Android 18

Radiant light shone in all directions, illuminating everything around them as brightly as day. Wherever the energy blasts passed, the ground was blasted into deep craters, rubble flew, and dust filled the air. However, as Androids with nearly limitless energy reserves, Android 17 and Android 18 had no need to worry about depletion. Energy blasts poured endlessly from their hands like a tidal wave, as though they would never cease. But as the old battle saying went—"Smoke means no damage"—Piccolo's figure slowly emerged from the dust. His towering body remained standing firm, his green skin gleaming coldly in the afterglow of the energy blasts.

His eyes were full of contempt and disdain, as if the attack just now had been nothing more than a harmless farce. "Your power is too weak!" Piccolo's voice was low and icy, like a judgment issued from the depths of hell. He suddenly threw a punch, its fierce gust shrieking as it tore through the air and struck straight at Android 17's chest. Android 17 did not even have time to react before the blow hit him hard, sending him flying backward like a kite with its string cut. He crashed into a distant mountainside with a muffled boom, scattering debris and raising another cloud of dust. Trunks stood to one side, unable to suppress the joy on his face.

Hope shone in his eyes, as though he had glimpsed the dawn of the future. Clenching his fists, he shouted excitedly at Vegeta, "Dad, kill her, and the future can be changed!" Vegeta snorted coldly, a proud smile curling at the corner of his mouth. His eyes were full of confidence and disdain, as though the enemy before him was not worth mentioning. "I don't need you telling me!" His voice carried a trace of impatience, yet was filled with unquestionable authority. "The Androids are nothing special. Since there's no challenge here, die!"

Vegeta's body suddenly shot into the air. His hands slowly came together as immense energy gathered in his palms. The energy shone as brilliantly as the sun, bathing the entire battlefield in daylight. The air around him seemed to be torn apart by its power, giving off a piercing hum. "Final Flash!" Vegeta's voice boomed through the sky like thunder. He thrust both hands forward, unleashing a massive wave of light like a flood of destruction straight toward Android 18. The ground split apart in its wake, the air burned, as if it would devour everything in its path. Android 18 stood where she was, a flicker of despair passing through her eyes.

Her golden hair flew wildly in the gale, and that destructive wave of light was reflected in her blue eyes. Her lips trembled faintly, as though silently voicing the unwillingness and longing in her heart. "Damn it, am I finally going to die?" Android 18's voice was low and hoarse, carrying a bitter smile. "Prince Charming and all that... it was all a lie..." Her vision gradually blurred, and she seemed to see the distant past—the beauty and fantasies she had once cherished, now about to vanish like bubbles beneath this attack.

She was unwilling, but powerless. All she could do was watch helplessly as the destructive wave drew closer and closer, completely devouring every last hope she had. Boom—!!! A blinding white light suddenly tore through the sky, accompanied by a deafening explosion that made the earth tremble violently. A violent energy shockwave spread outward in a ring, sweeping up dust and rubble into the sky. When the dust settled slightly, a massive charred crater dozens of meters wide stood where Android 18 had been. Wisps of smoke rose from its bottom, while the earth around its rim had been melted by the heat into glass-like crystals. "Is this... what death feels like?"

Android 18 lay amid the scorched earth, her consciousness hazy as her vision was engulfed by dazzling white light. At the center of that radiance, she vaguely saw a figure with pure white wings spread wide, sacred and majestic. What a handsome angel... she thought groggily, nearly sinking into eternal darkness. Just as her consciousness was about to fade away, a warm force suddenly enveloped her. A low, gentle voice sounded beside her ear, carrying a reassuring strength. "You're not dead yet. With me here, no one can hurt you." As if imbued with magic, that voice pierced through her dying awareness, and Android 18 felt her heartbeat suddenly quicken.

A warm current spread from where they touched, driving away the chill of death. So warm! She struggled to raise her eyes, and a sharply defined face came into view. Tang Yangbing had somehow appeared at her side. Kneeling on one knee, he gently held her shoulder with one hand while keeping the other thrust forward—this very hand had crushed that devastating energy blast at the critical moment. "Tang Yangbing? How did you get here?!" Trunks staggered back half a step in shock, the sword in his hand dropping unconsciously.

He had not noticed at all when the other man had approached. This unexpected development instantly changed the course of the entire battle. "Damn it! Tang Yangbing, what are you doing?" Vegeta's furious roar shook the battlefield. His fists clenched tightly, and the aura around him surged violently with rage. He stared fixedly at the suddenly appearing Tang Yangbing, his eyes filled with disbelief and fury. Just moments earlier, when the Final Flash Vegeta had unleashed with all his strength was about to swallow Android 18, Tang Yangbing had appeared like a ghost.

He had not even made any exaggerated movement. He merely raised his right hand casually and spread his fingers. The energy beam capable of destroying a city abruptly halted before his palm, then vanished with a light clench of his hand, as easily as crushing a bubble. Even more shocking, as he crushed the Final Flash, a pale green, glowing energy barrier had already spread around Tang Yangbing. It not only completely blocked the aftermath of the explosion, but gently enveloped Android 18 within it. He bent down and carefully drew her into his arms, his movements as gentle as if he were handling a fragile treasure.

Tang Yangbing slowly raised his head, his gaze shooting toward Vegeta like a sharp blade. His voice was cold and resolute. "She's my woman. No one gets to hurt her! What concerns her concerns me!" His words echoed across the empty battlefield, every syllable carrying unquestionable power. The pale green energy barrier flickered softly around him, completely shielding both him and Android 18 in his arms, forming a stark contrast with the violent remnants of energy outside. Mo's voice was as cold as ice, yet his deep eyes gazed tenderly at Android 18 in his arms, like thawing snow in spring.

His arms tightened slightly, protecting the Android girl's slender body against his chest. Beneath his black combat suit, the lines of his solid muscles were faintly visible. "She's an Android! She'll destroy humanity in the future!" Trunks suddenly stepped forward, his purple hair whipping wildly in the fierce wind. The knuckles gripping his sword hilt turned white, and his eyes burned with painful memories from the future. In that blood-soaked time and space, it was this blond girl who had cruelly killed his mentor, Son Gohan. The flames of vengeance churned in his chest, while the shoulder armor of his Time Patrol uniform gleamed coldly beneath the setting sun. "He actually called me his woman?"

Android 18 bit down on her rosy lip, grinding her teeth in secret. An abnormal fluctuation came from her Android core, and a suspicious blush spread across her fair cheeks. She tried to break free from that warm embrace, only to find that her arms had unconsciously wrapped around his waist. "Damn it... but this guy's chest is unexpectedly reassuring." The evening glow dyed the clouds a magnificent purplish red. Amid the ruined walls and rubble, Android 18's pale golden hair drifted softly in the breeze. She quietly pressed her cheek against Tang Yangbing's chest, listening to his steady, powerful heartbeat, while the warning system in her Android core began playing a cheerful melody. Could this be the legendary feeling of having one's heart flutter?

"With me here, everything will change!" Tang Yangbing's voice suddenly rang across the battlefield. He formed a hand seal with one hand as a pale golden aura began to flow around him. "I'll take responsibility for her to the very end!" "Tch!" Vegeta roared, and a deep blue aura erupted skyward around him. The ground beneath his feet instantly cracked apart.