-One Hour Earlier-
Cell's amber eyes narrowed until they were only slits, sparks flying up against his face as he worked. His body was hunched over a small desk, his fingers nimbly manipulating tools he was using for the very first time today. Thankfully, the scientists he'd absorbed during his and Seventeen's assault on the compound had granted Cell the knowledge needed to use the strange soldering tool masterfully.
"Last part…" Cell mumbled to himself as he slowly inserted a gear that clicked into place, followed by a washer and nut that locked the gear into position. Cell's eyes lingered on the finished product for a short time, searching for any flaw, any discrepancy that would suggest he'd assembled something incorrectly. He found none.
Gently, Cell reached out and lifted the arm from the table. Its skin felt remarkably realistic—smooth and squishy, just like the real skin it imitated. Cell felt its weight in his hands for a moment, before turning and regarding its twin to inspect his work for imperfections.
"What do you think?" Cell asked, looking to where Seventeen was reclined in an examination chair. Seventeen didn't respond. Of course, Cell hadn't expected to receive an answer anyway, not with Seventeen under the effects of a complete system shutdown.
Slowly, Cell slunk closer until he was looming over the unconscious form of Seventeen, considering the broken android. A melancholy thought drifted through his mind.
Everything is…going according to plan.
Despite not wanting to admit it to himself, a part of Cell—a very small, and foolish part, Cell had decided—had secretly wanted the plan to go awry. Maybe their assault on Capsule Corp. could have set off an alarm that led to Gohan chasing them away, or perhaps they could have discovered that Cell didn't have the capabilities to complete Seventeen's arm. There had been so many factors at play, so many variables out of their control that Cell had almost expected something to go wrong. Then, surprisingly enough, all had gone smoothly. They had eliminated each and every threat to their plan with peak efficiency. In addition, any doubt Cell had held about fabricating a new arm for Seventeen had been quickly dashed by all the new knowledge gained from his latest victims. Sure, any lone scientist working at Capsule Corp. would have floundering trying to construct a device as sophisticated as Seventeen's arm, but all of their minds joined together? Cell had to admit that the saying 'two heads are better than one' certainly had merit.
Cell sat on a rolling stool beside Seventeen, the unconscious android cast in the harsh line of lights that would not have been out of place in a surgical suite. His movements were lethargic as he positioned the new arm, lining it up perfectly with where his arm had been severed. Cell's half-lidded eyes did a second scan, searching for anything that would suggest he would have to start over, or rework something, or any form of imperfection at all. Much to his dismay, Cell again found no such flaw.
"..."
Silently, the bio-android went to work attaching the new limb. The room seemed so quiet as his fingers clicked away, tightening screws and soldering wires. The process wasn't overly complicated, but it was finicky with his large hands, and took long enough that Cell wished that Seventeen was awake to talk to. Sure, he knew if that had been the case, it would have ruined the entire plan to absorb him afterward, but then again…Cell almost felt that it would be worth it just so that he could have a friend to chat with.
…Friend?
Was that what he considered Seventeen? A friend?
His mouth pressed into a thin line. He had never said it out loud before. Hell, he'd only been using Seventeen all this time to achieve his own goals. Cell decided that the only reason he was feeling this way was due to how effective Seventeen had been in pursuing his own illogical goals. Sure, Seventeen had been a very useful tool, and had even come to his rescue during one of Cell's riskier pursuits, but now was the end of all that. Seventeen had served his purpose, and served it well, but it was finally time to complete their transaction.
With a final click, the limb locked in place. Cell studied his work for a quiet moment longer, before reaching over and flipping a switch on the console just next to Seventeen's head. The machine flashed with lights as it whirred on, initiating the energizing procedure that would test whether or not Seventeen's new limb was channeling his internal battery's energy properly.
Cell watched the screen of the console quietly as the loading bar slowly climbed to one-hundred percent without even a semblance of an issue. He closed his eyes, letting out a slow sigh as he heard the ping of confirmation that Seventeen was running at full efficiency once more.
Dr. Gero, why did you have to design me to be perfect in all things?
Cell's eyes opened. Never before had Cell wanted one of his own projects to fail so desperately as today.
…So…this is it…
Cell was unmoving as he peered down at his…friend. Someone who, despite his cold demeanor…had been there when it mattered. Seventeen had been reliable, dependable, and most of all, he'd been…someone Cell had come to enjoy being around, when the whole world saw him as a monster. Even if Seventeen didn't view him as the seed of perfection that he should, at least the android had treated him with a modicum of respect.
Cell stared down at Seventeen for what felt like an eternity. There were no steps left to take. Seventeen was prepared. His body was energized and his limb's circuits and mechanisms were stable, with no sign of malfunction. The only step left was the final one.
Cell flexed his tail, unenthusiastically raising it to dangle just above Seventeen's face. He could not bring himself to stretch its needle-like tip to its full width.
Did I…say goodbye?
Cell paused, blinking. He hadn't, he realized. Of course, Cell knew that he couldn't have said goodbye—not without tipping off Seventeen that something was up. Still, that didn't change the fact that he hadn't.
Cell sighed again. It was like a war was waging in his mind, and he couldn't pick which side he should be on. Instincts that had been genetically encoded into his very design demanded he proceed with his mission, consume Seventeen and become even more than he was before. He knew what he should want…
And yet, he still wondered…if there was another way to obtain perfection. Perhaps with Seventeen still by his side.
…Gohan's power exceeds Seventeen's, now…
Perhaps replacing Seventeen with Gohan would be suitable? It was a gamble, but…perhaps it was worth a shot if it meant that he didn't have to part ways with his ally just yet.
Or…am I just being foolish?
Cell's eyes were unblinking as he examined Seventeen's form. He doubted he would ever receive an opportunity like this one again. It was the perfect chance, but somehow, someway, Cell knew he didn't want to take it. Sure, he had instincts genetically programmed into him which told him what he should want, but Cell had learned that, sometimes, there were things more valuable than what your creator preprogrammed into you.
My apologies, Dr. Gero.
Cell made his decision as he reached for the console again, his tail slapping to the ground behind him.
My road to perfection is not quite as simple as it seemed…
He pressed a large green button. The reboot button.
I will find my own way to Godhood.
He watched movement stir behind Seventeen's eyelids, before the android's blue eyes snapped open.
And it will include those I deem worthy.
Seventeen lurched forward, his eyes wide and shocked as he breathed heavily.
"Whoa, dude," he gasped, meeting Cell's gaze. "You have no idea how weird that feels. It's like being completely sound asleep, and then all of a sudden, you're wide awake in the blink of the eye." Seventeen huffed, before shaking his head. "Anyway, did it work? Am I fixed?"
"See for yourself," Cell said, sitting back smugly.
The android blinked, slowly shifting his gaze until he was staring down at his right side, his lapis-colored eyes absorbing the sight of his once-lost arm, restored and whole.
Moving so delicately Cell was certain he expected the limb to fall off, Seventeen raised his right arm until his fingers were inches away from his face. His jaw had gone slack, eyes wide and unblinking. His fingers slowly curled into a fist before unclasping and curling again. Seventeen's fingers wiggled around, before he let out a gasp.
"Wait, does that mean…!" His head snapped to Cell, extending his new arm toward him and saying, "this is really important. I have to test to see if my fingers are working properly."
Slowly, and very cautiously, Seventeen gave Cell the finger. "Ah, hell," the android complained with a shit-eating grin. "I was trying to give you a thumbs up. Here, let me try with my other hand."
Cell rolled his eyes as he watched Seventeen's other hand present the rude gesture. Seventeen sighed, shaking his head but unable to contain the bright, eager smile spread across his face. "Yup. Welp, looks like the controls to 'thumbs up' and 'middle finger' are a little mixed up, but otherwise, I think it'll do."
"I am glad you are happy with my work," Cell began with a nod, slowly rising to his feet. Before he could walk away, however, Seventeen's new hand reached out and clasped his. Cell paused, looking back to Seventeen in surprise.
"Hey man," Seventeen began. "Jokes aside, I really owe you for this one." Cell noticed a reflection of the light in Seventeen's eyes. If Cell didn't know better, he would have thought Seventeen was on the verge of tears. "I can't tell you how much this means to me, Cell."
Cell maintained his eye contact with Seventeen, not pulling his arm away, but not certain how to respond, either. How would Seventeen react if he knew that this night was supposed to have been his last? How would he think of Cell if he knew that he'd been conspiring behind his back this entire time?
Finally, Cell found his words. "You are welcome, Seventeen. I was only trying to pay you back for the countless hours of effort you worked in order to create what I am today. Now, I consider us 'even'."
Cell's eyes narrowed as he thought he heard something from down the hall. It had sounded like a small bang—but everyone here was dead, weren't they?
Perfect. It appears that someone has decided they want to take Seventeen's place.
Of course, it was unlikely that whoever was still alive would be as valuable as absorbing Seventeen, but at least it would be something.
Cell turned toward the door, wanting to investigate the strange sound.
Before he could leave the room, however, Seventeen called out from his chair. "But, like, we're still gonna work together, right?" Cell thought he heard a tinge of concern behind all that false bravado.
Cell smiled subtly, enough that he hoped Seventeen wouldn't notice. "But of course. We are, after all, brothers."
-Gohan-
The waves of the ocean below swelled and waned as Gohan shot through the night sky, passing clouds lit only by the glow of the pale crescent moon. He yawned and blinked sleep from his eyes as he drew nearer to a small, isolated island, just large enough to fit the red-roofed, pink-walled house bleeding light from its windows and doors at its center. As Gohan flew closer, he could hear the sounds of loud music blaring through the home's windows, as well as the sound of shouting voices singing along with the song.
Gohan sighed, shaking his head with a smile as he began to descend. Bulma's suggestion to call up Master Roshi had been a good one after all, it seemed. Gohan had called the old master shortly after Videl and Bulma had left for their dinner date, only for the old man to reveal that he didn't actually have a way to reach Launch. To call Gohan surprised would have been an understatement when Roshi suddenly called him in the middle of the night, his words slurred as he told Gohan that Launch was here, and he should come over. Roshi hadn't waited for Gohan to explain that he was guarding Trunks while the boy recovered before hanging up. Gohan had tried to call back a few times, hoping the old hermit would pick up and simply hand the phone over to Launch, but to no avail. Finally, Gohan had decided to set off in the middle of the night, reasoning that he would be back before anything happened—assuming anything would happen at all. Of course, before he left, he woke up Erasa to let her know he would be back soon. He'd attempted to let Bulma know, but she hadn't answered her door.
Trunks will be fine. Nothing is going to happen tonight.
Gohan had to reassure himself as his blue boots touched down in front of the steps leading into the house. He'd chosen to wear his gi tonight, just on the off chance that something did happen.
Not that anything is going to happen.
He hoped.
The screen door was already propped open, allowing Gohan to step inside and witness the spectacle before him.
Before anything else, the strong scent of booze in the air assaulted Gohan's sense of smell, and the shockingly loud music made it hard for Gohan to hear the commotion. He lifted an eyebrow, turning his head as he saw that the room had been rearranged for a large dining room table that now sat in the middle of the living room, the couches and chairs shoved to the walls haphazardly. Wrapped around the table was a small group of his friends; Puar, who was bouncing up and down in the air, cheering, Oolong, who was slumped woozily against the table with bottle loosely gripped in one hand, and finally Master Roshi and Launch, who were each standing at opposite ends of the table.
Gohan's eyes lingered on Launch as she raised a ping pong ball, a confident smirk on her lips as her other hand brushed back a lock of curly blonde hair. She looked almost exactly as Gohan remembered, although reflecting on it, the criminal sketch being passed on the news hardly resembled the woman.
She was in contact with Eighteen less than a week ago.
Gohan cocked his head as he walked over, examining the table more closely. There was a cup at either end of the table, one for Master Roshi and one for Launch.
"You're going down, old man!" Launch taunted, raising her chin smugly as she aimed the ping-pong ball clutched in her raised hand.
"I am a great master of—urp—" Roshi hastily covered his mouth before he heaved, raising an unsteady finger as he recovered. "I am ah great masteeer of thah martial arts! There's no waaay you could defeats meh—"
"Haaa!" Launch launched her ball into the air. Gohan tried not to laugh as every person around the table froze, coiled with tension. After a second that seemed to last hours, there was a quiet splash as the ball landed into Roshi's last cup.
"Woooo! Get wrecked, you old geezer!" Launch cheered, throwing both hands into the hair. The woman was wearing a black leather biker jacket with a red t-shirt underneath, complete with cut-off jean shorts and combat boots that Gohan could imagine she might have used to stomp on someone's face.
Roshi let out a defeated gasp as he lowered his head. The old master slowly lifted his cup, toasting to Launch. "Very well! I have finally fallen to ah worthy o—urp—opponent."
With a cheer from the others, Roshi slammed back his drink in one gulp.
Gohan rolled his eyes as he approached, smiling as he twisted the dial on the stereo to lower the volume a few ticks. "Hi, guys."
All faces in the room turned toward him, and it was only then that Gohan noticed Yajirobe and Turtle lounging on the couch on one side of the room, unimpressed with whatever game Launch and Roshi had been playing. Yajirobe met Gohan's eyes and bowed his head in a respectful nod, his mane of black hair bobbing as he brought his drink to mouth, which was now overgrown with a shaggy black beard.
When did he grow that?
Gohan questioned as he returned the nod of acknowledgement.
"Gohan!" Roshi beckoned with open arms as he stepped towards him. "It's good tah see ya, child," he exclaimed. His large, yellow-rimmed shades were sitting crookedly over his nose, and a goofy, drunken grin was plastered over his face.
Gohan accepted the old hermit's hug. "Good to see you too, Master Roshi. Although, I'd hardly consider myself a child anymore!" They shared a quick laugh. His eyes turned and found Launch, who was staring back at him speculatively.
How do I approach her?
Gohan briefly considered how he should go about broaching the topic of android Eighteen. Should he try and engage in some small talk before bringing it up? He didn't want to intimidate the woman or leave her scared about her experience with the terrifying android Eighteen, like Erasa. Then again, Launch was his father's friend. He'd been a toddler the last time he'd seen her. What exactly could they talk about?
Just as he was released from Roshi's embrace, Launch walked right up to him, shooting him an upward nod of her chin. "Sup, Gohan. Me and your pops used to be pals. You remember me?"
Gohan nodded. "I do. I remember you being around when I was just a toddler."
Launch huffed, shaking her head with her hands on hips. "Jeez, way to make me feel old, kid."
Gohan gave her a sympathetic look. "Sorry, I didn't mean it like that. You still look very young, if that makes you feel any better."
How do I turn this into a conversation about android Eighteen?
Launch rolled her eyes. "Oh, don't patronize me! I know how old I look. Anyway," she reached into a cooler by her feet, producing a brown bottle of a substance Gohan knew well enough. She offered it to him. "I heard you wanted to talk to me about android Eighteen." She nodded her head toward one of the couches. "So, let's talk."
Gohan blinked.
Straight to the point. Huh. I bet she and Videl would get along. I should introduce her to Launch.
Gohan smiled to himself, thinking of his…girlfriend?
Videl is my girlfriend now…
Gohan brightened as he accepted the drink, and the pair settled down on either end of the couch. Launch nursed her drink slowly, clearly not as far gone as Roshi was.
"You know, it's funny." She hiccuped, grinning. "I decided to come here on a drunken bender, figuring I should get back together with the old gang, and then I hear that you," she pointed a swaying finger, "need to talk to me." The blonde chuckled. "I'm just lucky enough that Roshi was down to party. It seems everyone here was itching to do something fun. I guess I must have picked the right time, eh?"
"I guess so." Gohan smiled, taking a small sip from his drink, more to be polite than to actually drink. "So, you're working with Android Eighteen?"
Launch snorted. "Not a chance."
He lifted an eyebrow. "Then what were you doing in that store with her?"
"Honestly?" Launch hitched her eyebrows. "I ran into her completely by chance. She scared the crap out of me at first." She paused, wincing, before shrugging a shoulder. "Well, my other self, I mean."
"You ran into her by chance…?" Gohan repeated, eyebrows furrowing. He was curious about what Launch meant by her 'other' self, but that could wait until he knew more about Eighteen. "So, wait, what was she doing there?"
Launch smacked her lips as she drained the last of her bottle, before chucking it over toward the trash. She missed pretty spectacularly, but no one seemed to be paying attention. In fact, as Gohan looked over, he saw that Roshi and Yajirobe were now arm wrestling, with Turtle, Oolong, and Puar all crowded around excitedly. Roshi had bulked up to several times his normal size, his arms now muscled and powerful, but it didn't look like Yajirobe was going down without a fight.
"She wanted a dress." Launch said flatly.
Gohan blinked several times, waiting for more. Once he realized that was the end of her statement, he let out a loud, "Huh?!"
"The girl wanted a dress." Launch shrugged. "What else can I say? She walked into the store and we ran into each other. She asked me to help her sneak out after paying for the dress, but got caught on her way out. People started screaming, so I started shooting—"
Gohan winced, drawing back.
"—At the air," she clarified with a withering look. "I made everyone freeze and handed off the dress. Made some Zeni while I was at it, too." She cracked a smile. "That Eighteen chick is loaded, apparently. Funny. You wouldn't think someone who can just take whatever they want would even have money."
Gohan nodded, his brow creased as he thought about what Launch had said. From the reports he'd been able to dig up regarding the event, Eighteen had gone to that store on the very same day that he and she had met to discuss terms of peace. In fact, if Gohan remembered correctly, the two incidents were mere hours apart. Did they have some sort of connection?
"Yeah, it was definitely a strange scene." Launch began, leaning over the side of the couch to grab another beer. "It's why I thought it would be best to bring it to all of you. Took me a few days and a few drinks to build up the courage…" Her eyes turned downward, ashamed. "You know…with how long it's been since the last time I saw any of you."
"I understand." Gohan nodded, watching the arm wrestling match unfold. He too understood how hard it could be to reach out to people you'd lost touch with. "Sometimes, people grow distant. We all have our reasons. And, after a while…it feels like the other person forgot about you, because why aren't they reaching out to you, either?." Gohan paused. "It's easy to forget that they're probably thinking the same thing, too."
Launch studied his eyes for a short time, before nodding. "Yeah, you get it." She popped the cap of her drink and downed a large gulp. "It's kinda like no one here has changed a bit." Her emerald eyes turned to examine the room. "But…it definitely feels emptier around here than the good old days…" Launch trailed off, a frown pulling at the corners of her mouth.
Gohan's gaze flicked downward. It didn't need to be said why the room felt empty. They both knew the people missing, and what had happened to them.
"Well, Bulma's still around. I'm sure she would love to see you if you ever felt like swinging by." Gohan brightened.
Launch's characteristic smirk returned to her lips. "Yeah, that sorta sounds like a good idea. I'll give that little twerp a visit one of these days. That girl ever settle down?"
Gohan shrugged. "I wouldn't say she's settled just yet. She has a kid now, though. His name is Trunks."
Launch's eyebrows hitched. "Trunks, huh? Last time I saw that girl, she was barely out of her teens." She shook her head, releasing a sigh. "Man, time flies…"
We're getting off topic.
"So, back to what happened with Eighteen. Did she hurt anyone that wasn't reported? Threaten you? Anything like that?"
Launch's head cocked to the side. "Surprisingly, no, she didn't. In fact, she even went out of her way to say she wasn't going to hurt anyone. Like I said, it was a very strange experience. I mean, she actually wanted me to pay with her money, kid. Android Eighteen wanted me to make a legal transaction for her, of all things. Like, I may be out of the loop on some things, but I've never heard of anything like that before." She took another sip. "You think something's up with her? Like she's having some sort of malfunction that's making her act nice?"
"Maybe…" Gohan chewed on his bottom lip, his eyes narrowing. It felt like there was something more here—something he couldn't see. What was android Eighteen really doing there? Was it actually just for a dress? And, if so, what type of dress was so special Eighteen would risk causing a mass panic after she and he had just discussed her never showing her face again?
"What type of dress was it?" He finally asked.
"Does it matter?"
"It might. I just want to know as many details as I can."
Launch shrugged. "Whatever helps. If I remember correctly—and keep in mind I'm like, a little tipsy," she made a teeter-tottering motion with her hand, "it was a pretty white sundress with…" Launch narrowed her eyes, trying to remember. "...With yellow blossoms." She snapped her fingers. "That's it! White dress, yellow blossoms." She turned back to Gohan, grinning, before frowning. "Hey, what's with the face?"
Gohan had paled, his eyes wide as a cold sweat ran down his back.
The timing couldn't be a coincidence. Between that and the description, only one dress came to mind. One very specific dress.
…Videl?
-Bulma-
This can't be real. This can't be real!
Was Videl actually Android Eighteen?
Videl reached out a hand slowly, her nervous expression clear even through her black mask. "Please, Bulma, I can explain."
"Is it true?" Bulma demanded, taking a defensive step back as her feet crunched into the grass.
Eighteen's outstretched hand froze, her gaze flickering away in shame. Slowly, her hand reached up to grip her mask, pulling it away—along with the dark black wig atop her head. Blonde strands of hair finally fell to the sides of Videl's face, and Bulma paled.
There, standing before Bulma Briefs, was Android Eighteen. Her eyes were wrong, brown instead of blue, and her makeup made her skin seem just a touch darker, but the hair was distinctive and unmistakable.
"No…" Bulma's mouth felt dry, her stomach twisting into knots as her body began to tremble in shock and fear. How could this be true? How could it be Android Eighteen standing before her right now? Immediately, Bulma felt the instinct to run, but knew it was pointless. She could never hope to outrun an android. If she tried, Bulma knew she'd be dead before she even finished turning around.
"Yo, is someone else out there?" she heard Seventeen call out. Footsteps began to draw closer and Videl's attention snapped a hand back toward the hole in the wall.
"Not another fucking step." Videl, or rather, Eighteen spat as dangerous, golden energy filled her hand.
Inside, Bulma heard Seventeen scoff. "Seriously, Sis? You think you can take me on?"
Eighteen snarled. "I don't know if you two have forgotten, but I've personally kicked both of your asses before." She cocked her head to the side, sneering. "You sure you want me to rip that new arm back off? You really seem to like it"
It's really true.
Bulma sucked in a shaky breath, wrapping her arms around herself as she did her best to process everything that was going on. Seventeen and Cell were here, Videl was actually Eighteen, and she was doing her best to simply not have a complete and utter meltdown.
Videl is Eighteen. The whole time? Or did she steal Videl's face somehow?!
Eighteen couldn't have been Videl from the start, right? Videl was a sweet, somewhat sassy, but good-hearted girl who was always there to help, and, Bulma could tell, actually cared about Gohan. Could Eighteen have somehow kidnapped Videl before she'd arrived at her house and assumed her identity? No…that made no sense. How could Eighteen make herself resemble Videl so entirely, even down to adopting her mannerisms so perfectly? Besides,Bulma had been with Videl ever since she discovered the girl practically in Gohan's lap back at her home. So, if Eighteen wasn't just pretending to be Videl…then that meant that Eighteen and Gohan were…
Bulma shuddered. This all felt so wrong.
Seventeen growled. "You think this time is going to go anything like the last? You're not fighting a cripple like last time. I'm not all lopsided anymore, like that One-Armed-Wonder you like to suck face with."
Bulma watched as Eighteen's eyes darkened and actually seemed to take offense on behalf of Gohan. The sight bewildered her.
"You know, last time I checked, Gohan also single-handedly put you into the fucking ground, and that was when you had both arms, too." She smirked smugly. "So, what's your excuse?"
"Shut your fucking mouth! That was a fluke and you know it!"
"Oh, yeah? Well, how about we see if that's true? You know that if we start fighting right now, Gohan will drop everything and rush here the moment he starts feeling people dying. He'd be here in minutes to stomp your face right back into the ground."
Seventeen grew silent, but Bulma was hardly listening despite her best efforts. She knew that this situation was life or death, that a rogue energy blast, or more likely a piece of debris colliding with her from a battle could mean her end, but her mind was racing. Every time Bulma had been with Videl, she'd been with the murderer Android Eighteen. How many times had she been alone with the android?
Oh Kami, Trunks!
How many times had Trunks been alone with this monster? How many times had Eighteen been given the opportunity to slaughter her baby boy?
And yet…she hadn't…?
Bulma's head cocked to the side slightly, studying Eighteen.
"That's what I thought." Eighteen sneered as she continued to stare down Seventeen and Cell. "So, this is what's about to happen. I'm going to leave with my…associate, and you two assholes are going to get out of here before I call Gohan here to break you in half."
"An interesting proposition," said the raspy, unnatural voice of Cell. His appearance had sent a shiver down Bulma's spine. Never before had a creature of any variety so thoroughly terrified Bulma. "However, I have a counter offer. I know that the person standing out of view is Bulma Briefs. I would like to make a trade."
Bulma felt her blood freeze solid.
"The fuck are you talking about?" Eighteen snapped. "You really think I'd bring Bulma with me? She'd never come along to rob her own company!"
She's trying to protect me.
Bulma realized as Eighteen shot her a nervous glance.
"You forget that I can sense energy. The energy I sense behind that wall is…familiar. Similar enough to Trunks that I can tell there has to be some sort of connection. Vegeta is dead. That leaves Bulma Briefs."
Eighteen bristled.
"Wait, you and Bulma are here?" Seventeen scoffed. "You somehow figured out that we were coming to fix my arm and wanted to stop us, and you brought Bulma?"
"They did not come for us." Cell said firmly. "I suspect…they came for the same reason as we did."
"What?"
"This room is used to store an essential compound metal to give your arm the resilience it needs for battle. I believe if we were to search them, we'd find the canister I did not use, intended for Son Gohan. That is the only purpose I can determine for their presence here."
The room grew quiet. Eighteen's eyes were large, clearly wondering the same question Bulma was.
How did Cell figure it out so fast?!
"You're telling me they're about to make off with whatever they need to make Gohan a new arm?!" Seventeen snapped.
"Indeed; and so, we arrive at my offer." Cell's tone was dangerous. "We obviously cannot allow you to walk away with a material that will serve to hinder us in the future. In addition, it seems your secret is finally out, Eighteen. I imagine you would rather that secret remain secret. Well, if you give Bulma to us, then we will let you leave, and all parties will benefit from this exchange."
Bulma sucked in a tight breath, her eyes wide with fear as Eighteen turned to meet her gaze. Cell was right, Bulma knew, and Eighteen had the perfect opportunity to leave her for dead. Gohan didn't know where they'd gone, and Eighteen could just return as Videl and pretend she and Bulma had parted ways earlier in the evening. She could pretend to help Gohan and Trunks look for her, as if Bulma had been abducted by some petty criminal. 'Videl' would live on, and Trunks would be forced to live without a mother.
Hot tears welled at the corners of her eyes. She knew what was about to happen. She knew what Eighteen would choose.
Goodbye, Trunks, my baby boy. I love you with all my heart. Live a good life, my son.
Eighteen's eyes snapped back toward Cell and Seventeen. Bulma's eyes closed, accepting her fate.
"No deal."
The scientist's eyes snapped open, shocked, just as Eighteen thrust out her free hand next to her other,, blazing with another rippling ball of energy and roared, "Hyper Photon Blitz!"
The glow from Eighteen's hands exploded with a pure radiant light, rocketing toward her brother and Cell. The earth shook as the massive beam connected, and Bulma's world went white. In those final moments, to Bulma, it looked like Eighteen was holding the sun in her hands.
-Eighteen-
This is bad. This is bad. This is so fucking bad!
She repeated over and over again within her mind. Eighteen had built up an enormous amount of energy for that attack, pushing nearly all she had into the blast, knowing that Seventeen would be forced to block it. The moment the wave of destruction was loosed, Eighteen spun on her heel, darting toward Bulma with blinding speed. The android wrapped an arm around the scientist's waist and launched into the sky with such force that a crater was smashed into the ground beneath her.
Bulma let out an ear-piercing scream as she was hoisted onto Eighteen's shoulder so that she was facing forward, a shimmering, protective layer of ki wrapped around her preventing the violent whiplash of their departure from breaking the scientist's spine. "What's happening?! Where are you taking me?!" She took a deep breath. "How are you android Eighteen?!" She shrieked, stumbling on her words as the pair shot through the sky.
Eighteen swallowed nervously, sparing a glance over her shoulder at the now distant shape of Capsule Corp.. The massive dust cloud from her attack had yet to dissipate, so it was impossible to see the ruins of her destructive attack yet. Although, judging from the size of the cloud's footprint, none of the nearby homes had been affected by the blast.
Eighteen breathed a sigh of relief before responding. "I'm android Eighteen because I've been android Eighteen ever since Dr. Gero changed me and my brother 14 years ago. I'm sorry you had to find out this way." She winced, then continued. "I'm taking us out and away from the city. Seventeen and Cell are going to be after us any second, and if they catch us here then there could be hundreds of people caught in the crossfire." Eighteen grit her teeth. "And I'm not gonna let that happen."
Her mind flashed to a memory of Gohan standing defiantly before her, bravely declaring to herself and Seventeen words that felt crucial now.
Not one death will go unaccounted for…Not. One.
Eighteen nodded to herself, adopting a new mantra. One to try and mend the wounds she'd caused. It was the very least she could do after…everything else.
Not one more life will go to waste. Not. One.
Eighteen's grip on Bulma grew tighter as she called out over the howling wind, "I'm taking us to a nearby forest. Hopefully, I can find somewhere to hide you, and lead those two away while you get a hold of Gohan."
"Wait," Bulma asked incredulously, "you actually want Gohan to come?"
Without a second thought, Eighteen answered, "Of course. I can't stop these two alone, and I'm afraid…I won't be enough to keep you safe." She spared an anxious look Bulma's way. She could still see the fear in the scientist's eyes, but it didn't seem as apparent as before.
"...You really mean it, don't you?" Bulma asked, awestruck.
"Mean what?"
"You're trying your best to keep everyone safe. You really want to keep me alive, too. I can see it." Bulma stared at Eighteen in disbelief. "This…this isn't all just an act to you?"
Eighteen bristled at the question. They were finally drawing close to the outskirts of the city, now. Checking over her shoulder, Eighteen could finally see a figure shooting out of the smoke cloud, trailing dust and smoke behind as they began to pursue.
Seventeen…
"It started out as an act." Eighteen answered honestly, realizing this may be the final chance she had to talk to Bulma before things got hairy. "But, somewhere along the way…I realized that I wasn't acting anymore. I wasn't pretending to want to be better. I was trying to be better. I am better." She met Bulma's gaze. "Somehow, you all made me better."
Eighteen heard something whistling through the air behind them. Immediately, the android snapped to the side, spinning away just as a massive blast of energy tore through the space they'd just been.
Bulma let out another scream as Eighteen shot straight up. Two more energy blasts followed the first, hounding them as they rocketed toward the cloud cover above. Eighteen twisted in the air, avoiding the first, before twirling and delivering a hammer kick to the second with the express intent to 'return to sender'. The blast never made it, however, as it collided with a barrage of golden projectiles, each hurtling towards the pair at breakneck speeds. It appeared as if an ocean of golden light was rushing up to meet them.
Run!
Eighteen blasted upward, cursing under her breath as the hailstorm of ki blasts began to rapidly catch up. Restricted by Bulma still on her shoulder, Eighteen knew she couldn't outpace them.
Almost…there…!
Just as the first of the wave of energy clipped the tip of Eighteen's boot, the android came exploding out of the clouds, before darting to the side all at once. The chasing energy blasts erupted from the clouds immediately after, shooting off aimlessly into the sky.
Eighteen could feel Bulma trembling against her shoulder. "T-that was a close one, w-wasn't it?"
"Nah, not even. I was just trying to waste his time watching, assuming he'd get us. You weren't in any real danger," Eighteen lied as she adjusted her flight, hoping to reduce Bulma's worry by even a fraction if she could help it. There was a sonic boom as the pair shot across the sky once more, gliding just above the clouds, which resembled a sea of cotton that completely blocked off their view of the world below. Seventeen couldn't attack what he couldn't aim at.
"This will buy us some time, but it won't be long before Seventeen—"
Almost as if on cue, Seventeen's form erupted from the cloudline behind them, a furious expression on his face.
"Eighteeeen!" He roared after them, cutting through the air so fast that he flickered in and out of sight.
"He's getting closer!" Bulma called out in a panic.
Eighteen grimaced, watching her brother's approach. He'd given up on energy blasts. He wanted to get close. Seventeen was normally faster than her, and considering she was carrying Bulma, there was no way she could outrun her brother.
Unless…
"I have an idea." Eighteen said quickly, "But, you're really not gonna like it."
"What's your idea?" Bulma asked frantically, her eyes growing wider as Seventeen closed the distance between them.
Eighteen didn't answer at first, waiting for just the right moment as Seventeen drew ever closer. Finally, he appeared just next to her, drawing back a fist.
"Now!" Eighteen dropped Bulma.
The scientist let out a shrill scream as she disappeared into the clouds, prompting Seventeen's mouth to hang, his eyebrows hitching as he paused in shock for just a second.
A second was all Eighteen needed.
She blitzed Seventeen, unleashing what she lovingly liked to call sadistic Eighteen. She delivered a flurry of attacks into her brother, catching him by surprise. Her knuckles cracked against his cheek, before a knee sunk into his midsection as a barrage of other blows assaulted him. Seventeen tried to retaliate, blocking a fist meant for his face before launching forward with a spinning elbow. Eighteen reacted, dashing beneath the attack and driving a devastating elbow strike straight into his stomach.
Seventeen wheezed, but didn't have time to catch his breath as Eighteen pulled back her other arm, forming a large orb of golden ki. "Explosive Wave!"
The sky flooded with light as her attack detonated against Seventeen's chest, golden flames engulfing him completely as he was launched away. Eighteen watched her brother shoot across the sky, his body folded over itself before he disappeared beneath the cloudline.
Eighteen didn't wait. Immediately, she was shooting down toward the Earth like a speeding bullet, searching frantically for Bulma. Her exchange with Seventeen had only lasted a matter of moments, but to Eighteen, it had felt like an eternity knowing Bulma was falling all the while.
Eighteen sucked in a sharp breath as she spotted the small form of Bulma still falling far below. Bulma had fallen so far that she was a mere hundred feet away from the ground, and still screaming, unsurprisingly.
Eighteen blurred downward, moving faster than she'd ever pushed herself to go before.
C'mon, c'mon!
Bulma flailed through the air, terrified as her eyes remained glued to forest trees rushing rapidly toward her. For a moment, Eighteen was afraid she wasn't going to be fast enough, before reaching Bulma a heartbeat before she impacted the ground. Eighteen swooped in an arc as she caught Bulma with both arms and wrapped her in the layer of protective ki once more. She continued forward, flying below the canopy of leaves and branches for cover.
Bulma's scream cut short as she realized she was no longer falling to her doom. The scientist inspected herself for several moments before letting out a slow sigh of relief. That relief soon shifted to anger as Bulma turned an enraged glare to Eighteen. "Did you just drop me?!"
Eighteen winced. "Sorry. It was all I could think of at the time. I caught you, didn't I?"
Bulma exploded. "What if you didn't catch me in time?!"
"But, I did." Eighteen answered sheepishly as she zig-zagged her way through the trees, making sure to only choose pathways completely obscured from the sky. She imagined Seventeen was already searching for them from far above.
"I could have died!" Bulma complained.
Eighteen's expression hardened. "I know. I'm sorry, but right now is not the time to discuss this. We have maybe a few minutes, tops, before Seventeen starts carpet bombing the forest searching for us."
The rest of Bulma's complaints died in her throat as Eighteen slowly came to a stop. Gently, she set Bulma down.
"So, you plan to leave me here?" Bulma asked, looking around.
"It's as good a place as any. We've been going for a while, so I doubt Seventeen saw us. Find a place to hide and contact Gohan as soon as you can. You have a way to get in touch, right?"
Bulma scoffed. "You think I don't have a way to contact people?" She opened her bag, revealing a plethora of screens and gadgets, some the likes of which Eighteen had never seen. "We were going on a heist, hun. I've got everything."
"Are you sure you've got signal?"
The scientist rolled her eyes. "Hun, as long as we aren't a hundred miles underground or in the middle of the Arctic, you can bet I have signal."
Eighteen let out a laugh, shaking her head.
"Oh, Kami!" Bulma exclaimed, covering her mouth.
Eighteen frowned. "What?"
"That laugh." She said, wide eyed. "Videl really always has been you, hasn't she? All this time?"
Eighteen's gaze fell, her expression ashamed."I'm sorry. I…" Her words died in her throat. Slowly, her lips opened, trying to find the words to explain—
—A series of explosions sounded off in the distance, turning Eighteen's attention that way. She scowled. "He's started. I better go before he starts heading this direction."
Eighteen's legs bent to leap into the air, only for a hand reaching out and grabbing her arm to stop her. "Wait," Bulma began softly, letting out a frustrated sigh. "I have, like, a million questions to ask, and we are definitely going to be having a long chat once this is all finished." Bulma shot her a stern look that made Eighteen understand why, despite being a powerful Saiyan with the power to level buildings in a single punch, Trunks still obeyed his mother dutifully. The sharp look melted away as Eighteen nodded eagerly, with fearfully raised eyebrows, before Bulma's face adopted a softer expression, almost amused by Eighteen's response. "Before you go, I have to know something."
Eighteen shot a nervous glance toward where she could hear Seventeen annihilating the forest, before meeting Bulma's gaze again. Eighteen knew that time was of the essence, but looking at Bulma now... she could see so many layers of emotions behind her eyes: terror, confusion, disbelief, bewilderment—but most of all, Eighteen could see hurt in Bulma's face. Betrayal, the expression of someone who'd just been stabbed in the back and was still processing the pain. She deserved an answer. Several, in fact, but one would have to do for now.
"Go ahead."
Bulma gulped, nervous, as she addressed who she seemed to still be processing was actually android Eighteen. "You said that all of this…it's not an act for you anymore. It's all true, now. You really have…changed?" Bulma asked, her eyes searching deep into Eighteen's own.
"Yes." The android responded in earnest, staring back.
"So…does that mean your feelings for Gohan are also true?"
Eighteen paused, blinking as she processed the question. It wasn't hard for Eighteen to find her answer, but to know that this question was so important to Bulma had caught her by surprise.
"Yes." Eighteen answered, her lips curling into the slightest of smiles as she recalled the evening she'd spent with the wonderful, handsome, incredible man that was Son Gohan. She'd been practically curled up in his lap, his arm wrapped around her protectively, so warm and comfortable she'd felt she could have fallen asleep there.
It really was the perfect evening, wasn't it?
Eighteen knew in that moment how she felt. She knew the words, even if she'd never said them before.
"I've never felt this way about another person before, Bulma. He's…incredible. He's better than me in every way. Well, obviously." She said, frowning. "I guess that's not a very high bar. But…being around him makes me want to be better. Better for him. I never meant to let this lie get this far…but now?"
Her gaze found the ground, considering, before looking back to Bulma.
"I love him."
Without another word, Eighteen flew away. She traveled below the treeline for a time so as to not give away Bulma's position, before exploding upward, sending leaves and branches scattering everywhere.
Her eyes found Seventeen in seconds, floating only a few hundred feet away. The two locked eyes, and Eighteen's fingers tightened into fists.
No Cell yet…
She was certain he was on his way. Based on previous engagements…she was willing to bet he would try to sneak up on her and…drink her, from what Erasa had described.
Just another thing to look out for.
Using her memory enhancements, Eighteen replayed the memory of her and Gohan on the couch together one last time. She smiled a sad smile. Slowly, the reality of it all began to set it. Tears began to trickle from her reddening eyes. Gohan was coming. Bulma would tell him.
It was all…over.
Seventeen let out a roar as he charged toward her, cocking back a fist. Eighteen shot forward in response, but in silence. In acceptance.
I'm never going to have another moment like that again.
The two androids collided, their forearms clashing with a deafening boom.
-Gohan-
"—and if this grow doesn't go well…we might lose the senzu plant in its entirety without the safety net of the last senzu."
Gohan nodded along, listening idly to Yajirobe sitting next to him on the couch, explaining how sorry he was that he couldn't help Trunks, and something about how the new senzu plants he was growing were responding poorly to the experimental nutrients he was trying in the soil.
Gohan knew there was more to his work, but the demi-saiyan was only half-listening. He just couldn't get that conversation with Launch out of his head.
A white sundress with golden blossoms…
It was exactly the same one that Videl was wearing during their dinner with his mother a week ago. Could it somehow be a coincidence? Gohan had a tough time believing as much. The dress had to be some type of connection, he knew. The only issue was…what?
"So, my apologies to Trunks and Bulma. I should really stop in and pay my respects to our newest Super Saiyan." Yajirobe barked a laugh, wiping his beard free of the fizz of his drink.
Gohan smiled. "Thank you. I'll let them know that you plan to pay a visit."
"Please do, I would love to know how Bulma is doing after all this time." A devious grin grew across the hermit's face. "Is she as—" He made an hourglass shape motion with his hands, one hand still clutching his bottle. "As smoking as I remember?"
Gohan flushed scarlet. He'd never considered Bulma as anything more than a close family friend, and certainly not anything like that.
"Umm," Gohan's eyes found the ceiling, considering. "Well, I can't say she's changed too much from the old days. She's still—"
Abruptly, Gohan's phone began chiming loudly from his pocket. Gohan lifted an eyebrow, noting how late it was at night as he withdrew the device. His eyes grew wide as he saw that it was Bulma calling, and immediately answered.
"Bulma?" He asked, accepting the video-call format and seeing…was she in the woods? What in the world was Bulma doing dressed like a bulgular, sitting in the middle of the woods? "Why are you dressed like that?"
"There's not much time to explain." Bulma panted. Was she running? The view of Bulma showed the woman bouncing up and down, the trees rushing behind her and—wait. Were those explosions he heard in the background?! "Seventeen and Cell are here."
Gohan tensed, his fingers gripping the phone so tightly the screen cracked, startling him into loosening his grip. "Where are you?"
"I'm just south of West City, in the forest. Running north, away from the fighting."
Gohan didn't wait to say goodbye. He was flying out of the front door so quickly he was pretty sure he'd knocked it off its frame entirely. That didn't matter. All that mattered right now was that Bulma was in danger and he was here of all places. Thankfully, he wasn't as far away as he'd been when Trunks had been attacked.
I knew this was a stupid idea! I should have just stayed home! Idiot!
He cursed himself under his breath, before shouting over the sounds of rushing wind, "Are you okay? Where's Trunks? Is he safe?"
Bulma nodded, still huffing. It was clear she wasn't used to running for so long. "He's still at home. I called Erasa and told her the situation already. She's getting him out of there in case Cell comes after them next. He's fine. Right now Eighteen is holding them off, but—"
"Wait, android Eighteen is there?" Gohan asked, shocked.
"Yes." She responded hastily. "But she's up against Seventeen and Cell right now, and I don't think she's going to be able to handle them on her own."
Gohan blinked. Did he detect a hint of…concern in her voice? He had so many questions. How had Bulma found herself in a forest? Why was Eighteen there with her? And, most importantly, how had this whole situation even begun in the first place? Those could wait, however. Bulma's safety was more important. "I'm on my way. Are you somewhere safe?"
"I've been running away from the battle for a while now, so I think so." Her expression grew more concerned as she looked into the camera. "Seventeen has his arm back, Gohan."
A cold shiver ran down Gohan's spine. Seventeen had his arm back? How? Who had done it? A second curse spilled from Gohan's lips.
"Stay put. I'm not too far away. Maybe…" He tried to gauge a timeframe of his arrival. "Give me eight minutes. I think I should be able to get there by that time." The white aura surrounding Gohan pulsed, before exploding with thrashing flames as he increased his speed to its zenith.
"Okay. I think I found a little cavern to wait in…I should be—" Bulma's head suddenly jerked sharply at the sound of a tree branch snapping in the distance. "What the hell is…!" Bulma sucked in a sharp gasp of air, and suddenly she was running again, this time with far more desperation.
"Bulma?!" Gohan shouted, pulling the phone closer to his face. "Bulma! What's happening?!"
He could hear her whimpering as she ran, clearly terrified as tears began to form in the corners of her eyes. "Get here soon, Gohan!" She begged, half crying, half screaming. "I need you!"
His friend fell a moment later, tripping over something obscured by the darkness of night. When she rose, the phone was left behind, revealing a clear shot of the stars sprinkling the night sky. The view was framed by leaves and branches sticking into frame on either side. It would have been almost peaceful, if Gohan didn't know that something was severely wrong.
"Bulma? Bulma!?" Gohan called out, his grip on the phone tightening further as even more cracks appeared.
For a short time, all was motionless on screen; that is, until Gohan heard the sound of crunching feet calmly approaching the camera. Gohan's eyes grew wide as he watched a three-toed foot come crashing down onto the phone, ending the call.
Gohan starred in shocked silence for several moments, his mouth agape with disbelief that this was all happening.
His phone made a pathetic, glassy pop as his fist closed furiously around it. Gohan let out a primal, enraged roar that echoed out across the waves for miles. The sea below appeared to retreat from his outrage as his body exploded with power, golden light erupting all around him in a volatile display of pure rage.
Cell is after Bulma.
The demi-Saiyan let out another deep, guttural, bellow of uncontrollable hatred for the creature. He had failed to finish off the first time, somehow, and now, because of his mistake, Bulma, his old family friend, almost a second mother to him, not to mention the mother of Trunks, someone he considered almost like a brother, could quite possibly lose her life.
All because of me!
Gohan hadn't felt this level of burning fury in a long time—not since he'd been battling Frieza back on Namek, not since he'd first seen Raditz attacking his father back when he'd been barely a toddler, not since the very first time the androids emerged.
Gohan blasted across the sky, leaving crackling lightning and deafening claps of thunder in his wake as his power churned the air into a violent storm. For a moment, it almost appeared as if lightning was crackling across his body as well. A trick of the eye, Gohan assumed.
The world was a blur, even to him. The sky above and ocean below raced past him, making the world appear as little more streak of colors—but Gohan knew where he was going.
Please, stay alive, Bulma! I'll be there very soon! I'm not going to let you die!
He prayed he would be there soon enough.
-Cell-
Cell smiled to himself.
All too predictable, Eighteen.
It had been so obvious to Cell what Eighteen expected them to do. Clearly, he would want to absorb her, android Eighteen, and so would seek to ambush her at the most opportune moment…right?
Cell scoffed, shaking his head at how simple his sibling seemed to think he was. No, Eighteen was not a prize worth risking at this time. She was well practiced in battle, and despite having Seventeen at his side, there was no way to ensure he could absorb her without Seventeen taking issue in the matter. No, Eighteen wasn't the real prize tonight.
The true prize was currently scrambling teary-eyed into what appeared to be a small cavern embedded into the side of a large cliff.
Cell watched the scientist flee with a sinister smile. He let her disappear into the darkness of the cave. It wasn't as if she could truly hide herself from him. At any point, he could simply search the area for any ki signatures. No matter where she decided to run, she would never escape him.
Cell stepped into the mouth of the cave. The knowledge that Gohan was on his way was a concerning thought, but eight minutes was more than enough time to find and drink the valuable knowledge that would come from Bulma Briefs' mind. With her genius, Cell had not even a doubt in his mind that he would be able to replicate Dr. Gero's work in its entirety. It was possible, even, that he could create an android with the sole purpose of being absorbed, thus eliminating his need for Seventeen's eventual consumption.
Cell paused, his looming figure towering over the entrance of the cave, the pale moonlight casting a dark silhouette deep inside. Slowly, Cell stepped into the dark, damp space.
"Come out, come out, wherever you are." Cell sang ominously, his raspy voice echoing off the walls. Slowly, he began to expand his senses until a soft, barely audible sound shifted his attention to the left. There, he could see a waist-high boulder, just large enough so that a person would be able to hide behind it if they crouched. Cell slowly shook his head as he detected a shaking, terrified whimper from behind the rock. He was filled with a sick sense of glee as his prey's fear washed over him.
Crying. How pitiful.
Cell stepped to the side of the boulder, rounding it with his tail reared up to strike.
I expected more from the inheritor of the title of greatest scientist in the world. I know that Dr. Gero would have been able to do more than this to stop me.
Finally, he found Bulma sitting there behind the rock, curled up in a terrified ball, trembling from head to toe. She wouldn't even see her death coming. How pathetic. Cell wished he could savor this kill, but Gohan was on his way. He needed to be quick about this.
Goodbye, Bulma Briefs. May your legacy live on…within me!
His tail thrusted down, aimed directly for her skull.
…And promptly phased through Bulma as if she were made of air itself. Cell startled in surprise as his tail stabbed straight into the stone below, embedding itself. He allowed himself a moment to be perplexed, before the sound of feet frantically shuffling across the dirt turned his attention back toward the entrance. His eyes widened as he found Bulma Briefs racing out from the mouth of the cavern where she'd been hiding, one hand digging around in the satchel at her waist.
Cell cocked an eyebrow, turning back toward whatever it was he had stabbed. He found a small pad he hadn't noticed before, roughly the size of his palm and silver in color, with a small lens in the center. A projector, he realized.
Cell sneered. He ripped his tail free as he turned back towards the entrance of the cave, nearly impressed.
Well now, I'm beginning to see why they call you a genius, Dr. Briefs.
He slowly turned his head, cracking his neck in a violent motion before relaxing with a sigh. With a burst of speed, he shot forward, bolting out of the cavern in mere seconds before he was searching for Bulma's ki once more. He found it instantly.
Now let's see how long that genius can keep you alive.
-Bulma Briefs-
This is why I don't freaking do this anymore!
Bulma's lungs burned from the strain, but she didn't dare stop running. She could feel adrenaline rushing through her veins, accelerating her blood flow and giving her the kind of energy she remembered having as a young girl on an adventure with an odd monkey boy..
Bulma grinned, retrieving from her bag the device she'd been looking for.
Glad to know I still got it!
Behind her, the scientist heard the acute sound of wind whooshing, growing closer. To a normal person, it might sound like a breeze, but Bulma knew better.
I really hope this works!
Bulma had recalled the story of Peni—an amazing little girl who'd saved the life of her son, and was now family, as far as she was concerned. More specifically, Bulma recalled how she had managed to stun Cell, even if only momentarily.
Bulma spun around, revealing a device in her hands that almost resembled a camera from the year 600, but with a massive bulb mounted to the top. It was nearly the length of Bulma's forearm.
"Say cheese!" She shouted, thrusting it at a lunging Cell, his hand inches away from her face. Her eyes screwed shut tightly as she pressed the red button on the corner.
Even behind completely shut eyes, all Bulma could see was white. The flash was so powerful that it would leave a normal person permanently blind if they caught it with their eyes open. In the lab, Bulma had flashbanged herself multiple times, even with the appropriate light sensitive goggles on.
The bulb's innards melted instantly from the intense heat, and Bulma discarded her failed—but ultimately useful—Instant Tanning Machine prototype.
Her eyes snapped open as Cell shrieked in pain, discovering the bug-like creature with both palms dug into his bleeding eyes, doubled over at the waist, letting out a hissing noise that made Bulma's skin crawl. It worked.
Thank you, Tien!
Bulma exulted as she whirled back around after her momentary glance and sprinted away as fast as her legs could carry. Her hand reached back into her satchel, digging around for another of her inventions that could buy her some more time. All she needed was a few minutes!
Come on, Bulma! You can fight! You can survive!
An image of Trunks, her beautiful, brave, wonderful baby boy, sleeping peacefully at home flashed through the mother's mind. He had never gotten to show her how awesome his Super Saiyan transformation was. She could just imagine teasing him by gushing and fussing over how proud she was of him until he was so embarrassed he was begging her to stop, all the while grinning that cute little happy grin of his.
Survive for him. Don't let your boy grow up without a mother. He deserves so much better! He's already gone through so much because of this monster. You have to be there to help him through it!
Bulma's lips pressed into a line, the panic within her crystallizing into unbreakable resolve. Resolve to live for a child who deserved so much more than the hand life had dealt him. She couldn't let him lose her, not after everything else her poor son had never even had the chance to have. She would live at all costs. That meant there was no time for panic. She had to focus.
She had to think.
And that was definitely something Bulma could do.
All at once, her efforts redoubled as her hand finally found the shape of a familiar handle before seizing it with a tight grip. Behind her, Cell roared with fury and resumed his rush after her. Bulma grit her teeth, snarling as her fingers found the dial on the side of the pistol she had designed as a prototype for Gohan so long ago.
She adjusted the setting to max.
The scientist spun around with a furious cry as she aimed her pistol—
—only for a sickly green hand to seize her by the throat.
Bulma let out a choked, guttural noise as iron-hard fingers closed around her neck with super-human strength, closing her windpipe almost instantly. Cell lifted her off the ground effortlessly, bloodshot but healed eyes piercing her with a hateful sneer. She kicked her legs furiously at him with every ounce of her failing strength, but didn't do much more than scuff his plated chest with the dirty soles of her shoes.
"I thought my days of being hindered by someone with such pitiful power were behind me." Cell growled as Bulma's vision began to darken, her kicks against his abdomen becoming less frantic. "You have proved that there is much I can still learn."
Despite the blackened edges of her vision, Bulma could clearly see Cell's tail slowly rising above his shoulder, curled like a scorpion's.
I…had a plan…what…was it?
Bulma's mind was beginning to cloud. It was hard to think, the asphyxiation making everything muddier by the moment.
The…gun. The worthless…useless…gun.
Slowly, with her teeth grit in determination, Bulma's trembling hand lifted the pistol and pressed it as hard as she could against Cell's face. The hideous monster's eyes crossed to focus on it, almost snickering at the desperate effort. "A fighter to the very end." Cell nodded his head, respectfully. "It is an honor to absorb you into myself, Bulma Briefs."
Bulma's index finger wrapped around the trigger of her weapon. Her mind flashed one last time to her beloved son, picturing that big, goofy smile that he only smiled for her. Her vision swam as Cell's tail shot forward, straight for the center of her forehead.
Bulma pulled the trigger on a weapon that had been deemed "irrelevant" to Gohan in his battle against the androids. It could barely replicate even one of Gohan's most basic of energy blasts. Basically a paperweight considering the strength being displayed during his typical combats. Useless, against the androids.
Let's hope…it's not useless…against Cell.
She thought just as she felt the sharp point of Cell's tail pierce her head.
Author's Notes
Hey everyone! I really didn't expect to complete this chapter in the timeframe I did, but it sorta just spilled out of me. You can probably thank Bulma's character in this chapter for the reason it was completed in such a reasonable time for the first time in ages. I absolutely love writing from the perspective of our normal character trying desperately to fight back against such monstrous opponents. I bet you guys never thought you'd see a Bulma Briefs Vs Cell showdown, did ya? The moment I got into that section, I was glued to the seat, my fingers unable to pull away from the keyboard.
That being said, I had initially planned for a lot more to happen this chapter than did. I considered waiting longer to include those extra bits, but if I want to keep a consistent schedule, I have to pace these entries. I'd like to maintain a schedule of one chapter a month at the very least. We'll see how that goes.
Returning to matters of the chapter, I overall feel that it turned out better than expected. I listened to chase music throughout the entire scene of Seventeen chasing Eighteen down, and horror ambience when Cell was slowly beginning to hunt Bulma down. I feel these practices helped deliver scenes that better fit the tones each were aiming for.
Either Way, that's about all I have to say for this chapter! Due to this writing craze, I've actually already completed chapter 29 (my beta readers tell me it's a doozy, lol)
Please let me know what you guys think in the reviews/comments and I'll do my absolute best to respond!
As usual, Ben Thryss was the lovely individual to beta this chapter, and ensured all my silly mistakes never made it to your eyes. A big thanks goes out to him!
The amazing cover art of this story was designed and completed by the wonderful: j_art_animations AKA Upstart Psycho!They appreciated the story enough that they wanted to add their touch to the tale, and I absolutely love it! Their commissions are currently open, so hit them up using the previously mentioned tags if you want more incredible artwork!
In other news, Classroom A18, another project I feel is on a similar tier to TWAM, has finally received a new benefactor! Assuming things go well, the next chapter of A18 will be in the works soon, so keep an eye out for that one if you're still interested ; ).
Until Next time!
