Savior

Heavy breathing could be heard inside the dark confined space. Well it could be heard if there was anyone there to listen. Famous old proverb: if a tree falls and no one is around, does it make a sound. Of course it does. The lack of life to acknowledge its sound doesn’t make the sound disappear. Nor does the lack of life in the mountain lab make the labored breathing go away. Breathing, belonging to the poor soul that no longer could fight to save what he cherished.

A cough.

More like an attempt to pull more oxygen into the broken body he possessed. Waves of pain and sadness seemed to intensify over the long months since he returned. There had been such hope and pride in his young mind as he descended from his craft what seemed like years ago. After a quick chat with the worried scientist, he had set off to destroy the plague of mankind. He was now stronger, thanks to a little time traveling and training with his friends from the past.

A grave mistake.

These were cunning machines. They had infinite room in their Positron brains to store information, to learn and to apply. Dr. Gero had many inventions. Some failures, some murders, others good ideas in theory. Theory the androids used and created for the young man which irritated them. A device to neutralize the power of a living being by inverting the chi signature and canceling it out. Not enough to kill that person, but to incapacitate.

A device which wraps itself around the neck of the being and cannot be removed by the wearer was adorned around the Demi-Sajin’s neck. That was the flaw which made Dr. Gero discard the idea. What good was a device that could easily be taken off by a friend? Friends that Goku seemed to have with him at all times. It was meant for Goku, it was used on his rivals son. There was no escape from the lab. Or from the room he was locked in. Even if he managed to get out, he could not scale the mountain to the rocky ravine below. And even an optimist could not ignore the fact that if he made it out of the locked room, password encoded front door, scaled the rocky mountain face, and hiked the many miles to anything remotely resembling civilization; there was no one left to remove the device. Not within 3000 miles at least. The androids were very thorough. They wanted no humans to disturb their home or their peace.

He was trapped, and had been for a long while now. This was his punishment. He had been so close to destroying the evil duo. He even managed to blow off the arm of the blond called 18 before her counterpart snuck up from behind. With a click of the chocker, blond hair bled lavender. His vision soon turned to black with a swift kick to the neck delivered by the enraged woman.

He awoke in this dark room. It seemed more like a large closet or storage place than a room. Not really a place for living but to keep things you don’t want to see until they interest you again. He hoped he would not be of any interest anytime soon. The androids had repaired themselves and kept him around for amusement purposes only. 18 was big on mental torture. Making him do impossible tasks just to watch him fail and delight in the punishment that would ensue. Tasks which would be simple if he could access his powers.

17 also delighted in the mental torment of their enemy, reviling in the fact that he now had permanent addition to his collection. Before Trunks was forced into captivity, 17 would collect humans one at a time and use them for his own sick desires. Humans, he found out, were very fragile beings and would rather extinguish their life than continue with the hell he inflicted. Knowing this, the dark haired android kept the youth locked up and away from sharp objects when he and his sister would go out to have fun. Another trick he played would be to hint at false hope for the freedom of his prisoner. And when all else failed and it seemed the youth was almost void of sanity, 17 would remind him that Trunks was the only hope the remaining people had. What a shame it would be if he were to end his own life and leave the little bugs to their demise. The lavender haired young man’s expression would always give him a kick after that kicker.

So for now, the youth was huddled in the corner with an arm wrapped around his ribs. Ribs that never seemed to heal from abuse and gave him great difficulty when breathing. Sleep was a rare treat. Unconsciousness held no pain, no suffering, just bliss. Dreams on the other hand would always find their way to stub out unconsciousness into nightmares of horrible design.

Tired, half lidded eyes looked to the door that made a clicking sound signifying that his presence was desired. Light poured into the dark space illuminating the shabby living quarters of the condemned. A bottle of water, no food, and a bucket to relieve himself in and to give off a foul stench when left for days like usual. The tall form walked into the confinement and leaned over to speak with the cowering figure adorned with cuts, scars and bruises visible on his naked form.

“I have an idea for a game.” 17 toyed smirking into the face of the beaten warrior.

Trunks could do nothing more than stare back fearfully anticipating the ‘game’ he was going to be forced to participate in. Groaning slightly, he forced himself to stand bracing his arm against the wall for balance. Turning to face the callous machine, he refused to look into the cold azure eyes but rather decided to fix his gaze on the cold tile floor he was previously sitting on. 17 gave a toothy smile noticing his ‘pet’ was becoming more and more obedient turned and led the naked body out of the space. ‘This will be fun indeed.’ The android thought taking the Demi by the hair and tossing him atop the bed he kept. “Very fun indeed.” He joked to himself while removing his red scarf and stalked towards the broken form now pressing his face into the soft covers. The only comfort he had was the hope that the android would bore of him and allow him to return to his little space. Feeling the others weight on the edge of the bed, Trunks tried to turn his mind off. Force his thoughts to go somewhere else. Somewhere warm. Somewhere safe. In the arms of a strong warrior with unruly black hair and a smiling face…

***

Goku awoke with a gasp. His body shook as the sweat that covered him hit the midnight air. He had been having some pretty bad dreams lately, but never as vivid as this. Too vivid. The dreams had the feel of a desperate plea from a dying man. Knowing full well sleep would not return, Goku could no longer take not knowing. Mirai, as Trunks was known in their time, had not been heard from in years. 15 to be exact. And with the nightmares the tall Sayjin had been having, a little visit to his old friend would not be so bad. At least he could make sure everything was alright with his time traveling savior. Pulling on his trademark orange outfit, Goku IT’d himself to the front of Capsule Corp.

Vegeta, sandwich in mouth, sensed the other mans presence and grumbled something about not getting any sleep and headed to the door. The only reason Kakarot would come by at this hour is to burn off some energy. Goku was so hyper that sparring was almost a necessity for his body to calm down and allow himself to sleep. Vegeta had a little more control of his brain and could simply will himself to ‘chill the fuck out’ and pass out.

Upon opening the door; the shorter prince was greeted, not with that of an excited Sayjin ready to spar, but with an anxious man. A tired and concerned looking man, not the usual idiot that Vegeta mused about killing on a regular basis. Shifting to the side slightly, the prince allowed Goku to enter and waited in silence for the purpose of the visit.

***

Trunks limp body was tossed back into the hole in the wall and the door slammed shut. The sound of the doorknob locking and footsteps exiting the room was the last thing the young man heard before succumbing to exhaustion on the cold tile floor.

***

“You’re neurotic Kakarot.” Vegeta stated tiredly. He had been forced to listen to Goku’s dream analysis and his patience was growing short in his current state. Goku had pretty much demanded to use the time machine that night and drag the grumpy prince with him.

“Come on Vegeta.” He pleaded. “If he is in trouble, we need to help him.”

“I’m not disputing that point Kakarot.” Vegeta countered. “Why not wait till the morning when…?”

“Because I am going now.” The taller Sayjin answered donning a serious face and a deadly tone. “And you are to.” He finished leaving no room for the prince to argue.

Brooding in irritation at the order given to him, the PRINCE, Vegeta used every ounce of self control he had to not blast the younger Sayjin in the face. But seeing as Goku was pretty damn deadly when he feels his friends are threatened, the shorter man snorted, crossed his arms, and stomped off to the lab where the time machine was kept.

***

Crumbling buildings and an eerie silence greeted the two full blooded Sayjins that stood next to the refurbished machine used by cell. Taking a moment to look around Goku extended his senses making the attempt to locate their friend.

“Are you sure we went to the right year?” Goku questioned noting the lack to chi signatures on the planet. No human life. Save for a faint candle difficult to lock onto.

“I think so…” Vegeta answered becoming a little concerned at how difficult is was becoming to locate the younger Demi’s chi signature. “It should be about the time he returned. He didn’t give us the exact date he was returning to so the time was based on an educated guess deduced from his age.” He finished looking over at the grinning face of Goku. “What!?” He scoffed out.

“You sounded like Bulma for a second…that’s all” Goku answered. Again his features went serious. “Found him.” He stated taking hold of Vegeta’s shoulder disappearing from the grassy area to a much less desirable place. They appeared in the main area of Dr. Gero’s lab.

“Why would the boy be here?” Vegeta questioned thoughts cut short at the look that had taken form on Kakarot’s face. The look of a bad feeling, a horrible thought, and fear. Goku turned and headed down a corridor not wanting to believe his dreams were real. Vegeta followed noting the change from a lab to and apartment type living space that existed at the end of the hall. Vegeta followed the taller Sayjin to an ordinary looking room containing a dresser, a bed and a closet.

Goku’s eyes were fixed on the door. His breath quickened as he unlocked the door. There on the floor was Mirai. Naked. Bleeding. Struggling to breath.

“Move.” Vegeta commanded taking the sheet he removed from the bed to cover his unfortunate son. Covering the lavender haired boy, he picked up the lithe form and turned back to Goku. “We need to leave. Now.” Vegeta stated. If the androids really did have devices capable of neutralizing power, no amount of strength could destroy them. Goku once again placed a hand on Vegeta’s shoulder and took them back to the area they left the ship at.

***

A warm blanket was the first thing that caught his attention. A warm blanket and a soft mattress he lay on. Opening his bruised eyes to gaze around at room filled with sunlight, he noticed it was extremely difficult to focus having spent an unknown amount of time in the dark space. ‘They must be messing with me…’ Mirai thought. ‘Oh well,’ he sighed in defeated and tried to enjoy the little bit of comfort he received. Mirai was well aware that he was probably the last person on earth, so keeping him alive kept their little game interesting.

That’s when it hit him. He could sense millions, billions of people, each with their own personal identity. It was like drinking from a fire hose. Nothing was making sense. He must have completely lost it. There was no way this was real…

“Good morning sweetie.” A cheery voice greeted only to be answered with a terrified scream.

Mirai jumped out of the bed, ripping a few needles and tubes off his body in the process. Backing up against the far wall, he repeated a mantra of no’s and shook his head. There before him was his mother. ‘My mother is dead. I must be dead. This isn’t real. It feels real. They are messing with me. She’s a hologram. I’m going crazy.’ Trunks was so wrapped up in tears and thoughts he didn’t hear Bulma’s words or notice Goku and Vegeta’s entrance.

***

It took a long while to calm Mirai down and they eventually had to give him anti-anxiety medicine. Finally more collected, Mirai sat wrapped protectively in his blanket. He considered their words carefully. True the collar was off, but did the androids not need it anymore. Were they stronger than me now? The look real and felt real when Goku held him in an embrace to sooth his fractured mind. Did they really take him from that lab?

Clearing his throat, Mirai spoke. “This is real?”

“Yes Mirai.” Bulma answered taking a seat next to him. “You were brought back here by your father and Goku. I know that this is a lot to take in. But you’re safe now and that’s all that matters.”

“Safe?” Mirai whispered. Soon a small smile crept across his features. “I’m safe. No androids?”

“No evil androids.” Goku said choosing his words carefully. Mirai needed time to wrap his head around what was happening and didn’t need details on Krillians’ Wife or mischievous brother.

‘Indeed Mirai’s mind would need time to heal. Post Traumatic Stress signs were clearly visible, but Mirai is Vegeta’s son. Things would work out.’ Bulma thought. ‘They just have to.’ She finished brushing a few stray hairs from her now oldest son’s face. “You should rest some more Mirai.” The blue haired woman said fluffing his pillow up some. Mirai lied himself back down and watched the three begin to retreat to the door.

“Goku?” Mirai asked in a voice laced with fear.

“Yes Mirai.” Goku Turned.

“Will you stay until I fall asleep?” He asked wanting to sense the warrior’s protective chi.

“I’ll stay till you wake up again.” Goku smiled taking a seat at the desk next to the medical bed.

***