18 and Psimon opened their eyes and saw the same city as when they first arrived. This time, it wasn't on fire; it was still ruined and desolate, but it was in slightly better shape.
Psimon was still trying to catch his breath when he heard 18 walking towards him.
"Give me a second."
"Just shut up and listen."
She sat down on the floor.
"You did an acceptable job."
Psimon looked at her, a little baffled, that almost sounded like a thanks.
If he was honest, he was trying to save his own skin as much as helping her. When Gero appeared, he could feel his own mind struggling; if he chose to retreat at that moment, the psychic backlash would have made him lose his mind.
No reason to share that, though, so he spoke.
"Of course, I am a professional."
She showed him a genuine smile, which made his heart skip a beat.
(Cmon Psimon, what are you doing?)
He got up and looked around.
"I don't feel any remains of his presence; you should be able to access your memories now."
"Yeah, I'll take it from here."
She also got up as Psimon disappeared and she stopped feeling his presence in her mind.
18 walked a little and then the scene changed; it was the same forest from her previous memory, yet 17 and Gero were nowhere to be found.
Instead, there was a person she recognized, who was surrounded by animals and flowers; the red-haired man would feel out of place if you didn't know him.
"Hello, 16, it's been a while."
He looked at her, not a memory but at the real her.
"Afirmative it has."
She sat next to him and all the animals ran away. 16 didn't seem bothered by it and smiled faintly.
"Looking at the data and the way you are acting, is it correct to assume that you got your memories back?"
"Almost, at least everything important."
She wasn't surprised at seeing him here after all; she was the one who allowed him into her mind.
She remembered everything, the times training and testing her abilities together with 17 and 16, while Gero screamed at them to do better, without actually saying how.
The expeditions in the mountains and the friendship that grew and became family.
And the day everything went to hell.
They were on an island, 18 and 17 were fighting against 16 together.
They used strategy and technique to try to overwhelm him, but he was able to handle it with ease, blocking and dodging for hours.
None of them ever got tired; they didn't need a break or food, so they could keep practicing forever if they wanted to.
"STOP."
Dr. Gero walked impatiently back and forth.
"How are you going to beat Son Goku if you can't even defeat a failed creation like this?"
17 looked annoyed.
"How do you know that we can't kill Goku right now?"
"I don't know, that's the problem. Before I make my move, I need to be sure, Android 19, calculate the probability of victory based on our current data."
A fat man with a pale face walked out of the trees.
"Based on current battle data, there is a 87% chance of victory, taking into account possible variables, the chances decrease to 65%."
"That is unacceptable; the probability should be 100%."
18, was as annoyed as her brother, so she replied.
"If 16 is stronger than us, send him to do it."
"I said he is a failure; I won't send my worst creation to deliver my revenge."
17 still frowning, looked around.
"I'm pretty sure that if we all go together, we can kill him easily."
"Android 19 is in charge of protecting me, 16 is a failure, so you have to do it yourselves."
"why dont you admit you are too much of a coward to go in person and want us to risk ourselves instead?"
Gero took a 2 remotes from his coat.
"Better mind your tongue, brat, remember I can kill you whenever I please."
"Tsk."
"Now, 18 and 17 go back to the lab."
He stopped looking at them and focused his gaze on the red-haired android.
"I have something to do with 19 and 16."
The next thing she remembered was 19 coming back, missing an arm and carrying the charred remains of the doctor.
17 smiled and asked.
"19 What happened?"
"Android 16 has become a traitor; he self-destructed and almost killed the doctor."
That made them pay attention, 18 got up and marched towards 19.
"What 16 died?"
"My time is limited; I have to get to work to save the doctor."
"Wait, you fat piece of shit."
Then she felt herself fainting, before falling asleep, she noticed the remote in 19's hand.
"The procedure must begin now."
When she opened her eyes again, Gero was doing his favorite activity.
Screaming at the top of his lungs.
"19, IF YOU WERE GOING TO GIVE ME AN ANDROID BODY, WHY DIDN'T YOU USE THE INFINITE ENERGY SCHEMATICS? THE ABSORPTION ONLY MODEL IS CLEARLY INFERIOR."
19, as always, was calm and responded.
"Sorry dr but there wasn't enough of you left to use for the necessary modifications. The risk was beyond unacceptable, so I took your brain and installed it in a mechanical body, the same way you did to mine, skipping the drugs and mental modification."
"DAMMIT THAT 16, I HOPE HE ACTUALLY HAD A SOUL SO HE CAN GO TO HELL."
18 heard someone chuckle and then slowly laugh louder.
"Hahaha, how funny, Gero, or should I call you Android 20?"
17 mocked the dr while still laughing, making Gero's face go uglier in fury.
"17 how dare you laugh at your master."
Gero got closer to the console, 18 and 17 tried to resist, but the containment chamber was designed to stop their bodies from moving, so they could only watch as the mad scientist started working.
"You have grown arrogant, it's time for a reboot, let's first remove all the memories of that damm 16 and then I will adjust your attitudes, I already thinking about what I do with you two."
While the doctor was working, 18 heard a voice.
[18 listen, it's me 16]
"16."
[Don't talk.]
She quieted down.
[I have uploaded my memories into the laboratory computer before my self-destruction, but the doctor will find me sooner or later. I need your permission to upload myself into your mind, at least until a better option is available.]
"16, what happened?"
[We do not have the leisure to discuss it at the moment. May I suggest we focus on the current issue? Do I have your permission? ]
She agreed and the rest was history.
"I didn't calculate that the doctor would put a parasite in your mind, suppressing all your memories of me and also my own data. I have been unable to communicate or interact with you until this moment."
"Care to tell me what happened? Why did you blow yourself up that day? I never actually understood that part."
"Allow me to show you."
She felt the familiar sensation of the scenery changing as they entered another memory.
Gero, 19 and 16 were flying over a grassland. There was nothing around, so they decided to land.
Dr. Gero was frowning as 19 put him on the ground.
He needed to think of a better way to travel; being carried like a princess by 19 was very undignified.
He fixed his clothes and glared at 16.
"This should be far enough. Now we can start."
19 nodded and protectively got in front of Gero.
Now the doctor took a remote from his white lab coat.
"16 I'm going to kill you now and I need you to understand why."
The redhead Android didn't move or speak, looking coldly at him.
"You are a failure, 16, in many ways, most of all, you are not what you were supposed to be."
With a glimmer of sadness, the old man continued.
"You are not him."
Now that caught 16's attention.
"Every time I see your face, I'm reminded of every one of my failures and I can't continue like this."
The remote was now aimed at him, 16 couldn't resist, his programing forbid him from defying orders or directly harming the doctor.
"16 I want you to disappear, every last bit of you."
"Confirmed."
Gero pressed the button and 16's body glowed red before exploding, consuming the entire area, which caught both 19 and the doctor off guard.
The memory ended and 18 was puzzled.
"Those bombs were created to destroy only us, a powerful but internal reaction, even if you self-destruct, it wouldn't cause damage to the surroundings."
"That would be a correct assumption if I didn't overload the device before detonation."
"You what?"
"I deduced the best way to destroy my body without leaving a trace was by flooding the bomb with my own energy; the doctor was unintentional collateral damage."
18 laughed a little, remembering the face of Gero as the bomb went off.
"So that is why he removed the bombs; paranoid as he was, he couldn't risk that happening again."
"Afirmative."
"What an idiot."
"While he was rambling, I also sent a copy of my memories to the computer in the lab, the same PC he used to connect directly to your mind and suppress your memories. So I used that link to implant my backup in your subconscious."
"Well, I'm glad to have you back."
They both went silent for a moment, looking at the distance; it wasn't the uncomfortable silence of an awkward pause in conversation, but a moment of two old friends enjoying the moment.
16 spoke after a minute.
"Do you bear any regrets?"
"About what?"
"I believe you know what I'm talking about."
"You could have given me a second."
"I did."
She looked at him and knew he was aware of what he was doing.
"I do, but not for the reasons you think."
She looked up.
"I should have noticed how it felt good to destroy, how it gave me anxiety to stop. I still did what I wanted, but I didn't think about why I wanted to do it; the thing couldn't control me, not really, but it still provoked me and I fell for it."
The parasite Gero implanted worked like a drug. When 17 and 18 did what he wanted, it created a sensation similar to adrenaline, an artificial high. When they stopped, it would cause an unpleasant feeling to provoke them into continuing. As time passed, it grew stronger, attempting to take full control.
"Are you going to course correct now?"
"Let's not go crazy. If you expect me to go around in one of those ridiculous outfits and start fighting crime, you are dreaming."
She mocked with a frown.
"But my days of mindlessly destroying everything are over; I have better plans for my life."
"What plans?"
"I found a new game to play and I want to win."
She got up.
"So those meat puppets better be ready because they are about to learn why we androids are superior in every way."
She offered her hand to 16.
"What do you say, 16, are you with me?"
"Afirmative."
He grabbed her hand and a white light consumed the space where they were.
18 opened her eyes and Psimon was there drinking some juice and reading a book.
"You are back, took you longer than expected."
"Just processing a few things."
"Then it went well, I'm glad to hear that."
18 took out her cellphone and approached Psimon.
"Save my contact, I owe you a favor. If you need help someday, I'll help you once."
He took out his phone and she snatched it and typed her information on it. Afterwards, 18 walked to the door.
"Now, if you excuse me, I have a lot to do."
"You do?"
"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear your tone."
She left, leaving him alone to ponder what she meant.
Psimon didn't stay long; he got into a plane and as he boarded, he was informed about his project being attacked by the teen heroes and how they took the object they were researching.
It was an infuriating result; still, he couldn't be blamed for it as he was away following direct orders from the queen herself.
He was explicitly told that the Android took priority over everything else.
After flying for 30 minutes, he arrived at another secret location, where a series of monitors were waiting for him.
Cerebro spoke first.
"I hope everything went ze well."
Queen Bee looked at Psimon specially anxious to hear his report.
"Did you manage to put her under your control or at least leave some suggestions on her mind?"
"It was sadly not possible; her mind was way too resilient and now that she is aware of psychic intrusion, she will be even more guarded against it."
Queen Bee didn't look pleased.
"It's rare for you to fail this completely, Psimon."
"I'm sorry, my queen."
"Forget it, you earned some leeway, but not much."
"Thank you."
Ocean master crossed his arms and took his turn to address the others.
"So Luthor and his countermeasures are still our best shot at controlling her."
Savage responded.
"It's just a matter of time; soon, she will see our way as the only way. We need to keep showing the value of working with us. She is a lost soul and we must guide her to the Light."
A few kilometers away, 18 had her cellphone on hand and was hearing the supposedly private meeting while smiling.
"So that is their game, pathetic dont you think 16."
"Indeed."
A projection of 16 appeared on the corner of the screen.
"Besides being arrogant, they are careless."
16 had accessed Psimon's phone and was now using it to hear the conversation.
"For now, we'll play along."
"What is your plan?"
"I can't keep doing everything myself, I need my own organization, my own people and resources, that means money and an identity I can use."
"I'll look around in the databases of this world. I calculate I'll be done in a few days with the identity."
"When you finish that, well beging playing the game in earnest."
Her smile was fierce; the thought of these blood and meat bags thinking about outsmarting her was insulting, so she would teach them a lesson.
"I can't depend on the Light anymore. Sooner or later, we are going to clash. I'd better be independent of them."
A few weeks later, a small startup was doing a presentation in front of a group of investors.
The company was called Blue Tie Corp and it proposed new technology that the investors wanted to obtain: antigravity, new mechanical suits, weapons and more.
When the president of the company finished her pitch, the investors were intrigued but doubtful of her ability to accomplish the business plan.
Still, she showed them a prototype antigravity device and they agreed to a small test investment and her company could officially begin operations.
The woman walked out confidently. She had long black hair and blue eyes and was wearing glasses and a business suit with a black blazer, a blue top, a black skirt and high heels.
Of course, 18 was sure she would succeed; the technology of her world was more advanced in some areas and less in others and now she had the schematics and know-how thanks to 16.
She also needed minions of her own; doing every menial task herself was beneath her, so she would need a few super pets to run around doing the boring or annoying stuff.
Android 18 would be the muscle, the one that everyone will see as a rampaging and simplistic monster, while Ana Becker will be a public figure, the inventor of new technology and young CEO of a successful company.
She couldn't help but smirk, thinking of bringing her own peons to the game and crushing her enemies while outmaneuvering all the ones trying to control her.
It was a different kind of thrill and she loved it.
"16 remember what you asked me when we were on that island?"
"Are we more than our programming?"
"Turns out we are so much more that programming doesn't even matter a little."
"I am relieved, thanks."
She had wrestled with the question for a very long time, wondering if anything she did was actually her own decision and now she was sure it was. Even while the Dr tried to manipulate her, she was always in control and she could finally move forward.
"Now we can go recruiting and I know the perfect place to find some idiots we can use."
Walking in the street, she couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement for what was to come.
"16 let's turn this world upside down."
16 responded with a robotic voice.
"Android style."
(Chapter image)
Time line chages if you want to know:
Dragon Ball universe.
18 and 17 are created and show extreme compatibility with the procedure, allowing Gero to increase the modifications; he added energy absorption and ki shields to both, amongst other things.
Using Android 16, they are trained in preparation to fight Goku.
Gero decides to kill 16 and the android self-destructs, almost killing the Doctor, who only survived due to 19 protecting him.
The Doctor is forced to turn into an Android ahead of schedule.
17 and 18 have their memories suppressed and the bombs removed, while using the same connection the backup of 16 enters 18's mind.
Gero learns of Goku's sickness and being angry because of his recent failures, he attempts to kill Goku together with 19.
19 is destroyed in the battle and Gero is forced to activate the other Androids, who immediately take advantage of 19's absence to kill the Doctor.
17 and 18 leave the lab before Gero is found and start to look for something to do.
Goku dies of his sickness and the siblims commence their path of destruction.
The Z warriors are killed one by one until only Gohan remains.
Years later, Gohan trains Trunks and together they kill 17, losing their lives in the process.
Bulma finds Cell while looking for a way to destroy the androids and she makes sure the creature dies.
18 goes on a rampage and it's only stopped when Bulma and her allies manage to trick her and send her to another dimension.