The others take off, leaving Gohan behind with Bulma looking after them.
“Are you ready Bulma? I kinda want to hurry. ” Says Gohan as he rises into the air to grasp her around the waist.
“I‘m worried about dad.”
“Sure kiddo,” replies Bulma, “I understand, but remember we got a baby on board too!”
Just as they’re about to leave Yajirobi crawls up out of the crater left by the aircar. “Hold it! I don’t wanna be left here!”
“What?” says Gohan in surprise.
“Com’on kid don’t strand me here!” whines the fat man.
So Bulma, Gohan and Yajarobi start on their long slow journey home.
Vegeta is streaking northwards, the sound of his passage thunders through the air. The Prince is determined to find the lab and Gero first, then he’ll show those weakling bakas what a real Super Saiyan can do. Kakarot is such a pantywaist. The sap doesn’t even understand the true concept of Super Saiyan. Vegeta will show them the power of a real warrior.
The Prince can feel another ki catching up from behind him. ‘So someone’s coming after me.’ He tastes the aura and recognizes it. It the kid from the future.
Trunks is slowly gaining on his father. Vegeta’s speed is incredible. At least he’s as powerful as his mother claimed. But everything else she’s said, he now doubts. Especially after Vegeta never even reacted to the endangerment of his wife and child. It’s obvious now that the man cares for nothing but himself.
One day when he asked his mother about Vegeta, she had given him the longest answer about his father he ever gotten from her. “Vegeta? Well your father did do a lot of bad things son ,” she had paused a moment and a sad look had flickered across her face, “and I’m almost sure he’s in hell for them. But he did do good too I think he was trying to redeem himself, just a little even if he wouldn‘t admit it. He was far too proud to say such things. Or even admit to the weakness of feelings but I knew he cared for us. Even if he never said so and it wasn’t apparent to any of the others. Few people really knew your father’s true heart. He kept it shielded from almost everyone, but I think Son knew the truth and so did I.”
But this man he’s chasing seems to have no good in him at all! No! There’s nothing good inside the Saiyan Prince, he hadn’t even tried to save mom or me! Vegeta’s a cold, callous and aloof warrior, with no regard for anyone! He seems to be nothing more than fury incarnate, with no softness of heart or soul at all!
Vegeta can sense Mirai Trunks approach, “Sooo.., it’s the brat huh!” He chuckles, “The boy thinks he can follow me all the way does he? Well, we’ll just see how well he can keep up, shall we.” The Prince increases his power output and accelerates with a burst of blinding speed that shoots him forward at ten times faster than before!
Trunks is astonished by the burst, but responds with his own changing into a Super Saiyan himself and quickly regains lost ground.
Even in full battle mode Vegeta’s heart swells with pride. “Yes he is a Super Saiyan alright, but that’s to be expected, he is my son after all!”
The Prince’s anger and battle lust are still burning within him in full fury. He and the now transformed Trunks continue to race northwards. Seeking any sign of the elusive Gero or the lab.
But Vegeta is still worried about coming in contact with this future version of his son. So he increases his acceleration once more but the boy continues to pace the Prince easily. He glances back at the youth, it’s so obvious now, only someone with royal blood, only his son could be this strong. Kakarot’s brat can display amazingly strength from time to time but Gohan’s control is undependable and erratic. It seems to be completely tied to his emotional state.
Vegeta smirks a bit in pride, but his son, this youthful Trunks, has far greater control even though his power too seems to be linked to his emotions. The deferential boy does seem to be lacking slightly in confidence and knowledge of formal battle tactics. It’s also apparent that he’s still a bit uncertain of his full strength. But proper training could easily fix all that.
Vegeta’s feels his pride swell with the knowledge that his son is Super Saiyan at such a young age. The boy has even surpassed Kakarot! The other Saiyan was far older when he first transformed.
Bulma confidence in her mate soars as she feel his elation. And now that distance
has weakened the bond a little, she is showing more concern for her baby. Trunks is hungry
and probably wet by now too. “Hey Gohan you can go faster if you want, you know.”
“You’re sure? I don‘t want to hurt the baby.” Says the boy in concern.
Bulma grins, “He is half Saiyan ya know, so he’s a lot tougher than he looks. Just like you are.”
“Hey that’s right!” Gohan increases his speed, substantially.
Having reached the general area of North City, Vegeta had powered down and so
had Trunks. the Prince begins to scan the area, he calls back to the boy, “So you intend to
keep following me, don’t you?”
“That’s right!” answers the youth determinedly.
“Why don’t you go search somewhere else, you’re bothering me!”
“I can’t! I know you’re going to try and fight them, I can’t let you do that!”
“So what do you plan to do when I find the lab, fight me?” asks the Prince in amusement.
“If I have too.” Says the youth determinedly, “You’ve got to listen to me, your underestimating their strength.”
“Hmph! Saying something like that only makes a full blooded Saiyan even more eager to fight.” says Vegeta, “Our race has reveled in the testing of our power in battle since our beginnings. You’d better learn that boy if you‘re really a Saiyan! You won’t stop me!”
‘ I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you alive, father.’ Thinks Trunks just as stubbornly.
Father and son are still searching when Krillian’s ki explodes, signaling the others that he’s found something. Racing to the source they find they have already gathered about the lab‘s entranceway. And are vainly attempting to break down the thick metal door set in the mountainside cavern.
Krillian and Tien are trying brute physical force, throwing themselves against it, “Damn it these doors are too tough!” says Krillian with a grimace of disgust.
“Move aside I’ll take care of it.” States Piccolo.
As the green warrior raises his hand to blast it, Vegeta threatens “You’d best not damage those androids, Namek. I want that pleasure for myself!”
Suddenly they all hear a voice rising inside, “I order you to stop this 17, our enemies are outside. You will defeat them!”
Hearing it they realize that the other two androids must have already been activated.
“Oh Kame’!” groans Krillian, “They’re already awake!”
“Damn it we’re too late!” swears Piccolo.
The Saiyan Prince steps forward, raising his hand, “Get out of my way fool!”
Trunks tries desperately to dissuade his father. “No don’t, we have to retreat. we need to wait for Goku, then we can...”
But nothing can prevent Vegeta from attacking, “Too late brat, give it up!!!” the Prince tells him as he fires at the doors and demolishes them with a single blast.
The doors topple inwards revealing the Dr. Gero android and from Trunks description what has to be androids 17 and 18. But instead of reacting to the intruders or preparing to attack they seem to be having some sort of confrontation.
The Prince asks his future son, “So are these the right ones this time, boy? I’m
losing my patience, so you better get it right!”
Trunks nods teeth clenched in fury, “Yes it’s them. I’m certain, I could never forget those faces! Or their eyes.”
Krillian stares in shock at the inoffensive looking pair. They appear to be ordinary looking teenagers. “That’s 17 and 18!!!”
“Don’t be deceived by their appearance. They’re dangerous and deadly!!” Growls Trunks.
Gero glares at the group outside the destroyed doorway. “There they are, Son Goku's comrades don’t let them get you. They’ve already destroyed 19 and now they're after me. You have to destroy them if you want to survive!”
“19? You made another one of us? And forced him to do your bidding too. You even had him alter you, didn’t you? Then caused his death with your insane obsessions! Was he an energy absorption model too?” Accuses 17.
“Yes..., of course!” says Dr. Gero, “I am the creator, I do what I want! You are nothing but tools for me to use as I please, I made you so you have to obey me!”
“Why did you return to the older design? Was it because we were too powerful for you? Was it because you were unable to control us?” Asks 18 calmly, then adding. “Well that’s the real reason you failed. You lost because of you’re own folly.”
“Unable to control,” Krillian gasps, “too powerful?!”
“That doesn’t matter right now, we can discuss it later! Just do as I command, and
kill them!” Shouts Gero, “I’m ordering it!”
“We’ll kill them if and when we want, you will be giving us no more orders old man!” Says 17 in quiet menace.
“H-HOW DARE YOU!” Shouts 20 getting more and more agitated by the moment.
As 18 strolls over to look at a nearby pod lying on the floor another, “What’s this, doctor?”
Gero whirls eyes wide with shock.
“Another one of us?” she reads the number, “16, and he's an infinite energy model also. But not quite like us, he’s bigger, with more mass. I wonder, how else is he different?”
“Don’t touch it, it’s just something that I haven’t disposed of yet!” Shouts the altered scientist fearfully.
Trunks is surprised once more, “16, I’ve never heard about that one either!”
“How intriguing,” says 17 as he looks at his sister, “Release him 18, let’s satisfy our
curiosity!”
“No stop, you don't know what your doing, he could destroy the whole world.” Cries Gero, “He’s still experimental, and was a total failure!”
“Really? That’s odd.” Says 18.
“Don’t activate it, it could kill us all!” Says the desperate android scientist.
She looks at Gero, “You’ve left him around for quite some time. You usually dispose of your failures rather quickly.”
“I -I was thinking of attempting a new modification, one that could possibly rectify the problem.” Explains 20 then he practically pleads, “Don’t open that pod! I’m not sure what it might do.”
Krillian looks worried, “Hey guys, ya think maybe we should get the hell outta here
while their fighting among themselves..?”
Vegeta smirks, “You might as well, none of you could oppose these things anyway. I’m the only one around here that’s strong enough to do that!”
17 grins in amusement, “Kill us, that’s doubtful my power rating is much higher.
Don’t be concerned 18 let him out.”
“Why do you always defy me!” Yells Gero frothing with rage. “I should never have used you, you’ve turned into nothing but a pair of failures! Just like 16 was. I’ll deactivate and destroy you all!!!!”
“No you won’t I destroyed the controller.” Answers 17.
“You think that will stop me I can just build a new one!” Retorts Gero.
17’s eyes narrow thoughtfully at the threat.
There’s a soft clicking sound from behind and the doctor whirls to see that 18 has pressed the pod’s button disengaging the lock and releasing the vacuum seal. He screams at her , “I ordered you not to touch that!!!”
17 takes advantage of Gero's turned back. He punches through the left side of the cyborg doctor’s back, going clear through to the front his hand comes out of Gero’s left chest.
The young male android’s attack shocks most of the onlookers.
17 pulls his hand and arm free of Gero’s body, the sound of circuits sizzling and
shorting out follow.
The transformed scientist turns to stare wide-eyed at his attacker. “Wh-why, what do you think you’re...”
With a sudden right kick, 17 decapitates 20. He looks down at his handiwork, “Why? Because of what you did to us.” He kick the head away, and it rolls over to the destroyed door and lands a few feet from Krillian who recoils in horror.
17 strides forward as the disembodied head screeches “Junk , you’re nothing but damned...!”
The young cyborg stomps down on it, ending Dr. Gero's final diatribe permanently.
He crouches down to inspect the remnants. He barks a single cold curt laugh, then stands up and stares straight at the onlookers.
Startling a gasp out of Krillian.
He humphs and turns on his heel returning to his sister and 16’s pod.
The little monk breaths a sigh of relief, then says, “H- he just killed him. Just like Trunks said they did. Gero created them and they killed him without a second thought!”
“So? It’s obvious they hated Gero, he was their enemy.” Says the Saiyan Prince coldly, “And the easiest way to eliminate an enemy is to kill him. Saiyans have always killed their enemies. That’s what I have never understood about you Earthlings, your foolish inhibitions!”
17 stops across from his sister, “Activate it.”
Mirai Trunks reacts, “NO! I won’t allow it. There won’t be anymore androids!!!!”
The demi-Saiyan from the future explodes into Super Saiyan and fires a desperate blast at the two androids and the pod.
The Z fighters dodge just in time, as the entire cavern is reduced to so much rubble. Even the mountain top has been demolished.
“Damn Trunks, will ya warn us next time before ya to that!” exclaims Krillian.
But Mirai Trunks efforts were useless, as the two androids.
“Idiot why waste your energy. That was completely pointless.” Growls the Prince.
“Pointless?!” exclaims Trunks is puzzlement.
Vegeta smirks, this is getting more and more interesting, “Yes, just take a look!” The Prince gestures with his chin at the nearby cliff.
Standing atop it are the two androids, 18 is holding the pod one handed over her head.
She drops it to the ground, as her brother says, “The support systems have been severed, we need to get him out of there.”
Vegeta crosses his arms, “As I said a useless waste of energy.”
18 disengages the lock, the seal hisses as it’s broken, then with a well placed kick 18 tears off the pod lid.
Krillian’s shoulders slump. “She did it. It’s open! Now there’s gonna be three of them!”
The third android opens it’s eyes.
The mechanical behemoth slowly sits up then clambers out of it’s container. It continues to rise till it towers silently over it’s two companions.
“If those two are so unbeatable,” mutters Krillian, “with that one joining them we’re in for some real trouble!”
“I-I can’t say anything for sure.” Trunks stares in mystification, “I never even knew about this one, let alone encountered it!”
The new android raises his head and scans the beings in front of him. His target objective is not present, so he dismisses and disregards them.
“How do you like your freedom?’ asks 17. “We’ve never seen you activated before.”
16 remains silent.
“Gero said you’d destroy us, he warned us against awakening you.” Adds 17 still trying to get information.
“Why was he so afraid of you?” asks 18.
The huge automaton turns and just looks at them.
“Not talking huh!” says 17. “Oh well you must be the strong silent type. Whatever. Do you want to come with us?”
It nods.
“You’re programmed to go after Goku too, aren’t you?” says 17.
“Yes.. Goku!” it smiles coldly.
“So it finally speaks.” 17 smiles, then says, “We lack a sense of purpose. I hate obeying Gero, but now that we’ve become what we are we need an objective. Let’s go find Goku and once we’ve beaten him, maybe we can decide what to do then.”
The three waft upwards and head southeast.
Leaving the baffled warriors to stare after them.
Vegeta glares after them.
“Th-they just left?!” Grins Krillian tentatively, “Thank Kame!”
“But why’d they leave?” Questions Tien. “Where are they headed?”
“I don’t know. North City is in the opposite direction, that way is only wilderness.” Says Piccolo.
Krillian is the first to realize, “It’s Goku! Remember Gero said they were programmed to destroy him in revenge for destroying the Red Ribbon Army!”
“But why go after Goku, I thought they killed Gero to escape his control?” asks Tien.
“Who cares?!” growls Vegeta furiously. “I don’t give a damn about whether they’re after Kakarot, or Kame’ himself! They dared to ignore me! As if the Prince of All Saiyans was even worth their bother!”
Vegeta’s ki soars as his rage explodes, “Fools! They will soon learn that was a fatal mistake!”
The Prince’s fury ignites him into Super Saiyan once more as he prepares to take off after the androids.
Trunks guessing Vegeta's purpose races to block his father‘s path. He floats in front of the Saiyan Prince arms outstretched, pleading, desperate to prevent history repeating itself, “No father, you mustn’t! Please wait! It will only be a little while!”
“Wait? For what,...Kakarot!” sneers Vegeta.
“Kakarot? If you mean Goku yes!” replies the youth.
“Why should I?” sneers Vegeta.
“There’s no hope of beating them unless we all attack together.” Says Trunks determined to convince Vegeta.
“You don’t get it kid.” Smirks Vegeta. “The androids are just a warm-up for the main event. I ’m not after them really, I’m after Kakarot.”
Filled with confidence Vegeta asserts, “I’ll dispose of them with out anyone’s help especially his. Then I’ll finally take care of Kakarot! Now get out of my way boy!”
“That’s crazy! You can’t beat them alone!!!” Yells Trunks. “They’ll kill you! Just like in my past!”
“This isn’t your past!” Spits the Prince. “Even you admit things are already different!”
Trunks swears, “I’ll do whatever I have to stop you!”
“You and who else brat!” With that Vegeta hits the boy in the stomach, with a ki punch. Not really touching Mirai Trunks but still sending a shockwave into the boy’s gut.
Trunks doubles over groaning in agony, not injured, just temporarily incapacitated.
Then Vegeta shoots off in pursuit of the androids.
As he chases his prey, the Prince’s thoughts are in turmoil. His rage is driving him. “I’ll be damned before I wait around on Kakarot to recover. I’m Super Saiyan now too and as the Prince of all Saiyans it is my in blood, it’s my birthright to be far more powerful than that cretin ever could be!”
The boy has to be mistaken. HIS father must have tried to face those things before he attained the legendary. That has to be the only explanation for that timeline’s Vegeta‘s death! Any other explanation is inconceivable.
Vegeta finally catches up with the three androids. They have landed on a deserted stretch of highway several miles from North City.
The Prince touches down and confronts them.
“Why‘d you leave so soon?” He says, “From the way you departed, I didn’t think you’d be stopping to go sight seeing!”
17 stares at Vegeta, “You’ve altered your appearance.”
“More than my appearance has changed.” Replies the Prince, “And where did you think you were going, leaving like that?”
“We’re searching for Son Goku.” Says 17. “When we locate him we’re going to kill him.”
“Well you can just forget it. Kakarot is mine to do with as I see fit, I will allow no one to interfere with my revenge.” Vegeta smirks, “Besides you’re not going any further, I am going to be terminate your operations right here and now.”
17 grins over at 18 in amusement.
“Is something funny?” Asks the Prince. “Laugh now, because you’ll be laughing out the other side of your face soon.”
“Hubris must be a Saiyan trait.” Says 17, “I understand that Goku is the same, always overly self confident. Such a shame that pride is merely a shield of tissue for the weak.”
The androids comments just serve to fuel Vegeta’s rage, “You shut up you damned puppet, what can a machine know of true pride? Pride is in blood and bone not circuitry! This discussion is over! Which of you is first, the bulk, the brat or the broad? Or should I just finish you all at once?” Yells the furious Prince.
“Cool it, Vegeta!” says 18, she turns and looks at 16, “Why don’t you take care of him, we’d like to see you in action.”
“No.” Is 16’s single word response.
“So he’s smarter than he looks!” Vegeta sneers, “Well at least one of you knows when you’re overmatched.”
“Doofus, what’s his prob?” Quires 17.
18 shrugs “Who knows. Forget him.” says the female cyborg, “I guess I’ll fight the Prince.”
Vegeta smirks “Fine by me, but remember I won’t go easy just because you look like a female. You’re just a machine to me!”
18’s face goes cold and blank.
Suddenly she goes into attack mode and charges the Prince. Raining a blurred flurry of blows on Vegeta.
The Saiyan Prince reacts blocking her blows, astonished by the speed she exhibits.
The two become a blur of movement, exchanging blocks and blows with fists, arms, legs and feet.
17 watches with interest, “Better than I expected.”
Just then 18 throws a left body blow at Vegeta. He shifts slightly to the right and striking with the speed of a light the Prince captures her arm between his own arm and body. Grasping it at the elbow, then using it just like a handle he whirls her around and upwards propelling her to slam into the rock face that looms over the roadside shoulder. Then he launches up after her, ready to back fist her into the cliff again.
She eludes him, so instead he brings his left knee up and tries to slam it into her chest, but 18 blocks. Undeterred he slams his right fist into her face.
17 continues to watch unconcerned, commenting out loud, “Odd, Vegeta’s far strong than the Gero’s files indicate he should be. Pretty impressive Prince.”
Vegeta and 18 land back on the roadbed, 18 casually brushes her hair behind her right ear as the Prince straightened from his landing impact crouch.
Vegeta grimaces, “How in the hell am I supposed to tell if you dolls are damaged?! You don’t bruise or bleed.”
The Prince raises his hand palm forward thumb across it, in his trademark Big Bang. As a huge eighteen wheeler comes around the curve behind 18 and honks it’s horn at them frantically.
“I guess I’ll just have to demolish you with a single blast.” smirks the Saiyan. “That will wipe that disgusting look off your face permanently.”
The truck manages to screech to a halt brakes squealing bare feet from 18’s back! It’s irate driver leans out of the window and starts haranguing the two people blocking the road, even threatening to run them over. But his shouts quickly die as he see the glowing orange blast forming in front of the man’s outstretched hand.
As the blast heads for 18, the driver leaps frantically from the cab of the doomed truck and 18 jumps out of it’s path.
She vaults over Vegeta and lands lightly behind him.
“You’re faster than I thought possible, for a mere machine.” Says the Saiyan Prince as he turns to face her.
“But that blast was hardly worth the effort of dodging.” Says the cyborg blonde conversationally.
“If I had used my full power,” answers the Prince, “the entire planet would be destroyed.”
“So we’ve both been holding back.” Replies the girl.
“Really?” Says Vegeta , “You shouldn’t be so bashful,” he glares warningly, “not if you want to survive!”
She says ,“Alright then no more playing at patty cake, agreed?” Just before charging the Prince again.
“Agreed!” and they have at it again charging one and other.
Their skulls crash and the sound of the collision literally shakes the landscape around them. The force of the impact sends the Prince skidding backwards a few feet. But he quickly recovers as blood drips from the split on his forehead. He flies back at her burying his fist in her belly.
But she has done the same thing to him! And then followed it with a knee to his gut.
Vegeta doubles over in agony, coughing and choking, but she gives him no respite, knocking him sideways into the rock face with a flat handed, curled fingered left cross.
It buries the Saiyan several feet into the cliff.
As the dust settles, the other four Z fighters arrive on the scene.
Mirai Trunks shouts into the hole frantically, “FATHER!!!! Are you okay Vegeta!!”
Rocks clatter as the rubble is pushed out from the hole and Vegeta emerges just a little worst for wear. The trickle on his forehead has been joined by one from the left side of his mouth.
His battle lust is full blown and he grins chillingly, “So? Still think that you microbes can oppose them?”
As Vegeta begins his real fight with 18, Bulma starts to get agitated again as her
head had started to ache and then her stomach. Dizzy and slightly nauseated she begins
arguing with Yajarobi, but the sensations quickly pass but not her temper. Then baby Trunks
then adds his voice to the cacophony because he’s still hungry and now needs changing too.
Gohan slows down, asking in concern, “What’s wrong? Am I going to fast? Is it scaring him?”
“Dang it! No that‘s not it Gohan!” Says Bulma crossly. “He’s just soaking wet. We gotta stop for a while. And I don’t even have any diapers, they were blown up with the flitter!”
They land near a small stream. Bulma undresses the baby and hands his clothes over to Yajirobi, “Here make your self useful for a change, rinse these out so Gohan can dry them.” Glancing over at him, then she spots something, “Hold it!” She snatches the sash from his waist, then coos to the baby “OOH look Trunksie, Unca Yabbie’s come to the rescue, we’ve got a new diapie for you isn’t that sweet of him.”
“Now wait a mina..” Yajirobi starts to protest, but is quelled by a scowl from her that looks exactly like Vegeta’s. He decides on the better part of valor and goes to do as he was told.
While waiting for Yajarobi to clean the child’s clothes, Bulma ponders what has happen when she was close to her mate. She’s puzzled by the fact that she’s still reacting to Vegeta’s emotional upheavals and still sharing his physical sensations too. She can feel that he’s in battle once more, but something strange is happening. The link has weakened she can sense that, but her emotional and physical ties to him seem just as strong as ever.
She begins to suspect that that her mate’s self enforced separation of them has not been completely successful. Though the pain echoes she’s experiencing are not quite so disabling as she knows they can get.
When Trunks clothes are dry and he’s dressed once more they continue on. They catch sight of Goku’s house but then Bulma and Yajarobi convince Gohan to take them to Capsule Corp. first. He ferries them to Bulma's then hurries back home.
17 looks at the newcomers, “So the cavalry has finally come to the rescue.” He
frowns, “Not even 18 can handle them all by herself. I suppose I'll have to give her a hand.”
He glances over at 16, “Unless you want too?”
“No. Goku is not here.” answers 16, “I will not fight.”
“I figured.” 17 puts his hands on his hips, “Why Gero even create you?”
“To kill son Goku.”
“Yeah right, must be nice to be so single minded.”
Tien has turned to keep an eye on the other two androids, and shouts, “Hey guys we’re getting company, 17 is coming over here.”
“Come on Vegeta we have to get outta here.” Pleads Trunks, “What good is pride if you’re dead! I’m begging you!”
“True Saiyans don’t run from a fight! You disgust me,” growls the Prince, deep in the throws of his battle lust, “Get out of my sight before I decide to show you the strength of a real warrior!”
18 crosses her arms and looks at the Prince,” You can leave if you want, we won’t chase you if you run.”
“Are you kidding?” responds Vegeta. “I was about to deliver the coup de grace, and end this farce. Don’t equate them with me! I am a true Saiyan Warrior!’” He sneers, “I rather die in single combat than become like one of those pitiful pacifists!”
Mirai Trunks anguishes at Vegeta's words.
17 applauds sarcastically, “Brave words, Vegeta. Your bravado and skills prove that you certainly are the Saiyan Warrior Prince.”
Vegeta licks his lips and spits out the blood and dust in derision, “Praise from a doll is meaningless! You’re nothing but a mechanical brat.”
17 looks at the other fighters, “Listen, you are all honorable warriors, you respect the Warriors’ Code. this is between Vegeta and 18, I will not countenance any interference. If any of you interferes in their match I will have to step in and stop you.”
Vegeta answers coldly, his bitterness is hidden by the iciness of his words. “You have nothing to worry about on that account. All they care about is my strength. They’re hoping that I am as strong as their precious Kakarot so they won’t have to do battle at all. That I’ll defeat you automatons and save this mud ball of theirs for them. My personal fate mean nothing to them. And I couldn’t care less, I only fight for one reason.” As the thought of his lovely mate and small heir flash momentarily through his mind, ‘For them!’
The female android cocks her head to one side “Are we gonna do this or what Vegeta?”
He smirks at her “Of course! Do you think I’d ever leave a fight unfinished?!”
“That’s what I like about Saiyans, they never give up!” She charges and they begin again!
The exchanges between the two awe their audience. As the fury of their battle, thunders through the air and even rocks the ground beneath them.
A blow from the Prince hurls her into the cliff face, Vegeta raises his hand to fire and stares as she climbs slowly out of the crater, clothes torn and tattered but herself not the worse for wear.
The sight angers the Saiyan Prince, and he lands in front of her. “Nothing not even a scratch?! I’m really getting pissed about this!”
As she sheds the remnants of her jacket, she says, “I can hardly believe this is possible, an organic that’s capable of this kind of power, even if you are an alien! And Son Goku is stronger than you, amazing!”
“KAKAROT! Hell no he’s only a third rate clown that got lucky for a while.” Sneers the Prince, “I admit he got ahead of me for a little while, but not anymore. Now I am once more the strongest Saiyan and he’s back where he belongs... beneath me in the dust!”
She brushes back her hair and smiles, “Oh good ! Then there’s nothing to worry about, from either of you.”
Vegeta can hardly believe his ears! “You dare...!” And he attacks her again in sudden fury.
Tien is caught up in the battle, and starts to urge Vegeta on, “Get her!” Even
though the three eyed warrior still dislikes and distrusts the Saiyan Prince.
17 looks on silently, fully confident in his sister’s abilities.
Mirai Trunks watches his father in amazement. “I never.. Mom had said he was amazing, but I didn’t realize how powerful. He actually opposing her easily. He’s holding his own against an ... android!”
“No.” Comes a single word from Piccolo, shocking the remaining Z fighters, “As powerful as he is, Vegeta will still lose this battle, he’ll be killed.”
“What?!” choruses Trunks and Krillian.
“Look at the battle, really look.” advises the Namekian, “Vegeta is giving it all he’s got. He’s losing energy with every exchange. But she completely unaffected, she’s wearing him down, without any debilitating effects on her at all.”
Trunks stares in horror, watching Piccolo’s words come true. Even after everything he‘s done! Even after leaving his mother for so long and coming here to save Goku, his father is still going to die! “N.. no not this time! I won’t let it happen again!”
When 18’s savage kick shatters Vegeta’s left humerus. The boy from the future loses it and screaming “DAD!!” Launches on the attack, he ascends to Super Saiyan in mere seconds as he pulls his sword form it’s sheath!
Streaking towards the combatants, as Vegeta grips his broken arm, Trunks’ sword swings back ready to deliver a slashing blow to the thing that is preparing to dispose of his father.
Too late Piccolo shouts. “Trunks! NO!” Then spits, “That tears it, the idiot!” As he shoots a glance towards the other two androids.
Now safe at home, Bulma is still sensing the echoes of sensation from Vegeta’s
running battle. When Vegeta’s arm breaks, his agony is so intense that it weakens hers to
the point that she almost drops their son. Quickly she manages to get Trunks into his crib,
before she is overwhelmed by the painful sensations coming from her mate.
Bulma can feel Vegeta struggling against his pain and shock as he continues to fight against succumbing to the blackness that wants to engulf him.
The female android fends off the young Saiyan’s attack, blocking it with her arm,
shattering the tip of his blade. But the truce was broken and 17 hits Trunks from behind,
felling him with a double fisted blow to the back.
Trunks hits the ground like a lead weight ten feet from Vegeta. Struggling to remain conscious.
Piccolo streaks in to attack the male android but is knock aside easily, Tien is on the Namek heels, but 17 grabs him by the arm.
The Prince shouts “Morons.” And reacts without thought, leaping to the rescue even though severely injured himself, but his attempt is stopped when 18 gloms onto his left ankle and holds him fast!
17 transfers his hold on Tien and starts to strangle him with a half-nelson.
Trunks shakes off his shock and sees 18 restraining Vegeta. As he attempts to go to his father‘s aid, the machine girl swings the Saiyan Prince around and uses him like a club against his son from the future.
Trunks hits the ground again this time unconscious. He reverts back to normal.
Suddenly there is a momentary surge in Bulma’s rapport with Vegeta.
Just as the Prince had feared it might.
When his father’s body impacts adolescent Trunks it enhances their mating bond further, just as it had when she was carrying his child. Now as their son from the future, who carries part of her, comes in contact with Vegeta, it boosts the linkage between them again. She collapses gripping her left arm, tears of agony caused by Vegeta pain start in her eyes.
Piccolo struggles from the ground, see the three eyed man’s plight and leaps to his
aid. 17 see the Namek’s action and drops the now three-quarters dead Tien and turns his
attention to Piccolo., dodges the green man’s grasp 17 delivers a disabling blow to the Namek
warriors midsection.
As Piccolo hits the ground, Vegeta leaps from it and fires a ki blast at the feminine half of the dangerous duo. She evades it and attacks the Prince with a right cross felling him once more.
Vegeta hits the ground again he struggles to try and regain his feet but 18 strides over and with a casual but forceful kick knocking him the rest of the way to the ground flipping him over in the process. She looms over him as he groans in agony. Looking down at Vegeta, 18 contemplates him for a few moments, then says “It’d probably be best to put that other arm out of action too!”
She places her foot on Saiyan Prince’s other arm and applies unrelenting pressure it until an audible snap is heard. The intense pain drags him back to normal and his golden hair darkens back to ebony before his mind retreats into blackness.
Suddenly Bulma’s other arm explodes with pain as her mate’s right one is also
broken. She almost screams, the pain echo is so intense, then it suddenly it ends and as she
pants in relief, she knows Vegeta has lost consciousness.
The battle ground is silent.
Vegeta comes to with a start of intense agony as the senzu bean that Krillian had
forced into him takes effect.
Once fully recovered he takes off in a high rage, Trunks is about to follow when Piccolo stops him. The telepathic Namek, knows the Prince‘s mind. Vegeta needs to be alone, his pride is badly battered and he needs privacy to regroup and recover.
Krillian comes back to join the rest of the group apologetically.
But he’s reassured that the others don’t hold his lack of participation against him.
Piccolo also comes to a decision, after his defeat, he realizes that he has to get stronger very quickly and there’s only one way to do that.
He tell the others to go get Goku and hide him at Roshi's until he can recover.
When Krillian asks the Namek what he’s going to do, the Namek snaps at him and then takes off.
Krillian watches and then grins, he’s guessed Piccolo’s plan.
He explains it to the others, “Piccolo is Kame’s other half. I was told by the Great Elder that if they were to one, the resultant Namek would be the strongest one ever. A Super Namek! Piccolo is going to join with Kame’!”
Meanwhile back at Capsule, Bulma has recovered from her bond induced agony as
soon as the senzu had healed Vegeta. She still senses her mate’s anger and it worries her.
But she’s also had a sudden inspiration and is starting to work on a new project. If she can
figure out the proper frequency maybe she can find some way to disrupt the androids control
circuitry.
Trunks and Krillian arrive at Goku’s home and find that Gohan hasn't returned yet.
Fearing to delay to long they quickly bundle up Goku, Yamcha and ChiChi. Loading them and
everything they need onto a transport plane. Fortunately Gohan arrives just before they’re
ready to leave. They all take off heading to the refuge of Roshi's island.
At CC Bulma gets a strange and puzzling phone call.
In route to Roshi’s, the Z fighters discuss the altered situation. Trunks reveals
more of the world he came from and wonders at the drastic unexplained changes in the
timelines.
Vegeta streaks towards one of his favorite training spots in the remote mountain
fastness, this is where he’d been training for the last few weeks. It’s badlands were so
reminiscent of those of his home world. His anger is towering and consumes all his
attention.
“DAMN THEM.. ANDROID TRASH..!! They’ll learn to regret they let me survive...!!”
Vows the furious Saiyan Prince.
The Prince is enraged, how dare they dismiss him so casually! Now that he’s
become a Super Saiyan, he’s just as strong as Kakarot, no even stronger! If those
mechanical dolls think that they can disregard that fact they are sadly mistaken.
He reaches his destination a favorite spot that towers over the others. He lands on
the flat outcropping and powers down. Struggling with his rage. The badlands below exposed
to his burning gaze but he doesn’t see them as his thoughts turn inwards. Regal and
motionless he mediates on the previous events.
He too had seen what Piccolo had, that mockery of a female had lost nothing during their combat, while he, he had lost energy with every blow.
“RRAARRG!!!!” Suddenly the Prince screams with rage and explodes with power
as his Saiyan anger reignites and he transformed back into Super Saiyan once more. “DAMN
THEM!”
The fury of his energy surge wreaks havoc on the surroundings, the rocky badlands disintegrate under the onslaught of his power. He floats like a glowing sunburst above the devastation that resulted , turning the craggy hills into a rock strewn plain.
His anger leaves him breathless, he pants in futile fury.
Still trembling in rage, the Prince questions all he’s had been taught all he knows. “The Super Saiyan is supposed to be invincible!! How could something like this happen? The humiliation!!”
He glares at the still settling destruction, beneath him.
“...I AM THE SAIYAN PRINCE!! As Super Saiyan I should be unmatched my any in power, the strongest warrior in the universe!!” He speculates, “Is it because they're artificial, androids? Is the best I can do not enough?” He searches for an answer and finds it within himself. He can still increase his power, he knows he still has not reached his limits. “NO..!! I can go further, grow stronger!”
There must be some way to beat their advantage, to conquer them!
“This is just the beginning!!” He assures himself with growing determination. “I
AM VEGETA!! No matter who, no matter how strong. I will succeed I will surpass all my
enemies!!”
The Prince smiles confidently, “...I WILL... they will all see and tremble, then Kakarot will come your turn... you will be NEXT...”
As he stares downward his fury changes from fire hot to glacial and his agile mind
begins to format and discard plan after plan.
As their plane nears’ Roshi’s island, Yamcha finally suggests that to Krillian that someone should probably notify Bulma of the events and new circumstances. Krillian complains but then does it any way. As he expected as soon as she hears his voice she starts to gripe at them.
“So somebody finally decided to let me know something, huh? I’ve been calling and calling and there's no answer at the Son’s! Where the hell is everybody, is Goku okay or not?” Bulma’ is so worried that she doesn’t even give him a chance to get a word in edgewise. “Hey! Is my grown-up baby there?!”
When Krillian assures her Trunks is with them she demands to speak to him, so he switches her to the speaker phone.
That’s when she recounts the strange call she had gotten earlier.
A farmer had found an abandoned vehicle on a remote section of his property. He wanted to try and salvage it but couldn’t figure out how to make it operate, so he contacted Capsule Corporation because it carried their logo. But no one could figure out what type of vehicle it was. Finally someone had contacted her and sent a picture fax. Bulma had recognized it immediately, as Trunks Time Machine, the one she had seen him leave in three years earlier.
But this one was damaged and from the amount of overgrowth looks like it had been sitting around for several years!
Trunks tells her it’s impossible! He still has his machine capsulated and in his pocket. But both he and Gohan are intrigued so they decide to meet Bulma at the wreck site and investigate. The others will continue on to Roshi's, settle Goku in and guard him until he can recover.
Bulma grabs a few things, checks the baby and then heads out after asking her
mother to watch the infant Trunks.
As the two demi-Saiyans fly towards the location of the strange craft, Gohan asks,
“How bad is it in your time, did the androids do that much damage.”
The older youth’s face turns grim, “It’s very bad, Gohan. The entire world population has been reduced to mere tens of thousands, instead of millions. West City is completely gone and so are most of the others. The rest of us have been reduced to living in basements, subway tunnels, any place underground.”
Gohan glances at his companion worriedly, “I never realized, I hope we can find a weakness..”
“So do I Gohan, so do I.” Is the other Saiyan's response.
They fly in silence for awhile, then Trunks speaks again. “These androids were defying Gero, They must have done it before because he didn’t use them during the earlier attacks. So it’s obvious he thought they were failures of some kind. He stopped them before but how? Unless he had some type of controller. And he wouldn’t have turned them on again without it.”
“Yeah some sort of emergency off switch!!” guesses Gohan.
Trunks check his geo-locater. “We’re here, now we got to find it.”
“Okay.” answers the younger boy, “We can spread out and look around.”
A few minutes later Gohan shouts “Hey Trunks, I found it it’s over here!” He lands and the older youth soon joins him, “Yup that’s it, good eyes Gohan.”
Trunks is stunned when he sees the damaged machine.
They hear an approaching aircar. “That has to be Bulma I’ll go show her where we are!”
As Gohan brings Bulma to the site Trunks pulls out his capsule and opens it so his machine is sitting beside the abandoned one. Except for the age and damage they seem to be identical. He brushes aside the moss, revealing the name he had written the craft before he had left his own time, HOPE!!
‘How?’ He wonders in mystification.
Then Bulma arrives. She jumps out of her vehicle, “Hi son, it’s your gorgeous mother!”
Trunks blushes and stutters, “Um ..,yeah .., Hi Bulma.”
She walks towards him and frowns prettily, and shakes her finger at him, “Hey none of that now, I’m mom from now on, you hear me.”
He blushes again, “Okay I’ll try, ...mom.”
He turns back to the two machines, “Come look at this, that’s the one I had in my capsule.”
“So there’s two machines?” She asks.
Trunks shakes his head, “No that’s just it we could only build one and we barely had enough resources for it. I don’t quite understand how but this is also my machine. See here,” he shows her the vessels name, “I wrote that on it before I left to come back in time.”
“But this is strange, that machine looks like it’s been here for years, from even before your first visit. How could that be?” Says Bulma in puzzlement.
Upon even closer examination of the abandoned vehicle they soon realize the damage was caused by someone trying to get out not in.
“But that must mean whoever was in it couldn’t or didn’t know how to open it properly to get out!” Hypothesizes Bulma.
Trunks goes through the hole in the dome and opens it. He discovers half of some sort of strange shell-like object in the seat, the other half is on the vehicle’s floor.
“Look at this!” Says the boy from the future. As he holds the to pieces in his hands.
Gohan hovers up, to see, “Gee what is it? It’s round kinda like a coconut but it’s way too big.”
Bulma looks up from the ground and raises her hands , “Toss it here, let me look at it.”
Gohan brings the pieces, down to Bulma and she examines them closely, juggles them a bit about in her hands until she clomps them firmly together. “Yup thought so, its’ some sort of weird kinda egg.”
“An egg?” Says Gohan, “I’ve never seen one that looks like that before!”
They all look at the hole in the dome. “So whatever came out of that egg, made that hole? Amazing!”
“Yeah that material is almost indestructible.” Says Trunks in awe.” It had to be to survive the time flow.”
Trunks starts to check the gauges, “These batteries are almost totally drained.” Then he finally looks at the chronometer. And it reveals that the ship had come from a future even further ahead than his own. Three years after he had left his own time! “788! This ship arrived a whole year before I even came! Four years ago! Is this why history has changed so much?”
Piccolo arrives at the lookout and confronts Kame’ who says he will merge with Piccolo but not right away. He admonishes his younger counterpart because he had noticed that the two new androids had not attacked first, and that even Trunks had stated they were slightly different from the ones he knew. Kame’ had also sensed something else and was still trying to understand what it was. He wants to observe things a bit longer to ascertain what was causing the disturbance he senses.
Disgusted at what he perceives as Kame's cowardice Piccolo resolves to wait.
Bulma and the two boys gaze in perplexity at the two time machines.
This proves what I’ve always said” Grins the blue haired girl, “I am a genius! I built a real time machine in the future!”
Trunks looks at the damaged machine, “Well it’s too dangerous to leave this here unattended.” He scrapes aside the moss covering the switch. “I‘d better encapsulate it.”
He depresses it and the machine vanished inside the capsule, then he does the same with his ship. He puts both in his jacket pocket.
“I’m gonna take these shell fragments with me, maybe I can figure out what hatched from it.” says Bulma.
“Good thought ...Mom.” says Trunks.
As Bulma was brought up to date Gohan noticed something.
“Hey what that?” he said and started towards it.
“What’s what?” asked Bulma.
“This thing over here. It looks kinda weird!”
“Weird?” asks Trunks as he flies over. “What are you looking at Gohan?” Then his jaw drops in astonishment.
Bulma follows and yells “EEEEWWWW!!” when she finally see the object of the boys’ attention, “What is that thing!!?”
It’s an enormous chrysalis case as large as Trunks! And what ever was in it has just recently emerged!
To be continued....
Go to Chapter Five-Cell