Land of Korin
April 3, A763
Vinegar impacted the ground the moment the Makyo Star exploded. He let out a scream as the power of his people leaked out of his skin in the form of a crimson cloud that was quickly blown away in the way. His size and muscles even evaporated, leaving him a stickly, sickly looking creature that crawled away from the Lookout with the barest shreds of energy. Vinegar could feel little more than pain from his broken bones, and his sight was growing dim. He'd flown so far, so fast, and now he was going to die anyway.
As he crawled on the ground, a tree in front of him erupted in a red puff of smoke, leaving nothing left of its foliage, branches, or trunk except a perfectly flat stump. Sitting upon it, wearing a blue bodysuit and a white cape, was a red-skinned humanoid with a goatee, a pair of horns, pointed ears, and short, black hair. He grinned and watched Vinegar use his emaciated hands to crawl towards him.
"That's it," the entity chuckled, "You can do it."
Vinegar shot him a sneer, but kept crawling forward. The rustling of an animal in the foliage of the forest was the only thing that gave him pause.
"Ooh, what do you think that is?" the red man asked, "It sounds hungry."
"Are you going to sit there and taunt me, or are you going to help?"
"Tsk tsk, no need to get mouthy with me. After all I'm the reason that the Makyo Star arrived months earlier and your master had a shot at taking over this pathetic planet," the man said.
"And look at how well that turned out," Vinegar scoffed, pushing himself further.
"Wonderfully, actually," the man said, "Far better than I could have hoped or expected. This planet almost has everything I need. From your perspective, this was a miserable failure, but for me? This was an amazing success. And even you! I honestly didn't give you a second thought. And yet here you are, dragging yourself through the forest, knowing that there's a beast ready to pounce on you and devour you. That is strength. Real strength. Not necessarily power but it's a lot more than I expected out of your kind. Sniveling schemers, really, who never appreciated the gifts given to them."
"What do you want?" Vinegar demanded, pulling himself forward again.
"Well, I rarely leave opportunities unattended. And you are a pleasant surprise. Garlic Junior squandered the gifts I offered him, but you? You saw the involvement of the Saiyans as the complication they were meant to be. You understood you were overpowered and outmatched. You've traded punches with the warriors here. You agree to serve me, and I'll restore your power," he said.
Vinegar dragged himself a few more feet, until he was at the stump the red man was sitting.
"Or you'll leave me to that beast," Vinegar guessed.
The red man shrugged.
"That Saiyan, she didn't need that power given to her. She found it on her own. She understood something the Saiyans Garlic Junior brought didn't," Vinegar said, and he pushed himself onto his back, "I don't want fake power like what I got from the Makyo Star gave me. I want my own power."
The red man looked to the rustling bushes, "I don't think that thing is impressed by your own power."
"I won't bind myself to some new master forever."
"Give me ten years, then. You can search for your own power, until I call upon you, while I give you what you need to stand up and look for that power you crave."
"What use are a bunch of Saiyans to you, when you've already attacked their home once and beaten your minions?" Vinegar asked. Dabura grinned.
"It's all leading up to power unimaginable."
"Sounds familiar."
"It's beyond your imagination, I assure you."
The beast's rustling had stopped. Vinegar knew predators well enough to understand it was ready to pounce now.
"Fine. Ten years."
The red man grinned, and snapped his fingers, disappearing with a puff of red smoke.
The cougar leaped out of the bushes at Vinegar. His arm shot forward, and he grabbed the cat by the throat. As the cat scratched and wriggled in his grip, Vinegar could feel the 'M' on his forehead etch itself into his flesh, and then disappear.
With a squeeze, Vinegar snapped the cat's neck. He stared at the burned stump the red man had been sitting on.
"Whatever and whoever you are, the Saiyans are not the only ones responsible for our defeat," Vinegar said, "When the time comes, you'll have yours, too."
XXX
Son Family Homestead, Mount Paozu Area
April 3, A763
"What was that phrase Bulma used that one time? I'm 'so done with today'," Gine said, dragging herself onto a picnic table. She grabbed one of the sandwiches on the table, looked at it, considered it for a moment, and then ate it.
"Are those still good?" Chi Chi asked.
"I don't care," Gine said.
"Gramma Gine, aren't we forgetting Nappa?" Gohan asked, "What about Brussa, Krillin, Raditz, and the others?"
Gine took a deep breath.
"If Nappa isn't dead, he can wait another five minutes," Gine said, picking up another sandwich.
"But they could be hurt!" Gohan said.
"Gohan," Chi Chi grabbed his hand, "I know you're worried, but your grandmother has been through a lot today."
"I'm sorry, I just...I thought we were going to…I didn't know if we were going to make it without my dad," Gohan said. Gine smiled at him.
"It's all right, Gohan. You're right. We should go find them. I just...It's already been a long day," Gine said, "I used to be close to a couple of those Saiyans we fought. One of them was…"
She took a deep breath, and gestured for him to come over. He sat on the bench next to her, taking the last of the sandwiches. Gine pulled him close and rested her hand on Gohan's arm.
"One of those Saiyans that we fought today was Raditz and Goku's father, Bardock. He was your grandfather," Gine said. Gohan looked up at her, wide-eyed, and then hugged her arm.
"I'm sorry, Gramma…"
"It's hard seeing him again. But you're all that matters. You, and the people in my life now. You are the reason I became a Super Saiyan today. You make me happier than he ever could, Gohan," she hugged him back, "It still hurt that he was willing to let so many people die so he could get his way, though."
"Nappa's more my Grandpa than him," Gohan huffed. Gine smiled, and kissed him on the forehead.
"If Earth's changed Nappa that much, imagine what it would have done to Bardock, who's the reason both Goku and I are alive? There's no need to be angry with him. He's gone now, Gohan," Gine said, standing up and stretching, "I'm going to go and find Nappa. Look after your mother, okay?"
"Okay," Gohan nodded. No sooner than Gine left, the Ox King drove up in his car. He looked around at the crater-filled homestead and burned ground.
"...Honey? What happened?" he asked. Chi Chi shrugged.
"Gine had some old friends stop by."
XXX
Northern Mountains
April 3, A763
Dr. Gero watched the monitors from deep within his lab as Android 19 picked at the Doctor's circuits. He twitched the new hand, and the sensation feedback was, finally, correct. He grinned; with a few more upgrades, he wouldn't even need human subjects anymore.
"You are doing excellent work, Android 19. You have surpassed all my expectations," Dr. Gero said. The white-faced android looked up at him and smiled, before looking down to his work. The most delicate part of the process would be laying the new synthdermis, centimeter by centimeter. It was would be an excruciating, overwhelming process that Dr. Gero would have to be awake in order to know it was working as intended.
Suddenly, Android 19 sat up, looking towards the door of the laboratory. At the same moment, the base's alarm system sent Dr. Gero an alert that someone was approaching the lab. Dr. Gero accessed the hidden camera system, and scowled.
"What is he doing here? How did he even know where my lab was?" he said aloud.
"Perhaps Dr. Wheelo was not as discrete as we believed," Android 19 suggested.
"It's possible. His destruction puts us on poor footing, but the data he sent us will be invaluable. It will be worth the risk, Nineteen. This world will belong to the Red Ribbon Army," Dr. Gero said.
"Shall I dispense with our visitor?" the Android asked.
"No. I would like to see what he wants. See him in, Nineteen. Mercenary Tao is, after all, a valued customer," Dr. Gero chuckled. 19 handed over the tools, and Dr. Gero continued the work of installing the new motors and sensors. He didn't look up as 19 returned with their guest.
"I should hardly be surprised, Doctor," Tao said.
"I didn't think you would. I'm impressed you were able to locate this lab after I faked my death. I kept it a secret from everyone, even the Red Ribbon Army," Dr. Gero said.
"You should have hired me to kidnap your test subjects. I would have been far more discrete," Tao said.
"I wouldn't have been able to afford you."
Tao held up one of his hands, glancing between it and the work Dr. Gero and 19 were performing, "I think we could have struck a deal."
"Are you dissatisfied with the work I put into the Cyborg Ten project?" Gero asked.
"It served me well for many years, but it has become outdated. Evidently, you feel the same way," Tao said. 19 grinned, but did not waver from its duties.
"Yes, and I have just made a significant breakthrough. You've caught me at an awkward moment, I'm afraid, Tao. I have major upgrades to myself and other projects. I can't afford to return to older works," Dr. Gero said.
"On the contrary, Doctor, I believe you'll want to take a look at the alterations I've received. It's the work of the senior and junior Dr. Briefs, and I have access to a number of extraterrestrial technologies you'll be interested in which will set you forward significantly," Tao said, "Which I am happy to share with you, in exchange for a full suite upgrade. Your finest designs and advancements. Whatever you have, I want it."
"The finest you say? That's a tall order, Tao. It will take me a long time to construct a body with my finest. The most powerful technology I have requires a living body, which...Hmm...You still possess the majority of your body...A true fusion of android and organic. Very well, Tao. I think I can help you, but I have one additional condition."
"I have one, as well, but I am listening."
"My greatest creation will not be ready for decades, but those two," Dr. Gero pointed to a pair of pods marked '17' and '18', "They are my most powerful creations to date. The power I may provide to you will be comparable to theirs. No warrior of this world or any other will be able to compete with them. I have watched your battles with the Saiyans, and they, and I, are aware of all of your techniques. But those two are teenagers, unruly and undisciplined, and they refuse to obey my commands without powerful incentives. When the time comes for us to finally destroy Son Goku and release them, I want you to be their commander."
"Kill Son Goku? That's a tall order," Tao said.
"You have almost as much reason to hate him as I do," Dr. Gero said, "I don't think that's too much to ask."
"You think these cyborgs will be powerful enough to defeat him?"
"With the Infinite Engine, they will have far more power than they will ever need, and they will never tire. But it requires integration with an organic body, while Android 19 and I will have to resort to stealing energy to reach the kinds of heights required to defeat Son Goku and his allies."
"We will have to see; are you aware of the Super Saiyan, Doctor Gero?" Tao asked.
"I received data a few hours ago about some new ability of Goku's brother from Dr. Wheelo. It overwhelmed his defenses and combat abilities, but I am absolutely confident that the Infinite Engine is capable of surpassing and overwhelming it. While there is much modification to be made, even 19 and I, with the proper preparation and tactics, ought to be able to defeat it," Dr. Gero said.
"We shall see. I'll tame your brats for you, Doctor. But there is something we will need to investigate. You are aware of the crisis that occurred today?"
"Yes, it's the reason Dr. Wheelo triggered his fool plan to gather test subjects and candidates to claim a new body. Had he taken my offer, he'd have one already," Dr. Gero grumbled, "But I'm unsure of the details, aside from some astrological phenomena and an attack on Son Goku's relatives and associates."
Tao pulled out something wrapped in a handkerchief, and threw it on the table 19 and Dr. Gero were working upon.
"I found that in the Land of Korin, as I was investigating the attacks. It has a peculiar energy on it - I doubt your sensors can detect it, but I assure you, it's there, so I recommend not touching it. We need to investigate this; it could be the source of the attack, and possibly a future threat. Or, perhaps, Goku's acquaintances have already dealt with it. Either way, I am sick of dealing with outside forces I neither understand nor predict."
Dr. Gero looked over the stone, and glanced to Tao, "It seems we have quite a bit to do, then. Computer, open two new projects: Name the first Cyborg 10-X, and associate it with all the Cyborg 10, Android 20, and Infinite Engine projects. The second will be named Mystery Mirage. Assign Servitor Two-Dash-One to Mystery Mirage, and activate her."
"Servitor?" Tao asked.
"I captured many test subjects. Some were unsuited for combat, but their processing power and service has been convenient a few times. Two-One is hidden in an offsite facility, and will have no memory of her involvement with me. She will simply think she's a researcher obsessed with a mystery, is all," Dr. Gero explained.
"That's an incredible amount of preparation."
"I intend to be victorious, Tao."
"As do I. When do we begin my upgrades?"
"I will have to build another Infinite Engine, which will take time and resources. Anything you can do to assist me will shorten the wait. In the meantime, I have upgrades to myself and 19 to complete, as well, as well as studying your upgrades from the Briefs and the information on alien technology. But I think you ought to be combat-ready within three years or so."
Dr. Gero looked to Android 19, "I may need extra help, though. It's an awful lot, even for me. Android 19, how would you like some siblings?"
