"The Sun And The Moon"
Chapter Four: The Machine
Kara awoke with a start and immediately rolled onto her side so she could empty the contents of her stomach. It wasn't much more than bile, but she still made a mess on Bulma's floor. Luckily, the bedroom she was in had smooth tile as opposed to carpet. Her retching must have been particularly loud because, the next moment, Bulma entered the room and came to her aid.
"Hey there," she said, rubbing Kara's back as she gained control of herself. "Here, drink this," she added, holding a glass of water to her face. Kara downed the entire thing. "You've been out for a while, honey. Had me worried that you were stuck like that, actually."
"What happened?" Kara asked.
"I'm no doctor but my best guess is that you probably had some sort of brain aneurysm. Trunks said your nose was gushing. He was in full panic mode when he brought you back."
"Oh... "Kara said, digesting that bit. She pulled herself into a sitting position the next moment and brushed aside the blanket that had been covering her. "I'm sorry for worrying you both. Is he here? I should thank him for carrying me all that way."
"You just missed him, hon. He took the time machine and went to the past already. We didn't know when or if you were gonna wake up so we couldn't keep waiting. You were laid out for almost a week. I'm sorry. He should be back within a few hours or so, though." Bulma noticed Kara's obvious disappointment and decided to try a change of subject. "Anyway, I was able to use the machine's scanner to see if you had residual chrono radiation to test that theory of yours. I didn't detect any but I did discover something else which requires further analysis. Maybe you could help me get to the bottom of it?"
OoooooO
August 10th, Age 764
Trunks' golden aura blazed around his body as he sliced and diced Cyber-Frieza with ferocious accuracy. The neat cubes of the tyrant's remains hung in the air long enough for the Super Saiyan teenager to blast them into oblivion with minimal effort.
King Cold was stricken with terror as he watched his son be eviscerated by a mere child. He was quick to school his features into a more sensible expression, though. A being of his stature was above letting the enemy see his fear. With a cold smirk on his face, he followed the Saiyan to a soft landing atop a rocky plateau and proceeded to offer congratulations. "Very impressive, boy. You took out my son with naught but the slightest of effort. That kind of talent could be very useful to me. What say you join my empire? I do seem to be short an heir, after all. I think you'd be more than suitable as a replacement."
"Thanks, but no thanks. That's only about the lamest thing I can imagine doing," Trunks replied, maintaining his cool and confident smirk.
"What a shame. Perhaps I misjudged you? In any case, I'm curious about that sword of yours. If I can't have you on my team, then will you allow me to have a closer look that I may be enlightened by such a fine blade?" King Cold held his breath after that and prayed that he did a good enough job of selling it. When the kid reached up to grab the hilt, it almost made him flinch. He relaxed again when the sword was casually tossed into his hands. He feigned genuine interest as he turned the blade over and tested its weight with a practice swing. "Yes, such fine craftsmanship. It's no wonder you were able to vanquish Freiza so easily. Dare I say, perhaps it was the sole reason for your success."
"Say whatever you want, if it makes you feel better. Doesn't make it true, though," Trunks said, patiently waiting for the man to make his move. The guy was being so obvious, it almost made him want to laugh.
"No, I think I'm right and you're just being over-confident," Cold replied, his smirk widening into a full grin. He chuckled a little bit before composing himself. "How ironic. You wasted your chance and now you'll die by your own blade!" he shouted, while lunging at the boy and swinging the sword down toward his blonde head.
Trunks caught the weapon between his fingers, mid-swing, and arrested Cold's momentum. "Oops. Looks like you screwed up,"he said, before reigniting his aura. He walked the large alien back several steps and then yanked his sword out of the guy's possession while simultaneously thrusting his free hand forward to blast a hole in his chest. He ignored the pathetic groveling and finished him off with a final blast that resulted in a moderately sized explosion.
Before the smoke cleared, Trunks withdrew one of the specially made capsules his mother had given him and tossed it at the spaceship the tyrants had arrived in. She had been clear with her instructions to bring both it and Goku's soon to arrive pod back with him as they would be useful to her agenda. "Hey everyone!" he said, turning around to acknowledge the spectators for the first time. "I'm going to go wait at the spot where Goku is supposed to land. Feel free to follow me. It's not that far." And with that, he took off into a low altitude flight.
Krillin and Gohan were the first to join him. Tien, Chiaotzu, Piccolo, and Vegeta arrived next - followed by Yamcha and Bulma. Trunks did his best to not stare too hard at either his mother or father, lest he give himself away. Instead, he decapsulized a mini fridge and offered drinks to the gathered Z warriors.
"So..." Krillin started, trying to break the ice. "You sure made short work of Freiza and his goons. Who taught you to fight like that? Was it Goku? I'm Krillin, by the way. And you are?"
"Sorry, I can't tell you my name. I can't tell you my master's name either. It wasn't Goku, though. I've never met him, actually," the half-breed teenager admitted.
"If you've never met my dad, then how do you know where he's gonna land? And how did you get to be a Super Saiyan?"
Trunks looked at Gohan and involuntarily recalled the boy's older counterpart from the future. He missed that man and all the time they had spent together. He wished he could pull Gohan aside and tell him everything but he knew now was not the time. This version of him didn't currently have the capacity to fill the void that Trunks' mentor had left.
"This girly looking punk is no Saiyan; super or otherwise. All that remains of our race is myself, Kakarot, and you, brat," Vegeta said, addressing Gohan. "It's clear he's an imitator and a poor one at that. Real Saiyans have black hair and eyes. Or has everyone else seemed to forget that glaring fact?"
"You weren't there when it happened, though," Gohan replied, briefly turning to acknowledge the Prince. "What I saw and felt from him was exactly the same as when my dad transformed on Namek. He's definitely a Super Saiyan," the boy added, returning his scrutiny to Trunks.
"Whatever he is, he's cute," Bulma said, staring unabashedly at him. It made Trunks simultaneously blush and cringe.
"Hey, I'm right here," Yamcha said, clearly offended.
"Oh no, you don't get to complain about me, mister," Bulma retorted while jabbing a finger into his chest. "I catch you staring at other women on a daily basis."
"But that... that's different," Yamcha said, backing up as he went onto the defensive. "It's a reflex for guys and it's not like I go complementing them right in front of your face."
"Enough!" Vegeta growled. "I didn't come all this way to listen to your pathetic lovers quarrel. You, weak man," he said, indicating Yamcha, "get your woman under control before I decide to shut her up myself."
Trunks was taken aback by his father's tone toward his mother. His urge to come to her defense was preempted by none other than the woman herself, though. "Shut me up? You take that back! I took you in when you had no place to go, offered you tools to help with your training, and have been feeding you this entire time! Not to mention I've been doing your stinky laundry as well! A little gratitude would be nice for once!"
"Gratitude? You belittle my pride every chance you get, woman! You even had the nerve to force me into this pink monstrosity of a shirt! You'll get no such sentiments out of me, I promise!" the Prince finished with a huff. He crossed his arms over his chest and turned his nose up at her in that same moment.
"If you ask me, it's more like the lovers quarrel is between Bulma and Vegeta," Krillin muttered out of the side of his mouth in what he thought was a low enough volume to go unnoticed.
"I heard that, baldy," Vegeta said, glaring at the monk menacingly.
"Here he comes," Trunks said, standing from the boulder he had been seated on. The sonic boom of an atmospheric reentry followed as a perfectly timed punctuation and triggered a wave of relief to wash over the teenage time traveler. The last thing he needed was the conversation going off toward that particular tangent. Everyone else snapped their attention to the sky in unison, no doubt sensing his energy. A warm cheer broke out amongst the gathering (Piccolo and Vegeta excluded) as the pod zoomed overhead and made landfall. The ground shook from the impact crater being created and Trunks, along with the Z warriors, eagerly took to the air to fly closer to the landing site.
"Dad!" Gohan exclaimed excitedly as the pod's hatch fell open and the reason for everyone's anticipation stepped out.
Goku was dressed in the most peculiar garb and wore the face of a man who was clearly confused. It was understandable considering the circumstances. "Hey, everyone... great to see you," he said, managing his best smile.
"Welcome back, Goku!" Chiaotzu exclaimed, all grins.
Tien waved at his long absent friend. "Good to see you in one piece, Goku," he said.
Goku was tackled by his son the next moment. "Daddy! I missed you so much!" Gohan said, with his head buried into the man's chest.
Son Goku had so many questions regarding what he had sensed of the recent conflict with Freiza but set them aside for the moment as he held Gohan in his arms. "It's good to see you, son. I missed you too. Is your mother doing alright?"
"Mhm," Gohan replied, looking up at his father. "She's been a little more cranky and strict, though. I had to sneak out to come here. Mister Piccolo thinks she coddles me too much so he comes by every now and then to help me keep up with training."
"I can tell you've gotten a little stronger," Goku replied, ruffling the boy's hair. "I'm so proud of you. I'll have to thank Piccolo later," he added.
"You're welcome," the Namekian said, inclining his head while also demonstrating that he had no trouble tuning in on private conversations.
"Heh heh," Goku laughed, sheepishly, as he remembered that particular trait about his green friend. "Thanks again."
Trunks watched as his mother, Krillin, and Yamcha exchanged greetings with Goku. He didn't want to rudely interrupt their reunion but he did have important business with the man. He cleared his throat to remind them of his presence before he spoke. "Son Goku? Can you spare a moment?"
"Oh, right, I almost forgot," Bulma said, cutting in. "This guy swept the floor with Freiza right before you got here. Apparently he's also a Super Saiyan. If it weren't for him, we'd all probably be dust right now. I guess this is the one time you didn't get to save the day, huh."
"Yeah, I actually sensed Freiza traveling toward the earth while I was still riding inside the pod. His ship was a lot faster than I thought it'd be, though. I could've made it here in time to fight him, but then I sensed the power of another Super Saiyan and figured it was Vegeta taking care of things," Goku admitted with a shrug.
"Hn," Vegeta grunted, acknowledging Goku for the first time. "As much as I would've loved to be the one to humiliate that disgusting lizard before his death, I'm not a Super Saiyan – yet. And I still doubt this boy's claims to be one."
"Wait, did you say you had a way to get here in time to fight Freiza?" Trunks asked. If that was true, then that meant he might've just screwed up the continuity of the timeline in a major way by not letting Goku handle things. Then again, his whole reason for being in the past was to save the world from being ruined and also fix his future timeline; both of which involved changing some things around.
"Yeah, I was actually out in space for so long because I met these cool group of aliens called the Yardrat. I was learning this awesome teleportation technique called Instant Transmission. Check it out," he said, before lifting his two fore-fingers to his head. He quickly disappeared and reappeared a second later with a stylish pair of sunglasses on his face.
"No way!" Krillin exclaimed. "Those are master Roshi's..."
"Heh heh, yep," Goku said, with a smug grin.
"But Kame House is on the other side of the planet," the monk added.
Trunks was in awe as well. He just needed to see one more thing. "That's amazing, Goku. If you don't mind, could you show me your Super Saiyan form? I want to know if you're as powerful as I've heard."
"Sure thing," Goku replied. "Although, I wonder who told you about me? I didn't get your name either."
"None of us did," Tien said. "And he seemed reluctant to share when we asked."
"I'm really sorry, guys," Trunks replied. "You'll get some answers after I talk to Goku, I promise. Shall we?" he asked, floating slightly off of the ground. Goku nodded and they both blasted off to get to a safe distance from the crowd. They touched down on the other side of the crater before Trunks continued. "I suppose I should show you mine first, huh? Well, here goes."
The ground began to tremble as Trunks drew upon his latent power. After so many years of practice, he didn't need to strain much and his yelling was more habit than anything else. The tingling sensation in his back built to a crescendo as the change washed over him and he became bathed in golden light.
"Nice, you're definitely a Super Saiyan," Goku said. Without flinching, he triggered his own transformation and a shroud of golden fire erupted around his body.
In a flash, Trunks withdrew his sword and swung it into a downward slash at Goku's head. The older Super Saiyan brought up a finger to block it. There was a brief pause before the teenage warrior launched into a complex combo of slicing, slashing, and stabbing – all of which were easily countered by Goku's super finger. Trunks backpedaled, twirling his blade in a quick flourish before returning it to it's sheath. "That was the same combo I used to kill Freiza. My mother was right about you. That's a relief," he said, letting his transformation fade.
Goku followed suit. "So, I know your mother then?" he asked.
Trunks nodded. "Yep. You know my father too. They're both standing over there, actually," he added pointing to the assembled group on the other side of the crater. "I'm only half Saiyan, obviously."
Goku looked over his shoulder then back at the young man several times before it dawned on him and his jaw dropped. "No way! That's incredible! I never would've imagined those two getting together. I kinda see the resemblance now, too. Wait, how come you're not a baby? That doesn't make sense."
"I'm from the future, Goku. Twenty years to be exact. I won't be born until about six months before the world falls into ruin. My name is Trunks Briefs and I was sent here by my mother to warn you about a terror that's going to destroying your lives and also to get your help cleaning up mine. Three years from now, a pair of super-powered cyborgs will go on a rampage across the earth. The earth's special forces never stand a chance. Piccolo, Krillin, Tien, Chiaotzu, Yamcha and my father are all murdered within the first twenty four hours. The only one to escape is Gohan. He's the one who trained me, by the way. Those abominations are built by Doctor Gero of the Red Ribbon Army. They're heartless killing machines that take pleasure in the suffering of others. They never stop, never grow tired, and know exactly how to extract the most pain out of anyone who resists."
"Oh... wow, that's serious," Goku said. "What about me? How did I do?"
"You don't even make it to the battle, Goku, I'm sorry. You were crippled by a heart virus before they struck and died without lifting a finger. My mother is convinced that you could've made a difference and, now that I've met you in person, I agree."
"Darn it, you gotta be kidding me. After everything I've been through, I get taken out by an infection. That just isn't fair," he lamented.
"Hey, don't sweat it, man. That's kinda the reason I'm here, ya know. In my time, there's a vaccine available and I'm gonna make sure you get inoculated. I do have an important request for you, though. I need you to come back to the future with me. My mom says she's got a plan to fix our world but it can only be accomplished if we have you with us. It'll only be for a little while, I promise. She says we'll be able to bring you back home after we're done. And, of course, when the time comes, I'll come back to help you fight Gero's creations so we can stop them before they cause any permanent damage. What do you say?"
"If you think I can help, then you can definitely count on me," Goku replied, with a resolute expression.
Trunks was overjoyed to hear him say that. "Really!? That's awesome! Thank you!"
"I just gotta make sure everyone knows about this so they can start training," Goku added.
"Right, of course. Just do me a favor and leave out the part about my parentage. It'd be a shame if I ended up not being born in this timeline. Also, can you snag us some senzu beans before we go? I have an injured friend back home and I don't know how else to help her."
Goku gave him a grin and thumbs up. "No problem, buddy."
OoooooO
A bolt of lightning lit up the gray sky just as the Capsule Corp time machine returned to Age 784. Heavy rain pelted the domed glass window of the vehicle as strong winds buffeted it. Trunks struggled with the control stick and initiated the landing procedure while Goku, who was crammed behind the driver seat, marveled at the vast wasteland below them. He brought them down safely onto a flat outcropping jutting from the cliff face of the canyon his home base was located within. It was right at the mouth of a large cavern. Trunks capsulized the craft as soon as they were out and was quick to usher Goku out of the toxic rain and into the safety of the subterranean network.
In short order, they made it to the current Capsule headquarters. Trunks reached up to open the door before pausing briefly to address the living legend standing behind him. "Goku, just a heads up. Don't be surprised if my mom gets a bit emotional when she sees you. It's partially her memories of you that have kept her going so strong for all these years."
"Hey, no worries," Goku said, maintaining his subtle joviality. "Bulma's always been kinda like that anyway."
"Just don't accuse her of being that way unless you want to see her really turn it up," Trunks warned.
"Ha ha, I gotcha. If being married to Chi-Chi has taught me anything about women, it's to tread lightly around them when they get like that."
Trunks grinned at the man before opening the door and leading him inside. "I'm home!" he announced. He wasn't able to speak another word before his mother and Kara emerged from the hallway on the other side of the living room – both clad in dirty white lab coats. He didn't get to ponder what they had been doing or to appreciate seeing Kara awake once again because his mom broke into a sprint when she saw who he had brought home with him.
"It worked!" Bulma yelled, leaping over the sofa, on her run up to meet them. She grinned ear to ear while Goku smiled and waved right back at her. She looked back and forth between him and Trunks before yanking her son into a tight hug. As soon as she broke away, it was Goku's turn.
Goku patted the woman lightly on her back as she did her best to squeeze the air out of him. When she pulled away, he couldn't help but marvel at how much she'd aged. "Wow, Bulma, I never thought I'd see you looking so old." Her fist was in his face the next second.
Trunks face-palmed while shaking his head. Kara looked slightly taken aback at how blunt their new guest was.
"Did I say that out loud?" Goku asked while her fist was embedded in his cheek.
Bulma humphed a breath out and lowered her arm before replying. "Try living through almost eighteen years of hellish post apocalypse and see if you don't sprout a few wrinkles!"
Goku got serious after that. "I'm sorry. It must have been terrible. I saw how barren everything is and I can barely sense any life on the entire planet. Kinda reminds me of how Namek felt right before Freiza blew it up."
Bulma's eyes became prickled with tears as she recalled all of the horrors from years past. "You have no idea. It was awful enough losing all of you in the beginning but watching my son grow up in this wrecked world was harder. Gohan helped me with him so much that I can't even imagine doing it again without him. I always kind of wished he had found someone to settle down with because I knew he'd be an amazing father. When we lost him, it... we almost couldn't carry on. Trunks and I had never had it so rough." She got so lost in her musing that she didn't notice Goku had moved until his arms were wrapped around her. "Look at me, wasting time like this," she said, sniffling. "Gotta get back to work. And now you're here so I have to move on to the next phase of my plan."
Goku let her go after giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "The worst is over now, Bulma. I'll help you fix this, I promise."
"That's exactly what I was counting on," she replied, putting on a more business like tone. "You're actually crucial for what I want to do."
"Which is what, exactly?" Trunks asked. "You didn't really break it down for me why you needed him. Other than the obvious fact that he can help us fight."
"Well, aside from me wanting to give him the vaccine in person rather than risk a capsule that you or he might've lost, he's here because he's got one thing that is more useful than a Super Saiyan transformation. Instant Transmission."
"Ohhh," Goku and Trunks replied in unison.
"What's that?" Kara asked, not knowing what they were talking about. "I'm Kara, by the way," she said, waving at Goku. "Nice to meet you."
Goku waved back and was about to explain it when Bulma cut him off. "It's his best technique, in my opinion. It was so amazing the first time he demonstrated it for me that I've never forgotten it – even after all these years. He never ceased to impress me ever since we were kids."
"Heh heh, no need to flatter me so much. I'm already on board," Goku said, grinning.
"Like I was saying; Instant Transmission," Bulma continued, returning his gesture. "With his highly advanced ki sensing ability, he can teleport almost anywhere in the cosmos using that technique. Goku, can you take us to New Namek?"
"Ah, I get it! You wanna use the Namekian dragonballs to make a wish! Great idea!" he said. "When do you wanna leave?"
"Now please. All of us," she added, beckoning the two youngsters to gather round.
"Alrighty then. Everyone grab on," Goku said. "And brace yourselves. The first time might disorient you."
"Oh great..." Kara said, remembering the mess she had left on Bulma's floor less than four hours ago. She placed her hand right beside Trunks' on Goku's shoulder and closed her eyes. It started with a slight tugging sensation at her navel and quickly escalated to an intense pull at her gut. A brief whipping sound followed and then the soft carpeted floor beneath her feet was suddenly replaced with an uneven terrain. She cracked open one eye, then the other, and was pleased to discover that she had arrived no worse for wear. Trunks was bent over behind a cluster of blue bushes, though.
"Ugh... why only me?" the young half-breed asked between heaves.
"Nothing compares to the pain of childbirth," Bulma replied, cheerfully, after sucking in the fresh Namekian air.
"And I'm totally empty already," Kara supplied.
"And I'm me," Goku added.
"You all suck," Trunks said, slowly pulling himself together.
"Wow... I can't believe this is finally happening. It's like a dream come true," Bulma said as she looked around to take in the familiar scenery. Blue grass, green sky, white domed dwellings and skinny trees; everything was just as she'd envisioned. They had arrived in the middle of a rather large village with many houses dotting the landscape. It was perfect.
"This should be the elder's village, I think. It's got the highest power level, anyway," Goku added with a shrug.
There were several denizens present who had either been walking about, tending to their gardens, or engaged in conversation with their peers when the four individuals from earth suddenly appeared. A few had been startled onto their backsides but the majority were just momentarily stunned into staring slack-jawed at the arrival. "Someone go get elder Moori!" a random passerby shouted.
Before any of the Namekians within earshot could acknowledge the request of their brother, the sound of a door being violently swung open drew the attention of those present to a nearby hut. There, standing in the doorway and clad in flowing white robes, was a tall bright green Namek who looked upon them with wide, disbelieving, eyes. "Goku... Bulma... is it really you guys?"
"Whoa, you're Dende, right?" Goku asked, to which he received a nod. "Man, you're so tall now!"
"Hi, Dende," Bulma greeted with a warm smile. Her eyes were pricked with tears of joy. "It's so good to see you."
"What the hell happened to you?" the young Namek asked. "You just dropped off the map and haven't contacted us in over thirty-six cycles. I thought you forgot about us..."
"I'm sorry... we didn't intentionally cut you off," Bulma started. "Something terrible happened on earth about eighteen years ago... it's a long story. Can you take us to elder Moori? I think it'll be better if you both are present before I catch you up on what's been going on with us."
OoooooO
Trunks and Kara sat together on a carved out stone slab inside of elder Moori's large domed dwelling while Bulma conversed with the elder Namek, Goku, and Dende. The young half Saiyan had asked his Kryptonian friend to join him in an effort to catch up with her. After all, the last time he had seen her, she was comatose and unresponsive.
"So..." Trunks said, managing to come up short for words despite having so much he wanted to say.
Kara was not so hindered. "I'm okay now, you know. Your mother was there for me when I woke up. She told me how worried you were – how you didn't sleep." She caught his gaze and they remained locked that way until a mutual blush forced them to look away.
"I was just... making sure your condition didn't get worse is all," Trunk replied, staring hard at his feet.
"Thank you," Kara said, mirroring him. "You're sweet."
Trunks' mouth fell open and he turned to look at her once more. "Kara..." he said, waiting for her to meet his eyes. "I'm sorry for making you risk your life like that. I never thought... I don't ever want to see you hurt again, alright."
Kara sighed, looking away once more. "Well, I don't want to see you risk your life either... but it's not like any of us has a choice in the matter. We're the only ones left with the power to defend the earth. I don't plan on giving up anytime soon so I guess you'll just have to keep watching my back. I'll watch yours too," she added.
"Awesome! You can really do that for us?" Goku said, loud enough to interrupt the two teenagers. "Hey Trunks, Kara, come over here! Dende's got a treat!
"Huh? What is it?" Trunks asked, abandoning his seat. Kara followed closely behind.
"Well..." Dende started, "A long time ago, when Freiza came to the original Namek, elder Guru was able to unlock the potential of those fighting to defend it. I've been practicing for years to learn more than just healing and believe I can now replicate Guru's ability. If you'll allow me, I'd like to bestow all of you with that gift while my kinsmen go to gather the dragonballs for you."
"It's true," Moori said, inclining his head. "I've mentored many young Nameks hungry for knowledge but rarely have I seen the kind of commitment that Dende has shown. He will impress you, to be sure."
"All of us?" Bulma asked, confused. "But I've got no fighting power to speak of. You'll just be wasting your effort."
"No, I don't believe so," Dende said. "Unlocking one's potential encompasses more than just fighting spirit, Bulma. Your mind, though quite formidable already, has much untapped potential. Think about what you've accomplished already and then imagine being able to do that, and more, in a fraction of the time it would otherwise have taken you. I have no doubt that you, the first human to bend time and space to her will, have the capacity to continue doing great things."
He beckoned her and she stepped up, allowing him to place a hand atop her head. "Don't make my head swell up, you got it? Last thing I need is to be old AND have an egg head."
"Relax, Bulma. I have a feeling you'll be happy," the young Namek replied before focusing his spirit. In an instant, he enveloped her in a white aura that quickly began to sparkle with amber lights – like fireflies. Before his and everyone's eyes, her haggard and pale complexion vanished (along with most of her wrinkles) and her eyes turned from pale blue to a deep crystalline shade.
Trunks' jaw was reaching for the floor as he watched what looked like ten years melt off of his mother. Goku's eyes were wide and unblinking as he expressed his astonishment. Kara, as well, was taken aback.
"Wow, I feel better than I have in years. You didn't just unlock my potential. Did you cure me?" Bulma asked.
"I did," Dende replied.
"Cure?" Trunks asked. "What are you talking about?"
"Well... I was kind of, sort of, suffering from lymphoma," Bulma admitted, hanging her head a bit shamefully.
"You had cancer and you didn't say anything? When the hell were you gonna tell me?" Trunks said, with indignant incredulity.
"Son, you and I both have had our hands full enough for years. I didn't want to burden you with another thing to worry about. Especially since there was nothing I could do to fix it. I'm sorry," she said, ruefully.
Trunks clenched his jaw in frustration and hurt until Goku placed a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, man, relax. Your mom is fine now – thanks to Dende. Things are starting to look up so maybe you can let go some of that pain, yeah?"
Goku's earnest expression broke the spell Trunks was under and the young man breathed a heavy sigh in conjunction with releasing his tension. "Sorry. You're right. I'll try and be less grim."
"Good. 'Cause I really wanna see what Dende's gonna do with Kara," Goku said, eyeing the girl with curiosity. "You can sense what I sense, right?" he added, addressing the Namek.
"Huh? Is something wrong with me too?" Kara asked, a confounded expression on her face.
"Maybe, maybe not," Goku replied with a shrug. "I'm just kinda confused how someone Trunks described as having power to rival a Super Saiyan has such a small ki signature. It's about the same level as an average human. You noticed it too, right?" he said, turning to Trunks.
"Uh, well... I guess so. I just assumed it was that way because she's an alien. Everyone's different, right?"
"I don't know," Goku continued. "I've met a lot of different alien races in the last year or so and all of them have had ki levels that matched up with their practical abilities."
"Oh, I almost forgot! Maybe it's because she's solar powered," Trunks said.
"She's what?" Goku asked.
"I don't fully understand it myself, but it's true," Kara admitted. "The yellow sun gives me these abilities. I didn't have to train like Trunks to get here. It's just something about my genetics."
"Hm... that is very interesting indeed," Moori commented. "It sounds almost like photosynthesis – which is something very familiar to us Nameks. We sustain ourselves mostly through water and sunlight. However, we still have to train and raise our ki to fuel our special techniques. You're saying flight, strength, and everything else comes naturally then? Dende, if you would, please proceed with Kara. I must admit, I'm as eager as Goku to hear your analysis of her potential."
"Right," Dende said with a nod. He extended his open palms, beckoning Kara come closer, and then closed his eyes as he focused his senses. Unlike with Bulma, there was no light show. The minutes ticked on by with the young Namek's brow furrowing deeper as beads of sweat appeared on his skin.
"Is it just me or is it getting hot in here?" Goku whispered to no one in particular.
Trunks nodded as he realized the same and began pulling on the collar of his shirt to try and air out.
"It's like a sauna," Bulma said, fanning herself with both hands.
"Ah... there it is..." Dende said. "Stand back, everyone," he warned before, a moment later, the young Kryptonian woman was engulfed in a blazing red aura – reminiscent of the Kaio-Ken. Almost as soon as it appeared, it was gone. Dende stepped back and was visibly respiring afterward.
Kara, who had clenched her eyes shut in apparent strain, opened them once again so she could inspect herself. A faint steam wafted from her skin as she held her arms out to stare at her hands. "What is this... feeling?"
"It's your natural ki," Dende replied. "I opened a pathway for you to begin assimilating the solar energy you've been relying on. Up until now, your body has been acting like a conduit for the sun with a low functioning capacitance. Correct me if I'm wrong, but your abilities either significantly wane or disappear entirely in the absence of exposure to sunlight, right?" Upon receiving her nod, he continued. "Well, now you'll be able to train out that weakness."
"Wow, really? I don't know what to say. Thank you, Dende."
"That's awesome!" Goku exclaimed. "I can't wait to see what you'll be able to do after some hard work."
"I can show you some of the basic ki building exercises that Gohan taught me, if you'd like," Trunks offered. Kara nodded her acceptance and they both smiled at each other.
Things went rather quickly after that, with Dende taking on both Trunks and Goku. He openly expressed that their full potential was beyond his ability to unlock, hinting with little subtlety that there was something beyond even Super Saiyan. Nevertheless, he was able to streamline their transformations to their peak efficiency and suggested that it could even be considered as reliable as their base forms. It was Goku who proposed that they test that theory by staying super indefinitely. Thus, when Porunga was summoned a short time later, it was in the presence of two Super Saiyans.
Since Bulma was the mastermind responsible for bringing them all together there on Namek, it was she who ultimately dictated how Dende should convey their wishes to the dragon. The first was to restore planet earth's climate and cities to the state they were in before the appearance of Gero's destructive monsters. The second, and arguably most important, was the revival of the dual being known as Kami/Piccolo. Three wishes weren't nearly enough to undo the last eighteen years, after all. The third wish from Porunga was something Bulma had put much thought into while considering her son's feelings. Although Vegeta was his father and the subject of many of his questions throughout his youth, it was Gohan who put in the hard work to help raise him. Besides, Goku's son was near and dear to both their hearts – nevermind that he was more powerful, and thus useful, to their immediate needs in comparison to Vegeta.
"Your wish has been granted," Porunga boomed. "Farewell."
After the seven Namekian balls dispersed, the residents of earth bid their goodbyes with a promise to stay in touch this time. Bulma even went so far as to promise that, when things were settled, she'd use one of the ships that Trunks confiscated from the past to take a deep space road trip out to see them.
Dende, Moori, and all the rest of the villagers, stood gathered in the town square to wave goodbye before Goku IT'd his friends back home.
OoooooO
A hand shot out of the mound of grassy earth on Mount Paozu as the high-altitude breeze blew a cluster of loose green leaves over the forest clearing. Gohan's head broke the surface a second later. As he gasped for breath, he looked around and was awed by the lush flora from his childhood given new life. Porguna had, of course, asked his permission before transporting him back to earth from King Kai's planet in the Otherworld. The Namekian dragon, who was curiously polite in comparison to Shenron, had prepared him with foreknowledge of recent events so he knew what to do after fully extricating himself from his grave site.
The flight to Kami's lookout was short for someone of his speed and power. He felt the presence of his Namekian mentor before he arrived and was stricken with emotion when he saw Piccolo conversing with his counterpart upon landing. The worst part of his five years spent in Otherworld was knowing that his best friend had been sent to hell despite all of the good he had done. "Piccolo!" he called out, skidding to a halt on the smooth tiled surface of the floating fortress.
The man in questioned smirked upon seeing his old pupil again. Kami, as well, was pleased to see Gohan. Porunga had given the two of them the same courtesy of bringing them up to speed. In short order, Gohan and Piccolo clasped forearms in a firm shake while Kami nodded his approval.
"It's good to see you, boy," Piccolo said.
"Likewise," Gohan replied. "Just so you know, my dad argued with King Yemma on your behalf."
"As did I," Kami said. "Welcome home, Gohan."
"Kami," the younger Namekian said, after disengaging with his protege, "Have you come to a decision yet?"
"I have, actually," the old guardian replied.
"What's going on?" Gohan asked.
"I asked the old geezer to fuse with me," Piccolo replied. "It's something we should have done a long time ago. If we had, maybe we could've prevented a lot of this mess."
"Oh..." Gohan said.
"Piccolo's right, son," Kami said. "You've no idea the guilt I've harbored knowing that we could've made a difference. I only ask that we wait until Bulma and the others make a wish on the dragonballs. As you know, they'll cease to be effective once we merge."
"I have faith in you both," Gohan said. "But I haven't spent the last five years doing nothing. I think we'll be alright."
At near the same moment, all three newly revived individuals were alerted to the presence of the four persons directly responsible for their reunion. As Goku, Trunks, Bulma, and Kara materialized before them, each were drawn to the spectacle.
When the Instant Transmission completed, Gohan made eye contact with Trunks and was nearly bowled over the next instant when the younger man, currently a Super Saiyan, zipped right up to him. "Gohan-san!" Trunks said, engulfing him in a crushing hug.
"Ugh! Easy there, sport," Gohan choked out, struggling to return the gesture from underneath the super greeting. "I missed you too, buddy."
"Wow! Gohan, is that you?" Goku asked. "You're so tall!"
"Dad? No wait... you're not the same you, right? I swear I was just with you on King Kai's planet."
"I brought him here in my mom's time machine," Trunks said. "I've got so much to tell you."
"Who's the girl?" Piccolo asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
"I'm Kara... nice to meet you," the young Kryptonian greeted, rather coyly, feeling out of place. The only people she was close with were Trunks and his mother. The rapidly expanding group of acquaintances were a lot for someone like her.
"Hey, way to go, man," Gohan said, clapping Trunks on the back. "She's cute. Don't know where you found her but good job."
"Whoa, hey... it's not like that, okay!" the young half-breed exclaimed in protest.
"Hm, my son's just being bashful. Don't mind him," Bulma said, with a flippant wave of her hand.
Piccolo cracked a smirk and everyone else, except for Trunks and Kara, burst into laughter.
The reunion went into full swing from there. With the gathering of earth's dragonballs being the primary goal, Bulma produced a dragon radar for each of the warriors who were going to be doing the collecting. Goku and Kara took off in one direction while Gohan and Piccolo went the opposite. Trunks was the only fighter to stay behind and with good reason. He had a score to settle with number 17 and had made his companions promise to not interfere unless they sensed he was in danger of losing. All that was left for him to do was draw the man out into the open.
OoooooO
Seventeen had spent the entire rest of the afternoon, following the great battle with Android 13, wandering throughout the wasteland in search of his sister's remains. It had taken a tremendous effort to find her body since her power core, which he kept safely tucked away in a cloth tied to his waist, was also a tracking device. Despite that, his unrelenting endurance had allowed him to find Lazuli before the sun went down. She had been face down in a ditch when he came upon her.
His eyes had stung with tears hours after carrying her halfway across the continent and laying her to rest in a grave he had dug under the stars. He decided to keep her core as a memento to remind him of not just her life but also where they both had gone wrong and why she had paid the ultimate price.
He didn't move from the mound of earth that covered her body for what seemed like forever. Days passed, rain showered him, and still he knelt there – as if he had been transformed into stone. Words eluded him after her passing and he had vowed to remain until he could speak a proper eulogy so, naturally, he endured.
In his trance, he barely noticed the wastewolf (a resilient member of the canine species known to have adapted to the harsh wastelands of earth) that had come limping up to his makeshift campsite. It wasn't until the creature's whimpering reached peak and was soon joined by a weak yipping cry that he finally came to his senses and realized the wolf was an injured mother trying to give birth to a litter of pups. Without thinking, he untied his bandanna and tied off the mother's bloody foreleg before proceeding to help deliver the wolf cubs. There were five in total. The affection he got from the wolf cubs in the days afterwards was bittersweet. Their mother, weak as she was, didn't survive beyond the second night. With no milk and too young to hunt or eat solid food, the puppies weren't long for the world.
It was in the midst of digging a new grave beside his sister's that it happened; a wave passed over the earth, like a mirage, and brought life back to the barren landscape. Blades of grass sprouted before his eyes, along with a forest of trees, and the roiling black clouds melted into fluffy white wisps being blown about by a cool, refreshing breeze. The sound of rushing water reached his ears and gave him hope. He carried the five little babies in his arms to the river bank and dug out a small trench with his hands so some of the fresh water would be diverted to a small pool shallow enough for them to drink from. He found himself shaking with grief once again as he watched them happily drink up. He had been about to put them out of their misery.
It was then that he came to the realization that the only one needing to be put out of their misery was him.
It wasn't very long after that he felt his ki sensors alarm him of the sudden spike of power coming from the Northeast. It was Trunks calling to him. He was sure of it.
OoooooO
A/N: So sorry for the loooooooooooooong wait. Things have been crazy IRL. Even getting this installment out was tough, crappy as it is. I feel like this could've been done much better but, nevertheless, I'm gonna let it ride as is. It's a crapfest with way too much dialogue, imo, but hey what the hell. At least you'll all know that this story isn't dead. The next installment will be a return to form, I hope, and possibly even take things to the next level. Please send all love and hate straight to the review section or PM and I will happily engage in a debate about all things DBZ related. Thank you, everyone, for hanging in there.
-Shoes