Chapter 12

The only way she got out the car, was to give Trunks two straight hours of the silent treatment. He said to her 'fine, you want to keep it to yourself, be that way. I just wanted to talk and help you. But if you can't even talk to me about it, then who do you have Pan? Who else do you have?'. But she didn't answer him until he opened the doors and lowered the Ki field.

"I don't need anyone Trunks. And I sure as HFIL don't need you." She ran back inside and saw the worried looks on her parents' faces as they saw her tears. She ran up the stairs and locked her door. Pan curled up on her bed and held her knees to her chest. "I did it again." I disappointed everyone and my parents. How could I tell Trunks that I signed up to the army that took CC from his family? How could I let my parents see me cry again… she sobbed into her pillow, desperately wanting to be held.

Desperately.

Major felt a familiar tug on his mind and he looked south. He was in Nikki town (ironic) and had cleared half the city. The last of a 30 year old man withered away on the point of his tail as he frowned. He could feel her crying. She was distressed. He was going to absorb more of the city, but how could he ignore the woes of his mate?

The answer was he could not and he turned to leave when.

"Cell? How the HFIL did you, but how did you!" Krillin couldn't even finish as he dropped his bags and turned to his wife. "GO AND GET MARRON OUT OF HERE!"

"But."

"GO!" 18# grabbed her daughter's hand and began to run, all out towards the other side of the city. Krillin telepathically called out to anyone he could find, and was glad when Vegeta answered.

Krillin? What do you want?

Cell is back! Get down here, to Nikki town. I am raising my Ki for you. Don't argue, I'll distract him.

Major didn't have time for this. He flicked the pink shirt off his tail and felt a hard tug on his heart. For his heart to feel it, she must be distressed. What happened to her? What is happening to her? He had to get to her; she was breaking from the inside out. He began to run towards her, when Krillin jumped in front of him. It just so happened that 18 had run in the same direction as Major needed to be. So you can imagine what Krillin thought.

"Stay back!"

"I need to get to her." He said, very focused and jumped over him, but Krillin shot a large Ki ball at his front and sent him rocketing into a building. Major growled as his mate became even more distressed. Who ever was hurting her would pay with his life!

"You will stay away from her!" Major span round. How did the mortal know whom I referring to? Does he know Pan?

"Human, do you know her?" he pointed towards where she was, and Krillin nodded.

"Yes I do and I will not let you take her again!" Major snarled, outraged at the nerve of this human. Did he truly believed that he could prevent him from attending to his mates call? Then he would die!

"Foolish human! You can not stop me from doing anything." Major chuckled and lifted a finger. "Krillin, human, grew up in a monastery in the first years of his life, studied under Master Roshi for many years, has competed in the World Martial Arts tournament on numerous occasions, has a wife, one child…weakling." He cackled and sped towards him. But a taller figure landed between them and caught his eye. Is that …Vegeta? He will be more difficult that the human. Major looked around for an escape route while Vegeta talked to Krillin, but didn't take his eyes off 'Cell'.

"Krillin, how did he get here?"

"Don't know and don't care. He is after my wife again and."

"And this isn't Cell."

"What?"

"His Ki is different. This is another one."

"It is still after my wife. Kill it!"

"I will…in due time." Vegeta cautiously advanced upon the Cell look-alike. "What do you want? Who are you here for?" Major didn't answer and saw a wall he could run behind, and follow out off the city. "And who are you?" Vegeta walked closer, and didn't expect him to bolt away from him. Major ran as fast as he could, but Vegeta punched him in the back and sent him flying. He landed into the base of another building, and growled loudly. He wasn't strong enough to face Vegeta, not yet. He needed to be near his mate.

Vegeta grabbed his tail and flung him in the air. He landed in the road, a green bloody mess with purple blood trickling from his mouth. "I will ask again. who are you?"

"Who am I?" Major chuckled and couched up more blood. "Who am I?" Vegeta almost forgot to breath as the sense of dayshavoo hit him coldly. The same evil glint appeared in the blooding creature's eyes as he saw in Pan's. "I am perfection." Major closed his eyes and his body when limp. Unconscious.

"…No…how…" Vegeta stuttered as he staggered back. Could this creature have something to do with how Pan reacted to him, and tried to kill him? It would explain her odd behaviour and why she couldn't remember what actually happened. He looked over the prone creature again. There were so many questions he needed answered. And so many answers laid within the very mind of this creature. Vegeta picked it up by its bloody tail and swung him over one shoulder. "Krillin. I am taking it to Bulma. She will know more about where this thing came from and who it is…amongst other things…"

"What! But it is trying to absorb 18#! You cant just."

"Krillin! Goku left with that damn Dragon, yes?"

"Well…yeah…"

"And he left me the responsibility of making the shots and protecting the planet, yes?"

"Yes." Krillin huffed; he knew where this was going.

"So shut the fuck up and do as you are told before I break your shinny little head in two!" Krillin scowled, but stayed quite. "Good, now fly ahead of me and tell Bulma she will need to prepare a cell for this thing and lots and lots of sedatives."

"But."

"Krillin!" he roared and Krillin blasted off to the new Briefs home faster than he had ever flown before. With Goku he had a say, with Vegeta, he had no chance.

Vegeta looked over his shoulder at it. It looked just like the first Cell in its imperfect form. But they destroyed the lab, and the secret lab too. So where did it come from? Was there another lab? Or perhaps there was another scientist…that would make more sense. But one thing he remembered from the last Cell, he was programmed with ultimate knowledge and a big mouth. Just to show off he will tell them everything. All they need to do is push the right buttons.

Vegeta set off towards home, after double-checking that it was still unconscious.

But he wasn't. Major pretended to be knocked out, because he started to sense that Vegeta was taking him just where he needed to be, closer to his mate…

"Vegeta! Don't you even think about bringing that thing in here!"

"Move aside woman." Vegeta pushed past her and moved towards the basement. After all those years of running CC, inventing and being a super genius, there was no way she was going to live anywhere without a lab. So under ground was the biggest lab that you could ever imagine.

"Vegeta I can't believe you just thought I would drop everything to get a room for you to put your new punching bag in! Cell dangerous and."

"And this isn't Cell."

"What?…"

"This isn't Cell. Someone else is making more of these things and we are going to find out who. So if you don't mind, get me a damn cell ready with a table to strap this thing to, shackles and chains, and hurry up about it!" Bulma lead him underground to the very bottom level and into a large white room. There was a large wall at the back with chains and a trolley near the door with lots of syringes.

"I got it all ready for you like you said. Even though I am not happy about having him here Vegeta." Bulma sulked and watched as Vegeta carried the creature to the wall. But Major suddenly came back to life and swung his tail round at the Saiyan prince. Vegeta let go of him and rolled on the floor, closer to the door and a quivering Bulma.

"You are outmatched and you will not escape."

"I must leave! She needs me!" he roared, running at Vegeta. Vegeta remembered how weak he was before, and prepared to just batter him off. So he crouched down and crossed his arms over his chest. Major fazed out and reappeared behind him.

"Vegeta look out!" Bulma yelped and Vegeta turned round, to meet a powerful fist in his face. Vegeta went hurtling backwards with a bloody nose.

"How?" he panted. "How did you become so powerful so quickly?" Vegeta jumped back to his feet and ran after the escaping creature.

He could feel her sorrow, she was close. She needed him, yearned for him. He almost made it to the door, when something sharp hit him in the back. He roared and turned to see Vegeta, smirking with one hand on a syringe…that was in his back. Major felt his legs go weak and his vision blurred. No, I have to get…free…so close to her…I…can't…see…you… Vegeta panted and smirked to himself as the mighty creature swayed and fell to the floor.

"Serves you right, bloody monster." He panted and grabbed his tail again. Bulma sighed in relief as she saw her husband dragging the Cell look alike behind him and restrain him in chains. "I want to know everything that happens in this room woman. Have you got surveillance in here?"

"Yes. I can bring the monitor screen up to our room if you like."

"Good." He looked at the perfect weapon and rubbed his still bleeding nose. When it didn't want to fight him Vegeta got a bloody nose. The strength he sensed that brief moment was incredible. He wasn't that strong before. Something happened to make him stronger. But what about here, makes him stronger then in Nikki town? Tomorrow, the questioning will begin. "Woman, tell everyone that our home is off limits now. Especially the android and her brat."

"Ok Vegeta. I erm…got a call from Videl today."

"You did? How's Pan? Is she alright? Does she want to talk? Does she want to see me?"

"Calm down dear. I don't know the answer to those questions. But I did invite the Son family over for dinner tomorrow. Is that ok?" they wont be safe if they come…but I really want to see how Pan is… "Pan will be coming."

"Yes. They can come." Was his immediate answer and he ushered Bulma out. "Woman, you are not allowed in here."

"Why would I want to."

"Have a chance to examine the only living creature with the perfect genetic structure and regenerative capabilities? The greatest scientific breakthrough? I wonder why." He rolled his eyes and locked the door shut. "No one is allowed in here, no one. Not even me if I can help it." He said pinching his nose to stop the blood flow.

Vegeta sat on the bed while Bulma went to a late night movie with Trunks and Bulla. He looked at a portable screen, the same size as a small laptop with touch screen controls. He zoomed in on the creature. It had its eyes closed and it seemed to be motionless. Only its tail flickered every now and then. What are you? Who made you? Where did you come from? The past? The future? Or did you come from this time line like I thought, another creation different from Cell. For you are nothing like Cell. He grew in strength by absorbing humans and then the androids. You haven't absorbed nearly enough humans to be at the strength you were when you broke my nose. Took a sensu bean to fix it…he traced the bone of his nose, freshly realigned. How did you get so powerful? And why are you after 18#? Is that how you will evolve? But 17 is gone, how will it become perfect without them both. Unless…it doesn't need them both. Or even if the android's brat would work just the same. Vegeta rested his chin on his fist, in deep thought. But he didn't say he wanted to go after two women, he said 'she needs me'. Who is she? One female who 'needs' him…could that be 18? Then he only needs 18. I will have to tell that overprotective monk to keep her away from here for now. And the brat too, just encase…

But something else bothered him. It couldn't have been a coincidence that everything the creature said, was identical to what Pan said to him when she had run away. Maybe…Pan's disappearance and where she went were somehow connected to the arrival of this creature. What if the creature took over Pan, making her power up and fight him. Then, she wouldn't remember and any story the creature fed her, she would believe. That had to be it. A new hope flickered within his chest. Maybe if Pan was to learn of this, she would believe him and train with him again. After all, he had grown a soft spot for her over the years and loved her like she was his own child. And maybe tomorrow, she may return. And not just to his teachings and home, but to his open arms and friendship. Their father daughter relationship. Yes, it would be nice to have her similar attitude problem and egotistical outlook on things, with her cocky, carefree ambiance close to him again.

As Vegeta looked back to the picture, he almost screamed. Somehow, this thing had gotten out its chains and was stood in the centre of the room, arms crossed and head hung forward slightly. What is it doing?

"I hate this." Pan whimpered and hugged her pillow tighter. She hadn't left her room all day and had no intention to. Not even when her mother almost begged her to come down for something to eat. All Pan could say was don't worry, I just need some time alone. This isn't your fault, and muffled her sobs into the confides of her pillow. To think, I used to think I was alone. I wasn't alone back then, not like I am now… all her life Pan had thought she didn't fit in, she didn't do anything with her life, that she was a minority and still alone within even that. the feeling a loneliness increased once her grandfather left with the mighty Dragon Shenron. He used to at least come round and train with her, take her around the world and make her laugh at his immaturity, and yet wise mentality. After he left, she thought Trunks would be some sort of anchor for her. But no, he grew apart from her. he was far older than her after all and the age gap just seemed to get bigger and bigger. Until eventually, he stopped making that leap to her. That was when she turned to Vegeta. Yes, he was even older than Trunks, but they were so much alike and he had so much time and patience for her, she thought she had found her reincarnated grandfather in his oldest and greatest adversary. Until he tried to kill me… what did she do? What did she do to make him want to kill her? I know he tried to kill me…right? I mean, even after when Trunks said, he still did try to kill me. I remember…well I don't remember. I don't remember anything. I have only what Doc Gero said to me. And he wouldn't lie to me…would he? oh no, I haven't been blind have I? She sat up and thumped her pillow. I have! I have been stupid! Again! Of course Gero would say that. He wont want someone as strong as Vegeta, my PV, interfering with his precious Royal Reunited Army or his best soldier. I can't believe I was so quick to believe him! over Trunks and Vegeta! Oh I did it again… she threw her head back and let furious tears stream from her tightly shut eyes and down her cheeks, between her ears and jaw and down her neck. Why do I constantly hurt everyone lately? I make my parents worry sick about me, worry and fear the worst, join the very army that took my old best friend's life and joy CC away and accuse PV of…oh no! Pan remembered back to her argument with Trunks.

"Bullshit!" Trunks bore his teeth and roared. "Dad wouldn't try to kill anyone!"

"He's done it before."

"…he isn't like that anymore. And you should know that more than anyone Pan. He is like a father to you! More than he is to even me or Bulla."

"Well you can have him. I just hope he doesn't try to kill you two."

"He's done it before."

"Well you can have him. I just hope he doesn't try to kill you two."

"How could I!" She whimpered to herself and hugged her knees to her chest. Pan had only managed to change into her baggy orange shirt she wore for bed with a large black bat on it. She also wore her matching orange three quarter Pj bottoms. They were all cotton and breathed for her as her body wracked with sorrows. "And what if Trunks told Vegeta…oh I must have broken his heart…" she held her face and bore her teeth. "What am I? some sort of monster?"

"No my dear. That is me." Pan yelped and jumped up to her feet on the bed. She clenched her fists and looked around. That voice, she knew that voice. It was clearly spoken, but slightly croaky. Where had she heard that voice before…?

"Who's there where are you?" she looked around and still couldn't see anyone.

"I am here, in front of you." Then she had a strange sense of dayshavoo. It couldn't be…could it? One way to make sure.

"I don't understand, where are you?" the sheer fact she could remember what she said in her dream was a miracle in itself. As her eyes looked to her mirror, she gasped and her hands clasped around her mouth. Behind her, the wall was growing darker. Like the lights on the wall were slowly being blotted out with ink, twisting and flowing darkness, growing like a rapid bloom.

"Look closer." She stepped off the bed and still had her hands over her mouth. As she drew closer, the shroud seemed to seep from the wall and thicken on the bed and floor at her feet in the mirror reflection. She didn't dare look behind her. If she did, she feared she might not ever move again. That was how terrified she truly was. But as a familiar cold, shilling sensation licked at her feet as they were engulfed by the swirling chaos of black mist, she yelped and looked to the door. She had to get out, run, call for help. "Do not move. You will be safe." This was more than dayshavoo. It was happening all over again, but in real life. Then she remembered something very important as a sharp stinging sensation exploded from the skin of her neck. One hand went to clasp it…but was too slow. Someone else's hand covered it first and she felt a hard, muscular body press into her now quivering back.

"Wh Wh Wh." she couldn't stop stuttering. "Wh Who are you?" she whimpered as a hot, wet tongue licked at the other side of her neck, dragging around to the back and curved round her shoulder. It was like who ever it was, was tasting her skin. And from the deep groan, they liked her taste.

"I see you." She screamed as loud and as piercing as she could. Her eyes clasped shut and a quick sound of running feet came outside her door. The door banged, locked. I didn't lock the door… "No, I did my sweet. And yes, I can hear your every thought. Your every wish and desire are mine also. I heard your call and I came, running."

"I wo would have r remembered calling Frankenstein monsters for h heir th thank you v very much." The door banged and she yelped as a set of teeth traced over the stinging flesh of her neck.

"Such defiant and confident fire in the mists of danger. You have always been the brave one. I admire that about you." He purred and placed his other hand on her shoulder. "I have missed you so very, very badly."

"This is our first meeting."

"Is that what you think?" he chuckled and licked her earlobe. "I remember meeting you like this, once before. And I have been with you prior to that, all of your life. So I know you very well. And so have missed you dearly." He purred in her ear and nuzzled her stinging neck. She whimpered and flinched. "What is wrong? Are you in pain?"

"You didn't do something to my neck did you?" she looked back to the door as it banged. Obviously her dad must be trying to break it down.

"Only mentally my love. I have yet to physically seal our destiny."

"Our what!"

"Why, our destiny. We are perfection, you and I."

"I think I remember that part."

"Do you remember the part, when I said that when the time was right, I would claim you?"

"Erm…if I say no, would you believe me?"

"No. as I said before, I came from you very soul. Your soul is mine and my soul is yours. So I know how you feel and think. and so I know that you remember every, single, detail of our last meeting." He purred again and cupped her braless breasts. When she gasped, he chuckled. "I have waited too long to show you my love for you."

"But I haven't even seen your face…" she then pursed her lips shut and closed her eyes. How could she have said that? After all the horror movies she'd seen, didn't she remember the part before the girl was killed was looking upon the face of the killer?

"And you will, soon. As for now, I hate to, but I must leave you. After one last thing." His arms snaked around her waist and pulled her against him. Is he…hugging me? something about the embrace, was comforting. It was perfectly innocent, he wasn't trying to grope her or nuzzle her. He simply held her and that made her smile, even if it was only for a moment. "I believe, you have needed that all day…" the door banged even more. Goten must be helping. "Indeed he is my love."

"Why do you keep calling me your love?"

"Because you are my love, my mate."

"You may not know this, but I am not your mate unless we actually do the mating ritual. And I know full well I haven't done that so you must be confusing me with someone else."

"You are my mate, but you are right. I have yet to claim you." His voice turned from comforting, to sensually sinister. "But that will come soon enough, my sweet, sweet angel. For upon our next meeting…" he roughly pulled her round and she, just like before, could see only darkness. He held her arms and lifted her off her feet, making her panic slightly. "Not Vegeta, Goku or all the Grand Kai's of every galaxy could prevent me from taking you as my own. It is our destiny to be together, perfect. And you deserve this, to be part of something so much better, like you have always wanted. And I know just what you want in a mate. Strong, proud, worthy, a skilled fighter, gentle and loving. I am everything you ever wanted in a mate because I came from you, your wants, desires, instincts telling you to hunt, to kill, to fight…and to mate. Yes, I was born from you dormant Saiyan mentality and instincts. Your inner beast has been tamed for far too long. Until…I came out. And I have come for you. Nothing will keep you from me. no matter where you go, no matter what you do." He lowered her to her feet. "I will ALWAYS find you…and can see you everywhere now. I don't even need to be near you to know what your thinking, what you feel, what you are doing. I can see you Pan. I CAN SEE YOU!" he roared and threw her onto the bed.

"AAAAAAAA!" Pan screamed and raised her head bolt upright, saturated in sweat and tears. She was in her room, it was still night and she was still sat in the same position as she was before the dream. "No, it wasn't a dream. He is out there…and he knows me. He came from me. I created him…what have I done?"