Author's Note: More to the story awaits you than just this chapter. Talking With A Monster Chapter 0 has been released and is available on my profile. I recommend fans of the series read that before continuing with chapter 31 to enjoy the full experience.
Now, without further ado, let us begin.
-Yajirobe-
Thick fingers tightened around the pale-white railing wrapping around the round structure of Korin Tower. To this day, Yajirobe still could not understand how the bulbous, perfectly round shape sitting atop Korin Tower—more like two halves of an egg separated by perfectly spaced columns than an actual building—had managed to remain standing at the top of such an impossible height. Surely, such a massive, looming structure would come crashing down eventually, considering the thin, ancient pillar no thicker than a car-length holding the whole thing up. Despite these facts, Yajirobe always felt safest once he'd returned to the top of Korin Tower, a place he had learned to call home. No one ever bothered him up here, since there was no one around for hundreds of miles—the nearest village being a week's travel by foot. Even if someone did come to investigate the giant tower stretching into the sky, it wouldn't be as if they could see him at the very top, sitting far above the cloudline and completely obscured from the ground below.
This place was quiet, peaceful, safe. Despite this, Yajirobe felt anything but safe now as he glared intensely out into the dark stretch of open air resting above an impossibly far drop. From behind, Yajirobe was only faintly aware of the sun beginning to rise, warming his back and legs as the cold wind blew against the folds of his yukata—the red fabric long since faded and aged with time. Despite trembling from being in the dark, frigid air, Yajirobe's back remained facing the sun, his focus stretching out for hundreds of miles in the opposite direction.
The old ronin jumped as he felt another explosion of power erupt from across the world. Yajirobe sucked in a hopeful breath of air as he squeezed his eyes shut, a bead of sweat rolling down his brow as he concentrated on Gohan's energy once more, searching its surroundings to see if…
The samurai's eyes snapped open. Snarling, Yajirobe slammed a meaty fist against the railing.
Not again…
He'd just felt that dreadful, disgusting ki signature come so close to being extinguished entirely from what had felt like another expensive display of power from Gohan, only for that same vile power to restore itself once more. What was worse…Yajirobe almost felt as if that sickening power was growing each time it came back from the brink of death—but, how was that even possible?
What the hell is Gohan fighting?!
When Yajirobe saw Gohan shoot out of Master Roshi's house, he hadn't wasted a second. The old fighter had been out the door moments after the young warrior, tossing out the Capsule Corp. capsule storing his rusty hover car and climbing in just as Gohan's silhouette disappeared into the night sky.
Considering Gohan was Yajirobe's number one recipient of Senzu beans, it didn't take long for Yajirobe to realize what type of threat Gohan was most likely facing. Understanding the level of danger Gohan was in since both his and Trunks' backup Senzu had been consumed had left Yajirobe racing to reach Korin Tower—and the final Senzu bean—in time. The old warrior had been expecting to sense Gohan's ki erupt as it always did once he'd reached the undetectable androids. What Yajirobe hadn't been expecting was to sense the ki signatures of all his old friends' suddenly flaring alongside Gohan's. For a brief handful of moments, Yajirobe had thought the power of the Dragon Balls had finally been restored before his focus on the peculiar energy signatures deepened, and he could sense the underlying corruption tainting their souls. The assault on his senses left him feeling sick as he realized all the souls he could sense were coming from a single individual.
The revelation had made Yajirobe's skin crawl from how depraved and disturbing such a truth was. What twisted monster had fused his friends' ki signatures together to create whatever horrifying fiend Gohan now faced, and why?
And…more importantly…
Yajirobe thought to himself, anxiously.
Will Gohan be enough to stop it?
He could sense the power differential, and could tell that Gohan was still the greater force by far…but after each clash, the old warrior could feel the gap closing that much more…
I have a really bad feeling about this…
Looking over his shoulder, Yajirobe regarded four, gray-and-cracked flower pots aligned next to the center column of the lookout. He ignored the final, recently-emptied pot, instead choosing to inspect the trio of pots with plants weakly sprouting out of them. His gaze bore a reverent stare. The short line of plants represented the last of his experimental mulch-blends, each a different attempt at growing the Senzu plant under different conditions to hopefully yield more Senzu beans come harvest.
The older man walked over to the three plants, inspecting them with a grim expression as he raised a single leaf with one of his fingers—only to watch the brittle leaf crumble and sprinkle to the soil below. Yajirobe sighed, shaking his head as his eyes turned to inspect the two other plants—both appearing in similar if not worse condition. He'd been through enough Senzu harvests by now to recognize when a batch wasn't going to make it. Yajiobe still recalled struggling through what must have been dozens of attempts before ever learning how to successfully yield a single harvest.
Korin—the inventor of the Senzu bean and original owner of the tower—had perfected the technique of cultivating the Senzu plant, each of his batches yielding dozens of ripe and ready Senzu beans for the defenders of earth to use. Unfortunately for Yajirobe, the old and wise cat had lived a very private life, never having had the chance to pass on his more complex teachings to another before the androids eventually found him. To this day, Yajirobe still didn't know the reason why the androids decided to kill Korin, although the ronin knew the androids never needed a reason to kill. It was like breathing to them, he figured. Yajirobe could imagine the demented pair happening to discover the tower by chance, only to fly up to its very top and find a talking cat of all things. Maybe they thought Korin was strange, or perhaps they found him too uncooperative for their taste, either way, Yajirobe had been the one to discover Korin's corpse during a Senzu run on Gohan's behalf many years ago.
The loss of his close friend had been devastating, but Yajirobe had been determined to ensure Korin's legacy would live on. From that day forward, Yajirobe understood that the responsibility of keeping the Senzu plant alive would fall to him, the only soul Korin ever trusted enough to begin sharing the secrets of growing the Senzu plant.
When Yajirobe began this long journey, he had an entire pot filled to the brim with Senzu beans left behind by Korin's devoted efforts. Some were used to learn how to grow more, others were spent saving lives of those Son Gohan fought to protect, eventually depleting what little Korin had left behind until all that remained of his life's-work were three dying plants and a lone Senzu bean resting in Yajirobe's palm.
The old warrior closed his eyes, clutching the bean to his chest as a wave of guilt washed over him.
I'm so sorry, my old friend.
Yajirobe stared out at the plants once more, surveying them.
I tried my best to keep your memory alive.
He had given it his all to maintain the ever-invaluable, magical beans Korin had dedicated his life to, and had even managed to discover a successful method to grow the beans, although his process was hardly as fruitful as Korin's once had been. This bean had meant to be his control group, the one grown 'normally' in order to ensure that he had a fresh batch to practice with again. There was still even a little dirt left on it from when he pulled it out of the soil, and waited.
Waited, hoping for the moment Gohan's energy flared out victoriously, signaling to Yajirobe that the danger had passed and the old ronin could replant the precious last Senzu bean.
That moment didn't come, and Yajirobe began to have a swelling, creeping fear in his chest that it never would.
Despite the pain of guilt, despite knowing that he was effectively erasing his best friend's life's work from this world, Yajirobe found his feet moving back to the edge of Korin Tower, the bean clenched tightly in his fist.
"I know you'd understand if you were here, old friend." Yajirobe said aloud, hoping that somewhere out there, Korin could still hear him. Even if this was the final bean and the Senzu plant did die out, Yajirobe knew Korin—someone who had devoted their entire life to creating something that saved countless others—would be happy knowing the final bean had been used to potentially save the world.
Despite the bitter cold, Yajirobe felt a pleasant breeze pass through the many columns of the lookout all at once, warming the old ronin's aging bones comfortingly.
Yajirobe stared out into the darkness as the morning light began to stretch out from his peripherals, slowly engulfing the vast stretch of forest and trees in a soft orange glow.
Yajirobe smiled grimly.
I guess it's time… for one last bean run.
-Cell-
The situation is starting to look dire…
The bio-android grit his teeth as he shoved his weight against the mighty oak pinning him to the ground, feeling his muscles strain from the effort. Eventually, Cell found purchase against the jagged bark, and shoved the massive log of wood away with a grunt.
Finally able to stand, Cell rose to his feet as yellow eyes cut through the darkness to find Gohan and Eighteen floating in the air, back to back. Sparing a glance beyond the floating pair, Cell's eyes landed on Seventeen's face, getting his first good look at his brother, before he winced.
That…looks like it's going to be difficult to fix.
The entire left side of Seventeen's face had been completely and utterly devastated. His jaw was almost definitely dislocated with a deep, painful looking imprint of Eighteen's fist embedded into his cheek. Worst yet—Cell could tell Seventeen's eye socket had collapsed entirely, bearing a striking resemblance to crushed soda can as a thin stream of darkened crimson trailed from the injury, running down the android's cheek. Cell could only imagine how much pain his brother was going through, how much agony Seventeen was being forced to ignore in order to keep him safe.
Acting on instincts unfamiliar to the bio-android, Cell called out, "Are you okay, Seventeen?"
Out of the corner of his eye, Cell caught Eighteen and Gohan shooting him surprised looks—but he didn't care. His attention was focused on Seventeen as his brother's remaining eye turned to him.
Much to Cell's relief, Seventeen flashed a toothy grin. "Doing fine, bro. I'll be better once Blondie is missing the rest of his body parts, but I'm alright otherwise." He paused, his grin wavering as his lone blue eye continued to study Cell. "Are…you alright?"
Cell regarded himself and immediately saw the cause of Seventeen's concern. Nearly every inch of Cell's freshly regenerated carapace was coated with green, viridescent blood from the savage beating he'd received from Gohan. Despite his wounds having closed and his bones mending themselves, Cell knew that he still looked like he'd gone through a blender.
"I will live. Although…that would not be the case if not for you." Cell held Seventeen's gaze, shooting him a nod as, for what felt like the first time since meeting Seventeen, Cell spoke without a trace of deceit or betrayal to his words. "Thank you, Seventeen."
The smile of relief from his brother's face made Cell beam.
"If you two are done talking," Eighteen snarked, shooting daggers from her eyes as she glared between the pair. "I'm pretty sure it's about time we put you both in the ground."
Cell hissed as he returned his attention to the troublesome duo floating between him and Seventeen. Doing a quick mental assessment of his ki reserves, Cell's mouth drew a grim line.
I am barely at a quarter of my full strength after all the energy I spent restoring myself. Even utilizing the full power of the Kaio-ken will likely not be enough to overcome the strength of android Eighteen or Gohan. Combining this information with Seventeen's most recent injury…
Cell's body tensed as his bio-engineered, super-genius mind instantly came to the realization that his best odds of survival now would be to run. Feeling his body beginning to move on its own, Cell took a quiet step back.
Without wishing it, a plan of self-preservation intruded on the bio-android's thoughts like a car crashing through a building.
Seventeen's power is still enough to rival Gohan and Eighteen's for a time. Luring the duo into an engagement with Seventeen would leave me enough time to get away and-
Cell's claws drove through the carapace of his forearm seconds later, producing an audible crack as his fingers sank into tender flesh. The violent, stabbing, sensation of it all sent a jolt of pain through Cell's mind that allowed him a brief moment of clarity to seize control of his rogue instincts.
"Whoa!" Eighteen called out, both she and Gohan recoiling in shock from his self mutilation. "What the hell is wrong with you?!"
Cell took a deep breath, feeling the flow of his mind behaving normally once more.
I will not leave my brother to die!
"Nothing, anymore." Cell answered calmly, his fingers curling into fists dripping with his own blood. Slowly, he rose into the sky until he was level with his opponents, already feeling the holes in his forearm closing. "Shall we begin?"
We are a severe power differential. I cannot allow strength to be the deciding factor in this fight. I need to find another win-condition beyond power. I need to find…
Cell's eyes narrowed on his opponents as Eighteen responded with a snark , "It'd be my pleasure." Glancing over her shoulder at Gohan, she added, "You ready to show these two what the Golden Warrior and android Eighteen can do together?"
Cell's head slowly cocked to the side, detecting the slightest flash of anxiety in Eighteen's eyes as she turned to her ally.
Gohan's head snapped to Eighteen, his lips curled into a sneer. "Together?" he repeated with disgust, before blinking and meeting Cell's gaze now locked on him. With a hiss, Gohan turned back to face Seventeen. "Fine. Whatever. Let's get this done."
Cell felt his mouth pull into a sinister grin.
A weakness…
-Eighteen-
Gohan really hates me now…
Despite knowing that a battle to decide the fate of the world was about to commence, the blonde android couldn't help but feel nervous that the man behind her…the man that she loved, would never return those feelings again.
"You need to come clean."
Eighteen grimaced, listening to Bulma's voice echo in her ears.
"If Gohan doesn't know by tomorrow, then it will be me who delivers the bad news."
Eighteen spared another nervous glance over her shoulder, her eyes full of hurt, and, most of all, fear.
Once he knows…he'll never love me again.
Turning to meet Gohan's gaze, she jumped when she noticed his eyes already locked onto her. He regarded her with a deep, resentful glare that told her he probably had a thousand other things to say to her—but was biting his tongue because of the situation. The barely-contained rage hiding behind teal-colored eyes seemed to cut straight through her as he considered his words carefully.
Instead of ridiculing and telling her off for the hundreds of thousands of reasons he had every right to loathe her for, he turned away. With visible effort, Gohan forced himself to turn back to Seventeen, his face locked in a snarl from inner turmoil.
"You hold off Cell. Be on your toes. He can regenerate from virtually anything, but I'm sure you already knew that." Gohan's voice was curt and sharp as he spoke to Eighteen. His demeanor felt frigid…his words filled to the brim with distaste. "I'll take Seventeen."
The harshness of his tone made Eighteen wither, her head lowering in somber acceptance. "...Fine."
Gohan paused, his teal eyes narrowing fractionally before turning back to her. "You're…not going to try and stop me this time, are you?" His eyes darted between her and Seventeen hesitantly. "You know what I'm going to do to him…right?"
Eighteen felt a sinking sensation in her chest. A part of her had known on the flight over here the way this fight had to end, but in her haste she had yet to accept it…to make peace with it. Slowly, Eighteen turned until she was facing Seventeen again, staring at her brother as the reality of the situation finally began to sink in. A flood of happy memories raced through Eighteen's mind as she stared at someone she had thought would forever be at her side. She recalled the first time they got to ride the biggest roller coaster at Super World—an amusement park the twins had never been able to afford in their youth. The smiles they'd worn that day had felt as if they would last forever from how much the twins had been beaming.
Eighteen recalled a time they'd acquired their own personal movie theater to watch the entire 'Swift and Serious' franchise, each movie playing back to back as they laughed and pointed at how ridiculous each movie's plot was. Eighteen remembered them spending the entire day there, eating popcorn and watching movies. Another treasured memory she would never forget.
Finally, the time they'd spent together at the arcade—the last time her brother had actually felt like family—flashed through Eighteen's mind. She smiled, recalling the cheap arcade cabinets and, frankly, revolting pizza fondly.
But…then her smile began to fade as Eighteen forced herself to recall the rest of those so-called 'cherished' memories.
Eighteen remembered butchering the tourists and employees of Super World simply because she and Seventeen hadn't wanted to wait in line. Similarly, the private movie theater had only become private once all the other ticket-buyers and custodians had been completely vaporized.
And finally…Eighteen's heart broke as the last good memory shared between her and her brother…was tainted by the fact it had all been a lie to steal the blueprints away from her.
At last, Seventeen's own voice replayed within her thoughts. An answer to Gohan's question Eighteen hadn't realized…Seventeen had already answered for her.
"There's only one way this ends."
Eighteen's lips parted, her words catching in her throat as Seventeen's remaining eye grew large, his mouth falling slackjaw as he began to connect the dots, realizing what Eighteen was finally agreeing to. For a moment, Eighteen wished she hadn't hit her brother so hard, wished his face wasn't a mangled mess of artificial skin and crumpled metal…so she could see her brother how she would always remember him…one last time.
The image of Seventeen in front of her began to blur as Eighteen felt warmth brimming in the corners of her eyes. Abruptly, Eighteen clamped her eyes shut, not strong enough to hold Seventeen's gaze as she finally found her voice. "The person that was my brother…died a long time ago." She released a shuddering breath, the warmth of her tears trailing down either cheek. "All that's left…is a monster that is never going to stop…unless he is stopped." Eighteen's eyes snapped open, meeting Gohan's stare. His eyes were wide with surprise as she stared back tearfully. "Do what you have to, Son Gohan."
Despite her better judgment, Eighteen's eyes found Seventeen once more, locking onto an eye the exact same shade of blue as hers.
Tears raced down Seventeen's cheek, his expression looking...lost.
I'm sorry…Brother.
Without another word, Eighteen turned her back to Seventeen, staring down her new opponent, Cell. Her shoulders were trembling, her body shaking as she forced herself to accept her decision…and the weight it carried.
I can't be a monster with you…not anymore.
"Hey, Bug-bro! Did you hear that!?" Seventeen abruptly barked, sniffling as he roughly wiped a ripped sleeve against his cheek. "It's finally time to pull out all the stops! No holding back!" He snarled, his voice growling as he snapped, "Do whatever it is you need to do to win, Cell. You've got my full permission."
Eighteen felt panic beginning to bubble to the surface as she watched Cell's body stiffen, before his eyes snapped to her with an eagerness that left her uneasy. Eighteen had to remind herself that she was still much stronger than Cell to calm herself down.
Or at least…I am for now…
Knowing that she was on a ticking clock certainly did nothing to relieve the climbing anxiety the android was experiencing. She wished she had some way to inform Gohan of her draining ki reserves, but such an exchange would only serve to reveal a weakness to their enemies.
"Ready?" Eighteen whispered over her shoulder.
"Ready." Gohan confirmed, sounding reluctant.
Grimacing, Eighteen shot forward, cocking back a fist dedicated to Cell's face.
-Trunks-
The bathroom door clicked close behind the teen as he stepped inside, turning to the mirror with a frown. He paused, regarding himself in his bloodied hospital gown, before shifting his attention to the small bundle of items in his hands. With a sigh, Trunks set the bag on the counter before pulling off his gown gently to reveal rows and rows of bloodied bandages wrapped around his torso. Slowly, the teen began peeling away the wraps, hissing in pain whenever he accidentally agitated a particularly sensitive area.
To say the last few days felt like the wildest ride of Trunks' life would have been an understatement. Discovering a brand new, horrifying Android, battling it to the death, finally unlocking the legend of Super Saiyan, awaking to the sound of your mother screaming so loud it felt as if it was piercing your very soul, confronting the android he thought dead, discovering that android Eighteen is somehow, some way a good guy now—as well as evidently being the Ghost, something Trunks definitely wanted to follow up on once he got the chance—finding out Cell and Seventeen are working together for some reason, and now a battle to determine the fate of the world was raging on just a few hundred miles west of him.
Which means I've gotta do this quickly.
Finally done, Trunks turned back to the mirror…and couldn't help but grimace.
I look like crap. No, worse than crap. Crap that got crapped out twice.
His lip was cut, his eyebrow held together with adhesive tape, and his skin was still split running along the side of Trunks' head from when he'd been thrown through a wall. His torso looked like it had gone through a hurricane composed of exclusively razor blades, judging from the plethora of cuts and slashes littering his body. Massive claw marks engraved three painful looking gashes across the teen's chest, creating a grisly spectacle as Trunks' eye narrowed to study the wound closer.
And, who could forget the big one…
Trunks ran his fingers along the grooves of the vicious claw marks now replacing what had once been his right eye, finding it strange when his hand disappeared behind his new blindspot.
Chewing on his bottom lip, Trunks stepped back from the mirror, placing hands on hips as he inspected himself with a critical gaze. After a short time, the teen came to his conclusion.
"I look bad—ass." Trunks smiled to himself, his grin widening ear to ear. Inspecting at each wound in the mirror, Trunks couldn't help but think of his master, friend, and brother: Son Gohan. Trunks had only ever seen Gohan shirtless on a handful of occasions when swimming or training, but during those short instances, Trunks had always been amazed by Gohan. Each and every scar marking his master's chest was another badge of honor as far as Trunks was concerned, each wound representing another life spared through another brave battle fought. To Trunks, Gohan's scars were simply proof of being a warrior…the greatest warrior Trunks had ever known.
The demi-saiyan's chin lifted, pushing out his chest—engraved with deep claw marks—with pride, honored to know that he resembled Gohan even a little bit. Trunks' bravado fell, however, as his eye landed on his face once more, inspecting it as the grandeur of his wounds began to bleed away. What was left behind was the harsh reality of his situation…the reality of what Trunks was rapidly concluding would be the rest of his life.
So…I'm gonna be half-blind for the rest of my life…
The teen's lips pursed as he considered that fact. The demi-saiyan had to admit to himself that he wasn't exactly thrilled about missing an eye for the rest of his days. Why couldn't he have just gotten one of those cool scars across his eye that was just a single line but didn't actually do anything, like in the movies? He scowled, a part of him wishing he had decided to take the Senzu bean when he'd had the chance.
Trunks blinked, before instantly feeling disgusted with himself.
Then Peni would be dead!
He frowned, his blue eyes finding the floor as a wave of guilt washed over him over the thought. How could he think something so selfish?! Trunks knew that being a hero, a true hero, meant making sacrifices for the greater good. Gohan's sacrifices had only served to cement that lesson for Trunks as he was growing up.
Then again…
Despite himself, despite knowing what he should be thinking—that he saved someone's life and that's all that matters—Trunks found himself considering a different thought.
If I had a chance to go back and change things knowing that I would end up like…this…would I choose differently?
Trunks stared at the wound consuming his eye, running his fingers along its ridges once more. Slowly, the corners of his mouth pulled into a sad smile.
No. I wouldn't.
The teen's eye fell shut, his attention on the sensation of his finger-tips running along the many grooves engraved across his face. Trunks finally felt like he understood. The scar that would sit there for the rest of his days was a representation of the life Peni would get to live because of his efforts. Next, his fingers found the deep gash marks raking across his chest, his smile only widening as he began to interpret this mark as representing Erasa, the second life he saved that day.
Re-opening his remaining eye, Trunks found new reverence in his injuries, sensing a swell of pride that they were there…because, if they weren't, he knew what would have been traded.
I think I finally get how you feel about that day…Gohan.
Trunks had always felt guilty over how Gohan had lost his arm. Having been forced to protect Trunks against the androids' combined power had not been without its consequences, and afterward had left Trunks thinking his master must hate him for the loss. Despite this, Gohan had never even displayed a hint of resentment over the injury, almost seeming happier for it.
Now, Trunks felt pride knowing he felt the same way about his own.
A knock at the door made Trunks jump. "Is someone in there?"
The teen breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Peni's voice. "Don't come in! I'm shirtless! Just changing my bandages!"
There was a pregnant pause beyond the door. "...Need any help?"
Trunks' brow furrowed, his head whipped around to look at the door incredulously. "What?"
"Nothing! Sorry!" Peni blurted out, her voice muffled. "I didn't mean it!" He could hear the girl's feet rushing her away from the bathroom now as she called out one final time, "I'll see you when you get out!"
Feeling only slightly confused, Trunks turned his attention to the bag of items he'd placed on the counter, digging out a roll of bandages and some skin adhesive glue before regarding himself in the mirror again.
I bet this is gonna hurt.
Trunks gritted his teeth as he began to treat himself the same way he'd studied his mom treating Gohan dozens of times over. In the back of his mind, Trunks could still sense the warring ki signatures hundreds of miles away, urging him to work faster.
He winced as he tightened a set of stitches his mother had sewn in order for the wound to heal right. Unfortunately for Bulma, Trunks was more concerned about making sure the cut stayed close, especially since Trunks doubted he'd have another opportunity to treat the wound again once he was back in the fight.
Despite learning about Eighteen and the Ghost being the same person—something the teen was still reeling over—he still didn't outright trust the android, not after everything she was responsible for. Even if Eighteen was being completely honest, Trunks had been there when Bulma had told the android that she was heading out with barely half of her total power.
The teen swallowed nervously as Eighteen's voice echoed through his mind.
"Now? He's finally strong enough to stand up to me."
Trunks had never seen an android be scared before, but as Eighteen explained to Trunks the full extent of how much danger Gohan is in, he could see the true, unbridled fear in her eyes. If anything was an indication of how dire the situation was, android Eighteen being terrified was definitely it. If things went wrong…Trunks wanted to be there to make sure his brother got out alive.
The teen finished the self-proclaimed 'patch-job' with haste before grabbing hold of the change of clothes he'd brought into the bathroom with him. He changed quickly and was in the process of pulling on his shirt when the sound of something big collided with the side of the house. Trunks jumped so high he was glad no one was around to see him. The floor shook from the impact, prompting shouts and cries of alarm Trunks could hear from all around his home.
What? What was that?!
Feeling his chest begin to thunder with anxiety over what this new potential threat could be, the teen hastily pulled down his black-tank-top the rest of the way before roughly pushing his arms through his Capsule Corp. denim jacket—thankful he'd already put on his baggy black pants and boots—before reaching out and seizing the door handle.
Trunks set his jaw, preparing himself for whatever was ahead.
It's time to be a hero again.
-Son Gohan-
Somewhere over his shoulder, Gohan could hear the commotion of android Eighteen engaging Cell with a vicious strike that sent tremors across the ground.
I'm working alongside…Android Eighteen.
He grimaced in disgust, a little voice in the back of his mind calling him a traitor to all the people he swore to avenge. How could he, the Golden Warrior, work alongside one of the two monsters responsible for devastation the world over with good conscience? He doubted all the souls Eighteen doomed to the afterlife would forgive her simply for turning a new leaf now, of all times, so how could he?
Of course…She's not just android Eighteen anymore…is she?
A racing flood of emotions threatened to overwhelm the Super Saiyan as he considered the implications of…everything. Shuddering, Gohan shook away the rogue thoughts as he brought his mind back to the task at hand.
Examining Seventeen's livid glare, the Super Saiyan took a short assessment of his own ki reserves.
That fight against Cell left me at…roughly eighty-percent.
It was dangerous engaging an android with anything less than max strength, but…as Gohan regarded the shattered remains of Seventeen's face, he began to consider if maybe the power differential was still in his favor.
Seventeen's power was significantly diminished when he lost his arm…
Did that mean a similar phenomenon would happen now that his face was leaking…whatever that fluid was? Oil?
Only one way to test that theory.
Pushing the sounds of V-...Eighteen's combat to the back of his mind, Gohan rocketed forward, drawing back a fist.
"Come and get it, home-wrecker!" Seventeen snarled as his body tensed, his fingers curling into fists in preparation. Ignoring the comment, Gohan closed the distance in less than an instant, appearing before Seventeen in a flash of golden light with his burning fist whistling forward. Seventeen raised his guard, anticipating Gohan's wild haymaker before the Super Saiyan twisted, capitalizing on his successful feint by planting a navy-blue boot straight into Seventeen's sternum.
Gohan grinned with satisfaction as he listened to the sound of Seventeen wheezing from the impact of his kick, only to bring up his knee with brutal efficiency and feel it crack against the shattered remains of Seventeen's chin. Whatever passed for Seventeen's blood splattered against Gohan's gi as the android's head snapped back, releasing a bark of pain in the process.
Gohan's head reared back just in time as Seventeen flipped backward with the momentum of Gohan's attack, snapping out a foot meant for his head. Gohan retaliated with a barrage of golden energy, unleashing a torrent of ki blasts that exploded from Gohan's hand like machine-gun-fire. Seventeen shot back like a bullet, narrowly keeping his lead against the hailstorm of pursuing energy blasts, before darting to the side with an arrogant smirk. "Nice try, shit-for-brains!"
Gohan's smirk was wider.
Seventeen's eye bulged out of its socket as—instead of continuing forward—the trail of ki blasts veered to the right, continuing their pursuit of Seventeen as the android startled. "What the-!"
The first blast impacted Seventeen's shoulder, knocking his flight off course as the android desperately tried to reorient before the others could reach him. Twisting through the air, Seventeen managed to evade two more blasts before the wave of ki finally overwhelmed him, causing a chain of explosions to completely engulf the android in a barrage of golden light. The detonation of so much energy produced a massive cloud of smoke reminiscent of a tactical missile strike which enveloped Seventeen entirely.
Gohan maintained his distance from the mass of dark, smoky tendrils slowly dissipating with the cool night breeze. His eyes narrowed to slits as he searched intensely for whichever direction Seventeen might try and escape the cloud from, planning to intercept the android the moment he revealed himself.
Gohan felt his concern grow as several seconds passed without a trace of Seventeen emerging from the darkness. Finally, Gohan saw something new form from the heart of the dust-cloud–
–A tiny bead of yellow light. Instantly, Gohan startled as the puny bead of light grew, expanding rapidly and forcing away the smoke in a single, violent, explosive wave that vaporized everything it came in contact with. The flash of light was enough to force Gohan to shield his eyes, blinking away dust as the resulting shockwave thrashed at his gi.
The blinding light finally dispersed, allowing Gohan to blink away the black spots in his vision, before discovering Seventeen with his leg snapping out inches away from Gohan's face.
"This-" Seventeen roared just as his shin collided with Gohan's temple, snapping the Super Saiyan's head to the side,"-is for taking my arm!"
Gohan's vision swam, before he felt a fist bury itself in his stomach, causing him to lurched in place, his body folding over Seventeen's arm. "And this-" Seventeen snarled, digging his fist deeper into Gohan's abdomen. "-is for stealing Eighteen away from me!"
Gohan gagged, spittle flying from his lips as all the air was forcefully evacuated from his lungs. Despite the pain, despite the lack of air to breath, Gohan's mind couldn't help but hyper-focus on Seventeen's comment.
He thinks I stole Eighteen from him?!
If not for the overwhelming amount of pain digging into his solar plexus, the Super Saiyan thought he might actually laugh at such an absurd…although, admittedly distracting comment.
Seventeen's fist ripped free of Gohan's abdomen, leaving the Super Saiyan doubled over in pain and clutching his stomach. Before he could respond, Seventeen's seething voice bellowed, "and this is for ruining everything!"
A double-ax-handle struck the center of Gohan's back with all the force of an atomic bomb, sending a shockwave out as the Super Saiyan found the ground rushing up to meet him. Gohan braced himself just before he impacted, striking the ground with enough force that the resulting earthquake was enough to split the earth with a fissure, sending him hurtling through darkness. Gohan felt his body tumble down the chasm, scraping and slamming against the hard surface of the newly made wonder of the world, before unceremoniously smashing against the rocky bottom.
Ouch…
Feeling more than a little dizzy, Gohan shook off his concussion and pushed himself to his feet to examine the deep, dark, crevice in the earth Seventeen had sent him crashing through. Looking up, Gohan gauged that he'd been driven somewhere over a hundred feet into the dirt, before sighing with frustration..
Gotta be a little more careful…
He still couldn't gauge whether or not Seventeen was functioning at full capacity. Sure, those attacks had hurt, but they certainly hadn't been the hardest Gohan had ever been hit by the android. It was still possible that Seventeen was only operating at a fraction of his max power.
I might be able to overwhelm him with one massive attack if I get the opportunity.
Assuming Seventeen had displayed the full extent of his strength in those brutal blows…Gohan felt confident he'd be able to muster enough energy to destroy Seventeen all in one go.
Gritting his teeth, Gohan coiled his legs beneath him, before springing upward like a lightning bolt, producing a sonic boom that echoed against the walls of the newly forged chasm as he went. The Super Saiyan exploded out of the crevice instantly, spraying dust and debris all around as he took to the sky. Gohan's head swiveled about as he searched hastily for Seventeen, only to hear the whistling sound of the android's approach from over his shoulder.
Gohan whirled around, swiftly raising his guard as he met Seventeen's elbow strike with his own, their forearms slamming against one another with a deafening boom. Their faces mere inches apart, Gohan could see Seventeen's expression seething with rage. The half of Seventeen's lips that did work curled back revealing a hateful snarl, spittle flying with his words as he spat, "just die already, you brain-washing fuck!"
Gohan found himself backpedaling as Seventeen unleashed a barrage of savage, reckless attacks, each more desperate and vicious than the last. The Super Saiyan nimbly slipped and parried each blow. Despite the android's tenacity, Gohan found plenty of openings to abuse from Seventeen's sloppy form. Capitalizing on one, Gohan ducked a jab, planting his own fist into Seventeen's cheek and rocking the android's head back, before driving forward to initiate his own-
-Seventeen growled, his head snapping forward defiantly and slamming straight into Gohan's teeth, causing the demi-saiyan to stagger as he heard a concerning crack. An instant later, Gohan found himself on the back foot again as Seventeen re-initiated his blitz with reckless abandon.
I don't think I've ever seen Seventeen this angry before.
Despite challenging the androids for over a decade, he'd rarely ever seen one lose their composure to this extent. He supposed he'd never managed to piss either of them off enough to reach…whatever point of loathing this was.
Wait…does he know more to the story?
A troubled frown pulled at the corners of Gohan's mouth as an idea formed. Ducking under a spinning hook kick, Gohan immediately darted back, creating space as he called out, "Do you really think I brainwashed your sister?"
Seventeen's paused his pursuit, his flight staggering to a stop as he frowned. "What else would you call it?" he snarked. "You somehow caught her, maybe even trapped her, and filled her head with bullshit! Convinced her about garbage, like killing people is baaad, or whatever." He spoke mockingly, rolling his eye, before driving forward with a wicked left hook that would have taken Gohan's head off if not for a well timed parry.
Gohan drew a deep breath, preparing himself for the next part of his plan, before forcing out a snicker amidst halting Seventeen's fist, catching it inches away from his face. "You think I went out of my way and searched for android Eighteen?" He snorted, imitating the same way he'd seen Seventeen and Eighteen taunt him what felt like hundreds of times. "Whatever left you looking like a melted wax doll-" he nodded with an obnoxiously smirk toward the left side of Seventeen's face, "-must have left you with some severe brain trauma if you're finally stupid enough to believe that. She found me. I can't believe that's the lie she fed you, and that you bought it." Gohan scoffed.
The wide-eyed, shocked expression that flashed across Seventeen's features was rapidly swallowed by a glare so hostile and full of loathing Gohan knew he'd struck a nerve.
"Shut your fucking mouth, you lopsided, inbred, liar! She told me about the "training sessions"!" Seventeen snarled, striking out with a rash front-kick meant to slam into Gohan's chest. Instead, Gohan twisted, wrapping around Seventeen's blindside until they were back to back. Not wasting a second, Gohan buried his elbow directly into Seventeen's spine with bone-rattling force. The android released a choked cry before gritting his teeth and whirling around with a savage punch met only by Gohan's forearm.
The training sessions…
A wave of melancholy washed over the Super Saiyan as he recalled the time Seventeen was referring to. The sweet and warm memories of working alongside Trunks and…Videl… now tainted by what he had hoped was somehow not to be the truth. A deeper part of Gohan had been silently praying for the entire situation to somehow be a lie, crafted by Cell—no less, only barely proven true by circumstantial evidence at best.
Or…at least, that's what Gohan had hoped to believe, that somehow, someway, this had all just been one coincidence after another, creating a stupendous domino effect of mere coincidences.
Anything…so that Gohan wouldn't have to face the twisted reality of it all.
Pushing back the swell of emotions bubbling to the surface, Gohan found his next set of biting words, hoping to push Seventeen over the edge.
"Oh yes, the training sessions." Gohan said in the same, suggestive tone he'd heard…Videl tease him with so many times before. "I remember the time your sister and I had to get really close and personal for one of the "training sessions"."
Gohan's mind flashed to the time he'd first held E-...Videl's hand in his, sitting across from one another as he slowly transferred his ki to her own. Watching her expression light up with such genuine excitement and wonder upon sensing life-energy for the first time…had felt like one of the most beautiful moments of his life.
"She was blushing almost the entire time," He smiled, genuinely, this time, as he recalled how adorably flustered Videl had been when she'd—seemingly by accident—called him 'beautiful' with such sincerity it had made his heart flutter. "But I could tell afterward that she really enjoyed it. Probably the reason she kept coming back for more."
The look of disheveled stupefaction written across Seventeen's demolished face almost made Gohan laugh in earnest, before it transformed into a vile, twisted snarl so burning with hatred that Gohan gulped. There was pure, unadulterated, rage in Seventeen's remaining eye as he charged Gohan, his voice exploding with indignation as he roared, "I will fucking kill you!"
Seventeen closed the gap in an instant, launching an uppercut that ignited against the air, rippling with dark, crimson energy as it barreled straight for Gohan's face. The resulting sonic boom blasted against Gohan's shirt just as he fell back, pulling his knees to his chest as Seventeen's devastating strike met only the air.
Finally!
With a grunt, Gohan drove both boots straight into Seventeen's abdomen, producing an audible shockwave as Seventeen released a strangled cry of pain, his eye rolling to the back of his skull as his entire body jolted from the impact.
There's more than one way to go blind in a fight.
He thought smugly, reaching out with lightning speeds and snatching Seventeen by the collar of his jet-black shirt—severely torn and dirtied by the tides of battle. The android let out a sharp whimper of pain as his body whiplashed against the shearing forces, his spine contorting painfully in a violent jerk.
Gohan regarded the trembling android, beaten and battered, with his arms feebly clenched around his midsection.
The two locked eyes, and Gohan could see fear.
Without another moment of hesitation, Gohan slammed the crest of his forehead directly into Seventeen's already broken face, producing a sickening crunching noise as he did. Seventeen's head whipped back violently, his body going limp in Gohan's unflinching grip before a mixture of blood and saliva began to dribble from the android's slack lips. Within moments, however, Gohan noticed the disoriented movements of Seventeen stirring back to life.
Now or never…
A small whispering voice at the back of Gohan's mind questioned what Eighteen would think of him once he'd killed her brother. It only took him a fraction of a moment to realize: he didn't care.
Not like Eighteen deserves any courtesies after all she's done to everyone…and to me.
With a troubled expression, the Super Saiyan tossed the android away, before pulling back his arm and beginning to rapidly gather strength, causing sapphire light to coalesce within the clawed-fingers of his open palm. "Kame-"
Seventeen's remaining eye fluttered open as his plummet was cut short, his body slowly beginning to float in the sky as his brow furrowed in confusion. "Wha-?"
"Hame-" Gohan grit his teeth, rushing through his father's signature attack as Seventeen began to shake off his concussion, squinting before his blue iris snapped to Gohan.
"HAAAH!" Gohan's arm thrusted forward before a wave of brilliant-blue energy erupted from his palm and a ki-blast visible from space engulfed android Seventeen.
The android let out a startled bark of alarm as he was enveloped by Gohan's attack.
Gohan breathed out a ragged breath as he struggled to maintain the intensity of the beam, his arm feeling as if it was on fire from the strain of performing such a devastating attack. After a matter of seconds that went on for an eternity, the Super Saiyan released the signature technique of the kame-style, letting his arm fall to the side limply.
The last of Gohan's attack bled away, and he grimaced.
Floating in the very same place he'd been before was android Seventeen. A protective green bubble had formed around the android, who was wearing a lopsided grin, his eye alight with hatred.
"Remember this trick?" Seventeen snarked, causing Gohan to glance down at the android's hands-
-to discover crackling, rose–strained energy building within Seventeen's enclosed, trembling fingers.
Oh…
Gohan's eyes grew wide with alarm as the energy barrier flickered away the very instant Seventeen's hands thrusted to meet him. "Hell-Breaker!"
Shit!
Gohan found himself engulfed in a wave of devastating pink energy which threatened to completely vaporize him, if not for the hastily placed energy barrier he formed in the milliseconds before Seventeen's attack landed. The moment the wave of energy struck, Gohan knew his barrier wouldn't be enough. The protective golden sphere buckled almost instantly, shattering like glass as the wave of rose-tinted light enveloped the Super Saiyan.
Gohan let out a scream that was completely smothered by the roaring sound of Seventeen's Hell Breaker burning and melting his skin away. His body completely engulfed in a wave of sheer, agonizing pain, Gohan was only barely lucid enough to distinguish that he was being carried away with the intensity of the blast. After thinking he might die if he let this go on too much longer, Gohan gritted his teeth, summoning the willpower to unleash an abrupt explosive wave to his left. The disruption was enough to launch the smoldering Super Saiyan to the side and out of the beam's dangerous grips.
Panting with strained, weary gasps, Gohan's teal eyes shifted to assess the damage.
Wincing, he acknowledged the smoked and smoldering sections of skin left darkened and burned from Seventeen's devastating attack. From the short assessment, Gohan could tell that his forearm and upper chest had taken the brunt of the damage judging from how tender and singed his skin felt in those areas. The shirt of his Father's gi has been reduced to ribbons, barely hanging onto his torso by loose strands of orange and blue fabric. Feeling his body tremble from the ordeal it had just been forced to endure, Gohan's shaking fingers gingerly reached for what was left of his shirt. Hissing in anguish, he ignored the stabbing, prickles of pain from his burned palm and fingers as he gripped the shirt tightly and ripped away the rest of the now worthless fabric.
This is seriously bad...
From his internal gauge, Gohan could tell that his power had been reduced substantially in his desperate attempt to survive, leaving him with less than two-thirds of his ki reserves remaining—not to ignore the injuries to his body.
Seventeen's still at max strength.
It appeared that whatever components Eighteen had managed to damage in Seventeen's face had little to do with power distribution. The fact that Seventeen had been able to defend against Gohan's hastily formed energy wave while charging up his own retaliation was proof enough of that. Gohan cursed under his breath, berating himself for over-extending against Seventeen based on what boiled down to a mere, hopeful assumption.
"I was hoping you'd come out the other end of that missing an arm; maybe a leg."
Gohan's head snapped to the sky. His glare found Seventeen hovering a hundred feet overhead, his arms aimed downward, palms outstretched to face Gohan. "Y'know, to repay you for what you did to me…to us." Seventeen snarled hatefully, his voice dark and sinister unlike Gohan had ever heard from the android before. A cold chill ran down his spine as golden orbs began filling Seventeen's hands. "But don't you worry! I have a whole lot more to repay you with!"
He's trying this?
Gohan braced himself as he watched the sky rapidly fill with golden drops of light, before they came crashing down like a rainstorm of death. Staring up at the descending glow, Gohan's golden aura flared, exploding in all directions as he gathered his remaining strength.
No more mistakes!
-Eighteen-
Eighteen grunted as her knuckles cracked against the hard carapace of Cell's forearm with enough force to splinter the shell of his armor. Cell's arm collapsed as bones snapped, giving way to the magnitude of her attack as Eighteen roared, her systems channeling even more power through her arm before driving her arm past the mangled remains of Cell's limb, impaling it into his chest.
Eighteen's skin crawled as she felt her hand embed into the sickly-green tissue that composed Cell's pecs, her fist sunk up to her forearm within the torso of her now convulsing enemy.
Cell's feeble grip clasped around Eighteen's forearm, a mixture of terror and agony written across his vile expressions. Despite the blood gurgling from his grotesque mouth, Eighteen heard Cell's voice desperately scream, "Wait!"
Eighteen's cold expression hardened into a disgusted scowl. "No."
Without another moment of hesitation, the inside of Cell's chest began to glow like a jack-o'-lantern with rays of golden light spilling from the gaping wound with his torso.
Vermillion blood began to bubble out of Cell's lips as Eighteen leaned in. "I think I'll call this one: Energy Mine."
Cell's eyes grew wide with horror as Eighteen ripped her arm free of Cell's torso, before raising a black combat boot and slamming it directly into his face. There was a sickening crunching noise as Cell was sent ragdolling away, the glow in his torso magnifying until it reached its zenith. Finally, the sky erupted with a deafening, golden explosion.
Eighteen was forced to shield her eyes from the shockwave, grimacing as she felt a now familiar stabbing sensation within her chest.
…It's getting worse…
Despite Bulma never directly telling Eighteen that the pains in her chest were connected to the failing mechanism fueling her ki, it didn't take a genius to realize that the two were related. Every time she flared her power—bending Dr. Gero's artificial energy to her will—there was a deep, piercing sensation somewhere next to her heart that only grew worse after every engagement. For Eighteen, the pain had started to serve as a vague gauge of where her power was currently resting at. Useful, Eighteen had determined, given that she had no way to sense her own ki signature otherwise.
It only feels like some really bad heart-burn for now…does that mean I haven't used up too much energy, yet?
A reassuring thought, the blonde considered, before frowning as the flash of her explosive wave dissolved. The final tendrils of smoke faded to reveal the singed remains of a set of legs disappearing into the dense foliage and trees far below. Eighteen cursed under her breath, her fingers curling into trembling fists.
I'm getting too weak!
That blast was supposed to be big enough to vaporize an entire stadium's worth of—…but had barely come out large enough to encompass a movie theater! She'd hoped the energy wave would be enough to disintegrate Cell in his entirety, but Eighteen was rapidly realizing she hadn't put enough oomph into the attack.
Or rather…she didn't have enough oomph to begin with.
Sparing a glance over her shoulder, Eighteen could just barely see the war between Gohan and her brother raging with ferocity. The pair were nothing more than specks in the distance—a distance that had only grown since Cell had begun running away more than actually trying to fight her.
He's trying to buy time, but why?
Her brow furrowed, trying to decipher Cell's strategy before her eyes snapped open wide.
He's stalling for Seventeen!
How much energy had Gohan already spent fighting Cell before she'd arrived? Would he have enough to handle her brother now that he was battling with less than a full tank? Eighteen couldn't say for certain. She hadn't seen how the first time Gohan beat Seventeen went down, but hoped Gohan's success had been more than just a fluke.
But…if it was, then I have to make the difference!
If Gohan didn't have the strength to defeat her recently repaired brother, then she had to make sure that she beat Cell with enough time to go and help!
Realizing that she had little time to waste, Eighteen darted in pursuit of the charred legs, her eyes narrowing to slits as she approached the obscuring tree line.
I need to use my ki sparingly…! Wait, is this what Gohan has to deal with whenever he's in battle? Conserving energy and placing attacks only when they count? Fuck me, does this suck!
Eighteen felt a fresh wave of respect for Gohan wash over her just as she smashed through the canopy of leaves and branches, landing in a crouch within a clearing of soft, unkempt grass. She frowned, her brow furrowing as her cybernetically enhanced eyes searched urgently for the remains of Cell's body.
He should be here. This is where my system's projected flight pattern placed him…so…!
The android's eyes snapped to the side, finding a flattened section of grass with traces of viridescent blood painting the blades.
A cold chill ran down Eighteen's spine as her head spun, her piercing blue eyes trying to search every direction at once for where Cell had scuttled off to.
"You fight a battle that ensures your own demise," said a voice just over her shoulder.
The android spun, lashing out with the heel of her foot in an attempt to decapitate Cell for sneaking up on her. Much to Eighteen's surprise, however, her boot slashed against the air harmlessly, revealing no one.
Huh?
Still on edge, Eighteen tightened her focus, stretching out her senses until they spanned for miles. Quite a distance away, she could sense Gohan's energy still raging in his fight, but beyond that…
"Fucking coward!" Eighteen snapped, stomping her foot in frustration which echoed with a thunderous boom. The last time she'd searched for Cell's ki signature, she'd been able to faintly detect it due to Cell's amateur attempt at masking his energy. Now, however, Eighteen couldn't detect even a trace of the big, green, abomination she faced.
This bastard learns too damn quickly!
The android grit her teeth at the concerning thought, her head as if on a swivel as she desperately searched her surroundings.
"You may call me a coward," Cell rasped, startling Eighteen, "but, at least I am not a fool."
If Eighteen still had the capacity to sweat, she was certain she would be right now. The android whirled around once more, slashing her arm as if it were a blade where she'd heard Cell's voice—just behind her. Once more, Eighteen was baffled to discover nothing in her way.
"How…?" she whispered beneath her breath, before roaring, "where the hell are you?! Does being "perfect" just mean you're the very best at running away and pissing yourself?!"
Eighteen paused, scanning the treeline as she hoped her taunt would be enough to goad Cell into combat. Much to her chagrin, her surroundings remained undisturbed.
"Do you not realize the path you pursue will lead to your own destruction?"
Nerves made Eighteen glance over her shoulder when Cell's voice came, but like before, she found nothing. Her lips pulled into a frown as she tried to make sense of Cell's voice calling out from right next to her in one instant, and then disappearing in the next.
Wait a second…
Acting on a hunch, the blonde decided to humor Cell's question. "The path I was on before would have led to my destruction. Once Seventeen and I destroyed everything, the only ones left to be destroyed would have been ourselves." Eighteen spoke coldly, her eyes narrow slits as she scanned her surroundings carefully.
This is probably an ambush. He's waiting until my guard is down to strike!
Understanding this, Eighteen's fists tightened.
"You sound so certain," Cell's voice came again, just as close as before, "when, in reality, you now threaten to eliminate the only souls who will ever truly understand you."
Eighteen tensed as she listened to Cell's voice, but did not spin around as she tightened her focus and confirmed her suspicion.
Wait…is Cell speaking to me in my head?
The revelation was jarring. Eighteen hadn't even known that such a technique was possible, let alone how Cell had managed to teach himself such an ability.
"You catch on quickly."
Eighteen's blood ran cold, her eyes going wide as she listened to Cell's response.
Can…can you hear me right now?
"I hear you, as you hear me."
Eighteen couldn't help but shudder as the understanding that Cell's thoughts were invading her mind left the android disturbed. Immediately, Eighteen's ki sense shrunk, magnifying until she was focusing her all of her remaining energy to scan internally until she found-
There!
Now armed with what she was looking for, Eighteen discovered a faint, wispy tether reaching out from the darkness and clasping onto her own ki signature, providing the link necessary to communicate. instinctively, Eighteen understood how the energy was transferring Cell's thoughts and vice-versa, before clamping her ki around it and blocking the communication. Instincts to rid herself of the disgusting tether linking her to the monster that was Cell nearly convinced her to do just that, before she paused. Just as she'd been figuring out how to manipulate her energy to destroy Cell's mental link, a second, more promising idea came to Eighteen.
The tether…it's like a homing beacon!
Using the link Cell had forged within her mind as the backbone for her search, Eighteen's ki stretched out and discovered the tether disappearing into the darkness of the forest to the left. It wasn't an exact location, but finally having a direction to head toward was a start.
Quietly, Eighteen lifted off the ground so that her feet wouldn't make a sound before cautiously beginning to trail after the link. She had a strong impression that she knew what Cell would attempt to do if she wasn't on her toes.
Seventeen told Cell he doesn't have to hold back anymore…I'm willing to bet that means I'm about to get a crash course in exactly how Cell's tail absorbs people if I'm not careful.
Releasing her block on Cell's telepathy, Eighteen responded, hoping to keep Cell distracted as she searched. "You and Seventeen are the only ones who will ever understand me? What a joke. Just how desperate are you that you're trying to compare me to something as revolting as you?"
"The design of our bodies may be…different—"
"—Hell of a way to bury the lead."
"—but our souls are one and the same."
Eighteen's pursuit faltered as she came to a halt, considering Cell's words with a troubled expression. "...You know nothing about me," she responded coldly.
"I know that your soul is just as dark and corrupted as my own, if not moreso. I cannot sense your ki, but I have no doubt that you can. You have sensed the essence that is my Ki signature, have you not?"
Eighteen swallowed, nervously.
"How does yours compare?"
Eighteen's head fell, her brow furrowing as, slowly, she began to search within herself as Gohan had taught her what felt like ages ago, now. It didn't take long to find what she was looking for. Nestled next to the miniscule speck of ki that was her true essence, was the overwhelming, overshadowing power that Dr. Gero had implanted within her. That power that was her, that represented all that she was, and that she had done. The android reached out and touched the energy, gathering from it the same sensation she'd felt the first day Gohan had shown it to her.
Dead…artificial energy. More an imitation of what life should be…but not quite right.
Instantly, Eighteen's mind recalled the exact words she'd used to describe Cell to Trunks.
"Like something dead, trying to be alive."
Eighteen's demeanor fell, her posture deflating as she realized just what Cell was saying.
Our Ki signatures…the essence that represents our very souls…
Whether it be through the madness of Dr. Gero's designs being replicated throughout his creations…or the decade of torment Eighteen was responsible for which tainted her very soul… examining Cell's Ki signature was almost like looking in a mirror.
The monster I was…
"Yes…yes…now you understand," his insidious, gravelly voice said within her mind. "We are one and the same, you and I. We are family, after all."
"Family…?" Eighteen questioned, feeling a strange combination of confusion and loss.
"We are all united by Dr. Gero, the father who birthed the beings we were destined to become."
Eighteen considered that logic. She supposed that Cell did have a point. Dr. Gero had forever changed all of them, herself and her brother included. In that sense, they were all children of Dr. Gero's madness.
"It is not too late."
Eighteen cocked her head slightly.
"Too late?"
"It is not too late to prevent your own destruction."
Eighteen felt herself back in motion now, flying quietly through the underbrush as she trailed after the tether Cell was unknowingly leaving behind. She moved slowly and cautiously between the trees, anxious to discover Cell crouched and waiting to pounce. Where exactly was he hiding?
"What do you mean?"
"Do you truly think Son Gohan will ever accept you? Even if you successfully murder your own brothers tonight, how long before Son Gohan rationally determines that you are the last threat left to humanity?"
Eighteen felt her blood run cold as she considered the troubling thought. She was not blind to the utter hatred Gohan exuded toward her, the real her, and with good reason. She doubted that feeling of resentment would be remedied at all once the truth was revealed, if anything, it would only cement his hate for her. Much to her displeasure, Eighteen's mind flashed to the multiple times Gohan had attempted to destroy her once and for all, some attempts too close for comfort.
"Join us, and stop Son Gohan from slaughtering the only family you will ever know."
Eighteen paused, blinking slowly as she let the words wash over her.
The only family I'll ever know…
She couldn't help but snort.
The memory of going out shopping with Trunks and Gohan flashed through her mind. Trunks' bright, beaming grin after trying on and absolutely nailing the denim jacket and baggy pants look was a memory Eighteen was overjoyed would be forever stored away in her memory banks, awaiting her search whenever she needed something to make her smile. Bulma's face entered Eighteen's thoughts next, her warm, motherly presence reassuring Eighteen despite knowing she did not deserve it. Bulma's words had given her the strength to continue despite the odds, and she would never forget them. Finally, Eighteen's mind returned to her time during the camping trip, when she got to enjoy—for the first time—the frankly incredible cooking of the man she would eventually come to love, Son Gohan. Like a highlight reel of what she now considered her new, favorite memories, each and every wonderful moment spent in the graces of Son Gohan flashed through her thoughts—the "first" time they met at a bar, each and every delightful training session, their first time going to a club together, meeting his mom for the first time, that magical time spent out in the rain…and, of course, the first time she'd felt the soft touch of his lips against her own…his arm wrapped protectively around her body as she melted into his…
I hope that isn't the last time…
Shaking away the melancholy feeling threatening to overcome her, Eighteen responded, "Something I've learned about 'Family' is that it's more than just the people you're related to, whether by blood, or otherwise." She smiled, feeling a warm, comforting sensation fill her chest. "Family is the people you choose to be closest people you would do just about anything for, because they mean that much to you." Eighteen sneered, still watching her flanks carefully. "But, I'm guessing that concept is entirely lost on a monster like you."
"...You…would be surprised…"
Eighteen cocked an eyebrow. What did that mean? Eighteen's pace quickened as she felt a colossal attack off in the distance rattle the ground beneath her. One way or the other, significant attacks were being leveled in the battle between Gohan and Seventeen.
"Regardless, I gather you've decided to refuse my generous offer."
Eighteen rolled her eyes. "Wow. You must work part-time as a psychic. How about you pop out so I can pay you a nice tip?"
"A shame." Cell sounded almost disappointed. "But, entirely expected. Thank you for your time."
Eighteen felt a shiver run up her spine. Her head spun as she prepared for his ambush, raising her fists in a ready stance. "Bring it on, you overgrown shoe-stain!"
Her brow furrowed when the bushes and trees surrounding her fluttered harmlessly with the breeze, not even the crunch of a footstep registering in the air.
"...What?"
"Oh." Cell responded snidely within her thoughts, "Did you think you were the target?"
Eighteen felt a pit drop in her stomach before her eyes immediately darted toward the sky.
How did we get so far away?!
She hadn't realized just how far their game of cat and mouse had carried her away from Gohan. Eighteen squinted, trying and barely spotting two small specks in the distance, one enveloped in a vibrant, golden flame that seemed as small as a candle now that she could tell she'd accidentally chased Cell hundreds of miles away.
Damn it! I'm always two steps behind!
Eighteen kicked off the ground, blasting into the sky with a sonic boom and the wind whistling sharply around her as she desperately pushed her limits to reach Gohan before Cell did. Despite her best efforts, Eighteen felt sluggish as she cut through the sky, reminding her of the looming ticking clock counting down until every last drop of her Ki drained out.
Author's note:
Hello and welcome back one and all! I am more than happy with how this section of the story has been progressing and hope that you all have been enjoying the recent installments. Not to sound like a broken record, but I deeply encourage any and all of you who have yet to experience Talking With A Monster Chapter 0 to go there now. In essence, the chapter is a canonical extension to the story set years before the first chapter. Even considering everything I have written for TWAM thus far, I believe that chapter 0 is 30+ pages worth of Ben and I's best work. Please consider checking it out and showing your support!
Returning to the topic of this chapter, I will admit that the vision I had originally intended for chapter 31 did not come to fruition. Somewhere around the 40 page marker, I came to the realization that I wasn't just writing chapter 31, but rather chapters 31 and 32. What this means is that chapter 32 is currently complete(ish) and awaiting revisions, hopefully translating into a wait time that will not be as long as the last.
Despite not reaching the narrative points I had intended for this installment, I feel content with where the chapter leaves the story for the time being. I understand that there are likely many of you who expected more of the chapter to be devoted to the battle ahead, but I personally found the most satisfaction in writing the scenes going on surrounding all this conflict. Yajirobe's opening segment to this chapter has been planned for ages, something I'm delighted to have finally brought to fruition (How many of you thought the senzu bean conversation was a simple, throw away line? I'm curious.)
Trunks' scene regarding his fresh wounds was likely my favorite scene of this chapter. Considering how he would feel following such a significant injury was fascinating for me to write, and hopefully was equally as enjoyable for you all to read.
As always, I want to direct your collective praise to Ben Thryss who continues to do stellar work for the story! Please sing him high praises, as Ben worked very hard so you all could appreciate a concise and grammatically correct story (Despite my best efforts OtHeRwIse, lol).
The amazing cover art of this story was designed and completed by the wonderful:Upstart Psycho! If you'd like to check out their instagram where you can see all their other amazing works, please look them up: saintswakeart. They appreciated the story enough that they wanted to add their touch to the tale, and I absolutely love it! Their commissions are currently open, so hit them up using the previously mentioned tags if you want more incredible artwork!
Welp, I think that's all for this one. As always, I will do my best to respond to reviews and questions about the story, so please feel inclined to drop a review if you would like to show your support! It truly means the world to me, the reception of this tale, and all of your support.
Thank you all so much.
Until next time!