Chapter 2: The Pathway Vengeance

It was nearly midnight and Eighteen was very concerned. Her husband always came home around 10 o'clock sharp. An hour ago, she had poured coffee into his favorite mug adding her signature "Latte Love Heart" into it. She tried calling his cell phone but she kept getting his voicemail. Something in her heart was telling her that something terrible had just happened. She wasn't as in superstitious as he was, but she believed you could feel the person you love the most was in trouble. Thankfully Marron was sleeping over at Goku's house. She wouldn't have to see her mother so worried.

Just 3 miles away Viktor was making haste to the Chestnut household. He had been going over in his mind on how he would proceed. He would knock on the door, carefully word to Krillin's wife that her husband had just been shot and that she would need to get over to Satan General Hospital. Viktor shook his head. She'd think he was crazy. In her mind Krillin up until now was able to shake of bullets and not even flinch. He was still thinking this was all but a bad dream and he would wake up. He pulled up to the household taking a deep breath, he walked out of the car.

Sitting on the couch watching a TV show, 18 heard a gentle knock on the door. Walking over to open it, she expected to see her husband. What she saw was her husband's partner Viktor, looking like he'd seen a ghost. He walked inside, putting his hands together he started to speak. "Mrs. Chestnut, your husband Krillin has been severely injured." Her eyes opened, her worst fears were coming true. "How?" Before her husband's partner could say anymore she slammed him against the wall putting him in a chokehold. She started to yell with tears in her eyes. "Where the fuck were you?! You were suppose to protect him! Who did it, TELL ME!!!" At this point Viktor didn't care if she killed him. He failed on protecting his only friend, her husband. In his mind he was already damned to hell for the life he lead in the Army. Her anger subsiding, she put Viktor down not so gently.

Being filled with emotion of grief, she started to reflect on the events that had led to this moment. For so long she had failed to realize just how dangerous her husband's job was. She thought him to be invincible, but tonight proved that no one, not even herself was invincible. Every snide remark she had ever said to her husband started circling her mind. All of her worst fears were now coming to realization. How would she support Marron and herself? Would her husband survive, and still be the man he was? So many questions, no answers. She felt a hand being placed on her shoulder, and looked up to see Viktor was still there. He didn't seem to be upset at her anger she exhibited towards him. He spoke silently to Eighteen. "Your husband is over at Satan General Hospital. You need to go to him." Before he could say another word, he saw her blast into the air at speeds he had never seen before. Getting into his car he made his way over to the hospital.

Another continent away in a giant underground bunker hidden from the world, General Copper was watching as the operation he so carefully crafted was now in ruin. Taking off his rose tinted glasses he was reading the reports that were sent to him. "Damn the impatience of youth." An hour ago he's given specific instructions to Clyde to abort the mission. But being the impatient bastard that Clyde was known to be, he decided to against his orders and to go on with. Hearing a gentle tap on his private chambers door he said. "Come in." One of his attendants bowed and spoke. "General, Clyde Lars would like a word." He had some fucking nerves to even call him at this point. But being curious onto how he'd dig himself out of the hole he'd dug he picked up his mic. "You have to be either stupid, or extremely brave to even call me, Clyde." Hearing that the bullets had been a success and that they had done the job according to their design, brought some form of satisfaction to his lips. After a moment he heard Clyde say something. "I'll be back to headquarters within 30 minutes."

Taking off his Army cap, Copper looked at his reflection. The years of combat and long hours of sleepless nights had took their toll. His once greasy short black hair had now come to have patches of grey. His face was another story. He had wrinkles under his eyes, a giant laceration on his left cheek he earned as a token from the rouge Androids No. 1 and 2. Over the years to compensate for his own weaknesses. He did genetic augmentation on himself that transformed his body from within and above. Painfully he had started removing weaknesses that limited humans. He started removing his ability to feel common things such as, pain, sickness, and emotion. He had transformed himself into a entity of pure rational thinking. He did feel anger, but he welcomed it as he felt in his belief that anger, if applied into something productive could result in successes. His staff officer walked into his chambers and said. "Sir, Clyde Lars has arrived and would like to speak to you. Putting his trench coat back over his vest, and his Army cap firmly upon his head he spoke. "Send him in for the debriefing, if you will." Bowing the staff officer said, "As you command, sir."

Walking through the long metallic hall ways Clyde Lars was reflecting on his actions. He had disobeyed Copper once again, he sighed. He was so caught up in his pursuit for glory, that he came to the realization that he had likely jeopardized all of the Army's operations. Walking through the hallways, this bunker still put him edge. The bunker was part military base, part science laboratory. The west wing, scientists were hard at work splicing and restructuring the less desirables of society's DNA and body makeup. The denizens within the west wing were being gifted with new found powers. They were mostly petty criminals, runaways, and the occasional disillusioned solider looking to gain an edge. Their memories would be wiped using a serum the late Dr Johnathan Gero had made when he made the Cyborgs No. 17 and 18. Then they would add upon the legions of the newly remade Red Ribbon Army.

The east wing, was where the magic happened. Filled full of with strategists and officers. The operations carried within were of the upmost classified. Clyde wasn't authorized to go within an earshot of the door that lead into it, for if he did he'd be terminated. The rumors were, that it was modeled exactly like the command room from the old stronghold. Word was Copper spent most of his time in there, when he wasn't held up in the west wing of the bunker discussing new technological plans with his trusted scientists. Most of the people who worked in the bunker were transferred were from the original stronghold. Before the young boy assaulted the stronghold, Copper transferred all his personnel and few valuable scientists he respected like Dr Gero to this bunker without Commander Red or Staff Officer Black knowing any better.

Finally making it to Copper's private chamber two of his enhanced guards stopped him. They were 8 feet tall, had spikes coming out of their heads, and were incredibly muscular. The one on the right spoke in a deep tone. "Your weapons, please." Handing them his special multipurpose rifle and belt that gave his suit cutting advantage in battle, he walked in. Hearing Coppers calm voice he heard. "Take a seat, Clyde." Sitting himself down next to his superior he awaited his words. "You've disobeyed me once again. Locking his snake like yellow eyes over to Clyde he said. "Because of your track record of getting the results even when they go against my wishes, I'm going to punish you and reward you at the same. Clyde began to tense up. Copper saw his agent squirm in fear. It pleased him that he could get such a reaction. Opening up the folder that had contained the debriefing of Operation Piercing Strike he began to speak."Th Ex-Orin Temple Monk, Krillin Chestnut is believed to be in critical condition. The bullets from the chest and spinal cord were removed, however the patient may suffer from permanent paraplegia from the waist down. An undiagnosed heart problem, likely unnoticed from birth suggests that by the bullets and the surgery have exasperated his already weak heart. Clyde began to feel sick at the menacing smile Copper was giving him. "Further more, the ex-monk is in a deep coma, unlikely to awake if his heart gives out from natural causes.

Clyde feeling a wave of nausea after hearing Coppers extremely detailed report on the status of his victim, he gulped. Copper chuckled. This operative was such a disappointment. When reading about his own heinous deeds he started to panic. Pushing a button on his sleeve he locked the doors and windows within his chambers. Attempting to run, only to find the doors were locked shut. He went into his fly or die mechanism and tried to defend himself. It was all for nothing. Soon he felt a sharp stab in the back of his head. Feeling himself slowly wasting away, he heard Copper whisper. "You have failed me for the last time, Clyde. Your punishment and reward will be the honor of becoming part of me. Your enhancements will become mine. Welcome the peace for becoming one with the greatest being in the universe. Say hello to your brothers and sisters for me, Clyde." Groaning his voice sounded as that of a demon from the depths hell. He knelt on the floor, his eyes glowing yellow, feeling Clyde's power becoming his own. Finally after the process was complete he stood up and told his guards to dispose of the remains of what was Clyde Lars.

Sitting back down into his chair he proceeded to think on the road ahead. It would be long and full dangers. The Cyborg in her grief and anger will no doubt come and attempt to kill them all. But that could be a good thing. To destroy a great foe you must find their weakness, exploit it and use it kill them. Opening up his desk he looked over the schematics on the female Cyborg Gero had given him 7 years ago. She had impressive powers for sure. Infinite stamina and the ability to fire artificial Ki waves much like his photon gauntlets. He rubbed his chin, would he even he need to use his secret form? He hadn't used it in over two decades. Only time it saw use was during his battle with the rouge Androids 1 and 2, where he gained the scars he has today. He smirked, his yellow eyes reflecting in the window overlooking the entire bunker. "Let the games begin".

A/N

Thank you once more, this chapter was joy to write. The next chapters will be seen from both Eighteen's and Viktor's perspective. I have many ideas onto where the story can go. Any suggestions and reviews are appreciated.

TBC