This AU fic explores a universe in which the Androids of the future have not only greatly devastated the planet, but have quite literally brought it to the brink of extinction much like the Goku black saga from Dragon ball Super. This a partial rewrite of a former fic that I never finished, I was inspired to start over after recently getting back into the Dragonball series.

Chapter One: One Small Butterfly

"Mom I can't just leave you here!" Trunks protested as he looked from the time machine and back to his mother.

Bulma allowed a sad smile. "Trunks you have to. We don't have the time to retrofit the time machine to carry more than one person, and you know how hard it was for me to siphon what little fuel we do have."

Trunks bowed his head slowly as he clenched his fists.

Bulma took a step forward, before curling her arms around his waist.

"Son there's hardly anything left here. The androids have taken almost everything from this world and soon there will be no one left. I want you to make sure this doesn't happen to another world."

Trunks swallowed as he locked his jaw and stared into the darkened sky above.

It was true. He knew she was right. The Androids had not only personally dispatched all of the Earth's special forces, but now they had exhausted most of the world's population. It had become a barren planet. The Androids had ceased their sporadic attacks and had taken to erasing entire countries from existence. In the last couple of weeks the remaining pockets of civilization had been snuffed out. Were it not for Mai's sacrifice they would have never managed to collect enough fuel for the time machine in the first place.

"Trunks.." Bulma said in a soft manner as she stared at the teen.

The lavender haired young adult shook his head as he stared down into his mother's eyes.

"I'm sorry Mom. You're right. I swear I'll make sure this other world is ready." he said his voice breaking slightly at the end.

Bulma shook her head as she forced a smile.

"This should have never happened, but you did everything you could, if only we'd known about Gero years ago things could have been different. I believe you can save another world from this fate Trunks, just promise me you'll be safe and that you'll start over in the past. You deserve that and so much more ." she said her own voice beginning to break as tears fell from her eyes.

The half saiyan's expression faltered. "But mom I can't stay there. My place is here with you. I can't just let these monsters get away with what they've done." he growled as he clenched his teeth.

Bulma exhaled slowly. "Trunks there won't be anything to come home to. There's only enough fuel for one trip and even if you could get more in the past, there won't be anything left here for you."

The teen clenched his jaw as he stared hard at his mother. "You don't know that, just keep your head down and I'll find a way back. Besides I can't stay in the past who knows what that might do to the timeline."

"Trunks as your mother you listen to me. You know better than I do that this world is doomed. It's past the point of being saved. Maybe you're right, the timeline could be changed, but maybe that's for the best. Certain things need to be changed. Promise me son that you'll do that for me."

Trunks was silent for a moment, before he quickly embraced her. "I never break my promises Mom, but if...no when I get stronger, I swear I'm going to come back and end those monsters!"

The woman offered a weak smile, before wiping her eyes with the back of her hand as she untangled herself and took a step back. "Always so stubborn. Just like your father. I love you son."

A half hearted smile pull tugged at the distraught teen. "I love you too mom."

Trunks offered his mother a final lingering stare, before steeling himself as he walked towards the machine, his fingers brushed along the named engraved on the side.

'Hope it's all we have now...' he thought to himself.

'There may be no future here, but there is still hope for another time.' he thought as he reached out and pressed a series of buttons, before sucking in a deep breath as he regarded his mother for a moment longer, before everything faded from existence.

Bulma let out a stifled sob as she closed her eyes. 'Trunks please live for me...'

The half Saiyan's arrival in the past had not gone according to plan.

Moments after breaching the new timeline, his time machine had begun to spark and shudder. It's systems had overloaded and shut down, rendering it into nothing more than a pile of scrap as it had landed with a loud crash against a large mesa.

A tremble had shook the Half Saiyan in the moment. He had realized why his mother had been so emotional and so determined he stay in this new world. She intended it to be the last time she saw him.

A final goodbye.

Furthermore she was smart enough to know that her younger counterpart would take equally long in building a new machine...meaning he was left with one course at the moment.

Trunks let out a sigh as he opened his eyes, banishing the recent memory as he eyed the collected Z-fighters once more.

He'd been sitting in silence for a while now, ever since he'd dispatched Frieza and King Cold with ease. Originally he had intended to be sporting, but he'd shown no mercy for the father and son, having delivered the final blow just as fear registered in both of their eyes.

Occasionally he allowed himself glimpses between a couple of the gathered group. Most of them only returned curious if not suspicious looks, Vegeta however seemed livid by his mere presence. It wasn't exactly the bonding moment he'd pictured when he'd thought of his first encounter with his father. Their first conversation had not gone well...

*Flashback*

Vegeta's eye twitched as he glared at the lavender haired stranger.

"What are you looking at?" he barked.

"Oh um nothing, it's just that… I like your shirt." he said and immediately began to kick himself.

'Great that was so smooth.' he mused to himself, before sighing.

"You would." Vegeta spat.

Trunks said nothing further, but still eyed his father from the corner of his eye.

The Saiyan Prince however didn't miss it and lost his temper once more as he shot a nasty look towards the younger man.

"What do you keep looking at? Haven't you ever seen a pink shirt before? If you like it that much, you can have it!"

"N-no that's not necessary."

"Then stop starring at me." he growled.

*End Flashback*

Trunks was shaken from his thoughts by Gohan.

"Um Mister...I'm really excited that my dad is coming home, but how do you know he is?"

Trunks eyed the boy and momentarily remembered his mentor, before responding.

"I wish I could say. Unfortunately all I can tell you is that I know for a fact that he'll be here. You have my word."

Vegeta grunted while Yamcha began to pace as he folded his arms.

"Look I don't know why we're listening to this guy. We don't even know who he is. What if this is some sort of trap?"

Trunk's eyes widened. He'd never expected to be perceived this way, but before he could respond Piccolo interjected.

"Use your brain. If he meant any harm to us then he would have already dealt with us as he did Frieza."

Yamcha frowned but seemed to accept the statement.

"I just don't understand why he can't at least tell us his name. " Tien mused.

Bulma rolled her eyes. "Look give the guy a break. He saved our butts. He told us Goku would be here in two hours and last time I checked it hasn't been two hours." she yelled.

"Well anyone who killed those two and gave us free drinks can't be that bad in my books." Krillin laughed as he scratched the back of his head.

Trunks sighed. He was pleased that at least for the moment he'd escaped their questions.

He eyed his timepiece a moment, before standing up.

"Alright. He should be landing any moment now."

Piccolo's eyes widened " He's right. I can feel him, he's entering the Earth's atmosphere now.

After a moment each and everyone of the other Z-fighters glanced towards the sky as they began to detect the prodigal Saiyan's return.

"I think you're all crazy! My woman's intuition isn't picking up anything" Bulma remarked.

Sure enough though the lavender haired warrior was proven right as a space pod streaked through the sky, before a loud crash could be heard in the distance. With no hesitation the entire group began to follow after Trunks towards the spot the pod had landed.

The gathered group looked on in silence a moment as the door to the pod began to open.

Goku's wild mane could be seen as he slowly rose out of the pod, before blinking as he looked up at the gathered group, before throwing up his hand.

"Hey guys!..." he said a genuine smile on his face, before his former confused look returned as most of them began to greet him.

"It's great to see you all here, but how did you guys know that I was coming?"

"This kid told us, we thought he must be a fan of yours or that maybe you met him somewhere in space." Bulma offered as she glanced over at the mysterious man.

"From what little he would tell us.." Yamcha grumbled.

"Yeah he seems to know all about you Daddy." Gohan added.

"Really?! That's so strange." Goku mused as he scratched along his jawline.

Most of the group looked on dumbfounded. Bulma however broke the silence.

"B-but Goku he knew when you'd arrive almost down the very minute and he knew exactly where you'd land."

"That's impossible, we've never even met. Or at least I don't think so. I'm usually pretty good with faces" Goku laughed as he scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

"Well that's what he said, but he must have been tracking your ship in outer space or something."

"Really? I don't know, Frieza tried to do that but I can't sense his energy level anymore. Who defeated Frieza? was it you Vegeta? Or was it you Piccolo ?"

"Neither of us did, it was this kid and he did it with ease. He turned into a Super Saiyan." Piccolo responded as he folded his arms across his chest.

"What? a Super Saiyan? I can't believe it, that's incredible. Can you imagine, a Super Saiyan at his age? That's amazing!"

"You idiot would you think for a moment?...you and I are the only two Saiyans left. Three if you count your boy. He's clearly lying about who he is." Vegeta grumbled.

"Hmm… well if he says he's a Super Saiyan then that's good enough for me" Goku replied with one of his typical goofy smiles.

"Oh honestly Goku, you take things way too lightly sometimes" said Bulma, before shaking her head.

"Ah come on Bulma. That's not true I just don't see why I shouldn't trust him."

"Goku can I have a word with you? Just the two of us for a moment?" Trunks asked as he tried to ignore the looks he received in return.

Goku looked a bit confused however he finally nodded his head.

"Sure I don't see why not."

"Why can't you say whatever it is you have to say to our faces?" Yamcha yelled.

A few others didn't voice the thought, but their expressions expressed essentially the same thing.

Hoping to avoid a fight Goku flashed one of his trademark smiles.

"Hey It's alright guys, I'll be right back"

And with that they took off only to land on the other side of the crater Goku's pod had created. Once out of earshot, Trunks finally spoke.

"Thanks Man. I know this must seem strange."

"Hey no problem, but should I should be the one thanking you for defeating Frieza! I had a chance to finish him but I was only fooling myself thinking that he might change."

"Not him I'm afraid.." Trunks mused a mirthless chuckle.

"He was out of control you should have stopped him, but when he landed you weren't around so I had to step in. I didn't think you'd make it."

"Yeah, his ship was a lot faster than mine and he gained a couple hours on me. I knew he was going to hurt the people here, I was about to make my move but then you came along."

"And just how were you going to make a move when you were two hours away and in space?" Trunks asked as he quirked a single brow.

"Well let's just say I learned a lot in space. I learned a new technique called Instant Transmission!"

"You mean, time travel?" asked Trunks as his eyes widened.

"No, essentially you dematerialize and travel as a mass of light. You'd be surprised to know how much ground you can cover in a second."

"Man, what a bummer…" said Trunks "If I had known that then I could have waited and come later. That way I could avoid the risk of meeting all the others until later."

"The risk? What do you mean?"

"Okay, I don't mind answering that question. But first let me ask you something. Can you transform into a Super Saiyan at will?"

"Well, at first I wasn't able to but now I can control it."

"Can you show me it?...please Goku I need to see you transform. I promise it's important."

"Sure thing" Goku responded as his expression grew a bit more serious as he clenched his fists together, slowly but surely a golden aura began to envelop him as his hair ignited into a golden tint as his eyes change to deep cyan color.

Goku allowed a smirk. "satisfied friend? "

"No doubt about it." Trunks said as he eyed the older warrior.

"It's incredible. I forgot what it feels like looking from the outside in!"

"So what's next?" Goku asked as he raised a brow.

"Now we'll both be Super Saiyans" Trunks responded as he transformed with little to no effort even faster then Goku had, before grinning.

"Wow we're exactly the same!" exclaimed Goku

"Let's find out" said Trunks.

He unsheathed his sword and charged at Goku, but the older Saiyan didn't even budge. Trunks stopped in midair only a few inches away from Goku.

"Why didn't you try to dodge it?" asked Trunks

"I searched your feelings" replied Goku "I knew you would stop."

Trunks smiled. "I was told you were good. This time though I promise I won't stop."

"As you wish" Goku responded.

In a blink of an eye Trunks began a flourish of strikes.

Using only his finger Goku blocked the entire series of strikes, much to the other Saiyan's amazement.

Trunks stopped a pleased look settled on his face as he sheathed his weapon and returned to his normal state.

"Everything I heard about you is true. You're good, no you're great! Those same moves turned Frieza into bits."

Goku chuckled. "Well your heart wasn't into it this time."

Trunks nodded. "I feel like I can trust you. I just need to know that I could."

"Sorry about all the secrecy but I really need your word that you're not going to tell anyone what I'm about to say" Trunks said as a serious look settled on his face.

"I've never had a problem with keeping secrets but sure, you have my word" Goku assured him a with a sincere smile.

"I"m glad to know that I can trust you. My name is Trunks and though this may be hard to believe, I'm not from this time. I traveled here in a time machine twenty years from the future"

"Really? From the future? That's incredible!" Goku exclaimed as his eyes widened.

"Vegeta's not mistaken either. As far as I'm aware of you and him were the only two pure blooded Saiyans alive...he's my father."

Goku's eyes couldn't have gotten any wider "WHAT? YOU'RE KIDDING! WOW, YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT VEGETA'S YOUR FATHER?! "

He blinked furiously a few seconds as if he was stunned.

"Yes I'm half Saiyan and half Human."

"You're serious! Vegeta's kid my gosh!" he glanced over his shoulder as he stared at the Saiyan Prince a moment.

"Yes yes, I can see the resemblance. How bizarre." he cracked a grin as he started laughing.

"Vegeta's going to be a daddy! That's incredible! Man who would have ever thought..!"

Trunks interjected "Goku, I didn't come here to tell you that, I need to tell you about something."

Goku returned his attention to the young man as he noticed his demeanor had darkened.

"In three years from now on the morning of May 12th at 10 am, a horribly destructive duo will appear on an island nine miles south-west of South City. They are monsters Goku, monsters, that's the best way I know to describe them. Once they appear the Earth will face a danger unlike it's ever seen before. There's no rhyme or reason to what they do. They just savor causing destruction and death in their wake."

"What's the deal, are they aliens or demons?" Goku asked.

"No and what I'm about to say isn't going to be easy, but their androids created by one of the surviving members of the Red Ribbon Army, Dr. Gero. Goku I know you have a big heart and possess a great deal of honor, but letting that man go set something into motion that has destroyed my entire world and everyone I know." He said as he clenched his fists.

"Even now I have no home to return, after years of fighting and running...there's nothing left. They've taken everything." he said as his voiced began to trail off.

Goku closed his eyes as he remembered that moment all too well. His one decision had cost Trunks' entire future. There was no doubt...this burden would stay with him for the rest of his life.

"Trunks. I'm sorry, I had no I-" he paused in the middle of his thought as something dawned on him, he opened his eyes as he stared at the time traveler.

"Wait what about all the others? couldn't they help you against these androids?"

"They couldn't I'm afraid." Trunks said as a grim look crossed his face.

"Wait but why?" Goku asked his eyes widening once more.

"They're all dead. Three years from now the Earth's special forces will be gone. Vegeta, Piccolo, Krillin, Yamcha, Tien, everyone, all gone, giving up their lives trying to defeat them. There will be only one survivor and that's my master and best friend Gohan"

"But after fourteen years of survival, they managed to kill him as well. That was four years ago, my time."

"Wait a sec, what happens to me, do I die in the battle as well?"

"Nope" said Trunks as he shook his head.

"You die six months prior. Soon you'll catch a deadly heart virus that not even a Super Saiyan can fight. And in this timeline there's no antidote for that. I hate to be the bearer of bad news…"

"Man, what a bummer… being killed by a stupid virus and I don't even get a crack at these androids." said Goku sounding disappointed at that prospect.

Trunks stared at the full blooded saiyan in surprise. "Wait you're not scared of them?"

Goku scratched the back of his head. "Well yeah I guess I am, but I also really want to be there to fight them."

'Mom wasn't joking when she talked about Goku..' Trunks mused to himself as a he chuckled.

"I think I can help with that" Trunks said taking a small bottle out of his pocket "For your health man, this is the antidote. Take this when you get sick and you'll be fine"

"You're kidding me! Wow awesome, it's purple too, I bet it's grape flavored."

"I'm wary about doing this Goku because it's going to change history, but some history should change. My life has been a living nightmare. I've watched everyone die until there was no one else, but my mom was convinced that you could have made a difference. I have to believe in that as well. There's nothing left there. One day I want to return to make sure those two monsters are destroyed, but there's nothing left for me there anymore."

"I'm sorry Trunks. I can't even imagine.." he paused a moment, before continuing.

"Wait you said your mother knew me? Am I going to meet her or do I already know her now?"

"Now.." Trunks admitted as a weak smile pulled at his lips.

"Oh wow, I know your mother huh… that's bizarre… does she live near me or something?"

"Well, she's standing right there.." Trunks said as he gestured in the direction of the grp in the distance.

Goku nearly choked, before he fell down and began to laugh. "BULMA'S YOUR MOTHER?! Bulma and Vegeta huh… unbelievable! I thought Bulma was going to end up marrying Yamcha…but man, Vegeta?!"

"I know it sounds weird but they'll find their way to each other pretty soon. But if they get wind of it, it might not happen. Promise you won't tell them Goku or I might not be born. I'm not sure if I'd cease to exist or not"

"Hey, not a problem. I just can't believe it. That's so bizarre"

"Trust me, Yamcha and mom will break up soon and she'll find her way to Vegeta in time."

Goku bowed his head. "You have my word and I promise you Trunks I'll do everything in my power to make sure that history doesn't repeat itself."

Trunks smiled. "It was wonderful meeting you and seeing my mother... and getting to meet my father for the first time was interesting. It was nice even under the circumstances getting a chance to meet the others. I should probably go...my time machine is completely broken, but it might be for the best that I keep my distance."

Goku eyed the young man a moment, before he stepped forward and rested a hand on his shoulder.

"Trunks wait. Where do you plan to go?"

Trunks bowed his head as he stared at the ground. "I-I really don't know. I'm afraid I've already changed too much, but I don't have anywhere to go."

"From what you'd said things will be different anyways. Sometimes different isn't always bad. We can keep your secret and just use a different name. You can come home with me and Gohan. Look at it this way...three years of training with another Super Saiyan has to make a difference. We can be ready for them this time." he said as he offered the teen a confident smile.

Trunks' eyes widened, his mind raced as he mentally debated the idea. It was true that they could make a lot more progress with him being present. Where else did he have to go at this point anyways?...then of course how much would change if he remained here?...what if he prevented his own birth? Then again he had promised his mother he'd help. There was just too much he couldn't account for.

Finally he turned and fully faced the older Saiyan, before nodding. "I don't know what will be changed by doing this, but I want to break the fate of this timeline and I really don't have a choice."

Goku smiled. "This is your home now Trunks. What should we tell the others when they ask for your name?"

Trunks regarded him a moment, before glancing once more over at the gathered group that awaited their return.

"Call me Mirai.."

"Lapis wake up!" the blonde teenage girl screamed as she violently thrashed against the restraints that held her in place against what appeared to be some sort of operating table.

Fear was evident in her light blue eyes as she stared at the adjacent table in which her brother was restrained.

Her twin hadn't budged so much as an inch from her outburst.

Lazuli felt her breathing becoming erratic as she frantically looked around her surroundings, not recognizing anything save her brother. The equipment in the sterile white room was far beyond anything she'd ever seen.

The blonde beauty tried her best to slow her erratic breathing, her slender brows furrowing as she tried to remember how they'd ended up in such a place.

She'd wince slightly at the tinge of pain that centered in her forehead.

Everything was so fuzzy, unfocused. The bright luminescent lights did little to help her aching head.

Finally though there was a flash of memories.

She and her brother had been in desperate situation, kicked out of the group home they'd been in for years in North City. All they had was each other, she had to look out for Lapis. Even though he was only a few minutes younger, it was her responsibility to keep him out of trouble. She'd failed miserably. She vaguely remembered being approached by someone and beyond that she couldn't recall anything further.

Lazuli tilted her head again to look over at her brother.

"Lapis..." she called out again her voice cracking a bit, before her head snapped in a different direction as she heard footsteps approaching.

"I'm afraid your brother is quite incapable of responding in his current state..." a voice offered.

A few seconds would pass as an elderly human man with a long beard and mustache stepped into view. He was dressed in a lab coat with a strange emblem on the chest.

The blonde glared balefully at the man. "What the hell did you do to him? I swear I'll kill you if you do anything to hurt him."

An abrupt chuckle escaped the man as he folded his arms behind his back as he stepped forward. "And how precisely are you going to do that? Fret not girl...I have a purpose for you and your brother. Something far more important than a couple of street urchins."

"W-what are you talking about? We don't want anything you're offering. Just let us go...please." she said her voice finally wilting a bit as she stared up at the elderly doctor.

"Fear not girl when I'm done with you both, you'll have become something greater than you can possibly imagine. I'll take away everything you are now and replace it with the key to perfection." he mused as a smirk pulled at his aged lips.

The blonde thrashed back and forth as the restraints on the operating table dug into her slender wrists.

"You sick bastard. I don't know what you're going on about, but I swear you'll pay for it, if you don't let us go." she growled.

Gero would reach out and pick up a scalpel, before pacing towards the table as he lightly pressed the blade against the girl's cheek just enough for it drawn blood. "And who precisely is going to make me pay? Do you know why I chose you and your brother?" he asked in an even tone as he stared down at the horrified blonde.

Lazuli's thrashing slowed as the scalpel was pressed against her cheek, she winced slightly at burning sensation as a tendril of blood ran down her cheek. "...because we were alone." she breathed weakly. She mentally cursed herself as she could feel her body shaking in fear as she tried her best to maintain her previous glare at the despicable man.

"Exactly. You see I've spent a great deal of effort to remain discreet and go unnoticed. Perhaps you two had friends or acquaintances that will notice, but with no family no meaningful connections, it'll be as if you never existed. Its makes you both the perfect specimens." he mused as he pulled the scalpel away from her cheek.

"Now I've already sedated your brother, it's time I begin my work.." he mused as he slipped towards Lapis table.

The teen girl grinded her teeth together it took everything in her power to keep herself from sobbing, but she refused to let this monster see that. "W-what are you doing to do to him?!" she yelled as she pulled at her restraints once more.

"I already told you girl. You're both the key to perfection. This is the next step and I have a lot of work to do."

*AN* I decided that I really want to flesh out the origins of the androids throughout this story. I think they'd be much more interesting if we had more insight as to what happened to them in the first place.

I plan to make this a Future Trunks/ Eighteen pairing, but I want to make sure it's not rushed at all. Trunks in particular is going to be resistant to anything of that nature.

Also I always find myself torn when it comes to power levels, mainly because of how inconsistent they become after a certain point. So I'd love to know if folks would prefer I avoid a power level list or if they feel the need for one. In any case I'd love to get some feedback, thanks!