Discovery Saga

Chapter 7: New Horizons

The battles on New Namek waged on as the Dragon Team fought to save the home of the Namekians. In space a bit further away from New Namek a small ship floated just out of range that no one could sense them via energy or scans.

"Hmm we may have to find another use for this one if he fails"

"You should let me join the battle"

"Not yet my love"

With Trunks and Akina

"That's right Cooler I've reached a power beyond that of Super Saiyan we call it Super Saiyan 2" Trunks said, his golden hair flowing in the wind his green eyes set upon Cooler. Lightning sparked around him while Akina was draped in a crimson aura showing no strain on her body.

"Trunks let's end him now" Akina said calmly with a smirk

Both hybrids power up and rush forward combining their power and unleashing a devastating attack, which destroys the Meta-Cooler's body. He begins to reform and the two turn around and begin blasting him.

"Burning Masenko!" Trunks shouted placing his hand in front of him blast a huge wave of energy

"Scatter Bullet Barrage!" Akina called out as they blasted him

This energy barrage begins to affect Cooler during his regeneration and finally he explodes. Trunks staggers a bit dropping from SSj2 back to SSj, while Akina releases her Kaio-ken and extends her hand to her friend.

"I'm still not used to Super Saiyan 2 but it got the job done..." he searches for his teams ki and notices the huge ki that just popped up "...do you feel that we need to go now"

They were both about to instant transmission until they both saw something that scared them...

With Videl and Note

Note stood in awe behind the being in front of her "Saonel…is that you?"

The Namekian stood tall and opened his eyes as he looked at the enemy oppressing his people. "Yes…" he spoke his voice deep "…it's me…hear me you hunks of machines…I am Saonel son of the Dragon Clan and I…am a Super Namekian!"

The attacker who is a Meta Cooler smirked "So a bunch of slugs combined together it means nothing to me"

Saonel growled at this and wasting no time he held his hand up and fired a full powered ki blast, this incinerated the Metal Cooler along with the Guards behind him. 'Amazing this...this power is amazing finally I can defend my people' he thought as his royal purple aura flowed erratically around his body

"That...was impressive and your ki you're just as strong as Trunks now" Videl said in awe

"Thank you please let's hurry up get my people out of here" Saonel responded as they got back to work

With Yurin and Pilina

The Namekians boarded the large ship being helped and guarded by Beat. He begins to usher the Namekians that weren't taken to the BGS to the mess hall of their ship. Bulma seeing all 80 of the aliens made it on the ship begins to take off back into the atmosphere awaiting further orders. Soon she goes to check on them.

"Ms. Bulma is that you?" Dende asked as he saw the familiar yet older face

She nodded "Yes it's Dende it's so good to see you" the two hug having not seen each other in years.

With the Namekians on the ground out of the way the 3 warriors head towards the BTG following Saonel's new huge ki. Pilina was truly angry that his brother was now way more powerful than he was.

With Trunks and Akina

"I am reborn, the Big Gete Star corrects any flaw in body…" they heard the voice and separated looking upon a plateau to see Cooler standing there brand new but something was wrong as more and more Coolers began to show up "...even if the flaw is that there is only one of me, can you stand against the a thousand of me?"

Trunks sighed "Well there's only one way to find out, you ready…" he lowered his voice looking at his partner "...Akina, play possum"

She nodded in understanding "As I'll ever be" she said both smiling even though they knew they wouldn't win they boosted their battle power as the army of Coolers advanced on them. Soon outnumbered, Trunks and Akina give a hell of a fight but are captured and taken inside the ship, Cooler exclaims their energy is intended to power the machine planet. It is here that Trunks and Akina finally learn the truth about Cooler's survival: following his defeat at Goku's hands, he was not destroyed completely, but his remains floated through space for a while, including pieces of his brain. Cooler's remains were assimilated into the Big Gete Star, allowing him to take control of the mechanical planet.

"...so in essence I am the Big Gete Star, soon I fashioned a new body for myself a Meta Cooler if you will I think you know the one"

"So you're just going to take our energy to power the Big Gete Star good luck fool I'll overload you due to my unlimited amount of energy" Akina bragged thinking her plan was foolproof

"Oh yes I know..." he begins draining them as their screams of agony fill the room "...I will dispose of the boy and keep you around to power the Big Gete Star forever. Cooler continues to drain them until he's gotten enough energy for now.

Trunks passed out and Akina looked over at his limp body "No,Trunks…" tears filled her eyes he had just threatened to kill her friend "YOU WON'T TOUCH HIM" she cried out her battle power growing her aura glowing brighter as she briefly reached the power of SSj 2

With 16

16 sensed this spike in power as he finally made it through the Coolers control and prepared to shut him down. Using the communicator installed in him he calls out to Bulma's ship. "Bulma, do you read?"

"Yes #16 is everything alright" the capsule corp president responded

"I am in control of the Big Gete Star when I send a signal bring the ship close for extraction"

"Understood #16 be careful Bulma out" the blue haired woman said going back to helping the Namekians get settled in, while 16 began his plan

with Akina

Akina's power begins to overload Coolers circuits. Her power continues to flow

"You filthy saiyans you will not win I'll have control of the greatest technological power in the universe" the alien head began to laugh

"No...you will not" a robotic voice called out

"What who said that, show yourself" Cooler demanded

"I am everywhere Cooler I am now in control of the Big Gete Star" 16's voice echoed in the large chamber

"What how can this be" the disembodied head of Cooler screamed out as he tried to order his guards and Meta coolers to find the Android but none of them moved

"#16 is that you?" Akina asked happy to hear his voice

"Yes Akina it is, I have begun disconnecting the star from the planet" 16 said as he then allowed the release of Akina and Trunks

"Alright!" Akina said as went over to help Trunks up

"Noo how are you doing this HOW TELL ME!"

"I am designated as Android 16 my cybernetics are far superior to your intellect, you will use the Big Gete Star for evil no longer"

Trunks shook his head as he stood next to Akina "Good job #16"

Now the Super Saiyans stand ready to destroy the real Cooler. 16 ordered all the Metal Coolers to self-destruct. Saonel was still leading Videl, Note and the prisoners heading to the exit, Bulma received the signal from 16 to meet them there.

"Videl look!" Note pointed out

Videl looked over and saw Akina and Trunks. "Let's get these people out of here and to the ship" she said as Saonel flew in the direction of her allies. Cooler who had just enough control to fashion a final body from what's left of his organic self. Akina noticed Videl

"Videl you've got the captured Namekians alright!" Akina said happily

"Yes all the other prisoners have escaped and are safely aboard the ship as that's on the way to get us." Videl responded

"Good get the rest of them outta here we'll be right behind you!" Trunks ordered

"Now's the time to end him once and for all" Saonel suggested glaring daggers at Cooler

Trunks smirked "Then let's do just that" he began the charging energy with his hands in front of him

Akina cupped her hands by her side "Kameha..."

Saonel opened his mouth gathering energy.

"FINAL FLASH!"

"...MEHAAAAAAAAAAA!"

"HAAAA!"

All three fired their attacks at the same time aimed for Cooler; soon the attacks combined and formed one giant blast that completely destroyed Cooler finally ending his threat.

"Finally it's over" Saonel pants finally relaxing

"#16 are you still there" Trunks asked

"Yes I have gotten the Big Gete Star away from the planet surface but we were to late the core has already destabilized it will explode in less than two minutes you must leave this place"

"Not without you #16" Akina cried out

"I will be fine Akina now please go" 16 asked

"But..." she began to argue

"Akina I trust him now let's go, hey take my hand" Trunks ordered Saonel to grab the hybrid's hand and both he and Akina instant transmissioned to the ship. All three appeared on the ship and saw that they were already in space alongside the BGS.

"Son, Akina you two are alright I was so worried" Bulma asked as soon as she noticed them

"Mom quickly get the ship out of New Namek's orbit it is about to explode" Trunks said finally powering down as did Akina who Bulma noticed was now a super saiyan

Bulma rushed to the controls and did as her son said and rocketed the large ship out of range of the planet. "Where is #16 Trunks?"

"He's there mom" he said pointing to the Big Gete Star which was now expanding into a shield

Akina rushed to the window "He's trying to shield us from the blast everyone brace yourselves"

Everyone took cover as the planet finally exploded and sure enough the Big Gete Star protected them from the blast. The Namekians were saddened as they again lost their home. The giant machine planet took most of the impact and began to lose shape. Soon the large metal mass began to shrink

"#16…#16 come in do you copy?" Trunks called out over the coms

After a minute of no response Trunks was about to try again while Akina was gonna go out there "Trunks please open the...cargo hatch"

Akina quickly located and flew to the cargo hold and opened the hatch, allowing what looked like a smaller version of the Big Gete Star to enter. Once the hatch closed the piece of the BTG began to shrink and soon formed into a small rubix cube shape in 16's hand, Akina quickly rushed to hug him "I'm glad you're alright #16"

"I am glad to see that you are alright as well" the giant android smiled

Soon Trunks, Saonel, and the rest of the Dragon team made it to the cargo hold and welcomed their friend back. Trunks was impressed to see that 16 indeed did have control over the Big Gete Star.

Trunks turned to Saonel and the two studied each other until the namekian stuck out his hand. "I am Saonel, thank you Trunks for coming to our aid, we greatly appreciate all that you earthlings have done for us in the past and on this day"

Trunks smiled and took his hand shaking it "The pleasure is all ours evil must not stand anywhere in the galaxy but you...you took a great sacrifice for your people I respect that"

"Thank you but now we are once again without a home" Saonel responded dropping his hand and looking out into space at what was once his planet

Dende soon entered the room with Bulma as she walked next to him "Dende I'm so sorry for your loss, you and your people will always have a place on earth you'll have to forgive how it looks as we've been rebuilding and repairing the damage the earth took"

"What has happened Bulma?" Dende asked

"Dende...it's a long story" she said as she began to usher them all back to the cockpit she begin to tell the tale

Back in the area where New Namek once was

"Such glorious destruction..." a female voice begin "…things were moving too slow so I sped up the time for the planet to explode, too bad we couldn't eliminate those saiyan brats but I do know how you like a challenge my love"

"Their time will come soon enough" her male companion said in a deep voice

Back on the ship

Everyone gathered in the mess hall for Dende to heal everyone who needed it, while Bulma explained to the Namekians what happened to earth in the last 17 years. He was saddened to hear how Gohan and his friends lost their lives at the hands of the Androids. Dende was now the new Grand Elder of the Namekian race, realizing that they would be better protected if they remained on earth. He asked his people what they thought and they all agreed. Saonel asked Trunks if he could join the Dragon team, to better train and protect his new home to which Trunks of course allowed saying they needed all the help they could get. He wanted to ask his brother Pilina if he wanted to join but he wasn't in the talking mood at the moment.

Bulma approached her son "You did a great job today son"

"Thank you mother" he smiled, he then turned to his team "You all performed very well today I'm very proud of all of you"

The Dragon team smiled until Beat spoke up "So where to next boss?"

Trunks thought for a moment "Oh yeah there's one place I think we should go while we are already in space" he instant transmissioned to his locker then came back "I have notes about an advanced technological planet called Helior that could provide some help in our future fights also its where my uncle lives."

All of the Dragon Team show shock at this news except Akina. Bulma was extremely shocked "Vegeta has a brother?"

After Trunks explains how he learned this from his father, everyone settled in. The Namekians settled into the mess hall while the Dragon Team retreated to some of the onboard rooms. The Hyperspace engine was still recharging so at their current speed it would take 3 days to get to Helior, they used this time to rest.

Later that night

Trunks lay in his bed only wearing his boxers unable to sleep. All he could think about was Akina and how they almost kissed before the battle with Cooler. He then thought about all the times they shared even though he'd only known her for what basically is 2 years. He had come to care about her not only as a student or a friend but as something more. Deciding he needed to get something off his chest he decided to speak to her telepathically (something he learned from King Kai)

'Akina are you awake?'

'Yup what's up Trunks?'

'Hey can you meet me in the G-chamber I need to talk to you about something'

'Umm sure I'll see you in a second'

With that done Trunks got out of bed and grabbed his Capsule Corp tracksuit once ready he instant transmissioned to the Gravity Chamber and saw that she was already there waiting for him basically wearing the same thing.

"How are feeling after you're first official battle?" he asked as he walked up to her

She looked up at him noticing his long lavender hair in a ponytail "It…I feel good, stronger, I wondered how it would feel and now I know it feels amazing I wanna master it!"

"Ya know I might have a idea that could help us do that when we get back" he smiled

"So what's up? What did you want to talk about Trunks?"

"Akina you've become my best friend and I really care about you alot" he said holding her close

"Trunks?" she wondered looking up into his eyes, she then remembered how she felt at that moment when they were in the BTG "I thought Cooler had killed you...I thought I had lost you forever you don't know how much that would have hurt" she asked but then was shocked when Trunks brought her into his arms for an embrace. After a moment she relaxed and wrapped her arms around his waist.

She blushed furiously "I love you Trunks..." he smiled a faint blush on his face as she stammered awkwardly, her face steaming "I mean…"

"You don't have to explain anything. I'm happy and thankful that you love me..." he smiled looking in her eyes "...Akina for the longest time all I knew was death and destruction that all that was ever around me was dark, cold and lonely. I had given up all hope of ever finding a semblance of a normal life…well normal by our standard, id given up on finding someone to love, hell I didn't even know if the next battle or the next day would be my last" he paused a single tear falling from his eye finally able to let the emotional toll those times took on him show she reached up and wiped it away "...but then you came along someone who was lost, broken and alone. You had every right to stay upset and confused at what you are but you accepted it and turned it into your strength and your motivation. Akina Minami you are someone I could grow to depend on and grow to love"

"Trunks..." she whispered her eyes widening

He smiled "Look I've never been in a relationship and I don't know that I'll be good at it but I'd like to give it a try...with you"

Akina stood speechless for a moment causing Trunks to worry and he was about to say something until Akina leaned in and kissed him. He was shocked at first but soon regained control and kissed her back, it was sloppy and neither one had prior experience but they didn't care. They were warriors, protectors of their planet and truly the only people possibly in the universe who could understand one another. The kiss continued for a moment more before the need for air set in; as they separated they realized they had begun to float in the air. They laughed and just settled for floating there for a moment, Akina resting her head on his chest

"Trunks?" she asked

"Yes?"

"For the first time since waking up and meeting my parents…I'm truly happy" she confessed

He smiled "Me too."

And so ends the updated Discovery Saga thanks for reading