Chapter One: Did you feel that?


Gohan was the first to notice the disturbance, his body jerking rigidly in the chair at his desk. The same motion caused him to break the pencil he had been writing with, and lose the page in his textbook. Gohan leapt up, the wooden chair flying backwards as he sprinted to the window of his bedroom. The young half-Saiyan threw the shudders open, leaning out into the cool morning. Gohan leaned as far out as he could, sweat forming on his brow as he strained to sense that mysterious anomaly again. An anomaly was the only word his mind could grasp for the burst of ki energy he had sensed. It was a familiar burst, but at the same time like nothing he had ever felt. It had no signature, no personality connected to the ki.

He'd never met anyone with no ki signature. The ki signature, even the faint one locked deep within normal humans, was different for every single creature. It was like the stripes on a tiger, identifying them to any who could sense the energy. This was usually easy for Gohan to sense, letting him keep a mental tab of his friends and enemies with his mind. So now he focused harder, spreading his spiritual awareness outward to find his family and friends. His mother was in the kitchen downstairs, most likely cooking breakfast. He sensed Krillin easily as well, as he was merely out in the front yard, leaning comfortably against a tree and reading peacefully. The man wasn't in his fighting uniform, instead wearing shorts and a button down shirt.

On a hunch, Gohan sought out Piccolo's signature. After a few seconds of concentration, he discovered that he couldn't feel it. The boy reeled at the implications of this, almost dropping to his knees. There were only two ways that a ki signature could be absent, as far as he knew. Either the person was not on this world, or he was not among the living. That alone was reason enough for Gohan to skip his studies for the morning, and leap out of the window. The young warrior fell quickly to the ground, keeping his power level down far enough to keep his mother from sensing his swift departure. A wrathful ChiChi could be more formidable than the most powerful aliens in the universe, and Gohan would rather not bring about such terror. He hit the ground and started running, intending to go right past Krillin and investigate the matter of Piccolo's disappearance himself. It wouldn't take long to get to the city, where Piccolo had been on business of his own.

"Gohan, what's up?" Krillin asked, setting aside his book and jumping up as the boy approached. Gohan decided that Krillin might be able to help, and slid to a stop.

"Did you feel that energy spike a minute ago?" Gohan asked quickly, his eyes darting in the direction of the anomaly.

"Yeah, it was probably Piccolo training, why?"

Gohan shook his head, focusing back on the man.

"It wasn't, it didn't have his ki signature. It's something I've never felt before." Gohan said, not bothering to tell him that it didn't have a ki signature.

"I wasn't really paying attention to it." Krillin replied, his brow furrowing as he scanned in the direction of the city.

"I'm going to check it out." Gohan said quickly, leaping into the air and taking off. He still kept his power low, using only enough to sustain flight.

"Gohan! Wait for me!" His friend said, flying off after him.

Soon he was beside the half-Saiyan, arms tightly at his sides. Gohan shot him a sideways glance, shaking ear length black hair away from his forehead.

"I think it's worse than that Krillin. I can't feel Piccolo's signature at all."

"Are you sure Gohan? The spike wasn't all that large, hardly enough to… harm Piccolo."

"I'm positive." Gohan said, powering up more and rocketing ahead. Soon Krillin had caught up again.

"When is your father supposed to be home?" He asked, raising his voice to be heard over the turbulent roar of their flight.

"In an hour or so. He just went to Kami's lookout for something, not sure what."

Krillin simply nodded, focusing on scanning the world below for the Namek.


Trunks stopped in mid swing, his sword parallel to the ground. Sweat beaded his forehead and brow, though he was breathing only marginally harder than normal. He had gotten up early, before the sun, to work on his sword techniques. This was the warm up for every day of training, in preparation of the androids arrival. He turned sideways, muscles loosening beneath his black tank top, and held the sword point down. The young man frowned, lavender shaded hair falling into his eyes from the wind.

He had never felt anything quite like that before, and for a moment it terrified him. The androids weren't scheduled to make an appearance on Earth for several months yet, but he wondered if somehow history had been changed. He had traveled back to this time to prepare the world for their arrival, but he knew nothing of the effect this could have on the world. Perhaps his very presence was enough to bring the androids down upon them early, before they were prepared. Fate had a way of trying to reassert itself to the path it had originally taken. If the androids were destined to win, fate might be stepping in to make sure that it happened just that way.

The energy he felt certainly didn't belong to the androids he knew, which took an edge off of his fear. Trunks closed his eyes, trying to place the ki he had felt. It was so familiar, yet the origin of it eluded his mind. He had felt it hundreds of times before, but for some reason could not place it. He did know, however, that it was none of the other warriors, which was cause for alarm.

Perhaps another threat had been brought down on the Earth, perhaps to weaken its guardians for an easier conquest when the androids did come. Trunks didn't know, but he had every intention of finding out. Sheathing his blade over his shoulder, the Saiyan took off into the sky. The energy had come from near the city, perhaps even inside of it. It was a short flight from his location, but even so, Trunks shot through the sky as fast as he was able.

Trees swayed in the warrior's wake as he tore past them, the long grass fifty feet below him parting. He weaved around several taller trees, closing the distance to the city in less than five minutes, and slowing as he reached its limits. Trunks ascended then, clearing the buildings with as much room as he felt comfortable with. He didn't want to be caught without an escape route should he be attacked. Normally, fleeing from battle was something the teenager would have never considered. But if it truly was the androids that had arrived on the planet, he was no match for them alone. The Earth might still be doomed, even with her combined Saiyan might.

Trunks cruised above the city, not bothering to hide his power. If anybody had been paying attention, they surely would have felt his approach, and dropping off of the radar now would be rather pointless. Besides, he wanted to be fully prepared for an attack. Trunks dropped in altitude, as the surrounding structures shortened. He was in a commercial district, mostly shopping marts and other stores.

The half-Saiyan dropped further, slipping underneath a walking bridge that spanned a city street. Below him, a man walked with his young daughter. His hair was far too full in mass, thick black curls obscuring everything below his ears from behind. He was caught up reading a magazine, talking happily to himself and laughing heartily. The young girl, however, noticed Trunks immediately. She turned her head, long black hair in pigtails. She couldn't have been older than eight, from the look of her, though her eyes were more focused than most children Trunks had seen. She stared up at him calmly, not pointing or dropping her jaw as Trunks was used to when seen by children. She merely tugged on her father's sleeve, and spoke.

"Dad, look."

"Not now sweetie, don't you see Daddy is reading." The man's gruff voice replied; buried in what Trunks now noticed to be a martial arts magazine.

He flew on, rising again above the buildings, and making a quick direction change to the north. Trunks intended to do a few fly bys, hoping to pick up that ki signature again, before going in search of the others.

He flew past an apartment building, a woman standing on a balcony and gently rocking her baby back and forth. He passed over a park, several young children laughing and playing. He came to Orange Star High School, and saw two teenagers skipping class, sitting on the roof. The boy wore plan slacks, and a white shirt. He had short black hair and eyes that almost looked unfocused. He stared out across the expanse of the city, only glancing at Trunks for a second, holding hands with the other student on the roof, who was surely his girlfriend. She had long, flowing black hair, and wore pants and a tight fitting shirt. Her brown eyes followed Trunks as he cruised past, locking with his for a moment. He smiled, silently noting that she was very attractive, before continuing on.

Then he saw Gohan and Krillin, flying right toward him. Krillin waved enthusiastically, and the three of them met atop a newspaper office. Trunks landed with a light thump, the other two warriors coming down in front of him.

"Trunks, did you feel it too?" Krillin asked, referring to the mysterious ki.

"Yes. I've never felt anything like it."

Krillin rubbed his chin, deep in thought.

"Is it them? The ones you told us about?" Gohan asked, scanning the city.

Trunks sighed, crouching at the side of the roof and staring out.

"I don't know for sure, but I don't think so. I don't remember any of them that felt that way. It is familiar though, but I can't place it."

"Trunks, I can't sense Piccolo anymore…" Gohan said quietly, turning back. Trunks could see the growing sadness in his eyes.

"Let's keep looking. I don't know what's going on, but we need to find out. Meet me back here in half an hour, and if we haven't found anything we'll go and get the others."

Krillin nodded, and Gohan took off from the roof without a word. Krillin followed, shouting for Gohan to wait. Trunks waited a few more moments, and leapt from the roof, taking off in a surge of visible ki. He glanced back at the school, noticing that the couple had apparently slipped back inside. For not the first time, Trunks wished his life could be as simple as skipping class and teenage love.


Skimming the outskirts of the city, Gohan and Krillin searched for Piccolo. Gohan had given up on keeping his ki low, deciding that it didn't matter if his mother could sense him now, as he was beyond her wrath, or so he hoped. He needed speed and maneuverability in this situation, more than stealth. It had also unnerved him to know that Trunks had been almost maxed out, as if ready to be attacked at any moment. The young Saiyan boy flew lower, moving in between two buildings and turning toward the outer limits of the city, Krillin following closely behind.

"It doesn't make sense Gohan. That spike I felt, there's no way it was powerful enough to seriously hurt Piccolo."

"Maybe," Gohan said calmly, glancing back. "It wasn't meant to harm."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, maybe it was like my dad's instant transmission. Maybe someone used an attack to send Piccolo to another world. It would be much easier than fighting him, and it explains why I can't feel his signature."

"Hmm… maybe." Krillin said, frowning. "Let's make another pass."

Krillin went vertical, ascending quickly into the air. Gohan followed suit, swinging up in a burst of energy. The two warriors climbed higher into the air, hoping to get a better view of the city and surroundings. Out of the corner of his eye, Gohan noticed something he had missed before.

"Krillin, look!" He shouted, coming to an abrupt halt. Krillin did the same, turning to look where Gohan was pointing. From their altitude, the destruction was just visible. About ten miles out, the entire valley East of the city had been decimated.

"Whoa!" Krillin exclaimed, shooting a look at Gohan.

"Let's go." Gohan said quietly, taking off toward the clearing, as dirt still settled back toward the earth.

The two fighters shot across the expanse between them and the clearing, leaving a trail of ki in their wake. It didn't take long to reach the outer edge of the destroyed meadow, and leave behind all sounds of life. They saw the source of the destruction immediately, and came to a halt.

"That looks like…" Krillin began, only to be cut off.

"Look! There!" Gohan shouted, pointing down at the humanoid figure lying face down in the dirt. He dropped hard and fast, rocketing forward again before hitting the ground, and kicking up an insane amount of dirt behind him. Krillin dropped as well, though hetook a slower approach. He was aware that they might still be in danger. Gohan skidded to a stop next to his old mentor, dropping immediately to his knees. A split second later, Krillin landed lightly behind him.

"Is he…?"

Gohan looked down at Piccolo's still form, and could still feel no evidence of his ki signature. But he saw a breath. Had it been his imagination? He kept watching, and saw another shallow breath.

"He's alive!" Gohan shouted, rolling the Namek onto his back. "But he's very weak."

Piccolo's eyes were closed, his face calm and still. His cloak had been torn off of his body, lying several feet away. Other than that, however, there was no evidence of an attack. There were no energy burns on his body, and no evidence of physical blows.

"I don't understand. He doesn't look hurt at all." Krillin said, puzzled.

Gohan merely shook his head, gathering up his mentor's cloak and draping it over his chest.

"Let's get him back to my house. Maybe my dad will know what to do."


"Did you feel that?" Goku asked, his head snapping toward the surge of energy he felt. The Saiyan moved quickly to the side of the lookout's main platform, staring down toward the Earth. A moment later Kami, and Dende, stood beside him.

"Strange. It wasn't one of our people." Dende said, looking up at the elder Namek to confirm this.

"No, definitely not. I've never felt ki like that before." Kami said with a smile, though it was forced.

Goku turned back to his friends, worry creasing his brow.

"You don't think those androids could be here already, do you?"

"I don't know. I truly hope not." Kami replied.

The Saiyan warrior turned back, raising his right hand slowly to his head.

"I need to get home. Thank you for the gift!" Goku smiled over his shoulder at them, patting the small package tucked into the waistband of his red gi.

Holding two fingers directly in front of his right eyebrow, Goku focused his ki, and worked his energy outward. He scanned the world below, searching for an acceptable target. He had hoped to catch Gohan's ki, focus on it, and teleport straight to his son. He could sense that the boy was at home, but his power had been lowered to such a degree that he wasn't a suitable host. So Goku was forced to expand his search, taking in the miles of land around his home. After a moment he caught onto the signature of Trunks, who was nearly at full power and standing at a high altitude. Then the world exploded into light.

In the space of a single thought, Goku's body dematerialized from Kami's home, and appeared in front of Trunks. The teen didn't looked surprised, only nodded curtly as Goku fully settled into his body once more, lowering his hand and focusing intently on the half-Saiyan.

"What's going on Trunks?"

"I take it you noticed the energy spike?"

"Yeah, what was it?"

Trunks crossed his arms, turning to look out across the city. The two of them were standing atop a tall structure, what looked as though it were an office building.

"I have no idea. Gohan and Krillin sensed it too, and came in search of the source. The three of us split up to look, but I didn't find anything. That was maybe a half hour ago. They're supposed to meet me here."

"It took awhile for me to sense it… I wonder why?" Goku said quietly, looking skyward. "Gohan went back to my house, and I'm sure Krillin's with him. We should head back there, maybe they found something."

Trunks nodded solemnly, taking off in the direction of the house at an almost reckless speed. Goku leapt after him, cruising half again as fast to catch up. He didn't understand such a need for speed, but if Trunks thought it was necessary, Goku wouldn't argue it down. The boy had a good head on his shoulders, and knew what the androids that were destined to bear down upon the earth were capable of. If he was nervous enough to insist on such speed, Goku couldn't fight the logic of following his lead.

The two warriors tore through the sky, a crushing pressure trailing them as they flew. It took little time to cross the distance to the house, and both began to slow, swinging upright and dropping toward the ground. As they approached, Krillin ran outside, waving enthusiastically at his old friend. Goku smiled, in spite of the unease that had settled into his body. He landed with a thump, walking toward the front door.

"I'm glad you're here! We found Piccolo, and he's alive!" Krillin said, taking Goku by surprise. He had no idea that the Namek was even in danger, and even Kami hadn't sensed this.

Goku followed the shorter man into the house, moving quickly into their living room. Piccolo was resting on the sofa, arms crossed over his stomach. Gohan was sitting in a straight backed chair next to the couch, his mother standing next to him, a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder. Goku walked up next to his wife, staring down at his somehow injured friend.

"What happened to him?"

"I dunno dad. We found him like this in a huge crater outside of town."

"Crater? There isn't a scratch on him." Goku said, glancing down at his son. Gohan just shook his head.

"There was a space pod dad; that made the crater. Whatever was in it must have attacked Piccolo."

Goku stood silent, brooding over his options. If the androids really had come, they might have gotten the drop on the powerful Namek, using surprise to take him out without a struggle. Having Piccolo down was a huge disadvantage, one that Goku didn't like if they truly were about to be fighting for their lives. So in the span of a few seconds, he had made his decision.

"I'm going to go back and get Dende. Wait here for me."

"Okay." Gohan said, his eyes focused on the unconscious fighter. Goku turned, striding quickly out of the room. He passed Trunks, who acknowledged him with a slight nod again, before leaning back against the wall.

Goku took off the second he had left the house, forcing himself skyward as fast as he could, toward Kami's lookout once more. He hoped he would make it back home in time, and that there would still be a home to make it back to.


A/N

Author's Note: Chapter one, and I hope you enjoy it. I suppose I should explain a bit. This story takes place after Trunks and Goku's arrival on Earth, but before the Androids have arrived. Any ideas yet about the identity of the mysterious aliens? Androids? Maybe? Let me know what you think. And did anybody notice the cameo appearance I threw into this chapter? I'm not sure how often Goku can use instant transmission, but if it's infinite, whichI don't think it is, then we'll just say he couldn't get a suitable lock on Kami or Dende.