Chapter Eleven

Makoto had never seen him again after that last conversation and didn't remember how she got back in her room. It was foggy but afterwards the medication ended as her true mentality started to shine. Patiently she waited in confinement wondering what was going on outside as she sat on her bed. Her words were still echoing in her mind, how she spoke to him, and how they were the same. It gave her the insight of what 'could have been' if she hadn't met Usagi and others so long ago. Luck was gracing her, making her feel blessed and excited to get back. To give everyone a hug and see what they had all created. Closing her eyes, a pain flashed through her as she quickly opened them. Although the medication was gone, she now faced the troubles of sleep coming. For the past few days she had tried to close her eyes but the haunting imagine continued to bubble up.

She was a mother.

It was a hard concept to swallow, seeing the thing floating in the light green water with all the tubes connected that gave it growth. A sense of longing and aggravation pressed through her; with his technology, women could be superficial and replaceable. She had always longed to have a large family, someone to give her love, and the joy of having children. It felt as if those dreams had been ripped away by seeing that…thing. Makoto wasn't sure if she would even be able to claim it as a piece of her due to the nature of its being. But…when they came to save her, what would happen to it? Her stomach churned at the thought, making her sick to think of bringing it home. A cold sweat moved over her while she tried to rationalize her thoughts.

This creature was real, a human, made like all children. It lived, and breathed, but the reason for its composition was for destruction and evil. Makoto already knew she could never truly love it, or care for it. It would have to be destroyed.

Her thoughts were dissipated by the creaking of her door opening as she peered at Bardock entering, bringing a chair and setting it in the middle of the room before taking a seat. His body looked disproportioned, leaning back with his white lab coat buttoned neatly, cold expression and long strands framing his face. She was unsure for this visit and felt nervous under his eye. Bardock on the other hand was trying to come up with the confidence to ask, as it seemed she knew a lot about his family. He never had the chance for that connection and maybe, just maybe, he would be able to connect. Would they care about his past? Would it be hard for them? He had tried to kill them, but was unsure if that had been possible. His androids seemed to be alive but damaged to the point they were unresponsive. Did that mean they were destroyed? His Uncle would have the answers he was seeking; to know who his father was, why his father abandoned him, and what happened. Makoto had opened his eyes past that of vengeance while he looked through the records to see Dr. Gero had lied about specifics pertaining his family and wondered what else he was lied to about.

Silence echoed around them, the two staring at each other waiting for the other to speak while unable to think of what to say themselves. Finally, Makoto took the plunge.

"Did you make only one?" she asked, curious as to how far his experiments had led him. Bardock was surprised by how shaky her voice sounded, but also curious as to what plagued her to know.

"The other samples were destroyed the other day in my rage, but the experiment has been successful," he simply replied. Makoto felt a chill move through her…it had to be destroyed. Bardock seemed to shift positions for a moment, catching her attention again. "I wished we could have spoken more frankly before just the other day. I have begun to think about what you said, and wondered what is it you know about my family?"

"I know as much as you since I was out camping with strangers when these events unfolded," she replied, Bardock being dissatisfied. Looking at his watch, he knew it was about time for the digestive process to be complete. This was where he needed her most for rearing the child while his androids took over in his plot that had yet to be executed. Still, he felt as if he wasn't sure if he wanted to completely switch and investigate. Would they lie as well? All his plans would be destroyed, and then what? Already he put a protocol out to his androids to bring them back alive in hopes that it wouldn't be too late.

"Come, it is time," he said, moving to his feet and motioning for Makoto. Following quickly, she wondered what event was in store for her today. Approaching the laboratory quickly, she found his lab table had been cleaned and nothing replaced it except for files. Her eyes lead her to the tube, cringing as she saw a small table ready with items for a child. They continued to approach, her hands becoming wet with sweat and her heart pounded uncontrollably faster. It was moving, developed, looking like a real child. Fear and pain pushed through her; no, she couldn't believe that thing could be in any way related to her. Bardock moved to the tube and pushed a few buttons, releasing the water as the tube began to lower, opening as the child squirmed; it's eyes opened as Bardock removed the tubing carefully.

The wail echoed through the room, sending a shiver through Makoto as she stared frozen watching him continue with the child. It hurt to hear the child cry, her mothering instincts were naturally taking over while her mind continued to scream—No! Her body began to move against the will of her brain while she approached the table, looking down at the wailing child squirming under the pale hands. Makoto looked at the soft ebony hair starting the dry covering the child's head while his creamy pink arms thrashed in what looked like discomfort. The moment Makoto's fingers brushed over his head, the child immediately seemed to stop wailing so loudly as bright green eyes peered up curiously. A smile pushed across Makoto's lips as she took over, drying the child and then dressing it. Bardock watched, glad she took over and seemed to already quiet the child staring intently up.

All the fears and horrible thoughts seemed to drain away while she looked down at him, seeing how much of herself was already within this child. How could she have ever thought to destroy it? Now that he was here, laying in her arms about to already fall asleep, Makoto knew she loved every piece of him even though the circumstances. Bardock couldn't help but smirk, watching the strange happiness that took over her gloomy posture.

"What are you going to name him?" asked Bardock, curious to see what she could come up besides his number system. He never thought of a name and decided to leave that to Makoto, giving her a stronger connection since she had been the one to name him.

"Name him?" asked Makoto curiously, wrinkling her brow before looking down at the sleeping child. It was her feat to name this little one? What could she think of? If she was to take care of him in the palace grounds, that meant he was going to be the King of Jupiter one day. For that reason, she knew he was going to need a strong name. Something that hadn't been used in a while, something that would give him that would make him stand out from the others. "Augustus."

"Augustus?" asked Bardock, surprised at the type of name while seeing Makoto stand proudly.

"Yes, Augustus. He is going to be a king one day," replied Makoto, seeing Bardock's questionable look as Makoto let out a chuckle. "I believe you don't know who I am fully, besides being a magic user. I am not only the last of my race from Jupiter, but the last heir to the royal family."

Before Bardock could reply, the moment was gone between them as the doors opened at the far end of the hall. His androids entered, carrying an injured Vegeta and Goku over their shoulders. Makoto felt as gasp came over her as she looked at the two androids identically matching that of Trunks and Goten. Did that mean the other two were killed?

"I was too late," said Bardock with a displeased clicking of his tongue while he moved closer to the men lying on the ground trying to get up. It looked as if all of them had a rough time; the caked on dirt, the scratches and scrapes. It had been a glorious battle that Bardock wished he could have witnessed himself. Instead, his master plan was still in the process of being complete as he then noticed the tall brunette standing closely behind gently rocking the squirming infant that then left out high pitched shrill. Bardock felt all his thoughts disappear with the sudden annoyance. Never had he created a child before and usually had androids of a normal age to where he didn't need to deal with this disruption. Makoto was doing her best to control the child with the turmoil moving within her as pain, loss, and sadness hit at once. The realization that these new friends were dead and hurt because of her, made her feel like horrid. Not only had they fought to protect her, but now they were gone all because of this man in front of her. All because of the tiny creation moving in her arms as she managed to tune out the sound of the cry.

Bardock seemed to suddenly snap as he watched the emotionless woman standing almost frozen staring at the comrades on the ground.

"Will you do something to shut it up?" asked Bardock, his voice booming so suddenly that it startled the child causing it to suddenly stop as if listening before slowing starting again. Makoto seemed to finally snap.

"You created it, so YOU take responsibility!" replied Makoto angrily, watching what seemed like a sudden smirk move across Bardock's lips. All the emotions were hitting her continually while she finally felt as if she mentally was having a break down. The tears began to rebel against the banks and then broke, making her drop her head in defeat while she busied herself with the child once more turning silent. Bardock seemed satisfied to ignore the crying woman as the child quieted down. Turning his attention back to the men, he noticed something askew; his androids were no longer there. Impact hit him from behind, echoing the loud booming slam through-out the laboratory. Bardock didn't know what hit him but found himself squashed against now crackled ground wondering if the impact had affected Makoto's footing.

Goten kept his knee slammed between Bardock's shoulder blades while Vegeta snuggly kept a harsh balance standing on Bardock's calves.

"What do you want?" asked Goten roughly, his personal instincts perking up as if sensing danger. Bardock now realized the situation of how he had been tricked. His mind was set up as he stayed still, knowing he was surrounded and outnumbered.

"I want to know about my father, Raditz," said Bardock, sending a shock through Goku who believed in the good in everyone that never had a chance at life.

"Let him up Goten," said Goku, watching Bardock move to his feet cautiously while Vegeta and Goten stayed near his side ready for action. Goku found himself realizing that he was seeing his deceased brother in this young man standing in front of him. "What is your name?"

"Bardock, I was named after my grandfather," replied Bardock, watching a small smile move to Goku's lips as if he was remembering fond memories. "Makoto helped me realize there were many lies told to me by Dr. Gero in order to push me toward destroying the last of my bloodline and taking over the planet. I managed to find some facts about my father, but you are the only one who would know the most since you were with him last."

"Do you honestly believe that you have changed your mind for your 'revenge'? What made you change your mind?" asked Goten, taking over for his father. Usually they would do a trial period at Goku's house away from endangering any humans. But Goten, for some reason or another, didn't believe Bardock. There was something about him that looked as if he was cunningly going to use this 'get-out-of-ass-whooping' card, then turn around to shove it in their faces. Bardock glanced over to Goten, unsure whether he should answer his questions until he saw the resemblance of Goku. So, this was his cousin?

"I never honestly wanted true 'revenge' since it was Dr. Gero's plans from the beginning to make sure no matter what your family would be destroyed. Opening my eyes to searching for information and unlocking the truth held no feelings to following these orders…especially when I saw her holding our son," replied Bardock, picking up on select words to get a point across. His eyes had looked up into the large metal cross beams to see Makoto had been swept off her feet with her face smothered in Trunks' chest. It was a bit of a stab at the lavender haired man, as if to claim her as his. Trunks felt it was safe enough to come down, slowly floating while Makoto kept her face pressed against his shoulder with relief moving through her. They were safe after all, and now she was facing all her feelings at once forgetting all those around her while her fingers gripped onto Trunks' shirt tightly not wanting to let go. Somehow the child stayed still, curved around Makoto's left around across her stomach.

Although they had touched the ground, Makoto refused to move feeling the fatigue and weakness of her mind pushing into her body. She wanted to sleep, forget about everything, and to just go back to her normal life. Crystal Tokyo was waiting for her and she desperately needed to get back.

"We should at least give him a chance," said Goku, looking at the two and then lastly at the silent child.

"Destroy your lab, and everything in it, including the androids," said Goten harshly, knowing a lifetime of fighting and just wanting peace. Bardock could see the seriousness on Goten's face and decided not to hesitate as he gave a quick nod. "Trunks, take Makoto and the child back home as we will finish up here with the destruction."

Trunks obeyed, feeling her fingers finally let go of his shirt to hold the child securely as they made their way out of the lab at a comfortable pace with one thing on mind: home.

AN: I apologize for the delay, I'm taking summer classes at college as well as watching my 8-year-old-niece for the summer since she wanted to visit. If it wasn't for Mr. Hudson's music, I don't think I would have got this chapter done in a timely manner. More to come hopefully soon.