Five minutes before Krillin lost track of Android 18

It wasn't far to get to Capsule Corp, so it didn't take long to get to the edge of West City. Once there Vegeta reached out with his ki senses to find the person he was looking for, she had to be around this side of the city. Just as he turned his head while scanning the horizon, a massive explosion went off to his right. He felt nearly three hundred lives vanish from existence in an instant. Dark clouds began to form over the city.

That wasn't the only shock that the Saiyan received though, a few seconds later, as he was flying to where the explosion occurred, a ki signature that he was very familiar with vanished from the Earth. There was no ceremony to it, though it was a weak signature to begin with, normally there would be a steady decline until it was gone. But this time it just disappeared into thin air. Vegeta's face contorted in rage as he burst back into his Super Saiyan state. He was going to take his anger out on the next android he saw.

As his feet landed on the cement in front of Capsule Corp, deep cracks formed beneath him. Without a second's hesitation he began to stride towards the building. As he did the front doors flew open and two bodies began to emerge from the smoke.

"Ah Vegeta, tell me where Goku is or I'll kill this blue haired bimbo." 17 shouted before he was entirely in view. When he finally became fully disable he was holding Bulma with her arm wrenched behind her back and holding his free hand to her temple like a gun.

"This is not a good day to mess with me, android." Vegeta hollered as he took a strong stance a few yards from 17. "I just had an opportunity takes from my hands."

17 got an exasperated expression on his face as he listened to Vegeta. "Oh my god, please do tell me what has gotten your panties in a bunch," he feigned interest in his foe's problem.

"This concerns you as well, Metalhead," Vegeta began to half-smile, half-scowl, "Your target is gone."

"What?" 17 shot back, confused.

"I told you, your target is gone. Kakarot, the one you call Son Goku, is dead. His ki signature is non-existent." As Vegeta spoke, the density of the clouds reached it's limit and it began to rain.

"No! You're lying to me! There is no way that Son Goku is dead! Tell me that you're lying!" With his last remark, 17 threw Bulma to the ground and charged at the Super Saiyan. Vegeta dodged as quickly as he could, still catching a bit of the gust as 17's fist passed over him. Reaching up, the Super Saiyan drove his fist into the chest of the android. His foe flew upwards and so did the blonde fighter tailing him and delivering punch after punch, driving him into the sky, higher and higher. Finally he maneuvered above the android and ax handle smashed him into the ground far below.

He swiftly landed a few feet from the black haired teen. "Damn that felt great." Vegeta stated, smiling just slightly.

"How the Hell did Son Goku die?!" 17 questioned as he got to his feet slowly. As he stood he flicked his hair back, freeing some water that had been trapped there and revealing a scowl.

"I am just as confused as you, android. My purpose in life has been stolen from me. Ever since coming to Earth for the first time my only goal has been killing Kakarot. Now that I can't do that, I need someone to take my frustration out on," once again Vegeta's face turned from being somber to his usual cocky smirk, "Lucky you, you appear to be the only candidate around."

17 continued scowling as Vegeta launched towards the android. The proud Saiyan was met with a fist in his stomach. His eyes bulged and if he had eaten anything in the past day it would surely have splattered on the ground. He looked to his left at the blue haired woman and said one word, "Run!"

( ( ( ( ( ((O)) ) ) ) ) )

One minute sooner

The Demi-Saiyan of the future was starring down the growing form that was previously Dr. Gero when he sensed the same thing that Vegeta had picked up on. It was not the first time that he had lost someone near to him, hell, it wasn't even the first time that he'd lost his father, but it still stung as badly as when he was five years old. The difference from when he was five though, was that he now knew how to push those feelings down, how to not react to them. His orange gi was brushed by the wind as he felt the beginnings of a thunderstorm coming. He would have time to mourn his father's death later, as long as he made it out of this alive. Well, at least if Gero kills me I'll see dad soon again.

Turning his attention back to his foe, Mirai had no idea how strong this monstrosity in front of him was now, with the strength of three formidable androids now in it, the situation was not looking well. He clenched his fists and dropped into his fighting stance, without Vegeta around, he could unleash his full power and not worry about collateral damage. He had not been holding much back, but he was not about to take any chances. Gathering as much ki as he could and shoved it into his body. His muscles expanded a bit more, his hair shot up a bit straighter and his pupils dilated even more. Static flung around Mirai's body as he finished his power up. He looked over at his opponent and smirked. "Heh, thanks for not attacking me while I powered up, uncharacteristic for you robotic bastards. So, what do I call you now? You introduced yourself as Android 13, but were revealed as Dr. Gero, which do you prefer?"

The now blur face of the android twisted into a smile, his eyes were completely yellow, but somehow Mirai knew that he was glaring down at him. Mirai was hoping that he hadn't noticed the adolescent Saiyan put his arm behind his back. The android's long red hair billowed in the breeze as he responded, "I simply wanted you to be properly humiliated when I trounce you. You may call me whatever you like, you won't be using the name long anyways. Now, stop trying to buy time until your father comes to rescue you."

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Gero, but my father is no longer on this planet." Mirai retorted, choking down the raw emotions that were being brought up by this declaration, he was banking on the information throwing Gero off. By the expression that now appeared on the android's face he could tell that it was having an effect.

"What? You can't be serious! Son Goku cannot be dead!" Gero's yellow eyes had blue and red lines run across them quickly, it reminded Mirai of the lights the Saiyan scouters produced when scanning someone. "17 is fighting Vegeta and 18 is locked in combat with Tien and Yamcha, there is no way that Son Goku could have been killed."

"He either died of his heart condition, or that insectoid creature killed him." Mirai stated matter-of-factly, his tone was steady, but his curiosity was killing him to know what happened to his father. Still, having gone through this twice already, the pain was wearing off much quicker. If he were completely honest with himself, he was mostly mad, upset about the turn of events. Not only did he not avert the death of his father, he had also failed to prevent the androids from showing up and most of all he was mad at himself for not being strong enough to change the past.

"An insectoid?" Gero snapped Mirai out of his thoughts with his question. Perfect, I've bought enough time!

Without answering the doctor, Mirai zipped as quickly as he could in front of the blue brute, whipped his arm out from behind his back and rammed an energy blast into the chest of the android. Gero was instantly blown back a few feet, though he had no time to recover from the attack as Mirai was upon him, kicking and punching in every opening that he could see. Mirai's thoughts no longer roamed to the future or his father's unexpected death, his mind was solely focused on the fight at hand, just like his proud mentor had taught him.

After a barrage that lasted nearly a minute there was a lull in the impacts that Gero felt on his body. He opened his eyes and peered upwards to see Mirai's two hands encircling one another coming down at his head. He threw his arms up to block the impact a second too late and he was rocketed downwards towards the earth below.

Rain was now falling at a steady rate as Mirai looked down at the ground where his for had landed. He reached his organic arm up until he was touching his forehead with his pointer and index finger. Revving up his ki he began to scout the ground for his prey. "Come on out, Gero. I have a special surprise for you!"

As he scanned to the left he saw the hulking form of the android dash off towards a mountain range. Running away, at least his character didn't change as much as his appearance.

Without another second he extended his arm and launched the ki that he had been building up from his finger tips, "Special Beam Cannon!"

He watched the corkscrew shaped beam fly through the air towards it's target. At the last second, Gero whipped around and fired a ki blast off at the beam. Mirai let out a confident smirk as he saw the futile attempt to deflect Piccolo's attack.

The smirk was immediately wiped off of his face, however, as he saw the blast begin to crawl it's way up his beam toward the demi-Saiyan. Shit! He's way more powerful than I thought!

Before anything could be done about the incoming blast, Mirai felt something shoot up behind him. As he turned around, his face was met with the gloved fist of Gero, sending him hurtling towards the ground. His path was interrupted though, as Gero's blast exploded on Mirai's back. He tried to correct himself and get back on an even keel with his android adversary, but Gero was not about to let that happen. Mirai received another punch to the face followed by Gero's knee to his stomach, forcing him to curl up. A bicycle kick from android sent the future warrior flying up into the air. Before he got too high up, his leg was grasped firmly by Gero, who proceeded to swing Mirai around in circles until finally letting him fly into the side of a small mountain. It collapsed upon itself as Mirai hit it, burying him in rubble.

Damnit! I can't believe he's this strong, I didn't underestimate him, I couldn't even comprehend his strength! Still, it's just like his last android body, he has incomparable strength, but no real fighting experience. As he realized this weakness, he began to form a strategy. He would play on the defensive until there was a significant opening, then he would strike.

The air began to get much hotter for a split second, something lit up in the back of his mind. From his studies in his youth, he suddenly recalled reading about meteorology, specifically thunder storms. A second later a bolt of lightning crackled down and hit a spot about five feet from Mirai. Another idea sprung into his head.

Smashing his legs free and charging off at his foe, Mirai prepared himself for the fight; this was about to hurt. In the state he was in currently he was much slower than normal, his base state was faster than he was now, but he was positive that he could still out maneuver Gero. As the gargantuan android shoved his fist forward towards the demi-Saiyan, Mirai twisted under the arm and delivered a solid kick to the android's side. As quickly as he'd struck, the Super Saiyan was out of range.

Mirai was as agile as a bee as he jumped around Gero, looking for openings. He made plenty of strikes, but his opponent was catching on to him. Just as he was dodging one of Gero's sloppy roundhouse kicks and poised to deliver a punch to the android's face, Gero let out a smirk. Lashing out with his arm, he grabbed Mirai by his good arm and pulled him in towards the android's fist.

"You can't beat me if you can't keep dodging away from me!" Gero yelled, rain flying from his goatee as he grappled with the demi-Saiyan in the pouring rain. Gero dangled him by the arm and kicked him in the gut, a blow that would send him flying, if not for the android's grip on his arm. Gero got a few more hits on Mirai in this fashion, more than the demi-Saiyan would like to admit, before he felt the air around them begin to heat up. Now's my chance!

Mirai summoned all his strength and flipped both of his feet up onto the android's face, pushing with all of his might. At the same time he gathered ki into his cyborg arm and released a massive blast at the red haired android. Gero let go of Mirai's arm and the future warrior took his chance, moving as fast as he could, he crouched below the android and pushed him upwards as hard as possible. I hope he's made out of metal.

With a loud crack, a lightning bolt zipped downwards, striking the highest object in the area; in this case it was Dr. Gero.

Mirai looked with pride as the burnt form of his opponent dropped to the ground. Perfect.

Without wasting a second, Mirai swooped down and began to charge an energy blast in his hand. He was not about to give the android any chance of recovery, not when victory was in sight. Reaching the spot where Gero had landed, extended his hand, and without ceremony launched the powerful blast into the injured android.

Mirai didn't believe his eyes as Gero moved faster than lightning, grabbing the blast and throwing back at the demi-Saiyan. Narrowly avoiding the blast, Mirai backed right into the hulking form of Gero, who proceeded to grip him by the back of the neck.

"I have you now." Gero snickered, "It's going to take more than an act of god to kill me!"

Heh, technically god doesn't exist as of three hours ago. Mirai mused in his head. He was drained of energy, even his mechanical arm was running on empty. This was it, he was finished and Gero knew it.

The huge blue android pulled his free hand back, keeping it as flat as possible. "It's time to die, Saiyan, say your last wo-"

Mirai waited for Gero to continue, but after a few seconds of silence he realized that it wasn't coming. Taking his chances he tried to break free from the android's grasp. Surprisingly, his hand was lax and Mirai practically dropped to the ground. Looking up, he noticed that the same lights were going off in Gero's eyes. That's when Mirai felt something as well. Towards the Southeast, there was a massive power increasing, a sinister, confused, herculean power.

Finally Gero stammered out a sentence. "H-how could she be gone?"

Mirai was completely lost, what was Gero talking about? Wait, he had mentioned that he could tell where 17 and 18 were at and who they were fighting, could he have meant android 18?

( ( ( ( (((O))) ) ) ) )

Krillin starred at the sea intently. Androids don't have natural power levels, so what am I sensing?

It had been nearly a minute since he felt the gargantuan power level almost half a mile from shore. In that small amount of time Krillin had never relaxed so much as a single tendon, he still couldn't be sure whether it was friend or foe. He would bet all of his money on the latter though, it just went along with his luck these days.

Finally the water broke about fifteen feet from Krillin, two prongs slowly rose from the sea, coming towards the Kame House at the same time. As it raised up, more of it's appearance was revealed. Krillin almost cringed at the insectoid figure that approached him now. Green scales seemed to cover most of the creature, varying in hue. What wasn't covered in the scales was either a ghastly orange flesh-like substance, or a smooth black exoskeleton armor. The scales appeared to cover any vital areas, while the armor was over his forearms and shins. The feature that really concerned Krillin however, was it's long tail that flicked back and forth constantly, further disrupting the water. At the tip of the tail was a needle that appeared to be almost a foot long, Krillin hated to think of that sharp utensil being used as a weapon. Finally the creature spoke.

"I assume you're the one that so graciously delivered 18 to me?" It grinned menacingly.

"Wh-what? Who a-are you?" Krillin stammered, afraid of the fight that he was sure was about to occur. Unlike with 18, he could sense this creature's power level, and it was massive.

"Oh, forgive me," it continued to smile as he placed a hand over his chest and bowed slightly, "I am Cell, our time together will be a pleasure, Krillin."

The short monk took a step back as he heard his name come from Cell's lips. "How do you know who I am?"

"Do none of the defenders of the Earth share information with one another?" Cell questioned, feigning impatience, "I could have sworn that I told Piccolo and Vegeta who I was just two hours ago or so. Didn't they tell you about the terror that I am?"

Krillin took another step backwards, passing the corner of the Kame house. "N-No. I haven't heard anything for a few hours."

"Well, to make this simple for you, I'm going to kill you shortly after all, I am a motley assortment of all the most powerful fighter's genes. I am more powerful than anyone on this planet, and I will kill every last one of you." Cell's eyes darkened as he finished speaking and dropped into a fighting stance, wearing a grim smile all the while.

Krillin gulped audibly as he prepared for another battle, shakily falling into a battle ready pose. He was not fast enough to track his opponent, Cell's fist drove right into his stomach, sending him hurtling into the Kame House. The short monk's eye's bulged as he gripped his stomach, a small yelp escaping his mouth. A few ribs were broken, and there were some ruptured organs in his abdomen he was sure. He had landed on top of Roshi's refrigerator, a few broken soda bottles were now lodged in his back, and a large bowl of tapioca pudding had flipped up and landed on his face.

Krillin slowly moved his hand to his eyes and rubbed them clean so that he could see. He immediately wished that he hadn't done so. Floating over the house was Cell, forming an energy attack in front of his hand, pointing right towards the small house.

"You are weak, a small roadblock on my way to perfection. I will permit you a speedy death, Krillin, maybe you'll be worth something in the afterlife. Now die!" Cell roared, releasing the energy bolt aimed for Krillin.

As time slowed down and the monk closed his eyes, accepting defeat, he head a few quick foot steps that became heavier as they neared. Then he heard a yell that was extremely familiar to him.

"Kamehameha!"

Opening his eyes, he saw Master Roshi, muscles enlarged tenfold, stood over Krillin holding Cell's blast at bay with his signature move.

"Get out of the way!" Roshi yelled, not looking back at his protege, "I can't keep this up forever!"

Krillin was dumbstruck for a second before leaping up and cupping both of his hands to his right side. Master Roshi won't be able to handle this alone. "Kame ha-"

Before he could charge his beam as well, Roshi grabbed onto Krillin by his gi and threw him out of the poorly hinged door.

"Get Yamcha and Tien and get out of here!"

Krillin looked at his master for a second before nodding. Roshi turned his attention back to the fight at hand once he sensed Krillin's ki begin to leave the area. The old mentor took a deep breath, exhaling very slowly. The energy that this kamehameha was taking up was monumental compared to anything that he had done recently. I wish I could look at a scantily clad beauty at least one more time. Oh well, at least I'm not exiting out of old age.

Once he felt that Krillin, Yamcha and Tien were all on their way towards the lookout, Roshi canceled his blast and dodged to his right. At the rate that the beam struggle was going, Cell would have overtaken him any second anyways. The large insectoid lowered himself to the ground, landing with a clack a few yards from Roshi.

"Ah, Master Muten Roshi, how would you like to spend your last living moments?" Cell stated with a sick grin.

The buff old man responded by charging his ki into his hands. "Cell, you have tried to kill my protege and you've destroyed my house. I don't care what your goal is, your actions have shown me that you are evil," Roshi began to move his arms around in a strange pattern, "Prepare to be defeated."

Cell's eyes narrowed as he unfolded his arms and began walking towards Roshi. "You can't be serious, there is no way you could defeat me!"

Roshi's arms finally stopped moving as they dropped to his side. Energy crackled and hummed around the old master's hands as his jaw tightened. "We'll see about that, Mufaba!"

Muten Roshi's muscular arms shot out forward, directly at Cell, unleashing a purple energy that arced it's way towards the foe. Cell's eyes widened as the energy smacked him directly in the chest. There was no pain right away, but after a second the energy began to drag Cell towards Roshi.

"N-no! What's going on?" Cell stammered as he desperately tried to gain traction. After a few seconds of trying to cling to something physical, Cell was lifted into the air as the energy began to spiral around.

"This is the mufaba," Roshi stated as he kicked a shoe box that was resting at his feet open. With a swift motion, the master of Goku and Krillin pulled his hands down towards the open container, the energy following his motion.

Cell could no longer sense anything around him besides Roshi, his entire vision was tinted a purple hue. The only other being on this plane was Roshi, who stood in front of him, right behind a swirling vortex that rested on the ground. A loud buzzing noise was all that he could hear besides the echo of his own voice and that of Roshi. Finally, the purplish energy shot down into the box, carrying Cell with it.

Roshi's body hit the ground as soon as the lid on the shoe box closed, rain falling on the ground all around him. He had protected the Earth one last time. He smiled as he thought of his students. Both Goku and Krillin had proven to be his greatest accomplishments, though he couldn't take credit for their raw talent. He had enjoyed watching them grow, strengthen their resolves, and learn new techniques. He had lived a full life, one that he could be proud of, friends and family had both passed on long before him. Soon he would be with Gohan, and his old master. It had been too long since he had seen either of them. His muscles changed back into their original size as his life left his body. He smiled weakly as he knew that his time was at an end. His smile vanished in the last second of his mortal life when he saw something horrific in front of him.

The box was beginning to tear.

( ( ( ( (((O))) ) ) ) )

Hey guys, sorry this took an excessively long amount of time to finish! Sadly, regular updates are not in the cards for this story, or any of my others. Hopefully this will carry you through to Chapter 17, which will be a good one, I promise. Sorry to leave you all on so many cliffhangers as well.