So this must be what it feels like to be rejected.
Lazuli had never experienced rejection in her life before and to feel it now – it stung. Her burgeoning emotions had taken a blow and she didn't know how to deal with it. At first, as she slowly processed it, she'd been stricken with anger, understandably directed at Trunks. She'd given him a gift and like a typical, hormonal young man, he'd taken it until he had no use for her, looking for greener pastures. If she'd been simply content with just the physical side of things, it'd be fine that it was over, she wouldn't care that he was interested in seeing other women, but Lazuli realised (too late) that she desired more with Trunks.
She wanted to experience the same as every other couple and she wanted to explore it with him and him alone: no-one could measure up. But as fate would have it, it simply wasn't meant to be and Lazuli had to wonder if she was never meant to have any kind of happiness due to the misery she had caused and that no matter what, she would always be punished.
Now she was feeling everything and at the same, she felt nothing. There was no discernable emotion that she could register; it was simply all white noise. When she first started her killing spree, Lazuli used to scoff at the very idea of love, but now, even though she still couldn't understand the concept of love, she yearned for it, wanted to know what it was like to love and be loved, but frustratingly, she was to be denied and as much as she didn't want to let it plague her, she was having trouble letting it go.
She must have wanted it more than she originally thought, but now she would have to settle for the loneliness that she'd been used to ever since 17 died. Her time with Trunks had showed her that she didn't have to be alone, but when she belatedly failed to grasp her opportunity with both hands, it slipped from her grasp and now it was back to her internal solitude.
She was tired of being alone. But what was the point in trying if he didn't want to?
"Lazuli."
The Android whirled around, surprised that she'd been found and off-guard too (she blamed Trunks for that), but she settled when she realised it was 16.
"What are you doing here?" Lazuli asked, turning away from him. She briefly shot him a look. "How did you find me?"
He joined her, his movements quiet despite his large size. "This is the place where we were created. If anything, I thought you would come here, since it was your home."
"The only place where I felt safe and could be on my own," she said, looking down at the wreckage that was Gero's laboratory. "Why did you come looking for me?"
"It has been a few days. I feared for you."
A ghost of a smile came to the petite Android. "Well, at least someone cares."
"Do you wish to talk about it or shall we stare at our former home in silence? I can do whatever you request."
Lazuli bit her lower lip. She contemplated telling him to leave her alone, but in all honesty, he'd been the one person who had actually tried to be some resemblance of a friend to her and she found she had no desire to turn him away.
"Trunks and I slept together while we were in the Chamber," Lazuli said finally, not looking at her fellow Android.
"Do you mean sleeping in the same bed together or you mean-?"
"Yes, 16, I mean that one. I took his virginity. And it'd been great fun, but he didn't want to continue it when we left, preferring to keep it as some big secret. And as it turns, he is absolute in his decision, even though he still harbours desire for me."
"Was it the only thing you wanted?" 16 asked. "What was your decision?"
She gave a half-hearted shrug. "I was okay with it. I didn't like the idea, but it was his choice and I wasn't going to force him otherwise. But…16, I realised I wanted more. I wanted to know what it was like to have a meaningful relationship like all these humans seem so obsessed with. And he wants that too, just not with me."
"Whereas you wanted that with him," 16 concluded. "You are torn over what to do now?"
"Well, I need some time away from him and try to figure out my place in the world. If I go back there now, it will awkward and I am not interested in that. I just…I don't want to be alone anymore, 16."
"I understand. Perhaps in time, there could be a chance."
She scoffed. "I don't think so. He's found himself a new woman already, so they'll be happy and everything. I'm just going to focus on not letting it bother me so in time, it won't."
"I hope you work it out, for your sake and for your own personal happiness."
"Aren't you a big softie," Lazuli said, but she wore a small smile. Her smile vanished when the ground began rumbling, quaking under the effects of something unknown, yet sinister and she frowned. "What the hell was that all about?"
"My sensors are picking up a dark energy source," 16 replied. "It does not bode well for us."
"Whoever it is, they're going to regret it. They picked the wrong day to be a problem because I'm in a mood and they're going to be my outlet."
-X-
"So, this is Earth," Hell 17 mused. "What an utterly wretched planet."
He stared down upon South City, watching the pathetic humans scurry about in their miserable lives. He knew the job he had to do, installed in him by his creators and thanks to Demigra, he could bring his mission to fruition. The Demon God had provided him the means to escape Hell and the power boost for his task, but for what reason, Hell 17 didn't know. He didn't care either, as long as his job was completed, no matter the means.
Floating down onto the city streets, Hell 17 observed the surrounding humans staring at him in horror, struck by fear. Part of him was tempted to start hurling ki blasts, but he knew he couldn't afford to waste any time. His eyes closed, Hell 17 focused on his energy and an aura sprouted around him, which scared the humans even further and they backed away from him. Just like Demigra had told him, Hell 17 then began to focus his energy on a singular point, stretching it across dimensions to his twin, who received and returned the signal. It wasn't an easy task and people were now scrambling to flee the scene as the ground started to tremble. A tiny crack appeared in the sky and that's where Hell 17 fixated his energy, feeding the crack and distorting the barrier.
Fuelled by the same limitless power as his duplicate, Hell 17 breached the barrier between dimensions, tearing into the realm of Hell and merging it with Earth. Chaos and pandemonium erupted and people stumbled over each other in their haste to escape the nightmare materialising before them. If he was watching, Hell 17 would have laughed at their terrified faces.
"There! Now!" Dr. Gero cried.
Flanked by Cell, Dr. Myuu (carrying his own luggage) and 17, he flew through the portal, stepping onto Earth for the first time in twenty years. However, they weren't the only ones, as Frieza, King Cold and Cooler left Hell behind, along with several other residents of the wasteland dimension. The longer it was open, the more other residents noticed it. One such denizen, Broly, saw the rip in reality and he flew for the portal, eager to be free and continue his reign of carnage, but someone suddenly appeared in his way and the Saiyan stopped cold in his tracks.
"Kakarot?"
"Hi, you must be Broly," Goku smiled. "I've heard a lot about you."
"Kakarot. Kakarot! KAKAROOOOT!"
He roared like a hurricane, his body shimmering as he transformed into a Legendary Super Saiyan 2, fervent to get his revenge on the Saiyan who haunted his babyhood and essentially, his entire life.
"Impressive," Goku commented. "How about I show you mine?"
He shouted, powering up to such an extent that Broly was stunned speechless, the entire realm of Hell literally quaked under his transformation, Heaven was shaken to its core, tipping over the inhabitants in both dimensions and even Earth felt the effects as Goku ascended far beyond the parameters of Super Saiyan 2, his golden hair flowing majestically behind him.
"This is called Super Saiyan 3," Goku said, the playfulness gone from his voice and only a serious edge remained. "Come at me with everything you've got."
"Quick, shut it down!" Gero ordered.
Hell 17 immediately disconnected from the portal and it faded from sight as it closed, sealing Hell off once more, Goku trading blows with Broly the last thing they saw. The hatred simmered in Gero at the sight of his sworn enemy, but there would be time for that yet and so, he kept himself in check. Frieza and his family were gone, no doubt to cause some kind of chaos of their own, but Gero considered them the least of his concerns. If Frieza decided to interfere, he would instantly regret it.
"So, shall we get this started?" Dr. Myuu asked.
"No, not yet," 17 replied. "I need to find 18 first. The show cannot start without her."
-X-
"You seem distracted."
Trunks glanced at Ocarin and gave a half-hearted shrug. The Namekian's time in the Chamber had paid dividends, putting him near the same power level as Trunks' Super Saiyan 2 form. Even Pan had benefitted from her intense year, flourishing under Ocarin's training, mastering her Super Saiyan form in the process. Trunks regretted that he'd been unable to train her, but he was thankful for Ocarin taking his place.
"Probably an understatement," Trunks commented lightly.
"I don't know if I can help, but I'll listen if you're willing to talk."
Trunks sighed. "It's about Lazuli."
Ocarin's eyes narrowed. "What about her?"
"Well…I…we…uh…in the Chamber…we slept together…"
"I don't understand. In the same bed?"
"Uh…you ever heard of the birds and the bees?" Trunks uncomfortably asked and the Namekian shook his head, clearly confused and the half-Saiyan sighed. "This is gonna be awkward. You know sex? The human way?"
"Why didn't you say that from the start? You humans have hang-ups on the most ridiculous things. Are you telling me you did this with the Android? What is wrong with you?"
Trunks ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know. I don't know. She's been a fantasy of mine for years, but her murderous ways meant it could never happen and after Gohan…but she has changed and I guess things…happen."
The Namekian eyed him warily. "Are you still having sex with her?"
Kami, it sounded bad coming from him. Trunks shook his head. "No, I ended it before we left and I…I wonder if I've done the right thing. I mean, she's not evil anymore, but it's like I can't quite shake the past, no matter what. I want to, but the thought of something more with her…I don't know. I can't quite explain and it's frustrating me."
His decision had been a source of conflict ever since and not for the first time, Trunks wished he had someone to guide him in this matter, Gohan or Vegeta, someone he could really turn to with questions about his choices. As it was, he had Ocarin and while the Namekian meant well, Trunks couldn't help but wish for somebody else to discuss this with.
His mother was definitely out of the question.
"You made your decision; I don't understand why it still bothers you," Ocarin said. "Nothing good can come from being involved with her."
The young man furrowed his brow. "You haven't let up on your dislike on her."
The Namekian curtly hummed. "I do not trust her. Her attempts to kill me in the past have left me with a sour thought of her. Not to mention her constant mocking of me."
"She's not that bad once you get to know her."
"Yes, but unlike you, I'm incapable of getting to 'know her', so it's not going to happen."
Trunks rolled his eyes. "I can't believe you just made a joke at my expense."
"Does your mother know about this?"
"No and she can never know! My mother will kill me if she found out."
"I thought she didn't mind the Android."
"She doesn't, but there's a difference between tolerating Lazuli and sleeping with her. It's partly the reason why I felt I had to end it before we left. Besides, it would not have worked-" Everything suddenly quaked, catching the two off-guard. It continued for a minute before it stopped and Trunks honed his senses, trying to find the cause. "Something doesn't feel right."
"Perhaps we should continue this after," Ocarin suggested. "That energy we're sensing? It's dark and if I must say, it's familiar. That's not a good sign."
-X-
People were fleeing from his presence and Frieza smirked, his ego boosted by the ordeal. Twenty years of languishing in Hell had not done him any wonders and he was thankful for the opportunity to be back in the world of the living, exercising his gloriousness again. Now all he had to do was find the Dragonballs on this half-decent planet and bring himself back to life. Oh, and his father. Screw Cooler.
"Will you stop fooling around?" Cooler snarled. "Killing the humans doesn't bring us closer to finding the Dragonballs. It only wastes time and we don't have a precious bundle of it."
"Oh, calm yourself, brother," Frieza said lightly. "Do you not relish being free of Hell?"
"Until that ring from our heads is gone, we are not free. But then again, you wear that halo like a crown, so perhaps Hell is suited for you."
"Don't you dare mock me!"
"Children, enough," King Cold sighed, despite being used to his sons' constant squabbles. No matter what, alive or dead, he couldn't get away from it. Why did he decide to become a parent? "Cooler is right, Frieza; the sooner we find the Dragonballs, the better. Who knows how long we have before we are sent back to Hell?"
Frieza grumbled and petulantly fired a final Death Beam at a fleeing human. "Fine."
"Stop right there!"
"Hm?" Frieza mused as he turned around and saw a defiant Pan staring him down. "Oh hohoho, what do we have here? A hero! Run along, child or else you will suffer the same fate. I have no qualms about killing a child. I've done it before."
"I promise to make you pay," Pan said, showing no fear at the former galactic emperor as she transformed into a Super Saiyan. "Justice will be served!"
Frieza's demeanour instantly changed at Pan's transformation. The smooth cockiness evaporated in place of fear and memories of Super Saiyan Goku flashed through his mind. The nightmares that had haunted him in Hell for years resurfaced and Frieza couldn't help but back away. Even King Cold was fearful, but unlike his son, he didn't show it. Cooler, on the other hand, was doing his best not to let his fear control him and he transformed into his fifth form.
"Since the two of you are being such weaklings, I'll handle this. It's only a child. Surely a child, Super Saiyan or not, can be easily beaten."
He flew at Pain – and swiped air. His eyes widened and Pan's boot slammed into his face, punching him through a building. Frieza grimaced and turned to leave, intent of abandoning his brother to face the diminutive Saiyan – and ran into Super Saiyan Trunks instead.
"Going somewhere, Frieza?" he asked.
"Who the hell are you?" Frieza screeched, overwhelmed by his distress.
"My name is Trunks. I'm the son of Vegeta. And that's all you need to know."
Stunned by the reality of his nightmare, Frieza was helpless against the Big Bang Attack that wiped him from the world. King Cold began to back away, losing control over his terror, and he bumped into Ocarin. A ki blast later and King Cold was no more, leaving only Cooler, who rested on his knees, having been battered easily by Pan.
"How? How could I, Cooler, be defeated by a mere child?" He looked at Pan and frowned. "Wait…I know you…from Namek. You were weak…how is this possible?"
"Huh? Oh, were you the robot lizard? How come you're not a robot anymore? What's that ring above your head? Hey, does that mean you're dead?"
"Pan, step back," Ocarin said as he approached, his hand splayed towards Cooler. "I owe him."
"No, I will not accept this! I am Cooler! I refuse to-"
He didn't get to finish, as Ocarin's energy blast washed over him, leaving nothing behind.
-X-
At the Check-In Station in Other World, Frieza crossed his arms in irritation as his father and brother soon joined him. "That went swimmingly."
"It was your fault," Cooler snarled. "If you weren't a coward, we could have dealt with that child."
"Yes, because you were handling her so well, dear brother."
"Why, you – I ought to rip your tongue out and shove it-"
A giant stamp slammed down upon the trio and King Yemma shook his head in annoyance. "To Hell with you lot!"
-X-
One last ki blast and the final critter was taken care of, returned to the afterlife. Lazuli lowered her hand, 16 beside her and they continued towards the source of the dark energy. While heading to the destination, Lazuli had spotted several people in need of help from the Hell-residents and she ignored the old her, who would've left the people to their fate. Instead, she swooped in and took care of the souls, saving the humans in the process. She didn't do it for Trunks' sake, to make her look good in his eyes; she did it for herself, to prove that she could protect others and abandon her past completely.
"You know, I figured there had to be a reason why you didn't return to Hell at the same time as me, but I have to say, 18, I'm quite disappointed."
Lazuli froze, unable to believe her ears. Slowly, she turned to face the ghost of her past. 17 stood there, hands in pockets, a cocky smirk on his face. 16 tensed, his destruction at the Android's hands all too clear to him, while Lazuli was stunned beyond belief.
"17? But…how? How is this possible?"
She blinked slowly, as if to make sure she wasn't imagining things, that she really was seeing her brother across from her. She opened her eyes and he hadn't disappeared. She saw the halo above his head, just like the other souls she had defeated and her body trembled. This wasn't possible. All this time of wishing she could see her brother again and here he was, but things had changed. There was no doubt that he was the reason behind the dark energy and she didn't believe in genocide anymore. She had given that life up and couldn't return to it.
"An old friend paid me a visit," 17 said. "Helped us escape. So, the mighty 18, now helping the fragile humans. What happened to you, sis? You hit your head or something?"
"17, as great as it is to see you again, you have to understand that things are different now."
"Don't tell me you've gone all goody-goody on me. I really hope it's only to fool Trunks so you can kill him…no, it's been too long. You would have done it by now. Such a shame, 18. Here I wanted you to join me too. Actually, that can still happen. Join me, like old times and I'll forget this transgression. Come on, it'll be fun."
"What do you mean by 'us'?" 16 interrupted. "Who else is with you, 17?"
The Android's smirk grew wider and he made a grand sweeping gesture with his arm, as Hell 17, Dr. Gero and Dr. Myuu made their appearance. Rage boiled inside Lazuli at the sight of her creator, but it was the duplicate of her brother that caught her by surprise the most.
"17, what's going on? Why are you working with Gero? Why is there two of you?" she demanded.
"Where's Trunks?" 17 asked in return. "Why isn't he dead yet?"
"Answer me, 17."
"You answer me first, 18."
"My name is not 18."
17's eyes widened at that. "What the hell are you talking about? Has Trunks been filling your head with nonsense? What's going on with you, 18?"
"Lazuli, step back!"
She whirled around as Trunks, Pan and Ocarin floated down, staring at the Hell denizens.
"I don't know how you managed to return, 17, but I will send you back if I have to," Trunks said stoically.
"Trunks, it's been a long time," 17 said with a smile and it shifted into a frown. "What did you do to my sister? You turn her into a weakling?"
"No, she decided to stop killing because she realised it's wrong. If you promise to do the same and change, I might be lenient. For her sake."
17 frowned. "Is there something going on I don't know about? You hate 18. Why would you do something for her? And 18, why are you saving humans? Start explaining or I'm going to get really angry."
Trunks shouted and ascended to Super Saiyan 2 and gripped his sword hilt. Ocarin began powering up, his blue aura turning dark purple, throwing out sparks of bio-electricity and the area around him shook as he powered up, his black eyes turning bright red, signalling his new form. 17 smirked.
"Wow, it seems you've gotten stronger, green pea. That's good. It'll mean nothing in the end."
"17, stop playing around and show these cretins you mean business," Gero called. "If 18 doesn't wish to join us, then she will suffer the same fate as them."
Trunks fired the Big Bang Attack at the scientist, but Hell 17 intercepted and narrowly fended off the powerful attack. The half-Saiyan growled in frustration and Hell 17 flew at him. 17 smirked and diverted Ocarin's attention with a Photon Flash. The Namekian dodged the blast and struck the Android with a strong elbow and tore up the road as a result. Lazuli stood back, unsure of what to do. Her brother was back in the living, but she couldn't join with him and at the same time, she couldn't join Trunks in fighting her brother.
What was she to do?
Incoming!
Lazuli whirled and caught Cell's open stinger, easily holding him at bay, much to his immense surprise.
"Cell, you impatient fool, you'll ruin everything," Gero mentally chastised.
"I should have known that you'll be here," Lazuli snarled at her tormentor. "Filth always follows filth."
"How are you stronger?" Cell cried. "You can't be stronger than 17 and yet-"
"And yet, I'm not even using my full power. Here, let me demonstrate."
She adjusted her grip on his tail and yanked him through the air, smashing him against the road. He groaned and she kicked him in the head, spiralling him off the ground and she followed up with a High-Pressure Wave. Cell yelped as he blasted across the sky like a shooting star. Meanwhile, Pan hung back, unsure who to help. Trunks and Ocarin were holding their own against the twin 17s, and in the latter's case, winning, while Lazuli had easily dealt with Cell. It was almost like she wasn't needed, but she stayed vigilant, just in case something happened and she had to step in.
Trunks struck Hell 17 with an elbow to the gut and then drilled him towards the ground. The area shook with the impact, as Ocarin slammed a ki blast into 17 and hurled him. The Android coughed and dusted his clothes, his face twisted in annoyance – until Ocarin punched him. Hard. Enough to make 17 see stars and a second blow made the Android twirl like a ballerina.
"17, what are you doing?" Gero demanded. "Stop toying around-"
"Shut up, old man," 17 snapped and flashed a smirk at Ocarin. "But, he does have a point. It's time I showed you the real reason why I'm here."
He started glowing with purple energy and down in the crater, Hell 17 did the same. The Machine Mutant rose up to hover beside his twin and Trunks fired off a Burning Attack, intent on stopping the pair from whatever it was they were doing. The attack connected – and had no effect. Gero and Myuu grinned sinisterly in response.
"You're about to witness the birth of the Ultimate Android," 17 sneered. "I hope you're ready."
He and Hell 17 crossed over each other and there was an immense, blinding flash of light. Trunks threw up his hands to protect his eyes and Lazuli watched in shock and confusion as her brother was consumed by the energy. When it faded, only a singular being remained.
"What the hell?" Trunks murmured.
"Excellent," Dr. Myuu grinned, proud of his handiwork. "He's perfect."
The Ultimate Android now known as Super 17 slowly descended until his boots touched the bitumen. Ocarin growled, charged two ki blasts in his hands and pressed them together, unleashing a mighty beam. It washed over Super 17 and exploded with immense force.
When the dust cleared, Super 17 stood there still, unharmed and looking quite unimpressed.
"Pathetic."