As the long awaited battle finally came to an end everyone had gathered at the lookout once more. Yamcha, ever the impulsive one, urgently yelled at Dende, who loomed near Android 18's unconscious form.
Yamcha: (impatiently) Move, Dende! Before she wakes up and decides to take revenge!
Krillin, stepping in as the voice of reason, declared that no one was going to kill anyone now that Cell had been defeated by Gohan. With a renewed sense of camaraderie, he asserted that they could all be friends. Android 18, regaining consciousness, cast her gaze upon the towering figure of the adult Gohan, a peculiar pink tint coloring her cheeks.
Android 18: (softly) Gohan did?
Goku, with his characteristic cheerfulness, chimed in to explain the heroic act. "Yeah, he hit Cell so hard he made him spit you back out." Gohan, catching Android 18's gaze, noted the subtle change in her expression but couldn't quite interpret its meaning.
Piccolo, not one to let a moment slip by without his input, added to the conversation.
Piccolo: You should thank Krillin. He's been by your side since Cell spat you out.
Krillin, ever the modest hero, replied with a grin.
Krillin: (casually) No big deal. I enjoyed it! I mean, I couldn't just leave you there.
However, Android 18's response was far from what Krillin expected.
Android 18: (defiantly) Expect me to fall at your feet now? Big strong boy rescues me, so I'm his forever, right? Sorry, pal, I'm not that easy.
With those words, she turned away and gracefully ascended into the sky, leaving the Z Fighters in her wake. Piccolo, bringing the focus back to the task at hand, suggested summoning Shenron.
Piccolo: We should hurry and summon Shenron.
On the Lookout, with the seven Dragon Balls gathered, the Z Fighters prepared for their wishes. The first, a collective decision, aimed to bring back all those who lost their lives due to Cell's destructive rampage. The second wish, a personal plea from Krillin, faced an unexpected obstacle.
Krillin wished for Android 18 and 17 to become normal humans, but the magnitude of the androids' power rendered the wish impossible. Adjusting on the fly, Krillin redirected the wish to remove the explosive devices within the androids. The wish was granted, and the Dragon Balls scattered.
Tien, curious about Krillin's decision, questioned the rationale behind removing the bomb from Android 17 as well.
Tien: Why remove it from 17 as well?
Krillin: (nervously) Well, you see, I just thought... 17 and 18 would be good for each other.
Unexpectedly, a voice cut through the air, sharp and accusatory.
Android 18: (indignant) You IDIOT! 17 and I are siblings. He's my twin brother. And you removing the bomb from within me doesn't change anything.
Without another word, Android 18 shot a final glance at Gohan, who stood amidst the occurring chaos, his Saiyan armor in tatters. This time, she soared away into the horizon, leaving the Z Fighters in her wake for good this time.
In the background, Vegeta, frustrated by the ever-widening gap in power between him and the father-son Saiyan duo, approached Dende.
Vegeta: When will the Time Chamber be fixed?
Dende: (calmly) Now that they're out, I can make improvements. Give me at least two weeks.
Vegeta: (determined) I'll be here in two weeks, then.
Vegeta walked away, leaving Dende, Future Trunks, and the others to contemplate the events that had unfolded. Future Trunks, still in awe of Gohan's strength, bid his farewells and departed for his timeline.
Bulma, holding baby Trunks, opened a capsule to reveal a jet, preparing to take Vegeta and their child back home. As the jet soared into the sky, Gohan and Goku remained on the Lookout, realizing they had a task ahead—explaining Gohan's seven years of intensive training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber to Chi-Chi.
-Son Goku Household-
Chi-Chi, upon seeing her son, erupted into a fit of rage. The realization that Gohan had missed out on his childhood hit her like a tidal wave. However, in a surprising turn of events, Gohan smiled as he hugged his mother, a silent understanding passing between them.
As the day wound down, Chi-Chi's anger transformed into tears of joy. The safety of her loved ones overshadowed any grievances she held. In a moment of shared happiness, she announced to Goku and Gohan that she was pregnant, and Gohan would soon be a big brother.
Chi-Chi: (tearfully) I'm glad my boys are home safe.
The household, bathed in the warm glow of familial love, embraced the news. Gohan, reflecting on the day's events, felt a mixture of relief and accomplishment. The journey through the Hyperbolic Time Chamber had transformed him into a formidable warrior and set the stage for a new chapter in the Son family's life.
As the news settled, the household prepared for a new addition to the family. Amidst the chaos of the cosmos and the uncertainties of the future, the Son family found solace in the bonds that held them together. The impending birth heralded a new era for Goku, Gohan, and Chi-Chi, promising challenges and joys that would shape their lives in ways they could never have imagined.
-Gohan-
The moon illuminated the night sky, casting a serene glow over the landscape. Restlessness gripped Gohan as he lay in bed, his mind echoing with the events of the day. Unable to find solace in sleep, he decided to seek comfort in the one thing that had always provided him refuge—training.
Silently slipping into an extra orange Gi that his father had given him, Gohan moved with practiced ease. The attire, a token from Goku, now served as a reminder of the vast difference between his current self and the child who once wore it. With a gentle push, he opened his bedroom window and gracefully glided into the night.
The mountains, a sanctuary far from the prying eyes of humans and wildlife, beckoned him. Gohan ascended into the night, carried by the wind. Arriving at his chosen training ground, he assumed a crouching stance, a silhouette against the moonlit sky.
With each breath, Gohan felt the power within him stir. The echoes of his father's teachings guided his movements as he threw kicks and punches, a dance with the shadows. In this solitary sanctuary, he confronted a mental image of Goku—his father, his mentor. The sparring match in his mind pushed him to his limits, a tribute to the Saiyan legacy that coursed through his veins.
Yet, Gohan's mind craved more challenge. He conjured another mental image, this time merging the specter of Cell into the battle. In the moonlit solitude, Gohan found himself pitted against the formidable duo of his father and the android. Swift kicks and precise punches sliced through the air as he fought the ghosts of his past, the echoes of battles that had forged him into the warrior he had become.
In his base form, Gohan sought to conquer the intertwined adversaries. The struggle was palpable, the mental and physical strain evident in each move. As beads of sweat trickled down his brow, Gohan realized the magnitude of the challenge he had set for himself. Yet, determination burned in his eyes.
The night became witness to a solitary figure—Gohan, the hybrid Saiyan, training under the watchful gaze of the moon and stars. The echoes of his punches reverberated through the mountains, a testament to his unyielding spirit. In the quiet hours of the night, he continued his midnight reflections, preparing for the uncertainties that awaited him in the days to come.
-Android 18-
In the vast expanse of the night sky, Android 18 soared with a mixture of uncertainty and contemplation. Her existence had taken a turn, and now she found herself adrift without a clear purpose. The whereabouts of her twin brother, 17, remained unknown, and she lacked a stable place to call home. The world had changed, and with the heightened strength of the Z warriors, she couldn't simply impose her will as she once might have.
As she traversed the nocturnal canvas, a distant figure caught her attention. Intrigued, 18 narrowed her focus and homed in on the solitary silhouette. In the quietude of the night, the unmistakable aura of someone engaged in rigorous training became apparent.
Approaching stealthily, 18's enhanced eyesight allowed her to discern the familiar features of the solitary warrior. It was Son Gohan, the one who had intervened during the Cell Games and, more recently, shattered the formidable Cell. As she drew closer, she observed his fluid movements, each strike and maneuver executed with precision.
A sense of curiosity overcame her as she watched Gohan navigate his personal training routine. The air crackled with energy as he honed his skills in the solitude of the night. Android 18, usually reserved and composed, found herself caught between the intrigue of observing this lone warrior and the uncertainties that loomed over her own path.
-Gohan-
As Gohan concluded his rigorous training session, the silence of the night hung in the air. Covered in a sheen of sweat and catching his breath, he broke the quietude with his words, "I know you've been watching. You can come out now." Though unable to sense Android 18's Ki signature, Gohan's heightened senses indicated a presence observing him.
Slowly emerging from behind a boulder, Android 18 revealed herself, a slight hint of embarrassment coloring her expression. Surprised, Gohan stammered, "18? What are you doing out here?"
"I was going wherever the air took me... just happened to stumble upon you training. Sorry, I don't mean to make this awkward," 18 replied.
Gohan, emulating his father's nervous habits, scratched the back of his head and chuckled, "It's fine, really. I just didn't think anyone would be out here at this time."
Cool night air brushed against Android 18 as she rubbed her arm. "Yeah, it's not like I really have a place to go, you know. I don't know where my brother is, and I'm trying to find my way with this new life."
Feeling a surge of guilt upon hearing her predicament, Gohan spoke without much forethought, "You can come and stay at my place if you'd like." His face flushed dark red. "I'll sleep on the floor, of course, and you can have the bed."
Gohan's intention was purely altruistic, ensuring she had a comfortable place for the night. "Thank you, Gohan, but I don't think your father would be very accepting of me intruding in your home," 18 responded.
Considering the potential fallout, Gohan realized the truth in her words. "No, really, it should be fine. I can't just let you stay out here by yourself, you know," he said, knowing he was bending the truth to accommodate her.
Android 18's face took on a light shade of pink. "Thank you... and thank you for saving me from Cell. I don't think I'd ever be able to repay you." Gohan offered her a genuine smile, "No need to repay me. I was just doing what needed to be done."
The night, once quiet and solitary, now held a subtle connection between the Saiyan warrior and the android, each grappling with their own uncertainties in the serene embrace of the moonlit sky. The stars bore witness to the unexpected friendship forming under the heavens. As both figures occupied the same space , their destinies remained intertwined, the threads of their lives weaving a fabric yet to unfold.
A/n. This one is a little longer because sometimes when I start I don't know when to stop!! So much more to come and I think you guys will like the next chapter! If you liked this one please leave a review and tell me if you want anything in particular!