~*****~

With the machine cleaned off, it was much easier to work on, and with Mai, Pilaf, and Shoo helping out, all I really needed to do was tell them what to do without so much as lifting a finger. Save for rewiring the machine. The only the distraction proved to be my son and Mai, seeing as how well were getting along. I didn't know how I felt with my son having a love interest so early in life. I wished he would stay young for a while longer. Especially with that love interest being someone who wished for youth accidentally. Technically, she was still an older woman in a young girls body. Which was insane to think about.

"Hey, mom, how's it coming along?" I flinch at the sound of Future Mars' voice.

"Did you get some rest, sweetheart?" I ask as I turn my gaze over my shoulder. Future Mars nodded. "That's good. As for the machine, it's still going to be a while, but I think we're making good progress. Regarding the fuel supply, I've got my tech working on it right now."

"Blue number fifteen? You know how to make it?" Future Mars gasps.

"Sure do. The formula for the electro-fluid is written in the journal." I explain as I jut my thumb to the book. "As it turns out, I developed it myself a little while back, although I had no idea it could be used for this. Turns out, it's super corrosive to fine material such as cashmere, so dying it like that was out of the question." I shrug. I climb down the ladder, gingerly stepping down as my belly roils with vertigo. I waver for a minute before righting myself and palming at my stomach to ease the discomfort. "Bads news, I would say, is the size of this canister. It'll take a full day just to manufacture enough electro-fluid to power this thing." I explain irritably.

"Did you say a day?" Future Mars asks, bewildered. "Are you sure you're able to move that fast? It took the future you a whole year to produce that much, and she was working around the clock!"

"Well, you guys were fighting for your lives. The kind of equipment in that situation is going to be low-grade." I explain. "I seriously do not envy her one bit, having to build all that from scrap."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Future Mars asks.

"Thank you, son, but there's no need. I've got helpers." I explain as I peer over at Mai. She perks up high and chirps out a yes ma'am. It makes me smile. "You just focus on resting, Mars. That way, when this thing is all fixed up, you can be at your best. Now go change. I'll wash those for you in the meantime." I gesture to his ratty clothes.

"I-I can wash my own clothes," Future Mars murmurs as his cheeks flush.

"Yes, I know, but I like looking after my kids." I express. "Now don't you worry one bit. I'm going to get as much work done today as I can. And you should know me; was there ever a day I've ever relaxed?" I ask impishly. "Full time job taking care of all you Saiyans. Especially your father," I huff. I start climbing back into the machine.

"Thank you, mom," Future Mars chirps.

It's late into the night when I'm finally pulled away from the lab for some food by my very grumpy husband. "Will you stop nagging, I feel fine, I had some crackers and soda." I complain as Vegeta piles food onto my plate.

"You aren't exactly eating as much as you did when you were with the twins, now are you?" Vegeta snapped as he refilled my glass of water. "Now eat."

"Dad, you do know Mom likes sparkling water, not flat, right?" Marble commented as I stuck my nose up at the glass. The twins were just giggling into their palms as Vegeta gets grumpier.

"Of course I know that, but your mother has horrible heartburn when she drinks it!" Vegeta shot back.

The patio doors slide open and Future Mars reappears in his new clothes and a bashful smile on his face. "Looks like a party- sorry I'm late." He expresses.

"Your face looks a lot better," I chirp adoringly. "You see? Fresh clothes make all the difference, don't they, son?"

"They sure do, mom," Future Mars chuckles as he rubs at the back of his head.

"I'd say his mood brightened up, too," Piccolo comments.

"Hey, what happened to Goku?" Future Mars asks as he looks around. "And that God?"

"They set out for the Tenth Universe," Krillen hummed.

"Wait, slow down- the tenth what?" Future Mars asks.

"Universe," I chime. "It sounds wild, I know, but there was a general agreement between Whis, Beerus, and I that Black's energy was familiar, so Whis decided to check up on something in the Tenth Universe."

"You're telling me they know who Goku Black really is?!" Future Mars gasps.

"Kind of. Whis said it reminded him of someone, but he didn't really tell me who. All I could sense was that it was the energy of a Kai, and a high ranking one at that." I explain. I grimace as Vegeta holds up a spoonful of meat to my face. "Will you quit it!" I complain. "I'm not going to eat all that! I'll just take a bowl of cereal later if I'm hungry!"

"You need protein!" Vegeta barked, causing a rouse of laughter from the group.

~*****~

By the next morning, I was nearly finished with the Time Machine. The others were busy with breakfast, so it gave me extra time to make sure everything was ready. Vegeta stood near the entrance of the lab, scowling so heavily I feared his face would freeze that way. "Is there any particular reason you're being extra obsessed today? Usually, your hovering would last for an hour or so before you decide that I'm capable of not dying out of your watchful eye."

Vegeta turned his nose up with a scoff. "You heard the boy. That bastard killed you in the future. Excuse me for feeling overprotective at the moment." Vegeta snapped.

I really couldn't help that warm feeling bubbling in my belly. "Seeing as how he can't get back to this timeline, I'd say it's kind of a moot point." I explain. "So relax for a minute and go eat something."

"I'll eat when you eat, got it? Otherwise, you'll starve yourself!" Vegeta argued.

"I have crackers and cookies, I'll be fine," I express. "Seriously, I'm kinda upset about gaining weight again. It took so long just to get back to my fit figure. I wonder if I could just wish away the baby fat with Shenron," I ponder to myself. "What do you think?"

"I like my wife no matter what size you are." Vegeta snaps. "Preferably, I like you with a little bit more meat, so I can be rough without hurting you so easily." Vegeta snorts.

"Animal," I admonish, although the blazing in my cheeks say otherwise.

Vegeta's hand latches in my hair and before I can complain at the tugging, my head is tilted back, and I'm smothered by an intense kiss that makes my skin tingle. "And yet you continue to deal with me, woman," Vegeta comments before walking out of the lab as if he weren't bothered in the slightest.

"You know, there was a time where I was the vulgar one!" I complain after him.

~*****~

I gave another tired yawn as the group reconvened outside for my announcement. "Just so you guys know, I haven't received one thank you from anyone besides my son, so you better thank me before you leave." I express as I toss the capsule overhead. The Time Machine appeared from an explosion of smoke.

"Wow! It looks brand new!" Goku cheered.

"Of course, we're the ones who polished it," Pilaf hummed proudly.

"I can't feel my hands!" Mai and Shoo chirp.

"Yeah, and I helped some, too!" Mars exclaims.

"And I handed mom the tools!" Marble added enthusiastically.

"Mom, I can't thank you enough," Future Mars hums as he bows his head.

I loop my arm through his and peer at Goku and Vegeta. "You see? That's how a thank you sounds." I mention.

Vegeta rolls his eyes. "Come on, Mars." He urges sternly. "Let's go."

Goku clasps my hands and beams. "Thanks a bunch for fixing it up, Mara! You're the best!" Goku chirps.

Vegeta slaps his hands away and storms to the machine. I shake my head in amusement at them. We all watch curiously as the machine powers up slowly before disappearing from sight. There's a subtle sense of unease in my gut as I stare at the sky, pleading silently for the men to look after my son.

"Want to share a melon bar with me?" Marble asked eagerly as she tugged at my hand.

"Hey, no fair! I want one, too!" Mars exclaims.

"There's more than enough for all of us." I express irritably.

"Even us?" Mia, Pilaf, and Shoo chime.

"Sure, why not? You're already freeloading." I shrug. It's later in the evening when the time machine returns. I skid out of the house as if someone is chasing me when I see the three men sprawled out on the ground, covered in terrible wounds.

"Come on, dad, you have to wake up!" Mars whines. Marble is besides him, tearing up and grasping at her dress tightly. I hurry forward to the ground.

"Move aside," I order. I palm at Vegeta's face. I feel the faint thrum and pull of his energy and I quickly hoist him up, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. "Help me bring in the other two." I order to Mars and Marble. "No more crying, they'll be fine, but we have to hurry." The two wipe at their eyes and haul the two after me. I'm thankful that Lola opted to watch the twins tonight. It would've been a nightmare to hear them wail over their father's nearly lifeless form. Inside, I feed them each a sensu bean and wait patiently for the effects to take place. Future Mars grimaces and opens his eyes. "Feel better?" I chirp adoringly as I rub at his head.

"Yeah, thank you," He nods. "It's good to be back." Goku groans loudly and sits up, wincing every so often.

"How could we have lost so badly?" Vegeta groaned as he sat up, rubbing at his head.

"All right!" Goku cheers. He leaps onto his feet as if he weren't beaten within an inch of his life. "Now I'm ready for the rematch!" My anger swells, causing cracks to appear over the large windows before I rear my arm back and sling it forward. Goku rocks on his feet as my fist slams into his nose, causing him to topple backwards with a shout of pain. "Ow! Hey, what the heck was that for?!" Goku cries, holding his face tightly. Vegeta grunts in amusement and smirks widely.

"You three are stupid idiots! What kind of fool goes into battle without any sensu beans?!" I bark at him.

"Hey, easy, mom," Future Mars chimes pleadingly.

Goku just laughs nervously. "Oh, yeah, I guess we did screw that up. So where'd you find that bag?"

I start tapping my foot angrily. "Do you really want me to tell you that? Because when I do, it's not going to be pretty."

Goku taps his fingers together nervously. Mars gives a giggle. "It was up on a toilet," He chimes.

"O-Oh, yeah, that makes sense," Goku chuckles nervously. "I think I had to use the bathroom right before we left."

"You are unbelievable." Vegeta sighs irritably.

"Sorry, you guys, that was my fault!" Goku laughs.

"It is your fault!" I shout at him. "Not only did you nearly get my husband killed, my son was also almost killed as well! I should throttle you!"

"I'm sorry!" Goku whines as I start smacking at his head as best as I could, given his height advantage.

"Calm down, will you?" Vegeta complains as he literally plucks me off of the ground and sets me in a comfy chair. "Stressing now will only cause harm. What's done is done." Vegeta stated sternly.

I grunt irritably and cross my arms over my chest. "So Black still won? Even when it was all three of you guys against him?" Mars asks curiously.

"Is he that strong?" Marble asks timidly.

"Well, we weren't just fighting Black," Future Mars explains.

"So, what, was it Zamasu like Whis thought?" I ask as I lean against the arm of the chair and kick my leg over the other.

"Yes, that's correct," Future Mars nods. "We had to fight both of them."

"Typical." I sigh.

"I thought he was good like the other Kais, but he's an enemy, and a strong one." Goku hums.

"That's weird, you guys thought he was Black, but he's working with him instead?" Mars mutters.

"What's more, he's invincible." Vegeta comments.

"Invincible!" Mai, Shoo, and Pilaf cry.

"So, you mean he can't be hurt? Why, because he's a god?" Mars asks wildly.

"What if it's just that?" I ask softly.

"What are you saying, woman?" Vegeta demanded.

I wave my hand gingerly. "One theory, Zamasu wishes for invincibility, the other, he wishes for something entirely different, perhaps a way to harness a Saiyan's power, such as having Goku on his side." I tap my finger against the chair for a moment. "And with that Saiyan body, he's able to reach ridiculous feats of strength, like your super Saiyan blue form."

"Or something higher. Blacks reached a new level already," Goku expressed. "He called it... uh, what was it called again?" Goku asks Vegeta.

"Rose," Vegeta snapped. "Fool."

"Oh! That's right. Rose." Goku nods.

"Now I want Rose," I chime lightly, thoughts of the fruity alcohol on the mind. "Can't have alcohol, so that's a no. So, what, is his hair, like, pink?" I ask.

"Yep!" Goku nods. "Let's go. We've gotta get back there!" Goku urges to the others.

"You don't even have a plan, Goku." I comment.

"How do you suppose we're supposed to defeat an enemy who can't take damage?" Vegeta asks irritably.

"C'mon, we'll think of something!" Goku whines.

"Think of what, you imbecile? There's no way!" Vegeta shouts.

"Maybe we'll all become invincible, too." Goku mentions.

"Wait a sec- what do you mean by that?" Vegeta asked.

"Do you really think that's possible?" Future Mars asks.

"Yeah, you betcha! We just need to bring an all you can eat buffet of sensu beans!" Goku states.

"Where the hell are you gonna find that many sensu beans?!" Vegeta roared as the rest of us grimaced in annoyance.

"Not to mention it's coming from the guy who forgot all of them on the toilet!" I shouted.

"Well, obviously, I won't forget 'em this time!" Goku cries in a panic.

"In no way is that obvious with you!" I shout at him.

"Can you guys stop ganging up on me?" Goku whines. "I swear, you too are perfect for each other but not for me, all I get is beaten up!"

"That's because you're an imbecile!" We shout at him.

~*****~

I'm delighted to see the Supreme Kai with Beerus and Whis as I follow Goku out to meet them. "Yo, Supreme Kai. Did you need to tell me something?" Goku called out.

"Couldn't you be more polite when you speak to him?" I ask irritably. "He's come all this way to talk to you, so show him some respect."

"A-As it so happens, I received a message from an expert collector of information named Zuno." Supreme Kai mentions.

"Master Zuno?" I chime curiously. "How's he doing these days?"

"He's doing fine now, I suppose. But according to his message, someone traveled an incredibly long distance to ask him about the Super Dragon Balls, and about Goku." Supreme Kai explains.

"Somebody asked about me? Do you know who it is?" Goku asks.

"Your old pal Zamasu," Beerus comments.

"Zamasu, really?" Goku gasps.

"So, I guess I was right," I hum as I press my knuckle against my lip. "But before we get to that, we do have something we need to tell you." I express.

"Oh, and what would that be?" Beerus asked as he shoveled food into his mouth.

"Eat properly and I'll tell you." I snap before sitting down. I go into detail about what the men told me, with a few inputs by Goku and Vegeta before anyone said anything.

"Zamasu assaulted you?" Supreme Kai gasps.

"And he's literally invincible?" Whis asks.

"A transformation called Super Saiyan Rose?" Beerus hums. "That sounds like a tasty flavor of ice cream."

"Considering what we're dealing with, we could really use some advice. How do you get rid of a deity?" I ask.

"Goodness, that's a rather casual request for something so dreadful," Whis hums.

"I could take that as a threat against me, too, Mara." Beerus mentioned.

"As if I don't threaten you daily," I retort casually. "You enjoy my company, so spit it out." I urge.

"Well, this is perplexing," Beerus hums. "If Zamasu and Black aren't the same being after all... Then why are their energies so much alike?"

"That's the point I was getting to earlier." I explain. "I was thinking back to the alternate timelines we spoke of the other day. And two individuals with similar energies could happen, but the odds of that are rare. That being said, Zamasu is clearly fixated on Goku after losing in a sparring match against him. My thought, is that he wants that power for himself, being heralded as a gifted fighter among the kais, as you've mentioned." I explain as I flip my leg over the other. I lean to my right and prop my head on my hand. "I believe he imagines he could accomplish his own ambitions with that kind of power. I believe Zamasu seeks a collaborator with the offensive power he lacks. He would also like to make himself harder to defeat. His intention is to achieve both."

Goku gasped. "Oh, yeah and I know how!" Goku exclaims.

"You do?!" Beerus exclaimed in shock.

"He'll use the Super Dragon Balls, won't he?" Goku asked.

"Uh, actually, yeah, that's what I thought he could do, too," I nod my head to Goku. "Did anyone record that?" I ask as I sit up straight. "Goku finally used his head for once."

"Think! That dragon can grant any wish Zamasu makes, which explains why they mystery we haven't been able to crack since this started!" Goku states. "He's going to wish for Goku Black!"

"Are you sure?!" Supreme Kai gasps.

"Uh, actually, no, it was more of a guess." Goku chuckles.

"Actually, you're not far off," I chime as I return to propping my head on my hand.

"Oh yeah!" Goku cheers as the others exclaim in shock. "You guys hear that? I am right! Am I awesome or what?!"

I wave my hand at him. "Relax, will you?" I complain. "It's nothing more than a theory at the moment."

"But you do have to admit, it fits what we know so far." Whis hums. I nod in response. "Black could be a magical copy of Goku, created with the limitless power of the Super Dragon Balls. It explains things well, for the most part."

"You're saying Black is Kakarot's doppleganger?" Vegeta asks.

"Yeah, but why would this Zamasu-guy pick Goku?" Mars asks.

"Like I said, Goku defeated Zamasu in battle when we visited. The Kai must have taken special interest in him then." Whis explains.

"So, technically, what you're saying is... it's all Goku's fault?" Marble asked as she pressed her finger to her chin. "Mom's always said his head is full of nothing but hot air."

"Aw, come on, I wouldn't put it like that!" Goku complained to the small child.

"And then, after Black is created, Zamasu will wait for another year. Until the Super Dragon Balls become active once again. Once empowered, Zamasu and Black will launch their attack on the earth in Mars' future." Whis explains.

Beerus grumbles and leans against his hand. "Waiting a year between wishes would take some real patience." Beerus mentions.

"Yeah, as angry as he must be, it's kind of hard to believe he'd wait that long." I mention. "Not to mention, there's the issue of tracking the Super Dragon Balls that take a lot more time. And doing it twice would have me pulling out my hair."

"I'd get way too bored." Beerus hums in agreement. "But wait, of course! He has that Time Ring!" Beerus suddenly comments. "If he uses that handy thing, then he wouldn't have to wait a year between wishes!"

"That's correct, my lord. He could simply travel a year into the future instantly." Whis nods.

"But Black's the one wearing it, right?" I ask. "Any idea as to why?"

Beerus grunts irritably. "I hate riddles, why can't you ask him yourself?" Beerus asks.

"Well, I guess if Zamasu gets it, then he could let Black borrow it, couldn't he?" Goku ponders.

"We've already covered this- time rings can only be used by Supreme Kais!" Beerus snaps. "It's not like checking things out from a library! Plus, the Zamasu in our time is only a Supreme Kai in training- He couldn't use it either. So, this neat little theory still doesn't explain the ring."

"We don't know how Black wears it, but we can explain how Zamasu does." Future Mars mentions. "He's either named Supreme Kai between now and then, or he takes the title."

"Takes it how?" Mars asks.

"By being a very wicked Kai." Beerus hums.

"You believe Gowasu, Supreme Kai of the Tenth Universe, is in imminent danger, is that what you're suggesting?" Whis asks.

"Okay, I missed that. Why would he be in danger?" Goku asked.

"Because Zamasu will kill Gowasu." I state irritably. "He'll take the title by force and the ring."

"You really thing Zamasu's turning into that bad of a guy, huh? He sure fooled me." Goku mentioned.

"If we're right, Zamasu ruins my future." Future Mars states. "And he claims its all in the name of justice."

"Nobody who trumpets justice ever turns out to be righteous." Beerus sighs.

"That's it!" Goku shouts. "I'm gonna look Zamasu in the eyes and find out for sure!" Goku exclaims.

"It's hardly settled. We still haven't explained Black wearing the Ring or why their energies are so alike." Beerus mentions.

"True, my lord. If Black's a copy of Goku as we suspect, why is his energy so akin to Zamasu's?" Whis ponders.

I tap my finger on the arm of the chair as I think and think and think. "Perhaps we should touch on that topic later. At the current moment, Gowasu's safety should be the main concern." I mention after a moment.

Supreme Kai stands up. "I will take you to their world." He states. "On one condition. I must insist you keep this amicable. After all, the present Zamasu has done nothing explicitly wrong. Not yet."

"Don't worry, Mars, we're gonna figure this out." Goku explains to Future Mars.

Vegeta snorts. "You're going with them, right?" I ask as I grasp at his arm.

"I have no interest in the present Zamasu. From what I've heard, he's just a bitter zealot with an overblown ego." Vegeta snapped, hauling me out of the chair. I offer a wave to the others as Vegeta tugs me after him.