Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ The Eternal Treasure of Planet Vegeta ❯ A Young Beginning ( Chapter 4 )

This is the interesting chapter. Read it, you won't regret it. Don't forget to review.

Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ

~~~

Time, as in all good animation programs, flew by, and soon, a year was up, and the door of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber re-opened to allow its three residents out.

Nikki was thankful there was no one outside in the Lookout. Even Mister Popo was somewhere else. She didn't want anyone to see her. Trunks was carrying her small blue suitcase, and Vegeta her pile of bedclothes.

As soon as they were outside, Vegeta made it clear that he wanted to get to the Tournament as fast as possible. He did not like the idea of being tardy. He and Trunks flew off, leaving Nikki to fly back to Capsule Corp in a plane. Nikki was not for it, though. She had seen the troubled look in both men's eyes. There was a real threat about, or else Nikki was sure they would have stayed with her in her delicate condition. She got into the Capsule, and booted it up. The engine roared but it was low on fuel. She had enough to get herself where she was going. And it wasn't intended to be Capsule Corp.

Trunks and Vegeta were too far in front for her to catch. She didn't want them to detect her right away, otherwise they'd make her turn around and go back.

~

Goku looked up and saw two streams of light across the sky heading towards them. The last two Saiyans landed neatly on the floor. Vegeta smirked at Goku.

"I don't know why you even bothered to show up!" he said. Goku didn't reply, he just scanned the horizon. Cell was there, watching with an amused expression on his face. As were the rest of the Z fighters, and Hercule accompanied by his motley crew. Actually, they weren't completely motley. There was one common thing about all of them; they didn't have a clue. They simply didn't know what they were up against.

Hercule was loudly proclaiming into a mike how he would save the world from the evil Cell. A camera man was eagerly take close ups of the `World Champion'.

Vegeta was talking big, but there was a lot of doubt in his heart. He felt a little guilty for not finishing off Cell when he had had a chance. It had led to so many lost lives. Vegeta concluded almost regretfully that living with a woman made your heart soft.

Trunks could feel the uneasiness of his father, but he said nothing. None of other fighters had noticed. They were already becoming miffed at Vegeta's cocky attitude.

A mechanical roar that had been there for some time was becoming louder. Trunks turned to see what it was. He nudged his father in shock.

"What -oh god!" Vegeta tried to hide a look of shock similar to his son. He traced the trail of the plane in the sky.

"It's coming here!" said Trunks.

"Whose coming?" asked Gohan. He looked up at the sky. "Whoever they are, they're having some engine difficulty."

"What do you mean?" asked Trunks anxiously.

"He's right, boy", said Vegeta. "That plane's going to crash!"

"Oh my god!" Trunks blasted off in its direction. The plane began to shudder violently. Trunks sped up. He was about two metres away when the tail exploded.

There was a scream, and those from the saw something fall from the plane, and Trunks hurtling after it.

"He caught him!" said Gohan. Trunks flew back. Above him the plane exploded. In his arms was a shaken, but unharmed girl: Nikki.

"Hi guys!" she said. Trunks put her down gently.

"What are you doing here?" He hissed. She ignored him.

"So are you guys ready? Are you excited?"

"I guess so", said Goku. "We're as ready as we can be!"

"Great! I -"she stopped mid-sentence when Trunks grabbed her arm.

"You really shouldn't be here!" he said. "Please, go home now. I don't want you to get hurt!"

"I won't", she said confidently, but Trunks continued to look worried.

"You don't understand! Cell is ruthless and he won't spare you if we're defeated."

"If you're defeated there won't be much to live for here, will there?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"Not what you think! I mean that Cell will destroy the planet, and I'd rather be dead before I see that happen!"

"I just want you to get out of here!" said Trunks. "Come on! I'll ask Goku to use Instant Transmission and send you to Capsule Corp."

"Trunks, I'm not going!" yelled Nikki. "Leave me alone!"

Trunks glared at her and said, "Fine, you go ahead and die! See if I care!"

"Hey, Nikki", said Goku. "No offence, but you've got to lay off the sweets! You've gained weight!"

Nikki looked down at her stomach and blushed. "Yeah, I guess I have", she said with obvious effort. Trunks and Vegeta both glared at him. Goku didn't notice.

~

The fight progressed. Hercule and his cronies had been easily defeated, as had Goku. Now Gohan was fighting the fearsome Cell, and he seemed to be holding his own, but this has no real significance to this story. Let's skip to the part when Android 18 has been regurgitated, Cell has blown up, Goku has bravely sacrificed himself, and the rest of the world has been left dumbfounded…

Gohan stared in shock at the place his father had been standing a few seconds ago. Tears were flowing freely down his face. No one could quite say anything. Krillin, Piccolo, and Tien looked down. Trunks and Vegeta didn't move. Vegeta's scowl was even deeper than usual. Nikki's face was hidden in her hands as she cried silently.

At last Krillin spoke to Gohan. His voice was gentle.

"C'mon little buddy. Get up, c'mon now. Be brave."

Gohan heeded and got up. He walked shakily back to the small group of mourners.

Trunks looked at Vegeta. His fists were clenched, and one arm was around Nikki who was crying into his shoulder. He could understand why she was so choked up. Neither of them had really gotten the chance to know Goku, but they both felt a deep respect for him.

"What do we do now?" asked Tien.

"We'd better go somewhere", said Krillin. "Otherwise those news people around the corner are going to want to ask questions!"

"Yeah", said Gohan, sounding absentminded. "Let's go home."

"Hold on guys!" warned Piccolo. "It's not over yet! I can feel it."

Krillin opened his mouth to argue, but suddenly they could hear a loud malicious laughing.

"Cell", breathed Piccolo. A great cloud of dust began to lift up.

"How can he still be alive?" said Krillin. He was clutching beautiful18 in his arms. Her blond hair swung around with the wind the dust had started.

Vegeta pushed Nikki behind him for protection. Piccolo, Trunks, Tien and Gohan tried to shield their eyes from the dust.

Then came a fatal shock. A white beam of ki shot through the billowing clouds, passing the Z Fighters until at last it met its target: Trunks.

But instead of the dying cry of one, two simultaneous screams were heard. Trunks fell back straight onto the ground, but Nikki fell forwards onto Vegeta. Vegeta had looked back to see his son falling to the floor, and his heart shattered. He glared at Cell, and in his mind he was planning a reckoning with the super android.

"Vegeta!" gasped Nikki from the floor. He didn't hear. He flew off, and Nikki was left on the floor, crying out in pain. Finally Krillin noticed.

"Hey Nikki! What's wrong?"

"Ahhh!" she gasped. "Pain! Time - for - baby! Help!"

"Time for baby?" said Krillin, puzzled.

"Water's broken! Time for baby!" Nikki was struggling through her words in pain.

"What do you mean?" said Krillin. "Water's broken? Time for baby!"

"I'm pregnant! Ahhh! Time for baby! Labour pains - started!"

"You're pregnant?" said Gohan. "That's why you had gained weight!"

"When did you become pregnant?"

"Get me to the hospital!" said Nikki. "Please! AHHH!"

Piccolo picked her up. "I have to get her to somewhere safe."

Vegeta, by this time, was completely out of power and lying on the floor. Krillin reluctantly chucked him a senzu bean to revitalize him. He was glowing with angry power as he walked back to the group. Seeing the situation, he immediately realised what was happening and insisted that Piccolo hand Nikki over to him. Piccolo did without arguing, and Vegeta took off with an extremely pregnant girl in his arms.

Soon they had reached Kame House. Vegeta sensed Bulma's ki signature, and was glad. He didn't know the first thing about birthing babies, and wasn't looking forward to it. At least Bulma would have some idea from all the adventure soap operas she watched.

"Woman! Get out here!" he yelled as soon as they touched down. Bulma walked out and glared at him.

"What do you want, you big ape?"

"You have to help her! The girl is having a baby!"

"WHAT?" Bulma ran down the steps of the house. Nikki opened her eyes.

"Bulma -pregnant! I'm pregnant! Please, help me!"

"Vegeta, take her to the upstairs bedroom! I'll come after you! I need to get some stuff!" They ran into the house; Vegeta went upstairs, and Bulma went into the kitchen. She gathered towels, some water and a plastic sheet, and ran up after Vegeta.

He had put Nikki onto the futon. She was writhing with agony. Bulma came and put the plastic sheet under her.

"When did the contractions start?" she asked Vegeta.

"I don't know! I was fighting Cell and when I came back she was like this!"

"Why didn't Trunks bring her here? Is he fighting with Cell?"

Vegeta hesitated before saying, "He's dead, Bulma."

Bulma didn't seem too shocked or upset.

"Aren't you going to cry?" asked Vegeta. That had been the reaction he had been expecting.

"We can wish him back with the Dragonballs", was her reply. "What's the point in wasting tears?"

"AHHH!" Nikki screamed as another contraction hit her. Bulma held her hand and told her to squeeze it when it hurt. Vegeta stroked her hair a little awkwardly.

About a half hour later, Nikki started to breathe very fast.

"Oh god!"

"Is it time for the baby?" asked Bulma. Nikki nodded. Bulma made her spread her legs and breathe regularly. The bottom of her jumpsuit and her panties were lying in a heap on the floor. Vegeta was holding her hand now, as she had nearly crushed Bulma's fingers.

"Okay, now just take a deep breath and push as hard as you can!" said Bulma. Nikki closed her eyes and had a sharp intake of breath. Then she puffed out her cheeks and pushed.

"I can see its head!!" said Bulma excitedly. "Come on now; one more push should be enough!"

Nikki again breathed in deeply, and this time she screamed loudly as she pushed with all the strength she could muster. The baby was pushed into Bulma's arms. Nikki fell back onto Vegeta's lap with exhaustion. Her hair was wet with sweat and sticking to her face. She was shaking and sobbing. Vegeta caressed her face.

Bulma quickly cut the umbilical cord and washed the baby. Its wailing cry had already filled the house. She dried it and washed it in less than ten minutes. Wrapping it in a towel, she brought it back to the bedroom for Nikki and Vegeta to see.

With quivering arms Nikki took the baby from Bulma. She opened the hood and looked for the first time at the face of her child. It stopped crying and looked inquisitively at its mother.

"It's a boy" said Bulma, rather proudly. Then she asked a tentative question:

"Who's the father of the child?"

Nikki smiled and said, "You're a grandmother Bulma. How does it feel?"

"Trunks?" Bulma suddenly felt weak. "It's Trunks' baby?"

"Who else's would it be, woman?" asked Vegeta. Bulma blushed and said nothing. Nikki continued to stare at the child. He had black eyes like her, and a tuft of black hair could be seen from under the towel hood.

"Looks like he takes after me" she said.

"He could take after me" said Vegeta. "I am the grandfather!"

"Possibly!" laughed Nikki.

~

Trunks felt like his head was spinning. His stomach felt a little bit sore. He opened his eyes. Wherever he was, it was bright. Rubbing his eyes, he saw people moving towards him.

"Hi Trunks, how d'ya feel?" asked one of them. It was Krillin. Trunks shook his head, and it cleared.

"Anything wrong?" asked Krillin.

"No, I'm fine." Trunks looked around. He was at the Lookout. His memory came flooding back.

"What's happening? Why are we here? Where's Cell?"

"The fight is over", said Piccolo. "Cell was defeated by Gohan!"

"Then where's -" He stopped as he saw Vegeta walking over with a limp and pale Nikki in his arms. He silently gave her to him.

"Nikki -what the…?" Nikki immediately began to cry into his chest. Trunks looked absolutely lost as to what was happening. Then Bulma came forwards with a little bundle in her hands, which she gave to him.

"What's this?" He opened the bundle in shock. Nikki kept her head in his chest until he didn't say anything for long moments.

"I'm sorry!" she sobbed. "I'm so, so sorry Trunks!"

Trunks stared at her, then the baby, and then his parents. He was at a loss of words.

Finally he whispered, "Is this really our baby?"

"Don't you want him?" asked Nikki. She had tears welling in her eyes again.

"No, I just -can't believe that -I'm a dad! I'm a dad!" He sang the last part. Nikki started to cry again.

"Oh Trunks, I'm so happy! I can't say how happy!"

Trunks squeezed her against his chest. "I love you, Nikaisha Miyo. And I love our baby!"

"I love you too, Trunks. Forever and ever!" They smiled at each other. Gohan and Dende nudged each other and grinned. Bulma sighed happily and Piccolo's face didn't look quite so grim. Even Vegeta managed to not scowl for about three seconds.

"What are you going to name him?" asked Krillin, who had been enjoying the little scene as well.

"I already thought of a name: Valley", said Nikki.

"That's perfect", said Trunks. "Our little Valley!"

"I can't stand it anymore!" exclaimed Bulma. "You've had your little fun time, now let me have a look at my grandson!"

~

Nikki was standing on the balcony as she had been a few days ago. In her arms she rocked her sleeping baby. She gazed out over the skyline of Satan City and then back at her baby and sighed.

How calm and peaceful it is here, she thought, and all because of Trunks. If he hadn't come to the past, this time would have suffered the same fate as ours. Now we're going back as a family, although I don't really know how I'm going to manage school and a baby. I don't even think Valley should go back with us. We have nothing to offer him there. He would have to grow up in fear and turmoil like we did. But I can't leave him here! "My heart would break without him."

"Do you always talk to yourself?" Trunks came to stand next to her.

"That's what happens when you have no one to talk to but yourself. How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough to see your face droop and hear you sigh. What's wrong, sweetness?"

"You've never called me sweetness before" said Nikki in surprise.

"Well, you are sweet. Would you like to be called something else? Sugar, pumpkin, honey, babe or, something like that?"

Nikki laughed. "Trunks, you idiot! I don't need those silly names to know you love me!"

"I know, but don't you want everyone else to know?"

"Trunks, as long as you know and I know, the rest of the world can go to hell!"

"Okay, let's compromise", said Trunks. He slipped his arms around her waist. "How about actions rather than words?"

Nikki leant her head in. "That seems like a fair compromise." They kissed, moving closer and closer together until Valley woke up and started crying. Nikki quietened him down until he fell asleep again.

"Being a parent is so strange!" said Trunks. "But you still haven't told me what's

wrong, Nikki honey."

"I was just thinking about how if it weren't for you, all this would have never happened and the androids would have been running amuck in the city. You saved a lot of people's lives, and they don't even know."

"That's not why I did it" said Trunks. "If you think I wanted fame -"

"I know that's not the reason you did it. I just feel a little upset you don't get the recognition you deserve. And also, I was thinking maybe we should leave Valley here instead of taking him back with us."

"What?" Trunks looked shocked.

"I mean, we have nothing to offer him back there", she explained. "We have to go back and rebuild from ruins. Here at least he'll have a peaceful, worry-free life. We could just come back for visits sometimes."

"You're right about it being more worry-free", said Trunks. "But Nikki, we still have to take him back."

"Why? Why can't he just stay here and be safe?"

"Because he's needed in the future! Him and all the other children! We have to start building from the ruins, but by the time we're done we'll be too old to do anything. These children will be the ones who will start a new life!"

"You're absolutely right", said Nikki, sighing. "I just want what's best for him Trunks. You know that!"

Trunks put his arm around her. "Yeah, I know. We're only kids ourselves, but look's like we've got a new family for the future! It all happened so fast!"

"Do you have any regrets?" asked Nikki.

Trunks looked at her and the sleeping baby and smiled, and that was answer enough.