Author's Note: HA! Didn't think I'd be able to do it did you? Well to be honest neither did I.

As far as months go picking February as the one to try and get back to my usual upload schedule was a bad idea, but so it goes.

Anywho, hello everyone I hope you are all doing well!

So I am pretty excited about this chapter as we do have an exchange that has been a long time coming as well as a new dynamic that changes things further from the canon. No action but a lot of character development and sometimes those are the best chapters.

Other than that not much else to say. Hoping next month will be easier scheduling-wise just because there will be actually more dates to write.

Okay, that's it for now. As always thank you all for reading, take care for now, and please enjoy.

Even without opening his eyes, he could feel himself sinking deeper down. Yet instead of a straight plunge, Krillin felt the sensation pulling his body wasn't as if he was falling but it was as if he was being pulled downward, dragged by something unknown. When Krillin finally had enough strength to open his eyes he was greeted by absolute darkness. As he tried to get a sense of where he was the monk felt his back hit a hard surface and the sinking feeling stop entirely.

Feeling around in the pitch black Krillin was able to find his feet and stand up his senses stretching out and searching for an explanation.

"Hello?" Krillin asked into the void unsure if announcing his presence was wise.

Despite his lack of sight Krillin knew his mouth had moved to form the word and had pressed out his call into the dark. So when he heard no sound come out from his throat he could feel panic take him.

He shouted this time without a word accompanying it and again heard nothing come out.

Another shout came out this time powered with his ki as he let loose a dense flare of energy. The light of his aura did little against the dense black and once again his voice failed to be heard. Now alert the monk slid into a fighting stance and tried his best to prepare himself for anything. When sound, at last, did reach his ears it was not his voice, and he was not prepared.

protect

The sound boomed behind and through him with enough force to knock him off of his feet and land on his knees. The weight the voice carried crushed into his shoulders and nearly lay him flat onto his stomach.

With only his arms supporting him it took him a moment to realize that the dark had parted to make way for a light, dyed a deep red. The light held a heat that scorched his back yet he turned to face it. There still blanketed by the dark Krillin saw the source of the red light.

Two crimson eyes both as large and wide as his entire body stared back at him. Sweat started cascading down his face but not from fear, but from sheer awe at the power on display.

Slowly standing up onto his feet the monk could not make out the body the eyes belonged to as it was cloaked in the dark, as if the eyes were attached to nothing.

protect

Again the voice exploded out rippling in the darkness and nearly bringing Krillin to his knees. The monk opened his mouth to ask a thousand questions he had but again no words came, despite that he still received an answer.

protect

The bright red eyes flared and the range of their light increased. Little by little Krillin could see the darkness peel back to reveal only the outline of a massive creature. Krillin could not make out any details in the dark as if it was still forming. Yet the power the beast held could not be mistaken as its voice echoed through the monk's mind one final time.

I will…protect

Krillin awoke gasping for air. He felt that the sweat that had doused him in the dark was still present and took a moment to wipe his face dry. Once he had he blinked twice trying to stop his head from swimming and to calm his breathing. Slowly he placed a hand over his heart and felt around for his beat. As always ever since Namek he felt his heart pulse twice.

Thump

Thump

Was that-

"You're awake."

Krillin flinched at the voice and turned abruptly toward it. To his surprise, he saw the agent of the King staring back at him.

"What are you-" Krillin started and only stopped due to the surprise of hearing his own voice again. "What are you doing here?"

"I was brought here, by Son Goku."

"G-Goku? Wait why did he-"

Only after considering the agent's answer did Krillin finally have enough sense to look around. He recognized the interior of a room on the lookout. It held several beds there with only two being occupied one by the agent and the other by himself.

"The lookout? How did we get here?"

"So we did make it here," The agent said calmly. "From what I can gather we were both carried here. I passed out on the trip while we were unconscious beforehand."

"That's…that's right that thing that was fighting Goku! What happened?"

"I didn't see myself but according to Son Goku, you saved him from the android. He also mentioned the lookout and something called the dragonballs. I explained that I should join them and Chichi was the one to agree."

"Goku talked about the dragonballs in front of you?" Krillin said shocked at the apparent lack of foresight.

"Would be closer to say that I overheard him," Z said causally. "He isn't quiet."

"I see, what did you overhear then?"

"Enough to know that they are important to all of you, very important."

"True enough, but it doesn't seem like you know their purpose," Krillin said seeing through the agent's carefully chosen words. "Enough stalling you said Goku brought you here, why?"

"It was actually Chichi who encouraged him. She believes I've learned enough of your secrets that it would better to keep me close. If that is still the case I'm not sure I woke up here just a few minutes before you did."

"Then you don't know if anyone else has been attacked? If everyone is okay?"

"I have no idea."

"Then I need to-"

Before Krillin could finish the door to the room swung open revealing a familiar face.

"Ah, I see you are both awake," Mr. Popo said with a nod and smile. "That is a relief."

"Mr. Popo!" Krillin said shouted jumping to his feet. "What happened to the others? Is everyone okay?"

"At the moment, all is well," Kami's assistant said calmly. "We have been waiting for you to recover before continuing the discussion. Much has happened as you slept."

"What's going on Mr. Popo?"

"I will explain the best I can on the way," Mr. Popo said before looking over to Z who only stared back with deep confusion. "As for you it is best you remain here for now. I will return with refreshments when I can."

"What…what are you?" The agent said in astonishment.

"I am Mr. Popo."

"…what is a Popo?"

"It is what I am. I shall also bring you some medicine. It is clear you have suffered some head trauma and it has affected your hearing." Mr. Popo said with a bit of a chuckle.

Z looked over to Krillin with concern who only nodded. "He's joking. You'll be okay Mr. Popo is a friend."

"Very well," Z said coughing and trying to regain some dignity. "I'll stay, but I do think an audience with you and your allies are needed soon. These androids are a clear threat to all of us now."

"You'll get it, once I know what is going on myself."

"How much farther boy?"

It was the first question Vegeta had asked since he and Trunks had set out to retrieve the pieces of the Time Machine that had been destroyed in the battle against Cooler.

"W-we're not that far," Trunks said trying to keep his composure. "We should be close by now."

"Should? This errand is already taking far too long. With Kakarot back on Earth and already a super saiyan like his son I don't have time to waste with pointless tasks," Vegeta said with some bite. "Why do I bother listening to that woman?"

"The woman? Do you mean Bulma?"

"Who else would I be talking about?" Vegeta snapped.

"Do you two not get along?"

"Get along?" Vegeta said with disgust as if the question had hit him. "That woman has me pointlessly following you when I could be training. She is an annoyance, nothing more."

"Oh," Trunks said feeling he should drop this subject and fast.

Without a conversation to keep going the teen's eyes returned to the broken mountain range below. Scanning the area Trunks did his best to recall the location where he had first found his Time Machine broken under the rocks. Instead, something new caught his eye.

Wait, what is that? Trunks thought to himself while stopping mid-flight to stare and the deep crater he could see from above.

"What are you doing boy?" Vegeta said his annoyance easy to hear.

"There's something down there," Trunks said pointing into the devastated rubble that was once the North Mountains.

Humoring the boy Vegeta followed Trunks's finger and saw that in a deep crater were two ships he recognized instantly.

That's the Ginyu forces ship. Kakarot must have arrived in one but why is there a second one?

Without a word, to the young teen, the saiyan prince started to descend from the sky towards the jagged ground.

"H-hey wait for me," Trunks said quickly following.

The two landed and approached the pods Trunks with curiosity and Vegeta with aggravation.

"What are they?" Trunks said looking over the spacecraft.

"They're the ships the Ginyu Force used on Namek," Vegeta said annoyed he had to explain anything. "It seems Kakarot stole it and escaped Namek's destruction but why are there two?"

"Oh the Ginyu Force I heard about them," Trunks said recalling the story of Namek he had been told in the past. "Wouldn't the second ship belong to that namekian you had mentioned earlier? Nail, right?"

"Humph, I suppose."

"What should we do with them?"

"We destroy them," Vegeta said holding up a hand already alight with energy. "If more humans find them then it'll just bring up more pointless bickering."

"Isn't that a waste?" Trunks asked. "Maybe we could use the parts here to help repair my machine."

"You think the woman can do that?"

"It wouldn't hurt to ask right?"

"Tch," Vegeta said pressing into the communicator in his ear. "Woman!"

"Don't you have to say her name for the communicator to work?" Trunks asked timidly.

The prince clicked his tongue and scowled for a second before mumbling. "Bulma."

"Yes? Hello?" The communicator said loud enough for both to hear.

"Woman the boy and I are in the mountains. We've found Kakarot's and the other namekian's pod."

"Oh good, I got a message from Yamcha earlier saying that Nail is on the lookout with the others now. You didn't destroy them, right? We could use them for parts."

"Don't be absurd," Vegeta snapped back.

"Good, then you can carry them back with you after you're done. Bring them back to capsule corp and I'll meet you there."

"You expect me to ferry back more useless junk?"

"If you want to stay at my place instead of some dark cave you should."

"Humph, at least in the cave I would be free of your pointless demands."

"Your cave wouldn't have the buffet you enjoyed so much either. Pretty sure Yajirobi helped you discover a taste for finer dining."

"…"

"That's what I thought. The capsules I gave you should be enough to house both the Time Machine pieces and the pods. Launch and I finished up with the King so we're on our way to capsule corp now. Don't keep me waiting prince."

With a swift click, the call was dropped.

"Insufferable woman." The prince cursed.

Vegeta looked over to the young teen ready to bark an order but paused when he saw that Trunks was trying and failing to suppress a smile.

"Is something amusing boy?"

"Oh uh, no?"

Vegeta's eyes narrowed but said nothing more. The prince tossed out one of the small capsules Bulma had given them to store the remains of the time machine. With a small puff of smoke, a container appeared next to the pods.

"Grab that one and toss it in," Vegeta said pointing to Goku's pod that lay closer to Trunks.

"Okay."

"Not okay," Vegeta seethed his tone carrying some bite. "Yes sir."

"O-oh, yes sir," Trunks answered sheepishly.

Rolling his eyes, the prince floated down over to Nail's pod and hoisted it up with one arm. Causally slinging it into the container where it landed with a deep thud the prince floated back out of the deep hole. That was where the scorch marks at the crater's edge caught his eye.

What is this? The prince thought to himself. Ash?

Bending down Vegeta ran a finger through the dust that dyed the ground and studied it carefully.

I thought the landing crater surrounding the pod was larger than usual. The namekian clearly discharged an energy wave and vaporized something here, but what?

A deep thud as Trunks placed his pod into the container ripped Vegeta out of his head. He watched as the teen pushed the button on the side of the container reducing the whole receptacle to a puff of smoke. Once faded Trunks picked up the capsule with the pods now included.

"You seem familiar with how these contraptions work boy," said Vegeta.

"Oh yeah, they are still around in my time," Trunks replied hastily.

"Your jacket also belongs to the woman's company," The saiyan prince continued. "Does the woman outlive me or was she also killed by these supposed androids?"

"Oh, I…I can't tell you that," Trunks mumbled.

"Speak up boy," Vegeta barked. "Is the woman alive or not?"

"I can't tell yo-"

Trunks was cut off as the prince stepped up and stared down deep into him with fire in his eyes.

"Is she alive?"

"…y-yes."

Vegeta held his gaze for a tense moment before he released and turned away.

"Of course she is. Now stop dawdling your garbage isn't going to collect itself. How much farther?"

"N-not much, I hid it near Cooler's ship so we could walk there from here."

"…fine," Vegeta said before turning and walking away with Trunks joining him a second later. Yet not before his smile had returned, even larger than before.

"He's here."

All eyes went to the entrance of the lookout as the elder monk spoke. Goku, Yamacha, Tien, Yajirobi, Gohan, Nail, Kami, and Piccolo all stood in a tight circle with the one-star dragonball staying next to them. They all stared as Mr. Popo walked towards them, followed by Krillin.

The young monk noticed his friends and breathed a sigh of relief only to cut that short as he found himself staring back. A solemn nod was his only greeting as he joined the rest of the circle.

"Hey everyone," The younger Krillin said was a bit of a wave. "Nail I didn't know you arrived."

"I landed not long after your fight it seems," The namekian said with a nod. "Though it is good to see you…both of you I suppose."

"This is weird," Yajirobi said flatly.

"You're telling me," Yamcha added. "What are we supposed to call the two of you? You're both Krillin right?"

"We are," The older monk said swiftly. "Though the past year has treated us very differently wouldn't you say?"

"Yes, but it was a decision we both made," Krillin said firmly.

"I'm not saying it wasn't," The older monk said sharply. "Just that we are now at a point where that decision must be mended."

Krillin sighed with his shoulders slumping. "…catch me up to speed first. Why is the King's agent here? Last I saw he was with Chichi how is she?"

"She's resting inside," said Goku. " I bet she'll up soon though."

"In her own time," The older Krillin said with a soft tone. "As for the agent he's overheard more than I would like so we must be cautious with how we approach him. For her part, Bulma and Launch have gone to the King to try and come to an understanding."

"That can only go well," The young monk said crossing his arms. "What about Vegeta and Trunks?"

"They've gone to pick up the pieces of Trunks's Time Machine. Apparently, they were destroyed during the fight with Cooler."

"He has a time machine?"

"How do you think he got here?"

"...I guess that makes sense, but Trunks and Vegeta together? I'm sure they won't have any problems."

"We can only use the cards we are dealt," The old monk said. "Though I imagine your irritation has more to do with the fact that you do not want to rejoin at all."

"…I think it's a mistake."

A single gesture from his older half let Krillin know that he had the room to explain his opinion. Yet a quick glance at his friends told him that he has already lost the argument.

"I just…if we were to rejoin then we'd have to stay on the lookout right? We wouldn't be able to help as much."

"Krillin, well your other half," Yamcha started. "Pointed out that we don't have any idea of how many more androids there are. As things stand now you are already lagging behind us so it might be better for you to be in a position to help train us instead of being in the middle of combat."

"Plus you're needed here to create more dragonballs," Tien stated. "No one else can do that so if either of you dies that would render our ability to make wishes all but impossible."

"…but-" Krillin started only for Nail to step forward.

"Krillin of Earth, both sides of you have promised me that Namek would return. Not only do I believe you can do it, but so did the Grand Elder."

Whatever argument Krillin had was silenced by that which left him unprepared for Piccolo to start talking.

"Stop trying to do everything on your own Krillin," Piccolo said with a sharp tone. "It'll only get you killed."

"It is not often that I agree with my counterpart," Kami added. "Yet if the two of you can find common ground then it would be to the benefit for all of us."

The young monk scowled and looked toward the ground even as Goku's voice found his ears.

"I know it's tough to take a step back Krillin but don't worry we've got this," Goku said with a thumbs up as Gohan joined him.

"We'll be okay Mr. Krillin."

Wordlessly Krillin raised his head back up scanning the group of friends and finding Yajirobi, the only one who didn't speak.

"Yeaaah, I don't really care what you do but maybe you should do something."

"Wow, is that really all you have to say?" Yamcha asked with a glare in his only eye.

"I don't know, what's so bad about being one person anyway? Just be old ya weirdo."

"Perhaps," The older monk said cutting Yajioribi off before he could say anything else. "We should continue this conversation privately."

The young monk felt a shift in his older half's energy and knew he was being invited into the space between them.

Seeing no other way to get his point across Krillin matched the ki wave of his older self and followed the path into his shared consciousness.

Opening his eyes in his mind of himself Krillin quickly found the same sight he had always seen whenever he looked inward. A picture-perfect blue sky above him and the clearest water below gave the young Krillin a sense of comfort he hadn't felt in more than a day.

"Now then," The older monk said firmly. "Feeling better?"

Yet even here he could not escape from himself.

"You ambushed me."

"I can see how it appears that but we no longer have the luxury of time. It is time we rejoin ourselves."

"You really think I'd do that after what happened earlier today?"

"…I assume you are referring to the android attack."

"What else would I be talking about?!" The young monk shouted taking a hard step forward. "Kami wasn't the only voice in my head telling me to abandon Goku in that fight."

"Goku has far surpassed you in strength now. Putting yourself in the middle of that battle might have gotten both of us killed. Had that happened, we would have lost far more than just our lives."

"He would have died without me!" Krillin shouted bringing up his aura and a ripple of water. "He would have died on the same day he finally came back!"

"Yes, he would have, your interference saved his life but once again you put everything at risk. You cannot keep putting yourself in danger for a family."

"A family?!" Krillin screamed this time bringing up a small wave. "He is our family! I wasn't going to sit on the sidelines and watch him get hurt I'm done with that!"

"We are no longer on the sidelines," The old monk said his voice steady even as the water battered against his legs. "It is the opposite, our role is now important enough that our deaths will mean the end of an entire world. You saved Goku this time which is true, but it was by using something we do not fully understand and luck. And luck, even ours, will run out."

"So our only option is to what? Abandon them completely? Whatever this new threat is they still need a leader!"

"No," The older monk stated his voice almost parting the waves in two. "They need a teacher."

This comment gave the young monk pause and for a moment the waves started to settle.

"You need to understand that our place in the fight is not what it was. This time we have no idea how many enemies there will be, where they will come from, or how strong they will be. Even with two of us, we cannot be in every battle so our best strategy is to strengthen the others enough so that they won't need a leader. We need to prepare them for anything."

"What if something happens to them? Something we could have stopped?"

"Then that is the way it will be. All the more reason we must focus on creating a new set of dragonballs to bring them back should the worst happen."

"…you're right."

As resignation set in the waters lowered and the violet waves returned to a gentle calm.

"I don't want to admit it but you're right." The old watched his younger half's shoulders slump in defeat and a long low sigh left him. "Why does it have to be this way?"

"We have made promises," The old monk said firmly. "We must keep them."

"But we have!" The young man countered. "We have done so much to keep our promises! Given up so much! When do we stop?"

"We don't."

The answer was so immediate so certain it cut off the young monk before he could respond.

"Do you remember what Piccolo told us the day Raditz killed Goku? That day when he beat us into the ground?" The old monk asked. "The day he took Gohan?"

"…he told us to fight. To fight until we die."

"Are we dead?"

"…no."

"Then we fight. The only thing that will change is how we do it."

"So that's the plan is it? Just to keep fighting until we collapse?"

"As long as there are threats to the Earth? Yes."

"Even after Master Roshi told us to find some happiness for ourselves?"

"We don't have time for happiness."

"...King Cold and Cooler were supposed to be the last threat. They were supposed to be the end of everything."

"Life never goes the way it's supposed to think. We know this."

"…we do."

"Good. Are you prepared now?"

Krillin looked at himself. "You know why I'm not."

"I do," The old monk said. "You think by rejoining, by becoming Guardian, and being forced to stay on the lookout we will have to put Earth's welfare before ours from now on. We won't be able to see our friends or family as we wish. We will be trapped with a title we cannot abandon and a station we cannot leave. You believe that losing our freedom means we will be giving up our humanity."

"…do you think I'm wrong?"

"Yes. Because the reality is we won't be losing anything at all. We don't eat, we don't sleep, we have two heartbeats and have physically torn ourselves in half," The old man said as if it was a natural conclusion. "Krillin, we haven't been human since Porunga drove its nail into our heart."

With that, the young monk had no stance left to argue with.

"Let's not keep the others waiting," The older Krillin said dissolving the space between both of his halves.

In an instant, they were back on the lookout with the others still surrounding them.

"Uh, you two okay?" Yajirobi asked looking at the monks. "You were just standing there staring at each other."

"We're fine," The older monk said quickly. "We have also reached an understanding."

"That is a relief," Kami said. "Then we should waste any more time."

"Agreed," The old monk said raising his hand towards himself once more. "When you are ready."

He wasn't. Yet as the younger half of Krillin looked around at his friends, he attempted to ignore the deep sense of wrong he felt in his heart.

Is this truly the only way forward? To give up everything for the sake of protecting everyone? Am I right in believing that I don't have any humanity to lose if I do this? Am I really not even human anymore?

Step by step Krillin walked forward his throat dry and his head spinning.

I thought I found a way where I could still find some semblance of a normal life. I guess it was only temporary. If this is what it takes to keep everyone safe to give them another night like that. Then I guess it's what I need to do. Even if I can't be there.

With a shaking hand, Krillin clasped his fingers around his older counterpart and looked him dead in the eye.

"…okay."

His older self nodded and closed his eyes in concentration. A blinding light enveloped the two spilling off the edge of the lookout and forcing the others to shield their eyes.

"I know you're scared," The older monk said to his younger self through a harsh glow. "But after this, we will be able to do so much more. For everyone."

…but it will cost us everything we have left.

The young monk could feel that thought flicker through his mind before fading entirely. He could feel the pull become stronger and stronger as the two started to become one.

It's okay, we have to do this. If I want to give everyone another day like Gohan's birthday I have to do this.

He reached back through his memories and found himself recalling Gohan's birthday. The laughter he heard from his friends, the sense of happiness he felt that even if a battle was coming it wouldn't be on that day, and the joy on Gohan's face when he opened his present. His present from Ox King that-

Wait…what was his present? What did Ox King give him?

Krillin paused as he tried his best to remember that night tet the more he tried the less he could recall. As the light grew stronger Krillin realized that his memories of the past year were being replaced by new ones. Memories of the time chamber.

Days, months, years, and decades of training in the horrible white void. The brief respites of leaving the chamber to try and form a dragonball only to be met with failure time and time again. The backlash of the attempt forcing him back into the chamber so he would have enough time to heal, to try again. Memories of being utterly alone.

No! I…I don't want this! The young Krillin cried in what remained in his mind. I don't want to forget! He tried to tear his arm away but the light kept him locked in place and the pull became stronger.

I…I know I made promises but I didn't know it would take this much. I don't want to give up everything I am!

The light seemed to darken for a moment before returning in full force. So blinding was the glow everyone missed the single dragonball roll just slightly toward the two monks.

Even…even if its selfish...I still want to be human!

His voice screamed out in his mind and even though no one but him could hear it, his call was still answered. It cleaved straight through the light without stopping and aimed itself at the older monk. Even blinded by the intense radiance the old monk had enough experience and foresight to cover his ribs. However, the force of the impact ripped him apart from himself and forced his feet to skid across the lookout almost off the edge completely.

The light faded leaving the others free to find their sight again, only to find confusion and shock. The lone dragonball with a single star hovered in midair where it had collided with the older monk.

"What? What happened?" Tien asked seeing the two halves of Krillin separated.

"It's the dragonball," Goku answered. "This is what happened when I was fighting the android too!"

"Krillin are you hurt?" Yamcha asked the old monk noticing a mark where the orange orb had hit him.

"I'm fine-" Krillin started before pausing a holding a hand to his chest. With wide eyes, he spoke again. "My…my heart."

"Your heart?" Piccolo asked with concern. "Does it hurt?"

"No," The old monk said slowly. "I…I can only hear one."

The others didn't understand but his older half's comments shot fear through the young Krillin. Placing a hand to his own chest a wave of relief hit him as he heard the two heartbeats he had grown so used to. His own, and the dragons.

As he kept his hand firmly placed over his heart the dragonball floated over to him as if encouraging him to grab it. Offering both hands the orb seemed to drop into the monk's grasp as if it trusted it with its weight. As soon as the dragonball touched his palm a voice welled up from under the waves of his heart.

you

It was the same voice that belonged to the eyes he had seen in his dream. Fleeting, brief, yet powerful Krillin stood holding the dragonball among his friend's none of them seemed to hear it. Even as it spoke again.

I will protect…you

"There." Trunks said as he pointed out the crushed remains of his time machine.

This caused Vegeta to let out a soft growl as their arrival at the site would only mean the young man would be interested in more conversation.

"So…do you think Bulma will be able to fix it?"

"I don't care."

Vegeta trudged past Trunks and tossed out another capsule. A new container appeared and the prince didn't hesitate to start throwing the scarps of the machine in. Trunks silently followed and started to do the same.

"What is this?" The prince asked picked up a piece and eyed it suspiciously before reading aloud the word written on it. "Hope? Why is this written here?"

"Oh, I wrote that on the time machine."

"Why? For what purpose?"

"…just a reminder I guess," Trunks said with a shrug. "Something to look at when things are at their hardest."

"You should be looking forward instead of at the pointless notes you leave yourself. Or have you forgotten how Cooler disposed of you so easily?"

"I haven't forgotten," Trunks shot back the subject still sore. "He just caught me off guard."

"Humph, make your excuses if you must boy. If you plan to be of any help in this fight then let that be a lesson you learn quickly."

Trunks blinked away his surprise before speaking again. "Did you just offer me a piece of advice?"

"Don't dwell on it boy," Vegeta said tossing the piece over his shoulder and into the container. "Now stop stalling and let us be done with this needless exercise."

"Yes sir."

The two continued to work until the container was full and the scattered remains of the time machine had been contained. Pressing the button the container vanished into a puff of smoke leaving behind the capsule which Vegeta bent down and pocketed.

"Well that's everything, should we go?" Trunks asked as the prince slowly stood up.

"Hold boy," Vegeta said his eyes shifting to an intense gaze. "I have a question for you."

"Y-you do?" Trunks replied suddenly nervous.

"In your 'future' where I supposedly die, did I realize the legend?"

"What?"

"Did I become a super saiyan?"

"Oh, uh yes. I was told that you did."

"I see," Vegeta said nodding with a small grin on his face. "You said these androids killed Kakarot's spawn even with the strength of a super saiyan. Do you know if I was stronger than him in your time?"

"Stronger than Gohan?" Trunks replied trying to think. "I'm not sure. I was only a baby at the time so I might have forgotten if I did know. You didn't really care to visit me or spend time with me either, so I have no real idea."

"Spend time with you?" Vegeta scoffed. "Why would I care about you?"

The question was met by a silent Trunks as the blood left his face.

Vegeta looked at the young man with confusion before he also stopped cold. Realization hit the prince hard as the pieces he had gathered during his few interactions with the mysterious youth began to fit together.

Trunks could only watch wide-eyed as the saiyan silently began to unravel the one thing he had so desperately tried to keep hidden.

"Wait…no, it's not what you think." Trunks said trying his best to dissuade the prince from connecting the dots.

"You are…" Vegeta trailed off as he took a dangerous step toward Trunks.

"No! Stop don't say it!"

"My son?"

Trunks froze. This was the outcome he had feared the most yet he was unsure of what would happen next. He started to walk backward before losing his balance entirely and collapsing onto his behind. Staring at his shaking hands he expected them to fade from existence quickly followed by the rest of his body. When that didn't happen he looked at his surroundings believing they would change as he dissolved into nothingness. Yet again, he seemed unaffected.

Why? Why is nothing happening?

Trunks lost his train of thought as he was once again grasped by his collar and pulled upward.

"Answer me boy!" Vegeta screamed before his voice lowered into a deep growl. "Are you, my son?"

Unsure of how to answer Trunks could only look away, but his hesitation gave Vegeta the answer he needed. The prince's eyes then looked over the capsule corp jacket the young man wore with renewed interest.

"Your mother, the woman?"

Trunks flinched and opened his mouth to argue only to find his words were failing him.

"What about the one-eyed human?" Vegeta seethed his grip growing tighter. "Was he not close to her?"

"W-who Yamcha? I…I think they were just friends."

"Just, friends?" Vegeta said his grip loosening a bit. "You said she was alive before. Was she the one who built your machine?"

"…yes."

"So that is why you've pinned your hopes on her. She was the one who built it in the first place."

"I don't have any other options."

"…humph, fine."

Releasing his grasp on Trunks's collar the prince allowed his son to return to his knees. "Hard to believe you have royal blood in you, but it explains why you can transform into a super saiyan. I suppose that makes you worth something."

Before Trunks could respond Vegeta let out a snicker that evolved into a full laugh. "So in the end the woman couldn't stay away could she? How predictable."

"You can't tell her," Trunks said rising to his feet. "Please, if you tell her she might not…I might not exist if you two don't-"

"Oh?" Vegeta said cutting off Trunks with an eyebrow raised. "So, your very life depends on if the woman falls for me?"

Trunks did not respond.

"Humph. A warrior should never be this beholden to anyone else especially someone of my blood."

"Sorry to disappoint," Trunks snarled back. "But I don't really have a choice here."

"I suppose you don't," Vegeta scoffed before thinking briefly. "Boy, what was your plan if Cooler hadn't taken you down and your machine was operational?"

"I…I would have gone home and then come back to help when the androids arrive."

"You would have left instead of helping us prepare? Why? What if something had gone wrong just like everything else today?"

Trunks didn't have an answer.

"Humph, well you are stuck here now boy which means you can help," Vegeta said before a sneer took over his face. "In fact, I just thought of a good way to ensure your survival."

"What?"

"You said I lost my life against the androids despite becoming a super saiyan. If these machines are as strong as you say then no doubt I went off on my own to die in a ditch," Vegeta said as if embarrassed. "That is a future I will avoid."

"How?"

"The humans, as weak as they are, have shown me there is some value in working together. So that is what I propose."

"I…I don't understand."

"Think boy, you will train with me. Show me how you achieved the strength of a super saiyan and together we shall surpass Kakarot, his spawn, and all the humans. Show them all the true power of saiyan royalty," Vegeta said his eyes wild as his voice grew in volume. "Together we will prove that the saiyans can overcome even the threat of extinction! This will be my reason to fight!"

Trunks looked at his father with bewilderment before Vegeta looked at him again with a grin.

"You won't have a way out of this boy but fear not I will not abandon you. For the future of the saiyan line and for the sake of my bloodline I promise you this. Aid me in becoming the strongest in the universe and I Vegeta prince of all saiyans will seduce the woman, Bulma Briefs!"