Disclaimer: I do not own Dragonball Z or any of its characters. If I did I'd be a whole lot richer.

"Speech"

Thoughts

'Telepathic'

Summary: What if Goku had been more involved in training Gohan at an early age? This story starts at the beginning of dbz.

Chapter 36

It had been several days since the fight with the androids and still they had not shown up. "They must really be taking their time," Trunks said. He had shown up just a few days after and Gohan and the others had filled him in on what had been happening. At first it had been hard to accept that the androids showed up a few days early but eventually he'd see how Gero couldn't have passed up such an opportunity.

Now all the Z-fighters, as well as Chichi and Bulma sat at Master Roshi's house. They had decided that it would be safer for Goku there. Gohan sat in the corner alone meditating while he waited for his father to recover.

Across the room Trunks and Krillin were passing the time by talking. "Man I can't believe how strong Gohan is in this timeline," Trunks said. "I think he's almost as strong as the Gohan I knew and at his age too."

"Yeah it's amazing," Krillin said. "He almost had one of those androids but then another one joined in and knocked him out."

"Yeah they love to do that," Trunks said.

"How'd the androids beat the Gohan in your time if he was even stronger than this Gohan?" Krillin asked.

"Well," Trunks replied. "From what I understand, Gohan wasn't a Super Saiyan yet in my time when they showed up. He was plenty strong but he hadn't had the right trigger yet. He finally got that trigger when the androids killed his family and friends. Unfortunately by that point it was too late. All of the other Z-warriors were dead. Even though Gohan was strong enough to beat either one of the monsters alone, he couldn't take them on together. He fought valiantly for years but they finally killed him. And I wasn't strong enough to stop them. Even after turning Super Saiyan I was still nothing more than a toy to them. I still am, for that matter. I don't think I'd be much help in whatever plan we finally come up with. But maybe with Goku, Gohan, and my father all fighting at once we can prevail."

"Hey Trunks look at this," Bulma said holding up a photograph. "It's just like the time machine you came in."

"What?"

"Some guy near Ginger town just faxed me this and said it's been there for about four years."

"That's impossible," Trunks said. "My time machine is right here." He held up the capsule that it was in.

"Let's go check it out," Gohan said getting to his feet.

"You heard all that?" Krillin asked.

"Yes," Gohan replied. "I was meditating, not sleeping." He turned to Yamcha and Tien. "Flare your ki up if you see the androids coming near and I'll use Instant Transmission to get back. Then we can get my dad out of here."

"Right," Tien said. "I wish I could go with you guys."

"We need some of us to stay here and keep guard," Gohan said.

"I know."

With that said, Gohan, Krillin, and Trunks, with Bulma in his arms, took off to investigate while the rest of the Z-warriors were left to protect Goku and baby sit baby Trunks.

-Dbz-

The three warriors landed a few minutes later in a clearing near Ginger town. "It should be around here somewhere," Bulma said as Trunks set her down.

"Yeah here it is," Krillin yelled from not far off. The others ran over to look and their jaws dropped when they saw the machine. It was identical to Trunk's but it had been weathered for several years and had a big hole in the clear glass where something had apparently wanted out.

"I wonder what was in that," Gohan said.

"I don't know but I think that whatever it is may be the cause of some of the differences in this timeline," Trunks said.

"What do you mean by timeline?" Krillin asked.

"Well, originally we thought that traveling back in time would change things where I'm from. But unfortunately, instead it somehow created an alternate reality that branched off from the point where I entered."

"So basically," Gohan said. "The changes have no effect on your timeline. And someone else has come back from either your timeline or another one and made some other unknown changes to this one."

"That's what it looks like," Trunks replied.

"So it's probably best if we play this as if we had no information about a possible future," Krillin said.

"Right," Gohan replied as he floated up to get a closer look at the hole in the machine. He reached down and pulled two purple bowls out of the seat. "It looks like some kind of egg was in this thing."

"Hey," Krillin stammered. "Look over there." He ran off to investigate with Trunks, Gohan, and Bulma following closely. "It's some kind of shell."

"It looks like a giant cicada," Bulma said.

"No it's something worse than that," Trunks said.

"Do you think that's what came in the time machined," Gohan said.

"I don't know," Trunks said dipping his hand in the shell. He removed it and it was covered in slime. "But whatever it is it's close by.

"We probably ought to get back," Gohan said. "The androids could show up at Roshi's any time."

"Sure let me capsulize the Time Machine first," Trunks said.

"Ok."

"Ok ready," Trunks said taking off.

"Wait," Gohan said. "Just grab a hold. We can get there faster with Instant Transmission."

"Right," Trunks said putting his hand on Gohan's shoulder. Bulma and Krillin followed suit and the four disappeared back to Master Roshi's house.

-Dbz-

Piccolo sat impatiently meditating behind Kami waiting for the guardian of Earth to make up his mind. Finally the older Namek turned. "Oh my goodness it's horrible."

"What is it?" Piccolo asked.

"The evil creature has revealed itself."

"What do you mean? Where?"

"Don't worry you'll know as soon as we combine."

"So, you've finally come to your senses."

"No, Kami," Mr. Popo screamed tears running down his face.

"It must be done," Kami replied. "The evil in Piccolo is greatly diminished. I trust he will use the new power wisely."

"Let's get one thing strait," Piccolo said. "We use my body."

"Agreed," Kami said. "Put your hand on my chest."

Piccolo put his hand on Kami's chest and with a great yell Kami was surrounded by a great white aura. A few seconds later there was a burst of light and where the two Nameks stood, there was now only Piccolo.

The newly fused warrior began to walk to the edge as Popo stared in horror. "I am no longer Kami or Piccolo. I am the Namek that has long since forgotten his name. Now I must go." With that he jumped off the lookout heading for the new danger.

-Dbz-

"Hey come look at this," Bulma said looking at the disturbing footage she saw on the television.

In minutes all the Z-warriors were gathered around watching the news report.

"The people of Ginger town continue to disappear with nothing left but their clothes," the reporter said in the mike. Soon gunshots were heard in the background and the camera became unstable before the footage was lost.

"Do you think it's the androids?" Krillin asked.

"I'd bet it's that creature we found," Trunks replied.

-Dbz-

Piccolo landed in Ginger town and started wandering through the remains of the populace. A few minutes later he found the source of the disturbance. Standing before him was a vile creature standing a little taller than him. It had a green exoskeleton covered in black-spots along with wings and a tail ending in a tan tip.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Cell," the creature said. "Now it's time for you to die Piccolo."

"How do you know who I am?"

"I'm not one to give away all my secrets."

"I guess I'll have to beat it out of you then." With that Piccolo charged at the monster sending a fist at his face.

Cell leaned to the side and avoided the blow with ease. Seconds later he brought his own fist into the Namek's stomach doubling him over in pain. With a backhand he sent the Namekian warrior back into a building with little trouble. An instant later he appeared behind the Namek and grabbed him in a body lock. With a quick flick of his tail he inserted his stinger into Piccolo's arm and began to drain his energy.

Piccolo winced as his arm shriveled and became useless. Finally he brought his elbow back and sent Cell flying away from him. The Namekian warrior turned to face the monster. "I'm no match for you, but mark my words you will be defeated."

"You don't have any idea how strong I am. Do you?"

"Why don't you tell me? It's not like it'll make a difference anyway."

"You do make a good point, Piccolo," Cell replied. "Fine, I am an android created by Dr. Gero. Gero took samples from the best fighters to ever step foot on this planet and combined them to make me."

"That's why I can sense Goku, Vegeta, and Gohan in you."

"Yes. I have the power of all the great fighters including you. There fore I really gain nothing from absorbing your energy like that. That is why I let you go. I'll have more fun just killing you. But there is one source of energy that I need to obtain in order to become perfect. I need to absorb Androids Seventeen and Eighteen. Unfortunately in my time, young Trunks destroyed those androids before I could find them. So, to make a long story short, I killed him and used his time machine to travel back to where Seventeen and Eighteen are still around. I've been here for the last four years revolving back to this form so I'd be strong enough to complete my goals."

"That's why you're sucking the life out of people then?"

"Yes I gain strength from them, but I need Seventeen and Eighteen to become perfect."

"That's interesting," Piccolo said as he ripped his arm off. With a yell a new one popped out. "I just needed some time to recover." He reached up and threw his weighted turban and cape to the side. "Now I'll destroy you."

-Dbz-

"What's going on?" Trunks said. "I can feel my dad's and Piccolo's ki in Ginger town. But I also feel Frieza and King Cold there too."

"There are two Piccolos there," Gohan added. "And I feel my dad's ki there too. Let's go check it out," he added.

Trunks put his hand on Gohan's shoulder and the two disappeared.

-Dbz-

Piccolo charged at Cell with a fist sent at the creature's face. The monster blocked the blow and sent one of his own at the Namek, but Piccolo was a step ahead of him and blocked with ease.

Gohan and Trunks appeared just in time to see the battle getting underway. "What's going on?" Trunks asked.

"The strange power is coming from that monster that Piccolo's fighting," Gohan replied. "They are both incredibly strong too, even stronger than the androids."

"Should we join in the fight," Trunks asked.

"Let's just watch for now," Gohan said.

Cell pushed Piccolo back with a quick kick. A few seconds later, he cupped his hands at his side and began to chant, "Kamehameha." The monster shot the beam of energy at the Namekian warrior.

Piccolo was stunned beyond words. How does he know Goku's attack? Duh, he remembered. He probably knows all our attacks. With no time to dodge, the Namek raised his arms to block the attack. It wasn't enough to finish him but it was bound to hurt.

Gohan put both fingers to his head and disappeared. A spilt second later he put his hand on Piccolo's shoulder and disappeared again.

"Thanks kid," Piccolo said.

"No problem," Gohan replied. "It's better that you don't waste any energy blocking something like that. I think we'll have to take him together if we're going to win." With a yell, Gohan quickly took off his weighted shirt and wristbands and brought his aura up, his hair turning golden and his eyes turquoise.

Trunks yelled and raise his own power, becoming a Super Saiyan. "Ready," he said. With that the three warriors all charged at Cell at once.

Cell braced himself as the flurry of kicks and punches came flying his way. For the most part he managed to block most all of the blows. Trunks was a weak as he remembered him from the version of the boy that he'd killed but the Namek was almost as strong as him. And the other Saiyan boy, he was as strong as Cell had remembered him being at a much older age. His power was amazing for such a young age. Finally one of Piccolo's punches made contact and sent the monster reeling. I need to get out of here, Cell thought. I don't like these odds. I'll crush them all after I absorb Seventeen and Eighteen. With that thought, Cell did the unexpected and leapt high into the air. "Solar Flare," he shouted.

When the three Z-warriors regained their sight, Cell was gone. "Where'd he go?" Trunks said.

"I don't know," Gohan replied. "I can't sense his energy."

"He's suppressing it," Piccolo said. "He's afraid that we're too strong for him."

"He'll hide until he can absorb the androids to get stronger," Gohan said.

"We need to find him," Trunks said.

"The best thing to do might be to watch the TV and then we can use Instant Transmission to get to the scene quickly. We need to stick together though. None of us are strong enough to take him on our own."

"Take who on," Vegeta said landing.

Within a few minutes the warriors had Vegeta filled in on what was happening. Vegeta simply grinned. "I'll find him myself eventually, but right now I have more important matters."

"Not this again," Gohan said taking a defensive stance.

"Calm down boy," Vegeta said with a grin. "I have little left to prove against you since that last fight. I was referring to ascending beyond Super Saiyan. Then I'll be strong enough to finish all these weaklings off on my own."

"What?" Trunks said. "There's a level beyond Super Saiyan?"

"Yes, son, I can feel it there."

"What? How'd you know I was your son?"

"I'm not an idiot. You show up from the future and now I have a son that looks like you. It's obvious. Now at least it makes sense how you were able to be a Super Saiyan. You do have royal blood in you after all." With that said, Vegeta took off back into the sky to pursue his training.

"Wait father," Trunks said. "I'll go with you."

"Are you sure about this?" Gohan asked.

"It may be the only way," Trunks replied as he took off after Vegeta.

Piccolo turned to Gohan. "We should return to guard Goku," he said.

"Yeah," Gohan replied raising his fingers to his forehead and transporting them both back to Kame house.

A/N: I'd like to take the time to thank all those who reviewed the last couple of chapters. It really does help to get feedback. I hope you all take the time to review this chapter as well.

Power levels

Gohan
6.4 million (with weights)
7.75 million (w/o weights)
387.5 million (Super Saiyan)

Vegeta

8 million

Trunks

5.5 million
275 million (Super Saiyan)

Piccolo
110 million
350 million (after fusing with Kami with weights)
450 million (after fusing with Kami w/o weights)

Krillin
6 million

Tien
5 million

Yamcha
5 million

Chiaotzu
3 million

Seventeen
350 million

Eighteen
350 million
Sixteen
500 million

Cell
450 million

Please read and REVIEW!