So this is it guys. 100 chapters! I honestly can't believe it. And what better way to celebrate than probably one of my favourite chapters to date. Lets just say this is gonna be one big ride.
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Hal, Krillin and Gohan all could feel the weight on their shoulders increase. Piccolo explained everything he knew about Cell. And it certainly didn't go down well.
"So this thing wants the two of the androids you guys met. All to achieve perfection?" Hal recalled.
"That's correct. Whatever that thing meant by perfection, it can't be good." Piccolo answered.
"Fantastic, so we now have five androids on the loose." The four of them all felt a sense of frustration. Vegeta lost to Eighteen, while as a Super Saiyan. At this current moment, they were unstoppable.
"Can't you ask the guardians for help?" Krillin asked the space cop.
"I could, but it'll take some time. Which at the moment we seem to lack." The former pilot responded.
"We need a plan." Piccolo proceeded laughed at the two. Who responded by glaring at him.
"No matter what ideas you come up with. You'll never be able to execute them while lacking the necessary power." Piccolo stated.
"Would you stop being so pessimistic." Hal fired back. "No one is invincible. All we need to do is find a weakness and push. Besides it's not like you could do anything against Cell!" Piccolo slowly walked towards the Lantern. A rage burning in his eyes. A full on brawl was on the cards. Until Gohan quickly separated the two.
"Easy guys. Let's remember who our true enemies are." Gohan quickly tried to defuse the situation.
"Yeah I mean we're all friends here right." Krillin added, nervously chuckling. Piccolo turned away, shunning the group.
"Just because we're no longer enemies does not mean we are friends!" Piccolo yelled before blasting off. Gohan felt like he had just been punched in the gut. He honestly couldn't tell if Piccolo was actually serious or not.
"Hey Gohan we're heading back to the others? You coming?" Krillin asked the boy.
"You guys go on ahead. I'm gonna head after Piccolo." The Half Saiyan replied. Before shooting off after his mentor. Krillin just sighed as he watched Gohan fly off. Though what surprised Hal was the fact that he was smiling.
"What's with that grin on your face?" Hal questioned the dwarf.
"That kid is something special isn't he?" Krillin softly replied. "Come on, let's get to Kame House."
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Bruce, Dick and Barry were all shuffling through papers back at Gero's house. The Dark Knight remained cool and collected. They Boy Wonder felt more enticed by each passing second. While the Scarlet Speedster felt a sense of annoyance.
"You do know I can shift through all of these in a second right?" Barry angrily stated to Bruce. Who was having none of it.
"And you also risk damaging all of Gero's notes." The Caped Crusader argued. Earning a scowl from Barry.
"You know sometimes I really don't get you at all. You really have a hard time trusting people." Dick eyes widened, as he dipped his head behind some papers. He didn't want any part of what was about to happen. To his surprise though, Bruce's reaction was quite subdued.
"I don't hide that fact. I always prepare for the worst possible outcome."
"But you still rely on us to help you out. You came to me and asked for help in defeating the Saiyan's."
"You were an asset." Dick's heart skipped a beat as he heard that. Barry looked at him in silence. He wasn't angry, just disappointed.
"So that's all we are to you? Assets you can just throw aside?"
"Guys." Dick attempted to gain their attention, with no luck.
"You know that's not what I meant." Bruce retorted.
"I know what you meant. We're all just employees to you. Workers who follow your every command. Only used to do all the heavy lifting. The two stared into each other's eyes. Neither would budge on their beliefs.
"Guys." Once again Dick tried to gain their attention. This time the Boy Wonder made sure he was slightly louder. Yet the same result occurred.
"I know you're all good people. However you have powers beyond our understanding. And that power can lead to devastating events." Bruce bitterly said.
"So that's it then? You don't trust people because they make mistakes?" Barry questioned the hero of Gotham's logic. Bruce though, had enough of this argument.
"Flashpoint was more than a mistake!"
"Guys!" Dick shouted, finally gaining both of their attentions. "I've got a breakthrough." The young boy handed Barry some papers. "Gero planted a small bomb in all his androids. If we could recreate this detonator then we won't even have to fight them."
"I'll get them to Bulma. Perhaps she can create one." Barry opened the door. Looking back at a stoic looking Bruce. "That was cold Bats. Real cold." Without another word, Barry raced off. Leaving the Dynamic Duo behind. Bruce showed little emotion behind the cowl. Dick meanwhile was shocked at how his adopted father was reacting.
"And once again you prove to us all how bad your people skills are." Dick quipped. Earning a glare from the Dark Knight.
"I will not be insulted by a child." Batman angrily exclaimed.
"Just proving my point. I'm gonna get some air. Let me know if you find anything." The Boy Wonder turned and strolled into the backyard.
"Dick!" Bruce bitterly called out to his ward. However his words fell on deaf ears. Dick was already out the door. Bruce sat down in a huff. He looked around the room. But all he saw was the cold, empty space. It was kind of ironic. Even after teaming up with fellow crime fighters. He still found himself alone in a secluded cave.
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Mr Popo stood on the lookout, watering some flowers. The sun shone down as the assistant hummed to himself. The lookout was always lonely without Kami. Still it was at least peaceful. It was rare these days that the assistant got any time to himself. Popo looked up to the sky. Noticing that the black clouds had started to form. Popo stared blankly at the sky, putting away his watering can. Suddenly he felt an energy signature rocket towards him. Popo shivered, knowing full well who it was. The tall muscular figure of Piccolo soon descended onto the lookout. The Namekian eyes felt like they had pierced into Popo's soul. From behind him, Gohan appeared, waving.
"Where's Kami?" The Namekian bluntly asked. Popo didn't answer, he was simply too scared. Piccolo was made from pure evil. That alone frightened him. Not to mention all the sins he had committed.
"Right here." Kami called out, appearing through a portal. The two Namekians faced each other.
"You know why I'm here."
"You wish to fuse. It is of course your only choice at the minute." Mr Pop bolted in front of Kami with his hands wide apart.
"Please don't do this." He demanded. Kami smiled kneeling down to his assistant.
"Mr Popo, you have served me well throughout the years. You were there at the beginning. And now, you're here for the end. It has been an honour." Kami said, all while trying to hold back his emotions. Popo however, hugged his friend while in floods of tears. When the two separated, Kami stood up locking eyes with his other self.
"So, are you in?"
"Yes there are two things I should warn you about. Firstly once we fuse, I will cease to exist. Meaning that the Dragonballs will no longer be of any use." Gohan skipped a breath.
"Are we sure about this?" The young boy asked his mentor.
"It's the only way." Piccolo responded.
"I should also warn you that this isn't like the last time you fused." Kami stated, intriguing everyone. "We were once one person. Until we split, separating good from evil. What we are about to do has never been done before. I have no memory of my time before our separation. And I assume neither do you. By reuniting, we might unlock the doors to our past."
"What are you getting at?"
"I'm saying the person you are now. Might not exactly be the one who leaves." Piccolo scowled at the guardian for being cryptic. Yet Gohan knew exactly what that meant.
"Piccolo you don't have to do this!" Gohan pleaded. The Namekian knelt down, so he was eye level with Gohan. "We can figure something out. Batman and the others might figure out a way..." The half Saiyan was unable to finish as Piccolo hugged him. A mild bit a shock overcame the young boy.
"I remember a time when I killed anyone who stood in my way. Where I took whatever I wanted and felt zero remorse for my mistakes. And I would have continued on that path. If I hadn't met you. You were the one who taught me to do the right thing. To be better. To be a hero." Tears started to roll down Gohan's cheek.
"Piccolo."
"I understand this might be the end. But I have to do this. And you know it too." Reluctantly the son of Goku nodded as they let go of each other. Who proceeded to extend his fist out.
"Even in death, we shall always be friends." Piccolo's fist lightly tapped his protégée.
"Till the end of time." The two smiled at each other before turning back to Kami. The guardian placed his hand on his other half's chest. The two stared at each other one final time. Before Kami powered up his Ki. Piccolo was overwhelmed, his other self yelled out as a white light engulfed his body. When it was over Piccolo fell to his knees, while breathing very heavily. Gohan rushed over to his mentor's side.
"Piccolo are you alright?" The Namekian didn't answer however. He simply stared at his hands in bewilderment. "Are you still Piccolo?" The Namekian looked back at him. Gohan noticed an expression he had never before seen on Piccolo. He had seen sadness and even fear. But one emotion he had never seen before, was vulnerability.
"I... I don't know anymore."
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Diana slithered into the main hall. She looked around to see the gods of Olympus sitting down. Zeus sipped a chalice of wine. Not looking bothered by what was happening. Ares was to his right, sitting upright. Fixated on the woman in front of him. Diana almost ran towards her mother. It had been roughly seven years since they had last spoken. Diana wanted nothing more than to hug her. That was until she remembered what Kami had told her. Then the doubts started to creep in. What was her mother hiding? Diana straightened herself and entered into view.
"And there she is. I trust that concludes our business." Zeus half heartedly muttered. Hippolyta in return, bowed.
"I thank you for the hospitality you have shown my daughter." Hippolyta responded, before turning to said daughter. "Let us go Diana. Our sisters have been waiting for your return." The Queen chocked a little. "As have I."
"Before we go I'd just like to know one thing. Why didn't you tell me about the lasso?" Diana asked, confusing her mother.
"Excuse me?"
"The lasso. It has the ability to compel whoever's trapped to tell the truth. And you never told me." Hippolyta acted cool.
"Oh... I simply forgot." Diana though could tell that was a lie. Without hesitation she took her lasso and threw it over her mother. Who was so shocked she didn't even fight back. The whole Greek pantheon stood up in shock after witnessing this.
"What is the meaning of this?" Zeus bellowed. Diana though ignored him.
"Mother you told me I was sculpted from clay! Was that a lie?"
"Yes." Hippolyta quickly answered. The queen realised what was happening and started to struggle.
"Do I have a father?" Her mother attempted to free herself, however the ropes power was too strong.
"Yes!" Zeus summoned lightning from the sky, aiming it at Diana. Before he could throw it however, Ares stepped in between the two.
"Father, stop!" The god of war cried out, before turning to his protégée. His words getting quicker and more desperate. "Diana listen to me! These questions have answers that you may not wish to hear." The Amazon was having none of it though.
"I have to know!" The princess stubbornly stated. Not taking her eyes off Hippolyta for a single second. "Who is my father?"
"I..." The Queen stuttered. Trying desperately to keep her secret.
"Who?"
"Ares!"
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I'm hoping that twist was worthy of M Night Shamalyn. If anyone did figure out that twist before hand I congratulate you. Since I know the reviews are going to be full of questions lets get two out of the way?
1: What's happening with Piccolo? In the actual show I loved the line "I am not Piccolo, nor Kami. I am a Namekian who's long since forgotten his name." Yet the show barely touches upon this. I wanted to take this one step further. And you will learn more in the next chapter.
2: Why Ares? I did flip flop between Zeus and Ares. However one of the big themes of this Arc is family bonds. And I thought a bond between parent and child would be more engaging than between half siblings.
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Reviews:
Boweser300000000: No plans on either i'm afraid.
Yorozuya43: For me I try to include everything from both. And if two things clash then id make a compromise. So for instance DB and DC have two different heaven and hells. DB has a fleshed out afterlife which is essential to the story. While DC doesn't. You also have different gods, in both franchises. Theres no reason why they all cant exist, but you need to consider their standings. And who they would answer to. I hope I explained it well enough.
X3runner: Yes while some battles will rely on brute strength. Some will require more than that.
Corondomontes: Thanks
MeteorElDrago: Thanks
Jexcell: Yes but not anytime soon.
DarkFlacon:
1: Yes... and No. Lets just say he wont go down exactly like Amazo did.
2: He ain't the greatest GL for nothing.
3: Feel free to PM me anytime!
4: Without you guys i wouldn't be doing this!
DragonDave45:
1: Answers in the chapter.
2: Spoilers
Christian Heath: Who knows
Shark: When coming up with this character arc I realised that Diana is only one of three characters who didn't grow up in mans world. But unlike Kara who was still a child so she would be quicker to adapt. And Vegeta who has no choice but to live here. Diana would struggle to adapt. Then when I was figuring out about putting Ares in. I wanted the two to have a few conversations together. So I put Diana through the lowest of lows so that she would have a reason to abandon Man's world.
FutureTrunks735:
1: No they do not know that time travel exists yet.
2: Yes Beerus will feature.
Guest 1: Spoilers
Guest 2: Firstly they are quite similar in the way they act. Both are proud warriors who love to fight. My thought process was that both would grow so much from it. Vegeta would gain someone he cared about rather than himself. And Diana would be pushed into thinking Man's world was corrupting her since she fell for the worst of them.