Chapter 8

(Memories and Scars)

(…..)

He stood forward facing. His hands behind his back, expertly placed, one lightly enveloping the other. His demeanor calm but powerful, back stiffened and his entire form raised high seeming regal in appearance. His head tilted ever so slightly upwards to have all others appear beneath him and his 'superior' nose. His eyes seeming dulled and hardened to all things and all emotions as his tail rested just as rigidly behind him, not waving an inch. Behind him along the metal constructed causeway was lined on either side a hundred men. One upon the other stood next to each other and as rigid as their lord did. Their armor glinting in the daylight that washed over this world. Their demeanor stiff yet naturally quivering in nature, for none who held this position save maybe one or two actually desired it. Well perhaps he was being unfair, but he didn't think so many of them wished to stand there even if it were a momentous occasion in celebration of victory and glory and the hailing of the galaxy's glorious Emperor. The Universe's Emperor.

The wind whirled around him throwing previously unseen dust and dirt through the air. He remained unfazed and by his presence and that of the coming Lord his men remained much the same and seemingly unfazed. Before him the familiar circular craft common of his people'sEmpire came to a final stop. Its many legs having extended and gently laid to rest against the landing pad set at the very end of the causeway. They waited silently and tensely for any further movement. Some hissing sounds and quieting whirs sounded out as he ship came to its complete restful stop. Only then did he raise his left hand upwards at his left in a fist. Nothing happened and no one moved. Not yet, it was the right moment yet. His eyes narrowed somewhat as the silence permeated the air and gave rising tension and anticipation to all gathered. Many hearts were beating harder and faster, adrenaline pounding through those who had such glands in their alien bodies. Others showed but the barest bead or sheen of sweat come across their faces. Then the hatch upon the top of the ship gave another resounding hiss as the latches unhinged and both pieces separated from the other allowing the entryway to open up towards the sky.

Finally the moment had come. He thrust his left hand down breaking it from a fist into a flattened palm forwards and down towards the ground. Immediately in perfection synchronicity all men along either side of the causeway fell onto one knee. Their heads went forward and their faces turned to the metal beneath them. From the large and bulging heads of some races to the small and hairless of others and everything in between they all dropped in reverence for he yet unseen. Meanwhile their Lord fell onto his left knee keeping his right raised while his left hand balled back into a fist and aimed straight downwards towards the ground. His knuckles nearly scratching its metal surface as his right hand came in as another balled fist and hung just before his abdomen as he too pointed his head downward and waited.

The faint whir sounded out signaling his arrival. It was far from him, but he remained unmoving and patient for it to near. It only took another few moments before several pairs of boots sounded out as they landed along the causeway just ahead of him. His crimson eyes turned upwards and looked to see some shadows looming. They remained watching and waiting a little longer still. Until a massive shadow appeared ahead of the others along with that faint whirring warble of a sound. He gave a slight smirk unseen to all, and known only to himself as he remained kneeling and waiting.

"Antarcis I see you've gathered quite the welcoming committee for me." Frieza chuckled from within his hovering pod.

"All perfectly planned and put into place to hail your arrival, my Lord Frieza. Save for one imperfection of course."

"Oh? And what might that be?" Antarcis, still without raising his head lifted his right arm and pointed its index finger past his shoulders over his back towards the main spire the causeway led to. Atop it was a swaying cloth of fine fabric bearing his house crest and insignia. A small crest showing a simple depiction of a diamond structure adorned by four snaking tendrils leading from it in an X fashion. The crest of the Arctic Household that sat upon a flagpole raised upon the spire. However, beneath that simple flag was another flag, one signaling the Frieza Force, the PTO, and the entire Empire itself.

Antarcis let his arm fall as he heard Frieza hum thoughtfully. He could almost visualize his face. One of bored contempt and crooked cocked eyes as he looked to where Antarcis pointed. Antarcis could barely make out the shadows ahead of him, where he intently looked to Frieza sat within his pod. He noted the little being within, his Emperor's chosen and most repressed state, place his head in a sideways lean into his right hand. He again hummed, very thoughtful and contemplative on what he was witnessing. The Emperor sighed and gave a cool chuckle quickly thereafter.

"Really? Of all the insults and underhanded moves to assert authority over me and my family, you chose to improperly place the flags and their crests? Honestly Antarcis, I thought you would have gotten creative. Alas, I am stuck with what I have been given." Antarcis allowed his smirk to once more cross his face as he dared to lift his head from his body.

"Ah but the insult is creative. Creatively simple. To overshadow your crest and family's power on a world formally under your dominion with that of my own signals my sense of self and power. In simplistic terms it denotes my grandeur over your own, my Lord." Antarcis dipped himself at his waist once more. Frieza was silent for only a moment longer before his usual throaty and contained chuckling sounded out. His mouth remained closed and his huffs of laughter seemed more wicked and foreboding than some would assume them to be. Though in all reality, there was no telling what inflection the Emperor had with many of his actions and mannerisms.

"Very well, Antarcis. I will allow you to indulge yourself in the belief that this insult is cunning in some way." Frieza seemed to laugh off the attempt as Antarcis continued thinly smirking as he placed his arms expertly behind his back in the common regal fashion. The Emperor moved his pod forward and the two beings who had landed ahead of the Emperor remained standing still and waiting. Antarcis noted them, they were younger than he had expected, but they seemed fit enough. One a pinkish looking brute with a massive body and arms with a spiked head and what looked to be a snarling and menacing disposition. The other a mannish looking alien. His skin was teal hue while his hair seemed a vibrant green that hung down his back. Upon his head was worn a tiara of some fashion accentuated by a set of earrings. Antarcis was given the impression by this man that he was of some regal background. Or at the least deeply valued his outward appearance. Beyond their armor neither were of any further remarkable feature save for the pinkish man wearing tight fittings down his legs and showing a green scouter. While the teal colored man showed a cape, leg and arm wrappings and golden hued eyes, with one hidden behind his own blue scouter.

"My this planet is so very dull, and unkempt. Was it too much to hope you would have seen it fixed more for my coming, Antarcis? Or have you grown too leisurely and unconcerned with propriety?" Frieza asked after a moment of silence. Antarcis turned back towards the Galactic Emperor. He cast Antarcis a simple glance over his left shoulder, his tail waving lazily over the same side of the pod just beneath his face. Antarcis noted this look and had seen it before. Each time Frieza chose to use it to gauge someone it was truly a matter of gauging ones reaction. To see if they would snivel and fall to their knees in reverence and apology for fear of their life. As he often enjoyed, and if they were one to not do so effectively or correctly then...well death was easily implied. However, Antarcis simply smirked and lowered his head some as he rounded up alongside his 'friend' of many ages now.

"Alas the world was conquered but a few months ago, my Lord. It will take many more to get the population to fully fix all damages brought about by my father's army, and myself."

"Oh? You fought alongside your men again, Antarcis?"

"That I had, my Lord. I find it too boring to wait out conquest within the comfort of my ship. Father believes such actions are beneath me, but I find his opinion beneath myself in kind." Frieza remained gazing, sizing Antarcis up as he approached. However, the Emperor merely shut his eyes and again chuckled in satisfaction. His curious fascination with Antarcis' attitude and manner satiated once more.

"Well then I should have word sent to your father. Such messy manner and upkeep of a world such as this is unacceptable." Frieza declared turning his pod more towards his right and Antarcis stepped forwards alongside him. Both Arcosian lords stared out over a vast metal city. Spires had lined and adorned the skyline and some still did, though they bore the scars of war and battle while many of the far streets below were lined in great piles of refuse and debris. The 'war' had last only three days for the planet, a lonesome little ball of greenery and common blue water with sprawling cities that covered a third of its surface. Now it belonged to the Trade Organization, officially the Frieza Force, and more widely known as the Empire.

"This world could fetch a pretty penny. I wonder, what was its name before the conquest?"

"I believe it was Guriru, my Lord. The natives were of little renown. Their technology, however, was impressive. My father and I lost about two hundred soldiers in total. The natives, several thousand of course."

"Only thousands?" Frieza asked in an amused tone of voice. Antarcis shrugged slightly.

"They seemed more understanding of the futility of the continued fight. Unlike some races of course they chose to remain as subjects to my father, and of course to you and your family, Lord."

"Hmm, a pity. I had a mind to possibly acquire this world and maybe sell it. A world with native life sells so very poorly these days, however." He sighed in feigned sadness.

"Alas, I do not think father would've been willing to sell the world, my Lord. He has taken a fondness to an inland sea about twenty common miles to the north of here. Thus he has christened this world 'Arctis 478' in his own honor." Antarcis offered with as equally feigned grandeur and wonderment in his own tone. Though Frieza began chuckling again.

"Well in any case had I truly wanted this world he could sell it to me or be annihilated. I am sure to which choice he would make."

"If he were a smart man." Antarcis offered in agreement.

"Oh well, I haven't the time nor the energy to actually acquire this world anyways. Though I still think leaving the native populace alive is worthless. Little more than a host of slaves in need of monitoring."

"Slaves who understand the futility of fighting, my Lord. Should they act as loyal subjects and peaceful servants then there be no further need of bloodshed. Wasteful bloodshed with little purpose and end. Should they rebel-"

"Then swift annihilation should follow." Frieza cut him off and stated matter-of-factly in manner.

"Lesser lifeforms have the unfortunate tendency to hold onto false hope Antarcis. It is our duty to quash any such thoughts whenever they arise. Lest we leave ourselves weak willed and minded against opposition. Though truly, we needn't actually worry about rebellion." Antarcis nodded as Frieza moved his pod back towards the causeway and slowly moved it forward. Antarcis followed alongside as he noted the two figures following the Emperor fall into quiet step behind them both. Frieza's words gave him only a moment's pause. His Lord was undoubtedly powerful, the strongest being in all of creation as he was often to remind everyone. Though he questioned such inherent beliefs. He believed, like Frieza, rebellion should be dealt with efficiently and immediately of course. Though, allowing one to believe themselves so firmly in control and powerful as to ignore all lesser beings who may or may not allow themselves to hope against hope for freedom? He also believed that bred a certain kind of ineffectiveness he noted in several of his fellow young Lords. Especially amongst those he personally despised.

"Had I been the one to find this world I certainly would've chosen an army of killers to wipe the slate clean. Hmm, yes a spotless new world without living being or structure left. Sold to another Lord, or one of the wayward races in the universe. Though perhaps we should allow your father his indulgence for now. After all, all worlds under the name 'Arctis' will one day fall to you no? The Arctic Dynasty's next son." Frieza chuckled and Antarcis sighed. The longer his father was drummed up in his mind the more he wished to forget the man. A frown crossed his face and he cleared his throat.

"Who would you have sent to cleanse this world, my Lord?" He asked seeking to change the subject from his future role and father. Frieza gave another audible hum of thought as the two traveled casually down the remainder of the causeway towards the central spire Antarcis had turned into his army's base.

"Well if I had to choose who would get the job done quickly I'd have to choose a Saiyan team. The simian apes do love battle, and they slaughter with little need of my order."

"Ever do you praise that race of yours." Antarcis replied with a smile and shake of his head. Though as he glanced right he could see a strange look cross his Emperor's face. It turned into a controlled frown. His lips motioning ever so slightly betraying that there was some distasteful thought now roaming around in his head. Antarcis furrowed his brow. He wondered what that was all about, but of course said nothing.

"Yes perhaps I do. Maybe it's better I choose another team to do my bidding." He offered as though this world were still in need of conquest.

"Well they are an...effective killing force as you say, my Lord."

"Lesser lifeforms all the same, Antarcis. They would be best to remember their place beneath us all. Too much praise may go to the monkey's collective heads. Can't have that...can't have that at all." He offered in far more menacing and contemplative a tone than Antarcis had expected, but again he ignored it. He left whatever brooding thought entered into Frieza's mind remain his own. It was better, and safer that way.

"Well, let us forget such idle musings, my Lord." Antarcis offered as they reached the doorway leading into the spire. He came to a stop and motioned his left arm towards the door after turning towards Frieza with a slight bow.

"I've arranged a most fulfilling meal in your honor. If it may also please, my Lord, I have arranged a showing of the battle here for your viewing pleasure." Frieza glanced towards Antarcis and his frown disappeared replaced by another dark smirk.

"Hmm, I suppose that will do. I should hope this meal proves sufficient, Antarcis. Last time I was offered one noted for its fulfillment I unfortunately found myself lacking. Poor Lord Neve, he had quite the nerve about him." Frieza again chuckled as Antarcis shook his head. He had heard of the Arcosian lord's death some time ago. He didn't know what it had truly been over until now, and it gave some dark side inside of him a good chuckle.

"I assure you, my Lord, should you find the meal lacking I'll gladly attempt to resist my murder with as much power as I have in me."

"Oh ho ho!" Frieza cackled with his usual raised hand to mouth motion.

"Splendid Antarcis, absolutely splendid! Now I really must see if this meal is worthy of my most eminent person. Do please lead on." He offered with a lazy flick of his hand, and Antarcis was happy to do so. A part of him always unsure if Frieza would kill him, and another part of him rather unconcerned if he should anyways. His father's face flashed into his mind, and he wondered with a smirk just how ashamed the old man would feel should Frieza kill him. In that way maybe death was worth it, even if just to spite the slithering bastard. Of course that was when the door opened, and the explosion ripped the spire and causeway asunder.

His eyes jumped open and Antarcis felt himself jump in kind. His head twisted right as though expecting fire and debris to be there. He was met with only the faint whir and click of machines doing what machines do. His eyes narrowed and he turned back forwards leaning into his seat. The world ahead of him kept on turning and was still there, as was he. His right hand came up and paused clasped to his skull for a moment. Before long he let it carry downwards across his face and he heaved out a sigh.

"Damn memories." He intoned in a low rumbling seethe. He wondered why he was thrown into his memories and the past so often as of late. Though he did concede his mind had been on matters near to the memories he supposed. That and he hadn't slept for quite a while as of late. Hunting damn monkey's and their ghosts across the universe.

The Shield Battalion, and his Lord Frieza were near to thought and his mission of late. Why had Guriru been on his mind he idly wondered leaning into his seat? He supposed it had to be because many things in his life, events and people originated there on that world. That visit from Frieza played a key role in the events of his life. As did that unfortunate explosion. His eyes now stared again at the planet before him and he tapped his right index finger along the armrest of his seat. His mind pondering a great many things. Names, places, people and what was to be and what had come before.

His eyes still felt heavy and his body unwilling to move from the warmed comfort of his seat. He knew his body and mind still fought for rest against his waking thought. Though he would've rather remained awake, but glancing towards the terminals he could see the Shield Battalion still a ways out from the world. But soon, just a bit longer and they would be here and this world would see itself cleansed of that invasive vermin known as Saiyans. Hopefully...minus whatever was happening on one of Lord Brisc's worlds, he would see the universe rid of Saiyans for good. Finish what Frieza started and what the race brought upon themselves. As his eyes grew too heavy to resist once more his mind flew to General Cran. He felt anticipation shoot through him even as his consciousness began to drift and more memories invaded his mind.

"Thanks again for all the food, Mr. Paragus, sir." Trunks offered again for what felt like the sixth or seventh time.

"Come now, you needn't be so formal, Trunks. Paragus will do fine, and you are welcome to it. I'm sure your hunger matches that of my own, or my son's." Trunks smirked sheepishly as he plucked another one of these strange breads from the table. It looked like bread, felt like bread but was incredibly sweet. He thought of it like cinnamon bread but with a fruity hint he couldn't place. Oddly appetizing and addictive. He couldn't help but smile as he placed another into his mouth and munched on it with a happy look about himself.

"Right," He began again after swallowing.

"Sorry, I'm just more like...well my mother raised me to be polite is all." He offered rubbing the back of his neck. The elder Saiyan man nodded in a shrug from where he sat clear across from Trunks. Paragus had his men bring a massive feast of food from inside the ship to the outside. Something about preferring the outside as opposed to the ship's interior. Trunks figured it had to be from the endless days inside of the thing as it traveled through space. Though he was just guessing on it really.

"Well, manners are important I suppose." Paragus offered seeming somewhat unsure even to Trunks. The boy found it kind of weird, but didn't dwell too much on it. He had already come to terms with the fact the man was odd to put it simply.

"Well what about the Saiyans? I...I mean the other Saiyans?" Trunks replied sheepishly once again as he fumbled his words. Paragus cocked a curious brow before his eyes lit up, seeming to finally understand what Trunks was asking.

"S...sorry, that was probably impolite of me. I mean I know...I heard from Gohan and my mother...that Frieza-"

"It's alright." Paragus raised his hand to quiet Trunks. Another hot blush came across his face all the same though. He sunk into his chair feeling a bit exposed as he wanted to smack himself again.

"Politeness was not something inherent to us Saiyans. Not in the same way I believe you're thinking of. There were only a few among the Saiyans who expected any form of manner when they spoke to anyone. Though being impolite was not met with shame, embarrassment or used to make the impolite one an outcast."

"Wh...what was it met with?" Trunks asked, still blushing but finding his curiosity piqued once again. Paragus had already talked some about the Saiyans, and every word leaked from him about them made Trunks even more curious and even more enthralled. The more he learned the closer he felt to his father...well that's what he led himself to think anyways.

"Well more than likely you'd be killed for impropriety." The man offered with a cool and unfazed laugh.

"O...oh, I see." Trunks replied letting his head fall somewhat. He plucked another piece of the sweet bread from the table. He felt rather than made his eyes narrow at the thought. What had he been expecting? They're Saiyans, of course they'd kill each other over little offenses like ...he had told him how Vegeta acted when he first came to Earth so many years ago. For some reason it made him sigh in...disappointment he thought. Though, he wondered just what he had expected as he felt the feeling gnaw away at him.

"I feel as though you've had little said about your ancestry. Or, rather about your Saiyan ancestry." Trunks turned back up to see Paragus cocking an inquisitive brow all his own. A renewed flush came to the boy's face as he grumbled lowly and shrugged.

"W...well I know some. I...I mean my father...uh...Goku-" He ground his teeth for a second in annoyance with himself and his piss poor lying skills.

"I know a bit about him. Mostly...mostly what Gohan and my mom have told me. I also know a little bit about...Vegeta."

"Vegeta?!" Trunks felt himself jump slightly at the risen voice of the elder Saiyan. His one good eye was a bit wider his demeanor excited. It took a second, but he seemed to relax some and lean back into his seat. Trunks had to recall what Gohan had said before. Of course he wanted to smack himself again, because he just now thought it best not to mention the Prince.

"Forgive me, I am still...reeling from the news of his loss to us. I'm sure for you and your world his death means very little." Trunks felt his eyes again narrow as he felt a mixture of emotions well up inside of him.

"The hope for a final chance at survival is now truly lost. Though I am curious," Paragus began having moved from sounding saddened to intrigued in astounding time.

"What was it that kept Vegeta here on this world? Gohan offered very little insight as to what would keep him here. He had no mate, no children, and beyond your father's presence, Kakarot of course, I don't see what would hold him to this one world. With Frieza's death he would certainly have had freedom to go anywhere in the universe and do whatever he wanted. Have you...any possible insight for me, my boy?" Paragus asked with a tilt of his head. Trunks remained quiet for a moment. His mind sifting through anything and everything to formulate a decent enough lie. His emotions already a mess over the talk of the man he didn't know, his father. He both hated being here talking to this man, and found himself endlessly intrigued.

"From what I...from what I've been told by Gohan," He began slowly, trying to make his voice sound as unsure as possible. He thought it would help sell any lie he told were he to seem unsure about it already. Though really he didn't need to try to hard to sound unsure. He just hoped it was the right kind of unsure...hopefully.

"He didn't get along well with Goku."

"Kakarot?"

"Err, yeah Kakarot, my...my father." Man he hated saying that. Nothing against Goku nor Gohan, but he knew it was wrong and it felt wrong every time he said it!

"I see. I had wondered just how the Prince handled being...defeated by a Saiyan of lesser pedigree. Do you have any insight in that way, Trunks?" Paragus asked and Trunks shrugged again slightly.

"Gohan's a bit older than me. He was there, well for some of it anyways. As far as I know Vegeta came to...to Earth." Trunks felt his eyes narrow again as he felt rather uncertain about mentioning the long since lost Dragon Balls. He didn't know, it just felt best to leave them out of mentioning for now.

"Goku...my...father fought with Vegeta. It was a hard and long fight but in the end Vegeta lost. He was beaten pretty horribly, but allowed to escape, by Gok...by father. Vegeta never really got over that from what...from what I've been told. He was...obsessed with training to become stronger than him. When he died from the-"

"Virus?" Paragus asked with a hint of awareness in his voice. Trunks nodded, figuring Gohan must've told them that much at least.

"Yeah, after the virus killed him...killed Goku he was...Vegeta was left with little to do here on Earth. He did become a Super Saiyan," Trunks felt anger for an instant slither through him. His hands balled to fists beneath the table as he felt shame in his own lack of power and transformation.

"He became a Super Saiyan. But, without f...father around he was I guess lost."

"Lost?" Paragus asked, as he picked from his plate some small what looked to be crustacean the boy had obviously never seen before. It looked kinda like shrimp though.

"Well yeah. Without...hmm," He grumbled as he felt his blush worsen. Every time he forced himself to lie about Goku's relationship to him made him feel even more awkward than before. He hadn't thought that possible, yet here he was. He wanted to sink into the chair, get Gohan and just go, but...alas here he was.

"Without...father around, Vegeta had no one to fight. No one to really...prove himself against I guess. L...look I really don't know all that much about him..." Trunks trailed off, his unease and awkwardness sharply replaced by discomfort with the truthfulness of his statement. He still really did know little about the man who fathered him. Gohan told him more than his mother had and some of it was...unnerving. Yet he was himself bursting with a need to know more about him. Though if he would ever get the chance, he didn't know. As much as that may have left an empty feeling in him, he had gotten used to it.

"No no, it's my fault. I am too curious about our dear lost Prince is all. Any little scrap of news on him merely, well interests me is all. Surprising he did not take a mate though. Considering Kakarot's success in fathering children." Again Trunks felt heat rise to his already burning face as he forced himself to shrug.

"I uh...I suppose he wasn't uh-"

"No need, Trunks." Paragus cut him off with a chuckle and wave of his hand. Trunks grumbled a lowly thanks as he averted his face in ever mounting feelings of unease and general awkwardness. Though he did have a mind to pluck a piece of dried meat he had tried earlier from the table. It vaguely tasted like pork, but with a hint of...something he couldn't place. Which was normal for the assorted alien food before him, but he equated it with jerky of some sort. His stomach certainly didn't complain though.

"So, Gohan can turn into this so called 'Super Saiyan.' A very...impressive feat I admit. Such power is intense and remarkable."

"Oh yeah!" Trunks immediately gushed in excited agreement and a hint of awe. His eyes lit up and he nearly jumped in his seat.

"His power is amazing! He can do so much, and when he fights the androids I swear he could beat them! It's only because they gang up on him I think that he has trouble. They fight as dirty as they can to win every fight." Trunks scoffed at their memory picking another piece of meat off the table.

"Well it sounds like he could use the added help. How about you, Trunks?"

"How about me?" The boy repeated quizzically while gulping his food down quickly.

"Yes, how about you? Can you turn into one of these Super Saiyans?" Paragus cocked an intrigued questioning brow as he tilted his head some. Trunks was, however, silent. His eyes grew darker and turned away from the man back towards his food. He could sense Paragus still looking at him, even as his eyes narrowed in that familiar pang of anger and resentment turned inwards. Trunks felt he gave away the answer in this way, but he didn't really care. He hated talking about it, or even thinking about it. It rose up inside him familiar anger that he thought would or could help him, but he received nothing from it! His hands balled into fists scraping at the fabric of his jeans just above his knees beneath the table. That same tingling frustration nipped at his back crawling up into his neck and jaw. Hell he didn't even know if Gohan would've wanted him to be truthful or not, but what could he do?! What if Paragus wanted a demonstration? What if he demanded one? His nostrils flared and he scoffed a low sigh as he finally shook his head.

"N...no I can't. Not yet anyways." Trunks made sure to add though his voice remained low and defeated seeming. Paragus made a low thoughtful hum before nodding.

"I see. The state must be hard to achieve for any Saiyan. I'm sure you'll achieve it given time, my boy." He offered with a placating tone. Trunks, however, merely shrugged again. His own weakness plaguing his mind.

"I assume Gohan trains you often in attempt to achieve the form?"

"Yeah. Though lately he's been busy. The androids destroyed another city, you guys showed up, the androids decimated Peri which I think you were there for." Paragus nodded while Trunks made sure not to mention the strangeness that was left in decimated Peri. A thousand articles of freely flying clothing entered his mind for a second before he cast such thoughts aside.

"Then the fight with the androids, or I guess whatever android...well whatever that thing had been in Sizzle City."

"Why didn't he take you to help him?" Paragus cut in causing Trunks to gaze back up at him.

"Well, I'm sure two half-Saiyans in a fight are better than one. He's training you right? It only makes sense to bring you along to help him fight in my view. Fighting gives you valuable experience at least in my opinion and from my own experience."

"He...well I...it's...it's a bit more complicated I guess."

"How so?" Paragus prodded leaning into the table on his elbows.

"It's not that...I'm not re...hmm..." Trunks trailed off again as his hand came up to rub the back of his neck in nervousness. Well no, not just nervousness. Really he had asked the question enough himself. He had asked Gohan why he wasn't able, why he wasn't ready to come along and help him fight the androids. Each time he got about the same answer and each time it only made him angrier, more agitated, and confused. Angry he felt he couldn't do it, that Gohan didn't think he could. Agitated that he was being left behind once again, and all the time. Leaving others to die and more to fight battles he wanted badly to fight himself. And confused that for all his work, and for all the times Gohan told him he could and would help he still wasn't good enough. He still wasn't capable enough.

"I'm not strong enough to help. I'd...I'd hold Gohan back in a fight with the androids. I only started training recently. I...I had tried helping before. Back in Gingertown, but all I did was annoy the twins. They would've killed me had Gohan not had a chance to catch them and get us out in time. I'm..." Trunks paused, his eyes narrowing glumly as a deep and heavy sigh followed.

"I'm not strong enough to help. I'm too weak." Stating that aloud was nothing new for Trunks. Though he didn't know if he should have been so open with the Saiyan across from him again. But what was the point in lying? Were it to come to a fight Trunks wasn't sure who would be stronger. Him or the Saiyan and his son or men. Were Paragus to press him what could he do but lie and say he was as powerful as Gohan? When fist came to fist and blow to blow that would be worthless wouldn't it? Just as he was, so he thought with another darkening of his mood and eyes.

"Well this won't do at all." Paragus began standing up from his seat. Trunks cocked another confused brow as the elder man stood tall and looking down upon him.

"I would expect someone carrying Saiyan blood in their veins to have more pride in themselves than this! This I cannot allow to stand."

"What are you-"

"It's time you got that fighting sense of yours!" Paragus cut him off with sudden and ever raspy authority in his voice. His left hand pointed out from the table and towards the open field just ahead of the massive ship.

"Perhaps Gohan has been lacking in his training. Every Saiyan, every being that carries the blood of our race should hold that inherent power to fight, the will of a warrior! You are lacking in belief and experience. Allow me to test your claims then." Paragus went on causing Trunks to feel a bit more confused and on edge than before.

"Uh wait, Paragus sir I-"

"Miju!" Paragus ignored Trunks calling some strange alien from out in the field. Trunks had seen him before. A long tailed, reddish body, pointed ears and indiscernible mouth. He snapped his head towards Paragus and many of the other armored men followed suit. Though within a few more seconds this alien, Miju, jumped through the air gliding softly along it before coming to a stop just ahead of Paragus where he took an instant bow and kneel.

"You summoned me, sire."

"Yes, our guest here is in need of some serious training. I think you'd make the best candidate to spar with him. Right now in fact." Trunks felt his face contort in shock before he jumped into a stand of his own.

"Now...wa...wait a minute I-"

"Right now sire? Very well, these plains are quite open enough for battle." Miju replied coming back into a stand and turning towards Trunks.

"Hold on a minute! I don't think I should-"

"Should what?" Paragus cut him off with a smirk.

"Should get some training in? But you said you're not good enough, not strong enough to help Gohan fight the androids. If that's so then surely you'd want to get better."

"Well yeah but-"

"So, why not start now?" Paragus offered cutting Trunks off yet again.

"Gohan will be a little while longer now. You're our guest and it may serve both of us better should we become more acquainted with each other. As Saiyans we are born for battle. You have some power in you, I can sense that much, but you still have a ways to go. You said so yourself. So, why not let us help you? Get a little training in, acquire some of that fighting sense and skill we Saiyans are born with? Don't you think Gohan would be impressed you took the initiative yourself?" Trunks made to respond, his mouth opening, but his tongue becoming stuck.

Again he averted his eyes turning them down towards the table. He did want to help, he did want to become stronger! What was holding him back? What stopped him from just saying yes? His body felt the faintest ache still left over from Gingertown but that wasn't it. His hands clutched the table and he felt a radiating uncertainty and fear shoot through him. Was it fear of the Saiyans? No, no he couldn't be afraid of them now, not this alien anyways. Something was holding him back, and he shut his eyes as he wanted so badly to scream in frustration. He wanted to help Gohan, he wanted to become stronger, so why not say yes? Why not accept their help dammit?!

"F...fine! I'll fight then." Trunks replied at first stammering but loosing a strong call back as his eyes hardened and body tensed with mounting anticipation as he readied for a fight. He was still unsure, but his mind was made up. It was still a mess of emotion and uncertainty, but he was willing to try. He had come this far anyways, he had dealt with these people this long, and Gohan would be up soon. Why not show him how much he could do? Why not do some training and gauge the men under this Paragus even?! He could help, he would help. Gohan's warnings be damned...for now anyways.

His heart pounded in his chest and he felt the adrenaline pump through his blood. He could fight, and he could get better. That's what he told himself anyways. So, that's what he would do then. He felt the call of his Saiyan blood, and it writhed in him then.

"Excellent! Come now, let's move a little more towards an open plot." Paragus offered as his feet slowly lifted off the ground followed by the Miju being.

"Right." Trunks returned following them up into the air. His head a buzz with thought and emotions. Though, deep down there was some part of him that swirled inside. A part of him that felt incredibly excited for a fight. A part of him that wanted to allow himself this one sparring session offered by a man he would hardly call trustworthy. Of course he could learn a thing or two while doing so, but he also could use a good fight. So, why not let himself have one little match before Gohan woke up?

What was the worst that could happen?

It took just a few moments, and not before long the three of them landed just a bit away from the ship. The soldiers in the distance dared to look their way. Some even managed to crawl a bit closer. It was strange for many of them to see their master Paragus demand one of them fight another, hell he didn't even care if they fought each other. Most figured they were present as little more than showpieces for Paragus' power. Though the young one from this world did seem special in some way. Anyone who took the attention of their Lord had to be in some ways special after all. Nonetheless, they were all a bit interested to see what was going to happen. Miju, Commander Miju was one of their strongest, for themselves anyways. It would be interesting to see just how he stacked up against someone of this world. Especially since they knew from rumor spreading quickly that this boy held in him Saiyan blood.

"This will do I think." Paragus declared as he landed just off to the side of the other two. Trunks stood and glanced shyly around himself. He took note of the soldiers in nearly all directions staring his way and some moving in for a closer look. Another reddening of his face occurred and he did all he could to shove any embarrassment aside. The other man, the alien Miju was well built. Of course that didn't mean much as far as Trunks could see. Gohan was well built, beyond toned and fit but the slimmer androids could more than hold their own. Of course they were partly inhuman, but Trunks knew from Gohan's teachings to not judge someone on looks alone.

"Now I think what would be best is for you to go all out, Trunks." Paragus continued causing Trunks to look his way concernedly.

"All out? But...aren't you afraid-"

"Nonsense." Paragus seemed to preempt whatever Trunks was going to say. The man motioned his hand towards Miju who stood tall, both arms at his sides and slightly turned towards his left facing Trunks.

"Miju is one of my best men. He should be more than able to handle anything you throw at him. Besides, I want to gauge just how powerful you are. If we're to be allies, myself, Gohan and you of course, I'd like to see what you have to offer. Not only that, but what can be improved with a little help." Paragus smiled innocently enough. Trunks in kind nodded somewhat slowly still showing himself to be unsure as he stared this alien down. The yellowish serpent eyes of the man bore into him and left Trunks feeling that same hint of slight discomfort at all of this. However, he heaved in a breath of air and shook his head. His shoulders followed suit and he allowed himself to loosen his muscles and relax ever so slightly.

"Alright then, all out." Trunks returned causing Paragus to chuckle.

"Excellent! You heard the rules Commander."

"I have." The alien's rougher and slightly warbled like voice replied. He fell into a fighting pose opposite Trunks that the boy noted with narrowed eyes. His right arm flew up right and circled back low while his left hand simply rose up. Leaving his right arm behind his left with his right palm facing outwards towards the back of his left hand. His left arm was angled in towards the alien man and just ahead of his face with the right hand and arm behind it. While his left boot slid along the dirty ground forwards and allowed his right to remain planted on the ground where it had been.

Trunks nodded slowly once more, and more for himself. His hand came up and lightly flicked the prominent bangs that hung before his face some. In kind Trunks' let his right leg slide somewhat more outwards towards the crimson Miju. His left leg bent some while he raised his left hand up and balled it into a fist angling towards his side and back. His right arm came up, hand loose and with fingers loosely curled inwards while the arm remained outstretched towards the alien. Silence passed over them then, each waiting for something to happen, each waiting for the first move, and the allowance of the first blow. While the tension was made palpable amongst the whispering flock of men around them.

"Now, no lethal wounds, but anything else can be fixed with a little pod stay if need be. Nothing dirty, and try not to hit my ship if you'd be so kind." Paragus broke the moment, and Trunks sensed the warning was sent his way rather than Miju's.

"Ye...yeah, no problem." Trunks nodded and Miju bowed his head once.

"Then, begin!" Paragus' right arm flew up and immediately down whirling his cloak. In an instant Miju's whole body skimmed forwards along the ground towards Trunks. The boy waited his eyes turning from narrowed to a dagger like glare before he too exploded forwards along the ground. His heart pounding and blood racing as the two zoomed towards the other.

Trunks while still flying thrust his body up and left, his left leg extending out ready to throw a hard kick into the alien. However, Miju threw both arms back and in a split second his legs flew ahead of the rest of him. In the next instant his right leg was thrust up hard and Trunks had a second to go wide eyed before he felt the hard kick slam up into his own leg throwing him into a spin in midair.

Trunks forced himself to stop with a small explosion of power. Just as he stopped he glanced downwards where Miju was just in time to see him fling his left leg back and throw it back up. It slammed full force into Trunks gut and the boy loosed a trembling gasp as his body lurched forwards from the impact. Miju's right foot pressed up and pushed against Trunks' left shoulder, and before he could even respond his left foot removed itself fro his gut and spun back out and hard left across Trunks' face using his right foot as leverage. Trunks was tossed down hard left into the ground where a small crater formed around his fallen form.

After a second he pushed off the ground shaking dirt from his hair. His left eye was shut as pain radiated all through his face and up from his stomach. A seethe loosed from behind grit teeth but Trunks was quick to explode up into the air and swing back around once there. Miju was flying up towards him right arm flung back. Trunks in a flash yanked his head right and Miju's fist flew past him over his shoulder. Angling up in the air Trunks pulled back his own right fist and thrashed it down against Miju's face just turning towards him. It connected and a massive thud sounded out as the alien flew towards the ground this time.

Miju twisted through the air, his tail swirling around him before he slammed against the dirt on one knee with his hand planted against the dirt as it too formed an indent. He turned up as Trunks cried out diving in after him. Miju jumped up into a stand and threw an X over himself with his arms. Trunks gave a faint smile as he fell to the ground just ahead of Miju, his feet skirting the ground and with both hands ahead of his body.

Miju's eye widened as Trunks formed a single massive yellow ki orb ahead of himself. The alien man pulled his arms up closer to his face just as Trunks released another howl and in a warbling cry the ki ball boomed and consumed Miju whole and thrashed beyond where he stood cutting like a dagger across the dirt out towards where the sea lay. Rocks flew up around them both and the ground shook as Trunks allowed the blast to go on for a moment longer. Until he finally clasped his hands closed into fists killing the blast but leaving rumbling and falling debris in its wake.

"How was that?" Trunks asked aloud to no one in particular and holding that thin smile from before to his face.

"Hmm, not bad honestly." Trunks heard the alien's voice reply. He only felt his smile weaken only a little as the dust pulled away showing Miju still standing. The armor along his wrists and chest scarred and scorched and his eyes narrowed, but a thin smile of his own along his alien features.

"I only hope that wasn't an attempted win right there." Trunks gave a slight chuckle and shake of his head. That feeling from before, that excitement rising a bit more to the surface.

"Nah, just me getting the feel of things. Letting loose."

"Good then let's get a little more serious." Trunks nodded and fell back into a low fighting position while Miju pulled both fists together up close and stood ready to go right alongside Trunks.

"Alright, my turn." Miju slammed his right foot down cracking the ground around him. His left fist flew up and Trunks blocked it with his right forearm. Trunks then lifted his right foot and threw it forward connecting into Miju's gut this time. Miju ground his boots against the ground as he was pushed back. Allowing Trunks the chance to charge him again. His right fist flew up slamming towards Miju's face but the alien blocked it. He threw is left fist up and it too was blocked and then Trunks flew into a frenzied rush of punch after punch, jab after jab. Each one crashed into Miju's forearms flying all across his face and chest trying desperately to block each blow.

Miju continued to block each punch thrown wildly his way, Trunks savaged on throwing left and right hook. Until he pulled his right arm back again releasing a powerful uppercut towards Miju. The crimson alien lifted his left knee and just caught the boys fist but a percussive wave thundered out all the same. Without another moment, however, Trunks swept his right leg in and it slammed full force into Miju's right. He fell towards his left but Trunks slammed his left fist forwards once more and the alien was thrown back with another powerful percussion of air following the connecting hit.

Miju allowed himself to fall back towards the ground, his left leg and left hand sliding across the rough dirt beneath him slowing his rapid crash backwards. However, Trunks let loose another cry as he took off after the alien man at full force. Miju finally slowed to a stop and pushed himself into a kneel as Trunks slammed his right boot upwards crashing up against Miju's jaw thrusting him upwards. He howled through the air as Trunks burst up after him, and then swiftly beyond him and above. Just as the alien reached his height Trunks raised both fists overhead together and loosed a jackhammer crash down towards Miju.

He raised both hands himself above his head and with his right hand caught Trunks' fists with his left hand grasping one of the boys wrists. Trunks ground his teeth openly and yanked to pull away from the alien's grip, but Miju held firm. His right hand slipped away but in a flash grabbed Trunks' other wrist. Allowing Miju to thrash Trunks down towards his knee which connected square into Trunks back loosening another cry of pain and forced breath form the boy. Miju gave a thin smirk as he then proceeded to twirl in the air still holding onto Trunks. Over and over until his form became just a flicking color in the air. Trunks felt himself grow dizzier and dizzier as he fought to get loose from Miju, but his grip was tight and strong. Until Miju finally came to a sudden neck snapping halt and released trunks sending him hurdling for the ground again.

His stomach in a sickening queasy knot Trunks tried to shake the disorientation from his mind. He only barely managed to twist himself around for his knees and hands to crash against the dirt and crack the ground beneath him. However, his stomach felt awful as his vision swooned around him. He forced his head up to see the alien lift his right hand into the air, a purplish ki orb as big as his head above his open palm. Miju let his hand fall and he pulled away from it. He went further and further back and hung in the air giving Trunks enough time to wobbly pull himself back into a stand.

"Time for a goal!" Miju howled and thrashed himself back forwards his body twisted upside down in air and his left foot crashed down smashing against the ki orb and sent it screaming towards Trunks with what looked to be sparking tendrils surrounding it. Trunks immediately flew backwards along the ground out of the way of the ki orb. He cocked another confused brow at the simple move to outmaneuver. Only then Miju burst with sudden incredible speed downwards onto the same level as Trunks. The ki orb flew down, and just as it was about to slam into the ground Miju flung himself forwards. His left leg twisted outwards in a kick slamming his boot into the orb again sending it after Trunks with a notable crackling through the air.

"What the he-" Trunks didn't have time to finish as he dove upwards back into the air. Only for Miju to skid along the ground with more of is sudden incredible speeds. He heaved out loudly and flung his body upwards with his right foot ahead of the rest. His hands grasped against the ground as he angled upwards and crashed his boot against the ki ball yet again. It howled after Trunks and the boy loosed a growl as he raised both hands over his head and flung them down the palms nearly touching with his fingers curled slightly inwardsaimed at his sides.

"Buster Cannon!" A swirling blue light formed ahead of his hands before an intense beam exploded outwards and down towards Miju's ki ball. The ball of energy zoomed upwards until it crashed into the blue of Trunks' cannon. The ball, however, didn't seemed phased but did pause where it had last been in air. Trunks felt his body tense and his teeth grind harder as he felt himself being forced to fight back against this seemingly small ball of energy.

Miju exploded up through the air passing the confronting beams of energy towards Trunks. The boy cast him a glaring glance as the alien zoomed up along his left and with his right hand raised towards Trunks face. Another ball of purple energy formed with crackling tendrils of lightning zipping across the hand.

"This one or the other, boy! Take your pick!" Miju offered before he loosed the second ball of ki. Trunks gave a yelp he hadn't intended to as he flung himself right releasing his attack and allowing Miju's second ki ball to just skirt over his nose. Before Trunks could sigh in relief though he heard a familiar warble getting closer. His eyes widened and he just looked right as the first ball came up and crashed against his face and chest. It loosened an intense explosion through the skies thrusting a ball of fire, smoke and wind out in all directions.

Through the thick layer of smoke and ebbing winds Trunks' form fell towards the ground seemingly limp. Miju in kind allowed himself to fall back to the ground crossing his arms over his armored chest. He landed simply and with a quiet step. The boy, however, fell hard back to the ground. His right arm seen to barely move ahead of himself and crashing into the ground indenting it slightly while the rest of him sprawled out on the dirt. His seethes of pain could be heard echoing over the entire area as Trunks pushed his whole body shakily form the ground with just his right hand.

"Apologies, but I am an avid sportsman." Miju called out with a hint of self superiority in his rough alien voice. He gave a faint chuckle as well and tipped his head somewhat. Trunks meanwhile cast him a narrowed glare as his right eye felt disinclined to open all the way. His whole body shook from the pain of that ki ball. More than he had expected it to hurt honestly. However, he loosed a deep gravely growl from within himself and slammed his left fist against the ground. An impact crater formed around him and Trunks pulled his aura in around him. White flames licked the air and grew more bold with the passing moments.

"I'll fight, Gohan! I'll fight!" He growled to himself as a sudden and renewed determination coursed through his body and his heart pounded harder and harder as his aura burst with energy. Until finally he pushed off the ground from his right knee and into a stand. His arms pulled in at his sides and he lifted his head upwards as a sudden trembling howl loosed from his mouth and the ground shook beneath him. His snarling glare turned back towards the crimson alien. Miju for his part stared at Trunks, his yellow eyes widened somewhat as he watched the boy's body shake the ground and himself. His howls echoed across the valley and his power swept over the men and Paragus. Who watched on and allowed the feeling of the boy's power sweep over himself. A curious look forming in his eye as he let it do so.

"This is the next round then!" Trunks cried and with a thrashing of the air behind him his body exploded after Miju. His body seemed to take on a sudden bulk and new energy as Miju noted the boy's muscles become far more toned.

"What in the world?!" Trunks howled cutting any thoughts of Miju's off as he zoomed in towards Miju's right. He swung another jackhammer fist towards the alien, but Miju threw himself into a back-flip just missing the strike. Trunks carried his swinging momentum coming around in another spin and his left foot crashed against Miju's right cheek. An audible howl of pain loosed as Miju was thrown several dozen feet at his left crashing hard against a raised plateau of rock and dirt.

Trunks meanwhile exploded up into the air. His body trembling and his face contorted in what looked to be a constant sneer. His right hand extended outwards as he angled his body towards the side and aimed his open palm where Miju was. The alien audibly groaned pushing off the ground, his tail whipping angrily behind him as he did. Trunks formed a large blueish sphere of ki that waved and warbled around and before his hand. He gathered energy there, his snarls turning into louder gasps and cries as he let that energy build. Until his eyes suddenly widened and he loosed a renewed trembling scream. A ferocious barrage of blue orbs howled through the air whining as they neared their target and lighting the plains in their blue light. Miju swung around just as the first two crashed into the soil around him throwing dirt and rock against him while he threw his arms up into another X formation to block the onslaught. The thundering blasts slammed into him and around him and each one elicited another grunt and cry of pain and shock. Until Miju finally jumped back, and with a sudden thrust kicked his right leg out and slammed against one of the barraging blasts casting it back into the air after Trunks. He did this again with his left into another throwing it up into the air. Before he dashed out and broke into an incredible run forwards as more blasts pelted the area he had stood in.

Trunks saw the returning orbs and forced himself downwards in air. Miju blasted off after him and Trunks turned in time as the alien swung a fierce right hook towards his jaw. Trunks threw his right hand up and caught the fist in his hand. Miju's eyes again widened as Trunks loosed another intense cry. His body seemed to burst with sudden power, and with a great heave Trunks pulled Miju in by his hand and slammed a hard left knee into his gut. The alien gasped in pain and lurched forwards before Trunks swung around him and grasped his tail. Miju yelped but Trunks flew into an intense spin of his own mimicking what the alien had done to him before.

"Let's see how you like it!" He cried as his body twirled near imperceptibly through the air forcing twirling winds to thrash away from him. Miju flailed both arms trying to strike Trunks or break free but the boy ignored him and used his sudden power to keep swirling in the air. Until at last he loosed another heaving cry and Miju careened down towards the ground and crashed with another of many intense impacts against the ground. Trunks took off after him, right arm swung up and over shoulder ready to swing as he watched Miju shakily come to a stand. His hand clasping his brow before he turned just in time to see Trunks come upon him.

"What the-" Trunks slammed his fist downwards crashing against the alien's head eliciting a howl of pain as Miju fell face first back to the ground. Trunks landed just past his legs and swung back around grasping one of them. He lifted the man clear into the air with him crying in shock. Then Trunks swung down slamming Miju to the ground, and then he lifted him back up and did so again. Each crash generated a boom through the ground, and Trunks lifted him up harshly once more before tossing him aside where Miju finally managed to regain his composure stopping himself as he flew freely through the open air. He glared towards Trunks, the boy crossed his arms over his chest and allowed himself a small smirk of his own as he stared the heaving alien down.

"How was that?" He asked smugly.

"Not bad...boy. However, I still have a little fight left in me." Miju offered still gasping lowly from the previous brawling beat down. He fell to his feet and lowered both arms at his sides extended some from his body. His fingers loosely curled inwards towards the palms of his hands which were faced upwards towards the skies. His body began to shake and the ground around him began to shudder as his aura, a whitish aura that was lined in a familiar purple tinge formed around his body. The alien loosed an intense howl of his own that flew over the valley as the men watching watched both in awe. Paragus smirked at the display as his dark eyes remained fixed on Trunks.

"Round three!" Miju exploded after Trunks, his aura wrapped around him. He threw another right hook that Trunks blocked with a raise of his left arm. His wrist caught the brunt of the attack as Miju threw his left fist in and Trunks matched it with his right. Both knuckles crashed into the other sending a massive sonic boom over the valley. Miju leveraged their blow and lifted his feet of the ground. He slammed both boots up and crashed against Trunks' torso throwing the boy back. Miju then flew after him with his left shoulder leading the charge and slamming into Trunks again forcing the boy back with a heaving yelp. Miju swung at his left and his tail came around slapping harshly into Trunks face thrashing him down at his right before Miju came back around slamming his knee into the open back of Trunks head and pushing him back further against he ground. Trunks caught himself with his right hand and turned up with a growl and sneer as Miju came to a stop just ahead of him but with his back turned form his knee attack. Trunks raised his left hand and a simple blue orb appeared. He released it and it exploded near instantly against the aliens back loosening another explosive percussion across the region.

Trunks flew backwards away from the smoke to gain distance. His breaths becoming more heavy as he came to a stop. He kept breathing harshly, his eyes turning to his right fist as he just how tired he was beginning to feel from this extra energy he had forced from himself. His body was packing quite the punch, but he growled as he didn't know how much longer he could keep this up.

"Overhead kick!" Trunks yanked his attention back up as the smoke slowly dissipated showing Miju turned upside down. His right boot crashed against another of those purplish ki balls and it exploded after Trunks leaving crackling bolts in its wake. Trunks scoffed openly and flew back into the air extending both arms and unleashing a dazzling barrage of ki orbs of his own after Miju. The alien broke into a full on run after his ki ball and began to serpentine aside from every orb that came his way. Miju ran alongside his bounding ki orb before twisting his body into a near sideways spin and crashing his right boot against the orb. It angled oddly and turned swung along the ground below Trunks position in air.

Miju came to a stop on his knee but broke back into a run as three orbs exploded along the ground behind him. Trunks growled and loosened another howl as his aura pulled in around him. He burst downwards after the alien. Both hands extended ahead unleashing another tremendous volley of blasts as he did. Each on crashing just next to or beyond Miju who did his best to sidestep and swing around them. The orb zipped past him and Trunks came to a heavy fall along he ground just as Miju came up beside him. He swung his left arm out and the back of his fist nearly grazed the alien but Miju jumped off his left boot swinging in the air, his tail slapping Trunks' hand away as he landed back on his right foot and broke into a renewed run after his ki ball. Trunks turned in time to watch Miju round around the orb and twist himself around and crash his foot against it again and send it after Trunks now on his level.

"Damn whatever you wanna call this move!" Trunks seethed as he threw both hands overhead and once more thrashed them down in a familiar pose.

"Buster Cannon!" He howled and an even more intense and thick beam of energy exploded out from the core of his two palms towards the ki orb.

"Shit!" Miju cried as he came to a more unsteady land behind the ki orb of his. It crashed against Trunks blast but the intense power of the boys blast quickly began to overwhelm his own orb. Miju then raised both hands and angled himself into a semi-squat as he extended himself outwards and retook control of the ki orb and resisted Trunks' blast with all his might. His muscles ached and he noted several veins along his arms bulge as he exerted himself against the impact of their powers.

Trunks began to grumble and heave as he felt his body strain under the pressure of his attack against Miju and the intensified draw of strength he put his body through. He felt his knees weaken and his eyes threatened to close from the strain. He felt his boots slide ever so slightly along the dirt and Miju's orb pushed ever so slightly back against his Buster Cannon.

"No...I won't...give in...not yet!" Trunks howled and his aura burst out around him yet again. It exploded outwards in a blueish white as he howled and pulled even more power out from within himself. His body ached under the pressure of it all and he watched as his arms seemed to bulge unnaturally. His teeth ground painfully against one another before he unleashed another deafening howl and the beam ahead of him exploded furiously and near uncontrollably. A thickening of the beam occurred as a bulge traveled along the beam towards the very end where it collided against Miju's ki orb.

"What...is...this power?!" Miju seethed as he felt his left leg buckle and he fell onto it still trying to fight back. However, it was futile as the beam overcame the ki orb and with only seconds to spare Miju fell onto his face and rolled quickly towards his right away from the blast that crashed past him tearing the soil as it went. Trunks fell to his knees both hands grasping the ground as he heaved and felt his body loosen from its harsh state. He glanced up just as Miju pulled himself back into a kneel. The alien glanced over his right shoulder following Trunks' blast.

"For the love of...no!" Miju exclaimed and Trunks furrowed his brow turning to watch his blast as it carried onward towards a dirt mound. His eyes widened somewhat as he saw him. Standing atop the dirt mound directly in the blasts pathway stood Paragus' son, Broly.

"Ge...get...down!" Trunks called through breaths. However, he just caught a glimpse of Miju in the corner of his eye. The alien looked petrified as he watched the blast howl on forwards. It only took a matter of seconds for it to carry along the dirty soil, and in that span Trunks heard all the men nearby scramble, some cried and screamed and he felt his brow furrow deeply in confusion.

"Broly, get down!" Paragus called as he came to a land right beside Trunks. The older Saiyan's face contorted into a strange mix of emotions. However, Trunks watched as the man simply stood there watching as the blast approached closer and closer until in a flash it crashed directly into him. The explosion sent a devastating impact across the entire plain valley everyone was shaken and Trunks barely managed to remain where he was planted along the ground. The blast seemed to carry on for a little while longer several beams of energy breaking apart and exploding into the air further off into the distance and some careened back into the ground sending several smaller explosive shock waves throughout the area. Trunks felt his eyes widen and heart skip a beat.

He...he hadn't meant to! He hadn't known he was there! Why did he just stand there?! His blast...it had been so powerful even he hadn't expected that kind of power from himself. What had he been thinking?! He wondered even if the blast had hit Miju head on if the alien man would've been okay? His mind was dazzled by sudden regret and uncertainty as mounds of dirt and rock rained across the open valley. Smoke billowed upwards towards the sky and everything was unnervingly silent as everyone waited for...something. Trunks watched on, his eyes staring forwards toward the blown open mound he had attacked. He waited with uncertain and frightful thoughts for anything to show itself. He hoped beyond hope that he hadn't...that he hadn't hurt...hadn't killed the man.

"Paragus sir I..." The man remained silent besides Trunks. His one eye staring forwards towards the smoke. His cold glare scanning the smoke for something. Trunks turned back towards it, and he felt his own eyes widen and mouth slack open just a little. For, the smoke cleared away, and in its wake stood a figure. Smoke trails seemed to curl off of him, his clothes remained as far as could be seen undamaged. His form unmoved and rigid where it stood.

"Broly, my son." Paragus intoned catching Trunks' attention for a second.

"He...he took the blast. Head on!" Trunks declared with clear awe in his voice. He turned back to Broly. The Saiyan numbly lifted his right hand and it reached up towards his left shoulder. He simply...rubbed his shoulder. The ground around him was torn, smoke and rubble still fell across the valley and around him, and his plot of dirt stood out on what had once been a larger more evenly leveled mound. All the man seemed to notice was...well what looked to be an itch on his shoulder as he idly rubbed away at it. His demeanor unchanged, his voice unheard and body language dulled.

"Wha...how?" Trunks intoned as he forced himself back up into another wobbly stand. He didn't think he was strong enough to hurt the androids...well much anyways. Not as much as he wanted to, but still Trunks knew how much power he had pulled out from himself. Yet, this Saiyan man, this Broly, just stood there unfazed and unconcerned.

"Well..." Paragus began as he cleared his throat quite audibly

"It looks like that's the end of that. A most...hmm well intriguing fight I'd say." Paragus carried on turning away from the distant Broly who merely stood on looking down on them all in silence.

"Wha...what-"

"You certainly have great potential. I can see that now, my boy. You more than gave Miju a proper fight, and for that I commend you." Paragus bowed somewhat.

"Uh...yeah thanks, I guess." Trunks scratched the back of his neck again still in a bit of a loss for what to say. His eyes kept darting back towards Broly and then to Paragus as he felt utterly...confused, and at a loss really.

"I think you've both more than expended your energy, and made for a proper spar. I'll be sure to tell Gohan you've more than shown your abilities." To that Trunks felt heat rise back to his face.

"Th..thank you." He replied awkwardly still.

"Now, let's return to the food huh? I'm sure a little workout has more than made room in your stomach. Miju, you may take your leave." Paragus offered and stepped away from them somewhat back towards the ship. In the distance the men all seemed as wary of the whole scene as before, but merely quieter and silently on edge.

"Thank you...sire." Miju bowed towards the Saiyan man and gave a curt bow towards Trunks before he immediately blasted off back towards the other soldiers and out of Trunks' immediate sight.

The boy gave a slight and unseen nod towards Miju but quickly turned his attention back towards Broly. The younger Saiyan still stared down towards himself and Paragus. He was silent and from the current distance Trunks couldn't make out much of any other features or expressions along his face. Though he had to admit the silence and unfazed manner Broly showed did...unnerve Trunks.

"Trunks?"

"Huh?" He replied turning towards Paragus who looked at him expectantly.

"Oh right." Trunks replied turning towards the older Saiyan and the ship. He gave one more glancing look over towards Broly. His eyes narrowing some as the Saiyan simply continued to stand there. He glanced at Paragus who said nothing, acknowledged nothing and didn't even say anything to Broly.

Trunks couldn't help but look at the distant silent man. Something was wrong, very wrong. But, he would keep quiet. Though he did wish Gohan was up already. He was really, truly out of his depth.

(…..)

He sat bored as ever with his legs crossed just ahead of himself where he sat on the wooden floor. He glanced right and found several more kids like himself sitting in the same manner. He glanced left and found more of the same. Most of them boys some girls, but not many. Why that was he didn't know, but he didn't care really. He turned back forwards and loosed another nasally sigh as the daylight streamed in from a large sliding wood door to their left. The room smelled wooden as dust particles danced in the rays of sunlight. Outside there was lots of trees up on the mountain they called home. Somehow inside smelled far more wooden than the outside. Though not really natural, like a sheen of 'fakeness' laced the whole didn't like the smell much really. Too dusty for his tastes.

He clicked his tongue in boredom several times. His blue eyes rolled from right upwards to the ceiling where they remained still looking to the support beams helping to hold the place together. His right hand came up and rustled his short golden hair and he loosed a mighty yawn as he itched to be done with this part of the day.

"Man I hate these lectures!" He finally spoke aloud with a heaving huff.

"Oh shut it already Shiroka!" Another boy hissed from his right forcing Shiroka to glance towards him. At this point both of his hands had come up and grasped the back of his head as he numbly looked towards Obuka. The boy was his usual looking self. Dark hair wild and seemingly greasy, his face stone cold and full of disdain for him as his green tinted eyes glared at him.

"Every time Master Waito calls us together you open your big mouth! Can't you just shut up and listen like the rest of us?" Shiroka smirked playfully and shrugged.

"I guess I could, but there ain't really any fun in that. I know all that he's gonna say anyways. He spouts the same 'wisdom' every time. Ain't you heard it enough?" Shiroka leaned onto his right fist that propped its elbow against his right leg.

"'Oh now children let's all of us remember this important truth, we must never use these skills against those who don't deserve them. For, it is a corruption of their power and your soul! Never ever give in to temptation and the angry mix of emotions inside of you, and never EVER eat crab on a Tuesday. Blah blah blah blah blah!" Shiroka exclaimed and elicited his fair share of snickers and giggles from across the room.

"You're an overconfident smartass. Maybe if you listened and didn't waste all your time on gloating you'd soak in what the Masters have to teach us!"

"What's to take in when you know it all?"

"A simple truth you'll learn Shiroka, is that you're never done learning." All heads turned as the old Master in question Waito, stepped through the open doorway. His sage and elder gray eyes lined with creases and wrinkles danced over them all as he made his way to the head of the class. He wore his customary imposing black robes that whirled around him with every step he took. The collars of his neck and arms lined in white as his long since grayed hair shifted ever so slightly behind his back where it was tied into a long braid.

"Yes, Master Waito." Shiroka nodded, though his eyes betrayed his true thoughts as they rolled noticeably.

"I'd keep a more open mind if I were you, boy." Waito declared and with a sudden flash of speed his right hand lunge out.

"Ouch!" Shiroka yelped grasping his forehead as a small pebble fell in front of him towards his lap.

"I'd also keep your eyes more aware of your surroundings for the future." Waito smirked with a low chuckle. The others around the boy began laughing and Shiroka frowned as a blush formed across his face. Waito moved to the very front of the class and folded his hands together in front of himself as he passed an observant glance across the room from left to right.

"Good, very good. I'm happy to see everyone gathered today. As Shiroka has been so kind to inform me on the boring nature of my usual studies I am happy to announce a change of pace today." Everyone was silent, though some did look confused and glanced around gauging the responses of the others. Shiroka lightly rubbed his head some more, but felt a hint of excitement flutter through himself.

"What is it then?" Shiroka asked aloud.

"My you're an impatient one Shiroka. Very well," He chuckled. "If we as a people are to continue resisting the demonic scourge that plagues our world then it is time we test your skills." Many hushed whispers and confused or frightened stares formed across many of those gathered. Shiroka, however, nearly jumped at the prospect of finally fighting.

"We finally get to fight?! That's awesome! I can't wait to finally see what I-"

"Alright alright, calm down Shiroka." Waito hushed waving his hand towards him.

"These mountains serve as our home. All of you I'm sure have heard the horror stories from your parents or grandparents of what happened to human civilization when the great Demon King came. His monstrous offspring his demon horde ravage our world, and anyone who dares remain in one of our lost cities is surely to be killed." Waito went on falling into a pace in front of the class from left to right and back again.

"We who learn here to resist the demonic horde must never allow ourselves to fall prey to battle lust. Time and again I have spoken on the ills of such a fate. We have taken many practices, and many beliefs from across our fair world to formulate these strengths and skills to resist. Yet, if we allow ourselves to fall to arrogance and seek out to battle those monsters we may lose sight of what's important." Shiroka frowned. He always thought the logic was circular, and made no sense. Why learn to fight a demon if you weren't going to be allowed to do so? Why couldn't you seek them out and kill them one by one? Find the Demon King after you destroy his horrid offspring and save the world?! He glanced down left at his open palm and closed it. A faint and silent spark of whitish light hummed in his hand forming a smile along his face. He knew he could do it, and he would, one day anyways.

"M...Master Waito?" A young girl, about a year younger than himself raised her hand. Shiroka recognized her as a neighbor of his, Kita. She had dirty blonde hair, large green eyes and a very frail demeanor. She was quiet too, but from what he heard she lived with her surviving grandmother. No one knew what happened to her parents, or no one said anyways, but everyone could guess. That forced a sudden frown of disgusted anger onto his face, as he felt pity well up inside of himself.

"Yes Kita?"

"Will...will we be fighting a...actual d...demons, sir?" Waito smiled and shook his head obviously trying to calm her.

"No Kita, but if we are to survive as a people we must learn how to defend ourselves. We must never draw the demons to this place. But, if we are to train for the day they may come we must be ready. So, I will be having you all team up with another classmate for training." Shiroka's frown deepened.

"What's the point of training to fight a demon if we can't even fight one?! Shouldn't the point be to be ready to fight them, and then seek em' out and kill the bastards?!"

"Shiroka!" Waito's voice grew louder and commanding as he gave the boy a cold stare.

"We do not use our skills to seek out the demons. We train and we prepare for the time if they should find us. We learn to defend our families and ourselves, so that our species may survive this terror."

"What's gonna be left then?! If we don't kill them, and if we don't fight them we let them get stronger and make more demons! They'll find us and kill us all, but we can stop them!"

"Careful boy." Waito warned pointing an aged and bony finger towards him.

"You forget your place as the student. You also forget to control yourself. Our power is not like that of the demons. Theirs is natural to them, born of the Demon King himself. What we tap into, what we use is unnatural, and if we let it control us rather than control it we will lose ourselves to that lust for battle and carnage. We will be no better than the demons we seek to resist. Is that what you want?! To become like them?! Ravenous, hateful things that enjoy nothing but destruction for its own sake?! Would you see your family slaughtered, and all our families killed just so you could try and defeat them?!" Shiroka felt himself sink back to the ground. His eyes darkening and voice silencing as he felt others in the class look at him in a mix of emotions. Some maybe agreeing with him and others like Obuka sending him deathly glares. The little bastard probably thought he was so righteous in agreeing with Waito. When all he was, was a coward. Shiroka thought so with a sneer anyways.

"No, Master Waito. I wouldn't want that."

"Good. Then maybe you'll listen to what I have to say for once in your many years under me, boy." Waito clasped his hands behind his back with a stern look hanging on Shiroka a moment longer.

"This, our wellspring from where we gain our power from the 'divine' is not a kernel, a nucleus from which we abuse our powers. It is a fickle thing, and must be used with great self control and restraint. Others from among our founding philosophers, our teachers fell into the trap such as your way of thinking Shiroka. Masters Sekando, and Menio went out in search of the demonic horde. They were lost to us years ago, and we can only imagine the worst has befallen them. Be it they were consumed by the rage and the insatiable lust for battle we can lose ourselves to the claw and energy of the demons or their King we may never know. I want better from you children." Waito intoned lowly with a hint of sadness about him. Shiroka, however, felt his brow furrow deeply. He held his tongue, but he felt this was all nonsense.

He again glanced down towards his left hand and unfurled his fingers. There, right there he saw it again. A white light like little prickling bolts of electricity crackled just above his finger tips. His eyes hardened but a smile crept along his face once more as he numbly heard Waito fall into some other manner of lecture ahead of himself. In spite of it all he knew he would use these skills to fight those demonic bastards. Those who uprooted his family, all the families here. He would kill them all for what they took from Kita. Nearly every kid here lost someone or knew someone else that had lost someone, and for that he would make them pay.

"Now, Shiroka since you're so keen on battle let us see how you fare against Gen-"

"Unit 12."

12 felt himself pulled back into the present. His eyes flashed alight once more and his right hand again came up to his metal forehead as he felt some strange miasma cloud his 'senses.' He shook himself and tried to make the sensation clear away as he slowly tilted his head right over his shoulder towards the computer.

"What were you doing number 12?" He turned back left then to see unit 15 looking up at him with a curious tilt of his hat adorned head. A strange smile along his unnatural purple shell that for some reason made 12 want to curl a frown in response to. Had he the ability to do so anymore of course.

"I was...accessing memory."

"What kind of memories?" 15 asked quizzically and seemingly innocently enough.

"Localized memories. Nothing you need concern yourself with, unit 15." The Android gave a slight shrug in response and pocketed its little hands back into its yellow coat pockets.

"I wasn't aware you were not an all machine model, number 12. Our data shares are not entirely complete it would seem." 15 added still looking up at 12.

"I was found many years ago by Doctor Gero. He offered me a chance to help him save the world, and I took it. Like yourself I had not imagined I would be made use of beyond whatever research I was needed for by the doctor. It would appear we were all of us unaware of the good doctor's contingencies." 15 gave a curt subdued nod.

"That we weren't. I wonder though, there's no files on you in my local memory. Why do you think that is?"

"I'm not sure. Though I have no data on you or the other models save for what I am given by the computer. As you said, are data is incomplete." 12 pointed lazily at the machine which beeped and whirred without care for the two speaking models.

"Hmm, I see. Well, what was it like to be organic? To be so much weaker?"

"Organic?" 12 repeated with a hint of incredulity in his morphed robotic voice.

"Yes, you know, human? I wonder what it is like to be human, weaker than we androids. I wonder what it's like to be so frail, so breakable." 12's eyes dimmed noticeably before brightening back up. A faint glimmer and sign of his emotions. He...honestly didn't know how to feel. A spike of anger drove through him at the clear demeaning tone the android spoke with about humanity in general. Though, as he felt that way he couldn't help but glance down towards his left hand. He stretched it and then squeezed it back together. A faint near indiscernible white glimmer shone just beneath those blackened metal fingers. Yes, he was powerful, more powerful now than he ever was as a man. A human man.

Nearly without notice of himself his right hand again came up and grasped at his forehead. That strange woozy sensation flashed through his skull...was it his skull? He wasn't even sure, but it soon faded and he turned his attention back to the waiting number 15. The little dwarf Android just stared at him unfazed and unconcerned at all by his procrastination.

"I am...stronger now." 12 intoned near robotically in tone. 15 tilted his head towards his right.

"I see." Was all 15 replied with. His ever present little smirk never waning from his face as the two android models fell into silence, one staring at the other. 12 cocked his metal head to the side and remained looking down upon 15.

"What is it like to be an android, and to only know how to be an android? A machine made for the purposes of another." 15 gave a strange humming sound though his demeanor and expression didn't change at all.

"At least we are aware of our purposes and given great powers. Humans are so fickle and so uncoordinated. They move through their 'lives' without knowing why, when or how. Why do they create more humans? Mere biological instinct without rhyme or reason. They have had many ages to do better, and to be stronger and what has it given them? A world infested with demons, rogue armies of killers and of course, aliens." 12 found it odd 15 didn't just say 'The Red Ribbon Army,' but chose to simply ignore the Android's choice of words.

"I feel at ease. I know what I must do, and what I will do. The illusion of choice doesn't weigh me down, number 12." 15 remarked with what 12 thought to be a contented smile gracing his odd features. 12 also gave a slight nod. In a strange way that made sense. In a strange way he kind of liked it. At least that's what he thought as his hand once more returned to the top of his metal skull as a strange haze swept through his mind, and faded as quickly as it came.

"All retrofits required of unit 13 now complete. Activating unit 13 now, please stand by." The computer suddenly announced openly throughout the room. 12 turned to it but then quickly back towards the pod in question as the buzzing and whir of whatever was going on inside of it died down. 15 joined him and turned to face 13's pod while 14 off to the side finally turned away from his steely gaze down the entrance way and looked to 13's pod as well. A sudden heaviness infested the room, or maybe 12 alone felt it permeate around him. He didn't know how the other androids felt or even if they felt in the way he knew how. However, as the pod gave a sudden hiss and its door snapped ever so lightly off from the lower half he felt a sudden trepidation well up inside of himself. After all something about this unit had to be special for it to be given lead of all other units present. That old feeling again surfaced inside. That ache and love of battle, but he suppressed it for the time being as the pod doors opened with a loud and buzzing whir.

The hatch came to a stop much as 14 and 15's had. The man, the Android inside was already standing. His eyes almost held a shine all their own, and 12 couldn't help but make a connection between his own eyes and this Android's. They were bluish-gray that shone out in the relative darkness of this lower lab. He was given a form that certainly appeared muscular. His hair, long and white hung down freely from below a simple cap adorned with the Red Ribbon logo, placed atop his head. His clothing a simple yellow vest showing on one side the Red Ribbon symbol again of course. Oddly 12 could see what looked to be suspenders beneath this Android's vest as it silently took a step out from the pod and made a small jump onto the floor below. Otherwise it...he wore green pants, black boots and reddish gloves covering his hands.

The Android's eyes slowly passed from 12 who it looked on first to 15 next to him. Of course it then crept those same steely eyes towards 14. All three sets of opposing eyes matched his stare and that same heavy silence from before was made nearly palpable by the unusual tension in the space of this lab. The Android gave a low and what sounded to 12 to be thoughtful hum. Before a quite prominent and smug smirk crossed his fair features.

"Activation is complete. Welcome Android unit 13."

When he had finally woken up and managed to keep his eyes open for longer than a minute or two, Gohan still felt like his head had been run over by at least twenty, fifty-ton trucks. However, his heart had begun pounding immediately after the harsh bright light of the medical room entered and filtered through the healing fluids to his eyes.

Bubbles formed and bustled around him as he shut his eyes and moved his limbs somewhat erratically. The sudden thought of his young pupil, his friend, Trunks crashed against the fore of his mind. Yet, he stopped. The sudden realization hitting him then as he pulled his hands upwards. His breathing mask still suctioned to his mouth and drawing breath for his lungs as his dark eyes looked down at his hands. He stretched them outwards, and back inwards forming fists. Then he lifted his right arm, and looked at the forearm. No scratch or scar he hadn't already sported there was to be found. No ache and no soreness crept into him or through him. In fact he dared to say he felt better now then he had for weeks! After all, he couldn't down senzu like he truly could have and right now he felt like he had just taken one.

"Gohan!" He hadn't sensed anyone approach lost in his own realization as he jumped through the liquid surrounding him. Looking ahead of himself he found Trunks again. The boy's hands planted against the glass separating them again and that boyish smile planted along his face. This time Gohan felt himself smile behind his mask and lifted his right hand and waved through the liquid.

"You're finally awake! Ready to get outta there yet?" Trunks laughed in muffled a manner as his voice warped its way through both the glass and fluid. Gohan made to talk, but then remembered the mask planted against his face. He couldn't hep but chuckle a little. Not only at his own forgetfulness, but also at just seeing Trunks. Well enough seeming and safe. Even if among the Saiyans, which he knew would be quite the chat later between himself and his 'little brother.' So, he simply nodded.

"Great!" Trunks replied stepping aside allowing Gohan to catch sight of Paragus standing to the far end of the room watching the display intently. Gohan narrowed his gaze only somewhat at this. While two aliens in some manner of lab coats moved in, and one pressed several keys along the machine that sounded out a whir and hiss. The liquid began to suction and flush downwards quickly. In no time at all completely draining and forcing Gohan to plant his bare feet to the cold metal grating beneath him within the pod. Every inch of his body bristled from the cold of the pod, now with the liquid gone and its seeming ability to warm and care for the body. He would've perhaps been more concerned about his nakedness were it not for the intensive look he was receiving from Paragus. It forced Gohan to stare back just as intently still even as the pod doors hissed aloud and he noted numbly the flush of air, and stale smells of the pod relieving to the even staler air of the lab outside.

Though, Gohan did notice it then. He looked to Trunks who seemed as happy as ever, chipper and ecstatic at his return. Then he turned back to Paragus. Noticing then it wasn't himself, the older Saiyan was staring at. It was Trunks. To that, the older half-Saiyan felt his hands ball into protective fists, even as he noted the latch of the pod doorway above him, and he yanked the breather from his face. He sucked in a deep breath through his nostrils, closing his eyes as he did so, before releasing that same air from his mouth and allowing a smirk to cross his features.

"Certainly feels nice to be back in the world of the living." Gohan noted aloud as he again stretched both arms and brought them up to his sides as he did so. Curling his fingers as he did so and noting just how invigorated he felt.

"It's nice to have you back! I was...worried you'd...you had been...well..." Trunks trailed off, clearly somewhat emotional but doing greatly to suppress it and seem the confident strong one. Gohan smiled his way.

"Well, I'm not, and I wasn't. It's good to see you too Trunks. Though-" Gohan paused and eyed his pupil from head to toe noting the scratches, dirt stains and sweat.

"You didn't fight the androids did you?!" He asked suddenly causing Trunks to retract from him.

"Wha...oh, no, no, no, I had been training is all!"

"Training?" Gohan cocked his brow curiously as he numbly noted the two coat wearing aliens preparing an outfit for him on a table beside them. Trunks looked a bit sheepish then and rubbed the back of his neck. His fingers trailing along the very tips of his lavender hair.

"Ah, you should forgive him." Gohan turned as Paragus finally decided to approach the pair.

"I am the cause for his current state of appearance. I wished to see just how strong your brother was. So, I offered a little sparring match between he and one of my commanders. A fight I may add he did superbly in." Gohan felt his face tense and eyes narrow cautiously upon Paragus. Though he turned back to Trunks then. The boy averted his gaze, knowing Gohan disapproved of that.

"Well...at least you got some training in finally." He offered without with quite clear dull a manner to him. Trunks shrugged in kind and didn't say anything immediately. Gohan in kind then sighed placed both palms on the back of his head and rustled through his damp hair and stretched in a little frustration before sighing deeply once more.

"It's good to see you Trunks." Gohan began placing his left hand on the boy's right shoulder and offering him an earnest smirk. The boy looked back up to him, and though silently noting his smile for a moment, he soon reciprocated it.

"You too...bro." Trunks offered and Gohan nodded his understanding.

"You'll have to forgive me again, I'm afraid." Paragus broke in again as he idly lifted up a piece of Saiyan armor.

"Your outfit was torn to shreds. I had mind enough to save it for you, but it's in a terrible state. So, I've had my men retrieve an old basic model of our people's armor. Well, armor we adopted anyways." Paragus offered holding up a piece Gohan recalled seeing before on Vegeta back on Namek after his initial armor was torn apart in their battle with the Ginyu Force. He looked to the table and noted the undergarment protective suit was a dark shade of blue as Vegeta's had been and similar in color to the type he had worn for a short time.

"Well...anything beats walking around like this for any longer." Gohan offered with a somewhat feigned smile as Paragus chuckled and tossed to him the undergarment and boots that matched the armor piece.

"So, how did you find me?" Gohan asked as he slowly began to push his feet into the undergarment piece. Trunks turned away offering his trainer a bit more privacy than before while Paragus shrugged a bit, but did not offer the same courtesy as Trunks.

"We felt an intense amount of energy release from the south. Knowing it to be yours I took a few of my men and we arrived at the city where you were playing with that thing. We saw the end of it, and you passed out in the streets. Where I graciously took you back here to recover." Gohan noted the accentuation of 'graciously.'

"Yeah, that 'thing' was an android. Luckily I destroyed it."

"Uh..." Gohan had just got the leathery bit over his chest as he heard Trunks mumble beside him. Paragus also turned to the boy as he sheepishly groaned.

"I...I don't think it's destroyed Gohan."

"What?!" Gohan retorted and Paragus cocked a curious brow in kind.

"You hadn't mentioned this. What makes you think so?" The older Saiyan asked and Trunks shrugged before going on.

"I went looking for you after you hadn't shown up. It had been hours without so much as a peep or sense of your ki. What was I supposed to do sit and wait while you may have been dead?!" Trunks began even though he knew Gohan hadn't accused him of anything. More than anything he was retorting to Gohan's silent harsh look from before. Gohan looked momentarily stunned but sighed and bowed his head, seeming to relent, and prompt Trunks to go on.

"I...I went to Sizzle and found nothing but the remains of the city and that thing's husk. It...it began to move."

"In what way exactly?" Gohan inquired turning to look more directly and inquisitively to Trunks. Paragus just remained silent for his part.

"A strange liquid came out of it. Shining, but fluid. It poured out of all the cracked and crevices and began to buzz and shine out. Until afterward the android husk stood up. I swear to you Gohan its whole body was remade. At least from what I could tell from its shattered state. Clothes and all were reformed around it, and it stood up before blasting off. Obviously I didn't follow it." To that Gohan could only nod his approval.

"It's good that you hadn't. It had talked to me during our battle. It called itself Android 12. It...it had strange powers I'd never seen before."

"Strange how?" Paragus now asked causing Gohan to cast a cautionary glance his way. Sizing him up, the half-Saiyan took a second longer before speaking again.

"It spoke as if it had some human background. It went on about fighting demons, and now aliens. Cleansing the Earth and so forth. Its powers revolved around ethereal terms and ideas. Halos, nimbus, divine so on and so forth."

"Demons?" Trunks repeated quizzically.

"It recognized the masenko. Piccolo's technique, before Piccolo...the Piccolo I knew my fa...our father defeated him in his old form. Demon King Piccolo."

"But that was decades ago." Gohan nodded in reply to Trunks.

"Yes, but the way this android talked, I don't think it came from the time when Piccolo returned as the Demon King. I think it remembered him from before." Trunks face betrayed his thoughts as it turned to a disbelieving frown.

"But that's even farther back Gohan! Hundreds of years even!"

"I know, and it leaves me with more questions about what or who this Android is. The fact that I didn't destroy it also leaves me concerned."

"Indeed." Paragus cut in catching both Gohan and Trunks attention.

"When we landed to retrieve you it look quite decimated to us."

"Yeah...it must have some form of repairing factor. But, why an older model like itself and not the newer ones?" Gohan intoned aloud thoughtfully more towards himself.

"A lot doesn't make sense here." Gohan added rather obviously.

"Well, you still beat it. Which means this thing can't be that strong. Plus you're back to top shape right?" Trunks asked and Gohan smiled his way nodding.

"Sure feels that way thanks to this baby." Gohan tapped the edge of the pod lightly with his fist.

"Then the one mom has should be...oh man." Trunks intoned.

"What?" Gohan asked.

"Mom...she's gonna kill me." Gohan felt his brow raise before a wide smile crossed his face. He didn't know exactly what that meant but he had an idea.

"Well, we'll cross that bridge in a little bit. First things first, I get myself into this outfit." Gohan announced with a chuckle sent Trunks' way as he slipped on one of the gloves of the outfit that also matched both the boots and main basic armor piece.

"Then we compile what we all know, and then..."

"Then what?" Trunks asked before Gohan could truly finish.

"Well," Gohan began again stretching the second glove atop his leather under-layment.

"Then we begin setting terms." He turned pointedly towards Paragus. The older man eyed Gohan for a minute, before breaking out into a silent smirk of his own.

"Terms and conditions, and perhaps gain an idea of how we're going to take down the androids. With a little help on our side this time."

"We're more than happy to oblige." Paragus offered with a clearly feigned bow at his hip, but seeming good-nature enough and friendly...seeming anyways to Gohan.

"Plus, perhaps it's time we do get back to full training. Since you seemed to have stared without me and all Trunks."

"You mean it?!" The boy nearly jumped as he absolutely bristled in anticipation.

"I do." Gohan smiled down at him.

"First things first though." Gohan began again as he took hold of the Saiyan armor piece and puled it over his head and shoulders.

"We need to head back to Sizzle. I want to see if there's anything at all we can use for evidence. Then, we head back to Bul...your mother's." To that trunks immediately scowled. Gohan smirked playfully as he got the armor entirely over his frame and pat himself along the chest as though testing its durability lightly.

"Best we don't leave her in any undue suspense." Gohan chuckled as Trunks sighed and nodded his dull agreement.

"Yeah..." Gohan turned to Paragus.

"Perhaps it's time we get a gauge on how strong our new 'friends' are going to be." Gohan offered with the faintest accentuation of his own on the word 'friends.' Paragus bowed his head.

"I'll be sure to await your return. And, that of your brother." He bowed to Trunks.

"Right." Gohan replied again, somewhat tersely. His mind alight in questions upon the androids, and ever cautious of this Saiyan man and his offerings of 'aid.'

From his experience, it was never really out of their good wills or hearts that such things came. That remained with him, and would until it was proven otherwise. Healing tank, freely given armor, and Trunks little sparring match especially, be damned.

Author's Note: Hey all, I am so SO sorry for the long wait on this story. I have been dealing with real life things. College still...working to as one is to do to live and make min wage. As well I have been really on a downward trend when it comes to Dragon Ball. Recently I have just had so little reason or willpower to write for any of my stories, but I'm sure you all can guess what got me hyped and reinvigorated. That Broly trailer tho...that Broly canon tho! Of course I am still writing with the old 'non-canon' Broly in this story and I won't be changing that, so no one worry if that crossed your mind. I love both Broly's and I haven't even truly seen the new one yet like everyone else!

Now I hope you all will forgive me, as it has been what...a year since I updated this story? I reread my own work and noted this chapter was like 80% done when I dropped it. that being said if there is a problem with consistency or plothole that is my bad as I certainly may have forgotten some of my own points but I tried my best to go over my own work to remember what I did and had planned. If you notice something is wrong with my own works then please let me know! It would be good for me to fix my own errors. Also, as always if you notice any/all grammar issues feel free to let me know and I'll happily fix them or do your best to ignore them. I recognize they're there, I don't have a beta reader or all the free time in the world to reread my stuff 20 times.

I note that certain readers have either not liked my 'Arcosian' (yes I know not canon race name I work with what I got) character, or my OC Android. If you don't like them I understand. I am not trying to force my OC's into dreaded gary-stues/mary-sue positions. I am trying to give them depth and reason/purpose. I appreciate any feedback on them, but please at least give them a chance before assuming I'm trying to make Gohan seem weak or something. There is a plot here, and I am working on it. But anyways this note has dragged on. Thanks again to everyone who likes and follows this silly little story, and please review! They above all else make me excited to write more for any given story. Until the next!