Since the death of Gohan, Trunks hadn't seen Usagi all that often. He'd visit her family every now and then to keep tabs and make sure they're alright. But Usagi completely dropped her training.

Luna would check in on her sometimes, urging her to become Sailor Moon. But time and time again, Usagi would retreat into herself.

From then on, Luna would only watch from a distance. Instead, the cat spent most of her time in Capsule Corp, watching Ami and Rei as they grew into capable young women.

Rei's ability to sense evil energy was phenomenal. Her visions were quite sparse since the one with the crater came true. But nonetheless, Luna was sure she was Sailor Mars.

Ami's brain power increased as well. Luna watched as she and her mother worked on their time machine. They were ready to reveal it.

Luna followed Ami as she went to retrieve Rei from her meditation. "Have you seen Trunks?" Ami asked, leaning against the doorframe. The door was long gone due to the damage Capsule Corp took.

Without turning to look at her, Rei spoke. "If I had to guess, he's out there fighting the Androids right at this moment."

Panic filled Ami's eyes. "Did you see him leave? Why didn't you stop him?"

"Ami."

Ami caught her breath. "Sorry."

"I didn't see him. But I'm confident he'll come back to us."

Ami nodded solemnly. "You're right. If you see him, please tell him to stop by the lab."

. ｡ * ✧ * ｡ .

Trunks' initial confidence faltered. He thought he would be able to defeat the Androids. He was much stronger... And he had a sword now!

But even that wouldn't be enough.

He was beaten and left behind like roadkill. Trunks didn't put it past them to believe they had killed him when they left.

Or perhaps they let him live to have someone else to play with.

Struggling to sit up, Trunks used his sword to hold his weight, digging to tip of the sword into the dirt. "Ngh..." He grit his teeth, holding his ribs. How stupid he was to think he had a chance.

No. Trunks shook his head. He can do it. He just needs another chance. Time to go home and reconvene.

Trunks launched himself into the air with his legs and flew back to Capsule Corp. When he got back he was met with Rei who was waiting for him.

"You lost, didn't you?" she asked with crossed arms.

"I'd like to see you do better." Trunks tried to shoulder past her, however he was stopped by her grabbing his shoulder.

"That's because I know better. I know I can't face them."

Trunks' blood boiled. "Then help me! Help me get rid of them! The two of us together... I can help you go Super Saiyan!"

Rei flinched. "Trunks..."

"I'm tired of running, I— argh!" Trunks clutched his side.

"Being angry isn't going to help anything." Rei helped him stay balanced, concerned for her brother's condition.

Trunks scoffed. "That's rich, coming from you."

"Look," Rei ignored his statement. "Ami said mom had something to show us in the lab."

"Alright, let's go." Trunks took his weight off of his sister. "I can walk myself."

Rei put her hands up in resignation and walked by his side. When they arrived to the lab, Bulma greeted them warmly.

"Rei! Trunks! You're both here, perfect!" Bulma gestured towards a large covered item. "Okay Ami, do the honors."

Ami dipped her head and pulled the tarp, revealing a vehicle of some sort.

"Um..." Trunks cleared his throat. "What is it?"

Bulma grinned from ear to ear. "It's a time machine!"

"What?!" Trunks and Rei did a double take.

"Ami and I have been working on it for years, but we finally figured it out." Bulma explained. "Except I'm still missing some supplies so it's going to take a few months for it to be completely finished." She walked over to the table and gathered the blueprints in her hands. "I think I can get everything else but, do you think you can help me out Trunks?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa." Trunks glanced at the time machine and back at his mother. "What are you suggesting?"

"Oh, right." Bulma chuckled. "I'm saying we send one of you back in time before Goku died to defeat the Androids before they become a problem."

"And that would change our future?" Trunks asked.

Bulma hesitated. "Well... There's a chance it would and there's a chance it won't."

Trunks shook his head. "No. No way."

Bulma was taken aback. "Why not?"

"I can defeat them, I know I can. I just need more time..."

"Trunks," Ami interjected. "Even if there's a chance to save us, the possibility of a timeline where the Androids don't destroy everything is worth it."

Ami wasn't the type to be so bold, but for her to stand up to Trunks it really meant something.

Trunks sighed, running his fingers through his lengthening hair. "Okay... I still don't agree but I'll do it. What did you need me to get?"

"I need some sort of prism or crystal. Something that'll refract light." Bulma told him. "Maybe Chi Chi might have one."

"I'll go too." Rei offered, stepping up to Trunks' side.

Luna then appears, trodding between Rei's legs. "Actually," she says. "I need you to stay here. You and Ami."

The girls look at each other.

"Regardless of who ends up going to the future, we're going to need a lot of backup. It's high time you two ladies learned the truth."

All of them looked shocked.

"Truth?" Trunks echoed. "What's going on here?"

Luna jumped up onto the table and sat down. "You'll learn in due time. For now, go and see Usagi."

. ｡ * ✧ * ｡ .

Usagi helped her mother peel and cut carrots for a stew in the kitchen. She was going slowly as her mind was elsewhere, replaying the memory of losing Gohan.

"Usagi," Chi Chi chided. "You're peeling too much. There'll hardly be any carrot left!"

"Huh?" Usagi looked down at her work. "Oops..."

Chi Chi grabs the remaining carrots. "Don't worry, I'll take care of the rest. Why don't you get some fresh air?"

"Mm," Usagi nodded, wiping her hands on her dress. "Thanks mom."

Usagi stepped out. The wind was beginning to pick up, blowing her pigtails out behind her. As she let her mind wander, she spotted something in the distance.

"Trunks?!"

Trunks landed in front of her. "Hey, bunhead."

Usagi pouted. "Still with that nickname?"

Trunks laughed a bit, putting his hands in his pockets. "For as long as you have buns in your hair, yes."

Usagi rolled her eyes and fumbled with her hair. "Maybe I should take them out..."

"No-no." Trunks held his hands out and gently grabbed Usagi's arm. "I actually like them."

"You do...?" Pink tinged Usagi's cheeks.

"Yeah, I—"

"Trunks!" Chi Chi shouted from the window. "Come inside! It's so good to see you!"

Trunks and Usagi snapped their attention up towards Chi Chi, quickly stepping away from each other. Usagi shrugged and led him inside her house.

Chi Chi washed her hands and dried them on her apron. "What brings you here today?"

Trunks scratched the back of his head. "Luna told me to speak to Usagi about something? Also, my mom wanted to know if you guys had a crystal of some sort?"

Chi Chi tilted her head. "What for?"

"A uh, time machine."

"Time machine?!" Chi Chi's jaw dropped. "Gosh, that Bulma with her crazy inventions. Usagi probably has something in her room, don't you Usagi?"

"I'll check. We'll talk in my room while I look." Usagi beckoned Trunks over and led him to her room. Despite visiting her over the years, the last time Trunks had been in Usagi's room they had been children.

As they grew older, it didn't feel appropriate anymore.

However, Trunks was mildly surprised to see that Usagi's room had hardly changed. She still had the same setup, the same stuffed animals in her bed, the same everything. Only her bed was a bit bigger to fit her size.

"Here," Usagi opened up her clothes drawer and took out a crystal shard. "I found this in the river. Grandpa said the water eroded a stone into this shape."

"Thanks." Trunks pocketed the shard.

"So..." Usagi sat on her bed, patting the spot next to her for Trunks to sit down. "What did Luna want?"

Trunks say down at the foot of the bed, leaving a gap between Usagi and himself. "Something about the truth. Have you and Luna been hiding something?"

Usagi bit her lower lip. "Actually... There's one thing."

She reached under her pillow and took out the pink compact Luna gave her long ago and held it out.