Dende: At least you've got time to prepare yourselves before you reach the worst of this quest. Unfortunately I can't give more than the information which I've already provided. Maybe Bulma could be of aid. *Dende said sincerely.*
Trunks: *He exhaled, steeling himself.* Right. We'll prep at Capsule Corp first—my mom can give us gear for Hell, and maybe even a direct location for the hidden grove.
Goten: *He nudged Melody gently.* You good? This is gonna be a rough one.
Melody nodded, her usual quiet resolve returning. She owed this to the world. Before the trio knew it, they were back at Capsule Corp. Trunks brought his mom up to date in record time.
Bulma: In the years when Goku was still a boy, the red ribbon army had a secret Labrador underneath West City, I'm fairly sure that the hidden grove that you're referring to, is one in the same. *Bulma said excitedly. She tapped her chin, then snapped her fingers.* I've got the exact coordinates from when I hacked their systems back in the day! *She rushed to a terminal, pulling up an old map. A blinking dot marked the grove's location beneath overgrown forest.* Easy peezy.
Trunks: *Listening to all that mumble jumble, so many things sounds wrong.* Easy peezy? *Trunks said swallowing harshly.* That's West City's endangered species quarantine.
Bulma: *She froze, then winced.* Oh. Right. That's a… no-go zone. *She rubbed her temples.* The government put that area under lockdown after the last Red Ribbon explosion. You'd need official clearance—or a really good disguise.
Trunks: Mom, you couldn't possibly consider that approach? There must be another way into the hidden grove. *Trunks wondered aloud.*
Bulma: *She drummed her fingers on the desk, thinking.* Well… there is an underground tunnel system beneath West City. The Red Ribbon used it for smuggling. It's probably collapsed by now, but— *She smirked.* If anyone can dig through rubble like a mole, it's you two.
Goten: You mean, us three, *Goten made himself heard.*
Bulma: *She laughed, ruffling Goten's hair.* Right, you three. My mistake. *She pulled up a holographic map of the tunnels.* Start here—old maintenance shafts. They should lead you under the grove. Just… don't get crushed by falling rocks.
Trunks: Mom....! *Trunks squeaked like a little mouse.* That's not reassuring at all.
Bulma: *Bulma grinned, unrepentant.* Hey, I didn't say it was safe! That's why you're the best at this—you improvise! *She tossed them a comm device.* Stay in touch. And for God's sake… don't die! I promise you Trunks, if you die, I will resurrect you just to kill you myself.
Trunks: *He shot his mother a look—half offended, half touched.* Gee, thanks. So supportive.
Goten: *He chuckled, slinging an arm around both of them.* C'mon. Let's go dig up ancient treasures like a bunch of responsible delinquents.