~~~ Ch 2 - Branch of Time ~~~
11/30-12/1/2022 ~ DBZ Ep 121: Welcome Back Goku ~ DBZ Ep 122: Mystery Revealed ~ Cell by Cell: Ch 5-6
I felt Mother's gaze on me so I turned to look at her and when our eyes connected, she questioned, "Have we met? You look so familiar."
Thankfully I wasn't drinking because that surely would have made me comically spittle. I stuttered my reply, "Ah, n-no, sorry."
"Excuse me, mister, but how do you know my dad?" Gohan looked up to me.
It was weird to hear him call me mister, but I guess I am his senior. I responded honestly, "Actually, I haven't met your dad before. I've only just heard about him."
Krillin interrogated, "Then, how do you know that he's going to arrive at this spot in two hours?"
"Well, that's… Ah…" I looked down, trying to find a way to answer without jeopardizing my entire existence in being here. Telling my own mother that I came from the future before I'm even born yet was certainly a horrible idea. She thought I looked familiar, so she'd certainly be able to connect the dots. Without finding a reasonable answer, I mumbled, "Sorry, I-I can't say."
"Why not?!" a rough voice called accusingly towards me. When I looked up, it was my father… "I'll tell you! Because you're up to something! Tell us now Tough guy, who are you?!"
His gaze made me feel uncomfortable. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he felt almost evil. It was his completely black eyes that seemed to challenge me, as if daring me to try something. And his back was stark upright as if he could hold authority or maybe he was trying to appear taller? Either way, it was unnerving. Even as he wore a pink shirt, he seemed menacing.
"I wish I could, sorry," I turned my eyes back to the ground. I couldn't stand looking back at him.
Gohan broke the silence that followed, "When you defeated Freeza and that big guy, you were a super saiyan, weren't you?"
I hesitantly answered, knowing I couldn't lie about something like that, "Yes. Yes, I was."
"That's a lie!" Father burst. "Look my friend, Kakarot -the one you call Goku- and myself are the only saiyans left! Kakarot's kid there is half saiyan, so if you count him, that makes three of us! There's no way that you could have saiyan blood!"
There was nothing I could say to that. He was right. It was stupid of me to have engaged with them. I should have just waited for Goku on my own and not risked meeting with them! Damnit! Of course Mother and Father would be the ones able to figure it out! They were both smart, and I of all people would know that!
Gohan defended, "Yeah, but we saw him! He just defeated Frieza, and that huge guy, all by himself!"
"Well, I'm calling him a liar, not a weakling," Father concluded. His gaze never left my figure, even with Gohan's comment, and it made my skin crawl. I was beginning to understand what Mom was talking about when she warned that Father could be… Overbearing.
Speaking of Mom, she cut the silence by pointing out, "Oh, hey, you've got our logo on your jacket. That's my dad's company. Are you one of our employees?"
She leaned towards me to further inspect my outfit, but I leaned back a bit to get a little space, "No, not exactly. Just a fan."
"Oh I see. Well, tell me a name, and I'll recommend you to Dad," she insisted kindly. I couldn't tell if she was just curious, or trying to sneak my slipping a name to her. With her, I really couldn't tell, even in the future.
"I, uh, can't do that. I'm sorry, I know it's strange."
"Oh~. Mystery man," Mom teased, seemingly intrigued.
"Is his shoe size a secret too?" Tien taunted to Yamcha's agreement, "Yeah, why can't I have a secret name? That's not fair. I bet you have a secret spy decoder ring, too."
Young Mother turned to her friends and put a hand on her waist. I fought off a flinch as that was never a good sign, "Knock it off you guys! You're all jealous! This guy just beat Freeza single handedly, so there!"
When she turned to face me, her eyes met mine and she gave a wink… I broke contact and focused back to the ground. It was more than embarrassing that my own mother from the past had to defend me from her friends' words. I could take the criticism, but she seemed to protect me anyway. That was so Mom.
As time passed, dreadfully slowly might I add, we seemed to have slipped apart a bit across the flat area we waited in. I'd watched most of the group sit down, but even though my legs were killing me to rest I didn't budge until I watched Father sit on a rock across the area. Finally, I found my own rock to sit upon, holding up one of my aching legs. Not that it hurt, but it was a tad sore from just standing there for what had to be over an hour.
I gave a glance in Father's direction but unfortunately his eyes were already on mine. He demanded, "What are you looking at?!"
"Oh, uh, nothing, it's just that I uh… Like your shirt," I said in a panic.
"You would," his eyes narrowed and I pulled my gaze away quickly. The others were engaging in private conversations, but Father remained silent and intent on watching me. I made the mistake of meeting his eyes once more, "Why do you keep looking over here?! Haven't you ever seen a pink shirt before?! If you like it that much, you can have it!"
"No, no thank you," I responded. He was so grumpy, and serious. It was slightly amusing, actually.
"Then knock it off, kid," he warned, baring his teeth which I could see from the corner of my eyes after I'd looked away once more.
His hair was certainly recognizable, just as Mom had said it was. She warned me that Dad wasn't exactly a nice guy, but there were some nice things about him. I could see it now. He was proud and a strong warrior. Believe it or not, the way he sat upright proved that even while relaxing he was always ready for battle. It was inspiring. Despite his hard gaze, I wanted to get to know him more. But I can't or else my existence would disappear.
Still, my dad died when I was not even a year old so it was nice to see him nonetheless.
"Maybe he's wrong! Maybe Goku's not coming!" Yamcha suddenly exclaimed, making everyone turn to him before looking to the empty sky.
"Well the only way to find out is to wait two hours, right?" Young Mom returned.
Yamcha sighed, "Yeah…"
"Well how long has it been?" Mom's voice sounded patronizing, a tone of voice she used typically just before I was yelled at for being in trouble. Usually the tone she used asking if I was hurt before scolding me for running after the androids…
The scarred warrior replied with guilt, "One hour."
Mom stood and shook her fist, "Well then, just chill out for one more hour!"
"Well you can find another ride home!"
"FINE!" Mom's voice boomed off the cliff faces and I couldn't help my wince.
The other hour passed by even slower than before as the conversations died out and all that was heard was the call of a falcon and the wind blowing across the desert. Finally, my timer on my watch went off and I stood to stretch my legs and announce the news, "Hey, ah, that's it! Two hours have passed. Goku should be arriving any second now."
Mom jumped up, "Really?!"
I used my senses to search for Goku's energy, and I quickly found a ki approaching Earth, but it wasn't alone as I had expected. Maybe my mind was playing tricks with me? It was pretty hot out in the desert and despite having drinks, I could still be dehydrated. I didn't want to risk drinking too much or else I'd feel sick in the time machine later.
The others exclaimed and Gohan cheered at the energy approaching and sure enough a circular spaceship came down from the sky glowing orange from breaking the atmosphere. The ship took a speedy descent until jets fired and halted the momentum to take a softer landing. Instantly the group began to run towards the landing location, me taking flight to join them in meeting Goku.
The seal opened slowly and a figure stood in shadows on the opposite end, obviously impatiently waiting for the thing to fully open. A man with similar black spikey hair to my father and Gohan appeared once the door finally allowed the man to step out. His eyes passed to each person, landing on myself last.
The man voiced his confusion, "Hua? Hey, guys!" and was met by cheers of: "Yeah! You made it! Alright Goku! Welcome back!" In addition, Gohan's voice called loudly, "What took you so long, Dad?!"
They were all there happy and smiling away. Something the man seemed confused by. But of course he would be! Freeza was defeated, but no one of the group was strong enough to take on that menace! Plus, the group didn't even know that Goku was supposed to return today!
Goku fully walked out of the ship and joined his group of cheering friends a few yards away, "Hi, guys. How in the world did you figure out that I was gonna be here?"
"This guy told us!" Bulma announced, pointing towards me much to his bewilderment. "He's a mystery man. I think he might be a fan of yours."
"He knows all about you, Daddy," Gohan added happily.
The saiyan looked me up and down and blinked, "Hua? But, how?"
His confusion shocked the group and Young Mom spoke, "He knew the exact time and place of your arrival, Goku."
The man looked between Mom and me, blinking as he undoubtedly tried to comprehend just what was going on. Finally, he replied, "That's impossible. We've never even met."
Mother blinked, "Well, that's what he said, but he must have been tracking your ship in outer space."
"Really?" Goku questioned, cupping his chin with a hand. I nervously shifted my weight between each foot, unsure what to make of his intense observation. His eyes were much different from my father's, but all the same it made me uncomfortable. Goku gave his response, "I don't know. Freeza tried to do that, but I could sense his energy level as he passed. He sure was in a hurry to beat me home. But my gosh! What in the world happened here you guys?! Who defeated Freeza?! You, Piccolo? Or was it you, Vegeta?"
The saiyan studied the two strongest people he knew on Earth but neither were close to Freeza's power. Piccolo replied, "Neither of us did. It was this guy. He did it with ease. He turned into a super saiyan and picked him apart."
Goku's eyes grew wide in surprise, "What? A super saiyan? I can't believe it! That's outstanding! Can you imagine?! A super saiyan at his age?! Fantastic!"
Father yelled in frustration, "Hey! Aren't you forgetting something?! You, your son, and I are the only saiyans still alive!"
"Well, if he says he's a super saiyan, then that's good enough for me. And besides, that's not true!" Goku light hearted-ly replied. Mom said Goku was easy to get along with, but I never imagined he'd be quite so trusting. It made me feel hope that Goku could change the outcome of my time just by the way he embodied good.
"Oh honestly Goku! You take things way too lightly sometimes," Bulma sighed.
"No I don't," Goku defended.
My young father burst, "What do you mean that's not true?!"
Goku shrunk his head slightly at the accusation before swiftly recovering and scratching the back of his head in a fashion I'd seen Gohan do before, "Because it isn't. I've been training with someone. He's still on the ship."
"You what?!" Father yelped, and my eyes darted to where that second energy was coming from. I wasn't hallucinating from dehydration, then… But, Mom never mentioned someone else arriving with Goku. Was this something she conveniently left out, too? Maybe this person was supposed to help out against Freeza?
"I can sense him! Woah! How could I have missed it before?!" Krillin cried out.
"It's unreal," Piccolo gulped.
Confused looking between her friends, Goku, and the ship, Mother asked, "What is it you guys?"
Tien answered, "This power. It's just as strong as this kid. And I get the feeling that's not even close to what he's capable of."
Confidently, Goku stated, "Yup, yup! He's super strong!" and turned towards the ship behind him. He then yelled out, "Hey! King Vegeta! Why don't you show yourself already?!"
"WHAT?!" Father choked with bug eyes. I looked between him and the ship. Yes, the power in there gave off a similar feel to Father's but it was almost too similar. Freeza and his father felt different yet the same but this just felt the same…
"I've told you before, Kakarot, not to call me that. And I said I wasn't staying on this planet, either," the voice of the warrior came as he revealed himself. He did indeed look an awful lot like Dad…
Gohan gasped, "He… Kind of looks like Vegeta."
Yamcha added, "Woah, another mystery saiyan? What are the odds?"
Father grit his teeth and demanded, "I refuse to believe you're my father, so just who do you think you are?!"
The warrior responded directly to him, "No, I'm not your father. Merely related, that's all. It's not something I'd wish to explain."
That answer didn't sit well with me. Not wishing to explain was what I had done, but it was impossible that this guy could be from the future too, right? He looked far too much like my father, but there would be no way he'd ever willingly step into the time machine. That much I am sure of because Mom told me herself, and sure enough the man I met today was too proud for that. He'd die first. He did die first.
This new person looked dead at me, and his eyes were firm and challenging. The very same look Father gave me those two hours ago. He was daring me to speak up, or fight, or even to just break eye contact. I refused to be the one to back down first.
Then, his eyes parted from mine to look towards my young mother. He seemed to study her just as he had me, maybe even with more intensity. Like he was committing her appearance to memory. My own eyes narrowed as his voice came and his eyes met mine once more, "Boy, you had something to say?"
How could this guy know I had something to say?! What's going on here?! Could this really be my father from another future timeline?! No. No no no no no. I refuse to believe that's possible. I'm just being paranoid!
The man blinked, something saiyans didn't do often, which broke my concentration. I turned to the man I had originally intended to meet and called, "Goku. Can I have a word with you?"
"With me?" Goku confirmed.
"Yes, just the two of us," came my response. I pointed across the plateau and began walking in the direction.
To the group's audible confusion, Goku willingly walked with me and looked more serious, "Alright, then."
Yamcha outburst, "What? Hey! What is this guy trying to say?!"
Goku assured, "It's okay guys. I'll be right back."
With that, we both flew across the plateau to speak privately. As we landed, I turned to face the man I only heard in stories as a child. The legendary Son Goku; the strongest man to have ever lived. He was pure hearted and a genuine person, always dedicated to helping out people in need. He was the person I looked up to as a kid as a hero. Besides Gohan, of course. Meeting this man now meant the difference between this world and my own.
I greeted, "Thanks, man."
"Hey, no problem! But shoot! I should be thanking you for beating Freeza! I had a chance to finish him, but I was only fooling myself, thinking that he might change."
"Not him," I agreed, knowing the story well enough from Mom's stories. "He was out of control and you were supposed to stop him. But when he landed and you weren't around, 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 two hours on me. I would have gotten here sooner, but I was doing a bit of training, so I had to make a choice. I'll be honest, I hadn't even known you defeated Freeza until he was already gone!"
"And just how were you going to get here sooner when you were in space?" I asked skeptically.
Goku stood straighter, seeming proud to announce, "Well, thanks to a technique I learned, I could have been there in seconds."
Okay, seriously, Mom… You left that little detail out, too? "Are you serious?"
The man replied cheerfully, "Yeah! It's called Instant Transmission!"
"You mean time travel?!" I gasped, not knowing what else that sort of technique could mean. How else could you travel to a place faster than you should be able to?! That physically shouldn't be possible! Could this time be different from my own if Father, and even Goku, know some sort of time manipulation technique?! Oh, Kami, what have I done…?!
"No. You dematerialize and travel as a mass of light. You'd be surprised how much ground you could cover going 186 thousand miles per second!" Goku explained with pride.
"No kidding? I had no idea you had that ability," I sighed. Okay, so Goku didn't know time manipulation, but that still didn't explain who I'm still paranoid might be my father, though I refuse to believe such things.
Goku nodded, "Yeah, the people on Yardrat taught it to me and King Vegeta. They weren't very strong, but they knew some amazing techniques! And I think they liked me because I could eat as much as they could."
If only I had known that Goku knew such an ability. The entire reason I took on Freeza in the first place was because Goku didn't get to the fight in time and Mom said it was best if I just handled it myself. If Goku would have come down and saved the day instead, then my parents wouldn't be so suspicious of me because I wouldn't have shown them that I was a super saiyan.
"Man, what a bummer…" Goku tilted his head and I reasoned, "If I had known that you didn't need my help with Freeza, I could have waited and come to you while you were alone and avoided the risk of meeting all the others."
"The risk? What do you mean?" he asked.
I sighed and nodded, "Okay, I don't mind answering that question, but first let me ask you something. Can you transform into a super saiyan at will?"
Goku responded, "Well at first I wasn't able to. It happened spontaneously. But now I can control it."
"Alright then. Can you show me right now? Please, Goku," I didn't want to come off as pushy, but the power that radiated off of him made my blood boil up for a fight. I needed to see what he could do. I needed to know if he truly was as amazing as Mom and Gohan always said he was.
"Okay," the saiyan agreed, taking a stance to power up. His energy sparked and the signature yellow aura covered his being, hair turning golden and eyes of turquoise. In this state, I couldn't help but be reminded of Gohan… "Are you satisfied?"
"Yes, I am," I smiled, realizing that Goku's power was actually on par with my memories of Gohan's. If Goku was this powerful now, then the androids wouldn't stand a chance when he survives and trains for the next three years to defeat them! "Man, how awesome? I'd forgotten what it feels like looking from the outside, in."
Goku encouraged, "So, what's next, friend?"
"Now we'll both be super saiyans," I announced, raising my power to match his own in the ascended state. The man before me appeared shocked as he took in my transformation. He'd obviously never seen the transformation from the outside before, then.
He gasped, "We're exactly the same."
"Let's find out," I said, unsheathed my sword and swung with every intent to test just how fast and strong the hero, Goku, really was… But he didn't even flinch! "Hua? Why didn't you try to avoid it?"
"I searched your feelings, so I knew that you would stop," the man smiled.
"Yes, I see," I nodded, realizing he must be able to tell that I didn't have any evil intentions. "Well this time I'm not going to stop, got it?"
"As you wish," he agreed, lifting a hand and concentrating his ki into his pointer finger. The perfect test of speed and skill. With the body remaining still and just the arm used to block the attacks.
Thirty strikes, and not a single time did he falter. Satisfied, I released my transformation and threw my sword into the air, sheathing it as it came back to Earth, "Awesome. Everything I've heard is true. You're good-no, you're great! Man, those same moves turned Freeza into cold cuts!"
Goku dropped the transformation as well, "Yeah, well, your heart just wasn't in it this time."
He was right. I didn't put all my energy into the follow through, but I wasn't afraid of killing the guy either. Goku's abilities were amazing. He was even faster than Gohan ever was as I had to up the tempo halfway through my test. The androids wouldn't stand a chance, and he was completely devoid of evil. There wasn't a bad hair on him.
I smiled, "I feel like I can trust you, Goku. I had to know that for sure. Sorry about all of the secrecy, but I really need your word that you won't tell anybody else what I am about to say."
"Well, I've never had a problem keeping secrets, but sure. You have my word," Goku nodded.
"Thank you. My name is Trunks. This is going to sound really strange, but 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!"
That very reaction made me feel almost relieved. Maybe that guy really wasn't from the future after all then? That didn't explain how he was a saiyan, but I had a feeling that I'd learn sooner or later. I confirmed, "Yes. The reason I am a super saiyan is because Vegeta is my father. His saiyan blood runs in my veins."
Goku's eyes grew wide, "WHAT?! You're kidding! Wow! You're absolutely sure that Vegeta's your father?!"
My head nodded once more, "Yes. I am half saiyan, half earthling."
"You're serious…" Goku blinked. "Vegeta's son… My gosh!" He quickly turned to look over at the group across the plateau, "Yes, yes! I can see the resemblance! Wow!"
"I will be born two years from now."
Goku burst out laughing, "No kidding! Vegeta's going to be a daddy! That's incredible! Man, who would have ever thought…"
Before things could derail, I called to regain his attention, "Goku, I didn't come here to tell you that. I have to talk to you about something… In three years on the morning of May 12th at 10 AM, a horribly destructive duo will show up on an island nine miles southwest of South City. They have dreadful power, even by our standards. They're monsters, Goku. That's the best way that I know to describe them. They're monsters! Once this pair surfaces, the Earth and everything you know will be gone for good."
The man seriously asked, "What's the deal? Are they aliens?"
And so, I recited the script Mom made me memorize for this very moment: "No. They're both androids created right here on Earth. Their creator is Gero, Dr. Gero. The mastermind responsible for the old Red Ribbon Army. Do you remember?"
"Yeah! I defeated them!" Goku exclaimed. "No way! Same guy? Wow! But, how?! He lived?!"
"Thanks to you," I rolled my eyes. Oh, Mom told me the story alright. Goku was just a kid when he charged the whole army on his own, taking out the huge military by a full frontal assault. Him against the army. One moment there were hundreds of soldiers prepared for the next world war, the next they were scared off by a little boy with a monkey's tail and Power Pole. Goku didn't bother with defeating everyone as he took out the main station and called it a day.
I continued, "Yes, that's one battle you're going to wish you fought 'til the very end. Look, I'm sorry to say that, Goku, I know you're a good person; but letting Dr. Gero escape was a mistake that will come back to haunt you and everyone you know. He's probably working on those monsters as we speak! I'm still not sure where his laboratory is. If I knew, I'd be paying him a visit instead of you.
"It's hard to describe these creatures, Goku. They're unlike anyone you've ever faced. Nothing even comes close to rivaling the technology that gave them birth. It's mind boggling how strong they are."
Goku took in the information, "What's his plan? What's Dr. Gero trying to accomplish with them?"
"No one really knows. The moment those things were able to think for themselves, they rebelled. And they've had their own twisted, merciless agenda ever since then. There's no rhyme or reason to what they do. They're machines of destruction. Man eaters! Their first act after being born was to turn on their own creator! Dr. Gero himself. These androids are ruthless. They delight in causing pain and chaos. Living on Earth in my time is like living in a nightmare. Always running, and hiding, and looking for a way out…" I slowly devolved into more emotional territory. No, I won't let my feelings get in the way with this mission. I'm here to stop this madness once and for all.
"Hm, man. Gosh, you defeated Freeza in a flash, and yet from what you're saying these androids are even stronger than you," Goku observed.
"They are, for sure. Hunting me down is one of their favorite hobbits, but it's two against one. There's not much I can do against them except run."
"What?! What about all the others?! I mean, aren't they helping you?!"
I had to break eye contact, not knowing how the man before me would take the following news, "They can't. They're dead… Three years from now the Earth's special forces will be gone…" Goku remained speechless, so I further explained as emotion sunk back into my voice, "I'm all that's left. I'm doing the best I can… They're all gone! Vegeta, Krillin, Yamcha, Tien, Chiaotzu, Piccolo! They're all going to lose their lives against the androids in a horrible battle! There will be only one survivor. That's my master and best friend, Gohan. He narrowly escapes from that battle but then, thirteen years later, they finally get him…
"That was four years ago my time… And as you already know, Piccolo is gone so there's no chance of reviving anyone with the Dragon Balls! Making the time machine also cost us many precious lives! So many have suffered at the hands of those beasts! Grrrr damn them! MAN! They're just far too strong!"
Goku took a step forward, and I realized I had tensed up in my speech, "Wait a sec… Hey Trunks, what happens to me? Do I die in the battle as well? And what about King Vegeta? Does he die too?"
I have to calm down and get back to business. So I straightened my posture, and answered, "I honestly don't know about King Vegeta. But you die before it. Not too long from now you're going to catch a new virus that attacks the heart. You're going to die from it… Sorry to be the bearer of bad news… It's a radical virus. You'll start hearing about it soon. Not even a super saiyan can beat it."
Although Goku was surprised, he didn't freak out as he simply stated, "What a bummer… Being killed by a stupid virus… What a waste! Damn it! I want to fight those androids! I don't even get to take a crack at 'em!"
I… He couldn't be serious, was he? "You mean after everything you've heard you still want to fight them?! Aren't you scared of them at all?!"
"Well sure, a little bit. All challenges are scary at first! Maybe I can make a difference!" he declared, raising clenched fists as if in anticipation. His blood boiled for a fight just as my own did for Freeza.
"A guy like you probably could. You're a true warrior," I observed. Mom told me that if anyone was to make a difference, it was Goku. Having heard Goku say it himself, I knew for sure that she was right. "My mother and Gohan were right about you, Goku. I really can trust you. I'm glad I came." And before I forgot, I reached into my jacket pocket and pulled out the medicine Mother set out for the man, and I handed him the bottle. "Here you go. Take this, man. For your health."
"My health?" Goku tilted his head to the side.
I assured as the bottle dropped into his hand for him to inspect it, "It's an antidote. There's no cure now for that nasty virus you're going to get, but in my time there is. Take this when you get sick and you'll be fine."
Pure joy filled the hero's face and he cheered, "You're kidding me! Wow! Awesome! It's purple too! I'll bet it's grape flavored!"
I nodded, "I shouldn't be doing this, Goku, because it's going to change history. But some history should change. Things are pretty bad… We're living in fear, with no way out… It's terrible! But you can make a difference, Goku. My mother told me that you could. And now I believe her."
"Your mother knows me?! Am I going to meet her, or do I already know her now?!"
"Now…" I looked to the ground, realizing that maybe I shouldn't have said so. I can trust Goku, for sure now, but even just mentioning such a thing could change history.
"Oh wow! I know you're mom, hua? That's bizarre! Does she live by me or something?"
I couldn't meet Goku's goofy gaze, instead looking over to the younger version of my mother across the plateau. My finger raised to point her out of the crowd, "She's standing right there…"
Instantly, Goku leaped into the air and fell over laughing hysterically, "HAHAHA! BULMA'S YOUR MOTHER?! HAHAHA! Wow! Bulma and Vegeta, hua? Unbelievable. I thought Bulma was going to end up marrying Yamcha. But man, Vegeta?"
Okay, awkwardly explaining the situation between my parents, to which Mother barely told me any details to begin with, was more than embarrassing… "They don't stay together long… It's, uh, more of a passion kind of a thing… You know how stubborn they are… Yamcha and my mother are going to break up… He finds someone else and my mom… She falls in love with my dad. Course he can never admit that he loves my mother…"
"No shock there… I know them and man oh man, they're the feistiest two people I know!"
My eyes turned to my father as I admitted, "I don't remember my dad, so it's really great to get to meet him. He's a cranky guy, but he's impressive!" Goku turned to look as well, but I addressed him once more, "I know it's bizarre, 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!"
"Hey, not a problem!" Goku cheered with a smile that reminded me once again of Gohan.
"Well look, I better be off! My mom's worried sick about me, she needs to know that everything went okay," I excused myself, hoping I had said everything Mom told me to say. Everything important.
"Yeah. Please tell her that I send my love. And thanks for this! You're great!" came his reply, tossing the medicine to make a point.
I returned, "Hey, you've helped me in a lot of ways. I should be thanking you."
"Me? What did I do?"
"Well, I felt alone since Gohan died… He was the last person that understood me and my power. But meeting you has inspired me, Goku. It's been like finding a long lost brother." Like finding Gohan again. "You take care."
"You too. You're a brave young man, Trunks. Now that I've met you, I'll be with you in spirit no matter where you go."
Before I got all sentimental on him again, I gave him a final thumbs up before running to take flight. Immediately I felt a ki flare in response and trail behind me. As soon as I was far enough away out of ear-shot, I landed and waited for the person following me to reveal themselves… It was that mystery person. The strange 'King Vegeta' who landed with Goku from his space voyage.
Quickly, I demanded, "It's you… Who are you?!"
Raising his hands in defense, the man assured, "Don't worry, Trunks. I don't bite."
My eyes bugged, "How… How do you know my name?!"
The man looked smug as he crossed his arms and revealed, "I'm much like you, in a sense. I request you bring me with you in your time machine. Seems as though I got myself roped into this mess so might as well help clean it up."
"Wha-what are you saying?" I took a step back. He knew about my time machine… What could this mean? I was just paranoid before, right? It couldn't be possible, unless… He did look an awful lot like Vegeta… That was even what he was being called by Goku… "F-Father?! Could you be my father?!"
In annoyance, the man before me burst, "Blast it, Trunks. Just decapsulize the machine already."
I didn't know how I was supposed to react to that. My father came to the past? First of all, he's dead so he certainly didn't come from my timeline unless Mom managed to find New Namek to wish everyone back… Second of all, what could possibly have made my dad come into the past like this?! And lastly, why would he want to join me in my time machine if he had his own? Unless his was destroyed somehow…
My hands shook as I removed the capsule box from my jacket pocket and plucked the right one labeled 7. The other two capsules in my box nearly tumbled to the ground, but I managed to close the box before I made a fool of myself and threw the time machine into the open in front of us. It appeared with a poof and I turned to the man that was supposed to be my dad.
His expression was flat and stoic. I couldn't tell anything about him. He was obviously older than the other version across the plateau, and skinnier. But he held himself the same with a straight back and seemingly ready for an attack at any moment. He seemed lost in concentration on the time machine, though. Perhaps something happened to his after all?
I cleared my throat to regain Father's attention, "It'll be a tight fit. It wasn't made for two people."
"Yes, yes. Just sit down," the man that resembled my father floated up to take a seat in the pod.
After taking a deep breath, I joined him as we both squeezed together onto the single seat. My face burned as our skin had no choice but to make contact. His alien armor made it difficult, but I was able to bend forward and use the controls. Recalling Mother's instructions, I completed the sequence that allowed the machine to boot up with the appropriate coordinates and raised to the sky in preparation for the jump. As the pod hovered over the plateau, I looked down to the group of warriors I had heard stories of in my childhood.
"What, are you feeling sentimental?" the strange Vegeta grunted. Well, with that response, he didn't seem so strange, actually. That was certainly something the other version down below would have said.
There must have been a problem with the ventilation in the pod because it was definitely getting hotter… I attempted to explain, "I… Sorry. It's just… That was the first time I got to meet my father. He's so proud and cold. It's kind of hard to believe he can feel, but I know he will. And my mother…"
The man shifted against me, trying to get more separated, and groaned, "Don't get mushy on me now, boy. We're sandwiched in here as it is."
"Right," I agreed, wanting to stop the awkward feeling. I gave a small wave at the group below before launching the machine into the rift of space time. In a moment, the machine flashed and vanished. Off to the future in three years time, sending a report to Mom letting her know that I was okay and onto phase two of the mission.