The North Galaxy - Planet Earth
After the incident when the Cold family arrived on Earth, the Defenders of Earth all agreed to train for the upcoming threats due three years from now.
From Kame's House, located in the far depths of the blue, open sea, Krillin and Yamcha agreed to train under Roshi. Under their respective master's eyes, he focused on honing their abilities and combining their abilities to create new ones.
As of now, Yamcha had combined the Spirit Ball technique with the Spirit Bomb. Though a powerful technique, without the close eye to detail in a fight, this can be a useless and deadly skill if thrown recklessly.
As for Krillin, Roshi instructed him to concentrate on creating multiple Destructo Disks, focusing on using as little ki whilst dishing out major damage through the use of their ki manipulation techniques. Afterall, the Earthlings were not going to let all the responsibility fall onto Goku alone.
Though, heartbreak had affected both Yamcha and Krillin as of late. The Prince of all Saiyans stole Bulma's heart, and Yamcha could clearly see her eyes gleamed at the sight of him. He just couldn't stand Vegeta's constant belittlement and arrogant behaviour. Yeah, he's a Saiyan, so what? His race was dead and his father sold him off to Frieza, but it did not excuse him from the fact he murdered the former bandit, Tien and Chiaotzu. What Bulma saw in him was beyond Yamcha's understanding, and defending him too? That was the final nail in the coffin. He did not think Bulma would stoop so low, to value one's looks than their overall behaviour. He might as well go back playing baseball.
As for Krillin? A girl named 'Maron' stole his heart and then disappeared with it with her million other admirers. Maybe he was going to remain single and die all alone… maybe working in the police force might repair his bleeding heart? Asking his buddy Goku for solutions would be helpful, but he's too simple to understand the whole concept of love. As much as he want to ask Piccolo's philosophy on this, he knew too well that Piccolo never deals with such 'mushy' matters.
From the far mountains, roaring with the heavy downpours of water crashing down from a river from the rock formations above, Tien meditated under the waterfall. He focused on his thoughts, keeping his mind clear and trained to strengthen his mind. He imagined the opponent, observing their movements, concentrating on where their vital weaknesses were and when to strike.
Besides him remained Chiaotzu, watching his life long friend train vigorously for the upcoming threats Trunks warned them about. He looked to his right, to which Launch sat next to a bed of flowers. Launch caught Chiaotzu's gaze, to which the purple haired Earthling smiled and held up a ring of flowers. She too knew of the threats of the androids, though she promised Tien that she will no longer fight unless necessary.
From the bustling city, it was a usual day at Capsule Corporations. Clients and businessmen checked in and out of the well known landmark, showing their ingenious inventions to the richest one there; Bulma. Though, there was a sense of tension in the air. As the Prince of Saiyans decided to live there, temporarily one would have hoped, the tech-genius could not find herself to catch a break. She worked her days to create new inventions, which is tiring enough- but by night? Vegeta of all people would break his precious training toys. Why was that man so obsessed with catching up with Goku? She turned to her window, looking out to the far blue skies peering through the towering buildings. Hopefully this couldn't be as bad as the Androids.
From the far mountains, blossoming green with the wild plants and creatures that dwelled in the Highlands, the Son family continued to train- though not as vigorously as the other Earth's Defenders. With Piccolo's daytime drop ins, Goku, Gohan and Okome all trained amongst each other. Some days, Goku would team up with Piccolo, dishing out the experience the young duo needed to gain for their fights. On the other days, Gohan would team up with Piccolo, some would otherwise say they were a near enough perfect duo for tactical fights.
From the window side of the Son's little cottage, Chichi would look out and watch Goku sparring with the duo, though there were times where Chichi screamed at Goku for the little bruises Gohan and Okome suffered in their training. It couldn't be helped. Earthlings, especially mothers, only wished for their children to be safe from harm. Goku fully well understood her caring side, even though it could be quite a handful to deal with sometimes.
One day, during the course of the three years of training, Goku passed the reins of training to Piccolo.
Apparently Vegeta had something to boast about. With a day without Goku, Piccolo trained them to work as one, and as individuals. The young duo had to utilise both skills in order to gain an advantage over a battle.
In the midst of the afternoon sun, a flock of little birds chirped and the emerald grass swayed in the fresh breeze of the Highlands. Near a gentle stream, the young duo trained against their sensei.
Crich, crich.
Dashing across the grass, Okome evaded an incoming strike from Piccolo's stretchy arms. From her right, Gohan's legs latched onto Piccolo's arm, using his weight to slow down the Namekian. With a rapid strike from Okome's index finger and middle finger, she struck Piccolo's nerves in his arms.
"Got you!" Gohan yelled, raising both his arms up. He fired a Masenko, slamming Piccolo in the chest with a yellow blast of ki.
"Don't get cocky." Piccolo smirked. He ripped off his numb arm and grew another arm in place. He then dodged Okome's multiple whips of water to his arm, hopping to his left before leaping up and evading a strike to his knees. A whisper of wind brushed behind his ears, to which Piccolo blocked an incoming flurry of kicks from Gohan. He raised his arms, expelling a small shockwave and blasted the young duo back.
"Hah!"
Piccolo whipped his head to his right. A massive volume of water doused his face, sending the Namekian slamming his back into a study rock. Eventually, the rock behind him cracked under the pressure. As he fell, he somersaulted in the air before landing on his feet, his eyes looking for the young duo.
A shadow scuttled behind the Namekian.
Got you. Piccolo thought, snapping his head back. Gohan raced towards him with a fistful of ki. As Piccolo raised his arm, a strand of water wrapped around Piccolo's fist, weighing his speed. As his fist hit Gohan, the force of the strike was dulled to only a mere pat on the child's arm.
Though the young hybrid forgot one technique.
With a zap of lazer from Piccolo's eyes, Gohan was burnt black.
"Ouch!" Gohan cried out. He fell, to which Okome caught the boy on a path of ice and dashed off out from Piccolo's close range. However, Piccolo remained in one place.
"That's all for training." Piccolo announced, lowering his hands. The duo skidded to a stop. "You guys are getting the hang of it, but you'll both need to learn how to work individually as well." He raised a hand to the young duo, "It's about time you both try to learn a new technique and master it. Thought of any?"
"I've been thinking about mastering my father's Kamehameha technique." Gohan rubbed his arms, bruised slightly pink from Piccolo's strike. Okome supported Gohan to his feet, to which they both ambled back to their teacher. "It's a lot stronger than the Masenko, but then it wouldn't do much against anyone who's really powerful, like Cooler." His eyes fell darker to the thought.
Cooler, his defensive capabilites were something not to laugh about. He just dove through Gohan's Masenko as though it was just water washing over him.
"I suggest you to learn my technique, though it won't be easy." Piccolo offered, pointing at Gohan, whom sat down. "Remember the Special Beam Canon?" Gohan nodded. "You'll need to be strategic and defensive on when and how you'll pull it off." He tapped his head, "It takes some time to charge, like Goku's Spirt Bomb technique- but it has the same consequences if you miss, though," He drew his finger to his chin, "They both can win a fight once you get your target where you want them."
"Hmm," Gohan rubbed his chin, looking at the swaying grass on the ground.. Although the Special Beam Canon could penetrate anything, what was the point of using it if it misses? Or worse; unable to fully charge it for the right moment? It was a situation his father suffered when he charged the Spirit Bomb against Vegeta, Slug, Frieza and even Cooler. Support was a major need for such a skill to be used- besides the destructive capabilities if the technique was to miss… with the Spirit Bomb anyway.
Though would the hybrid take the life of an individual to maintain the safety of Earth? The boy wasn't too sure at all. He never had the intention to take a life, so how would he be able to succeed his father if he never took a life? He wondered, thinking how his father was able to take the lives' of those evildoers. Maybe asking his Sensei could help.
Gohan met Piccolo's gaze again. "I accept." Gohan agreed, bowing his head as he clasped his hands in respect. "I'll learn the Special Beam Canon."
"That's good to hear." Piccolo smirked at Gohan's reply. He looked to Okome, "What's you plan?"
"Ehh… probably focus on disabling my opponent's ki points." Okome replied, tilting her head at her Sensei. "So I'll need to be faster in my strikes and precision- and good judgement when to disable their ki." She smiled, "Though I'm still bothered if it'll work against my sister." She leaned back, looking up at the blue, clear skies. "She has a really tough defense to break, so I might end up breaking my fingers." She closed her eyes, remembering her sister's diamond like scales guarding her skin like armour, especially her nails.
"I'd suggest to focus on a technique to hit the vital points." Piccolo raised a hand to Okome, "Something that's sure to cut the defenses, Krillin's Destructo Disk is a good example." He crossed his arms over his chest. "Unless you're focusing solely on restricting the opponent to gain intel, then I would suggest Chiaotzu's telekinetic abilities, though you're not psychic."
"Okome doesn't need psychic abilities if she can read people already." Gohan chuckled sheepishly. "Kinda like mother."
Okome laughed, squinting her eyes at Gohan, "You're bad at lying, you make it so obvious. That's why mum knows." She prodded his arm lightly.
"Guess I got that from my dad." Gohan itched his head in embarrassment.
"Any who, I have one technique which I've already tested." Okome pointed to Piccolo's arm. "That's my developing technique. Though, I'm also trying to use the liquids in people's bodies to stop them from moving. But it's incredibly difficult since you have to make sure their breathing and not suffering a cardiac arrest, or a disruption to their bodily functions."
"Hmm," Piccolo raised a brow. "That's not a bad idea. Though I find it strange that the other Earthlings are incapable of learning a technique to yours."
"I mean, they're already skilled with ki manipulation." Okome replied, looking over to Gohan. "Everyone is specialised in something, though Gohan-"
"-I know." Gohan hung his head. That potential of power within him… he had to control it much better if he wanted to be a great fighter like his father and Piccolo. Though, the thought of his father back on Namek had instilled fear into boy.
To attain such a power, does one have to lose themselves into the pits of despair, even harming their own allies? Gohan shook his head to the thought, not wishing to bring harm to his allies and friends. He couldn't bring himself to commit such a fate, or forgive himself if such a fate was to happen.
"Don't worry kid." Piccolo placed his hand on the boy's head. "You'll get there with mine and your father's help- if he stops being so reckless." Piccolo sighed, closing his eyes. That was a typical thing of Goku to do, off somewhere training due to another stronger foe threatening Earth. To be honest, Vegeta was to blame for Goku's absence, that Prince always had something to show off, only to have Goku to put him back in his place.
Crik…
Piccolo, Gohan and Okome looked to the bushes, rustling beneath an oak tree. Gohan looked to Piccolo, to which Piccolo nodded. They went on ahead, to which Okome pulled out her time scroll from the belt wrapped around her waist. She widened her eyes to the sight of an overgrown insect.
"Watch out!" Okome screamed, also alerting Piccolo of the sudden urgency in her voice. Piccolo snapped his head back to the bushes, catching sight of a larvae.
The larvae, which stumbled out from the bushes, crawled towards the trio. Even though the creature was green and blotted black, there was one distinctive thing about the creature. From the side of the creature's head, there was a visible scar covering the right side of the head, in a cracked layer of purple and black. The creature chirped, unable to utter a single known word to the observant trio.
"How long was it injured for?" Gohan asked, walking up to the laying creature, whose eyes remained squeezed shut as though in immense pain. Okome knelt besides the creature, wrapping her hands in water. Her hands glowed a faint blue before applying her hands onto the creature's head. She healed the creature, removing the scabs with her water coated hands.
Piccolo inspected the creature, looking from the scar to the creature's supposed beak. It wasn't a bird for sure, though it wasn't completly an insect either. He looked to Gohan, to which he observed Okome healing the injured creature. Was it a wise decision to help a creature who could potentially harm them? Well, Goku helped whomever no matter what they did.
After a few minutes, the creature opened its eyes. His slitted eyes looked to Gohan, then to Okome and finally to Piccolo. With a quick glance, he met Okome's and Gohan's kind gaze.
"Hey, you're awake." Gohan said, leaning towards the creature. "I'm Gohan," He raised a hand to himself, then he gestured his hand to Piccolo and Okome, introducing them respectively. "What's your name?"
As the creature opened its mouth, only a chirp left his beak shaped lips. His eyes widened; no words left his mouth. As though panicking, the creature flailed, trying to say at least a word. But to no avail, he could say nothing but chirp.
"He's lost his voice," Piccolo replied on behalf of the creature, opening his eyes after searching through the creature's thoughts. "Unless he can use sign language, he doesn't have the slightest chance of communicating with anyone-"
-With a sudden glare of light, Okome and Gohan backed away from the creature. The larvae's back cracked open, to which another form grew out from his former shell. Through metamorphosis, the creature evolved into a taller specimen, to which he had a stinger-like tail and a pair of round wings, though he still retained his beak-like mouth and two horns at the top of his head. The creature formed signs with his three-finger digit hands, as though trying to say something to them.
"You don't remember anything but your name?" Gohan translated the creature's signs. "Even where you come from?" Who would have thought using his knowledge on sign language came in handy? He had to thank his mother for that knowledge.
The creature shook his head before opening his slitted eyes again. Gohan looked to Piccolo, then to Okome, seeing if they could draw any more information from the creature before them.
"So what's your name?" Okome asked, standing besides the half-breed. "Maybe we can help by asking people around if they've heard of you."
The creature tilted his head to one side. He then nodded at the idea, though he hesitated as he opened his beak again.
"My name is Cell." The creature signed to the trio. "Though I don't recall anything prior to this." He raised both his hands, showing his empty palms to the trio. He then drew his fingers to his chin. "No, I also remember running towards someone. But I don't know why." He continued to sign to them.
Piccolo narrowed his eyes, reading into the insect Cell's thoughts. So far, everything of what Cell thought matched Cell's words, though it was unclear to what he thought when the creature thought of an elderly man.
"Tell me, Cell." Piccolo asked, keeping his eyes fixed on the creature. "It seems to me you're withholding information."
The creature opened his eyes wider, before looking away from the Namekian. He raised his hand, signing "Sorry" to the Namekian. He shook his head, unable to answer Piccolo's question.
"It seems to me that you're suffering some form of memory loss." Piccolo continued, keeping his arms crossed over his chest. "That man that you've thought of just about now, do you know who he is?"
Cell shook his head, though his mind weighed heavily as a splash of red painted his void of blank memories. He rubbed his head, looking down at the ground as though some lost purpose.
"Any way, do you know what you are?" Okome asked, pointing to the creature. "I mean, you look like a Namekian mutant."
"Mutant?" Piccolo shifted his eyes to his student's remark. "The only Mutant we had were the Super Namekians, Slug was an example."
"Sorry," Okome laughed off her remark. "If not a Namekian, then what are you?" She continued politely, more weary of her word choice so that she did not offend anyone.
Cell curled and uncurled his three-digit fingers, looking at his insect like fingers. He looked back to Okome and Gohan, his eyes empty of any answer. He looked to the skies, looking at a flock of birds flying over head, chirping in a close formation. Just what on Earth was he?
His slitted eyes widened, as though a gleam of light caught his abyss of black memories. He chirped once again, nodding his head with a small smile creeping on his break-like mouth. He dashed off into the bushes, causing Piccolo to raise a brow. Cell stopped and looked back to the trio. He waved his arms, telling them to follow him.
Okome, Piccolo and Gohan glanced to each other. So far, Cell was a bizarre creature with his spontaneous actions. Though, no malice reeked from the creature.
Following the speedy creature down a winding river hidden within the vast emerald Highlands, Gohan zipped after Cell, evading the twisting path of trees and birds. As for Okome, she leapt off each branch, keeping her pace with Gohan as she pounced from each moss infested branch. As for Piccolo, he followed at his leisurely pace, though his eyes and ki sensing capabilities remained focused.
Then they stopped, observing Cell standing before a machine. Cell glanced back to them, before holding his hand out to them to wait.
Gohan observed the machine. With a cracked window to one side, gaping as though it was intentionally blasted by ki, the machine was somewhat outdated. Moss infested the worn machine, where rust clearly coated the 'legs' of the machine. From what the boy assumed, the machine had been here for a couple of months, if not more.
Cell rubbed the moss away, until his fingers brushed over a button. Nodding to confirm his first suspicions, he leapt up to the gaping crack of the machine. He leaned in, his hands reaching for something to which his stinger wiggled in the air; anxious to what he searched for.
Piccolo observed Cell, to which he looked to Okome. What exactly did the time scroll say about Cell? He could only assume the information on him was highly secretive.
Cell drew back his hand, pulling out a small book, tattered with the years of age. He held it out to Piccolo, his hands holding it gently as though it was his keepsake. Piccolo observed the creature's actions, observing Cell's precise hold on the book. The Namekian took the book from Cell, keeping his eyes firm on Cell. He just could not pin point what it was about this creature which gave the Namekian a weary eye. Piccolo noticed Gohan watched him for five minutes now.
"Ahem, here." Piccolo cleared his throat as he passed the book to Gohan. "From what I can gather, it looks like a data book of some sort."
"Wait," Okome looked to the tattered, leather book, her fingers brushing the embedded, golden letters reading 'Pr-t', though some of the words were extremely faded by age. "Data books like these reminds me of Towa's research papers." Okome drew a finger to her chin. She looked to Cell. "You're an artifical lifeform, aren't you?" Okome assumed, narrowing her eyes at the creature. Her eyes softened then to a memory of her older sister. What torture did this creature go through to become the way he is now?
"How would you have known that?" Gohan asked, opening the first, crinkled pages of the book. "Gosh, the handwriting on this is pretty difficult to figure out." His fingers stroked the intricate letters, some of the words were either scribbled out as mistakes or rewritten.
"Okome," Piccolo arched a brow at the girl, "There's something you're not telling us, mind to explain?" Who was that red-haired girl within her memory? Those reptilian eyes and those draconian features, was that a Dragon of Namek? Or a Frieza race clansman?
"My sister." Okome replied, looking back to Piccolo.
"What?" Gohan widened his eyes. "You're telling me your sister is-"
-Okome glared at Gohan, to which Gohan fell silent. He should have known how sensitive she was to speak recklessly about her sister. Though Okome softened her gaze and hung her head away from Gohan, apologising for her sensitive persona.
"There's nothing to apologise for." Gohan smiled to Okome, patting her shoulder. "I wasn't being careful with my words, and those things can't be taken back."
Cell observed Okome and Gohan, to which he tilted his head. Confused. The artifical lifeform wondered of their spontaneous actions, from anger to forgiveness, and wondered of the meaning of such actions.
"It's alright Gohan, you don't have to apologise." Okome looked to Cell, whom sat on the emerald grass and watched them. "My sister is related by blood, not adopted or a step sister at all. But…" She looked to Gohan. "After an incident, she became a runaway experiment and I guess she barely remembers me. I could only assume Cell having a similar fate." She pointed to a table on the page, with an extract of detailed information about Cell's biology. "Like my sister, Cell has multiple biological information. Though it's heavily coded."
"I guess our Chemistry and Biology knowledge should help on this." Gohan chuckled, not expecting his mother's studies to help him so soon. "Want to be my study partner on this?"
"Sure." Okome nodded, not that she had anything else planned for today.
Piccolo observed the duo in silence. Though Kami's knowledge would have helped them, he considered that this was also a part of their training. A training to expand on their knowledge and to use it correctly, whether finding loopholes with the information given or to decipher a code. In the mean while, the Namekian looked over to Cell, whom plucked an apple from the tree branches above.
As Okome and Gohan discussed their findings, where the papers and pens were loaned by Piccolo through his materialisation abilities, Piccolo had not came across any malice or harmful intentions from Cell. Yet; this foreboding sensation did not leave his gut. Extracting more information at this rate was not only going to tire out the Namekian, but also waste both his and Cell's time.
After an hour, the young duo perked their heads up.
"Mister Piccolo!" Gohan called Piccolo, waving his hand holding a pen. "Me and Okome got something." Piccolo nodded, allowing Gohan to continue. "From what I gathered with Okome, Cell has a detailed composition of DNA," He rested the end of his pen on his cheek, "And it includes us in the equation."
"What do you mean by 'us'?" Piccolo asked, looking to Cell, whom had his stinger into an apple. The stinger absorbed everything of the apple, as though it liquefied the flesh inside the apple and then absorbed the contents within the apple. If that stinger was to penetrate the flesh of an animal, would they also suffer the same fate as the apple? Or would it just be a mere mosquito bite. He looked back to Gohan, somewhat concerned about Cell's stinger.
"He has yours, my father's, Vegeta's, Yamcha's, Tien's, Krillin's, Frieza's, Cold's and some others." Gohan read from his notes. "There's a line in the book which states there was a microscopic bug that witnessed all of our battles, to which was reported to Cell as a… well baby." Gohan glanced to Cell. Cell shook his head, knowing nothing of his past. "I don't know what battles Cell witnessed since he was from a different timeline, kinda like you Okome."
"I've never encountered him." Okome shook her head. She looked over to Cell, to which he wiggled his tail with his eyes glimmering with hope. "I mean, I was on probation in the Time Patrol, but I've never actually faced people from this time." She raised a finger to Piccolo. "Though, android or not, he doesn't seem to be the bad ones." Okome wiggled her finger. Okome sighed, "Vegeta and everyone else may get the creeps looking at him, but what he is inside is what Goku looks for." She placed her hand on her chest.
"Agreed." Piccolo nodded, looking from Okome to Cell. "Cell," He gestured an open palm to the artifical lifeform, "Why don't you stay with us for the meanwhile?" He pointed at him, "You're not particularly strong right now, so venturing off by yourself won't benefit you the slightest. And you could find out more about yourself from the locals."
As Cell opened his beak, Gohan exclaimed, "That sounds like at good idea!" Gohan clenched his fists, his eyes beaming to his Sensei's words. "But I don't know how everyone else will feel seeing him. His ki signiture is muddled with everyone's ki, so it could create some confusion amongst us."
Cell looked to Gohan. He pondered for a moment, running his digit finger over his chin. He agreed with Gohan, understanding the turmoil and chaos that could be brought upon his newfound acquaintances.
"Hey, here's an idea," Okome chimed in, "He can remain in hiding." She raised her hand to Gohan, to which she drew her other hand to rest on her forearm. "We didn't sense him since his power level was so low, and it should not create any confusion when we do fight those bad androids."
"Explain." Piccolo said to clarify her plan.
"Since Cell is a bio-android and our main threats are the androids, we can figure out what type of android we're up against by having Cell sticking around us." Okome raised three fingers, "I could only think of three right now; humans with mechanical enhancements, where they have a gun for a hand or something like that, but they still have their 'organic' human parts in tact," She curled her index finger to that point, "Cyborgs who are made of pure metal, or in other words 'inorganic' lifeforms who can use their hands as rocket guns, or something like that, but they have no trace of 'organic' parts within them," She curled her thumb to her second point, "And bio-androids which I've explained before briefly." She sighed to the last point. "They are lifeforms who hold multiple information, whether they were created like that or injected with other DNA samples into themselves to become a 'Superior' lifeform."
Superior lifeform… what nonsense. Once Okome finds Mira, she was going to make sure his arrogant butt was to never underestimate the Earthlings- including all those arrogant idiots who thought they can prance around because of their 'Superior' blood.
"So you're telling me that by knowing what androids we're up against, we can figure out what their weaknesses are and also help Cell recover his memories?" Piccolo tilted his head. "It's a far fetched plan, considering we don't know the fighting capabilities and threats those androids will hold... and Vegeta shoots first and then asks questions later."
"Then we need to find the androids before he does." Okome answered, her eyes burning with determination. "We can't have him endangering everyone with his Saiyan pride."
"Right." Gohan agreed, nodding his head. "So how about it?" He looked as Cell, smiling at the bio-android.
The bio-android looked to Gohan, then to Piccolo and then to Okome. What was this feeling of warmth washing over him? What exactly did it mean? Though pleasant, Cell had not been able to receive compassion, maybe once if he had not suffered amnesia. The ends of his beak tugged up, causing the bio-android to smile at the boy.
With that agreement, Gohan, Piccolo and Okome kept Cell's identity hidden from the other members of Earth's Defenders. To also remove the evidence of the time machine, with a worn logo of the word 'Hope', Okome hid the capsule of the time machine within the belt of her dress.
From that day on, Gohan and Okome followed the small, winding river into the emerald forest in the Highlands. Whether in sunshine or rain, the duo ventured into the Highlands after every training session with their peers to make sure the bio-android was in good health. Though, Goku did question Piccolo one time about the duo vanishing after their afternoon meals.
Resting on the couch, Goku looked to Piccolo, whom the Namekian meditated outside the cottage near the window side.
"They have a friend in the Highlands." Piccolo replied, looking to Goku through the open window. "I guess he's picked up your childhood habits of befriending wild animals and beasts."
"I mean, my son Gohan did make friends with a dinosaur." Goku pondered to himself as his head rested back on his hands. He looked over to his right, seeing his wife humming away in the kitchen. She always seemed happy in the kitchen, though she forbids him from entering the kitchen. It's not that he was going to set the house of fire. "Hey, remember Icarus?" Goku looked to Piccolo.
"You mean that purple dragon?" Piccolo tilted his head. "Gohan did hang around with him when you were assumed dead on Namek." He raised a brow, "Though Okome didn't take a liking to him."
"Eh, you can't blame her. Chichi doesn't like wild animals either." Goku sat up. "You can't force someone to like something, so you gotta respect that." Goku rose up to his feet, pulling on his navy boots over his bare feet. "On another note, Gohan is pretty much friends with people a heck ton older than him. So I'm glad he has Okome to talk to." He drew the navy bands over his wrist, fastening them as he strode to the door. "And they can both challenge each other if me or you aren't around."
Piccolo narrowed his eyes, suspicious to what Goku meant by that.
"Wait," Piccolo landed on his feet from his meditative stance. "You're not suggesting that you're-"
-Goku stopped.
"No Piccolo." Goku chuckled at Piccolo's serious tone. "Of course I won't be going anywhere anytime soon. I'm just saying when his time does arrive to take after me, Gohan will be prepared to fight the challenges I have faced with full confidence." Goku looked over to Piccolo with his usual, peppy smile. "I know I won't live forever, so it's best to start preparing the next generation to defend Earth when we're not around."
As Goku passed Piccolo, Piccolo remained at the window side and observed the Earth-raised Saiyan. The emerald leaves from the nearby oak tree brushed pass Goku, to which a faint golden hue enveloped the Earth-raised Saiyan. The Namekian couldn't help but wonder of what Goku had planned for the androids. Especially when Trunks warned Goku of the heart virus.
"I'm going to check up on them." Goku continued, stopping briefly under the oak tree. "You tagging along?"
"Sure," Piccolo said, walking besides Goku. "Hey, Gohan, Okome. You might want to come back now." Piccolo alerted the young duo telepathically. "Goku's on his way."
To introduce Goku to Cell now could bring about some problems. So for now, Piccolo had alerted the duo when to visit Cell and when not to with his vast hearing.
One year later…
After a year of running into Cell, Okome stopped along the way with Gohan. Standing on the sloping ground of the Highlands, Okome focused her sight on to a far clearing from the emerald trees shrouding her vision. She squinted her eyes, trying to get a better view of what she had thought through the swaying branches of the thousands of trees harnessing the life of the fertile soil.
"What's the matter Okome?" Gohan asked, hopping back to Okome's side. Hearing Okome's silence, Gohan followed Okome's gaze, also looking to the depths of the misty valley.
Okome shook her head. "The forest clearing between those two mountains in the depths, what is that place called?"
Gohan looked to where she pointed. He watched the river flowing from the towering, blue mountains in the distance, to which a rainbow mist glistened in the sun's rays. "So far, it's the Highlands for now. But if you want to be specific, we're on Mount Paozu in the East District." He replied. "But if you keep going on past this mountain, you will soon find a place called 'Dragon Rock', but there's a lot of dinosaurs up there, so it's a little dangerous." He looked back to Okome, his brows dipped at her possible sense of home sickness.
"I have a weird sense of Deja Vu." Okome replied, looking to Gohan. "My time scroll has told me otherwise and says this area is Mount Jiri, well that area all the way down there." She softened her eyes. She walked past Gohan, following the winding path down south.
"Why do you ask?" Gohan asked, following Okome to her side.
"It's my home." Okome replied with a small smile forming on her lips. "If this is the closest thing I can get to home, then I can't complain." She looked to Gohan with a soft smile. "I have you and your parents- and your parent's friends which they're also the closest things I have to my family." She closed her eyes.
"Oh," Gohan blinked, his face flushing slightly pink, "You're welcomed at anytime." He smiled back at Okome's gratitude. His smile faded, his eyes drifted back to the valley. "I have to ask though, if you don't mind?" Okome nodded to Gohan's request. "What time period are you from? I mean you can't be from this time period since there's no signs of people down there."
"You're right," Okome looked up to the swaying branches above, her eyes catching the small birds singing within the emerald leaves of the trees. "This is a time far from my own, probably hundreds of years since nearly all of Earth's blood had a small degree of Saiyan blood." She looked back to the boy, "But the lineage of Earthlings I came from did not want to mingle their blood with another race. So in other words, I'm a pure blooded Earthling." She smiled at Gohan. "Don't get me wrong, my clan did not have anything against the other races, we just were traditional people who cherished our Earthling blood."
"Huh," Gohan followed her, "Wonder how Vegeta feels about this." He chuckled, squinting his eyes shut at Vegeta's usual lectures of the Saiyan lineage.
"He should be happy that the Saiyans still alive in the blood of the Earthlings." Okome muttered, her face sour to Vegeta's name. She caught Cell sitting on a log by himself.
The artifical lifeform perked his head up, his eyes glancing to Okome and Gohan. He relaxed himself, his beak forming a smile. For a moment, he worried over the fact a bird may attack him again. Afterall, he could not escape the fact he looked like an insect. Why was he cursed with such a look?
During the rest of their three years before the androids, Earth's Defenders trained, creating new techniques, also honing and strengthening their previous skills. They were finally given an official name. With the informal agreement on Kami's Lookout amongst Goku and his allies, he announced the group to be named the 'Z-Fighters'. Though, Vegeta refused to have any relation to Kakarot as an ally or friend.
During that time, Gohan, Chichi and Okome reminded Goku to take his medication just so that he did not catch the heart virus. Just so that the medicine did not run out, Okome and Gohan both studied the composition of the medicine from the extract of Frieza's blood Goku had sealed in a capsule. Not only for Goku, but the duo studied the cure and sent their gatherings to Bulma so that Bulma could officially keep the invention under her name for those who suffered a similar fate.
Though, a day before the androids struck, a man from the future appeared in the midsts of midnight. With a high secueity blare, Bulma awoke. Searching through the multiple monitors of Capsule Corporations, she spotted a familiar male. After confirming her suspicions, she switched off the alarms and threw on her night gown and raced down the steps outside her apartment in her slippers.
After several mintues, Bulma and the purple haired male sat opposite each other at a small table, both holding a cup of black coffee.
"So you're telling me that you're supposed to appear way back when Frieza came to Earth?" Bulma clarified after taking a sip of her coffee. Her brows dipped, confused at the new story from the future warrior, "And he was enhanced through mechanical means?"
"... Yes." The male, Trunks, replied, his pale eyes watched the dark surface of his coffee. "I didn't expect Frieza to team up with Goku- and I didn't expect Frieza to have an older brother." He raised his brows. "I have to be careful when I do go back to my time."
"Tell me, what happened in your timeline before the androids struck?"
"All of this is hearsay so it won't be that reliable." Trunks drew his hand over his wrist before clasping his wrist. "From my closest friend and mentor, Raditz never was a good man, nor did he have a change of heart. Same for Frieza. Though Goku fought him alone compared to Goku in this timeline fighting Frieza and accepting him as an ally." His eyes flicked over to the wooden desk, to which a ring of steam was left as a result of the coffee mug. "I've never heard of Slug or Cooler. So I worry how different this timeline is compared to my one."
I didn't think time travel could bring about so many complications. Bulma thought as she watched the future warrior sip his coffee. In another time, Cooler did not exist and that Frieza came to Earth, swearing vengeance with his father on all Saiyans. Huh, I wonder what else was different?
"You'll do it." Bulma winked at Trunks as her lips drew away from her mug. Though, Trunks' face remained worried. "Hey, it's alright," She placed her hand on his wrist, causing the teen the look to her. "Mistakes happen but we're here to help, right?" She perked her voice up, just so that the future warrior could smile a little. Though he only twitched a smile.
With that thought on her mind, Bulma contacted Okome, Piccolo and Gohan.
Half awake, Okome looked over to her scroll, realising the scroll bleeped red. She snapped awake, though she misjudged her step and rolled off her bed.
Hearing a muffled thump and a muttering curse, the half awake Gohan looked over his side of the bed, seeing Okome face-plant on the floor.
"A time distortion?" Okome whispered in a hushed voice as she glared at the scroll. "When? And how?"
"Hey, anyone? Hellooo?" A voice left the small, owl-like machine located on the young duo's study desk, stood next to the ajar window. "This is really urgent."
"What is it Bulma?" Gohan reached for the small, robotic bird. "The androids attack tomorrow, Mister Piccolo says we need all the rest we can get."
"Look, Trunks from a different timeline has appeared." Bulma continued, twiddling her pencil with her index finger and thumb. She pointed the end of her pen to the word 'alternate' and 'multiverse'. "And he knows nothing of what's taken place in this timeline we're from."
"I thought he knew of Cooler?" Gohan yawned, rubbing his eyes.
"Apparently this Trunks didn't know he existed." Bulma replied, looking to the flashlight attached to one end of her pen. "And he said Frieza swore to kill us with his father. Though Goku would have still beaten him." She looked to her window, looking to a cloud obscuring the faint light from the full moon. She forgot they brought back the moon. "It makes me wonder, where's the other Trunks? He said he would be back two months before the androids struck?"
"I wonder about that." Okome rubbed her head. "I'll need to contact Trunks of the Time Patrol about this. Maybe he might know something."
"And if he doesn't?" Gohan asked, yawning again.
"Then we'll have to figure out the issue ourselves." Okome replied, rolling her scroll shut. "We have to deal with the androids regardless if the Trunks back then can aid us or not. We can't let humanity fall to them."
"Agreed." Bulma and Gohan nodded.
From the oak tree swaying in the moonlight, Piccolo meditated under the towering structure. He opened his eyes, his ears and eyes sensing a disturbance in the cool night breeze.
"Namek, our people are in danger." Kami spoke, watching the depths of Earth from the Lookout. "I don't know who it is, but he is a sure monster."
"Damn it." Piccolo scrunched the bridge of his nose, squeezing his eyes shut. "It's a repeat of Frieza all over again." He continued, clenching his fists on his knees. "We have the androids plotting to destroy Earth and now Namek is in danger again."
"All is not lost." Kami continued, resting on his staff. "You have a friend aiding the Namekians. So don't worry too much. We need to have a-"
"-Cool and collective mind. I know that old man." Piccolo finished off Kami's sentence. "I'll have to raise this issue with Goku and the others once they wake up. I can't let them waste their rest and fight sloppy when the androids do attack." He relaxed his fists, his palms resting on his knees. He looked to the small cottage, making sure the young duo was resting up. Afterall, he did not want their strengths to dwindle just because of a lack of rest. He looked back to his palms, biding his time until the next dawn lit the crimson horizons.
Though, from the room above Gohan and Okome, Goku peered from the window.
On March 12th, South City…
On the dawn of the androids revelation, Trunks had agreed to remain with Bulma. With whatever evidence they had, they sought to track down Gero's hideout to rid of his creations. The sooner, the better.
As for the city, chaos reigned.
Goku and the Z-fighters split up. They raced across the burning city in several groups. Each group had two members; Goku and Krillin, Yamcha and Tien, Gohan and Okome, and left Piccolo by himself.
The Earthling warriors raced around the city, asking the survivors caught in the chaos for the whereabouts of Gero and his androids. Goku flew from one building to the next, teleporting civilians whilst looking out for any signs of Gero with Krillin aiding Goku's search. Piccolo remained in the smoke filled skies, watching for any abnormal activities.
As for Okome and Gohan, they hurried around the city, prioritising to help the civilians trapped under the debris of the burning city.
"There was this old guy," A young boy began as Okome wrapped a bind of glowing water around his broken arm. "The old guy just looked at us and- boom!" He raised his other hand up, mimicking an explosion.
"Was there anything unusual about this guy?" Gohan asked, standing besides Okome as he watched for anyone who could strike them. "Besides the lasers and explosions."
"Well, I saw a man fall onto the ground after the old guy held his throat." The boy tilted his head. "But his throat wasn't crushed."
Okome and Gohan looked to each other. That could mean one thing; energy absorption.
The boy squinted his eyes. "But then this big, fat guy came along and blasted the poor man to bits." He hung his head. "I tried to help the guy by shooting at the old guy, but they just bounced off him."
"Look, you've tried what you've could." Okome wrapped up the boy's arm with a bandage. "Just get as far away from this area as possible for now." She relaxed her hands, drawing the water back into her pouch tied to her waist. "It's really dangerous now." She then discarded the pouch before pulling out another capsule. From that capsule, another water pouch appeared, to which she tied to the belt of her gi.
The boy nodded his head before running off to where the other civilians fled.
"So it looks like we're dealing with the enhanced ones or Cyborgs." Gohan said, drawing his hands over his mouth. "Hopefully we can talk first before hurting anyone-" He raised his hands out to Okome, showing his palm to the girl, "If they still have their organic parts."
"You mean, you want to reason with them first to see if they have any humanity left in them?" Okome turned to the young hybrid. Gohan nodded. "Hmm, another morality game again." Okome muttered to herself as she drew her hands over her mouth.
"I'm not going to say it's easy, but we can try at least." Gohan continued, "If we can negate the unnecessary violence and resolve it through words, that would be best."
Okome drew her gaze to the ground, her brows dipping up. "Gohan," She looked back to him. "I know you don't like to fight, but we can't just stand around and do nothing while the world burns." She drew her hand up to her chest, curling her fingers into her palm. "So if the worst happens, we have to fight. It's what it means to be a Z-fighter," She held her fist out to Gohan, "Right?"
"But does everything have to be dealt through fighting?" Gohan looked to her fist. "I know my dad, Piccolo and everyone out there are much stronger than me, and I just can't help but think I'm just in the way of it all."
"Then what was all of that training for?" Okome raised both of her hands up in the air, her brows arched in frustration. "Piccolo taught us so that we are prepared to fight threats like these-" She drew her thumb and index finger over her brows, taking a deep breath. "Sorry." Okome looked back to the young hybrid, whom hung his head.
"Accepted… but Okome." Gohan drew his gaze back to her. "Have you taken someone's life before, just for the greater good?"
Okome widened her eyes. She looked up to the blackened skies, drenched by the burning fumes of the city.
"Nearly." Okome replied in a whisper, her throat tightened. "But let's talk about that later." She pointed to the growing spiral of fire to their left. "We have company."
A silhouette of a chubby person blocked their path in the harsh hue of crimson and orange.
"Targets acquired." The chubby male said, his monotone voice droned on the duo's ears. His icy eyes glinted red for a moment.
Okome and Gohan tensed their bodies, catching sight of an elderly man appearing from behind the chubby android.
"Kill them." The elderly man ordered, showing his palm to the duo, with a red gem set in the centre of his palm. "Son Gohan, it was nice meeting you." The elder grinned at the young hybrid. "You can wait for your father in death."
My dad? Gohan widened his eyes. That's-
-With a deafening blast, the surrounding area went up in smoke.
From the east of the city, Goku stopped on a bent metal beam, which hung diagonally from the upper floor to the lower floor. Besides him landed Krillin, to which they both nodded. They raced through the burning city until a shockwave of the impact of a blast caused the ground to shake beneath their feet. "Damn it!" Goku said, maintaining his balance. He snapped his sights left and right. "If I knew they couldn't be sensed by ki, then we wouldn't have this problem right now."
"Hey, we didn't know this was going to happen." Krillin reassured Goku as he followed besides his long time friend. "At least we have Okome healing up the ones caught in the explosion."
"But it still doesn't change the fact they created this much damage." Goku continued, before stopping at a fallen, burnt building, which caved in the direction the Saiyan was going. He gritted his teeth before looking to the right, seeing a broken window viewing the city below in swirls of black, red and gold. Again, no sign of those androids! This was beginning to get frustrating.
Krillin leapt through the small gap of the shattered building, landing onto a fallen, iron beam hanging off a window from the level below. He shook his head, only seeing shattered glass scattered on the concrete ground.
Evading detection by their enemies, Goku had told the Z-fighters to lower their ki, even to the point of not flying. Though, they could still travel fast on foot than the fastest Earthling.
"Piccolo, how's the search going?" Goku asked Piccolo telepathically, to which all the members of the Z-fighters had. "Any signs of them?" Goku raced down the dark hallways of the building, where lights flickered, and burst water pipes streamed through what was left of the upper levels of the building.
Before the Namekian gave a reply, a yellow flare of ki was shot up into the sky. All the Z-Fighters perked their heads up to the direction of the flare.
Gohan!
As Goku, Krillin, Yamcha, Tien and Piccolo dashed to the battle site, Vegeta remained on top of a building, observing the building below from the black tops of the burning city. Just like the wind, he faded into the depths of the smoke and flames.
Racing past a damaged car, Tien slid under the car and then leapt onto his feet and crouched on the opposite end, to which Yamcha pounced up and fired a ki blast at the incoming blasts. The rival duo ducked, using the empty car as a shield. When they saw an opening, Tien peered his head above the car, firing off a Dodon ray at the approaching elder male.
Though as old as the male was, he was not frail by any means. He tilted his head to one side, evading the Dodon ray as he approached Tien and Yamcha. His hand pierced through the metal door of the car, before lifting up the car in front of Tien and Yamcha.
From behind the elder male, Gohan leapt up and out from a manhole.
"HAH!" Gohan yelled, firing off a Masenko.
Though the chubby male got in the way, holding up both his palms at the incoming Masenko.
A whip of water grasped the chubby male on the ankle. He looked at the bind of water before his weight was pulled from under him.
Tien looked to Okome, whom hid in a crack left by an earlier explosion, to which water by a nearby bursted pipe leaked into the cracks of the concrete ground. Though, water from the nearby sewer was just as effective.
Smart move. Tien thought, flicking his sight back to the elder male, to which the car shattered into pieces by Yamcha's swift strikes of his notorious technique; the Wolf Fang Fist.
Though, the elder male leapt back, evading several strikes before his hat flew off his head. On knocking off the elder's hat, the elder grasped his hat once again and firmly set it on his head.
"I have to commend you all for you efforts." The elder said, standing on the balcony of a blackened building. "Though, I can't let you thwart my plans."
"Who are you?" Tien questioned, keeping his sight focused on the elder. Knowing that Okome and Gohan watched the chubby male, Tien entrusted the duo of keeping him still as he interrogated the elder.
"You may have heard of me." The elder replied, drawing both his hands behind him, standing tall. "I am Doctor Gero, a scientist who worked with a group known as the Red Ribbon Army." He raised his hand to the chubby, pale male. "And this is one of my creations. You may call him C19, or Nineteen for short."
"You're the guy who's after our bud." Yamcha exclaimed, keeping his fighting stance to that of the Wolf fang fist. "We're not letting you get Goku."
"Son Goku." Gero closed his eyes, recalling a boy in red, wielding a red pole. "You don't seem to understand the trouble that boy put me through." His voice dropped harsher, gritting his teeth in disdain to the Earth-raised Saiyan.
"I don't know what your problem is with my father, but we're not going to let you kill him!" Gohan held his fists close to his chest.
Gero glanced to the young hybrid, his icy gaze glaring at Gohan.
A son. A young boy. A life stolen away!
He raised his hand up at Gohan, readying a ki blast at him.
"I don't think so!" Yamcha and Okome yelled, to which Yamcha dove towards Gero, his aura flaring in a hue of maroon.
With a strike of his fist, Yamcha slammed Gero's hand up, causing the blast to shoot off into the smoke filled skies above.
As for Okome, she raised an ice wall, causing C19 to shoot a beam directly into the wall of ice. In an explosion of cold dust, Okome drew the dust to one side, only to see the scientist and the chubby android gone from her sight.
A glimmer of crimson caught Gohan's sight from behind. He followed the light, tracing it to Yamcha and Tien.
"Get down!" Gohan screamed, firing a ki blast at the glint of light.
Following Gohan's lead, Okome shot a rapid ball of water, knocking Yamcha out of the way.
And with another explosion; the area went up in smoke, to which a towering buildings came crumbling down on the four members.
Okome raised her arms up again, drawing a thick wall of diamond ice above the group.
"They know we can't sense them." Gohan called out to the other members, snapping his gaze around him in the dense shroud of dust. "We're at a disadvantage here."
"Easier said than done." Tien replied, drawing his arms away from his face. "I'll alert Goku and the others." Tien focused his thoughts. "They can track every movement Goku." Tien alerted telepathically to Goku and Piccolo. "We can't sense them but they can sense us."
Yamcha flared his Kaioken aura, using the ki emitting from his body to shine light to the shadows of where Gero and his partner was.
Catching a glimpse of a shifting form behind him, Tien ducked, evading a clear blast of ki to his head. He then leapt up a brick wall, climbed up a ladder and then landed on a balcony of a building. Again, he lost track of Gero.
Yamcha however swerved his head, evading an over head strike from a chubby android, then diverted an incoming hand aimed at his neck with a slap of the back of his hands. Yamcha smirked as he sensed the changing air currents in his aura.
Though he knew wasting such a technique would cost him.
As the chubby male tried reaching for Yamcha's neck, Yamcha's Kaioken aura dispersed.
"Uh oh." Yamcha widened his eyes. His arms limped to his sides. It was as though his entire body weighed like a mountain.
The chubby male grasped Yamcha's neck, to which Yamcha could barely breathe from such a tight grip. He dug his fingers into the chubby male's pale hands, only to cut his air shorter. His lips twitched, unable to scream for help.
"Hey! Fatso!" Okome yelled, firing several ice spears at the chubby male. "Burn some calories while you're at it!"
As the icicle spears darted towards C19's head, a wave of ki shattered her attack. With that indication, Tien and Gohan pursued the direction of the ki blast.
And then again, Okome raised her hand up above her head.
"Eat this you glutton!" Okome fired a Masenko at C19. "Sorry Yamcha for using you as a bait." Okome said telepathically to him. "We just needed some headway for Gero's whereabouts since we can't sense him."
"Well, it was my fault for being a little overly confident." Yamcha replied as C19 let go of his neck. "Wouldn't mind healing me up?"
From behind Yamcha, another Okome appeared on a path of ice. C19 snapped his head from the Okome firing a Masenko to the other behind him. He focused on the Masenko, absorbing the ki entirely from the blast. Then he raced after Tien and Gohan, disappearing into the smoke.
In the meanwhile, the other Okome wrapped a glowing strand of water around Yamcha's neck.
"As long as I have enough ki to make a clone of myself, I have plenty of ki." Okome reminded Yamcha as she healed his bruised neck. "Looks like solar flare will be useless on those two."
"Tell me about it." Yamcha croaked. "They have X-ray, infrared and all of those whacky gadgets." He rose up to his feet, searching for any dangers ready to hit them. "We need to get them away from here somehow."
"Exactly." Okome agreed, raising her index finger up to Yamcha. "If the city is empty, they would have no other option but to move out of the city if they want to steal some energy."
"Got to give Piccolo some credit for that idea." Yamcha muttered to himself, running his fingers through his spiked up hair. "Let's catch up with Tien and Gohan."
[BI]From the suburbs of South City...
A hand darted towards Tien's head. With a slap of their hands, Tien redirected Gero's hand away from him in a swift motion. Using Gero's power against him, Tien struck Gero's chest, in an attempt to throw off the scientist's breathing. Though, Gero just replied with a blank, icy stare. As Gero raised his hand up to Gohan, who hovered behind Tien, C19 fired a lazer from behind the young hybrid.
Hearing a zip, Tien snapped his head to the incoming lazer beam.
"Watch out!" Tien shoved Gero back. He darted after Gohan, who tried to counter with a Masenko. "Grgh!" Tien yelled out as the lazer scrapped his right arm defending Gohan. Though; he still pushed on, luring the androids to the wastelands.
Though, the two androids took off to another place.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Tien, Yamcha, Okome and Gohan snapped their heads to Vegeta, to which the proud prince readied a blue ball of energy.
"Vegeta, no-"
-Ignoring the four members, the area exploded with a massive plume of dust and smoke.
"They weren't that tough." Vegeta looked over his shoulder to the four members. "One clean hit on them while their guard is down should be enough to kill them."
A form reappeared moments later from the smoke and dust.
"Foolish." Gero said with both arms behind himself. In front of him stood C19, with both his palms glowing red. "Come on Nineteen, let's head back to the hideout." He turned his back on Vegeta and the other members. "They're not worth my time."
Worthless?
Vegeta gritted his teeth tighter. He then breathed out with a grin on his lips.
"You're the foolish ones for turning your back on the enemy." Vegeta retorted, clenching a fist at the androids. "I'll show you why you shouldn't underestimate me, the Prince of all Saiyans!" He rushed in at the chubby android.
Tien looked to his left, seeing Goku and Krillin racing up besides him. He tilted his head to Vegeta, to which Goku face palmed.
"Vegeta! They'll suck your ki!" Goku warned Vegeta as the proud Saiyan engaged in combat.
"You don't think that I already know that?" Vegeta retorted, slamming his fist into C19's stomach. "Time to send you to the trash heap." He sneered at the chubby android. Though, his smile dropped after seeing the android not budged by his heavy punch.
"You Saiyans always running your mouth." Gero said, shaking his head as he retreated to the arid sky. "C19, make sure you hold them off."
Noticing Gero falling back, Goku, Krillin and Gohan bolted after Gero. As the trio circled around Gero, the scientist patted his foot on the concrete ground.
"Just give up." Goku said, his body tensed as he remained in his fighting stance. "We're not going to let you hurt anyone here."
"How about your dear son?" Gero questioned, looking to Gohan with a glint of red in his eyes.
… Why my son? Goku thought, his eyes widening at Gero's possible goals. He glanced to Gohan, to which his hands clenched tighter.
Seeing an opening, Gero slammed his hand down into the ground, sending up another swash of smoke and dust.
"Don't lose sight of them!" Yamcha yelled, his eyes observing any shifts in the direction of the dust for the whereabouts of Gero.
"Solar flare!" Krillin said, flashing a harsh light within the world of black smoke.
Observing from the side of the battle, Tien and Okome saw a shadow darting past Goku. They pursued him, making sure the scientist did not escape.
As for Vegeta, C19 grasped Vegeta's arm. With a tingling sensation in his arms, Vegeta's arm began to feel numb.
I didn't think they could draw out this much ki. Vegeta thought, keeping his calm composure. Well, it was fun while it lasted.
With a surge of golden ki, Vegeta yelled, flaring his Super Saiyan aura. He then slammed both of his boots into C19's face and then ripped off C19's arms with the force of his legs.
"Tell me, does a machine like you experience fear?" Vegeta sneered, tossing C19's arms behind him as the android staggered, oil sprayed from his missing arms. "Seriously," His smirk dropped. "These guys were suppose to destroy the future and yet here you both are so weak and pathetic." He raised his voice, infuriated at wasting his Super Saiyan transformation.
As C19 ran for cover, Vegeta aimed a palm at the chubby android. And with blue blast, the android was no more.
As Vegeta turned his head to see Goku, he noticed Yamcha, Krillin, Gohan, Tien and Okome gone from his sights.
"So that's it? We get the old man and it's all over." Vegeta interrogated the Earth raised Saiyan.
"No." Goku replied, itching his head. "I'm sure he's hiding something. Piccolo just alerted me."
"Then off with them." Vegeta strode past Goku, his golden aura zapping at the arid air. "I'm looking for a good punching bag that's worthy of my newfound power."
"Really?" Goku tilted his head. "Is that all that you care about?"
"Either that or you suffering the heart virus." Vegeta looked to Goku with his teal eyes. "You don't understand the amount of training I had to go through to achieve this form." He rounded Goku, "Whilst you were out gallabanting with Frieza for a year, I trained in space to surpass you." His brows furrowed, "I was alone in space, only thinking about my survival without your little 'friends' bailing you out like the scapegoat you are." The tone of his voice shifted quieter and serious, different compared to his loud and prideful speeches.
"That's mean." Goku pointed at Vegeta, squinting both his eyes at the Saiyan Prince. Then his eyes widened to a thought. "Didn't you say a Saiyan can only become a Super Saiyan if they had a pure heart?"
"Pure good or pure evil, Kakarot?" Vegeta sneered at Goku. "Because I'm not like you at all."
Sensing malice from the Saiyan Prince, Goku looked to Vegeta's fist. This was not a time to fight.
"Look, we have to deal with those androids now." Goku slapped Vegeta's fist away from him. "We can't sense those androids to begin with, so who knows if there's more of them."
"What do you mean?" Vegeta snapped his teal gaze on Goku. "There's only two, end of."
"Well, going from Okome's, Piccolo's, Gohan's and Bulma's predictions, there's a chance there could be a third party involved." Goku itched his head as the smoke from the far wastelands grew denser and darker. "I don't like the feeling of this."
One such thought that Piccolo and the young duo spoke of was the chance of another group interfering with the Z-fighters duties hunting down Gero. So far, Gero was apart of the Red Ribbon Army, a group Goku knew well. He couldn't help but think of Eighter being dragged into this… or someone of a similar persona to Eighter.
Goku shook his head. No, the main problem is if Gero had more android creations, like an army of them. He just had to have faith in Bulma and Trunks' search for the Red Ribbon hideout.
"Must be your medication." Vegeta turned his head away from Goku. "Time to kill that old man." Vegeta smirked at the strands of smoke in the distance.
The Wastelands
Ajar. The rusted gates to the underground hideout thrived with darkness. Water dripped in the hollow darkness, though it was not water when a source of light lit the area. The members of the Z-Fighters met with three icy gazes. One of those gazes trembled violently, and the other two cold and distant.
Trunks' blue eyes shook ever so slightly. He glanced from their gaze to his mother. A cold shiver darted throughout his body, followed by a dull ring echoing through his mind.
On the ground laid Bulma; the side of her head bruised from blunt impact.
Trunks then looked back to the trio standing against him. A black-haired male shoved his hand through Gero's chest. Behind the male sat a blonde female, whom her hand glowed a faint pink.
It was them, the ones responsible for this madness.
"I am your creator!" Gero huffed, looking down to the hand shoved clear through his chest. "What is the meaning of this, Seventeen?"
"No hard feelings doc." The black-haired cyborg replied with an empty tone. He ripped his hand out from Gero's chest. The elder collapsed to his knees, clenching his bleeding chest.
"Are you done with him?" A blonde android spoke, whom also held an empty voice. She lowered her hand from Bulma, dispersing the ki ball from her hand; though in her other hand, she held a remote.
With a clatter of the remote hitting the metal ground, she crushed the remote with a swift stomp of her leather boot.
"Not you too, Eighteen!" Gero huffed, falling to his knees. "Is this how you show gratitude to-"
-With a rapid swing of his leg, Seventeen, or his codename C17, slashed Gero's head off.
"So, you all are here for the party?" C17 landed before the Z-Fighters and rose up to his feet. "It was kinda lonely here, but you all should suffice for entertainment."
If one was to look at both of the androids, one thing one would think is the similarities both androids shared. Besides being twins, their piercing blue eyes, their slim and small build, and their monotone voice would strike a sense of uneasiness. And one should be cautious for good reason, their ability to go undetected by the Z-Fighters raised a critical level of danger.
Trunks, Krillin, Gohan, Yamcha and Okome gritted their teeth as C17 smirked at them with his blank and cold gaze. Piccolo and Tien observed the situation, refusing to make a hasty decision.
"Ooh, who's this?" C18 said, inspecting the incubator besides her. She drew a strand of her golden hair behind her ear as she looked into the window viewing who was inside. She caught a glimpse of a ginger-haired male, probably two times taller than her.
"I beg of you, do not awaken him!" Gero's head yelled, his eyes widening to what horrors could unfold. "He is a work in progress!"
"A work in progress?" C17 muttered to himself, drawing his hands into his denim pockets. "Sounds like fun." The black-haired android tilted his head at the blonde android, indicating her to pull the lever down.
"NO!" Gero screamed, though his head was then crushed by C17's foot.
In response to Gero's death, a bleep from the super computer, hidden within the depths of the caverns, registered three words.
Avenge your creator.
As the Z-Fighters observed the terror unwinding before them, Trunks' blue eyes gleamed colder and harsher as his pupils fixed on the twins before him. He raised his hands, both open and aimed at the twin terrors before him.
Those hollow and still eyes, drenched in the downpour of the tears from the heavens, the stench of mud and iron mixed with his boiling blood and sweat, Trunks refused to be reminded of his loss and anger of that tragic day. Whatever timeline, he refused to lose another member he regarded as close family.
Piccolo snapped his head to Trunks, sensing his anger on the edge of eruption.
"Trunks! Wa-"
"-DAMN YOU!" Trunks screamed, firing a Masenko at Gero and the androids in a flare of gold.
In a snap of Trunks' sanity, the fighters lunged out of the way. Krillin screamed, unable to grab Yamcha. Yamcha rushed in after the unconscious Bulma, shielding her from the debris with his body; though Okome raised an ice shield just so that nothing struck Yamcha or Bulma. Piccolo grabbed Gohan and Tien grabbed Okome out from harms way.
After the wake of the explosion, Trunks lowered his hands, seeing three forms zip out from the smoke. He gritted his teeth, his mind flashing to the thought of those icy eyes observing his every single action from the burning city around him. He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts of those cursed days.
And his Sensei's pained eyes. He could never forget those eyes, those empty and lifeless eyes when the grey skies finally cried.
Gohan… why?
"Trunks?" Tien looked to the young hybrid.
"Okay, what the heck Trunks?" Krillin exclaimed, his breaths shook as he drew his gaze to the hybrid.
"Look, we'll deal with this later." Piccolo said, preventing any infighting amongst the group. "There's more company." He drew their attention to the mountain peak in the distance.
The fighters snapped their gaze to the android twins, to which a towering, ginger android awoke from his incubator. This particular android stood up tall in silence, his blue eyes scanning the rocky lands around him.
A red spark zipped out from the ruins of the collapsed laboratory. Tien widened his eyes at the silent beam from the laboratory.
"Yamcha!" Tien yelled, thinking that Yamcha and Bulma were caught in the blast.
"I'm over here guys." Yamcha replied, appearing behind Piccolo with a slight limp, to which his injuries were made clear. A slash on his right knee revealed a bruise, to which blood tainted his orange gi. In his arms he carried the unconscious Bulma, though his wrist held small bruises. "But there's a bigger problem guys," His eyes widened, "There's more."
Every fighter widened their eyes. Then they looked to Trunks, their eyes searching for answers from the young hybrid. Though, Trunks remained silent, staring at the blackened ground. He then glanced to the twin androids, to which C17 evaded a spark of red. The future warrior could only imagine the horrors if there were more androids about.
And to their horrors, there were more androids.
"Hey amigo, what's the problem?" C17 said, raising his hand up at a tall, sinewy built male. Though he could not see his eyes due to the cap covering most of his face. His eyes then flicked to the other two males behind him. "Well, what you know? Stereotypical or what?" He pointed to the one with a cap. "You look like a rough neck," He pointed to the another android, whom was also brawny, pale and wore a green skirt. "You look like a… well not from around here." He then pointed to the short, purple male with sunglasses. "And you look like you have problems-"
"-Stop wasting your time with them." C18 rolled her eyes, crossing her hands over her chest. "Hey big guy, you know who they could be?" Her pale, blue eyes looked over to the towering male besides her. She observed his silence, to which the ginger male watched the far mountains in the distance, as though watching the life sway back and forth in the Highlands.
The giant's gaze fell onto C18, before looking to the three males in front of C17. His eyes glinted white for a moment, pulling up a database of Gero's creations.
"They are Gero's creations." The ginger giant replied with a robotic tone. "The one leading them is C13, the one who wears the green slacks." He looked to the other two behind C13, "The other two are C14 and C15; C14 being the tall pale one and C15 being the short one. They are outdated compared to you both." The giant looked back to slim blonde.
"You think the doc would have sent them to the trash compactor." C17 snided as he looked back to C13. C13 gritted his teeth to the remark.
"You should watch that tongue of yours boy, otherwise someone will get hurt." C13 replied, raising the tip of his cap to C17. "A boy like you should learn to respect his elders."
"Like as if you didn't try to hurt him earlier." C18 retorted, resting a hand on her hip. "What's your problem?" She gestured her hand at the roughneck, demanding for answers.
C13 narrowed his icy eyes, as though agitated at the twin androids. "We're here thanks to special orders from the professor." C13 replied, pointing at both twins.
"Now how would the doc tell you if he's dead?" C17 replied, raising a hand out at C13. "Unless you're telling me he has some super comput-" C17 whacked his forehead, realising what other plans Gero may have had. What a clever scoundrel! The black-haired android laughed to himself, knowing what trouble he may be in for now. Oh well, at least now everything was getting a little more interesting.
"Now that you know, it's time to exterminate you." C13 snarled, reaching his hand out at the twins. "For killing our creator!" He clenched a fist at C17.
From behind C13, C14 zoomed towards C17, with C15 pursuing close behind. C18 stood back to back with her twin brother, readying for the chaos to be unleashed.
As for the Z-fighters, they looked to each other.
"Anyone have a idea why they are fighting amongst themselves?" Yamcha asked, looking to Piccolo.
"From what the one in the green slacks said, he was ordered by Gero to kill the ones responsible killing him." Piccolo clarified, keeping his eyes on the battle clashing before them. "Though I'm not sure why did Gero panicked about the ginger giant." His eyes fell onto the silent giant, whom watched a nearby bird's nest. He then looked to the five androids fighting amongst each other. Strange… was this what Gero meant by that?
"Do you think we need to intervene?" Gohan asked, looking to Piccolo. "Trunks?"
"Those two who killed Gero," Trunks began, his voice quivered ever so slightly, "They were the monsters who destroyed my timeline. They-" He clenched his fists, trying to clear the anger from welling up again. "I just only know of those two-"
"-Hey guys!" Goku popped up with instant transmission, to which Vegeta held a scowl. Vegeta shoved Goku's hand off from his shoulder. Goku squinted his eyes at Vegeta before turning his attention to his allies. "What did I miss?"
Silence only brewed.
Goku's cheer left his face, to which he noticed the androids observing him with the same intent. Malice.
And with a scuttle of chaos, five of the androids raced after Goku, though the twins tried to strike down the other trio. The ginger giant, his code name being C16, remained overlooking the cliff's edge, observing a nest of black birds.
"Watch out!" Krillin yelled, snapping his head to his buddy's direction. Tien and Piccolo got into their fighting stances, to which Okome remained by Yamcha's side to defend the unconscious Bulma.
Though, the androids zipped past all the members and sought only Goku. With a slam of C18's kick into Piccolo, she knocked the Namekian into Tien, to which C17 deflected an incoming ki blast from C15, to which it struck Krillin.
With all of this happening within a couple of seconds, Goku raised his arm up. He blocked a punch from C14, before pushing him back against C13.
A red spark caught Goku's attention to the left.
A ball of crimson ki zoomed towards Goku, though Vegeta zipped in the way and knocked the ball of ki towards C18. With one graceful leap, C18 leapt back, to which Piccolo and Tien dove out of the way. Piccolo threw a ki blast at C18, to which Tien also fired a Dodon ray at the blonde android.
Unfortunately, C17 negated Piccolo's ki blast back to C13 and C18 tilted her head, evading Tien's Dodon ray. C13 dodged once again, evading a flurry of kicks from Vegeta, though the kick nearly struck Goku's head.
I can't even track them! Goku thought, his eyes trying to remained fixed on all his enemies. All of this smoke and dust makes it harder for me to see them.
From behind him, C14 appeared with both hands held above his head. Before Goku could turn his head, the pale android brought his fists down.
Though a shatter of one's sword defended Goku from the harsh blow. Trunks discarded his sword before locking his fist with C14. Though the hybrid was then repeatedly headbutted by the brute until C18 kicked the pale android with one swift strike and blasted Trunks with a pincer based ki strike. She then leapt back, to which C17 threw a boomerang disk at Goku.
"Why is everyone after me?" Goku exclaimed, back handing C17's ki blast, to which struck the roughneck. He then swerved to his left, evading C18's consecutive kicks. His back slammed into C13, to which C13 elbowed Goku in the upper spine. With a gag of pain, C17 kicked Goku to one side before throwing another boomerang disk of ki at C13.
So far, exterminating Goku was the androids' main target. And while they sought Goku's death, destruction and chaos reigned outside the burning laboratory, concealed in the arid mountains.
Running from the battle site, Yamcha grasped Bulma, to which Okome and Gohan remained close to him. As the chaos reigned on, they took the opportunity to escape so that Bulma could be healed. As soon as they were far from the area, Gohan popped a senzu bean in Bulma's mouth. With a gasp, Bulma sat up. She then groaned at the pain rattling throughout her head.
"What's happened?" Bulma said, rubbing her head. "Is Gero taken care of?"
"The one in the black top with the orange scarf took care of him." Yamcha replied, helping Bulma up to her feet. "Me and Okome had to bail you out since the blonde one shot you."
"We need to deal with them asap." Bulma looked to the mountains in the distance, littered with smoke and harsh winds from the on going battle.
Though Goku appeared besides Bulma, along with the other members of the Z-fighters.
"We need to pull back." Goku said, forcefully grabbing Bulma by the arm. He raised a hand to Yamcha, Gohan and Okome, to which they also grabbed onto Goku.
With one zip in the wind, Goku and the other members vanished into the air.
From the smoke, C13's face twisted in frustration. His primary target escaped.
"Look at what you've done, boy!" C13 yelled at C17, firing a beam of ki from his finger. C17 flew out of the way of the beam before raising his knee to C13's head. C13's eyes blinked white, to which he swerved his head out from C17's kick.
The beam struck the birds nest, to which C16's pale, blue eyes widened. He raised his hand to the nest, using just a fraction of his ki to create wind. After the flames were blown out, C16 snapped a glare at C13, knowing that the birds will not return to their destroyed home.
"And you're getting annoying with that dodging mechanic the doc gave you." C17 retorted, throwing another boomerang disk of ki. "Try this one for size!" He flew directly after the disk, though his foot connected with the pale android again. "You again?" He raised his voice, agitated at C14's constant intervention. Though the boomerang flew back and struck C14, the pale android was not fazed by the attack.
C18 slammed her fist into C14's face, before firing a multitude of ki beams at the incoming short android. C15 zipped after C18, evading her attacks.
Seeing his twin sister in danger, C17 threw his arms up. Around him, a crackle of ki surrounded him and defended himself and his sister. As for C15, he flew straight into the ki barrier and as a result was deflected like a fly. He slammed into C14 and into the ground below.
C16 clenched his fists tighter, seeing the destruction of flames and smoke reign around him. At this rate, the green Highlands will be a smoldering wasteland.
As the twin stood back to back with each other, C13 held both his palms together. A zap of red ki left his palms.
"Look amigo," C17 said, with a smirk on his lips. "Instead of fighting over this, why don't we team up and kill Goku together?" He raised a hand to the android. "The more the merrier."
Though C13's icy gaze did not change the slightest.
"For killing the professor? I don't think so city boy." C13 narrowed his eyes. "It was nice knowing the both of yous," His gaze fixed on the twin androids, An orb of chaotic ki formed. "Say goodbye!"
"Lapis and Lazuli!"
A sharp high pitched whistle struck all five of the androids. As though chains constricted them, the androids froze in one place.
A rocket punch slammed into C13's jaw, causing the red-neck to slam into the towering, jagged rock formation to his right.
C17 and C18 widened their eyes. They remained suspended in the air, frozen like statues to their former names.
"Go now!" C16 yelled, reconnecting his fist at the wrist with a click. His eyes blinked white as a screeching radio wave paralysed all the androids. He then lowered his frequency, just so that both twins could move once again.
C17 looked down to C16, narrowing his eyes at the ginger android's tactic.
"I don't know if you were trying to be funny-"
"-Just go Seventeen!" C18 interrupted him, clenching her fist. "We can't be reckless with these metal heads." She looked to her leather boots, torn and battered thanks to the opposition. "And my clothes are ruined."
"You only think about your clothes sis." C17 retorted, shaking his head. "Alright big guy, we'll get out of here."
The twin androids heeded the ginger android's warning and departed to the vast Highlands, shrouded with an emerald forest. Shortly after, C16 pursued the twin androids, making sure C13 was down for the count.
After recovering from C16's ambush, C13 hissed in agitation. He then looked around himself, seeing the land around him burn. He scanned the area around him, only for his enhanced vision to blur. That radio jamming ability was a pain to deal with.
Mark my words boy, you will die! C13 thought, rubbing the bruise on his face. He stood up, to which C14 and C15 followed him behind.
Freedom… what a cursed gift.
From the depths of the ruined laboratory, a ginger scientist slept within an incubator, alone in the darkness of her husband's ruined home. With a click, her blue eyes opened.
My son?
Planet Earth - Mount Pouzu
In the vast mountains, surrounded by the emerald forest of the Highlands roaming with beasts and wildlife, Chichi hung the laundry. Humming softly a song to herself, she wrapped up the last of the laundry for the day before taking the basket inside. She set the basket to one side then strolled over to her bed, looking over a baby sleeping soundly on the white sheets. She cooed to Bulma's son.
With a sudden tremor of the ground, and then a crash of groans and yelps, Chichi leapt up to her feet. She darted out from the bedroom and grasped the power pole on the way outside.
"Who's there?" Chichi yelled, standing with a study stance with her power pole resting in her hands.
The power pole dropped from her grasp. Goku- everyone, they were-
-Chichi raced over to him, grasping his bruised arm. "What's happened?" She shrieked, collapsing to her knees in front of Goku. She placed her shaken hands on her husband's face, making sure he wasn't critically wounded.
Vegeta rubbed his bruised face. He growled lowly after seeing Chichi's concern over Kakarot. How pathetic… he turned his attention to the mountains afar, observing a black, thin streak in the distance.
As for Bulma, she laughed as she spoke amongst Yamcha, Tien and Krillin. She playfully prodded Yamcha on the arm before looking over to Vegeta. Her smile faded as she caught Vegeta's distant and cold attitude. Why was it so hard to cheer him up?
Yamcha left Bulma alone to wonder for Vegeta's health, to which he continued to joke around with Tien and Krillin.
"Well, as much as I want to say we beat the androids, we're no where close to beating them." Goku chuckled, itching the back of his nape as he spoke to Chichi. "The thing is, we don't know how much they know about us, so staying here won't be a good idea."
"So we have to live like fugitives?" Chichi widened her eyes, her hands grasping his battered, orange gi at the chest. She looked over to Gohan and Okome. She loosened her grip on her husband. She didn't wish for this to happen to both of them, their future… why did their future had to be in danger?
"Our best idea was to go to Kame's House." Krillin raised a hand to Chichi. "I'm pretty sure no one would try to search a house in the middle of the sea." He chuckled, showing a toothy grin. Afterall, they needed to be optimistic in these grim times. Fear and anxiety won't help the slightest.
"Travelling by normal means should be taken." Piccolo warned, looking over to Krillin. "Who knows how much they can detect? We have to keep those risks as low and possible."
"If they have infrared and all of those gadgets on them," Bulma raised a finger to the group, "It won't be easy evading detection by them. And with their database on us, who knows how much they know on everyone's fighting capabilities."
"Right." Krillin nodded, followed by the Yamcha, Tien, Gohan and Okome nodding their heads.
"What about our home?" Chichi looked back to Goku. "We can't just abandon everything we created after so long."
"I know." Goku replied, grasping Chichi on the shoulder. "But we just have to take what's important and hope for the best. Our safety as a group is important right now," He softened his gaze on his wife, "And if we're killed, there's nothing we can do to defend Earth."
Chichi hung her head, though drained at the idea of leaving everything behind. Why was it so difficult trying to stay normal? It was just a far cry of a dream at this point.
With no other negotiations, Chichi packed up what was necessary. Though Bulma tried to cheer up Chichi by thanking her for looking after her child. As Bulma looked over to Vegeta, Vegeta turned his head away from Bulma, his brows furrowed in disgust at her happy demeanor.
As the Z-fighters prepared to leave, Piccolo pulled Goku over to one side.
"I'm leaving." Piccolo said, turning his back on Goku. "Don't you or anyone get in my way."
"Huh?" Goku tilted his head, not sure why Piccolo was hostile towards him. "We can-"
"-I'm going to Kami's Lookout." Piccolo snapped his head back at Goku. "And I can't have anyone intervening with those matters!" He took off into the overcast skies. "Make sure your friends know this, or they will have something on their way."
Goku observed Piccolo fade off into the blue skies. He sighed, sloping his shoulders. Well, it's not that he's going there anytime soon. First he had to relocate the members of the Z-fighters before thinking about that.
Maybe… why not tell them about the Room of Spirit and Time? Goku pondered on the thought, though he wasn't sure if everyone could beat the intensity of the harsh environment of what that dimension offered. Though, he wasn't sure if Popo still had the maze requirement or not. No harm in checking.
As the Z-Fighters boarded the air craft, thanks to Bulma, Yamcha took the wheel as Bulma recovered on a seat besides him. As for Gohan and Okome asking for Piccolo, Goku placed his finger on his nose. Tien, Yamcha and Chichi nodded at Goku, knowing how frightful of a temper Piccolo had, especially back in the old days.
After an hour of flying, the fighters discussed what had to be done.
"The only problem I see at the moment is the androids finding every single one of our hiding spots." Krillin said, sitting crossed legged on the metal floor. "We're going to have to fight them eventually."
"So it's like a game of chess at this point." Gohan said, looking up from his study books. "My dad is the King, and Bulma is the Queen. We can't let either of them get hurt."
"Why's that Gohan?" Krillin tilted his head at Gohan's analogy.
"Well, in the game of chess," Gohan sat up, closing his book, "Once the King hits a checkmate, it's game over. And you know what that means for my dad." Gohan raised a finger to Krillin to his second point. "As for the Queen, she is the most deadliest piece in chess, and Bulma can probably think of something since now we have the details on the androids, thanks to the blueprints."
"I could only imagine how much difficult it would have been if Goku had the virus." Okome giggled sheepishly, flicking over a page of her book about medicines. "Good thing it didn't come to that." Okome held the medication for the heart virus at Goku. "We need more resources." She shook the bottle, which only had two drops left. "It's only enough for today's round. After that, searching for the resources will be difficult."
"The heart virus isn't contagious, is it?" Yamcha asked, steering the wheel of the ship.
"I wouldn't chance it." Bulma answered, "That's why I've taken responsibility to mass produce it." She placed a finger on her cheek. "Though the resources for it won't be cheap."
"Don't worry about it." Yamcha said, "Since me and Chiaotzu have the lowest powerlevel, we can easily sneak out. Puar knows where some of those materials are." He smirked as a kept one hand on the driving wheel. "Hey bud," He looked to Tien, who leaned against the metal wall of the air craft, "How come Chiaotzu isn't here?"
Tien glanced from Yamcha to the metal ground. "I couldn't offended him by saying he wasn't strong enough." Tien closed his eyes. "I don't want to endanger him or Launch." For all the monk didn't wish to see is Chiaotzu's sacrifice in vain again. He couldn't forgive himself the first time- and he would never forgive that Saiyan brute for causing that to happen!
"Understandable." Yamcha nodded as he drew his eyes to the window in front. "I was-"
"-To think you could actually be useful for once." Vegeta scoffed from outside the aircraft, as he stood between the left wing of the machine. "Still doesn't change the fact you're an utter moron to think it will be easy."
"Says the one who keeps running their mouth!" Yamcha jerked his hand at the wheel. As a result; the aircraft swerved, causing the Saiyan Prince to stumble and curse the former bandit. Everyone else slammed against to one side; Gohan knocked into Okome to which Goku just about avoided falling on them and caught Chichi from falling onto Tien. As for Bulma, Trunks had caught her from slamming into the wall. After thanking Trunks, she whacked Yamcha over the head, warning him not to pull another stunt like that again. Krillin chuckled at the commotion, before asking how everyone was, though before Vegeta could say anything, Goku glared at him. The Prince remained quiet for the remainder of the ride.
After the whiplash, the fighters discussed their plans for taking down the androids. As for Vegeta, he migrated to stand at the centre-top of the aircraft outside.
"Considering they seem to have something against each other, why not wait it out?" Krillin suggested, placing an ice pack on his forehead. "Maybe one group could take out the other and makes it easier for us to take the remaining team down?"
"I don't know about that guys." Bulma said, running her hand through her neon blue hair. "You see, before you guys got to Gero's base, we ran into some blue prints about those androids."
"So… there must be something on that blue sheet about their weakness, right?" Yamcha asked, keeping his eyes focused on the blue sea afar. "By any chance you know anything about those machine monsters?"
"Well, my father knows of Gero." Bulma said, facing an open palm to Trunks. Trunks placed a scroll in her hand, the blue sheets. "From what I could gather, they never tire, age slower and only have to hydrate once in and while." Bulma flipped open the scroll, to which she drew another loose paper from the scroll. "But even if I did create something to stop them, I can't believe how evil this man was before we knew of him."
"Well," Okome looked over to Goku with an accusing look, "What was that three years about when Gero 'wasn't' guilty?"
"Hey…" Goku raised his hands as a way to defend himself from Okome's annoyance. "I know he was in the Red Ribbon Army, but I assumed he left or something- you know… live a life of peace."
"You're pathetic Ka-"
"-Just because I didn't have a terrible childhood like you Geet's, doesn't mean you can say whatever you want." Goku interrupted Vegeta.
"Pah." Vegeta's face scrunched up, frustrated as he knew he had to listen to Goku. "Still doesn't change the fact we all had our butts handed to them."
"Ooh, someone has a bad temper." Yamcha chuckled to himself.
"Watch your tongue." Vegeta warned Yamcha with a low snarl, his head peering over the top of the front window of the aircraft.
Man I wish Piccolo was here. Goku rolled his eyes up at the ceiling. "Hey, we need to focus on the androids."
"Exactly." Bulma sighed, rubbing her throbbing forehead. "The thing is, these androids…" She fell quiet, as the words just died on her lips. Goku tilted his head at Bulma, sensing sadness from her. "The twins," Bulma's eyes softened, though her voice wobbled. "they were abducted as children."
"You mean the blonde chick and the other dude with a gun holster?" Yamcha asked, quickly tapping a red button to activate autopilot. He turned to Bulma, to see her nod.
Those words made the future warrior's heart drop.
"What?" Trunks exclaimed, his eyes widened to the revelation. "No…" His eyes trembled as he drew back to the wall. Everyone looked to Trunks, sensing the air hanging high with tension. "You're telling me we should be sorry for them?" Trunks' voice shot up, clenching a fist. "I can never forgive them for what they've done." His eyes glared a piercing blue.
"Hey, Trunks?" Goku asked, worried about Trunks' sudden burst of anger. "We didn't-"
-Vegeta perked his head up, realising the sudden rise in Trunks' ki.
"They murdered everyone!" Trunks clenched a fist at Goku. "Piccolo, Yamcha, Tien, Chiaotzu, my friend and mentor Gohan," His voice rose louder as he uttered every name.
Upon hearing their names, some of the warriors widened their eyes, dropped their hands or hung their heads.
"Trunks?" Goku said, his voice sharpening to an urgent tone. "Get a hold o-"
"-Even my father I never knew as a child!" Trunks yelled, his aura flared around him.
Father! Yamcha, Tien and Chichi snapped their head to Trunks.
"Woah, calm down Trunks." Goku intervened, holding Trunks on the wrist as a way to calm the young hybrid down. "We didn't say that we weren't going to beat them-"
"-Hold on," Yamcha squeezed his eyes shut. "Vegeta's your father?" Yamcha pointed his thumb at the ceiling, looking back to Trunks.
As soon as Trunks realised what he said, he covered his mouth. He hung his head, refusing to look at them.
"Yes." Trunks whispered, keeping his gaze low.
"Funny. To think my son is not only a weakling, but also a coward."
Trunks snapped his head to the window, seeing Vegeta staring directly at him.
His father's face… cold and disappointed. And what drove the blade deeper into the Trunks' heart was the dismissal of his father's acknowledgment of him. With just a flick of his head, his father looked on to the blue sea afar. For the remainder of the travel, Trunks sat alone in the corner. Though, Gohan and Okome sat next to the future warrior, trying to cheer him up.
"Guys," Goku sighed, rubbing the nape of his neck. "I know we all had a rough day today, but let's just breathe and relax for now." He raised a thumb and smiled at everyone in the aircraft. "We'll discuss the rest of the plan around Roshi's."
And with a silent nod, the warriors took the time to breathe, calming their anxious and stressful thoughts. Fighting with a clouded mind was never a good thing.
Somewhere else on Earth - Kami's Lookout
The winds howled below as a storm approached the sacred land. Both halves stood opposite each other from in front of the sacred shrine, set in the middle of the land. One pair of eyes fixed on the other half, dark and fierce with a resolve, though one can also mistaken those eyes as anger. The other was also dark with a resolve, though more gentle compared to whom stood before him.
Piccolo and Kami finally met each other after all those years. Now it was their final solution they had to act on.
"The time has arrived to reunite as one." Kami said, resting his weight on his wooden staff. "Though you already know of the dire consequences if we do, correct?"
Piccolo nodded.
"The agreement was that when we are fused, we will be using my body," Piccolo replied, his arms crossed over chest. "This body is younger and more capable of fighting than your sorry state."
"Agreed." Kami smiled at his former villainous counter part. "Though when we do fuse, someone else must take charge of the Dragonballs." Kami raised a hand to Piccolo. "Do you have someone in mind to take after such a responsibility?"
Piccolo looked to the marble white floors, thinking of any Namekians who were a worthy candidate to be a Guardian for Earth.
"There's a Namekian child on Namek that's a close friend of Gohan." Piccolo replied after a few minutes. "Dende."
Though the Namekian Nail also regarded Dende as a little brother to him, not that Piccolo was going to let Kami know that and exploit the kindness that grew in the once evil demon's heart.
"After we initiate the fusion, I'll tell Goku of both the situation here and on Namek and see what he can do about it." Piccolo continued, "We can't be hasty in any of this."
"My wisdom and experience should aid you in your decision." Kami bowed his head, "Popo?" He turned his head to the genie, whom remained besides Kami. "I bid you the best. Please look after the next Guardian in line." Kami smiled to his caretaker one last time. He handed his staff to Popo, holding the staff ever so gently as though a precious heirloom.
Tears left the genie's eyes. Popo nodded, letting go of the Guardian he knew for many years.
And so, in a burst of white light, both counterparts became one. Their combined prowess, knowledge and experience all swirled into one being. Then with another bright light, one form emerged from the light.
A being; the Nameless Namekian was born.
As Popo looked to the new fighter before him, his eyes widened. Not out of fear, but out of sheer power of the fighter before him. It was though… a miracle had happened.
The Nameless Namek opened his eyes, knowing of all the issues on Earth. The androids, the ones being harmed, the ones who were stolen of their childhood, and-
-No… him!
With a snap of his eyes, he took off to Kame's House. He knew that green insect was bad news one way or another.
Planet Earth - Kame's House
Now at Kame's house, the members of the Z-fighters remained around the Turtle Hermit's residence.
"-And that's what's happened so far." Bulma explained the events of the androids to Roshi, Puar and Chiaotzu. "So we're now hiding as fugitives."
"I see." Roshi replied, looking out to the sea. "This is surely a grim day." He looked to Goku, "And that looks like that's not the end of the bad news." He pointed his staff to the clear skies, to which Piccolo zoomed towards their direction.
Once the Namekian landed, he strode to Goku, his eyes burning with a resolve. Though, Goku sensed something different about the Namekian. But it wasn't the powerlevel he sensed, rather more his urgent attitude than his calm one.
Vegeta narrowed his eyes at Piccolo, sensing a much higher powerlevel than before. Just how did that Namekian became stronger in that short amount of time? This was like the whole incident with Raditz again! Just what were they hiding from the Prince?
"Goku, things are worse than what we assumed." Piccolo began, grasping Goku's shoulder. "It's about the threats we're currently facing," His eyes narrowed, "And Namek."
"What's been going on Namek?" Goku tilted his head. Though, he imagined it couldn't have anything to do with Frieza, since the Earth-raised Saiyan assumed he was dead.
"If you hadn't notice already, the Guardian of Earth is gone." Piccolo replied, "We need a new guardian."
"Wait!" Goku widened his eyes, drawing back from Piccolo. "You're telling me we have no Dragonballs?" He exclaimed, raising his arms up over his head.
Piccolo nodded, though a grim expression formed on his face.
"What a stupid move." Vegeta sneered as he stood on the roof of Kame's House. "You got rid of Kakarot's 'reset' button."
"And you're not safe either." Piccolo looked to Vegeta. "Besides that, a bigger threat has appeared. Though I don't know if Bulma told you guys yet."
"The one about the twins?" Goku raised a brow.
"No, something worse." Piccolo pointed to the city, far in the distance as the ocean waves glistened in the sun's rays. "There's a creature roaming around Ginger town and he's draining the life of the town people there." He lowered his hand. "This creature is out to find the twins."
"But what for?" Goku asked, "It's not because of me again, right?" Or that's what the Earth-raised Saiyan thought.
"This creature needs the twins to become the ultimate warrior." Piccolo answered, his memories flashing to his red, slitted eyes. "And what I propose is to kill the androids or this creature at their weakest state so that neither bad scenarios happen for the future."
To think that creature was going to bring about much havoc. The Namekian finally understood what Cell's motives could have been, if it wasn't for the artificial lifeform suffering a severe head injury. Maybe after dealing the incident on Namek, he could try to make Cell understand his true value in his life. Though instead of killing Okome's and Gohan's friend, he could try to help Cell train his techniques to aid Gohan if Goku was to kick the bucket anytime soon.
"And we have that other Saiyan to deal with if he ever makes a trip over here." Goku rubbed his forehead. "Maybe if I recruit him, we could defeat these androids."
That Saiyan… the one who brought the South Galaxy to ruin, the Earth-raised Saiyan thought about his destructive capabilites. Maybe he could aid the Z-Fighters to stop these threats from harming Earth.
Though the only problem is Vegeta.
Goku wasn't sure whether to recruit this new Saiyan only because of Vegeta's stories of the legends. If this new Saiyan chose to only sought Vegeta's destruction, then that would be two problems to deal with, aside from this new creature and the androids. Choices, how limited he was right now...
"And find another 'buddy' to beat up now?" Vegeta interrupted, clenching a fist at Goku. No way! He wasn't going to allow major threat come to Earth. Earth was his to rule and his only!
"Aww, jealous are you Geets?" Goku smirked at Vegeta. "On another note, it's still a major risk since I can't entirely gauge that Saiyan's power." Goku looked back to Piccolo, to which he rubbed his chin. He looked at the sandy ground, constantly shifting in the sea breeze. "Piccolo," Goku looked up to the Namekian. "Let me contact King Kai about this. Hopefully he can give some insight about Namek, and exactly who we're up against."
"Right." Piccolo agreed, waiting for Goku to gain information. After all, the Namekian preferred if Goku did ask a Kai who held knowledge about the North Galaxy than a plantery guardian.
After an hour or so of waiting, Goku reappeared. His eyes burned with a resolve.
"Hey bud!" Goku called out to Krillin. "There's some serious problems going on Namek and we need to spilt the job half and half. My instant transmission won't cover these two jobs." He then tossed a bag to Krillin, which contained a handful of senzu beans.
"Sure buddy." Krillin caught the bag. "What is it?"
"I want you and Bulma to take charge of the androids. Do whatever you can to shut them down." Goku began, "Yamcha, Roshi, Yajirobe, Chiaotzu, and Tien will work with you guys. Chichi, we need your help in this too and maybe Launch." He softened his eyes to Chichi, who leaned on the window ledge. "I know you guys retired but we need all the help we can get."
"Anything for you Goku." Chichi smiled, nodding her head.
"Sure kiddo." Bulma smiled, perking her head up from the deck chairs outside Kame's house.
"What about you?" Tien asked Goku, standing besides Krillin.
"I'm taking Piccolo, Gohan, Vegeta and Okome with me." Goku replied, looking to Tien. "We-"
"-And why should I work with you?" Vegeta interrupted, scowling at Goku.
Goku smirked at the Prince.
"Maybe you can get revenge on Cooler." Goku clicked his fingers at a thought. Vegeta's scowled now transformed into a grin. "If you couldn't kill Frieza, I'm sure Cooler would be a good punching bag to show off your Super Saiyan form." He wiggled he brows. "Maybe for- I don't know… show that you surpassed me?"
That news was music to the Prince's ears. "Sure, as long as you don't get in the way."
"Sweet!" Goku agreed, before looking over to his squad. "The things is, I can't have you guys getting killed. There's no Dragonballs to bring you guys back." He wiggled his finger. "So guys, I really ask you guys to not be rash about any of the plans you have. When Bulma makes a plan, stick to it." Though he did somewhat regret not listening to his life long friend from the start about the androids. No matter, life was too short for regrets. He just had to move forward.
"Oh bummer." Yamcha twitched a smirk. "But you guys will be back, right?"
"Always bud." Goku reassured Yamcha with a smile. "I'll be back before you guys now it." Goku then turned to the group of four standing before him. All ready in their best combat clothes, they looked to Goku. "Grab on, next stop, Namek."
And with a whoosh, Goku, Gohan, Vegeta, Piccolo and Okome vanished into the sea breeze.
The fight to protect Earth and Namek was now.
Otherworld - King Kai's Planet
From the realms of Otherworld, King Kai watched the each strand of the green grass swaying beneath his feet. His antennae fiddled left and right. He shook his head, ambled a few metres before shaking his head again.
"Goku, Goku," He muttered as he ambled back and forth, "never mind the androids. You don't understand how much danger you'll put the North Galaxy if you fight that monster." His voice strained at the end.
"What's going on, North Kai?" Gregory said, leaning on the window ledge of the small house as Bubbles leaned on the chair besides him. "It's not about the South Kai again, is it?"
"It's Goku again." King Kai replied, keeping his tensed arms behind himself. "This fight, this is a fight he, nor his friends, cannot win right now."
"Come on, look at what happened when you warned him of Frieza? He still won that-"
-"Nearly, at the cost of his life." King Kai muttered. "Frieza and Cooler were only a planetary level foe. The South, however was completely annihilated over the span of twenty years. If you can't tell me that this is a galactic threat, then I have more bad news when Bee-"
-"What about Tapion? He was the hero of the South right?" Gregory interjected, raising his tiny hand to the Kai. "If he can take down the old Hildi, then who said Tapion can't slay this beast?"
"It's been thousands of years, not even South Kai knows where he went- let alone if he is alive with Minotia." King Kai mulled, covering his lips. "And most of the powerful warriors that were alive were probably wiped out before they had a chance to counter that monster. Poor old Torbie and Papoi were South Kai's strongest before they ended up in Otherworld."
"Well…" Gregory stared at the Kai. "Someone has a galactic bounty on his head now." He chuckled nervously.
"Gregory, that better be a joke," The Kai adjusted his shades. "because I don't want the Saiyan anywhere near here!" King Kai yelled at the small creature. "Please, Goku better have him tied up somehow- because King Yemma is going to recieve that monster's fury first- then us."
Both Gregory and Bubbles glanced to each other first, then back to the Kai.
"It can't be all that bad." Gregory stood on the window ledge. "I heard he's been tied up by Cooler."
"... to think he survived the impact." The Kai muttered, "and then there's that other abomination." He twitched his antennae. "And I can only hope that Raditz and Pikkon apprehends Towa before she awakens something she shouldn't have." He gazed up at the peachy sky.
How far was that Demoness willing to go until she created something far beyond her control? Once that abomination gains the Saiyan's DNA, he hoped that the Destroyer wakes up and erases her existence.
From the deep depths of space, Towa observed the flames brewing on New Namek. She smiled, cradling her Kili metre in one hand. What a beautiful collection of ki, and what a deadly combination to gain such an amount.
And that scream, his tormented scream. He was sure to gain that 'Legendary' prowess much sooner than expected. Towa made sure to seal his fate on Namek.
So that's all for now. Until next month. _
-ClumsyPigeon signing out