The sky was a muted gray, the wind whispering across the cracked road as the three androids soared ahead—an imposing silhouette against the fading light. Android 17's cold gaze locked forward, voice steady but tinged with a strange conviction.
"I don't feel bound to Dr. Gero's orders, but as androids, we have a purpose. It's time to end Goku." He glanced toward the towering figure beside him.
"You were built to kill him, 16."
"Correct."
The trio took off, wings of steel slicing through the air. The blond-haired warrior threw a brief look back toward me before following.
Tien's voice broke the tense silence. "Where are they going?"
Krillin's worry was clear: "Don't tell me—they're hunting Goku? We have to stop them, right, Rykon?"
I swallowed. The weight of the choice pressed on me like the heavy clouds overhead.
Before I could answer, Vegeta's voice thundered through the air, fierce and unyielding. "I don't care about any of that! How dare they… IGNORE THE MIGHTY VEGETA!"
In a brilliant flash of golden light, his hair flared, eyes burning with supercharged intensity. He shot off after them without hesitation.
I steeled myself, heart pounding. I'm going with him.
Vegeta landed with a forceful thud on the deserted road, the ground cracking beneath his boots. His piercing gaze swept over the androids, disdain etched deep in his features.
"Well, well… Didn't expect to see you rejects wandering around here." His voice was razor-sharp. "You'll tell me where you're headed—whether you like it or not."
Android 18's voice was cool and unapologetic. "We're hunting Goku. We're going to kill him."
Vegeta sneered. "Not on my watch. I'll tear every last one of you to pieces."
Android 17 smirked, a mocking glint in his eyes. "Saiyans sure have a lot of pride. That arrogance? It'll get you killed."
I landed beside Vegeta, trying to steady the uneasy knot tightening in my chest.
"You're mouthy for a machine," Vegeta sneered.
"I was thinking the same thing about you, Vegeta," I said quietly. "Pride's a dangerous thing in battle."
Android 18 flashed a sly smile. "At least one of you has a brain cell. Handsome and smart."
My breath caught. Did she just call me handsome?
Android 17 chuckled. "Oh, come on, 18—got a crush on him now?"
She shrugged, eyes gleaming. "And what if I do?"
"Nothing. Just thought you preferred shorter guys."
"People change their tastes, you know."
Vegeta snarled, cutting through the awkward banter. "Enough flirting! Who wants to fight first? The punk? The woman? Or should I take you all on at once?"
I could only grimace inwardly. Only Mom ever called me handsome.
Android 18's eyes gleamed with challenge. "Wait, we haven't seen what you can do, 16. Why don't you fight him?"
Android 16's calm voice replied, "Negative. My prime directive is to eliminate Goku only."
She sighed. "Fine, what a letdown. I'll fight him then." She pointed directly at me.
My pulse quickened. "M-me? Why me?"
"Got a problem with that?"
"Well… no. I never back down from a fight. It's just—Vegeta was eager to fight you first."
Vegeta's voice boomed, laced with frustration. "Stupid woman, don't ignore me!" In an instant, his hair ignited gold, his aura blazing with Super Saiyan fury.
Android 18 rolled her eyes. "No way—I only fight natural blondes."
"I'm not up for fighting right now," I muttered, trying to defuse the tension.
"Too bad." Before I could react, she grabbed my wrist, pulling me into the air toward a jagged cliff overlooking the valley below.
My heart thudded. What did I get myself into?
She smiled, eyes glinting with mischief. "This looks like a decent place for a fight. So—what's your name?"
"Rykon," I answered cautiously. "Why?"
"Just curious. What's the harm in knowing?"
Before I could respond further, a sudden rush of energy drew my attention.
Trunks and the others arrived, skimming the air beside us. Trunks' face was etched with concern as he called out my name.
But then, like a shadow, Android 17 slid between us, blocking Trunks' advance.
"Rykon and 18 are about to fight," he warned coldly. "Back off."
"What?!" Trunks' voice cracked with disbelief.
Android 17 smirked. "Watching from the sidelines isn't much fun. Maybe we'll play a little too."
Android 18 turned to me, eyes fierce. "You know what that means—no interruptions. Get ready."
I shook my head, desperation creeping into my voice. "I'm not a natural blond! I'm like Vegeta!" I transformed, my golden hair flaring with power.
She smirked again, unconvinced. "Oh, guess that means no fight then. Let's talk."
Talk? My mind raced. This is my chance—don't screw it up. Be casual. Be cool.
I cleared my throat awkwardly. "Uh… nice weather you're wearing."
God, that was terrible.
We both stared at each other, silence stretching between us.
Then she grinned softly. "Aww, that's cute. You're cute."
I blinked. Bitch, I'm adorable.
Suddenly Vegeta's booming voice shattered the moment. "STEALING MY LINE, ARE WE?!"
I flinched. "N-no!"
Android 18 tilted her head. "What was that about?"
"Nothing," I muttered, cheeks burning.
She chuckled and took a seat beside me. I settled down too, eyes flicking to the distance where Android 17 was laying waste to Trunks, Piccolo, Vegeta, and Tien with relentless precision.
"This is messed up," I muttered. "I should be helping them."
"Relax," she replied coolly. "17 won't kill them. That bald guy's got those Senzu Beans. He'll patch them up."
I frowned. "What if they ask why I didn't help?"
She shrugged. "Tell them you were occupied… with me. Not a big deal. Besides, what can they do? Kill you? You're the strongest of their team."
I sighed, the tension easing just a little. "I guess you're right."
Minutes passed as we traded stories—our origins, our struggles. The battlefield grew quiet, littered with battered bodies.
From afar, Android 17 eyed Krillin with a half-smile. "Don't worry, they're still alive. You better hurry and give them those Senzu Beans."
Krillin scrambled to comply, relief flooding his face.
Then the trio turned toward me.
"Done talking to your little boyfriend, 18?" Android 17 teased.
She scoffed. "He's not my boyfriend—fine, let's go."
Before leaving, she pressed a light kiss on my cheek.
"See ya."
My breath hitched. Did that really just happen?
Far above, the androids soared together.
Android 17's voice was low and teasing. "Don't tell me you actually have a crush on that Saiyan."
Android 18 laughed softly. "Can you blame me? He's cute, with the body of a Greek god. And for a Saiyan, he doesn't have an ego like that Vegeta jerk."
Android 17 sighed. "Whatever."
She nudged him. "Shouldn't we have asked him about Goku's location?"
"Nah," he replied, grinning. "More fun to find him ourselves."
Android 18 smiled. "You can be such a kid sometimes, 17."
He smirked. "Is that so?"
"Whatever—just as long as I can buy some new clothes."
"Sure, why not?"
Back on the ground, Piccolo's voice was sharp.
"So they knew about Senzu Beans and let us go. Didn't even try to kill us."
Vegeta groaned, wincing in pain. He took off without a word, with Trunks chasing after him.
"Don't follow!" Piccolo warned. "Let him be. He's finally a Super Saiyan. Losing like that was probably too much to bear."
Trunks sighed, shoulders heavy.
Turning to me, Piccolo's gaze hardened. "Rykon, why didn't you help? You're as strong as Goku—maybe stronger. We could have won if you had fought with us. What were you doing up there with Android 18?"
I swallowed nervously. "I… we were fighting. I couldn't help, sorry."
Piccolo narrowed his eyes. "I didn't sense fighting. I heard talking."
"Oh! Right. Talking."
Krillin shook his head. "Why talk to the enemy?"
Tien's voice was sharper than usual. "What were you talking about?"
I stammered, "Well… Goku! We were talking about Goku! Yeah, why killing him is a bad idea. She shouldn't do it."
Piccolo scoffed. "You're nervous. That means you're lying."
"Nervous? Me? No…"
"You only call Goku 'Kakarot.'"
"Uh… must've been the Taco Bell I ate. Ever try it? It messes with you."
Tien's eyes narrowed. "I thought you said you skipped breakfast."
I snapped, "Damn it, Tien, shut up!"
Piccolo's grin was ruthless. "Alright, spill it. You were flirting, weren't you?"
Trunks gasped. "WHAT?!"
"No way. With a robot? Seriously?"
Krillin shrugged. "Well, it kind of makes sense."
Trunks shook his head fiercely. "You don't understand. They're weapons—machines designed to destroy! They'll kill innocent people. It's a trick. She doesn't care about you."
I looked away, silence swallowing my words.
Piccolo's tone shifted, practical.
"Here's the plan. You all go to Goku's house and move him somewhere safe. We need to protect him before anything else."
Krillin nodded. "Got it."
But Piccolo's sharp gaze caught my sudden departure.
"Rykon? Where did you go?"
"Damn it," Trunks groaned. "Where could he have gone?"
Piccolo took to the skies, determination blazing in his eyes. "I'll find him. If not… I'll handle something more important."
Later, I found them outside a small clothing shop. The sudden arrival startled the androids.
Android 17's voice was amused. "The Saiyan from before."
Android 18 smiled slyly. "Oh, it's you."
I nodded casually.
Android 16 scanned me coldly. "Data unavailable. Figure not recognized."
"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be with your friends?" Android 18 asked.
I shrugged. "I don't know… I just wanted to visit."
She grinned. "I don't mind. What do you think, 17?"
He shrugged. "He's not annoying like his friends. I guess he can stick around."
I smirked. "Cool. So what are you three doing at a clothing shop? I thought you were killer robots."
Android 18 laughed. "I'm still a woman, you know. Gotta look good. I'm buying new clothes."
Android 17 rolled his eyes. "We'll wait out here for you."
"Fine, I'm staying too."
"Nope, you're coming with me." Her grip was firm.
Inside, she modeled outfit after outfit—each more extravagant than the last.
"Why drag me in here?" I muttered. "Just wanted me to watch?"
"Not just that," she said, twirling in a blue tuxedo. "I want your opinion. The red dress? The cowgirl outfit? Imagine me kicking ass in these."
Her enthusiasm was endless. Blah blah blah. My thoughts screamed. Are all Earth girls like this?
She snapped her fingers. "Hey! Are you listening?"
"Yeah… sure."
"So, which one's the best?"
I sighed, defeated. "You look good in all of them. Just buy everything."
Her smile was victorious as she stuffed the pile high in my arms. It nearly reached the ceiling.
"I did NOT agree to this!" I complained.
"Rude to make a woman carry all the groceries," she teased.
"Yeah, but all of them? Help a guy out."
"Come on, it's just clothes. Only weaklings can't carry this. You're strong, right?"
I chuckled. "You're playing me, but… you're right."
Sneezes
Vegeta's muffled voice floated nearby.
I gritted my teeth. "Fine, I'll hold your clothes, android."
She grinned. "Alright then, let's get out of here. 17 and 16 are waiting."
Suddenly the store manager's shout cut through the air.
"Hey! Those aren't free! Pay or put it back!"
I warned him under my breath. Get out before you regret it.
He charged—too slow.
In a flash, 18 fired a blast that struck him down instantly.
I winced. "Did you have to kill him? He was innocent!"
"Whatever. Let's go."
Outside, 16 and 17 waited beside a stolen truck. I loaded the clothes into the trunk.
Android 18 smirked. "I found the cutest stuff. I'll show you later, 17."
Android 17 shrugged. "Pass."
"Ugh, dick."
"We're off to find Goku."
"Oh right… I forgot."
I swallowed, voice hesitant. "If you don't mind, what exactly do you plan to do once you find Kaka—Goku?"
Android 17's grin was sharp. "Kill him. Obviously."
The weight hit me hard.
"That's… sad."
"Why?"
"Goku's my brother."
The silence was thick.
Android 16's eyes flicked sharply toward me.
I exhaled. "I don't want you killing each other. If I don't stop you, my friends will hate me. If I fight you, you'll hate me."
Android 17 laughed softly. "Sounds like you have a tough choice coming. We won't stop until Goku's dead."
Android 18's voice was softer now. "Don't worry. I'm sure you'll make the right choice."
Right choice? I scoffed silently. I would never betray my brother.
We climbed into the truck. The road stretched ahead—uncertain, dangerous, but somehow full of hope.
Android 17 pressed the accelerator. "Let's enjoy the road trip."
I kicked back against the window, eyes clouded with conflict. I'll watch over them. If they try anything, I'll be the first to stop them. But maybe… just maybe, they can change.
POWER STONE!!!?
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