Bulma hated fretting. She thought she was done with the constant worry after the Androids were destroyed, but for the past few months, she'd done nothing but worry. It was only natural as a mother to worry about her son's well-being, especially when he was the sole protector of the world and went gallivanting across time and space. But with the return of 18, things were complicated and it set Bulma's anxiety to an all-new high. 18's violent nature could not be contained and after a brutal fight that Trunks barely survived, the Android was loose on the world once more.
For the past hour, the news had been going non-stop on the reports of West City under attack and the lives that'd been lost in a vicious battle raging on, along with sightings of 18 in the city. Bulma prayed to her fallen friends that her son would survive the fight, hopefully destroy 18 for good and bring peace back to the world, the way it was meant to.
Reports of the battle slowly died off and now it was reported that it was over and Bulma listened desperately for any news of her son's survival. She had to know who won, had to know that it was Trunks. It was too eerily familiar to when she last saw the Z-Fighters alive, all going out to defend the populace and only Gohan returning home, telling everyone that the Z-Fighters were all dead, slain in battle.
She didn't want that for her son. She couldn't bear the thought of losing him.
The front door of Capsule Corporation was blasted off its hinges and Bulma jumped in shock, her heart pounding as she feared the worst: she feared that 18 won and had come to finish the job. Sure enough, 18 stepped into view and Bulma's heart leapt into her throat, but the Android wasn't alone. On one shoulder, she carried Ocarin and 16 and on her other arm, she held Trunks, all three unconscious.
"What happened?" Bulma was almost too scared to ask. "You didn't…kill them, did you?"
"Don't be an idiot," 18 snapped and she carelessly tossed Trunks onto the couch. He came awake with a sudden yelp of pain and 18 rolled her eyes. "Oh, don't be such a baby. I've hurt you worse than that."
"What did you do to them?" Bulma asked.
"I didn't do anything," 18 replied, dumping Ocarin and 16 to the side. "That Broly returned and destroyed the city. It's alright, he's dead now. However, your son isn't going to last much longer unless you can perform miracles."
"I might have something," Bulma said and she left in search of a senzu bean. "This is starting to become too much of a regular occurrence and I don't like it at all."
It had been too much in too short a time and they needed some breathing space. With everything going on, it surprised Bulma that it'd only been a week since this entire ordeal started. Amazing how everything could change so rapidly and without warning.
Locating a senzu bean (she really needed to get some more; it was her last one), Bulma cut it in half and gave one to her son and the other to Ocarin. 18 stood back with her arms crossed and a glare set in place, as Bulma worked on wakening 16. The beans worked their magic and Trunks slowly stood, stretching as he checked for any lingering injuries and he caught sight of 18.
"I guess I should thank you," he said, scratching his head. "For helping with Broly and not killing me."
"I didn't do it to save you," 18 said. "I just didn't want Broly destroying the world."
"So, why didn't you kill me when you had the chance?"
"Because I couldn't fight Broly. Not on my own and if there are more freaks like him and they come here, well, that's where you come in."
"How noble," Ocarin sneered. "You showed us mercy simply to serve your purpose of protecting your simulated skin. The mighty Android isn't as strong as she thinks she is."
18 snarled and energy flickered to life in her hand. She was prepared to blast the Namekian into oblivion and then she suddenly got a faceful of bare toned chest when Trunks appeared in front of her, blocking her target. He powered up to Super Saiyan and the flare of his power blasted her outside, as Bulma shouted angrily in the background about her home being destroyed. 18 growled as she stood and Trunks joined her on the lawn.
"Not inside," the hybrid said. "If you want a fight, we'll do it here."
"Is fighting all you dumb Saiyans think about?"
"Is murder all you Androids are capable of?"
18 shrugged carelessly. "I can't help it if humans are so fragile and pathetic. Why do you insist on protecting them so much?"
"You know, you were human once, so I wouldn't act so superior," Trunks pointed out.
18 shot a death glare at him. "No, I wasn't."
"It's true. I've seen the plans. I've been in the past. I know. Both you and 17 were humans until Gero converted you into Androids, all for the sole purpose of being absorbed by Cell. That's the only reason you were made. You had no other purpose in life."
Her, human? 18 had no memories of her life before Gero and given it was Trunks telling her this, she couldn't trust that he was being entirely truthful with her. Not like she'd given him any reason to be completely honest, but at least it would explain why Demigra kept calling her Lazuli, as if he knew it was her human name. And if she had been born a human, then all the more reason why she hated Gero and hated humans in general. He was the reason she was like this, something she used to have fun in reminding him about during her time in Hell.
"I guess you did help me stop Broly, so perhaps there is some humanity still left in you," Trunks mused, his golden locks dropping into his lavender bangs.
18 resumed her glare. "You keep talking like that and I'll renege on not killing you."
"Look, I don't trust you and I don't like you at all-"
"Don't worry, big boy, the feeling's mutual."
"-But if it hadn't been for you, I'd be dead," Trunks continued as if she hadn't spoken. "The world would've been destroyed. Now, I'm sure you don't care about the world at all, but-"
18 shrugged. "It's not so bad. Humans are annoying though."
"-Perhaps we can come to some sort of a truce," Trunks suggested. "As much as I would love to destroy you for good after everything you've done, I have to admit, you are somewhat useful when you want to be."
He didn't really want to give her a second (or was it a third) chance, his lifetime of trauma always fresh in his mind, but he wasn't a fool: without her, Trunks would've been killed and he recognised her potential. With her power, she could be quite useful in defending the planet, but there was a part of Trunks that hoped she would turn the truce down and choose death instead.
"Yeah, I wish I could say the same about you," 18 mocked, as Ocarin stepped outside, a furious scowl on his face. "Oh, what does big green want?"
"Making sure you don't try to do something," the Namekian replied. He handed Trunks a shirt and the half-breed gratefully accepted it and slipped it on, depriving 18 of her good view. Ocarin folded his arms across his chest in an intimidating stance, but the Android wasn't fazed.
"Like you can stop me. I've proven that a few times already."
"Okay, stop, stop, before someone gets hurt," Trunks said, throwing his hands up between the two before Ocarin could retort. "18, all I'm saying is that you could be useful and I'm giving you an olive branch that you don't deserve, so I suggest taking it."
"Let me guess, there are certain conditions I have to agree to in order to stay alive?" 18 sneered. "And if I don't accept, it's a one way trip back to Hell?"
Trunks nodded. "For one, you cannot harm or kill any people. That includes Ocarin, Pan, 16 and myself. You have to refrain from killing if you want to live."
18 rolled her eyes, not wishing to bring up the fact that for some blasted reason, she couldn't bring herself to kill people as a result of her time in Hell. No need to look weak in front of her nemesis.
Farewell to her favourite pastime.
"Anything else?"
"If I need you to help protect the planet, I want you to do it, regardless of what you might think."
"Okay, so say I agree to any of this," 18 said. "What do I get out of it?"
"Obviously, you get to live, which is something I believe you do not deserve. Ever. So, appreciate it."
"No, I meant, do I get to be left alone or am I to be your prisoner?"
Trunks thought about that. He didn't want 18 around him, especially while he or his mother were sleeping, but he couldn't trust her out in the world by herself without someone keeping an eye on her. It was pretty much a double-edged sword. "If I talk to my mother, perhaps I can get her to build a room for you on the premises. That way, I can keep an eye on you and you can have your own space. Of course, it will have some serious security measures at night-time."
It wasn't what 18 wanted, but it wasn't really something she could complain about, so she figured it was acceptable and she grudgingly nodded her agreement. "Fine, but I want some new clothes, so you'll have to keep to your promise of taking me shopping, punk."
Trunks sighed dishearteningly. "Very well, but we are paying for them. We do not steal."
"Whatever. And I want to get stronger."
"So it'll be easier for you to kill us when our backs are turned?" Ocarin cut in before Trunks could reply.
"Oh, I'm sorry, am I not meant to be a team player now?" 18 shot back sarcastically. "Team 'Protect the World' and friendship bracelets all around? What if you have to fight someone who is a lot stronger than Broly? It could happen. I used to think there was no-one of that magnitude, but I was wrong. So, if you want me to help, you need to let me get stronger as well."
"Well, I guess I could help with that," Trunks reluctantly said. "In fact, I think we can all benefit from having 18 train with us. She does have an unlimited supply of energy."
"I can go all night and put both you boys to shame," 18 smirked.
Trunks shuddered. His mind so did not need to go there, but he was male and as soon as the very idea pervaded his mind, he quickly shut it down with thoughts of disgust. "So, do we have a truce?" he asked, holding out his hand.
"One more thing: I don't want the remote," 18 said.
"Sorry, I don't trust you enough to not have some sort of failsafe," Trunks instantly replied.
"Either that or it's a no deal for me."
"Either you accept or you die."
"Well, in that case, have fun fighting the next freak on your own. Hopefully, you'll die."
Trunks grimaced. Well, he could always make one and not tell her about it, right? "Fine, no remote. Shake?"
18 glanced at his hand. She hated him, oh how much she hated him and twice now she had failed to kill him. She truly wanted nothing more than to finally get her revenge and perhaps third time might be the charm if she got strong enough. But she also wasn't an idiot: she'd been completely outclassed by Broly and there was always the possibility of someone stronger than him coming to Earth. As much as she hated Trunks, she was loathed to admit that she needed him alive for now. And so what if she had to abide by a few rules? Once she got strong enough to deal with any threat on her own and eliminated Trunks, there would be no need for rules. She'd play along for now.
"I'm sure we can all get along," 18 said and she winked at Ocarin as she shook Trunks' hand. The Namekian recoiled and 18 picked up Trunks' sword from where she dropped it on her arrival and handed it to him. "Here, I think you'll need this. It's got a little bit of blood on it, but you're not squeamish, are you?"
Trunks made a face at the green blood that coated the blade. "No, it's fine. Thanks. Guess I'll talk to Mom then. Be good," he said to Ocarin and shot a look at 18 before heading inside.
Ocarin glared at 18. She smirked and poked her tongue at him. He growled, but refrained from acting on his desire to destroy her. He knew they needed her, despite how much he'd grown to hate her in such a short time. At the very least, he might get stronger out of this truce.
-X-
The clothing store emptied in record time as people fled for their lives and Trunks sighed. He had a feeling this would be a problem. The rampage of the Androids was still fresh in everyone's minds and their worldwide announced return had the populace on edge, especially after the destruction of West City earlier. As such, as soon as 18 stepped inside the shop in South City, accompanied by Trunks, every customer and employee fled for their lives.
18 didn't care. It meant she got to shop in peace.
"So, what's the maximum on your card?" she asked Trunks as she perused the racks.
"Um, I don't know," Trunks sheepishly replied. "I've never tested it. We're not exactly as rich as we apparently used to be."
"Yeah, that's too bad," the Android flippantly replied, knowing full well she was the reason why. "Such a shame that we might have a limit. Never had one before."
Trunks scowled. "You are not stealing anything!"
18 gestured at the empty shop. "You see anyone who can protest that? What are they gonna do anyway? Arrest me? Let the silly humans try."
The hybrid glared at his most hated foe. Once Bulma agreed to build a high-security room for 18 (on the premises, but separate from the house because she was not having a murder-bot in her home), she shooed them off the property so she could work in peace and since 18 was insistent on new clothes, Trunks aversely decided to escort the Android.
He was starting to question this decision and began to wonder if he should just renege on the truce and simply destroy her and solve all his problems at once. But as much as he wanted to kill her, Trunks knew he needed her…well, her strength anyway. There were still a great deal of unknown threats out in the universe and he didn't want to kill her and then need her later on when it could be too late. It pained him to keep her alive, but she was toeing the line and so, he kept to the truce.
"What about this?" 18 asked, showing off an elegant dress.
"Yeah, yeah, looks great," Trunks said half-heartedly, not even looking at the article. "How long is this going to take?"
"Aw, is poor Twunks missing out on his training? Didn't Broly give you enough of a beat down earlier today?" 18 mocked and the half-Saiyan glared at her. She shrugged and looked around the shop. "Let's see, we've just started and I have to explore the entire shop, so I'd say…three hours?" Trunks groaned loudly; 18 ignored him and held up another piece of clothing. "What about this?"
Trunks glanced at the item, saw that it was a set of lingerie that left nothing to the imagination and he yelped as he collapsed to the ground in complete horror, paralysed by the sight of the Android holding the underwear. 18 rolled her eyes in annoyance.
"What a baby."
Three hours later (it took Trunks about an hour to recover from his 'nightmare'), true to her word, the pair exited the shop, Trunks carrying the bulk of 18's spree. The clerk who made the sale was completely terrified and made several mistakes, but Trunks did his best to calm the young man and stop 18 from losing her patience. Now, his stomach rumbled deafeningly in hunger as they took to the skies and 18 glared at him as they flew back to Capsule Corporation.
Trunks chuckled softly. "Yeah, I'm starving. I hope Mom has finished your room."
18 didn't reply. This was how it was now: she was to live with her enemy in order to survive. Compared to life in Hell, she figured living with Trunks was a better deal, despite how much she hated the half-Saiyan and that she didn't have her brother with her.
They reached Capsule Corporation and landed on the lawn, Trunks almost inside already. "So, um, thanks, I guess," 18 said.
"It's…fine, I guess," Trunks replied, because there was no way he was ever going to say 'you're welcome' to her. Not in this lifetime or the next.
18 smirked at his discomfort. And just to completely and utterly mess with him, she leaned up and kissed him on the cheek.