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

Trunks was nearly out of breath as he landed in front of his comrades before squatting and panting to regain his breath. It wasn't long before he reverted to his base form. "It was …too strong for me."

"That makes it stronger than any of us," replied Bardock. "We can't beat the creature…unless we work together."

Trunks was still trembling from the adrenalin of fighting. "When I was fighting it, I never got the impression that it was actually trying. It wasn't at its full power. I don't even know how strong it was," and then his clenched his fists in frustration. "And it keeps getting stronger with every person it absorbs."

"I have an idea," said Piccolo. "But I can't be sure until it happens." He lifted off. "I'm going to the lookout to merge with Kami. The power I get from that might tip the balance."

"Sounds like a plan," said Bardock. "I think I'll come too. How about it Tapion? I think we should go there to see if Hirudegarn surfaces."

"I agree," replied Tapion before turning to Trunks and Tarble. "Take care you two. Hopefully we'll be able to work our way through all of the other threats like we did Abo and Cado." He then followed Bardock and Piccolo towards the lookout, leaving Trunks and Tarble alone.

Tarble turned to his nephew, who was smiling, though not very convincingly. While Tarble lacked the killer instincts of his saiyan race, he was far better at empathizing than the average saiyan was. "You're not a failure," said Tarble to Trunks.

The teen's eyes widened with shock; Tarble had seemingly read his mind. "I don't…I know I'm not a failure, but after failing to destroy the androids for four years and then loosing to that creature without really harming it at all I…I just don't feel up to it anymore. Don't get me wrong, I am fully willing to fight, but what good am I besides my super saiyan powers? Bardock was able to surprise android Seventeen in combat, despite being weaker, yet I can't do anything, but run away." Trunks was having a hard time getting his true feelings across.

Tarble raised an eyebrow as he began to figure out what Trunks was trying to say. "You think you're an incompetent fighter?" When he saw the teenager nod, Tarble began to empathize. "It's hard…living in the shadow of great warriors. When I was growing up, although my power level was good for an average saiyan of my age, my father was constantly comparing me to Vegeta, your father." The saiyan prince sighed, shaking his head as if at someone stupid. "As a child, I was too busy feeling inferior to my brother and all of the other elite saiyan children that I didn't realize how strong I was. I was easily more powerful than the majority of beings in the universe."

Trunks blinked a few times before his lips curled into a smile. "I…I understand." He sighed, as if in relief. "I guess I should be grateful for the powers I have. Thanks for helping me keep my faith."

Tarble smiled at his nephew, the boy reminded him of himself at a younger age, and he felt a sense of loyalty to him. "You must always keep your faith intact Trunks. I know how it is to feel completely outclassed, but you can't let your enemies take everything from you. Your faith is something they should never take."

"Thank you uncle," replied Trunks as a few tears rolled down his cheeks. He wasn't sad, though he wasn't in the brightest of moods. "Gohan used to tell me that all the time, but I was too young to listen properly."

"Let's go home Trunks," said Tarble as he placed a hand on the boys shoulder. "They'll be waiting for us."

Trunks nodded in response before following his uncle home. When they got back and entered the building, Bulma and Gure had gotten dinner ready. Trunks had never seen so much food since Gohan's last visit, but realized that Tarble, being a saiyan, shared his appetite.

"So what happened Trunks?" asked Bulma as she noted Trunks and Tarble were bruised, but otherwise unharmed. "You two look like you were in a battle. Was it the androids?"

"We split into two groups," said Trunks. "I went off to fight the creature, because I was the strongest. Tarble and the others went to fight Abo and Cado."

Bulma looked worried. "You went off to fight that monster on your own?"

"I was able to escape," said Trunks. "Anyway, Tarble and the others were able to defeat Abo and Cado."

Guru's face immediately brightened up and she ran over to Tarble, giving him a big hug. "That's wonderful! I'm glad that those two are out of the way."

Trunks remembered another bit of good news. "Guess what mom, Piccolo's wake now! He helped uncle Tarble fight Abo and Cado!"

"That's good…very good," replied Bulma with a happy smile and saw Trunks nod. If only Gohan was still here. He'd have been so happy. "I still can't believe he survived all these years."

"Believe it or not, he was unconscious on the first battlefield. The Androids knocked him out and he's been unconscious for many years. Mr. Popo said he was able to save him by sacrificing the dragonballs or something like that, so we can't use them. However, now he might be able to make a new set."

"I'm not too concerned with the dragonballs. Even if Kami made a new set, I doubt we'd be able to revive any of our old friends, or if we should. The people of the world have already seen their loved ones die maybe several years ago. Bringing them all back would throw things out of balance, both physically and mentally."

"I guess so," replied Trunks. "What's most important is that we now have a better chance to defeat the androids. Piccolo sad he would merge with Kami, so he'll be stronger than ever."

Bulma cupped her chin curiously. "Piccolo is merging with Kami? I wonder how that'll turn out." She then directed their attention to the dinner table. "Let's have dinner now."

On the far side of the planet, rain pelted the jungle, one of the last pristine wilderness left on the planet. This was one of the few places where fleeing refugees had barely if ever made an impact. Among the various trees was an eroded mountain that has a small cave.

Within the cave, a lone figure has reclined against the wall. His tail twitched in agitation. He had been able to sustain himself on the fruits and animals in the forest, though he was relying on base survival instincts. It had been a few years since he had fallen from his previous luster. Now he was no better than a wild animal, only far more powerful.

A monkey spotted the man and hopped down from a nearby tree branch to investigate. However, it heard something crashing through the nearby tree branches, and began calling out to its kin. It was like a rooster crowing, only more high-pitched. The man became agitated, though the monkey took no notice.

He clenched his fists as anger boiled inside him. "Stupid primate…Shut up!" The monkey refused to take notice, taking a step towards the cave before calling out to the other monkeys. Its high-pitched screams were aggravating. "I said shut up!" The man grabbed the monkey by the throat before clenching his fist around it, causing its neck to crack audible. The monkey's body fell limp and he began tearing it open and consuming the flesh; no need to waste perfectly good meat.

As he was about to throw away the remains of his most recent meal, the man saw someone floating in the air above him. That person had no ki and was currently wearing a very smug grin; obviously amused at the state the man in the cave was in. He was none other than android Seventeen.

"Well what do we have here? It's been a while Gohan. I can't say that the years have been kind to you, it looks like you've regressed back to the Stone Age." The android shrugged casually and was unaware of Gohan's swelling temper. "Still, I never would've pegged you a coward. While you purple headed friend has been getting his butt kicked, you've been here the whole time." Seventeen chuckled as he noticed Gohan's agitation. "Did I say something to upset you?"

"Get away from me!" Gohan stood up and fired a ki last, which Seventeen swatted aside. "Leave me alone!" The veins bulged as his fists clenched tightly.

"Make me," replied Seventeen smugly. "I'm quite sure that you've grown weaker after your time hiding out." However, his eyes widened with surprise as a bright flash of light temporarily blinded him. Moments later a fist connected with his face, sending him into the ground. Looking back up, he saw Gohan glaring down at him in his super saiyan form, but his veins were bulging out, and Seventeen could see his heartbeat in the way they pulsed.

Not giving him a chance to retaliate, Gohan swooped down on him and lodged his fist in his gut. Then he proceeded pummel his face mercilessly. Then he sent him into the air with a kick to the chin before phasing above him and grabbing him by the neck. He then proceeded to choke the android.

Seventeen struggled, but found it nearly impossible to break Gohan's grasp. He's too powerful…I have to find Eighteen! With no other option, Seventeen brought his leg up into Gohan's crotch, a blow that would easily cripple most men, though it only caused Gohan to flinch for a moment. It was enough for Seventeen to break free of his grasp. Not bothering to look back, Seventeen proceeded to fly away at top speed, knowing that Gohan wouldn't be able to track him.

When he found her, she was on the outskirts of a town, ready to begin attacking it. She had apparently been waiting for him, and looked annoyed when he arrived. "And what took you so long Seventeen? You were the one who insisted we come here next."

"You wouldn't believe who I ran into," said Seventeen. "It was Gohan. I fought him, but he was too much for me, and apparently, he's got a temper now."

Eighteen responded by raising an eyebrow and giving him a crazy look. "I distinctly remember us destroying him Seventeen. Don't you remember the day when we killed him?"

Flashback:

Gohan felt as if his chest was on fire, though he had a much bigger problem right now. He could barely hang on to his super saiyan form, and the androids were gaining on him. There was a building in his way, and before he could decide why direction to turn, he felt them ram into his back, and braced himself for impact with the structure. His body could easily take that abuse, but what followed was far worse.

The pair loomed over him and extended their hands. Moments later a barrage of ki blasts, each as hot as the sun, rained down on him. He roared in pain, though not from the attacks, but from the searing pain in his chest. Then his world went black.

A few minutes later, the androids stopped their attack and landed near Gohan's body. Eighteen walked up to him and nudge his head with her boot. "Looks like he's dead. Guess that means there's only that other one left."

Seventeen chuckled. "Look's like we'll be resting easy now. No way can that brat ever become as strong as Gohan."

End

"But I saw him," replied Seventeen. "He was there. It had to have been him."

Eighteen let out a disgruntled sigh. "Just let it go Seventeen. Gohan's dead. Now maybe terrorizing that city down there will get this off your mind." Eighteen descended on the unsuspecting tow, followed by a grumbling Seventeen. Moments later, there were explosions accompanied by the screams of hapless victims.

Sorry about being slow updating this, but my studies come first, and I've had trouble getting inspired to write, though videogames could change that. Anyway, now you all know what happened to Gohan, or at least part of it.