Chapter Text
Gohan sat completely still, trying to sense for any sign of movement in the surrounding area. His two pupils had done well in their training, as they were hiding their energy well and were closing in very quietly. Unfortunately, they still had a lot to learn. Gohan had sensed them a while ago but still hadn't moved. He was waiting for his pupils to strike. If they were smart, they'd have already caught on to the fact that Gohan had sensed them. This didn't seem to be the case however, as they continued to close in.
One of them, a fourteen-year-old boy with blonde hair and black eyes, wearing grey pants and a blue and white shirt with Capsule Corp written on the front, suddenly burst out from hiding. He tried to attack Gohan with a kick, but Gohan blocked it effortlessly. As Gohan predicted however, this had merely been a distraction, as a slightly older boy of fifteen suddenly appeared. This boy had slightly spiky black hair, blue eyes and wore dark blue pants with an orange Capsule Corp shirt.
This boy tried to punch the distracted Gohan, but the seasoned warrior dodged in such a way that the attacker ended up hitting his comrade instead. Both went flying into a nearby rock.
"Dammit, Bocksa, you were supposed to attack Gohan not me," grumbled the blonde boy.
"Sorry Trunks, he must've figured out what we were up to," said Bocksa getting up and dusting himself off.
"Well, he knows we're here now, we might as well attack him head on," Trunks declared. "You with me?"
"Always," Bocksa answered.
They both dash at Gohan who prepared himself to counter. Just before hitting Gohan, they suddenly vanished, showing their attack had been another distraction. They appeared again from either side of Gohan and attacked together.
Gohan simply sighed and jumped out of the way causing them to headbutt each other and fall to the ground.
"Guys come on, you're supposed to be fighting me not each other."
"Not our fault," groaned Trunks rubbing his head. "How do you always know what we're going to do?"
"Because you're both young and predictable, not to mention your stealth is mediocre at best," answered Gohan.
"Big Brother why do we even need to practice stealth?" Bocksa queried. "You said the androids can't sense energy."
"They can't, but that doesn't mean this isn't an important skill for you to master," Gohan answered. "A sneak attack could mean the difference between victory and defeat. And considering how strong the androids are, I think it's better we don't take any chances."
They both sighed knowing he was right.
"Look, that's enough for now," Gohan advised. "Let's take a short break and then we'll get back to trying to become Super Saiyan's."
They both nodded. Neither had managed to become Super Saiyan's yet, despite nearly daily attempts to do so.
They all laid down in the shade, enjoying the cool breeze and the small peace they could have in this dark depressing world.
"Gohan?" asked Trunks.
"Yeah?"
"You knew my dad pretty well, right?"
"I guess," answered Gohan. "Why?"
"Well, my mum doesn't say much about him and I can't remember anything from when I was a baby," sighed Trunks.
Hearing this both Bocksa and Gohan sat up.
"I know Bocksa can't remember your father either, but he at least has you and Aunt Bulma who can tell him story's about Uncle Goku and how great he was," stated Bocksa. "Is there anything you can tell me about my father."
Gohan smiled and looked to the horizon.
"He was tough, extremely powerful, arrogant and very proud!"
"I see. That pretty much sums up what Mum says about him," Trunks smirked.
"He always felt like he had something to prove," Gohan mused before laughing. "I think it got worse when he met my dad. Despite being considered a low-class warrior among the Saiyan's, my father managed to surpass yours despite your father being viewed as the prince of Saiyan's and the ultimate elite."
"That's something I've never heard," said Trunks. "Well, I guess I should be glad your dad inspired mine to work harder, even if it was for selfish reasons."
"Not everything your dad did was for his own interest," Gohan added. "Deep down I think he was capable of fighting for others."
"You say that, but based on what my mum tells me, he fought for no one but himself," Trunks sighed.
"You know Trunks, I think you need to talk to your mother more about your father," advised Gohan.
Trunks looked at him confused.
"I might've known Vegeta longer, but I truly think your mum grew to know him better than anyone on this planet," Gohan stated. "When my mother told your mother about where our fathers came from, she flew right back to Capsule Corp to hear more, so she could tell their story to the people of Earth."
Gohan let out a chuckle.
"Unfortunately, my father also suffered from the issue of being sent away as a baby, so he knows very little about the Saiyan Race and their home the Planet Vegeta. That left Vegeta as the only one who could tell the story. I think knowing someone wanted to keep the legend of the Saiyan Race alive made him happy. Happier than I've ever seen him anyway. So with pride he told you mother everything. They spent a lot of time together after that. Before long, you were born."
"No offence Gohan, but you're pretty much telling the same story my mum told me when I asked about my birth," Trunks grumbled.
Gohan laughed again.
"Unfortunately, there isn't much else to say about how your parents met and how you were born."
Trunks just grumbled again knowing that the story of his life was rather odd no matter how you looked at it.
"You say I should talk to my mum about it more. I've tried, but every time I do, she changes the subject."
"Well, if she doesn't want to talk about it, maybe she still has the manuscript for the book she wrote about the Saiyan's," Gohan suggested.
"You mean she finished the book?" asked Trunks.
"I don't think she finished it. She wrote a draft, but I think she stopped working on it after your father… well, you know," said Gohan.
"No, I get that. I'll ask her about it, but for all I know she's destroyed it," Trunks sighed.
"Maybe, but you never know," Gohan said standing up. "I think it's worth asking. It'll tell you everything you want to know. Just be warned though you might be a little… disappointed by some of the things your father did in his past."
"Don't worry, I know my father wasn't the nicest guy when you met him," Trunks stated also standing.
"That's an understatement," laughed Gohan. "Well guys, I think that's enough resting. You ready to continue."
Bocksa stood and both boys nodded in agreement.
"Today's the day," said Bocksa. "The day when we become Super Saiyan's."
They all stood in the open spaces of the wasteland, with Bocksa and Trunks focusing on their power and their emotions.
"Remember guys, becoming a Super Saiyan isn't achieved through regular strength and training!" Gohan explained. "It's achieved through emotion. Anger to be precise. I achieved the form after seeing my allies murdered at the hand of the androids. Thinking of those moments is all I need to transform. I need you to focus on the moments where you felt the most angry, let it take over, allow it to bring out your energy."
Energy aura surrounded both Bocksa and Trunks as they listened to Gohan's instructions.
"Think of all the times you saw the destruction the androids caused," advised Gohan. "All the people they hurt. Think of what happened to the children."
The power of both Bocksa and Trunks began to increase.
"Good, all they should need is just one more push," thought Gohan.
"They won't stop you guys, they're just going to continue to destroy and kill unless we can stop them. The only way they can be stopped is if all three of us fight them as Super Saiyan's. Think of the pain they'll cause, the people they'll hurt make that you're power."
Bocksa and Trunks both soured to a new level of power. Their hair spiked up from the energy. Gohan could feel it, they were so close to becoming Super Saiyan's. Unfortunately, just as they appeared ready to transform, their power disappeared and they fell to the ground gasping for air.
"Dammit, we failed again," cursed Bocksa.
"They almost had it," thought Gohan. "They're so close I just need to find the thing that'll push them over the edge to bring out their hidden power."
One would think that growing up in a world filled with fear, Bocksa and Trunks should easily be able to find the anger they need to transform. Gohan knew better. The world they loved in had the opposite effect. Because they had grown up living in fear of death from the androids, the risk and thought of what the androids would do wasn't infuriating for them, it was just the norm. While the pain the androids caused did make the two young warriors' angry, it didn't provide the necessary rage they needed to ascend to the form of Super Saiyan. The rage they needed came most easily to those who suffered significant loss. Those close to Bocksa and Trunks who had been killed, died when both boys were to young to remember meaning they couldn't tap into the pain of losing them.
It was a lot simpler for Gohan, the comrades he had lost during the initial attack of the androids were some of his closest friends. Simply remembering their deaths was enough to send him over the edge.
"Let's try again," suggested Trunks.
"No," interjected Gohan.
"But Big Brother becoming Super Saiyan's is the only way we can get strong enough to fight the androids," stated Bocksa.
"Perhaps, but if we keep trying and it doesn't work all you two are going to do is wear yourselves out and then you'll be too tired to fight," stated Gohan. "Then you won't be able to help anyone."
"We get that, but we just want to gain the strength we need as quickly as possible," stated Trunks.
"I understand, but what have I always told you," said Gohan. "Rest is an important factor in getting strong. If you train too often and push yourself too hard, all you'll end up doing is hurting yourself, which will likely lower your strength in the long run. My Father knew the importance of this and always made me rest when I felt I'd done enough."
They calmed down as they understood his logic.
"Besides if I brought you two home injured your mums would kill me. Despite them being my own mother and aunt," Gohan added.
Bocksa and Trunks laughed at this as they knew he was right.
"Then what do we do," asked Bocksa still laughing.
"Well, I think we'll just continue our regular training routine, and we'll stop when I think you've had enough," Gohan answered. "Besides, considering how both of you performed earlier, I think we need to focus more on your teamwork and coordination anyway."
"No, we just took it easy on you because we're family," Bocksa argued.
"We could beat you if we wanted to," Trunks declared.
"Really," Gohan smirked.
He disappeared, then reappeared a few feet away.
"Prove it," said Gohan taunting them forward with his hand.
"Oh you're going down Big Brother," Bocksa declared taking a stand.
"We'll show you. We'll become so strong that we'll beat the androids without you," said Trunks.
"That's the spirit," Gohan grinned while preparing to counter.
The two young warriors charged at their mentor and the training continued.
Meanwhile at what remained of Capsule Corporation, Bulma was working away in her lab trying to find her own solution on how to defeat the Androids. Despite the harsh world they lived in Bulma's appearance hadn't changed much. In fact she didn't look much older than she had thirteen years ago and many were surprised to hear she was in her mid-forties. Despite not changing much in appearance, her personality had changed a lot. She was no longer the spoiled, quick to anger girl she had been in her youth. The horrors of the world had forced her to become a calm, mature and determined woman who wanted to do everything she could to stop the androids. She still had a temper, but was a lot more patient and showed a genuine caring side to the people around her, particularly her sons and nephew.
Bulma knew she would never have the strength to defeat the androids, so she fought in the only way she knew how, with her mind. She was still a brilliant scientist and with her father gone, she was likely the top scientist in what remained of the world. Even so, many in the scientific community would probably think she was crazy for what she was trying to invent. There were days where even Bulma thought she was crazy, but right now she didn't have a better solution.
What she was trying to invent was a Time Machine.
If successful, she planned for her or one of Earth's remaining defenders to travel back in time, warn the warriors of the past about the androids, defeat them and ensure the reality they lived in never existed. What's, more this would allow her to save her late husband from the sickness that took his life. Over the last decade, medicine had been invented that treated the heart virus that killed Goku and many others. If they could deliver this to Goku before he's hit with the heart virus his life would be saved and he and Bulma could be a happy life with their two sons. Bulma just hoped she would live long enough to finish the Time Machine.
She was still only in the development faze and progress had been slow due to the dangers of the world and the complexities surrounding the invention of such a device. She'd only just started making significant developments and had a feeling it would still take a few years to complete. Hopefully, the androids hadn't destroyed everything by then.
Her thoughts were interrupted, as someone came in to her lab.
"Bulma I'm back," said Tights carrying groceries.
Like Bulma, Tights had stayed surprisingly youthful in appearance over the last decade.
"Hi Sis, thanks for doing the grocery shopping I hope it wasn't to much trouble," said Bulma turning to face her.
"No, it's fine. There was no sign of the Androids, so I got in and out without much drama. Just the regular issue of the shops being low on supplies," Tights signed putting the groceries on the table. "Speaking of which I wasn't able to get any meat."
"Don't worry about it, Gohan and the others will likely pick up a giant fish or something on their way home," Bulma chucked. "One of the biggest advantages of having super strong children is that hunting for meat is super easy for them."
"Good point," laughed Tights. "Some of the animals they caught are likely still in the freezer."
"Probably," said Bulma looking through the groceries. "Good you got everything I need. Were you able to find the mechanical equipment I asked for."
"No sorry, every store I went to was abandoned," Tights sighed.
"That's ok, tomorrows another day and I'm still way of building anything, so don't worry," said Bulma. "What if I came with you tomorrow, I could use a break away from the computer."
"No, remember our agreement. I'll go out and run the errands, so you can stay focused on building the time machine," Tights answered.
"Are you sure, I don't mind helping?" asked Bulma picking up one of the bags so they could take them to the kitchen.
"I know, but you're all working so hard to stop the androids," said Tights following Bulma. "Gohan and the others are risking their lives to keep them at bay and you're literally trying to invent Time Travel so we can ensure they never existed. I need to do my part to… I just wish I could do more. Maybe I should've dedicated my life to science like you and dad instead of becoming a writer. At least then I could help you with the time machine."
"Sis, we all have a part to play in contributing to the world. Mine was to invent, yours was to entertain. There's nothing wrong with that," said Bulma comfortingly.
"I guess, but it prevented me from being much help in a dire situation," Tights sighed.
"Well, it's not just skill that helps in a bad situation, experience is also key," Bulma stated. "Being around Goku meant almost any day could be a surprise. If it wasn't for my adventures with him, I don't think I would've lasted this long in this world."
This statement made Bulma sad.
"You still miss him, don't you?" asked Tights.
"I think about him every day," answered Bulma. "What about you? Do you think about Vegeta?"
"Sometimes, but it's hard to miss someone who was barely around," said Tights.
They reached the kitchen and placed the groceries on a table. Before they could unpack an alarm went off.
"Someone's on the premises," said Bulma activating a watch like device with a small screen.
She checked her security feed to see who was trying to enter her home. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw two figures entering through the front door.
"Never mind. It's just Hercule and Videl."
Tight's looked at the screen.
"Where's Naicha and Miruki?"
"You guess is a good as mine," answered Bulma.
They left the kitchen to meet their visitors at the entrance.
"Hercule, Videl, good to see you again," said Bulma. "How'd it go out there? I heard on the radio that the androids attacked Pepper City."
"As well as it could," answered Hercule. "Thankfully, we arrived shortly after the attack began and were able to draw their attention to us before they could cause to much damage. All surviving civilians were able to escape."
"Like always though we couldn't save everyone," said Videl glumly.
"No, but I'm guessing your intervention still saved a lot of lives," stated Bulma. "I'd consider that a win and with the world the way it is, we need as many of those as we can get."
"Videl just wishes we could do more to fight the androids," Hercule added while putting a hand on his daughter's shoulder.
"I know how you feel Videl. Any of our fallen friends would," Bulma signed. "That's why they all gave their lives trying to fight the androids. But that was before we knew how strong they were. Right now the most important thing for us to do is survive. At least long enough till Gohan and the boys gain enough strength to beat the androids, or I find the solution to my current project."
"That's what everyone else said," Videl sighed. "Do you really think they can get strong enough to beat the androids?"
"They can, trust me," said Bulma who then glanced at her sister. "If our boys are anything like their fathers, they'll never give up. They'll keep training and fighting until they can find a way to overcome the limit put in front of them. Gohan, Bocksa and Trunks are natural warriors. It's in their blood."
"Speaking of warriors, where are Naicha and Miruku?" Tights repeated.
Hercule and Videl's head fell.
"They decided to go visit their mother and grandfather," Hercule answered.
"I see," said Bulma.
After Yamcha had died, Chi-Chi and her father the Ox King had moved to the country side as a way to avoid death from the androids for as long as possible. Over the years Chi-Chi had become a shell of her former self. She was no longer the quick-tempered woman they knew. She was quiet, sad, depressed and barely left her home.
"How's she doing?" asked Bulma.
"Not good," Videl answered. "According to Naicha and Miruku, she seems worse every time they visit. They go see her as often as they can, which seems to lift her spirits, but she gets sad every time they leave. Can't say I blame her. She lost her husband when the Android's first appeared and now both of her children are risking their lives to ensure humanity survives. That's enough to destroy the spirits of almost anyone."
"I know how she feel's," Bulma sighed. "It's hard to keep fighting when you lose people you love."
"How do you do it?" Videl asked. "You lost your husband too and your sons are also risking their lives to fight the androids. How do you keep fighting?"
Bulma smiled at this question.
"Because of Goku. I'm no warrior, so there's not much Goku could teach me, but there is one lesson he taught me that I've never forgotten. He taught me to never give up, to keep fighting no matter how bad the situation might seem, but most importantly, he taught me to never lose hope. That's why I keep fighting. To quit would be a dishonour to his memory."
They all went silent for a bit after this.
"I wish I could've gotten to know Goku more before he died," said Hercule breaking the silence. "It sounds like he was a great man."
"He was the best man I ever met," Bulma chuckled. "When he spoke to you, it felt like everything was going to be ok."
Tights decided it might be a good idea to change the topic.
"Anyway, Gohan and the boys should be back soon. Would you two like to stay for dinner?"
"We would love to," answered Hercule. "Getting to sit down and have dinner with friends is a treat we don't get to experience much these days."
"And they're going to be back sooner then you think," added Videl suddenly sensing three energy signatures heading towards them.
They all walked to a nearby window and looked to the horizon. They quickly spotted the three warriors flying towards them. As predicted, they had brought something extra to have for dinner. They were each carrying a gigantic fish that they intended to cook and eat in one sitting.