Disclaimer: I do not own Dragonball Z or any of the characters.
A/N: I've had this idea for a long time now, ever since re-watching the Cell saga. I got up to the part where Vegeta is clearly stronger then Cell before he absorbs Android Eighteen and I thought to myself, "What if Vegeta didn't give into Cell's pleas?" "What if he decided to destroy Cell when he had the chance?" Here is my answer to those questions.
The smoke cleared amidst silence that now engulfed the plains. Mirai Trunks floated amongst the destruction with a look of jubilation across his face. His father had succeeded. He had to admit he had his doubts as the second generation Cell pleaded for clemency.
The look in his father's eyes spoke of his undoubted will to allow his enemy the opportunity to complete his transformation but in the end his father's pride stalled and the terror known as Cell was defeated.
"You did it, father."
Trunks stared proudly at Vegeta as the triumphant prince lowered his right hand that delivered the devastating blow.
A chuckle filled the air followed by a long onslaught of laughter from Vegeta which registered on a scale of being methodical.
Trunks watched from above with an unsettling feeling. His father was victorious and yet he felt indifferent about the situation.
"Father…"
His thoughts fell uncompleted as Vegeta raised his head to the skies and shouted his revelation.
"I've defeated Cell! The prince of all sayians' has finally regained his rightful place as the strongest fighter in the universe."
Vegeta's laugh echoed throughout the land while the dust settled at his feet.
Not too far from the battlefield stood three people relishing in the win amongst shock and surprise.
Krillin clenched his hands and laughed happily. "He did it! Vegeta destroyed Cell," He glanced over at the other witnesses to Cell's downfall.
"C'mon guys, why aren't you saying anything? Cell is gone and he's never coming back,"
The two androids stood in astonishment at what they both witnessed. Neither knew what to say but they also could not deny what their own eyes had just observed.
"H-he did it…I can't believe it…" Android 18 spoke in a hush tone.
Her blue eyes could not look away from Vegeta or the fact that she could no longer feel Cell's energy.
It was true. Every trace of Cell had vanished.
Up above, surveying the aftermath from the lookout, Piccolo brought his arms from against his chest.
"Vegeta…" Yamcha spoke in complete awe. He, like those below, could not believe what had transpired.
Leaning in with her son clutched tightly in her arms, Bulma glanced back and forth between the men who looked severely dazed.
"What's happening now?" She looked up at Piccolo. "Is Vegeta okay?"
Silence.
Bulma could feel her nerves build up as she continued to look between the loitering men.
"Somebody answer me!"
Growling at the nagging tone beside him, Piccolo glared at the heiress.
"Vegeta just defeated Cell. It's all over,"
Bulma studied Piccolo looking for a change in his demeanor. Seeing none, a smile began to form across her face.
"You mean Vegeta defeated Cell for good?" Bulma laughed as she raised her infant son in her hands and brought his face against hers. "Did you hear that? Your daddy beat the mean monster Cell,"
Trunks blinked in response. Clearly not understanding a word his mother had spoken to him.
Bulma laughed happily while spinning around with her son in tow.
"He did it! He did it!"
Her laughter subsided as she realized she was the only one amongst the group who was celebrating. Clutching her son again against her chest, Bulma glanced between the gentlemen on the lookout. She studied their faces.
Piccolo and Yamcha stood firm, neither one smiling in contentment. Their eyes fell close as they continued to focus on the events transpiring on the grounds below.
"Hey, what is with you guys? There is nothing to worry about. Vegeta saved us all," Bulma spoke cheerfully.
Piccolo huffed beneath his breath.
"Something tells me this defeat will not come without its own problem," he thought to himself.
Back down on the once battle field, Trunks lowered himself to the ground. As his feet touched, he brought his eyes toward his father, watching his subtle moves.
"Father…you've been standing there just staring at your hands for a few minutes now. What is going through your mind? What are you feeling?"
Trunks was perplexed by his father's actions. He opened his mouth, preparing to question the obvious but Vegeta's sudden movement caused his reaction to pause.
"Get ready," Vegeta spoke directly as he turned his head toward his son. "That android is still alive,"
Trunks blinked his eyes slowly. Had he heard correctly?
"The android? You mean Android 18?" he questioned.
Vegeta nodded his head stiffly. Turning his body, he directed his attention toward the shrouded island not too far from where he and his son were standing.
"That android is around here somewhere and when I find her she will be destroyed," he stated.
Trunks was hesitant in his response. Surely the goal to his arriving back in time and going forward with his original task was to destroy the androids that had plagued his own time with fear and pain. Yet, now he wasn't sure the original mission needed to be carried out to its fullest.
"But father…she fought on our side and she doesn't look like she is much of a threat anymore,"
"Hn," Vegeta turned toward his son. "So I guess that makes her one of us now, right?"
"Well-" Trunks lowered his eyes. "-I didn't say that but-"
"-but you're growing soft. I would have thought all of that time we spend in the hyperbolic time chamber would have made you stronger but I was wrong."
"I am not soft, father, but it is safe to say that Android 18 is no threat to us," Trunks stated.
"Is she no threat to you in your own time or have you forgotten the destruction she and that other android caused to the people of Earth. All of the people they destroyed including your mentor,"
Trunks gasped, his mouth slowly opening as the memories of his fallen friend flooded his mind.
"Can you honestly look at that Android and forget that she killed your mentor without a second thought? Can you forgive her so easily?" Vegeta egged on.
Trunks shut his eyes, the memories becoming more and more vivid.
Vegeta smiled, obviously pleased with his conquest of his son's beliefs. Letting his words sink in with his offspring, he turned his attention toward the outskirts of the island he found himself stranded on. His eyes roamed like a vicious animal stalking its prey. Any sudden movement, a spike in power, anything and he prepared himself to pounce and go in for the kill.
Standing idle by, Android 16 grimaced as he reached for his accomplice, taking her small wrist into his strong left hand.
"We need to go now, 18,"
Both Android 18 and Krillin stared at the gentle giant as he himself kept his eye squarely on the island that housed the sayian prince.
"Go? Go where?" 18 questioned as she glanced down at the hand 16 had on her appendage. The way his finger gripped her wrist in combination with the way the rest of his hand shook brought a sense of worry to overcome her.
"We must get out of here before Vegeta finds us," said 16.
"Huh?" Krillin openly questioned as he too now stared in the direction that had a hold on 16. "So what if Vegeta finds us. Cell is gone so everything is okay now, right?"
16 didn't respond or break his focus.
"He's right 16. We do not have to run anymore now that Cell is defeated. We can live our lives in peace," 18 added.
"No, Vegeta will not let us do that. He wants to destroy you as well." 16 spoke as calmly as possible.
Krillin and 18 both gasped.
"No…" Krillin lowered his eyes and growled slowly. "…Vegeta can't do that. He can't kill her. She isn't a threat to us anymore. 18 helped us. He can't kill her. He just can't,"
"16, are you sure?" 18 asked as she brought her eyes toward her friend.
She watched as his expression remained sturdy and unraveled. Her feeling of dread continued to make its way throughout her body.
"I am sure. I can see it in his eyes. Vegeta wants to destroy you so you must get out of here 18. His strength has grown substantially since the last time you two fought. We will be no match for him,"
"Vegeta can't do this," Krillin shouted and his threw his arms outward. "We have to stop him,"
"There will be no stopping him. He has destruction on his mind and nothing or no one will change that. Our only option is to make a run for it," replied 16.
"We will never be able to outrun him, 16," 18 spoke. "He has gotten faster,"
16 frowned. Vegeta had grown faster as well as stronger. That much was true. There was only one thing left to do.
"You there-" 16 looked over at Krillin. "-if I distract him will you get 18 out of here safely?"
Krillin stared aimlessly at 16, pondering his request.
"Y-you want me and her…" He closed his mouth and swallowed deeply. "…but what about Trunks? You can't hold them both off,"
"The one you call Trunks does not want to kill 18. He will not interfere in his father's actions." retorted 16.
"16, you cannot do this. I will not leave you behind. You're still hurt from fighting Cell. You have to come with us," 18 pleaded.
"No, I will not run away. I have had my share of fun touring the country side with you and Seventeen. In that time I have appreciated a lot of things and life is one of them. I made a personal vow to myself that I would make sure that you were protected and I will keep that promise,"
18 stared at 16 as water began to form within the lining of her eyes. She shook as the emotion caught her by complete surprise. She was unsure of how to handle the sudden wave of sentiment but she knew her pleas were falling on death's ear.
"You two must go now. I will hold him off as long as possible. Live 18, that's all I ask," 16 spoke in admiration.
18's head slowly nodded in agreement as she felt the grip 16 had on her begin to loosen. She immediately took the opportunity to wrap her arms around him, embracing her friend in a long goodbye.
"Thank you…" she whispered as she and 16 began to separate.
16 smiled as he stared at eighteen for what he knew would be the last time. Nodding his head approvingly toward Krillin, the android powered up and took the sky hoping his tactics would be enough to keep his friend alive.
On the opposite island, Vegeta brought his head upward, his senses immediately falling upon the sudden increase of power. Trunks also brought his head upward at the sight of Android 16 taking to the sky.
"So, they've finally decided to show themselves?" Vegeta chuckled as he stood with his legs and arms apart. A light white aura began to circle his body.
"Father, please reconsider. They have done nothing to us," Trunks beseeched.
Vegeta smiled as the aura that encased his body grew into a darker shade of white. Without hesitation, he took to the air to confront Android 16. Down below, Android 18 and Krillin watched as Vegeta flew into the air.
"Father, wait," Trunks called out, taking to the air and giving chase behind Vegeta.
"He took the bait. We better live up to our part of the deal and get out of here before he comes back to find us," said Krillin as he glanced at Android 18.
18 nodded her head stiffly but kept her eyes on the fading image of Android 16.
"I will never forget what you've done for me…my friend,"
"18! We have to go now," Krillin shouted, getting the android's attention.
The two raised their power levels slowly and took off in the opposite direction from Android 16. They flew side by side before Krillin slowly took the lead.
"I know a place we can go. Goku and the others should still be there. We can stay there for a while. Maybe even use the hyperbolic time chamber to hide out of needed," he said.
"What about the rest of your friends?" 18 questioned. "Won't they try to destroy me as well?"
Krillin was silent. He had to wonder that as well. He was sure Bulma would be none too happy with his decision to destroy the device she had slaved over. Just the same he was sure his friend's would not support his decision to bring an enemy into their sanctum but she was no longer an enemy, right?
He glanced over his shoulder as 18 flew behind him. The image of her planting a soft kiss upon his left cheek invaded his thoughts and left just as quick. He shook his head. Now was not the time to revisit memory lane. His mind was made up. He would deal with the backlash of his decision to visit the lookout when the time came.
18 also had her thoughts messing with her mind, a struggle between her promise to live and the potential loss of her friend. As much as she wanted to keep her word she couldn't help but imagine the pain Android 16 must have been feeling at that point in time. She waited to feel his power surge in the battle.
Nothing.
She waited to feel his energy grow as he battled for his life.
Again, nothing.
Her flight pattern slowed as she glanced over her shoulder. She didn't understand it. How could she not feel the power level of her fellow android rise as he fought? Distracted, 18 slowed down to a complete stop, floating without purpose in the air.
"What's going on…" she muttered beneath her breath as she surveyed the area behind her. "Why am I not sensing any power levels rising?"
Her eyes widened. Had 16 been defeated? No, that wasn't possible. He may have been an unfinished android but he had raw power and strength. More than enough to keep himself alive long enough for her to escape. It just didn't make any sense what-so-ever.
Sensing no one behind him, Krillin spun around and held his position as he watched Android 18.
"We have to keep going. We have a long way to go from here to the look out," he said.
"I don't feel Android 16's energy. If he was fighting Vegeta it should have gone up. I should be able to feel something," replied 18.
Krillin turned his attention out toward the open space that surrounded them. She had a point.
"Come to think of it I haven't felt Vegeta or even Trunks' energy grow since they went after Android 16. If they were fighting I'm sure I would have noticed,"
18 looked over at Krillin, a small look of worry showing on her face.
"What do you think happened to 16?" she questioned.
"I'm not sure but we better get out of here in case Vegeta is on his way here," Krillin replied.
18 hesitated but quickly agreed and the two continued to fly away from the island area with their minds filled with curiosity. Glancing over his shoulder, Krillin noticed the look of concern still etched on 18's face.
"I'm sure the big guy is fine. He doesn't look like the push over type. I'm sure he's giving Vegeta a hard time," he said.
18 smiled but soon that faded as she slowed her flight to a complete halt. Her eyes roamed past Krillin at the looming figure that stood before them. Glancing at her new expression, Krillin turned his head forward and his eyes widened as well. Their plan for escape was thwarted.
"V-Vegeta…" he spoke as he eyed the flame haired sayian standing before him.
Vegeta stood triumphantly with his arms folded across his chest. He eyed the two before him, keeping his sights squarely on the android.
"Well Krillin, thank you for bringing the android to me," he said.
Krillin frowned as he positioned himself in front of 18 protectively.
"I thought you went after Android 16? What happened to him?" he asked. 18 perked her head up, also interested in his response.
"I sent the boy after him. Of course he will not kill that hunk of junk. As a matter of fact they both are headed back this way to stop me from destroying that android behind you," Vegeta answered.
Krillin moved back slightly at the mention of android 18.
"Why do you want to kill her, Vegeta? She is no longer a threat to us,"
Vegeta chuckled.
"Don't be so stupid. She will destroy us if we give her the opportunity. I didn't allow Cell the opportunity to complete his transformation and I will not sit around and allow her to recuperate so she can train and kill us all,"
Krillin spread his arms out wide, making sure 18 was directly behind him.
"She won't do that. She wouldn't hurt us," he spoke adamantly.
"Really? And how do you know this? You can see into the future?" Vegeta probed.
Krillin was silent. He really had no guarantee she wouldn't turn on them if given the opportunity. Vegeta made valid points but he just couldn't believe them to be true. No, it wasn't that he couldn't believe it, he refused to believe it.
"Listen Vegeta, I'll take responsibility for her," Krillin began to negotiate to his surprise.
Vegeta eyed the brave human before him before raising his eyes. He smiled as the appearance of his son and android 16 came within his sight.
"18!" Android 16 shouted as he neared his friend and his enemy. He glanced over at Vegeta. "Leave her alone and fight me,"
"16, no. We will fight him together," 18 suggested.
"No, you stay out of this and get away when you have a chance. You've done nothing wrong and I will not sit by and let you die by his hands," replied 16 as he gestured toward Vegeta.
"You can't take him alone," 18 answered back.
Watching the scene unfold, Trunks moved his eyes toward his father. Watching his every move.
"Father, let's just let them go. I don't believe them to be a threat anymore,"
Trunks watched his ridged father ignore his words, as if he speaking to himself.
"Damn it father…why are you so stubborn,"
He could only shake his head in disapproval but hoped his father would come to his senses as he did earlier.
Powering up, Android 16 floated slowly toward Vegeta, anger seething in his eyes.
"Oh look at this," Vegeta spoke with a laugh. "The big bad defective android wants to challenge me."
Vegeta powered up and took his fighting stance.
"Well, I'm sorry but you're not the one I'm interested in,"
As quick as a flash, Vegeta flew toward Krillin and Android 18 much to the chagrin of Android 16 and Trunks.
"18!" Android 16 shouted as he took off in an attempt to hinder Vegeta's attack.
Krillin stood grounded, prepared to defend 18 if need be. He flew forward with 16 in tow, both ready to defend a friend's honor.
Vegeta wasted little time, using his newly acquired speed to his advantage. He immediately drove his right elbow into the stomach of Krillin and extended his left hand toward Android 16. His eyes fell directly on 18 as she too caught his glance.
She watched the scene unfold in what felt like slow motion. She couldn't help but find herself in a position of weakness as Krillin doubled over in pain and a bright flash emitted from the gloved left hand of Vegeta and covered Android 16 completely.
Shielding his eyes from the blinding light, Trunks lowered his arm and watched in horror as the dust settle and Android 16 was nowhere to be to found.
"Father, don't!" he shouted.
Vegeta ignored his son's words and flew in front of Android 18. He laughed at the look of fright in her eyes.
"Y-you're a monster…" the shakened android managed to say.
The corner of Vegeta's mouth rose as he raised his left hand and held him palm outward.
"And you're an android. Now that we know who we are let's get this over with," he said.
Holding his position in the sky, Krillin extended his arm toward Vegeta, reaching out as he struggled to catch his breath.
"V-Vegeta…don't do it…please…" he implored.
"Father…listen to us. She is no threat to us," Trunks added.
Vegeta glanced at his son then over to Krillin who continued to struggle to keep himself afloat. He moved his eyes toward 18 who had not taken her eyes off the threat that stood in front of her.
"You're right-" Vegeta spoke much to the surprise of Trunks and Krillin. "-she is no threat to us, anymore. Goodbye Android,"
"Vegeta, no!" Krillin shouted as a blinding light surrounded the men and the sounds of 18's screams began to fade.
Feeling himself grow weak, Krillin closed his eyes, the image of 18 fading into darkness. He could no longer hold himself up while slipping into unconsciousness.
Flying toward his friend, Trunks immediately caught him, bracing Krillin up against himself in support. Draping the right arm of his short friend around his shoulder, Trunks glanced over at his father as the three men stood alone in the air.
"Why did you do that, father? You've proven your strength. There was no need to kill either one of them," he spoke.
Lowering his hand, Vegeta turned toward his son.
"Let's go and take baldy with you,"
Trunks watched as his father floated by him and the unconscious Krillin.
"Go where?" he questioned.
Vegeta created some distance between himself and his son, staring off into the distance.
"To visit Kakarot. It's time he and I had our rematch,"
Trunks closed his eyes slightly as his father powered up and shot off toward his destination.
Holding onto Krillin, Trunks slowly followed, unsure of the destruction his father would create as they made their way toward Goku and the other's up at the look out.
