A/N: This is re-done, as well as the first chapter! I took a lot into consideration as to what you guys said, and I hope that this is a little more to your liking. If I'm lucky, the 3rd chapter will be up tonight, too :D

Happy reading!

PROLOGUE

"The data you have on me is incorrect." The young Saiyan spoke, his voice laden with spite. Oh, how it irritated 18 to her core hearing him speak that way, to her of all people! This little whelp, which they had on so many occasions crushed beneath them, now challenged their reign over the begotten city. I should have killed him when I had the chance. She thought coldly. No more games. Trunks, the last Saiyan. Squashed like a bug.
The thought offered her little comfort as she straightened the hem of her denim skirt, tucked some golden locks behind her ear by habit, and trained her bright blue eyes on him. He did look different, didn't he?

It seemed realization had smacked her in the face, as it had her brother moments earlier, for he too was silent. She looked back at him, seeing shock in his eyes. Yes, he's noticed it too; his already sharp facial features had become more defined, and he seemed older, more rigid, as if puberty had his way with him. Oh, and all of his new muscle that tensed beneath his tanned skin, something that caught her attention momentarily. But how was that possible?

"Well, what do you think, sis?" 17's hollow voice rang out over the empty buildings and rubble. The blonde looked at her twin, brows furrowed in thought.

"Let's get rid of him." Despite the doubt that rumbled within her stomach, her voice was cool and even. Dead.
She fought back a cringe as he nodded, the corners of his lips rising slowly. I'm not sure either, sis. She could practically hear his words in her head just by looking at him.

Twins. Whatever part of them that was human somehow managed to retain their mental connection.

With the bat of an eyelash, 18 rushed forward, sending a right hook straight for the Saiyan's jaw. Just shy of connecting, he vanished, and reappeared behind her with a small snicker. Did that really just happen?! Swinging her body around, she opened her palm to his face, feeling the pink ball of energy swirl from her fingers. It was more than sufficient to take him out, she was sure. A grin crossed her face, but quickly faded as he reappeared in front of her.

No. He can't be that fast. There's no way...

17 joined her now, face twisted into rage. "You'll die, boy!" He growled, before joining his sister in a flurry of attacks. A few of them landed, but had no effect as he easily swiped their fists and feet to the side despite using their full strength. Things had definitely changed, as before, they would have needed no more than half. Now it seemed Trunks had far more speed, and far more strength; he made a show of it, landing a single punch within her brother's gut. His cerulean eyes, the same color as his sister's, grew wide with pain and a moan passed through his lips. Trunks simply tossed him to the rubble, before appearing beside her. She panted with her efforts, still looking at 17 lying in a crumpled pile on the ground.

"I'm going to win, and there's nothing you can do about it." There was no edge of cockiness to the young Saiyan's gravelled voice, but pity. Pity? For her? Fear nibbled harder at her insides, causing her to panic. 18 raised both of her hands and pushed them together, using as much power as she could muster into the ball of light.

Her eyes grew wide. All he did was tilt his head to the side slightly, not even grazing a single hair with her efforts. Her brother, slowly recovering, appeared at her side. "Any ideas?" He asked, a hand holding his gut and his eyes watering slightly. She racked her brain, but found it oddly empty. Maybe they could run? It seemed cowardly, but they could try again...

As Trunks began his advance, they found themselves backed against a building. It was oddly gratifying for Trunks, who had now begun his advance to manhood, turning these two predators into prey. Part of him just wanted to end the whole thing, to erase them from existence. They had destroyed everything, taken everything away from him mercilessly. They pillaged the Earth, taking what they wanted, killing who they wanted, without remorse. It seemed they were dead inside. Twisted in anger, he began to think of the things he had lost; his father, his friends, his childhood…

The image of his mother's face returned to him, and his rage dissipated within him. His hair returned to its normal hue, and the aura of his Ki diminished. Trunks did in fact have a mission to do, and he reminded himself of it.

Everyone deserves a second chance. His mother's words rang in his head like a bell. Remember, your father wasn't the nicest man, either. But there was still some good in him, somewhere. A hand reached into his pocket, pulling out a small remote.

"Even though you deserve it, I'm not going to kill you today." The boy began, to the androids' amazement. 18 couldn't imagine it, the idea of mercy. Not after what she'd done, what her brother had done. Despite her cold nature, part of her could remember emotion. She could remember what loss, what pain, what fear felt like. That part of her sympathised; perhaps she should die. Maybe she should suffer for her sins.

Maybe she could be saved.

"But why?" Her brother questioned, blurting his response like a scared child, which was unlike him. It only caused her more fear, which now caused the hairs to stand on the back of her neck. What a silly reaction. 17 seemed to read his sister's mind; they had destroyed everything he loved. And they felt nothing over it, no remorse.

Well, she felt a little bit.

Trunks' thumb smoothed over the large red button's surface, not yet depressing it. He didn't want to deactivate them, not yet. Part of him needed this, to say these things. It was like finding closure.

"Because, I've seen what happens to you. It's kind of pitiful, actually," He began, eyes no longer on them. Instead, it rested on the remote in his hand, lost within his memories of his trip to the past. "And I've seen you do good things, too. You're part human; I know you can feel."

The two bots had no idea what he could possibly be talking about; what had he seen? Where? How did he know, when they'd destroyed Gero's lab? It didn't really make any sense, but they listened nonetheless, without moving an inch. It could be a trap, a ploy. She searched, with her eyes, some route of escape as impending doom closed in on her.

"And honestly," Trunks said, after a few moments of silence. A sly smile crossed his face. "You're better to me this way."

Before 18 could respond, her features already twisted into confusion, the young Saiyan thumbed the button. Their bodies sagged to the floor, a strange, placid look over their faces. If Trunks hadn't known any better, he'd almost have sworn they were dolls; so perfect, so emotionless, so empty looking now. But he knew better. He knew the destruction and suffering they had brought onto the Earth.

But it wasn't their fault. He had to remember that.

A sigh escaped him, one of relief, and of sadness.

He had finally won.

But at what cost?

His brain didn't dare think of it any of it now. No, now he would take these two creatures to his mother, and the two of them would celebrate their bittersweet victory. They would discuss how to salvage the future.

Slinging their lifeless bodies over his shoulders – which had thankfully broadened during his training – he shot into the air like a rocket, a sense of calm overtaking him.