We're at it again with the hunt for Gero intensifying. What awaits our heroes looking for the mad doctor and his lab? Will they get there before Gero or Vegeta? Find out, now! (I'm actually really excited for this chapter!) Hope you guys enjoy!

Son Squad Ch.38

Chibi hopped around from mountain to mountain as she tried looking for Gero or the lab. Either had to be around there somewhere. She kept her guard up as she moved, knowing all too well how an Android could sneak up on you if you weren't careful. She remembered Chiyo specifically teaching her how to stay calm even in the heat of everything. She had to take in her surroundings, focusing on the sounds all around her in order to detect something that was undetectable.

Remember, your eyes aren't the only way to detect something, Chiyo once said. Your other senses will help you stay alive.

If I were a mad scientist, where would I hide my lab? Chibiko thought as she kept on her toes. Nothing was giving away any clues as to the whereabouts of Gero's lab. All she found was mountains, mountains, and more mountains. She was starting to get frustrated. Sure, she didn't expect Gero to have a big ol' sign pointing to the lab, but she thought it'd be more obvious to find than this. Maybe if we had gone back further, we could've prevented this whole mess from happening, Chibi thought as she stopped on the umpteenth mountain top.

A cold breeze blew her hair to the side as she looked over the mountains and the city not too far away from them. It felt so calm right now, the complete opposite of the world she grew up in. This place felt fresh and new, a world that was just created into existence. Nothing about this place was like home, where dark clouds hung overhead, and everyone wondered when and where the next android attack would be. It felt almost criminal how this world was so peaceful, and hers was fraught with turmoil.

"It's not gonna happen here, too," Chibi mumbled to herself as bad memories came flooding to her head. The worst of them had to be the night where she lost her oldest siblings. That cold, rainy night when she, Daichi, and Trunks found Gohan in that puddle, face-down dead in the water and Chiyo on her side, barely breathing. She had been tasked with getting Chiyo back to Bulma's, and when she got there, Chinku and Bulma did their best to try and save her. Chiyo lasted about a few hours before succumbing to her injuries. "Not again!"

Meanwhile, Daichi flew around his section of the mountains and couldn't find a single trace of the lab or Dr. Gero either. He didn't think it would be this hard to find one mad doctor running around. He kept closer to the tree-line, thinking it would be better for him to see the android than if he was up in the air. You'd think a lab in the mountains would be easier to find, Daichi thought to himself. There's gotta be something that makes this place stand out.

As he came to a river, Daichi touched down on the ground and took in the scene around him. It had been years since he had been in an area like this, living most of his life since he was six in the city with Bulma. Vague memories stirred in his head as he tried to recall living in the Mt. Paozu area. He could remember bits of the forest and mountains surrounding his house and the lake that he would swim and catch fish in. He also could recall a glimpse of his father, the grin that Bulma remarked he inherited from Goku, but nothing more. He couldn't remember his father's voice or anything about his mannerisms whatsoever. Gohan, Chiyo, and Chinku had the luxury of remembering things about their legendary father, but Daichi just had vague glimpses. At least it was better than Chibi, who had nothing since she was born after he died.

Focus, Daichi, Daichi thought to himself, jumping out of his thoughts. You're looking for a mad doctor, remember? You don't have time to go down memory lane.

Just as he was going back to search, Daichi decided to take a sip of river water sip to refresh himself. As he bent down to scoop a handful of liquid into his hands, Daichi heard something behind him and quickly ducked out of the way just as Gero lunged at him from behind. As he glared at the young man, the old android gritted his teeth at Daichi, angered that his surprise attack had been avoided.

"So, you're Dr. Gero," Daichi remarked, glaring back at the man who was responsible for so much destruction in his timeline. This was the guy who ruined the world by making those horrid androids. The people that were lost to the world because of those machines haunts Daichi at night, especially his older brother. He could remember finding Gohan and Chiyo that rainy night... "You're gonna pay for what you did!"

"I have no idea what you're squabbling about, boy, but I can assure you that I won't go down easily!" Gero teased, not realizing the mess he was getting himself in.

Daichi growled and quickly went on the offensive against Gero, punching the old Android square in the face and sending him through some trees. Gero promptly skidded to a halt and got back up again, charging straight at Daichi. He threw mostly kicks the young man's way, wanting to preserve his one remaining arm, and managed to kick Daichi in the chest but only slightly send him back. Daichi got up, though, and went right for the android again. The two went back and forth like this for a while until Gero managed to grab Daichi by the throat.

"You're dead!" Gero shouted as he tackled Daichi to the ground, preparing to squeeze the life out of him and take his energy in the process.

However, Daichi chuckled and quickly powered up, surprising Gero and giving Daichi the opportunity he needed; he grabbed Gero's good arm and promptly tore it off of the android, causing him to stumble back in fear. "Now, what were you saying about me being dead?" Daichi growled with a playful smirk on his face. He tossed the severed arm to the side and glared Gero down. "No one else is going to be hurt by you and your machines ever again!"

"N-No," Gero stuttered, backing away as the young man approached him. He was doomed. He had no way of defending himself against this unknown boy. And on top of that, he was nowhere near the la- wait. Gero looked around and realized where the battle with Daichi had taken him. He smirked and let out a sinister chuckle. He might be able to get out of this yet.

"What's so funny, Gero?!" Daichi demanded to know.

"You damn, fool," Gero chuckled. "You're already too late!" With that said, a beeping was heard coming from Gero as he continued to smirk. "As of right now, numbers 17 and 18 have been activated and are coming for you and your friends!"

"No! That's impossible!" Daichi shouted. "Your lab-"

"Isn't that far away from here," Gero interrupted. "I have remote access to it. I just sent out a signal that activated them as we speak."

"NO!" Daichi was furious. How could he be so stupid?! Shouldn't he have known about that?! He should've been prepared for this! Daichi charged at Gero, who quickly dodged and ran from the scene, not wanting to continue this little scuffle any longer. It wasn't a long run, though, since the lab was on the side of the mountain not too far away. He quickly dashed towards the entrance and rushed inside, locking Daichi out before the young man could do anything about it.

In the lab, the lights quickly turned on and revealed the still sleeping Androids 17 and 18. Gero smirked to himself. The boy was so quick to fall for my little rouse, Gero thought to himself. That "signal" I sent out merely unlocked the lab for me. He walked over to a desk where a temporary arm lay. It wasn't perfect by any means, being more of an arm's exoskeleton, but Gero wasn't trying to be too picky at the moment. He used his feet to help him place the arm on the left socket where his previous arm had been and then proceeded to grab the emergency shut-down remote on the wall before going to activate his creations.

Meanwhile, Daichi was reeling over what an idiot he had been. He pounded on the door with all his might but couldn't break it down. He kept pounding and pounding and pounding until his knuckles started to bleed. Not a dent was being made in the door. How could he be so stupid and not call the others when he had found Dr. Gero in the first place? If he had, then maybe they could've prevented Gero from activating the androids already. I have to stop this! He thought to himself.

Before Daichi could completely blood his fists, Piccolo, Tien, Krillin, and Chibi showed up after detecting the small spike in power from Daichi. They found him fruitlessly pounding the door and mumbling profanities under his breath.

"Don't tell me he already got inside," Krillin gulped when he saw how hard Daichi was trying to break down the door.

After realizing he couldn't do anything else, Daichi turned to the others. "I'm sorry….he got away from me," He apologized.

"What?!" Piccolo shouted when he heard this. He would've thought Daichi would be smarter than that and not let his emotions get the best of him, but here he was saying that he let Gero getaway.

"I screwed up," Daichi muttered under his breath.

"No duh, idiot!" Chibi snapped at her brother, earning a look from Krillin. He didn't expect Goku's kids to be so rude to each other. Sure, siblings fought- I mean, Goku and his brother literally fought themselves to the death- but everyone was so used to the bonds that Gohan, Chiyo, and Chinku all had with each other. They never yelled at one another or started fights between each other. Was this is a sign of things to come? "You should've gotten a hold of us when you ran into Gero!"

Regardless, what was done was done, and Piccolo realized that the best way to handle this little hiccup would be to blast the place to kingdom come and hope the androids were still deactivated. "Stand back. I'll make short enough work of this door," He instructed the others.

"Thus saving me all the trouble," A voice from behind spoke. Everyone quickly whipped around to find Vegeta behind them with a big smirk on his face. Trunks was not too far behind Vegeta.

"Of course," Chibi groaned when she saw Vegeta. She face-palmed herself when she saw the prince of all Saiyans eager to get himself into a situation he had no clue about. "Because what else could go wrong today?" (People have got to stop saying that!)

"Destroy the place, Piccolo!" Trunks shouted as Piccolo charged up a blast aimed at the lab doors. "Our only chance is to destroy those things before they're activated!"

"Shut-up, you!" Vegeta shouted back at Trunks. No way was he missing out on an opportunity to fight these androids.

Just as Piccolo was about to fire off his attack, shouting could be heard coming from behind the door. It sounded like Gero was yelling at someone. The uproar was muffled at first, and it wasn't clear what exactly Gero was saying. However, as they all listened in, they clearly heard Gero say, "As your creator, I am ordering you, 17!"

Hearing that sent a shiver down most of the spines of everyone when they heard this. Daichi, Trunks, and Chibi looked especially shocked. They were too late. They failed their mission to stop the androids. The monsters that destroyed everything in their world were now active and ready to unleash hell on earth!

"Did you hear that?!" Krillin shouted, shaking in his boots. "He said 17! That means the androids must be awake!"

"Idiots," Vegeta scoffed and put his hand up to fire a blast at the door. "Out of my way!"

"No, don't!" Trunks shouted at Vegeta, practically begging him not to do this. "We need to get as far away from here as possible! At least wait until Goku is better. If you fight them now, there's no way you can win!"

"Yes there is!" Vegeta shouted back and fired the blast at the door.

Everyone moved out of the way just in time as the blue beam hit the door and knocked it inward. Dust and dirt were kicked up from the small act and made looking into the lab impossible. However, as it all began to settle, the two androids were revealed. First, a beautiful blonde-haired woman with piercing blue eyes and a dark-blue outfit was shown, and those who had never seen her before guessed that she had to be android 18. The other android was a young man with long, black hair, a scarf around his neck, and the same piercing blue eyes, and they concluded he had to be android 17. No one said a word as the two looked at them with playful smirks on their faces.

"Are these smirking children the androids you came back in time to warn us about?" Vegeta questioned the trio when he saw how unimpressive these machines looked.

"Yes, that's them all right," Trunks answered, sweat visibly running down his face.

"Wait, seriously?" Krillin asked, blinking a few times just to make sure he wasn't seeing things. He honestly thought that the androids would be a lot scarier looking. Yes, he was aware of the description that Chibi, Daichi, and Trunks had given them, but he thought that they'd be a bit more intimidating. "But they're just…"

"Just because they look harmless doesn't mean they're not dangerous!" Daichi quickly spoke up, looking ready to throw down right then and there, even with his bloody fists. "Those are the worst villains the Earth will ever know!" How could I be so stupid?! It's all my fault these guys got activated! Daichi thought to himself.

"Here are those meddling friends of Goku I mentioned a moment ago!" Gero stated to 17 and 18, trying to get them to understand the gravity of the situation. "They'll put up a fight! I barely managed to getaway. They destroyed number 19 entirely!"

"19, huh?" 17 questioned, looking back slightly at Gero. He seemed like he could care less about everything going on, but he was curious to see how much more he could get out of Gero. "So you built another android after us, then? And I'm guessing 19 converted you into an android?"

"Y-Yes," Gero stuttered out like he was nervous to answer 17's question.

"Was he an energy absorption model?" 17 followed up.

"Y-Yes," Gero stuttered out again.

"But that doesn't make any sense," 18 spoke up, crossing her arms over her chest. "Why use older tech on a newer model? Is it because perpetual energy models like us were too difficult to boss around?"

"….Maybe," Gero stated. "But that doesn't matter right now! Destroy these fools before they escape!"

"Geez, do you ever shut up?" 17 stated. "We'll when we feel like it, got it?"

It was evident to the seven fighters that these androids weren't too keen on listening to Gero. It became even more apparent when 18 noticed a container behind her with label 16 on it. Gero warned her against opening the container, and shivers ran down Daichi, Trunks, and Chibi's spines when they realized there was a third android. Where had this one come from?!

Either wat, the twin androids weren't keen on listening to Gero and were more curious on opening the sleeping android container. Gero tried warning them of what 16 could do if he was unleashed, how it could end up with the planet being destroyed. Look, if even Dr. Gero is scared of what this thing can do, then you know it's bad! 17 didn't seem too concerned, though, and even said as much when his sensors told him that 16 was weaker than him.

"Go for it, 18," 17 told his sister. "This'll be fun."

"Why you, insubordinate failures!" Gero shouted. "I'm shutting you down for good!"

"I broke your little switch, remember?" 17 teased Gero, his hands coolly in the pockets of his pants.

"Fine! I'll build another one!" Gero shouted.

While this was going on, 18 was already close to activating 16. She wanted to get this over with already. She was getting sick of this stuffy cave.

"18, are your ears malfunctioning?! I forbid you!"

Before Gero could utter out another word, 17 punctured a hole right through the right side of Gero's chest, causing the doctor to be frozen in pain. He was no longer human, so no blood came pouring out of the wound. (Some might consider this karma for nearly killing Yamcha earlier). Gero barely had time to process this when 17 also went ahead and kicked Gero's head so hard that it detached from his body and ended up rolling to a stop right in front of Krillin, freaking the small warrior out. And to finish the job, 17 came and stepped right on top of the severed head, thus ending Gero and fulfilling the prediction that the doctor would fall by his creations' hands.

"Ruthless, just like a saiyan," Vegeta remarked under his breath, slightly impressed by what he was seeing. This would prove to be interesting, after all.

Well, at least Vegeta was enjoying himself. Everyone else was downright terrified, especially Krillin since 17 was now looking directly at him and silently telling him to come over.

Of all the people here, why me?! Krillin thought to himself. This is how I die for the final time!

As Krillin moved forward, Chibi thought about how this would be the start of it all. Krillin was going to be the first one to fall at the hands of the androids. She clenched her fist as she prepared herself to fight.

Daichi, who was much closer to Krillin, felt his throat close up as he watched Krillin step closer to 17. He thought the same thing as Chibi, that Krillin was about to die right in front of all of them. Daichi figured since he was closer, there could be a chance to save his father's best friend if the need arose.

However, instead of attacking, 17 stood up, smirked, and then walked away into the lab. As he did, though, he and Daichi made eye-contact, and 17 quickly remarked, "Nice scar," before heading back into the lab.

Krillin was alive, so at least there was a positive out of all this.

17 and 18 were prepared to activate 16, but Trunks wasn't having any of that. "No way are you activating another android!" He shouted. "Not so long as I'm alive!" He quickly powered up into super saiyan and fired a blast directly into the lab, giving the others no real warning as he did so. (He was in the heat of the moment, okay?)

The others could get out of the way in the knick of time just as the mountain exploded and the lab along with it. As the dust settled, the seven warriors floated in the air and looked down at the scene below. Vegeta remarked on how pointless the whole thing was and was vindicated in that remark when the androids were revealed to be unfazed. In fact, 18 had even managed to get a hold of the container holding 16 inside.

"You young people are utterly useless," Vegeta stated.

Okay, is there ever a time he's not insulting someone?! Chibi thought to herself as she glared over at Vegeta.

Down below, the androids were busy getting android 16 up and running. They wasted no time activating him, and the dangerous android Gero was talking about came to life and got up from his spot. He towered over 17 and 18 in stature, sporting red hair and a green outfit with the red ribbon logo on the front of it. He didn't seem to say anything, as least from where the z-fighters were, as 17 and 18 discussed what to do next. From the distance they were at, Piccolo could only pick up bits and pieces of what they were saying while the others were left in the dark about what was going on. They figured these three were about to square up with them, but instead, they just left without so much as a passing glance at any of them.

"W-What just happened?" Tien questioned after the three androids had left. "And what are they planning to do?"

"They're not going near North city, so that's not their target," Piccolo stated. "But if that's the case, where are they going?"

"It's Goku!" Krillin suddenly shouted in realization. "They must be heading after Goku! I mean, he did destroy the red ribbon army back in the day, so that must be going after him!"

"But why?" Tien further questioned. "They killed Gero, so why fill out his revenge plan?"

"Who cares!" Vegeta shouted. "They won't live long enough to see it through!" He looked….well, to put it nicely, pissed. "They ignored me, not the slightest acknowledgment that I was here. I'll fix that."

With that said, he powered up into super saiyan and prepared to charge off after them, but Trunks, just like before, intervened to stop him. "Please, just wait a little bit longer before fighting them!" Trunks told his Father, standing right in his way.

"Why? So Kakarot can get better, and we fight them together?" Vegeta teased. "I don't need that low-class warrior's help! I can do this on my own!"

"You're just going to get yourself killed! You have no idea what you're getting into!" Trunks shouted. "What is wrong with you?! Why won't you just listen?!"

His pleas fell on deaf ears as Vegeta quickly came and sucker-punched Trunks right in the gut, stopping the young man right then and there, and then went to take off after the androids.

"Trunks!" Chibi and Daichi shouted, quickly going over and checking on their friend.

"W-We gotta stop him," Trunks stuttered as he held his stomach. "He's gonna get himself killed if we don't stop him!"

Chibi could tell how hurt Trunks was by this. Not just physically, but emotionally. All he wanted to do was protect his father from this threat, and Vegeta brushed him off like it was nothing. She was getting real tired of Vegeta's antics and wanted to set some things straight with the saiyan prince. "I'll stop him!" She growled before powering up and charging right after Vegeta.

"Chibi! Wait!" Daichi shouted as his sister flew off right after Vegeta. Great! Now she's gone too!

Krillin and the others soon came over to check on Trunks and figure out a plan. "This is bad," Krillin stated. "Not only are the androids heading to Goku's place, but the twins and Bulma are still out there. They were heading to Goku's place too!"

"Oh, crap!" Daichi suddenly realized. The twins had no idea what was going on and would be decimated by the androids if they ran into them.

Trunks felt the same when he heard that his mother was in danger, and before you could blink, the five remaining fighters took off after Vegeta and Chibiko, hoping to avoid a bloodbath.


It was nice to stop for a rest break. Chiyo and Gohan gathered some firewood together and got a fire going while Yajirobe cleaned his scarf, and Bulma sat on a stump with her little baby boy. They had stopped flying at Bulma's request so Yajirobe could clean his scarf, and it could be used as a diaper for Trunks again. Plus, she was getting a bit airsick.

"There, that should do it," Gohan remarked after getting the last of the firewood. "This should hold us over for a bit."

"Well, we should only stay for about a few more minutes now," Chiyo suggested. "We need to get back to the house to check on Dad."

"I bet you two are worried about him, huh?" Bulma asked, bouncing Trunks on her lap. "We'll go as soon as Yajirobe is done cleaning the scarf." The blue-haired woman then got up and went to check on Yajirobe's progress.

After she was out of ear-shot, the twins sat down on the ground and looked at the fire. Today had been a rough day. No, that would be an understatement. It was beyond rough. So much had happened in such a short time that it was a wonder how they were still standing. Nothing had gone as planned it seemed disaster was just on the horizon. Maybe it was good that they got away from the fight. Now they could pause, relax, and rethink up a strategy going forward. Although, it seemed to be difficult to do that considering it was unclear whether or not the androids had been activated or not.

"Do you think Dad's all better yet?" Gohan asked his sister, taking one of the smaller sticks of wood and poking at the small fire.

"Who knows," Chiyo shrugged. "He might be in bed for days or something. Trunks never said how long the medicine would take."

"I hope it's not that much longer," Gohan stated. "We need him better now."

"Well, if Piccolo and the others got to Gero's lab before Gero or Vegeta, maybe we won't have to worry too much," Chiyo optimistically pointed out. "There's always the chance of that."

"True," Gohan agreed, throwing the rest of the stick into the fire to burn.

Awkward silence followed as the fire cackled. Not much else to say, which was unusual for the twins. Usually, they were in sync with one another, but lately, they've noticed a bit of a change. It was small and subtle, but it was there none the less.

"So...I'm still kind baffled that those two are Daichi and Chibi," Chiyo finally said, trying to rid the area of the awkward silence. "And that other lady was Chinku. How wild is that?"

"I mean, it's pretty crazy," Gohan replied. He seem distracted, though, in his reply. It appeared he wanted to say something but was unsure if he should or not.

"I wonder if they'll tell Mom who they are. We'll have to explain it Dad when he gets up, too."

"…Hey sis, I gotta ask you something."

A change in subject and tone was at hand.

"Uh, sure. What's up, Gohan?"

Gohan paused for a moment like he was weighing whether or not to ask his sister this critical question. He looked over to his side a bit and gripped at the ground right there.

"Gohan?"

"….I black out sometimes," Gohan finally stated, not looking up at his sister. "I…I slightly remember things, but not a whole lot. The first time it happened was back on Namek when I was fighting Frieza after I thought he killed you." He took the dirt in his hand, poured it out on the ground. "Then, when I thought he killed Dad, it happened again. I don't remember much. And when we were training that one last time before the androids were supposed to show up? When I fought with Piccolo? It happened then, too, didn't it?"

"….Yes," Chiyo answered.

"Chiyo…..what's happening to me?"

Chiyo could see the heartbreak in her brother's eyes. He wanted to know what was going on. But she didn't have any answers either. "…I-I honestly don't know, Gohan." And I don't like it, She thought to herself.

Yeah; just because Gohan and Chiyo aren't in the thick of it right now, doesn't mean things aren't going on with them. What do you guys think? Will Chibi successfully stop Vegeta from getting himself killed? Will the twins figure out what's going on with Gohan? And what's going on with Chinku? Find out next time on, The Son Squad!

Thank you all so much for the continual support and feedback! I always love hearing from you guys and want to know your thoughts on the story so far. I plan to continue the Saturday upload schedule, but with the holidays coming up, I want to try and upload more since I'll be off from school and everything.

Anyway, have a good day guys and remember to wash your hands!