The dry wind howled across the barren wasteland, dust swirling like restless spirits beneath a bruised, storm-gray sky. In the distance, the silhouettes of warriors gathered—each tense, each ready for the coming storm.
We know all of you, the old android's mechanical voice echoed coldly through the silence. You are Tien, yes? That one is Piccolo... and you—who the hell are you?
Rykon's eyes flashed with sharp irritation. How dare he not even know who I am? A low growl rumbled in his chest, anger tightening his muscles. Am I so irrelevant that he doesn't bother to remember me?
"Oh, is that how it's going to be?" Rykon's voice cracked with defiance, his lips curling into a fierce smirk. "Not important enough for you to do your homework on me, huh?"
The old android sneered with a rusty rasp. I research even the weak. But you… you were too insignificant to warrant my attention. Or maybe I just forgot. Though, between you and me—I never forget.
The words struck like a spark on dry kindling, igniting Rykon's blood. Good. I can't wait to slash this relic into pieces. His fingers curled, imagining the metallic tang of a ki blade slicing through circuitry.
Tien's voice, calm but curious, cut through the tension. "You looked fired up back there, Rykon. Are you angry?"
Piccolo's deep, stoic voice offered reassurance. "There's no need for anger. It's actually an advantage—he knows so little about you."
Rykon chuckled darkly. "Excited, then. To carve him up, bolt by bolt."
Goku's cheerful shout broke the moment. "Hey, everyone! This wasteland looks perfect for a fight. Let's settle this here."
Rykon's Perspective
Suddenly, a sharp, commanding voice rang out. That's far enough. The battle will be here. You no longer get to choose.
Rykon scoffed. "We were going to fight here anyway, dork."
"Shut your mouth, you insignificant freak," the old android snapped back.
Rykon's grin widened, venom dripping from his words. "Careful, grandpa. You look like you're about to shrivel up and die any second."
From behind came a gruff voice—fatter, slower. "Watch your tone when speaking to him."
Rykon's laughter was cruel. "Oh great. And who are you supposed to be? A clown? You've got no right to talk unless it's at a birthday party."
Goku, panting lightly, interrupted with a question, breathless but steady. "Before we fight… how do you know who we are?"
The old android's eyes gleamed with bitter pride. "Isn't it obvious? I've been spying on you from the beginning. A tiny bee-sized robot, watching everything—from your fight with Piccolo to your battle with Vegeta. Though my drone could only hold limited data, so it only caught snippets from your battle with Vegeta. All this to prepare—for revenge."
Goku's eyes narrowed. "Revenge against me?"
"Yes," the android answered coldly. "Only Dr. Gero survived after you destroyed the Red Ribbon Army."
Piccolo's voice was low and wary. "You sound like Dr. Gero himself."
A metallic chuckle escaped the old android. "I used to be Dr. Gero. I'm Android 20 now—his brain transplanted into this mechanical body."
Rykon's brow furrowed. "And... how exactly did you do that?"
The android hesitated. "Well… actually, I—Wait, how did I do that?"
A silence hung briefly between them.
Goku's grin twisted. "So, did you watch our fight on Namek then?"
"No need. I got all the info I needed."
Rykon's excitement bubbled to the surface. Oh, this is going to be good.
Goku's voice rose, challenging. "You missed the best part."
Piccolo's eyes sharpened. "You just dug your own grave… You don't know about Super Saiyans."
With a roar, Goku's hair flashed gold, his power bursting into blazing flames of golden light.
Dr. Gero's calm facade cracked. "Impressive... but not enough. Android 19 will handle you."
Goku chuckled. "My brother here might disagree. Believe it or not, he's stronger than me."
Dr. Gero sneered. "Ridiculous."
"Show him, Rykon."
Rykon hesitated, feeling the weight of the moment. I don't want to, but I can't show weakness.
A fierce yell tore from his lips as golden energy exploded around him—Super Saiyan—his power flaring, his eyes sharp with determination.
Inside Dr. Gero's mechanical mind, doubt flickered. (No... Could he be stronger than 17 and 18? Impossible... Who is this freak?
Kakarot (Goku) launched himself at Android 19 with unstoppable force, fists flying, energy crackling. But then something shifted.
Goku gasped, clutching his chest, his breath ragged. "I… can't breathe. I have to finish this now… or I'm done for."
Piccolo's gaze sharpened with concern. "Why the rush? He's near full power but looks like he's in pain."
Rykon's heart sank. I knew it—he lied. He never took his heart medicine.
Shock rippled through the group.
Goku gathered his remaining strength. "KA-ME-HA-ME-HA!"
The beam erupted, a brilliant, searing blast—only to be effortlessly absorbed by Android 19's outstretched hand.
Tien's voice cracked in disbelief. "He absorbed it?!"
Piccolo warned sharply, "No energy attacks! They absorb those with their hands!"
Goku panted, weakened. "Absorb? Seriously?"
Rykon's voice broke through. "Kakarot, your hair's turning black!"
Goku's eyes widened. "What? I don't feel good... What's happening?"
Android 19 kicked him violently toward the ground, but Rykon was there—catching his brother before he could hit.
"Thanks, Rykon," Goku breathed.
"You fool," Rykon snapped. "I told you this would happen!"
Goku's apology came soft and regretful. "I didn't think it'd get this bad."
From his pocket, Rykon pulled out a small vial—heart medicine—handing it over without hesitation.
"Before we left, I grabbed this—just in case."
Goku's fingers trembled as he prepared to take it.
Suddenly, Android 19 charged again.
"Watch out—the clown's back!" Rykon shouted, bracing to defend.
Out of nowhere, a fierce kick slammed into Android 19's face—Vegeta's unmistakable arrival.
"No one kills Kakarot when I'm around," Vegeta growled, eyes burning with raw intensity. "That's my privilege—not some rust bucket like you."
Rykon exhaled sharply. "Vegeta! Good timing."
Vegeta's cold smirk promised trouble. "Let me join the fun."
Piccolo's tone mixed surprise and relief. "Vegeta!"
Despite his pride, Vegeta had found an unlikely camaraderie with Piccolo over the years—a quiet understanding born from mutual respect.
Just then, Gohan, Krillin, and Yamcha landed nearby, their eyes wide with concern.
"Dad? Why's he hurt?" Gohan stammered.
"Goku!" Krillin's voice cracked.
"Heart virus. Because he didn't take the medicine..." Rykon explained grimly.
Vegeta's scorn was sharp. "Foolish. Someone get that medicine to him now."
Yamcha volunteered reluctantly. "I'll do it. Not much help in a fight, though."
"Yams—whatever your name is—take this," Rykon said, handing over the vial. "Thanks for the help."
Yamcha gave a half-smile, still unsure if it was a compliment or insult. Then he scooped Goku up and flew off.
Vegeta advanced on Android 19 with lethal purpose.
"Think you can beat this?" Rykon challenged quietly.
"Wait until you see," Vegeta snarled, flexing his fists.
Android 19 called out mechanically, "Android 20, exterminate Vegeta."
The old android responded with chilling calm. "Very well. I will handle the others."
"Bring it on, grandpa. I'll make your back problems ten times worse."
Dr. Gero growled. "You'll eat those words."
Vegeta's laugh was cruel. "You don't look as tough as the legends say."
Android 19 sneered. "We already know your moves, Vegeta."
Vegeta's eyes gleamed dangerously. "That's the problem. You can calculate, but you can't understand the heart of a Saiyan."
His muscles bulged, and veins pulsated. The ground trembled beneath the storm of his rising energy.
Does a machine like you ever know fear? Vegeta's voice thundered.
Rykon's breath caught. "No way…"
Krillin's disbelief was palpable. "He's really doing it."
Dr. Gero's head whispered, "Not him too…"
With a roar, Vegeta's hair ignited golden, his eyes blazing teal. Super Saiyan—finally.
Rykon's grin was fierce. "Welcome to the big leagues, Vegeta."
Gohan's whisper held hope. "Vegeta's on our side… right?"
Piccolo nodded, impressed.
Vegeta's voice burned with raw fury. "I've trained, struggled, and yearned for power. This anger, this frustration—it forged me into a Super Saiyan!"
Dr. Gero scoffed. "A paltry increase. You're no match."
Vegeta's punch sent android hands flying—no pain, no hesitation. The battle was fierce, Vegeta's blows relentless.
"You feel no pain? Must be nice," Vegeta taunted, ripping off the android's hands as it tried desperately to absorb his energy.
The android fled.
Vegeta's voice was ice. "Leaving so soon? Here's a parting gift—BIG BANG ATTACK!"
In a flash, Android 19 was destroyed.
Dr. Gero hissed, defeated. "I'm out."
Vegeta's eyes blazed. "You're not going anywhere."
He took off after the old android.
Tien's voice broke through. "I'm going too! I want to see this through."
Rykon nodded. "Makes sense I come along."
Krillin and Gohan joined as well.
Piccolo's tone was firm. "You three stay out of the fight. Vegeta, Rykon, and I will handle Dr. Gero. If you find him, alert us immediately."
As Piccolo and the others searched, the android's craftiness became painfully clear.
He's better than I thought, Piccolo admitted, unease tightening his chest.
Suddenly, a heavy hand clamped over his mouth, cutting off his breath and voice.
It's him!
Dr. Gero's grin was cruel as he began draining Piccolo's energy.
Rykon... Piccolo's mind screamed. Androids... get here!
Without hesitation, Rykon transformed—golden aura flaring—and surged through the sky.
A powerful kick sent Dr. Gero tumbling off Piccolo's back.
Breath ragged, Piccolo gasped his thanks.
Rykon shook his head. "No problem. Krillin, Senzu Bean, now."
Krillin tossed the bean, and Piccolo swallowed it quickly.
Feeling strength flood back, Piccolo stood tall.
"Let me handle him," Piccolo urged.
"I promised," Rykon said, gripping his ki blade tight. "I swore I'd slice them to bits."
Dr. Gero sneered, anger flaring.
Rykon's tail lashed out, catching the old android's punch. In one swift motion, his blade cut through flesh and wire.
A scream echoed, sharp and mechanical.
Trunks' Perspective
The past was shifting beneath my feet. I landed among fragments of metal and broken machines, confusion tightening my heart.
These aren't the androids I remember. Who are these people fighting?
I soared toward the group, sensing the clash of power and desperation.
Rykon's Perspective
Dr. Gero spat venom, "No one is stronger than Son Goku! I've miscalculated... I must return to my lab."
Piccolo nodded. "We survived. We changed the future."
Rykon grinned. "See? I told you."
Bulma's cheerful voice floated from a ship. "Heyyy guys!"
Dr. Gero's cold laugh cut through. "Perfect. Androids 17 and 18 will crush you all!"
A sudden blast targeted Bulma's ship, shattering calm.
"No! Bulma!"
Trunks landed gently, holding her safely.
Piccolo's voice caught. "Trunks…"
Vegeta's mind raced. That's my son... from the future?
Everyone gathered, questions bursting like wildfire.
Trunks explained the differences in androids between timelines.
Vegeta's pride flared. "Where's Gero's lab?"
Bulma pointed north. "In the mountains. Hidden in a cave."
Piccolo's resolve hardened. "We destroy it before they activate 17 and 18."
Vegeta scoffed. "Cowardly tactics. I'll smash them myself."
Rykon groaned. "Smart is better. Plus, I'm starving."
Vegeta's eyes gleamed with challenge. "Where's your Saiyan pride?"
"I have it. But pride doesn't mean stupidity."
Vegeta's jaw tightened. "I'm a Super Saiyan now. I'll destroy them. Don't stand in my way."
He shot forward toward the lab.
Krillin and Rykon exchanged looks.
"He never changes," Rykon muttered.
Piccolo nodded. "But now, he might actually win."
Trunks joined them. "I'm going too. I won't watch my father die again."
"Alright," Rykon agreed.
Bulma's voice whispered behind them. "What does he mean, 'father'?"
Piccolo smiled faintly. "He's your son—the baby you hold now, grown up."
Bulma's eyes widened in disbelief.
Outside Gero's Lab
A massive explosion tore through the mountain's facade, dust and stone raining down.
Trunks' voice broke the stunned silence. "What just happened?"
Dr. Gero staggered, rage contorted his face. "I created you..."
Two figures stepped forward—calm, confident, unyielding.
"You didn't create us," one said coldly. "We had lives before you ruined them."
Dr. Gero's voice cracked with desperation. "Eliminate Goku's allies! That's an order!"
Android 18's gaze was icy. "You hear that? An order, 17."
Android 17 shook his head. "We're done following orders. We live for ourselves now, geezer."
With a brutal kick, he sent Dr. Gero's head tumbling to the ground, shattering it against wires.
The androids destroyed the lab, then landed on solid earth.
"I feel... better," 17 muttered.
A new figure emerged—tall, with blazing orange hair.
"Who are you?" 17 asked.
"16," the android replied.
"An earlier model," 17 noted.
Trunks gasped. "Android 16?!"
Rykon's voice cracked with frustration. "Trunks, you really messed things up."
Trunks stammered, "I didn't know it would be like this!"
Vegeta sneered, "One more pile of scrap for me to crush."
Rykon's eyes narrowed. "Where's Dr. Gero?"
They all turned toward him.
"Oh, the old man? Taken care of."
Krillin's shout broke the moment. "AGH!"
Android 17 declared with dark resolve, "We don't owe Gero anything, but we're androids. We should do something. Let's kill Goku. 16, you were made to kill him, right?"
"Correct," 16 answered.
"Then it's settled."
They sped off into the sky.
Tien's voice trembled. "Where are they going?"
Krillin's worry was palpable. "They're hunting Goku! We have to stop them!"
Rykon hesitated.
Vegeta's roar shattered the air. "How dare they ignore the mighty Vegeta!"
Transforming instantly, he blasted after them.
Rykon clenched his fists. "I'm coming too."
Epilogue
Life was shifting in ways none of us could have imagined.
The battle for the future was only just beginning.
POWER STONE!!!?
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