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Chapter 9: Lingering Hope

Bulma rubbed her forehead, trying eased a lingering headache, as she rocked the crying Trunks back and forward. She hadn't slept much. Every time she closed her eyes, Trunks would start to cry again. What made it even more annoying was that Trunks didn't want anything. He just wanted to cuddle.

Yeah, Trunks was only nine months old so it was expected for a baby not even year old not to sleep through the night. And as a rich heiress she could've used any of her robots to care for her baby while she slept.

Well, on that later point she wasn't going to let robots looked after her child. Trunks needed a warm, comforting touch, not the dispassionate and cold hands of a bot, not matter how advanced.

To the former, Trunks was acting unusually fussy. For the last couple of weeks, he had been sleeping through the night. Now, it was like he was always upset about something. Even during the day he was irritable. He hasn't been like this since...

Bulma paused in her thought as a familiar sadness overtook her. Since Goku died.

It was hard to believe that six months had already past. It felt like it was only yesterday when her old friend died and she sobbed restlessly at his funeral. During that time, Trunks didn't sleep well. Much like now, he was fussy, irritable, and was generally an unpleasant baby. It was like he somehow felt the lost.

Thank god for her parents. They maybe ditzy and irresponsible, but they were the ones who cared for Trunks during those horrible first weeks. It took over two months before things began to settle down. Well, at least between herself and Trunks.

Vegeta hasn't been the same. Although he was always been known for his disappearing acts, he actually left the planet not long after Goku's funeral. She feared that he would never returned since the thing that has anchored him to this world was gone. As much as she wanted to think otherwise, Trunks or her were not on the top of his important list. At least, that was what she initially believed.

To her surprise, he did come back several weeks later. He refused to say where he went or what he did, but she didn't really care. It was at that moment that she realized that although Goku brought and kept Vegeta on Earth for the first couple of years, he came back because of them, despite how he tried to hide and deny it. Deep in that stone cold heart of his, he had come to care for Trunks and her. It was ashamed it took Goku's death for her to realize it.

Bulma wiped some tears as she continued to rock Trunks.

Vegeta didn't love her. She doubted that he would know what love was even if it came and shoot him in the butt, but he did care. Maybe one day he could come to love them, to love her, but for now...what they had was good enough. Besides, having a person like Vegeta around taught her to be patient. Very patient.

After he returned from space, he actually began to spend time with Trunks and he was training less. She supposed he didn't see the point of training to exhaustion since his long-time rival was dead and he was now the strongest being on the planet, probably the universe. If he desired it, he could kill them all and no one would be able to stop him. A couple years ago, he would have done just that with a huge grin on his face. Funny how time and having a child could change a person.

She walked towards one of the many dens in the house and turned on the television. Hopefully, some mindless cartoons would calm Trunks down. Maybe she could also grab a nap while he was distracted.

She got herself comfortable on the sofa and relaxed as Trunks amused himself with the television. She was almost asleep when the music from the cartoon suddenly cut-off.

"We interrupt this program for a special announcement," a grave voice boomed. "We have just gotten word that South City is under attack."

Bulma immediately snapped out of her half-sleep lure.

"This is the scene taking just moments ago from our team in South City," the reporter went on.

The image changed to a city in chaos. Screams of fear, panic, and agony could be heard everywhere along with the sounds of gunfire and what Bulma knew to be energy blasts. The sky was lit up and buildings could be seen falling.

"At first, we thought this was a natural disaster, but our crews have confirmed that this is indeed an attack, although we haven't been able to identify who the attackers are or how many," the news reporter's voice stated over the live stream. His voice grew more panicked as the massacre played out. "Military from the King's Army has been deployed, but it will take them an hour to reach the location. This…this is just horrible! We haven't seen anything like this since the reign of King Piccolo!"

Bulma could only stare shell-shocked, not believing anything she was seeing.

A new threat, now? How could this be? How could the world already be in danger so soon after Goku's death? This…couldn't be real…

Trunks watched the television with interest. Far more interested than a child his age should be, especially given the imagines.

She immediately grabbed Trunks and carried him out of the den. She all but ran to the kitchen, where she knew Vegeta would be at this time of day.

When she reached the kitchen she saw Vegeta sitting at the table, eating a mountain of food, along with her mom. He was out of his armor, wearing a simple training outfit.

"Oh, Bulma, you're up already?" Bulma's mom greeted with her usual cheerful demeanor. "I'm sorry, we're short of food right now. Vegeta just ate the last of the beacon and eggs."

"I don't care about that!" Bulma yelled despite herself before turning towards Vegeta. "Vegeta, we have a major problem!"

Vegeta stopped eating and glared at annoyance at her. "Not now, woman. Can't you see that I'm eating."

"Vegeta, South City is under attack!" she yelled bluntly.

Vegeta chewed his food and stared at her. "So?"

Bulma growled. "You have to go and help those people! Countless people are getting killed and whoever is doing it are using energy attacks!"

Vegeta finally stopped eating. "Impossible. I sense no big powers outside of Kakarot's little group. It's most likely some humans using energy weapons, if such things exist on this backwaters planet anyway."

She prayed from patience. "I know what I saw on the television. I've been around muscle-bound idiots like you too long not to know what energy blasts looks like."

Vegeta snorted, going back to his meal. "I still don't see how that's any of my concern even if what you're saying is true. You humans need to take care of yourselves for once. Kakarot's cuddled your species for too long."

She almost wanted to scream at this point, but held back since Trunks was in her arms. Now, more than ever, she wished Goku were here. With him around she could get Vegeta to go and helped by simply saying that he would be there. The temptation of showing Goku off and stroking his own ego would be impossible for him to resist.

Before things could get too heated, the phone chose that moment to ring. Bulma's mom was the one who answered.

"Hello?" Bulma's mom answered with cheer. "Oh, Bulma? She's right here?" She handed the phone to her daughter. "It's Krillin."

Bulma took the phone and put it on speaker. "Yes?"

"Bulma, did you see the news?" Krillin asked, getting right to the point.

"Yeah, I did," Bulma said, shooting a glare at Vegeta who went back to eating.

"It's looks pretty bad," Krillin said in grave tone.

Bulma nodded, despite knowing that Krillin couldn't see her. "Vegeta claimed he couldn't sense anything, but I saw the energy blasts."

"That's the thing, I can't sense them either," Krillin stated. "But, whoever's doing this isn't normal. Too many people are dying at the same time. At this rate, South City will be completely wiped out."

Bulma bit her thumb, nearly breaking skin. "Well, I'm going to call Yamcha. At least he will be willing to check it out." As she said 'he' she side-eyed Vegeta.

"Yeah, I'll be heading out too," Krillin said. "Maybe it's nothing, but I got a really bad feeling. Man….I wish Goku was here with us."

Bulma sighed. "I think we all do. Gook luck."

The phone hung up.

Vegeta snorted. "You guys need to stop pinning over that clown. He's dead. No amount of whining is going to bring him back."

Bulma glared at him, finally having enough of him. "I know that! We all do! That doesn't change the fact that we need him! Especially since all we have is you!"

Vegeta stopped eating and raised his head. "What's that supposed to mean? My power far outstrips that low-level clown. If he was alive, I would have beating him and proving my supremacy once and for all."

"Well, you didn't beat him and all we have is your word that you're stronger, which doesn't mean crap," Bulma said harshly. "And even if by some miracle you were stronger than Goku, you're still not half the man he was."

Vegeta stood up, knocking over the chair. His eyes bored into her. "Are you challenging me, woman? Are you saying that Kakarot is better than me?"

She met his glare head on, not flinching even a little. "Yes I am, because there was more to Goku than just power. He was compassionate and giving. If he was here, he would be the first one rushing to help those people in South City."

Vegeta chuckled. "Really? You give that idiot too much credit. He would be rushing so he can fight, not to save you helpless humans."

She stepped towards Vegeta until she was only feet away from him. "Goku loved to fight and he would undoubtedly be thrilled by this new challenged. But he also loved this world and its people. He wouldn't sit around like you looking down his nose while people are being brutally murdered. That's why we all loved him. That's why we cried when he died and we still mourned his lost. When you go, Vegeta, who's going to give a damn about you?"

Vegeta winced at her words, which surprised Bulma. She honestly didn't expect Vegeta to have any reaction other than annoyance at her speech. He looked...hurt.

"You would care," Vegeta answered after a few seconds.

Bulma cuddled Trunks, who was becoming fussy again. "Given how you're acting, I'm not so sure."

With that, she left the room and used her one free hand to make the call to Yamcha. They were short on time and she didn't have the energy to have this fight with Vegeta anymore. If he wanted to sit back and let the world burn, let him. She was wrong about him changing. He was still the selfish bastard he always was.

It only took a few minutes to get Yamcha and tell him what was happening at South City. Thankfully, he was closed to that location since his baseball team was playing in that area. It would only take him a few minutes to get there. He also said that he sensed Tien and Chiaotzu nearby, most likely feeling that something was wrong too, so he would have some backup.

Good. Getting in contact with those two was impossible. Seriously, would it kill them to leave a phone number? They were worse than Goku was when it came to keeping in contact.

When she got back into the kitchen, Vegeta was gone. Most likely, he retreated back into his gravity room. That's where he usually goes when he's upset.

She gave Trunks to her mom and returned to the den. The television was still on and the battle at South City was still happening. More buildings were destroyed and there was less gunfire. It was hard to see anything with all the smoke in the area.

"It's terrible!" someone yelled. It was a reporter on location. "People are dying everywhere! No one is spared, not even children! We need help here..." He didn't have the chance to finish before the camera suddenly cut off and a loud bang filled her ears before everything went silent.

Bulma gasped as it went back to the studio reporter. He was repeating what little information that was known and how a state of emergency has been called. She hoped her friends could get there soon and end this.

A loud boom and a rushed of wind tore her attention away from the television. She barely had a chance to glance outside when she saw Vegeta flying off, heading south. It seemed her words did have an effect on him.

A pang of guilt hit her heart. She was harsh on him, but she was so mad and frustrated at him. Still, she went too far with her words. When he got back, she would apologize to him.

For hours, she sat at the television listening to the news that was recycled. There was no new information about what had happened. It was nerved wrecking. She was wished Master Roshi were here. He usually could sense these kinds of things.

She wished there was something for the news to report, but knew there was no point in complaining. She knew that no normal human could go to South City. When Goku fought Piccolo at the 23rd Tournament, she and the others barely survived despite not even being part of the match. If whatever was attacking South City was on that level, any camera crew or reporter going near the city would be killed.

She wondered if everyone was alright.

She quickly shook head, of course they were. Vegeta was fighting with them and he was at least as strong as Goku who killed Frieza. There was nothing in this universe that could matched a Super Saiyan. This threat would past in no time and they would forever have to hear from Vegeta about how he saved them.

So, why did she have such a feeling of dread? Dammit, she wished she could get some news.

"We can now confirmed that the fighting has stopped in South City," the reporter suddenly announced. "There hasn't been any sounds of blast or fire for over an hour. We now have our helicopters at the site surveying the damage."

The scene changed and Bulma was left breathless.

There was nothing left of South City. There were just craters of dust and debris as far as the eye could see. What could have done this? It couldn't be from this world, could it? That sensed of dread returned full force.

A phone ringing nearly made her jumped out of her seat. She numbly walked towards the phone and picked up.

"Hello?" she answered, trying to keep her voice calm.

"Bulma...it's Chi-Chi," the person answered.

"Chi-Chi?" Bulma repeated.

Chi-Chi never called her. They were not particularly closed, although they have been building a relationship since Trunks' birth and Goku's death.

"Yes, it's me," Chi-Chi said. She sounded hesitant, something that was against Chi-Chi's character. She was always blunt and sure, much like her husband. "Bulma...you know about what has been happening."

"Yeah, it's all over the news. But the battle is over," Bulma said, trying to sound optimistic. "I'm sure the boys have beating back the threat and are heading home now. They probably stopped to get some senzu beans on the way back. I'm sure those idiots went and got themselves hurt. You know them."

There was a long paused on the phone. "Bulma….Gohan came home."

Bulma felt her heart speed up.

"Bulma...everyone…everyone is dead," Chi-Chi said in a choked voice. "Gohan just told me. They were all killed by some androids."

Bulma opened and closed her month several times. "What...?"

"I'm sorry Bulma," Chi-Chi cried. "Vegeta...Vegeta was also killed. He fought the best against the androids but even he was overwhelmed. Gohan...he wasn't strong enough to bring them home so he cremated them. He didn't want their remains to be broadcast on television."

Before Chi-Chi could say another word, Bulma dropped the phone. She fell to her knees, unable to move and barely able to think.

Vegeta's dead?

How could that be possible? He was just here. He was the strongest on the planet. In the universe. He had the power that killed Frieza who was said to be the strongest. He couldn't be dead. Not by some androids. There's must be some mistake.

But Gohan wouldn't lie. Not about this. But she couldn't believe it.

Vegeta couldn't be dead. Not after the way she spoke to him.

Before she knew it, tears ran down her eyes and she could barely breath. The room also became cold, like something had sucked all the heat.

The pain.

She hadn't felt anything like it since Goku died. She would dare to say that it was stronger.

With Goku, there was no regret with him, except the regret of not being able to find a cure in time. Vegeta was different. There were so many thing left unsaid along with harsh words that were spoken. He couldn't be gone before they could recoil any of it. He couldn't be gone just when they were finally….were finally starting to understand each other. To love each other….

Harsh sobs tore through her throat and before long, she was openly weeping on the floor.

Just a few hours ago, she had asked Vegeta who would give a damn about him when he died. He answered her, from which she tried to deny. Turned out, he was right all along.

The funeral was quiet. There was none of the speeches and stories that were at Goku's funeral. No one had the energy to talk.

Within one of the gardens inside of Capsule Corp, six graves lined the ground. Each one of them was in a similar style to Goku's tombstone. After the way they fought and died to protect this world, they deserved nothing less. Even though the graves were empty, those brave fighters needed a place from which their loves one could come and honored them. It was the least they could for them.

Bulma looked at the people in attendance and nearly sobbed at how her group of friends had shrunk. Nearly a third of the people who were at Goku's funeral were dead. Cut down but the androids. Monsters who were created by Dr. Gero.

After Gohan had told her everything, she spent the last several days finding out everything she could about the man. Not much was recording, except that he was a brilliance scientist who was also an asshole. Her father even met the man decades ago before he joined with the Red Ribbon Army.

To think, all this happened because of a grudge. That the entire world was now suffering at the hands of those creatures because one man wanted revenge against her dear friend. It seemed ironic that Goku would die before this threat, which he inadvertently caused, rose. By him dying the way he did, he denied Gero his revenged. Too bad he couldn't have die before he activated his creations. At the very least he was rotting in Hell for his crimes.

Even that, however, was a small comfort. Even if Gero was no longer of this world, the androids were still causing massive chaos. So far, they had destroyed five other cities after South City. Despite Gohan now being a Super Saiyan, he couldn't face them. He was far weaker than Vegeta, who was easily killed by just one of them. Until Gohan had the power to surpass them, the world was at the mercy of those monsters.

She growled in frustration as she looked upon Vegeta and Yamcha's graves. In the span of a morning, two of the most important people in her life were dead. She didn't even have a chance to say goodbye or to kiss their foreheads since Gohan destroyed their bodies. She didn't begrudge the boy's decision. It would had made the grieving process worse if she saw their remains of television along with the countless others murdered at South City. It gave them some semblance of dignity.

But...she just wanted to see them one last time. To say sorry to Yamcha for taking him for granted all this time and thanked him for his years of friendship. To say sorry to Vegeta for saying that no one would care if he died. To say…that despite all his flaws she loved him and…if possible…wanted to marry him.

"Bulma..." a soft voice spoke.

She turned to see Gohan, dressed in the suit he wore at his father's burial just six months ago. Despite the short time, he seemed a little too big for the suit. He faced also seemed aged, like he had grown up ten years since the last time she saw him.

She didn't even want to imagine the horrors he saw. He actually saw everyone be murdered with no way to stop it. The guilt of surviving alone much had been unbearable.

"Gohan..." she spoke.

"I'm...sorry. I wasn't strong enough to saved Vegeta or Yamcha..." Gohan said as tears build in his eye. "Krillin, Piccolo, and Tien died trying to protect me. They...they thought that I was the only one who could beat the androids so they..." He couldn't finish. The lump in his throat had gotten too big.

Bulma quickly gathered the boy in his arms and hugged him. "It wasn't your fault, kid. The ones to blame for this tragedy are those androids and the bastard who created them. They're the ones who took everyone away from us. You have nothing to be ashamed of." She pulled away from the boy and looked directly into his eyes. She gently wiped the tears from his eyes with her thumb. "And, Piccolo and the others were right. If you had died, then all hope would have been lost. With Vegeta and Piccolo gone, you're the only one who can save us."

Gohan lowered his head as the weight of his burden wore heavily on his shoulders. Bulma felt a pang of guilt and sadness.

It wasn't fair. Gohan was just a boy, not even eleven. It wasn't fair to put the responsibility of the world on his shoulders. He wasn't like his father who even as a kid lived for these kinds of moments. He should be allowed to grow up and become a scholar, just as his mother wanted.

But…that future was gone. It died along with the others on that day in South City.

"I don't know if I can do it," Gohan spoke, breaking Bulma out of her thoughts. "I...I'm not my father, Bulma. He was the hero, not me."

Bulma harshly shook him. "Don't talk like that. You're Goku's son. Everything he once was is within you. You stood by his and the others' side as you faced monsters like Frieza. You're better and stronger than you think you are."

Gohan stared at Bulma, unable to talk.

"We...we're asking a lot from you," she said slowly. "And we will support you anyway we can. Just don't lose hope, Gohan. For that's all we have left."

Tears glittered in Gohan's eyes as he took in the older woman's words.

Yes, they still had hope. His father has been their hope, but he was gone. Whether he liked it or not, he had to become the hope bearer not just for his friends, but also the world.

He would fight. He would become stronger and someday, he would defeat the androids or die trying. That was his vow.

This was an interesting chapter. We went back in time a bit and saw things from Bulma's point-of-view. We also got some development for Vegeta before he bit the dust. I wanted to show the many regrets those two would have in this timeline since there would be no chance to recoil, unlike the main timeline. Also, sucks even more to be Gohan right now.

Anyway, until next chapter, take care.