Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Danger in the horizon ❯ The Key ( Chapter 32 )

Lisa started to rouse from her induced coma, struggling to open her sleep-crusted eyes. She attempted to roll over onto her side, only to find that she could not move and her eyes snapped open painfully, trying to discover the reason why. Forcing her head upwards slightly, Lisa glanced down at her body, finding that she had been restrained in small bunk bed, and was no longer in Zarbon's quarters on Station Delta. She panicked, violently struggling to free herself until she heard a smooth voice come from the doorway. "No point in trying to escape, love. We are now many light years away from the station."

Lisa twisted her neck around recognising the voice instantly. Zarbon. He stood leaning on the doorframe, a small smirk present on his ruined face as he observed his captive. Lisa was revolted by the injuries on Zarbon's face, bile rising into her mouth at the sight. She swallowed nervously; fear beginning to emerge as her mind finally came to the same conclusion as her body.

"What the fuck is going on Zarbon?" She hissed trying to cover up her anxiety and failing as Zarbon chuckled at her.

He walked over to her, grinning ghoulishly all the while. "Change of plan. I didn't get what I wanted and now you will have to pay the price." Zarbon stretched out one of his hands and stroked Lisa's dark hair, causing her to shudder at the creepy sensation. "You played the game and lost." He cocked his head studying her face and body, his golden eyes glittering maliciously at her terrified expression, bringing his ruined face close to hers. "Freeza will be most displeased at my failure to apprehend Prince Vegeta, he whispered, but may be placated by my gift of another whore to keep his best warriors happy." Zarbon ceased his stroking of Lisa's hair and moved away watching her mouth move up and down uselessly, unable to force out any words of retaliation. In the back of his mind, Zarbon quietly hoped Freeza would not beat him too badly and allow him the luxury of being immersed in a regen tank, assisting him in regaining his lost good looks. He hated being so repugnant to look at. Zarbon had to cover his own fear well; the imminent meeting with Freeza could prove to be very painful for him, maybe even be his demise.

Freeza did not tolerate failure, not even from his right hand man.

Lisa watched him pace up and down, her eyes wide with escalating dread. There was no way out of this situation for her; all the begging and pleading would do her no good whatsoever. She had known from the very start of her association with Zarbon that he was a cold ruthless creature, but at the time, she thought that she would profit from his power and take what she wanted. Hot salty tears of fright began to trail down her face. Bulma was supposed to be in this position, not her.

"Of course," Zarbon continued pleasantly but coldly, watching her tears fall with little interest, "Freeza may decide to offer your services to any interested party, but I'm sure that you would like that, wouldn't you, slut?" He then left, making his way back to the cockpit.

As Zarbon left, Lisa finally found her voice and screamed in terror, making Zarbon's tattered mouth curl into a smile as he settled comfortably back into his chair and prepared another shot of the drug to keep Lisa in check. His thoughts drifted to Bulma momentarily and his groin tightened as he imagined the things that he would do to her, desiring to hear her scream his name as he took her over and over again.

Zarbon rose from his seat, needle now primed, ready to give Lisa another shot and decided that he would relieve the almost painful erection he now had despite vowing to himself never to touch Lisa again before injecting her. It would only be a matter of time before he would have Bulma, but for the time being Lisa would be adequate to fulfil his needs. Smiling maniacally, he returned to Lisa, her screams having faded into pitiful sobbing, removing the clothing from the lower half of her futilely struggling body. Zarbon closed his eyes and imagined it was Bulma's body beneath his as he violently thrust into Lisa, ignoring her whimpers of pain. {I will have you soon Bulma…}

Back on Earth, the day of Yamcha's funeral was dull and grey, a fine mist covering the landscape like a fine blanket, further depressing the small gathering of friends in the Capsule Corporation gardens that had assembled for Yamcha's funeral. Bulma stood apart from Goku and the others, her severely dressed figure slightly hunched against the cold, her face pale and drawn with the strain, avoiding the curious stares of those gathered. The night Yamcha had fallen to his death from her balcony replayed continuously in her mind, the screams of shock, the wailing of the ambulance and police sirens, the stream of questions directed at her from the police. All Bulma had been able to see for hours afterwards was the image of Yamcha's pitiful expression as he fell clumsily to his death, the growing pool of blood under the balcony of her room, almost bathing everything in red.

The coroner had taken Yamcha's pathetic remains away from the scene, but Bulma had known that the cause of death was obvious, due to the level of alcohol still present in Yamcha's blood and therefore further investigation had not been necessary. She had personally taken care of the funeral arrangements and kept the information from being released to the press, after all as soon as the other Z warriors had been informed of the news the first reaction was sorrow, then plans were laid to revive him with the dragonballs, but only after Freeza had been defeated. Goku and Chi Chi had proven to be pillars of strength in the aftermath of the tragedy, helping Bulma where necessary and supporting her in any way possible. The last thing that Capsule Corporation needed was a scandal of epic proportions. She wanted to remain strong and not let the death affect her too much.

On that fateful night Vegeta had attempted but had been unable to reach the doomed man in time to save him, his real concern had been Bulma. She had plunged towards the twisted metal of the balcony as she tried desperately to try and grab Yamcha as he fell, knowing in her heart that it was already too late. Vegeta had drawn her back forcefully, firmly enclosing her in his arms to prevent her falling, drawing her away from the scene below. He had glanced momentarily at the broken body below slightly sickened. It was such a stupid way to die, loaded up with booze and vainly trying to get Bulma to return to him, especially as the possibility of such a thing was non-existent.

Not surprisingly, Vegeta and Radditz were not present at the simple service for the departed ex-bandit; their presence would have only made the situation tenser than it already was. Both Saiyans had continued with training, neither of them fully understanding the grief of the z warriors. Such outward displays of sorrow were alien to them, as Saiyans remained stoic, carefully burying their grief over a death of a comrade or a family member.

Warriors did not cry, even if it was their own father on the funeral pyre.

Krillen, Tien and Chao Tzu had been suspicious of the circumstances and all had come to the same conclusion that foul play had been involved, hence Bulma removing herself from the main group while the priest performed the simple ceremony before Yamchas remains were interred in the Briefs family vault until his revival. She could feel their stares burning into her back, and could hear their thoughts, causing her to shiver involuntarily and curse her gift. She was pleased once the priest had finished, so that she could get as far away from them all as possible. Bulma wanted nothing more than to get on with her life and close the door on the ghost of Yamcha. However, it pained her that the last real words she and Yamcha had shared had been ones of anger, making his death seem all the more upsetting.

She strode into the house, and proceeded to her living quarters. Bulma did not want to reminisce about the good times and bad times with Krillen, Tien and the others effectively reopening the old wounds she had been left with. Nor did she want to answer any more questions about the event. Goku and Chi Chi were the only ones apart from herself and Vegeta privy to the story and she wanted it to stay that way. Although by now Bulma suspected that the other z warriors knew of her deep involvement with Vegeta. Sighing, she removed her black suit as soon as she reached the bedroom, throwing it carelessly on the floor. She selected another outfit to wear and was in the process of dressing herself when Vegeta walked in, and involuntarily she tensed, still jittery about the room, but Bulma was damned if she was going to change everything around She still had her own life to get on with and the arrival of Freeza was drawing ever closer.

She turned to Vegeta as he settled himself on the bed, watching her with his fathomless black eyes, not a flicker of emotion in their depths. Whatever had been going through his mind over the past two days she had not been able to ascertain, he had effectively closed himself off again, blocking his mind from hers. Vegeta was blocking his jealous thoughts over Bulma's attention to a now dead man. Bulma kneeled on the floor in front of his stiff frame, taking his hands in hers, absently rubbing them; greedily coveting skin on skin contact. No matter how often she got to touch her proud mate, Bulma always wanted more of him. It was no longer just lust and the bond, pure unadulterated love was what she felt for Vegeta, it was that simple. She looked deep into his eyes, almost pleading for him to open up to her. "It's over Vegeta. He will haunt us no longer."

Vegeta grunted in agreement and for the first time in days, relaxed his normal scowl and looked down at Bulma, raising one hand from her grasp and placing it under her chin, stroking her soft skin, brushing a fingertip over her lips. She was right, it was all over. There would be no more unexpected disturbances from her former lover. She was his as he was hers. "Good. Enough time has been wasted on that useless human. There are more important issues to attend to." Now he and Bulma could get on with their lives, and he would be able to concentrate on the most pressing matters at hand.

Ascension. The defeat of Freeza.

Fortunately for Vegeta, the only people left on the premises after the funeral were Goku and Piccolo, Chi Chi having left with her father and Gohan going back to Mt Paozu, the other z warriors dispersing to their respective homes. Jock and Sarah Briefs had also wisely decided to leave and had arranged that very morning to go on a short vacation far from home, pleased to be leaving the whole sorry mess behind.

Goku had instinctively known that the older warrior would want to spar once again, having missed the opportunity several days previously due to Yamcha's death and so had stayed behind, promising Chi Chi that he would be home later. As sad as he was about Yamcha's untimely death, Goku understood that there were still lives at stake and so now that his friend was now safely interred in the vault; it was time to cast off the visage of mourning and return to training. Piccolo had remained as well to observe once again, currently meditating under one of the many trees in the garden while waiting for Vegeta to make his appearance, still fascinated by the sudden surge in power that Vegeta had experienced in the badlands two days ago. Through his inherited knowledge from his father, his link with Kami and information from Goku after the spar in the desert, Piccolo was beginning to understand how both of the Saiyans could ascend to the next level. All it would take would be a link between the soul and the body, letting all negative emotions go. As both Goku and Vegeta had reached the maximum power level possible in their current unascended state meaning that their physical bodies would be able to accommodate the increased power.

Piccolo strongly suspected that Goku was closer to the goal than Vegeta, due to his more compassionate nature, being freer with his emotions and understanding of his feelings. Vegeta on the other hand, was like a safe and whoever wanted to discover his deepest emotions would have to patiently pick at the lock, cracking each combination. And the only being that had been able to achieve that feat had been Bulma, making her quite possibly the one to give Vegeta what he so strongly desired. Piccolo and Kami had sensed the still undeveloped powers that Bulma possessed, and Kami decided to discuss them at length with her. Piccolo's interest in observing Vegeta and Goku's sparring was just a cover to allow him time with Bulma. Kami had summoned his Namekian counterpart earlier in the day to his palace, asking Piccolo to make Bulma an offer.

Then it would be just a case of getting Vegeta to understand why, as Piccolo had the very strong feeling that he and Goku as the two most powerful Saiyans could prove to be the saviours of Earth, perhaps even the known universe. His train of thought was interrupted by Vegeta's gruff voice.

"So Kakkarot, ready to be pummelled again?" barked Vegeta, eager to spar once again with the only worthy training partner he had ever encountered, although he would never admit it. He had ordered Radditz not to neglect his own training and left the tall Saiyan practising his attack moves in another part of the garden. It would be of no real value for him to spar with Radditz any longer, as Goku's brother was still so much lower in power than he and Goku were, however he could prove to be useful in the battle to come.

Goku grinned back at him, equally eager to plunge back into the fray with the arrogant Prince of Saiyans. "Whenever you are, Vegeta."

"Excellent. I propose that this time we spar in the gravity chamber, in 50 times Earths gravity." He smirked at Goku's sudden puzzled expression. "Or is that too much for you?"

"I could take double." Retorted Goku, not wanting to give Vegeta any quarter. He turned to look at Piccolo, still sitting cross-legged under the tree. "Piccolo wishes to observe once again, agreed?"

"Fine." Snapped Vegeta, slightly perturbed by the enigmatical Nameks presence. He could not fathom why Piccolo insisted on observing these sparring sessions, but let it slide for the time being. There was something vaguely disconcerting about Piccolo to Vegeta, mostly due to the fact that Piccolo was directly connected to the God of Earth and so had heightened powers of perception and the ability to read minds. He shook off the thought and gestured for Goku to follow him.

Goku was visibly impressed by the structure in front of him. Bulma and Jock had outdone themselves. The gravity chamber was completely spherical in shape, supported by six retractable legs at the bottom. Small porthole style windows were dotted around its midsection, allowing natural light to flow through or to let others observe as Piccolo was pretending to do.

The two Saiyans then entered the gravity chamber, Piccolo watching somewhat disinterestedly through a window on the outside. Goku took up an attacking position, smiling benignly at Vegeta as he spoke. "This time, Vegeta, I'll be the one who will be grinding you into the floor."

Vegeta strode over to the controls and set them at 50g, letting his body become accustomed to the strain, his muscles taking the pressure before replying. "Then take me down Kakkarot, if you think you can."

And with that Goku attacked, forcing Vegeta back against the wall, making him block, duck and weave, attempting to avoid Goku's well-timed and skilful attacks. After several moments Vegeta began to retaliate, matching Goku blow for blow, picking up new moves, as he went knowing that Goku was doing the same thing. Vegeta could still taste the triumph of his near transformation in the desert and wanted nothing more than to reach the pinnacle once again. The power was there ready for the taking; all he needed was the right trigger.

"You seem distracted, Vegeta." Grinned Goku as he managed to connect a powerful kick to Vegeta's back, causing the smaller Saiyan to connect painfully with the reinforced wall with a grunt. "Something on your mind? Bulma perhaps?"

"Shut up Kakkarot and fight." Vegeta grunted as he dove forward and retaliated, punching Goku square in the nose, gratified by the sight of blood running down Goku's face, then following up the blow with an uppercut to his jaw. He disliked Goku bringing Bulma into conversation so familiarly. It was bad enough that Goku had been astute enough to discover their relationship without mentioning her name all the time to rile him. All differences aside though, Vegeta was mildly impressed with Goku being able to attack him so skilfully under the immense gravitation pull.

Goku spun backwards, his feet connecting with the wall as he pushed himself back into action, trying to break through Vegeta's defences, his raw power and desire to win allowing him to land well placed blows on Vegeta's body. However, Goku was not having it all his own way as Vegeta was accustomed to the increased gravity which gave him the speed and nimbleness to avoid the most damaging attacks, somewhat frustrating Goku in his attempts.

From outside, Piccolo watched the two warriors go head to head, neither willing to back down. There was no real need for him to watch now, he needed to get on with his own training, but there was one important issue he needed to address, and that was Bulma. He stepped down from the ledge he was resting his feet on and stalked off into the house, searching out Bulma.

Bulma had decided that the best course of action in getting Yamcha out of her mind was to plunge headfirst into work. As her father had delegated most of her work whilst she was on Station Delta, Bulma picked up some of her formerly incomplete inventions and settled them on a vacant workbench in the scientific wing, her presence causing barely a ripple amongst the other workers around her none of them were aware of the event that occurred two days before due to the very cunning cover-up. They were well used to disappearances from Capsule Corporation on some adventure or other and her reappearance excited little comment.

She looked over the objects laid out neatly on the workbench and attempted to decide exactly what the hell one of the half completed inventions was supposed to have been when she started constructing it. Bulma let out an exasperated sigh at the sight. Her mind was definitely not on this little project at all and so she sat on her stool, idly fiddling with pieces of wire, feeling fairly useless. Everyone else that she knew was out training, preparing for the imminent arrival of Freeza whilst she had sat on her arse, not even taking the time to keep up with her mental exercises. The only thing she had done was help Yamcha into an early grave, and that would haunt her for a long time to come, despite her telling Vegeta otherwise.

Steadily becoming bored, Bulma rose from her stool and commenced throwing the pieces of metal and plastic of her projects into a box when she was interrupted by the strange appearance of Piccolo. It was strange to her mainly because she and Piccolo had very little in common. Bulma still saw him as the fearsome Demon King, a creature capable of infinite evil that had plagued the Earth for years until his defeat at the hands of Goku. Even his teaming up with Goku to defeat Garlic Junior and send him back into the Dead zone did not sway her opinion of him. Deciding to dispense with pleasantries, Bulma snapped at the Namek, demanding to know why he was there.

"If you want Goku, he's probably sparring with Vegeta outside. Apart from that I fail to see why you would be in here." She then continued carelessly throwing items in the box, not even raising her head to look at Piccolo.

He rolled his eyes, half amused at her snappishness, noting with some interest the scar adorning the back of her neck as she bent down. Vegeta's mark. {So it most definitely is a fact. She and Vegeta are bonded together.} "I didn't come here to find Goku, I came to speak with you." He retorted, his deep voice grabbing her attention once more.

Bulma stood up and brushed her hands off, glaring at the tall Namek in front of her. "Why would that be, Piccolo?"

"It's an issue that concerns Vegeta. I suggest that we go where we can speak more freely."

She sighed irritably. {How many more people are going to find out about Vegeta and I?} "Fine. Follow me."

After several moments of navigating the rabbit's warren that was the scientific wing, Bulma found a disused office and ushered Piccolo in, gesturing for him to be seated, then sat down herself, frowning. "Well, Piccolo? Spit it out then."

Piccolo crossed his arms, looking very uncomfortable on the chair so obviously meant for a much smaller man. He gazed intently at the bristling female across from him, and could sense quite clearly that she was annoyed at him disturbing her. "I have, or rather Kami has a proposal for you."

Bulma's eyes widened in shock at the statement from Piccolo, it seemed so sincere. Not the kind of thing she was expecting to hear from him. "What kind of proposal?" She replied, suspicion thickly lacing her tone.

Piccolo replied as calmly as he possibly could, considering the fact that he had been used as some kind of second-rate messenger boy for Kami's scheme. "Kami has sensed your mental powers, but seems to feel that you are have not reached your potential." He curled his lip in disgust at his next sentence, his fangs protruding. "In this matter, as much as I hate to agree with that pathetic excuse for a guardian, I concur." He stopped to gauge Bulma's reaction, noting with some hidden amusement that her mouth was wide open in surprise. Piccolo then continued, still amused at Bulma's expression. "Kami has proposed that you train with him to increase your mental acuity and powers. This training would take place at the lookout. You will be there for at the very least a week."

Bulma closed her mouth and frowned. The offer was very tempting, true, it would allow her to possibly have a more active part in what was to come, but what did it have to do with Vegeta? "You mentioned that this matter involved Vegeta. From what you have told me, nothing so far indicates this has anything to do with him." She raised an eyebrow quizzically, looking challengingly into Piccolo's dark eyes.

Piccolo allowed himself the pleasure of a smirk at her words; he could see why such a prideful creature as Vegeta had chosen this woman. She complimented him in every way. "Ah but it does, Bulma. As you are fully aware, Vegeta is on the very brink of ascending to Super Saiyan, almost transforming several days ago. The problem is, Vegeta has not been able to unlock the secret, he has not discovered the key, which is to meld the soul and body together, purging all negative emotions. Kami believes that in Vegeta's case, you are the key." Piccolo leaned back on the chair; waiting for Bulma's reply while regarding her with his cold gaze. Upon receiving no reply he carried on to convince Bulma of the importance, his words carefully chosen and ominous. "If Vegeta does not reach that level, we all may be doomed."

Bulma blinked rapidly in apparent confusion. "But what about Goku? He is just as close as Vegeta as far as I can tell."

Piccolo replied, giving her the answer bluntly. "Goku is just a couple of steps behind Vegeta at this stage, and due to him being raised as an Earthling not a Saiyan, he is better able to accomplish the task at hand himself. Vegeta never had those advantages having being forced to be a trained killer from an early age. And Kami feels that two Super Saiyans are better than just one. So, do you accept this offer?"

Bulma leaned forward on her chair, her head in her hands, briskly rubbing her forehead in concentration. After several tense moments she finally responded, taking a deep breath and swallowing before raising her head. "I wish to discuss this with Vegeta, but tell Kami that I accept his offer." Bulma was not looking forward to explaining all that had transpired in this odd conversation to Vegeta.

Piccolo rose from his chair. "Excellent. I will inform Kami of your decision. He will expect you on the lookout tomorrow to commence your period of instruction. Bring only the basics as everything else will be provided for." He then swept from the room, his cape flapping behind as he swiftly strode away, leaving Bulma alone with her thoughts.

There was only one thing on her mind. {I am the key?}