~*****~

These damn kids were getting on my nerves, poking and prodding at things they shouldn't. If Mars hadn't insisted he liked them, I'd kick them to the curb for being so annoying. "I'm going to need all three of you to get out of my space," I snap at them. "You all smell like sweat and it's making me want to vomit."

"Guess pregnancy really does make you cranky," Mai commented.

"I'm cranky because this damn machine is out of fuel and I don't know how to make it," I comment as I continue poking around.

"Does that mean big Mars is stuck here?" Mai asks curiously. "He can't go back?"

"But what if he has dogs to feed?" Shoo asks.

"Can't you do anything to help?" Pilaf adds.

"Yes, go on and tell me how I'm supposed to make fuel for a machine I haven't made yet!" I snap at him. I reach down and start fiddling with the underside for wires, but I come across a book. Cracking it open, I'm pleased to find my own handwriting, although it is a bit sloppier, but who could blame Future me if they were in mortal peril the entire time. There's even a little DVD inside.

"So, what kind of trouble are we talking about?" I hear Goku ask.

"Don't tell me. Is it Majin Buu?" Vegeta hums.

"Not him. I already dealt with that threat." Future Mars explains. "It's a long story, and there were losses, but ultimately I defeated Dabura and Babidi and stopped Buu from hatching. But our peace was short-lived. After that, an even more terrifying foe appeared."

Goku gasped. "Someone worse? So tell us, who is he?"

Future Mars stands up and bows his head. "Sorry I swung at you earlier, Goku." Future Mars apologizes. "But what I'm trying to tell you is, well, there was a reason I attacked."

"You were just rattled. Don't worry about it," Goku expresses.

"No, you don't understand; it was more than that. When I saw you, I thought my escape through time had failed and I was still seeing him." Future Mars explains as I start reading through the journal from the machine.

"Still seeing who?" Goku asks nervously.

"Spit it out. Who was it?" Vegeta demanded.

"This foe. He told us that he was Goku." Future Mars states.

"He what?!" Vegeta barks angrily.

"He's me?!" Goku cries out in confusion.

"You're saying that this enemy threatening your future looks exactly like Kakarot and claims to be him, too?" Vegeta asks.

"Yeah, I'm afraid so." Future Mars nods.

"Well, isn't that a slap in the face!" Goku chirps embarrassedly.

"Except he wears dark clothes instead of your orange ones, so we started calling him Goku Black." Future Mars explains.

"That makes him sound really cool!" Goku exclaims. "So he's cooler than me?"

"Honestly, you think you'd come up with a more creative name." I mention as I snap the journal shut. "You are my son, I raised you in a creative world."

"Y-Yeah, I guess so," Future Mars murmurs in embarrassment. "But technically, you were the one who came up with it, mom."

I shrug. "Guess different timeline Mara's have some explaining to do with their creativity." I express casually.

"In any case, this Goku Black... I'll never forget the day he showed up. He looked down on all of us and said he was going to exterminate the human race. He said he was doing it in the name of justice. He'd said he's already destroyed other species across the cosmos, too. And he was only beginning. I struggled against him for a year, but by that point, there was hardly any resistance left on Earth. Then he got Mom, too." Future Mars growls as he ducks his head in shame. "He tracked her down just before I came here."

"Oh, son," I urge softly, clasping at his arm tenderly. "No wonder you were so upset." Future Mars clasps my hand tightly as if I was going to disappear again.

"So, is that it?" Vegeta asks coldly. "Then you tucked your tail and ran to this time like a frightened child?"

"No, I-" Future Mars stammers. I snort irritably and prop my hands on my hips.

"Hey, don't you think you're being kinda harsh, Vegeta?" Goku asks.

"You keep your mouth shut, Kakarot!" Vegeta demanded loudly. "You have the proud blood of Saiyan Royalty flowing through your veins yet you chose a cowards retreat?" Vegeta asks angrily.

"That's not it!" Future Mars snaps.

"Don't try your excuses with me!" Vegeta shouts.

"You better put a cork in it," I snap at him, advancing on him as if I were going to demolish him. Vegeta's throat locks up at my glaring. "Since you keep forgetting, Empathian Royals were master tacticians." I explain as I hold up the journal. "He didn't run away. He's here for reinforcements. They made a plan to defeat Goku Black, and now he's carrying it out. It's all here, in this message from my future self."

"Wait, what message? Where did you get that?" Future Mars asks curiously.

I plop the journal onto the table in the gazebo. "If you spent more time organizing, you'd realize it was right under your feet in that machine. This disc is loaded with maintenance software. I can run diagnostics, restore programs, and do repairs if there's any damage. But that's not the cool part. This journal is full of theories and formulas for time travel. No scientists has ever come close to this. It's a total game changer."

"How can you read that?" Mai asks as the kids shove their heads in my view.

"You need to work on your cursive," Pilaf hummed.

"Get your grubby little noses off my book," I snap as I push their heads aside. "I can read my own handwriting, so that's all that matters. And it's not just my notes, my future self also wrote a message specifically to me, saying she wants me to refuel the machine, perform maintenance, and get it ready for a trip back. But this time, with some help."

"That means she wants me to go there and beat Kakarot myself!" Vegeta boasts, suddenly prideful.

"C'mon, Vegeta, it's not me," Goku whines. "Must be someone who just looks like me!"

"Forget that part, Goku, Vegeta's all hyped up because his super cute wife from the future is calling out for help," I chime teasingly. Goku and I start giggling, earning a disapproving scowl from Vegeta. His face flushes and he turns his nose up.

"Now I understand," Future Mars murmurs. "Mom said it was a risk, but I just had to trust her." I peer back at him curiously. "I thought that meant to have faith in her plan, but she meant to have faith in you. That you could figure it out and get us back there to fight!"

"Yeah, don't worry, Mars! We've got this," Goku beams. "We'll go with you to the future!"

"Sure, but the job of defeating Kakarot will be mine, are we clear?" Vegeta snapped.

"Dude, it's not me!" Goku complains.

I gave a yawn as I perch on the table. "Just make sure you avenge my future self because a world without Mara is just a sad one."

"Aren't you prideful," Vegeta comments.

"Aren't I just perfect for you, then, prideful husband," I snort in amusement. Vegeta turns his nose up as another flush crawls up his neck.

Beerus grunts. "I can barely stand this. Manipulating time with apparently no conception of consequences."

"Yes, it's awful, but still..." Whis trails off.

"I'm transported straight to flavor town!" Beerus cries as he continues to shove fish sausage down his throat.

"I'm right there with you, my lord," Whis chirps.

I roll my eyes and hop of the table to trail back into the building. I slap my hand on a panel on the wall when I feel their energy begin to rise in preparation for a fight.

~*****~

I feel the hairs on my neck rise as something new bursts into the earth. I halt on studying the journal, peering out at the lab doors curiously. I step over to the windows and peer out. Up in the air, is a new figure, yet he looks just like Goku. "So, this is Goku Black." I hum softly. A black hole laid above him, and I figured whatever meddling with time had been done, was now leeching into our timeline. I step out of the building as the fighters fly off after Goku and Goku Black. "You need to go find your sisters and keep them close." I order to Marble and Mars.

"But we wanna watch!" Mars and Marble complain in tandem.

"And you will, but I want your sisters near, just in case things get hairy." I explain urgently.

Mars perks up. "Oh, I get it. Yeah, I'll go right now!" Mars urges.

"Wait for me, Mars!" Marble chirps.

The two kids toddle off into the building, and I snap my gaze back onto the fight. It's intense. More intense than anything I'd ever seen before. "Hey, Goku Black's power level, does it seem familiar to either of you?" I ask curiously.

"Yes, it does." Beerus snorts. "Almost like that of a Kai, don't you think?"

"A bit stronger than a Kai." I express. "Perhaps Supreme Kai could shed some light on this if I ever get the chance to ask him about it." The kids reappear, eagerly peering up at the sky. Eschalot and Elara grasp onto my pants curiously as they stare at the fighting.

Then, all of a sudden, the rift in time starts dragging Goku Black towards it. And just as it's about to drag him all the way though, a blast of energy shoots out and destroys the time machine. I pinch at the bridge of my nose irritably.

"Our invader didn't disappear by his own choice, did he?" Beerus asked.

"Hard to know for sure, my lord." Whis hums. "But it's most likely that machine created a considerable warp in the space-time as it passed through it. And that Time Ring reacted to the warp, pulling Black to this time somewhat like a planet spiraling down into a gravity well. As the disturbance subsided and space-time returned to it's former state, the pull ceased, too. So, like a marble in a drawn slingshot, when the pulling force let go, Black was launched back into the time from which he came. No more pull, so no more Black. You might say he ran out of time."

We all gathered at the burning machine. My brows drew into a tight line as I grimaced at it. "So, what do you think happened to him?" Mars murmured to his older self.

"I'm sure he returned to my future," Future Mars states. He gives a growl before slamming his fist into the ground. "But now I can't get back there. And I was so close! I failed. Father said he'd go. And Goku, too! Working together, I know we could've won! I was the only one who could stand up to him in my time. Now he has no one. He's going to exterminate all of mankind. Just like he always said he would."

It was silent for a moment. "Tell me," Goku starts. "Compared to all the other times you went up against Black in your future, just how strong did he seem during our fight?"

Future Mars' brows quiver for a moment. "He's shown me more power. But I wouldn't say it's much more."

"So he was only holding back a little against me?" Goku asks.

"Yeah, I think." Future Mars nods.

"Awesome!" Goku cheers.

"Good!" Vegeta barks in tandem. "Then you can relax! Kakarot's true battle power is a great deal higher than that." Future Mars grimaces in confusion. "And let me state for the record, the same goes for mine as well."

"How? What have you guys been through?" Future Mars asks.

Vegeta scoffs. "Quite a bit."

"Black might be weaker than you now," Piccolo comments to Goku. "But I felt his energy growing rapidly when he was fighting you."

"Yeah, there's no telling how deep it goes," Goku nods.

I give another yawn and expel energy from my body, putting the fire out immediately. I rub at the tear brimming my eye from the sleepiness before speaking. "Well, there's too much damage to fix this one, so I might as well just make another." I comment dryly.

"Does it have instructions in your journal?" Marble asks eagerly.

I shrug. "Not really, but I'll figure it out." I mention. I start thinking back and hum in conclusion. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot that I have that one." I mention as I start towards my building. I start rummaging through my office, cursing under my breath and running my hands through my hair to think where I put it until my hair tie snaps against the fussing.

"Whatcha getting?" Eschalot asks.

"Snackies?" Elara chirps.

"No, she's obviously getting some weird do-dad to fix the machine," Marble mentions. I pull out my old capsule container and hurry back outside with the girls at my heel, arguing.

"Hey guys, I got something you'll love!" I chirp happily as I wave around my capsule container.

"Did you find a new hair tie?" Krillen teases.

"Shut it," I retort with the same grin, oblivious to my wild hair covering part of my face. "I knew I had it somewhere in my office, I just couldn't remember where, so I kinda tore it up and now I need to take a day to reorganize, so you'll have to watch the kids for me when you return, Vegeta."

"What are you talking about, mom?" Mars asks.

"A different time machine," I retort impishly. I toss the capsule into the lawn, and with a burst of smoke, the craggy looking machine appears. It's covered in moss and the glass cover is nearly blown off, but with it, I should be able to repair it.

"Wait, what?!" Future Mars exclaims.

"Oh, wow! This one sure is filthy," Goku comments.

"Mom, wait, is this the-" Future Mars asks.

"A duplicate time machine?" Whis hums. "Oh, I hope this doesn't mean what I think."

"Disgraceful. It's like these mortals are actively trying to provoke divine wrath." Beerus complained.

"So Mara, it is that time machine?" Krillen asks.

"The stolen one?" Future Mars asks.

"You betcha!" I chirp. "With all the hormones totally wrecking my brain, I'm surprised I remembered it!"

"Wait, I'm confused. Where'd it come from?" Goku whines.

"You wouldn't remember, you were suffering from your heart disease when we found it." I explain. "This is the one that Cell took from his timeline to get to this one."

"No way!!" Goku cries.

"Cell?" Vegeta barks.

"But, what's it doing here?" Piccolo asks. "You've had it this whole time?"

"Technically, it is mine, remember?" I comment. "It's Lush Capsule tech. Back when we were dealing with the androids, a local farmer called our company headquarters saying a strange vehicle had been found with our logo on the body. When they sent us a picture, I was absolutely floored." I recited the memory as best I could. "As we came to realize, Cell hijacked it in his version of the future."

"So the destroyed one and this one are the same, just from two alternate realities?" Piccolo asks.

"I know you found it this way, but come on, couldn't you spruce it up or something?" Krillen asks.

"Oh jeez, let me think about that Krillen. How many kids do I have with curious little fingers and inability to give mommy some space when she's working on something new?" I ask irritably. Marble, Eschalot, Elara, and Mars all start bashfully whistling as if they weren't the ones I was talking about. "Those instruments are delicate, Krillen. Something would've broken with the constant juggling of four children."

"What's this hole? A sun roof?" Goku asks loudly as he presses against the window.

"You can thank Cell for that one," I comment dryly. "Cause that's how he broke outta there."

Goku cooed in awe. "That's how you found it. But then how did it end up with you instead of with Mars?" Vegeta asked.

"Oh that? Yeah, I totally bullied our son into letting me have the broken one." I commented sweetly. "I was too curious to let it disappear. So, right after Mars left to his future, I started doing tests on this machine to figure out how it works. But despite all the years I spent I could never crack it. That and miss grab hands was all over the lab with her crawling, so I had to leave it alone after her third birthday." I explain as I rub at Marble's hair. She just smiles widely.

"Wait! You're the one who invented the thing, aren't you?" Goku asks.

"Yes, but the future me has had a lot more time to tinker with it. Mars said I didn't have any more children after him in his timeline," I explain softly. "And Mars was an easy baby." Future Mars and young Mars glance at each other and shrug.

"I'm just surprised you found it. As organized as your place is, you always seem to forget anything you need because it's so organized." Krillen comments.

"I'll revoke Eighteen's Lush discount and you can explain why." I comment irritably. "Anyway, since we have this, there's still a way to get back there. Y'know, there's still hope." I hum as I point to the word written on the side.

"Thanks, mom. You always deliver." Future Mars hums appreciatively.

"Anything for my kids," I express kindly. Future Mars smiles happily.

"All right, Mars! This is great! This means we can both go! And then I can help you chase after Black!" Goku comments.

"Sounds good." Future Mars nods.

"I'm going as well," Vegeta snaps.

"Really, father?!" Future Mars chirps excitedly.

"It's like I told you. If you're determined, there's always a way." Vegeta states.

"As sweet as that is, honey, there's not a way yet." I comment. "This thing is a total wreck. For starters, it's covered in dust and moss. It's not ready to fly yet."

"Okay, so when can we go?" Goku complains.

"I've still got some studying to do," I express. "But with the machine and the lab notes, it should be a breeze. Plus, I've got all the money in the world to fund this project." I explain.

"That's great! So we have some time, then, right?" Goku asks eagerly.

"I mean, yeah, but-" There's a gust of wind that cuts me off, and Goku is already half-way across the yard to talk to Whis.

"Whis, come one! You have to train me!" Goku pleads. Whis just furrows his brow irritably. "I mean, uh, I formally request an awesome training session with you. Please!" Goku starts chanting please and it's almost too adorable. "If I'm gonna fight Black again, I need to be at my best!"

Whis sighs through his nose. "You know with all of these time machines popping up left and right, I'm really not in the mood to aid an abet, Goku." Whis comments.

"And there's the matter of the Time Ring, as well." Beerus hums.

Goku deflates. "Why don't you train with Vegeta?" Piccolo asks irritably.

"Yeah, I guess," Goku sighs. Vegeta snorts irritably and turns on his heel to stalk into the building. Eschalot and Elara toddle after him, grasping onto his hands eagerly. "But he's in one of his moods again, which can get a bit scary. I don't know how the twins are able to handle it."

"I don't think a bit scary does it justice, pal." Krillen comments.

"He's just so handsome," I chirp adoringly.

"No wonder the girls are so comfortable with his scary face," Krillen murmurs. "If mom shows now fear, than neither do the children."

Mars coughs into his fist and peers up at the sky as if he didn't say anything. "Vegeta's a big softie when it comes to his kids, even if he doesn't particularly look it." I express. "Come along, kids, you've got homework to do. So do it now so you have time to hang out with friends." Mars and Marble duck their heads down in annoyance before sighing in agreement. "Piccolo, Krillen, fix up the lawn and I'll make it up to you." I explain loudly. I hear a grumble of annoyance but when I look out later that evening, the yard is in tip top shape. I'll have to remember to make them something nice later.