Chapter 60 and it's the end of an era

That's a lie, just the end of the Cell Saga, and with it my biggest plot changes thus far

thewittywhy: le thank, and a fair hope

TheWaterKid: At first, sure there's not gonna be much of a challenge for a while, but eventually with an eventualy threat conflict will rise, and I do have specific scenarios for the rules to be implemented.
And as for others getting SS4, Goku, Vegeta, and Nappa don't have tails (yes I know that in GT Bulma found a way to fake it but that's after like 20 years of technology advancements so-) so they're automatically disqualified. Raditz theoretically could, if he gets Super Sayain, but that would involve a lot of time and training which isn't in character, my interpretation or canon. Goten and Trunks were born without tails so they're out. Though Clover or one other character may be an eventual possibility, far into the future.

WyrmTheFrostDragonSwordsman: SS4 is the best thing in this franchise lol

Guest: the world's short term memory loss is practically canon lol

Gur40goku: lol thanks. And Mr Satan being good with kids is practically canon. Is canon if you count Pan.

Phreak91: yeah. SIGohan did say that it was cheating when thinking of it

Qinlongfei: Future plans are for the future to know
And yeah, I unironically adore Mr. Satan. The Buu Saga might be, a mess, but Mr Satan and Buu's friendship is just, so good. Best part of that Saga by far.

OnTheTidesOfEvermore: Nah, I think he honestly does think it's just tricks. Even in the Buu Saga he's trying to justify things. And thanks ^.^

The figure stood across the former ring.

I stood across the former ring.

I took a moment to stretch out my wrist. It was still an adjustment to get used to. Hopefully not too used to.

Senses were now amplified. My ears twitched and I could hear the confused conversations from the side.

That was good. If I could only now hear them, then they probably couldn't hear Cell earlier.

Or maybe they did.

That was for later.

"I'm sorry, did you come to replace the child? Because I don't believe you are the same person."

"This transformation is a fair bit more drastic than the standard Super Sayain. The most obvious of which being that can't really be maintained by a child, so it ages the user up to the age that they'd be in their prime."

Cell frowned, "now I realize that I'm hardly the person to question how a transformation works, but that doesn't sound right."

Shoulders shrugged.

"It is hardly my choice. The form is terribly masc, but that's the price for power."

"You're speaking differently too."

"Of course. Any transformation messes with one's mental state. Super Sayain boosts confidence and focuses the mind on battle. The Giant Ape amplifies emotions, primarily the negative. This form is the opposite. It mutes emotions, or rather suppresses. Or, Distants, yes that's a better word. can still feel them, but they do not dictate what I will do. I'm sure like the others it will fade with experience with the form, but for now, it's hardly an issue."

I held out a hand, "it's still a bit dissociated. But there are likely a few reasons for that."

Shoulders shifted. I was appreciative of the clothes from Piccolo. They didn't shred away the shirt like my memory of the form.

"And then, what do you call this form of yours?"

("You need a name?"

"Well yeah, every transformation needs a name. And I can exactly call it Super Sayain four. Two and three aren't even a thing yet. Depending on how this plays out, three might never be a thing.")

A smile formed on my lips. I held out a finger gun in an already planned manner, I spoke up, so it could be heard across the clearing, "The Ultimate, Super Sayain of Legend."

("Really?"

"Sure. It's not technically true, but it sounds cool. And it makes sense that the advanced super Sayain form of the giant ape would be considered to be a legend.

"Besides, it'll really annoy Vegeta.")

My lips twitched up as I distantly heard Vegeta's outrage from here.

"Well, that'll certainly annoy Vegeta."

"Yes. That is part of the intention."

"You know it is entirely his doing that I was able to achieve my perfection."

"Yes I am aware. That was the secret fourth objective, to enrage Vegeta that is."

"Fourth?"

"Yes. Killing you is the third."

I straightened my stance.

"But that's enough talking I'd say. We do have a time limit here." I glanced up. The Power Ball still shone bright, as to be expected. I'd elapsed about a minute which left more than enough time.

There's no need to test fate however.

"Now then. To pretend to be fair, I'll go ahead and give you the first shot. Full power. And, to be clear, I do not mean half

Power. Or seventy percent, or any other arbitrary number. You have ten seconds."

"Are- are you quoting me? How are you quoting me, you weren't even there!"

I held up both hands, lowering digits as I counted back, "ten, nine-"

"You didn't even quote me correctly. It was close but that's not-"

"Eight. Seven, six-"

"Fine then. But remember, you asked for this," Cell shot forward, punching me across the face.

I didn't budge.

"…five, four, three-"

Cell took several steps back, and it was so nice, to see him look so surprised.

Almost afraid.

Cell scowled, shooting up into the sky.

"Fine then! You want full power? I'll show you full power!"

I lowered my hands as he began to charge up a Kamehameha.

I heard panic from the sidelines as the rest were concerned about Cell trying to blow up the planet.

Which that definitely would be able to.

But that's hardly a concern.

I simply waited as Cell charged his attack.

I did not move as he fired it.

Only as it was imminently about to hit, did I raise a hand to deflect it, sending it flying up into space.

"You know, I'm almost disappointed."

But that's enough of these games.

I moved to be directly behind Cell. By the time he noticed I had moved I was already punching him back down to the ground.

I lowered myself back down to the resulting crater.

"I think it's about time we wrap this up. It's starting to get dull."

"What?" Cell demanded, climbing up to his feet.

"I said I'm bored. You're boring me."

The bait got its intended result as Cell grew enraged.

He shot forward, only to land squarely on my extended knee.

Cell stumbled back. I straightened myself and waited as Cell began to retch. Even now my lips twisted down at the sight.

I raised an eyebrow as the person who came out had dark hair instead of blonde.

Still, it didn't matter. I wasn't leaving without both of them anyway.

"One."

Cell lept backward the second he recovered enough to do so. He seemed to have trouble processing what just happened, let alone what I'd said.

"I have to be careful you know," I stated, calmly walking forward, "I'd hate to accidentally kill you too early."

That Cell seemed to process but as he opened his mouth I gave him no time to respond.

I shot forward and sunk my fist into his stomach, and the process began again.

Now the person recovered had the expected blonde hair.

"Two. What was that you said about being in your first form?"

The original imperfect Cell tried to back away, not even trying to stand up first.

"It's funny, just how small you look now."

I held up an open palm.

"And three."

"W-wait, I-I think the least you could do is explain! Wha-"

"Why?" I interrupted, "so you can charge up your little kamikaze thing?"

"H-how could you-"

I didn't let him finish.

A single Ki blast was more than enough to atomize the bug.

I waited a few seconds to make sure I couldn't sense any remains before lowering my hand.

A few more until I lowered my guard.

But scanning the entire area, nothing of the bug remained so, that was that.

Huh.

That almost seemed anticlimactic, after all the struggle.

But, that's what was expected with this form.

With a sigh, I sat back on the dirt.

Android 16 and Krillin were the first ones to approach, immediately checking on the two Androids. Cyborgs. Still not sure on that. Will have to ask, later.

"And what do you think you're doing?"

I turned my head towards Vegeta, voice even more grating in this form. He was speaking to Krillin.

"Have you forgotten how this whole thing started? With those Androids. Now step aside if you don't want to go with them."

As he finished speaking Vegeta held out a palm, intent on firing.

Somebody else probably would have stopped him, but, I could hardly pass up this opportunity.

Vegeta didn't seem to register my approach until I was already grabbing his wrist.

Vegeta startled back, but I didn't let go quite yet.

I was mindful of my grip, I didn't quite want to snap his wrist in two.

"And just what do you think you're doing?"

I tilted my head and leaned over so I could somewhat look him in the eyes.

It also helped somewhat that I was at his side rather than right in front of him,

Vegeta scowled and opened his mouth to respond, but I didn't give him the chance, "do you think I'd go out of my way to recover them only to let you then kill them?"

Vegeta tried to tug his arm away, but I still did not let him, "I would think, that if all people you wouldn't want to get rid of the threat to your precious planet."

"I see. So then, if those two should be killed for something they have not done, what then shall be done with you, for what you have done?"

This time when Vegeta tried to break free, I let him. He immediately kept back, trying to create distance.

Once again he didn't notice I'd moved until I was already behind him.

"Tell me Vegeta, how many people have you killed? Sorry, how many planets have you killed? Have you changed? Or do you intend on returning to who you've always been? Should that matter? If those two don't deserve the chance to make choices in the first place, why should you be given a chance after you've already made yours?"

Once again Vegeta tried to make distance. Once again I appeared right in front of him.

I leaned down to look him in the eye, "give me one reason why I should allow you to go on despite what you've done."

But Vegeta, ever so stubborn, had nothing more to say on the matter. He only grit his teeth and tilted his chin up to glare right back.

A shame. I was hoping he'd give me any reason whatsoever to give me the excuse.

More of a shame that I couldn't reasonably kill him. I don't remember much of the Buu Saga, and even less of Super, but I'm fairly certain he's necessary for at least the latter.

Besides, while I could probably overlook that, it'd all probably work out in the end somehow, I'd hardly want to make Baby Trunks fatherless.

So instead, I was satisfied with my point being made and stood back upright with a smirk.

And then I made a 180 turn and walked back towards the group.

I wasn't sure where Mr. Satan and company were, but they were probably among the rocks in the area.

I ignored the questioning looks as I sat back down where I'd started.

I glanced back up at the Power Ball, still shining bright. I could probably estimate how long I had left myself, but, "hey Piccolo' how much time do I have left?"

"About seven minutes."

"Great. You guys have seven minutes to ask questions," that statement was to the rest of the group.

"Wait, you told Cell the transformation lasted ten minutes. The fight plus, that, was longer than three minutes."

I raised an eyebrow at Raditz, who pointed at his scouter. Ah, so he could hear because of that, which implies that the rest hadn't. That's fortunate.

"Yeah. That was a lie. I wasn't going to tell Cell the real time frame, just something to stack the odds a bit. He tends to act out more against arrogance, as proven," I tilted my head over to the distant Vegeta.

"And why are the questions limited to the seven minutes?" That was Yamcha asking.

"Oh I am out the second the transformation fades. Hopefully that too will fade with time."

And with that, I sat back as the group started their questioning, which was fair as I hadn't exactly given much warning ahead of time.

Krillin -

Ok. Krillin officially had no idea what was going on anymore.

Actually no, that had started somewhere in the ten days before the Cell Games.

Gohan had been, off, for a while. And, while Gohan never really opened up before, he'd never completely brushed Krillin off like that either.

Then, suddenly, he was fine. Up on the lookout, he was just, as calm as Krillin's ever seen him. Confident even.

It was easy to assume he'd gone back into the time chamber, so probably with Piccolo considering the Namekian's odd confidence too.

Then came the Cell Games themselves. And ignoring the blowhard "world champ" Krillin actually felt confident at first. Goku had been doing great! And while it was definitely weird that he went first, that didn't really matter as long as Goku was winning.

And then he wasn't. Goku managed to hit a devastating blow, that Cell almost easily recovered from. And then he was significantly slowed.

Piccolo though, Piccolo didn't look bothered in the slightest. Not even when Goku gave up.

Goku Gave Up.

He gave up the fight.

The one that was determining the fate of the world.

And he just, gave up.

Krillin's never seen Goku give up a fight before.

But he just did.

And instead of offering an explanation Goku just curiously looked back to the ring, or, where the ring used to be.

Right back to where Gohan was walking.

Panic shot up Krillin's spine and his head shot over to Piccolo-

Who was smirking.

Krillin, hasn't seen him look that confident since the 23rd Budokai.

Krillin, was pretty sure that was a good thing(?)

But then, he also hasn't seen Gohan look this confident since, ever.

Which, ok, Gohan was like, Piccolo's favorite person so if he was fine, it had to be ok. They were obviously really confident so, they had to have had a plan.

Yeah, they had to have had a plan.

And then Gohan gave Cell a Senzu Bean.

Again panic shot through Krillin because, all that work Goku just did? And for nothing?

And Krillin wasn't even sure where Gohan got that bean because Korin had given Goku all the ones he had, and Goku had given them to him for safekeeping.

He definitely didn't give any to Gohan which means he had to have already had it, or maybe gotten it from Korin earlier?

Krillin had no idea.

Either way giving it to Cell had to have been the absolute worst thing-

And yet, when looking back at Piccolo again, he didn't look at all bothered.

Even Goku looked more confused than concerned.

Everyone else was as in the dark as Krillin felt. So at least it wasn't just him.

Some kind of light appeared in Gohan's hand. It didn't feel like a normal Ki blast, and he threw it into the air instead of at Cell.

Krillin heard Raditz swear and looked over to see him pulling the goggles he'd brought with him over his eyes.

Which would have been strange if he didn't realize recognize it now that it was up in the sky.

It was the fake moon Vegeta had used the first time he came here.

Krillin should probably ask the name of it.

Except, what Gohan turned into wasn't a giant ape like from his childhood.

Instead what stood there now was a different person entirely. An adult. One with odd red violet fur over their arms and a mane of dark hair.

The only thing implying that it might be Gohan was that the new person was shearing the same outfit, and had the remains of a braid down their back.

"What the hell is that?" He'd heard Vegeta ask.

And when they heard Gohan(?)'s declaration of it being "The Ultimate Super Sayain of Legend," once again Vegeta was shouting bullshit.

And Cell, could do nothing against it.

Krillin was suddenly really glad Goku had fought first.

Just so they had a scale of reference.

Because while Krillin knew, he knew that Cell was terrifyingly powerful;

Fighting against Gohan(?) now, just made him look like nothing.

The figure didn't act like Gohan. He didn't move like Gohan. His movements all seemed, minimal. Like he was doing quite literally all that was needed to get the job done and nothing more.

Which, might not have been off from something Gohan might do in theory, this just, seemed to be to an extreme.

And then Cell coughed up Android Seventeen.

And then Eighteen.

And the only thing keeping Krillin off to the side at that point was to stay out of Gohan(?)'s way.

Not that the rest of the "fight" took long.

It almost seemed, anticlimactic, how quickly it ended.

He almost expected Cell to pop back up somehow, like Frieza did.

But he never did.

It seemed, too easy.

Krillin kept expecting something else to happen, and the closest thing that came to a conflict was Vegeta threatening the Androids, and the figure threatening him in turn.

And once again, Krillin was sure that that couldn't have been Gohan.

Because sure, Gohan very clearly hated Vegeta. That was a mystery to no one, but the way he threatened him. That just, wasn't a thing he would do. At least, not so blatantly.

The look in the figure's red eyes too, it, was unnerving. Even now that he wasn't actively threatening Vegeta, there was still an edge to them.

Krillin was honestly surprised he didn't kill Vegeta.

Krillin looked over at Trunks, to see how he was doing with, that. Did anyone tell him about the whole, planet thing?

Krillin couldn't tell one way or another if Trunks was shocked silent over that, the threat that no one else could do anything about, or, just the general situation.

But Piccolo still didn't look concerned. At most he looked mildly surprised by the threats, but still less so than anyone else.

But fine. Cell was gone. The Androids were safe. Gohan was, supposedly the figure, and that would fade in supposedly seven minutes.

"Ok, first question," Yamcha started, "what was that? What is," he gestured to Gohan(?), "that?"

"That, was me squishing a bug. This is the most advanced form of the great ape, that I know of."

"So, did you specifically want to find something like this, or were you just hoping that the Oozaru would help?" Raditz asked.

Gohan(?) tilted his head towards the man and took a few seconds to respond.

"This form is the result of perfect control over the giant ape, specifically the golden giant ape, and condensing the Power Ball. Hence why it's going to fade in…about four minutes. I was in the time chamber for months and messed with things hoping they'd stick. Obviously, I'd have no way to know that this was possible."

Krillin would say there was an odd inflection in that statement but everything about this form was odd.

Krillin thought it was weird that Raditz would ask that question at all though. It was obvious Gohan would have no idea, especially if they didn't. Nappa knew the most about Sayain stuff and even he looked bewildered.

"Why do you look like an adult, if you are Gohan?" Yamcha asked.

"Going off of what I can assume, this form might not be able to be held by a child, so it changes based on that. Whether it's to an age that it can be held, or the user's peak physical age, I couldn't say. It's rather annoying for multiple reasons."

"Those being?" -Tien.

"Reasons."

"Enlightening."

Ok, so that was a brick-wall question line.

It's funny, Krillin felt like he had no idea what was going on, but now that he could ask questions, he couldn't think of any.

"You're, going to turn back to normal right? Chichi would be pretty mad if ya didn't," Goku asked. He seemed, really out of it with this situation.

Krillin would talk to him as soon as things, settled down a bit.

Still, Gohan(?) answered casually, "yeah, this isn't exactly the first time I've achieved it. I had to be really sure of it before showing up here."

"What's with the name?" Raditz asked.

This caused Gohan to smile, a smile that too, had just, too much of an edge to it to be anything but off-putting.

"The Ultimate Super Sayain of Legend. Or, The Ultimate, for convenience. Makes sense wouldn't it? The giant ape was known as the main thing people were scared of the Sayains for. The whole Super Sayain legend was a thing, but became outclassed concerningly quickly. So wouldn't it make sense that the true legend was the perfected form of their combination?"

"That's bullshit!" Vegeta shouted, and Krillin deeply wished he could have just a little bit of his audacity.

But it only caused Gohan(?)'s grin to grow wider.

Ok, so, the naming was probably purposeful then. Krillin wasn't sure about the whole legend thing but it did sound like Gohan to prioritize the annoyance of Vegeta.

Gohan(?) leaned back, looking up into the sky.

And when the next question was about to be asked, Gohan(?) only held up a finger before pointing upwards.

Following his gaze, Krillin looked up at the Power Ball, to see it begin to flicker. And as it faded, Krillin looked down to see Gohan in the place of the figure, and, it was surreal, just how peacefully asleep he looked.

"Oh, ok. So that actually was Gohan," he said out loud, because he'd still had doubts before.

But by now, it was clear.

It was really over.

It felt so, anticlimactic, for it to have been that easy.

Krillin expected some battle of wills or some flashy end, and this, wasn't that.

It's, it's a good thing it was easy! It just, didn't feel real.

Krillin wondered how long it'd be until it did.

But now that it was true it was over, they'd might as well leave this dusty desert.

Krillin hadn't wandered far from the Androids, but he made his way back to offer 16 help in carrying them, as they were still unconscious.

He was so glad, that Gohan took the time to make sure they were safe. They probably could have been recovered by the Dragon Balls, but Krillin was glad they didn't have to risk it.

16 probably could have carried both of them, but he let Krillin carry Eighteen regardless.

And man, Seventeen looked even younger being held by 16. Logically he knew that he and Eighteen were around if not the same age, but Seventeen just seemed younger to him for some reason.

Maybe because Eighteen seemed the more closed off of the two. Maybe because he saw what Seventeen looked like after Cell got Eighteen.

Maybe he was just biased.

There wasn't much point in thinking about it anyway. Krillin just kinda wanted to get out of there.

Piccolo stepped forward, before stopping.

"Goku," he nodded towards Gohan instead.

Goku blinked, and took the hint after a second, carefully picking Gohan up.

Krillin takes it all back, Gohan looks so incredibly small being held like that.

Hard to believe the kid just beat Cell.

He looked around again, still half expecting eating Cell to pop up when they'd least expect it.

Nothing. Not even the remnants of Ki was left over anymore.

It was really over.

…

I woke up in an unfamiliar room.

Which was, odd.

The last thing I remembered was-

Oh. Right. Cell.

Well that sucked.

Well, it all must have worked out if I was back here.

I frowned, trying to cover the hole in my shirt the best I could.

I wandered out of the room, wandering around aimlessly until I found the exit. They had just finished making their wishes to Shenron. Clover was the first one to notice.

"Shay!" I was immediately tackled in a hug.

"Hey, you seem faster than you were before."

Which lead to an explanation of all that I'd missed over the past ten days.

…

I woke up on a couch. I had my cloak covering me in place of a blanket.

I wandered out in the open. Just about everyone was here except Vegeta, which was standard, and the Androids, who assumably left sometime before I woke up.

Piccolo saw me first from where he was meditating. He smirked and nodded before returning to it.

Krillin noticed me next, "hey!" He called with a grin.

And suddenly everyone had noticed me. And were obviously a lot more comfortable asking me questions now than they were before since I was now being asked a full list that Yamcha was apparently compiling. There were a remarkable number of questions, both mundane and otherwise, that they'd managed to come up with.

Through it, Ocari had managed to bring me a little juice box. Kinda wonder where he got it. But it was nice.

Eventually, Krillin cut him off, "c'mon guys, I'm sure he's still tired, give him a rest."

I gave a slight smile, but somehow, felt more awkward about the phrasing of that than I have in a while.

I shook my head. Nope. Not dealing with any of that yet. I mean, -she- said it herself. Maybe being older was the safest way to go about it.

That was for the future me to deal with. I'd just beaten Cell. I should be allowed to celebrate that victory for a while before having to deal with anything else.

Regardless of any of that, I was caught up on the whole Dragon Balls thing.

It went largely unchanged from canon. Everyone Cell killed was brought back and the Androids were less explosive.

But Krillin was right in that I was still tired. Maybe not quite physically, but emotionally at least. There was a lot I still wanted to do, so many possibilities.

So much making fun of Vegeta.

But I also just wanted a break.

Also Vegeta wasn't here.

So, as the group started to talk to each other again, and not me, I wandered off. I didn't really want to go back inside, the place always felt so off-putting to just, hang out in, so instead, I scanned behind the palace, thing, and when I could sense nothing I determined there was no one there and walked over for some peace and quiet.

I was wrong.

About there being no one there, that is. Not about not being able to sense anyone.

Because as has annoyingly been proven, the dark-haired boy that now sat on the edge, couldn't be sensed.

"Yo," was all he said in greeting.

Still, interacting with one person was a lot easier than a group.

I sat on the edge, close enough that it didn't look like I was avoiding him or anything.

"So how is it, that in the span of like, two weeks, I go from being the strongest person, ever, to like, top five, if I'm lucky?"

"Exponential growth. It's a problem."

"Vegeta's stronger than me now. Vegeta."

"That is pretty tragic."

I frowned, "Wait, is t 16 also stronger than you?"

"No."

"So like, it'd be Me, the dad, then Vegeta, Piccolo, 16 then you. Maybe, assuming no one else snuck up there when I wasn't paying attention."

"He doesn't fight it doesn't count."

"You don't technically even make the top five."

"He doesn't fight it doesn't count."

I snickered at his denial. I didn't bother to count Trunks or Clover. They were probably stronger but like, they weren't gonna be staying long so why bother? Other than that, maybe Nappa if he managed to unlock Super Sayain in the time chamber? But otherwise, I don't think anyone else is in the ballpark.

Seventeen looked at me from the corner of his eye.

"I hear you're the strongest of them."

"That would be the implication of me naming myself first on that list. But yeah, by a pretty fair margin."

"You can't just answer yes or no, can you?"

"Nope. I can not."

Seventeen just kinda, half laughed before recollecting himself. It wasn't quite a humorous laugh, but it wasn't not that either.

"I hear you're the one who killed, that monster."

"Mmm yep, that would make sense."

Seventeen sighed, brushing a hand through his hair.

"Look kid, Gohan, I owe you one, ok?" He held out a hand to shake.

I frowned, "I didn't do it so I'd be owed anything."

"Yeah. I know. If anything that makes it worse. Now shake my hand."

"You don't have to owe me anything. I was gonna kill Cell anyway."

"That's not the point! Just-" he grabbed my arm and more or less made me shake his hand.

"Wha- hey! That was a disingenuous handshake. Does not count."

"Why do you have to make things so difficult? It is me owing you. Not the other way around. You are the one benefiting."

"Fine, then you can just go ahead and use it for not trying to kill my dad."

"We already-" Seventeen huffed and rubbed at his forehead, "you were asleep at the time but we already agreed not to. Obviously. We literally couldn't even if we wanted to. You can't use being owed something on something I was already gonna do."

"I'm never gonna use it."

"Fine! Then don't! The point is that I owe you one. What you do with that is your choice."

There was an awkward silence because apparently, we were both too stubborn to leave.

Eventually, Seventeen got bored of that.

"So what's with that one lady, the one who tried to fight Cell? She was brought back with the Dragon Balls, but like, refused to look at me, or Eighteen or Sixteen."

"What? Oh, her…she's, uh, Shaylan," it still felt so awkward to use that name, but like, I can't call her anything else.

"What's with the hesitation? You got a crush or something?"

That sent me into a coughing fit. My subsequent denial did nothing to quell the amusement shining in his eyes.

"Hey, no shame in crushing on an older woman. Ain't realistic but whatever. She's hot, she kicks ass, or I assume she would against any not monster-"

"We can stop talking about this now," I was talking too fast, and I was fully aware that any denial at this point would only fuel him further.

Gross. For multiple reasons.

"You didn't answer my question. What's up with her?"

"She's from the future. Like Trunks and Clover."

"…I think I might have heard the name Trunks, but other than that I'm just as clueless about those names. What's with all the future stuff anyway? I'm not, even gonna begin to unpack the fact that time travel exists, but like, why?"

…

Oh.

Right.

Guess they would have no idea.

"Ah, I mean, that's not really important, is it?"

Seventeen frowned, "I didn't think it was until you said that. At least not in terms of me."

"No, look, it doesn't matter. It's, a bad future but it's been plenty changed now."

"Is it something to do with that monster? You said he was from the future."

"No, that's not-" I mean, it'd probably be worse if they learned about it later, "ok so, it totally does not matter. Because it hasn't happened, and won't happen in this timeline, but uh, in that timeline, you and Eighteen, kinda, destroyed, a lot? And they came back to prevent that, and Cell kinda, followed them because, well, y'know."

Seventeen blinked, "ah, so that's why you lot were so jumpy outside of the Doctor's lab. Makes sense. Doesn't really explain why you've been so-" he waved his hand at me as if that finished the sentence, "but whatever."

That was, a nonchalant response.

"That's it? That's your entire response?"

"I don't know a thing about time travel, or what could have changed. I don't think that's something I would have done, but who knows what could have happened, or if Gero messed with something else up here," he pointed at his head, "besides. You said it yourself. It's not like it could happen anyway, I'm not the strongest anymore."

"…I don't think it is. Something you'd do I mean. In that timeline you two were supposed to kill the group right away, and, you didn't. So, it must be something else that's different."

"You keep saying you two. What about Sixteen?"

"Oh, I dunno. I don't think he exists in that timeline."

"Huh, maybe that's the difference then. Didn't have the big guy to keep us in check."

Except he wasn't supposed to be around after this arc. Obviously, I'd changed that, but in canon that couldn't have been the case.

Not that I could say that of course.

"He didn't really do much during that first fight. What could that have changed?"

"I don't know man. I just learned time travel was a thing a few hours ago. Days, week, whatever it's been. How am I supposed to know how it works?"

"I think the main difference was that dad didn't die like, a year or two ago."

Seventeen froze, "he was supposed to die? Then what the hell would have been the point? Yeah, that probably would have changed a few more things."

Seventeen huffed, "whatever. Time travel is stupid. None of this matters anyway."

Seventeen stood up, "well, that's all I was here for. See you around," and with that he left, going over the edge of the lookout and disappearing to the world below.

It was weird, knowing that I wouldn't really be able to find him, or either of the other two Androids, on my own. Anyone else I could sense out, but even when he was right in front of me, it felt like I was alone there.

Weird.

Oh well, at least now I got my alone time that had been deprived from me earlier.