A/N: Although this story follows the time line of Dragonball Z, the events are written differently. I did my best, and I hope you all enjoy it!
A Chance of a Lifetime – Chapter 31
The tournament was upon them. They all agreed to meet at the entrance, it being weeks since they last saw everybody. Trista smiled, watching her two boys run ahead to the snack stand. She rolled her eyes, sighing and paying the massive bill once she made her way over. Bulma laughed beside her, holding her daughter Bra, letting her down when Goten ran up to go with his two cousins. Vegeta and Goku walked behind the women, one with a grin on his face, the other frowning and crossing his arms. Trista looked back at him, studying the man before rolling her eyes. She grabbed Bulma's hand, dragging her towards the bathroom. The men watched, strolling over to the sign-in desk for the tournament. The boys followed. Gohan showed up then, with the girl Videl trailing behind him. Vegeta shook his head, not saying anything as he wrote his name down.
"Can we be in the adult division?" Trunks whined, pouting a little when the man stated that both him, Reyes, and Goten would be in the Childrens section.
"That's not fair!" Reyes said, crossing his arms. He glared at the two men sitting at the table. "There's no competition with these other kids!"
"Come on brats!" Vegeta said, turning and walking with Goku towards the waiting area. He looked back at his sons, barely glancing over as Kakkarots' boy and the girl registered too. He glanced over at the restrooms, narrowing his eyes a little before disappearing through the doors.
Trista pulled her best friend into the bathroom, waiting until the other two women left to say anything. Bulma just raised her brow at the woman's actions. Trista crossed her arms, biting her lip for a moment before speaking.
"I think..." she paused, studying the floor before meeting the blue haired woman's gaze. "I think something's wrong with Vegeta," she stated softly, watching Bulma furrow her brows.
"What do you mean Trista?" Bulma asked, sitting on one of the couch's along the wall. The woman sat beside her with a sigh, crossing her legs, looking away for a moment before turning and looking at her with worried eyes.
"I think he might be regretting being married to me. Having children with me," she confessed softly, her voice almost a whisper.
They both paused as a group of girls came in, breaking the silence with their talking and laughing. Trista stood up.
"Come on, lets find somewhere else to talk," she stated, walking out. She paused at the entrance of the building, her eyes roaming the area.
"I guess they all already registered," Trista murmured, not seeing Vegeta or her boys. She sighed, turning slightly as Bulma stepped towards her.
"What were you talking about, in there a moment ago?"
Trista studied her friend, smiling slightly at the worry in her eyes. She turned, going towards the arena. Bulma fell into step beside her. Trista stopped when she got to the registration desk.
"Can you men tell me if Vegeta already registered?"
She waited for them to look the chart over, finally looking up and confirming that yes, he has.
"Thank you," she said, going to walk away. Trista stopped, turning back.
"Would either of you happen to know where I could go to get some quiet? I need to speak with someone and it's very important," she asked softly, absently rubbing her stomach.
The men watched the movement, and of course, taking it the wrong way, they scrambled to show her where she could rest, not saying a word when Bulma followed.
The blue haired woman chuckled once the door was closed, silence falling around them. Trista looked over at her, raising a brow.
"Those men," Bulma said, chuckling again. "They thought you were here to tell one of the fighters that you were pregnant!"
Trista stared at her for a moment, before looking down at her hand resting on her slightly swollen stomach. A grin appeared, amusement in her eyes as she burst out laughing.
"Well," she said, giggling a little. "At least it worked."
Her best friend settled beside her, watching her.
Trista sighed, fiddling her thumbs and biting her lip. She hesitated for a moment, before lifting her gaze to meet Bulma's.
"He's been acting odd, Blue," Trista said softly, her eyes widening a bit. "Ever since Trunks 7th birthday party!"
She paused, not exactly sure how to explain it. She swallowed, settling back against the couch before speaking again.
"It's like he...I don't know. At times it seems like he despises us," Trista felt tears threaten, and swallowed trying to keep them at bay. She looked over as Bulma moved.
"Trista," the woman said, "maybe he just misses fighting, or was anxious about the baby!" she paused, "Maybe he was antsy for the tournament to..."
She trailed off as her friend shook her head. "No Blue," Trista whispered.
She met the woman's eyes. "It's like he wants to go back to how he used to be," she said softly, watching her friends' eyes widen. She sucked in a breath as a thought passed her mind.
"What if...what if he leaves!?" she gasped, clutching her friends hand.
Bulma pulled her friend into a hug, patting her back.
"You know he wouldn't do that T," she said softly, moving back and watching the woman wipe a tear off her face. "He loves you, and the babies."
Trista swallowed again, staring at the door for a moment before slowly shaking her head.
"I don't think he does anymore Blue," she whispered, meeting her friends eyes.
Trista studied her blue haired friend for a few more minutes, before slowly getting up.
"I think I'm just going to go back home," she said softly, looking away at the surprise on Bulma's face. "Make sure you tape the boys' fighting for me, okay?"
She walked towards the door.
"But...," Bulma said, getting up. She waited for Trista to stop and turn around. "What if something happens. To you or the baby!? No one will be there."
Trista sighed, looking at her friend before shaking her head.
"Don't worry about me Blue, I'll be fine."
She left before the blue haired woman could voice another objection, slowly making her way back home, deep in thought about her husband.
Everyone waited for their turn at the punching machine, the fighters sighing as Vegeta smashed it, shaking their heads. They made their way to the arena, standing far above all the occupants, watching the boys take their turn in the ring. Vegeta's gaze roamed over the audience, finding the blue haired woman, but no sign of his wife. He frowned. Where could she be! She wouldn't miss our son's fighting! Deciding to just find her later, he focused on the match below, watching in amusement as Trunks knocked his opponent out with one punch. Goten soon made his way to the ring. The prince slightly rolled his eyes at the man beside him, hooting and hollering to his son. He looked away, finding the spot where Bulma was sitting. Still no sign of his wife. Vegeta furrowed his brows. He slowly made his way down to where his woman should be sitting. He paused at the row, looking over in time to see Kakkarot's son push his opponent back with one finger, the boy slamming the ring, knocked out. The prince grunted, his gaze going back to the empty seat beside his wife's best friend. He pushed his way towards her, ignoring the comments from the people on the row.
"Where's my wife, woman?"
Bulma looked over, slightly surprised to see Vegeta standing beside her. She studied him for a moment, watching him cross his arms.
"I thought you were fighting?" she said, raising a brow when he narrowed his eyes.
"Answer my question," he said softly, moving a little closer as the ample woman behind him jumped up. He sent a disgusted look over his shoulder, before turning back to the blue haired woman again.
"She went home," Bulma said on a sigh, folding her arms.
Vegeta paused in saying anything as she jumped up, shouting encouragement to one of the boys. Their second match was up. The woman behind him said something to Bulma. Apparently her son was up against Trunks. Vegeta looked over, studying the scrawny boy with disinterest as the thing behind him yelled.
He watched Bulma shoot the woman a look, muttering something. He felt the woman move, and scooted away from her, curling his lip.
"Stupid human," he muttered, focusing once again on Kakkarot's wife.
"Why did she go home," he demanded, speaking loud as the crowd shouted. Vegeta gritted his teeth. He was starting to get pissed.
"She said she didn't feel good," Bulma stated, not looking at him. She kept her gaze on the ring, thinking over what Trista said earlier. If he didn't care for her, he wouldn't be bugging me about where she went! He loves her! I know he does! She smiled a little.
"What are you smiling at?" Vegeta snapped, feeling his body tense. Was she hiding something from me? Why the hell did the woman go home!?
"You love her, don't you?" Bulma asked quietly, knowing with saiyan hearing, he heard what she said.
She studied the man as he stared at her, before a sound of disgust passed his lips.
"Tch," Vegeta spat, before turning and stalking off.
Bulma grunted, watching him go. Maybe what she said is true! Maybe...Vegeta doesn't want his family anymore! Suddenly feeling bad for her best friend, she plopped her chin in her hands, sighing a little as she thought about the pregnant woman, at home, alone.
The fighters made their way to the waiting room, watching out the archway as the adult division got underway. Gohan's friend, Videl, took her turn. The warriors watched as she made her way to the ring, tiny compared to the massive, bulky man across from her. She seemed to be winning at the beginning, but it soon turned ugly. They watched as the man stomped on her, listening to her scream before Gohan rushed out, punching the man away from her. He did what they agreed not to do. He powered up. They all watched in slight confusion as the other man that was with Videl's competitor walk up behind Gohan, pulling out a thing that looked sort of like a tea pot, the spout going out to a point. They rushed out as Gohan screamed, the man behind him sticking the thing into his side. The two burly men disappeared, taking off over the arena. Vegeta gritted his teeth. Great! Now what! This damn planet, these people...He looked around...they are always getting into some sort of trouble. It's like this place is a magnet for bad guys! He smirked a little, finding that thought a little ironic, as he used to be one of them. He listened with half an ear as the little purple man walked up to them, stating they needed to stop them. Something about a man named Buu. Whatever! At least I'll be getting to fight for real again! He looked over at Kakkarot. And our turn will come Kakkarot! I will fight you! And I will win! He grunted to himself, before blasting off, following the others as they went in search of the two men.
They landed on a hill of rocks, watching the two massive men waiting outside a door, the thing sticking up out of the ground in the middle of no where. A purple warrior stepped out, smirking as he took the white thing from the men. Another person stepped out, this one a small green man. A tall red demon stepped out behind him. Vegeta listened with half an ear as the kai explained the the green man was Babidi, a wizard. And the red one was the demon king, Dobora. Vegeta mentally shrugged. Who cares! As long as they put up a good fight! The fighters watched as the green man cackled, blowing one of the men from the tournament up, letting the other fly away for a moment before doing the same to him. They all watched in horror, trying to keep silent. Another warrior appeared a few feet from Babidi, holding something. Vegeta's eyes widened. No! He went to jump up, but Goku stopped him, firmly holding his arm. He was too in shock to knock the damn man's hand off him.
"We have a live one, here!" the fighter said, dumping the woman off his shoulder. She slammed the ground, not making a sound.
"Took you long enough!" the green wizard snapped, glaring at him.
"Well sire," the fighter looked down at the woman. "She was a tough one. I had difficulty with the damn woman, even though she is pregnant." He touched his cracked armor, wincing. "She put up a hell of a fight for a human!"
They all listened to Babidi grunt, snapping his fingers. He didn't look back as the fighter picked the woman up again, her head lolling over his arm. They disappeared inside. The fighters looked at Vegeta. His eyes were wide, his body shaking. They could feel the fury coming off him. Suddenly the kai yelled, stepping away from the ledge. The demon king, Dobora, came into view. He smirked as he spit on Piccolo and Krillin, shooting a blast at the red man that was with the kai. The man disintegrated, everyone listening to the kai cry out. The demon king landed outside the door, strolling in without looking back. They looked at the two fighters the demon had spit on, gasping as they turned to stone. Enraged, they quickly made their way into the door, pausing as they dropped down, entering a room. It was barren, the only thing against the wall was a door. The warrior that had carried in Trista stepped through, smiling. He studied them for a moment before speaking.
"You have to pass me to get to the next level," he stated, cackling. "But don't worry! You won't," he stated.
"Gladly," Vegeta growled, rushing the man. The warrior was snuffed out of existence a few minutes later. The prince didn't look back as he stepped through the door, ignoring the other's shouts.
They came upon another room, just like before. They waited a few minutes, before the door finally opened. A big bug like creatures stepped through. Vegeta went to go fight it. The others stopped him.
"Hey," Goku said loudly, "You don't get them all! It's my turn!"
Vegeta growled in frustration, eying the thing. He crossed his arms after a moment, clenching his jaw.
"Fine," he ground out, narrowing his eyes on the warrior. Goku smiled at him, stepping forward.
The room suddenly went black, the kai gasping. None of the fighters moved as they listened to the massive bug talk. Apparently this was a resemblance of his home planet. The kai started talking, but Vegeta ignored him, focusing on the fight.
He watched, smirking, as the thing sucked all of Kakkarot's energy away. The stupid man looked shocked for a moment, before a smirk appeared on his face.
"Lets see how much you can stand!" Goku stated, powering up again. He waited until the monster started sucking his energy, before letting out a yell, sending a massive ball of golden light towards the thing.
They all watched as its eyes widened, a moment later it exploded, the room turning back to normal. Vegeta grunted, feeling sort of antsy to have this over and done with. They looked over as the door to this chamber opened, and quickly went through. They landed in an identical room, some of them sitting after an hour of no one showing. What the hell is taking so long! Why isn't anyone coming out! Vegeta glared at the door, turning his back to it as another thirty minutes passed. A sound of disgust passed his lips, his eyes narrowing at the wall. Finally, after around three fucking hours, the door opened. The fighters waited, watching the blackness beyond. Their eyes widened as the next fighter stepped out. They had put her in a fighting uniform, her pregnancy not even visible underneath the armor. They watched her smirk, trepidation going through the group as they noticed a big "M" on her forehead. She slowly smiled as the red demon king stepped in after her.
"Hurt her and I'll kill you," Vegeta murmured to the men beside him, not taking his eyes off his wife. He narrowed his eyes as Dobora smirked.
A voice echoed around them a moment later. "I hope you all like my surprise!" There was a peel of giggles. "She makes a beautiful warrior, doesn't she? Or should I say...sacrifice!" Babidi said slowly, cackling again before his voice disappeared.
The fighters glanced at Vegeta, watching his hands clench even harder at his sides. A muscle in his jaw clenched, his teeth grinding. He stared in outrage at the red skinned demon standing next to her. Dobora smirked again as he caught the look, laying a hand on the woman's shoulder. He leaned forward and whispered something. She launched herself as he dropped his hand, heading straight for them. They watched her eyes move, focusing on one particular person. She punched Gohan in the gut, waiting for him to straighten before backhanding him across the face. They watched her slowly smile. A chuckle emerged between her clenched teeth, her eyes narrowing. Vegeta glared at the boy when he stepped forward. Gohan shot him a look, before slowly walking back up to Trista.
"Hey Auntie," Gohan said slowly. "I'm not going to fight you."
"Shut up," she snapped, hitting him again. He grunted, stumbling back a few feet before straightening up a second time. They watched the woman crouch down, her arms coming to her sides. She launched herself at Gohan, pummeling him in the stomach. He blocked her swings, but didn't hit her. He moved, her foot denting the wall as she kicked. They heard her growl, then suddenly straightened, standing still. Babidi's voice echoed around them again.
"What the hell is the matter with you fighters!?" he screeched, making them wince. "Scared of a damn woman!"
"I believe the female is related to them," Dobora said softly, "the young one called her aunt."
It was silent for several minutes, before laughter rang around the room.
"Oh, this is rich! No wonder the brat inside her was giving off such high levels of energy!" Babidi cackled again, a shout coming from him a moment later.
They watched as Trista fell to the floor, her knees smacking the tile as she yanked on her hair. She screamed. Vegeta made a move to go to her. The demon king was suddenly there, smiling a little as he glanced down at her, then back at them. He grabbed her by the hair, lifting her up. She abruptly went limp, her muscles twitching. Looks of outrage passed over the fighters, furious as they powered up. But before they could move, the demon king flung the woman through the door, it banging shut as her body disappeared. Gohan stepped forward.
"It's my turn," he stated softly. "Lets do this, you bastard!" he shouted, powering up with a yell.
Dobora smirked, standing still as the room once again changed. The fighters looked around, noticing with disinterest the red, barren rock and water flowing behind them. Gohan narrowed his eyes, studying the demon king as he lowered his arms. Vegeta and Goku watched as the two fought, the prince gritting his teeth as the boy let the bastard get the upper hand. This is ridiculous! The boy was stronger when we fought Cell! He apparently hasn't been training at all! Vegeta glared at the half-saiyan, his body tensing.
"Come on with it!" he suddenly shouted. Goku looked over at him, a little surprised.
"Vegeta, he's doing his best!"
The prince looked over, narrowing his eyes. He gestured to the boy as he spoke.
"This is ridiculous! The boy was stronger with Cell, and now he can't even beat this red demon!" He turned and glared at the two floating a ways from them.
"Come down boy! Let me finish it!" Vegeta yelled, his arms crossing over his chest again.
Dobora hummed to himself, before suddenly landing. He walked across the chamber as the room returned to normal. Ignoring the fighter's shouts, he went through the door.
"Now what?" Gohan said, landing beside the prince and his father.
Vegeta was suddenly in his face, outrage blanketing his features.
"If you weren't so weak, we would already have that stupid demon beat, and be out of here!" he shouted, smacking Gohan across the face.
"You're pathetic! Weak!" the prince snapped, ignoring Kakkarot's shout. "You're a sorry excuse for a saiyan!"
Goku walked up and pushed the man away from his son, anger apparent in his eyes.
"You have no right to talk to my son like that, Vegeta!" the taller saiyan stated, balling his hands into fists at his sides.
They all watched Vegeta stalk off, a sound of disgust coming from him. "You're as pathetic as he is, Kakkarot!" they heard him say, turning his back to the group.
The others looked towards the door, making their way across the room, away from the prince. They turned as he let out a yell. The prince was clutching his head, a cry of pain coming from him. "He's in my head," he shouted, stumbling to one knee, letting out another cry.
"Fight it, Vegeta!" Goku ran over to him, stopping a foot away as the prince stood, shaking his head furiously.
They watched, helpless, as Vegeta growled and snarled, stumbling around the room. He finally became silent, slowly lowering his hands to his waist. They watched his back, the prince staying turned away from them. He suddenly looked over his shoulder, raising his hand. Their eyes widened at the "M" on his forehead. He smiled, blasting them. The room shook as the ball of energy connected with the wall. Goku gritted his teeth, narrowing his eyes on the prince.
"You want a fight Vegeta! So be it!" Goku said, narrowing his eyes.
Goku heard his son speak beside him, not looking over.
"I'll go get Trista dad, and try to stop the wizard," Gohan stated, going through the floor that just opened up. The three occupants of the room stood in tense silence for a moment, before the place changed. They were back in the arena, the crowd shouting as they suddenly appeared. Goku eyed Vegeta as the prince slowly moved his arm, stretching it out beside him. The man gasped as Vegeta blasted, one side of the arena blowing up. The taller saiyan narrowed his eyes, his teeth gritting as he took a step forward. The kai walked up between them.
"This is no time for personal vendetta's," he stated, looking at Vegeta then Goku.
Goku raised his hand, pointing it straight at the kai. "I'm sorry Supreme Kai, but this is something that's been between us for a long time." The man paused. "I have to do this."
The kai let out a sigh, backing away. "So be it," he said softly, watching the two saiyans glare at each other, a maniacal smile on the prince's face.
"Let's go somewhere...more barren," Vegeta stated, smiling. They both disappeared. The kai looked over at the smoldering section of stands, and swallowed.
"Oh God."