Dragon Ball Z: Dynasty

Written by: Feraligreater328

Edited by: StevenBodner

A/N: I just wanted to point out on here that my story is now also being published on Wattpad, translated into Spanish. I don't know how much of my audience is Spanish-speaking, but I just wanted to note that it was there for people who might have a better grasp on that language than English. It's being published by Wattpad-user Gojuhy. I don't speak Spanish but, if any of you go and check it out, let me know if it holds up.

Also, bonus points if you can guess the song being hummed at the end of the chapter. :)

Chapter 86: Moving Forward

At Capsule Corp...

Bulma, Piccolo, and Tien all stared up into the sky and watched at the Time Machine slowly faded away. Bulma sighed, scratching the back of her head. "Well, there they go..."

Piccolo's arms were crossed over his chest. "This doesn't feel like a good idea, Bulma..."

Tien spoke up. "That's because it isn't. We have enough issues here in our time, bringing more problems from a different time is ridiculous. But..."

Bulma nodded. "But we don't have a choice. We've made our decision to help Android 18. Now we have to stick with it. And, to do that, we need those Androids from the Future..."

Piccolo grunted. "But why both?"

Bulma snapped. "Because I've never done this before, Piccolo! If I screw it up, I'd like to have a mulligan! Would you like to try open heart surgery with added steps?!"

A bead of sweat ran down the side of Piccolo's face. "Fair enough..."

As they argued, Bulma's mother was cooing over Baby Trunks in the background. Panchy held up her grandson and smiled. "Awe~! My beautiful baby boy~! Would you like Grandmama to make you some cookies?"

Baby Trunks babbled in approval, kicking his legs and happily cooing. Panchy smiled. And then, she looked over to a certain person sitting next to the hedges of Bulma's house. "What about you, sweetie? Want some cookies?"

Android 17 flinched, looking over to Panchy with a baffled look on his face. Her smile didn't flinch and he shook his head. "N-No, ma'am..."

Panchy nodded and walked away, Baby Trunks held against her hip. Android 17's stomach growled and he bowed his head. Android 16's head, sat in 17's lap, spoke up. "If you are hungry, you should accept offers of sustenance..."

17 shook his head. "I-I'm not hungry, man..."

16 stared up at 17. 17 placed his hand to his gut. "My stomach just hurts. I... don't get it. All of this kindness, just out of nowhere. I don't understand how they can all just..."

16 sighed. "I must admit that I to cannot see the logic in their kindness. But, perhaps, inherent goodness is simply a factor within people that cannot be quantified..."

17 glanced to the side. "I wonder if Goku is the same way. I still haven't gotten to meet him, yet..."

16 closed his eye. "Inputting the nature of his various cohorts and accounting for the human desire to surround oneself with those of a socially compatible nature...it stands to reason that Son Goku is just as good of a person as anyone here at Capsule Corporation..."

This small admittance made Android 16 cringe, sparks bursting from his damaged cranium. 17 frowned. "Maybe, while we're waiting for them to fix 18...we could ask them if they'd fix you up. Those sparks can't be healthy..."

Seeing everyone else walking into Bulma's house for dinner, Android 17 stood and carried 16. "Let's go inside with the others, I guess..."

As Android 17 walked away, gently cradling 16's head in his hands, the sun was setting over Capsule Corp. And then an eerie wind blew across Bulma's lawn, seemingly making the bushes rustle with a gust.

In the flow of time and space...

Vegeta stared out into the infinite, spanning void of time and space. The Prince's arms were crossed over his chest, his leg shaking in anticipation. He spoke in a bored tone. "A mystifying sight, to say the least..."

In the driver's seat, Future Trunks nodded. "Yeah. Just don't stare at it for too long. Peering into the endless mire of time for too long can really mess a guy up."

Vegeta shrugged and looked away, closing his eyes. "How long will this take, boy?"

Future Trunks clicked something on the console and sighed. "We still have, about, 6 minutes until we arrive back into my time. These trips have never taken more than 10 minutes before..."

Vegeta nodded. "So, why didn't that companion of yours...Daikon or whatever...come along? I would have assumed that he and that bratty girl you're dating would have killed to come and deal vengeance to these Androids..."

Future Trunks grimaced and thought back.

Earlier, in the Past, at Capsule Corp...

Future Trunks flinched. "What do you mean you're not coming?!"

Future Daikon stood with his back to his partner, his forearm pressed against a tree and his attention firmly locked on the present-day Android 17. "You heard me."

Future Trunks tried to reason with him. "But, listen man. This is-"

He quickly snapped back. "Bullshit. It's bullshit, Trunks! We're working to help the Androids now?! After everything they did to us...after everything they took from us..."

He arms began to shake; his face still hidden from Future Trunks' view. "...after everything they took from me..."

Future Trunks reached out. "Hey..."

Future Daikon smashed his fist against the tree. "They ruined our lives, Trunks! Me, you, Ranch! You've seen what dealing with them has done to Ranch! And to us! And now I'm expected to just go along with saving one of their lives like nothing has happened?!"

Future Trunks couldn't bring himself to respond. Future Daikon let loose a shaky sigh and gripped his fist tight. "I won't do anything to try and impede this. Hell, I'm probably not strong enough to stand up to everyone else all at once. But...I certainly won't be assisting those bastards. I don't care what time they're from. Android 18 can lay on that slab and die before I lift a finger for her!"

The purple-haired youth nodded and walked away. "Okay. I understand..."

Back in the present, in the flow of time and space...

Future Trunks shook his head. "Irreconcilable differences in opinion. To put it one way..."

Vegeta nodded. "Ah, so he hates the idea that we're doing this in order to help that bitchy, blonde nuisance. Is that right?"

Future Trunks flinched, but then he nodded. "Y-Yeah. You hit the nail on the head..."

Vegeta leaned back in his seat. "That's the reason Raditz gave me for his son not coming along. Raditz himself wanted to hang back and make sure that everything stayed peaceful while we were gone. Said he had an uneasy feeling..."

Future Trunks grimaced. "I'm not too happy with this either. More than just a part of me wants to find the 17 and 18 in my timeline and blast them into dust."

Vegeta rolled his eyes. "If it were up to me, I wouldn't care. That woman could expire in our timeline and you could do whatever you wanted to the ones here. But keep in mind, we're taking this pain-in-the-ass trip on Bulma's behalf..."

Future Trunks cringed at the mention of her name. "My...mother..."

Vegeta cocked his head. "What?"

Future Trunks rubbed his hand over his face. "Father, when we get to my time, would you kindly let me run in ahead of you? I need to preface your arrival..."

Vegeta seemed confused, but shrugged. "Whatever."

In the Future, Capsule Corp...

Future Bulma sat at her desk, her mug of late afternoon tea steaming as she sat it down. The weary scientist had just finished making sure that Future Launch had eaten for the day and had sent her servants, the Pilaf Gang, out to run some last-minute errands.

Alone, Future Bulma turned on the television to the local news. She reached into her lab coat, pull out a pack of cigarettes and lit one. She leaned back in her chair and exhaled smoke. It was the same doldrum it had been for a while now. She was focused on the screen, waiting for the latest report of the Androids attacking people. As she sat there, Future Bulma's thoughts shifted to her kids. All three of them. She thought of them, galivanting around in the past. For a moment, her mind shifted to an imagine spot of them all gathered around the Dragon Balls, her three kids and all of her dead friends, laughing as Oolong wished for yet another pair of women's underwear.

Future Bulma sighed. "I hope they're okay..."

"Mother..."

Future Bulma gasped and nearly fell out of her chair. She turned and stared into the doorway, seeing, to her shock, her son standing there and staring at her with a nervous look on his face. Her eyes widened and she stood, a relieved and joyous smile on her face. "Trunks! Oh my gosh, Trunks, look at you!"

Without a care in the world, Future Bulma stood and ran up to her approaching son. She started poking and prodding him, lifting his arm and feeling his new bicep. "You're so much bigger! So much more muscular! And look at the hair! I figured that, if anyone came back with long hair, it would be Ranch! But it's looks so good on you~"

Future Bulma stepped back, pulling the cigarette from her lips and blowing smoke. "So, what happened?! How did you grow so fast?! And where are Ranch and-"

Future Trunks cut her off. "Ranch and Daikon are both in the past. There are still some loose ends that need tying up there. Ranch is training with Goku and Daikon didn't want to leave while his sister was busy..."

Future Bulma blinked twice. "Daikon...didn't want to leave without...his sister?"

Future Trunks nodded. "Yep."

Future Bulma sighed. "Okay then..."

She raised her cigarette back up to her lips and started to take a drag. "So, why are you here without them anyway? What's up?"

Future Trunks frowned. "Well, it's hard to-"

"Dammit woman! How many times must I tell you that I don't approve of that disgusting, self-destructive habit!"

Future Trunks cringed. Future Bulma's eyes went wide, the cigarette dangling loosely from her lip. Marching through the doorway, with purpose, was Vegeta. He shoved his son to the side and grabbed the cigarette from Bulma's mouth, flicking it away with disgust. A vein popped from Vegeta's forehead as he scolded her. "We had an agreement! You only do that when you're working in your lab because, apparently, it helps you focus! Right?!"

Future Bulma's jaw started to quiver. "Vegeta..."

She stepped forward and pressed her hand to the Prince's chest, flinching in disbelief as he turned out to be very solid. As Vegeta turned to glare at Future Trunks, Future Bulma reached up and placed her hand on his cheek. Vegeta snapped at Future Trunks. "How can you just stand there and not say anything to her about this?! Don't you care about your mother's health, you idiot?!"

Future Bulma started to tear up. "Vegeta..."

Vegeta looked at her, annoyed. "What, woman? Are you that surprised that damned machine of your worked? I would expect no less coming from y-"

Future Bulma didn't let Vegeta finish. Catching the Prince by surprise, she tackled into him. The both of them crashed to the ground and Future Bulma pressed her lips to his, pulling him into a tight kiss. Vegeta was irritated at first, but then her felt her lips quivering. The warm sting of tears hit Vegeta's cheeks, but they weren't coming from his eyes.

The kiss lasted for nearly a minute, but then Future Bulma pulled back and buried her face into Vegeta's chest. Before Vegeta or Future Trunks could say a word, Future Bulma began to loudly sob, holding onto the Prince as tight as she could. As if he would vanish if she didn't keep a tight grasp on him.

Future Trunks was frozen in place, staring at Vegeta. Vegeta glared up at him, but then his face softened just a bit. He slowly wrapped his arms around Future Bulma, closing his eyes and holding her tight.

Once that tender moment had passed, Vegeta and Future Bulma both stood up. The scientist roughly wiped her face, sniffling and trying to fight back the urge to cry again. She spoke in a hoarse voice. "H-How?! Did you make a wish on the Dragon Balls in the past? How are you alive again...?"

Vegeta flinched back, a small gasp leaving his mouth. Future Trunks quickly spoke up. "No... Mother..."

Future Bulma looked at her son. He sighed. "This isn't our Vegeta. It's...the Vegeta from the past timeline..."

Her eyes went hollow, a bright red blush erupting across her face. "O-Oh..."

Future Bulma swallowed a lump in her throat. "Well, that's..."

She looked to Vegeta. "I'm so...sorry. I jumped the gun based off of a faulty assumption. I should have...I... didn't mean to..."

Future Trunks and Vegeta both stared at Future Bulma with pity. Her sadness was palpable. It was like they were being forced to watch her heart break all over again. Clearing up the situation, Vegeta spoke up. "Forget it. It's fine."

Future Bulma glanced at him. "Are you sure...?"

Vegeta nodded without a word. With that, Future Bulma sighed and fell back into her chair, folding her arm over her face. "Trunks...why are you here without the others, but with Past Vegeta...?"

Future Trunks nodded, speaking bluntly. "We're here to deal with Android 17 and Android 18."

Future Bulma moved her arm, looking confused. "If you're looking this strong, I can't imagine that Ranch and... Daikon...aren't just as strong. So why didn't you just bring them if you're out to kill 17 and 18?"

Vegeta spoke up. "We're not here to kill them. We're here to capture them. All for the sake of repairing the Android 18 of our timeline."

Future Bulma raised an eyebrow, a non-plussed look on her face. She glanced to Future Trunks, who roughly shrugged, and then back to Vegeta. "Was it Krillin or Gohan? Or...was it Goku?"

She sat up and leaned forward. "Which one made friends with 17 and 18?"

Vegeta rolled his eyes. "The bald one. Krillin."

Future Bulma fell silent for a moment, her eyes hitting the floor. But then, a wistful and sad chuckled came from her mouth. She sighed. "I miss Krillin..."

Silence hung over the room for a moment, but then the television began to erupt with alarm. The person the on the screen, a truly tired-looking reporter, emotionlessly announced that Android 17 and Android 18 were attacking the settlement of Parsley City. And then, the emergency broadcast ended.

Vegeta, Future Bulma, and Future Trunks all stared at the television. Bulma sighed again. "Speak of the devils and they shall appear..."

She looked up at Vegeta and Future Trunks. "This is your chance, you shouldn't meander. Get going."

Vegeta nodded and turned to walk away. Future Trunks looked down at his mom. "M-Mother, are-"

Future Bulma waved him off. "I'm fine. Go."

With a heavy heart, Future Trunks nodded and quickly followed Vegeta out the door. Once she was sure that they were gone, Future Bulma lifted a shaky hand and reached into her coat, grabbing out her pack of cigarettes. She went to pull one out, but then paused. Tears built in her eyes and she began to shake, and then she crushed the pack in his grip.

Future Bulma dropped them to the ground, burying her face in her hands and sobbing once more.

Flying to Parsley City...

Vegeta and Future Trunks both flew at high-speed, Vegeta following behind his son. They were getting closer and closer to Parsley City by the second. As they flew, Vegeta stared at Future Trunks' hands, seeing them shake beneath their white-gloved exterior. He spoke up. "Trunks!"

Future Trunks glanced back at him. Vegeta glared at the boy. "Focus up. You have nothing to fear, our time in the Time Chamber has proven that. This will be so simple, it's barely worth thinking about. We just have to concentrate on not killing them. Got it?"

Silently, Future Trunks nodded. Vegeta growled under his breath, annoyed to still see such doubts in his heir.

Future Trunks, meanwhile, winced in pain. The spot on his lower back, where his tail used to be, began to burn the closer they got to Parsley City.

In Parsley City...

Future 18 screamed in rage and fury as she let loose a, seemingly endless, barrage of ki blasts into the cityscape in front of her. She was pissed that Future 17 had blown up her favorite clothing store. She was pissed that Future 17 strangled that hot guy she was going to sleep with to death. She was pissed that Future 17 had beaten her in a video game at the arcade. And so, regardless of the pleading of the people in her crossfire, Future 18 took out all of her frustrations of the buildings of Parsley City.

Sitting in the background, on a bike rack, Future 17 smugly called to his deranged sister. "You're being bitter for no reason, ya know!"

Future 18 snarled at him. "Shut the hell up!"

As Future 18 continued her rampage, a heavily-injured old man crawled out from underneath a wrecked car that Future 18 had thrown in frustration. He watched as the out-of-control Android thoughtlessly executed dozens of people at a time with her attacks. And then, he looked to the left and gasped in horror. Sticking out from beneath a pile of rubble nearby was the hand of a boy, no older than six. The old man closed his eyes, cringing from the pain in his chest. "My grandson...no..."

Sneering and with tears in his eyes, the old man reached to his pocket and pulled out a pistol. He shouted. "Damn you!"

And then, he fired. The bullet shot through the air and collided with Future 17's cheek, harmlessly ricocheting off. Future 17 immediately turned and glared at the old man. He stood from the bike rack and started to walk over to the helpless geriatric. "You humans...always utilizing that favorite tactic of yours..."

Future 17 grabbed the old man by the hair, pulling his pistol from the holster and pistol-whipping the helpless human across the face with it. Future 17 rammed the barrel of the gun into the old man's mouth and smiled. "Don't worry. I'm sure that this bullet won't taste too bad~"

But then, before Future 17 could pull the trigger, a sudden boot caught him across the face. The raven-haired Android went flying and crashed into his demonic sister, both of them landing in a heap on the ground. The two Future Androids snarled and got up, locking eyes with their attacker. Future Trunks stood there, maintaining a vigil over the old man and looking deadly serious.

Future 17 chuckled as he got to his feet, wiping a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth. "Man, look at you! Nice hair, Princess~ And the Daddy cosplay too! My...aren't we feeling big today?"

Future 18 stared lustfully, running her finger across her bottom lip. "I gotta say, actually, the muscles and long hair are sort of hot. I think, after we beat him into submission, I might use him for a bit~"

Future 17 rolled his eyes at his sister's lust. "So, where are the other two punching bags?"

But then, the Androids were caught off-guard. Vegeta landed next to Future Trunks, a stoic look on his naturally angry face. He crossed his arms over his chest. "They won't be coming today..."

Future 18 cocked her head. "Hold on...didn't we murder you?"

Future 17 snarked. "You've certainly patched yourself up after what we did to you, huh?"

Vegeta didn't respond. His cold demeanor seemed to throw Future 17 and Future 18 off. Future 17 quickly recovered with a snide chuckle. "You even grew your arm back! I guess you must by part green-guy, huh? Did you ever tell Piccolo that you guys were so much alike?"

That comment made a vein bulge from Vegeta's head. He spoke to Future Trunks. "The punk is mine. You take the bitch."

Hearing Vegeta say that made Future 17 and Future 18, without hesitation, laugh out loud. Future 18 was practically wheezing. "Did you hear that, 17?! You're his~"

Future 17 snorted. "Oh man...where do you get off thinking that you can handle us, short stack?! Have you already forgotten what happened the last time we danced this dance?! Huh?!"

Once again, Vegeta did not speak. He simply stepped forward and went Super Saiyan. Vegeta turned and glanced at Future Trunks and Future Trunks nodded. The boy transformed into Super Saiyan as well, his hair fighting against the tie that held it in a ponytail. Father and son shared a nod, and then the two of them began to march towards Future 17 and Future 18.

The two Future Androids continued to taunt, but their jabs were unheard. Vegeta spoke clearly. "Remember, boy. Keep in mind who you are. These two are nothing in comparison to Saiyan Royalty."

Future Trunks nodded. "Yes, Father..."

The energy erupting from Vegeta and Future Trunks was intense, but it was no more than what Future Gohan demonstrated at his peak. Future 17 chuckled. "You're both acting like such badasses, but if that's all you got this is going to become boring really quickly!"

Vegeta glared at Future 17. "Do all of Gero's creations come pre-installed with a meaningless rambling feature? I swear, you tinker-toys are barely worth the effort it takes to warm up!"

Future 18 sneered and charged a Power Blitz. "And that's already enough of you, Vegeta!"

She threw the blast. But then, to her surprise, Vegeta didn't even flinch. She had expected the Prince to try and dodge, but he simply stared down Future 18's attack like it wasn't even there. Before the attack could hit Vegeta, however, Future Trunks reached out a hand and grabbed it. He held what Future 18 was sure was a deadly attack like a mere baseball, and then he crushed it with no effort. "I believe the arrangement was that you were dealing with me. Don't focus on my father, Android."

Future 18 flinched. "Wh-What?!"

And then, in that moment, Vegeta cleared the distance between himself and the Future Androids. He slammed his fist into Future 17's gut hard enough to take the arrogant automaton off of his feet, and then he grabbed the raven-haired Android by the ankle and threw him into the side of a building. Without a word, Vegeta turned away from Future 18 and started marching over to his opponent. "Hey! Don't you just ignore me!"

Vegeta ignored her.

Future 18 gritted her teeth and raised her hand to charge a blast. "How dare you?!"

Before Future 18 could fire, however, Future Trunks rushed in. With minimal effort, the teen spear-kicked Future 18 in the throat, sending her flying across the city and smashing into a building. Future Trunks' Super Saiyan power flared and he took off as Future 17 emerged from the rubble. "Wh-What the he-"

A foot stomped down in front of the prostrate Android and he looked up to see Vegeta looming over him. Deep inside the Saiyans emerald eyes, Future 17 could see sadistic flames burning. Vegeta smirked. "As I understand, you killed me before. I stood up to you in an act of defiance, and you snuffed me out..."

Vegeta's power flared up and Future 17 flinched back. Vegeta chuckled. "I'm sorry to say, the result won't be exactly the same for you this time around~"

Future 17 was sweating. He stood and gripped his fists. "Bold words from a guy that looks exactly the same as he did nearly two decades ago! You think that you can challenge me?! Nobody on Earth can challenge-"

Vegeta cut Future 17 off with an uppercut, sending the raven-haired brat off of his feet once again. However, this time, instead of just letting him fall, Vegeta grabbed Future 17 by the back of the head and slammed his face into the side of a building. Vegeta smirked, looking down the street to see and massive row of apartments and office complexes in front of him, and then he started to drag Future 17's face down the side of the structures.

Making if all the way to the end of the street, Vegeta tossed Future 17 into the side of a nearby bus, crumpling the vehicle and making it crash atop him. Vegeta dusted his hand on his chest armor with a satisfied smirk. He stared down at his once pristine glove and saw that there were several red spots dotting the surface of it. He chuckled. "You stained my glove..."

Future 17 shakily stood up, blood pouring down his face and two of his teeth chipped. "You...you little..."

Vegeta smirked and motioned for Future 17 to come at him. Future 17 shouted in frustration and charged at him. He tried to rain down a series of fierce punches on the Prince, but Vegeta dodged between the attacks as if Future 17 was moving in slow motion. The Android howled in frustration and threw a devastating haymaker, but Vegeta simply grabbed him by the wrist and wrenched his arm behind his back. Future 17 growled and Vegeta punched him in the back of the head, knocking him to the ground.

Future 17 shakily pushed himself up. Vegeta mocked him. "This is sad. Even that insect put up a better fight than this..."

Vegeta pressed his boot to Future 17's cheek and shoved him over. "Nearly two decades of terror, and you didn't get any stronger? Absolutely pathetic..."

The Prince walked up to Future 17 again and kicked him harshly in the ribs. Future 17 bounced up into the air and Vegeta followed the rib kick with a roundhouse that sent Future 17 flying. And then he finished the assault with a punch that smashed the Android into a wall, making a crater.

Vegeta stepped back and cracked his neck, watching as Future 17 pulled himself free. The Android stumbled forward and then fell to his knees, coughing up blood. The Prince chuckled. "Perhaps I'm not quite so angry that you compared me to that Namekian. At least his could take a punch."

The Prince chuckled. "Also, just to be clear, Trunks and I both are much stronger than the Gohan you remember. You pissants just aren't worth our full power..."

He stepped forward, reaching down and grabbing Future 17 by the hair. As he lifted the raven-haired menace, Vegeta scoffed. "The Great Terror of the Future. What a joke."

Future 17 sneered. "We weren't such jokes when we killed your ass bef-"

Vegeta punched Future 17 square in the face, launching him through the front of a snack vending machine. As Future 17 laid there, groaning, Vegeta reached in and grabbed a bag of pretzels, opening it and eating a few. He stared at the Android with contempt as he munched his snack. Future 17 glared at him and Vegeta swallowed. "You might have killed me before. But, so what? The failings of the past have no bearing on the present. You see, Android, you killed me...and then you got complacent. If you had any regard for you own strength, you would have been preparing for the day your luck would run out."

Future 17 tried to pull himself from the vending machine, but Vegeta simply stomped his foot onto the Android's chest and pinned him down. Future 17 snapped at him. "Go to Hell!"

Vegeta shrugged. "I probably will, one day. I might even be there right now. But, that's fine. That's a problem for the Vegeta of tomorrow to be concerned with. I only care for the present. And, in the present, those pretzels have made me thirsty..."

Future 17 was then sent flying by a massive kick to the side of the head. He went flying through the side of the snack machine, into the side of the drink machine directly next to it, and then through the other side of that. Future 17 skidded across the asphalt and Vegeta simply reached into the broken machine and grabbed himself a can of Hetap. He looked down at it. "Hmm...Radical Skadattle...? Never tried this one before..."

Future 17 was in silent disbelief. He pushed himself up and stared in shock as Vegeta approached him. The Prince didn't seem willing to pay Future 17 any mind. He approached, taking a large gulp of the energy drink he had pulled from the machine. The punk tried to charge at Vegeta again, but Vegeta decked him to the ground with a single punch. As Future 17 laid there twitching, the Prince poured the remainder of the can onto his face. "It's too damned sweet for my liking. What do you think?"

Future 17 roared in frustration and summoned a massive Power Blitz, but Vegeta nonchalantly grabbed his wrist. Future 17 tried to fight against the Prince's grip, but Vegeta proved to be a lot stronger. He twisted Future 17's hand towards is face, and then forced the Power Blitz onto him. The blast exploded and Future 17 cried out as Vegeta stood over him. "It's just like I said. This entire trip is little more than a pain in my ass..."

Future 17 laid wheezing on the ground. He looked up at Vegeta and realized, seeing the look in the Prince's eye, that he just couldn't win here. At least, not while Vegeta's confidence was still intact. 17 smiled wide and instantly changed tactics. "Ya know...I still think about it sometimes..."

Vegeta cocked his head. "Huh?"

Future 17 let loose an unhinged cackle. "I still think about what you and that Raditz loser said to each other! It's so hilarious it makes me break out into a laughing fit when I think about it too hard~! That Raditz guy was all like 'we've had our differences, but you're my oldest friend and I'm glad to be fighting alongside you'! And then you were all like 'a real warriors feelings are better left unspoken'! And it was all sweet~ And touching~ You looked all noble standing there, having your final stand, missing and arm but still fighting the good fight~"

His face contorted into a horrific, sneering mask. "AND THEN I BLASTED YOUR GODDAMNED HEAD OFF AND 18 AND I SPENT HOURS TORTURING THAT PATHETIC, RADITZ LOSER TO DEATH!"

Vegeta's gaze harshened, her looked genuinely angry. Future 17 cackled madly. "You missed out on all fun! We pinned him down and made sure to break every bone in his body! His screams were amazing! So much fun! And then, when he couldn't even speak anymore, we pressed him down onto the top of that radio tower and slowly impaled him and he screamed and screamed and screamed! He was still alive when we set him on fire! It was so freaking fun!"

Future 17 smirked. His plan was working. Vegeta's fists were shaking in shock and fear. Now, all he had to do was attack. The Android tightened his fist and then lunged at Vegeta. "MAYBE WE CAN IMPALE YOU ON A RADIO TOWER TOO!"

The punch was thrown and it looked as if Future 17 was going to score a direct hit. But then Vegeta's hand shot up and caught the punch. Future 17 yelped and Vegeta smiled at him, a truly angry smile. "You certainly do have a talent of digging your own grave. All of you Android peons seem to share that habit~"

Vegeta crushed Future 17's fist and he fell to his knees, crying out in pain. He tried to punch with his other fist, but Vegeta caught that one as well. He chuckled. "It's a shame I can't kill you myself. You've caused my comrades and my family quite a bit of pain. But the way you're going to die is fitting for a wretch like you..."

The Prince delivered a bell-ringing headbutt to Future 17. And then, he pressed him to the ground and started beating him across the face, punctuating each word he said with a punch. "Maybe. This. Will. Teach. You. Not. To. Constantly. Ramble. About. Nothing!"

Future 17 laid there on the ground, twitching. His right eye swollen over and purple. The Prince sent him flying with a blast. As Future 17 tumbled, Vegeta stalked up to him once more. "Truth be told, I could have knocked you on your ass with one, solid punch. But this feels more right. Karma is a bitch, and I'm here to make sure that all of your bad karma rains down on you before you meet your end."

Future 17 shakily stood, blood pouring from his face. He shouted at Vegeta. "AND WHAT ABOUT YOUR BAD KARMA?!"

Vegeta cleared the distance between them in an instant, his leg drawn back. "I'm sure it will catch up to me some day."

And then, he slammed his leg into Future 17's side. The Android's pupils shrank to the size of pinpricks. The scar on his side that was hidden by his shirt, the scar that Future Yajirobe had left all those years ago, split open in a fantastic burst. He fell to the ground and Vegeta pulled back his fist one last time to put the Android down.

Future 17, now left in a state of fear and despair like a wounded animal, immediately threw up his Energy Barrier. "Ha! Punch through this! Go on! Do it! Break your friggin' ha-"

Vegeta did as asked, ramming his fist through the barrier and into Future 17's cheek. The raven-haired Android, caught off guard, took the full force of the punch and was sent flying off into the distance. Vegeta rolled his eyes as he watched Future 17 land. "Dammit. Now I have to go and retrieve him..."

In a movie theater, Parsley City...

Future 18 came crashing through the ceiling of the Parsley City movie theater. The sight of one of the Android falling through the ceiling caused all of the movie-goers to instantly flee. Future 18 stood up, looking furious, and her eyes immediately fell upon a little girl standing across from her, frozen in fear. Future 18 snarled. "What?! What are you staring at?!"

The girl started to sob. Future 18 snapped and pointed her finger, firing an energy beam. "PISS OFF!"

The little girl flinched, but she was quickly saved by the arrival of Future Trunks. The golden-haired teen landed directly in front of her and slapped the energy beam to the ground. He turned and glanced at the girl. "Hey! Are you okay?"

She shakily nodded. "Y-Yessir..."

Future Trunks sighed in relief. "Good. Now get out of here."

She stood and stared to run. "O-Okay..."

As she started to run, Future 18 glared at her. She pointed at the child to fire another beam, but Future Trunks simply stepped into her line of sight. He glared down at her and she flinched. "Wh-Who the hell are you looking at like that?!"

Future Trunks didn't speak, the searing hatred in his eyes speaking volumes. Future 18 flinched, but then she snarled. "Don't look at me like that!"

She charged an unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks onto Future Trunks. The golden-haired teen responded with little more than simple blocks and dodges. Future 18 snarled and began to charge a blast. "Quit mocking me, you little-"

Future Trunks finally returned fire with his own attack, a harsh punch to the face that sent Future 18 flying into the movie screen. The stiff vinyl of the screen cracked and shattered as Future 18's head with through it, impacting into the solid, block wall behind. Future Trunks wasted no time after that. Unlike his father, he wasn't up for toying around. He rushed over to Future 18, grabbing her by the collar of her jacket and ripping her from the wall, and then punched her in the face a second time. Future 18 went tumbling and landed back in a seat, slumping over.

As Future Trunks approached, she raised her head up to reveal that the faded, hideous scar on her face had split back open from the previous impact. As blood ran down her nose, Future 18 screeched at the approaching, half-Saiyan. "YOU ARE DEAD! YOU HEAR ME?! DEAD!"

Future Trunks sneered. "Oh really? And why is that, huh?"

Future 18 flinched. Future Trunks continued. "I split open that scar on your face. So what? I've only helped to make you as ugly on the outside as you are within..."

Future 18 snarled. Her opponent shrugged as he continued to march towards her. "Or, maybe, you've just realized that this is it. That you don't get to victimize or torture your opponent this time. That you're going to lose. Hard. Is that what's wrong, Android 18?"

Future Trunks rushed Future 18, kneeing her in the face and then twisting in the air to launch her from her seat with a spinning kick. As Future 18 flew through the air, Future Trunks appeared right on top of her. He smashed his fist into her chest and sent her bouncing off the ground, and then landed onto her chest with a harsh stomp. Future Trunks leapt off of her and shouted. "Get up! Come on! We aren't even close to being done yet! We aren't done until I get deal a beating to you for every single one of my friends and loved ones that you've killed! From Piccolo to Gohan to Yajirobe, I'll get you for every single death that you've had a hand in!"

Future 18 got to her feet, but then Future Trunks rushed in and kicked her to the ground once more. She turned over to face her attacker and was met by a series of punches to the face. Future Trunks was furious, ranting and raving at Future 18 as she was helplessly beaten into the ground. "How does it feel, Android?! How does it feel to be hunted?! To be defenseless?! To be the one on the back foot, afraid for your very life?! Huh?! HOW DOES IT FEEL?!"

Future Trunks continued to beat Future 18 senseless. He thought about everyone whose lives the Androids had ruined: his girlfriend, his partner, his mother, and everyone else. All of his pent-up anger and rage was coming out all at once, and being levied directly into Future 18. Future Trunks continued to lay into her, punch after punch after punch. But, as he did, the mission slowly began to reinsert itself into his mind.

He wrapped his hand around Future 18's throat and drew back his fist for one last punch, this one would be a killing blow. But he couldn't make his hand move. Future Trunks was shaking as he tried to deal the finishing blow. He remembered the reason he was here. And, more importantly, he remembered the harsh words the Bulma of the past had said to him.

"There are very few things in this world that are born evil! You always need to keep that in your heads! No matter how bleak things become, there's almost always a spark of good in people! And, while that spark can be snuffed out, you need to always be able to recognize when it's still there!"

Future Trunks' breaths were heavy. Here he was, with someone who had spent his entire life tormenting him and his friends. And he had all the power in the world to kill her. But, he couldn't. As much as he tried to disagree with the sentiment, and as much as he tried to keep it in his head that Android 17 and Android 18 were evil no matter what, he just couldn't bring himself to do this. The Android 18 of the past timeline wasn't an evil person. She didn't deserve to be left to die, as much as Future Trunks wished he could let her.

Future Trunks stood off of Future 18 and turned away from her, screaming in rage and fury as he did. The blonde Android shakily pushed herself up, coughing up blood and wheezing in a hoarse voice. "R-Really? You have me at your mercy and you're not going to do it...? You lame, little...bastard..."

He couldn't bring himself to look at her. Future 18 scoffed and rolled her eyes. "No conviction. No spine. You disgust me."

As Future Trunks stood there, going through his own, personal crisis. Future 18's beaten and battered face twisted in a horrific, fanged smile. She chuckled. "Hey, as long as we're not fighting...I have a question for you..."

Future Trunks' shoulders stiffened. Future 18 practically hissed. "How's that tail stump doing~?"

Future Trunks turned, looking utterly furious. He was going to charge at Future 18 once more, but what he saw froze him in his tracks. Future 18 had gotten back to her feet, blood dripping down her face, and she was holding a certain item that was very important to Future Trunks. From within the pocket in her jacket, Future 18 had pulled out Future Trunks' severed tail.

He froze in place and she cackled in response. "Oh! What's the matter?! See something you're missing?! Hm?!"

Future Trunks shuddered. Future 18 took immediate advantage of this. He rushed at him and smashed her forehead into his face. Future Trunks stumbled back and Future 18 swept his feet, knocking him to the ground. Future 18 straddled Future Trunks, a maddened look in her eyes, and held his tail over his face. "I've held onto this for years, you know! I love being able to reach into my pocket and feel that it's there and be reminded of that day! It was such a fun day~!"

Future 18 wrapped her free hand around Future Trunks' throat, throttling him and squeezing his windpipe shut. "Look at where we are! It's a movie theater! Just like back then, Trunks! Back when 17 nearly suffocated you to death! If only that idiot had succeeded!"

Her eyes were shimmering with hate as she tightened her grip. "But, don't worry...I won't fail like he did. Now, just lay there and die..."

Future Trunks was damning himself in his head. He kept telling himself to move, but his mind and body kept betraying him. He thought back to that awful, awful day. The day where everything nearly ended for him. The pain, and the embarrassment, and the shame. It was all playing back for him. He felt the pain in his lungs due to lack of breath, just as he had when he was at the mercy of Future 17.

Future 18 loomed over him, holding that tail of his, and he felt just as lost and scared as he did when she had taken it from him to begin with. Unable to struggle free of her grip, Future Trunks began to apologize in his head. 'D-Dammit, I'm sorry...Mother, and both of my friends, and all of my comrades back in the past, and... most of all, F-"

In that instant, Future 17 came crashing through the side wall of the movie theater. He tumbled across the ground and landed in a heap next to Future 18 and Future Trunks. Future 18 flinched. "What the he-"

Vegeta zipped in at top speed, his Super Saiyan power flaring. He glared into Future 18's eyes and sneered. "You know, I have something I owe you now that I think about it..."

Future 18 moved to defend herself, but Vegeta was much faster. Before she could fully react, Vegeta made his move. He slammed his leg into Future 18's left arm, just as the 18 of his time had done to him, and snapped it in half. Future 18 was sent flying off of Future Trunks and crashed into a nearby wall.

Future Trunks slowly got back to his senses, coughing and looking up. "F-Father...?"

Vegeta glared down at Future Trunks. He looked quite angry. He shouted at his son. "Get on your damned feet, boy!"

Future Trunks did so, a look of shame on his face. "F-Father, I'm sorry. I..."

Vegeta glared towards Future 18. "That severed tail that she's holding...it's yours. Right?"

Future Trunks nodded. "Yes...it's my tail. I... allowed her to take it from me years ago. I'm so sorry, Father. I..."

Vegeta was blunt. "And you were going to let her strangle you to death over something pathetic like that?!"

Future Trunks flinched. Vegeta glared at him sternly. "Listen to me, boy. And listen well. The tail might be the symbol of Saiyan Pride, but it is not the source of Saiyan Pride."

The golden-haired teen gasped in shock. Vegeta turned to him. "I thought we made that point clear during our time in the Time Chamber..."

Future Trunks cringed. "But, Father..."

Vegeta snapped. "But nothing! What you lost to that woman isn't anything that can't be regained! She didn't permanently cost you your tail, you're just letting yourself think that she did! Your letting your own fractured ego get in the way of letting yourself become whole again!"

The Prince unfurled his own tail from around his waist. "And, as the heir to the Saiyan Royal Blood in this timeline, I cannot just stand aside and watch as you allow yourself to be defeated by such a meager loss!"

By this point, Future 17 had recovered. He saw the tail waving around on Vegeta's rear and he psychotically smirked. The Android charged at Vegeta from behind and grabbed the tail, pulling to rip it off. However, the appendage didn't detach as easily as Future Trunks' had. Vegeta spoke firmly to his son. "You have to realize that you haven't been robbed of your heritage, Trunks. Nothing can take that from you. Your heritage is more than a mere tail, it's your pride! You realize that, right?!"

And then, with a flick of his tail, Vegeta tossed Future 17 across the movie theater. He crashed into Future 18 and the two of them landed in a heap. Vegeta wrapped his tail back around his waist. "Now then... these are your Androids, so you can finish this! I'm done wasting my time on these little whelps!"

Future Trunks lowered his head, thinking on everything Vegeta had just said to him. Vegeta spoke to his son without looking. "You can do that right, Trunks?"

Future Trunks raised his head, a new fire lit in his eyes. "Yes, Father."

Vegeta smiled and crossed his arms over his chest. "Do me proud."

And so, Future Trunks turned to face down the twin terrors that had spent so long tormenting his timeline. Future 17 and Future 18 were both very badly hurt, the two of them were nearly beaten senseless from all of the damage dealt by the father-son duo. The two Future Androids sneered and tried to charge at Future Trunks together, but the warrior sent both of them flying back with an almighty shout that sent his power flaring out.

As they both landed on their backs and sat up, despair briefly overtook Future 17 and Future 18. Future Trunks was a lot bigger than them and they both knew they were outmatched. Future 17, trying to adopt his cocky personality, attempted to mock Future Trunks. "I mean, you're strong...but Gohan was strong too, and-"

Future Trunks snarled. "ENOUGH!"

The golden-haired teen gripped his fists. "We're done talking and we're done playing around! I'm going to strike you two monsters down for good, and then we're taking you to the past and putting an end to all of this!"

Future 18 stammered, weakly holding up Future Trunks' severed tail with her non-broken arm. "But, what about-"

Future Trunks rushed forward, grabbing Future 18's wrist tightly and using his ki to set her hand, and the severed tail on fire. Future 18 cried out, dropping the severed appendage, and was harshly pushed back into her brother. Future Trunks loomed over them, staring at them with rage and fury. And then, just to reinforce how done with the two of them he was, Future Trunks stepped forward and a fresh, new tail erupted from his lower back. It, alongside his hair, glowed golden and radiated Super Saiyan power. Future Trunks spoke calmly and furiously. "Are you ready to finish this, 17 and 18?"

Both of the Androids shivered in horror...and the Future 17 pulled the ultimate move of cowardice. He forcefully shoved Future 18 into Future Trunks and then turned tail and ran. "SCREW THIS!"

Future 18 slammed into Future Trunks, and he forcefully shoved her back. She glared at him and prepared to charge a Power Blitz, but was immediately frozen in fear once more. Future Trunks had already charged up a Burning Attack. He glared at Future 18, and then held his hands out and reshaped his attack into something new. Future Trunks wrapped his hands around the hilt of his new, energy sword. He gripped it tight and the blade of the sword erupted in flames.

Future Trunks steeled his gaze. He focused on the frozen Future 18, and then on the fleeing Future 17. He took a deep breath and slowly let it out, and then he shouted. "DOUBLE BURNING SLASH!"

Future Trunks swung his sword twice, sending out two flaming slashes. One immediately collided with Future 18's chest, causing the female Android to erupt into a shrieking tower of flame. The second one flew in hot pursuit of Future 17. The raven-haired menace yelped and formed an energy barrier for protection, but the slash cleaved straight through it. Just the same as the sister he had abandoned, Future 17 was engulfed in a massive inferno and fell to the ground, writhing in agony and screaming at the top of his lungs.

Soon enough, the flames died down and the two Android menaces were left unconscious on the ground, both of them totally defeated.

Future Trunks stood stalwart, allowing his energy sword to disperse. He stared at the two defeated Androids and, for the first time since Future Gohan had died, Future Trunks felt a sense of peace and serenity on the inside. He allowed his Super Saiyan form to disperse, and Vegeta immediately stepped up next to him.

The two warriors, father and son, looked to one another with pride. Vegeta chuckled. "Now, wrap your tail around your waist..."

Future Trunks looked down and, with a bit of difficulty, got his regrown appendage to listen to him. It wrapped snugly around his waist like a belt and he smiled. "Like this?"

Vegeta smirked and glanced out towards the setting sun. "Perfect."

Back at Capsule Corp...

The two, defeated Future Androids sat unconscious next to the Time Machine. Their wrists and ankles both were locked into stasis cuffs, reverse-engineered from sets of cuffs found on King Cold's flagship. Vegeta was staring up at the sky, watching as the first stars of nighttime showed themselves. "What the hell is taking her so long?! We need to get back to the past!"

Future Trunks sighed. "Please be patient for just a moment. She said she had one more thing to do before she came out to see us off..."

A few more minutes passed and then Future Bulma emerged from Capsule Corp with, to the surprise of both Vegeta and Future Trunks, a backpack slung over her shoulder. She smiled. "Okay then. I'll talked to the Pilaf Gang. They'll make sure that Launch eats while I'm away~"

Future Trunks cocked his head. "Away? Wh-What do you mean, 'away'? What's in the bag, Mother?"

Future Bulma smiled. "A couple of changes of clothes. My various notebooks and my laptop. My afternoon tea mug. The basics~"

Future Trunks flinched. "Wh-Why do you have that?!"

Future Bulma rolled her eyes. "Why else would I have something like this, Trunks? If I'm going to take a trip to the past, I need to bring the basics!"

Vegeta cut in. "Hold on! You're coming with us?! Why?!"

Future Bulma blushed and glanced away from Vegeta. She fumbled her words. "H-How about we start w-with the fact that I b-built this Time Machine, therefore it's mine and I'll ride in it if I d-damn well please..."

Vegeta opened his mouth to say something. But then, he smiled at Future Bulma showing that same vital spirit that he had fallen in love with. Vegeta adopted a small smile and turned away. "Fine then. Come along. See if I care."

Future Trunks scratched the back of his head. "I'm...not sure that you, me, Father, and the Androids will all fit in the seats..."

Future Bulma marched forward, opening a hatch on the outside of the Time Machine and shoving her backpack in. "Just throw them in here. They'll fit!"

Vegeta and Future Trunks looked to one another and Vegeta shrugged. It was clear that Future Bulma had made up her mind. And, when any Bulma made up their mind, there was no changing it. So, with a bit of effort, the two Saiyans crammed Future 17 and Future 18 into the cargo hold.

And then, after helping Bulma into the Time Machine, they got in as well and took off. The Time Machine rose into the air, and then it slowly faded from sight.

Back in the present, at Capsule Corp...

The Time Machine appeared above the airspace of present-day Capsule Corp and gently descended to the ground below. Piccolo, Tien, Future Daikon, Bulma, Krillin, and Android 17 holding 16's head all emerged from Capsule Corp as Vegeta and Future Trunks hopped out of the Time Machine.

Bulma called over to them. "Hey guys! Welcome back! How did it-"

But then, to Bulma's surprise, a voice that sounded exactly like hers began to speak. "Oh my gosh! I can't believe that I got to see what the realm of time and space looked like! That was so cool! I'd love to be able to get out and explore!"

Future Trunks sighed in exasperation. "Mother, that would probably kill you..."

Appearing in front of everyone else, Future Bulma rolled her eyes. "Of course, it would kill me, Son! I'm not an idiot! I just want to be able to touch it! Like how, sometimes, you just want to be able to walk on a cloud but you know you'd fall through! Like that!"

Future Bulma looked away from Future Trunks and towards all of the others, most of whom were staring at her with some form of surprise on their faces. Future Bulma pressed her hand over her heart. "Oh my gosh..."

Her eyes became misty and then, without any hesitation, she ran towards the group to greet them all. "Krillin!"

She immediately snatched the shorter monk off of the ground and hugged him tight. "It's been forever! I'm so glad to see you!"

Krillin chuckled. "H-Hey, Bulma..."

Future Bulma put him down and moved to the next one. "And Tien! I've missed those big ol' muscles of yours you freaking jock!"

She hugged him tightly as well. Tien, rather awkwardly, hugged her back. "Hey, Bulma..."

Future Bulma let him go and then did a running leap onto Piccolo, wrapping her arms around his neck and holding on tight. Piccolo was taken aback. "Wh-What are you even doing-"

She spoke. "Would you believe me if I said I even missed you? I know we weren't as close as I was with the others, but I always regretted not getting to know you better."

She squeezed him tighter. "You're surprisingly warm for such a cold guy, Piccolo..."

Piccolo blushed, but then he gave a caring couple of pats onto Future Bulma's back. She let him go and landed on her feet, turning to her present counterpart. Bulma and Future Bulma stared into each other's eyes and Bulma smiled. "Wow, they weren't lying. I really do look good at 50, huh? You could probably pass of as me right now, for how little our son has let me sleep..."

Future Bulma chuckled. "Yeah, I certainly didn't raise my kids to be liars. Right, Daikon?"

Future Daikon flinched, but then he nodded. "Y-Yes, ma'am..."

Future Trunks walked up to Future Daikon and gave him a consoling pat on the shoulder. Future Daikon looked away from the two Bulma's talking to one another and looked down to see his friend's newly grown tail. "So... a lot happened in our timeline, huh?"

Future Trunks nodded with a smile. "Yeah. We managed to capture the two of them..."

Future Daikon scowled and looked away. "Great..."

Bulma and Future Bulma continued to talk, Future Bulma's eyes eventually falling onto Android 17. The two of them stared at one another for a moment, Future Bulma remaining silent. 17 scratched the back of his head. "Y-You're from the timeline that me and 18 screwed up, huh?"

Future Bulma was curt. "Yep."

17 frowned. "And I..."

Future Bulma finished his sentence for him. "Helped to murder my husband and all of my friends."

17 cringed, looking very guilty. "I'm...so sorry..."

A long silence, and then Future Bulma sighed. "Don't apologize. It's not like you did it."

Android 17 looked up and Future Bulma was already within arm's length. She brushed his hair out of his face and smiled. "I gotta say. I never did think I'd meet a version of Android 17 with such honest eyes. You're already an improvement from the scumbag I know..."

She looked down. "Though, I will admit, the severed head is a bit off-putting..."

Android 16 opened his remaining eye. "Greetings. I am-"

Future Bulma sighed. "Android 16. I know."

Everyone flinched back, even Future Trunks and Future Daikon. Future Daikon shouted. "YOU KNOW?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU KNOW?!"

Future Bulma shrugged. "I went looking around for Dr. Gero's laboratories after you guys left the last time. Just for the hell of it, ya know? Not much to be said for what I found. Just a couple dusty, old chambers with nothing functional inside. Some weird, broken tube. And I found this guy inside of some sort of stasis chamber. He'd been totally destroyed though. I can only assume 17 and 18 killed him before he could wake up..."

Android 17 frowned. "Oh..."

With this stunning revelation hanging in the air, the door to Bulma's house opened and Raditz walked out, adjusting his pants. "Of course, they'd return while I was on the-"

Raditz flinched. "Whoa! Two Bulmas!"

Future Bulma smiled wide and ran up to hug him. "Oh Raditz! I missed you too, bud!"

She looked up at him. "Um...later, could we talk about Launch? My Launch? Preferably with your Launch present?"

Raditz looked confused. "Uh...sure..."

Finally, Vegeta stepped forward with Future 17 and Future 18 tightly gripped in his hands. "Let's cut the pleasantries for now and get this over with. These two being alive in our timeline bugs me."

17 cringed. "S-So... that's them, huh?"

Future Daikon sneered. "Yeah. That's them. You wanna get a closer look at yourself, Android?! You wanna get a closer look at the man that left a massive, ugly brand on Gohan's chest?! Huh?!"

Future Trunks held Future Daikon back. Android 17 looked like he was going to be sick. Android 16 stared with some measure of sorrow at the two of them. Beaten, battered, and hogtied as they were, for horrific crimes they had committed in their timelines, Android 16 still couldn't help but pity these two beings that looked like his dearest friends.

Bulma clapped her hands. "Okay then. Surgery time. Let's get to saving Android 18."

Future Bulma smiled. "I can help if you need me to."

Bulma gasped. "Really?!"

Future Bulma nodded. "Yeah. I am you, ya know~ Just with more experience!"

Bulma sighed. "That's actually a huge relief..."

Future Bulma chuckled. "Yeah. But, after I help you, I want you to take me around. I'm excited to see everyone again. Goku and Gohan and Yamcha and Master Roshi and Dad and...M-"

Future Bulma's eyes widened and she suddenly sprinted across the yard, over to the entrance of Capsule Corp. "MOM!"

Everyone stared in confusion, wondering why Future Bulma reacted as she did, only to recoil in horror at the sight of a beaten and bloodied Panchy struggling to walk towards them. Bulma was next to sprint, following after her Future counterpart. "Mom! What happened?!"

Everyone gathered around Panchy. She was badly hurt, struggling to breathe. Every one of her fingers was broken and bent at an odd angel. She spoke in a hushed tone. "Bulma...I'm so sorry. I tried to stop it, but..."

Bulma had tears in her eyes. "Save your strength, Mom!"

The scientist turned to her husband. "Vegeta! You find who did this and you-"

Future Bulma cut her Present counterpart off, staring upwards in bug-eyed horror. "What the fuck is that...?!"

Everyone looked up at Future Bulma had, and suddenly Panchy's attack was very clear. Standing on top of Capsule Corp, the moon shining bright behind him, was Imperfect Cell. The monster stared down at the Z-Fighters, a psychotic expression on his face. "Vegeta..."

The monster leapt down, one of his arms hidden behind his back. Every fighter present struck a fighting stance to face the creature. Piccolo shoved Android 17 behind himself for safety. Cell let loose a truly inhuman-sounding cackle. "Vegeta! You have s-s-s-something that I want. Give it to me. Right...right now! GIVE IT TO ME NOW!"

Vegeta glanced down at Future 17 and Future 18, both of them held tightly in his grasp. "You think that assaulting my mother-in-law was the ticket to absorbing the Androids? You disgusting freak!"

Cell was practically foaming at the mouth. "I need them, Vegeta! You hear me?! I need them! My 18! She's b-b-b-broken! D-Damaged beyond repair! RUINED BECAUSE of Krillin..."

The monster cackled. "But...YOU FOOLS...you went and got me fresh Androids...so kind~"

He reached out his hand longingly. "Giiiiiiiive theeeeeem toooo meeee..."

Raditz sneered, activating his Oozaru Force. "Move aside! I'll crush this bastard right now!"

Cell snarled in a demonic register. "YOUSHUTYOURMOUTH! THIS DOESN'T CONCERN YOU, YOU PEST!"

The monster beckoned. "Give them to me, Vegeta. Right...now..."

Vegeta sneered, a vein bulging from his head. His Super Saiyan form erupted and he loosened his grip on the Androids. "How about I just drop them and kill you instead?!"

As Vegeta prepared to charge, however, Cell revealed his ultimate trump card. "You don't wanna do that~"

Vegeta flinched and stared in horror. Everyone else gasped in shock. Bulma screamed in terror. Cell pulled his hidden hand out from behind his back and revealed that he had a hold of Baby Trunks. The baby looked fearful, tears in his eyes. Two of Cell's fingers were snaked around his neck and a third was jammed into his mouth to keep him quiet. Cell hissed in joy as what he was seeing: Vegeta was visibly shaken.

Cell laughed as he ranted. "Remember, Vegeta?! Do you remember when I said I would snap your sons neck?! DO YOU REMEMBER VEGETA?! DO YOU REMEMBER?! WHEN I SAID I WOULD SNAP YOUR SON'S NECK?! DO YOU REMEMBER VEGETA?! DO?! YOU?! REMEMBER?!"

Raditz lurched forward. "You son of a-"

Cell howled. "NOT A MOVE OUT OF YOU! I KNOW HOW YOU WORK! IF I HEAR A POP, I'LL POP THIS BRAT'S HEAD OFF LIKE A CORK!"

Raditz was sufficiently cowed, backing off. Cell chuckled. "This is betw-tween me and you, Vegeta! You give me what I want! What I need! What I crave...!"

The monster laughed so hard his entire body shook. "Give them...to me. And I'll give you your son back~"

They were at an impasse now. Stuck between a rock and a hard place with two impossible options: either Cell be given the Androids...or Vegeta be forced into being the indirect cause of his son's death.

Vegeta was speechless. His head was bowed. His hands were trembling with anger and, although no one would dare say it, a hint of fear. Cell smiled wide, thinking that he had won. But then, another voice spoke up.

"If I have to die to prevent you from absorbing those Androids, then so be it, Cell!"

Cell gasped and saw Future Trunks step forward. Bulma and Future Bulma both gasped as their son turned Super Saiyan, a deadly serious grimace on his face. Bulma weakly called out. "No...Trunks...n-no..."

Future Trunks couldn't bring himself to look at either of his mothers, he simply raised his hand and began to charge a massive blast. Cell cringed back in shock. "Wait?! You're serious?! Y-You'll kill him!"

Future Trunks responded with two words that made Cell shudder. "Dragon Balls."

Cell tried to retort. "But-"

Future Trunks cut him off. "If that little boy grows up to be anything like me, he'd rather die than by his own hand than force his father to dishonor himself like that! I'll kill you both, and then I'll accept whatever blame is thrown my way!"

Cell frantically looked over to the Prince. "V-Vegeta..."

Vegeta was still. Cell shouted louder. "VEGETA!"

Still no response. Future Trunks charged his attack. "Begone, you hideous monster!"

Cell snarled. And then, he pulled his thumb from Baby Trunks' mouth and squeezed his neck, making the baby scream and wail in fear and pain. Future Trunks prepared to fire. Bulma screamed out. "DON'T KILL MY BABY!"

And then, everything paused. Everyone watched on in horror as, in a burst of speed, Vegeta flew forward with Future 17 and Future 18 in his grip. He had a resigned expression welded onto his face. Future Trunks' attack dispersed and he called out for his father to stop, but it was too late. Vegeta threw Future 17 and Future 18 directly at Cell. The monster's beak spread into a triumphant grimace. He rushed forward, dropping Baby Trunks as his tail opened wide.

Vegeta caught Baby Trunks and slid across the ground. Cell caught Future 17 and Future 18 in his tail and started to suck them up. And Raditz and Piccolo leapt in front of everyone else to shield them.

All fell silent for a moment.

And then Cell exploded into a column of searing, white light. A hideous, monstrous wail screamed out from the epic light show. Everyone else was blown back by the force of Cell's transformation. Everyone except for Future Trunks, Future Daikon, and Bulma.

As the scientist dragged herself across the outside of Capsule Corp, Future Trunks and Future Daikon both went Super Saiyan and fired attacks into the beam of light. But whatever the hell was within shouted with a primal roar and sent the two half-Saiyans flying back.

Bulma threw herself towards her husband and child, being blown away by the wind pressure. Vegeta caught her before she could be sent flying too far and Bulma held him and their child close. She sobbed as she held her crying baby and looked up to her husband. "Vegeta! What do we do?!"

Vegeta sneered. "How fast can you evacuate West City?!"

Bulma flinched. "What?!"

Vegeta shouted. "ANSWER THE DAMN QUESTION, WOMAN!"

Bulma sniffled and took a deep breath, but then she adopted a serious expression. "Ten minutes."

Vegeta nodded. "Ten minutes then."

At Kame House...

The entire Earth was shaking after this latest absorption by Cell. Volcanoes were erupting, birds were flying en masse, the sky itself seemed to be tearing apart. And, at Kame House, things weren't much better. Realizing that his island might not be there anymore, after all of the chaos, Master Roshi quickly reduced his house down to a Capsule and loaded everyone onto his Capsule Submarine. They all managed to escape just as a massive tsunami overtook the entire island.

Master Roshi, Oolong, and Turtle all stood by the periscope, taking turns watching the world end above them. Suno shivered in the corner, crying out of fear and terror as Yamcha, Eighter, and Puar tried to comfort her.

At the back of the submarine, Ox-King held Baby Ranch as Blonde Launch tried to take care of her sister-in-law. "It's okay, Princess. You and the little bundle are safe. Don'tcha worry 'bout a thing!"

But then, for the first time since Cell's previous transformation, Chi-Chi opened her eyes. She was feverish, being overwhelmed by the sheer power that was cascading against her senses. She was barely able to speak above a whisper. "Launch..."

Blonde Launch got close. "What is it?! Wassup?!"

Chi-Chi mouthed two words. Launch flinched back. "They're coming?! Who?! Who are you sensing?!"

And then, to the surprise and horror of everyone on the submarine, Chi-Chi's water broke.

Back at Capsule Corp...

The light dispersed and the shaking finally stopped. A huge crater had been made on the Capsule Corp lawn. Part of the main building had been damaged and Bulma and Vegeta's house had been annihilated. A huge cloud of dust rose from the center of the crater. As everyone else struggled to get up, Vegeta stood and glared at the dust. He sensed the power within and he instantly knew just how outmatched he was.

Piccolo sat up. "Damn it..."

And then, his ears twitched. "H-Huh...?"

Something within the dust was humming a tune, slowly and manically. The sound of clomping footsteps serving to accompany it.

"Hm hm hm hmhm hmhmm hm hm hmhm hmhmm hm hm hmhm hmhmmmm..."

Seeing the shape of his new foe formed of shadows within the dust, Vegeta braced himself. This new being simply chuckled in response. And then, he spoke in a deep, smooth voice. "For those of you whom I have already introduced myself to, please forgive me repeating my words. But I feel a reintroduction is in order..."

From within the dust, out stepped a truly handsome being. His pale, masculine features and heroic build wrapped in an insect-like armor. His ebony wings shined bright in the moonlight. His bright pink eyes locked directly onto the Saiyan Prince.

He spoke with a casual air in his voice. "My name is Cell. And I am perfection~"