Author's note: Oh boy! I'm sure you all know what'll have to happen in this chapter. Cell's Android tracker is complete. What exactly will that entail for our heroes? Read on and find out!
—
Trunks saw his father. He couldn't explain how, but it was him. There was a man next to him that Trunks didn't recognize. He looked a lot like his father, but with a goatee. Trunks was overjoyed to see his father alive again, and assumed that the man next to him must be his grandfather. However, the joy was short lived. Frieza suddenly appeared, and, before Trunks could move, shot King Vegeta through the heart with his Death Beam.
"FATHER!" screamed Vegeta. He turned Super Saiyan immediately, and attacked Frieza. It was a matter of seconds, and Frieza was dead. Vegeta looked at Trunks as if he was about to say something, when suddenly 17 came out of nowhere. Before either Trunks or Vegeta could react, 17 punched straight through Vegeta's chest, charged up his energy, and blew him away.
"FATHER!" yelled Trunks, sitting straight up in bed. He was breathing hard as 18 entered the room, pulling on her old white-sleeved black shirt.
"What was that?" she asked. Trunks glared at her for a moment, then calmed. He held a hand to his forehead.
"A dream..." said Trunks quietly. "... We need to leave. Now."
"Why?" asked 18, her annoyance at the idea of a sudden departure from such a nice place mixed with just the tiniest bit of concern over Trunks's mood.
"I'll explain in the truck," said Trunks. "But we need to cover as much ground today as possible, alright?"
"Got it," said 18. They quickly packed up their things and headed downstairs. Trunks paid the man in the lobby, and they grabbed a quick breakfast. Trunks and 18 loaded her bags into the truck, and then they took off.
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"Today is the day," said Cell happily. "I will finally achieve perfection." He looked at the radar in his hand, and then over at its maker. "Nineteen, I think I owe you a reward." He walked over to where 19 was placed. "However, you will have to do one more thing for me."
"What?" asked 19.
"How does getting revenge on 18 sound to you?" 19 smiled.
"Excellent," he answered. Cell smiled wickedly.
"Good," he said. "Now, let's see if I can't get you a pair of legs." Cell looked at 19 carefully. He ended right at the waist, where there were exposed wires indicating the damage that 17 and 18 had done to him. "Perfect." Cell then grabbed himself by the waist, and pulled as hard as he could. He literally tore himself in two, and quickly took 19 and set him on top of the lower half of his body.
A new pair of legs burst out from the bottom of Cell's torso, as the old legs started slowly integrating into 19's body.
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They had both been silent for some time now, Trunks driving intently and 18 looking out at the landscape. The town had disappeared from sight some time ago. 18 noticed that things were starting to look greener now. Finally, after so long a silence, 18 asked.
"What exactly were you dreaming about earlier?" Trunks looked over at her.
"I had a nightmare," he said. "A really bad one."
"A nightmare?" asked 18. "We left a suite early because of a nightmare?" Trunks looked irritated, so 18 decided to take a different approach. "Was it really so bad that we needed to leave? What did you see?"
"I saw my father and my grandfather," explained Trunks.
"Grandfather?" asked 18. "You mean that Dr. Briefs guy from Capsule Corp. that you told me about?"
"No," said Trunks. "King Vegeta. He was the King of all Saiyans before he was murdered by Frieza."
"And what happened in your dream?" asked 18.
"Exactly that," answered Trunks. "Frieza killed him, and then my father killed him in retaliation." Trunks grew quieter. 18 had a feeling she knew why, but asked anyway.
"And what happened after that?"
"Your brother killed him." There was silence in the car for a few more minutes. 18 wasn't quite sure what she could say after that. However, she did begin to wonder why the dream had caused Trunks to decide to pack up and leave so early.
"It's kind of a weird dream," commented 18. "I mean, had you been thinking about your dad lately, or what?"
"No, I hadn't been," said Trunks. "And I've never even seen my grandfather, but I just know that was him. Is that my whole family history?"
"What do you mean?"
"Violent lives, both of them," said Trunks. "And in both cases they ended violently. Is that how it's always been for the men in my line? I mean, my grandfather was killed by Frieza. My dad dedicated his life to killing Frieza after that. Your brother killed my dad, and I tried my whole life to kill him. Am I next?"
"Honestly?" said 18. "I don't really know Trunks. All I know is you better not die before you kill Cell." She looked over at him. "But tell me why exactly we had to leave."
"I don't want any innocent people getting hurt," explained Trunks. "That dream... I have a really bad feeling about it. It was like, a warning." 18 grew cold.
"A warning about what?" she asked. Trunks looked over at her. He knew she didn't really want the answer. Trunks looked back at the road and pressed down a little harder on the gas pedal. "You think...?"
"Yes," said Trunks. "I think Cell is going to find us sooner rather than later." They began to approach a series of mountains and rock formations. Trunks drove quite a ways into what had turned into a canyon, and spotted a cave. He drove the truck into it, and parked. He took a deep breath and sighed.
"Why are we stopping?" asked 18.
"I'm not just going to keep running," said Trunks. "I can take Cell like this, I'm sure of it. I couldn't the day he started though, but now I'm well rested and healed up. I'm not going to let him take us by surprise either. I'm making a stand here."
"Are you sure?" asked 18.
"Absolutely," said Trunks, smirking. "Cell has nothing on me. You stay hidden, though. If Cell finds you and absorbs you before I can stop him, it's game over. But as he is now, he should be no match for me, as long as I don't fool around." 18 nodded.
She wouldn't tell him so, but she was impressed by his confidence. It was as if he'd suddenly remembered just what he was capable of. However, that thought began to unnerve her a little. What was he capable of? Was he really strong enough to beat Cell, who in his first form had been too much for her brother to handle? Had she and 17 really just gotten lucky that he decided not to try and fight them as a Super Saiyan that day? She began to suspect that the answer to that was yes.
Trunks got out of the truck. He grabbed his sword and looked at it carefully. He shook his head, thinking better of it. Yes, he was good with it, but he wasn't sure it would be as effective against Cell as he'd like. No, it was best to stick with his fists on this one. He put it down on the driver's seat, and looked 18 dead in the eye.
"Now remember," he said. "Stay hidden, alright? I'll keep his attention on me at all times." 18 nodded. Trunks turned to shut the door and leave, when he suddenly felt her hand on his arm.
"Trunks?" she asked.
"Yes?"
"What you said before... about possibly saving 17... was it true?" Trunks looked back at her and nodded. "Will you... will you at least try?" Trunks gave her a long hard look, considering it all. Should he save 17? He had not only killed Gohan, he had killed his father. However, he had saved them when Cell appeared. And if he did, what would he even do with the two androids after that? So many questions, and not enough answers, and certainly, he thought, not enough time to think about them.
"Alright," said Trunks, finally. "I'll try." With that he turned and left the cave. He didn't know why he was going to try and save 17, but he would.
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The tracker was active, and it worked. Cell and 19 were currently flying at full speed towards the source of the signal: 18. Cell was intrigued at the amount of distance they'd covered. He was certain they hadn't even flown once, as he'd never once sensed any energy use. So while if they had flown all the way they would have been there already, Cell would have found them. Whatever method they had found to travel had been faster than the two could have gone on foot.
'Some kind of vehicle,' thought Cell. 'It might be a good idea to find it, just in case they try to escape again.' He looked over at 19. Before they'd left, 19 had mentioned that the tracker would only bring them to 18's general area, and they'd have to look for her themselves from that point on. Also, there was the issue of Trunks to deal with. Trunks was powerful and Cell knew it. However, Trunks wouldn't be counting on backup, especially backup like 19.
The distance between the two and their target grew shorter, and Cell noticed the upcoming mountainous region. His eyes narrowed. There were plenty of places to hide here. He tried to tell himself it didn't matter. After all, he'd keep looking til he found her. Perfection would just be that much more appreciated. Still, he was impatient. He wanted to be perfect now.
He shook his head. He needed to focus. Trunks was wherever 18 was, and he was dangerous. One thing at a time, he told himself. One thing at a time.
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Trunks was standing in the middle of a small canyon. The wind picked up small clouds of dust, and there wasn't a sign of another living creature. Except for the sound of wind whistling through the mountains and canyons, there was no sound. Trunks began to feel something. It was an energy level. Cell.
Suddenly, a sparrow flew down near Trunks. It was odd. It seemed like nothing lived here. The bird perched on his shoulder. It looked bigger than other sparrows he'd seen. And it had green eyes?
It looked at him, cocking it's head this way and that. It chirped once and then flew away. Trunks only had a second more to ponder this, he looked up, and there he was, floating in the air above him. Cell.
"There you are, boy!" exclaimed Cell. "I've been looking all over for you."
"Cell," said Trunks. "What took you so long?" He smirked confidently. Cell frowned, floating down and landing.
"What's so funny?" asked Cell.
"You, as usual," said Trunks. "You really think you have what it takes to beat me?"
"Considering you've been running away from me this whole time," said Cell, "I think so."
"A Super Saiyan fought you in this form before Cell. It didn't go well for you, and that was before we trained to take on your final form."
"Then what was the point of running if you are so sure of victory?" asked Cell, his turn to smirk. Trunks narrowed his eyes.
"The only reason you got to your perfect form at all last time was because of that Saiyan's carelessness. I wanted to be absolutely sure. You have no chance!" Trunks went Super Saiyan immediately, and suddenly launched himself at Cell. Before Cell had time to react, Trunks' fist had found his face, and he was sent flying along the ground.
Almost instantly, Trunks was behind Cell, and kicked him into the air. He moved again, appearing above Cell, put his fists together, and smashed him into the ground. Trunks charged up his energy, and started raining blasts down on Cell's body. After a few moments, Trunks stopped, not even tired. Cell was still alive, and he knew it.
Cell pulled himself up slowly and painfully from the indentation his body had made in the ground. He was covered in scratches, and his eye was temporarily swollen shut. "H-how?" he asked. "How are you this strong?"
"I told you already," said Trunks. "You have nothing on me." He glared down icily at Cell. Cell was suddenly fearful. Trunks was telling the truth. He really had only left to get his strength back up, and to even the odds. There had been a chance before that he could have taken both androids, and that would have been the end for Trunks. But now...
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18 could hear the noise of the fight from her hiding place. She could just tell that Trunks was winning. She didn't know exactly how she felt about that. On the one hand, he'd promised to save 17. But on the other hand... what would happen after that? There was no way, no way on earth, that they could take Trunks if he really did beat Cell. Would he just kill them after that? Would he leave them alone? Could he leave them alone?
Regardless, she felt uneasy. Something about this was wrong. Cell wasn't an idiot, she had to admit. He should have known not to come alone, especially if he thought she might have tried to help. Did he have a plan? And if so, how could she help without giving her position away? It was a pickle alright.
She decided she couldn't stay back and do nothing. She looked next to her at Trunks' sword. 'I'm crazy,' she thought. 'I'm absolutely crazy for helping him.' She shook her head, grabbed the sword, and got out of the truck. She strapped the sword to her back and stepped out of the cave slowly, looking around. She had to find the fight, but she had to stay hidden. She could do that.
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Trunks looked down at Cell. He remembered his promise to 18. 'If I can just hit him in the gut hard enough,' thought Trunks, 'he should spit 17 out. That's what Gohan did, right? It's a little brutish, but if it works it works.' Suddenly, he felt that all was not right. He became aware of an energy signature that felt like Cell's, but wasn't all there. Almost like it was missing. Just like...
"An Android," he whispered. Suddenly, a strong hand grabbed him around the waist, trapping his arms, and another hand grabbed him by the throat. He looked down. It was Cell's hand around his waist, but a pale whit hand on his throat. "Nineteen!" he exclaimed, recgonizing the sleeve on the foreign arm.
"That is correct," said 19, his electronic voice holding a mocking tone. Trunks felt himself getting weaker suddenly. "I do not know how you know my name. But if you know that, you may know what I am doing to you right now."
"Trying to drain my energy!" exclaimed Trunks, trying to break free. However, he was finding it difficult. 19's strength had been augmented by Cell's arm, and that in addition to the draining of his energy was making it difficult to muster the strength necessary to escape. 'It shouldn't be this difficult,' thought Trunks. 'How is he... of course!' The realization hit Trunks hard. The energy 19 was stealing form him was going directly into the parts Cell had given him, making them stronger!
Trunks struggled harder to break free but it was no use. 19 was simply draining his energy too quickly for him to compensate. He kept trying though, knowing to give up meant that the Earth was doomed.
Cell looked up with a smile on his face. He'd known 19 would be a good addition. He knew Trunks was powerful, but against an android whose special ability it was to steal power? And, Cell could sense, an android whose power was growing thanks to Cell's augmentation? Trunks didn't stand a chance!
Unbeknownst to the three combatants, there was another witness to the scene. From her hiding place, 18 watched wide-eyed as Trunks struggled against 19. What could she do though? If she revealed herself, Cell would catch her. But if she didn't, it was all over anyway. She put her hand on the hilt of Trunks' sword. She narrowed her eyes, and aimed carefully. If she could just get the angle right...
*WHIIIIIZZZ!* There was a sound of metal cutting metal as the blade entered 19's right shoulder. The force of the throw drove the blade in several inches, stopping short of cutting through and hitting trunks. All three fighters were stunned.
"Wh-where did that come from?" asked Cell. It had been so fast and unexpected that he didn't actually see the direction it had come from. 19, likewise, was stunned. Trunks took advantage of the distraction. He elbowed 19 away as hard as he could, grabbing his sword as he did. 19 was sent hurtling back several yards. Trunks was panting, looking from Cell to 19.
'That had to be 18,' thought Trunks. 'That means she's close by, and is in serious danger of being caught. I have to do something. But 19 drained me really fast. Only one choice.' Trunks knew what he was about to do could backfire, but he was counting on it to force Cell into a retreat. It would work. It had to. He took off his jacket, wrapped it around his sword, and let them fall to the ground. Trunks began powering up, tapping into his hidden wells of energy.
"What is he...?" asked Cell.
'What's he doing now?' thought 18. Trunks was glowing. Sparks of energy began flying around him, like small lightning bolts. Cell felt his energy growing, but it was growing at a rate that paralyzed him. Trunks was drained, wasn't he? How could he have this much power left over? Suddenly, Trunks' muscles started to increase in size. They grew a small amount at first, and then much more. His hair began standing up in all directions, and the rubber band holding his ponytail in place snapped.
"HAAAAAAAAAAA!" yelled Trunks, giving it one final push. A huge wave of energy was sent out all around him. Even 18, untrained in sensing energy, could feel it. The three androids looked at Trunks. He was huge now. 18 couldn't see 19's face from where she was, but she could see Cell's. He looked horrified.
"Wh-what?" he stuttered. "H-how? H-how are you so...?" Trunks suddenly rushed at him. His speed was diminished in this form, but not enough for Cell's current state to have any advantage. He grabbed Cell's face, ran a short distance, jumped up and then slammed him into the ground, creating a large crater. Trunks held on, picking Cell up after a moment.
Through his fingers, Cell looked at Trunks with fear. What on Earth was he capable of? Trunks charged up and blasted Cell's head clean off. However, he couldn't kill Cell all the way just yet. He still had to get 17 out. He looked up at 19.
19 moved backwards. 'So much power,' thought 19. 'I do not know if I can absorb it all.'
'Have to do this quick,' thought Trunks. 'He drained me too much earlier. I can't keep up this form much longer.' He flew up at 19 at top speed. Before the android could react, Trunks had kicked him in the head. 19 went flying further up into the air. However, something fell from his body. Trunks raced towards it. It was a small box with a screen on it. It reminded him of the dragon radar. 'So this is how they found us.'
"DO SOMETHING NINETEEN!" shouted Cell, whose head had reformed. "HE HAS THE TRACKER!" Cell, desperate not to lose the only means he had of easily finding 18, flew as fast as he could towards Trunks. He pulled back his fist, and punched the second he reached his target. *WHAM!* Cell's eyes widened in disbelief. Trunks had caught his fist.
Trunks glared at Cell, and began to bend his fist backwards. He then kneed Cell in the gut. Cell coughed up blood. Trunks was disappointed. Gohan delivering such a blow had knocked 18 right out of Cell in the past. Trunks realized then that maybe he wasn't quite strong enough at the moment. He cursed it, but realized that he would have to wait and take on Cell another day.
He kneed Cell again, and then crushed the android tracker. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" shouted Cell. Before Trunks could move, Cell's tail was wrapped around his throat. She began punching and kicking Trunks as hard and as fast as he could. 19 had finally steadied himself and came to Cell's aid. He too began to pummel Trunks.
The speed and ferocity Cell was exhibiting shocked Trunks at first, and for a few moments he couldn't move. Then he concentrated, and sent out a small wave of energy, essentially creating a barrier between himself and his attackers. Cell and 19 were blasted backwards, and Cell's tail was removed from his body, cut by the barrier. The tail then disintegrated, unable to withstand the energy.
Trunks charged up two large blasts, one in each hand. "EIGHTEEN!" shouted Trunks, his voice echoing throughout the Canyon. "IT'S TIME TO GO!" 18, in her hiding place, nodded, and flew back towards the cave.
'She was right here the whole time!' thought Cell. However, he didn't have a chance to look. Trunks blasted at both 19 and Cell. 19 tried to move, but wasn't quite fast enough. Part of his new legs took the brunt of the blow, and he fell out of the sky. Cell, having been distracted by his attempt to spot 18, took the blast fairly full on. He fell out of the sky, large pieces of him damaged, and his head once again blasted into oblivion. Trunks landed, grabbed his things and waited.
A moment later, and 18 had shown up n the truck. Trunks powered down and jumped in. They sped away, and were well out of range before either Cell or 19 could do anything about it.
It was some time before Cell regained consciousness. He opened his eyes to see 19 standing above him. Luckily for 19, the legs Cell had given him still functioned as if they were attached to Cell, and had grown back. "Where did they go?" asked Cell.
"I do not know," answered 19. "I landed head first in the ground and was buried. I was not able to see where they went, or how they got away."
"Urgh," growled Cell. "DAMN! We were so CLOSE! And now they've destroyed the tracking device! AAAAAAAGH!" Cell yelled, his furious energy collapsing a few nearby rock structures. He looked towards the sky, seething with rage. They would not escape next time.
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18 drove for hours, putting as much distance between themselves and Cell as she could. She looked over at Trunks. He wasn't making any noise, but she could tell he was in pain. They found an inn around midnight, and 18 got them a room. She helped Trunks up to it. When they finally made it, he collapsed onto his bed.
"Okay," said 18. "What the hell was all that?" Trunks took a few deep breaths.
"It was a Super Saiyan state," explained Trunks, trying to sit up. He winced. He felt like his whole body was on fire. "It's much more powerful than either normal Super Saiyan or Ascended Saiyan. It's nearly as strong as Super Saiyan Level Two."
"T-two?" asked 18. "You mean there's a state even further than..." she grew fearful. Had she and 17 been lucky when they killed Vegeta and Gohan? Just how powerful were Saiyans capable of becoming?
"Yes," said Trunks. "It was ultimately Gohan that Killed Cell in the past, by becoming a Super Saiyan Two. The state I was in sacrifices speed for power, see. That's why I can't let Cell become Perfect. Only a Super Saiyan Two could take him at that point, or at least I think so."
"I see," said 18 quietly. She looked carefully at Trunks. "And what's the matter with you now? Why does it look like you're in nothing but pain?"
"The extra stress on my muscles," said Trunks. "I've only used that form once before. A Saiyan's body is capable of growing like that for a transformation, but I haven't done it enough and my body isn't used to it. Between that and the beating the two of them were giving me... by the way, that was a good move."
"Hm?"
"The sword thing," said Trunks. "Thanks. You probably saved us both back there."
"I had to contribute somehow," said 18. "If you die, I get absorbed. I'm not about to let that happen. Thanks, by the way."
"For what?"
"Look," said 18, "even I felt your energy back there. You were so much stronger than Cell. Thanks for not completely blowing him away. Thanks for trying to save my brother instead."
"Sure," said Trunks.
"Let me do something for you," said 18. Trunks raised an eyebrow. "Look, I just want to thank you for everything you've done so far, alright?" She walked over to his bed and put a hand on his shoulder. "Now lay down and relax for a minute okay."
"What exactly are you-" 18 put a finger ono his lips.
"Just do it," she said. Trunks slowly laid down on the bed. "Now turn over on your back." Trunks did it, but kept a wary eye on 18. What was she up to?
She sat down next to him and put her hands on his back. She began rubbing his sore muscles. Trunks blushed slightly. Was she messaging him? He was about to raise a protest when 18 shushed him. "Just let me do this," she said. She kept going, working his shoulders, then his arms. She made her way back to his back. Suddenly, she was on top of him. She placed her knee on his back, and grabbed both of his arms, pulling them back. Not enough to hurt him, but any more and she would.
"What!" exclaimed Trunks.
"Listen,' said 18, leaning forward and whispering into his ear. "I'm grateful and all, for you helping me, but let me make this perfectly clear. If you ever insult me like you did the other day, I will get you back for it. I know you aren't going to kill me, and you know I'm stronger and faster than you as long as you aren't Super Saiyan." Trunks glared back at her. 18 smiled. She'd made her point. "Now relax again." she dropped his arms and removed her knee from his back. She went back to what she'd been doing.
Trunks had a few conflicting feelings at the moment. On the one hand, 18 had just threatened him. On the other hand, she was actually helping him, and he was feeling better for what she was doing. He decided not to retaliate. He knew he was stronger than her overall, and that her threat didn't matter in the long run.
Trunks sighed. He looked forward to the day that his life would start being normal again. One thing at a time though. "What's the nearest city from here?" asked Trunks. "We need to restock on food supply."
"The man at the front desk said Orange City," answered 18, working on a knot in Trunks' back. "It's only a few hours from here, but I felt like we should get some rest."
"Alright," said Trunks. "We'll need to be careful though. Orange City is a bigger city, and people will recognize you there."
"They won't be any trouble," scoffed 18.
"Still," said Trunks. "Let me do the talking, alright?"
"Alright," agreed 18. Soon after, each of the warriors were in their own beds. Orange City was the last city between themselves and West City. They'd headed east when they started, only because Trunks had known there was a town nearby. However, now they were almost home. Home. Trunks smiled. He was looking forward to it.
Took me a while, but here it is. The chapter ran a little long, I know, but I felt it was important, and I couldn't find a place I liked as a breaking point. This story is starting to get where I want it to be. Ever since I started it (wow, two years ago at least? Almost 3? Sheesh) I've known what I want to do with it. I'm almost there, just bear with me. Or is it bare with me? Either way, I'll have the next one up soon, I hope!