The next morning, Bulma had needed help to go get some groceries to feed the always hungry Saiyans. It was very early in the morning and Bulma was already up, preparing to head out. Celera was already awoken and proposed her help to Bulma. "Wow. A Saiyan who's actually interested in getting the food instead of eating it. I'm amazed." She said laughing. Celera smiled. Saiyans had quite a reputation on this planet, after all. She followed Bulma outside and they headed to West City while chatting. Bulma was grateful that Celera had shown up in her life. She was so lonely since the Z Warriors died and even lonelier since her own husband, her somewhat misunderstood confident, had also disappeared. It was nice to have someone to talk to again and especially a young woman who would understand her feminine worries. After all, Trunks and Gohan weren't the worst to talk to but Celera appeased her lonesomeness. When they reached the highway leading to one of the biggest cities of this planet, Celera frowned. She was expecting something more, something more extravagant. But the city was in ruins and she started asking questions. "Is that West City?" she asked.
"Yeah. It is. Well, it was, until the androids destroyed it. It's all fun and games for them. It makes me sick. They kill people and destroy civilizations for the sheer pleasure of it. They're monsters." She said with sorrow in her voice. Celera didn't say anything. She didn't want to make Bulma even more upset by telling her that it would take time for the three Saiyans to actually achieve such a feat as the destruction of those so called androids. They had reached the supermarket Bulma was talking about and entered the store. It was passably empty and deprived from rich foods, but it would do, Celera supposed. While Bulma was shopping for meat, Celera was walking around, observing the human race. Their power level was ridiculously low but the people of Earth were a peaceful people. She was about to pick a box of food when she felt a huge tremor outside the building. She knew what this felt like. It would be coming her way. She let everything she had in her arms fall on the ground and ran as fast as she could to find Bulma. Celera wasn't impressively bulky like Trunks or Gohan but her slender figure made her nimble on her feet. She raced down the alleys when a huge explosion hit her left side.
She fell on the ground and slowly got up. She was shaken by the sudden blow and her ears were ringing. Her thoughts jumped to Bulma in a matter of seconds. Where was she? Was she alright? What could have caused such a mess? She rose in the air and flew around the perimeter, looking for the blue haired woman. She couldn't see her anywhere. Celera began to panic. She couldn't bear to tell Trunks that her mother had died and that she was unable to protect her. Her hands were shaking and her palms were sweaty. Her breathing was short and fast. She needed to find Bulma and get out of here.
She ran through the debris and looked around. "Celera…" she heard a voice say. Celera ran through debris materials and caught a glimpse of Bulma's hair. She searched for her arm and pulled the frail woman out of the pile of destroyed materials. She had scrapes all over but she was alive and well. Celera let out a sigh. "Let's get you out of here." She said to Bulma. She grabbed her by the arms and lifted her on her back. Celera looked around and tried to sense some power levels but couldn't feel anything. This explosion wasn't anything ordinary. Someone with amazing strength had to have provoked this. Celera lowered her own power and began running towards the outside building. Bulma was still breathing. She would live. Everyone around them was dead. There was blood everywhere. If Celera wasn't already desensitized by the look of a bloody mess, she would have thrown up. Her mission now was to get Bulma and herself out of this area unnoticed and safely.
"Oh, you missed one, Seventeen." Called out a woman's voice.
"Seems like it, Eighteen. And I thought this time I'd get a perfect score. What a drag." Another voice said. This time, it was a man speaking. Celera looked up and froze. She saw what she didn't want to see. The two people left in the vicinity were slowly descending from the air and on the ground. Celera knew who they were yet she's never seen them before. She knew it. They were the androids Gohan, Trunks and Bulma had talked to her about. One was a beautiful young woman with short blond hair and an urban style while the other one was male with dashing black hair and dressed with jeans and with an orange bandana. They both had icy murderous looks in their eyes. Celera took a step back.
"It's just a girl, Seventeen. I can't believe you missed her. God damn it, you suck. And, oh. They're a cripple on her back too. You missed a girl and an injured old woman. Pansy. Next time be a sport and bring you're A game." The female android said, annoyed.
"You talk a lot of shit for someone who actually did nothing, Eighteen. How about you shut your trap and call it a day? I need to finish this bonus round. You know, to get even for last time." He said raising his hand.
Ki was amassing in the palm of his right hand and Celera knew this wasn't going to end well if she stayed there. The ball of ki went straight in her direction and she quickly flew in the air, evading the shot. Bulma was still clinging to her neck and resting on her back. Celera quickly hid her energy and hid herself and Bulma behind a huge pillar. She could hear steps getting near her. She wouldn't let Bulma die in this situation. She would have to fight if it came down to it. Even if Gohan wasn't there. Even if Trunks wasn't there. She took a deep breath and put Bulma down on the ground. "I need you to stay here and stay as calm as possible, Bulma." She asked her. "If it comes to the worst, I'll have to fight. Unfortunately, I'm not strong enough to fight the both of them. They're power is something I've never felt before. But I promised I'd do right by you and I will. We need to escape and fast." Bulma nodded silently.
Suddenly, Celera noticed a big red patch on Bulma's white shirt. Bulma smiled but she was in pain. Her face was twisted in pain. Shit. She was hurt and she was bleeding. This wasn't good. Forget the fighting. Celera needed to get them out and quickly. She picked up Bulma again and silently made her way to the debris as quickly as she could. She couldn't feel the androids and that made her very nervous. Another wave of energy was sent towards her and Celera repelled it with her own ki. The violence of the impact sent her down on the ground, Bulma still in her arms, now unconscious. Celera knew that if this kept on dragging, she would die along with Bulma, who saved her life, mended her wounds, fed and dressed her. Celera's control was slipping. She was, for the first time in her life, in a corner she wouldn't be able to get out of. Her blood pumped through her veins. She turned around to face these two monsters who were hovering above.
"You know Seventeen, watching you killing little girls is boring. You know why? Because you blow at it. Let me finish the job." Said the female android, lunging at Celera at an alarming speed.
Celera knew this wouldn't end well if she didn't move and soon. Bulma was going to die if she didn't defend herself. Celera could see Trunks face twisting in sorrow because of his mother's unfortunate death. She would die because of Celera. That kept turning and turning inside Celera's head as she slowly let go of every barriers preventing her to go berserk. She couldn't save herself, she couldn't save her mother and she wouldn't be able to save Bulma if her powers didn't show through. She felt a power surge she's never felt before in her entire life. Celera pointed her opened palm in the direction of the androids. She began amassing power in a very controlled manner, like she was waiting for their next move. Her breathing was steady. This seemed to anger the two androids. "Who the fuck does she think she is? Is she trying to attack us? We'll show her!" angrily screamed the female android. Both of them sent an enormous ki wave towards Bulma and Celera's direction and a superb flash of light lit the whole area. Their energy was murderous. Celera had felt the burn of the impact but had somehow dispersed her energy in a beautiful barrier of ki shaped like a dome all around her. Bulma rose her head to see the yellow lit domed shape barrier and smiled. "That's amazing…" she said. Celera picked her up and quickly flew away with Bulma while the androids looked for her in a cloud of smoke. "Damn it! We lost them!" screamed Eighteen.
"Don't worry. She'll reappear." Said Seventeen with a smirk. Celera quickly flew towards Bulma's house, where Trunks and Gohan were probably still sleeping. Bulma was still breathing but was getting weaker. Celera picked up the pace and dash west. She recalled the androids face. Even though they had gotten out alive, she knew she was out of her league at her current power level. She had to train. She kept her promise. She would protect her saviors. She could finally see in the horizon Bulma's round house. Celera quickly rose her power level to alert the young men inside the house and minutes later, Gohan peeked outside to see what was the disturbance. Celera's feet touched the ground and she sighed. Bulma was now unconscious and was losing blood quickly. "Help her." Celera said. Gohan's eyes widen and he ran towards the two women, Trunks on his tail. "Mom!" he screamed, kneeling next to her.
"What happened, Celera? What happened!" screamed Gohan. Celera felt a jolt of pain in her heart. "I should have protected her better." She said, tears rolling down her cheeks. Trunks was in shock. His mother was surely dying. "Celera, help me bring her inside. Did the androids find you?" he asked. Celera nodded silently. Bulma was put on a gurney and the three of them looked at the dying woman. Trunks was now crying and hitting walls in a rage. Gohan reached for him and grabbed his arms. "Stop. You must remain calm. There must be a solution." He said to him. Gohan rushed through the medical kit Bulma was always carrying but couldn't make sense of what to do next. Bulma's heart was now beating so slowly it seemed she would die in a matter of seconds. Celera's sadness was appalling. She was sitting next to Bulma by Trunks side. He seemed so upset it made Celera wonder why was she brought here on this planet where she would end up losing the people who saved her life. Life was so unfair. Just like Celera by the end of the day Trunks would also be an orphan. Bulma's blood was not capatible to Celera nor Gohan's. Gohan doubted she'd even be compatible with Trunks. There was nothing they could do. This infuriated Gohan. Trunks was too young to lose both his parents. "Trunks, say your goodbyes now. There's not much time left. I know this is hard but you have to do it." Said Gohan to Trunks. Trunks eyes wattered and he gave his dying mother a kiss on the forehead and held her hand. "I'm sorry Mom." He said, leaving the room with Gohan. Celera and Bulma were alone now. Celera's tears blinded her. She clenched her fists and wailed silently. She'd lose the two mother figures she's even know and that pained her to her core. Suddenly her body reacted on her own and she placed her hand on Bulma's wounds, paralysed in fear of her own body. Her hand slowly glowed and Celera stopped breathing. She felt her whole energy being drained. She felt so tired. The glowing was getting stronger and Celera could feel a heat inside her whole body. She couldn't handle it anymore and closed her eyes. She fell unconscious on the floor. Her head felt heavy but in the depth of her ears, she could feel a heart pounding. Her own heart beat? No. It was Bulma's. Celera smiled and everything went black.
Trunks was in a state of shock outside the room, Gohan still holding his arms. Raging tears were rolling down his face as Gohan tried to calm him down pulling Trunks in a compassionate embrace. Gohan knew he wasn't Trunks father, but he would be the paternal agent this kid needed at this time of crisis. Gohan felt the pain Trunks was feeling right now. Having lost his father very young himself, Gohan could feel his heart breaking when he saw Bulma at the verge of death and Trunks looking at her with such sorrowful eyes. Gohan was trying to calm Trunks anger but the teenager was starting to understand what Gohan meant by harnessing the power of loss to become a Super Saiyan. Trunks body was shivering from pain and rage and it pained Gohan that it had to take this for Trunks to push his limits as a Super Saiyan. Suddenly, Gohan noticed that Celera never came out of the room where Bulma's body was put. He told Trunks to wait outside while he checked his mother. When he opened the door, Gohan gasped. Celera was lying on the ground, unconscious and Bulma was breathing normally and was resting on the gurney with her eyes fully opened. She had seemed to have regained consciousness only a couple minutes ago. Gohan had noticed that Bulma's wound had been healed and that the bleeding had stopped. He couldn't believe his eyes. He had seen some weird things in his life but this was a first.
"Bulma, are you alright?" he asked, alarming Trunks. He came in the room and was phased to see his mother alive and well. Of course, she had scrapes all over but was in overall good condition. Trunks eyes were illuminated by joy and ran to his mother while Gohan picked up Celera from the ground. Seemed like this little Saiyan girl had once again surprised him with her powers. "Trunks, you'll be wanting to thank Celera when she wakes up. Your mother is alive because of her." Gohan brought Celera down in the living room while Bulma hugged and kissed her son, tears rolling down on both of the Briefs cheeks.
When Celera opened her eyes, Gohan was next to her on Bulma's sofa. Her gaze was foggy and she felt drained but she was alive. Her breathing was steady. Gohan had let her hair loose and had unbraided her hair. Her long black locks were all over the furniture and she tried to rise up. Gohan gently pushed her back down on her back and proceeded to smile at her.
"You've done something none of us had achieved to this present day, Celera. You have powers beyond an ordinary Saiyan warrior." Celera had heard him but didn't understand him. She had a puzzled look on her face.
"You saved Bulma. You healed her wound and transferred your life energy to her. I don't know how you managed that, but it's something that no other Saiyan I know or knew could ever dream of achieving. We are a race of warriors, not healers. That's what's surprising to me." He said. Celera closed her eyes. Her mind was blurry with fatigue. Who knew when she had learned this technique? She was too tired to even speak or think. That's when Trunks ran into the living room, his face shining with happiness. "Gohan, mom's up! She's not hurt anymore! It's as if nothing happened!" Gohan smiled and let the Saiyan girl rest while he visited Bulma. Trunks was left in the middle of the room, looking at Celera. She had slumbered into an easy sleep. Trunks was aghast.
This girl he barely knew not only risked her life to protect his only living family member but also almost died bringing his mother back to life, giving her life energy without hesitation. Any other full blooded Saiyan would have let Bulma die on the battlefield to fight the androids, but Celera had protected her and donated her vital energy to a woman she knew almost nothing about. This made Trunks's core Saiyan fundamentals crumble. Her thought his race was bred to fight, hate and die but Celera had proved to him that Saiyans could be protective, loving and full of life. Celera was nothing like his father had been. Trunks walked to Celera, who was still asleep, and took her hand in his. "I don't know who you are, where you came from or what you came here for, but I'll protect you and I'll fight for you to know peace on this planet. One day, you'll see, everything will be different. I promise." He ran his fingers through her thick black hair and gently smiled. Trunks had a revelation that day. That girl would be his motivation and his downfall too.
"Trunks? Honey, where are you?" he heard Bulma say. She was walking down the stairs holding Gohan's arm. Trunks let Celera's hand go and rose up, smiling at his mother. "I didn't know you were able to walk just yet, mom." He said. "I feel just fine, Trunks." She said. Her eyes caught glimpse of Celera's face. "Well, I guess she's part of the family, now. Isn't that right, guys?" she asked and both Saiyans nodded. "I'm sure you guys are hungry. Gohan, I'm pretty sure I'll regret this, but can you cook for us tonight?" she asked. Gohan smirked. "Sure. I can't guarantee anything though. Only the food poisoning." He said, walking in the kitchen, letting Bulma sit down on the couch next to Celera, brushing her hair while humming a tune Trunks hadn't heard in a while.