Chapter Text
Capsule I: Encounter
The sound of the engine slowly falling silent filled his time capsule. He checked his things for a moment, before leaving the vehicle in search for the abnormal space-time signal. After joining the Time Patrol, Xeno Trunks had set himself the task of monitoring and protecting the time-space.
Stepping away from his time capsule, he shielded his eyes from the blazing light. The sun of the far away planet was setting, immerging the vast scenery in crimson rays. There was no civilisation recorded in the area, so the abnormal signal was all the more conspicuous and required examination.
He wandered through the red sand, accompanied by his heavy breathing and the sound of his shoes crunching on the uneven ground. The lavender-haired man felt the sweat run down his chin. It was incredibly hot - too hot to fly around freely - and the thick air made it hard to breathe. Xeno Trunks held his device in his left hand, trying to figure out where said signal was coming from. He could barely imagine someone living in this bleak place voluntarily. Trees were rather sparse, while sand and rocks could be found in abundance. For a little longer he moved along cliffs and steep sandhills and when he was about to give up his search, the device started to ping loudly. He raised his brow and stared at the scratched screen. Then he turned his head to look around. Nearby, he had made out a rather shady spot beneath a stone formation. The male squinted his eyes. He thought he could make out a blurred figure in the shadows. He let his gaze wander for another moment, but couldn't make out any further gestures. Was that figure over there perhaps a stranded man who had lost his path?
Xeno Trunks carefully moved towards the stranger, his eyes always on the target. He had cleared himself off of his own Ki, practically vanishing from a potential enemy’s radar. It was unclear who or what was dozing on the sand and what danger the figure posed. But the Time Patrol member would soon find out.
When he got close enough - his hand steadily on his weapon - he noticed a space capsule in the background of the stone ledge. Apparently it was a space traveler seeking protection from the scorching heat of this hostile planet. Xeno Trunks relaxed a little when he saw that it was a humanoid life form. But in the same moment, he flinched back in surprise, when he recognized the familiar face of the sleeping person. He immediately drew his sword and pointed it at the man at his feet. Xeno Trunks let out a sigh of relief and put his sword away, while glancing at the man whose face was like a glimpse into the almost forgotten past:
“Hey, wake up.”
For a moment, there was no movement coming from the other. He was laying on his side with his arms folded across his sturdy chest and the head resting on a flat stone. Then he slowly began to stir, turning his head towards Xeno Trunks. Blinking, he looked up at him. Xeno Trunks recognized the scar that ran across the left side of the man's face. He remembered the dark, spiky hair and the deep black eyes that had always looked at him with kindness.
“What in the hell are you doing here?”
He mumbled, visibly confused. The other man sat up to muster the Time Patrol member. A yawn escaped the dark-haired man and he stretched out his right arm at the attempt to wake up. He was still wearing the same attire as the last time they had bid their goodbyes in the selection realm: a closed black gi underneath a hooded black cloak and secured by a blue knot-tied obi over his waist, grey undershirt, brown pants, black wristbands, and black boots with grey stripes on the bottom edges. The previously so called Future Warrior in Black smirked at Xeno Trunks:
“Long time no see.” The Time Patrol sighed once more and held out his right hand to help Black Future Gohan up. He gratefully accepted the helping hand before knocking the dust off his clothes. “So? What are you doing here? I thought you were touring space time with Aeos and the other Warrior in Black?” Xeno Trunks asked, crossing his arms in front of his chest. The incarnation of his former master nodded. “I did. But a while back, I decided to split up and check out stuff alone.” The lavender-haired man blinked, and looked around the vast landscape.
“No offense, but what’s there to check out here?” The taller man grinned and shook his head slightly. "That's right, there's not much to see here... To be honest, I've lost my way. But now that you're here, everything should be fine.” Despite his stern appearance, Black Future Gohan didn’t seem to have a specific plan. He even seemed rather clueless about the whole splitting up thing. For a moment, he tried to collect his thoughts. Perhaps he could help him find his way again.
“What did you even try to see or check out? Had some specific planet in mind?” The bigger man shoke his head. He stared at Xeno Trunks and mustered his features. A warm breeze blew over them, sending red sand into their faces. “Not really. I just felt kinda restless. Felt like there is something missing.” Xeno Trunks paused, looking at the taller man from the side. He wasn't sure what was going on in his head, but he guessed it had something to do with their past.
“Hey, I might know a place, where you could find your inner peace. What do you think? Want me to guide you?”