Chapter 2: Double Trouble For the Z-Fighters! Frieza's Explosive Finale!
by: Jason Boaz

Lines from "Cooler's Revenge" amd "Transformed At Last" are used for entertainment purposes only. No infringement is intended.
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An hour later, Krillin and Mirai Trunks returned from blowing apart the remnants of Dr. Gero's lab. At last, his evil legacy had been silenced forever, but the cost was so high, nobody wanted to pay it. By then, Marron and Lynn were brought to Capsule Corp.

Krillin: Well...that's that. We've destroyed the last bits of equipment in Dr. Gero's lab.

Mirai Trunks: MAN! It's all my fault, guys! If Krillin and I did as thorough a job as we should have, Goku and Chi Chi wouldn't have been turned into Androids! Mirai 17 and 18 I can handle, but I don't want to fight Goku OR Chi Chi!

Vegeta: Face it, Trunks. The Kakarot we know, is gone...as is Chi Chi. What's taken their place are two souless assassins, who want nothing more than our demise. We must consider them our enemies, and destroy them, utterly.

Bulma: I knew you'd say something like that, Vegeta! You're wrong about them, though.

Vegeta: What makes you so sure?

Bulma: The way 23 talked to you...it was as though he remembered you. Also, did you see 22 hesitate when Videl brought Pan with her?

Vegeta: Yeah? So?

Bulma: So, if they're able to recall things like old rivalries and tender moments, that means they can be reached! Goku and Chi Chi are still in there, underneath the personas of 23 and 22.

18: I agree, Bulma. Both of them have shown the first signs of memory erasure deterioration. We'll need to see which of us gets the Dragonballs, and which of us can try to knock some sense into them. Dr. Gero must've been REALLY DESPERATE, if he wanted them to be converted into cyborgs in one day. Which means, at this rate, Goku and Chi Chi will become their true selves in a matter of days...maybe hours.

Vegeta: Well, what can we do, to speed up the process?

Videl: Get the Dragonballs, of course.

Elsewhere, in a grassy field, 22 and 23 relax while looking at the clouds. 23 was definitely showing signs of reverting to his former self. An innocent, naive expression was once again on his face.

23: Man...we shouldn't be so caught up in destroying our foes, without considering the damage that could be done to places like this.

22: What do you mean?

23: Just look...the babbling brook, the trees, the animals...this is nature in its finest. I don't want to use my full strength on them, 22. Isn't it strange? I want to give them a chance to defend themselves in a fair fight.

22: But, we were made to be killing machines, 23. Why are you getting sappy?

23: Because, we can't take life for granted. These are precious moments. And I want to make sure we leave nature out of our fight.

22: (smiles) Alright. It's strange...but it's almost as if your words comfort me...they're reassuring me...telling me that everything will be okay. (looks at a cloud which looks like Gohan) That cloud looks like Gohan, when he was just a baby. So cute. (shakes her head) What am I saying?

23: You said that looks like Gohan when he was young, 22...

22: I KNOW THAT!! (calms down) Why am I thinking of such things? Are we more than just Dr. Gero's greatest creations?

As 23 feebly tried to answer his wife, an all too familiar sound could be heard...from his stomach.

23: I dunno. Maybe. I mean, when I spoke to Vegeta, it was as if I knew him, very well. I made a wisecrack which made him a bit mad...and...(stomach growls)

22: (hears the growling sound) What was that?

23: It's my stomach! I'M STARVING!!

22: (falls over) Oy...I feel as though I've heard THAT ONE, before. Do you have any zeni on you?

23: (checks his pockets) Yeah. 500 zeni, from the looks of things.

22: Let's go somewhere to eat, then. The Z-Fighters can wait until you're filled up...and I have a gut feeling that this will take QUITE A WHILE.

Back at Capsule Corp, Yamcha had arrived. By then, the plans were made. Yamcha was in charge of babysitting.

18: Alright, then it's settled. Yamcha, you're going to stay here and look after Marron, Pan, Bra and Lynn.

Launch: Ahhh...ahhh...AHCHOO! (changes into Kushami)

Yamcha: Uuuhhhh...

Kushami: I agree with 18, here. Lynn's a good girl. She ain't gonna cause any trouble.

Yamcha: I'll bet.

As Yamcha spoke, he imagined the 6 year old Lynn changing into a blonde, gun-toting tyke.

Yamcha: (imagines Lynn turning into a trigger-happy firecracker, just like her mother) Oh. She'll be no trouble, at all. (Unless she sneezes, of course. Wonder why she doesn't have 3 eyes, like her father?)

Bulma: Vegeta, Kushami, Trunks, Goten, Tien, Chaotsu and I will look for the Dragonballs.

Tien: I've telepathically told Chaotsu to come. He's almost here.

Sure enough, Chaotsu landed, and was ready to help.

Chaotsu: I'm here, Tien. What's wrong?

Tien: I'm afraid it's bad. Goku and Chi Chi were turned into Androids by Dr. Gero's Master Computer.

Chaotsu: Oh, MAN! They might kill us!

18: No they won't. Bulma's made 6 duplicates of the Dragon Radar in the past 6 years. (smirks) You'll be able to cover a lot of ground. Gohan, Videl, Krillin and I will help Goku and Chi Chi.

Mirai Trunks: I'm coming, too!

Gohan: Got it. (senses someone's ki) And, I think Piccolo's come to help!

Everyone looked up, and saw Piccolo drop into the ground. He knew about what happened, from his meditation.

Piccolo: Hello, everyone. I've had disturbing visions in my meditations. I saw Goku and Chi Chi as Androids. We have to find a way to help them, somehow.

18: We will, Piccolo. I don't want them to go through the same hardships I endured. I won't allow them to suffer like Mirai 18 has suffered.

Videl: Then it's settled. Let's follow dad's ki, and track him down, before they do any damage.

Krillin: Got it, Videl. (looks at 18) Ready, sweetie?

18: Ready, Krillin.

Vegeta: I wish I was fighting with Kakarot, instead of looking for Dragonballs.

Bulma: Better luck next time, Vegeta.

Gohan: Alright. PIccolo, you're going with me, Krillin, 18, Mirai Trunks and Videl. We need all the help we can get, here.

Piccolo: Right. I'm hoping that we can reach them. (flies off) Let's go!

Krillin: RIGHT!

And so, everyone went their separate ways, to make sure 22 and 23 are returned to their rightful selves. Just then, Cooler and Frieza changed direction. They were still hot on Goku's trail.

Cooler: He's changed direction. I think he went west. Follow me!

Frieza: As if I have a choice.

Back in Capsule Corp, Yamcha's misadventures in babysitting began. His assumptions about Lynn rang true.

Lynn: (is playing ball with Marron) Wow! You're a great pal, Marron.

Marron: Thanks, Lynn. (bounces the ball, and it kicks up some dust)

Yamcha: Oh...no...It's gonna happen...I know it.

Lynn: Ahh...aaahhh....ah...AH-CHOO! (hair becomes blonde, and her eyes become green)

Yamcha: Uuuhhh...Lynn? Are you okay? (gawks at her)

Marlynn: The name's Marilynn, you boob! You just gave me a funny look! Ya know what I'm gonna do to ya?!

Yamcha: (recalls Kushami shooting at Trunks, 6 years ago) Yeah...I think I have a pretty good idea.

Marilynn: Good. In that case...EAT LEAD, SUCKER!

As Yamcha correctly predicted, Marilynn started to shoot at him with a gun. She chased him all over the house. All during this time, Bra and Pan were asleep.

Yamcha: YYYYYYYAAAAAAAAHH!!!

Marron: Yamcha? Where's he going in such a rush? And...was it me, or did Lynn change just like her mom does? (shrugs) Oh well.

Meanwhile, in a nearby Restaurant in West City, Gohan and the others discovered the trail ended here. Nobody was certain why.

Gohan: Well, this is it. Looks like they came here.

Piccolo: Why'd 22 and 23 come here?

Krillin: Well, whatever it is, it obviously isn't for blowing up the place.

Videl: (hears some strange munching sounds) What was that?

18 looked around, and saw an all too familiar sight. 23 was piling up the dishes, and eating a lot of food.

23: Mmm mmm! (talks with his mouth full) This is good! (keeps on eating)

18: Oh no...I know what they're doing here...LOOK!

Piccolo: NOT AGAIN!!

22: I swear, 23...your stomach is a bottomless PIT!

Piccolo: That, 22...is an understatement.

22: (is surprised) HUH?! What are you doing here?!

Gohan: Relax...we aren't going to fight you, in here. We just wanted to see if you're okay.

22: (is exasperated) Oh, everything's fine. 23 has eaten 45 dishes of roast beef, 100 chickens, 70 hamburgers, 200 orders of fries, 350 beef bowls, 400 bowls of rice, 12 glasses of Coke, and it looks like he isn't going to stop there.

Videl: (laughs) That's Goku, for ya! I mean, a Saiya-jin male's metabolism is so great, they eat as much as a pig. But, they're able to use all that food to fight at their best. And...they can look cute while doing it. (winks)

22: Maybe 23 IS a Saiya-jin. Just look at him. It's embarrassing. (giggles) Yet at the same time, he looks as cute as a little boy.

Gohan sat down, and asked if he could join in with his father. 23 happily accepted.

Gohan: Dad...errr...I mean uuhh...23...can I join you?

23: Sure thing! Let's dig in!

Waitress: Uuuhhh...do you want some more? (Oh, man...that HAS to be Goku. The last time he was here, he nearly cleaned this restaurant out.) Uunnngghh...

23: (happily speaks with his mouth full) Of course! More please! Send some down to this guy, too. I'll buy.

As the food was brought to table 7, Gohan started to eat as much as his father did. 22 was starting to question her programming, as well.

Videl: (laughs) Just look at them, 22. Like father, like son, huh?

22: Yeah. Come to think of it, there is a resemblance between them. (smiles sweetly) I'm starting to see why 23 doesn't want to do any damage to the forest, or the city. I agree with him. It's a shame we have to be enemies. I don't want to kill you, but I have no choice.

Videl: There's always a choice, 22.

22: If you say so. Anyone want to order a salad?

Videl: I do.

18: Same here.

22: Thanks. Just because I'm being nice, doesn't mean I'm not going to kill you. Let's go, ladies.

Soon enough Mirai Trunks joined in, too. 18, 22 and Videl decided to get a salad for each of them, while Piccolo and Krillin just watched in awe of their friends' incredible appetites.

Krillin: It's like watching a grabage disposal.

PIccolo: I know. No matter how many times I see this, I can't ever get used to that gross sight.

23, Gohan & Mirai Trunks: More, please.

This caused 22, Piccolo and Krillin to fall over. A couple of hours later, Gohan, Mirai Trunks and 23 were FINALLY FULL!

23: (is patting his stomach) Man, that hit the spot!

Gohan: Yeah! Just like old times, huh?

23: Guess so. Somehow, eating with you guys feels SO RIGHT!

Mirai Trunks: Here comes the waitress, with the bill.

Waitress: That'll be 600 zeni, sir. 590 for all that food you three ate, and 10 for the girls.

23: I got 500 on me.

18: Here's 80.

22: I got 20, here.

Waitress: Th...thank you...very much, Mrs. Son. I'll go ahead and ask the manager to restock. Hopefully, our supplies will be fully restocked...in 5 months. Have a nice day.

22: She...she called me Mrs. Son. Could I really be the person you mentioned? Am I Chi Chi?

Videl: Yeah. That's you, alright.

22: Maybe. But I'll deal with this identity crisis, LATER! Right now, it's time for us to fight.

23: Agreed. But, it has to be in an area far away from here. I don't want any civilians getting hurt during our fight.

PIccolo: Now, you're sounding like your old self, Goku.

23: (shrugs) I guess. Call me whatever you want. Just don't call me late for dinner.

Videl: Oy...Let's go, ok?

22: Right.

23: Follow me!

And so, Android 23 led everyone else into a clearing, where there were no people, or animals in sight. The place was beautiful, and had a waterfall there. 23 felt as if something happened at this very spot.

23: This place...I feel as if I've been here, before. As if I fought someone extremely powerful, here. I wonder why?

Krillin: Who knows? So, 23...ready to fight?

23: YEAH! If you want, we can fight first. I'm not going to use my full power on you. And as for you...don't hold back. (smiles) Shall we?

Krillin: Let's do it!

And so, the fight between Krillin and 23 began. 22 chose to fight 18, as she and her fellow cyborg took to the air, and were locked in hand-to-hand combat. Unfortunately, Cooler sensed Goku's ki at the exact spot he showed him his transformation.

Cooler: (smirks) What luck! Goku's at the EXACT SPOT where he witnessed my transformation into my fourth form! Soon, he will meet the same fate as his mother did! FOLLOW ME!! (speeds toward the area)

Frieza: It's about time! (keeps up with Cooler)

Meanwhile, the battle between 23 and Krillin continued. 23 used a foot sweep to trip his friend, but Krillin dodged it, and countered with an uppercut. The hit connected, but 23 was back on his feet. He flew towards Krillin, and they began a ballet of punches and kicks, each being dodged swiftly. 22, of course was having similar luck with 18. She delivered a roundhouse which knocked her foe aside, and watched as the agile wife of Krillin countered with a roundhouse of her own. Their speed and strength were evenly matched. As they fought, Piccolo looked happy, for some reason. But then, his expression changed, when he sensed two powerful ki signatures...which felt all too familiar.

Piccolo: (thinks to himself) Just look at Goku. He's enjoying himself as much as he used to. Boy, it sure feels as if they never did become Androids. Goku's almost all the way back, I know it. (senses two sets of ki, and speaks up) WHAT THE?! Everyone, you'd better end this fight! Someone's coming!

Mirai Trunks: One of them feels like Frieza! But, that's impossible! I killed him! The other one...I have no idea who that person is. Whoever he is, he feels more powerful than Frieza does.

Krillin: Yeah! It almost feels like it's...(realizes something) It CAN'T BE!!

Piccolo: IT IS! IT'S COOLER!! Frieza and his brother must've escaped, somehow!

23: COOLER?! That name...(begins to remember something) This place...it feels like I HAVE been here, before!

As 23 spoke, he recalled the moment when Cooler transformed. He saw a purple being start to grow in size, and strength, as his armor changed shape, as well. By then, 23 was about to recover his true personality. As he spoke, Frieza and Cooler have finally arrived.

Cooler: My brother was a pest...I would've killed him, myself, sooner or later. He was always trying to beat me...trying to prove that he was the best, and he definitely had the edge. But then, it happened. I TRANSFORMED. As you know, I'm in the third transformed state, but I found a fourth beyond it!

Goku: WHAT?!

Cooler: (gets ready to change) You should feel privileged. You'll be the first one to WITNESS THIS FORM! First you will see, then you WILL DIE!! (transforms as Goku gasps. grows horns on his helmet, blades on his guantlets, and increases in size, strength and speed, while his armor changes shape)

Goku: Whoa, man! He's HUGE!!

Cooler: (in form 4, laughs evilly) Yes. TIME TO DIE!! (sneers, as a protective faceplate covers his face)

23: Oh, NO! It's him...it's REALLY HIM! (yells out) Everyone, get out of here, NOW! Our fight's over! Get out of here, so you won't get hurt!

22: What are you talking about?!

23: I don't need a ki detection unit to tell me what's coming, 22. (destroys the ki detection unit within him, without destroying anything else in his body) He's as twisted inside as his brother...so full of hatred! Well, NO MORE! He's dug his own grave!

Cooler: Why thank you, Goku! So nice of you to remember me.

23: So...it IS you, Cooler! How'd you escape from Hell?

Frieza: You can thank Cell for that, you Saiya-jin pest. He helped us gain our freedom! And now, we shall have our revenge...STARTING WITH YOUR BALD-HEADED FRIEND!!

23: Grrr...(remembers Krillin blowing up telekinetically because of Frieza)

Krillin: HELP ME!! (explodes) AAHH!

At long last the dam breaks. 23 now remembered just about everything, about himself, his friends and family.

Goku: Leave Krillin out of this, Frieza! He's not bald! And, he has a wife who can easily kill you off!

Frieza: (laughs evilly) Yeah, right! I'd destroy the planet, before that happened!

Mirai Trunks: You're not as strong as I am, Frieza! Remember how I sliced and diced you, and blown you to smithereens?!

Frieza: (gasps in horror) IT'S YOU!!

Mirai Trunks: That's right. You're going to get the same farewell you had last time.

Goku: No, Trunks! This isn't your fight! It's me they want! I won't allow Frieza OR Cooler to kill any of you! GOT IT?!

22: What the heck?! 23...what happened?

Everyone looked at Goku with shock, and relief. There was no doubt in anyone's mind. Goku was back.

Gohan: DAD!

Videl: Oh my gosh! You're back!

Goku: That's right.

Piccolo: I'm glad you're back, Goku.

Goku: It's good to be back, Piccolo.

Krillin: I got a blue shirt, and a red gi top to go over it, if you want it, Goku.

Goku: Thanks, Krillin. (changes shirts, and tightens ties a blue sash around his waist)

18: We'll go and tell the others that you're back in the saddle. Do you need any help?

Goku: Nah. I'm fine. I can take care of them. (goes SSJ2) YAAAH!!

Frieza: SAY WHAT?! He's...more powerful than he was before! NO!!

Cooler: Hmm...Most impressive, Goku. You never fail to please.

22: 23...what's happened to you?! You've changed! What happened TO YOUR HAIR?!

Goku: Chi Chi, it's me, Goku. I'm back to my old self.

22: Goku?! Then that means you're my enemy! But, I'll give you one chance to redeem yourself. (points to Gohan) Either you kill him in 10 seconds, or else, I'll be forced to kill you. (looks sad) I still love you, 23.

Gohan: Huh? But mom...

Goku: I love you too, Chi Chi...but what you're asking me to do is impossible. We can't kill our son. (notices Frieza's behind him, and thinks to himself) That's it, Frieza...stay right there. With luck, I won't have to fight you. I'll let Chi Chi finish you off. (smirks)

As 22 began to count down, Frieza was right behind Goku, and was beginning to power up the Kien Zan Disks...the deadly move which cut him to pieces the last time he fought Goku. Cooler noticed what position his brother was in, and knew Frieza was about to disgrace himself, and the family once again.

22: 10...9...8...7...(begins to form a blast with his fingers)...6....5...

Frieza: (laughs evilly, as he forms the Kien Zan Disks) This time, there's no way for you to escape this attack, Goku!

Cooler: (to himself) Frieza, you FOOL! Don't you realize you're fallen into a trap? In 4 seconds, Goku's going to jump out of the way, and you'll be killed by that woman's blast! Does this mean Dr. Gero's final plan has been carried out? Are Goku and Chi Chi androids? Hmph. No matter. I will get to see Goku in SSJ3!

22: 4...3...2...1...ZERO!! Time's up. Either kill that man, or die!

Goku: No, Chi Chi. I won't.

22: (has a griefstricken look) Then, I have no choice. (prepares to fire, while crying) Goodbye, my love. Forgive me. (fires the blast)

Cooler's assumption was dead on. Goku jumped out of the way as 22's beam hit Frieza, and vaporized him entirely. It even destroyed his Kien Zan Disks. This got 22 super ticked off. She was about halfway back to her old self.

Frieza: CURSE YOU, YOU STUPID MONKKKKEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYY!!! (dies again)

22: What?! 23, HOW COULD YOU?! You TRICKED ME! (glares at him) That was the most dirty, underhanded, rotten low-down move you ever did!!

Goku: But...but Chi Chi...

22: Don't you dare "Chi Chi" me, 23! You're in the doghouse, now, buster! (smirks) But...I'm not going to kill you. Not now. Meet me in Papaya Island in 2 and a half hours. We'll settle the score then. I'm going to ENJOY making you look foolish in front of a small audience! And the name's 22, GOT IT?!

Goku: (smiles) Sure thing, 22. I'll be there. Right now, you have to leave with the others. There's no way I'm going to let any of you die, ok?!

22: (sighs, and smiles) Sure, Goku. Whatever you say. I don't know why...but I don't want to kill anybody, anymore. But, I am going to enjoy myself. You'd better make it out alive, okay?!

Goku: Promise! And...why'd you stop calling me 23?

22: No biggie. If Goku's what you want to be called, then so be it. See you later. (flies off, with everybody following)

And so, 18, 22, Krillin, Mirai Trunks, Gohan, Videl and Piccolo left the area. But before they left, they decided to watch Cooler transform.

Cooler: That was a bold move you made, Goku. You knew Frieza would power up behind you, so you let your wife do him in, for you. Tell me...are you an Android?

Goku: It doesn't matter what my body's made of, Cooler! I'm still who I've always been! Nobody's going to die, today, Cooler...EXCEPT FOR YOU!! (smirks) I sense you increased your own strength, these past few years.

Cooler: Yes. Through rigorous training, I have become 40% stronger than I was the last time we fought. Now, show me...show me the 3rd form a Super Saiya-jin can obtain.

Goku: Sure. But first, why don't you transform? That way, you can fight me with all of your power, and know that you've been beaten, at your best!

Cooler: (smirks) Good idea. (gets in position) You may have destroyed the lion's share of my body, the first time we met, and you might have even succeeded in killing me and the Big Geta Star, but there's no way you can stop me now! HYAAHH!!

In no time at all, Cooler once again assumed his fourth, most powerful form. Goku does the same, as he upgrades to SSJ3!

Piccolo: I guess that's our cue to leave!

Krillin: No kidding.

22: Good luck, Goku!

As 22 and the others finally leave, Goku is ready to face off with Cooler once again. Can he succeed in stopping Cooler a third time? Is 22 going to beat Goku, as promised? And, most importantly of all, can Yamcha make it out of babysitting without getting hurt? Find out, as the battle of the new millenium begins, on DRAGONBALL Z!!

To Be Continued...