The first thing Red felt was power.
It surged through his body, an overwhelming force that pulsed in every fiber of his being, like a river trying to burst its banks. His eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the soft glow of the incubator that surrounded him. The liquid that had sustained him for however long he had been growing began to drain away, leaving him weightless for just a moment before he felt the cold metal floor beneath his feet.
Red blinked, staring down at his hands, clenching them into fists. His skin was smooth and pale, with veins pulsing beneath the surface, glowing faintly with the power that simmered inside him. He flexed his fingers experimentally, and the air around them crackled with energy, small sparks of ki flickering between his fingertips. His muscles felt coiled, like springs ready to release.
He took a deep breath, and that power swelled again, demanding release. It was intoxicating. The sensation made him feel alive in a way he couldn't yet understand. He didn't have a past, no memories of a life before this moment, only the knowledge that had been programmed into him—a set of instructions, a purpose. He had been made for one thing: to fight. And he was strong, stronger than anything he had ever sensed before.
As his thoughts gathered, so did his awareness of his surroundings. He wasn't alone. Rows of incubators, identical to his own, lined the room, each one containing others like him. Warriors, all awakening at the same time. Their eyes blinked open, their movements mirroring his as they took their first steps into the world. Two hundred of them in total, all born from the same project, the same desperate need to protect the Earth.
"Red."
The voice echoed inside his head, clear and calm. He looked around, expecting to see someone, but the room was still. Then he realized—it wasn't a voice from outside. It was in him. No, it was a part of him.
"Who are you?" he asked, or rather, thought. His voice was rough from disuse.
"I am the AI program designed to guide you," the voice replied, steady and soothing. "I was created by Bulma Briefs, your maker, to assist in your growth and development."
Red knew that name. It was embedded deep within his core—Bulma Briefs. She was the one responsible for his creation, the one who had labored to give him life. He didn't know her personally, but he knew her thoughts, her plans, her desperation. It was as if she was still alive, her mind fused with his through the AI.
"Where is she?" Red asked, his voice tinged with confusion.
There was a pause, as if the AI was considering how to answer. "She is no longer with us. She gave everything she had to create you and your siblings. Her mission, your mission, is to save this world. The Androids still rule, and you were created to defeat them."
Red felt a strange sense of loss at the mention of Bulma's death, even though he had never met her. There was a hollowness there, a realization that the one who had given him life was gone, and now it was up to him—and the others—to carry out her final wish.
The AI continued, its voice ever calm. "Your power level is currently 500,000. You are the strongest of the 10th generation, and it is imperative that you begin learning to control your ki. Without control, you will burn through your energy too quickly."
Red clenched his fists, feeling the raw energy inside him once more. 500,000. He didn't fully understand the significance of the number yet, but he knew it was immense. And he had no idea how to control it. Every breath, every movement seemed to stir that power, threatening to explode out of him.
"How do I control it?" he asked, glancing at the others who were beginning to emerge from their own incubators. They moved with purpose, but he could sense the same wild energy coursing through them too. Their eyes flickered with power, but also uncertainty. None of them had full control yet.
"Focus on your breath," the AI instructed. "Feel the ki within you, and direct it inward. Suppress the urge to release it outward until you are ready. It will take time, but you were designed to adapt quickly."
Red closed his eyes, trying to concentrate. His breathing slowed as he centered his thoughts, feeling the energy moving through him like a storm. It was as if there was a fire burning within him, threatening to consume everything if he wasn't careful. He had to tame it, control it, or it would destroy him.
Slowly, he began to feel the power settle, like waves calming after a storm. The energy was still there, still pulsing just beneath the surface, but now it felt contained. Controlled.
"You're learning quickly," the AI said, with what could almost be mistaken for a hint of approval. "But there's more you need to understand. You have only just awakened, and there is much for you to experience. The Earth is in ruins, and your primary objective is to survive, grow stronger, and find the Androids. You and your siblings must work together, for now, to gather resources and build your strength."
Red opened his eyes, glancing at the others. They were doing the same—learning, adapting, controlling the incredible power they had been given. But even with their collective strength, something felt… missing. The knowledge of Bulma's sacrifice hung over him like a cloud, and he wondered if even this was enough to fulfill her dream of defeating the Androids. The power in his veins was incredible, yes, but what did it matter if they couldn't survive long enough to face their enemies?
"Food," Red muttered, realizing the gnawing emptiness in his stomach.
"Yes," the AI responded. "You must feed to maintain your strength. The Earth is still full of resources, though they are scarce. Gather food and supplies, and ensure your survival. This will be your first test."
Red nodded, glancing at the other warriors, who were also stirring, the same hunger etched across their faces. They would need to move quickly, gather food, and prepare themselves for what was to come.
And deep inside him, Red knew this was only the beginning.
…
Red and the other newly awakened warriors stepped out of the lab and into the open world for the first time. The land before them was a graveyard of what had once been civilization. The remnants of cities, crumbling under the weight of destruction, stretched out into the horizon. The air was thick with dust, and the sky, once vibrant and blue, was now a sickly gray. It smelled of ash, decay, and hopelessness.
Despite the desolation, Red could feel life. His senses were acute, sharpened by the incredible power coursing through him. He could detect the faint energy signatures of his fellow creations around him. Two hundred of them, each one unique but sharing the same purpose. They were his siblings, in a way, though none of them spoke. There was an understanding, a silent connection between them. They moved with a quiet determination, their eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of food.
The AI guided Red and his siblings as they fanned out across the wasteland. "Your bodies are designed to adapt quickly, but you need sustenance to keep your energy levels stable. Find food. You'll need it to grow stronger."
Red felt the gnawing hunger inside him grow, his instincts driving him forward. They spread out, moving across the land with the speed and grace of predators, though none of them knew exactly what they were looking for. The world had changed so much that it was hard to tell where life still thrived, if anywhere.
After several miles of walking, Red found the first sign of life. In the distance, beyond the rubble of what looked like an old city block, there was movement. His sharp vision locked onto it instantly—a small pack of animals, scavenging through the remains of a building. They were emaciated, likely survivors of the destruction, but still, they would provide enough sustenance for now.
Without thinking, Red leaped forward, his body reacting instinctively. He moved faster than the wind, closing the distance in seconds. His prey barely had time to react before he was upon them. In a flash of movement, he struck. It wasn't a fight—it was an execution. The animals fell easily, their life forces absorbed by Red's overwhelming power. He could feel the rush of energy as he fed, his ki stabilizing with each bite.
The others followed suit, finding their own prey in the wasteland. It was a grim sight—these warriors, designed to save the world, now reduced to hunting for scraps. But it was necessary. They had to survive if they were ever to become strong enough to face the Androids.
As Red wiped the blood from his mouth, he looked around at the others. They were feeding too, their faces expressionless as they consumed whatever life they could find. It was a survival instinct, nothing more. But even as they ate, Red could sense something stirring in the distance—something far more dangerous than the starving animals they had just hunted.
It was then that he felt it: a spike of energy, sharp and terrifying. It was far off, but unmistakable. He wasn't the only one to notice. The others froze as well, their eyes narrowing as they sensed it. Red's heart pounded in his chest. There was no mistaking it. The energy signature was one of the Androids.
One of his siblings, a warrior not far from him, took off in the direction of the energy. His body blurred as he raced toward the source, eager to test his power. Red wanted to call out, to warn him, but it was too late. The warrior was too fast, too confident.
Moments later, Red heard the unmistakable sound of destruction—followed by a scream. He rushed forward, his body propelled by both fear and instinct. When he arrived, he saw the Android standing over the broken body of his sibling, its cold, mechanical eyes gleaming with amusement. The warrior, who had just been feeding moments ago, was torn apart—limbs scattered, lifeless eyes staring up at the sky.
The Android looked up at Red, a smirk curling on its lips. "Oh, there's more of you? This is going to be fun."
Red's blood ran cold. He wasn't ready for this.
…
Red stood frozen, staring at the lifeless body of his sibling. It had all happened so fast. The Android had torn through him like paper, with no struggle, no effort. His power level might have been enormous, but it meant nothing if it couldn't be harnessed. And now, Red was next.
The Android's smirk widened as it tilted its head, amused by the silence. "What's the matter? Too scared to move?" it taunted, taking a step forward, its sleek frame moving with a terrifying grace. "You're just like the others. Weak. Pathetic. I was hoping for a challenge."
Red's heart pounded in his chest, the familiar surge of ki building within him, but this time it felt different. There was no excitement, no thrill of power. Only fear. He wasn't ready for this. The AI's voice echoed in his mind, urging him to retreat, to regroup. But the words barely registered through the haze of terror.
The Android moved, faster than Red's eyes could follow. One moment it was standing over his fallen sibling, and the next it was inches away from him, its hand outstretched. Red barely managed to throw up his arms in defense before the blow landed, sending him skidding back across the ruined ground. The impact reverberated through his entire body, but it wasn't the pain that shocked him—it was the overwhelming force behind the attack. He had been so sure of his own strength, but the Android was on an entirely different level.
Red pushed himself to his feet, breathing hard. His vision swam for a moment before sharpening again. He couldn't fight this thing, not yet. But he could run. The Android's smirk twisted into a grin, clearly enjoying the sight of Red struggling. "Come on, I expected more from you!" it mocked.
Red's eyes darted around, searching for a way out. The others were nowhere in sight, probably scattered across the wasteland. He had no backup, no chance of victory. But there was one option—a desperate one. The ocean lay just beyond the horizon, and if he could reach it, he might be able to escape. The Androids had no reason to follow him into the water.
Without another second of hesitation, Red turned and bolted, pushing his legs to their limits. The Android's laughter echoed behind him, followed by the sound of it giving chase. "Running? You think you can outrun me?"
Red's lungs burned as he sprinted toward the distant sea. The landscape blurred around him, the barren wasteland turning into jagged cliffs as he neared the edge. He could feel the Android gaining on him, its presence like a predator closing in on prey. He wasn't fast enough. His mind raced, trying to think of a way to lose it, to buy himself just a few more seconds.
"Faster, Red!" the AI's voice urged. "You need to push beyond your limits!"
Red gritted his teeth, drawing on every ounce of strength he had. He focused his ki inward, trying to channel it into his legs, into speed. His body responded, surging forward with a new burst of energy, but it wasn't enough. The Android was still too close.
The cliffs loomed ahead, and beyond them, the ocean—dark, vast, and churning with stormy waves. Red didn't hesitate. With one final push, he leaped off the cliff's edge, diving headfirst into the water below.
The impact was jarring. The cold water enveloped him, the force of the dive stunning his senses for a moment. But he didn't stop. He kicked his legs, propelling himself deeper into the ocean's depths, the salty water stinging his skin. Above him, he could see the Android standing at the cliff's edge, watching him with mild curiosity.
For a moment, Red thought it might give up the chase. But then, with a flash of movement, the Android leaped in after him.
Red's heart sank. The ocean had been his last hope, but even here, he wasn't safe. He couldn't outfight the Android, and now he couldn't outrun it. He was trapped.
But the ocean was vast, and Red wasn't without resources. His senses, heightened by the power inside him, picked up the presence of life below—something large, something ancient. It was moving toward him, drawn by the disturbance in the water. Red couldn't see it yet, but he could feel its ki—massive, primal, and hungry.
As the Android closed in on him, Red made a split-second decision. He dove deeper, heading straight for the source of that immense power. He wasn't sure what kind of creature was lurking in the depths, but if he could use it to his advantage, it might give him the edge he needed.
The water grew darker as he descended, the pressure increasing with every foot. The Android followed, its movements as swift and relentless underwater as they were on land. Red's lungs burned, but he kept pushing himself downward, deeper into the abyss.
Then, he saw it—a shadow in the water, vast and ominous, moving with terrifying speed. The creature was massive, its body like a serpent, with scales that shimmered faintly in the dim light. Its ki was overwhelming, ancient and wild. It was a predator, and Red was heading straight for it.
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