What Could've Been
Chapter 12: Trauma
The sky was blue and white just as laws of light reflection dictated. For the future cyborgs; however, this ordinary scene conveyed an atmosphere of relaxation that, dare they say, borderlined tranquility, something both suspected as having far greater of an impact on the newly freed woman on screen.
Since her transformation from human Lazuli to Artificial Human Number Eighteen, the young cyborg's mood had been malcontent at best and downright cynical at worst. Yet here she was, appearing weightless and carefree, even stopping right above the pure, cotton-like clouds, skidding playfully across its intangible surface akin to a skater dancing across her personal ice arena.
Darn, I don't think we've ever looked that...satisfied with ourselves...
The deceased viewers were left speechless at this near human behavior and felt their hearts longing for whatever she was experiencing or rather, only the peaceful emotions minus whatever that was causing her cheeks to flush uncontrollably from time to time.
Nice try girl, but welcome to the Plagued by Krillin Club...it's something you'll never escape...
Even in death...
Future Eighteen shook her head. sporting a knowing if not saddened look while Future Seventeen couldn't help but letting a slightly bitter grin overtook his face.
Oh here we go again sis, with you falling into dream space, leaving poor little me all alone...
Mere seconds of self-indulgence later saw the now messy-haired Present Eighteen came to a sudden halt. With her gently shut eyelids snapped wide opened and mouth gasping in rude realization, her demeanor underwent another sharp turn that ended in her blasting full speed past the footprint-filled cloud canopy.
"Huh, where's she going in such a hurry? It's not like there's anything worthwhile waiting her now is there?" Future Seventeen spat in contempt while secretly praying she was heading for a very particular destination.
A gentle caress of his tense shoulder from Future Eighteen quickly erased any ill-thoughts. It was all the younger sibling needed to know his other self won't remain forgotten.
To no one's surprise, Present Eighteen landed on the scarred terrain that conjured up a mixture of gratitude and shame for the future cyborgs. True to the wish made by their former enemies, standing amidst the giant crater with his back facing her was Present Seventeen alive and well, albeit slightly puzzled as he checked himself over and over, going as far as pinching his cheek utilizing perhaps too much force that drew a wince.
"Seventeen!" The cry of his sister so full of emotion shocked all present and made the cyborg teen spun around.
"S-sis? Is that really you?" His voice carried an overwhelming sense of bewilderment and if that wasn't enough, he began rubbing his eyes that were flashing yellow, a clear indicator the scanning program was online.
The future cyborgs watched with relief as Present Eighteen didn't leave him any room for doubt and began a thorough examination on her sibling, patting up and down his body until with a reassured smirk, tackled him onto the rocky surface, her arms wrapped around his waist, fingers tracing every patch of his back.
"Sis? Eighteen?" Present Seventeen muttered again in disbelief, still staring blankly ahead but already running his shaky hands through her head that was trembling in his chest.
It was exactly what his future counterpart wanted to do immediately after their deaths but was too afraid of his ill-tempered sister. Let it be the unusual circumstance or sheer difference between two cyborg pairs; however, the present twins' hug was inseparable as both seemed to be fueled by the need to confirm each other's presence.
When Present Eighteen finally pried away from her brother's mucus stained shirt, the rims of her eyes were puffy and red yet her lips showed but a radiant smile.
"O-of course it's me, silly little bro." The blonde sibling answered as she readjusted her equally tear infused strands. "I don't believe it at first, but they really came through for us!" She continued, placing her hand on where the future cyborgs identified as where the bomb was supposed to be.
L-lucky them...it took us dying to get rid of the bombs...
Disappointment overcame the killers as they examined their empty chests, as both knew full well such life-ending devices were absent only because their bodies had been destroyed and, had they been wished back to life, the explosives most certainly would've occupied that same spot. This rude realization then transformed to self-pity and eventually guilt.
B-but then again, we killed the only ones capable of making such wish...
Present Seventeen's confusion meanwhile returned in full swing at how grateful his twin appeared checking out a specific part of her chest. All of the sudden, something seemed to click in his brain and those catlike eyes widened in shock before he hastily rubbed the same spot, the one spot not even decapitating Gero could fix.
"N-no way...t-this is just...," A bright smile was gradually replacing any remaining signs of doubt.
"Yes way bro...you are alive, Ce-that monster's gone, and so are the bombs." She summed up in one delivery, drained but clearly trying to maintain her composure.
"E-even that freak?" He stuttered in disgust.
She nodded.
Wow!" Was all he said before falling onto the ground in a splat.
"Yeah wow!" Present Eighteen chuckled while letting her weight carrying her back down.
The rocky surface looked anything but comfortable yet the present twins might as well be lying on the softest surface imaginable seeing how peaceful they were. Minutes passed and they stayed there, limbs stretched and fingers linked, either too lazy or exhausted to move a muscle, content to simply observe those cotton-like clouds passing above them.
For the future cyborgs, whose living years were composed of wanton destructions that filled the space with never-ceasing screams and sky-covering smokes, both were surprised to find themselves touched by the serene scene. Slowly but surely, brother and sister leaned closer till their heads rested against one another, their spirit forms and the two organic bodies on screen indistinguishable in their bond.
"So sis, is Sixteen with you?" Obviously still immersed in feel-good-factor, Present Seventeen broke the silence and asked expectedly.
A heavy burden weighed down on the future duo while Present Eighteen let out a surprised gasp then narrowed her eyes as if trying to recall the event, the ocean blue orbs undergoing a wide spectrum of colors from boiling hot to monochrome.
"I...I don't know...," She admitted dejectedly at last then turned to him. "D-did you see him?"
"No sis, that's why I'm asking you. All I know is I woke up here then you showed up." His gaze lingered on her face searching for an answer.
"I really don't know...didn't ask them. Last time I saw him he was...he was...," Seemingly losing all courage, the troubled blonde trailed off, her words stuck inside her throat despite that panic inducing face betraying what was undoubtedly millions of thoughts running through her mind.
"Oh." Even the black-haired youth dialed his excitement down a few notches.
All the future cyborgs could do was shaking their heads at the injustice.
Sixteen's gone you two...scarified himself to push Gohan over the edge...
Well, unless the magical dragon revived him with the others...
Perhaps it's better to not know what happened...that might save them some unnecessary pain...
"Well, wherever he is, I'm sure he'll come looking for us okay? So don't over think it sister dearest." Present Seventeen reassured her, his finger rubbing against hers much like their future counterparts.
"R-right...thanks bro." Her quiet tone bore just the faintest trace of hope.
Another thick curtain of silence downed the on screen duo, albeit this time instead of the jubilation that came with their reunion, unease was clearly at work here.
"So sis, who are they?" Now dubbed by his viewers as always the one alter the mood, let it be good or bad, Present Seventeen asked yet again with child-like curiosity.
Both Eighteens stiffened despite themselves, the extent of their reactions stopping just short of adopting tomato-red faces.
"By...Sixteen, you really are full of questions today aren't you little bro?" Present Eighteen mused, putting up what her future counterpart coined as a convincing façade of being annoyed, an effective strategy to silence her sibling she might add.
The brother merely flashed her a cheeky grin though. "What do you expect? I've been...well, out for way too long and you seem to know a lot more. So who are they?" He pressed.
"W-what they?" Present Eighteen spun her head away but still couldn't control her voice.
Future Seventeen immediately chuckled aloud, barely dodging an elbow to his waist thanks to quick reflexes. While it took considerably longer for the present version to figure it out his sister's dilemma, a shit-eating smirk soon surfaced.
"You know, they who really came through for us, or should I say, he?" The raven-haired twin pressed in spite of obviously knowing the answer.
"Hmph." All his blonde counterpart gave in response was a huff.
"Oh common sister dearest, is it a bald monk roughly a head shorter than you?" When even that failed to illicit a definite answer, he added. "Does his name start with K?"
Like a blast triggered by fire that was her brother's teasing words, Present Eighteen leapt onto her feet without severing their connection and pulled Present Seventeen up with her.
"Sis?"
"J-just...just shut up you brat!" She spat, chest heaving up and down, hands clenched into fists while eyes icy like arctic winter.
"Okay okay, just calm down already. Think of it as me making sure it's really you." Present Seventeen held two hands up in front of him, a gesture his future counterpart found to be rather apologetic and noted he would've probably continued the demolishment of her sanity just for snickers and giggles.
Yet more differences between...between the old destructive me and other me...I wonder what else will he do differently?
Present Eighteen crossed her arms in front of her chest, seemingly satisfied without the need to blow off some steam by means of widespread carnage, a reaction Future Eighteen nodded in approval all the while wearing a saddened, guilt riddled expression.
"So what now sis?" Present Seventeen asked warmly.
His elder sibling furrowed her brows; her blue eyes dimmed considerably and lingered on the ground.
"I...I don't know brother. Our...our target, Son Goku is dead by the way." She said meekly in a voice both future mass murderers identified as guilt ridden.
B-but she hasn't killed anyone yet, so why's she behaving like that?
To their astonishment, Present Seventeen's shameful grimace and troubled declaration were just as pronounced. "Even if Goku is alive I'm not about to go after him...not after...after what that despicable monster did to me."
"To me too, I was ab-absorbed and Kril...that monk had me healed after I was freed somehow...," The elder sister admitted with great difficulty, those cheeks famous for uncontrollable flusters turned pale then reddened as she pronounced those jumbled words.
"Did he? Sounds like he's someone special." The younger sibling admitted without a hint of mockery before adding the next part cautiously, after taking a deep breath that was. "Do you want to go meet him sister dearest?"
The future twins tensed up, showing signs of panicking.
G-go meet him? Alone? You aren't exactly on friendly terms with them...
Future Seventeen seemed the most troubled as he gazed expectedly at his own life-long companion and partner in crime for answer.
I-if this other sister did go to Krillin...w-what will happen to me? Common sis, surely you won't leave me alone will you? W-we've been together since...since...
Well...forever...
Present Eighteen's calm demeanor all but reassured her tense-as-heck observer; however, and after a quick shut eye that saw her regaining that trademark coolness, she declared warmly, "No brother dear, now's not the time for that."
All three cyborgs, deceased future twins and Present Seventeen alike let out a sigh of relief.
"Go-I meant okay, so what now?" Her brother asked, his need to correct a word didn't go unnoticed by his future counterpart, whose lips curved up in a slight smile.
Good, glad I'm not the only one who can't separate from sister dear...
"Now little bro? How about finding a place to crash?" Present Eighteen said matter-of-factly.
"A place to crash?" Present Seventeen blurted in surprise.
"Yeah, a place to crash," The sister paused, her ocean blue eyes momentarily betraying hints of longing before continuing. "Let's find a place for us to call our...our home, and then we can start from there."
A-a home to call their own? L-like the orphanage? N-no, like during our childhood...
Is it even possible to go back? Sure, we had an entire apartment to ourselves after...after eradicating those pes...humans...
The future cyborgs were left aghast at the decision, their bodies trembling but for Present Seventeen, his reaction was anything except pleased.
"Sounds good to me sis, and when you mean our place, I don't think it means a car to sleep in right?" He asked cheekily.
To everyone's surprise, such obvious taunt was greeted by a reminiscent downcast look, one her viewer could've sworn reflected off their full mechanical friend. "N-no thanks Seventeen, Sixteen would probably want us to find some place better." She replied wistfully.
Future Eighteen couldn't help but felt her eyes got watery again while her brother let out a playful whistle. As for the one who initiated the question, all he could do was raising an eyebrow.
"Oh...okay, that's not what I was expecting." Present Seventeen muttered more to himself than anything.
"Hmph, and what are you expecting brat?" Present Eighteen shot him a glare accompanied by pursed lips.
Like a well-rehearsed drill, the younger brother held up both hands apologetically. "By Sixteen, Nothing sis."
"Good, now let's get going little bro!" She huffed but not forgetting to grasp his hand in a firm grip and pulled them into the late afternoon sky hand-in-hand, their shoulder-lengthen hair blowing in the wind akin to young adults taking off toward the next chapter of their lives.
Let's see if you two can really find a place called home and not just a dump...without killing that is...
Try thinking positive as best as they could, there was no cure for the deceased mass butchers from judging this hopeful duo with overly pessimistic, if not cynical view.
The audiences watched as their counterparts flew in the pitch-dark night sky, the glistening stars above and occasional city lights below their only companions. Led by the still somewhat pondering Present Eighteen, they traversed across a wide range of geographic features, covering hundreds of miles through forests, cities, and even seas, seemingly without a goal in mind.
"Wow, just how long have...have they been going like this heh sis?" Future Seventeen asked drowsily as he leaned against his twin, a yawn sandwiched between his words.
Future Eighteen had to cover her mouth to suppress a yawn of her own. "No idea bro, I just wish they'd find a place before I fall asleep."
Her sibling nodded lazily. "Yeah, not used to this whole inactivity," he paused briefly, eyes staring up the ceiling before continuing, "I could've sworn something's always...well...happening when we were out."
Troubled by the accidental slip, both deceased killers stiffened as goosebumps ran down their spines.
"Hey sis, got any place you have in mind? If you aren't sure, we can always find a car to sleep in ya know?" Present Seventeen mirrored his future counterpart's boredom and yelled from behind.
The leading blonde turned around and gave him an apologetic look. "Sorry bro, but it's not that easy finding a place without inhabitants. Unless you want to count the caves and trees." She added the last part sarcastically, probably to lighten up the mood as her future self guessed.
The raven-haired youth though stroked his chin as if entertaining the suggestion earnestly, his words just as serious. "Ya know what sis? Caves might not be a bad choice after all."
Future Seventeen would've chuckled aloud if it weren't the snort coming from Future Eighteen.
"Right, how about no?" Present Eighteen was equally unamused and held onto her shivering form.
"Alright alright, no caves." He replied dejectedly all the while those yellow-flashing eyes continued to scan the small town right underneath. It was only a matter of time before an excited "Aha!" escaped his mouth and, without acquiring consent, the younger sibling swooped downward toward a two-story house with no lights on.
"Seventeen?" The elder sister shouted and, with a burst of speed, took off after him. "What's the deal?"
He flashed her a triumphant grin and pointed at his destination. "Why, a place for us of course. Do you think you'll find a better home anywhere else?"
Their intrigued observers and Present Eighteen scrutinized the nice establishment located at the end of a country road. It was decently close to the town should they desire, much to the future cyborgs' surprise it's even up for consideration, human interaction but remote enough that locals wouldn't notice two young adults had just moved in. Furthermore, judging by how high-class the place was compared to other dwellings, they guessed its owners probably didn't get much visitors.
"Hey sis, are you coming or not?" Present Seventeen shouted from the front porch then, with a casual twist, yanked out the doorknob and lock together. "Oops." He faked a gasp looking at the scrap metal on his pristine hand.
Present Eighteen sighed deeply. "Fine I'm coming bro." She yelled and made her descent beside him. Holding out her hand, the former thief accepted the broken machinery then did what her viewers could only describe as repairing it.
"Erm sis, I wouldn't really be this worried over a single lock if I were you." Her brother arched an eyebrow in amusement.
The older twin remained silent; however, her full attention drawn by the task at hand as evident from those eyes warming with numbers and diagrams. A few more tinkering later saw her giving the intact doorknob a few testing swings.
"Why don't you leave entry for me later little Seventeen? If I am to call this place my home, I'd like it neat and intact." She chastised softly, to which he replied with a playful, "Yes boss!"
At this, all the future cyborgs could do was share a disbelieving look.
Wow, we've never been this...gentle with our bases...often times simply blowing down the front doors and did what we pleased with whatever's inside...after all, there's no shortage of...well...vacate houses...
The present cyborgs would prove to be just as careful with the interior; however, seeing they made it from room to room as if inspecting a newly purchased property, flicking on the lights and taking extra care not to harm the decorations or furniture, their shoed feet even purposefully avoiding some of the finer carpets. There was no stopping the look of excitement surfacing from visiting an ordinary house that wasn't Gero's lab or their target's home though, and Present Seventeen soon threw himself on a rocking chair with perhaps too much force that sent it crashing into a wall while Present Eighteen casually picked up a fur coat from the clothing rack.
"Whoever own this place sure have good taste!" The cyborg girl remarked as she rubbed her head against the fine collar, basking in its texture.
"Looks good on you sis!" Her raven-haired counterpart was still rocking lazily in his now slightly dented chair. In his clearly self-absorbed state, the youth had reached absent-mindedly toward a nearby drawer and pulled out what made his sister leapt back fearfully.
"S-Seventeen...what's that thing you are holding?" Present Eighteen pointed a shaky finger at the black box full of buttons.
Evidently surprised by her look of fear, Present Seventeen shot an appalled look at the remote before crushing it much like what he had done with Gero's emergency control. "Sorry sister dearest, didn't know I was holding onto that darned thing." He apologized then kneeled down by the scrap for a closer look. "This...thing doesn't look like it's that same cursed remote though, it's got numbered buttons for one."
Present Eighteen's pale cheeks regained their healthy shade almost immediately at his reassuring words. "O-oh...I guess you are right bro." She blurted out sheepishly.
Future Eighteen on the other hand had narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips, her displeasure shared by her brother who had crossed his arms, those orbs icy.
Hey, don't blame yourself for that kind of reaction girl, neither of us could stand anything resembling a remote for years after freed from that freak scientist...
On screen, the home intruders continued their examination of what must be the living room. Standing by a blank screen with yet more buttons, Present Eighteen gingerly clicked on each protruding circles one by one until suddenly, the screen came to life, filling the quiet space with colorful visuals and lively audios. Further testing of the device by the now more daring cyborg girl saw the displayed content and a number on the top right corner changing with each pressing of a triangular button.
"Huh, I wonder if there's a way to select specific channels?" The young blonde remarked as she began manually dialing the number down.
"Maybe ya could do it with this thing I destroyed?" Her raven-haired companion replied
"Maybe, but it doesn't matter now cause I got what I wanted."
Intrigued by Present Eighteen's claim, all turned to the program on-air and were pleasantly surprised it was channel sixteen. If that wasn't enough, broadcasting fittingly was a guy downing a MIR shirt and an armband labelled 'Ranger', describing the many exotic bird species on a place called Monster Island. Transfixed by the feathered creatures, both present and future twins sank into a trance
Oh Sixteen...if only you were in our timeline...we could've had so much more fun destr...no, living together...
By kami, even if you were only revived by the dragon balls in their dimension...we'd like to see you more...
"Let's just leave this on what do you say bro?" Present Eighteen whispered as if afraid to scare away the birds on screen, her eyes still glued to it and mouth slightly agape.
"Sure thing sis, who knows, we might summon Sixteen to us if we keep this on long enough." Present Seventeen mused dreamily.
It took mustering all their wills for the future pair to fight back hot tears from flowing down their cheeks.
A while later and the present duo ascended a flight of stairs to the second floor, leaving the television on as promised. There, they were greeted by what their viewers deemed, with their years of experience, as private rooms that probably belonged to its owners and children.
The sight of the master bedroom tailored to the husband and wife's exquisite taste along with two smaller rooms filled with toys elicited a sense of unease that gradually grew to a suffocating smog that brought back flashing crimson eyes for the future cyborgs. Despite having not yet seen the inhabitants, their brains had already begun to piece together mental images of these people based on personal articles and data of all the victims they've killed who shared similar living quarters.
Hmm...that fine leather jacket is at least size XL...probably belonging to a filthy rich ass with double chin and protruding stomach...one of those who always tried bribing us with money but ended up losing weight in more ways than one...
Sinister grins surfaced on their formerly tranquil expressions before those inhuman glares snapped open in disgust.
N-no, w-we aren't like that anymore...
Judging by the more cautious behavior of the Present Cyborgs, it wasn't exactly easy entering such private settings, although their relative innocence had undoubtedly enabled them to examine further without exhibiting the same crippling guilt-ridden symptoms.
This said; nothing could prepare the exploring twins from taking a step back at a framed family photo featuring a merry family of four. The middle-aged couple, composed of an overweight but otherwise blameless dad and average sized jovial mom had their arms wrapped around their children, all flashing ear-to-ear grins at the camera.
"Sis!" Present Seventeen blurted after steadying himself, his eyebrows furrowed and lips thinned into a line.
"I know bro. This...this place belongs to a family...and...," Present Eighteen held onto his shoulder for support, her gaze wavering.
"And we don't belong here!" Her sibling finished the sentence for her.
The deceased killers could almost make out imageries of Lapis and Lazuli's long lost family in those watery eyes. It was as if their blond father and raven-haired mother were holding onto their much younger child versions and looking at them through the glass protector.
We...no they are the intruders...no different than those scums who vacated them from their home...
An audible noise of what the future pair deduced as car screeching to a halt suddenly resonated throughout King Kai's house, causing them to leap from their chairs akin to their present selves' bodies jerking upward. Frantically, Present Eighteen darted to a nearby window and gasped, "Seventeen, they are back!"
Both sets of twins froze in place like mannequins.
Okay what now? What's your response?
Do you...get rid of them like...no Sixteen forbid...like what we've done?
Future Eighteen specifically was weighing the cons and pros of different options, her small frame trembling, eyes reverting back and forth between icy and ocean blue.
Who'll know anyways...they definitely deserved a break...
The z fighters probably won't notice...not Gohan, not Vegeta, and certainly not Krillin...he's too far away to know a thing...
The softening in the present cyborgs' hard gaze that momentarily blinked the faintest of crimson was all the answer their audiences needed, and the intruding duo darted out the window even before the dad could finish his angry proclamation of "Hey who's inside? I'm calling the cops!"
The fur coat on Present Eighteen's back was all the twins appropriated. Like criminals making a hasty getaway after a failed heist, they were cleared out by their much weaker adversaries who most likely would've met different fates had their crueler counterparts been in charge. Under the cover of darkness, they made their way into the nearby mountains and, much to the younger brother's amusement, discovered an unclaimed cave.
"I don't know about you sis, but this is quite an experience. The only thing missing are cave paintings...I don't even know where I got that idea from." Present Seventeen stroked his cheek approvingly.
"Hmph." Present Eighteen huffed unimpressed but quickly get to work as she smoothened the rugged floor using a mild yet continuous ki blast. She then plucked off a few tree roots sticking out from the walls and lit them on fire, effectively creating a bonfire of sorts. "This what you have in mind bro? Us camping out in a cave?"
It was her brother's turn to scrutinize the new environment with raising eyebrows. "Y-yeah something like this...except for the clean floor...I wanted something more...natural."
Yeah sis, why do you always have to ruin my fun? Can't you just leave it as it is?
A bitter laugh escaped Future Seventeen's mouth, which earned him an elbow to the waist as did Present Seventeen receiving one from his sister.
"Hey, what's the matter with you sis?" Both male cyborgs snapped, albeit non-vehemently.
His blonde partner merely tugged a strand of loose hair behind her ear as she sat down before the fire. "Consider this a compromise bro." She replied warmly and patted the spot beside her, asking nonverbally what her future counterpart decoded as "care to join me Seventeen?"
"Of course sis...glad to have you back, my family!" There wasn't a hint of hesitation in his voice.
That night, brother and sister cuddled together, covered with Present Eighteen's fur coat as blanket. In their dozed off state, the artificial humans appeared no different than ordinary teens spending a holiday camping out in the woods. All this was but a façade of what terrifying power and memories laid underneath; however, as the future cyborgs, while touched by the heartwarming sight, were quick to point out signs of eyeballs rolling rapidly underneath those eyelids.
Not bad for your first day without Goku to hunt, you two are...stronger than we are...
Future Seventeen and Eighteen admitted with downcast eyes, almost ashamed of gazing upon the two on screen.
But knowing how Gero's programming, not to mention nightmares of him haunting us...
All that and throw in Cell in your case...let's just see how long you two retain your sanities...
The viewers' fears finally came true several days later. After what they coined as house hopping day to day and trying out every conceivable living space ranging from home attics to tree tops, the present cyborgs came upon a seemingly abandoned barn.
"Hey sis, check this out!" Present Seventeen pointed giddily at a haystack. "You think we've ever slept in one of these before?" Even before he was done, the overjoyed cyborg youth had already flung himself into the straw pile, his body bouncing lively akin to crashing against a spring-loaded mattress.
Present Eighteen meanwhile appeared hesitant at best, her questing eyes searching elsewhere on the barn. "I...don't know bro...how about," Like a graceful feline, she leapt onto the second floor and swept away a few debris then, placing two bags of what must be flours side by side like pillows, she clapped proudly. "How about this?"
All too accustomed to his own and his present self's taste; Future Seventeen shook his head in resignation.
"Yeah, how about no? I mean why sleep on a boring wooden floor when you can," Present Seventeen trailed off, his hands ruffling the mountain of light golden leaves. "Well, ya know, you can sleep on these?" He looked at her expectedly.
"Hmph...," Evidently conflicted and unsure how to act, Present Eighteen folded her arms, her head pointed downwards as were the corners of her lips.
Her brother's expression, along that of his future counterpart's softened at the look of trepidation. "How about this sis?" He began softly. "Why don't we sleep separately tonight?"
At that, the blonde twin's eyes dimmed considerably and soon, she was pacing back and forth above, scanning probably for ways of refining her makeshift beds, of making it more enticing for her brother. So immersed in her new task was her that the cyborg girl failed to notice her sibling leaping in front and, in her absent-minded state, bumped into him.
"Bro?"
"Hey sis, it's alright. I won't go away just cause we aren't side by side for a few hours ya know? It's not like...it's not like...," As if an emotional switch had been flipped on, Present Seventeen's jovial expression took a ghastly turn.
"It's not like Ce...that monster's going to take you away is it?" She wrapped him in a warm embrace all the while their future selves grabbed hold of each other. Without having to experience the whole absorption or rather, devouring business, the former heartless killers felt goosebumps creeping up their body with mere thoughts alone.
"I...I know I've never said this before brother, but sister's...sister's sorry she wasn't there to help...," Present Eighteen's hug grew tighter to the point of shaking against him.
"H-hey it's okay sis, I was hoping you'd get away the whole time I was...well, unconscious." Present Seventeen reciprocated the warmth as he held her close. "Anyhow, I want, no, need my haystack so that's where I'll sleep at tonight." Almost immediately, his happy-go-lucky attitude had returned in full swing and, as if emulating a swimmer jumping off a springboard, the cyborg youth dove back headfirst.
Still somewhat caught up in pained emotion, the older twin blinked a few times then scoffed. "Oh Seventeen you little brat!"
It was a sentiment shared by their future counterparts too, with the raven-haired viewer shrugging cheekily and the blonde one rolling her eyes.
The moment Present Seventeen fell asleep with limbs spread apart and Present Eighteen dozed off lying on her stomach, her arms folded beneath her head and shuteyes facing her sibling, the playback fastened, installing a sense of foreboding in the future cyborgs.
No...no no no...not again! Every time this darned viewing sped up, something bad happened...
B-but what could possibly harm them at this point? It's not...it's not a nightmare is it?
In spite of fearing what's to come, they felt the obligation to stick by till the end.
It began with, to everyone's surprise, Present Seventeen of all people letting out a weak groan, followed by him gradually twisting and turning akin to drowning swimmers struggling. The moving about got more violent soon as did words spouting from his mouth though. In no time, the cyborg youth was flailing about, his hands clutching stacks of hays and lips opening and closing in rapid succession, screaming, "NO! You won't take me again you freak! I won't let you! No sis, run! Ah! Get away! GET AWAY!"
It was like hearing the cries of agonizing spirits in an eerie silent night. Unfortunately, for all within range, the screams only got louder, its volume piercing the future cyborgs preparedness, shocking them to the core.
H-have we ever yelled like that?
The future cyborgs shared a disbelieving look then shuddered in unison. Their most vivid nightmares, of them getting dissected on a bloodied operation table or forgotten in prisons that were their capsules, remaining in stasis for eternity flooded their brains even whilst fully awake.
More pleasant memories of how they had comforted each other during such traumatic experiences came pouring back too. Although those warm scenes of pure sibling love, of unconditional support bestowed upon them a hint of reassurance, neither could quite recall their sufferings anywhere close to what the wailing youth was undergoing now with his eyes blinking bloody red through shut eyelids and visible electric currents leaping across his trembling form.
He's not going to last long like this...he has to let loose some of this pent up energy...
B-but that would mean hurting and possibly killing others...and he's not prepared for it...
The future cyborgs shared a look full of remorse then nodded solemnly as if accepting a hard to swallow fact.
It's definitely easier to just go ballistic whenever you felt like it...who knows, maybe no one will get hurt...
"W-what's going on? Seventeen? Bro?"
Unless her audiences were hallucinating, Present Eighteen's voice carried an overwhelmingly maternal quality in it, putting an abrupt stop to their suffering. After a petrified look at her brother wrestling against an imagined foe, the blonde girl dove into the haystack without hesitation.
"No sis! Not when I'm...when he's acting like that!" Future Seventeen wasn't able to control his horror-stricken voice but it was too late as his sister's alternate version had already grabbed hold of her twin from behind.
"No! Let go of me!" Present Seventeen jerked at the contact then planted an elbow firmly against his sister's stomach, drawing a pained "Omph!"
"I-it's me brother, w-wake up! Your sister's here for you and I won't leave you I promise!" She yelled into his ears, her caring words never ceased resonating across King Kai's household no matter what.
"Wake up Seventeen! Wake up! Your sister needs you!" She begged, her knuckles now white from how hard she's clung onto him.
A-are you kidding me? That other me, no, asshole is going to kill my sister if he keeps this up!
Future Seventeen leapt up from his chair, his eyes now flashing murderous red, no longer able to withstand the sorry sight anymore. Enraged, he pointed a finger at his present self and demanded, "Hey you! Get the hell up! Pull yourself together will you?"
Thankfully, the struggling teen began calming down in his sister's embrace, those clenched shut eyelids softened as did his distorted expression, his heaving back and forth chest to the point of hyperventilating slowed to a normal rate.
"I...I...sis! I'm with my sister." Present Seventeen whimpered.
"Yes brother dear, yes you are with me. You are safe with me." Present Eighteen reassured, her fingers now caressing his form, evidently trying to lull him back to sleep.
Only his eyes fluttered opened and was met with the barn's walls lit ablaze and filled with scorched holes, his haystacks for bed charred like burnt coal, tiny residuals of flame still visible in the crisp leaves.
"W-what's going on here? Sis?" Present Seventeen spun around to see his sister clutching her stomach in pain then, much like what she had done for him, his quivering hands clasping her shoulder. "Sis? D-did I do this?"
"N-no...I mean yes and no. You were plagued by a nightmare." His blonde counterpart explained after suppressing a wince.
"And this destruction?" He held onto her dearly as a weakened wall collapsed, kicking up dust that joined the smoke
"Your accidental energy discharge...a-again not your fault bro." She sounded firm but there was no concealing the weak groaning nor unnatural pauses in her voice.
"No way...a-anyhow, let's get outta here!"
To the future cyborgs' relief, Present Seventeen had gingerly maneuvered his twin onto his back and, conjuring up a dazzling green barrier, blasted off from the smoldering wreckage. The flame hissed and crackled like tentacles reaching for their prey but there was no stopping the duo from gaining height until the burning barn was but a tiny orange dot in the vastness of pitch black. It was only then that he turned to face his handiwork.
"So eh, how you feeling now sister dearest?" He asked all concerned.
"Better now, thanks brother. It'll take way more than that to put me down." She reassured, head resting comfortably on his back.
"Tsk." He hissed angrily.
"Really, not your fault little bro." Again, she said in a soothing voice.
Present Seventeen didn't appeared to buy that at all; however, seeing his hands balled into fists then, uncharacteristically and without warning, punched himself angrily on the chest.
"Seventeen?" Both Eighteens exclaimed while Future Seventeen merely shook his head in resignation.
He might...we might look carefree to the point of childish at times, and while that may be our true nature, it was also there to mask the pain we felt underneath...
"I...o-of course it's my fault sis!" His present version's enraged words more than confirmed his view. "I...I am a freak! A weapon of destruction...b-by Sixteen had there been others like that family been close by, I would've...would've...," he trailed off.
Yeah...unfortunately that's what you are...a monster who can't fit in...you might not have our bloodthirst but your destructive nature will never leave you...
Present Eighteen appeared positively alarmed by her brother's words and began a gentle massage on his rigid shoulders, a gesture shared by her future counterpart whose fingers dug into her own sibling's tense muscles, "But you didn't kill them bro, and whatever troubles you have, you know I'll be here for you."
"Oh!" It was a simple reply yet the relief in his tone clear as their bond. "Well, I guess we'll find another place to live then?"
"That we will...but hopefully not another stinking barn." She chastised playfully.
"Yes boss." He gave a mock salute, his smile back.
Just when the future cyborgs thought they could catch a break, the screen began fast-forwarding yet again to mere one night later. There, inside a shallow cave laid Present Eighteen, struggling much like her brother a day prior, her fists and legs striking out everywhere, hitting not only air but a worried sick Present Seventeen who had grabbed hold of her from the front.
"C-Cell you monster! G-give me back my brother...no...NO! Sixteen...not...not Krillin! Please!" Entangled by the horror that was Cell, whose legacy continued to haunt her, Present Eighteen's screams shook the boulders with its volume alone.
"Sis! Sis it's me! That monster will never have us again! Wake up! We are in this together remember?" He yelled frantically.
No amount of soothing assurance could stop the accidental hurting of a sibling nor the demolishing of their new home however. The rocky interior, although sturdy by average human's standard, was no match against the outburst of pink artificial energy and crumbled, burying them alive before Present Eighteen regained conscious and, generating the same protective shield, carried her brother out like an inverted shooting star.
Afterwards, brother and sister shared a petrified look, the sheer terror in their eyes resonating with their viewers' chilled hearts.
By Sixteen...they'll never be able to live a normal life will they?
The deceased mass murderers noted how their alternate versions had, in complete contrast to them sticking to the cities and unleashing untold destructions on the populations, let it be intentional massacres or nightmare-induced outbursts, stuck to the safety of the countryside devoid of humans.
While occasional encounters with nighttime explorers were unavoidable, the present cyborg twins managed to prevent casualty thanks in large part to what their audiences coined as seamless collaboration. Taking turns sleeping and guarding, they achieved, albeit with limited success, in calming their partner before the full effect of Cell or Gero's legacy set in. Seemingly eternally aware of the meanings behind tiniest movements and reactions that were to follow, what was an unwinnable situation had been relegated largely to destroyed properties.
Sure sucks they had to keep on finding new places, but at least they have each other...
The inseparable bond and tireless dedication filled the future cyborgs with pride and, in the most unsuspected twist neither could've foreseen when the viewing first started, began to cheer after each life saved.
Both former killers could recall vividly one particular close call when a group of khakis uniformed teenagers had, rather than being scared away as countless others had by their agonized cries, dared themselves into stumbling upon a writhing Present Eighteen, whose discharged pink bolts were mistaken as fireworks.
"Y-you monster, you fiend, you won't harm my brother...no Krillin, you aren't strong enough...run!" More blasts lit up the night sky, directed in the nick of time skyward by Present Seventeen who had tilted her hands upward.
"Hey you dumb kids, run while you can!" The raven-haired cyborg screamed furiously yet, their unwanted guests couldn't even scurry away seeing those weak legs weren't capable of anything but trembling.
Huh humans...so fragile even emotionally...how is it possible to not kill a few of them?
Future Eighteen shook her head in resignation then turned toward the guardian sitting close by and asked hopefully, "Hey King Kai, will I, no, will she be charged with full extent of murder if those idiotic brats were to blame for not quick enough on their feet?"
Although her blue-skinned host's eyes were still hidden behind thick shades, after living on the same tiny planet together for kami knows how many Earth days or perhaps even weeks, the future cyborg woman was able to notice how sympathetic he appeared.
"Sorry, but any life taken, unless dictated by absolute necessity, can't go unpunished." King Kai's words were just as considerate.
This show of emotion failed to give his blonde listener much relief; however, seeing her present self had gathered an extra-large blast between both palms while cursing at her non-existent attacker to "Go to hell and leave my family alone!"
N-no! You aren't protecting, you are dooming yourself to hell...to what's inevitably my fate!
The future cyborgs' eyes had become monochrome as they held their breaths and watched helplessly at the pink ball of death on screen expanding to critical level, neither harboring illusions of what awaited the cyborg girl now that not even her brother nor law decreed by gods could save her.
Present Seventeen evidently wasn't about to give up hope regardless as he grasped her hands and separated them, causing the gathered artificial ki to gradually dissipate into the air. If that wasn't enough, the younger brother conjured up his trademark green barrier that encased them both.
T-that might just work...that might just save her...and those pesky brats!
The hastily erected force field couldn't have come at a better time too, seeing what remained of the blast pulsed uncontrollably then exploded. The pink energy crashed against the green that reminded its audiences of their pointless bickering over head counts and what not that ended in physical exchanges except this time, much more was at stake.
P-please! You have to hang onto it other me/brother!
The oval shield expanded then retracted as the two occupants were engulfed by blinding light that illuminated the shaken to boot kids like a miniature star. Thankfully, when the unwanted lightshow subsided, not a soul was harmed save for the cyborg twins, their bodies smoking and attires burned.
"B-brother...h-have I...?" Present Eighteen gasped in a shaky voice.
"Yes sister dearest, just like what we've done so many times but it's all good now." Present Seventeen reassured without a hint of blame.
T-thank kami they pulled through again and...no one was hurt...!
The future cyborgs let out a big sigh of relief as their present selves took off into the sky, leaving the kids scared out of their wits but definitely alive. They knew not all was well in spite of the victory though, and that something must be done soon to prevent the tragedy that will eventually strike once sleep took hold them.
To further compound their worries, the present cyborgs' elevated position had granted them an outlook of nearby geographic features and with it, allowed them to identify their alternate selves were in fact nearing North City.
T-that's our home town...a place not only full of humans, but also filled with locations that could induce unnecessary emotions...
Oh please Sixteen, if you can hear us, please guide them safely through this...
In the case of the older blonde, her complexion was even tenser to the point of distorting those otherwise angelic facial features.
K-Krillin, a-are you aware of our plight...w-will you show up just like what you had done with us in South City?
A sliver of tear cascaded down her cheeks from those watery, steaming orbs.
I-I don't want to kill you again! Especially after what you've done for me...for us in this timeline!
A/N: Happy 2023 everyone and thanks for the long wait for this chapter. I decided to take a pretty long break to recharge myself. Hopefully what I've got here made up for the lack of update. I'll try to get another chapter out later this January, which should cover the cyborgs revisiting their home town and eventually finding a place.
Also for people who had discussed this chapter with me, my apologies for cutting this short. It's just that after really immersing myself in the twins' problems, I've decided to dedicate this chapter specifically to their emotional state right after Cell Games. Please rest assured I'll cover all the missing parts with next chapter.