Year : 770
3 years after the Cell Game
"I'm getting married."
17 had remained a few seconds without saying anything. He couldn't believe what 18 had just told him. Both of them had observed each other in silence.
- Did you hear me?
- Yes, I did, he answered. ... With ... who?
- With Krillin.
- ... but... Why?
- Because.
She was obviously serious. But why with that little bald man? 17 did not understand his sister's decision. He didn't know how to react.
When he had been resurrected a few years earlier, he had found himself alone in the middle of a field of ruins. He didn't understand what had just happened. The second before, he had been trapped inside Cell, and had just accepted the idea that they would die together. And here he was again... free. Alive? Was he? He had no idea.
" 18 ! She's been spit out! Where is she ? And... 16... I saw it... Cell has... "
He had stood for many hours in the now devastated field. Finally, 18 had appeared. She had found him. She had gone around the planet several times looking for the place of the Cell game, hoping that her brother would still be there.
She had told him everything: the appearance of the dragon, the resurrection of Cell's victims, and Krillin's wish, thanks to which they no longer had the bombs inside them that would destroy them.
- But why did this gnome do this for us?
- I think he likes me.
- Yuck.
- Mmmm
- But why my bomb too?
- Apparently he thought you were my boyfriend.
- WHAT?
- Never mind. It doesn't matter.
- So ... It's ... over? Cell is ...
- Dead, yes. And so is Goku.
- ... what do you... want to do?
- ... I don't know. But let's get out of here. I don't want to... stay here.
So together they were off again. Like before. Always together. Neither he or 18 had retained any memory of their life before their meeting with Dr. Gero. All they had left were a few confused impressions, but nothing concrete. What they had always been sure of was that they were brother and sister. They had known it immediately, even before Gero had told them. And despite all the hardships, despite the gradual loss of their humanity and their ability to feel emotions, their bond had remained intact. Together they had been through everything. And they vowed to kill Gero, and take back the freedom he had stolen from them.
But now, what to do? They knew how powerful Vegeta had become. He could kill them in an instant if he so chose. So where to go? And to do what?
Several days had gone by like this. 17 and 18 had wandered from place to place, sometimes walking, sometimes flying. But nothing, no, nothing was the same as before. They didn't know what to say or do. They could hardly exchange a few words.
Finally, one morning, 18 spoke up.
- 17 ?
- Yes?
- I think I'll go and live on my own.
17 didn't answer. He and his sister had a very special bond. They knew in advance what the other was thinking. In fights, this made them terribly efficient, their coordination was unparalleled. Also, deep down, he had sensed 18's decision. What was the point of discussing it? He had felt a great pain in his chest. And he could see in his sister's eyes that she was suffering too, in a way. But she had made a decision and was not going to change it.
He had not wanted her to leave. Every memory he had, every history he had, it was all tied to 18. They had always been the two of them. Despite their differences in character, they were ... so close.
Deep down, 17 had mostly wanted to apologize to 18. If she had been absorbed by Cell, it was entirely his fault. By his boasting, his confidence and his refusal to run away, he had allowed Cell to absorb him, and thus become unstoppable. Inside Cell, he had remained conscious. And he had remained helpless, seeing his sister suffer the same fate as he had. She must have been angry with him, she who had always called him an unconscious kid. She had been so right...
At that very moment, however, he had not known how to tell her. He hadn't had the strength to tell her. 18 had never mentioned any of this either, she obviously didn't want to.
So he had simply nodded.
" Yes," he said, "that's probably a good idea."
And 18 was gone. They had agreed to meet at this very spot once a year. And they had each kept their promise.
So 17 had seen how his sister seemed to become happier and happier over the years, taking her life back. But he had not been able to do so. He couldn't figure out what to do with his life.
But getting married ? And with this gnome? Really, he did not understand anything.
- Aren't you going to congratulate me? Had finally said 18
- Yes... congratulations.
- Thank you. Well, I have to go. Is everything okay with you?
- Yeah,everything's fine.
- Yeah,fine. See you next year then.
- See you.
- 17 ?
- Yes?
- ... ... try to find your way.
- ... yes.
After she had left, 17 had remained still and silent for a long time, immersed in his thoughts. He and his sister had not quarreled, they were not angry, but ... something was broken. And he didn't know how to fix it.
"Try to find your way."
He hadn't really understood that sentence either. What could 18 have meant to him?
And so began his lonely wandering. A wandering that would last more than 3 years.
Year: 771
Until he met Ruri. It had been two and a half days since he had left her after the rescue of the female. He had immediately left, far from the village and from all those humans who bored him deeply.
He did not like close contact with humans. He much preferred to be alone. Not to depend on anyone.
But despite everything, he could not forget her. She had been right when she told him that he did nothing all day. He could go anywhere he wanted, he could fly, he didn't need food, and he was practically indestructible. And yet, he hadn't done anything with it. He hadn't gone anywhere. The immortal mountains? A nice name, what could it be?
17 thought of all the places he could visit. The world must be so big... With her, he was indeed almost sure not to be bored. But...
"Try to find your way."
He couldn't stop thinking about this sentence.
"Why am I thinking about this now? "he asked himself...