This is a fic about Mirai Trunks' timeline and what happened before Mirai Trunks traveled through time to change the timelines.
Oh yeah, and all characters belong to their original owners, blah blah blah, disclaimers and that kind of crap apply, yada, yada...
A spacepod came through the atmosphere, hurlting down into the earth below. It made a crater, and remained silent for a few moments. Then the pod opened, to reveal... Son Goku! He was dressed in the Yardrat clothes. He looked around, then took off towards his house. "Wait till Chi Chi and Gohan see that I'm home. They'll be so happy!" He flew faster towards his home and his family.
*PING* "Kakarotto?" Vegeta looked up from the table. Yamcha and Bulma looked at him. "What? Did you say Goku's back?" Bulma asked. Yamcha nodded. "Yeah, I can feel his ki. He's back alright." Bulma and Yamcha leaped up in celebration. Bulma said, "Let's go visit him tomorrow. You wanna come Vegeta?" Vegeta looked at Bulma. "Hell no." Bulma just shrugged. "Fine, suit yourself. C'mon Yamcha, let's give Chi Chi a call."
The next day, the others came to throw a party for Goku's return. Everyone was glad to see him, except for Vegeta. Bulma had dragged him here, and he had regretted listening to her. Damned woman, why do I always listen to her? Around him, Bulma and Yamcha were talking with Goku, while Piccolo and Gohan sparred outside. Chi Chi was fixing some food. Vegeta just sat back down and meditated.
Life returned to normal, everyone was happy. But then one day, Goku's heartbeat started to become irregular. "I'll be fine Chi Chi, don't worry about it." Chi Chi still insisted that Goku go to the doctor's, but Goku was absolutely terrified of needles, and wouldn't go. Chi Chi just sighed and hoped it was just a phase.
But it wasn't a phase. Goku's heart worsened. He had heart attacks at least once a day. Gohan came home everyday to see his mother kneeling beside Goku. Gohan was very worried, and feared something might happen. Chi Chi reassured him, saying that everything was okay. But Chi Chi couldn't tear herself away from her husband, and stayed with him, until one day... One day, Goku's heart stopped. And it beat no more.
The funeral was not a large event. Just some close friends and family. Even Vegeta was there. Bulma stepped forward. "I've known him since he was a little guy, and I know that he will be missed, but he was always a good friend and pure of heart." Bulma wiped a tear away as she spoke. "He will be missed greatly, and we all hope that Kaiou-sama is looking after him."
A year passed. Chi Chi tutored Gohan in his studies. Gohan would see his mother cry every once in a while and he tried to comfort her. Chi Chi was very strong in spirit, and once she saw Gohan she would smile and continue doing what she had been doing before. But Gohan knew that she missed his father, and so did he.
As Bulma and Yamcha were out shopping for food, they heard an alarm. "What was that?" Then, two humans, a girl and a boy, busted through the supermarket. They started blasting everything in sight. Yamcha tried to put up a fight, but it was to no avail. They swatted him back like a fly. "Who... Who are you?" The two beings replied, "We are androids sent by Dr. Gero to destroy the world." Yamcha quickly got up, picked up Bulma and took off, knowing that something big was about to happen.
Days passed, and the androids came again. Bulma had made sure that there was an alarm that would ring off once they came within the area. Vegeta wanted to fight the things, but Yamcha told him that it would be best if they got the others to fight. Vegeta disregarded the warning and went to fight them anyway. "Vegeta!" Yamcha yelled as he flew off.
Vegeta flew to where Bulma and Yamcha had been attacked. He looked around but didn't sense any ki. Then he whirled around and got whacked in the face. 18 came down and drove him into the ground. He couldn't believe how strong she was. He got back up and they started sparring. But 17 came and knocked out Vegeta with one well-placed blow.
"Hello?" Bulma looked around the market ruins, looking for the familiar spikey-haired saiyan. As she walked, she heard a harsh breathing sound. "Vegeta?" She dug through the rubble and found a hand. She dug more and found Vegeta with tattered clothes, in terrible shape. "Oh Vegeta, why do you have to be so arrogant?" She lifted him out of the rubble and brushed the dirt off his face. Vegeta's eyes opened and looked at her. "Bu.. Bulma..." His eyes closed and he leaned against her shoulder.
Bulma dragged Vegeta to her capsule car and healed him back at Capsule Corp. Then she called Yamcha and told him to gather the others. She knew that if the androids defeated Vegeta, then they probably needed all the help they could get. Vegeta didn't like working with others, but he figured it was their best shot.
Gohan, Krilyin, Tien, Chao-zu, Yamcha, Piccolo and Vegeta all met at Capsule Corp to decide what to do. They would fight them at their next appearance, to stop this mass of killings once and for all. Then suddenly the alarm went off. The androids had been spotted far off in the northern part of town. They all flew off, leaving Bulma behind. "Be careful everyone..."
The fighters stopped in front of the androids. They stared them down and then the fight began. 17 was fighting with Vegeta, Piccolo and Yamcha, while 18 was fighting with Gohan, Krilyin and Chao-zu. They all fought hard, but soon it was noticable that they couldn't win outright. Even though they outnumbered the androids, they didn't have the power to win. The androids were basically everlasting batteries, and they could go on forever. 18 threw off Krilyin, kicked Gohan into the rubble below, and blasted Chao-zu. All that was left of the poor guy was dust floating in the wind. Then she went after Krilyin, and blasted him as well. His corpse fell the ground near Gohan. "Kri... Krilyin!" Gohan's cry of anguish was noticed by many others. "We don't have a chance right now," said Piccolo. "Let's move!" He and the others quickly high tailed it out of there, with Yamcha carrying Krilyin's body.
The Z fighters landed back at Capsule Corp. Bulma looked at Krilyin's body. "Oh, Krilyin." Bulma sobbed. The others looked down, sad at their loss. Tenshin-han spoke up. "They killed Chao-zu too. They're gonna pay!" They all looked utterly miserable. Bulma said, "Well, once we get rid of the androids, we can wish them back with the dragon balls." Gohan and the others nodded their heads. "Right. Then we can also wish back my dad, right?" Piccolo looked down at Gohan. "I'm sorry Gohan, but the dragon balls can't bring back someone who died a natural death." Gohan's face drooped back down. "Oh."
An energy blast shot out, hitting Gohan in the arm. Gohan sank back to the ground, holding what was left of his arm. They all looked up. The androids had followed them! Yamcha turned around to Bulma. "Find a place to hide, NOW!" Bulma started a protest, but went back inside the building. The others floated into the air. "You want a fight, you got a fight." Piccolo and Yamcha took on 17, as Tenshin-han and Vegeta took on 18.
The fighting was hectic as 17 quickly disposed of Piccolo by blowing his head to dust. Gohan cried out, "PICCOLO!" and chased after 17. But 17 just kneed Gohan in the stomach and bashed him into the ground. Yamcha knew that with Piccolo gone, so was Kami. A stray blast hit the Capsule Corp building. "Bulma!" Yamcha looked down, and to his surprise, so did Vegeta. Vegeta broke off from fight with 18 and started digging through the rubble. Yamcha wanted to help, but 17 stood in his way. He had no choice but to fight. "Take this android!" He threw a couple of energy blasts.
"Uhhhg... My head..." Bulma stuck her head out of the rubble and climbed out. She was expecting Yamcha, and jumped in surprise when she saw Vegeta helping her out. "Vegeta? Where are the others?" They both looked up, and saw Yamcha and Tenshin-han losing the battle against the androids. Yamcha turned around to yell, "Vegeta! Get her out of here, now!" Then 17 kicked him in the head, and blasted a hole through his heart. "Yamcha!" Bulma screamed. Vegeta knew that this was his chance. He picked up Bulma and flew off, as fast as he could. He really didn't want to leave the fight, but he had no choice. He flew faster and Bulma's cry drifted through the air, "Yamcha..."
Yamcha fell to the ground, and stayed alive long enough to see Tenshin-han get kicked in the back and blasted clean through the stomach. Then he lost consciousness and the world faded to black.
Vegeta landed far away from the battle, in a little town that had already been trashed. There was no one here, and Vegeta landed near one of the abandoned houses. He set Bulma down on the ground, and watched for a moment as Bulma sobbed. "Er... I'm... I'm sorry," he managed to say. Bulma looked up, and ran to his arms. "Oh, if only I could change things..." Vegeta was surprised at first, then a emotion he had never felt before took over and he put his arms around her. He just stood there quietly, while Bulma cried on his shoulder.
The androids looked at the carnage that they had caused. "Well sis, I think we've caused enough death here for one day. Besides, there are other places to destroy." 18 agreed with her brother. "Yeah, I agree brother. Let's go elsewhere." They flew off, not noticing a body trembling on the ground.
Gohan got up from the wreak of a car that he had smashed into. "Ouch... Ah!" He forgot about his amputated arm and ran to Piccolo's decapitated body, and also saw Tenshin-han's body and Yamcha's. "Mr. Piccolo, Yamcha, Tenshin-han... No!!!!!" He shot up into the sky, and went home, to make sure Chi Chi hadn't been attacked.
Bulma looked up from crying. "Hey, why did you save me? I didn't think you would listen to Yamcha." Vegeta looked down at the floor and avoided her eyes. "..." Bulma just smiled. "I understand." She put her hand on his cheek, and he blushed. Bulma laughed. Vegeta looked at her face again. Dark eyes met blue ones as something clicked. Vegeta picked her up again and flew into the abandoned house.
Gohan landed just as Chi Chi walked outside. "Mom! What are you doing outside?" Chi Chi looked angrily at her son. "Where have you been Gohan! You're late for your studies." Then Chi Chi noticed that Gohan was missing an arm. "Oh Gohan! Your arm!" Gohan just pushed Chi Chi back inside the house. Gohan explained what had happened in the city. Chi Chi just listened in terror of the terrible androids and their plot to destroy the world. Chi Chi, already saddened by Goku's death, knew what she had to do. "Gohan, we're going to Capsule Corp. That's the only way we can be safe. Bulma might be able to do something about this." Gohan nodded, and took her mother's hand and flew off towards Capsule Corp.
Bulma woke up, laying on a cot. She shifted, noticing an arm around her waist. "Huh? Oh, Vegeta..." She got up, got dressed and stepped outside. A moment later, Vegeta was dressed and stood beside her. They said nothing for awhile, then Bulma spoke. "Vegeta, where are the androids?" He closed his eyes, and felt for their energy. "They're... over there!" He pointed to the left. Bulma gasped. "How... How close are they?" Vegeta bowed his head. "Close. I have to fight them." He jumped up and began to leave, but then he turned back and took one last look at Bulma. Vegeta smiled, then took off. Quietly, barely a whisper, Bulma said, "Come back, please."
Vegeta flew off after the androids. He stopped behind them, and blasted 18's arm. They both turned and started firing after him. It soon turned into a fist fight as both androids teamed up against Vegeta, kicking and punching. After awhile, 18 kicked Vegeta in the shoulder and threw him into the air. As Vegeta tried to gain control, he noticed a beam coming straight for him. He knew that he wouldn't gain control before the beam hit. Goodbye Bulma... *BANG* A dust cloud and a limp body was all that was left.
Gohan immediately felt a large power fade. "Vegeta..." He got up and left to search for him and Bulma.
Bulma sat inside the abandoned house, when she felt a pang in her heart. She knew something was wrong, but couldn't place it. She looked back at the bed, wondering why she had thought of doing what she had done... But then something flashed through her mind, a face with a constant scowl. She sighed and smiled, not knowing what her own heart desired. She loved Yamcha, but... She also loved Vegeta. As she thought about it, she realized her love for Yamcha was just a friendship love. She had never really thought about it until now, but now, she was certain, that her feelings for Yamcha were merely friendly.
She walked back outside, hoping for Vegeta's return, when out of the corner of her eye, she saw Gohan carrying something. No, she thought to herself, someone. She ran to him as he landed and was shocked at who he had been carrying. Gohan lay Vegeta's corpse down at her feet, and she looked in disbelief. "No... Not now..."
Gohan carried Vegeta's body and Bulma back to Capsule Corp. There, Chi Chi, Gohan and Bulma buried their dead friends. Bulma gave Chi Chi and Gohan another capsule house, so they could stay nearby. The androids didn't come back to the area, and things were relativly safe. For now...
Bulma started planning to construct a time machine, so she could travel to the past and warn everyone. But as she worked she started to feel sick. She went to Chi Chi to ask what was wrong. "And do you have cravings for food?" Bulma nodded. Chi Chi smiled. "Nothing's wrong, you're just pregnant." Bulma's eyes bugged out. She was pregnant! But how... Her thoughts drifted to another day... "Oh. Thanks Chi Chi."
Nine months passed, and Bulma gave birth to a little blue-eyed boy. She named him Trunks, hoping that his father would approve. "Trunks, my darling baby boy. You'll grow up to be strong like your father, and smart like me."
14 years later...
Trunks was outside sparing with Gohan. Gohan had taught the boy how to use a sword, and how to fight. Every once in awhile the androids would come and tear up a couple of buildings, but nothing serious.
Then one day the alarms blared. Gohan and Trunks set out to help some of the innocent bystanders. Chi Chi and Bulma said goodbye and told them to be careful. The two boys nodded, and flew off. The androids were tearing up some buildings. But then an old couple walked by. The androids smiled and blew them up. Gohan and Trunks were up on the roof of a building, watching. "Uhg! I can't stand this. Trunks, go back home. Now." Trunks protested, "No, I want to help you fight!" Gohan looked at him. "NOW!" Trunks' shoulder's slumped and he started to fly away. Gohan watched him get a good distance away, then leaped at the androids. "You'll pay for the death of my friends! HAAAAA!"
Trunks flew back to Capsule Corp. What are you doing? You can't just leave Gohan there! Trunks turned back around. "I can't just leave him." He shot back towards the androids.
Gohan was fighting with 17. 18 stood to the side, watching them fight. Then she suddenly reached into the fight and pulled. 17 stopped and watched as 18 grabbed Gohan's neck, and threw him into the air. Trunks saw this, and yelled, "Gohan!" Gohan looked downed and told him to run, but Trunks wouldn't. Then 17 and 18 shot out a blast and Gohan's limp body fell to the ground with a loud thump. Trunks watched in horror and anger as the two androids laughed. His hair started to glow yellow, and his eyes started to turn green. The androids stopped laughing and watched Trunks change into a super saiyan!
"Bastards! You'll pay for killing Gohan!" He reached for his sword and started attacking. But he was no match for the two androids. They threw him into a building. "Ha! You call that fighting? Come back after you learn some real moves. C'mon sis." The brother and sister androids left, leaving Trunks, wounded in both body and spirit.
Bulma saw Trunks come back, carrying a body. She knew that Gohan was now dead, and Chi Chi would faint. Chi Chi came out, and upon seeing Gohan's body, did not faint. She shed a few tears, but knew that her son's death was inevitable. The way that Gohan had kept tempting fate, Chi Chi knew that it wouldn't be long before something happened. She closed her eyes, took Gohan's body, and went to the cemetary. She, Bulma and Trunks helped to dig a grave out near Goku's, and lay Gohan to his eternal rest. "Goodbye my son," Chi Chi lamented. "Say hi to your father for me." Chi Chi turned and went back to her home, with Bulma and Trunks looking on in sorrow.
3 years later...
Trunks was now a handsome 17 year old teenager. But with all the death and destruction that he had seen, he felt like an old man. Bulma had completed her time machine, and prepared to go back to the past and warn the others before the androids came. But Trunks stopped her. "Mother, let me go back. I can help them fight if they need it. And I want to know who my father was..." Trunks looked down at the floor. Bulma smiled. Trunks had asked many times about his father, and what kind of a man he was. She thought about it, and decided that it would be nice for her son to see his father. Yes, it would be a great idea to let him go. Then she thought about what Chi Chi had said. Leave the past alone, Bulma. Somethings are meant to be the way they are. But Bulma shook her head. She could change things. She could make things right.
She turned to her son. "Trunks, when you meet Goku, make sure you give him this medicine and make sure you only tell Goku about everything, the future, who your parents are, and such. You got that?" Trunks nodded his head. "Yes, Mom." Mother and son hugged, then Trunks hoped into the time machine. "Hey mom, does the machine have a name?" Bulma thought for a moment. "Let's name it... Hope." Trunks smiled. "Yeah. Hope is a great name." Bulma looked up at her son. "I've already set the time and year. Just hit the start button and go." Trunks hit the button, and waved goodbye to his mother as he sped throught the space-time continuum to three hours before Goku arrived back on Earth. "Good luck, Trunks."