Chestnutfest 2022

Nostalgia

"Hyaaaagh!"

The bald, diminutive, martial artist ran his fist through an uncanny likeness of his best friend. Contrary to what would be expected in that said friend would retaliate, instead the figure crumpled to the ground fully lifeless. While he took the moment to ease himself, Krillin was met with another clone fighter this time of Piccolo. Krillin quickly raised his hand to summon his signature technique.

"Kienzan!"

Surprisingly, Krillin was beaten to the punch by his wife throwing the bladed disc, slicing the clone cleanly in half. Unlike the real Piccolo, this one lacked his regeneration and fell to the ground fully lifeless.

Once the threat had finally passed, the couple were finally given time to rest. This whole clone business has been nothing but a hassle and the fact that everyone had their power reduced didn't help. Thankfully, the clones were nowhere near as strong as their real deal counterparts making them easy pickings for them.

"Sheesh…I know you have infinite energy, but even you have to be getting tired of fighting all these guys, right?" Krillin asked.

"That's the understatement of the century." With a dismissive sigh, 18 took a seat on a nearby rock while Krillin stretched himself out. Their break would be short lived as yet another clone appeared. This time of the Saiyan prince.

"I'm ending this right now!" In a frustrated rage, 18 stomped past Krillin and wasted no time in burying her foot in the clone's gut. Following with another kick, she launched it away before obliterating it with a bright wave of power.

A stupefied Krillin watched as his wife brushed her hair aside, suddenly gaining a contemplative look. 'Why am I feeling deja-vu?'

An irritated 18 returned to Krillin's side, sitting back down on the rock. Kri

"You know 18, there's something I've been meaning to ask."

"Yes?"

Krillin hesitated as he realized this was a touchy subject, but seeing as there wasn't much else to do, he decided to just spit it out. "What's with the outfit?" As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted them as 18 shot him a displeased look. "Of course if you don't wanna talk about it, that's fine too," he stammered.

Eighteen took a calming breath. "No its fine. There's not much to tell anyway. Twenty-One had them set aside for me and I only agreed cause I didn't want to fight in my regular outfit. Honestly, being in this damn denim again honestly makes my skin crawl."

"I dunno. I mean, the insignia aside, it's a pretty nice outfit."

Eighteen tugged on the jean vest, inspecting it. "Well, I'll be honest and say I do still like the shirt," she said with a grin. "Though I'm also curious why you're suddenly interested in this thing?"

Krillin bashfully shrugged. "Its kind of dumb but, watching you kick the crap out of the fake Vegeta just reminded me of the time you did it to the real Vegeta, and that outfit just sort of…made it more vivid."

Eighteen paused in surprise before chuckling. "That did happen, didn't it?"

"Yeah."

"Hmph. It almost feels like a lifetime ago when that happened."

"How long ago did that happen anyway?"

Eighteen stopped to ponder and her eyes widened when she got the answer. "That was nearly 10 years ago."

"Ten years!? Damn, where's all the time going?"

Eighteen chuckled. To think when they first met, she'd all but decimated his friends and only spared Krillin because he didn't bother trying to fight them afterwards. Now here they were, married for over half a decade with an adorable daughter. Though she said that this outfit held some bad memories with it, it also held one of, if not the best one: It reminded her of how she and Krillin first met.

The memories would be interrupted by a humming Krillin. "You know…since everyone's on an even playing field now, think you may wanna get in a rematch? It'll be nice to see Vegeta get knocked down a peg or two," Krillin said with wriggling brows.

"As much fun as that sounds, we both know that even if I do beat him again, he'll just demand a rematch when this whole mess is over with…and I think we both know how that's likely to turn out."

Krillin's expression fell. "Yeah, I guess."

"What about you? Any rematches you get to relive or change?"

With a sigh, Krillin slumped down on the rock beside her. "Well, don't tell him I said this, but I am happy I finally got a few extra chances to beat Piccolo."

"Piccolo? Really?"

"Yeah. Could've sworn I told you the story before, but Piccolo and I fought at the World Tournament. Everyone knew I wasn't gonna win, Hell, I knew I couldn't win, but still I made Piccolo work for it. I couldn't let him get to Goku that easily."

"Is that a fact? Well, if you gave Piccolo a fight on the same level as 17 did, then I'd say that's one I'd have to see for myself," 18 noted.

Krillin bashfully rubbed his head. "Ehhhhh…I wouldn't say it was on that level. Those were simpler times. Still, I call dibs on the next Piccolo clone!"

"Whatever you say," 18 dismissed.

"Okay, I'm all set now. What's say we go find the others?"

"Actually, before we go…since we're reminiscing, I think it's only fair to bring up one more old memory."

Krillin raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What memory?"

Hopping off the rock, 18 lowered her head to Krillin's and quickly pressed her lips against his cheek. Before he could react, 18 pulled away and with a simple, "Later," she floated off.

Krillin grinned as he rubbed the spot where she kissed him. "Talk about a trip down nostalgia lane, huh?" His grin growing into a hearty chuckle as he took off after her. Maybe once this whole thing was over, they could reminisce some more with Marron this time.