Full Dragon Alchemist Chapter Four Page One

Al found Ed on the peak of a mountain. He landed behind his brother, remaining completely silent. After a few minutes, Ed broke the silence. "Did you explain to Krillin?" "Yes. Tien and Trunks heard as well." Ed nodded. "That's good. Less people I have to explain that to." Al laughed a little. Ed turned to face his brother. "I swore I would never let something like what happened to Nina happen to another human being. I failed. Nothing for it but to try harder." Al smiled, relieved. "I'm glad, brother. I was afraid you wouldn't be able to forgive yourself." Ed grinned. "It doesn't do any good to dwell on things. Do you remember what I told Rose? After that thing in Lior? 'You've got a good pair of legs. Get up and move forward.'" Al nodded. "I remember, brother. It was good advice. Still is." Ed looked back to the sky. "I sensed the others go toward Goku's house. Maybe we should follow them?" AL shook his head. "No. It won't do any good. We need to become strong enough to defeat these androids." Ed snorted. "I doubt we can do that. It's impossible to transmute them, even if they are part machine. We just got our bodies back, and it would cost that much to destroy both of them. Plus, there's that third android. I don't think he was ever human, but I'm willing to bet that he's at least as strong as his companions, if not stronger." Al nodded. "I know that. We have to do what Vegeta's doing. We have to go past Super Saiyan." Ed sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "I don't know that we can. I've only just managed the form, and you haven't gotten there yet. The only one who could do it is Goku, and he can't even move. If we had more time, maybe we could do it." Al's eyes widened. "Ed, we need to go to Kami's lookout!" Ed was surprised. "Kami's? Why?" "I've got an idea, but I'm not sure if it'll work. Goku once mentioned a place in the lookout where time passed quickly. Maybe we could use that!" Ed shrugged. "OK. It's worth a shot."

They arrived at the lookout 5 minutes later. Kami was looking out over the world, and Piccolo was meditating. They saw Mr. Popo, whom they had met while training with Piccolo, and went over to talk to him. "Hello, boys! how wonderful to see you again." They waved in greeting. "Hey Popo. What's going on?" Ed asked. "Well, Piccolo wants to fuse with Kami, but Kami has misgivings. He is currently watching a new being he detected recently. It may turn out to be a bigger threat than the androids." Ed and Al both took a sharp intake of air. "Stronger than the already unbeatable androids?!" Mr. Popo nodded. Al spoke. "Then we're here just in time. We once heard Goku mention a place in the lookout where time passes faster. Do you know of it?" Mr. Popo nodded. "Of course! The room of Spirit and Time, also known as the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. In a single day, you can train for a whole year. However, you can only stay for two days before you become trapped, and then you can never enter it again." Ed grinned. "Great. Take us to it. We need serious training." Popo held up a hand. "Wait a moment. Are you sure? The conditions inside the chamber are far from ideal. The gravity is ten times that of earth, and the temperature can change faster than your heart can beat." Al nodded. "We need to do this, Mr. Popo. It may be our last chance." Popo sighed, and led them to the chamber. "Good luck." He said as he opened the door. Once inside, the brothers gasped. They were standing in an apartment, with beds, bathtubs, and refrigerators. Outside the apartment, however, was a vast expanse of white. There was nothing else. Ed walked out onto it, and almost fell down. Popo hadn't been kidding about that gravity! "Whoa! Heavy!" Al laughed. "You think it's funny?! Come out here and laugh!" All followed, but didn't stumble. Ed's mouth was hanging open. Al laughed again. "I had to learn perfect balance while I was in that armor. I fell the gravity, but I don't stumble." Ed growled. "Let's get on with this!" The training commenced.

Outside the room, down on the planet, Krillin, Trunks, and Tien had arrived at Goku's house