The air atop the Lookout grew tense as Trunks pulled out a small bottle of medicine and handed it carefully to Goku. His expression was serious, filled with the heavy burden of knowledge only he carried.
"Goku," Trunks said, his tone firm yet tinged with sadness, "in the future I come from… you didn't die because you were defeated. You died because of a Heart Virus. Back then, there was no cure. But in my time… they finally created one." He pressed the bottle into Goku's palm. "So take this. When the time comes, make sure you consume it. Promise me."
The Lookout fell silent. Even the wind seemed to stop.
Bulma gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "What? A Heart Virus? Goku… in the future? That means…!"
Trunks gave her a small, knowing smile.
"Yes, you've guessed it right."
Then, reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a capsule. With a quick click, it burst open in a cloud of smoke, and before everyone's eyes, a shining machine appeared—the legendary Time Machine. Its metallic body gleamed under the sun, humming softly with the quiet energy of untold journeys.
"I traveled twenty years into the past to arrive in this timeline," Trunks explained, placing a hand on the smooth metal. "And with this Time Machine, I went directly to Planet Namek. Honestly, I thought of going straight to Earth first… but I couldn't resist the urge. I wanted to test my power. I wanted to stand against Frieza myself. That's why I chose that moment. Planet Namek had already been destroyed, and it seems… things played out differently here than in my timeline."
Everyone stood in awe, speechless at the sight of the incredible machine and the sheer weight of his words.
Trunks took a deep breath, his decision final.
"But for now… I must go. If I survive the next three years, then I'll return. And when I do, I'll tell you everything."
He stepped toward the machine, his boots clinking lightly against the tiles. The Time Machine's hatch hissed open. Just as Trunks was about to step inside, a sudden shout broke the silence.
"Hey, wait!" Rudra's voice cut through the air. He sprinted forward, his energy flaring faintly though his body still bore the scars of their previous battles. He stopped just short of Trunks, his eyes blazing with determination.
"Take me with you! I'm strong—strong enough to make a difference. If you let me come to your timeline, I'll crush those androids for you. Believe me."
Trunks froze, startled by the request. Then, slowly, he turned, his face softening but his answer steady.
"I appreciate the offer… truly, I do. But the problems of my timeline aren't yours to solve. If I brought you there, it would change everything. And besides…" He shook his head, "it will take me at least three years to recreate the fuel for this Time Machine. If you came, you'd be stuck there until then. That's three whole years."
Rudra smirked, brushing the dust from his hands as if the challenge itself energized him.
"Hey! Don't underestimate me. Tell you what—let's make a bet."
Trunks blinked in confusion. "A… bet? What kind of bet?"
Rudra's smirk widened into a sharp grin.
"You hit me with your full power. If I lose, I'll stay here and drop the matter. But if I win… you take me with you."
Gasps rippled through the group. Even Goku sat up straighter, intrigued.
Trunks' brows furrowed. His voice carried a tone of reason, but his eyes reflected the weight of pride.
"Listen. I saved you back on Planet Namek. That opponent you and Goku couldn't defeat—I destroyed him effortlessly. If I couldn't handle the androids of my timeline… what chance do you really think you'd have? If I fail, how could you succeed?"
But Rudra only chuckled, the glint in his eyes refusing to dim.
"Maybe. But until we fight, how will we ever know? And tell me something—was I even alive in your timeline?"
The question hit Trunks like a bolt of lightning. His eyes widened, shocked at the implication. His voice dropped lower, as though reluctant to speak the truth.
"No… In my timeline, you didn't exist. Nowhere, not even a trace of you."
Rudra's grin sharpened, his spirit igniting like fire.
"Then maybe that's why. Maybe fate erased me from your future. But I'm here, right now, stronger than you think. And if you're brave enough to test it… then show me. Prove that I don't belong in your fight."
The air grew thick with tension. Trunks' grip tightened on the hilt of his sword strapped to his back. Goku leaned forward, his Saiyan blood stirring with excitement at the prospect of battle. Piccolo's eyes narrowed, analyzing every word. Bulma, meanwhile, crossed her arms, shaking her head in disbelief.
"This is insane…" she muttered.
But Rudra and Trunks were locked in a stare, their auras beginning to spark. The Lookout itself seemed to hold its breath.
"Fine," Trunks said at last, his voice hard as steel. "If this is the only way to make you understand… then let's fight. I'll see if your words hold any weight."
Rudra stepped back, his stance solid, his energy gathering despite his fatigue.
"Good. Don't hold back. Give me everything you've got."
The challenge was set. The future warrior from another timeline and the mysterious fighter of this era stood face-to-face, power building, pride burning.
And all of Earth's defenders watched in silence, knowing that what came next would not just be a clash of strength—
but a test of destiny itself.
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