Firstly, I want to thank everyone who reviewed! Secondly, I changed the name of the 3rd chapter, original name is given to this chapter now. I figured that'd fit the content better. Thirdly, the past 3 chapters had some egregious mistakes like me forgetting to rewrite some words after the grammer check or the date in chapter 3. They are fixed now. If you want to read without mistakes that bad, go ahead! Anyways, chapter 4.
Age 770, 3 Months after Gohan and 18's Encounter
After their messy encounter in January, Gohan and 18 spent more time together. Both didn't have many friends so any company was good company. They didn't realize how good company they are to each other. Gohan gave 18 his home number so that she can always find him without panicking Chi-Chi. Blonde utilized the number more than she cared to admit.
Around a week after their encounter, the duo decided when to collect the dragon balls. 18 was quite impatient, 3 years was long enough to wait without seeing her only family. Gohan however, refused strictly. 18 was quite upset an even snapped at him for "not understanding her in the slightest" and Gohan would not have "Accept to wait even more than 3 years without seeing his family."
The duo did not see each other for a while, until 18 called him and apologised. Their relationship didn't heal immediately, but by the time 3 month time period Gohan asked for ended they were somewhat close.
Gohan asked the 3 months because he had to take care of the garden and his brother during winter. He explained to her that if he doesn't take care of the garden well now, they might not find enough food during summer. 18 couldn't scoff at that, the hybrid had a valid point.
So they waited, until it was mid-april and harvest time. 18 even offered Gohan some lesser-known cultivation tips she knows thanks to her mechanical brain. They were employed by Gohan and the both of them were surprised how well the crops fought cold. A harvest large enough to feed 2 half-saiyans + 1 regular human for a few months was the gain, just enough to last until the next harvest.
Chi-Chi originally opposed and her son's desire to help the blonde, claiming she was trying to lure him into a trap. The matriarch had too many reasons to distrust the world of an artificial human. Especially one that tries to get the most powerful objects on Planet Earth. Though Gohan insisted 18 had only pure intentions, going as far as giving up a training for 2 weeks to catch-up on his studies. His mother still wasn't thrilled, though she didn't want to upset her firstborn.
With permission from his mother the only thing left to do was to ask, or beg, Bulma for the dragon radar. The issue with 18 and Gero's creations were as personal with her as it was with his mother. It was this woman's son who spent his life fighting the same woman he was trying to help after all.
Gohan tried to be a bit vague with his wording, to no avail. Blue-haired godmother saw through him immediately and accused him of "seeing and hiding a lady friend from her." Bulma was teasing of course, though she was shocked to learn how close to truth she was; let alone learn the truth was Number 18 herself.
Bulma trusted Gohan's instincts more than the boy's mother, probably courtesy of their Namek adventure, but still wasn't a fan of helping the same woman who terrorized her future son. Ceo of Capsule Corp. didn't even understand why Gohan wanted to help 18, she thought they had nothing in common.
When she voiced her idea however, all she got was a angry teenager glaring at her and snapping "You are the genius are you not? Figure it out." Bulma tried to chew him out for his disrespect towards her, though the moment Gohan compared his 6 feet under father to the absent 17, she half-heartedly gave him the radar. The kid must have a good reason to go against her this badly.
After getting the radar, coming back the next day to beg for forgiveness-prompting Bulma to hit him upside down the head and putting him on babysitter duty for the next month- Gohan waited 18's call. He cursed himself for not taking her number, not knowing how much you will be waiting sucked. A foreign feeling for him.
Fortunetaly 18 called him 3 days later, ecstatic to learn he managed to get the radar. According to Gohan Bulma just needed some "eye-opening wisdom", whatever that meant. They decided to meet at 15.30, 25th of April at the outskirts of West City, the city 18 lived in.
18 was earlier than her companion, having to do one sixth of his traveling. Though she did have one sixth of his speed, maybe she could tease him about it. When she was contemplating on how to banter with her companion the best, said almost 14-year-old arrived.
And 18 did what she said out to do, playfully glaring at him. "You know, I would have expected tardiness from my brother," She put her hands on her hips and sharply looked away, " not from the fastest entity on earth." She did her best to look angry, though her tone betrayed her.
Gohan just smiled and pouted at her, earning a musical chuckle from the blonde beauty. "So 18," Gohan put on the sunglasses he got from Roshi as a birthday gift and stopped momentarily, for dramatic effect, "You ready to start? We got a dragon to summon." He tried his best to sound cool, and succeded into some extent.
18 found his antics amusing, though clearly saw the kid needed some fashion advice. He almost exclusively wore that same white/green clothing, maybe she should help him. She never managed to drag her brother to the mall. Maybe Gohan would accept.
Trying to mimic his actions to some extent, 18 smirked confidently, narrowed her eyes and claimed, "I've been ready since before you came here, kid." She knew Gohan didn't like being called "kid" so she used it only when she tried to annoy him. Worked without a flaw.
Gohan just growled at her, put her capsules in his satchel and began flying. 18 laughed out loud, shaking her head and following him. They both knew the next week was going to be quite entertaining.
The first 3 orbs were easy to find. A shop had one and was selling it with an insane price tag. They did not need to pay however, as 18 pulled out a handgun she carried kami knows why and threatened the shopkeeper. Not forgetting to destroy the camera with a simple energy beam.
"You shouldn't have done that!" Gohan opposed, actions of his friend clearly going against his morality. "We are thieves now! What would happen if the police comes after us?" 18 cried, his worries being the funniest stuff she heard in a while. "I destroyed the camera kid, no one is coming after us." Son of Kakarot glared at her and kept flying.
The other two were out in the open, one just lying around there and the other under sands in the desert. The wind from the mighty super saiyan transformation cleared the area and the duo kept going.
Chi-Chi had the 4-star-ball so they only had 3 more to get. It had been 3 days since they started searching. They were going a slow-pace, enjoying the new places they visited. They stopped over a jungle, right above the dragon ball according to the radar. There was nothing beneath them, except a family of dinasours, curious…
Gohan berated himself for not realizing what was happening. The dinasours mistook the ball before it's reactivation and put it under their nest. He had no problem getting his clothes dirty and taking the ball but a different, funnier, idea came to his mind.
"18, I know where the ball is!" He claimed boldy, contiuning as he got 18's full attention "It's under the dinasours down below." 18 didn't get why he said this so matter-of-factly. He was going to get the ball right?
Just when she was about to ask her companion what was he waiting, Gohan grinned wickedly "What are you waiting for?" He pointed at the nest, "The ball is waiting for you!" He was about to burst into hysterics, 18 was sure of it.
However, 18 had no intention obeying his orders. She crossed her arms, clearly not amused with his actions. "I am not ruining my clothes by going in there. And you-" She pointed accusingly at him,"know it." Her glare did nothing to his grin.
He insisted, "Come on 18!" He pouted cutely," Where's your sense of adventure? I took care of the sands, you can lift a dinosaur or two." Giving her the puppy eyes was the way to go.
18 wanted nothing more than to blast Gohan into oblivion right there, not that she could. His puppy eyes had barely any effect on her but she appreciated the effort. With a tired sigh followed by an intense glare, "Alright you win. But" She positioned herself to be upside down, "You do the rest of the dirty work. I dress too well for this shit." Her seldom usage of slurs amused the young saiyan. He'd never let her forget this, she knew it.
After the dinasour disaster, the mighty duo wasted no time decapsulazing a house. The idea was to collect 1 ball per day, enjoying nature in the process. That's what Gohan thought as least, he didn't know 18 would bring a house. He was content with camping.
Yeah, let's camp so that snakes can enter my handbag. Great idea.
The other two dragon balls weren't out in the open, but they weren't too hard to get either. One was sitting in the bottom of the ocean, much to 18's pleasure. Her companion can't force her to go into the water. An advantage born from the displeasure of being half mechanical.
The last one was already owned by a group of three. They were very young, around 4 years old but seemed uncannily intelligent and observent. A short blue kid with a red and black hat, accompioned by a yellow jacket. His companions consisted of a dog-like samurai with purple clothes and a nice looking sword. He should get a sword, one day. The third was a little girl with black hair and green shirt. They spoke quite fluently. He could've sworn the little blue one was addressed as Emperor. Though it didn't matter since for some reason, the moment he introduced himself as Son Gohan they were terrified of him. Weird.
It was time, and 18 was sure her heart was about to go through her chest. She was incredibly excited. It had been 3 years since she last saw him. It was weird that it had been longer since she saw 17 then she saw 16 or the bug that which should not be named.
18 was so nervous. What would he think about her? Would he be angry that the blonde was yet to find him? Or claim she teamed up with their enemy and betrayed him? He too was probably looking for her for the last 3 years. Would he be angry that she made herself so difficult to find?
She was fidgeting, her eyes were bloodshot and face pale, seemingly from being overly emotional. Also her hands were shaking very subtly. He expected nothing less, she was uniting with family. He already asked 18 if she'd like to be alone in the reunion, but she refused. Telling him that 17 getting used to him being around is a good thing, showing that he himself reunited the siblings was a great way to do so.
It was the time, they already took the 4-star-ball from Chi-Chi and were ready to summon the dragon. They picked a beautiful yet isolated place deep in the forest, next to the clean river. The roar of a nearby waterfall could easily be heard.
Gohan gave her the honors, it was only proper. Although with great embaressment when 18 told him that she had no idea what words to recite. He thought her with no difficulty. It was time, and 18 was about to faint from excitement.
Lazuli took a deep breath, all 7 balls right before her. In her paranoia she started to doubt the dragon. Could it find her brother? Bring him maybe? She had no way to learn but to summon the dragon, now. Might as well.
"Come forth, dragon, come and Grant my wish!" She spoke the words Gohan taught her recently. A few seconds passed and she was worried, did she do something wrong? A feeling of dread captured her soul, albeit momentarily. The tension in her body began to fade away as the dragon balls began to glow.
A repeating sound espaced the dragon balls, periodically. It was not too different from a fire-alarm, though had a mystic tune to it. And after a few moments, the ritual truly began.
The planet was covered in darkness, a brilliant light penetrating through and making itself known to the mankind. It was like the light symbolized as a beacon of hope for Lazuli, the lady trying to find her family.
The light soon began to transform into a gigantic beast-no dragon. Incredibly intimidating, his green scales and unreal height made him so. He also had 2 horns, they really looked like they were made from plain wood and looked incredibly silly. But that did not matter, Gero's recordings did NOT do the dragon justice.
18 gasped in awe, the eternal dragon of Earth being beyond anything she had ever seen. If someone could truly find 17, the dragon was that someone. Just when Gohan came next to her and opened his mouth to tease 18 about her expression, the booming voice of Shenlong stopped him.
"You have summoned me" His red eyes penetrating through the blonde's soul,"Tell me your wish. And if it's in my power, than I shall grant it."
This was the moment she had been waiting for the last 3 years. She could not get nervous or stammer, now. She was moments away from her beloved brother.
With great difficulty the Lazuli gathered her courage and asked the dragon, "Eternal Dragon, I want you to find my brother Lapis," she took a moment to gather herself, "and bring him here".
There, she said it. She either reunites with 17 today, or never. 18 prayed to all the gods to make the former true. Shenlong waited for a second and gave her the answer she had been looking for since The Cell Games.
"Your wish can be granted. I will be bringing Artifical Human Number 17 or Lapis by his birthname, here."
18 almost began to cry all over again, this time for joy. It really was happening. In mere moments, she would be reunited with her brother. Her closest in a lifetime of struggles, finally coming back. Shenlong's eyes glow a darker shade of red, and then the brightness faded away.
"Your wish has been granted. Take care."
18 frantically looked around to find him. She already begin to worry. Her paranoia and trauma went too deep. But a moment later, she heard a voice from behind.
"Yo, sis." His voice.
Lazuli immediately turned behind, to see him there. He was just like what she remembered. Orange bandana that butchered all fashion, a silly cowboy hat with jeans and hair as long as hers. He was here, after all this time. He. Was. Here.
She instantly rushed to him and hugged him senselessly, her annoyence about his nonchalant way of reunion gone in miliseconds. The only thing mattered now was her and him. Siblings reunited.
"You idiot!" 18 began to shed the tears from before, relishing in the hug that she waited so long to feel. "Do you have any idea what you put me through?"
17 just shrugged like there was no big deal. Though his sister knew without a question that this was nothing more than a mask. He was as happy as she was. The only family they ever knew, through thick and thin they were 2 siblings. And not even death could separete them.
17 chuckled. "Good to see you too, sis." His voice and eyes were thick with emotion. Though he was a bit surprised to see his sister display this level of affection. 18 was affected more than what he thought. Though that did not matter. Now they were together, once again.
"I missed you, little brother."
17 smiled so slightly, "I missed you too, dear big sis."
They hugged for a bit more, relishing in the hug. The long forgotten human-saiyan hybrid watched them from afar, to let them have their moment. Though he was spotted when 17 opened his eyes, a subtle nervousness-fear in them. 17 broke the hug immediately, much to both of their chagrins.
"Ehm, sis?" He glanced back to the saiyan, and to his sister again. "What is Goku's kid doing here?" He had no problem not fighting the kid, the opposite may or may not be true. He did not know.
18 sighed, she expected that question. Gohan did offer to stay incognito, but addressing this now was better in the long run. "We met again around 3 months ago, he agreed to help me find you. We've been hanging around ever since."
17 blinked. To say he was confused was like saying water is good for your body. His sister was friends with Goku's kid now, out of all people? Not only that, but he helped her gather the dragon balls to find him? He knew the kid was a good person, he watched the Cell Games firsthand. Even he did not expect this. Considering their lifes he should be prepared for something as weird as this.
17 finally found his voice and told her his actual opinion. "Thats, nice? I guess…" His voice grew quieter in the end. He glanced back to Gohan, who came closer to them.
Gohan offered his hand to 17, beginning the inevitable awkward Exchange. "Nice to see you again 17." He glanced back to him, head to toe. "You haven't changed much. " Gohan rubbed the back of his head, signature for Son nervousness. "I hope you don't mind me being around your sister? I have no bad intentions trust me."
17 just laughed and accepted his hand. "You're good, kid. You've grown a lot since I've seen you. Thanks for helping 18 to find me." 17 figured they'd hang out sooner or later, with 18 or maybe even without 18 one day. It'd be better to just get along well with the lil' buddy. He should teach him how to use a gun, great bonding activity.
18, finally recovering from her emotional state, turned her attention to the most powerful warrior on Planet Earth. With a soft voice reserved for few people, she expressed her gratitude. "Thank you Gohan. You've d-done so much for u-us." Gohan smiled and playfully punched her shoulders, this was a really good day. And he knew he'd be getting closer and closer with the artifical human duo in the future.