A/N: Thank you for all your reviews! I didn't mean for it to seem like I was disregarding them, I just haven't worked on this story in awhile! I came upon a stone wall a while back, not real sure how I was going to progress the story. So! After all this time, here it is! I hope none of you are disappointed! It was actually fun to write!
A/N: Italics represent thoughts and/or memories! In this case, it also represents video footage!
Wishes from the Heart – Ch.30
She didn't know what she was looking for. She slowly walked through the rubble, bits of glass crunching under her feet as she searched the area. There was almost nothing left, the place she had been held was gone, just bits and pieces of wall and metal scattered around the dirt. She stopped at the top of a toppled wall, gazing down at the ruined hideout of Babidi. Was he the one that caused this!? Did he do something to me before my parents found me, to make it to where I possibly couldn't die? What had he planned for me? Trista felt her throat close with fear, swallowing with difficulty as she slowly stepped down, her gaze on the ground as she skirted the remains. Something caught her eye. She stopped, staring for a moment before walking over, her eyes riveted to the bit of blond hair on the ground, sticking out of a mound of rocks and metal. She slowly bent down, pausing for a moment before moving a rock. She moved another one, going a little faster until she was frantically throwing the rubble behind her, not taking her eyes off the hair that got longer as it became more uncovered. Her breath hitched, her hand hovering over the piece covering the owners' face. Suddenly terrified, and not knowing why, Trista gulped before gently reaching down and removing the piece of wall. She screamed, scrambling back.
Her face stared back at her.
She screamed again, slipping as she got up to run. Her breathing labored, she glanced back. She didn't know why. She looked into dead green eyes, the glassy orbs shining in the dying sunlight. Trista paused, her body shuddering as she started to study the face of the person that was a carbon copy of her. The only difference is the woman's hair was blond. Not super saiyan blond, just...human blond. Taking a deep breath, she took a hesitant step forward. She paused five feet away, studying the head sticking out of the rocks still covering the rest of the body. Tips of the persons fingers were just visible through the rock. Trista's brows furrowed as she caught sight of metal. It was just a sliver, but the sight of it had her studying the face again. She stared at it, taking a couple steps closer and slowly bending down, resting her behind on her feet. She leaned forward. It was definitely metal appearing through small cuts in the woman's hands. Her gaze shot to the face, hesitating before reaching a hand out, barely touching the skin before yanking her hand back. She held her hand to her chest for a moment, her fingers curled, before reaching out again. Trista's fingers shook as she touched the cold, clammy skin. It felt like rubber. Her eyebrows rose a moment, before she scanned the features, noticing the wax like appearance of the face, the inhuman shine of the green eyes. They were glass.
Trista stared wide eyed at the thing. She couldn't wrap her mind around what she was seeing. What the hell is this!? What is that? WHY DOES IT HAVE MY FACE!? She suddenly stood back up, grabbing rocks and quickly uncovering the body. She stopped as she got to the last rock, throwing it behind her and looking down at the thing that was identical to her. The things body was covered with a pair of jeans and a white blouse, the tattered pieces fluttering as a breeze suddenly whipped down on them. She stayed like that, staring down at the 'woman', until something made her come to. A shift in the air, the sudden darkening sky, the disappearing rays of the sun. She didn't know, she just knew that she had to find out what the hell was going on. She knew she didn't have a lot of time. Trista bent down to the 'person' who gave her a glimpse of her own mortality.
They searched the whole compound, Goku and Vegeta lifting in the air to try to get a better sense of Trista's ki. Nothing. Bulma was frantic, making Breanna stay in her lab while she went to go talk to her husband and best friend. They were still outside, walking slowly around the compound, staying tense and ready unless they felt the woman's energy spike. So far, they couldn't even sense her presence.
"Do you think she's out killing again?" Bulma asked, her voice getting louder at the end. She wrapped her arms around herself, looking off towards the city. No eerie glow, no sign that there was anything unusual going on. Bulma swallowed, looking back at the two men in front of her. Both were grim faced, although Goku looked more heartbroken than anything else. She watched him study the sky, his throat working as he swallowed. Bulma watched him squeeze his eyes closed, before taking a deep breath and meeting her eyes. He slowly shook his head.
"I don't know," he whispered, looking down at the ground.
Her gaze went to Vegeta. A deep frown marred his face, his eyes narrowing a bit as he looked at the saiyan next to him, before looking back at his wife.
"Her energy would be spiking if she was doing anything similar to before."
They were silent for awhile, until Breanna walked up to them, studying their faces. She stopped beside Bulma, crossing her arms.
"My sister is not a bad person," she stated softly. "She wouldn't purposely hurt anyone."
No one responded to her words, just looked away as she raised her head to look at them. They all jerked in surprise when a familiar energy rose for a second, before fading again. The fighters joined the saiyans, making the women go back into the lab before taking off towards the east. They all looked at each other. The ki spike was where they found Trista, where Babidi's hideout used to be.
They flew faster.
They found her digging through rubble with her bare hands, not pausing when they all landed a few feet from her. Her clothing was disheveled, her hands cut and bleeding as she threw away pieces of metal. She seemed to be searching for something. Goku stepped towards her, pausing for a moment before laying a hand on her shoulder. Trista didn't turn, just started talking.
"You have to help me! I don't know what's going on! I need your help! Help me move this rubble! Come on! Help!"
She didn't pause as the words burst from her lips, her arms scrambling to clear the spot below her. The fighters looked at each other, before stepping up behind her.
"What are you looking for?" Goku asked softly, watching as she threw a hunk of metal to the side. She didn't speak for a moment.
"I don't know," they heard her whisper, her head never coming up.
"Well then what the hell are you doing digging your hands into rocks!?" Vegeta asked, crossing his arms.
Trista didn't say anything, just pointed.
They all looked. Gasps emitted from the group, some of them going white faced at the woman laying a few feet from them. It was Trista. But...not. They looked at the woman scrambling through piles of bricks and metal, before looking back at the eerie blank face of the body. They all stepped closer to it, Goku reaching down and touching the face. The fighters watched him jerk back, stepping away and staring at it for a moment.
"It's..." he paused, the fighters watching him as he swallowed. "It's rubber," Goku finally whispered, bending down again. They watched as he rolled the body over, gasping at the gaping hole in its back. Wires and circuits spilled out of it, the black hole in its back showing there wasn't anything remotely human inside. It was just a shell. With a sound of disgust, Goku stood up, turning away from it and walking quickly towards Trista. They all watched as he got to her, lifting her up to stand as she tried to move a massive piece of wall lying in front of her.
"What the hell's going on, Trista!?"
His voice floated over to them, anger and puzzlement blanketing the sound. She jerked away from him, not saying anything. Just bent down and tried to move the wall again. They heard her grunt, before letting her arms fall with a sigh. She looked back up at Goku.
"You could help, you know!"
Goku didn't move for a moment, just continued to study her. He looked at her again as he bent down, grabbing the wall and flipping it over. The sound of it crashing was loud in the still valley. No one said anything, just continued to watch the two. Goku jerked her up again, holding on when she tried to move away.
"What's going on?" he asked again, his voice quiet this time.
Trista studied him, the fear and wildness in her eyes making the fighters step closer to Goku. Pure terror flitted over her features, before she gasped for breath.
"I don't know!" she choked out, falling against the saiyan as he put his arms around her.
The fighters didn't say anything, Vegeta turning and looking back at the form on the ground. He walked over to it. They watched him bend down. He turned the woman over. They all gasped as he ripped the blouse down the middle. Some of them looked away, flushing at the sight of the woman's naked chest. Vegeta seemed unfazed as his eyes narrowed, studying the tattoo located above one breast. He hollered for Goku, not looking away. The prince didn't look up as Goku strolled back over to him. They watched him pause for a moment at the sight of Vegeta holding the blouse open, before stopping beside them. He looked down, studying what Vegeta wanted him to see so badly. Goku's eyes narrowed.
"The red ribbon symbol!?" he whispered, looking to the woman's face. He studied the glass eyes for a moment before looking back, watching as the live Trista stepped towards him. She stared down at the thing, noticing the tattoo.
"What is that?" she asked, listening with half an ear as the rest of the fighters gathered behind them.
"The red ribbon army symbol," Goku stated, looking back down at the woman.
"What is that?" Trista asked, looking up at Goku before settling her gaze back down at the woman who was an eerie copy of her.
"Trouble," he stated, pressing his lips together.
They all watched as Vegeta leaned over, grabbing a sharp piece of metal. Trista screamed, her hands coming to her face as he viciously plunged the metal into the woman's chest, yanking it down to her stomach. No one said anything, just watched as he peeled the chest cavity back. They waited as he seemed to pause, before reaching in and grabbing something.
The prince pulled his hand out, holding a small chip between his fingers. He stood up, studying it for a moment before glancing at them.
"We should be able to find some answers from this," he stated softly, not waiting for anyone to say anything, just took off, towards Capsule Corporation.
The fighters followed, noticing Goku and Trista stayed behind, staring down at the mutilated corpse.
Goku blinked, finally looking over at the woman standing beside him. Her hair fluttered as the wind blew, her eyes huge as she stared down unblinking at the woman's body on the ground. He reached up and ran a hand through her hair, cupping her neck. Trista's head shot up, meeting his gaze. They didn't say anything for a moment, before a tear leaked out of the corner of her eye. Goku pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her as he stared out into the sky. She sobbed into his chest, her body shaking. Goku felt her clutch his shirt, her tears soaking his shoulder as she gasped for breath. He didn't say anything, just held her closer as the past few hours seemed to catch up with her.
They finally made it back to Capsule Corporation, walking in silently and make their way to the floor below, Bulma's lab. Neither Goku nor Trista said anything, just sat down with everyone else as the blue haired scientist put the chip into the computer. Goku reached over and grabbed Trista's hand, holding it tightly as an image flickered on the massive screen in front of them.
…...the image popped open, the sight of Dr. Gero's face inches from the screen. He leaned back, his face grim for a moment before a small smile appeared. He stepped back, seeming to study the screen for a moment before turning, pressing a few buttons on the keyboard in front a computer before looking back towards them. "You should be ready," he stated, his white lab coat swishing as he strode up to the screen. The image moved, seeming to look down as a pair of hands appeared, flipping slowly as it studied them. The screen moved back up, looking at the scientist, unwavering. Dr. Gero reached over without looking, grabbing a pile of clothes from the table and throwing them at the screen. Whiteness covered the screen for a moment before it was yanked away, the image moving again as it looked down at the clothes. The hands studied previously were rubbing the fabric, stopping after a moment and the screen shifted, as the clothes were pulled on. The sound of a door opening was heard in the background. Babidi stepped into sight, his little smirk visible as the screen turned towards him. The image became still, going black for a second as it blinked, before moving slowly and looking at Dr. Gero again. It blinked again. The screen moved back towards the wizard as he begun to speak.
"She's more perfect than I would have imagined!" he started clapping his hands, looking up and down at the screen. "Are you sure she can harness as much power as you say the saiyan woman has?"
The screen moved again, swinging towards the scientist. He frowned at the wizard, before settling his eyes back on the screen, his gaze piercing as he stared back at them. He took a step forward, his hand coming up and seeming to cup the person's face.
"Yes," he murmured, his eyes boring into the screen, his gaze unwavering. His voice was low as he studied the screen. "She will be perfect for the switch. They will never know."
The green body of Babidi moved in the background, his arms moving behind him as he clasped his hands. He studied the screen as well. The screen looked at him as he reached a hand out, the sight of blond hair appearing at the low corner of the image as he fingered it.
"What about this?" the wizard murmured, his eyes narrowing as he looked back at the screen. He suddenly reached out, the screen moving as he grasped the face of the person staring back at him. He slowly smiled. "Now to go test and see how much power that little body actually has."
The screen followed his movements as he left, the door slamming shut behind him. The sight of the door stayed on the computer screen for a moment until it slowly turned towards the scientist. He had his arms folded, his eyes narrowed at the door. He slowly smiled as he looked back at the screen. It stayed still as he walked up, stopping inches from the screen. His eyes filled the space, as he stared into the eyes of the woman. The screen flickered as she seemed to blink, before tilting her head a little. Dr. Gero's hand slowly rose, sliding down the side of the screen before stopping. His hand stayed on the side of the screen, as he seemed to move closer.
"You look just like her," he whispered, his eyes unwavering as he seemed to study them. He reached up and copied the wizards actions, rubbing her blond hair between his fingers, before letting it fall. He sighed, looking away for a moment before steadying his eyes back on the screen. He seemed to pause, before reaching out. A hand appeared at the bottom of the screen as he grabbed it, leading them over to a chair and pushing them down in it. The screen moved as it looked down, watching as he latched her arms and legs to the chair. It moved back up, studying him as he slowly stood, staring down at the screen for a moment before turning. The image followed him as he went back to the computer, the tapping of buttons loud in the silent room. He looked back over his shoulder, studying the occupant one more time, before turning back and pushing a button. The screen jerked, a shrill sound loud as a scream seemed to come from within the image. It blackened after a few moments. Almost an hour passed, before the screen flickered, it seeming to pop open as voices floated over from out of sight. The screen slowly moved.
Babidi was standing a couple feet away, the red demon Dobora standing behind him. Dr. Gero was leaning up against an examination table, his arms crossed. He had a deep frown on his face as he studied the two in front of him. The screen never wavered as it watched them.
"What the hell's going on now!?" Dr. Gero asked, seeming to grind his teeth. He looked towards the screen, his eyes snapping, before turning his gaze back to the wizard.
"She's more powerful than we thought," Babidi snapped, "she easily beat Dobora," he stuck a thumb behind him, the demon king's face filling with rage. "How the hell are we going to make the switch if YOU can't make that," Babidi pointed to the screen, not looking at it. "as powerful as the girl!"
There was silence for several minutes. The screen moved as it seemed to levitate up as someone stood. It shifted as it seemed to walk forward. The screen stopped in front of a mirror, the sight of Trista's face appearing as the screen seemed to widen. Trista's eyes widened as well, staring back at them as a hand reached up and touched the mirror. A hand appeared in the mirror, Trista's profile staying still as the sight of her arm came up, rubbing a hand down the blond hair, before rubbing a finger down her cheek. The screen leaned closer as the image of Trista did the same thing. The eyes were inches away from the screen, peering out at them as it stared, unwavering. The screen suddenly backed up, swiveling towards the men a few feet away. The sound of footsteps echoing as Dr. Gero turned towards her. The men all studied the screen before any of them spoke.
"There is the problem of her tail. Now that she has one, it's going to be a little more difficult to attach one to this form," the scientist stated, walking slowly forward. He stopped in front of the screen, studying it for a moment before speaking.
"After all," the man murmured, reaching a hand up and laying it beside the screen. "Not all of us can be perfect."
The screen moved, looking towards the wizard as Dr. Gero continued to study it. The wizard rolled his eyes, looking away for a moment before turning his head, a little smile appearing.
"If that's the case," he stated, a grin appearing. "then I will make it to where Goku experiences her death, over and over." Babidi giggled, a hand coming up to cover his mouth. The demon king smirked. The screen backed away, the sight of the three men filling the image. It stopped as it seemed to bump into something.
"No," Trista's voice floated from within the screen, the image wavering for a moment as a breath seemed to be taken. "Don't."
A disgusted look came over the wizards features as he studied the screen, before looking towards the scientist. "You gave it emotions!?"
Dr. Gero looked to Babidi, a deep frown appearing. "Well how else did you expect to get away with the switch, if the damn thing," he gestured towards the screen. "couldn't demonstrate any feelings! I'm sure the men aren't that stupid!"
The screen seemed to move back and forth, the men's bodies blurring a little as it moved. The image moved as the sound of breathing became erratic. "Please!" Trista's voice came from the screen again, the sound of a sob coming through. The screen looked down at the floor, the sight of two hands appearing as they balled into fists, shaking. Shoes appeared from the top of the screen, and it flew up. Dr. Gero stood inches from the screen, his eyes boring out as his face hardened. Babidi was seen leaving with Dobora behind the scientist, the wizard muttering about having to use more of his power on the saiyan woman. The door slammed shut, the room quiet. The scientists' face seemed to soften, his eyes regretful as he moved back. He reached forward and grabbed one of her hands. He brought it to his chest for a moment, before sighing and letting it fall. He studied the screen for a few more minutes, before his voice cut through the silence.
"You look just like her," he whispered, stepping closer again. "You're the spitting image of my deceased wife."
The screen got bigger as the woman's eyes widened, watching as Dr. Gero moved back, his face becoming impassive. "But your not," he stated, his eyes hard. The screen stayed on him, unwavering, as he turned and walked back to the desk. He picked something up. The screen backed away as he turned, holding a small remote in his hands. He walked towards the screen, the image shaking as Trista seemed to trip over objects, trying to get away. "NO, Please!"
The screen settled after a moment, looking up at the doctor. He stopped in front of it. Grim faced, he stared down at her for a moment before speaking.
"You're not her," he stated again softly, "so therefore you have to die."
"NO!" Trista's voice echoed from the screen, the image shaking as she shivered. "Please!"
The screen stayed on Dr. Gero as he gazed down dispassionately at it. He raised his hand, his finger hovering over a button, his eyes never wavering from the screen. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, before looking down. Not looking back at the screen, he pushed the button. The computer screen went black.
Everyone stood in silence for a few minutes, the only sound in the room was Bulma taking the chip out of the computer. They all looked at Trista. Her eyes were squeezed shut, tears running down her face as she sobbed softly. Goku put an arm around her, squeezing for a moment, before resting a hand on her lower back. She didn't speak.
"So it was Babidi," Yamcha stated softly. "But...how," he paused, looking at everyone before settling his gaze on Trista. "How would that explain her coming back when she was five?"
No one said anything. Bulma finally got up and walked over to the saiyan woman. Trista brushed the tears off her face, finally looking up at the blue haired scientist. Bulma leaned down and hugged the woman, stepping back after a moment and sighing. She looked at Yamcha.
"You're right. That doesn't explain what happened when she was young, but.." Bulma seemed to focus inward for a moment, before looking at Trista. "Some things can't be explained."
They were all quiet, Breanna getting up and moving over to her sister. She settled beside her, wrapping an arm around her other side, above Goku's. The occupants of the room looked at the screen again, some narrowing their eyes. Vegeta finally spoke up.
"So I guess that means your basically immortal," he stated, frowning down at the woman. Trista's face went white.
"But," she said softly, pausing to swallow. "I don't want to be immortal," she stated, looking at Goku. They watched him study her, lifting a hand after a moment and cupping her cheek. The others' looked away. "We'll figure something out," they heard him whisper.
"But what about that power!" Yamcha asked, looking at everyone.
"What power?" Trista asked softly, looking around as everyone studied her.
"You ascended super saiyan," Vegeta stated flatly, narrowing his eyes at the woman beside Goku.
"What are you talking about?" she asked slowly, confusion entering her eyes.
"You don't remember!?" The prince snapped, grinding his teeth. "You mean to tell me you demonstrated that much power, and don't have ONE memory of it!"
They watched as she studied Vegeta for a moment, before shaking her head.
"That's bullshit!" The prince snapped, making everyone jump. Goku finally looked over at him.
"Calm down Vegeta. If she says she doesn't remember, then I believe her."
They watched as the prince turned blazing eyes on the man, his eyes narrowing even more. "The only reason," he snapped, "that you believe her, is because you're f-"
"Hey!" Bulma snapped, cutting him off. He glared at her, before making a sound of disgust, walking away from them.
"Trista," Goku said softly, waiting for her to turn to him before continuing. "What Vegeta said is true. You ascended, and we don't know how..." He trailed off, studying her troubled eyes. "You honestly don't remember?" Goku asked softly.
She shook her head, a shudder going through her.
"Why don't we test it!"
Everyone looked to Vegeta as he spoke again, his back to them. He slowly looked over his shoulder, his piercing eyes seeming to bore into Trista. He studied her for a moment before turning fully, his arms crossed. He silently walked up to the group, looking down at the woman, a frown on his face. His eyes narrowed.
"Why don't we see what you can do."
A/N: I thought that was pretty good! I hope I explained fully how certain events came to pass. If not, let me know! I was trying to remember everything that needed explaining. I hope you all liked this chapter!
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