(AN: Hiya folks! I hope you enjoyed the last chapter. Sorry about the font being messed up. It was the first time I had used html to save it as... *hangs head* Oh well. Anyway, thank you for all your nice reviews and... dang, I know Krillin doesn't have a nose. *smacks forehead* I meant to say 'where his nose would be'. My bad. Heh. I always mess up on at least one thing per chapter, don't I? *shrugs* Oh well. Anyway, in this chapter explains why Krillin and Juunanagou keep shooting ki blasts at each other, and where the hell Mirai is... *smirks* Also, in this little dimension, Dende stayed short. I like him dwarfish, not tall and weird-sounding...
Sorry if this chapter took a while. First I was at... *drumroll please* OTAKON! Ha! The anime convention! It was fun! Plus I started high school (yay, I'm a lowly freshman!) and everything's chaotic. And then I was halfway through the chapter, and soccer season started, which screwed me over. Three practices per week, an hour to and from, and two hours each, not to mention games on Sundays...
Wait, Pan didn't go SSJ in GT? *looks bewildered* STOP CONFUSING ME!! Argh, well anyway, I'll leave y'all to the chapter with just one comment about Otakon: Chair! Hehe, inside joke.
By the way, this symbol- ~*~ means someone is recalling a memory.
Vegeta's Bastard Son? Sorry, that wasn't Vegeta at the end, but be patient... *grins evilly*
Oh, and sorry if this chapter isn't up to my usual standards. It was hard to write for some reason. I don't know why... And sorry about taking so long. This is a kind of long chapter... *cough* Not really, but it's quite interesting. Well, forget my grumbling, enjoy and ja! ~AC
PS: Remembering the recent tragedies of the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, I want to say that anyone who has lost a loved one who reads this: My family and my own prayers are with you. ~AC)
Chapter Twenty: Dark Memories, Battles, and Old Comrades
Juunanagou and Krillin could have killed each other at the very moment had Goten not leapt between the two and blocked the ki blasts that would have hit them in the chest with his hands.
"Hey!" he yelled at them, his astonishment obvious in his words as the smoke cleared. "What the hell are you two on?" Both ignored him, looking past the half Saiya-jinn to glare at each other.
"Like father, like son," growled the android, shifting his feet, eager to fire off another blast.
"For once, I agree," Krillin snarled, his fingers itching to produce his famous ki move and slice the android in half.
Goten paused, looking even more bewildered. "That wasn't suppose to be a compliment, was it?" The two fighters continued to disregard him, concentrating solely on each other. "Oi!" Looking over at Goku, he questioned in shock, "What on Earth is wrong with them?" Goku shrugged, his dark eyes shifting from one furious face to the other hate-filled one.
"I had no idea twenty years ago, and I still have no clue now," was his puzzled reply. Meanwhile, Jurokugou had joined Goten, and now faced Juunanagou, looking stern and imposing.
"Juun, leave him be. If you want to kill him, you have to wait until after the androids have been destroyed," he informed the dark-haired android bluntly.
"Hopefully you'll be destroyed in the meantime," Krillin muttered under his breath, but Goten heard him.
"What is your problem, Krillin?" he demanded, more than slightly angry at the monk's unusual, hateful attitude. After a pause, Goten threw up his hands in exasperation, shaking his head. "Whatever it is, deal with it later!"
Krillin's only reply was a cold glare in the direction of his deceased wife's brother.
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Completely oblivious to anything outside the Time Chamber, Pan and Bra both drank thirstily from the small fountain they had discovered within the quarters. When both were finished guzzling down the cold clear liquid, they looked at each other.
"Let's get back to training," Pan urged, her eyes lighting up as she thought up a strategy. A smile hovered on Bra's lips.
"Sure. And this time I'm going to kick your butt." Pan snickered.
"Yeah right- Ow!" Her head ringing from the whack, the miffed one-fourth Saiya-jinn bolted after her giggling friend. "I'm going to get you, you jerk!"
Bra's laughter was her only response.
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Finally, Trunks cracked, unable to take the silence any longer.
"HI!" he yelled at the top of his lungs, enjoying the way the older half Saiya-jinn jumped into the air from surprise. As Gohan turned to glare at him, the lavender-haired man beamed in jolly delight. Giggling like a little kid, he bolted past the older man, taking him by consternation once more as he screamed into his ear, "BYE!" With one final chortle, he was gone, vanished into the maze that was Capsule Corporation.
Gohan's eyes narrowed as he spun around again, just in time to see Trunks disappear around the nearest corner. The half Saiya-jinn carefully cracked his knuckles, an evil smiling forming on his lips.
It was time to go Briefs hunting...
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Well, this wasn't exactly going according to plan, was Dende's rather perturbed response to the scene that he had just witnessed. In fact, it wasn't even remotely like the strategy!
If he had been younger, the Namek would have stomped his foot in a temper tantrum. As it was, he voiced his annoyance with his words.
"Juunanagou. Krillin." The god of Earth glared at them when they finally complied and looked over at him. "Come here." Dende put as much steel as he could muster into his speech, and crossed his arms, waiting impatiently as the two scowled and slowly shuffled over to him, taking as long as possible.
Dende was going to set things straight. Even if he had to be a jerk to do it.
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"Where the hell am I?" This time, when Mirai uttered the words, they lacked in anger and held only confusion. The lilac-downed swordsman had his hands on his hips as he peered around. Was this the place Bulma had told him about? Mirai sighed, his blue eyes scanning the empty, wide plain. Hopefully he was on the right planet.
Otherwise he was screwed.
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Goten grinned as he watched Dende berate them as loudly as the tiny god could. Even as he did so, he eyed the Namek. Almost thankfully, Dende hadn't changed much.
He had stayed the same height as always. The keen eyes of the part Saiya-jinn could tell Dende had lost weight, and saw the duller green tone of his flesh. Not to mention the wrinkles that come from frowning too much, and aging.
"You two are going to make up right now!" Dende's voice rose to its peak, and he glared at the partners-in-hatred, his dark eyes glinting with menace.
Goten continued to grin. This new side of Dende was quite amusing, and at least Krillin and Juunanagou had stopped shooting ki blasts at each other.
That was always a plus.
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Bulma's pale face was ashen as she slowly walked from the room, her shoulders knotted from her tension. Damn straight she was neurotic. Goku, Gohan, and just about everyone was going to kill her.
As her footsteps reverberated through the empty hallway, she silently wondered: Was Mirai alive?
All she could do was hope.
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Krillin glared at Dende, glancing at Juunanagou out of the corner of his eyes. He noticed with some satisfaction that the android was scowling just as irately at the Kami of Earth.
What did Dende know? Nothing, that was what. Dende didn't know why the monk loathed his wife's sibling, or why they despised one another. He hadn't even bothered to ask... With a mental sigh, Krillin let himself fall back into memories.
~*~
"Something's wrong at home," were the only words Vegeta stated before the Saiya-jinn Prince lifted off and flew towards Capsule Corporation, where their family, whoever wasn't cryogenically frozen, awaited their return. Krillin had felt it too. Something was wrong with Juhachigou. Terror making his heart accelerate and pound in his ears, the monk launched himself into the skies, close behind Vegeta. The two arrived at the building, seeing in horror that it had been attacked, just in time to meet Goku as he raced from the smoking building. The anguished look and tears staining his cheeks was all the indication Krillin and Vegeta needed.
"Juhachigou," Krillin whispered in horror, and raced into Capsule Corporation.
He raced through the terrifyingly empty hallways, instantly getting himself lost. So he followed the smoke. The soles of his shoes tapping the metal floor in quick, hurried raps, Krillin bolted down the long corridor, and turned the corner to-
Scream his wife's name in one long, horrified wail that rose higher and higher as he viewed the ensanguined scene.
That had been no parts of Capsule Corporation that caused the fumes.
The burning smoke was caused by the bodies of three women he had known, respected, and loved.
Falling to his knees, Krillin's anguished keen echoed through the empty halls.
~*~
The monk shook his head to clear it, realizing Dende was still yelling at them. With a sigh, Krillin forced himself to actually listen.
But he would never acquit Juunanagou for not being there to protect Juhachigou.
Just like he would never forgive himself.
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Juunanagou struggled not to yawn as the tiny god continued to rant on about 'being allies' and the like. Inwardly, the android snorted. He would never again be allies with Krillin. Ever.
But if only he could change the reason why he loathed the monk so...
~*~
Juunanagou knew instantly the second his sister was dead. And so did Jurokugou, whose usually calm face twisted in horror and distress.
"Juunanagou..." was the breathed whisper of disbelief from the hermit. "Juhachigou... She's..." The red-haired giant couldn't say it, and choked up, ignoring the worried mews of the kitten he had found, who was attempting to cheer him by licking his thumb with her small, red tongue.
As his companion dissolved into tears, Juunanagou stared into the roaring fireplace, the only two things in his mind being the image of his lovely sister and the single question that he knew would plague him for the rest of his existence.
Where was her cherished Krillin the monk to save her?
As Jurokugou sat, rocked, and sobbed, and the kitten mewled desperately, Juunanagou began to plot a way for his sister's husband to die.
~*~
The enmity swelling in his breast at the memory, Juunanagou turned slightly to flash a glare venomously at the aforementioned monk. Who didn't notice, his eyes focused on the still tirading Namek.
As soon as the war was over, Krillin, father of Marron, was going to cease to exist.
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"... now do you two agree to be allies during the war?" Dende finished, out of breath. He wheezed slightly as he scowled at them. They, naturally, scowled back.
"During the war," Krillin said, rather pointedly. Juunanagou's full lips curled in a sneer.
"Agreed." Dende clapped his hands together, quite proud of himself. What a difference a scant twenty minute long speech made. Of course, the miniature god didn't notice the hidden meanings in the two's agreement.
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"Well, I'm glad that's over!" Goku declared cheerfully. "What does everyone want to do next?"
"How about you put me down on the ground?" Rayne's voice was extremely sarcastic as the Saiya-jinn blinked, then grinned sheepishly. The Sirec girl had been dangling from his grip the entire speech.
"Sorry," he apologized, setting her gently on her own feet. Whereupon she immediately stomped over to Jurokugou.
"Won't bite, my ass. That creature should be killed! It's bloodthirsty!" she growled, much to Goku, Juunanagou, Jurokugou, and Dende's amusement. Well, Juunanagou merely smirked at her inanity, but the other three snickered. The only ones who wasn't amused were Krillin and Goten. The half Saiya-jinn looked bewildered, and Krillin simply raised an eyebrow in question.
Noticing the eyebrow, Rayne turned to show him her wrist, fingers, and indicate her ear as an explanation. At which point Krillin joined Juunanagou in smirking.
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Trunks bolted down the corridor, his bright blue eyes scanning the hallway as he ran. He narrowly missed being hit in the face with a door and paused in his escape to beam at his mother, who peered at him in hindered surprise.
"Hi!" he said cheerfully, not noticing her stricken look.
"Trunks?" His mother eyed his dopey grin a trifle warily. With that grin, he looked exactly like Goku on a sugar-high...
"Bye! I'm hiding from Gohan," Trunks informed her cheerily, then proceeded to skip away before she could reply. The thoughts of Mirai vanished from her mind for the moment, Bulma watched her son depart, then turned to see Gohan at the end of the corridor, holding an enormous net in his hands and looking like a jungle hunter out of the Jungle Book.
"I'm not going to ask," she sighed and turned, closing the door behind her and heading back to the hidden room.
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Thud! Thud! Thud! The thumping continued as Bra pounded away at the invisible barrier that had suddenly sprung up between her and Pan, blocking her from both her friend and the counterfeit Kami's Lookout.
"What the hell is wrong with this place?" she yelled, slamming her already sore fists once more into the obstruction and growing angrier as nothing happened.
"I have no clue!" Pan yelled back, although she knew she didn't have to scream, aiming a kick at the barrier. To her surprise, her foot didn't connect. Well, it did connect with something: Bra's shin.
"Ow!"
"Sorry- Ow!" Pan had leaned forward to apologize and support her friend, when her forehead had slammed into the invisible barrier that had decided to harden once more.
One holding her shin and the other her head, the two glared at thin air.
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"Say, where's Gohan and Trunks?" Goku questioned, looking around. Goten and Krillin shrugged, but the former flushed in embarrassment. Catching the reddening of his face, Rayne began to grin quite evilly.
"Teasing you about Bra again, eh?" she said knowingly, a shrewd glint in her dark brown eyes.
"Shut up!" Goten's face turned redder as Goku and Krillin laughed. "I don't like her!"
"Goten and Bra kissing in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes-" Rayne didn't get a chance to finish as Goten tackled her and sent her flying. Apparently harder than he had planned, for the girl went flying several feet before being stopped by a fire hydrant.
"Ow..."
"Sorry," Goten uttered sheepishly, and went to help her up.
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The net's handle clenched tightly in his fists, Goku's oldest son looked around the hall, looking pensive as he did so.
"Now, where would I be if I were a caffeine-high Trunks?" Gohan mused to himself, having lost track of the man a few minutes before. His eyes narrowed in thought. At a brief pause, he realized his terrible mistake. "Damn, the coffee machine!" Appalled at the idea of Trunks getting more caffeine into his veins, he spun and bolted in the direction of the infamous device, hoping he wasn't too late.
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"Damn, damn, damn!"
"Bra, I don't think cursing is going to help," Pan calmly pointed out, holding an ice pack to her bruising forehead. Bra rolled her eyes, glowering gloomily at her compatriot.
"Look who's talking, Miss I Get Ice Because I'm Not Trapped Outside Kami's Lookout." Bra's utterances were caustic enough for the two of them.
"I think it's be easier to call me Miss IGIBINTOKL, wouldn't it?" Pan's reply was sickeningly sweet and innocent as she struggled not to laugh.
If looks could kill, not even the dragon balls would've been able to save Pan, for she would have been dead several times over.
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"Dum de dum... La..."
Trunks hummed to himself as the coffee machine rumbled, dancing from one side of the room to the other. The door was safely locked and barred by a table. The lavender-haired wonder grinned to himself, rubbing his hands together gleefully.
Now there was no one to stop him from drinking more lovely coffee and force him to be quiet when he didn't want to...
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"Are you all right?" Goten asked, brushing her off and helping her upright. Rayne shrugged, rubbing her sore back and knowing that already a bruise was forming.
"I'm going to a masseuse as soon as I can."
"A masseuse?" The half Saiya-jinn looked blank as Rayne raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. A massage therapist?" The dumb look on Goten's face cleared, and he grinned.
"I know what that is!" he announced, sounding pleased with himself. In return, Rayne rolled her eyes.
"We're all so proud, milord," she sighed, running her uninjured hand through her messy hair. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to take a long, hot bath." Not waiting for a reply, the Sirec girl walked into Capsule Corporation and left them all outside.
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At the same time Bra cursed in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Gohan uttered impieties in Capsule Corporation, banging on the door loudly and fiercely.
"Let me in, Trunks!" he roared, slamming his fist into the wooden door once more. He truly didn't want to break down the door, but he would if he had to.
"Never!" Trunks sang out gaily, followed by a giggle. Gohan growled and mumbled more curse words under his breath as he continued to pound away at the door.
"Let me in, damn it!"
"Not if you're going to curse!"
"Do you want me to break the door down, boy?" The chime that signaled the readiness of the coffee was the first reply, then a delighted Trunks did as the sound of pouring liquid met the elder man's ears.
"You wouldn't-" The shattering of the door frame silenced Trunks's words, and he grinned rather doubtfully at Gohan as the older man kicked the table aside.
"Er, coffee?" he suggested brightly, holding a steaming cup towards the oldest son of Goku and Chi-Chi.
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Goku and Krillin looked at each other for a long moment, then burst into evil smiles as they raced for the Capsule Corporation entrance, yelling over their shoulders at the enraged dark-haired youth, "Goten and Bra kissing in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes babies in the baby carriage!"
"Shut up!" was Goten's scream, and the two friends laughed like schoolchildren before disappearing into the building, Goku's son hot on their heels and murder in his eyes.
Jurokugou, Juunanagou, and Dende watched them go, all three raising their eyebrows.
"I hope it isn't always like this," sneered Juunanagou finally, beginning his leisurely stroll to enter Capsule Corporation. Jurokugou hid a smile, but nodded agreement as he followed his friend.
"I don't think it is," Dende assured them, but his tone was extremely doubtful.
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"No." Gohan's answer was flat as he knocked the cup from Trunks's hand, watching the coffee spill onto the younger man's shoes as the mug shattered on the floor.
"That's hot!" Trunks yelped, scrambling backwards as hot thick steam rose from the ground.
"Of course," Gohan replied, before throwing the entire coffeepot at Trunks's head. The younger half Saiya-jinn yelled in shock and dived to the floor beside Gohan's feet as coffee flew everywhere. A couple drops hit the face of Goku's son, and he winced slightly. It was blisteringly warm, was his thought as he wiped the brown fluid from his face.
"My coffee..." Trunks whined, and Gohan automatically kicked him.
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Mirai studied the inside of the teleportation ship carefully, and finally spotted what he had been looking for. A microphone to talk to home base with. Grinning with triumph, the swordsman snatched it up and yelled the first thing that came into his head.
"MOM! WHERE THE BLOODY HELL AM I?"
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Rayne limped down the hallway, growling under her breath about stupid fire hydrants when she heard someone whining.
"But that was my coffee..." Why was Trunks whining? Her curiosity getting the better of her, she turned and peered into the room, which was fairly easy to do considering the fact that the door was on the floor.
She looked inside just in time to see Gohan, who held a net that looked like it could hold a gorilla, kick Trunks, who was curled in a ball on the floor, in the side. The entire far wall was covered with brown liquid... The smell hit her nose and she nearly gagged. She hated the smell of coffee.
Holding her nose, Rayne hurried from the doorway to her long waited for bath. For once, she really didn't want to know.
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Bulma had just entered the hidden room in time to hear Mirai's yell. A ecstatic smile forming on her face, she snatched up a microphone identical to the one Mirai was holding. Behind her, Li-Won and Marron gave each other high-five's.
"You're exactly where you need to be," she informed him jubilantly.
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The wave of uneasiness hit both of the old warriors at the same time, and their laughter and step faltered. Goten had taken two steps closer to them when he was rocked by the same sensation, and he froze.
"Goku-" Krillin began, but Goku had already vanished, his form flickering from alongside his best friend and to appear at his oldest friend's side.
"Bulma," he said seriously, not noticing her surprise and nervousness or the way she clenched the microphone guiltily. "Where are the androids?" The scientist pulled a small calculator-like object from her pocket, and punched something in. Her eyes narrowed in concern before she looked up, all color draining from her previously flushed face.
"The now two least powerful are only three blocks away," she informed him. Instantly Goku was gone, off to gather his family and fellow fighters to protect their haven.
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Trunks leapt from the floor, instantaneously forgetting about the coffee. The caffeine changed to adrenaline, and his eyes flared emerald. He turned and dashed after Gohan, who had already disappeared down the hallway in the direction of the exit, his Super Saiya-jinn glow filling the hallways as he ran.
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Juunanagou and Jurokugou had just entered the door when they both looked up, eyes narrowed.
"They're coming," Jurokugou stated unhappily, his shoulders slumping at the idea of more bloodshed.
"I'm going to kill them," his friend affirmed evenly, and was off before Dende and the other android could stop him.
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Bulma gripped the microphone so tightly her knuckles went white.
"What do you mean, where I need to be? Am I in the right place or not?" Mirai's voice was loud and clear through the speakers. Forcing herself to believe that Goku could handle the androids, she placed a smile onto her face and cheerfulness into her voice as she replied.
"Undoubtedly, you are."
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"Come on," were the only words Goku said as he grabbed Krillin and Goten by the arm.
"How-" Goten began, but at that point they were gone.
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Mirai raised an eyebrow at Bulma's not-so-helpful affirmations, and scratched the back of his head thoughtfully.
"Oh, okay. I guess I don't need your help then. So long," he commented blithely, and turned to leave the ship, ignoring her protests. Standing at the edge of the ship's exit, he peered around the empty scenery, feeling the warm rays of the suns heat his visage.
The place was exactly as Bulma had described it, he thought with a proud grin. Now all he had to do was find Goku's old friends, and he'd be set.
Whistling a merry tune to himself, the swordsman leapt skyward, heading in the direction of the strongest and luckily nearest ki.
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"I'm going to kill you," Juunanagou enlightened the two androids flatly, his pale eyes blazing with hatred. The two humanoids gave each other both amused and mystified looks, then simultaneously shrugged.
"Should we just kill him now, Hanic? Or do you want to play with him?" drawled Automa, raising an eyebrow. The other android smirked in reply, and clenched his fists eagerly as his blue eyes danced with zealous anticipation.
"I'll take him," he stated softly, and before Juunanagou could even raise his fists, the male android was on him.
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"So..." Pan trailed off, at a loss for words. Then slowly her eyes brightened and an evil smirk formed on her lips. Bra's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"What are you thinking?" Pan tilted her head to the side and smiled a little too sweetly.
"What do you think of Goten?" The question hung in the air as Bra glared.
"Shut up."
"But you didn't answer my question," Pan persisted relentlessly, folding her arms against her chest.
"I don't have to answer your question."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't want to insult your uncle," Bra asserted evenly. Her friend rolled her eyes.
"I don't think you're going to insult him by saying you like him, B-chan." To her own complete annoyance, Bra flushed bright red.
"I don't like him!" she roared, glaring daggers at her "friend". Pan snickered.
"That's a load of BS. You like him a lot!"
"As much as you like Trunks?" Bra suggested in the same sugary tone Pan had used.
"Shut up."
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Goten and Krillin blinked in astonishment at the scene before them. A male android was holding Juunanagou by the throat, looking coldly amused as he kicked and struggled.
"His face is quite blue, isn't it?" the male commented to the android Automa. She nodded, looking on in malicious delight. The three obviously hadn't seen the three newcomers yet.
"Let's get them!" Goten growled, and Automa looked their way just in time to see three blazing gold forms launch themselves forward.
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Neither Gohan nor Trunks stopped to wonder when Juunanagou had gotten there. At the same time Goku, Goten and Krillin flew at the androids from one side, those two propelled themselves from the opposite side, bellowing war cries.
Juunanagou was dumped unceremoniously on the ground as the five Saiya-jinn attacked.
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Mirai landed softly on the bright green grass, a broad smile on his face as the gathering mass turned to view him curiously.
"Hiya!" he said cheerfully, waving at them all. Uncertainly, some of the younger ones waved back. "I'm Mirai, a friend of Goku's!" At that, all suspicion vanished, and the entire group beamed at him.
"Goku? Did he come with you?" one of the older ones questioned hopefully, his dark eyes searching Mirai's face. At that, most of the merriness in the swordsman's face vanished.
"There's trouble on Earth," he said solemnly.
"What sort of trouble?" asked the same individual anxiously.
"Androids. Most of the Earth's Fighters are dead, and their families. Tien, Chaozu, Yamucha, Vegeta, Piccolo."
"Piccolo? He was murdered? We knew he had died, but we didn't..." The individual trailed off as Mirai slowly shook his head.
"There are three androids left, but they're all powerful. Especially the strongest one. Goku told me..." He paused, then shook his head. "We need your help. Goku needs your help. They killed his wife."
"We shall do anything you wish, but there's one thing I must ask you," the leader of the group said, his voice low and deep.
"What's that?"
"Did you say Vegeta's dead?" Mirai eyed them suspiciously. Bulma had told him of their dislike of his father. Were they planning to celebrate?
"Yes," he said at last. "He died around seventeen years ago."
"Oh really?" said the leader, looking slightly amused. "Well, according to my senses, he's alive and well, as always has been."
Mirai just gaped at the Eldest of New Namek in disbelief.
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"Maybe that wasn't such a good idea," Goten commented from his position on the crowd, blood trickling from the large gash on his right cheek. "Attacking them, I mean."
"No shit, Goten," sighed Trunks from the dust where he lay sprawled face-first, the caffeine having long since worn off. Goku was too busy attempting to move to reply, and Gohan and Krillin lay pinned by a collapsed building, both unconscious. The androids both chuckled with jocundity.
"Do you think we should kill them, Hanic?" Automa questioned coldly, carelessly scanning the five crumpled figures. She didn't even notice Juunanagou until he was fairly breathing on her neck. Or at least she didn't seem to. As the brother of Juhachigou raised a fist to strike her from behind, she emotionlessly elbowed him in the gut, then slammed him into the earth as he doubled over with a surprised gasp. "I'm a bit bored."
"So am I," commented Hanic, equally icily. His apathetic gaze fell upon the nearest body. Who just happened to be Trunks. A cold smirk forming on his face, the android knelt beside the lavender-haired man's still form. "Time to amuse me, kid."
"I'm forty-six years old, asshole," Trunks responded, rolling onto his back to throw a punch at the android's face. Hanic laughed nastily as he easily ducked it, and sent Trunks flying back to the earth with a sharp slap to the face.
"Trunks," Goten protested, struggling to his knees.
"How cute," sneered Automa, strolling over to the laboring fighter. "Trying to save his friend." As the words hung in the air, she calmly yanked him to his feet by his hair. "Too bad no one's going to save you."
"I'm sure going to try!" came the fierce growl, and Goku leapt from the ground to lunge at her. With a careless laugh, she stopped his assault with a hard blow to his jaw. As his father slammed into the nearest building, Goten lashed out with all he had against the android, but to no avail.
"You can kill yours first," she called over to Hanic, who nodded, dragging Trunks to his feet by his collar.
Looking down at the still struggling man, he explained almost confidingly, "This is going to hurt, boy." In answer, Trunks spat in his face. Wiping the liquid from his face, Hanic looked relatively amused.
"Now you die." With that, the android grabbed Trunks's jaw and started the movement that would snap his neck.
"I don't think so," a cold voice announced, and suddenly Hanic was sent flying. Blinking in confusion, Trunks turned to thank his savior, and found himself staring.
Noticing the stare, his rescuer nodded back, dark eyes meeting amazed wondering bright ones.
"You've been training them, haven't you Kakarrot? That has to be the reason why my son is letting himself get killed," Vegeta, Prince of the Saiya-jinn, commented with his trademark smirk.
All Goku could do was smile as he struggled to his feet and launched himself at the other Saiya-jinn to crush him in a hug.
(AN: There you go, Vegeta's Bastard Son! I hope that was a good enough entrance for you. Veggie-chan! Yay! And he's gonna have to fight the urge to beat Goku up after giving him a hug so he can kick some android butt. I'll also explain exactly where he's been for the past seventeen freaking years. Well, remember: after you read, you review! I hope you all enjoyed this latest addition of Watashi! Ja! ~AC)
Sorry if this chapter took a while. First I was at... *drumroll please* OTAKON! Ha! The anime convention! It was fun! Plus I started high school (yay, I'm a lowly freshman!) and everything's chaotic. And then I was halfway through the chapter, and soccer season started, which screwed me over. Three practices per week, an hour to and from, and two hours each, not to mention games on Sundays...
Wait, Pan didn't go SSJ in GT? *looks bewildered* STOP CONFUSING ME!! Argh, well anyway, I'll leave y'all to the chapter with just one comment about Otakon: Chair! Hehe, inside joke.
By the way, this symbol- ~*~ means someone is recalling a memory.
Vegeta's Bastard Son? Sorry, that wasn't Vegeta at the end, but be patient... *grins evilly*
Oh, and sorry if this chapter isn't up to my usual standards. It was hard to write for some reason. I don't know why... And sorry about taking so long. This is a kind of long chapter... *cough* Not really, but it's quite interesting. Well, forget my grumbling, enjoy and ja! ~AC
PS: Remembering the recent tragedies of the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, I want to say that anyone who has lost a loved one who reads this: My family and my own prayers are with you. ~AC)
Chapter Twenty: Dark Memories, Battles, and Old Comrades
Juunanagou and Krillin could have killed each other at the very moment had Goten not leapt between the two and blocked the ki blasts that would have hit them in the chest with his hands.
"Hey!" he yelled at them, his astonishment obvious in his words as the smoke cleared. "What the hell are you two on?" Both ignored him, looking past the half Saiya-jinn to glare at each other.
"Like father, like son," growled the android, shifting his feet, eager to fire off another blast.
"For once, I agree," Krillin snarled, his fingers itching to produce his famous ki move and slice the android in half.
Goten paused, looking even more bewildered. "That wasn't suppose to be a compliment, was it?" The two fighters continued to disregard him, concentrating solely on each other. "Oi!" Looking over at Goku, he questioned in shock, "What on Earth is wrong with them?" Goku shrugged, his dark eyes shifting from one furious face to the other hate-filled one.
"I had no idea twenty years ago, and I still have no clue now," was his puzzled reply. Meanwhile, Jurokugou had joined Goten, and now faced Juunanagou, looking stern and imposing.
"Juun, leave him be. If you want to kill him, you have to wait until after the androids have been destroyed," he informed the dark-haired android bluntly.
"Hopefully you'll be destroyed in the meantime," Krillin muttered under his breath, but Goten heard him.
"What is your problem, Krillin?" he demanded, more than slightly angry at the monk's unusual, hateful attitude. After a pause, Goten threw up his hands in exasperation, shaking his head. "Whatever it is, deal with it later!"
Krillin's only reply was a cold glare in the direction of his deceased wife's brother.
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Completely oblivious to anything outside the Time Chamber, Pan and Bra both drank thirstily from the small fountain they had discovered within the quarters. When both were finished guzzling down the cold clear liquid, they looked at each other.
"Let's get back to training," Pan urged, her eyes lighting up as she thought up a strategy. A smile hovered on Bra's lips.
"Sure. And this time I'm going to kick your butt." Pan snickered.
"Yeah right- Ow!" Her head ringing from the whack, the miffed one-fourth Saiya-jinn bolted after her giggling friend. "I'm going to get you, you jerk!"
Bra's laughter was her only response.
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Finally, Trunks cracked, unable to take the silence any longer.
"HI!" he yelled at the top of his lungs, enjoying the way the older half Saiya-jinn jumped into the air from surprise. As Gohan turned to glare at him, the lavender-haired man beamed in jolly delight. Giggling like a little kid, he bolted past the older man, taking him by consternation once more as he screamed into his ear, "BYE!" With one final chortle, he was gone, vanished into the maze that was Capsule Corporation.
Gohan's eyes narrowed as he spun around again, just in time to see Trunks disappear around the nearest corner. The half Saiya-jinn carefully cracked his knuckles, an evil smiling forming on his lips.
It was time to go Briefs hunting...
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Well, this wasn't exactly going according to plan, was Dende's rather perturbed response to the scene that he had just witnessed. In fact, it wasn't even remotely like the strategy!
If he had been younger, the Namek would have stomped his foot in a temper tantrum. As it was, he voiced his annoyance with his words.
"Juunanagou. Krillin." The god of Earth glared at them when they finally complied and looked over at him. "Come here." Dende put as much steel as he could muster into his speech, and crossed his arms, waiting impatiently as the two scowled and slowly shuffled over to him, taking as long as possible.
Dende was going to set things straight. Even if he had to be a jerk to do it.
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"Where the hell am I?" This time, when Mirai uttered the words, they lacked in anger and held only confusion. The lilac-downed swordsman had his hands on his hips as he peered around. Was this the place Bulma had told him about? Mirai sighed, his blue eyes scanning the empty, wide plain. Hopefully he was on the right planet.
Otherwise he was screwed.
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Goten grinned as he watched Dende berate them as loudly as the tiny god could. Even as he did so, he eyed the Namek. Almost thankfully, Dende hadn't changed much.
He had stayed the same height as always. The keen eyes of the part Saiya-jinn could tell Dende had lost weight, and saw the duller green tone of his flesh. Not to mention the wrinkles that come from frowning too much, and aging.
"You two are going to make up right now!" Dende's voice rose to its peak, and he glared at the partners-in-hatred, his dark eyes glinting with menace.
Goten continued to grin. This new side of Dende was quite amusing, and at least Krillin and Juunanagou had stopped shooting ki blasts at each other.
That was always a plus.
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Bulma's pale face was ashen as she slowly walked from the room, her shoulders knotted from her tension. Damn straight she was neurotic. Goku, Gohan, and just about everyone was going to kill her.
As her footsteps reverberated through the empty hallway, she silently wondered: Was Mirai alive?
All she could do was hope.
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Krillin glared at Dende, glancing at Juunanagou out of the corner of his eyes. He noticed with some satisfaction that the android was scowling just as irately at the Kami of Earth.
What did Dende know? Nothing, that was what. Dende didn't know why the monk loathed his wife's sibling, or why they despised one another. He hadn't even bothered to ask... With a mental sigh, Krillin let himself fall back into memories.
~*~
"Something's wrong at home," were the only words Vegeta stated before the Saiya-jinn Prince lifted off and flew towards Capsule Corporation, where their family, whoever wasn't cryogenically frozen, awaited their return. Krillin had felt it too. Something was wrong with Juhachigou. Terror making his heart accelerate and pound in his ears, the monk launched himself into the skies, close behind Vegeta. The two arrived at the building, seeing in horror that it had been attacked, just in time to meet Goku as he raced from the smoking building. The anguished look and tears staining his cheeks was all the indication Krillin and Vegeta needed.
"Juhachigou," Krillin whispered in horror, and raced into Capsule Corporation.
He raced through the terrifyingly empty hallways, instantly getting himself lost. So he followed the smoke. The soles of his shoes tapping the metal floor in quick, hurried raps, Krillin bolted down the long corridor, and turned the corner to-
Scream his wife's name in one long, horrified wail that rose higher and higher as he viewed the ensanguined scene.
That had been no parts of Capsule Corporation that caused the fumes.
The burning smoke was caused by the bodies of three women he had known, respected, and loved.
Falling to his knees, Krillin's anguished keen echoed through the empty halls.
~*~
The monk shook his head to clear it, realizing Dende was still yelling at them. With a sigh, Krillin forced himself to actually listen.
But he would never acquit Juunanagou for not being there to protect Juhachigou.
Just like he would never forgive himself.
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Juunanagou struggled not to yawn as the tiny god continued to rant on about 'being allies' and the like. Inwardly, the android snorted. He would never again be allies with Krillin. Ever.
But if only he could change the reason why he loathed the monk so...
~*~
Juunanagou knew instantly the second his sister was dead. And so did Jurokugou, whose usually calm face twisted in horror and distress.
"Juunanagou..." was the breathed whisper of disbelief from the hermit. "Juhachigou... She's..." The red-haired giant couldn't say it, and choked up, ignoring the worried mews of the kitten he had found, who was attempting to cheer him by licking his thumb with her small, red tongue.
As his companion dissolved into tears, Juunanagou stared into the roaring fireplace, the only two things in his mind being the image of his lovely sister and the single question that he knew would plague him for the rest of his existence.
Where was her cherished Krillin the monk to save her?
As Jurokugou sat, rocked, and sobbed, and the kitten mewled desperately, Juunanagou began to plot a way for his sister's husband to die.
~*~
The enmity swelling in his breast at the memory, Juunanagou turned slightly to flash a glare venomously at the aforementioned monk. Who didn't notice, his eyes focused on the still tirading Namek.
As soon as the war was over, Krillin, father of Marron, was going to cease to exist.
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"... now do you two agree to be allies during the war?" Dende finished, out of breath. He wheezed slightly as he scowled at them. They, naturally, scowled back.
"During the war," Krillin said, rather pointedly. Juunanagou's full lips curled in a sneer.
"Agreed." Dende clapped his hands together, quite proud of himself. What a difference a scant twenty minute long speech made. Of course, the miniature god didn't notice the hidden meanings in the two's agreement.
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"Well, I'm glad that's over!" Goku declared cheerfully. "What does everyone want to do next?"
"How about you put me down on the ground?" Rayne's voice was extremely sarcastic as the Saiya-jinn blinked, then grinned sheepishly. The Sirec girl had been dangling from his grip the entire speech.
"Sorry," he apologized, setting her gently on her own feet. Whereupon she immediately stomped over to Jurokugou.
"Won't bite, my ass. That creature should be killed! It's bloodthirsty!" she growled, much to Goku, Juunanagou, Jurokugou, and Dende's amusement. Well, Juunanagou merely smirked at her inanity, but the other three snickered. The only ones who wasn't amused were Krillin and Goten. The half Saiya-jinn looked bewildered, and Krillin simply raised an eyebrow in question.
Noticing the eyebrow, Rayne turned to show him her wrist, fingers, and indicate her ear as an explanation. At which point Krillin joined Juunanagou in smirking.
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Trunks bolted down the corridor, his bright blue eyes scanning the hallway as he ran. He narrowly missed being hit in the face with a door and paused in his escape to beam at his mother, who peered at him in hindered surprise.
"Hi!" he said cheerfully, not noticing her stricken look.
"Trunks?" His mother eyed his dopey grin a trifle warily. With that grin, he looked exactly like Goku on a sugar-high...
"Bye! I'm hiding from Gohan," Trunks informed her cheerily, then proceeded to skip away before she could reply. The thoughts of Mirai vanished from her mind for the moment, Bulma watched her son depart, then turned to see Gohan at the end of the corridor, holding an enormous net in his hands and looking like a jungle hunter out of the Jungle Book.
"I'm not going to ask," she sighed and turned, closing the door behind her and heading back to the hidden room.
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Thud! Thud! Thud! The thumping continued as Bra pounded away at the invisible barrier that had suddenly sprung up between her and Pan, blocking her from both her friend and the counterfeit Kami's Lookout.
"What the hell is wrong with this place?" she yelled, slamming her already sore fists once more into the obstruction and growing angrier as nothing happened.
"I have no clue!" Pan yelled back, although she knew she didn't have to scream, aiming a kick at the barrier. To her surprise, her foot didn't connect. Well, it did connect with something: Bra's shin.
"Ow!"
"Sorry- Ow!" Pan had leaned forward to apologize and support her friend, when her forehead had slammed into the invisible barrier that had decided to harden once more.
One holding her shin and the other her head, the two glared at thin air.
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"Say, where's Gohan and Trunks?" Goku questioned, looking around. Goten and Krillin shrugged, but the former flushed in embarrassment. Catching the reddening of his face, Rayne began to grin quite evilly.
"Teasing you about Bra again, eh?" she said knowingly, a shrewd glint in her dark brown eyes.
"Shut up!" Goten's face turned redder as Goku and Krillin laughed. "I don't like her!"
"Goten and Bra kissing in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes-" Rayne didn't get a chance to finish as Goten tackled her and sent her flying. Apparently harder than he had planned, for the girl went flying several feet before being stopped by a fire hydrant.
"Ow..."
"Sorry," Goten uttered sheepishly, and went to help her up.
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The net's handle clenched tightly in his fists, Goku's oldest son looked around the hall, looking pensive as he did so.
"Now, where would I be if I were a caffeine-high Trunks?" Gohan mused to himself, having lost track of the man a few minutes before. His eyes narrowed in thought. At a brief pause, he realized his terrible mistake. "Damn, the coffee machine!" Appalled at the idea of Trunks getting more caffeine into his veins, he spun and bolted in the direction of the infamous device, hoping he wasn't too late.
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"Damn, damn, damn!"
"Bra, I don't think cursing is going to help," Pan calmly pointed out, holding an ice pack to her bruising forehead. Bra rolled her eyes, glowering gloomily at her compatriot.
"Look who's talking, Miss I Get Ice Because I'm Not Trapped Outside Kami's Lookout." Bra's utterances were caustic enough for the two of them.
"I think it's be easier to call me Miss IGIBINTOKL, wouldn't it?" Pan's reply was sickeningly sweet and innocent as she struggled not to laugh.
If looks could kill, not even the dragon balls would've been able to save Pan, for she would have been dead several times over.
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"Dum de dum... La..."
Trunks hummed to himself as the coffee machine rumbled, dancing from one side of the room to the other. The door was safely locked and barred by a table. The lavender-haired wonder grinned to himself, rubbing his hands together gleefully.
Now there was no one to stop him from drinking more lovely coffee and force him to be quiet when he didn't want to...
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"Are you all right?" Goten asked, brushing her off and helping her upright. Rayne shrugged, rubbing her sore back and knowing that already a bruise was forming.
"I'm going to a masseuse as soon as I can."
"A masseuse?" The half Saiya-jinn looked blank as Rayne raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. A massage therapist?" The dumb look on Goten's face cleared, and he grinned.
"I know what that is!" he announced, sounding pleased with himself. In return, Rayne rolled her eyes.
"We're all so proud, milord," she sighed, running her uninjured hand through her messy hair. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to take a long, hot bath." Not waiting for a reply, the Sirec girl walked into Capsule Corporation and left them all outside.
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At the same time Bra cursed in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Gohan uttered impieties in Capsule Corporation, banging on the door loudly and fiercely.
"Let me in, Trunks!" he roared, slamming his fist into the wooden door once more. He truly didn't want to break down the door, but he would if he had to.
"Never!" Trunks sang out gaily, followed by a giggle. Gohan growled and mumbled more curse words under his breath as he continued to pound away at the door.
"Let me in, damn it!"
"Not if you're going to curse!"
"Do you want me to break the door down, boy?" The chime that signaled the readiness of the coffee was the first reply, then a delighted Trunks did as the sound of pouring liquid met the elder man's ears.
"You wouldn't-" The shattering of the door frame silenced Trunks's words, and he grinned rather doubtfully at Gohan as the older man kicked the table aside.
"Er, coffee?" he suggested brightly, holding a steaming cup towards the oldest son of Goku and Chi-Chi.
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Goku and Krillin looked at each other for a long moment, then burst into evil smiles as they raced for the Capsule Corporation entrance, yelling over their shoulders at the enraged dark-haired youth, "Goten and Bra kissing in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes babies in the baby carriage!"
"Shut up!" was Goten's scream, and the two friends laughed like schoolchildren before disappearing into the building, Goku's son hot on their heels and murder in his eyes.
Jurokugou, Juunanagou, and Dende watched them go, all three raising their eyebrows.
"I hope it isn't always like this," sneered Juunanagou finally, beginning his leisurely stroll to enter Capsule Corporation. Jurokugou hid a smile, but nodded agreement as he followed his friend.
"I don't think it is," Dende assured them, but his tone was extremely doubtful.
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"No." Gohan's answer was flat as he knocked the cup from Trunks's hand, watching the coffee spill onto the younger man's shoes as the mug shattered on the floor.
"That's hot!" Trunks yelped, scrambling backwards as hot thick steam rose from the ground.
"Of course," Gohan replied, before throwing the entire coffeepot at Trunks's head. The younger half Saiya-jinn yelled in shock and dived to the floor beside Gohan's feet as coffee flew everywhere. A couple drops hit the face of Goku's son, and he winced slightly. It was blisteringly warm, was his thought as he wiped the brown fluid from his face.
"My coffee..." Trunks whined, and Gohan automatically kicked him.
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Mirai studied the inside of the teleportation ship carefully, and finally spotted what he had been looking for. A microphone to talk to home base with. Grinning with triumph, the swordsman snatched it up and yelled the first thing that came into his head.
"MOM! WHERE THE BLOODY HELL AM I?"
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Rayne limped down the hallway, growling under her breath about stupid fire hydrants when she heard someone whining.
"But that was my coffee..." Why was Trunks whining? Her curiosity getting the better of her, she turned and peered into the room, which was fairly easy to do considering the fact that the door was on the floor.
She looked inside just in time to see Gohan, who held a net that looked like it could hold a gorilla, kick Trunks, who was curled in a ball on the floor, in the side. The entire far wall was covered with brown liquid... The smell hit her nose and she nearly gagged. She hated the smell of coffee.
Holding her nose, Rayne hurried from the doorway to her long waited for bath. For once, she really didn't want to know.
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Bulma had just entered the hidden room in time to hear Mirai's yell. A ecstatic smile forming on her face, she snatched up a microphone identical to the one Mirai was holding. Behind her, Li-Won and Marron gave each other high-five's.
"You're exactly where you need to be," she informed him jubilantly.
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The wave of uneasiness hit both of the old warriors at the same time, and their laughter and step faltered. Goten had taken two steps closer to them when he was rocked by the same sensation, and he froze.
"Goku-" Krillin began, but Goku had already vanished, his form flickering from alongside his best friend and to appear at his oldest friend's side.
"Bulma," he said seriously, not noticing her surprise and nervousness or the way she clenched the microphone guiltily. "Where are the androids?" The scientist pulled a small calculator-like object from her pocket, and punched something in. Her eyes narrowed in concern before she looked up, all color draining from her previously flushed face.
"The now two least powerful are only three blocks away," she informed him. Instantly Goku was gone, off to gather his family and fellow fighters to protect their haven.
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Trunks leapt from the floor, instantaneously forgetting about the coffee. The caffeine changed to adrenaline, and his eyes flared emerald. He turned and dashed after Gohan, who had already disappeared down the hallway in the direction of the exit, his Super Saiya-jinn glow filling the hallways as he ran.
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Juunanagou and Jurokugou had just entered the door when they both looked up, eyes narrowed.
"They're coming," Jurokugou stated unhappily, his shoulders slumping at the idea of more bloodshed.
"I'm going to kill them," his friend affirmed evenly, and was off before Dende and the other android could stop him.
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Bulma gripped the microphone so tightly her knuckles went white.
"What do you mean, where I need to be? Am I in the right place or not?" Mirai's voice was loud and clear through the speakers. Forcing herself to believe that Goku could handle the androids, she placed a smile onto her face and cheerfulness into her voice as she replied.
"Undoubtedly, you are."
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"Come on," were the only words Goku said as he grabbed Krillin and Goten by the arm.
"How-" Goten began, but at that point they were gone.
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Mirai raised an eyebrow at Bulma's not-so-helpful affirmations, and scratched the back of his head thoughtfully.
"Oh, okay. I guess I don't need your help then. So long," he commented blithely, and turned to leave the ship, ignoring her protests. Standing at the edge of the ship's exit, he peered around the empty scenery, feeling the warm rays of the suns heat his visage.
The place was exactly as Bulma had described it, he thought with a proud grin. Now all he had to do was find Goku's old friends, and he'd be set.
Whistling a merry tune to himself, the swordsman leapt skyward, heading in the direction of the strongest and luckily nearest ki.
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"I'm going to kill you," Juunanagou enlightened the two androids flatly, his pale eyes blazing with hatred. The two humanoids gave each other both amused and mystified looks, then simultaneously shrugged.
"Should we just kill him now, Hanic? Or do you want to play with him?" drawled Automa, raising an eyebrow. The other android smirked in reply, and clenched his fists eagerly as his blue eyes danced with zealous anticipation.
"I'll take him," he stated softly, and before Juunanagou could even raise his fists, the male android was on him.
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"So..." Pan trailed off, at a loss for words. Then slowly her eyes brightened and an evil smirk formed on her lips. Bra's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"What are you thinking?" Pan tilted her head to the side and smiled a little too sweetly.
"What do you think of Goten?" The question hung in the air as Bra glared.
"Shut up."
"But you didn't answer my question," Pan persisted relentlessly, folding her arms against her chest.
"I don't have to answer your question."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't want to insult your uncle," Bra asserted evenly. Her friend rolled her eyes.
"I don't think you're going to insult him by saying you like him, B-chan." To her own complete annoyance, Bra flushed bright red.
"I don't like him!" she roared, glaring daggers at her "friend". Pan snickered.
"That's a load of BS. You like him a lot!"
"As much as you like Trunks?" Bra suggested in the same sugary tone Pan had used.
"Shut up."
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Goten and Krillin blinked in astonishment at the scene before them. A male android was holding Juunanagou by the throat, looking coldly amused as he kicked and struggled.
"His face is quite blue, isn't it?" the male commented to the android Automa. She nodded, looking on in malicious delight. The three obviously hadn't seen the three newcomers yet.
"Let's get them!" Goten growled, and Automa looked their way just in time to see three blazing gold forms launch themselves forward.
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Neither Gohan nor Trunks stopped to wonder when Juunanagou had gotten there. At the same time Goku, Goten and Krillin flew at the androids from one side, those two propelled themselves from the opposite side, bellowing war cries.
Juunanagou was dumped unceremoniously on the ground as the five Saiya-jinn attacked.
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Mirai landed softly on the bright green grass, a broad smile on his face as the gathering mass turned to view him curiously.
"Hiya!" he said cheerfully, waving at them all. Uncertainly, some of the younger ones waved back. "I'm Mirai, a friend of Goku's!" At that, all suspicion vanished, and the entire group beamed at him.
"Goku? Did he come with you?" one of the older ones questioned hopefully, his dark eyes searching Mirai's face. At that, most of the merriness in the swordsman's face vanished.
"There's trouble on Earth," he said solemnly.
"What sort of trouble?" asked the same individual anxiously.
"Androids. Most of the Earth's Fighters are dead, and their families. Tien, Chaozu, Yamucha, Vegeta, Piccolo."
"Piccolo? He was murdered? We knew he had died, but we didn't..." The individual trailed off as Mirai slowly shook his head.
"There are three androids left, but they're all powerful. Especially the strongest one. Goku told me..." He paused, then shook his head. "We need your help. Goku needs your help. They killed his wife."
"We shall do anything you wish, but there's one thing I must ask you," the leader of the group said, his voice low and deep.
"What's that?"
"Did you say Vegeta's dead?" Mirai eyed them suspiciously. Bulma had told him of their dislike of his father. Were they planning to celebrate?
"Yes," he said at last. "He died around seventeen years ago."
"Oh really?" said the leader, looking slightly amused. "Well, according to my senses, he's alive and well, as always has been."
Mirai just gaped at the Eldest of New Namek in disbelief.
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"Maybe that wasn't such a good idea," Goten commented from his position on the crowd, blood trickling from the large gash on his right cheek. "Attacking them, I mean."
"No shit, Goten," sighed Trunks from the dust where he lay sprawled face-first, the caffeine having long since worn off. Goku was too busy attempting to move to reply, and Gohan and Krillin lay pinned by a collapsed building, both unconscious. The androids both chuckled with jocundity.
"Do you think we should kill them, Hanic?" Automa questioned coldly, carelessly scanning the five crumpled figures. She didn't even notice Juunanagou until he was fairly breathing on her neck. Or at least she didn't seem to. As the brother of Juhachigou raised a fist to strike her from behind, she emotionlessly elbowed him in the gut, then slammed him into the earth as he doubled over with a surprised gasp. "I'm a bit bored."
"So am I," commented Hanic, equally icily. His apathetic gaze fell upon the nearest body. Who just happened to be Trunks. A cold smirk forming on his face, the android knelt beside the lavender-haired man's still form. "Time to amuse me, kid."
"I'm forty-six years old, asshole," Trunks responded, rolling onto his back to throw a punch at the android's face. Hanic laughed nastily as he easily ducked it, and sent Trunks flying back to the earth with a sharp slap to the face.
"Trunks," Goten protested, struggling to his knees.
"How cute," sneered Automa, strolling over to the laboring fighter. "Trying to save his friend." As the words hung in the air, she calmly yanked him to his feet by his hair. "Too bad no one's going to save you."
"I'm sure going to try!" came the fierce growl, and Goku leapt from the ground to lunge at her. With a careless laugh, she stopped his assault with a hard blow to his jaw. As his father slammed into the nearest building, Goten lashed out with all he had against the android, but to no avail.
"You can kill yours first," she called over to Hanic, who nodded, dragging Trunks to his feet by his collar.
Looking down at the still struggling man, he explained almost confidingly, "This is going to hurt, boy." In answer, Trunks spat in his face. Wiping the liquid from his face, Hanic looked relatively amused.
"Now you die." With that, the android grabbed Trunks's jaw and started the movement that would snap his neck.
"I don't think so," a cold voice announced, and suddenly Hanic was sent flying. Blinking in confusion, Trunks turned to thank his savior, and found himself staring.
Noticing the stare, his rescuer nodded back, dark eyes meeting amazed wondering bright ones.
"You've been training them, haven't you Kakarrot? That has to be the reason why my son is letting himself get killed," Vegeta, Prince of the Saiya-jinn, commented with his trademark smirk.
All Goku could do was smile as he struggled to his feet and launched himself at the other Saiya-jinn to crush him in a hug.
(AN: There you go, Vegeta's Bastard Son! I hope that was a good enough entrance for you. Veggie-chan! Yay! And he's gonna have to fight the urge to beat Goku up after giving him a hug so he can kick some android butt. I'll also explain exactly where he's been for the past seventeen freaking years. Well, remember: after you read, you review! I hope you all enjoyed this latest addition of Watashi! Ja! ~AC)