milliways_bar | (no subject)

Entry tags:

enzo matrix,
gohan

(no subject)

Three years until everyone dies.

Gohan's in a pensive mood as he comes into the bar. Everyone else is seeing it as a challenge. An adventure. An excuse to train for three years and see if they can prevent it.

But inside, he feels... like he swallowed a bowling ball. Now what does he do? Does he try and bring them in here? Is here the reason why he's going to be the sole survivor? Does the future change now that they know, or is it fixed?

He flies up to the rafters and curls up in the corner, trying not to cry. None of the others would cry. He reckons they'd probably be really cross if they knew.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's not that Enzo literally senses trouble. That can happen, but only when the trouble is digital or energy-based, and it has to be pretty big. Major crises, not distressed children.

But he is a Guardian, and a compulsive helper, and an uncle. And from a world where ground level is not the only place to look for someone (especially in his family).

He spots Gohan.

It's no trouble accessing him, either. "Hey. What's processing?"

Gohan opens his mouth to tell him that everything's fine, but instead one of those sneaky little tears slips out but it's totally hayfever.

"I'm okay."

"Uh-huh," Enzo says dryly. He pulls up closer so he can step off his zipboard onto the rafter, and crouches next to Gohan. "Download me. What's wrong?"

"A... a man came from the future, and he said that in three years very powerful androids will come." Gohan says.

It says something about Enzo's life that he doesn't even bat an eye at this.

"Bad androids?"

"They're going to kill everyone I care about." Gohan says.

Enzo bites off a swear word and is silent for a bit.

Then: "That kind of thing can be changed. I think. I mean, a friend of mine did."

"That's why he came back in time. To try and make a new future." Gohan says, wiping his nose on his sleeve. "Everyone's really determined but... I'm scared. In that man's world, I'm the only survivor, me and him, and he'll only be a baby."

Enzo nods. "It's okay to be scared. And, hey, knowing's better than not knowing, right? Scarier, totally, but if you didn't know..."

"Well, we have one thing on our side. The man gave us medicine - Daddy in his world doesn't even survive until the battle, he dies of a virus. In the man's future, that can be cured."

"Alphanumeric, that's a change already."

Gohan nods, but his nose is running a bit.

"Should I bring them all in here to train outside of time?"

"Maybe? If you can. Milliways doesn't always let you just bring people in. Don't know why. I wouldn't count on it."

"They'd be really mad if they thought I was keeping this place to myself." Gohan considers.

"Do they already know about it?"

"No." Gohan says. "I... I wasn't sure if Vegeta wouldn't hurt anyone and I don't think the dragonballs could bring them back."

"Well, if you do try to bring anyone, maybe start with one person. Someone you trust to believe you, and not be mad if they can't get in."

"I guess that would be Daddy. Or Kuriran."

Nod. "If it works with them, then you can think abut bringing more people. If not... well, they can probably tell you what to do better than I can."

Gohan thinks about this.

"But maybe I did that in the other timeline."

Oog.

"Yeah. Maybe you did. But maybe you didn't. It won't help anyone if you don't do anything, will it?"

"But what if training harder is what makes Daddy have heart problems?"

Gohan sighs. "It's a lot to take in. I'll be okay."

Enzo grips his shoulder affectionately.

"You just gotta do whatever seems right. I'm sure your dad'll do the same. And you've got plenty of time to figure it out."

Gohan nods.

"Thanks Enzo." He wipes his nose on his sleeve. "I learned one good thing at least. I'm not going to be the last of my species. The stranger was either Saiyan or half Saiyan too."

"That's... yeah, that's something."