A word to my reviewer: the reason Bulma wasn't supposed to die is a bit more complicated than cause and affect. Dai Kioshin has knowledge of future events, and in that knowledge, Bulma remains alive. Except that now she's dead. Which means that something is very wrong, and that a new element has been introduced outside of his knowledge.
I can't get your e-mail, but you can see mine. If you send yours to me I wouldn't have to waste anyone else's time. Then again, you might not feel this is necessary.
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Far away, on Snake Way, Piccolo's frown moved up a bit. Chi-chi and Bulma's death had lifted him out of his depression a little bit, at least. He had made some difference in the course of things. But he wasn't sure if it would matter. It was too bad he never got to see the expression on Dai Kioshin's face when it happened. This was interesting, he needed to think on this. Maybe there was a chance he had never even considered.
Atop Kami's Lookout, Goku lay, out of the world of the living. But at least now, he dreamed, and in dreams, he could escape the terrible agony, if only for a moment. Glancing around, Goku realized where he was. It was his own house, the place he knew so well. There didn't seem to be anyone around.
Walking inside, Goku found that the door was already opened. Ah, as such were dreams, if this was really a dream. The thought occurred to Goku that the pain was finally gone, he was free of it for the first time. As he looked around inside, however, he saw something that blew all thoughts of that from his mind.
On a bed, lying fairly peacefully, Goku saw himself. He blinked, he really was looking at himself. It was obvious he was sick, with the same heart disease that plagued him now. But what was this? The future? The past? An alternate present? Just then he felt an energy from behind, turning, he saw 17 and 18 land outside the door. Both walked calmly into the house. Goku gaped in surprise as they passed directly through him. This was a dream, he wasn't really there. That was strange, in any case.
They walked over to the Goku lying down, not paying attention to him. Goku circled around, trying to see what would happen. He saw 18's hand come up in a crook knife, then dive down with a terrifying speed. The Goku lying there screamed in agony, then lay still, his heart pierced.
Dream Goku didn't move. He felt numb. Suddenly the dream swirled around him and he was back on Kami's Lookout, and the pain had returned.
Piccolo watched from far above, in his usual position above Dai Kioshin's house. Goku wasn't doing incredibly well, and the heart disease was getting stronger every day. He was putting up an admirable fight, but this wasn't one that was possible to win. At least, it shouldn't have been.
But it would be done. Goku's determination was going to overcome all boundaries; nothing could stand in his way on the planet itself. Even Piccolo wasn't sure how far the determination could spread. Probably just past Evil, and not up to the Legendary One. But if Piccolo played this right, the Legendary One wouldn't be a problem.
The power of the heart disease was incredible, though, and Goku was losing. However, all he needed was one more thing to keep him going. Everything was going at least similar to the plan. Piccolo smiled, now it was just an amount of time. Things were still open, but they certainly could go well.
Dr. Gero sat down heavily and started ragged breathing. The three androids landed lightly around him and waited. He didn't look so well.
"Every year my artificial body needs time to recharge," the doctor explained. "That year has passed now."
Android 17 grumbled and stood away with his arms folded. Android 16 sat down and turned himself off, his eyes snapped closed. Dr. Gero lay down and started breathing deeply. He opened one eye to glance at 17 and 18.
"Don't bother to attack me. If either of you even think about hurting me, the electricity will come on and you'll regret it. Do whatever for a few hours."
Lying back down, the doctor seemed to go into a deep sleep. 17 smirked slightly.
"He's obsolete already, I can't believe he needs to recharge."
"Like a battery," 18 added.
"In a toy," 17 finished. "We have a few hours, and we should use it to the fullest."
18 didn't question him. They were near equals in power, but 17 was generally considered to be the more skilled of the two, and a natural leader. Not that she cared. As long as she was destroying something at the time, she would be fine.
17 flew into the air, followed closely by his sister, then darted off in a random direction. Glancing around, 17 felt for any sort of power. He wanted more of a challenge instead of the usual humans that he had to fight. That wasn't ever any fun. Feeling something in the distance, he sped off toward it.
Mr. Popo landed the helicopter lightly on Kami's Lookout. He had left some time ago, but he wanted to come back, just one time. To see how things were, to lock everything up, maybe transplant a few flowers. It somehow just felt right to return here.
Glancing around, Mr. Popo began locking the doors on the Lookout one by one. He glanced around at the flowers he had planted, they still bloomed cheerfully. As he turned, he noticed something obviously amiss; a hand, gripping the edge of the lookout tightly.
Running over, Mr. Popo glanced down and was shocked to see Goku there. He was barely holding on to the edge of the lookout, his eyes squinted shut in pain. His other hand gripped his heart tightly. Shuddering in a profound pain of body and spirit, he twisted in incredible agony. Mr. Popo hissed angrily. This was the reason he had gone here, even if he hadn't known it.
Spitting in Goku's face, Mr. Popo checked which shoes he was wearing. Good, the cleated ones. Summoning all his strength, Mr. Popo came down on Goku's hand with full speed. The fingers, already weakened by the disease, let go and slipped. Goku, unable to control his ki, plummeted hundreds of feet to his sure doom.
Mr. Popo chuckled softly and turned back. He walked back to the helicopter, then suddenly heard a noise behind him. Whirling, he saw 17 and 18 standing atop Kami's Lookout. They were looking straight at him. 18 flew forward, and Mr. Popo suddenly found his arms pinned behind him.
18's eyes tightened slightly. There wasn't a trace of humanity left in them. Twisting just slightly, all the bones in both of Mr. Popo's arms shattered. He screamed in pain and tried to run, but 17 was in his way, and casually pushed him back to 18, who dealt a swift low kick that shattered the bones in his legs as well.
Biting back pain, Mr. Popo tried to self-destruct but found he couldn't. Then he felt 18's hands gripping his head and screamed one final time as she slowly bent his head to the side until his neck snapped. Smiling evilly, 18 tossed aside his broken form.
17 was already looking around Kami's Lookout. Just then he saw something resting on the ground, or more accurately, felt it there. Gesturing to follow, he floated down to whatever it was. His sister followed him, a ways behind.
A gigantic blast of energy flew upward, blasting 17 back up, barely missing his sister. Snarling, he dove back down at his attacker. Goku stood there, his hair flickered golden, faded the black, then slowly became golden again, nearly screaming in pain as he clutched his heart in one hand. The other hand came up and fired a blast that sent 17 flying again. 18 darted down to fight, but Goku's good arm slammed directly into her, sending her crashing through the ground.
They continued fighting, 18 gritting her teeth slightly. The disease was putting his power level down severely, but he was still just barely beating her. Taking a hard hook to the jaw, 18 fell and found she couldn't get up. Goku was looking down at her, energy crackling in one hand. Those eyes, opened just slightly now, held nothing of remorse in them. Still, he hesitated, not attacking.
Suddenly he went tumbling into a hill, destroying it. 17 stood there, smirking slightly.
"Well, I guess that's the end of that," he muttered, dusting himself off. Just then, 18's sensitive ears caught the sound of something.
"Meeeeeeee-"
"Get back!" she yelled. 17 turned, but it was too late.
"HA!"
A giant beam sliced out from the hill, hitting 17 full in the front. When the beam faded, 17 was on the ground, looking battered and beaten. By this time, 18 managed to get back up. Goku was standing amidst the destroyed hill, suffering incredibly. He wasn't sure if he could keep fighting.
17 got up, barely, and they both attacked at the same time. Goku pushed himself further and fought back. Most of the damage failed to strike 18, however, as she stayed behind slightly, letting 17 take the force of the blows. Though Goku was fighting well, he would suddenly cry out in pain and fall to his knees as the pain intensified. Every time he did so the androids capitalized on it instantly.
It wasn't long before Goku lay on the ground, barely conscious. 17 was in bad shape from the battle. He started gathering energy in his hand. 18 knocked it down with her own.
"What now?" 17 grumbled, turning to her.
"I want to do it," 18 told him. 17 tried to protest, but he was severely weakened, while 18 was no longer in very bad shape. There was no question of who was in the higher position now. Not caring too much about it, 17 merely growled and flew back up to Kami's Lookout, before taking off entirely.
18 raised a hand, energy gathering to destroy this threat. The only threat left, she realized; with this gone, there was nothing to stop them from finishing the rest of the world. Hercule wasn't anywhere near the man Gero thought he was. In a second Goku would be gone.
Looking at him over her hand, 18 saw a face, still full of an odd sort of life, even beaten and bloodied. Even now, those wounds were healing up and disappearing, skin knitting, blood returning to veins. It would still take a long time to heal, but he was healing at a remarkable rate.
Dropping her hand, 18 fell to her knees. She couldn't do it. She just couldn't finish him. There was something about him, something that she liked. Why was she so weak? Why couldn't she destroy this threat, and finally attain the peace she and her brother had always wanted? Her emotional barrier was cracking slightly, despite its efficiency.
Goku shifted slightly, still alive. 18 sighed and glanced at him again. She wouldn't do it. It was beyond her. Bending down, she gathered Goku up in her arms and flew up to Kami's Lookout. 17 was nowhere to be seen, having already flown off. 18 landed and walked over, setting Goku down. Glancing into his face, she kissed him, a second, then flew off.
Piccolo smiled as Dai Kioshin fumed down below. Another point for him. Things had gone according to plan, if a bit different than he had expected. Goku was going to be all right now, unless Dai Kioshin pulled out another card. But Piccolo knew he didn't have any.
Goku, pain filling him with agony, still twisted on Kami's Lookout. But inside, drifting in a black world of energy that sucked the soul out of him, something had changed. He wasn't strong enough to fight both androids like this, he had lost. But 18 hadn't killed him. And now he had another chance. There was no way he'd let it go by.
The dream again. Goku glanced around, finding himself outside his house once more. The door was open, and he drifted through it, almost not of his own accord. Inside, he looked around, sure of what he'd find. Why were dreams so cruel? Why'd he have to see himself die again?
An energy was felt outside. He turned to see what it was, even though he knew. As the androids walked in, Goku tried to turn away, but found he couldn't. Ah, such was the cruel side of dreams. He watched as they stood over him, and he watched 18's hand come up.
It paused, hesitating. This time, the dream did not come to the same ending. There was a strange look on 18's face. Goku raised an eyebrow, now what had he started? He definitely had a chance. It wouldn't go by.
As 18 gathered speed and caught up to her brother, she should have felt better, but a deep sadness filled her. This wasn't over. Goku would recover, stronger then ever. He'd be practically invincible. She just flew, wind whipping through her hair.
"Is he gone?" 17 asked, glancing at her.
"There's nothing there for us anymore."
How long would it be before he'd return, and they'd be killed? Her last view of life would be that face, with those oddly perfect eyes. What would it be like to be killed by Goku's hand?
The Kais all moved together in a solemn procession. They were wearing red, unusual for them. But today they were sacrificing their lives for those who needed them more than they did. One Kioshin strode with them, looking down his nose at the lesser Kais.
It took them only a few brief minutes for them to track down everyone they wanted. Soon, they had the group standing before them. Gohan, Vegita, Trunks, Tien, Krillin, Yamcha, Yajirobe and Chou-su stood in front of them, looking cocky. Piccolo stood off to the side, looking discouraged and down. Nine Kais faced them.
"Today," the Kioshin began, "we have learned that our plans are unraveling. The androids on Earth will destroy everything unless they are stopped. For this reason, we are willing to sacrifice our lives for yours. You are the only ones who can stop them. We have a way to return you to life. Will you accept?"
"Great!" Tien exclaimed. "We've been training so long! We have to be more than a match for them now!"
"That's right," Krillin agreed cheerfully.
"So will you go?" the Kioshin asked.
Everyone in the group nodded their consent. Piccolo alone shook his head.
"I'm no fool, Kioshin," he said softly. "I won't do this."
"Fine," the Kioshin snapped. "Then don't. These eight are smart enough to want life again."
Eight of the Kais kneeled, one in front of each warrior. Suddenly the Kais crumpled over and seemed to fold up, dead. The halos on each of the warriors suddenly gleamed, then flew over to rest on the heads of the eight Kais. They rose again, completely restored, and the halos stayed with them.
"So we aren't dead anymore?" Vegita asked. He noticed that all three saiyans' tails had grown back. Even Trunks grew a tail, though he hadn't had one before. In fact he felt exactly as he had been so long ago, he had somehow been restored. A few familiar and more recent scars were gone.
"No, you're not," the Kioshin agreed. "Now we'll send you back. I warn you though, because the androids have been rampaging around for just over two years, the world will be significantly changed. As long as you destroy the androids, you will retain your life."
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever."
The androids gazed up at Kami's Lookout, the tallest building in the world. 17 had to wonder how they had constructed it, the huge thing above resting on such a tiny spot. He purposefully blocked out the one time that he had been there before. 16, unlike the other two, was unimpressed. He stepped up, and then karate chopped the side of the tower. The supports fell, and the entire thing tipped sideways. Gero hit it back, righting it, and the entire building began to fall.
Raising his hands, 17 vaporized the supports altogether. The dome part fell with a crash, showering everyone with rubble. Gero laughed maniacally.
"Well, well, well, Kami my old friend." Gero smirked. "It appears that you are dead now. You knew I'd kill all the Nameks, didn't you?"
The androids flew on to the next city on their imaginary and random list.
But if they would have looked at the rubble further, they would have noticed a body lying there, one entirely unhurt by all the rubble flying everywhere. The ground around him was clear, but he didn't stir. Goku lay unnaturally still, dancing with death.
At this point, Goku just wanted to die, to be gone and cease to exist. He didn't want the pain anymore, he was almost succumbing to the disease. Two years was a long time to be in such agony, and he was glad when he fell unconscious. When death came, he would greet it like an old friend. Then he could get away from all this.
His pain was many-fold. Everyone had left him, Gero was going to take over the world. His heart pained him greatly in two ways. Even when he was awake, his slanted eyes were closed bitterly. He understood the truth, but it was a bitter truth, not one that he wanted to be a part of. Suddenly the pain flared higher than ever before, as the disease was reaching its climax. Maybe now he could rest. Will nearly gone, he fell into a sleep; maybe he'd never wake up, that would be good...
Goku... a voice called. Goku looked around, seeing no one. He was standing on an endless plane of blackness, nothing shone, he was standing on something, but he could see nothing.
Goku... the voice called again. Looking around suspiciously, Goku eventually glimpsed something coming toward him. Turning, Goku saw it come forward, slowly walking toward him. Maybe this was death, coming to take him away. Maybe he could rest.
"I am not death," Piccolo said. Goku's jaw dropped slightly before he recovered. Piccolo was standing before him, no longer using telepathy but speaking to him in a tangible way. They were less than an arms-length apart when Piccolo stopped. From his eyes, slanted eyes, out shone incredible pain and sorrow. It was almost as if he had suffered every minute with Goku.
"Hello Goku," he said simply. "It's very good to speak with you again."
"How are you here?" Goku asked, stunned.
"I am dead, Goku, and you almost are as well. You are on the very brink of death, so I can talk to you now."
"So why are you here? To usher me into the Afterlife?"
"Are you going to let this all go to waste?" Piccolo's eyes blazed, but it was a bitter blaze, "You've done so much, Goku, you've given this world a chance! Why are you so willing to die, all of a sudden? During the Vegita fight, you never gave up, even when he became an Oozaru! When Frieza reached his true power, and he seemed invincible, you continued fighting anyway! You never gave up, Goku! Why would you give up now?
"And do you know what happened? You won, Goku! Determination can overcome all boundaries. You learned the truth! Why would you let it die along with you? You are Earth's last hope, Goku, it needs you. I need you there, as my last word against Darkness."
Goku didn't know what to say; he turned away from Piccolo, thinking. Was it worth it? Could he actually beat this disease? Did he really want the life he would return to? He wasn't sure, unable to make a decision.
"Please, Goku." Piccolo's voice was softer now. "For the sake of friendship."
"Oh, Piccolo!" Goku's voice cracked as he turned to face his old friend. They embraced warmly for a second, then parted. But now Goku had shed the remains of the mental part of the disease. In a moment of friendship, he had finally come through and seen the truth. Now his own determination blazed again, an unquenchable fury.
"Fine!" Goku was happy now, "I can do this! I will live, and no heart disease can stop me!"
"Good job, kid!" Piccolo smiled, his eyes dancing happily even though his tough-guy attitude remained the same. "Do you realize what you've done? You've changed the world's fate, the universe's fate!"
The two old friends, now getting a bit calmer, clasped hands together and shook, firmly.
"I will always be your friend, Goku," Piccolo said. "Even to death and beyond. You may or may not see me again, but always remember me."
"I'm your friend too, Piccolo." Goku was smiling. "I will always be your friend."
They continued to clasp hands until Goku faded away, back to Kami's Lookout.
Waking up, Goku shook himself. For the first time in two years, he felt just fine. His heart was beating in perfect working condition, the disease's power was over. Goku grinned, got up and stretched. Good old Piccolo. Always there for him in a time of need. Piccolo had given him the determination to lick the disease, and he had done so with fantastic speed.
Bouncing around a little bit, Goku felt a lot better. The disease might have kept him from doing any training, but even so, with so many near-death experiences, his power level had gone through the roof! He felt great! Flying into the air, Goku raced off into a new day, into a new life.
In the Afterlife, Piccolo leaped into the air, clearing twenty feet even in 10G gravity. He felt like bouncing around in excitement, but he was sensible enough not to. Still in a great mood, he almost hugged King Kai, but refrained from doing so.
"Why are you so happy?" King Kai asked, puzzled.
"You don't understand!" Piccolo grinned savagely. "I did it! I've changed the future of all of Earth, all of the galaxy! Instead of a destroyed, ended nothingness, we will have life! I have fought all of fate, all the Kais and Kioshins, Darkness itself and I won!"
The "I won" echoed all the way down Snake Way, all the way through the Afterlife. Dai Kioshin shook with rage as one Namek, one little, insignificant Namek, reveled in his ultimate victory over him. He didn't know why he was so happy, but the Namek must have known what the future would be, and now that future was fixed. Gritting his teeth, the Kioshin turned away, muttering "bah, humbug."