The arrival of the androids Ch: 1

-Gohan, age nine-

His eyes flashed open as he was awoken from his dream; he sat up trying to uncover what had disturbed him but failed to find anything. Slowly, the tired boy searched his dresser for his green pajama's and quickly slipped his legs into the baggy pants while tossing the dragon decorated top back into the drawer. He'd determined nearly the moment he'd woken up that it was too hot for a shirt.

Gohan hopped out of bed and quickly turned on his light, taking a moment to wipe the sweat from his forehead before walking over to open his window. After he allowed the breeze to cool his face he pulled out the chair to his desk and sat down, grabbing a pen and paper from the bottom drawer. He began to write in detail the dream he had been experiencing while it was still fresh in his mind. It was another dream revolving around his father, them playing as they waited for dinner to be done and then competing to see who could eat more at the table. Gohan lost but enjoyed a laugh as his father had managed to brake the wooden chair he sat on, it collapsing from the intense weight of his food consumption. Chi-chi was obviously mad, but that anger didn't last long as she too began to laugh at Goku's goof.

It was there that the dream ended.

Gohan sighed as he finished writing the memory; he read it over a few times before carefully placing the paper into the open top drawer of his desk and returning the remaining paper and pen to the bottom drawer. These dreams had become a constant part of Gohan's life ever since Goku passed away. Nearly every day he would dream of an experience back when he and his father had been together, some of it bad, but most of it good, like the time they had gone camping together. That was one of Gohan's fondest and most competitive memories. During their camping trip they kept trading experience from previous outdoor endeavors. Of course Goku knew more but Gohan's time with Piccolo certainly surprised Goku some, and even left the Saiyan in full shock as certain parts of the stories hit his ears.

He remembered when he had told Goku about the time Piccolo had thrown him off a cliff so tall that he couldn't even see the bottom. He made sure to include that he was only four and that he hadn't learned how to fly yet, mentioning that the pain was something that seemed so horrible at the time yet laughable now. The young half Saiyan's goal with the story was to trump Goku's tales of being 12 and fighting off crazed organizations and evil Robots, though it seemed to have a far different impact.

Gohan remembered after the story his father picking him up and lifting him onto of his shoulders, though his happy mood was gone. When asked what was wrong Goku simply said "Gohan, you might not know it but, you've not had a childhood like most kids… I think. I just want to say that I'm sorry for… everything up until now, all the fighting, all the life risking battles and friends dying around you. I realize that you didn't even have the choice of whether or not you wanted to fight like I did…You were forced to because of the Saiyans threatening the Earth, and then Frieza... But all of that is over now, so Gohan... do you even want to fight?"

Gohan remembered answering right away "Of course dad! I love to fight!" knowing that was the answer his father wanted to hear. Though the answer's sincerity was something Gohan often questioned himself.

That had brought back Goku's happy mood as he laughed and said "That's my boy! Now let's have a bit of a spar, I know you've been in some serious fights in your life, but I don't think you've ever seen the fun side of a fight. Jump down and let's go!" Gohan remembered happily doing so and getting into his stance before-

His memory was cut short as suddenly he felt a sharp spike in power followed by a large explosion coming from the West, though how far away Gohan couldn't be sure.

"What in the-?" Gohan startled back with wide eyes before turning to look out of his window. His instincts told him to sense for the energy he'd felt only moments before, strangely enough he could have sworn that the power he'd felt came from someone familiar...

After scanning miles upon miles of land his search came to an end as he found the power source in a place he'd been told was called West City. What startled him even more though was the fact the he did recognize the power signature "Vegeta!?" he said in wild shock.

The look of confusion was clear on the boy's face as he thought …what's Vegeta doing? Why would he be… oh no!

Gohan realized what had to be happening, when Vegeta had arrived on Earth he only stayed in line because Piccolo had been stronger at the time and would have easily squashed the Saiyan had he felt like it… that short spike of power had been several times stronger than Piccolo could ever muster.

How'd Vegeta get so strong?! Gohan thought in panic

He gripped the window frame tightly and stuck his head out into the wind focusing on the night sky as he tried to send a mental message his master Piccolo. After several seconds of no response he thought in panic No! Am I too late?!

Gohan felt a second large explosion go off from the City of Vegeta's torment followed by Chichi screaming from the living room. Gohan nearly pulled the door off its hinges as he swung it open to run to his mom's aid.

"Mom! Are you okay!?" He shouted as he ran down the small hallway. He rushed into the dark living room and saw Chichi on the couch covering her mouth and staring teary eyed at the flashing television.

"Mom what's wrong!?" Gohan said as he sat down next to her both nervous and scared. She didn't answer; she just wrapped her arms around her son and cried. Gohan pushed her off and said "Mom? What's…. what's going on?" he was truly terrified; she pointed a weak finger towards the TV which Gohan followed. He stared at the flashing images for a few seconds before he realized that it was a live news broadcast.

The reporter was stammering out words, visibly trembling "There seems, t-to be a-a-a-a… battle going on n-now…. Much of west c-city has been d-destroyed…. I'm a-a….afraid to move any closer t-to the d-destruction." Gohan looked at what was playing on behind the man, no longer listening to the stuttering man. Several of the buildings had been leveled and most were only large piles of ruble with fires being the only visible source of light, Gohan assumed that several transformers must have been torn down during Vegeta's onslaught causing the power outage. Gohan's eyes widened as he noticed the bodies scattered behind the reporter, each as still and lifeless as the last.

That bastard!Gohan's fists tightened as he stared at the destruction, gritting his teeth he thought he's going to pay!

The boy's leg began to shake as he anticipated what he would do to that horrid Saiyan who had killed so many people.

The reporter turned as a large explosion went off to his left. Gohan watched as a panicked expression washed over his face "Oh g-god! the battles coming over here!" The camera turned away from the reporter and Gohan gasped as he saw Piccolo flying past the camera into a building. The camera followed him and Gohan watched as his master slowly got up from the ruble, missing an arm. Piccolo shouted and a fresh limb shot out from the stump. Gohan heard the reporters voice screaming "OH GOD!" the camera swerved and Gohan watched as a flash of light rushed toward them. The scene ended and the TV flickered static.

Gohan jumped up quick from the couch "Piccolo's okay!" if Piccolo's alive then everything can be fixed, we can still save everyone!Gohan thought

His mother shook her head and quickly pulled her son into a tight embrace "Son wait… don't get any crazy ideas" he hugged her back for a few moments before lightly pushing her arms away as he set off towards his room .

"Piccolo needs my help."

"NO!" Chichi screamed, grabbing Gohan's small hand.

"Mom…" he pulled his hand out of hers, barely able to escape her vice-like grip "You saw Mr. Piccolo, he… he needs my help."

Tears built at the corner of her eyes "but you're barely nine! He's a grown man...err whatever he is, he's an adult! You're a child! You wouldn't make a difference, stay here!" with her last words she made a quick grab for her son, which Gohan narrowly avoided.

Gohan stepped away and said "Mom, Mr. Piccolo needs my help. I can't let him down." He turned and ran back down the hall way into his room. He could hear his mom screaming his name as he pulled out the rectangular box from under his bed. He lifted the lid and pulled out the Saiyan armor he'd kept from Vegeta.

Ironic he thought before quickly changing and throwing the box back under his bed.

He looked up and saw his mother standing in the doorway; her arms crossed "You are not going. It's way too dangerous." She waved her arms frantically as she said "You could be killed! Do you realize that!?" she began to cry again "I… I can't lose you too… I can't lose you Gohan… please Gohan…" she pleaded to him.

Gohan stared at her for a few moments, tears at his eyes before saying "I love you mom." And with that he turned and bolted out of his window.

Tears streamed down his face as he heard his mom's screams becoming fainter and fainter. He squinted as West city started to come into view. There was smoking rising from the city in various locations; he could make out several buildings completely vaporized. He came to a stop and hovered over the large city. The young boy could barely make out Piccolo's energy, he searched for Krillen's, Yamcha's and Tien's energy but for some reason couldn't find theirs; his eyes widened as he felt Vegeta's energy, it had grown enormously since when they had last met at Goku's arrival, and Frieza's second death. In fact, Gohan had only ever felt this power from his father when he had fought Freiza, when he had become a super Saiyan.

Gohan began to think, what can I do against a super Saiyan, especially one as vicious as Vegeta!?The demi-Saiyan looked down at his body and realized he was shivering from the fright; he tried to stop the feeling, but failed. A Sudden explosion caught his attention down below.

The thought crossed his mind, you don't have to do this, you don't have to fight, your only nine, no one would blame you if you ran away. The boy contemplated the idea before shaking his head and dismissing it. "No." his said aloud "I will fight, I will fight as hard as I can!" He powered up to his max as he spoke "…For my father…" and with his last words he shot full speed at where he had seen the explosion.

Down below he saw Piccolo's mangled body lying unconscious on the ground. He nearly shouted out his name before he saw Vegeta crash next to the bloody Namekian.

What? thought the confused boy.

Vegeta stood up slowly, panting; Gohan took note of his impressive super Saiyan aura, but it was flickering. A young blonde woman in a cowgirl costume landed next to him, Vegeta put up a defensive stance but looked distraught. Gohan watched in horror as the blonde shot a quick punch to Vegeta's gut, causing him to crumple over the arm in pain, the girl quickly grabbed his head with both hands and smashed her knee into his nose. Blood spurted from his now broken nose as he took a step back, holding his face. He shot a large blast at the girl who easily deflected it before rushing towards him and throwing a fierce punch to his cheek and following up with a roundhouse to his arm, causing it to snap from the pressure. Gohan heard Vegeta's piercing scream before it was silenced by the girl's fist in his face, causing him to fall back.

His eyes widened even further as he felt Piccolo's thoughts enter his mind the girl, blast the girl.Gohan looked back to his mentor who was still lying on the ground, clearly broken, but his non swollen eye was staring directly at Gohan. The boy mental messaged back asking what's happening?

He didn't know how but Piccolo managed to shout back in his mind Blast her now! Before she kills Vegeta!

The blonde stood over Vegeta's fallen form as he slowly lost his super Saiyan status. His left eye was swollen shut and there was blood streaming from his side. He pushed himself into a sitting position with his undamaged arm and glared at the girl as she walked calmly towards him. Gohan realized now that Vegeta hadn't been attacking the city, it had been this girl. He quickly raised his hands above his head and whispered "Masenko…"

"Well, this was fun." She said with a smile, standing over Vegeta menacingly.

Vegeta felt a sudden build in energy to his right and turned his head slightly, he caught sight of Gohan about to fire and grinned before turning his attention back to the android and spitting "Rot in hell you stupid bitch!"

The smile on the girl's face vanished as she lifted her hand to reveal a small sphere of golden energy building in her hand. "Meet cha there."

The blonde's head tilted in confusion and she heard someone shout "HA!" she turned her head and saw a giant golden beam rocketing towards her. She panicked at the sight and quickly threw the small golden sphere towards the beam which easily consumed it and continued barreling its way towards her. The blast hit her like a torpedo and swept her off her feet into the ground, burying her in several feet of rubble.

Gohan landed next to Vegeta who was struggling to get up. The young boy felt bad about assuming Vegeta had been the bad guy here and offered his hand but the proud Saiyan swatted it away. "Get away from me brat." Gohan took a step back.

Once Vegeta was up Gohan asked "Who was-"

"An android." Vegeta answered quickly, attempting to build his energy back up. Gohan didn't question any further, he had seen stranger, much stranger, like when he found out that his dad was an alien and that having a tail meant you turned into a giant monkey.

Gohan noticed Vegeta struggling to regain his super Saiyan form and said "Here" he grabbed Vegeta's uninjured arm and focused.

Vegeta quickly responded with "The hell are you-" before feeling a fresh flow of energy pouring onto his own energy. A few moments later Vegeta pulled his arm away from Gohan and said "That's enough." He quickly transformed and said "Keep the rest of your energy, you'll need it." Gohan took a step back and nodded. He noticed the rubble to his left beginning to shift and quickly turned towards it in a ready though weary stance.

The girl emerged from the rubble and looked over at Vegeta with a scowl. She glanced down and noticed the small nine year old in a fighting stance. Her frown disappeared and was replaced with a large smile. "awww!"She leaned over, hands on her knees and said in a kiddish voice "Are you the one who sent that big energy blast?"

Gohan took a step back in confusion "…um…?"

The smile on her face vanished as she said "Cause it really hurt." She lifted her hand to reveal a nearly fully charged Photon beam aimed at Gohan's chest.

She was about to release it before a small blast shot past Gohan's head and into the charging sphere, causing it to explode in her hand and force her several feet away.

Vegeta stepped past Gohan and growled "Don't forget your fight's with me bitch." He turned his head and said to Gohan "Grab the Namekian and get him to safety, we can't afford to lose the dragon balls." Gohan nodded and had turned to fly off when Vegeta added "And try to avoid the other one."

Gohan looked back at Vegeta, his mouth slightly ajar "The other one?"

Vegeta nodded "There's another one, he has black hair and an orange bandanna, looks like that bitch…watch out for him." He saw that Gohan was stunned in place and shouted viciously "Move it brat!" Gohan was brought back to his senses and nodded; he quickly turned and flew to where Piccolo was lying unconscious in a decimated house. Vegeta watched as the boy picked up the Namekian and flew off.

Eighteen grinned at the Saiyan prince "Seems someone's got a soft spot huh?" she got into a ready stance.

Vegeta laughed "I just don't want the brat in the way when I crush you." While he didn't want to admit it, the android was right; Vegeta did want that boy safe.

He may be all that's left of the Saiyan race soon

The Prince of Saiyans thought before rushing towards the android.

Gohan flew as fast as he could while struggling to carry his injured master without further harming him. His destination was Kami's lookout, it made sense to bring Piccolo there as the Senzu beans were with Korin just below.

As worried thoughts raced throughout his mind he couldn't stop focusing on the battle raging on behind him. He released a frustrated growl as again he failed to trace the android's energy, only relying on Vegeta's massive yet dropping power level to determine the fight. It didn't look good.

Gohan had noticed that he hadn't been able to sense anything from the girl, and he suspected the same from the other android. It was this thought that worried him and put him on an intense look out for anything suspicious.

As he was only two more miles away from the tower, Gohan felt it safe to let up his guard just a little bit and focus on flying.

This was a mistake.

A sudden blast of energy hit him in the back, causing his grip to slip and release the bleeding Namekian. "Mister Piccolo!" he shouted as he rushed to catch his unconscious and falling friend only to be yanked back by his hair.

"Where you think you're going?" Gohan heard as he held his head in pain and looked behind him, he saw an odd looking boy with straight black hair and an orange bandanna, looking almost identical to the blonde girl.

"The other android…" Gohan whispered, his eyes full of terror.

The boy grinned "Yup, I'm Seventeen, and from your little whisper I'm guessing you've met my sister."

Gohan took a second to think, why would he tell me his age? Wait… he said it like a name… is he… Is he the Seventeen? They go by numbers? Why would they go by-… oh god! How many of these things are there?!

The boy was brought back to the reality with a painful yank of his hair and the android shouting "What's wrong with you kid!? You a mute?"

Whimpering, Gohan said "p-please, let me go." He was floating with Seventeen now, trying to relieve the stress on his hair.

The android let his head fall back with a dark cackle before looking Gohan dead in the eye and saying "Now why would I let my new toy leave? I can't be letting just anybody have my toy… I guess I'm ganna have to break you so no one else can play."

"Aw, can't you share?" both Seventeen and Gohan turned their head to see The Blonde haired girl floating only a few yards away with her arms crossed. Gohan took notice of her clothes, how damaged and torn they looked along with the dirt and grime covering her body, it seemed that her clothes had taken quite the beating yet she looked perfectly unharmed.

"What, your toy broke?" Seventeen replied with a grin. Gohan's eyes widened as he realized that they were talking about Vegeta.

"Yeah, that guy's dead," the blonde said with a shrug "But he put up a fun fight."

"Aha!" Seventeen pointed a finger at her "Eighteen, you've had your fun." He lifted Gohan "now it's time for mine." He pulled his arm back and prepared to punch the small half Saiyan when a sudden foot collided with Seventeen's face, forcing him to release Gohan and sending him flipping through the air before he came to a stop a few yards away.

Gohan looked to his side to see the bloody Namekian in a strained battle stance. "Piccolo!" Gohan briefly smiled at his friend before saying " I didn't know if you were…" they were floating pretty high up when he had dropped Piccolo, and plus in his damaged state… Gohan hadn't known whether or not he had made it.

Seventeen rubbed his jaw "That hurt you green little freak." He turned his head towards Eighteen and said "You know what? I'm in a giving mood, you can have the kid, I'm ganna enjoy the Martian." He cracked his knuckles and grinned "come at me green man." He opened his arm out wide, as if he were expecting a hug.

Piccolo moved in front of Gohan "I'll take you both on."

Seventeen laughed "You were barely a match when you had all of your friends with you, now it's just you" he gestured to Gohan "And that kid."

Gohan took a deep breath as Seventeen spoke, he leaned over and whispered into Piccolo's ear "He… he doesn't mean… Krillen, and everyone?" Piccolo only nodded, causing Gohan to continue "They, they aren't, d-dead… are they?" Piccolo paused for a moment, before slowly nodding again.

NO! Gohan's eyes shut tight as he took in the information, he could feel himself slipping NO,NO,NO,NO,NO! They can't be dead, they, they just can't, he thought as tears streamed down his face.

Seventeen grinned and pointed at Gohan "Looks like someone's having a little fit."

Eighteen briefly smiled before returning to her frown and said "Looks like you right."

Seventeen took noticed as Gohan glared at him, his fists clenched into little balls of fury. "What!?" Seventeen said in between laughter "Little cry baby's mad at me?" Seventeen burst out laughing again.

Thoughts shot through Gohan's mind like bullets

They killed Krillen

They killed Yamcha

They killed Tien

They killed chiaotzu

They killed Vegeta

They killed all those people in west city

There was a long pause as he finally let himself go.

And now I will kill them!

Gohan roared and Seventeen stopped laughing. Piccolo looked over his shoulder and watched as the young half Saiyan's hair began to spike, and a golden aura surrounded him. His pupils began to flicker between black and teal.

Piccolo watched in amazement do it,he thought c'mon, do it.

There was a sudden flash of light in which everyone covered their eyes. All fighters re-opened their eyes and watched as the Hybrid floated out from behind his master, lightning shooting out and surrounding him along with his hair being spiked and golden.

Piccolo grinned at his student, now they might have a chance.

"Oh great," Eighteen sighed "Another Blondie."

"Don't worry sis." Seventeen said with confidence "I've got this one." He faced the small super Saiyan and said "come at me little-"his words were cut off as Gohan appeared in front of him and dug his fist deep into the android's gut. Seventeen doubled over clutching his stomach before Gohan kicked him across the face sending him spiraling away. The boy appeared above the android and drove his fist into Seventeen's cheek before round house kicking him in the stomach. Seventeen doubled over once again which granted Gohan the opportunity to smash his knee into the android's face. Seventeen held his nose for a few moments in which Gohan drove his elbow into the android's throat. Seventeen gasped for air as he clung to his neck; Gohan grabbed the android by the hair and began to repeatedly smash his elbow into the side of the android's face.

Gohan pulled back his arm to hit Seventeen again when a surprise blast hit the young Saiyan, knocking him away. Gohan was confused for a moment, before looking up and hearing Eighteen shout "You okay bro?"

Seventeen nodded while rubbing the side of his face "I'm fine!" he growled "The little bastard just caught me by surprise." He pointed at Gohan and said "You're dead little brat." before rushing towards him.

Gohan couldn't keep up, he could barely block the attacks let alone fight back. Gohan thought he saw an opening and punched forward, Seventeen easily avoided the strike and shoved his knee into Gohans stomach, the young Saiyan resisted the pain and pushed upward off Seventeen's knee, ramming his head into the android's face. The android swore and slapped Gohan's face hard before grabbing the back of the boy's head and crashing his knee into the Saiyan's nose. The android let go of Gohan's head and let the boy droop a little before kicking him hard in the stomach. Gohan doubled over clutching his stomach and felt Seventeen stomp on his back with a force that sent him crashing to the earth.

Gohan stood up from his crater and stared up at the android thinking, what happened!? I was just beating the crap out of him! What changed!?Gohan watched as Seventeen dove down towards him, Gohan jumped out of the way as Seventeen punched the ground where Gohan had just been, causing the crater to grow even bigger. Gohan rushed forward and smashed his foot into Seventeen's chest, the android took a step back, registering the pain before grabbing the half Saiyan's foot and slamming him to the ground. Gohan tried to get up but instead was pushed deeper into the crater as Seventeen slammed his knees into Gohan's chest.

Seventeen was on top of Gohan now, repeatedly smashing his fists into the poor boy's face. The android had Gohan's arms pinned underneath his knees, all he could do was lay there and take it. After the fifth punch Gohan had fallen out of his super Saiyan state, this was the eighth punch. Gohan began to slip into his thoughts, doing anything to attempt and ignore the pain.

I'm sorry mom

SLAM

I'm sorry Piccolo

SLAM

I'm sorry everyone

SLAM

I'm sorry dad

SLAM

I've failed you…

Gohan was nearly unconscious as Seventeen pulled back his arm forming another fist

Gohan thought Friends… I hope to see you soon.Before he shut his eyes and waited for the fist to collide with his face yet again.

But it didn't

Suddenly, Gohan didn't feel the weight of the android on top of him anymore. Gohan slowly opened his eyes and saw Piccolo reaching down to pick him up. "m-mr…Piccolo…" small tears were sliding down the Namekian's cheek as picked up the boy and cradled the small nine year old in his arms.

Piccolo spoke softly "You did well Gohan, I'm very proud." He held the young boy gently in his arms.

"T-thanks…m-mr. Picco…lo" Gohan murmured.

He heard some distance away Seventeen shouting "I thought you had him!"

Piccolo looked towards where the androids had landed several yards away and spoke quietly "Gohan."

"Y-yes…mr. P-Piccolo?" he said the words slowly, each syllable causing him more pain.

"I need you to run,"

Gohan's eyes widens slightly as he felt his master's remaining energy begin to pour over his. Gohan looked up at his friend and stammered "P-Piccolo…what are y-you, d-doing?"

The Namekian set Gohan down on his feet and turned to face the approaching androids before saying "That's all I can give, now run."

Gohan looked up at his friend with tears in his eyes "but P-Piccolo"

Piccolo looked down at Gohan and shouted "I said RUN!"

Gohan immediately jumped into the air and rose several hundred feet before searching his surroundings for a few seconds. He could barely see as much of his face was swollen, his left eye was too damaged to open and he could only barely see out of his right one. Finally he noticed a large forest far off to his right.

There

He dove towards it pushing all he could into getting to the tree line. When he reached the dense amount of green he smashed into a large Oak, accidentally knocking it down. He stood up holding his side when he heard Piccolo's mental message.

Gohan, you will always be my friend, never stop fighting.

Gohan turned his attention towards where he'd left Piccolo, just before he heard a blood curdling scream. Gohan's eyes poured tears as he listened to his masters wails of pain so far away. He covered his ears and sat down, his knees curled up to his chest as he tried to block out his master's screams, but his sensitive Saiyan hearing caught everything.

A few minutes later the screaming stopped and Gohan removed his hands from his ears. He moved over to a large oak tree and cuddled up against it, trying to make himself as small as possible. Tears streamed down his face as he wrapped his arms around his knees and rocked back and forth

back and forth

back and forth.