54What Could've Been
Chapter 2: No Escaping
A strong wind completely immobilized the two future cyborgs and carried them away from dozens of onlookers, all of whom wore expressions of hatred, pity, or a mixture of both. Try as they might, Future Seventeen and Eighteen couldn't recognize most faces nor the exact harm they had caused, as their previous actions were all blurred into one giant massacre. Not that it mattered though, since the one regret they had was the dead couldn't be killed yet again.
If only we could wipe those disgusting looks off their faces...but then again, if we could then so could King Yemma waste us...
The twins landed on a well decorated stony path embroiled with what looked like dragon scales, or perhaps snake scales was more fitting considering the place was called "Snake Way". Looking at the seemingly never-ending road that curved and twisted through layers of yellowish cloud, they both felt an uneasy feeling creeping up their stomachs.
"Go to the end of Snake Way! It is there you two will find King Kai's planet and face your punishment!" King Yemma's booming voice resonated throughout the boundless space, causing the cyborgs to shiver.
"Heh, and why should we listen to you?" Future Eighteen snapped stubbornly.
"Yeah who do you think we are huh? Idiots willingly marching to our punishment? Well I don't think so!" Future Seventeen chimed in.
The deceased killers took up battle stance alongside one another, neither sure what treatment they'll face for disobeying the judge of underworld so blatantly. To their surprise, King Yemma merely laughed aloud in amusement, unsettling the pair even more.
"Hahaha...you two really are just a bunch of rebellious brats with too much power aren't you?" The invisible giant's thunderous voice crashed through their bodies as if he was right beside them, "I'm trying to be nice here and thought I'd grant you two the freedom of movement but if you brats insist, I can always escort you two through Snake Way."
A twirling wind encircled the duo the moment King Yemma finished his speech and the siblings groaned, not eager to be taken anywhere by the magical current that had rendered their bodies immobile as if getting shut down by Gero's emergency control.
"F-fine, we'll go by ourselves but only because I want to do some sightseeing," Future Seventeen spat crossing his arm.
"Suit yourselves killers, but I'd run fast if I were you. For you see, Snake Way is home to the snake demons and if you guys take too long, they'll eat you alive!"
"W-whatever, w-we'll deal with those snake demons if it comes down to it!" Future Eighteen yelled trying to sound like she was in charge but failing miserably from the light tremble in her voice. Too much had happened in the span of 24 hours and the former invincible destroyer wasn't too keen on putting her strength to the test again.
If King Yemma had noticed her wavering confidence, he hadn't bothered remarking on it as the only change being the magical currents dissipating. Taking the silence as sign they had best get moving, the pair quickly drew a safe distance between them and the intimidating judge least he changed his mind.
"So what do we do now? We aren't simply going to meet this King Kai are we?" The blonde twin complained once the goosebumps-inducing temple was out of sight.
Her raven-haired counterpart shrugged dejectedly, "No idea sis, but at least we get to visit another planet right?" he tried to come across hopeful but both sibling knew it was just an act.
Future Eighteen groaned but didn't respond as she tried thinking positively. She still had her brother and they were on a trip, a trip to face their last punishment before getting banished to hell but a trip nevertheless. The scenery left much to be desired though, as the endless stretch of ominous purple sky and sharply contrasting yellow clouds all around them gave off the impression the sun was setting.
Yeah the sun has definitely set on us that's for sure...and this blasted place is messing me up with its weird color scheme...and how long does this go on? Is this journey itself a punishment?
The blonde shook her head and stopped in her tracks, making her brother raise an eyebrow.
"What's the matter sis?"
"Do you really want to know what this King Kai has in store for us?"
"Well, what other choice do we have?"
The elder sister narrowed her cat-like eyes dangerously at her younger brother who couldn't help but shudder. It was an expression rarely seen but once shown meant his serious sibling was about to partake on something outlandish.
"What do you think is underneath all these clouds Seventeen?" Future Eighteen walked to the edge of the path and peered down at the yellowish canopy bearing tints of crimson determinedly. When her kin didn't respond, she yelled furiously, "It's got to be hell brother, don't you smell the stench of monsters and demons?"
Future Seventeen's eyes snapped opened wide at those words. Eyeing her with skepticism, the cyborg sniffed loudly with his nose and sure enough, a putrid smell nearly caused him to vomit.
"Gross, yeah that's gotta be hell alright, but what's that got to do with our situation?" He whined until a creepy smirk surfaced on the sister's face.
"Don't you get it brother? Whatever King Kai has in store for us is much worse than hell, so why don't we deny them the pleasure of seeing us suffer by jumping down ourselves? That ought to teach them a thing or two for dictating our every movements!" Future Eighteen spat vehemently.
"I...still sis, once we reached hell it's all over. So why not go see this King Kai? Whatever this punishment is we'll be endure it together right?" In a rare display of concern, the terminator implored his sister sincerely, placing a hand on her shoulder.
The elder twin's hardened gaze only got icier laced with bitterness, her body shaking in resentment, "And just what kind of punishment do you think King Kai has for two mass murderers? What if he has us experience what we've done to our victims, what if he has us see each other getting torn apart? Limb from limb? Can you honestly endure that?"
"I..." He couldn't brought himself to continue as images of people getting blown apart, only this time their faces were pasted on them, their expressions distorted in excruciating agony to resemble the countless nobodies they've ended. It was a look suitable only for those human low lives and the thought brought a grimace to his ashen face.
Am I glad sister dearest died in a blast...kami knew I'd be scarred forever if I saw her suffer before death...
"I suppose you have a point sis. Yeah, if those bastards want us to suffer, we'll deny them the satisfaction just like how we disappointed that control freak Gero!"
They stood right behind the snake-scale-like railing hand in hand; both shivering lightly as upward wind carrying foul stenches of hell blasted them in the face but nevertheless found each other's staunch support encouraging.
"You ready brother!"
"Ready sis! But I have to say, I could never have imagined the prospect of going to hell this desirable."
"Right! Now on the count of three let's jump!" Adrenaline filled Future Eighteen's voice as if all their worries were about to be put to rest.
"Okay you do the honor sis!"
The blonde looked at her brother hesitantly, evidently not sure about being the one leading their countdown to hell.
"S-sure Seventeen. Now one!" She said resolutely
"Two!" This time her brother joined her, both quivering slightly having second thoughts but their firm grips made it clear the decision was final."
Farewell stupid humans, farewell King Yemma you bastard, and farewell King Kai whoever you are!
"Three!"
Their feet went over the railing in perfect harmony. A gasp escaped their lips no longer feeling the solid ground and they shut their teary eyes while entwining their fingers ever so tightly seeking comfort in the other's soothing temperature. Gravity had begun to take its hold, sucking them to their doom and then...
"Ahh!" Future Seventeen and Eighteen each let out a pained shriek as the iron grip of the magical wind had not only gotten hold of them, but forcibly separated their fingers and was now exerting such tremendous pressure against their bodies that their bones creaked in anguish.
"What naughty kids you two are! And I thought I'd gave you two some time to reflect on your sins but nope, you two picked the easy way out. Guess I have to do this the hard way!" King Yemma's voice rocked against their frail frames once more.
"C-curse you!" Future Seventeen whimpered before the invisible force stretched both cyborgs' limbs outwards, exposing their defenseless bodies and increasing their sense of vulnerability. Memory from distant past of them getting tied down on the operation table resurfaced as did the pain of going through such torture.
The cyborg killers didn't get to ponder on their predicament much longer; however, as their momentum had accelerated from zero to a nail-biting speed and the former fearless duo screamed on the top of their lungs on their journey toward what they deemed as misery far worse than hell.
Future Seventeen and Eighteen were still screaming and cursing when they finally crashed on solid ground. Disoriented from the heavy impact, the pair spent a considerable time on the ground, albeit much longer than needed to calm their beating heart and erratic breath as the fear of what's to come next made getting up to face it a daunting task. Without thinking, the siblings held onto one another, providing much needed warmth and support.
"Hey King Kai, I think they are here!" An irksome voice reached their ears and the duo shared a look of disbelief before peering up to the familiar figure with both his arms intact.
"Oh it's you! Gohan is it? Looks like death does you plenty of good by fixing your crippled form!" Future Seventeen forced out a chuckle as he straightened his attire and adopted a fighting stance.
Their nemesis merely glared coldly without attempting to strike; however, and on closer look the brash cyborg could detect hints of sadness and even sympathy in his dark walnut-colored orbs.
Pity me will you? Well no one looks down on yours truly Seventeen!
"What's the matter Gohan? Not happy to see me? Or did we made you wait too long?" Future Seventeen taunted as he swung several punches that struck the air between them, blowing the demi-Saiyan's hair backwards but still the warrior refused to engage nor reply as if indicating he wasn't worth talking to.
"Wow, guess he turned into a mute after we killed him." Future Eighteen interjected sensing her partner's anger.
"Hey lay off Gohan will you? At least he didn't scream like two kids who had just wetted themselves!"
The killer duo narrowed their eyes dangerously at a spikey haired male around the same height as Gohan.
"Excuse me but do we know you Mr. Scarred face?" The blonde spat icily.
"Like you would forget! The name's Yamcha and I'm one of Earth's Special Forces!" He yelled indignantly.
The future cyborgs' eyes widened seemingly recalling the distant memory but neither made a move and merely observed the many others now gathered around their deceased mortal enemy, trying to recognize the gang with their hazy memories and forming the best attack strategy.
"Ah, you must be Yamcha. Sorry but I've almost forgotten about you! Come to think of it I snapped your neck with a swift kick so easily it's almost comical!" The raven-haired cyborg pointed mockingly and got the exact reaction he needed as Yamcha clenched his fists angrily.
"Hey take that back you fiend! I'll have you know I've trained hard since coming here!"
Good, the madder you get the easier it is to deal with you!
"Now you the chalk-pale one must be Chiaotzu. Didn't I took your head off with a blast? And that would make you Tien and three-eyed freak. Sis pretty much punched a hole through your torso and left you to die. Oh, and lookie here, the big green himself Piccolo..."
"Cut it off already Seventeen! We aren't here to identify these losers," Eighteen interrupted before turning her intrigued gaze back at the gang, "I'm not seeing everyone though, what happened to the short bald one and that angry little man? Did they not made it here?" the cyborg woman's voice softened significantly when referring to the "short bald one" and if one listened, could even detect traces of disappointment.
In her mind, the faint outline of a hairless man around her chin-height with large emotional eyes that seemed to penetrate her mechanical exterior into her soul was beginning to take shape as one of the few lesser beings she could recall.
Don't tell me that midget hadn't made it here...come to think of it he was pretty brave, not to mention cute when he begged us not to kill any more humans...
"Krillin's here with us alright, but he's not well, saying he couldn't bear to face the two of you for the monsters you've become. As for Vegeta, well you'll see him once you go to hell." A completely foreign voice erupted behind the crowd and both twins turned their murderous gaze to a tall figure with wild pointy hair.
Despite having never met the person before, his appearance had already been forever engraved in their minds, causing their predatorily eyes to blink a blood crimson shade.
"Goku! I'm surprised you are here! If there's one regret we had it's we didn't get to kill you ourselves!" Future Eighteen spat readying battle stance for the first time.
"Well here I am killers. It's also my regret I didn't get to fight you two in life seeing that might've saved countless lives!" Goku stood in front of his friends as if trying to cover them from harm.
The raven and blonde duo chuckled amusedly at the gesture, their faces distorted by murderous intents.
Hmph, pathetic weakling! You couldn't even keep yourself alive before fighting us...
"So what are we waiting for then? This is our punishment isn't it? To fight you losers before going to hell?" Future Seventeen began cockily.
"Well sorry to inform you guys, but the only thing we are taking with us is one last victory that proves our superiority!" Future Eighteen finished the sentence for her sibling as both began pumping artificial energies throughout their limbs causing electric currents to dance between fingertips.
The cybernetic duo gradually inched toward their prey, who all took up fighting stances, albeit somewhat reluctantly.
Just as a battle looked inevitable, with all combatants' tense thigh muscles straining like the pulled strings of bows ready to release in ferocious charges, a figure pushed through the z-fighters, "Stop it everyone! I didn't bring these cyborgs here for a fight so behave okay?"
The twins shared an amused look at the newcomer who, with his obese form, light blue skin, two antennas sticking out of his hat, and tiny round shades was the least threatening of all present. All of the sudden, their animosities dissipated like smoke and the two began laughing at the goofy sight so much so they were doubling over.
W-who is this joker and how come we don't remember him? Surely a clown like this would've made a big fuss before he died...
"Hey stop all that laughing immediately! I am the great King Kai that King Yemma mentioned and you brats had better show me some respect!" King Kai shouted, his cyan cheeks now a reddish tint like a boiling teakettle.
The twins weren't intimidated one bit though, as both began circling around the strange entity, giving him a thorough checking.
"No way you are King Kai. You are so...what's the word Seventeen?" The sister mocked then turned to her family for guidance.
"Short and fat. Yeah that's gotta be it. Short and fat and a pushover compared to King Yemma." The brother chuckled with tears still in his eyes.
"Stop it you two. King Kai is one of the greatest deities and far superior to King Yemma power wise. Normally villains such as yourselves aren't given the privilege of seeing him so be thankful of this rare opportunity!" Piccolo crossed his arms and eyed the two disapprovingly like the delinquents they were.
All the Namekian accomplished was making the artificial duo arched their eyebrows before resuming their laughter.
An air of unease filled the tiny planet just as the new guests were about to roll on the ground from cracking up so hard, and then without warning, a telepathic explosion of sorts rocked through the space.
Future Eighteen couldn't explain what had happened. All she knew was one second she was laughing with tears in her eyes then the next; she was blown off her feet. A quick glance at her sibling told her he was as clueless as she was. One thing was certain; however, and that being this King Kai had grasped their undivided attention for that the force was unlike anything they've experienced. Inwardly, the former fearless destroyers shuddered fearfully wondering if they had just made a fatal error.
Why didn't we sense his strength earlier? It's just like Trunks...he's more than meets the eyes...
While they were stunned by the reveal of strength, King Kai merely held a fist to his mouth and coughed lightly, "Ahem, it seems like I've gotten your attention, good. As I was saying, I am King Kai and this is my personal planet. As for you two, the sin of nearly wiping out the entire human population was too heavy for a simple trip to hell so I'm afraid I must punish you brats to even the scale." He began in an uncharacteristically serious tone that had the two shiver despite themselves.
It was King Kai's turn to circle around the twins, his hands behind his back and his head lowered as if in deep thoughts. The waiting period of few fleeting seconds felt like hours, especially since this powerful being's thoughts were all but unreadable behind thick shades. This, when coupled with solemn looks from the z-fighters, made them felt like death row inmates on chopping blocks.
"Have you two heard of alternative realities?" The deity finally spoke.
The bewildered siblings shook their heads puzzled.
"Basically parallel universes inhabited by similar people. As it turns out, alternative realities do exist and in another world, there was another copy of you cyborgs." King Kai concluded raising his head to stare at the duo, exerting much authority and rendering any attempt at refuting his claim unimaginable.
"Okay, so there is another universe with another copy of us, what then?" Future Eighteen was the first one to regain her composure but even then, she had to cling onto her brother for support.
The cyan deity shook his head clearly displeased, "Have you two ever wondered during your massacres if things could've ended differently? That no amount of blood spilled could wash away your pain? That all your efforts of burying your consciousness in frightening screams were for naught?"
Again, the cyborgs shook their heads, albeit showing much more emotion this time as their eyes were narrowed and their lips pursed.
"Good, so you two don't have any idea. We can start this in a clean sheet then. Come with me and I'll show you this other timeline." King Kai turned his back at the duo, heading toward a dome-shaped house.
The twins began trailing behind their host but halted a distance before going into the house. "Now just wait a second, how about no?" Future Seventeen stated resolutely.
"Excuse me?" King Kai asked turning around.
"He said no and so do I," Future Eighteen looked down on the ground dejectedly, "why don't you just send us to hell? We aren't interested in this other dimension or whatever it was that we did there."
"I agree with them for once King Kai. These murderous scums don't deserve to know this other reality. Why don't we just let them burn in hell like all the others?" Tien's words were stone cold without a hint of compassion.
Two pairs of frozen orbs rested on the triclops glaring daggers at him as if stares alone could eradicate someone's soul but the human warrior stood his ground not flinching a bit, his unfeeling eyes looking down at the two letting them knew they weren't even in the same league.
"I'm with Tien, why postpone the inevitability King Kai? The raging infernal of hell should be more than enough for these criminals!" Yamcha joined in as did Chiaotzu who levitated beside his friends.
The glaring match was stopped short by Goku wrapping his arms around the trio, causing them to break off eye contact from the cyborgs.
"Goku?" Yamcha exclaimed all puzzled.
"Hey guys, don't you people think these cyborgs deserve a second chance?"
The three pure-humans blinked dumbfounded at the Saiyan.
"A-a second chance Goku? They are dead and about to be roasted for eternity for their sins! What use is a second chance?" Tien's entire body was shaking with rage, "besides they didn't only kill us but countless others...even Launch...," the iron-willed fighter's front had fallen apart in the blink of an eye.
"They even got your son too! It's not like you didn't know how well Chichi took it!" Chiaotzu, who had been silent the whole time, forced himself to squeeze out the sentence with teary eyes.
"Dad...they just might be right...mom and grandfather were already heartbroken after everyone had passed away and with my passing," Gohan clasped a hand on his father's shoulder, "I know you love to give everyone a second chance, but these two pretty much destroyed an entire generation of warriors. Our culture, our way of life would've been lost forever if it wasn't for Trunks!" As the proud mentor of Earth's eventual savior continued, he couldn't help but felt hot tears swell up in his sockets.
While the z-fighters huddled together in a comforting seminar, the cyborg duo were standing in the sideline rolling their eyes.
Pathetic, these losers are pathetic even in death...
They watched emotionlessly as Goku, now the spotlight of everyone's attention, including King Kai, eventually turned to face them with a sad smile that embodied a range of conflicting emotions ranging from anger, pity, and hope. Against their will, the cyborgs felt themselves shrinking at the warrior's empathetic gaze.
Just tell that King Kai we should go to hell! We have no interest in knowing what could've happened...We've done the best we could and got back at the humans! There's no other way...
"I know it's too late for you two, but why not give King Kai's suggestion a shot? It could be a refreshing experience and something to keep your minds occupied in hell."
Oh you've gotta be kidding us!
"But..."
"No but you two. The decision is final even before you set foot on this planet! Refuse again and I'll have Beerus erase your souls forever!" King Kai stated authoritatively.
"W-wait, souls can be erased?" Future Seventeen blurted out showing obvious fear.
The solemn look from King Kai was all it took to confirm his question. Seeing no other way, the twins marched behind the pale blue entity toward the earthen-colored house, their minds racing wondering exactly what they'll see inside.
They walked past their enemies who had surprisingly stood aside to let them through, their faces sporting different shades of anticipation forcing cold sweats down their cheeks. The plain looking hut, the location where their punishment will take place seemed ominous all of the sudden and Future Artificial Humans Seventeen and Eighteen couldn't help but wonder what it was the z-fighters knew that they don't.
Did they killed, no tortured us in this other timeline? No that couldn't be...otherwise why try stopping us from seeing it?
Please just let it be another massacre, I'd better not be doing anything else cause...what else is there for us?
A/N: And here's chapter two. It was a bit on the short side but I found it's needed to describe the twins meeting the z-fighters in the afterlife before moving onto the punishment itself. Hope you liked the set up so far. Also thanks to Literal Winter who has agreed to proof read the firsts two chapters and offering suggestions to me.