I've reposted Chapter 6 a third time because I realized I'd forgotten to add Trunks in the one scene. If you don't want to reread it Trunks goes with his father and the two Goku's to stop Mirai Vegeta stealing the time machine. has not been my friend these past two weeks. I apologise for the delay with posting this chapter.
"That should do it," Mr Briefs announced straightening from the molecular gun, which lay on a table in his laboratory.
Tien and Krillen looked up simultaneously from where they had been waiting impatiently for the professor to fix the weapon that would swap the four interchanged Saiya-jins back to their own bodies. With them Mrs Briefs sat cradling little Bra on her lap.
"Does it work?" Krillen wanted to know.
Mr Briefs shrugged, "I hardly know what it is," he told them, "It's a fascinating weapon. Basically it swaps molecules between two points in space and time, provided you specify which two points. It was set to swap between this timeline and dimension of those other two Saiya-jins. I've set both the origin and destination points to this dimension so all you have to do is fire on either of the Gokus or Vegetas and they'll do a straight switch. I would love to study it further but it'll work, hopefully."
Tien raised an eyebrow; "Hopefully?" he wanted to know.
Mr Briefs sighed, "Sorry, I've done my best," he replied, "The rest is up to you."
"It's under control," Krillen told him hoping he wasn't lying to not only the professor but himself as well.
"Remember, the weapon seems to only be able to store enough energy for two shots," Mr Briefs warned.
"Better make 'em count, huh?" Krillen chuckled humourlessly as Tien shouldered the overly large gun.
"Yes," Mr Briefs agreed his voice harbouring pain. Krillen didn't need to guess the cause.
Tien walked to the door, "Let's go," he said grasping the handle, "The sooner this is over the sooner we can all go home."
The three-eyed man opened the door as he hitched the molecular gun higher on his shoulder and Krillen followed closely shooting Mrs Briefs an encouraging look as they left. Outside they both made to fly back in the direction they had come when simultaneously they paused.
Tien shot his short friend a questioningly look, "You feel that?"
"Uh-huh," Krillen replied then grinned, "Gohan and Goten," he added scanning the skies.
Tien frowned, "Hope nothing's happened," he murmured.
Within seconds the two brothers had landed before them on the grass of Capsule Corporation.
Gohan eyed the molecular gun over Tien's shoulder, "Is that thing working?" he asked immediately.
"Yup," Krillen told them with a grin.
"Okay," Gohan concentrated for a moment then looked to his left, "They're a few miles over that way."
"That way?" Tien looked confused, "I thought-"
"The other Vegeta went after the time machine Dad and Vegeta-san came home in," Goten explained, "That's why we have to hurry."
"Yes, but everyone keep your Ki low, we have to try and sneak up on them," Gohan warned, "We'll never be able to hit them other wise."
"We've only got two shots, too," Tien added.
"Let's go," Krillen said jumping into the air.
The two Mirai Saiya-jins screamed above the noise they were creating, each vying for a higher power level. As of yet they seemed perfectly matched. Despite the seriousness of the situation Goku gave the Saiya-jin prince a sidelong look with a raised eyebrow.
Vegeta smirked at the other Saiya-jin's questioning look. He knew Goku was wondering about Vegeta's jump to SSJ 3 and subsequent equalling in power. The prince ignored the look and continued to watch their counterparts try and outdo one another. To his other side Trunks was glaring at the king with unconcealed hatred
Abruptly Mirai Vegeta powered down and, after a moment, Mirai Goku followed suit. The latter did not however release his grip on the king's wrist.
Mirai Vegeta gave his captor a critical look, "Why are you helping them?" he demanded, "I am your king your allegiance should be to me."
Mirai Goku raised an eyebrow, "I don't stand with people who want to have me killed," he said blandly.
The king narrowed his eyes briefly, "And what if you were acquitted?" he asked then sighed at the other Saiya-jin's blank look and added, "What if I promised not to kill you?"
Mirai Goku paused, "I couldn't trust you," he pointed out but he sounded a little uncertain.
Mirai Vegeta laughed, "In that body you are stronger than my entire royal army and I alone cannot kill you," the king told him, "In fact with you by my side there is not a force in the universe that could us."
The real Goku smiled, "He'd never agree to that," he said confidently, "I wouldn't."
Mirai Goku glanced at his counterpart, his face pensive, then looked back at Mirai Vegeta and released his wrist, "You have my allegiance, my king," he said.
"WHAT!" Goku shrieked his mouth hanging open in shock.
Vegeta also looked surprised, "Looks like I'm not the only one different in their timeline," he commented.
The two Mirai Saiya-jins turned to face the three Earth Saiya-jins and they suddenly became aware of just how bad a situation they were in.
Trunks edged a step closer to his father, "Now what?" he asked lowly.
Vegeta continued to stare at his counterpart, "That man killed your mother," he said loud enough for everyone to hear.
Trunks flinched, "I know that," he said in a tight voice.
Vegeta looked at his son, "And what are you going to do about it?" he asked bluntly.
Trunks stared at him with wide eyes as Mirai Vegeta started to laugh, "That stupid boy has done nothing but cry for his mother, perhaps that bitch wasn't worth avenging," he said acerbically.
Vegeta hands clenched convulsively but he willed himself to remain were he was. Trunks had spun around to look at the king with hatred in his eyes but before his son could say or do anything the Saiya-jin prince leaned forward and whispered for only Trunks to hear, "He's right, you know."
Vegeta had been expecting it but was still slightly stunned when his son punched him across the face. Hard. As the prince landed on his back, having done nothing to stop the blow, he rather wished Trunks hadn't gone Super Saiya-jin first.
"Trunks!" Goku called in surprise as the lavender haired half Saiya-jin screamed and lunged toward Mirai Vegeta. The king took a fighting stance but just as he came in range Trunks jinked faster than the eye could see, making him appear to disappear, and reappeared behind his opponent kicking him behind the knee to bring him to his knees. Then, powering up to his limit, he spun around and kicked the king across the head.
It happened so quickly that neither Mirai Vegeta nor Mirai Goku could even think to stop him. The king went flying under the force and unexpectedness of the attack much to Trunks', as well as the two Gokus', surprise. Vegeta, who was clambering to feet muttering, "Don't kill him", looked unfazed.
Trunks paused and caught the real Goku's eye. The Saiya-jin had a mixture of disbelief and delight plastered across his face. As Goku gave him a thumbs up the half Saiya-jin looked down at himself. Blue lightning crackled over the yellow aura, which surrounded him in his SSJ state. He'd gone SSJ 2 without even realising it.
Vegeta got to his feet and pressed the back of his hand against his cheek, "Guess I was right," he murmured with a smirk, "Mixing Saiya-jin and human blood begets a powerful hybrid."
Trunks looked at his hands then up to his father, "You said those things on purpose," he said, "You knew I'd get angry enough to ascend."
"Yes," Vegeta agreed.
"Why didn't you get angry enough to ascend?" Trunks wanted to know.
Vegeta shook his head and poked himself in chest with a thumb, "This body isn't physically strong enough to go SSJ 2, it'd be ripped apart," he explained, "You, on the other hand, have been training for this."
Trunks nodded slowly in understanding then glared at Mirai Goku who was staring over his shoulder to where Mirai Vegeta was struggling to get to his feet. The orange clad Saiya-jin turned back to the three Earth Saiya-jins and raised both hands.
"Look-," Goku started but was interrupted as his counterpart was hit dead centre in the chest by a high power up beam of light.
The world went white.
Goku became aware of movement before anything else. After a moment he realized the movement was someone shaking him rather violently and opened his eyes with a frown and angry rebuke ready on his lips. His words died as he saw Vegeta standing over him grasping him by the shirtfront and shaking him none to gently. It was only then that he realized he was lying on the ground.
As the Saiya-jin prince realized his rival was awake he released Goku's shirtfront and allowed the younger Saiya-jin slump back onto the ground, "What do you remember?" he demanded.
Goku thought about it, "We were..." he paused then frowned, "In another timeline?"
Vegeta nodded, "What else?"
"I don't know," Goku rubbed his eyes and sat up, looking down at himself he was pleased to find he was now dressed in his usual orange Gi, even if it was a little torn and dirty. He also had a few aches and pains he didn't remember having before, but of course they'd been inflicted while another occupied his body. Vegeta straightened and backed off to stand next to the rest of the Z fighters who were also hovering nearby anxiously. Looking around he saw a person nearby lying prone but showed signs of stirring. Goku concentrated on him then gaped.
"What the-" he started but Vegeta cut them off.
"Yes, he's you," he explained impatiently, "You were swapped remember?"
"I think I do," Goku said getting to his feet slowly and gave Vegeta a critical look, "What's with the clothes?"
"I was also swapped," the prince said tightly, "I haven't been switched back."
Goku snapped his fingers, "The gun right?" he said suddenly remembering, "Where's your double?"
Vegeta looked down and clenched his fists, "Gone," he said succinctly.
Goku looked around and caught on surprisingly quickly, this may have been due to the glaringly obvious lack of time machine in the area.
"He took the time machine," Trunks supplied unnecessarily.
"Oh," said Goku for lack of something better to say.
"We've still got the gun," Gohan pointed out hefting the weapon.
"Whoop-de-do," Vegeta snarled sarcastically, "That doesn't help a bit."
"Can't Dr Briefs build another time machine?" Goten asked quietly.
Vegeta pretended to look delighted, "Got some plans for an inter-dimensional time machine hidden about your person have you, boy?"
Goten looked at his feet, "No," he conceded.
"No," Vegeta agreed in a derisive voice, "I didn't think so."
"Isn't there anything we can do?" Goku asked.
"Grandpa could probably build another machine if he just had the specs," Trunks pointed out.
Vegeta rubbed his temples viciously with a curse of frustration and strode the short distance to Mirai Goku who was just getting to his feet. Not pausing for a moment the prince punched Mirai Goku, who was now back in his own body clad in the blue jumpsuit and armour, across the face.
"Vegeta!" Goku yelled jogging up to him and giving him a reproving look as Mirai Goku sat down on the ground again with a thump.
The prince shrugged, "I would have punched myself but he's not here right now," he said unapologetically.
"It's okay," Mirai Goku said from the ground, restarted the standing up process, "I deserved that."
"Why'd you side with the king anyway?" Goku wanted to know, "I thought you were on our side."
His counterpart sighed, suddenly looking very tired. He shrugged then nodded his head toward Goku's eldest son, "Is that Gohan?"
Goku nodded, "Yeah," he affirmed, "That's Goten next to him, my youngest son."
Mirai Goku smiled, "I'm glad I got see what he would have looked like," he murmured, "My son was killed in my timeline, by my own brother."
"Radditz," Krillin suddenly commented as the rest of the Z fighters gathered around.
Mirai Goku nodded then frowned, "He didn't defeat you?" he asked of his counterpart.
Goku shrugged, "Sort of," he said, "It's along story but we defeated him with Piccolo's help."
"Piccolo!" Mirai Goku spat, "I suppose he didn't betray you in your version."
"No I didn't," an unmistakable voice came from above.
The Z fighters glanced up to see the Namek hovering above them, arms folded, staring dispassionately down at the group. He moved downward and touched down lightly.
"Two Goku's," he observed, "Haven't we suffered enough?"
"Haha," Goku said with a grin, "Took your time didn't you."
"You seemed to be managing," Piccolo commented, "At least you were," he gave Vegeta a fascinated look, "What an unfortunate body."
The prince glowered at him, "What a surprise," he said insincerely, "A late and dramatic arrival from everyone's favourite green idiot."
"Ouch," Piccolo said blandly, "You're just pissed off because I'm stronger than you now."
Vegeta opened his mouth to retort then stopped and shook his head, "Whatever," he muttered and walked away from the group.
Piccolo frowned, "Is Vegeta depressed?" he wondered out loud.
Goku gave him a quick version of recent events and when he was done the Namek looked thoughtful.
"What a bizarre idea," he commented.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"So what now?" Gohan wanted to know.
Goku opened his mouth to reply that he had no idea then shut it with a frown and looked upward. A split second later everyone mimicked him and before along a fast moving speck appeared in the clear sky. The speck rapidly became Yamcha and within moments he'd landed breathlessly in front of the group, a little brown bag of Senzu beans hanging from his belt.
"Am I too late?" he asked.
Everyone nodded, save Vegeta who snorted and wandered even further from the group.
Yamcha frowned, "Oh."
"We still need to think of something," Trunks pointed out.
"We're going to Capsule Corporation," Vegeta broke in as he walked back toward the group looking intent.
"Why?" Goten asked.
"Two reasons," Vegeta said with a sudden grin which was somehow scarier then his glare since it held no mirth and even more malice, "Firstly we're going to wake up Ranorik," he jabbed a thumb over his shoulder. Everyone peered behind the prince to where the advisor lay still comatose on the ground and Vegeta had found him seconds before, "So he can tell the good doctor how to build another time machine."
Goku grinned, "Of course," he said, "I'd forgotten him. And the other reason?"
"To get the dragon radar," Vegeta told them his grin disappearing, "We'll need to summon Shenlon when this is all over."
Even though I'm the author I still find myself getting confused. I hope this makes sense and I haven't missed anything in my time travel and switching theories. If I have feel free to point them our (or ignore them if changing things will ruin my story :P)
Please read and review!