Author's Note: Sorry for disappearing for a bit, but I struggled to get this chapter out because of time constraints. I was hoping to get this chapter out in April but a lot of responsibilities hit me simultaneously. Nothing crazy but it left me a little drained.
I do like how this chapter came out as it puts some more characters in fun situations I've been thinking about for a bit. I'm excited to hear what people think.
However, I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge the loss of Akira Toriyama and what he meant to me.
It's really hard to believe someone as influential as Akira Toriyama can be gone overnight, but that is what life is ultimately. One minute you are here and the next you are not. Yet for one life to have touched and resonated with so many people in a way that few could even dream is awe-inspiring. Never mind what dragonball has meant for me. I have friends and family with zero interest in dragonball reach out to me when they heard the news because I have never been shy about sharing my love for his work. His simple message of treating others with compassion, and forgiveness, while also pushing yourself to be the best version of yourself will outlive all of us and one I hope to merely spread in my way. Much like the dragon he created his characters and stories that have given us so much joy over the years are eternal.
I still am not confident enough to promise a proper schedule, but I am still devoted to seeing this series to its end. Thank you all for reading and please, enjoy!
One week earlier:
"Good morning!"
The two officers manning the security center of the Capsule Corporation turned their heads toward the smiling blue-haired bodyguard of Bulma Briefs. They returned her grin with their own, which only grew when they realized she had arrived with coffee and cake.
"Morning, Launch," one officer said with a nod. "Don't suppose those are for us, are they?"
"Of course they are silly," Launch said, walking over the small tray of pastries and caffeine to the sitting security guards for them to take. "The one on the right is for Fizz and the other is for Batto. The third one is for Ms. Briefs so don't touch."
"You're a real lifesaver, Launch," Fizz said, taking cake and coffee both. "Wasn't sure I'd make it another hour without a cup of the good stuff."
"Your 'good stuff' looks like tar Phil," Batto said, taking his coffee. "Don't know how you manage to drink it black."
"It's easy if you have good taste."
"Play nice boys," Launch smiled. "Anything going on I need to know about?"
"All quiet here," Fizz said, looking at the wall of screens showing the entirety of the Capsule Corporation. "Just another day at the office, from the look of things."
"That's wonderful!" Launch said with a wide grin. "Ms. Briefs will be so happy to hear that."
"If you say so," Batto laughed. "You on your way to see her now?"
"Yep! What me to ask for another raise for you?"
"N-no, that's alright the last one is more than enough. Just tell her we say hi."
"Will do!" Launch said on her way out.
"Always pleasant when she has blue hair in the morning,"
"I don't know," Batto replied. "She's more intense when she's got blond hair. Gets your heart racing in a way."
"You like being screamed at?" Fizz said with an eyebrow raised before taking a sip of coffee. "And you question my taste."
Returning to the halls of the Capsule Corporation, Launch greeted everyone with a smile and a wave. Which the employees were only too happy to return. Rounding a corner and making sure she had no eyes on her, Launch found and entered the hidden elevator and rode it all the way up to the highest office in the corporation. Her boss's hidden laboratory.
"Hello? Ms. Briefs? I got you some coffee," Launch said as the door to the genius workplace slid open.
Yet walking into the laboratory, Launch recoiled and saw it wasn't Bulma who greeted her, but the person she was most unprepared to see.
"Ah, hello Launch."
"Tien!" the blue-haired bodyguard shouted, nearly dropping the tray of coffee. "W-what are you doing here?"
"Waiting on Bulma for our weekly training," Tien answered. "She failed to inform me she had a meeting today, though, so I'm waiting for her to finish up."
"O-oh yeah, that is today, isn't it?" Launch said, tripping over her words. "Her meeting shouldn't be that long a wait, though."
"That is good. Her progress has been impressive, but practice is still necessary.
"Y-yes, I agree."
The two shifted in place as the conversation died, neither one fully sure what to say to the other. Not until Tien spied on what Launch was holding.
"Is that coffee for you?"
"Oh no," Launch said, shaking her head. "This is for Ms. Briefs. Just something I do sometimes for her since I know she likes it and needs it."
"That's kind of you," Tien said with a soft smile.
"Th-thank you, do you like it? Coffee, I mean."
"Can't say I do. If I feel the need to start my morning with a beverage, I prefer tea. I've taken to brewing my own on the lookout. It's quite calming. I do recommend it."
"That sounds lovely," Launch smiled. "I don't need to drink anything in the morning. Just being awake is enough for me."
"Something to aspire to then."
"Well, there are some mornings where I wake up surrounded by energy drinks, and sometimes beer. So, I guess part of me needs something to start their day with."
"I see."
"B-but that doesn't mean I'm not open to trying new things," Launch stammered, unwilling to let the conversation dwindle. "Maybe I could try some of your tea someday."
"Ah," Tien answered with surprise. "Yes, the view from the lookout pairs very well with the beverage as well, if you don't mind joining me there."
"I-I would like that," Launch smiled much wider than normal. "Though I'm not sure which side of me you'll be getting on the day."
"That's alright there is always time for another cup of tea. No harm in scheduling for two different days."
"Really? That would be lovely!" Launch exclaimed before withering a little. "Sorry, I know I can be a bit of a handful sometimes."
"Don't apologize. With the four witches' technique, I have enough hands for every side of you." Tien blurted out before he could think.
A painful silence took hold of the conversation. As the seconds passed, Tien realized that every part of him was flushed with embarrassment. His mouth opened and closed several times as he tried to find the words to explain away his poor attempt at a joke. He never got the chance.
A heavy snort came out of the blue-haired bodyguard as held a hand over her mouth. It was a sound Tien had never heard come out of Launch and he wasn't sure what to make of it until she started to laugh.
"I'm sorry," Launch squeaked out, trying to suppress her laughter. "I wasn't expecting that."
"N-no, I should apologize," Tien stammered. "That was in poor taste."
"It's fine, it's fine," Launch said, wiping the loose tears from her eyes. "I'm not sure exactly how I act after I sneeze, but sometimes, I think I scare people away. So, kind of nice to know you think you can handle me."
"I should say the same," Tien said, coughing into his hand. "I know I'm not the easiest to talk to."
"Well, I think you're perfect."
She flashed a smile that forced Tien into a deeper flush and a robbery of a response.
"I have other duties I need to attend to, but can I trust you to give Ms. Briefs her coffee?" Launch asked, handing over her tray.
"Not a problem."
"Thanks, and maybe I can see you on the lookout for tea sometime next week? I'll make sure to inform my other half and we can work something out from there."
"Next week is acceptable, then I shall await your return and prepare accordingly."
"Great, I'll see you soon!"
Without another word, Launch left the laboratory and found herself in the hallway alone, giving her the space and time to silently scream and try to calm her beating heart.
"It's a date," she said to herself with a skip in her step and pride in her courage.
Present:
"Woah."
It was the only word that escaped Launch's mouth as she got her first good look at the Capsule Corporation. The thick ki sphere surrounded the entirety of the building, pulsating with raw energy. The blond bodyguard could already see various holes scattered across the ceiling and sides of the company's main headquarters. Yet the dome seemed to contain the battle as well as it could until a quick tremor under her feet told Launch this fight was far from over.
Got to get in there and save the boss!
Dashing forward, Launch had every intention of running into the dome and doing what she could to help, but as her focus shifted, she could see that several police officers had surrounded the encased Capsule Corp.
Damn, this is the last thing we need. Launch thought to herself only to realize the situation could get worse as an officer noticed her before she could hide.
"Hey you! Stop right there!"
The shout brought the attention of every office as they looked over in Launch's direction, stopping the former bandit from escaping.
"That's a Capsule Corp uniform you have on, isn't it? What's going on here?"
"Sorry copper that's classified, doing some testing on unreleased capsules. Nothing to worry about."
"N-nothing to worry about?!" the cop shouted. "You expect me to believe there is nothing wrong here? The entire block is shaking!"
To prove the officer's point, another tremor hit the area, knocking a good number of the police off of their feet but only slightly shifting Launch.
"You're better off getting out of here," the blond bodyguard said before walking past the downed cop.
"Wait a second don't touch tha-"
Ignoring the cries of the other officers, Launch approached the dome and stuck out her gloved hand. Just before her hand could touch the dome, the energy rippled like water and parted away as if to avoid the bodyguard. Moving closer, the ripples intensified until it became and hole that grew wider as the Launch stepped through the dome. As soon as she was on the other side, the hole closed behind, sealing her in.
"What? How did she do that?"
"If you want to be useful, the best thing you can do is tell people to stay away while we are conducting these tests!" Launch shouted before falling into a sprint.
Looks like this jumpsuit the boss gave me still works. Still don't fully understand how, but long as I keep this on any ki energy produced in the Capsule Corp shouldn't affect me. Good, then nothing will stop me from grabbing my gear.
Launcg went through the front entrance as quickly as she could, hoping to get to her weapons as quickly as possible. Only to stop in her tracks as she spied the two bodies on the floor. With blood caking both the lobby floor and their Capsule Corp security guard uniforms, Launch felt guilt and grief roll through her as she recognized the corpses instantly.
"Dammit," Walking over to the remains of Fizz and Batto Launch could only clench her fist in sorrow at the sight. "You lot deserved better than this."
She could feel the memories of her coworkers start to bubble up, but she dismissed them, knowing that she needed to focus on saving her friend and employer.
Need to move.
Rushing through the doors Tien breached earlier, Launch ran through the halls of the massive company building while also scanning the rooms for any more victims. A quick buzz from her watch stopped her search and brought her eyes toward the screen, which sprang to life and showed off a clear picture of Bulma.
"Boss, you're okay!"
"Launch, what are you doing, oh you sneezed. Well, at least you're okay, and looks like your watch works, unlike the communicators."
"Yeah, so you want to catch me up to speed?"
"Android showed up and Tien is fighting him two floors down."
The building shuddered beneath Launch's feet, rattling enough the blond bodyguard had to catch herself from falling over.
"Three floors down. Launch, did everyone get to the dome?"
"As far as I know, Julie was the last to come in, but I'm here now."
"Launch," Bulma said, cutting her bodyguard off. "I'll say this once. This kind of fight is beyond anything you can imagine. I know you have been training for something like this, but these androids are stronger than we anticipated. Are you sure you want to-"
"Fizz and Batto are dead."
Launch saw the color drain in the scientist's face and the worry she wore faded.
"They were killed in the lobby. Now I'm going to take this gun you invented and use it to shoot the android in the face," Launch said, her eyes alive with fury. "So, are you ready?"
"Yes, but we're going to need more than just the gun you're carrying."
13 felt the conference table crumble under him as he fell flat in its center. The thousands of zeni spent on pure mahogany wood were wasted as the android fell into the modern meeting room, destroying every bit of professionalism and décor of the workspace. Tien had blasted him another floor down and the android could only shake his head in disbelief.
"Can't say that was in the doctor's report," 13 said, pushing aside a bit of the table as he flipped up and onto his feet. "Didn't expect a human to be able to hit that har-"
A wind tunnel rattled the floor as two of Tien's fists connected with the android's unprotected back. This tossed 13 forward and through an expensive glass wall and shattering it. Finding his feet and skidding to a stop, he whirled around to see Tien in a firm fighting stance, all four hands surrounded by a cyclone powered by his energy.
"Was expecting you to come at me from above," 13 said, shaking the glass out of his hair.
"That's why I didn't," Tien said while pumping more energy into his arms.
"Oh? You a mind reader now, too?"
"No, just observant."
"I imagine with three eyes you'd have to be," 13 laughed. "In that case, think you can see this coming."
Stomping onto the glass-ridden carpet with enough force to crack every glass wall on the floor, 13 shifted his weight to propel himself straight at the three-eyed human with a leg reared back to strike.
Throwing up all four of his arms to create a wall of wind, Tien felt the android's kick connect and push him back, but not enough to knock him away. With the two arms coming out of his shoulders, Tien grabbed onto 13's leg and swung him twice before slamming him into the wall. Setting up the android perfectly for four different fists to smash into his face, neck, and chest simultaneously.
The wall crumbled, as did the one beyond that, as the android sailed through two more offices before falling onto his shoulder in the floor's pantry area.
Grabbing onto a counter hard enough, his fingers sank into the high-value marble 13 hoisted himself up as Tien charged at him through the holes he had just been punched through.
"Alright, let's see how you deal with this!"
With both hands out in front, the android quickly generated a giant spiraling crimson-pink energy ball with a reddish-pink sphere in the middle.
"Sorry if this kills ya!"
The pink sphere was fired directly at Tien, eating more of the walls and creating wider holes as it sped toward the human. With no time to dodge, Tien reached out with all four arms still encased in the wind.
"You must be plum loco if you're meanin' to catch that with your bare hands! You must have been out in the sun without your hat on for way too long!"
In an instant, Tien understood what the android meant as the palms of his four hands started to sizzle and burn.
"Like shooting fish in a barrel!" 13 laughed as he pushed his sphere forward, slowly enveloping Tien's multiple arms.
Tien let out a scream as the energy sphere devoured his hands up to his wrists. The only reason he had any of his limbs left was because of the tornados pushing back against the sphere.
"Whelp, you had a good run. Even put me on the back foot for a second there, but guess it's time to wrap things u-"
*Bang*
A lone gunshot rang out, yet its sound went unheard among the destruction the battle between human and android caused. The shot wasn't registered at all until it hit its mark. 13's head snapped to the left as his right temple lit up from the bullet fired.
"Really?" Looking over in the direction the shot was fired, 13 caught Launch clothed in her Capsule Corp jumpsuit and a smoking gun in her hands. "Cute toy. Was that meant to hurt me?"
"No, that's his job."
A howl of power took back his attention as the wind pressure from Tien increased in speed and size, enough to push back the android's ki sphere.
"Oh, hell."
The entire energy sphere sailed into its creator like a boat with a death wish and collided with the android. Once it hit its mark, the explosion caught the entire floor, demolishing millions of zeni worth of high-quality business furniture and computers. The floor below and the ceiling above also gave way to the power of the ki burst leaving gaping holes where once the finest carpets decorated some of the offices of the Capsule Corp.
Launch was already running away from the battle when she saw Tien pushing back against the android. She had dashed toward the floor's fire exit, throwing open the door and dashing down the steps and away from the conflict. Even with that head start, Launch could see the edges of the wall shake, then crumble as she continued her marathon away from the blast. Eventually, the eruption of ki energy seemed to dissipate, and the debris stopped falling overhead. Exiting the stairwell onto the next floor, Launch noticed that she still felt the impact of the battle happening five floors above.
Deep down below the main entrance, Capsule Corp had once cleared one of its many floors and dedicated it to the company's employees' well-being and health. Launch leaned against the wall as she caught her breath and looked out over the Olympic-sized swimming pool and its amenities.
"Forgot the pool was on this floor."
"Hard to believe something this large could slip your mind."
The question had Launch pointing her gun at the sudden voice, her nerves getting the best of her. Only to realize she was aiming at the man she had just risked her life to defend.
"Tien?!" Launch said, holstering the gun immediately. "Don't sneak up on me like that!"
"My apologies," the three-eyed human said, ashamed. "I didn't mean to alarm you, but thought it best to make sure you escaped unharmed, so I followed you."
"You got to me through that explosion?"
"It is good that I did. An entire floor almost fell on top of you."
"Oh, does that mean you saved me?"
"I simply destroyed the debris that would have crushed you."
"So, you did. Good, that's how it should be," Launch said, smiling to herself before noticing Tien's wounds. "T-Tien! Your hands!"
"Ah, yes, hold on a moment."
With his face twisting in exertion, Tien focused his energy and pushed it through all four of his arms. After a moment of concentration, four new hands slid into their place, clean as if freshly washed.
"There," Tien said, breathing out as he felt the dip in his ki. "Much better."
It was only after flexing his new appendages did Tien realized that the look on Launch's face was one of shock.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you," the three-eyed warrior said as he tried to hide his freshly grown hands.
"Frighten? It'll take more than that to scare me. Just seems like something I should learn. You good?"
"Of course," Tien smiled. "Now, as relieved as I am to see you, I'd advise you to leave this to me."
"Not happening. From what I saw, you can use all the help you can get. Without me, you'd have lost a lot more than just your hands. Besides, the boss and I have a plan, assuming the android isn't dead."
"Chances of that are low. What's the plan?"
"Bring him one more floor down and position him towards the west side. The boss and I will take it from there."
"That's it? What do you have in min-"
They felt the building shift and groan three floors above as something far more powerful than both of them started to dig its way downward, toward them.
"I'll get into position now," Launch said, pulling out her handgun to give it a quick once over before returning it to its holster. "Remember one floor down towards the west side."
"Got it."
"Good, one last thing hot stuff."
Launch reached towards one of Tien's restored hands and grasped it before pulling him toward her and leaning in for a quick kiss on his cheek.
"Don't die, I want my tea."
Turning away before he could see the red coating her face, Launch sprinted toward the floor's exit, leaving Tien alone with a hand on his cheek and his thoughts. Though not for long.
Three floors of destruction flowed through the hole Android 13 made as it burst through the ceiling of the underground pool. Dust and debris fell through, slamming into the pool as the android touched down in front of the three-eyed human. The android didn't seem to have been wounded by his attack, but the calm expression he had been wearing was gone.
"Can't say I'm a fan of little cheap shots like that," 13 said, slapping the dust off his shoulder. "You got lucky someone was there to save your hind."
"I was once told that luck can also be a skill. Don't diminish mine just because yours has run out."
"Real funny three eyes," 13 snorted. "Your little lady hiding out somewhere here to help you again? Figure I owe her a quick-"
Tien was on the android in less than a second, all four arms already twisting with wind and his aura aflame. A vicious left hook connected with 13's temple and the added force from the tornados shot him clear across the pool onto the other side. Stomping down with its heels, the android skidded across the tiled floor before coming to a stop.
Placing a hand to the side of his head, 13 had to swallow his surprise as he felt a bit of his wiring exposed. Obsessed with the idea that the human had somehow drawn the equivalent of blood, the android only refocused on his opponent when he felt the wind start to pick up. The tiles he had ripped up trying to stop himself scattered as Tien descended from above toward the robot with four arms ready to strike.
13 avoided the first punch, and blocked the second, but were caught unprepared for Tien's knee to hit his chin, leaving him wide open for the other two. Both strikes slammed and flattened the android while cracking into the foundation of the floor. The man-made crater only widened as the three-eyed human leaned into every hit. The two arms on his shoulders went into a flurry while his original arms leaned back and shot forward with heavier power.
The cracks through the floor multiplied until they reached the pool itself. Water streamed through the openings until the floor gave up again and all the water from Olympic Olympic-sized pool burst out of its holding and flowed alongside Tien and 13 through the hole and onto the floor below.
With more room to maneuver while falling, 13 kicked Tien in the ribs without holding, shrugging him off. Tien spun through the air but kept himself hovering as he watched what had happened to the pool water. The water cascaded downward alongside the android and human, acting like a waterfall, and splattered onto the floor, which was one of the many floors dedicated to generators. As soon as the tons of water hit one of the many machines, it short-circuited the entire floor.
Every light in the capsule corporation went off, leaving Tien and 13 in near darkness. The only light between them was the sparks of electricity dancing across the soaked machines and floor.
"Heh, touched a nerve, did I?"
Tien had to narrow his eyes as the android's voice echoed through the floor. Yet without full sight or the ability to sense his opponent, he was fighting blind.
"This fight is between you and me," Tien said, raising all four arms in defense. "You'd do well to remember that."
"Wish I could have, but if blondie is going to be taking potshots at me, then I'll have to act accordingly. Doctor only asked for Brief's daughter. Nothing about the two of you."
"Your orders won't matter once I'm done with you."
"Ha! Gotta hand it to you three eyes for a human you're holding your own a lot better than I thought," the voice in the dark said before shifting to a new spot silently. "Didn't think you had it in you."
"Underestimating me is why you shall lose this fight, android," Tien said with all three eyes narrowed. "Your rush to discard your humanity made you lose sight of what is possible when one chooses to better themselves."
"Heh, you're not out of the woods yet, human. You're only proving my point here. Seems like you're plenty strong now, three eyes, but the only reason for that is because you lost what was keeping you from reaching this level. One fact of our world is that you throw away what's holding you back," 13 said, his voice coming out of every corner of the room.
"Don't pretend you know me," Tien snapped back while shifting his stance in anticipation of the attack that could come from any angle.
"I know plenty. Like I said, the doc's been keeping an eye on all of you three eyes. Face the truth, you started gaining actual strength as soon as you forgot all about your little friend. Who was he again? That's right Ch-"
"Don't you dare speak his name!"
"Why not? He was a waste of space. That little lady means something to you, too. The only thing you should be focusing on is how much stronger you'll be once she's dea-"
"Solar flare!"
The sudden flash barreling out of Tien's technique joined the crackles of electricity in banishing every corner of darkness from the wide-open room.
"That's some smart thinking three eyes, might have worked too," Tien heard the voice say as he opened his eyes. "If I was human."
A clear hit rocked Tien's jaw, dazing him and blurring his view in every eye. As the solar flare faded away, 13 snapped his punch downward, sending Tien into the wet ground laced with a high-voltage current. Immediately, Tien felt the Capsule Corp's generators flood his body with every ounce of power it had dedicated to the company's production.
Crying out in pain, the three-eyed human rose to escape the electricity, but a heavy boot on his chest stopped him cold.
"And here we have a perfect example of what you're missing out on, human," 13 said, pushing Tien back into voltage. "Your little light show isn't going to be effective against us, not since the doc studied up on your merry band and took extra precautions. Just another added benefit of being part of the Red Ribbon Army."
Tien couldn't answer while the electricity traced through him as he could not gather his focus for a counterattack.
"You know, perhaps I can put in a good word for you with the doctor. In this new world of his, you'd make a hell of an android."
"I'd sooner die!" Tien roared.
"Alright then, easily done."
13 raised an open palm and gathered his energy, trying to decide if he should aim for the human's head or his heart.
That second of indecision cost him the killing blow as Tien pushed through his pain and fired a burst of ki on the floor underneath him. Letting the energy beam cut open a new hole, Tien let his body fall through, gaining just enough distance to put his arms up in defense of the coming blast.
"Gotta be quicker than that!" 13 said, pushing more of his energy into his attack. "You're not getting away from me!"
With four arms up spinning with as much wind as he could muster, Tien felt the ki wave overtake his entire body and encase him in agony. Still, his defense held even after the blast faded and he saw the android rush toward him, both hands reared back to smash him out of the air. The hammer strike fell against Tien's defenses and shattered them. Landing hard on a shoulder, Tien felt it shift out of place, forcing two of his eyes closed from the sudden sting. Yet his third eye caught the movement of 13 racing at him. So focused on his opponent, even Tien missed the blond bodyguard lining up her shot.
*Bang*
The sound was powerful enough to deafen the battle between human and android and the explosion that followed killed it completely. Whatever had collided with his head detonated a heavy dose of ki right into his skull. Though the blast wasn't enough to damage the android thick smog blinded 13 as the ki explosion went off. Waving a hand through the smoke, 13 turned his attention to the new assailant. Coming into view, Launch had donned a repurposed scouter across her right eye. In addition, she had wrapped a bandolier across her chest and instead of bullets, each opening held a different capsule.
"Nice getup human," The android laughed. "But you need to stop bringing a gun to a fist figh-"
A wide and dense ki sphere erupted out of the bullet that had landed squarely in 13's head. The force of the blast was enough to redirect the android and knock him out of the air and into the wall. The mini dome of destruction was so large Tien had to shield himself from the energy burst. Once the explosion had faded Tien looked over to the blond bodyguard.
Holding a sniper rifle taller than herself, Launch let out a quick breath and stood up from her crouched position. She held the weapon without difficulty and walked with it without issue, making her way toward the stunned martial artist.
"That's twice I've saved you now. That tea better be something special."
"I'll do my best," Tien wheezed out slowly, getting to his feet. "Looks like you came prepared."
"Been prepping for this fight in my way for a while and the boss has plenty for me to play with," Launch said, looking over the android plastered on the wall. "Nice work getting him down to the shooting range."
"The shooting range?" Tien answered while finally getting a good look at the floor he had landed on.
Out of all the floors Tien had smashed through during the battle, the shooting range was the largest yet, and also the one in most need of repair. Bits and pieces of the wall and floor seemed to have been chipped or completely blown through as various holes littered the wide-open floor. The scattered targets had small holes peppered on them or were entirely vaporized, with only the remnant of the stand that once held them upright remaining.
"What kind of place is this?"
"Boss built it for me so we can test out some of her wilder ideas. I've put it through its paces."
"You two done chattering?" 13 said, as he started to pull himself off the wall. "Not sure what kind of firepower you've got that makes you think you're going to get out of here alive, but-"
Without a word from either Tien or Launch, the android was stopped cold as his body was flattened against the wall it was trying to remove itself from and held fast.
"What the?"
Struggling against whatever force held him in place, 13 used all of his strength to try to pull himself off the wall. When that failed, he started to gather his energy and couldn't stop his surprise when the blast fizzled out.
"That won't work here." A wide hologram depicting Bulma sitting in a chair from her lab on the highest appeared in the middle of the room in full view of the struggling android. "You're done," the blue-haired scientist said with a disdain heavy enough to hear.
"Well, well, well," 13 smiled. "If it isn't the woman herself. Is it your turn to take a shot at the big, bad android?"
"No," Bulma said, her glare becoming sharper. "Here's what's going to happen. You're going to tell us where Yajirobi is, why you're here, and then I'll take my 'shot'."
"Whew, got to say hats off to you. Didn't know Brief's daughter was such a spitfire!"
"Save it. Where is Yajirobi?"
"Pretty confident your friend is still alive, aren't you? Who's to say he isn't a pile of ash at the bottom of the ocean?"
"Easy, for whatever reason you and Gero seem to really have it out for Goku. If he was dead, I don't think you'd be able to stop bragging about it."
"HA! Got me there. Yeah, we got your friend holed up where we need him. Not sure why you're so attached to that tub of lard, he was taken out pretty quickly."
"You're a poor liar compared to someone else I know. Not only did Yajirobi destroy one of you he's also the reason you're trapped right now."
Bulma pulled up the tip of Android 15's foot and showed it off before continuing.
"I took a look at this while you and Tien were destroying my offices. I discovered Gero has been using a certain type of synthetic skin on all his androids. Lucky for me, you've fallen into my bodyguard's shooting range, an area I have full control over from here. To help with her training, I can increase or decrease the gravity in the room. Or, in this case, magnetize the walls and focus it on you. So unless you want to rip off your skin, you're not going anywhere."
"Big talk Briefs," 13 snorted. "You expect me to believe that you were able to do all that in a matter of minutes?"
"Yes, so let me break it down for you in case you're having trouble understanding."
Leaning back in her chair and crossing her legs, Bulma's glare intensified as if she were looking down on the android.
"Your precious Gero, who you've given up your body to and declared him the future ruler of Earth. I'm smarter than him."
"You? Smarter than the doctor. HA! You must be living in a dream wor-"
A sudden surge of power overtook 13 as the force held him against the wall and increased its pressure. To the point where his head snapped sharply to the side, leaving only one eye able to look forward.
"Don't interrupt me," Bulma said, lifting her finger off the button on her keyboard she had just pressed. "As I was saying, your 'doctor' is out of his league. The only reason you've gotten this far is because he struck first, and I think he knows that. If I were to hazard a guess at the moment, he's wondering why you haven't succeeded in your mission. Must have figured this would be an easy task without Goku around, huh? Yet here you are, helpless."
13 said nothing as he attempted to escape from the wall again. Energy flashing across his body and his man-made muscles flexed while trying to tear himself free. Yet the gathered ki and exertion did not move him an inch.
"You have a damn death wish," the android snarled losing his composure for the first time.
"Thanks for proving my point. Now answer the question, where is Yajirobi?"
"That human already has one foot in the grave just like you Briefs. The doctor is gathering up every ally Son Goku has to put him through the same pain that we experienced all those years ago! He'll kill you all one by one before delivering the same fate to that alien freak!"
"So, all of this is just revenge for the Red Ribbon Army?" Bulma asked while rolling her eyes. "How boring. Gero's pride couldn't take being beaten by Goku when he was just a kid?"
"That kid may as well have sent us back to the stone age! Destroying the Red Ribbon Army has weakened the Earth to the point where we are subservient to the aliens that invaded our world. He made us weaker, and it is Gero who will put humanity back on the path to true power!"
"Really?" Bulma said, leaning to her side and supporting her head with a closed fist. "Because from where I'm sitting, it looks like you've been beaten and the only one here who isn't human is you."
The android gritted its teeth and grew silent.
"Looks like that's it then. You come into my home, kill my people, and think you can get away with it because we're only humans. All because you blame Goku for destroying your little army? I'd laugh if this was funny, but both you and your doctor are just sad. Launch?"
"Here."
"Take my shot for me but leave his head intact. Should be able to get more information out from what he considers a brain."
"With pleasure," the blond bodyguard said with a wide grin and wild eyes.
Pressing a button on her sniper rifle turned the weapon back into a capsule in a puff of smoke. Grabbing it out of the air before it could hit the floor and returned it to her bandolier. Once the capsule was secure, she pulled a new one free and pressed down on the button at the top. In a puff of smoke, a new weapon appeared, this one far smaller than both her sniper rifle and the handgun by her side. Fitting snugly in her palm, Launch gripped and pointed the tiny gun at the trapped intruder.
"You think that peashooter is going to do anything to me?"
"Yes, I do."
"Humph, think you've got the right of this whole story, don't you? That the big bad Red Ribbon Army is the source of the problem, huh? Well, let me tell you right now, all we're trying to do is to prepare us for what comes next."
"Not the last words I'd pick, but whatever works for you."
"Hold on Launch," Tien said, putting his hand over hers. "What do you mean next?"
"Figured that get your attention three eyes, but isn't it obvious? What comes next is what kills us."
"You're not really in a position to be vague," Launch said, her trigger finger twitching. "It's going to get you killed."
"For all your talk about being smarter than the doctor, it's surprising you can't see what's right in front in you! It's the pattern the aliens have taken. Each time what comes next has been getting stronger and stronger and without Gero to take control one day the invaders will destroy this world!"
"So, you're afraid of a hypothetical?" Bulma scoffed. "And here I thought you couldn't get any worse."
"It ain't hypothetical! First, it was the demon king, then the saiyans, and now it was Cooler and his fleet! Without a world ready to fight, we'll just slaughtered by some unknown thing from space landing in our backyard."
"That won't happen, not on our watch," Tien said, releasing his grip on Launch's hand.
"Oh, but it already has, and by someone closer to you than you think."
"What did I say about being vague?" Launch growled.
"Don't worry, blondie, I was listening," 13 smiled. "You said it was going to get you killed."
Bulma frowned at the casualness the android had suddenly displayed. Despite his situation, he seemed to have regained some confidence for a reason she couldn't see yet. However, it did not take long for her to discover it. A loud boom erupted above her with enough force to rattle the entire building, even within the dome.
"What was that?" The blue-haired scientist asked herself and shifted her camera view away from the shooting range to one that could give her a scope of the outside. Only to not understand what she was seeing. Something had landed on top of the dome directly above her. A creature that had a humanoid shape but was unlike anything she had seen before.
The amalgamation had reared a fist back as it gripped the dome with another hand tight enough to form clear cracks in the blanket of ki energy. Despite having no knowledge of this creature, Bulma could sense a strand of energy rolling off from it. She nearly missed it as if the ki energy was purposefully muted, but that small wisp was enough to recognize the strongest source of strength during the invasion all those months ago. Back when the monster Cooler had landed on Earth.
"Oh no."
And down came the fist.
As if the dome was made of glass, Cooler's punch went through and shattered the dense amount of energy. Splitting apart, the safety of the ki shield vanished and the metal abomination dropped down through the crumbling dome and onto the roof of the Capsule Corporation. A swift stomp from an alien foot blasted open the ceiling to Bulma's lab and had her confronting the same horror her friends had months ago. Descending onto the floor, the beast took two steps towards the blue-haired human. There, she got her first good look at the monster in front of her.
It was a creature stitched together, shaking as if it had no control over its own autonomy. White carapace covered its shoulders and blade-like protrusions sharp enough to cut jetted out from one wrist. The color of its eyes glowed a blood red, yet seemed dull at the same time. Its head held four spikes scattered out in different directions. Yet bits and pieces of the monster were missing, replaced by old burn marks and bits of metal with the most replacement centering around the creature's bottom half legs and an arm made of metal. However, with Bulma's eye for detail, she could see that these replacements were made in haste. The legs were made of material of far less quality than the piece android she studied to trap 13. If she wasn't filled with hatred for the doctor who attacked her home, she would be embarrassed for him.
"…you must be Cooler," Bulma said, trying to hide her fear and failing. "Guessing Gero found what was left of you after the fight."
The beast in front of her said nothing, but Bulma couldn't help but notice the small twitches raking the alien's body as it stood in front of her, struggling against its own body.
"Nothing to say? Just going to show up, destroy my roof, and then-"
She was cut off mid-sentence as Cooler lifted his hand toward a collection of computers and fired a blast of energy. A collection of the best tech money can buy was decimated and destroyed, as well as the wall behind them. Bulma screamed and was knocked onto her side as the destruction rattled the entire lab floor. As she hit her side, she could hear failing power, as the widespread destruction had an immediate effect on the Capsule Corp's central power. Her personal computers were hooked up to most of the corp's facilities and without the generous amount of power they provided, the entire facility started to shut down.
Tien and Launch could feel the commotion on the top floor of the building, even in the depths of the underground. They could also see the lights fail and the entire floor was caked in darkness. It didn't take long for the backup generator to kick in and relight the shooting range but not enough to keep the floor powered up to normal. This meant that both humans could only watch as the android detached itself from the wall and dropped down in front of them both with a wide grin twisted in joy.
"Now then, what say we pick right up where we left off?"
Another blast from the alien intruder tossed Bulma to another side of the lab and covered her head for safety. Peeking through arms, the scientist could see that Cooler was dead set on destroying everything on the floor. Countless months wiped away in seconds as Bulma could only helplessly stare as her life's work went up in flames. However, when Cooler's focus went toward the time machine in the corner of the room, Bulma's eyes went wide.
"No! Not that!"
Leaping to her feet, she ran in front of the machine and threw her arms open wide in its defense.
"Not this one! Please!"
The mechanical monster in front of her slowly raised its hand in dead silence. Bulma could hear her heart thump faster, her breathing quickened, as her mind went back to Namek. Her body remembered the sensation of her heart being shot through by Frieza. That moment when the blood pooled out of her body, and she died on a rock. Closing her eyes, the scientist began to tremble, but she did not move. She heard the familiar sound of a blast of energy being fired in her direction and the heat of the ki burst breathed against her face, sending her body from a tremble to a full shake. Bulma Briefs knew what death felt like, and it terrified her. So, the relief she felt when her senses picked up a new energy source coming from someone directly in front of her was overwhelming.
*Boom*
The sound of her rescue took to her ears as the heat of Cooler's attack vanished. Opening her eyes, she saw that she stood protected by a man she could not say she fully trusted, but a more powerful feeling than trust took over.
"M-Bulma! Are you okay?"
The scientist missed the slip-up by Trunks as he landed next to her, his eyes begging for reassurance.
"I-I'm fine, Trunks," Bulma said to the young man with the biggest smile she could muster. "Thank you."
"Don't coddle her boy," the man she didn't trust said, his wide shoulders blocking her view of the monster that nearly killed her. "She's been through worse than this."
"That's quite a line from someone who is this late," Bulma snapped, her shaking slowly started to subside. "I was almost killed in my own lab!"
"Please," the saiyan scoffed. "If you died from this, then you're only half the woman I thought you were."
"What the-" Bulma stammered, her face suddenly flush and unsure if she should be flattered or angry. "Who the hell do you think you are telling me that?!"
The saiyan turned with a sly grin painted on his face and spoke as if he practiced this a thousand times.
"Your prince."
For the first time since they first met, Vegeta had successfully stunned the blue-haired scientist into silence, so he was able to refocus on the alien android in front of him.
"As for you, Cooler, if that is still you. Seems like this Gero character has had his way with you."
What remained of the alien did not respond to the prince's insult, but seemed to lower itself into a fighting stance.
"No response? Ha! I almost prefer you like this. Do not think this fight will go the same way our last one did. This time the namekian isn't here to save you from me. He had your first death, but your second is mine."