Chapter 33: The Battle for Survival
The air crackled with energy as Goku faced Androids 17, 18, and 16 alone.
The fight had started in his favor. The moment he had transformed into a Super Saiyan, he had overwhelmed them completely. His punches and kicks had landed cleanly, actually hurting 17 and 18, sending them crashing through mountains and tearing up the battlefield.
But no matter how many times he knocked them down, they always got back up.
17 wiped blood from his lip but looked completely unfazed. "I have to admit, this is impressive."
18 adjusted her jacket as if she had just been mildly inconvenienced. "He's actually hurting us," she mused. "That wasn't part of the calculations."
Goku exhaled, his breathing slightly heavier now. He had been going at them non-stop, but they weren't slowing down at all. Their stamina didn't drop. Their energy didn't drain.
And worst of all, it was three against one.
Piccolo clenched his fists. "This isn't good. Even if Goku's stronger, this is a war of attrition. The androids don't lose stamina, but he does."
Krillin looked anxious. "Yeah, and Goku hates teaming up. The only time he's ever done it was against Frieza, and even then, it wasn't by choice."
A massive shockwave erupted, making everyone brace themselves. Goku had just dodged a blast from 18, only for Android 16 to charge forward, throwing a devastating punch.
Goku barely blocked in time, but the force sent him skidding backward, tearing up the ground.
He clenched his fists, his breath coming out in short bursts. "Man… this is getting rough," he admitted with a grin. "I don't think I can keep this up forever."
A blur of movement caught his eye, and suddenly, Kara was floating beside him.
Everyone's heads snapped toward her in shock.
She cracked her knuckles, her eyes focused on the androids. "Looks like you could use some help."
Goku didn't argue.
He didn't even hesitate.
He just smiled.
Krillin's jaw nearly dropped. "Wait… what?"
Everyone turned toward Goku, expecting him to tell Kara to stay back.
But instead, he just grinned like this was completely normal.
Krillin's brain short-circuited. "Okay, hold up. So the only person Goku will fight alongside willingly… is his girlfriend?!"
Tien and Yamcha's heads snapped toward Krillin.
"Wait, girlfriend?" Tien asked.
Yamcha looked equally confused. "Since when?!"
Krillin blinked at them. "Wait, you guys didn't know? They've been living together for three years."
Yamcha's entire body tensed. His mind flashed back to when Goku had first returned from Yardrat. Kara had yelled at him with tears in her eyes, and Goku had stood there, looking guilty as hell.
"Oh my god," Yamcha muttered. "How did I not notice?"
Piccolo sighed. "Focus, idiots. They're fighting."
Goku and Kara vs. The Androids
Kara turned her gaze toward the three androids. Her hair wasn't glowing, her aura wasn't flaring—she had no transformations.
Yet the moment she blurred forward and punched 18, the entire battlefield shook.
18 was sent flying, her body slamming into the mountain behind them. The impact left a crater.
17's head snapped toward Kara, his expression filled with intrigue. "That was—"
He didn't get to finish. Goku was suddenly in front of him, slamming a fist into his gut.
17's body doubled over, his eyes widening before Goku followed up with a roundhouse kick, launching him into the sky.
16 barely had time to react before Kara appeared behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
Then, in one swift motion, she lifted the massive android and suplexed him straight into the ground.
The shockwave shattered the ground beneath them.
Krillin, Tien, and Yamcha all stood there, completely speechless.
"This is insane," Tien finally muttered.
Yamcha's eyes were still glued to the battlefield. "Okay… now I understand why she yelled at Goku when he came back. I'd be pissed too if I was that strong and he left me behind."
Goku and Kara stood side by side, their matching smirks practically daring the androids to get back up.
17 groaned as he pushed himself out of the rubble, glaring at them. "Okay. I'll admit it. That hurt."
18 dusted off her jacket. "You're a lot stronger than I thought," she said, looking directly at Kara. "I can see why you and Goku get along."
Kara cracked her knuckles again, her eyes gleaming. "Oh, trust me. You haven't seen anything yet."
16 stood up, his calm expression unreadable. "They are powerful," he said simply. "More powerful than expected."
17 and 18 exchanged a look.
They weren't just losing—they were getting crushed.
They had assumed Goku would be their only problem. But Kara was just as strong, and unlike Goku, she wasn't losing stamina.
"This is a waste of time," 18 said finally. "We're not going to win this."
17 hesitated before nodding. "She's right. Let's go."
Without another word, the androids suddenly took off, their bodies vanishing into the horizon.
Everyone froze in shock.
Krillin blinked. "Did they just… leave?"
Piccolo narrowed his eyes. "They realized they couldn't win."
For the first time, the Z Fighters were staring at the battlefield, realizing that Goku and Kara had actually forced the androids to retreat.
Even Vegeta, standing in the distance, clenched his fists. They had won this round.
Goku let out a deep breath, his Super Saiyan form flickering out as he dropped to his normal state. Kara landed beside him, smirking.
"Not bad," she said, nudging him with her elbow.
Goku grinned. "Same to you."
Krillin sighed in relief, then crossed his arms. "So, uh… is it bad that I'm mostly impressed Goku actually let someone fight beside him?"
Tien shook his head. "Honestly, that's the most shocking part of all this."
Yamcha exhaled, rubbing his temples. "I need to start paying more attention to Goku's love life."
As the dust settled, one thing was clear—this fight wasn't over.
The androids would be back.
To be continued...