SailorStar9: Chapter 6 goes up. This is Chapter 7 of the Androids Saga. Read and review.

Disclaimers: Only the plot is mine.

Chapter Summary: Krillin and Trunks race to move Goku to a safer hiding place, while up in the clouds Kami wrestles with Piccolo's difficult offer. Everyone is scheming of ways to stop the Androids, but will any of them work?

Chapter 7: Closing In

At Kami's Lookout...

"Kami-sama..." Mr. PoPo stammered as the two counterparts faced each other.

"You must know why it is I've come to this place." Piccolo voiced.

"Yes, I know." Kami replied. "Originally, me and you... or more accurately, your father, were a single person. I imagine I understand what it is you are thinking."

"In that case, I won't waste my breath." Piccolo snorted.

"Quite honestly, I did not think the day would come that our destinies should come together again." Kami admitted.

"We won't be fusing together." Piccolo corrected. "You will serve only as a means for a super power-up for Piccolo. The only justification you have for your existence any more are the Dragon Ball and the Princess' God Armor."

"It's can't be!" Mr. PoPo stuttered.

"Your words... are true indeed." Kami admitted. "Before I have realized it, you had opened up a great difference between our powers. As you faced one great opponent after another, my powers were becoming all but inadequate."

"Kami-sama, that's not true." Mr. PoPo protested. "Kami-sama has a duty as Kami-sama."

"It's quite all right, Mr. PoPo." Kami assured. "Even Trunks, who as able to bury Frieza and his father in a moment's time. As well as Trunks' father, Vegeta, possessed an ability of an even greater ability than Trunks, were brought to such a terrible state by the Androids. Even when Son Goku recovers from his affliction, he will likely meet with similar results. It appears the time for Kami and Daimao to become one again has come after all."

"That's right." Piccolo agreed. "What the Earth needs right now is not a Kami, it's me, coupled with the super power I need to defeat those guys."

"Provided that we observe events for a short while longer." Kami posted a condition.

"What's that?" Piccolo echoed. "Observe?"

"Correct." Kami replied. "To determine whether or not those 3 will bring harm to the Earth."

"How can you say such a leisurely thing?" Piccolo snapped. "After the way they..."

"You were the ones who picked that fight!" Kami retorted. "Besides which, they did not attempt to kill any of you."

"You disgust me." Piccolo snorted. "While you were up here, looking on at the world from afar, did you not hear what Trunks came to say? He told us that the future lies in ruins because of them."

"I also heard that the future Androids that Trunks know are somewhat different from these current Androids." Kami pointed out.

"I don't suppose you're thinking that these guys might actually be little darlings?" Piccolo scoffed.

"I'm not saying anything of that sort." Kami corrected. "But if this is to be the last judgment, I make as myself, then I would like a conclusive reason to proceed."

"You worthless coward!" Piccolo snapped. "Fine, very well, then." he relented. "I'll be waiting right here." he sat down on the ground. "Waiting until the irrevocable happens, and you finally make up your mind."

Back in the air...

"Hey Krillin." Tien voiced. "I'm going to pick up Chaozu and continue our training."

"You are?" Krillin inquired.

"If the situation gets bad once again, I'll be back." Tien promised. "Not that I think it'd help, but anything I can do..."

"Gotcha." Krillin noted. "We'll take Goku and move him to where Master Roshii is. We should be able to buy him quite a bit of time there."

"Tell Goku for me not to overdo it." Tien nodded and headed off to Master Roshii's place.

"Don't overdo it." Krillin repeated. "He's right, you know. This time, not even Goku has a chance."

"How could history be turning out so differently?" Trunks wondered. "The Androids weren't supposed to be this incredibly powerful. And there were supposed to be 2 of them."

"How should I know why?" Krillin retorted. "At any rate, this time round, this is the reality."

In the Son household...

"Here, Goku." Chi-Chi tucked her dozing husband to bed.

Elsewhere...

"Damn it all!" Vegeta raged. Think I'm going to let this go? No, this isn't over until I make you Androids realize that I'm the strongest warrior in the Universe!

With Krillin and Trunks...

"There it is." Krillin remarked as the Son house came into view. "That's Goku's house. Say, can I ask you something?" he stated, after the two landed at the doorstep. "Those Androids, you're sure they're all rotten to the core?

"They're unbelievably cold-blooded." Trunks replied. "At least they are in my era. Why did you ask?"

"Oh, yeah, well, I was just thinking." Krillin stammered. "It'd be great for us, you know, if they weren't..."

"I think you're better off not entertaining such dubious thoughts." Trunks advised.

"Yeah, of course, you're right." Krillin stuttered. "I was just thinking, that's all." and knocked on the door.

"Gohan!" Chi-Chi flung the door open. "Oh, it's Krillin." she noticed her husband's best friend.

"Ow! Ow! Ow!" Krillin winced the door having been slammed into his head. "Nice to see you. It's Goku's wife." he whispered over to Trunks.

"Nice to meet you." Trunks stated.

"Krillin." Yamcha peered over Chi-Chi's shoulder. "You're alright! Thank goodness, we've been worried."

"How's Goku?" Krillin asked.

"He's okay." Yamcha replied. "He took the medicine and he's sleeping now. You're the one from the future..." he noticed Trunks at the door. "I get it! You beat the Androids for us, right?"

"No." Trunks replied.

"I'll fill you in on everything later." Krillin stated. "Right now, we have to hurry and move to Master Roshii's place. All of us."

"What?" Yamcha pressed.

"There are 3 new, even more terrifying Androids and they'll be here any time." Krillin revealed.

"This is terrible." Yamcha noted.

"Gently now!" Chi-Chi called as the guys moved Goku and his mattress into the back of a plane. "Gently!"

"So, these new Androids are all that strong, then?" Yamcha asked.

"Yeah, and 'strong' just doesn't cover it." Krillin replied. "Now, we just have to wait for Gohan and the girl."

"They took Bulma home, right?" Yamcha inquired.

"They're back!" Chi-Chi beamed. "Gohan!"

"Huh?" Gohan blinked and he and Ami landed. "Why is everyone here?"

"Thank goodness!" Chi-Chi hugged her son. "Thank goodness you came back unhurt!"

"Has something happened?" Ami questioned.

"I'll tell you later." Krillin replied. "Hurry and get in the plane."

SailorStar9: Phew, another chapter down. Stay tuned for Chapter 8: Unwanted Discovery.