Author's Note: Welp here we are again, posting at the last second of the month. Not to brag but I feel like it's an art at this point.

Hello all, hope you are doing well.

Keeping this brief, it seems I'll need a bit more time to wrap up the loose ends before we see more action. Would like to say that the next chapter will see the start of it but I think I'm better off just not saying anything.

Okay, that's it, next time I see you all we will officially be in spring so enjoy the warmer weather and I'll be back next month with more.

Take care for now and please, enjoy.

The ticking of the giant pendulum overhead unnerved Gohan as he stood in the dark room Kami had led them all to. He, his father, Piccolo, and Nail, listened intently as the guardian of Earth explained was the pendulum room was and how it worked. The young half-saiyan watched as his father's eyes lit up at the process and insisted on testing it out. Nail had joined him and the two were instructed to close their eyes and lose themselves in the ominous ticks of the large pendulum swinging overhead.

"So, this is where the others were training for Cooler, Mr. Piccolo?" Gohan asked his mentor.

"Apparently," The namekian said watching Goku and Nail stand in silence. "Seeing as how much stronger they were it must be at least somewhat effective."

"It's more than that," Kami said stepping in. "The Pendulum Room offers experiences the user would normally never be able to see normally. As long as the Earth was included in the event then the pendulum room will be able to share it with you."

"No one asked you," Piccolo snapped.

Before Kami could reply a sudden gasp came out of Goku as his eyes opened wide.

"Wow! That's the Cooler guy the others fought before I got here? He's strong!"

"Indeed," Nail said as his eyes opened as well. "His strength surpasses even Frieza's."

"He got the upper hand on us this time but if this is what training will be like on the lookout then we'll be ready for these androids soon enough," Goku said tightening his hand into a fist. "We'll be ready for anything."

"It is certainly nice to see your spirits are high despite the task ahead," Kami noted with a smile.

"Yep, with more practice I'll be able to handle this super saiyan state a lot better than earlier," Goku said with a grin. "Gohan do you want a try?"

"Um, I want to look for Mom first," Gohan replied. "She's been gone for a bit, so I want to make sure she's okay."

"That's a good idea," Goku said with a firm nod. "I'm here if she needs me."

"Okay, Mr. Kami can you tell me where my mom is?"

"Mr. Popo can show you," Kami said with a gesture allowing space for the Guardian's second to appear as if it was out of thin air.

"You can follow me Gohan," Mr. Popo said with a short bow before opening the exit of the pendulum.

"Thanks, Mr. Popo," Gohan said dutifully matching Mr. Popo's steps.

As the two wandered through the halls of the lookout Gohan could not suppress his curiosity and seemed to soak up every inch of the fascinating structure.

"Mr. Popo is it really okay for us to live here now?"

"Of course, Son Gohan," The Guardian's second said without looking back at the boy. "Whatever you need the lookout will be able to provide it."

"Okay, what do you think about everything that is going on?"

"It is not my place to judge," said Mr. Popo. "It is clear that you are all doing the best with what you have and you have been dealt a very poor hand. Having said that, I am truly sorry for your loss."

"….do you think we can win Mr. Popo?"

"In this matter, I do not think, I believe. And as was the same of all your previous conflicts, I believe you will succeed."

"Oh, thank you."

"You are very welcome."

The rest of the journey continued in silence before the two arrived at a door that looked like all the others.

"Here we are."

"Thank you, Mr. Popo."

"It was my pleasure Son Gohan," The Guardian's second said before walking away with well-measured steps. Breathing deeply, Gohan grasped the doorknob, turned it, and pushed forward.

"Mom? Are you in here?"

Gohan's question went unanswered as the young half-saiyan walked into one of the bedrooms on the lookout. The room wasn't lit and his question hung heavy in the dark.

"Mom?"

This time there was a small shuffle from one of the beds as whoever was resting there started to stir.

"Gohan? Sweetie is that you?"

Happy that he had found his mother Gohan closed the door behind him and turned on the light, only to wish he hadn't. It was immediately obvious Chichi had been crying with tear trails still marking her face, her hair in complete disarray, and her nose red from the ordeal.

"Are you okay Mom?"

"I'm fine sweetheart," Chichi answered running a hand over her eyes and sniffing strongly. "Just resting a little. Come over here."

Gohan obeyed and crossed the room quickly and found himself embraced in a tight bear hug as his mother rested her chin on his shoulder.

"I am so glad you're safe sweetheart. It…it hasn't been an easy day for me."

"I know Mom," Gohan said returning to hug. "I'm sorry about Grandpa."

"Oh," Chichi said pulling away for a moment. "How did you-"

"I figured it out."

"Oh sweetheart," Chichi said with a little hurt in her voice. "I wanted to talk to you about it first."

"I'm sorry Mom," The half-saiyan said his voice shaking a bit.

"You have nothing to apologize for Gohan," The ox princess said pulling her son in close again.

"Are you going to be okay?" Gohan asked, still buried in the tight hug.

"I told you I'm fine sweetie, I just need some time. What is going on with the others?"

"Um, it's a little confusing but Mr. Krillin left to go train and the older Krillin took some of the guys to something called the hyperbolic time chamber. Kami took Mr. Piccolo, Mr. Nail, Dad, and me to something called a Pendulum Room to train."

"Train?" Chichi asked, breaking the hug. "You're, going to be fighting again?"

"Yeah but don't worry Dad will be with me this time too."

"You know how I feel about you fighting Gohan," Chichi said her face twisting in pain. "You did enough during the invasion didn't you?"

"I can do more Mom," Gohan said quietly. "I want to train enough so that I can help people. I don't want to just sit on the sidelines when maybe I can do enough so I can protect people, like Grandpa."

Chichi's words failed her as Gohan's shoulders slumped thinking about Ox King, but only for a moment. "…is that what you want Gohan?" Chichi said placing a hand over her son's. "Is that what you to do?"

"I…I don't know. Mr. Krillin and Mr. Piccolo said that liking training but not fighting made me a martial artist but I'm not sure if that's what I want to be. Maybe instead of a being martial artist, I could be a hero," Gohan said his eyes wide with wonder. "A superhero!"

The Ox princess could only laugh at the idea with her eyes tearing up a little. "Oh, Gohan." The half-saiyan had to stabilize himself again as his mother leaned in for another hug, but this time he could feel his shoulder grow wet with tears. "You're growing up too fast."

Z stared at the ceiling of his bedroom as he lay sprawled out on the surprisingly comfortable bed he had found himself in. Next to him on the nightstand were the remains of the small meal Mr. Popo had provided for him earlier, which was surprisingly tasty. He also knew for a fact that the door to this room was unlocked as he had tried the knob and found he could open it with no difficulty, which surprised him greatly. Despite that, he had remained in his bed determining the best course of action was to not risk angering his captors by wandering the halls. His patience was eventually rewarded as several knocks sounded out from the other side.

"It's open," The agent said while sitting up and straightening his tie.

The door opened and with a confident stride, an old man entered the bedroom.

"Are you Krillin?" Z said with narrowed eyes. "Sorry if I offend, I was told to expect someone of your description."

"I am he," The older monk said with a smile. "In a sense I suppose. I apologize for keeping you waiting I was occupied with others who needed my attention."

Almost as he was gliding Krillin made his way over to the bed that his younger self had been sitting on just a few hours earlier.

"Now then," Krillin said as he sat. "What should we do about you?"

"I was told I wouldn't be harmed," The agent said quickly feeling as if he should share that.

"No need to fret, you have nothing to fear from me. Instead, I'd rather discuss what you think of all of this and what you feel should happen next."

"Oh," Z said feeling a little unprepared for this. "It's clear to me that there is a lot of information being kept from me but I'm beginning to see the reason why. Before I believed that the secrets you've been hiding were so no one else could discover the secret of your strength. Yet now it's clear that is not your intention."

"Correct," Krillin nodded. "The strength I and my allies have wasn't gained from anything nefarious or even from the dragonballs you've heard about. Our power comes from dedicated practice and focused training.

"Martial arts," Z said slowly. "That is what you told the King once before yes?"

"Yes. You were there when Goku fought the android that attacked Chichi so you've experienced a bit of what we can do. You've also been told of the dragonballs and how it is connected to the miracle. Despite our best efforts, you have gathered a great deal of information about us, so what do you intend to do with it?"

"I plan on reporting back to the King of course," Z said without hesitation. "He'll want to know what I've seen."

"Naturally, and would you tell him everything you've seen?"

"Why would I not?"

"Because that knowledge will only succeed in getting more people killed."

Before Z could respond the old monk held up a hand and the agent's argument stopped.

"Think before you respond. Telling the King of the existence of the dragonballs would no doubt spur him on to act. Perhaps not in a grand way perhaps just subtly like sending you to spy on Chichi or dispatching soldiers to watch our battle. Yet even that ended up with people hurt and killed."

"Those were mistakes," Z cut in. "Horrible mistakes and they occurred because there is clear mistrust on both sides."

"I agree, so now I ask you. Do you feel that the King would not act again once he learned that the dragonballs have the power to revive the dead? Can you say that he would not be motivated to learn more about the dragonball's power despite the past two 'mistakes?'"

The agent remained silent.

"As I thought," The old monk sighed. "I do understand that the King is in a difficult position, but you must understand that our dedication to secrecy is not out of personal gain. The world is not ready for the knowledge we hold."

"So is the plan to remain secret forever?"

"No, we have given the King a way to contact us if truly needed. Yet it is not the future I want to discuss at present it is the knowledge of the dragonballs that you wish to share that gives me pause."

"Are you asking me to lie to the King?"

"I am asking for your understanding that if the public were to learn about the dragonballs the consequences will be dire."

"Will be? Are you that confident?"

"I am because history has told me as much," Krillin said with a heavy sigh. "The dragonballs were once common knowledge and were created to encourage mankind to use its power for the betterment of humanity. Instead, greed ran rampant, and it was decided that it was better if the legend of the dragonballs faded into myth."

"…I see. You fear that history will repeat itself?"

"Yes, unfortunately, how the world responded to the miracle has given us all the proof we need. Earth is not ready for us or the dragonballs."

"Then let me ask this, Krillin," Z said straightening himself up. "Hypothetically, what happens if I don't tell the King and instead just expose everything? All of it? The lookout, the dragonballs, and even you. What then?"

"…then we would have a problem."

Z could feel the tension in the room shift. As if the air itself started to slip away.

"Let me be clear, everyone here is a friend of mine. Everyone, except for you," Krillin said slowly. "As far as I know you did not intend for Ox King to die but the reality is your role however small led to the death of a good friend of mine and I am grieving his loss. And I do not do well with grief."

Z was one of the King's most trusted. He had known fear and seen death in the assignments he was given to ensure the peace and survival of the people on Earth. Earlier today he had experienced both during the android attack to a degree far surpassing anything he had done in the King's name. Yet now simply sitting in a room with an old man all of his highly trained senses told him the same thing. Even without the ability to feel energy he was staring at someone with a greater knowledge of fear and far more experience with death.

"So, my question remains, what should we do with you?"

This is bad, really bad.

Trunks could not help but repeat himself again and again as he and Vegeta flew across the ocean on their way back to Kami's lookout.

Rebuilding the Time Machine going to take longer than I thought. I wasn't supposed to even stay in this timeline as long as I have. The longer I'm here the more damage I'm going to do. Not to mention my entire existence is at risk if that's what Vegeta thinks seducing is!

Trunks closed his eyes and grinned his teeth in sheer frustration.

The fact that I'm still here means things should work out between them down the line but what if he says the wrong thing at the wrong time? What happens then? Do I just cease to exist? What happens if the fighting starts before the Time Machine is completed? Do I stay to fight here or should I leave before I make things worse for mys-

Pausing his inner thoughts as his senses blurred a warning of danger Trunks opened his eyes and avoided a hard punch that nearly connected with his face.

"What the?" Trunks asked and flipped around to reorientate himself, when he did he saw the prince of all saiyans looking back with a sneer.

"Well now, you are capable of dodging."

"What was that for?" Trunks snapped with eyes narrowed.

"Humph, just seeing if your reflexes are working or if that fight with Cooler was you at your best."

"I told you he just caught me off guard."

"Perhaps. Yet it occurs to me that other than your quick dispatch of Cooler's men you have failed to prove yourself in battle."

"Prove myself? I'm a super saiyan."

"Then let us see if you are worthy of that honor."

Accelerating to a speed that split the part of the sea he hovered over Vegeta threw out an elbow and collided with his son. Trunks blocked the blow and the force of the collision sent a blast of air out and dug out a crater of water from the ocean.

"What are you doing?" Trunks shouted over the large wave they created as it flattened out. "We don't have time for this!"

"Then make time boy!" Vegeta said pushing harder. "My legacy depends on it!"

Trunks was forced backward for a couple of feet before matching his father's strength with a growl.

"Good," Vegeta grinned. "A super saiyan should be at least this strong!"

"I'm not going to fight you."

"Ha! As if you have a choice boy!"

Vegeta separated them with a swift kick into Trunks's stomach dimming the green in the half-saiyan's eyes. Pushing the offensive while he had the prince fired off several ki blasts one after the other looking to overwhelm his son.

Catching his breath Trunks saw the deluge of energy bursts aimed at him. Drawing his sword with one smooth motion he sliced through the blast with one stroke. A second followed and a third as his sword swings blurred every cut dissipating the ki blasts before they could hit him.

"Not bad!" The prince laughed as he shifted stances and brought up his power. "Now try this! Galick Gun!"

A wave of purple energy screamed across the sky its size and mass greater than all the other ki blasts combined.

He's crazy! Trunks thought to himself as the energy beam descended onto him.

Thinking quickly he sheathed his sword and reached out with both hands to catch the blast. With a light aura surrounding him, he let the galick gun collide with his palms and clamp down on it with his fingers digging into it. Shifting his weight Trunks spun around dragging the beam with him before releasing and throwing it back at Vegeta.

The sight of his attack being thrown back at him had Vegeta's chest swell up with pride before backhanding the purple blast into the sky and out of sight.

After the purple light faded away the prince was not surprised to see his son had vanished from sight. Again, grinning to himself Vegeta turned around and saw that his assumption was correct. He caught Trunks approaching his back mid-swing with his sword. Coating his left forearm with energy Vegeta blocked the blade and leaned into a destructive punch that landed in the half-saiyan's stomach.

"Ugh!" Trunks groaned doubling over and clutching his center while spitting up a ball of saliva.

"Humph, not bad but one of the humans tried that trick on me on Namek, Vegeta grinned. "In addition, it was plain to see that your swing was going to be shallow. If you wanted to try and spare me then this wasn't the place. You should have taken my arm boy."

"You're crazy," Trunks gasped through the pain.

"And you're soft," Vegeta said crossing his arms.

"What's the point in maiming you before the androids even get here?!" Trunks shouted his breath regained and his anger seeping through.

"To see if you can!" Vegeta answered back his anger matching his sons. "It's clear you have power but you aren't using it properly. Tell me boy aside from Cooler's men and these androids you fear so much who else have you fought?"

"What does it matter?"

"It matters because it's obvious you lack experience. Despite being a super saiyan you're still green in the art of war. Now answer the question."

"…I sparred with Gohan a lot."

"Ah, the brat. I'm sure he presented you with a flawless training regiment."

"Don't you dare mock him!" Trunks snarled his hands curling into fists.

"Oh?" Vegeta said seeing the rage radiating from his son. "Do you disagree boy? Do you believe that you no longer need training thanks to the efforts of Kakarot's spawn?"

"He taught me enough," Trunks seethed his teeth grinding against each other.

"He did not and it is that drive you are lacking that makes you unacceptable. Does the part of you that is saiyan not beg you to improve? To grow stronger than anyone else? Was your plan to just warn us of the androids and then leave? Prevent the coming disaster with just words? How disappointing."

"I'm not here to impress you. I'm here to save the future."

"Then understand you are at the point where the future cannot be secured without you participating in the fight and it starts now."

Again Vegeta lunged at his son with fists ready and again they clashed.

"Why are you so stubborn?!" Trunks shouted this time holding his ground against his father's strength.

"Why are you not boy?!" Vegeta answered breaking the statement by attacking with a sharp kick aimed at the head. "You say you are my son?! Then fight like you are!"

As the kick neared its target Trunks barred his teeth and raised his arm to block with greater speed than he showed before.

"…fine," the half-saiyan said with emerald eyes.

In an outpouring of gold Vegeta watched the legend reveal itself in front of him. Trunks's soft purple hair spiked skyward as if his aura itself started to mold and harden his hair. The green in his pupils grew brighter and he shoved away his father's leg. The burst of the transformation shook both Vegeta and the water underneath as Trunks moved into the prince's personal space in a flash.

"You asked for it."

Vegeta felt the moment his son's fist found his stomach. His saiyan armor did nothing to mitigate the force of the punch and he could feel his body bend around the clasped hand. The teen's first two knuckles leading the strike dented Vegeta's innards and stole all of the oxygen in his lungs. Heaving the saliva he held in his mouth the prince's eyes rolled as he slid off Trunks's fist and toward the ocean below.

Vegeta's hand slipped under the waves first giving him enough time to regain his breathing and stop himself from going under.

"Happy now?" Trunks said floating down to Vegeta's level his golden aura skimming off the ocean's top. "I don't know what you think you're hoping to accomplish by antagonizing me but I hope it was worth it."

"Oh it was," Vegeta grinned while clutching his stomach. "The strength of the super saiyan is something to behold. Once I have unlocked that power there will be no limit to what I can achieve."

Standing back up to his full height Vegeta puffed out his chest and discarded any signs of injury. "Once you have shared the secrets of the super saiyan these androids will fall to us. Then with the woman as well the saiyan race's future will be secure as the strongest in the universe."

Trunks glared at his ranting father before letting go of his super saiyan state his purple hair returning to normal as it lost its gold luster.

"No," The half-saiyan said crossing his arms.

"What? What do you mean no boy?"

"I'm not going to tell you how to be a super saiyan without some changes."

"That was not the argument we made," Vegeta said through gritted teeth.

"That was before I saw how unhinged you are about this power and how you treated Mom back at capsule corp."

"The woman? She will be a part of something great once she-"

"That there!" Trunks said cutting Vegeta off. "You don't just make someone a part of something just because you want them to. Even if I'm around that doesn't guarantee that you and her are going to work out, and if you don't then I'm dead."

"You are concerned about nothing boy. The woman will fall before me in time."

"This isn't a fight! You can't just do whatever you want here! You need to try and get her to like you!" Trunks shouted his face twisting in frustration. "Unreal, no wonder mom doesn't talk about you all that much."

Vegeta's eyes grew wide at that his voice growing smaller. "She doesn't?"

"No, not really. So this is how things are going to work here. We can train together and I'll try and teach you all about being a super saiyan but you need to be better around her."

"…what do you suggest?"

"I, I don't know!" Trunks said his face flush with red. "All I know is that if you only talk about power and saiyan legacy she'll want nothing to do with you."

Vegeta scowled and remained silent as Trunks turned away. "Now come on let's get back to the lookout we've wasted enough time."

Vegeta stayed put as his son took off flying further into the blue sky leaving the prince with just his thoughts.

Hmmm, this may be more difficult than I thought. Vegeta scowled. Yet for me to reach the power of the super saiyan I must succeed in catching her eye. No matter, I will succeed.

The sting of Trunks's punch still lingered and it allowed Vegeta to relive the moment of impact only to come to a horrible realization. He had seen the punch. He wasn't fast enough to avoid it, but he saw it flying at him and felt the instant it landed. He realized that it had forced him into unconsciousness long enough to nearly fall into the sea which would be about three seconds.

He had not seen Krillin's punch in the time chamber. Didn't know when it connected and was still unsure of how long it had kept them in that bed he later awoke from.

Is…he stronger than a super saiyan? Vegeta asked himself, unable to believe the question could even cross his mind. No, it does not matter. Even if that is the case then I will still surpass him.

Closing his hands into fists Vegeta flew after his son his determination fueling him as he flew.

I have found what I am fighting for and it will make me the strongest!

Krillin closed the door of Z's bedroom behind him and let out a heavy sigh his body following the release. Yet without wasting another moment, he began to walk through the halls of the lookout his destination already in mind.

I've been gone too long already it is time to see the progress the three of them have made.

He was so entrenched in his thoughts that he nearly missed Chichi leaning against the wall staring blankly at the wall right across from her.

"Chichi," Krillin said causing the mother to jump a little and turn to face him. "You're up."

"Yes, I was waiting for you. I wanted to get a chance to speak to you."

"Well here I am but if it's alright with you let's walk and talk."

"That's fine," Chichi said following the old monk with started moving quicker than she was prepared for.

"How are you feeling?" Krillin said not slowing his stride and waiting for the Chichi to catch up.

"I'm crushed and barely holding on," The ox princess said matching Krillin's steps. "But that's not what I wanted to talk to you about. It's what Gohan said to me."

"…I imagine he told you that he was going to be joining us in the coming fight."

"He did, and as much as it hurts me I'm not going to stop him."

"I'm sorry it's come to this Chichi I am."

"I am too."

"It won't happen again. The others are training as we speak we don't know when Gero will strike again so we must use this time wisely."

"I agree, which is why I've come to ask for your help."

"My help?"

"Yes, I want to fight too."

Krillin stopped dead in his tracks. "I…" He started only to be cut off by Chichi.

"My six-year-old son is going to be fighting Krillin. He's the one who comforted me and told me that everything would be alright. Despite everything he's been through he's determined to risk his life to help, again. How am I supposed to call myself a mother if I can't even try to do the same as my son?"

"It's too dangerous Chichi," Krillin began.

"And so is just cooking at home!" Chichi shouted. "The danger destroyed my house and killed my father! I am done worrying about danger now!"

Chichi's voice echoed through the halls of the lookout. With burning eyes, the ox princess stared down at the old man in front of her and slowly spoke. "Don't leave me on the sidelines."

Krillin matched Chichi's gaze silently before he started walking once more.

"Come with me."

Chichi nodded and followed wordlessly the two of them walking through the halls of the lookout in complete silence until they came to a door.

"Prepare yourself," Krillin said as he walked through the door and left it open. Swallowing the saliva gathered in her mouth Chichi headed through letting the door close behind her.

The view inside took her breath away. An outpouring of white stole most of her view the endless horizon of the void stared back at her. Had she not been able to tear herself away she would have missed the cozy in comparison entrance she stood on. Looking left and right Chichi saw used beds and open cupboards revealing this place had been lived in for some time.

"Hmm, little more than a month," Krillin said staring up at one of the two huge hourglasses resting near the entrance. "Need to find them and check on their progress."

"Find who?" Chichi said her voice small as she tried to get her bearings.

"Yamcha, Yajirobi, and Tien," Krillin answered. "They are training here for now. I had to leave for a moment, and I'd like to see how they are coming along. Seeing how far they have ventured forward, I'd guess things are going well."

"Is this the time chamber you were talking about?"

"Yes, it is another dimension located on the lookout where the passage of time is much different than homes. One year here is only a day back on Earth." Krillin repeated as he stepped towards the white as his back faced Chichi. "Its full name is the hyperbolic time chamber."

Walking up to the very edge of the entrance Krillin crossed the threshold and stepped back into the void. Slowly turning, he locked eyes with the ox princess and spoke again. "And this is its line."

Chichi refocused on Krillin and opened her mouth to ask what he was talking about but slowly closed it as he stared back at her. His voice came out cold, weighted, and rich with experience.

"Let me be clear this is a terrible place. It will rob you of everything you were and rewrite it utterly and completely. It will be up to you who that person is in the end but let me be clear this place will change you, and it may not be for the better."

Chichi said nothing as Krillin continued.

"This is the line, and once you cross it you be subjected to the horrors of this chamber. The temperature will fluctuate widely burning and freezing you while the gravity will increase to a point where you can no longer stand. Simply walking in this space is a nightmare training in it takes a sacrifice. You will-"

"But it will make me stronger right?"

The old monk stopped. Chichi's voice cut through his as if it wasn't there. "That will be entirely up to you."

The ox princess nodded and stepped forward right up to the edge. She looked over to Krillin who stared back wordlessly. Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward.

"You're awake."

Chichi eyes rolled back into her head as she stared upward into the ceiling of the time chamber's entrance.

"Where?" She started slowly sitting up feeling the softness of a bed under her body.

"You passed out," Krillin said looking over her once more making sure he hadn't missed any additional injuries.

"I…I don't remember," The ox princess said holding her head.

"Unsurprising, the sudden increase in gravity was too much for your body to handle. I caught you before you hit the ground, but you weren't ready for such an intense change. Completely shutting down is only natural."

"…how much time has passed?"

"More than an hour but that is only seconds back on Earth," Krillin said standing up from the chair he had been sitting on. "Though I hope this experience makes things clearer for you. Your heart is in the right place, but this isn't your fight. Leave the hardships to us."

Walking over to the door Krillin pulled it open with a small creak and turned with it to offer Chichi an exit. Only to find her bed empty and the mother once again stomping toward the edge of the chamber's entrance. The sudden surprise stalled the old monk long enough that he couldn't stop the ox princess from crossing the threshold and having her entire body crushed down into the white ground.

"Chichi!" Krillin shouted as he watched in horror at the sight of his friend flattened against the void's surface.

Rushing to her side he reached and grasped her shoulder to help lift her to her feet.

"…d-don't."

Her voice was so weak Krillin almost missed it. Yet he still chose to ignore it and pull her out of the time chamber's influence and back onto the entrance.

Her fall had cut a bit of her head open and thin lines of blood started to flow down her face.

"What were you thinking?" Krillin growled as he ripped a part of his gi's sleeve off and tied it around Chichi's head. "Was passing out not enough to dissuade you?"

The mother said nothing as the old monk worked on binding her wound it was only until he had finished did she look at him with eyes on the verge of breaking.

"I'm tired Krillin. I'm tired of not being able to help. Tired of being scared for my husband and son while they fight for their lives and tired of just being pointless. I cook, that's it. And I'm tired of it."

Krillin did not respond knowing that his friend had more to say and gave her the space to speak.

"That thing called me a wife," Chichi stared clutching her knees and wearing a deep scowl. "I can still hear its voice and how it kept repeating that same phrase. Kill the wife. That was it."

"Most likely that was Gero's orders," Krillin offered softly.

"Then that is only how that monster sees me. As just a wife," The ox princess said her frown deepening. "But I'm more than that."

Squeezing her hands tightly into fists Chichi's voice dropped almost into a growl.

"I'm a mother whose family has been threatened, I'm a fighter that can learn to fight again, and even now despite everything. I'm still the daughter of a King." standing back up to her full height Chichi did not even glance at Krillin keeping her eyes fixated on the void in front of her. "So, if you won't help me then the least you can do is stay out of my way."

She took a step towards the edge and another but before she could cross the threshold once more, she felt a hand on her shoulder with just enough pressure on it to stop her from moving at all.

"Are you still going to stop me?"

"…right now, yes, but not without reason."

Intrigued, Chichi turned away from the edge as Krillin released her. "I'll need you to kneel or sit right there," The old monk said pointing to the center of the entrance.

"What is this about Krillin?" she asked, following the instructions carefully and kneeling.

"In here there is a lot of time you spend with yourself. A lot of time reflecting on both successes and failures," The old monk said studying the ox princess carefully. "It is that time reflecting that has helped me grow stronger here as well as help me gain abilities I otherwise would not have thought to learn. There is a technique used on Namek that I have both experienced and witnessed it be used on others. Yet I have never tried it myself."

"This technique would make me stronger?"

"It may," Krillin nodded. "If that is where your potential lies. As I said I have never tried this before but if you are determined to join us in the fight and there is nothing, I can do to stop you. Then this will at least level the battlefield. Are you sure this is what you want?"

"Yes, what do I have to do?"

"Just close your eyes."

Chichi did so and Krillin let out a long sigh before speaking again. "As I trained here and reflected in this place I have formed a small theory about Gohan."

"Gohan?" Chichi asked, her eyes still closed.

"Yes. The amount of power he holds is far greater than a boy his age should ever have. Part of that is due to the saiyan half that he got from Goku, but I've wondered if there is more to it than that. Perhaps you have played a role in his strength as well."

Walking up to Chichi with her eyes still suit Krillin reached for her head with an outstretched hand and placed it softly on her head. Breathing in slowly he recalled his first encounter with the Grand Elder. What he felt, what he heard, and what the old namekian did to release the valve of power that once hindered his growth.

"Now," The old monk said his great aura burning bright like a beacon in the dark "Let us see what we can unlock."