Future world, in the deeply hidden base of Dr. Hedo within a desolate mountain range.
Trunks had been here for some time now.
After a long conversation with the scientist who called himself "Dr. Hedo," his vigilance had relaxed a little. At least on the surface, this doctor was completely different from the crazy scientists he had encountered before.
Dr. Hedo had messy brown short hair, wore thick glasses, and his speech and mannerisms were filled with a... nearly naive idealism.
He explained to Trunks his original intention for creating Gamma 1 and Gamma 2: not for conquest or destruction, but to protect the peace of the Earth!
In order to eliminate the twin demons who had brought endless suffering to the world, Androids 17 and 18, he had spent countless efforts to create the heroes of justice, Gamma 1 and Gamma 2!
"Sigh, what a pity,"
Dr. Hedo pushed up his glasses, his tone filled with regret as he muttered, "When I finally completed the final debugging of the Gamma series and was preparing to eliminate those two evil androids, I unexpectedly received news that they had already been dealt with."
When he looked at Trunks, his tone was filled with excitement, and his eyes showed a look of admiration! "The hero who dealt with them was you! Trunks-kun!!!"
Hearing Dr. Hedo's story, Trunks finally understood.
No wonder the atmosphere was so strange when he had met Gamma 1 and Gamma 2 in the valley.
That blue No. 1 had attacked him without a word. He probably had been detected and locked onto by their detection system the moment he entered that area.
Thinking back now, perhaps that was a kind of... frustration and probing from having their job stolen by someone else?
He shook his head helplessly, shaking these messy thoughts from his mind.
Although on the surface, this Dr. Hedo seemed harmless, like a hot-blooded youth immersed in his own ideal world, the core purpose of his visit, the time machine problem, had not been solved.
After two days of careful, secret investigation, Trunks was now almost certain that the stolen time machine blueprints and the high-concentration energy required to start the time machine were here!
He had personally seen the not-yet-fully-used energy canisters in a storage room in the base. Although the distinctive Capsule Corp logo had been removed, they were still recognizable at a glance!
This was ironclad evidence!
When he took this evidence and directly confronted Dr. Hedo, the doctor's reaction was somewhat surprising.
The doctor did not argue or deny it, but showed a look of realization, and then his face became a little annoyed and guilty.
He told Trunks that these blueprints and energy were not stolen by him, but were provided by a man named "Magenta."
"Mr. Magenta told me that it was a group of scientists under his command who had jointly designed the blueprints for the time machine,"
Dr. Hedo recalled, his tone still filled with indignation at being deceived! "He invited me to participate in this great project. The purpose was to assemble a time machine and then send a powerful warrior back to the past to completely eliminate Androids 17 and 18 before the tragedy occurred, thereby saving countless innocent lives."
The doctor sighed and continued, "We did indeed succeed in assembling a time machine. And the one chosen to go to the past to carry out this noble mission was a powerful woman named Android 21. Mr. Magenta had assured me that she was a very kind-hearted and powerful female warrior dedicated to upholding justice!"
"Android 21?"
A thought stirred in Trunks's mind. He had never heard this name before.
"Yes. After No. 21 successfully departed for the past, Mr. Magenta left with his remaining data and personnel. Before he left, he told me that he was going to carry out a more ultimate weapon development plan, which he called... Cell MAX! It was said to be for bringing greater security to the Earth."
"Cell MAX?!"
Hearing the name Cell, Trunks's pupils contracted sharply, and a chill instantly ran up his spine!
He had personally fought that monster named Cell!
Anything associated with that name could absolutely not be for the security of the Earth!
(Prince Logistics Team Leader Cell: ?)
This Magenta was definitely up to no good!
He passed off his mother's designs as the work of his own subordinates, deceived the kind... or rather, overly naive Dr. Hedo, used his technical skills to build a time machine, and even sent an android of unknown identity back to the past...
This series of operations made Trunks instinctively smell a strong conspiracy.
He couldn't stay here any longer!
Trunks made a decisive decision and bid farewell to Dr. Hedo and Gamma 1 and 2.
Although the two Gamma androids seemed to have a good impression of him, especially No. 2, who kept saying, "We can uphold justice together in the future," Trunks was in a hurry at this moment.
He had to return home immediately and tell his mother everything that had happened here, so that she would no longer worry about the theft. And then...
He had to start the real time machine at home as soon as possible and go to the past again!
Although Whitley-san's power was unfathomable, and Mr. Goku and his father, Vegeta, were living safely in that timeline, Android 18 and the others were by no means easy opponents! (Whitley: That's right!)
More importantly, that No. 21 who had been sent to the past, what if she was not as kind as Dr. Hedo had said, but... another enemy?
No! I have to warn everyone!
And, if an accident really did happen, with his current strength, he could also fight alongside everyone!
His mind made up, Trunks no longer hesitated. His figure shot into the sky, erupting with a powerful aura, and he sped towards West City at his fastest speed.
Meanwhile, in the past timeline, on Earth.
With a "swoosh," accompanied by a faint spatial fluctuation, Whitley's figure appeared in the spacious backyard of the Briefs' estate.
He was holding the evil wizard Babidi, who had been tightly bound by his divine power and was only the size of a child, and the Supreme Kai, Shin, whose hand was on his shoulder.
In order not to disturb Bulma, who might be working or resting, Whitley had deliberately chosen the backyard, where almost no one ever went, as the teleportation point.
Apart from those two guys, Vegeta and Goku, who occasionally came to borrow the gravity room, this place was usually very quiet.
"Alright, Babidi, now you lead the way..."
Whitley was just about to have this evil wizard show him the way to the specific location where the sealed Majin Buu was.
But just then, the futuristic-looking smartwatch on his wrist suddenly rang.
"Hmm?"
Whitley looked down. The caller ID was actually... home?
He was a little puzzled. Could it be that Bulma missed him? It shouldn't be. After all, Bulma was the type to stay in the lab for a week at a time.
He didn't think much of it, casually threw Babidi onto the lawn, and pressed the answer button.
"Hello? Bulma? I just got back to Earth, I'm in the back..." he began in a relaxed tone.
However, a rather urgent female voice from the other end interrupted him. "Wait! Whitley! You listen to me first!"
It's No. 18?
No. 18 lowered her voice and said quickly, "Listen, the matter of you secretly giving gifts to me and Bulma... I don't know how, but Vados found out! Vados... she seems a little angry, I feel like the atmosphere is not right! You'd better... come back later! Hey? Did you hear me? Hey?"
Of course, Whitley had heard, every word loud and clear.
But...
It seemed a little late to be saying this now.
He stiffly raised his head. His gaze passed over the screen of his watch and saw that at the entrance of the corridor connecting to the main house, a tall and elegant figure was standing quietly.
The sunlight fell on her light purple long hair and dignified angel attire, making Vados look exceptionally holy.
And on her face was a flawless... smile?
But... that smile, in Whitley's eyes at this moment, somehow made his back feel cold, carrying an indescribable... terrifying aura!
Vados... she was actually at home!
And from the looks of it, she had been standing there for a while!
Whitley fumbled and said into the watch, "Ah... the signal is not good... I'll hang up first!" and quickly cut off the communication.
He forced a stiff smile that was uglier than crying, raised one hand, and waved mechanically towards Vados, his voice stuttering. "Hi... Va... Va... Vados. You're... you're home... What... what a coincidence... hahaha..."
Vados did not speak, still maintaining that brilliant smile that made one's heart panic. She walked towards Whitley step by step with an elegant gait.
Her gaze first swept over the somewhat helpless Supreme Kai Shin at his side, and then fixed on Whitley again, her tone as sweet as honey. "Oh my~ to think Lord Supreme Kai would grace us with his presence, how rude of me."
She nodded slightly in greeting, then her tone shifted, her smile unchanging. "I have a small 'family matter' that I need to borrow Lord Whitley for. I wonder if Lord Supreme Kai... could do us the favor and excuse us for a moment?"
Whitley immediately cast a hopeful gaze at the Supreme Kai, Shin, screaming in his heart, 'Quick! Say that we still have important business concerning the survival of the universe to attend to! Refuse her firmly! Say that it cannot be delayed for a moment!'
However, the moment Shin was swept by Vados's seemingly gentle but actually murderous gaze, he felt as if his breathing had stopped!
A certain primal survival instinct made him instantly make a choice.
"O-of course, no problem!"
Shin grabbed the still-groaning Babidi on the ground, his movements so fast they were almost afterimages, and nodded at Vados like a pecking chicken. "Please, feel free! I just so happen... to have some urgent business to attend to back in the Sacred World of the Kais! Yes, very urgent business!"
After speaking, he didn't dare to look at Whitley's desperate eyes again. He looked up at the sky and shouted, "Kibito... oops! Kibito!!!"
Swoosh!
The loyal attendant, Kibito, appeared in response. The moment he saw Shin, he immediately bowed respectfully. "Lord Supreme Kai! What are your orders?"
"Quick! Take me back to the Sacred World of the Kais! Immediately! Right now!"
Shin's voice was filled with an unquestionable urgency.
"Yes!"
Although Kibito was confused, he immediately placed his hand on Shin's shoulder.
Swoosh!
The three figures vanished from the spot as if they had never appeared, leaving only a few blades of grass stirred by the breeze.
Whitley: "...Shin! You disloyal bastard! It's bad enough that you ran away, but you even took Babidi with you?! My only excuse is gone! Now I'm... completely doomed!"
Seeing that the Supreme Kai was so pragmatic, Vados nodded in satisfaction.
She refocused her gaze on Whitley, her smile becoming even more radiant and gentle, but Whitley felt the surrounding temperature drop several degrees.
"Well then~ Lord Whitley," Vados's voice was still sweet. "Please follow me back to the room. I have a small matter that I would like to have a good, private discussion with you about~"
Whitley swallowed hard, making a "gulp" sound.
He felt that he couldn't just sit and wait for death. He had to struggle, try to explain!
"That... Vados, you listen to me!"
Whitley braced himself, his brain working at high speed, trying to find something on his person that he could give as a gift. "Actually... actually, I also prepared a gift for you! It's that... that..."
He stammered for a long time but couldn't think of anything on him besides his battle armor and a few Senzu Beans that he could give.
At this moment, his heart was filled with endless regret...
Why? Why had he only thought of surprising Bulma and No. 18, and had completely forgotten about this highest-level angel wife?!
This was simply courting death!
Vados seemed to see through his pale defense. She said nothing, just her smile became even deeper.
She elegantly turned and walked towards the main house, her steps unhurried but with an unquestionable meaning.
Whitley looked at her back, his heart in turmoil.
Run? Where could he run? You can run, but you can't hide! Explain... it seems an explanation won't work...
He gritted his teeth, a tragic expression on his face as if he had thrown all caution to the wind.
'Forget it! I'll face death head-on! If I'm going to die, I'll die!'
He steeled his heart, puffed out his chest as if he were going to his execution, and followed behind Vados with heavy steps.
That departing figure actually had a hint of desolation.
Vados, as if she had eyes in the back of her head, felt him follow, and the curve of her lips rose slightly.
She said in a voice that only the two of them could hear, her tone gentle, "It seems Lord Whitley is fully prepared."
The two of them, one after the other, walked into Vados's elegantly decorated bedroom.
With a soft "click," the door was closed.
Then, a series of rushed sounds of a scuffle could be faintly heard from the room, interspersed with Whitley's somewhat flustered... pleas for mercy?
"Wait! Vados! Your combat speed today... isn't it a bit too fast?! I... I'm not ready yet... slow down when you attack!"
Then came Vados's voice, still gentle, but with a hint of irrefutable authority and... a faint craving. "Since Lord Whitley's prepared gifts did not include a share for Vados... then today, you yourself, Lord Whitley, will be Vados's 'gift'~"
The battle inside the room seemed to have instantly escalated! The rhythm of the fight suddenly quickened, and the sounds of their movements became denser and louder!
Then, Whitley was heard letting out a roar filled with unwillingness and resistance!
"Damn it! To think that I, Whitley, have been famous all my life... today... today I will let you, Vados, see what a true Super Saiyan is! Haaah!!!"
A faint golden aura seeped from under the door, accompanied by a violently expanding ki fluctuation!
This guy... was actually forced to transform into a Super Saiyan in the room?!
"Wait... Lord Whitley... you... you transforming all of a sudden... that's against the rules!"
Vados's voice carried a hint of being caught off guard, but if one listened carefully, a deeper meaning was hidden beneath the surprise. "If you continue to fight like this... I, Vados~ will have to get serious~"
Her words seemed angry, but the ups and downs of her tone made it clear to anyone what her true attitude towards Whitley's rule-breaking was.
The battle had entered its true white-hot stage!
In the end, as Whitley seemed to have finally regained his ground, and let out a deep laugh of triumph, Vados's voice gradually became faint and long.
Only the irrepressible sounds of their intense battle continued to echo in the room...
The scene shifts to the other side of the estate.
No. 18, who had just finished her conversation with Bulma, was now walking aimlessly in the front yard garden, her mood somewhat complicated.
After learning from Bulma that Whitley had officially accepted Vados, her heart had been filled with an indescribable annoyance and disappointment.
That angel... what was so good about her?
That bastard Whitley! Since he had already accepted Vados, why wouldn't he ever give a direct answer to her own feelings?
Could it be... because she wasn't tall enough?
No. 18 knew that Whitley had made a wish to help Vegeta grow taller. She had heard this from her brother, No. 17.
The current No. 17 was doing very well in Prince Logistics and was a master at gathering information. This news was what No. 17 had gotten from Raditz.
She unconsciously recalled Vados's delicate and tall figure.
And Bulma's well-proportioned and sexy curves, filled with a mature charm.
Then she looked down at her own slightly petite figure... a sense of helplessness welled up in her heart.
She let out a frustrated sigh.
But she quickly shook her head vigorously, shaking off this unrealistic thought.
'No! That guy definitely has feelings for me! In the company elevator before... and the way he looks at me... he was definitely moved!'
She pursed her lips and thought stubbornly, 'But... what is the reason that he's always... so lukewarm towards me?'
She walked absent-mindedly. Unknowingly, she had wandered into the relatively secluded backyard area.
Just as she was about to find a place to sit down and daydream, her sharp ears caught a strange... sound?
At first, she didn't pay it any mind, thinking it was the sound of the wind or one of Mrs. Briefs's small animals.
But as she subconsciously took a step to leave, she stopped abruptly!
This sound... although it was suppressed, she would never mistake it!
It was Whitley's voice! He had said he was back, and this voice...
Why did it sound a little off?
An intense curiosity and a vague premonition drove her, making her involuntarily lighten her steps.
Following the intermittent sounds, she came to the door of Vados's bedroom.
The closer she got, the clearer the sounds became.
The rapid breathing of the two fighting, the muffled voices, and... the sounds of a fierce battle!
No. 18's face "whooshed" red, and her heart began to race.
She was not an innocent little girl. In her database, there was knowledge of this, and she instantly understood what was happening in the room.
Her legs felt a little weak, and her breathing became a little ragged.
As if possessed, she, like a thief, looked around.
After confirming that no one was around, No. 18 subconsciously pressed her ear gently against the cold door.
The sounds from the room were instantly magnified countless times and clearly entered her ears.
Whitley's rapid shouts during the battle, Vados's sometimes soft, sometimes urgent low cries... intertwined, forming a symphony that made one's blood boil.
Damn it! These two bastards are actually fighting! And there's even the sound of an aura exploding from inside!
No. 18 listened outside the door, but her eyes gradually became hazy, and she muttered to herself, "So this is... how they fight..."
Her right hand, as if it had a mind of its own, had, without being taught, formed a combat stance...
For a time, the intense sounds of battle inside the room and No. 18's quiet stealing of their techniques, her suppressed, subtle breathing and movements, seemed to form a strange ensemble.
Time passed little by little. The commotion inside the room, far from stopping, seemed to be getting more and more intense.
No. 18's ear, pressed against the door, was slightly hot, and a certain desire and impulse in her heart burned brighter and brighter like an ignited wildfire!
Just listening... was no longer enough to satisfy the strange desire to fight in her heart.
She hesitated, struggled for a long time, and a look of desperation appeared on her face!
Finally, she gritted her teeth, and her left hand trembled as she gripped the doorknob.
'I'm just... studying their combat techniques... just... just a peek...'
She said to herself, as if finding a reasonable excuse for her eavesdropping.
She took a deep breath, and her hand turned slightly.
The door was, surprisingly, not locked!
Click.
The door was pushed open a crack. No. 18's figure quickly and silently slipped in, and then she gently closed the door behind her...
The sounds in the room paused for a brief moment. After No. 18's arrival and request to join the battle, the battle scene seemed to have become even more intense and complex...
Vados: "Oh my~ I never knew No. 18-san was so enthusiastic about fighting with Lord Whitley~"
No. 18: "Don't look down on me! Although you, Vados, have made Whitley accept you with your own power, I, No. 18, will not give in!"
Whitley: "..." The focused Whitley did not want to speak.
The sound of the battle became intense again after No. 18 joined in!
And at this moment, in the front yard of the estate, Bulma was lying leisurely on a comfortable beach chair, enjoying the rare warm winter sun.
She was wearing a pair of stylish sunglasses, and on the small table beside her was a glass of freshly squeezed juice.
She had just picked up the glass and taken a satisfying sip when she suddenly felt a wave of unease for no reason.
It was as if...
Some treasured possession of hers had been silently taken away a piece.
"Hmm? It must be my imagination..."
Bulma took off her sunglasses in confusion and looked around.
The yard was quiet and peaceful, with only the rustling of the leaves in the breeze.
She shook her head, thinking it must be her imagination.
So she thought no more of it, lay back down, picked up the latest issue of a fashion magazine beside her, and continued to flip through it.
"Mmm... the winter sun is so comfortable..."
...
Get 10 chapters ahead on - P.a.t.r.e.o.n "RoseWhisky"