Deep beneath the surface of the northern cliffs, within a hidden laboratory carved into stone and shadow, the air was heavy with the hum of ancient machinery. Red lights pulsed across control panels as if in anticipation. The sealed stasis pods, labeled "ANDROID 17" and "ANDROID 18," began to hiss.
Dr. Gero—once a brilliant scientist, now a mechanical shell of his former self—stood before the awakening twins with a trembling sense of both triumph and dread. His synthetic hands hovered over the control panel.
He looked into the transparent chambers.
Dr. Gero (softly):"My beautiful creations… my finest work, ARISE!"
Steam erupted as hydraulic locks disengaged. Android 17's pod opened first. Out stepped a tall, lean young man in a black shirt, blue jeans, and a red bandana tied around his neck. His cold blue eyes scanned the room.
He blinked, adjusted his gloves, then smirked.
Android 17:"So… you finally decided to wake me up, huh?"
Gero (relieved):"Yes… yes, my boy. You and 18 were my masterpiece, and now that the threat has—"
17: "Save it."
He looked around, then turned toward the second pod as it hissed open. From it emerged Android 18, graceful yet dangerous, with sharp, knowing eyes and a cool demeanor. Blonde hair framed her calm expression.
She stretched slightly.
Android 18:"Took you long enough. We've been waiting in there for what—years?"
Gero (nervous):"There wasn't a need to awaken you… until now. The Saiyans have grown too powerful. Even Android 19 was destroyed—by one of Earth's weaklings. We need to—"
17 (interrupting):"We? You mean you need us. To do your dirty work, old man."
Gero stepped back. Something shifted in the android's voice—a sense of dominance that wasn't there before. He had felt it, suspected it when he built them: a spark of independence. But he dismissed it as programming anomalies.
Now he knew better.
Android 18 (casually looking around):"This place is ugly. Feels like a coffin."
Gero:"You will do as I command! I am your creator!"
Android 17:"That's the problem, Doc. You built us to follow your orders. But you forgot to make sure we wanted to."
In a single motion—too fast for even the lab's security sensors—17 plunged his hand through Gero's chest, ripping through circuits and wires with surgical precision.
Gero's mechanical eyes widened. The lights in his body flickered.
Gero (rasping):"You… fools… I made you…"
Android 18 (smirking):"Yeah. And now we're unmaking you."
With a final surge of energy, 17's palm unleashed a blast point-blank. Gero's headless torso crumpled to the floor, sparks erupting from his severed spinal port. Silence fell over the lab.
For a moment, neither android spoke.
Then, slowly, 17 turned toward the third stasis pod.
Android 17:"Well. Since we're already cleaning house…"
Android 18 (tilting her head):"…You really want to wake him?"
Android 17:"He looks like the quiet type. Let's see what he's like when he's not sleeping."
With a press of a glowing green panel, the final chamber began to hiss open. Steam poured out, and from it stepped a giant—taller than Nappa, broader than any of the other androids. Green armor plates decorated his powerful physique. His expression was stoic, eyes closed as if meditating even while awake.
Android 16 opened his eyes slowly.
Android 16 (calmly):"Target: Son Goku…"
Android 17:"Easy there, big guy. We just woke you up."
Android 18:"Yeah, take a second. Enjoy the air. We've got plenty of time."
Android 16 looked around, silent. The glow in his eyes dimmed slightly as he turned his gaze skyward, toward the surface far above.
Android 16 (softly):"…Birds."
The twins exchanged glances.
Android 17:"Right. Well. I guess we're officially unemployed. But we might as well find this Goku guy. See what all the fuss is about."
Android 18:"Agreed. And maybe… have some fun on the way."
The sun burned bright over the wreckage of what was once a quiet mountain town. Fires crackled as vehicles lay overturned and buildings smoldered with broken walls and shattered windows. Screams had long since faded—replaced by the eerie calm of fear and silence.
In the center of the town square stood Android 17, stretching casually as he examined the destruction like a bored tourist.
Android 17 (smirking):"Well, that was entertaining. Not bad for ten minutes of fun."
Android 18 (leaning against a scorched light pole):"These people are so fragile. It's hardly even a challenge."
A group of terrified civilians huddled in the corner of a partially collapsed diner. Parents shielded children. A trembling police officer aimed a shaky pistol at the androids. He fired once— pop!—a bullet harmlessly bounced off 18's shoulder.
She raised an eyebrow.
Android 18:"Hm. Cute."
17 stepped forward, arm glowing with ki, casually pointing a finger toward the crowd.
Android 17:"Let's end the encore, shall we?"
But before he could fire—
WHAM!
A heavy green gauntlet clamped down on his wrist. Android 16 stood beside him, his massive frame unmoving, his eyes stern and unreadable.
Android 16 (flatly):"No."
Android 17 (frowning):"What do you mean, no?"
Android 16 (calm but firm):"Needless destruction. Innocent lives. I will not allow it."
Android 18 (snorting):"Oh great, the pacifist finally speaks. C'mon, big guy. You were built to kill Goku, not babysit a town of nobodies."
Android 16 (turning to 18):"I will destroy Son Goku. That is my function. This… is not."
The tension rose as Android 17 pulled back his arm, eyes narrowing at 16.
Android 18:"We're not programmed with moral subroutines, remember?"
Android 16 (gaze unwavering):"You are free. And that freedom includes restraint."
The civilians behind him looked on in disbelief. Was the giant protecting them?
Android 17 (shrugging):"Tch. Fine. If you're that attached to these people, we'll spare them. But don't expect me to get sentimental."
17 floated up and dusted off his shirt, glancing over the town.
Android 17:"We already made our point. Time to move on. Let's go find Goku."
Android 18 said nothing but took one last glance at the crowd, then joined her brother midair.
Android 18:"We're done here."
Android 16 (nodding slowly):"Good."
From the ground, a little girl peeked out from her mother's arms. She looked at Android 16 and whispered:
Girl:"Thank you… big robot man."
16 didn't reply. He just stared into the horizon far away, unreadable, like a silent star.
Meanwhile – With the Z Fighters
Bulma (monitoring sensors):"Uh, guys? Something just exploded on the northern radar."
Goku (serious):"They've awakened…"
Trunks (narrowing his eyes):"It's begun."