Disclaimer: I do not own the rights or credits to the Original Dragon Ball Z characters; all credit goes to Akira Toriyama.
Chapter II: Battle At Capsule Corp.
Capsule Corporation, business of my family, legacy, leader of the world's technology, space exploration the works. Our main base of operation was at the heart of the city. It was the place to get started. If you ever got a job there, even as a janitor, you would have been considered for any position on the outside. That was the sterling reputation Capsule Corp. had back in the day. These days it's nothing more but a beat home to a woman and her son, a woman who looks pretty damn good for her age if I do say so myself. These days we linger around the old complex just living our lives in what's left of this city. Trunks can be a handful at times but I manage. Heh, if I was able to manage his father, I can certainly manage him.
My parents died back when the androids attacked the city. Luckily for this city there was a lengthy warning ahead of time, but they couldn't bring themselves to leave. I tried to convince them otherwise so many times, I can't even imagine counting them. I don't' blame them though; they built this building, this Corporation from scratch. My dad founded it years ago once he developed the capsule technology that the whole world now depends on; this place was part of them. Although I don't think they ever saw it as a Corporation or a place of business, they probably saw it as home. Mom starting talking about watering the plants and tending to her animals, she made it seem as though she was just on her way to do her daily chores. Knowing her she probably did every single one of them before they hit the city. Dad was relatively quiet as we said goodbye at the train station. As Mom held Trunks, he and I shared one last tear-filled hug, and he whispered into my ear.
"Don't ever give up hope Bulma. No matter what happens, remember we will always be there with you. You've made me so proud."
The man at the terminal rushed over to ask if I was getting on, and for a split second I thought about staying, until I looked down at my arms. I had to get on that train, I had to do whatever I could now for him, for my son.
I nodded my head to the doorman as he quickly grabbed my arm and started pulling me towards the entrance. Those last seconds were filled with so many emotions I still can't contemplate it. Once those doors closed I saw my mother wave to me, and I saw my father smile one last time. Then there was a big bump and the train started moving forward. Quickly rushing into a train car, I saw there weren't any seats available, so I just stood, bending over trying to steal one last look at my parents, but I wasn't able to, the train already left the platform.
The train took us to Pepper City, which had been declared the safe haven for the time being. No one was really sure what was going on in the world. No one really knew what or who were destroying the cities. The television transmissions from the first attack were cut short so nobody was really able to see them. Most people dismissed it as a war, and felt that all the military personnel present made everything safer. But I knew better, I didn't really know in detail at the time but I knew it wasn't any army, or an invasion. What I did know was that all my friends died trying to stop whatever it was.
I still remember the moment when Gohan burst through the Capsule Corp. doors with Krillin dying in his arms. After creating a commotion in the main lobby, we took Krillin upstairs, but it was too late, he was dead by the time we got there.
"They're gone, they're all gone." Those were the only words Gohan was able to utter for a while. I tried to snap him out of it so he could give me details. He eventually did, and gave me all the details I didn't want to hear.
"When we got there, half of the city was already up in flames. Piccilo and Tien went towards the fire to see what they could do, while Krillin, Yamcha, and me went to a cliff that oversaw everything. As soon as we got to the cliff, we felt something was wrong. Piccilo's energy was going down fast, then we starting seeing some explosions from where they were. When we got there, Piccilo was on the ground, and we saw that Vegeta was there and he was holding one of them off. I tried to go grab Piccilo to give him a sensu bean but the blonde haired one blew the bag out of my hands and charged right at me. We all started fighting but it became pretty clear that we weren't doing anything to them. By the time I was finally able to reach Piccilo, he was dead. I'm not sure when Tien and Yamcha died, but I did see Vegeta die. He was probably the only one of us who were able to put up a fight against those monsters."
Every word of his story was like a dagger to my heart. It was like my life was ripped apart that night. Almost everything I held dear was taken from me, and for days I just stayed secluded and wept. But I couldn't do that forever, I had too many responsibilities. I had a son that I had to protect, a son who was the only thing left of the man I loved. And the night before I left on the train, I made a promise to Trunks, that no matter what, I would do anything and everything to make sure he would live on.
"Mom Gohan's here!" Trunks screams as though I weren't in the other room.
Ah Gohan, it's been a while since his last visit, wonder what brings him to our neck of the woods. I walk by the window to see Gohan flying in pretty fast, too fast…
"Trunks, Trunks, get inside, get inside now!"
"But mom, it's Gohan, he's.."
"TRUNKS! I am your mother and you will do as I say, now get inside!" I have a bad feeling about this. I rush downstairs to the lobby and rush out to be Gohan who's just landed.
"Bulma, are you guys okay? Is Trunks fine? Did they come by, has anything happened?"
"Whoa, whoa whoa, Gohan slow down, what's wrong?"
"You haven't seen them?"
"What? What are you talking..?"
"THE ANDROIDS! They haven't come by here have they?!"
"What? No of course not.. why would.. oh god. Oh no."
"They've been tracking me Bulma." Gohan said as he leaned desperately on the fence.
"They've been what?"
" They've been tracking me, watching me. Following me around. Finding out the places I go, the people I talk to, the people I love. They've, they've been tracking me down.. oh god, I've been such a fool. They've been asking people in the bunkers about me, asking when I usually come. Then when I went to do my usually delivery the androids ambushed me."
"Gohan are you alright?"
"Oh I'm fine, it's just.. god!!! DAMN THEM! They killed them all… all of them, all those people.. ahh God."
"Gohan, it's not your fault."
"Yes of course it is, it's all my fault! How could I be so stupid! How could I not see this coming! Oh god, they've already killed people so many and they said they were headed here next. That's why I came in such a rush I can't think of losing you guys. You've got to hide Bulma, fast, please." He starts pushing me towards the door pointing inside.
"Gohan, I can't, what am I supposed to.."
"I don't know Bulma, hide you have to get out of here, you can't come back to this building for a while, do you understand me, they'll be waiting for you here you can't come back. Not for a while."
"Gohan, I don't know where to go I .."
"LISTEN BULMA, I don't know how long I have until they get here but you have to take Trunks and hide as fast as you can, go to the other side of town, hide out there until I come looking for you I promise." we're right at the front entrance and my heart is pounding faster than it ever has. I start walking in and look back and Gohan.
"Gohan.. than.."
" BULMA YOU HAVE TO GET OUT RIGHT…." at that very moment they kicked Gohan. Right in front of me, here they were. The duo, the bringers of death, the ones who've taken so much from me, and all they're showing for it is a smile. A cold, heartless smile, and their eyes, so lifeless, not a shred of mercy lingering in them, at this moment I'm staring death right at the face, all I can hope for is that Trunks is somewhere safe.
"RUN!!!" as soon as Gohan screams that he fires a couple energy bombs at them and I bolt. I run around the corner as the entire building is starting to shake.
"TRUNKS! TRUNKS!!! Where are you!?!" I look into every room I run passed then I hear him in the back of the hallway.
"Mom!!" I look and there he is racing towards where all the sound is coming from. I can't let him go, I cannot afford to lose him.
"NO! We can't go that way Trunks we can't!"
"But Gohan needs us! We can't just let him face them alone!" with each second that goes by another loud shake and rumble comes outside. The evening sky is being lit up from all the explosions.
"Trunks, listen to me, not this time, please just not this time, don't do what you did last time, I almost lost you I can't do that again. PLEASE." I can see in his eyes there is only one thing he wants to do, walk right passed me, maybe to certain death. That's his father all the way, but he stops, lowers his head, and nods.
I waste no time what so ever and take Trunks and sneak into a nearby building.
"Oh god, Gohan." I look up and see how he's fairing against them. He's actually holding his own. I see Gohan land several blows onto the blonde one, tossing her into the other one. It's strange, watching him fight, the way he moves, and looks especially in those colors. The way he acts, what he's doing right now, fighting to buy us time to escape, always thinking about others before himself, just like his father.
"Don't look up Trunks just stay down, Gohan is doing just fine, we just have to get far enough, I'm sure he'll know when we're far enough." I hope so, every minute he's facing those two, god it could be his.. ah I can't think that way, I have to have hope. He'll make it.
After about a half hour we get to the old park, it seems Gohan has led them away from where we are, seems like they're at the outskirts of the city.
By nightfall I don't hear the thunderous anymore. I hope he got out of there all right.
"Trunks, here, we'll hide here for now." I point to an old playground covered by scattered metal glass and debris.
"Lemme clean this up a bit before you sit down." I start wiping down leaves and glass from a round tube.
"That should do for a good spot to sleep, nice and clean."
"Mom, its fine its just glass."
"It may just be glass but you don't want to get a cut do you? It'll get infected for all we know!"
"Mom,"
Trunks gives me a look of reassurance, a look that says everything will be okay.
"I wonder if Gohan was able to escape."
"He was, I was able to sense him leaving."
"Do you know if he's okay?"
"Well, his power didn't feel low, I'd say he got the upper hand on them this time." Relief.
"How come you couldn't tell me this earlier!?(Bulma hits him on the head)"
"Owww mom!"
"Here I was worrying, Gohan this, Gohan that!"
"Ah mom," Trunks leans in and gives me a hug. These don't come as often as they used to, so I'll be sure to cherish this moment. We settle down in the playground and dig up a garbage can. Trunks starts a fire as we both sit down to catch a whatever bit of sleep we can.
Next Chapter:
Chapter III: Gohan's Shadow