Unexpected Fate

Chapter 22

CMG: (annoyed) Someone's changed the font on this thing!

Scrix: Hey! It wasn't me!

CMG: Oh well. Anyway, sorry I haven't written in awhile. School and work tend to drag a ton out of me.

Karis: What do you mean?

CMG: (Scrix waves staff) Nothing. Anyway, on with the story. Read the other chapters for the disclaimer since I don't want to talk about it right now.

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'Scrix...' thought Bardock as a glow appears next to the unconscious Goku. Scrix appears, powered up in his SSJ3 form as he hold the staff.

"Bardock, I see," said Scrix.

"Since when did you gain control of that?" said Bardock as he noticed that Scrix's tail was still with him.

"Now is not the time to bring that up," said Scrix. "I know you're worried about your son, Kakarot. If you want, I can heal him."

"Really?" said Bardock.

"For a price though," said Scrix. "He does have the heart virus within his body, does he not?"

"What is it?" said Bardock.

"The medicine that the doctors from the future had made did something that made the medicines have flaws," said Scrix. "I can fix the medicine, but I'm afraid that if I alter it in the least, Kakarot might be out longer than 10 days or even die if it goes wrong."

Bardock sighed. "I don't want to lose him, but he'll be lost anyway when his life's taken by Cell."

"So, you remember the prediction, huh?" said Scrix. "Well, what we need to cure Kakarot from the heart virus is one special element that grows in the mountains. It's called an Agrea Herb and it's very rare. It only grows within the caves and glows with it's own natural green light."

"Will it heal my son?" said Bardock.

"It's power can soothe his body, but the risk is that if it's too powerful, it could make his whole body shut down and kill him naturally," said Scrix. "I'm afraid to tell you where it's at."

"Does it matter?" said Bardock. "Listen Scrix, I'm getting damn tired of you pushing me around like this. I want to save my son's life and I don't care what risks are involved." Bardock grabs Scrix by the collar of his armor. "So, tell me exactly which way to go?! If not, I'm going to shove that staff of yours up your ass." (A/N: Sorry Scrix! *gets hit in the head* Ouch!)

"Very well," said Scrix as he manages to grab Bardock's hands and came close crushing the bones in his with his own power. Bardock gritted his teeth as Scrix held Bardock's hands. "It's 30 miles north of here. If you find it, bring it here." Scrix lets go of Bardock's hands as he rubbed them after the pain he endured.

"Thank you," said Bardock as he manages to bring his nearly broken fingers to his forehead and teleport. (A/N: Flame me if you want, but at least I gave him his moment to shine.)

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Back on the battlefield, Vegeta gets punched into a cliff by #18 as the Z-Fighters flinch. Just then, Trunks arrives and sees his father in trouble. He growls and transforms, but Piccolo caught him by the shoulder.

"Don't Trunks," said Piccolo.

"Huh?" said Tien.

"Trunks?" said Gohan confused. "But he's a baby, isn't he?"

"Not that Trunks," said Piccolo. "This is him as an adult."

"What?!" said Yamcha. "You've got to be kidding!"

"I'm not," said Piccolo.

"Sorry I didn't tell you sooner," said Trunks.

"Vegeta!" cried Krillin as he winced.

Below them, #18 managed to kick Vegeta in the arm (Ouch!) as he held it limply. Trunks then tried to attack #18, but he broke his sword in the process as #17 attacks Trunks from behind and falls to the ground. Tien, Piccolo, and Yamcha go and attack as Gohan and Krillin watch helplessly. Soon, they were face down and hurt as Gohan started to get angry. (Oh shit!)

"Masenko-ha!" cried Gohan as he fires a blast at #17 and manages to blast a hole in his stomach. (Okay. Originally, I was going to make the blast hit #18, but he had the shorter straw since Krillin will eventually marry #18.)

"17!" cried #18 as she knocks out Gohan with a knife blow to his neck.

"Gohan!" cried Krillin.

"We'll be back to deal with you jerks later," said #18. "Come on, 16!"

The three androids left as Krillin distributed the Senzu Beans to the others, including Gohan. A thick silence was heard as the Z-Fighters were left in the darkness.

"We need to think of a way we can stop them," said Tien.

"I wish my daddy were here right now," said Gohan.

"I think I should go visit Kami," said Piccolo as he gets ready to leave.

"Let me come with you," said Gohan.

"You'll only be in the way, Gohan," said Piccolo as he charges up an energy blast in his hand.

"But Piccolo-!" cried Gohan angrily.

"Wait," said a woman's voice as the Z-Fighters find themselves face-to-face with Karis. Piccolo discharges the energy blast as he grunted angerly.

"Who's the babe?" said Yamcha.

"Yamcha!" said Gohan. "She's a Saiya-jin and she's already got a mate."

"What?!" said Yamcha.

"Karis," growled Vegeta. "Why are you here?"

"The androids are going to go after Kakarot while Bardock's finding the herb to save his son's life," said Karis. "The only way you guys will stand a chance against these 'machines' is if you come with me to the other realm and train."

"The other realm?" said Tien.

"Is that the other world?" said Yamcha. "Oh no. I'm not going to die again."

"Don't worry," said Karis. "No one dies."

"Bah, go if you want," said Vegeta. "I plan on training alone." With that, Vegeta takes off.

"Wait father!" cried Trunks as he flies after him.

"So, who's going to come with me?" said Karis as she holds out her hand.

"I will," said Gohan as Yamcha flips.

"But Gohan..." started Yamcha.

"Same here," said Piccolo.

"Me too," said Tien.

"Are you coming?" said Karis.

"Fine," said Yamcha.

"Grab hands," said Karis as the Z-Fighters grab hands and disappear.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Elsewhere high in the skies, Bardock is flying towards the mountains on his way to find the Agrea Herb to cure his son. However, he suddenly stops flying.

"Wait a second," said Bardock. "Why in the hell am I looking for a damn herb again?"

*Because, your son needs it,* said a familiar voice in Bardock's head.

"Infr?" said Bardock. "Why can't Scrix just heal my son?"

*Because if he did, it wouldn't cure the virus that's attacking his heart,* said Infr. *Not even the Senzu Bean could save him.*

"Damn," said Bardock. "Anyway, where is the herb?"

*Just go down where that rock pile is,* said Infr. *You must dig it out. If you blast it, you can destroy the herb instantly.*

"So let me get this straight," said Bardock as he transforms into a Super Saiya-jin, "I have to dig with my goddamn hands to find some measly plant?"

*That, or just let the rocks fly with your aura,* said Infr. *Your call.*

"Good," said Bardock as his aura flares higher and higher until the first green glow is seen from deep within the cave. Bardock powers down and squeezes into the small hole he made as he started to search the cave. There, in the mass of rocks was the Agrea Herb. Bardock grabbed it. 'I hope you know what I'm doing for you, Kakarot.'

Bardock disappears as he teleports back to Goku's house.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Back at the house, Chi-chi screams when she saw Scrix as Goku was struggling against the heart virus. Not wanting to take her screaming or Goku's jerking, Scrix takes the medicine and feeds it to Goku as he quiets down. Then, Scrix reverts to normal.

"Who are you and why are you..." started Chi-chi as Bardock appears.

"I got the herb," said Bardock.

"Good," said Scrix. "Chi-chi, I presume? My name is Scrix and I'm here to take you, your husband, and father-in-law out of harm's way."

"What are you talking about?" said Chi-chi.

"The androids will be here soon to try and kill Goku, so we're going to the other realm," said Scrix. "It will give Kakarot, or Goku as you call him, enough time to recover."

"Alright, but I want you to make sure that he gets better," said Chi-chi.

"Come," said Scrix as he lifts Goku's limp body in one of his arms and extends his staff for Bardock and Chi-chi to grab on to. In a flash of light, the four disappear.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Where are we?" said Gohan as he looks around.

"Welcome, son of Kakarot," said Infr as Gohan looks at him.

"Hello sir," said Gohan as he bows his head before lifting it in confusion. "How did you know my name?"

"Boy, I've watched you since Namek," said Infr. "I am Infr, the one who gave Scrix his power in the first place. I can sense a great power within you that you're perhaps afraid to release."

"You can read my soul?" said Gohan.

"Yes," said Infr. "Gohan, I can help you transform into a Super Saiya-jin if you wish."

"Me? A Super Saiya-jin?" said Gohan.

"Vegeta would be angry," said Bardock as he, Scrix, and Chi-chi enter. Goku was still in Scrix's arm.

"Ah, so Kakarot's safe," said Infr. "Good. And you got the Agrea Herb, Bardock?"

"Yes," said Bardock. Scrix took it from him and grinded the herb into a fine power in a bowl before pouring water into it.

"Good," said Infr. "Scrix, go ahead and give the entire dose of the Agrea Herb to Kakarot."

"Very well," said Scrix as he took the liquid to Goku and forced him to drink it. Scrix and the other watched as Goku's energy went dangeriously low. "Shit!"

"Kakarot!" cried Bardock as he shoved Scrix out of the way as the remains of the Agrea Herb in the bowl shattered and went everywhere. Bardock grabbed his son in his arms as he held on to him with worry in his heart. "You have to fight it!"

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CMG: (laughs insanely) Another chapter hanging in the balance (changes her voice to Leon off SO2) thanks to me!

Scrix: (bats CMG with the staff) You are evil. You haven't pulled a cliffhanger this evil since chapter 1!

CMG: Well, I'm suffering from writer's block, so there!

Karis: I suppose you want me to get out the hammer, huh?

CMG: (smiles innocently) Yes Karis. You do that.

Karis: (sweatdrops)

CMG: More's come soon, so review!