Chapter 2 – Surprise

Keyra stands on the balcony, smoking a cigarette. She's trying to gather her thoughts on the recent events, but to no avail. It's simple: Trunks confuses her. He seems to be avoiding her, like he's ashamed about what happened. He has been gone for a couple of days now, and Bulma is worried sick about him. Keyra knows that he's okay; Trunks taught her the basics of ki usage and sensing it from afar.

"Keyra?" Bulma emerges from her room, stepping onto the balcony as well.

"Are you okay?"

"You keep asking me that. I am." Keyra looks at Bulma, a little annoyed by her presence.

"You know why Trunks left, don't you?" Bulma crosses her arms, a habit she developed after Vegeta died.

"I don't. Not exactly anyway. I think he's going through some changes, just like after Gohan died. He needs time."

"Is he chasing the androids?"

"Hard to say. He shouldn't, so he probably is." Keyra blows out a cloud of smoke and says: "Relax, I'll go find him. If I'm not back by sunset, just wait a little longer."

Bulma produces a weak smile as Keyra jumps off the balcony and blazes off towards the horizon.

Kami damn it, how could I have been so weak? Trunks speeds up even more as he thinks back to what happened a few nights ago. Father would have laughed at me for being so pathetic! I totally lost control! I just gave in to whatever I felt at the time…

He can't sense the androids, so he has to trust his other senses to locate them. Just follow the trail of destruction, he thinks bitterly. Don't they ever get bored?

Soon he discovers the smoking ruins of another city. He touches down and continues his search on foot.

"Well well, look what the cat dragged in," he hears a familiar voice say. A cold shiver runs down his spine as he whirls around and faces 18.

"You never give up, do you? You should realize by now, that even with that pathetic sword of yours, you're no match for me." 18 approaches slowly, like a predator eyeing its prey.

"I'm not here to fight you," Trunks spits. "I'm not stupid. All I need to know, is what you want from us. Why do you keep destroying things? After so many years, it must be getting boring."

18 glares at him. "We've been programmed, kid. We don't want anything. We're going to destroy the human race and anything else that gets in our way… like YOU!"

Trunks takes a few steps back, while 18 closes in on him, really pissed off.

"And what are you going to do when you're done with all that?"

"Fortunately, we're not programmed to think that far ahead," she smiles coldly. "We'll find something new. Chikyuu is not the only planet worth our attention. Now, if you're not here to fight, what do you suggest we do? Are you going to run again, like the coward you are?"

"I'm no coward," Trunks hisses, still backing away. "I just don't see the point in dying in a fight I cannot win anyway."

"Your Super Saiyan friend died trying. So did your father," she chuckles.

Trunks' vision becomes a red haze.

"DON'T… YOU… DARE… SPEAK… OF… THEM! You mechanical BITCH!"

Trunks' aura flares up with golden sparks. He transforms to Super Saiyan with more ease than usually, his power fed by his immense anger.

18's smile fades quickly as Trunks blasts her into the side of a building. She emerges from the rubble, dusting off her clothes.

"Well, this time you even managed to wrinkle my clothes. Maybe it's about time I finish you off, Trunks." She grins and disappears.

"You're welcome to try," he growls softly, closing his eyes and sharpening his other senses. A split second before she attacks, he draws his sword and catches her foot on the blade.

"That won't do you any good," she mocks, slowly pushing the blade aside.

"Watch me," Trunks says, feeding his ki into the blade, heating it until it glows red.

"What the…" 18 pulls away her foot as the blade melts into her flesh.

"Let's have a barbecue," Trunks growls, attacking her again.

"Let's not!" 17 attacks him from behind, sending him flying into another building.

"Aw, come on, 17, I was just starting to have fun," 18 nags. "Do you have to ruin everything?"

"I thought you were going to finish him off, not the other way around," 17 retorts.

"And you want 'in' on the fun, of course? Oh, why not." They team up on Trunks, who soon realizes that he is no match for the both of them…

Keyra arrives at the scene when Trunks hits the top of a building, unconscious. She flies up to him, kneeling beside him and checking his pulse. It's weak, but still there. Tears stream down her face as the androids float up to them.

"Oh, how cute. His girlfriend has come to his rescue." The androids burst out in laughter, looking down on the helpless couple.

"Say goodbye now, kids," 18 chuckles. "Your time has come."

The androids charge a blast and Keyra's vision turns white as she loses consciousness. The last thing she sees, is the silhouette of a man with flame-like hair, extending his hands towards the androids.

Trunks awakes with a gasp, sweating like a pig. He tastes senzu, which explains why he has healed.

"Finally awake, huh?" Bulma strokes his face gently, smiling at him. "You scared the hell out of me, son."

"I'm sorry," Trunks whispers. "I lost control." He looks around him and recognizes the medical wing of Capsule Corp.

"Where's Keyra?"

"She won't be around for a while. I finished the time machine, Trunks. I sent Keyra back to give Goku the antidote, so that he'll live and have a shot at the androids. It might not change anything here, but at least the other dimension will stand a chance."

"Why didn't you send me? How long have I been out?"

"Over a month. Keyra was barely wounded, but you've been in a coma until a new load of senzu beans was grown."

"Kuso!" He sits up and grabs Bulma's arm. "Have you heard from her since?"

"Nothing. Maybe she's working on something to beat the androids in this dimension as well."

"She'll meet Vegeta…" Trunks stares at the wall blankly.

"And Goku." Bulma squeezes his hand. "I wish we could've gone with her, but circumstances wouldn't allow it. I had to stay here and take care of you. We have to trust Keyra, she'll do what I've asked from her."

"You're not telling me everything, are you?" Trunks looks at her suspiciously.

"Later, son, later. Rest first."

She leaves the room and Trunks flops back on his bed.

Over a month! What are those two up to? She would be back by now if she only went to give Goku the antidote. His tail twitches in agitation. She'll meet the whole gang… My father, Goku, Piccolo… even young Gohan. He bows his head and massages his temples, trying to grasp his loss. I could have traveled to the past… We could have gone together… I still owe her an apology… What if she doesn't return?

Trunks stays on the bed for hours, trying to imagine where Keyra is right now.