The flight to Capsule Corporation was surreal for Trunks.
After years of hiding, of planning routes to avoid androids finding them, they flew directly and openly through the skies.
No fear. No looking over their shoulders. Just freedom.
Below them, the landscape bore the scars of seventeen years of terror - ruined cities, abandoned highways, and nature reclaiming what humanity had lost.
Yet somehow, it looked different to Trunks now.
The androids were gone.
Healing could begin.
"You're quiet," Goku observed, glancing at the young man as they soared through the clouds.
Trunks nodded, his eyes looking over the devastation below. "It's strange... seeing everything without fear for the first time in years. I keep expecting them to sense them destroying things, to need to hide."
"It'll take time to adjust," Goku said, his voice gentle.
"There it is," Trunks pointed ahead to a compound in the distance. "Home."
Capsule Corporation stood as one of the few structures still partially intact, though heavily fortified.
What had once been an elegant dome was now a fortress - reinforced walls, concealed weapon systems, and camouflage netting covering sections of the roof.
The gardens that Trunks had seen in the present timeline were replaced by vegetable plots and defenses.
"Mom converted it," Trunks explained as they descended. "Part survivor sanctuary, part underground research facility. Those panels that look like solar collectors? Actually modified Saiyan pod technology she salvaged. And see those irregular patches in the walls? Concealed defense systems."
They landed in a hidden courtyard, and Trunks approached a reinforced door, tapping out a unique knock pattern.
The door slid open with a mechanical hiss, revealing a woman who bore only a passing resemblance to the Bulma that Goku knew.
This Bulma's blue hair was cut shorter, practical rather than stylish.
Her face, prematurely lined, showed the stress she's been in.
She wore stained work clothes with multiple pockets filled with tools, and her hands bore the calluses of someone who'd rebuilt technology from scrap for nearly two decades.
"Trunks!" she exclaimed, embracing her son with visible relief. "You're back! I've been working non-stop since you left. The secondary generators kept failing, but I think I've finally-"
She stopped mid-sentence as she looked past her son and saw Goku standing there. The tool she'd been holding clattered to the ground. Her body went completely still, as if she were seeing a ghost.
For a moment, no one moved. Then, without a word, without needing explanation, Bulma threw herself at Goku, wrapping her arms around him in a fierce hug. Her body shook with silent sobs as she clung to him.
Goku looked surprised at first, but his expression softened as he returned the embrace, patting her back awkwardly.
For a long moment, everything was silent, besides Bulma's sobs, as she continued to hug him with all strength, fearing that he would disappear if she lot go.
Goku chuckled gently. "I can't tell you how I'm here or what's happening if you don't let go, Bulma."
She shook her head against his chest, tears still streaming down her face. "That's okay," she sniffed. "I know you've saved us - like always."
Bulma, for most of her life has always seen Goku as her little brother, her hero - her only one, for Vegeta and Bulma never truly got close in this timeline besides having Trunks - the one who always saved her, the world and protected Earth.
His death to the heart virus had been the first domino that led to this hell - the moment everything began to fall apart.
Seeing him in front of her, was like the world having righted itself.
Eventually, she pulled back, quickly wiping away her tears and visibly composing herself. The momentary vulnerability vanished as she controlled herself.
"Come inside," she said, already moving toward a series of security checkpoints. "It's not safe to stay in the open for long."
"No need to worry the androids are-" Goku began.
"Old habits," Trunks explained quietly, interrupting Goku, since he didn't want to immediately spring the news on his mother. "We've lived this way for so long."
Inside Bulma's laboratory, salvaged equipment and half-finished inventions filled every available surface.
Monitors displayed security feeds from around the compound where a small group of survivors lived.
Bulma made coffee using a machine she'd clearly modified for maximum output with minimal resources.
"So," she said, handing them chipped mugs, "you're obviously not my timeline's Goku. He died years ago." Her voice was matter-of-fact, but her hands trembled slightly as she set down the coffee pot. "Time travel success, I'm guessing?"
Trunks nodded. "It worked, Mom. Everything worked. I found them all - Goku, Dad, everyone."
At the mention of Vegeta, Bulma's hands paused briefly before continuing her work - a subtle reaction she quickly masked.
"Yep, I'm not from here," Goku explained. "Trunks like you told him to, came and warned us about the androids before they appeared."
"Why are you here then? Why aren't you preparing and preventing them existing? That was the whole reason, I sent Trunks back, to fix everything Goku." Bulma stated, her voice filled with a bit of growing panic and anger.
"No need to worry Mom. Goku's strong. He-"
"I know Goku's strong, sweetie, but the Androids are strong too, he shouldn't be here." Bulma interrupted, beginning to rise from her seat.
"It's over Bulma." Goku calmly interrupted.
"What?"
"It's done Mom," Trunks continued with a smile, "They're gone. The Androids are dead - destroyed. Goku killed them. We came here to tell you the good news."
Bulma couldn't believe what she was hearing as she fell back into her seat, her cup of coffee nearly spilling a bit, her eyes wide. "J- Just like that? After all these years of fighting, of losing everyone..." Her voice trailed off.
"It wasn't even close," Trunks explained, with satisfaction clear in his voice. "He toyed with them. They couldn't touch him."
Bulma studied Goku. "How? I knew Goku was strong, but this strong... No, Gohan told me that Goku was strong, but even he, despite having so much faith in his dad, didn't think Goku would be able to beat them on his own. You're not the Goku from the past are you..."
Goku rubbed the back of his head. "No, not really. Well, I am technically from the past, but not this past..." He glanced at Trunks. "Should we explain everything?"
-----------------------
-A little while later
"So you're from an alternate timeline or universe, you've brought a spaceship to reach Namek, and we'll use two sets of Dragon Balls to restore everything the Androids destroyed." Her voice caught slightly on the word "everything" - thinking of all her friends lost over the years.
"And don't forget," Trunks added, "we'll also use Porunga to revive this timeline's Goku, then cure him with the heart medicine and Toji's God Ki, so that he doesn't die immediately again."
Bulma's head tilted slightly. "Yeah, the 'God' Ki... You still haven't explained what that exactly is, and how you got it."
Goku and Trunks exchanged glances.
"Oh, I guess we overlooked that part, sorry about that. We got a little too excited." Goku said with a smile as she scratched the back of his head. "There's this guy - Toji. He's a friend of ours. A really good one, one of the best. He's this really strong human who only exists in my timeline. He trained really hard and became a god."
"A god?" Bulma repeated, confused. She knows about 'gods'. Knowing Kami and King Kai are ones, but she's never heard of a human becoming one.
"Yeah! See, there are gods beyond Kami and King Kai," Goku explained. "Something called Gods of Destruction, which are apparently the highest form of god in the universe. Toji is the next candidate to become one. He's our friend like I said, and decided to help."
Bulma took this in and mumbled to herself, "So this Toji is essentially next in line to become ruler of the universe?"
Quickly though she waved her hand aside, as she closed her eyes, took a deep breath and sighed. "That topic can wait for later. I have a thousand questions, but first things first - you need to contact King Kai."
Her expression became distant, "I can't wait to see everyone again," she said softly, a faraway look in her eyes.
Goku's expression turned somber as he saw how much his friend - the woman that was to him essentially his older sister had suffered, before he forced a smile. "I'll go talk to King Kai right now," he said as he quicly rose, and started walking to a quiet corner of the lab.
He sat cross-legged on the floor, closing his eyes and concentrating. Bulma and Trunks watched him as he did.
After a moment of silence, Goku spoke aloud. "Hey, King Kai? It's me, Goku! Can you hear me?"
The silence stretched for nearly a minute before Goku's face lit up.
"Yeah, it's really me! No, I'm not dead... well, not in my timeline anyway."
Bulma and Trunks could only hear Goku's side of the conversation, but his expressions told them plenty.
"Well, it's kind of a long story," Goku continued. "You see, Bulma here built a time machine and-"
Goku winced suddenly, holding the phone away from his ear. "Whoa, calm down! Time travel is a crime against the gods? I didn't know that!"
He chuckled nervously. "Well, there wasn't really another option. Trunks and Bulma in this timeline had to do something. The androids destroyed everything!"
Goku's expression grew more serious as he listened. "Severe consequences? For all of us? Even you if you help?"
Trunks and Bulma exchanged worried glances.
Goku himself gained a serious worried expression, contemplating what to do, since they needed King Kai's help.
Suddenly, Goku's face brightened as a thought occurred to him, and a slight smirk formed on his face. "Hey, King Kai, what if... What if it's with the permission of a god? One higher-ranking than you?"
He paused, listening. "Well, my student is a god - specifically, the future God of Destruction of my universe."
Goku's smile widened. "Yep! He gave permission. Actually, he supported this whole thing and told me to come help this timeline."
"Proof? I have proof, look." Goku said as he pulled out from his Gi, a white orb of Ki, illuminating the lab with white light, causing the temperature to drop, and become colder.
"See, here's the proof. This is my student's God Ki. He gave it to me himself."
After another long pause, Goku's expression relaxed. "Great! So you'll help us? We need the coordinates to New Namek."
He nodded several times, his face scrunched in concentration as he committed the coordinates to memory. "Got it! Thanks, King Kai!"
Goku put the Ki back inside his Gi, and opened his eyes, the connection broken. "That was close! King Kai almost refused to help because apparently time travel is a big no-no for the gods." He grinned. "But mentioning Toji changed his mind pretty quick!"
"You have the coordinates?" Bulma asked, already reaching for a tablet.
"Yep! King Kai says in this timeline, New Namek is in the Polaris system, about two weeks' journey at standard speed."
"Let's go then," Trunks said, determination in his voice. "We've waited seventeen years for this nightmare to end - I don't want to wait another day."
Goku nodded, pulling out the capsule containing the spaceship. "Ready when you are!"
They walked outside to an open area of the compound. Goku clicked the capsule and threw it, resulting in an explosion of smoke.
When it cleared, the massive Capsule Corp spaceship stood before them - gleaming and new.
Bulma stared at it immediately noting the differences her counterpart had made compared to the schematics she saw her dad had made for Goku when he went to Namek. "The propulsion system looks completely redesigned," she murmured. "And that hull configuration... I've been trying to develop something similar for years."
As they prepared to board, Bulma suddenly froze, her mind catching a critical oversight.
"Wait!" she exclaimed. "If we're going to revive this timeline's Goku, we need the heart medicine. Did my past self reverse-engineer it for you?"
Goku and Trunks exchanged horrified glances.
"Oh no," Trunks groaned, lowering his head in embarrassment. "We didn't think of that."
Goku scratched his head sheepishly. "That was kind of a last-minute thing. We were so focused on the fuel for the time machine..."
Bulma's expression shifted from momentary disappointment to immediately thinking how to solve the problem. "We don't have the luxury of overlooking details," she stated, but her tone was pragmatic rather than accusatory.
She quickly assessed the situation. "The spaceship must contain materials and equipment. I always prepare for contingencies, and my counterpart would do the same..." She was already beginning to think of everything. "I'll come with you to Namek and synthesize the medicine during the journey."
Without waiting for a response, she hurried back to her lab, gathering necessary equipment. She converted the equipment to capsules.
Within minutes, she returned with a small case of capsules. "Ready," she announced.
The three boarded the spaceship together, with Bulma immediately taking command of the navigation system. Her fingers moved across the control panel with ease despite the newer design.
"These controls are more intuitive than I expected," she commented, inputting the coordinates as Goku relayed them from memory. "My counterpart has made some interesting choices in the interface design."
"Ready?" She asked them, as she turned her head.
Goku and Trunks nodded.
"Ready, Mom." Trunks stated.
Bulma turned her gaze back to the interface, and began to start up the ship.
The engines powered up with a deep hum.
As they ascended through Earth's atmosphere, Trunks gazed out the viewport at his home planet growing smaller below them.
For the second time, he was leaving his world - again to save it. This time though to another planet, rather than an alternate timeline... It was quite interesting to think about, since he'd never seen another planet besides Earth before.
Bulma joined him briefly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We're going to bring them all back," she whispered, as she gave him a slight smile.
Trunks turned away from the viewport, and looked at his mother and smiled back, "Yeah we will Mom, I'm sure of it."
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(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter.
Do tell me how you found it.
My excitement to write this story has returned - primarly to be honest because of Dokkan and Legends, both having celebrations right now, and all that.
Anyone reading this, also playing it?
Well, I hope to see you all later,
Bye!)