Part 16, Chapter 2: Collapsing Memories

Haa... Haa...!

Looks like I managed to shake Cabba and Gohan off my tail...

Whew... I can finally breathe...

(But I'm gonna be in real trouble if things keep going like this. All I can do is try and figure out where on Earth Zahha is hiding...!)

All I can do... All alone...

You're nothing on your own. Just an utterly powerless monkey.

Grr...!

(I wish it were that simple.)

(But now that I'm by myself, I'm not sure where to even start...)

...

Why is my stomach making all this noise...?

Oh wait, of course. I'm starving! I can't even remember the last time I ate.

I'm not gonna be able to brainstorm any ideas on an empty stomach. Better fix that! There's gotta be something I can hunt around here.

Hey, jerkface! Gimme back my lunch!!

...?!

Take this!!

Uwaaah?!

Ha! Who're you calling jerkface, tubby?! That's what you get for crossing us!

Alright! Let's find our next prey!

H-Hold it right there!!

Huh? Who're you?

If you think I'm gonna let you walk away, you've got another thing coming! I'm taking all of you down, right here, right now!!

Oh, really? Well, aren't you feisty?

The rest of you can go on ahead. I'll catch up after me and this little lady have ourselves a chat.

Heh, heh, heh! Don't take too long.

Why, you...! If you underestimate me, you'll regret it!

As if! You clearly don't know who you're dealing with, missy.

The only one who's gonna regret anything is you!!

Uh-oh...!!

Deeyaah!!

Gwaaaah?!

Hmph! Nothing disgusts me more than finding a bunch of two-bit thieves up to no good!

Who is that...?

Grr...! Who the hell did that?! I'll make you...

...What?! A tail?! And a blue battle outfit...! It can't be!

It can't be what...?

Hah! Well, ain't this a surprise! Fine by me! I know how to take care of you. Get out here, Saibamen!

...! Looks like they mean business!

Fine, you want it, you got it!

Ha!!

Gweeeeh?!

W-W-What the...?! Looks like this guy is no pushover!

You thought I'd be a pushover?

Well think again!!

Howwaaaah?!

Hmph! What a loser.

Wow...

You okay? Um...

Y-Yeah, I'm fine! My name's Videl!

Thanks for the help! I'm not sure I could have handled that by myself...

"Not sure"? Looked like you were in way over your head.

Urrrg...

Oh! What about the other guy, is he okay?

You're right! I almost forgot. Are you okay!?

Ahhh... Oww...! They really walloped me... So, you the guy who saved my bacon?

Wait. Hold on...! Oh, man! Ohhhh, man!!

Oh man...?

Y-You got a blue battle uniform! And a tail! That means...you're Shallot! Right?!

What're you saying, you oaf? There's no way he's Shallot. Maybe he matches his description a little, but that's gotta be a coincidence.

Coincidence? No, he's right. I'm Shallot.

...What?!

Why do you two know my name? Come to think of it, the last guy was talking about my clothes and tail too...

Wait!!

(It's 'cause of King Kai! He told everyone what I look like and that I'm a bad guy...!)

Ohhhh crap...! What's someone as evil as him doin' in a place like this?!

If you're looking for something to steal, keep looking! Those guys took everything I had!

The hell're you on about?! I'm not some two-bit thief like them! I don't want anything!

If you're not here to steal, then what do you want with us?!

What do I want? You were being attacked, weren't you?! I couldn't just stand by and let them hurt you, so I did what I had to do!

You really expect us to fall for that? Heck no! You got something up your sleeve, I know it!

No, I don't!!

Oh really? Nothing up your right sleeve? Or the left one?! Well in that case, get lost! Shoo!

Ugh... Fine, have it your way! I'll leave you alone so quit flapping your gums!!

...!! No way! You can't leave yet!!

Now what?!

If you're as evil as I've heard, then I can't let you leave! I've got some questions for you!!

Are you for real?! Why can't we just let him leave...?

So, you're the same Shallot that King Kai told everyone about, right?

Look, King Kai may have been talking about me but what he said was...

That was a yes-or-no question!

Oh, come on...! This is so annoying...

Next question! Why are you trying to destroy the universe? What's your motive, huh?!

My motor...? I don't even know how to drive!

If you think you can fool me by trying to play dumb, you've got another thing coming...!!

Whoa, take it down a notch! You're gonna tick him off!

Why are you getting in his face anyway?! I'm not looking to get blown to kingdom come when he flips his lid!

I'm not gonna hurt either of you! But I'd like to know the answer to that question too. Why ARE you getting in my face?

Because it's my duty to keep bad guys like you under control.

And I won't abandon that duty just 'cause I'm caught up in some dumb tournament!

Heh, I get it. I can respect someone who sticks to their beliefs like that.

I don't need any compliments from the likes of you!

I'm not gonna let any criminals get away! Not you, or those other guys.

Criminals...? Other guys...? You mean the thieves from before?

Exactly! I heard their hideout is just beyond the mountain.

We were on our way to get rid of them after some people in a nearby village asked for our help.

I never expected to run into someone even more atrocious than them on the way...!

Wait, you still wanna go after them?!

Of course I do! I need to get back everything they stole from that village!

But a couple of rank amateurs like us don't stand a chance against them!

What're you getting scared for all of a sudden?! You came here with me because they asked you for help too!

Yeah, but it's not worth me losing my head! I'm outta here!

Oh, yeah? Fine! If you wanna quit, go ahead!

But you better be careful. You've got a long road ahead of you to get to safety. Are you sure you can make it on your own?

What?! Well, uh... I hadn't thought of that...

...

(This is not the time for me to get caught up in whatever these two have going on...! Of all the rotten luck...)

(But they don't stand a chance against those other guys. If I let them go by themselves, they're as good as dead...)

*Sigh* All right, then.

...?

Let's go. I'll help you catch those no-good crooks.

You'll what...?!

Uwhaaaa?!

W-What are you talking about?

The sooner we catch them, the sooner you two can get somewhere safe.

I can't just stand by and let you put yourselves in danger.

Hmph. So you're saying we can't get the job done? That we'll just be in danger? I don't like being underestimated...

But maybe this is for the best. Since I don't want you running off on me, I'll bring you along.

Ohhhh, no! Nooooo way!! We can't trust this guy! He's up to no good, I just know it!

Yeah, he might be. But he also saved us back there...

So maybe there's a chance he can turn over a new leaf! Let's see how things go for now.

Grrr...! Aw, geez... Why'd things have to turn out like this...?

Sooo, we're good? In that case, let's fly over to wherever those jerks from before are hiding!

Fly...

Ummmm...

What's wrong?

Well, here's the thing...

We don't know how to fly, buddy.

...Seriously?!

Oh, boy... Where to start... Okay, do you at least know what "Ki" is?

Yeah, I learned about it in my old era. I was actually able to get a bit of it to form by concentrating.

Okay, that'll make things easier! So, you just gotta build up more of it, you know, like "Rrrr", and then let it out like "Bwah"!

..."Rrrr"...? And... "Bwah"...?

Yeah, that's it! "Rrrr" and "Bwah"!

Hold on...

What language are you speaking?! That doesn't make any sense!

Can't you be more specific? Tell me the theory of using Ki to fly through the air or something! How does it actually work?

It's hard for me to be specific...

It's always been natural for me, so I can't really explain how it works! How come you can't just do it?! THAT'S what doesn't make any sense!

Now you're being a jerk! The idea that people can fly is pretty foreign to me, you know!

What a pain in the neck... I thought we were just gonna fly over there and crack a few skulls real quick. It shouldn't be this hard...

Okay, how about I fly there by myself and teach those thieving bastards a lesson while you two wait here...

I wasn't born yesterday! You're just saying that as an excuse to run away! Well not on my watch, buster!

No, I'm not trying to run, I swear...

Practice! I just need to practice! I'll try doing it just like you said. First I have to do the "Rrrr" thing, right?

...

Hmmm... Is your Ki rising? You have a small Ki to begin with so it's hard to tell...

Wait! It's going up a bit! I think you're getting the hang of the "Rrrr" part! Yeah! Probably...!

Now it's time for the "Bwah"! Just like that! You got this!

Oh, for...! Quit standing there babbling at me...!

I'm trying to concentrate, so just be quiet!

What the...!? You're the one who asked me to teach you, ya know!

Ugh... Just watching this mess is exhausting...

Let's face it, trying to learn this whole flying thing while we're looking for those bad guys' hideout is impossible!

No, it's not! And you should be trying to learn with me! You can't fly either, can you?!

She's right! If I'm teaching her, I might as well teach you too! So come on!

Yeah no, I'm gonna pass. Anything that requires that much effort ain't for me. You two have fun, though.

Tch. Making sure you two don't go get yourselves killed isn't exactly my idea of fun! You lazy...!

Don't you dare! I'm not taking any flak from someone trying to destroy the whole freakin' universe!

Well, I'M not being lazy! The only reason this is so hard is because you don't know how to teach!

Aw, the hell with it! The two of you can just get on my back and I'll fly us over there!

What?! No way! That...That's weird!

What?! What's so weird about it!? Stop being such a brat!

You're trying to kidnap us and take us to who knows where! Well I'm not falling for it!

FYI, if you eat me, I'll give you indigestion!

That's disgusting! If I wanted food, I'd just hunt some beast around...!

Wait! That's right!

Huh...? What's right?

Food! The only reason I came here was to find something to eat!

Stay put. I'm gonna look around and find some grub!

As if! Now I know for sure you're just trying to run away!

How many times do I have to tell you I'm not trying to run! I'll make sure to bring enough back for all of us!

Nobody said they're hungry! Hey, get back here!!

That guy really doesn't get that he's the most wanted man in the entire universe, does he...?

Whoa, wait a second! Don't leave me heeeeere...!

Holy cow! Look at this feast! I gotta hand it to you, you're pretty good at finding food!

Heh! This is nothing. I'll show you how later.

Hmmmm... "Rrrr" then "Bwah"...? Like this? Or maybe this...?

Hey, Videl! Don't be shy, come eat with us!

Yeah! This snake is delicious! And this huge centipede looks mighty tasty too! If you don't hurry, there won't be anything left!

I... I'm fine! I'll focus on my flying practice!

Getting all worked up isn't going to help. Resting is also part of training!

That's always what I was told during my training!

Who told you that...? You mean you have a teacher or something...?

I do, but the guy who told me that is someone different. He's more like a friend!

Resting is part of training... That's a pretty astute thing to say.

(If that person's a friend of Shallot's, does that mean they're a villain too?)

...

(I have to say, since I've met this guy, he hasn't come across as the unfathomably evil person I was led to believe...)

(Putting his awful teaching style and scary looks aside, he actually seems pretty put together and caring...)

(Maybe King Kai made a mistake...)

Hm? Hey, your Ki's not rising.

Come on, you need to eat if you want to get some power! Dig in!

Wha?! But...snake and centipede aren't exactly my favorites...

(I can tell he's offering me that food in good faith, at any rate...!)

Whew! I'm stuffed! That was amazing!

Heeey! You ate everything!!

Heh, heh! No food for evildoers!

I'm the one who got this food in the first place! You should've left enough for me and Videl!!

Oh, uh, don't worry about me...

Oh well, what's done is done. Guess I'll go get some more!

Huh?!

Alright, be right back!

Wait, stop! We need to get going! We can't just stay here forever!

Get going? But you haven't had anything to eat yet! Don't be shy!

I'm not being shy; I just don't want to eat any slimy things! And I didn't even say you could go off on your own the first time!

You had enough to eat, right? So, let's go already! I'm not letting you out of my sight!

What's your deal? You really don't wanna eat? You're strange, you know that?

Yeah, I can't figure her out either, but oh well! Let's just do what she says.

...

Huh... Wow...

...Ha, ha...

I almost forgot what this feels like. It's kind of nostalgic...

...

Whoa...!

Yowza...! There's way more than I thought there'd be!

The info we got might have been a little outdated... Maybe they recruited more members over the last few days?

Eh, doesn't matter! We're here, so might as well give these guys what they got coming! Be back in a jiff!

Excuse me?! You really want to take on all of them by yourself?! You're crazy! We need some kind of strategy...!

Ah, don't be such a worrywart! There's a lot of 'em, but they don't smell strong at all. If you're worried, you can hide over there.

H-Hey! Don't you dare leave!!

...?! And who the hell are you supposed to be?!

Holy crap, that crazy bastard is actually storming their base! He better not be expecting me to save him!

Hey, there! Heard you guys've been stirring up some trouble around here.

All the stuff you stole? I'm gonna have to ask you to give it back.

Oh, look, we got a one-man search party here. You some kind of do-gooder or what?

Perfect timing! Our "teachers" helped us get buffed up, so now's a good time to show off what we can do!

Huh...? Your teachers...?

Did he say "teachers"? What are we in school or something...?

All right, guys, sound off just like we learned! On my mark...!

Kyeeeeeh!!!

Ahhh?!

What is that horrible screeching noise?! Who yells like that?!

Tch...! You wanna scream so badly...?

I'll give you something to scream about!!

Daaah!!

Gwaaaah?!

I can't just stand here...! There won't be anything for me to do at this rate!

Yeah maybe, but don't you think it'd be better to stay put and watch? Otherwise we might get in the way!

Not a chance! I didn't come all this way for nothing...!

Heeeey! I found a couple more over here!

Aw, crap...!

That guy with the tail's a beast, but if we don't at least get one of these chumps, we'll never be able to face our teachers again!

You're not getting anything! I'm gonna make you regret picking a fight with me!!

Take this!!

Ugh...!

...Ha, ha...! That punch was better than I thought it'd be, but you're still like a helpless little kitten compared to that monkey over there!

...?! No way...!

Diiiieeeee!!

It's hopeless...! If I knew I was gonna die in a place like this, I would've eaten 50 times as many delicious meat buns!!

Kyeeh!!

Look out!!

Gah...!

What the...?!

I'm alive...?!

That was way too close!!

You bastard!!

Howaaah?!

Oof...! I bolted in too fast and caught that attack full on...

Hey, you two okay? You should get a little further away from here. But keep an eye out for more of these scumbags!

Did that Shallot guy just save us...?

(I can't believe it... Shallot rushed here just to save us...)

...

I think he might just be one of the good ones...

Now, where were we? Bring it on!!

No way, w-we're done for! There's no way we can win!

Huh? That's it...? Can't say I was expecting you to give up so easily.

Learning to accept defeat is one step on the path to growth!

But just because you beat us doesn't mean this is over! Our teachers are gonna want a word with you, so stay where you are!

Teachers, huh? One of you was bragging about them making you stronger before we started fighting. Who the heck could they be...?

Hey, teachers! This is the guy! Please take care of him!

Kyeh, kyeh, kyeh...!

...! There they are!

Baaah!!

...

No way... Are those...

...little Cells?!

Kyeh! Kyeh, kyeh, kyeh!!

These little Cells are your teachers...? They're gathering people here and making them stronger?!

Keh, keh!! Kyahaha!

Kyeeeeh!!

Exactly! Our teachers said you catch on quick.

I'm sorry, what?! Are you saying you can understand these things?!

Of course we can! There has never been a stronger and more fervent bond than the one we share with our teachers!!

Uh...huh... A bond... Must be nice...

Anyway! More importantly, WHY are these little Cells training people here?!

Well, that's obviously because...uh... Wait a sec...

Come to think of it, we never thought to ask... I wonder why...?

Keh, keh, kyah! Kyeeeeehhhh!!

I see, I see...

What's that...?

In order for us to join the...Super Cell Games...?

...

The what? The Super Cell Games?!

Kyeeh! Kyahahaha!!

What, so that means...

Cell's kids, the Jrs., have been popping up in various cities...

He said that they're "gifts" for those joining the Super Cell Games, that they'll "help them train"...

Those things must've been created and sent out by Cell back then...

Kyeh, kyeh! Kyeh, kyeh, kyeh!!

H-Hold on, teacher! There's no way we can "look forward" to the start of the Super Cell Games...!

Yeah, he's right. The Super Cell Games came and went a long time ago.

Kyeh?!

Cell got his butt kicked. By me and another guy named...Gohan...

Ah?! Hrrr...?!

EHHHHH?!

Whoa?!

Kyaah!! Kyakyaah?!

Huh?! "Why didn't we say anything?" Sir, what are you talking about...?

The three of you recruited us very recently...

...and we had no idea it was to compete in the Super Cell Games...!

Hrrr...rrr...

Kya...kya...!

Kyeeeeeh?!

I'm starting to think I said something wrong. Uh... My bad?

Grrrr...!!

Hey, hold on! What're you getting all riled up at me for?! This is your guys' fault, too!!

Kill you! KILL YOU!!

Come on, really?! You finally say something I can understand, and it's "kill"? You're taking your anger out on the wrong guy!

Kyakyakyaaah!!

Kyeeeeeeeh!!!

Daraaaaah!!

Urrgyaaaah?!

Heh! Sorry, kids. You got a long way to go before you can stand up to me!

Allllright! Shallot did it! He sent those little freaks to the scrapyard!!

He sure did...! We didn't do anything to help, though...

Y-Yiiiiikes!

Everyone's been wiped out! This is bad!! I've gotta get outta here...!

Stooooop!!

Wha?!

Don't move a muscle!! You're not going anywhere!!

*Gulp* Uh-oh...!

Hey!!

Where should I go...? I gotta find a place to hide, or...!

...Wait.

Grrr...! You coward! Get back down here!

...! I get it! You can't fly, can you? I'm surprised you made it here in the first place! Ha, ha, ha, ha!!

Why you...!

(I've gotta fly...! Okay, gotta calm down. I just gotta remember what Shallot taught me...!)

Yeah, that's it! "Rrrr" and "Bwah"!

(Argh! Darn it! That doesn't help at all!)

See ya later, Ms. No-fly! Hyahahaha!!

...! Oh, no you don't!

(First is the "Rrrr"...)

(And then release it all at once, like...)

BWAH!!

I did it!!

No way!!

Teyaaaah!!

Gwaaaaah?!

Owwww...!!

Gimme back my stuff, you no-good scumbag thief!!

Waaaah?!

Hmph! That takes care of that.

Phew...! I'm glad that worked out...

Hey, Videl! I saw you just now! You can fly! Way to go!!

Hee-hee... Thanks to you, Shallot!

And with that, we got 'em all! All that's left is to return the stolen goods to their rightful owners.

Speaking of which, what about Yajirobe? They snatched his stuff too, right?

Ah, there they are!!

Right on cue! Looks like he found his things.

Thank goodness! If I didn't have these, I don't know what'd I'd do about the tournament!

...! I know this smell...! Are those Senzu Beans?!

Oh, you know about these?

Yeah, I've got one on me, actually!

Hmmmm... I don't really know what the big deal with those beans are, but if they're important to you, then I'm glad you found them!

Whelp, ain't no reason to stay around here anymore.

What're you gonna do about Shallot? You were going on about how he's a bad guy and you need to stop him, right?

Hey...!

...

I did say that...

But I was wrong. Shallot's not a bad person!

...!!

Hehe, bingo! I agree with you. Never thought I'd say that, but here we are!

Now that we've spent all this time together, I can tell Shallot isn't evil like King Kai said he was.

I'm sorry, Shallot! I shouldn't have just labeled you as a villain without getting to know you first...

Hey, come on...

Knock it off, will ya? I'm not used to having someone all apologetic like this... Makes me uneasy...

I did something wrong, so I have to make amends! It's the right thing to do! You'd do the same if you were me, wouldn't you?

Oh, for...!

Here! Take this.

...! You sure...?!

Well, you did save our butts back there, so consider this payment for the trouble. Two beans are better than one after all!

But... It's not that simple! You need to give Shallot a proper apology too!

Pfft! Shallot's right, being all meek and stuff out of the blue is silly. Going through good and bad times together is what being friends is all about!

...!!

Hee-hee! You boys are getting along quickly!

Friends...

We're friends... Ha-ha...!

Yeah! You said it!!

Yep! After all this, I'd say we're friends...!

F...riends...

...

...? What's going on...?

...

Hey, what's wrong with you two?

Blue outfit...and a tail...!

Are you Shallot?! Where'd you come from and why are you here?!

...?!

Yaaaargh! He-He's gonna kill us!!

Hey, knock it off. What's gotten into you...?

Oh, no, not you guys too... It can't be...!

This isn't funny...! Come on...!

H-He seems confused or somethin'! Now's our chance! We gotta run!!

What're you talking about? If this is really is Shallot, it's dangerous to just leave him here!

He's the most evil person in the universe!!

...!!

No...!

Dammit... Not again...!!

Why! Why the hell does this keep happening?!

What did Zahha do this ti?

All of your allies have completely forgotten about you. And in exchange, they believe you're the unfathomably evil Shallot...

...out to destroy the entire universe!

...! So that's how it is. It's not just the people I know like Cabba and the rest...

It's everyone! Anyone I become friends with turns out this way...!

There's nothing I can do...!

...?!

Ngraah...?!

Intriguing. You managed to avoid a fatal blow by moving just before the time skip. Your instincts are impressive.

Argh... That technique...and that voice...!

...

Hit! It's you...!

(This is bad...! Hit's not the kind of guy I can catch off guard...!)

(Even if I go all out, I don't know if I can beat him...!)

Sorry about this, but you're fighting me too.

...You're kidding me... Of all the people...

You're Shallot, aren't you?

...Why'd it have to be Goku?!

I won't be holding back.

Let's get this going!