Dragon Ball Z: Dynasty

By Feraligreater328

A/N: Hey guys. I sincerely hope that everyone stays safe during these hard times we're going to be facing. We'll all make it through this~! Also, I am quite sorry about how bleak the story is during these hard times. Anyone familiar with Dragon Ball knows where this is going and that it only gets worse from here. But I thank you for you continued support and hope you enjoy regardless.

Chapter 71: Present, Part 2

In New West City, Capsule Corp...

Gohan groaned in pain as he laid in his medical bed within Capsule Corp. The young warrior shuddered, his various wounds from his battle aching beneath their bandages. But the pain was not was Gohan was focused on. Instead, he reflected upon the words that 17 and 18 said to him after his most recent defeat.

Earlier, in Ocean City...

Android 18 stomped her boot down on the gash on Gohan's face, making blood spurt and making the defeated Saiyan scream in pain. She chuckled and mocked him, still wearing the late Master Roshi's sunglasses. "You're such a dumbass, you know that?!"

She stomped again. "Dumb. Ass."

17 smirked from his spot, sitting on a nearby rail. "Seriously, man, how could you just go on thinking that you had killed us, huh? You didn't even bother to search after we so conveniently 'died'. You just went on and on and on like all of your problems just vanished..."

18 laughed out loud and kicked Gohan in the ribs. "Did you really think this pathetic little golden transformation of yours was enough?!"

She shook her head. "Super Saiyan. Gimme a break..."

17 stood up and walked over, him and 18 both looming over Gohan. 17 chuckled. "No matter what you are, Super or otherwise, you're still just one guy. That wasn't enough when Vegeta faced us and that won't be enough now."

18 wickedly smirked. "Vegeta and Raditz teaming up wasn't even enough. Raditz wasn't 'Super' by any means..."

Gohan snarled. 17 and 18 both laughed. And then 17 continued. "You'll need more than one Super Saiyan to beat us. Too bad you're the only one~"

18 shook her head, a scowl crossing her face. "But, that's irrelevant. You're boring now. BO-RING. If you're this boring next time we fight, we're going to actually murder you. So, you'd better get stronger or whatever..."

And then both Androids took off, leaving Gohan among the wreckage of Ocean City.

Two months later, back in the Gizard Wastes...

After a couple weeks of healing, Gohan got up and immediately got to work on the plan that he had worked out. His goal: to come up with a solution that would stop the Androids once and for all. His plan: raise up three more Super Saiyans to fight at his side and help him put 17 and 18 away for good.

And so, to carry out this plan, Gohan took his three students out into the Gizard Wastes and began a non-stop regiment of training in an attempt to get the three of them strong enough to ascend. And, for as much effort as Gohan put into this regiment, the three kids gave back just as much. This training went on for two, uninterrupted months.

The trio of children were all knelt on the ground, huffing and exhausted. Standing over them, Gohan spoke clearly and firmly. "Come on, you three! I know you can give more than that! Come at me!"

Ranch got up first, charging at Gohan with a furious scream and attempting a flurry of punches. Gohan was barely phased, blocking the attacks before yanking Ranch up by her tail and casting her aside. Ranch crashed against the ground and slid, but quickly got onto her feet and pulled her pistol, firing several ki bullets at Gohan's back.

Gohan feinted to the side, dodging the bullets, but was forced to jerk out of the way to avoid a Power Pole strike. He grabbed the Power Pole, giving it a hard tug, and pulled its wielder high into the air before smashing him atop Ranch. Gohan was serious. "You've got to be less obvious with your attacks! 17 and 18 could use any of the openings you've both given me to kill you!"

He looked around. "Now, where's Trunks?"

Trunks lunged at Gohan from the side, swinging his sword at his mentor with all of his might. Gohan dodged each swing with a sigh, eventually coating his hand with ki and catching the blade. "Come on, Trunks..."

Gohan shot his foot forward, kicking Trunks in the stomach and forcing him to release his grip on the sword. As Trunks laid on the ground, coughing, Gohan swung the sword around. "All of your attacks are too one-step! You need to have another move ready to go if/when your first one fails! You need to work better on combining your talents and confusing your foe! You three need to build off of each other, damn it!"

Ranch groaned. "H-He's right..."

And then, without missing a beat, Ranch grabbed the Power Pole and pointed it directly at Gohan's face. "Headshot!"

The pole extended and smashed right into the center of Gohan's forehead. He growled and grabbed the tip of the pole, yanking it to the side. "You think-"

Gohan flinched. The girl was still there, but both of the boys were gone. He looked around, noticing that the two had masked their energies. "Where-"

Suddenly, two hails of ki bullets began to rain from the rocky structures above. Gohan glared around, trying to find his hidden attacks, only to be suddenly assaulted on the front by even more ki bullets. He glared at Ranch, who smiled at him. "I might've brought a few spare guns~"

Gohan frowned and began to deflect any shots that Ranch took at his face. However, in his distraction, a voice shouted behind him. "Give Trunks his sword back!"

Gohan turned and was met by a massive headbutt to the stomach. The wind was knocked from the warrior and he dropped the sword. His headbutting attacker dropped to the ground and grabbed the blade, acting like he was about to swing it. Gohan went to block, but then the trio's plan became clear. A single ki bullet shot down towards the blade, hitting it and reflecting off directly into Gohan's face. He hissed in pain, and then was met by a kick to the back from Ranch. As Gohan fell back, he looked up and saw Trunks right above him, a massive blast in hand. "Eat this Gohan! GOD BREAKER!"

The blast hit Gohan, pressing him to the ground and blowing up in grand fashion. It took the warrior a minute, but he stood back up and faced his students once more. The three of them stood there, tails waving around. Each held their weapons aloft and glared at him. Gohan chuckled, his tail waving around as well. "Man... if only my Dad, Vegeta, and Raditz could see this..."

Gohan dropped his focus for a moment, the three kids in front of him all looking like proper warriors. This made him smile...but that smile only served to mask how he honestly felt on the inside. The three of them looked like Saiyan warriors, but the past months of training had taken their toll. Working non-stop towards the goal of Super Saiyan had left the three of them battered and bruised and dirty. Gohan sighed. "Let's...stop for now. We all need a break..."

Trunks flinched. "A-Are you sure Gohan? We can keep going. Right guys?"

The other two both nodded. Gohan chuckled. "I... appreciate that guys. I really do. But you deserve a break. And besides..."

Gohan felt their energy approaching. He turned and saw Bulma's plane, knowing that she and Launch and his mother were all aboard. He grumbled under his breath. "I get the feeling I'm about to get an earful anyway..."

The three mothers landed and marched out of Bulma's ship with a collective fury among them. Chi-Chi, the most forgiving of the three on this case, bid her son hello, stroking his scarred face before rushing over to check on the kids. Gohan watched as she doted over each of them, and then gasped as Chi-Chi produced a bag from her pocket and pulled out three very familiar-looking beans. "A-Are those...?!"

"Senzu Beans."

Gohan turned and saw Bulma and Launch standing right behind him. Bulma had an annoyed, verging on angry, expression on her face. Launch glared at Gohan with cold fury. Bulma continued. "Those were the only Senzu Beans I could produce from that plant Yajirobe gave us. It's dead. So, those are the only ones we have."

The scientist shook her head. "But, that's beside the point. Let Chi-Chi watch the kids, Gohan. We need to have talk."

Gohan flinched, but then he sheepishly followed along as Bulma and Launch lead him behind the ship. Once behind, and out of the children's sight, Bulma took a deep breath. "Look...I know you need someone to train with. And I know the kids want to train with you. But...it's been days Gohan. Days with no contact, with no break, without a single peep from you or them. You can't just sequester yourself and then out here like this. They're kids, they need time to do things that aren't this..."

Gohan shook his head, looking guilty. "Bulma, I know that...but...we...we need to get stronger. All four of us. Or this nightmare with 17 and 18 will never stop! I can't do this alone! I need them Bulma! I need them to become stronger to help me fight, otherwise 17 and 18 are going to get bored and kill me one day! And then what?!"

Bulma fell silent, sadness streaked across her face at the sound of Gohan's voice cracking. She gripped her fist. Gohan pressed his hand against his face. "I know this isn't the preferable solution. I know that this isn't how any of us wanted this to go. I know that I'm a warrior and I should be stronger enough to handle this. I..."

Gohan trailed off, not even speaking to Bulma at this point. "I...I know that...this...is..."

"Pathetic."

Gohan and Bulma both looked up at the sour-faced Launch. She glared at Gohan so harshly that it was practically boring a hole through him. She snarled at Gohan. "That's the word you like to use for situations like this, right?! Pathetic?!"

Her fists were shaking. "You said it yourself so long ago. It's pathetic when someone isn't strong enough to solve problems that other people would have been able to. It's pathetic to try to solve your problems with the strength of others. It's pathetic that you, in all the time you've been fighting, haven't become strong enough."

Bulma tried to speak. "Launch, let's not-"

Launch ignored Bulma. "You said it yourself Gohan. So long ago...when you convinced a certain someone that foolishly dying was better than living on and surviving?! You're too weak to fight the Androids on your own, so you're relying on others. Doesn't that just make you pathetic?!"

Gohan's shoulder went limp. "I... I'm so sorry. We're...we're so close to reaching Super Saiyan, all four of us. And then-"

Launch sneered. "And then you can lead our kids to die, right?"

Gohan feel silent, looking utterly miserable. Launch turned away. "The three of them are coming home for a hot meal and a rest. Super Saiyan or not."

As Launch marched away, Bulma looked towards Gohan. She walked over and pulled him into a hug. "She...she didn't mean all that, Gohan. I know she didn't. She's still just upset about Raditz."

Gohan didn't say a word. Bulma looked up at him, stroking his scarred face. "You need to come back too. The kids aren't the only ones in need of a rest."

Gohan stood there silent as Bulma walked over to join up with Launch, Chi-Chi, and the kids. He gripped his fists tight. And then, they fell limp and he walked onto the ship.

3 years later, in New West City...

And so, for the next three years, Gohan and the mothers continued to clash. Gohan needed the kids to train. He needed them to get stronger. But he couldn't argue that the worried parents didn't have a point. So, an agreement was reached. Three months of training, three months of rest in West City. And, all the while, Gohan continued to push himself to repel the Androids' attacks. Luckily, training with the young trio had allowed Gohan to continue to improve himself. But still never enough to defeat the mechanical menaces.

Chi-Chi had tried her best to stay positive in the face of this desperate situation, doting over the children and trying to keep the three of them on their study plans. She also tried her best to care for Gohan, even if her son was increasingly worn down.

Bulma served as the middle-man, not exactly approving of Gohan's methods, but not picking at him either. The scientist was at her wit's end. Nothing she tried could replicate the Senzu Beans. Nothing she tried could crack the technology that Dr. Gero used to make the Androids. Bulma was lost, unsure of anything she could do to help. Until, one day, she came up with a farfetched idea that she thought might work...

And, finally, Launch was the least forgiving of the three women. Outside, Launch was cold and distant from everyone. Even the kids were starting to become distant to her. In her heart, Launch was broken and hurt. The loss of her friends, the loss of Raditz, and...the loss of such a major piece of herself...continued to take their toll on the poor woman. The bitter, hateful feelings that festered in her heart only grew more rancid and deep-seated as time went on.

The training of the children to become Super Saiyans continued on, with small progress being made each day. But, it was clear to every adult involved that the remains of the Z-Family were drifting further and further apart every day.

And so, another three-month period of training ended. A three months of surprisingly few Android attacks. As the three children and Gohan marched up to Capsule Corp in New West City, Chi-Chi ran out to meet them. The poor woman's hair was going gray from stress and natural age, but she still greeted each of her babies with a cool bottle of water and a massive hug. Gohan sighed as he watched his mother hug each of the three kids and then gratefully accepted a hug of his own. Chi-Chi spoke gently. "I'm glad to have you all back. Now, why don't you come in and have a rest. Let me take your outfit and sew it up and you can enjoy a nice, hot-"

And then, as if on cue, the radio came to life with another emergency broadcast. Chi-Chi flinched at the sound of it: the familiar, desperate call of a radio broadcaster announcing that the Androids had shown up at a new city.

"I repeat, once more, the Androids have been spotted on the outskirts of Ginger Town, headed towards the Super World amusement park! All Ginger Town citizens please evacuate with haste!"

Chi-Chi shook her head. "N-No! Gohan no! You just got back!"

Gohan sighed. Trunks turned to him, looking concerned. "Gohan..."

The other two kids looked worried as well. Before any of them could say anything else, Bulma came rushing out into the yard. "D-Did you hear?! The Androids! They're so close..."

Gohan nodded. "Yep. Looks like...I don't get to rest quite yet..."

The young warrior sighed. "Bulma, could you let me hold the Senzu Beans that you and Yajirobe grew? How many are left...?"

Bulma pulled out the bag, giving it a shake. "Four."

He nodded. "Four should be enough."

And then, Gohan opened the bag and grabbed a bean, popping it into his mouth to recoup his strength and stamina. "Or, three now. I guess."

Gohan turned and started to walk away, giving a solemn wave goodbye to the kids, Bulma, and Chi-Chi. "I should be back soon. Usually, when I have to fight them in a theme park or a play place, they're pretty eager to get it over with..."

Everyone silently watched Gohan walked off, all of them desperate for him not to go. Finally, as he started to take off, Ranch cried out. "Gohan! Wait!"

Gohan turned, seeing the desperate looks on his students' faces. The bluish-haired girl had readied her guns, the purple-haired boy his sword, and the black-haired boy his staff. He waved the staff at Gohan, a determined look in his eye. "We can help you, Gohan! Let us come with you! If the four of us work together then...then..."

Trunks thrust his sword at Gohan. "Then the Androids are finished! This time for good!"

Gohan sadly looked upon the three kids, and then over at the visibly terrified Bulma and Chi-Chi. He took in a deep breath, and then sighed. "No."

The three of them flinched, Ranch dropping one of her guns in the process. "W-What?!"

Gohan shook his head. "Not yet. You three aren't ready yet. For now...I think I need to continue the fight alone. Like I said, I'll be back soon...so you three just enjoy your rest, okay?"

And then, with that, Gohan took off in the direction of Ginger Town. Once he was out of sight, the flustered Chi-Chi turned to the three kids. "H-He's right. Why don't you all come in and I'll make you some nice, cold juice..."

The Power Pole was thrown to the ground hard, clattering against the stone pathway. "JUICE?!"

Ranch picked up her dropped firearm. "Y-You expect us to just sit here and drink juice...?"

Trunks gripped his sword tight, his power flaring. "How can we just relax when, again, Gohan had to go out and take a beating alone like this. It... it's not right..."

And then, all three of them shouted at the same time. "IT'S NOT FAIR!"

Super World, on the outskirts of Ginger Town...

Death and destruction echoed across the once happy aisles of Super World as 17 and 18 committed random havoc and had their own form of twisted fun. The two Androids had made a merry time of riding every ride the laid their eyes upon, but only after mercilessly slaughtering the helpless people trapped aboard. The air around the theme park stunk of fear and blood.

As the two of them stepped off of the tilt-a-whirl, Android 18 chuckled. "So, when do you think he's going to get here?"

17 shrugged. "Any minute now. He rarely ever takes longer than this~"

"ANDROIDS!"

17 smirked. "Right on cue."

Gohan landed in front of his two hated enemies and instantly struck a fighting stance. 17 scoffed. "Just going right into it, huh? You don't even wanna chat first? You're usually so much more into it after you've heard what it is 18 and I have done..."

The Saiyan snarled, his eyes glowing with anger and rage as his Super Saiyan power burst forth. "I don't need to hear it. I already hate the both of you so much...I'm ready to get the fight started and put an end to your evil once and for all!"

18 smirked, walking forward and cracking her knuckles. "Fine..."

Her eyes sparkled with an evil, blue glint. "You asked for it, you little p-"

Suddenly, to the surprise of both Gohan and Android 17, a glowing flash came shooting down from the air and slammed into Android 18's face. 18 sneered, turning her attention to the air. "Who in the hell threw that blast?!"

She was quickly answered by a rapid, triple team attack. Two feet stomped onto her shoulders, another two feet smashed into the back of her head, and then a very familiar staff smashed into 18's chest. "POWER POLE EXTEND!"

And then, the staff launched 18 through the air into a nearby teacup ride.

17 cocked his head, less concerned about 18 and more concerned about these new intruders. "And who are these guys?"

Gohan was shaking. "No...what...what are the three of you doing here?!"

Standing between Gohan and Android 17 were Gohan's three students. Each of them held their weapons aloft and stared down the remaining Android. 17 was still confused. "So...you know these three, Gohan? Well then, why don't you introduce me?"

Gohan shook his head. "What are you three doing here?! Trunks, Ran-"

Suddenly, a shriek echoed out from the teacups. A burst of intense power sent rubble and debris flying all around and 17 groaned. "Oh man, I think the kids pissed her off..."

"IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO THEY ARE! DEAD! THEY'RE ALL DEAD!"

17 sighed. "Yup. Definitely pissed her off..."

As the sound of 18 angrily stomping drew closer and closer, the three kids turned and each shot Gohan a look of solidarity. Trunks held out his sword. "Forget the training, forget what our Moms' have to say, and forget Super Saiyan. We're plenty strong enough to help out here, Gohan! We aren't letting you fight this fight alone! Not ever again!"

The other two both nodded. Gohan sighed. "Well...I guess it's too late to really tell you guys to leave. That would only encourage one of the two of them to chase you..."

He groaned. "Fine. The three of you can hold off 18 seeing as you've already made her angry. Maybe, without her jumping in and attacking me...I might be able to beat 17..."

Ranch nodded. "So, hold off 18? We can do that!"

She cocked her gun. Next to her, Trunks pulled out his sword. He had a steely look in his eye. "We certainly can!"

Gohan smiled. Next to him, however, he saw the tip of the Power Pole out of the corner of his eye. He turned to the wielder and gave a confident smile. "Don't be scared. You might not be at the level we were hoping, but the three of you have this..."

He shot the boy a thumbs-up. The young man looked up at Gohan nervously. "A-Are you sure you don't want back up against 17? I...I could stay and help..."

Gohan shook his head. "The three of you working together to halt 18 is my back-up. And I have faith in you guys. You can handle this!"

The boy nervously nodded, holding his Power Pole out and running up to join Trunks and Ranch. The three kids all looked to one another, and then quickly back at Gohan, and then the three of them charged off to face down Android 18.

Android 17 chuckled. "That was cute. You should've been a motivational speaker instead of a fighter~"

Gohan sneered. "The only motivating I plan to do here is to motivate you bastards into an early grave..."

17 snorted. "Ooh~ Nice quip. But a quip isn't going to help you here..."

Gohan snarled. "I'm willing to bet that you won't be so cocky without your insurance policy backing you up. 18 isn't here to blast me in the back when things get too heavy for you, 17!"

17 glared. "Yeah. Sure. Keep telling yourself that it was 18 that was making you lose..."

And then, Gohan and Android 17 clashed. A lightning-fast exchange of blows took place between the warrior and his Android foe, ending with 17 smashing Gohan right across the jaw with his fist. Gohan skidded back, but his did not lose foot. He did a spin, moving out of the way of 17's next strike, and then launched himself directly into the Android's back, planting both feet into 17's spine and making the Android eat dirt.

Gohan stood over 17, his power flaring. This only served to piss 17 off. The Android quickly pushed himself up and punched Gohan in the stomach. Gohan responded with a punch of his own, uppercutting 17 under the jaw. 17 sneered and went for a kick, but Gohan was able to intercept and catch. 17 snarled. "Let my leg go!"

Gohan roared in anger and then smashed his elbow down onto 17's knee. 17 cried out in pain and then Gohan followed up with an elbow to the face. With 17 stunned, Gohan lifted the Android into the air by his leg and smashed him face-first onto the ground. 17 growled and pushed himself up, having cushioned his landing with a quickly thrown-up energy shield. He quickly whipped around and aimed a blast right at Gohan, but Gohan responded with a blast of his own. The two energy attacks both exploded in grand fashion and Gohan and 17 both retreated to regroup.

17 wiped a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth. "Wh...what the hell?! What the hell is this?!"

Gohan took another, tight fighting stance. "A reckoning."

17 snarled. "Cute. Real cute. But you're in for it now! I'm gonna hit you with my full fury, boy! They'll have to mop you up by the time I'm done with you!"

Gohan's eyes narrowed. "It sure doesn't take much for the mighty 17 to lose his cool. You really are nothing but an out-of-control child underneath that skin you wear, huh?"

17 smirked. "Big talk..."

And then, very quickly, 17 vanished from sight. Faster than Gohan could follow, the Android sprinted forth and smashed his fist into Gohan's stomach. Gohan gurgled and slumped over, making 17 laugh out loud. "...but big talk only gets you so far! Tell me Gohan, how did that one feel?! Huh?!"

And then, his composure broken, 17 began to smash his fist down onto the back of Gohan's head over and over and over. "Huh?! Huh?! Huh?! Huh?! Huh?! Huh?! Huh?! Huh?! Huh?! Huh?! Huh?! Huh?!"

17 stopped, his fist dyed red. Blood was pouring from Gohan's head. 17 was utterly manic at even the slightest sign of Gohan posing a threat. "Well?! ANSWER ME!"

Suddenly, to 17's shock, Gohan's Super Saiyan power flared. He lifted his head, a mask of blood pouring down his face, and he glared at 17 with his fierce, emerald eyes. "I've been hit harder, you psychotic brat!"

And then, with all of his strength, Gohan smashed his fist into the side of Android 17's face and sent the Android flying through the nearby Ferris Wheel and into the House of Mirrors. Gohan gave chase, having barely lost a step in this fight.

Meanwhile, over by the teacups...

Android 18 was infuriated as these three new pests continued to force her back and throw off her balance. In the distance, the girl was firing at 18 with her guns. Except, unlike normal guns, these actually hurt for some reason. But, 18 could do very little about that as Sword-Dude and Staff-Boy remained right up in her face.

The two of them were working in perfect synch, practically doing to 18 what she and 17 had done to Gohan for so long. For every sword strike 18 deflected with her energy barrier, a staff shot smashed into her. For every staff shot she repelled, the brat with the blade added a new slice to her outfit. This was rapidly pissing 18 off. The only reason she and 17 were allowed to do this sort of thing to Gohan was because they were both stronger than him. These weak little pests, however...

18 snarled. "YOU BRATS ARE PISSING ME OFF!"

Trunks shouted. "Then die angry!"

He swung his blade at 18, but she dodged and kicked him in the face for his trouble. The Power Pole tried to extend into 18's side, but she leapt over it and responded with a massive punch to the back of her younger foe's head. 18 charged two blasts. "Now, let's do some real damage~"

But, before she could fire, a massive ki bolt smashed into Android 18's face and exploded. On the sidelines, Ranch smirked as she held up her Capsule Ki Bazooka. "How's that for damage?!"

18 sneered and immediately sprinted right at Ranch. The girl tried to stand and fight, but 18 had none of it. She batted away the weapon in Ranch's hand and then rammed her thumb into the girl's mouth, heaving her into the air. "Feeling cocky now, brat?!"

Ranch spoke around the thumb. "Fuh-Fuhvsay Fuhj..."

18 moved the digit. "Pardon?!"

Ranch raised his hand and snarled. "Thursday Surge!"

The blast enveloped 18 and shoved her back, making her drop Ranch. The blast quickly exploded, kicking up dust and leaving Ranch coughing. "D-Did it work?!"

The smoke very quickly cleared and revealed a singed and furious Android 18. Ranch swallowed a lump in her throat. "Crap."

18 lunged forward, but then her other two opponents fell from above, body-slamming the Android onto the ground. 18 raged, rolling over and punching both of the boys across the face. The two of them drew their weapons, raising them up to strike 18 with them. But she was able to grab and block both attacks. The two boys struggled, but it was readily apparent that neither of them were a match for 18 in strength. Enraged, 18 roared and snatched both of the weapons away, tossing them aside and nearly impaling Ranch with the blade. Then, she grabbed both boys by the throat and harshly smashed their heads together.

The two stumbled back, falling to the ground, and 18 stood up. She charged an energy blast and aimed it at the boys. "Die, you pests!"

But, suddenly, 18 was surprised by the glint of metal out of the corner of her eye. She turned and was met by a swinging blade in her face. 18 feinted back and sneered at Ranch. The little girl looked both angry and terrified as she charged towards her opponent. "You think I'm just going to sit back and watch you kill my friends?!"

Ranch swung the blade again, but 18 responded with a heavy kick, smashing her energy enhanced leg into the blade and shattering it into hundreds of pieces. Ranch stared at the hilt, perplexed and terrified, and 18 smashed the unawares girl in the side of the head with an additional kick.

Trunks pushed himself up, his vision blurry. He reached over and tried to rouse his partner. "H-Hey...get up..."

He partner groaned and started to stir. Trunks looked around. "R-Ranch! Ranch!"

A familiar shriek met Trunks' ears. He looked over and his jaw fell agape as he focused on the sight of Android 18 gripping Ranch by the hair. Ranch's face was contorted into a mask of pain and anguish as 18 chuckled at him. "Looking for her~? What, is she your girlfriend or something~?"

Trunks' pupils shrank. "P-Put her down! Right now!"

18 shrugged. "I'm just trying to teach her about the dangers of playing with knives. Stupid kids shouldn't handle them, or they might get hurt~"

And then, in a lightning quick display of shocking violence, Android 18 whipped Ranch up into the air and rammed the remainder of Trunks' sword into her gut. Ranch let out a pitiful yelp, and the 18 tossed to her to ground like trash.

Trunks screamed in agony. "NO!"

18 chuckled. "You know, I really hate having to be around kids. But...I also really love hurting kids. So, I guess there's a lesson in there about the duality of life or some shit..."

Trunks' partner shakily pushed himself up. "Wh-What's going-"

Android 18 lifted a finger and fired a single beam through the boy's chest. He gasped in pain and then fell back, his eyes having gone white. Trunks was aghast. But, before he could so much as stand, Android 18 stomped her foot down onto the side of his head and chuckled. "Now...how should I kill you, huh?"

Trunks didn't answer. He barely paid attention to 18. Instead, he frantically looked around as two, rather large, pools of blood began to form under his two friends. "N-No...no..."

Tears began to roll from his eyes. "Th-This can't be happening..."

18 blew a raspberry before erupting into a wicked cackle. "Are you crying?! Weak!"

She held up her hand, readying a blast. "I think I'm just gonna blow your head off~"

18 moved slowly, trying to relish the moment. But then, a fearful cry took her out of it.

"18! HELP ME!"

Android 18 turned her head and saw the explosions going up across the theme park. "Goddammit 17, can't you see that I'm busy?"

18 dispersed the blast, abandoning Trunks and racing of in the direction of 17's fight with Gohan. Left alone and sniveling, Trunks shakily got up and rushed across the room to check on his friends. "G-Guys! GUYS!"

Moments earlier, over by the Ferris Wheel...

Android 17 threw a supersonic punch at Gohan, but the warrior's reflexes allowed him to easily catch the fist. A small sonic boom erupted around Gohan, and 17 flinched in shock. And then, Gohan forced the fist backwards with an audible crack from 17's wrist. 17 yelped in pain and Gohan took action. He smashed his elbow down onto the back of 17's neck and then smashed him in the face with his boot.

17 stumbled back and Gohan lunged forward with another attack, but the Android was able to quickly throw up an Energy Barrier. 17 was shaking, staring fearfully at Gohan through the green, energy field. Gohan stared with fiery hatred. And then, as if on instinct, Android 17 cried out. "18! HELP ME!"

Gohan sneered and leapt back. "Crying out for help?! Pathetic!"

He pressed his fingers to his brow. "But, that's fine. Let Android 18 come! She can see you dead and then she can join you!"

17 was hysterical, blood leaking from his face and nose. "Y-You think you can get me in here?! Do you know how strong this barrier is?!"

Energy was crackling on the tips of Gohan's fingers. "No matter how much power you put into it, it's still just a bubble to be popped!"

And then, Gohan thrust his fingers towards 17 and fired a massive attack. "SUPER SPECIAL BEAM CANNON!"

The drilling attack shot forward and smashed into the side of Android 17's bubble. The Android was confident for only a brief moment, and then he noticed that his protective barrier was warping inward. 17 gasped in fear and horror and side-stepped, just in time to avoid the piercing light shredding through and totally shattering his defense. 17 cried out. "H-How?! Vegeta, Bardock, Raditz, Piccolo...none of them were ever this strong!"

"That's the difference of years..."

17 turned and his face went pale as he saw Gohan's hands form and charge a massive Kamehameha. Gohan was seething. "I've taken beatings from you and that she-devil for years. Did you think I got nothing from that?! Little-by-little, injury-by-injury, my power swelled and grew!"

Gohan gritted his teeth. "I surpassed you bastards a long time ago, I just needed to split you up..."

17 cried out in panic. "18!"

Gohan snarled. "Now, eat this, KAMEHAMEH-"

Blood erupted from Gohan's mouth. His blast faded and his arms fell to his sides. The warrior looked down, at the center of his chest, and saw a long piece of metal rebar stabbed through it. Behind himself, Gohan heard a familiar, feminine chuckle. "You look so lame 17~"

18 stepped to the side. "Now, back to business as usual~"

17 stood up, his face streaked with utter rage. And then, he charged forward and kicked Gohan across the face hard enough to send the warrior flying off of the rebar and through a nearby wall. Gohan shakily pushed himself up, barely able to maintain Super Saiyan, and saw his old tormentors both looming over him once again. And then, the two of them came down on him hard.

Back at the teacups...

Trunks had dragged his two friends closer together, so that he could try to attend to them both at the same time. The two of them were both still alive, but they were cold to the touch. Trunks stroked his hand across Ranch's face and shook his head. "No. No no no. Please..."

And then, to Trunks' shock, Gohan suddenly came crashing through the roof of the ride. Trunks stared in horror at his mentor, laying on the ground bloodied and beaten. He cried out. "Gohan!"

Gohan weakly lifted his head. "T-Trunks..."

Gohan's eyes widened at the sight of the other two. He cried out. "No! Ranch and...NO!"

The warrior tried to get up, to come over and check on his dying students. But, like two meteorites, the Androids fell from the sky and crashed into him. Trunks could only sit there, staring in horror as 17 and 18 dogpiled on Gohan. They kicked and they stomped and they flung energy blasts. Android 18 had a look of pure euphoria on her face, 17 had one of pure scorn. They kicked and kicked and beat Gohan senseless until, finally, 18 noticed Trunks. "Oh wait...I remember now..."

18 abandoned the thrashing of Gohan and began to stalk over towards Trunks. "We were still playing, right? I think I was gonna blow your head off~?"

Trunks recoiled in fear, shuffling back and trying to get away. But, eventually, his back hit a wall. Trunks braced himself, his hand scraping across the ground, and he winced in pain. The palm of his hand suddenly felt very warm, but Trunks wrapped his hand around the painful object.

18 knelt down in front of Trunks, grabbing him by the face and charging a blast in her other hand. "Now...let's see how many blasts your face can take before-"

Trunks cried out and swung the object in his hand. 18 shrieked in pain and stumbled back. 17 immediately stopped beating on Gohan and turned to 18. "What?! What now?!"

18 hissed. She slowly moved her hands and Gohan, Trunks, and 17 all saw what had happened. 18 had a massive, bleeding, deep gash going across her face, over the bridge of her nose, from cheek-to-cheek. She glared hatefully down at Trunks, who was utterly gobsmacked by what he had just done. And then, with a swift, harsh kick, she snapped the boy's neck.

Gohan gasped. "N-No..."

17 harshly kicked him in the ribs for his troubles. He turned to 18. "H-Hey...sis."

18 was quivering with fury. "I want them dead, 17. All four of them. Now."

Wordlessly, 17 nodded. The two Androids took to the air, leaving a battered Gohan and his three mortally wounded students laying in a heap. Gohan watched as they rose into the air. "What are they...?"

Two shining beacons twinkled in the air and Gohan's pupils shrank. "Shit."

And then, his body moved on auto-pilot. Gohan quickly scooped over the dying girl and boy nearer to him and then he leapt atop of Trunks. And, as he did, 17 and 18's blasts collided with the teacup ride and enveloped all of Super World.

A few minutes later...

Gohan's eyes cracked open, his vision still blurry and his ears still ringing. What was once a theme park was now reduced to a fallout zone. The warrior gave a brief scan to the sky above and saw no trace of 17 or 18. They had to have left by now. 18 was so vain she most likely immediately left to try and fix her face. Gohan groaned. Thinking of 18's injured face made him think of Trunks.

The warrior flopped over in the smoking wreckage of the former teacup ride and saw his three students, all of them thrown under a nearby cup just like he had left them. "Good..."

Gohan then started the arduous process of dragging himself over to the three. Every inch of his body was wounded and the pain was almost enough to make him pass out, but he soldiered on. Although, he would be lying if he said he didn't notice a distinct lack of mass on his left side.

Upon arriving next to the three of them, Gohan reached into his shirt. "D-Don't worry guys. I have j-just the solution..."

He quickly produced a small, brown bag and opened it. As he poured the contents onto the ground, Gohan smiled. "Senzu Beans..."

But then, that smile quickly faded. "Th-Three Senzu Beans..."

Gohan glanced up at his three students: a broken neck, a pierced lung, and a gutted stomach. Gohan gripped is fist. "D-Damn..."

And then, he picked up the three beans...and reached up towards each of the kids' mouths.

Back in New West City, Capsule Corp...

It was a cold, rainy night in New West City. In the background, the television was on a low volume. The story of the Androids' attack on Super World was barely audible. In their room, Dr. Briefs and Panchy both slumbered away, the childish Pilaf Gang sleeping in a small bed next to theirs.

In the lobby to Capsule Corp, the three mothers waited. Chi-Chi, Bulma, and Launch all paced. Each of them was a nervous wreck. But then, in a lightning flash, three shadows stretched across the lobby. The three mothers all ran to the doors, watching as they opened with relieved smiles.

What met them on the other side, however, was anything but joyous. The three children stood in the doorway. All of their faces were soaked with rainwater and stained with tears. Ranch was carrying the Power Pole, looking totally shell-shocked. And the two boys were carrying something else entirely.

The three mothers jaws dropped, Chi-Chi silently screaming at the top of her lungs. As she ran out into the rain to see her beaten, heavily injured son, Trunks ran in to his mother, grabbing her and desperately shaking her.

Bulma didn't understand what Trunks was saying at first, until she looked out again and realized that the injured, unconscious Gohan had only one arm.

One-year passes...

The next year of life in the future was relatively quiet. If not for the looming threat over the horizon, one might almost confuse it with peace. Once again, the Androids had performed a vanishing act. And, while humanity was not stupid enough to think they were gone for good this time, their spirit and wills had been far too damaged at this point to even try to prepare a defense for 17 and 18's inevitable return.

Out in the Gizard Wastes, Gohan watched over his trio of students. Ever since that battle, the three of them trained day-in and day-out, ignoring not only the pleas of their mother's to not push themselves, but ignoring Gohan's pleas as well. Not one of the three of them had any desire to deal with 17 or 18 again, but they pushed past that. They couldn't afford to be afraid or to admit that they were truly, deeply scared. They had a purpose now, a purpose to help defend now that Earth's Greatest Defender had been so irreversibly handicapped.

As for Gohan himself, he knew that his date with destiny was drawing close. Every day, he knew that he might very well be living his last. The loss of his arm had rendered him much less capable in a fight than before. The damage to his lungs from the rebar had robbed him of a significant amount of his stamina. Even in mere sparring matches with his students and utilizing his full, Super Saiyan power...Gohan was nowhere near close to his peak during that fight with 17.

And, to Gohan's dismay, his students had still yet to ascend. They had made so many leaps in power and in technique. He was proud of all three of them, loving them dearly and constantly praising them...but they still had not ascended. And, Gohan feared, wouldn't ascend in time for the return of the Androids.

So, in his mind, Gohan had started making peace with the inevitable. He spent as much time as he could with his mother, telling her he loved her every day. He reminisced with Bulma about the good ol' days, and they shared tears over the memories of their departed friends. And, although she had not reciprocated like he had hoped she would, he had at least worked things out with Launch regarding her anger towards him. She still didn't talk to him anymore, but she at least didn't visibly hate being around him.

It wasn't an ideal life, but Gohan didn't hate his final days.

And then the inevitable came. It was a radio broadcast just like any other regarding Android 17 and Android 18. It came during lunch. They were attacking and slaughtering the people of Pepper Town. Gohan finished his meal, excused himself from the table, and then left.

And, once again, he was accompanied by three unwelcome guests hot on his heels.

The countryside outside of Pepper Town...

Gohan stood in the middle of the Pepper Town countryside. He watched as various explosions echoed out in the distance, burning domes of ki bubbling up from within the defenseless town and the distant sound of people crying out in terror. Gohan gripped his remaining fist. "Well then..."

"GOHAN! WAIT!"

He turned and watched as his black-haired young charge landed, drawing his Power Pole and desperately running up to the handicapped warrior. "YOU CAN'T GO INTO THIS ALONE! ARE YOU CRAZY?!"

Soon after, Trunks and Ranch both landed as well. The two of them looked just as desperate. Gohan took a deep breath and shook his head. "Guys...you can't. I can't let you follow me into this. You haven't achieved Super Saiyan and...we don't have any Senzu Beans left. The Androids would-"

Ranch cut him off. "You don't know that!"

Trunks was shaking. "We...we might not have that same level of power as you, but we're so much stronger now, Gohan! It won't be like last time! We won't-"

The power-pole wielder was shaking. "We won't hold you back!"

Tears built up in the girl's eyes. "P-Please, Gohan..."

Gohan was taken aback. He stared at the three kids, all of them desperate for a chance to help end the suffering the Androids were causing. Desperate to bring about a better world. Desperate...to not lose him. He didn't outwardly show it, but the very thought made his heart swell.

And, at that moment, something dawned on Gohan. He adopted a sad smile. "The three of you are so strong. So please..."

All of them flinched. And then, quicker than they could follow, Gohan zipped around and knocked each of the three unconscious. "...stay alive. And don't blame yourselves. Because none of this is your fault..."

And then, Gohan grabbed each of the three kids and carried them over to a nearby cave. As he walked, he studied each of their faces, trying his best to visualize in his mind how great the three of them would one day become. He gently set down the black-haired young man, the bluish-haired young woman, and then finally the purple-haired young man in the cave, and then blocked off the entrance from sight with fallen tree branches.

With that task done, Gohan looked up at the sky, getting one last view of the Sun as dark clouds started to roll in. "I get it now, Uncle Raditz..."

He gripped his fist and glared towards Pepper Town as the first raindrops started to fall. "I may fall...but the future is more important than anything else. I... I owe you an apology when I see you again..."

And then Gohan took off, flying towards destiny.

In Pepper Town...

The rain began to pour and lightning began to flash. The wind swelled as Android 17 and Android 18 slaughtered an old couple in their car. As their terrified yelps turned to silence, lightning flashed around the Androids and they noticed a third shadow had joined them. Android 17 turned, a hateful glare accompanied by a sadistic smirk on his face. "Well, if it isn't Gohan..."

The Android fully turned, staring at the warrior that had embarrassed him a year ago. "You're still alive?"

Android 18 turned as well, the gnarly scar that Trunks had inflicted still apparent on her face. She chuckled. "Well...he sort of is. He appears to be missing something though..."

Gohan seethed. "Nice to see you too, 18. It's great that you're finally as ugly on the outside as you are on the inside."

18's smile faded, instantly replaced by a look of utter hate. "You might still be somewhat alive, but we can happily fix that for you..."

She glared over at 17. "No games. Kill him. Full power."

17 nodded. "Oh, I fully agree 18."

Gohan closed his eyes, the rainwater pouring down his hair and face. "I will never die!"

17 and 18 both flinched. Gohan continued. "Even if my body breaks. Even if my spirit breaks. Even down an arm...you can kill me, but others will rise in my place. And they will dismantle you heartless Androids."

18 sneered. "Are you talking about those brats?"

17 snarled. "Those pieces of trash could never kill us!"

Gohan sighed. "If you honestly think that, then let's not focus on the future. We still have the present to deal with..."

And then, Gohan's eyes snapped open and his Super Saiyan power flared, the golden energy shining out in the otherwise bleak atmosphere. Gohan shouted as the oncoming storm swelled into a massive hurricane. "For now, I am still here! And I will give everything I have to kill you monsters!"

To the surprise of the Androids, Gohan defiantly shouted. His power surged forth, pressing against the two of them and forcing them back. Somehow, in spite of losing his arm, Gohan had become even stronger than before!

And then, not waiting for the Androids to strike first, Gohan rocketed forward and slammed his fist into 18's gut. 17 sneered. "Cocky prick!"

The Android slammed his hand down, looking to chop Gohan's head off clean, but Gohan flared his power and met 17's chop with his armless shoulder. The sheer force of the strike made the ground crack apart beneath Gohan's feet, but he powered through. He shoved 18 back and then, pivoting on his heel, he kicked Android 17 across the face.

Gohan lunged, trying to give chase to 17, but 18 was already back up. She surged forward and wrapped her hands and arms around Gohan's neck and face. She squeezed his mouth and nose shut and tightened her arm around the warrior's throat. "Suffocate."

Gohan reacted quickly, however, reaching up and grasping 18 by the hair, giving it several harsh yanked before the pain caused 18 to flinched. With her grip loosened, Gohan turned and clubbed the back of his fist against 18's ear. 18 snarled and stumbled back, allowing Gohan to fire a massive blast at her that smashed her through the side of a building. 18 snarled and instantly shot out of the smoke, sticking her boot into Gohan's gut like a spear. Feeling the tip of her boot nearly pierce through, Gohan retreated back. 18 followed and continued her kicking assault, her legs like steel whips. Each swing of her lower limbs threatened to put Gohan down for good, but the warrior was defiant.

From behind, 17 charged in again with a fist drawn. Gohan saw this out of the corner of his eye and, grabbing 18 by the throat, threw her in the path of the punch. 17 flinched as he slugged his counterpart across the face and was kneed under the chin for his troubles. Gohan leapt into the air, charging a ki bomb, and slammed it down onto his two foes.

He briefly stopped to catch his breath, already winded due to his damaged lungs, but that proved to be a mistake. 17 and 18 both shot up at him and delivered a double knee strike to the warrior's stomach. Gohan gagged, blood shooting from his mouth, and then was forced into a two-way beating from both sides. 17 mocked him. "I'm glad we took a year off. It gave you enough time to figure out how to work with only one arm~"

18 snarled. "DID YOU REALLY THINK YOU COULD TAKE US ON WITH A HANDICAP?!"

As Gohan took the beating, feeling each and every punch with all of the hatred and vitriol that 17 and 18 were putting behind them, he shifted gears. He had to create space, then maybe he could think of a better strategy. Both Androids reared back, each charging a two-handed Power Blitz, and Gohan saw his opportunity. He reached out his remaining arm and fired a massive blast into the distance. 17 and 18 both laughed, 17 mocking once more. "What kind of desperate shit was that?! You didn't even hit us!"

Gohan snarled. "Wasn't aiming for you."

18 flinched. "Wha-"

And then, both Androids noticed the creaking. The two of them turned and saw that Gohan's blast hadn't just flown into the distance. It had hit a building. And that building was now lurching over on top of them. 17 and 18 gasped and Gohan, in the confusion, managed to slip away.

The sound of the building falling was deafening, and it drew the fight to a brief halt.

In an alleyway...

Gohan sat in a puddle and tried to catch his breath. But, each attempt was shallow and ineffective. His chest was on fire and his head was light. Gohan mumbled to himself. "D-Dammit..."

He knew that that building wouldn't have killed 17 and 18. He had just bought himself a few moments. But, now that he was alone, Gohan was faced with a genuine conundrum: what did he have left?

The warrior thought and thought and thought, but nothing came to mind. He threw his head back and shouted as loud as he could, the surging winds and driving rain drowning out his voice. And then, once he had blown off his stress, Gohan looked down and saw his tail floating atop the puddle he was sitting in. The golden fur on the tail reflected in the water and he nodded. "I guess...that really is all there is, huh?"

Up in the air...

17 and 18 were both furious as they scanned the ground for their hated enemy. 18 shrieked with rage and frustration. "Where did that coward go?! I want him dead, dammit! DEAD!"

17 snapped at her. "Calm down! Losing our heads is only giving that punk the advantage! If we allow ourselves to lose focus, he might swoop in and kill one of us!"

18 was apoplectic. "I don't like this 17. He had no right. He has no right to be stronger than us. How dare he be stronger than us?! We're Gods! We're invincible! Nothing on this planet should hold a candle to us!"

17 gripped his fists. "I agree. Which is why we should take this seriously and kill this guy, so that no one can ever challenge us like he does again!"

18 snapped at 17. "Well, where is he?!"

17 glared over at her. "I don't f-"

The Android stopped, his eyes widening in shock as he stared at the massive, looming, red-eyed shadow behind 18. He could barely speak. "Wh-What the hell is that...?"

17 blinked, and then he was surprised at the new sight he saw. 18 whipped around, turning to look, but nothing was there. She and 17 both stopped. 18 turned to him. "What?! What were you looking at?!"

17 stammered. "I-I... I swear I just-"

And then lightning flashed again. And 17 and 18 realized that they had a massive shadow looming over them. They two of them looked up and saw the same looming shadow, hanging from the top of a skyscraper. Its red eyes stared down at them, looking utterly enraged. And then, the beast roared and all of its fur shined with a bright, golden light.

Gohan had done his last, desperate move. He had turned into an Oozaru. And that Oozaru had gone golden!

The golden ape leapt down and tried to stomp 17 and 18 to death with his massive foot. They both evaded, but then he immediately followed that up with a Mouth Cannon that shredded the surrounding area. The entire infrastructure of Pepper Town shook as Gohan rampaged, his bare feet stomping, his single fist beating against his bare chest, and his tattered, orange pants barely holding on.

In this form, Gohan still barely had any mental control. He couldn't speak, he couldn't form complex thoughts, but he definitely knew who he was targeting. The massive ape lunged at 17 and 18, his fist smashing down and just barely missing the two Androids. 17 sneered. "What the actual hell is this?!"

18 screamed. "Gero's database mentioned something about this, I think, but-"

Suddenly, Gohan's foot shot over and wrapped around 18. Kicking out, the ape flung the Android as hard as he could, smashing her through a nearby building. 17 cried out. "18!"

Gohan responded to 17's cry by swatting him out of the air with his tail and then charging another Mouth Cannon. 17 yelped and threw up his shield just in time to protect from the blast. And, while the bubble held up to the initial wave, the explosion proved to be too much and it sent 17 flying.

Across the city, 17 and 18 regrouped. 17 was burnt and battered and 18 was damaged as well. 17 was manic. "The database! What does it say, huh?! What does it say about this form?! How do we stop it?!"

18 nodded. "R-Right...it, uh..."

17 shoved her. "Come on!"

18 snapped at him. "Don't you shove me, I trying to think!"

She shook her head. "Tail. Moon. And Power Ball. If we chop off his tail, destroy the Moon, or find his Power Ball, then we can stop him."

17 glared up, scanning the sky. "It's too stormy for a Moon to be out. So, what the hell is-"

His eyes locked on a glowing ball in the sky. "Found it!"

18 glared up at the glowing ball as well. "Good. Let's destroy the damned thing!"

The two Androids both took off, flying upwards towards the Power Ball with blasts in hand. But right as they were about to reach it, Gohan leapt into the air and smacked them both to the ground. Both Androids hit the ground with a bounce and tumbled over, barely avoiding being squashed as their foe landed. 17 glanced up. "Filthy, flea-bitten sonofHOLY SHIT!"

17 barely had time to react, throwing up a barrier around he and 18 as a massive piece of building smashed down atop them. This building was followed by Gohan's massive, Oozaru foot. 17 and 18 both huddled together inside 17's barrier as the foot continued to stomp. The barrier remained stable, for the most part, but 17 and 18 were driven further into the ground a little more, each time.

18 cried out. "What do we now?!"

17 was struggling to keep the barrier up. "His tail. That's all we have left to target!"

She turned to him. "But, how do we do that?! He'll stomp us if you drop the barrier!"

17 thought for a minute, but then his confident, wicked smirk returned. "I have it figured out!" Just be ready to go hit his tail when I say go!"

18 nodded. "Right!"

Gohan lifted his foot again. And then, as he stomped back down, 17 touched his palms to the surface of the shield and forced his energy into it. "SUPER ELECTRIC SURGE!"

The surface of 17's energy barrier crackled with energy and then, when Gohan's foot stomped down on it, bolts of ki-based lightning shot all up and down his body. The Golden Oozaru roared in pain and 17 dropped the barrier. "NOW!"

18 zipped out, turning and glaring up at Gohan's tail. "DROP DEAD!"

She charged and fired a Power Blitz, blasting right through the center of Gohan's tail. The Oozaru shuddered, and then he roared as he began to shrink. Gohan stumbled, almost falling forward, but 17 quickly shot forward and placed his hand on Gohan's shoulder.

The Android's trademark smarmy attitude had returned and he chuckled. "Hey buddy~"

But then, the smile faded away and, with cold rage and murder in his eyes, Android 17 plunged his hand through Gohan's stomach, impaling the warrior all the way through. Gohan coughed and gasped, and then his Super Saiyan form faded. 18 sighed in relief. "Finally..."

17 ripped his fist out of Gohan's stomach. "Not yet..."

A sadistic smirk ripped across 17's face as he charged ki into his fingertip. "I want people to know..."

17 traced his finger over Gohan's chest, burning the number "17" across his flesh. And then, once that was done, the Android shoved the dying warrior into a puddle gathering in a hole in the street. 17 and 18 both stared at Gohan, his face barely above the water level in the slowly reddening puddle. The warrior glared at them. "Do you expect me to scream...? Beg...?"

18 snarled. "We both hate you. We hate you so much."

17 shook his head. "But, we're both well aware that you would never beg us..."

The two Androids rose into the air, each of them charging a massive blast into their hands. 18 was shaking with anger. "That's what I hate the most about all of you. All you Saiyans!"

17 remained silent as 18 raged on. "That Gine woman didn't beg for her life! That Bardock guy didn't beg for his! Vegeta didn't beg for his life when we killed him!"

17 sneered. "We tortured Raditz for hours before we offed him, and even he didn't beg."

18 snapped. "Where do you fools get off being so cocky?!"

As 17 and 18 continued to rant above, Gohan retreated into his own mind. He pictured all of his allies and all of his friends, all of them waiting for him with proud smiles on their faces. He had tried his best, and at the end of the day that was all he could do. His time as a warrior and as Earth's Defender was done. He was incapable of anything more. But, in his final moments, Gohan knew that he would go on to serve a greater purpose.

He remembered his last moments with Raditz, and how the sorrow and pain of loss had pushed him to even greater power. And the, he pictured his three students. His three beloved, younger siblings. It wasn't ideal, and he hated to leave them like this, but Gohan knew they could do it.

Gohan adopted one last smile, and then opened his eyes. "Yeah, I think I do get it Uncle Raditz..."

And then 17 and 18's Power Falling Star collided.

Hours later, the Pepper Town Countryside...

A loud crack of lightning echoed out and the wind howled even louder. The sheer force of the blowing gusts knocked over one of the branches that Gohan had used to hide the entrance of the cave and it fell over onto Trunks' head. Slowly, the boy stirred. But then, once he got his wits about him, he hopped to his feet. "GOHAN!"

Trunks looked around, not seeing his mentor anywhere. He looked on the ground and saw both of his friends lying there, totally unconscious. "H-Hey! Hey guys!"

Trunks nudged each of them, but they barely budged. He gripped his fists. "No...Gohan..."

He shook his head. "How could you...?"

And then, without waiting for either of his partners to fully awaken, Trunks ran out of the cave and flew towards the smoking ruins that were once Pepper Town.

In Pepper Town...

Trunks flew down the ruined streets of the town, scanning for any sort of sign that Gohan might still be alive. He cried out. "Damn it. Where are you...?!"

He stopped midair and shouted as loud as he could. "GOHAN!"

As he scanned around, a small flash of orange came into Trunks' view. Just a little bit of orange, sticking out of a small crater that was slowly turning into a small lake. Trunks landed and ran towards the crater. "Gohan! Gohan!"

He came to a stop at the edge and peered in. At the bottom of the water, Trunks' worst fears were made real. Sitting at the bottom of the puddle, his body beaten and broken and his eyes rolled back, was Gohan. Trunks fell to his knees. "N-No..."

He started flashing back. Tears built in his eyes and began to pour. "Gohan..."

Trunks remember the good times. The days of Gohan training the three of them, being their big brother, father figure, mentor, and friend. He had done so much for them. And this was what he got out of it?! "Gohan...!"

The Androids killed him, and then just left him in a crater to rot?!

"GOHAN!"

Finally, something in Trunks snapped. He pounded his fists against the side of his head and screamed in rage and grief and sorrow and agony. "AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Trunks pounded his fists against the ground, shouting and sobbing and screaming. The ground shattered with each blow and the entire city rumbled as the boy's unchecked power surged. Trunks screamed. He continued to scream and scream until, finally, it happened.

The gate holding his power within burst open, and a golden aura enveloped young Trunks.

On the outskirts of Pepper Town...

The other two students of Gohan came running towards the city, the driving rain hitting their faces and melding with the fearful tears that were already streaming down. The two of them could sense Trunks, but not Gohan. And they both feared the worst.

The fears were quickly realized as they arrived on the town outskirts.

The black-haired young man noticed it first. His fellow student, friend, partner, and brother, walked out from the ruined town with an almost unrecognizable, beaten form hung over his shoulder. The black-haired young man, in grief, fell to his knees and screamed in sorrow at the top of his lungs. The bluish-haired girl quickly ran over and started to tend to him, tears running down her bright red, sorrowful face as well.

And, as he two friends broke down in front of him, the now golden-haired young man cradled his dead mentor on his shoulder.

Once again, Earth's Defender had fallen. But, once again, the golden glow of hope for the future carried on, even in the howling rain.

Proofreading: StevenBodner