Reprogrammed

The Next Level

Get away from her!"

Baby looked over his shoulder at Trunks. The saiyan was on his feet again, seething with fury.

"Well, well," the Tuffle remarked, "look at this. You're still able to stand on your feet after all that." He turned back to 18. "Now be a good boy and just stay right there while I deal with this piece of scrap metal."

"I said get away from her!" He transformed to an Ascended Saiyan again, his power rising regardless of his aching body. "You will not touch her AGAIN!"

He cried out loudly as his power exploded outward. Baby looked back at him, squinting as dirt and rocks flew past his face. The increase of the boy's power was interesting him.

"Scream, scream, scream." Baby muttered. "That's all you saiyans do. Can't you just shut up already?"

Trunks just cried out louder. His entire body was pulsing with energy. The smile on Baby's face dropped as he felt Trunks' power rising. Then surprise turned to horror as the boy's strength continued going up even higher.

"What? What's happening? The guy was half dead a moment ago. Where is he drawing this power from?"

Trunks' body surged with power and he began to glow. A tornado of energy surrounded him, swirling around the clouds over his head. Beads of sweat ran down his head as he began twitching. His veins bulged out all over, his muscles shaking. Then his golden hair began to extend. First a little, then some more, before it began growing at a much faster rate.

Baby's eyes were wide with disbelief as he watched Trunks slowly transform. The boy's hair kept growing as his power went through the roof and kept going. His entire body was lit up with gold light, his energy aura shattering the hard ground under his feet.

His hair continued extending until it reached his waist. Then he threw back his head and shouted to the sky as an explosion of energy burst from his body. Baby was blinded by the light and forced to look away. He slowly turned back to the saiyan and stared at him in horror.

Trunks had transformed. His golden hair was down past his waist, his large muscles even bigger. Even his facial features were different, making him look far more intimidating. And his eyes were different as well. They were larger, sharper, more focused, glaring at Baby with incredible fury.

Baby was shaking fearfully and unconsciously took a step back. "What have you done? What happened to you?"

Trunks continued staring at Baby. "Truthfully, I have no idea. But if I had to take a guess, I'd say I just ascended to the next level."

Baby growled. "You saiyans and your damn hair. You change your its color or length and you think you're so tough. Well let me tell you something, your little transformation isn't going to help you." He turned back to 18. "I'll deal with you once I finish off this whore. I'm tired of her interfering." He raised his hand to finish her off. "Say goodbye!"

Trunks moved so fast that Baby didn't even sense him. He grabbed Baby's raised hand and pulled it back. Baby cried out in pain, unable to believe how quickly the saiyan had moved.

"What, how did you…?"

"I said," Trunks hissed, pulling his arm back further, "you will not touch her again."

He dragged him back, away from 18. Twisting his arm further, he made Baby turn around. His grip tightened considerable and Baby dropped to his knees. He tried desperately to pull his hand free, but Trunks wouldn't release him.

"Unhand me!"

"What's wrong?" Trunks asked, in a calm voice. "Can't the mightiest being in the universe break the grip of a lousy saiyan monkey?" Growling, Baby liquefied his arm and pulled it away. Trunks slowly lowered his hand, his expression unchanging. "Apparently not. He has to resort to cheep tricks."