Chapter Three

A Deadly Android Union

On the outskirts of West City, an unusual black hole had appeared in the sky. This was thanks to the combined efforts of the two versions of Android Seventeen. With every moment that passed, this hole began to expand in size. It was evident that this was the rip in time and space that had been mentioned by the new model of Android Seventeen. Once the rip was large enough, he and his creators would be able to step through and leave the bowels of Hell behind them. It was only a matter of time.

Meanwhile, at Capsule Corp., Trunks and Pan had been working together to clean up the kitchen after they finished eating the massive meal that Bulma had prepared for them. They stood side by side at the sink. Trunks scrubbed the dishes under the hot water, while Pan would dry them off and set them aside.

Trunks smiled as he turned his head toward her. "You know, Pan. You really didn't have to help me. You're a guest here."

Pan nodded while drying off a plate. "I know, but it's the least I can do. Besides … you're not exactly a bad person to spend time with, Trunks." She blushed faintly as she said this.

Trunks lips formed a smile and he playfully nudged her with an elbow. "Well, you're not so bad yourself, Pan." They laughed softly and at that moment, Bulma entered carrying a few shopping bags. "Hey, you two. I'm back."

"Hey, Mom." Trunks responded as he washed the last of the dishes. "Didn't expect to see you back so soon." Bulma smirked and her expression became mischievous. "Why, Trunks. You say that as if you and your girlfriend wanted the place to yourself."

Trunks and Pan exchanged glances and both of their faces turned red with embarrassment. "Mother!" Bulma shook her head and laughed. "Relax, son. I'm just teasing you." She placed her purchases on the kitchen table. "When you get a chance, Pan... I bought you a few things while I was out."

Pan smiled widely and immediately rushed over to the bags as she began to search through them, forgetting her manners for a moment. "Thank you so much, Bulma."

"It's no trouble, Pan." Bulma responded. "I hope you like everything."

The three continued their day as normal, oblivious to the ever approaching doom that would make their lives a living nightmare.

Dr. Gero and Dr. Myuu stood side by side behind their model of Android Seventeen as they watched him create their exit. They each had evil smirks on their faces. "That's it, Seventeen! Just a little more!" Gero encouraged as the hole expanded to an even greater size. As they gazed on, they could even see the blue sky on the other side.

"It is time, my friend." Dr. Myuu said as he placed a hand upon Gero's shoulder. "Let us step forward and give the people of your Earth Hell." Gero nodded and the two began to ascend toward the hole. Seventeen followed behind them, the black bolt of energy still being released from him as they made their way forward.

Soon, the three of them found themselves on the outskirts of West City. Once there, the second version of Seventeen also emerged through the hole. With their plan successful, the two versions of Seventeen ceased firing off their technique which caused the hole in the sky to shrink and eventually fade away.

The two doctors held back their heads and laughed maniacally. "Now then, Seventeens. The time has come. Draw out the one named Trunks." Gero ordered before raising his right arm and pointing with his index finger to the nearby city. "That is where he lives. Make him come to you."

The two versions of Seventeen looked at one another and nodded. They then took flight as black auras erupted around them. They charged toward the city at an incredible speed and their auras flared about, electrical sparks zapping around them.

Soon they reached their destination and they found themselves surrounded by towering buildings on all sides. Knowing what they had to do, they each held out both of their palms before them. A golden ball of ki formed in front of each palm and was unleashed in the form of several ki blasts.

These ki blasts were directed at buildings, trees, vehicles, anything that either got in their way or received their attention somehow. No one was safe. Massive explosions were erupting through out the city as they tore their way through it. They didn't have a single care for any of the innocent lives that were taken by their actions.

As the androids brought their terror to the citizens of West City, Trunks and Pan were relaxing in the living quarters of Capsule Corp. They were seated upon a comfortable looking leather couch as Trunks flipped through the stations looking for something the two of them could enjoy watching on the large smart TV hanging on the wall.

Suddenly, Pan released a bit of a frightened gasp. "Trunks, stop! Go back a channel." Trunks appeared concerned for her and did as he was asked. The television displayed live footage of the androids destroying everything in sight.

A terrified reporter tried her best to keep her composure as she brought them the news of the attacks. "That's right, ladies and gentlemen. Two versions of a familiar enemy of the past have appeared here in West City." The image focused on the two versions of Seventeen floating over a skyscraper. Trunks and Pan shared the same confused expression.

"But … I destroyed Seventeen. H-How could he be alive?!" Trunks questioned as he looked from Pan to the television."

Pan was speechless. It was happening all over again. The conditions here were different from her timeline. It didn't make any sense. Unless … her being there caused things to happen regardless of the vast difference between their timelines.

She had noticed one thing though. The two androids hadn't fused yet. Maybe, just maybe, if she and Trunks worked together, they could prevent the fusion from taking place. "Trunks, we have to go! We have to stop them!" She exclaimed as she jumped to her feet.

Trunks looked at her, obviously still confused, but he nodded in agreement. "They won't stand a chance against both of us." He jumped up and grabbed her hand as he led her though the building until they came to his room. "What are you doing?" She asked.

"I have to get this." He grabbed his sword that was leaning up against a wall and he placed it over his shoulder. "Now then, let's go!" He headed toward a large window which he pushed open. He then flew through it as a golden aura erupted around him. Pan followed closely behind him as a white aura erupted around her.

The two Saiyans sped through the sky as they looked for a sign of the androids. Then, off in the distance, a massive explosion went off in the form of a large golden sphere. It consumed several buildings and emitted a blinding light which caused Trunks and Pan to shield their eyes by holding their arms up. "Those monsters!" Trunks screamed in anger.

When the light died down, a large mushroom cloud of smoke and debris was left in it's place. Trunks and Pan continued to look about for the androids, knowing they must be close. That's when Pan suddenly pointed with the index finger of her right hand toward two figures floating high above the mushroom cloud which was starting to fade away. "There, Trunks! It's the Androids!" She called out, drawing his attention to them.

Trunks narrowed his eyes in hate and disgust for them. He then turned his head toward Pan. "Pan, follow me, but stay on your guard." Pan nodded as she began to power up, letting her energy level raise to it's maximum. Trunks then turned his attention back toward the Androids and drew his blade as he charged toward them.

The androids looked at one another and smirked as they saw the purple haired Saiyan speed toward them, as if he had a chance of defeating them. They each pointed toward them with their index fingers. The tips of their index fingers began to emit a golden glow and seconds later, they unleashed a fury of finger beams toward Trunks.

Trunks watched their actions carefully and as the beams came speeding toward him, he quickly began to deflect them with his sword, causing them to crash harmlessly into the ground. This continued for a few moments before the androids finally got bored of this particular assault, realizing it was getting them nowhere.

Suddenly the duo of Androids charged toward Trunks and began to throw a fury of punches and kicks his way. To counter them, the aura around Trunks became golden as he instantly jumped to his Super Saiyan transformation. His hair became golden and stood up on end. His eyes became more of a turquoise like shade and his muscle span expanded slightly as it became more defined.

He began to match the androids blow for blow as they moved about through the sky. Pan watched from nearby, admittedly a little terrified which caused her to stall. However, she shook her head and watched for an opening to strike one of the androids. Suddenly, she received her chance as Trunks forced one of the androids off of him with a powerful blow to the gut.

As this version of Android Seventeen was sent skidding backwards, Pan charged in, her aura flaring around her wildly. She threw a punch toward the android's face, which caused him to narrow his eyes in anger. Seventeen retaliated by grabbing the dark haired girl by the head. He flung her into the air, sending her flipping above him. He then raised an index finger and sent another golden finger beam speeding toward her.

Pan quickly caught herself, but was unable to avoid the beam. It made contact with her left leg and she let out a bit of a scream. More so in anger than in pain. She would not let him get the better of her. She held her hands out at her sides with her palms facing the android. A golden ki orb manifested before each palm. These started to grow in size as she gathered her energy. She then brought her hands together, causing the two orbs to fuse together as one sphere of energy. She screamed out as she unleashed this attack in the form of a large energy wave known as "Maiden's Rage".

The version of Android Seventeen she was fighting simply smirked as the energy wave came speeding toward him. He did nothing to prepare a counter attack. In fact, he did not even take a defensive stance or prepare to shield himself to avoid taking more damage. Then as the attack was almost upon him, a greenish barrier erupted around him. This caused Pan's attack to bounce off of him and speed into a nearby building instead.

"Nice trick." Android Seventeen replied, mocking her. "A shame it was simply a waste of your ki. You should think more in battle." Seventeen drew his right hand back and began to charge a swirling blue energy sphere. "Now, try one of mine! Power Blitz!" He screamed as he threw forth the attack in the form of an energy wave.

Acting fast, Pan threw her hands above her head so that one was behind the other, acting as a brace. A golden ki orb began to form before her palm as she quickly gathered her energy. She then shouted out "Masenko-Ha!" and unleashed her attack in the form of a golden ki blast. Her father's trademark move sped toward Seventeen's Power Blitz and once the attacks collided with one another, a beam struggle was initiated.

Meanwhile, Trunks was still moving through the air trading blows with his version of Android Seventeen. Every time their fists collided, it sounded as if a thunder-clap had gone off. They were moving so fast, a normal human would never have been able to see them. Suddenly, Trunks vanished from his location before the android and appeared behind him, using the after image technique. He then slammed his right elbow into the center of the Android's back, causing him to fly forward.

Trunks took this as an opportunity to power up one of his own trademark moves. He held his hands out in front of him and began to perform a series of rapid arm movements. His arms moved so fast it seemed as if he had more than two. When he came to a stop, his palms were pointing toward the android with his thumbs and index fingers touching, forming a sort of diamond shape with his hands. He then screamed out "Burning Attack!" as a powerful sphere of golden energy was unleashed from him.

The attack spiraled toward Android Seventeen. Bright rays of light were emitted from it as it grew closer to it's target who just barely caught himself in time to take the blast head on. A small cloud of smoke and debris consumed him after an explosion took place, but when it died down it seemed as if Seventeen had taken no real damage. His outfit was torn in places and smoke trailed off from him, but no visible wound marks were shown.

Trunks' mouth fell open for a moment as he was in a bit of shock. Seventeen simply smirked and placed his hands together so that the fingers of his hands were facing away from each other, but his palms were pointing toward the half Saiyan. He then unleashed a large golden sphere of energy toward Trunks. It sped toward him so fast, he had no time to dodge. This was followed quickly by two more golden spheres. Trunks cried out as each made contact with him and hit with enough force to send him crashing toward the ground below where he left an imprint of his body within the street.

Meanwhile, Pan focused with everything she had on her end of the beam struggle she had initiated with her version of Seventeen. Her aura flared around her like crazy. Her eyes were narrowed and she grunted as she pushed against the ki blasts, trying to move forward. Seventeen on the other hand did not appear to be struggling at all. In fact, he seemed to get a great deal of enjoyment out of this. Watching the young girl try so hard to best him.

"You know this is a futile attempt right?" Seventeen asked her, a great deal of mockery in his tone. "You're losing ki, finding it more difficult to hold on. While I on the other hand am just as strong as when this started." Pan grinded her teeth together in frustration. "Shut up!" She replied as she inched her way forward.

"You're only angry because you know that I am right." Seventeen shot back at her, lowering one hand to his side as a display of his power. Showing her how little he had to try. "I could end this anytime I wanted. Luckily for you, I find this fun."

"Shut up. Shut up! SHUT UP!" Pan screamed at him, a little louder each time. She had an idea. It was risky, but it might give her the edge she needed to overcome this beam struggle. She held onto her end with one hand as well. This caused the beams to slowly inch toward her. But as they did she formed a golden ki orb in her free hand and thrust it forward, unleashing it in the form of a ki blast.

Seventeen's eyes widened slightly as this extra ki blast that had been added into the mix caused all of the beams to speed toward him at a much greater rate. However, his expression suddenly changed to amusement once more as a green barrier of energy reappeared around him just in time to save him from being consumed by the blasts.

Pan let out a frustrated moan, feeling her ki start to drop. She knew she wouldn't be able to stand up against him much longer. Suddenly the Android came speeding toward her. He delivered a powerful punch to her gut, causing her to spit up a bit of blood as she keeled over. Seventeen then placed his hands together, his fingers interlocked as he slammed them into her side.

This caused Pan to go crashing toward the ground where she landed next to Trunks. The two versions of Android Seventeen came together once more as they floated over their opponents. Their laughter echoed throughout the area as they held their heads back. Their expressions then became more serious as a thin golden aura surrounded each of them.

Trunks and Pan sat up and forced themselves to climb to their feet as they looked up toward the Androids. "Now what are they doing?" Trunks asked. Suddenly the laughter of Dr. Gero could be heard from nearby. The two Saiyans turned to find him and Dr. Myuu standing side by side.

"The time has come, Android Seventeens. Fuse. Fuse and destroy these wretched Saiyans once and for all!" Dr. Gero commanded as he and Myuu looked on toward the Androids.

Pan wrapped her arms around herself, a feeling of great terror overcoming her as tears started to form in her eyes. "No. Not again." She managed to say as she looked up toward them, wide eyed.

Suddenly the two versions of Seventeen began to move until one was directly in front of the other. A blinding golden light surrounded and consumed them in the form of a sphere.

"Pan! We have to get out of here! We have to retreat!" Trunks screamed as he grabbed her and took to the sky. "If they're fusing into the android you know, they'll tear us apart!" He wrapped an arm around her and jumped into the sky. His golden aura flared around him as he started to speed off into the distance.

"I know a place we can go. We can retreat to Kami's Lookout." Trunks stated, causing Pan to suddenly snap out of it and look up at him. "But isn't Kami dead in your time line?" She asked.

"He is, but the Lookout is still very much in tact. Mr. Popo watches over it. Maybe, just maybe we can train in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber." Trunks responded. Pan suddenly found a slight bit of hope to cling onto. If they could train there, maybe she could become a Super Saiyan. Or ascend to an even greater level. That could give the two of them the advantage they needed to defeat their enemy. Then she remembered something. "What about your mother? We can't just leave her."

"I don't intend to. We'll pick her up first. Then hightail it out of here." Trunks responded. "I feel bad for leaving all of these people without anyone to protect them ... but we will stop Seventeen. One way or another. That ... is a promise."

(To Be Continued...)