~*****~

Vegeta stared down at me as I tinkered with the Time Machine, absently handing me tools when I'd asked for them. I vaguely hear the twins in the back arguing over their toys again, but it's mitigated easily with an order from their father. It's strange to see them scrunch their faces up in irritation. They were exactly like their father. Clones, now that I think about it. I perk up at the thought. "What?" Vegeta asks irritably as I nearly clock his chin with my head.

"If Goku Black and Zamasu have such similar energies, can we assume they could be the same person?" I ask to no one in particular. I leap out of the machine, ignoring Vegeta shouting at me to be careful and start erasing everything off of the whiteboard and began scribbling hastily.

"What in the world are you going on about?" Vegeta asked irritably.

"If Zamasu was able to wish for invincibility, and then wished for a powerful warrior at his side, wouldn't it make more sense for him to wish for a clone that he would give kai earrings to so Zamasu would fuse with Goku, forming Goku Black." I mention as I peer at the board full of timeline labeled with each event that's happened so far and from what Future Mars has told us. "Who's to say Zamasu would actually want the real Goku? He bested him in battle, I don't think his pride would allow him to do so." I start tapping my marker against my chin in thought. "But I might be one hundred percent wrong."

Vegeta stares at me, then the board, then at me before his own brows furrow at the thought. "I'll be back." He mentions as he stalks out of the lab. The girls follow his figure before returning to playing with their toys. I hum as I turn back to the board. I don't know how long I'd been standing at the board, but I hear the machine go off that supplies fuel for the time machine.

"Mother, will you be joining us for dinner?" Future Mars' voice rings out from the doorway. I turn my gaze up at the clock on the wall.

"Oh, goodness, I've been in here for a few hours, haven't I?" I ask. "Yes, I'll be out in a minute, I'm still thinking about something."

"About your theory with Black?" Future Mars asks. I nod in response, still staring. "It does make sense, when you think about it. Goku isn't the person who would be swayed by someone like Zamasu into destroying life. It makes even more sense if Black shares this sense of justice and energy signatures as Zamasu." He chimes.

"Which is even more confusing. In your timeline, Goku died. Unless Zamasu wished him back to life, then I think we should conclude that Zamasu interfered with a different timeline. It seems we weren't the only ones to fiddle with it." I comment softly.

Future Mars stares at the board, brows furrowing together. "We should probably go eat something before Goku finishes it all up."

I wave my hand at him. "There's no way your father would allow it, especially if I'm pregnant." I explain dismissively. Future Mars just smiles and peers back at the doorway. I follow his gaze and my lips spread into my own smile. Mars, Marble, and the twins are staring around the door frame as if we couldn't see them. "So, I really didn't have any other kids?" I ask.

Future Mars nods. "Yeah, father died during the fight with the androids." He murmured. "They're really fun, I'd like to think younger me has a blast playing around with them."

"Well, you won't be saying that when you see Eschalot kick Mars down the stairs." I mention lightly. Future Mars gives a laugh. I hum and loop my hand around his arm. "Let's go eat, because you're right. Goku just might finish everything under your father's nose."

Luckily enough, not a single speck of food had been touched, and it was only through the good graces of Beerus threatening Goku that women carrying a new life should have the first bite. "How chivalrous," I comment as I take a seat upon hearing the comment. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were openly appreciating my company."

"It's not like I'd ever openly admit it, so no, you don't say anything," Beerus commented coolly. I laughed at his comment before starting the feast- which was greatly appreciated by Goku.

Soon, the table was filled with nothing but hums of delight and chewing. "Wow! Great spread, Mara!" Goku hummed.

"You're lucky I have all these meals saved up. It's such a money saver, and I can store food up for years without it going bad." I explain happily as I chew through my bowl of rice and pork.

"Lord Beerus, have you tried this soup yet?" Whis asks as he gestures to the bowl of Emcho Soup in front of him, something I was quite proud of. Mother used to make it all the time and would explain it's history as being our one dish we make for special occassions. Beerus, obnoxious as ever, shoves an entire leg of meat into his mouth before humming. "Well, you should. The flavor's astonishing!"

"Is that so?" Beerus asks, eyes wide. "I've been holding off since it looks like something the dragons of planet Gaspa would puke up." Beerus mentioned.

"I'll have you know it's an old family recipe my mom taught me when I was young!" I exclaim irritably.

"No need to shout," Beerus grumbles before eating a spoonful. His eyes widened again. "You're right, it's delicious! You should've told me!" Beerus snaps at me. "What if I'd skipped the soup completely?!"

"When have I ever made anything disgusting!" I shout back.

"Silence! Is there more of this?!" Beerus shouts.

"Will you relax, there's more! Just shut up and let me eat in peace, will you?" I snap angrily.

"Oh, hey, Mars!" Goku exclaims, causing our gazes to flicker over to him.

"Yeah, what?" Both Mars and Future Mars ask in that same slightly informal tone.

"Oh, sorry, I meant the older one." Goku corrected himself. Goku shoves more food into his mouth with a groan of delight. "Feed that tum-tum!"

"Swallow your food before you speak!" I hiss. "After all these years, you're still that same kid who spat food out while he spoke."

"Awe, come on, Mara, I'm not that bad anymore!" Goku whined. Future Mars just chuckles in amusement before digging in. "All right! Now that's the spirit! By the way, I'm going to the future, too!"

"Didn't you tell me the time machine gives you motion sickness?" I ask irritably as I prop my head on my hand.

"Well, I can get used to it!" Goku giggled.

"And why would you want to join him?" Beerus asked irritably. "Are you implying that you suddenly doubt my divine wisdom, too?"

Goku shot up. "I believe you! But even if there's a tiny chance things didn't change, I should be there to help! I mean, I'm not saying I'm rooting for it, but I'd love the chance to fight Zamasu one more time."

Vegeta rolls his eyes at Goku before peering down at his food in thought. "We can't just fight them again without a plan." Vegeta comments. "That's mindless."

"You're voting for caution?" Goku asked incredulously. "That's hardly your style, Vegeta."

"The fact is we can't afford to lose again. If the future's unchanged, and we don't play this right, it's over!" Vegeta snaps. The fork in his hand snaps in his grip.

Pilaf and Shoo exclaim in terror as Future Mars stands up. "Father's right."

"Hey, there's nothing to worry about," Goku reassures Future Mars. "We've got this. I promise you, Mars. I won't forget the beans."

I sigh in annoyance. "That's hardly the only thing we're worried about." I comment dryly, absently handing my fork to Vegeta.

~*****~

After dinner, the group surrounded the Time Machine. "You really insist on going, just to see that I'm right?" Beerus asks irritably. "Imbeciles."

"You really can't let that go, huh, Lord Beerus?" Goku complains. "Then you could come with us, too, to say, I told you so."

"Don't be ridiculous. A destroyer traveling through time? There's no telling what kind of chaos that would wreak. You may be willing to commit taboos, but this god is staying out of it." Beerus exclaims irritably.

"I guess this is it, Mom," Future Mars hums as he turns his gaze onto me. "It's time to head out."

"Hold on! There's a god right here telling us he's taken care of this!" Mars exclaims irritably. "Now that Zamasu is finished, he'll never ask that Dragon to create Black! So the Future Earth is okay! Black isn't gonna kill our mom! Or hurt Mai or anyone else, so what are you doing?"

"Mars," I chuckle as I kneel down to him. I palm at his head lovingly.

"If Lord Beerus is right, and Black never comes, then the second doomsday never happened." Future Mars hums. "The peace won after stopping Cell held. If so, then what am I doing here now?"

"That's the thing about breaking the space time continuum." I mention as I rub at my neck. "If Zamasu's tampered with the timeline, your future is the branch he's created, resulting in the fact that Beerus may be wrong."

"I beg your pardon?" Beerus snapped at me.

"Don't get so bent out of shape," I retort. "Destroying Zamasu in this time guarantees that young Mars doesn't have a future like older Mars." I explain. "But, if older Mars is still existing from the timeline we tried to stop, then he would've disappeared if the timeline had been corrected."

"There's also the problem of everyone still knowing about Goku Black." Future Mars nods.

"Patience, my lord~" Whis hummed as Beerus growled angrily. "Mara does have a point."

"I don't say things to undermine you just for fun, you know," I mention to Beerus. "For example; In his Future, I only had Mars, because by the time he was born, Goku had already died, meaning so did Vegeta against the androids." I explain. "But the time he's visiting now is different than the one he grew up in. Another example if that's not enough, Krillen didn't have Marron with Eighteen, the androids destroyed his world, and society was demolished. The first split in the branch that must've happened was with Cell, leading Older Mars to travel back to the past for help against the androids as soon as Goku arrived back on Earth. So, naturally, your future changed." I explain to young Mars. "You grew up in a somewhat safe environment, if we want to mention the whole Buu ordeal." I murmur. "You also grew up with your father and siblings. It can be confusing, but that's just how time theories are. It's the reason why Older Mars' future is still dangerous. His branch of time is still in effect, which means the events that lead Older Mars to us might still be in effect." Young Mars hums thoughtfully and scratches at his head.

"Then get in your little tin can and go see." Beerus snapped.

"Lord Beerus." Future Mars starts.

"What now?" Beerus asks.

"Doubting you is disrespectful. I see that, and I'm sorry. But still, even though I need to see for myself, I'm holding out hope that you're right." Future Mars explains with a friendly smile. "My fears are based on how I've seen Earthlings affect time. I take your point that a deity's actions might be different. Maybe Gods affect time in miraculous ways I can't comprehend."

"If you're trying to apologize, then you can save your breath," Beerus comments. "I don't care. Whether your world's peaceful or a smoldering wreck makes no difference. Now get lost, you bore me!"

"I mean it, though. You've given me hope." Future Mars repeats. He bows deeply. "So thank you for that." Beerus scratches at his ear with his nose turned up. He snorts in response. "Future Mars turns to Vegeta. "Father, would you mind coming with me, too? Please? I'd like you there."

Vegeta snorts irritably. "All right, fine. I'll go. But swear to me, if this miracle's happened and your future has been saved, you'll never come bother us again, okay?"

"Okay," Future Mars chuckles.

"Good luck. I'll root for that miracle!" Mars stammers.

"Me too!" Marble chirps. "Just don't forget your sisters, okay?"

Future Mars nods and smiles fondly down at her. "I won't." Mai trots up to him, looking sullen. "And I'll tell the Mai I know you said hi."

Mai keeps her gaze on the ground. "So, I won't see you again?"

"Well, maybe not," Future Mars smiles. "But you've got the little me, right? Take care of him for me, okay?"

The two kids are flushing in embarrassment, meanwhile Marble is cupping her fists against her cheek and making kissing noises. "Shut up!" Mars barks at her, starting a bit of roughhousing.

"Hey, Vegeta. Make sure you don't forget the senzu beans~" Goku teases.

"You're the one who has them, you clown." Vegeta retorted.

"Oh, yeah, uh... where'd they go?" Goku wondered as he tugged at his clothes.

I growl out in frustration, holding up a bag of senzu beans. "You're hopeless." I comment dryly.

Goku gasps and smiles brightly. "There they are!" He takes them quickly and shoves them into the back band of his pants.

"Oh, and by the way, I'm coming too." I mention casually.

"THE HELL YOU ARE!" Vegeta suddenly declares.

"Do you know how to work a time machine?" I retort. Vegeta's face scrunches in frustration, cheeks flushing at my haughty tone. "If not, then you need me to pilot it back. I think it's safe to say, seeing as how Future Mars is going to be staying in his own time, we shouldn't leave the time machine there. I know the machine inside and out, so I'll be guiding us back home." I explain. "And one more thing." I toss a capsule to Future Mars. It sticks to his wrist and from it, a new jean jacket materializes over his body. "I'm assuming the Insta Caps in your time are offline, I thought I'd give you one of my newer, invincible demos. And it works offline."

"Thank you!" Future Mars exclaims in awe as he peers down at the jacket, turning every which way to see the different angles.

"I think this is my favorite outfit for you," I comment adoringly as I palm at his arm. "You've always been such a handsome man, but a refreshed look makes all the difference. Wouldn't you say, dearest husband? We make such beautiful children." I chirp annoyingly. Vegeta snorts irritably. Future Mars just laughs at his fathers annoyance.

Climbing aboard the ship was easier said than done. I feel like I'm being fitted into a set of spandex.  "Do you really have to come too, Mara?" Goku whines.

"Do you?" I snap at him.

"Don't bother, Kakarot, you won't win!" Vegeta warns him.

"Brace yourselves!" Future Mars groans as he lifts his head a fraction, causing us all to groan in irritation from being squished up tight. "Here we go!"

"Hey! Move your hands before I move them for you!" I shout at Goku as I slap his hands away from my hips.

"Kakarot!" Vegeta barks in offence as the machine lifts into the air.

"It wasn't on purpose!" Goku cries.

"Will you guys give it a rest!" Future Mars complains. In a flash, the scenery changes. It's like a million stars rushing around us. It's beautiful despite the groaning of pain from Goku and his motion sickness.

"This is so cool!" I coo adoringly.

"One more minute, guys-- we're almost there!" Future Mars comments. With another flash, we're in the future. The skies are dark and the city is still destroyed.

I sigh out disappointedly. "It's awful..." I murmur softly.

"My world didn't change," Future Mars sighs. "I knew it! Beerus couldn't fix this. Not even the act of a god made a difference!"

"I hope Mai is okay," I hum.

Future Mars lands the machine and I stretch out with a sigh, arms shoving the two men to the side in an attempt to move away. Goku topples out of the machine with a shout and whines as he rubs his butt. "Man, that hurt-" Goku complains. Vegeta snorts down at him before scooping me up and leaping out. He sets me down gingerly. The time machine disappears back into it's capsule once Mars is out.

"It wasn't even that far of a fall," I comment.

"Easy for you to say, you got carried out," Goku complains. "And I'm still feeling all dizzy, too."

Mars holds his hand out to me. "Mom, can you be in charge of this?" He asks as he sets the capsule into my hand.

I nod with a hum and push it into my bra. "Do you know where they'll be?" I ask absently. "Mai and the others?"

"Commander Mars! It's you!" A voice rings out from nowhere. I grasp onto Vegeta's arm out of reflex. "You really did come back!"

We all turn to the source. It's an older man and he beams as he runs up to us. "Yeah, tell me. Is everyone okay?" Mars asks.

The man lowers his gaze. "Mai's not." He grunts softly.

~*****~

The man takes us to an old subway tunnel. "She was helping from people fleeing from Black, and took a bad hit." The man explains as he rushes through the tunnels, leading the way. "They're here." He hums, pushing past a curtained off area. Inside, hundreds of people stand around, looking terrified. They're murmuring in shock at Mars' arrival.

"Mai!" Mars exclaims in shock as we approach someone laying on the ground. Two kids peer up at Mars eagerly, smiles of relief on their faces.

"You're here!" The girl exclaims happily.

"Help her, Mars. We don't know what to do!" The boy whimpers.

I stoop down besides her, palming at her neck tenderly for a pulse. "It's faint, but it's there. We need to move fast." I explain.

"Goku, quick! Senzu bean!" Mars orders. Goku tugs out the bag and hands it to Mars. He pulls one out and chews it quickly before pressing his lips to Mai's, transferring the bean into hers.

Mai exhales in relief, her body perking up by the minute. "Whoa! What was that, Mars?" Goku asks. "You put your mouth on hers- that's so weird!"

"Kakarot. You've never kissed someone?" Vegeta asks irritably. I flinch at the mention and hope to god Goku doesn't remember asking me about it all those years ago.

"You mean that thing you showed me how to do at the martial arts tournament?" Goku asked as he peered down at me.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." I retort quickly.

"Kakarot, are you telling me you've never kissed your wife?" Vegeta asks angrily.

"No, why would I do that?"

"Because you have two children!" Vegeta shouts. "You're telling me you've only kissed my wife!? YOU KISSED MY WIFE?!" He suddenly bellowed as if catching onto his own words.

I'm just lowering my head in embarrassment, because everyone around us is giggling. "What does that have to do with children, though?" Goku asks.

"Wha- Oh, no way!" Vegeta snaps as he turns his nose up.

"No, tell me! Is that like, something people do?" Goku asked.

"Can we turn away from this subject?" I complain.

"It's been too long since I've heard that tone," A familiar voice rings out of the crowd.

I peer up and huff in amusement. "Of course you'd be here," I mention impishly. "Good to see you, you're lookin' good!" I compliment honestly. "That solider said you're the one who saved Mai."

"Yeah," Yajirobe hummed as he rubbed at his beard. "You know me, I've always been a hero."

"The hero who makes sure there's an escape route, that's for sure," I murmur, earning a rouse of laughter.

The children surrounding Mai are urging her to wake up, and after what feels like hours, Mai's eyes slowly slip open. She gasps as she stares at Mars' face. "I told them you'd come back."

Mars sniffles lightly before hugging her against him. "You're okay. Thank god."

"Hurray!" The girl cheers.

"That was awesome!" The boy agrees.

"Here, Mai. So you can clean up," The girl hums as she holds out a rag.

Mai smiles appreciatively and starts rubbing it against her face. "Yes! She's all better!" The boy cheers as Mai pulls it away from her now cleaned face.

"That was good timing. Nice work!" Goku hummed.

"I'm sorry, Goku," Mars says as he hands the bag back over. "That means we only have four senzu beans left."

"It's fine, we'll make 'em count." Goku reassures him.

Mai turns her gaze onto me and her brows raise into her hairline. "Whoa. Mara, you're so young!" She chirps.

I snort lightly. "Nice to know I age a little bit in the future. It's nice to see you all grown up." I mention, ignoring my own head telling me she's probably older than most of the older people in here. "I brought you guys some more food and water, and other essentials no one should live without." I explain as I hold out a capsule container. "They should help you." The hairs on my neck jump when I feel the energy of something awful.

"That energy, do you sense it?" Mars asks.

"They're on their way now." Vegeta nods.

"We'll stay here," I reassure them. "Go before they find the tunnels." I urge. "Now you stay right here and rest, Mars will be just fine," I say to Mai as I palm at her back. "If I now my boy right, he's going to deliver a hell of a lot of payback."

"R-Right," Mai murmurs as her cheeks flush.