Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ The Strength of Love ❯ The Mission ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: Dragonball Z, including its rights as well as its characters, isn't mine. It's alright. . .I've accepted it. . .

1stAuthor's Note PLEASE READ BEFORE STARTING STORY: Here's yet another B/V fanfic. It's an A/U (this is my writing, could it be anything else?) with a semi-different twist. I'm going with the idea that Frieza was defeated by the Saiyans before he was able to blow the planet up. Good going, Saiyans! Although, I've slightly altered the timeline. . .

Anyway, due to one of my other stories, I've decided to make Bulma into a fighter (not just a beautiful scientist), so, if that isn't up your ally, you might want to skip this fic…no hard feelings. However, for the rest of you, please continue! It may seem a bit choppy at first, but trust me, it'll get better. The first chapters are always hard for me to write.

The Strength of Love

Chapter One:The Mission

Hands intertwined and slipped under the mass of teal hair. Her eyes closed as she reveled in the silence, a sound that she was deprived of ever since the ship had taken flight again into the huge expanse of stars and planets. About an hour ago, she wouldn't have guessed that she had the ability to hear her own thoughts, let alone think them; the noise of the other occupants of the ship was unbearable, but even knowing how she loved her seclusion, she had stayed in that loud chamber. Because he wanted her there, of course, she had complied.

There wasn't anything in the universe that she would ever deny her father; her love of him couldn't be measured, even her own heart didn't know the amount it held for him. He had shown her and taught her everything that she knew, and in return, she yielded to his every wish-and it was that reason that made her agree to his request in the first place.

Eyes the color of the sea stared up at the ceiling. She completely understood what her father was trying to accomplish, and she supported it whole-heartedly. The entire universe would be his in only a matter of time. Soon, every planet would know the true power of Cambrion Valarte, a man who deserved nothing but the best. All those who challenged his word or his plan ended up dead-and many could already vouch for that.

Half of his goal was already underway. Many of the warriors on the ship were handpicked by Cambrion, an entire army of men at his disposal. The rest were either family or friends. No matter what the others were, the large craft was always loaded with people, nearly each and everyone strong and prepared to fight whenever the need arose. She was no exeption herself-

"Bulma?"

She sighed, only slightly angered by the interruption of her solitude. "Yes, Eighteen?"

"Your father has informed me of your new assignment," the blonde android notified her as she dragged a strand of her shiny golden hair behind one ear.

Bulma shifted on the bed, making her back more comfortable. "And? You don't approve? Father told me about it an hour ago. I've already accepted it, so any discouragement on your behalf is a waste of breath." Her eyebrow rose and a smile crept across her face when she saw the spark flare in Eighteen's sky blue eyes. "My breath."

Eighteen, as well as Seventeen, was a creation of Dr. Gero, a scientist that wisely acknowledged her father's strength and joined Cambrion in his expedition. The android pair were gifts to ensure the long-lasting alliance between the two masterminds. Bulma knew the two quasi-machines for as long as she could remember. They had the same thrill and desire for combat as herself and always could be found together ever since she was little. The androids served as her bodyguards, since her father would never allow one hair on her head to ever be harmed.

"I know that, Bulma. No one can deter you from doing anything once you set a mind to it. However, I must say, I was shocked to hear that you accepted that particular mission."

Bulma placed her weight on one elbow and regarded her friend. "And why is that?"

Eighteen took a couple steps forward before placing her fists on her hips. "Because I know you like missions that include crushing bones and breaking heads-not delivering simple messages."

Bulma chuckled. "It can't be a normal assignment, Eighteen. Not if father asked me and not one of his usual lackeys for the job." She resumed the position on her back and returned her hands to the back of her head. "I wouldn't be surprised if it was extremely dangerous and required the full use of my skills."

Eighteen gave her one of her small and knowing smiles. "If it were dangerous, your father would send one of his `lackeys', or as you call them." The android shook her head.
"Anyway, he ordered Seventeen and I to accompany you when the ship lands on Planet Vegeta. Just as a safety precaution."

"Safety, huh? Then that means there is going to be a chance for danger. I knew it," Bulma said, a glint of anticipation flashing in her eyes. "You and Seventeen must be exicited." She looked around the room. "Speaking of which, where is he?"

"In the training rooms, quite possibly beating the hell out of more innocent victims."

Bulma smiled. "Well, you might as well get to training as well. There's no telling what we may encounter in three days, when we arrive on Vegeta-sei. I know I'm strong enough to handle it." She turned her head and glanced at Eighteen. "Are you sure you're up to this?"

"You must be kidding, Bulma. If I could pound your ass into the ground with one punch, then you're asking the wrong person that question."

"Ooh, is that a challenge?" Bulma leapt off of the bed at Eighteen's nod. "Lead the way to the training room!"

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Vegeta sat in his chair, staring at Kakarrot as he stuffed his face with food. It was ridiculous, the vibrant, young man didn't even pause for a breath. He seemed oblivious to the fact that his etiquette was horrendous, the bowl of rice never leaving his face. `What in the hell made father decide to take him into the palace?'

It wasn't the first time he asked himself that question. Kakarrot had been living inside the royal palace ever since he defeated Frieza, and that was about a decade ago while he was still a teenager. Almost every Saiyan admired the lout because he was able to stand against something that powerful at such a young age. He had only decided to fight against the piece of lizard shit when he saw his father fall at the hands of Frieza. However, Bardock was a good man; Vegeta respected him mainly because what he saw in Frieza was also what the prince saw-a deceptive, manipulative creep. But his son was a whole different matter. Vegeta's father, the king of Vegeta-sei, took Kakarrot in the day after Frieza had been defeated. He was to sleep, eat, and train under the roof of the palace. An orphan taken under the king's wing to grow up as the greatest Saiyan that ever lived-with the exception of Prince Vegeta, of course, but only by the legend.

It was as if his destiny was snatched up right from beneath his feet. Vegeta supposed that Kakarrot was the son that his father never had, a strong and powerful man, however not nearly as strong as himself. King Vegeta never expressed any of the admiration or attention to his own son that he willingly gave to Kakarrot. The ouji, over the years, became a mere shadow, while Kakarrot became the beacon of hope and power of the planet. Respect for the prince only resulted because of the thick blood coarsing through his veins. If it were different-if he was not a real prince-he wouldn't be too surprised if he was tossed out into the bowels of the planet, never to be seen again. . . all the while Kakarrot taking his rightful place.

Vegeta pushed himself away from the table. All of this thinking was pissing him off again. It was the same everytime he thought about it; the same disturbing conclusion always haunted the dark recesses of his mind. His father could care less about him, at least until he died and was forced to hand over the throne to him.

A small smirk graced his mouth. Forced. That would be the way it would happen-unless, by some fantastic miracle of the gods, his father could find a way to make the idiot Kakarrot take the throne. He would bet everything on the fact that the rest of Vegeta-sei would love and fully support that idea. A diminutive sigh escaped his lungs as he rose from his seat and began to walk towards the door. There would be no one in this universe that would care even the smallest amount for him. No one to appriecate his full power. . .

"Where are you going, Prince of Vegeta-sei? You haven't even finished what is left on your plate."

Vegeta turned to his father's voice. The man didn't even call him his own son-at least not anymore. He couldn't remember the last time he was called that. Vegeta's black brows drew together as his mouth turned into a frown. "Kakarrot's atrocious eating habits are taking its toll against my appetite."

"A young Saiyan warrior needs a healthy appetite," the king said, placing both of his hands against the table.

"Really, Vegeta. My table manners aren't that bad." Kakarrot tried to prove the fact by wiping his face with his napkin, eliminating the grains of rice that were plastered on his cheek.

"Is that so? Then what about the pool of rice that is beneath your hands?" Vegeta pointed to the pile of food that Kakarrot had spilled while attempting to shove the grains into his mouth at a record speed. "Father, I think you should reconsider making him take his meals outside with the wild animals. At least then he'll be among his own kind."

Kakarrot gasped while King Vegeta sighed. "And what, may I ask, has yanked your tail today?"

"Nothing that you will ever understand, father, I assure you. Just resume your meal. As for mine, I'm certain that Kakarrot will finish what is left on my plate." And with that, Vegeta turned and left the two Saiyans, in search of beating the life out of something to vent his anger.

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"Hmm…Bulma. It seems you're getting a bit rusty nowadays."

Bulma growled at Seventeen's comment as she blocked Eighteen's punches to her face. "Shut up. Otherwise, you'll be on my list of whose ass to kick next." She managed to send the blonde bot back a few feet with a blow to her stomach. Eighteen did a flip backwards to regain her posture.

"And how are you going to do that when you're barely kicking mine?" the female android asked. She charged at Bulma, her small, graceful hands ready to complete a new flurry of punches. However, the blue haired woman sent out a leg that caused Eighteen to lose her balance, and soon she felt the sting of her back hitting a wall. Concealing one of her hands, she created a mass of magenta energy in her palm and smirked.

"Power Blitz!" Eighteen launched her beam of energy at Bulma, who had only just enough time to block the incoming attack. The blonde android rose and resumed a fighting stance.

"I thought we weren't using any ki attacks," Bulma said, taking her arms from the position of blocking. She lowered herself in a stance as well. "You lied to me," she teased with a small smile on her face. Bulma was enjoying this. It had been too long since she had herself a good sparring match. Eighteen was just barely above her caliber, but she was always able to hold her own against her.

She disappeared from sight, earning another smirk from Eighteen before she dematerilized herself. They met in the air, both throwing an equal amount of punches and kicks before Bulma got the upper hand and pounded Eighteen with her elbow, forcing her to take a plummet from above.

Bulma swiftly landed earlier than Eighteen clumsly crashed. Thrusting her palms away from her chest, she suspended four pale ki balls in the air before shouting, "Tetra-Cannon!" And with that, she fused the energy together and hurled the blast at Eighteen.

Eighteen, on the other hand, had not even gotten up before she heard her call out the attack-an attack that she knew all too well. Tetra-Cannon was what Bulma used when she meant business. Eighteen was surprised that she had even used it during their match. The blast met with her body, causing her to feel a moderate amount of pain.

Bulma returned her hands to her side and walked forward, watching as the dust settled around where Eighteen laid. She smiled widely as the blonde android opened her blue eyes, staring at her behind a face of dirt and clothes covered in soot. She reached a hand out to Eighteen. "I think that's enough for today, don't you?"

Seventeen jumped from the pile of boxes and crates that he had been sitting on in the corner, observing the match. "You call that a fight?" he asked, putting his hands on his hips.

"Shut up," Eighteen said as she took Bulma's hand and pulled herself up. "I doubt you could have done a better job."

"Hmph," was all he got to say as the door to the room opened to reveal a dark haired man dressed in a white shirt and hunter green pants.

"What's going on in here?" the man demanded to know. Each of the other occupants of the room ignored him, as they usually did, deeming him unworthy of their time. "The sound of something crashing shook the ship really hard. What happened?"

Bulma walked to a bench where there was a stack of towels and used one to wipe off the beads of sweat on her face. The two androids crossed their arms and stared at him from behind their shoulders. All three of them were trying to make the point clear that they had no intention of talking to him. However, the man didn't seem to get it. "Why won't you guys say something?"

"Yamcha," Bulma said, finally turning to him while throwing the piece of cloth to the floor. "What does the sign say outside of the door?"

"What do you mean?" Yamcha asked, not understanding her point.

"The sign says `training room'," Eighteen answered. "And when you put two and two together, what do you suppose we were doing in here?" Her voice was patronizing, regarding Yamcha with as much attention as she would give a little kid.

Yamcha scratched the back of his head and chuckled nervously. "I guess I didn't think that thoroughly."

"And it only took you five minutes to realize that," Seventeen said in his usual dry tone. "I tell you, Bulma…the kid's getting smarter everyday."

Yamcha's face flushed red. Of all the people on the ship, Seventeen was the one that he hated the most. He knew the android thought him to be weak and naïve. His hand clentched in anger. Now was his chance to prove him wrong! And with a snarl, he leapt at Seventeen, a fist aimed squarely at the machine's chest.

Seventeen smirked at the sound of the moron's knuckles being broken against the diamond-hard muscle and metal of his chest; he watched in amusement as Yamcha pulled back his hand in pain with a cry. "Sorry, Yamcha. Perhaps Eighteen and I need to explain just one more time about us being half-machines. Maybe you'll get it right on the three hundreth time." He glanced at the pitiful man's hand. "Oh, look. You're bleeding."

Eighteen walked towards the two, joining in on Seventeen's fun. "Gee, you're right, brother. How about you send him on his way to the infirmary?"

Seventeen smiled at his sister and looked back at Yamcha. "It would be my pleasure. After all, it was my fault that you hurt your pathetic, weakling self anyway." He picked Yamcha up by the collar of his shirt and walked through the door and out into the hallway. "The infirmary is that way," he said, pointing to his left before pitching the dark haired man down the hall. He came back into the room, dusting off his hands. "I swear, I'll never stop having fun beating the crap out of that idiot."

Bulma sighed and shook her head in a disapproving manner. "Seventeen, that was completely unnecessary." Then a corner of her mouth curled up. "And completely hilarious." Seventeen gave her a mock bow. She returned one to him. "Anyway, I need to get some rest. The ship will be landing in three days. Might as well get the best out of your vacation while you can, before our work begins." She and Eighteen exited the room, leaving Seventeen deciding what sort of havoc he would wreak next.

Author's Note: And there's the first chapter. What do you all think so far? I think you can tell which part of this fic I enjoyed writing the most (. . .sorry Yamcha fans, I couldn't resist!) I tried to cram all of the history in this chapter, so I wouldn't have to explain it again later on. And you can thank my best friend, Auraki/JungleKitty82 for the attack names, since she gave me the DBZ Budoki game! Anyway, I'll try to get the next chapter up soon, so stay tuned! And as always, please review!