It had been three years. Three years since they had defeated Frieza, three years of constant training, and a sense of quiet before the storm. The Z-fighters had grown exponentially stronger under Zane's tutelage. Vegeta had surpassed his previous limits and was now pushing his strength to unimaginable levels. Goku had mastered Super Saiyan and was now on the verge of reaching Super Saiyan 2, his power nearing untouchable levels. Gohan had finally achieved Super Saiyan, his power continuing to grow as he matured. Even Krillin and Piccolo had joined in on some of the training sessions, each showing impressive gains, but nothing compared to the strides made by Goku, Vegeta, and Gohan. Zane had kept them busy with brutal sparring sessions and near-death training experiences, knowing full well that the universe had a way of throwing surprises at them. And now, they were all stronger than ever.
Zane sat back in the chair in Capsule Corp, his fingers interlaced behind his head as he watched the sun set through the large windows. A small smile played on his lips. He couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction as he thought about how far they had come. It wasn't just the power, though; Zane had learned to appreciate the bonds they had formed over these years. It wasn't just about being stronger anymore. There was more to it, especially now.
He stood up, his mind turning back to the changes in his life. He'd married Bulma about a year ago, and their child was on the way. Zane had toyed with the idea of naming him Trunks, but after some thought, he realised that the name didn't quite fit. The boy would need his own legacy. He and Bulma were still debating names, but for now, they had the future ahead of them, a future Zane never thought he'd be part of in this world.
"Hey, Zane, you here?" Bulma's voice rang out, pulling him from his thoughts. She entered the room, her usual confident stride more pronounced with the baby bump starting to show. The sight made his chest tighten with pride. "I've been thinking... maybe we should finally settle on a name for the kid."
Zane turned to her, his smirk softening into something warmer. "I was thinking the same thing, but we still have time. We're not in any rush, are we?"
Bulma laughed, walking over to him, her hands resting on her hips. "No rush, but maybe we could pick something today? I don't want to wait too long."
Zane chuckled, shaking his head as he walked up to her, giving her a quick kiss on the forehead. "We'll get it figured out." He then raised an eyebrow. "How about we focus on something else first? We've got a big issue coming our way."
Bulma's expression shifted from playful to serious. "What's going on?"
"There's a threat on Amenbo Island," Zane said, stepping back and turning toward the window again, his arms crossed. "I've been keeping an eye on things, and I have a feeling it's something we need to deal with soon. If we don't, things could get out of hand."
Bulma's eyes widened with concern. "A threat? What kind of threat? Have you seen something?"
Zane didn't look at her, keeping his gaze fixed on the horizon. "I haven't seen it directly, but the energy I've felt... It's not like anything we've faced before. And with everything I've been keeping track of, I'm certain it's going to escalate soon." He turned to her then, his expression serious. "I'm sending the others to investigate it. They're ready for it. But I'll step in if things get out of control."
Bulma nodded, clearly focused. "I'll get the ship ready. We'll need it just in case. But... are you sure this is something they can handle?"
Zane gave a slight smile, a look of confidence in his eyes. "They're stronger than ever. This is their chance to prove themselves. I have no doubt they can handle it, but I'm not going to let them walk into something they can't defeat."
"You're right," Bulma said, determination in her voice. "I'll get everything in place and make sure the others are ready. We'll be prepared." She paused, glancing at him. "You sure you won't need to step in sooner?"
Zane shook his head. "No. This is their fight. They need to grow, just like we all did. But if it gets ugly, I'll be there."
Zane turned to leave, but then stopped and glanced over his shoulder. "Meet me in the backyard. Let's go over the plan once more before the others head out."
Later that day, the Z-fighters had assembled, Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Krillin, and Piccolo, all looking ready for whatever came next. Zane stood in front of them, the energy between them palpable, as he addressed the group.
"This mission isn't like the others," Zane said, his voice steady but serious. "There's a new threat on Amenbo Island, and we need to handle it. I'll be here if things get out of hand, but I believe in all of you. You've all grown stronger over the last three years, and it's time to put that strength to use."
"Are you sure about this?" Goku asked, his voice full of determination. "I'm ready to go, but we need to be smart about it."
"I'm sure," Zane replied, glancing at Vegeta. "Vegeta, this is your time to shine. Show them what you've got."
Vegeta snorted, a small smirk playing on his face. "I don't need anyone's help, Kakarot," he muttered. "But I'll enjoy wiping these androids out."
"Good," Zane said, nodding. "Stay sharp. We'll move in together. Goku, Krillin, and Gohan, you'll handle the bulk of it. Piccolo, Vegeta, and I will assist if necessary."
The team nodded in agreement and started to prepare for the mission. As they made their way to the ship, Zane couldn't help but reflect on how much had changed in the past three years. The team, once scattered and unsure, had become a cohesive force, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
At Amenbo Island, the once-thriving area now stood as a desolate wasteland. The air was thick with the remnants of destruction, a sense of dread lingering over the silent land. Buildings were in ruin, and no signs of life remained. The androids had done their work, leaving only death in their wake.
Goku, Vegeta, and the others arrived on the island, their senses immediately picking up the strange energy that lingered in the air. "This place... it feels wrong," Goku said, his brow furrowed. "It's like everything's been wiped out."
"That's exactly what happened," Zane said, his voice darkening. "The androids have been here, and they've destroyed everything. But we won't let them go any further."
As the team spread out, looking for signs of life, the ground beneath them suddenly shook. The faint sound of mechanical footsteps echoed in the distance, and the androids made their presence known.