Six years later…
Name: #9
Power Level: 6,125,000
New Characteristics: 28 years old physically. 40 years old
mentally.
Name: Trunks
Power Level: 4,900,000
New Characteristics: 16 years old. Taller and more broad.
Chapter 71
"Are you mad!" I yell at Bulma. "Not at all! This may be our last chance!" "Do you know what you are dealing with! You want to fuck with the very fabric of time!" I'm not very happy with this.
Just recently, Bulma told me her idea for a time machine, and how she is almost finished. But I don't like it one damned bit.
"I know what I'm dealing with!" "No, I don't think you do. If you did, you'd scrap this right now! Who knows what the hell will happen? Maybe time will change for the better. Maybe we'll be in an infinate loop! Maybe things will actually get WORSE! There are too many ifs Bulma! It's not worth the risk!" "And what do we have to lose #9? Answer me that!" "Plenty! There's still a human population out there. And in time Trunks and I will kill those damned androids. Not to mention that things can end up worse! Who knows what will happen when you mess with time! NO ONE! That's who!" I argue.
"I shouldn't of even told you about this…" Bulma mutters. "No, you shouldn't of even started this foolish project!" "What the hell are you two arguing about!" Trunks hollers at us both.
"Well Trunks, I've come up with an idea…" I slap my hand on my forehead "Ah shit…" I murmur. "Shut up!" Bulma yells at me. "Anyway, I have this idea. I'm almost done with it, it's a time machine! You can go back in time and stop the androids before they destroy this world! Unfortunatly, Mr.Pessimistic here doesn't belive it will work!" "No! I belive your damn machine will work, I'm just afraid of what it will screw up!" I shout.
"What about the risks?" Trunks asks. I silently thank whoever was in charge of that boy's genetics for giving him a SENSIBLE head on his shoulders. "If it works, it's guaranteed to stop the androids…" Bulma reminds him. "What are we waiting for!" Trunks asks excitedly. Then again, maybe he's not all THAT sensible…
"FINE! Go right on ahead and screw this world over! But I will have no part in it!" I yell in defeat. "That's fine, your help isn't needed." Bulma mocks. I growl in frustration.
"Oh come on #9! What do we have to lose?" Trunks asks me while Bulma smiles in triumph. "You take after your mother far too much…" I respond.
"The machine will be ready this afternoon Trunks." Bulma informs him. "But make sure you don't screw up the coordinates, it only has enough energy for one round trip." she warns.
"Here Trunks. Give this medicine to Goku, so he won't die from his heart disease. Warn them of the androids and then come back." Bulma instructs.
They eat breakfast and Trunks starts to pack.
"Trunks, I would like to know, what in the hell do you need a damned refrigerator for?" I ask. "I might get thirsty." "Why do you have twenty cans in there?" "There might be others who are thirsty." "Whatever…" I mutter as I reach in and grab a soda.
"Hey!" "Darn, you only have nineteen cans. Now you'll never solve world thirst sixteen years in the past!" I respond sardonically.
A while later…
"You ready Trunks?" "Yeah!" Trunks comes out with some capsules and fully dressed for battle. At least the fool exercises caution.
He boards the machine. "Goodbye Trunks!" Bulma waves. "It's you two's damned fault if an apocalypse occurs!" I yell out. Bulma glares at me.
Then the machine disappears and I tense up, being prepared for anything. A minute or two passes… and nothing happens.
"See? I told you it'd be fine! Have some faith…" Bulma scolds. "HMPH!" I respond. Bulma grins in victory.
"Shouldn't he be back soon?" I ask. "Nope. The machine still has a link to this time, so he'll be gone for as long as he stays in the past." Bulma explains.
"Uh… Bulma?" "Yes?" "One problem with your whole plan…" "What?" "If it really worked out, wouldn't everything be fixed? Like those buildings over there?" I point to some wrecked buildings in the distance. She stares out of the window for a few seconds. Then she laughs.
"I thought this might happen! All that I achieved was to make a separate time line!" she tells me. I'm able to figure that one out quick. So now there's a separate time line where Trunks went into the past and helped out everyone, but our time line is still the same and jack shit happened for us. "Great…" I comment.
We kill some time. A few hours later…
The machine reappears. "I'm back!" Trunks greets as he walks in "Congratulations! The whole trip didn't do jack shit!" I greet back. "What?" Trunks asks in surprise. Then Bulma explains the whole split time line theory to Trunks while muttering about me needing some tact.
Trunks sighs. "Hey Trunks, you were able to go back and meet them, right?" I ask. "Yeah…" "That means when the machine is charged again, you can go back and train with them. I'm quite sure you can get better training there than if you remained here." I suggest. Trunks face brightens up.
"But it takes a year or so for the machine to charge up again." Bulma interjects. "A year minimum? Shit…" I mutter. "I've been working on this a LONG time." she tells us.
"Well Trunks, did you meet me?" I ask him. "Yeah. The first thing you said was 'Who the hell are you? And why are you a Super Saiyajin!'" Trunks quotes. "Yeah, that was me." I respond.
Then Trunks tells us of how he fought Freeza and everything else.
"Heh, I'd imagine Freeza was damned easy. To think we were so frightened of him all that time ago…" I say.
"But the strange thing, is that Goku was able to match my power easily." Trunks throws in. "WHAT!" "Yeah." Trunks confirms. "Why are you so surprised?" Bulma asks. "Back then, Goku wasn't anywhere near the power Trunks is at now! Hell, he never reached this level of power! Something must have gone wrong…" I look at Bulma, but she merely shrugs.
Chapter 72
Some weeks later…
Things have been going pretty well, actually. The twin androids haven't attacked for awhile, for whatever reason I can't fathom, but we're enjoying it while we can. Which leads to Trunks and his social life. I wasn't even aware that one could have a social life in this world, but apparently Trunks can.
"She wants me to go somewhere with her for a while, but I don't think Kassan will approve." Trunks explains.
"So in other words. You can't even lie to screw a girl." I say very bluntly. Trunks blushes immediately. "It's not like that!" he protests. I guess I'll help the guy out.
"Fine! I'll take care of it…" I say in exasperation. "How long do you plan to be gone?" "A few days at most." Trunks responds.
"We're going on a training trip then!" I tell him. Trunks looks confused for a second, but then catches on. "I don't want to lie to Kassan!" Trunks complains. I stare at him for a second.
"Then what the hell do you want me for!" I ask loudly. "I want you to help convince her." "You said it yourself, she wouldn't approve. And there's nothing I can say that would change her mind!" I argue.
"Fine… wait… let's just make it a vacation or something." Trunks suggests. I shrug. If he wants to go with a less convincing argument, I won't stop him. "When were you planning on leaving?" "Today." I get up and go find Bulma. Trunks follows.
She's in her workshop. "Hey Bulma!" I call out. "Yes?" "Trunks and I are going on a vacation. We'll be gone for a couple days. Give or take a day." I inform her.
"What? A few days?" "Yes. The androids haven't attacked in a while. And we feel like taking a vacation somewhere." I say. "Where will you two go?" "We'll find out when we get there?" "But-" Bulma tries to argue. "What is there to lose?" I interject, quoting her.
"Oh fine! Take your stupid trip then." Bulma says in defeat. I leave with Trunks.
"Whenever you're back from whatever you do, meet me first at Kami's Palace." I tell him. "Kami's Palace?" "Do you know where Korin's Tower is?" "Uh… yeah. I think I've been shown it once a long while ago." "Go up, FAR up." I say. "Oh! And by the way… you are going to be the one explaining what we did on our vacation, not me." I tell him and leave.
Within several minutes, I land at Kami's Palace. It still looks just the same as before.
I peer over the edge to see if I can see the activity of the androids. From what I see, it seems they're just touring the world for survivors. If I could, I'd spit on them from here. But I can't pinpoint their location anyway, I'm just estimating from the faint flashes of light I see on the surface.
I try to open up the Room of Spirit and Time, which is what I found that room where one day is a year is called, just for the hell of it, but it doesn't open, as expected.
Shit, I'd become this world's Kami if I could, just for the training from the room and those Dragonballs. But not only do I not even know how to become a Kami, is someone who was a mercenary for half of his life and had killed billions of people even allowed to become Kami?
Ah well… I'll just use this time usefully then. I then start training myself, since I have nothing better to do.
A few hours later…
Man, I'm bored. And I really don't feel like training for a few days straight. I look down on the planet below. I wonder how the rest of the world fares?
That's an idea. I can go down and tour what's left of this world. It's certainly better than sitting on my ass for 72 hours. Not to mention it's been a while since I've checked up on this world. I occasionally go around and see what's left of cities in my spare time.
Without any particular aim, I drop down to some town in Japan.
Not a whole lot different than I expected. Destroyed buildings, homeless people, the reek of death in the air.
"Devils! Flying devils in the air!" some insane man screams out while staring into the sky. Sounds corny, but just seeing someone so out of it is what is scary. "DEVILS!" he screams as drool pours down his chin. His eyes are dilated, and he's shaking all over. Hasn't shaved for months and is only dressed in rags. It's a very sad sight.
I walk down the street trying to ignore the madman. This is one of the cities that was hit bad. And not by androids. Once ravaged by those two twins, this city went into a downward spiral. Poverty hit hard and many were homeless. Everyone struggles to live.
"Gimme your goods, rich man!" some punk orders me as he puts a knife to my throat. I sigh. "Yeah! That's right, it's all over now. Gimme somethin of value! And I don't want no gold either!" he warns.
People prey on the rich, but rich doesn't mean money. Heh, not at all, or I wouldn't of even been given a second glance. If you're rich, that means you have food, clothing, and possibly even shelter.
"I have nothing to give. And I will not strip naked for you." I respond to the theif. "Then your blood will spill!" he tells me. I smack the knife out of his hand and walk away. No reason to kill him, he was just trying to survive.
"FUCKIN A!" I hear him scream. "Don't tell me you don't have shit to give!" he yells as he picks up his knife. "Rich men have shit to give damn you! I've got a fuckin family and we're all starvin and cold, and you say you don't have jack shit to give!" I stop walking and remove my sword and its sheath from my coat.
"Here." I take off my coat and throw it at him. He looks at me surprised for a second, and then runs off. I attatch my sword sheath to my belt. Maybe that coat will give someone some warmth tonight. I can get another.
I continue walking down the street. People stare after me from the shadows. Probably because I'm clean, clothed, and armed.
"Mighty nice sword you have there." some woman comments. "Thank you." "I'll trade you for it." she offers. Occasionally, people can locate the 'true rich', who still have homes and will trade out food, clothing, or shelter for other possessions, like my sword.
"No thanks." I reply, but then she pulls out a gun. I stare at her as she pushes the gun barrel to my temple. "Now gimme the sword. I tried to be nice and trade." I just stare at her. We remain in this position for a while.
"Aw fuck it, the gun's empty anyway…" she pulls back. "But I need that sword of yours 'cause I know some guy who's into swords and…" "I understand. But this sword means a lot to me." I respond. The woman nods in understanding and goes away.
As I walk around, no one else bothers me. But I see more evidence of the two androids' damage to this world. People weep, mourn, curse, mug, and scrape around for anything they can survive off of.
People have lost all hope over the years. No one bothers to rebuild anymore, since all previous attempts have been destroyed by the androids. Besides, now everyone has drifted apart, they're all separate from one another. It's the 'all for me and screw the rest' train of thought nowadays.
People have forgotten people like Gohan, like Trunks, and even myself, who had worked to save this world, and still do. Six years ago, I remember how everyone flocked around me when they recognized who I was. They all treated Gohan and Trunks as their saviors. But now… now we only live in fairy tales.
Humanity lives on, but now as animals, scraping the ground for leftovers and pulling their claws on one another over those leftovers.
I should bring Trunks around to a city like this some day, just so he can see what it's like. Bulma too. Oh sure, they go to Hope City often enough, but that's nothing in comparison. Capsule Corporation helps out Hope City directly. The people of Hope City, while still living a rough life, don't have to worry about shelter, or clothing, or food. They only have to worry about plumbing, weather, and other such things. Those people only deal with inconveniences, but these people can't even worry over such frivolous things as plumbing and weather. They're too busy trying to survive. Hope City and places like this are like two separate worlds.
Trunks and Bulma have never seen places like this, they have no idea. They should have an idea of how bad this world gets, before they try and fix it. That way, they know everything they need to fix.
Hmm… I've been walking around for a long while, and it's getting dark. I think I'll find a place to sleep.
Looking around, I fly up to the top of a building quickly, where no one can reach me. I know these people just want to survive, but I don't want to wake up naked tomorrow morning.
Chapter 73
I wake up extremely cold. That's the downside of sleeping outside, you wake up very cold. I get up and move around to warm myself up. The city wakes itself up for another dreary day.
I leap down and walk around some more. No reason to hurry back to Kami's Palace, I don't expect Trunks will be back shortly. But I suppose I'll go back to Kami's Palace some time later today.
As I walk, I see a large group of people praying to their lord. If they only knew that Kami, or God, is dead. Religion… it is a strange trait of humanity. They lose faith in themselves and give up on living, but they will never forget their lord. Maybe it is one of the few things that holds them together. It seems to help them remain sane, somehow. I continue walking.
"HAHAHAHA!" someone laughs. Four people in a car drive down the street, shooting and running over everyone else. Idiots…
Then again, there may not be much to live for anyway. But it still pisses me off. I leap onto the car and decapitate the driver. "What the hell!" one of the morons screams in confusion as the car slams into a large pile of rubble.
"There!" the remaining three spray bullets in my direction, but I fly forward and shove my left arm right through the chest of another fool.
"RUN AWAY!" the smartest idiot screams and the last two scatter. I shoot a beam through one, and fling my sword into the last one. This type of stupidity sickens me. They just run around and kill people, people that have worked so hard to survive. If they really wanted to die, they would have killed themselves long ago. My sword flies back into my hands.
Everyone goes on with their lives as if nothing had happened. I don't bother trying to get the blood off of my arm, there's nothing to wash away the blood with. But I do wipe the blood off of my sword using my right pants leg.
I know why the twin androids let Trunks and I live. Killing humans is far too easy… and boring.
For some reason, I glance back at the four I had killed. Their weapons and clothes have already been taken. I shrug and walk off.
For the rest of the morning, and a little into the afternoon, I wander around in the city. Then I fly back to Kami's Palace. I'd estimate it's about 3:00 PM.
I find Trunks walking around Kami's Palace. "I hadn't figured you'd already be back." I comment as I land. "There you are! I was waiting for you." Trunks informs me. "Hey, we're on vacation. I'm allowed to wander about. How long have you been here?" "Not long." he responds.
"So where'd you go?" he asks me. "I was just walking about in a random city." "Ah… how bad was it?" "Pretty bad. You'd be surprised, Trunks." I tell him.
Trunks looks thoughtful for a moment. "What should I tell Kassan?" he asks me. I shrug. "Come on, you've got to have an idea." "It's your problem, not mine." "What!" Trunks yells. "What, did you think I was joking when I said you're going to be the one who explains what we did?" I ask with a small chuckle.
"Hey, where's your jacket? And why do you have blood on your arm?" Trunks inquires of me. "I gave away my coat." "I thought it was your favorite." "It can be replaced." I shrug. "What about the blood?" "I killed four idiots." "What! We're supposed to be saving these people!" he protests. "Those four idiots were driving around killing everyone. They got what they deserved." I respond emotionlessly.
"Uh… #9?" "Yes?" "You do know I'm going to just tell the truth, right?" I shrug. "That's fine, it won't be my ass on the line." I say without care. "You told her about the vacation idea…" Trunks mentions. "Yes, and we went on a vacation. I told nothing but the truth. If she disapproves about what YOU did, I can't be held liable." I tell him. "Let's go then." Trunks says, and we go back to Capsule Corporation.
I kick back in the living room as Trunks goes and finds Bulma. I hear some yelling, and then Bulma storms out. "What's all this about?" "What's all what about?" I ask. "What Trunks told me was doing." "I don't know, it's his personal life, not mine." "What was that you said about 'vacationing'?" "What about it? We went on a vacation. Trunks and I went our separate ways. I don't know what he did, nor do I care to know." I tell her.
"How do you think I feel about this!" Bulma screams at me. "I don't know damnit. I wasn't involved in whatever he did that was so horrible." I respond.
"He was off all this time with a girl…" "That's nice Bulma. Not to mention a pretty stupid thing to get all worked up over." I say. "ARGH!" Bulma walks off.
"Trunks! Come here!" Bulma orders from the kitchen. Trunks leaves. Noticing how very comfortable this couch is, I fall asleep.
A while later I wake up from my quick nap. Deciding I should change my clothes, I go to my room. After rummaging around my closet, I find an exact copy of my tan trenchcoat. I change my pants, put on my coat, and leave my room.
I run across Bulma. She seems to have cooled down. "Gotten over it yet, Bulma?" "Sort of. But still…" "Why does it matter?" "I guess I overreacted." she admits.
"Ah well… what did you do?" Bulma asks me as we go into the living room. "I just wandered around in some city?" "Which one?" "I don't know, I just went to a city at random." "Oh. How was the city?" she inquires as we sit on the living room couches.
"Pretty torn up. Poverty stricken, total anarchy, no food, no shelter, everyone in rags. It's much worse than Hope City is." I tell her. Bulma looks at the floor, her face stricken with sadness. "How long will this go on #9?" "Until Trunks and I can kill those two androids." I respond.
"Why didn't you turn out like that?" she asks me. "Like the twin androids?" "Yes." "Because I'm an expermimental android. When I was activated, my past life still had influence on me. That means I still have some morals. Those two are different, their minds were probably totally cleared and they had no concept of morals." I explain to her.
We then continue to talk of the world and androids…
Chapter 74
Many months pass…
The androids pass by occasionally, but their attacks haven't been as frequent. It gives us time to recuperate, time to prepare. I am glad for it.
Trunks and I have both improved. I am now at 6,675,000 and Trunks is at 5,550,000. We'd get even stronger, but we haven't been really fighting the two androids.
Trunks brought his girlfriend over too. Nice person, really. But I think I freak her out, heh. But she doesn't seem like an idiot, which is what I'm mostly glad for. I have a strong distaste for morons who don't even have common sense. Like the four I killed in that city.
I never picked up that girl's name though, but no matter. She has black hair and a nice figure, Trunks picked well. Reminds me of #8. Bulma seems to like the girl enough.
"The time machine is charging up faster than I thought." Bulma was telling me. "It might even be done in a few more days." Bulma says. "You're shitting me? In a few days?" "Yeah." she confirms with pride in her voice. "Actually, if you help me, I might even get it charged up today!" she informs me. "I'll help then." I reply quickly. We both go to her workroom.
"Okay, I want you to grab those two wires…" I pick up the wires she points at. "Grab the metal handles." I do so. "Now charge some energy into it, but slowly!" she orders. I start channeling ki into the wires carefully.
"IT'S WORKING!" she yells in triumph. "Charge it a bit faster!" I obey. Within some hours, it's fully charged.
"I can't believe it worked!" Bulma exclaims. I grin. "I'll get Trunks." I tell her and leave.
I knock on Trunks' door. "What?" "Come out Trunks." "Not now…" "It's important." I tell him. "Can't it wait?" "Actually, I would think you couldn't wait, considering what Bulma has to show you." "Fine…" I hear some movement and Trunks opens the door. His girlfriend follows.
"This way Trunks." I beckon, ignoring the obvious. Trunks follows, a bit annoyed and so does his girlfriend.
"There you are Trunks!" Bulma greets. "What is it Kassan?" he asks. "The time machine is fully charged!" Bulma answers with glee. Trunks's jaw drops. "Now do you think this info was worth it?" I ask, but I get no reply. Trunk's girl isn't completely surprised, Bulma must have bragged to her about it.
"When could I leave?" he asks finally. "As soon as you want." Bulma answers him. "I have some things to do first." Trunks tells Bulma. He and his girlfriend leave.
"Are you going with him?" Bulma asks me. "Nope." "Why not?" "There needs to be someone here if the androids attack." I reply. Bulma nods in agreement. "How long do you plan to have him go?" I ask Bulma. "He told me before that he was planning on one year." she tells me.
A hour or so later…
Trunks boards the machine for the second time. "Take care!" Bulma greets. "Don't screw up!" I yell at him. His girlfriend waves at him sadly. Then the machine disappears.
Trunks' girl leaves Capsule Corporation shortly.
"Well, he better come back much stronger. Or I'm going make him pay during training." I tell Bulma, who smiles. We go in the living room and take seats.
"How's Chichi doing?" I ask. "She's not all that well. Goku and Gohan's deaths really hit her hard. I don't know if she'll ever recover…" Bulma answers sadly.
"I've always been wondering, exactly how old are you #9?" "About 41 years old." Bulma looks at me surprised. "I told you, I age much more slowly than normal humans." "Yes, but it's still surprising…" Bulma mutters. "You're older than I am." "Yes. Looks are deceiving, ne?" "Yes, they are…" Bulma trails off.
"Your life is very interesting, you know. It'd make a good documentary." Bulma says. "One day I might let you do that then." then a thought hits me. "You know, there might be a way to be able to look through my memories with a computer…" I muse aloud.
"Really?" "Probably. But that would most likely tamper with things. It'd only fully work if I were dead or something." I tell her. "Damn, and I thought I had a new project coming too…" Bulma says with mock disappointment. I grin widely.
"Bulma, the day I die, and you're still interested, you can mess around with my android body all you want." I tell her. "You'll probably outlive me." "Maybe. But if I die in battle then, you have my full permission to mess with whatever you find interesting." "Gee, thanks… I think." Bulma responds.