Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Ball Z.

xDBZx

Resilience

Chapter 1 – The Day the Whole World Went Away

"There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time."

-Malcolm X

xDBZx

"Excellent Trunks! Your form has improved tremendously!"

Gohan and Trunks were sparring on a cliff face outside of West City. Gohan was testing his student to see if he had practiced and found himself pleasantly surprised. Trunks was throwing skillful combos that he had just learned a couple days prior, and it made Gohan proud. With a final hit Gohan knocked Trunks, whom was drained from the intense sparring session, to the ground.

"Ok, Trunks, that's enough. How about we get something to eat?" Gohan said while ruffling his pupil's hair.

"Sure," Trunks replied as he smiled up at his mentor. The two flew back towards Capsule Corporation to have dinner with Bulma. The flight was quiet until Trunks interrupted the silence.

"Gohan," Trunks started, and then paused. Gohan turned to look at him, and found Trunks to be looking off in the distance.

"What is it Trunks?" Gohan asked. Trunks seemed to be trying to find the right way to say what he wanted.

"Do you really think we stand a chance?" Trunks asked as his voice slightly wavered. Gohan frowned at the amount of fear and sadness the single question contained. It's not right, he thought, for someone Trunks's age to feel that much fear. He deserves better. He deserves peace! Gohan stayed silent for a moment and then decided to answer Trunks's question.

"Yes Trunks, I think we really do stand a chance. I think I've almost caught up to the Androids' strength. Soon they will only be winning because it is two on one." He gently grabbed Trunks' shoulder and stopped their flight. "And even if I do fall, you will still be there."

"But what good can I do? I'm not even a Super Saiyan!" Trunks clenched his eyes in rage—and Gohan could also see a little shame.

"It will come with time; you just haven't found the right trigger. You come from a strong family, Trunks. I can feel you getting stronger every day. You're powerful, Trunks. Don't ever forget that." Gohan smiled down at the boy that was like his brother and gently squeezed his shoulder. Trunks surprised Gohan by throwing his arms around Gohan's waist and hugging him.

"Please don't ever leave me," he whispered. Gohan's heart broke at the amount of pain and fear in his voice. I will do everything I can to make sure he never has to feel that way again!

"I won't," Gohan replied as he returned the hug. Soon after, they resumed their flight towards Capsule Corp. Within a few minutes, the slightly damaged complex was in sight. I still can't believe how much destruction those two Androids have caused. Have they no shame? Gohan's hands tightened into fists reflexively every time he thought about the Androids and all the horrible things they'd done.

"Mom! Mom, we're home!" Trunks called into the building as they entered the door. When there was no reply Trunks headed towards her lab. "She's probably working on her machine," he called out to Gohan. Gohan nodded and followed him.

They walked through a series of corridors, passing numerous doors until they came to the largest lab in the building. Trunks stepped up to a keypad next to the door and entered a code. The keypad beeped in recognition and allowed the two to enter the lab. Trunks had been right, as Bulma was busy typing furiously into a large computer. Apparently she had not heard them enter.

"No no no," Gohan heard her muttering. "It's by the square of the cotangent, you stupid computer! How can a computer not even know simple mathematics?" Gohan couldn't help it but laugh out loud at Bulma. The noise made Bulma scream and whip around to face him.

"Dear God Gohan, you nearly gave me a heart attack!" she roared. Trunks also started laughing. Bulma gave them both a glare as Gohan stepped towards the computer.

"How are things going with the time machine?" he asked, his curiosity piqued at potentially learning something new. He looked at the complex data displayed on the screen. To anyone else it would be confusing, but luckily he still remembered the advanced calculus and physics he had studied when he was younger. His eye caught a flaw in one of the equations on energy input and output; before he could point it out to Bulma, the program running on Bulma's computer corrected it, causing Gohan to appreciate Bulma's programming genius.

"Not so well," Bulma replied, shaking Gohan from his thoughts. "I've got most of the math down, and I built a prototype engine, but I was having trouble with finding a way to power it." She sighed and continued typing. "According to the calculations, in order to bend space-time we need something that can generate an intense gravitational field. But it also can't be too large, or else we could end up destroying the planet. The only thing I can think of that can power this thing would be a small but efficient nuclear fusion."

"And the odds of your being able to use just that are…?" Gohan questioned.

"Approximately zero," said Bulma with a sigh. "In theory the idea of time travel is very simple. But the harsh reality is that physics is demanding. To build a nuclear reactor small enough to power this ship…well, it would be a greater feat than building the time traveling engine. At least the engine's built, though."

Gohan thought for a moment. "What about my energy?" he asked. "Could I use my own life force to power the engine?" Bulma's nose scrunched in thought.

"Theoretically…I don't see why not. Except, I don't know what exactly your power is. My father and I did several tests on Vegeta back when he was…back in the day, but we still never actually figured out what kind of energy your power is. It's not electric, it's not heat, and it's not nuclear. Basically, it is an uncategorized energy source. It almost seems to transcend physics."

Before Gohan could comment further, his stomach gave a loud growl. In response to this, Trunks's stomach also gave a challenging growl. Bulma laughed.

"I swear you saiyans are always hungry. Well no wonder," she said as she checked her watch, "it's past dinnertime. Let's go get something to eat."

The three put the time travel project on hold and headed towards the kitchen.

xDBZx

The next day, Gohan and Trunks were out in the countryside, away from most of the Androids' destruction. Gohan was helping Trunks with his Super Saiyan transformation. Trunks was roaring with all his might, searching for the great depths of his saiyan power, but no transformation came.

"I can't do it," he said, panting from the exertion. "I'm not strong enough."

"Don't say that!" said Gohan. "You still just haven't found the right trigger."

"But weren't you a Super Saiyan already at my age? How am I ever supposed to be as strong as you? I stand no chance against the Androids," Trunks lamented. Gohan suddenly grew annoyed.

"Trunks!" he snapped. "Stop! Stop degrading yourself. So what if I was already a Super Saiyan at your age? I had a lot of motivation to become strong quickly. You will become a Super Saiyan, I'll make sure of that. When my dad died, and when all of his friends died soon after, I was filled with so much pain and rage. I never, ever wanted to feel that way again. Soon, the pain became too much, and the rage just took control. I decided that I would make sure that I never felt that way again. I would become powerful enough to prevent the deaths of those I love. And then, the transformation came. It was like flipping on a light switch. Now, I want you to try something. I want you to imagine what you would feel like if your mother died, if I died. Take that pain, and make it your strength."

Trunks gave a fierce nod, desperate to obey his master and hopefully not disappoint him. He closed his eyes and tried to imagine what he would feel like if things happened the way Gohan described. In all honesty, he couldn't imagine his life without his mother or Gohan. They were always around to help him. He would be so lost if they died. He wouldn't be able to live. Without Gohan around, the Androids would come and finish off the rest of the country. Trunks would die. But if I can become a Super Saiyan, I can prevent that, thought Trunks. I will crush the Androids. I'll kill them for what they've done to the world. What they've done to Gohan. They killed all his friends and his mother. I would never want to feel that way. I would fight them to the death if they threatened Mom. But you're not strong enough, a little voice in Trunks's head whispered. No! I am strong enough. They will come, and they will kill you. Just like they've killed everyone else.

"Come on, Trunks! You need to be angry! You need to want to bring justice to those who have wronged you!" Gohan instructed. Trunks' chi gave a sharp rise.

I am angry! I hate them! They've killed everyone!

If not even your father could stand up to them, how can you? The annoying voice taunted.

A raw, gnawing feeling began to rise up in Trunks' chest. He could feel himself reaching a barrier…now all he had to do was push through it. His heart was filled with powerful emotion, and he felt in a way he could not describe. He was so close…a bolt of golden lightning flashed past his vision.

But then he was on the ground, completely drained of energy. Whatever he had done had taken all of the strength out of him. He never imagined that becoming a Super Saiyan was that tough.

"Trunks, you almost had it, I could feel it!" Gohan's excited voice brought a smile to Trunks's lips. There was so much pride in his voice, so much fatherly pride. He felt Gohan pick him up and stand him on his feet. He was smiling at him.

"Ugh, I'm so tired now," said Trunks. Gohan only laughed.

"It'll take a lot out of you until you completely master the transformation. If you keep going like this, you'll have it in no time!"

Just then, a large explosion erupted to the south. Instantly, Gohan's manner shifted. His warrior face was on, and he looked down at Trunks.

"Trunks, you need to get on home, I'll meet with you there later," he commanded. But Trunks only nodded. Years of attacks by the Androids, and the sight of countless mangled corpses, had resolved Trunks to following Gohan's command. When it came to Android attacks, he completely obeyed Gohan. He floated up in the air, being careful to mask his power as much as he could. He gave one last look at Gohan, and Gohan could see the tears in his eyes. This is how it always went. Gohan would stay behind to fight, and Trunks would leave, never quite sure if he would see Gohan again. It was the risk he had to take. Without looking back, he went home.

Gohan too raced away, but his flight path led him towards the Android attack. The explosion had occurred in one of the few cities left in the region. When Gohan arrived, there was only a large crater surrounded by tons of debris. There were screaming citizens running through the streets, desperately looking for cover. Gohan's heart rate increased from the adrenaline that began coursing through his system. He scanned the crowds from the air, looking for his two enemies. However, he could not find them.

The explosion was entirely reminiscent of an Android attack, so why weren't they around? They had been here, and they usually would stay until they got their fill of personally ending the lives of hundreds of citizens. Gohan felt a strange chill travel up his spine. Something wasn't right. This had been an Android attack, but there were no Androids. Why would they blow up a city and then not kill the remaining citizens?

There was a large power surge. It was Trunks! His power was building up massively, and Gohan could sense hate, loss, and fear. Suddenly, Gohan realized what had occurred. The Androids had blown up this city as a trap. But the trap wasn't for him, it was for Trunks.

Without a thought Gohan ascended to a Super Saiyan and raced off in the direction of Trunks.

xDBZx

While Gohan had gone off to fight the Androids, Trunks had returned home. He was careful not to fly too fast in fear of giving off too much power for the Androids to sense. Capsule Corp. was the one safe place left from the Androids. There was a large bunker deep beneath the ruined upper building, and it was in there that Gohan, Trunks, and Bulma lived. So far, the Androids did not know of where Gohan and Trunks lived, though probably not through lack of trying.

After twenty minutes of flight, Trunks could see the Capsule Corp. building. When he was a few miles away from the building, he landed in a secluded area and began to walk. He could not risk giving away the location of his home to the Androids, just in case they or anyone else was watching. He carefully maneuvered through the ruined streets, taking every back and secluded way he could, to limit his time out in the open. Finally, he reached the Capsule Corp. building and entered through a secret side passage.

As he was walking through the many corridors of the building, he began to get a very bad feeling. Something bad was going to happen, he knew. He did not know how, or why, but he knew. He reached the large blast doors that led to the bunker, and it was in that moment that he knew what was wrong. The doors had been torn away and left carelessly in the passageway. Those doors were over a foot thick of a titanium-steel alloy, and there were only two people in the world other than Trunks and Gohan who possessed the strength to so casually remove those doors. Trunks's stomach clenched in fear.

He raced down the passageway to the bunker, and as he did so, he reached out to feel his mother's life force. It was there, but normal. Trunks's heart skipped a beat in trepidation as he reached the door to his mother's lab. There was no sign of forced entry or damage. With a shaky hand, Trunks entered the security code into the lab door and prepared himself as it opened. He clenched his fists in anger and intense fear.

The door opened and revealed Bulma to be sitting in her chair in front of her large computer console. She was typing furiously into the system, and then turned around when the door shut with a clang.

"Oh hi kiddo, I didn't think you'd be back so early," she said, showing no sign of stress or fear. Trunks nearly sighed in relief—there was nothing wrong. His mother was perfectly fine. "Where's Gohan?" she asked, looking around as if expecting him to enter the room soon.

"He had to deal with some things: that's why I'm home," Trunks answered. He made his way over to another chair that was in the room, ready to relax when his mother gave a small squeak. Trunks turned around in confusion to look at his mother, but she was staring across the room. Trunks followed her line of vision and met eyes with Android Seventeen.

The two Androids were standing in the doorway of room, and each held satisfied smiles. Trunks began to shake in fear. How could they be here? I was so careful!

"It's rude not to invite us in, Trunks," said Android Eighteen, her eerie smile matching her brother's. She stepped closer to Bulma, and Trunks immediately moved to stand in front of her.

"Isn't that cute," said Android Seventeen. Android Eighteen giggled.

"It's so nice to finally see where you hide, Trunks," continued Seventeen, "and it's nice to finally meet your mother. I always wondered who could give birth to a little abomination like you." He stepped towards them.

"You stay away from her!" Trunks snarled, the anger in his voice clearly audible.

"Manners, Trunks. It isn't polite to yell at your guests like that." Seventeen took another step, with Eighteen beside him. Trunks lowered himself into a fighting stance.

"That's very precious, Trunks, but you and I both know you're no match for us," said Eighteen, her beautiful face belying the evil being that rested within. "Not even your friend can beat us, and he is far stronger than you."

"He'll kill you both!" said Trunks venomously. Bulma was shaking with intense fear behind him.

"I think not," said Seventeen, "and by the time he realizes where we are, it will be too late for him to save you and your mother. It'll destroy him."

"If you kill me," said Trunks, "you'll only make him stronger. He'll tear you two apart!"

"We'll see," said Eighteen. "But we don't want to kill you. Not yet, at least."

Seventeen continued where Eighteen left off. "First, we want to see how fast you are. Consider it a game." Seventeen disappeared from his spot by Eighteen. Trunks's eyes widened. Seventeen was extremely fast, and because he was an android Trunks could not sense him.

He was hit in the side of the head with a powerful strike that sent him careening across the room. The blow made him see stars. Before he could regain any bearing, Seventeen appeared in front of him and delivered a swift kick to his prone form. Trunks bit back a cry of pain at the strength. Android Seventeen then shot out another kick, but this time Trunks caught it. It hurt his hands—he thought they might be broken—but the pain aggravated him and made him stronger.

A white aura appeared around Trunks as his power rose. Android Seventeen smiled, and struck him again with amazing speed. Trunks tried to block it, but it made contact. He heard someone appear behind him and so he twisted and kicked. Android Eighteen caught it in her tiny hands and with great strength threw him up through the ceiling. Trunks stopped himself mid-flight and then flew back down through the hole in the ceiling. He shot towards Seventeen, who was the closest person, and delivered a powerful kick that would have killed any other being on the planet. Surprisingly, it made contact, but the Android hardly seemed fazed.

During all of this, Bulma remained where she was. They seemed to have forgotten about her in order to toy with her son. She was at a loss as to what to do. She did not possess the strength to hurt any of them, and she wouldn't be able to run. She didn't want to leave her son, though she knew she was absolutely useless in a fight, and even if she did run she wouldn't make it far before the Androids killed her too.

She watched as the androids tormented and mauled her only son. She could not help the tears that fell freely. This was not the way things were supposed to happen. They were supposed to be safe here, hidden in this bunker. But somehow the Androids had found them.

There was a large cry of pain, and Bulma noticed that Android Eighteen now had Trunks in a hold from which he could not escape.

"I tire of this game," she heard Android Seventeen say. "Let's change it up a little bit."

He sauntered over to her, grabbed her in a vice-like grip, and brought her to stand before Trunks.

"Trunks," he said, "I want you to say goodbye to your mother."

Trunks's eyes widened in alarm. Gohan, I need you! Please help!

"Don't touch her!" he snarled. His rage was increasing in intensity. But he knew what they were going to do, and there was no way he could stop it.

"Last chance," said Seventeen. Trunks made eye contact with his mother.

"I love you," she said. Trunks was about to say something, but before he could Seventeen sent a blast that went straight through Bulma's chest. Trunks screamed as she fell forward, her eyes turning blank as her life force evaporated.

"MOM!" he shouted, and he strained intensely against the hold Eighteen had on him. He gritted his teeth so hard that he felt they would crack. His sudden feeling of loss gave way to a feeling of fury that he had never before experienced. He was shaking uncontrollably, except this time it was not in fear but in anger. His breathing became rapid as the rage overtook him. His muscles tensed, and then began to bulge. He looked up at Seventeen, who was looking at him with a smirk on his face. He felt the barrier that had once prevented him from turning Super Saiyan, and with a terrifying scream of raw pain and loss he shattered it.

Seventeen watched in amazement as Trunks's blue eyes disappeared entirely, leaving only a void of white. Golden lightning crackled around him, and his hair lifted upwards and became a luminous gold. A golden aura pulsated around him. It was the same transformation that he had seen Gohan do numerous times but without all the emotional baggage.

With a cry Trunks tossed his head back and smashed into Eighteen's face. She let go of him, and he shot towards Seventeen. He cocked his fist back and delivered a powerful blow into Seventeen's stomach, who had been completely unprepared for the sudden change in strength. Trunks went on a rampage, landing dozens of blows on the Android.

But suddenly, the Android began blocking them, and soon Trunks was not making contact at all, despite his greatly increased strength.

"This is a nice transformation Trunks, but it's still not enough!" he shouted, and knocked Trunks into a wall. Eighteen then grabbed him, and bodily threw him towards her brother, who then kicked him powerfully in the chest. Trunks choked in pain, and coughed up a bit of blood.

"Gohan has had this silly transformation for years and he still hasn't beaten us. What makes you think you can?"

Trunks gave a feral snarl, and launched back into an assault with the Androids. He dodged their blows and managed to land a few of his own, but he could not gain the upper hand. Then, Seventeen grabbed him, kneed him in the stomach, and threw him to the ground effortlessly. He then raised his foot and stomped down on Trunks's chest, delighting in the sound of the scream of pain that followed. He gathered energy in his hand, and was just about to deliver a fatal blow when a figure burst through the wall and collided with him.

It was Gohan.

xDBZx

Gohan had been racing towards Capsule Corp. at breakneck speed. He had felt Trunks's large increase in power, and he had felt Bulma's life force slip away. The Androids must have gone to Capsule Corp., though Gohan didn't know how they knew where Bulma and Trunks were, and they must have killed Bulma. The resulting heartbreak had definitely put Trunks over the edge, and he had finally achieved the Super Saiyan transformation. However, the cost was far too great. It reminded Gohan sickeningly of how he had achieved his own transformation. The transformation was not worth the cost of his family and friends.

His feelings of hate increased towards the Androids. They had destroyed his life, and they had prevented Trunks from ever having a good one. The poor boy had been fighting and running his whole life. Much like Gohan, actually, but Gohan had always had hope. Gohan always had his father. Trunks didn't have a hero he could look up to, one who always saved the day. No, he was stuck with Gohan, who could not defeat the two Androids no matter how hard he tried. Gohan snarled in disgust. He was a disgrace to his father's legacy. Goku would have found a way to defeat them. Goku always found a way.

He was almost to Capsule Corp., and he could feel Trunks's life force also giving away. Hold on just a little bit longer, Trunks. I'm almost there.

Finally, he was there, and he flew through the wall into the building and down into the bunker. He burst through the laboratory wall and flew straight into Android Seventeen, who had just been about to kill Trunks. Gohan didn't stop, and took Android Seventeen with him through several walls. He then grasped him more firmly, and kneed him in the chest with all the power he could muster. Seventeen doubled over from the blow, taken over by the awesome fury of Gohan.

Gohan continued his assault with a skill that came only from years of experience, and he landed many blows on the Android. However, Seventeen managed to regain his bearings and struck Gohan with a powerful kick to the chest that sent Gohan flying back into the room that held Trunks and Eighteen. He did not miss a beat, though, and flipped himself upright and immediately met the fist Seventeen had sent towards him with his own. The result was a powerful shockwave that sent dust and debris flying. Gohan countered with a swipe of his foot towards Seventeen's head. Seventeen dodged and sent his fist towards the back of Gohan's head as it was turned. Gohan had prepared for this, though, and leaned forward, causing the Android to overextend his arm. He kicked backwards with his foot and hit Seventeen in the face. But as he was moving back up he was hit powerfully in the side by Eighteen.

Trunks, having managed to somewhat recuperate, joined the battle too. Now that he was a Super Saiyan, he could more easily contend with the two Androids—and he was no longer a liability to Gohan.

They fought together for a long time, with Gohan ducking, twisting, and maneuvering with a grace that Trunks had never seen. He was so fluid, and his skill was so great that the Androids were unable to completely best him when facing him one on one, even though their power was greater.

Trunks, however, was not as skilled, and so he received many blows that Gohan would have been able to avoid. Also, the Super Saiyan transformation was beginning to wear on him, as he had not become accustomed to it like Gohan had. After a while, he was completely battered: covered with cuts and scrapes from the Androids and all the uncomfortable impacts with debris. Gohan and the Androids were fairing much better, though Gohan had more marks on him than either of the two.

Eighteen got a very powerful kick on Trunks that sent him flying across the room and made him see stars. Taking advantage of this, she raced towards him and began pounding on him while he was down. Gohan was occupied by Seventeen and could not help. He flipped backwards and launched a powerful blast at the Android. He simply pushed it aside, and it blew up part of the lab behind him.

Eighteen continued her assault on Trunks, who had managed to regain his feet. He ducked and dodged her blows, though he could never find an opening to throw an attack of his own. She was too fast.

Seventeen fired a blast in return at Gohan, and Gohan was forced to deflect it upwards so that it did not collide with Trunks, who was behind him. Seventeen did not hesitate and immediately swiped at Gohan's head with his foot, but Gohan ducked beneath it and swiped at Seventeen's planted leg with his own. Seventeen pushed the leg away with his own by using the momentum of his previous kick, planted it, and then pivoted, intending to catch Gohan with another kick. Gohan caught it, but barely. With a great heave he tossed the Android away, and sped after him so that he could keep Seventeen on the defensive.

Meanwhile, Trunks's defense was slipping as Eighteen assaulted him with her limitless endurance. With every attack she grew closer to wearing him out completely. Finally, she scored a hit on him that he was unable to block, and it held such great force that it knocked him out of his Super Saiyan transformation.

Gohan sensed Trunks's power drop immensely, but he was not the only one. Android Seventeen had also sensed it. He looked at Gohan and smirked. Somehow, Gohan knew exactly what was going to happen. He turned around and raced to Trunks's aid, but Seventeen was closer. Seventeen raised his finger and shot a blast at Trunks. Gohan sped towards it as fast as he could, trying desperately to somehow knock it out of the way. He wasn't fast enough.

The blast pierced through Trunks' chest. Trunks let out a small gasp as he looked down at the fatal wound. Gohan's heart stopped in his throat as he saw Trunks cough up some blood and collapse to the ground. Everything seemed to slow down for him. All he could concentrate on was Trunks' look of shock. Slowly, unbelievingly, he reached the boy. He gently touched him, in shock, unable to believe that the boy was dead. Tears began to roll down his cheeks as he gently cradled Trunks to his chest. His sobs began to grow louder as his entire body shook in emotional pain. "Trunks…" he whispered, "I failed you. I failed you. You were my little brother Trunks. This wasn't supposed to happen…you weren't supposed to die…"

"Aw would you look at that Eighteen. He's crying. How weak. No wonder he wasn't able to save that stupid kid. He's too weak." Android Seventeen began laughing at Gohan. Eighteen too started laughing, and joined in on the taunting.

"Do you miss him, Gohan?" said Eighteen in a child-like voice.

Gohan ignored the jibes by the Androids. He was a fighting a battle inside his mind. There was so much pain….so much rage…so much hatred inside his heart. I've failed. I've failed everyone. I let everyone die. Trunks, Bulma, Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Piccolo, Krillin, Vegeta, Yamcha, Tien, Chiaotzu. I wasn't strong enough to protect them. Especially you Trunks. You were everything to me. My brother. This wasn't supposed to happen…"THIS WASN'T SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN!"

Gohan's roar was loud and long. It pierced the ears of the Androids, forcing them to clamp their hands over their ears. The ground began to shake beneath their feet. A fierce gust swept around Gohan and knocked the two Androids over. Bolts of lightning began to spark and crackle around Gohan's body, scorching the earth and destroying anything that wasn't a part of him.

"What's going on?" screamed Eighteen at her brother.

"I have…no idea," he replied, in awe of this display.

The roar continued on as Gohan's golden hair began to grow. His muscle mass increased significantly, as did the golden aura that flowed around him. The lightning increased in intensity, crackling hungrily around Gohan's body.

Suddenly, the wind died down and the Androids were able to get a good look at Gohan. He was now standing, and he was looking at the Androids, eyes dark and lips curled in a hateful sneer. The Androids looked into his eyes, and that's when they first began to feel fear. Gohan's eyes were darker than when he was just a Super Saiyan, and they burned with voracious power. They were glowing jade eyes of nightmare, and terrifying to behold.

However, Seventeen quickly regained his composure. "What an impressive display Gohan, but it doesn't change the fact that you're outmatched. You still can't possib-" he was cut off as Gohan's knee was shoved into his stomach. Seventeen was shocked by the power in that strike. It hurt.

"What!" cried Eighteen. "I didn't even see him move!"

Suddenly Eighteen found herself in a pile of rubble. She had been struck in the side of the head by a punch and launched downwards. The attack left her dazed and confused for a couple moments.

"Don't tell me you're down and out already," said Gohan maliciously. The two androids were shocked by the amount of venom in his voice. It was scary.

"How-how did you do that?" demanded Seventeen. "You couldn't possibly be this strong! How are you doing this?"

A smirk crept onto Gohan's face. "Doing what?" he asked as he phased in front of Seventeen and punched him in the face. "This can't possibly be hurting you, can it? I thought you were strong!"

Gohan was waiting for Seventeen as the force from his punch rocketed the android forward. When Seventeen was near, Gohan stuck out his fist and jabbed the android in the center of the back. The force from the blow made the android's hands almost touch his feet as he bent over Gohan's fist.

Eighteen, seeing what had happened to her brother, sped forward and cocked her fist back in a position to punch. She was just about to release and knock Gohan into the air when a strong hand suddenly appeared around her throat. Eighteen had to stop her offensive as the hand began to crush her neck. She grabbed Gohan's thumb in one hand and his other fingers in her other hand and tried to pry his hand off, but no matter how hard she tried, she could not force his fingers to budge. Any other person would be cradling broken fingers, but Gohan was completely unaffected.

Eighteen winced as Gohan suddenly turned to face her, and shifted her closer. His eyes were glowing so brightly and held so much rage that she would have squeaked in fear had she been able to. There was no mercy in those eyes. This was not the same person she had fought and beaten so many times before.

She cried out in pain as Gohan snarled and tightened his grip. His grip was so strong!

"You are weak," he growled. He held Eighteen higher up in the air with his left hand with no effort. Suddenly, he grabbed her left wrist in his right hand and squeezed. Eighteen cried out in pain as her wrist was crushed. Although she was an android, she still had a majority of real tissue, and that tissue could feel pain.

"Oh, does that hurt?" Gohan asked with a sadistic smile. Eighteen cried out again, pleading for him to stop. "I'm sorry. How about you let me give you a hand with that? Or, perhaps, I can take one away!" With a quick and powerful tug of his arm, Android Eighteen's arm was ripped from her body. She screamed in pain and Gohan loved every second of it. He threw the useless appendage to the ground and shoved a fist into her gut.

Seventeen, who had regained his bearings, had seen the whole thing. "You MONSTER!" he cried out, incredibly furious at what Gohan had done to his sister. Gohan suddenly spun around to face the male android, his expression full of rage.

"What did you just call me?" he snarled. He threw Eighteen to the ground and phased in front of Seventeen. Before Seventeen could even blink there was an elbow in his face. He was launched backwards and then was met by Gohan's foot. Then, quicker than the eye could see, Gohan brought his fist down on Seventeen's body and launched him into the ground. Not a second later Gohan grabbed Seventeen's foot and spun to gain momentum. With incredibly precise aim he released Seventeen, who then bowled over the sobbing Eighteen.

Gohan was bloodcrazy.

There was no stopping his fury.

He was relentless.

"STOP!" Eighteen cried. "Please just stop!" Her tears were thrown away as Gohan backhanded her across the face. The fury in his eyes was horrifying.

"You want me to stop?" he asked in a deadly whisper. "You, who have taken everything from me, now wish for me to stop?" He let out a humorless chuckle, and then swiftly resumed his venomous glare. "Your logic is astounding. Everything is all fun and games when you are at the top, but as soon as you are brought down to the bottom, it is suddenly not fun anymore. I suppose there is some human left in you two after all. But soon, it will be dead. You will be dead."

Seventeen, who looked furious throughout Gohan's speech, suddenly fired a succession of blasts. He poured as much power into them as he could. When they impacted, he was sure that he had killed Gohan and won. A voice suddenly spoke from behind him.

"Do you really think that you stand a chance?" Gohan said in a terrifyingly calm voice. Seventeen froze. It's not possible…

Gohan was suddenly in his face. Seventeen could not believe how much faster he had become with his new transformation. It was unreal. All he could do was stare blankly into Gohan's unforgiving dark eyes.

And then suddenly there was a pressure in his abdomen and back. His eyes fell from Gohan's, and saw the man's arm buried inside his torso. The room started to feel very cold and quiet. It was almost peaceful, really…

With an extremely quick movement of Gohan's foot, Android Seventeen's life was ended. Half of his face was caved in from the blow; he fell to the ground, dead.

Gohan looked down at the blood covering his arm, and smiled. The taking of a life only increased the power of his Super Saiyan form. Gohan felt euphoric as the rush of endorphins flooded his system. He felt powerful. He could decide whether the Androids lived or died. All the suffering they had caused could be ended because of him.

He turned to face Eighteen in the ruins of Capsule Corp. She was the last remnant of the plague that had destroyed his life. He would destroy her.

He slowly stepped over to her broken form. She was barely recognizable, as her body was covered in dirt, bruises, and blood. It was fitting. Gohan had seen so many people look like this after an Android attack. There was such a thing as justice.

Picking her up easily by her neck, he brought her face closer to his, to examine in her last moments if she had any regret. He saw only fear and hatred. "Please," she whispered, "please don't kill me."

The one who had killed his little brother was now pleading with him. It disgusted him. Trunks was dead because of her kind. And now she wanted mercy from him. No, Gohan didn't play by those rules. Not anymore.

An eye for an eye; a life for a life.

His hand tightened around her fragile looking throat. For a second, Gohan almost believed it was a waste, to kill something so beautiful. But she was evil, and so she died quickly as Gohan crushed her cervical vertebrae, and Gohan tossed the lifeless body to the floor. He then sent two blasts, incinerating the remains of the two Androids. But the death of the two Androids did not satisfy his bloodlust. With an enraged snarl he threw countless blasts at the surrounding buildings. He then let loose an animalistic roar, unleashing all of his rage and hurt. With his pain came all of his power, unleashed in that terrifying roar. A golden glow began to surround him as he released more and more of his strength. His body was in terrible pain as it was slowly ripped apart by the heat of his power.

Gohan never noticed Bulma's machine began to sound loudly. He only continued to unleash his fury upon the world, and demonstrate his defiance to its injustice. And suddenly, the world was gone.