Author's Note: Sigh, okay. Time to reset the clock.
Hello everyone! I apologize for the delay in getting this chapter out, it took me even longer than I thought and I'm sorry to keep you waiting.
Speaking of keeping you waiting let me pull this band-aid right off and tell you that I don't think there will be a chapter at the end of this month. I hoped to post last week and get started on the next chapter immediately but this one took too long, and I don't think I have it in me to make the next deadline.
Had more trouble with this than I thought and this chapter made me realize that I do need a bit of a break so the next post will be in October.
Moving on, this chapter is mainly about giving some context of what the rest of the cast has been up to in the time skip as well as a reveal I'm excited to share.
I do hope you have fun with it. Also, fair warning, don't take the opening gag too seriously I'm just having some fun.
Alright, that's it for now, thank you as always for reading, and please, enjoy.
"I told you this already!" Trunks exclaimed with a groan. "It's a tingle! A tingle in your back! Try to find the tingle!"
"And I told you!" Vegeta snapped a vein easily spotted pulsing across his forehead. "That is the most idiotic thing I have ever heard!"
The young time traveler rubbed his eyes in frustration. Father and son had begun their training regiment the same way they had for the past few months, screaming at each other. The two were standing in one of the many wide-open rooms located on the lookout hoping some seclusion from the others would help in their training. So far, it had not.
"I'm not even sure why I'm telling you even this much," Trunks sighed. "It's not like you've been overly nice to Mom recently, or anyone else for that matter."
"Humph if you wish to avoid this android apocalypse you've been spouting on for months now then you will assist me in attaining my new form," Vegeta said while folding his arms. "Besides I haven't antagonized the woman in months."
"Not talking to her at all doesn't count. You have to do something to get her to like you."
"The fact that you are still here is argument enough that I will succeed boy," Vegeta glared. "I have a plan in place so your focus should be on helping me unlock the power of the legendary super saiyan. Without this ridiculous tingle nonsense."
"Fine," Trunks said shaking his head. "Then we'll try the other method. Close your eyes and try and focus on someone or something you care about."
"This again?" Vegeta snorted.
"Yes, this again," Trunks snapped. "And if you don't try then I'm leaving."
The prince rolled his eyes and then closed them just as he had been instructed in the past.
"Now, whoever or whatever you are picturing imagine it being taken from you without warning or reason."
Vegeta simply stood still without reacting.
"You try and fight back but whatever or whoever stole from you is better than you, stronger than you. It doesn't matter what you do or try, it's not enough."
A silent scowl took to the prince's face as his concentration deepened.
"All your training was pointless all your efforts were wasted. You aren't good enough or strong enough."
A firm frown took over Vegeta's face and a thin aura crept up along his body.
"Whoever you're imagining, whatever your imagining will be destroyed, wiped out, and killed. All because you're too weak to stop-"
"Hey, here you two are." The calm atmosphere was broken as Goku accompanied by Gohan opened the door to the chamber and let it slam loudly behind them. "Oh sorry."
"Kakarot what are you here doing?!" Vegeta snapped his focus now shattered.
"We wanted to know if you and Trunks were up for a spar," Goku laughed while scratching the back of his head. "Didn't mean to interrupt. Still trying for the super saiyan state?"
"What else would I be doing?" Vegeta snapped.
"Sheesh sorry, we can help if you want." Goku chimed in his tone upbeat as always. "Now the first step is that you're going to feel a tingle on your back."
"Stay out of this Kakarot! This is between me and the boy."
"Just trying to help."
"Enough of this," The prince growled the vein in his forehead pulsing. "Boy, we'll find somewhere else to train."
"No deal," Trunks said shaking his head. "No more training until you show me you've made some progress, regarding that other thing we discussed."
"So be it, then we're done for today," Without another word, the prince walked towards the chamber door, ripped the entrance off its hinges, and stomped out of the room.
"I can tell Mr. Popo about that," Gohan said as the remains of the door slowly slid to the floor.
"That's a good idea," Goku sighed. "Sorry about this Trunks."
"It's fine we weren't getting anywhere, which was only making him angrier. Though can't say I'm up for a spar right now."
"That's alright, what about some food? Chichi's on patrol now so it's my turn to cook."
"Oh, um you're cooking again?"
"Yep! Think I finally figured out the rice cooker too."
"I'll pass, not very hungry right now," Trunks said slowly backing out of the door. "Maybe next time."
Shuffling out quickly through the entrance without a door left the father and son without an audience.
"You like it when I cook right Gohan?"
"Sure Dad," Gohan smiled. "Your rice comes out crunchier than when mom makes dinner."
"Thanks, Gohan," The saiyan grinned while patting his son's head. "Hope I didn't make Vegeta too mad though maybe he needs a bite to eat too."
Walking through the halls of the lookout did little to temper the temper of the prince. His scowl had fastened itself tighter onto his face and several curses followed under his breath. Yet his march had a purpose. Following the slight tremors, he felt through the floor Vegeta made his way towards another one of the many doors on the lookout where the source of the shaking was just behind the entrance. Throwing open the door and walking inside the prince was shown a furious display of power from two of the last remaining namekians.
Piccolo and Nail clashed throwing their entire body weight against one another. Purple blood dripped out of the cuts and scrapes that littered them from head to toe. Their focus remained utterly on their sparring partner and missed Vegeta's entrance as they broke off from each other to continue the fight.
Piccolo pressed two fingers to his forehead and began to gather energy as he tracked Nail's movements carefully.
Nail recognized the movements from the other namekian and landed on the ground as Piccolo charged overhead. Namek's champion stood his ground and cemented himself into a hard stance.
"Special beam cannon!" Piccolo roared firing out the blast from two fingers.
The spiral beam launched at Nail who tracked the fast-moving energy immediately. Reaching out with both hands one stabling the other his arms suddenly bulked up immensely. His forearms increased in size and mass three times over and as the special beam canon smashed into his palms it did not pierce through. Nail legs skidded through the stonework of the lookout as the spiral beam did its best to cut a hole through his palm.
Increasing the strength of his attack the beam did burn a circle through Nail's left hand but was stopped by his right directly behind it. Eventually, the beam died leaving the two namekians further apart from each other but still in the fight.
Letting his natural healing fill in the hole in his hand Nail pivoted hard with a right roundhouse kick. Just as his arms did before his leg exploded within scale and length. Despite the distance between them Nail's leg stretched towards Piccolo and whipped it into his side forcing Kami's other half to defend. Despite getting his hands up in time to absorb the blow the strength of the kick was enough to drop Piccolo out of the sky and slam him onto the ground.
The demon King's spawn landed hard on his shoulder but regained his footing quickly and brushed the dust off of him with a smirk.
"Didn't think you'd be able to stop that."
"Had to try," Nail answered with a smile of his own. "Perhaps that'll teach you not to rely on it anymore."
"Noted, let's see if you can stop this-" Piccolo began before noticing the prince standing near the entrance. "Vegeta? What are you doing here?"
"Not that it's any concern of yours but I'm here for the namekian," Vegeta said looking to Nail. "We have something to discuss."
"You have poor timing saiyan," Nail said with some bite. "I'll be with you momentarily."
"I'm not waiting," Vegeta snarled. "We leave now."
The prince left through the door he walked in from leaving it ajar and his message clear.
"Bastard," Nail spat before looking back to Piccolo. "I'll return soon."
Namek's champion followed the prince leaving Piccolo alone and confused.
"Have you lost your senses saiyan?" Nail growled as he followed Vegeta through the halls of the lookout. "I thought you wanted to be subtle with this?"
"I'm done waiting for you namekian," Vegeta snapped back. "What do you have for me now? I need something new."
"Don't you have enough by now? Training for the androids should take priority over your bizarre requests."
"As long I maintain my silence you will follow everything I say to the letter, now out with it."
The namekian sighed and crossed his arms while wearing his trademark frown. "There's something the humans call a movie."
"A movie? Explain."
"It is the act of going to a location somewhere indoors. I have seen many different humans convening into a location and remain in there for several hours."
"They see something? Be more specific namekian, what is the point of a movie?"
"It ranges, whatever they witness it can leave them in tears, in terror, or excitement and when exiting the location they normally sound more pleased than when they went in."
"Normally?"
"There have been instances where the humans leave disappointed in whatever they viewed. Frustration or regret is another possible outcome."
"Then this movie idea is pointless, too many variables. I need something else namekian."
"Fine," Nail sighed. "I've seen the humans exchanging flowers with one another, this act seems to cause joy between them."
"A flower?"
"It is like an Ajisa tree only smaller and weaker."
"What is the purpose of these flowers?"
"Unclear, but they are everywhere on Earth but the majority seem to purchase them through shops and stores I once told you about."
"Bah, another excuse to use this planet's currency," Vegeta spat. "If that is all you have namekian then you have given me nothing once again."
"Then do this yourself saiyan," Nail countered. "Spying on the general populace for months is pointless for me. If you are so eager to learn about earthlings and how they connect then ask the others. I still do not understand your goal in this endeavor."
"You're a bigger fool than I thought," Vegeta laughed. "My goal is my own and the others cannot know about this. As for attempting this myself your ears are better suited for information gathering than mine. All you need to do is continue informing me of how humans attract one another that is all. Or do I need to remind you of our agreement?"
"You do not," Nail scowled. "Yet don't you have enough now? I have upheld my end to the best of my ability. By now whatever you have planned must be as prepared as possible and since you insist on keeping me in the dark this task must be executed by you alone. Unless you are stalling."
"Careful namekian," Vegeta snapped back. "Remember who is in control here."
"Only for now saiyan," Nail growled before walking away leaving the prince behind.
"I am not stalling," Vegeta seethed turning and walking in the opposite direction.
Yet unbeknownst to both the namekian and saiyan Piccolo who had kept his energy level low and his presence hidden emerged from his hiding place having heard the entire conversation.
That's concerning. Kami's other half thought to himself. Should bring this up.
Despite the coast appearing clear Piccolo was careful with his steps and continued to hide his presence as he made his way through the lookout.
Pushing through a door that looked like all the others, Piccolo found himself walking down the set of stairs he had become most familiar with in the past few months. He walked toward the lookout's inner sanctum. As he did, he felt the air grow dense and thick with a heavy ki. Continuing his march forced him to increase his energy just to withstand the pressure on his shoulders increasing in weight with every step.
Reaching the floor below Piccolo came face to face with Mr. Popo who had dedicated himself to sweeping the floor of the sanctum's inner chamber.
"Wasn't expecting to see you here today," Mr. Popo said to Piccolo without looking up from his sweeping duties. "Or ever for that matter."
"I'm not here by choice," Piccolo said crossing his arms and nodding towards the large double doors that lay closed on the other side of the floor. "Is he in there?"
"Yes, with Kami as well," Mr. Popo said while dusting a particularly hard-to-reach corner. "Is that enough to dissuade you from interrupting them?"
"No, something has come up he needs to know about."
"Then by all means."
Walking past the lookout's caretaker Piccolo crossed the floor to the large double doors and pushed one side open.
Once he had the pressure, he felt his shoulders increased dramatically and began enveloping his entire body. The force against him was enough to push him back midstride. Rising his energy level Piccolo pushed through and led himself deeper into the lookout's center.
There he entered a room larger than any other on the lookout save the time chamber. There were no light sources to be found in the room, yet it hummed with a gentle glow illuminating the space. There in the center of the center, he found who he was looking for, and who he had been trying to avoid.
Krillin and Kami sat across from each other in meditation with eyes closed and doused in silence. The only audible sound in the sanctum was the echos of Piccolo's footsteps as he walked closer to the pair. As he did the weight of power pressing down on his shoulders seemed to lessen for a moment before increasing to a greater effect.
As if the entire room was breathing.
His approach caught the attention of Kami who opened a single eye at his other half's approach and held a hand up toward him.
Piccolo growled inwardly but respected the gesture and paused his steps. Once the other namekian had stopped Kami lowered his hand and returned to meditation. The seconds rolled by slowly before the silence was again shattered, but this time it was due to heaving coughs emanating from Krillin.
The old monk lost himself gasping for air and struggling to regain breath. It wasn't long before those coughs were accompanied by spatters of blood.
"Steady yourself Krillin," Kami said his eyes still closed while he placed a warm hand on his student's shoulder. "I am here."
Even from a distance, Piccolo could see healing energy filter itself from the guardian into the guardian-to-be. The waves of ki calmed the coughs and centered the old monk's breathing to the point where he could breathe again.
"Thank you, Kami," Krillin said his voice hoarse and weak.
"You are making progress. You've gotten much more proficient at withstanding and understanding the Earth's energy."
"Yet it still leaves me in this state," Krillin replied getting ahold of himself.
"Your body will adapt in time. Are you up for another attempt?"
"No, no. I need rest and besides it would be rude to ignore your better half," Krillin laughed weakly as he wiped his mouth clean. "What is it, Piccolo?"
"Nail and I were training earlier when Vegeta interrupted us demanding Nail's presence. I found that odd, so I followed them and overheard about a deal of some sort between them. Figured you should know."
"A deal? That's a case for concern, do you know what it entails?" Kami asked.
"Seems as though the prince has been forcing Nail to spy on human activity for a while now. What he hopes to gain from it I don't know nor why Nail would even listen to him."
"Spying on the human's wh-"
"It's alright."
Kami and Piccolo both looked over to Krillin who slowly got to his feet. There was a shake in the process but eventually, he returned to his full height.
"I have a theory on Vegeta's intentions, and if it is correct then there is no need for alarm."
"A theory? Mind cluing us in on that?" Piccolo said with a frown.
"If I am correct then the fewer people that know the better."
"How convenient," Piccolo said before directing his frown toward Kami. "You have anything to say?"
"I will trust my student's judgment on this," Kami answered rising to his feet as well.
"How typical of you to keep us in the dark before it's too late."
"Sorry old friend," Krillin said patting Piccolo on the back as he walked by. "Having said that I'm not certain as to why Nail would be on board with Vegeta's plan."
"Then do you intend on doing anything about it?"
"There are more pressing matters than just what Nail and Vegeta could be up to," Krillin said pushing through the large double doors far more easily than Piccolo did. "Hello Mr. Popo,"
"Hello Krillin," Mr. Popo said with a bow. "How did this session go?"
"The same as the last, unfortunately," Krillin answered. "I'm still struggling with the basics."
"Given your circumstance it is understandable."
"Even if it is, that will not help us in the long run," Krillin said with a half-hearted smile. "I thank you nonetheless."
Mr. Popo returned the grin and returned to his sweeping duty as Krillin, Kami, and Piccolo began the long climb up the stairs.
"So, you plan to do nothing about Vegeta and Nail?" Piccolo said as the trio marched towards the lookout's surface.
"The plan, as always, relies on my other half back at King Kai's. From what I know he has made strides, but the time for communication is sparse."
"Then the plan continues to be flawed."
"Then what would you have me do? We have been training and preparing for a much greater threat than Vegeta while also working to maintain the world's balance the best we can," Krillin sighed. "Without the dragonballs to aid us, we are stretched thin."
Piccolo did not have an answer to give and simply followed in silence.
"I understand your worries Piccolo I do but there is only so much we can do right now," Krillin said as the three of them reached the top of the stairs and exited back onto the lookout's top floor. "As long as we stick together, we will be able to weather any storm."
A buzz in his ear emanating from his communicator stopped Krillin before he could say any more.
"Yes, Bulma?" Krillin said answering the call. "…what?"
"Well, something tells me that's the place."
Even from a distance, Yamcha could feel the heat radiating off the scorched remains of the island as he flew toward it. He had followed Bulma's instructions and reached Yajirobi's last known coordinates only to find the wide-open ocean surrounding him and the sizzling fog surrounding the isle where the lava met the ocean.
"We'll stay hovering just above the lava but make sure you've got a ki barrier up," Yamcha said to his student who was keeping pace with him by his side.
In the past few months, Chichi had donned the gi outfit she wore in the 23rd World Martial Arts tournament. Her hair had forgone her natural bun and returned to a long ponytail. While her outfit and look had returned to her teenage years she now flew with a confidence she never held before and a quiet strength that exuded with her every word.
"I think that goes without saying," Chichi said eyeing the boiling water below her. "What do you think happened here?"
"One heck of a fight," Yamcha said looking over the severed volcano. "Looks like Yajirobi went all out here."
"Do you think he's okay?"
"I know he is," Yamcha said starting his descent. "It'll take more than this to take out that guy."
The two dropped out of the sky feeling the heat wash over them being mindful to not get any closer than they needed to.
"What are we looking for?"
"Anything that could help us locate Yajirobi."
"I thought that's what these communicators were for," Chichi said touching the one she put in her ear.
"Seems like these androids can not only cut off communication but also keep us hidden even from Bulma's locator. That was the only thing Yajirobi was able to share before he disappeared."
"Was…was that android that attacked him anything like the one that killed my father?"
"Not sure but don't let that distract you, Chichi. We're here to find Yajirobi first and foremost."
"… Right."
The two split up and began to scour the island silently scanning the area floating just above the boiling magma. The time passed slowly before Yamcha heard his name shouted aloud carried by the voice of his student.
"Did you find something?" Yamcha asked flying over to the Ox princess who appeared to be holding something.
"This is Yajirobi's isn't it? Chichi said while she held the capsule corp katana and its sheath in her hands.
"Dammit, yeah that's his. If he's lost it, then he might be in bad shape. Did you find anything else?"
"Not on my side, you?"
"No, but that can't be all that's here we must be missing something."
"Sounds like you need some more eyes." At the sound of a new voice Yamcha and Chichi looked above them to see Tien descending out of the sky to meet them. "How about three?"
"Good to see you, Tien," Yamcha nodded. "Bulma catch you up to speed?"
"She did and informed me that she's spoken to Krillin as well. We're all on high alert now."
"Doesn't matter what we are," Yamcha sighed. "We haven't been able to locate Gero in months and now we know he's able to get the drop on us from anywhere. Yajirobi's in danger and we don't even know where he could be."
"Then let's start with what we can find right now," Tien said crossing his arms. "Yajirobi was here clearly, and he fought against an android of some sort. Whether or not he won doesn't matter as much as this, was he able to cut the android or not?"
"Cut it?" Chichi asked with an eyebrow raised. "Why does that matter?"
"It matters because if Yajirobi was able to cut it, then parts of the android may still be on the island somewhere. If we can find that then it'll be our first clue and might lead to more."
As he spoke Tien's three eyes began to study every inch of the island. His stare swept over every angle of sand and lava.
"There," Tien said pointing out a specific bulge in the sand not far from where the three humans hovered.
"I've got it," Chichi said making her way over and shoving her hand into the sand pulling out what appeared to be the tip of a foot.
"What is that?" Yamcha said looking over the robotic limb with his one eye.
"It's a start," Tien said holding out a hand toward Chichi. "I'll run this back to Bulma maybe she'll get more out of it than we can. Might be just what we need to point us in the right direction."
"Got it," Chichi said handing over the bit of foot she held. "What about his sword?"
"Think we should hang on to that for now," Yamcha said. "When we do find him, it'll be easier to hand it over."
"I agree," Tien said. "And we will find him."
"I know, then for now Chichi and I will head back to the lookout and join up with the others."
"Actually," Chichi said speaking up. "There's something I want to grab not too far from here. It might help us in the fights."
"You sure?" Yamcha asked with surprise. "First time you've brought something like this up."
"It wasn't something I wanted to think about, but it won't take long to get."
"Okay, if you say so."
"Then we've got a plan or at least the closest we have to one," Tien said rising into the air. "Stay safe you two."
Without another word, the three-eyed warrior took off his speed parting the ocean beneath him.
"Let's head out ourselves," Yamcha said looking toward his student. "Want me to hang onto Yajirobi's sword? I've handled a blade myself back in the day."
"Here," Chichi answered flatly."
"Thanks, so where are we headed?"
"Somewhere I don't want to be," Chichi said before turning and shooting off into the sky.
Still keeping me at arm's length huh? Yamcha thought to himself as he tracked his student across the ocean. You'd think after all that training she'd warm up a little.
With no one to answer him, Yamcha instead opted to look at the sword in his hands and squeeze it tighter.
"We're going to find you Yajirobi. Just hang in there."
"Wake him up."
"Yes, doctor."
Yajirobi's ears could barely pick up the voice in front of him before his body was racked with thousands of volts of electricity coursing through him in an instant. Rousing to consciousness with a scream Yajirobi had to force himself to focus before his eyes picked up the sight of an old man standing above him, and scowling.
"You've surprised me. I did not think one of your kind could defeat an android. Congratulations you've earned even more of my disdain."
"Thanks," Yajirobi coughed still trying to get a sense of his surroundings. "Take you're Gero the tin man wouldn't stop yapping about you."
"That is Dr. Gero," The old man seethed. "Don't forget my title again."
"Whatever doc, so do you-" Yajirobi started before a dangerous glare crossed over Gero's face.
"Again," The doctor said to seemingly no one.
"Yes, doctor."
A computerized voice surrounded him before the pain did. His teeth smashed against each other, and his vision flashed as he tried to power through the agony. This time he gave himself enough time to try and locate the source of his agony only to discover that his pain was emanating from his hands.
"Enough," Gero said and in less than a second the pain stopped. "Perhaps you've noticed by now that a smart mouth won't do you any good here."
Yajirobi didn't answer instead he took the time to inspect his wrists and the shackles around them. They appeared to be simple chains but as the samurai went to pull them apart, he felt his body unable to summon the strength needed he barely had any power at all.
"What did you do to me?" Yajirobi asked his eyes barely able to keep themselves open.
"Finally realized the situation you're in, have you?" Gero sneered. "Android 19 has the unique talent of draining ki energy through it's touch. Fairly recently I was able to modify that same technology into your prison. You're being drained of your ki every moment you're in there."
Looking around Yajirobi realized that despite having a clear view of Gero it was only through a clear plate of glass separating him from the old doctor. Without the constant pain streaming from his hands to the rest of his body he saw that he was locked inside a corner of a cave with barely any light giving him more to see. (add more)
"Looks like you got me doc," Yajirobi said with a half-smile.
"Still, you continue to disrespect. You're as infuriating as I thought you'd be human."
"Human? Weird thing to focus on doc aren't you human too?"
"I SHOULDN'T BE!"
The scream came from the depths of the man who threw himself against the glass separating him from his prisoner.
"Everything was in place; everything was progressing just as planned. I was going to finally become a being capable of strangling Son Goku with my bare hands. Transform me into an android powerful enough to sink that saiyan to the same depths he threw me into. It was going to be perfect." Gero spat his teeth clenched with hatred. "Yet somehow you humans have gained a strength far surpassing anything you should be capable of! Suddenly I had to account for your power in addition to Son Goku's and in an instant everything I had worked for was wasted!"
Gero slammed a fist against the glass, his eyes wide and crazed. "I house the greatest mind mankind has ever known yet it is still clothed in disgusting feeble flesh. The weaknesses of humanity should not weigh me down as it does you!"
Yajirobi could do little as he watched the old doctor lose his mind in front of him unsure of even what to say when Gero's rants morphed into laughter.
"Yet I have adapted now. It is Son Goku's friendship with you humans that will doom him. No doubt he will run to your rescue soon enough. Running to his grave."
"What did Son ever do to you anyway? Don't remember him even mentioning an old crazy man back in the day."
"Son Goku took everything from me," Gero said his voice growing deeper. "His destruction of the Red Ribbon Headquarters sent my research back decades and left me in squalor! Our army was on the cusp of world domination and had they succeeded my androids would have brought about a new age for mankind. With time the people would see that as long as they swore their allegiance to the Red Ribbon they would be granted the one thing humans have always craved."
"Oh yeah? And what's that?"
"Never-ending life," Gero smiled. "Imagine it human, no diseases to fear, no bones to break, even death would fade into memory. Humanity would become a utopia of androids where pointless mistrust would be replaced by strong conviction. Fear and hunger would be replaced by progress and power. My world would be one of unity and advancement!
"That…sounds awful," Yajirobi said calmly which got a heated look from his captor and another shout.
"Again!"
"Yes, doctor."
His torture began anew as the samurai felt every inch of his mind reared back from the explosion of suffering his body went through.
"And what would you know of ambition? I've watched and studied you for years human just as I have Son Goku You may have beaten my android, but one successful blunder doesn't make you more than you are! Nothing more than a joke."
Yajirobi could not respond as the electricity flowing through his veins made speaking impossible.
"The world I seek to create would elevate the ordinary to the extraordinary. No longer would the average Earthling be afraid of what they cannot understand. No alien, no matter how strong, would stand in the way of Earth's progress! This planet will become a perfect society guided by my hand where no one not even a saiyan could destroy what I have built!"
The agony Yajirobi endured rendered him deaf to the madman's roars and blind to his rage.
"Son Goku will pay for destroying everything I hold dear! He will suffer for taking away my legacy! And he will die for killing my-"
Gero's shouts faded as the doctor got a good look at his prisoner. Yajirobi was no longer reacting to the shocks flowing out of his cuffs and instead had fallen to his side unmoving.
"Enough computer," Gero said his tone returning to neutral. "Check his vitals, we can't have him dying here."
"Scanning, he is still alive doctor."
"Good, let us leave him for now we have other matters to attend to."
Turning away from the caged samurai Gero walked out of the cave room where a metal door slid open before him and slammed shut behind him. The lights of a long caved-out hallway started to flicker on as he walked through the cave.
"The loss of 15 was unexcepted but having the opportunity to test out androiAndroidenergy absorption was quite a boon. It's effectiveness has surpassed the initial testing as well, are the others ready for deployment?"
"Yes doctor, they await your command."
"Excellent, and what of our newest addition?"
"It sits at 97% complete doctor."
"Wonderful, let me take a look for myself."
A heavy metal door slid open a few feet from Gero who walked in without a care. Inside a large cylinder filled with a liquid greeted him alongside a table filled with a computer and numerous graphs.
Walking toward the computer Gero passed by a large holographic display of Earth. On that display, a small number of flashing dots were easily seen. Some of the dots were stationary while others moved at a great speed across the planet, as if they were flying at high speeds. The doctor couldn't help but notice that three dots had converged in one area before separating. One moved towards the capsule corporation while the other two started moving towards the mainland.
"Let's see here," Gero said reaching his computer and typing in a few commands. Once he had a dense report appeared on the screen and the doctor began to read.
"You're progressing nicely it seems," Gero said to the cylinder. "Your body has adapted to the modifications without issue. You'll be able to join the others very soon which I know you are eager for. I could tell from the recordings how much you enjoyed a good fight and I imagine you are looking forward to a rematch."
A thud from inside the cylinder caught Gero's attention and his focus. "Ah, awake, are we?"
Walking over toward the cylinder Gero was able to get a better look at the contents within. Gero couldn't stop a smile as he beheld his creation. The bits and pieces that remained of the alien that once threatened the entire world floated in the cylinder missing its right arm that was severed and it's bottom half long since disintegrated. What little remained of the specimen's body was badly charred and littered with tubes feeding it both life-giving energy while also sapping it to a level where it could not escape.
"Something to say alien?" Gero asked with a tone heavy with mockery. "You've been silent for some time why speak up now? Are you not looking forward to your chance at revenge?"
"Don't…deserve it," The creature gasped its mouth covered by a ventilator. "This planet…beat me. I deserve death."
"It does not matter what you deserve," Gero laughed. "Once your new body is complete you will serve me until I say you are done."
"…no. Kill me."
"Not today," Gero said walking away from the cylinder and back to his computer. "For now, I need you stronger than you were before, so it is best if you understand that your desires no longer matter."
The computer sprang to life as Gero scanned his subject's new enhancements and the destructive potential they held.
"Yet I am not without mercy dear Cooler. Perhaps one day, with my help, you will achieve your goal of becoming the strongest in the universe. After you are coated in metal."