Author's Note: Sheesh, really coming down to the wire this time.

Hello everyone! Thank you for your patience and happy Halloween!

I say that but I am posting with only an hour or two left in the day I digress and hope everyone is having a good fall season.

I also want to apologize if I was unable to respond to your review or your messages. I know there are several people who I'd like to respond to but just haven't had the time or opportunity to.

Speaking of time, I have noticed a sudden lack of it in terms of my writing. This isn't due to any bad for me it's the opposite. A lot of good things came my way during my time off, so I struggled with time management. Posting this chapter, now delayed as it is, is my first step towards making a better schedule for writing and my new responsibilities.

To that end, I want to reiterate that as long-winded as this story has become, I am still fully invested in finishing it.

As always thank you for reading and please, enjoy.

"…taken?" Vegeta's scowl deepened as the word escaped his mouth. "The fat man has been taken?"

"That is what we believe," Krillin said wearing a scowl of his own.

He scanned the small group that had been on the lookout when he received the news of Yajirobi's disappearance from Bulma earlier. Vegeta, Trunks, Goku, Gohan, Piccolo, Nail, Kami, and Mr. Popo all looked at him in disbelief.

"In truth, all we know is that Yajirobi has engaged one of Gero's androids and has vanished from sight. We can't find him through his communicator and can't seem to sense his energy where he was last heard from."

"Then how do you know he is still alive?" Nail said cutting in. "From what you are telling us it sounds more likely your friend has been killed."

"Until we have proof of that then we shall be treating our next steps as a rescue," Krillin answered his tone laced with more power than he intended. "We are not giving up on him."

"Then what are our next steps?" Piccolo said folding his arms.

"From what Bulma told me Yajirobi was able to contact him during the fight but it was only for a small window of time. The theory is that these androids can cut off our communicators, but they need to be near us to do so. For now, we will be moving in teams of two while we search for Yajirobi."

"I don't think that's a good idea," Trunks interjected. "Even with two to support each other, these androids are still more powerful than you can imagine."

"Then we need to plan accordingly. If you find Gero or engage with an android one of the team will gain some distance and report their location before rejoining the other for support."

"I can be there in a second with instant transmission," Goku said with pride. "Whenever we find Gero we could be a team of four in an instant."

"Correct me if I'm wrong Son but your instant transmission is based on finding a ki signature isn't it?" Asked Kami. "Unless this android was powerful enough to subdue Yajirobi without a fight we should have been able to sense the conflict. The fact that we did not is cause for concern."

"Good point," Krillin said his eyes narrowing. "Perhaps Gero has found a way to mask ki signatures as well as block our communicators. We know Gero has been tracking us for a while now we must consider how much he knows about our abilities."

"And our locations."

The conversation stopped as the entire circle looked over to Gohan with interest.

"I mean," The young boy started not expecting all the attention at once. "When Mom was attacked it made a little sense since that was our home but Mr. Yajirobi wasn't anywhere important but an android still found him. You told us to keep an eye out for drones after Mrs. Bulma destroyed one so maybe there is another way the android found him?"

"Another way?" Krillin repeated. "Bulma expressed her surprise that her communicator could be jammed at all but you have a point. We may need to assume the communicators have been compromised."

"Then the others could be in danger even now!" Trunks shouted his fear getting the better of him.

Without responding Krillin moved a finger to his communicator and pressed down. "Yamcha, can you hear me?" A moment passed before a frown flashed across on the old monk's face. "No response."

Goku's eyes went wide before he closed them and reached out with his senses. "…I can't locate Chi either."

"You can't find mom?" Gohan asked his voice quivering.

"We need to move now," Krillin said sternly. "Goku you and Gohan track down Chichi and Yamcha. From what Bulma told me Tien was the last to speak to them. Get in contact with him he might have some idea of where they have gone."

"Alright, let's move Gohan."

"O-okay."

Father and son blasted off the lookout with enough force to kick up a small cloud of dust.

"Just the two of them?" Trunks said looking at the old monk. "That may not be enough."

"We'll have to take that risk but it's clear that Gero has started an attack in earnest. Which means that all of us could be next. And if I were Gero it is clear what my next target would be."

"…capsule corp," Trunks said slowly after dwelling on it.

The lookout shook at Vegeta took off into the sky without a word.

"Dammit," Trunks said as the prince was already out of sight. "He always does this."

"Get after him and back him up Trunks," said Krillin. "Tien is already on his way there with a possible lead on Yajirobi. I hope there is no case for concern but we should bolster our defenses now."

"Got it," The young man said his aura flaring as he rushed after his father.

"Now then," the old monk said turning toward the two namekians. "I'll have you two move out as a pair as well but I need to know if you've given more thought to my suggestion Piccolo."

Kami's other half frowned and crossed his arms. "I have, I don't like it."

"I understand that," Krillin admitted. "Yet I have underestimated these androids. If they can take out Yajirobi then they are more powerful than I thought. This method would make you stronger when strength is needed."

Piccolo paused and his frown grew deeper. "…fine."

"Thank you, Piccolo," Krillin nodded before looking at Kami. "Is this alright with you?"

"It is not my decision to make," The Guardian said looking over Piccolo. "Yet I feel it is the right one."

Piccolo scoffed and resisted the urge to spit.

"Is this something I should be aware of?" Nail asked with confusion.

"Yes, I think you should join us for Nail," Krillin said walking toward the center of the lookout. "We're going to see the demon king."

"It just never ends," King Yemma said solely to himself.

Taking a momentary reprieve from his duties by burying his head in his hands the judge of the dead let out a long sigh. The line in front of his desk stretching as far as he could see had not diminished in the least despite the time spent thinning the crowd. The entirety of the line in front of him was made up of identical white spirits that floated harmlessly inches off the ground. The demon judge was having a particularly difficult time keeping his focus as the white spirits and their judgments started to blur together.

"Are we interrupting King Yemma?"

The judge removed his head from his hands and looked toward the voice that roused him. Both of his wide widened upon seeing an old monk, the demon king's spawn, and the last survivor of the Namek disaster.

"You are. And tell me who are you to address me in such a manner?"

"Ah yes, I suppose you would be a bit confused, wouldn't you?" The old monk laughed. "It's me, Krillin."

"Krillin?" Yemma said in confusion. "I don't understand, surely not enough time has passed on Earth for you to age so dramatically?"

"It's a long story King Yemma which I'll have to explain later. For now, I must request a favor."

"Another favor? Was allowing your dragon to restore the earthling's lives not enough for a lifetime?"

"It was King Yemma but the Earth is in danger again, and we need your assistance."

"Bah, your world is always in danger. My role here is to judge souls Krillin not save them."

"You won't have to save anyone King Yemma. We simply need access and guidance through hell."

"…what are you getting at human?" The judge said with narrowed eyes.

"We'd like the chance to meet with the demon king Piccolo."

Yemma raised an eyebrow and cast a glance over to Piccolo. "I see, you plan to take advantage of the namekians ability to fuse with others of their kind then."

"We do, we require more strength and this is a way to achieve that quickly."

"Hmm," the judge said thinking deeply and stroking his long beard. "That would open up more space in the prison and cut down on some paperwork. Very well I will issue a guide who will escort you to the demon king's cell."

"Thank you King Yemma," Krillin said with a bow.

With a quick nod and quicker gesture to a nearby otherworld attendant King Yemma returned his focus to his paperwork and the line in front of him. Yet as one of his many assistants started leading the old monk and two namekians towards the stars leading to hell his mind couldn't help but wonder.

"It's a fascinating process," the attendant said pushing up on their glasses as the three descended deeper into hell. "Normally the judged retain their spirit forms and occupy the underworld as punishment for their sins. Yet for the truly vile such as the demon king they are granted their original bodies and are given a specific and personal hell for them to suffer in. A complete parallel to heaven."

"How interesting," Krillin said to the guide his tone flat.

"Oh yes it truly is," The attendant smiled thrilled they had someone to talk to about the process of judging souls. "Every hell for the sinner is guaranteed to instill in them endless pain, torment, and agony!"

"Lovely."

Piccolo and Nail hung back several steps as Krillin continued to indulge the guide on the finer points of torture.

"I'm surprised you are doing this," Nail said looking over to Piccolo. "From what I know you want little to do with Kami yet you are willing to meet with the one who spawned you?"

"Don't mistake this as something I'd like to do," Piccolo said with a growl. "This isn't an option I wanted to consider at all."

"Then why do it?"

"Because this fight is bigger than me and we need to use every advantage we can think of. Even if I don't like it I can't waste my time focusing on myself when the entire planet is at risk," Piccolo said with a scowl. "How could I face any of the others when they are putting their lives on the line, and I can't be bothered to let go of my pride? I'm not fighting for just myself. I'm done with that."

Nail grew quiet as the other namkian's words sank in.

"Why do you ask?" Piccolo asked with a tense glare. "Anything you'd like to share?"

Nail noticed the stare and studied before speaking, "No, just curious."

"We're here!"

The attendant's cry caught both namkian's attention as they stood in front of a large metal door bigger than any of them.

"Sinner number 6666667 the demon king Piccolo! I've heard that he made a large racket back in the day saying that his son would one day break him out of here and he'd swear revenge on everyone who wronged him. Typical stuff from someone sentenced to an eternity in hell. He's much quieter nowadays though," The attendant said looking over to the group. "Hey, did anyone tell you that you look kind of like the demon ki-"

"Just open the door!" Piccolo growled causing the guide to jump.

"R-right away sir!" The attendant said pulling out a large ring of keys and already fumbling with it.

"You going to be okay?" Krillin said with a side glance.

"No," Piccolo shot back. "So let's get this over with."

A deep click sounded out from the metal door as the guide's key did its job well. Grabbing hold of the handles the attendant grunted while pulling the door open letting the stale air of the prison waft out.

"Well, here it is," the guide gestured while wiping away the sweat from his forehead.

Piccolo moved through the doorway with Nail and Krillin following close behind. As they walked inside the room morphed, shifted, and shrank around them. As the prison closed on them a dull blue light emanating from nothing surrounded them and once the door had closed behind them it was the only light source they had. The space they now stood in was a fraction of the outside world with the ceiling nearly touching the top of Piccolo and Nail's head.

"It is so cramped in here," Nail said placing a hand right above his head with only an inch between him and the ceiling. "What kind of hell is this?"

"Well," The guide said pushing on his glasses, "We studied the demon king closely and determined the best type of torture would be one he has already experienced. The space we are in is an exact replica of-"

"It's the inside of a jar," Piccolo said cutting off the small demon.

"Ah, yes that is it exactly," the guide said in awe. "How did you know?"

"Doesn't matter."

Moving on the space started to close in squeezing the bodies of the group as they made their way towards the deeper depths of the jar. Before long they could all see outline of someone huddled with its knees to its chest in a corner softly whispering to themselves.

"Do you want someone with you for this?" Krillin said looking towards Piccolo.

"No, I'll be fine."

Without another word, Kami's other half strode forward to face the one that had given him life.

The demon king sat with his back towards the group rocking himself slowly back and forth. The whispers coming from namekian grew louder as Piccolo approached the closest being he had to a father.

"Soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon, soon-"

The whispers continued repeating over and over until Piccolo came a step too close. Hearing a sound that wasn't his voice for the first time in years stopped the whispers and had the demon king turn toward the closest being he had to a son.

Locking eyes with Piccolo had the old namekian nearly shaking with obvious glee as a wide, broken, smile took over his face.

"It's you."

Slowly the demon king rose to his feet. His wish for eternal youth has kept his skin free from wrinkles and age but it was not enough to stop the passage of time. A small brightly golden halo hung above his head, the small light forcing the namkian's eyes to grow sullen and deep from the years of imprisonment. His arms shook with doubt and weakness as he lifted a single hand toward Piccolo.

"My creation. You have come back to me just as I knew you would!" Excitement gathered in the old namekian as he placed a hand on Piccolo's shoulder. "You have come to deliver our revenge!"

Piccolo's scowl deepened but he kept silent as the namekian spoke.

"Tell me, how did that insufferable Son Goku die? How did you kill him?"

"I didn't."

Piccolo's answer stunned the old namkian into silence and the trembles grew worse.

"What? No, you're lying Son Goku should be dead by now! It's been years!"

"It has," Piccolo said through a glare. "Surprised you can keep track of time in here."

"Do not mock me!" The demon king said rising to his full height. "If you are not here to tell me of Son Goku's death then you must require my help with it. Let us leave no-"

The old namekian stopped as it finally got a look at the small crowd standing just a few steps away from Piccolo.

"What…what is this? Who are these people?! A human, and a namekian?!"

"They're with me," Piccolo said unfurling his arms. "And this has already gone on long enough."

Striding forward Piccolo dwarfed the older namekian in height and stature forcing his father figure onto his back foot. "What are you doing?!"

"Making use of you."

Reaching out with a hand filled with an obvious purpose Piccolo descended onto the demon king. Horror filled the original Piccolo's eyes which quickly shifted to rage. Slapping his spawn's hand away from him the demon king's tone grew dangerous.

"Fusion? You dare?"

"I do," Piccolo said with a glare. "It's the reason I'm here."

"You are forgetting yourself child!" The demon king said his aura flaring. "You owe your life to me and you would repay the debt with betrayal?! I am your creator!"

"…that is true. Without you I wouldn't be here, so with that in mind I'll share another truth," Piccolo said withdrawing his hand slowly. "You're weak."

"You dare-" The demon king started before his voice was muffled by a fierce punch that slammed against the wall inches from his head and shook the entire jar.

"It is the truth. The strength you had back on Earth is nothing compared to what I can do and what I have seen. After your death, the world continued to grow. Today the weakest human is stronger than you will ever be."

"You mock my power yet you still mean to steal it? For what? For them?!" The demon king shouted pointing at Krillin. "For humans?!"

"Yes."

"Why? They are weak, pointless creatures!"

"You're wrong on that," Piccolo said with a smirk. "Despite all your power back when you were alive you would have never been able to achieve the one thing you craved above all else. That one thing you and Kami had given up on the humans gave me freely."

Leaning in to close the gap between them Piccolo grinned showing his teeth.

"They were the reason I was able to see Namek."

"Namek? You were able to return?!"

"Yes, I saw the green sky and the blue ajisa trees. I saw Namek and the only reason that was possible was thanks to the humans."

The demon king scowled unwilling to believe this truth, yet he could not ignore it. "Did you meet him then? Guru? The one who abandoned us?"

"I did, though I did not know of our history with him at the time. He's dead now."

"Ha! Well deserved."

Nail took a step forward at that but was stopped by a silent hand from Krillin.

"If what you say is the truth and the humans are capable of so much what is the point of this theft? Surely the great and powerful earthlings do not need my pitiful strength. Or are you hoping this fusion will let you serve them better?" The demon king seethed.

"Humph, you'll know soon enough once your power is mine," Piccolo scowled. "I'll put your strength to better use than wasting it here. Or do you enjoy decaying in a hell of your creation?"

Kami's original other half scowled at Piccolo but the glare in his eyes was greatly diminished. The fight had left him, but it was not dead.

"…very well. You are a disappointment, but I cannot deny you exceed me in every way. Fighting is pointless so instead I will settle for poisoning you from the inside," The demon king grinned. "Take my power child but with it will come my memories of the cancer that is the earthlings. Perhaps that will be enough to remind you of who you are."

The glare that had faded from the older namekian was present and strong in Piccolo's eyes as he reached out with a hand in silence. A deep scowl marked his face as Piccolo watched the demon king fade away in a bright light with elation and twisted pride surrounding his entire being.

The light encompassed the two namekians and briefly dispelled the oppressive darkness of the jar blinding Krillin, Nail, and the attendant. Eventually, the light dimmed and the three regained their vision to see that only Piccolo remained staring at nothing in front of him.

"We're done here."

Walking past the other three without another word Piccolo led the others out of the jar. The attendant closed the door behind them where it would never be opened again.

The group began to walk back up the stairs they had descended from in silence, only to be broken by the old monk.

"Thank you," Krillin said looking over to Piccolo. "I know that wasn't easy."

"No, but it was necessary," Piccolo answered flexing his fist and feeling his newfound strength. "Besides better to use every advantage we have than forget or ignore them."

"Have to ask though do you feel any different now? You have the memories of the demon king after all."

"Heh, worried I'll try to follow in his footsteps like I did before?"

"I'd be lying if I said no," Krillin smiled.

"We have enough problems already. Besides I already knew that earthlings are far from perfect. Your kind is capable of great things as well as great evil both of us are aware of this. His memories simply add another layer to that viewpoint."

"So, no more demon king?"

"Well, I wouldn't say that," Piccolo smirked. "World domination is more trouble than it's worth but if we need a demon to destroy these androids, then who better than the king?"

The old monk matched his friend's laugh as the group continued in their ascent.

"And that's my report on sinner number 6666667 King Yemma."

The attendant bowed before the large desk of the judge of the underworld his glasses nearly falling off of his face as he did. The group had returned to the ground floor and none were allowed to leave until the attendant had relayed everything that had happened in hell.

"Novel way of freeing up some prison space I suppose. Though from what I had heard the creature wasn't doing much with his time otherwise," King Yemma said with disinterest before waving his hand at the guide. "You are dismissed."

"Thank you, King Yemma," The guide said with another bow and turning toward the rest of the group. "And thank you all for that, informative experience."

"You are welcome," Krillin smiled. "Take care now."

The guide grinned and left to return to his other duties.

"And thank you for your understanding and grace King Yemma," Krillin said with a bow of his own. "You've helped us and our world immensely today."

Without waiting for a response Krillin started walking toward the exit to return to the lookout with Piccolo and Nail following behind, but a powerful voice stopped his attempt.

"Hold," King Yemma said his voice reverberating through the underworld hall. "I would have words with you Krillin of Earth."

"Words?" Krillin replied innocently.

"Yes, words."

The old monk sighed before turning to Piccolo and Nail. "Return to Earth now and start coordinating with the others. We weren't gone long but find out if there have been any new developments. If not, then I'll have you two patrol South City. It's where Trunks originally said the androids would first attack, clearly, things are different now but perhaps we can find a clue or something there. If nothing else maybe we can prevent another attack."

"Alright," Piccolo said eyeing King Yemma. "Don't take too long."

The two namekians left leaving the old monk and the king of the underworld alone, save for the line of souls behind them.

"So, what can I do for you King Yemma?"

"Spare me the pleasantries human," The king said through clenched teeth. "I know you have been lying to me."

"…you'll have to be more specific."

"I thought it was odd that you appeared before me having aged more years than have passed on Earth. You explained that your world is under threat but imagine my surprise when I sensed a bit of your energy emanating from King Kai's planet. You've made it clear that the safety of your planet and people is paramount to you. So why would you be here and on Earth at the same time? The only explanation I could come up with is that you were hiding something."

The old monk kept his face still betraying nothing.

"I have been more than clear," The King said standing up from his desk and rising to his full height. "You were not to use the dragonballs in any capacity. They upset the natural order of this realm."

"With all due respect King Yemma. You said you came up with an explanation, but do you have any proof that I am using the dragonballs? How would I? Shenron is gone after all."

"You dare try my patience!" King Yemma shouted his voice booming across the underworld. "You are defying the very laws that govern our universe!"

"…if I were doing what you accuse me of," Krillin said slowly. "Then that would be my decision and mine alone."

"You only say that because you do not understand the risks," King Yemma sighed slumping back down into his chair. "Listen to me and listen well. If you continue down this path it shall be marked in your record. The record that designates where you go upon your death be it heaven or hell. Toying with a power that goes against the laws that enable order in our universe is not a crime that can be overlooked no matter how much good you believe it brings."

"I understand. Then it is a good thing I am not guilty of what you believe I am," Krillin said with a smile.

"…whatever you decide to do I cannot stop you," King Yemma said his eyes seeing straight through the old monk. "Ignore me if you dare but know this, there will come a day when your life ends, and you find yourself in the line of lost souls. And when you do, pray that I am the one judging you."

"What? What does that mean?" Krillin said with confusion.

"If you are not guilty of what I suspect you are then it does not concern you," King Yemma said with a wave of his hand. "You are dismissed."

Several months earlier:

"Oh, tried already?"

Yamcha asked as the wind whipped around him and his student standing in the center of the lookout. Chichi didn't respond as she gasped for air as sweat poured from every inch of her body. She was hunched over with her hands on her knees as she struggled for air.

"Sorry Chi, you'll have to be a little quicker than that," Yamcha grinned.

"Don't call me that," Chichi snapped her voice coming out weak.

"Oh, right sorry. Anyway, ready for another round?"

The two had been training for hours now as their daily regiment demanded. The idea was to get the former housewife to acclimate to the lack of oxygen by chasing after the former bandit with weighted clothes slowing them down. If Chichi was able to land one hand on Yamcha the exercise would end but even weeks after Krillin unlocked her potential, she had not succeeded once.

"Give me a moment," Chichi wheezed. "I just need to catch my breath."

"Don't stop now," Yamcha said with a grin. "You almost had me."

"Didn't feel like it."

The wolf frowned before lighting up as a new idea struck him. "How about we change things up then? We can try a new training exercise."

"Does it involve chasing you?"

"No, you actually might enjoy this one. Krillin did this with Gohan way back in the day."

"Gohan?" Chichi said raising back up to her full height.

"That got your attention huh?" Yamcha said before chasing himself in a barrier made of ki. "This is something Krillin came up with when we were training to fight the saiyans."

"You mean Vegeta," Chichi said flatly.

"Yeah, hard to believe we're allies now, right?"

Chichi did not respond and crossed her arms.

"Right, well anyway, this barrier is made up of the same ki energy you use to fly. Eventually, you'll be able to manifest it like this but what you want to get familiar with is the next step."

Slowly the ki barrier started to sink around Yamcha unlike it fit around his body to the point where it seemed to vanish. "See once you gain complete control of your ki you'll be able to mold it like this to act as a sort of armor. Helps mitigate the damage you aren't fast enough to dodge."

"I see," Chichi said looking closely at her teacher. "How is this an exercise?"

"Well to start give me a punch."

"You want me to punch you?"

"Yep, it'll help you get a sense of how effective this is. Plus, I'm sure you're at the point where you'd like to punch me."

"You're not wrong."

"Alright then," Yamcha smiled. "Let's see what you got!"

With the smallest curl of a smile marking her face the ox princess took a fighting stance and squared up against the wolf. A moment passed and then another without a move from teacher or student.

What's she waiting for? Yamcha thought to himself as he watched Chichi remain completely still.

He noticed that her right hand had collapsed into a fist that seemed to grow tighter and tighter as the seconds ticked by. Reaching out with his senses he was able to track her ki energy moving from her core and into her fist.

Woah she's already able to move her energy into her hands? Well I guess flying is harder than that, so I guess it makes sen-

Yamcha's thoughts stopped as his senses picked up the amount of energy that Chichi was now transferring into her fist. Her eyes now closed shut and her brow furrowed as her entire arm started to bulge out with raw power.

"Uh, Chichi?"

The question was ignored as the ox princess's focus remained solely on her fist.

"C-Chichi," Yamcha repeated while silently strengthening his ki barrier.

Gritting her teeth Chichi's ki output doubled as a white aura suddenly surrounded her. The showcase of energy whipped up a wind vicious enough to nearly blow the former baseball's star eyepatch off his face.

"Okay, Chichi," Yamcha said with an uncertain smile. "Maybe we can-"

A punch followed by the howl of an angry mother killed the rest of the sentence. Yamcha gagged a word as his entire body folded over as the strike shattered the ki barrier and possibly a rib. Pivoting into the punch Chichi let loose weeks of frustration, fury, grief, and potential ladened power in one attack that knocked her teacher off of his feet and onto his side.

With his hands and feet rendered useless Yamcha could do little as he wheezed and gasped for air completely motionless. Still conscious as he tried to regain mobility, he could hear his student let out a long sigh of relief.

"You were right, I did enjoy that," Chichi laughed for the first time in weeks. "Okay, now I'm ready for another round."

Present:

Good times. Yamcha thought to himself as he reflected on his memories of teaching. He and his student had been traveling side by side for nearly an hour in silence. He had thought she needed time to herself, but his patience had run out.

"So, feel like telling me where we're going now? I mean I like flying with no destination as much as the next person but given the fact that we do have a friend in danger I feel like I'm owed a little direction."

The ox princess didn't respond and continued flying straight forward.

"Chichi?"

Again no answer.

"Chi?"

"Don't call me that."

"Ah, finally a response! Care to answer my question now?"

"Sorry, just thinking."

"Can you think louder then?" Yamcha sighed. "We don't have a lot of time here. Where are we going?"

"…we're going back to my house," Chichi said gathering her nerve. "Or at least what's left of it."

"Oh. Any particular reason?"

"There's something that may help us in the fight against these androids. I hadn't thought about it in years and I'm not sure it's even still there, but it's worth a look."

"Something? What kind of som-"

"We're here."

Yamcha was cut off both by his student and by the sight in front of him. A large swath of forest had been demolished as if flattened. Trees and mountains alike had been crushed beyond recognition or repair. Craters littered the area, and no sound of any wildlife could be heard. The land surrounding Chichi's home where she had once, for a short time, lived with her family was destroyed.

"This is all that's left after Goku and Krillin fought that android," Chichi said sensing her teacher's next question. "…it's hard to see."

"I understand," Yamcha replied. "Let's make this quick then."

Chichi nodded and doubled her speed not long after she began her descent with Yamcha following close behind.

"I think it should be around here. Hard to recognize anything."

"You haven't been back here?"

"No, I've been…hesitant to return," Chichi said stepping over a collapsed tree and slowly looking around.

"I get it," Yamcha answered following close behind.

The two moved forward in silence past scorched earth, shattered hills, razed pathways, and decimated roads. Eventually, they came into a clearing that had been affected by the fighting but was still intact enough that Chichi could recognize it.

"We're here."

The area was in ruins and its center was a deep crater soiling the earth like a stain that would never clear. Walking forward with uncertain steps Chichi led the way toward her former home. Silently she approached her hands shaking and her breathing coming out in short gasps. Yamcha watched but did not intervene as the ox princess got closer and closer to the edge of the crater. Once she had Chichi looked down at the center of the hole and let out a small gasp.

"Chichi? You alright?" Yamcha asked breaking the quiet between them.

The ox princess didn't answer and leaped down into the crater causing her teacher to rush after her. Leaping in and sliding down Yamcha joined his student at the very center to find her staring at a small blue tree.

"Oh, an ajisa tree."

"It's like the ones on the lookout," Chichi said completely entranced by the small plant. "What's it doing here?"

"Krillin must have planted it," Yamcha said smiling.

"How? I thought he couldn't leave the lookout."

"He did mention he's been working on finding a workaround but it has to be him. He's the one who got a bag of seeds from Tsuno."

"I remember him telling me about Tsuno but why would he plant one here? He's got more important things to do."

"He must think this was important. He told me that ajisa trees were planted on Namek to remember those that the namekians had lost after a tragedy they suffered called the Great Storm. It helped them rebuild their world. Maybe that's why he planted this here. Must have figured this would be a good place to remember and a good place to start rebuilding."

Chichi slowly bent down onto one knee and stroked the blue leaves of the growing plant. "When you put it like that there is a beauty to them," she said with watery eyes. "I'll have to thank Krillin the next time I see him."

"He'll appreciate that."

Nodding once and standing back up Chichi started to float up and out of the crater with the wolf right behind her.

"Seems like this was a waste of time," The ox princess sighed. "I'm sorry about that, we should get back to looking for Yajirobi."

"Agreed," Yamcha said landing next to his student. "We should follow Tien's lead and return to Capsule Cor-"

An explosion of ki energy ended the conversation. Chichi threw up her arms to protect her vitals and jumped away as her teacher was engulfed in dense violent energy.

"Yamcha!" The ox princess cried as she landed.

"I'm fine!" Yamcha shouted back the dust from the blast obscuring his form. "Get a ki barrier up and your eyes peeled!"

Chichi took a fighting stance and a ki ran over her body strengthing her defense. She looked up into the sky in the direction where the attack came from. Yet she spotted no sign of their attacker.

"I don't see anything!"

"Keep calm we don't want to-"

Another blast landed near the teacher and student lurching the ground and scattering them even further away from each other. Chichi's heart began to race, and she desperately searched for the enemy but continued to find nothing. The dust of the two energy bursts washed over her imparting her vision and worsening her state of mind. Panic began to set in only to be heightened as her ears picked up a sudden sound coming from right behind her.

Pivoting into a punch Chichi lashed out towards the sound only for her attack to be caught by one hand.

"Careful," Yamcha said his tone serious. "Can't have you losing your cool now."

"I can't see them," Chichi said lowering her fist. "I can't even sense them."

"Neither can I," Yamcha said narrowing his remaining eye. "That can only mean that we've got an android on our hands."

The familiar buzz of another ki blast descending on them had the teacher and student flying skyward to avoid the explosion. More dust and debris scattered below them as they leaned into each other back to back both on high alert. Yet even with three eyes total neither Chichi nor Yamcha were able to see or sense their opponent.

"Still nothing, what is going on?"

"Have you tried the communicator yet? Reached out to anyone?"

"No not yet," Chichi answered pressing a finger into her ear.

As she did another ki blast appeared in front of her as if from nowhere. The beam radiated light as it closed the gap in an instant nearly enveloping the ox princess in destructive energy, yet even with one eye her teacher saw it coming. Whirling around to shove Chichi behind him Yamcha swung with both hands to smash the wave into a new direction. With hands still smoking the wolf charged and lunged into the space in front of him. Despite seeing nothing Yamcha felt one finger catch and scratch something unsee.

"Invisible huh?"

Striking out in the direction he believed his opponent was Yamcha silently cursed as he hit nothing but air. Turning around and returning to Chichi's side Yamcha searched the sky again for any sign of the android.

"Anything?"

"No," Chichi said her ears ringing from the sharp feedback loop emanating from her communicator. "Nothing's going through."

"Just like with Yajirobi huh?" Yamcha said still scouring his surroundings. "Looks like we found ourselves in quite the situation."

"What should we do? We might be able to outrun it if we move fast enough."

"Maybe, but this might be our best chance to find out what happened to Yajirobi."

"So you want to fight? How? We can't sense or see it."

"You know back in the day I fought against an invisible opponent. Ended up winning that fight too."

"Really? How?"

"Well actually it was Krillin who came up with a…unique solution to help me out," Yamcha said with a laugh as he recalled fighting in Baba's tournament. "Luckily this time, I'm a bit more prepared."

Reaching up towards his face Yamcha removed his eyepatch with one smooth motion. Where once his right eye had been now a cybernetic implant had been installed. The android eye was completely dormant and did nothing to aid the wolf until he spoke.

"Capsule Corp Limiter Release."

Humming to life Yamcha's right eye started to glow as the startup process began to take effect.

Blinking rapidly as his body regained his full field of vision Yamcha smiled as a thin outline began to take shape. Various readings began to spring up in his sight as his eye started to analyze and detail the invisible android in front of him.

"There you are," Yamcha said with a grin as a robotic voice sounded out from his communicator.

Voice Recognized. Key Phrase Required.

A violent red aura overtook Yamcha as he unleashed the kaio-ken technique and felt it prime his body for combat.

"Key Phrase: Metal Wolf."