Today was the day Whitley had set for departing to the future timeline. In the front yard of the Briefs' estate, Bulma had been up and busy since early morning.
With a big yawn, Bulma rubbed her still-sleepy eyes. She walked into the front yard, took out a capsule, and with a soft "poof," the time machine, which she had carefully modified and enlarged more than ten times, was parked steadily on the lawn.
The egg-shaped silver body of the machine reflected the morning sun, its appearance full of a sense of technology.
"Done!"
Bulma clapped her hands, looking at her masterpiece with satisfaction.
After everything was settled, she looked up at the sky and muttered to herself strangely, "Why isn't that guy Whitley here yet? Goku and Vegeta are probably about to arrive, it's not good to keep people waiting."
She habitually walked towards the gravity room. According to Whitley's usual routine, he should already be in there, sweating profusely from his training.
But today, the gravity room was quiet. When she opened the door, she found it was empty.
"Huh? Strange..."
Bulma was a little puzzled. "That guy... did he actually oversleep today? That's not like him."
She thought for a moment and looked up at the multi-functional watch on her wrist.
She gently pressed an inconspicuous button on the side, and a small electronic map immediately appeared on the watch face, a conspicuous small red dot flashing on it.
"Let me see... this position is..."
Bulma stared at the screen, her brow slightly furrowed. "Vados's room? What is he doing in Vados's room so early in the morning? Did he go back to sleep?"
Full of questions, Bulma strode towards Vados's room.
When she reached the door, she didn't think much of it and, with a "click," directly pushed it open, saying as she did, "Whitley, Vados. Get ready to lea—"
Her voice stopped abruptly, as if she had been choked.
Because... the scene before her was completely beyond her expectations!
Vados, in the room, was actually wearing a black and white maid outfit identical to No. 21's!
And she was now, along with the also-maid-outfitted No. 21, pressed intimately against Whitley on his left and right!
Whitley, for his part, had an expression of pure, blissful enjoyment, until he heard the door open and Bulma's voice, and then he snapped back to reality!
"You..."
A hint of panic flashed across Whitley's face. He quickly and clumsily stuffed Vados and No. 21, who were clinging to him, into the blanket beside him, and he himself jumped off the bed as if on a spring, quickly starting to pull on his clothes.
As he got dressed, he looked at the stunned Bulma at the door with some helplessness. "Why do you enter someone else's room without knocking?"
Bulma snapped out of her initial shock. Looking at the chaotic and sensual scene before her, she snorted in anger. Her large, azure eyes shot a nasty glare at Whitley, a look that clearly said, "I'll deal with you later!".
She said nothing, just turned around, and with a "bang," slammed the door and left in a huff, her footsteps heavy as she stomped away.
In the room, only Whitley and No. 21, who was peeking out from under the covers with a flushed face, were left staring at each other. The atmosphere was, for a moment, a bit awkward.
Vados, however, still maintained her elegant and composed demeanor. She gently lifted the blanket and sat up, a faint, almost mischievous smile on her face, as if her prank had succeeded.
She raised her hand and summoned her angel's staff, then lightly tapped the three of them.
A soft light flashed. The clothes Whitley had not yet fully put on instantly became neat and tidy, and the maid outfits on Vados and No. 21 were also smoothed out, as if the earlier mess had never happened.
"It seems it's time to depart, Whitley-san."
Vados stood up and said in a gentle voice, "As the host, it is not very polite to keep your guests waiting."
After speaking, she walked out of the room with elegant steps.
Whitley looked at Vados's back with a hint of helplessness and shook his head, then looked at No. 21, who was still lazing in bed, half-covering her face with the blanket, and sighed. "Come on, get down. What are you still lazing around for? Don't you want to go back to the future for a look? Get up quickly, we have to go."
Hearing Whitley say this, No. 21, her face flushed, got out of bed and nimbly began to tidy up the messy bed.
Then, with her head bowed like a little follower, she followed Whitley out of the room and to the front yard.
By the time they had dawdled to the front yard, Goku and Vegeta had, as expected, already arrived.
Goku was circling the huge time machine, curiously touching and looking, letting out cries of "wow" and "oh" from time to time.
And Vegeta was standing there with his arms crossed and an impatient look on his face. When he saw Whitley finally appear, he immediately let out a dissatisfied cold snort from his nose. "Hmph! You're too slow!"
Whitley touched his nose awkwardly, too embarrassed to explain the reason for his tardiness.
"Alright, alright, since everyone is here, and a certain lazybones has finally climbed out of his love nest, let's get ready to go!"
Bulma clapped her hands and announced in a sour tone.
Her gaze swept meaningfully over Whitley and No. 21, who was following behind him with her cheeks still flushed.
Under Bulma's guidance, the group boarded the time machine, whose interior space had been expanded a great deal. The team heading to the future this time was quite large.
Apart from Future Bulma, Trunks, and No. 21, who were originally from the future, the number of people from the main timeline was not small either: Whitley, Bulma, Vados, Goku, and Vegeta.
No. 18 had clearly stated that she had no interest in going.
In her words, "If I go to that future, who knows if it will provoke the ordinary people there and cause some unnecessary chaos? That would be a big mess. No. 17 and I will sit this one out."
Future Bulma skillfully sat in the driver's seat and began the final pre-departure check.
Her fingers flew across the complex control panel as she muttered to herself, "Fuel reserves... OK! Energy indicator... OK! Main engine status... OK! Time-space travel device... OK!..."
After confirming all the key systems and ensuring that everything was foolproof, Future Bulma finally took a deep breath.
She turned her head and looked at everyone who had already fastened their seatbelts, a playful smile on her face that was a mixture of nervousness and excitement. "Well then, everyone! Are you ready to go to the future world?!"
Before her words faded, with a mischievous grin, Future Bulma slammed the conspicuous red start button!
"Let's go!"
VMMMM—!!!
The time machine instantly let out a low, powerful hum, and the entire body began to vibrate slightly.
"Whoa! Is it starting already?" Goku looked around excitedly.
"Hey! Wait! I haven't..."
Bulma seemed to want to complain about something, but her voice was instantly drowned out by a stronger energy fluctuation.
In the front yard of the Briefs' estate, the entire time machine was completely enveloped in a dazzling white light.
The light grew brighter and brighter, and finally, with a "swoosh," it, along with the time machine and everyone inside, vanished from the front yard of the Briefs' estate without a trace, as if it had never existed.
However, the next second after the time machine had disappeared, a very rushed, slightly panicked green figure descended from the sky like a meteor and landed steadily above the Briefs' estate.
"Wait! I haven't gotten on yet!!!"
The newcomer was actually... Cell?
He was even carrying a small travel bag on his back, looking like he was going on a long trip.
When he had just arrived above West City, he had seen from a distance that the time machine seemed to still be parked in the yard of the Briefs' estate. He had been relieved and had quickened his speed to dive down.
However, just as he had arrived at the estate and was about to land, he had watched with wide eyes as the time machine burst forth with a dazzling white light, and then, right under his nose, with a "swoosh"... it was gone!
Cell was completely dumbfounded. He was frozen in mid-air in a diving posture, his brain unable to process it for a moment.
"Ugh... damn it!!!"
A few seconds later, a cry of grief and indignation echoed above the estate. "You weren't going to the future to eliminate that Cell MAX?! Why didn't you call me, Cell, to come along! Damn it!!!"
He stomped his feet in the air in anger.
Actually, Cell had not known about this plan originally.
It was a few days ago, when he was having dinner with No. 18 and No. 17, that No. 18 had casually mentioned that Whitley and the others were going to travel through time to the future to deal with a very powerful guy named Cell MAX.
The speaker was careless, but the listener was attentive. Cell had immediately taken this to heart.
He figured that since this Cell MAX's name sounded related to his own, he might be able to help if he went, or... at least he could join the fun. It was better than staying at headquarters and being watched by No. 16 all day.
So he had specially asked for leave from the company in advance, intending to come over early this morning to leave with Whitley and the others.
But who knew that last night, he had been playing games online with No. 17, and had accidentally played until the middle of the night. And as a result, this morning...
Just that little bit had made him miss it perfectly!
"Damn it... my hard-earned vacation..."
Cell's face was mournful, and he felt his heart was bleeding.
He hovered in mid-air dejectedly, staring at the empty front yard, and was about to go back.
But just then, Mrs. Briefs walked out of the main house with a cup of coffee, looking very leisurely, and happened to see the dejected Cell in the air.
"Oh my~ isn't this Cell-chan?"
Mrs. Briefs smiled and waved at him. "What's wrong? You look so listless."
"Ma'am..."
Seeing that it was Mrs. Briefs, Cell reined in his emotions and greeted her politely.
Ever since he had been handed over to No. 16 for discipline, under No. 16's tireless teaching, he had indeed improved a lot in his interpersonal skills, at least... on the surface.
He slowly descended and explained with some embarrassment, "It's like this, ma'am... I heard that Mr. Whitley and the others were going to the future timeline, and I also wanted to go and see, to help out or something... but, I woke up a little late and missed them..."
Mrs. Briefs couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing this.
She walked up and very naturally took Cell's hand, which made Cell's body stiffen a little, and said in a gentle tone, "So that's what happened. You must not have had breakfast yet since you were in such a hurry, right? Come on, follow me to the dining room and have something to eat first. It's not a big deal that you couldn't go to the future. We should live in the present, don't you think?"
Under Mrs. Briefs's gentle persuasion and the comfort of a sumptuous and delicious breakfast, Cell's gloomy mood finally improved a lot.
He touched his full stomach and thought, 'Forget it, since I've already taken the leave, I can't waste it! I'll just go back and play games! But... I have to hide it from No. 16! If he finds out that I took leave to stay in the dorm and play games, he'll definitely give me a lecture with a straight face, and then I'll be doomed!'
Having thought it through, Cell's mood brightened.
He waved goodbye to Mrs. Briefs, and then his figure flashed, turning into a green light, and he flew straight towards the Prince Logistics headquarters in the suburbs.
He had made up his mind that for the next few days, he would live the life of a shut-in in his dorm. He had to clear a few of the games he had bought before!
...
On the other side, after a bout of dizziness and the feeling of being pulled and kneaded, the vibration inside the time machine finally stopped.
"Are we here?"
Goku was the first to unbuckle his seatbelt and stood up with some impatience.
"We're here. Everyone, get ready to go down!"
Future Bulma looked at the stabilized data on the control panel and nodded.
Everyone got off the time machine one by one.
When their feet touched the ground of West City in the future timeline and they saw the scene before them, everyone was stunned, their faces filled with astonishment and disbelief.
The West City before them had no trace of a modern metropolis at all.
As far as the eye could see, there was nothing but ruins.
The once towering skyscrapers were now just twisted steel bars and broken concrete blocks piled up in a mess. Abandoned cars, rusted and stained, were randomly discarded on the streets like toys.
The air was filled with a desolate and deathly silence, and even the sound of the wind was particularly mournful.
This... this was simply a completely abandoned land of ruins!
No one would believe that this was once the prosperous West City.
"You guys... have been living in this kind of environment all this time?"
Whitley looked around, his brow furrowed, his tone carrying a hint of imperceptible sympathy as he looked at the pale-faced Trunks.
Hearing Whitley's words, as if he had been pricked by a needle, Trunks snapped back to reality and retorted loudly and emotionally, "No! Whitley-san! This... this place wasn't like this before! When Mom and I left, West City had already been rebuilt a lot. Although it couldn't compare to the past timeline, at least it was a city that people could live in! How... how could it have become like this?!"
His voice was trembling and filled with an unbearable pain.
After speaking, he could no longer hold it in. His aura instantly erupted, and his figure shot into the sky with a "swoosh," as if he wanted to see from a high altitude what kind of catastrophe this land where he was born and raised had suffered.
Future Bulma's expression also became extremely grave.
She looked at the ruins before her and said in a low voice, "West City... has been destroyed again. During the time we were gone, something extremely terrible must have happened here!"
Her words made everyone's heart sink.
Goku and Vegeta almost subconsciously entered a state of alert, their sharp eyes scanning the surroundings, sensing for any possible danger.
Whitley, on the other hand, closed his eyes, and his perception spread out like a ripple, carefully probing the life in this area.
A moment later, he slowly opened his eyes and shook his head at Future Bulma, his face a little grim. "There are... no more living people nearby."
He took a deep breath to calm himself, his tone a little heavy as he began to assign tasks. "Bulma, find a relatively safe place to set up camp first. Do we have enough capsule houses?"
Bulma immediately nodded, a hint of confidence returning to her face. "Don't worry! I came prepared. I brought more than twenty capsule houses of different models, definitely enough for all of us!"
"Good."
Whitley nodded and looked at Vados, who was standing quietly beside him. "Vados, I'll have to trouble you to use your ability to investigate this timeline and find out what exactly happened here while Trunks and the others were gone. And what's the situation with that so-called Cell MAX now? I'm counting on you."
Vados smiled and nodded. "It would be my pleasure to serve you, Whitley-san."
Whitley then turned to the stern-faced Vegeta. "Vegeta, go and follow Trunks. That kid is emotionally unstable. Don't let him do anything rash. And remember, you too! Don't act rashly before you know the enemy's details!"
Vegeta just let out a cold snort in response.
His aura also flared, and without a word, he shot off like an arrow released from a bow, chasing after the direction Trunks had flown.
Goku looked at Vegeta's departing figure, his eyes full of a desire for battle. He rubbed his hands and looked at Whitley. "Whitley, what about me? When do we go find that big guy?"
Whitley raised a hand to stop him. "Don't be in such a hurry. You'll definitely have a chance to fight later. Right now, we don't even know where the enemy is or what the specific situation is. The top priority is to settle down first and wait for Vados's intelligence."
So Goku temporarily suppressed his urge to fight and also flew up into the sky to help find a flat area to place the capsule houses.
In the end, they chose to set up camp on the bank of a not-yet-completely-dried-up river.
This place was far from the ruined city center, with a wide field of vision, and a clear river flowing by. It was a rare beautiful spot in this desolate land.
After Bulma had chosen a location, she took out a few capsules and skillfully pressed the buttons.
Poof! Poof! Poof!
After a few light sounds, several modern and fully functional capsule houses sprang up from the ground, quickly expanding on the riverbank and forming a temporary camp, providing everyone with a place to rest and shelter from the elements.
And not long after everyone had settled down, Vados had also completed her investigation.
She tapped her staff lightly, and the top of the staff immediately emitted a soft light, forming a clear holographic projection in the air.
In the projection, a giant, heart-pounding green figure was revealed!
It was currently rampaging through the ruins of a city. With a casual wave of its hand, the remaining tall buildings collapsed like building blocks. It opened its mouth and spat out a searing energy beam that plowed a deep furrow in the earth.
Its massive size and wild posture carried a very pure aura of destruction.
"Th-this... is... Cell MAX?!"
No. 21, who was still in a maid outfit, subconsciously covered her mouth, her eyes filled with disbelief and deep shock as she whispered, "They... they said before... that this thing was the ultimate weapon created to protect the Earth and resist evil? Why... why is it destroying everything on Earth itself?! Why would they do this..."
Whitley saw that No. 21's face instantly turned pale, and her body was even trembling slightly from excitement and the collapse of a certain belief. His heart softened, and he reached out to gently pull her into his arms, comforting her in a low voice, "You silly girl, even now, do you still believe the nonsense that group of people made up? That was just an excuse they used to deceive kind scientists like you and Dr. Hedo to achieve their own ulterior motives!"
He patted No. 21's back, his tone firm as he promised, "Don't worry! Now that we're here, this monster's doomsday has arrived! I promise you, it won't live for long!"
No. 21 did not speak, just bit her lip hard, tears welling up in her eyes.
She stared deadly at the giant green monster in the projection, her eyes filled with pain and self-blame.
She knew that she had also indirectly contributed to the birth of this monster.
If she hadn't been so naive back then and had so easily believed Magenta's nonsense and had handed over a lot of precious research data left by Dr. Gero to them...
This terrifying being called Cell MAX might not have been created so smoothly at all, and it would not have brought a new round of despair to this already disaster-ridden world.
"I'm going to destroy it!"
Before No. 21 could break free from her self-blame, Goku at the side couldn't hold it in any longer and let out an angry voice.
He clenched his fists, his eyes fixed on the rampaging figure in the projection, the anger in his eyes almost bursting forth! "Whitley! When are we going?! I can't wait any longer!"
Goku turned his head and asked angrily, his ki already beginning to surge uncontrollably.
Whitley looked at Goku, then glanced around.
Bulma, Future Bulma, Trunks who had just been brought back by Vegeta, and the No. 21 in his arms.
Everyone's gaze was focused on him, waiting for his decision.
The corners of Whitley's mouth slowly curled into a cold arc filled with battle intent. A powerful presence began to emanate from him, and the surrounding air seemed to become heavy. "It seems that everyone can't wait to give that bastard a piece of their mind."
His voice was not loud, but it carried a firm power. "In that case, what are we waiting for?!"
His gaze locked on Goku and the No. 21 in his arms. "You grab onto me! We're going to settle the score with that Cell MAX right now! It's time to let those rats hiding in the dark, and this monster they've created, know what! is true despair!"
Hearing this, a sharp glint shot from Goku's eyes, and he unhesitatingly placed his hand on Whitley's shoulder.
No. 21 also looked up from Whitley's embrace, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, her eyes becoming firm, and she also placed her hand on him.
Trunks and Vegeta exchanged a look and also unhesitatingly placed their hands on Whitley's shoulder.
Whitley finally looked at Vados and instructed her solemnly, "Vados, I'm entrusting the safety of Bulma and Future Bulma to you."
Vados still maintained her smile and nodded lightly. "Please rest assured, Whitley-san. With Vados here, none of your worries will come to pass."
Bulma had originally wanted to tell Whitley to be careful as usual, but the words caught in her throat.
She looked at her husband's confident and powerful appearance, simply pulled Future Bulma along, and walked up, one on each side, and gently kissed Whitley on the cheek.
"Go for it, hubby!"
Bulma cheered for him with a smile, waving her small fist with full confidence. "Give that big guy a good lesson! Let it know the consequences of messing with us!"
Future Bulma, on the other hand, gazed into Whitley's eyes, her tone gentle but with a hint of imperceptible worry. "Be careful. That guy... and the people behind him, I'm counting on you."
Whitley felt the warmth left on his cheeks and looked at the trust and support in the two Bulmas' eyes. A warm current and a stronger sense of responsibility welled up in his heart.
He nodded heavily and promised Future Bulma, and everyone else, "Leave it to me!"
The moment his voice fell, with a "swoosh," the three of them vanished from the spot in an instant.
This time, Whitley was truly a little angry.
Not only would he completely destroy that rampaging Cell MAX, but he would also give those who were act recklessly behind the scenes an unforgettable and profound greeting!
...
Get 10 chapters ahead on - P.a.t.r.e.o.n "RoseWhisky"