"There it is," Pan cried happily. "There's home. We're finally home!"

Trunks joined the young girl by the window, staring at Earth as it loomed closer. Just like when they left, it was amazing to see their planet from outer space, its outer beauty disguising the horror and destruction wrought upon its surface. Hopefully, they could finally change that and give life back to their home and restore the damage done.

The ship descended through the atmosphere and Trunks watched Capsule Corps get closer with each passing second, pride and accomplishment blooming in his chest. He couldn't wait to see his mother's face when he would tell her about the Dragonballs, that there was still hope in healing their world. Steam issued from the ports of the ship as its legs extended and finally touched down. The gangplank opened and Pan was the first out, laughing gleefully as she threw herself onto the grass.

"Home!" she giggled and she looked up at Trunks. "Is my mom around? I wanna see her."

"She is waiting with Bulma," 16 answered, stepping off the ship. "She is anxious."

Pan shot off for the complex, eager to be reunited with her mother, as Ocarin grabbed Trunks' shoulder. "Where is the stone statue?"

"How about I introduce you to my mother first before we do that?" Trunks suggested. "It's been a long flight and I need a rest and let her know that I'm back."

Ocarin considered it and Trunks worried that he might have a disagreement on his hands, but to his internal relief, the Namekian nodded his head, acquiescing to the Saiyan's suggestion. "Very well. We shall see this 'mother' of yours."

Trunks led the way inside Capsule Corps and passed Pan chatting animatedly to Videl, obviously excited by her life-threatening trip and he could see the worry lines that etched Videl's face as she listened to her daughter's story. Trunks chuckled and stopped when the familiar blue hair appeared.

"Welcome back, Trunks," Bulma exclaimed as she pulled her son into a hug. "You had me worried for a moment there."

"I told you I would be fine," Trunks said, relishing the hug and he was reluctant to break it. "We had some trouble and uh…some bad news."

"What do you mean?" his mother asked, her eyes flicking to Ocarin and he could see her trying to remember his face.

"The Namekian Dragonballs no longer exist. But there's still a chance. Mother, this is Ocarin. He is the accumulation of all the remaining Namekians and as such, he can revive our Dragonballs."

"Hello, Ocarin," Bulma introduced herself and extended her hand. "I'm Bulma, Trunks' mother."

"I remember you," Ocarin said, taking her hand and slowly shaking it. "I don't mean myself, I mean the Namekians that created me. I have all their memories and they never forgot you for your kindness and hospitality. As such, I am honoured to meet you myself."

"Well, aren't you a charmer," Bulma chortled. "Welcome to Earth. If you need somewhere to stay, my home is open to you."

"It won't be necessary. Once I revive the Dragonballs, I will wish for my home planet to be restored and head back as soon as possible, although I do appreciate the offer."

Bulma nodded and her eyes flicked to 16, who had finally arrived inside the complex, and she rushed to his side. "What happened to you?!"

"We ran into trouble on Namek and I was injured," 16 said. "I believe I am in need of a vacation as a result."

She smiled at the reference. "Well, come on, let's get you fixed up."

The radio was playing idyllically in the background, a jovial song performing and Trunks' enhanced hearing picked up the sudden change that made his blood run cold. "Breaking news! West City is under attack! It is unconfirmed…no, it is confirmed now…the Androids are back! The Androids are back! Everyone…run for your lives."

"No," Trunks murmured. "That can't be right. I destroyed them. I destroyed them! There was nothing left of them. They can't be back. They can't be!"

"What are these 'Androids'?" Ocarin asked in confusion.

"They were the beings responsible for slaughtering the world's heroes and most of the human race," Bulma explained quietly, her face pale from the news. "It's why it took us so long to get to Namek."

"Mom, I have to go," Trunks said, removing his jacket. "I have to end this once and for all."

"I know you do…just, be careful."

"Do you require assistance?" Ocarin asked as the half-Saiyan moved for the door.

Trunks paused and quickly thought it over. "I won't say no. But be warned, the Androids are strong."

"Understood."

The pair left the building and shot off into the sky, as Pan turned to her mother. "Is it true? Are the Androids really back?" she asked in a quiet, scared voice.

Videl simply held her daughter tighter. "I'm afraid it is."

-X-

It felt good and refreshing to be able to destroy, to watch humans fleeing for their lives, to see the horror stricken on their faces. Apparently, the twins had been dead long enough for the humans to rebuild their cities and it was like their first time, with new buildings to destroy. 18 grinned sadistically as she launched an energy ball and it annihilated a building, people screaming in terror. They were running due to fear and for a moment, 18 was transported to that hellish place. Constantly running due to fear, trying everything she could to avoid a fate worse than her own death. The place where she had become very much like her victims. She knew how they felt and she knew she never wanted to experience that ever again.

Cell was waiting for her.

The energy ball died on her fingertip as she watched the humans scurry beneath her and to her disgust, realised that she could almost empathised with them. She knew what it was like having to run and hide because her life depended on it. She knew how it felt struggling to survive, constantly paranoid, constantly on the lookout, unable to do a thing against someone stronger than her. Now she knew how Trunks suffered and she wondered if she should be doing this at all.

Like a tidal wave, the hatred and thirst for revenge swarmed her mind like an unknown force, like someone commanding her, and the energy ball grew in size in response and she fired it. Another building came crashing down, dust billowing onto the streets and the screaming slowly died.

"Aw, I wanted that building," 17 whined like an upset child and 18 glared at him.

"There's plenty more. The humans have been busy since we were gone."

"I know. Isn't it great. It's like our first week all over again."

"Too bad it won't be like your first week," said a voice the twins knew all too well.

18 faced him, the hatred and need for vengeance filling her mind. She wanted him on his knees, his pretty face broken as he begged for his life, a life that she was going to squeeze out of him. Oh, she was going to enjoy making the brat suffer for what he did to her. The suffering he inflicted on her, she was going to repay tenfold! Every drop of life she drew, she was going to savour.

"I don't know how you are back," Trunks said, "but trust me when I promise to return you to Hell."

"Hm, how cute," 17 sneered. "You got one over us and now you think you're a big man. We're not going back to Hell. We're stronger now, so it's a good thing you brought a friend. You'll need him."

Only then did 18 notice the Namekian, so focused on her hatred for Trunks that she didn't notice him. She smiled. She had killed a Namekian before and so easily too and she wondered if she could have some fun with this one. Her thought was halted when Trunks shouted and he transformed into the Super Saiyan form she hated so much.

"So, who do you want?" 17 asked his sister. "I kinda want the green one, since you got to kill one last time."

"Be my guest,"18 smirked, never taking her eyes off Trunks and she pointed at him. "I want him anyway."

Trunks stood ready. Her smirk never wavered and she shot at him. He blocked their strike and they traded vicious blows, neither one overcoming the other. Trunks was surprised at her power, as every attempt he made to overpower her was countered by her sharp reflexes and his surprise grew as he realised she was pushing him back. 18 was relentless, hammering at Trunks as she backed him up against a building and then she kicked him straight through it. The building crumbled and Trunks quickly halted his momentum, trying to clamp down on his surprise and slow-building niggle of worry. However the Androids were back, they were now stronger than before and Trunks quickly wiped away the relief that he was only fighting one, concerned that his power wouldn't hold up against both Androids.

"How is this possible?" he questioned as 18 shot at him again and he barely dodged her swipe. "None of this makes sense. This shouldn't be happening, it's impossible."

He parried her fist and drove his fist into her gut. 18 gasped and a blow to her jaw slammed her into the road below. She bounced and flipped over onto her feet as Trunks zoomed down and splayed his palm right before her face. Familiarity struck her and she briefly thought 'not again', but instead of fear, 18 felt hatred and she batted his hand aside as he unleashed the energy blast. A nearby shop was demolished and horror-struck, Trunks was off-guard and 18 sunk her boot into his stomach. Trunks gagged, shock all over his face, and she punched him, driving a trench into the road with his body. She fired twin blasts and he shot into the sky to avoid them and she flew at him, trading blows once more. He found himself on the defensive and tried to reclaim the offense; he feinted a swing and landed a blow against her cheek that shot her straight like a pinball into a building. Trunks threw his Finish Buster, hoping to destroy her in the explosion, but 18 flew out of the destruction, not a single hair out of place, although her jacket was slightly ripped.

"Why is nothing working on her?" Trunks wondered, fighting back his childhood panic that threatened to rear its ugly head. She smirked, that same playful and sinister smirk that haunted his nightmares for years. He'd finally wiped it off her face before and he was going to do it –

Trunks slammed into the ground and groaned. Rolling onto his back, he saw 17 in the sky, waving merrily down at him.

"That green guy put up a good fight, but then I got bored," 17 said as he floated down. "After all, why let my sister have all the fun? The real fun is right here, hey, Trunks?"

"How are you back?" Trunks asked as he stood, aware of 18 slowly approaching him from behind. "The Dragonballs don't exist and even if they did, no-one in their right mind would revive you."

"Yes, we had help," 17 replied. "Someone made us an offer too good to be true. All we have to do is kill you and I have the feeling it will be easy. We are much stronger now, Trunks. You liking your chances?"

"I'll take them anyway."

Trunks flared his aura and shot at 17 and drove him away with a punch. He pivoted and elbowed the charging 18 to the ground. 17's knee slammed into Trunks' jaw. They traded blows and 18 launched several energy blasts. Trunks shoved 17 away and protected himself against the blasts and both Androids slammed into him, attacking any part they could reach. Trunks defended and felt himself being pushed by the combined pair, panic rising in his focused mind. He clamped down on it as best he could and fired a blast point-blank at 17. The Android emerged unscathed and 18 punched Trunks to the ground, then booted him in the stomach. Trunks gagged and 17 kicked him in the head like he was kicking a soccer ball. Blood flew from Trunks' mouth and the Androids pressed their attack.

He was losing. He knew it. Every attempt he made to stop them, they countered, their power too much for him. Despair filled him and he tried so very hard to ignore it, fighting like his life depended on it, because it did. He couldn't afford to lose and yet, his efforts meant nothing. 17 and 18 grinned and flew at the bloodied Trunks, the latter flying around and the twins struck at the same time, their elbows crashing into the front and back of Trunks' neck. His eyes went white and he gasped, struggling to breathe and 18 grabbed him by his jacket and hurled him into the sky. 17 drove Trunks into the ground with an axe-handle strike and 18 kicked his face, breaking his nose. Trunks tried to get up, but 18 stepped on his head and pinned him down.

"Aw, what's with the glare? Aren't you enjoying our reunion?" 18 mocked her prey as he glared at her with every fibre of hatred in his body. She stomped his head and Trunks nearly blacked out and she grabbed his jaw and squeezed. "This is your fault, you know. If you had just died all those years ago, you wouldn't be here, suffering right now."

"Someone – had to – stop you," Trunks gritted out and she squeezed his jaw tighter, threatening to break it.

"Let's finish him, 18," 17 said and his twin smirked, dropping Trunks and joined him in the sky. Together, they created twin balls of energy, pouring as much power into them as they could. "Goodbye, Trunks," 17 smirked and they hurled the balls at Trunks' prone form.

The massive fireball that ignited brightened the sky and could be seen from miles away.