DBZ-fan-JESS- Hello! Thanks for waiting so patiently! I really hope you
like this chapter! ;)
Joelie the Messenger of Death- Hi! Thanks for reviewing. I'm sooo glad I still have it.
The Odd Little Turtle- Well, I hope this chapter is up to everyone's expectations. Thanks for reviewing!
Gravidy- (gives you her brother) Here, duct tape away! hahaha. Sorry for being so evil with that last chapter, but I just had to do it! I come back after a month of twidling my fingers, I had to do something huge, right?! Arthos is being kind of a dork, huh? It's blatantly obvious that Akira loves him, which you'll see in this chapter. He does something really mean to her! As for June (18) being Bulma's sister, it was just something that popped into my head. I hope it works out, cuz I dig that idea too! Thanks a lot, girl! ;)
Lady Frightmare- Hi again! Thanks for the review. The suspense is answered, somewhat in this chapter. I'll let all of you be the true judges of that. I hope you enjoy this one! Thanks ;)
Daisy31- HI! I'd tel you what happened, but that'd spoil this chapter I just wrote for you! It's good to hear from ya! Thanks for reviewing!
Elvenangel- Thanks!;) June's twin will most probably be introduced into the story later on. I'm not sure when though, and as for the Bulma identity crisis, at least one person's going to find out in this chapter, but you'll have to read to find out!
Videlchan313- Hey, girl! Thanks so much for all the support! I hope you enjoy this chapter, and I'm glad you liked the last one so much. It's good to know that I can still keep the momentum going! Thanks! ;)
Hinagiku- Hey! Glad things are a bit more clear for you! The reason it would be bad for Freeza or Cooler to get a hold of Bulma is because they could force her into marrying them since she's supposedly the rightful heir to the empire. Don't worry, when the war starts up, I'll really go into detail about this topic. Thanks! ;)
Kiawithia- Hello! I am insane, just so you know! hahahaha I ryhmed... anyhow! Glad you like the story. This next chapter, which I'm proud to say, only took a few hours to write. (I'm back!!!!) I'm really happy with it (for now, hahaha) So, thanks for reviewing, and enjoy!
Mini Nicka- Piece by piece, little bits of truth are starting to fall through the cracks! mu hahahaha especially in this chapter! I'm soo proud of myself! Happy reading! ;) Thanks!
Dopey- Thank you, thank you, thank you! You keep the faith in me! Thanks. I really hop you like this next chapter! Thanks! ;)
Shiro Ryu- I am sheer evil... mu hahahaha I can't help it. Sorry! oh wait.. I'm evil, I shouldn't apologize! Sorry.... damnit! anyhow... Thank you very much for the review! ;)
Sorceress Fujin- Loads more, right now! :) thanks!!!
Seruleyan-Wings- ahh! (hugs back lots) thanks, girl! I missed everyone, and I'm soo sorry for staying away so long! I'm sooo glad we finally caught each other online! Vegeta sure is a good big brother!!! Well, I don't want to make you wait any longer, cuz I know you're wanting to read this chapter. Enjoy, happy reading!!!! Thanks so much girl! (more hugs) ;)
Majesa- Oh, wow! Thanks so much. I'm so happy that so many people like this fic! Thanks for reading and reviewing! ;)
Adbzfan2k03- Hiya! sorry about the cliffhanger, but it makes for interesting reviews and death threats! hahaha Thanks!
Add1ct1v3- I hope this was soon enough for ya! ;) thanks for reviewing!
LucretiaDecoy- Hey! Was this update a little quicker?! ;) I hope it was, cuz I felt horrible for making everyone wait so long and then being so evil with that ending. I hope I made up for it with this chapter! Thanks for reading! ;)
KarineD- get ready! Get set! Jump for joy! (waits) oh, you were probably just kidding, huh?! Anyhow! here's that update, and a little more timely this time, huh? Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Bubbles- Thank you so much!!! I'm now officially bursting with pride for this fic. I never imagined it would get so popular. Thanks you, thank you!!! ;)
TaiBulmaChan- All your questions are hopefully answered in this chapter! Sorry I made you wait so long!!! I'm glad everyone thinks I still got it!!! thank you thank you!!! I'm so happy after hearing from all you guys again! I'm ready to get down to business with this fic, and hopefully I can finish it by the end of summer! (dreams, all dreams) Thanks a lot girl!!!
----
Without any further hold ups! I give you the next chapter!!!
----
Chapter 17: Grief brings you closer!
Goku landed quickly and ran toward the once lush meadow that was now reduced to nothing but exposed, charred topsoil. He knelt next to the first body he came to, which just so happened to be Raddtiz. He checked his pulse and cursed under his breath at its faint beating. Shakily, Goku lifted his finger to the scouter hanging on his face. He pushed the call button.
"We need a medical team and a transport, ASAP," he told the group waiting on the other end.
"What the hell happened here?"
Goku stood up and turned toward his sister. "What are you doing here, sis? You were supposed to wait for me to check it out."
Akira walked over to him and knelt beside Radditz with a horrified look on her face. "I can take care of myself, Kakkarot," she whispered, brushing her older brother's unruly hair back from his face. "He's still alive. We need to check the others."
"Okay."
They both went in different directions. Goku was relieved when he spotted Nor and Turlis, though both men were barely hanging on to life. He glanced around for anyone else, scanning the scarred ground for another body. At first, he walked toward the next, but an overwhelming feeling of dread began to seep into his being. He started to run.
"Nappa!" He fell to his knees next to the older man who was wheezing and coughing up blood. He kept trying to speak, but Goku shook his head. "Stop, Nappa. Save your strength. There's a medic on the way. It'll be here shortly."
"N-no," the burly soldier croaked. He pulled Goku down closer by the shoulder so he could whisper what he needed to say.
----
Akira closed her eyes and searched with her mind for any ki that might be close to her. Silver eyes snapped open, and she turned sharply to the right. She spotted Vegeta's body lying several yards away. Picking up the front of her skirts, she ran toward him.
"Vegeta?" The only response she recieved was a low groan as she knelt beside him and ran a gentle hand down his cheek.
The prince's eyes fluttered open, and he focused on her face. "What?"
Akira placed a finger over his lips. "Quiet, Vegeta. You're hurt badly. We'll figure out what hapened as soon as we get everyone back to the palace and healed."
Vegeta nodded, glancing to his left where he expected to see Arthos. He frowned, the movement causing more pain than he would like to admitt. "Arthos. Where is he?"
The priestess shook her head. "I haven't found him yet." Her voice wavered, almost breaking from from the mere thought that he might be dead. She kissed Vegeta's forehead and stood up. "I'll be right back. Don't you dare move, Vegeta."
She walked away from him quickly toward a mound of soft, gray cloth and tanned limbs. 'Arthos,' her mind whispered in anguish. She ran over to him, dropping to her knees. There was a thin trickle of blood running down his left cheek.
"Wake up," she whispered, placing her hands against his chest and leaning over him, checking his pulse. There was none. "Wake up. Get up, damnit!" She rested her forhead against his neck and began to cry.
"Goddess, will you cease that noise?"
Akira gasped, moving away from the man beneath her. "Arthos?!"
He groaned. "Honestly, do you ever stop screaming?" He teased.
"You're alive."
The Riesian prince chuckled. "Yes, I was just messing with you."
The priestess let out a furious growl and punched him hard in the gut, knocking the wind out of him. Arthos doubled over, gasping for breath, but still laughing at her gullibility until Akira began to assault him with her fist repeatedly. He frowned at her, grabbing both her wrists to stop her from doing any real damage.
"Hold, Akira. It was nothing but a cruel trick I played. Stop this."
"Cruel trick?!" She twisted one hand free from his grasp and slapped him forcefully across the face. "I hate you."
Arthos held her firey glare for a long time before he responded. "Why? Because your true feelings finally came out?"
"You've no idea what you're talking about," she hissed.
He released her and got to his feet. "You're right. After all, you won't tell me anything, epsecially not the truth."
Akira stood up, glaring at the prince's back as he walked off toward Vegeta. She was about to scream a particularly nasty comment at him when her brother ran up behind her. "Akira!"
"What is it, Kakkarot?" She was not in a good mood at all.
Goku swallowed and tried to calm his breathing. "Nappa," he blurted out, still breathing hard.
Akira's anger dissolved into panic. "What about Nappa?"
"He," Goku pused when he saw Arthos and a limping Vegeta walking toward them.
"What's going on, Kakkarot?" The saiyan prince demanded.
"Something's wrong with Nappa, but he won't spit it out," Akira responded.
Goku took a deep breath. "Nappa's dead." Vegeta bowed his head forward, letting out a ragged sigh. "That's not all," Goku went on. "He said something about the boys. They had been gone too long. What was he trying to say?"
Vegeta's head snapped up. His son and his brothers! "Where are they?!" He shouted.
"I don't know. I haven't come across them anywhere. Have you, sis?"
Akira shook her head slowly. "We have to find them now. Has the medical team arrived yet?"
Goku hit a button on his scouter. "Medic, what's your ETA?" He waited for the response. "They should be overhead any second now."
"Call all royal guard on duty for an emergency search," Arthos cut in. "Tell them to contact the troops on my battleship. I want them looking too."
Akira frowned. "You two are going back to the palace with the medic," she informed both princes. They both opened their mouths to protest, but she silenced them with a glare. "You will both go back to the palace and be checked out by the royal physician, and someone needs to inform B," she stopped herself in the knick of time, mentally kicking herself. Goddes she almost said Bulma. She looked Vegeta in the eye. "I suppose someone should inform Marron that her son is missing."
----
Bardock was pacing back and forth in the communications tower, awaiting word on the condition of his sons. "What the hell is taking so long?" He whispered harshly.
"Sir, we have your son on the link," one of the officers called out.
"Put him on over the speaker."
"Yessir!"
"-on our way to the palace now. Generals Nor and Radditz are still unconscious. So is Commander Turlis," Kakkarot's voice called out, echoing through the room. "Prince Vegeta and Prince Arthos are fine. Over."
Bardock frowned. "Repeat General Nappa's status. We didn't copy that."
There was an unusally long pause before the staticy reply. "General Nappa." Another pause. "He will have a place of honor beside his mate," was all Goku could manage to say.
All activity in the control room stopped, and every saiyan on duty felt the sudden rush of loss at this announcement.
"There's more. The young princes are missing. You need to organize search parties." Suddenly, Vegeta came onto the link. "I want all forces gathered. Pull men off leave if you have to. Everyone able man is to rip this planet apart until they are found."
"Of course, your highness. I'll get right on that."
"Give the men aboard 'Sy'wa Ky Frah' the same orders, in Arthos' name." (Sy'wa Ky Frah is the name of Arthos' battleship! ;)
"Yes, Prince Vegeta."
----
Thealda sat at the table beside June and across from Chichi. "Where is everyone?"
Bulma burst through the door a second later. "I can't find Akira anywhere!" She looked around at the other women. "Where's Goku?"
Chichi shrugged. "I went back to our apartments, and he was gone. He didn't even leave a note or a transmission saying where he went," she stated angrily, strangling her poor napkin.
The blue haired woman glanced at the empty table. "I thought Akira was seeing to dinner. It's not like a saiyan to forget about the most important time of day," she joked, sitting down next to Chichi.
"She was supposed to, but the kitchen staff said they haven't seen her all day," June responded. "Something must be up if Akira and Goku are both missing. Family emergency perhaps?"
Chichi dropped her wrinkled napkin on the floor. "Oh no! What if something happened to one of my boys?!" She jumped out of her chair and ran off toward the main hall.
June, Thealda, and Bulma all exchanged worried looks before following the raven-haired saiyan woman, each praying that nothing had happened to Gohan or Goten.
----
"Good evening? I hope you're comfortable."
Arro groggily opened his eyes. "What happened?" He asked, slurring the words together.
"There was a terrible explosion. Leveled the entire meadow. I'm very proud of it."
The young prince tried to move his hand to rub the sleep from his eyes, but his arm wouldn't budge. "what the hell?" He struggled to move any part of his body, but he found he was completely subdued by metal clamps. "Let me out of here," he shouted, turning toward the voice. His whole body froze. "Yamcha!" The name rolled off his tongue like a curse.
"Nice to see you again, boy. You're the first one to wake up. You're little b rother doesn't look too good, tough. He might need to spend the better half of a day in a regeneration tank," Yamcha said with a grin on his scarred face.
"Cass!? Where is he?"
The pirate yawned, pointing the space on the other side of Arro. Arro let out an angry cry at the bloodied face of his little brother. "You worthless piece of shit! My brother's going to flay you alive!"
"Vegeta's a pushover. He wouldn't dare attack me while I'm holding his baby brothers and his only son and heir."
Arro searched the room for Trunks but didn't see him anywhere. "Where is he?"
Yamcha laughed. "He's with his mother."
"That bitch was in on this?" Arro shouted furiously.
"Marron's been working for me for a long time now."
"You're both going to be sorry for this, you--" A suddenly slap across the cheek intrrupted the young prince from his insult.
"Enough. It's time to contact your brother and set things straight once and for all."
----
Marron stared at the lavender haired boy lying on the couch. Her son. She hadn't laid eyes on him since he was born. Her eyes traveled over his strong, sharp features. He looked exactly like Vegeta. The whole thing made her sick. She stood up and went over to a nearby endtable. There was a bowl of water and a rag sitting on it. Carefully, she dipped the rag into the water and carried it back over to the boy. She wrung it out over his face, splashing him with cold water and washing the dried blood away.
Trunks scrunched up his face, disturbed the coldness that suddenly hit him. He rolled onto his side, wiping the dampness away with his dirty hands. "What the heck?" He frowned up at his real mother. "Mom? What's you do that for?" He sat up and glanced around the room. "Hey, what happened? I was camping with dad and his friends. When'd we come back to the palace?"
'God, he talks to much,' Marron thought. 'Must have picked that up from Bulma.'
"Mom? Are you even listening to me? I don't remember this part of the royal suite," Trunks continued to babble. "Can I go see father?"
Marron walked back over to the bowl and tossed the rag on the table. "No."
Trunks pouted. "Why not? Is he busy with something? Oh, yeah! He had that meeting with the council memebers when we got back."
"My goddess! Shut up, you little brat!" Marron glared at the now stunned boy. "Is that all you do is talk incessantly?" She smirked down at him. "Good. Now that you're quiet, my headache will go away."
Trunks blinked back the stinging in his eyes. "Are you mad at me, mother? Did I do something wrong?"
"Arhhh! I said be quiet. Goddess, why'd Yamcha insist that I bother with you?" Marron walked over to the small window and glared at the floating sphere in space. "I didn't want to ever come back here."
From this angle, Trunks studied his mother's profile. This woman looked like his mother, but she deffinitely didn't act like his mother. What was going on? One second, he was gathering wood, and then bam! He's in some strange place with his mother, snd she acting all weird. His eyes drifted across her face and came to rest on her cheek. They were faint, but still noticable. Three thin lines, running parrellel to each other. Scars! His mother didn't have any scars on her face!
"You're not my mother," he whispered. "Who the hell are you?"
The blue haired woman chuckled. "Been hanging around your pathetic father I see."
"I asked you a question, you fake! Who are you?"
Marron turned, crossing her arms in front of her. "I'm your mother, Trunks. Can't you see the resemblance?" She taunted.
"Not really," he shot back. "My mother's beautiful beyond comprehension. You're just a cheap, whorish look-alike!"
"Hahaha, the boy has been hanging around Vegeta," Yamcha called out from the doorway. "After all, Marron, that is all you ever were to him."
Marron shot an deadly glare toward her lover. "How dare you!"
"Don't deny it now, love. You were second to Akira. Always have been, always will be," he told her in a serious tone, face void of any emotion.
The implication wasn't lost on Marron. She closed her eyes, turning her back on her son and Yamcha. "I should have known you weren't over that bitch."
Trunks growled. "Akira's not a bitch! She's nice."
"Tsk, tsk. You shouldn't raise your voice to your own mother, kid."
"She. is not. my mother," Trunks growled.
"Oh but she is. She handed you over to her twin sister Bulma like a piece of unwanted trash. All so she could get away from your father and run off with me. face it, boy. The woman you know as 'mother', is really your dear aunt Bulma."
Trunks stared at the ground, tears streaming down his face. As much as he didn't want to believe it, it made perfect sense. How many times had he heard Goku, June, or Chichi call his mother Bulma when they thouhgt he wasn't around or listening? Up until know, he thought it was just a nickname. He suddenly set his eyes on his real mother.
"You're not my 'mother'," he told her. "You might have given birth to me, but you were never my mother."
Marron stared back at the boy, understanding perfectly what he was saying to her. She simply nodded to him and then walked out of the room. It wasn't until she reached her private study that she realized she was crying.
----
Vegeta shrugged off the doctor's hand. "I'm perfectly fine. I don't need to go into the damn regeneration tank. Go bug someone that's actually hurt," he yelled.
Arthos sat next to him, examining the bandages on his left arm. "We should get out there with Akira. What if it's Freeza who planned this? She could be in trouble, too."
The saiyan prince growled, slamming his fist into a metal cart and sending the contents scattering across the room. At that exact moment, Chichi, Bulma, Thealda, and June entered the room together. Chichi immediately went into a panic, but Goku rushed to her side, reassuring her that her boys were fine, and they were with their grandmother. Bulma stepped further into the room, glancing at the dead body of Nappa as she walked past it. Her hand came up to cover her mouth as she gasped. She stopped just in front of Vegeta, and their eyes locked.
"Trunks?" She asked fearfully.
Vegeta looked away, unable to look into her oceanic eyes. There was so much concern and fear buried beneath their depths. "There was an explosion. Arro, Cass, and," he looked up at her once more. "Trunks haven't been found."
Bulma let out a heart-wrenching sob, falling to her knees before her 'husband'. She clutched at his torn pants and buried her head against his thigh as she cried. For a moment, everyone in the room that didn't know her secret identity saw only a mother who had no idea where her son was and if he was alive. They forgot who she was pretending to be and what that person did, even Vegeta. He pulled her up and held her against his body, letting his head rest against her chest.
"Vegeta?!" Bardock called out, pushing his way through the room.
"Bardock?"
The older man knelt stopped to catch his breath. "There's a transmission from space. They want to speak with you."
Vegeta narrowed his eyes. "Tell them it'll have to wait. My son is missing," the prince ordered.
"He says he knows were your son is," Bardock added.
----
Another cliffy, but not as big I hope! Are you all happy, I didn't make you wait that long! I'm back in the saddle, so to speak.. hahahaha. Anyhow! I gotta know what you think. It's a must, especially after that scene with the real Marron and Trunks!
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PANDORA ;)
----
Review, please!
Joelie the Messenger of Death- Hi! Thanks for reviewing. I'm sooo glad I still have it.
The Odd Little Turtle- Well, I hope this chapter is up to everyone's expectations. Thanks for reviewing!
Gravidy- (gives you her brother) Here, duct tape away! hahaha. Sorry for being so evil with that last chapter, but I just had to do it! I come back after a month of twidling my fingers, I had to do something huge, right?! Arthos is being kind of a dork, huh? It's blatantly obvious that Akira loves him, which you'll see in this chapter. He does something really mean to her! As for June (18) being Bulma's sister, it was just something that popped into my head. I hope it works out, cuz I dig that idea too! Thanks a lot, girl! ;)
Lady Frightmare- Hi again! Thanks for the review. The suspense is answered, somewhat in this chapter. I'll let all of you be the true judges of that. I hope you enjoy this one! Thanks ;)
Daisy31- HI! I'd tel you what happened, but that'd spoil this chapter I just wrote for you! It's good to hear from ya! Thanks for reviewing!
Elvenangel- Thanks!;) June's twin will most probably be introduced into the story later on. I'm not sure when though, and as for the Bulma identity crisis, at least one person's going to find out in this chapter, but you'll have to read to find out!
Videlchan313- Hey, girl! Thanks so much for all the support! I hope you enjoy this chapter, and I'm glad you liked the last one so much. It's good to know that I can still keep the momentum going! Thanks! ;)
Hinagiku- Hey! Glad things are a bit more clear for you! The reason it would be bad for Freeza or Cooler to get a hold of Bulma is because they could force her into marrying them since she's supposedly the rightful heir to the empire. Don't worry, when the war starts up, I'll really go into detail about this topic. Thanks! ;)
Kiawithia- Hello! I am insane, just so you know! hahahaha I ryhmed... anyhow! Glad you like the story. This next chapter, which I'm proud to say, only took a few hours to write. (I'm back!!!!) I'm really happy with it (for now, hahaha) So, thanks for reviewing, and enjoy!
Mini Nicka- Piece by piece, little bits of truth are starting to fall through the cracks! mu hahahaha especially in this chapter! I'm soo proud of myself! Happy reading! ;) Thanks!
Dopey- Thank you, thank you, thank you! You keep the faith in me! Thanks. I really hop you like this next chapter! Thanks! ;)
Shiro Ryu- I am sheer evil... mu hahahaha I can't help it. Sorry! oh wait.. I'm evil, I shouldn't apologize! Sorry.... damnit! anyhow... Thank you very much for the review! ;)
Sorceress Fujin- Loads more, right now! :) thanks!!!
Seruleyan-Wings- ahh! (hugs back lots) thanks, girl! I missed everyone, and I'm soo sorry for staying away so long! I'm sooo glad we finally caught each other online! Vegeta sure is a good big brother!!! Well, I don't want to make you wait any longer, cuz I know you're wanting to read this chapter. Enjoy, happy reading!!!! Thanks so much girl! (more hugs) ;)
Majesa- Oh, wow! Thanks so much. I'm so happy that so many people like this fic! Thanks for reading and reviewing! ;)
Adbzfan2k03- Hiya! sorry about the cliffhanger, but it makes for interesting reviews and death threats! hahaha Thanks!
Add1ct1v3- I hope this was soon enough for ya! ;) thanks for reviewing!
LucretiaDecoy- Hey! Was this update a little quicker?! ;) I hope it was, cuz I felt horrible for making everyone wait so long and then being so evil with that ending. I hope I made up for it with this chapter! Thanks for reading! ;)
KarineD- get ready! Get set! Jump for joy! (waits) oh, you were probably just kidding, huh?! Anyhow! here's that update, and a little more timely this time, huh? Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Bubbles- Thank you so much!!! I'm now officially bursting with pride for this fic. I never imagined it would get so popular. Thanks you, thank you!!! ;)
TaiBulmaChan- All your questions are hopefully answered in this chapter! Sorry I made you wait so long!!! I'm glad everyone thinks I still got it!!! thank you thank you!!! I'm so happy after hearing from all you guys again! I'm ready to get down to business with this fic, and hopefully I can finish it by the end of summer! (dreams, all dreams) Thanks a lot girl!!!
----
Without any further hold ups! I give you the next chapter!!!
----
Chapter 17: Grief brings you closer!
Goku landed quickly and ran toward the once lush meadow that was now reduced to nothing but exposed, charred topsoil. He knelt next to the first body he came to, which just so happened to be Raddtiz. He checked his pulse and cursed under his breath at its faint beating. Shakily, Goku lifted his finger to the scouter hanging on his face. He pushed the call button.
"We need a medical team and a transport, ASAP," he told the group waiting on the other end.
"What the hell happened here?"
Goku stood up and turned toward his sister. "What are you doing here, sis? You were supposed to wait for me to check it out."
Akira walked over to him and knelt beside Radditz with a horrified look on her face. "I can take care of myself, Kakkarot," she whispered, brushing her older brother's unruly hair back from his face. "He's still alive. We need to check the others."
"Okay."
They both went in different directions. Goku was relieved when he spotted Nor and Turlis, though both men were barely hanging on to life. He glanced around for anyone else, scanning the scarred ground for another body. At first, he walked toward the next, but an overwhelming feeling of dread began to seep into his being. He started to run.
"Nappa!" He fell to his knees next to the older man who was wheezing and coughing up blood. He kept trying to speak, but Goku shook his head. "Stop, Nappa. Save your strength. There's a medic on the way. It'll be here shortly."
"N-no," the burly soldier croaked. He pulled Goku down closer by the shoulder so he could whisper what he needed to say.
----
Akira closed her eyes and searched with her mind for any ki that might be close to her. Silver eyes snapped open, and she turned sharply to the right. She spotted Vegeta's body lying several yards away. Picking up the front of her skirts, she ran toward him.
"Vegeta?" The only response she recieved was a low groan as she knelt beside him and ran a gentle hand down his cheek.
The prince's eyes fluttered open, and he focused on her face. "What?"
Akira placed a finger over his lips. "Quiet, Vegeta. You're hurt badly. We'll figure out what hapened as soon as we get everyone back to the palace and healed."
Vegeta nodded, glancing to his left where he expected to see Arthos. He frowned, the movement causing more pain than he would like to admitt. "Arthos. Where is he?"
The priestess shook her head. "I haven't found him yet." Her voice wavered, almost breaking from from the mere thought that he might be dead. She kissed Vegeta's forehead and stood up. "I'll be right back. Don't you dare move, Vegeta."
She walked away from him quickly toward a mound of soft, gray cloth and tanned limbs. 'Arthos,' her mind whispered in anguish. She ran over to him, dropping to her knees. There was a thin trickle of blood running down his left cheek.
"Wake up," she whispered, placing her hands against his chest and leaning over him, checking his pulse. There was none. "Wake up. Get up, damnit!" She rested her forhead against his neck and began to cry.
"Goddess, will you cease that noise?"
Akira gasped, moving away from the man beneath her. "Arthos?!"
He groaned. "Honestly, do you ever stop screaming?" He teased.
"You're alive."
The Riesian prince chuckled. "Yes, I was just messing with you."
The priestess let out a furious growl and punched him hard in the gut, knocking the wind out of him. Arthos doubled over, gasping for breath, but still laughing at her gullibility until Akira began to assault him with her fist repeatedly. He frowned at her, grabbing both her wrists to stop her from doing any real damage.
"Hold, Akira. It was nothing but a cruel trick I played. Stop this."
"Cruel trick?!" She twisted one hand free from his grasp and slapped him forcefully across the face. "I hate you."
Arthos held her firey glare for a long time before he responded. "Why? Because your true feelings finally came out?"
"You've no idea what you're talking about," she hissed.
He released her and got to his feet. "You're right. After all, you won't tell me anything, epsecially not the truth."
Akira stood up, glaring at the prince's back as he walked off toward Vegeta. She was about to scream a particularly nasty comment at him when her brother ran up behind her. "Akira!"
"What is it, Kakkarot?" She was not in a good mood at all.
Goku swallowed and tried to calm his breathing. "Nappa," he blurted out, still breathing hard.
Akira's anger dissolved into panic. "What about Nappa?"
"He," Goku pused when he saw Arthos and a limping Vegeta walking toward them.
"What's going on, Kakkarot?" The saiyan prince demanded.
"Something's wrong with Nappa, but he won't spit it out," Akira responded.
Goku took a deep breath. "Nappa's dead." Vegeta bowed his head forward, letting out a ragged sigh. "That's not all," Goku went on. "He said something about the boys. They had been gone too long. What was he trying to say?"
Vegeta's head snapped up. His son and his brothers! "Where are they?!" He shouted.
"I don't know. I haven't come across them anywhere. Have you, sis?"
Akira shook her head slowly. "We have to find them now. Has the medical team arrived yet?"
Goku hit a button on his scouter. "Medic, what's your ETA?" He waited for the response. "They should be overhead any second now."
"Call all royal guard on duty for an emergency search," Arthos cut in. "Tell them to contact the troops on my battleship. I want them looking too."
Akira frowned. "You two are going back to the palace with the medic," she informed both princes. They both opened their mouths to protest, but she silenced them with a glare. "You will both go back to the palace and be checked out by the royal physician, and someone needs to inform B," she stopped herself in the knick of time, mentally kicking herself. Goddes she almost said Bulma. She looked Vegeta in the eye. "I suppose someone should inform Marron that her son is missing."
----
Bardock was pacing back and forth in the communications tower, awaiting word on the condition of his sons. "What the hell is taking so long?" He whispered harshly.
"Sir, we have your son on the link," one of the officers called out.
"Put him on over the speaker."
"Yessir!"
"-on our way to the palace now. Generals Nor and Radditz are still unconscious. So is Commander Turlis," Kakkarot's voice called out, echoing through the room. "Prince Vegeta and Prince Arthos are fine. Over."
Bardock frowned. "Repeat General Nappa's status. We didn't copy that."
There was an unusally long pause before the staticy reply. "General Nappa." Another pause. "He will have a place of honor beside his mate," was all Goku could manage to say.
All activity in the control room stopped, and every saiyan on duty felt the sudden rush of loss at this announcement.
"There's more. The young princes are missing. You need to organize search parties." Suddenly, Vegeta came onto the link. "I want all forces gathered. Pull men off leave if you have to. Everyone able man is to rip this planet apart until they are found."
"Of course, your highness. I'll get right on that."
"Give the men aboard 'Sy'wa Ky Frah' the same orders, in Arthos' name." (Sy'wa Ky Frah is the name of Arthos' battleship! ;)
"Yes, Prince Vegeta."
----
Thealda sat at the table beside June and across from Chichi. "Where is everyone?"
Bulma burst through the door a second later. "I can't find Akira anywhere!" She looked around at the other women. "Where's Goku?"
Chichi shrugged. "I went back to our apartments, and he was gone. He didn't even leave a note or a transmission saying where he went," she stated angrily, strangling her poor napkin.
The blue haired woman glanced at the empty table. "I thought Akira was seeing to dinner. It's not like a saiyan to forget about the most important time of day," she joked, sitting down next to Chichi.
"She was supposed to, but the kitchen staff said they haven't seen her all day," June responded. "Something must be up if Akira and Goku are both missing. Family emergency perhaps?"
Chichi dropped her wrinkled napkin on the floor. "Oh no! What if something happened to one of my boys?!" She jumped out of her chair and ran off toward the main hall.
June, Thealda, and Bulma all exchanged worried looks before following the raven-haired saiyan woman, each praying that nothing had happened to Gohan or Goten.
----
"Good evening? I hope you're comfortable."
Arro groggily opened his eyes. "What happened?" He asked, slurring the words together.
"There was a terrible explosion. Leveled the entire meadow. I'm very proud of it."
The young prince tried to move his hand to rub the sleep from his eyes, but his arm wouldn't budge. "what the hell?" He struggled to move any part of his body, but he found he was completely subdued by metal clamps. "Let me out of here," he shouted, turning toward the voice. His whole body froze. "Yamcha!" The name rolled off his tongue like a curse.
"Nice to see you again, boy. You're the first one to wake up. You're little b rother doesn't look too good, tough. He might need to spend the better half of a day in a regeneration tank," Yamcha said with a grin on his scarred face.
"Cass!? Where is he?"
The pirate yawned, pointing the space on the other side of Arro. Arro let out an angry cry at the bloodied face of his little brother. "You worthless piece of shit! My brother's going to flay you alive!"
"Vegeta's a pushover. He wouldn't dare attack me while I'm holding his baby brothers and his only son and heir."
Arro searched the room for Trunks but didn't see him anywhere. "Where is he?"
Yamcha laughed. "He's with his mother."
"That bitch was in on this?" Arro shouted furiously.
"Marron's been working for me for a long time now."
"You're both going to be sorry for this, you--" A suddenly slap across the cheek intrrupted the young prince from his insult.
"Enough. It's time to contact your brother and set things straight once and for all."
----
Marron stared at the lavender haired boy lying on the couch. Her son. She hadn't laid eyes on him since he was born. Her eyes traveled over his strong, sharp features. He looked exactly like Vegeta. The whole thing made her sick. She stood up and went over to a nearby endtable. There was a bowl of water and a rag sitting on it. Carefully, she dipped the rag into the water and carried it back over to the boy. She wrung it out over his face, splashing him with cold water and washing the dried blood away.
Trunks scrunched up his face, disturbed the coldness that suddenly hit him. He rolled onto his side, wiping the dampness away with his dirty hands. "What the heck?" He frowned up at his real mother. "Mom? What's you do that for?" He sat up and glanced around the room. "Hey, what happened? I was camping with dad and his friends. When'd we come back to the palace?"
'God, he talks to much,' Marron thought. 'Must have picked that up from Bulma.'
"Mom? Are you even listening to me? I don't remember this part of the royal suite," Trunks continued to babble. "Can I go see father?"
Marron walked back over to the bowl and tossed the rag on the table. "No."
Trunks pouted. "Why not? Is he busy with something? Oh, yeah! He had that meeting with the council memebers when we got back."
"My goddess! Shut up, you little brat!" Marron glared at the now stunned boy. "Is that all you do is talk incessantly?" She smirked down at him. "Good. Now that you're quiet, my headache will go away."
Trunks blinked back the stinging in his eyes. "Are you mad at me, mother? Did I do something wrong?"
"Arhhh! I said be quiet. Goddess, why'd Yamcha insist that I bother with you?" Marron walked over to the small window and glared at the floating sphere in space. "I didn't want to ever come back here."
From this angle, Trunks studied his mother's profile. This woman looked like his mother, but she deffinitely didn't act like his mother. What was going on? One second, he was gathering wood, and then bam! He's in some strange place with his mother, snd she acting all weird. His eyes drifted across her face and came to rest on her cheek. They were faint, but still noticable. Three thin lines, running parrellel to each other. Scars! His mother didn't have any scars on her face!
"You're not my mother," he whispered. "Who the hell are you?"
The blue haired woman chuckled. "Been hanging around your pathetic father I see."
"I asked you a question, you fake! Who are you?"
Marron turned, crossing her arms in front of her. "I'm your mother, Trunks. Can't you see the resemblance?" She taunted.
"Not really," he shot back. "My mother's beautiful beyond comprehension. You're just a cheap, whorish look-alike!"
"Hahaha, the boy has been hanging around Vegeta," Yamcha called out from the doorway. "After all, Marron, that is all you ever were to him."
Marron shot an deadly glare toward her lover. "How dare you!"
"Don't deny it now, love. You were second to Akira. Always have been, always will be," he told her in a serious tone, face void of any emotion.
The implication wasn't lost on Marron. She closed her eyes, turning her back on her son and Yamcha. "I should have known you weren't over that bitch."
Trunks growled. "Akira's not a bitch! She's nice."
"Tsk, tsk. You shouldn't raise your voice to your own mother, kid."
"She. is not. my mother," Trunks growled.
"Oh but she is. She handed you over to her twin sister Bulma like a piece of unwanted trash. All so she could get away from your father and run off with me. face it, boy. The woman you know as 'mother', is really your dear aunt Bulma."
Trunks stared at the ground, tears streaming down his face. As much as he didn't want to believe it, it made perfect sense. How many times had he heard Goku, June, or Chichi call his mother Bulma when they thouhgt he wasn't around or listening? Up until know, he thought it was just a nickname. He suddenly set his eyes on his real mother.
"You're not my 'mother'," he told her. "You might have given birth to me, but you were never my mother."
Marron stared back at the boy, understanding perfectly what he was saying to her. She simply nodded to him and then walked out of the room. It wasn't until she reached her private study that she realized she was crying.
----
Vegeta shrugged off the doctor's hand. "I'm perfectly fine. I don't need to go into the damn regeneration tank. Go bug someone that's actually hurt," he yelled.
Arthos sat next to him, examining the bandages on his left arm. "We should get out there with Akira. What if it's Freeza who planned this? She could be in trouble, too."
The saiyan prince growled, slamming his fist into a metal cart and sending the contents scattering across the room. At that exact moment, Chichi, Bulma, Thealda, and June entered the room together. Chichi immediately went into a panic, but Goku rushed to her side, reassuring her that her boys were fine, and they were with their grandmother. Bulma stepped further into the room, glancing at the dead body of Nappa as she walked past it. Her hand came up to cover her mouth as she gasped. She stopped just in front of Vegeta, and their eyes locked.
"Trunks?" She asked fearfully.
Vegeta looked away, unable to look into her oceanic eyes. There was so much concern and fear buried beneath their depths. "There was an explosion. Arro, Cass, and," he looked up at her once more. "Trunks haven't been found."
Bulma let out a heart-wrenching sob, falling to her knees before her 'husband'. She clutched at his torn pants and buried her head against his thigh as she cried. For a moment, everyone in the room that didn't know her secret identity saw only a mother who had no idea where her son was and if he was alive. They forgot who she was pretending to be and what that person did, even Vegeta. He pulled her up and held her against his body, letting his head rest against her chest.
"Vegeta?!" Bardock called out, pushing his way through the room.
"Bardock?"
The older man knelt stopped to catch his breath. "There's a transmission from space. They want to speak with you."
Vegeta narrowed his eyes. "Tell them it'll have to wait. My son is missing," the prince ordered.
"He says he knows were your son is," Bardock added.
----
Another cliffy, but not as big I hope! Are you all happy, I didn't make you wait that long! I'm back in the saddle, so to speak.. hahahaha. Anyhow! I gotta know what you think. It's a must, especially after that scene with the real Marron and Trunks!
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PANDORA ;)
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Review, please!