A state of emergency had been declared after the destruction of West City.
People were to evacuate their homes if possible and head to the nearest shelter, while military forces had been deployed to every major city. They were equipped with weaponry developed by Capsule Corporation to deal with energy-wielding threats. Whether it gave them a chance or not was yet to be truly confirmed; during tests, Trunks had noted the technology's potential.
Pan was too young to remember when the Androids had finally been destroyed and peace was restored to the world, but as she watched people flee the streets, rushing to their homes or the nearest shelter in a mass frenzy of panic, she figured that this must be what it felt like: the constant chaos, the fear and uncertainty, the ever-present threat that loomed over their heads. Her mother had taken charge and doing her best to direct people to try and minimise the panic and Pan had been instructed to do the same. But she couldn't help but look in the direction of West City, her mind racing with various scenarios on the situation: what happened to Trunks and the others? Where they still alive?
Her question was answered when she sensed them, but she could also detect an unnatural source of power near them. She couldn't make heads or tails on the signature, but whatever it was; it didn't bode well for her friends.
"They need my help," Pan thought. "Screw it, I'm going."
-X-
All the air in Trunks' lungs was ripped from him, like he'd been winded and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't breathe. It was impossible; it couldn't be Gohan. The creature had Gohan's face, but none of his open and friendly personality; it had all been stripped away, leaving a demon in its place. Even the clothes seemed to reflect the dark nature and what caught Trunks' attention the most was Gohan's earring: it was the same as Chronoa's, except green and gold.
"What's the matter?" 'Gohan' taunted. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
"You're not Gohan," Trunks growled, even though he felt unsure about his claim. "You're a dark imposter of him…a Gohan Black!"
The demon tilted his head, like a predator examining his prey. "Whatever makes you feel better…Trunks. Now, I believe we've prattled on long enough; it's time to meet your end."
His right hand glowed with purple energy, forming a short blade and he lunged at Trunks; the half-Saiyan barely had any time to react and his jacket was sliced by a wide sweeping cut. An energy blast follow-up clouted the half-blood and sent him tumbling.
"Azure, I require a bean," Ocarin said and the child complied. Once he devoured the bean, his strength returned and with a shout, he summoned his power and transformed into a Red- Eyed Namekian. "16, Tapion, distract him. I need to tend to Trunks."
The giant Android was already upon Black, bringing his fists down overhead with a roar. Black swung and collected him with a left backhand and stabbed at Tapion; the Konatsian felt naked without his sword and being forced to rely on his hand-to-hand skill made him feel vulnerable. Ocarin slipped past the one-sided fight and approached Trunks and started healing his injuries.
"I can't fight him," Trunks lamented. "It's Gohan…after all this time…he's come back."
"Snap out of it," Ocarin growled. "This demon is not your friend. He murdered your mother and countless others. If we don't put a stop to him now, he'll kill us all."
"Mom, who is that guy?" Azure questioned.
Lazuli didn't know exactly how to answer that. She didn't want to tell her daughter that it was Pan's father, Trunks' best friend…and her victim. But something about his energy was…off. Whatever it was, it wore Gohan's face, but it didn't feel exactly like the son of Goku. Then again, Lazuli never knew what his energy felt like, given she couldn't sense it back then, but even now, it felt wrong.
"Azure, I need you to get out of here," Lazuli said, as Tapion yelled in pain, his flank cut open.
"Grandma said that and she's gone!" Azure cried. "I don't want to leave you."
"You will do as I say and right now, I'm telling you to go; I have to help and I can't do that if I'm worried about you getting caught in the crossfire."
Azure glared at her mother stubbornly, but then she finally relented and held up her pinkie finger. "Promise me you'll come back."
Despite the severity of the situation, Lazuli gave her daughter a smile as she locked their pinkies together, taking Trunks' sword from her. "I promise. Now go. Keep the Dragonballs safe."
Black kneed Ocarin in the stomach and elbowed him into the ground. Azure took her chance and fled, as Lazuli looked over at Trunks. He was on his knees in despair and she couldn't blame him: she had done the same thing when 17 came back to life. But she watched as Gohan held his own against the others and it was amazing and terrifying at how powerful he'd suddenly become. As a Super Saiyan, he could only just hold his own against her and she killed him with ease; now, here he was, in his base form and dominating the opposition. She dropped the sword into Trunks' hands, but he barely noticed her, his conflicted eyes focused on Gohan.
"Okay, it's up to me to take care of business," Lazuli thought as she watched her daughter disappear from sight. "Time to make Bulma proud."
She focused on the power within and brought it to the surface; a bright glow surrounded her, momentarily stopping the fight and Black watched as the light faded to reveal Lazuli in her Super Android form. A month after Azure's birth, Bulma had managed to successfully bond the two 18s together, allowing Lazuli to transform into her Super state at will, much like the Super Saiyan transformation. She had only done it a few times after the bonding, given that she had no need to transform; now was a perfect opportunity to test her expanded power.
"What are you?" Black growled as Lazuli flew up to his level. "You have no energy, like this being here. You're not a living thing, are you? You're a creation…a facsimile of mortal life."
"Don't get smart with me, Gohan; I have killed you before and I will do it again."
He sneered and for some reason, it unnerved Lazuli. Gohan had never sneered like that; it made him look…ugly and vicious. "I doubt that."
He swiped 16 with his Aura Slide and the Android yelped as his cheek was sliced open. Lazuli shot forth and plunged her fist into the imposter's gut. Still on his knees, Trunks watched, his mind flashing back to when he was a teenager and witnessing Gohan's struggles against the Androids. But now, the roles were reversed, Lazuli fighting to protect Earth and Gohan…Gohan had murdered Bulma in cold-blood. The reminder caused Trunks to clench his fist, slowly drawing on his fury. The thought of having to fight his childhood friend…his best friend…his brother…cut him deeply, but his mother was gone and Trunks couldn't forgive that. The callousness of the act, in front of Azure, washed over Trunks' emotional pain and he knew he had to fight his best friend, to stop him no matter how much it pained the hybrid to do it.
Black dodged a Lightning Cutter by a hair's breadth and Lazuli drilled him in the gut with a kick. She unleashed her Dance Macabre and the explosion rocketed Black into the side of a ruined building; Ocarin decided to add insult to injury by using his Break Cannon and the building crumbled, burying Black within the rubble.
And that's when Pan showed up. "What's going on?"
-X-
Azure ran until she naturally took to the sky and she kept going until she left the ruins of West City – and then she flew some more, no real destination in mind, as tears streamed down her face. She didn't like running, didn't like the idea of leaving her parents behind, especially after losing her grandmother so viciously and she definitely did not like crying like a baby, even though Bulma's death hit her hard. It wasn't like she had much of a choice; she wanted to help, but she was just a kid and there wasn't much she could do. The best thing she could do right now was keep the Dragonballs safe and wait until her parents found her.
As she flew, Azure thought about Black, the misery he had caused her and the fury she felt at the thought of him made her blue eyes flash green. She hoped her parents kicked his butt and make him pay for what he'd done to Bulma
-X-
Pan's arrival snapped Trunks out of his trance. "Pan, no, get out of here! Find Azure!"
He didn't want her to see him, didn't want her to see what'd become of her father. But his attempt became moot when the rubble exploded in a shower of dust and debris, revealing Black with an aura of black energy. Pan looked at her father for the first time in her life that wasn't a photograph and her jaw dropped in bewildered shock. His cold, dark eyes locked onto her and his mouth twisted into a sneer. Pan's mind was having trouble dealing with the sight of her corrupted father and his Aura Slide hummed – he shot at her.
"No!" Lazuli cried and she charged to intercept him. Blood streaked through the air and the Android winced as she took the hit for Pan, an angry red gash across her torso.
"No, no!" Trunks shouted. "Dammit, I should've gotten involved earlier."
"Feel the fury of a god," Black grinned as he floated back and cupped his hands to his side. "Kamehameha!"
The signature blue energy was replaced with black power; usually, Trunks had been elated when he heard the signature sound; now, he could only watch in horror as the Kamehameha slammed into Lazuli and Pan at close range. When the dust cleared, Lazuli had protected the teenager with her body and appeared unharmed by the beam, which confused Black. He frowned, until he noticed her bulging body and she gritted her teeth as she returned to her normal size.
"Oh, so you absorbed it, huh?" he mused. "Clever-"
Twin thick beams of pink energy blasted from Lazuli's fists. Black darted out of the way and the beams annihilated a section of the city – Ocarin hit Black from behind with his energy-charged fists and Gohan's mirror image crashed into the ground, allowing 16 to unleash a powerful energy wave.
"Lazuli, what's going on?" Pan asked, her voice wavering as she watched Black stand up, unfazed by the attacks, and dust himself off. "How is my dad back? Why are you fighting him?"
"That's not your father," Lazuli said. "He just looks like him."
16 tried to continue his attack, but Black ripped his Aura Slide upward and the Android was nearly split in half by the swipe, a massive gouge in his torso. Tapion was by the Android's side in an instant and Ocarin tried to cover him by attacking Black – purple blood sprayed on the ground and Ocarin crashed in agony as his severed right arm landed beside him. In response, Tapion tried to defend his friends, only to receive a powerful punch to the gut that knocked the wind out of him and he dropped to his knees, lungs screaming for air.
"Enough!" Trunks shouted, looping his sword onto his back and Black frowned, his Aura Slide raised as if prepared to finish Tapion off. "Gohan, enough of this."
"No, I haven't had enough," Black growled. "Not until every single mortal has been scourged from the universe."
"Fine, if you won't stop, then I'll have to make you."
Black grinned and it just looked so wrong on Gohan's face. Trunks glared at him, bringing all of his power to the fore. The ground trembled and the air quivered as he utilised every single drop of his Saiyan blood to extract his power, his screaming throat raw with emotion as he ascended to Super Saiyan 3. Lazuli had a small smile as she watched him, mesmerised always by his transformation, but a part of her was worried. The Kamehameha Wave she absorbed did not feel like an ordinary energy beam: there was something different about it, something she couldn't put her finger on, but it didn't feel right to her. None of this felt right to her and it made her uneasy: she did not like feeling uneasy.
Black adopted Gohan's signature stance, his Aura Slide humming and the ground splintered under Trunks' power as he flew at Black. He landed the first hit, dodged the Aura Slide and landed a second hit. Black staggered, growled and fired a Black Power Ball. Trunks twisted around it and drove his knee into Black's jaw. It hurt him to attack his master like this, with every inch of his strength, but deep in Trunks' heart, he knew this was not Gohan. Gohan was never cruel, never…evil. Whatever this demon was, it was defiling Gohan's good name by wearing his face and Trunks aimed to rectify that.
Black drove a punch into Trunks' chest and swung the Aura Slide, but Trunks blocked and head-butted him. Growling, Black flew back, firing a volley of ki blasts at his opponent. Trunks took to the air and blitzed across the sky to hit him with the Burning Strike; Black slammed into the side of a building. He grinned as he pushed off from the ruined wall.
"Yes, that's it," he said and the Aura Slide sliced upward to block Trunks' Shining Slash. "Give me more!"
"How is this possible?" Pan asked, on the verge of a breakdown as she watched her 'father'. She had been told countless stories about his heroics and to see him like this…it broke her heart.
"I…I don't know," Lazuli admitted. "But I need you to get these guys out of here and find Azure."
"But, Lazuli-"
"Just do it, Pan."
The teenager huffed, but nodded and flew down to the trio. Black and Trunks traded blows, the latter driven by the death of his mother, slamming punches and kicks into his opponent with reckless abandon, trying to deliver as much pain as possible. Trunks was so caught up in his desire for revenge that he didn't even think to consider why Black was taking the hits without any signs of damage or why Black was even smiling during the battering. Seeking her own kind of vengeance, Lazuli decided to intrude by kicking Black in the flank. He swiped at her in annoyance and she darted out of reach, driving home another kick, this time into his jaw. Black snarled and found himself defending against the couple at once as they attacked him in perfect union.
"They think they're pushing me," Black internally grinned. "They have no idea what they're up against. They have no idea that they're simply strengthening me."
Trunks clasped his hands together and smashed his fists into Black's face, as Lazuli fired the Murder Blitz. Black staggered, Trunks attempted to capitalise and he darted forth, slashing wide with his sword. Black hissed, clutching the wound in his torso.
"You're lucky you got to land that, because-" he growled, as Lazuli held out her hands, pink energy balls appearing on her fingertips.
"Goodbye, Gohan…again," she said and she unleashed the Infinity Flash.
Bullets of pink energy hammered into Black like machine-gun fire, driving him through the wreckage of West City, pulverising the imposter across the fragments of the city. Lazuli kept up the relentless assault, increasing the power as she fired, hoping to annihilate him as a cloud of smoke built with each consecutive volley…just like the last time they had fought. With a final detonation, she lowered her hands, a mushroom cloud appearing in the sky.
"That's done," she said. "He should be dead after that."
Trunks frowned. "Wait a minute."
He peered at the smoke, trying to sense Black's energy. It took some time, enough time that Trunks was almost convinced that Black had been defeated, when red eyes flashed and the smoke cleared to reveal Black, virtually unharmed, two fingers to his forehead as he charged a spark of dark energy. "Special Beam Cannon!"
"Galick Gun!" Trunks shouted in retaliation, firing the purple beam to counter the deadly attack.
They slammed into each other, a beam struggle erupting, and Lazuli flew forth to put an end to it. When she reformed, the guilt of Gohan's murder tore at her, especially when Trunks used it against her, but she had eventually come to terms with it. She couldn't undo what she'd done and so she endeavoured to protect the world and look out for Pan in penance. But now he was back, causing mayhem and murder, a complete role-reversal and Lazuli knew she had no other choice but to destroy this imposter, despite the guilt his face triggered inside her.
Black saw her coming and with his free hand, released the Senko Ki Blast. Lazuli was blinded, Trunks overpowered the Special Beam Cannon – and Black rammed the Aura Slide into Lazuli's abdomen.
"No!" Trunks shouted in shock and he flew to the aide of his wife.
"Thank you for your outburst," Black grinned sadistically as the Android choked on her own blood. "You've helped me grow stronger. You can die with the knowledge of your usefulness."
He tore the Aura Slide from her body and prepared to deliver the finishing blow – Trunks' sword intercepted as Lazuli crashed into the ground, returning to her normal form, blood pooling beneath her. Trunks snarled as he swung and chopped in fury, Black smirking as he deflected each strike. Trunks attempted a thrust and Black darted past him, firing a ki blast into his back. The half-Saiyan stumbled through the air, but he quickly recovered and whirled around to fire an energy blast of his own – Black sliced it in half and shot forth at surprising speed, pressuring Trunks with his Aura Slide. The hybrid defended as best as he could, but he yelled when the Aura Slide sliced across his left inner thigh and Black thumped him in the face with a punch.
"I'll kill you!" Trunks snarled and he charged, but Black deflected his sword and kicked him away.
"Is it dawning on you yet?" Black asked. "Your pitiful attempts to destroy me are futile. The longer we fight, the more I learn about this body, the more I adapt…and the stronger I get."
"What are you on about?"
"It matters not. Your feeble brain wouldn't understand. It's best you join the rest of your race and go into extinction: a fitting end for a bunch of savages."
Trunks shouted as he charged again; he had to end the fight quickly as he could feel the transformation starting to wear on his body, but with the way Black seemed to shrug off any attack, it made Trunks wonder if the doppelganger could even be defeated. Almost six years of training with the Super Saiyan 3 form and he still had no luck in circumventing the energy drain, only mildly delay it. And right now was the worst time for the drain to kick in.
Black parried Trunks' strikes, pressed an energy ball to the hybrid's abdomen and blasted him away. Trunks sheathed his sword and held his hands out to the side. If this was it, he was going to use every expanse of energy he had left to destroy Gohan's dark copy.
"Final…Flash!"
Black grinned wickedly as he dodged the powerful beam and he kicked Trunks in the head, stomping him into the ground and pinned him down, threatening to crush his skull. Trunks groaned as he lost his hold on his ultimate form and receded into his base form. A smile came to Black's face and he aimed his hand at the back of Trunks' head, forming an energy ball to kill him with.
"Like everyone else, you fall before me."
Just as he was ready to fire the blast, Super Saiyan Pan kicked him in the face and knocked him away, the surprise attack the only reason Black faltered.
"Lazuli," Trunks groaned as Pan helped him up. "Tend to Lazuli."
The teenager nodded and flew to the Android's side, her face paling at the sight of so much blood, as Black stood up with a sigh and cricked his neck. The Aura Slide hummed into existence, as Tapion grabbed hold of Trunks and flew into the sky alongside Pan, who carried the unconscious Lazuli, all trying to flee the scene and the battle that was not going in their favour. Black smirked, savouring the thrill of the chase and he made to fly after them – only to find Ocarin in his way.
"Ah, I see you grew your arm back," Black observed. "Bit of a nuisance, that regeneration thing. I wonder how we can curb that."
"Your evil ends today," Ocarin growled.
"Evil? Is that what you call it? I call it justice!"
"Call it whatever you want, I don't care. You are a threat to this planet."
"I'm a threat everywhere. You should be worried, Namekian, for there is no outcome where you survive this."
Ocarin allowed himself a moment to track Trunks' movements. He just had to delay Black long enough for Trunks and the others to get far enough away so they could come up with a way to defeat this monster. He knew he was putting himself at a massive risk by facing Black alone and if he were to die, then the Dragonballs would become useless, but he was the only one who could right now: both Tapion and 16 were too injured, the latter gone to find Azure at Pan's request.
"Perhaps not," Ocarin said and he flared his aura, powering up to his maximum. "But it won't be as easy as you think it will be!"
-X-
Locating Azure was tricky, given that she had suppressed her energy signature, but his sensors were fine-tuned and it didn't take 16 long to track the child. He had removed his ruined armour, the nasty gouge in his torso hampering his movements. Despite being made of wires, his pain receptors were active, a feeling he wasn't too fond of, but it made him feel human…and now with Bulma gone, 16 didn't know how he was going to get repaired and assist the others against Black. It didn't matter right now; finding Azure was of the upmost importance.
He heard her before he saw her and he peered into the upper tree branches, using his infra-red vision to discover her hiding in one of the forks of the trees.
"Azure," 16 called out and the sobbing stopped and she flew down to meet him.
"16," Azure tried to smile. "Where are Mom and Papa? Are they okay?" She gasped upon seeing the wound. "Are you okay?"
"I will be fine, but your mother requires a senzu bean."
The child nodded as she dug in the bag. "There's only four left. We need more."
"We will make it a priority to get more," 16 said. "But we need to work out a plan first."
Pan joined them and 16 quickly blocked Azure's view of her mother as he attempted to feed the bean to her. However, the Android was unconscious from blood loss and 16 was at a loss at how to get her to eat the bean. At that moment, Tapion and Trunks arrived and the latter caught the look of worry on 16's face, recognising what he was attempting to do.
"Here, allow me," Trunks offered as he took the bean from 16. He put it in his mouth and crushed the bean into paste, then pressed his lips to Lazuli's and pushed the paste into her mouth. He then stroked her throat, making her swallow and after a moment, her eyes fluttered open.
"Ngh…Trunks? Where are we?" she asked and Azure darted around 16, throwing herself at her mother, hugging her tightly.
"We're safe…for now," Trunks smiled at her and he turned to Tapion. "We need to get Ocarin. I don't like the idea of leaving him at Black's mercy."
"I agree, but he did it so we could escape," Tapion said. "Whoever he is, he outmatched us every step of the way. He outmatched you and Lazuli. He was toying with us the whole time."
"If I had the time machine…" Trunks started and he trailed off. His home was destroyed and his mother dead; emotions ran thickly through the hybrid and he fought to suppress them. Now was not the time to lose it…an idea came to him. "Wait, what about Sadal? The Saiyans there? Perhaps they can help us."
"And how are you going to get there?" Lazuli asked. "Our home is gone, taking the spaceships with it."
"The Dragonballs," he said as Azure handed him the bag and he poured the balls out, piling them together.
"I'll go and retrieve Ocarin," Tapion suggested.
"I'm coming with you," Pan offered.
"No," Trunks cut in, looking at the teenager. "I don't want to risk you."
"Trunks," the teenager said softly. "I know it's not my dad. From what you and Mom have told me about him, he wasn't like this at all, so it can't be him. Let me help."
Trunks sighed. It reminded him so much of when he was younger, begging Gohan to let him help against the Androids. "Fine, but be careful. Tapion, watch over her."
"Got it," the Konatsian said and he flew off with Pan by his side.
"So, if you do manage to get some Saiyans to help, how are you getting back?" Lazuli asked. Kami, senzu beans never ceased to amaze her with their healing properties. She had been carved open just minutes ago and now her torso was flawless as ever. "It's a three week trip."
"Then I'll make it a time limit wish," Trunks said as he stood up and pulled Lazuli into his embrace. "Don't worry, I will be back. But we can't do this alone."
"I know," she replied and there was a hint of fear and uncertainty in her voice that made him squeeze her tighter reassuringly. "I'm just worried about what could happen while you're gone."
"Are you leaving again, Papa?" Azure inquired and Trunks broke away from Lazuli to kneel before his daughter.
"Yes, I am, but I won't be long," he gave her what he hoped was a comforting smile, but she still looked uncertain and he couldn't blame her: too much had happened in too short of a time and Azure was struggling to cope with it all. He wanted nothing more than to hold her and make sure nothing bad ever happened to her, but of course, the universe never wanted him entirely happy. "Take care of your mother for me, okay? Be strong for me."
"I will, Papa," Azure said as confidently as she could.
"That's my girl," Trunks ruffled her lilac hair with affection and with a heavy sigh, he straightened and turned his attention to the Dragonballs. "Arise, Shenron!"
-X-
Ocarin had gravely miscalculated.
His intent was to fight Black was so Trunks and the others could escape and then make his own escape. But now that he had drawn Black's ire, all attempts at escape seemed impossible. At first, he had tried to distract Black and then sneak out of the city, but Black decided to blast sections of the city in response, cutting off Ocarin's escape routes.
He had to get out. Black was simply too strong for him to fight against, too strong for anyone. Despite some early struggle, he had beaten everyone with barely a mark on him. His strength actually scared Ocarin and the need to escape pressed further down on him.
He needed to get out.
"Come out, Namekian," Black said. "Come out and suffer for your sins. Either you reveal yourself or I vaporise this city into nothing, taking you with it. What will it be? The clock is ticking."
Ocarin peeked out of his current hiding place, seeing Black in the sky. He just needed one opportunity and the timing had to be right. Creating a small ball of energy in his hand, while being careful to keep his power down, Ocarin peeked out again – Black was gone. The Namekian's heart hammered in panic, but he fought to calm himself and he cancelled the ball, seeking another alternative. Carefully stepping over the remains of the buildings, while throwing glances over his shoulders, Ocarin slowly crept his way along the streets, making sure he never exposed himself.
He hid within the ruins of a shop, checking every direction and kept his senses on alert for anything that could warn him of Black's approach. He surveyed his surroundings once more time…nothing. Everything seemed clear, despite the apocalyptic appearance of West City and tentatively, Ocarin stepped out of his hiding place. A few more streets and he could make good on his escape and reunite with the others. He expanded his senses, trying to detect his friends and he recognised two close signatures: Tapion and Pan. They were masking their powers to avoid detection from Black, but also let just enough so Ocarin could track them. If he could get to them, they could definitely get away from Black.
Relief and hope bloomed in Ocarin's heart and he made his way towards the two energy signatures –
"Going somewhere?" Black smirked as he stepped in the Namekian's path.
-X-
"State your wish!" Shenron boomed.
"Shenron, I have a particular request," Trunks said. "I wish for you to send me to Planet Sadal and then bring me back and anyone touching me after an hour. Kinda like a yo-yo"
The Eternal Dragon frowned. "Would that not be two wishes?"
"Would you be willing to wait around for an hour instead? I know you lack any real patience."
"Fair point. Very well, I shall grant you your wish and after one hour, you will return here. This wish will happen even if I return to my slumber or not."
Trunks smiled and he shared that smile of hope with Lazuli, Azure and 16, as a bright light engulfed him and swept him away from the planet, transporting him across the cosmos.
"Now, what is your second wish?" Shenron asked.
However, at that moment, just as Tapion and Pan located Ocarin, Black activated his Aura Slide and rushed at the Namekian. He then turned into a large, wicked crescent of dark energy and Ocarin couldn't react in time when he was struck by the Instant Severance, splitting him in half from head to toe. Both Tapion and Pan watched in horror as both halves of the mighty Namekian warrior collapsed to the ground, while several miles away, Shenron suddenly faded away and in response, the Dragonballs reverted to their stone forms.