Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ or have any rights to it.

Piccolo's eyes felt heavy for the first time in over a decade. In fact, ever since his battle with the androids, he was incapable of any feeling or thought. For all he knew, this was just after the androids' first attack. The thing that surprised him the most was the voices he heard. He could recognize Korin, Kami and Mr. Popo, but the majority of voices were unknowns.

Piccolo instinctively tried to open his eyes and sit up, but found his body immobile. He couldn't do anything. In a sense, he was cut off from the outside, though Kami appeared to have detected his semi consciousness. A few seconds later, an image of the elder namek appeared.

"It's good to know that you're alright Piccolo," said Kami.

"Yeah I'll bet," replied Piccolo rudely. "You need me because if I die, then you go with me."

Kami shook his head. "You haven't changed a bit Piccolo, but I guess that is to be expected. You've only just woken up after being out of action for eighteen years. In a sense, time had stopped for you for that exact period of time."

Piccolo was shocked. "What are you talking about old man? The last thing I remember is being beaten by the androids. Now I'm in this semiconscious state, and talking to you. What's going on?"

"Ah yes, the androids. You would've died against them, but I was able to save you by sacrificing the dragonballs?"

"I don't understand. How would sacrificing them save me?"

"It was easier for us to die because, in addition to maintaining our own life force like all living beings, we had the strain of maintaining the dragonballs as well. It was minute and didn't make any difference in our lives, but in a critical situation like the one eighteen years ago, it made the difference between life and death for us. By sacrificing the dragonballs and the strain that accompanied them, I was able to keep you alive."

"Then why didn't I get a senzu bean earlier?" asked Piccolo angrily. "I could've helped out!"

"While I was able to save your life, you still teetered on the edge of death and as a result, I was sent into a coma. Nobody could sense you, and Gohan was too busy down on Earth to come up to the lookout and find out the truth. As for Mr. Popo, he insisted on staying by my side until help arrived. You should thank him Piccolo. In taking care of me, he provided life support to you as well."

"So what now? What happened with the others, and the androids? Were the androids defeated?"

Kami shook his head. "No, the exact opposite happened. All of the Z-fighters except Gohan, and Vegeta's son, Trunks, were killed shortly after you were defeated. The androids have controlled the planet for many years, while Gohan struggled against them. Even Gohan and Trunks' super saiyan transformations weren't enough to defeat the androids."

"You're kidding. How could machines stand up to super saiyans?"

"That's what Vegeta thought before he was killed."

Piccolo's eyes widened. "Vegeta was a super saiyan?"

Kami solemnly nodded. "Yes, and the androids still overwhelmed him. Each one could stand up to a single super saiyan, and they both seem to have a limitless supply of energy, though that does not mean infinite strength."

"So you're saying that they never get tired?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying, and as you know, their presence cannot be sensed."

"So what's happened now? Who found me?"

"It was Vegeta's son, Trunks. He found you and he also found some other allies. You'll meet them when you're fully awake. These allies will come in handy against the androids, but now we also have newer threats to worry about. Being a super saiyan, Trunks should be able to handle most of them, but the future is still uncertain."

"What about Gohan? What happened to him?"

Kami's face darkened. "I'm sorry Piccolo. We haven't a clue about what happened to Gohan. He disappeared several years ago and we haven't seen him since. After I woke up, Trunks told me that he had ruled out the possibility that the androids killed him, but we have no idea where he could be."

Piccolo growled in agitation, showing that he was upset.

"I'll leave you alone now Piccolo. You'll need to build up your strength before you wake up." Kami left, leaving Piccolo to his own thoughts.

Bulma was worried about Trunks, Tarble, and Tapion. She knew that it wasn't healthy to worry as much as she did, but it couldn't be helped. The androids were a constant threat and the fact that her own son was out in a world where they could be lurking around any corner frightened her. However, she also knew that Trunks was growing up, and that he could still hold his own against the androids.

Gure was in her and Tarble's room, sleeping. Bulma somewhat envied her ability to push the problems out of her head and relax, even under the constant threat of the androids. Gure knew that the androids could attack west city at any time, but was still able to go to her room and nap.

It must be because she's been living under Freeza's thumb her entire life, thought Bulma. She then turned her attention to the TV. It still worked and there were still some programs and news stations running. Perhaps that will take these troubles off my mind.

Picking up the remote, she turned the TV on and began flipping through the channels. Most of them were just static since most broadcasting stations had been destroyed, but there were also a surprisingly large number of Cartoon channels, that still ran, particularly those like 'Dora the Explorer.'

Eventually, she found one the piqued her interest. It was one of the few televised news channels left. There were still a handful of brave people willing to put their own lives at risk to provide visual news to those who still had TVs.

There was a man standing in the middle of a city. The place was surprisingly intact, indicating that it was not the site of an android attack. Clothes were scattered across the streets, as if the people had been sucked out of them.

News Report:

"The only thing we can be certain of right now is that the androids were not the cause of this, for if they were, there wouldn't be any intact buildings. Whoever or whatever the mystery killer was, the fact is that these people didn't stand a chance.

Reporter instructed the cameraman to zoom in on a bullet, which was in his hand.

"This bullet is one of many that litter the ground here and is proof that the inhabitants tried to defend themselves. There were no alarm calls for any sort of assistance as there would be in an android attack, meaning that the killer was far too stealthy and efficient at killing." The reporter took a deep breath and stared into the TV with a grim expression. "This reporter urges viewers to stay in doors and be vigilant. We never know where the killer could strike next."

End

Bulma felt a sudden chill down her spine as the news report ended. She felt like a child again, too scared to be home alone. Getting up from her seat, Bulma began rushing through the house and securing all the windows and doors, making sure that they were all locked and that the curtains were closed over them.

As she finished up on the ground floor and was about to go upstairs, she paused at the stairwell. Maybe I'm over reacting. Ginger Town is far away from here…but that report was ten days old. Any super powered being could bridge that distance within that time.

She shook her head in a futile attempt to calm her anxiety. Why would a killer come to a has-been place like West City? There are far more promising places to go. It wasn't enough to calm her, and an anxious Bulma continued up the stairs. It never hurts to be careful.

After closing all the curtains upstairs, including those in the room Gure was sleeping in, Bulma decided to wait downstairs for Trunks, Tarble, and Tapion to return.

Trunks, and Tarble were getting ready t leave. They were both aware of the constant threat of the androids and thought it best that they got back home before it became too dark.

"I'll stay here," said Tapion. "The vantage point of the lookout will give me a better chance of spotting Hoy, and Kami might be able to find a method of permanently sealing Hirudegarn."

Trunks nodded. "I'll tell mom that you'll be staying up here." He then gave Tapion his sword back. "Here. I think you could make better use of it than me. I haven't had much chance to use it effectively when fighting as a super saiyan."

Tapion nodded and accepted the sword. "Take care Trunks, Tarble."

Trunks nodded, then turned his attention to Bardock, who had been standing off on his own with crossed arms. "What about you? Will you be staying here as well?"

"I will. Like Tapion said, this place has a much better vantage point."

"Good luck to both of you," said Mr. Popo. "Fly safely."

Trunks and Tarble both nodded and then took off towards West City.

On the way, Trunks decided to ask Tarble about his saiyan family. Nobody he knew before could've ever told him about his grandfather, and both Gohan and his mother had treated his father as a sensitive subject around him. He wanted answers and he knew that his uncle was the best source.

"Um…Uncle Tarble? I was hoping you could tell me what my father was like."

Tarble turned to him and raised an eyebrow. "You mean your mother hasn't told you?"

Trunks shook his head. "No. She is always vague on him, as if there's something about him that she doesn't want me to know."

Tarble's expression became serious. "Do you know who Freeza was?" Trunks nodded. "Your father was taken from his family by Freeza when he was still a child. By then, I had been sent away to a distance planet, but I still knew that was going to happen. Freeza feared the saiyans in general, but decided to turn Vegeta into his puppet. This was because your father was a very talented saiyan warrior. He was more than just strong for his age. I even heard that he had surpassed our father, your grandfather, when he was still a child."

Trunks was filled with pride at the thought of his father as a saiyan protégé. Gohan had always been proud of knowing how great his father was, and now he knew what it felt like. However, he was still curious. Tarble hadn't gotten to his personality yet, and even while he said those flattering things about Vegeta, he maintained a grim and serious expression.

"This might be hard for you to here Trunks," said Tarble seriously, "but it's the truth and there is a light at the end of the tunnel so please bear through this."

"I understand," replied Trunks. Even if I don't like it, I'd rather know the truth.

"Your father wasn't a very nice older brother," said Tarble. "He wasn't evil, but let's just say that he had a mean streak. He would always pick on me, but he never did anything that would cause me serious harm. However, under Freeza, his mischievousness was molded into ruthlessness. Your father is currently infamous across the galaxy as one of Freeza's most powerful henchmen, and as a destroyer of worlds. My guess is, he came to Earth to purge it of all life, but ended up falling in love with your mother. I can't say for sure since I don't know what kind of history he has with this planet. I can say this though; he was never a monster like Freeza, just a used warrior with a mean streak. However, I came to Earth knowing that he would help me…if he were alive."

Trunks nodded solemnly. "Thank you uncle. I needed to hear that. Even though I don't like knowing that side of him…I know my mom has the missing piece of the story."

"Don't worry Trunks," said Tarble. "I'm sure Vegeta care's about you. He cared about e when we were kids, though he pretended not to, he actually got me out of some…dangerous situations."

Flashback

"Help! Someone please help!" Tarble, in yet another failed attempt to fly, had gotten himself stuck on a pillar of rock in the middle of a deep gorge. He had expended most of his energy when he made the jump that landed him there, and was now trapped.

"Pathetic as always little brother," said Vegeta as he hovered over his younger brother. "Didn't you realize how dangerous it was?"

"Vegeta, please help me."

With a broad smirk, Vegeta extended his hand, allowing Tarble to grab hold. With his younger brother secure he said, "going up." He threw Tarble into the air, and watched with amusement as his younger brother landed out of the gorge.

Tarble wasn't hurt, but he felt shaken from the fall. "Why'd you do that Vegeta? That wasn't nice."

"Well I'm not nice."

Tarble stared at the ground with an ashamed look. "I guess I'm never going to fly." He started crying.

Vegeta let out a cruel laugh. "I'll teach you how to fly."

"Y-You will?"

"Sure. That way, I won't have to waste time saving your life. Now get up slacker. Let's get this over with."

End

"Wow, so my dad taught you how to fly?" Trunks was smiling again.

Tarble nodded. "Yes, and even though he'd probably deny it, I think he cared for you as well."

Trunks and Tarble both noticed that they were near West city. It only took them a minute or so to reach Capsule Corp's front door. However, the door was locked, so Trunks had to find the spare key.

He typed in a combination on a nearby keypad, which opened a secret compartment where the spare key was.

Bulma had gone downstairs for a comfort snack when he heard the door unlocking. She cautiously approached the door and crouched nearby, with fists clenched, ready to attack the intruder. Oh no! Someone's trying to break in.

When the door opened, Trunks was startled as a fist came flying at him, accompanied by a scream from the attacker. He dodged it easily and then saw his mother huddling on the ground, as if expecting to be hit back. "Um…mom? What are you doing?"

Bulma felt silly as she looked up and saw her son and brother in-law standing over her with raised eyebrows. Getting back up, she caught her breath. "Trunks, I think there's a problem."

"Yeah, the androids, and the other new threats that have been popping up."

"No…there's something else out there."

"What do you mean?" asked Trunks as he put the key back in its compartment.

"Let's sit down. I'll explain what I saw."

I know that was a rotten way to end the chapter, but I simply ran out of steam, and this chapter was long enough anyway. I'll probably skip the explanation in the next chapter and skip to Trunks' and Tarble's reaction to the situation. I'm sure you've all guessed who the new threat is. As for Piccolo surviving, this story is actually a combination of several ideas I had for the Mirai Timeline. Instead of writing several stories, each based on those ideas, I've decided to merge them into one story.