Disclaimer, in case it wasn't obvious. I don't own Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, or really any other property. Thank you.
The Cataylst
Act VI
Chapter 82: Dominance
Raditz:
That was fucking Turles. Everyone was playing along with it, but the moment he sensed his real power coming forward, Raditz knew. Which meant that Kakarot wasn't here… or couldn't be here. His senses were already looking for him, but he couldn't sense him anywhere across the planet. There was a piece of ice in his stomach as he realized it. Even if Kakarot had banished him from his life, Raditz knew how much he owed the man. It was how much he owed his brother. The others were still glaring at him dismissively, even as he'd saved Yamcha, save for his nephew, and the human Krillin, who'd acknowledged him with a nod before slipping in and retrieving their near dead compatriot.
They had better have brought Senzu beans.
The world's trembling didn't help as it felt like the world was being torn apart. The full power of a Super Saiyan was nothing to laugh at. Raditz had felt Vegeta's fury first hand, and had been present when Kakarot had transformed, as well when Turles had made his change. It was hard to judge the power and speed of these beings, as he'd already figured out that they weren't emitting ki energies to read. There was one thing he definitely doubted though, he definitely doubted they were a match for Turles. Even if it'd managed to shirk off his own attacks, Raditz knew full well he was no Super Saiyan.
Slowly rising into the air, Raditz moved to get a better vantage, and provide his nephew with protection as the fight seemed slated to begin. His theory that Turles was significantly stronger was about to be tested.
"All these people," Gohan whispered.
For Raditz, it was a familiar sight. It was one people like he, Turles, and Vegeta had created a thousand times. It was not something he wished to vocalize, but it was something he tried his best to be empathetic about. For a brief moment, he did give a quiet thanks that at least it appeared the majority of casualties died… quickly. The boy was going to need to get used to sights like these at the very least, because anything that was coming to kill Kakarot or any one of them, might leave this kind of destruction.
Like he did… more recently… when… he tried to kill Vegeta and his woman.
"Yes, I know," Raditz said quietly. "They died, but others will live."
It was hardly comforting, but it was true while he watched from above. The Namek looked poised to step in at any moment, which Raditz was comforted by, given that he had demonstrated a power close to Turles's and Kakarots only days earlier. If anything, Raditz would be the first to admit the Namek was probably the best fighter here, because he possessed fewer flaws than Kakarot, Vegeta, or Turles, who despite being three inspired fighters, had egos and motivations which detracted from their abilities.
The real question was, what were these machines going to do next?
"Where is your father?" Raditz asked quickly. "Everyone is calling Turles, Kakarot, there has to be a reason Turles is pretending to be your father."
There was silence on the other side before Gohan gave his uncle a scared, sad look.
"A heart virus. It might kill him, he developed it two days ago," Gohan said tightly. "If dad's not here, the Androids might have gone totally out of control and destroyed everything… like they did anyway, but Piccolo said their main goal was to fight Goku."
Turles was the draw for these machines? He was playing the bait? For all the bravado he'd shown a few moments earlier, Raditz could have laughed if it weren't so dire. Kakarot being ill, and potentially dying from it wounded him more than he'd thought it would. The brother who took him in, and showed him mercy and compassion, was dying across the world and his son wasn't even by his side. All for this, all to fight these machines. There was something profoundly sad about that, and even Raditz realized it.
Turning his attention back towards the impending battle, he felt himself trying to find something to say that would alleviate what his nephew was experiencing. The only thing to came to mind was something Raditz knew in his heart was true.
"Your father will pull through," he said seriously. "He never gives up."
Below, the machine and the Super Saiyan seemed to slowly start circling one another. It was remarkable to see the two predators circling. Turles's entire stance was brimming with pent-up aggression, and seemed ready to explode into action. The machine on its part seemed almost to be the inverse, slow, but methodical. It would be the machine that wound pounce first however. The two bodies blurred out of sight even for him before a series of explosions rocked around them, the force of the two colliding through the air a dozen times in the blink of an eye rumbled outwards, before a gigantic crash exploded through the sky.
Ruins in the distance crashed as several levels imploded in as a body was torn through the wreckage of what had once been Amenbo Islands main city. For a brief second, Turles looked towards the now gigantic cloud of dust, trying to sense Turles's power, trying to figure out what had just happened.
Only for Turles's feet to land where he and the Android had started, his arms crossed.
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
Turles:
Pathetic.
That was what Turles thought to himself as his feet touched the ground once again. Even the feel of Kakarot's clothing on his body chafed him. The poor fabric, the awkward way it fit his body, it was the worst. It might have been a bigger enemy of his than this current machine. It's first strikes had been aggressive, and there was definitely some power behind those hits, but nothing that he needed to worry about. He'd bluntly put, fought stronger enemies who hit harder, and given how his power had been growing?
This tin-can was no Lord Slug. He'd placed it somewhere marginally above Achatin, or Frieza, if that. The ruins he'd left the trashbin in were still billowing out dust from the impact. The fact he couldn't sense the Android was a problem, but he could still sense subtle vibrations in the air, and he could hear the sounds of the environments around him, let alone before he factored in sight. Training against Kakarot, he hated to admit, had not just made him stronger, it'd improved his fighting capabilities, expanding his scope of how he fought.
When the android appeared behind him, he didn't need the others to bark as it reached out, trying to grab him. He wasn't sure what they'd done to Yamcha, but he was sure that it involved them making contact with him in a grabbing motion. Instead of getting its hands on him, the machine got an elbow in the face as the machine gagged briefly, making a mechanical noise before stumbling back, its hat falling from its head. The crimson glass dome on its head revealing a computer.
Following up with a stiff left punch, crashing into its pudgy cheeks, he then laid into its body with a had right hook to where its 'ribs' were. He felt its metal superstructure bend with the blow before moving in with another hand shot from the other side. This was enough to make the machine bounce back, hopping several times before its eyebeams were unleashed. The two lasers cut through the air and scattered along the ground around him, but he'd already moved around them by the time their impacts were noticed by the naked eye.
Walking out of the patch of molten asphalt, Turles briefly looked at the very, very concerned looking Dr. Gero.
"Is this all you have? You and this pathetic machine?" Turles demanded. "Perhaps you want to jump in before I start getting bored."
And it was true, he was already getting bored of this. They'd only been in two short skirmishes, and he could already see the impracticality of keeping this fight going much longer.
"Is this how you destroyed the Red Ribbon Army as well?" The old man asked him. "Is this your callousness on display?"
What the Hell is the Red Ribbon Army? Kakarot slaughtered an army on this planet? If so, I have more respect for him than I thought!
"Yes," Turles confirmed, "In fact, allow me to demonstrate."
This time, before 19 could mount an attack, Turles had already appeared behind him, he saw the blank, shocked face on the machine's face as it tried to follow his movements. Briefly, it was already beginning to turn before he shoved his foot into the back of its knee, dropping it to one leg before swinging around with his free knee, cracking it into the side of its head, splitting some of the fake, artificially flesh around its neck and head. Blood oozed out as its internal, metallic structure was exposed.
It roiled back, like a beachball, between his legs, much to his surprise as he leaped to the side. He was tired of this anyway.
Placing his hands at his side, a mischievous grin appeared on his face as he began to charge his Cataclysm Cannon.
"Kaaaaa meeeee haaaaa meeeeeeee-"
The purple glow couldn't be helped as it bathed the area in light. The fat android got back to its feet, bracing itself. It was going to challenge his beam? That sounded fantastic.
"HA!"
The attack surged forward as the pulsewave along shredded what remnants of the city there was. The burnt wreckage collapsed into yet more wreckage. The ground beneath the wave parted like a great sea, before the wave collided head on with the Android. The wave of power, he expected to push into the far horizon before it detonated. Instead, it hit the Android and held itself in place. He could 'see' through his blastwave the Android holding its ground, hands out. Slowly but surely, his wave started to fizzle before it simply… vanished.
Left standing there, his hands in place, Turles sneered at the open defiance he'd just experienced. This thing was standing there, its hands out, and looking at him with a self-satisfied look. It was acting like he'd not even just attacked it. He was doing his best not to feel angry at what he was looking at, especially given how much he'd been walking over this thing until now. It was angering enough that he pointed one hand out, firing another ki blast, though not as large as the last. The effect was the same, the bolt flew towards the android, he blocked it immediately and seemed to entirely dissipate the blast.
These things have some kind of trick preinstalled in them? Fine.
Beginning to stride towards the Android, Turles could see the machine smiling back at him before it shot towards him, faster than before. Fists connected in a series of quick engagements as the pair of them stayed at the ground level. Each strike felt like punching a concrete wall. Of course, that hardly mattered to him, but it was notable to Turles as he could feel the power increase from the Android since his first attack. This thing had absorbed his energy somehow. Was that what they'd done to the human as well?
A quick punch almost got past him before he slid to the side, the Android looked confused. It was utterly foolish if it processed that he was using all of his power up front. Priming his right arm, Turles went back to where he had before, driving it into the side of the android, feeling the metal underneath almost buckle this time as he struck the machine in the same place he had before. Consistency, that was what mattered. This time the computerized voice gave a yelp, as if it was in pain before it staggered back, its body favouring one side.
Good.
An angry look began to cover its features before its smile returned.
"You will not be able to succeed, Son Goku, I am programmed to know your every move."
Intimidation? It was especially funny because he wasn't Son Goku. It was trying to change up its tactics, though of course it was acting like he wasn't the one winning so far, even if it had seemingly absorbed some of his energy. The real question was how to finish it off. Looking at the head, Turles wanted to go back to an old favourite. Getting through that skull couldn't be too hard.
Moving in, he noticed the machine's guard dropped. It didn't make any sense, why would it drop its guard? The confusion he felt didn't stop him from reaching in and grabbing the top of the fat thing's head. The tempered glass trembled before it cracked as Turles lifted the machine into the air. It didn't struggle for a second, before its eyes flashed at him with excitement. Its two hands reached up, grabbing his arm.
The effect was immediate. Turles felt it. It was like a giant parasite had just latched onto his energy reserves. Even the strength in his arm was declining rapidly. His fingers pressed in harder as the glass continued to fracture, but it was intensely difficult to keep up the pressure.
"I have you now," the blob laughed.
This is embarrassing.
Finally, he couldn't take the drain much more, releasing its head and trying to pull back. Instead, he found that this thing had latched onto him like a vice. Twisting his arm and flinging it back, the machine slid along the ground with him, but didn't let go. Power was beginning to become an issue now as Turles scowled. Even his golden aura was becoming difficult to maintain after a few moments as he looked into this thing's eyes.
"I will never let you go," it then added.
Turning his eyes towards the other Android, the old man was grinning with delight at what was happening. Alright, time to think of a way out of this before it got much worse. Mechanical grip, but still feels pain? Shoving his foot down, Turles smashed the top of the android's foot, hard. It yelped in pain before he realized he could do a lot of damage to this thing if he focused. Thrusting his knee up next, he battered the body once more, before his free arm punched it in the face. Artificially blood splattered across his fingers as he smashed its nose. His power was now however, reaching dangerously low levels.
Taking what he could marshal into his left hand, a bright purple beacon of energy formed as he glared at its eyes. Even it looked surprised before Turles smirked at it, even if worn. The thrumming noise from the bolt continued to intensify as the Android looked nervously at it before staring back at him.
"Let go, or we're going for a ride together," Turles warned.
"No! All your energy will be mine," the Android demanded.
Fuck it.
Driving the calamity blaster into the belly of the beast, Turles felt the kickback from the blastwave before he finally felt its fingers loose, before the thing's body vanished in the light. The blast exploded against him however, as Turles was thrown back, crashing through one of the few intact buildings nearby, rolling along the ground of the office building, breaking past multiple walls before sliding to a stop as a dozen scared office workers who were hurdled together all stared at him in horror.
Kakarot would have felt some responsibility for their safety, but Turles actively tried not to. Sighing as he managed to pull himself up, he felt his hair slide down, turning to black. This was bad. Through the hole his body had made, he saw the Android recovering. Its shirt was entirely destroyed, along with most of its pants. In that moment, he realized that its true secret weapon had been revealed, because the last thing he wanted to stare at was a pale, white, fat pudgy body, and it was going to be even worse if that thing killed him. It now looked supremely confident, as it probably should, considering the state he was in.
He didn't have enough ki right now to keep up his Super Saiyan form, and that was a gigantic problem.
It started to laugh while walking towards him.
Turning his head to the office workers, he offered them the most compassion he could.
"I'd run if I were you," he advised.
When they didn't move, he felt himself scowl before he almost snarled at them.
"I said run, get out of here before I kill you myself!"
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
Android 20:
The obvious concern the Saiyan's peers were now showing brought relief to Android 20. The damage 19 had sustained without acquiring new energy had been significant. Even now, he suspected that the Saiyan even at half strength may be able to do significant damage. A wary part of him almost wanted to end this engagement, but 19 had absorbed a significant amount of energy. His power and speed now surpassed his own, and certainly surpassed the weakened Saiyan. Their lack of understanding of their ability to absorb energy had been a vital asset in allow for this victory to take place. The remaining fighters, would similarly boost their performance.
Twenty looked towards the office building with a smile on his face at how well this had indeed gone. For a brief moment he had worried that the dream of revenge had in fact, died in this moment. But despite his concerns, it was now clear to him that Android 19 had absorbed enough strength and power to overwhelm what was left of Son Goku's defenses. The true power of these bodies was the ability to reduce their opponents, rather than just simply overwhelm them.
This was a benefit overall, with the other Androids designed without such nuance.
Artificial ears began to listen in on what the other fighters were saying.
"We'll need to step in," the one named Tien commented. "Whatever that thing did to him, it took his power and drained it for himself. This is a big problem."
"They absorb energy," Piccolo observed. "That's how Goku got caught. This is a problem, that thing down there might be too strong now. Damn it, if only he'd been more careful."
"Krillin has the Senzu beans, he'll be back soon," Tien then said. "If Turles can hold on, we might be able to get him a bean."
Turles? Who is Turles?
The thought passed quickly for his mind, but he did note the name. An honorific title perhaps? It sounded almost Saiyan in origin, based off his logical assessment. Still, as the Saiyan warrior emerged from the ruins of the building, his hair no longer glowing, Android 20 himself became poised to intervene.
The fight would be allowed to continue until Android 19 had killed Son Goku. He would watch him die, and receive a modicum of revenge to which he was entitled.
When Android 19 charged this time, Goku's body could barely dodge any of his blows, instead receiving a series of brutal palm strikes and a kick, before he was knocked into the air by an uppercut. When 19 appeared behind him, the Saiyan however seemed prepared, maneuvering his body and flipping back, grabbing 19 by the forearms and throwing him towards the city.
"Let's see you absorb this," he shouted a moment later, purple energy licking at the air as he put his hands together. The dark violet turned into yet another energy wave, which made 20 smile.
Yes, you fool, give him yet more power.
"Goku, stop it!" Piccolo shouted. "You're only feeding him!"
When his hands widened however, the energy stretched out into a long form, before it took shape almost like a thin blade.
"Collapse…!" Rearing one arm back, the beam stretched between his two hands before snapping the energy wave down. "Cut!"
The energy wave turned into a spinning violet blade, with each rapid rotation the edges of the energy seemed to get sharper and sharper until from his angle, 20 realized it was fine enough to cut through atoms. A stream of radiation was following the wave, even if briefly, through the air as particles in the air were transformed into a new state of matter.
Nineteen however, was just grinning, raising his arms to absorb the incoming power.
"NINETEEN! DODGE!" Twenty shouted.
The machine turned to him, looking confused for a moment before at the last moment it shot to the side. When the ki blade shot past him his hands had been out initially, only dodging at the last moment. Three fingers on 19's left hand was severed as the android looked down in shock at the damaged done to it.
A shocked realization passed over his comrades face before it twisted into a furious look. Album's personality traits came to the fore of the machine as it trembled with a combination of rage and anxiety.
Even weakened as he is, Son Goku is a dangerous threat.
Still, the Saiyan was labouring, what little energy he had left had been spent on the attack. The green one, Piccolo, now moved to intercede on his behalf and Gero took aim with his eyes, firing a disrupting beam towards him. The pair of golden lights plunged into the Namek's chest, who fell to the ground.
"Piccolo!" Gohan shouted before diving towards his fallen friend. The larger Saiyan landed next to him, taking a defensive stance before Tien took to the air, hovering above them.
A cage defensive strategy between the two of them. One covering the ground, the other the air, how fascinating.
"The fight will continue until it's conclusion. Do not worry, the rest of you will have your chance shortly."
Son Goku took a defensive stance once again as 19 charged into the air, this time faster and stronger than before. It would only be a moment longer before…
Nineteen's body smashed into the ground in front of him as Son Goku staggered back in the air, his own eyes searching for who intervened before he seemed to almost scowl for a moment.
"Vegeta," he growled.
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
Vegeta:
"Kakarot" had been doing quite well against the fat blob below, until it absorbed his power. Turles hadn't clued in to how his energy absorbing mechanisms worked, and had paid the price for it. Even if his physical injuries were minor, he just didn't have the ki left to fight this battle. The real question was, did he allow him to get slaughtered or not? The idea passed through his mind, but the truth was if anyone was going to beat or kill Turles, it was him. He'd be the one to cast his broken body to the wayside, and then he'd crushed Kakarot afterwards. But only once these machines were finished.
When he'd noticed the Namek about to step in, Vegeta too had considered letting him tango, but in truth, he wanted to flesh his new Super Saiyan muscles, and this blob, having sucked so much of "Goku's" energy, was the prime target for him. It was simple enough to spoof his own power and use all of his speed to cut the Namek off, not allowing for him to dodge the energy attack from the old man.
The hungry, furious, yet elated look the Android had as it ascended towards the depowered Turles was something Vegeta had smirked at before he intervened. Connecting his boot with the blob's face gave him the satisfaction he expected. Tubby was sent rolling back through the air, much as he expected him to roll down a hill if he were kicked down it. A surprised noise escaped the Android before its body battered through several walls.
Behind him, he could hear Turles almost growl.
"Vegeta."
Turning his head, Vegeta gave him a half smile. His rival looked ridiculous dressed as Kakarot. It was as much a parody as it was an imitation. Even how Turles fought was absolutely different than Kakarot, favouring a more traditional Saiyan style. Even if he'd been picking up on certain behaviours.
"Kakarot," Vegeta said mockingly. "Or was it Turles? I forget sometimes. You look as ridiculous as you'd expect, might I add?"
"Tall words coming from such a short man," Turles shot back. "And if we're talking about how ridiculous something looks, you're wearing a scouter? What's wrong? Did you hit your head and forget how to read ki?"
It was best to ignore that slight.
"You've proven yourself an embarrassment, you couldn't even beat this glorified toaster oven because you underestimated him? I suppose it falls to me then, doesn't it?"
Descending before Turles could respond further, Vegeta landed on the broken and battered street below. The fat Android was already collecting itself, its pale white skin blemished by scratches, bruises and scuffs. This was what he was going up against? Well, no one said that the androids had to be any kind of shape. This one however, took on a shame of a small, pale moon, it seemed.
"You have done very well 19. You have outdone Son Goku in combat, and your energy reserves are now at their highest levels. He will be but a simple warrior to finish in this weakened state. The others, including Piccolo, are no match for us, as I have demonstrated," the old man commented before turning his gaze towards Vegeta.
"Twenty, am I be the one to kill Vegeta? I would then like to kill Son Goku," the fat, odd looking one asked.
It was enough to make Vegeta smile.
"So, you think just because you tricked that fool, that you have any hope of defeating me?" Vegeta asked bluntly. "You're more foolish than you look if you believe that. Have you not come to realize that 'Kakarot' up there was only on a backfoot because he'd not realized you can steal energy? I've been watching for more than a few minutes."
"You may have been watching for several minutes, Vegeta, but I have been programmed to understand all of your moves, as well as having been programmed to anticipate your every battle tactic. You are inferior to me, as much as Son Goku was," Nineteen confirmed. "And my power has only grown. You will provide me with much energy."
The Namek was on his feet again, glaring at him, but Vegeta hardly cared. The old man certainly looked nervous however, before looking back towards him.
"Will I now? Tell me, my fat friend, do you have any idea what you've faced and been lucky enough to survive? That fool floating up there is a weakling compared to me. Do you even understand what a Super Saiyan is?"
"Super Saiyan?" the old man asked in turn, clearly looking nervous.
"Yes, a Super Saiyan," Vegeta added. "The form you just fought that oaf in. Do you have any consideration for how strong one is? A warrior of legend. And I am the greatest Super Saiyan of them all."
"Nineteen was able to handle that form easily enough, and is now stronger than before. Do you really think we are concerned with your trifling power, Vegeta? You are ranked below Son Goku in almost every respect, save for self importance and arrogance," the rusty old one scoffed. "Destroy him 19, and then we will deal with the others."
The chubby one laughed for a moment, preparing to attack as Vegeta smirked right back at him.
"You fools don't even know what happened on Planet Namek, do you? Your creator is a fool if he believes he can even know the full extent of his enemies, when he didn't even pay attention to them," Vegeta scoffed. "Now, tell me, does a machine such as yourself know fear?"
Bringing the power to the forefront within himself, Vegeta felt the earth tremble violently before the skies darkened. Light emerged from the centre of his being as he saw awareness rising from the Android 20. Its eye seemed to wince in disbelief before it narrowed the scope of its vision.
The familiar hum surrounded him as Vegeta's aura caught fire around his body, before his hair turned upwards even moreso. The light in his centre became even more intense as the energy ignited around him. The heavens themselves seemed to move from his powering up as the world began to shake violently. The ground beneath him slowly began to crumble before it beveled from the sheer force of his transformation.
Standing ready, he saw the machine dive towards him at full speed, rearing back to strike him.
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
Raditz:
His power is unbelievable. He's stronger than Turles or Kakarot!
It was a terrible sensation to feel as Vegeta's power reverberated through the air. To know that Vegeta had climbed the mountain to its highest peak, supplanting both Kakarot and Turles. That was yet another blow to the shreds of his own pride. Vegeta had yet to acknowledge him, but there was nothing to say anymore. Raditz was a footnote in the stories of Vegeta, Turles, and Kakarot, and to pretend it was anything otherwise would be pitiful.
Looking at the others, none of them had anything to say to him, even after the Namek got to his feet. There was just a short nod of acknowledgement before going back to watch the battle, but he knew full well that this was not a greeting. They'd tolerated his presence, if only because of the threat that was posed to all of them from these machines. As Turles slowly landed next to them, clearly breathing heavily, Raditz gave him a look, which got him a glare in turn.
"Where are the Senzu Beans, I'm not done with them yet," Turles breathed.
"Krillin took Yamcha to safety, and has them," Tien said. "He should be back any moment."
"Coward," Turles remarked. "He couldn't find his way back here sooner? Now that showoff Vegeta is going to hold this over me."
"We don't care about your ego, Goku," Piccolo said coolly. "Hang back until Krillin gets back here, then take the Senzu Bean."
There was a moment of disdain shown between the two of them before Turles crossed his arms, trying to keep some of his pride in tact. For Raditz thought, much like the others, his eyes had become peeled onto the battle.
When the Android rushed Vegeta, it was remarkable, as Vegeta just stood there. Fists shot towards his head at incredible speed, jabs and hooks speeding past where his head should have been in a series of dramatic strikes. Raditz himself couldn't follow it fully, only catching the blurred afterimages of each attack. The Android hopped back as Vegeta hadn't moved his feet at all, having only just dodged every attack which came his way. Energy crackled through the air as the Android's face twisted into one of frustrating.
"What's wrong Android, did all of that power you stole from Turles not do enough for you? Warriors who steal their power rarely know how to use it. Even as a machine, you're no different."
Two bolts of golden energy swept towards Vegeta as its eyes unleashed a consistent ray of energy towards him. Not even moving, Vegeta's aura flickered for a moment before it disrupted the blasts upon their arrival, a spark caught in the air for a brief second as the blast reached its critical point. Everyone, Raditz included, raised their arms as the blast went off like a ton of explosives. Scattered rocks and chips of broken buildings were cast in all directions as glass was heard echoing in all directions.
"Vegeta!" Tien shouted. "Did you see that? That was a concentrated blast, he's-"
"Fine," Raditz and Piccolo said at the same time.
Here I am, on his side now, and I can't help but imagine his death, but this is not it. He's far too powerful, his strength has increased so much. But how? How can he have improved this much? And the Namek seems unconcerned? Did he forget Vegeta's not exactly our friend? That includes both Turles and I, as well as them.
"Is he on our side?" Raditz asked the Namek.
"I don't know yet," he responded. "But he's as much on our side as you are right now, Raditz."
Finally, in the background, Krillin and Yamcha arrived.
"Sorry guys, we needed to have a bit of a pep talk," Krillin laughed nervously.
Turles was right, they were scared.
The humans had clearly gone to consume a Senzu Bean for Yamcha, though bringing him back here was probably the part which was difficult. Unreliable allies? Perfect, where had that ever gone wrong for anyone?
"Hey," Yamcha started. "I heard what you did, Raditz. Listen, I-"
"Bean," Turles growled. "NOW."
The smoke in front of them began to clear as Vegeta was left standing there, unharmed, the small crater around him only having grown from the blast. The familiar Super Saiyan glow having not receded yet. The old man Android looked nervous as he turned his attention towards "19".
"Cease holding back, 19, use your full power to destroy this one."
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
Vegeta:
The scanner on the side of his head seemed to be examining his target, but not giving any information back, which was good, it was exactly what Bulma had promised. He didn't want this thing interfering with his fight. Still, this fight was getting old fast. The android had yet to lay a hand on him, and he was fine with that.
Now that the dust and smoke had cleared, Vegeta was left staring back at the Android, whom now looked exceptionally surprised. When the old man spoke, the machine looked back at him nervously before looking towards him. Perfect, this was exactly what he wanted. It had no chance of harming him at all. When it turned back to glare at him, preparing for its next assault, Vegeta just brushed his shoulder of some of the debris that had ended up on it.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention, were you attacking me, Android?"
When it shot towards him this time, Vegeta slipped forward before its own thrust could be realized, driving his foot into its chest cavity. Something broken inside the machine as it wheezed in agony. What a fascinating machine, it was as thought it actually felt pain. That much was fascinating to him.
Slipping his foot out of its half-broken body, it staggered back, trying to keep itself together, in a rapid motion, Vegeta grabbed its right arm, pulling it forward before separating the arm at the elbow with a chop. Metal was shorn in a lightning fast moment. The creature howled before it stepped back, its mauled left hand trying to do its best to cover the wound. When it tried to step back, Vegeta hand already moved in for the next blow, his fist slamming into the creature's face. It went soaring back, its body seemingly freed from the restraints of gravity. When its body landed, feet first, it managed to steady itself as it reached over with its one remaining, mauled appendage.
The show as almost over, now it was time for the finale.
Taking several determined steps forward, Vegeta looked at the old man with a sinister glint in his eyes.
"Don't forget, old man, you're next after this," Vegeta chuckled. "Take a good look."
When he turned back, the other Android already looked as though it was having second thoughts, it was afraid, and that's exactly what he wanted to see. His own smirk was growing with every footstep. It was shaking when it stepped back from him, trying to keep its composure.
"Android 19, defensive protocols!" Twenty shouted, before the machine looked into his eyes.
He could smell the fear, and see it, before the blob of worthless matter began to run, its legs running awkwardly, trying to support its broken torso as it bobbed from one side to the other. He could hear the panicked noises escaping its body.
Leaping into the air, Vegeta gathered his power. Pulsing waves of golden energy began to swirl around him, illuminating the broken city's burnt ruins. The waves of force lifted small pebbles and rocks into the air, scattering them as his power remained centralized on him before he pointed one hand out, his smirk now breaking into a dark smile.
White light emerged at the tips of his fingers before focusing into a blue-white ball of energy.
"ENOUGH!" the old man shouted from below.
All of them were watching.
"I decide when it's enough. You're only saying that now because you're losing! You came here to kill us. Well, after I'm finished with fatty, you're next! This is the power of a true Super Saiyan!"
Energy brightened further before forming a sphere at the end of Vegeta's hand. Power focused in further and further.
"Vegeta! The city! There still might be people alive!" Yamcha shouted.
Winning was what mattered first and foremost.
"BIG BANG ATTACK!"
The bolt of energy left his hand, hitting the back of the android as energy immediately concentrated on its core. Energy bolts flew out in every direction before the real blast took place. A ball of fire ripped out in all directions, annihilating half of what was left of the city, and blasting half of the Island's surface. The crater where the bolt had landed was so deep, it began filling with salt water, which came rushing in.
Landing a moment later, he grinned at the others for a moment.
"That, is power."
Two didn't look particularly shocked. Piccolo looked determined, though nervous, and Turles looked irritated and hostile. Perfect, the latter now knew what it was to be inferior, was that it? Well, it was only the firs step towards what he deserved. Once he finished with the old man, he was going to crush Turles next, whether he took a Senzu bean yet or not.
"No way!" Krillin breathed. "That was crazy! How can he have been that strong?"
"I-I don't know," Yamcha, his woman's inferior, previous partner, stuttered.
The look of fear on the human's faces were priceless. Raditz looked as beaten as ever, which was an added bonus. The best of all was Kakarot's boy, who looked more than terrified. He of course, had an idea as to why. The kid was going to be at his mercy now. Whatever Vegeta decided, was how things were going to be from now on. All of these fools had no hope of ever catching up to him, or his ability. Smugly, he let it all soak in.
"Is something wrong?" Vegeta asked, closing his eyes arrogantly. "Or are you all just taking in what it is to see greatness at work?"
"No, we're not," Piccolo said, his voice rising with concern, and anger? Opening his eyes to see the Namek looking around furiously, Vegeta was confused for a brief moment before Turles gave him a dim look.
"Well, mighty Prince Vegeta, something is wrong. The blast blinded everyone, and you, because the old man is gone you fucking idiot!"
Turning his head, Vegeta's eyes looked quickly for any signs of the second android.
DAMN IT!
A piece of text however, began to come up on his scanner…
"What's this? Can't sense him? Don't worry about that. Remember, you have to call me a genius when you next see me. I've got him on satellite, he's heading north under water. You should be able to cut him off before he reaches South City."
A golden aura burst once against around Vegeta before he looked at the others with a sly smile.
"Don't worry, I know exactly where he is."
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
Author's Notes:
I really wanted to capture the essence of this portion of Dragon Ball, while not making it the same. Because the people in it aren't the same. Though there were a couple of common beats. Turles being caught unawares by 19's energy sapping ability was his main fault, though once Vegeta stepped in, it was even more lopsided than the canon, lol.
I would expect things to start diverging more from this point on however.
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
Reviewers:
Thomas-The-TMC: I loved it. Turles confirming all of Gero's hatred, lol.
Blades of Fury: He didn't do his research in the show / manga either, lmao.
Pyromania101: Oh absolutely. Gero's son died for nothing. His revenge was justified, but he didn't know that his boy died for basically no reason.
Super Mystic Gohan: I love it, lol. There is gonna be so much Android fighting over the next few chapters, you don't even know.
Guest1: I answer things like that because sometimes my mind can change while I'm writing, or as I explore the character more. But I still wanted to be able to answer in some capacity for you.
Mouse From Hell: Gero's gonna have an interesting role to play in all this. I promise. Though I hope I didn't dash your hopes too badly with this chapter, lmao.
Instinct: Raditz will only become a Super Saiyan once… nah. I can't spoil that :P
Luke: I know, I loved writing it, lmao. I was listening to badguy music the entire time I was writing Turles's arrival scene even, just to get the feeling of it being more menacing. It's funny that Turles lost this fight, if only because he didn't take the energy absorbing serious. Though I like to think he would have won if Dr. Gero hadn't clued in quickly enough. I did enjoy writing his new technique though, a ki blast that spins so fast it becomes a ki blade as it narrows down.
Full Power: I think I answered by PM? I think I did, if I didn't forgive me!
Red Power: So much Vegeta hatred in these reviews!... .… .… .… Good things are coming, lol.
DarkFalconZ: Raditz has so much stuff to do. I feel so bad for him. Lol
ThePowerfullKira: Yea. That's what happened. Lol
Ultimate Savior: It ain't yet friend, but it comin'… one day. Definitely during 2020, if I can keep up my writing… something will happen with Raditz that's really cool :P
Guest2: It does and it doesn't. He didn't tell Gero to kill everyone, he even seemed willing to leave. Then Gero nuked everyone and he didn't particularly care. At least he put the fire out! Lol
TheItchyCocoon: I wish he had. Yamcha deserves it. Ah I'm kiddin'. Poor Yamcha, lol.
Blitz: Turles wasn't expressing enough power at that moment, but if things had continued he'd have known.
Cerric: Thanks! I answered by PM.
DaOneInDaCorner: Welcome BACK!... And I think I answered by PM. Lol