Updated Chapter 3
SHINING FUTURE BOOK 1: Rebuild the Future Arc
Discovery Saga Chapter 3: A New Beginning
Age 788
It was now 3 days before the trip to the Otherworld.
Day 1 - Jan 5th
While she and Videl cooked breakfast for everyone, Bulma had brought up the idea that Chi-Chi must know about her son's family. Videl agreed and the two decided to make a trip to Mt. Paozu later that day. Bulma woke and began to fix breakfast for everyone as they began to wake up. Trunks slept in one of the guest rooms on the lower levels and woke up for his early morning training session in the Gravity Chamber his mother installed. After he finishes and showers he enters the kitchen
"Morning Mom, Videl it smells good in here" Trunks smiled as he sniffed the aroma of good food
"Thank you Trunks" Videl giggled as she was about to ask him to go check on Pan when they all heard a loud wheeeeee noise coming down the stairs. What they saw was possibly the cutest thing they'd seen in a long time Pan was sitting high atop Android 16's shoulders cheering and smiling the biggest smile.
Videl smiled "Honey what are you doing up there?"
"I climbed the tall mountain mama" was the 5 year olds answer
All the adults in the kitchen burst out laughing and even 16 wore a smile as he took the small child off his shoulders and sat her in a chair. The Android stood by the balcony window and stared outside enjoying the clear blue sky and all the birds flying through it. It had been about 10 minutes later and Mai had not shown up yet much to Trunks' and Bulma's worry. The half saiyan was about to get up but Bulma told him she would go wake the girl up. The aging woman walked up the stairs and reached her son's room, the thought of a young woman sleeping in her son's bed made her chuckle internally. Such thoughts she'd thought she'd never have due to the horrors that had been plaguing them for so long she was glad to see things were returning to normal...well normal for her anyway.
"Mai its Ms. Briefs...are you awake?" Bulma asked quietly
"Yes" she a slight monotone voice heard through the door
"May I come in?"
"Yes" she heard the almost sad voice again
Bulma entered the room and saw the young woman standing nude in front of the mirror...just staring. "Mai are you alright?"
"I...woke up thinking everything that happened yesterday was just a dream...that when I walked downstairs I'd see my parents alive and waiting at the table for me...that I wasn't a clone of apparently the world's greatest fighter..." she paused tears welling in her eyes "...then I saw the picture of you and your son and looked in the mirror and I knew...it was real everything I ever knew was all a lie." she fell to her knees and clutched her shoulders.
"I know Trunks told me that he'd help me discover who I am and that I can't change what happened to me...but it's so hard to forget"
Bulma walked over and hugged the girl close letting her let it all out. "Shhh...Mai listen to me...you are your own woman, how you came to be the way you are now is not important." Bulma paused knowing what she was about to say was going to sting a bit "Yes sweetheart the life you remember was a lie, yes your life was stolen from you but do you know the only good pure thing I saw watching that horrible video."
"What...was it?" the hybrid sobbed looking up at the older blue haired woman
"I saw the pure love and excitement your parents had when they found out they were pregnant with you, your mother had the brightest smile…" she smiled as she saw a glimpse of hope in the young girls eye"...I know from experience that kind of love never goes away even if that person leaves you"
Bulma helped the girl up and over to Trunk's bed " Mai even now your parents watch over and love you with all their heart and I'm sure it pains them to see you hurting like this.
"Do you really think so?" the girl sniffed
Bulma smiled "I do hon I really do, now stop calling yourself Goku's clone. I knew my friend very well and he wouldn't want you to down yourself like that, if anything you are more so his daughter not his clone. Now come on let's go get something to eat with everyone else"
The young woman thought for a while then and her stomach growled. "Well I am really hungry" Bulma chuckled and thought 'Well that sure sounds familiar' and then she heard Mai giggle very softly and got up.
"Hmmm how about we get you something to wear first I don't think going downstairs like that will end well for a certain pair of people" Bulma said getting up and heading to the door
Mai looked down at her body only just now realizing she was naked. Bulma led her down to her own room and found some clothes for her. The outfit she picked was the same one Bulma wore in the Namek Saga and it fit her well. The two joined the rest of the house guests in the kitchen. Trunks was surprised and happy to see a small smile on her face but decided not to bring it up right now, instead they all enjoyed breakfast and Mai met Videl and Pan, her niece.
Pan stared at the young woman for a second then looked back at her mother. "Mama, mama she is really pretty" This simple compliment caused Mai's smile to widen much to Trunks, Bulma and 16's enjoyment.
Breakfast was served and everyone dug in. Bulma had a hint of nostalgia as she watched Mai down three plates before asking for more please. Trunk smiled at this and looked over and saw that Pan was barely touching her food; suddenly a thought crossed his mind.
"Hey Pan did your mother tell you that your dad was my martial arts teacher" he asked the young girl
She nodded no "He was?" she asked intrigued
"Yea he sure was he was really strong, he taught me this one awesome technique do you wanna see it"
She nodded a lot, much to Bulma and Videl's worry. Mai and to an extent 16 were confused, as Trunks took a serious look. He took his chopsticks in one hand and his bowl in the other.
"CHEW ATTACK!" he rapidly begin chomping his food much like he did with Gohan all those years ago
Bulma smiled at the memory, Videl giggled knowing that was something that Gohan would do, Mai didn't understand what was going on but she giggled anyway while 16 just smiled. Then they heard the 2nd cutest thing all day.
"CHEW ATTACK!" they all heard a cute little voice and watched as Pan too began chomping down her food. This caused everyone to burst out in laughter.
After the morning festivities, as Bulma prepared a ship to travel to Chi-Chi's, Trunks walked in the hangar. Trunks was dressed in a black short sleeve t-shirt and black pants with yellow boots but with a blue vest that has yellow patches on the shoulders. (Look up Dragon Ball Multiverse Universe 9 Trunks)
"Hey mom how'd the talk with Mai go earlier, is she going with you guys" the half saiyan asked
Bulma sighed "It went fine and no I didn't tell her, I don't think she's ready yet. I think once she meets Goku on your trip, everything will fall into place for her."
Trunks smiled "You're right mother; from what I learned in my time in the past is that Goku's presence alone is enough lift anyone's spirit"
Bulma smiled "You're right about that son, why don't you take her into the city with you today I think it would do her some good"
"Sounds good I'm going to check on the rebuilding effort as well."
"Alright dear be careful" She nodded typing in Chi-Chi's location in the GPS
Trunks begins to exit "Tell Chi-Chi I said hi, bye mom"
He walked outside and saw 16 and Mai sitting in the small garden watching a flock of birds.
"So I see you've found a hobby #16" Trunks noted as he walked up to them
16 smiled looking at the birds as they seemed to draw closer to him. "Yes…they are peaceful"
Mai heard what he said and looked around at the scenery and the bird now landing on 16. Through everything she'd been through in the last couple days she could honestly say she was starting to be at peace with her…situation right now. She was surrounded by good people that wanted to help her. She could tell that much maybe everything would turn out alright.
"Hey, I'm about to patrol the city and meet with King Furry, wanna join me"
16 nodded and got up however Mai hesitated "I…I don't know Trunks, I...we still don't know the limits of my strength. I'm afraid of hurting someone"
"I promise it will be fine, me and #16 will be right there to help you. Besides I think I have a way to help you with that."
"How?" she asks
Trunks rubbed the back of his head trying to find a way to explain it to her "Well I'm going to a special place to meet with masters who will teach me more advanced techniques to get stronger, if you want you can come with me to discover the limit of your powers through training." he didn't want to lie to her but he had to figure out a way to explain that she would be meeting Goku at this 'special place'
"Oh I'd like that...when do we leave?"
"We leave in 2 days, that reminds me #16 I was going to ask while we are gone would you stay and protect the city and help in any way needed?"
"Very well I will take care of it" the tall android replied
"Alright thank you my friend, tell ya what we'll do a short check of the rebuilding, I'll introduce you to King furry and we'll come back do some light sparing just to teach you the basics" he said offering her his hand
"Alright" Mai nodded and took his hand blushing as he helped her up
Trunks and 16 began to float in the air, with Mai being part bio android she's already able to fly without unlocking her energy, but she wasn't used to it. She struggled a bit but achieved take off as well. The three flew through the city at a slow pace and surveyed from above, everything seemed fine. Just as Trunks promised they made it quick and landed on the balcony of King Furry's new castle which parts were still being built. The guards outside who recognized Trunks waved and then opened the door.
"Thanks guys" Trunks nodded
"It's our pleasure sir" the both finished with a salute to which Trunks sweat dropped
"Come one guys I told you that's not necessary" he blushed a bit at the praise. Mai wondered why people treated Trunks like this; she even saw some of the people waving at him while they were flying.
'What is it about him?' she thought about the purple haired man walking in front of her
Stepping in the building the trio saw most of the staff at work rushing back and forth. In the hallway two people Trunks knew well were walking and arguing.
"Beat, Note hey guys how's it going?" he asked getting their attention
"Trunks!" Both 13 year old young Royal Army recruits yelled out as they ran up to hug the Saiyan Hybrid.
Mai and 16 studied them; Note is an average build young girl with long black hair wrapped in a ponytail and bangs coming just above her eyes. Beat is an average built young boy with spiky black hair that slightly resembles Goku's Super Saiyan hair. Both wore brown jogging pants and a t-shirt with the King's Guard (KG) emblem on it.
Trunks smiles "So how's the recruitment training going, you two staying sharp?"
Note giggled a bit "I know I am, I'm not too sure about Beat though" she mocked
"Hey why you" Beat growled and tried to attack her but she dodged and he ended up running right into Android 16's legs with a resounding clang.
"Ow ow ow...huh" the boy looked up at the very tall man he ran into "Wow hmm you're huge" Beat said in awe
"Beat you moron say you're sorry" Note scolded
16 smiled "It is alright, are you injured" he asked in his monotone voice
"Yes umm sorry for running into you" Beat said getting up rubbing the back of his head with a smile
"Guys meet my friends Mai and 16, they're strong like me" Trunks said pointing at his partners
Mai smiled at the complement even if she thought it wasn't true and waved shyly "Nice to meet you"
"Wow you guys must be really strong if you're like Trunks, he's the strongest guy I know" Beat said in a bit of a fanboy tone
"Aww thanks kid, hey is the King in?" Trunks asked
"Yes he's in his office" Note replied
"Alright thank you...oh hey I'll be leaving the city for a while so you guys train well ok, I want see you two as soldiers when I get back"
Beat nodded without a smile then a thought crossed his mind "Wait, if you leave who will protect us?"
"Don't worry #16 will be here watching over the city in my absence, make sure you stop by Capsule Corp. to keep him company"
"Awesome we will see ya Trunks nice to meet you guys...come on baka we're going to be late for drills" Note said bowing in respect then grabbing Beat by his ear and tugging him along as he waved goodbye
Trunks chuckled and the trio continued down the hall to the Kings office.
"Hey Trunks, how do you know those children?" Mai asked
"Oh I met them when I first met with the King to start the rebuilding process 2 months ago" Trunks replied
She was about to ask more but they reached the door and Trunks knocked. Knocking they heard someone say come in, as they entered the King smiled.
"Ahhh good morning my boy, welcome and you have guests" the King exclaimed proudly
Trunks rubbed the back of his head "Good morning King Furry and yes these are my friends this is Mai Inami and this is #16..." he pointed to each of them respectively "...we're sorry for dropping in unannounced"
"Nonsense lad, you are the hero that saved us all from years of terrible horror. You two are lucky to have such an amazing person as a friend..." Mai and 16 smiled at that while Trunks blushed a bit at the praise "...I know Goku would be proud"
This piqued Mai's interest. "You knew Goku?"
"Why yes young lady years ago Son Goku saved us from many threats in the past, he was brave, strong and excellent young man I am sad that he is no longer with us..." the King gets out of his chair and walks to the window looking out at the city begin rebuilt "...we could have used his strength and bravery during our time of crisis"
Mai was a bit taken back at how people speak so highly of the man she was...cloned from.
"So what can I do for you today Trunks" the King asks going back to his seat
"I came to tell you that I will be going on a short journey in 2 days and will be gone for a...extended period of time. 16 will help with rebuilding the city and protection, if you need him he will be at Capsule Corp. with my mother who will provide any more help with the rebuilding process."
King Furry nodded "Yes of course my boy and how long will you be gone?"
"Well I'm going to receive training, to become stronger and have newer means to help protect the earth, I'm not entirely sure when I'll be back but hopefully I'll be back soon" Trunks said rubbing the back of his head
"Very well then have a safe journey young man..." the King gets up and walks up to the trio and offers his hand which Trunks kneels down and shakes."...also it was very nice to meet you two, and just so you know young lady I wouldn't let this one slip through your fingers a lot of women after him ya know being a hero and all" the King smiles
Both Trunks and Mai had extreme blushes on their faces. 16 just smiled, Trunks bowed and all three went back to the balcony and flew off.
As they flew back to Capsule Corp. and Mai shifted her thoughts around she flew closer to Trunks. "Hey…Trunks I have some questions?"
"Yea what's up" Trunks slowed his flight speed down to be beside her
"Why do they call you a hero?"
"Hmmm..." he begin to answer
"Why did the King say you saved them from years of terrible horror?"
"Well I umm..."
"And why are you all rebuilding what happened to the other cities?"
Trunks sighed and looked at her "Mai...that is a very long story..."
She could see the hurt and exhaustion on his face and worried that she had upset him "I'm...Trunks I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you and..."
"Hey it's alright I was going to tell you once you were settled in but you deserve to know. This story begins years ago with your...'father' Son Goku with his death from a heart virus...came the rise of two terrible monsters..."
Flying through the city and then landing on the balcony of the Capsule Corp. Kitchen he told his friends the History of Trunks.
Location: Mt Paozu (Noonday)
Chi-Chi was outside hanging her laundry on a clothing line. She sighed she missed the simple moments like this. She'd be outside doing laundry while her husband and son would be running around playing or training, now she felt so alone. She looked to the sky as the sun shined down on her she felt tears begin to run down her face. Chi-Chi turned around because she heard the hum of twin engines meaning Bulma was closing in. The middle aged woman dried her eyes in preparation to see her old friend, she had readily wondered what Bulma meant when she said that she had some people for her to meet.
As she watched the 576 Capsule Plane come in for a landing, she could feel something tug at her heart and couldn't explain it. The plane landed and its shut engines off, she could hear the back door open as watched as Bulma stepped out of it.
"Hi Chi-Chi how are you?" Bulma asked as the two met halfway and embraced
"Oh you know me Bulma staying busy with the laundry, how about you, how's the rebuilding process going?"
Bulma sighed "It's going great but at this rate we won't be done until the next year…maybe more"
"Oh my goodness well if anybody can figure out a way to make it go faster it's you the super genius, by the way how is Trunks" Chi-Chi asks trying to give her friend some encouragement
"He's doing fine he told me to tell you hi, he was on his way to a meeting with King Furry last time we spoke"
Chi-Chi smiled "That's good…so where are these guests you wanted me to meet?"
Bulma smiled "Well I only brought two of them with me, the other one…isn't ready to meet you just yet but we will discuss that later right now…" the blue haired genius banged her fist on the side of the plane a couple times. Chi-Chi could hear several footsteps and whoever she was to meet exited the yellow plane. Videl and Pan walked from behind the plane and stood next to Bulma, Pan was hugged up against her mother's leg shyly.
"…Chi-Chi I'd like for you to meet Videl Satan and Son Pan…your granddaughter"
Location: Capsule Corp. (Evening)
"…afterward I returned from that timeline with the strength to save my own, I destroyed the two Androids that had plagued us for so long. After that my mother and I began the rebuilding process between her building C-7 Reconstruction Robots and King Furry presenting me as the hero who defeated the androids because of an old man who was there, everything seemed to begin getting back to normal…but I knew better…"
16 and Mai sat in silence and listened to the horrors, pain, triumph and heartache that Trunks and so many others had to endure. The young hybrid woman felt the tears roll down her face that twisted bastard Doctor Gero by proxy of her 'older siblings' had destroyed many lives than just her own. She looked at Trunks and saw him in a new light and vowed to help him protect and rebuild the Earth.
"…later the final nightmare showed himself Cell, he was no match for my new found power. I crushed him, then I found you guys and well here we are" he finished. The three sat around the kitchen table as the story was told, at some point Trunks had made them tea.
"Damn him...damn him to hell, here I am sitting...moping about how my life is messed up while so many others had died and suffered at the hands of Dr. Gero..." Mai stated in a sudden outburst, this caused Trunks and 16 to look at her oddly "...no more he made me what I am, intended to release me as a destroyer but now I have the chance to make my own choice." she turned to her purple haired friend "...Trunks, 16 please train me so I can use this power to protect this world instead of destroying it."
Trunks smiled and looked at 16 who was also smiling. "Alright Mai if you feel that strongly about it...then I guess I'll have no choice then to make you my pupil." he stood up and extended his hand
She smiled and stood up to take his hand when he held his hand up to her face. He then fires a Kiai using a clear force right in her face, blasting her out of the balcony window. Mai lands outside on the hard ground of the lawn she groans and looks up to see Trunks floating down to join her.
"What the hell was that for Trunks" she asks slightly pissed off
Trunks smiled "Just like my mentor did me, you're my pupil now so…class is now in session"
Day 2 - Jan 6
After blasting Mai out of the window he begin showing her a basic style of martial arts to his and 16's surprise she took to it very quickly and he chalked it up to being programed...err made... umm 'groomed' to think like Goku who is a martial arts master. Trunks wondered just how strong she would become after some proper training. After several slow sparring sessions that gradually increased in intensity, they called it a night. Trunks called his mother who told him that they were going to spend the night at Chi-Chi's. She explained that she would bring everyone back tomorrow to meet Mai
(Flashback Jan 5th)
At Mt. Paozu (Earlier that day)
As soon as Bulma said granddaughter Chi-Chi broke down and embraced the two girls. Tears flowed for a while and soon they went in the house and settled down enough for Videl to tell her story to her mother in law so to speak. Chi-Chi was both a bit angry and happy, angry that those damn Androids took her son before he could become a father and their family could be whole again and extremely happy that she now had a little part of Gohan with her as she held Pan in her arms rocking her to sleep.
"I'm sorry Chi-Chi I would have come sooner had I known where you were, he never got the chance to tell me where you lived and the last thing he told me was that if it all ever ended and the Android were destroyed I was to seek out Bulma."
Chi-Chi sighed "It's alright dear the fact that you're both here now is all that matters, I'm happy my Gohan found someone he loved and who loved him thank you for that"
This brought Videl to tears once again and Bulma comforted her as she thanked Chi-Chi. Pan had fallen asleep and they put her in her father's old room, once Chi-Chi returned she prepared a small meal for them when she remembered what Bulma had said earlier.
"Bulma you said you had another guest for me to meet but that person wasn't ready just yet...what did you mean by that?" Chi-Chi asked worriedly
Bulma sighed and took a sip of tea before speaking "Chi-Chi this story will not be pleasant for you to hear…are you sure you're up to it"
Chi-Chi thought about it for a moment but nodded and Bulma started "Right now there is a guest in my home named Mai Inami...and she is a bio-android cloned from Goku's DNA...in other words she'd your daughter"
Chi-Chi's world shattered as she listened to the horrific story, and she cursed Doctor Gero. This girl never asked for any of this, she was truly torn about this day she found out she now had a granddaughter and now came to find out she has a daughter cloned from her husband. Oddly enough she was happy she went from being alone to having her family back...sort of.
In the middle of being told what happened when Mai awoke Chi-Chi interrupted Bulma "That's enough I want to meet her I...I want to see my d...daughter"
"Chi-Chi, are you sure?" Bulma asked quietly
Chi-Chi smiled and nodded "Yes Bulma from what you said she's hurting and confused and I...I want to help her"
"Alright then...we'll go back first thing in the morning thank you Chi-Chi she needs this"
Present Day - Jan 6
Sure enough early the next day all the ladies and the Ox-king all loaded up and headed back to Capsule Corp. Meanwhile early in the morning back at Capsule Corp. Trunks and Mai sparred, she was gradually increasing in speed easily keeping up with Trunks...who was holding back. 16 stood watch over the two smiling as he watched his friends spar.
"I'm impressed Mai you're a natural at this" he complimented and she blushed slightly but remained focused and threw a triple punch and kick combo to which he dodged all but the last one, the kick connecting with his ribs.
"Oh I'm so sorry" she stops to go check on him
"Well that was a good shot well done" he grunted
"Are you ok Trunks" she asked as she extended her hand to help him up
He nodded and took her hand and stood up "Yeah i'm still holding back but seriously you've been getting better and it's only been a day I think our senseis will be impressed when we leave the day after tomorrow"
She blushed but then had a questioning look "Who are our sensei's Trunks you still haven't told me who they are"
"Well they are all very strong and will teach us powerful techniques and..." Trunks was interrupted when the roar of jets brought them out of their conversation "...hey mother is home...and I'm sensing that she has a guest."
This confused Mai as they all watched the plane come in for a landing, taking the time for them to land. Trunks handed her a bottle of water and a towel. "Good job today Mai" he smiled at her
She found herself blushing once more and nodded "Thank you Trunks you're a good teacher and friend"
As they conversed the plane landed and the people inside prepared to exit. Chi-Chi looked out of the side window and saw a young girl standing next to Trunks. "Bulma is that her?"
"Yes that's Mai, if I'm guessing correctly she's already begun her training under my son" Bulma smiled softly looking at the two young adults who looked a bit more comfortable with each other.
Chi-Chi felt tears starting to fall but she wiped them away "Just like her father and brother...she's beautiful"
"Are you ready?" Bulma asked
"Yes I am"
The two women began to exit the plane. Videl, Pan and Ox-king had already exited the plane and young Pan ran up to her 'Uncle Trunks' with a bone crushing hug. Mai smiled at the scene and then looked back to the plane as she saw Bulma exit with.
"Chi-Chi '' she whispered, her brain being filled with memories of this woman that she assumed were implanted into her by Dr. Gero. She began to slowly lose the cheerful feeling she had felt while she trained with Trunks, she wondered if this woman would be angry with her at something she had no control over.
"Mai honey could you come over her for a second" Bulma asked as the hybrid braced herself for what was to come.
She walked slowly up to Bulma who stood next to Chi-Chi. "Mai Inami this is..."
"Chi-Chi I...I already know...you are Goku's wife..." she said with a shaky voice shocking Bulma and Chi-Chi as the young girl turned to the Chinese woman and started sobbing"...I'm sorry I'm so so sorry, I didn't ask to be...become this...I didn't ask to be cloned from your husband, I'm sorr..."
Mai was interrupted from her rant by a loving embrace. Chi-Chi latched on to the girl trying to calm and soothe her. "Shhh It's alright…I'm not angry, I am happy...you and Videl and Pan have brought joy back into my life..." the older woman said lifting Mai's head up to look in her teary eyes "...you've all given me my family back and you are not a clone so stop thinking it, you...are my daughter and I wouldn't have it any other way"
By this time everyone had gathered around the heartwarming scene, tears were in almost all eyes, except a smiling 16 and a confused Pan. Mai was truly moved and felt accepted; she had lost a family she had never really known and had been blessed with a new family and friends. The rest of the day was spent with Mai learning more about her family and listening to all the stories of the past, most of which she could piece together through jumbled memories. Bulma decided that they all needed some new clothes and all the girls went to the newly built clothing stores (one of the many buildings to go up first so people had new clothes to wear), Trunks opted out saying they needed the girl time so instead he opted to train with 16.
They moved to a more secluded spot in the mountains a little bit outside of the rebuilding city to use more power. Their battle decimated the surrounding area and 16 was truly surprised how strong Trunks really was. They returned home around the same time the women did, they noticed how roughed up 16 was and saw that Trunks' shirt was completely gone. Chi-Chi and Bulma did not miss the blush that found its way to Mai's face. They had returned with lots of bags of clothes and even some food as Bulma wanted to have a cookout for old times' sake. Later in the night as the food was prepared Note and Beat showed up as Trunks had invited them to be a part of the gathering, and soon Roshi arrived with Puar and Oolong to Bulma it felt like how it used to feel...like home. During the cookout Trunks introduces Mai, Note, Beat and Videl to Master Roshi and after the introduction all four go back to the party.
"So are those your choices for recruits" Roshi spoke softly as he and Trunks looked out into the city
"Yes I want to do a test run with them before I actual go through will the full Dragon Project..." Trunks looked down at his hand "...Im stronger now then Gohan or my father were when they we're alive but if Im going to protect the Earth I don't want to do it alone...Earth needs a new Dragon Team"
"Indeed Trunks...Indeed" Roshi looked up into the sky thinking about his fallen pupils and silently swore he would do whatever it took to help Trunks protect the Earth.