40 Minutes until the Tournament of Time
Pan could hardly contain herself.
He was standing right there across from her. He looked a little older than she had become used to and was wearing orange rather than blue. But it was undeniably him; same unruly hair, same caring eyes. It was her Grandpa, pure and simple.
But at the same time it wasn't, and deep down she considered that and deeper still she buried those thoughts. For now, just for this moment, it was close enough.
Yet despite herself she did nothing. Not even as it became obvious what she was looking at. Not even as she locked eyes for a brief moment with the man who was her grandfather. Not even as she glanced up at the man identical to Piccolo. Not even when her own father was staring right back at her from beyond the wall.
She looked to the ground, absorbing the sounds of the crowd encircling them and the mutterings of the angels to her front. It was all so much all at once. She barely even registered her father placing his hands on her shoulders in a comforting gesture.
"It's him…" she whispered.
"It is." Gohan replied.
"Mr. Piccolo too."
Her father's voice was strained. "It is."
Across the wall, Gohan looked to his alternative self and daughter, his academic mind racing from the moment he had spotted the newly appearing figures. "That's clearly Pan and me over there, so things must have diverged between our two timelines in the last couple of years. She wouldn't have been born otherwise." No one seemed to have acknowledged his theory. "Right?!"
"Hmm," the two Whis's murmured in unison. Each gazing at the glowing orb within their counterpart's staff. The first Whis chuckled, the second followed suit. "It appears the point of divergence between our two timelines was in actuality roughly 75,000,000 years ago. Curious."
Goku balked, as did most of the others listening. "That's… a long time ago." He scratched his head, but his confused look remained. "What the heck happened all the way back then?"
"Well isn't that something." It was the Old Kai from Timeline 2 who spoke, drawing all eyes to him. "75,000,000 years is around about the time mean old Beerus here sealed me inside the Z Sword!"
Now it was Beerus' turn to balk.
"Wait, that was you, Lord Beerus?" Gohan cut in. "I thought Old Kai said he was sealed away by an evil villain almost as bad as Buu?" He was promptly ignored.
Piccolo took a step forward from his position further back, so that he was able to look between the kais and angels in question. "But what is the actual difference?" His tone was firm and his words were sharp. "What changed millions of years ago that caused our timelines to diverge?"
Beerus growled and mumbled to himself. "I'm beginning to think it has something, or everything to do with why Mr. Mustache there is wearing my ornaments."
The apparent God of Destruction Top simply looked around uneasily.
Goku then had a sudden thought and decided to voice it. "Hey, Top!" Goku greeted, though he quickly corrected himself as the alternate Whis shot him a glare. "Sorry, Lord Top, I guess. How long have you been the God of Destruction in your universe?"
Lord Top blinked. "Well, at the moment I am simply a Destructor in training," he began, silently wondering why these mortals from the other timeline seemed to be so comfortable in the presence of their gods, treating them as if they were old friends and not to be worshiped. "I assumed the position roughly 16 Earth years ago, at that time I was a God of Destruction candidate for my own universe when a position opened up in the seventh."
"Huh, so right around when I came back from the dead," Goku muttered.
It was then that the Old Kai's and Whis' of both universes were enveloped in laughter, once again drawing eyes. Beerus had had enough, he was practically snarling at this point. "Alright, Whis, spill it! What's going on?"
It was the second timeline Old Kai who answered him, grinning all the way. "To put it simply, our timelines are quite similar, but the key difference that resulted in any changes comes from the moment you sealed me inside the Z Sword; in your universe, the link between your soul and mine was cut off and inherited by the succeeding Supreme Kai when you locked me away..." He then donned an unusually evil looking grin. "In ours, our souls remained linked for millions of years, right up until the day I died!"
Beerus screamed.
To the others, it was starting to make a little more sense as to why their universes seemed so similar, yet were subtly different. Goku was dwelling on something else entirely however. "Huh, you died, old timer? Why'd you go and do that?"
Both Old Kai's were aghast, though it was Goku's own that berated him. "I died giving you my lifeforce so you could go fight Majin Buu, you tool! How could you forget that?!"
"Oh yeah!" Goku exclaimed, before giving his signature laugh. "Sorry, everything was happening so fast at the time it all kinda just blends together, you know?"
"It's arguably the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you and you just went and forgot?!"
Goku couldn't even form a response before he was roughly shoved aside by a slap from Beerus, who turned his attention towards both Old Kai's. His irritation was obvious and his frustration evident in his tone. "Yes, while this is all very touching, I feel it distracts from the fact that you went and willingly ended your life and killed me in the process!"
Old Kai 2 grimaced. "You shouldn't have put me in that sword! I'd say what happened to you was more than deserved!"
"So it was payback!?" Beerus turned to his Old Kai, who returned his glare vengefully. "And what about you, old man? Did you know our souls weren't linked when you gave up your lifeforce for Goku?"
"I wish we had been, would've sweetened the deal!"
Beerus was shaking both fists now. "Well there's nothing linking us now, you old fart! How's that for a sweet deal!?"
The residents of both timelines then watched in bemusement as Lord Beerus, God of Destruction, chased after two perverted old men in full view of the multiverse.
"Are all the gods this weird or is it just ours?" Goku said, to no one in particular.
Soon after, the rest of the deities present took their leave, and now that the excitement had died down and the most interruptive members of their groups were currently engaged in other matters; the people of Timeline 1 and Timeline 2 returned to analysing their counterparts, except now with more of an understanding of the differences between them.
Pan looked between her grandfather Goku and mentor Piccolo. It hadn't been that long really since she had seen the two of them last, yet it still felt as if it were a lifetime ago. Pulling away from her father's hands she approached the wall between their timelines in a hesitant stride; the men on the other side peering down at her in awe and wonder.
Despite having first hand experience of meeting people from other timelines before, it was never not a surreal experience.
Pan came to a stop, but found herself involuntarily looking at the floor again. She muttered her words, not even considering them before she spoke.
"It's good to see you again, Grandpa." She paused. "You too, Mr. Piccolo."
The duo looked at the girl with unease, though Goku decided an answer was deemed fit. "It's great to see you too, Pan!" His tone was casual, friendly, and if he'd guessed correctly, necessary. "You look like you can pack a punch! Not that I'd expect anything less, you are my granddaughter after all!"
Pan looked up for the first time, and upon seeing Goku's smile, she responded in kind. There was no doubt in her mind anymore. It's really him. It's really Grandpa!
Deciding caution was no longer necessary, Goku vaulted over the wall and walked towards the residents of the alternate timeline. He was quite conscious of the various looks he was receiving, but he was even more conscious of the fact there wasn't another version of him here to greet himself… and more than likely there wouldn't be. Given his personal track record, Goku wasn't too surprised to find that there was a timeline out there where he was more than likely gone for good.
"I can see that there's differences between us, but I'm willing to bet that we're in sync enough for those differences not to matter too much. You guys all fought Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu right?" The nods he received made his grin return full force. "Awesome, no need to go back over decades then. But even so, whatever is different seems to have left an impression on you all, I can see it on your faces."
His alternate friends and family returned his solemn look, each trying to come to terms with the sheer absurdity of the situation they had been dealt with. Goku's own gaze fell to Uub, clothed in a distinct black vest and standing tall and proud. "Uub, I barely recognise you. I don't know what happened in your world, but it looks like you've gone through an incredible change."
Uub looked up at his alternate master in wonder, but those feelings suppressed themselves when he realised he had actually been given the opportunity to speak to Goku again. "Big change, yes. We had an enemy to defeat and the opportunity arose for me to gain this power." Uub flexed a hand, even now he remembered Buu's sacrifice for him. "I'd be happy to discuss it with you."
"Well sure fire away! We have time. I want to hear it all!"
While Uub and Goku talked, Gohan made his approach with Pan following on behind him, evidently far more nervous than he was. Gohan stared his counterpart in the face, while Pan tried to do the same to her own. He appeared as neutral as he could, his curiousness outweighing his trepidation.
"This is all so surreal, it's like having a twin. If it wasn't for your suit, we'd be identical." That being said, Gohan found himself releasing a quiet laugh. "Collarless, Videl always said she preferred that style."
The other Gohan found the humour of the situation. "Well, I suppose I should be thankful to finally meet someone else who sees the appeal, beyond our wives that is."
"Indeed," Gohan laughed again. "Short hair?"
"Afraid not," the other Gohan feigned disappointment. "She grew it out."
"Darn," he replied. "I guess that settles it; you are the evil universe."
While the older pair shared a few more lame jokes, Pan shared a cringing look with her spiker haired Timeline 1 counterpart. "Looks like your dad's a dweeb too."
"Looks like it," the other Pan nodded in agreement, before motioning her doppelgänger over to her side, back over to the wall where Bulla was sitting attentively next to her father, who hadn't yet shifted a muscle. However, upon Vegeta seeing not one, but two descendants of Kakarot heading his way, he made a hasty escape. It was by chance that he had walked in the direction of his own counterpart, whose eyes followed him in a cool stare. Vegeta really didn't have anything to say or ask except for one thing.
"Your Kakarot's gone then?"
He was met with a nod.
Despite himself, Vegeta's expression fell at the confirmation. He'd had his suspicions as soon as he'd set eyes on these people and saw that his fellow Saiyan wasn't among them. But to have it confirmed... well that was something else entirely.
"The girl and boy have got it into their heads that they can use these so called Super Dragon Balls to wish him back," Vegeta 2 began, drawing his counterpart's attention. His expression was pained. "And I have to admit, I'm holding out hope they get to make that wish."
Vegeta didn't even question why this timeline couldn't just use their own Dragon Balls to make a wish that simple, but something told him he wouldn't like the answer to that. This was neither the place nor the time for such a question, so he settled on a different one. "And what about you?" Even if he was talking to himself, Vegeta was as blunt as ever. "Have a wish of your own? Still on the move for immortality?"
Despite the topic at hand, he was met with a smirk. "If we're anything alike, you'll be able to tell me the instant we gave up on that dream."
Vegeta became silent, his thoughts dwelling on memories he'd rather leave forgotten. "Choking on my own blood, knowing Frieza had just given me the death blow." He appeared stoic, but to the other him, the pain was evident. "That'll do it."
He wasn't met with a sarcastic remark or pointed quip, just a knowing gaze, which was more than enough for Vegeta to turn his back and walk away.
- DB DBZ DBS DBGT -
"Okay, not going to lie. This is cool, like really cool," Bulla's eyes darted back and forth between the two Pan's, easily distinguishable due to her own having spiky hair, and the other wearing an orange bandana. "Trunks always talks about the other him that came from the future, but that was way before I was born. I never thought we'd actually get the chance to meet alternate world people too!"
Any previous hesitations held between the three of them had swiftly been forgotten after introductions had been made, and the trio of girls engaged in conversation as if they were old friends. They'd gone to the far end of their waiting area, sitting on the wall adjacent to where those from Timeline 6 will presumably be held when they arrived.
"I mean yeah it's cool, still weird, though," Pan said, before turning to her bandanna wearing counterpart with inquisitive eyes. "I can sense you're strong though. Nice to know that no matter the universe I'm still better than Bulla."
"What was that?!" Bulla cut in sharply, leaning forward with a growl.
"Just stating the obvious!"
A small bout of bickering began, and the other Pan could only stare at the unfamiliar sight in wonder. This Pan and Bulla spoke and behaved as if they were the best of friends, meanwhile herself and her Bulla barely even considered themselves as acquaintances as they had essentially nothing in common besides their ages. To see someone who looked like her acting in such a way to someone she barely knew was a curious sight to experience.
"There's a ring right there, Pan. We can go a few rounds so I can prove you wrong!" Bulla's voice rang out, disputing Pan's thoughts whilst further aggravating the other.
"As if," Pan 1 huffed. "Besides, we're not competing, we'd probably get in trouble with our dads if we do that."
Bulla grumbled to herself, whether it was due to the outcome of the argument or her disappointment at being a non-competitor, neither Pan was able to determine.
"Wait, you're not…" Pan 2 found herself asking despite her better judgment. Once both sets of eyes were on her, she'd wished she'd kept her mouth shut, but she forced herself to continue. "Neither of you are competing in the Tournament?"
"No," the other Pan replied drearily, before her eyes suddenly hardened. "Wait, are you?" She said, in an almost demanding tone.
Pan 2 made a meagre attempt to diminish the smug aura she exuded, but she failed. "Yep! Papa said I could." She crossed her arms and kept her thoughts silent. I had to practically beg for it, but it still counts.
Since one Pan was sitting smugly with her arms crossed and eyes closed, she didn't notice the other one quietly whining to herself.
So this Pan gets to enter but I get left on the sidelines as second backup? What a drag. She huffed, and her expression became downcast. Oh well, at least Papa and Grandpa are going to fight, but still, I could've joined up and be matched up against myself!
"Well since you get to compete," Bulla chimed out, breaking both Pan's out of their respective trances. "You'd better show those adults why they shouldn't underestimate us all the time!"
Her sulking forgotten, Pan 1 responded in kind. "Yeah! If you're just like me, you'll be able to match up against whoever you're up against!"
Her cheeks warmed under the declarations of her new friends, and the bandanna wearing Pan responded with a nod in affirmation.
As the trio began another topic of discussion, none of them noticed the pair of figures walking out of the hallway they had their backs to, in the centre of the Timeline 6 waiting area.
"Why in the multiverse did you volunteer us for this, Vados? All the good seats are going to be taken while we're running around the time stream playing chauffeur."
"You never run anywhere, Lord Champa," the angel Vados replied bluntly. "And need I remind you that it is a great honour to have been given this task? The Grand Minister could have appointed anyone, yet he chose us."
"More like you RSVP'd without my approval." Champa attempted a further rebuttal, but found nothing worth saying. "Let's just get a move on, we still have to go find the other one." Champa then turned back towards the hallway, giving it an uncharacteristically serious glare. "Plus I don't want to be around this guy anymore than necessary... he's bad news."
Taking her Lord's advice, the God of Destruction and Angel Attendant disappeared in a sudden flash, mere seconds before another figure entered out of the hallway and immediately yet dispassionately set his sights on the collection of power levels to his left.
Those who could feel power-levels felt an immediate chill run down their spines.
The duo of Pan's and Bulla looked behind them towards the new figure, recoiling when they realised he was only a few swift paces away from them. If the darkness of his energy wasn't enough to make them afraid, the sneer he greeted them with was. None of them expected to be pulled away from the wall a moment later by their respective fathers; practically being hidden from view from the green and black shelled being they'd only managed to get a brief glimpse at.
"My my, what a pleasure to see you all again. It's been too long." It's sneer grew. "Come now, where are the formalities?"
Both Vegeta's glared, both Gohan's growled and Goku simply gave a pointed stare and grasped his fists tight.
"Long time no see, Cell."