Chapter 1: One Small Butterfly

This Au fic explores a Mirai Trunks that arrives to warn the Z-fighters of the impending Android attack. The difference being that unlike in Canon he is forced to remain in the past causing a ripple effect.

"Mom I can't just leave you!" the young man protested as he looked from the Time Machine and back to his mother.

Bulma allowed a sad smile. "Trunks I'll be fine. I'll keep my head down...

Trunks bowed his head slowly as he clenched his fists.

Bulma took a step forward, before curling her arms around his waist.

"Son there's hardly anything left here. The androids have taken almost everything from this world and soon there will be no one left. I want you to make sure this doesn't happen to another world."

Trunks swallowed as he locked his jaw and stared into the darkened sky above.

It was true. He knew she was right. The Androids had not only personally dispatched all of the Earth's special forces, but now they had exhausted most of the world's population. It was becoming a barren planet.

"Trunks!"

The Lavender haired young adult shook his head as he stared down into his mother's eyes.

"I'm sorry Mom. You're right.. I swear I'll make sure this other world is ready." he said his voice breaking slightly at the end.

Bulma shook her head as she forced a smile. "This should have never happened, but you did everything you could, if only we'd known about Gero years ago things could have been different. I believe you can save another world from this fate Trunks, just promise me you'll be safe and know that I'll always love you." she said her own voice beginning to break as tears fell from her eyes.

Trunks was silent for a moment, before he quickly embraced her. "I never break my promises Mom... and don't worry I'll be back in no time!" he said as he offered her a rare smile.

The woman returned the gesture, before wiping her eyes with the back of her hand as she untangled herself and took a step back. "Good now go Son!"

Trunks regarded her once more, before steeling himself as he walked towards the machine, his fingers brushed along the named engraved on the side.

'Hope...it's all we have now...' he thought to himself.

'There may be no future here...but there is still hope for another time.' he thought as he reached out and pressed a series of buttons, before sucking in a deep breath as he regadred his mother for a moment longer, before everything faded from existence.

Bulma let out a stifled sob as she closed her eyes. 'Trunks please forgive me...'

The Half Saiyan's arrival in the past had not gone according to plan. No sooner had he left his time machine did it begin to spark and shudder as it's systems began to overload and finally explode, rendering it into nothing more then a pile of scrap.

A tremble had shook the Half Saiyan. He now realized why his mother had been so emotional. She intended it to be the last time she saw him. A final goodbye. Futhermore she was smart enough to know that her younger counterpart would take equally long in building a new machine...meaning he was left with one course at the moment.

Trunks let out a sigh as he opened his eyes, banishing the recent memory as he eyed the collected Z-fighters once more.

He'd been sitting in silence for a while now, ever since he'd dispatched Frieza and King Cold with ease. Originally he had intended to be sporting, but he'd shown no mercy for the father and son, having delivered the final blow just a fear registered in both of their eyes.

Occasionally he allowed himself glimpses between a couple of the gathered group. Most of them only returned curious if not suspicious looks, Vegeta however seemed livid by his mere presence. It wasn't exactly the bonding moment he'd pictured when he'd thought of his first encounter with his father. Their first conversation had not gone well...

*Flashback*

Vegeta's eye twitched as he glared at the lavender haired stranger.

"What are you looking at?" he barked.

"Oh um nothing, it's just that… I like your shirt." he said and immediately began to kick himself.

'Great that was so smooth.' he mused to himself, before sighing.

"You would." Vegeta spat.

Trunks said nothing further, but still eyed his father from the corner of his eye.

The Saiyan Prince however didn't miss it and lost his temper once more as he shot a nasty look towards the younger man.

"What do you keep looking at? Haven't you ever seen a pink shirt before? If you like it that much, you can have it!"

"N-no that's not necessary."

"Then stop starring at me." he growled.

*End Flashback*

Trunks was shaken from his thoughts by Gohan.

"Um Mister...I'm really excited that my dad is coming home, but how do you know he is?"

Trunks eyed the boy and momentarily remembered his mentor, before responding.

"I wish I could say. Unfortunately all I can tell you is that I know for a fact that he'll be here. You have my word."

Vegeta grunted while Yamcha began to pace as he folded his arms.

"Look I don't know why we're listening to this guy. We don't even know who he is. What if this is some sort of trap?"

Trunk's eyes widened. He'd never expected to be perceived this way, but before he could respond Piccolo interjected.

"Use your brain. If he meant any harm to us then he would have already dealt with us as he did Frieza."

Yamcha frowned but seemed to accept the statement.

"I just don't understand why he can't at least tell us his name. " Tien mused.

Bulma rolled her eyes. "Look give the guy a break. He saved our butts. He told us Goku would be here in two hours and last time I checked it hasn't been two hours." she yelled.

"Well anyone who killed those two and gave us free drinks can't be that bad in my books." Krillin laughed as he scratched the back of his head.

Trunks sighed. He was pleased that at least for the moment he'd escaped their questions.

He eyed his timepiece a moment, before standing up.

"Alright. He should be landing any moment now."

Piccolo's eyes widened " He's right. I can feel him, he's entering the Earth's atmosphere now.

After a moment each and everyone of the other Z-fighters glanced towards the sky as they began to detect the prodigal Saiyan's return.

"I think you're all crazy! My woman's intuition isn't picking up anything" Bulma remarked.

Sure enough though the lavender haired warrior was proven right as a space pod streaked through the sky, before a loud crash could be heard in the distance. With no hesitation the entire group began to follow after Trunks towards the spot the pod had landed.

The gathered group looked on in silence a moment as the door to the pod began to open.

Goku's wild mane could be seen as he slowly rose out of the pod, before blinking as he looked up at the gathered group, before throwing up his hand.

"Hey guys!..." he said a genuine smile on his face, before his former confused look returned as most of them began to greet him.

"It's great to see you all here, but how did you guys know that I was coming?"

"This kid told us, we thought he must be a fan of yours or that maybe you met him somewhere in space." Bulma offered as she glanced over at the mysterious man.

"From what little he would tell us.." Yamcha grumbled.

"Yeah he seems to know all about you Daddy." Gohan added.

"Really?! That's so strange." Goku mused as he scratched along his jawline.

Most of the group looked on dumbfounded. Bulma however broke the silence.

"B-but Goku he knew when you'd arrive almost down the very minute and he knew exactly where you'd land."

"That's impossible, we've never even met. Or at least I don't think so. I'm usually pretty good with faces" Goku laughed as he scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

"Well that's what he said, but he must have been tracking your ship in outer space or something."

"Really? I don't know, Frieza tried to do that but I can't sense his energy level anymore. Who defeated Frieza? was it you Vegeta? Or was it you Piccolo ?"

"Neither of us did, it was this kid and he did it with ease. He turned into a Super Saiyan." Piccolo responded as he folded his arms across his chest.

"What? a Super Saiyan? I can't believe it, that's incredible. Can you imagine, a Super Saiyan at his age? That's amazing!"

"You idiot would you think for a moment?...you and I are the only two Saiyans left. Three if you count your boy. He's clearly lying about who he is." Vegeta grumbled.

"Hmm… well if he says he's a Super Saiyan then that's good enough for me" Goku replied with one of his typical goofy smiles.

"Oh honestly Goku, you take things way too lightly sometimes" said Bulma, before shaking her head.

"Ah come on Bulma. That's not true I just don't see why I shouldn't trust him."

"Goku can I have a word with you? Just the two of us for a moment?" Trunks asked as he tried to ignore the looks he received in return.

Goku looked a bit confused however he finally nodded his head.

"Sure I don't see why not."

"Why can't you say whatever it is you have to say to our faces?" Yamcha yelled.

A few others didn't voice the thought, but their expressions expressed essentially the same thing.

Hoping to avoid a fight Goku flashed one of his trademark smiles.

"Hey It's alright guys, I'll be right back"

And with that they took off only to land on the other side of the crater Goku's pod had created. Once out of earshot, Trunks finally spoke.

"Thanks Man. I know this must seem strange."

"Hey no problem, but should I should be the one thanking you for defeating Frieza! I had a chance to finish him but I was only fooling myself thinking that he might change."

"Not him I'm afraid.." Trunks mused

"He was out of control you should have stopped him, but when he landed you weren't around so I had to step in. I didn't think you'd make it."

"Yeah, his ship was a lot faster than mine and he gained a couple hours on me. I knew he was going to hurt the people here, I was about to make my move but then you came along."

"And just how were you going to make a move when you were two hours away and in space?" Trunks asked as he quirked a single brow.

"Well let's just say I learned a lot in space. I learned a new technique called Instant Transmission!"

"You mean, time travel?" asked Trunks as his eyes widened.

"No, essentially you dematerialize and travel as a mass of light. You'd be surprised to know how much ground you can cover in a second."

"Man, what a bummer…" said Trunks "If I had known that then I could have waited and come later. That way I could avoid the risk of meeting all the others until later."

"The risk? What do you mean?"

"Okay, I don't mind answering that question. But first let me ask you something. Can you transform into a Super Saiyan at will?"

"Well, at first I wasn't able to but now I can control it."

"Can you show me it?...please Goku I need to see you transform. I promise it's important."

"Sure thing" Goku responded as his expression grew a bit more serious as he clenched his fists together, slowly but surely a golden aura began to envelop him as his hair ignited into a golden tint as his eyes change to deep cyan color.

Goku allowed a smirk. "Satisfied friend? "

"No doubt about it." Trunks said as he eyed the older warrior.

"It's incredible. I forgot what it feels like looking from the outside in!"

"So what's next?" Goku asked as he raised a brow.

"Now we'll both be Super Saiyans" Trunks responded as he transformed with little to no effort even faster then Goku had, before grinning.

"Wow we're exactly the same!" exclaimed Goku

"Let's find out" said Trunks.

He unsheathed his sword and charged at Goku, but the older Saiyan didn't even budge. Trunks stopped in midair only a few inches away from Goku.

"Why didn't you try to dodge it?" asked Trunks

"I searched your feelings" replied Goku "I knew you would stop."

Trunks smiled. "I was told you were good. This time though I promise I won't stop."

"As you wish" Goku responded.

In a blink of an eye Trunks began a flourish of strikes.

Using only his finger Goku blocked the entire series of strikes, much to the other Saiyan's amazement.

Trunks stopped a pleased look settled on his face as he sheathed his weapon and returned to his normal state.

"Everything I heard about you is true. You're good, no you're great! Those same moves turned Frieza into bits."

Goku chuckled. "Well your heart wasn't into it this time."

Trunks nodded. "I feel like I can trust you. I just need to know that I could."

"Sorry about all the secrecy but I really need your word that you're not going to tell anyone what I'm about to say" Trunks said as a serious look settled on his face.

"I've never had a problem with keeping secrets but sure, you have my word" Goku assured him a with a sincere smile.

"I"m glad to know that I can trust you. My name is Trunks and though this may be hard to believe, I'm not from this time. I traveled here in a time machine twenty years from the future"

"Really? From the future? That's incredible!" Goku exclaimed as his eyes widened.

"Vegeta's not mistaken either. As far as I'm aware of you and him were the only two pure blooded Saiyans alive...he's my father."

Goku's eyes couldn't have gotten any wider "WHAT? YOU'RE KIDDING! WOW, YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT VEGETA'S YOUR FATHER?! "

He blinked furiously a few seconds as if he was stunned.

"Yes I'm half Saiyan and half Human."

"You're serious! Vegeta's kid my gosh!" he glanced over his shoulder as he stared at the Saiyan Prince a moment.

"Yes yes, I can see the resemblance. How bizarre." he cracked a grin as he started laughing.

"Vegeta's going to be a daddy! That's incredible! Man who would have ever thought..!"

Trunks interjected "Goku, I didn't come here to tell you that, I need to tell you about something."

Goku returned his attention to the young man as he noticed his demeanor had darkened.

"In three years from now on the morning of May 12th at 10 am, a horribly destructive duo will appear on an island nine miles south-west of South City. They are monsters Goku, monsters, that's the best way I know to describe them. Once they appear the Earth will face a danger unlike it's ever seen before. There's no rhyme or reason to what they do. They just savor causing destruction and death in their wake."

"What's the deal, are they aliens or demons?" Goku asked.

"No and what I'm about to say isn't going to be easy, but their androids created by one of the surviving members of the Red Ribbon Army, Dr. Gero. Goku I know you have a big heart and possess a great deal of honor, but letting that man go set something into motion that has destroyed my entire world." He said as he clenched his fists.

"Even now I have no home to return, after years of fighting and running...there's nothing left. " he said as his voiced began to trail off.

Goku closed his eyes as he remembered that moment all too well. His one decision had cost Trunks' entire future. There was no doubt...this burden would stay with him for the rest of his life. Something dawned on him however as he opened his eyes.

"Wait what about all the others? couldn't they help you?"

"They couldn't" Trunks said as a grim look crossed his face.

"Why?"

"They're all dead. Three years from now the Earth's special forces will be gone. Vegeta, Piccolo, Krillin, Yamcha, Tien, everyone, all gone, giving up their lives trying to defeat them. There will be only one survivor and that's my master and best friend Gohan"

"But after 14 years of successful escape, they killed him as well. That was 4 years ago, my time."

"Wait a sec, what happens to me, do I die in the battle as well?" asked Goku.

"Nope" said Trunks "you die six months prior. Soon you'll catch a deadly heart virus that not even a Super Saiyan can fight. And in this timeline there's no antidote for that. I hate to be the bearer of bad news…"

"Man, what a bummer… being killed by a stupid virus.." said Goku somewhat disappointed.

"Hey here you go" said Trunks said taking a small bottle out of his pocket "for your health man, the antidote. Take this when you get sick and you'll be fine"

"You're kidding me! Wow awesome, it's purple too, I bet it's grape flavored."

"I'm wary about doing this Goku because it's going to change history, but some history should change. My life has been a living nightmare. I've watched everyone die until there was no one else, but before she died my mom was convinced the you could have made a difference. I have to believe in that as well. There's nothing left there. One day I want to return to make sure those two monsters are destroyed, but there's nothing left for me there."

"I'm sorry Trunks. I can't even imagine.." he paused a moment, before continuing. "You said your mother knew me? Am I going to meet her or do I already know her now?"

"Now.." Trunks admitted as a weak smile pulled at his lips.

"Oh wow, I know your mother huh… that's bizarre… does she live near me or something?"

"Well, she's standing right there.." Trunks said as he pointed towards Bulma.

Goku nearly choked, before he fell down and began to laugh. "BULMA'S YOUR MOTHER?! Bulma and Vegeta huh… unbelievable! I thought Bulma was going to end up marrying Yamcha…but man, Vegeta?!"

"I know it sounds weird but they'll find their way to each other pretty soon. But if they get wind of it, it might not happen. Promise you won't tell them Goku or I might not be born. I'm not sure if I'd cease to exist or not"

"Hey, not a problem. I just can't believe it. That's so bizarre"

"Trust me, Yamcha and mom will break up soon and she'll find her way to Vegeta in time."

Goku bowed his head. "You have my word and I promise you Trunks I'll do everything in my power to make sure that history doesn't repeat itself."

Trunks smiled. "It was wonderful meeting you and seeing my mother... and getting to meet my father for the first time was interesting. It was nice even under the circumstances getting a chance to meet the others. I should probably go...my time machine is completely broken."

Goku eyed the young man a moment, before he stepped forward and rested a hand on his shoulder.

"Trunks wait. Where do you plan to go?"

Trunks bowed his head as he stared at the ground. "I-I really don't know. I'm afraid I've already changed too much, but I don't have anywhere to go."

"From what you'd said things will be different anyways. Sometimes different isn't always bad. We can keep your secret and just use a different name. You can come home with me and Gohan. Look at it this way...three years of training with another Super Saiyan has to make a difference. We can be ready for them this time." he said as he offered him a confident smile.

Trunks' eyes widened, his mind raced as he mentally debated the idea. It was true that they could make a lot more progress with him being present. Where else did he have to go at this point anyways?...then of course how much would change if he remained here?...what if he prevented his own birth? Then again he had promised his mother he'd help, but he'd never intended to stay in this timeline. There was just too much he couldn't account for.

Finally he turned and fully faced the older Saiyan, before nodding. "I don't know what will be changed by doing this, but I want to break the fate of this timeline and I really don't have a choice."

Goku smiled. "This is your home now Trunks. What should we tell the others when they ask for your name?"

Trunks regarded him a moment, before glancing once more over at the gathered group that awaited their return.

"Call me Mirai.."

A couple of months had passed since Trunks had arrived in the past.

Since then everyone of the Z-fighters had been informed of the impending Android attack and most of them had already gone their own way as they decided how to best prepare themselves. As far as most of the group was concerned Trunks' origins still remained a mystery. All they knew was that this young man had no means of returning to his own timeline at least not anytime soon. However it would only be a matter of time till the truth reared it's head.

Trunks had spent most of his time with the Son Family and with Piccolo, for the better part of the last few months. Though it had only been a short time, he'd already become attached to each of them and none more so then Gohan.

"Heh how was that Trunks?" Gohan asked as he scratched the back of his mane of hair sheepishly as he stared at the larger crater between them.

"You're getting good Kid. Much stronger then I was at your age. But don't forget as far as everyone else is concerned it's Mirai." he said as he allowed a small smile.

Gohan nodded. "Oops right. I promise I won't slip up again." he assured the future warrior as he glanced over at Piccolo and Goku who were exchanging blows.

"Mirai can I ask you something?" the boy asked in a soft voice.

The Purple haired Demi-Saiyan regarded Gohan a moment. "I suppose. What's on your mind?"

"Well I was just thinking. Are these Androids really all bad?"

Trunks had to bite his tongue to restrain himself from speaking the first thing that came to mind. Instead he took a breath as he shook his head.

"I don't really know what to tell you kid. From what I saw of these Androids...they never gave any quarter or reason for me to believe that they were anything but monsters."

Gohan seemed lost in a thought a moment. "What if they did?...would you give them a chance?"

Trunks brow furrowed as he tried to push aside the rage that threatened to course through his veins. "I don't know Gohan. I'm not sure anything would ever change my mind. They've taken everything from me."

Though Gohan couldn't imagine what Trunks had been through he was sure that he never wanted to live through such an existence. "You know most of my Dad's friends tried to kill him at some point. Some of them even threatened the world."

Trunks regarded the boy. He couldn't dispute it. However this Gohan had never lived through the atrocities he had. He had never seen everyone die around him and if he had anything to say about it...Gohan would never know that feeling.

"Come on Gohan. We've got work to do."

After their usual bout of training Trunks found himself several miles north of the Son Family House. Ever so often he needed a moment alone, after what he'd been through in the Future he was accustomed to being a loner. It would take some time for him to readjust. His peace and thoughts were broken however as he sensed a familiar signature approaching him. He tensed as he turned his attention skyward as he saw Vegeta making a beeline towards him.

The Saiyan Prince landed about fifteen feet away, before appraising the younger man a moment.

"Brat you made it hard to find you." he growled.

Trunk's eyes widened. "Sorry. I wasn't aware anyone was looking for me."

Vegeta simply grunted as he folded his arms across his chest. "I know who you are..." he said simply.

Trunks felt his stomach drop as he fumbled for words. "B-but how?"

'Surely Goku,Gohan, or Piccolo didn't breath a word of this...so how?.' his mind raced as he tried to figure out where he'd slipped up.

"After living in the same presence as that idiotic woman I've drawn a few conclusions. As I said before Kakarot and I should be the only full blooded Saiyans alive. Since you're from the future it means you're either his son or mine. I'm not blind brat."

Trunks clenched his fists. "Then you know why I couldn't breathe a word of this to you."

Vegeta regarded him a moment. "I won't doom your existence boy if that's what you're afraid of. "

Trunks looked a bit surprised but bowed his head slightly. "Thank you."

Vegeta responded with a grunt. "In exchange as much as I detest having to ask this...I would rather ask you rather then Kakarot. How did you become a Super Sayian ?"

Trunks face darkened, it wasn't a memory he wished to relieve at the moment. So he decided instead to remain vague with his answer. "The reason why it's so hard to become a Super Saiyan is because there is a condition you must fulfill. No amount of training will help you attain that power. You have to feel a great sense of loss mixed with an unbridled fury. If the feeling is strong enough you'll feel yourself slipping and feel this influx of raw power. In my time I first transformed after losing someone close to me."

Vegeta frowned. 'No wonder the legend is so rare. Most Saiyans would be far too proud to feel such things.'

"And that's the only way?"

Trunks regarded his father a moment. "As far as I know everyone who became a Super Saiyan in my time either witnessed someone close to them be harmed or killed and it triggered their transformation. I don't think these emotions can be faked...it has to be real."

Vegeta grunted. 'I've spent my entire life in pursuit of my own strength and this goal. Attachments have always been a weakness to me and now it seems it's the only way for me to attain this power.'

"Fine. You've been helpful brat. Tell that fool Kakarot that very soon you and he won't be the only Super Saiyans." he said as he flashed a proud smirk, before he burst into the sky.

Trunks stared into the sky as he watched the form of Vegeta grow smaller in the distance.

'How much is my presence here changing things?...' he shook his head.

'It doesn't matter anyways does it?...I can't go home. Even if my mother in this timeline could build a new time machine it would take years and I need to stay away from her atleast until I'm born.' he closed his eyes a moment as he kicked off the ground and found himself drifting north.

Goku patted his stomach before frowning.

Chi-Chi quirked a brow as she looked between her husband and Gohan.

"Something wrong with dinner?"

"Nah it's not that. The food is great...just wondering where Mirai is."

Chi-Chi laughed. "Well he's a big boy. I'm sure he'll be fine. I'll keep a plate of food waiting for him...or table's worth knowing his appetite."

Goku forced a smile.

Truth be told he was worried about Trunks. The Future warrior had grown close to their family in the last couple of months, but he never really shared much about his own experiences.

Hopefully with time that would change. Maybe some wounds would be mended.

"Gohan are you done?" Chi-Chi asked breaking Goku's reverie.

Gohan looked up from his plate, before swallowing a mouth full of food.

"I am now!" he grinned sheepishly.

"Then go wash up and do your homework, before bed."

Gohan knew better then to argue with his mom.

Goku grinned as he watched his son slip off.

"See I told you we could balance his training and studies Chi-Chi."

Chi-Chi narrowed her eyes. "I still think this is a bad idea Goku. You know I don't like it, but I can't deny that fighting is not just a lifestyle for Gohan it's in his genes. I just want him to have a future when theres nothing threatening the planet. Being a hero doesn't pay the bills." she mused.

Goku scratched the back of his head. "Guess it doesn't, but don't worry Chi-Chi. I'll make sure to encourage Gohan to study as much as he trains."

Bulma wearily shuffled her way into the kitchen of the Capsule Corp building. She was dressed down wearing her nightgown and a pair of mismatched slippers. Ever since Vegeta had taken up residence in the building she'd been worked to death fixing or building some new contraption for his training. Between that and keeping the kitchen stocked she had a full time job at the moment. She groaned as she peered into the nearly empty fridge.

"I should have known..." she muttered. She pulled out the milk carton and swished the contents with a frown. There was only about half a cup of milk leftover from Vegeta's last raid. Her brow furrowed as she opened the rest of the cabinets only to be met with nothing.

"What an Ass." She grumbled as she rested a hand on her hip.

She sighed as she left the Kitchen and made her way across the complex towards one of the larger labs on the property. Though it hadn't gone public yet Bulma had begun to take up more and more duties at Capsule Corp. She knew it would be only a matter of time till her father passed over all responsibilities to her, before taking a more reserved roll at the company.

Bulma pushed through the doors into the lab only to groan as she saw Vegeta standing in the Lab as if he'd been waiting on her. It was surpirsing however because the Saiyan for a change wasn't wearing his typical armor. Instead he was wearing a more casual black tank top and jeans. Quite honestly it was strange to see him in something normal. She'd only seen him in one other outfit outside his typical armor.

"Woman. You look rough. That garment looks ridiculous." He said in a very deadpan tone.

Bulma huffed as she walked past him as if she hadn't heard him. Taking a seat at a nearby desk she finally eyed him.

"Watch yourself buster or so help me I'll buy so many pink shirts your head will explode. It is midnight you know?" she snapped slightly at him.

His eyes twitched a bit, clearly he realized her threat wasn't hollow.

"I didn't come here to trade blows with you woman."

Bulma rolled her eyes. "Let me guess you broke the Gravity Chamber again?...Dammit Vegeta I told you to not run the Gravity that high for that long. I have a lot more important things to do then fix your toys when you break them."

Vegeta grunted. "Your voice is grating on my nerves. The blasted chamber doesn't require repairs or improvements."

Bulma raised an eyebrow. "Is this about food?...because you can just wait till I go shopping tomorrow."

"You should shop more often," he remarked.

"My mother and I have been shopping practically every day since you arrived, you freeloader."

"Hnn. A Saiyan in training needs to eat quite often."

"Is that so? Well, food costs money, I'll have you know. Not that you give a damn. Maybe you should get a job and contribute to the household instead of mooching off us all the time.

"Dammit woman would you just allow me to speak without being interrupted?" he said as he scowled at her.

Bulma shivered a bit. Sometimes she forgot how easily he could kill her if he really wanted to.

She settled for nodding her head slowly.

He eyed her for a moment longer to make sure she would in fact let him speak.

"I wish to court you." he said simply offering no further comment.

Bulma's eyes widened like saucers as she sputtered. "W-what?!...what are you talking about?"

"Are you deaf?..I don't understand how much clearer I can make it." he said simply as he eyed her over once.

Bulma stared at the Saiyan Prince like he'd grown another head.

"First off your attitude sucks. Secondly you need to learn how to talk to a woman. You can't just bark orders all the time."

Vegeta stared at her with a hard look. "Was that a no?"

Bulma groaned as she stood up and made a beeline for the door. "I'm not having this conversation right now. "

Vegeta cut her off as he placed a hand on the door. "Fine. Then we'll have it tomorrow when you go to acquire more food."

Before Bulma could respond the flamed haired Saiyan turned and abruptly walked out the door leaving the poor woman speechless.

Several hours later Trunks found himself aimlessly walking the streets of North City.

The fresh air had done the Half-Saiyan a lot of good. He was just about to head back towards Mount Paozu when he felt his entire body grow rigid as he noticed an old flyer posted upon a window.

He quickly turned on heel as his eyes swept over the contents of the poster. It was clearly a missing persons poster. The two teenagers in the flyer looked to be in their mid to late teens. His eyes grew wider as he inspected their features.

The first was a young man with shoulder length black hair and blue eyes. The name read Lapis.

The second was of a young woman with equally long blonde hair and matching blue eyes. The name under her picture read Lazuli.

Neither of them was listed with a last name, however Trunks was without a doubt sure that he was looking at both Android 17 and 18 or rather who they'd once been.

The notion rocked him to the core.

In his own timeline he'd always assumed that both 17 and 18 were mechanical constructions made to seem so human that they could blend into the world if need be, however this was only half-true. They'd started out as humans. Did this make them victims?

The thought of feeling sympathy for either of them made his stomach crawl, but was their hatred in his time a result to what had been done to them?

Trunks exhaled sharply.

Whatever they may have been didn't change anything. He couldn't allow it to effect his judgement. They were still monsters and when they surfaced in this timeline he would see to it that he could do what he was unable to before. He would destroy them, before they could harm anyone else.

Months continued to pass in the blink of an eye as Trunks,Goku,Piccolo, and Gohan pushed themselves to the limit and beyond.

Trunks and Goku eyed each other intently as their golden Auras continued to swell around their bodies.

"You gonna stand there all day and stare or do something Goku?" Trunks asked as he flashed a small smirk.

Goku grinned. "I could say the same thing to you." he said, before blurred forward across the ground. He cocked his fist back, before throwing a punch towards Trunk's core.

The Half-Saiyan crossed his arms absorbing the blow, before being pushed back a few feet. The ground began to crack from the force of Goku's blow.

Not wasting anytime he headbutted the older Saiyan, before flipping backwards as he began to gather energy for an attack. Goku winced a moment, before his eyes widened as he quickly retaliated by forming a Kamehameha.

The two blasts connected, before resulting in a loud explosion that rocked the entire nearby area.

Gohan who looked on beside Piccolo could only stare in amazement.

"It's incredible. They seem to be an even match. I can't believe their generating this much energy."

Piccolo was a bit more reserved as he eyed the pair. "You could be just as strong as them Gohan. You have the potential."

Gohan blinked as he looked at Piccolo. "But that's crazy. What can I do?"

Piccolo eyed the boy before turning to face him. "We'll find out I suppose. " he mused as he without warning kicked Gohan into the air, before chasing after him.

Gohan's eyes widened. 'Uh oh. Mr. Piccolo seems serious.'

Trunks and Goku both were panting heavily as they floated about fifteen apart from one another. The duo had been going at it for hours now. Gohan's own struggle with Piccolo hadn't lasted nearly as long. The boy was now lying unconscious over the Namekian's shoulder as he awaited the pair to reengage once more.

Before they could do so however the pair froze as they spotted Chi-Chi running towards them with a frantic look on her face.

Goku immediately powered down as he floated down and settled a hand on his wife's shoulder.

"Chi-Chi is everything alright?"

Chi-Chi looked at him a moment. "No Son Goku things aren't alright. Things are great!" she yelled causing Piccolo's ears to twitch in annoyance.

Goku blinked, before grinning widely. "Well what are we celebrating?" he asked.

"It's Bulma! I just got off the phone with her... She's pregnant. And to make it better she's having twins!" the woman exclaimed in a rare giddy manner.

Trunks who was now within earshot looked on in surprise. 'Pregnant? with twins...but that's impossible. I was an only child. Could my presence here already have changed that much. ' he slowly clenched his fists.

'I just pray that my warning will still help. Who knows what else I have unknowingly set into motion.'

The divergence from Mirai's timeline had only begun.

The Future warrior would continue to be astounded as his mother gave birth to a boy she named Trunks and girl that she named Bra. It seemed some things had remained unchanged while others had shifted greatly, but he had begun to believe that the warnings he had brought with him were now only tenuous at best. There was no way to gauge what might be different about the androids in this world.

Another event he couldn't foresee was the short lived arrival of Frieza's brother Cooler. Fortunately the Arcosian proved no match for two super saiyans and was denied his revenge.

Trunks had watched as his father had begun to change over the course of three years. The man was still arrogant and proud, but beneath the stern surface he could tell that the Prince cared for Bulma and his children. He'd told his father about what it would take to become a Super Saiyan, but he'd never imagined the circumstances that would be involved to awaken that power...

Following King Kai's warning the Z-Fighters had been assembled for the first time since Trunks had arrived to intercept the one and only Legendary Super Saiyan. It seemed as if the crazed Saiyan had managed to break free of his father's control and kill him. Ever since he'd been indiscriminately laying waste to anything in his path. The battle that ensued took everything and more from the warriors. In the end it had come down to Vegeta who had been frozen by fear of the legend. Finally realizing that Bulma and his young children's lives hung in the balance and he would lose them and everything, he'd managed to transform for the first time and with the borrowed energy of the rest of the Z-fighters he managed to lay waste to Broly and end his path of destruction.

True to Piccolo's predictions Gohan had gotten much stronger as well, but he'd still not managed to ascend.

The Saiyans however weren't the only ones who had made preparations for the upcoming battles that lay ahead.

Krillin,Yamcha,Tien, and Chiaotzu had continued their own training in earnest over the course of the three year span. While their power paled in comparison to the Saiyans each of them had made great progress. Krillin was the only one of the group who had spent some time at Goku's house and had managed to benefit from training with not one but two Super Saiyans.

As for the Saiyans it was hard to guess which was the strongest between Goku,Vegeta, and Trunks. Trunks had technically masted the form first, but both Goku and Vegeta had years more experience as fighters. What was surprising however was the fact that Gohan even without transforming had still managed to keep up with the others at least in their base forms.

Piccolo couldn't boast being as strong as a Super Saiyan however his sparring and training with them had taken his own power to new levels. Outside the Saiyans he was the closest in strength and he was certain he could hold his own.

Each and everyone of the Z-Fighters were certain they'd done everything they could to prepare for the androids. However Trunks couldn't help but wonder as the day of reckoning approached...would it be enough?

*Power Levels* (As always this is not meant to be an accurate canonical representation, but merely a means for comparison.)

Trunks : 185,000,000

Goku : 180,000,000

Vegeta : 175,000,000

Piccolo: 100,000,000

Gohan: 75,000,000

Tien: 55,000,000

Krillin: 50,000,000

Yamcha: 37,500,000