Too Much Alike

Chapter 8

Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ or any of the characters.

The two just stood across from each other taking in the other's form. They had met before, yet at the same time it was like a new beginning. Bulma could see herself in the boy somewhat, but she didn't see any of husband there. It was hard to believe that this kid was the product of her and that arrogant jerk. His personality definitely didn't come from Vegeta, though she had her flaws as well. It was the product of both of them. Trunks just came off as too humble in her opinion, making the scientist hopeful that her own would turn out as good as him.

Out of all the tribulation occurring at the moment, Bulma's biggest concern was how it even happened. It's not everyday you find out you have a son from the future, who is the son of Vegeta and yourself.

"Hey Trunks. I-" Bulma murmured before being halted by Trunks.

"I know I know. I'm sure you have questions for me, but to be honest I'm a little lost myself." Trunks answered.

"Yeah I guess it would be kind of hard to imagine me and Vegeta together huh?"

"No, I don't mean that. I'm more concerned with how events have changed in this time. It seems things are changing nonstop now. I don't undrstand how all this is happening. Maybe coming to the past was a bad idea."

"Don't say that! Look, I'm sure you're bummed about not existing here, but you've done a lot of great things. If it weren't for you, Goku would be dead right now. Also, it seems everyone made it out okay after fighting with the androids. Coming here definitely changed things Trunks, but for the good." Bulma assured with a smile.

"Huh, maybe you're right. As long as no one has died, I have effected this world in a positive way I guess."

"There you go! You were just being too hard on yourself..." Bulma paused. "Kinda like Vegeta." she finished. Bulma looked up at Trunks to see a shocked expression quickly turn into a hurt one.

"You never really got to know him did you?" she asked softly.

No reply. Trunks continued to stare at the ground.

"You know, I don't know much about him. Every time I would try to get close or befriend him, he would just push away, or shy away. Though as little as I know of him, I can see some of his traits in you. Your good looks definitely comes from me though." Bulma announced, trying to lighten things up.

His expression was confusion at first, but that last statement earned Bulma a smile. She was trying to cheer him up, and it worked.

"Coming to the past has allowed me to see my father for the first time. Though there are some 'flaws', he has a lot of upside to him as well. I don't think many if anyone really sees that, but I do. I know you did as well. You were the only one mom."

Now it was Bulma's turn to be shocked. Her eyes were as wide as the moon. It was already a shock to hear that the boy from the future was the son of her and Vegeta, but now, just hearing this from Trunks was crazy.

"Trunks, the main thing I wanted to ask you was how it happened. How could Vegeta and I possibly have gotten together? It's true. I'm probably the only one that doesn't exactly "hate" the man, except for maybe Goku, but that doesn't explain why it happened."

The lavender haired boy just sighed. He knew this was the main question she had. With Goku being transported to a safe location, and the androids seem to be on good behavior as they were on a wild goose chase to find him, he thought this would be as good a time as ever to explain. 'Better to get it over with now, since I have some time to kill.'

Just when things seemed to be dying down, another event was stirring up. Piccolo had indeed requested help from Kami. At first the guardian of earth declined, but had felt a presence of darkness that surpassed even the androids themselves. Kami was still skeptical of Piccolo, as he still got an evil vibe from him. Just knowing that something as such crept upon the earth, was enough to change the elder's mind though. Piccolo gained Kami's knowledge of this creature as soon as they merged. With that, the namekian wasted no time and took to the skies, feeling out where this being might be. With Kami's intuition, it took no time for Piccolo to scout the creature out. Over some exchanged words the two would fight it out. Piccolo was surprised out how quick and nimble the new fighter was, but he was not fazed. He had more than enough power to take him down. This battle would not go unnoticed though.

"What the hell is that?" Vegeta thought aloud. "This power is incredible. But it can't be the androids, and it is most certainly not Kakarot. Who is it?" Vegeta took off in the direction of the battle without a second thought. 'I'll get to the bottom of this.'

"Ah! Dad's energy? It can't be, he's right here." Gohan looked at his sleeping father. "Mom I gotta go. I promise I'll be careful." The young half saiyan jumped out of the window, bursting with ki, he was gone in a flash.

"Wait! Gohan, you still haven't finished your studies! Gohan!" Chi Chi yelled. 'Just be careful out there.'

Meanwhile Trunks and Bulma were investigating the supposed time machine. Most of their time had been quiet after the explanation from Trunks pleased Bulma's appetite. 'Hard to believe. Vegeta must really have a soft side to him after all. It's not a lot, but I'm willing to bet it's there!' she thought while looking at what was believed to be some kind of shell.

"Huh!? What's going on?"

"What is it Trunks?"

"There's a crazy battle going on right now. I can feel Goku and father there. I gotta go. Please get home, and stay safe."

"Okay, but promise me you'll be alright?"

"I promise. I am my father's son after all." Trunks gave a smirk to Bulma, which then turned into a soft smile like her own. With that he turned his back and blasted off.

'I don't know if that's a good thing son.' she noted mentally.

Soon the party would all assemble together before Piccolo. The fight had concluded just in time, letting the slippery creature escape. Everyone, especially Vegeta, were shocked at the rise in power from the namekian. The prince refused to believe some slug-man could possibly be stronger than him, as a super saiyan at that. Piccolo went on to explain how he merged with Kami, allowing him to become whole again. Piccoo informed them that the creature he was fighting was named Cell, and that he was made up of their genetics, which now made sense considering they could feel various powers all in one place.

"Unbelievable. To think something like that exists." Trunks stated.

"I have bad feeling on this Cell, even more so than the androids. If I could have just finished him!" Piccolo raged.

"Please. Finish him? Hah!" Vegeta laughed.

"What was that?" asked the namekian, in almost a demanding way.

"Don't get ahead of yourself fool. Your power has certainly increased, but it isn't anything special. I will defeat this 'Cell'. There is a power that goes beyond that of a super saiyan, and it lies within me!"

"I doubt that. You're weaker than me Vegeta, and Cell seems to be in my league. How could you possibly hope to defeat h-"

"I felt it! You underestimate the potential of a saiyan's ability. I know there is much more to being a super saiyan, if I could just bring it out. I swear I will do it!" the prince finished as he turned his back to crowd behind him. He then turned his head back around, gaining their full attention now. "This Cell will be first on my list. You will be second, just for doubting me namekian. I wanted to save Kakarot for last, but he will come third. Last but not least..." he paused, putting on a sadistic grin. " the honor will go to the female robot." he finished with a dark laugh. Vegeta blasted off before anyone could get a word in. 'Yes, you'll all see. Fighting that witch was just a setback. I shall claim my place at the top again. As for the android though, I'll see that I pay her back tenfold!'

"Vegeta." Piccolo murmured.

"Wow. You guys think he could be telling the truth?" Gohan asked.

"I don't know Gohan, but I think I should follow him. If there really is a way, surely I can improve myself. I'm not certain of how much, but if my father can do it, so can I!" Trunks exclaimed.

Trunks nodded to the remaining fighters and followed in pursuit of his father.

At the same time of the aftermath that came from Piccolo and Cell, the androids had hit a dead end. They finally reached Son Goku's house, but found that it was abandoned. The androids suspected that Goku was hiding somewhere, and thanks to 16's information, he could only be in two other locations, well for the most part. The Kame House or Capsule Corp.. The giant android suggested Kame house since it was closer.

"Ugh! What a pain. To come all this way for nothing." 18 said dryly.

"Oh come on sis, it was a lot of fun coming out here. Kinda reminds me of the old days." 17 replied.

"You need to get your head out of the clouds 17. We're not little kids anymore... Those days are over." 18 answered while turning her back to him.

17 had a sad smile plastered upon his face. He knew bringing up past events was a touchy subject to 18. It was the same for him as well, though he tried to look on the bright side of things. The same could not necessarily be said for 18. She was a little more difficult to come to the light of things. Though that wasn't always the same case.

"Hey 18, forget what I just said. Let's just get on with finding Goku okay?" 17 asked pleadingly.

"Whatever, but this time we're flying there. Got it?" she ordered without turning her attention back to them.

"Sure whatever you say." 17 agreed. 'There's your fire sis. Don't ever lose it. It's what makes you strong.'

The three androids would then take their leave, hoping to find Goku this time around. With everything going on, 16 had kept to himself. He felt the fight with Piccolo and Cell earlier. He thought it would be best to keep it to himself, as their only destination was Goku. As long as they stay away from those two, they should be okay. 16 was confident in his own strength compared to them, but not so much as his traveling partners.

16's worries did him no good, as they ran into the roadblock of the one called Piccolo. 16 advised 17 to keep from fighting him, but in his mind, their was no one who could show him defeat on the planet. With no persuading him, 16 and 18 took to the sidelines to watch the battle. 18 was more in her own world, finding her necklace quite intriguing. 16 was unimpressed with both, admitting to himself that he would have to step in sooner or later. The fight was intense, as the namekian's power was bit much for 17. Though the androids unlimited power kept him at close bay. While all this was going on, a dark figure was observing in the shadows.

It had been days since Vegeta announced to the others that it would be him to finish things.

'There is a way to achieve it. I know it. It's right there.' the prince thought as he stood atop the point of a mountain.

Trunks had finally caught up to Vegeta, but he had no courage to go talk to the man. He just watched him, trying to figure out what his motives for ascending were. Vegeta just stood there. For days. The boy had seen statues move more.

'Father just what are you doing?'

"Hello."

"Huh? Oh hey Goku. Goku!? What are you doing here?" Trunks jumped up.

"Ha ha. Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. It seemed like that medicine you gave me worked like a charm. I feel great, but I know I've lost some strength from being out of commission for a while. Gohan told me about the androids coming for me. I thought it would be a good idea to get out of there while I could." Goku answered. Gohan was standing beside his father, giving Trunks a nod.

"That's great Goku, but what about the others? You just left them behind with the androids?" Trunks asked.

"Nah. Piccolo is a lot stronger now, so he should be fine defending them. I have faith in him." the saiyan answered again.

"Ah well, okay then. But why did you come here? And why did you bring Gohan? He could have helped Piccolo."

"Ah that's the thing. I know a cool little place that will allow us a whole year's worth of training that will only take one day here in our world. I thought that the four of us have some potential stored in us. Other than Piccolo, it is up to us to stop all these threats that keep popping up. So what do you say, are you in?" Goku finished.

"That sounds amazing! Yes, you can count me in." Trunks answered. He then looked up to his father who still had not moved an inch. "Oh, but I'm not sure about my father. He hasn't moved in days. He's as stubborn as they come."

"Leave Vegeta to me. I'll convince him." Goku assured with a smirk. The lower class saiyan made his way to Vegeta, leaving Trunks and Gohan behind. Before Goku could announce he was there, he was cut off.

"What do want Kakarot?"

"Uh, hey Vegeta! How did you know I was here?"

"Idiot! I knew you were here the moment you arrived. I am not dull, unlike you."

"Hey, do you have to be so mean?"

"Yes..."

"Well, whatever. I got something you may be interested in."

"I doubt it. Leave me alone Kakarot, before I blast you."

"Okay, but just listen first. There is a place up at Kami's tower, that will allow us to train for a whole year. Time is compressed there, so it will only take a single day out here. How does that sound?"

"I must say, this does intrigue me. What's the catch?"

"There are no catches. Only two people can enter at a time though. I thought you could go with Trunks, and I will go in with Gohan, so that we can save time and all. As you know, we don't have a lot of time on our side as it is."

"I thought you said no catches?" Vegeta asked while eyeing Trunks. "Fine, I'm willing to go, only if I go in first!"

"Sure." Goku answered with victory smile.

Vegeta just nodded. Goku then waved the two half saiyans upward. Whatever Goku had said, must have worked. Putting two fingers to his forehead, the four of them vanished within thin air.

Meanwhile within a flash, the slithery creature known as Cell, squirmed by so fast that no one had caught him. Extending his tail, he engulfed 17 within a blink of an eye.

"Nooooo 17!" 18 screamed.

"Ugh! Cell!" the namekian acknowledged.

"Ah yes, I can feel the power! Half way there. Ms. 18, would you care to come closer my dear?"

Atop Kami's tower.

"Now that I've explained the rules, would the first two step up please." Mr. Popo announced.

Vegeta and Trunks stood quietly at the door, waiting to see what was on the other side.

"Very well. You two may enter." Mr Popo said as he opened the door.

"Good luck guys!" Goku and Gohan said simultaneously.

The two warriors took two steps in before the door shut. Trapped alone in a dimension of nothingness for a year.

'I wonder how I'm going to survive in a place like this, with my father of all people.' Trunks looked over at Vegeta, who was smirking. 'I don't know if this was such a good idea.'

'Very interesting.' thought the prince.

*Wow, I'm sorry guys. I've been so busy I haven't had a chance to really buckle down and write much. Once again very sorry. Thank you for your patience. I love your reviews, and I appreciate all the favs and follows. It means a lot. Once again going over some of the same stuff the original series offered, but we got to see something interesting between 17 and 18. Next chapter will have some father-son, and V/18. Getting there surely but slowly.