Disclaimer: Dragon Ball Z it’s characters and world belong to Akira Toriyama and everyone involved in the production fo the manga and anime. I am just borrowing the characters for my own and possibly the enjoyment of other fans. Please don’t sue.
Note: The original version of Travelers was written under my Glass wolf pen name. This rewrite starts virtually identical to the prologue of the original fic but the follow up stories will go in a vastly different direction. It is basically the same concept and explanation for their travels but the nature of the worlds they visit and how long they still will be different. Everything will be clear by the end of this fic that acts as a prologue to the rewritten universe. I will be formating the fic as a series of one shots spread out over the journey as well as a series of fics focused on the characters left behind at home.
Contains: Mention of Trunks/OC, Goten/OC, More Bureaucracy as the DBZ worlds cosmology.
Travelers Rewrite
The Journey Begins
“Is there any way your information could be wrong?” Dende asked the bureaucrat standing on the edge of the platform with him. “Is it possible that your records are incorrect and this venture is unnecessary?” He sincerely hoped it wasn’t because he could not imagine any of his charges taking this well.
“Our records are never wrong; they have to take this trip.” Dende felt a pang of irritation at how the bureaucrat was dead set on this course of action without even double checking that it was necessary. Even though he could easily see that this was going to cause a great deal of trouble for him and his world.
“Couldn’t you just double check the records before yanking these two young men out of their lives?” He saw the oni glare at him in response. “I mean it wouldn’t take but a few minutes for you to send an inquiry.”
“That isn’t my department I am supposed to inform them of their fate and send them on their way.” He knew it was a lost cause then and gave up on getting him to double check. He was going to have a devil of a time explaining this to their families and once again he wished for the days before had to deal with the bureaucracy that governed all the various facets of creation. “It is time to bring them here.”
“Can’t we at least wait till they finish their dates?” He asked looking back down at the nightclub where the two where currently dancing with two girls they had met the week before. The oni shook his head and clapped his hands causing the two to appear on the look out looking dizzy and confused. “I’m sorry about this but there isn’t anything I can do.” He said to them as they turned to him for answers. “I just wish I could have learned of this earlier so it wouldn’t have been sprung on you like this.”
“These are Goten and Trunks the half saiya-jin offspring of the two remaining pureblood saiya-jins in this time line?” Dende nodded in response and watched as he turned toward the stunned youths. “I am pleased to inform you that the department of time line management’s records indicate the two of you are to be travelers for the duration of twenty one months and that you will visit twenty one worlds.”
Dende couldn’t believe that was all the explanation he was going to give them. “Dende what is going on here?” Trunks demanded angrily. “Who is this guy and what the hell is a traveler?” He could tell their shock and anger hadn’t phased the oni at all.
Dende was reminded of his father and once again wondered how he was going to explain this to Vegeta. “He works for the governing bureaucracy in charge of watching over time lines.” He glanced over at the Oni wishing he would speak up and explain this to them. “I wish I could do something to prevent this but word has come from higher up that I can’t.”
The oni ignored him and addressed the two young men. “A traveler is a person our records indicate must disappear from their own time line and journey through alternate worlds until a set period of time is up.” He looked at them as if they were all stupid as he continued. “You are familiar with alternate time lines?”
“Yes, we are familiar with alternate time lines.” Trunks said angrily as he glared at him. “But what records and why do we have to do anything you say?” Dende watched as the oni glanced at his watch and then turned back toward them with an annoyed look on his face.
“The records of the time line management department indicate you two are to vanish from this time line for a duration of twenty one mon...” He stopped when a ball of energy whizzed by his head. “That was uncalled for.” He said primely and Dende had to suppress a laugh. “The simple fact is our records state this will happen so it has to happen.”
“Why?” Goten asked speaking for the first time. “I mean who controls the records and what would happen if we don’t go?” Dende was surprised Goten wasn’t stupid but he wasn’t as bright as either his best friend or his older brother.
“The records are controlled by a different department I just deal with enforcement.” The oni said glancing at his watch again. “And if you don’t depart at the prearranged time then this time line and all the others you were scheduled to arrive in will have to be removed to protect the rest.” Dende watched the shock on their face at the implication.
“When you say removed?” Trunks asked a dark look in his eyes. “Are you saying that everything will be destroyed?” Dende knew that was exactly what the oni was saying but he wasn’t going to be the one to bring it up.
“Yes, it is the only way to protect other time lines from a cascading reaction that could destroy all of creation.” The oni said still watching his watch as if the destruction of universes was business as usual to him. “Our department has to keep order otherwise time travel would wreck countless universes.” He smiled. “Why the situation with your alternate self involved four time lines and countless hours of paperwork.” He said pointing to trunks. “Now the two of you are powerful enough to make this difficult will you co-operate or shall I schedule this universe for destruction.”
“Can we do anything to stop this Dende?” Goten asked him as Trunks was just glaring at the ground. Dende shook his head as he saw the two look away. “I guess we don’t have a choice about it do we Trunks?”
“No, we don’t.” Trunks said turning a dark glare on the Oni. “What about our families will we get to say good bye to them?” The oni shook his head no as he continued to stare at his watch. “Dende will you tell them?”
“Of course I don’t think your father will take it well.” He said with a frown. “I imagine your mothers won’t take it very well either.” He saw the Oni finally turn away from his watch. “I will see the two of you when you return.” The two young men nodded and then looked over at each other.
“On the bright side Trunks at least we’ll be together,” Goten said cheerfully and then he saw it a quick flash of regret on the Oni’s face. He stepped forward before the Oni could take any action and put himself between them. “Dende what are you...” He raised his hand causing Goten to fall slilent.
“They will be traveling together won’t they?” He asked looking right at the Oni who was looking down at his clip board with something like dread. “You will answer my question now.” He let as much authority as he could muster into his voice.
“Most of the time they will be together but six times they will be sent to separate worlds.” The Oni said with a shrug. “I’m not sure why but it is included in the paper work they will be separated on the third, sixth, ninth, twelfth, fifteenth and Eighteenth worlds.” He stepped back glancing at the two to see they were shocked. “We are running out of time so I must give them their equipment.” The Oni gestured and two watches appeared in front of them. “These will count down the four weeks until your departure from each world.” Dende watched as they put the watches on. “You’ll move from world to world automatically when the timer reachers zero.” The oni looked back at his watch. “Times up you’ll make the first trip momentarily.”
“Wait a minute what happens if we die in one of these worlds?” Trunks asked suddenly. “And is there anything we aren’t supposed to do in these worlds?” The oni didn’t answer as the two disappeared in a flash of light.
“I shall be leaving to file my report now.” The oni said with a casual glance over the edge of the look out. “I must say this assignment has been more trouble than I thought it would be and your interference will be noted in my report.”
“What happens if they die?” Dende asked ignoring the dig he didn’t care if his interference was noted in a report no one would ever read. He needed to know what would happen to them if they died and he also knew Goku and Vegeta would be noticing their sons vanished powers signatures soon enough. “Also why don’t you stick around and help me explain to their fathers what has happened?” He added as an afterthought knowing it wasn’t likely but it would give Vegeta another target for his rage.
“What happens if they die?” The Oni paused and then shrugged. “No idea it’s outside of my department.” The oni said cheerfully and then frowned as Goku appeared obviously worried. “As to your other request I simply don’t have the time I have several important reports to file.” The oni vanished as Goku turned a curious look on Dende.
“Goku, I will be happy to explain everything but let’s wait for Vegeta I will need your help to keep him calm.” He wasn’t sure anything could keep Vegeta from going ballistic but he had to try. He quietly summoned Popo from his room. “Mr. Popo if you would please collect Bulma and Chichi as they will need to hear this as well.”
The End.
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