3rd Person
"Planning to tag along all the way there, huh?" Vegeta asked Trunks who was following behind him. He had already figured out who the boy was, and he was anything but impressed by what he saw. "Hmm, we'll see about that." Vegeta then increased his speed as he sped away. Trunks gritted his teeth as he transformed and followed after his father as they began to search the mountain scape. Meanwhile with the others, they had just arrived at North City.
"Doctor Gero hides his lab in a cave in one of these mountains here, correct?" Raditz asked.
"He could've done us a favor and picked some place warmer!" Krillin mumbled.
"So what's the plan, you guys?" Yamcha asked the group. "There are a ton of mountains here that it'll take way too long to check them all."
"Not to mention he can sense our energy but we can't with his." Tien pointed out.
"We'll have to split up and search. If you find anything, signal the others. Don't go at it alone." Piccolo told them.
"And what would count as a signal?" Nappa asked.
"We'll raise our energy as high as we can. That'll get everyone's attention." Piccolo said. Everyone nodded and flew off in different directions. They began searching as many mountains as they could before Krillin found Android 20 entering a cave. Krillin immediately began to charge his energy, but unbeknownst to him, that's what the old man wanted. Android 20 knew the others wouldn't make it in time to stop him, so he thought it would be convenient for them to gather at this place so that they could die sooner. Android 20, or Doctor Gero, entered his lab and walked over to two of the pods that were inside. He grabbed a remote and clicked a button, causing the pod labeled 17 to open up. From within the pod, a young man came out.
"You're awake. 17, how do you feel?" The doctor asked the young man. 17 looked at the old man and made a note of his remote before putting on a fake smile.
"Good morning, doctor. Thanks for waking me." 17 said.
"My word! Did I just hear you thank me?" Gero asked.
"Why of course. I owe my existence to you." Gero smiled at 17 words. He was worried that these two would be rebellious, like they usually are, but he must have fixed the problem during his many tests.
"Good. Now let's rouse your sister." Gero said as he opened the other pod labeled 18. The pod opened to reveal a young woman, 17's twin sister. 18 got out of the pod and also saw the remote. She turned to 17, who subtly gave her a look that told her what the plan was. 18 knew what she had to do.
"A good morning to you, dear doctor Gero." 18 said.
"Oh? Even more cordiality than 17 here?" Gero pointed out.
"No more than what is called for." 18 said. "You too have become an 'android' since last I was active."
"Yes. Eternal life was too great of a prize for the original doctor, so he made me to convert himself into." Gero explained. "I will admit, your demeanor is a relief. In order for your perpetual energy reactors to function, I had to disable the behavioral limiters I'd wired into your firmware. It rendered you...contrary, shall we say. You refused to obey my commands, like how you were before I turned you two orphans into my creations. It seems my tests cleared up that little independence streak. Well then, time to start earning your keep. Goku's allies are heading toward this laboratory as we speak. Go eliminate the lot of them. Don't let any of them survive!"
"Right./As you wish." Both androids, or cyborgs really, said. Outside the lab, the others had just arrived, but they were having problems opening the lab door. Doctor Gero saw that through cameras and smiled.
"Good, now go teach them the meaning of pain!" Gero told his 'creations'. 17 walked up behind the doctor while he was looking at the cameras and quickly snatched the remote out of his hand. "Uh!? What do you think you're doing!? 17, give that back!"
"You know, this sure does look like a switch you can use to deactivate us anytime you wanted to, but you'd never do that, now would you?" 17 asked the good doctor. Gero was terrified as 17 crushed the remote in his hand. "Yeah, I don't think we'll be needing this."
"Is this your idea of a joke, 17!?" Gero yelled at the boy. 17 turned to the old man and gave an evil, malicious grin.
"You're never putting us to sleep again, you stupid, old bastard…" 17 told him as the door to the lab blew open from one of Vegeta's energy blasts. Outside the doors, the androids could see all the Z fighters. Trunks was absolutely horrified to see 17 and 18.
"H-Here are those meddling friends of Goku I mentioned earlier!" Gero told the two. "They'll put up a fight. They destroyed number 19 and almost got me as well!"
"There was a number 19?" 17 asked. "Did you build that one after us?"
"Yes." Gero answered.
"Interesting…" 17 said as 18 walked over to another pod that looked like it was about to be dismantled.
"Number 16, huh?" 18 read, causing the doctor to turn to her in fear. "It's another infinite energy model, right? But it's different from me and 17 somehow. It's much bigger than the two of us. I wonder what else is different."
"Well how about that. Let's make his acquaintance, sister." 17 told his sister.
"Mechanical fools, both of you! Are you trying to destroy the planet!? Is that what you want!?" Gero yelled at them.
"What!?" Piccolo exclaimed.
"There's another android!?" Trunks screamed.
"16 isn't properly programmed! He's a failure! Not only that, but he's too powerful for a defect!" Gero continued to explain as the other androids ignored him.
"Hmm? My sensors are indicating that I'm stronger than him, you coward." 17 pointed out.
"Yes...but you're-" Gero was cut off by 17 again.
"Fine then. Go ahead 18, fire him up."
"That is enough! Shut your trap! You're both just as bad as 16! Try to activate him, you failures! I'm shutting you down for good this time!"
"I broke your little switch, remember."
"Fine! I'll make a new one then!" Gero then saw 18 hit the button to release 16 and his anger boiled over. "18, are your ears malfunctioning!? I forbid you to press that!" Gero screamed before 17's hand shot right through his chest. Everyone couldn't believe what 17 just did to his creator as 17 pulled his hand out of Gero. "Y-You are mine… You're my...creation. Obey me-" 17 shut up the old man by kicking his head clean off, causing it to roll towards the Z fighters before 17 jumped over and crushed it. 17 smiled at the Z fighters before walking back over to his sister.
"Let's get on with it, 18." He told his sister.
"Not so fast!" Trunks yelled. "You're not going to activate another android! Not while I'm alive to stop you!" Trunks immediately transformed into a Super Saiyan and fired the strongest beam he could at them. Everyone quickly got out of the way as the blast destroyed the entire lab.
"Next time you want to blow everything up, how about a warning first!" Krillin shouted as they flew above the now destroyed mountain. What surprised everyone was how the androids and the pod were still completely fine. They had completely dodged it.
"You little fool, why did you even waste your breath." Vegeta scolded the boy.
"Well it's more than you did!" Trunks shot back. 18 set down the pod and hit a button, opening up the pod to reveal a tall, red headed man in green. The man, Android 16, got up and looked around.
"You know, it just occurred to me, but I've never seen one of your models active before." 17 said. "So, glad to be out and about after all those years?" 16 didn't respond as 17 continued. "Truth be known, Doctor Gero ordered us to keep you inside there. He kept yelling about how we were doomed if you woke up again."
"So, would you care to fill us in on what the old man was so upset about?" 18 asked 16, to which he didn't speak again. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?"
"Or are you the strong, silent type?" 16 didn't answer either of them. "Whatever. Let's go."
"Where to?" 18 asked 17.
"Wherever Goku is, where else?" 17 answered before he turned to 16. "Doctor Gero created you to kill Goku, the same way he turned us into his creations for that reason too, right?"
"...Correct." 16 finally answered.
"I see. Mention killing Goku and he chimed in." 17 noticed.
"He only talks about the topics Gero programmed into him. He's not a failure, he's just focused." 18 said.
"Well as much as I hate the thought of us following Gero's orders, the idea of us standing here all day doing nothing is driving me up the wall. C'mon, let's go." 17 said as he, 18, and 16 flew off.
"Th-They're flying away!" Yamcha yelled as everyone watched the androids fly off.
"But where are they heading? And why aren't they picking a fight with us?" Piccolo asked. That's when it hit Krillin.
"It's Goku! They're heading straight for Goku's place! It's because he took down the Red Ribbon Army back in the day and Doctor Gero wanted revenge ever since!" Krillin shouted.
"True, but why would they kill Gero one minute and then turn around to follow his orders the next?" Tien asked.
"Maybe it's not so much because it's Gero's orders." Raditz speculated. "Maybe it's because it's their purpose for being. I mean, without their objective, what would their purpose be? After all, they're machines, aren't they?"
"Who cares! All that matters is turning those hunks of metal into scrap!" Vegeta yelled as he powered up to Super Saiyan.
"No, don't follow them! Please, just wait a little bit longer, that's all!" Trunks begged his father as he once again blocked his way.
"Why? So that Kakarot and Orion can drag themselves out of bed?"
"Kakarot? Are you talking about Goku?" Trunks asked before he shook his head and got back onto the topic. "Listen to me! Unless all of us are present and go Super Saiyan, there's no way we can defeat them! Please, I'm begging you to wait!"
"Give me one good reason why I should."
"Because Goku and Orion are stronger than y-" Vegeta didn't let Trunks finish as he swiftly punched him in the gut as hard as he could. Vegeta then flew off after the androids.
"You pushed the Goku and Orion button." Krillin told Trunks. "You shouldn't'a did that."
"Tch! I'm not letting Vegeta hog all the fun!" Nappa shouted as he transformed into a Super Saiyan and flew after him.
The androids eventually made they're way to a mountain road and landed. "17, why did we land in the middle of nowhere?" 18 asked her twin brother.
"We're not in any hurry, are we?" 17 asked. "We might as well enjoy the trip."
"But we can fly. Wouldn't it be easier to just...you know...fly to where Goku is?"
"But where's the fun in that?" 17 asked. "My plan is we…'appropriate' the first vehicle we see and make a road trip out of it."
"Ugh...can you believe this?" 18 asked 16 in an unamused tone. "Do you even know where Goku lives?"
"Son Goku lives near the mountains below Satan City." 16 stated.
"Huh. Guess we have our heading." 17 said.
"Well, well." the androids turned their heads to see Vegeta landing in front of them. "Not the sort of place I'd expected to find you 3, but it'll have to do."
"Don't think you can hog all the fun, Vegeta!" Napp said as he landed. "I want to see how strong these guys are too."
"Hmm, very well, Nappa. Just don't get in my way."
"Hey look, those guys are back." 17 said. "But what did you do to your hair?"
"You'll find out soon enough, because I, Vegeta, shall crush you here and now!" 17 and 18 chuckled when Vegeta said that. "Funny, was it? Go right ahead. Laugh it up while you can."
"They must realize how pointless it is to fight against me, and I guess Vegeta. After all, Super Saiyans are the strongest warriors in the universe, so there's no way these hunks of junk could ever hope to match our level!" Nappa said confidently.
"Hey, guys, Vegeta and Nappa seem pretty cocky. It must be a Saiyan thing. They always talk a big talk, but end up dying so fast. It's a shame." 17 lamented, causing both Vegeta and Nappa to grit their teeth in anger.
"It should be entertaining though." 18 said as she turned 16. "Hey, I want to see how strong you are. 16, you're up."
"...Negative. I am only programmed to kill Son Goku." 16 replied.
"Ha! The big punk looking one isn't as dumb as he looks. He knows he doesn't stand a chance against someone like me!" Nappa shouted.
"It's obvious he has no chance against a Super Saiyan. Makes sense how he wouldn't want to fight one." Vegeta comments with a cocky grin.
"Why's he taking a pass? I really don't get him." 17 sighed. "Oh well. Guess we're up, sis."
"Sure. I'll take the short, angry one, and you can take the big, stupid one." 18 replied.
"Fine by me." 17 told 18 as he turned to the two Super Saiyans. "I do hope you two aren't going to be fighting together. I'd rather fight a one on one fight. Those are more enjoyable."
"Like hell I would ever fight with this bastard!" Both Vegeta and Nappa exclaimed, retching at the mere thought of working together like old times.
"Oh good. This should be fun then." 17 said as he and 18 got into position. The two pairs of fighters then flew at each other and began exchanging blows. 17 and 18 were surprised that Vegeta and Napa could even keep up with them. After Vegeta destroyed the road with an energy blast, he turned to 18 with a cocky grin. "Don't expect me to hold back just because you're a woman, if you can even call a machine that. If you want to walk away from this, you'll use every ounce of strength you can muster."
"Thanks. I'll do that." 18 said as she headbutted Vegeta, sending him a few feet back. Returned the attack with a punch, but he was stopped by 18's knee. 18 then hit Vegeta into the mountain side. With 17, it was going much the same. Nappa was seemingly overwhelming 17 with his size and power, but 17 was getting hit at all. 17 then landed a clean elbow into Nappa's stomach, causing the brute to bend over.
"I'll tell you something, big guy. You seem like someone who enjoys a good brawl. To be honest, I do too." 17 told Nappa before he jumped up and kicked Nappa away. At this point the others had caught up with them and had landed.
"Vegeta, Nappa! We have to go now! What good is pride if you just end up dead because of it!?" Trunks tried to persuade the two, but it only made them angrier.
"Do you want another beating!? She's mine!" Vegeta yelled to Trunks.
"Like hell I'm going to run away from a fight! I won't lose a fight like that! I'm going to turn this guy into scrap metal! It's important that these guys die, and I'm gonna be the one to off them!" Nappa yelled as he rushed at 17 and Vegeta and 18 continued their fight as well. Nappa caught 17 off guard and punched him in the gut before slamming his other hand down on the young man. Nappa then grabbed 17's leg and repeatedly slammed him into the ground before tossing him aside and blasting him with a Super Bomber DX. 17 got out of his crater and smiled.
"This certainly is a fun match." 17 admitted as he turned to the other Z fighters. "Don't even think about interfering, any of you. These are one on one fights that we and your friends want to partake in. If any of you interfere, I'll have to kill you quickly to get back to the fight." 17 then flew back to Nappa and they began fighting.
Vegeta had just knocked 18 down and blasted her as well, but she, just like 17, was practically unscaved. "You still aren't fazed? That's starting to get on my nerves." Vegeta said as he landed in front of 18.
"I'm surprised. You may be an alien, but you fight surprisingly well for a normal organic being. Is Goku even stronger than you are?" 18 asked.
"Of course not! He and Orion might have slipped ahead of me temporarily, but now I'm back on top where I belong!"
"I see. I thought one of you was special, but I guess none of you are." That comment of 18's quickly pissed off Vegeta who started throwing a barrage of attacks at her; however, one thing was clear in both Vegeta and Nappa's fight: they were starting to get tired, while the androids were still going strong. 17 was now dancing around Nappa and was dealing fast, strong blows on the big brute while Nappa couldn't even land one.
"Sorry big guy, but it's time we ended this." 17 said as he punched Nappa in the face before vanishing. Nappa couldn't even think before something hit his back. He felt his back snap and bend backwards as 17 elbowed Nappa. Nappa fell over, gasping in pain and unable to move. He knew what this was like. It was like when Goku broke his back and tossed him aside. Nappa was back to being powerless, and all he could do was cry out in pain before he blacked out, dropping out of his Super Saiyan form as he did.
Meanwhile, 18 had knocked Vegeta away, and Vegeta was now gasping in pain. "If it makes you feel any better, this took longer than I thought." Vegeta flew at her and tried to kick her legs, but only got kicked in the face instead. Vegeta stumbled a few feet before he turned to face 18 again. CRACK! Vegeta only felt pain as 18 kicked his arm, breaking it completely. An extremely loud 'crack' was heard and Vegeta's arm fell limp to his side. The pain was so great that even Vegeta got on his knees and cried out in pain. Trunks couldn't take it anymore and turned Super Saiyan.
"FATHER!" He cried out as he flew towards 18 and slashed his sword at her. 18 merely blocked the sword, and it's edge shattered. Trunks couldn't believe it. 17 then kept his word and rushed behind Trunks and knocked him to the ground.
"Oh man! We're in trouble!" Krillin said, unable to move in terror and shocked.
"We need to help!/Damn it!/That idiot!/Godamnit Vegeta!" Yamcha, Piccolo, Tien, and Raditz all said as they rushed into the battle to help Trunks, with Yamcha and Tien using their Kaiokens and Raditz using his Super Saiyan form as they flew at the Androids. 17 turned and immediately punched Piccolo in the chest so hard his fist almost went through the Namekian. He then kicked the green man aside as he leapt over Yamcha and stomped him to the ground. 17 then blasted Raditz in the face before blasting him again straight into the ground with an immensely powerful wave that caused an explosion after Raditz hit the ground. He then went around Tien and put him in a choke hold before letting him drop.
"U-Unbelievable…!" Krillin muttered. He couldn't even begin to think that he could remotely stand a chance against them, despite him being able to use the Kaioken better than Tien or Yamcha due to his better ki control like Orion. If Vegeta, Raditz, and Nappa couldn't finish the job, how could he? Krillin then remembered the other android, number 16, and turned to him, afraid that he was going to join in too. However, 16 just smiled back at Krillin and continued to admire the nature and creatures around them.
"Fool!" Vegeta said, trying to fly to 17 to attack him. Before he could though, 18 grabbed his foot. Trunks had gotten up and ran towards 18, but 18 just swung Vegeta and tossed him into Trunks, knocking the boy out and dropping him out of Super Saiyan as well. Vegeta tried to get up, but 18 walked over to him and stomped her heel into Vegeta's other arm, causing it to snap too, causing Vegeta to succumb to the pain like his son, his power now faded back to base form. Raditz soon got up, badly wounded, but he flew up towards 17 to try again, only for 17 to move to the side and throw a massive kick to Raditz's face, making Raditz black out and fall to the ground in his base form. Now everyone except for Krillin was down and out for the count.
"Hmm...look at that. Those Saiyans' golden glow is fading, and their hair is back to being black. The purple-haired boy was the same way. What a strange phenomenon." 17 said.
"I can't help but wonder who that one is. There isn't anything in our data banks on him." 18 said. "Not like it matters though."
"Th-They beat everybody! I'm all that's left!" Krillin shouted in his shock. 17 and 18 then turned to Krillin and flew up towards him, causing Krillin to back away in fear. "O-Ok! But I'm not going down without a fight!" Krillin said as he got into his stance. 17 took a step towards Krillin and was about to say something, but suddenly, someone appeared out of nowhere and got in between the two of them.
"Now, now. Let's try to be civil about this." The new figure said as he appeared. Krillin took a quick look at him and smiled when he saw the white jacket he knew too well.
"Orion!" Krillin shouted happily as Orion put his hand down from using Instant Transmission.
"Sorry I'm late, Krillin. I wish I could have woken up sooner, but I'm here now. There's no reason to panic." Orion told Krillin.
"But they've beaten everyone else!" Krillin shouted.
"But they don't want to fight right now, right?" Orion said as he turned to the androids. "Hmm...16, 17, and 18, I'm guessing, right?"
"Oh? You know us?" 17 asked.
"You could say something like that. More like I've heard a lot about you." Orion said with a smile. "So, you guys are done fighting right? You already had your fun with Nappa and Vegeta. I don't know about you guys but I'd rather not fight you right now. It's not like you killed any of them."
"Is that so? I thought you would be eager to fight like those other Saiyans." 18 pointed out.
"Can't say I'm a big fan of fighting. I'd rather talk, since you both seem sensible." Orion said as he smiled and put his hands on his hips. 17 chuckled and nodded.
"Hmm. Yeah, we're done here." 17 said as he looked at Krillin. "Your friend is right. All of your other friends are fine, or at least they aren't dead. If you give them one of those senzu beans, they'll be fine, right? You can tell them something for us, though. If they ever feel up for it, we'll be glad to take them on again."
"17, aren't you going to ask one of them the direction of Goku's house?" 18 asked.
"It's ok. We'll find him on our own. Besides, if we go out and cause enough trouble, Goku might come after us." 17 said.
"I wouldn't count on that." Orion interrupted. "My brother is sort of recovering from a very bad illness. A heart virus, more specifically. He's not in any condition to fight, if that's what you want, though I suppose there might be a chance he'll be fine depending on how long it takes you to find him. I'd estimate his recovery will take around 10 days."
"Is that so? Well, I guess that gives us even more reason to take our time getting there. Give Goku our get-well-soon wishes in the meantime. We want to fight him at his best." 17 said as and 18 began to walk away. "See ya."
"Bye~." 18 waved goodbye as the two of them walked over to 16.
"What are you looking at, 16?" 17 asked.
"There were birds here, but you were loud, so all the birds flew away." 16 answered.
"Birds, huh? At least you found something other than killing Goku to talk about." 17 said.
"Listen, this road doesn't seem to get much traffic. If we want to get notice and get a ride, we'll need to find a place for more people." 18 told the others.
"You're right about the lack of traffic. An area with more people would definitely be better suited to our needs. I'm down for relocating if you guys are." 17 replied.
"When we do, I want to find a change of clothes. There's no reason to keep fighting in rags." 18 mentioned.
"Fine by me, though I'm good with my outfit." 17 said. "How about you, 16? You want to make it unanimous?"
"Yes." the large android answered as the three began to walk off. Krillin turned to Orion with a shocked expression as he was just letting the androids leave. Krillin then decided to say 'screw it' and ran over to the androids.
"W-Wait! Hang on! Don't go!"
"Is there something else we can do for you?" 17 asked Krillin.
"Yeah, there's just one thing I need to know. What is it that you're after? Are you trying to kill Goku? Are you trying to take over the world? What is it?" Krillin asked.
"...For now, it's finding and beating Goku." 17 answered. "And once we've done that, then we'll decide if we really will kill him and what happens next."
"B-But...why? Why are you after him? What did Goku ever do to you?" Krillin asked. "You killed Doctor Gero, right? He was the one that hated Goku! Now that he's gone, why do you even care!?"
"Doctor Gero has nothing to do with it." 17 answered. "You see, Krillin, we're playing a game."
"Did you say...a game? That's why you're doing this? That's your only reason!?"
"In a word, yes. It's fun. If I wanted to know where to find Goku, I could beat it out of you, but hunting him down is one of the best parts of the game."
"L-Look, let's suppose I asked you really nicely to forget this game and walk away. Would you?"
"...Negative. I have one purpose: kill Goku. That is all." 16 answered.
"And the machine has spoken." 17 said with a laugh.
"That's his purpose, but what about you and 18?" Orion finally spoke up. "16 is in a much different situation than you. His purpose is to kill my baby brother, sure, but that's not your purpose, right?"
"What are you talking about? Doctor Gero made us for his mission to kill Goku, so of course it's our purpose." 18 said.
"That's what he said was your purpose. But you don't have to listen to him. You're not the machines you're made out to be." Orion said in a sincere voice.
"And what do you know?" 17 asked the Saiyan.
"Maybe not everything, but I think I know enough." Orion said. "I know that you both aren't just soulless killing machines. You're both more...human than you let on." 17 and 18 glared at Orion as he continued. "I was in a situation where I had no choice but to follow orders I hated not too long ago either. Actually, I was in a very similar situation to you guys during that time now that I think about it. But now I'm free to live my own life, free from having to hurt anyone or doing something I didn't want to do. You can do that too. Purpose isn't something that's given to you by someone else. It's something you choose for yourself. You can live a happy life. It might not be normal, but normal is boring, right?" 17 and 18 seemed to think for a moment before turning back to Orion.
"I doubt you could completely understand us like you said, but we'll think about it." 17 said. "It sounds nice, but right now, we'll continue this game to find Goku. Might as well."
"I believe that is a poor decision." Orion said sorrowfully.
"Maybe...but it's ours to make." 18 said. Orion sighed at that and a defeated expression was painted on his face.
"You got me there. Oh well. At least think about what you really want to do." Orion said before turning to them with an extremely serious glare. "But know that if you do decide to try to kill Kakarot… I will make you regret it."
"We look forward to that fight with great anticipation." 17 said with a chuckle. "You might want to hurry up and give your friends those senzu beans though. Not sure how much longer they'll last for." 18 then walked up to Krillin and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"See ya real soon. Bye~" 18 said as she and the other two androids flew off. Krillin could only stare at them as they left before Orion wrapped his arm around the small monk.
"Look at you! What happened while I was out? I didn't know you had such smooth moves, Krillin." Orion jokingly said.
"Sh-Shut up!" Krillin said.
"Right. We need to give everyone a senzu bean." Orion then started to walk over to everyone, but was stopped by Krillin.
"Orion...the way you were talking...do you really think those androids could really change for the better?"
"Of course. They aren't like the other enemies we've fought. They just need a new, better purpose for themselves." Orion answered without hesitation as he and Krillin walked over to their friends.
