What Could've Been

Chapter 7: Zero Score

Silence so complete even the slightest breathings were audible reigned inside a small oval-shaped house up on King Kai's planet as the two guests sat there stunned out of their breath. After roughly over a hundred inhales and exhales as counted by King Kai, it was finally broken by loud cackles that eventually turned into uncontrollable uproars.

"Seventeen!" Future Eighteen shouted angrily, her cheeks flushed and mouth pursed.

Instead of silencing him as intended, the laughter only worsened until Seventeen was rolling on the floor.

"Brother I'm serious!" The sister's volume was even louder this time and her face now a shade of tomato red.

The younger sibling spared his twin a laughter-induced teary look before forcefully clasped both hands around his gaping mouth. When even that failed to bring himself under control, he received a kick to his chest.

"Ouch! What was that for?" Future Seventeen rubbed his body in agony.

"What do you think you idiot? You think I enjoy getting laughed at?" Future Eighteen shot him a death glare that would've spelled doom for its receiver had he been human.

Her brother sprang himself from the ground and pressed his forehead against hers, his lips twisted in an ugly scowl, "And you think I enjoyed getting kicked? Besides, even you have to admit seeing that other you kissing that puny midget is hilarious right?"

The pale blonde's cheeks were burning with such intensity smokes were almost seething from those sizzling red spots. Nevertheless, she held onto her icy stare and kept her lips arched downward in an admirable attempt at concealing her absolute wreck of a mind.

Me kissing that midget...me kissing Krillin...this has got to be a sick joke...yeah that's right, King Kai must have tweaked the footage somehow...

But at least he didn't die again...not yet anyways...

A brief second elapsed before a sly grin bearing tiniest traces of sadness surfaced on her face.

Yes of course, this other me is just playing with him, increasing his expectation then delivering the final blow...my, she's even crueler than me! I just hope Krillin won't be too disappointed when she revealed her true nature...

Wait why do I even care?

Without thinking, her finger landed on those full lips of hers as she tried picturing what kissing Krillin would feel like, her thought only interrupted by another ear-piercing laughter that nearly earned Future Seventeen a blast to his smug face.

Back on the screen, Present Seventeen's reaction was more subtle, composed of mere curious glances and raised eyebrows. Sixteen was evidently uninterested in the interaction that had taken place neither, his attention occupied solely by a couple of humming birds resting on his finger.

Soon, the mechanical trio had taken off into the sky, leaving a stunned and very much alive Krillin standing there rubbing his tomato-colored cheeks. Lying all around the blushing warrior monk were his equally not dead friends writhing in agony. The amount of agony shown would've pleased the future cyborgs if it weren't for the much more irksome sight of dazed Krillin feeding his friends senzu beans, as both had been wishing for corpses in pools of blood.

This is way worse than getting killed by Trunks...those three had better up their body count before that purple-haired bastard do them in...can you imagine going out without killing anyone?

Their hopes were raised when Present Seventeen led his two companions back down onto icy road where a pink van marked "Lucky Foods" parked. The sight of a vehicle caused the raven-haired youth's eyes to glisten in juvenile glee as he began checking it out like a boy admiring his Christmas present.

"Hmm, it's a car alright but surely there are better picks. I mean I would've went for a jeep or a racing car," Future Seventeen crossed his arms in disapproval.

"I can't believe you are still thinking about cars. How about wishing those three kill someone instead?" Future Eighteen admonished while her present self merely stared blankly at the parked car, clearly disinterested.

"Hey, don't worry, I'm sure that's the next thing we'll do. I mean look!"

Following her brother's finger, the future femme fatale grinned deviously as two middle-aged men, no doubt owners of the vehicle, strode toward their other selves.

"Hey you, what do you think you are doing to my car? Get lost before we call the cops!" The fatter of the two shouted in an obvious show of disrespect that made Future Eighteen all the more excited from smelling blood. Future Seventeen meanwhile shook his head, pitying the soon to be homicide victims, his brain conjuring up all sorts of ways to take those fragile humans apart.

Heh that idiot's just signed his death warrant, no one tells us to get lost without getting killed!

Instead of responding to the shouting, the present cyborg duo merely told Sixteen to make room in the van, which the all mechanical giant complied as he casually lifted it up and shook it like a cereal box, pouring out boxes after boxes of food. This show of strength managed to froze the two Lucky Foods employees with fear much like many of the future killer cyborgs' preys though, causing fond memories to resurface in their minds.

"Hey look sis, I think this Sixteen guy is about to smash those humans with their van!" Future Seventeen mused dreamily.

"You are right bro, that'll make for a creative kill!" Future Eighteen nodded in agreement.

"I just hope they won't damage the ride,"

"Oh common brother, you can always get better rides remember?"

"Damn straight sister dearest!"

The only thing crushed turned out to be their fantasy, as none so much as spared the petrified humans a glance. Even when they had gotten themselves seated, the only noticeable actions from present twins was the elder sister asking for clothing and her younger brother agreeing reluctantly.

"W-what is going on here? Are they really us?" Future Eighteen stomped her feet on the ground, shaking the entire building.

Future Seventeen didn't answer her at first, his fingers holding onto his chin seemingly in deep thought then out of nowhere, the deceased cyborg male placed a reassuring hand on his sister's shoulder, "Don't worry sis, they merely want those human scum to freeze in the snow. I mean look at them, they are trapped in that barren wasteland with just that rest stop to shelter in."

Those dreadful words cheered the murderess on as she gave him a grateful smile then turned her attention to the laid-back trio showing little interest in their mission. Present Seventeen was now steering the van like an ordinary driver, not going too fast nor slow while Present Eighteen leaned back against her seat musing about something, those pale cheeks gaining vibrancy yet again. Sixteen, the full mechanical android built by Dr. Gero meanwhile huddled inside the trunk, his bluish gray eyes occasionally showing signs of life when a bird happened to fly by.

I sure hope you are right bro...but I feel something's really wrong here...even though it's a relief that midget man hadn't died a horrifying death...who knowns, he might just live...


Plenty more opportunities to kill presented themselves as there was never a shortage of vehicles or pedestrians on their way to kill Son Goku. To the future killer cyborgs' increasing frustration that gradually turned unfulfilled expectations into complacency, Present Seventeen proved himself a model driver, letting vehicles on green light through and even stopped for walkers cross the road. No amount of honking and cutting in front of the supposed cyborg killer could get him to snap, as the most he would do was to speed in front of others like it was a race.

"Oh common, you'd let him get away with that?" Future Seventeen smashed his head against the table when an old geezer who had just lost a race to Present Seventeen remained untouched after shouting profanities at him.

"Yeah bro, didn't know you are such a peace lover!" Future Eighteen taunted.

"As if you are the one to speak Ms. Cloth Lover!" He retorted without missing a beat.

Under normal circumstances, those words wouldn't have bothered her at all but here, they stung harder than anything that had hit her as memories of a certain out-of-style cowboy dared chasing after Present Eighteen for taking what was rightfully hers. The sorry excuse of a man even had the guts to pound on their van, demanding her to pay for that horrendous attire and yet, instead of putting him in his place, this cyborg merely spared him a bored gaze.

What followed was a cop chase, one of those the future mass murderers had only ever gotten a few times before even the police were too scared of approaching them. Recalling the fond memories of slaughtering those so-called armed men whose weapons couldn't even leave a dent on their pristine skins had the future terminatress smirking in satisfaction and her murderous grin had only gotten wider when cowgirl Eighteen came charging at her pursuer.

At first, the strike looked promising, for the beautiful blonde girl's fist had penetrated the hood, resulting in weird rumbling noises to come out of the patrol vehicle.

Good, first take out the car to cut off their escape then go for the kill, she's a smart girl, no I'm a smart girl!

Except Present Eighteen never bothered delivering the finishing blow, merely taking off toward the pink van and letting the police car to spin out of control. This got Future Eighteen rolling her eyes, until she saw the officers screaming in fear, trapped inside the out-of-control coffin. It did end up flipping over too, doing a few good rolls before coming to a stop resting against the mountain. Under normal circumstances, this much chaos should've pleased Future Eighteen, if it weren't for the officers stumbling out of their ruined car barely injured.

Are you kidding me? You can't even kill those humans properly? Is this real?

Future Eighteen hadn't screamed, no, she was too proud for that, but the downtrodden scowl she wore still earned her some good chuckles from her brother.

"Will you look at this bro? What kind of idiot designed this grotesque outfit? I definitely need to get another attire before killing Son Goku otherwise he would've died of laughter." Present Eighteen's complaint lifted her future counterpart from her sulking.

No kidding girl, but it's no wonder you don't know how to pick up good clothing when you can't even kill right...

But speaking of Goku, it's good he wasn't dead yet. If there's one regret we have, it's not killing him in our time!

Present Seventeen took his eyes off the road and gave his sister a scrutinizing checkup before saying in a light-hearted voice, "Common sis, it doesn't look half bad on you."

The cowgirl obviously wasn't convinced as she pouted, garnering her snickers from the driver.

"What, you are actually honest?" The blonde asked again bearing signs of hope.

"Yeah it looks pretty decent if you ask me. I've always wanted some rugged clothing," The raven-haired male paused briefly before a mischievous smirk occupied his pondering expression, "besides if you aren't sure, why not have, what's his name, oh yeah, let's have Krillin check it out shall we?"

Both Eighteens gasped aloud, their cheeks turning a rosy shade but while Future Eighteen scoffed in disgust, the present version's glance drifted down shyly.

"Ohh, looks like I've hit a soft spot." Present Seventeen mused, following his statement up with a playful whistle.

"I-it's nothing like that, I just felt bad for the little guy that's all. Really I did it out of pity more than anything!" Present Eighteen protested, her fists clenching her cowgirl skirt, playing with the frills.

"Uh-huh, a departing kiss out of pity that'll get him to remember you for the rest of eternity. I get it!"

"No really brother, stop talking nonsense will you."

"Whatever you say sis."

The two cyborg girls couldn't blush harder had they tried. Hiding underneath that unfeeling near manikin-like face was a strange burning neither could explain.

Throughout the present twins' bickering, Future Seventeen had remained uncharacteristically silent, opting to study his sibling carefully. There was no denying this stone-cold-killer sister of his had something for the little man, which begged the question, "Why? And how come I hadn't discovered it earlier?"

What's so special about this Krillin? He's shorter than her, nowhere as strong, and doesn't even have a nose. In addition, she had never demonstrated much interest in him other than letting him finished begging for his friends before we put him out of his misery...I mean I did arrive a bit later so maybe they had exchanged some conversations before...

And if she's interested in romance, why hadn't she took a boyfriend earlier? We were at the orphanage and there was no shortage of male attention...boys more handsome than this bald midget man...he's certainly no Coral that's for sure...

The thought of his crush from another life brought an indescribable sadness to Future Seventeen as he began wondering what had become of the beautiful silvery blonde girl with eyes comparable to emeralds.

Was she really taken to Dr. Gero? D-did that sick bastard disposed of her just like all his other failed subjects? Well don't worry Coral, I have avenged your death...

Those pale, near monochrome blue orbs closed temporarily as if in mourning, and once they opened, only vibrant seawater color was reflected in them.

It's a wonder why I hadn't bothered picking up human chicks given my old self was clearly interested...I wonder if that'll change in this time line...I mean sis seemed to be interested in the dwarf so why not me...

Assuming we don't start killing anyone we came across that is...

Gone was the warm ocean blue with that last thought as his eyes reverted to their unfeeling iciness. Back on the screen, another opportunity to kill some humans was at hand for that a brainless biker gang had decided to end their lives by picking on the pink van. For Future Seventeen, it was a good distraction from whatever nonsense he had been entertaining too, and the hardwired murderer could only hope their other selves wouldn't be as docile as previously imagined.


"You guys had better change your career before things get out of hand!"

Unfortunately, those words, aside from a warning blast to the ground and some mean glares, had been the most severe reprimand Present Eighteen gave the bikers before leaving them to their own devices, her eyes displaying traces of regret. Present Seventeen didn't respond in any more violent way either, as he merely shook his head in disapproval at the gang's antiques.

"What is this? Why are they playing counselors when they should off these losers? I mean they did wreck his, no our car!" Future Seventeen shouted in disbelief looking at the broken window and scratched, no, dented door.

"Hey King Kai, you sure this footage here hadn't been tempered with?" Future Eighteen questioned in dismay.

The obese blue bastard was as calm and composed as always, nonchalantly sipping his tea and offering them an almost absent-minded "Yup!" which railed them up to no ends. What came next from their present selves though nearly made them wonder if Gero had botched their wiring.

"Can you believe how pointless their actions were? I mean it's not like they have financial gains from harassing us," Present Eighteen said matter-of-factly before frowning, "wait what's financial Seventeen? Is that even a word?"

The male twin took one hand off the steering wheel to scratch his head, obviously troubled by her inquiry, "I dunno sis, it sure sounded familiar though. I think it might be related to money, like those things that cowboy insisted you giving him. Anyways I'm sure it's of no use to us."

"Oh!" Was her only reply, spoken in unfulfilled tone. Her future half on the other hand rested her chin on two hands out of boredom.

Of course money is of no use to us you idiot. What's the point of adhering to human rules when you can just take whatever you want, or better yet kill however you saw fit...

"But anyways, I get what you were saying sis. Judging from their clothing, I'd say those wannabe gangsters weren't all that poor either. Probably kids from middle class families bored out of their minds...wow, look at what nonsense I've just spouted." Present Seventeen added.

Present Eighteen flashed him a warm, sibling smile, "You aren't the only one talking nonsense brother. For some reason those amateurs pained me more than angered me." His blonde counterpart muttered to herself, tilting her head up pondering the question some more, eventually to the point of hurting her as she winced in pain.

"What's on your mind now sis?"

"Do you think we might be gangsters in our previous life bro?"

"Gangsters?"

"Y-yeah," she stopped midsentence, apparently hesitating whether to finish it, which she did in an almost sheepish manner if the delivery wasn't so stoic, "like one of those bikers."

Present Seventeen let out a sudden laughter before he managed to control himself.

"Hey I'm serious Seventeen!"

An amused sideway glance greeted the sister, causing her pale cheeks to flush yet again.

"What?" She spat impatiently.

"Oh I don't know sister dearest, can you imagine yourself wearing one of those leather jackets with spikes sticking out of shoulder pads? Or maybe get yourself a Mohawk? Perhaps a nose rin...ouch!" The brother's playful delivery was cut short by a powerful shove that nearly sent the van spiraling out of control.

"Hey, what was that for?" he demanded showing anger at her for the first time.

"You that's what dear brother. Your joke isn't funny but thanks for letting me know I couldn't possibly be a punk biker girl." Present Eighteen snapped curtly.

Present Seventeen looked like he wanted to say something but kept to himself, probably knowing there was no point in arguing with his stubborn sibling as guessed by Future Seventeen who was in the process of asking his own ill-tempered sister why she hadn't gotten herself a wilder getup but zipped his mouth seeing how positively livid she was at its mention.

To both Seventeens' surprises though, Present Eighteen then proceeded to rub her sibling's shoved spot as if in apology. Her next action was a clear attempt at diverting the topic as she turned back to check on Sixteen, "So what do you think Mr. Bird Lover? What do you think of those bikers? Why do you think they attacked us?"

Android Sixteen, also known as the mute as the future cyborgs preferred to call him, didn't so much as return the look, preferring to keep his eyes out for any birds. When it looked as if Present Eighteen wouldn't get an answer, the fully mechanical being finally said, "I don't know, maybe someone asked them to assault us like how Dr. Gero wanted us to kill Goku."

The answer had taken all his listeners by surprise, some more affected than others seeing Present Eighteen grimaced while her brother slammed on the break.

"How doctor, no plain Gero wanted us to kill Goku? No that's not right. We didn't want to kill Goku cause we were ordered to now isn't that right bro?"

There was a long pause as both cyborgs furrowed their brows in deep ponder, their eyes flashing a never seem before yellow glow that was no doubt they searching through their database, trying to drag out whatever memory they have left. This fruitless action got the more experienced future cyborgs to let out sighs of frustration.

Don't bother you two, there's nothing in those empty brains of yours...kami knew we've tried it many times...instead, you should just go with your instincts...

"Of course not sis, that Goku must've done something despicable to us in the past, that's why we want to kill him for fun now. I bet it's no different than us remembering parts of our past." Present Seventeen finally replied indignantly.

Present Eighteen looked slightly unconvinced but eventually conceded as she gently fist bumped her twin's shoulder, "Yeah you must be right Seventeen. It's no wonder I don't feel like killing those pesky bikers yet felt the strong urge to terminate this Goku."

Future Eighteen chuckled at her alternative self's reasoning.

No dear, you aren't even close but so long as you weren't dissuaded from eliminating your primary target...besides, what would you quit killing say about us?

Despite having not uttered that thought aloud, she still felt a foreign sensation that could only be described as guilt after digging through her own conscious.

Heh! Useless human moral, it's not like I'm encouraging her to kill, just be herself...

It was right then when the mood couldn't have gotten any weirder that an all too familiar and soothing sound came drifting into Future Eighteen's ears and she snapped out of her thoughts to discover Present Seventeen had begun whistling that same tune he had whistled all those years ago. In an annoying yet strangely calming way, this tune managed to erase all her worries and in that moment, she felt at peace. On screen, Present Eighteen had begun to loosen up from her anger as she leaned into the reclined seat and put those shapely legs on the dashboard.

The sight of her younger self-basking in the moment brought a smile to Future Eighteen's scowl and, after making sure their host and warden wasn't looking, leaned closer to her own brother who had begun whistling the same tune too.

"How do you know that whistle Seventeen? Was it from our past life too?" Present Eighteen's dreamy words resonated through the room.

"I dunno sis, you like it?" Present Seventeen asked not breaking his rhythm.

"You can say that brother dear." Came the sister's response.

"I think it sounds like a bird, it is nice." Sixteen chimed in, causing both cyborgs to chuckle in a rather juvenile manner.


The appearance of Kame House brought the future killers out of whatever tranquility they had let themselves indulged in as evident from those icy cold glares flashing murderous red. Both were all too sure much blood will soon be spilled, since there were clear signs of movement inside that blasted pink shack unlike the disappointment which had been Son Goku's house.

"You feel what I'm feeling sis? Our primary target is about to meet his maker!" Future Seventeen spat wearing a shit-eating grin.

Hopefully we'll kill enough of these z-fighters to make up for the zero score...

Future Eighteen nodded in agreement, her face every bit as twisted, "Tell me about it bro, and will you look at me? I'm even dressed for the occasion!"

The outfit she was referring to was none other than a black mini vest, white t-shirt, blue jeans, and a couple of neatly picked jewelry. It had gotten her approval the moment Present Eighteen acquired them from a much more fashionable store. Seeing the blonde girl finally picking clothing matching her status had given Future Eighteen much needed consolidation as she was about near boiling point watching her other self stuck in that unsavory cowgirl dress.

It's a shame this occasion couldn't be sweeter...why hadn't she killed that annoying shop keeper chasing after her for refusing to pay again?

Ah well at least now Goku is here, there's no avoiding blood shed!

Future Seventeen noticed the tiniest melancholic expression and held onto her hand beneath the table, his reassuring smile seemingly letting her know things will get better, if only in a dark and twisted way.

To their delight, there was indeed much activity on the island as Piccolo the worthless Namekian whose only achievement thus far was getting dropped by the superior cyborg male in two strikes came running out to meet his doom. Tailing the hopelessly outmatched green warrior were three equally ignorable fighters, including Krillin who got Future Seventeen stealing his sister a playful glance while Future Eighteen huffed and crossed her arms in front of her.

"If he thinks that little kiss other me gave him can save Goku then he's clearly mistaken!" The blonde cyborg spat in contempt.

On screen, Present Eighteen had recovered from whatever emotional turmoil earlier as there wasn't a trace of affection in her icy demeanor, not even when she spared Krillin a deadpan look. The human monk on the other hand seemed unable to help himself but let those expecting eyes lingering on the blonde for tad longer than necessary, perhaps in search for any trace of humanity or perhaps mercy as Future Eighteen guessed, almost snorting in disgust at that worry stricken face.

"Get lost you three. Goku isn't here..."

The news was so unexpected whatever Piccolo said afterwards didn't even registered in the future cyborgs' minds. The shock then turned into rage that caused electric sparks dancing around their bodies and their eyes blinking red so hard they put ambulances on their way to rescue in shame.

"Hey get a hold of yourselves! I never said watching this will be easy did I?" King Kai admonished sternly bringing the nearly out of control duo out of their murderous mindset.

"Right, sorry King Kai, I was just too depressed we won't get to see Goku bite the dust but I guess seeing us killing Piccolo and then the others, including Goku's wife will do!" Future Eighteen rebuked not bothering to hold back her frustration.

"Yeah for sure sis, it will be a treat seeing me get rid of that green man. I believe he's said it himself too, that he will kill if Piccolo didn't tell them the whereabouts of that runaway Saiyan." Future Seventeen chimed in tauntingly, expecting some form of panic to surface on that sunglasses covered face.

Instead, all he got was yet another poker face that made the pits of his stomach turn uneasily.

What's this bastard know that we don't? It's almost like he's denying us of everything we wanted without even trying...

Future Eighteen wasn't feeling too sure of her own predictions came true either, especially since this strangely out-of-character other her had spun around mid-flight to give Krillin mocking, no teasing smile. It was a gesture so brazen in its display of interest only the deceased cyborg girl who had seen it all could surmise something deep within her younger self was gradually awakening.

Is other me acting like her teenage years? No, it is earlier than that...perhaps we were born more carefree but had matured rapidly through our...unique experience...

No longer sure what to expect as everything aside from killing Gero the bastard had been one huge train-wreck, Future Eighteen could only pray to her distorted sense of self-importance something fulfilling could still come from this viewing.


A/N: My apologies for the more than a month long wait. I had to take a break from this series and try out a more normal method of writing that isn't someone reflecting what others have done every now and then. Life's also been very hectic and demanded way more of my mental energy than previously imagined.

Some of my readers might've also realized this chapter is much shorter than previous chapters, and let me just say originally I was planning on covering Cell in this chapter but decided to have a completely separate chapter since the horror tone is much different than a more reflective tone in this one. This being said, I hope this shorter update still drove home and was no less entertaining to read.

I'll try to have the next chapter written in a reasonable amount of time and until then, take care!