章 40: Challenge

Cyborgs #17 and #18 fled from the forest at their top speed. The twins were in a panic as they made their escape. They were headed to the nearest populated city, Ginger Town, in hopes the citizens would mask their location.

"I have never seen anything like that monster before!" #18 said landing in a back alley in Ginger Town.

"I know, it killed Wheelo and #16 like they were nothing!" #17 added landing beside her. "It clearly wanted us! We need to find a place to lay low, fast!"

"Trust me #17, when I say, 'I don't want to end up on that things menu'." #18 shuddered when she remembered the scene of that creature consuming the components of their allies.

The twin cyborgs didn't need to search long before finding an abandoned building to hide in. When they were sure the creature was off their trail, then they would have time to formulate a plan to deal with the monster.

The cyborgs were hidden for only ten minutes, when the sounds of explosions permeated throughout the normally quiet city. #17 and #18's advanced hearing could detect the sounds of the city security force's blasters. The cyborgs knew the normal human police stood no chance against the monster, and the screams confirmed their suspicion.

During the battle, the twins thought about fleeing while the creature was distracted, but decided against it. They had to fight their flight instincts when a nearby building exploded. After three minutes of fighting and screams, Ginger Town became as quiet as a grave.

When #17 decided to look out of one of the dust covered windows, the wall of the abandoned building exploded. The black haired cyborg was blown back from the explosion, landing near his sister. They heard the monster's distinct footsteps slowly approaching through the smoldering wall.

"Do you two think you could ever escape me?" a cold calm voice asked. "You two are a pair of my vital components. You should be grateful to be apart of the perfect being."

#17 and #18 broke through the opposite wall before the speaker could get any closer to them. They were surprised to see how much damage the creature brought to the city. Not only were numerous buildings destroyed, but there was empty clothing scattered everywhere.

"We have to go, now!" #17 shouted to his sister.

The two cyborgs started to fly off, but #18 was forcibly stopped by a scorpion like tail erupting through her torso. A green substance dissolved the flesh and clothing around the wound. The blonde cyborg tried to speak to her brother, but could only cough out blood.

"18!" her brother called out as she was pulled out of the sky and into the abandoned building the two escaped from. "Hold on 18!"

The lone cyborg charged into the building, hoping that his sister was still alive. #18 was pinned beneath a four armed insect-like monstrosity. Its chest was opened, revealing a multitude of thin fleshy organic wires. #17 arrived in time to see his sister being taken apart by an assortment of wires and absorbed into the chest of the creature. Unlike the clothing outside, nothing of #18 was left behind.

Kami stood on the edge of his Lookout in complete terror. The Ki he felt emerge was incredibly powerful, and completely malevolent. An entire city disappeared before he noticed anything was wrong. He knew there was no way he could defend the Earth with his power.

Piccolo was meditating on the Lookout waiting for his turn in the Room of Spirit and Time. Vegeta and his daughter went in first to train, then it would be Kakarot and Gohan's turn followed by Piccolo and Reiss. While Vegeta and Eschalot were training, the others still had not determined the order they would enter the Room of Spirit and Time. Although more than two people can go in at once, the Room only has enough supplies for two people to survive for one year. If everything went according to plan, they should obtain the strength needed to defeat the cyborgs.

"Piccolo, we need to talk." Kami said rousing the younger Namekian from his meditation.

"What is it?" Piccolo was curious, but he thought he could guess where the conversation was headed.

"That suggestion you made when you all came to train, I have reconsidered, and agree." Kami said with determination.

One of the reasons Piccolo wanted to train on the Lookout was to ask Kami to fuse back into one being. If they were reunited, their power would skyrocket, allowing them to contend with the cyborgs threatening the planet. Originally Kami refused his request, preferring to remain as he was to look over the Earth as Kami.

"It's good you changed your mind. I'm sure you felt that Ki earlier." Piccolo said.

Kami nodded, acknowledging Piccolo's words, "Yes, that Ki was the reason I felt the Earth needed our power more than it needed me as Kami."

"I'm glad you changed your mind. Now let's get this over with before I change my mind about this." the younger Namekian rushed.

"Very well." Kami nodded. "Place your hand on my chest for the merger to take place. For obvious reasons, we will us your body. I have seen great changes within you over the years and much potential. I hope you will not misuse this gift."

Piccolo made his promise to Kami and placed his hand on the old Namekian's chest. Kami smiled and looked over to his side to see his long time friend Mr. Popo standing there.

"Goodbye old friend." Kami said farewell.

The old Namekian screamed out as his blue and white aura erupted around him. He forced out all of his body's energy to reform with his long lost counterpart. Popo strained against the wind to avoid being blown away by the powerful energy being released by the merger.

A blinding white light filled the entire area of the Lookout, blinding Mr. Popo to the exit of his best friend. When the light vanished, Mr. Popo could see his friend was gone and only Piccolo remained. Kakarot and the others ran over to investigate what had occurred to cause the bright light and massive Ki surge.

"Piccolo, what happened? Your power increased a lot." Kakarot asked.

"Kami and Piccolo fused back into one." a teary eyed Mr. Popo explained.

Everyone was shocked to hear that Kami was no longer around and that he agreed to rejoin with Piccolo. Krillin was the first of the group to realize another truth about their new situation.

"If Kami and Piccolo fused, do the Dragon Balls still work?" Krillin worriedly questioned.

"No, they no longer function." Piccolo answered.

"If we get another Namekian, they can make new Dragon Balls." Kakarot suggested. He remembered how Raditz recruited a Namekian to create the Dragon Balls on Planet Garden.

"The new Grand Elder might have a suggestion." Reiss offered.

"That's a good idea, I should go ask him if he has anyone in mind." Kakarot thought Reiss had a sound plan.

"We have another problem besides the cyborgs. You should have felt it, but an incredible Ki appeared not too long ago. We have no idea as to its motives, but it wiped out Ginger Town." Piccolo explained.

"I didn't want to say anything until after my turn in the Room of Spirit and Time because right now I'm no match against whatever that Ki came from." Kakarot said.

"Even more of a reason to get more Dragon Balls. We might have to wish a bunch of people back." Tien said.

The Menagerie was headed back to Earth at full speed, it would arrive there in two days. Raditz was counting on Ramen to be fully recovered before the ship arrived. He was anxious to return to the Earth for his revenge on the cyborg, Dr. Wheelo.

Raditz chose to spend what time he had in his quarters with his wife. The pair rarely had free time to spend together, so Bulma wanted to make the most of the time they had. The empire's major framework had been completed, so she expected after the cyborgs were dealt with, they would have much more time together. Though with all the new issues that needed to be smoothed out when the empire expanded, plus her own research, she would stay pretty busy. It was convenient for her that Saiyans didn't require much attention.

"When did you and Celipa become friends?" Raditz asked his wife.

"When you and Reiss were training to fight the cyborgs. She was a big help with understanding some of the cultural things about Planet Garden during the renovations." Bulma then went on to fill Raditz in on some of the other finer details, including the event were Celipa killed a butler plotting to assassinate her. Raditz did inquire further about the failed assassination attempt, but Bulma insisted it wasn't a big deal and the situation was always under control.

"Why not just make her your bodyguard?" Raditz asked.

"I thought about it, but she would probably be board." Bulma answered.

Their conversation was cut short by the Captain, who requested their presence on the bridge. When they stepped onto the bridge of the Menagerie, the crew rose to greet them. After their emperor instructed them to carry on, they resumed their duties.

"Captain, you requested to see us?" Raditz asked. He hoped they had not run into anymore pirates trying to steal from or enslave them.

"Yes Your Majesties, we have been forwarded a transmission from Capsule Corp." the Captain explained, "It was tagged urgent."

"Please play the message Captain." Raditz ordered.

On the main viewing screen of the bridge, a video taken from ZTV played. The male and female anchors of the news program were killed, and their bodies were visibly displayed on their desk. In the forefront of the camera, was a man with dark green skin, spiky green haired, and armor that looked like it was created from a Cultivar's carapace. He was very human in appearance and could even be called regal in some regard.

"People of Earth." the man began, "You may call me Cell, I am the perfect being. I have come to you today to let you know your time has come to an end."

"Perfect being?" Raditz questioned to himself. "Did he already reach his perfect form? Things had to have gone very wrong in my absence."

"Though, I could wipe all of you worms out now; I want you to first taste despair by witnessing your strongest champions fall before me." the video continued, "The following are coordinates to the location where I will be waiting. I hope the emperor, Prometheus Raditz, accepts this challenge. Defeating any emperor while crush a planet under my heel will be such fun."

After the message concluded, Raditz ordered the Menagerie to summon Ramen to the bridge. He wanted to know if the Yardratian was fit enough to transport him to Earth without any issue. When he was given an affirmative reply, the emperor directed Ramen to transport him to his son. Ramen focused on locating Reiss's Ki signature, and when he succeeded, Ramen and the emperor teleported away.

"Did that man in the video call him Emperor Prometheus Raditz?" Bulma asked the Captain.

"I believe so, Your Majesty." the Captain answered.