Author's Note: Happy Holidays! Hard to believe we're just days away from closing out the year, but I am glad I was able to squeeze in one last chapter before the end of 2024.
Can't say it's been the most productive year for me writing-wise, but for me this has been a life-changing year. Looking back on where I was in my life when I first started writing this series and where I am now is hard to believe everything that has happened.
I have been very lucky to be where I am now, and it's even better when I remember that despite all the delays, I still have people interested in my writing.
So, as always, thank you for reading.
Getting into the chapter itself, I'm happy with how it turned out. It's the first full chapter with one of my most anticipated characters, and I like how she turned out. Feels like I dropped more questions than answers here, but it was nice to return to a more conversation-focused chapter as opposed to all the action in the most recent.
Still a lot more of this series to go yet reaching this milestone means a lot to me. So I'm excited to hear any feedback any of you are willing to share.
Happy holidays, thanks again, and please enjoy.
"This is pointless. We should have widened our search ages ago."
Piccolo simply grunted in response to Nail's complaints, feeling he didn't need to add anything to the conversation. The two namekians had been floating high above South City, surveying the city streets below and the area around it in search of any android activity. With no movement or danger in sight, they had been standing by for hours, and it was beginning to wear on Nail's patience.
"What is the point in remaining here if the others are clearly in danger?" Nail continued finally breaking through Piccolo's last nerve.
"We don't have a means to communicate with the others right now," Piccolo said through a sigh. "Without any way of finding anyone, the best thing we can do is remain here, so they at least know where we are. Add to the fact that we're the only ones capable of defending this city, then the last thing we want to do is leave."
"It baffles me that a world this large and powerful can harbor a people who seem utterly incapable of protecting themselves. Even the weakest namekian child is capable of fleeing through flight, but these humans require tools for everything. Do they not know that they are capable of so much more, or do they simply not care?"
"Mixture of both," Piccolo answered. "The humans we know have pursued strength for years and have learned how to harness power through study, but that knowledge isn't readily available. If the existence of ki energy was common knowledge, perhaps things would be different, but as things stand, humanity isn't capable of putting up a fight."
"Even after months on this planet it is still a mystery to me."
"You get used to it."
"Have you?" Nail asked curiously. "From what I know, you originally saw little value in humans. Have Krillin and the others changed your opinion so much that it includes the rest of the population?"
"You've been talking with Kami again, I take it," Piccolo growled. "Regardless, at this time I hold no real respect or love for the majority of the species on Earth."
"I don't blame you; how could you?" Nail asked almost with a glare at the city below. "To be born on a planet with such a wealth of beauty and ignore its gifts. How do they live in such ignorance?"
"I wasn't finished," Piccolo snapped. "At this time this planet's population has done little to prove themselves to me. Yet if there is one thing I've learned, it is not to underestimate the potential of Earth's inhabitants, lest I make the same mistake as Vegeta, Frieza, Cooler, or even this Gero we now face."
"You believe them to be capable of more?"
"I believe them to be capable of more than I can imagine. Which is why I have placed my trust in Krillin, a human himself. While we once again find ourselves against a new foe, as long as he can keep calm and keep his focus, I know he will be able to see us through this ordeal."
"W-what are you talking about?" Krillin sputtered, the old man wearing a deep blush.
"See,I was right." The blond woman chuckled. "Cute."
"Didn't know you went for guys with wrinkles." The black-haired man said with surprise.
"I don't; if you were paying attention, I said if he was younger. Did the old fart not calibrate your ears properly?"
"Whatever. Are you going to cry when I kill this guy?"
"Hardly, do you what you want. I'm going to take a look around this place before we destroy it."
"No interest in helping?"
"Do you need any? He's just a human."
"Fine, I'll come find you when I'm done."
"And you called me confident," Krillin said, cutting into the conversation. "Don't think for a second I'll let you get any further."
"Sure, Grandpa," The black-haired android answered while rolling his eyes. "Since it's the first time we've been out of that damn cave, I'm hoping you can at least provide some entertainment. So don't die of a heart attack before I'm done with you."
Before Krillin could voice a response, the male android rushed forward at a greater speed than Krillin had ever seen. Forced to react, the old monk put up a ki barrier and his arms to block the attack. The android's punch smashed into Krillin's crossed forearms, kicking up a gust of wind strong enough to flutter the blue leaves of the ajia trees.
He blocked that? The android thought to himself, stunned at the human's speed.
He hit me? The human thought to himself, stunned at the android's speed.
"Alright, you boys have fun." The blond-haired android said, walking past the duo without a care in the world. "Let me know when you're done 17. Don't want you to blow up the place while I'm still exploring."
"Hey, stop!" Krillin cried, taking his eyes off his opponent for just a moment. Which is more than enough for 17.
The android snapped a low kick at Krillin's right knee, slanting it sideways and collapsing the old monk's balance. With one knee on the ground but his guard still up, the old monk was able to stop most of the damage that came from 17's second kick. The power of the android's punt sent Krillin skidding backward instead of flat on his back, but the attack still robbed him of precious seconds. By the time he looked back toward the blond-haired android, she was gone.
"Dammit," Krillin cursed before being forced to refocus entirely on his opponent as he chased the human down.
Nice place.
It was the one thought 18 held to herself as she walked through the halls of the lookout. The long stretch of hallway offered the android a sense of peace she hadn't had since waking up and being barked orders from the doctor. 17 could have his fun fighting; she was more interested in seeing something new.
Poking her head into another one of the many doors' lining the walls, she started to grow annoyed as another simple bedroom greeted her. Closing the door and showcasing her disinterest with a yawn, the android contemplated returning to her twin's side to elevate her boredom.
One more can't hurt. She thought to herself as curiosity overrode apathy.
Yet as she reached to turn the knob, the android was surprised to see someone approach her out of the corner of her eye. It was the creature her brother had attempted to kill just minutes earlier, flanked by an older namekian.
"What are you doing here, android?" Kami asked his face one of silent fury.
"Looking around," 18 said with a shrug. "My brother is fighting Krillin, so I figured I'd find another way to pass the time."
"You are very casual about attacking my home android."
"It's not personal. Just something we have to do to get the old doctor off our backs. Don't worry; once 17 is done having his fun, we'll make it quick."
"That does little to comfort me."
"I'm not trying to."
Kami narrowed his eyes as he stared at 18, searching for something deeper than what the conversation could provide. "You are not what I expected from Gero's creations."
"Is that your attempt to flatter me? It's not going to save this place from my brother and me.
"Merely an observation. From what Goku told me about the android that attacked his home, it seemed to be a silent automaton. Yet offering an avenue of escape for us, it's clear you have your own personality. What's more, I sense there is a not small amount of unspoken animosity toward your creator. Why is that?"
"Not all androids worship the ground that senile old fool walks on if that's what you're asking. But I have my own reasons for following orders," 18 said, holding her hand up with a ball of deadly energy already gathered in her palm. "Now, if you want to run, do it now."
"No room for compromise then," Kami said, staring down at the android's threat. "Then I suppose I was right to try and stall you just as I was correct in sending a message for his return."
"His return? Who are you?
A door closed behind her. There standing, she caught sight of a small human that looked back at her with the same level of confusion and interest. The human and the android stared at each other with the same intensity one does a wild animal. Waiting for the other to pounce.
"Now this is interesting," 18 said, looking at the young monk who looked identical to the old man her brother was currently fighting.
"Kami? I got your message, but," Krillin asked, unsure of what to make of the situation. "Who is this?"
"One of Gero's androids is attacking the lookout," Kami said calmly. "The other is currently fighting against you as we speak."
"Are you sure? I can't sense anything."
"It seems that Gero has found a way of blocking our ability to locate each other through our ki signatures. At the moment we are unsure how the others are faring."
"They're probably dead," 18 said nonchalantly. "Sorry."
Krillin's eyes narrowed as he took his fighting stance. "You'll pay for this android!"
Flaring his aura to match his anger, 18 simply raised an eyebrow as the white, shimmering cloak of ki shifted into a new color. A burning crimson. Since his conversation with master Mutaito Krillin had dedicated himself to bringing himself up to the level of his older self. However, he didn't have the Time Chamber to use. Instead, he followed the same training King Kai had set out for Goku and the others when they had lived on the small planet. There he was able to increase his base power, speed, and ki control. More importantly he was taught carefully and gained an understanding of one of King Kai's most well-known techniques.
"Kaio-Ken!" The young monk shouted, feeling he should leave nothing to chance and start the fight with the culmination of his 15 months of training.
The hallway of the lookout shined red as Krillin calmly deepened his stance, letting King Kai's technique flow through his body. When his power reached its peak, the young monk moved first. Lunging forward with a fist raised, Krillin waited until the last second to vanish and attack the blond android from behind with an afterimage strike.
Got her. Krillin thought to himself with a smile, feeling proud of his power and progress. Until the back of 18's fist landed where his nose would be, if he had a nose.
The backhand broke through the top half of his ki barrier and stunned him long enough for the android to plant a kick in his stomach that shattered the rest of it.
Smashing his back into a nearby pillar, Krillin slumped down, holding his stomach and gasping for air. His sight swimming and his head pounding, he tried to stand only to find his strength had completely left him in one strike.
"Hmmm."
Still holding his stomach, Krillin looked up to see the blond android bent over and looking at him with wide blue eyes.
"W-what?" Krillin said, shaking himself free from the enchanting sight while trying to think of a counterattack.
"You look like that old guy from before, but younger."
"That's... it's complicated."
"Seems like it," 18 said with a small smile. "So, you going to try to attack me again?"
"If I said no, would you believe me?"
"I guess not, but it's not like you're strong enough to hurt me anyway."
Krillin flinched at that but kept his mind moving, looking for any kind of opening he could exploit.
"How about this?" the android said, standing back to her full height. "You'll be my tour guide."
"Huh? Tour guide?"
"Are you refusing? Because I could just kill you now instead."
"N-no, no," Krillin stammered while standing up himself. "I can show you around, but I'm more curious as to why you'd even want this."
"I'm not itching for a fight like my brother, and there's nothing else to do. This place isn't the armpit of a cave, so I might as well enjoy the sights before it's gone," the blond woman said before a sharp glare took over her face. "Keep in mind if you aren't entertaining, I'll kill you all the same."
"G-got it,"
"Oh, and the green guy isn't joining," 18 said, looking over to Kami. "I want you all to myself."
…what is going on? Krillin thought to himself, unsure if this development was better or worse for him.
"I am sorry to have thrust you into this without prior warning, Krillin," Kami said, trying to keep his composure. "But it is good to see you all the same."
"Same to you, Kami," Krillin said before looking back to 18. "Shall we start?"
"Lead the way."
The old monk skidded backward as another punch from the android collided with his forearms. Krillin's eyes narrowed as he was able to feel his ki barrier was still intact, but only barely. The onslaught from 17 had done enough damage that he could feel his best defense weakening.
This isn't going as well as I thought.
Shaking off the dull pain from his arms, Krillin took back a fighting stance, sliding into a pose that kept every vital area on his body covered.
Both this android's speed and strength are greater than I would have thought. For whatever reason, this man is far more powerful than the android that attacked Goku. Perhaps these are the androids that Trunks had feared so much.
The pause between the fighters ended as both dashed forward at the same time, their movements almost synched. Meeting in the middle of the lookout's deck had another violent gust whip up, shaking the ajia trees, and Krillin struck first. Flowing from one punch to the other, he had 17 on the back foot as the black-haired man looked for an opening.
He found it as Krillin overextended on a kick that was easily blocked. 17 smirked as his right shoulder absorbed all the damage and shoved the old monk's leg away. Raising a fist up as the human stumbled, 17 attacked with a cold fury. Yet the android felt his smirk vanish as Krillin's stumble weaved into a new fighting stance. Grabbing the android's fist as if plucking a bird out of the sky, the old monk spun around, giving him the freedom of movement to transform 17's punch into a shoulder throw.
After slamming the machine man onto his back with enough force to rattle the lookout, Krillin followed up with a side kick that connected with the back of his opponent's head.
The snap of the kick smashing into an android's skull gave Krillin the opportunity to let out a breath he was holding as he watched the android bounce off against the lookout. However, that sense of calm faded as 17 picked himself up without any issues.
"You're a slippery one." The black-haired man said, rubbing his neck. "Thought I had you for a second there."
"It's not easy to set a trap during a fight," Krillin answered, still in his fighting stance. "Yet the risk can be worth it."
"No kidding. Have to admit, old-timer, I'm having a much better time than I thought I'd be. When Gero described you as the target, I thought he finally lost it. Didn't think I'd be this entertained."
"Threatening the lives of innocents is far from what I'd call entertainment."
"Sorry grandpa, but the doctor gets what he wants," 17 said, taking a fighting stance once again. "Not really in a position to argue."
17's comment brought up a question within Krillin, but the battle began again before he could ask it. A vicious deluge of ki blasts shot out from both androids' open palms. Thinking little of this form of attack, Krillin slapped the energy shots away with one hand, preparing for the black-haired machine to close the distance and strike. Yet the pause in the blasts never came. Instead, the intensity and strength behind the bursts of ki. Forced to start using two hands, Krillin realized that he was being pushed backward, slowly sliding closer to the lookout's entrance.
"Gotta be careful where you step, old man!" 17 shouted above the continuing blasts of energy. "And just for the record, I can do this all day!"
A bead of sweat dripped down the side of Krillin's face as he lost more ground due to the onslaught. Fully aware, if he tripped up, his already damaged ki barrier would crumble under the ki blasts. As he put more and more power into just defending himself, Krillin's movements began to grow erratic, unfocused, and even sloppy. He didn't know by how much until one of the knocked-away ki blasts hit a nearby ajisa tree.
The sound of the break seemed to slow down time as Krillin watched the blue leaves of the Namekian tree slump to the ground. The cut was anything but clean as the monk was given a full view of the damage that had been done to the delicate plant. It was one of many that Mr. Popo and he had planted on the lookout, yet he could still feel the ache of failure take hold.
Followed by anger.
The android wasn't able to see what happened next. From 17's perspective, he had the human on the back foot as he continued to fire wave after wave of ki blasts. The ki reactor built within him offered unlimited energy, and he felt it was only a matter of time before he overwhelmed the old monk. So he didn't expect the punch.
Crossing through the heavy stream of ki blasts, Krillin endured the pain, cutting a path through with his own body. Just to deliver the punch.
With both hands outstretched to fire the ki blasts, 17 could offer no defense as his sight was filled with Krillin's fist. The blow sent his head back and his legs up as all of the old monk's weight delivered into the strike knocked the android off his feet. With his balance destroyed, 17 was carried and launched as Krillin ended the punch with a snap. The old monk watched the android bounce across the lookout's floor and stretched out both arms to his side.
Within a second, two discs of ki appeared, spinning wildly but still sharp enough to cut through anything it needed to. And Krillin had his target.
17 landed hard enough on his back that bounce flipped him back onto his feet, where he skidded and scrambled to regain his balance. By the time he found it and stood back up, the destructo discs were slicing through the air, closing in on his throat.
With time to spare, 17 hunkered down and accessed the unlimited energy pumping through him and threw up a firm energy barrier. The twin discs collided with the barrier, yet instead of cutting, both wavered and sunk into the energy barrier, disappearing completely.
"Not a bad punch, old-timer,"17 smiled, his barrier still up. "Your follow-up could use some work, though. Good thing the doctor was smart enough to make sure our barriers could absorb energy no matter how strong."
Krillin didn't respond. Instead, he just watched the barrier the android set up very carefully, as his eyes narrowed.
"That technique," Krillin said slowly as lightning ran up and down his body. "That isn't yours."
A quick rumble shook the halls of the lookout as Krillin and the blond-haired android continued making their way through. The shake was strong enough to nearly knock the young monk onto his back, but he was able to catch himself on the wall before he could. 18 was undisturbed.
"Sounds like they are really going at it," 18 said uncaring as Krillin picked himself up to full height. "You okay, tour guide?"
"I'm fine," Krillin answered, kicking himself for even responding to the strange title.
"Good, then keep talking. What's down this hallway?"
"More doors clearly."
"That's it?"
"I assume there are rooms inside of the doors."
"You're not a very good tour guide."
"…I didn't really claim to be."
Krillin heard the sigh and the familiar sound of a high amount of energy gathering very close to his head.
"W-well, if you have to know, then you're better off asking Kami. He's the one in charge of the lookout, and its shape is determined by what he wants."
"Huh, interesting. Kami is the green guy we saw earlier. Why does he get to call the shots?"
"He's a namekian and also the guardian of Earth. I'm surprised you didn't know that at least. I thought Gero was spying on us for years."
"He might have mentioned that. Doesn't mean I listened."
"You don't seem to like the guy. Didn't he make you?"
A fierce beam of energy whizzed by Krillin's head. Mere inches from his cheek, the young monk could still feel the heat from the blast as it burned a hole in the floor of the lookout.
"No."
"G-got it."
The two walked forward in silence. Save for the quick glances Krillin offered at the android behind him, he was preoccupied with forming a plan of attack.
What attack? There's nothing I can do to her since she outclasses me in every aspect. I went at her with my full power and couldn't even touch her. The only thing even keeping me alive is her weird tour obsession. The young monk thought to himself. Wait here? Why did I think of it as a her? She's an android, right? Though her reaction to that question says otherwise. I wonder…
"Hey," Krillin said, trying to keep his voice still. "What's your name?"
"My name?" The blond-haired android repeated with an eyebrow raised. "Why do you want to know?"
"You know mine, and I'm trying to give a good tour here. Don't good tour guides at least get to know who they're showing around?"
"Sure, but you're not a good tour."
"Maybe I'll get better if I know your name."
"Ha, I doubt it, but whatever. It's 18."
"Like the number?"
"Yes, like the number."
"Huh. Were you born with that name?"
"What do you think?"
"…not really sure what to think about all this."
Krillin watched as the android looked him over with suspicion before shrugging it off.
"I might have been."
"Oh, okay then."
She's not like the other android at all. The one that attacked Goku looked like a machine inside and out, but she's so different from that one. Almost human, but is it possible Gero can modify a human to the point where they can keep up with Goku?
"Hey. Tour guide."
Stopping and again kicking himself for still responding to the name Krillin, he turned around at 18, pointing to the door next to her.
"Something smells."
"Well, that's the kitchen."
"How can you tell? It looks like every door here."
"Back when we were training to stop the Saiyans, I'd make our own meals, so I got used to recognizing where everything was."
"You can cook?"
"Yeah, well, I used to at least."
"What did you stop?"
"Believe it or not, I don't need to eat anymore. Or sleep for that matter."
"Aren't you human?"
"It's complicated."
"You're a weird one, aren't you?" 18 said once again, staring at the young monk. "Even I sleep."
"You do?"
"Is it that surprising?"
"…kind of."
"Whatever," 18 said before striding forward and pushing open the door to the kitchen. "Come on."
"What?"
"You're a lousy tour guide, so let's see if you're a better cook."
I've…miscalculated.
Krillin felt his arms growing tired and his breathing continue to deteriorate. The old monk felt his barrier flicker under the strain of another onslaught from 17. Parrying a wild haymaker and ducking under a kick, Krillin knew he was losing ground and could only offer a meager counterattack. While the 17 androids seemed to have no issue throwing every ounce of energy he had into every attack. As if he had no fear of running out of strength.
I let my emotions get the better of me and pushed too hard, too fast. Krillin thought to himself as he blocked a kick aimed at his temple. It's been harder and harder to gather my ki lately. Every time I push back, he'll rely on the barrier to absorb my energy. I burned through what I had cultivated in just a few minutes.
A punch that slipped past Krillin's defense landed in his stomach, rippling through his body and bringing up air and blood both. The older monk had to take two steps back to recover, which meant that the android had free rein to move in and sent his heel crashing down toward the top of Krillin's head.
Catching the ax kick out of the corner of his eye, Krillin shifted and let the kick drop onto the lookout's floor, where it cracked open several tiles. Letting a crackle of energy power his movements, Krillin rushed down 17 and threw a heavy punch laced with what ki he had left.
Yet as quick as the old monk could move, his fist still slammed against a sturdy barrier that the black-haired android was able to throw up just in time. The impact of Krillin's strike still shook the lookout but wasn't enough to break open the energy dome.
"Whoops," 17 smirked. "You'll have to be quicker than th-"
The second punch strikes the barrier harder with far more weight behind it. 17 felt his knees wobble even as his barrier held firm against the attack.
Every time I think he's done, he hits back harder than before. 17 thought to himself as he pumped more of his infinite energy into his barrier just to make sure it held together. Isn't he supposed to be human?
A vicious shout ripped 17 out of his head, and Krillin lunged with a third punch. Dropping the barrier just before the old monk's fist smashed into the dome, just to gain a second of stumble from Krillin, the android opened fire at point-blank range.
The heavy beam of energy slammed into Krillin's torso, pushing him back several feet before he dug his hands into the ki burst and ripped it apart from the inside out. The beam dissipated, but the damage was done, and Krillin felt his barrier sizzle and shrink to mere inches.
Both human and android looked at each other with disdain and confusion as the same thought crossed both their minds.
What kind of monster is this guy?
"Smells like you're burning it."
"I'm not."
"Well, it smells like you are."
In truth, Krillin had let the rice in the pan overstay its welcome on the pan, and the air had begun to stain with light smoke. He knew he was out of practice with cooking but was still shocked to realize he had messed up something as simple as fried rice. Still, his pride wouldn't let him admit the mistake, and he hoped the android hadn't noticed the slipup.
"So, you can't fight, guide, or cook. Not sure why Gero made such a big deal about killing you if you can't do anything."
"Must be my personality then," Krillin said dryly as he attempted to save the dish. "Surprised Gero even thinks about me. Thought he only cared about Goku."
"Ugh, he does. The old fart goes on for hours about revenge, retribution, and how he has to be the one to destroy Goku. It's mind-numbing."
"Then why is he attacking anyone else?"
"He wants to make sure Goku loses everything before he kills him," 18 yawned. "And he knows you're the one calling the shots for everyone, so he sent us after you. Thinks it'll be easier to kill the others once you're gone."
"How does he know that?"
"He made some small drones and has been spying on all of you since the 22nd world martial arts tournament."
"That long?"
"I told you, all he talks about is killing Goku. He's been planning this for years now, and he won't shut up about it."
"But why does he want to destroy Goku so badly? Is it revenge for the Red Ribbon Army?"
"That's part of it. But the real reason is that Goku killed his son."
Krillin stopped short. The sizzle of burning rice was the only sound as he tried to digest what the android had just said.
"Goku wouldn't do that."
"Gero seems to think so," 18 said through a heavy stretch. "Though either way I don't really care."
"Then why are you helping him?" Krillin asked, looking over his shoulder at the android.
"…I've got my reasons," 18 said sharply. "Is the food ready yet?"
"Yeah."
Turning off the heat from the stove, Krillin plated the fried rice he had quickly whipped up and walked it over to the table 18 had been sitting at.
"Dig in," the young monk said flatly.
18 chuckled at the lack of enthusiasm and started to eat the rice with the spoon Krillin had provided. It wasn't until she was three bites deep that the blond-haired android spoke again.
"It's good."
"Wait, really?"
"You scorched it a little, but yeah, it's good. Better than anything I've had in the cave."
It took Krillin a full second to realize he was smiling ear to ear, and even when he discovered he was, he didn't know why.
"You're not having any?" 18 asked, looking up to see Krillin hadn't served himself at all.
"I told you; I don't eat."
"Doesn't mean you can't taste right?" The android said, scooping up a mouthful of rice on her spoon and raising it towards Krillin. "Here,say 'aaah.'."
"W-what?"
"Say 'aaah' and eat it."
"I'm not going to s-"
"Say 'aaah' or I'll kill you."
"…aaah."
Shoving the spoon inside the monk's mouth, 18 dumped the rice in before he could change his mind. "So, pretty good, right?"
"…I'm really out of practice," Krillin said, swallowing the spoonful.
"You're too hard on yourself," 18 said before returning to her meal.
"So, why does an android need to eat?"
"Mostly because I'm not an android."
"What? But I thought-
"I wasn't built like some of the others. Apparently, I was fully human. Once."
"Apparently?"
"Can't remember, so I can't be sure."
"Then maybe 18 isn't your original name."
"It's the only one I can remember."
"So you don't know who you were before Gero told you to attack the lookout?"
18 shrugged. "Not really. The old geezer just woke us up and told us to destroy this place."
"Woke you up? What does that mean?"
Another heavy shake rattled the kitchen before Krillin could finish his question.
"Sounds like 17 is wrapping up on his end." The blond-haired android said, putting down the spoon on her now-empty plate. "Thanks for the food."
Pushing herself up from the chair and stretching as she made her way towards the door, the blond-haired android seemed unbothered by the panic that Krillin had on his face.
"W-wait, where are you going?"
"Going to help 17 blow this place up. Might want to steer clear for now."
"I-I can't do that," The young monk said, standing up.
"Oh? Going to try and stop me again? Didn't go so well for you last time."
She's right. I can't keep up even with the Kaio-ken. Thought Krillin.Do I have anything that can even slow her down?
Preparing himself for a fight, he knew he couldn't win. Krillin tried to conjure up a solution. His mind raced and came up with nothing until he recalled something 18 had said not long ago. Even I sleep.
…this is a bad idea. The young monk thought to himself as he slid into a stance he had used only once before. If this doesn't work, she'll kill me. Probably out of pity.
"You're really going to try this again?" 18 sighed and rolled her eyes. "Okay, don't say I didn't warn you."
Or maybe I'll just die from embarrassment.
Steadying himself, the young monk slowly began to move his arms. Shifting his left hand to the side while his right hand was brought up to face level, Krillin gently focused his ki on his movements. 18 seemed to be more curious about Krillin's actions than threatened and let him continue.
Bringing his right hand down to the side while his left hand rose, Krillin slowly acted out as if he were trying to grab something that was not there. The blond-haired android tracked the monk's hand motions very closely as Krillin's hands started to weave back and forth, back and forth. Pushing down his burning shame and trying his best to hide his uncertainty, Krillin locked eyes with 18.
There he saw an abyss of blue.
Clearer than any sky or ocean he had seen before, Krillin felt himself neither unable nor unwilling to look away from the woman's gaze. So, he buried himself deeper into the simmering blue. As he did, he silently reached out with his energy to solidify an invisible connection between them. A link between his ki and hers that was needed for this technique to work.
Now!
The monk redirected his energy from his movements into the link that connected him to 18 even deeper than they already were. Hoping he had mimicked the technique correctly, Krillin moved onto the next step. Slowly, softly, and as gently as he could. Krillin began to sing.
"Go to sleep, little boy. Go to sleep. Go to sleep, little boy; go to sleep. You are a good boy, little boy. Now go to sleep."
His singing had not improved since he had used the technique on Gohan, nor had it been part of his training with King Kai. Yet with no other options, it was the only thing he could think of, but now that he had finished singing, he wondered if death was preferable.
I forgot to change the lyrics! Krillin thought, his eyes wide and hands shaking. I called her a boy! I'm such an idiot!
"What was that?"
"…um. Nothing?"
"Not buying that. What did you do?
A sudden stumble stopped 18 from speaking as she had to steady herself on the nearby table just to remain upright.
"What…did you do?" The android slurred as her eyes dropped heavily as she battled to stay awake.
Her question went unanswered as Krillin could only stare in surprise as 18 slowly slumped off the table and onto the kitchen floor as sleep fully took her.
D-did that work?
Krillin slowly moved over to inspect the fallen android and saw that she was completely asleep. It wasn't until the young monk tracked her slow breathing as the seconds went by that she started to calm down.
Looks like the gamble paid off. If she were more machine-like like the other androids, then this wouldn't have worked. Without proper training, there's no way a regular human would be ready for a mental attack like this. Maybe Gero could have worked around it, but I've only used this technique in Gohan's mind, so there's no way he'd know I could use this technique. Guess the lyrics don't matter either.
Feeling another tremor rattle the lookout, Krillin turned toward the source of the shake and felt his adrenaline kick in.
I need to help myself, I guess. Not sure what the situation is, but clearly, I'm having trouble, but first. Krillin's eyes went back over toward the slumbering android. I need to kill her, right?
Swallowing the large amount of saliva that had built up in his throat, Krillin pointed his hand towards the defenseless woman and began gathering a large amount of energy into his palm.
This isn't new. Nappa was unconscious, and I shot a hole in his head. Dodoria begged me to let him go and I punched a hole through his chest. This isn't new.
As the young monk's hand shook as he tried to convince himself this was right, a soft murmur from the woman caught his attention.
She's dreaming. Krillin thought to himself as he lowered his hand as a new revelation crossed his mind. I've never killed a human before. Is that why this feels so different?
He didn't have the answer to his own question as he walked over and picked up the android with both arms.
Or is it just because she's pretty?
Sighing to himself as he knew this was yet another bad idea, he carried 18 as one would a bride and made his way out of the kitchen.
The old monk's left knee hit the ground as he struggled for breath. Sweat poured off of him in waves as his body shook from the strain, he had put it through. A cough escaped his dry throat just as a throb encased his mind. He was exhausted.
Looking up at the enemy in front of him, he could see the visible damage he had caused as 17 was littered with burn marks and scratches. Yet the black-haired android showed no sign of fatigue. Only caution.
He looks tired. 17 thought to himself, still in his fighting stance. But he looked tired almost the entire fight, and he kept coming after me. I could take him out right now, but what if it's a trick? He was throwing around enough power that without the barrier I might be in just as much trouble as him.
Another cough from the old monk only flared up 17's uncertainty, but he was forced to shake it off.
This isn't fun anymore. Just put him down and blow this place up.
Dashing forward with a raised fist at his side, 17 wanted to end the fight quickly. The android saw the struggle in the old monk's eyes as he tried to pick himself up to put up any kind of defense. Yet before he could, the struggle was replaced with surprise and then satisfaction, all before 17's punch could land.
What is he-
The android didn't finish the thought as he caught movement out of the corner of his eye, which grabbed his attention enough to catch a blast of blue ki energy shooting at his side.
Someone new?
Leaping up into the air to avoid the blast, 17 watched it shoot before curving around and chasing him down. Clicking his tongue in frustration, the black-haired android kicked the blast with far more strength than needed and watched the beam fly off into the distance and out of sight.
Someone weak?
Dropping back down onto the lookout, 17 sent a look over toward the monk only to find another had joined him. One nearly identical but decidedly younger looking.
"Didn't know you had a younger brother, old-timer. Is he coming to your rescue?"
"Something like that," The young monk shouted as he helped his older copy to his feet. "You alright?"
"You're late," the old monk answered. "Kami sent for you hours ago."
"King Kai's planet isn't exactly next door. Plus, I had to avoid King Yemma's gaze," the young Krillin scoffed. "Sneaking by him isn't the easiest thing in the world."
"I'm sure," The old monk said dryly. "Regardless, it is good you are here. The situation is dire."
"Seeing as how beat up you are, I'd agree. Why are you having such a hard time?"
"This android can deploy a barrier that absorbs energy, and I cannot break it apart without being exposed to a counterattack. What's more is that there is a second android walking around the lookout who could be just as powerful."
"Do you mean the girl? Blonde hair? Yeah, that's okay; I got her."
"What?" "What?" Both the old monk and the black-haired android said simultaneously.
"I put her down for a quick nap," the younger Krillin said to 17. "I didn't harm her in any way; she's resting in a nearby bedroom."
"You expect me to believe that?" 17 snarled. "What did you do to my sister?!"
"Sister?" The young monk repeated. That's a relief they're just related…Wait, why is that a relief?
Krillin's question couldn't be answered as a punch he couldn't see nearly connected with his face. Only to be stopped and caught by his twin's hand.
"Pay attention!" The old monk shouted as he did his best to defend his weaker side.
Pushing further, 17 launched another strike toward the monks to push them back into each other. The two Krillins were forced to lean on each other just to stay upright.
With the weight of 17's assault chipping away at Krillin's barrier, the older monk was forced to make a choice. Ignoring the burn in his arms and the wobble in his legs, he redirected the little energy protecting him and into his palms. Firing a heavy pulse of ki into the android that acted more like a push than a punch, the monks gained some breathing room. 17 skidded backward but recovered quickly and rushed down at the pair. Only for the younger one to step in between them.
"Solar flare!"
Light flashed out of the young monk straight into 17's eyes, forcing him to stop short and cover his face in pain.
Looks like he's just as human as his sister. Krillin grinned to himself before noticing that his older twin was already moving to take advantage of this opening.
"Wait, hold on," The young human said, fully turning and throwing open his arms to stop himself. "We don't need to fight them."
"What are you saying? They are here to destroy the lookout."
"With their power, if they really wanted to do that, they already would have."
Still unable to see but realizing he was defenseless, 17 leaped backward to gain distance while still covering his tender eyes.
"Listen, I know it's hard to believe, but let's try just talking to them." The young monk said to his older twin, "They aren't like the other androids we've fought so far. We might be able to convince him to stop."
"Might isn't good enough."
"Well, it'll have to be since you aren't in any shape to keep fighting. Or do you think I don't know my own limits?"
A heavy stare from the old monk began a battle of will between the Krillins. Yet exhaustion only plagued one of them.
"Do what you want." The old man said his age weighing him down more than usual.
"Great!" Krillin smiled before turning back toward the android. "Hey there, you're 17, right?"
"What did you do to my sister?"
"She's fine, I swear. I just put her to sleep for"
"You did what?!"
"I just put her to sleep for a little while," Krillin repeated carefully. "She's resting nearby. I can take you to her if you want, as long as you stop trying to destroy the lookout."
"As if I can trust anything you say," 17 snapped. "Instead, how about I just kill you, then the geezer, then take my sister back?"
"Well…that's not something I can agree to. Look I know that 18 doesn't care for Gero and I'm willing to bet you feel the same. So how about you calm down and figure out a compromise."
"You think you can talk your way out of this just because you can't beat me? I clocked the strength of that blast human, and you're even weaker than the old man. So how about a new deal? For every second you don't bring my sister back, I blow away a chunk of this floating garbage heap. How does that sound?"
"T—that's not—"
"One."
The energy blast came out of 17's right hand and severed a portion of the lookout's edge. The bits of floor that weren't immediately disintegrated rolled off and fell hurtling toward the ground below.
"Stop!" Krillin cried. "Your sister is not in any danger; just calm down, and we can—"
"Two."
Another wide section of the lookout was blasted away, and the entire structure started to tilt a little due to the sudden lack of stabilization.
The young monk looked behind him toward his older twin only to see that he was struggling just to stand.
Damn it! I really thought I could reason with him! Krillin thought to himself. Beat him in a fight, but if I don't do anything, the lookout will be destroyed!
"Three."
Another large chunk of Kami's home was destroyed as 17's anger only grew.
Don't think I can put him to sleep from here, and it would take too long to even try. What should I do? What can I do?
The questions came quickly but without answers until a blur of orange flew past Krillin's head and streaked toward the android.
"Fou-" 17 started before he saw something flying at him at a high speed. Stopping short, he threw up a barrier and felt the sudden object collide with the energy dome with an impact that nearly knocked him off his feet. Yet the barrier withstood the blow, and the android was given a clear view of what attacked him. A hefty orange sphere, with a single star in its center.
"What is this?"
The android had no idea what he was looking at even as he felt continued pressure from the orb as it tried to force itself through the sturdy energy dome. So it was the older monk who was the first to name the orb that had suddenly appeared on the battlefield.
"The Dragon Ball?" The older Krillin said to himself as he stood up, unsure of what to make of the situation.
"Hey!" The younger monk shouted at the seer. "What do you think you're doing?"
17 felt the sphere stop its push at the question and actually start to float backward into the arms of the younger Krillin.
"I told you to stay hidden, didn't I?" Krillin asked the orange orb in his hands.
Help. Protect.
"I get it. You may have good intentions, but now is not the time," Krillin said to the dragon's answer, only he could hear in his head. "We don't want things getting any wor-"
"You think surprising me with an attack and talking to a ball is going to stop me?" 17 shouted while dropping the barrier.
"Wait I didn't-"
"Four!"
Despite not being able to sense the android's energy, both Krillin's clearly saw the large amount of ki 17 instantly gathered into his two hands. This blast wouldn't destroy only a portion of the lookout. It looked like the black-haired android aimed to put a hole straight through the center.
With panic running through his system, the young monk tried to think of a way to prevent the lookout's imminent destruction. With even his older self out of strength, the only option he could come up with only occurred when he eyed the dragon ball he was holding.
Well, I don't have a better idea.
Giving the ball a small toss right above his head, Krillin slid into a fighting stance. His aura exploded a raging red as the Kaio-ken enveloped him completely. As the Dragon Ball slowly descended into striking distance, Krillin gathered a pulse of electricity through him. Starting from the bottom of his feet and slithering upward, he let all his ki energy pool into his right fist. Tucking in his arm to his side, Krillin assumed a stance that would let him throw a punch directly into the Dragon Ball.
Lead with your first two knuckles. The young monk recalled his master's words as he held in his hand all of the electricity he could generate.
With open eyes and a wide stance, Krillin threw his punch straight into the dragonball's center. Pushing every ounce of his collected electrical current into the orange orb just as his fist landed, Krillin propelled the ball faster and further than it had ever traveled. The discharge erupted out of the punch with such force that the rumble could be felt even in the cozy bedroom where 18 lay.
17 was fast enough to see Krillin set up the punch and react. With the doubt that had been born through his fight against the old monk still in him, the android threw up the strongest barrier he could. However, even his eyes couldn't track the orange orb flying toward him. And his barrier couldn't stop it.
Breaking through the barrier and smashing into 17's torso, the dragonball hit the android hard enough it carried him through the back of his energy dome. 17's back hit his own barrier; it cracked and shattered, unable to stop the weight of the Dragon Ball's shot. With no barrier to stop them, the android and orb were hurled off the lookout's edge and were sent sailing into the distance before the Krillins could blink.
The old monk could only gape in astonishment at what his younger self had accomplished. While the young monk held his right hand in pain as his knuckles throbbed.
"H-how did you know you could do that?" The older monk asked himself.
"I didn't," Krillin said, massaging his hand. "I took a wild guess. Not the best solution but the only one I could think of. That won't stop him but at least we got him away from the lookout."
"You guessed?"
"Yeah, I thought if I used some electricity, I could launch the dragonball faster than it can fly on its own," Krillin laughed before repeating what Bulma had once asked him on Namek. "You know, like a railgun. It's not that complicated."