Ok, chapter 2, in which Androids 9 and 10 make their first appearance and we get a nice helping of act-shun. Have fun.

Dragon Ball Z is © Akira Toriyama

Chapter 2:


Androids Attack

It was a cold place, nestled in the heart of the Tsujimori mountains, that the old fortress stood. There were those who said the Tsujimori mountains would stand forever, and had been frozen solid since the beginning of the world. It was here that the hand turned one of the perfect, smooth crystal balls over in his hand. Within it sat three tiny, beautiful ruby stars, and in the case below sat another, this one containing only a single solitary star.

"Once 10 and 11 get back, we'll have four of these little beauties in total," the old man rambled on, "and then… oh, then we can begin. Our search for these is what led us to fall the last time, my friends…" he said it as though someone were standing there with him, "it is only fitting that they should be the key to our vengeance."

He put the three-star dragon ball down and turned round. "Now: how are you feeling, Android 9?"

The figure in the corner looked across from its rigid, standing position. It was tale, pale and clad in army fatigues, its most distinguishing feature being a messy head of dirty-blonde hair.

"I am ready, master."

"Good, good," the old man grinned as he looked over to the tank on the wall. "Just one more to go and our party will be complete."

***

Chi-Chi strolled idly out of the house as the sound of the engine died down. The rusty old car was just coming to a stop; hardly a fitting transport for its owner, once known as the dreaded Ox-King of Fire Mountain.

"Dad?" Chi-Chi said with a surprised smile, "what brings you here?"

"Well, what do you think?" the Ox-King smiled, "did you think I was going to stay away when my Grandchild's about to be brought into the world? So tell me, where exactly is the proud paddy to-"

His sentence halted abruptly when a thick blast of yellow, swirling light collided with his side, carrying him up and away into the side of a thick tree trunk. Chi-Chi cried out her father's name and was silenced immediately when a wrinkled hand wrapped round her mouth.

"Don't worry, my dear," the old man- or what at least looked like one- said in a raspy voice as he restrained her arms, "we're not going to cause any trouble… yet."

"My companion is right," a redheaded woman said as she idly kicked the side of the semi-conscious Ox-King, "just give us what we're looking for and we'll be on our way."

The old man released Chi-Chi's mouth. "You want the dragon ball, don't you?" she demanded.

"She's perceptive," the redhead said. "Allow us to introduce ourselves. I am Android 10. My companion here is Android 11. That name should mean something to your husband." She noted Chi-Chi's expression. "Yes, you could say we're acquainted with Goku."

Chi-Chi glared at her. "Then you know what he can do."

As if on cue, the edge of the woods seemed to explode outwards, and what looked like an orange-clothed blur sent Android 10 flying backwards. Goku straightened up, his muscles tensed, and looked Android 11 in the eye.

Goku was, most of the time, known among his family and friends for his sunny disposition and easy-going attitude to life. But when someone he loved was threatened, all of that went out the proverbial window, and right now he looked at the old man with fire in his eyes, and said flatly: "let go of my wife."

That was all the distraction that was needed for Chi-Chi to knock her assailant back with an elbow to the ribs. You didn't get to the quarter-finals of the world tournament by being a pushover. Then, in retaliation, 11 lashed out with one palm, striking her midsection and knocking her back. Less then a second passed before Goku vaulted towards 11 and lashed out towards his chest…

At which point Android 11 expertly caught his foot and twisted him over in the air. Goku struck the ground, rolling to the side before 11's fist connected.

"This is not for right now, Goku," 11 said coldly.

Goku paused as something in his head clicked. Despite everything, that naïve youngster was still very much in there, and probably would always be. He cocked his head to one side and asked innocently: "…sorry, but do I know you?"

The old man cracked a wry smile. "I am Android 11. The young lady with me is Android 10. Does that ring a bell?"

Goku's eyes widened. "You mean… like Android 8? And…"

"Exactly," 11 smirked, "the Red Ribbon Army. I expect that rings a bell."

"Huh?" Goku scratched his head. "…Oh yeah. I remember those guys? How are they?"

Insofar as was possible for a machine, 11 looked truly dumbfounded. Then after a second, he managed to regain his composure.

"You are wise to feign ignorance," he said, "our creator was right: you are surely a formidable opponent. But if you don't mind, we'll take the four-star dragon ball and be on our way."

"I don't think so," Goku glared, adopting a fighting stance.

"Hmm. Very well. Let me see what the legendary Son Goku is capable of."

Goku shot forward, lashing out with one hand. 11 dodged the attack, then another blow, then expertly parried two more and thrust one palm in front of Goku's face. There was a flash of light, and Goku cried out, covering his eyes as the blinding glow subsided.

"You see, Goku," 11 lectured, "we have a very thorough knowledge of your capabilities and fighting style… therefore, we are able to perfectly counter any attack you might make. Now, if 10 is quite finished…"

As promised, Android 10 emerged from the house, the four-star dragon ball nestled comfortably in one hand.

Beside her, Chi-Chi had just collapsed to all fours, clutching her swollen baby. "I suggest we go now."

"Oh, no," Goku said, shifting his arms into another fighting position, "you're not getting away that easy!"

"Oh, by all means, you may try another useless assault if you wish," 11 smirked, "but you may wish to tend to your wife instead."

"What- Chi-Chi?" Goku looked over urgently to his hunched-over wife.

10 and 11 shot skywards, leaving gusts of wind and settling dust behind. "Don't worry, Goku," 11 said, "we'll meet again soon enough."

And then they were gone, and Goku's attention was focused solely on Chi-Chi.

"What is it?" Goku asked desperately, "are you hurt?"

"G-Goku," Chi-Chi wheezed, "the- the baby… it hurts…"

"What?" Goku near-shouted, "is it coming?"

"No," Chi-Chi gasped, "I think it's hurt… oh God, what did they do to our baby?"

"Hold on," Goku said quickly, then turned his head to the sky. "Nimbus!"

At his command, a thick, yellow cloud descended from the air, turning and slowing to a stop in front of Goku. He picked Chi-Chi up and carried her onto the cloud, which rose back into the air.

There was only one place he could think of to turn to for help right now.

***

Bulma's face was a frown of worried frustration as she looked at the radar screen. "See?" she said, demonstratively tapping the surface of the Dragon Radar, the device she'd invented years ago to track down the mythical dragon balls. "Now two more are heading towards them." Indeed, at one point on the radar screen, two dragon balls were together and about to be joined by an additional pair."

"I see," Yamcha nodded next to her. "Who do you think it could be?"

"I don't know. Pilaf hasn't been heard from in years, the Red Ribbon Army's gone, and Piccolo was never that interested in the dragon balls. He just wants to kill Goku."

"And Shenron won't grant a wish to kill somebody," Yamcha recalled. "So who do you think is gathering them?"

They both looked up sharply at the sounds of commotion from the other side of the lab door. "hey, buddy," a guard could be heard shouting, "you can't just barge in here!"

"Please," a familiar voice said pleadingly, "I need to see someone, just let me-"

The door burst open as Bulma and Yamcha looked on in shock. There was Goku, holding Chi-Chi in his arms and as worried as either of them had ever seen him.

"Bulma," he said desperately, "please, help me!"

Thus rounds off our second chapter. I know the fight was short, but it wasn't really our main event; there's more and better to come. Anyway, there are indeed going to be four Androids in this story, and it should be fairly obvious who the sinister mastermind behind all this is.

Next Chapter: Think this is as bad as it's gonna get? Well, think again!