The group arrived at a large tournament stage, which was filled with several clones.
Some consisted of clones that looked similar to ones from the first island, while others were new clones, such as a muscular three eyed man dressed in a martial arts garb, and...Captain Ginyu of the Ginyu Force (for some odd, inexplicable reason).
This time around, the duo stayed behind with 21 again, so the other three androids took on the various clones.
Mafin, Begu, and 21 saw a empty row of seats nearby. They walked over to them, and sat down on the middle row. Begu sat next to Mafin, while Mafin sat closer to 21.
Mafin asked, "Are you feeling alright, 21?"
The researcher nodded in response, then sighed, "Once again, I deeply apologize for scaring you both. I feel ashamed for what I did back there."
Mafin gave her a reassuring smile, "Hey, it's okay. There's no need to apologize. Begu and I know that was your unstable side talking, and not actually you."
21 worriedly said, "I know, but still..."
Begu then spoke up, "Hey, uh, 21...sorry for not getting rid of that clone's body."
21 frowned, "Begu, it's okay. You don't have to apologize."
No, I should. That was pretty stupid of me for not destroying it when I had the chance.", admitted Begu, who awkwardly rubbed his arm, "So we'll, like, try to actually destroy the clones the next time we face off against them."
21 nodded, "Right."
It was now Mafin's turn to speak, "Although, speaking of that hunger episode, it made me wonder about something."
21 questioned the Pesutorian, "What is it?"
Mafin inquired, "Why haven't you absorbed us yet? We are fully organic beings, after all."
Begu's eyes widened in shock, and he thought, "Dang! He's right! Why hasn't she done that yet?"
Mafin then nervously said, "N-No offense, of course! I'm not saying you should!"
21 stated, "No, it's alright."
She placed a hand on her chin, and said, "Hmm. That is a good question..."
The researcher thought it over for a moment, then replied, "I...I don't know. I'm sorry, but I personally have no idea why I haven't consumed you two yet. It's almost as if something's blocking those urges..."
Both Mafin and Begu gained perplexed looks on their faces.
Begu said, "Huh. That's weird."
Mafin also said, "Yeah. That's really odd."
21 nodded, "I agree with the both of you. Hopefully, we'll figure that matter out when all of this is over with."
The trio then proceeded to stay silent, and they began observing the ongoing battles that were occurring on the stage.
As the day wore on, the group traveled to various locations, taking down various clones left and right. Each time they did, 16, 17, and 18 would take on the alien/half-alien clones, while the duo would take on the Earthling clones.
And like the aforementioned android trio, the duo managed to destroy each of those clones with the use of their ki attacks. Thus, they were successful in making sure that 21 never fell back into her unsettling hunger state.
Or so they thought...
Eventually, by the late afternoon, the group arrived at a desolate, ruined city.
Vehicles of different models were lying around various barren roads, some of which were littered with broken glass.
Thankfully, this time around, there didn't seem to be any clones wandering the streets. Neither 16 or 21 could pick up any other energies.
Begu let out a relieved sigh, "I hope this means we're almost finished."
Mafin smiled, "I hope so too..."
Suddenly, much to the duo's shock, they heard 21 scream with pain.
They turned around and saw her collapse to her knees, clutching onto her chest.
Begu exclaimed, "What the-?!"
Mafin questioned, "B-But...how?! How is this possible?! We vaporized of all the clones that we fought!"
"21!", exclaimed 16 as he got down to his companion's level.
21, through gritted teeth, stated, "I can't take it!"
She looked up at 16, now with pure insanity in her eyes, "MY NEED TO FEED IS STRONG!"
16 said nothing else, and stared at his shaking companion. He was internally trying to figure to what to do.
17 walked over to the large android and spoke up, "This is the second time this has happened, 16! What the hell is wrong with her?!"
"...21 appears to be unstable right now.", stated 16, "She requires a lot of energy in order to control her power."
17 raised an eyebrow in confusion, "Wait, unless she can get some energy...this behavior won't stop?"
"...H-Hurry!", exclaimed 21, who panted heavily.
17 scoffed and said, "I really don't understand, but we should head back to the lab for now."
The duo collectively agreed. Since they already knew the full context of 21's nature, they were terrified out of their wits, and too scared to do anything else right now.
18 looked at them, and questioned, "Do you two know what's going on with 21?"
Mafin stayed silent, again not knowing what to say.
Begu decided to fill in for him, "We...uh...we have no idea."
18's eyes narrowed at both men, making them even more nervous.
However, much to their surprise, she shrugged and calmly said, "Alright. I believe you."
The blonde fighter figured that they probably knew something about 21, but were just too afraid to say anything. So, she decided not to prod them with any more questions at the moment, and just ask them again at a later time.
"18!", shouted a new voice.
The group (minus 21) turned around, and they saw a rather short monk wearing an orange gi, standing several feet away from them.
"Krillin!", exclaimed 18, visibly relieved that her husband was alive and safe.
Krillin worriedly asked, "18, are you okay?!"
"I was afraid this might happen...", said 16, who stood back up.
"You're...!", 17 started to say, but quickly stopped himself, as he already knew the name of 18's husband. He was just really surprised to see the monk here.
Krillin's eyes widened in shock at the sight of the other two androids.
The monk fearfully said, "17...and 16?! But...why?!"
16 questioned, "What are you doing here?"
Krillin answered, "Isn't it obvious? I came to save 18!"
His eyes then narrowed at the large android, "16, is...is that really you? Or are you some new version, like the clones? And did you have anything to do with our power getting sealed away?"
17 repeated, "Sealed away?"
Mafin said, "Yeah, I'm also quite confused. I haven't felt any alterations to my ki all day."
Krillin turned his attention to the Pesutorian, "Who are you supposed to be?!"
Realizing he hadn't properly introduced himself, Mafin replied, "Oh, um...s-sorry! I'm Mafin, and this is my friend, Begu."
Begu awkwardly waved at Krillin, "Uh, hey...bald dude."
He then looked up at 16, and asked, "Do you have any idea on what that guy's talking about?"
16 explained, "The energy suppressing waves. A machine Dr. Gero invented is emitting waves that suppresses all energy on our planet."
Both Mafin and Begu's eyes widened in shock at this new revelation.
Begu shouted, "WHAT?! THEN HOW COME WE HAVEN'T FELT THE EFFECTS?!"
16 replied, "Presumably, it may be due to the fact that the both of you are not using large amounts of energy. I have only seen you two fire out projectiles, but that is all."
Begu nodded in consideration, "Yeah, that's probably true..."
Krillin then said, "So, it was Dr. Gero...just as Bulma predicted!"
He got into a slightly apprehensive stance, "Don't tell me...Did all of you guys activate the machine?"
18 exclaimed, "Of course not! We had nothing to do with it!"
She turned to 16, "Right, 16?"
16 nodded, "We did not activate it."
17's eyes narrowed with suspicion at the large android, "But you had something to do with it, right?"
16 did not reply, making 17 more annoyed.
What was with 16 today?! And why was he acting so secretive all of a sudden?!
17 angrily exclaimed, "Say something already! C'mon!"
"Heh heh...hehehehe...", chuckled a familiar voice.
The group turned around, and saw 21 slowly stand back up.
"What the-?", blurted out a confused Krillin.
16 exclaimed, "21! Stay calm!"
"No, I can't resist any longer!", declared a now unstable 21.
She madly grinned, "Now...I can finally feast...Heheheh..."
The researcher stared at Krillin with hungry eyes.
16's eyes widened with fear at his companion. He had to act! Fast!
Getting in between 21 and her new target, 16 said, "Krillin, I cannot let you have 18 just yet. Listen, you need to flee for now!"
"Are you nuts?!", Krillin incredulously asked, "There is no way I'd leave her behind here!"
Begu snapped, "She'll be fine, alright?! Just get outta here, ya dumbass!"
Mafin added, "With the exception of that last insult, I agree with Begu! Look, I know it sounds crazy, but trust us! You don't want to be here right now!
Krillin growled, "No way! I don't know what you're all up to, but keep my wife out of it!"
The monk then looked at his wife, and pleaded, "C'mon 18, let's go home. We have a family to protect!"
He worriedly asked, "Y-You don't want to go back to how you used to be...do you?"
"No! I want to be home with you!", 18 firmly replied, "But not...not like this."
"Love? Family?", said a still unstable 21, who then sent a chilling glare at everyone.
Afterwards, she charged up, forming massive amounts of dark red ki around her.
21 shouted, "DON'T BE SILLY! ANDROIDS HAVE NO NEED FOR SUCH NONSENSE!"
"21...", uttered 16, now completely unsure of what to do.
The now hunger crazed researcher looked at both 18 and Krillin. She extended her left arm out, and commanded, "You two! Fight right now!"
18 replied, "N-No, I can't!"
She looked back at her husband with fear in her eyes, "There's no way! Krillin, tell her I won't fight you!"
21 smirked, "Fine. If you won't do it, then I will do it for you!"
She began walking towards the terrified monk, grinning with excitement.
At that moment, Mafin got in between the two of them, arms and legs spread out in defense.
Begu shouted, "WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING, MAFIN?!"
"I...I...I don't know!", nervously replied Mafin. He was deeply terrified, but he had to do something to help out!
"Mafin, get out of my way. Right now.", angrily commanded 21.
Mafin responded, "No, I won't."
21 scoffed, "Excuse me?"
Mafin briefly flinched, but then took a deep breath, and thought, "Let's try...to compose ourselves..."
With a determined expression, Mafin said, "I won't do it. I know this isn't really you, 21. Please come back to us."
21 let out an evil chuckle, "Oh, I assure you, this is very much...ME!"
With that final shout, she knee jabbed the Pesutorian in the stomach, and then palm struck him in the face, sending him tumbling a few feet across the road.
Mafin began coughing up blood, and struggled to get up to his feet.
Begu screamed with fear, and flew over to his fallen best friend.
"Are you okay, man?!", asked the Octorian, who helped Mafin sit up.
"I...I tried...to stop...her...", replied Mafin, in between coughs.
21 turned to face Krillin once more, and smiled, "Now, where were we?"
Krillin fearfully gulped, and got into a battle stance, preparing himself to face this insane woman.
Just then, 21 was pulled into a full nelson by 16.
"Get off of me, 16!" 21 angrily exclaimed. She struggled to break free from his massive arms.
18 turned to Krillin and said, "Get out of here! Now!"
Krillin began, "But, what about—"
18 interrupted him, "Don't you remember what those two guys said?! I'll be fine! Fly far away from here, and get back home safely!"
Krillin hesitated for a brief moment, but then relented, "R-Right!"
He quickly rocketed away from the city, and into the clouds.
Upon seeing her target leave her sights, 21 gritted her teeth with rage, and began thrashing around in a violent manner.
16 was now struggling to hold onto his companion.
17 questioned, "What are we gonna we do?! She's gone crazy!"
Mafin got an idea in his head.
He whispered something inaudible to Begu, who nodded in response, knowing what he was about to do.
The Octorian backed away, and the Pesutorian slowly stood up. He walked over to 16, all the while grunting in pain.
Mafin got closer to the large android and exclaimed, "Let me try out something!"
16 asked, "What do you plan on doing?"
Mafin nervously stammered, "I-It's...um...it's...uh...well, I can just show you."
He took a deep breath, and concentrated hard.
Then, bursts of flame began to emit from both of his hands.
17's eyes widened, "What the hell?! You plan on burning her alive?!"
Mafin shook his head, "No! No, of course not!"
He placed his flaming hands on 21's stomach, and held on tightly. He felt some of the energy of his technique slowly being absorbed by 21's body.
After a few moments, her violent thrashing began to cease itself, and she slowly fell into a state of unconsciousness.
Mafin let out a deep sigh of relief, and his hands returned to normal.
17 asked, "What...What was that?"
Mafin explained, "This is a technique my species has had for hundreds of years. It's mainly capable of providing heat for others, but also can be used as defense against hostile beings. And we know that 21 isn't really a hostile being."
"Well, why didn't you use that thing back in the wasteland?"
"I was really terrified, and I wasn't thinking clearly."
18 smiled, "At least you managed to stop 21. Good work. You really saved the day."
Mafin bashfully rubbed his arm, "Um...th-thanks, Android 18."
Begu walked over to Mafin, and playfully tapped him on the back, "Nice job, dude!"
Mafin happily replied, "Thanks, Begu."
17 glared at 16, who was still holding onto 21's unconscious body, "After what you've put us through, you owe us some answers."
18 agreed, "We both want answers."
16 quietly nodded and said, "I understand. But first, I must heal 21. I'll explain everything inside the lab."
17 folded his arms, "Yeah, you will. And you're not gonna leave out a single detail."
With that said, the group silently flew away from the ruined city.
