan, but before Bardock had a chance to answer, the halos above Bra and Bardock's heads disappeared. "Bra! You're...you're alive! Your halo is gone!" Goten called as the others wondered what it meant.

"Huh?" Bra looked in the mirror and saw her halo was gone.

"Bardock, what is the meaning of this? I don't understand. What is my son trying to do?" Vegeta weakly asked, supporting himself on Bulma.

"There is a reason, part of which I know. I will explain, but first, I must ask for an audience with you, Prince Vegeta, an audience alone," Bardock said, bowing slightly to Vegeta.

The others watched as Vegeta laughed. "I had forgotten what it was like to be treated like a price," Vegeta said weakly, his energy waning.

"Uh, Vegeta, why don't you let me heal you?" Dende said cautiously as he approached Vegeta.

"Sure," Vegeta said, surprising everyone but Bulma and Bra. Dende quickly healed Vegeta to Bardock's amazement. "Thanks," Vegeta told Dende and then turned to Bardock, "Of course you may talk with me. Give my wife and I a few minutes to get around. Go with the others and I will be there shortly."

"Yes, sire," Bardock bowed slightly and he and the other fighters left. Only Bra remained in her parents' room.

"Is something wrong, Bra?" Bulma asked, turning to her daughter. Bra began crying and fell into Vegeta's arms. Vegeta held her as he glanced at Bulma. Bulma gently stroked Bra's hair as Bra cried on Vegeta's shoulder. "Bra, what's wrong?" Bulma asked softly.

Bra pulled back from Vegeta. "I know but I don't," she replied, wiping her tears away, "Part of me is upset because Bardock came back instead of Trunks. I miss him. But, I don't know why, I feel, I don't know, incomplete somehow. I can't describe it." She began crying again and Vegeta pulled her to him. He knew what she meant and why she was feeling that way, but without a way to correct it, he would say nothing about it.

"You know I couldn't come back," Trunks suddenly said, "I'm needed here. I'm the only one strong enough to fight against those who will attack dad, Goku, and Gohan, particularly Goku. Grandfather was going to come back instead of Bardock, but that plan changed when he reached Super Saiyan yesterday. Now, he's as needed here as Pikkon and I are since the two of them are strong enough to fight with everyone but Goku. And the possibility of grandfather going ascended looks very promising."

"Father has gone Super Saiyan? What about Nappa and Raditz?" Vegeta asked, curious as to just how many Super Saiyans were there going to be.

"No, and it doesn't look like they will either. Nappa and Raditz are strong, but it seems that they've reached their maximum potential. They'll be fighting with everyone but the Saiyans and Piccolo. That's why Bardock was chosen to go back. He is only strong enough to fight with mom, ChiChi, and Marion. We sent him back so once the attack was in full swing, Bra wouldn't be the only one there on Earth," Trunks replied.

"But now that we're alive again, won't Bardock and I be vulnerable to the attack, too?" Bra asked.

"No, you two still have the protection of the Kais on you. I must go. We're taking every opportunity up here to train. Bardock will explain the rest," Trunks said, preparing to leave, but Vegeta stopped him.

"Trunks, does the other part of the reason have to do with the way Bra has been feeling?" Vegeta asked his son.

"Yes, and how to fix it. The answer was brought to my attention sometime ago, back before I caught the heart virus. I wish I could have done something before, but it wasn't until recently I knew it would work. That is what Bardock has to tell you," Trunks replied and then said goodbye.

"What is he talking about? How can he know how to fix the way I'm feeling?" Bra asked, looking at Vegeta.

Vegeta put his hands on Bra's shoulders, now he was glad he taught Trunks about Saiyans. He answered, "I will tell you soon. First, I must talk with Bardock. Now, let your mother and I get dressed so I can find out what's going on." Bra nodded and hugged her parents before leaving.

Goten noticed Bra walked into the living room looking a little distressed. She walked over to an empty corner and sat down. He walked over to her. "Bra, is everything okay?" he asked.

Bra glanced up at Goten and her heart skipped a beat. He was like an older brother to her, but she was beginning to wish he was more. But how could she be with her brother's best friend? She began to feel fresh tears roll down her cheeks and she gladly let Goten hold her in his arms once he sat down next to her. "I'm just so confused about what's going on, Goten. Trunks is making no sense right now," she replied.

"He's only watching out for you, princess," said Bardock, who stood over the two young Saiyans. He sat down next to them. "Things will make more sense once I talk to your father and he can make the decision Prince Trunks has set before him. If I may, princess, who is this?" Bardock looked in wonder at the boy who resembled him.

"Oh, this is Goten, your youngest grandson," Bra replied as Goku, Gohan, and Pan joined them.

"I told you, dad. I told you he was granddad's father," Pan jumped up excitedly.

"Granddad?" Bardock looked questioningly from Pan to Bra.

"Yep," Bra said, standing and Goten and Bardock followed suit, "This is Pan. She's the daughter of Gohan who is Goten's older brother. We all call their dad Goku, well, save for daddy, who calls him by his Saiyan name, Kakarot. Guys, this is Bardock; he's Goku's father." Bra made introductions among the Son family as her parents walked up.

"It's hard not to tell that with the striking resemblance between Bardock, Kakarot, and Goten. But, there will be time for introductions later, I need to talk to Bardock. Trunks has alerted me as to what it's about and in Bra's best interest, my wife, Bulma, will be joining us," Vegeta said. Bardock nodded and then the three retreated to Bulma's lab for some privacy.

"Bra, what's going on? What is your father talking about?" Goten asked, looking at her. She was his best friend's little sister and like a little sister to him, but his feelings for her were rapidly changing to something else. He didn't like seeing her upset and wished he could do something to help. But how could he be with his best friend's sister?

"I don't know. This is what Trunks was talking about. I told you he wasn't making any sense," Bra replied as Goten held her and let her cry on his shoulder.

"It will make sense soon, Bra," Trunks said as he walked through the door. He wasn't alive, but soon how he was back on Earth.

"Trunks! What are you doing here?" Bra cried as she ran and embraced her brother. Soon, the Z Fighters overwhelmed Trunks, but he held out his hand to stop them.

"I'm only here for a few minutes. I have something special to take care of for Bra with dad. Goten, I need you to go speak with my parents and your grandfather. Goku, ChiChi, you two are needed as well. They're in the lab," Trunks replied, smiling at Bra, who was still in his arms. Goku, ChiChi, and Goten nodded and walked out.

"What are you talking about, Trunks? What's going on?" Bra felt herself on the verge of tears once again, though she didn't know why. All she knew was she wished her emotions would not quit running away without her.

"You'll see soon," Trunks replied, holding his sister tight as she cried, "Soon everything will be taken care of." The others watched the Brief children closely, wondering if Bra was going to be okay. It was not long before the other Saiyans rejoined them.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner, Trunks?" Goten asked, approaching Trunks and Bra.

"Because I couldn't. I had been sworn to silence by both of you. However, now the time has come my silence would have made her life miserable," Trunks replied as Bra wondered who he was talking about and what oath of silence he had broken.

"You have done the right thing, Trunks," Vegeta said, placing his hand on Trunks' shoulder then turning to Bra, "You told your mother and I this morning you felt incomplete. That is the Saiyan in you. I could not explain it this morning because I didn't know that it could be fixed until Trunks put his plan in motion. You are sixteen, Bra, the age most Saiyan females marry. If you had not been brought back to life, you would have felt that way for all eternity. Trunks knew this and so, he brought you back."

Bra looked at her older brother, who smiled at her. She then walked over to her father, who took her hands in his as she slowly spoke, tears running down her cheeks, "I was afraid that's what was wrong. But, daddy, there's only one who I want to be with, and him I can't have." Bra buried her head in Vegeta's shoulder.

"Don't be so sure about that, Bra," King Vegeta said as he stood behind Goten, placing his hands on the young Saiyan's shoulders. Bra looked questioningly from her grandfather to her father to her brother and back again; what was going on? King Vegeta nudged Goten toward his granddaughter. "Go ahead, Goten."

Goten looked at the older Saiyans he had just been talking to and then took a shaky step toward Bra. Was this day really happening? "Bra," he said softly.

Bra held tight to her father, turning her face back into his shoulder, afraid her dream had just been shattered by her brother's betrayal. How could Trunks have done that to her? He knew she loved Goten, but she swore him to silence; she didn't want whatever bit of a chance she had to be with Goten to be broken. But wait, didn't Trunks tell Goten he had been sworn to silence by both of them? Had Goten confided in Trunks his feelings for her? Unable to face Goten for fear her guess was wrong, she turned to face Trunks. The lavender-haired Saiyan smiled and took his sister into his arms. "I would never betray you, Bra. He confided in me, too. And now, as a final gift I can give to the both of you, I set in motion a plan that would allow you two to be together," Trunks told his sister as he turned her around so she had to look at Goten, who stood smiling and with tears in his eyes.

Bra began to cry once again, unable to speak or move; if Trunks had not been holding her, she felt she would have collapsed. The others looked on with first expressions of wonder and then of excitement as Vegeta spoke, "Bra, Trunks has given you an ultimate gift in bringing you back to life. I know in growing up, I tried to keep you from Goten. It was because of this. From the first time he held you when you were a baby, I knew he was to be your mate. I was so bent on beating Kakarot I objected to even Trunks hanging out with Goten and Gohan, at least verbally I did. In truth, Kakarot's sons have been like my own, and I was pleased to know you were meant to be with one of them." Vegeta smiled as he led Goten to Bra and Trunks. Goten said nothing but held his hand out to Bra. Shaking, Bra stretched her hand out to take Goten's, but still held to Trunks with her other hand. Vegeta took and covered their clasped hands with his. "Goten, I give her to you. Take good care of her." Bra looked awed at her father as Bulma and ChiChi began to cry.

"Being that you are both Saiyan and that your father is the prince, he can..." King Vegeta began before Bra got what he was saying. She jumped excitedly, feeling complete for the first time.

"Dad, you mean...you can...you can marry us?" Bra turned to Vegeta excitedly. Goten, too, shared her excitement, he could barely believe he was going to marry his love.

"I've given you to him. If you two except it, then by Saiyan standard, you will be married," Vegeta smiled at the two young Saiyans.

Bra looked at Goten, who nodded. Bra jumped for joy and hugged her father. "Thank you, daddy," she said.

"Bra, it's not over yet. But, you need to thank someone else," Vegeta nodded toward his father and Trunks.

Bra walked over to her brother. "Thank you, Trunks. This means so much to me," she said, embracing him, "And thank you for coming back for it, both you and grandfather."

"You are welcome," Trunks replied as Goten walked up to them, "Take care of her, Goten. I leave her in your hands."

"I will, Trunks. You'll watch over her once the attack is in full force?" Goten said, taking his new wife into his arms.

"Of course. I wish we could stay longer, but our time is up," Trunks replied. He and King Vegeta said their good-byes and then returned to Other World.

That night, the Z Fighters went to bed not knowing what would happen while they were asleep. Bra and Goten sealed their marriage by making love that night and she fell asleep in his arms, not knowing if she would be able to wake him in the morning.

Author's Note: Well, now, that changes things, doesn't it? Who will be the next to be attacked? Stay tuned to find out. Please review. I would like at least five new reviews before I update again.