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 93: Broken Toys

Android 18:

Her own sensors were not great indicators as to where she was going to find 17. As she travelled through the wreckage of three huge curves cut into the surface of the Earth by her brother's… by 17's path after somehow being defeated by Piccolo, she needed to find him. There was going to be reunification with the others soon, and then they would figure the rest out from there. One thing was certain however, she needed to be in charge now. With 17 being likely damaged, she was going to be the one to have to step into the role of leadership, for the moment.

The other Androids didn't recognize Android 20 as Dr. Gero, but her own processor had picked up on it a long time ago. Protocols which normally should have subordinated her to 21 or 20 had been overridden without new code being added to the system. Being unable to explain it was not a concern for her. Internal reflection on anything was hardly at the top of the priorities list, beyond her sense of panic over the fact that 17 was down there. It felt deeper than just trying to find a disabled unit. She had no answer for that, beyond the fact she was worried. It felt all too real, like she'd done it before, and the experience was causing her more… distress.

When she finally came to where the trail of broken rock ended, she found simply rubble, followed by forest. Her sensors scanned the rock, before checking the trees, seeing the subtle changes that a further few metres of travel might have caused. Following the last piece of the path, she found him. Her heart stopped when she scanned him, looking for life signs from the other body. It was breathing, but in an extremely damaged capacity. Her own estimates were that his body wasn't getting enough oxygen given the barely responses motion of the frame, were he not an android, he'd be dead by now. The entire left side of his face was… a complete mess. Briefly, she worried that his skull had been shattered, though the damage was mostly superficial, she could see the fractured reinforced bone. The cybernetics around his eye were destroyed, and the optic was damaged beyond immediate repair.

Service and medical attention would be required, and that meant relying on Dr. Gero and Dr. Rossa. Even if that seemed practical, it caused the hairs on the back of her neck to rise. Memories of something in the past hung like a shadow over her database and processing. She couldn't remember, but she couldn't forget. Her instinct was to avoid following the practical, but 17 wouldn't fully recover without direct assistance.

The decision had to be based on pragmatism. Kneeling down, she grabbed his arm and pulled the limp body up over her shoulders before scanning the skies for any signs of the warriors they'd just been confronted with. There were no immediate signs of their following her. Cautiously, she lifted into the air, before shooting to the east, making sure her profile remained low to the ground, taking routes through canyons and other areas to conceal her movements.

The coordinates on her global positioning beacon were locked in as she landed near a cave with several figures in it. Android 23 was still unconscious, having taken the worst damage after Android 17. Android 24 looked irritated and surprised, where as 22 looked… like someone who had seen a ghost, and was sitting the furthest away from the others. Twenty and 21 both were near one another as 18 walked into the cave, looking at them seriously.

"We need to repair 17 and 23," she said bluntly, before carefully setting her brother down.

Staring at him, she quietly hoped he'd stay unconscious at least until they got him repaired. When her eyes turned to the skeletal frame of Dr. Gero, she felt her fist ball up with frustration and anger at the sight of him. Her own patience was on thin ice.

"The primary laboratory has been destroyed," the resonating voice of the android responded in kind. "There are few facilities on this planet with the correct tools that I would require to operate extensive repairs…"

As he spoke, energy crackled in her right hand as she opened it from a fist, revealing the golden glow from the energy she was gathering. Her eyes remained unmoving as she stared at the other Android. Behind him, 21 seemed to move, her own body having taken extensive, though not critical damage from Piccolo. The two 'scientists' seemed more than a little jarred by her demonstration of what was going to happen without the right answer.

"There is an older Red Ribbon Army facility which we could take possession of. The same lab that Android 8 was designed in, it has the facilities necessary to perform the repairs needed," she assured. "It's much closer to the southern continent, but it shouldn't take long to get there."

Thoughts of labs entered her head. Flashes of dark images, and… blood… Her indifferent appearance masked her disdain for the other two machines as she considered killing them in that moment, and wasn't even fully sure as to why.

"Good," she said, her tone dry and unremarkable. "That is going to be where we go next. Mark the coordinates on our shared tracker."

A natural ping seemed to emerge from behind her eyes as her global positioning took effect.

"I, or 22 or 24, will observe you while you repair 17 and 23. If you deviate from repairs in any way, you will be terminated," Eighteen promised. "Do you understand?"

When she flicked her hair over her shoulder before crossing her arms, the female android had little patience for anything short of 'yes'. The two former command units nodded, both of them, in compliance. Android 16 slowly rose in the corner of her eye before approaching, a large, friendly smile appeared on his face as he looked down at her.

"Will this deviate us from our objective, of killing Son Goku?"

What is with this guy?

"Only temporarily," Eighteen assured. "As soon as the others are repaired, we will find Son Goku."

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Android 21:

Foraging for hundreds of kilometres, it was Android 21 who found the base of the old base facility. Red Forge Base, an older facility which she and her husband… which Dr. Rossa and Dr. Gero had utilized to create the first series of Androids, number's 1-8, as well as several other side-projects. This was where the beating heart of the Red Ribbon Army's warmachine was truly founded. Their robots and tanks had been designed here. Had they only a bit more time they surely could have won a conflict to take over the world. The hunt for the Dragon Balls was what had brought them into contention with the monster… Son Goku.

Her heels landed on the ground before the comically large blast doors at the front of the base, feeling like she was walking in the shadow of another life, as unlike the others, she knew she was. She could access the memories of the host body with impunity, unlike the others. This complex held a trove of secrets within. Thankfully, however, it would have the necessary facilities to render full repairs to Android 20, and she suspected 23 could be repaired as well.

The battle they had just participated in however, had proved to her that they'd… failed. Android's 17-24 were all superior to the projected power totals of all the warriors. And indeed, they had been, outside of 19 and 20's decline against the initial issues. Then the Namek appeared. She'd not even seen the blow that had disabled her, before 24, 23, 22, and 17 had been annihilated next. There were so many errors with their calculations, and if they gave too much time to them moving forward, they'd only get stronger. It meant that radical approaches needed to be taken.

Android's 13-15 would likely be activated by Dr. Gero for more purposes than just protecting Cell. Dr. Album's machines were extremely interesting in their design, though the decision was made to subdue the project after some time due to his death, but also due to the fact that all projects put Project Cell ahead of the potential of the other project. Her own … project… Dr. Rossa's original project, 22, 23, and 24, had their own failsafe. They all did, but Project Cell was the one which surpassed them all.

Then there was the problem that 17 and 18 were active. They would resist the unification. Worse yet, Androids 14 and 15 would resist unification with Android 13, even with their programming. And she suspected that the 20 series Androids would be no different. Even with Cell being the most powerful project, the others would be needed to win in the short term. Cell itself could take another decade to be completed…

Twenty was next to land, along with 24 and 23. It took only a few moments longer for 22 to land further behind the others. Her encounter with Vegeta had been one she'd had no files on, or memories. It was something that wasn't normally supposed to happen. The incident had left the machine off, and she didn't like it. It made her plans have a significantly higher degree of clarity on where to take things as she formulated her way to obtaining a new, final victory. She would need to work with Dr. Gero himself to complete this plan, especially with 18 undoubtedly scrutinizing every action once they had begun their repairs on the most damaged units.

Seventeen and Eighteen will need to be put back into stasis, along with Android 16. The best question is how to make that happen? The others can be allowed to advance to a new form, before they kill Piccolo, and then Son Goku.

They would need to conspire, together, once their watchdog was distracted, or through workstations. Either way, the continuation of their plans of revenge, and their need to regain control was at the top of the list. She loved control, that much she'd discovered when she'd been brought online. To tamper with other organisms to her own designs was something she felt she was not only good at, but it was something that brought her immense joy. Perhaps it was one of Dr. Rossa's finer features, even, and she'd inherited it from her.

Punching in Dr. Rossa's access code, the base seemed to come to life. The doors in the rockface started to slide open, old, unmaintained engines revved to life as the ground nearby rumbled from the huge metal doors sliding back. As they locked in place, the dusty, but almost untouched, remnants of the research facility lay within. Two bodies, long since mostly decomposed, lay back in their chairs, having shot themselves after the death of Commander Red and the destruction of the army. She could remember them, speaking about how hopeless the world had become, before taking their steps towards their dignified, and righteous death.

The lights flickered on and off for several minutes before power in the facility stabilized. Behind her she could sense the eyes on her from the still functional Androids as 18 landed inside the structure, behind them at the back of the pack, her brother… Android 17 still carried over her shoulder. The siblings whose bodies they inhabited had been killed by Dr. Rossa and Dr. Gero, were the most erratic of all of them. The most promising of the machines so far had been Androids 23 and 24. She would have put 22 in that category as well, but after her encounter with Vegeta… something was wrong.

She was going to need to choose who to side with for the evolution of the project. Instinctively, she wanted to choose 24 because he had been the most reliable, and most sure to accept orders. However, the basis of unit 23 had been the corpse of an extremely competent warrior. General Blue had been the Lion of the Red Ribbon Army. When Commander Red ordered him to fight in a dual, and die, at the hands of Mercenary Tao, she had been… upset. Not because she disagreed with Commander Red, at the time, but because they'd lost one of the great leaders and warriors of the Red Ribbon Army. She made her decision in that moment as to what she was going to do, her eyes focusing in on the Android as she turned her attention back to Dr. Gero.

"You will need a new arm, I will complete it once we get 23 and 17 to medical," she confirmed. "As I am sure Android 18 will prefer that we follow such a procedure."

The skeletal machine nodded towards her, before slowly walking towards the machine-shop. Twenty-One looked back, seeing 18 directly behind her.

"If you try anything, I'll kill you," she confirmed.

"I have designated you as being the command unit," Twenty-One lied. "I won't challenge your authority, I assure you."

This earned her a shove forward, which she carefully took in stride. Without looking back, 21 continued to walk towards the medical laboratory. Her own survival depended on doing as the defective unit said, until she had her moment. As soon as 17's body was dropped off, 18 walked towards the door, before pointing at someone beyond it.

"You, 24, watch Android 20. If he looks like he's building any kind of controller, kill him."

"Yea, Ma'am," was the response and 21 internally noted that 18 knew exactly how loyal her compatriots were, so long as they were functioning correctly.

They're reprogrammed 17 multiple times, meaning that was a hopeless effort. But as she looked over 23, she noted that programming could be changed on this one, and even if he wasn't fully responsive to all commands, she was willing to bet he could be disabled, from taking commands without consent, entirety.

Yes, 23 was the only option for her ploy.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Android 20:

His arm flexed for the first time since it'd been blown from his body by that wretch, Raditz. Soft, synthetic skin covered his frame as Android 20 stood up for the first time since the procedure had started. Staring into a mirror, he could see his appearance restored. The familiarity of his own facial features brought a calm to him. It had been almost a full day since their arrival at this facility, and he was going to be in the process of redressing the balance. Already plans were formulating behind his eyes.

Android's 13, 14, and 15 would need to be contacted and provided new programming. They would act as a failsafe to resolve the problem of the rebellion in his ranks. Android 13 was superior to Android 17 and 18 in combat, though he was far from the vital components necessary for creating the ultimate being. Dr. Album's design lacked several key features as well, and the work not being solely based off his own vision had diminished it in his eyes. Still, it would be necessary to gain control of the situation.

As soon as he was dressed, this time in a Red Ribbon Army research shirt, pants, and coat, 20 looked to the door to see the familiar figure of his wife… of the body, of his ex-wife, standing there, her hands in front of her. Behind her, their taskmaster, his own creation, Android 18 loomed. The others were displaying errors as well, particularly Android 22.

All of these projects have underperformed, particularly against Piccolo. They knew about us and our arrival at Amenbo Island, and they knew we would be looking for Son Goku. Somehow my research was spoiled, but clearly not all of it… Still, this now creates a severe series of issues. Seventeen and Eighteen must be put back into storage at a minimum, and the others must be used for full effect killing Son Goku's Friends before they grow out of control.

"Android 20," Twenty-One said, her tone conciliatory, though clearly to his mind, falsely so. "Android 18 is asking us to complete repairs on 23 and 17. I have managed to do some work on 23, but I'll need your help with 17. He's awake again, after the preliminary work was completed…"

"It will take several days to repair, if there is structural damage to him," Gero lied. "Afterwards we will need to run a series of tests to…"

"You will fix him now, and then we are leaving," Eighteen ordered, her eyes as cold as ice, she saw through it, though he wasn't sure she saw through 21. "And if you don't, old man, you'll be finding out what it's like to get sent to the scrap heap."

Almost chewing on his restored mustache, Gero bowed his head forward as he regarded the two Androids, making eye contact with 21 first, before looking back to Android 18.

"I will need to review 21's notes regarding the situation first, and then I will give an appraisal on how quickly 17 can be restored. I assure you, I will work as diligently as possible to restore him to full operation, as you have made the consequences of not doing so very apparent."

Walking towards the door, 20 stopped as 18 didn't get out of the way, her eyes staring at him almost hatefully, save for the impassive look on her face.

"Please, feel free to escort us and appraise our work. You will be informed at every step as to what we are doing," Twenty promised.

"If you misuse this opportunity to harm 17, in any way…"

"The consequences will be obvious," Twenty confirmed. "I am not a fool, in this regard, 18."

Stepping past her, he almost felt like collapsing. If he had internal sweat glands he would have been drenched as he bluffed his way past his own killing machine. Anticipation ran through him, anxiety of the inevitable death at the hands of his own creation. The strike that would have surely disabled or destroyed him didn't come. A sense of relief washed over him as if the sun had just risen in the distance, canvasing his mind with light. Walking down the hall to where 17 was sitting, his one eye was staring at him furiously, of course. Twenty-Three had already been restored to some functionality after the severe injury delivered by the Namek.

Seventeen however, had experienced more structural damage that 23 had, along with internal component degradation as well. Some body function had been reduced as well, likely due to damaging parts of the brain from the impact of the kick, as well as potentially doing damage to processing components onboard. The tremble in the Android's right arm was noteworthy.

Piccolo's power is wildly over what I could have imagined. Even my most outside projections put him at the top of the weaker fighters. His complete destruction of Android's 21, 22, 23, 24, and 17 places him at the top of the problems to deal with. The only machine here I would trust to defeat him would be Android 16… and that is something he wasn't designed to do, and his own programming moves him away from that course of action… If only Cell were active, he would surely destroy him. Projects 13, 14, and 15 remain untested… but they will have to do.

"Hello, Dr. Gero," Seventeen said, his tone cold.

"Hello, Seventeen," Twenty greeted him, not bothering to correct his terminology. "I see that the procedure to remove the damaged optic was a success. Android 21's work is acceptable?"

The trembling arm started to rise as 17 looked at him ever more furiously, his features unchanging, but his eyes saying more than anything else had to.

A failed experiment. If Cell didn't require this one and his sibling, I'd not even bother with them anymore. A grand miscalculation, this will need to be taken into account if I continue with other projects outside of Cell…

Still, the thought of utilizing 13, a machine largely designed by 19 and a computer, with minimal input from himself, was not his idea of a perfect solution.

"My eye," Seventeen seethed. "Is gone. You told me that I was the strongest warrior on the planet, the ultimate Android, and that green freak made me look like a nobody."

"A miscalculation on the part of Dr. Gero…"

"On the part of you, you are Dr. Gero," Seventeen almost roared, his tone threatening on the edge of violence. "Don't play this mind game! We're all aware of what you are, even if you changed your designation in our files."

The tremble in 17's arm only grew worse as he got angrier, before his other arm reached out, grabbing it to make the tremble stop. Even in his disabled state… 17 could destroy him with a great deal of ease. Fixing the eye and neurological damage, as well as processing components, was all possible. It would be a fascinating venture to oversee. Behind him, the shadow of 18 and number 21 loomed, even now his sensors detected them before he looked back at 17. Yes, he would fix 17, but from here he suspected a command could be sent to the others. This would be his opportunity to regain control of the situation. Though they'd said no words, he knew 21 would have the same plan, and they would need to work together to achieve it, and do so without 18's noticing it.

"That is unfortunate that you have chosen to label me with the title of our creator. Hopefully you will recognize otherwise at some point in the future."

A delayed signal, designed to be distributed once they left the base. He would need an excuse to get to the command console nearby. Turning his head, he first caught sight of 18, before making eye contact with 21. There was an understanding immediately, though he made no gesture openly to acknowledge it, instead turning his attention to 18.

"If you do anything to disrupt his mind…"

"I will be terminated," he said bluntly. "We have been over this."

She shoved him, hard. His body shot past 17 before his frame slammed into the side of a work bench, his hat fell from his head before he trembled for several moments, looking towards 17 before back at 18.

"I understand," he assured her. "I was not making light of the situation."

"Good."

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Android 22:

Throwing an old stress ball against the floor, 22 watched as it bounced, hit the wall, and bounced back. It was the same routine. Throw, bounce, catch, throw, bounce, catch, and it was repeated over and over. The motion was the only thing she could do to try to reset her thought processes. The haunting sensation of not knowing who she was continued to follow her. The fact she couldn't stop seeing Vegeta every time she closed her eyes, smirking at her before everything went black, told her that something was off. The biological components inside her processor were not meant to be active in this capacity.

It was creating malfunctions. But to point them out would be to show she was defective. That was something she knew full well would lead to her termination. But it was getting harder to conceal. She was a construct, not a person, and this was disruptive to her goals. Though she noted that her own programming, to find and kill Son Goku, had increasingly been subverted by the sensation that she needed to kill Vegeta.

That was the largest flaw behind the defect, beyond the moments where she seemed to lack awareness of what was happening.

Twenty-Four had been watching her now for almost an hour, standing there with his arms crossed. He'd not said a word, but she could sense the scrutiny. It was as if he hadn't been savaged by the Namekian as well. If he had something else on his mind, she was hoping it wasn't scrutiny of the issue she was already dealing with. The ball caught in her hand as it had a thousand times seemingly before, before she whipped it again. Reaching up reflectively to catch it, nothing came to hand.

Twenty-Three walked past her, a smirk on his face as he looked at the two of them. She almost wished he'd not been repaired. His arrogance had grown a dozen times since he'd received the second worst beating of all of them. So, it was confusing why his confidence was growing.

"I must say, 22, you really did manage to play a number on Vegeta. My favourite part was when you said how he killed you," Twenty-Three remarked, eyeing her before looking at 24, and then back to her. "That seems to be a bit personal, don't you think? I didn't think you'd met Vegeta before, given that none of us had made contact with them."

"He killed the host body," she said bluntly. "I was only stating what he already had."

The deflection left her sitting on an old research chair, her eyes staring at where she'd been pelting the ball before sitting back again, staring at the ceiling before placing her hands behind her head. So, this was going to be a boring day? Leaving her without the ball meant her mind was even more focused on the events that had just happened.

The ball however, struck her in the side of the head a moment later. Getting up she immediately moved to attack 23, seeing the smug look on his face, but he stepped back several times, giving her another smile.

"Apologies, I was just seeing if you were paying attention. Perhaps 21 should look into doing some repairs on you, after all, that little event with Vegeta…"

"Doesn't matter," she said, brushing it off before shoving him back, though not hard enough to send him flying. "Don't get involved. I'm completely functional. At least I didn't jeopardize our entire mission by flying off the handle because I lost badly to King Piccolo, or whatever he calls himself this week."

A false smile, even by their standards, came over Blue's face. His left eye almost squinted as he listened before his nostrils flared, trying to keep his calm. For a brief instance she was almost sure he was going to throw a punch at her before the looming figure of 24 stood over both of them, his eyes darting towards the labs before back to them.

"Shape up, both of you," he ordered.

Both of them instinctively stood at attention before he looked back at the labs.

"We performed like shit out there against the big green one. You lost your cool," he said, pointing at 23 harshly. "Nearly got yourself killed too, and you…" he pointed at her. "Are starting to act weird. So, let me make this clear. The Red Ribbon Army always cut out the chaff. You two are acting like chaff. The next time we're up to fight, you better know how to pull off the victory, or 17 might let some heads roll."

"You mean like his head almost rolled?" Twenty-Three asked, smirking as he did. "I was too busy being unconscious, but 21 let me know how Piccolo kicked him through three plateaus. I saw him after I woke up too, he's not as pretty as he used to be."

"Enough talkback," Twenty-Four ordered before pacing in front of them, arms behind his back. "Shape up, or I'll be the one to get my hands dirty, understand?"

"Yes sir," Twenty-Two responded, nodding as she did before she turned to 23, who smiled again, before saluting.

"Of course, sir."

The head injury? Did that have some kind of impact on him that 21 hadn't repaired? It was a curious question, wasn't it? They were all beginning to show signs of degradation. Except 24, that was. Seventeen and Eighteen might have been their predesignated superiors, but she'd be blind not to see their obvious malfunctions as well.

When she looked towards the lab, her sensors scanned it, looking for anything abnormal. Android 20 and 21 were repairing 17, undoubtedly… but where were they going to go from here? With the Namekian being stronger than they were, they would need to find a way to rapidly improve, but she wasn't sure how.

In the corner of her eye, she caught 23 staring at 24, and then back at her, their eyes met for a brief second before he looked away. He knew something they didn't, didn't he? Something was being concealed from them. When her eyes scanned the room again, in the corner she saw the giant standing there, his arms crossed and his back against the wall.

Another defective unit. Android 16.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Android 20:

The android, 17, one of his greatest creations, now proven to be a flawed and underperforming model, was laying on the table, his head still open. Two chips had to be re-soldered, and bone needed to be mended. The new eye he was preparing to insert wasn't finished, leaving it to be a black ball with a blue iris inside of it. It was something he'd have to deal with until he was placed back into stasis. And he most certainly was going to be placed back into stasis until Project Cell was completed.

He was now surrounded by failures. In the other room the three failed projects pioneered by Dr. Rossa, and Android 16, one of his greater failures, remained. In this room Android's 17 and 18 were clearly inferior to the task he'd set out for them, and they had betrayed him and subjected him to the humiliation of being their servant. The master had become the slave… but that would change very soon, perhaps in under a day or so, even.

Eyeing 21 as he completed the insertion of the eye, he implied she should be making a distraction. That would be preferable than to the other way around. She made no acknowledgement in turn, but moved into action all the same, walking around to the inert 17's front and pulling him up.

"Why isn't he awake now?" Eighteen demanded.

"I don't understand, I gave him the wake command," Twenty-One responded, looking back at the other Android innocently.

"I will check the console," Twenty offered. "Perhaps there is something we missed."

Moving to the small computer hanging off the wall, his hands moved out, typing at a speed no human could follow. A series of complicated, precise commands were inserted, programmed to the letter and sent through the computer network to the bunker beneath his destroyed laboratory. Cell's Bodyguards would be given their new purpose, on a delayed timer of eight hours. In that time, he would need to plan his own escape from this place, otherwise he would face the wrath of the Androids he had created so far. His usefulness was running out, and they were all aware of it.

Hitting another key on the console, 17's repairs were initialized, letting the Android awaken before turning to 18 first.

"Good to see you, in full high definition," he joked, before the white and black eyes turned along with his head, staring at him. "And good to see you, Dr. Gero. I am happy that you have repaired me…"

He paused for several seconds, his eyes searching for something as 20 quietly felt his fist trembling. If it was having the same memory issues as the others, it may react negatively to him…

When it looked back at him, it just stared for a few seconds before it stood up off the table.

"If I remember correctly, you've repaired me before."

"You've not needed repairs in the past, 17," Gero offered.

"My mistake, then."

When 17 walked through the threshold into the next room, 18 in tow, Android 20 felt himself almost collapse with relief. The human function of exhaustion in that sense however, had long since fled him. Instead, he stood there, almost frozen in place before he made eye-contact with Android 21 once more, for the final time as he implied that the plan had been initiated.

He would be in control again, very soon.

And then he would have his revenge.

The hulking figure of Android 16 however, stepped into the room next, looking at them.

"Seventeen requests you come to the gate. He wishes to leave to find "fun", before we go to find Son Goku."

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Author's Notes:

So, I've got up to Chapter 99 written, and I'm working on Chapter 100, which is exciting to me, but also deeply frustrating, because I had a vision I wanted for the chapter, and the perfectionist in me has had me restart the stupid chapter twice now, lol.

I must say, as a whole, I've enjoyed writing most of the Android chapters since this one. We're in a development stage of the story really up until Chapter 100, maybe 101. Which has an interlude after it, and then things are going to accelerate dramatically. I'm trying to structure the Android Saga in such a way that it has everything I want in it, but it doesn't take 50-60 chapters to get through. But it is diverting a lot from canon. One thing I want to do after the 90's is done, which they are, mostly, is move Goku's cast forward in character development beyond just this simmering stage where everything is. So, a lot of payoffs, and big moments are coming in the 10X's that are going to have lasting and big changes for characters.

I also may want to hire an artist at some point to do some concepts and drawings for me, but I don't really have anywhere I'd be hosting them, so that seems like it'd be fruitless, lol. I might end up doing it anyway just to keep visual concepts in line with what I write, but I'll have to see.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Reviewers:

Perfect Carnage: Answered by PM.

Blades of Fury: Answered by PM.

Luke: I don't dislike it just because I have trouble writing it, I mainly have trouble writing it because I find it about as interesting as paint drying at this point. But, it's about what serves the story. And I'm trying to stick with a vision close to what Dragon Ball was, so I'm not really gonna be expanding much on human's powers. I will stress, this doesn't mean I dislike these characters or anything, it's just… this is the direction everything moved in.

FabDuwangIsFab: Turles is always forboding, lol.

Anon: Oh he 100% lost the war. Winning the battle, losing the war, 100%. Vegeta swallowing his pride was a joy to write. And Vegeta's got a lot of growth coming, and coming quickly. He does have things that anchor his character. He's ahead in some ways, from Dragon Ball, and behind in others, but Chapter 99 is a fun one for Vegeta. And yes, Goku is the heart of Dragon Ball, even The Catalyst. They need Goku. Piccolo really can't herd all these cats.

TheItchyCocoon: Answered by P.M.

Red Power: Tien's gonna swell up to everyone. That guy's like a tiny dog at the dog park, they're always acting like the biggest dog on the field, lol. Future Trunks just had a really bright vision of who his father was, and it's just totally shattered now, that's all. Lol.

Bestezrealeuw: Piccolo would be breaking Perfect Cell over his knee I tell you! Lol. I dunno about that, but yea, if Kami were around, and they fused right now, Piccolo would be very powerful. Raditz is still very strong, untransformed he can keep up with Turles and Goku, though I dunno if he'd overcome them (Press X for doubt), but he's not weak. Is a character only their strength? Raditz's character isn't necessarily about being the strongest. Even when I started The Catalyst, I never once envisioned Raditz being the king of the mountain. It's just not his role. His character motivations, inherent ability, limitations, ect, really discount him from that. But Raditz can make a difference. And he definitely will be making a difference. And I'm not even sure what I want to do with the Buu Saga anymore, as I generally dislike, the Buu Saga. I kinda feel like I have to do it, but that doesn't mean it'll be done in anything that approaches the same way. There are a few canon scenes that may happen, but by and large, expect something very different, for all characters involved.

Guest1: Raditz and Turles really won't be the ones coming clean. That's just not how they operate. I tried to write a scene where Turles admitted to a few things to even Raditz, and the entire thing felt unnatural and forced. I will say however, that there is a series of conclusions coming for Raditz's character, and I think he's got some of the best parts in this Saga, if not the best. Piccolo's perspective is gonna be muted for a little bit, but he's a main in this story, so he will be getting a lot more perspective time soon, especially after Chapter 100.

Super Mystic Gohan: I think Raditz and 22 meeting is not gonna be great for Raditz, or 22. I also don't think they're both be broadcasting to their comrades who the other person is. If anyone finds out, it'll be because either Piccolo puts the pieces together of who she is when he sees Raditz and 22 together, or because Vegeta spitefully tells everyone to further twist the knife in Raditz's back. It won't organically happen.

JCarrasco: I try! Lol

Guest2: I laughed for like 20 minutes after I read that. It's funny not only because of its absurdity, but because there is a grain of truth to it, lmao.

Jetiq: Now you're getting Android dynamics too. Lol

Instinct: Oh man, it was uncomfortable to write 15, based off how he's portrayed by really the community, plus media. So… well, I tried writing him, we'll see how it goes, lmao.

Uraqt393: I think I answered by PM.

Guest3: Vegeta's got a great storyline for this Saga too. I think people will like it as it develops. Also, Raditz's transformation is set in stone in terms of how it happens, where it happens, what triggers it, and what happens around it. As I said, my favourite transformation, at least as I've conceptualized it.

Janem-Dragnove: Replied by PM.

DarkFalonZ: Trunks be thinkin' with his heart, not his head. Lol

Instinct?: If he fused with Kami right now? It'd be over. If he fused with Kami before Nail died inside for Piccolo to live? It'd be pretty lop-sided still, but not as bad. Lol

MaximussJ: The kick heard round the world :P