A New Ally
The days to come were low-key, but Trunks grew restless and eager for adventure and training, even though he had just completed the most rigorous forms of both. After only a few short weeks of rest and reconstruction of his life, Trunks set out to the barren mountains, to find Dr. Gero's laboratory… And Android 16.
Trunks thought to himself loudly, but didn't utter a word.
Trunks: "I can't stop thinking about the Lab. I have to go there, and try to find 16… I think his peacefulness was unconditional based on the circumstances, but I'm unsure. If he should be a hostile, I'll have to take care of him."
After about an hour of flying at high speed, Trunks finally stumbled upon the lab of the evil doctor. He landed in the exact spot he stood when he attempted to obliterate the Androids in only one blast, proving worthless. The door was sealed with a pass code, but nothing a low-power Ki blast couldn't take care of.
Trunks turned on the lights and began looking around the lab. He found the now empty test tube Cell was engineered in, as well as the two pods Android's 17 and 18 were released from. Upon further evaluation, he discovered Android 16's pod.
Trunks: "Here it is… Alright buddy, I'm hoping you won't do anything you're going to regret!"
Trunks pressed the release button, and the pod opened. A thin layer of fog released from the pod before a figure became visible.
Trunks: "16, can you hear me?"
Android 16: "Online."
Trunks: "Listen to me, 16, I need you to listen to me."
Android 16: "Identifying… Search complete. Not Goku."
Android 16 attempted to blast off through the mountain, in search for Goku, but Trunks stopped him by grabbing his leg and pulling him down.
Android 16: "Let go of me, or you'll regret it!"
Trunks began to restrain a now angry 16.
Trunks: "16, Goku is dead! I have this memory drive, I'm going to plug it into your main disk…"
Trunks proceeded to install the memory drive he had salvaged from 16 in the past to the 16 in his time.
Android 16: "…What?"
Trunks: "Did it work?"
Android 16: "Trunks? What?... I'm alive?"
Trunks: "Yup. At least in this time you are."
Trunks smiled as he greeted his old friend. He then proceeded to tell a confused 16 exactly what was going on.
Trunks: "You died in the past, but in my time, you were never activated. I managed to salvage your memory drive after you were blasted, though. I just installed it, and now here we are!"
Android 16: "Trunks, I don't know how I could ever repay you. You've restored me with the universe's most precious gift: life."
Trunks smirked.
Trunks: "Come back to South City with me. Reconstruction is going on right now. The rest of the survivors could use a few pairs of hands like ours… Plus we have every opportunity to train and enjoy the new peaceful world!"
Android 16: "I would be honored to, Trunks."
Trunks: "I'm glad to hear it! C'mon, we should get out of here. If we get back soon enough we can…"
Trunks suddenly stopped and spaced out for a moment.
Android 16: "Trunks? Trunks!"
Trunks: "Sorry about that… Something just… Never mind. Let's get out of here!"
Android 16 followed Trunks back to his and his mother's bunker, where his mother sit in the living room, watching the newly-restored news television broadcast and sipping tea.
Trunks: "Hey, mom! Sorry it took so long. I want you to meet someone… This is my good friend Android 16! He'll be staying here in South City with us."
Bulma stood up to introduce herself to 16 without fully looking at him when he walked through the door, and her response showed it.
Bulma: "Hello… Oh… Wow… You're huge!"
Bulma immediately seemed scared to be in the same room as the mammoth Android 16. Android 16 stood at a staggering 7' 2", and weighed over 1,350 lbs. A mall of muscular metal, 16 was easily one of the most visually intimidating being Bulma had ever seen.
Android 16: "Scanning… Hello, Bulma!"
Android 16's database was very extensive. It covered most of Goku's friends as far back as his childhood, excluding those made in outer space or in Other World.
Bulma: "He… He knows my name…"
Trunks: "He's an Android, mom, he's a walking supercomputer. He knows almost everyone Goku has ever seen."
Android 16: "That is correct. I was programmed to annihilate Goku, but grew fond of him and his cohorts. You've raised a fine son, ma'am."
Bulma changed her expression almost immediately to a big smile.
Bulma: "Well Dr. Gero might have been a madman, but his computers sure are smart! It's nice to meet you Android 16! Feel free to stay here as long as you like, there's plenty of room!"
Android 16: "Your kindness is greatly appreciated, madam. Thank you."
With that, the Brief household officially had a new resident. Along with 16, Trunks aided South City and all of the surviving earthlings to a successful reconstruction. Trunks even helped the south city police keep the occasionally rebellious gangs and looters at bay. Training everyday with his new companion, three months seemed to fly right by, as peaceful as Trunks had ever witnessed in his life. But peace has a way of showing its face for a little while, then hiding back into the shadows.