Talking With a Monster

by RoxaShadow

Set in the dark timeline. Due to a chance encounter, Android Eighteen is left with a feeling of doubt that leads her to question her and her brother's way of life. In a desperate search for answers, she finds herself turning to the one man who she never expected to harbor anything but hatred towards her. Son Gohan. Android 18 x Gohan

34. Chapter 34: The Last Straw (Part 1)

-Chi-Chi-

The soft glow of the morning sun ran its fingers through the wild, unkempt grass surrounding the Son household. The gentle rays spilled through the small slit between the closed curtains, dividing the shrouded room with a single beam of golden light as it had every morning. Chi-Chi's breathing was light and rhythmic as her chest peacefully rose and fell, a sleeping mask resting against her eyes as she curled up against the empty side of the bed—

—A heartbeat later, Chi-Chi was lurching awake, her eyes wide and wild with alarm before she clawed off the sleeping mask just as her breaths became greedy gasps of air. Chi-Chi felt a cold film of sweat beginning to develop against her skin as she struggled to catch her breath. The old warrior still within acted, sending Chi-Chi's head snapping to either side as a sense of panic like no other consumed her. After a short time, Chi-Chi quickly determined that she was still in fact alone in her room. She breathed out a sigh of relief, before furrowing her brow and frowning.
Well, that was…weird.Looking over to the nightside table, Chi-Chi found that her alarm clock hadn't even rung yet—she still had thirty whole minutes left before she was supposed to be up!

The middle-aged woman released an annoyed growl before pulling off her blankets and preparing to begin her morning. There was no point in trying to get back to sleep now. She knew her tired bones wouldn't be able to get comfortable again in such a short amount of time.
With a weary yawn, Chi-Chi changed into her typical clothes; a traditional Lazuli-colored dress paired with some comfortable yellow slacks—each from her homeland back in the Diablo Desert—before continuing her morning ritual by heading to the kitchen. Walking down the hallway, Chi-Chi paused as she did every morning and placed a fond hand against a framed photo hung against the wall.

"Good morning, my dear Goku," Chi-Chi said sweetly as she stared at the wedding photo taken just after Son Goku and she had been wed. He looked so charming and handsome with her clinging to his arm so delighted that she had found the love of her life. She couldn't help but let a small giggle escape her as she recalled that day. The memory always felt warm to relive, pulling the tired woman's lips into a peaceful smile.
Eventually, Chi-Chi's smile fell in tandem with her hand before she turned to the empty kitchen with a reverent acceptance, as she did every morning.
It wasn't long before Chi-Chi had settled down at the kitchen table, having prepared a cup of steaming coffee to help her wake up. Chi-Chi sighed, preparing to start her day of tilling the land and repairing the few parts of the roof that had been damaged in the recent thunderstorm. Thankfully, the repairs were nothing she couldn't handle, but there were a few places she swore she could hear the drips of a leaky roof.
Sipping on the revitalizing liquid, Chi-Chi lazily stared out of the small window just above the sink, watching the morning sun peacefully crawl up the horizon. After a short time, the middle-aged woman felt her lips curl into a frown.

Something still feels….wrong?

Chi-Chi cocked her head, pursing her lips curiously. Gazing across the quaint room, the old fighter couldn't distinguish what about her surroundings felt different from before. All the kitchen appliances and utensils were in their proper places, the dishes were clean and on the drying rack, the dining table had been cleared of clutter, and the floor was freshly mopped.

"Hmmm…" Chi-Chi grumbled as she brought the mug to her lips with both hands and took a large swig. Her eyes idly scanned the room, eventually pausing on a small framed photo of Gohan when he'd been no more than four years old, sitting with a bright smile atop a tree stump. Her gaze softened as she stared at the photo.

Am I just imagining things? Do I just feel weird today? Sick, perhaps?... Hmm…no, that's not it. There's definitely something different about today.

Chi-Chi sighed as she set the half-finished mug down before crossing her arms against her chest, closing her eyes before she began to concentrate. Back then, before the heart virus had taken her husband away from her, Goku had briefly tried to teach Chi-Chi about ki and ki control. Unfortunately, her interest in the matter withered quickly once Gohan was born, leading her to never quite grasp the concept of 'ki' since all of her attention had to be spent on raising their child.

Still…there were times when she would get…flashes of something beyond herself. It was almost like a premonition…but more than that.

Chi-Chi's nose wrinkled as she struggled to concentrate on the bizarre sensation within, tightening her focus for several seconds before—

—Throwing her hands up in defeat, releasing an aggravated sigh.

Despite not being able to understand the core fundamentals of ki sense, Chi-Chi still swore up and down that there was something in her chest that simply didn't sit quite right.
"Well, time for plan 'B', I guess." Chi-Chi rose to her feet before turning her gaze to the wall-mounted phone.

-Gohan-

Is that…Cell?

Gohan found himself stunned as he drifted dozens of feet above the cracked and jagged ground below. The figure below stood dead center within a crater that could fit an entire football field certainly resembled Cell—the ki signature was unmistakable—but the differences between this Cell and the former were undeniable. The triangular shape of the Cell's bulbous head had shrunken, forming two parallel fins that rose from either side of the monster's skull forming a pseudo-crown. His face had mutated drastically as well, replacing two dark slits for eyes with more traditional pupils with irises, each an icy shade of blue that reminded Gohan of a certain someone…

"You look different, Cell," Gohan remarked coldly.
The creature below didn't respond, deciding instead to maintain the sinister glare they'd locked onto Gohan with mere moments ago. Continuing his examination, Gohan noted how much bulkier Cell's body appeared to be, as well as the considerable height the monster had gained following whatever strange transformation that must have taken place. The green shell armoring Cell's forearms and shins had been replaced by a jet-black carapace, appearing far more durable than before. Their tail was no longer thin and viridescent, but thick and dark—suggesting far more muscle than in the past.

All in all, Gohan could tell he was up against an entirely new monster now.

Realizing something he hadn't before, Gohan's head turned to examine their surroundings. "Just noticed, but you seem to be down one. Where's Seventeen?"

Cell's eyes grew wide, appearing to waver before they clenched shut, and Gohan thought he might have noticed Cell…wiping his eyes?

Finally, the Bio-android answered, "He is… gone."

Gohan's eyes narrowed to slits, unsympathetically asking. "You mean he's dead?"

The responding growl told Gohan all he needed to know. The scholar within Gohan began putting two and two together. He recalled what Trunks had said about Cell attempting to absorb him; that, coupled with the absence of Seventeen and Cell's sudden transformation meant…

Gohan recoiled, sickened by what he'd just put together. "Wow," he remarked. "Considering how hard you were fighting to save him, I never would have thought you were just trying to get back your lunch."

Gohan watched with satisfaction as Cell's glare deepened, his fists beginning to tremble with rage.

Well then, that's one android down. Now let's see what we're up against here…

The warrior beyond Super Saiyan honed his ki sense, trying to gather just how powerful the ki he'd felt before would stack up against his when…?

Gohan frowned, cocking his head.

What? I felt some seriously intense energy just a second ago. Where'd it all go?

From what Gohan was sensing from this new Cell, it almost seemed as if the monster had gotten significantly weaker following his transformation. After a matter of moments, Gohan bristled, immediately realizing what his opponent was doing.

"Trying to hide how weak you are, Cell?" Gohan taunted, hoping to push the Big-Bad-Bug into revealing his true strength.

Instead, Gohan's only response came in the form of four, chilling words. "Come and find out."

Cell's cold, unfeeling glare sent a shiver down Gohan's spine.

He's trying to goad me into an attack…

Deciding he needed more information, the Super Saiyan's lips parted once more, trying to open up the conversation. "You know, your brother made a deal with—"

"I'm aware of…the 'deal'," Cell snapped, cutting Gohan off with a deep, venomous tone. " I refuse."

Gohan took a slow, deep breath before closing his eyes and letting out a long sigh. When his teal-shaded eyes snapped back open, they locked onto Cell with a hardness that would have left a blind man trembling.

"Have it your way."

The golden flames engulfing Gohan exploded before the Super Saiyan beyond Super Saiyans shot forward, producing a sonic boom as he cocked back his fist. Closing the distance in an instant, Gohan barely saw Cell's eyes flash open with alarm before his fist slammed itself into the Bio-android's chest, impacting with enough momentum that Gohan heard the sharp crack of breaking carapace. Gohan let out a roar as he pushed forward, carrying Cell back the entire distance of the crater until the Bio-android's back crashed into the earthy lip of the basin's edge, forming an imprint of his body within the already devastated dirt and stone.

Gohan felt a grin pull at the corner of his lips…before he frowned, looking down at his fist and gawking. His punch hadn't landed against Cell's chest like he'd planned, but rather his forearm.

The Super Saiyan beyond Super Saiyan's brows furrowed in confusion as he realized his punch had just been blocked.

The forearm of Cell's carapace was certainly cracked and shattered, but the limb had held all the same. Breathing heavily, Cell lifted his head and met Gohan's gaze with a scowl blazing with hatred.

"My turn."

Gohan jolted as he watched the familiar crimson flame of his father's Kaio-ken technique envelop Cell an instant before Cell swatted his fist away—breaking Gohan's guard. Twisting on his heel, Cell delivered a bone-rattling roundhouse kick that Gohan found himself too slow to block. The attack crashed into his sternum, sliding Gohan back through the dirt several meters before he eventually came to a halt, his heels dug into the earth.

…That one….actually stung…

Gohan gingerly rubbed his palm against where he'd just felt Cell's heel impact his chest, acknowledging the weight of the blow as he glared daggers back at Cell. The crimson aura enveloping Cell extinguished almost immediately, leaving the Bio-android breathing heavily as he glared right back.

So…he's planning on using my father's technique to close the gap in power…

Gohan grumbled to himself as he slowly lowered himself into his traditional fighting stance, preparing himself for the battle ahead. Judging by their attacks, Gohan still felt he had the upper hand in terms of raw power—even if Cell was using the Kaioken—but the power gap was far closer than Gohan was comfortable with.

That, plus my wounds…

Gohan had been pushing his injuries to the back of his mind throughout the entirety of the battle; honed through years of training to endure the worst injuries of his life. Even still, the battle had been raging for what felt like hours now, having suffered a plethora of injuries, Gohan knew even Super Saiyans had their limits.

Gohan let out a tired breath before gritting his teeth.

This fight just got a whole lot more difficult…

-Trunks-

This…this is impossible! It has to be some sort of mistake!

Trunks kept his back pinned to the bark of the tree, breathing heavily as Eighteen's exhausted gaze lingered on him with a reverent smile.

"Trunks…?" she murmured weakly.

The teen felt frozen in place, his eye wide and unblinking as he took in the sight of the android on death's door.

"What…are you doing here?" Eighteen croaked out, her eyelids appearing heavy.

Trunks didn't bother with a response. His mind was racing, digging through his memories in a desperate search for any answer that could even possibly explain the deranged information he was receiving.

There's no way Eighteen and Videl are the same person! There's just no way!

The two were like night and day! One person was a horrid monster responsible for devastating the world and was maybe turning over a new leaf! The other? A sweet and thoughtful young woman who had made his master smile more than the young man had seen in years.

"Trunks? Can you…hear me?"

Is it possible for two people to have an identical ki signature? Did Gohan ever mention anything like that?

Trunks frowned deeply. No, he knew that wasn't possible. A Ki signature was exactly that, a signature. Trunks recalled a time Gohan had compared Ki to a fingerprint, unique to every individual, only more so.

Did I make a mistake somehow?

Trunks' eye clamped shut as he double-checked on the feint, withering ki signature Android Eighteen was immitting from her tired and broken heap. Eventually, He let out a shaky sigh.

No, there's no way. It's exactly the same as when Videl transferred her Ki to me…so that means…that means…!

Trunks felt a chill like a winter storm run down his spine, causing the teen to shudder from the disturbing truth hitting him like a freight train. Trunks' shoulders began to tremble before he wrapped his arms around himself, his unblinking, shell-shocked gaze shifting away from Eighteen to study the soaked dirt and grass at his feet. Trunks hadn't even realized he was sliding his back against the bark until he was sitting against the tree, his knees pulled into his chest.

No, no, no, no, no, NO! This cannot be real! Android Eighteen cannot be Videl! It's just…it's just too wrong to be true!

"Trunks…? Is something…wrong?"

Android Eighteen is a vile monster! She's personally responsible for the death of hundreds of thousands of people! She's tortured Gohan for sport! She's even tortured me!

Trunks could hear the sound of crunching grass somewhere out of the corner of his eye, but he paid it no mind.

She is responsible for the death of countless others! All of Mom and Gohan's old friends! She's even the reason why my Dad is dead! How could such a cruel bitch be–

Trunks jumped when he felt a delicate hand place itself on his knee. His head snapped up, his eye wide as his gaze locked onto the beaten and battered form of Android Eighteen. Stealing a glance over her shoulder, Trunks found a dark crimson trail following her all the way up to where she'd managed to drag herself next to him. Her entire body was trembling with effort as she used her broken and useless arm—snapped at the joint—to hoist herself up enough to rest her free hand gently on the boy's knee. Despite the clear agony Eighteen was having to endure to accomplish this, Trunks detected genuine and earnest sympathy in the android's eyes.

Trunks stared, dumbfounded, as her lips parted to suck in a shaky breath. Eighteen's voice was soft and consoling as she spoke, "I know…that all of this is probably…a lot…for someone your age." Eighteen eyes flickered in the direction of the calamitous battle still raging between Cell and Gohan, though a great distance away. "I know…you're probably feeling pretty overwhelmed…by everything going on." The android forced a reassuring smile to her face, despite the pain behind her eyes. "But, I know you're a strong kid. You're made of tougher stuff. You can't give up now, especially not with Gohan and everyone still counting on you." Eighteen winced, letting out a hissing pain as she was forced to look away and reposition the shattered remains of her damaged arm. As the android spoke, Trunks could finally hear the resemblance. When she wasn't hissing menacing threats or taunting with snide insults…Eighteen sounded like an entirely different person.

Just like…Videl.

When she looked back to Trunks, the teen noted something that had been too dark to see without the light of the rising sun. When Trunks' gaze found Eighteen's once more, he found a pair of eyes staring back at him; one a pale, sky-blue…the other, a warm, hazel brown.

…So…It's true…

Finally, Eighteen gathered herself enough to finish her statement. "You can't freeze up here, Trunks. It's not safe. I know Gohan would probably want you to get out of here and get back to your mom. You think you can get back up and keep going? For her?" She smiled encouragingly.

Trunks' tongue felt like it didn't fit in his mouth anymore as his lips parted, trying to speak words that didn't feel right in his mouth. Finally, he took a deep breath, and asked, "How are you Videl?"

The warm expression on Eighteen's face melted into complete and utter shock, her blue and brown eyes growing wide with astonishment. "W-what? What are you talking about?"

"Don't. lie." Trunks growled, shooting her a dangerous look. "I can tell by your ki signature. It's the same as the energy Vi-...you gave me before I went to help Gohan against Seventeen." Trunks paused, his brow furrowing as he recalled the event before hissing under his breath. "So that's why Seventeen was alone that day…"

"My…Ki signature…?" Eighteen's trembling form finally fell away from Trunks, letting her limbs sprawl out in all directions as she let her head rest against the cold grass before releasing a begrudging chuckle. "Like Mother, like son, eh?" The jovialness of her laugh gradually faded into a long sigh. "Well, shit. I didn't want you to find out like this." Eighteen looked away, her expression woeful, her lips forming a somber frown. "...I was honestly starting to think that no one else would find out…before…" She shut her eyes, shaking her head free of whatever words had been about to escape her before turning back to Trunks.

Eighteen continued to speak as Trunks struggled to process so many questions flowing through his mind that his thoughts felt like they were swirling within a raging typhoon. How had she managed to fool them all this long? When had she decided to do this? Wait—did just say that his mom knew, too?! How?! When?! For how long?! And finally: How had he not seen it sooner?!

Despite the cacophony of questions hitting him with a bombardment of devastating realizations, there was only one he needed answered now.

"Either way, that doesn't change the fact that you deserve an apology…well, way more than that, but it's what I can do now, at least." Eighteen continued, glancing down at her ruined limbs. "Trunks Briefs, I am sincerely sorry…for everything–"

"Why?" Trunks abruptly interjected with a cold venom to his voice.

Eighteen cocked an eyebrow. " 'Why' am I apologizing? I feel like you of all people—"

"Why did you do all of this?!" Trunks finally snapped, bounding to his feet as his fingers curled into quivering fists. "Why hide everything?! Why pretend to be Videl?! Why decide to fool me and Gohan into believing that you are our friend at all?! Why trick Gohan into thinking you're interested in learning about Ki!? Why did you do any of this?! Was it all just some sick twisted game?"

Trunks could feel himself breathing heavily, his face scrunched into an outraged scowl that glared down at Eighteen with all the sympathy of a spider watching a fly caught in their web. The demi-saiyan's glare softened, however, as he watched Android Eighteen sniffle.

What?

"I-I didn't mean to," Eighteen stammered—wait, were her eyes getting glossy? "I-I mean I did, b-but I didn't think—I thought that I was—-uurrggh!" Eighteen growled, pushing her only functional hand to her face before taking a deep, calming breath. Finally, the android used her arm to wipe her eyes free of the dampness clouding them.

She's actually crying…?

Trunks felt dumbstruck as he watched Eighteen slowly collect herself. He had never in his life seen either of the androids actually cry. Trunks had always assumed the androids simply couldn't; they were too callous, too malicious, too heartless to ever care about anything more than wanton destruction.

So…then how?

Eighteen blinked away the last of her tears before she continued. "Honestly? In the beginning…I guess you could call it a twisted game" She winced as said the words, shame filling her eyes as they stared out into the empty sky. "…But back then I didn't look at things that way. I was…very different. I didn't care about anything or anyone that wasn't me or my brother." The android released a heavy sigh. "...It almost feels like a lifetime ago…but back then, I didn't care about you or Gohan anymore than I would the ground I stepped on…though I did harbor a little… let's call it annoyance toward our—" Her voice hitched. "—your master." she corrected, "I thought of Gohan as merely a means to an end: a way to get an answer to an important question that had been bothering me up until that night at the bar—and nothing more. But then…" Eighteen's eyes narrowed as she paused, before flashing open with shock, scoffing an unenthusiastic snicker.

"...Something funny?" Trunks asked more genuinely than he would have liked. The teen was quickly feeling the tension and rage he'd felt before starting to bleed from him as he listened. A small piece of the boy was conflicted for beginning to relax around an android—of all creatures—even if this one was acting friendly…for now. Despite himself, another patch of Trunks' mind simultaneously felt an odd sense of deja vu as he spoke to Eighteen. It was only once Trunks' mind flashed to his time with 'Videl' back during their last camping trip that the calm sensation in the teen's chest began to make more sense.

Huh…

"You asked before why I tricked Gohan…which is true, of course. I was lying to him every time I pretended to be 'Videl'. " Eighteen's voice came out tired and muted as she spoke, her eyelids getting more and more heavy as each word sluggishly left her lips. "But…I had my answer…after I lied to him about who I was at the bar. He gave it. And you know Gohan can be very thoughtful about his answers. Basically, I had no reason to come back…and every reason to stay away." She scoffed, gently shaking her head with a weary smile. "Every time after that, I was lying to myself just as much as I was to you or Gohan about why I was with you guys again. I gave myself any excuse to come back, never realizing that every time I was tricking myself into coming back." Eighteen closed her eyes, causing two thin rivers to run down her cheeks wearing a faded smile. "It feels like only recently…I learned the real reason was because I didn't want it all just to be some big trick."

Trunks felt stunned, not realizing his mouth had fallen ajar until a cool breeze brought him back to his senses. He would have never, in a million years, ever predicted an android could sound as sincere and human as this. The androids had always been so cold and meticulous, so dark and inhumane in a way that had created a monstrous divide in Trunks' mind between 'us' and 'them'.

Finally, the teen blinked away his thoughts before asking, "You're being honest…aren't you?"

Eighteen responded with a tired nod, her eyes still shut before she spoke, "It is. I know you have no reason to trust me, especially after everything I've done…but I really have no reason to lie anymore..." Her eyes opened halfway before finding Trunks' gaze and holding it with a solemn look. "And I am really, truly sorry for everything I've done to you…your hand and your family, Trunks. I'm sorry for everything I've made the world suffer through…and there are so, so many things I wish I could take back." Eighteen sucked in a shaky breath, her eyes misty before she continued with a sad, fatigued smile, "But despite all the lies…I don't think I would ever take back the time I got with you all. It hurts to know it's ending…but I'm glad I got to meet you all." Eighteen released a silent yawn before her head began to gently lull to the side, her eyes peacefully drifting close. "I'll…miss you, Trunks."

W-wait, is she…?! She's not about to…?!

Trunks took only moments to shake off his stunned stupor before falling to a crouch beside Eighteen.

"H-hey! Wake up! It's not safe to sleep here!" Trunks urged, hesitantly nudging Eighteen's good shoulder in a desperate attempt to make the android open their eyes again.

"..."

Crap! She's not already dead…is she!?

Trunks felt panic swelling in his chest that he couldn't fully understand before his racing mind recalled the very reason he'd been able to identify Eighteen as 'Videl' in the first place.

Trunks closed his eye, honing his Ki sense on Eighteen's form before breathing a sigh of relief.

Okay, I'm still sensing some energy. She just passed out. Though…now that I'm focusing on it, her ki is so…low.

Trunks frowned. He could sense Eighteen's Ki slowly slipping away, draining like a cup with a hole at its bottom—but there was only a sliver of drink left in the cup.

"Crap. This is bad." Trunks grumbled before recalling what his master had said before about bringing Eighteen back to Bulma. Trunks quickly positioned to pick Eighteen up, before pausing with a grimace. Judging by Eighteen's remaining ki reserves…Trunks doubted she had much more than a few minutes left.

Trunks turned his gaze back in the direction he'd come from, toward West City. The teen wore a resolute frown as he murmured to himself. "I won't get there in time…"

He turned back to Eighteen. Her breathing was soft and soothing, the expression on her bruised and bloodied face so tranquil that Trunks could imagine that the android was simply taking a long and much-needed rest.

"..."

Trunks found a spot next to Eighteen to sit, pulling his knees up to his chest as he stared down at the slumbering android with a melancholy expression. He supposed…there were worse ways to go than peacefully in your sleep. It was likely a far better death than Eighteen deserved, considering all she had done. In reality, Trunks knew that he should be happy with the current events. With Eighteen alive, there would always be a chance she could slip back into her evil ways and start killing again; Trunks rationalized. Really, he should be glad that one of the greatest threats to the entire world was only a couple of minutes away from drawing their last breath.

So…why am I not?

Trunks blinked, noticing that he'd begun twisting and rolling something in his hands absentmindedly as he'd been considering matters.

Trunks' eyebrows rose as he discovered the Senzu pouch nestled within his fingers. He stared down at the bag for a short time, before slowly shifting his gaze back to Eighteen…

"No way! What am I even thinking?! This is an android I'm talking about here!" Trunks shot up and walked several paces away from Eighteen's slumbering form. Trunks shook the bag before him as he shouted at himself, "Thiiis is the last Senzu, Trunks! Imagine what everyone would say if you wasted it on someone who's killed millions of people!"

…She also recently saved Mom's life.

Trunks blinked, before growling at himself. "Shut up, brain. You're not helping. She killed almost all of Gohan's old friends. Our Dad died by their hands!"

…And how many people did Dad kill? Would you give it to Dad if he was dying?

Trunks' eye grew wide as he considered the chilling thought, before slowly turning to stare at Eighteen with a conscientious glance.

"But…she's…evil." Trunks said the words, but they came out with more doubt than he would have liked.

Suddenly, Trunks' mind flashed back to a memory of him and Videl, training beside a waterfall. Trunks could recall how overjoyed he'd felt to finally get a new friend and sparring partner for Gohan's classes. He remembered the jokes and the laughter, the friendly and playful nature of their spars had never felt villainess by any extent of the word.

"...But what if it's all just an act?"

Trunks' memory ventured back to his favorite camping trip to date when he'd gotten to show Videl the battlefield against the Saiyans—a place he'd never been able to show anyone else before. He remembered the hearty fish and the frankly awesome dinosaur ride he'd enjoyed right after as Videl and Gohan ran away, each grinning ear to ear.

"...But…what if she slips and goes back to her old ways? What if she turns evil again?"

…What if she doesn't…and we didn't save her?

"...I mean…will it even work…?"

…Could it?

With a conflicted gaze, Trunks stared down at the small brown pouch in his hands. Despite its small size, the bag somehow began to feel heavier and heavier the longer the teen peered at it within his fingers.

Finally, Trunks clamped his eye shut before releasing a shuddering sigh. The teen twisted on his heel, turning his back to Eighteen before opening his gaze to look toward West City, where he knew Yajirobe still to be. He took one step before having to pause, stopping to grimace as he pulled the bag to his chest and held it tightly. Trunks lowered his head with a woeful expression before whimpering, finally speaking to someone who was not himself.

"I'm sorry…"

-Cell-

Cell grunted as a powerful elbow strike to his temple left black spots filling his vision. Blinking away the blinding pain, the Bio-android was just fast enough to raise his arms in time, blocking a wicked ax-kick inches away from his face.

The impact alone forced Cell to one knee as a shockwave rippled from them, causing dust and stones to violently scatter away as if blown back by a windstorm. From behind his trembling and cracked forearms, Cell watched a fatigued Gohan bristle with annoyance upon seeing the Bio-android still putting up a fight.

A small grin began to pull at the corner of Cell's newly formed lips.

Gohan sneered before snarling, "Don't think this is over!"

Before Cell could react, Gohan coiled his feet against Cell's forearms before kicking off with enough force Cell found himself being hurled back in the other direction. Cell's body folded over itself as the wind whistled in his ears, the dirt and grass below becoming little more than smears of color as he was sent flying for hundreds of feet. Finally, Cell felt his spine slam into one of the few trees that had yet to be completely leveled by their battle. The Bio-android gasped in pain as he felt the hardwood from the massive oak tree crack with the heavy crash, shooting a jolt of agony all the way up his vertebrae.

Cell took greedy gasps of air as he was forced to take a handful of seconds to collect himself. The Bio-android found himself hunching over with hands on knees as he processed the stinging soreness blossoming from his lower spine.

Finally having caught his breath, Cell righted himself to face his opponent once more, expecting to find the Super Saiyan menacingly approaching when—

—Cell found himself shocked to discover Gohan in the midst of rushing him in a flash of movement so swift Cell didn't even see Gohan's fist before it had already crashed straight into the Bio-android's face.

Cell listened to the sickening sound of his skull fracturing as Gohan's punch forced the back of Cell's head into and then through the enormous tree just behind him. The Bio-android felt the tree split in half just over his shoulder before sharp, jagged wood splinters slashed at all sides of Cell's carapace. It wasn't until the Bio-android felt his body adrift once more, sailing through the air, that he realized Gohan's attack had sent him through the tree.

After a time of weightlessness that felt almost pleasant, Cell grunted in pain as he finally struck the ground. His back scraped violently against the coarse dirt and rough stone for several meters before, graciously, the Bio-android came to a stop.

That…was quite…painful…

Cell attempted to blink open his eyes, only to realize that his eye sockets had been crushed from the sheer impact of Gohan's fist. Upon a secondary inspection, the Bio-android noticed that his jaw had also been dislocated and the back of his skull split open. Blood began to gurgle out of Cell's mouth as he felt his body begin to convulse uncontrollably, his brain instantly hemorrhaging before he slumped over, feeling the coldness of death take him.

"..."

"..."

"...!"

Cell lurched awake, his eyes wide and body covered by a thin gleam of sweat. He swallowed deep breaths of air before shakily beginning to rise back to his feet, recognizing that his regeneration had just been completed,

How many times is that now? Ten deaths? Fifteen?

The Bio-android scoffed, shaking his head. He knew the answer wasn't important either way. He had a single mission to complete now, nothing else mattered anymore.

Cell spat out a glob of bloody teeth that he no longer needed before turning to inspect his surroundings. Judging by the dusty desert sand and the rocky hills surrounding him, Cell suspected that Gohan had managed to fling him several thousands of feet away, this time.

Out of the corner of his eye, the Bio-android noticed the rapidly approaching shape of Gohan's golden glow appear in the sky. However, rather than turn and face the demi-Saiyan once more, Cell decided to continue surveying his surroundings, acting as if he was still disoriented from how hard he'd been hit.

Cell suppressed a grin as Gohan took the bait, his speed intensifying to close the distance between them before Cell could "catch on". The android forced himself to be patient but didn't have to wait long as Gohan managed to close the gap in mere moments. The Super Saiyan appeared at Cell's side with a fist cocked back and a hate-filled snarl on his face.

Only then did Cell's gaze snap to Gohan with a menacing glare, his lips parting to utter a single word: "Kaio-ken."

Cell grimaced as he felt the torturous scarlet flames roar to life around him, enveloping the Bio-android in more agony than any of the attacks Gohan had managed to land thus far. The technique had grown more difficult to utilize after he'd gone through his evolution, causing so much pain and torment that it was all Cell could manage to maintain the power for even a handful of seconds.

But a handful of seconds is all I need…

Gohan's eyes snapped open with shock when Cell drew his head back, feeling knuckles scrap against his chin as he narrowly avoided Gohan's attack. Twisting on his heel, Cell spun with a fist already cocked, landing a devastating haymaker that Gohan was helpless to stop due to his momentum. The resounding clap of fist meeting abdomen was deafening as Gohan's inertia was abruptly halted, his body folding over Cell's fist like a ragdoll before all the air was knocked out of him at once.

Cell sneered, watching bloody spittle fly from Gohan's gagging mouth as his eyes simultaneously bulged from their sockets. Not giving his opponent a chance to recover, Cell roared, driving his fist deeper into Gohan's solar plexus before twisting and launching the Super Saiyan straight up into the sky.

Gohan raced up and through the clouds like a rocketship, his body completely limp as he flew. Before gravity could carry him back down, the Super Saiyan managed to catch his breath and instantly thrust his limbs out to either side, stopping his momentum just above the cloudline.

Growling, Gohan regarded the ground below with narrowed slits for eyes, searching for Cell back on the desert floor.

That's why he didn't notice when the Bio-android appeared behind him, still encased in deadly scarlet flames and with a double ax handle already raised above his head.

There was a sharp crack as the Bio-android brought his fists down on the back of Gohan's skull, producing a piercing cry of pain from the Super Saiyan before he was sent careening back to the ground hundreds of feet below.

Cell watched with satisfaction as Gohan's golden glow cut through a cloud like a bullet, dispersing it entirely before eventually crashing into the unforgiving desert floor. A dust cloud the size of a baseball field erupted from Gohan's impact point, smothering the area in a fog that left Cell's opponent invisible to the naked eye.

Despite wanting to press his advantage, the Bio-android found himself coming to a halt as the deadly scarlet flame encasing him began to feel as if it were eating away at his flesh. With reluctance, Cell released his focus on the agonizing technique. Gasping heavily, Cell found his entire body quivering from how much power it had been forced to endure. If he looked close enough, Cell was almost certain he could even see his arms and legs sizzling from the experience.

To describe the Kaio-ken technique as anything less than torture would be a drastic understatement. Cell felt as if he were in a constant state of choosing whether to let Gohan hurt him, or be forced to hurt himself even worse just to retaliate. It was a lose-lose situation either way.

Despite these facts, Cell remained unbothered by all the agony he was having to endure. Sure, Gohan's hits hurt, his ki blasts were torture, and the Kaio-ken was undeniably excruciating, but all of it paled in comparison to the immense pain Cell could feel in his very soul. It was an empty, hollow feeling; a sensation of loss that was unrivaled by anything that Gohan could ever hope to throw at him. When compared to the harrowing wound Cell could feel in his chest—one that he knew would never heal—everything else just felt…numb.

Cell closed his eyes, allowing a single tear to roll down the side of his face before his eyes snapped open, revealing a cold and merciless glare.

Far below, the dust finally settled, revealing Gohan with a fresh scrape on the side of his face. The Super Saiyan stood defiantly at the center of his freshly made crater, his golden aura crackling with lightning as he glared daggers up at Cell.

For you, Seventeen.

Cell threw back his head, releasing a thunderous roar before shooting back to the Earth's surface, aimed like a missile at the man who had ripped his only brother away from him.

-Eighteen-

...Hmm…I wonder what it'll be like on the other side.

Eighteen found herself adrift within a sea of darkness, floating weightlessly as she experienced the precious last seconds of her life begin to slip away. She rested within an endless ocean, feeling the ebbs and flows of the ink-colored water carry her on her back randomly across the waves. Eighteen idly starred up into the pitch black sky without a star in sight, her eyes half-lidded as she accepted her fate.

This…is what I deserve…

Before long, Eighteen was forced to squint as the cool darkness of the ocean and sky was broken by the appearance of a bright light off in the distance. Eighteen's eyes widened as she turned toward the light, seeing a snow-white glow emanating from a great length away.

Something within Eighteen's soul immediately knew what would happen once she entered that milky radiance.

…So…this is what the end looks like?

Eighteen stared at the faint pale light with trepidation, feeling stiff as she considered what would await her once she crossed to the other side.

…Will I be judged? Will I even still exist? What's going to happen to someone as horrible as I've been?

Eighteen grimaced, a frown forming on her lips she realized a single question that was far more important than the rest.

Will Gohan and Trunks be okay?

The android's lips formed a grim line as she considered what would become of the people she'd most grown closest to. Gohan's power was overwhelming, to say the least. There was no way he could lose to Cell now, right? Then again, she'd felt…something despite her dulled senses and damaged state. After enough time of her energy draining away, her ki sense's range had been reduced to barely as far as her fingers could reach, and yet still, she'd suddenly felt Cell's energy, as if an explosion of power had rippled across the forest grounds and happened to capture her within it. She knew that something had happened to Cell, and she couldn't be certain what.

But Gohan is still stronger. He's…always been the strongest, really.

Eighteen felt herself brighten before smiling confidently in her assessment of the odds stacked against her former…Master…?...Boyfriend…?...definitely not an enemy….

Eighteen scoffed at herself as she twisted in the water before beginning to kick her feet, swimming slowly toward the radiant glow awaiting her. Eighteen snickered at herself, realizing as she did that her attempt to simply fly out and over the inky blackness had failed.

She would have to do this the old-fashioned way, it seemed.

I guess it doesn't matter what I was to him now, either way…

Eighteen's smile deteriorated into a chagrin simper as her arms continued to dive beneath the jet-black waves, each stroke carrying her closer to the light, and the beyond.

Eighteen silenced her thoughts as she continued to swim, old instincts from days before she had considered herself a number drawing her closer to her final destination. As Eighteen began to feel the radiant aura of the snow-white light caress her face, one final thought made her pause.

I hope I did enough for them.

Just as Eighteen began reaching out to the light of the great beyond, the ocean waves over her shoulder began to stir. The water ruptured with an enormous splash that showered Eighteen with an inky blackness that felt cold as it landed.

Her brow furrowing, Eighteen turned to glance over her shoulder before her eyes widened at the sight. The previously peaceful ocean of darkness had begun to form a rapidly growing whirlpool where Eighteen had first awoken within this place, its current slowly pulling Eighteen toward its thrashing tides. The android felt a panic surge within her as she watched the water's violent vortex growing unnaturally fast, threatening to sweep her away from the glowing afterlife before her.

What the fuck is this?! Is this what happens to the bad people?! They're taunted with the 'Good' place before being sucked away to the 'bad' place? Fuck! That!

Eighteen snarled as she refused to accept this petty game as her ultimate fate. Her legs thrashed against the raging currents as her arms seemed to blur from how fast she was pushing water past her. She released a desperate scream as she began to make leeway, closing the gap between her and whatever peace the glowing radiance would afford her. Her limbs began to burn with effort, her will beginning to drain as the vicious whirlpool following her only grew larger. Finally, just before she thought her limbs would give out from the strain, Eighteen managed to close the distance between her, and her eternity. Eighteen's fingers reached out, pushing into the glow of the afterlife which in turn beckoned her with a warm grace—

—Just before the light flickered out like a broken street lamp, abandoning Eighteen to the darkness.

Eighteen stared out with shell-shocked eyes, her face dumbfounded. Her mouth felt dry as she studied the blackness that had once held a shining light to her seemingly tranquil eternity. Now…it was just…gone.

…Well…that's not fair…

With no more strength left to swim, and nothing left to hope for, Eighteen let herself be enveloped by the vapid tides. The darkness of the currents swept her into the whirlpool, swallowing her down and deeper into the onyx ocean.

Eighteen thought to scream in the moments just before she was consumed by the eternal void, but she knew no one would hear it. Instead, Eighteen decided to hold her breath just before the crushing waters swept her beneath the tides…for all the good it would do her…

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!

When Eighteen awoke, she found herself in a world even bleaker than the ocean of darkness she'd been forced to endure before. Her eyes could not detect even the faintest sliver of light in any direction, leaving her in complete and utter darkness.

So… this my eternal punishment? Really? Having to wander a world of complete darkness?

Truly uninspired, in Eighteen's opinion. Where were the hellfires? Where were the devils with pitchforks? The android had envisioned far worse when she'd realized she was being forced to go through with her everlasting damnation. Though Eighteen knew the situation wasn't ideal, she did somewhat appreciate that she was no longer being forced to bob to and fro within an infinite, inky ocean anymore. Instead, Eighteen could feel a cold and mushy substance against her back where she was lying. It was damp and uncomfortable against her skin—understandable, Eighteen reasoned—considering this was meant to be a punishment after all. The android shifted her shoulders slightly, curiously listening as the foreign material composing the ground of her eternal torment seemed to have a familiar crunch.

….Wait a minute.

Was the wet mushy substance against her back just wet grass?

…And was the reason the world seemed cloaked in eternal darkness because she still had her eyes closed?

Eighteen's eyes gently opened.

The android sucked in a short gasp as she watched a soft, puff of cloud slowly sail through the brilliant-blue morning sky above. Out of the corners of her eyes, Eighteen acknowledged the forest trees and wild shrubs surrounding what she thought would be her final resting place gently swaying in the wind.

How…?

Eighteen could no longer feel the stabbing pains of broken and shattered bones nor the stinging bruises scattered across her entire body. In fact, Eighteen couldn't feel even a single scratch on her person anymore, despite the brutal beating her brother had inflicted. Still in disbelief, the android raised her right hand before her face, inspecting the section of her elbow where shiny, metal bone had been previously jutting out of her. Now? It was as if none of the injuries Eighteen had endured had even happened.

"It worked!"

Eighteen jumped, snapping her attention to the side where she found Trunks wearing a look of astonishment; his eye so wide Eighteen would have thought the teen didn't have eyelids if she didn't know better.

The android blinked away some of the sheer bewilderment she was experiencing and gingerly sat up, cautious in case she had been too rash to assume that all of her injuries were gone. "What…worked?" she croaked, her throat feeling dry.

Trunks' face brightened. "The Senzu bean!" The happiness in the teen's eye fell, replaced by what Eighteen could only decipher as guilt as he continued with a melancholy tone. "It…basically heals someone to their full strength. Did…anyone tell you what I gave to Peni after Cell came after us?"

Eighteen blinked as her CPU instantly recovered the file containing the story Gohan and Erasa had shared back at the Brief's estate. "Wow, that's…incredible," she murmured, confounded by the information.

Trunks plopped down beside Eighteen, folding his legs beneath him before resting his cheek in one hand. "Yeah…" He let out a deep sigh, frowning to himself. "I honestly didn't know if it would work on a robot. But, I remembered seeing you eat food back during the camping trip…so I figured if whoever made you gave you a stomach, then maybe you'd be able to digest a senzu bean."

Eighteen frowned, furrowing her brow. "I wasn't given a stomach, I was born with one."

The regret on Trunks' face momentarily gave way to confusion as he regarded Eighteen, with a cocked head. "What? What do you mean by 'born'? Like, do you mean after you were built and someone booted you up or something?"
It was Eighteen's turn to be confused this time. Raising an eyebrow, she began to ask, "Wait a minute, do you think I–" Eighteen paused, realizing all at once that of course Trunks wouldn't know about the origins of her and her brother. The pair had merely appeared one day and began laying waste to the land, all the while calling themselves androids.

Eighteen slapped a hand to her face. "Right, sorry. I forgot you didn't know. Um…" She looked away uncomfortably, recalling the horrors of the time she'd spent with Dr. Gero. "To make a long story short: I used to be a human before I became…this." She gestured to herself. Stretching out her previous shattered legs, Eighteen shakily rose to her feet, not trusting the limbs to hold until she was swinging her weight to either side, testing her balance.

Trunks gawked. "Really?" he asked incredulously, looking up at her.

She nodded. "Really, really."

"That's…huh. Wait, doesn't that make you a cyborg?"

Eighteen shrugged, "What's the difference?"

""It's…well, I guess it doesn't really matter right now…" Trunks turned to study the air, clearly lost in thought before adding, "So…maybe that's why the Senzu bean worked…"

Eighteen pursed her lips, contemplating. The more she thought about it, the more she could understand Trunks' amazement that the Senzu had any effect in the first place. From what little Eighteen did know about the magical bean, it was evident that the medicine was intended for creatures with flesh and blood. It could mend bones and grow skin back in an instant, but reshaping crushed metal and frayed circuitry? That much seemed like a stretch to Eighteen.

Then again…

Eighteen considered that Dr. Gero's cybernetic enhancements were just that, enhancements, designed to complement and reinforce her already pre-established human form. Sure, her bones had been coated with a nigh-indestructible metallic alloy and her veins replaced by steel-clad coolant tubes, but all of that was still designed in a replica of the human form, right? Eighteen frowned, shaking her head. No, even then it didn't make sense! Where would an organic substance find the material to replace and restore damaged circuitry and fiber-based wiring? Surely something digested couldn't produce fresh amounts of precious and refined metals in a matter of seconds, right?

Wait a second…!

Continuing down the same train of thought, Eighteen found herself questioning how the Senzu bean managed to store the material to heal any wound, let alone cybernetic-based ones. If Gohan's and Erasa's story was to be believed, Peni had lost both an arm and a leg, before each had miraculously grown back after eating just one bean no larger than the size of Eighteen's thumb. Didn't that defy the whole law of…what was it called again? Law of conserving ass? No, no…that was just what she and Seventeen used to mockingly call the term back when they didn't want to pay attention in school. Either way, Eighteen couldn't picture so much instant healing managing to pack itself into something so small no matter the logic. Once Eighteen factored in that the Senzu bean could restore someone like Gohan to full strength, essentially producing enough energy to destroy the planet several times over, her mind began to spin as she realized how ridiculously powerful a Senzu bean actually was.

It's almost like…magic or something…?

Eighteen scoffed at herself, knowing that there was no such thing as real magic, even if ki control sometimes felt like it rode the line. The android determined that she would have to ask Bulma about it later.

She'll probably know what the law of 'conserving ass' is actually called.

Eighteen smirked to herself before a thunderous eruption of discharged ki sent a shockwave that shook the earth and bent the trees before slamming into Eighteen. The android startled, nearly toppling over from the immense pressure.

"Oh yeah, that has just started up." Trunks said dryly, his expression grim as he sat facing the direction the shockwave came from. "I recommend sitting down if you don't want to get knocked over."

Eighteen gawked, her eyes wide as she stared out in the same direction as Trunks, falling into a crouch beside the teen as she did. Instantly, Eighteen's mind expanded, her ki acting normally for once before she sensed—

Eighteen nearly gagged as she was abruptly engulfed by the overwhelming ocean of power mere miles away.

It took Eighteen a second, far more cautious attempt at examining the two ki sources before she stammered in disbelief, "Is that Gohan and Cell?"

Trunks nodded with a worried frown. "It is. At first, it felt like Gohan had the fight in the bag. No contest." The teen grimaced. "But Cell just keeps getting back up…and I can feel Gohan's power starting to get weaker…"

Eighteen felt a terrified chill run up her spine. Snapping to Trunks, she blurted, "We have to do something, right? We have to help!"

Trunks shot her a strange look. "How?"

Eighteen fell short of a response, her mouth opening to come up with something, anything, before immediately realizing what she imagined Trunks had already figured out.

We're too weak to do anything…

Eighteen deflated, her face crestfallen as she studied the ground, feeling lost.

I can sense it too…

The battle felt brutal if the devastating displays of ki usage were anything to go off of. Gohan was managing to hold the edge for the time being, though his ki was slowly, but steadily dropping now, whereas Cell seemed to return after each exchange with even more ferocity than before.

"There…has to be something we can do…" Eighteen muttered, her voice disheartened as she stared out into the distance with a forlorn gaze. Her thoughts went to Gohan, the man she cherished, the man she wanted to be better for, the man she would happily move planets for if he ever asked it of her.

But even that isn't enough now…

"I wish there was, too." Trunks said with a dejected look, wrapping his arms around his knees as he pulled them into his chest. "Not like either of us could make a difference either way. We're both too weak to do anything but get ourselves killed if we went in now." Trunks released a shaky breath before pressing his head into his arms. "...And I just fed the last thing that could have helped…to you…"

Eighteen's eyes fluttered in disbelief as she regarded Trunks, realizing all at once what the teen was saying. "You don't have another Senzu bean, do you?"

"Not now," Trunks' shoulders deflated, his head sinking lower into his arms. "And not ever again."

Eighteen could not contain the shock on her face as she stared at the teen. Was he saying what she thought he was saying?

"I'm so stupid…" Trunks grumbled to himself, shaking his head against his arms.

After a moment of stunned silence, Eighteen eventually shook herself from the shocked stupor of learning that she had just consumed the very last Senzu bean.

And I didn't even get to taste it…

Rolling her eyes at herself, Eighteen instead turned her attention back to Trunks. "Hey now, I don't think you're stupid. I for one am quite happy to be alive." She said in the tone of a half-hearted joke, forcing a reassuring smile to her lips—for his sake.

Trunks scoffed, raising his head to reveal a grim smile and misty eye. "Yeah. And now it might cost everyone, everything." Trunks' head fell back into his arms.

Eighteen felt the smile melt from her lips. She knew he was right. He should have let her perish and given her Senzu bean to Gohan to ensure he had enough power to put Cell down for good.

The android's head lowered as before she quietly asked, "Why…did you save me?" Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Trunks stiffen. "I mean, I don't think there's a soul on the planet that would have blamed you for leaving me for dead. Hell, even I wouldn't have blamed you."

"I…" Trunks answered, his voice shaky as he kept his face buried in his arms. "I…dunno. I feel like…once I learned the truth…once I figured out who you really were…" The teen was forced to wipe a hand across his face, sniffling before muttering out, "I just didn't want to have to say goodbye to someone I barely got to know…again…"

Oh…

Eighteen winced as Trunks quietly wept beside her, overwhelmed by the pressure the world had placed on him. The android felt a desperate need to comfort the boy but didn't know how to help someone devastated by the fact that he might have just made the choice that would cost everyone their lives.

She chewed on the inside of her cheek for a moment, considering. Seeing Trunks' sorrow was stirring something in the pit of Eighteen's stomach that was beginning to bubble. The android felt as if a fire had been lit somewhere within and now she was boiling over with determination.

Alright, Eighteen! We have to figure out something! Trunks put all this faith in you! You're not going to let him down, are you?! So let's think! What can we do? How can we make a difference?!

"What can make a difference…" Eighteen repeated under her breath, her expression hardening as she thought about any move, any technique that might assist Gohan in any way. Slowly, Eighteen's eyes narrowed on her closed fist, eyeing the row of knuckles with a stern expression. Eighteen's memory returned to the moment that caused her system malfunction in the first place when she'd forced all of her power into a single, catastrophic strike.

Eighteen winced at just the memory, recalling the sheer agony of channeling her artificial ki through systems that were only ever designed to follow her CPU's built-in energy scripts. She predicted the odds were that attempting to do so again would only lead to a similar if not worse outcome than the one Eighteen had found herself in before, but then again, what other choice was there?

Eighteen sighed, shaking her head with resolution as she said, "I think…I might have one idea."

Trunks perched up, shooting her a surprised look. "...What? Really?"

Eighteen shrugged, making a teeter-totter motion with her hand. "Sorta. Back when I was fighting Seventeen-" she grimaced as she said his name, "...I figured out how to push all my ki into a single punch that managed to take Seventeen out of the fight for a good while." Eighteen rubbed at her fingers where she recalled knuckles meeting cheek. "The only problem is, doing that causes me some serious pain like you wouldn't believe. On top of that, I'm pretty sure the reason my infinite energy reactor started messing up is because I broke it trying to push all of my ki to one point of my body." Eighteen sighed, shaking her head. "So, essentially, I'd be able to get in one shot against Cell before I'd become completely useless again."

Trunks pondered Eighteen's words for a short time before turning to her with curiosity. "I'm…confused. Gohan said that ki control is basically nothing but shifting your ki where you need it, when you need it, otherwise you're just wasting energy. Are you saying that you and Seventeen don't do that?"

Eighteen shook her head. "Nope, or at least, not until today. I didn't even know about Ki until Gohan started teaching me. Dr. Gero—"

"Who ?"

"Er—the guy who made me—was…almost as smart as your mom when it comes to robotics, but he definitely didn't know a thing when it came down to energy control."

Trunks' forehead wrinkled. "So…how are you able to fly and stuff if you aren't pushing your Ki where it needs to go?"

Eighteen tapped her temple with an index finger. "I've got a computer in my head that handles all of that for me. I think about flying—" Eighteen levitated from the ground for a few seconds before settling back down, "—And it just sorta happens. No effort or learning required. Same for my ki blasts or fighting. My body just does it all automatically."

Trunks' eyebrows rose at that information. "Wow. That must be nice; having your body naturally push your power wherever it's needed." He pursed his lips, appearing only slightly jealous. "Sure woulda saved me some trouble if I could do that…"
"Eh," Eighteen shook her head again. "Not quite. It's more like my ki is constantly flowing to every part of my body at all times. It never really turns off."

Trunks scoffed. "That sounds like a huge waste of power."

Eighteen nodded. "Yeah, probably. But when you have an infinite supply of ki, it's sorta hard to tell the difference."

The conversation was paused as yet another shockwave rippled over the land, sending blonde strands of hair flying across Eighteen's face as she sat beside the boy.

Gohan is still getting weaker…

"Welp, time to see what little I can do." Eighteen remarked in a glum tone as she rose to her feet, patting off some of the dirt and debris that had collected on her ruined tank top and dark, torn jeans. Preparing to take to the air, Eighteen began to plan when and how she was going to get in close enough to actually land an attack without Cell noticing in time. It wasn't like Eighteen was going to get another shot at this, so if her attack failed, then all of her efforts would be for nothing.

Maybe if I hide behind a tree for long enough, I could pop out at the right moment and—

"Wait." Trunks commanded, his hand cupped around his chin clear thought. "So, how come I was able to sense your energy? And how come I can't sense it anymore?"

Eighteen shot him a confused look. "Is this really important right now? Gohan's fighting for his life and you want to know about the inner workings of my ki?"

Trunks nodded with a serious expression. "It might be. Just humor me for a sec."

Eighteen studied Trunks for a time, examining his hardened stare and determined face before deciding that answering a few questions to the person who had quite literally just saved her life was the least she could do.

"What you sensed before was my human ki signature, the one that was there before Dr. Gero installed my artificial energy generator." She watched Trunks' face brighten, listening with undivided attention. "The reason you can't feel it anymore is…" She frowned, considering. "Probably because it's being masked by all the artificial energy my body is generating. I guess it must be like a signal blocker."

Trunks acknowledged her words with a nod of his head. Rather than respond, the teen rose to his feet, still cupping his chin as he began to pace back and forth.

Eighteen's eyes narrowed on the boy curiously before he asked, "So, this 'human' Ki you have…does it do the same thing?"

"What do you mean?"

"Like, can you use it? Have you ever tried to?"

Eighteen shot the teen a cocked eyebrow. "I mean…yeah?" Presenting a single upraised palm, the android focused on her minuscule ki source for a matter of moments before summoning a golden sphere of energy no larger than a volleyball. "But this is about as strong a blast I can make with it. Trust me, this little bit of energy isn't going to make a difference in this fight."

"Or is it…" Trunks muttered under his breath so faintly Eighteen was certain he assumed she hadn't heard.

What is he talking about?

Pointing a finger at the floating orb of energy, Trunks asked. "Did...did that hurt you?"

Eighteen looked at the orb containing her personalized ki signature within. "Uh, no? Sure it took a little bit of focus, but it felt normal otherwise."

Eighteen could detect anticipation from the teen as Trunks stammered out, "So when you use your normal ki, there's no pain? You can use it without messing up your systems?"

Eighteen frowned, before nodding toward the pitiful ki sphere "Yes, but, like I said, it's basically nothing. If I went out to fight Cell with this power, he'd wipe the floors—"

"What if you combined them?!" Trunks blurted out, too eager to wait for Eighteen to finish.

The android stared at him, dumbfounded. "What?"

"Think about it!" Trunks urged, racing up to her and motioning to the small orb still floating above her hand. "If your natural Ki flows through your body like normal, then combining it with your artificial Ki could make it easier to move around your body!" The teen was practically bouncing up and down as he continued to explain, "Remember what Gohan said? Ki is like a flowing river. Put two different rivers together, and they will become one that shares the properties of both! That's why we were able to transfer our ki to help Gohan fight back when…" Trunks' excitement floundered as if his train of thought had finally brought him back to reality. His tone soured."...back when you were Videl…"

Her eyes fell away in shame.

Eighteen watched Trunks turn away, conflicted with himself. It was tough for Eighteen to remember with so much going on that the teen had most definitely not forgiven her for all the lies and deceit…let alone the years of bloodshed. With all of the wild things happening, Eighteen could see how easy it was to get caught up in the moment. It seemed that realization had finally caught up with Trunks, too.

Trunks walked away, shaking his head bitterly. "Whatever. It was just an idea."

Eighteen raised a hand after the teen, but before she could say anything, Trunks stopped, his fingers clenching into fists as he snarled over his shoulder. "And don't think I'm going to help you keep your secret! Once this fight is over, Gohan is the first person I'm going to tell."

Eighteen's hand slowly fell to her side, her eyes pools of disgrace, and regret. Her lips pulled into a frown as she nodded. "Yeah, that's fair."

The teen grunted a response before storming away—presumably to find somewhere to wait out the conflict away from her. It was beyond clear to Eighteen that Trunks was still struggling to process everything he had learned today. She imagined the teen was still beside himself about how he should feel about it all.

Still, that didn't deny the fact that Trunks did have an interesting theory.

Could that actually…work?

Eighteen frowned before slowly shutting her eyes, feeling uncertain as she reached out within herself, searching until she found the cold, lifeless, artificial energy stored within her very core. Withdrawing even deeper into herself, Eighteen felt as if she were standing before a pale gray body of water the size of an ocean. Numbly, Eighteen reached out to the great mass of ki before discovering it was as cold as frigid snow, devoid of anything that resembled the radiance of life at all. Even after all this time, the energy, as well as where it came from sent a shiver down the android's spine.

Next, Eighteen pushed out her senses until she found the pleasant warmth of her own ki signature, untainted by the mad corruption of Dr. Gero and so far away from this disturbing pool of sheer depraved power. Comparing the two, Eighteen couldn't help but come to a concerning realization.

It's so…puny…

Still, within her mind's eye, Eighteen reached out and spanned the great distance between the two ki signatures in moments before collecting the small, violet orb of ki so small it was barely large enough to fill her hands. Utilizing the technique Gohan had taught her on the very first day of their lessons, Eighteen visualized herself carrying the pitiful ki source over to the enormous pool of power implanted in her so long ago.

The android prepared to push out the small violet orb before a nervous thought stopped her.

What if this doesn't work?

Standing before the precipice of the cataclysmic energy that had once devastated the entire world left Eighteen feeling as if she were standing before an endless, raging sea. Eighteen nervously glanced down at the minuscule globe of energy pulled protectively to her chest as the feeling of doubt set in. Comparing the two signatures, Eighteen couldn't predict that such a drop in the bucket could affect the rest of her artificial energy the way Trunks suggested it would. She figured it was more likely that her pitiful ki source would simply be consumed by the overwhelming power ebbing and flowing before her.

This is…me. This is…like my spirit. It's been with me…even before I knew it was there…

Eyes filled with fear stared down at the ki signature wrapped in her arms, realizing all at once that it represented the very last shred of her humanity. Eighteen began to consider If she tossed it into an ocean of lifeless, corrupted Ki and it was destroyed, what would that mean for her?

Would I even still be me, anymore? Would I lose the last shred of 'good' I have left?

Eighteen couldn't be sure. She knew from Gohan's lessons that a Ki signature reflected who the person was, but did it work the other way around too? Could tainted Ki, taint the person as well?

Eighteen grimaced, afraid of losing everything she had been working for, afraid of becoming…the Monster again.

A distant rumble reminded Eighteen of the conflict at hand, and who she was about to risk it all for. All at once, the fear, the worry, and the self-doubt washed away once a single overwhelming desire pushed its way to the forefront of Eighteen's mind.

I have to save Gohan.

Clamping her eyes shut, Eighteen's trembling arms released what felt like her very soul still pinned to her chest, allowing it to peacefully drift down into the undead sea forced upon her to decimate the world over. The android braced herself, preparing to feel a ripple of something within being changed or destroyed, only to cock her head in confusion when nothing seemed to happen…? Re-opening her mind's eye, what Eighteen discovered made her gasp.

She watched as the tiny drop of violet energy began to slowly bleed into the sea of silver, dispersing the same way a beverage into a lake would; The only difference was that the violet ki wasn't stopping. Eighteen watched with utter amazement as the drop of ki began to expand, flowing into the rest of the pale sea at a rapidly growing pace that seemed to consume the energy it was replacing.

Eighteen frowned as she studied the phenomenon. No, that wasn't quite right either. Looking closer, the android discovered that the silver pool of power hadn't been replaced, but rather had fused with the violet energy that had finally spanned out to the extent of Eighteen's artificial ki. Within the new sea of lavender ki before Eighteen, she could spot sparkling sections of silver complimenting the radiant sight before her. Two had become one. It was as if life had been breathed into the dead sea that had once occupied Eighteen's core.

No fucking way!

Still wonderstruck, Eighteen took several moments before finally snapping open her actual eyes, her icy-blue and maple pupils finding that Trunks had walked several paces away, having chosen a new spot in the soaked grass to sit with his back now turned to her. Cautiously, Eighteen raised a single hand to her face, staring at it with trepidation as she prepared herself. Eighteen wasn't so gullible to assume that just because the two ki signatures had combined the way Trunks had said, she would be able to manipulate the energy as he predicted.

Well…here goes nothing…

Eighteen seized control of the new pool of power within, bracing herself for the pain she'd endured the last time she'd utilized this dangerous ability; redirecting the attack meant to kill Gohan.

Eighteen began to concentrate, recalling once more Gohan's wisdom as she first envisioned the river, and then the dam.

-Gohan-

I need to end this—now.

Gohan sucked in a tight breath of air as he narrowly weaved around a sharp series of jabs from Cell, each enhanced by the crimson aura enveloping the Bio-android. Cell twisted, feinting another jab before managing to land an uppercut that split the skin just below Gohan's chin. The Super Saiyan bristled, feeling crimson begin to ooze down his jaw and neck before pivoting, his back heel twisting into the dirt before raising a knee and parrying a slashing kick meant for his ankles. His leg still raised, the Super Saiyan cocked his knee to his chest before delivering a gut–splattering heel kick to the center of Cell's stomach. The impact left Cell heaving before his crimson flames fluttered away, dissipating from his form. Cell gagged, his mouth spilling bloody, chunky bile against the ground before the Bio-android crumpled to a knee, clutching his hands to his abdomen.

Ugh…

Gohan could feel his body beginning to tire—his reactions and strikes beginning to grow sluggish. Defying his exhaustion, the Super Saiyan beyond Super Saiyans heaved his cement-like elbow, grunting with strained effort as he delivered a skull–cracking impact to the top of Cell's head. The Bio-android collided with the ground with enough ferocity the very earth quaked and shattered, creating a spiderweb of cracks spanning hundreds of feet across the battle-scorched earth.

Please…let this be the end of it…

Gohan clenched his eyes with hope as he wearily brought his hand above his forehead. Breathing heavily, Gohan staggered for a moment, having to catch his breath before regaining his focus. His palm began glowing with golden energy as the Super Saiyan prepared to expend the last of his ki into a—

"Explosive wave!"

Gohan felt his Super Masenko dissipate in his hand as a golden wave of energy detonated from Cell's hunched-over form, creating a kinetic shockwave that caught Gohan unaware. The force of the explosion was enough to send Gohan's trembling feet skidding through the dirt for several meters before regaining his footing once more.

Cell slowly righted himself, breathing heavily.

Gohan rose from his crouched position, breathing heavier.

A sinister smile split Cell's lips as he locked eyes with the Super Saiyan beyond Super Saiyans. The Bio-android's lips parted."So…are you done struggling?"

Blinking away blurry fatigue, Gohan snarled back with an undying ferocity. "Are you?"

Cell's response came in the form of a scoff as he regarded Gohan, shaking his head. "You don't seem to get it, Blondie."

Gohan growled as Cell sneered, grinning, teeth snarling with pure animosity before his feet began to shift, gradually taking each earth-rattling step as he made his way toward Gohan. "I. Can. Not. Die."

Gohan glared his hatred into Cell as the Bio-android closed the distance between them, only stopping once they were face to face. Cell's sneering smile melted away into sheer detestment, his lips forming a thin line of loathing. "At least, not until I kill you."

Gohan breathed out a frustrated sigh. The Super Saiyan could feel his power beginning to waver. His wounds, his exhaustion, the fatigue from battling from the dead of night until the very morning; it was all beginning to add up. With a grim expression, Gohan began calculating just how he would have to handle this next exchange of blows considering what was left of his stamina. Before he could form a plan, Cell drew back a fist—

"Not gonna happen bug–face!"

Gohan's weary mind couldn't even register what was happening until the side of Cell's cheek instantly concaved moments before his entire form flashed away from the side of Gohan's view in the blink of the eye.

What?

Gohan blinked in confusion before discovering Eighteen hovering in the same space Cell had been mere moments before, her knee still extended and sizzling from where Cell's face had been.

The android turned to Gohan with a confident smirk before the Saiyan warrior noticed something that definitely hadn't been there before. His mind fogged further as he tried to make sense of the distinct, crackling, violet energy rippling from Eighteen's body.

Before Gohan could acknowledge what he was seeing, Eighteen's lips parted as she met his gaze. "Um, I think you deserve a break, don't you?." He could see sympathy in the way her eyes stared into his, though her words came out nervously—as if she was uncertain how to address him. "Maybe take a breather? You look sorta…" She cleared her throat. "...banged up."

Gohan spared a glance to evaluate his injuries before grimacing at what he saw. The torso of his Gi had long since been destroyed, revealing wounds and bruises that had accumulated to leave Gohan's chest littered with bleeding gashes and bloody scrapes. Gohan felt his fatigue like the weight of a planet before regarding Eighteen again.

Despite himself, Gohan found his gaze shift as he now found himself at a loss for words, staring awestruck, somehow, at none other than Android Eighteen. Finally, The Super Saiyan managed to gather himself enough to say one simple word: "How?"

Eighteen giggled softly to herself before smiling in a way that made Gohan's heart wither from the familiarity. "Thank your star pupil for this," She said, her fingers snapping into a fist that exploded electric strands of lavender from her palm. "That kid has some serious talent. I'm convinced now that it must just run in the family."

What does that mean?

The android turned, preparing to take off after Cell before something tightening within Gohan's chest forced the Super Saiyan to call out. "Wait!"

Eighteen paused, regarding him with an eyebrow raised. "Yes, Gohan?"

Gohan's voice faltered for a moment as Eighteen's soft gaze stared back at him. He found himself transfixed on her eyes…one as blue as the sky, the other as brown as chesnut. Staring into that gaze felt almost like staring into two vastly different souls; each impossibly sharing the same body. The first soul belonged to a person Gohan held such contempt for he found the idea of their demise almost soothing…the other, however…

Gohan bristled, having to turn away from Eighteen before gritting his teeth. Finally, after struggling through a battle within himself, Gohan's lips parted begrudgingly. "Are you…" He scoffed, shaking his head with a defeated expression before meeting Eighteen's gaze with an earnest look. "Are you going to be okay? Cell's a lot stronger now."

Eighteen's eyes grew wide, her expression softening into a stunned stupor as she grew silent. After a pregnant pause, Eighteen's gaze fluttered back to focus as Gohan thought he might have noticed the faintest touch of pink blossoming from her cheeks.

"No need to be concerned for me, Gohan." Eighteen said with the subtlest of smiles pulling at the corner of her lips. Turning in the direction Cell had been launched, Eighteen added."I've got this."

Without another word, Eighteen disappeared from Gohan's view almost instantaneously if not for the faint trail of crackling violet energy that trailed after.

-Bulma-

Manual labor is the absolute worst.

Bulma thought begrudgingly to herself as she grunted, heaving yet another heavy cardboard box filled to the brim onto a worn-out wooden pallet.

Wiping her brow, Bulma turned with a smile before startling. "Whoa! Hey! Are you sure you don't need help?"

"N-nope!" Erasa grunted as she rushed past Bulma before urgently setting down her box next to Bulma's with an exhausted gasp. Resting an arm against the large stack of boxes they had just finished hauling onto the pallet, the blonde woman rasped, "Is that one good there?"

Bulma snorted before nodding. "Yeah, that's good. Why don't you take a break? I have to load these up before we bring them down to the bunker anyway."

Erasa nodded, still breathing heavily as she trudged toward a seat in the corner of the storage room and collapsed against it. "Oh thank Kami."

Bulma casually circled the pallet loaded corner-to-corner with boxed non-perishable items, preservable medicines, and canned goods, all the while placing small, circular tabs with the Capsule Corp. logo on each side of the pallet.

"Thanks again for helping out, Erasa. You really didn't have to." Bulma began casually, continuing to place the tabs."This truly is just a precaution after all."

"Oh, it's not a big deal," Erasa said nonchalantly before her tone grew darker, her eyes turning downcast. "Besides…I feel like preparing for the possible end of the world is a good precaution to take."

Bulma's casual expression hardened into a solemn face, her lips forming a grim line. The two women had only set to work after Yajirobe shared that Gohan's battle to potentially decide the fate of the world was starting to look dire.

"Well, I sure hope it doesn't come to that." Bulma murmured sternly as she pressed a button on a small tablet in her hands, prompting the pallet loaded with boxes to poof away behind a rosy cloud of smoke. Bulma stepped forward before the smoke cleared and reached down to pick up the small, Capsule Corp. branded white capsule the stack of bocks had just been compressed into. She eyed the capsule in her hand, rolling the small, cylinder-shaped object with her fingers while wearing a somber, melancholy expression.

…I hope my baby is okay…

Bulma tensed, her face twisting into a grimace before feeling her whole body wither from stress. The scientist crumpled, crashing toward the hard tiled floor.

"Bulma!" Erasa called out, racing forward and catching the scientist under the elbows just before she struck the ground. "Are you okay?!"

Knowing that her baby boy was out there, fighting in a battle that could mean the end of the world was too much of a burden for Bulma to take. That heart-wrenching knowledge had been partially responsible for Bulma deciding to begin this side project at all, since Bulma knew sitting around and simply envisioning what horrors Trunks was having to endure would drive her utterly insane. Despite trying to be productive, despite trying to at the very least prepare in order to take her mind off things, it all felt so hollow, so pointless to Bulma. The mother knew that, if her son died out there…she would have lost her entire world anyway.

The scientist breathed out a belabored sigh, turning away from Erasa as she felt warmth brimming behind her eyes. "I'm…I'm…" she wanted to say that she was okay, to push through this feeling and keep on working like she always did when someone she loved was risking their life out there on the battlefield. Despite her best efforts, Bulma's quivering voice couldn't form the words.

Finally, Bulma felt Erasa's hand rest on her shoulder. "Hey." she said softly, "I get it."

Bulma turned to meet Erasa's gaze and paused, finding the woman's eyes had begun to well with emotion too. "You do?" Bulma asked.

Erasa nodded, sniffling. "You're scared for your little boy, right?"

Bulma sucked in a sharp, shaky breath. The words hit like a ton of bricks. It was as if finally putting to words the reality of the situation cemented the weight Bulma could feel pressing down against her heart. Unable to speak without breaking down in tears, Bulma merely nodded.
"W-well," Erasa's voice trembled, her gaze turning to the side as she peered toward the storage wall and back to the rest of the house, "I'm scared for my little girl, too. I know it's not the same…I know it's not Peni out there right now, risking their life…but when I saw Peni run out to stop Cell–" she said the name with such venom Bulma was surprised toxic–ichor didn't drip from her fangs. "I felt like my entire world was coming crashing down. I thought I was about to lose everything." Erasa sucked in a shaky breath. "I can only imagine how it must be for you."

Gently, Erasa's arms enveloped the shaking form of Bulma who turned and accepted the hug reverently. Bulma's face buried into Erasa's shoulder as she trembled, tears rushing down her face as the two mothers shared a heartfelt embrace, each weeping for the hardships of their children.

Somewhere behind her, Bulma thought she might have heard a faint buzzing sound some distance away, but she pushed the thought away, too occupied by the distress in her heart to pay the sound any mind.

However, had Bulma turned to address the strange noise and approached the quant wooden shelf which had once held boxes upon boxes of non-perishable goods and storable items, she may have investigated just behind the shelf where her phone had landed after she accidentally bumped it to assist Erasa with a particularly heavy box. Upon discovering her phone, Bulma would have likely also noticed the seventeen missed calls from Chi-Chi, just before the eighteenth call began to silently vibrate.

Author's Notes:

Welcome back everyone. It has been some time.

I have been away trying to recollect my life after recent events. I appreciate your patience with this story.

First and foremost, I would like to thank all the support I received following the previous chapter. I cannot appreciate the kindness of this community enough, and feel grateful for the people who were so understanding. Though not fully recovered, I feel far stronger because of your efforts, and I genuinely, and sincerely thank you all.

Onto the chapter.
Addressing the events of the chapter itself, I must admit—as I so often do—that this chapter was not meant to be a multi-part chapter. I wrote the outline all as one chapter, though admittedly, the outline itself spanned over 15 pages, so that should have told me something early on. Upon reaching nearly 30 pages and counting, I swiftly realized I needed to separate these chapters into part (1), part (2), and part (3). This is the finale of the story, and I want to make it the best it can possibly be. I hope the wait will be worth it.

Onto other topics, I am certain there will be readers confused to see Super Saiyan 2 Gohan not absolutely decimating Semi-perfect Cell, considering what we saw main-timeline Gohan do to perfect Cell in the very same form. Despite the fact that I do not include a power scale on my characters at the end of my chapters—I do very much keep a close eye on the power scaling of my characters relative to one another. Contrary to what may be popular opinion Super Saiyan 2 does not deliver the same power boost as Super Saiyan upon transformation. I originally believed it was a x10 boost to the base Super Saiyan transformation, but because I try to be thorough, I did my research and discovered that Super Saiyan 2 is just that, 2, and is simply a x2 boost to the original Super Saiyan form.
This explains why second form Cell was able to contend with Super Saiyan 2 Gohan. In essence, the Gohan of this timeline is not as powerful as the Gohan we know in the main timeline. As a Super Saiyan, Gohan is marginally stronger than a single android of this timeline—androids which are weaker than the androids in the main timeline counterparts. Basically, Gohan is only marginally stronger than X2 of a standard android. As a result, the Gohan of this timeline is not as powerful in

Super Saiyan 2 as the Gohan we know who had the privilege to train for an entire year with his father, Son Goku. This coupled with Cell's new transformation and inability to die meant the power gap between the two warriors became far less.

Moving on.

Admittedly, I had an entirely different take on the reason why a Senzu Bean should work on Android Eighteen before scrapping it. At first, I considered the fact that Senzu beans work on alien species like Namekians, and considered the nature of their biology versus earthlings. I questioned alien species having bones or other parts of their biology made of materials which simply wouldn't be present on earth due to their alien design, something Korin could not account for while developing the Senzu plant and which is not far off from the compound metals crafted into Eighteen's skeleton. It was only after I wrote this section that I realized how ridiculous the power of the Senzu bean is, considering the sheer amount of energy it is transferring through simple digestion. Considering the universal level of destruction some characters are capable of by the end of Dragon Ball Z alone, and the fact that a Senzu bean is able to restore their power to full, no matter their strength, has insane implications. If a bean can restore someone of world-ending strength to full health, I'm pretty sure it could restore some frayed circuitry and bench metal frames.

Or at least, that's my take on things. I'd love to hear yours.
Lastly, I'd like to discuss Eighteen's recent transformation, especially because I've been planning it ever since Eighteen and Chi-Chi fought outside the Son household. It was during that time that the shape of this story's finale began to truly form as Cell attacking Trunks set in motion the remaining sections of the story's events.

At the time, I was reflecting upon the reveal that android Seventeen was somehow able to go toe to toe with the likes of Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan Goku. I questioned how it could be that an android could generate enough power to rival that of God ki. While I assumed it was due to the contrivance of the writers wanting to bring back old favorites without proper character growth, I did arrive at a possible reason for their spontaneous growth in canon. The androids have immense ki that is infinitely running to every part of their body, but once it is channeled properly using the same techniques we've seen the Z-warriors utilize, their attacks can rival the Gods.

Of course, I wanted this growth to Eighteen's character to be more than just a power increase, which is why I added the caveat of needing to combine one's artificial ki with their human ki signature. The reason behind this is due to the nature of the artificial ki, as it flows only to the whims of the systems which birthed it (Eighteen's CPU). When Eighteen introduced her true ki, the human side of her soul to this undead ki source, it allowed the river to flow naturally, uninhibited by the lifeless limitations typical of Eighteen's artificial Ki.

In essence, this moment marks Eighteen's transformation into finally accepting both sides of her soul, the person she was, and the person she wants to be. Only through accepting both identities, through accepting both sides of herself, can she unlock this incredible strength within.

As for just how strong Eighteen compares to Cell? Well, we're going to have to wait for the next chapter to see ;).

Outside of that, there is not much more I have to say about the chapter. Once again my wonderful partner Pear has taken the time and dedication to edit and clean up the chapter. They have gone above and beyond in the pursuit to make these recent installments the best they can possibly be. Please sing them praise in the reviews for the hard work they do to make these releases what they are.

The amazing cover art of this story was designed and completed by the wonderful:Upstart Psycho! If you'd like to check out their instagram where you can see all their other amazing works, please look them up: saintswakeart. They appreciated the story enough that they wanted to add their touch to the tale, and I absolutely love it! Their commissions are currently open, so hit them up using the previously mentioned tags if you want more incredible artwork!
I hope to see all of you again, sooner than later. I'm not giving up, and neither should you.
Until next time.