Dragon Ball Z: Dynasty
Written by: Feraligreater328
Edited by: StevenBodner
Chapter 82: Time's Up
On the battlefield...
Android 17 cried out in shock and horror, falling to his knees. "18!"
Everyone else stood around Cell. Tien was harshly beaten, Bardock was on his last legs, 16 was struggling to get to his feet, and Krillin was still sat in disbelief on the ground. 17 continued to scream and shout, just yelling out loud for his sister over and over. Eventually, 16 reached out and grabbed his friend. "We...have to leave, 17. Cell has...120%...increase...12.3%...chance of vic...tory..."
16 clutched his damaged head in pain, sparks shooting from the breach in his cranium. "Cell's increased mass...most likely will slow him down. This is our chance to get away and keep you safe..."
Cell heard this and chuckled, speaking in his high-pitched voice. "Oh 16~"
And then, in an instant, Cell had cleared the long-distance between himself and the Androids. He sunk his fist into 16's side and, with a jerk of his arm, ripped off 16's left arm. The Android's remaining eye went wide and he fell backwards in a heap. Cell dropped the severed appendage and then grabbed 17 by the throat. "And now, perfection is mine~"
However, before Cell could even prepare to ingest the remaining Android, Bardock leapt in and wrapped his legs around Cell's massive, thick torso. He wrapped his arms around Cell's throat and gave a harsh squeeze, choking the monster. "No! Absolutely not!"
Pulling back harshly, Bardock glared across the island at Krillin. "Hey! How long are you just going to sit there, huh?!"
Krillin flinched, glancing towards his Saiyan ally. Bardock looked furious. "You think you can just screw up that badly and then just sit there?! Get your ass up and get Android 17 out of here! Now!"
Bardock's harsh words cut like a knife and Krillin shamefully nodded. "R-Right..."
Moving quickly, Krillin grabbed the shocked Android 17. He glanced up at Bardock, clearly running on fumes, and then pulled 17 over to the fallen 16. 17 was in desperate shock, shaking his busted-up friend. "16! 16, please..."
16 groaned. "17...we need to flee. You and I...and this fellow. We must...escape, before Cell gets loose..."
17 glanced back at Cell and Bardock, watching as Bardock fought tooth-and-nail to hold the monster in place. And then, with a sorrowful nod, 17 lifted the nearly-totaled 16 onto his shoulder and they both took off. Krillin took one last look at his comrades, and then he took off as well.
Cell roared in frustration, watching 17 get further and further away. "Damn you meddling insects!"
And then, finally getting a good grip on the Saiyan, Cell ripped him off of his shoulders and smashed him into the ground. Bardock gasped as he hit the floor, and Cell immediately marched over him. The six-footed beast took to the air and started to fly, but then another voice shouted to him. "Hey! Cell!"
The monster's attention went skyward and Tien was floating above him. Tien sneered and powered-up. "Kaioken Times 40!"
Cell laughed out loud. "Oh my! I'm so scared! Tien has raised his battle power! Now I'm going to-"
"NEO TRI-BEAM! HAAAHH!"
The blast slammed Cell into the ground hard, not doing any damage but knocking the monster for a loop. "You little...okay, that was pretty good, but I'm not-"
"HAAAHH!"
Cell roared in frustration as, this time, the blast forced the ground under his feet to crumble. Cell went free-falling into the chasm and, before he could right himself, another blast followed. "HAAAHH!"
As Tien continued to press into the monster, driving him deeper and deeper into the ground, Bardock stirred back awake. He sat up and his Super Saiyan form faded. Bardock stared out into the distance, watching Krillin and the Androids disappear over the horizon, and then he looked up at Tien. "Tien! What are you doing, man?! Using the Kaioken with a move that directly feeds off of your life energy isn't smart!"
Tien was breathing heavily, his power-boosted state and the technique taking their toll. "Do you have a better idea, Bardock?! 17 needs more time to get away! And you don't even look like you could throw a punch right now!"
And then, Tien launched another blast. Bardock was annoyed, but he couldn't disagree. He sat there and watched as Tien continued his assault, again and again, keep Cell pinned deep in the ground and not letting up. Tien knew that, should he stop for a second, Cell would just fly out or burrow away like the nasty insect he was.
He pressed on and on, launching forty-six mighty blasts down at the beast. By the time he went to launch a forty-seventh, however, Tien's strength gave out. The warrior doubled over with exhaustion, barely able to keep his eyes open. And then a voice called up to him. "Are we done, Tien?"
Tien flinched and, in that instant, a Death Beam flew up from the massive trench and pierced Tien's gut. The earthling wheezed in shocked, and then he fell to the ground like a stone. Cell rose from the hole in the ground and looked out into the distance, seeing no sign of Android 17. The bio-Android landed, his six feet collided with the ground and making a raucous racket. He marched up to Tien and loomed over the warrior. "Do you have any last words, you suicidal fool?"
The warrior coughed, trying to push himself up but failing. He spat at Cell. "Kill me if you want, but your plans are still up in smoke..."
Cell snarled. Tien laughed. "You're going to be a six-legged abomination forever...or at least until someone stronger comes along and squashes you..."
The bio-Android wasted no time. He lifted his hand into the air to fulfill Tien's wish, but a Destructo-Dart shot by and sliced across Cell's face. Blood-spurted from the cut and the monster turned, glaring towards his assailant. Bardock's legs were shaking as he struggled to stand, but the Saiyan smirked. "You're going for kills already...? But..."
Cell turned and completely faced Bardock. "But?"
Bardock nodded, sweat pouring down his face. "But...you still haven't defeated everyone on your plate. I'm still standing. Still ready to kick...your ass..."
The older Saiyan gritted his teeth. "Finish me off before you start thinking you've won, you exoskeleton-having bitch."
Cell chuckled, still seething with rage. "I suppose I could step on you first~"
As Cell began to slowly march up to him, Bardock took a wide stance. "You won't do it. I have one more trick that I went and learned from...that old man..."
Cell cocked his head. "One more trick, eh? Then please show me. I'm curious what you think you can do to stop me in your condition! You can't even go Super Saiyan anymore..."
Bardock let loose a ragged sigh and reached down, digging into his lower body covering. "Now, I..."
The older Saiyan looked down and saw, not his orange pants, but the green toga that Tien had once been wearing. Bardock flinched. "Oh shit...my pants..."
Cell chuckled and shook his head. "And, it sounds like that's the end of that. Unfortunate. But your luck appears to have run out, Bardock~"
On Kami's Lookout...
Goku watched with white-knuckles as the horrifying abomination that Cell had become marched towards Bardock with killing intent. This was it; his Dad was about to be slaughtered. And then Tien. And then Piccolo if Cell happened to notice him.
The Saiyan from Earth was shaking. He couldn't just sit by and watch this. No matter how much his mind told him to play it safe and be tactical in this case, Goku couldn't take it anymore. Moving quickly, the warrior pressed his fingers to his forehead.
Gohan and Gine both flinched in shock, neither having any time to react as Goku started to Instant Transmission away. But, before he managed to totally vanish, a hand quickly clamped onto his shoulder and a voice spoke. "I knew you couldn't just stand by, Uncle~"
Back on the battlefield...
Cell laughed out loud and grabbed Bardock by the hair, lifting him off the ground. He glowered in the battered Saiyan's face. "So, I'm thinking that I might..."
The monster opened his hideous, razor-sharp mandibles wide. "I think I might start by biting off your arms~"
Bardock sneered. "Do your worst..."
Cell was happy to oblige. He lurched his face forward towards Bardock's right arm. But, before he could so much as taste Bardock's flesh, Cell was immediately sent flying back. With the sound of an Instant Transmission ringing out above, Goku descended down and kicked the monster right across the face, making him drop Bardock in the process.
And then, as Cell stumbled back, he was assailed by another foe. Future Ranch landed on Cell's shoulders, her Super Saiyan power flaring, and glared right into his eyes with a disgusted look. Before Cell could react, she rammed her Vladimirov KPG Light Machine Gun down his throat and snarled. "You really are one ugly, mother-"
Cell swiped at Future Ranch and she pulled the trigger, unleashing a massive stream of ki-infused bullets down the monster's gullet and into his stomach.
As Cell roared in pain, thrashing around and trying to shake Future Ranch off, Goku quickly helped his father to his feet. "Hey Dad, sorry I'm late..."
Bardock chuckled, even though it clearly brought him a lot of pain. "You can teleport...and you're still late...?"
He shook his head. "It's fine. I get it. You're trying to avoid as much bloodshed as possible. Admittedly, this is kind of all mine and Piccolo's fault..."
Goku shook his head, trying to help Bardock stabilize himself. "No, you guys couldn't have avoided this. It's not like you could've just blown 17 and 18 off. But we need to get out of here Dad. Ranch isn't going to last long against that guy..."
Bardock nodded. "I'll grab Tien. You go get Piccolo. He's...on the other side of the island..."
Goku nodded and pressed his fingers to his forehead. "I know where he is."
Bardock limped over to Tien, picking up his fellow warrior in a bridal-style carry. He looked down at him and chuckled. "Well...at least your abs absorbed most of the force of that Death Beam..."
Goku appeared next to Bardock, Piccolo thrown over his shoulder. He looked down at Tien. "Don't worry, Tien. We'll get you a Senzu Bean in just a second..."
Bardock looked over at his son. "Now we just have to grab Ranch, and-"
*SNAP* *SNAP*
"AGGGHH!"
Goku and Bardock both turned their attention back to the fight at hand and were met with a horrible sight. Future Ranch was on the ground, her arms bent in disgusting angles and dark purple in coloration. As she struggled to sit up, Cell reached to his mouth and ripped her weapon from his throat. Future Ranch tried to get up and lunge towards the monster, but he quickly used the gun to his advantage. With a mighty swing, Cell busted the weapon in half across Future Ranch's face and sent her flying back, right into Goku's arms.
Blood trickling down her forehead, Future Ranch let loose a pained grunt and then passed out, her Super Saiyan form fading. Goku looked furious, a vein popping out of his forehead over the brutal treatment of his niece. "You bastard!"
Cell chuckled; his throat still audibly sore. "How does it feel to face down your final death, Goku? You, your worthless friends, all of your past enemies...they're all nothing before even this imperfect power! Imagine how outclassed you'll be once I absorb Android 17!"
The monster let his power loose and it made the entire island and the surrounding ocean shake. "You're all as ants standing before an insurmountable mountain!"
Bardock was furious. He looked to his equally incensed son and then to all of his beaten and battered comrades. Feeling belligerent, the older Saiyan snarled. "The only insurmountable thing here is your ego, you nutcase! You keep making these speeches about unmatched power! And it's getting old to listen to! You still haven't even managed to beat me in a fight, Cell! I'm still standing! So why don't you shut your mouth until you can say that you've at least done that!"
Cell laughed, looking at Bardock incredulously. "Oh yes, I do keep neglecting to exterminate the minor pests in my life, don't I?"
He raised his right hand, pointing his index finger and middle finger towards Bardock and Goku's chests. "Well, allow me to finally correct that error. And then I will be done with you and free to pursue perfection uninhibited!"
Goku was shaking with fury. He wanted to drop everything and fight Cell right there, but he also knew that he wouldn't stand a chance right now. And, beyond that, he had so many injured friends to get to safety. So, swallowing his fury, Goku spoke calmly. "Cell...even if you manage to achieve this 'perfection' of yours...you'll never win. No matter what, we're going to put a stop to you just like we have every sadistic monster before you!"
Cell's chuckled, but then his smirk turned into a sneer. "Let's see you do it from beyond the grave! Double Death Beam!"
The two beams shot towards Bardock and Goku, but the two warriors and all of their comrades disappeared before the beams could connect. Cell gasped, now left standing there alone.
Without anyone to talk to or rant at, Cell was left alone to reflect on everything that had just happened. Goku showed up, grabbed all of his potential kills, and then vanished with a move that Cell had no reference of how to even use.
And, to make matters worse, Android 17 had disappeared. And Cell had no idea where he had gone. The monster was shaking with anger. "Damn that Goku..."
And then, he took off in the direction that 16, 17, and Krillin had flown. "Damn all of these insolent little worms! I won't allow my perfection to escape me! Not when I am so close!"
Back on Kami's Lookout...
In an instant, Goku returned to Kami's Lookout with many of the injured in tow. Finally, in a safe place and with everyone else secure, Bardock fell forward and landed flat on his face, on top of Tien. Goku shouted. "Gohan! Bring the Senzu Beans! Hurry!"
Gohan, Gine, Kami, and Mr. Popo all came running out from Kami's Palace, bearing witness to the horrific display that Goku had returned with. They all immediately got to work, pulling Senzu Beans from the bag and feeding them to their fallen comrades. Gohan gave one to Piccolo, Mr. Popo gave one to Tien, Gine fed one to Future Ranch, and Goku fed one to Bardock.
It took a few moments, but everyone was back on their feet soon enough. However, the mood wasn't a positive one. Piccolo got back to his feet, looking enraged. He slapped his hand to his chest and restored his clothing. He and Kami glared at one another, but then walked away from one another without a word.
Tien, meanwhile, walked to the edge of the Lookout and stared down at the planet below. His ki sense allowed him to immediately envision Cell. He groaned. "We're...we're just screwed, aren't we?"
Future Ranch sat up and immediately looked down, disgusted at her own performance. She smashed her fist against the Lookout hard enough that the tile cracked under her fist. "Damn it all. That was pathetic..."
But, Future Ranch was quickly consoled by two hands on her shoulders. One was a gentle, feminine hand and the other was a heftier, more masculine one. She looked to her left and saw that her grandmother was shooting her a reassuring smile. Then, from her right, a gruff voice spoke. "Don't kick yourself, sugar-beet. You did better than most of us could have done out there..."
Future Ranch turned and looked at her grandfather, sitting there with Tien's toga still wrapped around his waist. Bardock gave her another stern pat on the shoulder and then stood, his tail whipping around as he went deep into thought. Kami approached Bardock and nodded. "As the Guardian of Earth, it is a pleasure to welcome you to my Lookout for the first time."
Bardock half-looked at Kami, mumbling that he hadn't seen Kami since the vacation, but then kept walking. It was clear that something was weighing on Bardock's mind.
Gohan and Goku both stood next to one another, watching as their once defeated friends all skulked off. Gohan looked up to his father. "Dad...are we going to make it through this, be honest..."
Goku flinched, but a smile came onto his face as he glanced down at his son. "Gohan...I know we're going to make it out of this. I have all the confidence in the world that, with some training, we'll be able to unlock a certain power that will destroy Cell no matter how strong he becomes!"
This reassurance brought a smile to Gohan's face. But that smile was short-lived at Kami suddenly shouted. "Something is approaching the Lookout at a high rate of speed! It will be up here at any moment!"
Everyone reacted with shock and panic to this news, all of them turning to face the edge of the Lookout. Future Ranch called out. "I-Is it Cell?!"
Tien shook his head. "It can't be Cell! I'm watching Cell right now! He's nowhere near here!"
Piccolo gritted his teeth. "It has no power level! Is it another Android?!"
Before any further speculation could be proposed, the new intruder burst through the cloud and flew high above the Lookout. Everyone looked up, trying to make out what it was. When it finally landed, however, everyone breathed a sigh of relief: it was a high-altitude Capsule plane. And the driver was a face that everyone recognized.
The hatch to the plane popped open and Bulma hopped out. She quickly unbuckled Baby Trunks from his car seat and then turned and waved to everyone. "Hello, people! So, this is Kami's Lookout, eh? The place where the big boys come and hang out to get away from their wives for a bit?"
Kami was flabbergasted. "She...flew a vehicle up here. H-How did you manage to get a human vehicle up to this domain?"
Bulma cocked her head, confused. She turned to Goku and whispered. "Goku...the old guy is aware that we've been to space, isn't he?"
Goku nervously chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "W-Well, space is one thing, but this place is, uh..."
Bardock stepped up, calling over to Bulma. "Hey Bulma. It's been a couple days. How are you?"
Bulma looked over at Bardock, staring him up and down. "Why are you naked? Don't you have any manners, you friggin' savage?"
Bardock didn't look amused. "My junk is covered and that doesn't answer my question."
Bulma sighed and shrugged. "Got bored after building that shutdown remote. So, I thought I'd take my boy here and we'd go and look for his older self and his papa. Tien and Krillin told me they were trying to make up, so I thought I'd try to mediate if it wasn't going well."
And then, Bulma looked over and caught sight of Tien. "Speak of the three-eyed devil...Tien! What's going on?! I thought that you and Krillin were going to go and find the Androids and put 'em down! Did you do it?"
Tien clenched his fists. Future Ranch punched the Lookout again. "I could kill him right now..."
Bulma was confused. She turned and saw Goku biting his lower lip, trying to avoid eye-contact with her. "Huh? What is it? Did something happen, Goku...?"
Goku scratched his head. "W-Well..."
Gine walked up, holding out her hands with a worried look. "Before anyone says anything, may I hold Trunks?"
Bulma cautiously nodded, handing her son to the motherly Saiyan. "Why...?"
Piccolo turned and glared at the others. "I'm curious to hear what happened, myself."
As Baby Trunks cozied himself into the nape of Gine's neck, Goku cleared his throat. "Well...ya see..."
He glanced over at Bulma. "K-Krillin...he might have...uh..."
Bardock bluntly spoke up. "The bald-headed idiot stomped the remote into pieces because he couldn't bring himself to push the damned button."
Piccolo's jaw dropped. Bulma's eyes went wide. Slowly, she fell back, creaking like an oak tree and falling flat on her back. Goku quickly checked on his oldest friend. "Bulma! Are you okay?!"
Bulma spoke monotone. "I spent all that time coding and building that remote...and he just stomped it into pieces?"
Goku flinched. "B-Bulma...?"
Bulma leapt up, fury streaked across her face. She grabbed Goku by his undershirt and began to shake him, bonking him over the head with her fist. "I SPENT ALL THAT TIME CODING AND BUILDING THAT REMOTE AND HE JUST STOMPED IT INTO PIECES?!"
Goku was out of sorts, desperately trying to evade Bulma's fist. "I-I didn't break it! Q-Quit hitting me!"
As Bulma took out her fury on Goku, the others all tried to process what might have been going through Krillin's head. Piccolo still just stood there, staring in utter disbelief. His jaw was practically touching the floor. Future Ranch punch the Lookout again, this time making a tile break and fall into the depths. "I never heard that Krillin was that stupid before! How could he have done something like that?!"
Gohan, saddened at hearing so many people pick at Krillin, immediately tried to defend him. "M-Mr. Krillin is a good person. Maybe he just...maybe he decided that using that remote was..."
Before Gohan could say anymore, however, a loud chime echoed out across the Lookout. Everyone turned towards the source, Kami's Castle. Mr. Popo and Kami both immediately started walking towards the structure. Mr. Popo turned to the others as Kami disappeared inside. "That chime signifies that Vegeta, the older Trunks, Raditz, and Daikon are all done with their time inside of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. If those of you who just got here would kindly follow along, we can go and greet them."
Getting off of the subject of Krillin, every followed Mr. Popo into the castle. Bulma crossed her arms over her chest, walking next to Gine as Gine held her son. "Fine, at least I can try and get this all settled while I'm here..."
Meanwhile, over the ocean...
Massive waves shredded up from the surface of the ocean as the six-legged bug monster known as Cell flew across. The longer he spent alone, over the empty sea, the more Cell's temper was swelling and bursting out of control. He screamed in furious anger as he flew. "Goddammit! Android 17 where are you!"
He gripped his fists so hard that blood oozed from his palms. "You chose to carry that failing, robotic piece of junk with you as you flew off! You couldn't have gotten too far supporting all of that dead weight! You won't escape me!"
Eventually, Cell saw something appearing over the horizon and he chose to fly high into the air. Once he got a fair distance above, Cell saw a mixture of inhabited and uninhabited islands dotting the sea below. The monster snarled and glared at a heavily forested island. "Are you hiding in the wilderness to avoid anybody having a chance to see you...?"
And then, his gaze fell onto a bustling cityscape. "Or are you trying to blend in with those meaningless fleas to avoid detection...?"
Cell gritted his teeth beneath his mandibles. "If you were to be hiding amongst the humans, me showing up and causing them to panic would only alert you to my presence. So... I suppose I should take care of them first..."
The monster smiled wide. And then...his massive, orange abdomen began to pulsate and swell.
On an uninhabited island...
Krillin, Android 16, and Android 17 all sat near a massive, rocky plateau. The trees served as shade as they all sat for a rest. 16 was very badly damaged, several exposed wires were sparking in the two, massive wounds that Cell had dealt him. Krillin was sullen, still tightly gripping the badge that Android 18 had given him before Cell took her away. Android 17, meanwhile, had finally allowed it to sink in just what had happened. And his response was a mixture of overwhelming sorrow and furious anger. He rampaged around, smashing his fists into rocks and shattering them and kicking over trees in a violent display. "Damn it all! How could you have done something that dumb! You were supposed to be the reasonable one!"
Krillin called over to him. "Hey! 17! K-Keep it down! You might alert Cell if you keep rampaging around like tha-"
17 turned to Krillin, his face a warped mask of anger and hate. And then, before Krillin could even put up his hands to defend himself, 17 charged into the monk and tackled him to the ground. 17 wrapped his hand around Krillin's throat and then levied a massive punch into his face. "This is all your fault! She never would have turned around and went back if it wasn't for you! You killed her!"
Shamefully, Krillin nodded his head. "Look...I agree with you, okay? So, if hurting me makes you feel better, then do what you want. J-Just try not to attract Cell, because the last thing 18 would have wanted is to see anything happen to you guys..."
17 trembled, his grip loosening around Krillin's throat. He was still so furious about what had happened to Android 18, but he couldn't escape the genuine goodness in Krillin's voice. He looked down at the monk, seeing the golden badge gripped in his hand, and then immediately snatched it away.
As 17 retreated to his corner, burying his face into his hands, 16 spoke up. "17...it was 18 that made the decision to turn back. N-Not Krillin. If you recall...it was Krillin that had beckoned her to run away in the first place..."
Android 17 gripped the badge, pressing the metal against his forehead as tears started to run down his cheeks. "Laz...how could you? We were always supposed to stick together...always supposed to have each other's back and look out for each other..."
He cried out. "How could you just let something happen to you like that, Lazuli?! Didn't you always say you were the responsible, older sister?!"
Krillin flinched. "L-Lazuli...?"
17 turned to Krillin and snapped at him. "That was my sister's name, you little waste! Her name was Lazuli! And she gave her life away to save you from that monster!"
Krillin was stunned. "S-Sister? She was your sister...? That-"
Suddenly, Krillin's senses were assaulted by something utterly dreadful. He gasped and turned in the direction of what he saw was a major city when the three of them landed. In an almost wavelike motion, every life in that city was erased out of existence. And then, mere moments later, the life on the island near it went down the same path.
Krillin was shaking. "What did he do...? What the hell did Cell just do?!"
17 was too lost in her depressive state to care. 16 just stared in horror at the sensor in his remaining eye took note of the sheer amount of people that Cell was killing all at once.
At the Time Chamber entrance...
The whole group arrived at the entrance to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber just in time for the door to start to creak open. A sterile, white light emerged from the crack. And then, once the door opened all the way, the first of the occupants exited out. It was Future Trunks.
Future Trunks had grown quite a bit over the course of his year within the chamber. He had gained quite a bit of height, now standing at eye level with Goku. His muscle mass had expanded out quite a bit and his hair had grown down to shoulder length, held in a tight ponytail behind him.
Vegeta emerged next, looking basically the same. He had grown slightly taller, but was still just shorter than Bulma's eye level. He was also significantly more muscular, his neck muscles in particular having expanded quite a bit.
After him came Raditz, who hadn't grown in height at all but had buffed up quite a bit. The older brother had also managed to develop a bit of a tan and had gained a single scar that split his right eyebrow in half.
Finally, Future Daikon emerged from the chamber. He was slightly taller than even Trunks had become, his muscles expanding out and making him look positively huge. His hair had also grown down to his lower back. This, combined with his subtle widow's peak, made him look a lot more like Raditz.
But, in spite of these physical alterations, the biggest flag of what had changed within the Time Chamber was the sheer swelling of power from the four Saiyans. Even though it was clear that all four were attempting to suppress the lion's share of it, their strength still radiated out from them like heat from the Sun. Bulma spoke up. "Wow, look at the boys. I guess a year really did pass in that room, huh?"
She went up and started examining Future Trunks and Future Daikon, much to their bewilderment. She poked one of Future Trunks' pectorals and turned to Vegeta and Raditz. "Man, what about you two though? Did you spend half of that year napping?"
Raditz flinched. "N-No! It's Saiyan physiology! Saiyans reach their physical prime around the time they turn eighteen and their bodies hold that physical peak until they're roughly eighty. There can be gains in muscle mass and moderate growth spurts after that, but most of the actual growing happens within a few months before and after the eighteenth birthday!"
Bulma cocked her head. "But, yours and Vegeta's hair didn't even grow?"
Vegeta cut in. "Pure-blooded Saiyan hair doesn't. How Raditz and I look right now is how we both looked when we were kids and it's how we'll both look when we're old men. The only real change in hair that occurs for a full-blooded Saiyan in in auxiliary hair in more personal areas and superficial hair growth on the face in the form of beards and moustaches."
Bulma sighed. "So, I guess I'll never be allowed to wear high heels when I'm out with you, huh?"
Vegeta grunted. "You're already pissing me off, woman."
As Vegeta and Bulma did their thing, Goku chuckled and turned to Raditz. "So, Raditz, I can tell that you're holding something back. I take it you've-"
Raditz cut his brother off, rolling his eyes with a smirk. "Who needs Super Saiyan?"
Everyone immediately turned to Raditz, caught off-guard by what he had just said. Everyone except for Future Daikon, Future Trunks, and Vegeta. Vegeta chuckled, cracking an almost prideful smile. Goku was flabbergasted. "But, Raditz, that form is so helpful in battle!"
Piccolo stepped up next to Goku. "And given what's happened while the four of you were in the chamber, with Cell having managed to absorb Android 18, we're going to need everyone to be as strong as-"
*POP*
Raditz vanished from sight. And then, with another *POP* his nudged the backs of Goku and Piccolo's head with his fists. Raditz smirked and let loose a playful, boisterous chuckle. "Remember this from way back when? It's good to be stronger than the two of you again~"
They both turned and Raditz, very confident, crossed his arms over his chest. "Don't think you're just allowed to surpass me because you gain some new form. Not being able to bleach my hair at a moment's notice won't be what takes me out of the conversation~"
Vegeta smiled wide, turning to the others. "Well, well...look at poor Kakarot and Bardock, both stuck at the bottom of the latter. How does it feel to be on the same level as a certain, pathetic Namekian?"
Goku puffed out his cheek. Bardock looked annoyed. Piccolo scowled in anger. Vegeta smirked. "You must feel like babies among men. At least Bardock must, standing there wearing a green diaper like that~"
Vegeta turned his attention to Gohan and Future Ranch. "And-"
He stared at Future Ranch, words seemingly failing him. She scowled and glared at him. "Go on, asshole. Don't be shy. I know you have something insulting to spit at me, so let's have it!"
Vegeta's face turned a shade of crimson, and then he simply closed his mouth and turned away. Future Ranch flinched. "Wh-What the hell...?"
But then, before anyone else could say anything to Vegeta, Bulma marched up to him and slapped him right across the face. Everyone flinched back, Gine even gasping in shock. Vegeta glared up at her and Bulma glared down at him. "You know you deserve that. You've really got to learn to start treating the people around you with more respect. No one is ever going to like you if you don't start treating them with basic human decency."
Vegeta sneered. "I'm not changing the way that I am because people don't like it. I respect strength and work ethic and those of these cretins who display such things are the ones that know I respect them. Except for the Namekian. The Namekian could work himself into the grave and I'll still consider him trash until we settle the score between us."
Bulma planted her fists onto her hips. "Stop playing off acting like a jerk as something noble. The way you've been treating everyone, especially our son, is unacceptable and you really need to start realizing that before you alienate everyone you know. This isn't the Frieza Force, Vegeta, you don't need to puff up your chest to everyone."
Vegeta flinched, but then he sighed. "Look, the boy and I...bonded. That's a step in the right direction, right?"
Bulma sighed as well, adopting a small smile. "Yeah, and I guess a small step is better than no step at all. Just...please keep trying. I want everyone to see in you what I see in you, okay?"
Vegeta rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest. "Fine. But don't think that slap to my face is going to go unpunished, woman."
Bulma spoke in a flirty tone and stuck her tongue out. "It had better not~"
The scientist giggled and kissed her husband on the opposite cheek that she had slapped him. And then, she gently took Baby Trunks from Gine and handed him to his father. "The baby missed you. Why don't you carry him and follow me?"
Vegeta raised an eyebrow. Bulma motioned to the group. "Everyone follow me, actually. I have brought something with me that I want to show all of you. I brought gifts~!"
Back on the outer Lookout...
Bulma opened up the hatch to her Capsule plane and produced a Capsule from her storage compartment within. She clicked the miniscule device and tossed in onto the ground. It popped open and revealed several containers, each marked with something different: "Top Tights", "Bottom Tights", "Gloves", "Boots", and "Armor".
Bulma went into each container, grabbing one article from each, and then passed her armful to Vegeta in exchange for Baby Trunks. "It's new-and-improved from the previous design that I made. More flexible, more durable, and providing more padding from stronger hits. And, because we have such a wide and diverse circle of friends, I made it in multiple colors with everyone in mind! But, there's plenty of Vegeta's colors there if you like that one~"
Bulma moved out of the way and motioned for the Saiyans to take advantage of her hospitality with a wave of her hand. Raditz, Future Trunks, Future Daikon, Bardock, Future Ranch, Gohan, and Goku all obliged. As they rummaged through the containers, Bulma turned to Piccolo, Gine, and Tien. "What's wrong guys? Just waiting for the crowd to disperse?"
Gine politely smiled and shook her head. "I prefer the more earthen feeling of the dress I'm currently wearing. My armor days have long passed~"
Tien sighed. "I thank you for the offer, but I dislike the implied handicap that wearing armor puts on me. I desire to be skillful enough that I don't require such protections."
Piccolo was blunt. "I hate your husband and refuse to dress like him."
Bulma nodded. "All valid reasons."
Vegeta smirked, adjusting his glove. "My look puts across the feeling of power and success. Of course you wouldn't want to wear it, Namekian."
Bardock stepped up, wearing a dark green set of tights with a black and tan armor top and no gloves and white boots. "This is good for now. But would you be willing to make me another set of armor like I was wearing when I fought 13?"
Bulma nodded with a smile. "Of course~"
Bardock smiled back at her. "Thanks, Bulma. You're always lookin' out for me."
And then, he turned to Tien and tossed his former lower body covering at the three-eyed warrior. "Here's your toga back, Tien!"
Tien caught the toga, immediately revolted at how damp it was. He dryly spoke. "Thanks..."
And then, without a second thought, the warrior tossed the used clothing over the side of the Lookout and wiped his hands on his pants.
Future Trunks made the quick choice of wearing the same armor that Vegeta did, taking visible pride in wearing the same armor as his father. Future Daikon, meanwhile, went for a set of black tights with black gloves and boots and a black and tan top armor. Future Ranch went for a lime green set of tights with white boots and gloves and a white, strapless set of top armor. She still wore her hair in a ponytail tied in place by one of Raditz's pressure bands and decorated with Launch's red ribbon.
Raditz wore a pair of black bottom tights with no top tights. Instead, he wore a white and tan armor top on his bare chest. Accompanying this was a pair of white boots and a pair of white, fingerless gloves. Gohan wore a set of bright green tights just like Future Ranch did. His armor top was yellow with red straps and accompanied by black gloves and shoes. Bulma smiled. "I see you went with the custom armor I made for you, Gohan? I designed it to look like the outfit you were wearing when I first met you all that time ago at Kame House~"
Gohan chuckled. "I love it! Thank you, Bulma!"
Goku chimed in. "I like mine too!"
Everyone turned to look at Goku. He was wearing a blue tights top with a set of orange tights pants. Over his chest was a set of armor that was orange, with blue accents. His boots were also blue, with red tips and his gloves were a slightly darker blue. He smiled. "It looks just like my normal training clothes! Thanks bud!"
Bulma winked. "Anything for my oldest, best friend~"
The mood and spirits on the Lookout had genuinely picked up. Everyone was feeling pumped. But, as Gohan went to ask Piccolo what he thought of his new armor, the mood rapidly changed. A sudden wave of dread went across every ki-sensitive person on the Lookout. Raditz sneered. "I see that absorbing Android 18 hasn't changed Cell's methods..."
At Kame House...
Chi-Chi was unconscious and resting inside Kame House. The Ox-King, Launch, and Baby Ranch were all watching over her, making sure that she was okay. Cell's power boost had taken a lot of out her by weighing so heavily on her ki sense. Oolong and Puar, meanwhile, were both passed out from the strain of waving to block all of those waves.
Meanwhile, out on the beach, Yamcha and Chiaotzu both shuddered at this new feeling. Suno was concerned, reaching over and grabbing Yamcha hand. Her face was streaked with fear. "What...? What is that monster doing now?"
Eighter was too scared to even so much as speak. He trembled in place, paralyzed at the thought that the same man that made him had made this terrifying beast. Yamcha bowed his head. "I... he just...a lot of people just died..."
Chiaotzu bowed his head. "Hundreds of thousands. In a wave..."
Suno looked green in the face, as if she were going to be sick. Yamcha punched the ground where his missing leg would have bene, furious that he was unable to do anything here. As Suno gently tried to comfort him, Master Roshi and the Turtle both stood at the edge of the beach, staring grimly into the distance.
Back over the island chain...
Cell's abdomen swelled back to its normal size as he stared down at the formerly bustling streets of the several, resort cities below. The street, once rife with liveliness and laughter, were now filled with little more than empty clothing billowing in the wind. Cell chuckled, his high-pitched preening carrying on the wind. "Well, they certainly weren't on the inhabited islands. I guess...that just leaves the uninhabited ones..."
And then, Cell waved his hand towards one of the wild islands and started charging a blast.
On Kami's Lookout...
Bulma gasped in shock. "He just killed how many people all at once?!"
Goku gripped his fists tight. "That monster. If only I was strong enough..."
Vegeta snorted, marching forward and glancing over at Goku. "Don't you worry, Kakarot. If that is all that monster is capable of..."
And then, to everyone's shock, Vegeta took off at high speed. "...HE WON'T EXIST WHEN YOU EXIT THAT CHAMBER!"
As the sound of Vegeta's laughter echoed and got further away, Future Ranch grunted to herself. "He could at least act like such a major loss of life is weighing on his mind..."
Raditz shook his head. "I know how you feel, Ranch. But I guess to explain his mindset...he's just fully aware that the Dragon Balls exist to fix anything he or Cell happen to break. I agree that he's still acting like a child...but he has his reasons in this case..."
And then Raditz smirked. "And he seems to be forgetting that, no matter how much of a head start he gets, I'm still much faster than him~!"
The elder brother got into sprinting position, and then he lunged forward and *POP*.
With Vegeta and Raditz both gone, Future Trunks and Future Daikon finally sighed in relief. Everyone turned to them and Future Trunks spoke, rolling his eyes. "They've been acting like childish rivals ever since Raditz told my father about me and Ranch..."
Future Ranch gasped, her face glowing red. "Dad did WHAT?!"
Future Daikon scratched the back of his head with a nervous chuckle. "They've been trying hard to outdo each other since that moment. Our Dad trained three times harder than he did before just so that he could continue to stand up to Vegeta after that moment..."
Goku laughed. "Yeah, that sounds like a Vegeta and Raditz thing. Like, Vegeta and I are competitive, but those two bicker like crazy. But I don't think that Vegeta hates him like he does Piccolo, at least..."
Future Ranch was still stammering. "Wh-Whatever...they're acting like kids..."
Future Daikon agreed with a nod. "Yeah, but at least they're lively and focused on putting a problem to rest."
However, Future Trunks did something much different. Referencing Raditz outing his and Future Ranch's relationship seemed to remind Future Trunks of something important. And then, without warning, he grabbed Future Ranch from behind, lifting her from the ground and spinning her. The two of them stared into each other's eyes and Future Ranch blushed. "W-Wow...you've gotten so tall~"
Future Trunks smiled, as if he was waiting on her. Future Ranch did not disappoint, grabbing her boyfriend and pulling him in for a passionate, loving kiss on the lips. When they parted, Future Ranch ran her fingers down his chest. "So, you're eighteen now? I... hope I grow this much when I turn eighteen...I mean, time has been good to you...so..."
The boyfriend chuckled. "It's nice to see that both of us are still bad at flirting..."
Future Ranch blushed, looking away. "Um...when all of this is over, when I get out of the Time Chamber and we take care of Cell...would you like to spar or something...?"
Future Trunks nodded. "Cell will be dead by the time you come out of that chamber. So, we can spar. And then we can something~"
Future Ranch flinched and looked down at him. Future Trunks winked and put her down. And then, motioning for his partner to follow, he and Future Daikon both leapt off of the side of the Lookout to chase after their fathers. Future Ranch watched as they left, swallowing a lump in her throat. "I thought you said you were still bad at flirting..."
And then Goku stepped up next to her and immediately ruined the moment, throwing the bag with the leftover Senzu Beans and shouting. "Hey guys! There are four Senzu Beans left! Use 'em wisely!"
Future Daikon caught the bag with the Senzu Beans. He looked up, seeing Goku's smiling face, and sheepishly looked away. He shot a thumbs-up and shouted back. "R-Right...!"
Goku chuckled and looked over at Future Ranch, seeing a nervous bead of sweat trickling down her face. "You okay?"
Future Ranch took a deep breath, and then she smiled. "Y-Yeah. I think that...everything will be okay..."
Goku playfully ruffled her hair. "Of course, it will~! Especially once we all head into the chamber and train our butts off! Are you ready?!"
Future Ranch nodded, taking a confident smile. "Ready as I'll ever be, Uncle!"
Goku turned to his son. "You ready, Gohan!"
Gohan was pumped. "Yeah Dad, I'm ready!"
Goku turned to speak to Gine. But then, to his surprise, Bardock stepped up. "Hey, Gine, I'm gonna take your place in the Time Chamber. You okay with that?"
Gine sighed and nodded. "I figured you would. That's why I didn't even bother with the armor. You guys go in there and get as strong as possible~"
She gave them a two-finger salute. "Make me proud, my dears~"
Goku, Gohan, and Future Ranch all nodded. And then they started their walk to the chamber. As Bardock tried to follow, however, Gine grabbed his wrist. "Before you go, I have to tell you something..."
Bardock turned to her, a serious look on her face. Gine looked contemplative. "That's a pretty serious look. Did you have a vision of the future?"
The older Saiyan shook his head. "No. Just...a gut feeling. What did you need to tell me?"
Gine watched as Future Ranch disappeared into Kami's Palace. "I just need to tell you something about one of our grandchildren..."
High in the sky...
Vegeta flew at top speed, eager to really let his newly acquired power loose. Even as he got closer and closer to the vile power he was sensing; the Prince didn't yield. He finally had a punching bag that he was allowed to break and that got Vegeta's blood pumping!
But, as he was flying, Vegeta suddenly started to hear a sound that he thought he recognized.
*pop* *Pop* *POP*
Vegeta looked to his immediately left and saw that Raditz was in a reclining position next to him in the air. The long-haired Saiyan looked at Vegeta, shot him a single finger gun and a sly wink, and then he disappeared from sight with his Instant Warp.
*POP* *Pop* *pop*
Vegeta snarled, a vein popping out of his forehead. "Raditz! You little bastard! Don't you dare think that I'll let you take my prey from me!"
Over the island chain...
Another explosion echoed out, taking yet another island with it. Cell called out. "I know you're here, 17! You couldn't have gotten too far carrying that pile of spare parts with you! So, I would come out soon, because you're running out of places to hide!"
He blew up another island. "These blasts won't kill you! But they will most certainly kill a busted piece of hardware like Android 16!"
On an island below...
From his hiding spot, 17 watched as Cell destroyed more and more islands, He fist shook as he clenched it. "That bastard. He took 18 from me and now...now he's threatening to take 16 too..."
He started to fly up. "I won't let him do that, I'll-"
Krillin immediately seized 17's wrist. The impetuous Android glared down at him. Krillin shook his head. "No! You can't! He'll absorb you 17! He'll absorb you and we won't be able to stop him!"
17 was shaking with a mixture and anger and fear. "And so...you just expect me to let him kill 16? Is that it?! Just sit here and watch on as my only friend left in the world is blown to pieces?!"
16 spoke up. "Yes, that is exactly what I am asking..."
17 and Krillin both gasped, turning to 16. The damaged Android glanced over at 17 with his single remaining eye. "If you...were to throw up your Energy Barrier when Cell blasts this island...you and Krillin could escape unharmed..."
16's hand was flopped onto the ground, squirrels napping in it. "If you can get away...save your own life...and prevent Cell from gaining his perfection...th-then..."
17 snapped. "Hell no! 16, I... I can't just let you die like that, man! I can't do it..."
16 slumped. "B-But...you...must...I do not want you to meet the same fate that befell...18..."
17 shook his head. "No..."
He snatched his hand from Krillin's grip. "You can't stop me! Even if I die...I won't let you be taken away like that! I'll go distract Cell-"
Krillin interrupted. "And you just expect us to sit here and let you?!"
17 glared right at Krillin. "No! I expect you to grab 16 and get the hell out of here! You hear me?! You take 16 and get him somewhere that'll fix him! Capsule Corp or wherever you got that remote from! If you care about us that much, enough to crush that remote like you did, then you'll do everything in your power to make sure that 16 lives!"
Krillin flinched. "I-I..."
But then, a new feeling hit Krillin. He stared up into the sky and felt the sheer, tremendous force that was rapidly approaching. Krillin gasped. "Wh-What the hell is that?!"
Android 16 glanced up into the sky, his scanner flickering. "Power levels...exceeding expectations...sources...include..."
17 shouted. "16! Stop straining yourself, man! You're in no condition to be pushing your circuits that hard!"
The raven-haired Android glared up at Cell. "Who could be coming along now?!"
Up in the air...
Cell aimed down at yet another island, the last of the uninhabited ones. "Last chance, 17~!"
In his head, Cell didn't mean it though. His first plan when he attained perfection was to reduce Android 16 to a pile of scrap anyway. He was prepared to fire, the blast charged in his hand. But then, to his surprise, Cell suddenly felt a power right on top of his. The six-legged insect monster turned, ready to face this foe.
*POP*
But, the one who arrived surprised him more than he thought. Because, standing before him, was the hideously out of breath Raditz. "Hoo...oh...oh man..."
Cell gritted his teeth behind his mandibles. "You must be joking..."
Raditz held up his finger. "O-One sec...I...I've never...used In-Instant Warp...that...that...m-much be...bef-before..."
Sweat was pouring down Raditz's face. He seemed to be incredibly winded. "D-Damn it..."
Cell snarled. "I have no time for trash like you!"
He turned his blast from the island and trained it directly at Raditz. Raditz glared and put his hands up to deflect the attack. But, as Cell fired and the blast came towards him, another swooped in and kicked the massive attack across the ocean and over the horizon. As his blast exploded in the distance, Cell was taken aback. He sneered. "Ugh! You too?!"
Vegeta was hovering there, chuckling like a fiend. "So, Raditz, have we winded ourselves playing with our stupid, Yardratian powers? Is that what we did?"
Raditz tried to argue, but he was still attempting to catch his breath. Vegeta turned his attention from Raditz to Cell. "Looks like I'll be the one fighting you, insect. Which means that you'll never meet another opponent!"
Cell laughed out loud. "My word, aren't we confident today? Here's a news flash, Vegeta, I am stronger than Goku in this immense form of mine. So, what do you think you're-"
Vegeta instantly went Super Saiyan, the force shoving Cell backwards. Cell was briefly stunned, but he quickly went back to attempted bravado. "So... you've gone Super Saiyan to face me. At least you're taking this seriously, but-"
The Prince held up his hand, silencing Cell. He smirked. "You will die if you think this is going to be easy, Cell. You had better remember that."
Cell sneered. "Well, let's not start over-valuing ourselves. You are putting out some decent power, but you're still only Vegeta..."
Vegeta smirked. "Wrong."
Cell flinched. "What?!"
Vegeta glared at him with a devilish look in his eyes. "The one you are dealing with is Super Vegeta!"
