Author's note: In this chapter, 17 and 18 reveal their past and their real names, as Mirai 17, 18, Gohan and Bardock begin their week-long stay in the world where Goku sacrificed his life in an effort to destroy Cell. Also, Mirai Bulma and Chi Chi are coming, too. (Thanks to the extra Time Capsule which Imperfect Cell commandeered from Mirai Trunks, Mirai Bulma was able to repair and improve it.) This is also where Perfect Cell sets his plan in motion.
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Elsewhere, sometime in an alternate future, Mirai Bulma and Mirai Chi Chi were at the run-down Capsule Corp. Headquarters playing a round of Go Fish, and talking about old times. The game abruptly ended when they somehow heard Shenron's voice across time and space.
Mirai Chi Chi: Man...it's been a few years since Gohan died. I miss him so much. If only I can see him...or Goku...just one more time.
Mirai Bulma: I know what you mean. I miss my husband, too. The thing that amazed me was what Trunks told me about. Vegeta tangled with Cell head-on, with no hope of winning, after our son suffered a fatal blow at the hands of that creep!
Mirai Chi Chi: I know...and hearing what Goku did in that timeline...he...he...(cries a bit) He sacrificed himself to save Earth from Cell's impending self-destruct maneuver. He was so brave...It's so sad. And yet, in a sense, I know that's exactly what he would've done...for all of us.
Mirai Bulma: Yeah. What a guy. He saves the world one last time and moves on.
Mirai Chi Chi: Speaking of moving on...got any 3's?
Mirai Bulma: Go fish. (hears an echoing voice) Wha?
Voice of Shenron: (echoing) YOUR WISH...HAS BEEN GRANTED! The ones...known as Mirai 17, Mirai 18, Mirai Gohan and Bardock have been brought back to life, and are now here...in this...timeline.
Mirai Chi Chi: Bulma...am I going crazy, or did I just hear the voice of the Eternal Dragon?
Mirai Bulma: You're not crazy, Chi Chi. I heard it, too!
Mirai Chi Chi: Then that means...
Mirai Bulma: Gohan's been wished back to the timeline where his alternate self killed Cell in battle!!
Mirai Bulma and Chi both wanted to go to the past, and see some old friends.
Mirai Chi Chi: Oh, man! Hang on, Gohan! Mommy's coming to see you!! (Omigosh! I might see all of my friends there, too.)But...how are we going to do that?
Mirai Bulma: Simple. We'll take the spare Time Capsule.
Mirai Chi Chi: You don't mean...
Mirai Bulma: I sure do. As you know, in a timeline which slightly bridges off from our present day, an Imperfect Cell killed poor Trunks and took his Time Capsule. But, because he trained with Vegeta...who put one year's worth of training in ONE DAY, he was able to take that cockroach out with ease! (gets up, and walks to the hangar bay) Follow me!
Mirai Chi Chi: RIGHT!
Mirai Bulma led her friend to the hangar, where the special vehicles were kept. She then revealed a fully modified Time Capsule, and explained about how she fixed it.
Mirai Bulma: (turns on a light) Well, here we are. What do you think?
Mirai Chi Chi: Oh...my...GOSH! You've fixed it!
Mirai Bulma: Fixed it? Nope. I did more than fix it. I improved it!
Mirai Chi Chi: How?
Mirai Bulma: You see, right after Trunks killed 17 and 18, he handed the spare time capsule over to me. He told me all about how it got to the past. I examined in and realized all of the parts were salvageable, and could be repaired and modified. I took it apart, and remodeled it a bit. NOW, it's got two seats, an air conditioner, a cd player, AND a new and improved onboard computer, which links directly to it's original version, no matter where it is! In other words, I can track down Trunks' capsule and go to where it is without setting up a bunch of coordinates!
Mirai Chi Chi: Well then, what are we waiting for?! LET'S GO!
And so, the two women got into the revamped Time Capsule and blasted off into the past. Meanwhile, in the Earth of our timeline, Mirai Gohan saw 18 was with Krillin, and was about to attack, when he received the EXACT SAME TREATMENT as Mirai Trunks did.
Mirai Gohan: I don't know how to thank you for bringing me back, Trunks. I owe you, big time.
Mirai Trunks: Actually, I'm not the one you should be thanking, Gohan.
Mirai Gohan: If you didn't bring me back...who did?
18: I did.
Mirai Gohan: Huh? (turns around and sees 18, then 17) ANDROIDS 17 AND 18!! (transforms into a Super Saiya-jin) I don't know how you two came back to life, but I shall avenge the lives of those you've killed! Not one death will go unaccounted for, NOT ONE!!
18: You're a jerk. (looks at Mirai Gohan strangely, as does everyone else)
Videl: Gohan...is that the you from Mirai Trunks' timeline?
Gohan: (sweatdrops form) Yep...afraid so.
Videl: Ay yi yi...Talk about embarrassing.
Launch: I'll say. It's just like what happened yesterday. (looks at 18) You want to explain to him?
Mirai Gohan: (powers down, seeing that everybody had a confused look on their faces) Explain what? And...why aren't they attacking? Did I miss the boat or something?
18: As a matter of fact, you did. You see, I've been happily married to Krillin for several years, now. We're the proud parents of a beautiful daughter.
Mirai Gohan's reaction...was pretty much the same as Mirai Trunks' reaction was...needless to say.
Mirai Gohan: (jaw drops open, and his eye bug out) YOU AND the KRILLIN of THIS TIMELINE...have a...d...d...DAUGHTER?!?!
18: Uh huh. (Oh boy. Here comes the part where he'll say, "But HOW? I'm an android," I'm sure of it.)
18 was right on the mark with her assumption.
Mirai Gohan: B...b...but HOW?? (continues to gawk) You're AN ANDROID!
18: (Yep...I thought as much.) Krillin, you got the floor. Tell Mr. Mirai Gohan what I REALLY am...ok, pookie? (winks)
Krillin: Sure thing, sweetie. (looks at Mirai Gohan) You see, 17 and 18 aren't really androids at all. Both of them were human once, until Dr. Gero modified them a bit. In reality, they're both cyborgs.
Mirai Gohan: I...never knew that. In that case, congratulations.
Krillin: Thanks.
At that time, Mirai 17 and 18 finally got their bearings straight, and realized they weren't in their own time, anymore. Then, Mirai 18 demanded to know how 18 knew about the self-destruct mechanisms inside them.
Mirai 17: Hold on a minute! Where...or should I say WHEN...ARE WE?
Mirai 18: Yeah! This looks NOTHING like our time! (Notices Piccolo, Vegeta, Yamcha, Tien, Chaotsu AND Krillin, as well as Mirai Gohan) Besides...we killed Piccolo, Vegeta, Yamcha, Tien, Chaotsu AND Krillin in our timeline, not to mention that one-armed Copycat over there!! (looks at Mirai Gohan, then glares at 18) And as for you...WHO are YOU?! HOW did you know about the self-destruct mechanisms that Dr.Gero placed inside of us?!
18: There's a simple answer for this, Mirai 18.
Mirai 18: Really? What is it? WELL....I'm WAITING!
18: You see, the reason I know of the self-destruct mechanisms is because my brother and I had them inside us...(smiles sweetly at Krillin) Until Krillin wished them to be removed.
Mirai 18: Wait a sec...if you had those explosive devices inside you and the guy who looks just like my brother, then that must mean...
18: That's right. I'm you, and he's 17.
Mirai 18: Oh yeah? PROVE IT! (attacks)
Mirai 18, in an effort to find out about her twin began to throw a punch, but was immediately halted when 18 kicked her arm, and broke it.
18: Alright...since you put it that way...(swiftly kicks Mirai 18's arm and breaks it) How's that?
Mirai 18: UUNNGGHHH! (holds her arm in pain) You...broke my arm! Uuhhnnn...
Mirai 17: 18!! (goes to her, when she yells at him to stop)
Mirai 18: 17, that's enough!
Mirai 17: But 18...
Mirai 18: No, 17. That kick she delivered packed a lot of power in it...more power than we have. She's not lying. They're really us...albeit stronger.
Mirai 17: There's only one way I could be convinced.
18: You don't mean...
Mirai 17: Yes I do. Time for a pop quiz on your past.
Marron: A pop quiz on mommy! Way cool!
18: Fair enough. But first...(goes into the kitchen, and comes back outside) Eat this, Mirai 18. It's a sensu bean. (hands it to her)
Mirai 18: (notices Marron for a second) Alright...(eats it and feels her arm heal instantly) My arm...it's okay! Thank you for your kindness. (This alternate version of me is so kind...and she looks content. At the same time, she DEFINETELY has my mean streak. She's me, alright. I wonder...has she found the things I was denied? Could she and Krillin be the parents of that sweet little girl? They have to be. I just hope AARON doesn't call her Sissy.)
18: You're welcome.
Mirai 18: (smiles to herself, and thinks of something wicked) Then again...it would be nice to see my alternate self punish him for being such a blockhead. (smirks, looking at Mirai 17)
While 18 gives her future self a sensu bean to heal her arm, Gohan and Goten introduce themselves to Bardock, their grandfather.
Goku: Wow! We're gonna learn a bit about 17 and 18! How exciting!
Gohan: Yeah! It sure is. (turns to Bardock) Hi. I'm Gohan...that's Goten. We're....we're your grandsons.
Goten: Hiya. Nice to meet you, grandpa.
Bardock: Greetings, Gohan and Goten. I'm Bardock...It's so nice to meet you both. (I have...two grandsons. That's so unreal.) I'm really proud of you, Kakarot.
Goku: Thanks...and dad?
Bardock: Yes, son?
Goku: Call me Goku, ok?
Bardock: (smiles) Alright, then. Goku it is.
As Gohan and Goten met their grandfather from their dad's side of the family for the fist time, the second Time Capsule appeared and landed in the front yard.
Mirai Trunks: Huh? That's the Time Capsule mom's been fixing! It's fully operational!
Vegeta: That must mean Mirai Bulma's coming. JUST great. (At least I wasn't on the receiving end of that kick, this time. The tin can broad is strong, I'll admit that.)
Sure enough, the Time Capsule's cockpit opened, revealing Mirai Bulma, and Mirai Chi Chi. Both of them came out, and first saw Goku. Mirai Chi Chi had her doubts about what timeline they were in, but Goku put them to rest.
Mirai Bulma: We're here, son.
Mirai Trunks: Hey, mom.
Mirai Chi Chi: And so am I, Gohan! (hugs Mirai Gohan)
Mirai: Gohan: Hi, mom...dad probably wants to see you.
Mirai Chi Chi: Wha? (sees Goku) WHAT THE HECK?! (talks to Mirai Bulma) Are you sure we're in the right timeline? The auto-pilot could've made a mistake.
Mirai Bulma: That's impossible! According to these coordinates, this is the timeline where Goku sacrificed his life to save Earth by sending himself and Cell to King Kai's...where he made the ultimate sacrifice. (sees Goku as well) But...maybe I DID miscalculate.
Goku: You didn't miscalculate, Mirai Bulma. Your coordinates were dead on. I did sacrifice myself by sending Cell to King Kai's planet....where he, Bubbles, Gregory and myself perished. Cell survived, though...but died soon after, during the battle with Gohan...who was 11 years old at the time.
Mirai Chi Chi: Wait a second...if we ARE in the time you gave your life for all of us...why...are you here?
Goku: You see, Mirai Chi Chi, a wizard named Badibi unleashed an evil entity named Majin Buu. This creature was so powerful, he destroyed Earth. In order to save the world this time, drastic actions had to be taken. Dai Kaiou-Shin, the emperor of all Kais, exchanged his life for mine. Because of him, I was able to save the universe, and was given a new lease on life.. Plus, thanks to Porunga, the Earth and everybody on it have been brought back to life successfully.
Mirai Chi Chi realized that this was no apparition. Goku was really alive.
Mirai Chi Chi: Then that means...(hugs him and cries) YOU'RE ALIVE!!
Goku: Yep. I sure am.
18, eager to start the pop quiz, asked everyone to go inside.
18: Alright. That's enough family reunions for one day. Time for all of us to go inside. I've got a pop quiz to play. (And a foolish Mirai brother to send straight into Capsule Corp. if he annoys me.)
Mirai Gohan: Sure thing.
Mirai Chi Chi: (talks to Mirai Gohan) Why are the androids here? I thought Trunks killed them.
Mirai Gohan: I'll explain later, mom. And...they're not androids...they're cyborgs.
Mirai Chi Chi: Amazing.
Everyone had got into the house and had gotten seated. Mirai 17 faced 18 and thus the pop quiz began.
Mirai 17: Alright...let's begin. If you're REALLY 18, then you'll be able to answer the following questions with ease.
18: Got it. Let's go.
Mirai 17: Right. First question. What is the name of our mother?
18: Ranfan.
Mirai 17: Not bad. Question 2...what martial arts techniques did she use during the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament that distracted a lot of men in the crowd, and embarrassed us?
18: The crybaby attack, and the "Take'em off" routine. That's where she took off her clothes in front of everyone, in an effort to distract Nam from winning. She was dressed in nothing but her undergarments. That was degrading.
Mirai 17: That's two for two. Now, what's my real name?
18: Aaron.
Mirai 17: Not bad. Now, for the final question. What's YOUR real name?
18 started to tense up, and get frustrated. Mirai 17 took this as a sign that this was really 18...but he risked calling her by her hated nickname, anyway.
18: Well...(get frustrated a bit) That's...none of your business! If you dare to do what I think you'll do, I'll send you all the way to Capsule Corp...AIR MAIL!!
Mirai 17: (Uh oh...I've seen that look on 18's face a million times. That could be her...I gotta know for sure, though. I'll risk it.) What's wrong? Are you afraid I'm gonna call you...Sissy?
In an explosion of anger, 18 uppercuts Mirai 17 and sends him through an open window, and all the way through to the gravity chamber in the Capsule Corp. Headquarters.
18: RRAAAHH!! (uppercuts Mirai 17 and sends him flying) NEVER, EVER call me that...EVER AGAIN! UNDERSTAND?!
Mirai 17: (is flying) WHHHHHOOOOAAAA!! (gets out of sight)
Vegeta: Where will he end up?
18: My guess...right into YOUR gravity trainer.
Vegeta: (whimpers) No....
Sure enough, Mirai 17 called the Kame house on the phone in Capsule Corp. A man-sized hole was visible behind him.
18: (sees the phone ring) That's gotta be him now. (answers the phone, and puts it on the viewscreen) Yes?
Mirai 17: There's no doubt about it...you're my sister's alternate self, alright. I've been sent flying into several places when I call her the nickname that's she hated since our school days.
Vegeta: My....my gravity chamber...(whimpers some more) Aww...
18: Glad to see you've got your facts straight, Mirai 17. Now, come on back here, before Vegeta cries like a baby.
Mirai 17: Okay. If you say so. (hangs up)
Vegeta: But....but my chamber....
Bulma: Relax. I'll have it fixed when we get back. Besides...none of the equipment was damaged.
Vegeta: That's a relief.
Mirai Bulma laughed a little, seeing that Vegeta was acting like a baby.
Mirai Bulma: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!! WHOA! Would you look at that, Trunks? Your dad's acting like a baby.
Trunks: That's embarrassing.
Mirai Trunks: it sure is.
Vegeta: (to himself) Aw, great! I KNEW this would happen. She and the Bulma I'm married to are EXACTLY ALIKE.
Just then, Mirai 17 came back into the Kame House, and was just in time to hear 18 finally divulge their secret origin.
Mirai 17: I'm back. What's a guy to do to have fun around here?
18: Sit down, and I'll tell everyone our story. Which, I guess applies to you and Mirai 18, too.
Mirai 17: Okay. (sits down)
16: I'm ready to listen, too, 18. (smiles a bit)
18: Thanks. You see, my real name is Cecelia. My brother, 17, is really known as Aaron. We were your typical run-of-the-mill school kids...who were constantly picked on. The boys and girls of our days at middle school and high school called me Sissy. I've always felt that my real name was a curse. We were even beat up by local bullies.
Krillin: That's terrible. What happened next?
18: One day, our mom saw us get beat up again, on the way home from 7th grade. She couldn't take it anymore. She couldn't bear to see us suffer needlessly. So, she taught us both martial arts. We became registered black belts in a matter of months.
Marron: Way cool, mommy. What happened next?
Mirai 18: Can I continue the story, please?
18: (smiles) Sure.
Mirai 18: Thanks. In time, 17 and I used our skills to beat the bullies back. We got so arrogant of our superior prowess, we became an infamous pair of juvenile delinquents. We were known as "The Wild Bunch." Over the years, our reputation spooked everyone, even the teachers. By the time we were seniors, the faculty were so terrified, they graduated us a month early...with high school diplomas, cap and gown...the WHOLE NINE YARDS.
18: YEAH! That's exactly what happened.
Mirai 18: I thought so. Want to continue?
18: Yeah. Thanks. Anyway, even though we were troublemakers, mom was proud of us...nobody made fun of us, ever again. A few days after our graduation, we were getting some groceries when...HE appeared.
Gohan: You mean, Dr. Gero?
18: Yep. He took us both to his lab, and realized we'd be prime candidates for mechanization. He put us under and went to work on us. We felt every incision, ectomy and bionic replacement he made...he kept my reproductive systems intact, though. And let me tell you, it wasn't pleasant. 17 and I felt unbearable pain and agony as we were transformed into cyborgs.
Vegeta: That's horrible...I never knew you and 17 went through such pain and suffering.
18: Now you do. (looks at Mirai 18) Want to finish?
Mirai 18: Yeah. Even though he programmed us to be merciless killers, our memories of our past lives were intact. One day, we finally avenged the wrongs Dr. Gero did to us by knocking off his head, and killing him. By that time, he was a cyborg like us. Though we've ravaged the world pretty badly, and killed a lot of people, we never dared to kill our parents...who are probably mourning our loss to this very day.
18: That's basically what happened to us...excluding the ravaging and killing parts. 17 and I released 16 from his captivity. We gave the Z-Fighters a few bloody noses and broken limbs...they weren't our concern. I kissed Krillin, and that began my path to a life of love, happiness, and friendship.
Mirai 18 realized then and there that for some reason, she was changing into a better person. It was as if through Krillin, her alternate self and Marron, her life was complete.
Mirai 18: (smiles sweetly) That's good to hear. You have everything I lack. You have a husband who loves you, a beautiful child, and friends all around you...even if one of them is that crybaby Prince. (What's this warm feeling I'm experiencing? I feel different, somehow. It's almost as if the void that was my existence has been filled through them.. I swear that I will protect Marron, as if she were my own child, for as long as this week allows.)
Vegeta: (gets up, is ticked off) I...heard that!
Bulma: Settle down!
Vegeta: (sits back down) Sorry.
Mirai Gohan: (whispers to Mirai Trunks) Is it just me...or did Mirai 18 smile like she was happy?
Mirai Trunks: Yep. She sure did.
Mirai Gohan: Hmmm...Maybe being in this place will help them realize the errors of their ways.
Mirai Chi Chi: (talks to Gohan) So, Gohan, is that your girlfriend?
Gohan: Actually, Videl's my fianc�e.
Videl: Yep. We'll be married in a few months.
Mirai Chi Chi: WOW! I'm so proud of you, son. Even though you're from this timeline, you'll always be my son. (smiles)
Gohan: Thanks, mom.
Mirai Gohan: I'm proud of you, too. I have a good feeling about this. You and Videl are a match made in heaven.
Gohan: You really think so?
Mirai Gohan: I know so.
Videl: Wow! Thanks.
Mirai Gohan: You're welcome.
Just then, unbeknownst to our heroes, Perfect Cell has arrived undetected. He was successful in commandeering Trunks' Time Capsule without alerting anyone...well...everyone except Goku and Piccolo.
Perfect Cell: This is just too perfect. All of them are in there, talking! That means I can go to Mirai Hell without alerting them...until it's too late! (climbs into Trunks' Time Capsule, and sets the coordinates to Mirai Hell) Don't worry, my Imperfect Self, You'll be complete soon enough! (Starts the Time Capsule, and it disappears with him inside it)
Piccolo: (looks disturbed) No...it can't be!
Goku: Piccolo...what's wrong?
Piccolo: (whispers to Goku) I don't know, Goku. For a second, I thought I sensed Cell's ki.
Goku: Impossible! He's dead. Even if he was here, how'd he escape?
Piccolo: My guess...would be that he used the knowledge of the secret passage to King Yemma's desk. After all, he has cells from you. Which would mean he also has the knowledge you possess.
Goku: I hope you're wrong, Piccolo...I hope you're wrong.
Things are really starting to heat up. The good news is, Mirai 18 is starting to change for the better. The bad news, Perfect Cell has used Mirai Trunks' Time Capsule to go into Mirai Hell! It seems he's going to be successful in fusing with his Imperfect counterpart! Can the Z-Fighters stop him once more? A week of excitement, tender moments and danger begins here and now, on DRAGONBALL Z!
