Chapter 7: Unlocking Potential and Unraveling Plans

The Dragon Balls gleamed in the sunlight, neatly arranged on the grass in front of Capsule Corporation. Piccolo, arms crossed and a determined look on his face, watched as Shenron's form took shape in the sky above.

Bulma stepped forward, clearing her throat. "Shenron! I wish for Piccolo's full potential to be unlocked."

The mighty dragon's eyes glowed red as he spoke in his deep, resonant voice, "Your wish shall be granted… And, Piccolo, I have included a small bonus."

{He's with the gang.}

Piccolo felt a surge of energy ripple through him, his senses sharpening, his body brimming with newfound power. He clenched his fists, awed by the strength coursing through him. "Thank you, Shenron," he said, inclining his head in respect.

Bulma took the opportunity to use the remaining two wishes on cosmetic enhancements, first removing a few of her "fine lines" and then asking for some aesthetic changes to Capsule Corporation's exterior.

{Annoying ahh bitch, i swear imma kill her later.}

As the Dragon Balls turned to stone and scattered, a realization hit Bulma. "Wait a second… We could have used one of those wishes to bring Goku and Vegeta back to Earth!"

Piccolo's eyes narrowed as he looked at her. "And you didn't think of that before using them up?"

Bulma crossed her arms, defensive. "Well, you didn't think of it either, Mr. Wise and All-Knowing!"

Piccolo sighed, shaking his head. "Fair point." He turned away, his gaze hardening as he considered his next move. "I'll head back to the Red Ribbon base and see if I can get more information. With Gohan not taking this seriously and no help from Goku or Vegeta, it's up to us." Without another word, he took to the skies, leaving Bulma sighing in exasperation.

....

Back at the Red Ribbon base, Magenta and Carmine were eager to accelerate their plans. The near-exposure from the encounter with Piccolo and Pan had put them on edge, and they needed a way to draw out Gohan without risking their cover.

"Gohan has a daughter," Magenta mused, pacing in his office as Carmine listened intently. "If we bring her here, he'll have no choice but to come to us."

Carmine's eyes lit up with interest. "It's a good plan. And if he's forced to come here, we can eliminate him without the public knowing."

At that moment, Piccolo, still in the Red Ribbon soldier's uniform from his infiltration, entered the room and overheard their plan. "I can handle it," he volunteered, stepping forward. "I'm familiar with the girl. She's the granddaughter of the famous Mr. Satan, and her capture would certainly bring her father to us."

Magenta considered him briefly, nodding in approval. "Good. You'll go with Soldier #15 and retrieve the girl. Make it quick and quiet. We don't need attention."

Piccolo nodded, following #15 out of the base toward a Red Ribbon aircraft. As they flew toward Pan's school, he thought through his plan. If anything could motivate Gohan to step up, it was Pan in danger.

....

The Red Ribbon aircraft landed discreetly near Pan's kindergarten. Soldier #15 stepped out first, scanning the area. Piccolo followed, suppressing his energy to avoid detection. Pan was just outside, saying goodbye to a few classmates when #15 approached her.

"Pan, right?" #15 said, putting on his best authoritative tone. "I'm here to take you home."

Pan's face twisted with suspicion. "I don't know you."

Before he could explain, she delivered a punch square to his gut, sending him crashing into the school's flower beds. Piccolo couldn't help but smirk as he watched #15 groaning in pain on the ground.

Pan sensed Piccolo's energy and looked up, beaming. "Mr. Piccolo! What's going on?"

Piccolo leaned down, speaking quietly. "We need to do something to get your dad's attention. I'll explain on the way."

He scooped up the unconscious #15, guiding Pan into the aircraft. Once they were airborne, Piccolo explained his plan, and Pan nodded eagerly, clearly excited by the idea of helping "train" her father.

....

Arriving back at the Red Ribbon base, Piccolo led Pan into a room where Magenta and Carmine were waiting. Magenta grinned, pleased to see the mission was a success. They recorded a brief video message, with Pan pretending to look scared as Piccolo, still in disguise, held her by the collar.

When the video was done, Piccolo and #15 headed toward Gohan's house. Gohan was at his desk, flipping through papers, but he immediately tensed as he noticed the two figures outside his window. He opened it, eyeing the Red Ribbon uniforms with a mix of confusion and suspicion.

"We have a message for you, Mr. Son," #15 said, holding up a device and playing the video of Pan. Her feigned terror was convincing, her voice pleading for help.

A switch flipped in Gohan's mind, his Saiyan instincts snapping to attention. His body tensed, and without hesitation, he launched himself through the window, transforming into Super Saiyan in an explosion of golden light that obliterated the front yard. The force of his energy alone created a massive crater, shaking the entire house until it collapsed.

Eyes wide, #15 stumbled back, his voice trembling. "P-please… come with us. I'm sure she's fine!"

Gohan's eyes flashed with fury as he floated in the air, his golden aura blazing. "If you've hurt her, you'll answer to me."

....

Gohan arrived at the Red Ribbon base moments later, a focused rage in his eyes. He scanned the area until he spotted Pan, who was waiting atop one of the base's towers, surrounded by Red Ribbon soldiers, Magenta, Carmine, Dr. Hedo, and the two Gammas.

Before Gohan could reach her, Gamma 1 stepped forward, blocking his path. "Son Gohan," he said in a steady voice, "if you want her back, you'll have to go through me."

Gohan's aura flared, his golden hair shining brightly as he launched himself forward. The two clashed in midair, their fists meeting with a shockwave that shook the tower. But as they fought, it quickly became clear that Gamma 1 was the more disciplined fighter. Gohan's blows were powerful but unfocused, and Gamma 1's precision allowed him to evade and counter with ease.

On the sidelines, Piccolo lifted Pan by the collar, continuing their act to provoke Gohan further. "Looks like your dad's too weak to save you, Pan," he said, pretending to sneer.

To his surprise, both Gammas frowned at his actions. "We don't harm innocents!" Gamma 1 called out, his voice stern. Piccolo noted their reaction with interest but kept up the act, shaking Pan slightly.

Gohan, incensed by the sight, felt his anger surge, his golden aura intensifying until it shattered his limits. His Super Saiyan form faded as his power escalated, his energy stabilizing into the Ultimate state. Now glowing with a blinding white aura, he turned the tide against Gamma 1, his strikes carrying a newfound strength that forced the android on the defensive.

....

Seeing Gohan take control of the battle, Magenta ordered Gamma 2 into the fight. Gamma 2 leapt forward, but Piccolo, ready to test his new power, intercepted him. With a focused yell, Piccolo activated his newfound potential, his aura flaring into a powerful, golden glow. The two clashed, and Piccolo realized quickly that while his boost was significant, Gamma 2 still had the upper hand.

As Gamma 2 increased his attacks, Piccolo felt his energy waning. He struggled to keep up, until suddenly, a memory of Shenron's words echoed in his mind: "I threw in a little bonus." In that instant, a radiant sigil appeared on Piccolo's back, and his body transformed, his skin turned a deep orange, his antenna stood on end, and his muscles expanded.

Piccolo clenched his fists, feeling a surge of strength unlike anything he'd felt before. With newfound power, he landed a single, decisive punch on Gamma 2, sending him crashing into the ground, defeated.

....

Meanwhile, Pan had taken advantage of the chaos, plowing through Red Ribbon soldiers who tried to restrain her. Enraged, Carmine pulled out a gun and fired, but Pan dodged effortlessly, moving with surprising agility. The Gammas, seeing Carmine's actions, paused, a realization dawning on them.

"We were told we were the heroes," Gamma 1 muttered, glancing at Dr. Hedo, who looked away, ashamed.

Seeing Pan in danger, Gamma 1 immediately stopped fighting, standing by her protectively. Pan, with a fierce expression, knocked Carmine out with a single punch, sending him sprawling to the ground. As the dust settled, Piccolo, Gohan, and the Gammas regrouped, with Pan standing proudly beside them. Magenta, watching the shift in the Gammas' loyalty with a look of mounting dread, began to back away, edging toward the shadows of the base.

Bulma soon arrived, accompanied by Trunks, Goten, Krillin, and Android 18, who jumped out of the Capsule Corp aircraft and joined the group. Piccolo raised an eyebrow, surprised by how much Goten and Trunks had grown. Gohan chuckled, noticing Piccolo's expression. "Saiyans have a growth spurt around their teens. They stay small until, well… they don't."

Piccolo nodded, still slightly amused. He felt more confident than ever with his newfound form and the reinforcements gathered around them. He turned to Gohan, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.

"Shenron gave me more than I expected," Piccolo admitted, still feeling the power coursing through him. "I think he gave me this 'bonus' form. Seems fitting to call it… Orange Piccolo, I guess?"

Gohan chuckled, impressed by Piccolo's strength and new form. "Looks good on you, Piccolo."

Before they could celebrate, however, a distant rumble echoed through the base. Gohan and Piccolo tensed, and Dr. Hedo's face paled as he recognized the noise.

.....

Inside the base, Magenta sprinted toward a large, reinforced chamber, muttering under his breath. "If they won't finish the job, I'll do it myself." With a look of desperation, he began disengaging the locks on Cell Max's containment pod.

Dr. Hedo, who had slipped away unnoticed, arrived just in time to witness the final restraints being removed. "Stop!" he shouted, rushing toward Magenta. "If you release Cell Max now, he'll destroy everything, there's no control system in place!"

Magenta sneered, pulling a small gun from his pocket and firing at Hedo. The bullet hit, but Hedo merely staggered back, unharmed. He grinned, showing his thickened, armor-like skin. "I designed myself to withstand a lot worse than that."

Magenta glared, throwing off his jacket to reveal cybernetic enhancements across his arms and chest. "You're not the only one who's been upgraded, Doctor." He lunged at Hedo, fists swinging with mechanical force, but just as they clashed, Hedo's pet bee, Hachimaru, swooped in, stinging Magenta on the back of the neck.

Magenta stumbled, his movements growing sluggish. "W-what did you…?"

"Hachimaru's venom is lethal," Hedo replied coolly, stepping back. "You won't last much longer."

As his vision blurred, Magenta used his last ounce of strength to slam the final release button on Cell Max's pod. "I'd rather see you all destroyed than let you win."

With a final gasp, he collapsed, the last lock on Cell Max's containment releasing.

----

Heh, time for me to cook.

Imma do a genocide.

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