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Resolution on a Lonely Planet	By : Ulrike Category: Dragon Ball Z > General Views: 5386 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Dragonball Z or the DBZ characters. This is a fanfiction written purely for entertainment. No money was made from this fanfiction.

Chapter List
- 20
- 21
He wasn't returning.
Trunks sat on the edge of the bed in his temporary room, head down, hands clasped together. He had finished crying a few minutes ago. And to be perfectly honest, Trunks had never been ashamed to cry. Growing up in a time of death and despair, the young warrior learned that he should be sad for all that he had witnessed. Tears were his way of showing respect and care for those who had had their lives ripped from them.
Gohan told his pupil stories about what a cry-baby he had always been while training with Piccolo and facing death on planet Namek...and the scarred man was the strongest person Trunks had ever known.
So Trunks cried. He wept for the loss of a great person: A person who had given his life to protect them all. Goku was gone and the selfless saiyajin made the choice to not return. And yet Trunks wondered, guiltily, if Goku made the decision to not return because he was simply finished with Earth. Was the adventurous saiyajin moving into an eternity of stress-free afterlife because of what he had witnessed throughout his life on the blue and green planet?
Trunks was sad for being unable to save Goku in this time-line, too, but there was also bitterness resting heavily on his soul. As carefree as Goku was, had this been his opportunity to drop all responsibility and jump into the newest adventure?
Standing up, the lavender-haired warrior rubbed his face and let out a long sigh.
“There's no point in stalling or placing the blame on anyone,” Trunks said to himself as he pulled on his blue, denim jacket. “I guess it's up...it's up to me to talk to my father.”
It had been three days since the battle against Cell. The time-traveler heard about his father's explosive rage when Trunks had been violently struck through the chest by an energy blast. The details from Yamcha and Krillin were perplexing, and Trunks felt his heart swell with emotion. After all the terrible treatment, after the saiyajin prince's cruel and downright evil behavior toward Trunks and the other Earthlings...he had attacked Cell on his deceased son's behalf.
Trunks remembered seeing the pride in Yamcha's eyes when he retold the story...and Trunks could only wonder what the scar-faced human could be thinking about. The insightful half-saiyajin scanned Yamcha's bright expression only for a moment, seeing, for the first time, how much the weaker fighter truly cared for Vegeta. Trunks found himself dwelling on Goku's horrific tale over-and-over again, his thoughts only circling around Vegeta's experience. But Yamcha had been there, too. For those few moments as Krillin and Yamcha spoke of the prince's attack against Cell, Trunks could see that they cared about the arrogant man.
And this lightened Trunks's heavy heart. The people of this time had made some serious mistakes. But seeing the excitement and support from the Earthlings as they recounted the amazing events that unfolded after his death told the young man that these were good people. Something tragic had occurred. They obviously did not handle it well. They still had the capacity to care, though.
And hearing that his own father had stood up for him during his death made the younger warrior realize that there were far more pieces of the prince hidden deep within him. Vegeta's life had ended only three years after he began to make a life on Earth during the future time-line. The prince of this world, however, was given another way out. Trunks had no idea how this present time-line would continue or how his friends would change, but he had a feeling that the arrogant prince of all saiyajins would definitely grow the most.
“I still need to tell him, though,” Trunks muttered as he left his room.
Three days after Goku's announcement that he would not be returning had led to three days of disappearance from the last remaining full-blooded saiyajin. When Vegeta went into hiding, it was impossible to find him. Shielding his ki, Vegeta's presence had simply blipped out of “sight” from everyone's mental radar.
But his energy returned with a vengeance and no one could ignore the monstrous frustration and rage that pummeled the planet's surface. Somewhere, thousands of miles away, the warrior-prince was throwing an epic tantrum.
At first Trunks was concerned. The blast of power had invaded his senses so quickly he believed his father was about to blow-up the planet. After the first round of shuttering energy, though, Trunks (and the other Earthlings) could sense the man holding back. It seemed that he had either just found out about Goku's decision to permanently stay dead...or his fury had finally reached its boiling point.
The barrage lasted for about an hour, the blasts fading away, only to leave Vegeta's personal flow of energy burning brightly in their senses. He continued to power-up and Trunks had clutched the bed in panic, wondering if the man was about to self-destruct. However, even this roaring power-up leveled off as Vegeta's exhaustion struck all those who could sense him.
That was when Trunks had began to cry. Goku's death, his father's obvious despair...it had all finally hit him. He was only 19-years-old and had just been wished back from death! So, he gathered up his own stressed energy and let it out...through tears.
Vegeta was at the giant house now. After his gargantuan fit of rage, the saiyajin prince had immediately lowered his power to the bare minimum (or perhaps that was truly how low his energy was), and had flown back home. Trunks knew the troubled warrior was trying to be sneaky, keeping his presence unknown, but Trunks had been tuned-in to his father's energy ever since he disappeared three days ago.
The tired power-level was within Capsule Corp. Trunks couldn't pinpoint the exact room where Vegeta hid, though. But Trunks wasn't in any hurry to talk to the obviously agitated prince. In fact, he wasn't even sure what to say.
“Sorry to tell you this, Dad, but everyone you know betrayed you and three years ago all your memories were wiped clean. Okay, see ya. Going back to the future now!”
Letting out an anxious groan, Trunks shook his head and walked quietly down one of the long, curved hallways of the upstairs. It was nighttime. He could sense that his mother was in bed even though it was still relatively early. While the blue-haired scientist had put on a happy face and given that “same-ole'-Goku” vibe, she could not hide the redness in her eyes and the dried tear streaks on her cheeks. Bulma and Goku had been friends the longest within the odd group. Trunks knew that her heart was breaking. He also wondered if there was lingering regret or guilt on Bulma's part for never mending the close relationship she and Goku once had.
Pushing down his own sadness, Trunks continued to walk aimlessly. His thoughts were racing, yet he felt remarkably blank. When he found Vegeta, what would he say? What should he do?
Trudging down one of the winding staircases in the compound, Trunks felt Vegeta's energy a bit clearer. His light eyebrows drew together in concentration as he walked quietly toward one darkened room. Bubbly letters spelled out “TRUNKS” on the half-closed door. A larger room sat next it—Bulma's energy was right there. It must have been where the small family slept.
The mechanical door had been pushed open slightly and Trunks could see a dirty hand print on the edge of the smooth material, a few streaks of blood accompanying the stain. Feeling his stomach lurch in fear for his defenseless infant self, the seasoned warrior shoved the door open, his blue eyes adjusting to the darkness of the decorated nursery. Quickly scanning the room, Trunks's sharp eyes landed on the figure sitting next to the empty crib, the hallway light illuminating the mud-streaked skin, broken armor, and dark bruises. A much smaller figure was crawling along the carpeted floor, rattling toys and offering small baby gifts to the drained saiyajin prince.
Vegeta's black eyes were sharp, though exhausted, as they stared at the surprised figure in the doorway.
“Your mother has been crying too much and wore herself out,” the rough voice said dryly. “Figured I would keep the brat entertained so he wouldn't wake her up. That woman is frightening when she doesn't get her beauty sleep.”
Vegeta laughed to himself and Trunks wondered how he knew Bulma had been crying when he hadn't even been nearby for the past few days. The baby on the floor shook a glowing rattle and Vegeta turned his head slowly toward the boy. In the darkness, it was hard to read his expression. He didn't smile or look annoyed—simply accepted the gift and spun it, making it light-up and click. Baby Trunks rocked back and forth on his diapered bottom and laughed, clapping his hands in joy.
Vegeta reached over and grabbed a stuffed tiger that lay upon the floor among dozens of other toys. He squeezed it and handed it to his baby son as it roared and waved its tiny paws. Trunks screamed with laughter and bounced merrily. The left corner of the saiyajin prince's mouth lifted and the time-traveler in the doorway held in a gasp as he absorbed the relaxed expression Vegeta's face.
Trunks had never seen his father even throw a glance toward the present-Trunks, much less smile or look gentle. His throat tightened and he gripped the side of the door frame.
“There must be something more interesting than watching this.” Vegeta's raspy voice pulled Trunks from his shock. “Don't you have a TV in your room?”
Snapping back to reality, the booted demi-saiyajin entered the room and took a seat in the shadows. He turned and realized he was sitting on his blue and red toy chest...the same one that had somehow made it through the damage of his time-line. Trunks's finger traced the carved wooden edges and he felt a twinge of sadness at how new and unmarked the chest was.
His eyes followed his baby-self again as the small being crawled his way toward Vegeta's lap and affectionately rested his head against the dirty armor. Trunks found that his mouth had run dry as he witnessed this moment. Vegeta made no move to push the boy away. He simply rested a stained glove upon the baby's light hair and stared into the illuminated hallway.
“This isn't my time-line,” Trunks thought desperately. “Who am I to destroy this?”
He glanced at the frozen moment again, his heart racing as he saw this simply beautiful interaction. Little by little, it seemed the arrogant saiyajin prince was perhaps changing for the better. Was it right for Trunks to burst into this family and divulge what had happened? Was it his right?
“You look like you're going to be sick,” Vegeta stated blandly.
Trunks swallowed and for a second he wondered if he was going to puke. Instead he shook his head and lowered his face into his hands.
“Ugh, God this is fucked-up.”
“Language. Children are present.”
Trunks's worried eyes rose and he watched as Vegeta continued to stare into the hallway, his hand remaining planted upon his son's head, his breath moving easily within him.
“He's at peace,” Trunks thought. “Goku's death...maybe...changed something inside of him.”
Goku....Trunks looked down at his bouncing knee and nodded to himself.
“I'm leaving soon, Father. And I...I understand that this time-line is vastly different from my own.” He glanced at the worn fighter sitting quietly on the floor. “Goku is gone from my world and now he has disappeared from this time, too.”
At this, Vegeta looked away.
“You know that you could always have trusted Goku. You know that, right?”
The black-haired prince made a noise of disgust and grew tense. The baby in his lap shifted and let out a purring snore.
“Obviously not,” Vegeta growled. “He left this planet to achieve an eternity of selfish ambition. He gets to keep his body in Otherworld. I assume you knew this. So of course he wouldn't come back to...this. He far surpassed me. He got his son to surpass me, and now there is nothing left for him here. No challenge. We bored him and now he gets to fight for eternity against gods and other immortals.” Vegeta glared at the older version of his son. “How could you trust someone like that?”
Trunks leaned back on the toy chest, feeling wounded. That certainly wasn't why Goku chose not to return. He wanted Earth to remain safe. That meant Goku had to disappear. That's why he left...that's why...
The same bitterness returned from earlier. Perhaps Trunks's original idea was accurate. Maybe Goku just didn't want the responsibility of Earth and its problems anymore. And maybe Vegeta was right. Perhaps Trunks had judged the seemingly innocent warrior wrong. Goku wasn't someone he should have trusted.
But those thoughts made him feel sick. Goku was a good man. And Trunks refused to accept any negative thoughts in regards to Goku's behavior or his existence. The powerful super-saiyajin had trusted Trunks enough to give him the story what had happened over three years ago, while everyone else simply pushed it aside.
“Dad...”
Trunks felt his throat tighten again and he clutched his legs in fear, unsure of what to say. As he glanced up to see Vegeta's sharp eyes peering at him, he couldn't help but observe the gentle way the saiyajin held the baby or the way the child slept in his lap, full of trust...full of hope.
Hope: The word that had been used to describe Trunks himself.
“Trust that there are those who will always be there to help you.”
The stillness in the room was unnerving and Trunks felt his face redden as his words simply hung there.
“What are you talking about, boy?” Vegeta scoffed.
“Goku may not be here now, but he will be back. Don't give up hope, Father. Keep training...and trust your mind. Trust that your mind is right and--”
“I guess you didn't hear. I have given up the fight. I will no longer be training or battling...ever again.”
A sound of shocked awe escaped Trunks's mouth and he stood quickly.
“What are you talking about?!”
“Shut up! You want to wake up everyone?”
“Why? Why are giving up everything you have worked for?”
Vegeta's dark eyes snapped up to the trembling demi-saiyajin above him, his visage shadowed and cold.
“I already told you: Kakarot left because I was no longer a challenge. Defeated entirely, I am...no warrior.”
Trunks stood in dumbfounded silence. Licking his lips, he tried to speak, but failed.
“So maybe I'll try the whole 'being a father' thing. You grew up to be pretty powerful. Maybe this one will, too,” Vegeta explained calmly, nodding down at the dozing baby.
“Goku didn't leave because of you,” Trunks cried. “He left because he didn't want any more bad guys to follow him to Earth and put the planet in danger.”
When Vegeta didn't speak, Trunks shook his head and paced the nursery a bit, before taking a seat on the chest again. He looked at his father, blinking in distress.
“And you think you can do it?” Trunks asked. “Become a devoted father and caring husband? Have you ever lived that life before?”
Vegeta seemed to shrink in on himself at the thought, almost as if he were embarrassed for even conceiving such a foolish idea.
“No, I can't. It's stupid. I should take off, too.”
As the prince turned to place baby-Trunks back into his crib, a gentle hand rested on his sore shoulder. Looking up, Vegeta was surprised to see the sudden seriousness on his future son's face.
“Father...” Trunks's blue eyes scanned the older man's face. “Did you...lose your memory about three years ago?”
Vegeta's dark eyes blinked in surprise and he slowly stood, turning his back to Trunks as he placed his sleeping child in his crib. The saiyajin prince placed his gloved hands on the edge of the expensive frame for a moment, before pulling a blanket over the small baby.
“In a training accident, yes,” Vegeta replied gruffly. “Apparently I was unconscious for a week, and when I came to, I must have been confused or angry or something. I attacked...Capsule Corp. And Kakarot and the other idiot Earthlings had to stop me.”
Trunks flinched upon hearing this side of the story. Was this what Vegeta had been told?
“I hurt a Capsule Corp. employee...wasn't acting myself....all that nonsense, but my memories of that week never returned.” Vegeta gave Trunks a sideways glance. “I know why you're asking this.”
The lavender-haired man froze. Vegeta's eyes were dull and haunted as he peered at the time-traveler.
“You worry about leaving this world with me to run around freely. I understand. I would be nervous, too.”
“No. No, of course not,” Trunks whispered.
“But as I said, I won't be fighting anymore,” Vegeta explained quietly. “And I...God why I am even telling you this? I would never hurt Bulma or this child.”
“Father.” The curt word stopped Vegeta's tired voice. “Goku wanted to tell you something before you and I fought Cell. It was about what happened those three years ago and your memory loss. When I said you could trust Goku, I meant it. And when I tell you to trust your mind, to trust your gut instinct...you need to do so.”
Trunks's words were sharp. Vegeta couldn't help but listen to his son's deep warnings.
“Goku will be back. And he will tell you something so important that you cannot ignore him or push him away.”
“And...do you know what it is?”
Trunks stood motionless for a moment before giving one solid nod. “Some of the details, I do know, but I did not see it directly. Not like Goku did.”
Vegeta crossed his arms. “And if I asked you to tell me...would you?”
“Yes. But only what I have been told.”
Vegeta sighed and walked quietly toward the circular window in the colorfully painted room. The dark-haired saiyajin gazed up at the stars in the night sky.
“So...something big happened all those years ago. It wasn't just a head-injury.”
Trunks swallowed painfully and grabbed the corner of the baby's crib, his heart racing. His silence gave Vegeta his answer.
“Why?” the prince whispered. “Why not just outright tell me?”
“Something was taken from you, Father.”
“Taken?”
Trunks nodded gravely. “Choice. Choice was taken from you. And I am giving you the right to choose now. I can help fill those missing gaps of memory. But I'll be honest; from what I've observed in you, I think your memories are already on their way back. They're breaking through, little by little.”
Vegeta let out a tired laugh. “So I can get the half-assed story from you, wait for my own memories to return, or wait for Kakarot...in the unlikely event that he'll return to the living world.” Turning toward his adult son, an actual smile sat upon his face. “Trunks.”
Hearing his name coming from his father's mouth without any form of disdain or mockery sounded strange to the younger warrior's ears, but Trunks did not move a muscle as Vegeta meandered back over to the crib.
“I'm going to be completely honest,” the prince breathed, “I, at this point, am too exhausted to handle another fucking tragedy.” His black eyes lifted and the full-blooded saiyajin looked twenty years older suddenly. “And yet, I still have my undying pride that even wears me out. I can only rely on my own memories. I can only trust my own feelings and mind. So whether I remember the truth in a month or a year or seven years, I am willing to wait. I appreciate you allowing me the chance to hear the details of my little escapades from three years ago...but I just cannot at this moment.”
Trunks lowered his head in both relief and defeat. Was he leaving his father to live a life of lies, surrounded by those who had betrayed him? Was this the right thing to do?
“I don't need any favors,” Vegeta spat. However, that playful smirk was still upon his face. “What happens...happens. And I will face it. Perhaps this will be a new Vegeta,” the prince said with a shrug. “Not training. Not fighting. Living like an Earthling.”
“Father, you shouldn't stop doing the one thing that brings your life purpose.”
The saiyajin prince turned his attention back to his sleeping son. “Maybe this was what my purpose was always supposed to be,” Vegeta whispered as he traced the baby's chubby cheek. “And I just never knew it until now.”
The young swordsman opened his mouth to say more, but Vegeta walked back toward the window, his silhouette outlined by the hallway light.
“Goodnight...son.”
…...........
A/N: I guess there's not much to say other than SORRY for the wait. I've hit a wall, unfortunately, and have been having major problems with creative motivation. Inspiration and motivation have always been my biggest obstacles. Thank you to all those who are still continuing to read this fanfic.
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Resolution on a Lonely Planet