Chapter 4
(Alien World)
The evening sky was once more rolling by the ruined West City. Gohan now sat at an old long white dining table. His hands set against the tabletop, his forehead resting against his forearms as he stared at the blank whiteness beneath him. He had landed back at the Capsule Corp building a few hours ago. His body was full of some unknown alien painkillers and his body covered in more than enough bandages. Blood stained his gi and sweat still lined his brow and stained the rest of his gi. No wonder, he remembered with a thin smirk, that he had entered the building and upon seeing him Bulma had all but ran to him and forced him to sit down.
"Gohan?! What did you do now?!" She had began. The blue haired woman ran up to his right and immediately pushed herself under his arm helping to support his tremendous weight. Gohan smirked at the sight and assistance, though, truth be told he was worried if he allowed too much of his strength go he would bring her crashing down with him to the cold hard ground below.
"Uh...would you believe me if I said I ran into the androids fighting some Saiyans, and decided to help them out?" He chuckled as he semi limped towards the table with Bulma wrapping his arm around the back of her neck. She scoffed and her face contorted to one of seriousness as she gave him a sideways glare.
"That's so not funny Gohan! You went and fought those damn monsters again didn't you?! In your state! What are you trying to do, kill yourself?!" She chided with her usual shrill voice that caused Gohan to wince, but he smiled at her concern all the same. Gohan laughed further though it cracked with small hints of pain as he and Bulma reached the table. He reached out for the chair, his hand missing its back twice until he finally grabbed it and angled it for himself to unceremoniously plop down into with a heavy sigh. He leaned back into the seat only to find Bulma giving him a hard and unblinking stare directly above him causing Gohan to pull away in his seat uneasily.
"Well?! What happened?!" She demanded placing one hand on the table, and the other to her hip. Gohan rubbed the back of his head and chuckled a little more sheepishly than before.
"Well to be perfectly honest with you Bulma I wasn't lying. Though I guess I could be a bit more specific." Her stare turned softer, but also more confused. She remained silent staring at Gohan who held a small smirk on his face the entire time. Until she finally pulled another seat close and sat beside him.
"What? What do you mean you weren't lying? Because if I heard you correctly, you said there were Saiyans fighting the androids."
"Yeah." Gohan nodded. "I was...well I was out and I sensed someone's energy. Stronger than anyone else on the planet. Well besides me and Trunks I mean. Peri City also came under attack by the androids, so I decided to head there first. See if the new energy and the attack were related. Well," Gohan motioned his hands. "Turns out I was right. Didn't really expect to find what I did, but I did." Gohan finished.
"And, these Saiyans...you're sure? I mean absolutely sure that's what they are?" She asked, her eyes narrowing in seriousness. Gohan nodded with a sigh.
"I am. Not only did their outfits give them away, well some of them, but the one in charge, Paragus was his name, has a tail. He told me himself he was a Saiyan, him and his son, I think his name was Broly. He brought along a bunch of men too, soldiers or mercenaries, but from what I could sense they would hardly be a threat." Bulma leaned back in her seat her eyes showing that her mind was running a mile a minute. Much as his had been just a short while ago.
"What...I mean why, how?! Did they, I mean this Paragus say what he wanted? What they wanted?! Why are they on Earth, why now?!" She rambled for a moment. Gohan held his hand up to quiet her.
"Yes Bulma, yes I talked with them. Well Paragus mostly. He and his uh..friends I guess, came to Earth looking for, well for Vegeta. He's a Saiyan after all, and from what he said they were looking to crown him King." She leaned back again her eyes dropping.
"Oh." She intoned. "Did you tell them-"
"That he's gone? Yes I told them, and Paragus didn't seem exactly happy. Though, I did tell him how Vegeta...died. They had already fought the androids at Peri City so it wasn't too hard to explain to them who killed him." Bulma nodded and leaned back closer resting her hands on the table.
"Why were they in Peri to begin with?" Gohan opened his mouth to answer, but then it dawned on him that he didn't know. His brow furrowed and he hummed a questioning sigh.
"I guess I hadn't thought to ask that. I only asked why they were on Earth."
"Well, as you've told me the androids can't be sensed using their ki. I don't really understand all that but I trust you know what you're talking about." Gohan nodded as he worked through Bulma's thought process along with her.
"So, taking all that into account how did they conveniently come across the androids in Peri City? Without any ki to follow I mean."
"Maybe...maybe they were heading towards the city? West City I mean. Maybe they sensed me and Trunks out and were looking for us? I mean that would make sense, I guess. They came looking for Vegeta, at least that's what they've said. So, I know they can sense ki as none of them had scouters. Although the soldiers had masks on but that's not really the point." Gohan added shaking his head.
"I suppose that makes sense. Though it's quite the coincidence that they happened upon Peri City while looking for you and...Trunks. If that's what they were doing." She added causing no small amount of paranoia to enter Gohan.
"Okay that is a little strange but I'm not going to jump to conclusions. Not yet anyways. I'm not saying I trust them, but their story seems reasonable so far. Besides," Gohan smirked. "They weren't doing so well against the twins when I showed up. If push comes to shove I can handle them. So, don't worry Bulma." He tried smiling in an assuring manner. Bulma in kind smiled thinly.
"I'm not worried about that Gohan. It just all seems too..strange. Wait, did they leave, or are they going to leave? With Vegeta being you know, dead and all." Her voice turned into a strange mix of both sour and sad that Gohan had gotten used to whenever Bulma was forced onto the subject of Vegeta. He had never asked her about him, well he tried not to. From what he remembered, the Saiyan was nothing less than a hassle for everyone and Bulma got a good brunt of it, but had handled him better than anyone too. His dad included, he would think with a smirk. But, as to what had happened between the two of them? What had transpired that led to Trunks, he didn't ask. He wouldn't pry, but he always got a sense from her, that there was some remorse, some loss, but then so was some bitterness he couldn't fully understand. Either way he shook himself of his musings.
"Gohan?" He smiled and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.
"Sorry, got caught up in my head for a minute. Uh, yeah no they didn't leave. Not yet anyways."
"What, why?" She asked immediately and with a semi glare in her eyes.
"Well, when I told Paragus about the androids, after their encounter he seemed more than willing to help destroy them. Revenge he said, you know, all that Saiyan pride stuff." Bulma scoffed and nodded knowingly.
"Yeah, I'm sure they're more than willing to help destroy the twins that gave them hell huh? That way there's just two less enemies on the planet for them to deal with."
"Bulma," Gohan began but she held her hand up.
"I know, you said you could handle them, but that wont stop me from being worried. This all seems odd, a little too odd for my liking. Trust me, Gohan, I get it." Se went on, her voice dropping to a more understanding low tone.
"It's tempting, after all these years on your own to see these guys show up and accept their offer of help. I understand that but you remember what happened the last time Saiyans came to Earth don't you?"
"Yeah, my dad beat them, then I allied with one of them on Namek, and then he came back and well, you know the rest." He offered with a playful glint in his eyes causing Bulma to blush and frown.
"Ugh, you know what I mean!" Gohan chuckled but did nod.
"I know Bulma, I know. I'm not saying I trust them. Like I said. But, if they want to help bring down the androids, help me bring a stop to them, then I'm willing to give their offer some consideration at least. Just think," Gohan became deadly serious, and his eyes narrowed. "If they end up helping and leave peacefully I may not need Trunks." Bulma's eyes got wider and she again leaned into her chair. Her brow now etched in thought upon Gohan's words.
"I can't promise anything Bulma. Hell, I can't promise I'll be alive tomorrow morning."
"Don't say that!" Gohan again raised his hand to quiet her, a look of dull acceptance in his eyes.
"I can't promise that Trunks wont be needed in the fight and fights to come Bulma. But, if I can train him, and not have to rely on him in a fight with the androids and put him in danger unnecessarily then by that measure they would have helped me, helped us! They would help keep Trunks safe, out of harms way, and if one of them get killed in the fight with the androids, then that was their choice. They wanted to fight, they wanted to avenge their," He scoffed lightly, "their 'pride,' and their fallen Prince. Who am I to deny them that chance? If it ends badly for them, then I guess the Earth won't have to worry about another Saiyan attack." Gohan offered and Bulma frowned with a hard look aimed towards Gohan.
"That's pretty cold Gohan." He smiled solemnly and ran his right hand along his face, which itself had medical bandages along it.
"Yeah...yeah I suppose it is. But, still, my point stands. If, and that's still an if, I decide to take their offer and let them help me bring down the androids. It could mean an end to this, to all of this...this...well this shit!" Gohan cursed in a seethe waving his hand out the nearest window to the fallen city.
"It could mean little more than a distraction for those two, but maybe that's all I need, all we need. For me to get Trunks fully ready and trained without putting him in harms way. For me to maybe stop this without ever having need put him in a situation like the one at Gingertown again." Gohan leaned into the table, his eyes falling to his hands which clasped together atop the table.
"I am worried, I am concerned, and no I don't trust them Bulma. But, if there's a chance, if there's a way for me to make this work to our advantage and Earth's advantage, the advantage of everyone still alive? Then yeah I'm going to consider it, and not shed too many tears if the worst comes of it for the Saiyans." He finished still looking down to his palms which now rubbed against one another. A mix of anxiety and trepidation all jumbled together as he internally felt conflicted. His eyes narrowed and hardened, the weight of his own words and feelings sinking in. it was like a contraction in his chest a nervous tightening that shortened his breath. It wasn't in his nature...well hadn't been to care so little about someone's life. But, he supposed that's what his life was now. A tangled web of unusual thoughts and emotions full of anxiety. He hated it, hated how he felt, hated what he believed and even if they were Saiyans, just Saiyans, wasn't he half Saiyan?
He closed his eyes and grumbled a sigh through his nose. Gohan brought both hands to his face and rubbed down from his forehead to his chin and back up. The flurry of emotions inside of him making him altogether uneasy. Until he felt a hand upon his right forearm. He opened his eyes to see Bulma's hand and a thin, sad smile on her face.
"It's going to be alright Gohan." She assured, her eyes showing that old determination he remembered them having many times in his childhood. He felt the slightest tinge of anxiety fade away. Though he could only manage a thin appreciative smile in kind and a heavy sigh.
"Look, I can't and won't tell you how to handle this. I don't know if I would want to. Just, well just be careful alright? Don't get yourself into a tough spot you can't get out from, and you know just be careful with these guys. Whether you ally with them or not." She patted his arm causing another thin appreciative smile from Gohan.
"I will, don't worry about me Bulma." She scoffed a laugh out.
"Please, if I don't I'll be the one who'll have to explain to your mother what happened to you if things go south! And that, is scarier then any android or Saiyan attack." Gohan began laughing to that joined quickly by Bulma. It worked wonders on relieving the tension in the room as they both shared a moment of mirth in an endless barrage of seriousness and pain.
"Right...yeah, don't worry Bulma. I'll do my best to make sure you'll never have to do that."
"You better!" She warned playfully and began rising form her seat.
"Alright well, I'll leave you to your thoughts then. Just...you know, let me know if and when you make a decision, and we'll go from there." He nodded.
"I will." She sighed and turned away back towards a hall leading towards the basement.
"Oh, and Trunks woke up a while back. He asked for you, but I told him you were off training. Best I could do. So, when he sees the bandages from your little scrap try not to make me sound like too much of a liar please?" Gohan nodded again.
"Don't worry I'll explain as best I can."
"Good, and how about while we're at it, you keep away from those monsters until after you're actually healed?"
"Alright alright, yeesh! You really are turning into my mother." Bulma rolled her eyes and gave a scoff while turning back towards the hall.
"Well someone has to look after all you boneheaded, quick to fight men. If your mother were around I wouldn't have to do as much, but you know." She gave a smirk over her shoulder causing Gohan to chuckle and wave her off. As she disappeared into the hall Gohan was left alone at the table, his mind rummaging over the recent developments, the ideas and possibilities. His hands still rubbed nervously anxiously and with trepidation over one another before him on the table as he mulled over his options. Yet, the reality was for the most part Gohan didn't do much thinking.
The day wore on, the sun grew high and low and soon it would set fully leading to another night of total darkness. Gohan chose to sit in silence, contemplation being a secondary state of his mind. He wanted the silence, wanted the answers to come to him, but often they didn't. Just the stray idea here and there. He was also tired, for all the usual reasons and in the usual ways. The fighting of the androids, and the endless drive to keep going, but he was also tired from his wounds. Because, after his midday tussle with the twins again, he felt like every old wound from Gingertown was just as raw as the minute he had made his escape.
So, several utter silent hours later, save for the shuffling of his hands and the intake or release of air from his lungs, Gohan found himself still at that table. The sun was once more falling and the orange tinge was meeting the room and all of the fallen West City. His eyes were drawn to his hands set upon the table, as they had been for the passing hours. They were droopy and tired, his wounds were beginning to hurt from the painkillers beginning to wear away and his mind ever went back and forth with silent questions and answers on what he should do, or what he must do, or what he had to do.
Gohan sighed heavily once more. His eyes turning at last towards the window. There he saw the orange light of the dipping sun pass across the mangled shadows and remains of the city. His mind still mostly a blank and blur as he sadly imagined, and remembered what West City would look like now. The same, different? He didn't know really, but with every wrecked home and ruined spire, every torn and eviscerated car and shop, and with every hole or crater in the ground he knew there was a story. The story of a body, or bodies, of those who suffered because some old man hated his father for doing what any good person should have and could have done! It made his blood begin to boil once more, and his eyes narrowed as his hands clenched, and again an echo of some power rippled through him. Until Gohan snapped his hands apart and clasped them to the back of his neck.
His eyes closed as a grimace became plastered onto his features. He breathed, and deep breaths at that. In and out, and repeat to calm himself from the turmoil inside, and anger. Most of it directed towards the twin killers, but the rest reserved still for himself, for all those he had let down, and would, or could let down if he didn't make a choice. He opened his eyes, and they looked blankly, solemnly even towards the ruined remains of West City, and Gohan knew that he could fail them, as he had been for years by being weak, too weak to stop the androids. Or, he could fail them by refusing to ally with some alien strangers hell bent on revenge. Or, and this caused his heart to sink, and mind to wander old familiar dark trains of thought, because he could fail them by choosing the aliens and live to regret the moment he had.
"Father!" Gohan seethed lowly as he anxiously, and furiously rubbed the back of his neck with both painfully clasped hands.
"I can't do this! I can't be asked to make decisions like this. Not when so much more rests on it." He whispered in argument with himself. Gohan wished in desperation a voice would respond, but he knew it wouldn't he'd been here before.
"The whole damn world, everyone on it, everything on it, and I'm the one responsible. Me!" He shook his head. "Why can't I ask for help? Why can't I finally get others on my side who stand a chance?! Why shouldn't I take a chance and save those I can?" Gohan scoffed at himself and found his right fist knocking against his forehead in aggravated self rebuttal.
"Because what if it blows up in your face? Then you've let a bunch of killers help kill murderers. What do you do if you lose control? Do you kill them, can you, should you?" He lowly intoned towards himself with ever more frustration. Until he again sighed heavily and rubbed his face with both his hands with the dimming sunlight shining through the window upon him. Gohan again fell into silence, his mind both racing and going silent with too much and too little thought. The pain racing through him muddled his mind, and his aggravation helped the endless cycle continue. Making him just wish he could have someone choose for him, to answer the questions he couldn't and take the risks that mattered. He sat there, resting his face into his palms, his elbows propped up upon the table, and felt his eyelids wearily droop behind his hands. The soreness and hectic day wore down on him with every passing minute. And Gohan knew he had to make a decision, but he didn't know what to do, what to choose and how to choose it.
"Gohan?" He snapped up and turned towards his right facing the entrance to the room. There in the entrance Trunks stood looking at him quizzically and with head tilted. His body was lined in bandages still and his eyes betrayed him and showed more than enough pain still coursing through him as he stood there.
"Trunks, hey." Gohan greeted with a smile and dip of his head, and motioned for the younger boy to come nearer. Trunks smiled thinly in response and came into the room and sat where Bulma had hours ago with a faint thank you to Gohan for the offer.
"You know, you shouldn't be out of bed."
"Heh," Trunks chuckled. "I can take it. Mom just over worries." He said with a hint of pain in his face as he settled back into the chair causing Gohan to offer a smirk.
"Maybe, but don't get too annoyed with her. All moms are like that I think. My mother hated me even training with my dad before he...well died. As a kid you don't appreciate what they feel when things like this happen. Well, I mean not every kid goes fighting killer androids on a daily basis, but you know what I mean." Trunks nodded.
"Besides, when you're older and they either die or you leave them and you're on your own you begin to miss the small things. Their worrying, their doting, their concern and comforting hand."
"Why don't you go visit your mom?" Trunks asked unexpectedly of Gohan whose face turned into a sad smile.
"Truth be told, I'd like to Trunks. I miss her, and her cooking." He laughed getting another from the boy in kind.
"But, as far as the androids are concerned she doesn't matter. She's just the wife of the dead Saiyan Goku. Even though they know who I am they really could care less. Though, I sometimes swear they are willingly ignorant and forget who I am just to test me. The whole 'blondie' thing you know." Trunks nodded.
"Well anyways, I think they don't care about some 'old woman,' up in the mountains. And I don't want to risk them suddenly getting interested in her. I don't want to have to worry about her along with everything else. I don't want to...I can't put her in harms way." Gohan smirked again though.
"Trust me though, if she could she'd be out there fighting the androids punch for punch! She's not the type of person you like seeing angry." Gohan again laughed at old memories, and spats between his aloof father and stubbornly serious mother. Trunks chuckled too, but again winced from lingering soreness.
"I bet. After all she married Goku!" He stated with an old air of hero wonderment in his voice causing Gohan to smile and nod, with his own hint of sadness in both actions.
"Well anyways, that's why I don't visit her. That's also why we have to be careful about how often we stay here in West City with your mother. She's strong willed just like mine, but the androids, if you annoy them too many times would undoubtedly come after her just to hurt you." Trunks' eyes narrowed and he dipped his head down. His mind immediately going to distant places and thoughts.
"Well, we'll stay until you're fully healed. Then we should get back to your training in the wastes again." Trunks nodded and seemed to jump at the prospect. In fact the boy came to a sudden and wobbly stand.
"I'm ready to start when you are Gohan! I'm more than ready I promise!" He raised his fists and looked all to eager towards his master. Gohan chuckled very lightly and with no more than a breath of air.
"I get the excitement Trunks, but you're still healing. We can wait."
"No we can't!" Trunks retorted thrashing one hand in a swift motion.
"We can't wait and sit around and do nothing while those...those monsters are out there killing everybody! We can't hold back because of me and my stupid mistakes!"
"Trunks," Gohan raised his hand to calm the boy. "Stop berating yourself! Was it a mistake to fight the androids as you had and rush in? Yeah probably, but like I've said, I've done just as stupid things." Gohan offered with a renewed smile causing Trunks to solemnly sit back in his chair, head still facing down as he silently sulked.
"You probably saved my life with that stunt Trunks. And you're no good to me, to your mom, or to the world one foot in the grave and the other following close thereafter it! Training is good, great even, and we will get you to transform." Gohan placed an assuring hand on Trunks' left shoulder, again trying to calm and placate the boy form his dejected mood.
"But training until you're half dead, pushing yourself so hard that it begins to wear away at you, that serves nothing. Everyone needs us Trunks, needs you, and for you to give it your all you need to be back at your prime. Health and all, so don't push yourself so hard, and don't be too hard on yourself!" Trunks nodded his head and flashed the faintest of thankful smiles up towards Gohan.
"Thanks, I guess. I just don't like being usel...I just don't like sitting around waiting for something to happen. Not anymore. I don't wanna just sit here and regret it later." Gohan nodded, patting the same shoulder he had been clasping before letting his hand fall.
"Hey, trust me I get it. I mean just look at me now!" He pointed to all his bandages causing Trunks to nod.
"Yeah I meant to ask, what happened? Mom said you went off to train on your own, but..." Trunks trailed off.
"Yeah she made a little white lie. It's not her fault, she honestly didn't know I was gonna do what I did. Heck I didn't know!"
"What did you do?" He immediately asked with confused narrowed eyes.
"It's a long story Trunks, and I've already told your mom. But, the short version of it? Some people have arrived on Earth from space-"
"Space?!" Trunks cut Gohan off with a louder than expected echo of Gohan's words. In return Gohan raised his hand again to calm him.
"Yes, space Trunks. I've told you the stories so I mean it can't be that big a shocker right?"
"Well yeah, I mean no! It's just that...wow, more people from space came?! Were they aliens or...well I guess anyone from space is an alien..." He trailed off making Gohan shake his head with another chuckle.
"Look, before you get all excited let me explain. You're not gonna like some of the story I have to say anyways." Trunks silenced himself and nodded. His face again taking on a more serious expression.
"The androids attacked another city." Immediately Trunks' expression turned gloomy and sorrowful. His head tipped and eyes narrowed in anger. But, he simply nodded his understanding without saying anything.
"Peri City. I didn't know about it until I turned my radio on." Gohan pulled it out and held it up for a second.
"However, what made it strange was that I had felt, sensed new energies on Earth. Strong energies, not greater than mine or yours but strong. They seemed to be coming from the east, near Peri as well. That's what made me pull the radio out in the first place to hear if anything was happening. When I got there, the city was pretty beat up, but a good portion still stood, because the androids had been distracted. They were fighting one these aliens, a Saiyan." Trunks' head immediately shot back up with an astounded look and curious glint in his eyes.
"A Saiyan?! Like us, or I mean, Goku and..."
"Your father." Gohan nodded, completing Trunks' statement.
"Yes, and there wasn't just one, but two of them. Along with some soldiers I assume work for them. They had come looking for your father. But, well I told them after I got them free of the androids what had happened."
"Oh." Trunks simply intoned nodding.
"To get them away from the androids I ended up kinda getting myself into another round with both of them. Took a solar flare to get away, but I did manage to pull them off of Peri City, and if I know them as well as I think I do, they'll be too pissed to go back and slaughter what people are still in the city. Especially since I pulled them towards the northern mountains."
"What about the Saiyans?" Trunks asked with a hint of excitement and curiosity still in his voice.
"Them, I sent to Gingertown. With the androids incapable of sensing energy it was pretty simple to get them out of there and have them wait for me until I got the androids off their tails." Gohan chuckled suddenly. "Literally in fact." Trunks rolled his eyes but did flash a hint of a smile in return.
"Anyways, I got to them in Gingertown, and yeah you can see it didn't go over so well with the androids." Gohan raised his scraped and patched up arms and lazily motioned to his equally scratched up face.
"The one in charge, an older Saiyan named Paragus wanted to see your father. Him being the old Prince and all. But, I told them he was gone, and I had figured they'd leave after that. Especially since they saw me as a Super Saiyan. They know they can't face me in a fight even if they wanted to. But, I guess they want to help out." Trunks raised a curious brow.
"In what way?"
"Well, they want revenge against the androids. For your father, for their killing him. But..."
"But what?" Trunks asked.
"I'm not sure how much I can trust them." Gohan stated matter-of-factly. Trunks shifted in his seat. Obviously having something to say, and Gohan remained silent waiting for him to just say it, but Trunks waited in silence for several more uncomfortable moments.
"What...never mind." Trunks began and immediately shut himself down.
"No, go ahead and say what you want Trunks. Believe me, I'm all ears." Gohan offered with another smile.
"Well...okay. I don't know, I wasn't there...I wish I had been," He offered causing Gohan to nod knowingly.
"But, if they wanna help why not let them?" He asked innocently.
"That's the very same questions I'm dealing with Trunks. However, I guess I and your mom have more...experience with Saiyans, pure blooded ones than you. It wasn't too long ago when my uncle, your father and his friend came to Earth and threatened everyone with death or enslavement." Trunks sighed. Hearing of his father's exploits wasn't new to him, but still hit the boy hard. Knowing what his father had been and what he wasn't.
"There is a ruthlessness to Saiyans. But, hey," Again he clasped his hand to Trunks' shoulder. "My father was also a pure blooded Saiyan. And as for what Vegeta was, there was...well there was more than just blood lust to him. I saw and heard him on Namek. There were more layers to your father than even I know Trunks. So, yes there is more behind him behind my father and every Saiyan. But, does that mean I should welcome these Saiyans with open arms? Allow them free and open access across Earth to help bring down the androids? It's a tough choice for me, and one I find harder with every moment to think badly about." Gohan sighed this time, and leaned into his chair. His dark eyes now going distant in thought.
"As much as I worry about what they could do, or what they may want to do to Earth if anything, without your father around I can't say I can resist their offer so blatantly."
"You said you went Super Saiyan in front of them though. I mean, that means you're stronger than them right?" Trunks offered and Gohan nodded, though his eyes narrowed.
"Yes, but-"
"But what?" Gohan shook his head.
"I don't know. Maybe it's nothing. They didn't seem too surprised or concerned with my strength. Then again they had heard of Frieza's defeat by my father. They knew of what Super Saiyans were. Hell, the other one, the one who I found fighting both androids wasn't Super Saiyan, and he didn't really talk much. But, he was holding his own against both of them. I would assume from what I saw and felt. That means he's got some strength if nothing else." Trunks again, suddenly jumped to a stand, his fists raised confidently as he looked to Gohan.
"Then I say we let them help! You're stronger than them, but if they can help fight the androids, and want to then I say we let them! Besides, you're saying they came for my father right?" Gohan nodded, though he felt immediately where his young pupil was going.
"Well, just tell them about me! Tell them I'm Vegeta's son! That would make me a Prince right?!" Gohan shook his head more sternly now.
"No Trunks."
"What do you mean no?!" The boy asked with his brows furrowed and frustration spiking.
"Trunks," Gohan sighed and ran his hand across his face as he groaned in his own frustration.
"The thought had crossed my mind. Don't think it hasn't, but you don't know Saiyans like I do. I've told you about your father...more than maybe your mother would have liked but from what I've told you of Vegeta I had hoped you'd understand there is an inherent...well violence to them." Gohan saw Trunks' expression become downcast again and he retook his seat.
"Now there was more to Vegeta, as I've told you before. There's more to you and me and my father but we're only half Saiyan, you and me. My father well...he wasn't your typical Saiyan." Gohan almost smiled at saying that, and imagining his father's big goofy grin in his mind, but he didn't.
"When the Saiyans came to Earth, your father, his friend and my uncle they killed plenty, and from what I remember hearing from Vegeta himself, from my father and even Frieza and his men the Saiyans are dangerous if even only in their potential to destroy and their love of doing it. So, even if I went to Paragus and told him you were the son of the Prince, the son of Vegeta I have no clue how he'd react. What if they see a halfbreed son of their Prince and hate you for being that? What if they think you're too weak, and decide they'd be better off having the title for themselves?" Gohan leaned in again and placed his comforting hand back to Trunks' left shoulder.
"You're neither weak, nor should you be ashamed of your human side Trunks. But, them? I don't know what they'd think, and until I can get a better read on them I don't need them playing games with pride and honor and all that Saiyan crap with you. We have far bigger fish to fry more important battles to deal with. I don't want to risk you getting hurt." Trunks remained silent and looked down angrily at his many bandages with a deepening scowl.
"Because I'm too weak to fight them." He intoned darkly.
"Maybe," Gohan began catching a quick jerk of motion from Trunks who gawked at Gohan who smirked.
"But you'll get even stronger. And when that happens, these Saiyans, and the androids won't stand a chance against you Trunks! Then, if you want, you can tell them you're royalty and all that. Just don't expect me to bow to you." Gohan chuckled, and it took a moment but finally Trunks smirked a little to and nodded.
"You sure you can't bow? Even a little?" Trunks chanced a small joke to break the slight tension in the room, and Gohan reclined back into his seat and shook his head.
"Sorry, 'Mr. Future Prince of all Saiyans,' but I'm only half Saiyan. I'm gonna have to pass." Trunks chuckled along with Gohan as they sat in the dimming orange sunlight breaking through the window. Until another moment of silence crept upon the room and both returned to their thoughts.
"So...uh," Trunks began again, sounding meeker than moments before. Maybe a tad embarrassed at his outbursts with Gohan.
"What do you plan to do about them Gohan?"
"To be honest, I'm not sure. Not yet anyways. And I've only been thinking about it since I got back. But, I'll let you know when I've come to a decision." He smiled in what an assuring manner and Trunks nodded.
"Anyways, let me worry about our alien visitors. You still need some rest." Trunks groaned rolling his eyes.
"I've been in bed for days Gohan! I wanna get back to training!"
"Well, look at it this way. Since you were so badly hurt, as a Saiyan you get the power boost I told you about. So, when you're back at a hundred you'll be even stronger than before! But, the only way we can test that in our next training session is if you get the rest you need to fully recover." Trunks groaned again but leaned into his seat nodding long with what Gohan said. A slight twinkle of excitement in his eyes at the prospect of getting stronger, even if it was by being beaten by the androids.
"Now, best get back to bed before-"
"And just what do you think you're doing buster?!" The ever shrill and unique voice of Bulma cried causing both half-Saiyans to jump in their seats. Both turned towards the entrance to see her, big dark circles around and especially under her eyes. Her eyes were narrowed in on Trunks and her arms crossed over her chest as her long blue hair lay tied behind her back still as it had from earlier in the day.
"Oh uh, hi mom!" Trunks began nervously.
"Don't 'hi mom' me! You're supposed to be in bed, and resting!"
"I've been resting for days!" Trunks retorted immediately. "If I 'rest' any longer I swear I'll not only lose my mind, but my muscles will...what's the word?" Trunks' brow furrowed for a moment before his face brightened in realization in an instant.
"Atrophy! Yeah that's it, atrophy! Come on mom, I'm fine." Trunks assured waving Bulma off. Her eyes twitched, a noticeable action Gohan had noticed her do in the past when annoyed. However, she suddenly calmed, her face contorted into a smirk and she sighed, though, Gohan could sense the feigned manner in which she sighed.
"You're right Trunks." Both Gohan and Trunks glanced towards one another confusedly.
"I am?"
"Yep, you're totally right! You're not hurt, you don't need anymore rest! I should let you get right back to training with Gohan, and on the double!" She went on and approached Trunks alongside his chair.
"Uh..." Trunks uttered still in confusion. Then Bulma clamped her hand down on Trunks left shoulder, tightly for her standards where Gohan knew he was sore still.
"I mean," She patted her hand down hard, almost slapping his shoulder and he immediately winced.
"You look fine, seem fine, and sound fine," She kept patting his shoulder over and over and Gohan shook his head seeing her tactic.
"Why shouldn't I let you get back to throwing yourself in harms way?! I mean," She feigned a laugh. "What's the worst that could happen right?!" She sent a final, and just as feigned, slap against Trunks back.
"Ouch!" Trunks sharply cried out in pain and jumped up from his seat. His face etched into a wince from the sharp stinging pain that radiated from his wounds across his body.
"Oh I'm sorry Trunks, did...did I hurt you?" Her voice dropped to a just as fake concerned tone as she cocked her head towards a still wincing Trunks.
"I mean, I couldn't have. After all, you're impregnable, invulnerable, invincible and totally beyond needing any form of rest at-"
"Okay okay, I get it!" Trunks finally acquiesced as Gohan snickered near to him.
"I'll head back to bed." Trunks relented sounding more meek than ever and rubbing his left arm. Bulma in kind smiled sweetly.
"Aww that's my boy. Now go on then head right back to bed." She shooed him along pushing him back out of the room towards his own. A furious blush crossed along his face as he turned and waved just as meekly back at Gohan.
"Well uh goodnight Gohan, see ya' later." Gohan chuckled and waved him off as Bulma pushed him on and on back out from the room. He looked back out the window, the sun truly beginning to set, and his body again racked with pain nearly everywhere imaginable. He leaned into the desk and he let his mind wander. Uncoordinated thoughts and ideas and possibilities plaguing him, refusing to leave him be. Even as his eyelids drooped and sore muscles begged him for a more worthwhile and much needed rest. But, Gohan remained, remained as the sunlight faded and turned the sky to darkness. Remained thinking, musing, wondering and hoping. All that he could do and choose what was right. All of this as he leaned ever more into the desk, and his eyes finally closed and his body refused to let him remain awake. That was where Bulma would find him just a short while later and shake her head at the sleeping and awkwardly placed half-Saiyan. His head resting on his arms against the old table, but his face ever contorted as if he were still deeply in thought even when sleeping.
"Oh Gohan." Bulma could only utter as she fished him a blanket from another room and tossed it over his hulking sleeping frame. Her own face sorrowful. As she knew he had more to think about on an already big plate. She left him there, herself needing to catch at least a few restless hours of sleep. In fact, all within the Capsule Corp, building would have restless night's rest, if even for far differing reasons.
"Where is the ship now?" Paragus asked one of his men monitoring one of many terminals inside his ship. The soldier typed near incoherently along the terminal and remained silent for a moment while Paragus shadowed directly behind him.
"It's still hanging back, sire. From what the senors read it's still in the same spot as before. It's been there for hours, quite some distance from the planet itself. But, easily only a few minutes away if it actually came in for a landing." The helmeted man replied turning slightly towards his Saiyan master. Paragus narrowed his eyes as he watched the monitor connected to the terminal which bleeped with the location of the alien craft that had been in pursuit of himself, his son and men.
"Then what are they waiting for?" He intoned lowly and more to himself. The soldier said nothing knowing his sire hadn't addressed him, and nervously glanced back to the screen as his master remained silent again for a few moments longer.
"Inform me if anything changes." Paragus commanded, and not for the first time that night, and swiftly turned and began walking away from the soldier.
"Ye...yes sire, of course." The man replied sighing in relief and turning back to the terminal to watch a screen for several more hours.
Paragus walked for some time. Passing his men, all of whom bowed at his presence, until the elder Saiyan managed to make his way down the ship's ramp again. The cool night air whipped along his frame and sent his cloak whirling as he gave a steely glare towards the distant stars hanging high in the sky. His thoughts and senses both turning towards whatever, or whoever had been, and apparently still was, chasing them. He could only gain the faintest hints of power, but yes something was up there. Stronger than the average strength of one of the human natives of this world. But, weaker than he would expect. Though he only smirked at that.
"Hiding your energy then are you? That's okay, so are we." Paragus chuckled darkly and shook his head and stepped further from his ship's ramp.
Around the ship his men had made a small camp. Many still chose to remain inside the ship in their own now less cramped quarters. Some had set up small terminals and tents the former of which Paragus had little idea to their use, but presumed they were there for a good purpose. Either way, he passed these men as well and they jumped up and bowed towards him much as those within the ship had. All of them having since learned the fate of the Prince upon this rock. All of them knowing their mission had changed, and their jobs had since become a tad more...permanent than before. As they now all stood in service to the new King of all Saiyans, but more frighteningly, his son as well.
Paragus barely acknowledged them. In fact he gave them sideways glares most of the time. He found most of them pathetic, both in their pathetic power levels and strength and in their bumbling, bungling, kowtowing and subjugation to him and his son. He found having subjects interesting, fun even, but these men, this mercenary horde, he found nearly useless. But they did give him the look, and feel and weight he needed to appear kingly. That, and now they served his new purpose in gaining the half-Saiyan's trust.
"Hmm, what kind of King has no servants anyways, I suppose." He intoned to himself as he marched on and some ways away from the scattered campsite. There he found his son. Broly stood tall and monolithic as ever. His back towards Paragus as he stood upon a small rising incline on what was mostly relatively was looking back east as far as Paragus could see and remained unmoving as his father came up alongside his son along his right.
"Sense anything interesting, my son?" Paragus asked. The faintest shadow of a normal conversation in his voice. Broly remained unmoving for a few seconds longer, his gaze narrowed. He nodded then pointing his finger outwards before himself back east.
"The inhabitants of the city, I no longer sense them." Paragus cocked an inquisitive brow and turned where his son stared out. He could still sense a blanket of small and insignificant energies upon the planet, but he had to admit he had never been one to perfect or attune his sensing abilities. Unlike his naturally gifted son, of course.
"Hmm," He grumbled. "I suppose the brats returned and killed everyone left. But, what does it matter anyway." Paragus waved off seemingly without care.
"A couple dozen, hundred, or however many, humans doesn't matter to me. So long as this planet survives the fits by these two 'androids,' long enough for us to kill them it really doesn't matter how many of its inhabitants die." Broly dropped his hand and nodded numbly.
"Yes, father." He agreed in robotic a manner.
"Besides," Paragus returned to looking at his son.
"We have bigger things to worry about. The ship following us is still in space. They haven't moved in yet, but I suspect they will soon. A day or more I can't predict, but we must be ready. Any alien that has enough spine to follow us after feeling your strength must be either foolish or strong enough to believe he has a chance." Broly only numbly looked to his father at that comment. However, his face still showed no true emotion.
"In the event it's the latter and not the former we may need to prepare for you to reveal your Super Saiyan form. We won't be able to hide your strength from our new friend on planet, but I'm sure I can think of an excuse to tell." Paragus smirked coldly.
"Besides, he's in more than a desperate situation here. Refusing our help isn't an option, even if he feels a tad betrayed in learning his Super Saiyan form and that of his father's or the Prince isn't so special." Paragus chuckled just as darkly as he reveled in his own assured thoughts and schemes. Broly, as ever was quiet and merely nodded along.
"Either way, if and most likely when, these fools come down to the planet I expect you to kill them as soon as possible if we're alone. If our new friend is with us...well you'll wait for me to improvise. Understood?" Paragus asked even as he clenched his right fist and the dim purple glow from Broly's crown illuminated out. His son took on that ever familiar strained expression but calmed and nodded.
"Yes, father."
"Good. Then you should get some rest, if possible. Tomorrow I expect our friend to have come to a decision. Seeing as he hasn't much room left for other options." Again, Paragus said with assurance.
"I shall remain here, for a time longer, father." Broly returned causing Paragus to raise his brow inquisitively again. A momentary frown crossed his face as his son again showed a hint of his own will, but Paragus tried to shake it off. After all, his son had shown free will before, even in small bursts like this. Who was he to care if he wanted to remain standing motionless in the night looking off into the random distances of this planet?
"Right, well I will see you in the morning, son." Paragus tentatively raised his right hand to clasp his son's right arm. He paused though as his eye glanced at the controller. A new frown crossed his face and some feeling entered him that churned inside his core. He growled lowly and shoved his hand down and walked away from his son who remained totally unfazed by his father's actions.
Paragus would go on to his own quarters secured in knowing his will dominated Broly's thoughts and actions as he lay down to rest as a newly made King. Not knowing that his son couldn't get two things out form his mind. The sound of an endlessly wailing baby, and a one uttered name from some memory that felt more like instinct.
"Kakarot."
His hands balled into fists and the night carried on.
(Many Years Ago)
"My, your son does have quite the tenacity Arctis."
"Oh yes, he has great potential. Of course he has little in comparison to your son and you. However, he could prove a valued member of our species nonetheless." Arctis replied as he sat next to King Cold himself. The massive Arcosian lord of the universe hummed in dull agreement as he swirled a glass of wine in his right hand. Before them, two small figures dashed towards one another and their punches collided sending a plume of unseen air flowing over their fathers.
"I am afraid that you're more than right Arctis. Frieza has more power and potential than any in our race have ever even dreamed! The boy needn't even train and already he outclasses all his age and many of the lords at that."
"Of course, it is a sign assuredly. Of not only your family's dominance but of the inherent greater worth of our people in all the universe. When he becomes Emperor, willingly after a long fruitful reign by yourself Lord, the universe will tremble beneath him! I would imagine most of the worlds would simply fall to their knees and beg to become part of the Empire." Cold smirked and chuckled in agreement, finally sipping his wine.
One of the boys before them, Antarcis howled and charged at the other, Frieza. He raised his right fist and leapt up into the air, his til swinging with him as he charged down to smash his fist against Frieza. However, the Arcosian prince smirked and raised his right forearm and connected it with the blow that sent another rippling wave of impact energy through the arena and across their fathers.
Antarcis swung his body right kicking his left foot out but Frieza swung under it and Antarcis flew into a wild spin. Frieza jumped up and threw both hands out unleashing a powerful unseen telekinetic wave that through his opponent several feet back into a hard crash against the dirt beneath them. The ashen white Arcosian jumped back up shaking in pain and turned back toward Frieza who silently returned to the ground smiling. Antarcis wiped blood from his mouth and smirked as he again charged after Frieza. The Prince extended his arms out downwards as if inviting the blow, and as Antarcis neared he readied for the attack. Antarcis threw his left arm back reading what looked to be a punch as his right arm came across himself in a blocking guard.
As he came to Frieza, the Prince threw his right hand up to catch the punch, but then Antarcis swung his right arm out smashing his fist against Frieza's right cheek. His left hand extended forwards in a flash and a deep purple blast of ki energy loosed itself encompassing Frieza entirely and wrapping him in its light.
"My, but your son certainly has potential." Cold expressed to Arctis who reveled in the praise...even if it was for his son.
"I dare say your family has a worthy heir, Arctis. Hopefully he's smart enough to play his cards right and know his place." Arctis didn't let subtle threats bother him. It was the way of his people, and so he chuckled whilst nodding.
"Certainly he will, your Majesty. He will be nothing but a boon and of great service to your son in the coming times."
Frieza appeared as the ki blast faded and he was totally unfazed. He swung up and swirled around smashing his tail against Antarcis who was flung back again. Frieza gave chase zipping past his opponent and slammed his right foot down impacting Antarcis' back sending him slamming into the ground with a great cry of pain escaping him. Frieza then angled his left hand downwards and a magenta ball of ki formed before immediately exploding down breaking into many streaks of energy that pummeled the downed boy over and over again as dozens erupted from the one in Frieza's palm.
Antarcis lay still for a few silent moments after Frieza finally ended his barrage and landed to the ground with his arms placed properly behind his back. His smirk never wavered and he remained waiting for his opponent to rise.
"You...enjoyed that...way too much." Antarcis intoned as he pushed off the ground shaking in more pain. Frieza chuckled.
"I always have to teach you the same lesson is all, Antarcis. You hit me, I hit you back...just harder." Antarcis got to a full stand and turned towards Frieza and dusted himself off from the dirt and did what he could to mask the pain etched along his face.
"Well...that's only because I like to try and hit back harder than that, Frieza." Antarcis returned his own smirk.
"Hmm, another lesson then? How troublesome you can be Antarcis." Frieza and Antarcis both chuckledand returned to their fighting stances. Though in truth Frieza's consisted of crossing his arms and waiting for Antarcis to attack. The two of them had fought many times before, mostly at the insistence of their fathers who liked to watch from afar and revel in their own glory through their sons. Of course Frieza was always the victor, but the two shared what could be considered a camaraderie, perhaps even friendship. At least for their people. It had taken quite a long while to form, Frieza was never one to easily accept the company of others. However, his father's insistence again caused him to spend time around the other Arcosian boy. In time, they both had come to enjoy the others company. Even if it was clear to all whom was the stronger by far between them.
Antarcis again rushed Frieza, his right fist flung back, but Frieza swung to his side, and his tail flew outwards and upwards thrashing the other boy upwards. Frieza jumped up and threw his own right arm up and slammed it down throwing Antarcis into the dirt with a crash. Then a hard kick from Frieza sent him flying back and away from both of their fathers until he slammed into a mound of dirt with a heave of pain, and finally stopped.
"What a display. I do hope Frieza doesn't kill your son this time, Arctis." Cold chuckled further causing his fellow Arcosian lord to frown as he glared at his distant son.
"Antarcis!" He called catching both his son's attention as he shakily pushed off the dirt, and Cold's attention as well.
"Use fifty percent of your strength son! Give us a show!" He commanded with a feigned calm and even 'sportsman' like voice. Though this elicited a frown from Antarcis who nodded all the same, and a renewed series of chuckles from Cold who nodded without saying anything.
"My my, our fathers are being competitive again Antarcis." Frieza declared with a smirk along his face as he neared ever so slowly towards Antarcis who came to stand nursing his left shoulder.
"Yes...always in need to show they're not weak via their sons." Antarcis added seething through the pain.
"I suppose...I should allow him to carry on that delusion for a time longer."
"Of course. But, just realize it'll be pointless in the end."
"I know." Antarcis smiled as Frieza dipped his head. Almost seeming to bow in preparation of a coming duel. Antarcis in kind slammed both feet against the dirt and lowered both arms and extended his fingers outwards towards the ground as he pulled on his ki with the full control gifted to his people. It began rising, his power loosing from within, though he did not raise himself a level and release himself from the most contained state of his race he was within currently. Still, the ground began to ever so slightly tremble beneath the rising strength, and Frieza merely remained standing still with an ever present smirk along his features.
Finally a slight shimmer, a spark of electricity it seemed crackled up along Antarcis. Starting from his feet up towards his head it shimmered and circled along his form like a ring around his body. It rose up and crackled until it snapped and caressed itself along his body unleashing around him and turning from one glowing bolt into hundreds that swarmed over every inch of him as his ki was unleashed to fifty percent of his strength in his current form. Just as his father had wanted.
"Hmm, by the light show I might have to be bothered to raise my strength by a whole percentile!" Frieza spoke with a snicker.
"Though, I suppose I'll have to wait and see if you've gotten any stronger since the last time you were forced to go this far."
"Perhaps a tad, Frieza. Because, unlike you," Antarcis smiled and caused Frieza to cock his head curiously. "I practice." Antarcis lunged faster than before, slamming his foot against the ground as he leapt ahead. Frieza was indeed caught off guard and took a defensive step backwards as Antarcis skimmed forward at immense speeds just above the dirt until he came before Frieza. He twisted around slashing his tail against Frieza's chest just managing to thrust him towards his right from the impact.
Antarcis came back around unleashing a hard right hook into Frieza's exposed left cheek further knocking him down to his right and releasing a percussion wave that exploded outwards from the pair. Antarcis threw his left fist up and slammed into the underside of Frieza's chin before extending his right hand forwards and releasing a magnificent blue wave of ki that enveloped the prince in its light.
Just as Antarcis began smiling from his display a hand came out from the light show grasping at Antarcis' face roughly and eliciting a slight shriek from the boy both from pain and shock. Frieza's face came forwards smiling, no trace of pain about him as Antarcis ceased his ki blast, and Frieza released one powerful shot of energy from beneath his palm grasping his friend, sending Antarcis backwards thrashing up dirt as he tried to remain standing where he landed.
Frieza made several 'tsking,' clicks of his tongue and shook his head condescendingly before throwing a sharp right hook of his own followed by a left punch that doubled Antarcis over in just as sharp pain. Frieza threw a left punch that threw Antarcis down towards his right, and Frieza caught him with his right arm and threw him back so hard Antarcis fell onto his back.
"Unlike everyone else, Antarcis," Frieza began as he stood like a pillar over the fallen Arcosian. "I get stronger by simply...well being me." He laughed and again kicked his opponent away. Antarcis stopped himself mid flight and rebounded up to an upwards angle just as Frieza came flying in with a hard kick of his right foot into Antarcis' stomach again and again doubling him forwards in pain with a gasp. Frieza gave no moments rest, lunging forwards and slamming both hands clasped as one down onto Antarcis' exposed head. He flew down a few feet with such a crash the ground shook violently sending dirt and a wave of air flying outwards that crashed into both of their fathers.
"Oh bravo son! A stupendous display indeed!" Cold clapped with a laugh as Arctis feigned a smile and glared ever more angered daggers at his son. Who was pushing back off the ground in ever more pain. Antarcis glanced up to see Frieza looking down at him, ever with the smirk, with his arms behind his back.
"You...do enjoy this too much."
"Why of cou-" Just as Frieza began with a chuckle, Antarcis flew up slamming his left fist into Frieza's stomach. He threw his right fist into a hard hook into his lurched face. Then Antarcis threw his left foot back up into a furious gut kick, followed by a series of punches across Frieza's form that seemed to fling his body in all directions as Antarcis pounded his fists into him over and over. Each with force that sent Frieza staggering backwards. Antarcis threw another right hook, flipping into a spin and slamming his tail down forcing Frieza face first into the dirt.
He flew up and lifted his right hand backwards with his index finger raised. A massive ball of ki that glowed hot red tinged with orange that beat down across the entire arena, as it were.
"Well...Arctis it seems your sons is...well, not down yet." Cold intoned. The faintest hint of concern in his prim and proper voice. Arctis narrowed his eyes and smirked towards his King.
"Oh yes, my son certainly has possibility, King Cold. He will serve our people well. As well as Lord Frieza, willing and all." Arctis gave a lazy wave of his hand catching a glare back from Cold, that the massive Arcosian fought to mask.
Antarcis howled as he flung his arm own and the Death Ball went hurdling through the air towards Frieza who had jumped back up into a stand. He stood upon the ground without raising his arms, but only cocked his head upwards. Dirt lay across both he and his armor marring his pristine figure. His crimson eyes bore no hint of emotion beyond dull awareness as they looked upwards. With the ball growing closer and sparkling with power as Antarcis remained in the air directing the ki blast towards Frieza both of their fathers jumped up from their seats. Both sweating, both wondering, dreading and hoping their son would come out the victor! Both knew who had to win, both knew it had to be their son! Had to be his first win, and had to be one among many!
No one saw Frieza smirk, yet again.
The Prince raised his left hand, only his index finger protruding and the dimmest of magenta lights forming at the very tip of his blackened nail. The death ball growled nearer to him and his eyes narrowed further as he then released a simple, single one death beam. The beam tore through the ki ball and in a flash and roar it exploded sending an immense wave of power flooding across all the region and all four present. Antarcis shielded himself from the release of energy from the premature explosion.
Frieza tore through the air, and seemed to more teleport rather than fly. Within a blink of an eye, or half of one, he was before Antarcis. He grabbed the Arcosian boy's shoulder harshly yanked him towards himself, and threw his knee up which connected savagely with Antarcis' stomach once more and a string of blood flew from his mouth. Frieza grasped Antarcis' head in his left hand, his right fist slammed into his face, then his right hand grasped his head and the left fist connected with Antarcis' face. Frieza swung around his tail latched his neck and the Prince spun himself in the air several dozen times quickly at a sickening pace before releasing his tail and hurdling Antarcis towards the ground with another great crash against the dirt.
The dirt that had flung up forming a cloud of dust settled only slightly against some frigid winds. Antarcis pushed off the ground, his face contorted in pain once again, and his arms shaking. Then a thundering crash sounded as Frieza slammed feet first into his back and Antarcis howled in pain as he slammed into the dirt again. His back feeling broken...or near broken if not. Frieza clasped his toes like hooking prongs onto the back of Antarcis' head, lifted himself off his body save the foot, and then shoved with all his current strength forwards. Head first Antarcis was tossed forwards, his head carving a mighty gash in the dirt where he lay and move. Frieza flung himself in a flash upwards and raised both hands up. His hands at head level, fingers slightly curled in, he formed two magenta colored ki blasts as he hung in the air several feet far above Antarcis who lay broken, bloody and beaten below.
A howling laugh loosed itself from Frieza and the boy flung both ki blasts down towards the fallen form, and they stung the air as they went.
"It would appear, that my son has once again utterly defeated your-" Cold began, but suddenly Antarcis fired two blue hued ki blasts into the ground tearing through the soil and launching himself up just missing the two balls of power that slammed into and tore the ground apart even further. Antarcis swung around one final time as he found himself hung in the air just across fro Frieza as the ground exploded beneath them casting colored shadows across both their frames.
Antarcis held both his hands up in a fighting posture. Frieza crossed his arms still smirking and loosed a simple huff. The explosion dimmed below them and revealed a massive crater with chunks in the soil missing where both Frieza and Antarcis' had released more ki. Both fathers looked up, watching and waiting for their sons to do something. Cold held his own smirk mirroring his son, Arctis felt his eyes twitch, as he willed through his stoney glare, for his son to do anything and everything to not make a mockery of him again before the King.
However, Antarcis merely returned Frieza's smile. He dropped his arms to his sides, and he bowed himself from his waist whilst in the air. The pain that coursed through him gave him cause to nearly vomit from the sensations but he contained himself through it. Frieza bowed his head in approval and both Arcosians silently fell to the ground upon both of their feet. Arctis growled low and leaned back into his seat.
"Excellent! Wondrous show Frieza!" Cold clapped thunderously raising himself into a full towering stand.
"Really father, you show so little sportsmanship." Frieza began catching the King off guard who cocked his head to the side inquisitively.
"Antarcis, as usual, proved a good fight. Even if I have won, yet again of course." Frieza chuckled his usual boastful and assured self. Antarcis finally ceased bowing and raised himself up shaking from the constant body wracking pain. He turned himself towards both the King and his father and dipped his head towards the dirt, his eyes narrowed both from pain and the gnawing sensation and feeling of his fathers eyes upon him.
"Ah yes, of course." Cold began, his voice dripping with his refined accent.
"Ever tenacious, you are to be commended for that, Antarcis." Cold offered with a slight dip of his head.
"Thank you, your Majesty." The boy responded with a nod of his own even as he remained dipping his head in reverence of the King and Prince.
"As are you, Arctis." Cold turned towards his fellow Arcosian lord who placed the best fake smile he could upon his face.
"Your son is ever an inspiration for all of our kind. Of course, my son is the best amongst us all, but that is to be expected."
"Of course, your Majesty." Arctis nodded.
"Hopefully given time, he will prove to be of more use than currently shown. A shame, that at fifty percent he is still far too weak." Arctis sighed and crossed his arms. All the while his son heard him and narrowed his eyes further and balled his hands into fists. Cold chuckled and began speaking again with his father but he hardly paid it any mind, as the Arcosian boy felt something rise in him. It was heavy and gnawed at his chest and caused his jaw to tighten. Something prickled at his eyes and he knew it then to be the most hated thing among his species. Or, better put, one of the most hated things. Antarcis growled and nearly hiccuped as a gasp of angered weeping nearly broke through at his fathers disappointment with him. His left hand came up and he feigned wiping dirt or blood or anything from his brow, and angled his hand low to forcefully cast aside a burning tear that loosed from his left eye.
"They do drone on don't they?" Antarcis barely hid what could best be described as a sniffle and faked snorting in a large breath of air as he glanced to his right where Frieza had come to land beside him. The fellow Arcosian Prince looked to their fathers with his smirk never waning, and his eyes trained on them.
"My father, so powerful, but so inclined to revel in my glory. A shame really. To never have confidence enough in your own skills. He could maybe kill me if he tried, but then he would lose the title of fathering the most powerful being in the universe." Frieza chuckled, Antarcis shook his head. His 'friend' as ever had the oddest thoughts he had ever heard, even from among his own people.
"What does personal power matter when you're dead?" Antarcis offered catching a sideways glance from Frieza.
"What they want now is a legacy. Something to be remembered for, and not be ashamed of. Something that is presented to the universe as being part of them but greater. To be ashamed of that legacy is worse than death itself." Antarcis offered again faking something in his eyes, this time his right, as he quickly and hurriedly swatted burning tears away.
"Hmm, a shame really. When they are themselves dead and forgotten only their legacies will remember them." Frieza offered, again casting Antarcis a sideways glance and smirk.
"When you rise further than your idiot father thinks possible then the worlds will know the name Antarcis, after mine of course. We will rise, and they will...well they will be forgotten and made relics of the past. So, wipe the tears away faster," Antarcis froze and looked towards Frieza who now looked forwards away from him.
"They are wasted on fools like our fathers." Frieza chuckled and walked towards his father leaving Antarcis alone who indeed did wipe the tears form his eyes, and felt his blood boil as he looked to his own father. He looked then to his future Lord, Frieza, and back to his father and felt a burning rage cast a sneer across his face and his hands turned to tightened fists yet again.
"I will show you father." He growled and kept his head hung low, as he limped slowly forwards towards the group.
(Present)
Antarcis opened his eyes. He sat alone on his throne and he idly turned right to check on the approximate arrival of his squad. His computer showed still many hours left to go, and he sighed lowly through his nose. His memories flooding to him of his father, which brought forth a disgusting taste in his mouth, and more importantly of Frieza. Whom all in the universe had come to know, come to fear and call master, and who was gone. Antarcis looked to the blue orb far off again and felt a heat of rage boil inside him. Where others had feared and hated Frieza he had found something, found one being who would talk to him even knowing he could crush him like an insect. He believed Frieza talked to him, had come to enjoy his company because Antarcis didn't and hadn't feared him.
He smirked at the thought. Frieza, always had been one to enjoy the fear of everyone around him, but why kill him? Antarcis knew of course. He didn't fear dying, could have been a good thing really considering his family. He wasn't afraid of Frieza because he would do anything to appease his father, and if that meant fighting the most powerful being himself then so be it. In that, Frieza had found something unusual, something that had piqued his interest. They had been well...Antarcis wasn't sure if the vocabulary was correct, but he would hazard to say friends.
So, as he again, kept waiting for the eventual vengeance that would be wrought upon this tiny insignificant orb afar he remembered his Lord, and friend. If who and what he thought was down there was in fact there, he felt it in his very core that he would, and had to, make them suffer.
"Perhaps, it would appease both our fathers, my friend." He mused lowly in nothing more than a weary intone and again closed his eyes, losing himself in memory as the endless wait dragged on.
17 stood scowling across the street from where he stood. His hands were currently planted inside the deep, and oddly comfortable pockets of the brown coat he was wearing. He imagined the insides of the pockets were lined with wool. Was it wool? He scowled further as he didn't know really. He figured his sister would, but she was currently elsewhere. Still, he was surprised, the day was bright and sunny, he was wearing just the coat atop his usual outfit, though minus his bandanna, and literally no one noticed him.
He glanced right and looked up at the towering spires in the distance. The gleam of the sun shining and casting a shine down upon them that swept across his face. The city was bustling as people walked down the sidewalks. Cars floated on by, some of them had wheels, hell the one he was leaning on had wheels. He liked them with wheels, he thought. Well, he hadn't driven many hovering ones. He scrunched his face as a woman passed by in front of him and smiled kindly his way, mumbling a greeting of some sort. He feigned a smile and as she passed rolled his blue eyes.
"Maybe I should steal one next time I have a chance." He intoned watching one of the hovering cars fly by him again on the road. He sighed and leaned further back against the red car behind him. It was a bright shade of red, had no top and was the quintessential sports car, so he has been told. It was sleek and slim, two seats only, shining and spotless...well now it was anyways. It had been covered in dirt and debris and had its dead owner still inside when he had fished it out from the rubble for his sisters little day out. She had insisted on a car, for a bit more of...what was the word, 'normalcy?' Of course, he smirked, she hadn't expected a car like this. He had made it spotless, gave it a quick, and easy wash, and plucked the dead guy out of it of course. They had driven it, well partly anyways, into good ole' East City. One of two big cities he and his sister hadn't destroyed yet. He knew it would come eventually, but he liked watching them think they were okay, at least for now. That they had hope of surviving. But 17 knew they were clueless as he watched a man and woman, pushing a stroller with two kids, who giggled and babbled their lives away pass him by. They paid him no mind, and he smirked as they passed. He raised his right hand, and made a gun gesture at the back of their heads.
"Poof, gone." He chuckled as nothing happened, much to his annoyance which elicited another sigh. He pushed his hands back into his pockets and watched the people around him some more. He numbly glanced over his right shoulder towards yet another store his sister was currently parading through. Herself wearing some new burgundy shirt with a lightly colored purple vest over top of it and jeans that matched the vest. She appeared, in his opinion, a little too normal. He turned back and faced the opposite sidewalk again.
17 got it, wanting to pretend, play a game, that's cool and all. But being 'normal,' just to do mundane stuff like shopping, and driving a car? He liked cars, never needed to drive one, even before the old man had turned him into what he was, but in that case he never got the chance more than didn't have to or want to. 17 looked around and saw just scores of games to be had! Each car, thirty points! Each family twenty points, if you got all in one shot forty! A building full of people, a straight hundred! Hell, 17 would even play on arcade games when his sister would tag along, but this?!
"Ugh!" He groaned aloud and swung around leaning forwards onto the crimson shaded car and laying his forehead down on the trunk of it. Itself packed full with little trinkets and clothes 18 had gotten. All of it with...procured money they had collected from those who no longer needed it of course. To that he smirked. He did find it funny, that two orphans, no money, no family no nothing, were chosen by the old man to become what he was. Now he and 18 had everything, and could have anything they wanted. He found that funny, in his own kind of way.
"Hey!" 17 snapped up at his sisters voice. She stood just ahead of him, wearing her little getup and holding two bags easily in both hands full to the brim with clothing and shoes.
"What, did you buy out the whole damn store?" 17 retorted and she smirked but rolled her eyes motioning for him to get off the trunk. He did so and she popped it open to join her new bags with the old ones.
"No, but I did get so many good pieces in there. I can't wait to wear them out!" She cheerfully went on causing her brother to roll his eyes and lean back more on the side view mirror.
"When we're doing what? Blowing a city sky high? Oh boy, here comes the super powerful killer 18, here to destroy us all whilst being amazingly fashionable!" 17 laughed and 18 cast him a glare.
"Remember, you're the one with the destruction fetish. I could do...other things."
"Like?" 17 prodded and she sneered slamming the trunk closed.
"Things!"
"Aw come on sis, you know as well as I that you love a good round of destruction."
"Yeah sure, I do, but you have turned it into an art."
"Well, I wasn't going to brag-" 17 began but 18 scoffed and waved him off.
"Look it's my day remember? If I want to get some new clothes I'll get them, and if I want to wear them while destroying a city or village or...I don't know killing Goku's kid then I will. If I want to wear them while going out to eat something then I will! That work for you?" 17 raised his hands in surrender and chuckled.
"Fine sis, whatever you say. Though you do remember we don't have to eat right?"
"Don't have to, but I for one still remember food. You should try it again some time." She retorted and 17 shrugged.
"Haven't had occasion to really. Too busy having fun." 18 waved him towards the car and they traded spots and he walked around to the right where the wheel was. On this car anyways, and planted himself in the seat while she got in on the left. He leaned his right arm along the wheel and angled towards his sister who was playing with some new pair of earrings using the rear view mirror to adjust them.
"So, when's it out?" She paused and glanced at him confusedly.
"When's what out?"
"Well the movie of course!"
"What damn movie?" She turned more towards him with an utterly perplexed look on her face.
"Oh, sorry. I just thought with all the jewelry and clothes and the sports car, not to mention the best damn driver in all of East City that you had to be in movies." She rolled her eyes with a huff again and returned to her earrings with a hint of a smirk on her face.
"Very funny. At least I can change up my outfit from time to time. You insist on putting the same crap on everyday, and going back for the spares Gero left us each time they get ruined. Remind me, how long did it take to convince you to put the damn coat on?" 17 again raised his hands in defeat and chuckled as he fished the keys out from one of his many pockets.
"So, seeing as it's still your day, where am I hauling you and your wardrobe this time?" 17 asked finally fishing the keys out.
"I mean you've already cleaned like three clothes shops and two jewelers."
"I didn't clean them out 17. Quit being such a baby" She admonished and leaned back into her seat.
"Hmm..." She hummed in thought and caused her brother to groan in his waiting. He looked forwards at the passing cars heading down the street to his left and watched as a huge semi-trailer came into view hauling, Kami knew what. He eyed one forwards wheel on the truck for a few seconds as the light had turned red ahead of it allowing the cars heading down the horizontal street through.
"Hey," He swatted 18's shoulder catching her attention.
"Look there." 17 nudged his head towards the truck and she looked at it numbly.
"Yeah, what about it? What want to go steal it?" She slightly mocked.
"No, better." 17 smirked and turned to his sister with excitement clear in his face.
"I bet you I could cause that truck to crash without anyone noticing us." 18 cocked a curious brow.
"17-" he raised his hand immediately.
"One bet I swear then I'll leave you alone. But, come on, I bet I could!" She sighed rolling her eyes and crossing her arms.
"Fine, but if they realize we're who we are you can carry the car back." 17 laughed and leaned his right hand over the top of the front window of the car. He again made a gun with his hand, and just before the tip of his index finger a small, and nearly invisible yellow ball of ki appeared. The light turned green and the truck whirred as it began moving forwards and 17 tracked the wheel with his eye and hand.
"Annnnnd, bang." He mock fired his 'gun,' and the ki ball exploded outwards silently and slammed into the tire popping it and causing a small explosion to burst out. The truck immediately lost control and began swerving as it drove forwards and screeching as its driver tried stopping it, but it was too late, and it slammed into the car along its right crushing it and the people inside before it toppled over onto its side skidding along the road, as passerby's began shouting and screaming at the sight. It slammed through a hydrant or two, a stop light and crushed another car in the horizontal path against the wall of a building before coming to a stop.
"And, the finisher!" 17 laughed as he snapped his fingers, and deep within the truck's engine a second ki orb hung waiting for its cue, and then it exploded. A massive fireball ripped out thrashing pieces of the truck in every direction and smoldering the car it had crushed while throwing dozens of people in the area to the ground harshly as the winds ripped over the area along with a great bout of heat.
"Ha! Told you so!" 17 laughed, but 18 smacked his shoulder.
"Shut up you idiot, or you'll give it away." 17 nodded and sat down in his seat just as pieces of metal debris and smokey remains began falling from the sky along with glass shards. Though honestly 17 didn't know where those had come from...probably a car.
"Alright, alright you've had your fun." 18 shook her head.
"Now there's a mall not too far from here. That's our next stop." 17 still snickering nodded and revved the car's engine as people around the two were couching and screaming from the explosion and sudden crash of the truck. Some kid was wailing and caused 17 to grimace but he didn't bother to know or care why of course. The distant sounds of fire trucks neared or possibly police, more than likely both actually, and 17 made a quick U-turn and booked it down the street, paying no mind to the people watching the scene or numbly walking in their dazed stupor.
"You know I don't think a truck's engine would cause an explosion that big." 17 shrugged.
"Whatever, they won't have anything else to work with. Way I see it, it'll be a mystery for many weeks to come." 18 chuckled as she folded her hands behind her head and leaned it back into the seat as her brother drove on. Both of them now thoroughly enjoying their day.
Gohan sat outside of old Capsule Corp with the day's sun beating down on him and the ruined city around him. There was one little bench outside, he remembered he had sat here before. Back when the city was alive and full of people, and when his dad or mother would bring him to Capsule Corp. Mrs Briefs would sometimes be out near it, setting down whatever glass of refreshments she had cooked up for everyone. However, there was little room for nostalgia today, as usual. Across from him Bulma sat, her blue eyes hard and narrowed in concentration like his own as silence passed over them. Silence between them did not mean silence overall of course, as both listened to the radio Bulma had rushed out for Gohan to listen to.
"...understood to be destroyed, but a good portion of the city remains intact. It's..." The radio cut out, and caused Gohan to sigh, and stomach turn. He didn't want to know what Bulma had heard that made her come running out to have him hear, but...well he knew he had to.
"...Despite that I can tell everyone listening that in fact not a soul remains alive in Peri City. Bodies are...everywhere, and large sections, as I said are gone, but more disconcerting is the silence that remains among the central sector. Hardly any signs of destruction, but deafening silence."
"What can you-" Some other voice began talking, likely an anchor or something hiding in whatever shack that passed for radio stations these days, but Gohan stopped listening. He jumped to a stand slamming his hands down against the table causing Bulma to jump in surprise and nearly drop the radio.
"Those miserable bastards!"
"Whoa Gohan!" Bulma began raising her hand to calm him, but Gohan's face was twisted in rage and his body still, ravaged by soreness pain, shook violently.
"I led them away, and they went back to kill them all!"
"Well...it wouldn't be the first time they destroyed a city out of spite Gohan."
"I know!" He snapped and again Bulma recoiled some. Gohan, seeing her response lowered his head and sighed.
"I know, Bulma. I had just thought, well I hoped they'd be too annoyed, too angered by my stunt and fighting our newcomers that they'd call it a day." He smacked his forehead harshly before slamming his right hand back to the table.
"Shows how smart I am right?! Can't even think of a good way to make them annoyed enough now!"
"Come on, Gohan! Stop being so damn negative and attacking yourself!" She demanded cutting through his lamentation, and crossing her arms.
"You can't and couldn't have stopped them from destroying the city if they really had their minds set on it. So stop beating yourself up and realize you did your best! That's all anyone can ask of you." She eased up only slightly still chastising him like his mother would have. That brought a glimmer of a smile to his face, but it erased itself almost as quickly as it came.
"I guess." Gohan shrugged and rubbed the back of his neck as a sudden wave of weariness overcame him.
"As I've said before, you did your best." She offered with less aggressiveness than before, and with a softer look about her. Though, as Gohan glanced up at her, he could see she too was disturbed by the information. It hung heavily in her eyes. And that only made Gohan all the more angry and tired. Always was he damn tired!
"Well...let's look for a bright side huh?" She offered with a new, and feigned smile. Gohan scoffed and shook his head.
"What bright side is there in a whole city being killed Bulma?"
"Don't know, just trying to...well I don't know. Alleviate the mood some? It's not healthy. Constantly being depressed, worried sick, and in fear of imminent death or worried that those you care about or know are in death's sights." Gohan nodded.
"Yeah, yeah you're right." He snapped back to a full stand and stretched as a hard look overcame his face.
"Which is why I need to kill those two." He fell into a series of stretches that honestly hurt every muscles he sought to work on, but he didn't care. He needed to be ready, needed to get ready. Do something!
"Oh, so the plan is to get all ready to go kill yourself?"
"Nope, just get stronger and help in destroying them as best I can."
"Help?" She repeated with a questioning stare, but Gohan didn't reply and instead flew into a series of unbelievably fast punches and kicks at the open space from the table. Only causing Bulma to sigh and shake her head.
"Well, I guess if there's any silver lining, they left some of Peri standing. I mean, more than West City anyways." She slumped back down onto the connected table seat and looked out across her old city. However, Gohan paused. His fist still punching the air, his legs set about in a forwards attacking position and eyes narrowed and brow furrowed. He turned towards Bulma with the expression still etched onto his face.
"The city?" Bulma looked up at him and shrugged.
"Well, the guy did say the center was still mostly okay. Better than here anyways." She lazily waved her right hand across West City's remains.
"No, no wait a minute." Gohan again approached the table and sat down across from her.
"I know that, but it just hit me. Bulma, when I led them away I knew the center was still relatively okay. I thought if I pulled them away those in that part of Peri would run as soon as possible."
"Right, and?" She asked with her brow now furrowed in confusion.
"And, we've seen how those two handle a city." He waved his hand out at West City this time.
"Why'd they leave the central part intact? When I left them at Gingertown they almost wiped it off the face of the Earth." Bulma cocked her head and brought her hand to her chin thoughtfully.
"Well they could have...no," She cut herself off. "No they're not self controlled enough to just go building to building killing everyone. Yeah...yeah this doesn't make too much sense now that you mention it." Gohan nodded and ran both hands through his hair ruffling it.
"Ugh, this makes no sense! I know these two, I know they'd have destroyed at least half the city to make a point if they were pissed with me! Why'd they leave it standing? I mean, the parts that were still, whatever!" He waved his hands as he kept thinking on it.
"Well, what do you think happened if...well what do you even think happened?" Bulma asked leaning into the table.
"I don't know." Gohan cocked his head to the side. "Not yet anyways." He stood up again and Bulma followed him.
"I don't think I'm gonna like-"
"I'm just going to go have a look." He held his hand up to ease her obvious coming vocal concerns.
"Besides, you heard the reporter, the androids aren't there. I just need to see if there's something, anything at all to explain what happened.
"Not without me!" Both suddenly jerked towards the house as Trunks came bounding from around the corner. A simple long sleeved white shirt on, and just as simple blue jeans and his usual boots on. Though a prominent bandage still lay across his right cheek.
"I'm tired of just laying here doing nothing!"
"Trunks-" Gohan began but the boy held his fists up, half excitedly and half angrily.
"You said it yourself, the androids aren't even there! I'm not looking to fight, I'm looking to help, and be useful! Please!" Trunks pleaded, and Gohan sighed and glanced Bulma's way. The woman looked at Trunks, a sad look in her eyes, and something else Gohan couldn't quite place. She then smiled, it was thin though and she nodded.
"Yeah, you should take him with you Gohan. It's just to see right? What's the worst that could happen?" Trunks looked shocked and wide eyed as he turned towards his mother and gawked for a moment. Gohan shared his feeling, but as he looked at her, he figured what he was seeing in her was something akin to acceptance. Of what, Gohan could only imagine, though, he did glance at Trunks and have an idea.
"You...you mean it?!" Trunks asked with a sudden grin on his ace and wide eyed excitement about himself. Bulma rolled her eyes and nodded.
"Yes, now hurry and go you two, before I change my mind." She shooed them off and Trunks nearly jumped for joy as he turned to Gohan. A determined look now set in his eyes.
"See, mom's okay with it!" Gohan smirked and held his hands up in defeat.
"Alright, alright we'll go. Just, if I tell you to do something, like hang back, just do it this time." Trunks gave a stiff nod.
"I promise."
"Alright then, Bulma," He cast her another glance.
"Me and Trunks will be back before dark. Probably sooner, but I'm leaving room for any uh...complications." Bulma nodded and again shooed them off.
"Alright, better hurry and go. Never know what might happen to your 'crime scene.'" She made air quotes and Gohan nodded, the old stomach turning sick feeling of helplessness shooting through him for a moment before he motioned Trunks to follow after him. He powered up for an instant, his white aura exploding around him and he exploded off northward towards Peri, and Trunks did much the same powering up.
"Be back soon mom!" He called out with a quick wave and glance and exploded off after Gohan. Bulma weakly waved at him as she left knowing he couldn't see her.
"You better be." She smiled sadly and sat in silence alone in an empty dead city.
"Why do I always have to deal with crap?! Can't you get-"
"No I can't." His Commander cut him off as he looked down on him holding his helmet under his right arm.
"You're the only tech that has any knowledge of this shit! Hell you told me that yourself! What am I gonna do, send Pitch or Kreme out looking for who knows what when you've got the specs and the knowledge for what we need?" The Commander replied, causing the tech sat on the ground to sigh angrily, himself arms deep inside the belly of the beast they called a ship trying to adjust some capacitors that kept air filtering when in space.
"Yeah, but I'm telling you this piece of junk needs a high power source, and from what the probe we sent here how many months ago, shows this planet has jack in the ways of self contained high energy batteries!" The Commander cast his gaze upwards at the roof above them and shook his head in irritation.
"Okay, first off, don't give me that, you can work with what the planet has to offer and make something I'm sure Emon." He rebuffed the tech by his name.
"Yeah sure, could," He paused and grunted as he brought his tightening tool to a loose capacitor bolt.
"But, the boss was pretty damn clear we can't ask the locals for any help in that department, because he wants to wait and see what the local Saiyan boy has to say to him or whatever. So, I'd be blind in finding any parts or relatively close parts to use in making a new battery for the second engine primer. Plus, if I dare go out and even talk to one of the locals, scare em, and the boss finds out, either he or his crazy ass son will gut me, so no thanks."
"You look close enough to pass off as a local...well minus the horns I mean." The Commander offered pointing at his own forehead in relation to Emon's twin horned head.
"Yeah well, close enough ain't worth me going to one of the few major pop' centers and asking the locals if they know where I can go to get some powering supplies for a large spaceship."
"Not saying you should, you'd get my ass fried and your own if you did." The Commander retorted again.
"However, Pitch did tell me the probe had found a suitable power source. The damn thing is still hanging in orbit taking scans." Emon stopped, his brow furrowed and he scooted himself out from inside the belly of the repair duct he found himself.
"Where?"
"Somewhere northeast in the far off mountains." The Commander slightly shrugged.
"Well I don't have any-"
"I sent a scout." The Commander cut him off raising a silencing hand.
"He reported that there is a city nearby but it's just to the west by some miles and the mountains obscure anything for just as many miles. You can be in and out in no time."
"Oh good a nearby city, how much you wanna bet they use this power source to run the damn place?"
"Hell do I care?! If you go and take it while they're all none the wiser who's to say we took it? This planet is going to hell by two crazed lunatic killers, so what if someone not alien to them comes and steals it? Plausible to me." The Commander offered growing obviously more exasperated.
"Okay fine, but what do you want me to do? Go out there and take it myself?"
"Well who the hell else will have even a clue at what they're looking at?"
"What me?!" Emon raised his arms as stared blankly at the man before him.
"You think I have any damn clue how one thing on this planet works all on my own? It'd be like throwing a bug a grenade and telling it 'here now use it.' Same basic concept for any other million scenarios! You got any idea how long it'll take me to retroactively find out how the damn thing works before I can even try installing and refitting it?"
"Well," The Commander huffed and made ready to leave. "Best get there quick then I guess." Emon stuttered in confusion but the commander pulled a small locator out of his belt pocket and threw it to him, which he caught. He looked down and saw it pinging to some preset location and pointing him towards it.
"What if the damn thing is huge and I can't lift it on my own?!"
"You're just about as strong as me or Commander Otato you'll be strong enough. Just go find it, bring it back and get to work. Or, you can be the one to tell Paragus you can't get his ship back up and running at its max when next he wants to use it. Or needs us to use it." Emon thew his hands up and slammed them back down on his knees in exasperation and gruffly sighed as he looked down at the little device.
"This gig and pay and worth this shit." He cursed and snapped back onto his back and inched into the duct again to finish this job before he set out to...who even knew where, to see what he could do with whatever this power source was.
Authors Note: So to begin I'd like to thank 'Cosmic Horror,' and 'Trich.' Thanks you two for leaving a review, because any little review certainly makes me feel good about going to do another chapter and I appreciate that you at least gave my story a chance even if you didn't stick around and wont even read this thank you, so yeah thanks! And also a big thanks to those of you who have followed or favorited the story as well even if you haven't reviewed it makes me happy to see people are enjoying the odd little ideas I have in my head. So again thanks all! :D
But I also wanted to acknowledge a guest reviewer. You didn't have a profile so I can't thank you directly for the many kind things you said, but if you're reading this then thanks a lot, it helps me get excited to write and go on. And I am also sorry to hear you don't like my Arcosian stuff and alien stuff going on, but Antarcis does serve a purpose to my story and rather than having him be one note and come in without history or charcter I am building a backstory that informs you to his reasoning and motivations and character. It wont be for everyone, I can't win them all, but even if you absolutely MUST skip his stuff I hope you like what else I have to offer anyways, but he will serve a greater purpose for the story come some time. But anyways, thanks again for the review man, and criticism.
So, with that all out of the way, again guys please forgive OR point out any and all grammatical errors so that I may fix them in time. I don't always catch them and soemtimes write too fast for my own good to have the time to go back and check it all with a line by line fine comb. Please if you find it in you leave me a review, and I hope you all enjoy this story as things will be getting a bit more crazy in a chapter or two. ;)
Edited 6/30/2017
