11-21-2005, 03:44 AM
Seventeen knew something bad was coming when he returned to the observation tower, yet he knew in his heart that he had to go back. His period of relaxation had been cut drastically short, and the android was forced to confront death once again. One moment, he had been sitting serenely on the tower?s observation deck, and the next second, a horrible scream broke his solitude. Seventeen wished he would have stayed where he was resting, but his hero instincts forced him to investigate.
The watchtower?s entrance was filled with the eleven other competitors and two female warriors that the machine-hybrid was sure he had seen earlier. Maybe if he would have had more time to think he could have figured out who the blue woman was, but the enraged figure that burst through the doorway derailed his train of thought. Kao was what the saiyan Bardock yelled before leaping forward in a vain attempt to quell the fighter?s fury. Everything after that happened so fast?there were a few prismatic flashes of energy, lifeless corpses hit the ground, and then Android Seventeen felt lightheaded. The cybernetic warrior?s entire body went numb, and his vision failed him.
The vibrant color that the android was accustomed to was lost as the entire world started to fade to black. The machine-hybrid wondered if this was what dying felt like, but just as soon as the darkness came, it was gone once again. When his perception returned, Seventeen found himself kneeled on the ground, gasping for breath. The android staggered a few times as he made it to a standing position. Shaking off the feeling of lightheadedness that had triggered the sudden blackness, Android Seventeen started to survey the vicinity. It didn?t take the machine-hybrid long to grasp that something out of the ordinary had just happened. Collapsed walls surrounded him, allowing a constant supply of moonlight to saturate the room.
Moonlight? Just second ago, it had been broad daylight, and the android was in an overly tall tower. Had he been unconscious so long that the fight was now over, and if so, how could he have survived if the watchtower had been destroyed in the process? So many questions, yet Android Seventeen knew there was only one way to figure out what was going on. Fighting of his unrelenting fatigue, the cybernetic warrior surveyed his immediate surroundings: gray, dilapidated walls built on gray tile. Past the current vicinity?s boundaries was an endless sea of gray, stretching as far as Seventeen could perceive. Even the moon?s rays were a light shade of gray, varying only slightly from the same tone of the sky. The machine-hybrid looked out into the massive city he was in; swirling, dark clouds in the sky seemed ready to unload their contents upon whatever vestige of life remained.
Pushing aside a short, crumbling wall of brick, the bewildered android started down the battered road. Chunks of asphalt had been completely torn away and scattered everywhere. Buildings that may have once been magnificent were now empty husks?the paint was peeling from their walls, and all the windows and doors appeared to have been boarded up long ago. Cars lined the street, some in better condition then the others. Most of vehicles wore scars from some old battle?bullet holes dotting across their rusted frames. From the somber, lifeless flames that consumed numerous derelicts, Seventeen could tell they must stand as testaments of a greater power. The comatose city block was starting to give the android the willies. Down the entire line of abandoned buildings and broken cars, not a single, solitary sign of life was visible.
?What the hell happened here!? the machine-hybrid shouted. His frustration and lack of understanding was quickly becoming prevalent.
?You happened, Seventeen,? the tired, gravely voice came from a nearby alley. The cybernetic warrior turned instantly to see the old android from so long ago. Android Seven was leaned against a twisted street lamp, his aged features accented in the dim, gray lighting. Seventeen was taken aback by the sudden appearance of his predecessor, but it was a relief that the first person he had found was harmless?hopefully?
?What do you mean?? the younger android queried. Taking a few steps forward, Seven smiled, his teeth were oddly white and flawless for someone who had been isolated in a cave for the last few years.
?You are the cause all of this, Seventeen,? the machine restated, his expression never faltering from unethical glee, ?everything you see before you was the fruits of your demonic evil, and every person that should be enjoying life has had theirs snuffed out by you,? the young android shivered and took a step away from his older counterpart.
?I?m not evil,? Seventeen said, his voice shaky, ?I killed my demons, I passed the test! I?m good!? the machine-hybrid?s voice cracked near the end of his rant, making him sound like a whiny, pubescent teenager. Android Seven let out a dry, hoarse cackle that reverberated through the vacant street. His descendant took another step back, his eyes wide with skepticism. Just as the cybernetic warrior was about to ask another question, a giant bolt of lighting exploded from the clouds. Unleashing a deafening explosion, the ash-colored bolt of electricity struck a nearby building.
A shower of brick and wood rained down on Seventeen, forcing him to dive for cover under one of the ruined vehicles that lined the road. Even still, debris managed to cut and tear into the android?s exposed legs. Seventeen crawled out from underneath the ruined car, the fresh wounds in his legs being aggravated the entire time by the unforgiving concrete. Android Seven offered his hand, but his successor denied any assistance. The machine-hybrid brushed away the old robot and took of down the road; his eyes clenched shut in a mix of confusion and anger.
?You can?t survive in this world, Seventeen! You don?t belong!? the aged android yelled as he waved his hand pleasantly. A split-second after issuing the warning, the elderly machine faded into the night air. Android Seventeen kept on running until a loud bang captured his attention. Stopping abruptly, the panicked android noticed the shape moving in another of the shadowy alley. The machine-hybrid walked into the damp passage between two eroding buildings, and he saw the figure stumbling away from a dumpster. Entering the disgusting alley, the android stepped into an ankle-deep puddle as he tried to reach the person shambling away from him, filling his torn boots with cold water.
?Hey, wait,? Seventeen cried to the figure. Whoever it was seemed to recognize his voice, but it was the revelation to come that would shock the android the most. Letting out a mumble, the person stopped in their tracks. The machine-hybrid was instantly taken aback at what he saw when the emaciated, messy woman turned to face him.
?You,? she growled unintelligibly, but as incoherent and disheveled as the woman appeared, the android knew exactly she was. Although it was dirty and obviously unkempt, even in the gray Seventeen could still make out the faded traces of red among the woman?s hair. With that clue alone, his heart sunk as his brain deduced her identity. Paige stumbled back, losing her balance and landing in another puddle of dirty water. The machine-hybrid went to help her, but she just screamed at him and crawled away. Paige collapsed outside the puddle, the tattered rags she wore for protection from the elements were now soaking wet. Android Seventeen walked around the murky pool of water and tried to help his ladyfriend off the cold concrete, but she just lashed out, scratching him with her broken, filthy nails.
?What is the matter with you?? the android asked, pulling away just as her nails broke the skin on his forearm, ?what has become of you?? Paige gagged on something for a few seconds before she finally started spitting up blood and vomit. He had tried to ignore the smell on her earlier, but it was obvious now how badly she reeked of alcohol. The shell of a human that Paige had become glared at the machine-hybrid as she pulled herself up against a bent steel door,
?You bastard!? she gargled through blood and vomit, ?how dare you show your face around here, haven?t you cause me enough pain!? Seventeen was trying to interject, but the verbal onslaught kept on coming, ?you cost me my wings, our friends, my livelihood, all over your pride! Go to Hell?I hate you!? With eyes laced with hatred, Paige yanked on the metal door she was leaning against. The pulverized metal squeaked heavily as it slid open, and the woman started to squeeze through the small space.
?I?love you,? Seventeen said weakly, lightly lifting his hand in protest, but his words were eclipsed by a mighty explosion in the sky. The roar of thunder initiated a loud deluge. The machine-hybrid was instantly drenched in the freezing rain, but the weather was simply unimportant to him now. Android Seventeen fell to his knees, fighting back the tears and overwhelming feeling of helplessness. Something died within Seventeen in the moments he spent sobbing on the ground. Even after he regained enough of his composure to stand, the android had his doubts about what to do next. He could not have been responsible for the death that surrounded him. The cybernetic warrior stumbled out of the alley, wiping the tears from his red eyes and trying to shield himself from the elements.
Android Seventeen continued down the sidewalk, eying the overwhelming damage. Garbage littered the sidewalk, and every few step the machine-hybrid would encounter another trace of human remains or a dried splatter of blood. Even worse, the cybernetic warrior was sure that inside the ruined buildings there were things staring at him as he walked by. Seventeen hoped that he was just imagining things, because the will to defend himself had died back in that alley. He knew he needed to find some kind of answer, but a big part of him wanted to crawl into a hole and die. Seventeen knew that he was good at heart, but then why did the person with whom he was the closest to just damn him? They were questions that the android was unsure whether or not he wanted answers to.
Around Android Seventeen, the tall, city buildings were quickly giving way to a more rural setting. Just as rundown and just as lifeless and gray, the small houses were visibly in worse condition then their urban counterparts. Some had been completely blown to pieces, the ruins scattered across what could have once been their front lawns. Even worse then the lack of any life whatsoever, the downpour of freezing rain had become hail. Hail that was now punishing the dejected android. Ahead of him, the paved street split off in two directions?Seventeen followed the part that became a winding, gravel road.
He hadn?t even made it half a mile when he found the first signs of life since Paige. A large factory, which at one point may have supplied the rural setting with needed electricity, stood dead and useless. A few power cables still seemed operational, but most had been completely ransacked. Still, the faint light inside the massive building was enough to interest Seventeen. Deeply hoping the small flicker of gray would lead to something positive, the machine-hybrid ran towards the light, ignoring the hail that was bruising his body.
Seventeen, slightly eager, reached the wrecked doors and threw them open. Stepping forward, the android walked directly into a trap. A burst of energy and a massive net was all that the machine-hybrid saw before darkness overtook him once more. It was, as always, an ephemeral blackness?one that left the cybernetic warrior in a far worse predicament then the last had. The android, still half-unconscious, realized that he was in some type of archaic cage, drowned in a blinding, white light. Coming to his senses quickly, Android Seventeen started to notice the number of forms that filled the room, most of them, however, were veiled by shadow.
From the uncertain black, two figures stepped forward. Even under all their scars and mutilations, Seventeen knew the identity of the duo. Leo hobbled forward; one of his legs had been amputated, an artificial, metallic limb in its place. Stubble covered the former whitelighter?s chin, and a horrible wound had replaced his right eye. One the other hand, Piccolo, besides minimal scarring, still seemed quite the same. Perhaps it was his people?s way of being able to regenerate naturally that saved him from whatever had taken its toll on Leo.
?Why is he dressed like that?? Leo mumbled to the namekian, ?and why would he allow himself to be captured so easily?? Piccolo raised a hand to his chin, his eyes burning holes straight through the imprisoned android.
?Why am I locked up?? Android Seventeen questioned, ?Will someone please tell me what the hell is going on here!? Piccolo swung a green fist through the cage?s bars, shattering the android?s cheek bone. Seventeen collapsed backwards, screaming in pain.
?This doesn?t make sense,? the namekian pondered, ?this has to be some kind of imposter or something. The real Seventeen-? The jade warrior?s sentence was cut short by a potent explosion. Android Seventeen watched the far wall of the factory literally disintegrate under the force. Across from the large room, a single voice rang out above all the cries and shouts.
?Is right here!? at first the machine-hybrid did not want to accept whose voice he heard, but when the first massive discharge of ki completely illuminated the room he got a clear look at the attacker?it was himself. This Seventeen was completely encased in some form of synthetic armor. Shiny, ebony plates covered his chest and extremities. Regions not encased in the polished, protective covering were enclosed in some sort of dense black fabric. A charcoal-colored cape that ended above his knees was draped over the cybernetic warrior?s shoulders. Only this Seventeen?s face was unarmored, but something was different about his visage. The skin seemed to be decaying in areas. With eyes wide with glee and malice, the android started to meticulously murder all the people that had been hiding in the factory.
?Leo, run!? Piccolo ordered, ?Inform the others we have been found out!? The former angel started to hobble away when a well-aimed disc of ki split him in half vertically. Incinerated entrails and blood were strewn on the ground around Leo as the disc traveled through his body. Piccolo and the encaged Android Seventeen both let out shrieks as they were forced to watch as a giant blast of ki completely erased the onetime angel from existence. Stuttering as he tried to make a coherent statement, Seventeen watched Piccolo turn towards the other machine-hybrid. The armored Seventeen kicked aside one of the bigger men, the force killing the poor human, and then unleashed a single, mighty blast of ki upon a group of frightened children. In front of the huddled android, outside of the cage, Piccolo?s energy surged beyond levels that the machine-hybrid was accustomed to.
?Monster!? the jade namekian screamed as he was enveloped in a blinding, gray-tinted aura. Seventeen wrapped his arms around his knees and closed his eyes to the sheer amount of energy that was filling the dilapidated factory. Even though everything lacked vibrancy, the faded color was enough to hurt the android?s eyes. From across the room, the armored Seventeen?s power was surging to unfathomable levels. The walls of the old building, unable to contain the sheer power, crumbled away. The machine-hybrid felt the bars around him melt into nothingness, and fresh rain was soon pounding his battered form.
?This is it namekian,? the other android cackled, ?it has been too long since I have had the honor of beating you down, but you have been a thorn in my side too long... This is the end for you, namekian trash!? Both fighters exploded off the ground, leaving behind massive scars on the earth. Android Seventeen was thrown like a doll into a pile of rubble by the force, but the disheartened machine-hybrid made no effort to stop his backwards flight. Overhead, Piccolo and the armored android were bulleting across the sky. Each time the two would come together, they create flashes and bolts of ki across the dark sky.
On the ground, Android Seventeen slowly made it to his feet and started to stagger away from the wreckage. The cybernetic warrior couldn?t take any more of what had become of the world. None of it made any sense to him at all. In the sky, the plated machine-hybrid noticed Seventeen trying to flee the scene. Piccolo rocketed at his superior opponent with one final offensive, but before his eyes, he watched his foe vanish. The Ultra Namekian tried to locate his adversary?s ki signature, yet even with his mastery of the skill; the death blow was still a surprise.
?Your life is at an end, namekian!? the android hissed, materializing above his prey and creating a red ki saber, ?too sad it is how little you managed to do against me!? On the ground, Android Seventeen looked up to see Piccolo, his eyes wide with disbelief, swiftly decapitated. The namekian?s head fell faster then the rest of the body and came to rest a few feet in front of the petrified android.
?Monster!? the head gargled, ?you always were evil! I should have seen so long ago how wicked you truly are. You always had the traits of a true tyrant!? A small blast of ki ended the head?s eerie message, but the damage had already been done. Android Seventeen?s knees fell out from under him once more, and he felt new tears start down his dirtied cheeks.
?I?m not evil?? the android muttered pathetically, ?I?did everything they wanted? I?m a good person!? Behind the sobbing machine-hybrid, his armored look-alike landed and started to chuckle.
?Are you in denial?? he said with grin, ?or just plain stupid?? the other Seventeen asked his sniveling double.
?What the hell is going on?? Android Seventeen asked, ?Where the hell am I? Who the hell are you?? by the time he finished, the machine-hybrid had managed to pull himself of his feet and turn to face his armored twin.
?What you see is both reality and unreality, Seventeen,? he spoke, ?this is a representation of your future, our future. Where we devour The Eye and assimilate everyone?s very soul into us. In the future we become the pinnacle of both power and evil!? Android Seventeen stumbled back, eyes wide with disbelief. There was no way that this could be the future!
?I killed you!? the erratic android yelled at the armored twin.
?Don?t you understand, Seventeen,? the caped machine-hybrid spoke calmly, ?those angels wanted us perish when they sent us on that challenge. They wanted us out of the picture because they knew we were predisposed to evil, and they not only wanted us dead, they wanted us to suffer forever in hellfire!?
?No!? Seventeen screamed at the monster in front of him. The cybernetic warrior was starting to lose himself in the words of this counterpart, ?I?ve changed! Stop saying ?us?! I?m not evil!? Android Seventeen turned away and started to flee the scene, huffing and sobbing as he tried to get as far away from the monster behind him.
?You can?t fight who we are!? the caped cyborg yelled, ?This is our future as our own mind knows and understands it to be!? Seventeen shut the words out, he was unwilling to accept this, yet he knew at heart that he feared this world may be truth. As the android ran, the world around him began to swirl as it turned into darkness. Android Seventeen felt the ground fall apart beneath him, and soon he was plummeting into an endless abyss of blackness. Around him, he started to see images materialize. He saw Vapor holding some kind of glassy red gemstone up to a frozen obelisk, and then he watched an army of demons escape alongside the gray giant, Byrk. More scenes started to play out around the android. He saw himself killing Vapor right in front Byrk, and seconds later, Seventeen watched as he bowed before Android Byrk.
What came next was a rapid succession of murders, all perpetrated by the android. He watched with tears as he slaughtered men, women, and children like farm animals. Seventeen was draining something from each of his victims in the panoramas using the gemstone, and he soon realized he was devouring the souls of those poor people. The machine-hybrid closed his red, puffy eyes when he started seeing the death of people he knew. When he uncovered his eyes, he saw himself stabbing Byrk in the back with a red ki saber.
Android Seventeen watched on as the red gemstone drained the bio-android?s soul, and from then on, everything else was more destruction and death at the hands of a supercharged Seventeen. With a painful thud, the machine-hybrid struck the bottom of the churning pit. The cybernetic warrior spit up a small puddle of blood, and then struggled for a few moments before putting together the will to stand. He was in a long hallway; all around him were photographs of people he had killed. Most of them were people who had deserved to die?CIA lackeys, demons, and zombies.
?Who are you to decide who is evil or good!? one of the nearby portraits screamed, as if it had read the android?s mind. Seventeen shuddered as he walked down the hallway.
?Evil! Evil! Evil!? was the chorus that all the paintings screamed at Android Seventeen as he walked by. It wasn?t until the machine-hybrid walked past faces like Piccolo Daimaou and the villagers from the mountain village that the portrait?s refrain really started to strike deep. Android Seventeen cupped his hands over his ears to block out the tormenting chants, but as hard as he tried, the voices just got louder and louder. The cybernetic warrior started running down the hall. Sanity was a precious commodity that the android was quickly losing.
?Stop running from us!? Android Seventeen turned to face the dark side of his persona?the side his very own mind predicted to acquire dominance, ?look at yourself, I can smell your fear from here! You know that all of this is the truth and it is eating away at your soul! Stop running from us and except the fact that you were born to do the devil?s work! You are evil!?
?No!? the real Seventeen screamed, trying to hide his fright and disbelief with anger. He turned to face his adversary, and his hands were instantly enveloped in yellow orbs of ki. This outburst triggered the armored machine-hybrid to nearly collapse in a fit of laughter. The actual Android Seventeen smacked his palms together, unleashing a beam of energy down the length of the corridor. Some of paintings were immolated; their subjects started to scream in agony, yet at the still time managing to curse Seventeen.
?You can?t kill us,? the future Seventeen said, showing up behind his counterpart, ?even if you manage to subdue me, I will always be there, ebbing away at your soul!? The cybernetic warrior knew that his last chance at absolution was before him. He spun around, his palms still crackling and shimmering with energy. With a hateful, tear-laced cry, the android unleashed another wave of ki upon his counterpart.
?You can?t fight your destiny!? Seventeen?s evil complement screamed. The titanic ki blast started to be pushed back at the android. With a final, defiant scream, the cybernetic warrior threw all the fight that he had left into the blast?in one last attempt to eliminate the personified nightmare.
The watchtower?s entrance was filled with the eleven other competitors and two female warriors that the machine-hybrid was sure he had seen earlier. Maybe if he would have had more time to think he could have figured out who the blue woman was, but the enraged figure that burst through the doorway derailed his train of thought. Kao was what the saiyan Bardock yelled before leaping forward in a vain attempt to quell the fighter?s fury. Everything after that happened so fast?there were a few prismatic flashes of energy, lifeless corpses hit the ground, and then Android Seventeen felt lightheaded. The cybernetic warrior?s entire body went numb, and his vision failed him.
The vibrant color that the android was accustomed to was lost as the entire world started to fade to black. The machine-hybrid wondered if this was what dying felt like, but just as soon as the darkness came, it was gone once again. When his perception returned, Seventeen found himself kneeled on the ground, gasping for breath. The android staggered a few times as he made it to a standing position. Shaking off the feeling of lightheadedness that had triggered the sudden blackness, Android Seventeen started to survey the vicinity. It didn?t take the machine-hybrid long to grasp that something out of the ordinary had just happened. Collapsed walls surrounded him, allowing a constant supply of moonlight to saturate the room.
Moonlight? Just second ago, it had been broad daylight, and the android was in an overly tall tower. Had he been unconscious so long that the fight was now over, and if so, how could he have survived if the watchtower had been destroyed in the process? So many questions, yet Android Seventeen knew there was only one way to figure out what was going on. Fighting of his unrelenting fatigue, the cybernetic warrior surveyed his immediate surroundings: gray, dilapidated walls built on gray tile. Past the current vicinity?s boundaries was an endless sea of gray, stretching as far as Seventeen could perceive. Even the moon?s rays were a light shade of gray, varying only slightly from the same tone of the sky. The machine-hybrid looked out into the massive city he was in; swirling, dark clouds in the sky seemed ready to unload their contents upon whatever vestige of life remained.
Pushing aside a short, crumbling wall of brick, the bewildered android started down the battered road. Chunks of asphalt had been completely torn away and scattered everywhere. Buildings that may have once been magnificent were now empty husks?the paint was peeling from their walls, and all the windows and doors appeared to have been boarded up long ago. Cars lined the street, some in better condition then the others. Most of vehicles wore scars from some old battle?bullet holes dotting across their rusted frames. From the somber, lifeless flames that consumed numerous derelicts, Seventeen could tell they must stand as testaments of a greater power. The comatose city block was starting to give the android the willies. Down the entire line of abandoned buildings and broken cars, not a single, solitary sign of life was visible.
?What the hell happened here!? the machine-hybrid shouted. His frustration and lack of understanding was quickly becoming prevalent.
?You happened, Seventeen,? the tired, gravely voice came from a nearby alley. The cybernetic warrior turned instantly to see the old android from so long ago. Android Seven was leaned against a twisted street lamp, his aged features accented in the dim, gray lighting. Seventeen was taken aback by the sudden appearance of his predecessor, but it was a relief that the first person he had found was harmless?hopefully?
?What do you mean?? the younger android queried. Taking a few steps forward, Seven smiled, his teeth were oddly white and flawless for someone who had been isolated in a cave for the last few years.
?You are the cause all of this, Seventeen,? the machine restated, his expression never faltering from unethical glee, ?everything you see before you was the fruits of your demonic evil, and every person that should be enjoying life has had theirs snuffed out by you,? the young android shivered and took a step away from his older counterpart.
?I?m not evil,? Seventeen said, his voice shaky, ?I killed my demons, I passed the test! I?m good!? the machine-hybrid?s voice cracked near the end of his rant, making him sound like a whiny, pubescent teenager. Android Seven let out a dry, hoarse cackle that reverberated through the vacant street. His descendant took another step back, his eyes wide with skepticism. Just as the cybernetic warrior was about to ask another question, a giant bolt of lighting exploded from the clouds. Unleashing a deafening explosion, the ash-colored bolt of electricity struck a nearby building.
A shower of brick and wood rained down on Seventeen, forcing him to dive for cover under one of the ruined vehicles that lined the road. Even still, debris managed to cut and tear into the android?s exposed legs. Seventeen crawled out from underneath the ruined car, the fresh wounds in his legs being aggravated the entire time by the unforgiving concrete. Android Seven offered his hand, but his successor denied any assistance. The machine-hybrid brushed away the old robot and took of down the road; his eyes clenched shut in a mix of confusion and anger.
?You can?t survive in this world, Seventeen! You don?t belong!? the aged android yelled as he waved his hand pleasantly. A split-second after issuing the warning, the elderly machine faded into the night air. Android Seventeen kept on running until a loud bang captured his attention. Stopping abruptly, the panicked android noticed the shape moving in another of the shadowy alley. The machine-hybrid walked into the damp passage between two eroding buildings, and he saw the figure stumbling away from a dumpster. Entering the disgusting alley, the android stepped into an ankle-deep puddle as he tried to reach the person shambling away from him, filling his torn boots with cold water.
?Hey, wait,? Seventeen cried to the figure. Whoever it was seemed to recognize his voice, but it was the revelation to come that would shock the android the most. Letting out a mumble, the person stopped in their tracks. The machine-hybrid was instantly taken aback at what he saw when the emaciated, messy woman turned to face him.
?You,? she growled unintelligibly, but as incoherent and disheveled as the woman appeared, the android knew exactly she was. Although it was dirty and obviously unkempt, even in the gray Seventeen could still make out the faded traces of red among the woman?s hair. With that clue alone, his heart sunk as his brain deduced her identity. Paige stumbled back, losing her balance and landing in another puddle of dirty water. The machine-hybrid went to help her, but she just screamed at him and crawled away. Paige collapsed outside the puddle, the tattered rags she wore for protection from the elements were now soaking wet. Android Seventeen walked around the murky pool of water and tried to help his ladyfriend off the cold concrete, but she just lashed out, scratching him with her broken, filthy nails.
?What is the matter with you?? the android asked, pulling away just as her nails broke the skin on his forearm, ?what has become of you?? Paige gagged on something for a few seconds before she finally started spitting up blood and vomit. He had tried to ignore the smell on her earlier, but it was obvious now how badly she reeked of alcohol. The shell of a human that Paige had become glared at the machine-hybrid as she pulled herself up against a bent steel door,
?You bastard!? she gargled through blood and vomit, ?how dare you show your face around here, haven?t you cause me enough pain!? Seventeen was trying to interject, but the verbal onslaught kept on coming, ?you cost me my wings, our friends, my livelihood, all over your pride! Go to Hell?I hate you!? With eyes laced with hatred, Paige yanked on the metal door she was leaning against. The pulverized metal squeaked heavily as it slid open, and the woman started to squeeze through the small space.
?I?love you,? Seventeen said weakly, lightly lifting his hand in protest, but his words were eclipsed by a mighty explosion in the sky. The roar of thunder initiated a loud deluge. The machine-hybrid was instantly drenched in the freezing rain, but the weather was simply unimportant to him now. Android Seventeen fell to his knees, fighting back the tears and overwhelming feeling of helplessness. Something died within Seventeen in the moments he spent sobbing on the ground. Even after he regained enough of his composure to stand, the android had his doubts about what to do next. He could not have been responsible for the death that surrounded him. The cybernetic warrior stumbled out of the alley, wiping the tears from his red eyes and trying to shield himself from the elements.
Android Seventeen continued down the sidewalk, eying the overwhelming damage. Garbage littered the sidewalk, and every few step the machine-hybrid would encounter another trace of human remains or a dried splatter of blood. Even worse, the cybernetic warrior was sure that inside the ruined buildings there were things staring at him as he walked by. Seventeen hoped that he was just imagining things, because the will to defend himself had died back in that alley. He knew he needed to find some kind of answer, but a big part of him wanted to crawl into a hole and die. Seventeen knew that he was good at heart, but then why did the person with whom he was the closest to just damn him? They were questions that the android was unsure whether or not he wanted answers to.
Around Android Seventeen, the tall, city buildings were quickly giving way to a more rural setting. Just as rundown and just as lifeless and gray, the small houses were visibly in worse condition then their urban counterparts. Some had been completely blown to pieces, the ruins scattered across what could have once been their front lawns. Even worse then the lack of any life whatsoever, the downpour of freezing rain had become hail. Hail that was now punishing the dejected android. Ahead of him, the paved street split off in two directions?Seventeen followed the part that became a winding, gravel road.
He hadn?t even made it half a mile when he found the first signs of life since Paige. A large factory, which at one point may have supplied the rural setting with needed electricity, stood dead and useless. A few power cables still seemed operational, but most had been completely ransacked. Still, the faint light inside the massive building was enough to interest Seventeen. Deeply hoping the small flicker of gray would lead to something positive, the machine-hybrid ran towards the light, ignoring the hail that was bruising his body.
Seventeen, slightly eager, reached the wrecked doors and threw them open. Stepping forward, the android walked directly into a trap. A burst of energy and a massive net was all that the machine-hybrid saw before darkness overtook him once more. It was, as always, an ephemeral blackness?one that left the cybernetic warrior in a far worse predicament then the last had. The android, still half-unconscious, realized that he was in some type of archaic cage, drowned in a blinding, white light. Coming to his senses quickly, Android Seventeen started to notice the number of forms that filled the room, most of them, however, were veiled by shadow.
From the uncertain black, two figures stepped forward. Even under all their scars and mutilations, Seventeen knew the identity of the duo. Leo hobbled forward; one of his legs had been amputated, an artificial, metallic limb in its place. Stubble covered the former whitelighter?s chin, and a horrible wound had replaced his right eye. One the other hand, Piccolo, besides minimal scarring, still seemed quite the same. Perhaps it was his people?s way of being able to regenerate naturally that saved him from whatever had taken its toll on Leo.
?Why is he dressed like that?? Leo mumbled to the namekian, ?and why would he allow himself to be captured so easily?? Piccolo raised a hand to his chin, his eyes burning holes straight through the imprisoned android.
?Why am I locked up?? Android Seventeen questioned, ?Will someone please tell me what the hell is going on here!? Piccolo swung a green fist through the cage?s bars, shattering the android?s cheek bone. Seventeen collapsed backwards, screaming in pain.
?This doesn?t make sense,? the namekian pondered, ?this has to be some kind of imposter or something. The real Seventeen-? The jade warrior?s sentence was cut short by a potent explosion. Android Seventeen watched the far wall of the factory literally disintegrate under the force. Across from the large room, a single voice rang out above all the cries and shouts.
?Is right here!? at first the machine-hybrid did not want to accept whose voice he heard, but when the first massive discharge of ki completely illuminated the room he got a clear look at the attacker?it was himself. This Seventeen was completely encased in some form of synthetic armor. Shiny, ebony plates covered his chest and extremities. Regions not encased in the polished, protective covering were enclosed in some sort of dense black fabric. A charcoal-colored cape that ended above his knees was draped over the cybernetic warrior?s shoulders. Only this Seventeen?s face was unarmored, but something was different about his visage. The skin seemed to be decaying in areas. With eyes wide with glee and malice, the android started to meticulously murder all the people that had been hiding in the factory.
?Leo, run!? Piccolo ordered, ?Inform the others we have been found out!? The former angel started to hobble away when a well-aimed disc of ki split him in half vertically. Incinerated entrails and blood were strewn on the ground around Leo as the disc traveled through his body. Piccolo and the encaged Android Seventeen both let out shrieks as they were forced to watch as a giant blast of ki completely erased the onetime angel from existence. Stuttering as he tried to make a coherent statement, Seventeen watched Piccolo turn towards the other machine-hybrid. The armored Seventeen kicked aside one of the bigger men, the force killing the poor human, and then unleashed a single, mighty blast of ki upon a group of frightened children. In front of the huddled android, outside of the cage, Piccolo?s energy surged beyond levels that the machine-hybrid was accustomed to.
?Monster!? the jade namekian screamed as he was enveloped in a blinding, gray-tinted aura. Seventeen wrapped his arms around his knees and closed his eyes to the sheer amount of energy that was filling the dilapidated factory. Even though everything lacked vibrancy, the faded color was enough to hurt the android?s eyes. From across the room, the armored Seventeen?s power was surging to unfathomable levels. The walls of the old building, unable to contain the sheer power, crumbled away. The machine-hybrid felt the bars around him melt into nothingness, and fresh rain was soon pounding his battered form.
?This is it namekian,? the other android cackled, ?it has been too long since I have had the honor of beating you down, but you have been a thorn in my side too long... This is the end for you, namekian trash!? Both fighters exploded off the ground, leaving behind massive scars on the earth. Android Seventeen was thrown like a doll into a pile of rubble by the force, but the disheartened machine-hybrid made no effort to stop his backwards flight. Overhead, Piccolo and the armored android were bulleting across the sky. Each time the two would come together, they create flashes and bolts of ki across the dark sky.
On the ground, Android Seventeen slowly made it to his feet and started to stagger away from the wreckage. The cybernetic warrior couldn?t take any more of what had become of the world. None of it made any sense to him at all. In the sky, the plated machine-hybrid noticed Seventeen trying to flee the scene. Piccolo rocketed at his superior opponent with one final offensive, but before his eyes, he watched his foe vanish. The Ultra Namekian tried to locate his adversary?s ki signature, yet even with his mastery of the skill; the death blow was still a surprise.
?Your life is at an end, namekian!? the android hissed, materializing above his prey and creating a red ki saber, ?too sad it is how little you managed to do against me!? On the ground, Android Seventeen looked up to see Piccolo, his eyes wide with disbelief, swiftly decapitated. The namekian?s head fell faster then the rest of the body and came to rest a few feet in front of the petrified android.
?Monster!? the head gargled, ?you always were evil! I should have seen so long ago how wicked you truly are. You always had the traits of a true tyrant!? A small blast of ki ended the head?s eerie message, but the damage had already been done. Android Seventeen?s knees fell out from under him once more, and he felt new tears start down his dirtied cheeks.
?I?m not evil?? the android muttered pathetically, ?I?did everything they wanted? I?m a good person!? Behind the sobbing machine-hybrid, his armored look-alike landed and started to chuckle.
?Are you in denial?? he said with grin, ?or just plain stupid?? the other Seventeen asked his sniveling double.
?What the hell is going on?? Android Seventeen asked, ?Where the hell am I? Who the hell are you?? by the time he finished, the machine-hybrid had managed to pull himself of his feet and turn to face his armored twin.
?What you see is both reality and unreality, Seventeen,? he spoke, ?this is a representation of your future, our future. Where we devour The Eye and assimilate everyone?s very soul into us. In the future we become the pinnacle of both power and evil!? Android Seventeen stumbled back, eyes wide with disbelief. There was no way that this could be the future!
?I killed you!? the erratic android yelled at the armored twin.
?Don?t you understand, Seventeen,? the caped machine-hybrid spoke calmly, ?those angels wanted us perish when they sent us on that challenge. They wanted us out of the picture because they knew we were predisposed to evil, and they not only wanted us dead, they wanted us to suffer forever in hellfire!?
?No!? Seventeen screamed at the monster in front of him. The cybernetic warrior was starting to lose himself in the words of this counterpart, ?I?ve changed! Stop saying ?us?! I?m not evil!? Android Seventeen turned away and started to flee the scene, huffing and sobbing as he tried to get as far away from the monster behind him.
?You can?t fight who we are!? the caped cyborg yelled, ?This is our future as our own mind knows and understands it to be!? Seventeen shut the words out, he was unwilling to accept this, yet he knew at heart that he feared this world may be truth. As the android ran, the world around him began to swirl as it turned into darkness. Android Seventeen felt the ground fall apart beneath him, and soon he was plummeting into an endless abyss of blackness. Around him, he started to see images materialize. He saw Vapor holding some kind of glassy red gemstone up to a frozen obelisk, and then he watched an army of demons escape alongside the gray giant, Byrk. More scenes started to play out around the android. He saw himself killing Vapor right in front Byrk, and seconds later, Seventeen watched as he bowed before Android Byrk.
What came next was a rapid succession of murders, all perpetrated by the android. He watched with tears as he slaughtered men, women, and children like farm animals. Seventeen was draining something from each of his victims in the panoramas using the gemstone, and he soon realized he was devouring the souls of those poor people. The machine-hybrid closed his red, puffy eyes when he started seeing the death of people he knew. When he uncovered his eyes, he saw himself stabbing Byrk in the back with a red ki saber.
Android Seventeen watched on as the red gemstone drained the bio-android?s soul, and from then on, everything else was more destruction and death at the hands of a supercharged Seventeen. With a painful thud, the machine-hybrid struck the bottom of the churning pit. The cybernetic warrior spit up a small puddle of blood, and then struggled for a few moments before putting together the will to stand. He was in a long hallway; all around him were photographs of people he had killed. Most of them were people who had deserved to die?CIA lackeys, demons, and zombies.
?Who are you to decide who is evil or good!? one of the nearby portraits screamed, as if it had read the android?s mind. Seventeen shuddered as he walked down the hallway.
?Evil! Evil! Evil!? was the chorus that all the paintings screamed at Android Seventeen as he walked by. It wasn?t until the machine-hybrid walked past faces like Piccolo Daimaou and the villagers from the mountain village that the portrait?s refrain really started to strike deep. Android Seventeen cupped his hands over his ears to block out the tormenting chants, but as hard as he tried, the voices just got louder and louder. The cybernetic warrior started running down the hall. Sanity was a precious commodity that the android was quickly losing.
?Stop running from us!? Android Seventeen turned to face the dark side of his persona?the side his very own mind predicted to acquire dominance, ?look at yourself, I can smell your fear from here! You know that all of this is the truth and it is eating away at your soul! Stop running from us and except the fact that you were born to do the devil?s work! You are evil!?
?No!? the real Seventeen screamed, trying to hide his fright and disbelief with anger. He turned to face his adversary, and his hands were instantly enveloped in yellow orbs of ki. This outburst triggered the armored machine-hybrid to nearly collapse in a fit of laughter. The actual Android Seventeen smacked his palms together, unleashing a beam of energy down the length of the corridor. Some of paintings were immolated; their subjects started to scream in agony, yet at the still time managing to curse Seventeen.
?You can?t kill us,? the future Seventeen said, showing up behind his counterpart, ?even if you manage to subdue me, I will always be there, ebbing away at your soul!? The cybernetic warrior knew that his last chance at absolution was before him. He spun around, his palms still crackling and shimmering with energy. With a hateful, tear-laced cry, the android unleashed another wave of ki upon his counterpart.
?You can?t fight your destiny!? Seventeen?s evil complement screamed. The titanic ki blast started to be pushed back at the android. With a final, defiant scream, the cybernetic warrior threw all the fight that he had left into the blast?in one last attempt to eliminate the personified nightmare.
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