Weeks had passed since that day — the day Razor had torn Tarix apart and nearly destroyed himself in the process.Now, the once-scarred planet was alive again, green and vibrant under twin suns. The forests whispered with new life, the rivers sang again, and for the first time after Tarix's attack, 18 could hear birds.
Inside a small clearing stood her modest home, a quiet refuge amid the recovering world. Within it, the healing pod glowed faintly, the gentle hum of its machinery filling the silence. Razor lay submerged within the green liquid, motionless — a sleeping warrior. His once-fierce expression was softened in slumber, yet even now, a faint furrow remained between his brows, as if his body still remembered battle.
Android 18 spent her days in a routine that, though simple, had become her solace. She trained every morning, her fists and legs carving the air in precise, mechanical rhythm. In the afternoons, she gathered materials from Tirax's ship, hunted or fixed the ship. But every evening, no matter what she told herself, she would stop before the pod — her reflection shimmering on the glass — and watch Razor float in silence.
Sometimes she would cross her arms, sigh, and mutter, "You better wake up soon, or I'll get bored enough to leave you behind."Other times, her expression softened, and she'd whisper quietly, "Don't make me regret saving you, Saiyan."
She would never admit it aloud, but she had grown used to his presence — even when he was unconscious. His breathing, his heartbeat through the monitor, his stubborn refusal to die… it all reassured her in ways she didn't understand.
But this day was different.
As she stepped outside to train, the air shimmered faintly. The wind stilled, and the ground beneath her feet pulsed as if the planet itself had drawn breath. Then, a deep, echoing voice filled the clearing — majestic, reverberating, like the roar of an ancient dragon.
"Android 18."
18 froze mid-step, her eyes darting upward. The voice wasn't in her ears — it resonated directly in her mind.
"A wish has been made on Earth," the voice continued, rich and powerful. "Someone has wished for your return. I ask now — do you accept?"
Her eyes widened. "Who made the wish? No, wait who are you?"
"The one who made the wish is Android 17. I am the wish granting dragon Shenron."
For a moment, her composure cracked. The name struck her like lightning. Her brother. He was alive. She ignored Shenron.
She exhaled in relief, her lips curving into the faintest smile. "So, you're still out there, huh, 17?" she murmured.
But as her eyes shifted to the pod — to Razor — her expression hardened again.
Return to Earth meant leaving him behind. Leaving before she understood everything — his change, his anger, his… humanity.
She shook her head. "Tell them no. I'm staying here."
"Your decision is final?"
"Yes."
The voice paused for a moment, as if acknowledging her conviction, before fading into silence.
The clearing returned to stillness, and only the hum of the pod remained.
She stared at Razor again and muttered under her breath, "Guess you're not done with me yet."
Back on Earth — Capsule Corp, West City, A few minutes ago,
The sky was covered with dark clouds as Shenron loomed above the gathered group, his massive form coiling through the clouds. Below him stood Goku, Vegeta, Krillin, Android 17, Android 16, and Bulma, each looking up expectantly.
"So, this is the wish you're going with?" Bulma asked, adjusting her glasses as she looked toward 17.
"Yes," 17 replied. His calm tone couldn't quite mask the worry in his eyes. "I want you to bring back my sister — Android 18. I don't know if she's alive, but if she's not… I want her revived."
Goku nodded, smiling. "Let's bring her back 17!"
Shenron's eyes glowed red as his booming voice filled the air. "Your wish has been heard… but cannot be granted."
"What!?" Krillin gasped. "Why not!?"
"Because Android 18… still lives."
Everyone blinked in surprise.
"She's alive!?" 17 asked quickly.
"Indeed. She is in another planet — far from here."
17's expression softened with relief but quickly hardened again. "Then bring her back here! Bring her home!"
Shenron's eyes dimmed briefly before glowing again. "She refuses."
Silence fell. Every head turned toward 17.
"She… what?" Bulma whispered.
Shenron continued, "Android 18 declines to return to Earth. She has made her choice."
Goku scratched his head. "Huh? Why would she say no?"
Vegeta folded his arms, scowling. "Probably because she's too proud to admit she's stuck with that Saiyan. Typical."
Bulma elbowed him. "Don't start."
17's jaw tightened. "Shenron… can we speak to her?"
"A simple wish." Shenron's eyes flashed, and his voice thundered again. "Granted."
Back on the healed planet
18 was pacing near the pod when a familiar voice echoed through her mind.
"18?"
She froze. The voice was unmistakable. "17?"
He chuckled softly. "It's been a while, sis."
Her lips curved into a teasing smirk. "Oh, so now you remember me? I was beginning to think you'd forgotten."
"Please. You're impossible to forget."
From behind him on Earth, Goku's cheerful voice cut in. "Hey, 18! Long time no see or talk! Wait I didn't even got to talk to you before Cell."
"Goku!?" she blinked. "Wait— 17 you're with Z Warriors?"
"Yep! Everyone's here — Vegeta, Krillin, Bulma, even 16."
16's calm voice followed. "It's good to hear your voice, 18."
Her posture softened at that. "You too, 16. It's good to speak to you again."
17 explained, "After Cell, they revived me. The others didn't hold any grudges. Bulma even repaired 16 — he's been helping me run a wildlife sanctuary."
For a rare moment, 18 smiled genuinely. "You finally doing something worthwhile, huh?"
"Guess someone has to mature."
She chuckled faintly.
But Goku, ever curious, jumped in, "Hey, 18, if you're alive, why don't you wanna come back? You're not in trouble or anything, right?"
18's eyes flickered toward the pod, where Razor still floated. "No. Not trouble. Just… a decision."
Krillin, trying to sound casual but unable to hide the tension in his voice, asked, "So… what's the reason 18?"
"Razor," she answered simply. "He's… complicated. He's changed a lot since I met him. Brutal, yeah. Still the same monster in battle, but—" her voice softened — "he's learning to care, even if he doesn't realize it."
Vegeta snorted. "A Saiyan growing soft, huh?"
Bulma turned to him with a raised brow. "Says the man who can't go a week without seeing Trunks."
Goku laughed, grinning. "She's right, Vegeta! You've changed a lot too!"
Vegeta's face turned crimson as he crossed his arms. "I'll surpass you one day, Kakarot. Then we'll see who's soft."
Goku beamed. "You've been saying that for years, Vegeta. And you still can't catch up. Remember our spars although you got stronger, but I still win."
"WHAT!?" Vegeta roared as Bulma rolled her eyes.
Meanwhile, 18's laughter echoed faintly through the connection. For a brief moment, she felt like she was back home again — surrounded by idiots.
Then Goku's tone softened. "You sure about staying there, 18?"
Her gaze returned to the pod. "Yeah. I've made my choice. I'll trust him — and see where it leads."
Krillin sighed, managing a small smile. "If that's what you've decided, I'm happy for you. Just… take care, okay?"
"I will. You too take care Krillin."
17's voice came next, teasing as ever. "Fine. But when you bring that Saiyan back here, I expect to meet my brother-in-law."
"Brother-in-law!?" 18's voice jumped an octave. "Say that again and I'll blast your sanctuary to ashes!"
Goku laughed so hard Shenron's eyes seemed to flicker.
As the laughter died down, 17 said, "I'll use my second wish for something practical. A communicator — for you and me. So we can talk or in case of emergencies."
"Fine by me," 18 said, trying to sound indifferent, though a hint of warmth crept into her tone.
"Your wish is granted," Shenron's voice boomed once more. The light around both siblings shimmered.
On Earth, a sleek metallic communicator appeared in 17's palm. And light-years away, another materialized in 18's hand.
"Cool!" Bulma exclaimed, already pulling out a scanner. "Let me study that thing, 17. I could make a whole network out of it!"
"Sure," 17 said, chuckling. "Just don't turn it into another Capsule Corp gadget that talks back."
As the dragon's light faded, the connection ended. The skies of Earth cleared, and everyone dispersed, a quiet satisfaction lingering among them.
Back on the distant world
18 stared at the small communicator in her hand, the faint red light pulsing softly. She turned it over, testing its weight, then slipped it into her pocket.
Her gaze returned to Razor — still inside the pod, still healing.
"You heard that, didn't you?" she murmured, even though she knew he couldn't. "I decided to trust you, Saiyan."
Her expression softened, her voice barely above a whisper. "So don't make me regret it."
The hum of the pod continued — steady, unwavering. And outside, under the golden light of the setting suns, the reborn planet thrummed with quiet life — waiting, as she did, for the day the sleeping warrior would awaken.