Darc noticed someone moving inside and looked at the person that stared at him. And after hearing his words he smiled. This young men actually was Trunks and Darc could see that.
What was he? About maybe 20? That was actually about the same age as him and thinking a little bit more about that fact made him feel awkward. But deep down he was happy that this brat was safe.
And look at that. He did inherit his hair color. All in all, he looked a lot like his Half-Saiyan counterpart plus minus some finer details that looked differently like his nose was smaller or his sharp looking eyebrows looked more relaxed and thinner.
"Hey there. I guess for you its long time no see?". he asked Trunks with a wry chuckle.
"It's really you...How?", asked Trunks once more and couldn't believe that he saw his father in front of himself.
"That is a long story. But your mother should be working on a time machine, no? I am actually from the past and here to help. You don't need to travel in time.", explained Darc. And Trunks accepted that fact pretty easily.
"So the time machine works.", said Trunks and looked to be in thought. "To tell the truth, mom has not finished the machine yet."
Then he looked at him again and scratched his cheek a little bit while looking to the side. Being all nervous and all.
Darc smiled about that reaction after his words and came closer. Then he just hugged him.
"It's alright. We are a family. You don't need to hold yourself in like that. Arkis also just came over and hugged me. So that's at least what I can do for you as well.", chuckled Darc and Trunks actually started to cry slightly.
It seems both of them had a good relationship. All the more reason to stop this timeline from going any more chaotic as it already is.
Then after calming down Trunks immediately became more cheerful. "Its really good to see you again, dad. Come to speak about mom. She will be very happy to see you as well! Let me get her.", said Trunks and ran off.
Darc smiled wryly. Here it comes. The awkward moment to see someone after dying. Did Goku feel the same? Knowing that airhead, probably not.
And it didn't take long and he could already hear someone running. Future Bulma opened the door and charged right in. She ran in front of him and stared at first. Bulma actually looked very much like her past self. Guess that bird paid off.
Then she checked his body up and down. After doing that she started to get teary eyes and started crying herself out after going to her knees and falling on her butt.
Darc didn't know what to say to her after seeing her over the top display of emotions. He actually never saw her crying out like this.
Bulma stopped suddenly and stood up. Glared at him and slapped him out of anger and frustration.
Darc was surprised to be hit by her. It took a while and he started laughing cheerfully. "Its good to see you as well, Bulma.", he said and looked at her. Then he kissed her and embraced her warmly.
"You big idiot...I know you are not my Darc but at least its good to see you again...", she said and then put a capsule into his hands. "Since you are from the past then you are probably able to go back at some point. Take this with you. It is the medicine for your and Goku´s virus. That you idiots both went ahead and drank the ultra divine water from Korin´s tower. Unbelievable.", she said to him while still being somewhat angry. But relief was seen on her face as well.
"That is the reason!?", asked Darc now in surprise.
"Yes, you infected yourself with a virus that slowly spread through your body like poison. The Super Saiyan state from Goku only accelerated the spreading of the virus. Where in your case it took longer. But because you also started using your Kaioken more often it accelerated the same way as his. So, in the end, you also succumbed to the virus in your later years. In your case, it took way longer because your body was way sturdier than Goku but still...", she explained with a sad voice. "Just make sure to take the medicine. Even if it is for the sake of my past self. You hear?", she added.
Darc sighed and it became somewhat quieter. Trunks smiled somewhat to see them talk. "Don't worry. I will keep it in mind. Anyway, we have work to do. Let's wake up Gohan.", he said to them.
Arkis nodded and went over to Gohan. "It really has been a long time, Darc. Are you really prepared to be here? Those androids are very powerful. Even I can't handle them anymore.", she said while healing Gohan up.
"I know, I felt the power behind those hits. They are already at the Super Saiyan 2 level. So around 40 to 50 Billion BP in raw power. But did you actually forget about me? There is only one thing we need to do. Training. What happened to Kami his lookout?", he asked all three of them.
"It should be still there. The androids still take their time destroying earth...Sometimes they don't even move at all for months.", said Trunks. "But what about it? Kami and the Dragonballs are gone. And new Namek was blown up by Frieza as revenge."
"Wait, what? Not only the earthen Dragonballs are gone but also the Namekian ones? Damn. Gotta make sure Frieza stays dead in my timeline...", frowned Darc and sighed. "Then only the Super Dragonballs are left now. But for those you guys need to go to Universe 6...", contemplated Darc.
Arkis finished the healing and looked at Darc in surprise. "Universe 6? Super Dragonballs?", she asked him in bewilderment. Bulma and Trunks were also intrigued.
"My future counterpart didn't tell you? There are Super Dragonballs about the size of a planet and they are scattered around the Universe 7 - that is our Universe. And Universe 6 - our twin universe. Anyway, let's talk about that later. It looks like I also didn't seem to have told you about the hyperbolic time chamber. Wonder why... this timeline actually is way different than mine...", he explained and thought about something. "Hmm, Arkis. Did I ever lose my ki for about 2 years in this timeline?"
She heard the question and shook her head. "No to both. I never heard of such a place and such an event also never happened here..."
Darc smirked. "Alright, that only means that the me right now is already stronger than my future counterpart if my math is right. And you don't know about my abilities yet. It will help out a lot here. But to make sure that this timeline stays peaceful and you guys can keep it safe I will still train you. You are the only ones left after all that are here protect the universe", he said and placed a hand on his son´s shoulder.
Trunks became aware that his father placed a lot more responsibility on him.
"Now this is where the hyperbolic time chamber comes into play. A meager day is a whole year inside of it. We will all go inside and train there. With that, you will get proper training done.", he said and thought about Gohan losing in his SSJ2 is probably his lack of training. He probably only had Piccolo as a teacher in this timeline.
"I am all for it.", interrupted Gohan. "If this is what will eradicate this threat from the earth and help us resurrect our friends..."
It looked like Gohan was already awake for a while and listened on some of the conversations.
"Hey there, Gohan. Slept well? What was that action to go in on your own?", scolded Darc after he could finally question him.
"I..." Gohan wanted to explain himself but Arkis immediately interrupted him. "He got cocky after breaking through into the Super Saiyan 2 state.", she said blatantly.
Darc looked at Gohan looking away in shame and now understood what this was all about.
"I understand. Well, now you got your medicine. That said, it looks like Arkis was the one doing the most protection for you and the people.", asked Darc indirectly.
Bulma nodded "That is right. With her help, we somewhat managed to evacuate a lot of people to this planet through our connections with the GP. But we also can't return. Every day the earth is being destroyed more and more. And our friends were brave enough to try and solve this problem but...no one thought they were that strong.", she explained how they lived in the last decade.
"It´s alright. Bulma, we will be back in a few days time and I promise we will get rid of these androids. Then I will explain to you how you can collect the Super Dragonballs so you can revive our friends.", he said to her.
Bulma smiled brightly. She knew he would not break his promise. „Just be sure to not die."
„Don't worry your pretty head so much. You didn't do that in the past. So why bother doing it now?", he said with a chuckle.
Bulma only snorted slightly but remained silent. She knew he was right. A time without him did change her somewhat. She took danger much more serious now.
„Alright let's move out", told Darc to the three.
With quick nods everyone prepared and Darc teleported them to Kami's lookout plateau.
"Remember, we only got 2 years max in there. Food won't be an issue since I carry a lot of capsules with me. I even got senzu beans that you guys probably also missed.", he explained them the rules.
That he actually would eat way 2 years of his lifespan for this. He better make this worth it for himself as well.