Dragon Ball- Vegata Future Rewritten By Inner Voice

High in the sky, three figures streaked through the air at incredible speed.

Videl was still mulling over what Gohan had told her about the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, a place where one day outside equaled an entire year inside. It sounded like something straight out of a sci-fi novel.

"Is there really a place that magical, Gohan Kun?" She asked, eyes wide with wonder.

Before Gohan could reply, Trunks jumped in cheerfully. "You'll see for yourself when we get there, big sis."

He grinned and added, "Besides the time difference, the gravity inside is ten times what it is out here."

"And the temperature swings between day and night are intense too," He said, still floating with ease.

Trunks explained it all with a casual tone, like it was no big deal.

"So, what do you think, big sis?" He teased. "Still want to go in? I mean, you're just a regular human, right?"

Videl's eyes narrowed slightly as they landed on something she hadn't noticed before, Trunks had a tail. That tail… there was no way this kid was ordinary. A tail meant something else entirely. Videl fell into deep thought.

What Trunks said wasn't wrong. Both he and Gohan could fly like it was second nature. Even though she practiced martial arts, compared to these two… she suddenly felt very ordinary.

But she wasn't someone who backed down easily. She'd already come this far.

"I still want to go in!" Videl said firmly. "Gohan Kun promised he'd teach me how to fly."

With that, she clenched her fists and turned to Gohan with resolve.

"Right, Gohan Kun?"

Gohan smiled, matching her determination. "If you've made up your mind, then let's train together. We'll go in as a team!"

Their eyes met, sharing the same fiery spirit. Trunks watched them with a playful smirk while thinking. 'Heh, I guess I've officially been promoted to third wheel.'

With renewed energy, the three sped up, their auras flaring slightly as they soared forward. Soon, a structure came into view, floating high above the Earth.

"Up ahead is the Lookout," Gohan said to Videl. "The Hyperbolic Time Chamber's inside."

Whoosh--!

The trio touched down on the marble platform at the same time. Nestled safely in Gohan's arms, Videl looked around in awe at the towering structure and endless sky.

She glanced left and right, her eyes shining as she walked toward the edge to peer down.

"This... this place is real? It really exists? Is this where... the Guardian of Earth lives?"

"You got it!" Trunks grinned. "This is the Lookout, where Earth's Guardian, Kami, or well, Dende now, resides."

Videl was stunned. In just a few days, her entire world had been flipped upside down, and every twist had something to do with Gohan.

She looked at him again, admiration clear in her eyes.

Meanwhile, Gohan was glancing around, puzzled.

"That's odd... where's Mr. Popo? I don't see him anywhere."

It had been seven years since Gohan had last visited, and a lot had changed. He and Trunks had both grown taller and stronger. Still, he figured Mr. Popo would recognize their energy.

Raising his voice, he called out, "Mr. Popo! It's me, Son Gohan! I'm here with Trunks. We'd like to use the Hyperbolic Time Chamber!"

Silence.

Gohan frowned. Something felt off. Even if he and Trunks had changed physically, their ki should still be recognizable.

"Gohan!" Trunks' voice pulled him from his thoughts.

He turned to see Trunks standing at the chamber entrance, where the door was already open.

"Mr. Popo's energy… it's inside," Trunks said with a serious look.

Gohan nodded. He could sense it too now, faint, but unmistakable.

The two exchanged a glance. Something wasn't right.

Without needing another word, they bolted down the corridor toward the chamber, ready for whatever was waiting. They sprinted at full speed, the sound of their footsteps echoing through the corridors of the Lookout.

Videl, completely lost and unable to keep pace, shouted after them.

"Gohan Kun! Trunks! Wait for me!"

But the two ignored her cries, focused solely on what lay ahead as they rushed forward.

The "Hyperbolic Time Chamber" door they had seen on the surface of the Lookout was, in fact, just an entrance leading to a deeper level. Once opened, the door revealed a narrow passageway, at the very end of which stood the true Hyperbolic Time Chamber, hidden at the base of the Lookout.

At last, they saw Mr. Popo crouched silently outside the chamber.

His expression was grim, and beads of sweat covered his dark face.

Even the sudden arrival of Son Gohan and Trunks failed to stir him.

"Mr. Popo! Why are you standing guard outside the Time Chamber?" Son Gohan asked, his voice full of concern.

Trunks stepped forward as well, his tone worried. "Mr. Popo, what's going on?"

He waved a hand in front of Mr. Popo's eyes. Finally, some light returned to the old caretaker's gaze. Upon recognizing Trunks, his expression crumpled with regret.

With trembling emotion in his voice, he nearly burst into tears.

"I'm sorry, Trunks, I… I failed. It's all my fault… I couldn't stop Vegeta from going into the Hyperbolic Time Chamber…"

Both Son Gohan and Trunks were stunned, so Vegeta had slipped away last night and entered the chamber without telling anyone!

He had already been inside this entire time.

"Then… why are you crying, Mr. Popo?" Gohan asked, confused.

Mr. Popo's voice grew heavy.

"Vegeta has used the chamber twice before, and both times he left before the two-day limit passed. But this time… it's already been over two days. If someone stays inside longer than two days, the entrance will vanish. Forever. That means Vegeta… won't be able to come back."

Trunks and Gohan froze while Mr. Popo looked devastated.

"I tried everything to stop him," he continued, voice trembling. "But he wouldn't listen. He even threatened to destroy the Lookout if I didn't let him in."

Trunks' lips twitched involuntarily. That really did sound like something his dad would say. Still, Trunks didn't look especially upset. Instead, he bent down, gently helped Mr. Popo to his feet, and tried to reassure him.

"Please, Mr. Popo, don't blame yourself."

His calm demeanor drew strange looks from both Gohan and Mr. Popo. In this situation, anyone else would have been devastated, but Trunks remained composed, even comforting the one who had let Vegeta go.

Son Gohan blinked in confusion, feeling a wave of unease.

Did something happen to Trunks? Why is he acting like this…?

"Mr. Popo," Trunks asked next, "Is there any way to save him?"

Before Mr. Popo could reply, Trunks stepped forward, his eyes bright with determination. There wasn't the faintest trace of sadness on his face, instead, there was confidence, and even a glimmer of hope.

"Don't worry, Mr. Popo. Gohan. My dad will come back."

His unwavering tone only deepened Son Gohan's confusion. Vegeta was trapped in a timeless dimension, and yet, Trunks was smiling. Bewildered, Gohan turned to Mr. Popo, silently hoping for answers.

(Author's Note: The Hyperbolic Time Chamber's setting as being located at the bottom of the Lookout comes from the Dragon Ball Encyclopedia. In the Majin Buu saga of Dragon Ball Z, Piccolo used this location and chamber setup to buy time, letting Goten and Trunks train longer by leading Majin Buu on a detour. That interpretation is used here.)

(End of Chapter)

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