CHAPTER 5:
Dragon

When Goku and Trunks returned to the temple's entrance hall, the lighting was already different. Small LED-like lights had been embedded throughout the rim of the floor and the ceilings to provide an outline of all of the walls and corners. They were reminiscent of a fusion between holiday lights and glow-sticks. Their soft warm ambient glow made the interior of the temple turn a rosy shade of pink.

Pan had been seated on a simple white stone bench that looked like an elongated pi symbol. Giru was nowhere to be seen, so Trunks made an educated guess that Pan must have put him in her small backpack. Despite being back in the fresco room, Trunks knew where to prioritize his thoughts; he needed to fix Giru again immediately.

That thought also helped to ground Trunks from getting emotional again. He reminded himself that all things shall pass, and that if he just gets through whatever circumstance which lay ahead for this Dragon Ball, it would soon become history and easily forgotten. Just like Trunks never had to mention the Para Para Brothers' dance again, nobody would need to know about what happened in this Mystic temple. At the very least, they could hopefully look back on whatever was about to happen, and laugh about it one day.

Either way, Trunks was going to get through this. Trunks would hold himself together. Trunks would be the ramen bowl.

Pan's mood when they had re-entered the temple was unreadable. She outwardly appeared gregarious; she had been smiling and laughing at the moonlander, but her hands were grasping the backpack that had Giru, so Trunks could imagine she also had concerns about their little robot teammate.

Pan's eyes met Trunks' for just a split second before she diverted them to Goku and fixed all of her attention on him.

In that split second, Trunks confirmed that Pan was upset with him. She hadn't tried to avoid his gaze since the first few weeks of the trip. Trunks knew that he would need to have a talk with her and suck up his pride and just plain apologize. He needed to fix his ramen bowl. And unlike Pan, Trunks had experience mastering diplomacy to survive in the corporate world. He was very good at delivering an insincere apology.

But he would do what he must to keep his ramen bowl together… It was just for four more months, and then he could just go back to seeing Pan stop by for a couple hours every Friday. And then once he was home, he would start on his personal projects - however long it would take - to create that time machine, go back to the past, change it, and be a hero to himself in another timeline - to save what he could of his life. He would be his own hero.

Trunks felt so much resolve from his thought, his head lost in his fog of a daydream, that he vaguely heard the words that came out of the moonlander's mouth.

"... a boonding. Too be of Kikarroo!"

Trunks snapped back to attention. He had fully anticipated those words.

Even knowing what was coming, Trunks was bemused by how he was devoid of any reaction at all.

Trunks realized at this point that he was emotionally exhausted.

After his spiraling breakdown earlier, plus after his "talk" with Goku, Trunks felt... acquiescent. He felt vulnerable.

But, at the same time, he felt somehow protected. If not for Goku being there, Trunks would not have been able to handle this day.

If anyone, other than Goku, had said that they were a "hundred-percent positive" about prophecy, Trunks would have still doubted them. But Goku of Legend spoke those words. He had seen it for himself. And Trunks trusted Goku's experience with his life. Trunks fully believed him.

So now Trunks would have to move forward with a firm belief that there was some kind of prophecy, after all. There had to be truth to it. There were written words that a dragon could have read to prophesy this day... There was already a Dragon Ball here. Prophecy had already been in motion... Or at least, whatever would happen here was written on some type of "time scroll." Today was prophesied. There was no other path.

Trunks was not allowed to damage the temple to otherwise get the Dragon Ball and run; so he had to go along with this whole charade.

Trunks looked up again to the fresco as the moonlander continued to talk to Pan and Goku. This time, his eyes turned to the Kais and gods, which prompted him to ponder why this culture had omitted expressions and eyes from their faces. He speculated that it symbolized how the Kais clandestinely observed the mortal world. In fact, as Trunks stood under the fresco mural, Trunks had the unsettling thought that he was being watched by the Kais right now.

Feeling uncomfortable, Trunks turned his attention back to the moonlander.

He would keep his ramen bowl together.

The moonlander's voice was high-pitched and smooth, almost musical, and he tended to wave his stubby pink hands as he spoke. Trunks noticed the little man had no fingernails.

"How else may I describe it? Doo not you call it a boonding where yoo be froom? A mating? A marriage? Or soomething similar too that? You doo boond with each oother, right?"

Trunks heard the humor in Goku's voice as he replied in a loud tone that echoed on the walls, "Yeah, sure we do!" Goku continued with a sheepish tone, "I got married a long time ago!"

There was a lot of marriage talk happening right now. But Trunks wanted to - as Goku would say - "cut the fat."

"I have some questions." Trunks interjected as he became fully mindful of the conversation. "So -KFF-," Trunks started, and realized his throat was dry.

He swallowed and took a breath. "... So," Trunks started again, purposely holding back any expression from his face, "Let me get this straight…" He looked to the moonlander and raised his hands apart, "Can you clarify who needs to marry who? Do we have to marry someone from this moon?"

For a moment, Trunks wondered if this "bonding" might involve an arranged marriage with an alien. Perhaps the Kais' intentions were for him to merge his Saiyan royal genes with one of these pink moonlanders and create a new heritage line. Trunks felt his stomach getting queasy with the thought of marrying a complete stranger.

"You know ..." Pan's voice took a teasing tone as her lips pulled back to a sly smile. "Since you're the single bachelor…" Pan walked up to Trunks and patted him twice on the back, "I'd say you're the man for the job, Trunks."

He was conscious of how she touched him. Trunks thought of his ramen bowl. He reminded himself that Pan was just an ingredient. Her teasing was just part of the flavor that he needed to hold together right now.

Pan put her hands on her hips as she stepped back, and then bounced her step toward Goku. Her smile betrayed her confidence level.

Trunks could tell that she was feigning more courage than she actually felt. In the seven and a half months he'd traveled with her, he had learned to read her body language: if she stepped forward, she was challenging; if she stepped backward, she was secretly insecure.

The little man's eyes went wide in thought, and then he looked up again to the fresco painting on the ceiling, as if seeking some sort of guidance from the expressionless gods. From the look on his face, and how his long pink pointed ears bent forward in thought like antennae, Trunks could tell that he was either deeply focused, or was directly communicating with one of the Kais.

Trunks realized that the latter option was a very real possibility. Just as Planetary Guardians could communicate with Kais, Trunks was certain that a pious man may easily be in communication with overseers in Other World.

As if reaching a conclusion, the little man looked directly at Trunks. He did a spin, as if confirming his thought, and then stopped while facing Trunks, and bowed deeply.

His next words felt like they were said in slow motion:

"Nay. Yoor boond is voluntary."

Voluntary?

Trunks wondered if he had misheard. What ? Voluntary?

Trunks blinked, momentarily unable to make sense of the word.

Emotions welled in his gut. His heartbeat began to quicken, and his breaths began to sharpen. He swallowed back the lump in his throat that he did not even realize was there. He was not sure he heard that right.

Was Trunks really free from obligation?

Trunks had made many assumptions that the Kais would go after him because of his heritage, mind and legacy. It had never crossed his mind even once that he was not even needed in this calculus.

The little pink man rose up from his overly-polite bow, and then turned to Pan, to whom he also did a deep bow.

He spoke with a tone of reverence as he gestured to Pan. "She is the one."

His words reverberated and echoed in the halls. There was a moment of silence.

The reaction came from all three of them at once, "What?"

The little pink man gestured again to Pan, and made a circular motion with his hand.

"She is the one who must boond."

After a moment, Pan recoiled. "What do you mean?!"

The little man looked up to the painting. The little man nodded once within his bow, as it to finalize the decision. "It is written."

Elation erupted throughout Trunks' body like fireworks, as if he just won a lottery. His body trembled as his heart drummed to the fanfare of newfound freedom. He felt jubilation. He felt like dancing.

And then... came Trunks' realization.

Trunks' rapid heartbeat intensified with another, deeper discovery. Despite the blood that coursed through him, he felt his face pale. There was a consequence to this man's words… a real threat. A danger to someone else on his team. Someone he was supposed to be protecting. Someone whose agency he was responsible for. He had not been prepared for this moment. He had not even considered its potential, when he had spoken with Goku.

He had not considered what it would mean to Pan.

Pan was barely fifteen. She was too young.

Feeling a wave of concern, Trunks looked to Pan to see that she had also paled, and had stepped backward. He knew what that meant.

Upon a quick glance to Goku, he could see that even her grandfather's jaw had tightened. They had all assumed that Trunks was the one to get involved. Trunks could have never anticipated that the Kais had instead targeted Pan.

"Yoo are of age with your blood," the moonlander spoke with authority. "Yoo are ready."

Trunks could not explain the surge of defensiveness that he had at the moment. He could only vaguely process this pulsing wave of concern as a sense of duty, or responsibility.

He was supposed to be accountable for her. He needed to ensure her safety and well-being.

Trunks knew he did not like Pan, but he never wished any ill will upon her. If anything, Trunks had grown more protective of her; after all, she was the team's liability, and it was up to Trunks and Goku to keep her out of this kind of trouble.

Trunks felt like her guardian at the moment. And he was not happy.

"Who is telling you this?" Trunks spoke slowly, with an edge to his voice, wanting to clarify, but also wanting to disprove this man. He needed proof that Pan needed to be involved.

The little pink man nodded toward Trunks to acknowledge his question, and then did another twirl and deep bow. "It is written!"

The moonlander spoke as if those words held authority - enough to justify the act.

Written… Trunks honed in on the word and then looked up to the fresco ceiling again.

Trunks looked hard at the unpainted faces of the Kais and gods. Despite being written, Trunks knew now that there was a choice. The man made it clear to Trunks when he said it was "voluntary."

Pan needed to do their ring ritual and bond with someone with whatever that red string meant, in order to access the Dragon Ball.

This was a moment when Trunks realized he was not the bowl.

Trunks was the Dragon. He had to choose either Miso Ramen or Spicy Miso Ramen.

And then Trunks' spine tingled as he came to a dreadful realization of the extended metaphor. Pan … was the Miso…

And the Miso never changed. Pan… was always destined for this trip. Goten never was supposed to come.

Trunks' blood went cold when he realized the Kais' trap.

"Voluntary" was a big fat lie.

This was never voluntary for Trunks. Whoever wrote this prophecy knew that he would be coerced into this bonding. There was no way that he or Goku could ever give Pan's hand away to a stranger here. She was too young make her decision. And both Trunks and Goku would fight anyone who tried to force this on her.

A time machine wasn't going to fix this. If Goten had come, they would have hit a wall here, literally. They would never have been able to get this Dragon Ball in time. The Earth would have exploded.

But it was written. Pan was here… and the path was going to take her down a forced marriage either way. But there was a choice.

… And Trunks wasn't going to leave her with a stranger in order to save the world.

Trunks realized this might be his moment - of his timeline - the one in which he saved the world in his own way, also at great sacrifice.

Those faceless gods above him were going to get their way. And they must have known that he would never have made Pan his choice if they did not pose this as "voluntary."

He began to see the deviousness among the Kais. They were not out for his or Pan's safety. There was a bigger picture in their plans… but he didn't know what, yet.

Whatever this "prophecy" was… Trunks' gut was telling him that Pan would be in grave danger soon.

The emotion that began to surface within Trunks was not of panic or anger. He felt none of the frustration that he had been drowning in within the past half year.

No…

… Trunks felt determination, and resolve.

Trunks turned to Pan, with his eyes hardened, "Pan, you don't need to worry. You're not alone."

Everyone looked to Trunks.

Nobody had expected him to be the one speak first.

Trunks could see Pan looked shaken and confused. It was clear that she was also unsure of how to react to this news. But he knew he had to do this.

Call it his "mother's" side of him coming out, but it had to be done this way.

Sucking in a deep breath, Trunks took several steps toward Pan, stopping in front of her and looking seriously down to her face. He saw her eyes… there was confusion.

Pan questioned with uncertainty, "Trunks, what are you doing?"

He realized he needed to clarify.

He looked down, and then returned his eyes to Pan. "I have something to say."

Pan was silent as she looked him up and down. Her mouth was slightly ajar as she assessed Trunks' actions. Goku silently watched with the same look of concern that he had given Trunks on the steps.

Trunks coughed and tried to put his thoughts into words.

"Pan…" Trunks started, looking to her, and then he continued.

"... Despite my flaws… you've still been fair and kind to me." He swallowed. "You have an adventurous and benevolent spirit… and you're also able to pull me out of my shell. Um…"

Trunks looked down and brought his hands together, not sure what to do with his fingers, "I've had… moments on this journey where I've… misdirected my feelings."

Pan inhaled sharply. He could tell that she was becoming emotional. He raised his head to look in her eyes again and saw her tears forming. His gut tugged at him.

Trunks continued, "I want an opportunity to show you that I'm a better person than how I've been. Um…"

Trunks took a breath, "I know I've known you your whole life, but… I never expected to get a chance to really know you. And in the time that we've had together, I… have come to view you as… my family…"

Pan's breath hitched again. Trunks continued to watch her as she seemed to appear increasingly overwhelmed. But he had to keep pushing his speech - he hadn't reached his point yet.

Trunks coughed, and continued, "And… I want to prove to you that I'll protect you as my family. Give me a chance to be your hero right now."

Pan's eyebrows went up in surprise and confused sadness.

Trunks continued, his voice shaking slightly, "Give me a chance to... make your life better."

"Trunks…" Pan swallowed.

"If you'd have me… I think with you, I'd be a more complete person. At least… I'd like to be."

There was a moment of silence, as everyone looked to Pan to see her reaction. Her sad face shifted as her eyes flooded with several unspoken emotions.

"Why?" Pan looked to him, her eyes questioning as she wiped a tear away with her right hand. "You're not very nice to me."

Trunks knew she was correct. He had not been nice to her at all.

He got along with her, but he never really gave her words of encouragement or friendship. And if she knew how he inwardly thought about her, there would be no chance for their continued friendship.

He wondered for a moment if this was the heavens' judgment on him - if this was his test.

From this, he could see if he could live up to his promise to be a better friend, which had been his hope with Goten. But now… it had to be with Pan.

"Um…" Trunks started to tremble, realizing the impact of where he was going with this speech. "Um…" He swallowed hard again, and realized his mouth felt dry. He was nervous. "I'm sorry for my miscommunications throughout the trip. I've been… really inconsiderate about how I've impacted you."

Trunks nervously reached his right arm behind him and scratched the back of his head nervously. "I want all good things for you… And I promise…" Trunks brought his hand down, "I promise to be good to you. I promise to be better."

"What are you saying, Trunks?" Pan frowned.

"I know you have to do this with someone. And… I don't want you to feel like you're alone. So… I'm here for you. I'll protect you…" he looked to her eyes, "If you'd have me."

"What?" Pan's eyes openly teared up.

Trunks reached out his right hand to take her left hand gently within his. Pan seemed to comply more out of shock than willingness as she watched Trunks with wide eyes.

This wasn't about his decision anymore. This was to protect Pan.

If this is what it took to get the Dragon Ball, then his personal sacrifice would save the world.

He kept reminding himself… She was the Miso that was always to be. And he tried to think of himself as the bowl...

But then he realized something. Goku was wrong.

Trunks was not the bowl. If his involvement was voluntary, then her future had an optional path.

Trunks was the one who was given the Menu - the Prophetic Choice. Despite the pink man saying it was "written," Trunks knew now that he still had the ability to call out a change-order.

Right now, Trunks realized the prophecy had two written options that a Dragon would be able to read: Pan Marries Alien or Pan Marries Trunks.

Both paths were a dilemma. Both paths were a rock and a hard place.

But, Trunks was the one with the choice for her path. Her future was his decision. He was the adult in the room. Right here, on this moon, he was the one with the Menu options to read.

Trunks was the Dragon.

Damn the Kais. He thought of his mother. He thought of his father. He thought of the shareholders. And he thought of Gohan...

And he thought that he was about to have a child bride.

But he alone had agency. He was not going to leave Pan's fate up to the Kais. He needed to step in now and protect her. He just needed to call out a change in what was to be written - "Hold the Spice..." or... in this case...

Still holding Pan's hand, Trunks knelt down on one knee.

Pan's eyes grew wide and watery in realization. Goku's eyes went wide in surprise.

Everything else faded into the background.

"Pan…" Trunks looked up to Pan's wet eyes with all sincerity, "Will you marry me?"

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–A: 10/15/23–

–F: 07/23/24–