Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Variations of Fate ❯ Pain ( Chapter 6 )

Nearly three years had passed since Bulma and Ava's discovery of the dragonball and the skeleton. Ava was now living in the Briefs' living cavern, and the two girls had developed a solid friendship, though sometimes they squabbled like siblings.

"Happy birthday, Bulma! Rise and shine!" Dr. and Mrs. Briefs and Ava called out, bursting into her room that morning.

"Aren't I supposed to be treated like a Princess on my birthday?" she asked groggily and turned over.

"But Bulma, we're unveiling the --" Ava was silenced by Dr. Brief's hand being clamped over her mouth.

"Huh?"

"We, uh, we've got a nice surprise for you!" Ava covered her mistake, "So get up and get dressed, okay big sis?"

"Well ... why don't you leave me alone so I can change?"

"Your clothes are on your dresser, Bulma," Mrs. Briefs replied, and guided Dr. Briefs and Ava out of the alcove before tugging the canvas back in place.

"Mrs. Briefs, is the cake ready?" Ava blurted out.

"Sssh!" Mrs. Briefs lowered her voice, "It's a huge cake! Enough for everyone to have a small piece!"

"Great!"

Then Bulma stepped out wearing a new pair of jeans, new sandals and a new sweater. Her lavender hair was longer now too, and was brushed back nicely, with a bow tying her ponytail. She smiled at her parents, and ran up to Ava and gave her a big hug. Dr. and Mrs. Briefs laughed.

Dr. Briefs cleared his throat, "Pumpkin, how does it feel to be nine?"

Bulma giggled, "I haven't been nine that long!"

Dr. Briefs reached over to ruffle Bulma's hair, then decided against it. She was getting to old for that, "Ava, got the blindfold?"

"Yep!" she handed it to him, and he tied it around Bulma's head, blocking her sight.

"I'm going to !"

"But ..."

"No buts!" he said, straining somewhat to lift Bulma to his shoulders.

Mrs. Briefs giggled, "Forward march?"

"Forward march!" Dr. Briefs shouted and headed out of their family quarters.

"Here we are!" Ava shouted. Everyone turned to look as the Briefs entered. Bulma was set down and the blindfold taken off; she gasped when she saw where she was and how many people were there. Someone started a count off, and then several hundred voices began to sing:

"Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Bulma! Happy Birthday to you!"

A massive cake was wheeled over on a cart, nine candles flickered atop it.

"Happy ninth birthday, Bulma!" someone called out; Bulma smiled.

"Make a wish, sweetie," Mrs. Briefs whispered.

I wish ... I wish that ...I wish that I could find the dragonballs so that I can make a wish so that Mommy and Daddy and Ava and everyone else can be safe from the Saiyans! Then she took a deep breath and blew out the candles.

Suddenly an old man with a white beard and mustache pushed through the crowd toward Bulma. He hit one or two of those too rude to move with his cane and then walked up to Bulma, sliding something out of his pocket.

"You're collecting the dragonballs?" he asked, and when she nodded he continued, "Well then, I've got a present for you, Bulma. How many do you have already?"

He held in his hand the three-star dragonball; Bulma gasped, "Thank you, this will be the fifth one! I'm sorry, sir, but I don't know your name... Mr. ...?"

"Master Roshi," he replied, "been hiding from those Kami-damned Saiyans at my home, until they decided to explode it! Used to be a fighter in my day, but you know, arthritis in these joints," he tapped his knees with the cane, "keeps me from doing much these days."

Bulma smiled and gave him a hug, "Thank you Master Roshi, that's one of the bestest birthday presents I've ever gotten!"

He patted her on the head, "There, there, of course it is."

"Bulma, come here," Dr. Briefs said as he tapped a glass with a fork to get everyone's attention. He cleared his throat, "Everyone, as you know, much hard work has gone into this project. I especially thank my daughter, who reminded me that instead of having only solar power, which on occasion has a tendency to fail, we could use the underground springs of the caves for hydroelectricity! Bulma also thought of having a swimming pool for having fun, but I had to remind her it would be too cold ... so she told me, 'Dad, couldn't we use the new power to heat the water some?' And yes, by god, it was possible! So please give Bulma another round of applause!"

After the laughter and cheers had died down, Dr. Briefs continued, "Everyone is welcome to have a piece of cake and look around the other new additions of our settlement. But first, I will tell you about our plan ... we are now in the final stages of planning an assault against the main Saiyan troops stationed on Earth!"

Silence; then mutters and whispers.

"Dr. Briefs, are you sure this is appropriate for today?" someone in the back yelled.

"Yes! I want my daughter to know that I'm doing this for her, that she won't have to live in these damned caves the rest of her lives! I don't want her to live in fear and I don't want anyone else here to have to live that way. The Saiyans have oppressed us far too long! We deserve to live of our own free will, not to be beaten to death by some outer space barbarian! We deserve better than living in cave, fearing for our lives! Don't you see that?"

Bulma gasped and cried out, "Dad! You don't have to do this! It's suicide!"

"Bulma," Dr. Briefs said, "I'd gladly die to allow you the freedom, the life, the education, that you deserved ... No, the freedom, the life, the education that you deserve!"

Mrs. Briefs walked over and gave Bulma a hug, "It's all right dear, your father won't be killed. He knows what he's doing -- you're not going to have to live another day wondering if the ki-dampening shields are going to fail."

"But I don't think about that! Those can always be fixed ... I just don't want daddy to die! Please don't do it daddy! You're not replaceable like the dampening shields!"

"Okay, Bulma, I promise that I won't do this for a while. I'll make sure everything is fail-proof! I won't be killed by a Saiyan!"

Bulma nestled into his chest as he gave her a fierce hug.

Dr. Briefs looked at the controls of the plane, and then back at Joe Marshall, "Joe are you ready?"

Joe nodded nervously, "Yeah, everybody else ready?"

The tall brunette, Maria Darien and her husband Kyle nodded, as did Max Hubbard, Anna Townsend, and Josh Ross. The newer members of the group, three men and two women, merely looked out the window into the darkness below before giving either an affirmative nod or a "yeah."

Maria cleared her throat, "We strike and we leave ay-sap right?"

"Yeah, strike the barracks and leave," Joe stated, "That is the plan, right, Doc?"

Dr. Briefs nodded, "The bomb should be enough to destroy only the entire compound."

"You're worried about Bulma, aren't you, sir?" Anna Townsend said quietly.

"Ava and my wife finally got her to get out of bed to eat yesterday," he said quietly, "I'm worried about breaking my promise to her. I said ... I said I wouldn't leave until I was sure everything was fail-proof ... and that a Saiyan won't kill me."

Max -- the least likely of the group -- placed a reassuring hand on his arm, "If the Saiyans kill anyone ... it had better be me ... then I can join my wife in heaven."

Ava was worried about Bulma. She had seemed fine the day before ... but today was another story, "Bulma, do you want to go to the pool today?"

"Not really," Bulma curled a strand of hair around her finger.

"Come on! I can't go without a buddy! You know that! You'll have fun! Besides, your dad isn't going to go off! He promised!"

"I guess ... but ..."

"You know how your dad says 'no buts'? Well, right now, there's no excuse! Come on! Go back into your room and change into your swimsuit!" Ava pulled her away from the bookshelf and forced her to go into her room. She closed the canvas and waited outside, "If you even think about getting in your bed, Bulma Briefs, I'll make your mom come in here and change ya like a baby!"

Hearing Bulma grumble, Ava slipped into her own room and change quickly. She grabbed two towels and returned to Bulma's alcove.

"You ready?" She heard a mumbled response and said, "What's that? I couldn't hear you!"

"Yes I'm ready!"

Ava giggled and pulled the canvas aside, "Here's a towel."

Bulma made a face and grabbed the towel she was offered. Ava caught her arm and pulled her out of her room and out of the Briefs family quarters.

"How many people are here?" Bulma asked incredulously as she surveyed the pool.

"I dunno -- a lot?" Ava replied jokingly, "Here, gimme you're towel and your shoes. I'll be right back."

Bulma handed her the towel and looked across the pool. She was proud of everyone's work. The pool had smooth edges and a smooth bottom, and there was a nice area for just running around it if you felt like it -- hat was completely against the rules, however. There was a shallow end, a deep end, and even a pool for younger children who couldn't swim as well. Bulma waved at the lifeguard, who smiled at her and then went back to observing the youngsters playing in the pool.

Suddenly, Bulma felt two hands push into her back, and all of the sudden she was flailing her arms -- and splash! She sunk to the bottom like a stone, then fought her way up to the surface to see Ava on the edge of the pool ... laughing at her!

"Ava!" she screamed, and splashed the other girl, who dove into the pool to avoid her friend's angry wave of splashes. Bulma was pulled under the water and came up spluttering with Ava beside her. Bulma flipped her hair out of her eyes and Ava giggled; soon Bulma joined in.

"Dr. Briefs! They're on our tale!" Anna screamed, "We've got to do something! They're going to catch us ... and we're all going to die!

"Woman, would you just shut up!" Kyle and Maria said in unison.

"I couldn't agree with that more," Max said dryly, "We'll really be dead if you don't stop your damn hysterics!"

I'm going to die!Thought Dr. Briefs, We're all going to die! We're all doomed -- and it's my fault! Why did I have to continue with this damn-fool idea? Why?

Anna screamed one last time and fainted; Joe, being the only medically trained one on the mission, rushed to the plump woman's side with his equipment. After an unsuccessful attempt at moving her without damage, he motioned for Max to help him. They managed to haul her out of the way.

"Damnit!" Dr. Briefs screamed -- the Saiyans were herding them straight toward the refugee settlement, "we're heading straight for the settlement ... I'm losing control! I'm going to have to land."

Which he did, just barely, crushing the tip of one of the wings on the mountainside next to the entrance of their settlement. They scrambled out -- Joe and Max carrying Anna Townsend -- and immediately the Saiyans were on them.

The Saiyan leader pointed a gun at them, "You're the ones who have been taking away from the slave shipments to Vegetasei! What is this place? Your base?"

Dr. Briefs didn't answer.

Bulma gasped as the lights inside the cave system flickered. This was no ordinary flickering of lights -- it was something technical, something wrong with the wiring. No one seemed to notice the problem with the lights. Everyone was still having fun.

"Ava ..." Bulma whispered, "There's something wrong ... that was not a normal 'flicker' having to do with the flow of water or the solar panels ... something's going on."

Ava turned to Bulma, and hit her playfully, "Nothing's wrong, silly! You're really smart and all, but you're also kinda down, so you need to lighten up! Just relax and have fun for a change!"

"I guess you're right, but I'm getting out ... I'm gonna sit on the outside of the pool, k? I'm kinda tired."

"I really wish you'd play though," Ava said. Bulma shook her head, and Ava shrugged; she wasn't going to press the issue too far, "all right, your loss. Go dry off."

"Thanks for understanding," Bulma said, and pulled her body out of the water, then grabbed her towel, drying off before wrapping the warm fabric around herself. The lights flickered again, and Bulma shrugged it off like Ava told her to. Maybe she was right. Nothing was going to happen.

"Tell me or else I'll blow up the entire mountain!"

Dr. Briefs had more of a spine than most people would give him credit for.

"We know you've been keeping refugees here! We know you've been stealing slaves! I'll cut you a deal ..." the Saiyan pulled him up close, "Answer my questions, and your refugees won't die!"

"That's hardly fair!" Maria Darien shouted.

"Shut up, woman!"

"I've got a name," she muttered.

"What was that?"

"SHE SAID SHE'S GOT A NAME!" Kyle yelled.

"Oh, really? And are you her spokesperson?" The Saiyan aimed his weapon at him, then turned to his wife, "He dies unless you answer our questions!"

"Maria don't ..."

"YOU SHUT UP!"

"Dr. Briefs ..."

The Saiyan aimed his weapon once more at Dr. Briefs, "You have any family?"

"Yes ..."

"Would you like to see them die before your very eyes?"

Dr. Briefs gaped at the Saiyan -- he couldn't be serious, and yet he was! What do I do? I can't reveal that this is the place ... but they already know ... and if I don't say than they'll kill Bulma. Or they'll kill me ... I promised Bulma I wouldn't be killed by a Saiyan ...

All was silent for a very long time

"I'll make a deal," he said quietly

"You're not in a position to make demands!"

"Take everyone here ... Just don't kill or harm anyone, especially not my daughters or my wife."

The Saiyan smirked, "Where is everyone?"

"In -- inside ... in the caverns ..." he stuttered, pointing to the covered entrance.

"How have you survived so long?"

Dr. Briefs clamped his mouth shut.

"Tell me, or everyone dies," the Saiyan demanded; all eyes were on Dr. Briefs. He cast his eyes down and away from the glares his fellow revolutionaries pinned his way. He felt like such a disappointment and a failure. They were all doomed -- he had doomed them.

"We have farms in the mountains, and we run off of solar and hydroelectric power. Please don't harm anyone!"

"Your plea has already been heard fool! You will help us dismantle this ... power of yours! Now tell us the name of your daughters ... or else we'll kill everyone!"

What is it with them and killing? The thought flickered across Dr. Brief's mind as he opened his mouth to speak. No sound came out.

"Well?"

"B-b-bulma ..."

"I thought you said you had two?!"

"Y-yes ... well, A-a-a-Ava is ..."

"Silence! Good. Now come with us and help us dismantle your power!"

"Ava, can we please go? I don't feel so good!" Bulma whined, "Mom's gonna be angry if I go without you!"

The lights flickered again and Bulma shuddered. I have a bad feeling about this!

"Ava! There has to be something wrong, the lights shouldn't be --" everything cut off. The lights snapped off and the motors of machinery whirred and whined quietly down to nothing. For a moment, all was completely silent.

Then a chaotic panic ensued. People splashed frantically in the water, screaming, panicking, trying to find a way out of what could possibly be a death trap.

"Bulma!"

She started as she heard her name, "Ava?"

"You're right in front of me right?" A wet hand stuck out of the pool and slapped Bulma on the foot.

"Did you just hit me?"

"Yeah..."

"Well get out! We gotta get out of here! We gotta find mom!"

"Okay, okay!" Ava splashed out of the water just as a blue-green glow illuminated the exit from the caves, "Well someone was thinking!"

Bulma handed Ava her towel and grabbed her arm, racing towards the entrance to beat the mad rush of frightened people. They rushed into the corridors, feeling their way to their quarters and pushing aside the flap into the Briefs residence.

"Mom?"

They heard a muffled thump, "Over here girls ... we need to get out of here."

"Just a minute," said Bulma as she felt her way over to her alcove and pulled the flashlight out from under her bed. She switched it on and hurried towards the door, then stopped and shone the light at her mom, "Come on, Mom!"

Bulma, Ava and Mrs. Briefs made their way out into the hectic hallway and headed toward the cafeteria where they would await news from Dr. Briefs.

*^*^*^*^*

After shutting down the power, Dr. Briefs could hear the chaos within the caves; the screams echoed outside through the small valley entrance of their settlement. The Saiyan warriors were huddled together, laughing about a situation he thought there was nothing funny about. The Saiyans then split into groups, and two stood outside guarding the would-be revolutionaries. The troops burst into the settlement; Dr. Briefs closed his eyes and placed his hands over his ears, shaking his head and trying to shut out the scene that played over and over and over again in his head.

*^*^*^*^*

Things had calmed down inside the caves, but Bulma and Ava were restless, walking around, pacing, although not too far from Mrs. Briefs who had sunken to the floor in grief. They stood away from her for a moment, unsure of what to do.

Bulma stepped forward, "Mom, what's wrong?"

Mrs. Briefs began to sob, "Your father ... he ... he went to go fight against the Saiyans ... they must have followed him back ... that's what's going on!"

"Dad wouldn't do that, he promised he wouldn't!"

"Bulma, your father wants you to be happy, he hates the Saiyans, for ... for ruining your future, the life you could have lived if those bastards hadn't come here!"

Bulma sat down next to her mother, wrapping her into a hug, "Mom, everything's going to be okay!"

Ava stood looking at them and feeling like an outsider. Her face was drawn and sad. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and stared off into space, wondering, Dad ... -- no, Dr. Briefs -- risked his life for Bulma, but would he do the same for me?

Screams from the corridor sent everyone in the cafeteria looking at the door. They all knew what that could mean ...

A Saiyan stepped through, then three more behind him; Mrs. Briefs screamed as the refugees were forced outside.

Thirsty and cold, the refugees sat within a corral-type place; the Saiyans had fenced them in. Bulma and Ava stood together, with Mrs. Briefs holding them to her; Bulma and Ava looked, blinking, as a loud, bellowing Saiyan voice began to shout harshly across the slaves.

Someone in front of them cleared their throat, and looked back at them; it was Master Roshi. He looked at Mrs. Briefs and began to speak, "Mrs. Briefs, some of these refugees are saying you may want to go to the 'front' of this pen and take a look at something. That is if you want to go. It might be best if you left the girls here."

Mrs. Briefs shook her head, "If I'm going up there,I'm taking the girls with me. I don't want to be separated from them -- the Saiyans take all 'criminals' to Vegetasei when they capture them ... I'm not about to lose track of Bulma and Ava."

Master Roshi nodded at her statement, and shoved through the crowd, hitting a few people here or there in his way with his cane, "COMING THROUGH!"

Immediately the slaves parted for Master Roshi, Mrs. Briefs and the two girls to go through. They made their way somewhat proudly, until they could see the Saiyans. Mrs. Briefs gasped as she saw her husband, his hands tied behind his back. Bulma looked up at her and whispered, "Mom is that really dad?"

She nodded numbly as Dr. Briefs looked at them with a downhearted expression, the kind a person makes when they know they are doomed. Please don't let this happen, please don't let this happen ...

"You are here to witness what befalls those who oppose Saiyan rule! These men and women have attempted to massacre Saiyan warriors and have stolen many slaves!" The large, burly Saiyan spat the words venomously, and many children cried out or shuddered. A murmur passed through the slaves, "SILENCE! Make one small mistake, and your fate will be the same!"

Silence.

"The first to die will be all who conspired with Dr. Briefs!"

Mrs. Briefs clasped Bulma and Ava to her stomach, something them. Several flashes of light, and the first prisoners were incinerated into nothing. The speaking Saiyan shoved Dr. Briefs to his knees.

"What do you have to say for yourself?"

Bulma fought to turn and see her father, although she heard him speak:

"I love my family and my friends and the community who lived here! I love my wife, and my two daughters, and I killed those damned Saiyans for them!" Dr. Briefs received a kick in the stomach for that comment. Doubled over and spitting up blood, he continued, "Keep fighting the Saiyans! Bulma and Ava, keep fighting, and protect your mother! I love you!"

"Enough!" The Saiyan bellowed.

Ava gasped into Mrs. Briefs's stomach. Had he really said daughters? Plural? That meant ... No! Dad! They're going to kill him ... and he thought of me as his daughter, and I never called him father or dad to his face!

She sobbed quietly into Mrs. Briefs as Bulma struggled to turn around and see what was going on. Mrs. Briefs had lessened her grip as she stared forward with fright and grief, and as Bulma turned around completely she saw the Saiyan raise his hand, palm out towards her father.

"Please! Don't hurt my wife and daughters!" Dr. Briefs pleaded

"DADDY! NO!" Bulma screamed out as she saw him engulfed by an explosion of searing white light. There was nothing left, and Bulma fell against her mother, wracked with sobs. Then everything turned black ...