Part 3, Chapter 1: Brewing Storm

Oh ho ho! Oh, such power! How grand! Exquisite!

This chaotic world, steeped in combat, has infused you with unfathomable strength!

At last, my TRUE vengeance is at hand!

Now, go forth. Let them know. Let them all know...

...the power of an "ultimate warrior!"

Super Saiyan's just the tip of the iceberg, right? Today, Goku, you're showing me the rest!

Oh yeah? I'll be the judge of that.

If you wanna see more, you gotta earn it! Train yourself up and convince me with your fists!

*pant, pant* Gah! Screw this!

We're both Super Saiyans. How're you so far ahead of me?!

Heh heh. You now have a much better handle on your Super Saiyan powers. Not bad for such a short period!

Eh, maybe you have a point. The itchy feelings I've got at first are very much eased off now.

On the right track! If you're looking to go beyond Super Saiyan, you gotta get rid of that itchy feelings first!

Day in day out, all you Saiyans do is bash each other's faces in. Don't you ever get bored?

I'll say...

Well, Shallot. Gotten used to your shiny new Super Saiyan form?

Sure have! When that "ultimate warrior" Turles was going on about shows up, I'll be ready to thrash him!

Glad to hear it. Because your next mission has everything to do with this so-called ultimate warrior.

Seriously?!

Ho ho ho! Quite. Exactly why Lord Beerus has been so graciously waiting until you were duly ready.

That's enough out of you, Whis!

Alright! It's finally time for me to hit the ultimate warrior real hard!

A sight we'd all relish witnessing, I'm sure. But do you even know where to start looking?

Ngh! N-Now that you mention it... No...

Just as I thought! Then your first order of business is to find out about that ultimate warrior!

The quickest way would be to put the squeeze on that fruit-loving kook, Turles. But we don't know where he is, either...

So, we'll close in on someone who's likely gained access to knowledge of the ultimate warrior and the whereabouts.

And who would that be?

The doctor himself...Gero.

That shriveled loon?!

He and Turles work together. I'd put money on the doc knowing what we need.

Yeah, I get you! But...we don't know where HE is either.

Hee hee. Don't be so sure. We do have one lead.

That's right! Wasn't Dr. Gero rounding up genes from tournament fighters?

The "genes" were successfully recovered!

Alright. Excellent. Now take what you recovered to "the spot" we discussed earlier!

Now I remember! Turles was talking about...

Bingo. A "spot"--most likely the place they're hoarding those genes.

And you know what? A long time ago, I heard from my dad...

...that Dr. Gero's laboratory was located somewhere in the mountains of North City!

If I recall correctly, that lab was reduced to rubble ages ago. You think there's anything useful left?

Not in the original timeline, no. But THIS Dr. Gero could very well rebuild a lab in the same spot.

Whatever the case, this is the only lead we have. Now, get your feet moving.

The god hath spoken. Good luck, Shallot!

I take it you're not coming? ...Again.

OF COURSE I'm...not coming. You think I stand even a fraction of a chance against the ultimate warrior?

You sound oddly happy...

Don't worry about a thing, Shallot. I'll be there to guide you via radio.

Or is that not enough? You're not lonely...are you? It has been a while, hasn't it...

Ugh! Obviously not long enough! BYE.

...Hey, Bulma? Where do I go again? Straight?

As an arrow. See the mountains in the distance? That's your destination.

You sure...?

She's always sure. Why?

Cause I'm picking up some scents. Metal, oil, and...blood?!

Eh? You still have some distance to cover before reaching the lab...

You mean here? Seems normal to me...

No, something's off. Over here!

Well, the kid's nose is keener than most hunting dogs...

No. Way. There it is! Nice going, Shallot!

I see... Seems the doc's not foolish enough to build a lab in the same place twice.

Bulma's info wasn't much use this time, huh? Ha ha ha!

Sh-Shut it, spaceman! It was still pretty close!

The hell is this...?!

What now, Shallot? Find something?

Not exactly. It's this scent. Or rather, SCENTS.

Frieza, Vegeta...and Goku?! There's more, too...!

You might be picking up hints of the genetic material Gero's been collecting.

Dunno. But I've got a bad feeling about this...!

You think? The facility's power's down. I'd wager those smells are all that's left.

...No! Someone's here!!

Hyaaaaah!

Shallot?!

Urph... That came outta nowhere.

Target to be eliminated... Identifying... Shallot!

Tch! If it isn't the talking steel drum. Ready to be melted down?

These guys have gotten stronger since our last scuffle!

I am neither the first nor the last. More will be manufactured--each generation boasting greater specs!

They've got you grunts making rounds at abandoned labs now? Is there a job shortage over at Gero's?

Call it a routine functionality check...and recon sweep for terminating hostiles... who attempt to search unneeded info...

Try throwing that long machine speech around after I've thrown your torso off the mountain!

Holy...! Where'd that attack come from?

Scanning data banks... No suitable match.

So the energy I felt came from the one in blue. Intriguing...

Not my idea of a friendly greeting. Who are you?!

Category...hostile. Course of action...eliminate!

I have no use for you, piddling machine!

Pwah!

Hrm?!

Did he just SPIT at him?! ...Ew.

Heh heh heh...

No such attack exists in database... Who are...you... Who...

Wh-Wh-Who...a-a-a-are... y-y-yoooooou...?!!

Woah! H-He became a stone!

Now that we're free of distractions, let's get down to brass tacks. You.

Me...?

What's with that guy?! And he wants to talk...with Shallot?

He petrified the android. Maybe he's friendly?

Can't say. But what I do know is I've come across a similar scent before.

Heh heh.

Hrm?!

Hyaaaaaah!

Wha--

Shallot?!

...! Talk about close calls. What's this guy's deal?!

Shallot?! Whew... You're okay, albeit by a hair.

Hey, you! What you're doing all of a sudden?!

A splendid maneuver, as expected. A sure sign that within you sleeps a veritable wealth of "Kili!"

The heck're you talking abou--

Your Kili's mine, child! All of it!

Nrgh...!

Wow! Our boy's got him on the ropes! Makes sense, I guess. Shallot did trounce Frieza!

I think it's a tad too early to call the match. Look at his eccentric moves!

(Son of a...! He's holding back!)

(But if he wasn't, he'd be worse than Frieza! Just who is this beast!?)

He he he, now you're catching on. Let me teach you a lesson on how to dominate this tournament.

...?!

Remember, there's always someone stronger in this era.

Show your hand by recklessly revealing your power...and the hyenas will instantly be upon you!

Gotta learn until your last breath!

Pwah!

Ngrr! M-My body's... becoming...stone...!

Not if I can help it!

H-Huh...?

What the...?!

Shallot, old buddy! I could've never expected to run into you in such ruins!

Z-Zahha?! What're you--

Doing out here? We can talk later, but first...

Ngh! He reversed my petrification?!

Aha! You too are a denizen of the Demon Realm!

Demon Realm? That would explain why this antler bastard smelled so familiar... His scent's like Zahha's!

...You got the wrong end of the stick. My home is long gone...

Well, some mysteries needn't be solved.

I'll be taking your Kili nonetheless, whoever you are!

From what I gather, you're out to apprehend us, not kill us.

Unfortunately for you, as long as I'm here, your magic's useless.

So this is shaping up to be a battle of attrition. Is that really what you want?

If it will shut your flapping gob...!

But, hm... You do possess a great deal of Kili yourself.

Kili this, Kili that...!

What the heck's your deal?!

(...! The brat still has yet to tap into his true potential!)

Fwa ha ha ha!

This creep all right in the head? Why's he laughing?

Very well. I will spare you lot today.

...

Make use of your remaining days. Nurture your power. And when the time is right, I shall return...to harvest you!

Phew. There he goes. Going toe-to-toe with that bruiser any longer would've hurt.

Yeah... But what exactly was he...?

And what're you doing back, Zahha? It's been ages!

Gotten stronger? Whatcha been up to on your lonesome? Oh, and, and...

Gah! So many thoughts, only one mouth hole to articulate them...! Couldn't you have made a more, you know...gradual appearance?

Had I been more "gradual," that Demon guy would've given you an instant clobbering.

I see you haven't changed in the slightest, muscles-for-brains! Ha ha ha!

Sh-Shut up... Well neither have you, snide little...

*sigh* Back on subject. The heck're you doing out here?

It's a long story. Dr. Gero's involved.

You're looking for the old fart too?

If we're being specific, it's not him I'm after.

Maybe we can help each other. Exchange intel.

Zahha! Target located! Plot a course eastward. There's a small town!

Okay, scratch that.

Roger that! Transmit the coordinates. I'll get going.

Er, who was that?

Hmm... I'd love to tell you, but first, lend me a hand with this mission!

Not sure I follow, but okay! I'm in!

Do you ever take time to deliberate ANYTHING? Beerus won't be happy!

Zahha just saved my skin. I'll return the favor, then get back on the job. Promise!

Appreciate it. Sorry to steal your Saiyan, Jaco. I'll be sure to bring him back in one piece.

Let's hustle. We can talk on the way.

Now for that explanation. What is it you need me to do exactly?

I'll tell you...after I apologize.

...?

I actually knew you were locking horns with the Frieza Force. Sorry I couldn't be there.

You knew? We coulda been cracking skulls together!

The sentiment is mutual, believe me... But considering the scale of that army, I felt ample preparation was needed.

I didn't dare imagine you'd dive in swinging the way you did.

By the time we arrived to assess the situation, it was already over. You're one reckless madcap, you know?

Ngh...

Ultimately, you did all the heavy lifting--including finishing Frieza. That deserves a round of applause.

But the real dilemma starts here.

We've been tracking the movements of the one survived, Dr. Gero.

Turns out he's now looking for "some android."

Depending on which side the android takes, Earth--no, the very universe could be in danger.

No way!

We need to get to that android before Dr. Gero does.

I getcha. And then I can smash 'em, eh?

Actually, I'd much prefer to talk first. You're insurance if negotiations go south.

Pssht. Boooring.

Say, Zahha?

Hm? Is that Bulma? How goes it?

I'm fine, but more importantly, you keep mentioning "we"...

Clever girl. I'm not the only one looking to fix this dimensional debacle.

I found comrades. And we've been hard on the warpath to a solution.

So that woman you were talking to is one of your teammates?

That she is. Mai?

Hiya. Shallot, right? I've heard about you from Zahha!

A new member on Zahha's team, huh? ...Is she strong?

Is fighting ALL you can think about...? Mai's specialty is support. Think of her as Bulma at your end.

We have someone else covering the fighting department. You'd be surprised who he is.

Oh? Someone I know?

Heh... You'll see him when we rendezvous in town. Look forward. But for now...

Right. More pressing matters at hand. That Ki up ahead--does it belong to who you're looking for?

No. I would surmise it's just another tournament fighter.

We don't have time to deviate from course. Meaning we're in for a fight...!

Whew, that was quick. I see you haven't been resting on your laurels, Shallot.

Ha! You ain't seen nothing yet. The second the android misbehave, I'll step things up to Super Saiyan!

I'm counting on it, IF plans fall apart. Don't rush your fences too early, okay?

Like I said, I want to try talking first.

Whatever the odds may be, a peaceful solution is always worth it.

Eh... I'd say you're banking on pretty slim odds!

That town up ahead's where we're headed, right? Well, I smell something... Something bad.

What?!

Uh oh...

Smell? What can you possibly smell from this distance?

All things considered, Mai's reaction is the closest to normal.

But even I can vouch for Shallot's nose. Something's definitely happened in town.

Most definitely.

Okay, let's kick it up a gear! But keep your guard up. This could get ugly...