Saisei (Future Trunks) is grappling with himself. Everything he knew was gone.
The Bulma of this timeline, this world, wasn't the one who raised him. By all counts, genetically, she was his mother. Yet, she wasn't her.
Gohan was alive. Looking like the one that trained him, essentially played a role in raising him. He had a family.
His father, Vegeta is alive. Raising the .. him of this timeline. No, this Trunks was just Trunks. He was Saisei now.
The androids were still around. No longer seen as the genocidal monsters in his timeline. Android 18 even having a child with Krillin, who she married.
The world was green. Populated with so many people and animals. It was mind numbing. Too much.
He met all of those people he grew up hearing stories about. Just as heroic and goofy as his mother said.
Sure, he lived at Capsule Corp with the Briefs - Panchy and Dr. Briefs had had everything explained and had helped form a cover story to the public that Saisei was a nephew from Dr. Briefs' side of the family that recently connected with them - but it all felt.. wrong.
And.. and he needed a change.
This world was green. So, he talked to Bulma..
"What do you know about farming? I mean, this world is so green and plentiful and, and I want to contribute to it."
"Well, I don't have much experience." Bluma said. "Though I'd recommend Goku. Word from Chichi is that he worked on a radish farm at one time."
Saisei nodded. "Of course."
So, when Goku and his family were over at Capsule Corp for a family gathering, Saisei approached him.
"Uh, Goku?" He began. "I was wondering what you knew about farming."
"Plenty enough, why? You want to give it a try?" Goku asked, smiling. Always smiling.
Saisei nodded, nervous. "Uh, yeah. I uh, I've never seen so much green and .. and I want to contribute. If you'll help."
Goku grinned. "Yeah, of course! And I know the perfect place!"
It was a few days after the gathering.
And Goku lead Saisei through the woods.
"Well, here we are!" He proudly proclaimed, smiling as he showing a cabin. That had seen better days.
"I know, isn't it great! With a bit of work, it'll look just like how it did when I lived here with Grandpa Gohan." Goku smiled. "Come on." He led Saisei inside.
As Saisei looked around, at the cracked furniture, broken dishes and layers upon layers of dust, Goku spoke to someone unseen that Saisei wasn't sure was even there.
"Grandpa, I'm home!" Goku said, sounding embarrassed. "I know it's been a long time, and I'm sorry about that. But I've had a long adventure! You remember how I told you about Chichi and Gohan and Goten? Well, this is Saisei. He's a relative of my buddy Vegeta and his wife Bulma.
"He's had a real tough life, Grandpa. And I know I'm asking a lot, but would it be okay if Saisei stayed here and you looked after him? He's a good guy, trust me. He just needs guidance." Goku bowed to a pedestal that had a pillow resting on it, it was long since empty now that the 4 star Dragon Ball no longer sat there. "Please, Grandpa."
And Saisei felt it. A presence of something. A change in the wind. What was it?
"Thanks Grandpa!" Was what made Saisei look over. Goku was standing now. Looking over at him. "Grandpa said you said can stay. Don't worry, he'll help you if you get stuck, just have to ask him." He smiled.
"Erm, okay. Uh, thanks Goku. And uh, Mr. Gohan?" Trunks said, feeling really awkward. He was never one for spirits of the past - especially now that the past wasn't mere stories or even in his own timeline - so this was strange.
Goku laughed a little, walking Trunks out. "You can call him Grandpa Gohan, he won't mind." He put an arm on his shoulder. "He likes you, I can tell."
