There was the dull sound of a ceiling fan overhead as the three adults sat at the dinner table, having returned to their seats from before. The food had, unfortunately, long since grown cold, much as the conversation had once they'd all sat back down.
Eighteen's eyes were studying a puddle of sauce left on her plate, feeling a strange sense of embarrassment wash over as she refused to meet Chi-Chi's eye. The android felt a churning guilt within her as she sat there, not knowing what to do—or what to say, for that matter. What could she possibly do to try and recover from clotheslining the mother of the man she was now dating?
A flutter of elation surprised Eighteen as she felt it wash over her. Being able to actually say they were dating now somehow made her feel both excited and terrified, and it left the android struggling to conceal the subtle smile that wanted to creep up her lips, but would be completely inappropriate.
The android sagged, feeling exhausted after nearly over exerting her human half, earlier. The sensation was almost foreign to her after so many years an android. Rest had stopped being something she paid attention to on a day-to-day basis, so much so that sleep became a rare occurrence in her and her brother's lives. Now that it was back...it was almost refreshing, although she did feel like a wrung out towel, now.
Deciding that it would likely help her think more clearly if she wasn't so tired, Eighteen closed her eyes, beginning to search deep within herself again. Finding the two pools of essence linked to her soul was becoming easier now for her, with it taking less focus now to access as she returned her link to the artificial energy.
If she could taste it, she imagined it would taste foul.
Despite this, the android's exhaustion burned away like flash paper as her eyes snapped to attention, turning to regard Gohan with a critical stare as he slowly lowered his drink from his lips, and sighed. "You both need to apologize to each other. Now." He said it firmly, shooting each of them a look.
Eighteen felt a flash of anger suddenly, despite herself. Why should she of all people have to apologize? She was android Eighteen! She never apologized for anything! How dare anyone, especially this bitch of a woman expect an apology—
The blonde suddenly blinked, leaning back in her chair as if she had been struck. Where had that suddenly come from? She'd been absolutely exhausted moments earlier, feeling docile, calm, only for her rage to resurface…
...When I turn on my artificial energy?
Were the two linked? She couldn't say for certain, but decided to think more on that later, as Gohan gave her an expectant eyebrow raise before cocking his head towards his mother.
Eighteen sighed, looking across the table with a defeated stare as she said, "I'm sorry for clotheslining you."
At first, Chi-Chi's eyes were serious, but then they softened, and a slow smirk began to creep up the woman's lips. Before either of them could say anything, she burst out laughing, pressing a hand to her chest as she leaned back in her seat, tears at the corners of her eyes. "And I'm sorry that I hit you in the face." She said amidst a roar of laughter. Beside her, Eighteen could see Gohan beginning to snicker. "My goodness," she palmed her forehead, leaning against the table and shaking her head with a tired smile. "You must think we're the worst family ever."
Eighteen smiled sympathetically. "Not at all." A flicker of a face that mirrored her own flashed into her mind. "Trust me...I've seen worse families." Her smile lessened ever so slightly.
Chi-Chi smiled warmly, reaching out and gently placing a hand on her forearm as she said, "Thank you for saying that. I'm glad no one got hurt."
"So am I." Eighteen said, returning her smile.
Chi-chi opened her mouth to speak before the abrupt sound of a phone ringing down the hall disrupted them.
"I'll be just a moment," The woman said, rising before disappearing down the hall.
Eighteen shot Gohan a raised eyebrow. "Your mom still has a landline?"
"It's not so easy getting a signal this far out in the mountains." He explained with a shrug.
The blonde nodded, having not considered that.
"So…" Eighteen began, her gaze wandering through the kitchen. "Is this where you grew up?"
A warm smile pulled at the corners of Gohan's lips as he nodded, regarding the home with reverence. "It was my home until I was fifteen." his hand reached out and pressed against the wall. "I remember loving it here."
Eighteen paused, an eyebrow hitching.
"What happened when you were fifteen?"
She watched his smile falter for a moment, his eyes looking down with a regretful stare. "My mom and I stopped seeing eye to eye. She basically kicked me out."
Eighteen's mouth fell open. "What? Why?"
The young man released a half-hearted chuckle, shaking his head. "She didn't want to continue supporting my life of fighting the androids. I think she thought that if I didn't have a place to stay, I would finally listen. Imagine her surprise when Bulma took me in until I was able to afford my own place."
The android found herself at a loss for words. She wanted to tell him something that would make facing homelessness at the age of fifteen—on top of everything else he'd had been dealing with at the time—not seem so bad, but she couldn't find the right words.
Before the blonde could try again, Chi-Chi came rushing into the room, a concerned expression on her face. "Your grandpa is caught in the storm! A tree fell on the road leading up to the house, and he can't get the car around it." The woman turned to her son. "I know this was just supposed to be a family visit, but would you mind going out and—"
Gohan was already rising to his feet, gesturing with his hand for her to stop. "I already understand. I'll go pick up grandpa for you."
Chi-Chi breathed a relieved sigh before nodding and turning back down the hallway. "I'll go tell him. I'll be right back!" Her footsteps echoed down the hallway before Eighteen could hear the sound of conversation again. She watched as Gohan turned to go, before her eyes snapped open wide, a realization dawning on her.
I'm about to be left alone with Chi-Chi.
Nope. That was definitely not going to happen.
In a matter of moments, Eighteen was to her feet and striding towards the door.
Gohan flashed her a confused look. "You don't have to come, you know. I think I can handle picking up a tree well enough."
Eighteen looked over her shoulder, worriedly. "Honestly, I just don't want to be left alone with your mom. I'm afraid we might go at it again and...well, you won't be here to break it up."
The young man paused, considering her words before nodding with a chuckle. "That's a fair enough reason. Fine then, you can come…" His eyes worked up and down her dress, and, for a moment, Eighteen was certain he was checking her out, until he said, "You do know it's gonna be pretty wet out there...right?"
Eighteen rolled her eyes. "You don't say? It's only been hammering down on the house the entire time."
Gohan smirked, shaking his head before shrugging. "It's your choice at the end of the day. C'mon, I'm sure my grandpa is going to love to meet you."
He swung the door open before the two disappeared out into the night.
-Trunks-
His body felt as if frozen by ice as the cool stone tiles were struck by a cascade of broken glass, followed by a sharp chill as the wind and rain exploded into the kitchen with the roar of the storm.
Peni was beside him now, her eyes filled with horror as she regarded the looming monster lowering its head and taking a step into the small space.
Trunks felt a scream form and die in his throat, terror like nothing he'd ever known filling his entire body, invading his every idea as he tried to form a response, tried to run, or fight or do something, but all of those options fell petrified to this monster's presence.
The walls of Erasa's kitchen were tall at eight feet, and yet this massive beast had been forced to lower itself to a crouch to enter/0- It crawled slowly across the surface of the kitchen floor, its curved, dangerous, onyx-colored claws sinking into the tiles with each step. A viscous, twisted-looking snout protruding from the monster's face, revealing rows of jagged white fangs underneath snarling lips. It's eyes, two ominous glowing red orbs, were trained on him.
Finally, Trunks heard a terrified sounding whimper just beside him, pulling the teen's attention away from the monster's intimidating presence, if only barely. The Demi-saiyan was met with the sight of Peni's crying, trembling form. Her eyes were unblinking as she stared, horrified by whatever this abomination was supposed to be. Trunks wondered if that was what he'd looked like moments ago, as the beast stepped closer.
I can't be a child right now!
There were too many people depending on him now for him to freeze up. As he felt for the monster's ki signature, a chill shot up his spine as he realized just how drastically outclassed he was. It's power dwarfed his own by an order of magnitude.
More than that, though, was the unsettling texture of it. The monster's ki was a patchwork of innumerable energies—most too small to be distinct. Some, though, were clear and familiar. One felt so similar to his own that, for a disturbing moment, he almost thought he was sensing his own ki. Why was it so similar? It was like...half of him…!
Another, he found, was Gohan.
The teen grit his teeth, knowing that he only had one move to make.
He snapped his head towards Peni, letting loose a roaring, "Run!" before raising his arms up in a cross against his chest. The little girl seemed to snap out of her trance just as Trunks had, her eyes blinking away the tears that had been running down either cheek before immediately spinning heel and rushing out of the room.
Trunks turned his head back towards the monster, wanting to run with Peni, but knowing that he had to stand his ground. There was no one around to stop this...thing.. He just needed to hold it off long enough for Peni and Erasa to escape—or, at least, that's what he told himself.
And then...what about the rest of the building?
There were thousands of other residents within the hundreds of similar apartments all around them. Trunks doubted this beast would spare their lives once Trunks got Peni and Erasa to safety. What would he do when it started going after the rest of the people here?
Feeling that he could only focus on one problem at a time with his shoulders still trembling in fear, Trunks decided now was not the time to ask that question.
He watched as the grotesque creature's lips curled back in a twisted imitation of what a smile was supposed to be. "How...sweet…" It said in a chilling voice that sounded raspy and guttural, as if whatever this thing was wasn't used to talking. "You spared them the sight...of watching your death."
Trunks let out a roar as he suddenly shoved both hands out, forcing as much energy as he could manage through his trembling limbs. There was an immense boom that threw back everything in the room, smashing it all against the walls..
Golden energy engulfed the beast as Trunks pushed more and more power into the attack. He'd intended to unleash the Burning Attack on the monster, but in the heat of the moment, hadn't trusted himself to do it right. Regardless, he felt it had the desired effect as it blossomed outward like a massive firework, spreading out in an all-encompassing flame that Trunks knew must have alerted Gohan that something was wrong. That kind of power had to have pushed back the monster.
Right?
Suddenly, a hand so large it could easily wrap around the Trunks' entire skull penetrated the wave of energy, smashing straight into Trunks' jaw and launching him back. His head cracked against the cabinets behind him, leaving him reeling from the impact, feeling as if he'd just be thrown through a few mountains as the wall cracked, nearly giving way entirely from how hard he'd struck.
Somewhere in the distance, in a direction he could no longer determine, Trunks could hear screams. He slumped, trying to grab hold of the countertop as he tasted the distinct flavor of copper already in his mouth.
"Trunks?!" Came the concerned voice of Erasa. "Trunks, what's going on?!"
He could hear Peni somewhere behind her mother, "Stop! There's a monster! Don't go in there!" she urged.
Trunks drew in a breath, wanting to scream for them to run, only to suddenly feel a hand around his throat, slamming him back and through a cabinet so that his back was forced against the wall. He let out a strangled scream, trying to get the word 'run' out as the massive, clawed hand squeezed down tighter, threatening to collapse his windpipe entirely. The boy's hands immediately went to the beast's massive finger's, trying fruitlessly to pry them away from his neck as his legs kicked out helplessly, striking at the monster's unnaturally thick, grotesquely carapaced arm.
The monster's lips curled into that twisted approximation of what a smile should look like as it calmly raised its other hand, bringing a single clawed finger to its lips as it made a 'shhhh' sound. It turned its eager eyes towards the doors where Erasa would be coming through.
Tears began to form at the corners of Trunks' eyes as he continued to struggle against the beast's strength, but with the rising conclusion that his efforts were pointless quickly forming in his mind. His power was nothing compared to that of whatever hideous thing this was. How could he possibly have thought he would be enough to stall it? He should have run like the others. How foolish.
Trunks closed his eyes, letting out a strangled whimper as he heard Erasa draw closer, nearly to the door. He wanted to scream, and tried one last time to get the word out, only to feel the monster clench his grip tighter around his throat. The demi-saiyan's vision swam with fat black spots.
It's over...isn't it?
Gohan wouldn't arrive in time—he'd only just sent out a beacon, and a short one at that. It was possible that he hadn't even noticed.
To have finally, for the very first time, managed to save someone who actually needed rescue, only for them to perish to some random monster the very next day.
What bitter irony.
The door swung open, and the boy heard a sharp intake of breath. Trunks forced his eyes open, although his vision was filling with darkness fast, barely allowing him to see as he struggled to suck in even the slightest breath of air. He watched the creature's eyes turn towards Erasa, an equally delighted and evil smile pulling at the corners of its rows of deadly teeth. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Erasa, holding a simple aluminum bat which she promptly dropped upon setting her eyes on the abomination strangling him.
A memory came to the young man then, a time when Gohan recounted how his father had managed to survive as long as he did when facing much larger opponents.
"You have to remember, Trunks: being larger comes with many strengths, but with those strengths often comes a glaring weakness. Turn your opponent's greatest advantage into their most crippling crutch. For example, my father realized in his fight against...the saiyans, that due to his opponent's massive size, that made their eyes much easier targets."
Trunks blinked. Seeing the monster's attention had been turned towards Erasa, who was now screaming in terror, the teen saw an opportunity. He suddenly shot out a hand, unleashing a golden streak of energy that exploded as it sunk into the tender meat of the beast's eyeball.
There was a deafening roar as the monster drew hits head back, its free hand clutching its face where green blood was spilling down its fingers, before the one holdingTrunks began to drag the boy through the cabinets, destroying the wood and wall alike, shattering dozens of plates against the demi-saiyan before finally hurling him through the wall and out into the dining room.
Trunks rolled once before coming to a stop on all fours, his lavender hair stained with drywall dust and blood as it hung before his drooping head, his shoulder heaving up and down as he took deep, greedy breaths of air. His head and upper torso stung from where splintered wood and shattered ceramics had dug against his flesh, but that pain hardly compared to the fire he'd felt in his chest in what he had felt would be his final moments of consciousness.
Somewhere off to his right he could hear the roaring, pained sounds of the monster, as well as footsteps coming towards him.
Finally having gained enough breath that his vision had cleared, he lifted his head to see a panic stricken Erasa and a terrified Peni rushing up to him, their eyes pleading to know what to do.
He shot them both an incredulous look, before scrambling to his feet and taking each of their hands. The teen raced past them, aiming for the door as he dragged the mother and child after him, hearing the heavy, intimidating steps of whatever that thing was.
"Run!" He screamed as the three raced towards the door. Somehow, Trunks knew they wouldn't have time for their shoes as there was a bellowing, rage-filled roar that echoed out from behind them.
-Gohan-
The demi-saiyan grimaced as he shielded his face from the rain. The flight had only taken five minutes after Chi-Chi insisted they take pair eventually found the stranded form of the Ox-King, waving from his car in the intense rain and wind. Lightning crackled against the night sky as he and Videl began to lower themselves towards the car. As they did, his eyes couldn't help but flicker towards Videl for what felt like the upteenth time since she'd said yes to his date proposal. The exchange had left the young man feeling elated unlike any sensation he'd ever experienced. The feeling often led Gohan finding his eyes resting on the attractive young woman. This time, when his onyx eyes found Videl, he caught lazuli-colored eyes meeting his. They held their gazes there, realizing they'd each caught the other stealing glances, before Gohan flashed an embarrassed smile, and Videl rolled her eyes. Smiling as she looked away, she shook her head.
The pair met with the ground where the Ox-King was stepping out of the vehicle. Water raced down the dirt road, forming small rivers in the grooves carved in the dirt. The wind buffeted Gohan's back as he and Videl approached the older man.
Gohan came up to the man with a warm smile before the burly giant wrapped two massive arms around him in a embrace that pulled Gohan off his feet.
"It's been far too long!" The Ox-king said.
"I'm sorry! I'll try to make the next visit sooner!" The two broke apart as Gohan looked to the tree. "What happened? Are you alright?"
"I'm okay, just cold." He let out a bellowing chuckle, shaking his head.I" was just driving like normal when I noticed this massive thing in the way! I nearly ran straight into it with how hard it is to see!" the enormous man shouted over the sounds of the roaring storm. 'Massive' was right. The tree was as thick as he was tall as Videl walked over to it, resting a hand on the wet bark.
"It's alright, Grandpa!" Gohan answered, nodding towards the fallen tree. "I'll take care of it!"
"Thank you, Gohan!" The Ox-king paused before seemingly noticing Videl for the first time. The older man startled before offering a hand to the woman. "I don't believe we've met. I'm Gohan's Grandpa, the Ox-king; and you are?"
Videl smiled, her eyes narrowed into slits as she too struggled with the downpour. She reached out and accepted the hand. "I'm Videl. I'm dating your grandson!"
The Ox-king's face brightened. "It's nice to meet you!"
Gohan smiled at the interaction before turning away and making his way towards the fallen wood, when something out in the distance stopped him.
Trunks?!
The young man sucked in a sharp breath of air as his head snapped in the direction he'd felt the boy's energy abruptly erupt all at once, only for another, far more sinister ki source to overwhelm it.
It was the same one Gohan had sensed early on his flight over, only this time, it was much, much bigger.
"Go." Gohan blinked, his head turned to his side and found Videl there, giving his arm a reassuring squeeze as she met his eyes. "I'll take care of your grandpa. Trunks needs you right now."
Gohan found himself dumbstruck by the woman beside him. She'd already noticed the situation and decided what to do even before he could? He couldn't believe it.
"What are you waiting for?" She commanded over the storm, scowling as she gave his chest a push. "Go!"
Gohan swallowed, nodding once and letting out a, "Thank you." Before blasting off into the sky with such intensity that a sonic boom echoed out across the sky. The demi-saiyan hovered there for only a moment, letting the rain and wind wash over him before he let out a roar that ignited the air around him with a bright, golden glow. A heartbeat later, the Golden Warrior was racing across the night sky, no more than a speck in the distance.
The super-saiyan's eyes squinted as he cut through the night sky, flying as fast as his power would let him. He internally gauged how the fight was going between Trunks and whatever that thing was. He internally prayed that he would
be there in time.
Just hold on, Trunks! I'm on my way!
-Eighteen-
The android's eyes lingered as they scanned out into the night sky, tracking Gohan past what her eyesight could manage as she tried to calculate just how long it would take Gohan to get there. For whatever reason, Trunks was in North City, of all places. What in the world was the boy doing there? Eighteen had no idea, but felt the need to internally curse the boy for being so far away. He was all the way on the other side of the planet, basically.
"What was that about?" Gohan's grandpa asked, stepping up next to her.
Eighteen forced a smile to her lips, shooting the man a reassuring look. "It's nothing too serious, just something Gohan has to check out." She looked to the tree still in their way. "How about I move that for you?"
The Ox-king nodded with a bright smile that reminded her vaguely of Gohan's, before turning back to retreat to the shelter of his vehicle. Eighteen's feet began to carry her towards the fallen log, only for her eyes to search out into the darkness once more, concern on her face. She wished she could take off after him, but knew it would cause more harm than good. How would it look if 'Videl' abruptly left the Son household inexplicably, only for Eighteen to appear a matter of minutes afterward? Besides, it wasn't as if her going would change anything. Cell had certainly gotten stronger since the last time she'd encountered him, but he was by no means a threat someone like herself or Gohan wouldn't be able to handle. That meant that Gohan would be more than enough to handle whatever was going on.
...Right?
A small part of Eighteen wasn't completely certain.
-Trunks-
Gohan is on his way!
That thought alone was enough to build the boy's hope as the trio reached the front door. Trunks swung it open wildly before rushing the two through, looking over his shoulder to see if whatever that was was still following.
His eyes narrowed, frowning as he heard the sounds of Peni and Erasa rushing down the hall towards the stairs. Why didn't he hear any movement? Shouldn't it be trying to chase them—
As if on cue, the wall next to Trunks abruptly exploded, revealing a snarling face and a massive, lumbering arm that scrapped the opposite wall as Trunks narrowly managed to duck in time, letting the wild backhand slam into the wall next to him, sending splinters flying.
"Trunks!" Peni's voice called out from somewhere behind him. "Hurry! Run!"
The lavender haired teen stole a glance over his shoulder, seeing that Erasa and Peni were already to the stairs, hoving there with the door open, waiting for him.
The demi-saiyan looked back to the snarling, hulking abomination before him, and knew that he wouldn't have enough time to make it to the steps—not like that would matter. He doubted the monster would stop just because Trunks took a flight of stairs.
The teen swallowed nervously, internally checking just how far away Gohan was.
Maybe...ten minutes? Less than that?
It was hard for the boy to think about anything else but surviving as he stared down this beast.
"Just go! I'll be fine!" Trunks commanded, trying to hide the fear in his voice. Gritting his teeth, he turned to face the monster once more.
It laughed at him as Trunks confronted it, lowering himself into the stance his teacher had ingrained into him since the very beginning. It's voice sounded painful and raspy, as if it had never been meant to speak, but had figured out how anyway.
"How selfless…" It began in a sinister sounding tone. "Now, they won't have to watch you suffer."
Trunks growled, forcing his fear down as suddenly, the demi-saiyan was lunging forward, driving a punch straight into the beast's cheek. There was a loud clap as fist met face, but it was as if Trunks had just tried to punch through a tank. The monster's cheek hardly budged from the impact, a bemused smirk pulling at its lips, revealing rows of razor sharp teeth.
"How cute."
Trunks felt a chill run down his spine as he suddenly spun, twisting so as to deliver a spinning heel kick straight into the crook of the monster's neck. He let out a roar as he did, putting even more force behind the strike than the first, only for his foot to feel like rubber as it slammed into the unmoving form of this beast.
It's ominous, red-glowing eyes met with his in that moment, its grin widening.
Oh no…
"My turn." Abruptly, Trunks felt a massive hand wrap around his calf, before he was being flung to the side and into the wall, sending cracks that splintered out from where his torso slammed against the drywall.
"Trunks!" he heard Peni's voice call out from somewhere in the distance. Feeling dazed, the demi-saiyan tried to kick at the monster's massive fingers, only to feel himself be swung again, this time into and then through the opposite wall to the first. His body tore through the drywall as if it were made of paper before slamming into the Erasa's washing machine, hitting his head on something hard that left his mind swimming. His thoughts filled with panic, the massive hand slowly pulled him back through the hole he'd made. Trunks' fingers tried to grab at the walls, but they crumbled away. Trunks didn't realize he'd been screaming until he realized he needed to take a breath on the other end.
Trunks found himself hanging upside down by one foot, blood spilling from his lips as the looming monster studied him with a tilt of his head. "Are you all done? Was that as much fight as you could manage?"
Trunks struggled to form a response, his head pounding with a trauma induced headache that would not go away, along with a plethora of cuts and bruises that now littered his body. The teen grimaced, struggling to process all the pain raking his body.
Focus, Trunks!
Now wasn't the time to get lost in his wounds. He was certain that Gohan could and had dealt with worse, and right now, he needed to be like Gohan.
He needed to be a hero.
-Peni-
"Peni! Peni, c'mon!" Her mother urged just beside her, reaching out a hand to pull her toward the stairs, but the girl was too fast, slipping through the entrance before it could shut. "Peni!" Erasa screamed. "What are you doing?!"
"We can't leave Trunks!" She shouted back, turning her gaze down the hallway where she could see it lifting the limp form of Trunks into the air by his leg.
Oh, no!
Peni cupped her mouth, hearing the sounds of her mother come racing up the steps after her. She'd watched Trunks fight this thing! He'd made golden flames appear just like the Golden Warrior could! Someone like that couldn't just...lose...right?
The girl's breath caught in her chest as suddenly, Trunks sprang to life, lifting his head before snarling and shooting out a single hand. A ball of golden energy emerged from his palm, racing forward before colliding directly with the creature's face. There was a floor rattling explosion as it impacted, nearly causing Peni to trip and fall as smoke clouded the pair completely from view.
Peni felt a hope begin to rise in her chest. She'd watched him pull off a maneuver just like that one before! She expected to see him come running out of the smoke, shouting at them to run as he did the same. Erasa was next to her a moment later, grabbing her daughter by the shoulder before forcefully beginning to pull her daughter away.
"We need to leave, Peni." Erasa scolded harshly as she forced them towards the door. Didn't she care? Trunks was back there, fighting for his life, just like the Golden Warrior does, and she wanted to leave him?
Peni refused to pull her eyes away from the hall, intent to see when Trunks emerged from the smoke, victorious.
Then the smoke cleared, and Peni felt her stomach sink.
Trunks had his back pressed into the floor, a massive, clawed hand pinning him there where she could see him struggling to breathe with the no doubt crushing weight of the monster's arm pressing down onto his chest. She watched as the floor seemed to sink from how hard the monster was pushing, before Trunks let out a scream of agony that made Peni jump as she heard it.
She looked up to her mother, searching for what they could do, searching for an answer she'd always been taught would come from adults. Instead, what she found was a woman, crying, pushing them towards the big, neon green 'exit' sign as Peni listened to the dying screams of the young man she'd only just met.
"Mom? We're not going to help him?"
"...Just keep moving, honey. We're almost there." Her mother sniffled, her gaze downcast and ashamed as she pushed the door open to leave. Peni felt dazed as she stepped through the big metal door leading into the cement staircase. She could still hear the choked cries of the boy who'd left himself behind to save their lives. She looked back just as the door began to shut, and could see fear in his eyes as she stared up at the monster looming above him. He was no man. He was not the Golden Warrior, even if he had some of his powers. At that moment, Peni saw another child, just like her, terrified and wanting someone to save them.
But no one was going to...were they?
She'd seen faces appear in the other doors of the apartments. Their neighbors, each peaking out to see the commotion, only to retreat inside once they saw what was going on. Not a single one of them was going to help Trunks? They were all adults, right? Weren't the adults supposed to be the ones to help kids?
"Peni, please, baby. There's nothing we can do for him. Just keep running." Erasa whispered beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and motioning towards the steps. Was that the truth? Was there nothing they could do for him? Was she being foolish in thinking they could do anything to help Trunks? She'd seen her mother go at it with a bat, and that had done nothing. What, if anything, could she do to hurt—
The blonde's eyes snapped open wide, a realization hitting her.
She had seen it hurt—once.
A thought began to form in the little girl's mind as yet another scream bellowed out from the hall, this time weaker, and strained.
She turned towards her mother, frowning. "I'm sorry, mom." In a flash, she had spun on her heel, yanking away from Erasa's grip before she was racing back up the steps.
"Peni! No! Stop!" Erasa cried, her voice shrill and panicked.
The little girl reached the door yet again, her small fingers wrapping around its handle and yanking it back open. Peni knew that she'd always had a problem with following directions, with listening to the rules. No matter what someone told her, she couldn't help but feel like doing the opposite. It was why her mother had threatened to send her away to a boarding school if she didn't start shaping up. It was why she was constantly getting in trouble with the other students at school, and why, she suspected, she was currently doing the opposite of what her mother was begging her to do.
I'm sorry, mom.
Her feet carried her down the hall, her heart thundering in her chest as she approached the monster. Peni ignored the screams of her still limping mother ordering her to come back as she veered back into the apartment.
She had an idea.
-Trunks-
He could hear the sounds of his ribs beginning to crack as the monster continued to bear its weight onto his chest, pushing down with an unrelenting force. Trunks gasped, struggling to suck any air into his lungs at all as his legs kicked helplessly against the beast's muscular arm.
I'm...so...stupid.
It was all his clouded mind could manage as his vision began to darken. He knew he'd been foolish to challenge this thing so directly—but then again, what else could he have done? Run away and leave Erasa and Peni to their fates? Not to mention the countless others Trunks could imagine hiding terrified within their homes now, hoping not to be found.
No, Trunks knew that he hadn't had any other choice—not really. He couldn't have abandoned those people, even if he had wanted to. The teen had to do something, even when no one else could. This was the way it was always going to end, he realized.
The creature above him let out a slow, almost disappointed sigh. "And so, the fun comes to an end." Trunks watched with what vision he still had left as a massive, green tail began to rise up to loom over the creature's shoulder, the long pointed end of its stinger aimed directly for Trunks.
For a moment, the boy struggled once more against the hand, only to finally give up, and let himself fall back against the ruined carpet. Trunks stared up at the stinger, terrified, hurt, and knowing that nothing could save him now. His mind thought of all the people in his life: Bulma, Gohan, Master Roshi, Puar, and everyone else. Everyone who would miss him when he was gone.
He closed his eyes.
I'm sorry, everyone.
Abruptly, Trunks felt something cold stab straight into his chest, causing him to lurch as blood began to pool from the wound. Blood began to gurgle up his throat, spilling down his throat, mixing with tears. For a moment, Trunks thought he knew how this would go. He would bleed out, and that would be that.
If only he'd been so lucky.
The demi-saiyan's eyes snapped open as he felt something inside suddenly begin to shift, a twisted, vulgar feeling before he felt something within being pulled out.
The teen's face turned pale white, his eyes horrified as he watched a clump of what had been him work its way up the massive tail and into the creature.
It felt like fire—like he was being melted from the inside out.
Trunks struggled to release a scream that wouldn't come as he felt more and more of himself being violently ripped away.
"H-hey, ugly!"
Before Trunks knew what was going on, there was the sound of something sizzling just before he felt the pressure on his chest release and the stinger embedded in his chest abruptly rip away, spraying the wall with chunks of crimson.
The teen tried to find the strength to push himself back to his feet, but failed. He tried then to merely lift his head to see what had happened, but even that failed. All he could do as he felt blood spill from the open wound in his chest, was lay there as the warmth, drifted away, his eyes slowly closing. At that moment, there was no pain. There was no anything, anymore. His nerves had grown numb to almost everything, to the point that he only barely registered someone rummaging around in his pockets.
Then, he felt something push itself into his mouth. For a moment, he was confused as to what this mysterious item could be. It was small, no larger than a zeni, or perhaps it was better to compare it to a bean…!
Immediately, his teeth bit down on the bean, breaking it in half in one bite before eagerly swallowing its contents.
Almost immediately, he felt the senzu's healing powers beginning to take effect. The parts of him that were missing from his chest began to rapidly reform, restoring the organs to a point that Trunks was able to finally sit up again, his eyes wide with adrenaline. The demi-saiyan groaned immediately after, regretting moving so abruptly as his injuries still hurt; his chest most of all. He also noted that his energy hadn't been restored like it usually had been, instead resting at just below what he would consider half.
I guess there's a reason we don't usually use half a senzu…
Opening his eyes, he saw Peni kneeling just beside him, tears rushing down her cheeks as she took his hand in hers before desperately beginning to drag him to his feet. Just behind her, he could see the monster, aggressively rubbing his eyes with its massive, hairy hands. Laying only a handful of feet away was the now empty teapot they'd used to make Erasa's drink. Trunks stared at the kettle, still dazed, trying to understand what had just happened, when he felt a strong tug on his arm that made his feet begin to move.
Eyes narrowed, his mind began to click the events together, seeing Erasa halfway down the hall, still limping as she motioned them to hurry.
Did Peni...splash boiling water into its eyes?
Trunks found his gaze locked on the little girl leading him away, astonished. How had she known that would work? Had she known? Something told Trunks that she hadn't and had actually just gotten especially lucky stumbling upon a little trick with energy manipulation.
Trunks remembered Gohan explaining to him how, if someone wasn't specifically shielding themselves from high or low temperatures, that they wouldn't be protected against them, regardless of their power level. That, if not prepared, a hot stove top would burn the most powerful warrior alive—he'd seen that fact with his own eyes watching an unaware Gohan in the kitchen. It was why Gohan could still be scolded if he wasn't careful while cooking—despite being able to dive through a volcano if he wanted to. If you weren't specifically guarding it with your ki, it could still be harmed.
And eyes were something even Gohan sometimes forgot to protect his.
The understanding this child had managed to actually hurt the thrashing beast not thirty feet behind them to save his life left the boy awestruck.
"And where are you going?" growled a voice from behind. "We aren't finished yet!"
Trunks felt a chill run down his back, turning to look over his shoulder as they continued to run. The monster had recovered, wiping its face one last time to reveal bloody, hate-filled eyes staring back at him.
Trunks turned his eyes forward before shouting out. "Run faster!"
Their group continued to dash down the hall, moving back to the stairwell before Trunks felt a tug of power from behind that made him turn back.
His face grew pale.
The monster now stood centered in the hallway, its mouth open as Trunks watched crimson energy beginning to build from the back of its throat, casting the walls in its bright red glow, before it let out a roar that sent a chill down Trunks' spine. The energy erupted from the beast as if from a cannon, filling the hallway almost entirely with its size as it raced towards them.
Trunks was still running, but he knew that they wouldn't make it. The beam was too fast, too all-encompassing. His eyes flickered to Peni, the little girl clutching his hand who had been so brave that she'd actually come back for him and managed to save him, if only for a minute. His eyes found Erasa then, standing with the door propped open just twenty feet away. In her blue eyes, Trunks could see the crimson reflection of their pursuer, and could see her realizing just as he had that they were doomed.
….No.
Erasa didn't deserve to die. She was just a single mom doing her very best to raise a child by herself. She'd invited him in, showed him kindness, had been a decent person, and this was her reward? It felt like a cruel joke as he continued to race down the hallway, feeling the heat of the beam drawing nearer.
He felt Peni's grip in his hand grow tighter, her determination to survive propelling them down the hallway in an effort Trunks knew she didn't know was hopeless yet. She'd come back for him, and in so doing gotten her and her mother killed. Trunks doubted he could have mustered as much courage as it must have taken this child to go back had their roles been reversed, and yet here she was, moments away from being washed off this planet, forever.
It didn't seem fair to Trunks as he felt the heat of the beam finally reach them. Acting on instinct alone, the half-saiyan spun on his heels, releasing Peni's hand before calling out, "Stay behind me!" As he pushed what was left of his ki forward, channelling it into a golden wave of energy that exploded from his hands. It met with the wave of crimson energy a moment later, and immediately Trunks could feel the difference in power as his arms were struck with the weight of the monster's attack, his feet beginning to slowly skid back against the cheap carpet.
"W-what is that?!" Peni screamed over the roaring sound of the two waves of destruction crashing against each other.
Trunks' muscles burned as if he were engulfed in flame, his arms and legs screaming with pain as he grit his teeth, watching his golden beam be slowly eaten away by the intense wave of death staring back at him. He let out a cry of pain, feeling the very last of his energy bleed out of his hands and into his rapidly failing energy attack as his feet continued to slide back.
He felt the hot sting of tears beginning to stain his cheeks. He was going to die, and he knew there was nothing he could do about it. Gohan was still too far away, and now he was—
Trunks blinked as he felt two small hands press against the center of his back, before he felt a push. Looking over his shoulder, he found Peni with her heels dug into the carpet, her eyes clamped shut as she pushed with all the force her eleven-year-old body could muster. He could see that she was trying to stop the ground he was slowly losing, pushing her weight against him as she too began to slide back. Her arms were trembling, tears running down her cheeks, but she was still standing at his back, fighting the only way she knew how.
Trunks felt something inside begin to tear. He'd already accepted his own death. He knew the lifestyle that he and his master lived. He'd accepted the idea of one day falling to battle, but as he stood there, feeling his body begin to finally give out from the immense strain of holding back such an intense attack, he couldn't help but think it unfair.
He doubted Peni had made peace with death. She hadn't accepted this. This wasn't her fight. She didn't deserve this.
He'd accepted that he could die one day. He could allow that.
But...could he let Peni die? Could he let Erasa and all the other people who would be washed away in this tidal wave of energy...just...die?
Trunks felt something within him, a sensation, a sharp, rage filled, snarling sensation that wanted more than anything else to be unleashed so that it could answer his question for him.
The teen let out a deep, primal roar as his hands erupted with newfound energy, crashing into the crimson tidal wave and forcing it back.
Trunks decided he'd found his answer.
No.
-Sharpner-
The cool night air ran its fingers through the blond man's hair as he stepped away from the doors of the gym, a towel wrapped around his neck. He breathed out a sigh, his muscles feeling sore as he pushed the towel to his brow, wiping away the last of the water from his shower.
The man began walking towards the bus stop, checking his phone absentmindedly to see if he'd maybe missed a call. He frowned, when a yellow star in the sky stole his attention. Except...wait, no, it was getting bigger, or rather…closer?
Before he could study the strange sight further, the burning golden star streaked past like a lightning bolt, sounding like a missile as it cut through the sky sending powerful torrents of air to the streets below.
Sharpner let out a startled cry as the wind struck, nearly taking him off of his feet as the alarms from cars parked along the street began to erupt all at once, prompting the barks of dogs and calls of confused people.
Sharpners blue eyes snapped back to the sky. He searched for the bolt of light he'd seen seconds ago, but found nothing.
What the hell was that?
-Trunks-
"Raaaaggghh!"
Trunks felt like he was about to explode as golden light burst from his hands, transforming the world around them from a blood red into a powerful, radiant glow as the beam continued to intensify, drawing upon reserves Trunks didn't know he had. It felt like his body was breaking, like he was about to snap in half if he let whatever this was go any further. It was enough to fight back the crimson energy, but at the same time, Trunks felt like he was going to die if he didn't stop it.
Don't stop! Let it snap!
At that moment, he didn't care anymore. He didn't care if he wasn't strong enough, if he would never be strong enough. He didn't care that he was a failure of a saiyan, a failure to everyone who needed him to be more than he was. He didn't care that this thing was stronger than anything he'd ever overcome before. Even if this power tore him in half, he was going to make certain that he took this abomination with him!
He let out one last cry that cut through the roaring currents of their clashing beams before the walls of the hall seemed to ignite from the intensity of his attack, appearing almost bathed in golden flames. He heard Peni's voice join his cry behind him, her scream serving only to harden his drive to erase this monster from the world.
As if from a broken dam, ki flowed through Trunks like a raging river, before bursting from his palms and swallowing the burning red wave in seconds. The demi-saiyan watched, snarling, as his beam overtook the monster's, before slamming straight into its chest. The hideous creature let out a choked cry as it was carried off its feet, launched back and down the hall before slamming flat against the walls of the elevator at its end. The walls began to crumble and crack as the monster squirmed beneath the pressure of the energy wave, letting out a guttural, choked roar as Trunks pushed even more into the attack.
The beam magnified, burned away at the center of the monster's chest before eventually tearing through the creature entirely, burning away whatever its organs it had and exploding out of the building.
Breathing heavily, Trunks finally let his arms drop to his sides, feeling as if his body was made of jello as he crumpled to one knee, grimacing. Despite the pains he now realized were still very much internal, he forced his eyes back to where the monster had fallen to the ground, its toxic looking blood spilling out and onto the carpet.
He let out a shaky breath, watching its dead eyes stare out at nothing.
The teen couldn't believe he'd actually won. Where had all that power suddenly come from? He supposed that it didn't matter now. It had saved him, that was what mattered.
"It's dead," he said, his voice sounding hoarse. He turned back, smiling, but paused upon seeing Peni's face. "What's wrong?"
Her hands were covering her mouth, before she pointed. "Are you okay?!" He could see concern in her eyes.
He tilted his head to the side, confused, before looking down at his clothes. Had he been hit and hadn't noticed it? What had she noticed—
His eyes grew wide, his mouth falling open as he stared dumbfounded at his bloodied clothes...
...His bloodied clothes that were also burning with a bright golden flame.
The teen's eyes snapped back to Peni. "Is my hair yellow?"
She slowly nodded her head up and down, shooting him a look like he was on fire, or something—before he watched as her eyes caught movement over his shoulder, and fear ignited in her eyes once more.
The super saiyan spun around, his fingers curling into fists as he watched whatever it was begin to slowly shift, the hole in its massive torso having begun to reform as it let out a deep groan.
"I-it's getting up." Peni whimpered from behind him.
"Stay behind me." He commanded, his aura exploding out dangerously as the monster's crimson eyes found him once more. "This isn't over yet."
-Gohan-
The sky felt like an ocean as the demi-saiyan cut through the air, pushing his power to its maximum as he continued to feel for Trunks' energy, along with whatever that thing was that he was fighting. It felt almost as if Trunks was engaging nearly all of Gohan's friends.
It can't be them...right?
A part of him didn't know if he wanted it to be them. The part of him that missed them, that was their friend, and son, wanted so much for this to somehow be all his friends and father back from the dead.
Then again, there was something...disgusting laced with the energy, something dark and wrong. He could picture this aura coming from Vegeta, maybe, but these many of his friends? He almost didn't want it to be them.
Because at that moment, he knew that this presence was corrupt, and attacking Trunks.
He whispered a prayer to kami that he would not have to battle his friends, or whatever had stolen their places.
Androids?
A shiver ran down his spine.
He wished he could go faster, and the sky let out another sonic boom as he pushed harder. Whatever this thing was, it was strong—strong enough that Gohan knew his disciple wouldn't be able to handle it on his own for long. He prayed that Trunks was fighting smart and not throwing himself straight at—
The super saiyan felt something massive suddenly blossom from Trunks, like an explosion of power that made Gohan pause for a moment, regarding the newfound energy.
Immediately, Gohan's eyes grew wide as his mouth fell open, knowing that the power he was sensing was coming from Trunks, of all people.
A grin split his face as he continued through the night sky, knowing that the Trunks he found in North city would not be the same young man he'd spoken to a mere day ago.
Just last a little longer, little super saiyan. I'm on my way!
-Trunks-
Trunks noticed a subdued look of surprise, followed by what he could only interpret as consideration.
Does it know what this transformation is? Just what the hell is this thing?
The monster slowly began to shift, positioning itself so that it was facing Trunks.
"W-what is it doing?" Peni asked, still standing terrified behind the young saiyan.
Trunks titled his head to the side, comparing their powers once more. He knew he was already injured, but even still, his power seemed to be much more than what the monster had. It wasn't so much that he didn't need to still be careful, but it was enough that he felt he could win.
"He's sizing me up." Trunks answered truthfully. "Go to Erasa. I'll handle this."
"B-but what about you?"
Trunks looked over his shoulder, flashing the girl a confident smile. "Don't worry, I can handle this. Get going."
Peni's eyes stared, considering for seconds before finally nodding and starting down the hall.
"And where do you think you're going, little one?"
Trunks spun around, finding Cell charging down the hallway on all fours. The teen snarled, rage fueling him as he charged back. The two met in the hall's center, slamming into each other before Trunks unleashed an elbow that sunk into the abomination's stomach as if it were made of rubber.
The creature gagged, gasping as it stumbled back, clutching its stomach in pain. Not wanting to waste this chance, Trunks leapt into the air, delivering a spin kick that caught the monster by its chin. Its head spun around a full 360 degrees from the impact, leaving the monster stumbling, before it crumpled to the ground, its neck broken.
Let's see if you can get up from that!
The teen watched with a frown as the monster shifted, sounds of sharp cracking echoed out from its throat as Trunks watched its head snap back into place, its eyes finding him a moment later. It snarled as it picked itself back up, its fingers curled into fists.
Instincts pushed Trunks to the side just before the monster's wicked tail could embed itself in his chest a second time. The teen darted in, twisting before delivering a straight roundhouse kick that cracked the carapace as it struck. The boy heard the monster wheeze out a breath, and knew he'd stunned it long enough to shoot straight up, driving upward with a knee that cracked as it snapped the monster's head back.
Confidence fueling him, Trunks pulled back his fist for another blow, only to be suddenly slammed from a wild haymaker that flattened him against the wall, nearly taking it down in the process.
The super saiyan fell to the ground, holding the side of his head where the fist had struck, before turning back to his opponent and finding rows of onyx claws tearing towards his face. Trunks pulled back, narrowly avoiding the swipe, before bringing up his forearm and stopping a fist the size of his head from driving through his skull. He stole a glance over his shoulder, seeing that Peni was almost to the doors.
Only have to last a little longer!
Time was on his side now. Gohan was close—minutes away, he guessed—and Peni and Erasa were about to—
When Trunks turned back, he noticed that the creature was no longer looking at him, his focus instead being directed towards the fleeing form of Peni.
No!
As if reading his thoughts, the monster thrust out a hand, and a powerful, blood-red blast exploded from its palm.
Trunks moved to intercept it, his heart thundering in his chest. Before he could, a backhand slammed into the side of his face, sending black dots across his vision as he was sent through the wall entirely. His thoughts felt muddled as he tried to shake off his new headache, feeling a sting across his face that he didn't have time to pay attention to.
Peni!
He heard the sound of the blast before he could even get back to his feet. The building rumbled as it impacted, and Trunks knew he'd been too late. There was a scream down the hall from Erasa, and Trunks felt his heart drop.
...No...
""ne down…"
The teen rose to his feet, scowling as he regarded the abomination who'd just killed Peni. He could feel something warm running down the side of his face, his right eye now serving as a blind spot. Reaching up to feel at his eye, he found the grooves of where the monster's claws had raked across his face. He winced as his fingers found the bloody mess that was his right eye. It had taken the brunt of the damage, and he knew already that it was done for.
The echoing sounds of weeping pulled Trunks from his wounds, his remaining eye snapping to the creature looming in the makeshift entrance into the hallway.
"Two more to go…" The monster smiled, or rather, did its best approximation of a smile with its twisted features.
"You're dead." Trunks growled, promising it to himself, as much as to the monster. This freak of nature had just stolen the life of a little girl—a little girl who'd actually managed to save him.
He wished he could have returned the favor.
I'm sorry, Peni.
He felt warmth beginning to build behind his remaining eye, but blinked it away. He didn't have time for tears.
Right now, it was time for revenge.
-Eighteen-
Moving the tree and getting Gohan's grandpa safely back to the home had been simple for the android. In fact, as she sat on the couch beside the man, a towel around her shoulders after being in the cold rain for so long, she found herself wishing she had something to do.
I hate this!
Eighteen wanted to be out there, challenging Cell alongside Trunks and Gohan, not stuck sitting on a lumpy couch, pretending she was human. Despite this, she knew that she couldn't. Despite herself, she couldn't stop trying to come up with some way out of this house.
"...Oh, and here's a picture of Gohan back when he still fit in his pajamas! Awww..." Chi-Chi sat on the other side of the android, a photo album in her lap. She leaned over, presenting the page to Eighteen. "Don't you think he looks cute?"
The android nodded along, barely glancing at the picture before her gaze shifted to look out of a window and into the night sky.
Chi-Chi sighed beside her, closing the photo album with a thump.
Eighteen frowned, looking over at her, confused. Had she done something wrong?
"They're gonna be alright." Chi-Chi said, calmly. "I know it's hard to sit here and do nothing. Waiting, and not knowing what's actually happening out there." She let out a sigh, followed by a halfhearted laugh, shaking her head. "It's almost funny. He's the one out there in the real danger, and yet it somehow feels like torture having to be here…useless." The woman closed her eyes, a resolute frown on her lips.
Eighteen found herself studying the woman as the Ox-King reached over, resting his massive hand on his daughter's shoulder. His face split with a wide, fatherly smile as he stared down at the sorrowful woman. "You're not useless, Chi-Chi." He let out a deep, rumbling laugh, clapping a hand down on the woman's shoulder. "I mean, look at your cooking! Now that's talent!"
The mother only sighed, flashing her father an appreciative smile before returning to her frown. "Thanks for trying to cheer me up, dad. I'm okay."
The mountain of a man's smile faltered, before he nodded and motioned towards the kitchen. "Would anyone like something to drink? I think I'm going to make some tea."
"Some tea sounds nice right about now." Chi-Chi admitted, trying and failing to appear less tired than she clearly was. The Ox-King stepped out of the room, and it was only then that Eighteen noticed the bags under Chi-Chi's eyes, no doubt from staying up for countless hours, worrying about her only child.
Eighteen found her mouth opening, wanting to say something to the worried mother, but not knowing what.
"Chi-Chi."
"Yes?"
What should she say? That they're gonna be okay? The words felt hollow, but it sounded like the right thing to say.
The android began to form the words before an explosion of energy cut off her sentence entirely. Immediately, her head snapped to the side, staring out toward where that incredible source of energy was coming from. Despite its immense size, it wasn't the power itself that made Eighteen's lips curl into a smile, it was who it belonged to.
"Everything's going to be fine." Eighteen said, rising to her feet in excitement.
Chi-Chi looked up at the woman, confused. "What makes you say that?"
Eighteen found herself grinning ear to ear now, feeling a strange sense of pride towards the young man who'd just managed to go golden for the first time.
"Because we just got ourselves another golden warrior in the fight."
Give him hell, Trunks!
-Trunks-
He's smart!
It had been an alarming realization, but it was nevertheless the truth. Whatever this thing was, it knew how to strategize, and did it well.
The young super saiyan grunted as he was forced to backpedal, stepping around yet another attack aimed for his right side. It was clear to the teen that this creature knew it had an advantage, and likely had been aiming for just that when it had attacked Peni. Trunks knew now that it had been waiting for him to turn his back, for the exact right moment to go for his eyes.
The boy grimaced, tears threatening to spill down his cheek as he tried not to think about the fact that Peni's death had only been a vulnerability for the monster to exploit. It had only attacked her when it had proven to be too hard to fight fair.
A knee cracked against the brow of Trunks' face, spraying the walls with blood as his head was knocked back. Blood found its way into his remaining eye, blinding the young man as he let out a curse. He staggered back, trying to create space so that he could wipe away the blood, but fell claws raked across his torso before he could escape. The super saiyan let out a sharp cry of pain as his flesh was cut through by what felt like rows of onyx butcher knives, each managing to spray a line of ichor against the floor and walls, painting the hallway with Trunks' blood.
He staggered back, feeling his mouth fill with the taste of copper as he brought one hand up to wipe away the blood still blinding him. The moment his vision cleared enough to see, he found the syringe-like tail coming down on him in a deadly strike. His hands moved faster than he could think, catching the tail inches away from his flesh, causing his feet to skid against the carpet as he felt the monster push all it had into penetrating his chest.
The monster let out a bellowing roar, pulling its arm back before driving a fist straight towards its opponent's face. Trunks growled, releasing the tail with one hand as he backhanded the attack away, causing the monster's limb to swing out right before he shot inward. The creature tried to react, pushing its other arm to block where Trunks' knee was aimed, only for the super saiyan to twist at the very last second, using the arm as a springboard before kicking off, executing a backflip that drove the heel of Trunks' shoe into the bottom of the monster's mouth. The creature's head ripped back, the hallway echoed with a violent snap as Trunks heard the bones in its neck break again. The beast let out a strangled gurgling noise before falling back, its body no longer able to support his weight.
Trunks scowled as he watched the monster fall, knowing that the fight was still not over. Whatever this was, it would keep coming back until all of it was gone.
That meant Trunks only had one option, one way to win as he felt energy slowly bleeding away from him. His injuries were bad, and he knew that ever second spilled more and more of his life out on the ground beneath him. That meant that he was on a timer—one that he was uncertain would outlast Gohan's arrival.
I have to do this quick!
Feeling his vision starting to blur, his body beginning to finally succumb to his wounds, the boy shot forward. His aura flared to life around him as he cut through the air, charging straight into the creature with both hands. His hands reached out and found the beast's head, grunting as he pulled up before they both were racing down the hallway, the monster's massive body dragging behind them as Trunks made his way back toward Erasa's home—or rather, what was left of it.
He felt the monster stirring beneath him, and knew that its broken neck had healed once more. Before the super saiyan could react, the beast's hand shot and caught him by the throat, steering him off course and sending them both crashing into the hallway leading back into the apartment's living room.
Trunks rolled, grimacing as he felt his open wounds fill with the drywall dust slowly descending around them. He forced the pain away, his head snapping up to see the abomination rising to all fours once more, regarding the boy with its tail posed above its shoulder.
The teen growled, his aura roaring to life around him as he scrambled to his feet, initiating a charge straight into the creature. Despite the rage fueling him to take the monster's head and rip it clean from its shoulders, before crushing it between his hands, the teen found his legs refusing to listen to him as he stumbled.
What?
His vision began to darken, a wave of fatigue crashing into him like a tidal wave as he quickly found himself crumpling to his hands and knees, the monster just above him.
"So...it's finally over."
Trunks snarled, feeling his power draining from him before he felt a foot stomp onto the center of his back, flattening the demi-saiyan into the ground. The weight of the monster pressed into his body harder, pushing the air from his lungs as he struggled to push back, feeling like he was being crushed by the weight of the world itself.
C'mon, Trunks! Dig deep! We have to win this!
His thoughts were desperate as the sound of the monster's disturbing voice filled his ears. "Thank you, Trunks, for making this fun. Not a drop of you will be wasted."
A sharp cry left the boy's lips as he felt the sharp sting of the abomination's tail ram itself into the center of his back, embedding itself so deep that Trunks knew the fight was over.
He'd finally become the mighty super saiyan, and even that hadn't been enough.
"Goodbye, little super saiyan."
Trunks jumped as, abruptly, the entire wall to the apartment imploded.
The force of the rupture sent both Trunks and the monster flying back, the tail ripping free as the pair were abruptly slammed against the other side of the room, sending shards of glass from the windows and coffee table everywhere.
Trunks felt like he was dying. Blood spilled from the new wound in his back, not to mention the glass in his already painful claw wounds. Despite this, the young man found his feet surprisingly quick, not paying attention to the pain and pushing back the fatigue threatening to force him back into the bloody carpet.
His remaining eye searched across the living room, his breath catching at what he saw.
Gohan!
The true Golden Warrior was now floating in the center of the room, a vicious snarl on his face as he held the monster by the throat, pinning it against the wall.
Trunks could see terror in the monster's eyes as it stared back, its hands helplessly clawing at his master's hand as his fingers began to slowly close.
Gohan slowly pulled the creature in until their faces were inches away. It let out a guttural choking noise as Gohan asked, "What are you, and why do you feel like all of my old friends?" His voice was intense, and despite the raging storm outside blowing in leaves and rainwater, Trunks heard every word.
The abomination didn't answer. Instead, Trunks watched the creature's tail abruptly shoot up from below, stabbing straight toward Gohan's torso.
"Watch out!" Trunks called, reaching out in a panic. In a flash of movement so swift Trunks struggled to follow it, Gohan released the monster's throat, nimbly moving out of the way of the strike, before catching the tail and spinning. In a violent swing that took out the door frame leading into the kitchen, Gohan brought the monster down against the ruined coffee table with such force the entire building shook.
A second later, his master was beside the beast, stomping his foot on the monster's tail, before violently ripping away the limb in its entirety. The beast let out a desperate cry of pain as its tail was tossed away, before Gohan's foot slammed down against its chest, cutting off the cry.
"I think I found you looming over my student just like this, didn't I?" Gohan growled, sinking his foot deeper into the beast's torso and producing a pathetic sounding gasp from the beast. "How about we try this again before I lose my patience. What are you, and why can I sense all of my friends from you?"
Trunks blinked, only now realizing what his words meant.
This thing feels like Gohan's old friends?
Curious, the teen shut his eyes and concentrated, before gasping, his eyes snapping wide. What Gohan was saying was the truth; he did feel a bunch of almost familiar energy signatures coming from the monster—but at the same time, the energy felt twisted and wrong, like a dark imitation of the souls that it was supposed to be.
And one...strangely felt like his own. Who was that? Why did it feel like he'd felt it once before…
Trunks felt tears brimming at the back of his eye, not understanding why.
Slowly, the monster's lips parted. "I am...Cell." It seemed reluctant to share any more than that.
Gohan growled before lifting his foot and driving it straight through the monster's torso, splattering his nice looking pants in a sickly green color. Cell let out a sharp, thrashing cry of pain as it writhed beneath the super saiyan's foot, its mouth coughing up green blood.
"Why do you feel like my father!? My friends?!" Gohan roared with such rage Trunks found himself feeling scared of the man. The super saiyan presented his open hand to Cell's face, before a dangerous blue glow began to shine from his palm. "Tell me what you are before there's nothing left of you!"
The monster pulled its head back, terrified of the man looming above him. It's lips quivering, and it spoke. "I-I am the amalgamation of the greatest fighters on earth. I am the…perfect...being." It's voice was pained, clearly struggling to breathe with a foot in its sternum.
Trunks found himself grinning, happy that this horrible monster was suffering.
"Where did you come from?!" Gohan demands, the blue orb growing larger in his hand.
"I am...yet another victim...of Dr. Gero's...madness." It choked out.
"You were made by Dr. Gero." Gohan blinked, stunned by the realization. The energy abruptly fell away, the light diminishing until Gohan was clutching his fist to his side. He stared down at the monster, his eyes narrowed before he asked, "Are there more of you?"
There was a pregnant pause before Cell finally answered. "No."
"Good."
Without another word, the demi-saiyan pulled back his hand before slicing the creature's head away in a single, violent swipe. The rest of the decapitated body went limp as Gohan turned to Trunks, the vicious look on his face finally easing.
"Are you okay?" he asked, trying to manage a smile but Trunks could see by the look in his mentor's eyes that his own wounds were bad.
Trunks didn't answer, instead, he found his way to the foot of the monster's body, facing out towards the raging storm. "It's not over." he stated firmly.
Gohan frowned, looking back down at the corpse with a frown. "What do you mean?"
As if on cue, the beast's body began to slowly writhe, and the muscle tissue lining its devastated neck began to slowly grow.
"What the hell?!" Gohan asked, taking a disgusted step back.
Trunks didn't feel like waiting. His arms moved to make an X across his chest, his mind focused on a single attack he knew would have enough power to end this.
Goodbye, Cell.
In a flourish of movements that the teen had practiced hundreds of times, Trunks prepared the Burning Attack. Despite his fixed gaze on the broken, bloody monster before him, not a single motion was off, not a single flourish out of place. In a matter of moments, his fingers had formed the signature diamond, with Cell at its center.
"Go to hell!" he roared before he felt the rush of everything he had left flood out of him all at once. The resulting beam surprised even Trunks, nearly knocking him off of his feet as it erupted in a powerful wave of golden energy. The power engulfed what was left of Cell completely, burning it away until nothing remained but the scorched carpet and walls.
Trunks, feeling exhausted, found the ground rushing towards him as his legs gave out. Before he met the ground, he felt an arm wrap around him and slowly carry him away from the chilling rain and thrashing winds. Finally away from the storm, Trunks felt himself slowly lowered to the soft carpet, Gohan smiling fondly above him.
"You did amazing today, Trunks. I'm so proud of you." He said with a warmth to his voice that made the teen swell with pride. "Here, I've got a senzu right here."
Trunks felt a smile pulling at the corners of his lips. He'd never known such a short string of words could make him feel so...proud.
A moment later, he felt the bean being pushed against his lips. "Here, this should help."
The demi-saiyan went to chew, bringing his teeth around the bean before he paused, blinking with his one good eye.
What if…!
His eyes snapped shut, focusing, before they shot back open again, shock written on his face.
Gohan startled, his head looking over his shoulder with a scowl. "What's wrong? Is there more?"
Despite the wounds in his chest, the burning in his arms and legs, and the blood gushing down the side of his face, the boy found his feet in an instant. He shoved past Gohan, his feet racing across the apartment and out into the hallway moments later.
His eye found Erasa an instant later, sitting with the charred remains of Peni clutched in her arms. The woman was sobbing into the child's shoulder, rocking back and forth as Trunks made his way there as fast as his legs could carry him.
Erasa looked up, the look of sorrow on her features instead replaced with surprise as Trunks kneeled down next to the grieving woman.
He didn't wait for Erasa's permission, pushing her aside roughly before pulling the bean out from his lips and shoving it into the little girl's mouth, as deep as he could push it. The task done, the teen staggered back, feeling all of his exhaustion hit him all at once as it was all he could do not to collapse outright as he fell to the floor on his butt.
He watched, nervously, as Peni's eyes continued to stare out into nothing. Her left side had been almost completely vaporized, leaving stumps where her arm and leg were meant to be. Her face was charred too, partially ripped away with burn marks where skin used to be. Erasa looked to him, and for a moment she appeared horrified by his gnarled look, before her eyes turned back to the corpse of her daughter and she found herself back at the girl's side, clutching her hand like that would bring her back.
And then…
The light behind Peni's eyes slowly began to return. Trunks watched, relieved, as the flesh around the girl's arm and leg began to slowly reform, growing back in their entirety after a matter of seconds.
A heartbeat later, Peni had hopped to her feet, her eyes alight with panic. "Where is it? Where's the monster?!" She asked, frantic as her head spun from side to side. Before the child could ask for more, she found herself scooped up in a deep hug as Erasa clutched her daughter to her chest, new tears racing down her cheeks; tears of joy.
Trunks found himself tearing up as well as he watched the woman with her child, pushing away the girl's ruined hair to place a kiss there on her forehead. The boy slowly leaned himself up against the other side of the hall, watching with a smile on his lips as he vaguely heard the sound of Gohan walking up.
It's over...it's really finally over...
Before long, the conversation going on around him faded, his head growing too heavy to keep upright as it slowly slipped to the side.
Feeling his fight was finally over, the young demi-saiyan let rest take him.
-Cell-
This isn't over.
Cell found himself...well, Cell didn't exactly know where he was, at least not entirely. Gohan's attack had thankfully launched his head out into the storm, leaving him somewhere...wet, as far as he could determine. He'd landed face first in the grass, and, despite trying desperately to push himself over with his tongue, his efforts had proven unsuccessful.
I will consume them!
Especially Trunks. He'd been so close! So close to absorbing the mighty power of a super saiyan. The boy had been radiating a power that came close to that of the androids, he imagined. Had he seized the boy, he very well could have gained enough power to transform without devouring Seventeen at all! He swore by Kami himself that he would end Trunks via the end of his tail...which was currently gone.
He sighed, or did his best imitation of a sigh without lungs.
How long is it going to take to recover from this?
Was it even possible to recover from this much damage? He'd never been reduced to just a head before. Could his cells reform with so little of him left?
Cell began to panic as he lay in the cold, wet grass. Was he doomed to stay here forever as just a head? Would someone find him? Would Gohan or Trunks find him?! He couldn't allow for such an outcome!
Then again...what could he do?
Cell was left to sit in panic for enough time that when he finally felt hands wrap around his crown, he let out a yelp of alarm that belittled the 'monster' he'd been mere minutes ago.
The hands, or rather, hand turned him around, until eventually, he found the frowning face of Seventeen staring back at him. "Fuck me. What the hell happened to you?"
Cell's eyes, which were now back to normal, widened. His lips widened into a sinister grin. "We have new plans."
Author's Notes
I've gotta say, that chapter was an absolute blast to write, and made me love writing Trunks even more than I already did. This one was to all you Trunks fans out there who thought I wasn't gonna make Trunks awesome. I delivered (takes a bow).
I'm really happy with how this chapter turned out, despite how long it took me to finally release it. I've been working on two stories simultaneously with Classroom A18, which has already had its second chapter and has been mostly met with positive reviews. Really, if you are a fan of my writing, and want to show support, stop by and drop a review. You would be doing me and Ben an absolute solid.
I loved writing...pretty much everyone's character, really. I felt like I was able to do something interesting even with the short interactions in between the fighting, which I felt helped with pacing lol. I've read some fight scenes that are just so detailed and drawn out that nothing ever feels like it's happening. I hope I avoided that problem here.
That being said, I have big plans for the future, and I promise the wait won't be as long this time. Hopefully, this jam packed installment will hold you over for awhile ;).
As always, the wonderful Ben Thryss went through and cleaned up my messes for this chapter! You have him to thank that it's not a mess to read! As always, I will make sure to respond to each and every review, so remember to sign in! Until next time!
If you're interested in more of my content, head over to my secondary profile, Roxashade, where I will be releasing chapter 3 of Classroom A18 soon!