Post by Krillin on Nov 9, 2010 4:45:58 GMT -5
Chapter 34:
Goku's Collapse
"Has the android managed to lay his hands on Goku?" asked Yamcha. "Because when that android touched me, it felt like he was sucking my power right out of me!"
"What?" asked Piccolo, turning to face Yamcha. "No, the android hasn't touched Goku yet."
Goku kicked the android into the ground, creating an explosion of dust. The android got to it's feet, staring at Goku.
"Man," said Yamcha, "if Goku hit me like that, I wouldn't be able to move for a week!"
Goku floated there for a moment, catching his breath again. "Ka... me... ha...meeeHA!" shouted the Saiyan with difficulty.
19 grinned wildly, and raised one of his hands, sucking the energy wave in.
"Darn..." said Goku. "Not even a scratch..."
"GOKU!" shouted Piccolo. "Don't use any energy waves! They can absorb them through their hands! It will only make them stronger!"
"You're kidding me!" shouted back Goku, panting heavily.
"Look at Goku, guys," said Krillin nervously. "He's tired! How did that thing take so much of his energy?"
"I don't think it did," said Piccolo. "Something else must be sapping his strength!"
Excellent, thought 20. Now 19 is fully charged. And it seems Goku's new technique is taking it's toll on him.
19 shot up and kneed the Saiyan in the stomach. Goku doubled over from the blow, and elbowed the android in the face. It shook off the blow, smiling, and hammered Goku towards the ground. The Saiyan caught himself two feet before he impacted.
"Kamehame-AGH!" shouted Goku, raising his hands. Before he could send out a beam, he stopped, in obvious agony. "Darn it... what's wrong?"
Gohan noticed his father's hand clenched on his chest, directly over... "HIS HEART!" shouted Gohan, understanding. "THAT VIRUS IS ATTACKING!"
"You're right!" said Piccolo, noticing it as well. "But it's attacking much later than the boy said it would! Goku thought he'd made a mistake!"
Goku collapsed to the ground, having intense difficulty remaining on his feet. His hair turned back to it's normal black.
"He's dropped Super Saiyan!" said Yamcha.
"That's it," said Gohan. "We can't let him keep fighting. I'm going in." He turned to the others. "I'll go get my dad. Then, Yamcha, you'll take him to my house. I'll stay and finish this."
Android 19 charged in and pressed Goku to the ground, absorbing his energy. Gohan raised his fingers to his head and teleported behind 19, drop-kicking the android off his father.
"You won't hurt my father while I'm still around," said Gohan. "I'll finish this fight."
20 turned to face Gohan. "How did he move so fast?" he asked himself. "I couldn't track his movement even with my superior eyesight."
Gohan picked up his father and raised his fingers to his head again, teleporting to the others. He handed his father to Yamcha. "Get that antidote. You might want to take a bit of it, too, just in case."
"Right," said the bandit. "Don't worry. Just finish off these androids." He flew off, carrying Goku as fast as he could.
19 readied itself to give chase. "Let them go," said 20. "We can finish Goku at our leisure. You have done well. It is obvious Goku is no match for us. We can entertain ourselves for now by destroying his pitiful friends."
"That's where you're wrong," said Gohan, teleporting behind both androids to throw them off. "My dad had a virus attacking his heart. That's why he couldn't fight you. But I will."
19 bowed. "I will destroy Gohan now."
"You are being very greedy today, 19," said 20. "You have absorbed enough energy from Goku to increase your power, have you not? Very well. You may finish Gohan, but the rest are mine."
19 turned to face Gohan, who stood there. The android raised one of it's hands, displaying the energy absorbing device.
"You won't trick me into firing an energy wave," said Gohan. "I was watching the battle, remember?"
"You know some of my moves, Gohan," said 19, "but I know all of yours. Dr. Gero studied you very thoroughly."
"Then why were you so surprised when my dad turned into a Super Saiyan?" asked the half-Saiyan. "You didn't watch our battles in space. Dr. Gero made a critical mistake in not covering those battles."
"Oh?"
"That's right," said Gohan. He gritted himself, powering up to full power. His hair turned blond, his eyes green, and he let out a burst of energy, creating a crater around him.
"Not him too!" said 20, turning to face Gohan.
Gohan walked out of the crater he'd created. The androids looked intimidated.
"Enough of this foolishness, boy," said 20. "You may be a Super Saiyan, but your powers are still no match for us."
19 shot eye lasers directly in front of Gohan, obscuring his movements. He burrowed underground, emerging on the other side of the half-Saiyan, shooting eye lasers directly at the half-Saiyan this time.
When the resulting smoke cleared, Gohan was completely unharmed. Android 19 laughed and charged directly at the young Super Saiyan.
The punch the android threw made direct contact on Gohan's face. Gohan looked back at the android. "Just like I thought. You're not as tough as you look." He kicked the android in the chest, then elbowed it in the face, sending it flying backwards. He then elbowed it into the ground.
20 stared in horror as he watched Gohan pick 19 apart. Gohan walked towards the android. 19 got to its feet, then hurtled itself at Gohan at point-blank range. Gohan leaned backwards and kicked the android into the sky. He shot up after it, then punched the android in the face.
19 stared at Gohan, fear in his eyes. A bit of oil leaked from his nose, running down his china doll-like face. It shot two eye beams at Gohan, who vanished and reappeared above the android, hammering it towards the ground. The android created a colossal crater where it hit the ground.
Gohan landed in front of the others. He took out his sword, then leapt down into the crater. Two swipes later, he'd removed the android's hands, nullifying it's energy absorption abilities.
"All right Gohan!" shouted Krillin.
"Good job," muttered Piccolo, giving a rare smile.
He threw one of the hands to the others. "I think Bulma would love the opportunity to study this." He turned back to 19. "You seemed to be enjoying yourself when you were sucking the energy out of my dad. Now you won't be able to do that again."
19 began clawing at the side of the crater, trying desperately to get out of there. Gohan raised his hands. "Masenko-HA!" he shouted, destroying the android immediately. He turned his attention to 20, landing behind the other android.
"You are a bit stronger than I anticipated," said 20, turning around. "But it is nothing I cannot handle. Your defeat is imminent."
"I defeated the other android with minimal effort," said Gohan, staring 20 in the eyes. "What makes you think you'll be any different?"
"I am far superior to the Android 19 model. Stamping you out of existence is a trifle for a unit like me."
"Then let's see what you've got." He punched 20 in the stomach before the android could react. The android doubled over.
"You don't stand a chance, Dr. Gero," said Gohan. 20 looked at Gohan in shock. "Yeah. When we saw you on TV, Bulma thought she recognized you. She looked up a picture, and what do you know? He looks just like you. Add that to the fact that when you're a lot more social and a much better conversationalist than the other one, and I managed to piece it together."
Gero twitched in fury. "You don't know what you're dealing with, boy." He took off, running.
"After him!" shouted Piccolo. The remaining Z-Fighters shot into the air, in hot pursuit of the mechanical Dr. Gero.
Gohan led the pack, when all of a sudden, he was hit by somebody shooting out of nowhere, drop-kicking him into the ground. A certain black-haired Saiyan Prince.
The others stopped. "Vegeta!" shouted Piccolo, twitching in fury.
"I watched your fight with the robot, kid," said the Saiyan. "Not bad. But now it's time we fight."
"Back off, Vegeta," said Gohan, taking off and flying up. "If you want to fight me, we'll do it after we're done with the androids."
"No, brat," said Vegeta. "We'll fight now." He began powering up. His hair turned blond, his aura turned gold, his eyes green.
"You've got to be kidding me," said Krillin. "We don't have time for this!"
"Vegeta, you've got to understand," said Gohan. "If we don't stop him now, the entire earth could be threatened. He's probably on his way back to his lab right now, with some scheme to build new androids!"
Vegeta's answer was to punch Gohan in the face, knocking him down. Gohan shot up. "Piccolo, go stop Gero. I'll join you after I'm finished here."
"Right," said the Namek. He and the other Z-Warriors shot past the two Super Saiyans.
"You want to fight me, Vegeta? Fine. I'll fight you. I knew this was coming anyways. I knew you would turn on us the moment you thought you could beat us. You've always been out for yourself. Now, even though you have a family, you still think only of yourself."
Vegeta shot at Gohan, launching a flurry of attacks. Gohan dodged or blocked most of them, but a few got through. He ducked under a punch, and kicked Vegeta in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. Gohan followed up with a kick to the head, knocking Vegeta towards the ground. Vegeta caught himself and launched an energy blast at the half-Saiyan, who deflected it towards the ground where it harmlessly exploded.
"I fight to protect, Vegeta," said Gohan. "You fight just to fight."
"That is the Saiyan way," said Vegeta, moving behind Gohan. He hammered Gohan in the head, knocking him towards the ground. Gohan caught himself, then shot towards Vegeta, delivering an uppercut to the Saiyan Prince. He punched Vegeta in the stomach, knocking him down.
Vegeta responded by punching Gohan's own stomach, doubling the boy over. "I am the Prince of all Saiyans, the strongest fighter in the universe! You will respect me or perish."
"I don't have time to deal with this. Maybe this will teach you that power isn't everything." Gohan teleported behind the Saiyan Prince and kicked Vegeta in the head with his full strength, knocking the Saiyan Prince unconscious. Vegeta dropped to the ground, his hair changing black again.
He panted, catching his breath. Vegeta had worn him down significantly. He was on the verge of dropping Super Saiyan. He raised his fingers to his forehead and teleported away.
-DBZ: SGTW-
Bulma, baby Trunks, and Yajirobe were flying towards the battlefield. The two adults were surprised when Gohan appeared out of nowhere in their air car.
"Bulma, I need the Sensu beans," said Gohan.
Bulma moved to grab the bag. "One's obviously for you," she said, noting how Gohan was rather cut up. "Who're the others for?"
"Vegeta," said Gohan.
"What?" asked Bulma, turning around. "The androids hurt him that bad?"
"No. I had to."
"What do you mean?" Bulma got a little suspicious. "Why did you have to hurt Vegeta?"
"As we were chasing Dr. Gero, Vegeta came out of nowhere and started to fight me. I had to knock him out, but I'll leave him a Sensu bean."
Bulma handed the beans to Gohan. "Good luck."
Gohan raised his fingers to his forehead and vanished. He reappeared in front of Vegeta, who was unconscious. He set one of the beans in Vegeta's hand. "Maybe now you'll stop trying to fight me," said Gohan. He popped another bean, and within moments was healed of all his injuries. After tying the beans into his sash, he raised his fingers to his forehead again and disappeared.
-DBZ: SGTW-
"Piccolo is the strongest," said Dr. Gero, looking at the Namek fly over head, searching for him. "The boy didn't follow me here. I'll have to wonder about that later."
"Where is he?" shouted Krillin in frustration from where he was looking. "He can't have gotten much further than this. Oh, why did Vegeta have to distract Gohan? We could use his help right now!"
Tien surveyed his area. "No sign of him anywhere! Maybe he got away. He's just too fast for us!"
Piccolo was surveying his area silently. Suddenly, he felt a hand close over his mouth. "Well, Piccolo," said Gero. "It seems like you have found me."
Piccolo, seeing no other option, opened a link with Gohan. "Gohan, I need your help. Come quick!"
Suddenly, Piccolo felt as Dr. Gero was torn off of him by a kick. "Thanks kid," said Piccolo, turning to face Gero. "I'm glad your dad taught you that move."
"So am I," said the Super Saiyan. "Now, let's finish this once and for all."
-DBZ: SGTW-
Over the city the androids had appeared in, a young lavender haired man surveyed the devastation.
"It looks like I was too late," said Trunks. "I thought Goku and Gohan would make a difference. If only I'd gone back a little further! Too late to risk it now. The ship only has enough energy for one more jump. I'd be trapped in the past."
Just then, he sensed something. "I can still sense them! They must have moved the battle away from the city so that innocent people wouldn't get hurt! I'm not too late after all!" He shot towards the power levels.
-DBZ: SGTW-
Meanwhile, at the Son house, Goku was laying in bed, panting heavily.
"What's wrong, Yamcha?" asked Chi-Chi, staring at her sick husband, tears being held back. "Why isn't the antidote working?"
"It will," said Yamcha, hovering by Goku's side. "Just give it time."
-DBZ: SGTW-
Will the antidote save Goku's life? Will Gohan and the others manage to defeat the android Dr. Gero? Find out in the next chapter of DBZ: Son Gohan the Warrior!
Chapter 35:
More Androids?
"Shoot, come on," said Bulma, frustrated on how slow the trip to the battlefield was taking. "We're going to miss all the action!"
"You're crazy," said Yajirobe, who was driving. "I've been on the front lines, and let me tell you, it isn't pretty. This isn't a TV show."
Just then, Trunks shot by them, heading towards where he sensed the battle. "Who the heck is that?" asked Yajirobe.
"It's that guy!" said Bulma. "He came back!"
"There they are!" said Trunks, sighting the craters caused by Goku and Gohan against 19. Flying over the crater, he noticed two things. One was Vegeta, who was still unconscious. The other was one the hands of 19 that Gohan had cut off.
"What does it mean?" he asked, landing and picking up the hand. "I've never seen this before in my life. This didn't come from one of the androids that killed Dr. Gero!"
Just then, there was an explosion from behind him. He turned around. "I can figure this out later." He flew over to Vegeta. He noticed the Sensu bean Gohan had left, and put it in Vegeta's mouth. "Eat this."
Vegeta got up. "Curses," he said, staring at the battle. "I underestimated the brat again. He's still more powerful than I am!" He took off, flying towards the battle. Trunks followed him a moment later.
"What did he mean by the brat?" asked Trunks to himself.
-DBZ: SGTW-
Gero climbed out of the hole Gohan had kicked him into. "I don't understand!" he said, frustrated. "My data indicates that your abilities could not have possibly improved this much!"
"Your data might have been accurate," said Piccolo, "if we hadn't been warned of your arrival three years ago. We've been preparing for you, my friend."
Just then, all the Z-Warriors turned, sensing an approaching power. "Who is it?" asked Krillin.
"There's two," said Gohan. "One's Vegeta. The other... I'm not sure. It's familiar, I just can't place it."
Vegeta arrived, sending a death glare at Gohan. He didn't try to attack.
Just then, Piccolo recognized the other person. "Trunks is back!" he blurted out in surprise.
Trunks? thought Vegeta, looking the boy up and down. How bizarre. He has the same name as my son! Wait a second... a Super Saiyan from the future. Of course! It has to be! He's my son! Unbelievable! Vegeta started twitching in shock.
I see it, but I don't believe it, thought Trunks, staring at Gero. This one's different too.
Now what, thought Gero. Not another one. I don't have any data on this one at all. What is going on here?
"Yeah, even though I've never seen him before," said Trunks, "I can tell that he's one of Dr. Gero's creations."
"Say what?" asked Vegeta. "What do you mean you've never seen him before? Isn't he one of the androids you warned us about?"
"No, this one's different," said Trunks. "I'm not sure how, but he's not one of the androids I've fought."
-DBZ: SGTW-
"Man," said Yajirobe, looking into the crater Gohan had created, "I'm glad I wasn't here to see whatever made a mess like that." He was holding Trunks. Bulma had gotten impatient with Yajirobe's slow driving and taken over.
"I think I see them up there," said Bulma. "We'd better go and see if they need our help."
"THERE'S NO WAY WE'RE GOING DOWN THERE!" shouted Yajirobe.
"Don't worry so much, Yajirobe. Goku and Gohan wouldn't let anything happen to us."
"If you go down any farther, I'll throw Trunks out the window!"
"Oh? Really? I don't think Vegeta would like you talking about his son like that."
"I... uh... I wouldn't have..." muttered Yajirobe, scared.
-DBZ: SGTW-
"If that's not the android you warned us about," shouted Vegeta, "then who is he?"
"We've already figured that one out," said Gohan. "He's Dr. Gero himself. He turned himself into an android."
"What?" asked Trunks, whipping around. "Are you sure that's Dr. Gero?"
"Positive. Bulma looked up a picture of him in one of her old magazines. That's definitely Dr. Gero. He looks just like him."
I must hasten to the laboratory at once, thought Gero.
"Hey, look!" shouted Krillin. "It's Bulma and Yajirobe!" He pointed at the air car speeding towards them.
"No, don't come down here!" shouted Trunks, waving his arms.
"Enjoy this short lived victory while you can," screamed Gero. "For soon I will unleash Androids 17 and 18 to destroy you all!" He sent out a colossal blast, decimating the nearby area, and distracting the Z-Fighters. It also threw a significant amount of smoke into the air, covering his retreat.
The wreckage of the air car smashed into the ground. Trunks set down Bulma and baby Trunks gently.
"You saved us," said Bulma. "Thank you."
Trunks turned to glare at Vegeta, who was looking around for Gero. "Impossible!" the Saiyan was screaming. "He vanished!"
Trunks shot into the air, positioning himself directly in front of the Saiyan. "Why didn't you try and save them, Vegeta?" asked the half-Saiyan.
"Who?"
"Who? Bulma and your son!"
"Oh. Them. I have more important things to worry about than that foolish woman and her blasted child!"
Trunks just stared at Vegeta in horror. This is my father?
"Gohan!" shouted Krillin. "Can you find Gero using Instant Transmission?"
"No," replied the half-Saiyan, landing next to Bulma. "I don't have an energy signature to lock on to."
"We would have seen him if he'd taken to the air," said Vegeta, hovering over the others. "He must be sticking close to the ground, using the narrow canyons to conceal his escape. That means he's on foot. If he's on foot, he can't have gotten far."
"So Dr. Gero turned himself into an android?" asked Bulma.
"I was afraid this might happen," said Trunks. "The time line has shifted. Lots of things are changing."
"Dr. Gero mentioned two more androids," said Gohan. "Maybe they're the ones you told us about. Maybe you should tell us what they look like."
"The androids I know were created by Dr. Gero, to be sure. But unlike the clunky machines you met today, these androids are sleek and graceful. Android 18 is designed to look like a beautiful young girl. Android 17 is a young boy who wears a red scarf and long dark hair. But they both have the same cruel eyes."
"Man," said Krillin. "These things sound pretty mean."
"Well, that's one way to put it. These Androids are ruthless, they seek only to destroy."
"Do they absorb energy like the first two?" asked Piccolo.
"No, these two don't need to. Their energy lasts forever."
"That's preposterous! They have to run out of energy sometime!"
"Hey," said Trunks, looking around. "How come Goku isn't here right now?"
"He came down with that weird heart virus," said Krillin. "He went home to get the antidote that you gave him. I thought you knew!"
"I can't believe history has slipped this much!"
"Bulma," said Vegeta, turning to her. "Do you know where Dr. Gero's lab is?"
"Well," she said, putting her hand to her chin thoughtfully "Now that you mention it, I think I remember reading that Dr. Gero's lab was hidden in a cave somewhere just outside North City."
"It's probably too late to follow him there," said Krillin.
"Maybe not," said Vegeta, smiling. "Nobody saw him fly away, did they? He's trying to escape on foot, so we don't spot him. He probably hasn't gotten very far!"
"If that's the case," said Piccolo, "we might have a chance to find this lab and destroy the other two androids before Gero even gets there!"
"I would never do anything that cowardly!" said Vegeta, raising his fist. "There is only one course of action acceptable to me! I will fight these androids and I will destroy them!"
"You must never underestimate the power of these androids!" said Trunks. "We have to do this Piccolo's way."
Vegeta shot into the sky. Trunks shot ahead of him and stopped in front of him. "Listen! If you want to destroy these androids, we have to wait for Goku!"
"I will only say this once," said Vegeta. "I will not wait for Kakarot! I'm a Super Saiyan now, and I'm a lot stronger than that pathetic fool could ever dream of being!"
"Are you?" asked Gohan, who had flown up to help Trunks. "Because you weren't strong enough to beat me."
Trunks looked at Gohan in shock. "He challenged me to a fight," explained Gohan. "He got in my way, almost let Gero escape. I had to fight him."
Vegeta was twitching in fury. Finally, he just pushed past the two.
"Trunks, you go with Vegeta," said Gohan. "If you spot Gero or the lab, flare your power level twice, and we'll come help."
"Right," said Trunks, blasting after his father.
Bulma stared up at Gohan. "Did Gohan call that boy Trunks?"
"There's something you should know," said Piccolo. "He is Trunks. He's the boy the baby you are holding in your arms eventually grows up to be."
"WHAT?" shouted Krillin.
"Oh, man!" said Tien.
"How weird!" said Krillin. "We all met Trunks two years before he was born!"
"It's time we start searching for Gero's laboratory," said Gohan. "If you see Gero or find his lab, flare your power level twice. That'll be the signal. Since Vegeta is too proud to ever call for help, I sent Trunks with him."
"Let's go, guys!" shouted Piccolo.
"WAIT!" shouted Bulma. "I'm stuck here!"
Gohan sighed. "Grab on," he said, pointing to his shoulder. Bulma latched on to his shoulder. Gohan disappeared, then reappeared a moment later by himself. "Alright, let's go!"
The four shot into the air, heading for North City. They spread out slightly, keeping an eye out for Dr. Gero.
"Can somebody help me?" shouted Yajirobe, left behind.
-DBZ: SGTW-
Gero was running along the ground. I have run far enough, he thought. I should have evaded any pursuit.
Just then, his tracking equipment beeped. Looking up, he saw Vegeta and Trunks shooting overhead, heading towards North City.
How could they follow me this far? Is it possible they are heading to my lab? No. Only a few scientists in the world know the location of my laboratory. It must be a coincidence.
He took off running again, then stopped, his mind reeling. Wait. That girl, Bulma, she is the daughter of Dr. Briefs, President of Capsule Corporation. Is it possible she found out the location of my lab from her father?
Just then, he looked up again, sighting three white streaks and a golden one shooting by overhead. He recognized the golden one as being Gohan. They are heading to my lab! I've got to get there first! He took off again, heading faster than he had before. Fortunately, not even Dr. Briefs knows the precise location of my lab.
-DBZ: SGTW-
"So, you think you can keep up, boy?" asked Vegeta to Trunks, who was right behind him. He flashed into Super Saiyan. "Let's see!" He shot off.
Trunks flashed into Super Saiyan, shooting after his father. I can't believe my father is so stubborn and self-centered.
-DBZ: SGTW-
"Goku, wake up," said Chi-Chi, holding her husband. "You were having a nightmare!"
"Fight the pain, Goku," said Yamcha, standing over the bed. "Fight it!"
Chi-Chi laid a cool cloth on Goku's forehead. He calmed down, laying still.
Yamcha clenched his hand around the antidote. "You've got to hold on, Goku."
-DBZ: SGTW-
"Can anyone see it yet?" asked Piccolo to the other three.
"There!" shouted Krillin, spotting North City, nestled in a small valley completely surrounded by mountains. "So which one of these mountains looks like the best place to put a lab to you guys?"
Vegeta and Trunks were just arriving in that area as well. Vegeta turned to Trunks irritated. "Would you stop following me, boy?"
"There's no way I'm going to let you fight the androids alone!" shouted Trunks.
"And just what are you going to do to stop me? It's going to take more than that sword of yours to stand in my way."
"How many times do I have to tell you before it sinks into your thick skull? Never underestimate the power of the androids!"
Vegeta laughed. "And never underestimate a true Super Saiyan who loves to take on a challenge! If you're going to stay, you can at least help me find Gero's lab."
"You're totally impossible!"
"You know," said Tien from where the four were hovering, "I didn't think finding Dr. Gero's lab would be easy, but this is ridiculous! I mean, considering the fact that we can't sense the Androids power, and the fact that we have about a million mountains to choose from, I'd say it just might take a while."
"Alright, guys, spread out," said Gohan. "Remember the signal. Flare your power levels twice."
The four scattered throughout the area.
-DBZ: SGTW-
Will the Z-Fighters manage to find Gero or his lab in time? Find out in the next chapter of DBZ: Son Gohan the Warrior!
Chapter 36:
Nightmare Come True
Gero watched as the Z-Fighters scattered throughout the surrounding area, searching for his lab.
"Just as I had hoped," he said to himself. "Those meddlesome fools are still searching for my laboratory. It will take them hours to find it. And by then it will be too late."
He resumed running. Hearing a whizzing behind him, he caught a bullet in his hand.
"Aw, gee whiz!" said a hunter. "I thought you were a deer!"
Dr. Gero crushed the bullet and launched an energy blast at the human.
The resulting flash alerted Gohan, who flew over to the scene. He hovered down to eye level with the hunter, who was now hanging upside down from a tree. "What happened to you?"
"Crazy old guy," said the hunter.
"Dr. Gero! Which way did he go?" At the hunter's point, he shot off, heading in the direction of Dr. Gero.
Gohan may have spotted me, thought Gero. He is too powerful for me to beat. I must make haste to my lab at once. He shot off, heading towards his precious lab.
Grinning, the evil doctor looked up into a cave. "It seems I have won this little race." He leapt up, hopping to the cave entrance.
Piccolo spotted him just as he was walking in. He flared his power level twice. In a second, Gohan had appeared. "There he is!"
"They found him!" shouted Trunks, speeding towards where he sensed Piccolo. Vegeta turned and followed him closely.
Krillin and Tien both shot towards Piccolo and Gohan.
Gero turned around as his sensors indicated powers behind him. He backed into the cave, then hit a button, sealing himself off inside his lab.
Turning, the doctor removed a controller from a slot on the wall. The lights activated. Gero approached two pods labeled 17 and 18.
"I had hoped to avoid activating them so soon," said the doctor to himself. "But it seems the time to put my androids to the test has come. I no longer have a choice." He pressed a button on the pod labeled 17. The pod slowly opened.
Out of the pod climbed an android resembling a man about Trunk's age, with long dark hair and a red scarf.
"Ah, yes," said Gero. "Android 17."
17 turned to face Gero. The first thing he noticed was the remote still in Gero's hand. "Dr. Gero," said the android. "How are you today?"
"Good, good. You remember me."
"Of course. You gave me life, Dr."
Gero pushed a button on 18's pod. It opened, revealing a woman with blond hair. She climbed out, looked at 17, then turned to the doctor, also noticing the controller held in his hand. She smiled at the doctor. "Hello, doctor. How have you been?"
"Good," said Gero. "So you remember me too, 18."
"How could I forget?"
They both seem in perfect working order, thought Gero gleefully.
"I see you have chosen to become an android," said 18.
"Yes. Now I have eternal life like you. But we have pressing matters at hand. In the past, the two of you have displayed an inexcusable tendency to disobey my orders. I blame myself for this. But I have since modified your programming, and will no longer tolerate insubordination." He started pacing in front of the androids, acting like an officer in the military. "Now, several of Goku's friends are outside our door. You are to destroy them immediately."
"Yes," said 18 and 17 in unison.
Outside, Tien and Krillin arrived at Gohan and Piccolo's location. "It's right in that cave," said Gohan. "We'd better move fast. Gero's already inside." The four of them landed outside the door.
"Stand back," said Gohan, raising his hands. "Masenko-HA!" he shouted, the energy smashing the door down.
When the smoke cleared, they saw Gero, 17, and 18, staring at them. 17 used the moment of distraction to snatch the remote from Gero's hand.
"Android 17!" shouted Gero in fury. "What are you doing?"
"This is the remote you used to deactivate us the last time," said 17. "I think I'd better hold on to it. Or better yet-" he crushed the remote.
"What? What have you done? You dare to defy me? I created you!"
17's eyes narrowed sharply. "You're not going to put us to sleep again, old man."
Just then, Trunks and Vegeta set down. "So, these are the big bad androids," said Vegeta. "Am I right, boy?"
"That's them," said Trunks.
"They're androids?" asked Krillin, confused. "They look just like humans to me."
"Don't be fooled by the way they look! They're both deadly. And they're stronger than all of us!"
"Goku's friends are very determined to stop us," said Gero, staring at the group of intruders. "But they will not. We will destroy them just as they destroyed android 19."
"Android 19?" questioned 17. "So you built him after all."
"That is enough questions for now," said Gero. "I order you to destroy these intruders!
"Be quiet, old man," said 17. "We will deal with them when we are ready."
"What did you say!"
18 walked over to another pod. "Planning to use him for spare parts?" she asked. "He's rather lacking in the looks department. I'd like to see what other modifications you've made to him, doctor."
"You stay away from there!" shouted Gero. "Do not open that chamber! I order you to stay away from Android 16!"
There's another android I didn't know about? thought Trunks, horrified.
"Go on," said 17 to 18. "I think it is time to wake up our sleeping friend."
"Do not listen to him!" shouted Gero. "I have not completed his programming yet!" He ran up and grabbed 18' arm. She threw him off.
"I think it's time to send you to the scrap heap!" said 18, turning to the doctor. "If 16's just a prototype, why have you kept him so long? You destroyed all the androids up to 15."
"I was planning to repair him someday," said Gero. "But if you activate him YOU WILL REGRET IT!"
18 pressed a button on the pod, exposing the release button.
"For the last time, DO NOT RELEASE HIM!" shouted Gero. Suddenly, 17 punched a hand through the doctor.
"What have you done? How dare you?" asked Gero, turning to 17. "I gave you life. And I can take it away!"
17 kicked Gero in the head, separating it from the rest of the doctor's robotic body. Leaping over, he smashed the head, crushing it. He then walked over to the pod. "Open it," he said to 18.
"If they set that android free it will be the end of all of us!" screamed Trunks. Raising his hands, he sent a tremendous beam forward.
Gohan darted forward, grabbed Krillin and Piccolo, who were directly in the beam's path, and Instant Transmissioned out of there. The others got out of the cave as quickly as possible.
The massive explosion completely decimated the cave, destroying everything.
"You shouldn't have done that," said Vegeta. "It didn't do anything except show them how weak you are."
"How could anything survive that?" asked Trunks. "That was my most intense blast!"
The smoke cleared, and both androids were completely unharmed. The pod, too, was not harmed in any way, having been held over 18's head.
"Hurry it up, 18," said 17 impatiently. "Are you going to open that thing or not?"
18 dropped the pod to the ground. She pressed the release button. The android climbed out.
"Uh, guys," said Krillin, eyes wide in fear. "He's big! He's very big! And ugly!"
Trunks was twitching in frustration. I didn't know Dr. Gero made another android. How could I have missed one?
"Well, good morning," said 17. "It must feel good to get out of that coffin. How long have you been cooped up in that container for anyway?"
16 did not respond. "Come on, speak," said 17. "Did Dr. Gero not give you a voice box? He tried to tell us it was dangerous to activate you."
"Why would the doctor say such a thing?" asked 18. "Do you know?"
"Hello? Anyone home in there?" asked 17 when 16 still did not respond. "Stong, silent type, huh. Come on, let's go."
"Where to?"
"To complete our mission. 16, Dr. Gero programmed you with the mission to destroy Goku, isn't that right?"
"That's right." 16 had finally responded.
"I'll be. So the big guy can speak after all."
"Dr. Gero must have programmed him to only respond to commands that relate to his main objective," said 18.
"I didn't know the doctor was that smart. But let's see if 16 can carry out his mission. Find Goku and destroy him. Let's get out of here."
The three androids flew into the sky. They flew directly away from the Z-Fighters.
"Hey, they're leaving!" said Krillin. He breathed a sigh of relief. "Good riddance. We're safe."
"But... where do you think they're going?" asked Tien. "Should we follow them?"
"If they went that direction they're not going to South City," said Piccolo. "That's the other way!"
"I've got it!" shouted Krillin. "They've gone after Goku! Yeah, Dr. Gero's goal was to get back at Goku for destroying his Red Ribbon Army!"
"Yeah," said Tien, "but do you still think those androids will follow Dr. Gero's orders?"
"I don't care where they went!" said Vegeta. "I'll track them down myself! They're cowards! They left because they were afraid of me!" Vegeta smirked. "And they should be!"
Trunks shot to stop Vegeta. "Stop! Don't go after them!"
"You expect me to wait for Kakarot?"
"Kakarot? Oh, you mean Goku! That's right! We need him for this battle! We're only strong enough if we all stay together!"
"Sure, let's wait for Kakarot! I mean, wouldn't it be easier if we all just joined up with the androids instead? He's history!" At this Gohan glared at Vegeta, going to Trunk's side.
"Now get out of my way before you get hurt! And let me finish them off, by myself, WITHOUT KAKAROT!"
"YOU CAN'T! IF YOU FACE THE ANDROIDS ALONE YOU WILL BE DESTROYED FOR SURE! YOU MUST LISTEN TO ME! STAY HERE!"
Vegeta punched Trunks in the stomach, winding him. He shot off past the two boys, pursuing the androids.
"Trunks, are you okay?" asked Gohan.
"Please, stop him!" said Trunks. "We have to wait until Goku gets better or we're all doomed! We must wait! Go after him!"
"There's no time to waste!" said Piccolo. The five shot after Vegeta.
-DBZ: SGTW-
Chi-Chi was cutting up food, preparing dinner. "If I know my Goku, the first thing he's going to say when he feels better is 'Chi-Chi, I'm starving!' So I'm going to whip up something special, because he's going to pull through any minute now!"
In the room Goku was laying, the Saiyan was screaming in pain again.
"Goku!" said Yamcha, moving to his friend's side. "Hold on." He pulled out another pill. "Here. Take this." Goku swallowed it immediately. His screaming eased.
Chi-Chi walked in. "Goku?" She kneeled at her husband's side. "He's in pain!"
"Don't worry, Chi-Chi. Goku will pull through. He's the toughest guy I know, and no disease is going to slow him down. He'll be back on his feet in no time!"
Finally, Goku's screaming fell off completely. "I think the medicine is working!" said Yamcha. "He looks better now!"
"Do you think so?" asked Chi-Chi, getting to her feet.
"Gohan warned us that the disease might be contagious," said Yamcha. "So I'm going to take some of this medicine. You should too."
"Okay," said Chi-Chi. She crossed her arms. "But you buy your own!"
Yamcha scratched the back of his head. "Come on, you know I'm good for it! And I can pay you back next week!"
-DBZ: SGTW-
Vegeta flew in pursuit of the androids. Why is everybody making such a big deal about Kakarot? Who needs him anyways. Have they forgotten that I'm a Saiyan too? A Saiyan from a royal bloodline? Well soon they will see how powerful I really am!
On a cliff side road not too far ahead, the three androids set down.
"Is something wrong?" asked 18.
"No, don't blow a circuit," said 17. "I just wanted to enjoy the scenery from down here."
"So we walk?"
"No, we drive. We're going to take the next automobile that passes by us. How does that sound?"
18 smirked. "It sounds to me like it would be foolish. 17, why should we waste our time driving a car?"
"Because we've never done it before." He turned to 16. "We're planning on taking a little car ride, 16. Do you want to go too?"
"What?" asked the huge android. "Did you just say Goku?"
"I guess I'll take that as a yes."
"Seems Goku is the only thing he has on his mind," said 18.
Just then, Vegeta set down. "So, there you are," said the Saiyan. "I didn't think you'd be this easy to find. Run out of gas?" He smirked. "I'm the most powerful being on this planet. And you're not welcome here!"
"You're quite brave for someone all alone," said 18.
"Don't worry," said Vegeta. "I came prepared. I'm going to put you back in the crate you called out of."
The 17 and 18 looked at themselves and snickered.
"You're laughing," said Vegeta. "Why is that? This is not a joke!"
"Tell me," said 17, "are all of you Saiyans so full of yourselves? Is Goku like you? Is this how you try and hide your incompetence? We androids will always be superior to your kind."
Vegeta barred his teeth. "You take that back! You'll regret saying that! You're nothing but a machine mad of tin! You're just a bunch of toys made by a crazy old man! And don't forget that tin toys can be broken!"
"He talks to much," said 18.
"WHAT WAS THAT?" screamed Vegeta.
18 turned to 16. "Let's see what you can do! Destroy him."
"I refuse," said the big android.
"So, the big guy's not so dumb," said Vegeta, smirking. "Now who's it going to be?"
"He refuses?" asked 17. "Who does he think he is?"
"Never mind him," said 18. "I'll handle him." She approached the Saiyan. "Ready, little man?"
"So, it's ladies first?" asked Vegeta. "That's fine with me. Now don't expect me to go easy on you. I fight to win."
-DBZ: SGTW-
Will Vegeta succeed in defeating the androids, or will he fail and be the first to fall as Trunks fears he will be? Find out in the next chapter of DBZ: Son Gohan the Warrior!
Word Count: 7,006
(21 more parts to go XD)
Goku's Collapse
"Has the android managed to lay his hands on Goku?" asked Yamcha. "Because when that android touched me, it felt like he was sucking my power right out of me!"
"What?" asked Piccolo, turning to face Yamcha. "No, the android hasn't touched Goku yet."
Goku kicked the android into the ground, creating an explosion of dust. The android got to it's feet, staring at Goku.
"Man," said Yamcha, "if Goku hit me like that, I wouldn't be able to move for a week!"
Goku floated there for a moment, catching his breath again. "Ka... me... ha...meeeHA!" shouted the Saiyan with difficulty.
19 grinned wildly, and raised one of his hands, sucking the energy wave in.
"Darn..." said Goku. "Not even a scratch..."
"GOKU!" shouted Piccolo. "Don't use any energy waves! They can absorb them through their hands! It will only make them stronger!"
"You're kidding me!" shouted back Goku, panting heavily.
"Look at Goku, guys," said Krillin nervously. "He's tired! How did that thing take so much of his energy?"
"I don't think it did," said Piccolo. "Something else must be sapping his strength!"
Excellent, thought 20. Now 19 is fully charged. And it seems Goku's new technique is taking it's toll on him.
19 shot up and kneed the Saiyan in the stomach. Goku doubled over from the blow, and elbowed the android in the face. It shook off the blow, smiling, and hammered Goku towards the ground. The Saiyan caught himself two feet before he impacted.
"Kamehame-AGH!" shouted Goku, raising his hands. Before he could send out a beam, he stopped, in obvious agony. "Darn it... what's wrong?"
Gohan noticed his father's hand clenched on his chest, directly over... "HIS HEART!" shouted Gohan, understanding. "THAT VIRUS IS ATTACKING!"
"You're right!" said Piccolo, noticing it as well. "But it's attacking much later than the boy said it would! Goku thought he'd made a mistake!"
Goku collapsed to the ground, having intense difficulty remaining on his feet. His hair turned back to it's normal black.
"He's dropped Super Saiyan!" said Yamcha.
"That's it," said Gohan. "We can't let him keep fighting. I'm going in." He turned to the others. "I'll go get my dad. Then, Yamcha, you'll take him to my house. I'll stay and finish this."
Android 19 charged in and pressed Goku to the ground, absorbing his energy. Gohan raised his fingers to his head and teleported behind 19, drop-kicking the android off his father.
"You won't hurt my father while I'm still around," said Gohan. "I'll finish this fight."
20 turned to face Gohan. "How did he move so fast?" he asked himself. "I couldn't track his movement even with my superior eyesight."
Gohan picked up his father and raised his fingers to his head again, teleporting to the others. He handed his father to Yamcha. "Get that antidote. You might want to take a bit of it, too, just in case."
"Right," said the bandit. "Don't worry. Just finish off these androids." He flew off, carrying Goku as fast as he could.
19 readied itself to give chase. "Let them go," said 20. "We can finish Goku at our leisure. You have done well. It is obvious Goku is no match for us. We can entertain ourselves for now by destroying his pitiful friends."
"That's where you're wrong," said Gohan, teleporting behind both androids to throw them off. "My dad had a virus attacking his heart. That's why he couldn't fight you. But I will."
19 bowed. "I will destroy Gohan now."
"You are being very greedy today, 19," said 20. "You have absorbed enough energy from Goku to increase your power, have you not? Very well. You may finish Gohan, but the rest are mine."
19 turned to face Gohan, who stood there. The android raised one of it's hands, displaying the energy absorbing device.
"You won't trick me into firing an energy wave," said Gohan. "I was watching the battle, remember?"
"You know some of my moves, Gohan," said 19, "but I know all of yours. Dr. Gero studied you very thoroughly."
"Then why were you so surprised when my dad turned into a Super Saiyan?" asked the half-Saiyan. "You didn't watch our battles in space. Dr. Gero made a critical mistake in not covering those battles."
"Oh?"
"That's right," said Gohan. He gritted himself, powering up to full power. His hair turned blond, his eyes green, and he let out a burst of energy, creating a crater around him.
"Not him too!" said 20, turning to face Gohan.
Gohan walked out of the crater he'd created. The androids looked intimidated.
"Enough of this foolishness, boy," said 20. "You may be a Super Saiyan, but your powers are still no match for us."
19 shot eye lasers directly in front of Gohan, obscuring his movements. He burrowed underground, emerging on the other side of the half-Saiyan, shooting eye lasers directly at the half-Saiyan this time.
When the resulting smoke cleared, Gohan was completely unharmed. Android 19 laughed and charged directly at the young Super Saiyan.
The punch the android threw made direct contact on Gohan's face. Gohan looked back at the android. "Just like I thought. You're not as tough as you look." He kicked the android in the chest, then elbowed it in the face, sending it flying backwards. He then elbowed it into the ground.
20 stared in horror as he watched Gohan pick 19 apart. Gohan walked towards the android. 19 got to its feet, then hurtled itself at Gohan at point-blank range. Gohan leaned backwards and kicked the android into the sky. He shot up after it, then punched the android in the face.
19 stared at Gohan, fear in his eyes. A bit of oil leaked from his nose, running down his china doll-like face. It shot two eye beams at Gohan, who vanished and reappeared above the android, hammering it towards the ground. The android created a colossal crater where it hit the ground.
Gohan landed in front of the others. He took out his sword, then leapt down into the crater. Two swipes later, he'd removed the android's hands, nullifying it's energy absorption abilities.
"All right Gohan!" shouted Krillin.
"Good job," muttered Piccolo, giving a rare smile.
He threw one of the hands to the others. "I think Bulma would love the opportunity to study this." He turned back to 19. "You seemed to be enjoying yourself when you were sucking the energy out of my dad. Now you won't be able to do that again."
19 began clawing at the side of the crater, trying desperately to get out of there. Gohan raised his hands. "Masenko-HA!" he shouted, destroying the android immediately. He turned his attention to 20, landing behind the other android.
"You are a bit stronger than I anticipated," said 20, turning around. "But it is nothing I cannot handle. Your defeat is imminent."
"I defeated the other android with minimal effort," said Gohan, staring 20 in the eyes. "What makes you think you'll be any different?"
"I am far superior to the Android 19 model. Stamping you out of existence is a trifle for a unit like me."
"Then let's see what you've got." He punched 20 in the stomach before the android could react. The android doubled over.
"You don't stand a chance, Dr. Gero," said Gohan. 20 looked at Gohan in shock. "Yeah. When we saw you on TV, Bulma thought she recognized you. She looked up a picture, and what do you know? He looks just like you. Add that to the fact that when you're a lot more social and a much better conversationalist than the other one, and I managed to piece it together."
Gero twitched in fury. "You don't know what you're dealing with, boy." He took off, running.
"After him!" shouted Piccolo. The remaining Z-Fighters shot into the air, in hot pursuit of the mechanical Dr. Gero.
Gohan led the pack, when all of a sudden, he was hit by somebody shooting out of nowhere, drop-kicking him into the ground. A certain black-haired Saiyan Prince.
The others stopped. "Vegeta!" shouted Piccolo, twitching in fury.
"I watched your fight with the robot, kid," said the Saiyan. "Not bad. But now it's time we fight."
"Back off, Vegeta," said Gohan, taking off and flying up. "If you want to fight me, we'll do it after we're done with the androids."
"No, brat," said Vegeta. "We'll fight now." He began powering up. His hair turned blond, his aura turned gold, his eyes green.
"You've got to be kidding me," said Krillin. "We don't have time for this!"
"Vegeta, you've got to understand," said Gohan. "If we don't stop him now, the entire earth could be threatened. He's probably on his way back to his lab right now, with some scheme to build new androids!"
Vegeta's answer was to punch Gohan in the face, knocking him down. Gohan shot up. "Piccolo, go stop Gero. I'll join you after I'm finished here."
"Right," said the Namek. He and the other Z-Warriors shot past the two Super Saiyans.
"You want to fight me, Vegeta? Fine. I'll fight you. I knew this was coming anyways. I knew you would turn on us the moment you thought you could beat us. You've always been out for yourself. Now, even though you have a family, you still think only of yourself."
Vegeta shot at Gohan, launching a flurry of attacks. Gohan dodged or blocked most of them, but a few got through. He ducked under a punch, and kicked Vegeta in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. Gohan followed up with a kick to the head, knocking Vegeta towards the ground. Vegeta caught himself and launched an energy blast at the half-Saiyan, who deflected it towards the ground where it harmlessly exploded.
"I fight to protect, Vegeta," said Gohan. "You fight just to fight."
"That is the Saiyan way," said Vegeta, moving behind Gohan. He hammered Gohan in the head, knocking him towards the ground. Gohan caught himself, then shot towards Vegeta, delivering an uppercut to the Saiyan Prince. He punched Vegeta in the stomach, knocking him down.
Vegeta responded by punching Gohan's own stomach, doubling the boy over. "I am the Prince of all Saiyans, the strongest fighter in the universe! You will respect me or perish."
"I don't have time to deal with this. Maybe this will teach you that power isn't everything." Gohan teleported behind the Saiyan Prince and kicked Vegeta in the head with his full strength, knocking the Saiyan Prince unconscious. Vegeta dropped to the ground, his hair changing black again.
He panted, catching his breath. Vegeta had worn him down significantly. He was on the verge of dropping Super Saiyan. He raised his fingers to his forehead and teleported away.
-DBZ: SGTW-
Bulma, baby Trunks, and Yajirobe were flying towards the battlefield. The two adults were surprised when Gohan appeared out of nowhere in their air car.
"Bulma, I need the Sensu beans," said Gohan.
Bulma moved to grab the bag. "One's obviously for you," she said, noting how Gohan was rather cut up. "Who're the others for?"
"Vegeta," said Gohan.
"What?" asked Bulma, turning around. "The androids hurt him that bad?"
"No. I had to."
"What do you mean?" Bulma got a little suspicious. "Why did you have to hurt Vegeta?"
"As we were chasing Dr. Gero, Vegeta came out of nowhere and started to fight me. I had to knock him out, but I'll leave him a Sensu bean."
Bulma handed the beans to Gohan. "Good luck."
Gohan raised his fingers to his forehead and vanished. He reappeared in front of Vegeta, who was unconscious. He set one of the beans in Vegeta's hand. "Maybe now you'll stop trying to fight me," said Gohan. He popped another bean, and within moments was healed of all his injuries. After tying the beans into his sash, he raised his fingers to his forehead again and disappeared.
-DBZ: SGTW-
"Piccolo is the strongest," said Dr. Gero, looking at the Namek fly over head, searching for him. "The boy didn't follow me here. I'll have to wonder about that later."
"Where is he?" shouted Krillin in frustration from where he was looking. "He can't have gotten much further than this. Oh, why did Vegeta have to distract Gohan? We could use his help right now!"
Tien surveyed his area. "No sign of him anywhere! Maybe he got away. He's just too fast for us!"
Piccolo was surveying his area silently. Suddenly, he felt a hand close over his mouth. "Well, Piccolo," said Gero. "It seems like you have found me."
Piccolo, seeing no other option, opened a link with Gohan. "Gohan, I need your help. Come quick!"
Suddenly, Piccolo felt as Dr. Gero was torn off of him by a kick. "Thanks kid," said Piccolo, turning to face Gero. "I'm glad your dad taught you that move."
"So am I," said the Super Saiyan. "Now, let's finish this once and for all."
-DBZ: SGTW-
Over the city the androids had appeared in, a young lavender haired man surveyed the devastation.
"It looks like I was too late," said Trunks. "I thought Goku and Gohan would make a difference. If only I'd gone back a little further! Too late to risk it now. The ship only has enough energy for one more jump. I'd be trapped in the past."
Just then, he sensed something. "I can still sense them! They must have moved the battle away from the city so that innocent people wouldn't get hurt! I'm not too late after all!" He shot towards the power levels.
-DBZ: SGTW-
Meanwhile, at the Son house, Goku was laying in bed, panting heavily.
"What's wrong, Yamcha?" asked Chi-Chi, staring at her sick husband, tears being held back. "Why isn't the antidote working?"
"It will," said Yamcha, hovering by Goku's side. "Just give it time."
-DBZ: SGTW-
Will the antidote save Goku's life? Will Gohan and the others manage to defeat the android Dr. Gero? Find out in the next chapter of DBZ: Son Gohan the Warrior!
Chapter 35:
More Androids?
"Shoot, come on," said Bulma, frustrated on how slow the trip to the battlefield was taking. "We're going to miss all the action!"
"You're crazy," said Yajirobe, who was driving. "I've been on the front lines, and let me tell you, it isn't pretty. This isn't a TV show."
Just then, Trunks shot by them, heading towards where he sensed the battle. "Who the heck is that?" asked Yajirobe.
"It's that guy!" said Bulma. "He came back!"
"There they are!" said Trunks, sighting the craters caused by Goku and Gohan against 19. Flying over the crater, he noticed two things. One was Vegeta, who was still unconscious. The other was one the hands of 19 that Gohan had cut off.
"What does it mean?" he asked, landing and picking up the hand. "I've never seen this before in my life. This didn't come from one of the androids that killed Dr. Gero!"
Just then, there was an explosion from behind him. He turned around. "I can figure this out later." He flew over to Vegeta. He noticed the Sensu bean Gohan had left, and put it in Vegeta's mouth. "Eat this."
Vegeta got up. "Curses," he said, staring at the battle. "I underestimated the brat again. He's still more powerful than I am!" He took off, flying towards the battle. Trunks followed him a moment later.
"What did he mean by the brat?" asked Trunks to himself.
-DBZ: SGTW-
Gero climbed out of the hole Gohan had kicked him into. "I don't understand!" he said, frustrated. "My data indicates that your abilities could not have possibly improved this much!"
"Your data might have been accurate," said Piccolo, "if we hadn't been warned of your arrival three years ago. We've been preparing for you, my friend."
Just then, all the Z-Warriors turned, sensing an approaching power. "Who is it?" asked Krillin.
"There's two," said Gohan. "One's Vegeta. The other... I'm not sure. It's familiar, I just can't place it."
Vegeta arrived, sending a death glare at Gohan. He didn't try to attack.
Just then, Piccolo recognized the other person. "Trunks is back!" he blurted out in surprise.
Trunks? thought Vegeta, looking the boy up and down. How bizarre. He has the same name as my son! Wait a second... a Super Saiyan from the future. Of course! It has to be! He's my son! Unbelievable! Vegeta started twitching in shock.
I see it, but I don't believe it, thought Trunks, staring at Gero. This one's different too.
Now what, thought Gero. Not another one. I don't have any data on this one at all. What is going on here?
"Yeah, even though I've never seen him before," said Trunks, "I can tell that he's one of Dr. Gero's creations."
"Say what?" asked Vegeta. "What do you mean you've never seen him before? Isn't he one of the androids you warned us about?"
"No, this one's different," said Trunks. "I'm not sure how, but he's not one of the androids I've fought."
-DBZ: SGTW-
"Man," said Yajirobe, looking into the crater Gohan had created, "I'm glad I wasn't here to see whatever made a mess like that." He was holding Trunks. Bulma had gotten impatient with Yajirobe's slow driving and taken over.
"I think I see them up there," said Bulma. "We'd better go and see if they need our help."
"THERE'S NO WAY WE'RE GOING DOWN THERE!" shouted Yajirobe.
"Don't worry so much, Yajirobe. Goku and Gohan wouldn't let anything happen to us."
"If you go down any farther, I'll throw Trunks out the window!"
"Oh? Really? I don't think Vegeta would like you talking about his son like that."
"I... uh... I wouldn't have..." muttered Yajirobe, scared.
-DBZ: SGTW-
"If that's not the android you warned us about," shouted Vegeta, "then who is he?"
"We've already figured that one out," said Gohan. "He's Dr. Gero himself. He turned himself into an android."
"What?" asked Trunks, whipping around. "Are you sure that's Dr. Gero?"
"Positive. Bulma looked up a picture of him in one of her old magazines. That's definitely Dr. Gero. He looks just like him."
I must hasten to the laboratory at once, thought Gero.
"Hey, look!" shouted Krillin. "It's Bulma and Yajirobe!" He pointed at the air car speeding towards them.
"No, don't come down here!" shouted Trunks, waving his arms.
"Enjoy this short lived victory while you can," screamed Gero. "For soon I will unleash Androids 17 and 18 to destroy you all!" He sent out a colossal blast, decimating the nearby area, and distracting the Z-Fighters. It also threw a significant amount of smoke into the air, covering his retreat.
The wreckage of the air car smashed into the ground. Trunks set down Bulma and baby Trunks gently.
"You saved us," said Bulma. "Thank you."
Trunks turned to glare at Vegeta, who was looking around for Gero. "Impossible!" the Saiyan was screaming. "He vanished!"
Trunks shot into the air, positioning himself directly in front of the Saiyan. "Why didn't you try and save them, Vegeta?" asked the half-Saiyan.
"Who?"
"Who? Bulma and your son!"
"Oh. Them. I have more important things to worry about than that foolish woman and her blasted child!"
Trunks just stared at Vegeta in horror. This is my father?
"Gohan!" shouted Krillin. "Can you find Gero using Instant Transmission?"
"No," replied the half-Saiyan, landing next to Bulma. "I don't have an energy signature to lock on to."
"We would have seen him if he'd taken to the air," said Vegeta, hovering over the others. "He must be sticking close to the ground, using the narrow canyons to conceal his escape. That means he's on foot. If he's on foot, he can't have gotten far."
"So Dr. Gero turned himself into an android?" asked Bulma.
"I was afraid this might happen," said Trunks. "The time line has shifted. Lots of things are changing."
"Dr. Gero mentioned two more androids," said Gohan. "Maybe they're the ones you told us about. Maybe you should tell us what they look like."
"The androids I know were created by Dr. Gero, to be sure. But unlike the clunky machines you met today, these androids are sleek and graceful. Android 18 is designed to look like a beautiful young girl. Android 17 is a young boy who wears a red scarf and long dark hair. But they both have the same cruel eyes."
"Man," said Krillin. "These things sound pretty mean."
"Well, that's one way to put it. These Androids are ruthless, they seek only to destroy."
"Do they absorb energy like the first two?" asked Piccolo.
"No, these two don't need to. Their energy lasts forever."
"That's preposterous! They have to run out of energy sometime!"
"Hey," said Trunks, looking around. "How come Goku isn't here right now?"
"He came down with that weird heart virus," said Krillin. "He went home to get the antidote that you gave him. I thought you knew!"
"I can't believe history has slipped this much!"
"Bulma," said Vegeta, turning to her. "Do you know where Dr. Gero's lab is?"
"Well," she said, putting her hand to her chin thoughtfully "Now that you mention it, I think I remember reading that Dr. Gero's lab was hidden in a cave somewhere just outside North City."
"It's probably too late to follow him there," said Krillin.
"Maybe not," said Vegeta, smiling. "Nobody saw him fly away, did they? He's trying to escape on foot, so we don't spot him. He probably hasn't gotten very far!"
"If that's the case," said Piccolo, "we might have a chance to find this lab and destroy the other two androids before Gero even gets there!"
"I would never do anything that cowardly!" said Vegeta, raising his fist. "There is only one course of action acceptable to me! I will fight these androids and I will destroy them!"
"You must never underestimate the power of these androids!" said Trunks. "We have to do this Piccolo's way."
Vegeta shot into the sky. Trunks shot ahead of him and stopped in front of him. "Listen! If you want to destroy these androids, we have to wait for Goku!"
"I will only say this once," said Vegeta. "I will not wait for Kakarot! I'm a Super Saiyan now, and I'm a lot stronger than that pathetic fool could ever dream of being!"
"Are you?" asked Gohan, who had flown up to help Trunks. "Because you weren't strong enough to beat me."
Trunks looked at Gohan in shock. "He challenged me to a fight," explained Gohan. "He got in my way, almost let Gero escape. I had to fight him."
Vegeta was twitching in fury. Finally, he just pushed past the two.
"Trunks, you go with Vegeta," said Gohan. "If you spot Gero or the lab, flare your power level twice, and we'll come help."
"Right," said Trunks, blasting after his father.
Bulma stared up at Gohan. "Did Gohan call that boy Trunks?"
"There's something you should know," said Piccolo. "He is Trunks. He's the boy the baby you are holding in your arms eventually grows up to be."
"WHAT?" shouted Krillin.
"Oh, man!" said Tien.
"How weird!" said Krillin. "We all met Trunks two years before he was born!"
"It's time we start searching for Gero's laboratory," said Gohan. "If you see Gero or find his lab, flare your power level twice. That'll be the signal. Since Vegeta is too proud to ever call for help, I sent Trunks with him."
"Let's go, guys!" shouted Piccolo.
"WAIT!" shouted Bulma. "I'm stuck here!"
Gohan sighed. "Grab on," he said, pointing to his shoulder. Bulma latched on to his shoulder. Gohan disappeared, then reappeared a moment later by himself. "Alright, let's go!"
The four shot into the air, heading for North City. They spread out slightly, keeping an eye out for Dr. Gero.
"Can somebody help me?" shouted Yajirobe, left behind.
-DBZ: SGTW-
Gero was running along the ground. I have run far enough, he thought. I should have evaded any pursuit.
Just then, his tracking equipment beeped. Looking up, he saw Vegeta and Trunks shooting overhead, heading towards North City.
How could they follow me this far? Is it possible they are heading to my lab? No. Only a few scientists in the world know the location of my laboratory. It must be a coincidence.
He took off running again, then stopped, his mind reeling. Wait. That girl, Bulma, she is the daughter of Dr. Briefs, President of Capsule Corporation. Is it possible she found out the location of my lab from her father?
Just then, he looked up again, sighting three white streaks and a golden one shooting by overhead. He recognized the golden one as being Gohan. They are heading to my lab! I've got to get there first! He took off again, heading faster than he had before. Fortunately, not even Dr. Briefs knows the precise location of my lab.
-DBZ: SGTW-
"So, you think you can keep up, boy?" asked Vegeta to Trunks, who was right behind him. He flashed into Super Saiyan. "Let's see!" He shot off.
Trunks flashed into Super Saiyan, shooting after his father. I can't believe my father is so stubborn and self-centered.
-DBZ: SGTW-
"Goku, wake up," said Chi-Chi, holding her husband. "You were having a nightmare!"
"Fight the pain, Goku," said Yamcha, standing over the bed. "Fight it!"
Chi-Chi laid a cool cloth on Goku's forehead. He calmed down, laying still.
Yamcha clenched his hand around the antidote. "You've got to hold on, Goku."
-DBZ: SGTW-
"Can anyone see it yet?" asked Piccolo to the other three.
"There!" shouted Krillin, spotting North City, nestled in a small valley completely surrounded by mountains. "So which one of these mountains looks like the best place to put a lab to you guys?"
Vegeta and Trunks were just arriving in that area as well. Vegeta turned to Trunks irritated. "Would you stop following me, boy?"
"There's no way I'm going to let you fight the androids alone!" shouted Trunks.
"And just what are you going to do to stop me? It's going to take more than that sword of yours to stand in my way."
"How many times do I have to tell you before it sinks into your thick skull? Never underestimate the power of the androids!"
Vegeta laughed. "And never underestimate a true Super Saiyan who loves to take on a challenge! If you're going to stay, you can at least help me find Gero's lab."
"You're totally impossible!"
"You know," said Tien from where the four were hovering, "I didn't think finding Dr. Gero's lab would be easy, but this is ridiculous! I mean, considering the fact that we can't sense the Androids power, and the fact that we have about a million mountains to choose from, I'd say it just might take a while."
"Alright, guys, spread out," said Gohan. "Remember the signal. Flare your power levels twice."
The four scattered throughout the area.
-DBZ: SGTW-
Will the Z-Fighters manage to find Gero or his lab in time? Find out in the next chapter of DBZ: Son Gohan the Warrior!
Chapter 36:
Nightmare Come True
Gero watched as the Z-Fighters scattered throughout the surrounding area, searching for his lab.
"Just as I had hoped," he said to himself. "Those meddlesome fools are still searching for my laboratory. It will take them hours to find it. And by then it will be too late."
He resumed running. Hearing a whizzing behind him, he caught a bullet in his hand.
"Aw, gee whiz!" said a hunter. "I thought you were a deer!"
Dr. Gero crushed the bullet and launched an energy blast at the human.
The resulting flash alerted Gohan, who flew over to the scene. He hovered down to eye level with the hunter, who was now hanging upside down from a tree. "What happened to you?"
"Crazy old guy," said the hunter.
"Dr. Gero! Which way did he go?" At the hunter's point, he shot off, heading in the direction of Dr. Gero.
Gohan may have spotted me, thought Gero. He is too powerful for me to beat. I must make haste to my lab at once. He shot off, heading towards his precious lab.
Grinning, the evil doctor looked up into a cave. "It seems I have won this little race." He leapt up, hopping to the cave entrance.
Piccolo spotted him just as he was walking in. He flared his power level twice. In a second, Gohan had appeared. "There he is!"
"They found him!" shouted Trunks, speeding towards where he sensed Piccolo. Vegeta turned and followed him closely.
Krillin and Tien both shot towards Piccolo and Gohan.
Gero turned around as his sensors indicated powers behind him. He backed into the cave, then hit a button, sealing himself off inside his lab.
Turning, the doctor removed a controller from a slot on the wall. The lights activated. Gero approached two pods labeled 17 and 18.
"I had hoped to avoid activating them so soon," said the doctor to himself. "But it seems the time to put my androids to the test has come. I no longer have a choice." He pressed a button on the pod labeled 17. The pod slowly opened.
Out of the pod climbed an android resembling a man about Trunk's age, with long dark hair and a red scarf.
"Ah, yes," said Gero. "Android 17."
17 turned to face Gero. The first thing he noticed was the remote still in Gero's hand. "Dr. Gero," said the android. "How are you today?"
"Good, good. You remember me."
"Of course. You gave me life, Dr."
Gero pushed a button on 18's pod. It opened, revealing a woman with blond hair. She climbed out, looked at 17, then turned to the doctor, also noticing the controller held in his hand. She smiled at the doctor. "Hello, doctor. How have you been?"
"Good," said Gero. "So you remember me too, 18."
"How could I forget?"
They both seem in perfect working order, thought Gero gleefully.
"I see you have chosen to become an android," said 18.
"Yes. Now I have eternal life like you. But we have pressing matters at hand. In the past, the two of you have displayed an inexcusable tendency to disobey my orders. I blame myself for this. But I have since modified your programming, and will no longer tolerate insubordination." He started pacing in front of the androids, acting like an officer in the military. "Now, several of Goku's friends are outside our door. You are to destroy them immediately."
"Yes," said 18 and 17 in unison.
Outside, Tien and Krillin arrived at Gohan and Piccolo's location. "It's right in that cave," said Gohan. "We'd better move fast. Gero's already inside." The four of them landed outside the door.
"Stand back," said Gohan, raising his hands. "Masenko-HA!" he shouted, the energy smashing the door down.
When the smoke cleared, they saw Gero, 17, and 18, staring at them. 17 used the moment of distraction to snatch the remote from Gero's hand.
"Android 17!" shouted Gero in fury. "What are you doing?"
"This is the remote you used to deactivate us the last time," said 17. "I think I'd better hold on to it. Or better yet-" he crushed the remote.
"What? What have you done? You dare to defy me? I created you!"
17's eyes narrowed sharply. "You're not going to put us to sleep again, old man."
Just then, Trunks and Vegeta set down. "So, these are the big bad androids," said Vegeta. "Am I right, boy?"
"That's them," said Trunks.
"They're androids?" asked Krillin, confused. "They look just like humans to me."
"Don't be fooled by the way they look! They're both deadly. And they're stronger than all of us!"
"Goku's friends are very determined to stop us," said Gero, staring at the group of intruders. "But they will not. We will destroy them just as they destroyed android 19."
"Android 19?" questioned 17. "So you built him after all."
"That is enough questions for now," said Gero. "I order you to destroy these intruders!
"Be quiet, old man," said 17. "We will deal with them when we are ready."
"What did you say!"
18 walked over to another pod. "Planning to use him for spare parts?" she asked. "He's rather lacking in the looks department. I'd like to see what other modifications you've made to him, doctor."
"You stay away from there!" shouted Gero. "Do not open that chamber! I order you to stay away from Android 16!"
There's another android I didn't know about? thought Trunks, horrified.
"Go on," said 17 to 18. "I think it is time to wake up our sleeping friend."
"Do not listen to him!" shouted Gero. "I have not completed his programming yet!" He ran up and grabbed 18' arm. She threw him off.
"I think it's time to send you to the scrap heap!" said 18, turning to the doctor. "If 16's just a prototype, why have you kept him so long? You destroyed all the androids up to 15."
"I was planning to repair him someday," said Gero. "But if you activate him YOU WILL REGRET IT!"
18 pressed a button on the pod, exposing the release button.
"For the last time, DO NOT RELEASE HIM!" shouted Gero. Suddenly, 17 punched a hand through the doctor.
"What have you done? How dare you?" asked Gero, turning to 17. "I gave you life. And I can take it away!"
17 kicked Gero in the head, separating it from the rest of the doctor's robotic body. Leaping over, he smashed the head, crushing it. He then walked over to the pod. "Open it," he said to 18.
"If they set that android free it will be the end of all of us!" screamed Trunks. Raising his hands, he sent a tremendous beam forward.
Gohan darted forward, grabbed Krillin and Piccolo, who were directly in the beam's path, and Instant Transmissioned out of there. The others got out of the cave as quickly as possible.
The massive explosion completely decimated the cave, destroying everything.
"You shouldn't have done that," said Vegeta. "It didn't do anything except show them how weak you are."
"How could anything survive that?" asked Trunks. "That was my most intense blast!"
The smoke cleared, and both androids were completely unharmed. The pod, too, was not harmed in any way, having been held over 18's head.
"Hurry it up, 18," said 17 impatiently. "Are you going to open that thing or not?"
18 dropped the pod to the ground. She pressed the release button. The android climbed out.
"Uh, guys," said Krillin, eyes wide in fear. "He's big! He's very big! And ugly!"
Trunks was twitching in frustration. I didn't know Dr. Gero made another android. How could I have missed one?
"Well, good morning," said 17. "It must feel good to get out of that coffin. How long have you been cooped up in that container for anyway?"
16 did not respond. "Come on, speak," said 17. "Did Dr. Gero not give you a voice box? He tried to tell us it was dangerous to activate you."
"Why would the doctor say such a thing?" asked 18. "Do you know?"
"Hello? Anyone home in there?" asked 17 when 16 still did not respond. "Stong, silent type, huh. Come on, let's go."
"Where to?"
"To complete our mission. 16, Dr. Gero programmed you with the mission to destroy Goku, isn't that right?"
"That's right." 16 had finally responded.
"I'll be. So the big guy can speak after all."
"Dr. Gero must have programmed him to only respond to commands that relate to his main objective," said 18.
"I didn't know the doctor was that smart. But let's see if 16 can carry out his mission. Find Goku and destroy him. Let's get out of here."
The three androids flew into the sky. They flew directly away from the Z-Fighters.
"Hey, they're leaving!" said Krillin. He breathed a sigh of relief. "Good riddance. We're safe."
"But... where do you think they're going?" asked Tien. "Should we follow them?"
"If they went that direction they're not going to South City," said Piccolo. "That's the other way!"
"I've got it!" shouted Krillin. "They've gone after Goku! Yeah, Dr. Gero's goal was to get back at Goku for destroying his Red Ribbon Army!"
"Yeah," said Tien, "but do you still think those androids will follow Dr. Gero's orders?"
"I don't care where they went!" said Vegeta. "I'll track them down myself! They're cowards! They left because they were afraid of me!" Vegeta smirked. "And they should be!"
Trunks shot to stop Vegeta. "Stop! Don't go after them!"
"You expect me to wait for Kakarot?"
"Kakarot? Oh, you mean Goku! That's right! We need him for this battle! We're only strong enough if we all stay together!"
"Sure, let's wait for Kakarot! I mean, wouldn't it be easier if we all just joined up with the androids instead? He's history!" At this Gohan glared at Vegeta, going to Trunk's side.
"Now get out of my way before you get hurt! And let me finish them off, by myself, WITHOUT KAKAROT!"
"YOU CAN'T! IF YOU FACE THE ANDROIDS ALONE YOU WILL BE DESTROYED FOR SURE! YOU MUST LISTEN TO ME! STAY HERE!"
Vegeta punched Trunks in the stomach, winding him. He shot off past the two boys, pursuing the androids.
"Trunks, are you okay?" asked Gohan.
"Please, stop him!" said Trunks. "We have to wait until Goku gets better or we're all doomed! We must wait! Go after him!"
"There's no time to waste!" said Piccolo. The five shot after Vegeta.
-DBZ: SGTW-
Chi-Chi was cutting up food, preparing dinner. "If I know my Goku, the first thing he's going to say when he feels better is 'Chi-Chi, I'm starving!' So I'm going to whip up something special, because he's going to pull through any minute now!"
In the room Goku was laying, the Saiyan was screaming in pain again.
"Goku!" said Yamcha, moving to his friend's side. "Hold on." He pulled out another pill. "Here. Take this." Goku swallowed it immediately. His screaming eased.
Chi-Chi walked in. "Goku?" She kneeled at her husband's side. "He's in pain!"
"Don't worry, Chi-Chi. Goku will pull through. He's the toughest guy I know, and no disease is going to slow him down. He'll be back on his feet in no time!"
Finally, Goku's screaming fell off completely. "I think the medicine is working!" said Yamcha. "He looks better now!"
"Do you think so?" asked Chi-Chi, getting to her feet.
"Gohan warned us that the disease might be contagious," said Yamcha. "So I'm going to take some of this medicine. You should too."
"Okay," said Chi-Chi. She crossed her arms. "But you buy your own!"
Yamcha scratched the back of his head. "Come on, you know I'm good for it! And I can pay you back next week!"
-DBZ: SGTW-
Vegeta flew in pursuit of the androids. Why is everybody making such a big deal about Kakarot? Who needs him anyways. Have they forgotten that I'm a Saiyan too? A Saiyan from a royal bloodline? Well soon they will see how powerful I really am!
On a cliff side road not too far ahead, the three androids set down.
"Is something wrong?" asked 18.
"No, don't blow a circuit," said 17. "I just wanted to enjoy the scenery from down here."
"So we walk?"
"No, we drive. We're going to take the next automobile that passes by us. How does that sound?"
18 smirked. "It sounds to me like it would be foolish. 17, why should we waste our time driving a car?"
"Because we've never done it before." He turned to 16. "We're planning on taking a little car ride, 16. Do you want to go too?"
"What?" asked the huge android. "Did you just say Goku?"
"I guess I'll take that as a yes."
"Seems Goku is the only thing he has on his mind," said 18.
Just then, Vegeta set down. "So, there you are," said the Saiyan. "I didn't think you'd be this easy to find. Run out of gas?" He smirked. "I'm the most powerful being on this planet. And you're not welcome here!"
"You're quite brave for someone all alone," said 18.
"Don't worry," said Vegeta. "I came prepared. I'm going to put you back in the crate you called out of."
The 17 and 18 looked at themselves and snickered.
"You're laughing," said Vegeta. "Why is that? This is not a joke!"
"Tell me," said 17, "are all of you Saiyans so full of yourselves? Is Goku like you? Is this how you try and hide your incompetence? We androids will always be superior to your kind."
Vegeta barred his teeth. "You take that back! You'll regret saying that! You're nothing but a machine mad of tin! You're just a bunch of toys made by a crazy old man! And don't forget that tin toys can be broken!"
"He talks to much," said 18.
"WHAT WAS THAT?" screamed Vegeta.
18 turned to 16. "Let's see what you can do! Destroy him."
"I refuse," said the big android.
"So, the big guy's not so dumb," said Vegeta, smirking. "Now who's it going to be?"
"He refuses?" asked 17. "Who does he think he is?"
"Never mind him," said 18. "I'll handle him." She approached the Saiyan. "Ready, little man?"
"So, it's ladies first?" asked Vegeta. "That's fine with me. Now don't expect me to go easy on you. I fight to win."
-DBZ: SGTW-
Will Vegeta succeed in defeating the androids, or will he fail and be the first to fall as Trunks fears he will be? Find out in the next chapter of DBZ: Son Gohan the Warrior!
Word Count: 7,006
(21 more parts to go XD)