Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Price of Power ❯ Action ( Chapter 22 )

Price of Power

Second Half

By AMCM74

Chapter 22 -Action

Trunks' eyes came open slowly. Firstly, he was aware of the great pain that coursed through his body. Lifting his head weakly, he glared at the other Saiyan. The dark haired man was standing at the mouth of the cavern staring out at the world before him. Even in this calm relaxing atmosphere the aura of darkness was almost pungent in the air. Trunks felt the low burn of fury in the pit of his belly. All of his primal instants told him this was his rival. Q's sheer presence was a threat to him and his mate's well being. He had always believed in the past that General Q was undyingly loyal to the royal family, but now Trunks knew that was not the case. The Saiyan General had acted out of a genetic flaw that made him weak. It was the Saiyan's pure desire to kill and conquer all who passed before them. To bad that he had chosen the first Demi Prince of Vegeta-sei to test this desire out on, besides no one harmed his mate and lived. Trunks was so blinded with rage, his, own situation was not even given the slightest consideration. All he wanted, at this time, was a destroy General Q. The need to feel the life draining from the other man's body was overpowering his senses. The sad part of it all was that Trunks was not at all in any shape to hurt anyone. As he barely stood up shaking, under the weight of his chains, he gave a deep growl. The primitive sound echo through the cavern, so menacing and low that it was almost demonic.

Turning Q's dark black eyes rested on the lavender haired Demi. The tone he used was dripping with boredom. "I thought you were still unconscious. You have grown stronger then I first thought, Prince Trunks."

Trunks glowered as his teeth started grinding in irritation "Unchain me now, Q and your end will be quick." The royal air never left Trunks' tenor. It was an in breed part of him, and merely served to remind him just who was the authority and who the usurper was.

Q leaned back and pondered the threat. It seemed more the idle to him. A smiled of amusement claimed his lip, and he laughed, "You can not be serious, Trunks. You are so weak from your fight with Blizzard that you can barely stand. Let alone pose any real challenge me." Q walked over to the other man. He studied the battered form with knowing eyes. He stopped only when he was just out of reach of the manacles. They stood for a long moment just glaring, before Q relaxed signaling his ease and assurance in his superiority. Trunks caught the change of sentiment, and the animosity between them was now total. "I never hated you as much as I hated Lord Goten, if the truth be told." The dark General confessed with devilish delight. "But his death brought me great satisfaction. I am thinking your will be almost as pleasant a victory to me."

Trunks head shot up. Terror rolled in the pit of his stomach as he assessed the possibility of what Q had just told him. "You're a liar! There is no way you could have managed to killed Goten. He was the strongest of all of us." Trunks gave surety to his words. "Goten's fighting style is perfection."

Q snarled, " I am so sick of hearing that!" He backslapped the Prince across the face, causing splatters of blood to fly through the air. "I am the true Saiyan warrior. I am a pure bred of our race. You and Goten were just half-breed mongrels. Demi Saiyans, HA, your kind is not fit to sweep the streets of Vegeta-sei! You, Demi's are supposed to posses such great power!" General Q was shaking in his rage. Years of bitterness rising like molten flow from the volcano of his wrath. "Vegeta was merely desperate to attain this power for his heir. To make sure that his line remained the strongest in the universe. It was a noble sacrifice on his part." Q grabbed Trunks hair and lifted it so that he could look Trunks over like he was a piece of rotting meat. "Instead he got you. Pity really. Your sister's beauty more then makes up for her mixed blood though." Q arched a brow at Trunks. "I can see what you are thinking, and YES! I plan on making her my mate, just as soon as your father arrives here to wipe out Kakkarot and the rest of the Demi's."

Q had come closer in his ranting and it was just enough. Trunks lunged forward and his fist connected solidly with Q's jaw. "You will never live to touch my sister with you bloody hands!" Trunks fumed, ignoring the pain his shoulder. He continued to pull at his bonds. Even if it killed him he would see this man pay for his heinous crimes. He refused to give in until Q had been thoroughly defeated. "You already go too far by merely drawling breath around me. Now tell me about my mate! Where is she! You had better produce her fast, or there will be hell to pay Q."

Q rose from the ground. The back of his hand pressed against his bleeding lip. He pulled it away and the dark eyes narrowed at the sight of the crimson fluid that Trunks had drawn. "In the state I left her? I thought she would have been dead by now. I didn't even bother to move her from where she fell."

Trunks growled more viciously at the thought of Pan being left abandoned on the forest floor. He had felt the pain the anguish in her heart. She was calling to him. Pan was suffering form his wounds as well as her own. She had no way of pressing down the mental link and moving past the injuries not her own. Trunks abhorred him self for leaving her so helpless and alone in her hour of need. If only head had not been so easily lost in her eyes. They could have taken this duo. Trunks looked up at Q, but surprise and deception was on evils side this time. He had never thought Q intended her death, but now it was clear. Q had left his mate for dead.

Q puzzled over Trunks silence, and looked out of the cavern. "Through your bond to her you would know if she was still alive." The words were soft as velvet, but pitch as his soul. "Yes… yes you would." Q started for the mouth of the caverns. There was new purpose in his step, and it reeked of bad karma.

"Where are you going Q? You have not finished with me yet." Trunks taunted, the words trying to detain General Q from his course. He knew perfectly well what the General Q was about.

Q looked back. "You are going no where, but your new mate on the other hand has seen me. It will not do me any good to leave her around to describe me to King Vegeta." Then he chuckled. "I will have Blizzard seek her out and destroy her utterly." Q failed to add this was only if he could find the Ice-jin, and talk him into doing the deed.

"Having your lackey do your dirty work I see. Not Saiyan enough to do it your self?" trunks lashed back. " Unchain me! Fight me! I am injured and weakened." Trunks hit at the other mans ego. "I say that should make it just about a fair fight."

Q stopped. Forcing trunks jib from his mind. It was true he was sending Blizzard to do the job because he feared another blunder like the last time. He had let his emotions over take his task. It was a sign if weakness. To be strong he should kill her himself, But then that was a foolish thought that could ruin his scheme and leave him dead. He didn't need to be stumbling in on Kakkarot's party. Blizzard was more then capable of getting in and killing a mere girl. "I give the orders Demi. I fear no one. They fear me."

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Blizzard looked around him at a planet covered by night's dark blanket. This was the look of most planets he stayed on, dark and secluded, where no one could find him. In this climate he was most accustom. He moved in on the little house where the Demi's were being joined many other warriors. Years of ki suppression had made him a master so thoroughly stealthed that no one was going to notice him, unless he wanted them to. He studied the warriors with assessing knowledge one could only gain by years of being the prey. Q was wrong. They were more prepared for a battled then Q had anticipated. Blizzard held his breath and grimaced he had known this was a bad fight from the start. Shaking his head, he moved in toward the structure to get an idea what he would be facing

"Not wise." The words were as gentle as the wind. Blizzard felt a chill run up his back and turned as quickly as he could to see who had spoken to him, just as many times in his life before there was no one there. This sixth sense, this voice that had kept him alive was to be trusted always. Blizzard stepped back into the shadows and looked at the group that moved out of the house. They were talking in hushed tones making his eaves dropping all the more difficult. The Ice-jin's tail waving unconsciously in anxious worry.

Blizzard strained to hear what was being said. From the bits and pieces he got of the fragmented conversation, they were upset over what had happened to the Prince's mate. They were also arguing over something called Dragon Balls. The young female with the yellow hair was demanding that she to go look for them immediately, and was insistent that no one was to go with her. The others were arguing adamantly with her about her safety.

Marron clinched the dragon radar in her hand until her knuckles where fairly white. "This is something I can do faster on my own. I don't need any help collecting the Dragon Balls. Its not like they know what they are. No one will be looking for me. They attacked Trunks and Pan, so they seem to have a problem with the Saiyans." She pointed out to those that stood gathered around her "I am not a Saiyan." Marron stated clearly to Gohan and her father, Krillin.

"But you are the mother of a Demi. That could make you a target as well." Yamcha pointed out as he glanced over to see Goku's silent nod of agreement. It wasn't like Goku to just stand by and not add anything more then a nod or a shrug. Yamcha was wondering what was with Goku these days. He was never this quiet or distant from every one before. In fact even Chichi was mentioning that he was not around much, taking off for days at a time and coming back tattered and exhausted. It seemed only out of sheer luck alone he had returned home, and had fortunately been awaiting Gohan's call. Yamcha sighed and tried to drag himself back to the task at hand, that task being to keep Marron from running off to find the Dragon Balls alone. "I don't see why you want to collect them now any way. Pan sure could use you at her side right now. She's not exactly in the best of shape you know." Yamcha cringed as the blue eyes locked on his with such venom it was lucky his skin didn't melt. "We don't even know if Trunks is alive or dead." He added with a shrug. "After the state you and Gohan found Pan in, I am suspecting if he is probably dead. Pan is going to be pretty broken up about it when she finally comes to. Don't you think she will be in needing her best friend at a time like that?"

Krillin risked a look at his determined daughter, knowing that this was a futile effort. Once the girl's mind was made up she was set on her path, just like her mother. "At least take some one with you Marron." He tried again to make her see reason. "Going on your own is just not the smart thing to do."

"I already told you all." Marron slapped a hand to her forehead. How could she make them all understand what she was feeling? She needed to do something, but she also needed to be alone. "I will be fine. Beside if anything were to happen it's going to happen here." Marron turned to take several long strides from the others. "Also, I will be on the move constantly. No one knows where I am. They won't know when I am leaving or not. Heck, even I don't have any idea exactly where the dragon radar will be taking me. So you all see this worrying is really for nothing." Marron was done arguing with them. "Tell Mom to take good care of Garron for me while I am gone." With that she blasted of toward the east.

Gohan let his hand fall to a worried Krillin's shoulder. "Kids, you can't control their lives forever."

Krillin sigh and looked deflated. "I tell you man, some times I wish I could."

Blizzard was confused. Dragon balls? What were Dragon balls? He watched the girls vapor path long enough to judge what way she was headed. It would not be too hard to catch up to her. Jumping into the sky he followed her. He was curious and besides, how much time could this take?


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Chichi looked up to see Videl shutting the door to her daughter's room quietly behind her "How is Pan holding up?"

Videl raised her fingers up to rub her temples. "Not well. I thought the Senzu bean would be enough to heal her, but she is very restless. I don't think that she is suffering from the injuries she received. I believe it's related to the Saiyan Bond she shares. She is calling out for Trunks." Videl leaned heavily against the wall. "I wish they could find him soon. I think that it's his disappearance that has her more worked up, then the actual wounds from her attack. There will be little to no chance of her recovery until we find him."

Chichi frowned before turning her attention to the child on the floor before her. She reached out to pick Garron up holding him close. "I hope that boy is alright. This family has been through enough drama and heartache." She looked at the baby that looked so much like her husband. "I have no idea what the future has in store, but we need a break from this. There has been nothing but trouble for us since Radditz arrive here. "

Videl slipped past her mother in law and moved to the kitchen "I, for one am going to make a pot of tea. We need to try to relax for a moment. All this stress is not good for any of us." She smiled weakly "Would you like some as well?"

ChiChi gave a quick jerk of approval with her head. She moved over toward the table, Garron looking up at her. The child was unusually quiet. It was as if he was sensing all the things happening around him. Chichi hugged him close trying to reassure him. "You know Garron, I wish I had the chance to get to know your father, but at least I have you." Garron stared silently back up at Chichi, with a turn of his head he looked out the door to see his grandfather standing just as silently behind them. The dark look of foreboding fixed on his features.

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Bulma stormed up to Vegeta. She held her flowing robes in tight little fists. The anger was glowing in her brilliant blue eyes. "You will tell me now!" She fixed a defiant stare on him. She was fairly trembling and ready for an ugly verbal battle.

Vegeta turned and raised and eyebrow at her with an impassive expression on his face. "Tell you what?" Those words alone conveyed all he wanted to say about this subject. There was no good in discussing his decision with his Earthling mate.

"The warriors all over this planet are preparing for a massive invasion of some kind." Bulma tossed her hair over her shoulder in challenge. "What do you think I wouldn't have noticed?" She thrust one finger up to his face. "I want to know what you are planning on doing that is so terrible you have not discussed it with me first!" Bulma pinned her gaze on him, her chin tilted up with defiance. She knew exactly what he was up to. He might not have told her, but she knew. Earth, the planet of her birth was in danger. She had friends and family still there. Although Vegeta-sei was her home now she still loved her mother planet very much. The idea of her mate destroying was abhorrent to her.

"We are doing exactly what you are think we are." It was all Vegeta said, before he tuned his back on her. It was hard for him to hurt her like this, but his rage was absolute and he would not be denied his vengeance. Not even Bulma could stand in his way.

Bulma reached out and grabbed his shoulder, pulling him to face her. The other hand flew wide. Cracking him across the cheek. The slap was nothing. He didn't end flinch at the impact. She let out a quick cry of pain and nursed her hand against her stomach. Damn, she had forgotten how strong he was at times. She looked around and thanked Kami that no one had seen her infraction. Vegeta had never struck her, but over last few days anything was possible. He stares coldly at her. She raised her eyes to his with her heart in them. She pleaded, "Goten and General Q have not even given word yet as to what is going on there. You cannot be planning on attacking for no reason. Trunks is probably fine." Vegeta continued to stare at her. Bulma felt a shiver of dread rush over her "You have not told me anything. What is going on?"

"Goten is dead." Vegeta turned too look out at the dark red skies of planet Vegeta.

Bulma felt her eyes grow wide, as her mouth dropped "How do you know this?"

Vegeta shook his head "Bra has been suffering all this time not from poison or illness." He knew the only reason Bulma didn't realize this was simple denial. It was time she stopped living in a fantasy world and faced the truth of the situation before them. "Her bond has been broken. Goten would never have abandoned her for another. That leaves one other option." The black eyes grew darker. "You have to accept that Goten is dead. There is only one power in this universe capable of that act."

She stumbled back a step. She knew what he was implying. "You are wrong!" Bulma shouted. Her heart was breaking for her daughter, but still she would not allow Vegeta to continue thinking what he was. The repercussions were disastrous. "Goku would never harm his own son, or allow anyone else too!"

"He was not Kakkarot's son." Vegeta turned to Bulma. The pain that he had been holding carefully in check burst forth. "He was mine!" There it was said and all the bonded mates could do was stare mutely at each other and wait. Bulma had always known, since Goten was a young child that Vegeta felt this way. Still the proud King Vegeta refused to let the tears of mourning fall. A Saiyan would never show any weakness, and as their King he had allowed his contact with the humans and Demi's to taint his heart too much. They embraced their lives, friendships, and love so easily. For Vegeta this transition had been hard, but in the end it had been total. He had those emotions, and right now he was cursing them. Losing Goten was ripping his soul apart. He growled low. "Goten was produced by Kakkarot and his mate, but in all the ways that really mattered, he was my son. I accepted him as mate for Bra. I offered him everything I could." Vegeta's jaw set with ridge determination. "I know Goten is gone. I will have Trunks returned or avenged. I will not wait any longer."

Bulma looked on silently "Neither will I. If you invade Earth, I will stand at your side. You will destroy all I love, and you will do it before my eyes. So you can know what true pain is." Bulma clasped her hand over her heart and added. "Never forget Trunks is my son as well." As she turned to leave him she added coldly, "I will not be denied. Goten meant a great deal to me as well."


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Pan tossed on the bed, in her mind she stood next to Trunks. He hung against the darkness of her mind like the silhouette of an apparition. There was great pain in him as he called out to her. She responded and tried to soothe his hurt, but he was not to be consoled in his rage. He wanted blood. He was almost mindless with it. She rushed for ward her arms reaching out to embrace him to drive away his hurt. She bolted up right on her bed. "TRUNKS!" She grasped and found only air against her fingers. "Trunks." She whispered and looked around the room. He was not with her. Where could he be? The very last thing she remembered was… a flash of a beast, the kind she had never seen before knocking Trunks to the ground, and then hauling him up, was there in her mind. Another man, dark and evil was there as well. A haze of red swept over her vision. It took a moment before she saw in her minds eyes the blood running over her arms. She could feel that pain, however distant. Pan shook her head and tried to remember, but it was all a coming back in fragmented flashes to her. Something was blocking it from her mind. She stopped and lay back. Concentrating she realized, not something, someone. *Was it so horrible then, Trunks? Is that why you won't allow me to remember?*

*Yes* Came the curt answer. It was followed by a swift sensation of bitter hatred

Pan climbed fro the bed and pulled on her clothing * Where are you? I am coming. *

*Don't even think about it* Trunks voice was hushed and gentle. After all his mate had just been through it wounded his honor to think of her coming to his rescue. It was his duty his obligation to protect her. * I will handle this on my own and return to you*

Pan sighed and continued on her present course of action. * How little you know Me.*

* It is too dangerous here* Trunks bit back sharply. * DO NOT COME! *

Pan ignored him and walked out of her room. She went down the stairs and opened the front door. Pan stared stunned. She glanced around at all the familiar faces that stared at her in shock. "What?"


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Marron opened her satchel. "Only one more to go, and then I will have them all." She nodded in grimed determination. This was going to solve all their problems. Marron was certain of it. She reached across her self to drop the three star ball into the bag. But a hand flashed out and grabbed her wrist in a firm grip. While another pried the ball from her clinched fingertips. Marron cried out in horror before turning her vivid blue eyes upward to face the thief.

Blizzard looked at the orange ball in his hand that pulsed with a life of its own. He turned it over observing the golden sphere and the red starts the seemed to float translucently with in its confines. "How odd, I have traveled the universe and never seen anything like it." He wondered aloud. Holding it out to Marron, he asked, "So this is a Dragon Ball?"

Marron tried to snatch it away but Blizzard proved far to fast for her. Pulling it from her reach with ease and holding it over his head. "Give that back to me!" She screamed jumping up trying to snag the ball from his clutches.

Blizzard laughed and tossed the ball into the air and caught it. "Why should I? You have not answered my question, child." He stop playing with her and waved a finger in Marron's face like he was scolding a naughty child

Marron choked. "Child?!?" She turned red with indignation before punching at him in her tormented embarrassment. Blizzard merely sidestepped it. "Who are you?" She froze with curiosity. It was not every day someone out maneuvered her, she finally too the time to study him. He was obviously not from Earth; his power level was enormous as well. Could he be…? Marron backpedaled a few steps growing suddenly leery. "Are you the one who attacked Prince Trunks of Vegeta, and hurt my friend?" Fury replaced the confusion in her eyes.

"Maybe." Blizzard remained impassive. He didn't want to give anything away at this point. He had no idea what to expect from these Earthlings, but it was coming onto his mind that they were against the Saiyans of Vegeta. That could make them… Allies? Weary of Kakkarot who was a Saiyan, and the son of Bardock who was responsible for the death of Friezia, and eventually the fall of the entire Ice-Jin Empire. That fact in it self was reason to be apprehensive. "You have not answered my question, girl." Blizzard looked at the human. She was thinking. Thinking was good. Perhaps what was needed here was a game of give and take. "How about you answer mine, and then I answer yours."

Marron clenched and unclenched her fists. This was not a fight she was going to win. If this creature took down Trunks and Pan as a unit, she would stand no chance against him. Telling him about the Dragon Balls would only serve to cause trouble for then entire universe. Still, she wanted an answer to her question badly. "I refuse to tell you anything." She crossed her arms and waited for his reaction. This was a risky move. She tried to keep her breathing even. She was so far from help. If this course of action failed, she was as good as dead. It all depended on one thing, just how evil was the being before her?

Blizzard frowned. Damn it. She was too resilient to for his liking. "I do know that you need all of these `Dragon Balls' for what ever purpose they serve." He let her observe the shining orb in his hand. "So what if I just keep one, until you come around and tell me what they do?"

"No!" Marron jumped forward in a futile attempt to reclaim that lost sphere.

Blizzard shot to the sky with a slight spring of his powerful tail. "Don't worry!" He laughed lightly, knowing he had won this round. "It will be safe with me."

Marron watched him speed away until he was nothing but a glimmering light in the distance. She flopped down and pounded the ground. After her rage had dissolved she was left panting and pondering. There were a few things wrong here. That he had not hurt her was one. He had not threatened her was another, but most interesting was he had not claimed that he was the one who hurt Pan. Marron rubbed her head. "It can't be him. There is some else out there. I just know it."