08 - Father and Son
I flew over to the Z-Fighters after consuming Cell, hoping that my distraction was enough to hide the act. I had to grow stronger eventually, and I had to figure out how to fully absorb Cell, without negative side effects. As I flew through the air, I took a look at my Status page.
Android 21
Status:
Health: 100%
Stamina: 100%
Ki Reserves: 99%
Magic Reserves: 99%
Status Effects:
Soul Scaring
Racial Make-Up
Saiyan 25%
Human 15%
Arcosian 20%
Majin 40%
Abilities:
Ki Techniques:
Ki Manipulation - D Tier
Energy Blast - D Tier
Detonation Ball - C Tier
Photon Swipe - A Tier
Magic Techniques:
Connoisseur Cut - S Tier
Hungry Beam - B Tier
Absorption - S Tier
Sweet Tooth - S Tier
Racial Abilities
Regeneration - S Tier
Survivability - S Tier
Arcosian Infinite Potential - S Tier
Hyper Intelligence - B Tier
Connoisseur Cut - 6 Slots Remaining
1. Heat Dome Attack - C tier - 97%
2. Kien-zan Disc - B Tier 3%
Absorption Slots - 3 Slots Remaining
1. Cell - 24% - Absorbed
Aspects: 24% Ki absorbed
0.1% Spiritual Karma Diffused
100% Magical Energy Absorbed
Looking through the window in my vision, I had to note a few things that needed further investigation. The first one was that I still had Soul Scaring. Something that I suspect can't be healed without Dragon Ball wishes or maybe Spirit Control. Something I will have to figure out later.
Another interesting thing is that the Kien-zan disc...ugh, "Change entry Kien-zan Disc to Destructo Disc, please!" I said quietly as I flew.
Connoisseur Cut - 6 Slots Remaining
1. Heat Dome Attack - C tier - 80%
2. Destructo Disc - B Tier 5%
"Thank you!" I was pretty sure that I just talked to myself, but I gracefully ignored that.
Interestingly enough, the percentage, which I still wasn't sure if it was knowledge, completion, or experience yet, raised to 5%. That seems to be that the more I learn and use the ability, the more I can learn to make it my own. That was my leading theory so far.
The next part that drew my attention was the Absorption levels. In just a minute or so, I had absorbed nearly 24% of Cell's ki and 100% of his magic. But how does that translate? What is my current potential power level?
Current Power Level 10,000,000(.67%)
Current Breakdown
7,000,000 Ki
3,000,000 Magic
Potential Maximum Power Level 1,500,000,000
So my potential maximum power level increased by 500 million, even though Cell only had 40 million or so? I wasn't sure how that worked, but maybe it was much higher when including Cell's potential?
It didn't make any sense, and I could also feel that reaching 100% power was still beyond me. It was slightly frustrating, even if doing so wasn't necessary for now.
I decided to keep my transformation in my true form active as I reached the Z-Fighters and Mr. Satan and the Reporters.
"Well done 21!" Goku said.
"Yeah! Great fight! You wiped the floor with him!" Krillin said.
I smiled, "Thank you, remember that we need to get 17 and 18 to Bulma so she can remove the bombs in them, don't let them leave without that, alright?"
16 and Krillin nodded, "Right, thanks for saving them 21."
"Of course, they are different than they were in Trunk's timeline, they got to know you, 16."
The huge Android 16 smiled at me, "They aren't evil, but need a good guide."
"So, Heya Gorgeous, are you interested-" I cut Yamcha off with a disgusted look that was apparently strong enough to knock him back a few feet.
Trunks flew up and drew me into a hug, "Sorry Yamcha, she's taken."
My cheeks ignited and I stared into Trunk's eyes, he drew me in for a kiss in front of everyone! How bold!
Cat calls and surprised gasps echoed around me after we finished.
"And our Heroine celebrates with a handsome young man. I suppose this is a time for celebration for all of Earth! We are saved from the terrors of Cell! Lady 21 has defeated a foe beyond anything that we can imagine! Hold on for now and I will request an interview from our young and beautiful savior!" The Reporter said.
"Are you going to challenge him?" I asked quietly to Trunks.
He nodded, "I am proud of you 21. You are incredible. Thank you for allowing me to change my future."
I smiled at him, "I will always have your back, Trunks. Even if I live in a different timeline."
He nodded once again, then turned and stared at Vegeta, "Father, it is time I challenge you to a fight."
~o*o~
"All of us Saiyans are special. We can feel and grow with each other just by being near one another. As I power up, I want all of you to do so with me!" Trunks said.
"Huh? What do you mean Trunks?" Goku asked.
"Feel your power, feel mine. Let them resonate and grow together! Trust me on this, alright? Are you ready?"
Gohan, Goku, and even Vegeta exchanged glances.
Vegeta spoke up, "What are you talking about boy!?"
"I am going to fight you, but you aren't strong enough yet. Do this for me, and I will show you the true power of Saiyans! The power that makes us unique amongst everyone in the universe!" Trunks was repeating what he was told from Android 21 while in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.
Trunks began to power up, quickly transforming into Super Saiyan and reaching the static power levels that Goku and Gohan had been residing at. Vegeta was staring with astonishment, unable to understand how he had reached such a power level.
Trunks glared at Vegeta, "I said POWER UP NOW!"
"Tsch! FINE!" Vegeta agreed and transformed into Super Saiyan as well. His power stabilized just a tiny bit higher than everyone else's, though he was closer to his maximum than the others.
Trunks began to push, "Stay with me!"
His power grew and grew arriving at the cusp of Super Saiyan 2. To go any further would require the transfer to the next stage of power. He felt Goku and Gohan easily reached up to touch the ceiling on the cusp of Super Saiyan 2. He felt them perfectly resonating with him, but Vegeta was too filled with frustration as he struggled to meet their power.
"Calm your emotions! Focus on the resonation between us!" Trunks called.
"SHUT UP!"
"It's not that you will fail if you don't, it's that you have the power but haven't pushed far enough. Change the way you do things to advance further!"
Vegeta's veins popped out on his head and his frustration mounted and his pride was attacked.
"I'm not asking you to change how you fight or anything. Just to understand the power of Saiyans. It's that simple. If you can't do that, then don't bother calling yourself a Saiyan."
"AAHHHHHHHHH!" Vegeta finally took the bait and his power skyrocketed as he smashed through the ceiling into Super Saiyan 2. Trunks smiled and transformed as well. Gohan and Goku followed shortly after.
Trunks didn't let his father stabilize, he forced him to go further than he had ever done so before, pushing all four Saiyans into the levels that Goku and Cell fought at during the start of the Cell Games.
Goku spoke up, "This is a new transformation!"
He was right. The four Saiyans were fully powered up into the Ascended State of Super Saiyan 2. Usually, this was a transformation that required dedication and need to accomplish. But if Caulifa, a Saiyan that had never even pushed into Super Saiyan before, could do it in a day, then our Saiyans could do it as well.
Gohan was the first to waiver, his growing power level slowing down to a crawl before slightly dropping and stabilizing. He wasn't full Saiyan and couldn't access his true potential without a devastating catalyst. He is too peaceful in nature and his potential would only truly respond to the need for power. That isn't a problem for now.
Vegeta was next as he waned and stopped a while after Gohan did. His rage turned to shock and frustration as he watched Goku and Trunks continue forward.
"HUUUUAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!" Goku became vocal as he passed by the levels he reached during the Cell fight.
"AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" Trunks felt his maximum approaching and he pushed forward as Goku forced his level higher.
They capped out close to one another, but Trunks had a slight edge when stabilizing.
"See?! We are Saiyans! It is our inherent strength to build off of one another. We strive forward together! Now...FIGHT ME!"
"TSCH GLADLY!" Vegeta said. Reading his frustration and disbelief at Trunks power level was easy to see. The Saiyan prince was ready to blow a gasket as he was fully challenged to fight.
Vegeta flashed forward, a wild haymaker with the force of a dozen trains leading his charge. Trunks dodged and countered with a knee that into his father's chest before Vegeta could react. He didn't lower his power level to Vegeta's and instead went on the offensive.
Trunks kicked Vegeta up into the air and activated a Heat Dome Attack underneath him. The dome formed and slammed upwards in a fiery wave, striking Vegeta and blasting him into the sky. Trunks continued, just like he did in the Time Chamber, he went into a combination attack, shooting straight up into the air to strike at Vegeta.
The Heat Dome attack was only a prelude to his coming strikes, landing a devastating axe kick to his father's chest and gut, a back-breaking knee to stop his downward momentum, and a deadly Ki sphere that he learned from 21, a Detonation Ball that acted as a powerful melee attack. Vegeta slammed into the ground with a groan of pain.
In Vegeta's mind, all that he felt was fury, followed by a strange sense of pride in his son. He lay there in a hole that matched his body, staring up at the glowing form of Trunks. His son was charging another attack and it was only then that he realized it was a Gallick Gun.
Vegeta's fury drained as his face turned into a smile. Trunks hesitated at that, seeing the strange expression on his father's face.
"Good," Vegeta said, breaking rocks as he stood up. "Very good."
"What?" Trunks asked, his confusion only growing.
"When you came here, crawling to this timeline begging for help, I felt nothing but contempt and disgust. How could a son of mine EVER give up on a fight? How could he call himself a true Saiyan Warrior if he flees and asks for help?! I refused to believe that that is who you are."
Vegeta stared up at his son, his smile growing, "BUT NOW? Now I see your pride! AND I CAN'T HELP BUT RESPOND IN KIND!"
Vegeta screamed in rage and pride, his aura spiking as he reached the depths of Super Saiyan 2. Lightning crackled around him, causing huge rents in the ground as lightning sparked around him. The hill he had entered was blasted away like a bomb being set off. The atmosphere reacted after 21 had released her aura, now it was responding to Vegeta.
Trunks had been charging his Gallick Gun, but it was stopped at the display of his father surpassing him in power. Vegeta burst forward and slammed his fist into Trunk's stomach.
"HAHAHAHAHA!" Vegeta laughed uproariously as he reveled in his growing power.
Trunks felt the energy he gathered dissipate with the pain of the fist to his gut. He went flying back but quickly recovered.
Trunks usually maintained a stoic demeanor, but now his Saiyan blood was ignited and he rose to the challenge. His father would not be defeated so easily.
What started as a one-sided fight, quickly became an even playing field. Trunks flew forward, answering his father's call to a challenge.
The two Saiyan Princes clashed in a sky-shaking collision. The sound of thunder crashing didn't compare to the collision between the two fighters. Waves of force blasted all the dust and loose dirt away. Only a shield projected by Android 21 prevented the remaining non-powered people from being blasted away, yet their ears still nearly burst from the pressure of the strike.
The fight grew in intensity as a staccato of blasts continued and the two fighters used the entire region as their battleground. The watching Z-Fighters were silent as the fight escalated and they felt the power levels rise.
~o*o~
I sat there with the intention of meditating until the fight shook everything and blew the wind to obscene speeds. I was surprised when Vegeta monologued for a moment, but he quickly engaged again. His power level was fluctuating like mad. To the side of the fight, Goku and Gohan slowly released their levels, dropping back down to base Super Saiyan.
I inspected the fighters to see where they stood on a break between clashes.
Trunks Briefs
Power Level: 45 million
Vegeta
Power Level: 45 million
Incredible! Vegeta's power skyrocketed, but even Trunks' levels had increased. This seemed to only prove my hypothesis about Saiyan's easily building off of each other. It was true when Caulifa and Kale just matched Cabba's power level without having ever trained. It seems some of the more esoteric concepts, even in Dragon Ball Super, applied to this timeline.
I would have to exploit every aspect of this universe to grow stronger, and that includes my fellow Z-Fighters of Universe 7. Of course, I shouldn't quite consider myself a Z-Fighter yet, but I am hoping I earned the title with the defeat of Cell.
The fight going on increased in intensity and I was drawn back into watching it. Trunks were fighting with fierce determination, but Vegeta was reveling in the fight, taking pride in the intensity and brutality that both of them were showing each other. He had achieved a new level and I was sure that he had never reached anywhere near this level before, or he would have fought Cell first.
Either way, this timeline is already advancing faster as far as power scaling is concerned.
The fight rose into the sky and they played across the vast desert, leaving huge clashing waves of force to crash across the area.
"Excuse me, Miss 21?" The Reporter asked. I thought that I should learn his actual name, but something inside me still didn't like the guy, despite his changed attitude.
"Yes?"
"Why are they fighting? Isn't Cell defeated?"
"Oh, it's just a little father/son argument, don't worry about it."