Learning the Ropes

Chapter 7: Schooled

|Piccolo's Home

|August 3, 11:50 EDT

Piccolo was uneased.

He stood over the edge of the plateau his home was on, his eyes narrowed and focused on the horizon. He was in disbelief at first sensing it, but now he was certain of it; he could sense two Justice Leagues.

More accurately, Piccolo can sense two of the same Justice League members but not all of them at once. He sensed two Green Arrows at first then two Black Canary's. Piccolo had developed a sick sense of déjà vu that he still had with him right now. Along with this came dread that compounded more and more when other Leaguers arrived on the scene and yelled loud enough for Piccolo to make out over the sounds of battle and destruction. All of them panicking over this opponent and its ability to mimic their powers. There was one word they used to describe this opponent that created a pit of dread in Piccolo's stomach: "Android"

It was one word that kept rattling through Piccolo's head as he listened in on the battle. Piccolo was worried and fearful for the League's health as images of the Androids 16, 17, 18, 19, Dr. Gero and Cell flash in his mind. All these feelings grew ever more in time with new discoveries about the Android the Justice League was facing. The battle was turning into a gruelling slog as the Android grew more and more in power with each new member of the League introduced into the fray. Piccolo heard Batman deduce that this android could copy its opponent's abilities with eye contact alone. The little titbit forced Piccolo's hand.

Piccolo wanted to join in the fight as soon as he heard "Android", but stayed his hand due to what he was sensing. Reminded by the fight with Cell, Piccolo knew a copied aura meant copied abilities. Sensing this Android was only copying the Leaguers it was currently engaging with, Piccolo wisely held back to study it from a distance and gather more information. A smart move considering Batman's findings. This now left Piccolo reeling and in mental turmoil.

He was fretting over the extent of this Android's copying abilities and who had the capacity to create such a thing. Could this Android have a database it can refer to like the Androids back home or did it copy base on what abilities were used before it? Could it copy all a person's abilities? Potential and all? Piccolo paled at the thought of this Android using Potential Unleashed. The devastation on the universe it could wrought if Piccolo couldn't destroy it by then. All that power was in the hands of someone Piccolo didn't know or could even find out about. With the world's level of technology far poorer than his own, Piccolo wasn't expecting a Dr. Gero equivalent here but the universe, in its infinite humour, proved him wrong.

Piccolo gritted his teeth as he sensed it had now absorbed Captain Atom's powers. With a flurry of his cape, Piccolo turned around and charged towards his house. He might not be able to fight the Android but he can surely help those who can defeat it. Upon entering his house, he immediately went to his phone. Powering it with his Ki, Piccolo speed-dialled Batman's number. After a few suspenseful rings, someone finally picked up. "Greetings Mr. Piccolo" the posh voice of Bruce Wayne's butler, Alfred Pennyworth, greeted him. "I'm afraid Master Bruce is out at the moment. I must insist you invest in using the Justice League's communication devices. It's far better to contact Master Bruce than calling the Bat Cave's landline."

"Then I can't hear anything with that stupid thing in my ear. I need you to put me through to Batman. Now" Piccolo demanded.

"As you wish..." there was a long pause before Alfred's voice returned. "Batman is on the line."

No sooner did he say that Batman's voice rang through the phone. "Since you're calling, guess you understand the situation?"

"Naturally" Piccolo responded.