Dragon Ball © Akira Toriyama, Shuheisha, Inc.
Chapter 23: A Game
Who would've thought that the hint to Dr. Gero's hideout could be so close all this time? The mad scientist was surprisingly close to Dr. Brief in the past, so close that he even told the scientist about the secret lab he had in the mountains nearby the North City. Rumour had it that he had converted a cave into his lab. It had been long since his mysterious disappearance and since not many scientists knew about this, Bulma assumed that he probably continued his research there.
Piccolo stated a brilliant idea about destroying the lab before the mad scientist had the chance to activate the androids but Vegeta was the only one who went against it for the sake of testing the androids' power and destroyed them with his hands.
Trunks, on the other hand, insisted that they must wait for Goku's recovery before making any decision about the androids. However, his obstinate father insisted that he needed no one because he was a lot more powerful than Goku. Piccolo agreed to this—especially ever since he mastered his Super Saiyan form, adding that Vegeta was probably their biggest shot to defeat the androids but Trunks disagreed.
"No! I can turn into a Super Saiyan too but I was still powerless! That's how powerful they are!" He shifted his eyes to Tenten. "I'm going after him! He's a fool but I'll never let my father die again!"
Tenten let out a heavy sigh and nodded. "Okay. Be careful both of you and—don't fight…?" she kept saying even though he embarked before she finished the last part. "Apple doesn't fall too far from its tree, right? At least I know now where did you get it from…" She shook her head, placing her palm on her forehead.
The air pressure from their departure slowly dissipated as the two figures grew smaller. Recalling their recent occurrence, she knew how hurt she would be in Trunks' shoes. Though both of them grew up without a father figure, she always felt more fortunate than Trunks. Despite being born to a family who owned the Capsule Corp., there were a lot of talks about Trunks' heritage. Her father was always hailed as a hero; everyone would talk about how good her father was while throwing the rotten tomatoes to Trunks.
Vegeta used to be a threat to the Earth. His unofficial marriage to Bulma made everyone think of Trunks as an illegitimate child, son of a criminal. Thus, the reason why Tenten barely brought up the story about her father unless he asked. There were reasons why Trunks was so excited about going to the past.
He wanted his father to acknowledge his growth as a warrior, and he at least wanted to prove that his father wasn't all that bad.
But all that expectation was crushed in a mere second.
"Did he say 'father'? Wh-what did he mean? Was his father killed by the androids too?" Bulma asked Tenten.
"Uhm… he…"
"There's no point in keeping it a secret anymore. Tell them everything," Piccolo told her.
Tenten blinked at him, realising that Piccolo had known about their secrets for some time now. She finally nodded and said, "To put it simply, my companion is… this baby—" she pointed at the baby Trunks in Bulma's arms, "—growing up."
"What?! That boy is my son?!" Bulma screamed. Krillin and Gohan were taken aback but said nothing. "Oh wow! At least I know you're gonna look hot when you grow up! I was worried! I mean you're such a mean-looking baby!" Bulma blurted.
Tenten giggled. "I agree that he scowls too much even as a baby."
"Then you must be—" Bulma gasped, "—Son's daughter?! You must be her! Do you bring your twin brother too? I mean, I really want to see how he looks growing up! Must be looking exactly like Son!"
"Bulma! Shh!" Krillin hissed. Bulma quickly clamped her mouth when the realisation came down to her.
"Oh! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to—"
"Goten fought the android valiantly until his last breath," Tenten said. "He did become a warrior like our father." How surprised she was to see herself saying it so smoothly. "It's a shame that he's not with us today but at least I want you to know the kind of person he became."
"T-then, your family…"
"Only I left from my family, Bulma-san." She was even able to say it with a smile. She was amazed at how easy it was to say things without emotions. "Only I…"
Bulma stared at her for the longest time before pulling her into a warm embrace. "Poor kid. I'm sorry that you've gone through a lot, Tenten. It must be hard for you."
"Nah, I've got your help too in the future," Tenten replied with eyes shut. Bulma remained the same no matter in which timeline she was. Back in her timeline, Bulma was the most beautiful woman she ever met. Standing before her at that moment was her younger self and Tenten couldn't not be fascinated by her beauty. If Trunks set his standard to his mother's beauty, she believed she would be off the list immediately. "We can get this far is all thanks to you too."
"You better show me that machine after the battle," Bulma said with a wink as she released her embrace. "I want to see my future self's creation."
"Okay. I think I need to check on my father's condition too. I'll take you home since your plane exploded," Tenten said.
"Gohan can do that. I want you to come with us, Tenten?" Piccolo said. "We might need your help since you've mastered your Super Saiyan form."
"…I got it. Be careful on your way home, Onii-san… Bulma-san too." Her eyes were locked into the baby Trunks in Bulma's arms. She couldn't not smile at the baby and allowed him to grab her index finger. "I'll see you later, little one."
"Ou." The baby was flailing his arms towards her the moment she let go of his hand. Bulma then told her that Tenten was welcome to come to her house anytime she wanted. Gohan patted her hand with a smile before taking Bulma into his arms and flying towards the West City.
Meanwhile, Trunks was still tailing his father on their way to Dr. Gero's secret lab. His recent occurrence with his father had triggered the adrenaline to rush through the veins in his body.
"Your Father? Hmm… he did do a lot of bad things… as long as he stays dead, I'm sure he's in hell. But you know… There were some good things about him. He was too proud to show any kindness, but I could tell…"
"You're wrong, Kaa-san… There isn't a shred of good about him at all! He didn't even try to save Kaa-san… or me! He's evil through and through!" Trunks muttered under his breath. The moment when Goku learnt that Tenten was his daughter replayed in his mind and Trunks had to clench his fists, suppressing the flare of anger in his chest.
He was the wrong one to expect anything from his father…
Unbeknown to Trunks, Vegeta knew that he was tailing him, deliberately changing into Super Saiyan form and topping his speed just to see his son's capability. It intimidated the already pissed Trunks, who mimicked what his father did to catch up with him.
Not knowing the alpha was smirking…
The North City was barren and very windy. The city was famous for its blacksmith and provided many kinds of equipment every scientist ever dreamt of. It was definitely a great place for Dr. Gero to continue his research. Due to its soil quality, the city had to import everything from food, spices, and a lot of living necessities, resulting in fairly high living expenses.
However, Dr. Gero wouldn't need any of it because he was a half-machine.
"It's impossible to live in this kind of city without air transportation," Tenten said to Krillin upon seeing the buildings afar.
"Yeah. But if the city is there, the lab should be around the mountain below us," Krillin said as he stopped.
"How do we find it? It's all mountains down here…" Tienshinhan said while looking around the rocky mountains. "I guess we have to fly low."
"We'll have to split up and search. Give a signal when you find it. Increase your Ki power abruptly, then we'll feel it," Piccolo said.
It didn't take long until Tenten held herself due to the temperature. Even though she was wearing a denim jacket, it only reached her elbow. Turned out she wasn't the only one because Krillin was asking Tienshinhan for money because he wanted to buy a jacket with chattering teeth.
"Oh, yeah! I almost forgot. I brought Senzu beans with me, so how about splitting it? There's six of them and four of us, so…" Krillin scratched the side of his bald head upon realising the odd number.
"Don't worry about me, Krillin-san. I can heal so I can manage," Tenten said. The three glanced at her almost immediately.
"You? But you're Goku's daughter. How can you do that?" Tienshinhan asked.
Tenten shrugged in response. "I don't know myself. It is one of the things I wish I can find out in this timeline. My brother said that you probably know about it, Piccolo-san."
"It is indeed weird if a demi-Saiyan like you can heal yourself. Unfortunately, I can't answer your question but I know someone who might," Piccolo said while folding his arms. "But let's do that after we find the androids. Let's move!"
They spread and flew into different directions—searching for any possible spots the mad scientist probably built his lab in. However, it didn't take long until Krillin found the secret lab and raised his Ki to maximum to alert the others.
The warriors went straight into his position, witnessing an iron door where the androids might be dwelling in. Krillin and Tienshinhan quickly worked their way to break through the door but it didn't do anything. Piccolo decided to take a shot and was about to blow the door when they heard Dr. Gero's shout inside the lab.
"#17! Stop kidding around and defeat the enemies outside the door!"
The statement froze them through and through. They couldn't believe that the threats had been released from their dormant state.
They were too late…
Vegeta, being impatient, pointed his palm towards the door to break it, not listening Trunks' persuasion to wait for Goku and blasted the door apart. There they saw the awaiting terror that took the most casual form of a black-haired man and a blonde-haired woman—both handsome and beautiful.
Tenten expected herself to get the feeling of terror she had every time she saw them.
But she didn't feel it at all…
The two androids seemed to be arguing with their creator until #18 walked towards the other capsule with #16 emblazoned on top of it.
"#16? Why do they have so many androids in this timeline?" Tenten asked Trunks who shook his head in response.
"I don't know anymore…"
#18 hovered her hand over the activating button to taunt her creator. What they didn't expect was #17 suddenly had his hand penetrated through Dr. Gero's chest. He then knocked Dr. Gero's head and crushed it into pieces. Even with the knowledge of Dr. Gero being killed by them, the scene was still horrible. Nothing was more ironic than being killed by the machine one created to kill someone else…
When the androids decided to open #16's capsule themselves, Trunks surprised Tenten by pulling her behind him and changed into his Super Saiyan form, destroying the lab with his energy ball without warning.
"Trunks, are you crazy?! Why are you suddenly attack like that?! You'll hurt people!" Tenten shouted while grabbing his jacket.
"We can't let more androids lurk in this world! I have to stop them no matter what!"
"At least give us a warning! You're gonna get us killed!" Krillin shouted back.
However, the androids managed to survive the attack, even successfully released #16 from his dormant state. The android easily towered both #17 and #18 with his height. He had an orange Mohawk and golden hoop earrings, just like the other androids. Surprisingly, the three decided to leave without any intention to attack them.
Being ignored like he was nothing hurt Vegeta's pride. The Saiyan prince turned into his Super Saiyan form and made his way towards the androids. Trunks tried to convince him to wait for Goku's recovery again. However, nothing could stop Vegeta at the moment. Deciding that words wouldn't be able to convince his son, he jabbed Trunks right on his stomach. Trunks winced in pain, clutching his stomach as Tenten approached him.
"You really need to stop with 'waiting for my father's recovery', Trunks. They're rivals! That statement has a reverse effect," Tenten said to him in a hushed voice.
"Then what should I do to stop him?! I can't let him die, Tenten! Not in my watch!"
"No one wants your father to be killed! But no one can stop your father!" She spat back at him. "We can only wait for the right moment to stop the fight!"
Trunks knew exactly what she meant by the 'right moment'. It was the thing they always did whenever they were battling the Androids. Now that he paid a closer look at his father's battle, he was amazed to see how he was able to fight on par with #18. However, Piccolo had a different opinion. #18 didn't look like she was wearing down while Vegeta rapidly lost his stamina with every move he conducted. Trunks' body was trembling in fear, the fear that he blinked for a second and failed to save his father at the golden moment.
When #18 side-thrust kicked Vegeta on his shoulder and broke his right arm, Vegeta groaned in pain, and Trunks lost it.
"TOU-SAN!" He changed into his Super Saiyan form and pulled his sword.
The rest of the warriors, except Krillin, followed and engaged in a one-sided battle with the androids now that #17 joined the battle. One single attack was all it needed to bring them all down. Despite having his arm broken, Vegeta resuscitated and was about to attack #17. However, #18 held his leg down and swung him towards Trunks who tried to ambush her.
"Uh, s-should we—"
"No. Unless the androids attack us, we'll stand by and interfere only when our allies need to be saved," Tenten said. "You can't stop these hot-blooded men from jumping into the battle so all you can do is to assist them—when they need you. You'll only hurt their pride if you jump in when they don't need you."
Krillin chuckled. "Who taught you that?"
"Self-learning. Living with all the men around me," Tenten nonchalantly said while keeping her eyes on Piccolo who was now fighting #17. "They'd rather die than be told not to die after all…"
"Yeah, I can see that…" Krillin sheepishly replied. "But these androids are…"
"They don't have any killing intent," Tenten finished his words. "They're playing around… but aren't planning to kill them."
"Is it the same as the one in your timeline?"
Tenten shook her head and sighed. "No. The ones in my timeline don't have any mercy. They just kill everyone in their sight…" She held her breath when she noticed both Trunks and Vegeta had lost their consciousness and reverted back to their original forms. Before she could fly to their place, the androids landed right in front of them. She quickly stretched her arms before Krillin and on her battle stance.
"Don't worry. They're still alive. You better feed them the Senzu beans fast. It heals them completely, right?"
Tenten and Krillin widened their eyes, not expecting them to know about the Senzu beans. After that, the androids just turned their heels away from them and said, "Tell them we'll play with them any time they feel up to it. See ya!" #17 waved his hand as he walked away with #16 and #18.
"Don't you want to ask them where Son Goku lives?" #18 asked.
"Nah. It's more fun to seek it ourselves," #17 replied.
"W-wait! What is it you want?! Is it to kill my father or take over the world?!" Tenten shouted.
"Your father? Ah, you must be Son Goku's daughter. But is she supposed to be a teenager? Never mind that." #17 turned around to face her. "For now, we just want to beat him. We'll think about what to do when we get there."
"But why? Why are you going after Goku?! Dr. Gero was the one who hated him and you've killed him!" Krillin added.
"Gero has nothing to do with it. This is just a game. Son Goku is the strongest being on Earth, right?" #17 nonchalantly asked.
"A game, huh?" Tenten said with a frown.
"Yes. That's why I don't need you to tell us where he is. Finding him ourselves is a part of the game."
"E-even if I beg you not to?" Krillin asked with sweat dripping around his bald head.
"It doesn't matter. We were created to defeat Son Goku." It was the first time #16 spoke a word to them.
"I understand." Tenten turned around while keeping her guard up. "Let's go, Krillin-san. We need to heal them."
#18 and Krillin were exchanging glances. Tenten couldn't not whip her head towards them when suddenly #18 approached and pecked Krillin on his cheek, saying "See you later."
Krillin stood rooted on his spot, but so did Tenten. However, recalling their priority, Tenten cleared her throat and said, "Krillin-san, I will heal them all. Maybe we can save the Senzu beans for later use."
"O-okay. Let's do that," Krillin absent-mindedly said.
Krillin didn't say a word as he witnessed Tenten form a while glow on her palm as she healed the fallen warriors. They didn't regain their consciousness immediately but their wounds were closing up.
"Hey, Tenten. Why didn't you jump into the fight like the others? I thought you Saiyans love to fight?" Krillin asked while bringing Tienshinhan's body to a more shaded place.
"I do love fighting." When she was about to heal Piccolo, she accidentally grazed her right arm and saw blood oozing from it. The pain started to throb but she made no effort to heal her own wound. "It's the only thing that makes me feel after all…" she muttered under her breath.
"Huh? What did you say?" Krillin whipped his head towards her, noticing that something was off with her.
Tenten shook her head. "What I meant is that I love fighting like them but maybe it's more like 'if necessary' for me." She chuckled.
"Oh yeah. Must be hard for you…" Krillin responded with a small smile until he noticed something. "Ah! You're wounded! Here, just eat this Senzu—"
"I'm okay. I will heal it after… this." Tenten smiled as he went to heal Vegeta's wound.
Krillin watched the girl continue healing everyone, all the time didn't even seem to care about her own wound. He furrowed his brows while moving Piccolo's body to the shade.
"Poor girl…"
AN: Honestly, the lack of review and vote for this story is kind of the thing that discourages me from continuing this story. I know that there are a lot of people saying you need to keep continuing even if there's one reader, but sometimes feedbacks are the form of discouragement for me. It's like when you're standing in the front, saying something, laughing at my own joke yet no one is responding. ;_;
And yet, some people still ask for an update, which makes me feel happy to know that some people are still looking forward to reading the continuation of this chapter. Thank you so much, for those who are still encouraging me to continue. Please support this story by voting and giving me some feedback!
Please follow me, vote for my story, and add the book to your reading list!
For new readers in Fanfiction, follows, favorites, and reviews are loved.
Please note that I only upload my story in Fanfiction and Wattpad. If you happen to see my story on other sites, please kindly tell me.
