Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ or have any rights to it.

When Tapion, Trunks, and Tarble reached the lookout, they didn't see anyone waiting for them. They landed and decided to look around.

"That's strange," said Trunks. "I was expecting to find Mr. Popo up here."

"Maybe he's inside," said Tapion. "I'm sensing a power level from inside. It could be him."

They all went into the palace, something that neither one of them had seen before. The decorations and beauty within the guardian's palace was a refreshing change from the destroyed cities they had been exposed to just a short while ago.

"Hello? Mr. Popo?"

"Who is that?" came a voice from one of the rooms.

"It's me Trunks. I've brought some friends along."

"I'm in this room Trunks, and I could use your help."

When the three warriors entered the room they aw Mr. Popo kneeling next to a bed. The person on the bed was their biggest shock. They were all half expecting it to be Gohan, but instead they saw an unconscious Kami lying there.

"A Namekian," remarked Tarble.

"Is that…Kami?" Trunks' eyes were wide as they stared at the Namekian who resembled an older version of Piccolo. While he had never remembered seeing Piccolo in person, Gohan had shown him a picture.

Mr. Popo nodded. "Yes. This is Kami, the guardian of Earth."

"He's been alive all this time?" Trunks was stunned until another question entered his head. "Then where was Piccolo all these years?"

"He's currently unconscious at the spot of his supposed death," replied Popo. "The attack from the androids would've killed Piccolo, but I was able to save him by keeping Kami alive. In order to do that I had to break the statue of Shenron, the eternal dragon, thereby sacrificing the dragonballs. Without the strain of maintaining them, Kami and Piccolo were left alive, but they've both been in a coma for all these years, hanging on by a sliver. If Gohan had chanced a visit all the way up here, he would've known and Piccolo could've helped out sooner. We might've even gotten the dragonballs back by now."

"What are the dragonballs?" asked Tapion. Tarble also seemed curious.

"I'll explain them later," replied Trunks. "Now we'll have to go down to Earth and find Piccolo's body. He should be in the same place where the original battle occurred, but we might not be able to pick up his power level so we'll have to use our eyes."

"Please hurry," said Mr. Popo. "The sooner Piccolo is healed, the better. I'm not sure how much longer Kami will last. It could be a few more years or a few more minutes for all we know."

Trunks, Tarble, and Tapion rushed outside and leapt off the edge of the lookout. "Follow me," said Trunks. "I'm pretty sure I know where the first battle with the androids took place. Piccolo's body should be there."

They were soon flying above the ocean. The vast expanse of water was one thing that had remained entirely unchanged by the androids' reign. In fact, the oceans had more fish than ever before since most of the fishermen were either dead or too afraid for their lives to fish.

The island came into view within thirty minutes. It looked like a barren lump of rubble. There were a few skeletal structures left standing, and many areas were overgrown with vegetation, but the heart of the city seemed the way the androids had left it.

"So this is where the androids first attacked?" asked Tarble when they landed.

"That's right," replied Trunks. "All he Z-Fighters except me and Gohan perished here in a battle with them. None of us have come here since because there was nothing left here for us…or so we thought."

The trio began sifting through the rubble in the hopes of finding a body.

Tarble came across a skeleton in saiyan armor. "Hey Trunks, come here. I think I found…Vegeta…"

Trunks landed near his uncle with a solemn expression; looking over the corpse carefully. "I think you're right uncle. Mom said he would always wear clothes like that. It has to be him."

"That's Vegeta all right," came a cool voice that startled them. "I still remember the day when I killed him."

"Android 17!" Trunks immediately powered up to his super saiyan state. "Why are you here?"

Tapion's eyes widened and a smile crossed his face. "Trunks! You're a super saiyan now. That's great."

Tarble looked at Trunks' golden aura with awe. So he's a super saiyan? That…that transformation. It looks so…amazing…so powerful. It's hard to believe that such a power isn't enough to beat the androids.

"We'll have to take him together," said Tapion, as he got ready to fight.

"So you're one of the androids?" Tarble also got ready to fight.

"Be careful uncle," said Trunks. "He's strong enough take on a super saiyan."

Seventeen raised an eyebrow and looked over at Tarble. "Uncle? I thought you looked like Vegeta. I guess that makes you Vegeta's brother."

"Stay back," said Trunks as he stepped forward and drew his sword. "Don't jump in unless you're sure I need help."

Tarble and Tapion nodded. Each, in their own way, understood the power of the super saiyans and wouldn't want to get in the way of one.

Seventeen chuckled. "Are you sure you wouldn't want any help Trunks? You do remember what happened last time don't you?"

"I can tell that your sister isn't here," said Trunks. "That means that the odds are more in our favor."

Seventeen took his fighting stance. "Fine. If you feel like being humiliated, I won't stop you."

With a battle cry, Trunks rushed forward and swung his sword at the android. Seventeen smirked and easily dodged the attack. Trunks then tried a sideswiped, but Seventeen leapt over him and elbowed him in the back.

"Your pathetic Trunks," said Seventeen as he watched Trunks fall forward. "Gohan was far stronger than you. I'd say you're only about half as strong as he was."

Tarble and Tapion tensed up, but knew better than to jump in. Neither one of them would be a match for the android if he could knock Trunks down so easily.

Getting back up, Trunks let out an angry growl. "That was a cheap shot. Don't think it'll happen again."

As the super saiyan swung his blade again, Seventeen reached out and caught the sword. He grinned as Trunks struggled to free the sword.

"Are you sure you won't be needing their help?"

"Shut up android!" Letting go of the sword, Trunks backed up and raised his arms. "Finish Buster!"

Throwing the sword aside, Seventeen caught the blast with both arms and with a little effort, redirected it upwards. The android then triumphantly dusted off his hands.

Trunks lunged at Seventeen and tried to punch him, but doubled over as the android landed a blow to his gut. Seventeen then hit him with a kick to the head, sending the young super saiyan into one of the few remaining buildings, casing the skeletal structure to collapse.

Trunks blanked out, his hair reverting to its original color.

"No! Trunks!" Picking up the sword, Tapion rushed at Seventeen and proceeded to attack him with it.

Tarble began focusing his energy, causing an electric blue aura to surround him. I hope this works. Tapion will have to keep the android there if I'm to have a clear shot.

Tapion was much weaker than Trunks, so Seventeen didn't need to dodge the sword. He could easily fend off all of Tapion's attacks by simply blocking with his bare hands.

Tapion tried to stab Seventeen between the eyes, but the android caught the blade barehanded. He chuckled at how powerless his enemy was. "I see your point."

"Don't mock me!" Tapion tried to pull the blade back and ended up stumbling when the android let go.

Laughing loudly, Seventeen didn't notice what was going on behind. "I think I remember you from before, mow hock man. So where did you disappear to? Were you in some sort of secret training, cause from the looks of it, you haven't improved at all."

Ignoring Seventeen's goading, Tapion looked over at Tarble before smiling. Leaping out of the way, he yelled "now!"

"Galic Gun!" Thrusting his arms out, Tarble allowed all of the energy he had charged up to rush out towards the android.

Seventeen's eyes widened as he turned around in time to see the attack seconds before impact. The blast threw up a dust cloud around him.

"Yes! Direct hit!"

"Can you tell if he's still alive?" asked Tapion, landing next to him.

Tarble shook his head. "My scouter wouldn't be able to pick up his power level because he's an android. We'll have to wait and se-"

Tapion's eyes widened as he watched Tarble skidding to a halt on the ground several feet behind him. He turned back to the smoke cloud in time to receive a punch to the face, which sent him bouncing on the ground before crashing into an old automobile.

Seventeen frowned as he dusted off his clothes. "You idiots got my clothes dirty. Too bad; I was going to toy with you two a little longer, but your more trouble than fun so I'll kill you now."

"That won't be happening anytime soon!"

Seventeen, Tarble, and Tapion turned their attention to the figure that was standing on top of the metal frame of what used to be a building.

Seventeen recognized the hairstyle from his data files. "Goku?"

He raised an eyebrow. "I assume you're talking about my son, Kakarot. My name is Bardock."

Seventeen crossed his arms as a smile returned to his face. "So you're Goku's father? This'll be fun. I suppose fighting you is as close as I'll get to actually fighting Goku."

"I've come to put a stop to you," said Bardock as he landed in front of Seventeen.

Trunks' eyes opened and he rubbed his sore head. "Wh-What happened?"

"Trunks!" After getting his nephew's attention, Tarble directing him to look at Bardock who was about to fight Seventeen.

"Do you know him uncle?"

"I remember hearing about him some time ago. I think his name is Bardock. He was classified as a low level saiyan, but his power grew to incredible levels."

"I've got to step in," said Trunks as he stood up. "He doesn't stand a chance against that android."

"Stop Trunks," said Tarble. "We don't know exactly how strong Bardock has become. We should wait and see how the battle goes before jumping in."

"Let's see how tough you really are, Bardock." Seventeen extended his hand and fired a yellow beam of energy. The blast seemed to hit Bardock and demolish the skeletal structure behind him.

However, when the smoke cleared there was no sign of Bardock's body. Everyone was stunned and didn't know what to make of it.

Seventeen frantically looked from side to side. "Where'd he go?"

Bardock kept his power concealed as he hovered several feet in the air. Seventeen's back was to him, making him vulnerable to attack. Focusing ki in his right arm, he rushed at the android and rammed into his back, sending him flying into the rubble.

"Eat this!" Bardock then threw the energy from his right hand at the downed android, resulting in a huge explosion.

"Yeah!" Trunks pumped his fist in the air. He's stronger than I thought, but I doubt Seventeen would go down so easily.

"Impressive," came a voice from the dust cloud. "You really caught me off guard, but it'll cost you, dearly."

"That's it!" Trunks powered up into his super saiyan state. "I'm stepping in."

As he rushed at Bardock, Seventeen was caught off guard and sent flying into the distance by a punch from Trunks.

"Who are you?" asked Bardock in a demanding tone. "I can tell that you're a super saiyan, and that little guy over there is Prince Tarble."

"We can exchange life stories later," said Trunks. "I'll hold that guy off as long as I can. Could you help the other two find someone. We came here looking for a Namekian."

"Piccolo? He's supposed to be dead by now."

"He isn't," said Trunks. This guy…he reminds me of Gohan, but who is he? Why does he know Piccolo's name? How does he know about the super saiyans?

Seventeen stood up and dusted his clothes. "So you're back in the fight Trunks. You never did know when to quit. I guess I'll have to eliminate you first."

Trunks turned to the other three. "Do it now! I'll hold him back!"

Seventeen chuckled. "Whatever you're planning won't work."

"Don't worry android," said Trunks as he turned back to glare at Seventeen. "You'll only be fighting me. They've got something else to do."

"Fair enough. I'll kill you, and then dispose of them. Or maybe I'll let them live since they'll never ever be a threat to me or my sister."

Trunks began exchanging blows with the android. This time he was more focused and mindful of his opponent. The two seemed even as they blocked and dodged each other's punches and kicks.

Tarble began to feel strange vibration emanating from Trunks as he continued to exchange blows with the android. This must be what Trunks and Tapion meant when they said they could sense energy. I must be picking it up, but I'll still need my scouter for the time being.

As he scanned the ground, Tarble saw a small green speck. It didn't seem special, but the saiyan seemed compelled to check it out. Landing next to it, he began to clear away the rubble until he saw a green arm sticking out.

"Hey! Tapion! Bardock!" After calling out those names, he turned back to the arm and began uncovering more of the body.

"Did you find him?" asked Tapion as he and Bardock landed behind Tarble.

"I did, this is definitely a Namekian." After moving a few large chunks of concrete, Tarble pulled Piccolo's battered body out of the rubble. "Trunks! We found him!"

"You did?" Breaking away from his struggle with the android, Trunks looked down at the others as they checked Piccolo's vital signs.

Seventeen followed Trunks' gaze and cracked up at the scene below him. "Wow. I thought his body would be more…decomposed by now. But come on, why would you guys risk your lives to come find a dead body?"

"He's still alive," said Bardock to Tapion and Tarble.

Seventeen caught what the saiyan had said and his eyes widened. Eighteen will be pissed when she finds out that the green man's still alive. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to eliminate him and act as if nothing ever happened.

Seeing the android heading for his friends, Trunks phased in front of him. "Sorry, no androids allowed!"

"You do realize I've been toying with you Trunks. I don't know how the green man's still, alive, but I'll be happy to go through you to get to him."

Tarble and Tapion where under Piccolo's shoulders, holding the Namekian up and ready to leave. Bardock used his psychic powers to contact Trunks, knowing full well that they could not defeat the android.

"Trunks! It's me Bardock!"

"How are you-"

"That's not important. Just get down here and put your hand on my shoulder or something. I have a technique that can get us out of here, but you'll all have to stay connected to me for it to work."

"Alright, I'll trust you Bardock, and I hope this works."

Slowly backing away, Trunks landed next to Bardock and placed a hand on his shoulder. Bardock then placed his hand on Tapion's shoulder and touched the index and middle fingers of his free hand to his forehead.

"You think standing together will help you?" Seventeen smirked broadly. "I can put all five of you out within minutes."

The android rushed forward at the group of five. His targets seemed like sitting ducks, as they made no attempt to move. He got within ten feet, then a moment later; his fist was raised, ready to punch Trunks' lights out. Seventeen's eyes locked with Trunks' for a second before he swung his fist, however, his blow never connected. They had vanished in the blink of an eye and the android only hit air.

Looking around with wide eyes, Seventeen's mouth gaped. They're gone! How did they do that? Man, this is one big headache.

With nothing else to do, the android decided to leave.

I've had the idea of Piccolo secretly surviving the androids' reign for a while now. I decided to throw this in there since I thought it would make for a great fight scene, and because the new Z-Fighters will need all the help they can get if they want to overcome all of their enemies.