High above the skies of Westlands Ridge, the clouds rolled lazily in the breeze. The air was calm, deceptively so. Deep in the forest below, a gentle rustle of birds took flight suddenly as if something unseen rippled through the atmosphere.
It wasn't long before warriors of Earth took notice.
Tien and Chiaotzu had been flying above a deep gorge, scanning for any abnormal energy patterns. The duo had remained in constant motion, covering territory, stopping from time to time to help townsfolk rebuild. They had just finished aiding in the reconstruction of a schoolhouse when Tien suddenly stopped in mid-air.
"That ki... it's Krillin!" Tien said, eyes widening.
Chiaotzu, hovering beside him, paled. "It's flaring up... but it's being pushed back. Something's wrong."
Tien's third eye narrowed. "And there's another energy... dark, twisted. It's not just Krillin. Someone's fighting him."
With no further delay, they rocketed toward the source.
Gohan had been meditating at a quiet riverbank, surrounded by nature. His aura shimmered subtly with control and grace. He'd spent the last few weeks refining his Ki sensitivity, learning how to mask and flare it with deliberate precision.
He was deep in concentration when his eyes snapped open.
"That's... Mr. Krillin?" Gohan stood immediately. "Wait… there's another! A scary one... is that the Android?!"
Without hesitation, the young warrior took flight, streaking toward the battle.
Raditz and Goku had been in the northern canyons sparring under 500x gravity in a reinforced dome Bulma had designed. The two brothers were shirtless, sweating, and grinning through a wild flurry of hand-to-hand exchanges.
"You've gotten sharper, Raditz!" Goku said with a gleam of pride.
Raditz smirked, panting. "Don't flatter me, Kakarot. I—"
Both suddenly froze mid-motion.
A shockwave of energy tickled the edge of their senses. Krillin's aura flared wildly, followed by another foreign power.
Raditz stepped back, his eyes narrowing. "That wasn't just sparring energy..."
Goku nodded slowly. "No... it's real. The Android found someone."
"Krillin," Raditz growled. "He's in trouble."
They blasted out of the gravity dome without another word.
Piccolo was in the hills just beyond the southern coast. Alone. Meditating.
He didn't need to search for Cell—he knew, somehow, it would come to this. His fused form had become attuned to the natural flow of energy. It was like the planet spoke through him.
When Cell's ki spiked, Piccolo's eyes snapped open, teeth clenched.
"That monster... he's made his move."
Then came Krillin's surge. Pain. Resistance. Rage. Courage.
Without pause, Piccolo vanished from the cliffs in a blur of green light.
Trunks, Vegeta and Nappa where looking high and lo for the Android that escaped only to Sense Krillin's Ki flaring up.
Trunks: "That must be the androids!"
Trunks flew to Krillins direction with outstanding speeds.
Nappa: Vegeta?
Vegeta: Hmp, Let's, follow him.
The rocky expanse lay scorched and torn. Large chunks of the earth were charred black from energy blasts. At a nearby cave, Krillin stood, bruised and breathing steadily and in attention, shielding Android 18, who was explaining the majority of what happened during the attack of that monster named Cell. Behind them, 16 lay motionless, damaged, but still intact.
A gust of wind blew across the battlefield.
And then Piccolo landed. His cape fluttered dramatically, expression hard and unreadable.
Gohan landed next, then Tien and Chiaotzu. Raditz and Goku were not far behind.
They all stood silently, eyes shifting from the unconscious 16, to the battered 18, and finally to the unlikely image of Krillin shielding an android.
Piccolo's arms crossed slowly. "...Explain."
Gohan looked confused. "Mr. Krillin... are you protecting her?"
Chiaotzu floated beside Tien, whispering. "I don't understand... wasn't she the enemy?"
Raditz took a defensive stance out of habit. "What happened?! Did she do this?!"
Krillin didn't answer. Not yet. He stood tall despite his wounds, his aura flickering with the remnants of Kaioken.
"Let him speak," Goku said softly, eyes fixed on Krillin, then briefly to 18. "There's more to this than we know."
The wind rustled again.
Krillin's lips curled slightly into a faint smile. "I will... just give me a second to catch my breath."
Krillin sat down slowly, taking a long breath as the group surrounded him. The tension in the air could be cut with a blade. Android 18 stood just behind him, arms crossed, visibly tense, while Android 16's broken body lay still beside them.
"I know how this looks," Krillin started, voice still winded but steady. "But… they're not our enemies. Not anymore."
Raditz folded his arms, skeptical. "Forgive me if I don't buy that right away. Last I checked, they were programmed to kill Goku."
Android 18 flinched at the name.
"They were," Krillin nodded, glancing back at her, "but something changed. I don't think they're under Gero's influence anymore. They've been... wandering. Not killing, not hurting anyone unless they were attacked first."
Piccolo scowled, his gaze cold and unreadable. "And that excuses unleashing chaos across cities for fun? Stealing? Blowing things up?"
"I'm not defending what they've done," Krillin said quickly. "But they were attacked first today. By Cell."
Everyone stiffened.
"Cell?" Gohan echoed.
Android 18 took a step forward. "He came out of nowhere. Some mutated freak with a tail and a twisted grin. Said we were 'his.' Went straight for 17… and he—"
She paused, her voice catching for a moment.
Krillin continued for her, his tone grim. "He absorbed another android, 17. Right in front of them. That's how he transformed."
There was a long silence.
Tien's fists clenched. "This Cell. He's stronger now?"
Krillin nodded. "A lot. I fought him… barely held him back. He would've killed her next, if I hadn't stepped in."
Android 18 looked away, arms still crossed but her posture softening. "He was willing to die… for me. Why?"
"I thought you were just another civilian," Krillin said with a dry laugh. "But… when I saw Cell going after you, saw your face… something just told me it wasn't right."
Piccolo's eyes narrowed. "You're saying we should protect them?"
Krillin stood up straighter, his voice resolute. "I'm saying they're not the biggest threat anymore. Cell is. And whether we like it or not, they're targets. If he absorbs her… it's game over."
Goku stepped forward now, gaze steady. "I trust Krillin's judgment. He's got good instincts."
Raditz grunted. "Sentimental ones, maybe."
Goku smiled. "That too."
Gohan stepped beside his father. "If we leave her alone, Cell will find her eventually. That's not just her problem… it's all of ours."
Piccolo glanced at Android 18, then at the battered 16, who remained unconscious. "…Bulma might be able to repair him."
"Are you serious?" Tien asked. "We're really doing this?"
Krillin nodded. "We can't beat Cell if we keep splitting our focus. If 18 dies, Cell wins."
There was a brief silence, then Goku turned toward 18. "If we help you… we'll need your cooperation. No tricks. No running."
18 hesitated. Then, slowly, she nodded. "…I'm not going anywhere. I want that thing dead too."
Tien sighed and floated down beside them. "This is insane…"
"But logical," Chiaotzu added quietly.
Piccolo finally unfolded his arms. "Fine. But the first sign of betrayal, I won't hesitate."
Goku clapped Krillin on the shoulder. "Good call, buddy."
Krillin rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "I just went with my gut."
Raditz muttered under his breath, "Guts'll get you killed one day."
Goku ignored him. "Let's get 16 back to Bulma."
Goku, Piccolo, Gohan, Raditz, Tien, Chiaotzu, and Krillin stood gathered in quiet conversation. Android 18 sat on a ledge, quietly tending to a shallow wound on her arm, keeping her distance but listening to everything.
The calm was suddenly shattered.
A pulse of energy split through the sky like a thunderclap.
"Three powers," Piccolo said, his eyes narrowing. "Vegeta, Nappa... and Trunks."
"They're here," Goku muttered.
A moment later, the trio landed at the mouth of the cave with a sharp gust of wind.
Trunks' eyes scanned the cave quickly and then locked onto 18. His expression instantly turned to fury.
"You're protecting her?!" Trunks barked, pointing at Android 18.
"Trunks, wait—" Goku began.
Trunks' aura flared with golden light, his hair standing on end as he erupted into his Super Saiyan form. The wind from his transformation knocked loose rocks from the cave ceiling.
"They destroyed everything in my timeline!" he shouted, voice trembling with rage. "You don't know what she's capable of!"
Krillin stepped in front of Android 18, his expression hardening. "You're right—we don't know your timeline. But this isn't that timeline, Trunks."
Vegeta and Nappa watched from behind, amused and curious.
"Is this the runt that humiliated you once?" Nappa whispered to Vegeta.
Vegeta grunted. "Let him vent. This might get interesting."
Trunks' eyes were locked on Krillin now. "Get out of the way. She doesn't deserve your mercy."
Krillin's aura exploded to life—fiery red enveloping his form as he invoked Kaioken x20, cracks forming in the stone beneath his feet.
"Try it," Krillin said, standing firm. "But I'm not letting you kill her."
The tension was suffocating.
Trunks shouted and lunged, fist pulled back. Krillin met him head-on, their fists colliding with an earth-shaking boom that sent shockwaves throughout the cave. The walls cracked, dust and debris raining from the ceiling.
Blow for blow, they exchanged attacks—Trunks pushing hard, Krillin mostly defending himself and occasionally counters. Trunks' golden aura clashed against the red intensity of Kaioken.
"I know what she did!" Trunks roared, landing a hard knee into Krillin's gut. "They killed everyone for fun!"
Krillin reeled, blood spitting from his mouth, but he didn't fall.
"This isn't your world!" Krillin growled, driving an elbow into Trunks' side. "We're not the same fighters! She's not the same person!"
Energy surged. The cave trembled.
"Stop it!" Gohan shouted, trying to intervene, but Piccolo held up a hand.
"Let them finish. Trunks needs this."
With one last clash of fists, the two separated, both panting, both bruised.
Krillin dropped his Kaioken. "You done?"
Trunks powered down slowly, his golden hair fading back to lavender. He looked down at his fists, trembling.
"She and 17... they killed everyone. Gohan... my master... he died trying to stop them. You don't know what they're capable of."
Krillin nodded. "No, I don't. But I saw her hesitate. I saw her scared of Cell. And I watched her protect someone today. That has to count for something."
Trunks looked over to Android 18, who had said nothing this entire time.
Her eyes met his. "I'm not the same as your monster. Maybe I never will be."
Trunks looked back at Krillin, his expression twisted with conflicted emotions. "I... I need time. I can't stay here."
Goku walked forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We understand. But don't lose sight of the bigger picture. Cell is still out there."
With a slow nod, Trunks turned away.
"I'll patrol the south. If Cell makes a move, I'll be there."
He flew off into the sky, a streak of light disappearing into the clouds.
Back in the cave, Krillin dropped to one knee, exhausted.
Android 18 looked at him curiously. "Why did you go that far... for me?"
Krillin smiled, wiping blood from his mouth. "I guess I'm just reckless."
Gohan laughed softly. "You're kind of amazing, Mr. Krillin."
Vegeta scoffed. "Sentimental garbage." But even he didn't have his usual venom.
The group returned inside, their bonds tested but intact. The fight against Cell wasn't over. But at least, for now, there was unity.
Hours Later – Capsule Corp
Bulma stared at the massive frame of Android 16 on the lab table, her fingers typing rapidly on a console. "This guy is… complicated."
"Can you fix him?" Gohan asked hopefully.
Bulma adjusted her glasses. "I can try. But he's built with technology even more advanced than the others. It'll take time."
Android 18 stood in a corner, away from the group, watching silently. Krillin stayed nearby, occasionally casting glances her way.
Vegeta, who had just arrived, scoffed from the doorway. "You brought the enemy into our base now?"
"They're not the enemy anymore," Goku said plainly.
Vegeta eyed 18 with cold disdain. "So we're babysitting androids now."
Nappa stepped forward beside him. "If Cell really is this strong, maybe it's worth it. We're going to need every edge."
Vegeta said nothing, but didn't argue.
Bulma looked over her shoulder. "I'll need at least two days. Keep the big guy safe until then."
Everyone nodded.
Krillin glanced at Android 18 again. "You doing okay?"
She blinked, caught off-guard. "I… guess."
"Don't worry," he said with a grin. "You've got a whole squad watching your back now."
She looked away but gave the faintest hint of a smirk.
From a nearby window, the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the ground.
The storm was coming.
But for now, there was still hope.