Reprogrammed

Training Completed

The door to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber opened and 18 stepped outside for the first time in a year. Her clothes were torn rags and she was an utter mess. She had been serious when she had said that she would train nonstop for a full year. And now a year had passed, and her training was finally complete.

She found the others outside, unaware of her presence since she couldn't be sensed. All three were looking off the edge of the Lookout, though only two could actually see what was going on below.

"I'm gone a year and there's no one to greet me when I return." She remarked.

They turned to her in surprise. "Oh, 18, you're back." Said Dende.

She nodded. "Yeah, and hopefully strong enough t face Baby."

Bulma couldn't resist holding her nose. "You smell awful."

18 glared at her. "I trained nonstop for the whole year. And I literally mean nonstop." She shifted uncomfortably. "Though I do feel very dirty. Not bathing for a year is utterly disgusting."

Dende raised his staff towards her. "Here, this'll help."

A beam of light shot out of his staff. 18's body began to glow. When the light vanished, she was freshly cleaned, and even her clothes were mended. She looked down at herself in surprise.

"That's cool." She said. "Thanks, I feel a lot better." Then the smile left her face and her eyes narrowed. "Now tell me, what's happening with Baby?"

The others frowned. As the Guardian of Earth, Dende felt as if it was his duty to tell her. "He's been going around infecting people. He's already taken over a few hundred of them."

18's fists clenched. "Then I better stop him before he gets to anyone else."

Not waiting any longer, she took off. This time she was going to defeat Baby. But she still doubted her own power. Though the Tuffle himself wasn't that strong, while in possession of Rilldo's body, Baby was in a league of his own. Therefore she decided to stop at Korin's and pick up all the Sensu Beans the cat had. That way even if she was beaten to the point of death, she could recover right away and resume the battle. Perhaps that would give her the edge she needed to defeat Baby.

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Trunks' patience was at an end. It had to have been at least a day since he had begun this ridiculous nonsense, and he still hadn't felt anything. Surely, surely, he would have feltsomething by now. But no, there hadn't been the slightest increase in power.

He angrily turned to the elder kai. All his anger evaporated to be replaced with complete shock.'I don't believe it! The old guy is actually sleeping. No wonder nothing's happened to me, he's not doing his job.' Anger returning, he shouted furiously at Old Kai. "Hey, wake up, you old geezer!"

The snot bubble at the end of Old Kai's nose popped and he looked up at Trunks in surprise. "Huh? What? Keep quiet, boy, and keep turning."

"Keep turning?" Trunks shouted. "My power hasn't gone up at all! And you're down there sleeping on the job!"

Old Kai grumbled irritably. "Now you listen here, sonny, I'm over fifteen million years old. I know what I'm doing. I'm capable of working my magic even when I'm asleep. You're the one who's not doing your job."

"You said twenty-five hours. It has to have beenat least twenty-five hours."

Old Kai raised an eyebrow. "Oh my, you're right. Well, sometimes it can take longer for really strong people. I say give it another forty minutes, then you should be done."