They cut through the clouds and pushed ever higher, following Gohan's lead. After quelling Cooler's rage long enough to offer him a bargain, Gohan realized how risky his gamble had suddenly turned on him. He was outnumbered, and with Cooler's additional transformation, he didn't stand a ghost of a chance. If Namek had taught Gohan anything, it was to swallow morals and pride long enough to survive the impossible odds stacked against you. He fought alongside Vegeta, a man who was their sworn enemy at the time, against Frieza's forces on Namek. With only himself, Krillin, and Bulma on Namek, none of them stood a chance against Frieza's forces without Vegeta to help them.
The enemy of my enemy seemed to only make uneasy allies. Gohan would just have to convince Cooler it was better to work together than it was to blow each other to pieces.
He only hoped that Tien's old hunch was right. If Mister Popo didn't have something that could help them, Gohan would have to come up with another bargain, or face Cooler's wrath.
The Lookout finally came into view. Gohan heard faint sounds of astonishment from the Armored Squadron. Undoubtedly, Cooler's silence was a reflection that he only had one goal in mind. "It's right up there. Mister Popo is a nice guy, so I'd appreciate it if you all would be on your best behavior."
"Just hurry up, monkey!"
"Always barking," Gohan muttered with a nervous smile on his face. He and the others reached the Lookout, landing across from the main temple. He looked back, meeting Cooler's harsh stare, but also noting the curious looks on the Armored Squadron's face as they examined the Lookout.
"Zhis place is...fascinating. How does zhis structure stay afloat?" Salza cupped his chin, reflecting on the possibilities. "Perhaps some sort of levitation device? Its stonework seems ancient to house such sophisticated technology..."
"Actually..." Gohan smiled when he heard Mister Popo's voice. He turned to meet his old friend as the Lookout's caretaker approached the party. "It's an ancient ritual set in place millennium ago that—,"
"GAH!" Salza's cry caught Gohan, Dore, and Neiz's attention. Gohan was baffled when he saw that even Cooler had a tense look on his face. "Zh-zh-zhat is—,"
Dore and Neiz were quick to raise their arms in defense, the latter giving a startled squawk of fear that reflected plainly in their eyes. "Wh-what the hell?!" Dore bellowed. "First Saiyans, now Neronians?! What other dead races is this planet hiding?!"
"Whoa, hey, calm down!" Gohan was quick to move to Popo's defense. "I promise, Mister Popo isn't a threat!"
Cooler retained his posture, but his scowl was aimed only at Popo now. Gohan noticed the very sutble, uneasy tension in Cooler's posture as he stared at the peaceful caretaker. "I wouldn't think you would be stupid enough to work with a Neronian, monkey. Even if you were, Neronians serve no one except themselves." The tyrant's eyes shifted back to Gohan, with such fury that the Saiyan halfling was worried he would be burned under the heated glare.
Mister Popo stepped forward. The Armored Squadron tensed up immediately, ready for a fight, but Cooler watched carefully with a critical eye. "I can assure you, I have been on Earth for over a thousand years. And I think you can sense as well as I can that I'm no threat to you."
His words seemed to calm Cooler down, only a bit. It still looked as though he wasn't going to lower his guard around Popo though. Whatever Neronians were, Gohan was glad he didn't have to face one. "So what is this secret of yours, monkey? You promised me more power."
Gohan looked at Popo. The Lookout's caretaker stared down at the ground with a look of guilt on his face before meeting Gohan's gaze. "Are you certain this is the wisest course of action?"
Gohan beamed at Popo with a relieved grin. Popo did have something that could help. "Well, I won't know until you tell me what it is you're hiding, Mister Popo."
The attendant laughed and shook his head. "A man of action. So very much like your father." Popo looked at Earth's foreign visitors for a moment, and then back to Gohan. "I suppose I still owe you that explanation."
"Let's get ourselves powered up first, before Cooler loses his head over there."
"No." All eyes were on the tyrant. His glare was fixed on Gohan. "I don't trust that you've had a secret weapon all this time and just refused to use it until now. Explain your story, and if I buy it, I might not destroy you, Neronian."
"Ever the skeptic," Gohan said with a wistful sigh.
Popo bowed his head thankfully to Cooler before he turned his back on them. "If you all will follow me, I will explain on the way." Gohan followed Popo to the temple with his fingers laced loosely together behind his head. He couldn't help but notice the healthy distance Cooler was keeping from them. Their caution would be a little less obvious, if the Armored Squadron wasn't trailing even further behind their master.
"So," Gohan said. "You said the Lookout disappeared after Kami...passed on, right?"
"Yes," Popo replied calmly. The deaths of his friends and loved ones still pained Gohan when he thought about it. He knew Kami and Mister Popo were close, but he wasn't entirely sure how thirteen years of isolation would affect a person. Seeing as how Popo was over a thousand years old though, it didn't seem unlikely that he would be over Kami's death. Or as over it as you could get when someone you've known for centuries.
"When Piccolo died saving you during the Saiyan invasion, and Kami died then too, I knew you all wouldn't be able to come to the Lookout. That was why I came to you all instead in order to help. You see, without a Guardian, the Lookout disappears from the eyes of mortals. It was a spell that one of the earliest Guardians set in place, so that in the event of their deaths, nobody could use the Lookout or its ancient gifts for themselves. That was why it was gone shortly after Piccolo and Kami's deaths at the hands of the Androids."
Gohan's heart gave a dull, painful twist in his chest. "We honestly just thought that the Red Ribbon Androids destroyed it while we tried to deal with 17 and 18..."
"They would have certainly tried," Popo said. "As fate would have it, they arrived shortly after Kami's death, before you and the others arrived, to find nothing. There was only one chance to help, and I quickly tried to find a new Guardian in Kami's passing. But with so much death and destruction, the energies of Earth were very unbalanced, making the search to find the next Guardian almost impossible. And by the time that Tien, Krillin, and the others fell..."
Gohan placed his hand on Popo's shoulder. He squeezed firmly to assure the attendant that he didn't need to blame himself. "They'd want us to move forward," Gohan said. "And finally beat these monsters for good." Popo nodded his head, giving Gohan a bright smile.
"So very much like your father."
Gohan returned the smile. He had never been so far into the inner workings of the Lookout before. They had passed countless doors and rooms, many of which had Gohan very curious about what was in all of them. How many rooms could two people possibly need?
There was one door in particular that Popo stopped in front of. It appeared to be a fairly standard, heavy wooden door with a clock above it. Gohan stopped in front of it next to Mister Popo with a curious look. Cooler and his men stopped further away, standing halfway down the hall.
"This is it," Popo said, nodding to the door. "Beyond this doorway lies a dimension separated from ours. The only connection to that place is from this very door. It is called the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Inside this chamber, the passage of time moves very differently than out here." The attendant looked at Gohan, and then to Cooler. "One day in our dimension equals one whole year beyond this door."
Gohan's jaw dropped at the revelation. Even Cooler and his men were surprised by the rather startling news. "A-are you serious?!"
Popo nodded his head and turned back to Gohan. "But I should warn you, the conditions inside the chamber are very extreme. The air is difficult to breathe, and it gets worse the further you go into the chamber. The gravity is heavier than that of Earth, and the temperatures fluctuate wildly from hot to cold at a moment's notice. Your father even attempted to use this place while he trained with Kami, before you were born. Despite our protests, he entered. He only spent a month inside, roughly two hours in our world."
The thought of something even his father couldn't handle did not fill Gohan with confidence. But the trade off was outstanding to say the least. Spend a day, gain a year. It definitely would have given the Z Fighters an edge against the Androids.
"Zh-zhat...zhat is impossible!"
"Crafty Neronians and their damn tricks," Neiz scowled. "We should waste them both now your highness!"
Gohan and Popo both looked at Cooler, who knew that he would have the final, and only, say on the matter. The tyrant's scarlet eyes were fixed on the door. Gohan could practically hear the gears turning in Cooler's head, debating on whether or not to trust them.
"I saved your life against those Androids," Gohan finally said. Cooler's eyes shifted to him. "Against the Devil's Pair, and those new Androids. I even saved the lives of your men, when I could have left them to die in the mountains. I need your help in order to stop the Androids. You help me save my planet, and I'll fight you, one-on-one just like you wanted."
Cooler's fury seemed to ebb before he put his eyes on the door in front of him. Gohan could see the tyrant going over his options. Whatever title or fame Cooler sought, he had his own personal stake against the Androids now. They stole his prize, attacked him, tried to kill him and his men, and crashed his ship, stranding them on a dying world. Gohan offered him the easiest path to what he wanted; revenge and to get off the planet. Together, they had a chance of saving Earth, though that was far from Cooler's list of priorities. All Gohan needed was more time. And a powerful ally to bring his enemies down.
"Very well," Cooler said. Gohan gave a sigh of relief. One problem down. "You and I will go in to train in this...alternate dimension, together."
Gohan shook his head. "Not me. Your men can't sit around idly, and the can't sense power levels. They're going to need someone to guide them if we're going to try to keep up the hunt for the Androids and Cell." Cooler narrowed his eyes, a subtle sign of his displeasure. Gohan met the monarch's glare with a determined smile. "Besides, I've got a partner in mind for who I'm going in with. Not to mention you already have a head start in terms of power."
The tyrant snarled and dropped his arms, tightening his fists to suppress his anger. Gohan had no doubt that if he and Cooler entered together, one of two things would happen. They would either come out with the power to shake worlds, or one of them would ultimately die inside at the hands of the other. With his money being on the latter, Gohan couldn't afford to risk Earth's safety all at once.
"I shall entire wizh you, sire." Cooler's blue skinned lieutenant, and his right-hand man, Salza, stepped forward. "If you will accept me as your sparring partner, I will gladly lay down my life, if need be, to help you increase your power to its maximum potenzial."
Gohan was surprised by Salza's proposal. Even in his base form, Gohan could defeat the Armored Squadron on his own without any assistance. They were formidable to be sure, and if they were anything like the uniquely skilled Ginyu Force, it wouldn't be an easy victory to achieve either way. But with Cooler as a sparring partner, Salza was giving himself over to the hands of death itself. His comrades, Dore and Neiz, were stunned into silence by Salza's willingness to be part of an endeavor that would ultimately end with his demise.
Cooler's expression remained unreadable.
"You realize that I do not plan to be merciful if you enter beyond this point with me," he said. "Regardless of who enters with me, if anyone does, I will spend every minute to becoming stronger." Cooler pivoted to face his lieutenant fully. "I will not show you the slightest ounce of mercy, if you choose to get in my way."
Salza fell to one knee and bowed his head down. "We failed you one too many times on zhis campaign, my lord. We failed to destroy zhe leader of zhe Red Ribbon Army. We were ambushed and overwhelmed by a single Android, and could not warn you in time of zhe new zhreat." The Brench slammed his knuckles into the stone floor, placing his other hand across his chest. "You yourself said zhat if we failed you just once after Android 1 escaped you zhe first time, you would destroy us. I will gladly atone for zhese failures, as leader of zhe Armored Squadron, your most illustrious fighting team, and take zhe full brunt of zhese failures."
"W-wait, hold on," Dore protested.
"Dore managed to destroy one of zhe weaker Androids, and hold off zhree of zhem on his own," Salza shouted, drowning out Dore's defense. "Wizhout any backup. He is a warrior worthy of serving you."
"Salza, you can't—,"
"Neiz followed every command I gave down to zhe letter," Salza continued. "His abilities, his coordination wizh my attacks were nozhing short of flawless. Do not blame zhem for zhe failings of my leadership. Please, allow me to make amends for zhe stains of my failures."
Gohan never expected to see a soldier of the same army that invaded Namek to show such honor, such selflessness. They were all butchers, bullies, and he had no delusions that the Armored Squadron had killed their fair share of innocents. Their final moments always portrayed them as cowards when facing a more dangerous threat. In Salza, he did not see a monster. He saw a warrior led by honor and driven by valor. It was a trait even Cooler seemed to recognize.
The tyrant stared down at Salza, and then looked up at Dore and Neiz. Neither of them would step forward, nor would they try to protest. The only person with the power to deny Salza was Cooler himself.
"Very well, Salza." Cooler turned around to face the door. "Say your farewells now."
Salza rose to his feet with a proud smile on his face. "Zhank you, my lord." The lieutenant turned to Dore and Neiz. Despite their bloodthirsty nature, even they couldn't hide the emotions on their faces. Salza acted out of duty to aid Cooler, but also sacrificed himself to spare Dore and Neiz from the same fate. "Bozh of you...listen to zhe Super Saiyan until Lord Cooler returns. He will be your best chance for survival wizhout our King. You two can make zhe most of zhis lesson. Bring honor to our master's name. You both have zhe makings to be our master's new Generals, if you took your assignments a bit more seriously."
"R-right," Dore replied, swallowing down his stirring emotions.
"With all due respect to you, my King," Neiz turned his eyes down to his comrade, his friend, "give him hell, Salza."
Salza smiled, putting one hand across his chest and the other behind his back as he bowed his head to both soldiers. They returned the gesture, a sign of respect between comrades, brothers-in-arms. Gohan couldn't help but remember the last few days he had with the remaining Z Fighters, all those years ago. Despite the atrocities the three of them were undoubtedly responsible for, Gohan sympathized with the Armored Squadron.
Salza turned to join Cooler, but Gohan stopped him first. The lieutenant looked at him in shock, not expecting the hero to say anything. "Here." Gohan held out a sack of Senzu Beans. "I have a feeling you might need these." He placed the bag in Salza's hand. The soldier nodded his head with a smile.
"Zhank you." He looked back at Dore and Neiz. Gohan followed his eyes to the stiff lipped warriors. "Take care of zhem, Saiyan."
"On my honor," Gohan promised. Salza nodded before he finally joined Cooler's side.
Popo stood before them with his hand on the door. When Cooler nodded his head, the attendant opened the entrance to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.
"There, how's that?" Android 3 tested her legs once she felt them come back online. Truly, Bulma was a genius comparable to Doctor Gero himself.
"It works," 3 stated. She looked up at the smiling genius, feeling embarrassed once again by such blatant kindness. "Thank you very much."
"You risked your life to save these people," Bulma said. "Patching up some of the damage is the least I could do."
The damage Android 3 received was something of a saving grace. The fake flesh Gero used to make the Androids human in appearance was torn or scorched away, revealing the bare mechanical bones of 3's body. It made access to the damaged areas, and subsequent repairs, easier, although 3 was far from fighting condition.
Android 12, Nimu, was working on her internal injuries from an access panel hidden under her back. By pushing her power generator above and beyond its limitations, several of her primary system functions were overheated, overloaded, blown up, or melted. The fact that 3 was functioning to begin with was nothing short of a miracle. Nimu's speed and accuracy with her repairs on the other hand, was simply miraculous. In the time it took Bulma to get power back to both of 3's legs, Nimu had nearly repaired and mended all of the major damages to her body that he could. As luck had it, Bulma took some extra parts with her from Doctor Gero's laboratory.
The nomads that Android 3 had saved were gone, save for Chi-Chi, who stayed behind. The Resistance was moving them to a more secure location, rather than risk another attack from Android 20. The people were gathering their possessions and resources, whatever they could bring with them from their homes to move to another location. 3 guessed that they would be moved to the former Red Ribbon Army base, which was now in Resistance control.
"Overseer Bulma, could I have a moment of your time?"
The Resistance leader rolled her eyes with a smile. She had already corrected Nimu twice that it was not necessary to call her Overseer since 3 had met them. Bulma winked at 3 before leaving her sight to join Nimu.
With her saviors out of sight, 3 observed the others near her. Android 11, Nico, and Android 16 stood watch a fair distance away, in case Android 20 returned. Bulma's son, Trunks, made his distaste for 3 apparent with little more than a series of hateful stares. She couldn't blame him for his anger. She knew one act could not make up for the years she had contributed to Earth's destruction.
Android 3 was pulled out of her thoughts when Chi-Chi sat in front of her. She looked down, unable to look the woman in the eyes. "So...Treet, huh?"
If it were possible, 3 believed she might have blushed. "It was the best I could come up with on the fly," she admitted. Her mind was set for logic and analyzing, not fabricating names. "I...I am very sorry I lied to you. I swear, I never meant you or anyone else any harm."
Chi-Chi grabbed 3's hands and squeezed firmly. "I believe you," she said. The Android felt a calming wave of relief at the woman's sincere words. "I think...if my husband were still alive, I think he would believe you too. I think he would forgive you too, for helping us. For wanting to change."
Son Goku. A man that 3 had only ever met through battle, but a man she knew intimately thanks to Gero's obsession with trying to destroy him. Above his strength, his power, his martial arts skills, above his ability to overcome any strife, Son Goku was known for his kindness. Android 3 still wondered if she was worth redemption.
Nico joined them with a bright, beaming smile, aimed towards Android 3. When the redhead didn't even look up, Nico turned to Bulma. "How is she? Will her body be able to handle an Infinite Generator like Nimu's?"
"That's what we're discussing right now," Nimu replied. Bulma walked in front of Android 3, kneeling down between Nico and Chi-Chi.
"Android 3?" She looked up at the Overseer. She wondered what had changed about their original plan. With an Infinite Generator and her skills, she would be an invaluable asset to defeating Android 20. "Most of your injuries are fixed up. You should be able to move on your own now, but there's still a few touch-ups I need to work on once I have better equipment. Your generator though, is actually still intact."
"I realize this," she stated bluntly. If it was blown out, she would be deactivated, rather than running on the last bit of energy left.
"Well...we could continue with the original plan, and outfit you with the same power source as some of the other Androids. But, with some work, Nimu and I can stabilize your current generator with the power left so it won't drain the remaining energy."
"It would not affect your brain, or your intelligence in any way," Nimu added. "Your mind would still be as advanced as a super computer's, and you would still be capable of feats that most humans would not be."
"Simply put, you'd be..." Bulma waited, mulling over her choice of words. "As close to an ordinary as possible, just with a few extra perks. You wouldn't be a fighter like the others, but more like...Android 8."
The proposal confused her. "Are...you saying you don't want me to help?"
"I think she's saying the choice is yours," Chi-Chi corrected.
Android 3 furrowed her brow. "I...I'm an Android though. And...I am to blame for the condition the world has been put in. Making me an asset is the logical course of action."
"And you helped keep the world from becoming a darker place," Chi-Chi added. Android 3 finally looked up to meet the kind woman's gaze. "You risked your life to save just a handful of us. Without you, I'd be in the clutches of some murderous Android, and everyone else..." She said nothing. It was clear that even the thought of more death pained Chi-Chi. "Your actions today showed your sincerity to change. This is your chance."
"I..." She looked away from Chi-Chi again. There was too much death unanswered for. She would be an outcast, hated and shunned by the rest of the humans for what she was. She was an Android. She couldn't possibly be anything else. "I...I will help hunt for Android 20. It is the least I can do..."
"Do not make this choice out of obligation." All eyes turned up to Android 16, who was standing next to Nico, towering over everyone as always. "We will hunt down Android 20, and any other threats to this world. You have already proven your loyalty to the people of Earth with your actions."
"One act is not enough to forgive the things I have done."
"Forgiveness comes with time, and patience. You have shown humanity that you are willing to lay down your life for them. You must be willing to live in peace for yourself. If we are to ever live in harmony, we must all take steps towards acceptance."
Living together with humanity. Living in harmony. Something that would only come with acceptance, not just from humans, but from them as well. Android 16, Nico, and Nimu, they had the same desire she did; to live in peace.
Their hands were clean of the bloodshed that brought Earth to where it was now. They would show humanity their redemption and trust by fighting for them. Android 3 could show the same, not through war, but through an act of peace. She broke her chains that tied her to being a cold machine of destruction through her own merit. Now she had the opportunity to have that threat striped away for good. To be accepted, not feared, like she wanted.
Android 3 looked back up at 16. He showed no emotion, but she knew that he was sincere in his determination to bring down Android 20 for good, to defend humanity in her stead. She turned to Bulma, her choice made, but not without her own share of concern.
"I trust them to accomplish what I could not. These three will protect humanity, and I...I want to earn humanity's trust. Please, stabilize my energy generator so humanity will see I no longer mean to threaten them..."
Bulma returned her smile and nodded. "Nimu, you heard the girl."
"Right away Overseer."
Android 3 looked back up at 16. The two exchanged a respectful nod before the giant Android walked back to his post standing watch. Nico, ever curious, followed and joined 16 in staring out into the distance quietly.
Nico looked back at Android 3. She was...smiling. Android 3 was genuinely happy with her choice it seemed. "Hey, 16?" The brunette looked up at the towering giant. "Why did you tell Android 3 not to get an Infinite Generator? With her mind and abilities, she would have been like having a second version of Nimu on hand."
"I simply told her not to act out of obligation. She would be a useful fighter, but she does not want to be a fighter. I left the choice up to her, and her alone."
"Oh! I understand now." It was something Nico took for granted, something all humans took for granted. Android 3 was like 16 and Nimu; fully mechanical, but with a true spark of life, of free will that developed over time. "I guess if we told her what to do, we'd be no better than Doctor Gero, or Android 9 trying to control her..."
Android 16 smiled. "I am glad you understand. It will be a long road to live in harmony on this planet, with its people. But I believe Android 3 is not beyond redemption."
Nico jumped off the ground so she could punch 16's shoulder in a playful manner. "Hey! Give humans some credit! I was one too, remember?" The giant turned his smile to meet Nico's own happy expression.
The albino Android took a seat on 16's vacant shoulder as they looked out into the distance. Redemption was never an easy road, and either choice Android 3 could have made would have been the right one. Nico was glad that 3 was able to make the choice she wanted to make, rather than have it forced on her. But if humanity could forgive her, perhaps redemption wasn't as impossible to achieve for any of them as it seemed.
The Androids saw Jingle Village sitting at the edge of their vision. Packed with civilians and soldiers, a populace almost ten times the size of the gathering nomads in the mountains. A perfect buffet of energy for Cell to partake in.
Android 20 smiled with delight, standing next to his ultimate creation. "Well, you certainly know how to get on my good side, Android 20." Cell's tail wriggled around with excitement.
"With any luck, we will have more than enough time for you to eat your fill," 20 spoke. "And with your new increase in power, not even that miserable tyrant can stand against you." Cell had told them about Cooler's unexpected new form, and the power it gave him. But that wouldn't matter once Cell achieved his perfect form. Nothing could stand in his way "The rest of you, make sure to gather and restrain all the humans for Cell! Not a single one is to escape, understand?"
Android 13 frowned, but gave an obedient nod. "You got it, Doc."
13, 14, 15, and Cell all charged towards the village. Within seconds, screams, gunshots, and explosions echoed over the frozen lands while 20 watched with sadistic delight. Cell would feast, breaking down and devouring civilian and soldier alike as quickly as he could. The Androids herded the people in like sheep, making sure they could not escape Cell's gluttonous hunger.
With no heroes to stand in their way, Jingle Village was defenseless, ripe for their taking. Cell's power would grow, making the apprehension of 17 and 18 easier. And the attack would undoubtedly be a mighty blow to the last heroes of Earth.
She dropped him on the nearest surface like a sack of bricks. "OW! Jeez, will you watch it?" 18 rolled her eyes at her brother.
"Of course you'd make me carry your worthless ass all the way here."
"Have some sympathy, would ya?"
She ignored her brother's plight for the moment and looked around Gero's laboratory. The capsules for the preteens, the Red Ribbon Androids, as well as their own were still hanging open and gathering dust. What drew 18's eye was the opening in the wall that she had never seen before in her life. The perpetual darkness was not an inviting sight.
"Stay here."
17 lifted up his leg, showcasing the hole in his knee. "Trust me, I can't go very far on my own."
Android 18 descended down the stairs. As she did, a strange sense of deja vu came over her. She had never known that Gero had a secret basement, but the further down she went the more familiar it became.
When she got to the bottom of the staircase, she knew there was some dormant part of her memory that knew this terrible place. Gero's laboratory upstairs was bare bones compared to the equipment and machinery he had hidden below. Aside from the lights and a single computer, everything was dead and shut down.
18 approached the computer, its screen blank. The computer was set up just in front of a row of more familiar capsules, each of which were opened and empty, unmistakably identical to their own upstairs. "Shit..." There were no spare Androids to tear apart in order to fix her brother. They were all activated and running around. "Shit!" Even in his death, Gero was absolutely useless to them. And in death he was still a pain in the ass with more inferior hunks of junk.
Eight more capsules were opened. Eight more Androids were activated and doing who knows what. With any luck they might give that space tyrant some trouble for the time being. She had to get 17 up on his feet again. They wouldn't make the same mistake. Next time, Gohan and his alien friends would be dead in the ground.
Android 18 moved to the computer and typed away. Gero would have files on how to repair them. She just had to find them first. Without schematics or something to go off of, 18 would be working blind when repairing her brother. Old files were pulled up from the computer, files about the Androids that had been activated.
Androids 11 through 16, 19, and 20. She skimmed through the files, each complete with a picture to go along with Gero's own personal notes. 18 always assumed that she and 17 were the pinnacle of what Gero hoped to achieve. She never asked about the older models.
They weren't the only humans turned into machines. Androids 11 and 13 before them were both humans once.
18 felt sick reading about Android 11, how Gero lied to a grieving family in order to take a dying girl away from them. It wasn't unlike how the Devil's Pair encountered Gero and were abducted in the same way. The difference was the girl who would become Android 11 was taken from her family. Both 17 and 18 had no family to be taken away from.
Android 13 was a former officer of the Red Ribbon Army, until he was killed in battle by an explosion that destroyed almost half of his body. The former captain's brain was left in one piece though, and with enough implants and replacement parts, Android 13 was born. Gero put him back on ice for enhancements and personality tweaks later, and never had the chance to reactivate him.
She moved through the rest of the files without care, until she reached the final one. Android 20, Doctor Gero himself. 18 felt an icy chill run through her body when she saw the face of that madman again.
Inside the file for Android 20, it explained how Gero would not be able to live long enough to complete his work. He was trying to achieve immortality through his own means. He never gave up on his goal to hunt down and destroy Goku. She had no doubt that he would be coming for them too, sooner or later.
"Shit..." 18 took one final look around the basement to ensure there was nothing she could use to fix her brother before racing back up the stairs. If Gero was alive, and an Android, they were in danger just standing in his house.
17 sat up when she entered the laboratory. "Took you long enough. Did you find any—HEY!" She threw her mouthy brother over her shoulder, and sprinted out of the hellhole as quickly as she could. "Hey! What gives?!"
18 took off to the sky, gaining as much distance as she could. "There wasn't anything we could use! And...shit, listen 17, there are more Androids now!"
"So what? The preteens weren't that big of a deal!"
"No, 17, they're...they're like us. Some of them were people that Gero..." Her thoughts drifted to the psycho himself. It was bad enough with a space king and a Super Saiyan on their trail, but now they could add another person to their list. "One of them is Gero..."
He remained silent at that. 18 almost wondered if her brother had finally understood the danger they faced. "Big deal. If the old man is an Android we'll just kick his ass."
That tore the last bit of her patience. 18 threw her twin down into an approaching rock formation. He shouted out in panic as he crashed into the rocks. She dropped down in front of her already battered brother.
"Ow...what the shit 18?!"
"What's our first rule of survival?" 17 wasn't expecting that question. They never needed rules since becoming Androids. Not since they were brats living on the streets. "First rule: don't go looking for a fight. We were beat, Lapis! On top of everything else, now Doctor Gero is running around as one of us! And we already have enough assholes hunting us down!" She reached down and lifted 17 up by the collar of his shirt. They were eye level, with 17 for the first time in years terrified of his older sister. "So until you straighten up and realize how fucked we are right now, you're going to shut up, and you're going to follow my lead! Got it?!"
"R-right, you got it, sis..."
His fear was enough to keep her from laying into him any more than she needed. 18 bit her tongue in order to put more distance between themselves and Gero's laboratory. She didn't want to explain how or why it was important that 17's ego not get him killed. There was more than enough bad shit chasing them for one lifetime. They were a team. They had to survive, and escape Gero's lab once again. They were the only family they had left.
He picked up a sensor reading, as did Nimu, undoubtedly. Something had tripped an alarm at Gero's lab.
Android 16 looked back at Nimu. They shared a knowing stare across the clearing. It was either a trap set by Android 20, or the Devil's Pair had stumbled back to the laboratory. "Nico, you and Nimu must stay with the humans as they move themselves to the Resistance's new fortress. If Android 20 plans to attack, they will need protection."
"And where are you going that's more important?" Nico asked curiously.
"Someone, or something, has entered Gero's laboratory. I want to investigate it."
The albino Android rose up quickly off of the giant's shoulder. "Alone? Are you joking, 16?"
"No. I am stronger than any of the Androids accompanying Android 20, as well as 17 and 18."
"Exactly the reason you shouldn't go alone! They know you're stronger, or at least Android 20 does. They'll have an ambush set up for you, and with nobody to watch your back there's a chance they might still beat you."
"Leaving only one of you to watch the humans is another calculated risk," 16 pointed out. "One I will not risk with innocent lives on the line."
Nico pouted defiantly as she moved closer to 16. She had to hover to be eye level with the giant that was nearly three times her height. "Then let me and Nimu investigate this. We can watch each others backs if it is a trap, and we'll run away if we can't handle it. Plus, Nimu has the same scanners as you, so he can pick up whatever Gero's monster experiment thing is if that's what it is too. That leaves you, the strongest one of us, to defend the others if 20 or whoever does attack!" Android 16 remained silent. Nico grinned happily, knowing she had outsmarted the man with a computer for a brain. "I'm right, aren't I?"
There was a hint of annoyance in 16's eyes that caused Nico to giggle. "You must be careful of Android 20's group. They outnumber you, and are strong enough to overwhelm both of you. As for Androids 17 and 18—,"
"Oh jeez, you're sounding more and more like a dad! We'll be fine!" Nico turned and raced over toward Nimu and Android 3. 16 turned to watch her, still doubting his decision to send them directly into unknown danger. "Hey, you almost done? We've got a mission!"
Both Androids looked up at Nico, who looked ready to burst with excitement. "Yes. Android 3's generator is stabilized and repaired. There are just a few minor repairs to make before she's fully ready."
"I can handle that," Bulma said. She could already tell that something important was going on. "You two be careful with...whatever it is you're going to do."
Nico's excitement skyrocketed, as did she. "Come on then! We don't have a second to spare, Nimu!" The black haired Android shared a passing glance with Android 3, before he took off after Nico.
The others watched the young Androids fly off into the distance. Only one young boy did not wish the pair any luck on their departure. Trunks was still skeptical of the Androids, even if his mother did claim they were safe and on their side. There was no programming to keep them in check, just like the Devil's Pair. What was to keep any of them from betraying humanity down the road? Gohan certainly would never have agreed to relying on more Androids to help out.
He may have brokered a partnership with an evil tyrant, but Gohan would never trust anything made by the madman, Gero. The only good Android was a dead Android.
They had arrived too late. The fires were still fresh, though they were dying out quickly. Empty clothes, bullet shells, and body armor littered the snow, with patches of crimson splashed throughout, soaking into the frozen whiteness.
Gohan held a small, tattered stuffed bear in his hands. Not too far off was a child's coat caught on a tree branch, fluttering against the chilled winds. Jingle Outpost was gone, just like that. One attack from that monster, and hundreds of lives were gone in less than an hour. The Resistance put up a fight, but there was nothing they could do to stop it, not even with Cooler's gifts given to them.
Since they knew about it, the monster, Cell, was undoubtedly going to get bolder in his attacks. Gohan never predicted something like this.
Neiz and Dore said nothing as they investigated scene. Whether it was respect or fear of Gohan, they did not make light of the deaths of the innocent. Given the people they served, Gohan assumed it wasn't respect that kept them quiet.
"This is my fault," Gohan muttered to himself. He told Videl and the rest of the Resistance to stay put. It was too dangerous to move without him watching over them. They paid the price for his arrogance.
The village, the military fortifications built around it, they were all destroyed. It had been years since the Resistance was hit so hard. The only thing left standing was Muscle Tower in the distance. Gohan couldn't imagine the carnage of an attack from Cell, what he reduced living people to for his own power.
"I'm going to tear Cell apart for this. I'm going to make sure he pays for this..."
"Don't you think you should look for survivors before hunting down your enemies?" Neiz asked. "Doesn't make a difference to us whether or not your people freeze out in the wild though."
Gohan turned sharply to the scarlet alien with a heated glare. "What do you mean?"
"There aren't enough bodies, or lack thereof, to occupy this place," Neiz said. "There were plenty of people populating this base when we last came through here. There were more civilians than there were soldiers, but look around."
He took another look around the area. It looked like a war zone with only on side that took casualties. Nothing else had changed on the battlefield. "What are you getting at?"
Neiz shook his head and made an agitated sound, while Dore waited silently for him to explain. "You soft-hearted heroes are all the same. If Cell wiped out all of the people here, there would be a lot more dead remains. And the houses and other structures are broken, not blown away, which means he didn't just eradicate what he couldn't eat. The remains left over are mostly soldiers too, from the looks of it." Gohan started to catch on. He examined the remains of Jingle Outpost again. Neiz was right. "Dore and I don't have our scouters, so we can't find them for you. But if you can sense energy levels like Lord Cooler, then you should be able to find the survivors."
Gohan turned his eyes to the signature landmark of Jingle Outpost, the heart of the Resistance in the area; Muscle Tower. "I already know where they are."
The approach to Muscle Tower was filled with much more weaponry and armor, signs of Resistance troops standing their ground against an impossible threat. The inside of the Tower was very much the same as the rest of the village. Empty, with only traces of human life littered about.
Gohan took a moment for those who lost their lives defending Muscle Tower, but prayed that their sacrifices weren't in vain. He moved to the basement stairs with haste. As soon as Gohan entered the room, a gunshot rang out. His reflexes saved him as he quickly pulled his head back with a startled cry, but dodging had only thrown him off balance. Gohan's feet slipped out from under him as he avoided the gunshot, and he fell backwards before tumbling down the rest of the stairs end over end. He reached the bottom of the stairs, landing hard on the back of his head with his legs sticking up in the air.
"Gohan?!" He fell on his backside and looked up to see Videl running up to him with a look of worry on her face. "You're here! Did you drive off the Androids!?"
"Nice to see you too Videl...ow." The hero rubbed the back of his head as he sat up from the bottom stair. "Did anyone else make it? How did you guys drive off Cell?" Videl's response came with the click of a gun. Gohan's senses alerted him to her likely targets. He quickly pulled the gun out of Videl's grasp without hurting her before she had a chance to shoot at either Dore or Neiz. The glare she gave him was almost as dangerous as the gunshot she nearly hit him with. "Right, so...I worked out another deal with them..."
Dore and Neiz both stood a reasonable distance away from them as Gohan explained the reason for bartering with Cooler and his crew once again, after they drove the Resistance to the brink of destruction. After recounting the discovery of more Androids, and Cooler's skirmish with the monster known as Cell, Videl revealed that it was a united assault from both the Androids and Cell himself that nearly destroyed Jingle Outpost.
"Once we saw what we were up against, we did our best to hold them back while we evacuated," Videl explained. "But with most of our soldiers at the Red Ribbon fortress...and even with them, we never would have stood a chance. I ordered evacuation immediately. We weren't all going to survive, but...we saved as many as we could." There was obvious guilt in her voice. She blamed herself for failing he people who were lost.
"You did what you could. You still saved lives today."
Videl nodded, but it was clear she wasn't going to forgive herself any time soon. "I used Launch's evacuation plan and moved everyone into the caverns below Muscle Tower. It was part of the plan to collapse the tunnels to cover our escape. But I know where they lead out to."
"Then we'll go there immediately and round up the survivors." Videl nodded. Gohan turned to Dore and Neiz, knowing that they couldn't care less about human lives. "If you two want, you can try to hunt the Androids yourself." He smirked at their nervous expressions.
"You don't have to be a dick about it," Dore huffed. Three of them were knocked around by one Android alone. There was no chance the two of them could stand against five Androids. It was a bit uncalled for to taunt them so mercilessly.
Gohan carried Videl on his back and took the lead to her directions. The Resistance survived another day, but they took a serious hit. Innocent lives were lost, and Gohan would see that Cell, and the Androids, paid for what they did.
The explosive blast echoed throughout the mountains. Android 20 stared down with contempt as Doctor Gero's laboratory was gone in a flash, reduced to a smoldering pile of rubble by his own hands. "Nothing," he scowled. "There's no one here!" He had received the alert, along with Androids 14 and 15, that an alarm had been tripped. The treacherous thief, Bulma Brief, had no reason to return after reactivating Androids 11, 12, and 16. The logical conclusion, or perhaps the most hopeful one, was that Androids 17 and 18 had returned.
But there was nothing left. A false alarm that caused them to waste their time.
"Search the mountains," 20 ordered. He turned to the other Androids, and to Cell. "If 17 and 18 were the ones who tripped the alarm, they couldn't have gotten far. If you find them, bring them back alive."
"Hope you don't mind them in pieces, Doc."
"You will bring them back in one piece, Android 13!" He met the smug Android with a vicious stare, demanding obedience. Like all previous humans Gero augmented, Android 13 had his own free will that not even cybernetic implants in his brain could fix. Android 20 still expected absolute obedience.
"Heh...whatever you say, Doc. C'mon boys, let's hunt these brats down."
Android 13 flew off with 14 and 15 following after him. Both Cell and Android 20 remained in the air above the remains of Doctor Gero's laboratory. "A shame he wasn't created using the same bio-mechanical structure as my brother and sister," Cell said. "It would save me the trouble of hunting both of them down..."
"Androids 17 and 18 were modified specifically with your eventual evolution in mind," 20 explained. "Android 13 may provide a significant boost to your power, but he's more useful to us as he is. Besides, I made sure that 13 has a few surprises in store for our enemies..."
"As long as there's something left for me to test my perfect form again once I've reunited with my brother and sister..." Cell laughed quietly, licking his lips with anticipation.
Cell wanted a challenge. Android 20 turned all his focus on hunting the Devil's Pair so that his ultimate creation would have the fight he so adamantly craved. If either Gohan or Cooler were destroyed before then, Cell would have nothing to even humor himself with. Even 20 was anxious to see Cell's full prowess in action.
Now, Cell's evolution was in Android 20's hands. He would be the one to create the ultimate, perfect being.
Android 13 led his partners far from 20, and his little pet. Though it seemed to be that Android 20 was following Cell's orders now.
He wasn't stupid. With Cell's completion, Android 13 realized that he and the others would very quickly become obsolete. They were already riding second place to Cell. If the overgrown bug got the Devil's Pair, there would be no other place left for them.
Android 20 would never allow rebellion. He expected 13 and the others to fall in line like dutiful soldiers. Being a dutiful soldier under Gero's command nearly killed him once when he was a human. 13 wasn't about to repeat that mistake again, now that he had the power.
"Boys, I vote for a change of plans." 13 folded his arms as 14 and 15 looked to him. "We all know that we're headed for the scrap yard once Cell gets his hands on 17 and 18. I for one, don't give a damn about Android 20's goals for his pet project if it means we get tossed in the garbage."
"What are you saying," Android 14 asked.
Android 13 adjusted his hat, turning the bill to face backwards on his head. "We take out the brats, then do the same with Cell. If I'm goin' down, I'm aimin' for the top. I ain't gonna serve myself up to the devil himself without a fight." He turned to his fellow Androids. Although they were both fully mechanical with their loyalty imprinted into their programming, 13 could see them both considering his proposal.
"Us, top dogs?" 15 asked. "That sounds like my kind of plan."
"I will not be sacrificed for someone else's ambitions," 14 said. "I follow your lead."
He was in command again. Android 13 grinned as he looked back over the mountains. "Alright then. Let's find and destroy those brats."
They stopped on a cliff overlooking the forest, just outside the mountains surrounding Gero's laboratory. 18 had to think of how she was going to fix 17. They were unstoppable together, but alone they didn't stand a chance against the new threats popping out of the woodwork.
"Gero had outposts, smaller bases scattered around. There's probably supplies, something we can round up there."
"And then what? Did you get a degree in engineering and robot anatomy since five minutes ago?"
"Will you shut up? I'll figure something out!"
"Oh sure, you're just going to magically find some spare parts laying around, stick them in my body, and hope for the best. Solid plan, sis."
"Will you shut the fuck up, Lapis?!"
"No, because this is stupid! I'm dead weight, and we both know it."
She saw something in her brother that she had never seen before. Lapis was always overconfident, he always thought he was unstoppable, and it only got worse after they became living weapons of destruction. She would never deny that her brother had talent, both as a thief and a thug on the streets, and as the most powerful Android reigning on the planet.
He looked at her for the first time, with a realization that he was no longer the best. He was ready to thrown in the towel and give up.
18 sat down next to her brother. He turned away to hide his bitterness from her. They sat together in silence, in peace and quiet for the first time in years. Their ordinary routine was usually filled with bickering, adventure, and games once they started running out of big targets to attack. Lazuli couldn't remember a time since becoming Androids that they had just sat together quietly. It reminded her of their days and nights hiding on the streets when they would protect each other.
The silence lingered for a moment. She could sense her brother's frustration at the silence, but she enjoyed it, no matter how temporary it was. They had spent the last twenty four hours on the run, in hiding, and panicking for their lives. How long since they had just enjoyed their freedom so peacefully?
She looked at her pouting brother, even offering a smile. "Did you still want to try and fly that spaceship?" 17 turned back to her with a perplexed expression on his face. "Fuck this planet. I say we find that space king's ship, steal it, and find some alien I can threaten to fix you. Then we'll have all the freedom in the universe. You can even be a space pirate captain."
The idea earned a smile out of him that she missed. There was a spark of hope, a drive for life in him again. "A pirate captain, huh?" 17 smiled up at the sky, reflecting on the incredible proposal. "I don't know. I still think I might be better as a park ranger."
"Well, glad to see you're still in the mood to make that lame ass joke," she said, meeting 17's joyful smile. "Come on, let's get out of here."
"Now ain't this sweet?" Fear spiked through 18's chest at the sound of a stranger's voice. She and 17 both looked skyward and saw three figures floating above. "Now, I normally I wouldn't have a problem with lettin' you kids haul ass off this planet, but..." The trio descended down across from the Devil's Pair. The leader of the group, a bulked out male with only a vest and a backwards trucker hat, smiled tauntingly at them. "Android 20 wants you both alive, and I don't doubt for a second that he'd try to drag us halfway around the universe for you both."
"There's an Android 20?!"
"That there is, modeled after the late Doctor Gero himself, complete with his crazed drive for vengeance. I am Android 13 by the way, and these two behind me are 14 and 15."
Android 18 stood between 17 and the new group of Androids. "What the hell do you want with us?"
"Well, Android 20 wants you both alive so his little pet can gobble you up," 13 explained. "However, lettin' that happen is a conflict of interest, since me and my associates here know that we'd become useless if that happened. So, sweetheart, we're here to destroy you. And it looks like you're about halfway there anyway. 14, 15, draw off the lady. I'll finish off the runt."
"You're in for a world of hurt if you think you can take us!"
The short Android and his lumbering counterpart both raced forward. 15 moved down while 14 pressed forward. 18 moved to meet the bulky Android's assault, slamming her fist into his jaw. The blow sent 14 flying towards the ground, where he crashed deep through the rocky surface. Before she could move on, 15 blasted her from behind with a light green ball of energy that carried her further from her brother.
Android 13 hovered across from 17, who struggled to even stand up on his own two feet. "Boy, this is gonna be a lot less painful if you just roll over."
"Fuck you..."
The murderous Android sneered with glee before he charged forward. 17 rushed to meet 13 halfway, both unleashing a storm of punches and kicks. When blocking, 17 was careful not to use his bad leg, but 13 would press his attacks on the punk's injuries. Android 13's fighting style was direct, punishing, relying on forward, striking blows that put 17 on the defensive.
Android 17 raised his leg to block 13's punch with his shin. He spun around, bringing his other leg up to strike the back of 13's head. While his opponent was dazed, 17 pushed his assault, slamming his fists across 13's body. The storm of blows came to a stop when 13 managed to catch one of 17's fists, and then the second.
"That all you got, boy?" Android 13 pulled 17 forward, driving his knee hard into the injured Android's stomach. 17 doubled over with a choked cry. Android 13 chuckled coldly before he sent the injured Android rocketing to the ground with a crimson orb of energy pressed against his back. "Looks like thirteen is your unlucky number." He created a ball of energy, with another, more dense red sphere in the center. "S.S. Deadly Bomber!"
Android 13 launched the attack straight down to where 17 crashed. The energy bomb raced down faster than 17 could even turn around, as it threatened to destroy him. 13's attack was knocked off target by a smaller energy ball that crashed into it, carrying it off far away into the forest.
Android 17 watched in amazement as his death was averted completely. He looked around for his sister, but saw her still on the defensive from 14 and 15's coordinated attacks. Even 13 was astonished by the sudden intervention from a new, unseen force.
Both Androids were caught off guard when something struck 13 hard in the center of his spine. The lead Android crashed into the side of a rock formation, but bounced back quickly to turn to his attacker.
Android 18 fell back as the giant Android 14 pushed his assault. She figured out the pair's tactics quickly enough to keep her eye out for the smaller Android 15. Cheap tactics, but both 17 and 18 were guilty of using them.
She managed to counter in a brief window of opportunity, throwing her leg up at 14's head. The giant ducked under her strike, leaving her open to Android 15 charge. 18 was left wide open to the attack, before someone came crashing down on Android 15, sending him smashing straight into Android 14 below. The mysterious figure quickly moved back to put distance between themselves and the other Androids, and 18 followed their example quickly.
Android 18 could hardly believe her eyes at a glance. The person who saved her had the passing appearance of her own brother. The major difference beyond their attire was that the newcomer had much longer hair that was swept backwards, reaching down the small of his back.
"Who...who the hell are you?" The savior wouldn't even look at her. He had a look of frustration on his face, and his cold, pale blue eyes were fixed on Androids 14 and 15. She got the feeling the newcomer was not big on talking. "Look, I've got a bad track record with new faces, so how about you just tell me if you're on my side or not?"
"That...is a difficult question to answer at the moment," he replied. "For now, my focus is on taking out Android 20's forces." He glanced away for only a moment. It was brief, but 18 caught his eye shifting skyward. She looked up in that direction and saw a second newcomer facing off against Android 13.
The lead Android chuckled as he flew up higher to square off against a battle ready Nico. Android 13 wore a smug smile on his face as he observed the small, tense woman. "Well, well, what happened to 'defending humanity?' Don't you know these two have killed more humans than what's left?" She said nothing in response. As the silence lingered, 13 started to actually wonder. "Heh, maybe there's more of Gero left in ya than that woman could rewrite?"
"I think we both know better than that," Nico replied. "You were human, just like I was, and I'm guessing from your little admission to these two earlier that you're rebelling against Android 20's orders. You should know that no programming can change who we are."
"Oh 11, that's some mighty fine thinkin', but we aren't human no more." Android 13 charged forward with his fist cocked back and ready to punch a hole through the frail looking girl. "WE'RE BETTER THAN THEM!"
Nico pulled herself to the side as 13's fist came brushing past her side, before locking her arms around his. "Wrong!" She shot her knee up sharply into his chin. 13 lifted sharply in the air from the strike. "They've survived extinction at the hands of Gero's twisted obsession!" Nico released 13's arm as he was still reeling from her knee. She spun around and drove her fist into his stomach with enough force to cause the lead Android to fold over in pain. "Our gifts were given to us BY A HUMAN!" Nico rose up and followed up with another powerful punch across 13's jaw, and then another on the opposite side. "We were humans! So tell me something, 13!" The lead Android threw an elbow to retaliate, but Nico swiftly ducked below to avoided the strike. "What the hell makes you so special!?"
She put her hands up between herself and 13. A blinding red wave of energy crashed into him and started pushing back against the Android. Before he could get pushed too far away, 13 stopped himself and started to push back against Nico's assault. She didn't relent, pouring more energy into the attack as 13 pushed harder. There was no place for the blast to move except out. The energy wave grew wider and wider, becoming much larger than either of the two Androids attempting to claim dominance over the attack.
The compressed wave of energy started to grow unstable. Beams of red energy shot out in all directions, tearing through the rocky surface of the ground below, flying off into the sky harmlessly, or off into the far distance. When the blast finally became too powerful, all the built up energy detonated in a devastating explosion that left a tower of smoke in its wake.
Android 13 lost his hat, and was covered in scratches and light burn marks. His left glove was blown away after the explosion, his vest scorched and tattered, and his right suspender was detached.
"From where I'm standing..." 13 shot a venomous glare upward as the smoke cleared to show Nico hovering safely, undamaged, in a red barrier. "You're not that special, 13."
The injuries Android 13 suffered were minor, not nearly enough to slow him down. But they were just enough to ruin that smug attitude of his. "Missy...you just signed your death warrant!"
Nimu moved swiftly as Android 15 assaulted him. The two mechanical beings moved with fast, precise strikes, and fluidly shifted around and dodged to avoid the other's attack. They didn't waste a move, but neither of them could land a hit either.
The exact opposite could be said of Android 18's skirmish with 14. Without his backup dancer, 18 pressed the assault on the larger Android, but he managed to hold his own. He wasn't as fast as 18, but his raw strength did match hers. She used that to her fully advantage, but 14's defense was hard to crack. Worst of all, his calm expression had yet to break, meaning he wasn't trying, or he was watching her carefully for an opening to present itself. 18 laid on the attack, refusing to give him an opening with nothing but raw speed.
Android 14's analysis of his foe's fighting style gave him an opening. He shot towards the ground, grabbing 18's leg on his way to drag her down with him. 14 was fast enough that 18 was helpless as she was pulled through the air. He swung her like a ragdoll, causing her body to crash through a solid rock formation. 18 cried out as pain shook her body as the solid rock gave under the force of her body. 14 spun around and sent the blonde Android crashing into the ground below the path of the falling rocks.
Android 18 was still reeling from being swung through a wall of rock, before she crashed into another solid surface at break-neck speeds.
Android 14 got his hands on a large chunk of falling debris and held it while allowing the others to crash down around and on 18. He waited, his eyes fixed on the pile that had his foe buried underneath. She finally came bursting from the rocky tomb, but was moving much faster than 14 had prepared for. Android 18 slammed her fist into 14's nose before he even had a chance to throw the rock in hand. 18 grabbed the gigantic rock above the both of them, prying it out of 14's grasp. She turned his weapon against him, and drove the gigantic stone down into his chest.
The force from her throw was enough to send the boulder straight into the ground, with 14 helplessly pinned to it. The ground shook violently and tore apart from the impact, with the rock itself having shattered into a dozen pieces.
She turned to look for her brother, leaving her foe to his rocky grave. 18 barely got to move before something slammed into her back. When she smacked it away, she realized it was yet another large chunk of rock. 14, lightly damaged, but alive and in one piece, hurled another large broken stone at her that was twice the size of his own body. Her attack didn't even slow him down.
"Enough of this!"
The second chunk she blasted away into dust with an accurate energy blast. When 14 lifted up another, Android 18 unleashed a volley of more golden energy bombs aimed at the giant. He dropped the next boulder, and quickly shot into the air to avoid 18's assault. She continued to fire shots after him, explosions trailing from the ground to the air behind 14 as he continued to rise higher and higher. The giant gained distance from 18 before he moved in an arc, diving closer back to the ground. She didn't stop the volley of bombs from flying as she started to turn the rocky terrain into a leveled flatland.
Then she heard her brother cry out among the blasts. "17?!" She stopped her firing long enough to spot a green glowing barrier among the rubble and smoke.
"I'm fine! Just watch it, will you?!"
She breathed a sigh of relief that 17 was still alive, and stable enough to try bossing her around. Then she realized her mistake.
Android 14 moved behind her, with his fingers pressed together and pointed at her. A bright green wave of energy fired out from his fingertips into a compressed edge, like a blade. The energy wave shot out quickly, threatening to split 18 in half. She pulled herself out of the way at the last minute, losing a generous portion of her blonde hair on the right side. The energy blade cut through several more rock formations behind 18, showcasing its destructive potential. She felt her hair over quickly. Her once even, long hair was choppy and short.
"Son of a—I can't grow that back you know!?" 18 grabbed 14's arm and viciously threw him across the wastelands.
The battlefield was becoming too hot. With 17 still injured, she couldn't risk him getting caught in the crossfire, or more likely getting himself involved with one of the battles going on. 18 quickly dashed for the location of her brother.
"Come on," she urged. "We need to go!"
"That spaceship idea sounds better and better."
The siblings shot off into the distance, gaining as much distance as they could between them and the fighting. 18 planned to give her brother a full lecture about how she was literally carrying him the entire time when he could fly himself.
Nico ducked and moved between 13's straightforward strikes, using her smaller body and higher speed to her advantage. She could land hits on the lead Android, but she had yet to deal any lasting damage.
"Hold still ya varmint!" Android 13 suddenly cried out as an explosive energy bomb hit him in the back. Nico looked up to see her partner Nimu flying by quickly. She didn't need to know why, she just moved behind to follow him. 13 recovered from the minor diversion quickly, firing a scowl at the new pair while 14 and 15 joined him. "AFTER THEM!" His subordinates took to the charge, while he brought up the rear.
"We must delay them," Nimu shouted.
"Well, I know one thing that works pretty well!"
Nimu turned toward Nico as they both charged a small, fist sized, red glowing energy bomb in their hands. Without stopping their flight, Nico and Nimu released the bombs behind them on a direct collision course with the trio chasing them. The threat alone was enough to get the three of them to stop, but neither Nico or Nimu planned for their attacks to hit their enemies. Both energy balls released a powerful explosion upon the briefest touch with each other, creating a blinding flash of light on detonation, throwing out high force winds that caused the Androids to cover their eyes. With their enemies stalled long enough, Nico and Nimu gained a considerable amount of distance in their personal pursuit of the Devil's Pair.
Android 13 was left staring at a towering wall of smoke in front of him as he shouted out his fury for the entire world to hear. "What do we do now, 13?" 15 asked, once his boss had stopped yelling.
"Keep lookin' for those brats! I'll break that little girl in half if it's the last thing I do!"
"What about Cell, and Android 20?" 13 gave pause, reflecting on 14's insight.
"Our goal stays the same," he said. "Destroy 17 and 18. Then we can deal with the Doc and his little science experiment freak! With them out of the way, ain't no city boy hero, no space king, and certainly no genetic freak show will stand against us! This world is gonna be ours for the takin'!" 14 and 15 fell in line as they silently followed 13 to continue their search for the Devil's Pair, and now for the newest set of enemies.
"What the hell was that?!" 18 asked as she cut through the air with 17 at her side. "Where do these people keep coming from?!"
"I think I might be karma or something," 17 replied. "I overheard that little girl fighting the Red Ribbon Redneck that she was an Android, like us."
"More? Fucking great! What the hell could fall out of the sky next?!"
Her rhetorical question was given a literal answer as the new Androids appeared right in their path. "Moving in a straight line is terrible for eluding the enemy," 17's look-alike said. "This way." He flew off to the side, leaving the brunette as all that stood in 17 and 18's way. She gave the pair a spiteful look before following her partner.
They had two options. Keep moving forward, and hope that the redneck and his companions were a lot slower than the newcomers, or follow the mystery pair themselves.
There wasn't much of a choice left when 18 pulled her brother to follow their apparent saviors. "Sis, are you serious!?"
"With Gohan, Cooler, those three maniacs, and a look-alike of Doctor Gero running around chasing us, do you really think we can afford to pass up on some actual help?" 17 had nothing to say in response. "If they wanted to destroy us, they have no reason to help us."
"Is that what you think, or what you hope?"
She followed the other pair as they slowed their pace and descended lower into the woods. "At this point 17, I think we're riding on borrowed time either way..."
They dropped down below the tree line, covered by the leaves and the shade that the forest provided. The other two were already on the ground. The girl was staring at her partner, who was gazing upward. The girl raised her hand for 17 and 18 to stop, remaining absolutely quiet.
"Don't move." The Devil's Pair stopped in their tracks. If it wasn't for the fact that the other two had their attention elsewhere, 17 and 18 might be worried that they fell into a trap of some sort. "Where are they, Nimu?"
"Three objects approaching fast," he whispered. "Moving along the original route set by 17 and 18. They should pass us momentarily."
"He can detect other Androids?" 17 asked. "Wouldn't they have the same—,"
"Nimu has an advanced motion tracker, which might be something one of the other three have as well," the girl explained. "So don't move, and stay quiet."
They listened to the girl and waited. Within seconds, they heard the sound of 13 and the others flying by, while Nimu's eyes followed them carefully. The covering of the forest prevented anyone but the fully artificial boy from seeing their enemies pass them by. Nimu could only trace their movement though, nothing else.
The girl held out her hand to keep 17 and 18 in place while Nimu slowly ascended to get a visual. They waited in tense silence until Nimu floated back down. "Confirmed, all three are continuing along the initial path. We're safe to move."
"Great. Thank you so much Nimu."
"You do not need to thank me again, Nico. You made a logical argument in the case to defend these two." The two Androids, Nico and Nimu, turned to the Devil's Pair. "But...I'm not sure what the Overseer would say, or our uneasy allies in the Resistance."
"I know," Nico muttered. "I'll take full responsibility for that. If it even comes to that..."
"Okay, look." 18 let go of her brother, dropping him to the ground. "We've got questions."
17 landed without grace on the grass. "Ow."
"You two are Androids, you're not with those psychos, and my brother and I don't exactly have any friends on this planet. So what the hell is going on right now?"
"The short version is that you are both being targeted by Android 20, which means we have a mutual enemy," Nimu explained. "The reason we're helping you is..." The artificial boy looked at his partner in silence.
"It's complicated," Nico said with a remorseful sigh.
"You want complicated, you freaking ghost?" 17 pushed himself to his feet, giving a slight lean off of his bad leg. Nico gave him a spiteful look at the insensitive nickname. "A freaking space lizard came from who-knows-where in outer space, beats the shit out of me, chases both me and my sister halfway across the planet before just running off out of the blue, and then more Androids show up and pack enough of a punch to actually be a threat, and to top all of THAT off, half of you seem to want us dead, and the other half seem to want us alive. So yeah, no shit it's complicated! So how about we get some answers!"
Nico stared at the Devil's Pair hatefully before she said anything. They met her menacing gaze. "There's a small supply warehouse nearby that the Red Ribbon Army used before its first destruction. If you want to get patched up, you'll follow us." The albino Android turned and followed her partner toward said warehouse. Nimu was the only one with the location imprinted in his databanks.
Nico's proposal left both 17 and 18 stunned. 18 looked at her brother, noticing the subtle damage he took from Android 13, and their brief exchange. Normally they wouldn't be anything serious, but with the injuries he already sustained from Cooler, it was obvious that 17 wouldn't survive another serious brawl. They didn't have the luxury of not accepting their help. Metal and wires didn't heal themselves after all.
And if it was a trap, there wasn't exactly any sort of alternative. "Shit," 17 hissed. She smiled at him for using his brain for once. Now 18 didn't have to explain it to him.
"Come on bro." 18 put her brother's arm over her shoulders to support and help him walk as they followed their new Android allies.
Harrowwwww!
So, not much I can say about this chapter, other than it's kind of filler-y again. Only one fight scene at the end of the chapter? I'm losing my touch! It's definitely more character driven than most of my previous chapters I'd say, beginning and ending with the 'enemy of my enemy' theme that continues to persist in the story.
To clarify, I will not be cutting into Cooler and Salza's training in the Time Chamber. Mostly just to keep you all guessing whether or not Salza lives through the experience or not~ Because I'm not telling you. And curious about Nico and Nimu helping 17 and 18? Are they betraying Bulma and humanity as Trunks fears, or is there more to that than meets the eye? Again, not telling~
On a more serious note, hopefully Android 3's choice makes sense to you guys. It was a major part of the story where I struggled to explain her choice, and how Bulma, 16, and the others allowed her to make her own choice. 3 doesn't want to be a fighter, and if anyone had made that choice for her, it would have been no better than her being controlled by Gero or Commander Red. So in choosing to stand down and take a nerfing to her power, it allows her to be more 'human,' both in allowing her to exercise free will, and to show the rest of humanity, "Hey, uh...sorry about that whole mess, but I'm not a slave anymore, and I'm not a threat to you guys." Of course, that alone isn't going to be enough to just let bygones be bygones, and they all know that, which is where Nico, Nimu, and 16 play their part to show that not all Androids are created evil. So...hopefully that makes sense to you guys.
Thank you all for waiting patiently for this new chapter. I apologize it took me awhile, but it was one of the slower chapters as far as writing it goes, and then there's personal life stuff that gets in the way too. So, thanks again for the patience and understanding. The good news is the plot from this point forward is going to be moving ahead super duper fast, which means it should be easier/more fun for me to write it, and less slow and filler-y like this chapter. So, fingers crossed that life stays stable enough for me to put more time and effort into my writing.
Thank you for reading this far, as always! Reviewing and giving feedback enables my addiction to writing, and helps my struggles with focusing. See you next time!