Updated Ch 2
SHINING FUTURE BOOK 1: Rebuild the Future Arc
Discovery Saga Chapter 2: Darkest before the Dawn
Age 788 - Jan 4th
Location: King Kai's Planet, Otherworld
"Are you sure about this?" an old witch asked as she sat upon her crystal ball
"Yes I am Baba please do me this favor?" a short blue god asked
"Very well King Kai I will go fetch him" Baba sighed
"Thank you very much" King Kai says as Baba leaves he turns to the guest in his house "I trust your judgment but do you think he will be able to handle it"
"Don't worry King Kai Trunks can take it...he's been through a lot tougher in his young life this training will help him" a calming voice came from the house
King Kai sighed and looked to the yellow sky of the other world "I hope you are right Goku"
Location: Capsule Corp
Trunks and 16 had returned home and after explaining everything to Bulma they went to work. The repairs on 16 were minor at best and Trunks was able to do them with ease. He planned to study the blue prints and notes left behind by Dr. Gero later so he could remove the bomb.
Meanwhile Bulma took on multiple tasks 1st she used one computer to begin sorting through the data on the hard drives. 2nd she had one computer focused on the science of making an Android or...Cyborg to be exact. Finally on the main computer she focused on this so-called Project 21 the pod lay discarded behind her as the woman inside the pod lay on a scanner bed covered in a sheet.
The brilliant head of Capsule Corp. had an angry scowl on her face as she read the data; she cursed Dr. Gero and his one-track mind. 'He could have used his brilliance twisted as it was for so much more than just revenge on Goku' she thought. Now with what she assumed was his last act had tainted Goku's legacy, she turned to look at the girl and her features softened.
She sighed as she found a large video file. She pressed it and found out it was Gero's video journal. Just watching Gero work made her sick to her stomach, but what she discovered next horrified her to her very core. After obtaining a sample of Goku's DNA, Dr. Gero chose a young couple who wanted a child and during an apparent routine flu inoculation, the man was administered a nanotech solution that over-wrote his reproductive DNA with Goku's. The parents were excited about having a child and continued to see this 'doctor' for checkups, then even told him they decided on a name Mai Inami. Then that monster did the unthinkable during the woman's 2nd month of pregnancy he killed the father and removed the baby from the mother's womb placing it in an artificial womb...the shock and pain killed the mother. This poor child would be genetically perfected and grown in an artificial womb grown over 20 years, Project 21 was intended to be a formidable warrior meant to destroy Goku with his own power. Searching on she even found out that he fabricated memories for, how cruel.
"I do not blame you, I know you had no choice in this matter and had no say in what you would...become. I'm so sorry" she said looking at the black haired girl she felt truly sorry for her
Bulma scanned Mai's body and was relieved to find that she was still for the most part human and did receive some cybernetic enhancements to increase her strength and durability. She also discovered that she had an inactive infinity engine like the other Androids, but did not receive the bomb in her chest or the kill Goku programming. Bulma took a sample of her blood and after a while discovered the Saiyan DNA had completely bonded with her own making her a Human/Saiyan/Bio-Android Hybrid. She discovered in her notes that Dr. Gero planned for her to be able to learn and grow through training and was beyond any other android he'd ever created.
Bulma slid back in her chair and stood up to take a small break. She'd done what her son had asked of her and checked and tested every inch and detail of this young woman and she had been at it for hours. Now came the time for the final step...waking Mai up. She sat back down and pressed a button on her keyboard and called her son.
"Trunks sweetie, are you there?"
Location: Robotics Lab, Capsule Corp
16's repairs were completed and Trunks was now running diagnostic scans on the androids systems when he heard his mother's voice over the intercom.
"Yes mom I'm here is something wrong" Trunks answered a bit nervously
"Everything is fine dear you and #16 need to meet me in my lab its time" Bulma replied
"Understood be there shortly" Trunks responded he turned to 16 as he stood up "Time to go #16"
The android nodded and stood up as the two made their way to Bulma's lab.
Bulma's Lab
Once they entered the lab Bulma greeted them even commenting on his new Capsule Corp. logo replacing his old Red Ribbon one. Bulma then explained everything that she had discovered. Trunks was beyond pissed that Dr. Gero was already dead; he wanted to kill him with his own hands. This girl never even had a chance to live. He clenched his fist 'DAMN that bastard!'
16 after hearing this turning to his purple haired partner "Trunks are you alright with this?" he asked in his monotone voice
"What do you mean #16?" he answered with a question
"Are you alright with waking this girl up...do you think it is right to wake her up?"
Trunks sighed and begin walking towards the bed where the girl rested "Mai deserves a chance to live the life that was stolen from her"
"I agree" Bulma nodded at her son
16 satisfied with their answers nods. Bulma goes over to Mai and places a couple of electrodes on her body and head, she then goes to the computer and begins the awakening protocol. Trunks and 16 watch her work as she inputs the command codes she learned while studying the files from the hard drives. The process starts and many screens and numbers appear. They look over to the young woman and see her begin to stir.
The girl's eyes slowly open, squinting at the bright light being the first this she sees. Slowly her eyes adjust as it's been so long since they've been open; she takes in the immediate surroundings. Her hearing was still coming in so she could barely hear Bulma trying to ease her awake.
"Take it easy" Bulma says as the girl slowly begins to sit up "Can...Can you tell me your name?" she sat down at the foot of the bed
"My name...is Mai Inami" she said, sitting up accidently dropping the sheet off the top of her naked body. This caused a blush to appear on Trunks' face
"My name is Bulma Briefs, the big guy over here is Android #16 and this young man is my son Trunks, they're the ones that saved you"
"Saved...me from what...where am I" she asked in a dazed tone
"You're inside a lab at Capsule Corp" Trunk replied
The girl turned her head to see who was talking, she saw the purple hair boy and didn't know how but she could tell he was powerful.
"Capsule...Corp?" she asked confused
"Yes we rescued you from Dr. Gero's lab you're safe now" Bulma said
"Dr. Gero...who is that...where are my parents I was living with them" Mai said confused and worried
All three of them looked at each other worried about what would happen if they told her the truth. "Mai...sweetheart we didn't find you with your parents...we found you in a tube deep inside a lab...Dr. Gero killed your parents I'm sorry." Bulma told her the bad news
Mai's eye widened filling with tears "No...you're lying...MY PARENTS ARE ALIVE I KNOW IT I WAS WITH THEM GET AWAY FROM ME"
Trunks tensed slightly he didn't want to hurt her but he wouldn't risk his mother "Please calm down I will not hurt you...we will not hurt you" Trunks said still with a slight red tint on his face "We are telling the truth" he inched closer to comfort her
"Nooo get away from me" she screamed a and catching Trunks off guard backhanded him knocking him backward through a wall
'Damn she's strong' Trunks thought as he pulled himself out of the wall, he wasn't mad at her he saw how confused and hurt she looks
"Oh no Trunks" Bulma worried then got up and went to the computer and played Gero's video diary "Please I know this is quite a shock but you have to believe us"
Mai watched the tape in complete horror, she saw her parents and how happy they were then she saw them be killed and...watched herself be taken by this old man she assumed was Doctor Gero. She watched him toy and tinker with her body and mind in the most perverse ways as she grew up in a test tube. She watched as he programmed her with the skills and abilities as someone else. Mai looked down at her hands...
'I'm not real, my parents...aren't real he killed them...I am just a clone of this...Son Goku but why' she thought eyes swelling with tears, her breathing being to pick up she looked at the screen and the old horrible man that made her. "I am a clone" she whispered
"No Mai you're not a clone you..." Bulma tried to console her
"IM NOTHING BUT A CLONE!" the girl screams releasing untapped untrained power, a large clear aura surrounding her causing the whole building to shake.
Trunks going Super Saiyan was about to ask 16 to protect his mother but already saw the Android racing toward Bulma to shield her. 'Thank you #16' he turned his head to the girl screaming from pain he could never know, Gero had tainted her and he really didn't know how he was going to be able to help her.
"AHHHHHH!" Mai continued to scream in pain aura flaring around her as she floated the bed beneath her destroyed. Everything she knew was a lie she wasn't even herself she was a clone of the man she was supposed to be programmed to kill "IT'S NOT FAIR..." she sobbed
"Oh Mai..." Bulma worried she was truly sorry for what this young girl was going through
"...WHY DID HE CHOOSE ME?"
"I don't...I don't know Mai but please you have to calm down. I know you are hurting and scared right now but your power will destroy this place if you don't calm yourself" Trunks said in a calm voice. She looked at Trunks and saw that his hair was golden now and it confused her. Tears still flowed from her eyes, It looked like she was beginning to calm down.
Trunks saw she was focused on him good his features softened "Please I want to help you..." he extended his hand out to her "...but you've got to calm down now"
Shaking with fear and not knowing what to do she suddenly panicked flew off making a hole in the roof. "Oh no Trunks quickly you have to follow her she could hurt herself...or someone else." Bulma pleaded tossing him some covers, wasting no time Trunks powered up and flew after her.
While Bulma and 16 get ready to clean up the lab she hears the doorbell ring. "Hmmm I wonder who that could be..." she wondered
The Android watched as she headed to the front door. Bulma finally reached the door, opened it and saw two people she didn't recognize: a woman who looked to be almost 30 and a very young 5 year old girl.
"Hmmm hi I'm Ms. Brief how can I help you..." she politely introduced herself "...my name is Videl and this is my daughter Pan we were told to come find you once the world was rid of the Androids"
This caught Bulma's attention "Oh and who was it that told you to seek me out hmmm?"
"Son Gohan...my boyfriend" Videl answered to the shock of Bulma
With Trunks
He had chased her past the city and into the mountain area close to the city. Mai didn't know where she was going but she couldn't believe she was flying, she'd never flown before but it felt natural for some reason. She saw that Trunks was catching up to her but suddenly grew tired, just waking up and exerting all that power in one burst was overwhelming for her. The aura disappeared and she passed out beginning to plummet to the ground. Trunks finally locking on to her saw she was falling "Oh no she's going to crash into that mountain I've got to hurry" he said flying fast trying to catch her. "Almost there"
Reaching out his hand he caught her hand stopping her descent. Trunks took the cover his mother gave him and wrapped it around the girl's body. He held her bridal style as he landed atop the very mountain she was going to hit. He looked down at her face and could slightly see hints of Goku's features. He cursed Dr. Gero for what was probably the 20th time today, sighing he looked to the sky, the sun beginning to set.
'What am I supposed to do...what would Goku do...what would he say if he knew about this' Trunks wondered in his mind
'I would say that you shouldn't worry so much Trunks' a voice answered him
Trunks looked around for the source "Goku...is that you?"
'Yes Trunks it's me I'm contacting you with the help of King Kai' Goku said as his had his hand on King Kai's shoulder in the other world
'Goku I...I don't know what to do we had no idea how far Doctor Gero's twisted hated for you went this girl in my arms...she is your clone I just don't know what to do' Trunks was worried what Goku would think
The Saiyan smiled 'Hey it's alright yes I know what she is but that doesn't matter. Trunks you said it yourself that she deserves to live the life she never got to, look past what has already been done this girl is not a clone of me she is by all means my daughter...and she will need you Trunks to guide her to help her control her power' he knew that this girl was going to be an amazing fighter it was in her blood after all
'Goku...' Trunks paused thankful for this man's wisdom '...thank you'
'No Trunks thank you, you saved the earth and freed it from the grip of the Cyborgs you are earth's protector now which is why I think you should come here to train'
'What really are you serious?' the 23 year old thought in shock
'Yes I talked it over with King Kai before I contacted you. Trunks you are the protector of earth now and you should know certain techniques to help protect it. Take care of Mai first and get some rest when you are ready go to Master Roshi's house and old friend Baba will be waiting there for you'
'Alright...thank you Goku I won't let you down I'll see you soon' Trunks thought excitedly
'I know you won't Trunks'
'Oh...umm Goku can Mai come with me' the boy asked nervously
'Yes of course I'd really like to meet her'
Trunks smiled 'Alright give us 3 days and we'll be ready'
'Very well until then Trunks' Goku nodded before cutting the connection
Trunks was excited and could wait to tell him mom. Before he could fly off he felt a stirring in his arms. Mai's eyes slowly opened and the first thing she saw was a purple haired boy smiling down at her.
"Tr...Trunks" she asked weakly
"Hey there you almost had a nasty fall, but I caught you" he smiled
"T...thank you...but why...why would you save a freak...a monster like me, I'm nothing but a clone...a fake" she whispered tears beginning to well up again
"Mai please don't cry...you are you! We can't change the past, what happened to you...to you parents it wasn't right I agree with you on that..." he brushed the hair out of her face "...but only you define who and what you are in this life and what you will become in the future, no one else can make that discovery but you, but I would be willing to help you discover your path...if you let me"
The young woman stared wide eyed at the young man. 'He's willing...to help me...discover who I am...'
"You say you are a monster but I don't see that, I see a strong young woman who I would like to be my friend...what do you say Mai Inami..." Trunks smiled a wide grin "...would you like to be friends?"
She considered his words and could tell he meant every word and for the first time ever she guessed...she smiled and nodded; her eyes getting heavy again as she drifted off to sleep. Trunks smiled and started floating beginning his flight home.
Location: Capsule Corp
Trunks had returned home choosing to enter through his balcony and placing Mai in his bed, he promised he would help her and that's what he was going to do. Going downstairs to alert his Mother that he was home he found her with a guest in the kitchen.
"Oh Trunks you're home where is Mai...is she alright" Bulma asked worriedly
"Shhh she's fine mom she's up in my room sleeping...who are your guests here." Trunks replied sitting down at the kitchen table
"Trunks this is Videl and Pan...Gohan's girlfriend and daughter" Bulma replied with a smile
"Oh so you're Trunks Gohan was right you are strong" Videl complemented
Trunks was truly shocked to say the least he looked at the little girl sitting next to her mother, this was Gohan's family.
The little girl walked up to Trunks and looked him dead in the eye. "Hi there Pan I'm your uncle Trunks it's nice to meet you"
Pan's eyes began to water and she suddenly latched onto Trunks hugging him tight, the other two women simply awed at the cute gesture. Videl begins to tell Trunks how she met Gohan, turns out her father tried in vain to take on the Androids and failed; they were about to kill her when Gohan surprised them and made his escape with a young Videl. He took her to the nearest shelter and left her there, over the course of time the two would meet again with Videl foolishly trying to attack the Androids herself Gohan intervened and saved her again. The Androids had beaten her pretty bad and Gohan nursed her back to health, the two developing a bond while doing so. She had brought light back into his world and when he wasn't fighting the Androids or training Trunks he was spending time with her. They became lovers but it would soon come to an end.
"I assume you know the rest" Videl said wiping some tears from her eyes
Trunks felt sick reliving that moment in his head when he found his mentor, his friend...his brother lying dead in the city ruins. "Yes I remember it well...I'm sorry" he said rocking the young girl in his arms she had fallen asleep during the story
"After he didn't return I knew the worst had happened and it was soon after that I found out I was pregnant with Pan"
"So he never knew that he was going to be a father, how sad" Bulma said lowering her head she'd lost all of her closest friends and even her own lover so she knew how Videl was feeling. A thought crossed her mind "Does Gohan's mother, does she know about you two?"
"Sadly no we were going to go meet her and he was going to leave me there but he didn't want to risk leading the Android to his mother if they ever found us. I told him I understood, but he did tell me to seek you out once the threat was over he truly believed that if he couldn't bring the Cyborgs down..." she turned to Trunks "...that you would be able to he had so much faith in you Trunks"
The half saiyan smiled and looked upward. 'Gohan...I'll do all I can to protect your family'
Bulma invited Videl and Pan to stay in one of the guest rooms of the new Briefs estate. Trunks handed a sleeping Pan over to Videl and they all bid each other a good night. With Mai in his bed, Trunks figured he'd sleep on the couch but he wanted to check on 16 first. Traveling across the way to the Lab he found 16 finishing the cleanup from the earlier events.
"Hey #16 I wanted to thank you...for jumping in to protect my mother earlier today" Trunks stated pulling up a chair
16 looked over to him and smiled "As you stated earlier I want to protect all life...it was the right thing to do"
Trunks smiled and leaned back in his chair "Oh man it's been one helluva day; you know I never would have known where to find you if I hadn't traveled back to the past"
"You traveled into the past?" 16 looked at him with interest
"Yes I did, well actually we discovered that I actually traveled to another universe as when I returned things never changed here. While there things were...hectic to say the least but you know something I saw some amazing things during my time in the past, I even saw you help save the earth" Trunks said with a sense of nostalgia "That how I knew you would be a great friend and ally for the threats to come"
"What exactly do you think will happen" 16 asked
And so Trunks regaled 16 with his exploits in the past from the first time he went back and killed Frieza to the climactic end of the Cell Games…and everything in between.