Bringer of Death

Android Saga - Part 9: "I am a BEAST!"

Android Saga - Part 9: "I am a BEAST!" 

Vegeta's golden-lensed scouter came to life, the arrow on its display screen focusing on a mountain range to the southeast. His son, whose blue scouter indicated the same location, was also eager to catch up to the fleeing android 20. They simultaneously took off at full speed toward the Northern Mountain range, each one continuously glancing below them as they hunted for any sign of the grey-mustached android. Unfortunately, the landscape was covered in forest, dotted by only a few clearings on the hill slopes. There were nearly limitless places to hide. 20 would be difficult to spot on foot, so they stayed true to their scouter headings-their only guide. 

'This isn't good,' Trunks thought. 'Worst case scenario, android 20 wakes up the other two and then all three of them ambush us before we can prepare. I was worried that 17 and 18 might escape undetected, but that seems much less likely now. 20 is intent on having them fight us, so as long as we stay prepared and don't let them get the drop on us, we should at least get our shot at taking them down. Still, if we can somehow find them now, we can deal with 20 before he even wakes the others up. Then, if father is still intent on fighting them, we can activate 17 and 18 one at a time.' 

"So, my son, are you itching for a challenge as much as I am?" the prince asked Trunks casually. It was odd to hear him use those words-it was almost as if Vegeta thought well of Trunks. 

Though he was eager for the battle, Trunks was still torn between wanting a challenge and wanting to protect the Earth. In the end, he decided, the reasons for fighting were immaterial - all the mattered was that they were defeated. He was surprised by how much he wanted a challenge and wanted revenge...apparently his father's attitudes had rubbed off on him. Before training with Vegeta, he would have never been so motivated by the desire to prove himself. He was glad, he concluded, that he looked forward to testing his new strength against them. 

"Absolutely, father. I haven't worked my butt off for nothing. Before this day is through, I intend to see these monsters dismantled and melted down." 

The prince smiled, accelerating his flight. Though proud, Vegeta was not unaware of the differences between himself and his son. While he could tell that the boy had picked up on a lot of his motviations, it was still obvious that they still operated from different frames of reference. Despite their differences, he was still proud of his son's strength - it wasn't up to his own, but it was nothing to sneeze at. Though he most certainly would refuse any offer of assistance, he was more than willing to allow Trunks the opportunity to face one of the androids as well. 

"Hmm. Well then, if that works out I may have to start thinking of you as a true Saiyan after all."

The being known as android 21 literally glowed with energy. The golden light of Tien's tri-beam pulsed around it. Sparks of electricity shot out of the cracks and holes on its torso. 

The android's vest was now completely gone, and its chest rippled and strained as new energy flowed through it. Its face was contorted, even harsher than before. 

Tien fell to his hands and knees, gasping for breath. The tri-beam was difficult enough under normal circumstances, but at 12x kaioken it was pure torture. He could barely lift his head to look at the android now walking toward him. 

"I should thank you for providing all this energy," growled the monster, its already-inhuman voice even more distorted. "But I'd rather just pound you into oblivion!" 

The three-eyed warrior braced himself with what little kaioken he had left, but nothing could have prepared him for the shock of the android's first kick. He had raised his arm to shield himself, but the kick completely shattered every bone in his forearm.