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

Bulma's outburst had woken Gure, who came down to see what was going on. "What's wrong Bulma? Did something happen?"

Taking a deep breath, Bulma calmed down and then said "I just saw a scary news broadcast. Why don't we talk in the kitchen?"

The group entered the kitchen and sat down at the table. Trunks gave his mother a concerned look. "I can tell that your news report, was really messed up. Normal news broadcasts, even those about the androids, never freak you out this much."

"It was about this strange creature that killed everyone in a town. According to the reports, the people appeared to have been sucked out of their clothing." Bulma let out a deep sigh. "I was so worried that it might be nearby. I guess I just panicked and became very anxious."

Trunks nodded, and donned a serious face. "Well whatever spooked you is probably going to come here at some point. That worries me. I didn't sense a thing, so I don't know how powerful it is."

Tarble began counting off all the villains they'd have to fight. "Let's see…there are two androids, and Hirudegarn…Abo and Cado, and now this new creature. That means that there are six threats to the world right now."

"That's sounds difficult," said Gure. "How many of them do you know you can beat?"

"We can definitely handle Abo and Cado," said Trunks. "However, the androids will be difficult to beat, though I know it's not impossible. Hirudegarn on the other hand, is a major problem. I'm not sure how we can take that thing down. It seems almost unstoppable, and like I said, I have no idea how powerful this new creature is."

"It looks like you've got your work cut out for you," said Bulma as she started boiling the teakettle. "I'll make us all some tea, and you can tell us what happened while you were out, and why Tapion didn't return with you."

"All right. I'll start from when we left for the lookout. We found out that Kami was still alive, but he was in a coma. Piccolo was also in a coma, but still alive, though the dragonballs can't be used anymore."

Bulma was shocked about Piccolo's survival. "So Piccolo's been alive all these years, and we didn't know it?"

"That's right. I'm not sure how, but Kami sacrificed the dragonballs, to preserve their life force. I think Mr. Popo said that maintaining the dragonballs was a strain on them, and that Kami was able to save their lives by sacrificing the dragonballs before it was too late, though they were left in a coma."

Tarble became serious at that point as he recalled the battle with Seventeen. "That android was really tough, and we only fought one of them. It was four on one and we still struggled through it, and in the end we had to run away." He left a sigh escape his lips. "It'll be really tough to be them, and I have no idea how powerful they really are."

Bulma arched an eyebrow. "Four on one? Did Piccolo wake up or something, because last I checked, there were only here of you. That is, unless Gohan reappeared."

Trunks shook his head as disappointment overtook him. "I wish he was there though. If Gohan had been there, we would've won, but I wasn't able to harm the android, even if I was a super saiyan. Anyway, the fourth fighter was Bardock, Goku's father. He came to Earth from space to help us."

"Goku's…father?" Bulma was now curious about Bardock. Goku had never talked about his father, and in fact, had no memory of him. She never thought that he'd end up coming to Earth to help fight against the androids.

"Anyway, Bardock used some technique, I think it was called instant transmission, to let us escape the android. Bardock, and Tapion decided to stay up on the lookout; they could easily watch over the Earth from there."

"What about Piccolo," asked Bulma.

"He's still in a coma," replied Trunks. "I'm not sure when he'll come out of it, but at least we know that he's safe."

Soon the tea was ready, but after they had finished, Trunks decided to go back to his room for a while. However, as he was about to mount the stairs, Tarble caught up to him.

"You don't need to blame yourself Trunks," said Tarble. "I know what it's like to feel as if you're not as strong as you should be. I was sent away from Planet Vegeta because I couldn't fight properly. I wasn't nearly as strong as your father. But I moved past that, and now I'm much stronger than anyone thought I'd be."

Trunks sighed. "I just don't think I measure up to Gohan. He was considered to be a threat to androids. As for me, I'm just a nuisance, even though I'm a super saiyan like he was."

"I'm sure you'll get there eventually. How long did it take Gohan to become a threat to them?"

"I don't know, but when he was my age, they were concerned about his growing power. The androids were actually worried that he'd end up stronger than them."

"They're probably just as concerned about you surprising them," said Tarble. "That's probably why they try to put you down, so you won't have the drive to push your self farther. If you just ignore all their negative press, I'm sure you'll be able to defeat them."

"Thank you uncle," replied Trunks as a smile returned to his face. He then mounted the stairs and went up to his room, albeit with an improved mood.

Seventeen wasn't in a good mood when his sister found him. He was sulking in a mountaintop, near where they lived, the scowl on his face telling her that he was upset about something.

Arching an eyebrow, she flashed him a playful smirk, leaning down to see his face. Upon seeing his agitated expression, she broke out into laughter, which earned her a glare. "You're face is so priceless!" After her laughter died down, she asked the obvious question. "What's got you all wound up?"

"You won't like it."

She put her hands on her hips and gave him a skeptical look. "Try me."

"I met that guy…Trunks, and he had a few friends."

She grinned down at him. "So they kicked your butt?"

Looking up into her eyes, she shot him a glare. "No!"

Raising her hands peacefully, she said "fine, sorry for saying that. So what did they do? I haven't seen you this ticked off since Gohan surpassed you."

"They got away. I don't know how, but they just disappeared. I had them, and then lost them." He clenched his fists as his anger boiled up. "Next time…I'll kill them!"

Eighteen sighed and rolled her eyes. "It's just like you to throw a tantrum when you don't get your way. I'll bet that you'd forget about this by the time we see him again, and then you'll suggest that we spare them for future amusement."

Seventeen mumbled something incoherent before standing up, and stretching; he had been sitting like that for hours, so his back needed it. "How about we go terrorize a town. I need to blow off some steam."

Eighteen shrugged in response. "Sure, why not. It's been a while since our last killing spree." She led the way as they flew off to find a nearby city to terrorize. The planet was a big place, and even though they had killed most, some people rebuilt their cities, when the androids didn't visit their region for some time.

Bardock scanned the Earth below him, pacing around the outer rim of the lookout so he could effectively watch over the entire planet. Kami found this amusing. "I thought guarding the Earth was my job," joked the guardian.

"I'm worried about what's going on down there. My grandson's down there somewhere, but I haven't seen any trace of him, even though this is my eighth lap."

Kami chuckled lightly. "Even I cannot see everything below by simply looking down. Don't spend too much time worrying about him. He's grown into a fine young man, and I'm sure he can take care of himself…wherever he is."

"To be honest, he's the only reason I'm alive now."

Kami was surprised. "Really? How so? I thought he wasn't born when your home planet was destroyed."

"It's kind of a long story, but basically, on this plant called Kanasa, I received psychic powers that allowed me to see into the future, though I don't have them anymore. When I was about to die along with Planet Vegeta, I saw a vision of my grandson dying in a battle with the androids. I became so upset, and found a new motivation to live. I thought I would be able to make a difference against the androids."

Kami nodded in understanding. "That was a noble effort. I can see the family resemblance between you and your son and grandson. You have the same inner strength that they had."

"Yeah…I'd expect as much," replied Bardock proudly. Looks like I don't have to worry about them growing soft on this planet.

"There is something that you need to know," said Kami. "I've been sensing a disturbance down below, ever since I regained consciousness."

"Is it that Hirudegarn creature?"

"No," replied Kami, shaking his head. "It's something I haven't sensed before, and it's been killing many people, before slipping back into the shadows. I can't even track it down with my senses, so it's an expert at stealth. As I fear, this could be an even greater threat than the androids."

Bardock cupped his chin thoughtfully. "This is definitely something I didn't count on. Looks like we've really got our work cut out for us. Were you at least able to gauge its strength?"

"I'm afraid not. Its power is masked, and even when I do sense it, I can't determine its strength. It seems to cloud my ability to sense it."

"Then I guess all we can do is wait until in strikes again." Letting out a sigh, Bardock started walking back into the palace. "It's getting late, so I'll be turning in. Take care."

A little girl ran through the streets of an almost empty town. The only other occupant of the area was somewhere behind her, or so she thought. She ran into a closet and shut the door tightly.

The girl had no concept of escaping the town she had spent her entire life in, all she wanted to do was live through the night, and wake up to find that it was only a dream. She knew the one responsible was not an android, but something much scarier.

As she shivered, and tried to stay quiet, there were footsteps outside the closet, but they were on the wrong side. Her eyes widened as she realized that the creature was standing directly behind her. Soon, it broke through the wall and stabbed the girl with its tail.

The girl screamed in pain and terror, though it quickly died down she was literally sucked out of her clothes. The beast chuckled as it absorbed yet another victim, though its appetite would never be quenched.

The monster's eyes gleamed as it left the city. Seventeen and Eighteen…I'm coming for you, and when I do, I will finally be complete. It knew that the next town was only a short distance away, and that it was one that the androids hadn't touched yet. The beast wet its appetite, as it got ever closer to its next feast.

This chapter was shorter than I thought, though it was meant to introduce Cell into the storyline. Also, I now have an idea of what happened to Gohan.