Dragon Ball Z: Dynasty
Written by: Feraligreater328 and StevenBodner
Edited by: StevenBodner and SparkerLightning
A/N: Some of you might have some issues leaving a review due to me deleting a couple of unnecessary things. Just send me a DM if you have any issues and want to share your thoughts. :)
Chapter 113: Bojack Unbound
Within Cash Tower, Gyosan Mane Island...
Videl stared down at the object gripped in her hands with a look of worry and consternation, but overall, with sadness shimmering in her eyes. This was it, the final recording that her mother had ever done. Miguel's swan song: Golden. Videl traced her thumb over each letter of her mother's name and her eyes became misty. "Mommy...I don't know what to do..."
Videl thought of her father and how much he had put up with from X.S. Cash at this point. She thought about how tired he really was. If she were to do what she was considering doing, then everything her poor father had put up with might turn out to be for naught. But, still...she really missed her mother's voice. The silence was deafening without it in her life. She gripped the CD case tight and whispered to herself. "I'm sorry, Daddy..."
And then, with a flick of her thumb, Videl broke the seal on the case and pulled out the disc. Unbeknownst to her, however, there was still someone else in the room watching from afar. Monty case scowled as he pressed a tissue up against his bleeding nose. "First you hit me and now you break father's rules? Father was right, you are an out-of-control little hoodlum...
Monty pulled out his smart phone and opened the camera, pressing the record button. "I'm gonna tell my father on you..."
Back with Bardock, Piccolo, and Bojack...
Bojack could only laugh at the stunned looks of horror on Bardock and Piccolo's faces. The two warriors looked genuinely lost, struggling to come to grips with the fact that the behemoth they were fighting wasn't even at his maximum potential. Piccolo gripped his fist. "Damn it...where do these stronger fighters keep coming from? Is there really no upper ceiling?!"
Bardock groaned and doubled over, pressing his hands onto his knees to stretch his back. His voice became clinically calm and he groaned. "I suppose we should just always be prepared at this point. There's no end to it..."
Piccolo nodded. "A never-ending line of challengers. Goku would kill to be here right now..."
Bardock frowned. "He'd better have a goddamned perfect explanation for why he isn't!"
The two warriors both took solid stances, preparing for another round. Bojack sneered and gripped his fists tight enough that his knuckles crackled. Piccolo narrowed his eyes. "He's strong and he can absorb blunt force to add on to that strength. Keyword: BLUNT."
Bardock nodded. "Yeah, I heard ya. You know what we gotta do, right?"
Piccolo pressed his fingers to his forehead, starting to gather ki within his fingertips. "It will take time to charge sufficient enough power to hurt him. That's a long fight to undertake alone..."
Bardock sighed. "I've been through pain more horrific than this dumb bastard could ever hope to inflict..."
As Bardock stepped forward, ready to face down the mountainous Bojack, his left hand began to tingle with a feeling from long ago. Piccolo chuckled. "Going to take a beating and then sacrifice yourself like Goku did against Raditz?"
Bardock closed his eyes. An image of a young, Saiyan boy with a gentle smile flashed through his mind. The boy had the same face as both Bardock and Goku. Bardock felt the phantom warmth of a tight grip on his left hand. And then, his eyes snapped open and a Rebellion's Edge erupted over it. Bardock charged with a snarl and shouted at the top of his lungs. "IF THERE'S EVEN A CHANCE HE'S OUT THERE WAITING FOR ME, I CAN'T DIE!"
Bojack, meanwhile, had his attention locked upwards. He was staring both at Piccolo charging his attack and at a valve hanging right above the Namekian's head. Bojack smirked and then turned his attention towards the charging Bardock. "Come!"
The Galaxy Soldier held Gokua's Ressho aloft. "SHOW ME YOUR RESOLVE!"
Back with Tien, Yamcha, and Bido...
Bido stared with genuine confusion at Tien's new form. He cocked his head and scratched his fingers through his mohawk. "This is it? Did you...mess up? You look like someone let all of your air out..."
Tien's voice was calm. He let his arm hang limply by his side. His form was loose, but solid. Tien shook his head. "No. This is, indeed, the State of Sunyatta. Now, I welcome you to come and face my enlightenment first hand. My ego cast aside, I am prepared to give you my full attention, Bido..."
Bido glanced back, looking to Yamcha for some sort of confirmation. All he saw was Yamcha breaking his own finger. Bido rolled his eyes. "Each new experience in this backwater scum-world is a new disappointment..."
The brute put up his fists. "I'm done playing with you fools. I'm going to end you both and return to the ship to wash the stink of this fight off of my fists..."
Although cringing from the pain of breaking his own finger, Yamcha could tell that Bido was way off the mark. He stared at Tien with quiet awe. 'I don't know what Tien did...but this is nuts. It's like his body is a void, surrounded by energy and continuously sucking it in...'
Yamcha stared at Tien's fully-opened third eye and shuddered. 'I can tell he's still on our side...but Tien's entered a realm that even Goku and Vegeta would need to tread lightly in...'
Bido snorted, rolling his eyes, and then rushed towards Tien with a solid left hook in mind. As he got within ten feet of his foe, however, Bido suddenly felt the atmosphere around him shift. It was as if the entire world became a bit harder to move through. Bido's movement slowed. It was like he was trying to wade through a thin soup. He tossed his left hook towards Tien's face, but then all at once Bido's perspective changed.
In an instant, the world turned upside down for the brute. Quite literally, Bido's feet went from being planted solidly on the ground to waggling helplessly in the air. And then, what felt like twenty punches smashed into the left side of Bido's face. He went flying back and then another twenty punches crashed into his right ribs. Finally, it felt like every inch of Bido's body was gripped all at once and he was forced with emphasis into the ground below. Bido twitched in the ground, and then the force of thirty kicks crashed into his stomach and sent him flying across the island into a massive rock.
Meanwhile, Tien remained motionless as he stood in the exact same spot.
Shaky and covered in blood, Bido forced himself back onto his feet and snarled. "How did you do that?! You're a toothpick! And you didn't move an inch! What the hell?!"
Tien's expression was focused and his lips wordless. He closed his eyes tight and his third eye shined. After a moment, the warrior spoke. "You asked me to face you with my full might. This is the limit of that might for now. Once should not demand something and then scrutinize what they get. It disrupts their inner balance and their outer peace."
Bido snarled and then rushed in again, his steps hammering into the ground as he charged in. Feeling that same feeling from before washing over him, Bido made sure that his senses were peaked. He glanced around for the source of the attack, not even bothering to look at Tien as he threw his right fist forward. But then, that fist was seized. Bido snarled and looked back at Tien, expecting the warrior to have moved. However, to Bido's shock, Tien was still in the exact same stance. Something was wrapped around his wrist, but the brute couldn't see it. He jerked and pulled away at his arm, but to no avail. Tien took a deep breath and sighed. "Sunyatta is a state of void. Of emptiness. A state through which one is able to find peace and balance within a state of nothingness. When combined with the purity and grace of martial arts, it can provide devastating effect to supplement one's own strength..."
Bido cried out as, yet again, hundreds of invisible blows began to rain against his body from all directions. This was easily the worst beating the warrior had ever endured. Worse than Iryokago. Worse than Bojack even. Bido felt his bones snap, his ribs crack, and his muscles split and sever beneath his skin as blow after blow, no longer restricted by the limits of Tien's flesh, pounded into him. Bido was sent flying back again, his eyes snapping wide open as he exited the heavy feeling surrounding him, and he crashed back into the same rock as before.
It took quite a long pause for Bido to get back up again. He pushed himself up and hacked blood onto the ground. Heaving for breath, Bido glared at his foe. "I think I see what you've done. You've...you've emptied your body of power. All of your strength, all of your energy...you've expelled it from your body and into the air around you. And now you're able to use it without the limitations of flesh or impulse..."
Tien nodded. "You are quite perceptive. I apologize for underestimating you before."
Bido grunted in annoyance and stood. "Cut your bullshit! It's just a new form of talking down to me. You think this form makes you better than me?! Stronger?!"
Tien shook his head. "I think nothing of myself. I am simply fighting to defend this world I call home. No ego. No greater desire. I simply wish to stop you from committing anymore senseless violence against those unable to defend themselves."
Bido snarled. "Self-righteous..."
But then, Bido closed his eyes and smirked. "And that, right there, is the weakness."
Tien slightly flinched. Bido chuckled. "You described this technique and completely voiding your body into a state of pure nothingness. And yet, thought and intent still fill your mind and spirit. You aim to use this power of yours to defend the innocent, as you say...and that makes the power imperfect~"
On the sidelines, Yamcha gasped. "So, that's why..."
Tien sighed. "Indeed. My control over the State of Sunyatta isn't perfect. I cannot void my own personal connections and feelings away, and that leads to the reason I didn't want to foolishly use this power. I can only access it once a day, and it is on a time limit. Even now, the area of effect of my voided strength and vitality is shrinking back towards me. Back within me. This power will disappear soon..."
Yamcha looked afraid for his friend, recognizing the innate flaw in Tien's Enlightenment. He was just desperately hoping that Bido wouldn't notice. However, Bido quickly dashed those hopes away. "One more thing..."
Tien and Yamcha both flinched. Bido chuckled. "I recognize one more flaw of this form of yours..."
Before Tien could say a word, Bido rushed towards him again. His Gommanaji gloves, Donteki and Gaisho, shined with a bloody, red light and he screamed a primal scream as he dived head first into Tien's area of effect. Tien focused on Bido and used his expelled energy to rain attacks from all directions. The attacks crashed into Bido, but Bido was prepared. As the hits started landing, Bido began to return fire. He threw punch after punch and blasted the various strikes away. Tien was unnerved as Bido was right on top of him. Bido screamed. "DRAGON'S BREATH!"
Bido's right fist shot down towards Tien and, for the first time since he activated his State of Sunyatta, Tien leapt away from the strike. Bido's fist sunk into the ground and he felt another twenty blows rain down his back. But his smile didn't fade. He glared at Tien with a bloodthirsty look and chuckled. "Oh yeah. That cinches it."
Bido drew back his left fist and rushed towards Tien. "SABERTOOTH FANG JABBING!"
The brute's left fist moved like a piston, making it appear as if there were three of them. He rushed at Tien again and the three-eyed warrior gritted his teeth. "NANAME JUUJI KAIMONGERI!"
The miasma of energy around Bido swelled and rapidly applied a series of cross-chops across his chest. Bido's flesh sunk in, swelled, bruised, and finally burst with blood, but he didn't stop his advance. He threw his latest attack down and Tien barely managed to evade. He leapt out of the way and landed hard on his shoulder, crying out with agony. Bido took advantage of this and lunged towards Tien with another fist drawn back. The warrior struggled to move his arm, but he swiped his hand through the air and used his voided energy to block Bido's strike. Bido smirked as he was repelled back. "I might be a brutish guy, but I'm no idiot. I can discern a weakness from a mile away~"
Tien grunted in pain as he stood, tightly gripping his hand over his shoulder. Bido scoffed. "How's the dead arm?"
The three-eyed warrior forcefully shoved his arm inward, realigning his shoulder with a loud pop. "Rumors of its death have been greatly exaggerated..."
Bido laughed. "Ah! Still enough strength to joke and jape, eh?! I must say, my respect for you only continues to rise! You, my friend, are the most worthy non-Heran I've ever fought!"
The brute rushed in again with a snarling scream and Yamcha gasped in horror. "Tien! Dodge!"
Tien's injured shoulder was sending bolts of pain across his body. His reaction time was sluggish so, even though he dodged, he was unable to avoid the full brunt of Bido's attack. The brute's fist slammed into Tien's ribs and his entire body shuddered. He was sent flying across the ground and landed with a harsh crash, gasping in agony and pain. As Tien stood, Bido smirked and admired his handiwork. "Oh yeah...that's exactly what I thought would happen..."
A massive, swelling bruise covered Tien's entire right side. It was a deep, disturbing purple and visibly pulsing. Tien was wheezing in pain. Bido chuckled. "If you emptied all of the strength and vitality out of your body, that makes for a great offensive weapon. But, what of your defense?! Perhaps, if the energy around you wasn't constantly receding inward, I might not be able to damage you. But, in this imperfect state, your physical body is little more than a massive target waiting to be punched~"
Bido took his stance. "I take back what I said moments ago. Using such a technique like this...knowing the risks but taking them anyway for a chance at victory...you are the greatest man I have ever fought, Heran or not. You honor me, my frie...Tien Shinhan!"
Bido gripped his fists tight, his energy really letting loose. "And so, with my next punch, I swear I shall fell you for good!"
Tien was in so much pain that he could barely see straight. But he stood strong. "The time for talk is over, Bido. This next exchange will be the last."
Yamcha watched in awe as the two warriors faced each other down. Bido was beaten and bloodied, barely able to stand. Tien was much the same. The two of them looked one another right in the eye, staring so intently that they could observe their own reflections in their foes pupils. Yamcha could feel the elevating pressure in the air and a lump forming in his throat. He swallowed hard.
And then Tien and Bido charged at one another.
Tien's expansive field of energy had shrunk down to half the normal size, only being five-feet out from his body rather than ten. He focused his glare onto Bido. "Top Transforming Buddha Strikes! Vairocana!"
Tien's energy rained down on Bido, pummeling him so hard from above that he began to sink into the ground. Bido cackled and threw a left jab at half strength. Tien managed to dodge, but even the air pressure crashing into his bruised body was enough to briefly send his nervous system into a panic. Taking a different approach, Tien swelled the energy surrounding him into physical form, making ki blasts appear from thin air and having them strike Bido at all angles. Bido laughed as he was engulfed, his silhouette from within the shining light looking like a joyous demon. He rushed forward from the ki blast assault with his right fist drawn. He swung at Tien and missed wildly. Tien focused his energy miasma and went in for another attack. "Crane-Style: Kakushu!"
Bido felt an invisible elbow slam into his chest. And then an invisible fist came shooting up and smashed into his face hard enough that the energy rippled all the way back to his skull. Bido wiped his right hand over his bloodied nose and then gripped his fist tight. "DRAGON'S BLOODY DESCENT!"
Tien leapt back and used his energy miasma to drive twenty consecutive kicks into Bido's chest. Bido gurgled and slid back, but quickly recovered and charged again. Tien sneered. His State of Sunyatta was rapidly fading. He knew that he only had one more big attack left. Leaping away from Bido's strikes, Tien used the surrounding rubble to shield from the blows. Rock after rock was reduced to mere gravel at Bido gave chase. Tien formed a diamond with his hands, focusing all of his voided power into a single point. Bido instantly noticed the receding energy and cackled. "OH! BIG FINALE ALREADY?! FINE THEN!"
Bido screamed at the top of his lungs and the energy from his Donteki Gaisho erupted out from his fists. He clapped his hands together and the energy surged. Using just a little of his power with his left hand, Bido sent out an energy wave. "TIGER'S PATHWAY!"
Tien was unaffected by the surge of energy, but everything in the path between him and Bido was immediately reduced to dust. Bido reared his right fist back and screamed. "PREPARE TO BE CRUSHED! DRAGON'S VOLCANICA!"
Bido lunged at Tien, the air warping around his right fist. Tien squeezed all of the remaining power from his State of Sunyatta into the diamond shaped made with his hands. He looked to Bido and spoke in a calm voice. "Tri-Beam of the Peaceful Void."
The blast exploded out from Tien's hands and collided with Bido's fist. Bido screamed in pain, but still powered through. He forced his way into Tien's attack and a loud crack rang out. A massive flash exploded and the entire area was drowned in blinding light. Yamcha shielded his face and called out. "Tien!"
As the light cleared, Yamcha moved his arm out from in front of his eyes. He looked down and saw a massive plume of dust rising up. The only things poking out from it being Tien and Bido's heads, both of them with their eyes cast in shadow. The dust blew away from Tien first, revealing a massive bruise in the shape of a fist planted in the center of his chest. As the State of Sunyatta finally faded, Tien's muscles returned to their normal size. He smirked and chuckled. "You got me, Bido..."
And then, blood erupted from Tien's mouth and he fell to his knees. On the other side, Bido chuckled. "I certainly did, Tien Shinhan..."
The dust cleared and Yamcha gasped in shock. The majority of Bido's torso, from his right arm all the way over to his center of is left pectoral, was gone. Tien had blown a truly massive hole through his foe. Bido chuckled, massive bags forming under his sinking eyes. "Truly...a battle worth...remembering. I am... satisfied, my...friend..."
Hearing the sound of his foe's corpse crashing against the ground, all three of Tien's eyes shut. "As am I..."
Tien crashed forward onto his chest. Yamcha leapt from his perch, rushing over and sliding across the ground to check on Tien's condition. Yamcha gently placed his hand onto Tien's back and forced a bit of his own energy into the fallen warrior's body. "Hey, Tien. You good, buddy?"
Tien was breathing heavily, but he managed a laugh despite the pain. "Good is quite the relative term in this case. But I'll probably live. Or...we were planning a trip to Namek anyway for Pamput and King Chappa, right?"
Yamcha shook his head. "Don't joke like that. We'll regroup with the others and get you a Senzu Bean. You just need to rest for now, okay? I'll take you back to shore."
Tien nodded. "Thanks, Yamcha..."
And then, Tien passed out. Yamcha lifted his fallen friend onto his shoulder and then turned to give one final look to Bido's body. He frowned. "You weren't a good guy by any means, but as a fighter you were superb. I wish you a speedy reincarnation when you get to Hell and hope you find some kind of peace in the next life."
Yamcha closed his eyes and held up his free hand for a moment's prayer. And then, he took off and began flying back towards the Galaxy Soldier's ship with Tien in tow. From his place on the ground, the rapidly fading Bido watched his foes fly away, briefly picturing himself and Bojack in their place. He smirked and sighed. "Sorry...big bro..."
With that, Bido died with a peaceful smile.
Back with Android 17, Gohan, and Bujin...
Gohan and Bujin both were utterly baffled as Android 17's form shifted before their very eyes. His ebony black hair stood up just like a Super Saiyans might, crackling with waves of bright green electricity. 17's eyes erupted with a similar power and he gripped his fists tight, taking a deep breath and reigning in the surging energy. Finally, Gohan spoke. "17, what is this? It's...amazing!"
17 smirked. "I've taken to calling it Android 17: Turbovolt. It's something I started playing around with after Dr. Gero turned me into an Android so long ago. It wasn't something I was entirely ready to try during the Cell Games, but these past few months of training with 18 have made me more confident."
Gohan looked all around, watching as the rippling currents ran up 17's entire body. He cocked his head. "But where did it come from? Was this something Dr. Gero designed? You figure Trunks and the others would have mentioned something about the you from the future doing something like this..."
17 shrugged. "I dunno about that 17 and how he chose to work with his newly forced-on powers. I noticed this as I was still adjusting in Gero's captivity. The Infinite Energy Engine he attached to my heart is a tad defective. It produces excess electricity. At first, it hurt to constantly be shocked directly on my heart...but eventually I learned to control and apply it into things like my Electro Eclipse Ball and so on. A transformation just seemed to be the next logical step."
Gohan nodded. "So, can 18 do this too?"
17 shook his head. "Nah. Her Infinite Energy Engine is defective too. Gero can't even steal other people's ideas effectively. But hers doesn't over-produce electricity. Hers overheats."
Gohan nodded again. "I see. Not a bug, but a feature?"
17 smirked. "Basically."
Bujin sneered, tired of once again being ignored. "Whatever you fools are blathering on about means nothing to me! All of your efforts are pointless before my superior psychic power!"
17 glanced down at Bujin and smirked. "Hey! Why do you keep lying through your teeth? Are you still trying to scare us? Or is this just an inferiority complex shining through?!"
Bujin's eyes went wide and he snapped at 17. "I WILL KILL YOU!"
All of the remaining mirror-clones rushed at 17, but the Android simply smirked. "Hey, Gohan. Go ahead and charge that attack of yours. I'll make an opening for you to give it a try."
Gohan looked towards the rapidly advancing mirror-clones. "Are you sure you'll be able to handle them all? Like, 7 of them is a lot to handle all at once."
17 chuckled and the electricity around him began to surge. "Well, to quote a movie 18 and I went to see in theaters while we were training...Gotta Go Fast~!"
And then, with an almighty thunder crack, Android 17 shot forward and all seven of the remaining mirror-clones were immediately struck. 17 appeared right in front of Bujin and smiled. "You're right, buddy. I'll make sure to stop ignoring you from now on."
And then, like a bolt of lightning, 17 booted Bujin in the stomach and sent him flying high into the air. Bujin's eyes bugged out of his head and he gripped his gut, having no time to recover before 17 shot up at him and cracked him across the face with a lightning-quick punch to the jaw. Bujin went spinning, but he kept his wits about him. The little imp called out to his artificially constructed henchmen. "Slaves! To me! Destroy this insolent brat!"
Slowly, 17 turned and saw the mirror-clones rushing at him again. He chuckled. "Let's see how fast I can really go~"
17 disappeared with a spark and a crackle and then, without warning, the mirror-clone of Bardock was hit from seven different directions in sequence. An eighth hit came shooting in and this one sent a full-charge of electrical energy into the clone. The fake Bardock jittered in place and then, something unexpected happened. The electricity surrounding it began to trail off. It followed down an invisible, but quite apparent path like a spark trailing down a powerline and crashing right into the Gommanaji embedded into Bujin's forehead. The imp screeched in pain and was blown back. Zapping back into existence from his high-speed mode, 17 smirked. "I knew it. You lying faker!"
And then, with all of his lightning-quick speed put into thunderous strength, 17 launched a kick at Mirror-Bardock that cleaved his head straight off. The mirror-clone fell from the sky and faded away into nothingness. 17 laughed. "Oh, you are so in for it now, you little punk!"
Red veins spider-wedded across Bujin's eyes and he snarled. "Damn you..."
Hovering behind 17, charging the Devilmite Beam, Gohan was confused. "I... think I see what's going on. But I'd appreciate some clarification."
17 nodded. "Gladly. You see, this Seishinteki-whatever that he's using isn't psychic power. We've already covered that. From the hand movements that he had to do to control those clones, at least before he attached control of them to that jewel on his forehead, that much was apparent. Watching him make weapons out of the scenery only confirmed that suspicion..."
The Android snapped his fingers and a bolt of lightning appeared in his hand. He reared it back and tossed it straight at Mirror-Gohan. "Heartstopper!"
The electricity ran through the mirror-clone and then did just as it had done before. It arched off and shot straight into Bujin's forehead gem, shocking the Galaxy Soldier and leaving him twitching. And then, just as Mirror-Bardock had, Mirror-Gohan started to fade. 17 smirked. "Look closely~"
Gohan watched in awe as the mirror-clone of himself began to fade, unraveling like a yarn doll at the very last second before utterly vanishing. Gohan flinched. "String?! His power is string?!"
17 cocked his head. "Looks like it. He tried to disguise it as psychic power to unnerve us, but all he's doing with this power of his is producing various types of string to control and manipulate. Nothing more complicated or mystical than that. He's no better than a street-corner ventriloquist begging for zeni."
Gohan thought back to what Cumber had said to him before. "Half-assed tricks..."
He recalled Cumber punching him in the face, and action that didn't seem to fit what the so-called "Evil Saiyan" had displayed prior. Gohan cocked his head. "Was he just...breaking a string then...?"
17 turned to Gohan. "What?"
Gohan shook his head. "Nothing. I think when that guy caught me off-guard before, he forced one of his strings into my brain and rearranged something to knock me out."
17 nodded. "Sounds possible. Those strings of his are thin. He could probably do something like that if he caught you off-guard..."
Bujin got back to his feet, snarling with rage. "S-So you know about my Psycho Threads! So what?! Do you think that makes a difference?!"
All ten of Bujin's fingers surged with red energy from his Gommanaji and strings shot out, twirling and twining together to form long, sharp whipping cables at the imp's finger tips. "If you will not believe that I am a psychic, then I shall just rend the flesh from your bones with more brutish strikes!"
17 smirked. "Hey, Gohan, how goes the Devilmite Beam?"
Gohan looked down at the pink ki shining at his fingertips. "Thirty more seconds."
17 chuckled. "So slow~"
And then, 17 snapped his fingers and summoned five more lightning bolts. He gripped all five and then threw them at the remaining mirror-clones. Bujin's eyes went wide as five surges of electricity came shooting towards him all at once. With a fearful shriek, the Galaxy Soldier tried to sever the wires, but it was already too late. The electric charges slammed into his Gommanaji and made his body shudder in pain. 17 rushed in and slammed his knee into the side of Bujin's head with the force of a lightning strike. Bujin nearly went flying, but 17 grabbed him by the woven cables hanging from his fingertips and tossed him high into the sky.
17 rushed after Bujin and chuckled. "Maybe there's no need for the Devilmite Beam after all~"
Bujin snarled and whipped his woven cables at 17. "Don't talk down to me! Devil's Lash!"
17 sighed and closed his eyes, stopping his forward momentum and allowing the cables to smash into him. The ten of them split through his clothes and skin, sticking fast and wrapping around. Bujin chuckled as he held 17 in place. "Not so fast after all~"
The Android shook his head. "Not at all. I could have dodged that pretty effortlessly. But, stealing Gohan's thunder would be tacky. Also...I've always wanted to try this..."
Bujin's eyes went wide. "Wha-"
17 gritted his teeth, his entire body glowing bright green with electricity. Finally, all at once, Android 17 let that energy loose. "GIGAVOLT BREAKER!"
A massive surge of electrical force went shooting out and Bujin had no time to react at all. With his own wires acting as makeshift powerlines, the surging voltage of 17's attack not only engulfed Bujin, but it was also funneled directly into his body. Bujin screeched in pain and agony as he was overwhelmed, even his silhouette disappearing into the shining, bright void.
Once the light faded away, 17 sighed as the Psycho Thread cables vanished from his body. He looked over the various gashes and groaned. "Jeez, that smarts..."
As his electrical power faded, Android 17 thumped his fist against his chest. He sighed. "And still, Turbovolt is fun...but it sure is a strain on the old tick-"
Several Psycho Threads came whipping down and wrapped tightly around Android 17's throat. He looked up in shock and watched as Bujin, fully conscious despite being burnt to a crisp, rushed toward him with murder in his eyes. "YOU FOOL! YOU LET YOUR GUARD DOWN! NOW YOU DIE!"
17 smirked, not worried in the slightest. "I'd say you let your guard down even harder than I did, pal."
Bujin flinched. 17 simply pointed off to the side. And then, to his horror, Bujin turned to his side and took a massive dosage of swirling pink death right to the face. The little imp screamed in agony as the Devilmite Beam washed over his body, causing his entire frame to swell and distort. He screamed in a shrill tone. "THIS AGAIN?! WHAT IS THIS?!"
17 chuckled as the threads around his throat vanished. "How did that Devilman guy put it again, Gohan?"
Gohan spoke as he maintained the beam. "Rage and fury. Hatred and anger. These negative emotions are weapons that you store within to be used against yourself! The Devilmite Beam takes such wicked wills and disperses them like the hot winds of Hell!"
Bujin swelled like a balloon, his eyes bugging out. He screamed at the top of his lungs. "MASTER BOJACK! SAVE ME!"
But no help came. Bujin swelled even more, and then he burst into a wicked cloud of dust. Android 17 blinked a couple of times as the dust that was once Bujin drifted away into the wind. He looked around. "Is it weird I was expecting a 'boom' more than a 'poof'?"
Gohan flew over. "Are you okay? Those gashes look painful..."
Android 17 shrugged. "You took a shot through each knee like a champ a few months ago. Whining about some cuts would make me a pretty big wuss, right?"
Gohan frowned. "No, not at all. It's important to tell people when you aren't feeling well!"
17 chuckled. "You're a really good kid. I mean that."
He sighed. "So, how'd the Devilmite Beam feel?"
Gohan looked down at his hands. "I mean...I can't say it's ineffective. But much like Mr. Piccolo's Special Beam Cannon, it's definitely something that needs refining. Having to wait that long is a hassle and I won't always have the luxury of a reliable teammate to help me out..."
17 smirked. "Already trying to innovate, eh lil' Goku? That's awesome~"
The Android turned his attention to the hatch leading down into the ship. "I wonder if the others are having the same success we are...?"
Back with Android 18, Krillin, and Iryokago...
Iryokago laughed out loud at the sight before him, his newly de-aged body rippling with surging power. "Is this meant to frighten me?! A miserable dwarf and a hot-headed childbearer are meant to scare the child-bearer?!"
The hulking warrior waved his Shikkan and an almighty, hurricane-force gust of wind surged through the room. All around, the explosive powder traps that the former geezer had set up all exploded all at once. Iryokago cackled and smashed his fist into his barrel chest. "Such parlor tricks are beneath a mighty Heran, back in his prime!"
Krillin shuddered. "He's just gotten a lot s-stronger, huh? What do we do...?"
Android 18, her entire body wreath in flames, took a fighting stance. "Simple. Whether he remained a decrepit, old gargoyle or he stays the adonis he is now, we kill him. That's our job to help stop all of this! He's just one person, Krillin! You and I are more than a match!"
Ignoring the two, Iryokago summoned his diamond shield in front of his face and stared with an enraptured blush at his restored face. And then, with his tree trunk arm, he busted the diamond mirror into pieces. "Fantastic! My strength and physique have returned to me! Even Bojack and Bido can't compare!"
And then, with no warning at all, Iryokago rushed in and delivered a double punch to 18 and Krillin's stomachs, throwing them backwards into a pile of chairs with a loud crash. He cackled and flexed his bulging biceps. "Fall before the might of the great Iryokago, fools! Waste away your last precious minutes before the spores in your lungs suffocate you to death!"
A column of flame erupted from the debris, reducing the surrounding metal to little more than free-flowing liquid. Iryokago flinched back and watched as Android 18 emerged from the flames. Atop her head, her blonde hair had turned into a raging, white inferno. Flames erupted from her eyes and her hands were wreathed in fire. Iryokago sneered. "You carry yourself as if that parlor trick of yours will make a difference..."
18 sniped back. "It's amazing that I'm literally on fire and you're still the biggest source of hot air in the room..."
Krillin, still untouched by the heat and flames, was in awe. "18...wh-what is this?!"
18 adjusted her flaming hair. "I'll explain the specifics later, but I call this form Android 18: Terrablaze. Now, I'm going to burn this guy into a column of ash..."
Krillin was stunned silent. Iryokago snorted. "You expect me to believe that this form is impressive?! If this gives you such a strength-boost, then why did you not utilize it against that worthless whore Zangya?!"
18 held up both hands, producing a mass of blue and white flames in each. "Her power was water. This form would have gone over like a lead balloon with her. But you, wind bag, are more than welcome to fan your own funeral pyre!"
18 thrust her hands forward and shot a truly massive column of sparkling flames directly at Iryokago. "SHOOTING STAR HIGHWAY!"
Iryokago snarled and threw up his diamond shield once more. He laughed as the flames collided with it. "Foolish woman! Do you seriously believe that you can produce flames hot enough to melt-"
The shield began to buckle inward and Iryokago's pupils shrank. "...diamonds?"
The sheer heat and force of the flames was enough to blow Iryokago back. But he maintained his diamond shield with all of his might. "H-How?! Flames hot enough to melt diamonds would be enough to burn the surface of this planet to a crisp! How is she making flames that hot?!"
"I'm not."
Iryokago flinched as Android 18 came rushing in through her own column of fire, slamming her fist into the diamond shield and making it crack. "You aren't controlling these diamonds. You're using air to keep dust compressed into a shape of your choice. I don't need to be able to melt diamonds...just burn the air!"
18 slammed her fist into the shield again and it cracked like the glass of a windshield. Iryokago gasped and, this time, 18 slammed her foot into the shield. The barrier shattered to pieces and the inferno that 18 had shot out crashed into Iryokago all at once, engulfing him in flames and sending him flying back with a scream of agony.
Android 18 stood tall, wreathed in flames. She watched, wordlessly, as the flames engulfing Iryokago snuffed all at once. Krillin gasped. "What?! What happened?!"
18 cocked her head, looking annoyed. "He used that power of his to suck all the air away from the flames burning him. He suffocated away."
Krillin nodded. "O-Oh, right..."
18 sighed. "I guess this works both ways. I can burn away his air, but he can also rob my flames of the air as well. This is going to boil down to us just chasing each other's tails at this rate..."
Iryokago stood, his skin singed and warped by the hideous burns from 18's flames. He snarled. "You little brat...I just got this perfect body of mine back..."
18 held up her hand and summoned a ball of flames. "That's too bad. STARBURST!"
The Android threw her fireball at Iryokago. Once it was close enough, the burning orb began to swell as if it was going to blow up. Iryokago was raging. "DON'T YOU DARE INSULT ME, GIRL!"
Gripping his staff tight, Iryokago took a deep breath and then blew it at 18's Starburst. In an instant, and much to 18's surprise, the flaming ball was split right in half and a hellish gust of wind crashed into her. 18 blocked the attack with her forearms and, as a result, a huge gash opened up across them. 18 was blown back and crashed into a wall, sliding down to the floor. Krillin ran over to her. "18!"
Iryokago smiled, the charred flesh on the corners of his mouth cracking apart. "My Reaping Wind Blades. How did that feel, you arrogant woman?!"
Krillin scowled at Iryokago, but then knelt down to check on his love. "18. Are you okay? That looked like it hurt..."
18 lifted her head, looking a bit annoyed. "No shit. Ow..."
She stood and looked at her bleeding forearms. "Tit-for-tat, I guess. I charred his entire epidermis; he gave me a papercut..."
The Android looked to her opponent. "Seriously though, this is bad. He wasn't expecting that first attack, so I caught him off-guard. Now that he's expecting it, hurting him is going to be a lot harder. I could probably beat him if we prolonged things..."
She pressed her hand to her chest. "But I can feel us running out of time here. And you can too, right?"
Krillin nodded, clenching his chest. "Yep. So, what...what are we going to do?"
18 stood. "We're going to win, obviously."
Krillin flinched. "But...but you said that we were short on time..."
18 glared down at him. "If I was alone, I'd be short on time. But I'm not alone. I have you, Krillin. And therefore, we're going to win."
Krillin gasped. "You...you think that I'm going to make that much of a difference?!"
18 snapped. "Of course, I do! I'm not the only one that spent the past few months training and I can tell that just by looking at you. Now, have some goddamned self-confidence and get it together, Krillin! That old geezer isn't going to beat himself!"
Krillin smiled, getting back to his feet as well. He chuckled. "You know, when this is all over I have something I've been aching to ask you since we beat Cell..."
18 smiled, a small blush appearing on her face, camouflaged by the heat of her flames. "I know. I've...had something I've been wanting to ask you too, actually..."
Iryokago, tired of waiting for his foes to regain themselves, roared and began to charge forward. A tailwind followed behind, increasing his speed like a ship at sea. Krillin took a deep breath, and then he drew his hands to the side. "KAMEHAMEHA!"
The monk thrust his hands forward and blasted Iryokago right in the face. This didn't seem to halt Iryokago's movement at all, but Krillin didn't panic. He tensed his shoulders and 18 leapt up, using the little warrior as a springboard and jumping directly over Iryokago. She spun in the air, catching her leg ablaze, and slammed a kick right into the back of the wicked old man's neck. "FALLING STAR!"
Iryokago slammed into the ground hard, but bounced back up and turned mid-air. A cyclone formed around his fist and he shouted. "Maelstrike!"
As Iryokago's fist came bounding towards her, Android 18 didn't look the slightest bit concerned. Just before it connected, she smirked. Iryokago flinched, watching as his fist collided not with 18, but with a buzzing, yellow disc made of ki. The skin on the surface of Iryokago's knuckles was shaved off, but the experienced warrior quickly used a burst of wind to blow himself away. Iryokago slid across the ground and flipped back onto his feet with a harsh thud. He glared across at his foes.
Standing near one another, Android 18 was still covered in flames. Next to her was Krillin, holding a Destructo-Disc like a shield and standing slightly ahead like the gallant warrior he was. Krillin swiped his free hand to the side. "You won't touch her so long as I'm here!"
18 continued. "And you'll never defeat him with my power backing him up!"
Iryokago growled. "I am quickly tiring of this!"
Android 18 leapt over Krillin and charged forward. "Then burn up!"
She held her arms out wide and a pair of blazing, ornate wings emerged from her arms. 18 swung her limbs forward and sent dozens of flaming feathers shooting at Iryokago. "STAR PHOENIX DOWN!"
Not taking a chance with the burning feathers, Iryokago used his control of the air currents to suck away the fuel for 18's flames. The feathers extinguished and Iryokago smirked, only to see several glowing bolts fly through his peripheral vision. Krillin smirked and shouted. "Destructo Darts!"
Iryokago looked behind just in time to see several Destructo Darts barreling right towards him. The razor-sharp bolts of ki stuck into his back in rapid succession and broke his concentration, allowing the air to flow back into place. Iryokago stumbled forward and was met by a flaming punch to the face from Android 18.
Iryokago sneered and batted away 18, rushing forward to stomp on Krillin, but Krillin simply made a Destructo Shield on each hand and held them up. Iryokago froze in place and 18 kicked him harshly from behind. As the aged warrior lurched forward, Krillin tossed the Destructo Discs away and lunged in, stomping onto Iroykago's gut and trampolined off of him. Underneath the massive warrior, 18 called out. "Heat Pillar!"
No fire came off of this attack. Rather, a compressed spear of heat shot up and seeped its way through Iryokago's skin, piercing no flesh but still leaving a massive burning welt that ran him through. Iryokago gritted his teeth and used Shikkan to make a new airflow. This gust grabbed onto Iryokago's left hand and spun him around, allowing him to use his momentum to punch Android 18 in the mouth. Krillin shouted out. "I told you that I won't let you touch her, damn it!"
The warrior quickly crossed his arms and the two previously discarded Destructo-Discs came flying back in. Iryokago was sandwiched between them and was forced to make a quick decision. Summoning a massive wind current around his body, Iryokago managed to stall the Destructo-Discs just long enough to use Shikkan and launch himself like a bullet across the room. Iryokago crossed his arms over his face to prepare for impact into the wall, but his momentum was stopped by a sudden flaming stomp to the back from Android 18, which easily smashed him into the ground.
As 18 and Krillin regrouped, getting back into their vanguard-rearguard formation, Iryokago pushed himself up and began to curse. "The Sacred Kaio-Water...it returned my long-lost power to me and yet...still..."
Iryokago slammed his fist into the ground and screamed. "DO THE DAMNED INCONVENIENCES OF THIS ACCURSED UNIVERSE NEVER CEASE?!"
The warrior turned and glared at his foes, 18 and Krillin's teamwork having nearly pushed him to his limit. But then, he smiled. "The spores~ Your time is up, fools!"
The two warriors both flinched, but then Iryokago's source of glee became apparent. Blood began to leak from the eyes, nose, and mouths of both Krillin and Android 18. Both of the warriors fell to their knees, coughing and hacking. As the two of them wheezed for air, Iryokago stood and laughed out loud. "Alas! Not the victory I would have enjoyed, but I shall take it nonetheless! Suffocate before my power, damnable fools! Suffocate and die!"
Krillin groaned, his vision going hazy. "D-Damn it...this...this can't be how it ends, right? Right...?"
Android 18 was silent. Krillin cringed. "Shit. That's...that's the worst. Damn it..."
Gripping his fist, Krillin glanced over to the love of his life. "18...I know that I'll eventually be wished back by the Dragon Balls. Goku and the others wouldn't just leave me dead. But...before we go, I just wanted...wanted to ask...will you m-"
18 clamped her hand over Krillin's mouth and looked at him with a serious expression. The flames erupting from her eyes faded for just a moment, replaced by crystal clear blue irises. "I told you...wait until the fight it done. If you're going to ask what I think you're going to ask...I'd prefer a quiet moment..."
Krillin was confused. 18 wheezed and sighed, raising her hand and placing it over her own mouth. "This is gonna suck..."
Krillin tried to speak. "Mm?"
But then, 18's meaning became clear. For the first time, Krillin felt the heat of Android 18's flames. The burning hellish heat seeped into his mouth. 18 braced herself and, on cue, Krillin did as well. And then, 18 launched a boiling hot pillar of heat down both of their throats. Even more than the kick from Tambourine, even more than being impaled by Frieza, almost even more than being blown to pieces...this was some of the worst pain that Krillin had ever felt in his life. He could feel his blood boiling, his guts sizzling, his lungs shriveling and writhing as the spores growing within burned away.
Iryokago watched in horror as his backup plan was burned away, staring in awe at the sheer grit that Android 18 displayed. He attempted to rush in and stop her, but a single glare from the stalwart Android was enough to stop Iryokago in his tracks. The warrior's hand shook, dropping his Shikkan onto the ground as Android 18's burning, hateful gaze trained on him. He spoke in a hushed tone to himself. "Th-That can't be a mere woman...a mere woman couldn't...terrify me...like...this..."
Android 18 pulled her hand away from Krillin's mouth. A cloud of steam, his evaporated saliva, shot from his mouth like a cloud as he fell onto his side. 18 removed her own hand from her mouth and lurched forward, her flames simmering down. Iryokago smirked. "A decent strategy...but what good is it if you exhaust yourselves? You damned, young fools~"
Thinking he had won, Iryokago reached down and grabbed his Shikkan by the skull at the top. But then, 18's flames raged back to life and she surged forward like a rocket. "COMET MAGNANIMA!"
18 shot forward at top speed, wreathed in searing, white flames. Before Iryokago could move or react, she slammed right into him. Iryokago's grip involuntarily activated and he crushed Shikkan in his grip. The aged warrior was sent flying back into a far-off metal wall and the sheer heat coming off of Iryokago's body was enough to near liquify the metal, allowing it to lurch over him and seared him in place before hardening back up.
Android 18 landed into a kneeling stance and held her chest, wheezing in pain. "So, I had to burn up our lungs a bit...so what...? We have Senzu Beans and a friendly, green kid. Small cost for victory, if you ask me..."
Iryokago, from his place on the wall, weakly chuckled. "You are certainly...a true warrior...woman..."
Android 18 immediately went to put up her guard. She knew that it couldn't be this easy. But, before she could even react, Iryokago raised his head and blew a gust of razor-sharp wind directly at her. Caught unaware, Android 18 was dead to rights. But then, a familiar shadow jumped between her and the attack. Krillin screamed in pain as he was shredded by the wind attack, being blown back into 18 and sending them both crashing to the ground. 18 quickly sat up and checked on her man. "Krillin! Wh-Why did you jump in front of that?!"
Wincing in pain, Krillin chuckled. "I... I keep saying that I don't want to let him hit you...how uncool would I look if I just let him ignore me...?"
18 looked annoyed. "You idiot! That wouldn't have hurt me nearly as badly as it hurt you! Why would you..."
Krillin sat up, wheezing. He held his chest and he cringed at the feeling of his burnt lungs. "Y-You couldn't have seen that c-coming...I...I saw that he t-took that red jewel with him when he...broke his staff..."
In Iryokago's hand, his Gommanaji began to shine a bright red. The warrior smiled a wicked, hateful smile. "BLOODY TORNADO!"
With his arms and legs trapped, Iryokago opened his mouth again. A massive surge of wind pressure shot out and created a sealed tunnel, trapping 18 and Krillin right in his crosshairs. From within his throat, a surging howl began to emerge. Krillin sighed. "This is our last chance, 18...I can defend...but you've got to be the power here..."
18 gasped and looked around, observing the shrinking tunnel of wind surrounding them. "I-I can't do that, Krillin! There's no way I wouldn't hit you!"
Krillin smirked. "You said it yourself...we have Senzu Beans and we have Dende...not to mention the Namekian Dragon Balls if things get really bad..."
He looked back at her. "But this is definitely our last chance to beat this guy! If he gets that attack he's charging off, he'll kill us both! We need to do something now!"
18 was frantic. She looked down at the flames raging on her hand and then back at Krillin. "No! H-Hell no! I can't hurt you, Krillin! I can't make myself-"
Not caring for the flames, Krillin reached up and grabbed 18's hand. He squeezed it tight and looked her right in the eye. "You told me that I need to trust you, right? So, I need you to trust me. You can do that...right, 18?"
18 was silent for a moment. But then, she squeezed Krillin's hand tight. "With all my heart."
She pressed his fist to her chest, right over the scar from the operation that Bulma performed. 18 stared down Iryokago across the room. "What's the plan?"
Krillin smiled and pulled his hand away, summoning two massive Destructo-Discs and holding them up as a shield. The sheer size of the ki discs completely blocked the two fighters from Iryokago's view. The warrior scoffed. "FOOLS! MY WIND SHALL SHRED YOU NO MATTER WHAT!"
Krillin called out. "USE YOUR HOTTEST FIRE, 18! BURN THROUGH HIS WIND AND TAKE HIM OUT! IF I GET BURNT, I GET BURNT!"
It took a moment, but 18 responded. "Understood."
Iryokago was a bit taken aback. "Sh-She wouldn't really roast him...would she...?"
And then, to the aged warrior's shock, 18 did just that. From behind the Destructo-Disc, 18 shouted. "PROMINENCE BURN!"
Flames ballooned around the edges of the Destructo-Disc and Iryokago panicked. "N-No more time to charge!"
Hastily, Iryokago fired his attack. "BLOODY HURRICANE!"
A massive column of shredding winds came shooting from Iryokago's mouth. At the same time, a massive column of flames shot out from behind the Destructo-Discs. The two attacks collided in the middle and Krillin's screamed out in burning agony. Iryokago listened in, somewhat horrified, as Krillin's voice warped and slowly faded. Eventually, he went entirely quiet. The two Destructo-Discs faded away and the full force of 18's flames were allowed to blast forth. Feeling the pressure against his own wind, Iryokago laughed. "You heartless bitch! Roasting your own partner alive for the sake of an attempt at victory! I respect that!"
Iryokago ramped up the wind pressure. "But it is of no avail! I can use my Shikkan to maintain this pressure for hours! You are but an ant before a mighty-"
A warbling sound suddenly began to ring out, even overtaking the sound of Iryokago's wind. It sounded as if the ocean itself had suddenly entered the room. Iryokago's eyes went wide. "What is this?! What is this noise?!"
And then, before Iryokago's very eyes, an answer appeared. A massive bubble of rippling water appeared within the center of Iryokago's blast. And within that bubble was the very-much alive Krillin. The monk appeared to be holding his breath, but he stared right at Iryokago. Or, more specifically, Iryokago's Gommanaji. Krillin made the bubble of water burst, briefly disrupting the wind surge. And then, in that split second, he fired his attack. "Destructo Dart!"
The ki bolt fired from Krillin's finger, piercing through Iryokago's hand and shattering his Shikkan to pieces. Iryokago gasped in horror. "How is this possible?!"
Krillin smirked. "VIRTUE OF FLOWING WATER! WATER CHESTNUT!"
An upside-down heart-shape appeared in Krillin's hand; a chestnut made of pulsing water. Krillin reared his hand back and forced the watery orb into Iryokago's mouth, ramming it down his throat. Krillin roared. "WHIRLPOOL VORTEX DESTRUCTO-DISC!"
Within Iryokago's body, the water orb exploded and began to violently churn within. Razor-sharp blades of water rotated at high speeds and began to surge directly through Iryokago's skin. The warrior gurgle in pain. Finally, behind Krillin's smiling face, a flaming demon emerged. Android 18 leapt up; a massive upside-down heart made of flame in her grip. She glared down at Iryokago and shouted at the top of her lungs. "ROASTED CHESTNUT!"
18 rammed the flaming orb down Iryokago's throat, combining it with the water already surging within his throat. The water and the flames combined together and did the only thing that was natural. Iryokago began to expand like a balloon and Krillin and 18 shouted simultaneously. "STEAM DESTRUCTO-DISC!"
A raging disc of ki-based steam erupted from Iryokago's diaphragm, splitting him in half and blowing him apart. Iryokago's upper half went flying, water and steam erupting from his mouth. Iryokago hit the ground with a wet slap and his pupils vanished. With his last gasp, Iryokago spoke one last curse "I... was supposed to see...Shin...dead...at my...feet..."
His last words went unheard as Krillin and Android 18 both immediately fell onto their butts, both exhausted. Android 18's Terrablaze Mode faded away and she took a deep, but painful breath. "So... did you learn to use water while I learned to use fire on accident...or...?"
Krillin chuckled. "Well, it's actually a funny story about that...heheh..."
Months ago, at Kame House...
Krillin begged on his knees. "Please, Master Roshi! I've started doing everything else I feel I need to do to be able to marry 18! I got a loan for a place in East City! I joined the Police Academy! I'm even working night-shift as Capsule Corp security to afford a car! I just need to get stronger and then...I might feel like I'm worthy of someone like her..."
Roshi pulled the wooden pipe from between his teeth and blew smoke into the air. "Boy, I've told you time and time again that you're overdoing things. Stress isn't a good look to a woman, Krillin. It makes ya look desperate..."
The old master took another puff of his pipe. "...and why are ya workin'? Bulma would give ya a car if ya asked..."
Krillin nodded. "That's what Bulma said. But...this is different, Master Roshi. She's different..."
The monk swallowed a lump in his throat. "Back on the beach a few years ago, after everything with Maron...Yamcha and I swore up and down that our next relationships would be serious. And now he has Suno and I...I..."
Krillin slammed his fists into the sand. "I don't wanna waste this chance, Master Roshi. 18 is a once-in-a-lifetime girl! I don't just think she's pretty. She...makes my heart skip a beat every time I think about her, Master. I want to work to be someone she can call her husband without any shame. So, please...can't I just learn one of the Four Virtues? I know I'm not as skilled as Goku...but..."
Master Roshi sighed. "Android 18, huh? That blondie from Dr. Gero's Android army..."
A long silence, and then Master Roshi stood up. He walked over to Krillin and put a fatherly hand on the younger man's shoulder. "Raise up your head, m'boy. It's time to teach you the Virtue of Flowing Water~"
Krillin raised up his head, a hopeful sparkle in his eyes. "REALLY?!"
Roshi nodded. "Yes..."
And then he threw up a peace sign and began to cackle. "So that when you marry that smokin' hot young thing, you can throw ol' Master Roshi a wet t-shirt contest! Heh heh heh!"
Krillin fell onto his face. "MASTER ROSHI!"
Back in the present...
"...Well?"
Krillin flinched. "H-Huh?!"
Android 18 looked expectant. "You said there was a funny story. I'm all ears. For the funny story, I mean. What is it?"
Krillin stammered. "U-Uh..."
He looked at the cold, clinical, scathing look in 18's piercing blue eyes. "Uhm...uh..."
Quickly, Krillin turned his attention to the exit. "We're too injured to fight that Bojack guy, but we should go see if Gohan and 17 need some help, dontcha think?!"
Krillin nervously laughed as he stood up, limping his way to the exit. "WOO-HOO, TEAMWORK!"
Left sitting on the ground, Android 18 could only cock her head in utter confusion. A bead of sweat ran down the side of her face. "Uh..."
Back with Bardock, Piccolo, and Bojack...
Bardock rushed at Bojack with a warrior's scream, swinging and jabbing his Rebellion's Edge with precision and force. Using Gokua's sword, Bojack was able to block and deflect each of Bardock's attacks. But any time the Galaxy Soldier tried to return with a slash of his own, Bardock effortlessly weaved around it. Bardock went for a stab, barely being stopped by Bojack holding Ressho up in defense. Bardock sneered. "You're an even sloppier swordsman than that damned brat from before!"
Using his momentum, Bardock slightly changed the posture of his hand and rode it all the way up to Bojack's shoulder, cutting deep into the warrior's flesh. Bojack cringed and Bardock ripped the Rebellion's Edge out, slamming his foot into the hulking brute's hip and leaping up to bring a slash down into the opposite shoulder. Bojack snarled and Bardock spoke. "I learned a few tricks from a certain young swordsman I know. You waving around that iron bar like it means something isn't helping you at all! Just because you had a pretty little statue made of you slaying a guy with a sword doesn't mean that you can use one, fool!"
Bardock ripped the Rebellion's Edge away again, this time thrusting it into Bojack's chest. Bojack went to swing Ressho again, but Bardock was prepared. Using his hand, sunk into Bojack's chest, as leverage, Bardock swung himself up and caught the blade of Ressho with his feet. With all of his strength, he forced the edge of the blade into Bojack's neck and then, with a hefty kick, he sent the hulking brute crashing back into a wall.
The wall shuddered and cracked against the weight and force of Bojack's mass. Bardock spat and got into a fighting stance. "Where's your Gommanaji now, bitch?! Oh wait, it doesn't work if your ass gets cut, huh?!"
Bardock smirked. "Turles must've realized what a nothing, piece-a-shit you'd turn out to be, otherwise he'd have worked out a solution to that little problem~"
Bojack's eyes were boiling with rage, but he managed a wry smile. "You have such faith in this long-lost brother of yours, eh? It's almost like no time has passed since you lost him. Perhaps...you've been reliving that moment since it happened? Somewhere...in that back of that thick, Saiyan skull of yours?"
The smile instantly faded from Bardock's face, replaced by a look of manic rage. "I'LL RIP YOUR TONGUE OUT WITH MY BARE HANDS!"
Seeing a moment to strike, Bojack lunged forward. He wrapped his hand tightly around Bardock's face and, with all of his weight and strength, bashed the older Saiyan's head straight into a wall. Bojack cackled. "And now, we're back onto the strength of my Gommanaji! Any blunt force will do! Even the force of me punching something will trigger it!"
To make his point, Bojack slammed his fist and Bardock's head into the hard, metal wall over and over again. Bojack's entire body shined with bright, red light as he did. He strength and stamina increased more and more and his smile broadened. Eventually, he stopped the beating and held the limp Bardock close. "Do we regret losing our temper?"
In response, Bardock opened his mouth and spit a dislodged tooth into Bojack's. The tooth went down Bojack's throat and the warrior began to choke. Taking advantage, Bardock lunged in and formed a Rebellion's Edge. And then, he finally sliced through his target. A wet pitter-patter rang out as it splattered onto the floor: Bardock had sliced his Rebellion's Edge right through Bojack's bottle of Sacred Kaio-Water.
Bojack coughed and hacked, eventually spitting up Bardock's tooth. "Y-You took that hellacious beating just to break my bottle?! Are you insane?!"
Bardock smiled, one of his front teeth clearly missing. "What can I say...? Taking a beating was all I was good for in my early years. I'm used to it. And you hit like a Klorfor~"
Taking a massive swing with his Rebellion's Edge, Bardock sliced straight through Bojack's torso. The blade cleaved through his hip and blood erupted from the Galaxy Soldier's mouth. Bardock screamed and went to stab Bojack right through the face, but Bojack quickly returned with a massive clothesline of his own. Bardock went flying and crashed right into a wall, lying still. Bojack gripped his side. "Damn you, you Saiyan filth..."
Up above, Piccolo watched the back-and-forth brawl with his entire body clenched tight. Bardock was doing damage for sure, but Bojack was doing a hell of a lot more. Bardock's body was iron, but Bojack was strong enough for that not to matter. Piccolo watched as his Saiyan ally got up and stumbled forward. Ever so briefly, his Super Saiyan power began to fade, but he forced it to surge back to life. Piccolo snarled. "Are you running on fumes, adrenaline, or just pure hatred for Bojack down there...?"
Bardock screamed again, pounding his fist against his chest as if to amp himself up before lunging at Bojack with his Rebellion's Edge. Bojack kicked Bardock in the side of the head, but Bardock took it in stride and stabbed Bojack in the calf as a receipt. Piccolo returned to focusing on his Special Beam Cannon. "Saiyan resolve is terrifying. I can't help but wonder just what your brother is like..."
Bojack stumbled back and fell down. He looked up and gasped in shock. Looming over him was not a man, but a screaming beast with a crimson mask running down its face. Bardock continued urge to fight and sheer rage at Bojack made him appear less a man and more an untiring ghoul. Bojack raised his hand and fired off an attack. "TRAP SHOOTER!"
Multiple blasts shot from Bojack's palm, crashing into Bardock. The explosions from the blasts allowed Bojack to go flying back, putting some distance between him and his foe. The hulking brute got back to his feet and screamed at the cloud of kicked up dust. "COME ON! COME AND FACE ME!"
Roaring through the dust like a man possessed, Bardock came shooting out with his Super Saiyan aura surging at full-power. He swiped at Bojack again and again, nicking through the warrior's skin. Bojack roared at the top of his lungs and slammed his fist into Bardock's gut, but Bardock simply started slashing through his forearm. Bojack wrapped his hand around Bardock's throat and began to squeeze, but then Bardock sank his Rebellion's Edge into Bojack's armpit and his entire arm went numb as a result.
Bojack was furious. He ripped off his jacket and screamed a warrior's scream, rushing towards Bardock at high speed. Bardock shot a Destructo-Dart at Bojack's face, which the warrior dodged, and then leapt into the air to avoid a crippling blow. Bojack was having tunnel vision. He focused in on Bardock and chased him into the air. "I WILL CRUSH YOU WITH MY BARE HANDS, SAIYAN! YOU WILL KNOW MY WRATH!"
But then, to Bojack's shock, the manic look left Bardock's face. His permanent, unhinged sneer vanished and was replaced by quite the familiar arrogant smirk. Bojack flinched. "That's smirk is-"
In Bojack's mind, for just a brief moment, it was no longer Bardock in front of him...it was Turles. This apparition before him spoke in a mixture of Bardock and Turles' voice and said one thing very clearly. "Looks like you just got played, dumbass~"
Bojack snapped back into reality and Bardock leapt out of the way, revealing that Piccolo was directly behind him. Piccolo shouted. "Feel the pain of every person that your men slaughtered! SPECIAL BEAM CANNON!"
Left with no time to dodge, Bojack took on the full-brunt of Piccolo's Special Beam Cannon. The spiraling ki drill crashed right into his stomach and forced him back towards the ground. Bojack attempted to withstand the attack, but to no avail. Almost immediately after slamming the brute into the ground, the Special Beam Cannon ran him through, drilling into Bojack's viscera and going through the very floor of the ship itself. Bojack's eyes went wide as he laid there, having been played by a Saiyan and a Namekian once more.
Both exhausted, Piccolo and Bardock landed onto the floor. Both of them were quite injured, but they both looked satisfied with their victory. They stood over Bojack and glared down at their foe. Piccolo was blunt. "You lose. Any last words before we finish you?"
Bardock smirked. "Damn Piccolo...pretty blunt, eh?"
In spite of himself, looking upon and overly-serious Namekian and a flippant Saiyan standing over him in triumph once again, Bojack couldn't help his react. First, he wheezed due to the massive hole in his diaphragm, and then he laughed. Bojack laughed long and hard, wheezing all the while. And then he sighed, placing his hand over the hole that Piccolo had made. "F-Forgive me..."
Bojack chuckled again. "I just...I can't believe that my own arrogance has gotten me again. Just like with Turles. I... I own up to the fact that...the failure of Old Man Iryokago's plan was my fault. I believed in Turles...or, more accurately, that I could use Turles..."
The hulking brute coughed up blood, his eyes half-lidded. "But, even in spite of that...and in spite of this...I won't die. It...it is...my destiny to slay the top Kai of this universe...to make my mark...and..."
Bojack's face became quite serious. "AND I SHALL NOT ALLOW ANY COMBINATION OF SAIYAN AND NAMEKIAN TO STOP ME!"
Taking all of the remaining energy in his dying body, Bojack formed two massive blasts and used them to blast the exhausted Piccolo and Bardock out of the way. And then, forming one more blast, Bojack fired his shot at his real target. Piccolo's Special Beam Cannon had pinned Bojack to the ground at the perfect angle to hit the valve that Piccolo had been standing under. The valve was blasted away and a rushing, sloshing sound began to echo out. Bardock shakily tried to stand. "What...?"
It took Piccolo a moment, but it suddenly dawned on him what that sound actually meant. He sat up and gasped in horror. "NO!"
A massive spout of water burst from the damaged valve and sprayed right towards Bojack. Bojack laughed out loud and opened his mouth wide. "I WIN, FOOLS!"
The spout of water shot right into Bojack's mouth and he began to greedily guzzle it down. The thoroughly battered Bardock and Piccolo could only watch and sense on in horror as the power level before them swelled higher and higher. Bardock's pupils shrank. "Shit..."
Centuries ago...
As one of the five moons of Planet Hera shined down, Bojack and Zangya both laid there and looked up at the stars. Lazily drifting on a lilypad in the middle of the Kaio-Spring, the two Herans reflected on the carnal sin that they had just committed, Zangya's ceremonial shawl being the only thing covering them up.
Zangya looked at her Bojack with loving eyes, slowly dragging her hand over his unscarred, perfectly sculpted body. Her face was cheerful and optimistic as she took it all in, her eyes sparkling with a loving gleam. Bojack, meanwhile, traced his fingers through the water of the spring. He lifted them up and allowed the water to drip onto his bare chest. "Tell me again, Zangya. Would it be so wrong for a warrior as mighty as I to enjoy even one sip? Why is this precious water reserved only for those arrogant Kais?"
Zangya giggled, hastily wiping the water away and draping her arm over Bojack's chest. "Oh, headstrong Bojack, this is why I refuse any partner after you, my love~ I love that devil-may-care attitude of yours! It's so..."
She pressed her lips to his lower jaw and enjoyed a string of kisses all the way to his neck. "...so exhilarating~"
Bojack rolled his eyes, already annoyed with having to be around this meaningless wench for this long. "You still insist on keeping the reason a secret. And here I thought you loved me with all of your heart. I guess you just didn't mean that when you said it..."
Zangya flinched and frowned, looking genuinely hurt. "N-No... I meant it Bojack. I honestly did and honestly do. I'm just not allowed to speak on the matter. It's part of my duty as Shrine Maiden, my love. Surely you understand that...right?"
On the outside, Bojack's face was placid. Inward, he was furious. It took everything he had to restrain his anger and not slap Zangya across the spring right at that moment. But ever the con-man, Bojack kept up the act. "Forgive my curiosity, my love. I would never want to make you feel uncared for. I am just so curious to know why the Kai keep these secrets that they do~"
Bojack grabbed Zangya and pulled her close, pressing his lips to hers. Enraptured, Zangya leaned into the kiss with love and passion. Bojack looked so bored he could have died right there. Separating, Bojack put on a gentle smile and brushed Zangya's hair out of her face. "You know, I love you. And I trust you with all my heart and soul~"
Zangya kissed Bojack's hand and gently nuzzled it. "Of course, I know that~"
Bojack leaned in and whispered in her ear. "That's why I'm going to ask Iryokago if you can come to our next meeting. Perhaps, his rhetoric might open up your eyes a bit more to the world around you~"
Zangya was a bit taken aback at first, but then she looked into her beloved Bojack's eyes and everything felt alright again. "I would love to...as long as I get to hold you close the entire time~"
Bojack could feel the bile in his throat, but he gently nodded. "Of course, my love. I wouldn't have it any other way~"
Back in the present...
Bojack was back on his feet, his laugh bellowing out as loudly and a fully as his aura did. The Galaxy Soldier's muscles swelled to an unbelievable size, his teal skin having turned a sickening, light green. His hair spread out, wavering with his power and eventually bursting apart his bandana to reveal a massive, crimson mullet. Bojack laughed out loud and gripped his fists tight. "LET THE GODS THEMSELVES KNOW HOW THANKFUL I AM THAT THEY LEFT A GULLIBLE SLUT IN CHARGE OF WATCHING THEIR SO-CALLED SACRED SPRING! THIS IS INCREDIBLE! I FEEL INVINCIBLE!"
In shock and disbelief at this spike in power, Bardock and Piccolo both backed away. Bojack laughed at the top of his lungs. All of his injuries and all of his scars rapidly burned away. He raised his arms outward and screamed at the top of his voice. "THIS IS IT! THE POWER I'VE CRAVED! THE BIRTH OF AN INVINCIBLE, ALMIGHTY WARRIOR! I AM BOJACK! AND I AM UNBOUND!"
Bojack reached down to his jacket, ripping it away and tossing it aside. He stood before Bardock and Piccolo, his power rippling forth and still managing to rise higher and higher. Bojack chortled. "And now, my Saiyan and Namekian friends...it is time for the big sleep~"
And then, moving at speeds that he had not been capable of prior, Bojack rushed at Bardock and Piccolo and began the long and slow process of beating the life out of them. The two warriors tried their hardest to fight back, but their exhaustion and fatigue was proving to be their downfall. Not to mention the overwhelming nature of Bojack's new strength. Moving quickly, Piccolo fired a Special Beam Blast at Bojack, but the hulking monster simply quashed it into nothingness. He grabbed Piccolo by the antennae and began to spin him around like a yo-yo.
Bardock rushed in, his Super Saiyan aura flaring out. He formed a Rebellion's Edge and went to slash at Bojack. "Put him down!"
The attack crashed into Bojack's flesh, just as it had done before. This time, however, was a lot different. Bardock winced and pulled his hand away from Bojack's flank. His pinky, ring, and middle fingers had all shattered upon impact. Bojack, still swinging Piccolo like a toy, glowered down at Bardock. "I'm sorry. You genuinely seemed to expect that to accomplish something. I'm so, so sorry..."
And then, with all of his strength, Bojack heaved Piccolo into the air by his antennae and slammed him down onto Bardock, driving them both deep into the floor. Bardock gasped out in pain. Blood erupted from Piccolo's throat. And then the two laid still.
Uncaring of whether they got up or not, Bojack ignored Piccolo and Bardock for a moment and instead focused on the hole in the floor where he had been laying moments ago. The hulking brute stomped over to the hole, dragging his finger along the edge and gathering one last droplet of Sacred Kaio-Water. Bojack shook his head. "All of my hard stolen water, emptied into the seas of this miserable, hick planet..."
Bojack turned back towards Bardock and Piccolo and smirked. "Oh! Is this another attempt to stop me? Can't you fools grasp from that single beating you just took how utterly outclassed you are~?"
Bardock and Piccolo didn't say a word, instead focusing on charging their strongest attacks. Bardock's hand buzzed with power as he charged his Super Ravager Cannon. Piccolo's fingers shined with holy light as he prepared the Light Grenade. Bojack, meanwhile, simply shrugged. "Go ahead. Shoot your shots and watch all hope fade away~"
Bardock snarled. "Arrogant bastard! Burn in Hell! SUPER RAVAGER CANNON!"
Piccolo roared at the top of his lungs. "DIE! LIGHT GRENADE!"
Both attacks shot towards Bojack at high speed, but the hulking brute simply yawned. He raised his hand and charged a single blast. "Grand Smasher."
And then, to the horror of Bardock and Piccolo, Bojack's blast swelled to the size of a large bus and launched right back at them. The Light Grenade and the Super Ravager Cannon were both swallowed whole without any fanfare and the two warriors were left gobsmacked. The Grand Smasher arched up into the air and hung right over Bardock and Piccolo's heads. It took the two warriors a moment, but they both quickly realized what was about to happen. Bardock cried out. "Oh my god!"
It was too late. Before either warrior could react, the Grand Smasher rained down from the sky and landed atop the two of them. It swelled, leaving Piccolo and Bardock in an inert state of stunned silence, and then it erupted like a volcano and launched both warriors screaming into the air, through the top of the ship, and high into the Earth's sky. Bojack watched with devilish amusement as his foes went blasting off up high. "Beautiful. The sound of screams is such an amazing noise~"
High up in the sky...
Bardock and Piccolo screamed in pain and agony as they were both blown high into the sky. Slowly, but surely, the light completely engulfed Piccolo. As his Namekian friend was stolen from his gaze, just as the last time he was placed in this situation, Bardock reflected back over his entire life. And a single memory became stuck to the forefront once more.
Decades ago...
Your eyes open and look around the hangar of a dropship. Everything is incredibly loud, but also way too silent. Your ears are ringing. Your nose is full of a burning smell. Arms and legs are numb, but that doesn't matter. A wet, sticky, and quite warm feeling coats the forehead and face.
Back on your feet. Rush towards the hangar door. He tries to stop you. Hate him. Always have. Piece of shit. He's shoved out of the way and to the hangar door. Button control pad is busted. Your fingers in the door and it's forced open.
"WE CAN'T LEAVE HIM HERE! WE CAN'T! TURN THE GODDAMNED SHIP AROUND!"
Pain. In the back of the head. A hand on the shoulder. Spun around. Your eyes glaring into his. Your reflection. A massive gash leaking blood from the cheek. Can see teeth through flesh. He's scornful. Punch to the wounded cheek. Fall.
"WE AREN'T TURNING THE DAMNED SHIP AROUND FOR CRIPPLED, LOW-CLASS SCUM!"
Shove. He glares at you. Your friends. All younger than your most recent memory. Toma. Fasha. Totepo. Panbukin. Old Taro. Gine. All bloodied. Battered. Shell-shocked. Planet Kamikiri. Your personal Hell. Always in your mind. Together or alone. Wake. Shit. Eat. Bathe. Sleep. Wake. Shit. Eat. Bathe. Sleep. Wake. Shit. Eat. Bathe. Sleep. Planet Kamikiri. Your personal Hell.
Crawl back to the door. Stare at the flames. Your mind makes out hundreds of images of him burning, scared, in pain. Extend the hand. Scream.
"NO! TURLES!"
Outside of the ship...
The explosion from the rear of the ship was enough to make the entire thing shake. As they supported one another, struggling to even climb the stairs with their burnt lungs, Krillin and Android 18 both fell to their knees on the outer deck. 18 turned and stared at the massive column of green ki. "What the hell?!"
At the same time, Yamcha landed on the deck with Tien slung over his shoulder. Both of the humans stared in disbelief at this almighty showing of power. Gohan and Android 17, both sat on the outside of the ship, both stared at the column of ki as well. Android 17 cocked his head. "That certainly doesn't look like one of Piccolo or Bardock's attacks. That's probably not good..."
Gohan stood and stared up into the light. Feeling through the column with his ki sense supporting his eyes, the boy eventually locked on to who he was looking for. "They're alive."
Tien shuddered. "That Bojack guy...he must have drank the water like all of the others did..."
Krillin yelped. "That power is overwhelming! How are we supposed to fight that?!"
Yamcha, meanwhile, asked a much more sensible question. "HOW THE HELL HAVEN'T GOKU OR VEGETA SENSED THIS YET?!"
Eventually, the column of ki faded and two charred and battered forms fell from the sky. Piccolo and Bardock crashed into the deck like lead weights, both quite unconscious and both barely alive. They didn't even so much as twitch as they laid there, their friends staring at their broken forms in horror and disbelief.
A heavy footstep stomped down on the very top of the ship and the Z-Fighters all looked up, seeing the source of all of this mayhem and carnage looming over them. Bojack stood tall, looking smug. The salty wind blew his hair to the side and he let loose a jovial laugh. "Please pardon the mess. I normally like to run a tight ship, but chose to cut loose this time. Unfortunately, I seem to have worn down my guests...so who wants to play next...?"
Immediately after asking that question, Bojack looked over the group before him and the smile on his face faded. "On second thought, never mind. You're all beaten and battered already. Only a child and a weakling remain. How sad. The Earth is truly a miserable place..."
Bojack sighed and shrugged. "Who's first? Am I going to shattered a child to inspire an adult, or break an adult to terrify a child?"
Yamcha's mouth went dry. Nervously, he looked over to Gohan. The young hybrid's eyes were locked onto Piccolo and Bardock. His face was placid, except for a very Goku-like passionate anger in his eyes as he looked upon his defeated mentor and grandfather. Gohan looked up from the two and over at Yamcha, putting on a friendly smile. The boy motioned over to Bojack. "Wanna put him in his place? This is your only chance."
The former desert bandit chuckled, clearing his throat. "N-Nah. You certainly do have a sense of humor though. He's, uh, he's all yours Gohan..."
Gohan nodded. "That's probably for the best. But don't worry Yamcha, you can have the next major threat to Earth! We'll fight him together!"
Yamcha shook his head. "I swear, kid, you sound more and more like your Dad every day..."
And, with that, Yamcha reached down and grabbed the unconscious Bardock. Throwing the defeated Saiyan over his shoulder, the warrior motioned to Android 17. "Hey, bud, think you can grab Piccolo?"
17 nodded. "Yeah. I'm not hurt too badly. I can carry Big Green back to shore."
Bojack stared in disbelief as the rest of the warriors started to pack up, leaving only this child clad in orange and purple to fight in their place. He sneered. "Are you trying to insult The Great Bojack?! Leaving a child to fight in your stead?! Is that it?!"
As the others took off, Yamcha turned to Bojack and smiled wide. He shot Bojack and peace sign and chuckled. "I fought that child not too long ago. And, well, he doesn't need any help. He'll break a punk like you over his knee~!"
Watching as all of the warriors flew away from him, a vein bulged on Bojack's forehead. "What's that you say?! I have attained this all-new level of power! I am stronger than I had ever dreamed I would become! And yet, you say a child is going to beat me?!"
Bojack clenched his teeth so tight they threatened to shatter. And then, he charged and tossed a massive blast towards the retreating warriors. "ALL OF YOU CAN BURN IN HELL! I WON'T EVEN NEED KANZENNA ZETSUMETSU FOR THIS!"
But then, to Bojack's shock, a ki blast launched up and collided with his, blowing it to smithereens. When the dust cleared, Gohan was floating in the path between Bojack and his friends. The boy appeared to be deep in thought as his standard Super Saiyan form shined bright. "It's been a long day..."
Bojack sneered. "What?!"
Gohan sighed. "It's been a long day of holding back. Yamcha is a friend, so I can't go all out against him. I don't wanna hurt him. And that Bujin guy had those mirror-clones that would have just copied me. But now, now that I'm only facing a guy like you..."
Son Gohan, the son of Son Goku, lifted his head and smiled the smile that only a true warrior could muster. His golden aura suddenly began to spark and crackle with lightning. Gohan chuckled. "Finally, I'm facing someone I can cut loose against!"
