Dragon Ball Super: HELLZONE
Prologue: How I Survived - Part 02
~ TIME: Age 853 - LOCATION: Conton City | Time Nest ~
Roughly a week has passed since Android 21 first came to the grounds of Conton City and, in that amount of time, she's managed to speak with several other Majin agents who have given her helpful advice and tips into curbing her appetite as well as how she could feel comfortable in her own skin. She has also taken time to meet with the other Patrollers and get their input on life in the city as well. It is early one afternoon as Tomasu arrived at Android 21's room at the dormitory, coming to check up on her. He stopped at the door before knocking.
"Hey, 21? Can I come in? It's me. Tomasu." he asked.
"O-Oh. Yes. It's okay." her voice replied. The door phased open as Tomasu passed through into her room. However, he was not expecting the big surprise waiting him upon entering. Before he could speak to her, as 21 turned towards him, he quickly froze up at the sight of her. Still bearing her Majin pink skin tone, the tail she had previously was now gone. On top of that, she was now wearing a lab coat, sporting the Time Patrol logo on, over a new solid black undershirt and her long flowing hair had been trimmed down to roughly shoulder length.
"Hmm? Is something wrong?" she asked, noticing Tomasu's stunned expression. Snapping back to reality, Tomasu turned away to hide his partially blushing face.
"N-Nothing. I…uhhh…I wasn't expecting the new look is all." he replied. Turning towards a full body mirror, 21 looked at herself and lightly smiled.
"Well, I can actually explain that." she said, regaining his attention "You see…since coming here, I've taken the time to speak with the other Majin agents in the city and they've given me so much to think over and experiment with that…I was able to regain a somewhat "natural look" for myself. As you can tell, I was able to withdraw the tail I once had…which definitely saves me money when it came to clothing. Also, thanks to them, I've been able to curb my appetite to a degree that I don't get as bad as I was before…in my time, at least." Tomasu nodded.
"Then…why did you cut your hair?" he asked, hinting by fiddling with his. 21 smiled again, partially blushing, as she combed a hand through it.
"Well, you can say its a way to remind myself…that I've changed, you know? I didn't mind my long hair before. But…seeing as I've been given a second chance to live, I wanted to do something to commemorate my "transformation". I'm no longer the android who was bound to her insatiable appetite by consuming others….I'm now my own person." she explained. Tomasu smiled as he approached her, patting the top of her head.
"That's the spirit. I'm really glad to see you moving forward the way you are. Soon enough…I bet all of this will feel like second nature to you." he said. Still blushing, 21 closed her eyes before she slowly approached Tomasu and leaned against his chest. Though he was surprised a bit, he didn't say a word to not break the smile on her face.
"And I have you to thank for all of this." she muttered, raising her head so their eyes met "Thank you…Tomasu…for coming to my rescue." With a smile on his face, the two slowly hugged one another with eyes still on each other. But their "moment" was quickly broken when Tomasu noticed someone at the doorway, seeing Chronoa and Elder Kai peeking in.
"Oh! Don't mind us, kiddo!" Elder Kai chuckled.
"What did I tell you? It IS love! I knew it!" Chronoa teased. The moment was broken as the two quickly separated and looked away, blushing heavily to themselves.
"H-Honestly…next time, KNOCK please?" 21 asked in an embarrassed tone.
~ The Next Day… ~
As a new day came over Conton City, it was her first day as a head scientist for the Time Patrol as 21 left the dormitory and made her way towards the Capsule Corp. building within town. Wearing her new lab coat along with a new pair of flat footed shoes, she waved to everyone she passed on her way. She made a quick pit stop at a local bakery, run by a Capsule Droid, before continuing on with a powdered pachzi in hand. She couldn't help but get powdered sugar on her face as she took bites.
"I will NEVER get over how delicious these are. A perfect way to start the day." she thought, glancing down at her confection. Just as she approached the door to the lab, she stopped when she noticed Tomasu flying in before making a touchdown besides her.
"Morning, 21. You ready for your first day at the lab?" he asked. She nodded back with a smile on her face.
"I sure am. I got most of the gist of my assignment from the Supreme Kai a while ago…and am ready to put my talents to good use." she said. Tomasu then noticed the sugar on her face before lightly snickering to himself.
"Hmm? What?" she replied curiously.
"Nothing. I just…have a "feeling" I know where you've been." he said. Rubbing one of her cheeks, she noticed the sugar wipe off on her hand before she gasped and quickly rubbed the rest away with a napkin.
"I-I-I-I have NO idea what you're talking about!" she shouted, looking away afterwards. But Tomasu's smirk did not let up as he crossed his arms.
"It's okay. I know you have QUITE the sweet tooth. So what if you stop for a sweet once or thrice a day? I remember you hoarding plenty of them in your room during your first days here." he said. 21 flinched before turning back, pouting heavily while she glared daggers at him.
"B-Be quiet! So what if I have a "new craving"? Blame my Majin cells, NOT my overall personality." she said, shoving Tomasu away. But the Saiyan continued to grin.
"SUUUURRREE." he coyly replied. 21 groaned, turning away again with arms crossed.
"Honestly…I really think you and Goku need to meet. You both are so tactless!" she huffed. Tomasu started chuckling to himself as 21 looked back, slowly lowering her pouty attitude before giggling to herself as well.
"Look at us. You'd think we were some married couple by now." Tomasu replied as 21 nodded "Okay. I'll let you get to work. The Kai wanted to talk to me as well. But…before I go…" He reached into his pants pocket and took out a small black box, presenting it to her.
"What's this?" she asked, taking it from him.
"Something I thought would help perfect your "transformation"." he replied. 21 opened the box before lightly gasping, seeing a pair of red framed glasses and small gold orb earrings resting beneath the nose pads. "I thought…since you would be working at the lab, I thought these would help take the strain off your eyes on long nights." he said "It's my "Welcome to the Team" present." She took the glasses and gently rested them on her face, eyeing Tomasu again.
"Thank you. I'll take good care of them." she replied, blushing slightly.
~ A Few Days Later… ~
More days passed as 21 was hard at work in her own laboratory, studying up on the nature of how the Patrollers traveled through time and helping with any technical issues they had. In the short time since she started, she had helped develop new communication gear for them while fine tuning the Capsule Corp. robots working around the square. Whenever the chance striked her, she even shared concept and new invention ideas to the Supreme Kai. She received a multitude of praise from her co-workers and the others on the Patrol, never failing to put a smile on her face. But things changed once again when she met up with the Kai's and Tomasu again one day. Not wearing her lab coat for a change, she was now dressed in her one piece, black sleeveless uniform while facing opposite Tomasu in the bamboo thicket. Laying on a rock nearby was her coat and glasses.
"All right, 21. I think it's about time we get you back in fighting shape. Not that having you in the lab isn't helpful….but I seem to recall you were quite the fighter when you put your mind to it in your timeline. We're hoping to re-ignite that passion so that you can help in the field when needed. Understand?" Chronoa asked. 21 nodded.
"Yes. In my time, I had the aide of a strong-willed human spirit to help me with most of it. But…seeing the changes I've went through, I'm ready to improve myself in any way I can." she said, turning attention to Tomasu "Thank you for taking the opportunity to spar with me, Tomasu." The Saiyan replied back with a thumbs up as the two slowly assumed battle stances. Elder Kai stood between the two before raising a hand in the air, eyeing both of them in brief glances.
"All right you two. No fatal blows OR strikes below the belt, understood? And…..BEGIN!" he shouted before backing away. Shortly after, 21 and Tomasu charged at one another and the field erupted in a fury of punches and kicks thrown between combatants as 21 attacked with speed and precision while Tomasu tried to retaliate with his brute Saiyan strength. Gaining distance with a quick hop, 21 came at him with a high speed kick, striking him in the gut. But given the range, Tomasu responded with a strong palm strike to the cheek, sending her sliding across the ground. Pausing for a moment, 21 rubbed her cheek.
"Not a bad shot. But…don't think that you'll figure me out THAT easily!" she replied before charging once again. The two once again erupted into a round of fists as they began to unconsciously hover towards the sky. They were both blown back by the other before charging head first again.
"Geez! Look at those two! I think she's the ONLY person whose been able to keep up with Tomasu the way she has!" Elder Kai said. Watching the fight progress, a smile was on Chronoa's face.
"Look at you, 21. It's been a month since you came…and just look at how far you've come." she thought. Closing her eyes briefly, she lightly nodded to herself.
"I know that I made the right choice in letting Tomasu bring you here. I can tell you'll be capable of great things." she thought. Soon afterwards, her thoughts were broken when Tomasu came crashing down on the ground. The Kai's freaked out as Tomasu quickly got back up, brushing the dirt off his uniform. Up in the sky, 21 looked down with a cocky expression.
"What's wrong, Tomasu? Did that HURT? Looks like someone has gotten sloppy lately." she asked. Tomasu smirked before flexing his arm.
"Heh. Don't get TOO cocky, 21. You've barely scratched the surface of what I can do! Let me show you…just what I MEAN!" he replied, suddenly transforming into Super Saiyan. A golden aura emitted from his body, surprising 21. The transformation brought about memories of Goku and Vegeta from her timeline, recalling how she witnessed this form before. But the android still maintained her smirk of confidence, egging him into attacking her.
"Heh! Look out! Here comes Round TWO!" he shouted before rocketing straight at her. As their fists collided this time, they emitted a powerful shockwave that briefly shook the battlefield, throwing the Kai's off balance. "Easy up there, you crazy kids! Dial it back before your "sparring" rips Conton City in HALF!" Elder Kai yelled. But it appeared his words did not reach them as their battle continued, increasing in speed with each punch thrown and dodged.
"Note to self….find NEW training location for 21 and Tomasu." Chronoa thought, watching with worry.
~ TIME: Age 853 - LOCATION: Conton City ~
A year came and went as Android 21 and Tomasu were found seated at the Dragon Ball pedestal one night, overlooking the city below them. Both were dressed in their casual clothes as they looked up at the moon together. A gentle breeze blew by as Tomasu gained her attention. While they looked at one another, Tomasu reached into his pocket before pulling something out, keeping it hidden in his hand. When 21 glanced at it, he revealed it to be a small silver ring, a wedding ring to be exact. Her eyes quickly filled with tears as Tomasu asked for her hand, gently taking hold of it. Over time, she had came to remove her previous ring off her hand, feeling it felt strange to keep wearing it. But she looked on with a smile as Tomasu gently slipped it on her finger. Their eyes met again as Tomasu lightly smiled, blushing slightly as he did. Her heart overcome with joy, 21 scooted closer before the two soon embraced one another. Tears occasionally leaked down 21's cheek while in his arms.
|| …. ||
At that moment, this very moment in time…I couldn't find the words to express the gratitude I felt…to be given this second chance at life. Tomasu had done so much for me and, in return, I did all I could to return that same kindness to him. Little did I realize…that all the time I spent with him amounted this previously unknown feeling in my heart. I didn't think an android like me was capable of finding "love"…but thanks to everyone around me…I was able to. And I couldn't have been happier. The future looked so bright…that the ghosts of my past felt as if they faded from memory…
~ TIME: Age 780 - LOCATION: ? ~
In an unknown region within the main timeline, where the likes of the true Goku and friends lived, a dark red sphere was found floating in a realm covered by nothing but darkness. However, as time pushed forward, cracks had begun forming on this spherical prison. As they continued to grow, added by any alteration or great power struggle thrown upon the natural flow of time, a hellish red glow began emitting from the cracks in the sphere. And, without so much as a sound, the prison collapsed in on itself before self imploding, sending pieces of its shell flying. And as the haze cleared from the sphere's implosion, there is a dark golden figure seen in a fetal position before its eyes quickly flashed open, revealing eyes similar to Kid Buu…but with a burning red glow that gave off a higher sense of bloodlust than his.
Upon awakening, this strange being began laughing maliciously as his insane laughter filled the empty air around him….
" I wonder…how much has CHANGED since my imprisonment? "
TO BE CONTINUED…
~ THE TRUE STORY BEGINS! ~