Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Bulma's Quest ❯ Chapter 2

Bulma's Quest

By: Bulmafox

Chapter Two

"Bulma, come back to Earth right now!" Piccolo ordered through the com screen.

"No way. Why should I?"

"Because Majin Buu is back."

Bulma powered up the thrusters even more.

"Bulma! Bulma, did you hear me? I said Majin Buu has returned and you need to get back to Earth right now!"

"Why? So I can just stand by while he kills me and my son?"

"No. We need Trunks and Goten to defeat Majin Buu. They're our last hope."

"What about Goku?"

"We can't find him right now."

"Then find him."

"Vegeta might have killed him for all we know."

"Come on, Goku isn't so easy to kill off. He can beat anything, so let him put that villain in his place and leave us alone!"

"Wait, Bulma. Bulma!!---"

She severed the communications link with Piccolo.

"What's going on, Mom?" Trunks asked when he walked back to his seat.

"Nothing, dear. Everything's just fine."

"It sure didn't sound like `nothing'", Videl said, "It sounded like Piccolo said Majin Buu is back."

Trunks panicked. "He is? Mom, we have to go back."

"No."

"But the Earth is in danger, and we have to save it."

"That's Goku's job. I am not going to send my only son off to die because the men can't handle it."

"But you said I can take on five Friezas."

"So? Your father can fight ten Friezas, and look what happened to him."

"But-"

"I said no, and that's final!" Bulma scolded.

Trunks sighed, "Fine, Mom." Under his breath he mumbled, "Party pooper."

"I heard that! Go to your room and don't come out `til we land."

Right before Trunks reached his room, he turned and shouted, "If everyone dies it's gonna be all your fault!"

A few minutes later, Goten was staring out the window when he saw something small and round with a blue trail zip right past him. "Hey Miss Bulma, what's that?" he asked, pointing to the window.

Bulma got up and walked to the window Goten was staring out of. "What's what, honey-aah! It's Trunks!" She ran back to her seat and pursued the spacepod. "Trunks, you get back here right now! Do you hear me, young man?" she yelled into the radio.

"But Mom, the Earth's in danger! I have to save it!"

"No you most certainly do not!"

"But Mom-" Trunks protested as Bulma used a tractor beam to pull her son back in.

"What'd I do wrong?" Trunks asked himself as he stared at his door. After Bulma captured Trunks, she immediately put a ki-dampening collar around his neck, barricaded all the exits to his room, and encapsulated the escape pod and kept it on her person, lest he try to take off again. "Doesn't she realize the Earth's more important than my dad?" he asked drowsily before nodding off to sleep.

**************************************************************** ***

A couple of hours later, Bulma called Videl to the bridge. "Hey Videl, we'll be landing at a space station soon, so wake up the boys and get them ready while I land this thing."

"Sure." Videl woke the boys up and got them and herself ready for their destination.

A few minutes later Bulma, Videl, Goten, and Trunks, who wore a metal harness, paid at the toll booth at Dust Bowl, the space station where Bulma landed. They wandered around the Kai-forsaken, wild west-like space station looking for a suitable place to eat, meaning one that wasn't infested with vermin, rotting wood, and outlaws of all shapes and sizes.

"Aw Mom," Trunks griped, "Why'd you bring us here? This stinks."

"Hush your mouth, Trunks," Bulma scolded. "We're here to refuel our ship."

"But why this place? It's all nasty and filled with bad guys."

"Because it was the closest space station around. You don't want to run out of fuel before we reach Namek, do you?" Bulma explained. Bulma looked around at all the leering men and heard them catcalling and throwing lewd comments her way.

Trunks stopped and looked at all the dirty males. "Hey, do you know who my mom's married to?"

"So what, squirt? What he don't know won't hurt him," one of the canines sneered.

"You wouldn't talk like that if you knew my mom is married to-mmm!" Trunks struggled as he tried to pull his mother's hand away from his mouth. Bulma gave all the men a big, flashy smile and walked away slowly.

As soon as the group was out of earshot, Trunks pulled his mom's hand away from his mouth. "What'd you do that for, Mom? Don't you know I was about to teach `em a lesson?"

"Trunks, no matter what, you absolutely, positively cannot go around wielding your father's name like a weapon."

"Aw, why not? They would've left you alone if I had."

"Your father has made a lot of enemies in outer space. If anyone finds out we're related to him, they'll hunt us down and lynch us like common criminals."

"Aww, me and Goten can take `em, no sweat." Trunks boasted.

"Are you sure you can take on an army of millions, especially when we don't know how strong they are, and considering the fact that they might've spent this whole time plotting to kill his family?"

"If we can face Buu, we can face anything."

"But Trunks," Goten argued, "We only kicked him one time."

"Shut up, Goten. Who's in charge here? Me."

"Me," Bulma reminded the two boys, "And I'm not willing to take that chance. Now if I hear one peep of the 'V' name or the 'SP' status from your mouth, I'll leave you here to be tarred and feathered."

Trunks grumbled, "Aw Mom, that's no fun."

Bulma, Videl, and Goten walked in silence for a few minutes, with Trunks lagging behind in a metal harness mumbling about how uncool his mother was.

The quartet finally arrived at a nasty, run down bar called "The Lucky Saloon".

"'The Lucky Saloon'? How cheesy," Trunks commented.

The group walked in and looked around. The inside was just as dirty as the outside, and just as filled with debauchery. At the far end of the saloon sat a plethora of gambling and nude machine games. At the other end sat a bar lined with stools with drunken men guzzling on whatever alcohol they could get their mitts on, with cheesy country music playing in the background. The middle of the saloon wasn't too bad; there were wooden round tables seated with patrons feasting on steak dinners and throwing darts. However, that was the only semi-clean place in the entire building.

"Uh, Mom," Trunks said, "I don't think this place is safe for kids."

"Nonsense. Just stay in the middle and you'll be fine." Bulma tied Trunks' harness to a chair and ordered him and Goten a big steak dinner before heading to the bar. Videl sat Goten down across from Trunks and followed Bulma.

"So, what can I get for a couple of pretty ladies like you?" the bartender greeted Bulma and Videl as they sat at the bar.

Bulma asked, "Do you have anything non-alcoholic? I need full command of my wits when I leave."

The bartender crooned, "Anything for you, li'l lady." He turned to Videl. "And what'll the princess be having?"

Videl laughed nervously. "Uh, whatever she's having."

"Be right back. Don't you two angels fly off to Heaven while I'm away." The bartender left to prepare the ladies' drinks.

"Boy, he's laying it on thick", Bulma commented.

"Call me crazy, but I think it's romantic," Videl countered.

"Yeah, there was a time I would've fallen for it, too, but ever since I married Ve-uh, you-know-who-I seem to have lost my taste for men like that."

"You're lucky to have found your Mr. Right."

"Yeah, but it wasn't easy. And if I hadn't lived it myself, I would sent anyone to the psych ward who told me I'd be marrying that man and having his child."

"Tell me about it. I wanna hear how it happened."

Bulma waited until the bartender came back with their soft drinks, then told Videl the whole story of how she and Vegeta came to be, omitting any details that might give away his identity.

When Bulma finished her story, Videl asked, "Are you still going to wish your husband back?"

Bulma looked at Videl. "Why wouldn't I? I know he killed a lot of people at the tournament, but I believe he wasn't himself when it happened, and Yamcha and the others are wishing everyone back that he killed. Besides, I still love him. Sometimes, love defies all logic."

Videl rolled her eyes. "I know that. I mean you got off the planet so quickly we had to stop at a dump like this to refuel. Was your real intention to wish your husband back or to run away as fast as possible?"

"Videl, I love my husband very much and I have every intention of wishing him back, but when something comes along that can kill someone as strong as him like that," Bulma snapped her fingers, "Then it's a bad omen."

"But what about Goku?"

"Goku's only alive for one day, and there's no guarantee he can beat Majin Buu in that amount of time. That's why I needed to get off the planet as soon as possible. Besides, the sooner I left, the sooner my husband can be wished back, and the more of a chance the Earth will stand."

"Oh. Okay. I see."

**************************************************************** ***

"Man, this stinks," Trunks complained as he ate his steak dinner. "I mean why am I being punished because Dad died?" He stared at Goten, who was messily wolfing down his giant steaks. "Yo, Goten, stop eating and start listening!"

Goten quickly gulped down two more steaks before asking. "Uh, what was that, Trunks? I wasn't listening."

Trunks snatched the rest of Goten's food. "You seriously need your ears cleaned out. I was just griping about how unfair Mom is. I mean ever since she found out Dad killed himself, she's been off her rocker."

"Maybe she's just sad."

"Come on, Goten. Would a sad woman not let her son do anything? Would a sad woman land at such a dump of her own free will? Better yet, would a sad woman really tie her kid up in a metal harness?" Trunks pulled at his harness to prove his point.

Goten stared at Trunks stupidly. "Uh…I dunno."

"No, she wouldn't. I think she thinks it's my fault Dad died."

"Hey Trunks, look," Goten said.

"Will you be quiet? I'm delivering a lecture here."

"But Trunks…"

"Let me finish my lecture."

"But Tru-unks…"

Trunks finally snapped. "What! What is so important you had to interrupt my speech?!"

"Uh, this." Goten pointed to the bar where two rough looking men were trying to pick up Bulma and Videl.

"Whoa, they look mean. Let's find out what they're up to."

"Okay."

After Trunks wrestled his way out of the metal harness, he and Goten inched up to the table nearest the bar, where Trunks' mom sat.

"Ooh, did you just come from the sun?" the short, brown canine asked Bulma.

Bulma looked at him strangely. "Uh, why?"

The canine crooned, "'Cause you're so hot, I'm meltin' just by looking at you."

"Can I get some crackers to go with that cheese?" Trunks giggled.

The tall, scraggly man tried his hand. "Hey princess," he asked Videl, "You tired?"

Videl looked puzzled. "Uh, no?"

The scraggly man smiled a big grin, just for her. "Well you should be, 'cause you've been runnin' through my mind all day. Why dont'cha ride my white horse for a while?" Scraggly guy patted his thigh, as if he expected Videl to jump up and sit in his lap.

Videl made a sickened face and looked away. "Eew, that's so gross!"

"Where did you get those from," Bulma asked, "Children's books? I'm sorry, but we do not potty train little boys. Now if you'll excuse us." Bulma and Videl stood up, fully prepared to march away.

Canine Boy grabbed Bulma's arm and yanked her near him. "Where do you think you're going? We're gonna have a little fun now."

"Heh-heh, heh-heh, fun!" Scraggles chuckled. He grabbed Videl in a chokehold, safely away from any parts she might try to kick. Not that that stopped her from trying.

"Let me go, you beast!" Bulma yelled. She slapped Canine Boy's face as hard as she could. Canine Boy only squeezed her tighter.

All of a sudden, Trunks and Goten flew out of their chairs screaming. Trunks quickly knocked Canine Boy out, and Goten took care of Scraggles.

"Nobody messes with my mom!" Trunks yelled. "You know why? Because she's the wife of the Saiyan Prince Vegeta, that's why. Maybe now you'll think twice about fooling with the Prince's woman."

All sound came to a halt, even the music.

"What you say, boy?" a mean looking man asked.

"You heard me. This blue haired woman sitting at the bar is the Saiyan Prince Vegeta's wife. And I'm his son. You got a problem with that?" Trunks mooned the entire saloon.

Everyone glared death at Trunks and Bulma.

Bulma, Videl, and Goten slowly inched their way out of the saloon. As soon as they reached the door they ran for dear life to the ship, with a mad Trunks following close behind.

"Wait a minute! You're forgetting me!" Trunks shouted after the other three. He looked back and saw a whole crowd chasing after them. Trunks faced the crowd and unleashed his father's patented Final Flash, killing them all.

"Trunks, what did you do that for? You are not your father!" Bulma yelled.

"But they were trying to kill you!"

"I thought I raised you better than that. You know I hate when you kill things."

"But they would've killed you if I didn't! And besides, I have more than one parent. Dad said it's all right to kill somebody if they really deserve it."

"Which means everyone in his book. Now come on, I don't want to discuss this way out here, especially if there are more people coming."

"Fine. Whatever you say, Mom." Trunks picked Videl up and carted her to the ship. Goten picked up Bulma and followed Trunks.

**************************************************************** ***

"Trunks," Bulma lectured when everyone got back to the ship and blasted off, "Can you not obey me even for thirty minutes? This is exactly why I told you to keep your mouth shut about your father. Now the whole galaxy will treat us like the Universe's Most Wanted."

"What did you want me to do?" Trunks argued, "Just stand back and let those men maul you?"

"You didn't have to announce our relation to Vegeta to the world."

"I was only trying to protect you! If I had announced my father's name at the beginning, we wouldn't be in this mess."

"No, we wouldn't. We'd be in a worse mess because on top of a million people chasing us, we would've had no fuel!"

"Then why didn't you fill up at home? You wanted to run away, didn't you? Do you know what that makes you? A coward! My dad isn't a coward."

Bulma was taken aback by Trunks' remark. "Come here boy, and let me show you coward. I've had enough of your smart mouth. I'm the one in charge here, not you, now get back here!" She yelled after Trunks as he took off.

It took Bulma exactly ten minutes to find Trunks. She had intimate knowledge of the ship as well as Trunks' favorite hiding places. After she dragged him out of his hiding place, she did something she rarely ever did to her son. She gave him a hearty spanking until her hand wore itself out. After that, she locked Trunks in his room and put ki dampeners around it, after reminding him that it was she, and not his father, who was in charge now.

**************************************************************** ***

A couple of hours later, Videl noticed an anomaly on the ship's radar. "Hey Bulma," she said, "I don't know that much about radars and stuff, but I think a spaceship's speeding towards us, and it looks pretty hostile."

"What? Let me see." Bulma pushed Videl out of the way and studied the radar. "Oh Kami, it's them. I just know it."

"You mean those men who chased us off? So what do we do?"

"Man the lasers. I'll try to outrun them, but we may have to shoot 'em down." She sat down in the pilot's seat and attempted to communicate with the other ship. "Capsule Five to whoever's following us. Do you read? Come in!"

"This is the AFL Freedom," the person at the other end said, "I am Captain Blackberry. Surrender at once or we'll be forced to fire."

"Hey, I remember you," Bulma said, "You're Canine Boy. You're the one who hit on me in that bar, aren't you?"

"Believe me, if I'd known you were the Prince's woman I would've just thrown you in the dump with your spawn. The last thing we need is his litter wreaking havoc on the universe. Prepare to die!"

Bulma kept her voice strangely calm and said, "Fine, you asked for it. No one monkeys with me and gets away with it. You'll be sorry you ever met The Great Bulma Briefs." She cut off communication to the other ship. "Videl, hit the ship with everything you have. I wanna teach Canine Boy a lesson."

Videl fired the lasers dead on at the ship, whch exploded without commotion.

"Well that takes care of that," Bulma boasted, "If that's the best they can do, they might as well go home."

"Uh Bulma," Videl said in a panicked voice from her chair, "There's more of 'em."

"What?" Bulma looked down at her radar; the lower half was packed with blips. "Oh Kami, there's hundreds of 'em! Videl, shoot 'em down! Now!" Videl prepared the lasers again.

"I wouldn't do that if I was you." An old, scraggly man suddenly popped up on the communications screen.

Bulma gasped. "I-it's you. You're that other guy."

"Yeppers. You really shouldn't have refused us. Now you'll have to pay, you…you…YOU..." he let out a frustrated yell.

"What, cat got your tongue? Good."

"I'll have you know you're the most wanted woman in the galaxy! Your head alone is worth 15 million units. The others each have a 5 million bounty on their heads. And it goes up with every ship you shoot, so I'd think twice about strikin' us dead if I was you."

"Whatever. I don't care if it goes up to 60 billion whatevers, you're not going to bully me around." She turned off the screen and told Videl to wake Goten up, then went to the very back of the ship to prepare her secret weapon.

"Miss Bulma, what's going on?" Goten asked drowsily as Videl led him to the back. "Are the mean guys still chasing us?"

"Yes," Bulma said, "There are hundreds of them. I need you to use this machine to wipe them out." She ushered Goten to the big comfy seat in front of a black, oversized cannon.

"But Miss Bulma, I thought you didn't like killin'."

"Well it's either that or be killed, now do as I say." Goten put his hands in the huge holes in the console and began gathering his ki, per Bulma's instructions.

"What's going on?" Videl whispered to Bulma.

"This is my newest invention," Bulma explained, "It channels the user's ki and projects it through this cannon." She pointed to the oversized contraption in front of her. "It's a hundred times stronger than anything else on this ship. I built it for the trip Vegeta and I would eventually take into space." She turned back to Goten. "Now Goten, do the Kamehameha!"

Goten powered up one more time as he shouted, "Ka-me-ka-me----HAAA!" He released all his energy into the canon and fired, burning all the ships to a crisp.

"See?" Bulma bragged. "Now Goten, I want you to fill up the battery."

"Huh?" Goten asked stupidly.

"Just pour more power into it until I say stop."

"'kay." Goten started pouring his energy into the machine.

"Videl, watch the radar and let me know if anyone's trailing us, will ya? I've got some work to do."

"Uh, sure." Videl headed back to the bridge.

Bulma marched to Trunks' room and shook him awake. "Trunks, wake up," she ordered, "I need you to do something for me."

"Hnn, Mom?" Trunkls asked sleepily.

"I said I need you to do something for me. I need you to get into the wiring and see if anyone planted anything."

"But plants are good," Trunks yawned, "They're green."

Bulma shook Trunks again. "Trunks, wake up. I need you to be alert. Got it?"

Trunks shook his head and said, "Huh, what Mom? I'm awake now."

"Trunks, those people who chased us out of the space station are following us. I just know thay've bugged the ship. I need you to crawl in and get rid of the bugs. Can you do that?"

"What? Of course I can. Lead the way."

Bulma outfitted Trunks with a cable and an A/V transmitter and ushered him into the more intricate parts of the ship. Bulma sat at the captian's seat to observe Trunks' progress. "So did you find anything suspicious yet?"

"Um," Trunks answered, "I dunno. Is everything supposed to be laced with some kinda glowing yellow stuff?"

"What yellow stuff? Everything should be all silver."

"Well it's not. Look." Trunks pointed the transmitter at a bundle of wires.

"No," Bulma whispered, "No, they…actually did it. Trunks," she called out, "I want you to get out of there now. I'm getting Goten and Videl."

"Everyone, listen up," Bulma said when Goten, Trunks, and Videl came to the bridge and Bulma cut off all communications equipment. "We are not going to Namek."

Everyone gaped at Bulma in shock. "But why?" they all asked in unison.

"Because we are being followed. Apparently when we stopped at the space station way while back, some bozos got it into their heads to plant trackers on our ship."

"Can't we just remove them?" Goten asked.

"See, the problem is, they have laced the whole ship with these things, which effectively makes our ship one big tracker. What's worse is they are also covering the ship's vital parts, which means we can't remove them with out damaging vital equipment."

"So we dump our ship?" Videl asked, "But where? I don't see a planet for miles around."

"Easy. We just keep going in a straight line until our fuel runs out and hope we find a civilized planet along the way. Now everyone get some sleep; you'll need it, all of you. I'll let you know when we find something."

An unknown period of time later, Bulma finally found her beacon of hope: a large, blue planet in a deserted solar system. She ran to everyone's rooms to wake them up.