~*****~

I sit in my plane lazily, waiting for Future Mars to arrive. The time machine is covered in moss. And if was definitely the one Mars had arrived in. I let out a scream as someone knocks on my window. I pop the door open and rear up over Gohan. "HOW MANY TIMES YOU GONNA PULL THAT KINDA TRICK, HUH, KID?!" I bellow at him. Gohan is just laughing gleefully. "Hi, honey~" I coo to the elder and give him a kiss on the cheek before turning back to Gohan. Future Mars is flushing as I scold the young boy.

"A-Anyway," Future Mars clears his throat. "Look at this." He hums as he pulls out his capsule container and plucks out one of the capsules. A much newer and nicer time machine pops ut from it. "As you can see, this is the time capsule I traveled back here in."

I hum softly and approach the mossy machine, my fingers scraping away the moss until one word pops up underneath a large number one. "Hope... These are the same machines, all right."

"Yes."

"So... what happened?" I hum curiously before lifting up into the air, peering into the interior. "The blast looks like it came from inside."

"Why would someone want to do that?" Gohan asks. "It doesn't make sense."

"There's something in there..." I murmur, and press a small button. The lift lifts up, moving as if it hadn't moved in years.

"Here, let me." Future Mars hums as he pops up besides me. He leaps into the seat and lifts up the identical oval shaped cups.

"What is that?" I ask curiously.

"They look like a couple of turtle shells." Gohan comments.

"Let me see," I command. Mars hands me the two shells. I gaze at them for a few moments before pushing them together. "They look like eggshells."

"Eggshells?" Gohan questioned. "It sure is strange. What comes out of a shell like this?" Gohan and I share a curious glance before turning back towards Mars. "Hey, wait a sec-- maybe whatever hatched out of that egg made that hole in the capsule canopy!"

Future Mars began mashing buttons on the time machine. "It looks like there's not much energy left in here. I better work fast." The machine whirred and beeped wildly while Mars worked on it. "C'mon, c'mon, don't give out on me. I think I've figured out when the capsule landed here. It looks like it was three years ago." I hum in response. "No, wait! It came here four years ago... That just might explain a few things. It means that by the time I battled Frieza three years ago, whoever used this other time machine had already been here for a year!" Mars explained. "Is-- Is it possible that he's.... the one who... changed history? There can't be any other explanation!"

I land on the ground and palm at side. "Say, Mars, who'd you say built this?" I ask curiously.

"You did." He responded after leaping out. "You said you wanted to help prevent the kind of future where you and dad weren't together." He's flushing now. "I didn't know dad wasn't much of a father when I was a baby."

I just smile at him. "Your father has some issues that he needs to work through." I explain gingerly. "But don't ever think that he doesn't love you. Although he doesn't show it, Vegeta loves you, so-- so much." Future Mars just smiles slightly. "Besides, you kinda gave him a run for his money when it comes to being a big grouch. You're such a grouchy baby, Vegeta can't even be in the same room without you yelling at him."

Future Mars flushes and rubs at the back of his head. "Well, it's not safe to leave this time machine out here in the open like this." He began scraping away more moss. "I better put it back in its capsule."

"I'll put away the other capsule!" Gohan chimed.

"Okay, thanks, Gohan." Future Mars hums.

"I'm going to take these weird eggshells if that's all right with you." I mention as I hold them up.

"Sure, go for it." Future Mars hums.

"Mara--" Gohan started. "Listen, I think we'd all better hurry over to Master Roshi's now."

"Roshi's? Why?" I ask.

"Because, at any time now, those androids are probably gonna show up there and try to fight my dad. But if he's still sick in bed, he won't be able to defend himself. I just think it's best we get over there, and if he's not a hundred percent, we still have a chance to move him!" Gohan explains.

"Right, but Krillen and Yamcha are there to help them, right?" I ask.

"I don't think you understand," Future Mars puts in. "Even with the combined strength of Piccolo, Tien, myself, and father, we're no match against those Androids!"

"That strong, huh..." I hum thoughtfully. "Did you father get knocked down a peg or two?" I ask impishly. "Where'd he go?"

"He's gone off to train alone somewhere. Man! He's so focused on himself that the thought of helping anyone else probably never occurred to him!" Future Mars complained.

I chuckle and scratch at my cheek. "Yep. That sounds like Vegeta, all right." Gohan begins walking forward with a hum. "You okay, hun?"

"I think... I see something over there..." Gohan murmurs as he continues walking forward. Future Mars and I share a confused glance before following. "Hey you guys, come here, quick!" I flinch visibly and we start running.

"What! What is it, Gohan?!" Future Mars exclaims.

"Behind the bushes," Gohan murmurs.

Just as we round the corner, I let out an ungodly shriek. "Oh, my god!" I shriek. "Is that a giant bug?!"

"I think... it is..." Future Mars hums as I grasp onto his arm in disgust. "But... I've never seen anything like it!"

"Is it dead? If not, kill it quick!" I exclaim.

Gohan prodded it for a moment. "Looks like whatever it was crawled off after it shed it's skin." Gohan mentioned.

A violent shudder ran up my back. "It looks like... A giant cicada...."

"I don't think it is..." Gohan hummed. "Not this thing, right Mars?"

Future Mars hummed in response. "This might be what hatched out of the shell we found inside the capsule."

"Right. It grew up and then molted out of its skin. You think?" Gohan murmured.

"Hold on--" I quickly interject. "You-- You mean to tell me there's a giant ass bug wandering the countryside?" I ask shakily.

"I'm not sure, I've never seen anything like this."

"But the question is, how did it get here in the first place?" Mars asks. "Did someone send the egg back from the future all by itself? Or did someone come back in the time machine along with it? Regardless of where it came from, it's totally revolting." Future Mars hummed as he reached inwards.

"Ew, Mars! Don't touch it!" I admonish.

He made a disgusted grunt. "It's still wet... This thing must be somewhere close." Future Mars stated in obvious disgust.

"Okay, that's it--" I quickly snap. "I am not staying out here while there's a disgusting ass bug wandering around." I storm off towards my plane. "Mars, honey, you should stop by Lush Capsule when you have the chance! Lola would love to see you all grown up! She absolutely adores you~" Future Mars is flushing brilliantly as Gohan giggles.

~*****~

I loved the gooey sweet buns from Fluff and Stuff Bakery. Mars was eagerly gobbling up his blueberry muffin. "Is that good, baby?" I coo as I gaze down at him. Lola giggled at Mars eager hums. She switches on the TV and freezes. I swing my gaze over and my stomach sinks. "Lola, grab the phone," I quickly urge. She nods and runs towards it and tosses it over.

I dial Roshi's number as I lift Mars up. He coos happily and reaches up to me. "Yo, Krillen, here--"

"Krillen, did Gohan and Mars show up there yet?" I question breathlessly.

"No, no sign of them so far..." Krillen answers softly. "So... what's up? You sound all wigged out, Mara."

"Turn on Channel 8, I think it's still live." I state gingerly. "And hurry, something's on right now that I think you guys are really gonna want to see."

"What's the big deal?" Krillen asks. "I thought they were just showing reruns."

"I don't have time to explain, just do it!" I snap aggresively, causing Mars to whimper in response. "Oh, I'm sorry, baby," I coo and kiss him tenderly. He's clutching onto my shirt tightly as I rock back and forth. I can hear the report talking about Gingertown. The screen is showing clothes lining the ground of the small town.

"Man, this is really bad!" Krillen exclaims. "It's-- The androids! They must've done this!"

"Seriously?" I scoff irritably. "I don't think this is the androids. And I know Gohan and Mars are gonna agree with me on this."

"Wait a minute-- Don't tell me this has something to do with the other time machine you found!" Krillen exclaims. "That's getting a little too weird for me!"

"Well, weird or not, Krillen, I know it's true!" I exclaim. "When Gohan and Mars show up, tell them what I've told you, all right?"

"You got it." Krillen hummed.

I try to ignore the new power level surfacing. It was impossible. It held every strong fighter's energy signature. All concentrated into one being. I hum softly as I try to block it out. I don't have to wait long. Piccolo's power level shot up dramatically, causing me to yelp in surprise. Mars chirps in response and gazes off into the distance. I fiddle with his hair to distract myself. It works immediately.

~*****~

"So these are those eggshells you found, huh?" Bulma hums curiously as she lifts up the strange object.

"Yeah," I nod. "It turned into this giant bug thing, that molted!"

Bulma shuddered almost violently. "That sounds awful." She whines.

We both flinch as the door to our shared lab slides wide open. "Hey, Mara, Bulma!" Krillen exclaims as he runs in. "I have some blueprints from Dr. Gero's secret lab!"

I hum curiously as he lays them down. Krillen took the time to explain the current situation. "Wow--" I hum. "Everything we need to know is right here in black and white." I hum.

"Yeah, no wonder Cell can fuse with them. We might be able to find some weak spots in Android Seventeen, but we'll have to run a few tests first. Give us... Oh, I'd say a few hours." Bulma reassures our short friend. I move around and start gathering materials.

"I'll give you a call when we have something." I chirp.

"Right." Krillen nods and runs out.

I sigh irritably. "You know, I think you and Mars are the only ones who show me any appreciation." I mention to Bulma as she gazes at the blueprints in front of her.

Bulma giggles. "Well, from the amount of times that Yamcha's walked in on you two, I think Vegeta kinda shows his appreciation for you."

My face erupts in a flare of heat. "SHUT UP!"

"It's a wonder he's not worshipping the ground you walk on with how riled up he gets with you." Bulma keeps going.

"I'LL REVOKE YOUR LUSH DISCOUNT!"

~*****~

We'd been at this for two days now. Mars wailed unhappily as I bounced him on my knee. My free hand had a screw driver in it, furiously finishing up the project Bulma and I had started. "God, I'm almost done, you couldn't wait for my attention for like-- two more minutes?" I ask in a whine. "Bulma, how's the program coming?"

She finishes typing with a swift clack of the enter key. "I have everything done. Let me hook up the device real quick." She scrambles through some cords and produces the correct one. We gaze at the screen irritably as a downloading sequence starts up, and starts going little by little.

"Are you kidding me? We've got the best tech in the city, and yet, it's download speed is trash." I grumble as Mars clambers up my side and wraps his chubby arms around my neck as best as he could. He rubs his face against mine with delighted hums. I sigh softly and pat at his snowy hair.

"Gosh, Mars is such a cutie." Bulma chirped as she gazed at him affectionately. "You planning on having anymore?"

I grimace. "I don't know. I mean, having a little sibling would be good for Mars, but I'm too mad at Vegeta to even think about being with him right now." I mention irritably.

Bulma grunts in response. "Really? You're gonna refuse yourself someone who satisfies you emotionally and sexually?"

I flush and grimace. "He's such a brute, I don't understand what I ever saw in him!"

"He took you to your home planet." Bulma reminds me. "Not to mention, he's also such a hottie."

I swat at her. "Don't even think about going after him." I retort irritably.

Bulma laughs. "I think I'm quite happy with--" She stops herself quickly as I peer closely at her. "N-No one."

"You got back together with Yamcha, didn't you?" I retort impishly. She flushes and covers her face. "I don't think it's bad, in fact, I really think you two are so cute together. Maybe he'll move out of my apartment so Mars and I can have the entire place to ourselves!" I exclaim.

"Aren't you looking for a new place?" She asks.

I shrug. "Yeah. Just when I thought I'd found one, Vegeta disappeared." I hum softly. "I couldn't make a move like that without Vegeta's help."

Bulma grasped my hand tenderly and squeezed. I was appreciative for the support.

The computer chirped after another hour of shooting the breeze. "Ah! It's finished!" I chime happily. I pull the remote free. "With all this complete, we should be able to deactivate the androids with a simple push of the button!"

Bulma stretched overhead and yawned. "That's a relief. I'm gonna go take a nap." Bulma mentions.

I give her a nod and grab the phone while I shove a capsule container in my purse. Chi-Chi answers after a few rings, and I manage to get her to put it one speaker. "I've got the remote ready~" I coo happily. "All I ask in return is praise for Bulma and I because we never got thanked for this! We've been up for two days working on this! You know what-- I want Krillen, Yamcha, and Tien to showcase my latest fashion line! With no extra discounts, got it?"

Krillen groaned loudly. "You've got yourself a deal!" He finally agreed after debating it with the other two. "But, Mara! You've got to hurry! Piccolo's already fighting the androids, and Cell is on his way to the battlefield!"

"On the way!" I chirp and end the call. "Wanna go for a little ride?" I ask the infant. He babbles happily and bounces up and down.