Episode three of the Ancient Empire Saga







Tien scouted through dense rainforest terrain. He recently became aware of Vegeta's power signature. Although weakened, he still lived. He and one other high energy level much different from the natives.



One thing Tien noticed during the first brief battle he participated in when he, 18 and Krillen arrived in this time after touching the diamond anomaly, was that the natives didn't seem to to have the ability to focus their power. Although, they had unbelievable power levels, they used staves that fired energy waves.

They showed no hint of having been trained in any fighting art. They were simply naturally strong and heavy armed. Tien also had noticed that the blast from the strange staffs quickly drained away Krillen's power and left him helpless.



Tien knew from memories he rather not relive that any civilization like this was bound to have soldiers. A chill ran down Tien spine.



Tien's moment of thought was broken by an ear-piercing shockwave, followed by a rush of warm air emanating from the spot where he left 18 and Krillen.



* * * *



Android 18 slept peacefully under the enchanted blossom tree. Her shoulder length blonde hair hung over her face, blocking any flickers of light from interrupting her slumber. She dreamed about when Marron was just a baby and she could hold her in her arms and for the first time really know what love and her won humanity were all about.



Shady matte-skinned figures crept around her. Her scent, like nothing else on this Earth, led the ancient trappers to her. One sharp staff blast disabled her, currents surged through her flesh and circuitry. Small plumes of smoke rose from her chest.





* * * *





Abruptly, Krillen awoke finding himself entombed in the Earth. He remembered a presence, not an individual but a collective spirit, a warm face speaking soothing words to Krillen infusing with the very lifeforce that made the spirit up. There was a multitude of natural energy in this place.



In Krillen's mind's eye he could see it rising from every animal, every plant in the forest, floating in the air as glittering white specks. The energy absorbed into the ground and flowed into Krillen.





A shot. That's what woke Krillen. He remembered now, the diamond, Tien, 18.. but where did all this dirt come from and these...roots?



* * * *





"Hey don't worry about your dad, Trunks. He's a real tough guy." Bulma tried to comfort her son, who had recently felt his father, Vegeta's energy leave the Earth.



"I know, Mom. I just wish I could help."



Trunks looked at Yamcha who lay passed out on the living room couch. Sometimes he wished that guy would quit feeling sorry for himself.



Bulma regained her son's attention "You know, your Grandpa's in there working on a way to find him. He's analyzing data from the temporal anomaly right now. Maybe we can reopen it. Do you want to come help?"

"Sure." She patted her only son on the head.







* * *





The ground rumbled as a bubble grew under the surface. Like a volcano, superheated air broke out of the ground, creating a small crater in the Earth.

Krillen stood inside the crater, floating above the surface. His eyes were glassy as he looked skyward. His long black hair stood straight up on end and ki energy radiated out in every direction. Krillen now was supercharged like never before. He held a strong stance in midair and clenched his fist out in front of him. His face fell forward bringing his six-dotted forehead to bear.





His eyes focused on his fallen Wife, Number 18. She lie just a few feet away prone on the ground. Smoke still rose from her chest. Her eyes were open and blank. Krillen felt great remorse as he thought he had lost his wife forever. A lump formed in his throat and then something different built up in his belly, a rage fueled war cry.



Krillens already turbo- charged aura opened full-throttle. His white energy ripped through the forest, whipping young trees and plants against the forest floor.



The three natives surrounding 18 now trained their staffs on Krillen. Krillen shot a white-hot blast from his palm. The energy wave overloaded the staff's energy draining ability. The natives were naturally strong, their hides much more dense than regular human skin but the magnitude of the blast over came them. They burned were they stood, oxidizing into lumps of sooty black matter that emitted cedar smelling smoke.



Krillen stood still in the forest's whispering breeze, his long black hair swayed. Wood chip aroma permeated his senses, it was like funeral incense morning his lost lover. 18 lay motionless before him. He knelt down next to her. A great black stain marred her chest where she had been shot. Krillen placed his hand near it, preparing to say goodbye.



She stirred and her eyes became clear. She sat up. "Krillen, I feel like utter shit." She smiled and leans her head on his thigh.



She reached below her throat and unzipped the front of her shirt. In between her sternum and her left breast a fist-sized pit descended a few centimeters into her skin. Some circuitry was visible and appeared to be shorted and fried.





Krillen realized this was the first time he had actually seen any part of her technological makeup. "Should we remove those loose parts?" He asked innocently.



With a horse voice 18 replied, "No, they will repair themselves. Dr. Gero built me well, just give it a little bit of time. My flesh and blood parts need to recuperate to."



"Take all the time you need, baby." He ran his fingers across a strand of blonde hair. Krillen became aware of 18's left breast still dangling exposed out of her shirt. He thought himself we are all alone, he looked about quickly, just three lumps of soot. He leaned forward to kiss her and they kissed for a long moment.





Krillen heard a noise from behind him. His spine tightened up straight. He turned his head back to take a glance.





Tien marched toward them.





18 struggled to shove her breast back into her shirt and zip it up. She just barely managed to secure her bosom when Tien appeared from behind her husband.





"Krillen, what happened here?" Tien asked, " You look so much better and 18 doesn't look so well. In fact look like a brand new person, Krillen."



"Don't you ever knock?" Krillen frowned crossing his arms and leaning against the tree.