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That twisted, demonic laughter drilled straight into Trunks's ears.
The voice was one he knew all too well.
In this timeline, Majin Buu still slumbered, sealed deep within the Earth. But because this world's Earth lacked the vast energy needed to break the seal, Babidi had only now made his move.
"It's him," Future Bulma said, her eyes burning with hatred. "The vile sorcerer, Babidi."
She began to recount what had happened since his arrival.
Under her leadership, humanity had managed to reclaim a measure of its old prosperity. Cities had risen from the rubble, and life once again stirred on Earth. But then Babidi came, and everything changed.
Bulma soon realized what he was after. He wasn't waging war for conquest; he was gathering energy.
She didn't know why, but her instincts screamed of a hidden conspiracy. And so, she commanded the resistance to avoid direct battle wherever possible.
Her foresight only enraged Babidi further. He redoubled his efforts, twisting the hearts of villains across Earth, amplifying their darkest impulses, and sending them to harvest energy for Majin Buu's resurrection.
Yet even with his schemes, their efforts yielded little. The humans refused to surrender their hope, and he couldn't claim the kind of power he needed.
At this point, Bulla spoke up, unable to hold her tongue.
"Wait, Mom, didn't you ever think of just… wiping him out in one go?"
Bulma faltered, shame flashing across her face.
"I wish I could. But Babidi has Dabura at his side. Even after transforming myself into an Android, I have no real training. My strength plateaued long ago. And Sixteen…"
Her gaze flicked toward the silent giant.
"He's mechanical. Unlike us, he can't grow stronger. I've made modifications, but still, he is not strong enough to rival Dabura."
She hesitated, then added, "That's why we placed our hopes on Videl. She alone has the talent to truly train, to grow. Given time, I believe she can surpass Dabura. That's why she was entrusted with command."
Videl's eyes widened, stunned. She had never realized just how much faith Bulma had placed in her. The burden of it pressed on her shoulders, heavy but resolute.
Trunks, meanwhile, sank into thought.
So, in this world, Majin Buu had not yet been revived. Bulma and Videl were both Androids, fighting to preserve what remained. If Babidi could be destroyed, this nightmare could finally end.
But another question gnawed at him. If Babidi was here, then the Supreme Kai, Shin, should have come as well.
"Mother," Trunks asked carefully, "has a god ever appeared before you? One called the Kaiōshin?"
Bulma tilted her head, confusion plain.
"Kaiōshin? I've never heard of such a person."
The answer chilled him.
Could it be… that Shin had already fallen to Dabura in this world?
The possibility was all too real.
"Mom, leave it to us!" Bulla declared suddenly, breaking through Trunks's thoughts. "Babidi's already dead in our world. He's nothing but trash to us now!"
Her fists clenched, her whole body vibrating with anticipation. She even grinned crookedly, ready to bolt straight toward the source of that hateful laughter.
Future Bulma's face blanched. "Wait, Bulla, be careful! Dabura is dangerous. His spit, if it touches you, you'll turn to stone instantly!"
But Bulla only waved her hand dismissively. "Got it, Mom. Don't worry!"
Her reckless confidence left Future Bulma deeply unsettled. Her gaze finally shifted toward Trunks, silently pleading with him to watch over his sister.
As the elder brother, Trunks was, of course, the more composed one.
Future Bulma gazed at him, her expression quietly asking: 'Can I trust you with this?'
Trunks understood without words. He gave a firm nod.
Only then did Future Bulma allow herself to breathe a little easier.
"Mother," Trunks said, his voice steady but earnest, "I have a suggestion. Perhaps it could push your Android research even further. After all, we can't stay in this world forever. If you want to protect Earth when we're gone, you'll need to grow stronger on your own."
At his words, a spark of determination reigned in Future Bulma's eyes. "What suggestion? Tell me, Trunks."
He smiled faintly. "Mother, how far have you advanced your studies on Androids? Judging by what I've seen, you haven't touched on the cellular level yet, have you?"
Her face grew serious. "I've read Dr. Gero's notes. Regarding the Cell project, I've uncovered some leads… but breaking through that barrier will still take time."
Trunks nodded. "Leads are good. And if this world has a scientist named Dr. Hedo, seek him out, he may be able to help you. Beyond that…" His eyes flicked toward the slumbering Majin Buu, and a subtle grin played across his lips. "I can give you a gift."
Of course, Buu himself was not the gift, he was far too valuable as Trunks's ally. But there was something else Babidi had left behind that could serve that purpose.
With a sharp whoosh, Trunks vanished from sight, leaving Future Bulma, Videl, and Mai blinking in confusion.
Zzt!
He reappeared, intercepting Bulla as she sped recklessly toward the source of Babidi's voice. His hand clamped firmly on her shoulder.
"Brother?!" Bulla exclaimed.
Trunks gave a low hum of acknowledgment, and then---
Zzt!
The siblings reappeared in a new place: Babidi's fortress, the heart of his twisted rule over Earth.
High above floated a grotesque throne, and upon it sat Babidi himself, flanked by his loyal enforcer, Dabura. The sorcerer's mouth curled into a mocking grin as he muttered incantations and spewed words of domination.
Both Babidi and Dabura turned at once, their gazes locking on the newcomers.
"Well, well," Babidi sneered, eyes narrowing in curiosity. "Have you come to serve me too?" He leered at them. "Good… then surrender your wills and accept my control."
But the next instant, Trunks's eyes met his, and Babidi froze.
One glance. That was all it took. The sorcerer's heart lurched with primal fear, and he toppled clumsily from his throne.
"Babidi-sama! Leave this to me!" Dabura barked, his lips curling into a cruel smile.
But his bravado shattered a heartbeat later.
He hadn't even seen Trunks move, yet a searing pain ripped through his core. His eyes widened in horror as he looked down to see a blue-haired warrior's arm thrust clean through his abdomen.
Terror and Disbelief filled his heart. His vision blurred as his strength fled him.
Watching his most powerful servant fall, Babidi's arrogance dissolved into panic.
'Escape. I have to escape.: That was all his mind could scream.
But Bulla was already in his path.
"Running away? Not a chance. You're leaving your life here."
Babidi collapsed to his knees, his hands trembling as he tried to beg for mercy, but Bulla gave him no chance. Her hand sliced down in a ruthless strike, cleaving the sorcerer in two.
The siblings moved as though rehearsed, swift, efficient, merciless.
Below, Babidi's thralls dissolved into chaos. Their faith shattered, they stumbled about in despair. But to Trunks, these men and women, murderers, monsters, the worst of humanity amplified by Babidi's magic, were already corpses.
The ground shook with a chorus of explosions as he eliminated them all without hesitation.
When the dust settled, only silence remained.
Trunks lifted his gaze to Babidi's vessel. Inside lay the dormant egg of Majin Buu.
And that, he decided, would be the perfect gift for this world's Bulma.
(End Of This Chapter)