(The Following Morning After That Night, Inside The Bunker. . .)

"16, is it possible that there is something wrong with me. . ."

The red-haired giant turned his head towards the couch of the dimly lit room. It was early morning as far as he could tell, and usually around this time, 21 would be at her desk, slaving away on formulas to deal with her own problems while trying to figure out a way to stop Project: Festival. But today was different, which wasn't much of a surprise compared to how she left on an "errand" and returned with nothing she said she was getting. Now, she was lying on the couch, ultimately sleep-deprived from having to make up for the lost time she had wasted on whatever she was doing outside the bunker. 16 averted his eyes and responded, "Depends. Are you referring to that 'hunger' problem you have?" 21 flinched momentarily and shook her head as she ran a hand across his face.

"No. . .," She dismissed and pointed towards the object on the table. 16 peered over and only saw a cellular device with a pink phone case.

He raised an eyebrow, "O. . .kay? Did you need this device for your plans, but it turned out to be defective?"

"No. . .," She repeated.

"Then what?" 16 asked, quickly giving up on trying to draw a conclusion himself.

"I. . honestly don't understand it myself," 21 admitted, removing her hand to reveal a mixture of confusion and worry, "You and I both know my 'hunger' is a problem as great as Project: Festival. Because of that, I avoid as much contact with other life forms as possible, such as food and ordering parts. Thankfully, I can avoid working due to the funds left behind by my creator. . .but. . ."

16 noticed her eyes narrow. He could tell. She was reflecting on that time as an excuse again. He sighed as he already knew the whole story, "Yes. . .I understand. After something like that, it'd be hard to trust yourself again." 21 didn't refute that. She and he knew that, at the moment, 16 was the only person she could talk to. He didn't have a Ki signature, so he wouldn't cause her symptoms to activate from prolonged exposure.

"Yeah. . .," 21 acknowledged before continuing after taking a glance at the phone, "For the first time in a long time, I've met some human that I couldn't push away. When I realized that, I decided to run once my symptoms started, yet somehow, he still managed to find me."

"So? It just sounds like a coincidence. Perhaps you're just overthinking things," 16 refuted.

21 nodded and turned to her side, her expression softening still, "Maybe you're right. But last night. . .when my 'hunger' was being the devil on my shoulder and trying to get me to lose control, I. . .stayed. I didn't want to leave and ignored whispers. I even went out of my way to buy a phone and get his contact information." 16 raised an eyebrow at this.

"Contact? What did you use as your name?" He asked.

21 froze a bit and nervously answered, "Reika. . . "

"Simple enough. But that's. . ." 16 noted.

"I know, I know! Everything happened without me realizing it, so I just used the first thing that came to mind," 21 admitted before he could continue further, turning back to face the ceiling, "As I said, I'm feeling off today. . . It's like I can't focus lately like I used to."

"Perhaps you're worth ethic has finally reached its limit," 16 proposed, the phrasing catching her attention enough to dart her eyes to him.

"Huh?" She murmured as she sat up and stared at her fellow android for a better explanation.

Nevertheless, 16, unironically enough, looked back impassively yet spoke with what felt like a poor attempt to sound sincere, "I believe that you have reached your limit in terms of social interaction with other lifeforms such as yourself." 21 raised a confused eyebrow.

"Don't be silly; you're here talking with me right now," she argued.

However, despite her reassurance, the large android knew better and only learned to stick to the facts. From his memory bank, he was never able to truthfully keep a lie, and when a situation arose, he had a knack for analyzing the situation and proceeding to the best course of action. From actions to words, he used his aspects and components to the best of his abilities to ensure the best possible future for the Earth. But right now, he was focused on his new objective. To safeguard his creator's well-being is positive, "I am no lifeform."

He watched her face morph into a perplexity before shifting into a worry. Oddly enough, even though he was nothing like his template, he felt familiar with that look and continued before she could offer a rebuttal.

"You understand it already yourself. You just don't want to acknowledge it," 16 said, his hand hovering where a heart would be if he were human or contained biological functions, "My thoughts are based on my programming and purpose of design. With that, I am currently only designated as your advisory and materialistic, emotional support due to my anterior template. Even then, that is only considered superficial under a time limit."

At this, 21 cast her head down in thought, and her lack of an immediate response knew that what he was trying to say made sense. Between the two of them, she only remodeled him by a coincidence of seeing his scattered parts and data chip in that warzone all those years ago. The fact that his appearance and presence proved to keep her negative emotions and state of mind stable was only an added bonus that she ran with. However, deep down, they both knew that it wouldn't last. It was just a matter of time before she'd lost it, and even he couldn't stop her anymore. Still. . .

"16, you are the only one I have as you have no ki signature. Even if it's limited, I can't get too close to others," 21 reminded.

The giant android nodded as he expected that answer, "Yes, I'm aware, but. . just like someone I knew before, you are running away from the issue and not confronting it. If I recall, you could coexist before, but now you are frightened to try again, and you are using the front of your original purpose to uphold that." 16 rose and walked over to the table to pick up the device. He took a moment to inspect it before handing it over to 21, who seemed more distracted than ever.

"I'm sure you already know from the data you examine, but there are strong people on this planet. Very strong. The fact that the Earth is still around means they continue to live on even after all they've been through. The trials you face will soon be the ones they will also face. With that, it's in our best interest to join forces with them for optimal success, but that comes with your willingness to overcome your 'hunger.' He emphasized, grabbing her hand and placing the phone in her palm, "That comes with the small steps first. Unlike me, you aren't a mechanical robot. You are an artificial life form with real feelings. At the very least, you have the right to choose the life you live if you wish to, and the way you look right now doesn't reflect the same feeling I see in all the other life in this world."

This was essential to prepare for what was to come and ensure his remaker's future was secured. If she could find a way to overcome those urges and feelings, she could move forward to find out what she wants instead of what she was dealt with. The stress of Project: Festival has only hindered her progress in doing that. Simply put, she was shouldering far too much on her shoulders. There had to be more hands to take the load off.

After some time, 21 tightened her grip on the phone and nodded, "I'll consider your advice. But for now, I'd like to get some more work done, so I'll be on the computer—"

"Negative," 16 interrupted. At first, she thought he'd lecture her some more, but, "You've been working too hard all this time. Machine or not, I suggest you try to distract yourself from working."

She tensed and looked up like a child who dreaded doing chores, "I'm fine, 16. All I need. . ."

"Negotiation isn't an option," 16 interrupted.

A short yet tense silence between them needed a word to be said. One side wasn't going to budge more than the other. Between what may be considered family, compromise and integrity weren't always guaranteed. Such was the case here as all 21 could do under his gaze was sigh in defeat.

"Just this once. . ." 21 muttered, rolling herself off the couch and looking around the room, "Where's my coat?"

[- - - -]

(Meanwhile, At Satan City's Orange Star High School. . .)

Monday was a universally dreaded day for most. Mainly because it was usually the day everyone was returning to their jobs or having to return to school to deal with the otherworldly dread of procrastinating assignments. That can be said to be the same for the Saiyan, though for him: Monday was a bad-omen whenever it was the middle of the month. School life was. . .tricky for him. Managing to conceal his strength and heritage from others was a task enough. That was the most complicated anxiety he had to deal with, which was ironic considering that passing his classes was the least of his worries. The idea of someone finding out that he was an alien built to fight for a living and had destroyed millions of planets under the "employment" of a galactic dictator worried him a little. Kuzuku, being negligent as he was about overall appearances, was still self-conscious about what the citizens of Earth may think if they knew who he was.

Living on this planet for so long, he quickly realized that the absence of hostility, or rather, the lack of it, was both refreshing and uncomfortable at the same time. After some time, he noticed how the people of planet Earth were quick to dismiss and play, totally ignorant of their reality. From the stories he was told, he was shocked that citizens were quick to forget the wonder boy who defeated an ancient demon who annihilated an entire city in the past while plunging the world into turmoil via a purge of the law. Or the fact that Cell was dismissed as a phony or trickster and was disregarded for his prowess as some ordinary person hiding behind smokes and mirrors. Any logical person could put two and two together and conclude that those smokes and mirrors couldn't have decimated the entire military of one of the most powerful kings in the world. Ultimately, he could only say it was a defense mechanism against things they couldn't comprehend or handle.

Those terrors are still true, revived or not. All lifeforms fear death, which the Z-fighters understood even knowing the wishing orbs. They won't know when those orbs will vanish or cease to work. Despite being called the Eternal Dragon, all it takes is the Earth being destroyed and every one of the Earth's defenders defeated for their lives to be over. A dystopia per se is like a certain future revealed in the past. They still fear that when confronted by an unstoppable force out of their control, they'd label them as "monsters" without a second thought. It was a sickening way of thinking, but Kuzuku could understand that viewpoint as instinctual fear. His time posing as Sunkaiser showed him that firsthand through the faces of criminals that he'd soon apprehend.

As his thoughts began to slow down and return to the world, Kuzuku twirled his pencil as he faced forward with a palm against his face. He was trying to listen to the lecture for Orange Star High, which was closer to an actual college than a high school. This meant that classes were as long as nearly an hour, though thanks to his schedule, certain categories were on other days. Unfortunately, he had to take Physics first thing in the morning while also having Advanced Calculus immediately after. To him, it was basically a math subject with just word problems, and the other was just plane numbers. He groaned, the severe inconvenience of his schedule causing him to question his choices. He could swear someone influenced his program, which had to be Bulma. She was plotting something and figuring out what was harder than whatever problem they were going over on the board.

Sighing, he pressed his cheeks even harder into his palm and barely heard the faint whisper next to him, "Wow, didn't think someone who could fly would be so bored. . ." It took him a moment to process it, but as soon as he did, the glass shattered in his head. He turned towards the voice owner, his eyes wide like saucers and face pale.

A girl, shorter than most, with bright red curly hair draped over her shoulders and a few freckles on her face. Her emerald eyes faced forward, though it was clear she was trying to avoid eye contact and was more focused on the lesson as she jotted down notes. She wore simple clothes such as a purple hoodie over a red shirt and blue jeans, which her badge was stitched onto. Orange Star High was a private institution that was costly for ordinary people. Most of the kids here come from wealthy families and are spoiled beyond belief. In fact, according to Gohan, he wouldn't have been able to attend if it weren't for his high grades. So seeing someone who seemed to be in a similar boat was refreshing enough if it was for the obvious fact that she knew something he'd wish he misheard.

The silence between them was awkward but more nauseating as he pondered, "How'd she know!? Where did I slip up!? No, no, calm down... She doesn't have proof, so maybe I can still salvage this. She seems non-aggressive, so maybe I may be alright." He turned to speak, but before he could. . .

*Ding!*

"Oh my, the bell rang quite earlier than I expected," Professor Flask noted, "I suppose it can't be helped when having fun. That'll be all for today, my students, and due to the suddenness, I'll refrain from assigning homework until the next session as we still have quite a bit to review. However, if you want extra credit and to move on ahead, I advise you to perform a self-study and complete the worksheet on page 77 in your books. Have a wonderful morning!"

Gratefully, for one less assignment, he had to worry about, he turned his attention back to the suspect, who was already packing her things while students began walking out of the classroom. Gulping, Kuzuku trod carefully with his words and began with, "Hey, uh, lucky us, right? Though, what you just said earlier, were you referring to me?"

*Slam*

Kuzuku flinched at the sudden forceful closing of the book in her hands and stayed silent. She stood up from her seat and gave him the side eye, her words coming out as a warning, "Personally, playing dumb and beating the bush isn't going to cut it. I know what I saw that day after you left during P.E. But don't worry, as long as you keep your superhero business away from Ace, then I will refrain from exposing you to the press. . .".

Before he knew it, the girl left him in awe and a bit of fear. He rustled through his pocket to double-check the time, his face churning away at what she said repeatedly in his head.

"Fantastic. . .way to start a fire. . ." Kuzuku muttered to himself.

~~~~~~~~~~Hours Later: Orange Star Highschool~~~~~~~~~~

The rest of the day could only have been described as a horror film. Not in a sense where one would be chased and eventually killed by some murderer or vengeful spirit. No, it was just the feeling that such a scenario would bring. Anxiety and fear in the form of being held at gunpoint. That's why Kuzuku felt right as he walked the halls to his locker to gather his things. The day's last class came and went faster than Kuzuku had expected, though he understood why that was the case. An active mind is bound to lose its perception of time, and he was still stuck on what had happened earlier that morning. He was caught, foiled, and now was at the mercy of another individual he hardly knew anything about. How could he have let this happen? Why did he have to be so careless at times?

His internal frustrations made him frantically open his locker and pull out some of the textbooks he needed for his homework this week before closing it shut with more force than usual. Luckily, no one paid it much mind as these lockers were a pain to close for some students. He sighed before feeling a small tap on his shoulder. He flinched and turned only to see Ace standing behind him with a blank expression contrasting his own.

"Jeez, you've been so fidgeting lately. You good, dude?" Ace pointed out.

Kuzuku opened and closed his mouth, the words struggling to come out. Soon enough, he exhaled deeply, "I'm alright, just some personal business involving school stuff. Anyways, what's up? You normally wait at the entrance instead of coming to my locker after school. If you don't wait, just be sure not to sneak up on me."

"Oh, about that. . .I wanted to—"

Before the young heir could finish, an arm swung over his shoulders in a manner that was all too familiar. Kuzuku's eyes widened because he was the first to see who it was. Their trademark blond hair and toothy smile while his polar, orange hair opposite stood behind the two of them, looking completely uninterested. Regardless, emerald eyes locked onto Kuzuku's obsidian with a smirk, "We wanted to invite you to a session with the boys!" Unsure of what was going on, the young Saiyan raised an eyebrow.

"A what. . .?" Kuzuku asked.

Vincent sighed, "To hang out, basically. We're heading off to the park to goof around and stuff. That and we're going to hit the local batting ring to finally settle who is the best batter in the group."

"It's clearly me!" Kize chimed in, albeit aggressively.

Vincent glared at him momentarily, an unspoken beef that neither the Saiyan nor Ace knew anything about or cared to dive into, "Yeah, to settle things. We're heading out right now, so better get your stuff quick." Still confused, Kuzuku grabbed the rest of his stuff and packed it into his bag. However, he was still left with uncertainty and doubt that needed clearing.

"I understand why Ace wouldn't mind, but I was under the impression his other friends wouldn't want someone they hardly know to join them. Especially if one of them is associated with Glade. . ." Kuzuku noted.

A bit worried, Ace quickly tried to dismiss, "He-Hey, no need to worry about Vincent. He's–"

"I hardly care about whatever is going on between you and him. I never liked that guy; we only see eye-to-eye when trying to win games. Other than that, screw 'em," Vincent explained as Kize chuckled and added.

"Yeah, if anything, those who are friends with Ace are also our friends. It's rare for this handsome guy to approach someone rather than being approached himself," the Yellow Blur commented, which caused Ace to blush in embarrassment.

The Sojirou Heir brushed Kize off him and scolded, "Oi, you're making it sound like I have no social life." Given his circumstances and background, Ace Sojirou was regarded as the school's most popular, nice guy. That was the front he had upheld in the school's social standings. However, even though he could likely gain many friends, his circle was smaller than most would expect. Far smaller. Aside from Kuzuku, Vincent and Kize were the only two who truly knew the real him. The only ones who speak and treat him on equal terms. Rarely he'd let his real self slip outside of that in public.

Seeing his embarrassed face, Kuzuku smirked and let out a short laugh as he joined in on the fun, "Hehe, no need to pretend, Ace; we all know you secretly enjoy just having us around." Snorting at the look of disbelief on Ace's face, Kuzuku and Kize both burst out laughing while Vincent was holding a chuckle.

"Oh man, I already like this guy! Come on, we gotta go before the batters ring is packed out," Kize insisted.

Kuzuku silently agreed and followed them out of the school without another bit of protest. However, the first thing he noticed when leaving was how clear and sunny the day was despite it being fall. He smirked, his eyes facing forward at the group of boys he was meant to hang out with today. It was a warm feeling, to say the least. Being able to laugh with those your age. Among all the Z-Fighters, Gohan was the closest to his own age that he could relate to. Even then, he was now married and working for some University as an assistant professor for biological evolution studies. Fitting for someone who is part of a race that evolves infinitely in battle. Regardless, those times were when he felt at peace. Almost in a way that he could forget the day he had lost everything, even if it was so tiny that he had. That day had plagued him for years, the images lingering like a creature in the dark waiting to pull off a jumpscare like a horror movie. Those scars never faded, and he believed they would never go away. But facing forward now, Kuzuku had to admit it: he was satisfied with what he had gained since then. An every day, Earthling school life. A quiet and free life outside of that circle. A group that might as well be considered family to him, each member accepting or sharing the same traits as he had once been ridiculed for. Everything was more than he could ask for, and if he gained more through his life, he'd be over-satisfied once those occasions arose. That's why. . . he couldn't help but wish to himself when watching the backs of those who he'd be hanging out with for the day. . .

"Even if I envy them, I don't wish for them to go through what I went through."

For what felt like the first time, Kuzuku felt something foreign to him. But, if he more thought into it, he could have discerned what it was. Fear. . .Fear that knowing how their world works, their peace was never safe. Even if they had magical wishing orbs, the experience of the death of someone close was still devastating. Nothing was guaranteed, and that fact alone became his drive. He had to become strong. Strong enough so that those he cared about could live a fulfilling life. But for now, he smirked and decided to enjoy the moments he had now while it lasted.

[- - - -]

(Currently Somewhere Else In Satan City, Near The Plaza. . .)

"Why did I allow myself to be convinced to do this?"

21 frowned deeply at herself as she walked the streets of Satan City, her brown jacket swaying behind her as it drenched over her black sweater. In contrast to her attire for the weather, she still opted for some ripped jeans to go with her matching boots. It was sunny out, but it didn't mean they weren't in the middle of fall going into winter. She didn't feel uncomfortable with the temperature, considering she lived in a cold cave. No, it was the fact that she kept getting looks from time to time. Very uncomfortable ones at that, which oddly came from mostly guys.

Being out of the social norm for so long, the bio-android was clueless about her appearance. For most in this day and age, she'd be receiving complaints left and right while also getting free food while she was added simply because she looked pretty. Whether she was aware of the fact or not, the validity of the matter was that she didn't like all of the attention. Especially since she left the lab without real direction on what to do today. Fun or relaxation was the last thing on her mind for all the right reasons. The preparations for her mission to stop Project: Cell's main goal was almost complete, and she still had herself to deal with. Should she really be out here doing nothing?

She sighed, her feet acting on their own and guiding her to wherever they may take her as she took a turn towards the local park, to which she thought back to what 16 had said earlier.

"-Unlike me, you aren't a mechanical robot. You are an artificial life form with real feelings. At the very least, you have the right to choose the life you live if you wish to, and the way you look right now doesn't reflect the same feeling I see in all the other life in this world."

She looked down at the palms of her right hand in deep thought, her mind continuing to dwell on his words, "To choose the life I want to live, huh? But, what is that life I want to live. . ." As if to answer that question, an image flashed through her mind of an elderly woman's hand reaching out to her. In the palm was an apple, ripped and red, as she could see the wide smile on their face. Subconsciously, she felt a warm feeling well up inside her, a small smile forming as she recalled those precious times that she honestly held close to her heart. Deep down, she desperately wanted to go back to them. She wanted to enjoy the grassy fields on a sunny day, her worries drowned by delicious food and company. She wanted to laugh and try many things she had heard from listening to the television. But most of all, she wanted back. . .

"Hey! Look out!" A voice shouted, snapping her out of her thoughts as she looked up. She hadn't realized it but found herself inside Satan City's local park. Her eyes darted left and right before finally looking towards the sky to see a small, round object hurling down towards her. Judging from her short distance and time, she likely couldn't dodge it without looking like some freak. So she opted not to move and pretended that the hit wasn't as bad as it would have been to a normal person. Her durability and strength were above humans, after all. Although shockingly enough, as she expected the ball to hit her square in the face, a shadowy figure appeared before her.

Catching the ball, she soon grew familiar with the shape of their spiky hair, their attire of an open, dark red jacket over a white shirt. Long gray jeans held up by a white belt and some red sneakers laced with white laces. When he turned while holding the object revealed to be a baseball, her eyes widened in surprise that mirrored their own. His. . .own...

"Reika?" He said with surprise, his hand dropping the ball on the pavement. She looked around, realizing the mindless walking had landed her near a batting ring near the park entrance. Ignoring what was in front of her, she couldn't help but question the locational choices made in this city. A bank near a gun store? A batting ring at the entrance of a park? Whoever was mayor or head of architecture seriously needs their licenses evaluated.

Quelling her inner frustrations, she turned her attention back to the High School student in front of her, responding, "Kuzuku? I wasn't expecting you to be here."

"I could say the same about you. Though, you would have missed me if I hadn't been—" Kuzuku began before being interrupted.

"BOOOYA! THAT'S A HOME RUN ON THE FASTEST SETTING YET! YOU OWE ME SOME LUNCH!"

The two turned towards the boys inside the batting ring as if on cue. From what 21 could see, the blond one was dancing like an Irish man with his nose reflecting his ego, while the orange-haired student looked bitter as he dug through his pockets before whipping out some cash. She glanced quickly at the young Saiyan, who slightly chuckled at the sight before putting two and two together.

"Out with some friends?" 21 guessed based on his previous sentence.

Kuzuku nodded, "Guess you could say that. My friend invited me to tag along with some of his to the batting ring, and so far, they seem to be very competitive when it comes to anything sports-related." Despite the urges deep within her nagging at her again, she ignored them after recalling what 16 again. She had to loosen up for her mental health. Dwelling on it all the time will make it worse. Those were the points he was trying to make.

"Yeah. . ., I can see that the orange hair one seems pretty ticked off," 21 noted with a small giggle.

Noticing the lightened tone in her voice, Kuzuku smirked a bit and added, "Hehe, can't say he didn't have it coming. They wouldn't stop talking smack to each other the way here."

"Are you sure they are friends?" 21 asked with a raised eyebrow. Before Kuzuku could answer, another voice inserted itself into the conversation.

"As sure as the sky is blue," Ace said as he walked up behind the young Saiyan. Kuzuku was slightly startled and had to refrain from his tail popping out of his pants. As someone who could sense ki, he had to give credit where it was due. Ace was sneaky like a ninja sometimes, even though he was purposely letting his guard down at the moment. Nevertheless, the Sojiro heir took a closer look at the woman before him and back at Kuzuku, repeating the motion several times before continuing further, "You aren't true friends unless you can verbally assault or mess with each other no matter the time. Right, Kuzuku. . .?"

Somewhat understanding that notation, Kuzuku nodded as 21 was puzzled about what they were getting at, "Yeah, I guess there is some truth in that."

"Right, now, who's your girlfriend?" Ace blatantly asked.

"Ah, yeah, she's. . .-!" Kuzuku began before processing the question entirely. He nearly walked into a trap, and a blush formed on his face as he quickly stuttered, "She's not my girlfriend, what the hell! What made you assume that right off the bat!?"

"I dunno, the way you were just chatting up with her looked like flirting," Ace noted.

"And the way you eat cereal without milk looked like insanity," Kuzuku retorted.

Ace grinned slyly at 21, pointing at Kuzuku, "See, friendship at its finest." Tilting her head as she tried to rationalize what was happening, she couldn't help but look at Kuzuku in confusion. All those years cooped up in a cave with her only friend being 16 dampened her perspective. In lame man terms, she was oblivious as a brick.

"I don't get it, but aren't I a girlfriend then? Like, I am a girl, and we are considered friends, right?" 21 inquired.

Kuzuku couldn't believe what he just heard. Ace snorted before bursting out laughing while the Saiyan was still processing everything. Did he really just get hit with that trope? Either he was getting played, or fate was messing with him. Either way, he didn't like it and didn't want to push his luck any further. So, he conceded and cleared his throat, "I'm not going to get into that right now, but anyways, Ace, this is Reika. We've been running into each other several times over the past few weeks."

"Pfft, hehe, I see; into older women, my man," Ace nudged, which earned him a threatening glare. Seeing that he was reaching Kuzuku's breaking point, he receded for now and rubbed the tears from his eyes, "Well, nice to meet you, Reika. I'm Ace."

"Nice to meet you too," 21 greeted back.

"Yeah, anyways, if you're free, do you wanna hang with us for a while? I'm sure some–I mean, we'd enjoy your company. The more the merrier, right?" Ace offered.

21 thought for a moment, mind weighing the options on a scale. Right now, she was on an off day meant to take her mind off things. The problem was that she didn't like too many people to deal with, especially people she didn't know. Kuzuku was about the only one she had really talked to other than 16, but she could only guess that was because the young Saiyan had a charisma about him that made it easy for her, "Well—!"

"GUYS, WE GOTTA RUN! WE REALLY SCREWED UP!"

Before she could respond, everyone turned to see both Kize and Vincent practically running for their lives. From what would make engineers for the military take notes in the future. For context, the batting ring wasn't just a simple design of a pitching machine stationed in one spot. As a collaboration with the Major Baseball League and Capsule Corporations, Bulma had helped quite a bit in designing a robot to provide "realism" to aspiring athletes. So, she did just that, and her Pitch-Bot was published and sold to be placed in batting rings across the globe. The revenue she got was well worth the restless nights, but one thing she didn't account for was. . . her Pitch-But turning rouge and hurling what was supposed to be moderately fast pitches to literal bullets.

With that said, it was understandable to see why Kize and Vincent were running away from the out-of-control robot that was hot on their tail. How they managed to get themselves into this situation, he didn't know. But Kuzuku wasn't one to find out, and as far as he knew, he was the only one capable of taking one of those fastballs and surviving. The safety of those near him comes first. Taking 21's hand and signaling Ace to move, Kuzuku grinned nervously and said, "Well, looks like you don't get a choice. We gotta book it!"

Before she could speak, 21 went from utter confusion to dashing away from a barrage of baseballs. Chaos was all around her, but she couldn't help but feel she was already engaging in the wonders of teenage trouble and fun. As the wind whipped past her face based on how fast they were moving and the balls hit past her face, she couldn't help but smile: her worries becoming nothing but an afterthought.

[- - - -]

(Meanwhile, Planet Earth's 28th Region, West City: Capsule Corporations Homes. . .)

"Man, an even better meal comes after a good sparring match!"

Bulma sat in the middle of Chi-Chi and Videl as she watched her childhood friend scoff her expensive food as if it were fast food. Next to him was her husband doing the same thing; the two were covered in dirt and scratches, indicating the two had a pretty intense training session. Ill-mannered and with little regard for appearances. Saiyans were experts at doing such that, and the only one who wasn't looking like they were hit by a running train was her nephew, Gohan. Then again, unlike his father and her husband, he still ran through papers and assignments while eating. He was still trying to figure out his new job, which seemed more hassle than intended.

Sighing, Chi-Chi looked to Bulma apologetically, "Sorry about this, Bulma. I wasn't feeling well enough to cook and put the burden of feeding my man-child on you." Chuckling at the accurate description of the hero of Earth, Son Goku, Bulma waved dismissively.

"It's alright, nothing I can't handle. This saves you a few hundred dollars on groceries, right?" Bulma noted.

"We hunt most of our food. . ." After flipping over a page of one of his many papers, Gohan pointed out.

Hearing this, Bulma corrected, "Several hunts for groceries then. Anyways, you get the point."

"I guess so, anyways, I can't understand why our husbands can't take a break for once and slow down with their training," Chi-Chi noted loudly.

Hearing this, the strongest duo on Earth placed their bowls down as Goku answered, "I can't, Chi. If I do, I feel sluggish and don't like feeling sluggish."

"And I don't want this clown to leave me behind," Vegeta grumbled.

Exasperated, Chi-Chi threw up her hands and, despite Videl being on call, exclaimed loudly, "Ugh, you two will never change. We're at peace! You should enjoy it with your family more. Do not gear up for your next life-or-death battle. I bet nothing will happen for a while now!"

"I get what you mean, Chi, but—!" Goku began before nearly choking on his food. Something was off, and he wasn't alone on that. Vegeta and Gohan both perked up, not necessarily shocked but intrigued. Although, contrasting their impassive look to the lurking dangers, the three wives of each Saiyan watched in shock. It took a moment for them to process what was happening until they finally noticed a black mist surrounding them. Now alarmed, the only one who had gotten a word in couldn't have said a better follow-up to his better sentence, "Hey, look! Something interesting is happening—!"

Goku didn't finish his sentence as the world went completely black around him, and the three Saiyans disappeared before their wives' eyes. Silence filled the air as the wind blew against the tablecloth from being outside on the balcony of the Capsule Corp home. Though, breaking the silence, Bulma placed a hand on a shocked Chi-Chi's shoulder while Videl hung up the phone.

"Well, you got what you asked for. .," Videl noted, a deep feeling that things were about to go wrong in conjunction with her mother-in-law's words suddenly becoming more of a premonition. She just hoped it wouldn't be too bad this time. Yeah. . .

She Hopes Very Much So. . .

[- - - -]

A/N: Nothing too notable in this chapter as it sets up the start of the main portion of this arc compared to the old story that had gotten to this part a lot quicker. All I can say is I've set the stage. Until we meet again!