The chase for Cell ended fruitlessly, as it managed to stay one step ahead of them.

Three days passed.

Raditz relocated Launch and little Ranch to Capsule Corp, because big Ranch wanted to stay there to make sure she was around when Bulma finished the device to deal with the cyborgs. Ranch didn't want to impose on Bulma, but thankfully she was okay with it when Ranch brought it up to her. She was also concerned that Goku would have less protection, but Piccolo was staying at Kame House so he should be enough. Everyone else was staying at Kame House too, while Trunks was still off with his father trying to convince the man to train together.

Finally, Goku woke up.

Raditz and older Ranch were both high above Capsule Corp exchanging blows without holding back. At first Raditz was hesitant to go all out against his daughter, but she quickly showed him she could handle it. For Ranch it was especially exhilarating because not only was she actually sparring with her father, but he was her first training partner that wasn't Trunks or Gohan. Blue-haired Launch was below watching the pair with a smile on her face, even though she was supposed to be inside watching news for Cell and listening for a phone call from everyone at Kame House, but she couldn't resist. Because of that Launch missed a call from Master Roshi that everyone at his island had gone off to South District to investigate a possible appearance by Cell and that everyone had gone to investigate. They suddenly backed off, panting.

"Ready?" asked Raditz.

"What kind of question is that?" Ranch shot back, grinning.

They both yelled and powered up as they went Super Saiyan. They charged into each other and—

Goku appeared right between them.

Both were caught completely by surprise and neither could stop themselves in time. Their punches collided into both sides of the unsuspecting Goku's face. Ranch and Raditz powered down from Super Saiyan and reared back in shock.

"Yeouch! Come on, bro, what was that for?" Goku asked, doubling over and clutching his head. "I was just teleporting to where I felt two strong power levels."

Ranch began shouting, "Kakarot, you imbeci—" He stopped and realized what he was seeing. "Brother!" he exclaimed joyfully, practically tackling Goku as he embraced him. "When did you wake up? Why didn't you saying anything? Why didn't anyone else call us that you were awake?"

"I only woke up a little while ago," he explained, still rubbing his face.

Ranch approached them excitedly. "So are you finally okay now, Uncle Goku?"

"Just fine, Ranch! Or at least I was."

"Oh…so you know who I am?" Ranch asked, surprised. "I mean, I wasn't there when—"

"Yeah, but I've been able to keep up with everything while I was asleep," Goku explained. He then ruffled her hair, saying, "Great to see that you grow up big and strong!"

She couldn't help but smile. "Thanks, Uncle Goku."

"So you know how much trouble we're in then," Raditz said, growing more serious.

"Yeah, and the way we currently are we don't stand a chance against these cyborgs and Cell," he told them to their dismay. Goku then held up a finger, and said triumphantly, "But I just happen to know a place where we can do a years' worth of training in a day."

Raditz just stared. "…Kakarot, just how long have you known of this?"

"Since I was kid. So are you interested?"

Sighing, Raditz replied, "Obviously I am. Ranch, how about you?"

"Yeah, absolu—!" As excited as Ranch was at the prospect, she hesitated.

"What's wrong?" her father asked.

"It's just…we're here waiting for Bulma to finish her solution to the cyborgs," she said reluctantly. "Maybe it'd be best if I stay here while you two go."

"Don't you worry," Goku said. "Once she's done, Bulma can go meet up with one of the others."

"Okay then, I'm in!" Ranch said excitedly. "And I'm sure Trunks would be interested too."

"Alright! Let's go!" Goku proclaimed.

"Wait a second." Ranch descended to the balcony, Raditz and Goku following. "Mom, we're leaving with Uncle Goku."

"Okay. Hello, Goku, glad to see up again," Launch greeted happily.

"Hey, Launch."

"So mind letting Bulma know?" asked Ranch.

"Leave it to me," Launch said confidently.

Raditz kissed Launch, saying, "You're the best." He looked around for little Ranch to say goodbye to her, and saw her nearby on the ground playing with baby Trunks. Bending down, he patted little Ranch on the head. "I'll see you later, sweetheart."

She giggled, and clasped his hand. "Papa!"

"Bye little me," Ranch said, waving at her. "And bye, cutie," she added to Trunks, pinching his cheek.

"Since that's settled, grab on." Ranch and Raditz held Goku's shoulders, as he put two fingers to his forehead. Before they knew it they had arrived at Kami's lookout.

"Uncle Raditz! Ranch! You're here!" Gohan said, running up to them.

"Hi, Gohan. So where is this place?" Ranch asked.

"Right in here," Goku announced, presenting the white doors before them. "One day out here, is one year in there. And only two of us can go in there at a time."

Raditz punched his fist into his palm. "Excellent! I'll go in with Ranch. So should she and I go first or do you and Gohan want to?"

"Actually, Vegeta and Trunks are already in there," Goku said, "so whoever goes next will have to wait until tomorrow."

Raditz felt the blood drain from his face. "What was that?" Raditz asked angrily, grabbing Goku by the front of his ghi. All of the happiness he felt seeing his brother a short while ago had completely gone away.

"Dad!"

"Uncle Raditz!"

"Relax, Raditz," Goku said, putting his hands up. "Vegeta said he'd only do this as long as he went first. Now I know that you and Vegeta have this rivalry—"

"Damn it, Kakarot, do you honestly think I care about that right now? How could you let Vegeta go in first with all these threats on the loose?" he demanded. "If Cell absorbs those cyborgs—" Raditz stopped when Goku looked away from him, and he realized what had happened. Incensed, Raditz pushed Goku off and stormed away from him, saying, "From here on out, Kakarot, I am blaming every drop of blood that's spilled on you."

"Dad?" Ranch asked concerned, following him. "Dad, what's wrong? Don't you think that you were too harsh?"

Raditz crossed him arms as he stared off in the distance. "Ranch, I am just as much a Saiyan as your uncle and Vegeta," he began. "But those two are similar in the worst possible way—they'll risk everything for a better fight."

"What do you—?"

"I need you to do me a favor," he cut in.

"What is it?"

"I've got a feeling that when Vegeta and Trunks come out of there those two are going to much, much stronger. And when they do they'll head straight for wherever the fight is." Raditz have Ranch a hard look. "You have to tell Trunks that he has to end it as soon as he can." Ranch was going to question why, but it hit her, and she just nodded in agreement.

Another day passed.

The cyborgs appeared at Kame House.

It wasn't long before Trunks and Vegeta were due to exit the time chamber.

Raditz had decided to put aside what happened the day prior and sat with Goku, and the two passively watched Gohan and Ranch spar nearby. It was both nostalgic and extremely weird for Ranch. While it felt great to once again fight with her old teacher, the fact that she was bigger and stronger than him was throwing her off. Not only that but Gohan also got in legitimate hits because his style was completely different than what she expected, which wasn't surprising since this Gohan didn't have the same training and experience that hers had.

Still, though, strength and skill won out. Ranch knocked Gohan to the ground and before he could get up she pinned him until he tapped out.

"It's okay, son, you'll be catching up in no time," Goku called out.

"Great job, cuz," Ranch said with a smile, offering him a hand up.

"Thanks," Gohan said, taking her hand. "Hey, uh, Ranch."

"Yeah?"

"So I know that in your time everyone died when the cyborgs showed up. I've been wondering, whatever happened to me?" he asked.

"Oh." Ranch looked away glumly. "I…really don't like talking…"

"Did I die too?" he asked, looking dejected.

She looked into his face, which was different but so familiar at the same time. Gulping, she started, "Gohan, I've looked up to you for as long as I can remember. You were the world's best fighter and my hero. When I finally got to leave my house and train with you full time it was the happiest day in my life. And I know for a fact that Trunks feels the exact same way I do." Taking a deep breath, she went on, "And when you died that was the hardest day of my life."

Then Ranch hitched up her smile again and gripped his shoulder. "Gohan, this timeline is already so different from my own. You still have all your friends and family by you, so I know for a fact that you'll quickly get stronger than my time's Gohan ever was."

Gohan nodded back firmly and smiled. "Right! I'll definitely get—"

An eruption in powerful energy from somewhere down on Earth caught the attention of everyone on the lookout. They all looked in the same direction in awe of the raw power, as Piccolo began his fight with 17.

"Mr. Piccolo," Gohan said.

"Yes, and since I don't feel Cell he must be fighting the cyborgs," said Raditz, standing up.

"I've got to go help him," Gohan said, taking a few steps.

"No, Gohan," Raditz told him, grabbing onto him.

"But—"

"Raditz is right, Gohan, this is way out of your league," Goku agreed.

"Yes, you need to stay put and wait until your stronger," Raditz said. "I'll go instead and back him up."

"I'll go too," said Ranch.

"Whoa! What?" Goku quickly said, as he got on his feet. "Hold on, what you said goes for you two, too! We aren't strong enough to go out there. You'll only be getting in the way!"

"Kakarot, if you think I'm going to sit here and do nothing while the real fight is somewhere else you've got another thing coming!" Raditz proclaimed. "And like I said, I'm only backing him up in case he needs it."

"But you can't leave now; they're almost done in the time chamber!"

"What does that matter? You and Gohan can just go in next, and I'll wait out here for another day."

"Not if you go." When Raditz didn't reply, Goku continued, "If you stay then you and Ranch can go next, okay?"

Raditz didn't give him an answer immediately. He just looked back in the direction of where the fight was going on, every fiber of his being desperate to help his friend.

"Dad?" asked Ranch, giving him a hard look. "What do you say? I'm with you either way."

That did it. Neither he nor Ranch was strong enough to make a difference, and even if they just went as backup they could still get hurt. Nodding at his brother, Raditz said, "Very well, Ranch and I are next."