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>>991144
The blue Emperor imp descends from his horse and stands as tall as he can before you. “A-ahem! S-so you haven’t made your wish yet?”

“Well, Vegeta got his wish and-” Goku starts, interrupted by an exasperated groan from Pilaf.

“OH COME ON! Agh, pack it up guys, we’re too late.” he shouts out, sulking and walking off to the horse again.

“...uh, Pilaf, the Dragon grants two wishes now.” Goku adds, looking to you and scratching his head.

“IT DOES?!” he shouts with surprising volume for someone as small as him. “Perfect!”

>A. Wait, Pilaf, what are you going to wish for?
>B. Hold on a second, there’s something you should know before making the wish, Pilaf...
>C. Hey, we got them first, someone else might want to make a wish
>D. Something else?

>>991148
>>A. Wait, Pilaf, what are you going to wish for?

>>991148
Great to see you Kato!

>A. Wait, Pilaf, what are you going to wish for?
I'm willing to help him out if it's a Mifan emergency.

Remember the days when we'd need to use samma ditthi on Pilaf just to know his motives? I'm glad we can trust the lil' guy now.

>B. Hold on a second, there’s something you should know before making the wish, Pilaf...

Equal exchange. The more positive the wish, the more negative energy builds up in them. You know how it is with magic.


>D. Something else?
>If it's a good wish we should see if we can unlock his full Makyan power with Tripitaka as an extra reward. Pilaf with a gigantification mode would be interesting.

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>>991148
You cross your arms and raise an eyebrow. “Wait a minute Pilaf, what exactly are you gonna wish for?”

“I’m glad you asked!” he responds cheerfully. “Well, you see, there have been talks as of late around the court, what with me being an Emperor and-”

“Just get to the point.” Tao grumbles, glancing up at Shenron with... an odd look across his face. Slightly nostalgic, slightly humbled.

“A-anyway! I...” Pilaf looks down at his feet. “...kinda need an heir.”

Oh. OH. Ohhhh... You hear Peppa ask her brother why Pilaf wants hair, leading to him explaining about royal succession. Goku looks to you again, slightly confused. Krillin... “What, no luck with the ladies?”

“Th-that’s not it at all!” Pilaf shouts, his blue face going red. “As much as... aheh, w-well, I COULD get someone... I’d like to make sure I have the best person to leave Mifan to when I.... you know.”

You rub the back of your neck. “Er... there may be a problem with this. See... the wishes don’t come free-”

Pilaf sulks again. “Feh! Name your price.”

“That’s not what she means.” Tien comments. “I’ve been trying to explain it to-”

“Ah, so it’s something more than money? ...All you can eat buffet? Come on, please! We need this!” Pilaf noticeably looks right at Goku as he adds that.

“Pilaf, whenever the Dragon Balls are used, a toll is taken from them. You can’t just create something out of nothing, after all.” you start to explain.

“Right, right, they become stones to recharge or whatever.”

“No, I mean a toll from the energy of the universe. The positive, creative, benevolent power used in a wish means the negative energy that balances it... well, isn’t balanced anymore.” You make a gesture with your arms, raising one while lowering the other. “It’s kind of an... Equivalent Exchange, in a way. If this keeps happening, the Dragon Balls can’t contain that negative energy.”

Pilaf quickly seems to understand what you mean. “O-oh... Damn.”

Shuu lowers his head, letting out a whine. “So, the wish for an heir is a no-go, sire?”

>A. I mean, I don’t think we can really just up and say “no” to that though...
>B. Matchmaker Maple could help! She has a fairly good success rate, you know
>C. Something else?

>>991223
>A. I mean, I don’t think we can really just up and say “no” to that though...

>C. Something else?
Is this a cross-species thing? There's also the way Maple and Acer were made. If Towa and Gero can make an artificial being that's every creature in the known galaxy then we can make

I do believe he had a health issue, yes? Pilaf can wish to keep any health issues from his future heirs and himself so he doesn't need to worry about his own life expectancy.


Bam. Heir and a longer life without immortality or eternal youth.

>>991252
>then we can make one healthy, hybrid makyan*.

Side-note since Tien's here. Ask about Samma Sati and relate how mindfulness would really help with a wish like this. Especially with how Vegeta's wish took it literally with...mind.

>B. Matchmaker Maple could help! She has a fairly good success rate, you know

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>>991223
“I-I mean... it’s not like we can really stop you from making it! Just, you know, be aware of what’s going on with them. Using them too frequently has its consequences.” you tell Pilaf apologetically. And now you feel like the bad guy here. Damn it.

“Right, right...”

“Thaaaat said, you DO have Matchmaker Maple here! She has a fairly good success rate, you know. Many happy customers here.” you add with a cheeky grin.

Acer sighs loudly. “Is now really the time?”

“Whaaaat?” you ask with an innocent but clearly forced smile. Peppa and Gohan start to chuckle together as Piccolo rolls his eyes at you.

“Well, what I specifically want is an heir that would be best for Mifan. It’s not a matter of merely having kids, I could smooth things over with the court for an adopted child.” Pilaf clarifies, his voice hiding clear embarrassment. “Though an Empress would be nice too...” he musingly adds. “Then again, I guess we have to be careful-”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSmlRuL6ZvA

You feel a flash of insight. A small peek that tells you Pilaf’s about to... accidentally wish himself to be young again. Uh-oh.

>A. Hold it hold it hold it! Hold that thought!
>B. Interrupt, quick, and tell him that it’s a good idea to ask for an heir instead
>C. Suggest an alternative wish, before he makes the mistake! (What?)
>D. Something else?

>>991223
>B
Let's embarrass the poor guy further

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>>991401
>B. Interrupt, quick, and tell him that it’s a good idea to ask for an heir instead

>Pilaf the Second!

>>991401
>A

>>991401
>A. Hold it hold it hold it! Hold that thought!

>>991401
A

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>>991401
“Hold it hold it hold it!” you shout, covering Pilaf’s mouth. “Hooold that thought.”

He struggles free and angrily grunts, “What was that for?!”

“You were about to wish yourself young again.” Acer notes, putting his hands behind his head. “Completely by accident too.”

“...wait, why didn’t you do anything?” you ask, giving him an irritated look.

“You were closer, and you clearly saw it too.” he adds with a slightly smug grin. “Besides, jumping in to save the day is your thing, isn’t it?”

You cross your arms again and grunt at him, but turn your attention back to Pilaf. “Sorry about that. Just, you know, would prefer not to have accidents like that happen. If... if you’re still okay with the heir thing, still not much we can really do to stop you.”

“MAKE YOUR WISH SOME TIME SOON, PLEASE.” Shenron asks.

>A. Let Pilaf be, he’s fine
>B. Anyone else have a wish?
>C. Go to Tien, see if you can get a bit more on this situation from him
>D. Make sure Vegeta and Nappa aren’t causing any trouble
>E. Something else?

>>991585
>A. Let Pilaf be, he’s fine
Or, wish for the most comfortable pair of panties in the universe.

>>991585
>A,
>C
>E. Something else?
We should come up with the best way to phrase the wish so that future successions are also secured beyond just one generation.

>>991649if you want tbat, wish for an eternal empire/dynasty

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>>991665
>It makes King Furry's heir the Mifan heir.

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>>991585
You nod to Pilaf and let him be, walking towards Tien and the Crane School. “What all prompted this?”

“Pilaf is not exactly as young as he looks. A meeting with the Imperial Court brought this up with him today, as one of his oldest advisors just passed on a week ago.” Shen explains, looking up at Shenron with the same look on his face that Tao has. “...peacefully, I assure.”

You raise an eyebrow at that last comment. “...Okaaaay.”

“He mentions that since there have been a few attempts on the advisors’ lives as of late. None successful.” Tao clarifies with a smug and knowing smirk. “They make it too easy sometimes...”

Tien and Chiaotzu wince uncomfortably. “I’m here for just an extra bit of insurance.”

“...Towa?” you figure.

Tien nods. “You can never be too careful.”

“Yeah, that fight with Gero’s creations on Brench was way more than I was expecting.” Chiaotzu adds, looking to you. “...ah, sorry if I- ...what I mean is, about Lazuli- ...did you, uh-?”

“Most I can remember is that we were focused on the fight.” you recall. “...at least, consciously.”

Chiaotzu sighs in relief. “Oh thank god...”

...you’re slightly worried now, but surely nothing to dwell on too deeply. Surely. Yes, no awkward conversations.

“YOUR WISH SHALL BE GRANTED.” Shenron’s voice booms. “FAREWELL.”

As the Dragon Balls rise into the air, they start to disperse... Gohan jumping up and catching one. The Four-Star Ball! Goku catches him as he falls, the two boys sharing a thumb’s up.

You look to Pilaf... who seems to be looking at a note of some sort in his hands. Krillin scratches his head curiously. “Huh. The Dragon sure does have a way with granting wishes.”

“What’d you ask for?” You and the Crane School approach.

“I-I wished for a legitimate heir to the Mifan throne. One that would be capable of leading after I passed on, with the best intentions in mind.” Pilaf explains, and then shows you what he’s holding. “This is a geneaology chart.”

“Wait, for who?” you and everyone seem to ask. And then you see it. Talk about coincidences.

“Vegeta, your son is descended from a Mifan Emperor!” Pilaf shouts.

There’s a roar of “WHAAAAT?!” as the Saiyan prince finally takes notice of the conversation.

>A. Look over the chart. Is this genuine?
>B. Well congratulations, Pilaf! You have an heir!
>C. ...you think they would have mentioned something like this before
>D. So, are you going to actually stick around for him this time, Vegeta? Or just fly off into space again?
>E. Something else?

>>991986
>A. Look over the chart. Is this genuine?
>B. Well congratulations, Pilaf! You have an heir!
>E. Something else?

>All hail the Emperor of all Saiyans!

>B. Well congratulations, Pilaf! You have an heir!
>C. ...you think they would have mentioned something like this before

>>991986
>Surrounded by psychica who can divine for knowledge
>Wish for easily divined information
Pilaf is a fucking cuck who wastes wishes

>>992197
And Vegeta could've learned psychic skills such as mind block too.

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>>991986
“Well, congratulations, Pilaf! You have an heir!” you comment cheerfully.

“Shao’s really descended from a Mifan Emperor?” Chiaotzu asks curiously, looking over the chart. “On her dad’s side too...”

You take a closer look yourself. Well, it’s not quite of the same line Chiaotzu was from, but they do have a common ancestor, stretching back to Mifan’s founding if all these people really are what they seem to be. Though... looking at it, there seem to be a number of other people on it too, some lines even going off the page. In fact... wait a minute. You tug at the edge of the paper slightly, and like elastic it stretches, but seems to reveal even more people on this big family tree. Chiaotzu and Pilaf give a stretch of the other side, and it expands too. The three of you bring it back together, and it resumes its original shape.

How bizarre.

You tug at the top a bit... ah, clever, Shenron! The parchment is titled “Living Lineage of Mifan.” It’s magic, and seems to be capable of updating itself! ...your mind races with the possibilities this brings. Oooh if you could study it...

“Huh. Well that’s neat, but... uh, do they know?” Acer questions.

“That’s... a good point, brobro. You think they would have mentioned this before.” Curious.

“Feh. Then I guess it’s fitting that my child is a step above the trash this planet has to offer.” Vegeta summises in a mocking voice.

“Yeah yeah, all hail Emperor of Saiyans or whatever.” you brush off.

“All... what, ten of them?” Krillin asks with a smirk. “Ah, no offense, Goku.”

Your husband shrugs. “Saiyan or not, I’m still an Earthling like you guys.”

“Tch, where’s your pride, Kakarot?!” Vegeta barks. “At least show SOME level of understanding of your heritage! You only ever reached the strength you did because you’re one of us.”

“I dunno, Chuu Lee beat both you AND me in the Tournament.” Goku mentions with a surprisingly cocky grin. “There’s more to strength than just what’s in the blood. Right Maple?”

You smile wide at him. “Couldn’t have said it better myself.”

“Let’s leave them, Vegeta. Your son should see you for a bit, after all.” Nappa comments, sighing with a “the things I put up with...” look all over his grumpy mug.

As they fly off, Peppa sticks her tongue out at Vegeta. Ah, that reminds you...

>A. Peppa, no, you be nice
>B. Sweetie, I know you meant well, but we need to have a talk about jumping into trouble...
>C. Just let her be, she’ll grow out of it
>D. Something else?

>>992318
>A
>B
>Peppa there are better ways to express to yourself.

>Pose at Vegeta and Nappa

"What do you do with the mad that you feel kids?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTs73qO5ehk

>>992318
>A. Peppa, no, you be nice
>B. Sweetie, I know you meant well, but we need to have a talk about jumping into trouble...

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“Peppa, no, you be nice.” you tell your daughter, kneeling down to her. “Actually sweetie... we need to have a bit of a talk.”

She puts her tongue back in her mouth and looks to you bashfully. “Sorry mama...”

You ruffle her hair. “I know you meant well, but Peppa, you need to be careful when jumping into trouble like that. You were lucky there, but you could have gotten hurt.”

“But he was gettin’ mad at you and he was gonna hurt you...” she protests.

“Peppa, mama had it under control. Trust me. I know you got worried, but you can’t just jump into things like that.” you explain, smiling softly at her.

Peppa... pouts. “But he’s mean and he doesn’t like you and-”

“Peppaaa.” You tap her on the nose gently. “Trust mama.”

She mumbles... a kind of half-assed apology towards you, bumping a pebble with her foot. “Yes mama...”

You don’t have to be a mind reader to know she’s still not too happy with that. “Sweetie, promise me you won’t jump into trouble like that. I know you want to help, but you’ll worry us. I don’t want my precious lil’ Peppa getting herself hurt no more than you want to see people hurt your mama or papa.”

She gives a slightly more sincere “Yes, mama.” at you this time.

“Besides, we need to work on the entrance a bit. Just jumping in and kicking people isn’t all that nice. You gotta learn how to make a good pose.”

Acer sighs loudly. “How did I know you were gonna tell her that?”

“Hey, it works and you know it brobro!” you shout out, doing a little spin. “Flashy entrance, cool speech, the works!”

Aaaaand he’s not paying attention now, turning to Krillin and talking with him about the Dragon Ball hunt he just had.

...saaaaay. Maybe that’d be a good idea for the kids.

Following Shenron’s summoning, you...

>A. Heard about a jailbreak from Launch, during your time helping Bulma with the Ki containers
>B. Have spent a lot of time musing over the next step on the Noble Eightfold Path, and might be coming close to a breakthrough
>C. Spent some time training with Acer, Chi-chi, and Goku. Gotta catch up, especially with you getting so close to mastering the Raio-Ten
>D. Decided to do some training with Magic, looking over the Tome again
>E. Worked on trying to get a few more Gravity Chambers built, it’d be helpful for them to be accessible at some dojos
>F. Noticed something has been bugging Piccolo recently, and wanted to see what’s up
>G. Something else?

Pick one, please.

>>992778
>Just one
>So many good choices gaaaah

We really need to learn multi-form so we can multi-task better.
>B. Have spent a lot of time musing over the next step on the Noble Eightfold Path, and might be coming close to a breakthrough
Tien and Trip would help us with this significantly.

>>992778
>B. Have spent a lot of time musing over the next step on the Noble Eightfold Path, and might be coming close to a breakthrough

>F. Noticed something has been bugging Piccolo recently, and wanted to see what’s up

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>>992778
You’ve spent a lot of time musing over the nest step on the Noble Eightfold Path. You’ve had to really think this one over, between your time taking care of the kids and the regular training you’ve been doing to keep yourself improving. Ah, but that’s the thing. The body keeps improving, but as close as you feel like you are to a breakthrough...

You’re just not there yet.

“I remind you again, do not look at this in terms of right and wrong. Look at this in terms of what’s been holding you back.” Trip explains as you meditate.

“I know... I mean, I get that, but I’m not sure how else to go about this.” you sigh.

“If it’s any consolation, this was one of the hardest for me to learn as well.” Tien states, sitting next to you.

“How did it come to you, Tien?” Anything that can give you a lead would be helpful at this point...

He looks past you, towards the clear skies above the Lookout. “...It was during the rescue mission for Korin. I’d been meditating with Piccolo on this... and for a brief moment, I realized just how far out, how dangerous this all is for us. How dangerous it would be for Launch.”

“Was it her that triggered it?”

“Not quite. It... well, how to put this...?” he asks aloud, scratching his head and closing his eyes, the third eye of the triclops still looking up into the sky. “Something just came to me that we really could all fail this. The feeling that with whatever unknown dangers lurk out there on our mission, we might not come back. If things got bad for you guys, we couldn’t come to your aid either. Or, we could come home to a desolated world. Everyone we cared about, taken at the hands of tyrants and monsters.” He opens his eyes again. “I had a vivid, brief glimpse of that, arriving to see Mifan ablaze, the Crane School in ruins, all of you dead or dying...”

A... grim thought, for sure. “What else beyond that though?”

“But at the same time... well, it was being able to accept that, but push on anyway. Even now, I realize that in spite of how well we’ve prepared ourselves, there’s still a very real possibility that we’ll lose.” Tien adds humbly. “If anything, I feel like the arrival of your son and Yamcha’s daughter from the future reinforced that.”

...wait a minute, that might be it!

>A. I’m gonna focus on that, maybe I make myself see that future
>B. I’m headed to Baba’s, I need a fortune told
>C. Ask Tien some more about that, what about the dark future reinforced it for him?
>D. Something else?

>>993178
>A. I’m gonna focus on that, maybe I make myself see that future

>C.

>D.
Pendulum Room with Tien!

Ask to see both the bad future from Mirai Gohan's timeline and the Good Future we influenced in the forbidden room. Trip is our Kami and we can ask her to ask...her boss permission.

>>993178
Yo Kato, is the Hyperbolic Time-Chamber an option? Cause otherwise >>993212 backing this one.

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>>993178
“Trip, Kami, might I be able to request we use the Pendulum Room?”

“We?” Tien repeats.

“Yeah, I’ve got an idea, and I kinda need your help, Tien.” you state with a smile. Oh you’ve got a great idea...

“You wish to see the past once more?” Trip inquires.

You shake your head. “The Future. Well... sort of. If it’s possible, could we see Gohan’s Future? My Gohan’s?”

“It... is not a small task you ask, Maple.” Kami tells you, frowning. “The past is one thing, but- ...hmm. Give me a moment.”

Thaaaat sound hopeful. “If not, then I have another idea, but thanks for checking this one out!”

Kami walks off, Trip looking to you curiously. “I think I get what you’re trying to do, but do you think it’s best, Maple?”

You look down humbly. “If it means realizing just how badly things can go... well, at the very least, it’s a way to prepare for it, but maybe this is what I need to see.”

“What about the fight with King Cold?” Tien asks.

You shake your head. “It wouldn’t work. We know how that ended, and even though I...” you subconsciously rub at the scar a little. “...I still was too aware of how we could win. This... this is different.”

Kami returns with a curious look on his face. “You have been allowed it. But in order to access this, there is a stipulation.”

“Name it.”

Kami leans on his staff. “You must focus your Foresight in the Pendulum Room in order to access this event. It... well, she said it bends the rules slightly, but does not break any. But she requests you still behave yourself.”

You figure you know who “She” is, and nod in understanding. “You up for this, Tien?”

“I am.” he states solemnly. “But we need to be careful. Launch will have my head if this goes poorly.”

“Heh, she’d probably have mine too.” you laugh out apologetically.

Once inside the Pendulum Room, you focus yourself. You start thinking on Gohan, Raichi, and yourself, to try and see if you can get your Foresight to work well enough to access this... event with it. You then feel the familiar energy of the Pendulum Room powering up. Almost... almost...

THERE!

You open your eyes and look around. Ah, it’s all coming back to you. Ghost dad’s... Dr. Raichi’s fortress. In the distance you hear someone talking, and approach with Tien. It... gods. It’s him. And... you. And Acer.

“You will NOT get away with this!” you... well, the “future” you shouts at him. “We’ve come this far, and we’re not stopping now!”

You notice... there are tears in her... your... agh, pronouns! Future Maple’s eyes. Raichi... just sits there silently on his crystal ball, then lets out a soft sigh. One that’s oddly familiar to you. “Maple... Acer... I will not deny my faults to you. You two are Tuffles, you’re smart enough to see through anything I say.”

(cont.)

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>>993839
“What?”

Raichi shakes his head. “There was a time I thought of you two as nothing more than scraps to be tossed aside after you showed your... flaws.”

“They’re not flaws!” Acer shouts. “Look at us, we’re alive! We’re our own people, not some twisted experiments!”

“Indeed you are. And I was wrong to cast you both aside. You two have grown so, so much...”

You look again and notice that Future Maple and Acer are in fighting stances. Guard up, full of anger, but focused. “Well if you’re going to come out and surrender, you better say it now.” Future Maple barks at him.

“I can not. You know that I can not. But I can offer you both this...” You notice... Raichi’s Ki is skyrocketing. It’s... it’s higher than yours! Either of yours! “I am truly sorry for what we’re about to do. You both are the finest Tuffles to ever live, the pride of our race. You both fill me with pride...” You notice his barrier shine brilliantly. Agh, that damn barrier. The memories are all coming back. Raichi shakes his head once more. “...but oh, so much regret. I am sorry for what we’re about to do.”

“Who the hell is this-” Acer starts, only to be interrupted by the answer staring him in the face. “...we.”

A tall, red and pink figure stares down Future Maple and Acer. “The Saiyans have been dealt with. Please let me make this as painless as possible.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubAfYF9uS6g

>DRAGON BALL TUFFLE QUEST Z #56... Paused
>Twitter account is @KatoQm, will have status updates there
>Got some questions for the QM? Characters? Suggestions? Throw them at ask.fm/QMKato and I'll try to answer them as best I can

And that's all for tonight, folks. I'll be around for questions and such for a short while. I’d like to apologize for this one being a little light on updates, and on there not being a thread in the last... Primus, has it almost been a whole month? I’ve been dealing with some serious family issues in the last few weeks. Sorry if I’m a bit rusty with this. We’ll continue starting ~4:30 pm PST tomorrow.

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>>993851
Oh I am having a joyous time.

I can't wait see what happens tomorrow.

Thanks for running!

Question! If that map fell into Towa's hand she could easily sample every bit of mifan royal dna to create her own heir to to throne. How do we keep that from happening?

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>>993870
Thanks for playing, anon.

A very good question. You should think on that.

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>>991986
>Gohan jumping up and catching one. The Four-Star Ball!
Didn't we make him one already?

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And we're back.

>>993851
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubAfYF9uS6g

“Wh-what do you mean? I can still sense their Ki!” Future Maple shouts.

Raichi looks to her apologetically. “You can. Just as you could sense Freeza. Cold. Cooler. Turles. Slug. Bongo. Garlic. Piccolo.”

...Gods. He... he’s taken them already? You find yourself clenching your fist. The Future versions of yourself and your brother look to him in shock. Acer’s voice trembles. “Chi-chi... you... you...”

“I will not torture either of you with them. I have too much pride in what you’ve accomplished for something so petty. Our race has been avenged. But I know neither of you will accept the results of this. Maple, Acer... it will be over quickly.” Raichi sighs. “I truly am sorry...”

“YOU TOOK MY CHI-CHI!” your brother roars, bringing out the Masamune and filling it with... Magic of some kind, but... this isn’t a technique he has right now. “Give her back! GIVE HER BACK!”

The blade clashes with the tall red and pink figure’s arm. Your Future self attempts to get a strike in while he’s distracted, bringing out her sword, only for him to actually catch that. With a burst of Ki Raichi knocks the two back, floating towards the figure slowly.”

Tien looks down grimly and asks,“...Are you sure you want to keep going, Maple?”

>A. ...I need to
>B. I’ve... I’ve seen enough. Kami, bring us back...
>C. Maybe you can read the figure’s mind, see how it happened?
>D. Something else?

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>>995803
>A
...The first time Brobro died, I didn't see it. This time its my choice to witness this. Dad keeps talking 'pride' but...I'm here to be humbled. This is my lesson on humility and being truly mindful of everything in life and death. Accepting it....

>C.
I'd suggest combining Tien and Maple's mental abilities in this regard. A Tuffleclops would be amusing but I doubt we have time.

>>995803
>A. ...I need to

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>>995803
“...First time brobro died, I didn’t see it. Not directly. But this time... I’m going to make myself see it. See us do our best against a foe... and fail. It’s my choice to witness this, because I need to see it.” You look down meekly. “Ghost dad keeps talking about pride... but to be honest, I’m here because I need to learn some more humility.” You watch as the Future versions of yourself and your brother fight valiantly against the red warrior... something about it strikes you as familiar, but can’t quite put your finger on it. They’re even getting some good hits in... but it’s clearly not enough, especially with Raichi helping the warrior. “This is a lesson I need to learn. And... maybe one she never did.” Gods that’s an awful thought...

She launches a Clothes Beam at the red warrior, only for, what looks to be a straight jacket, to be caught in the air by Raichi and redirected at Acer. She has the Spirit Bits trying to keep them on edge, but Raichi apparently is countering with his own variant of them. Acer blasts a Revenant Driver boosted with flames as your future self mixes it with a Phantom Shotgun sparking with electricity... and it’s like Raichi was never there to begin with, the red warrior teleporting with him and reappearing behind the both of them.

You sigh quietly. “I... need to learn to be mindful, of both life and death. And... accepting that it can end up like this.”

“MAFUBA!” your Future self shouts, apparently having stopped the red warrior with a lucky hit... ah, and she’s used the Samma Vaca, too! She... she’s almost got him! She brings it down to a jar...

That’s immediately destroyed by Raichi...

He’s freed, and retaliates by charging an attack. Your future self pants in exhaustion, but shouts for Acer to use “it.” He... brings out some kind of paper, ah, a talismin of some sort! It’s starting to cause the forms of Raichi and the warrior to fade!

...another one of the red warriors strikes him in the back of the head, destroying the paper as it falls from his hand. Tien looks at them in surprise. “The multi-form technique? But they have so much power already...”

“Tien, mind if we try to take a look into its mind? Maybe that can give us some more clues on what it is.” you suggest.

The two of you focus, but... it’s odd. This isn’t the mind of a living creature. It’s... organized, but the mind of it is just so... sterile, ordered, but not exactly in a readable way. Wait... you seem to get-

“...No. No way.”

Tien looks to you, confused, but clearly discovering the same thing you did. “Maple... what is this thing?”

“...Hatchiyak.”

>A. Read more into its mind, as best you can. How the hell does that computer have a “body” like this?
>B. Focus on the fight. It’s why you're here
>C. Something else?

>>996049
>B. Focus on the fight. It’s why you're here

>>996049
>>A. Read more into its mind, as best you can. How the hell does that computer have a “body” like this?

>>996049
>A. Read more into its mind, as best you can. How the hell does that computer have a “body” like this?
There's difference between accepting you can only do so much and resigning yourself to do nothing for your situation.

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>>996049
“Long story short... a supercomputer. Guess we’ll find out more soon, though.” You focus on the fight, but keep lookint into Hatchiyak’s mind as your Future self charges, roaring as she shouts out a cry of Kaio-ken, and lands a powerful, hard Hallowed Rush on Raichi’s shield. And it shatters. Acer uses what strength he has left to try and knock Raichi aside, kicking him off his crystal ball and to the ground. “You want to see pride? Then here, here’s the pride of the man who took us in and raised us like a real father!”

Future Maple and Acer charge a pair of Kamehamehas, sparks and flames jetting from them both, the two Hatchiyaks attempting to stop them, when they teleport away from them and reappear behind Raichi. Instant Transmission comes in handy once more!

But Raichi manages to bring up his shield at the last moment, stopping the brunt of the attack. “...Truly, one who raised you two better than I ever did, ever could. I shall thank him once this is over.”

“You’ll only get a brief chance when we send you to Hell, Raichi!” Future Maple shouts defiantly. She tries to restore her Ki and Stamina, Acer taking a Senzu. But the Hatchiyaks appear before them once more... and merge back into one. Gods, its Ki is enormous. And it just keeps climbing. The more you look... the more you realize just how much Hatchiyak is holding back. He’s more than just strong. All the data that you can read from this... it’s everyone that’s been summoned, trapped, by the computer. If he wanted he could summon forth an army of your fallen foes. And it’s somehow using that, mixed with the Destron Gas, to create a physical, living form of its own.

A Destructo Disk and Power Slicer attempt to cut him down, only for the attacks to be stopped in mid-air and quickly destroyed. Raichi... launches a barrage of Ki blasts as the warrior charges, pinning down the Future Tuffle twins.

“Revenger Cannon!”

Future Maple manages to block the brunt of the onslaught with the Samma Sankappa, but even with that, the blast knocks her down. Acer... isn’t as lucky, he’s down for the count and badly wounded. Your Future self tries to heal him, dashing away from Raichi’s next attack with her brother in her arms.

They try to hide themselves for a moment. You hear Future Acer cough and tell his sister to run. She... slaps him and tells him to stop talking like that. That they can win this and bring everyone back. That... they won’t fail. She keeps healing him and herself as quickly as she can, Hatchiyak... approaching slowly. The Future Tuffle twins agree that they have one last shot at this.

Fusion.

(cont.)

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>>996411
They give a defiant speech and, to your surprise, Raichi allows them this last attempt. They... Macer? Aple? Blast forward to Hatchiyak, timing their attacks. There seems to be a glitch of some sort every time he attacks, as you notice a small drop in his power... but Raichi covers him every time they get close to taking advantage of this.

There’s one final attempt to stop Raichi. They wait for Hatchiyak to charge again, then break Raichi’s barrier and grab hold of him, teleporting in front of Hatchiyak as he tries to fire. You hear... weak laughter from Raichi. “You... truly are the greatest of Tuffles. Strong, defiant, and clever. Thank you.” You feel a sudden surge of Raichi’s Ki. “And I’m sorry.”

To their surprise, Hatchiyak doesn’t slow his charging. They try to break off, but Raichi forms a barrier around the two of them. They’re all trapped together. “Y-you... he’ll destroy you too!”

“I am aware.” Raichi sighs out, Ki still building. “But my plan will continue.”

He... oh no. He forces himself to self-destruct, breaking his own barrier right as Hatchiyak fires. The attack... overwhelms the fused Tuffle and the phantom. They fall to the ground, beaten, Raichi not even vapors now. Agh, but with Hatchiyak there... “Thus ends your resistance. It will be a simple matter finishing the last Saiyan and the Hybrids. I am sorry this was prolonged.”

They look up at Hatchiyak... and smirk, charging one last attack themselves, letting the blazing aura of the Kaio-ken surround them. “You'll never find them. Made sure of that. At the very least, our kids are safe.”

The computer given flesh gives a smile. “Defiant to the end, I see. But this is not the end for us.”

You sense... gods, everyone. Goku, Raditz, Krillin, Chi-chi, all your friends... Hatchiyak fires. There’s a brief and valiant struggle... but it’s just not enough and the Fused Tuffle’s Ki vanishes as they’re consumed by the blast. Hatchiyak looks around apologetically... agh, you can feel... well, YOU in his mind now too. And Acer. And... Raichi. Hatchiyak stoically looks upwards... ah, Earth. The planet’s right above it. “It is a glorious new beginning.”

The Pendulum simulation ends. And OH GODS OW! OW OW OW! You fall to the floor clutching your head. It’s like your brain is on fire! Trip comes to you quickly, helping you up. “Maple, Maple!”

“Aghgghhh!” It’s like... like you have a small moon being pressed against your skull. You’re carried off by Tien to a study in the Lookout, Trip doing her best to heal you.

“It seems that having to look into the Future, fill in that much detail for that long, is not something you should attempt lightly.” Kami says as he looks down at you. “I am sorry for that.”

Tien gives you a solemn glance. “...how do you feel, Maple?”

>A. Humbled. That... was intense...
>B. Hurting. Ow.
>C. Don’t know, to be honest. Was that really our best?
>D. Something else?

>>996421
Much less confident.
The possibility of failure is extremely real, even with our best efforts.
Of course, this means that we have to surpass our best, for everyone's sake. If we fail even after that, well, that was always a possibility. We just have to take measures to at least try to prevent that future.

>>996421
>D. Nothing I have or am capable of will turn the tide. Though, maybe instead of attempting that, I should turn with it...

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>>996421
“Eheh. Quite... quite a bit less confident, I’ll say that much.” you pant out. Head still feels like it’s about to split open. “It was one thing knowing that we failed but... wow. We really did try our best. And... gods, I’m gonna try, but it kind of stings knowing that even for as well as we did... there might not be much I can really do to turn the tide.”

Tien looks up through a window, gazing at the sky. “...I know what you mean.”

https://youtu.be/Gl6Oa86uggQ

“I guess... it does hit a bit harder now. And even then, we can still fail this.” You close your eyes, rubbing your forehead. Well... it’s downgrading to “painful headache” levels now. “But... it’s strange. I think really seeing that made me look at this in a new light.”

You hear Tien chuckle a little. “Is that so?”

You take a deep breath. “We can fail. We did fail. And... I guess I can really internalize that. I can accept it, but still work towards trying to prevent it. It’s like...”

“It’s staring into this fate and not running from it, nor passively accepting it as inevitable. It’s a strong, steady march to face it.” the triclops affirms.

You sit up. “Yeah. For our sake, for the future’s sake... we face this. There are dark clouds ahead of us. But we’ll do everything we can to make it out of this storm together.”

You see Trip looking at you both with a soft, motherly smile out of the corner of your eye. “...It’s not something that one can easily face.”

“Believe me, I’m still trying to internalize it all. But it’s clicking for me, now.” You finally stand, legs trembling a little, but you stablize yourself, then bow to her, and then Tien. “Thank you both for this.”

“I am glad I could help.” Trip replies.

“Until we meet again, Maple.” Tien tells you, walking off.

“What will you do now?” Kami asks.

>A. Going home. I’m gonna hug my Goku and my kids for at least a couple hours
>B. Maple needs a rest, mind if I stay here for a while?
>C. Something else?

>>996639
>A. Going home. I’m gonna hug my Goku and my kids for at least a couple hours

>>996639
>C. Kamitaka, can you inform King Yemma of this machine that steals people from Otherworld and get some Grim Reapers on this?

>>996687
Wait, does the machine steal dead souls, or make copies? Could we go to Baba's palace and ask for Raichi, and possibly ask him how to counteract the machine when he isn't being fueled by vengeance and whatnot.

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>>996639
“I’m gonna go home and give my Goku and my kids hugs for the next... couple hours? Maybe three. Or four.” you state cheekily, but sincerely. “Ah, wait! Before I do, Trip, Kami, it looks like Raichi and his computer Hatchiyak have been able to trap people’s souls and keep them from passing on, or something like that. Whatever it is, it’s truly trapping people’s souls. I think you’ll need to contact King Yemma or someone about that.”

Kami frowns grimly. “King Piccolo possessed a similar ability to stop people from passing on. I will do what I can with that, thank you, Maple. Take care.”

You tap two fingers to your forehead and teleport home, right next to Goku. He barely gets out a “Hi Maple!” before you just about pounce on him, hugging him tight. “Uh... you okay?”

Your... eyes water a little as you hold him. “Just... kinda got reminded of how lucky I am to have you. My monkey boy.”

Goku scratches the back of his head, but seems to get the gesture, hugging you back. “Heh, and I’m lucky to have you too, Maple.”

Gohan and Peppa’s heads pop up from your husband’s shoulders. “Mama sad?” your daughter asks.

You shake your head. “Mama’s just happy to have you all still.” you mention, looking to her, then your son.

It takes Goku a moment to understand that one, but when he notices how you’re staring at Gohan, it seems to click for him. He pats your head gently, holding you quietly as he smiles.

You know what’s coming. You know how it went down. And you’ve accepted that even at your best... failure is a very real option. But for their sake... you’re still going to try your hardest to protect them.

Words seem to come to your lips as you quietly breathe out... "Samma... Sati...”

https://youtu.be/1F7MwxJ43Vk

>DRAGON BALL TUFFLE QUEST Z #56 END
>Twitter account is @KatoQm, will have status updates there
>Got some questions for the QM? Characters? Suggestions? Throw them at ask.fm/QMKato and I'll try to answer them as best I can

And that's all for tonight, folks. Thank you all for sticking with me, I know this thread was a bit slower than usual, and I’m sorry for that. Thank you all for playing, from those that joined when this first started a year and a half ago, to those who joined us more recently. Hope this New Year treats you all well.

This all said, did y’all have fun?

>>996884
Do you ask people if they had fun reading depressing things often?

>>996884
I missed the session, but I had fun reading through it. Thanks for running, Kato.

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>>996968
Just want to make sure y'all are having fun.

>>997039
Glad you had fun, anon!

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Happy New Year, everyone.

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>>997257
That's not until the 28th.

>>996884
Thanks for running Kato! I got tears in my own eyes!

I hope to see more Maple in the new year.

>>996884
>You know what’s coming. You know how it went down. And you’ve accepted that even at your best... failure is a very real option. But for their sake... you’re still going to try your hardest to protect them.
>Words seem to come to your lips as you quietly breathe out... "Samma... Sati...”
Oh, I think I'm starting to get it now!
https://youtu.be/azI_RlDHTBE?list=PLD3952F469D51E830&t=5
It's like 0:04-0:24, right?