Disclaimer - I own nothing.
"For years, I have been constructing the perfect method of exacting my revenge against you," Dr. Gero began once they settled on a battle area, his blue eyes narrowing as he continued, "and while that process has certainly been a long one, it was well worth the wait. Certainly, I haven't been just remaining idle like you would think. I've been collecting data on you and everyone connected to you, and now that you've reached the pinnacle of your strength, you can finally pay for destroying the Red Ribbon Army."
Goku didn't need Dr. Gero to tell him why he wanted revenge. From the moment Future Trunks mentioned the Red Ribbon Army, Goku had already suspected that he wanted revenge. And, as to why it took so long for him to exact his revenge in the first place (having destroyed the Red Ribbon Army when he was a mere child), according to him, was merely because he had been collecting information pertaining to him as well as his friends and families through a camera disguised as a lady-bug. Granted, it was pretty hard to believe; however, Dr. Gero had been able to gather information through said camera, and with everything he relayed to him so far, he had no doubt that he was telling the truth.
Even so, the Androids were in for a little surprise.
Goku's lips curled upwards in a light smirk, parallel to Dr. Gero and Android 19. "You might be under the impression that you know everything there is to know about me," The spiky-haired warrior began, continuing moments later, "but I can tell you right now, you don't." At this, Dr. Gero's eyes widened briefly, and the spiky-haired warrior couldn't stop his smirk from widening even if he tried to - which he didn't.
Raditz, along the sidelines like the others, smirked, unknowingly thinking along the same lines as the others. After all, the Androids may have been watching them and calculating everything there was to know about them; however, they stopped once the whole Planet Namek ordeal came around. Little did they know, that was a big mistake on their part. Granted, Kakarot didn't transform on Namek, but he did, and if they knew nothing about his transformation, then it was very likely that they knew nothing about his brother's transformation on Planet Yardrat as well. In other words, they were far stronger and exceeded the Androids calculations of them - especially, himself and his brother.
It was over.
"You see," Goku began, spreading his legs apart and pulling his arms towards him until his elbows were at his sides, "I'm not the same as I was prior to Namek. As a Super Saiyan, I'm far stronger than I was then."
Dr. Gero's eyes widened at this revelation. A Super Saiyan? As one of the world's best scientist, even he had yet to hear about such a thing, and, admittingly, he was curious. "And just what is this Super Saiyan?" Gero inquired curiously, making sure to keep his tone emotionless. If it was as Goku stated, and he was stronger than he was before Namek, then that meant that he had stopped recording him too early. If that was the case, he had to wonder if things were going to go astray from his plans.
"Here - " Goku clenched his fists, "allow me to show you."
And without further ado, releasing a battle cry, Goku proceeded to transform. Instantaneously, Goku's spiky hair began to leisurely whip, the ground beneath his very feet crumbling, and the muscles in his arms noticeably bulged, the veins in his arms becoming just as apparent. One by one, after his arms swelled up, his chest puffed out and his other muscles, like his calves, followed suit as well. And then, black eyes turning teal, his black hair proceeded to whip upwards, the Earth-raised Saiyan completed his transformation with a battle cry as his now upright hair turned blonde. Heavily, debris flew outwards, almost as if Goku was the epicenter, and suffocating smoke followed its route. To those watching on the sidelines, they were utterly amazed and could hardly fathom the immense ki Goku was emitting.
As for Raditz, though, he was quick to pick up that something was off, unbeknownst to him that Piccolo was thinking the same thing. For one, after training with Kakarot for the past three years and having assisted with his younger brother's transformation, he already knew from the get-go that was not his full potential in his Super Saiyan state - in fact, it was far from it.
"Raditz, Piccolo," Goku began, keeping his eyes fixated on his opponents, "you guys and everyone else stay back; I'll handle this. Seeing as they only seem to be after me, I intend to give them exactly what they want."
Of course, no one protested, seeing as Goku seemed to have everything under control; however, the Androids didn't seem to be the slightest bit worried about Goku's transformation. Indeed, the both of them acknowledged that such a transformation was not in their files, and Gero, himself, admitted that this was definitely a turn of events; however, aside from that, Gero was convinced that there wasn't anything to be worried about. In fact, according to his senses as well, there was truly no reason to be concerned.
"Indeed," Dr. Gero began tonelessly, "the power you are displaying is remarkable. Even so," he continued, "your power is nothing compared to that of my team." Briefly, Dr. Gero shifted his eyes over to the Android at his side, "Android 19," he proceeded with a nod, watching as he stepped forth upon being addressed. "Goku should be of no trouble to you; take care of him."
Android 19 nodded mutely, indicating that he was well aware of what he was to do. And Goku, seemingly not minding, merely powered up more, "That's fine with me." He announced, sliding into his fighting stance, "Personally, I wouldn't count on it, but I guess you'll just pay for another miscalculation."
And having said that, Goku all but charged for the Android, grateful that everyone took the liberty to give them more room to battle it out. Immediately, upon reaching Android 19, whom outstretched a hand, Goku phased out of sight and reappeared behind the Android in a similar fashion. Quickly, shifting his weight onto a mere leg, Android 19 kicked outwards without turning around, stoically watching as his opponent blocked it with his forearm. Unfazed, the Android merely swiveled his body around into Goku's direction, swinging his cocked arm backwards as he did so. Easily, Goku ducked, and popped back up only to quickly fend off a punch from his opponent with his forearm. Relentlessly, Android 19 put the Saiyan on the receiving end of a barrage of attacks, though, just as quickly as he was attacking him, Goku was easily evading them just as quickly.
Several minutes in, and upon seemingly getting no where, Goku and the Android pulled apart from one another, the latter ascending to the blue skies with a smirk. As expected, Goku gave chase, moving to punch him upon reaching him. Android 19, however, had something else in mind; for he leaped backwards, and, after clasping his hands together and pulling them apart, revealing a decent-sized orb of purplish ki in the process, he fired an attack Goku's way. And seeing as Goku's opponent deliberately demolished the top of the cliff he was near, the Saiyan instinctively covered his hands with his face, attempting to keep the surrounding debris and smoke away from his face. Obviously distracted, Goku didn't catch sight of his opponent firing a ki blast at him. Nevertheless, Goku quickly phased out of the way, appearing directly before his icy-eyed opponent and elbowing him straight in the stomach, grasping Android 19 by the shoulders moments later and swinging upwards, kneeing him atop his head. Releasing a pained grunt, the Android vaguely caught sight of Goku touching down behind him, but hardly had any time to process it completely before he was sent hurling forwards with a harsh elbow to the back.
Shattering the cliff side he was hurled into, it was at least a minute or two before the Android resurfaced underneath all of the rubble - produced from some of the bits of rock falling upon him in the midst of the mountainside getting destroyed. In silence, seemingly not containing a scratch on his person, Android 19 regarded Goku from his position, ultimately charging for the Saiyan afterwards. To his surprise, though, upon reaching him, Goku merely sweeped him off of his feet with a mere swipe of the foot, kicking him in chest and sending him hurling backwards before he could fall. Quickly, before he could get out of his range completely, the Saiyan phased out of sight and appeared behind Android 19, mercilessly kneeing him the back and halting him dead in his tracks. And far from finished, Goku phased out of sight again, this time appearing before the Android and sent him hurling upwards with a fierce uppercut.
Goku, with a burst of ki, gave chase after the Android, phasing in behind him at the last-minute and quickly found himself on a yet another receiving end of attacks. Nevertheless, like before, he easily evaded them, finally attacking about several minutes or so in with the slam of his elbow into Android 19's face, having phased in and out of sight so that he was directly before him. Swiftly, before his opponent could recover, Goku executed a mean twirl kick, having plant his foot right in Nineteen's stomach. In response, Nineteen stumbled backwards, briefly clutching his stomach with both hands; nonetheless, he was quick to recover, lunging for the Super Saiyan before him with a battle cry. Easily, Goku evaded Nineteen's punch, whirling around moments later and slamming his elbow into the stunned Android's face. Upon impact, Android's head snapped back from the sheer force.
The Z-fighter's on the other hand, specifically Tien, couldn't help but remark how Goku was all but dominating his fight. If anything, he wasn't sure if this could even be called a fight, especially with it all being one-sided - and entirely in Goku's utter favor, of course. He had no doubt that Goku would emerge victorious from this scuffle - seeing as it sure as heck couldn't be called a fight. "Alright," Tien remarked out loud, his lips curling upwards in a small smile, "at this rate, it won't be too much longer before that Android is done for; he doesn't stand a chance against Goku."
Hardly anyone responded to Tien's statement, most of those present agreeing with the three-eyed being; however, the Z-gang failed to take notice of both Piccolo's and Raditz's calculating eyes, the two seemingly mulling things over unbeknownst to them.
Meanwhile, with Goku, the Saiyan was noticeably panting. And, as strange as it was, he didn't think to pay it any mind and kept his focus solely on his opponent. Suddenly, feeling anxious and uncharacteristically impatient, he lunged for Nineteen, harshly kneeing him in the chin upon reaching him. Momentarily, he watched as Nineteen's head snapped back from the force; however, Goku proved to be not quite finished, sending Nineteen's head jerking to the side with a roundhouse kick to the chin. And, this time, before Nineteen could recover, he was the one putting his opponent on the receiving end of punches and kicks, and, unlike Android 19, he was landing every single attack, sending the Android every which way. Surprisingly, though, he managed to come back and throw out attacks of his own; even so, he still wasn't touching Goku.
And, snagging an opportunity too good to pass up, Goku moved to attack Nineteen with an uppercut again; however, this time, the Android managed to halt it with his crossed forearms. Even so, he failed to halt Goku's relentless kick to the midsection, sending him stumbling backwards and clutching his midsection yet again as he doubled over. Though, mercilessly, just when Nineteen seemingly recovered, Goku all but slammed his fist into Nineteen's stomach. And then, phasing so that he was above Android 19, he clasped his hands together and drove them upon Android 19's face the minute he whirled around. Like one would expect, he did hurl downwards; however, with a roll over himself, he succeeded in righting himself, looking up in time to see Goku phasing in and out of sight towards him.
In the meantime, Gohan, Krillin, and Yamcha, having sensed Goku's transformation, finally arrived at the sight where everything was taking place, descending alongside the others. Mere minutes upon landing, the trio could already see just how Goku was easily overpowering his opponent, and Krillin couldn't help but wonder if this was how the battle had been going the whole time. And, when he asked just that, Tien was quick to respond.
"Basically." Tien answered with a look of triumph, clearly proud with the way things were turning out. "If anything," He continued, "I don't even think this can be considered a fight."
And from down below, everyone watched as Goku elbowed Nineteen in the chest, following it up with another elbow, this time, to the stomach. Both times, the Android convulsed slightly at the sensation, and Goku didn't get Nineteen a second to recover, relentlessly assaulting him left and right.
"Man," Krillin began with a smile, "you were right, Tien! Goku definitely has the advantage up there! Now that I think about it, I fail to see why I was worried in the first place! With Goku on our side, I'd say we got this in the bag!"
"I'll say," Tien agreed, keeping his eyes fixated on the battle above them. Goku was still assaulting Android 19, and, with the way things were going now, this fight should be getting wrapped up any moment now. Then, the only Android they had to worry about would be the older one. And once he was taken care of, they had nothing to worry about. Furthermore, it looked as if they were all going to make it out of this alive. "And with the way Goku's pummeling him," Tien continued, "I'd say - "
" - No." Raditz interrupted, eyes tracking the movements of his younger brother. "Perhaps I haven't known Kakarot as long as everyone else has, but I'd say I know him well enough to notice that he's not himself."
"Exactly," Piccolo agreed. "Goku doesn't seem himself to me either. For one, he's not displaying his usual confidence. Not only that," The Namekian continued, "his attacks look as if they're failing to hurt Android 19 at all. In other words, we're going to have to intervene any minute now."
Tien could hardly believe it, leading him to doubt that he and Piccolo were actually watching the same fight. Clearly, there was no reason to be worried, so why was he worried? "I have to disagree with you, Piccolo. Can't you see the way he's throttling Android 19 right now?"
"Can't you see that he's right." Raditz interjected gruffly. "I've been training with Kakarot in his Super Saiyan state for three years," he revealed to the others, "and," he continued, "I can tell you right now that this is not Kakarot's full potential in this state. For a reason unbeknownst to me, he seems to be exhausted." He finally diverted his attention off of his brother and onto the others, "Now, I have no idea how long it takes for your stamina to expire, but I know for a fact that Kakarot shouldn't be tired already."
"Now that you mention it, uncle Raditz," Gohan began, "I can see it too. I had a feeling that something was off, I just couldn't place it until you and Piccolo said something. Furthermore, speaking of tired, when Krillin and I asked Yamcha what happened, he mentioned feeling weak."
"Yeah." Yamcha verified with a nod. "At first I couldn't identify it," he explained, "but I'm almost certain that my ki was being absorbed. It was really weird to be honest. I mean, I felt like all of my energy was literally being sucked right out of me. As for Goku, though, I'm certain he'd know if it was happening to him; it's too obvious not to miss."
"Yet," Raditz began pointedly, "even you missed it when it was happening to you."
Before Yamcha or anyone could comment, Android 19 was sent hurling down into the ground before them, a crater forming upon impact. Immediately, everyone's attention was fixated back on the battle before them, watching as Android 19 surprisingly got back up within several minutes or so. Above them, the Saiyan, whom was panting heavily, regarded his opponent in a few moments of silence, taking a minute to recuperate. Shortly after, wanting to wrap this up, Goku proceeded to use his infamous attack, positioning his hands and body accordingly, "Kaaaa - " he allowed more of his energy to collect in the palms of his hands - "meeeee - " he cocked his arms back - "haaaameehaa!"
From his hands, came forth his infamous energy wave, which was hurling towards Android 19, whom didn't seem to be unfazed. In fact, he was...delighted? Strangely enough, he merely extended a hand towards the attack once it neared, easily absorbing it and all but laughed mechanically - almost as if he had been waiting for Goku to send an ki attack his way. Everyone's eyes widened, what just happened proving more than enough proof that maybe things weren't as peachy as they seemed to be. Piccolo, quick to recover, was quick to inform Goku that he didn't seem to take notice of.
Was he that exhausted? This wasn't good. "Goku!" The Namekian hollered, continuing once Goku snapped his attention onto him, "refrain from using energy waves, the Androids are just going to absorb it through their hands!"
Darn it!
No energy waves? Goku could hardly believe it. Now what was he to do? On top of everything else, he just wasn't feeling himself right now. Since the moment he has been fighting Android 19, he made a real attempt to dismiss it, hoping that it'd go away; however, it did nothing but get worse. What was wrong with him? Why was he feeling so exhausted? And more importantly, why was perspiration clinging to him like a second skin? Man, the warrior thought to himself, out of all the times for something like this to occur, why was it happening now? Just this morning, he had been perfectly fine. Though, upon reminding himself that he was in the midst of battle, Goku deemed it best to cease his thoughts. He needed to focus.
No sooner than he focused his attention back on the battle, Goku's eyes widened considerably upon noting that Android 19 was now directly before him. Despite snapping out of it at the last-minute, he managed to evade Nineteen's punch with a jerk to the side, hurling his cocked fist towards Nineteen in response. And, with seemingly no trouble at all, Nineteen evaded Goku's right hook, smirking in silence as he harshly slammed his knee into Goku's stomach. Feeling the exhaustion hitting him full-force now, Goku still managed to pull himself together, swinging his arm back and catching Nineteen in the face. Even to him, though, it didn't feel like he put much behind it - which meant that his exhaustion was beginning to show and effect him more than he thought. Not only that, but judging by the wide smirk on his opponents face, it was safe to assume that he was well aware of the advantage he had.
Not good.
As for Android 19, he merely cocked his arm back and slugged Goku with little to no effort at all with the swing of his arm, forcing his head in the other direction. Goku released a pained grunt; yet, before he could recover, Android 19 was quick to clasp his hands together and heft them above his head as far as they would go, all but sending Goku spiraling downwards upon driving his clasped hands atop him. Just before he could crash into the ground, Goku managed to right himself, growling as he immediately set to firing a Kamehameha wave, having positioned both his hands and body accordingly.
"Kakarot!" Raditz called out quickly. "Don't!"
Luckily, Goku managed to redirect attack; however, the fact that something was terribly wrong with him did not go unnoticed by all of his friends and allies. Even from here, they could see that he was convulsing in evident pain, and, not only that, he appeared to be clutching his heart.
Gohan's eyes widened in realization. "I don't believe it." He muttered with wide eyes, "It's the heart virus! Out of all of the times for something to occur - " he clenched his fists - "why now? For the past three years, Dad's been fine."
"You're right." Raditz agreed with a curse."According to that kid from the future, though, it was supposed to have happened already."
"If that's the case,"Piccolo began, "then either he made a mistake, or his visit has changed history more so than we originally thought it would."
And, in nothing but utter shock and stunned silence, the others could do nothing but watch in horror as Goku ultimately fell to his knees, clutching his heart. Worriedly, Gohan called after him, his eyes wide as he regarded his father; however, he was immediately told to stay back. As for Raditz, the long-haired Saiyan quickly moved to intervene, transforming into his Super Saiyan state quicker than the eye could perceive.
"No!" Goku quickly protested. "That goes for you, too, Raditz! And everyone else as well!"
Raditz growled as he stepped forward. "Kakarot! Listen to me, as the oldest sibling, U - "
"Wait!" Krillin suddenly interjected, reaching into the small pouch of senzu beans he had on him. Boy, was he glad he was wise enough to get them from Bulma. Truthfully, he'd hate to live in a world without any senzu beans; said beans has worked in their favor for more times than he could count on his hands and then more. "Goku - " he pulled out a mere senzu bean, tossing it towards him - "see if this helps!"
Gratefully, Goku caught the senzu bean, quickly placing it in his mouth.
Dr. Gero smirked. "I'm well aware of the restoring measures those magic beans contain, a senzu bean I believe it is called; however, contrary to what you may think, we will not allow you to recover."
And, on cue, Android 19 fired out beam-like attacks from his eyes, creating a vast amount of smoke and forcing a weakened Goku to leap up in the process. After all, the way he saw it, he could either risk being hit by his opponents attack and get even more injured that he already was, or put himself in even more pain by leaping up to evade it - merely tolerating the pain for a while longer. As for Android 19, he was quick to phase behind Goku before he could get too far, elbowing him in the back and following it up with a sound punch to the face. Grunting, Goku had no choice but to take the attacks, and found himself on the receiving end of a twirling kick moments later, the Saiyan sent plummeting towards the ground as a result. Though, even when Goku hit the ground, Android 19 didn't stop there, literally pummeling Goku and sending him every which was with various attacks.
It was more than clear that he was enjoying himself.
And, it was also just as clear that the senzu bean Krillin tossed Goku's way was ineffective, and had done little to curb Goku's current condition.
"He needs the antidote." Gohan announced. "It looks like the senzu bean isn't going to cut it."
Krillin nodded. "Yeah, it seems like it, but I just don't understand how it's not working; it just doesn't make any sense."
Eventually, Goku reverted back to his base state, unable to muster up the strength to defend himself.
"Nevermind that," Raditz began, taking note of the fact that, several minutes so into Android's 19 assault, his brother was no longer able to fight back at all.His body was just far too weak to do so, and aside from take the Android's attacks, he could do nothing. "The Antidote is at your house, right, kid?" At Gohan's nod, Raditz continued, transforming to his Super Saiyan state once more, "then I'll take your father back to the house. With my Instant Transmission, I can get him there quickly."
"Then while you do that," Piccolo began, "we'll act as a diversion so that you can make your move; however - " Piccolo's eyes shifted onto Goku, whom was currently getting his ki absorbed by Android 19 - "we have to hurry. The faster Goku gets that antidote, then the faster he'll probably recover; time is of the essence."
"Right!"
And, having said that, everyone moved to do just that; though, it looked as if Android 20, Dr. Gero, had other plans, phasing in before them before they could so much as take off to follow through with their plan. More than likely, the Android had an idea of what they had planned, and had no intentions of letting them interfere in the slightest.
Though, Raditz had no intention of allowing anyone to get in his way.
"I advise you not to - "
Roughly, grasping Android 20 by the scruff of his shirt with a mere hand, Raditz yanked Android 20 towards him, "And I advise you, old man - " Raditz relentlessly punched him as hard as he could in the stomach, forcing him to double over immediately - "to get the hell outta my way!"
And without further ado, Raditz moved to aid his brother; however, before he could do so, he caught sight of an all too familiar flame-haired Saiyan sending away Goku's opponent with a hard boot the face, a smirk on his features as he touched down aside the fallen Saiyan on the ground. Vegeta, standing tall, regarded Android 19 with a smirk on his face.
"If anyone gets to kill Kakarot," The Prince began,"then it has to be me; no one else deserves that pleasure but me."
Meanwhile, Raditz, dropping out of his Super Saiyan state (seeing as Vegeta was present, and was no doubt going to wrap things up here), touched down aside his convulsing brother, locking gazes with Vegeta by chance.
Silence.
And then, harrumphing, Vegeta diverted his attention back in front of him.
Wordlessly, Raditz shifted his attention back onto his brother, placing one of his arms around his shoulders and ultimately supporting his weight for him. Once that was settled, Raditz raised his index finger and middle finger and, after placing them on his forehead, he focused on one ki in particular. And just when he locked on the ki of Kakarot's mate, Vegeta spoke.
"Kakarot isn't the only one on my list. If I were you, I'd watch my back, Raditz; you more so, than Kakarot."
In response, Raditz briefly locked gazes with Vegeta, before flickering out of sight quicker than the eye could perceive.
Raditz expected nothing less.
A/N: Once more, I appreciate the reviews and the support. And, as you can see, the Androids, 17 and 18, didn't get introduced this chapter; however, they will definitely make their first appearance next chapter.
Now for questions:
DarkbladerX666: Yes, I am very updated with Dbz and the new developments, so I do have every intention of exploring 17's and 18's past. As for 'Android 17' and 'Android 18' sounding cooler than their real names, I definitely agree with you because I felt the same way as well.
coldblue:
Question #1: Yes, Raditz will train with Piccolo in the Time Chamber.
Question #2: Raditz will definitely not plead with them, but don't worry, though, you'll see how things will unfold with Raditz's encounter with the Androids soon enough.
Question #3: As for creating a sequel...it's not very likely, to tell you the truth. I really don't want to make any obligations right now- especially when things look hetic for me next month, already. Plus, I do have another story I need to finish for the Fairy Tail Archive; I've nearly abandoned it for half a year now. Yeah, that's pretty bad.
Question #4: Yes, I agree, and that's what I intend to do.
As for your suggestions:
1)Raditz and Piccolo will train together in the Time Chamber.
2) As for this one, you'll see what I have in mind. I think it'll be a nice little touch, too.
3&4) I think I already answered these. If I didn't answer what you want specifically, just let me know. And hopefully, as far as you getting job goes, I do hope everything works out for you. Also, congratulations on your success with college. I currently have no job experience, so it's pretty hard for me to get out there and work when no one will take the time to hire a rookie. Oh, and as for your suggestions for Tarble, I really appreciate that.
Guest: That's a very interesting request, and, you know what, I think I may work something out. So, definitely keep your eyes peeled.
SphynxOfRiddles: I'm really glad you took note of the progress my writing has undergone; I was slightly worried. That aside, I really appreciate your comments because you're basically telling me everything I want/needed to know. Thanks a ton! I'm also glad you enjoyed the chapter with the Mirai Timeline.
