Sorry guys, had exams for work and when I finally had free time, God of war Ragnarok came out, then sonic frontiers and finally pokemon. I just couldn't focus and have been playing those on my off time.
Especially Ragnarok, also haven't finished it so no spoilers please.
So I hope u can forgive me for the late chapter as usual, but this chapter is the second to last chapter before ending the arc.
Hatred's End
The three Z-fighters stared up at the monster they have struggled to take down.
Moments ago they were so close to victory only for the Tuffle to have discovered his second wind.
Baby cackled as his power grew, so much potential. Gohan really did have the most potential! If he had only found a way to harness it, he would've been the strongest Saiyan of all!
'His loss, is my gain!' The Tuffle thought excitingly.
"What's the matter? Come and get me!"
All three of them looked at each other. They couldn't sense his power but they knew it, they can't beat him, even together.
They nodded and all got into their stances and charged upwards toward the Tuffle.
With a toothy grin Baby screamed. "Yes! Come! Come face oblivion together!"
Lazuli using kaioken times three appeared by Baby's side and threw a palm strike only for Baby to vanish and appear above Lapis who wasn't far behind his sister.
Baby grabbed Lapis's arm and tossed her into Lazuli sending the twins away from him.
Trunks appeared behind him ready to smash a double axe handle on his head.
But without turning around Baby rose his hands to catch Trunks's clenched hands.
The half-Saiyan growled hating that he was caught while Baby's back was turned.
Baby merely chuckled as he flipped forward still holding Trunks' wrists and tossing him on the ground.
The ground became ice due to the sudden temperature change in the chamber getting colder.
Trunks hit the ground creating a huge spiderweb crack with him in the center.
Before he could get up Baby appeared above him and slammed his knee on his stomach while he was on the ground.
The half-Saiyan wheezed from the pain.
Both Lapis and Lazuli appeared at Baby's sides and threw their punches.
But Baby vanished making their fists clash against each other.
The twins and Trunks who was getting up in pain were confused about where he went, but they look up to see Baby with his hands in a familiar position.
"Take this!" Baby fired a Masenko-Ha large enough to consume the three of them.
The dimension shook from the impact of Baby's power.
Away from the battlefield at the chamber structure, Zangya was struggling as she got up exhausted from using her technique to slow down Baby's infinite energy core.
She was about to try and do a sneak attack and Baby.
"No"
The Hera stopped and turned to the large brute.
16 was only standing seeming like he wasn't doing anything. "If you interfere, you will die, you've used too much of your energy now."
Zangya gave a frustrated look. "I can't just stand here, they need all the help they can get, and what about you?" She asked. "You've regenerated, can't you do something now 16?"
The android shook his head. "No, not yet."
"Yet?" Zangya asked. "I don't know what your'e planning but if you need time I should buy more of it."
"No," 16 said sternly which shocked Zangya. "You have done enough anymore, and you may die again. They might get to focus to protect you."
"Tch" She clicked her tongue.
"Relax Zangya, that was not enough to take them down."
"Fine, but what are you planning?"
16 didn't say anything for a moment. "This is more of a theory I am testing, it is our best option to succeed."
Zangya was relieved to hear that they were still alive but still, she couldn't help but be bothered hearing what 16 meant by theory. Just how hopeless was this battle that they had to test something?
Baby smiled at the smoke cloud but then frowned, he can sense Trunks's power so their likely alive, oh well more fun to test his power on.
And as Baby predicted a slew of pink energy blasts came from the smoke aimed at him. Must be the female Android's Infinity Bullet, he remembered from Gohan's memories.
The Tuffle Saiyan chuckled as he didn't bother to dodge, he started punching and kicking each energy blast that was about to hit him.
While he was knocking the energy blasts away the smoke dissipated and it showed the three in Lapis's forcefield while Lazuli was firing her Infinity Bullet at the Tuffle clone Trunks was just starting to get up from the beating he took.
Trunks then powered up and flew alongside the many energy blasts that Lazuli was firing.
Lazuli was using as much control over her energy as possible making sure they were homed in on Baby and moved around her husband.
As Baby punched an energy blast aimed at his face Trunks appeared in front of him with his hands out front, which caught the Tuffle by surprise.
"Buster Canon!"
He fired a point-blank energy wave at the Tuffle which managed to push him back.
The Tuffle was blown back as many of pink energy blasts hit him across his body creating a large pink explosion.
But to Trunks's dismay Baby flew right out of it and punched Trunks across the face before he could react.
As he did Lapis appeared with a fist with a force field wrapped around it, he punched Baby in the face with his enhanced fist making the Tuffle's head turn, he then did the same on the other side of his face and then double kicked across his face.
Baby was surprised as he was starting to feel these blows again but still not enough.
The Tuffle caught the force field-wrapped fist and kneed Lapis's gut making him cough some spittle, then Baby pulled back his leg and kicked up his chin. The Tuffle then punched into Lapis's chest sending him flying.
Taking advantage of him being caught off guard Trunks appeared below him and elbowed across Gohan's face.
Baby smirked as he turned towards Trunks. "Getting desperate to rely on cheap shots?" He then switched to Gohan's voice. "Just like back when we fought the androids huh Trunks?"
Trunks was enraged hearing this so much that a vein appeared on his head. He then threw multiple punches and kicks that Baby would defend himself from.
The half Saiyan then threw a chop at Baby's neck.
Only for Baby to catch it and headbutt against Trunks's forehead and punched into Trunks's gut while still holding his other arm.
It made Trunks keel over from the pain.
Baby then let go of Trunks's arm and flipped with his leg out and did an axe kick on top of Trunks's head sending him to the ground again.
Lapis then appeared with a kick aimed at Baby's head.
Baby rose an arm to catch it and squeezed making a breaking sound.
"Ahhh!'
The Tuffle then let go of his leg only to kick Lapis at his leg, his side and then his head each one causing so much pain throughout his body. He then came to his side with a risen elbow and smashed it against the back of his neck, making him keel over, then he elbowed his back multiple times making him huddle himself in the air from the pain.
Baby then spun and kicked across his face sending him wheeling away and hitting an ice mountain that appeared because of the time chamber's conditions.
Lapis coughed blood from the assault, he looked up to see Baby floating above him.
Baby Gohan chuckled as he brought his hands aimed at him as if ready to finish him off.
The Cyborg smirked as he rose an arm up.
Gohan saw that and knew what it meant but he hesitated to wonder if it was a feint like the last t-
A wave of yellow Ki rose from the white ground of the chamber.
Baby looked to see it was too late to get out of the way and put his hands down on the enormous Photon Geyser. He growled knowing this wouldn't be enough to stop him. He was about to divert it when he thought of something. 'Where's the other one?!'
He then looked up and as he feared it was 18 with enormous pink energy in her hands.
"Die!" Lazuli yelled as she fired her Blitz Stream on top of Baby.
Baby had to pull back one arm and rose it to catch the Blitz Stream while holding back Lapis's Photon Geyser. 'And he was struggling, they managed to focus so much energy into these blasts in such little time! Did they train that too?'
And while Baby was thinking this he sensed a certain energy, he turned his head to see Trunks floating close by doing his arm movements. Oh no.
"Burning Attack!"
Baby screamed as he couldn't avoid the three blasts detonating on him.
This created another giant explosion that shook the chamber.
Trunks flew back panting heavily from the amount of energy he put into that and was on the ground and on his knees.
Lazuli came to his head and wrapped her arms carrying him to support him. "Are you alright?'
The half-Saiyan nodded. "Yeah, I am." He looked up at the smokescreen.
Lapis appeared at their side.
"That didn't get him did it?" Lapis asked being used to a smokescreen not meaning anything in their battles.
Trunks didn't say anything as something came out of the smoke.
It was Baby wrapped in Gohan's own barrier technique.
"17, you didn't think you were the only one proficient with barriers did you?" He chuckled.
They knew it. They didn't want to believe it but Baby found a way out of their three-way combination.
Baby let his force field go. "Now any other tricks."
Trunks stood on his own but his hair was starting to go down he kept powering up to maintain his Ultimate Form.
Lazuli looked concerned.
"Ehehehe, aw the monkey is struggling." Baby can sense that he's barely keeping the transformation.
Trunks threw himself at Baby only for him to sway it with ease. "What's wrong, losing speed Trunks?"
Lapis appeared behind Baby and threw a straight punch only for Baby to sway his head and elbow up Lapis's chin making him fall on the ground, Lazuli appeared at Baby's side ready to palm strike his face only Baby to dodge and kicked across her face sending her spinning away.
Trunks threw himself at Baby again in hopes of catching him off guard.
The Tuffle grabbed Trunks by the throat and lifted him up.
"Now, it is time." Baby began as he rose a hand and collected pink Ki in his hand. "For the Vegeta bloodline to end!" He said with a grin.
He then felt a large hand grab his shoulder.
He glanced expecting to see the least threatening adversary here.
But those thoughts stopped at what he was seeing, it wasn't just 16.
16's face had cracks all around it along with glowing white light.
"What's this damaged already Android?" Baby commented at the sight of the largest Android.
16 said nothing and punched Baby across the face his arm being destroyed in the process.
Baby was surprised that he felt that punch and skidded across the ground, then he started to push the ground and back flip until he landed in one knee.
The truffle looked astonished, he sees blood falling on the ground, he touched his head and sees blood leaking from his forehead. "He, he made me bleed?" That was impossible the power he gathered should have made that impossible, he glanced at the Android.
As Trunks hit the ground he looked up to see cracks on 16's face. "16? Are, are you ok? How did you do that?"
16 said nothing as he looked at his destroyed arm and it repaired itself in no time. "No time to talk." 16 said matter of factly as he walked towards Baby. "I am going to destroy him." He said thinking of all the memories he made on Earth, he will protect every living thing. He thought of his friends. He thought of Iolite.
His family will suffer no longer!
The Android ran towards Baby at blinding speeds.
Baby threw a straight punch 16's cracked face took it and he returned the favor by throwing another of his own straight into his face sending him away. The arm broke but repaired itself immediately as he dashed forward. He threw another punch straight into his stomach sending him farther away at faster speeds, his arm again shattered but rebuilt self right way though it had cracks on it that were glowing white.
The Tuffle stopped himself and rose two fingers to his forehead. He sees the Android charging faster and faster. It was no time to change plans.
16 threw another punch but missed by a hair Baby then fired the technique up close to 16's chest. "Special Beam Cannon!"
The beam hit the Android's chest and it burst through the other side.
"16!" Trunks shouted as he and the Cyborgs were about to intervene.
"Not yet!" 16 shouted.
This confused his comrades why he refused their help and see that 16's chest healed itself faster than usual, though like his arms and face there were cracks with white light.
"W-what is happening!" Baby backed away as he was still affected by Zangya's energy-draining technique. 'How is this possible? H- he couldn't do this before if he could, he could've killed me before I've gotten this far! A last resort?' He sees all the cracks with white light peeking out. 'It must be!' He'll just need to buy time.
16 dashed forward intending on ending the monster while Baby did his best to avoid him.
The android's eyes glowed red and fired red Ki energy beams from his eyes.
Baby swayed his head and once he turned up he sees that he caught up with him already.
The Android fired Eye Ki beams from up close only for Baby to roll out of the way in the air.
Baby then fired Ki waves from his hands but not at 16 but at the ground to send him upward and increase his speed to avoid him.
Trunks watched the battle wanting to intervene but heeding what he was told.
"Hey!" Lapis came by him. "Trunks, what's going on? How is 16 putting Baby on the defensive?"
Trunks watched 16 chasing down Baby. "I, I don't know."
Lazuli appeared by her husband and looked up at the display. Baby was running away from 16, who wasn't weak but at the moment isn't supposed to match the three of them. And if he had this kind of power before why not use it back then?
Giggling could be heard which annoyed Lazuli.
"Would you look at that?" A tired-looking Zangya said. "The big lug was hiding more in the tank, just look at him, that Tuffle's on the run!"
"Yeah, but who knows for how long," Lapis said getting ready to reactivate Kaioken. "We should start now, while he's got him on the ropes."
"Not yet." Trunks said having Lapis and Lazuli turn to him. "He told us not yet, I trust him, I think we'll know to intervene."
"What? But this could be our chance" Lazuli reasoned.
Her husband nodded. "I know but I think he has a reason for this, 16 always knows what he's doing if he's telling us not yet then we shouldn't go just yet."
They watched waiting for the chance to intervene.
Trunks couldn't help but think, was 16 really going to be ok?
While Baby was flying up he had his hands in a familiar position. "Stay away! Kamehameha!" He fired the pink version of Goku's technique.
16 didn't dodge he just pushed through it, his body looking worse and worse in the wave.
"Grr! Raaaahhh!" Baby screamed as he tried to put more of his power into it.
16 flew all the way to Baby while still in the Kamehameha and rose his leg kneeing Baby in the stomach, making the Kamehameha stop.
It made the Tuffle cough from the pain.
The Androids leg shattered and was reconstructed right away though with glowing cracks like the rest of his body. He then grabbed Baby's head to headbutt him multiple times, making more cracks on his head.
Baby was getting more and more disoriented with every hit.
He then grabbed Baby's head and slammed it into the ground of the time chamber, this time, it changed from ice to fire making Baby's skidding face all the more painful from the heat.
Baby screamed as he lifted his arm and blasted 16 in the face forcing him to let go.
The Tuffle chuckled, he could feel it, Zangya's technique was wearing off! He then punched 16 in the face making more cracks appear on his face.
His power was coming back! And he was going to use it to destroy this android first.
16 can feel this and will not relent, he defended himself from his strikes.
Otherworld
Supreme Kai, Elder Kai, Bulma, Iolite, and Goku were watching the crystal ball.
"What is this? I had no idea this Android could use this much power." Elder Kai stated.
"I know!" Iolite screamed and giggled. "Look at Uncle 16! He's so strong, wow, he might be even stronger than dad! Look Grandma why didn't you tell us he was this strong!"
Bulma was silent for a bit but shook her head. "I didn't know, I mean yes I knew that he can stockpile his power to a ridiculous degree, but I never was able to have hos self-repair to be this quick."
"Wait so you didn't know he could do this Bulma?" Goku asked watching as the Android was thrashing Baby around.
"No, 16's self-repair can help repair whatever damage his body gets, but he shouldn't be able to repair this quickly."
"So you're saying that Android 16 figured out on his own?" Supreme Kai asked.
"It's the only explanation, he must've been planning this for a while, I never was able to bring his self-repair to reach this level, with it now there's no known limit to how strong he can get since his regenerating can keep up with what damage he does to his body."
"Wow! So 16 did find a way to get stronger on his own as we can." Iolite giggled excitingly. "Get him Uncle 16! Don't let him get away!"
Goku sees the little girl get excited and turned to Bulma, he can recognize the worry of his oldest friend.
Hopefully, 16 will defeat Baby and end everything will work out before whatever Bulma's worrying about comes to light.
Baby through punch straight into 16's abdomen, flip kicked his chin forcing him to look up.
And the Tuffle threw a barrage of punches into 16's abdomen planning to overwhelm his regeneration.
"You will be destroyed here and now, you are merely a machine! My potential is infinite! And soon, I will exist in every timeline, I will infect all beings, I will create new timelines where my people will flourish, and Saiyans, all creatures will yield before them! They will rule in every timeline new and old! Past! Present! And Future!"
The Tuffle screamed his goal with a smile and was laughing throughout it as he blasted 16's head in the face.
And to his horror, 16 grabbed Baby's arm and tried to pull himself free.
16's face was revealed from the smoke, half of it was a metal skull struggling to regenerate but he persisted.
He grabbed Baby's face in one hand. "Rocket Punch!"
The hand then rocketed away with Baby's head in his hand.
Baby tried with all his might to grab the projectile but to no avail.
16 appeared behind him and threw a punch at the back of Baby's head.
His flying hand pushed Baby's head into 16's fist making him scream in pain.
Then 16 was ready to throw another punch into Baby's back.
But the Tuffle still had some fight in him and used a Ki wave around him to push 16 off of him, destroying the hand that had him in place and forcing 16 back.
Baby then axe-kicked 16 on the head sending the nearly destroyed Android on the ground.
He placed his arms up. "This is your end!" He yelled dark energy ball in his hands. "This is it Reve-Ah!"
He looked at his sides, it was the twins with their arms out.
"Twin Barrier Prison!"
A barrier formed between them trapping the Tuffle from using his technique. "This won't hold me!"
He was right. With a flex of his energy, he was able to force the barrier off of him.
Which is what they were counting on.
Just as Baby had broken the barrier and forced the twins away a third warrior came in front of him, it was Trunks beaten up but still in his Ultimate Form. But with a familiar energy blade technique, in the shape that he hated.
The Vegeta symbol is in the form of a sword.
Baby was about to throw his Revenge Death Ball.
Trunks trusted his technique forward. "Royal Blade!"
The Sword pierced Baby Gohan's stomach and came through the other side.
"Gaaaahhhh!" Baby screamed in pain as his technique dissipated.
Trunks was about to raise the blade up but just before his hair went back down, and his Royal Blade faded away. He was back in base and his blade was gone.
Baby saw this opportunity and was about to kill the Saiyan.
But a one-armed 16 appeared behind him and grabbed his arm. He glanced at Trunks and nodded.
Before Trunks could say anything 16 flew downward and smashed Baby into the ground.
Baby hit the ground and screamed in pain both from the impact and the hole in his stomach from Trunks's attack.
As he glanced up he sees 16 standing aiming his arm blasters at him.
"No! No!" Baby shouted. "Not like this!" He left his host to squirm elsewhere but felt something, as he oozed out of his body and was about to split himself to possess one of the other organic fighters. "W-what?!"
Zangya was standing a few feet away and struggling on her feet. She used her Psycho Thread to keep Baby's real body from leaving the body.
16's blasters were powering up and looked down at the creature that had almost destroyed them. "Baby, I too was created for revenge, however, I never inherited my creator's need for it unlike you I was able to rise above it." He thought of Dr. Gero as his blasters glow yellow. "I am sorry that you could never know anything other than what your creators forced on you, I am sorry that you will never know the value of family."
"Y-you!" Baby shouted at the Android. "You are just a machine! I am a living organism! You could never understand what it is to be alive! To have rage towards what was done to you or your people!"
16 didn't say anything for a few seconds. "Perhaps you are correct, but I know something greater. To know love for the life around you, while you only know rage." He countered at the monster that was still trying to escape the body but Zangya's technique kept him in place.
"I can't do this for long!" Zangya shouted as she was on her knees and keeping Baby from escaping.
"16!" Lazuli shouted as she struggled to get up.
"Hurry!" Lapis yelled lying on the ground.
"Do it!" Trunks yelled wanting to put this monstrosity down for good.
"It is because you only know this rage that you must be destroyed!" 16 finished his point as his blaster finally finished powering up. "Hell's Flash!"
A giant yellow light escaped his blasters.
The light enveloped Baby as he screamed.
"No! Not while the Saiyans live!" He screamed as he and his host started fading away.
Why? Why must his species go extinct they wanted peace. He knew why. These new Saiyans were civilized, he was nothing like his ancestors.
But he will always desire revenge, he indeed became what he wanted to destroy.
His Gohan clone body faded and he the real Baby was destroyed along with it. As he died he screamed feeling sorrow for the people he failed to avenge.
After the smoke cleared, there was nothing, not even a body.
Zangya chuckled and fell over but Lapis came by her and stopped her from falling. She smiled at the cyborg and giggled.
Lapis merely rolled his eyes but smirked all the same. They then looked at where Baby once was.
At the very least the body was gone.
"He's gone," Zangya told him. "I kept him there, he... he couldn't move."
"Yeah good job, he could've split himself and possessed any of us without knowing if you hadn't," Lapis explained
knowing how the thing has eluded them in the past.
The Hera giggled getting praise from him, she looked over at 16. "He's the one who got the kill."
Trunks walked towards 16 with Lazuli helping him up. "16? What do you think? Do you sense anything off?"
16 didn't turn around only looking where Baby once was.
"He is gone, no trace of the body or the parasite itself."
He still hadn't turned around.
Trunks and Lazuli looked at the spot where he once was.
The half-Saiyan thought of everything, the bodies of his friends, his father, and Gohan. All of them were clones that had been used to fuel Baby's madness. now it was all over. No more of the atrocities that he committed.
Lazuli felt relieved as well, she no longer had to repeat the years she remembered fighting the copies of her victims.
She and her husband embraced gladly to have survived another horror.
Trunks looked at 16 with a smile. "Come on 16, let's go, I've been dying to see my mother and daughter, we gotta let them know!"
The two started walking towards the chamber exit but stopped when they noticed something.
16's right arm wasn't regenerating.
"16?" Trunks asked worriedly.
"I'll... be just a moment."
Trunks and Lazuli looked at each other and started walking towards the entrance following Zangya and Lapis.
Once they reached the tower the four of them turned towards their comrade.
"Hey! Big lug! Come on!" Zangya shouted to her friend. "I've had my fill of this place, let's go!"
Lapis tilted his head while he was holding up Zangya. "Hey, come one!"
16 finally turned around and they were expecting him to have self-repaired by now but his face was still half gone showing his metal skeleton and his arm was still gone.
"16?" Trunks got concerned, why are his repair systems not working?
The Android said nothing as he kept walking.
"Hey!" Zangya shouted as he started going past them towards the group. "Big lug? Is everything alright?"
16 stopped as he reached the door and turned towards his friends, half his face was still missing. He smiled happily. "Come, I like to see the others now." He said it in a way that made them worry.
"What?" Lapis didn't like the tone of that as he opened the door waiting for them to go with him.
With hesitancy and an idea of what is happening the four warriors followed the android- no the man who saved the earth and made it to the outside world.
Once the five warriors made it outside the four of them focused on 16, he was still not repairing his body.
"16, why.." Trunks was about to ask.
But before he could some people appeared behind them. They turned to see the kais, Dende, Mr Popo, Bulma, and Iolite.
All of them looked happy.
Iolite ran up to her parents.
"Mom! Dad!" The little girl was in arm's reach.
While they were worried about 16 they couldn't help but welcome their daughter into their arms and hugged the little girl.
"M-Mom, I- I'm sorry! I'm so sorry I-" She started crying.
"Shh" Lazuli whispered to her daughter as she hugged her with Trunks.
"It's, it's going to be alright now." Trunks said while glancing at 16.
Iolite turned to see Zangya and alive and smiled still in her parent's arms. "Zangya I'm so happy you're alive to now!"
Zangya smiled at the little girl and patted her head.
Lazuli gave her a look but nodded in respect for the woman that did nothing but help against this threat.
The Hera felt off about that but was glad to finally have moved on from their previous relationship
Bulma walked over to 16 who was next to Zangya and Lapis.
"Hey, 16" Zangya got out of Lapis's grip and struggled to walk to him, she turned to Bulma who was also walking over. "You, the big lug needs fixing, he's not looking so well."
While the Kais were congratulating the heroes, Dende and Popo were apologizing for the trouble they caused as Baby's victims, Bulma looked over at 16 who still has yet to repair himself.
Bulma walked up to the larger android.
"16, what was that? I've never seen your regeneration go that fast, I didn't make it that way, how did you do that?"
All others turned their attention to the one who delivered the final blow to Baby.
Elder Kai and the other Kais looked concerned. While they weren't familiar with the technology they know costly power when they see it.
Iolite ran over to 16 and hugged his arm. "Uncle 16! I saw it, why didn't you tell me you were so strong? Are you now stronger than daddy?"
Trunks had an idea of what was going on, and seeing Iolite acting excited at the sight of her uncle made his heart hurt.
"Huh? 16 Are you stronger than daddy? When can we see your power again?"
16 turned to the little girl that she had looked after from time to time. He only smiled at the little girl but he grunted and fell making Iolite fall as well.
Lapis grabbed Iolite before she hit the ground.
The giant Android landed on his behind, he tried to push himself up but couldn't.
"16!" Lazuli and Zangya were about to help him up.
"No, it is alright." 16 stopped them. "I, seem to have lost the ability to stand."
"What? Then we definitely have to get you to Capsule corp right now!" Trunks shouted. "Come one let's-"
"Negative" 16 interrupted.
It was silent for a second before someone spoke.
"This isn't the time," Bulma said. "We have to repair you now, come on let's go we-"
"It is too late." 16 interrupted but had a smile. "Forgive me but even your expertise cannot undo what has been done."
Everyone became silent again.
Iolite who looked worried in Lapis's arms asked. "16? What's wrong? Why can't grandma help you?"
Bulma walked up to the sitting Android. "You need to tell me what exactly did you do? I never had your self-repair go that quickly, I didn't even make it an option to go faster to prevent" She stopped for a second. "this."
16 decided now was the time to explain it.
"When I was deep in space trying to find my way to New Namek, I tried to analyze ways to increase my powers." He began. "Eventually I discovered I could store my power into my self-repair, also to stockpile power to be used at a later time but doing so would overpower various essentials for my functioning, to the point of no return." He finished. "Once I saw Baby unlock Gohan's potential, I knew that it was time."
When he finished that sentence the group looked horrified.
Zangya walked up and kneeled to 16. "The dragon balls, can we use them?"
"I am not alive." 16 stated.
"This isn't happening." Trunks said walking to his friend. "Please, 16, can't you think of a way we can save you?"
The Android was silent but turned his head. "I am unable to fly as well, can you please assist me and take me to the island, Zangya? Lapis?"
It wasn't a way to save him they knew that. It was his last request.
No one said anything for a minute.
Lapis came to 16's side and wrapped his one arm behind his head, while Zangya helped lift him gently up.
"Please, I'd like to see you all there." 16 said to the group.
Trunks was silent but went to his mother as Zangya and Lapis lifted 16.
"Mom! What's happening can't we fix him!" Iolite shouted.
Lazuli put wrapped her arms around her daughter and looked up at her husband having a silent conversation with each other.
If they don't bring her she may regret not seeing him in his final moments.
Trunks held his mother who had a somber expression and flew off.
"Let's go Iolite," Lazuli said to her daughter, she needed to see his uncle.
The duo flew off.
"Ancestor, should we go?" Supreme Kai asked.
"He is a part of their family, we should leave them be a young one." Elder Kai said in a saddened tone.
Dende sighed, life was going to be hard for them with another hero gone for good.
Zangya, Lapis, and 16 arrived at the island.
"Here is fine." 16 stated as he was put on the ground against a tree. "Thank you"
The android with half his face glanced around the wildlife.
Some birds and other small animals approached him, he held a squirrel in his hand and a bird came to his shoulder.
Zangya looked dejected. "Would the scientist be able to rebuild you?"
16 kept his smile. "No, there will not be enough of me to rebuild." He said.
The Hera shook her head, she felt that she just got to know him, and now he might not be around anymore.
Lapis put a hand on her shoulder with what looked like a blank expression on his face but on the inside, he couldn't help but feel the loss.
Not long after Trunks and Bulma arrived.
As did Lazuli and Iolite.
The four gathered around 16 alongside Lapis and Zangya.
16 looked up at his friends still keeping his smile. "I am glad you are here, to see me off."
They all tried best not to look depressed, they knew their friend didn't want to see them sad in his last moments.
"Uncle 16!" Iolite screamed and went to her uncle's side. "Please, we can save can't we?!"
16 merely put his hand on her head. "It is alright Iolite, I knew the cost of my power the moment I used it." He glanced to the rest of his friends while still holding Iolite. "Which brings me to my confession."
His robotic voice almost sounded guilty.
"Confession?" Trunks asked. "For what?"
"When I came across Baby on Namek I could have used this power against him." He remembered the fight against 'Goku' and how he could've taken him had he overloaded his systems there. "However I didn't do it then even though I likely would've destroyed him, but I didn't because," He thought of his desire. "I wanted to continue my functioning until Bulma was ready to create my human body."
Bulma looked guilty hearing that and started tearing up.
"I am sorry." 16 said sincerely while patting Iolite's head.
"Don't be," Lazuli said to him. "16 my time here after being revived has shown me what it means to be human, to feel responsible for actions that were out of your control, and accept what has happened while also wanting to live a life that you feel you were entitled to." She remembered how her and Lapis were planning to live away from humans and never let anyone know their existence despite feeling they deserved to be destroyed. "You only desired to feel the life around you like me and Lapis, I don't see anything wrong with that."
16 was about to say something to refute that.
But Trunks came to his side. "16, we don't know what would've happened if you tried that on Namek, for all we know Baby could've escaped and your sacrifice could've been in vain." He glanced to Zangya. "Don't forget Zangya kept him in place from trying to escape and take our bodies."
The teal-skinned woman looked at her newest friend and nodded.
Trunks continued. "Honestly if we knew you were capable of this we would've kept you out of the fight, found another way so you can finally live in a human body." He said sadly. "See? So don't feel guilty over this, making a choice for something you feel you deserve is a part of being human. And trust me, you did deserve to be human."
16 heard this and felt a weight lifted off his shoulders, he smiled again. "Thank you"
Steam started coming off his body, Iolite panicked as she saw this.
"It is time, please listen."
Iolite went back to her mother and held her close while she did the same.
"Zangya" He got the Hera's attention. "I know we didn't have as much time but I truly valued our friendship, thank you for saving me from Rildo, and helping my friends against this threat, even if there were complications." He remembered the animosity between Lazuli and Zangya. " I hope that you have enjoyed your time on this planet."
Zangya was shaking and actually started crying. "I will do what I can." She put her arm against her eyes. "I'm glad you were there in the time chamber with me, I truly started feeling a part of the group because of you." She never admitted this even to Lapis.
The black-haired Android wrapped his arm around Zangya trying to console her.
"Lapis" 16 stated now focusing on him. "You were always the adventurous type, you pushed me to enjoy the hurdles life will throw at us, I think you provide that for the group as well to make light of the situation and help provide a leveled head. I hope your free spirit can rub off on the others."
Lapis heard those words and kept a straight face. "I'll try to help everyone lighten up when they need it." He was shaking when talking, Zangya noticed and wrapped her arms around him.
"Lazuli" She looked at him while holding her daughter. "Thank you for always doing what needed to be done for the sake of the group, the fusion, and working with someone you hated, it was not easy and there were slip-ups, I'm sure, but I am happy that you have grown more pragmatic while also grown more human. Please continue to protect the planet that I love while enjoying your life."
Lazuli shook as she heard this and nodded. "I'll do my best." She stayed strong for her daughter.
"Trunks" 16 got his attention. "In situations where everything was bleak, you always continued to fight, I believe because of that you inspired those around you to hope even when success was unlikely. Please continue to be the beacon of hope for everyone."
Trunks heard that many times from his mother and were glad to hear he was living up to it. "I will always fight for our future." He assured while he was closing his eyes.
"Bulma" She looked at him depressed. "Thank you for all you've done to help me be useful in the group, because of your expertise I was able to save my friends when they needed it." He remembered saving them from 13, Towa, and now Baby. "I was only able to help because of you, thank you for trying to create a new body for me, and please do not be guilty, I discovered this ability on my own and it was my choice to use it."
He was asking for a lot, she doesn't know if she could do it. "I, I'll try." She said while tearing up.
One last message left.
"Iolite"
The little girl looked from her mother's embrace at 16.
"You will one day grow into a powerful warrior, and I already know you will be a huge asset to everyone." He explained. "However please do not forget to enjoy the life ahead of you, school, friends, and family. Enjoy every peaceful moment you have before your power is needed."
Iolite was crying but she did her best to smile. "O-ok," She said while sniffling.
16's body was starting to turn to rust. "I love you all, thank you for being the family I needed." He said as his skeleton face faded away. "Goodbye" Then his whole body became dust in the wind, no dragon balls will bring him back.
The whole group was silent for a few seconds.
Zangya couldn't hold it in anymore and got into Lapis's shoulder not wanting to show her face.
Lapis closed his eyes in respect for the friend he had made while holding the Hera.
Iolite couldn't hold it in and started crying uncontrollably from losing her uncle.
Trunks approached his family and hugged his wife and daughter.
Bulma joined them and hugged her son and granddaughter while holding as many tears as she could.
The Z fighters have won but have lost arguably the most human of their group forever.
But they will continue to grow and learn from this experience.
All thanks to Android 16.
So, I had this planned out back when I started this arc.
But you guys were starting to give me ideas to what do with 16's 'upcoming' human body. It hurt so much, I actually considered changing plans and give 16 a happy ending cause my heart was hurting reading your hopes. lol
I just thought that a sacrifice from 16 would be a good end for this arc and 16's story. He was arguably more human than any of the cast, more grateful of life despite not having any. And he would sacrifice anything to protect the lives around him.
I do feel bad for writing it this way, but I thought his sacrifice would make the arc all the more better with a bittersweet victory. I hope not too many of you have too much of a problem with my descision.
Let me know what u guys think and if u saw this coming. I did leave hints a couple chapters ago.
Review Responces.
Shadowwriter01: Yep and sadly 16 had to pay the price.
Thank you.
The Kaioken as of now is still too new for them to use efficiently and it does still harm their human parts. But in time they'll be able to use it like a transformation and use higher levels.
Sunshine12393: Thank you! Glad you liked it.
I'm thinking one final arc and then it'll be the end of the story, I still enjoy writing it but I think this story can only have one more arc.
I-Love-Trunks: Thank you!
Thank you guys as always for the read and reviews.
So the next chapter will officially wrap the arc up, and I'm thinking only one more arc before we officially end this story.
I hope u guys can tell me what you thought of this chapter.
Hope you guys had a happy thanksgiving and in case I can't add before then happy holidays and new years.
Have an awesome day!