OPENING THEME:
EPISODE 31:
WITH BATED BREATH: THE QUEST FOR ANSWERS
Bulma looked down at the group of glowing circles imprinted on the Super Dragon Radar nestled upon the swell of her stomach.
"Only 7 balls are showing up. Shouldn't it be 8 now?"
"Perhaps the four star ball Mela retrieved using her time displacement magic is now defunct after all the wishes were made," Vegeta said.
"Huh," she looked up at him, "So then how come these seven are still active?"
"These dragonballs are linked to the broken four star ball that wished Mela here in the first place. So yes, very much active. Only one wish was used and it has been four months since then. We would have two more wishes now."
"How crazy. Two sets of dragonballs all wrapped up in one!"
A sudden gush alerted them of Goku's arrival. He greeted them with a wide grin.
"These things sure are fun to track down when you're not beat down," Goku admitted, throwing the dragon radar over to Vegeta who caught it with ease, "Eh, Vegeta, by the way - you wanna use the dragonballs to revive Fahren? We could always spare a wish."
Vegeta smiled, "There is no need to do such a thing."
"Ah, I get you - Mela's request, isn't it?"
"This has nothing to do with the matter at hand, Kakarot. Now stop stalling and call out the dragon."
"Aye yi, sir. Right away," Goku said with a salute much to Vegeta's growl.
With the six dragonballs neatly arranged on the concrete, Goku added the now wholesome four star ball to the set after a quick search in the pocket of his gi.
"Whoa, I don't know guys - is this really a good idea?" Krillin asked.
"Huh," Goku said, turning to face his best friend, "Um...well, this was Bulma's idea, so it must be, right?"
Bulma nodded, "Absolutely. I know Vegeta and he wouldn't have sent Trunks all the way here just for us to lay around and take this thing so easy."
"Yeah, but that's a whole other Vegeta, anyways," Goku said, "So maybe after all, you don't know him."
Bulma growled, "You idiot, it's the same man. Don't be such a moron."
"Sorry, sorry. You're right," he said as he scratched his head in pretense.
"Stop wasting time and get this over with," Vegeta ordered.
"Wait, hold on," Videl said, "What if the dragon doesn't have an answer for this?"
Hercules placed a hand around his daughter's shoulders. "Everything will work out for the best somehow, right?" he said, followed by his infamous laugh laced with ego.
"Yeah, you're right Dad."
Making his way over, Gohan, with Pan in tow, took in the odd sight before them. They were soaked from head to toe in swimming gear, with the glee still written on their faces. He didn't understand why the mood seemed so somber.
"Why is everyone all gathered together for?" he greeted.
"Trunks went off," Krillin shared.
In response, Gohan looked down immediately. With his free hand, he seemed to be searching all around his lower region for something that might have been missing, something that if it was would be very embarrassing.
"What do you mean?" asked a voice from behind.
Gohan strayed away from his frantic search to eye the newcomer. 18 was drawing nearer to them and she too wanted some answers. She was wearing a wrap dress, hung loosely about her shoulders that gave a full frontal view of her bikini top; a fashion element that only drew Master Roshi's attention. Marron was quick to leave her mother's side upon seeing the other children who greeted her warmly. Seeing his prey now alone added to the old man's enthusiasm. Scratching his white beard, he wormed his way forward. He boldly paraded at the sight of her, his face fully flushed as his movements became wilder and wilder. However, his show of approval was not met with appreciation. With a growl, 18 was quick to fasten the dress and thus his antics ceased.
"I thought I told you don't even so much as sneeze in my direction, you perve," she said menacingly.
"But I barely even got a peep. And my magazines are ruined!" Master Roshi declared.
18 cast him the death stare to which he trembled and backed away. However, he was not giving up just yet. An idea crossed his mind and he beamed with joy. Now expertly poised on his staff, he secretly positioned himself behind her. As he peered over and downward, the closer he was getting to his target. When he caught sight of the tops of the mesmerizing orbs, he could not help but to grin. His plan had worked! Carefully, he edged his hand closer but upon impact, he lost his balance. He fell face first into her waiting fist.
"No respect for the elderly," Master Roshi said, grabbing hold of his nose, "This is not the kind of nosebleed I need right now."
"Never cross 18. Rule #1," Krillin said, laughing nervously.
"And yet you're still doing it anyways! I asked a question!" she yelled, rattling her husband into a quaking fit.
"Future Trunks made an appearance," Piccolo answered calmly, as he joined them. He was closely followed by the others who were at the food tents. "About something to do with merging our timelines."
"Wow! Your ears really are big, Mr. Piccolo!" Goten said.
"And Goku went to go collect the dragonballs so we could get some help figuring it out," Oolong added.
"Oh boy, oh boy! I can't wait!" squealed Nigiri, his eyes lit up with intense excitement, "I actually get to see this thing for myself! Yes!"
When he noticed all eyes were on him, Nigiri cleared his throat and quickly shifted into a poised and relaxed stance, his arms folded. "Yeah, and then the dragon will come out and give us answers," he said, his tone now flat and serious.
Catching on, Tien realised that his son was mocking his stance and he dropped his hands. However, Nigiri followed suit.
"Ooh, a dragon!" exclaimed Jika.
"Yes, dear," Bulma cooed, "Just sit back and relax. Go ahead, Goku!"
When an answer was not sounded, she looked up and noticed that Goku was gone.
"What the.." she growled.
"He said something about King Kai and disappeared," Vegeta filled in.
Bulma sighed, "Carry on then!"
As easy and as gentle as the wind itself, Goku appeared on King Kai's planet but it turned out he was not as welcomed.
"Oh no, not you! Remember what happened last time you just popped up here!" King Kai wailed upon noticing who his company was.
"Um..." Goku thought for a while and answered matter-of-factly, "I destroyed your house...and you died."
"And then the next time, Beerus showed up!" King Kai scoffed, "You're like a bad omen."
"Hey, that's not nice!"
"Actually, it's the truth. I listened in on the entire conversation you guys just had with the Trunks from the future and I do believe he said that enemies are attracted to you."
"Hey, come on, it wasn't like he was singling anybody out," he pouted, "And anyway, how did you know that Trunks was going to be there to know to spy in?"
"What do mean by spy in? I am the Kai of the North Galaxy as you well know. I don't spy," yelled King Kai much to awakening Bubbles from his quiet sleep at the top of the tree. In an uppity tone, he quickly added, "I just merely take a peak, that's all."
"Well, uh...so how did you know to take a peak, then?" asked Goku nervously.
"Vegeta told me. And why are you here?" King Kai asked sternly.
"Oh, OK. Well then," Goku started but then he caught on to something and he needed confirmation, "Vegeta! Wait, hold up. Our Vegeta or the Vegeta from the future?"
"The Vegeta from the future, try to keep up," he schooled.
"So I was right to think you would know something about this timeline thing, after all," Goku said with a smile, "Now we can get answers from two sources. Sweet!"
"Oh that's why you're here! Yeah, of course I would know!" he said, "What I don't get, is why Vegeta waited until now. I mean, this merger - it could have happened years ago especially soon after Trunks returned to his timeline for good."
"Yeah, that's definitely one question I have. What does it mean that there are only two timelines left? Like, how on earth do you go about destroying an entire timeline!"
"Aha, that's it!"
"Huh."
"The earth! It's the earth. He did say that the cracks in time were achieved on the Earth, correct?" Goku nodded. "Well, I'll bet that's how timelines are wiped out. The host planet must be destroyed hence why enemies are insistent on the Earth."
"Well, that doesn't make much sense now, does it?"
"Huh? And who are you to defy me!" he snapped, anxiously awaiting some insight.
"Well, let's see here. You're basically saying that the timeline is gone for good when the Earth is destroyed. Well, we wouldn't be alive now at all. I mean, Buu blew up the planet..."
King Kai finished off Goku's sentiments, "But it was wished back with the Namekian dragonballs. And Frieza pulled a fast one on you guys but Whis turned back time."
"Hmm...I get it now. Whis! He must have created another timeline when he went back in time, right?"
"Wrong. Whis' powers are all natural just like Mela's time displacement technique but they come with certain limits. I just don't get why the Galaxy Police haven't caught on as yet - they're not controlling time like Trunks might have, they're reliving it. She reverses time to a certain point and when she goes back through a host she chooses, whatever changes she made are reflected in the present and whatever consequences come out of that change stays as is. Her limitation is that she cannot go back twice to a particular event. For example, a particular event would be the battle with Fahren at Master Roshi's as opposed to the battle with Fahren at Master Roshi's 10 minutes in, or 5 minutes in or 1 minute in...Wait! Are you even listening?"
The moment when Mela touched Goku's head and he had blushed flashed across his mind. However, he was not aware that he was blushing even now.
King Kai growled, "Pay attention, this isn't the time to lust after her, y'know."
"But, that's not true," Goku tried desperately to shut him up by grabbing hold around his mouth, "Ssh. The other Vegeta might hear and tell this Vegeta who might come here to kill me." He dashed behind King Kai's back and realising that he was much too tall, he crouched down.
"You do know we're out in the open, don't you?" yelled King Kai, shaking his head at the scene, "And besides, this is still a part of the after life, so Vegeta can't obviously just show up, you moron."
"So how comes I can just show up here, then?" he asked, curiosity shining in his eyes as he stood up to face King Kai once more.
With a growl, he simply replied, "Maybe you should have a chat with King Yemma and find out for yourself."
"Um...OK," he started, "But..."
"And besides, it only makes sense that you would be attracted to her, after all, the worlds are heavily interconnected," King Kai interjected.
"Eee, but I'm not, stop saying that!"
"Well, let me put it like this. In the other timeline, you and Mela became quite close for a while."
"Huh? As in we dated?" he asked bewildered. He drew closer and whispered, "And did I even know who she was then?"
"Yup."
"You mean I purposefully fell for Vegeta's ex-wife," Goku yelled. His heart racing, he found himself running around in a panic, "My wife is so going to kill me when she finds out."
"No biggie. Just a few passionate kisses here and there," King Kai explained.
Goku turned bright red before he snapped to a complete stop, "How would you know this?"
"The future me, of course!"
"Huh."
"Thanks to Vegeta, the Master of Life and Death, I was allowed to see the memories of that timeline. But even as I looked there was nothing I could get to help figure out this whole timeline business."
"Yeah, do you know anything about this Master of Life and Death stuff? It sounds so important, why does someone like Vegeta get to be something so important sounding? I mean, I've been pure of heart my entire life, that title would suit me perfectly."
"Humph. You sure are a pure pain in the neck, that's what!" griped King Kai.
"But...when Vegeta first came to Earth, even he threatened to destroy the planet," Goku said innocently.
"That's just it. Key word - threatened."
"Huh?" Goku thought a while, stroking his fingers against his chin, "So you mean to say that he was just bluffing, after all? Hm. Maybe I should ask him about that."
"No, no you won't!" King Kai said frantically, "I have him to answer to one day. I would prefer it if you don't give him reason to want to chuck me of my position."
"So that's what a Master of Life and Death does? He's like the Kais' boss or something, huh? I thought Zeno was that. So where is he, huh?" Goku looked around the entire expanse of the tiny planet.
"You idiot, he's Vegeta - or Vegeta will be him. This is Other World - is Vegeta dead to be here, you idiot!"
"Vegeta's died a few times before and he never came back as this Master thing. Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure. That title has not been in existence for ages. It is that important of a role. There is no Master of Life and Death at this moment but there will be, got it?"
"Oh. So wait!" Goku said, now alarmed, "So then our timeline was destroyed after all with Buu?"
"What? No, that can't be it, you idiot - we're in it this very minute. It just simply means that when that happened something caused it not to wipe out the timeline. I guess, something would have happened now to get Vegeta started with the idea about merging the worlds. But what? What could have possibly changed?"
"Ah, no biggie. If nothing is figured out, that just means I get to fight."
King Kai sighed and shook his head. He stopped suddenly and nodded his head as though in response to a question although Goku was sure he hadn't asked anything.
"What is it?"
"It's the Supreme Kai. He has a way to know exactly who caused the time crack."
"Wow, really!" And with that, Goku was gone again.
END THEME:
PREVIEW OF NEXT EPISODE
"Son Goku here! Fashion takes time. Don't believe me? Look for yourself."
The Supreme Kai shows Goku a set of four rings tucked neatly within a box.
"What does rings have to do with timelines? Dunno! But it can't be any weirder than this."
The Supreme Kai unravels the orange flap around his waist to reveal a belt with a clock as a buckle.
"Maybe a fashion guru was the one that caused the time crack after all? He-he! See you NEXT TIME ON DRAGONBALL SUPER: A DISCOVERY IN TIME: THE CULPRIT IS NAMED"
END CREDITS: Author/Creator of the DBZ series and characters: Akira Toriyama
Author/Creator of this Story/Series; Creator of a Goku/Mela pairing ^_^ : Chrissi B (c) 2023