Seeing Rayden take the lead, everyone followed him and flew toward Beidu.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
(Note: In this version, Son Goku has already taken medicine for his heart condition, so he won't suffer from it again.)
Soon, the group arrived at a mountain range near Beidu. Rayden scanned the surroundings and addressed everyone.
"According to my sensing, the androids' base should be inside a nearby cave."
He glanced around at the group.
"Split into pairs and search the area. If anyone finds something, raise your energy to alert the rest."
"Got it!"
Everyone nodded and scattered in pairs to begin the search.
---
Inside the Cave...
An old, shriveled man with long white hair and a matching beard sat hunched over a glowing terminal. He wore a long jacket and a black cap with a red "R" logo—the unmistakable mark of the Red Ribbon Army.
This man was none other than Android 20, the modified form of Dr. Gero.
Beside him stood a round, pale android with red eyes—Android 19.
"Number 20," said Android 19. "I sense multiple powerful energy signatures approaching the mountain."
"What?" Android 20 looked up, confused. "How did they find this place? We've never stepped outside!"
He quickly returned his gaze to the terminal, his fingers flying over the keyboard.
Cell is almost complete... I can't let anyone interfere now!
"Number 19," he ordered, "go out and see who it is. If they're enemies—eliminate them."
"Understood, Number 20!"
Android 19 turned and headed out of the cave. Meanwhile, Dr. Gero nervously accelerated Cell's progress on the console.
I must protect Cell until he's ready...
---
Elsewhere in the Mountains
Yamcha and Krillin were flying low through the trees, scanning the ground for any sign of the base.
"We've been looking forever and still no sign of a cave!" Yamcha groaned. "Maybe we should take a short break."
He dropped down and looked around for a shady spot.
"Yamcha, are you sure that's a good idea?" Krillin said, landing beside him. "Rayden and the others are still searching!"
Suddenly—whoosh!
Android 19 appeared behind them with a burst of speed.
Before they could react, he struck Yamcha on the back of the head, knocking him out cold.
"Yamcha!"
Krillin reached out, but Android 19 was faster. He clamped a hand over Krillin's mouth to muffle his cries.
"Mmm! Mmmph!"
Krillin kicked and struggled, but Android 19 activated the energy-absorption module in his palm.
"You'll make a great snack!" the android grinned. "I can already feel your energy boosting my power!"
---
Rayden Responds
Far away, Rayden suddenly stopped mid-flight. His expression darkened.
"Krillin's energy is dropping fast…"
Without hesitation, he burst into full speed, heading straight for Krillin's location. Broly and Paragus followed close behind.
The others, sensing Rayden's sudden surge in energy, quickly turned and flew in the same direction.
---
Moments Later…
The entire group arrived just in time to see Krillin struggling in Android 19's grip.
BAM!
Rayden delivered a powerful kick, sending Android 19 flying backward through a tree.
He rushed to Krillin's side and pulled a Senzu Bean from his storage ring.
"Here, Krillin! Eat this!"
Krillin chewed the bean, and within seconds, his wounds vanished, and his strength returned.
"Thanks, Rayden," he gasped. "That thing… it has a device that absorbs energy from its palm!"
"I was almost drained dry!"
Vegeta stepped forward, sneering at the chubby android.
"So, this is one of the famous androids? Looks like a toy to me."
He cracked his knuckles. "You absorb energy? Let's see if you can absorb a good beating!"
"HAAAH!"
Vegeta's energy exploded in a golden blaze. His hair turned upright and gold as he transformed into Super Saiyan.
With no hesitation, Vegeta charged Android 19 and landed a brutal punch to the stomach.
"ARRGH!"
The android screamed as his body crumpled in midair and was sent hurtling backward.
Android 19 regained his balance, his red eyes wide with disbelief.
This Saiyan… he's even stronger than the reports said!
He panicked and launched several energy blasts at the ground to create cover.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
A cloud of smoke and debris filled the air.
When it cleared, Android 19 was gone.
"DAMN IT!" Vegeta growled. "He got away!"
Goku frowned. "Rayden, how come we couldn't sense his energy signature?"
Rayden turned toward the group.
"Artificial humans don't emit energy unless they power up. If they suppress their energy, we can't sense them at all. That's why Yamcha and Krillin were ambushed."
Whoosh!
Just then, a flash of blue light streaked down from the sky.
A young man with blue hair, a sword on his back, and a serious expression landed nearby.
Future Trunks had arrived.
"Uncle Goku! Are the androids defeated?"
Vegeta scowled and stormed over to Trunks.
"Trunks! Why didn't you tell me you were my son?"
Trunks scratched his head awkwardly. "I didn't want to change the future too much, Dad. If you found out early, it might've caused complications."
Goku stepped in with a chuckle. "Vegeta and the android had a quick fight. But he got away."
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" Vegeta snapped.
Rayden rolled his eyes and motioned to Broly and Paragus. "Let them argue. We've got work to do. Let's go."
The three of them took off again.
Trunks stared at them in confusion. "Uncle Goku, who are those three? I've never seen them in my timeline."
Goku smiled. "That was Rayden—the guy I told you about before. The other two are Broly and Paragus, Saiyans Rayden met in the universe."
"Broly's even stronger than Vegeta and me!"
"Hmph. I'll surpass them eventually!" Vegeta scoffed.
Trunks was speechless. "Stronger than both of you? That's insane…"
"Let's keep moving," said Piccolo. "We need to find that base."
Everyone nodded and flew off.
---
Back Inside the Base
Android 19 stumbled back into the cave, wheezing.
Android 20 glared at him. "Number 19, what are you doing? I told you to investigate—not come back out of breath!"
"Huff… Huff… Number 20, they're outside! It's Son Goku and his entire group! I couldn't beat them!"
Android 20 clenched his fists.
Son Goku… again! First he destroyed the Red Ribbon Army, and now he's found this lab! I won't let him ruin everything!
He glanced over at the Cell incubation chamber, which glowed ominously.
Almost complete…
"No. 19," he said, handing over a remote. "Go and release Androids 16, 17, and 18. We need backup."
"No. 20… won't they lose control?" Android 19 asked nervously.
"You have the remote. Use it if necessary."
"Now go! Once Cell is complete, nothing will stand in our way!"
Android 19 nodded and hurried toward the containment pods.
---
Releasing the Androids
Android 19 found the sealed capsules and pressed the activation buttons.
Hissss…
One by one, the pods opened.
Android 16 emerged first—a tall, heavily armored machine with green plates and red-orange mohawk.
Android 17 stepped out next, dressed in jeans, a black shirt, and his signature red scarf.
Android 18 followed—a blonde woman with piercing blue eyes and a cold demeanor.
They were awake.
Android 17 stretched. "Ugh, how long have we been out? Oh… 19? What do you want?"
"Where's Dr. Gero?" asked Android 18, her eyes narrowing.
Android 19 clenched the remote and lied, "He has important work. He asked me to wake you up. Son Goku and his friends are outside the base."
"Son Goku?" 17 smirked. "Finally, time for some action."
Android 18 didn't say a word. She simply flew out of the cave.
"Wait, 18! We're coming too!" 17 called out as he and 16 followed close behind.
Android 19 hesitated, then flew after them—remote still clutched in his hand.
Øóffer going on for diamond tier
pàtreøn (Gk31)