The cracked glass of the time machine still shimmered faintly in the fading light, the jagged hole a silent testament to the unknown horrors hidden within. Trunks' voice trembled slightly as he stared at the panel, revealing a staggering truth.
"It arrived here four years ago... a full year before I even came to warn you all about the androids."
Rykon's brow furrowed, a flicker of unease creeping through his chest. "This… changes everything."
Trunks' eyes darkened, voice heavy. "If the battles between the androids, Goku, you, and the others were meant to be triggered by my arrival, then maybe... this thing—the one inside that egg—is the real cause of all these timeline shifts."
The air seemed to freeze around them as the weight of that possibility sank in. Woah...
Something was off.
Rykon's instincts screamed. The monster's ki he'd been tracking—the same dark, monstrous power—was here. But now, there was something else. Another presence. Just as strong.
No... there can't be two, right?
His thoughts spiraled as Trunks' voice cut through the tension.
"Rykon, are you alright?"
Rykon forced a smile. "Yeah... just thinking."
About what?
He didn't answer, instead pressing two fingers to his forehead and vanishing from sight.
"Wait! Don't go!" Gohan's voice echoed behind him, but Rykon was already gone.
He materialized at a familiar place, one filled with ancient power and memories—the Lookout. But something was wrong. The energy he had sensed seemed to be emanating from here.
Piccolo stood before him, a new calm in his gaze. Mr. Popo was crouched nearby, tears quietly streaming down his face.
"Piccolo? Mr. Popo? What's happening?"
Piccolo's voice was steady, though tinged with exhaustion. "Kami and I have fused back into one. Together, I can face the monster that's terrorizing countless cities."
Rykon's eyes widened. So he sensed it too.
Piccolo's tone sharpened. "Never mind that. Where have you been? We've been searching for you."
Rykon hesitated, honesty weighing on him. "I was with the androids. But before you get angry—they're not the monsters everyone thinks. Just lost teenagers, twisted by Gero. I still believe there's hope."
Piccolo sighed deeply. "We'll talk later."
A brief smile flickered across Rykon's face. "So... with this newfound power, do you really think you can win?"
Piccolo's eyes gleamed. "Of course. I have the strength of a Super Saiyan now. Nothing can stop me—not even you."
Rykon laughed softly. "Okay, champ, calm down."
Piccolo's glare was instant. "Don't call me 'champ.' Only kids get called that."
Rykon smirked. "But aren't you only eleven?"
Piccolo's face twisted in disbelief. "Who told you that?!"
"Kakarot."
"Damn it, Goku!"
Curiosity pulled at Rykon's mind. If he's eleven, why does he look and sound like an adult?
Piccolo explained, voice almost wistful. "Namekian warriors' bodies age quickly, so we're battle-ready sooner."
Rykon glanced at Mr. Popo, wiping away tears.
"Why are you crying?"
Popo grumbled, voice gruff but failing to hide his feelings. "Caught something in my eye."
"Tears."
Piccolo rolled his eyes. "Enough pity talk. I'm going to fight the monster now."
As Piccolo stepped toward the edge of the Lookout, ready to launch into battle, Rykon called out.
"Wait!"
Piccolo stopped, turning with a raised brow.
"I know you want to test your powers, but I should be the one to fight. The androids are heading to Master Roshi's house to kill Kakarot, and I can't fight them—I'm friends with them. You have to do this."
Piccolo nodded slowly. "Fine. But the moment you leave the Lookout, head straight for the monster. No detours."
Rykon smirked. "You don't have to treat me like a kid."
And with that, he leapt off into the sky, soaring toward the city below.
Two minutes later, the streets were silent, eerily empty. Tattered clothes lay scattered like fallen memories.
"Too quiet..." Rykon muttered, voice low and sharp. "Come out, monster. I'm ready for you."
From the shadows, a hulking figure emerged—green, insectile, and grotesque.
Rykon blinked, his lips curling into a smirk. "Finally showed yourself. Man, you're ugly."
The creature's voice oozed mockery. "Excuse me? I look stunning!"
Rykon chuckled dryly. "Yeah, stunned. Paralyzed from head to toe by your horrid looks. What's your skincare routine, huh?"
The monster snarled, venom dripping from every word. "You'll be dead soon."
"Anyway," Rykon said, eyes narrowing. "Are you a praying mantis or something?"
"NO! I'm—"
"Grasshopper! I knew it."
The monster groaned in frustration. "You're insufferable."
Rykon's gaze flickered over the scattered clothes. "Why all the clothes on the ground?"
The monster sneered. "Because... I drink people."
Rykon's heart skipped. "Wait... why can I sense the powers of Kakarot, Frieza, Vegeta, Piccolo, and the others inside you?"
"You don't need to know," it hissed, eyes gleaming with menace. "But you will be my next meal."
What? How does he know my name? What does he mean by 'next meal'?!
Rykon's voice sharpened. "How do you know my full name, freak?!"
"No need to know. Prepare to be devoured!"
With a growl, they launched into the sky—clashing with a fury that shook the heavens.
Rykon's ki flared, blades of energy shimmering from his hands as his hair blazed golden. Super Saiyan.
"Just how are you going to devour me... when I'm a million bloody pieces tumbling in the wind?!"
The monster lunged, but Rykon's blade sliced through its arm, clean and sharp.
"ARGH!"
Tail whipping with lethal intent, the monster tried to stab him, but Rykon dodged and severed the tail as well.
"Three limbs left," he teased, a dark grin forming.
The monster spat venomous words, mocking his persistence and threatening therapy.
But Rykon only smiled wider.
"Is this a joke?"
"No! I know a therapist... Oh wait. I drank them."
In a flash, Rykon vanished and reappeared before the monster, blade ready.
The creature sighed heavily. "You're going to cut off another limb, aren't you?"
"Yup."
Legs severed, the monster crashed to the ground, wounded but far from defeated.
"Stop drinking, people, you fiend!" Rykon growled.
Suddenly, the limbs regenerated with terrifying speed.
"What? How?!"
"Blame Piccolo," the monster laughed, triumphant.
Rykon's eyes narrowed. "What other tricks do you have?"
The creature crouched, channeling energy—an ominous stance.
"Prime… BLAST!"
The beam roared toward Rykon, who barely deflected it, sending it crashing into a mountain. The explosion shook the earth—but the monster vanished.
"No..." Rykon hissed, spinning around—
"Solar Flare!"
Blinding light exploded in his face, searing his vision.
"Ahhh, my eyes!"
The monster wrapped him in crushing arms, binding him tight.
"I have many... tricks."
Rykon's vision cleared just in time to see a tail stab through his arm, stealing his blood.
"No... I won't be devoured!"
Summoning all his energy, Rykon unleashed a massive ki explosion, sending the creature hurtling back.
He crashed to the ground, clutching his wounded arm as the monster hovered near.
"T-That's not in the supercomputer's data!"
"When did you learn that?"
"Just now."
"My arm... What did you do to it?"
"I drank it. Want me to even it out by taking the other one?"
"Shut up and tell me who you really are!"
The monster smirked. "I'm an android. Call me Cell. Created by Dr. Gero himself."
Rykon groaned. "That annoying old man again..."
Cell's laughter echoed coldly. "Gathered genetic material from the strongest fighters—the ultimate android. I regenerate like Piccolo, but you? Not so lucky."
Rykon clenched his jaw.
"Cut the talk."
Cell's grin widened. "Don't interrupt my laugh. Anyway, Dr. Gero abandoned me, but his computer finished the work—gathering cells from Goku, Vegeta, you, and even Frieza. It will take 24 years to perfect me."
Rykon's eyes narrowed. "I thought we destroyed Gero's lab."
"The computer is hidden underground, beneath the lab."
Rykon's mind reeled. Three years as an egg underground... then this monstrosity.
Cell snapped. "Stop calling me a grasshopper or praying mantis!"
"Fine," Rykon muttered. "Why come here, to this time?"
Cell's eyes glinted. "To absorb Androids 17 and 18—my key to perfection."
Rykon staggered. "You mean... absorb them?"
Cell nodded coldly. "I used Trunks' time machine after killing him to find them here. Your fate is sealed."
Rykon's defiance burned. "I never die."
Darkness swallowed him whole.
Far above, Trunks, Piccolo, and Krillin soared toward the battlefield.
"I sense Rykon fighting... but is he fighting himself?" Trunks murmured, confusion thick.
Krillin shook his head. "This is madness."
Piccolo's focus sharpened. "We don't know what we face. Stay alert."
They spotted Rykon, unconscious and battered.
Krillin's voice cracked. "Rykon!"
Cell's mind seethed. (Trunks? How did he get here? Clever. He used the time machine.
Trunks growled. "He's the one who attacked Gingertown! What did you do to Rykon?!"
Piccolo's tone was grim. "First, we take out this bug. Then, save Rykon."
Cell's voice cut through with cold menace. "Now's not the time for battle. Androids 17 and 18 will be mine! Solar Flare!"
A brilliant flash blinded them all.
"Nooo!"
"He's gone!"
"He escaped..."
"Damn it, I can't track him!"
Trunks turned to Krillin. "Get Rykin a senzu bean! He's dying!"
Krillin grumbled but obeyed, slipping a senzu bean into Rykon's mouth.
Rykon's eyes fluttered open, pain fading as his arm healed.
"What happened? Krillin? Piccolo? Trunks?"
Trunks smiled, relief flooding his features. "Glad you're okay."
Rykon's gaze hardened. "Where's that monster? I could've won if not for his Solar Flare!"
Piccolo shook his head. "He escaped before you woke. We wouldn't be here if he hadn't."
Rykon's voice sharpened. "You let him get away?"
"We tried."
Rykon's heart pounded. "If we don't stop him, he'll absorb Android 18... and 17 too."
Piccolo's eyes narrowed. "Absorb?"
Rykon nodded grimly. "I'll explain when Tien arrives."
Suddenly, Vegeta landed beside them, exuding fiery intensity.
"Namekian! Too strong! Explain now!"
Rykon sighed. "He fused with Kami."
Krillin added quietly, "Kami is like a god."
Vegeta's face twisted in disbelief. "But I'm still here!"
Trunks smirked. "Believe your own hype much?"
Vegeta's pride burned fiercely. "I AM the hype!"
Inwardly, he seethed. What is it with all these lowlifes trying to surpass me?! Damn it, Rykon, look at the mess you've made...
Rykon shook his head. "Anyway, Tien's here. Time to explain."
The group gathered, tension thick in the air.
Piccolo's voice cut through. "To stop Cell from reaching perfection, we have two choices: kill him before he absorbs the androids—or kill the androids first."
Rykon's gaze hardened. "I vote for the first."
Vegeta scoffed. "Pathetic. I say let him absorb the androids. I'll destroy them regardless."
Piccolo's warning was stern. "Don't underestimate Cell. He's far stronger."
Vegeta's eyes burned. "I'll go beyond Super Saiyan. Rykon, come with me."
Rykon blinked. "Why?"
Vegeta's smirk was dangerous. "Just follow."
With a shrug, Rykon took to the sky.
What does he want with me?
To be continued...
POWER STONE!!!?
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