Goku's decision & Rildo's powers

Pan walks down the well-lit hallway and knocks on Bulla's door.

"Hi girl,"

"Come in, what's up?"

"I just want to apologise for the mistakes I made today, and for getting my space helmet broken."

"Ah, don't worry about that."

"I'm sorry."

"Really," Bulla gets up, places her hands on Pan's shoulders and reassures, "It's fine, Ok?"

"Thanks," Pan smiles, "You know, I got to fight and grandpa saw me win... I'm so happy."

"Yeah, figures: you sure do like fighting, huh?" Bulla rests her hands on her waist.

"Heh heh, Yeah... especially if I can show grandpa how strong I've gotten."

"I know what you mean, girl," Bulla sits beside her friend, "I was so happy when dad recommended I help Trunks out with finding those Dragon Balls."

"Uh huh," Pan and Bulla rest their back on the bed they're sitting on and start giggling.

Meanwhile, Goku was eating in the Shuttle's dining room and recalling Pan's fight.

Pan sure was amazing and has gotten so much stronger.

Chichi said I should make sure she returns safe and sound... that's what I have to do as her grandpa.

I kinda see why: if I hadn't been there to guide Pan, she could've gotten hurt.

As Goku swallows the last morsel, he decides: That won't happen again--she won't fight anymore.

That should keep her safe, right? I'll try my best—Chichi, Gohan—to keep Pan unharmed.

Meanwhile, Pan and Bulla enter the dining room smiling.

"Hey, grandpa, you're done eating, huh?"

Bulla gets plates for Pan and herself.

"Pan," he calls her, with an unusually serious face.

"Yeah?" Pan pays attention.

"From now on," he looks straight into her eyes, "you can't fight anymore."

"Huh?" her excited face turns serious.

"You... said I can't fight again?" she asks.

"Yes, it's to keep you from getting hurt."

"Why not Grandpa?" she frowns, as she trembles ever slightly.

"It's to keep you from getting hurt."

"What's this all of a sudden, grandpa?" she bangs the table as she stands, "You were there when I defeated that jerk who broke the helmet Bulla made for me, weren't you?"

"Yes," he folds his arms, "And if I wasn't there, who knows what could've happened, Pan."

I thought... I thought I'd proved my strength—my potential, grandpa?

"Ah," she pouts, "(Tch!) Grandpa, I'm strong—Have you forgotten our sparring match? I don't need to cower from guys who are so weak like that jerk!"

"It's final: You're not allowed to fight."

Why are you treating me like a weak child, like others too?

Goku gets down from his seat and walks to the control room where Trunks is, while Bulla sets the plates on the dining table.

I'm sorry, Pan, I am keeping my promise to make sure you return home safe and sound, without a scratch.

Pan frowns as she falls back to her seat, her hands still on the table, "What's gotten into grandpa?"

"You know," Bulla says as she takes a seat near her, "Girl, your grandpa's right: it is safer not to fight."

Pan frowns at her friend, "You agree with him? You don't think I'm strong? That I can take care of myself?"

"That's not..."

Pan gets up and leaves the dining room, "I thought at least you'd have my back, Bulla."

"Where are you going? The food's ready, g--"

"I'm not hungry anymore," Pan says, frowning and clenching her fist.

She walks into the training room and closes the door behind her.

Her clenched fists are trembling, and she covers her face with her palms wondering:

You don't want me to fight anymore, grandpa?

Is it because... I froze up back then?

Fine, I just need to grow even stronger and that'll change your decision.

Alright, grandpa: (heh) challenge accepted.

I'll never freeze up against creepy energy like that again.

Meanwhile in the control room, where Goku just entered.

"Hey, Trunks."

"Oh, hey Goku. You done eating already?"

"(He, he) Yeah, I'm full now," Goku sits in his station, "So, what're you doing now?"

"Well, remember, what those guys said about the Dragon Balls having a bounty?"

"Huh?" Goku scratches his head before remembering, "Yeah, they did say something about hunters searching for Dragon Balls."

"Yeah," Trunks replies.

"But that's weird, cos I don't think many people know about Dragon Balls."

"That's right, and there weren't any Dragon Balls on Imecka where we just left from."

"Hmm," Goku folds his arms, "So, what are you thinking?"

"We need to figure out where the bounty notices for the Dragon Balls came from, since that could give us some intel."

"Yeah," Goku smiles, "That sounds like a good idea."

While Pan tries to figure out how to change Goku's mind, in a distant corner of the Galaxy, one of the Dons meets a subordinate in one of the best high-tech science laboratories.

"Ah, Rildo," he laughs, "It's great to see you again."

"Yes, doctor," Rildo bows, "I'm glad to visit your lab once again."

"You're my greatest creation," the doctor says, "Or, shall I say your body is my greatest creation."

"Thanks to your incredible genius, doctor, I have survived this long."

"Ah, you flatter me. Walk into the pod, General," the doctor directs him into one of the empty containers surrounded by cables that are connected to its body from over head and appears to be securely locked into a giant socket on the ground.

Rildo walks into it after stripping out of his uniform. As it fills up with liquid, various cables from the container stick onto Rildo's head, momentarily, the container is completely filled.

The monitor that the doctor is watching continues to relay information about Rildo's brainwaves and the liquid detects his physical health.

"Magnificent results I see, Rildo. It appears your mind is finally able to entirely reign in your power now. Your growth has been amazing in just a few decades."

"Astounding: and your body is finally 98% compatible with the power, too. You are truly a wonderful specimen, Rildo," he laughs, "This is enough. You can come out now."

The doctor pushes on a button that drains the liquid causing the brainwave-cables to detach from Rildo's head and retract. The door opens and Rildo walks out, drying himslef with the towel the doctor hands him.

"So, how's the other Don doing?" the doctor's left brow rise as he smiles.

"I've not received any reports about a sudden change in his actions, doctor."

"Hmm, I see... By the way have you heard the news: Glace was dethroned."

"Indeed, doctor, it appears formidable aliens allied with the native Imeckans and defeated Glace and his 3 subordinates. However, Glace became weaker and fatter because of his complacency. Unlike his great uncle who ruled over the whole universe and managed to maintain his tremendous physical strength."

"Yes, that sadistic tyrant Freeza. However, he was bested in the end."

"True, doctor. Glace failed to learn from his uncle's errors."

"Such is the case for organics, however androids don't fall to such pathetic circumstances because they remain strong—until their maintenance is absent!"

"You are truly wise, doctor."

"Have one of your roborgs gather intel on those aliens who defeated Glace and their motives."

"Understood, doctor."

"I want to determine whose side they'll join."