Trunks was stunned. "She's really been helping you all this time?"
"I know it's hard to believe Trunks, but yes. In fact with all her help I'm only missing two things and we'll be able to travel to New Namek."
Trunks ran a hand through his shoulder length hair as he tried to process the overload of information. "Alright...well I can promise you this mom. I have the strength to beat Cell as he is now. I just have to make sure that the android...that Eighteen doesn't get herself absorbed before then. What else do you need for this ship of yours?"
"As it stands I need a power core of some sort. Something that will have enough energy to power the ship from Earth to New Namek. Though she was reluctant to investigate ...I convinced eighteen to check out Gero's lab."
Trunk's eyes widened. "His lab? but why?"
Bulma sighed. "Well technology is hard to come by these days. The world's population is estimated to be at 1/6th it's numbers prior to the android invasion or a little over a billion people, but the world's economy and infrastructure are ruined you know how long it took me to gather parts for the time machine. It's why one of the wishes I want to ask the dragon is to return the Earth to the condition it was in before the android's first attacked. Gero's lab may still have something that can be salvaged for something good for a change."
Trunks bowed his head. "Alright fair enough. But you mentioned a second item. What else do you need mom?"
Bulma smiled. "Don't worry honey. I have that one handled myself. If you really think you can handle Cell on your own that would finally end this nightmare."
"And what about Eighteen? how does she fit into all of this?" Trunks asked as he crossed his arms.
Bulma sighed. "I can tell you spent some time with your father Trunks. Eighteen has hurt a lot of people and Six Months ago if you'd returned and told me you intended to kill her I wouldn't have thought twice. However she deserves a second chance. I wouldn't be alive right now if it weren't for her. All I'm asking is for you to give her a chance. She's changed Trunks."
Trunk fought a scowl as he stood up . "Fine I'l- he stopped his eyes widening momentairly. "That energy...who was that?" he whispered aloud.
"Trunks what's wrong?" Bulma asked a look of concern touched her face.
Trunks shook his head. "I felt a powerful energy coming from the north. It's far weaker than my own, but it's not Cell and I can't sense Eighteen...so who else could be that strong?""
"Pan..." Bulma breathed.
"Who?" Trunks questioned as he stared at his mother.
Bulma slowly rose to her feet. "Trunks you missed alot. This is going to be a hard pill to swallow. "
"Pan is Gohan's daughter."
Trunk's face went pale. "H-his daughter?! but how?"
Bulma smiled sadly. "She's not even five years old yet. Judging from what little Pan told us...she was born after Gohan died."
"Then who was her mother? Where is she?"
The blue haired woman shook her head sadly. "She...was killed by Cell shortly before Eighteen found her."
Trunks swallowed. "I have to go. She's all that Gohan has left in this world and if Cell felt that power she could be in danger." he said as he turned and began to bolt towards the door.
"Trunks! Please Eighteen has been looking after that girl since she saved her. Pan thinks the world of Eighteen, please whatever you do...don't tell her about what happened with Gohan...at least not yet."
Trunks froze a moment still unsettled about the whole notion of Eighteen possibly being anything other then an enemy. "...Alright. I'll try to keep my cool mom." he said finally, before flinging the door open as he ran forward, before launching into the sky.
Far to the North Android 18 and Pan found themselves walking into the remenants of Gero's old laboratory.
"I don't like this place." Pan whispered as she looked up at the blonde woman beside her.
The Little girl had her black hair pulled back into pig tails and wore a tiny GI that was remenescent of her Grandfather's. She reached up searching for Eighteen's hand.
Eighteen forced a smile for the little girl's sake. "I know what you mean Panny." she said as she clasped one of her larger hands over the girl's much smaller hand as she gazed around the darkened room, before reached out and feeling for a switch with her free hand. A moment elapased before the room was bathed in a dim light.
Pan blinked furiously. "Whoa. Everything is so cool!" she exclaimed as she began to stare at all the old lab equipment.
'I'm glad you're having fun..' Eighteen mused to herself, before sighing as she glanced around a moment. Spotting a sealed chamber in the back she slowly crouched down till she was at Pan's level. "Panny, I'm going to go poke around in the back, can you be a good girl and wait out here for me?"
The little girl pouted. "I guess so..."
Eighteen smiled as she ruffled her hair. "That's a good girl. I'll be back soon. And Panny... don't touch anything alright?" she said as she cast a look over at the small girl, before slipping out of sight leaving the small girl alone in the main lab.
As soon as she was out of Pan's sight she allowed herself to lean against the wall as a pained expression covered her face. In the last few months she had begun to recover pieces of her humanity. The anger and bitterness she and Seventeen had felt were two of the few emotions they'd seemed to hold on to above all else, but after losing her brother and having her eyes forced open...she'd been forced to face certain truths. The fact was the pain she felt in losing Seventeen was something she'd caused for others time and time again. It was easy to dehumanize her enemies in the past when she didn't consider herself anything more than a machine, but it had become much harder. Coming back to this place only served to remind her of her first few memories upon awakening in this new life...and of her brother.
She took a breath, before pushing off the wall as she began to inspect the room she was in.
"Bingo. Looks like this is the power grid for the entire lab. Can't believe it's still running. That old bastard really built things to last.." she mused with a sense of disgust as she looked at her own hand. 'How old am I anyways? In reality I'm probably not much younger than Bulma, but I'm stuck like this indefinitely. Of all the things to hate Gero for though...I guess this one would be a low priority..' she thought to herself as she finally stopped infront of a transformer that was connected to some sort of large complex crystalline structure.
"Huh looks like this thing is producing all the power for the lab. According to my scans...it's true reknewable energy. Constantly being recycled and used over and over again. Shame the bastard didn't use his big brain for some good. This could have helped the world." she mused as she examined the coupling it was placed in. "All I should have to do is disable the output and it should be safe to remove. "
A few seconds passed as she released the safeties surrounding the crystalline structure, before she reached out and with a firm pull removed the object from it's resting spot. Almost immediately the lights began to flicker as the power failed.
After a few moments she stalked back into the other room. "Alright Panny it's time to go!" she called.
"Pan?" she called again only to nearly bump into the girl who stared transfixed at something across the room.
Eighteen's eyes widened as two pods labeled 16 and 19 now stood open.
'Dammit I didn't think the power going off would release these other pods. It doesn't matter we need to move.'
"Pan we have to leave now!" She urged as she reached for the girl's hand.
Before she could move any further however a robotic voice could be heard. "You are not Doctor Gero. Analyzing...Subject 18 and unknown specimen." the voice repeated as sn obese white skinned android stepped out into view. "Scanners indiciate a biological marker to Son Goku. Target is prime for termination."
Eighteen quickly forced Pan behind her. "Listen to me you fat blob. I'll rip you apart limb by limb if you so much as touch a hair on her head."
"I am designated as Android 19...my programming dictates that I teriminate Son Goku and in case of his death anyone who is affiliated with Son Goku."
"Give it your best shot then, but you'll have to get past me." she taunted as she crouched into a fighting stance.
"Big Sis? I'm scared..." Pan said as she stared at the other android.
"Don't be afraid Pan. I won't let anything happen to you."
However Nineteen's attack never came. Instead without warning a flicker of movement could be seen as a massive figure grabbed the other android by the throat and pinned him against the far wall.
Another robotic voice followed though it seemed far less menacing.
"You should leave now! The others will be here soon."
"Others? What are you talking about?" Eighteen asked as she inched backwards with Pan.
The lights flickered temporarily revealing a tall red haired android with a green suit and mohawk.
"There are three other models in a subdwelling below us. They wil-" he was cut short as a section of the floor burst open as three more figures emerged into view.
Sixteen growled as he with one quick motion wrenched Nineteen back ,before slamming the other Android's head againt the metal wall with such force that it shattered the Android's head killing him instantly.
He dropped the rest of Nineteen before turning towards the other three.
Thirteen clapped his hands. "Bravo Sixteen. Now I see why the good doctor had his reservations about waking ya up, boys take care of the dame and the little squirt will ya? I'll handle Sixteen myself."
"With pleasure" Fifteen said as he took a stepped forward grinding his own fists together.
Fourteen merely grunted as he popped his neck and follow in stride with comrade.
Eighteen's eyes narrowed. 'This isn't good...even if I can take these rejects it gives a chance for Cell to find us. He won't miss this. Which means I'll have to make this quick. Also I can't let them hurt Pan.
Eighteen braced herself as the duo came at her in sync. She raised her arms simulaniously blocking both Fourteen and Fifteen, before summoning strength to her limbs as she sent both of the androids flying through the roof causing daylight to pierce through the otherwise dark chamber.
Sixteen and Thirteen began to trade blow for blow. It was clear within the first few exchanges that Sixteen had a clear advantage however Thirteen was still managing to hold his ground at the moment.
Eighteen raised her arms in front of her body in a defensive manner as Fourteen bulldozed straight into her causing her to be forced back a few feet stopping just two feet in front of Pan.
Pan watched with fearful eyes as the other android reappeared behind Eighteen and locked his arms around Eighteen's arms, effectively locking her in place.
"Well well you do pack a wallop girlie, but Fourteen and I work best as a team. For all your strength there's nothing you can do now." he laughed.
Eighteen gasped as Fourteen's fist collided with her stomach knocking her breath out and causing her to gasp for air.
"No stop it..." Pan pleaded as tears filled her black little eyes.
She loved Eighteen.
She'd saved her when she'd given up when she didn't want to go on.
She couldn't bare to lose someone else she cared about...
*Flashback approximately 3 months ago*
"Mama w-what's going on?!" Pan sniffed as she hugged her mother's leg.
The sound of screams could be heard in the distance, before everything fell silent.
Videl took a deep breath as she leaned down and rested her forehead against her daughters. "Honey I need you to be a brave girl and listen to mommy. I want you to go and hide under that bus and no matter what you don't move till the bad man leaves do you understand me?"
"B-but Mama I-I!" the girl sniffed once more.
Videl blinked back some tears in her eyes. "Pan I love you. Now go I won't tell you again." she said as she quickly hugged the girl tightly before pushing her forward.
Pan dabbed at her eyes, before she followed her mother's orders as she slipped underneath a nearby bus and tried to quiet herself. All the while she could hear more screams followed by silence, finally she could see from her position a tall creature walking upright. It's bloodsoaked tail dragging along the ground.
Pan felt her heart hammering in her chest as she inched forward her heart catching in her throat as she watched in horror as the creature's tail pierced her Mother's neck.
Terror filled her, but as she watched her mother's life filled face vanish, her terror was replaced with sadness and anger...that boilled into a red hot rage as she could hear the monster laughing. And finally...nothing. She didn't care if she died anymore. She wasn't afraid. The bus she was under was sent hurtling into the distance as the small girl of only four years of age stood up as torrent of gold energy wrapped around her, her black locks of hair spiked up and ignited into a golden tint as her deep flint colored eyes shifted to a light green color.
"What is this?" the creature mused curiously as he stared at the small girl.
"How sad the first Super Saiyan I've actually met and nothing more then a child. Still quite impressive for someone so young. You'll make for a tasty snack while I'm searching for my dear Eighteen..." he mused before laughing.
Pan clenched her tiny fists. "Stop laughing! " she screamed as she rocketed forward as she mustered all the strength she could manage, before planting her fist into Semi-Perfect Cell's face. The attack didn't even cause the android to flinch. Pan's eyes widened in horror as her new found power left her as she fell backwards and the fear she felt before returned.
"How adorable? I guess it's my turn now..." he laughed as he began to tilt his tail towards the small demi- saiyan only to be stopped in his tracks by a powerful Ki blast to the face. The Android let out a scream as he clutched at his face or more percisely his eyes that were scorched.
Without warning a blonde woman landed and promptly grabbed Pan, before rocketing off as fast as she could in the opposite direction of Cell.
"W-who are you?...H-how did you do that?" the small girl sniffed as her eyes were now red and puffy from crying.
Eighteen unsure of what to say shrugged. "My name is Eighteen...as for how I did that...well Cell can't sense me. He didn't sense that attack coming. I caught him off guard is all and bought us some time. You have to stay calm and not use anymore energy alright? we're not safe yet.." she whispered.
Pan sniffed, before slowly nodding her head.
*Flashback End*
Tears escaped the small girl's eyes as she clenched her small fists as her aura swelled. Her hair spiked as it shifted to a golden color as her eyes transformed to a greenish blue tint.
What happened next was resolved in a matter of seconds. Fifteen's laughter finally ceased as he tilted his head backwards just in time to see Pan flying towards him enraged. He released his grip on Eighteen in hopes of getting away, but he wasn't fast enough. Pan's small foot smashed into the side of his head with enough force that a sickening crunch could be heard as the smaller android's head was separated from the rest of his body and sent hurtling across the room.
Eighteen allowed a small smirk. 'Way to go squirt.' she thought to herself as she stared down a surprised Fourteen who tried to take a step backwards and shift into a defensive stance. Eighteen however didn't allow the android anytime to prepare as she dashed forward with a quick palm strike. The large android shuddered as Eighteen's arm went clean through his chest, before Eighteen wrenched her hand free and kicked him backwards. She held out her other hand and with a percise shot fired a Ki blast directly into the gaping hole in Fourteen's chest. The resounding explosion sent pieces of Fourteen flying in every direction. She looked over her shoulder at Pan and her expression softened momentairly. "Panny are you alright?"
The girl's serious expression began to fade as she smiled slightly. "Uh-huh..." she murmurred, before she fell forward into unconciousness. Eighteen caught her and held the small girl against her chest, before glancing into the distance at the exchange between Thirteen and Sixteen.
She wasn't sure of his purpose, but Sixteen for whatever reason seemed friendly. Either that or he had some sort of ulterior motive. Though from watching his exchange with Thirteen it was clear that it wouldn't take long for the Red haired android to prevail.
Thirteen spat some blood up as he swung his fist at Sixteen's face. The red haired android didn't budge as the fist that collided with him didn't even leave a mark. "You do not possess the strength to defeat me Thirteen. Surrender would be advisable." Sixteen remarked.
Thirteen scoffed. "To hell with that boy. I still have me a card up my sleeve.
"Sixteen if you're on our side...we need to leave now!" Eighteen yelled as she floated up towards the hole in the ceiling.
Sixteen was wordless a moment as his scanner processed information. "I detect two individuals with high power levels heading in this direction."
"Two?" Eighteen questioned. She knew one of those had to be Cell, but who could the other be. She shook her head. "One of those powerlevels belongs to another Android. If he catches us we're all doomed!" she yelled.
Sixteen bowed his head. "Understood. Then I will finish this now." he said as he flipped backwards and with one quick motion removed each of his arms revealing cannons. A few seconds passed as he began to collect energy.
Thirteen's eyes widened. 'That's too much energy. I won't be able to dodge that...' he thought to himself as he gritted his teeth as he held out his arms in a defensive manner just as Sixteen's massive blast erupted outwards and collided into him. A massive explosion resulted as the back half of the laboratory and the mountain behind it were consumed in a massive explosion.
Sixteen wordlessly attached his arms once more as he floated upwards towards Eighteen and Pan.
"It is done. Let us leave." He said as he smiled.
Eighteen eyed him for a moment, before offering a hint of a smile. "Best idea I've heard all day big guy." she mused as she rocketed forward with Sixteen at her side only to step dead in her tracks as a familiar figure appeared in front of them with a smirk on his lips.
Eighteen gritted her teeth as she pulled Pan tighter against her chest. "Cell..." she breathed.
"It's been a while Eighteen. I must admit I never imagined you'd prove this hard to find, but I knew it would only be a matter of time till you slipped up. Though I never thought it would be because of some Saiyan brat. Could it be that you've become soft? Maybe killing all the humans lost it's sport. Whatever the case may be...It's good to see you again Sister." Cell chuckled.
"Damn you!" Eighteen seethed as she glanced around frantically looking for an opening.
"And who might this be?" Cell questioned as he eyed Sixteen.
The red headed android stared Cell down. "I am designated as Android Sixteen."
"Ah I see another inferior model. How sad.." he mused as he returned his attention to Eighteen.
"My dear Eighteen there is no escape this time. I won't be fooled the same way twice. All of this resisting is pointless you must know that you're only fighting the inevitable. Surrender yourself and I'll make the child's death relatively painless." he mused with a smirk.
A look of rage filled Eighteen's eyes, but before she could do anything Sixteen lunged forward and slammed his fist directly into Cell's face. The impact caused the trees below to bend and snap, but didn't even cause the Android to even budge.
Sixteen's eyes widened.
"As I said a truly inferior model. Get out of my way trash." Cell bellowed as held out his palm and formed a giant green energy blast. Sixteen tried to block the incoming attack, but his effort would prove useless as the attacked slammed into him and shattered his frame, sending pieces of the Valiant android flying in every which way into the forest below...
Eighteen stared horrified. 'Sixteen..what do I do now? Cell seems even stronger then last time. I didn't stand a chance against him in his first form. But with Pan unconscious I can't even fight back.' she thought as she summoned all the energy she could muster as she tried to fly off in the opposite direction only to stop short as Cell quickly appeared in front of her.
"Now now Eighteen. I said this would be the last time we played this game. You see while you've been alluding me...I've continued to feed on the pathetic people that live on this planet. After absorbing thousands of people it all starts to add up..." he laughed.
Eighteen shivered as she rested one hand on the back of Pan's head while she continued to glare at Cell.
"Do your worst. I won't give you the satisfaction of begging." she spat as she clenched her eyes shut.
Cell merely chuckled as he floated forward the tip of his tail extending...
His laughter was cut short however and was replaced with a cry of pain.
Eighteen slowly opened her eyes to see a tall man bathed in golden light with spiky hair standing in front of her. If not for his capsule corp jacket and sword she would have never recognized the boy...no rather the man in front of her.
Cell floated now some fifty feet away rubbing some blood off his face.
"Trunks?" The blonde questioned a sense of relief and anxiety gripped her. She had talked to Bulma at great length about her son, but she had no idea how the man would react if ever returned and found things so different.
Trunks tilted his head slightly as he stared back at the two women. He couldn't believe his eyes. Despite what his mother had told him, he still found it hard to believe Eighteen was anything more then a monster. And yet she held his Master's daughter in such a protective manner. The irony of Eighteen protecting the daughter of the man she killed wasn't lost on him, but whatever his qualms were with the blonde it could be settled when Cell was no longer a threat.
"Yeah it's me. You should leave. I know what this Cell is capable of. He'll get desperate when he discovers that he can't beat me in a fight. Get Pan out of here." he ordered.
Eighteen's eyes narrowed. "Are you sure you know what you're getting into? You couldn't even beat Seventeen and I alone Six months ago. What makes you think you're any match for him?"
Trunks let out a deep breath as he settled his gaze on Cell. "Well if my mother wasn't mistaken apparently a lot can change in that amount of time. Now go and don't make me regret it."
Eighteen stared at him for another moment. "Yeah...I guess you're right. Just be careful alright? I don't like a lot of people, but your mother just got you back." she said as she began to turn away.
Cell snarled as he darted forward only for Trunks to appear in front of him effectively blocking his path.
"Cell you're not going anywhere. I'll make sure that the nightmare ends here."
"Cocky punk nothing will end here but you!"
*AN*
Powerlevels:
After giving it some thought and doing some research on a few different sites I decided to come up with a basic list of powerlevels. By no means do I expect these to be 100% canon or right, but I figure it might help to have some sort of reference for comparison. I know Pan's might be a little high, but I figure that if Trunks and Goten of the main timeline can be become Super Saiyans at such a young age why can't Pan? Anyways the modifiers I'm planning to use for right now is this:
Baseform x50= Super Saiyan Powerlevel
Baseform x75= Ultra Super Saiyan Powerlevel
Baseform x150= Super Saiyan 2 Powerlevel
Again I know this isn't exactly right, but I just more or less wanted a means of comparing powerlevels between characters in this fic.
Android 13: 275,000,000
Android 14: 215,000,000
Android 15: 190,000,000
Android 16: 350,000,000
Android 18: 300,000,000
Android 19: 180,000,000
Semi-Perfect Cell 625,000,000 (After absorbing Humans and 17)
Pan: Base Form: 4,000,000, / SS Form: 200,000,000
Trunks: Base Form: 10,400,000 /SS Form: 520,000,000 / Ultra SS: 780,000,000