Chapter One: The Sage and the Witch Change the Future

The hot winds of the desert battered his white fur as he walked across the scorching sand. His paws and wooden staff leaving indents behind him. He stopped, gazing at the structure a few feet in front of him. It was a dome building with a blue roof. Beside it were two palm trees, and behind it, was a bridge leading to a platform in the middle of a lake, that had a small palace on it. A small pink spirit wearing a straw hat came from the building and approached him with a smile.

"I take it you wish to meet with Lady Baba?" the spirit inquired in a high-pitched voice.

He nodded his head, causing the spirit to turn.

"Then right this way Master Korin, I'm sure she'll be happy to see you."

The ghost guided Korin inside the palace, leading him to a staircase that lead under the palace. They descended down them; the stairs were covered in pitch-black shadow. Though as they descended further and further, he could see an orange glow. It was quiet, only the sound of slowly dripping water echoed, and the stairs were damp and cold on his paws. As they got to the bottom, he could see a long dim hallway, lit only by torchlight. He walked through the hallway; stone statues of monsters lined the walls, holding lit torches. Sweat ran down his fur as he walked down it. Not from the torchlight, but from the unsettling feeling in his stomach. He never liked this place. They stopped at a large and elaborate stone door, having marking and carvings of runes and monsters on its surface.

The spirit knocked on the door, and it slowly opened. A deep grumble of stone grinding on itself echoed out as the entire hallway shook. As the door opened, he could see another dimly lit room. It was small, only having a single torch on the left wall to light the entire room. A small old lady in a witch's outfit was in the center of the room. A large clear orb was floating in front of her. She had her arms outstretched, her fingers waving up and down as she chanted words that were unfamiliar to him.

"Lady Baba, your guest has arrived." The spirit said as it bowed.

"Yes, yes. I figured that much!" She quipped back at the spirit. "You may go now."

The spirit nodded and turned to Korin, bowing to him before floating down the hallway and up the staircase.

"I assume you know why I've come?" Korin asked as he walked to her.

Baba put her arms down and jumped onto the orb as he approached.

"Well of course, my crystal ball foretold me of your arrival!" She snapped back.

"I see you're as kind as ever…" Korin said back in a sarcastic tone.

Baba snorted. "Now isn't the time for formalities Korin! We don't have time for that!"

"Right, right," Korin said as he scratched the back of his head. "I need you to bring back somebody for 24 hours."

"Well, who?!" Baba demanded as she raised an eyebrow.

Korin said the name, causing the old woman's jaw to drop.

"Y-you want me to bring back him?!"

Black slowly faded as he opened his eyes, blurry images of a blue sky filled his vision. It was peaceful and serene for a moment. As if waking from a terrible dream to realize he had just fallen asleep under the vibrant blue sky. But it was only for a fleeting moment before the realization that they were just fighting the androids flashed through his mind. Instinctually he felt a scream rise up from his throat as he brought himself quickly up to his feet. The sudden realization cleared his blurry vision, showing the desecrated and pulverized ruins of what was once a bustling city. There was no trace that there was ever any type of civilization in the area. Only scorched brown and black earth remained.

"Gohan!" He shouted, then slowly turned, gut-wrenching horror welled up in his stomach.

There was his master, lying motionless on the ground. Covered in his own blood from terrible wounds. His face was badly gashed, his once pristine gi was nothing more than tattered, blood-soaked rags now. His eyes grew wider as he let out a whimper; his eyes had met with his master's right arm, or where his right arm should have been. The sleeve lay hanging empty on the ground, blood pouring out of it. He was scared, so scared, but he knew he had to act fast. If he didn't his only mentor and friend would be just another statistic courtesy of the devils'. He moved his legs as fast as he could, kneeling and clutching his mentor in his arms. Fighting back tears. But it wasn't hopeless. He was breathing, if only faintly. He was still alive, and the young boy was determined to keep it that way. He let his aura explode as he burst off in the air. He knew he couldn't do anything, but he knew his mother could.

She softly whistled as she grabbed a stack of neatly folded clothes. She gave a small, tired sigh as she walked. I hope trunks and Gohan are ok. She thought to herself. They went out for training hours ago; I hope they're alright.

As if on cue, the front entrance flew open, trunks running in with wide and terrified eyes. In his arms, a blood-soaked man, missing his right arm. It took her a moment to recognize the man, because of the sudden shock, and the terrible state he was in. But that man was, without a doubt Son Gohan.

"Oh my god!" She shouted instinctually, dropping her folded clothes as she rushed up to them. "What the hell happened?!" She demanded, however, it didn't take her but a moment to put the pieces together. Without time for Trunks to speak, she grabbed the young boy by his shirt and rushed over to a different part of the house. To a big metal door that led to her laboratory.

"Hurry up and get him on the table!" She demanded in a panic.

Trunks rushed over to the solid metal table, gently setting Gohan's ravaged body onto it. Blood dripping and oozing onto the table as he did. His mother frantically rummaged through a cardboard box, taking out a mess of wires and tubes. She handed them to Trunks before darting off to a closet door. She swung it open and within 10 seconds; she brought out an IV stand and a small oxygen generator with a breathing mask and tube. She spent the next few minutes hooking up the IVs and then the oxygen machine.

"Go grab the medical kits!" She ordered, and without wasting a second, Trunks rushed off, frantically trying to save his master.

A few hours passed and Gohan seemed to be in a stable condition. At the very least they were able to stop the bleeding and disinfect his wounds. And the most important thing, he was breathing. Though Trunks sat by Gohan's side, staring at him with guilt-ridden eyes. Bulma was up to speed on what had happened, and she wanted to chastise Trunks. But what had happened was more than enough punishment. She just hoped that he learned his lesson for good this time. With Gohan stable, she breathed a sigh of relief and went to go leave to get some fresh towels when there was a sudden knock at the laboratory door. A sudden fear made her blood run cold. Was it the Androids?! Did they follow Trunks back here to finish them off for good?! She stayed quiet, not making a noise or moving a muscle, hoping by some vain miracle whoever it was would just leave.

Again, there was another knock, louder this time. Loud enough for Trunks to hear it. He shot up from his seat, ready to fight whoever it was, having the same thoughts as his mother.

"Please, do not be frightened!" a gruff and nasally voice called.

Bulma recognized it, though from whom it originated from she couldn't remember, it's been too long since she last heard it.

"Who are you?!" Trunks growled as he took a fighting stance.

"I am Korin, I am your ally, not foe!"

Korin…..Trunks had heard that name before, he remembered Gohan spoke of him. He was the one that gave Gohan the Senzu Beans. Still, though, he was on edge; he was too shaken up after what had just transpired, not letting down his guard for a second. Though, Bulma was instantly put at ease. She smiled as she opened the door, the small, white-furred sage standing forefront of her. His long wooden staff had a white teapot hanging off the edge of the handle.

"Oh, Master Korin!" She shouted in joy, her eyes wide. "What're you doing here?"

"I've come to help." He said, walking up to her with a smile. He extended his short and stubby fur-covered arm. In his paw was that ever-familiar bean, though it was a little smaller and lighter in color than the usual ones.

"I was able to scrounge up this last one." He explained, craning his head to see Gohan's condition. "I thought something like this may happen

She bent down and picked it up, letting it rest softly in her palm. Korin then looked to Trunks with a toothy smile.

"Well hello, there young one. I don't think we've met." He greeted in a warm, friendly tone, putting Trunks at ease. He then extended his hand, gesturing for a handshake.

Trunks bent down on his knees and extended his hand to Korin, shaking it.

"M-my name is Trunks." He greeted nervously.

"Oh! You're the young lad Gohan's told me about!" He exclaimed. "He said you had quite the promise and seeing you now I certainly concur! You are quite the strong young lad!"

Trunks' cheeks turned red as hot embarrassment, and pride washed over him. He couldn't believe that Gohan would speak so highly of him, or that they thought his strength was more than mediocre. He closed his eyes in a nervous laugh, rubbing his head.

"I thank you, but I can't even turn Super Saiyan yet. I don't think my strength is all that great."

His mother looked over at him with a soft, prideful glance, extending her free hand, placing it on his head, and ruffling his hair.

"He's certainly inherited his father's strength!" She said pridefully before pushing herself back up to her feet. At that, Korin snickered a bit, but neither of them caught it.

She walked over to the table Gohan was laying on, leaning against it. Reaching for the breathing mask on Gohan's mouth, she gingerly pulled it off. Taking the bean in between her thumb, index, and middle finger, she slowly pushed it into his mouth. Letting go of the breathing mask, she pushed his jaw up and down to try and chew it for him.

"Come on, Gohan…" She whispered softly, the bean crunching in between his teeth as she manually made him chew. "You gotta swallow this."

After a little bit of manual chewing, he swallowed what remained of the bean. He lied there still for a few moments. Then he began to cough as the wounds on his face closed. Trunks ran over to his bedside, watching him with a worried yet relieved expression as Gohan slowly opened his eyes. Gohan's gaze drifted to him, and once their eyes met, he smiled.

"You're ok Trunks?" He asked weakly, the full effect of the Senzu not kicking in just yet.

The lavender-haired boy nodded his head, tears rolling down his cheeks.

"I-I'm just fine Gohan…" His tone was overwhelmed with relief. "And, you will be too."

Though as he looked over at his missing arm, it replaced some of that relief with confusion and anger.

"Why didn't his arm grow back?!' He hissed at the old cat, peering down at him.

Korin let out a somber sigh.

"The Senzu I gave him was immature." He explained, shaking his head side to side slowly in guilt. "It was the only one I had left. And I'm afraid an immature bean can't heal back such a grave injury."

"What?!" He yelled, eyes wide with fury and his teeth flared up in a snarl.

He wasn't mad at Korin; he was mad at himself. But he didn't know any other way to vent it. Trunks balled his fists up, raising one in the air. Though before he could do anything, his wrist was caught in an iron-clad grip. He turned to see Gohan sitting up, his face wounds had healed but still left a nasty scar. And his eyes were serious, piercing Trunk's soul. Without even saying a word, he knew he was telling him to calm down. Trunks unballed his fists, the tears now flooding down his face.

"I-I-I'm s-s-sorry G-Goh-han…" He choked through the tears. "B-Because of m-me your arm…" He clenched his eyes shut, guilt gripping his throat, making it hurt to swallow. The next thing he felt was his mother's soft embrace, then Gohan wrapping his one arm around him.

"It's alright Trunks…" He said softly. "There's nothing to be sorry about. You saved me, if anything, I should be apologizing to you."

Gohan's words only served to make him cry harder. Guttural groans escaped his mouth as he tried to stop himself from crying, but it was no use.

"N-no!" He cried out. "If…i-if I had l-listened to you…then…then..y-you…"

Gohan placed his hand over Trunks's mouth to quiet him, and his mother wiped away his tears with her lab coat.

"You learned from that." He assuringly reapplied. "And that's all that matters." He took his hand from Trunks's mouth and ruffled his hair, laughing softly. "What's done is done and I-" he suddenly stopped talking as his soft eyes became alert and on edge, looking out towards the door.

"G-Gohan?..." Trunks and his mother questioned, but he didn't respond.

Quickly he jumped out of the bed, the IVs in his arms being pulled out from under medical tape. Now that he was awake and alert, he was sensing a familiar energy that he had felt when he was a child. Though it had been so long since he felt it that he couldn't quite remember whose it was. But in any case, it was powerful.

"Oh, I see you can already sense him," Korin said, causing them all to look at the short, white hermit.

"What do you mean?" Trunks asked as he wiped the remaining tears from his eyes.

Korin walked up next to Gohan, tapping his wooden staff on the floor.

"I didn't come here alone." He explained. "I brought along two guests."

"Yes! And you just had to pick the most troublesome person didn't you?!" Shouted an old, raspy, feminine voice that Trunks had never heard before. A short old woman, wearing a witch's hat with pink hair came through the doorway, floating on some kind of clear orb.

"Oh! If it isn't fortuneteller Baba!" Bulma cheered as she clapped her hands together in joy. "Long time no see!"

Baba bowed to them with a smile. "Yes, it's a pleaser to see you again Bulma." Her tone was warm and friendly, but quickly her face became more stern. "But I've come here with Master Korin on urgent business."

"Oh?" Bulma inquired, blinking a few times. "What kind of urgent business?"

"Yes well, that concerns these two." She said pointing to Trunks and Gohan. "As well as a guest we brought along from otherworld." She explained before turning her head to the doorway and shouting. "Get your ass in here!"

"Hump! Old Hag! How dare you speak to me like that!" Yelled back an angry voice, completely unfamiliar to Trunks. "I could kill you in an instant!"

Though upon hearing it, his mother began to cry uncontrollably, sauntering to the door. Trunks watched, confused why his mother would elicit such a reaction.

"I'm afraid our deal states you have to follow our orders!" Baba yelled back. "Unless you'd like to go straight back to hell!"

"Hump! Hell is more enjoyable than this shithole of a planet!" The unfamiliar voice quipped back.

Trunks heard footsteps as an unfamiliar man walked through the door. He had his arms crossed as a disgusted scowl on his face. And his looks were like nobody he'd ever seen. Tall spiky hair with a glowing halo around it. Thick muscles, like Gohan, and he had on some sort of armor comprising a blue fabric skin suit and thick white and brown chest armor.

"V-Vegeta…?" His mother quivered, reaching out for the man. Then running up to him and wrapping her arms around him. "Oh, Vegeta! It is you!" She cried, burying her face into his side.

Vegeta...the name, he'd heard his mother say several times before that Vegeta was his father. But, his father was dead, right? So how could the man in front of him be his father? He felt paralyzed with emotions; he didn't know what to do or say. That man before him was his father, appearing out of the blue after being told all his life that he was dead. How else could he feel?

Though the man didn't even seem to acknowledge her, his gaze was set on Gohan. His lips curled up into a wicked smile. Without even exchanging a single word, he pushed his mother aside and jumped at Gohan, his fist cocked back, ready to punch him. Trunks snapped out of his daze and rushed to his mother, grabbing her midair before she crashed into the side of the house. He looked down worriedly at her, her head was slumped down and her body was limp. But she was still breathing just fine, much to his relief. She was knocked out. He then immediately turned his furious eyes to Vegeta, who seemed to be frozen in the air in a midair striking stance. Gohan had his hand out ready to intercept, but his eyes were wide open with confusion.

"W-What the h-hell?!" Vegeta angrily grunted, his mouth only being able to move a little up and down.

The short old woman floated forward, her arm outstretched.

"Vegeta, we brought you back on very specific conditions." She explained. "And if you are to go against those conditions, I have the right and the power to stop you. And if you continue to be troublesome, you'll be sent back to hell." Her words were calm and cool, but they carried a stern sense of authority.

Vegeta only grunted as he tried to break from the telekinesis. Though once he realized he couldn't break free, he gave an angry sigh.

"Fine! But know that if given the chance, you're the first person I'd kill!" He growled.

Baba only laughed as she lowered her hand, forcing Vegeta to the floor. Then released her restraint on him, letting him move once more.

"It seems you've matured a bit in hell." She said, "And I'm not frightened by your threats. Gohan is much stronger than you, he'll be able to stop you before you have the chance."

"What was that!" He screamed, whipping his head around to her.

But, before he could do anything, Trunks let his mother down gently and charged at Vegeta, letting his fist fly at him. Vegeta caught it easily in his palm. Vegeta's pupils darted to him, tightening his grip on Trunks's fist, causing the lavender-haired boy to wince in pain. But he still stared at Vegeta with an angry glare.

"How dare you do that to my mother!" He screamed.

Vegeta raised an eyebrow, looking to Bulma, who laid on the floor motionless, then back to Trunks. He didn't recognize her right away, but that blue hair jogged his memory. He had forgotten her name, but she was that woman that he stayed with while he was on earth. He then put two and two together, the boy in front of him was his son. A laugh rose up in Vegeta's chest, he couldn't believe the runt in front of him was his son.

"So this sorry excuse for a Saiyan is my son?!" He bellowed, seeing the tear stains on Trunks's eyes.

"So this is my sorry excuse for a father!" Trunks fired back in rage. "Knocking my mother aside like that! You'll pay!"

"Pay?" Vegeta scoffed. "You tried to strike your own father! It's you who will pay boy!" He shouted back as he raised his other arm up. Making a fist, ready to strike Trunks in the face.

Gohan clutched Vegeta's wrist with a stern grip. Vegeta turned his head, eyeing him with a defiant glare. But, it didn't intimidate Gohan at all. Staring at him with a very stern expression.

"Don't you dare lay a finger on him!" He growled as he tightened his grip on Vegeta's wrist, causing him to flinch in pain.

A sense of love and gratitude welled in Trunks's chest. Gohan was truly the father he never had. Unlike that uncaring brute that pushed his mother aside.

"Ahem!" Korin said as he cleared his throat, walking up to them. "We came here on urgent business, not to cause a scene." His words were heavy, though mostly aimed at Vegeta, causing Trunks to snicker a little. Gohan loosened his grip on Vegeta's wrist and he pulled his arm back. Growling at Gohan as he held his wrist in his other hand.

Trunks then fell to his feet. Darting back over to his mother, he gently picked her up, Placing her on the table for now.

Baba floated over next to Korin and spoke: "Yes, we've come to offer you both a chance to train and become stronger. Strong enough to wipe out those cyborg menaces for good!"

Trunks and Gohan's eyes widened in shock, their jaws dropping.

"How?!" They both yelled wanting to waste no time in destroying those menaces.

Korin tapped his wooden staff on the ground a few times, the pot hanging off of it rattling and the distinct sploshing of water could be heard inside of it.

"It'll be a simple yet dangerous matter for you Gohan." He spoke, "within this pot contains a special liquid known as Super Divine Water. Your father used it to gain the strength to take down the great Demon King Piccolo."

"What?..." Gohan asked confusedly. "All I have to do is drink that water?"

Both Baba and Korin laughed. "I suppose you could say that," Korin said, his tone becoming far more serious. "But this water is extremely poisonous, it almost killed your father and it could very well do the same to you…"

"What?!" Trunks cried out in concern. "It's not worth it Gohan!" He screamed, looking to his master with wide alarmed eyes. Gohan looked back with a soft expression, slowly shaking his head from side to side. "If it means I'll attain the power to kill 17 and 18 then I think it's well worth it." He said with confidence. "Besides, if my dad could survive it, I know I can! I've got to at least make sure the Earth is at peace before I die."

"Well said, Son Gohan!" Baba praised with an approving smile.

"How long is this going to take?" Gohan asked.

"It should take about a day assuming you can withstand its effects," Korin explained. "Coincidentally, it'll take Trunks and Vegeta about a day to complete their training, for us anyway."

Questions flooded Trunks's mind, and Korin knew that, speaking before he had a chance to ask.

"It's a complicated affair, but when your father went to go train with the former guardian of this planet. He was placed in a special room called the Room of Spirit and Time, also known as the Hyperbolic Time Chamber." He explained. "Basically, one day outside the room is one year inside the room"

"Hold on!" Gohan shouted. "Disregarding all the questions I have about that. Why not send me and Trunks in there? That way we'd both get a year's worth of training?"

Both Baba and Korin shook their heads.

"I originally intended for that," Korin explained. "But, I'm afraid your mental state isn't fit for that place right now Gohan. You've been through so very much, you aren't as stable as you think you are. And that place is extremely mentally taxing. I don't even know if the two of them can handle it, and if you were to go in there and then go off the deep end, all of it would be for naught. So this is the safest option we have."

Gohan was about to interject but this time Korin cut him off before he could speak.

"I know you both have many questions, but we don't have the time. I just ask that you trust us. Can you do that?"

Gohan and Trunks looked at each other and nodded. They didn't like that the other was going to endure such a dangerous endeavor. But they also knew that they had to kill 17 and 18, and they've had no luck so far. So perhaps this was their chance to do it.

"We understand!" They both shouted, causing Baba and Korin to breathe a sigh of relief.

"We thank both of you," Korin said with appreciation and respect. "If you both give it your all, you both can finally rid this world of those monsters for good."

Power Levels:

Gohan (Pre Zenkai): 5,000,000

Gohan (Post Zenkai): 6,700,000

Trunks: 1,000,000

Android 18: 280,000,000

Android 17: 300,000,000

Vegeta: 3,500,000

This was just a thought I had in my head for a while now. Gohan had Senzu Beans so Korin must've still been alive. And it was never explicitly stated that Baba was killed either. It was weird that nothing was ever done to help them so I threw together this what if. It'll be short, only 3 chapters long, but if enough people want it to continue, I have a few plans for it if I decide to continue it beyond its original scope.

And before I get hate for the way Vegeta treated Bulma. At the time Vegeta died in the future he was just getting to know her combined with all of those years in hell, I doubt he cares for her at all, and probably forgot who she was.

As for why I put power levels the way I did: Gohan was relative to them during the last battle, 17 being surprised at the power he had, to the point he felt that it was best to team up with 18 to finish him. So a SS PL of 250,000,000 seems about accurate. And his Zenkai power up seems to be right as well. He lost his arm so he's not as strong as he would be but he would most likely rival them one-on-one but still get bodied when they work together. I know Trunks might seem a little high, but remember he's probably been fighting all his life, and Gohan through he was at least strong enough not to get one-shotted when they fought the Androids, so he has to have a little bit of power. Vegeta is where he's at because he was around 2 Million at the end of the Freeza Arch so I feel he's gotten at least this much stronger in the time he spent in hell, probably still training. As for why the Androids are where they are: It all came down to Gohan's strength, I didn't think he could be any higher than that, he didn't seem that strong in the special, and the future Androids are weaker than the present day ones, so I felt around that ballpark was solid.