Reconfiguration

by Aqu21

Summary:

During his travels, Goku suddenly finds Zamasu in one of the strange dimensions. Without thinking twice, he drags him to Earth, where it is revealed that Zamasu does not remember anything about himself. But the things are not that simple

//
Dedicated to all pals who wanted green goblin back.
And also, english isn't my native language so be prepared for mistakes and grammar issues. This work isn't a translation, it was written on eng from the beginning, so if it cause a grammar heart attack - u can't be revived with dragon balls. You been warned.

Also no beta, we die like Krillin

Chapter 1: 1.1

One of the hills crumbled to dust after a powerful ki blast struck it directly. Pieces of rock scattered in all directions and started falling pretty fast toward Goku's head.

- Ooooh, oops, I almost forgot about gravity on this planet!

He quickly teleport around before stones could hit him, then look back.

- Whoa, I don't even feel anything now. Maybe i should try another planet like this later, with higher gravity.

When he last time meet Whis, the angel told Goku about one of the planet that located within a gravitation anomaly deep in the space. He catch Goku's attention when mentioned that it would be good for training. And it is really was so. A rocky land without any sign of life and weak atmosphere - exactly what it needed to be - a perfect training place.
This time Goku went alone, Vegeta prefer training in the Gravity Chamber. Goku planned to spend a few week at this planet, but it's start getting boring. He thought to himself:

"Maybe i should to go home for a normal food actually?.. And grab someone here to train, possibly Goten. He never trained under hight gravity before, so maybe it's time for him to try. Yeeeah. Eeh, probably Chi-Chi is cooking something tasty now..."

With this pleasant thought, he focused on locating Earth and initiated instant transmission. But instead of yard of his house, Goku materialized in the middle of the space.

- What? - he was confused, - Instant transmission every time worked correctly before, what is happened?

Next moment he felt that something is definetely wrong.

There was no energy. Not ever a sign of the living creature for thousands and thousands of kilometers away.

"Oh gosh. That's not good."

And the space too. Instead of familliar constellations Goku saw only a sparse scattering of foreign stars. Strange nebulas floated in the distance - formations he had never seen before. Goku think again.

"Where am I? And also: how i ever can breathe here??"

To figure out what was going on, he closed his eyes and focused on searching for ki energy. There are still nothing. But Goku notice something new - there were no air here and no space at all. 

"Like, really, what is it? Why do the area here feels like it doesnt even exist? Ugh, why it is so complicated."

After a few minutes of searching, he could say for certain - he couldn’t locate Earth. That was very bad.

- Aah, come on, I can't just stuck here! - Goku said loudly, offended, - There must be way out here, absolutely.

Goku turned around and spotted an asteroid behind him. It seemed like he had appeared just a few kilometers above it.

The asteroid was large and elongated, shaped almost like a giant cucumber. On the top of it there was a ruins on the castle, a few strange building and something else that Goku couldn’t quite identify. Everything seemed like it was broken down thousands of years ago.

"God, what is this place? I should probably check it out, maybe something there can help me."

With that thought, he began descending toward the asteroid.

Up close, the asteroid looked even stranger. The ruins on its surface seemed as if they had been transported here from different eras and worlds. Goku saw the remains of strange buildings, half-buried in the ground. Some of them resembled structures from Earth, while others appeared far more advanced - possibly taken from a highly developed civilization. A few looks like just roughly worked stones. As he come closer to the ruins of a castle, he noticed that it looked pretty similar to the castles of Earth from centuries past. He had seen something like this before, during a trip with his family on  Gohan’s vacations. The memory of this journey - something Chi-Chi had insisted on, saying that children must see the world - left an uneasy feeling in his chest.

What if he would never see them again?

He landed in front of the gates of the castle. It was partially destroyed, one of the massive doors lay on the ground. Without any throughts, Goku stepped inside.

Inside, everything was silent - unnaturally so. No echoes, no wind, not even the sound of his own footsteps. Goku walked through the darkened halls, listening carefully, expecting an enemy to appear at any moment. But it seemed like there was nothing here. Continuing down the corridors, he occasionally peered into rooms. Most were unremarkable - broken furniture, dust-covered floors, and crumbling walls. Nothing interest.

The corridor made several turns and one of the them led him into a large hall. Goku looked around and noticed that it resembled a church or something similar. But there's no benches or lectern, just a pieces of brics and debris laying on the floor. The other strange thing was a windows. Somehow, they weren’t broken. Goku take off from the floor and approach on of the them.

"Hmm, what is this?"

- OH NO NO NO! - Goku couldn’t believe his eyes. Behind the glass, he saw the ruined planet Namek. The surface looked exactly like it had when he fought Freeza - the islands shattered, lava everywhere, and no sign of any living beings.

- Guys, i'm coming! - with those words Goku smashed the glass and flew through the hole. But instead of arriving on Namek, he found himself on the same asteroid, floating in the unknown space.

- What??

He looked into the window and saw the hall behind the broken glass. Then, he flew inside - and this time, behind the surviving glass, he saw Namek.

"From inside it displayed planet Namek, from outside - just a hall... What the heck is this? Some kind of illusion or my friends really in danger??"

Goku flew across the hall, peering into every window, and then felt a small sense of relief. The windows showed him scenes from his past life and battles.

-Well, is this an illusion, eh... - he was confused, - What even this place actually is?

After wandering around the castle for a while, Goku realized that something was wrong with the space. Goku could tell that some of the rooms were clearly larger on the inside than on the outside. Well, at least no one had attacked him yet. He sat down in one of the corridors to rest, but immediately jumped up.

"YES! Someone's ki! I'm not alone here at last."

But then he stopped. The ki that he sensed was very, very weak, but quite familliar. Goku can't definetely tell who it belonged to, but was sure they meet in the past. The weakness of ki signature made it hard for him to tell - this is a friend or foe. Goku tracked down the trace and figured outh that the source is below him and aroud 50 meters west. 

- So, here we go.

To reach the source, Goku simply break the floor with a ki blast and appreared in the catacombs. He slowly followed the signature, looking around to see if an enemy would appear. Goku checked the rooms along the way. Some looked like warehouses with broken crates, others seemed more like prison cells. Behind one of the doors he found a pitch-black void.

"What a day."

The source was approaching, and soon Goku stopped in front of a door, rusted and barely holding in place. He thought for a few seconds, then simply broke the door down and entered the room.

From the first moment, he saw a large stone in the middle of the room, made of material that looked like obsidian. Goku noticed two chains fused into the stone. Then he turned his gaze to the floor and screamed in shock.

Near the stone, face down, lay Zamasu. His wrists were chained to the stone, but the chains were long enough that if he wanted to, he could reach out and attack Goku. He instantly assumed a fighting stance and turned Super Saiyan Blue, continuing to scream.

- WHAT?? You were supposed to be erased! AAAAAAH!

Zamasu heard the scream and lifted his head. Now Goku saw how terrible he looked.

Zamasu was badly injured. It looked like he had lost his ability to regenerate and his immortality. Scratches covered his face, and, when he tried to lift himself and crawl toward the stone in horror, Goku saw a lot of wounds and blood on him. But the worst thing was his gaze. Zamasu stared at Goku in pure horror with glassy eyes. Goku understood immediately - Zamasu do not recognize him, but scared anyway. What the heck is going on here?

- Hey, you?... - Goku tried to communicate with his worst enemy. The enemy who ruined Future Trunks' world and even caused a dead of all universe. The terrifying overpowered god - Zamasu.

The messed god covered his head with hands and started sobbing. This completely threw Goku off balance. Zamasu doesn't try to attack or communicate, just cry in fear. Goku scanned his energy signature again to confirm that he does't have any power now.

It looked like Zamasu was no threat anymore, but what was this? Wasn’t he supposed to be erased from existence by Beerus and Zeno? Or it is him, but from other timeline? Goku dismissed the latter thought as soon as he considered it - his energy signature was familiar to the one Goku had sensed when he fought him in Future Trunks' timeline. But why was it so weak and low? He couldn’t understand. And it couldn’t be an illusion - Zamasu's ki was absolutely real. And there's was another question - he have his basic body, not the fusion variant what Goku had fought in the future.

- Oh man, i asked myself a thousand time this today - what is going on here?

Goku turned off his Super Saiyan Blue form and tried to speak to Zamasu. Nothing happened. Then he tried to touch his hand. Zamasu twitched, then covered his head tightly with his hands and started crying. Goku thought again. Zamasu didn’t look like a threat. He was weak.

He very, very weak.

He could die here.

"Are you insane?? I KNOW what you going to do, Goku!" - Chi-Chi's voice appeared in the Goku's head, yelling, - "No, you will not do this! Do you forgot what he done to me and your sons?"

"Kakarot, you stupid idiot!" - another voice come over, -"Without Zeno's help we WOULD be dead as all the universes and timelines. Use you dumb head at least one time in your live!"

"But.."

He could die here.

There was a voice of rationality in Goku that said this guy had killed a lot of people and even caused a universe to be erased, so he absolutely deserved this. It was wery hard to argue - for real, this was the hardest fight that he ever faced in his life. And the reason of all of it is sitting right here and crying like a child. The god that wanted the best and did the worst...

No.

He buried those thoughts.

Zamasu needs help, and he will receive it.

All this time, Goku was scanning the space around him in the background, looking for traces of life. Suddenly, he felt that he could locate Earth and perform instant transmission. It was like an energy wind blowing from space. There is not a minute to lose.

Goku glanced back at Zamasu, then approached him. Well, at least the last time everything had ended well, thanks to Whis...

- Oh, Bulma would kill me for this. As would the others, actually, - with this words Goku took one of the chains that holding the weak god and broke it easily, that surprised him - there are no strange materials, just rusty metal. Then he lifted Zamasu and slung over his shoulder. He tried to twitch, but was so weak and can only cry.

Located his homeworld, Goku teleported back to Earth. 

Chapter 2: 1.2

This time, things were a little different. Instead of instantly materializing at his destination point, Goku first felt himself being stretched into a thin thread and pulled through something dense, like a wall made of tightly packed atoms. For a moment, he feared he might not be able to reassemble himself and will turn into the cloud of molecules. Then, everything returned to normal.

***

-...and this is how we going to get the dragon balls and then to have all world under my... ahem... our control! What you two thinking about this?

Pilaf finished explaining another one of his world-domination plans to his henchmen. Shu and Mai stare to each others, questionally.

- This is great plan, I think, but... - Shu started

- Of course it is greate, because was created by great me! Or you going to doubt that, isn't you?

- Uh, no, sir! We just wanted to ask… can we wait a little? - Mai spoke up, - Bulma tell me that she wanted us to meet the ice cream delivery man and bring parcels to house. She said we could have one of the crates of ice cream for ourselves once we’re done. An entire crate of ice cream!

- Well, well, probably you right... - Pilaf stroked his chin, pretending to think, though in reality, he was already imagining the delicious treat, - Okay! We changing our plans. For now...

The loud explosion cut him off mid-sentence.

Goku materialized on Bulma’s terrace, barely managing to stay on his feet.

-Gosh, that was weird. I’ve never messed up instant transmission before. Hmm.

Before he could think about it any further, he heard a scream and looked back. Goku saw Pilaf's gang running inside the house, shouting "He's back!".

- Uh, what? Who’s back? - Goku blinked in confusion.

- GOKUUUUUUU!

Chi-Chi appeared in the doorway and start running toward him rapidly, yelling. Instinctively, Goku took two steps back.

- Goku! Ugh, Goku!, - Chi-Chi gasped, trying to catch the breath, - Where have you been?!

Goku stare at her surprised.

- On training, of course. I told you, remember? And you let me go on the condition that I find a part-time job for the next few months later to earn money to fix the tractor.

- I do not lose my memory yet! - she continue scolding, - But we talked about a two week!

Goku was completely lost now.

- Yes, but... Hasn't it only been three days?

- Three days?! You’ve been gone for two months!

- What??

That was too much. Goku stared past Chi-Chi, so deep in thought that he didn’t even notice Bulma and Gohan rushing out of the house.

- Answer me, Goku! - Chi-Chi waved a hand in front of his face, - Where were you? And also… who is that?

She pointed at Zamasu's body on his shoulder. Only now Goku finally register what she was asking.

- Oh, this? Uuugh, nothing! I mean - nobody! Nothing to worry about, hehe! - he rubbed the back of his head guiltily.

- Hi, dad! - Gohan approached, glancing between Goku and the strange figure he was carrying. Bulma caught up right behind him.

- Goku, where have you been? And what actually is... AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Bulma’s scream was so loud that everyone’s ears rang. Not even a second later, Vegeta appeared beside them in an instant.

- Why the hell are you screaming?

- Thes.. This a.. A-ha...

He turned, following her trembling finger, and froze, his eyes open wide from fear and anger.

- Kakarot, you son of a...! - Vegeta’s voice was full of rage, - Who did you bring here, you stupid moron! Get out of the way!

With those words, he charged a ki blast and aimed straight at Zamasu. Goku panicked - he urgently needed to do something.

- Vegeta, wait! It’s not what you think!

- Oh, yeah? Absolutely. Now move, or get smashed with him!

- Just let me explain! Please, this might be important, believe me. I tell you all, but please wait...

- SHUT UP!

Before anyone could react, Chi-Chi suddenly stepped in front of Vegeta, blocking his line of fire. And she clearly didn't look friendly.

- So you’re telling me you’re going to kill MY husband?! How about you shut up and let him finish?! Or I supposed to make my best friend Bulma a widow?

Vegeta recoiled involuntarily just as Goku earlier. After a few seconds of silent struggle, he gave up to the force of Chi Chi's personality.

- Alright, fine. But after all i will kill this green bastard.

Goku sighed in relief before starting his story, making sure not to leave anything out. He described the strange ruins floating in the void,  space that seemed to not exist. He also mentioned that he had not found any trace of living beings there.

- Father, doesn’t that mean you might not have been able to return to Earth? - Gohan asked anxiously.

- Uh, yeah son.

At those words, Chi-Chi tightened her grip on Goku’s hand and shot an angry glare at Vegeta.

- And then I found him, - Goku continued, - He doesn't a threat anymore, you can believe me. Vegeta, you do not sense energy from him anymore, do you? - He point at Zamasu, who lost consciousness a long time ago.

Vegeta responded with nothing but a growl.

- So, that’s it. I don’t actually know how I managed to locate Earth, but everything’s fine now. That’s all, I guess.

Vegeta crossed his arms.

-You finished? Good. Now lay him down and go get lost somewhere.

He began forming a powerful ki blast, but suddenly, Bulma grabbed his wrist.

- Vegeta, no. We’re not doing this.

- Woman, are you lost your mind? Didn't you forgot that he killed you in future timeline??

Bulma sighed wearily. How hard it was to interact with him sometimes!...

- Listen to me, all of you. - Her voice was firm, commanding attention, -If something - or someone - was able to do this to Zamasu, and, I remind you, only Zeno-sama was able to confront him before, shouldn’t we be worried? Think about it.

Everyone looked at her in surprise, especially Goku. He expected the least support from Bulma for obvious reasons.

- Guys, I'm serious, - Bulma continued, - Look at him. He’s barely clinging to life. If someone out there can do this to Zamasu, doesn’t that mean we might be dealing with a new threat? I dont think good guys torture their enemies when they weak just for fun. 

- Well, what's the difference? If he appeared here we would fight him and...

Without warning, Bulma slapped him hard on the back of the head. The hit was so unexpected that Vegeta actually staggered and sat down.

- I saw how you fought with Zamasu, you idiot! Not you, not Goku, not my son could defeat him! And this thing could be far more stronger that any of you can even imagine. Ugh, how it is, having the head with zero brain in it, huh, Vegeta?  Goku did right, it is our chance to figure out what the new threat appeared in the universe.

Vegeta swallowed his sayan pride. The reminder of his defeat sobered him up, Vegeta admitted that Bulma got a point.

- Go ahead, do what you want. But i would not be part of it, if he wake up and deside to kill you I would not listen to you screaming.

He powered down his attack and turned away.

- Oh, you really a sweetheart.

Bulma kissed him in the same place where she had hit him before. Vegeta winced and recoiled.

- All right, boys. Goku, take him and follow me. I think we can put him in a warehouse, it has thick walls, a hermetic door, and a coded lock. I'll build a reinforced cell later. Hey, guuuys! - she called Pilaf's gang, - I need lab #2 in a hour, sterilize the instruments and prepare the work area!

Pilaf crawled out from under the table. It seems like his plan of conquering the world is been delaying for an unknown time.

Chapter 3: 1.3

Notes:

Graphic description of blood and other ugly things. If you dont like to read this - do ctrl+f and "After an another hour" and start reading from here.

The same day, evening
***

Bulma's mother opened the lab door - despite Bulma being absolutely sure she had locked it before.

- Hello, dear! I baked your favorite cupcakes. Would you like some?

- Huh? Thanks but no, mom, I'm busy right now.

Bulma barely glanced up. Her attention was locked onto a monitor, studying a series of strange graphs. The clutter of printed cardiograms, EEG readouts and some even more difficult things laying on the table and the floor in mess. 

Her mother stepped inside, unfazed by the mess.

- You worked for three hours straight without a break, I sure that you need a little rest.

- Yeah, yeah, sure... - Bulma waved a hand, - Mom, can you please call dad? I need his help figuring some things out.

- Of course, sweety.

She smiled and went out of the room, humming to herself. After a minute, Bulma finally tore her gaze away from the printout and took a deep breath.

"How hard it is to study such a life form... Well, at least I finally managed to stabilize his condition. I never thought it would take SO long just to calibrate the life support system."

She exhaled and ran a hand through her hair.

“But how it really interesting... fascinating.”

Zamasu lay motionless on the examination table near the far wall. Thick medical straps bound his wrists and ankles - just in case. Of course, Bulma trusted Goku and the devices - everything indicated that he was now even weaker than herself, but memories of past prevented her from losing her guard so easily. That’s why the lab was built deep underground, reinforced, and outfitted with emergency explosive charges. If something happened - it would buy some time for people above to evacuate. The rest of the room was a maze of equipment, filled with medical devices, scanners, and other strange things. Bulma had somehow managed to acquire even a full-sized MRI machine.

Her eyes flicked back to the monitor. The terrifing-looking graphics displayed Zamasu's brain activity. She couldn't tell anything about the data at all - the human and glind brains were fundamentally not very different, but some regions seems to worked in an entirely different way.

Bulma leaned in, her mind racing.

- What the hell are you, really? - she muttered.

- Hello, Bulma. How it's going?

Dr. Brief walked into the lab, stepping carefully over scattered printouts - until his foot snagged on a loose strip of paper. He stumbled forward, barely catching himself on a nearby console.

- Hi dad. I stuck with this data, can you help me please? - Bulma asked.

- Let's see what we got here.

Another hour passed.

They had managed some progress in processing the data, but still, too many pieces were missing.

- Goodness…  - Dr. Brief let out a weary sigh and rubbed his forehead, - where even did you find this poor young man?

Bulma leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms.

- Goku brought him here - after this she suddenly sat up straight, - Ah, darn it!  I asked him two hours ago to go to the the Sacred Kai's world and bring the Supreme Kai here, he would definitely help us. But nooo, I bet Goku is now sitting in the kitchen and devouring ours frige instead!

This was the truth. At that moment, in the kitchen, Goku was eating a plate full of cupcakes, praising the food as much as he could, while Mrs. Brief stared at him happily.

- Well, let's then return to what we have here. - Bulma exhaled heavily, rubbing her temple, - A traces of scratches on his face - seems like he did it by himself. Other wounds are harder to identify. Some look like they were made by an extremely thin blade, other could be from sharp rocks or something similar. If I had to guess, I’d say he fell from a great height onto rocks ten... hundred times but not all bones are broken how it supposed to be in this case. Kinda strange so... Also, there is no half of his left ear. Seems like it be cutten off. Ugh, disgusting.

- Well, well...

- So, the other thing more interesting. I know nothing about glind's blood, but quick check show that the main component of it is the hemocyanin. Copper, similar to some of Earth' sea creatures. And judging by its pale color, he has a severe deficiency of it. I’d say he’s suffering from extreme anemia.  Now, next. His brain. The structure is partially similar to humans, but the visual cortex is more developed and the grey matter is arranged differently. And this electrical activity in his brain, it looks like... like a... - Bulma stopped, - Enough for today, Im tired of this all.

She turned to Zamasu. Dr. Brief sighed sadly.

- It is lucky to him to have a good friends to take care of him. I'm proud of you, Bulma.

"Yeah, friends, of course..." - Bulma mentally twitched, - "He's here only because one person on Earth has a heart that's big enough to keep in even those it shouldn't."

But she kept that thought to herself. Instead, Bulma turned to leave laboratory.

- I'll go kick Goku, we need to get things moving.

After an another hour, four figures appeared in her hallway. Old Kai, Shin, Kibito, and Goku had finally arrived to help solve the mystery of the new threat.

When Goku arrived at the Sacred World of the Kais, Supreme Kai had greeted him with his usual calmness - only for that calm to immediately shatter the moment Goku explained what had happened. Sure, Shin was scared at first and yell at Goku for his deed and almost went into hysterics. And then immidietly get a head slap from Old Kai. The ancient deity of Universe 7 supported Bulma's conclusions: if someone or something in the univercewas capable of taking down Zamasu, and it wasn’t Zeno, the Grand Priest, or an Angel, then they needed to learn as much as possible about this unknown force. And if this thing agressive - to be prepared for everything. Shin had no choice but to agree.

- Over here, guys!

Bulma waved at them from a small alcove in the wall. The narrow opening led to a freight elevator that descended to the lower floors. Goku and the Kais headed towards her. Shin, still rattled, kept clenching and unclenching his fists, muttering under his breath:

- How? Just how could this even happen…? Why did Goku have to be the one to find him? Why not anyone else? Why, why-

The Old Kai kicked him by elbow in the ribs.

- Stop whining. You should be used to Goku’s nonsense by now.

- Y-Yes, Great Ancestor. - Shin got himself together, but with effort.

The elevator descended with a faint hum. As soon as the doors slid open, Bulma led the group down a long corridor, passing through several airlocks that separated the lab sector from the rest of the complex. Finally, she reached the entrance and pushed the doors open. Dr. Brief were still sitting here, reading one of the books from shelf behind him.

- Oh, hello, dear. More friends to help? He's stable i think, but his condition didn't changed at all.

Without a second thought, he stood up and shook hands with each of the Kais - something that would have been unthinkable for Kibito not so long ago. But time and things has ability to changing.

Shin stepped closer to the table where Zamasu lay. The sight of rebelled god was pitiful. Like the others before him, the Supreme Kai noticed that Zamasu no longer looked threatening. Not just because of his wounds - but in general. His ki was so faint that Shin could barely sense it. He asked himself a question, who even can did this, and what actually happened to Zamasu? He continiue looking and felt the wave of sorrow slowly started to rise in him. Shin shook his head - it cant be! This mate terrorised an entire universe, Shin need to end Zamasu's life right now. But somehow, he knew he never would.

"Going to kill him, isn't you?"

"Great Ancestor?"

Old Kai's voice appeared in Shin's head. He didn't approached him, just standing few meters away. As all Kais, he could read throughts and communicate telepathically.

"Of course, it's hard to argue with that. This young idiot caused maybe a worsted thing that god or mortal ever think of. But according to Goku's words - he lost himself now."

"What are you mean?"

"You should have listened to Goku more carefully! His reaction - he lost his memory, or possibly even more."

Shin thinking.

"Yes, it is, and his immortality is gone... And also the ki - lowest, than the weakest mortal can have."

"This is what I'm talking about. Do not forget about our goal - Zamasu is our only link to understanding this new threat. When problem be solved and if he do not recovered from this - we should take Zamasu under our protection and settle on the some quite place in the universe for the rest of his life (of cource if omni-king allowed it to us). Because in this condition he can't take responsibility for his action in past and face the judgement. Other way it would be cruel, for real."

"You right, Great Ancestor. I admire your wisdom."

"Yeah, whatever. Now get back to work."

- I can try to read his mind. If it works, we’ll know who did this to him.

- Thats would be nice, - Goku responded.

Shin turned back to Zamasu, sighing. He focused on his own consciousness, then carefully reached out to the fallen god’s mind.

At first, Shin felt like he had fallen into an endless void: he had never tried to read the minds of people in a coma. But then he managed to stabilize himself and mentally looked around. In the middle of the void, Shin found something resembling a thin silver thread and pulled it. As he expected, Shin saw the latest events from the end - dim images of blue sky and leaves, then the room and Goku. Suddenly, the images ended. The Supreme Kai made some more efforts and saw new, fragmentary images - unknown space, corridors and something covering half the sky. And then - the pain.

At the same moment, he felt the space around him started to rapidly heating up. To his horror, Shin felt that he couldn't break out of his trance to stop it. His own mental signature began to dart around the vast void in terror. Then, suddenly, it all ended.

Shin jolted back to consciousness. Kibito was shaking him painfully by the shoulders.

- Master! What happened?! Answer me, please!

- Supreme Kai! - Goku’s voice was somewhere nearby.

- Hey, wha.. What is happened?

- You standing here and screaming so loud, I bet it could be heared in the Other World actually, - Old Kai answered annoyingly calmly, - Now explain yourself.

With Kibito’s help, Shin staggered across the lab and collapsed into a chair. He ran a trembling hand through his hair, trying to steady his breath. He continue to speak after a minute.

- It was like... I don’t know. Like something tried to burn me alive the moment I got too deep. I couldn’t see anything beyond that.

- Hmm, - Old Kai think for a while, - Well, a classic mind block. Someone set it up in Zamasu’s brain to keep anyone from learning the truth.

- So, what do we need to do to break it? - Shin asked.

- You? Nothing. And you too, - Old Kai pointed at Kibito. - I forbid both of you from trying. Due to myself - I'm old and could die during this, so there's nothing we can do for now.

Goku sighed, sadly. Bulma crossed her arms, thinking.

- How about Whis? - she suggested. - He’s the strongest being in this universe. I actually tried to call him earlier, but he didn’t answer.

- And he would not. He and Beerus are at the Council of the Millennia. The angels and Gods of Destruction meeting that Grand Priest had initiated.

- And how long it lasts?

- Last time were three month.

- Thats long?!

Of course, Bulma was angry about this. This wasn't funny - keep a ticking time bomb in her house for three month? But there were no choice.

- Oh man, thats too long, - Goku also was slightly dissappointed.

- Well, it is what it is. Hey, Supreme Kai, can you help me with something? It’s about your race. I need to heal this green guy.

- Sure, - Shin nodded.

Goku rubbed back of his head. He look confused.

- But Kibito can also heal him, am i right?

Old Kai turned to Goku.

- Yes, he can. But we don’t know how Zamasu will react if he recovers too quickly. There’s a chance he might become aggressive. We need to be certain before we do anything drastic, so let him heal slowly.

- K’, I get it.

- Oh, almost forgot. Bulma, do you have anything to eat? Last time we visited - before the Tournament - you served us those divine chicken noodles. Got any left? - Old Kai abruptly changed the subject of the conversation

Goku's eyes opened wide.

- Yeah! Yes! PLEEEEASE, Bulma! - He started to beg alongside.

Bulma looked around. It's going to be very strange three month.

 

Chapter 4: 1.4

A week had passed since the recent events. Goku had gradually forgotten about them, and since Bulma hadn’t contacted him, nothing had changed yet. Besides, he was now facing a much more difficult task.

It was mid-September outside. One warm morning, Goku was abruptly woken up by Chi-Chi’s persistent hits.

- Goku, wake up! Heeey!

He usually didn’t get up this early, so he decided to pretend he was still asleep - maybe Chi-Chi would leave?  But through the dream Goku heared concern in her voice. He didn't like it very much. Sitting up in bed, he rubbed his eyes.

- Is something happened? - he asked groggily. Instead of answering, she grabbed Goku's hand and pull him outside.

- Come on, you need to see this.

The last traces of sleep vanished instantly. Goku followed her. And all the way, she kept repeating, “This is absolutely unimaginable,” and “Indescribable.” He prepared himself for the worst.

Suddenly she stopped and he almost crashed into her. Chi-Chi pointed him ahead. At first, Goku didn’t understand what she wanted him to see.

- So... where's the enemy? - he was confused.

- An enemy? - Chi-Chi stared at him, surprised, - What are you talking about? Just look at this!

She waved her hands toward the field. And Goku realized that it would have been better if it had been Frieza's invasion. Endless fields of vegetables and grains stretched out before him, reaching all the way to the horizon.

- Oh, God...

He suddenly remembered: half a year ago, when he wanted to go train with Whis, he had promised Chi-Chi he would plow a field three times bigger just to convince her to let him go. Now, it was time to face the consequences.

- Ah, Goku, you can't imagine how proud I am of you! Now, we need to collect all of this on today, - Chi-Chi clapped her hands excitedly.

- Hey, Goku!

He turned around and saw Krillin. Android 18 stood behind him, holding Marron with one hand while balancing three massive 12-meter shipping containers above her head with the other. With a deafening bang, she dropped them onto the ground.

- Hello! - Chi-Chi greeted them warmly, - Goku, they agreed to help you in exchange for a share of the harvest. I tried to find Piccolo too, but this time it was impossible…

"Of course, I bet he remembered good last time." -  Goku thought to himself but chose not to say it out loud. He glanced back at the massive field. There was no escape. It was inevitable.

- Well, let’s get started then… Hey, 18, are you going?

- Tch, don’t count on it, I'm here to meet Chi-Chi, so have fun with ourselves, - she scoffed and turned away. Then handed Marron over to Chi-Chi and turned toward the house.

Krillin sighed in disappointment.

***

That evening, Goku and Krillin sat leaning against the fence. Nearby stood three full containers, overflowing with vegetables. Some of the radishes and cabbages had to be stacked on the ground since there was no more space left.

- What a day, huh? Thanks for the help, friend, - Goku said, stretching his arms.

- Don’t mention it. You’re always welcome. Although - it was not quite an ordinary, but interesting training.

They talked for a while longer. Then Android 18 with Marron approached them.

- Get up, - she said to Krillin, - We going home now.

- K' then.

As they were saying their goodbyes, all three suddenly felt a ki signature rapidly approaching. At first, Goku didn’t even recognize it and instinctively stepped in front of Krillin and 18, ready for anything.

- Wait, - he focused - Isn't that...?

Before he could finish, Piccolo landed in front of them. Without hesitation, he lunged at Goku, grabbing him by the collar with clear frustration.

- ARE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?! - he thundered, - Gohan told me everything, how could you EVEN come up with the idea of ​​bringing Zamasu here?

- Um, what?... - Krillin blinked in confusion, looking between Goku and Piccolo, - Goku, you brought who?..

- Uncle Piccolo!

Piccolo turned around. Marron was smiling happily in Android 18's arms, reaching her hands out to him.

"Damn. Not in front of the kid."

Chi-Chi came out of the house and indignantly asked who was shouting like that. Piccolo quickly handed Marron over to her

- Here. Now, please, can you stay inside for a while? I need to talk with Goku.

- Just don't even think about fighting, if you turn everything upside down here, you can write a will, - she answered.

Piccolo shuddered involuntarily.

- I... nevermind.

When the door closed behind them, Piccolo turned back to Goku.

- So, that's it.

Goku instinctively took a couple of steps back - only to bump into Android 18.

- Stop and explain, - she snapped, her voice filled with anger and confusion.

- We don't need his explanation! Gohan told me all. I'm here only to ask one question, tell me, who you going to bring next? Maybe Cell? Or resurrect Kid Buu? - Piccolo screamed in Goku's face, towering over him menacingly. With 18 behind him, he had nowhere to retreat.

- Goku... you did what?

Krillin quickly stepped in, trying to diffuse the situation.

- Wait a minute, - he tried to interrupt, - Goku, why you did this? Piccolo, maybe he have an explanation.

- Actually, I...

Before Goku could explain, Piccolo shoved Krillin aside.

- We do not need his explanation! - he barked again before turning back to Goku, - If you don't care about your own safety, remember that you have children and a granddaughter. Don't you care that right now, in the same universe with them, on the same planet, the most terrible evil exists?

Goku bit his tongue. Bulma had asked them not to tell anyone yet to prevent mass panic - but now that Piccolo knew, what could he say? Worse yet, Piccolo was right: he had acted first and thought later.

- I'm sick of it. - Piccolo continued, - Now I'm going to solve this problem by myself.

Without another word, he turned away, took off, and sped toward Bulma’s house.

- Piccolo! - Goku shouted after him, - Please, don't do this!

He didn't followed him. The remark about his family's safety hit a raw nerve. Goku knew what he had done wrong, but he still felt that he couldn't have done otherwise. In any case, he knew Piccolo very well too. And he hoped that he would not carry out his plan.

***

Piccolo stood on the fence, watching the burning substation. Finally - Bulma's car stopped nearby, from which the owner got out with an emergency light and swearing. Now, it was the time.

Half an hour ago, Piccolo had barely managed to sense Zamasu’s energy signature. Knowing Bulma, he figured she wouldn’t just lock him away somewhere without cameras and security measures. So, he decided to cut off the electricity to the entire area. Technically, nothing was stopping him from simply breaking in - but when he considered the consequences of facing Bulma’s wrath, he decided to take a less direct approach.

Under the cover of night, he made his way unnoticed to the entrance. The automatic doors, now powerless, hung slightly ajar. With a firm push, he stepped inside.

...

The silence frightened him. And now - the darkness too. He sat with his arms wrapped around his knees, bracing himself for the worst, knowing it could happen at any moment.

He had no idea how long he had been like this. It could have been minutes, days, or years, since he woke up in this unfamilliar place, wearing unfamilliar clothes. The strange creatures who had interacted with him before hadn't appeared again. Whatever they were doing to him, he had long since stopped resisting. They didn’t seem intent on torturing him - but he would never believe that. No… they had to be planning something.

Footsteps echoed beyond the door. His breath caught. Then, the door creaked open, and another one of those creatures entered. But this time… he felt its rage. He still couldn’t see anything, but he knew that this thing wanted to kill him.

Then the darkness dispersed. Creature's figure was illuminated by a light from an unknown source at the end of it's arm. He lift his head and immediately scream in pain - the light was to bright. The creature growled, seizing him effortlessly with one hand. He don't had any strength to struggle, just blinking through the blinding glow, trying to see.

It was tooks an eternity. He stared into beast's eyes - evil, piercing - and then… he felt himself drowning.. He didn’t know how long it lasted. But suddenly, the figure threw him into the corner. The light faded, and without another word, the creature stormed out of the room.

A fragment of thought, taken from nowhere, told him that he meet this creature before. And then...then...

Zamasu collapsed, sobbing.

...

Piccolo walked quickly down the hallway. He had never hated himself as much as he did in that moment. Piccolo was so immersed in his thoughts that he didn't notice two ki-signatures a couple of meters away from him.

Trunks and Goten stood pressed against the partition wall, holding their breath, not daring to make a sound. When Piccolo left, Trunks turned to his friend.

- See? I told you - mom hiding something interesting from us.

Chapter 5: 1.5

- Listen, maybe it wasn't worth it? If your mother finds out what we’ve done, she’ll kill us.

- Come on, I unplugged the camera cables.

- But what if my mom finds out? Or - oh no, your father?! Trunks, I think we should go back.

- Stop complaining. Where’s the stick?

- Oops, I left it outside.

- Gosh. Just give me that mop instead.

During his time here, Zamasu had learned to fall into a half-sleep. Sleep was the most desired medicine for his body, exhausted to its limit, and whenever he had the chance, he tried to take a nap. But every time he closed his eyes, a persistent anxiety jolted him awake. He had forgotten what it felt like to sleep, always expecting it to return at any moment. What "it" - Zamasu couldn't remember. The only thought repeating in his mind was that this won’t end well.

Through his trance, he heard footsteps outside the door. Zamasu flinched and instinctively crawled away from it.

The door creaked open, and two small figures appeared in the doorway. Remembering his last encounter with the monster, Zamasu curled up, pulling his knees to his chest and covering his head with his hands - just in case.

Trunks and Goten stood in the doorway, staring wide-eyed at the figure in white loungewear huddled against the opposite wall.

- Is it.. Is it him? - Goten asked quietly.

Trunks clenched his teeth.

- Definitely. This is exactly how father described him when it happened.

- Whoa…

He and Trunks, mop in hand, took a few cautious steps closer to Zamasu. He didn't react in any way and didn't even raise his head.

- He looks kinda weird. Hmm, where’s his ear? Dad told me that when they fought, he could regenerate any part of his body.

Trunks thought for a moment.

- When i took my mom’s experiment journal.  I found something about that. She wrote that he lost that ability. She also mentioned that he has, uh… wait a minute… generalized dissociative amnesia.

- What does it mean? - Goten turn to him.

- I don't know for sure, but I know that amnesia means you forget everything.

Suddenly Trunks' face turned angry.

- But he’s supposed to remember me!

With that, he jabbed Zamasu’s leg with the mop - first lightly, then harder, right under the ribs. The fallen god flinched and let out a pained cry. Goten turned his gaze from Zamasu to his friend.

- Trunks, what are you doing? - he asked with concern.

- Didn't you see? I try to wake him up.

Trunks poked him a few more times. After making sure Zamasu wasn’t going to resist, he tossed the mop aside. For some reason this made him even more angry.

- Look at me! - Trunks walked over and shook Zamasu's shoulder. He raised head and looked up at him with a frightened expression, which made Trunks shudder. Little sayan hadn’t expected to see the enemy of his future self looking like this.

...

Zamasu stared into the creature’s blue eyes. Fragments of thoughts swirled in his mind like scattered leaves, whispering that he had seen it before. It… and the one standing behind him. Zamasu couldn't understand why, but he felt that something bad had happened to these two. But when? And what?  And why did this strange little creature seem to hate him?..

As he gazed at them, fleeting, incomprehensible images flickered through his mind - too vague to grasp, too distant to understand. He couldn't make sense of them. The effort alone exhausted him. Zamasu let out a quiet sob of fatigue.

...

Trunks was still staring at Zamasu when Goten tugged at his sleeve.

- Trunks. Trunks! - he called, trying to get his attention.

- …Huh?

Trunks blinked and turned to him.

- What is it?

He glanced back at Zamasu, who had crawled into the corner and curled up again, hugging his knees to his chest. Goten looked at Trunks with concern.

- Trunks, I think you went a little too far. Is seems like he's not a fighter anymore. He's kind of sick.

- I, uhm, guess so.

Trunks studied Zamasu again. Yes, Goten was right about that - he couldn't fight anymore. For a brief moment, guilt pricked at him for shaking him so roughly.

- Well. Listen, you, - he addressed Zamasu, - if you ever do remember everything, we’re fighting again. And I will win!

Shoving his hands into his pockets, he turned to Goten.

- Let’s get out of here. I thought there’d be something interesting here, not a boring green bean.

***

The two of them walked through the park. It was late september, still warm outside, but the winds of winter lingered in the air. Trunks walked, kicking fallen leaves with his feet. Beside him, Goten was plucking a few from the bushes, studying their colors thoughtfully.

Eventually, Trunks couldn't hold it in any longer.

- Look, this is just nonsense! What's wrong with him? Future me told me he was invincible. We just have to fight him.

Goten glanced at him.

- Maybe not yet, - he said. - You saw him yourself - he’s acting really weird.

- Yeah, yeah...

Lost in thought, they didn’t even notice when they reached Bulma’s yard - only realizing it at the last moment when a loud cough sounded behind them.

- So, young people, where have you been? - she started with a very angry tone.

Boys turned around as if on command, with the same horror in their eyes.

- We? We been nowhere!

- Yes! Just, uh… flying around, you know.

Bulma narrowed her eyes and leaned in.

- Is this related to the sudden breakdown of three of my wired cabinets? - she asked.

- No way! We, we, uh...

- We just wanted to surprise you! - Goten didn't lose his composure and handed her a bunch of leaves, - Here! A bouquet of colorful leaves, they are so beautiful when yellow, there are also orange and purple ones.

It seemed to work. Bulma took the bouquet and, throwing another suspicious glance at them, changed her tone.

- Android 18 and her daughter came to visit us. I was going to ask you, Trunks, to fly out and pick up something for tea, since Vegeta somehow managed to eat all the cookies I bought yesterday. I know he did it on purpose to spite me!

Muttering curses at her husband, she turned and walked off. Trunks and Goten exchanged glances. Lucky!..

That same evening, they sat in Trunks’ room, chewing on gingerbread and scattering crumbs all over the blanket. Having talked about everything they could, their conversation smoothly drifted to the topic that both had been thinking about all day.

- Listen, - Trunks began, - Do you think he'll ever remember what he did?

- I dont know, - Goten answered, - Maybe, or maybe no...

Trunks twirled the cookie between his fingers, deep in thought.

- Maybe we should go and look at him again? I still can't believe that this happened. That he's... here...

As always, Goten was on board with Trunks’ ideas, and this was no exception. A minute later, they were already sneaking through the corridor on the first floor, carefully checking the corners for security cameras, and for Bulma herself.

Trunks stopped at the next turn. Goten peeked over his shoulder. No danger ahead. He was about to move when suddenly -

- What are you doing here?

Trunks lost his balance from surprise and fell.

Standing behind them was Marron, watching them suspiciously. Trunks jumped up and hissed at her.

- Shhh. Nothing. Just go where you wanted to, we just walking around.

Marron put her hands on her hips.

- That's not true! - she say and stamped her foot, - I know - you’re going on an adventure, so I want too.

Goten waved his hands.

- Out of the question! You're too small, and we're going on a serious mission.

- So, that it? - she looked at them very slyly, - Okay, if you not take me with you, i will tell your parents about this!

- Unfair!

- Ha!

During their argue, Trunks thought about it. The longer they stood there, the faster the time went by, something had to be done.

- Well, okay. Goten, grab her, we’re going through the vent shaft this time.

Five minutes later they were standing in front of the cell door. Trunks inserted the electronic key he had stolen earlier and pulled the door aside.

- Here, - he pointed into the dimly lit room, - This is where we’re going.

They stepped inside. Marron curiously looked to the direction he pointed.

- This is the most terrifying creature in the whole world - Trunks continue, - But dont worry, Goten and I will protect you, he's nothing compared to us, - he finished with a hint of pride.

She gave him a strange look.

- You think I'm stupid because im small, don't you? I can see - this green guy is sick. Did you do this to him?

- Hey! - Trunks was offended, - I did nothing. Goten's dad found him like this.

Marron narrowed her eyes, then turned away and walked over to Zamasu.

- Hey, be careful!

She stuck out her tongue at him mockingly, then stopped near Zamasu, staring at him with curiosity.

- Hello, green man, - she said, reaching out to touch his hand, - Are you okay? Wow, you have pointy ears! Trunks, is he an elf?

...

Zamasu raised his head. There were three creatures this time - the two familiar and a new one. A strange, small being stood near him, tugging at his hand. It looked him straight in the eyes and said something. He couldn’t understand the words, but the new, unfamilliar feeling appeared in him.

All the creatures he had met before seemed vaguely familiar to him. But he didn't remember names or events. A whirlwind of elusive, unpleasant images surrounded each creature in one way or another. Except for that. 

Zamasu slowly realized that he was seeing this creature for the very first time in his life. There was not a single superfluous image around it. And for the first time in what felt like eternity, Zamasu could see something clearly.

...

Marron continued to look at him with undisguised interest. Then she tried to pull his hand and ear. Zamasu continue to look at her all the time, not trying to resist, as always before. 

- What is your name, green man? - she asked. Zamasu didn't react, - Green man..?

- He probably forgot how to talk, - Trunks answered insted, - For you information, his name is Zamasu.

- Nice to meet you, Zamasu. I am Marron.

She extended her hand toward him. Zamasu looked at her, then at her hand, before lowering his gaze. Seeing that he didn’t know what to do, she simply grabbed his hand and shook it herself.

- You my friend now.

Goten laughed into his fist. But Trunks didn't find it that funny.

- Bad idea, Marron. He's bad guy. Now let's go, we need to return before my mom starts looking for us.

As they left, Marron turned back and waved at him. Zamasu flinched and stared at the closed door for a while.

***

Despite Trunks' concerns, Bulma was still deep in conversation with Android 18. But her thoughts kept drifting back to the mystery of the fallen god.

"Things are moving too slowly. We need to use the Dragon Balls."

Chapter 6: 1.6

It was deep into the night outside. Bulma sat in front of a massive pile of printouts, flipping through the pages of an e-book on her tablet.

"This might work if... No, impossible, not this case. Or if I try electrostimulation of the neurons in his brain, it could trigger a... No. Damn, why is this so hard?"

In another attempt to find a way to cure Zamasu of amnesia, she had stayed up late. There were two empty cups of coffe on a table near her. With a sigh, Bulma closed the tab on her tablet and got up to make another one.

As she walked to the kitchen and turned on the light, she spotted Vegeta standing near the wall, frowning at her.

- What now? - Bulma stared at him the same way. He crossed his arms over his chest.

- You here to have more coffe, aren't you? At your age, that's unhealthy.

- Did you just called me old right now?

- No way, - Vegeta twitched, - I just dont like how many time you spending with this stupid freak.

Bulma propped her cheek on her hand and glanced at her husband.

- Well, I almost thought you cared about me. Also, you can’t even imagine how fascinating this is - studying a completely new life form.

- It can't wait until tomorrow?

She sighed.

- Listen, - Bulma walked closer and hugged him, - I need you help. I’ve decided to use the Dragon Balls to restore Zamasu’s sanity, it would help a lot in our investigation. Can you please collect them for me?

- I already told you - I’m not going to help you with this.

Bulma smiled, tired but sly.

- Fine. Then I’ll just go back to my research, there’s still so many data left to analyze...

Vegeta pushed her away from him and stared at her. He hated that kind of thing even more than if she had just yelled at him, 'cause it was impossible to refuse.

- You will not. Where's the Dragon Radar?

- In my father’s room, on the shelf near the wardrobe. Oh, Vegeta, you really do care about me, - Bulma smiled

- Stop talking nonsense.

The next morning, when Bulma woke up, she found the Dragon Balls stacked on the table in the laboratory. A satisfied smile spread across her face. It was time to get to work. However, before summoning Shenron, Bulma decided to try one more method.

She raked through the jumble of notes and pulled a communications device from the pile. It was a hand-sized object, looks like a half of a glass sphere fixed in a metal frame with a removable keyboard on the bottom panel. After adjusting some settings, she waited for a moment until Shin’s image appeared on the glass surface.

- Hi, Supreme Kai, - she greeted him.

- Hello, Bulma, I hope you're doing well. Has anything changed with Zamasu’s condition?

She furrowed her brows thoughtfully.

- That's the point - no. So I’m thinking we could use the Dragon Balls to restore his sanity and memory, but not his power, of course. But before this I want to try - maybe his memory can be restored when he see someone familliar to him. So, I wanted to ask you, can you please bring here Gowasu, his teacher? They spended a lot of time together, If I’m not mistaken, so maybe seeing him will help Zamasu wake up his memories. It will simplify our work.

Shin considered it for a moment. Finally, he nodded.

- Yes, that might actually work. I'll be in a hour.

- Wait, - she interrupt, - Do not tell him what is happened. Just say that it is related to Zamasu, I will explain everything myself. Already had a small information leak here, - she added angrily.

- No problem, but why?

- Just do this please, okay? Long time to explain.

- Okay...

While Shin was busy, Bulma called Goku and Gohan. Kids, Piccolo, and Vegeta showed up on their own. Bulma reasoned that if something went wrong, they could fight Zamasu and protect the city until she could organize an evacuation. Using the Dragon Balls was a real risk in any case, even if they weren’t wishing for Zamasu’s power back. Who knows how situation can turn.

They gathered on the lawn near the house. Goku was warming up on the side, while Goten and Trunks desided to fight to spend the time. They exchanged punches in the air, and when Goten missed a kick, Vegeta smirked slightly. Piccolo, standing next to him, narrowed his eyes.

- It was unfair strike.

- So, what? He could parry it, but failed. Everything fair, - Vegeta turned to him.

- It's not.

Piccolo turned to face him. They exchanged a few more tense glances before Bulma interrupted them. She walked up from behind, holding the Dragon Balls in her hands.

- Here, - she placed them on a table next to her, - I don't think I need to explain that these  shouldn't be touched. Keep an eye on them while I'll take care of one more thing.

Goku walked to them and stared curiously at the Dragon Balls.

- We not going to use them now, Bulma? Is we waiting for something?

- For someone, - she corrected him, - Ah, here they are. 

A few meters in front of them, the air tore apart with a burst of energy, and two figures emerged in the light. It was Shin and Gowasu, the Supreme Kai of Universe 10.

- Hello, guys! - Goku waved enthusiastically in their direction.

- Greetings, Goku. I was informed that something happened in your universe and it can be related to my... apprentice, - Gowasu paused for a second, - Is there anything I can help with?

Bulma stepped closer, and Gowasu gave her a nod.

- Greetings, madam. I am sorry, I do not know your name, but I remember that we have met before.

- Yeah, - she replied, - The circumstances of our meeting weren’t exactly suited for a normal conversation. My name is Bulma, and I’m the one who asked Supreme Kai to bring you here. Now, please, follow me. What about yall, - Bulma turned to the team, - Stay here and wait for us. 

She and the Kais left the lawn. Stepped inside the house, they took the elevator down to the lab, but this time Bulma chose a longer route. During the way, Bulma periodically glanced back at Gowasu, wanting to know if he had sensed Zamasu's presence. But his face was expressionless, which reinforced Bulma's belief that Zamasu was no different from a mortal now. It was a good news.

Reaching the cell, Bulma stopped in front of the door and turned to the Kais.

- Supreme Kai, there's something you need to know,, - she said to Gowasu, - It is true - I called for you because of Zamasu. Well, - she paused, - He's here. And he is alive.

Gowasu's eyes widened in shock and ...horror?

- Is it really true? - he asked, his voice trembling, - How?! I dont sense him. Can I see him, please, I beg to you!

Bulma raised a hand to stop him.

- Wait. This is not all. You need to know the full story.

She told him the events of the past month explaining how Zamasu had been found and the circumstances surrounding it. She described his current condition in detail - no more immortality, no powers, and, on top of that, severe amnesia.

- This is it, - she concluded, - Now the reason why you are here: maybe you presence can awake Zamasu's memory and we finally will figure out what kind of a threat we need to be prepared for this time. Also, do not try to remove mind block, Old Kai told us that it is impossible for anyone and dangerous.

- I understand, Mrs. Bulma. So, where is he?

She turn back to the door and pull it open. Gowasu stepped inside and peered into the dim light, then spotted a figure near the wall. He immediately runned towards and fell to his knees beside Zamasu

- Zamasu, Zamasu... My dear boy, - Gowasu keep repeating, studying him closely, - What is happened..?

He carefully lifted Zamasu's head in both hands, and stared into his pale gray eyes.

- Oh... No...

...

Another intruder. He was starting to get used to them. At least they didn’t do anything truly terrible to him. Not like the other thing. He still couldn’t remember what it was, but he was sure - these creatures were nothing compared to it. But it hadn’t returned for a long time now. Or not? How many eons or minutes he spended here?

The strange new creature released  his head and hugged him tightly. And for unknown reason the thing started to cry. He didn’t understand anything, but something was not quite like before. The creature, warm and soft... It feels like home.

And yet, he still did not recognize it.

...

Bulma keep standing and watching, how Gowasu tried to communicate with his apprentice. Apparently, her assumption was not confirmed. She stepped closer and leaned over them.

- Hm. Seems like there's no difference.

She crouched beside them and turned Zamasu’s head toward her. His glassy gaze remained unchanged. Seen this, Bulma sighed in disappointment.

- Listen, please, - Gowasu turned to her, his voice pleading, - Let me take him with me. I will care for him properly. I swear, he will never be a threat to your universe again.

Bulma stood up, folding her arms.

- No. This is not up for discussion. He staying here.

- Wait, - Gowasu started to get up too, - I appreciate that you cared about him all this time, but I'll do it better, you can be sure about it.

- I said - no way. With all due respect, but you already made a lot of mistakes! - Bulma started to raise her voice, - What if he kill you again and repeat all? Zamasu stays here, no more question.

Gowasu’s expression darkened, his frustration boiled over.

- Madam, you know nothing...

- I KNOW NOTHING?! To you information, I was there and ever was killed by your green fault once! What the hell you talking about??

Shin watched their argue, thinking. He understood why Bulma didn't want him to tell Gowasu what happened right away. Great love could lead to great mistakes.

Meanwhile, the dispute had become quite heated. Gowasu and Bulma keep yelling to each other, while Zamasu stared blankly beetween them with no sign of thought in his eyes. For a very short moment, Gowasu even think to carefully neutralize her using ki-blast and teleport away from here with Zamasu. But then he was instantly horrified by this thought. 

He took a step back. Bulma paused, watching this change.

- Mrs. Bulma, - he began, bowing deeply, - Please, forgive me if you can. I was blinded by thoughts of my fail and let myself get carried away. Of course, Zamasu will stay here with you and your friends, it's your right. Knowing how much grief he caused, only you all can decide his fate.

Bulma took a breath. This was to be expected.

- You talk like we're all some kind of villains here. Dont worry, we not going to torture your student, there are many more important things to do. 

Gowasu straightened.

- Please accept my gratitude. May I ask you for something? Would you allow me to visit him sometimes?

- Sure, why not. But do not forget - only here, on Earth!

- Yes, of course. So what we supposed to do now?

Bulma glanced at Zamasu.

- You, - she pointed back at Gowasu, - Take him and teleport us back to the yard. We going to use the power of Dragon Balls.

Gowasu carefully lifted Zamasu, throwing his arm over his shoulder to keep him steady. Bulma took Shin's hand, and in an instant, the four of them vanished in a blink of light.

Chapter 7: 1.7

Summary:

Written and edited at 3am. I regret nothing.

Goku paced back and forth. The wait had dragged on for some reasons, the boys were tired of fighting, they had come down and were now watching the doors. Time passed, and even Vegeta began to show signs of impatience. He nudged a small stone with his foot, kicking it forward. It flew across the yard, punched a hole in the far wall, and continued on. A few seconds later, the distant sound of a traffic accident echoed from that direction.

Goku decided to break the silence.

- I hope that everything’s alright down there

Vegeta bared his teeth.

- Alright? With that ugly fiend? It would've been better if I’d just killed him when you dragged him here.

- For once I agree with Vegeta, - Piccolo added, turning to Goku, - Bulma taking an unnecessary risk, I think we could investigate the new threat without Zamasu

- Have you found anything yet? - Goku asked

- Unfortunately, nothing. I have to admit defeat in this. I spent a week meditating, but didn’t sense anything here on Earth and in nearby space. Dende doesn’t know anything either.

Goku stared thoughtfully into the distance. But his thoughts were soon interrupted by the crackling sound of air being torn apart by the instant transmission.

The Kais and Bulma appeared in front of them. Goku saw Zamasu, leaning heavily on his master's shoulder. His head hung low, and he moved his legs automatically, with Gowasu holding him steady to keep him from falling.

Meanwhile, Bulma swept the Dragon Balls off the table and laid them out on the ground.

- Shenron! - she started the ritual, - Come and make my wish come true!

The sky went dark. Heavy, leaden clouds blanketed the horizon. People in the streets grumbled, confused by the sudden gloom-there wasn’t supposed to be rain today, despite of autumn.

A few seconds later, Shenron, The Eternal Dragon appeared in front of the Goku and his friends.

- Speak your wish but beware for it will come true.

Bulma stepped forward.

- Shenron, can you remove a mental block from this guy’s mind? - she pointed at Zamasu.

- Let me think... No, - he answered in couple of seconds, - It was setted by far more powerfull creature than me.

It was clear that he was surprised too. But Bulma wasn’t shocked by the response - she had been expecting something like this.

- Alright, can you tell us who it was?

- No.

Shenron looked slightly disappointed.

- But I can say for certain that this creature is not from this universe.

- Wow, really? To be honest, it sound not too good, - Goku puts his two cents. Vegeta shot him a scowl.

- Of course, Kakarot, wasn’t that obvious?

Bulma, meanwhile, was deep in thought.

- Well, that's something. At least we can rule some things out now. Okay then, can you bring Zamasu back to his senses? He seems to have amnesia and some kind of psychological trauma caused by the creature you mentioned. If he been normal, we could ask him what is happened. And - an important note - do not just make him good or normal-like, just restore his sanity. Do you understand? We do not need a good guy Zamasu here, we need the answers.

- I understand. Nothing more, just make him more talkative.

- Exactly.

Shenron eyes flashed red.

- Your wish is granted. But I have to report that it was difficult - all three of your wishes were spent on it. Farewell for now.

With a blinding flash, Shenron vanished. The Dragon Balls rose up after him and scattered to all corners of the world. They could now be forgotten for a year.

Zamasu stirred on Gowasu's shoulder. The Kai carefully let go of him and turned him to face him.

- Zamasu?..

- Master..?

Zamasu raised a hand, rubbing his eyes. Then he looked at his hand, confusion in his gaze, and turned to Gowasu.

- Master Gowasu?

Behind him, Vegeta, Piccolo, and Trunks took up a fighting position. Hearing their movement, Zamasu turned around. He instantly felt dizzy and grabbed his head.

- Stand where you are, scum! - Vegeta barked, - One more step and your life ends here.

- What..?

At first, Zamasu didn’t realize they were speaking to him. The image in front of him began to blur and he waved his arms, struggling to keep his balance.

Vegeta took this as an attempt to attack and prepared his own. But he was interrupted by Gowasu, who stood forward and blocked Zamasu with his body.

- Vegeta, stop!

- Go away, old man, don't make it harder than it is!

Gowasu ignored him and turned back to his student, whose eyes still darted around, confused.

- Zamasu, look at me, - he said gently, taking his hands, - Do you remember who I am?

Zamasu looked at him, trying to focus his gaze.

- Why... Why are you asking? You're Gowasu-sama, my teacher. Yes?

- Yes, yes, you right, - Gowasu's voice wavered, - And who are you?

- I'm Zamasu. Your student, Supreme Kai in training, ye.. Yes? What is happened? Where are we?

He finally noticed several figures behind Gowasu. Despite his dizziness, Zamasu realized that they were hostile.

- Master Gowasu, behind you!

His voice was weak, but instincts worked better. Zamasu moved his left hand to the side, preparing an energy dagger, and grabbed Gowasu's shoulder with the other. Planning to move him aside and rush at the unknown enemies, he suddenly noticed something else with horror.

- What? Where's my... ki...

Zamasu froze, staring helplessly at his palm. Then he looked at Gowasu.

- Master, what is happened? - Zamasu say with a rising panik in his voice.

Vegeta didn't give Kai a chance to answer.

- Get out of the way, old fool, he's about to kill you as he did before! Begone, or I'll do this!

- SILENCE.

Gowasu turned to him. He didn't shout, just said, but it sounded more than impressive. Vegeta forgot that he was, after all, talking to a deity.

He turned back to his student.

- Zamasu, do not mind it, look at me. Everything is alright, just relax, you're need to relax.

- What did he say? I'll going to kill you? I killed ...you?

Suddenly Zamasu looked at him in a completely different way, as if he had seen a ghost. He took a few steps back, not taking his eyes off his master.

- No. No, impossible... NO..!

He screamed and grabbed his head. No longer able to keep his balance, Zamasu fell on the ground and started to roll around in pain.His body trembled violently, but exhaustion soon overtook him.

Within seconds, Zamasu went still - unconscious.

He came to his senses in an unfamiliar place. The first thing he saw above him was the face of Gowasu and an unknown woman. She studied him carefully before chuckling with satisfaction. Zamasu's head was still splitting with pain, so he didn't have the strength left to process this information.

Bulma slowly pulled a needle from Zamasu's hand.

- Here, hold like this, - she said, bending his arm and guiding Gowasu’s hand to keep it in place, - Yes, now lift him a bit. He'll be fine just in minutes.

Zamasu was lying on the couch in Bulma's living room. She was sitting across the table from him, Goku, Gohan, and Piccolo were standing by the window. Vegeta was leaning against the wall at the far end. 

As Bulma had promised, the pain faded within minutes, and Zamasu’s head began to clear. He tried to get up, but Gowasu gently pushed him back down.

- Wait, Zamasu, no need to rush. Just rest for a while, it's okay.

- Master, what is happened? - Zamasu turned to him.

- Promise me you will stay here and I'll explain you everything.

- I obey.

- It is not an order, Zamasu, just a request.

There was something in Gowasu’s tone that made Zamasu uneasy.

- Master Gowasu, what is happened? - he repeatet his previous question.

Gowasu gave him a small, sad smile.

- I don't know, Zamasu, I don't... But everything is going to be okay, this is what i can tell you for sure.

"What’s wrong with master Gowasu? He talking like I am dying." - Zamasu wondered. But judging by how weak and disoriented he felt, he couldn’t push this thought far away.

- Do you know where we are? - he asked.

- In the home of good people, - Gowasu replied, gesturing to Bulma and the rest of the group, - There’s no threat here. Now, can you tell me, what is the last thing you remember?

Zamasu thought for a moment.The effort made his head throb slightly.

- I were.. I don't know, outside? I saw you and a few humans nearby and then... Did I just lose consciousness?

Bulma intervened.

- This is all you remembered? Nothing more?

Zamasu looked questioningly at Gowasu, who gave him an encouraging nod.

- Answer their questions please, it is very important.

- As you wish, Gowasu-sama. Nothing more, madam, - he confirmed, turned his head to Bulma.

She studied him carefully. Bulma thought with some annoyance that Shenron could have tried better.

- Absolutely? You sure?

- Yes, ma'am

"Fascinating. Absolutely no trace of the Zamasu he once was!" - Bulma mused, - "This is more than interesting."

- Alrigh, let us start from the beginning, - she said, - Answer these questions. Where were you born?

- Kaishin, the Second Demon's world.

- Age?

- 101 cycles.

Bulma glanced questioningly at Gowasu.

- Converted to Earth years, that’s around 121,000, - he explained. Bulma twirled the stylus from her tablet thoughtfully.

- If I'm correct - it mean that he's very young?

- Not exactly. Glind years are hard to compare to human ones, - Shin joined the conversation, - By human standards, he’d be about 17 or 18. I’m 4,173 cycles old, but in human terms, I’d be around 24-26.

Bulma chewed the stylus thoughtfully. Then tapped a few notes into her tablet.

- Interesting... so your age is a non-linear function, okay.. And, so, you’re basically still a kid? - Bulma spoke to Zamasu, - Interesting... What’s the last significant event you remember?

Zamasu furrowed his brow.

- I can't tell for sure... I remember traveling with Gowasu-sama to planet Maremma. And then, probably, we, we... 

He felt dizzy again. Bulma leaned over the table and snapped her fingers in front of his face a couple of times.

- Stop, - she command, - Can you tell, when it were? - Bulma asked Gowasu

- Ten years before Goku and Beerus' arrival.

- Hmm.

Bulma hummed in thought. The answer wasn’t particularly helpful. She folded her hands on the table, thinking.

"These are actually two different people! He doesn't look like himself at all. I never thought I’d see him like this - just an ordinary, decent person.
And this memory lapse. The very events that were interesting to us have disappeared. Oh well."

- Excuse me, madam?

Zamasu’s voice pulled Bulma out of her thoughts.

- Mrs... Can you please explain what happened here? - he asked her, - Why am I... looks like this, and why are my powers gone?

Bulma sighed.

- If only we could know. But here’s what you need to know. Just remember this - because, as I understand it, you won't be able to recall anything due to the mental block. And if something triggers it, you will collapse again. You, - her face became unexpressional, - did a huge mistake in the past. And, for unknown reasons, appeared here without powers. Say thanks to Goku, -  she added, gesturing at him, - If not he - you could be dead now and everyone in this room would be happy.

"What kind of mistake did I made?..." - Zamasu thought with horror. Then looked at human, Bulma had pointed at.

Goku, who had been silently watching with interest the whole time, stepped closer to them.

- Uhh, Goku, yes? - Zamasu spoke to him.

Goku stared at Zamasu. Young Kai felt like he was being studied by this strange human.

- Goku,  let me express my gratitude for rescuing me from... whatever it was... And, if it ever possible, accept my plea for forgiveness. I do not know what I did, but it supposed to been so horrible that leaved me without god's strength. 

Zamasu seen, how Goku's face became increadibly serious.

- No, - he sharpened. Zamasu flinched and lowered his head.

- This is not kind of thing that can be forgiven, - Goku continued, - But, - his voice softened slightly, - let's see what you become now. At least,  I will always have time to beat you up if necessary.

Zamasu bowed his head in gratitude once more. Meanwhile, Bulma turned to Gowasu.

- What can you said about it? - she asked.

Gowasu glanced at his student, his gaze thoughtful.

- This is the Zamasu I knew when I first met him as a North Kai, - he said softly, - A pure-hearted young deity.

"Maybe Shenron made a mistake?" - Bulma wondered, - "But it doesn’t seem like it."

Bulma stood up. There had been enough events for today.

- I think we can pause for today...

- Wait, Bulma!

Goku stepped closer and turned to her.

- Can I do a one small experiment please? I'm sure, it could be pretty interesting.

Piccolo, Shin, and Gohan, who had been silent until now, turned their attention to him. Bulma raised an eyebrow, surprised.

- Whatever it is, go ahead and show us.

Goku grinned, walked over to the window, and threw it open.

- Hey, Flying Nimbus!

A small yellow cloud flew through the open window and obediently hovered in front of Goku. He gave it a fond pat, fluffing it up like a pillow, and dragged it over to Zamasu.

- So… pure-hearted, you said? Well, let’s see about that.

Before anyone could say anything, Goku took the bewildered Zamasu by the arms, lifted him up, and turned to the cloud.

- Here we go.

He let go of him. For a brief moment, Zamasu waved his arms in panic, sure he was about to hit the floor - but the fall never came. Instead, he found himself sitting on the soft, fluffy surface of the cloud.

- Whoa...

Bulma looked at him with undisguised interest. But then this idyll was interrupted by a terrible scream. Vegeta, who had been silently watching all this time, could not take it anymore.

- What kind of nonsense is this? - he yelled, pointing his finger at Goku, - Are you kidding me?? First you all don't let me kill him - twise!! - then you claim that he can ride a nimbus, and then what? Pink unicorns will appear in the world, Frieza will come here to dance a disco on this table, and Lord Beerus will start handing candy to a kids? Huh? Wake me up when this fever dream is over. No, better yet, just go to hell! You can't fool me with such cheap tricks!

With that, he stormed out, slamming the door so hard that the furniture on the second floor rattled. A stunned silence filled the room.

Zamasu, still sitting on the cloud, turned toward the door, confusion was written all over his face.

Chapter 8: 1.8

Soft morning sunlight cast long shadows across the floor, slipping through the curtains of the room. Outside, birds chirped softly, but inside, silence ruled. Zamasu was lying in the bed, turned his head towards the window, eyes distant, watching the wind play with autumn leaves.

It was almost mid-autumn. Still wasn’t very cold, especially inside the house, but to keep him from getting even sicker, Bulma had given him warm clothes. Now, he was wearing a blue and gray sweater, gray pants, and a scarf. Automatically, he slipped his fingers under the scarf wrapped around his neck, touching the cold surface of metal.

It had been a week since he found himself living under Bulma’s roof. By every possible and impossible ways, Gowasu had managed to convince her to give Zamasu a separate room instead of the underground cell. Bulma weighed all the pros and cons of the known facts and eventually allowed him to move freely around the house. But as a security measure, she had locked an explosive collar with a GPS module around his neck. Gowasu could no longer dispute this, and once again, it drove Zamasu into terrible thoughts about what he could have done.Then, Bulma handed him a white scarf to wrap around it. "To not to scare people" - as she said.

Gowasu returned to their universe. The duties of a Supreme Kai didn’t allow him to stay longer, but he promised Zamasu that he would definitely come back. Now, the young god feeling himself too lonely in this foreign world.

"What is happened..? What have I done?.."

Zamasu keep asking himself this question all the time. But whenever he tried to remember, a sharp headache wouldn't allow it. So all he could do was wait. For what, though, he didn’t know. Bulma had mentioned several times that in a few months Whis, the angel of this universe, would arrive here and help them with this mystery.  Zamasu got up from the bed and walked over to the table. An unfinished book lay there, taken from the bookcase at the far end of the room - Bulma thought it would be cruel to leave him without any form of leisure.

"What a strange and marvelous people", - he start thinking, leaning his hands on the table and ponder to the window, - "This woman allows herself to talk to the master Gowasu, the god, in such a sharp tone, and make friendship with an angel, when her people stand alongside Kaioshin and the God of Destruction. Truly indescribable."

He had never imagined his existence could be converted to this - quiet days, cautious steps, and heavy glances. He know - he's a foe in this place. Bulma herself never reminded him of it, she behaved casually, as if meeting with, probably, the most terrible enemy, was an ordinary thing for her. Zamasu didn't yet understand how right he was in principle. But her husband was undisguised hated him. Zamasu felt an evil, assessing gaze on himself when they met. So, to not bother anyone, he desided to stay in his room for as much longer, as possible, and walk out only if very nessesary.

"What have I done...?"

He was pulled out of these darked thoughts by the sound of the door handle turning. Bulma stepped into the room, holdind a small box in one hand.

- Yo, - she greeted him, - Still hiding in here?

- Greetings madam. I.. No, I just don't want to annoy you all by my presence.

She put her hand on her hip and looked at him sideways.

- Well, well, well. Was it Vegeta and Trunks who scared you so much? Taking them seriously for long periods of time could be harmful to the health. And, especially, for your health.

Zamasu shuddered and looked away.

- I appreciate your kindness, mrs. Bulma, but, - he continued quetly, lowering his gaze, - People probably was harmed once because of me... I do not want to make them... remember.

Bulma sighed, then placed the box - it was filled with food -on the table and stepped closer. She took his head in her hands and turned it towards the light.

- Hmm. Despite that you are green, you still looks pale, - Bulma examine him, - Here, eat this and then follow me, we need to check your condition once more.

Zamasu thanked her again and obeyed without question. After some time they were walking through the corridor on the third floor. When they reached the right door, Bulma let him inside.

- Here. Go forward and sit on this table, near the console, - she pointed in the depth on the lab, - I'll be back in a couple of minutes.

Zamasu obediently climbed onto the surface of the table. While he waited, he looked around the laboratory, quietly wondering about the purpose of all the strange machines, monitors, and tangled wires.

Bulma returned ten minutes later, as promised. She opened the door with her foot, holding a pile of papers and wires in her hands. After dumping it all on the table next to her, she turned to Zamasu.

- Let's see...

She locked bracelets of sensors on his wrists and forearm, then placed a similar hoop on his head. After gathering the wires running from the devices, she connected them to the instruments.

They sat in silence for a while. Bulma studied the strange values on the monitor, and just looking at them made Zamasu feel sick again. It must have been reflected in the sensors too, so she turned and command him to relax.

- Sorry, ma'am.

Bulma ran a few more tests, then stood up and freed him from the devices. 

- Well, what can I say, - she began, - There have been no significant changes. Your blood pressure is still low, hemocyanin level isn't increased, and - Bulma turned to a printed diagram on her knees, - And absolutely no changing with your ki - this a good news. Well, at least all wounds you had before are healed now - that's also not bad. Goku dragged you here in a really terrible state.

Zamasu twitched and bowed his head.

- Thank you, madam, for all you helping.

Seeing how dark thoughts were overtaking him again, Bulma even got a little angry. "I need to shake him up" - she thought.

- Hey! Don't think to start it!

Surprised by the sudden change in tone, Zamasu looked up at her with a puzzled expression.

- Excuse me, mrs. Bulma?..

- I said, don’t start it! You think I didn’t notice? You’re acting like someone is going to eat you here. Listen, - she added a bit softer, - I guess I should’ve told you this earlier. Of course, what you did in the past is beyond any bounds. But now you is a different person, I absolutely do not know how, but it is what it is, and we need to accept this and think what to do with this now. No doubt - it would be hard for some people, but they have no choice: even nimbus confirmed that you are other creature now. You know, even I cant ride it.

Zamasu remembered a fluffy cloud, Goku summoned before.

- Mrs Bulma, but this thing, the nimbus, can it make mistakes? And Goku...

Bulma chuckled.

- It's strange to tell you this, but you don't know him. I can say I grew up with Goku and knows him longer than any other. So if you were a real threat, believe me, he wouldn’t have brought you here. And the nimbus has never been wrong all the time. I have no particular reason not to trust it. Alas, as we says, trust - but verify, - she pointed at his neck.

Zamasu instinctively touched his scarf, wrapped around collar. It didn’t banish the dark thoughts, but made him feel a little better.

Meanwhile, Bulma stood up from the chair.

- Well, then, we will shake you up a bit now, - she clapped her hands, - So, since you live in this house, you will do something useful. At least stop constantly not leaving your room. Apparently, you're not that stupid, so you'll clean up the labs. Last time, when I asked Shu and Mai to sort the experiment printouts, they threw out half of them and used the rest to prop up a shelf. Yeah, - Bulma sighed, remembering this catastrophe, - I hope you won't do such nonsense. You can get started.

- I understand, mrs. Bulma, I will not disappoint you.

- Yeah, yeah, here we go again. When you finish, go downstair and take something in the frige. If you wouldnt eat properly - medicines alone will not be enough. And if you dare die because of it before Whis' arrival, I'll personally find you in the Other World and beat with this hands!..

***
Late in the evening, Zamasu stood at the threshold of one of the side entrances leading to a small garden. He watched the trees, which were slowly losing their leaves, and thought.

"How incredibly life can turn out. And, apparently, it would be even more indescribable if I could remember.", - he thinking, - "Born to be a god and became a weakened mortal. Unbeliavable."

Zamasu lifted his head and glanced at starry sky. Memories of his journeys with Gowasu-sama filled his head. He even let himself smiled a bit.

"Maybe everything really going to be alright."

A cold wind started to blow. Zamasu shuddered and hugged himself, then turned to the door. If he stayed any longer, he could catch a cold and ruined all Bulma's efforts to heal him.

"This woman is so kind but I think she would kill me for this."

Unfortunately, it turned out that she wasn’t the one he needed to worry about.

- Leaving already?

Zamasu jolted and looked back. There was Vegeta, standing behind him with expression of cold contempt etched onto his face. Before Zamasu could react, Vegeta lunged, grabbing him by the neck and lifting him off the ground

- What a fool Kakarot is, - Vegeta growled it to his face, - Brought this here and leave before my eyes as a silent mockery.

- Pl-l-lease, I -am s-sorry...

- Shut up! You know what? You're disgusting. I don’t even think I’d enjoy killing you. So.

And with that, Vegeta hurled him over his shoulder. Zamasu’s body slammed into a tree with a sickening thud, pain pierced through every bone.

- I heared your conversation with Bulma, - he continued, - Despite of everything she said to you, I'm here to remind that you isn't a guest here - a prisoner. Bulma may have a fondness for broken things, but I don't. Sooner or later, I'll get to you.

With this words, Vegeta took off and disappeared. After making sure that he wouldn't come back, Zamasu stood up with a groan of pain. Remembering what Bulma had told him, he gritted his teeth.

Certainly, it won’t be easy

Notes:

No matter how hard I tried to fluff, it turned out that way. Well, never mind, it will catch up soon.

Chapter 9: 1.9

For someone who had once stood above mortals, Zamasu had never imagined he would spend his days... flipping paperwork. However, he could not complain. Quiet, meditative activity was absolutely what he needed for now. At least, it allowed Zamasu to put his thoughts in order as well.

The soft hum of machinery filled the air, relaxing him. Zamasu sat at a desk in Bulma's lab, surrounded by stacks of her notes, half-buried in endless research logs about energy fields, brainwaves, and other things he barely understood. The flickering light from the lamps cast a faint glow over his face as he frowned in concentration.

Lost in his thoughts, he did not hear the footsteps outside the door and flinched when it opened. This was Bulma, entered the lab.

- Hey, - she greeted him with a wave.

Zamasu stand up and noded.

- Hello, ma'am, I'll almost finished already.

Bulma took a few step aside and gestured him to put the papers down.

- Drop it, enough for now, or else we’ll never see the end of them. By the way, you have the guest.

Another figure stepped out from behind her. Instantly recognized it, Zamasu quickly put down the notes and rushed across the lab to be embraced by his teacher.

- Master Gowasu!

- I promised that I'll return to meet you, I couldn't break my word, - he answered, hugging Zamasu tightly. Then he gently pulled him away and looked at him carefully. After making sure that everything was okay, Gowasu smiled.

Some time later, they were already sitting downstairs in Bulma's kitchen. Gowasu, watching how his student making him tea, drifted back in thoughts of the peaceful times. For him it been more than a year ago. "But for Zamasu," - he thought, - "probably no more than a couple of weeks have passed. In his mind he is still in that time - ten years before...".

Zamasu placed a cup in front of him and fill it with steaming tea. Then he put some for himself and sat down at the table next to his master. Bulma had refused the tea and was now leaning against another table, studying something on her tablet.

Gowasu lifted the cup and glanced at the golden surface of the tea. "Flawless. Just like it once was."

- So, master Gowasu, how it's going? - Zamasu asked him, - Is everything alright in our home? Because, I dont know, maybe, because of my... actions our universe been harmed?

- No, no, - Gowasu quickly waved his hand, - Everything is fine. Nothing has changed at all, exept that now I supposed to make tea by myself. Actually, always don't have enough time for it, so I had to switch to instant tea bags. I ordered ten packs on GodMart and, imagine, the sellers sent me two, saying they use a different number system.

Zamasu chuckles.

- I can even guess which universe the traders were from.

- You correct. Although it's my own fault, I should have read the fine print.

They talked for a while longer. Then Zamasu got up to make more tea. Placed the water on the stove to boil, he turned to Gowasu.

- Gowasu-sama, will you... will you staying for long?

He looked at Zamasu with some regret.

- I am sorry, but our universe can't be let for a while longer. But, - Gowasu added, watched how his student’s head bowed sadly, - I’m going to spend the whole day with you!

- Really?

Zamasu’s eyes flickered with joy.

- Yes. Mrs Bulma, - Gowasu turned to her. Bulma was just about to leave the kitchen, - May I take him for a walk? Maybe it would be better if he didn’t sit within four walls all the time.

- Yeah, yeah, - she replied without looking away from her tablet screen, - Do whatever you want. Zamasu, you can go upstairs and rummage through the wardrobe, maybe you'll find something fit your size.

- Oh, that won't be necessary.

Gowasu extended his hand toward Zamasu and, in the blink of an eye, new clothes appeared on him. This finally caught Bulma’s attention.

Zamasu was now dressed in a white shirt, a beige v-neck sweater over it, and black pants. Gowasu stepped closer and carefully adjusted his scarf. With another movement of his hand, he created a brown coat for him. Then, with a snap of fingers, he materialized a similar outfit for himself.

- I'm god of creation, after all.

Bulma’s eyes twinkled. For a second, new possibilities opened up before her. But then she decided that there was no point in getting involved with magic, a shopping trip was better for the nervous system anyway.

- Hey, do not forget to turn off the stove! - she yelled instead.

***

It was about two o'clock in the afternoon when the two gods got off the bus in the city center. Public transport, as Zamasu had just discovered, was a uniquely horrifying experience. Gowasu could have simply teleported them to any place on Earth, but this time he chose a different way of traveling. However, he also already regretted it, but did not say it out loud.

By the time they reached the city, Zamasu practically jumped out of the bus, taking a deep breath as if he had just escaped a battlefield. But outside he was immediately greeted by the noise and chaos of the main bus station of the West City. His ears drooped in discomfort.

- This rhythm of life is not for you, eh?

Gowasu stepped closer to him and looked around.

- Let's take you to a more quite place.

The streets weren’t much better. People rushed past them, voices echoing between the buildings, the noise of cars blending into an overwhelming hum. Seeing the tension in Zamasu’s shoulders, Gowasu took pity on him and wordlessly led the way toward the nearest park.

When they stepped onto the leaf-covered path, Zamasu sighed in relief.

The world here felt softer - children laughed in the distance, the occasional cyclist rang their bell, and the distant sound of a street musician’s melody drifted through the cool air.

Zamasu’s gaze remained fixed on the ground, his thoughts tangled. Gowasu studied him for a moment before breaking the silence.

- You have barely spoken since we arrived. Is it the crowd that unsettled you, or something else?

Zamasu lifted his head and turned to his teacher.

- No, I just... thinking about it all. I know, I do not supposed to, Bulma said that if I keep doing this - I will collapse. But I can't stop. Everything has become so complicated, - he answered, lowered his head again. 

Gowasu gently took him by the elbow.

- What I supposed to do now? - Zamasu continue, - I can't even imagine what I must have done to got this kind of punishment - forgetting what it was. Master Gowasu, what will happen to me now?

- I can't say for certain. First, we need to wait for the Council of Millennia to finish, then ask Whis for help with your memories. However, I would prefer that not to happen.

- Why? Isn't I need to know what I'm done? I supposed to take responsibility properly.

- For now, I have reason to believe that you have already been punished enough for what happened. Listen, - Gowasu put his other arm around his shoulder with fatherly tenderness, - I will do whatever depend on me to take you back to ours home. But you also need to know that - for some reasons I can't tell - this may not work. In that case, if these people allow you to stay, you will have to find a place in this new world.

Gowasu decided not to mention the fact that there was a hight chance that Beerus could erase Zamasu again the next time they met. That thought always weighed heavily on him. However, Zamasu was their only key to the yet-unknown threat, and the Supreme Kai hoped that Beerus would not make any rash decisions.

- You wouldn’t be alone in that, at least.

Zamasu looked around again, this time more carefully, studying the world in which he might have to stay. And then allowed himself to smile a little.

- I understood, master Gowasu.

Seeing that he had managed to bring his apprentice out of his unpleasant reverie, Gowasu smiled as well. Then he thought that the effect should be reinforced.

- Hey, at least we're here to not think about all of it, there's nothing we can do about it now anyway. So, let yourself relax for today. You know, I think it's really getting colder here, - he remarked, seeing Zamasu breathing on his hands as a gust of wind swept through the park, - Without Kai's strength, you're fragile now, so let's go buy something to warm up. Look, it seems like they’re selling tea over there.

They approached a small street vendor’s stall. Gowasu studied the selection with mild disappointment before choosing a tea he thought couldn’t possibly be made poorly. However, mortals still managed to surprise the god of the 10th universe.

Zamasu, who had already gotten used to the taste of regular tea, found this one relatively normal. Gowasu, however, couldn't stand it. When they had walked some distance away, he made a dissatisfied face and looked at the paper cup in his hand with disgust. 

- Impossible! I can't call this anything other than an outrage on the concept of the "tea"! It is terrible, bitter, despite the fact that he had poured nothing less than a glass of sugar into it. Oh well.

Zamasu laughed quietly, watching his master mutter swearing under his breath, directing them toward the unsuspecting vendor.  Meanwhile, Gowasu, making sure no one was looking, poured the tea into a nearby flowerbed and threw the cup into the trash can.

- Let's go to the market street, - he grumbled, - Maybe we find a something better there, not this catastrophic disaster!

Still smiling, Zamasu followed after his teacher.

Chapter 10: 1.10

They had been walking for quite some time now. Warm glow of streetlights flickered across the pavement as the city settled into the gentle hum of the evening. The city felt different at this time of day - less overwhelming, almost peaceful. Zamasu could hear the distant noises of life around, but it no longer pressed down on him as it had before. He walked beside his master, carrying a bag filled with a different boxes of tea and other small items that Gowasu had purchased throughout the day.

Another gust of wind ruffled Zamasu's hair. Gowasu walked beside him, hands neatly folded behind his back, seemingly lost in though, while Zamasu was beginning to suspect that the only thing infinite about him now was his teacher’s patience for tea shopping.

He had long stopped keeping track of how many tea shops they had visited, but it seemed Supreme Kai had one last destination in mind. Leaving the central streets of the city, they headed to the old district. Gowasu fiddled with the guidebook he had picked up as they left the park.

- Seems like it's supposed to be here somewhere...

After making a few turns, they found themselves on a small street. On one side, there were small shops on the ground floors of low buildings, and on the other, a single-lane road. At first, Gowasu mistakenly led them in the wrong direction, but eventually, they discovered that the place they were looking for was not far from the city center.

Eventually, they stopped near one of the buildings. The house stood on a corner, with a small alley to its left, followed by a stretch of more buildings. Above the entrance hung a sign proudly declaring that this shop offered nothing less than the best tea and pastries in the city. Naturally, the Supreme Kai of the 10th universe could not simply walk past such a thing.

- It's here. Are you coming? - he asked, turned to Zamasu.

- If you allow me, I’d rather wait outside.

- Okay, I promise it wouldn't take long.

When Gowasu stepped into the shop, Zamasu smiled a bit. "Of course, not too long, heh".

He took a few steps away from the entrance and standed under the light of a street lantern. Then glanced to the left and right. 

Nothing disturbed the calm vibes of the evening city. From time to time, a car passed along the road, and here and there, a pedestrian strolled by.

Just simple, ordinary life.

Zamasu was deep in thought when he heard a voice sounded close by.

- Hey, young man, can you help me?

He turned. There was man stood a short distance away.

- I'm a tourist and looking for a hotel, the addres is supposed to be in this neighborhood, - he continued, - Do you know where is the hotel "Margery"?

Zamasu clearly didn’t, so he simply replied that he did not know.

- Hmm. I got a map here, - stranger stared thoughtfully at the guidebook, similat to one that Gowasu had, - maybe you know then where's the East Street?

- Well, maybe. It's not far from here, - Zamasu recalled, remembering that he and his teacher had passed it about half an hour ago, - Let me show.

He stepped closer to the man to point him on the map where it was. 

Leaving the safety of the lantern light, Zamasu walked past the alley. Then everything happened very quickly.

A hand clamped over his mouth from behind. An unseen thug yanked Zamasu swiftly into the darkness of the alley. From the first moment he didn’t even understand what had happened, and had to pay for such a loss of vigilance.

But Zamasu’s body reacted on instinct - he jerked, twisting to elbow the attacker. Unfortunatelly, his movements were sluggish compared to what they once were.

- Ah, a fighter, huh? - the first man said, sounding more amused than concerned.

Zamasu swung his arms unevenly, trying to strike at his opponent. But then another arm wrapped around his torso, pressing something sharp to the ribs.

- Don’t make a scene, - the invisible attacker growled into his ear, - We’ll end this fast, just relax.

Zamasu frozed and slowly lowered his hands. 

"Getting caught this way?? How?!"

His mind racing rapidly, while first robber searching his pockets. Zamasu considered whether he could intercept and hold the attacker's hand with a knife and then twist to strike. Then, with horror, he came to the conclusion that it was better not to even try.

Zamasu had never once thought he would need to fight without ki. His entire fighting style had been built around using energy, and he had no idea what to do now. Any of his attacks would not do much damage to his opponents, especially in his current state. Zamasu's gaze helplessly flicked from side to side. Even worse - he couldn’t ever call for help.

- The heck is this?

The first man stared at Zamasu with confusion and anger.

- What is it? - his accomplice asked.

- He got nothing!

- How?

- Am I supposed to know? See for yourself!

He picked up the shopping bag that Zamasu had dropped earlier and shook its contents onto the ground. Scowling, he kicked it all away.

- This! - he continued, - And nothing in his pockets. No wallet, no cash, not even keys or documents. From what moon he fall here?

He glanced back at Zamasu. Young god meet the irritated and confused gaze of the street criminal.

- Who you are, freak? Well dressed but empty? Also, how did you get all this stuff, does you stole it? I wonder.

Zamasu squirmed slightly, but the other robber tightened the grip around his mouth and pressed a knife closer.

Meanwhile, first thug was still thinking.

- Did someone already rob you? Hmm. Wait, - he noticed a metal behind his scarf, - What is this?

He yanked a fabric from Zamasu's neck and stared baffled at the collar.

- How much longer can this go on? - the second one also started getting angry - If he’s got nothing, let’s just finish him and move on.

- No, no, no, wait, - he lifted a finger, studying Zamasu closer, - I've got a better idea. Looks like he belongs to someone. And I bet they’d pay real good to get him back unharmed. Really. Okay, it's decided. Drag him to the car, I parked just down the block. Quckly, move, I’ve got duct tape in the trunk - we’ll make sure this guy doesn’t give us any trouble.

Zamasu's blood ran cold, when he understood what they going to do. His thoughts started to flew at the speed of light. This just shouldn't have happened.

Thinking that he have nothing to lose now, Zamasu finally decided to take a risk. He grabbed hand of the second robber - the one holding the knife, then slammed his elbow into the man's stomach with all his strength. Hearing the cry of pain, Zamasu hit him with his head and finally breake free.

But using head was Zamasu's mistake. He twisted away and turned towards his attackers, but immediately felt a terrible dizziness and nausea.

- Damn you! - his opponent screamed and jumped to him. Zamasu parried the first strike, but then his legs betrayed him. Trying to evade the blade, he couldn't hold on and fell.

He immidietly rolled to the back and saw a terrifying-looked human above him. Maybe he was about two meter hight and wide like a mountain. Like in a slow motion - Zamasu saw how his incredibly huge hand lowering down to him with a knife, already understanding that he couldn't intercept it. Zamasu's eyes frozed in horror.

But the strike wouldn't reached the target. Thug stopped mid air, rage and confusion filled his face.

- What the..?

- Enough.

In front of him, a few meters away, standed Gowasu. Pupils of his eyes, instead of being black, turned to glowing gold.

- ?!

The robber doesn't got a chance to finish the sentence. Gowasu did not move, he just tilted his head slightly to the side. First man felt like invisible hands grabbed him, tried to scream, but was immidietly hurled backward - crashing over a garbage bin. Tilted to other side - the second was lifted and throwed away over the wall. 

The light in Kai's eyes faded. Zamasu, still lying on the ground, could not believe it was over. Gowasu runned to him and helped to get up.

- Are you alright? -  his voice was thick with concern, - Did they hurt you?

Zamasu finally standed still and tried to focus his gaze.

- Yes, I'm okay, I just... Master Gowasu, please, forgive me. I lost the fight and dishonored you, everything you taught me. I suppos..

He couldn't finish. Gowasu interrupted Zamasu, pulling him into a tight embrace

- You don't. It is my biggest fault. I not supposed to leaved you alone. Zamasu, - he said, slowly pulled him away, hands resting on Zamasu’s shoulders, - If anyone is to blame, it is me, but you must remember now. As I said before - you are now fragile, like all mortals, and must adapt to the dangers of this world.

- Yes, master Gowasu. I let myself forgot.

- Let's go home then, you do not buid for this streets yet.

***

They walked back in silence. Gowasu decided not to teleport them this time either, hoping that a short walk would distract Zamasu from what had happened. But he became more and more withdrawn, answering questions only briefly.

"No surprise. I shouldn't have let that happen. Finding out you can’t even defend yourself anymore, what could be worse for him..." - elder Kai thinking.

Zamasu, meanwhile, was drowning in his thoughts. He had already accepted that he would likely never regain his former strength, never be the kind of warrior he once was. But to lose like this, to two mortals, like a helpless kid - it was above him. 

Dark thoughts almost devoured him. But it was interrupted by a sudden, high-pitched voice cut through the night, screaming his name.

- Zamasuuuu!

Both gods turned back. A little girl ran towards them, behind her was another man, probably her father.

- Marron, wait! 

- Dad, look, - she finally skidded to a stop in front of Zamasu, - It is him, it's my friend! 

Gowasu blinked. Somehow, 7th universe gave exactly what his student needed right now.

- What?

Zamasu glanced at her with confusion. By now, Krillin had caught up, slightly out of breath. He reached for Marron’s shoulder, trying to pull her back.

- Marron!

Marron ignored him and turned to Zamasu.

- Hello, Zamasu! What are you doing here? You finally wanted to visit the city? It is cool!

She spoke so quickly that Zamasu barely processed her words. Then, noticing his hesitant expression, she tilted her head.

- Hmm. Are you remember me?

- I am sorry Miss, I don't.

Marron thought for a minute. Then she smiled and waved her hand. Gowasu and Krillin exchanged glances.

- It's alright. You was so sick, no wonder you do not remember me. Okay, let me introduce myself again. My name is Marron. Here's Krillin, my dad. He think that you are bad, but now he do not think so.

Krillin looked at him, eyes narrow.

- As for that, I trust Goku. But I strongly advise against letting my wife see you,- he noted, lowering his voice on the last sentence. Marron giggled a bit.

Zamasu crouched down to be on the same level as her. She immediately looked him over carefully.

- Oh, you poor, - Marron said, examine his half-ripped ear, - Wait. You have holes in ears, are you wearing earrings? Why do you not have it now?

Zamasu touched one of his ear.

- I... lost it. Long ago, probably.

- It is bad. But no worry, I got a lot, I'll bring you one pair.

- It's so kind of you, Miss Marron.

Asking again if he was an elf, Marron was slightly disappointed. She pulled his ears for a while more, examined his unusual white hair, and then they left. She waved goodbye to him over her shoulder and Zamasu awkwardly raised his hand as well. But then, on the way home, young Kai thinking, leaned to the window on the bus.

"There may be enough evil in this world. But there is definitely more good and kindness here."

Chapter 11: 1.11

The days were getting shorter and shorter. Winter - and with it, the potential solution of Zamasu's mystery - was drawing closer. The weather outside was getting colder.

In turn, Goku was getting bored. 

Wanting to shake things up, he decided to lift his spirits in perhaps one of the most reliable ways. 

The morning sun cast long shadows over Capsule Corporation as Goku landed in the front balcony, stretching his arms with a cheerful grin. He had come to drag Vegeta off for some training, but as expected, the prince of Saiyans wasn't exactly thrilled by the idea. After some grumbling, Vegeta finally agreed.

They stood on the terrace and argued about what would be better to do this time: go to King Kai's planet or test the new setting of the gravity machine. However, after a couple of minutes, Goku's attention was distracted by Zamasu, who was walked through the yard below them, carrying several folders with documents. He immediately hurried to lean over the terrace fence and wave to him.

- Hey, Zamasu!

Zamasu stopped abruptly, flinching in surprise. Then he lifted his head. Recognizing the strange man who, according to Bulma, had saved him before, he gave a nod.

- Greetings Goku. It's nice to see yo.. - Zamasu stopped mid-sentence, noticing Vegeta near him.

Meanwhile, a brilliant idea came into Goku's head, in his opinion.

- Vegeta, - he turned, - Let's take him with us! We can test his fighting ability, isn't that interesting? Come on, we need to do this!

Vegeta's face twisted in disgust. Of course, he thought it was a terrible suggestion.

- Go and mess around with your own stupidity! I'm not going to take part in this.

With that, he flew up and disappeared. Goku looked after him with some disappointment. Then, without waiting any longer, he jumped down from the terrace and landed in front of Zamasu.

- Do you want to train with me today? I’m telling you, it would be great. You was a genius martial artist in the past, I wonder what you are like now.

- I, ugh, got a work to do, - Zamasu answered hesitantly, turning his gaze to the papers. Goku shifted his feet impatiently.

- Ah, come oooon! We won't take long, just a little bit. I assure you, Bulma won't even notice that you are gone.

Luckily for Goku, she was just stepping out the door.

- I overheard what you were talking about. It would be nice for you, Zamasu, to get some exercise, so you can go. Just, Goku, - she turned to him, - Don't you dare hurt him, or you'll be the one healing him! This is already complicated enough, so don’t overdo it.

- Got it!

Zamasu barely had time to place the files onto the table next to the wall when Goku grabbed his wrist and they both melted in a flash of instant transmission.

In a couple of moments, the two of them appeared in an open field near Goku's house. Zamasu shook his head - although this method of travel was familiar to him, it now left him feeling disoriented.

He stood stiffly on the rocky ground, watching Goku’s relaxed stance with a wary expression. Zamasu had trained for centuries, perfected countless techniques, and yet now, without his ki, he felt lost. His body was light, weak even, as if something important had been taken from him.

Goku grinned, bouncing lightly on his heels.

- Alright, let's start simple.

Zamasu hesitated. His instincts screamed to summon the energy, letting his divine ki guide his strikes, but nothing came. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself into his old stance. One foot backward, weight balanced, hands raised in a fluid motion. It should have felt natural for him, but instead, it felt... wrong. Unstable.

Goku, unlike him, did not think for long. He, in turn, assumed a fighting stance.

- Why are you waiting for? Go and try to hit me, - he said.

Zamasu lunged forward, throwing a straight punch aimed at Goku's chest. The moment his fist extended, he realized his mistake - without the reinforcement of ki, his balance was off, movement sluggish. Goku easily sidestepped, his expression unreadable.

Turning half around, he tried to reach Goku again, but was much slower. Taking another position, Zamasu pushed forward, throwing a punch at him.

It was pitiful.

Goku barely even moved - dodged effortlessly, stepping around him like it was a game. Zamasu scowled and tried again. A left hook, then a quick kick. Both were sluggish, uncoordinated, completely lacking the sharpness it was used to have.

- Man, you’re all over the place, - Goku muttered, - You okay?

This remark made Zamasu stop. He stood up, folding his hands nervously.

- I look weird, isn't it? Maybe you are wrong, Goku. Perhaps I do not supposed to fight again, - Zamasu said, avoiding Goku's gaze. Of course, this surprised him incredibly. How is it possible - not to fight?

- What are you talking about? I can't imagine my life without fighting, honestly. And I cant imagine you without it. You was a genius, no doubt, I can tell it for sure.

Zamasu looked at him, wondered.

- Let me ask you, why do you say that? How do you know that I was a good fighter?

- But you and I fought in the past, did you forget? Oh, oh, - Goku corrected himself guiltily, seeing Zamasu clutching his head - It's doesn't matter! But something is wrong with you now. I thought that you still would fight well, even without divine ki, did something happen? You’re not even trying.

All the time they fighting, Zamasu feel like deja-vu - as if these events had already happened. But remembering Bulma's requests, he pushed this thought away. Instead, Zamasu desided to answer Goku's last question.

- Week ago, - he started, - I went with master Gowasu to the city. And there... I lost to two common thugs. Pathetic, isn’t it? I couldn’t even defend myself against simple humans without ki. Now, I don’t know what to do.

Goku stared for a moment, then let out a low whistle.

- Jeez. That’s rough.

Zamasu looked away, his hands curled into fists.

- I never fought without ki before. It was never necessary. And now, without it I am nothing.

Goku stepped closer to him, then put a hand on his shoulder. Zamasu lifted his head and glanced at him.

- We all started from this once, - Goku said, - I'm sure you can easily relearn. After all, you're not starting from scratch, but even if it is so, don't doubt that everything will be fine. Besides, you haven't lost all your ki, everyone has it, even the dead, if you forgotten. Sooner or later you'll learn how to use it again. Not god strength, of course, but maybe something even better for you.

- But did I have a right to do this? After what I did... I do not want to be a threat to anyone anymore.

Goku waved a hand impatiently.

- Well, at the very least, you need to learn how to fight back. Not everyone here is very friendly, as you've already seen. Besides, I personally have no doubt that you're not dangerous, after all, I have intuition. And the nimbus. Well, are we going to continue freezing?

Zamasu shifted into a fighting stance, trying to mimic Goku’s movements, were still uncertain. But this time he tried to act less constrained. "Goku is right after all," - he thought, - "Now, like all mortals, I must be able to face the threats on my own."

He made several lunges, all unsuccessfully, but gradually his body remembered how to move. Watching Goku's movements, Zamasu began to notice patterns. He stepped in again, this time with a tighter punch. Goku still dodged, but the gap between them was smaller. Another strike - this one sharper, more controlled. Goku had to actually block that one.

- Ha! Now we're talkin'.

Goku smirked. Then shifted his fight stance.

- Alright, that's already something. Now let’s speed it up a bit.

Before Zamasu could react, Goku stepped in, delivering a slow, light punch toward his shoulder. Instinct flared - Zamasu dodged, just barely. The movement was rough, unpolished, but natural. His eyes widened in surprise. Goku grinned.

- Hey, look at that! You do remember something.

Zamasu's next attacks were much more confident. At one point, he tried to reach him, swinging and aiming the edge of his palm, but Goku caught him by the wrist, turned him around and threw over himself. Zamasu fell on his back, pain shooting through his bones.

- Oops! Sorry, I got a little carried away, he-he.

- Son Goku!

Both turned around at the sudden menacing yelling. Chi-Chi storming toward them, which, as Zamasu realized from the sudden change in Goku's face, did not bode well.

She almost jumped towards her husband and started scolding him. Zamasu finally stood up and watched as strongest warrior of Earth awkwardly tried to defend himself against this small woman.

- How did you even come up with idea to throw this poor sick child like a ragdolls? Are you crazy or what?

- I, uuuuh...

Zamasu blinked. A child? 

- Madam, excuse me, but this is alright, - he trying to interrupt, but it wont was that easy.

Chi-Chi turned to him, her expression immediately softened.

- Ah, don’t worry, dear, - she said, grabbing Zamasu by the elbow and leading him toward the house, - I know everything. Goku should’ve thought twice before bringing you here. You’re still not healthy enough to fighting. And I strongly recommend giving up this activity, it won’t lead to anything good.

Zamasu glanced back at Goku, who could only offer a helpless shrug and silent gestures that said - I can’t help you in any way.

Once inside, Chi-Chi checked to make sure he was okay, then forced him to eat a plate of rice while muttering about how Bulma’s food was probably "all unnatural and unhealthy." Then, without giving him much choice, she sat him in the car and started the engine.

- I was just about to go to the town, so I can drive you to Bulma, - she said.

- Thank you, Mrs Chi-Chi.

As they drove, she casually changed the subject of the conversation.

-So, as I said, you don't need all these fighting at all. Since you'll most likely stay here, you should think about getting a good education and a job.

Zamasu winced. He hadn't thought about it yet.

- We have a lot of good universities here, - Chi-Chi continued, it was obvious that this was her favorite topic, - It seems like you been handling Bulma’s assignments well, maybe you would be a good manager or analyst.

For Zamasu, this was completely unheard of.

"Who the "manager" ever is..?"

As they entered the city, Chi-Chi stopped at a shop to pick up a few things. Zamasu sat in the car, watching pedestrians pass by, lost in thought.

West City lived an ordinary day. And no one, including Zamasu himself, noticed the fluctuations in the atmosphere from the ship entering it high above the city.

Notes:

Honestly, dont know how to write battle scenes, so sorry if it was boring. I planned this chapter to be more action-like. In the head it's always looks better :-/
Also, maybe I'll freeze this work, cuz got a lot of things to do at work and university. Hope it wouldn't take more than a few weeks. But I'm not going to drop it, there's many more to write :-)

Chapter 12: 1.12

During his first visit to the city with his master, public transportation left a lasting impression on Zamasu. Not pretty good impression, honestly. Watching the numerous cars passing by, he thought that the owners were very lucky.

But now, standing in a traffic jam for half an hour, Zamasu missed the time when he could fly.

Chi-Chi gripped the steering wheel in useless rage. By the time they had barely reached the middle of the avenue, she had already stuck her head out few times to curse at the neighboring cars. When one driver yelled back in response, she even got out once to reinforce her words with deeds.

When the avenue finally ended, Chi-Chi turned the car onto the next street. Both of them sighed in relief.

- Ugh. What a day. By the way, did you heared what he said? I, I - shouldn't be allowed to drive! Unbelievable impudence!

Zamasu couldn't find anything to say to this, so he simply nodded.

- There are such fools, - she continued, - I can bet that he bought his car license!

- Maybe, madam.

However, Chi-Chi's was unable to finish her indignation at the hapless driver. Suddenly, they were interrupted by a distant, sharp rumble.

- What is it? Is there a road accident ahea-

An explosion right next to them cut her off. Chi-Chi screamed as the car rocked violently and windows shattered in the buildings around them. Zamasu twisted around, trying to find the cause.

Several more explosions erupted nearby. Chi-Chi turned the wheel frantically, trying to get away from the falling debris.

- AAAAAH!

They didn't manage to get far. Just ahead, a pile of broken cars blocked the road. A few survivors climbed out of the wreckage and ran in panic in different directions.

- What the.., - Zamasu turned his head but saw only burning building behind. Meanwhile, Chi-Chi slammed the brake pedal and threw car into reverse.

- Oh, no, no, no, - she muttered, glancing around desperately.

Another explosion made Chi-Chi stop the car and cover her head. Seeing this, Zamasu quickly opened the door and grabbed her hand.

- Come on, Mrs Chi-Chi, we need to hide!

He dragged her to the alley between two buildings without windows on the sides. While Chi-Chi was trying to catch her breath, Zamasu cautiously peered out from around the corner.

The thing he saw filled him with horror.

A huge spaceship floated above the city. Zamasu was sure that it was at least half a kilometer long. However, it was still very high up, so the perspective made it difficult to define the exact size. The ship was hideous, it seemed to have been assembled from whatever its engineers had on hand. The obviously mismatched fragments were held together somehow, but this made the ship look even more terrifying.

- Good day, yall', weird little critters!

Zamasu tore his gaze away from the ship and looked toward the source of the sound.

This thing turned out to be even more disgusting than the ship. At some distance from the end of the street, a creature was levitating in the air. Zamasu felt something inside him twist with disgust. It was short, about a meter tall, awkwardly built and dressed in some kind of parody of royal clothes. The creature's skin was blue, and a tuft of white hair stuck out from its head. Pointed, curved ears completed the image of this strange goblin.

Zamasu had been lucky so far - the unknown enemy was not looking in his direction. He was entertaining himself by throwing blasts of energy in different directions. However, when he spoke, his voice somehow echoed throughout the city.

- Dwellers of this planet! - creature begun, - So, since I've finally managed to get your attention, let me congratulate you! Your tiny planet falls under the glorious rule of the great Shabetto, King of the Western Sector of the Galaxy, the Brilliant Commander of the Seventh Space War and the Devourer of Worlds!

Zamasu blinked in confusion. "This looks like someone's awful joke."

Having finished his tirade, the creature laughed disgustingly and launched several more blasts at the neighboring blocks. Zamasu quickly sneaked back to the corner. He glanced at Chi-Chi. For now, the creature was far away from them and did not pay any attention to them, so there was time to think.

- Madam, are you alright? - Zamasu asked her. Chi-Chi simply nodded.

- Okay. Let's find a way out here.

But before they could decide which direction to take, another figure appeared on the battlefield. 

- Hey, you ugly fiend! I, the Great Saiyaman, not allows you to destroy this city. Now better run, before I supposed to get rid of you!

Zamasu looked out again, trying to find out who spoke those pompous words. A man in a strange suit now stood beside Shabetto. Ever since Bulma taught him how to use the Internet, he already seen similars on comic books covers.

Chi-Chi stuck her head out from behind the wall near him. To Zamasu’s surprise, she calmly exhaled.

- Oh. Well, Gohan can handle this, I guess, - she said.

Zamasu's eyebrows rose.

-Madam, is it your son?

-Yes, it's him, - she turned, - He's sure that he's unrecognizable in that disguise, but if that's what he wants, then so be it. It never interfered with his studies, so I didn't mind. I didn't even know Gohan was still keeping it. Well, he's grown man, doing what he want.

Zamasu felt a wave of different emotions. Goku's eldest son - Gohan, was supposed to be an excellent fighter. But confronting enemies dressed like that? Zamasu had never felt shame for another person before, this was new to him.

Chi-Chi was completely calmed down and was now watching them. Gohan, meanwhile, having parried another Shabetto's speech with his own, finally launched into the fight.

Definetly, Gohan's fight exceeded Zamasu's wildest expectations. Like his father, Gohan possessed incredible strength. Even at this distance, Zamasu could feel the scorching aura of his ki. He struck at a speed that was impossible to keep up with. Zamasu thought about what Goku said earlier - they had fought in the past. And if his son was so strong, then who won that time?

However, this Shabetto wasn't so simple either. He dodged most of the blows, and when Gohan was finally able to land a direct punch, his fist met a barrier of golden light.

- What the ..?

Shabetto grinned.

- Pathetic human, your efforts are completely useless. Nothing in the world can break through this shield!

Gohan recoiled and clenched his teeth.

- It's only you who thinks so.

He resumed his assault with even greater force and speed. But every his strike met the shield. Gohan grimaced, struggling to understand how such a grotesque, ridiculous creature could have such power.

Now Shabetto completely stopped dodging. He folded his arms behind his back, watching Gohan’s attempts. Eventually, he yawned.

- What a dull performance, - he said, his voice dripping with mockery, - I got a lot of things to do, so go get lost somewhere.

His shield suddenly burst into flames, sending out a shockwave in all directions. It swept Gohan away, sending him flying and crashing into one of the burning buildings in the distance.

- Gohan, no!

Chi-Chi lunged forward, but Zamasu quickly grabbed her and pulled back behind the wall.  Shabetto turned in their direction, puzzled.

- Hmm.. Is someone still alive over there? Well, lets fix it.

He hurled a few energy blasts into the alley. Shabetto couldn't see where he was shooting, so Zamasu was lucky - blows missed the target. Dust rose up.

Zamasu dragged Chi-Chi through the alleyways, weaving blindly into the neighborhood beyond.  He couldn't wait any longer for Gohan to recover and return to the fight. Zamasu cursed himself for his helplessness. 

Something had to be done.

Having reached a dead end, they stopped, trying to catch their breath. The explosions were heard closer - there was no time to lose. 

Then, a saving thought flashed through Zamasu’s mind.

"Hmm, how does Goku do it ...?"

- Hey, - he yelled, - Flying nimbus!?

Zamasu had no idea how it worked or if it would work at all now. However, a yellow cloud appeared out of nowhere and stopped in front of him.

- Mrs Chi-Chi, - Zamasu turned to her, - Do you know how to use it?

Chi-Chi, still trembling, nodded.

- Yes… a long time ago.

- Great.

He helped her climb onto the cloud, then turned his gaze toward the way they came.

- Zamasu, but what about you? You can't stay here, I-

- Madam, please, do not argue. I'll distract him and then you fly. Alright? 

Without waiting for the response, he turned and ran. He ducked behind a wall and peeked out to ensure Shabetto couldn’t see him. His mind raced, desperately trying to form a plan.

He stared at his hands. There was absolutely nothing he could do now. But he had to convince Shabetto that he was a threat, even if just for a moment. He needed the creature to see him as a worthy opponent to switch attention. 

"If only I had the ki. Please, at least let this work. Please... PLEASE!"

Then the second miracle happened. Zamasu felt it: a faint thread of energy coursing through his body. With sheer effort, he focused it into his palm, forcing it to the surface. A weak but stable wave of energy shimmered into existence.

"YES!"

Swinging his arm to the side, Zamasu sprinted out from cover and hurled the blast straight at Shabetto. The shield absorbed it and blue goblin finally turned around.

- What was it? Mmm?

Zamasu straightened up and fired another shot.

- Monster, you will leave this city right now, - he declared, bluffing boldly, trying to make his voice sound more confident, - Otherwise you will meet face to face with the fury of the gods!

Shabetto furrowed brows.

- What? It is you - the "god"?

However, having finally noticed his green skin and pointy ears, unusual for the inhabitants of Earth, he began to think.

- You dont looks much like god, hmm...

- Pathetic jackal, - Zamasu continue, - It is not for you to judge the divine nature.

The insult struck a nerve. Shabetto’s eye twitched with offense. He made a gesture and Zamasu was jerked into the air. He tried to move, but his arms were pinned tightly to his sides by unknown force.

- Which one of us is pathetic, huh? - Shabetto asked. Smiling wickedly, he remarked, - You really are different. If you were a god, you would have done something by now. Well, I think I'll take you as a souvenir from this planet.

Zamasu gritted his teeth. But then - just behind Shabetto’s shoulder - he caught sight of something: a small yellow dot soaring away from the city. Zamasu exhaled. He had accomplished his task. Now another one stood before him.

Shabetto still looking at him curiously.

- Yes, indeed. Why not take a souvenir? Maybe I'll give you to my brother for his birthday.

Zamasu thrashed one last time, trying to free himself, but it was useless. His last attack drained all his little power.

Shabetto smirked. Then, with a flash of energy that tore through the air, they disappeared.

Notes:

I sorted out my tasks a little bit, but there's still a lot of it. Alas, but it looks like the time between chapters will possibly increase. Also, if I don't finish this work until mid-May, I will most likely freeze it for a month. Because I need to survive the exams. Twice ._.
Thanks very much to everyone who reads this!

Chapter 13: 1.13

Notes:

Comeback!
Thanks to everyone who reads, comments, and leaves kudos and bookmarks 💜

Zamasu blinked several times as the imperfect teleportation technique relocated them to the ship. For a second he hung in the air, held by a force he couldn't overcome, then the sky shifted to the metal plates of the ship's guts. Suddenly released, Zamasu flailed and hit the floor.

He fell very awkwardly, flat on his stomach. The air left Zamasu's lungs. Trying to take breathe, he could no longer focus on anything around him. Zamasu bent his elbows, trying to get up, but before he could manage it, a hand grabbed him roughly by the back of his coat and yanked him upright.

- Whoa, what is dat? Your Majesty, you got a prisoner? He's too weird.

Zamasu tried to swing back toward the sound at random, but in his current position he couldn't do anything. The creature holding him laughed and adjusted its grip, pinning him in a way that made movement impossible.

- He-he, of course he's ugly, as every being on this planet. Not comparable to us in any way, - Shabetto sneered.

Zamasu made a futile attempt to break free from the monster's grip, but failed again. Gritting his teeth, he finally raised his head and looked around.

They were in the compartment that looks like throne room, but messed and screwed up. A large hall with a few thick support beams along the sides and a raised platform in the middle, where Shabetto stood and grinning at him menacingly. Zamasu turned head to the side. Next to him stood probably the most disgusting thing he had ever seen in his travels throught the universe. A tall, almost two time highter than Zamasu, weird creature with long, gangly arms like a monkey, but also with green skin, and head similar to crocodile. The creature stared at him and grinned, showing the razor-sharp teeth. Zamasu suddenly realized that this and Shabetto were of the same race, but which path evolution took here was a mystery to him.

The one holding him was similar. Zamasu wriggled and cursed.

- Put me down, you horrible mistake of the universe! You have no idea who you’re messing with!

Instead of the creature, Shabetto answered.

- Of course, it’s obvious. You’re my new souvenir, - he smiled, - I just haven’t decided what to do with you yet. Should I give you as a present to one of my relatives, or keep you for myself? I think you would look great in a glass cryo-block.

- NO! I said, you don't know who I am! - Zamasu snapped back.

Shabetto made a mocking “yeah, yeah” face.

- If you've forgot what I told you before, I'll remind. I am a god! And you’re just a filthy being who made the biggest mistake in your life!

- Well so. If you are the god, why didn't you do something already? Mmm? Seems like you don't have god's powers - Shabetto drawled. Zamasu felt that situation is slipping.

- It is not your problem! The only thing you need to know is what I’ve already told you. My teacher will know that I'm missing. He’ll come looking for me. So the last warning - let me go now and leave this planet alone! You messing with powers you can't even imagine with your mortal brain!

Shabetto tilted his head and smiled very wickedly.

- Oh, you have a teacher? If he’s as useless as you are, I’ll have two souvenirs. A lucky day, isn't it, guys?

Shabetto and his henchmens laughed. Zamasu bit his tongue, this time Gowasu wasn't here to save him. Something had to be done quickly.

The monsters kept looking at him with interest. Then suddenly, one of the crocodile-headed goblins stopped, narrowed his eyes, and stepped closer.

- Hey, what is this? A jewellery?

He stretched out his hand with a terrible claws on it to Zamasu's neck. With one swift motion, he ripped off the scarf, revealing the collar underneath. Shabetto’s attention was immediately drawn to it as well.

- A technology? You, bring it to me!

The tall goblin slipped a claw under the collar. Zamasu held his breath in horror as the sharp blade grazed his skin. With his second claw, the goblin sliced through the metal like it was paper and scissors.

He weighed the collar in his palm. It let out a short beep. And Zamasu realized what was about to happen.

He tried to kick the monster holding him with all his strenght and finally managed to free himself. Dodging his wildly grasping hands, he rushed forward, towards the nearest beam, before they could even do something. He ducked behind it right in time when explosion came.

The force of the blast threw him farther forward, despite the cover. Zamasu's ears began to ring. But somehow he managed to reach the wall almost blindly and leave the throne room through the door at the edge of the hall, while squeals and Shabetto's furious screams could be heard behind him.

-...GO AND FIND HIM YOU TWO MORONS!!!

***

Zamasu ran down the wide main corridor of the ship. The inside of the ship didn't look much better than the outside, with most of the structures seems held together with hap and it's engineers’ prayers. Glancing behind him, Zamasu wondered where he should go next, the large corridors offered no place to hide.

Finally, he spotted an opening in the side wall. Apparently, there had once been a door there, but only the frame remained. Zamasu darted inside.

It turned out to be some kind of utility room. Suddenly, another goblin blocked Zamasu’s path, this time the creature was as tall as he was and had a disproportionately large head. It screeched and rushed forward. Zamasu jumped back and let it pass him, then grabbed a large adjustable wrench from surface of a nearby crate and hit the monster, turning.

Another one was running towards him from the side passage. Zamasu swung and threw the wrench. It was difficult to do in the narrow space, but he hit him right in the head. Without waiting for more opponents to appear,  Zamasu sprinted forward.

He ducked under the pipe and found himself at a sudden dead end. Zamasu turned his head. This time, the solution was the vent hole above him.

"I'm kind of lucky this day", - he muttered to himself.

Zamasu jumped, grabbed the edge and pulled himself up on his hands. There was enough space inside that he didn't even have to bend too much. He began crawling forward but froze when heard swearing and footsteps echoing nearby. It was the two crocodile-headed monsters. Zamasu waited, holding his breath, until they passed through the room below him. Then he continued on.

Zamasu wasn't sure what to do next. Eventually, the vents led him into another room, this one with a slightly slanted floor. Zamasu poked his head out to make sure no one was inside, then jumped down.

He glanced around. On one wall, where the floor began to slop, was a standard-sized door. On the opposite wall stood what looked like a wide, single-leaf gate. A saving thought flashed through his mind.

"An exit gateway?"

He ran to it, quickly examining the mechanism. There was a large, rusty lever on, and nothing else around, it supposed to be the right one. Zamasu grabbed it and pulled. Mechanical groaned and the door started to slide slowly. A gust of wind rushed through the opening and almost swept Zamasu off his feet. He grabbed the edge of the gate frame. And felt dizziness.

The West City spread out beneath him, part of it obscured by smoke from the fires. Zamasu looked down at it and felt sick.

He forgot that he could no longer fly.

The spaceship hovered several kilometers above the city. Zamasu had no chance of leaving it in any way. But then he sensed something else.

He blinked several times.

He had seen this city before from this exact perspective. But as always, he couldn’t remember when or why.

"Oh.. No."

Zamasu felt his fingers slipping from the frame of the gate. The intense pain in his head overwhelmed him. He panicked, unable to find anything else to hold onto. When he was about to fall into the opening, a hand grabbed him from behind.

- Got 'em!

It was Shabetto’s henchmens. One of them hurled Zamasu across the room to the opposide wall. Zamasu flew and hit his shoulder against a metal plates of the ship. When the picture of the city disappeared, the headache went away, but now the bones all over his body ached.

- No!

But he didn't have time to get up. One of the monsters pinned him to the floor, twisting his arms behind his back. Zamasu tried to turn his head and saw the second one. He was missing one arm up to the elbow and looked terrifingly evil. He tossed a pair of shackles, made of silvery-purple metal, to the other.

- NO!

The cold restraints locked around Zamasu’s wrists. He desperately tried to break free, realizing already that he had lost this fight. The first goblin stepped aside.

- 'kay, ready.

- Wait.

The second goblin bent down and yanked him up by the hair. Zamasu screamed in pain.

- Listen here, you little twit, - he growled in Zamasu's face, - When Shabetto no longer needs you, I will make you pay for my arm. Remembet it.

With these words, he threw him back to the first monster.

- Drag him yourself. I’m done.

- No problem, man.

As they hauled him back down the corridor, Zamasu’s thoughts returned to that aerial view of the city. This time he had no doubts at all - he clearly was here in the past.

And something had happened.

Something incomparable to Shabetto's invasion.

Chapter 14: 1.14

They dragged him down the corridor. However, instead of thinking about what was about to happen, Zamasu's thoughts were focused on the sight of the city shrouded in smoke and fire. Gradually, another image began to form in his head. When two goblins pushed him over the threshold of another corridor, he stumbled and closed his eyes in pain. And then in a moment Zamasu saw - the ruins of the buildings he had walked past just recently, ashes and smoke. Then - flashes, tearing his body apart over and over again, but there was no pain or darkness after it.

The monstrous pain in his head almost blinded him again and he stumbled once more. One-handed goblin yanked him upright and shoved him forward.

- Don't slow down, scum.

Zamasu gritted his teeth. He no longer cared so much about what these monsters would do to him. What mattered more was that, for the first time in a long while, he had come close to remembering what had happened in his past. However, no matter how hard Zamasu tried, it was almost impossible to break through the wall that had been placed in his mind.

Eventually he was pulled out of these attempts when two goblins pushed him back into the throne room and forced him to the knees. Zamasu abandoned his futile attempts to grasp the elusive thought and looked around.

The collar explosion had been powerful enough to bend the beam he was hiding behind and warp the plating of the ship. Zamasu shuddered involuntarily - Bulma had spared no resources on safety. Only now did he fully understand just how truly terrible monster he must have been in the past to require such measures against him.

In the middle of all the chaos stood Shabetto. He turned toward the sound of approaching footsteps.

- Finally! What took you two so long?! - he barked. Then looked at Zamasu.

Young god turned his head and glanced at him with the same fury in sight in responce. 

- Alright, enough, - Shabetto continued, his voice laced with threatening malice, - Seems like I made mistake.Should’ve finished you off when we were on the surface of that pathetic planet. No one has ever caused me so much trouble, although it doesn't seem to be entirely your fault.

He paused for a moment. Then lifted his hand, forming a spark on the edge of the fingers.

- But it doesn't matter. Goodbye, false "god"!

Zamasu stared at the bright white dot of light. It was the end of things. He twitched, but two goblins held him firmly in place from both sides.

He could never have imagined that the journey of his life will end so fast and this way. To his own surprise, Zamasu felt no fear. Only bitter resentment.

Well, at last he managed to help one life survive. Zamasu prepared to meet his death.

Just as Shabetto was about to pierce Zamasu with the beam of the deadly energy, the ship shook violently.

- What!??

Immediately after that, a bright flash of light cut through the air. It tore through the throne room, slicing between Shabetto and Zamasu. The blue goblin jumped back in alarm, but since he was standing some distance away from Zamasu, the beam did not hit him. He activated the shield.

The blow tore a hole in the ship's hull, barely raising any rusty dust. Zamasu tried to rise to his feet to see what it was, but with his hands still cuffed, he couldn’t straighten up fast enough.

In the opening left by the explosion stood Vegeta. He was glancing around, studying the situation, without much interest. Then raised his hand and aimed towards Zamasu.

Everything inside him went cold at that moment. Finding himself facing inevitable death for the second time in a single minute, Zamasu was finally overcome by a wave of terror.

Vegeta fired.

This time Zamasu squeezed his eyes shut, expecting the wave to sweep him into atoms, but nothing happened. He didn't even have time to feel anything when he opened his eyes to find himself standing at the opposite end of the throne room. Goku was stood behind him, hands on his shoulders.

- Hey! Watch where you're shooting! - he yelled at Vegeta.

- I was watching.

Zamasu still couldn’t fully pull himself together. He glanced to the place he was laying a moment ago. There was now a black spot, twisted at the edges. Several pieces of debris had fallen from above. Zamasu did not see any of the crocodile-headed monsters anymore now, they were probably simply swept out of existence.

Finally, the sound of snapping metal brought him back to reality. He jerked and turned his now free hands towards himself.

- Here. Are you okay, Zamasu?

Before Zamasu could answer, Goku turned him around and gave him a quick inspection. Finding no serious visible damage except some scraches, he sighed in relief.

- I.. - Zamasu hesitated, rubbing his wrist where the shackles had left marks, - Let me express my gratitude again. You just-

An explosion nearby cut him off. Goku quickly grabbed him and in the blink of an eye they was on the other side of the hall.

- Anytime. But let's talk about it later, better tell me what kind of enemy this is, - he asked Zamasu, - And watch out!

Meanwhile, Vegeta was engaged in battle with Shabetto. The blue goblin had grown considerably bolder again and put on his cheeky grin, seeing that saiyan's attacks couldn't break throught his shield. However, the energy charges bouncing off it began to cause severe damage to the ship.

Both Vegeta and Shabetto were growing increasingly furious.

- You’re getting on my nerves, stupid shorty b..! - he growled, when another his punch was absorbed by the golden light of the shield without causing any damage to it's owner. 

- Shorty?? Look who’s talking, half-pint!

Goku's face twisted in anxiety. Vegeta roared with rage, unnatural for human being.

- FINAL...

Grabbing Zamasu again, Goku pushed him into the space between two of the more solid looking pieces of debris.

-...FLASH!

The room was instantly flooded with monstrously powerful destructive energy. It seemed to Zamasu that the entire ship would not withstand it and would fall apart. But when he finally risked opening his eyes, he saw that Shabetto, too surprised, but still unharmed, was floating in air opposite Vegeta. He sweared.

- Impossible!

- Vegeta, maybe I better help? - Goku shouted to him. Vegeta turned and barked back.

- Dont you dare, I still have a half of the minute left!

Zamasu stared at Goku, uncomprehending.

- What does he mean by it? - he asked.

Goku waved his hand casually.

- Well, before the attack we played rock-paper-scissors. We agreed that the winner would fight first, and if he didn't knock out the opponent in two minutes, then he would stop. First is Vegeta's turn. He's always played this game well, heh.

Zamasu blinked in confusion. 

"These mortals could turn danger into amusement..?"

Time passed. Goku silently counted down the last thirty seconds and jumped up and down with impatience. Meanwhile, Vegeta's attacks grew stronger, but none penetrated Shabetto's shield.

Finally, Goku coudn't take it anymore.

- Time's up! It's my turn now!

Vegeta spit out in anger.

- Fine. Know that I always keep my word.

He landed on the floor of the hall and at the same moment Goku joyfully jump and soared forward. He stopped at some distance from Shabetto. The goblin gave him a long, contemptuous look.

- Another candidate for disappointment? Mm? I recommend surrendering immediately, nothing and no one in this galaxy can defeat me!

Goku grinned.

- It will see.

He immediately lunged forward, turning on Super Saiyan Blue form. After delivering several blows that Zamasu thought would break the ship's supporting structure in half, Goku stopped. Convinced that his attacks were indeed useless against the shield, he began to think.

- So what, you're ready for surrending?

- Not yet, pal.

He resumed the offence. In turn, Shabetto launched few energy waves to Goku. He effortlessly redirected them away with the edge of his palm.

A stalemate situation had developed.

Goku continued to attack, trying to find a weak spot in Shabetto's defense. He had fought countless opponents in his life and knew that there's no hopeless situations.

"There supposed to be the way!"

He continued fighting, trying to use all the techniques possible. Nothing seems to work. But then a sudden "what if-" thought flickered in his mind.

Goku spun around again, swinging his arm to strike. Shabetto watched him approach, not even bothering to defend himself. The shield glowed golden, ensuring that this attack would be useless as well.

Rushing forward, closing the distance between himself and his opponent, Goku threw his fist forward. And stopped the blow right in front of Shabetto's face.

The shield flared. Then turned off for a moment.

- HA! As I thought!

Goku jumped back, smiling triumphantly. He pointed a finger at the stunned Shabetto.

- This is how it works! - he continued, - Your shield is not the auto-defence technique. You control it and activate right in time to block a blow! But this can be deceived!

- What... WAIT!

But Goku wasn’t listening anymore. He rushed forward, performing the same maneuver, and dealt Shabetto a crushing blow to the ribs as the shield disappeared again for a second.

- Hey, Vegeta! - he called, turning and grabbing Shabetto by the head, - Catch this!

Goku threw Shabetto toward him. Vegeta caught the throw like a football and kicked the goblin with such force that he crashed through the ship’s hull and flew far beyond any limits.

Zamasu looked at the direrction he flew. It was all over.

Goku landed near him, smiling victorious. Vegeta couldn't stand his satisfied face any longer.

- Think you're smart enough to fight such a disgusting opponents? Pathetic.

With this words, he flew through the hole and disappear from sign. Goku sighed.

- Well. As always.

Zamasu glanced at him.

- Goku, - he started, - You saved my life again, now I owe you twice. Please accept my gratitude for it.

Goku turned to him and looked carefully at the young god.

- No. We’re even this time. You helped save Chi-Chi, that's very important to me. Thank you, Zamasu. Really. If before I even had some doubts, now everything is fine. I have complete confidence in you, and if someone is not happy with this, I will always be here.

Zamasu blinked and lowered his gaze. He felt a sudden rare wave of peace.

- Thank you, Goku.

For a second two of them stayed silent. Then Goku turned and glanced at the hole in the ship's side.

- Well so. Lets take you home.

He stepped forvard and easily lifted a bit surprised Zamasu in his arms. But before he take off in the air, Goku meet his gaze.

- Zamasu, uh… can I ask you a favor, please? - he asked hesitantly.

- Yes, anything. 

- Can you... Uhh, it's I supposed to bring you back to Bulma safe and sound after the training, not anyone else. But then this... Okay, can you please tell her that you just fell? Like from the stairs, for example. Please?

Zamasu blinked, do not understanding anything.

- I was responsible for your safety! She would kill me! Zamasu, please!!!

- Okay, Goku. But I suspect she won't believe us...

Chapter 15: 1.15

The tiny yellow leaf was torn from the tree and flew into the air. The cold, yet still cozy winter wind played with it for a while, then gently guided it into Zamasu's hands. He caught it. Lift to the level of his eyes and took a closer look. Then he let out a sigh and released the leaf, letting it fly with the wind once more, until it would eventually settle somewhere, to be covered with snow and disappear during the winter.

This one was the last. Zamasu folded his arms, hugging himself against the sudden gust of cold. He glanced at the tall maple tree in Bulma's outdoor garden. There were no more leaves on it. Zamasu sighed again, somehow finding it sad.

He was a god and had seen the cycles of life before, so he shouldn’t have felt any particular emotion about it. Creatures are born and die, trees and flowers grow and fade countless times before his eyes. With Gowasu's assistance, Zamasu even created simple life form by himself before.

“I can’t believe that this life with these people changed me that much…”

Still gazing at the now pale garden, Zamasu thought again about time. It was the first days of December. According to Bulma, the Council of Millennia was supposed to end quite soon, and then Whis, the Angel of this universe, and Beerus the Destroyer, would come to decide his fate.

Thinking about it each time made Zamasu shudder. Bulma had told him earlier that Whis can help remove the barrier in his mind and would likely do nothing more. But Beerus...

Gods of Destruction were well known for their fiery temperaments, and Zamasu didn’t want to be considered a threat by Lord Beerus.

- Freezing? Haven’t you been smacked on the head in a while?

Zamasu stumbled and turned around. Standing in the doorway was Bulma, holding Bulla in her arms, glaring at him angrily.

- Did Goku beated up your brain on that trainings? Mmm? - she continued, - I do not need you too to catch a cold. I already have sick Trunks and coughing Vegeta. Spare me.

- I, uh.. Sorry, Mrs Bulma. 

Seeing that Zamasu was clearly upset about something, Bulma regretted speaking to him so sharply. She looked more closely as he walked past her, his head lowered.

"He is a kid... Just a kid." - she thought, - "Through all what happened - he needs caring."

She called.

- Zamasu!

He turned back to her.

- Yes, madam?

- Come here. 

He approached obediently. Bulla, on mother's hands, stretched her tiny arms toward him. He raised his hand.  She grabbed his finger. The strength of this little saiyan girl was high enough to break a bone. Zamasu flinched and quickly pulled his hand back.

The corner of Bulma’s lips tugged into a soft smile as she saw it. Then she turned her head to him.

- Zamasu, did something happen? You’ve been quieter since you all returned from that shipwreck adventure. You can always talk to me if something’s wrong.

Zamasu flinched in surprise. He grabbed his elbow in a hesitant gesture.

- I'm- No, madam, everything alright, I can assure you. 

He turned his gaze away from Bulma. She shifted Bulla to one arm, then reached out and gently took hold of Zamasu’s forearm.

- No, - she said, - Everything is not alright. I know it. I'm not forcing you, but better tell me - what is going on? Is it Whis’s upcoming arrival that’s making you anxious? Or anything else? 

- No, I'm not. I'm.. Oh. 

She gently tightened her grip on his arm, encouraging him. Their eyes met.

In the sharp, always calculating gaze of this woman, Zamasu saw something soft and grounding, something he’d only seen before in Gowasu’s eyes.

- I do not know, - he began, - Maybe this will sound pretty stupid, but... I, well, do not like winter very much. 

Bulma blinked and tilted her head slightly to the side.

- It is really could sound weird, but I do not like seeing the trees sheds and flowers dying. I’ve probably been spending too much time in the garden, I know - I do not deserve it - but that place used to bring me peace. And now it is pale.

Bulma hummed thoughtfully, still slightly squeezing his arm to show she cared.

- So, this is it. I am very sorry if it was too stupid.

- No, it wasn't. 

Bulma stared at a point past him.

A thought started to form in her head slowly, then faster and clearer.

- Hmm. Seems like I know how to boost your mood.

Zamasu blinked.

- What? Mrs. Bulma, what do you mean?

But she wasn’t listening anymore. Bulma quickly handed Bulla to him, telling him to carry her upstairs. Then she practically stormed past him, throwing a single glance back - one burning with ideas and energy.

***

Zamasu was sitting in his room, a book in his hands, when he heard a knock at the door.

- Oh, you're here.

Bulma turned the door handle and stepped inside. Her eyes were flashing with a spark of pride. She gestured for Zamasu to get up.

- Come on, follow me. I’ve got a surprise for ya.

He stood up and go after her. All the way Bulma kept smiling, which confused Zamasu.

- Mrs. Bulma, is everything okay?

- He-he, more than.

They reached a double doors on the first floor. There was a long-unused warehouse that Zamasu had visited only once, looking for old experiment records, but only found spiders. This time doors looked other, more clean and with non-transparent glass panels on it. Bulma pushed the doors open.

- Here. Think it'll make you feel better and you will stop walk around with this grumpy face.

She nudged him lightly in the ribs with her elbow, smiling. Zamasu stepped in.

At first he couldn't believe that there had once been a warehouse here, with mountains of boxes, dust, and cobwebs. The entire room had been cleaned to a shine and lined with white ceramic panels. Long tables ran the length of the room, which was about two and a half times longer than his own. Lamps hung above them, and toward the end of the room there was a large window in the ceiling, currently closed.

A greenhouse.

- Here you can turn on the mist irrigation, and here you can open the shutters and adjust the light with the mirrors. If needed, the lamps turn on from that panel on the wall over there.

She led him around the greenhouse, showing, how everything was arranged. At the end of the placement there was a door to a utility room where gardening tools were stored.

- Well, how do you like it? - she asked. Zamasu didn't even know what to answer at first.

- Madam... This is incredible. Did you just made it all for.. me? And so quickly? It’s only been two days.

Bulma grinned proudly, placing her hands on her hips.

- You gave me a good idea last time. So, yes, this is now your responcibility. You can get any plants you want, seems like you love it. Here, - she added, handing him a credit card, - Since you’ve actually been working here for a while, consider this your salary. Order something. I don't think I need to explain to you how to use online stores, it seems like you, gods, already have something similar.

-Oh, Mrs Bulma. I'm very grateful, thank you so much. I'll do my best to make this place even better!

***

Zamasu thoughtfully sorted through a few seeds in his hands. He had already purchased and planted several popular flowers and trees, then became interested in plants that weren’t typical for this climate.

Setting some aside, he picked up one Wisteria seed, stood up, and walked past the newly planted flowers.

"It will took time."

He thought, twirling the seed in his hand.

"Every life form in all the universes have the ki energy. Hm. Maybe I should try this."

Zamasu opened his palm and look closer at the seed. It was looked like a tiny coin, brown, circle and flat, with thick outer coat. He concentrated, trying to catch a traces of the energy, flowing deep inside the sleeping kernel. It was too faint, but Zamasu captured it.

Trying not to rush, he sent a tiny, weaknest wave of his own energy to it. The seed's shell begans to crack, split, and after a few seconds, a sprout and thin roots appeared.

Zamasu chered up and continued his attempts. Setting the sprouted seedling aside, he picked up another seed and repeated the process. It also opened before his eyes, forming leaves and roots in a matter of seconds. However, having gotten too carried away, Zamasu miscalculated the strength of one of the wave - and the plant, having received an excessive dose of ki energy, stretched out much more than necessary, wrapping itself around his arm and shoulder.

- Uh oh. Next time - less, noted.

From that moment on, the process went much faster. The plants kept growing in no time, and soon Bulma’s greenhouse had turned into a blooming garden.

She came in from time to time, admired the sight once again and tapped some data into her tablet. Vegeta, on the contrary, appeared only once. Looking around the room, he asked one single question.

- Edible?

Zamasu shook his head in a quiet "no". The young god was still uncomfortable around him. Vegeta, having received the answer, spat with disappointment and closed the doors. He never returned.

Since the alien's invasion it seemed like Vegeta despises him even more. After Bulma decided not to put the explosive collar back on and only limited him with a GPS bracelet, Vegeta had been furious. But Bulma knew exactly which levers to pull to get what she wanted.

- Why are you being so dramatic about it? Didn’t you just say not long ago that you could break him with one finger? Mmm? Ah, I know - she teased, - You’re afraid you might lose. To a sick kiddo.

- SHUT UP, WOMAN!

- What "shut up"? Is he a threat to you now? Then what’s the point of being mad over lowering the security measures?

- It's not a problem! Of course I can beat up this bastard with no efforts anytime. I'm just trying to think about your safety a bit if you too dumb to do it yourself.

- Ah, you're funny!

- NO!

And that settled it.

Life went on as usual. The winter days passed one after another, and unnoticed by Zamasu, who was fully immersed in his new hobby, the end of the year quietly arrived.

Notes:

Just started my own small indoor garden. Dis seems like a good calming thing, not entirely, but still. So have some green transition chapter.

Chapter 16: 1.16

- Hwold et sthill, I cwant reach te socwket.

Zamasu gripped the step ladder tightly, trying to keep it stable. Bulma was standing on top of it. During another scan in the second lab, the ceiling emitter had broken - something that, for some reason, really pissed her off.

Now she was trying to fix it, holding two wires in her teeth and a screwdriver under her arm while balancing precariously, which made Zamasu twitch with every wobble, ready to catch her.

- Madam, maybe you should have turned off the power first?

- Dwo nwat teach te fiwsh hwow to swim!

- Got it, got it. Sorry.

He sighed quietly. Bulma made a few aggressive movements, followed by screech of the metal, and then swore.

Sparks flew.

- Arrgh!

Zamasu jerked again, this time being sure she was going to fall. However, a phone call saved him from receiving another portion of cursing.

- Who is id? Giv it to mwe - she asked, without taking her eyes off the panel.

He picked up her phone from the cabinet nearby and handed it to her. Bulma spat out the live wire before answering.

- Hello? Oh, dear, glad to hear you! - she said cheerfully to someone on the other end, - Mm? Sure we will, thank you for the invitation. Yes, of course, I’ll tell him. Now, tell me - how are y'all doing over there?

She casually leaned on the open panel, six feet above the ground, completely absorbed in the conversation.

- He-he-he. Yeah.. How's Pan doing? Yes, when they're young, they're always like this. It will get easier. Well, I don’t know - I can't force my own one to eat boiled carrots, it always ends in tears and tantrum. Patience, my dear. Patience is the key.

Bulma kept chatting a while longer. Then finally ending the call, she slammed the panel shut and stepped down the ladder.

- Good news, - she said, wiping her hands on her jeans, - That was Videl. Gohan is hosting a Christmas Eve party next week, so she called to invite us.

Zamasu handed her some wet wipes and took screwdriver, putting it in the box.

- Can I ask, please, what the "Cristmas Eve" is?

- Oh, you will see.

He shifted uneasily.

- What? - she turned to him with a slight frown, - You're going too. Videl said Gohan wants to see you, of course. You did rescue his mother, remember? You’re definitely welcome in their home.

- I, uhh…

He rubbed the back of his head. These people were too kind to him. Zamasu thought it wasn't such a big deal, anyone in his place would've done the same. Especially after what he had done in the past. Even if he didn’t remember everything, he somehow knew that it wouldn't be so easily forgiven.

But Gohan… didn't seem to care anymore about it.

***

- Don't yell at me!

- No - I will! Until you get dressed like all normal people!

- I SAID NO!!

- I SAID YES!!!

Zamasu's ears dropped reflexively. He was standing near the airplane they were going to take to reach Gohan's house. Behind him, in the hallway, Bulma was trying to convince Vegeta to wear a sweater instead of his usual armor. He sighed. After seeing them argue almost every day, Zamasu was quietly glad he didn't need to get married. And yet, he had to admit - despite the loud conversations, they were a happy couple. Lack of life's experience, especially in human kind, kept him from fully understanding that this was simply two such characters.

Beside him, Trunks sighed too.

- Better us to teleport, eh? - he asked, elbowing Zamasu in the ribs. The young god winced.

Finally, Bulma emerged from the house. Behind her stepped out Vegeta, in a blue sweater with a green patterned ornament of pine trees on it. A simple thing, really, and Zamasu didn't understand what was so wrong with it.

Bulma was dressed in a short knitted wool dress, with a discreet necklace of shiny gems and matching earrings. Zamasu, in turn, wore a light gray textured jumper - one she had forced him into.

Bulma inhaled deeply and loudly.

- Ready, - she breathed out, - Now, get in the plane, all. If someone is still not okay with something - I'm going to went insane.

Zamasu prudently remained silent.

***

The trip went without incident. After some time, Bulma landed the plane in the yard near Gohan's house. Not just a house - but a mansion, not much smaller than Bulma's own base. Zamasu eyed the building with interest as they stepped out of the airplane. Bulma waved her hand.

- Here. This way.

Everything was covered in a soft snow. Zamasu followed Bulma and Vegeta across the yard to the porch, where Gohan was already waving at them.

- Glad to see you guys! - he greeted cheerfully.

Gohan reached out to shake Vegeta's hand, but the latter ignored it. So he shoocked Trunk's hand instead, and then Zamasu's. The young god was met with the warmth and confidence of Gohan’s eyes. Zamasu gave him a small, hesitant nod before stepping inside the hall.

On the first floor was a large main room. Zamasu blinked at first - the snow's brightness still lingering in his eyes - then adjusted his gaze.

It seemed Gohan had invited nearly all of his family’s friends. Across the room, Goku and Krillin waved at them in near perfect unison. Zamasu lifted his hand in return, offering a hesitant smile.

Goku was wearing a simple, somewhat ridiculous red sweater with deers on it.  Zamasu thought to himself how Vegeta would definitely laugh at that. In "laught" he meant an offensive comments from Prince of all Saiyans. This time he wasn't wrong too.

- Where did you found this horridness? - Vegeta began, bustled past Zamasu to Goku, - From a kid's discount bin? Do you have no pride at all?

- Hey! You’re wearing one too.

- Don't even compare, mine is not that stupid.

By now, everyone had scattered toward their friends. Bulma had found Android 18, while Trunks and Goten had already reunited and run off somewhere. Zamasu moved closer to the wall and leaned against it.

"These people… they're still too nice to me. But… oh."

As Zamasu could now understand, the Cristmas was a family holiday. He was alien here. Alien and alone.

Someone tugged at the sleeve of his jumper.

Zamasu twitched, then looked down. Marron stands here, smiling in all her teeth. But she didn't said a word, just pointed with her eyes toward her mother, who was sitting on a couch with Bulma, far across the room, then pressed a finger to her lips, grinning conspiratorially. Without letting go of his sleeve, she pulled him into a nearby room.

- Hello! - she finally spoke, when the door closed behind them, - My mom still doesn't like me talking to you, Zamasu, but I wanna anyway!

Zamasu crouched down in front of her, glancing toward the door and then back at her.

- I’m glad to see you too. But, maybe, we should listen to your mother? I, uh… I wouldn't want you to get in trouble.

"And I wouldn’t want to either."

He shuddered slightly. Android 18, according to Bulma, was a formidable fighter. And if she still considered Zamasu an enemy, he definitely didn't want to face her in battle.

But Marron waved her hand in dismissal.

- No, no, and no. You’re my friend. She will accept it, she just needs some time. So, why are we here-

She paused, pulling off her little backpack and opening it. After a bit of rummaging, she fished out a small box with a crookedly glued paper bow and handed it to him proudly.

Zamasu took the box and opened it.

- My dad bought me these. But I don't like them - they're long and tangle in my hair. I like small ones better.

Inside was a pair of earrings. Zamasu took one out and examined it. It looked like a long silver chain thread, ending in a tiny, oval red gem.

- Let me help.

Marron took the earring from his hand, stepped closer, and reached for his left ear. Zamasu winced slightly when she clicked the lock shut. Then she moved to the other side.

- There! You look good now!

Zamasu touched his ears. The earrings hung there almost weightlessly. He even allowed himself a faint smile.

"A faint echo of the godlike artifact I once wore.", - Zamasu thought to himself.

- Thank you, Marron. Truly, - he said aloud,  - This is a wonderful gift. I'm sorry I didn't bring anything good for you. I hope you can forgive me.

She waved her hand dismissively again, beaming.

- I knew you would like it!

Then Marron hummed in thought, glancing back at the door.

- Maybe I should go now. If my mom is looking for me, she won't be happy. She and Mrs. Chi-Chi asked me to make some paper snowflakes for the windows, and I haven't even started yet.

She waved goodbye and skipped back toward the main room. Zamasu followed, closing the door behind him. Marron's little gift had lifted his mood slightly - yet the thoughts of loneliness still quietly settled in.

But here the most desired gift awaited him.

Just as he was about to lean back against the wall and disappear into the background, Zamasu caught movement near the entrance to the hall. He shifted his gaze - and froze for a moment.

Gohan and Gowasu had entered the room, deep in conversation. But then the older Kai's eyes found Zamasu. He paused mid-sentence… and smiled softly. Gohan, meanwhile, got distracted by someone else.

Gowasu stepped away from him and opened his arms. Zamasu didn’t wait. He stepped forward and leaned into his teacher's embrace.

They didn’t even exchange a greeting, just stood there in silence. Gowasu’s hand gently stroked Zamasu’s hair. Then he slowly pulled back, resting his hands on Zamasu's shoulders.

- Master Gowasu! You decided to come too?

- I wanted to see you again, - Gowasu replied warmly. Then, glancing around the room, he added,- And it seems I've joined some kind of celebration, hmm?

All of Zamasu's sadness from earlier melted away in an instant. There was so much he wanted to say.

- So, how are you doing here? - Gowasu asked, - I can't see you clearly from our home, the traces of energy is too far to register it in the other universe. So - tell me everything you want.

He placed a hand on Zamasu's back, and they began walking together to the far side of the room. Meanwhile, the young god tells him about his own small garden, a research in ki energy in floral living beings. Through it all, Gowasu listened, smiling gently. His expression only darkened when Zamasu mentioned the alien invasion. Then they moved on - to discussing energy techniques, the essence of life, and many other things.

All the while, Zamasu’s eyes shone with happiness and light.

And in that warm, busy room - no one was alone anymore.

Notes:

If the quality of the text has suddenly dropped - I am sorry. I'm not just busy now, I'm incredibly busy for the next few months, but I'm trying my best.