Author's Notes: Want to play a quick game of just good news?

I've got a much better hold of my situation now and I feel confident enough to resume posting. I'm not as stable as I'd like to be, but I'm very close. So sharing the newest chapter here while starting work on the next one will be an excellent step towards normalcy.

Speaking of which, I view this chapter as the true beginning of the Android saga. Now that the invasion is over, it's time to showcase the new threat of this story. While this chapter isn't as long as usual, it is important, and I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

Thank you all again for your patience, understanding, and an amazing amount of support. It really helped me through the past month. You're all wonderful and I love you, so please, enjoy.

"…. computer."

The voice came out slow and strained, coupled with sharp gasps of air. The destruction of his rage had created surrounded the old man. Shattered vials and crushed hardware littered the cave floor as Gero struggled to contain himself.

"Yes, doctor?" The mechanical voice whined.

"What is 14's status?"

"Android 14 stands at 99% complete."

"That's good enough."

Stumbling through the disaster he caused, Gero walked over to a computer screen, his eyes still wild. "I have a target for 14."

"It is not advisable to release an android before it is-"

"I AM NOT WAITING ANY LONGER! I HAVE WAITED LONG ENOUGH!" Gero screamed before his voice cooled to a tone made of ice. "… Son Goku will know pain."

"Acknowledged."

Slamming the door to the time chamber with more force than the necessary, Krillin let a frustrated sigh roll out of him. The quiet halls of the lookout spun for a moment, forcing him to place a hand on the nearby wall to keep himself upright. His head throbbed from the multiple headbutts Vegeta had given him just minutes ago.

That should keep him busy for at least some time. He thought to himself. Might be enough time to recover, too.

"It looks as if you've had quite the rough time."

Looking up at the new voice, the young monk saw the guardian of Earth walking toward him, cane in hand.

"Kami, you surprised me," Krillin admitted.

"Then your battle must have worn you out even more than I thought. Sit here. I can heal you."

"Thanks," Krillin said, leaning onto the wall and sliding down its length.

Kneeling down to face height, Kami lowered his head on Krillin's head and encased his body with warm soothing energy.

"Do you think it wise to let your other half handle Vegeta?" Kami asked as the healing process took effect.

"Didn't have a choice. He would have ripped the lookout in half if I let him."

"I see, and what of the outcome? What do you believe your older self will say to the prince?"

"He'll find a way, I'm sure," Krillin sighed. "He's a lot more patient than me."

Kami stiffened, and his gaze narrowed. "You're doing it again."

"Huh? What?"

"You referred to him as if he isn't you."

"Oh," Krillin said, blinking twice. "I didn't-"

"This has gone on long enough, Krillin," Kami said sharply. "You have delayed your fusion for a year here and decades in the chamber. We still don't know the ramifications of your choice."

"I… I know, but there are still things I have to-"

"Krillin, your priority must be the forming of the dragonballs if you wish to restore those we have lost," Kami said, his tone growing fierce. "Cooler is dead, and his threat is gone. You must focus on the future."

"I know that," Krillin said, his voice matching Kami's intensity. "Give me some time alright, this Trunks guy is still out there, and the others are hurt. Once they're alright, then I'll start thinking about-"

"The time for thinking is past. I have seen firsthand the aftereffects of your attempts and your older self cannot carry on like this."

"W-what?"

"… perhaps I have said too much," Kami sighed while removing his hand now that the healing was complete. "Just know that delaying this matter may no longer be an option for you."

"… don't… don't I have time?"

"Precious little."

Krillin remained seated for a moment, his face contorted with confusion and sadness. Slowly, he rose back to his feet, his shoulders sagging as he did. "In that case, there's another thing I need to do."

"Which is?"

"I should inform the King of the outcome of the battle," Krillin said, walking past the guardian. "He'll want to know that we won, at least."

"Perhaps that is not-"

"At the very least, it'll give me a chance to say goodbye."

Kami stopped at his student's interruption, noting the tension the monk held in his words. "Very well, but as always, I express caution when dealing with him."

"I know Kami," Krillin said, walking down the hall and toward the lookout's edge. "But I trust him."

Yamcha was the first to awaken. His eye slowly opened as a hand went to his head, trying its best to center himself.

"Wha… where?"

"Capsule Corp."

He turned in his bed to see Bulma Briefs sitting there on a small chair, her legs crossed and a sharp glare directed at him.

"You look angry," Yamcha said with a half-smile. "Is this not heaven?"

"I'd smack that smile off your face if I thought you could take it," the woman snapped. "What were you thinking, pulling a stunt like that?"

"I was thinking that if I didn't fight harder, the entire world would be destroyed," the wolf sighed and leaned deeper into his bed. "It was a pretty good motivator."

"Don't joke about this, Yamcha, you scared me, you jerk."

"Sorry. Though I'm guessing we won at least if you've got the time to give me the third degree," Yamcha said, looking around the same room and the various beds with the others still resting in them. "How is everyone else?"

"They're okay. You had the worst of it, so we used the senzu I kept here. Krillin went to Korin's fetching more and Launch is looking for that mystery man who you guys saved earlier," Bulma said, getting up from her chair and grabbing a nearby bottle of water and handing it to the martial artist.

"I thought he was nearby," Yamcha said as he took the water. "What happened in the end?"

"Looks like he vanished after the fight, and Krillin's a little worried about it. As for the fight itself, if I'm being honest, I'm still a little sparse on the details. From what I could sense here, it was Piccolo who ended things."

"That's a surprise. Then again, he was training alone and with Gohan for most of the year. Maybe he had something new he didn't show us."

"Maybe. Though keep in mind it may have been Piccolo who took that Cooler guy down, but it was Vegeta who saved your sorry butt."

"Saved might not be the right word," Yamcha said flatly. "He nearly killed me himself."

"Hard to be careful when you're the one burning yourself alive," Bulma huffed. "Regardless, you'd be dead to him, so you may as well thank him."

"Thank him?" Yamcha said, nearly laughing as he drank. "That would be rich. Can you imagine thanking the guy who was going to destroy the world not too long ago?"

"Well, I did," Bulma said, sitting back down in her chair. "I invited him to live here, too."

The wolf coughed hard on his water, gagging hard and nearly choking.

"Are you crazy!?" Yamcha coughed. "Why would you do that?"

"Seems like the right thing to do after he helped save the world, but if you're going to scream about it, let's move back to the main lab. Let the others get their rest."

"… fine." Yamcha said, getting out of bed, only to stumble as his legs gave way.

"Careful," Bulma hissed, barely able to lend him her shoulder to catch him. "You're probably not back to full strength yet."

"What? I thought you said you gave me a senzu?"

"You didn't see the state you were in."

He paused before standing back up to his full height. "Thanks."

She let him go and nodded, leaving the room with the wolf following close behind.

"So you'd really let Vegeta stay here?" Yamcha said, closing the door behind him.

"It's not like we don't have the room and apparently, he was just hanging out in a cave for the past year. Why not try being nice to the guy who could blow up the planet without a second thought?"

"Maybe because he could blow up the planet without a second thought? What if he snaps and kills you?"

"He can try, but I can handle him."

"How? He's a saiyan," Yamcha said sternly. "I think this is a mistake."

"Noted, but you don't really have a say in what I do."

"I'm still your friend, right? That counts for something."

"It does, but I think you're being overprotective. If I invited Piccolo to stay, you'd probably be fine with it, right? He wanted to destroy the world too, or did he want to rule it? I can't remember."

"Look," Yamcha said with a sigh. "I don't want to fight, but I'm just worried about you. I think you pushed yourself too hard for this fight and now that it's over, I think you should take it easy, not invite crazy-"

"I was wrong about him."

"What?"

"Cooler was weak by the time he got to him and knocked you out. Weak enough that he could have ended the fight right there. The only reason he didn't was because Cooler threatened to kill you."

"How do you-"

"I heard it through his communicator. Everything he and Cooler said I heard, and I thought you were really going to die right there. Everything I knew about Vegeta told me he was going to get his revenge no matter what he had to do, but I was wrong."

Yamcha paused as he watched Bulma give off a small smile. "Maybe there's a bit more to him than I thought."

"Huh," the wolf said, crossing his arms. "Didn't think I'd ever hear you admit that. You don't like being wrong about anything."

"I am aware," Bulma huffed. "Don't go spreading that around, though. I have an image to maintain."

"Fine, fine," Yamcha sighed, knowing full well he would not win this. "Just don't come crawling back to me when he turns into a giant ape like Goku did."

"He needs a tail and a full moon for that dummy."

"… saiyans don't make any sense."

Bulma laughed, her eyes shining as she did. Only for them to darken as she turned her head upward to the ceiling.

"What's wrong?" Yamcha asked, her concern dressed on her face.

"You don't sense that?"

"Sense wha-" The wolf stopped as his own senses picked up something, moving quickly. "Stay here. We don't know who this person is yet."

"Alright, be careful."

He nodded and dashed through the door into the hallway and left through the opening at the top of the capsule corporation. Flying upward, he hovered above the wide yellow dome and out of sight of everyone walking the streets below. Looking over, he could see the approaching figure Bulma sensed and prepared himself for the worst.

The figure stopped short, and the aura broke off, leaving the young man hovering in the air, facing the wolf. "Um… hello."

Flowing into a fighting stance and narrowing his only eye, Yamcha let loose both a shout and a dense aura flare out." Enough games! Who are you!?"

The young man looked confused, clearly not expecting the former baseball player to meet him, yet he sighed and returned Yamcha's harsh gaze with one of his own.

"My name is Trunks, and I... I need your help. Can we talk?"

"118."

The King felt the number dig into his heart as his advisor read off the piece of paper. Taking off his glasses, the old dog rubbed the bridge of his nose as if it would help his pain.

"This is the number from all the cities?" King asked slowly, his eyes still closed, unable to fully face his reality yet.

"Yes sir," the advisor answered. "We're still getting a handle on things, but this appears to be the average now. The shaking toppled several small buildings, which is where the majority come from."

"I see. What are we doing for the relief efforts?"

"Having everyone on standby helped immensely. We have mobilized everyone we can and have saved more lives than we would have. For a planet-wide quake, this could have been far worse."

"For those one hundred and eighteen lost souls and their families, this is the worst," King said with more bite than he intended. "… forgive me, it has been a long day. What of the team that has been sent to inspect the North Mountains?"

"They should arrive there shortly."

"Good, keep me posted on any developments. Is there anything else?"

"No sir."

"Then you are dismissed."

The advisor bowed once, then quickly left, leaving the King alone his office, with his thoughts. Slowly, he rose and walked over to his collection of fine liquors and drinks. Silently he mixed himself something sturdy and tough, no ice. Like a ghost, he returned to his seat and eyed the glass in his hands. The liquid sloshed from one side to the other. He raised the drink to his lips but hesitated and then set it down without taking a sip. He couldn't stomach it.

"Is this a bad time?"

Krillin's sudden appearance had the old dog standing up out of his seat in surprise, nearly knocking over his glass. He opened his mouth to speak, but no voice came from him. The two stood there for a moment before King sat back down, his adrenaline fading.

"So… the battle is over."

"Yes," Krillin said with a nod. "We won."

The King looked at Krillin with a careful eye, trying to get ahold of his own thoughts.

"Thank you, my boy. I'm certain it was a hard-fought battle."

"It was, but thankfully, we won against the invaders without losing anyone."

"… hmm," King said slowly. "By anyone, I assume you are referring to the allies you mentioned once before."

"Ah, yes. I'm sorry to say that I still can't tell you who they are."

"… of course. I understand."

"I'm here to inform you we won the fight," Krillin said slowly. "And that this goodbye."

"Goodbye? What do you mean?"

"With the invader's delt with, the danger has passed. You don't need me to drop by and scare you out of your seat anymore," Krillin said, trying to lighten the mood.

The King didn't answer and after a moment, Krillin took this as a sign to continue.

"I know I haven't been as forthcoming as much as you want, but I do have my reasons. Please believe that." The monk said as extended his hand at the King in a sign of friendship. "Thank you for trusting me."

An uneasy silence fell onto the two as the King left Krillin's hand unmet. The pause was broken as the old dog spoke, his voice heavy and tired.

"Are you aware of how many people died today?"

Krillin flinched.

"You seem to believe the battle was won with no casualties. I am afraid that is not the case."

"How ma-"

"118, though that number will go up as we continue the relief efforts. It was the quakes caused by your fight that claimed most of the people's lives."

"I told you to-"

"You have told me very little. While we are indeed lucky that this tragedy has not claimed more lives, the lack of communication between us has a role to play in these tragic events. I cannot prepare for the things I do not know. Please, what happened in the North Mountains?"

Krillin lowered his arm. "We had a plan, a way to end the fight without dragging things out, but we were interrupted."

"Interrupted? By what?"

"I'm still trying to understand that."

"… is that all? Is that the only thing you have to say?"

"I-I'm sorry but I can't-"

The King slammed both of hands onto his desk as he rose to meet Krillin's gaze.

"I have hundreds begging for another miracle. Thousands are asking if this planetwide earthquake is related to the first invasion. And millions will no longer answer my voice because I cannot give them what they need, the truth."

"I can't."

"And who are you to decide that?" The King snapped. "Who are you to deny the people a basic understanding of what is happening to them?"

"A basic understanding wouldn't help them," Krillin fired back. "There is nothing they can do against the enemies we face. All I can do is try to keep them safe."

"I am trying to do the same." King shouted, his voice rising. "But a vague warning to avoid the North Mountains is not enough when the battle can be felt across the Earth."

"It wasn't supposed to get that bad."

"But it did, and once again, I am forced to face the people with no way of calming their anger or soothing their fears. This event will no doubt increase the tension surrounding East City and the people were at a breaking point before this. Will you continue to do nothing?"

"I can't do everything." Krillin said, his tone growing tense.

"No, no, of course not. Your solution seems to be to just say farewell and hope this problem is settled without you."

"I… It is not my place to interfere."

"Then what is your place?" The King said sternly. "Who are you, or perhaps, what are you?"

The painful silence returned as Krillin and the King stared at each other. The monk's hurt was obvious, but the old dog did not apologize for his words. Silently, the comfort between them faded away.

"I'm human."

"…. so you say. Then, as a human, why won't you do more for this planet? For its people?"

"I am doing everything I can, you have no idea how much I-"

"Then tell me!"

The shout echoed through the King's chamber, and yet Krillin remained silent.

"You were just thanking me for trusting you," The King continued. "Yet you haven't done the same for me. Does it have to do with your allies?"

The monk went cold as he stared at the King, his eyes glazing over from the question.

"As I have already said before, I cannot reveal the names of my companions. I am sorry for the loss of life and for the situation in East City. I came here to tell you we have won the fight and to thank you for your faith in me. There is no reason for an interrogation."

"No need? How can you say that when you've changed everything? The invasion, the miracle, now this disaster has shaped Earth in a new way. The demand for answers won't go away just because you think we are safe. We cannot go back to the ways things were."

Krillin flinched before speaking very slowly. "The planet is safe, and the battle is over. I know you need me to come forward, but I cannot. There are limits to what I can do and what I can be."

"I see… then there is nothing more to be said, is there? You are not the person the people need," The King said as he sat back down in his chair. "Thank you for saving us from the threats we cannot see and with allies we cannot know. You are dismissed."

Krillin stared at the King with wide eyes before they once again lost their luster. Without another word, the monk left the King through the doors leading to his balcony and took to the sky.

Alone again, the King sat with his thoughts for a moment before reaching into his pocket. Pulling out his phone, he calmly called the only number it had.

"Your majesty."

"I was just visited by Mr. B. The battle is indeed over, and he seems to have suffered no losses."

"Were you able to get anything else out of him?"

"He was unwilling. This woman, Chichi. Are you confident you would be able to get some answers from her?"

"I am."

"… very well. You have my permission to move in."

"Understood."

Calm down Chichi, they are going to be fine.

The thought weighed heavily on the ox princess as she continued to cut her small collection of vegetables on her cutting board. Her chops were precise and well-practiced carving through the small mountain of greens with ease.

If things hadn't gone well, you would know by now, right? The rumbling stopped, so that means things might be over already.

She moved on to the meats next. Switching knives in the blink of an eye, Chichi skewed and separate the central ingredients of her feast with the skills of a master chief.

Krillin will be there, and he's been preparing them for more than a year now. It will be fine.

With the meat sliced and diced, she moved over to check on the boiling pots she had stuffed full of rice. Seeing she still had a few minutes left before it was ready to be drained, she reached for the next item to be prepped, only to realize she had prepared everything.

Her kitchen was alive with activity as the various dishes sizzled and popped, but with nothing to do but wait, Chichi clutched her hands tightly together, her knuckles growing white.

Don't think about it. Just cook.

Then, as if to ease her worries, there came a calm and collected knock on her door. Instantly hoping for the best, Chichi rushed over to her door and flung it open a smile already adorning her face.

"Go-"

Yet instead of her son stood a tall man in a slick black suit and dark glasses covering his eyes.

"Good afternoon, ma'am," the man said stoically while reaching into his jacket and pulling out a badge decorated with the King's colors and symbol. "I work with the King. I was hoping to ask you a few questions regarding a person of interest."

"The King?" Chichi asked, her eyes narrowing. "W-what is this about?"

"I'll be blunt, ma'am. We know you have contacted the hero of the invasion and the man behind the miracle. Or rather than call him the hero with you, I can use his real name," Z said, pocketing his badge. "I'm here to talk about Krillin. May I come in?"

"I don't know anyone by that name," Chichi countered sternly. "You have the wrong house."

"My sources say otherwise, ma'am. I have it on good authority that you not only are you familiar with Krillin, you are also involved with the events that are still occurring in the North Mountains."

"… the North mountains?" Chichi said, trying her best to not let her face slip. "What would I know about that?"

"Likely less than me, though I'd wager you yourself are curious about the outcome of the fight that took place there."

Chichi flinched, and Z knew he had her. "If not you, then perhaps I could talk to someone else, maybe your son. Gohan?"

Her eyes went wide, and she couldn't stop herself from grabbing the agent by the collar and yanking him upward and off his feet.

"What do you know about my son!?" The mother snapped her eyes wild.

Caught completely off guard, Z choked first, before steadying his voice. "M-ma'am assaulting an agent of the King is-"

"I don't care!" Chichi growled, her grip growing tighter. "What happened in the North Mountains? What happened to my boy!?"

"Pu-put me down and I'll tell you!"

Dropping Z onto his backside, the ox princess crossed her arms as she stood over the agent, her gaze piercing through his.

Z coughed once and tended to his collar and tie as he stood up. "Quite a grip you have their ma'am. Though could we continue this conversation inside?"

"… I'm not letting you inside without a name."

"You may call me Z ma'am."

"That's not your real name, is it?"

"It is not."

Chichi stood in her door, unsure of her next step until she heard a timer go off in her kitchen, signaling that the meat needed to be flipped.

"Fine," she said, pushing the door open for the agent. "Come in and sit down."

Z was surprised at the force of the command, but didn't let it show. He entered the small home with a bow and took in his surroundings.

"Something smells delicious."

"It's not for you."

"Of course not, your son, I would imagine, or maybe Krillin and his allies? Do you often cook for them?"

"I didn't say that," Chichi snapped sharply as she quickly attended to the cooking feast. "I said you should sit down."

Z followed the order and sat down at the dinner table. With her business in the kitchen handled, Chichi joined the agent at the table and glared at him as only a mother can.

"Talk. Now."

Quite the tiger. Z thought to himself as he spoke. "As far as we know, the fighting in the North Mountains is over. Krillin and his companions have won, and the danger is passed."

"And Gohan? What about him?"

She's acting as if her son was included in the fighting in the North Mountains, but that's impossible. He's just seven years old.

Z studied the ox princess for a moment and was surprised to see the fierceness he experienced replaced by genuine worry.

… no. Clearly, nothing is impossible anymore. Let's push this a bit.

"Krillin and his companions are safe. Though their injuries have some of them bedridden."

"Gohan was hurt? How badly?"

"The extent is unclear, but I heard that the taitan's shortstop got the worst of it," Z said, lying through his teeth.

"Yamcha?" Chichi answered quickly. "Bulma will be concerned."

Keeping his face straight as the ox princess revealed more than he could have hoped. Her lack of surprise at Z's statement revealed that this opportunity was more important than he realized. Recognizing the golden opportunity for what it is Z leaned in as he asked his next question.

"Yes, well, the fighting was intense enough that even the demon king was heavily injured," Z said, choosing his words carefully.

"The demon king?" Chichi repeated, her brow narrowing. "Oh, you mean Piccolo."

And there it was. Confirmation of the connection.

The demon king is alive, and the hero knew about it.

Z's eyes went wide, unable to suppress his shock. His only saving grace being his dark glasses blinding Chichi to the agent's revolution.

"Where is Gohan now? I need to see him."

"I can assure you, ma'am, he is getting the best of care."

"… the best of care, where?"

He opened his mouth to reply but knew it was too late. With some of her concern for her son now settled, Chichi looked at the agent in a new light, one of deep suspicion.

"You're well-informed for someone I've never heard of."

"Secrecy was paramount while dealing with the invasion. I'm certain you can understand that, ma'am."

"So why include me in this now?"

"As I said, the battle is over."

"So, you show up at my front door to tell me my son is hurt, but not where?"

"He is getting the best ca-"

The table was thrown to its side as Chichi stood up out of her chair. Her glare cut deep into Z's core as she approached him, her voice deadly.

"Who are you?"

The door to 439 East District swung open and stopped the agent's answer. Both Chichi and Z looked over towards the entrance of the warm home.

"What's going on here?" Ox King said, walking through the door with a number of grocery bags wrapped around his arms. "I heard a loud thump or something."

"You must be Ox-King," Z said, standing up and trying to pivot the conversation quickly.

"I am," the big burly man said in confusion. "And who are you, stranger? Another guest for the festivities? Haha!"

"Someone who knows too much," Chichi said sternly, her hands closing into fists. "Now answer my question, who are you and why do you know so much about my fam-"

The energy wave came from outside.

Through the open door, it traveled onto the other side of the warm home. It shredded the wall and burned open a gaping hole in the wall. It continued on into the forest, cutting down and burning trees from the nearby forest. On its way there, it had cut through Ox-King's chest.

For a moment, the giant man stood upright as the various groceries fell out of his arms. He slowly placed a hand on his chest, the shock overriding his pain. Seeing it coated in bright red had him looking toward his daughter with concern.

"…dad?"

It was the only word Chichi got out as she watched her father fall forward. Blood began to fall out from this wound, staining the wood floor red.

Before she could scream, a man with silver skin walked through the door and stepped over Ox-King. He was a large, heavily built muscular man, who donned a brown brassard and belt combination. His hands were covered with large brown gloves, his waist and torso clothed by a long green skirt, and his feet were in yellow and black boots. He wore his black hair in a braid draped over a well-built shoulder, his brown eyes scanning the room before they rested on Chichi.

"Target located." The silver-skinned man said, raising his arm at the mother in shock. "Mission objective: Kill the wife."