Chapter 3: The Answer

Trunks filled Bulma in on the choice he gave 18 at the table.

Bulma: "I'm proud of you Trunks, you're always thinking of others before yourself. You were raised!…But do you think 18 will really want to start protecting the world she and 17 brought so much destruction to?"

Trunks: "Well do you remember how I told you I always saw the look of evil and destruction in the android's eyes."

Bulma: "Yes I remember that quite clear."

Trunks: "You see when I went to the past I never saw that look in their eyes. In the end I never did and in that time line Cell turned out to be the true monster. The androids of that time will probably never be the same ruthless killers they were in this time and that's all because what they went through with Cell. They were able to see first hand what it's like to be out powered and experience that kind of fear. I doubt now they will want to put anyone through that same kind of pain. Now what happened to 18 of the other time line just happened to this 18. I no longer see that look in her eyes and she is beginning to see what she has done, so I think there is a chance she wants to fight for the right reasons now."

Bulma: "Wow Trunks sounds like you have a lot of insight. Well for the sake of this planet I hope you're right about her. By the way I think you should give her a few days to rest up while she thinks about it and during that time you should stay away from her so she wont feel like she's being pressured and gets defensive. I can check up on her and see if she needs anything every now and then."

Trunks: "Thanks mom, but are you sure you're okay with doing that, I mean you have every reason to hate her."

Bulma: "I know, but after being with your father it would make me a hypocrite not to give anyone else a second chance."

Trunks then sank in her words.

A few days pasted and Bulma told Trunks, 18 was all held. He decided it was time to get his answer. He walked into the medical room and 18 was standing by the bed moving her hair back. When she heard him come in she turned towards him.

18: "Don't you know how to knock?…Anyway I haven't seen you in awhile."

Trunks: "I was giving you your space to think about what we talked about before. Well have your decision?"

Before 18 could say anything Bulma came running in.

Bulma: "Trunks, Cell's alive and I just saw him on tv!"

Both Trunks and 18 looked shocked.

Trunks: "Mom what exactly did you see?"

Bulma: "I was just watching the news and the city it was broadcasting in was attacked by Cell. He absorbed all the camera men in no time and it went off the air."

Trunks: "What was the city?"

Bulma: "Star City."

Trunks: "That's not that far away, if I take off now I can catch him!"

He ran out of the room and out of the house. 18 came chasing after him.

18: "Wait Trunks, I want to come too! I want to make sure he pays for what he did to my brother!"

Trunks: "No you can't come."

18: "What?! Why not?"

Trunks: "You know you're no match for Cell; especially now when your getting over your injuries. Not to mentioned you could get absorbed and that would cause Cell to reach his perfect form, which would be no good for anyone."

18: "Who are you to talk anyway! You weren't even able to destroy him back there."

Trunks: When that happened I was also focused on you. I didn't know you were injured so badly and switched my attention off of Cell to you. I assumed I destroyed him because he didn't show back up. This time I will make sure I finish him though, so don't worry and stay here."

He then turned his back to her about to take off.

18: "Wait and listen! I don't want anyone to ever go through this again, so my answer from before is yes, I will help protect this planet! Just make sure to hurry back before I change my mind."

It was at first weird to here 18 talk like this, but Trunks nodded his head and flew off.

Cell was still roaming around Star City.

Cell: "Looks like this city has run out of people to absorb. Oh well it's off to the next one."

Trunks landed right in front of him.

Trunks: "I don't think so! I wont let you absorb anymore people."

Cell: "You weren't able to defeat me before, so you wont this time."

Trunks: "Last time I was distracted, this time it's just you and me, and you're not getting away!"

Cell: "You mean you were distracted by that android. So tell me, where is she? If you tell me I might be willing to kill you quickly without making you suffer that much."

Trunks started to fly at him: "You are in no position to be making deals."

He hit him quickly and hard in the head. When Cell was about to hit him back Trunks moved to quick for him.

Cell: "Why you!"

Trunks: "What's the matter? Am I too fast for you?"

Cell came at him again but Trunks grabbed his hand and hit Cell before he could. Cell was pushed back and with that Trunks blasted him. It was such a powerful blast there was nothing left of him. Trunks looked around at the city that had its people all absorbed.

Trunks: "Don't worry I'll bring all of you back."

When Trunks made it back home he walked into the house and both Bulma and 18 came rushing up to him.

Bulma: "Did everything go okay Trunks?"

Trunks: "Yeah, I defeated Cell with no problem."

18 looked relieved.

Trunks: The thing is though he absorbed a lot of people. I think I should go to Namek and ask Dende if he can be the earth's guardian so we can use the Dragon Balls to wish them back. In the other time line I meant Dende and he told me I wouldn't be able to wish Gohan and the others back because of the time restrictions, so I didn't think it was necessary to go to Namek, but now there is a reason and we might need the dragon balls in the future."

Bulma: "Why Trunks Brief you just got back from being in a different time, now you want to go to a different planet? I understand though, (She started to leave the room while she was talking.) and it makes perfect sense so I'll start making preparations on the spaceship."

Trunks: "Thanks mom. By the way 18 I want you to come with me."

18: "Why?"

Trunks: "I don't think my mom will be comfortable with just you and her in the house. I did leave a few times while you were recovering, but it's different now that you're well. Plus if we are going to start working together we need to start building a form of trust."

18: "Like that will ever happen. You even say it like you know it's not possible."

Trunks: "Look if you're willing to change, I'm willing to try to make this work."

18: "Whatever." (She said quietly.)

Bulma walked back into the room: "The ship will be ready by tomorrow morning."

Trunks: "Okay that gives us time to get what we need together."

Bulma: "We? So you're taking 18 with you? Well okay you two be careful."

The next morning Trunks and 18 loaded the ship and told Bulma goodbye.