Chapter 33

The two new patients at Western Capitol Hospital were kept in a separate containment room, because of the smell. Their first visitor was police officer Videl, who had been notified by Trunks and Goten of their find. Not long after Videl came, Upa was there as well, having been informed by Videl. He was visibly relieved that the twins were alive, and will be fine. They had inhaled and ingested toxic susbstances, so they had to be monitored to see what the side effects of the stuff were, if any. So far they haven't shown any ill effects except for their weakened condition and the stubbornly lingering smell. Both of them lay side by side on two beds, looking pale and weak.

That didn't stop Upa from dropping the bomb on them. What the hell did they think they were doing? Didn't they know they could get killed, or worse, cause everyone else to be killed by distracting the warrior from his fight with the monster?

For their part, Tea and Supper were sorry. They realised now, just how much danger they had put themselves and their world in by their actions. But who exactly was the warrior? "Was he the same person who saved us from the cyborgs?" Supper asked.

Videl replied in the negative. "They might have been, in another world," she murmured to herself. Before Upa and the twins had a chance to ask further, Shapener called. Videl was needed; there was much work to be done, they didn't have enough people. Videl told him she'll be there in a second. "OK guys, I'm needed elsewhere. You two," she indicated Tea and Supper. "You better get well soon, or you'll stink the whole hospital." She smiled. To Upa, she said, "Talk to you later." She waved them goodbye.

On the way out, Videl noticed some more patients being wheeled in, who had breathing problems after having been exposed to the toxic fumes. She overheard some of the doctors and nurses mentioning that many had died of respiratory problems. She walked out, her expression grim. Things could've been much worse, but the casualties, no matter how little, still cause hurt and suffering to the people of Earth.

Outside, people wore masks, as the smell still lingers. Videl reckoned that it will stay that way until the mountain dried off completely. She could see people walking around dazedly. Nobody knew what exactly had happened yet. They only knew that a monster had attacked their world, and it had been defeated. The monster was the cause of the dreadful smell, and that many of their loved ones were now missing.

Videl did not see Trunks or Goten for the next few days. She was kept busy by her work, but Goten did call her from ChiChi's home. ChiChi was fine, although she was still semi-catatonic. Her home had been installed with an automatic defence system to withstand attacks such as those from the cyborgs. The system had detected the tremors and explosions created by Buu and Gotenks' fight and promptly activated itself - turning the house into an elevator and moving underground, then creating layers of protective barriers on top. It returned the house above ground and to its normal condition when it detects that the atmosphere was free from tremors. Goten guessed rightly that it was Mirai Bulma's work and thanked her thoughtfulness. He then turned off the domestic robot that took care of ChiChi and spent the next few days caring for ChiChi and the house. He cooked for her and fixed whatever was broken. He swept and dusted and kept the house impeccably clean. He talked to her constantly even though she never responded. On his last day, he kissed her cheeks before turning on the robot again, and said goodbye to her. Still ChiChi did not respond.

Neither Goten nor Videl saw Trunks. However, it was known that he was at Capsule Corporation, manufacturing gas masks and air purifiers. These were distributed to the people by the police, who received them from Capsule Corporation robots who sent them to the police stations. Trunks kept himself busy in Mirai Bulma's labs and never went out of the Capsule Corporation building the whole time. If somebody were to peep in, they might see him poring over files and computers and tinkering with equipments. Sometimes he would seem to be deep in conversation, though his only companions there were the robots. For these few days at least, the abandoned Capsule Corporation seemed to be alive with activity, and Trunks couldn't help but feel that that was the way it should be.

When things had somewhat returned to normal, Trunks, Goten and Videl met again at Capsule Corporation. The time machine was returned in good condition and had been fully charged for the trip. They said their goodbyes, and this time their return trip was uninterrupted.

Chapter 34
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