When they appear on top of Kami's lookout, Gohan is quick to run up to 21, looking worried as he eyes her disheveled form. "Julliet! Are you okay?" he asks, watching as she slowly turns around and drags herself to the edge before flopping on her backside in silence.
"Give her a moment Gohan. She has some things to think over." his dad tells him, smiling reassuringly as his son turns his gaze up at him.
Gohan takes one more glance at 21 before nodding solemnly. "Okay."
21 feels a bit numb after what happened, after what she did. It's like she killed a piece of herself and in a way, she did. But she had no choice. There was no saving the 21 of this time. She would've only caused more trouble. It didn't make it easier though.
It is then she makes a decision. She wants to distance herself from her other self in some way. She doesn't want to share a name with an android that would have killed anyone without a second thought. She doesn't want to be confused with that person if she could even be called that. That android 21, was a true android. Complete.
Being called Julliet from now on is what she prefers. The actual change might be slight, but to her, it's a huge leap forward in finding her own identity. No longer will she be a number. She's a person and wants to be called as such. She nods to herself. Julliet it is, from now on till the end of her days.
She makes it final in her own way, by ripping off the remains of her glove, tossing the cloth aside carelessly. She can't see Goku smile at her knowingly, while Gohan looks confused, but seeming to accept it as his father seems perfectly fine with it.
.............
'He's holding on, somehow.' Julliet thinks as she senses Piccolo fighting down below. She knows he won't last though. He will tire eventually and they never do. She offered to go down, but Goku ordered her to stay put, saying she will only get in the way. She supposes that's true. She's strong, but not that strong.
She suddenly senses something else and her thoughts are confirmed by Gohan. "Woah, daddy. It's Cell, isn't ? He's heading for Piccolo isn't he?" he asks, getting to his feet worried.
"Yes son, I'm afraid so." he frowns. "And son, I know how you feel. I'd much rather it'd be me down there than Piccolo." Goku states, eying the door to the hyperbolic time chamber impatiently. "From all the battles I've been in. This is the hardest one by far." he admits.
"Oh." Julliet breathes out in shock as she senses Cell powering up after a while. Energies are moving down below and she's getting on edge. She should go down there and help.
"Don't." Goku calls over, pinning her down with her gaze. "Why?!" she calls back anxiously. "I do not have to wait my turn to go in there. I could help down there!" she insists, but Goku shakes his head.
"You know very well it's no use. There is no point in going down there, only to die." he chides, making her clench her fists. "Please stay. Don't risk your life fruitlessly like that." he practically begs, making her anger simmer down to a small flame.
Hanging her head, she quietly sits back down. It's so frustrating. She used to be so powerful, but here and now, she's not much compared to some others. She hides her face into her hands, shutting out the rest of the world, not wanting to keep track as long as she can do nothing.
She ignores the screams of Gohan as Piccolo is downed, his father trying to hold him back as he wants to get down there. She ignores Goku punching Gohan to knock him out of it. She ignores Mr. Popo's words as he tries to reason with the boy. She ignores the fighting. She ignores everything for as long as she can.
.............
She trembles, a sign that something is wrong. Her hands sag from her face to cover her mouth that hangs open in shock as she senses Cell's power grow. He must've absorbed either 17 or 18. That must be it. It's horrible!
"Oh no!" Goku yells out suddenly as another ki spikes.
"Tien just jumped in, didn't he?" Gohan asks with realization.
Goku clenches his fists. "We had a plan! He wasn't even supposed to be there! What's the deal?!" he shouts in worry. They all know that he won't come out well facing Cell.
Tien is holding up admirably is seems because Cell is being suppressed somehow and he hasn't gotten hold of the remaining android. But it's clear his energy is waning. He's not going to last much longer and sure enough he reaches his breaking point.
"Goku. You have to get him out of there. You can do it. It will only take a second." Julliet tells him hurriedly.
He looks up from where he is sitting. "Right." he nods before putting his hand to his forehead and concentrating hard on Tien's remaining energy before he's gone.
To their surprise, Goku returns with not only Tien, but also Piccolo, who has miraculously survived. Mr. Popo is quick to bring them senzu beans.
"W-what was he like Goku?" Julliet asks the man as he watches over his friends worriedly as they slowly recover.
"Cell was horrible. His strength was amazing. There is no way I can beat him like I am now." he admits, frowning heavily.
"On the bright side though. The other android was nowhere in sight. So we have a little leeway as long as he has to search. At least he isn't getting stronger until he finds them." he sighs at the meager comfort.
"It was 17 he absorbed." Tien speaks up. "I made sure 18 and 16 were gone before I could do no more to keep him back. It was all I could do." he frowns, disappointed with himself.
"Thanks Tien. That was very brave." Goku nods in thanks. "But next time. Don't go in like that by yourself. You had us worried."
Julliet watches as they talk, not noticing Piccolo coming up beside her. "So I'm guessing the cat's out of the bag huh?" he nods towards her exposed electronic arm.
"Yeah. I'm done hiding." she states. Piccolo nods in understanding, not asking what brought it about and she's grateful for that.
"Goku, come quick!" Mr. Popo calls suddenly, making everyone turn to him. "Vegeta and Trunks are coming out of the hyperbolic time chamber!" he calls out.
Julliet's eyes widen, feeling slightly anxious. She can't help but wonder, that after spending a year in there, if Trunks has changed in some way and how?
They all make their way over and look on as the door slowly opens. Trunks is the first to step out, looking more than a little disheveled. Aside from his height, his hair has grown quite a bit too, getting in his face despite a band holding most of it back. But there is something else that has changed, inside. Julliet can see it in his eyes that are a tad bit harder than what she remembered. One thing is clear though; he's gotten a lot stronger.
Vegeta is looking pretty much the same besides still holding his cocky attitude, keeping everyone at a respectable distance. Now that he's gotten stronger, it won't do his ego any good for sure. "Thanks for waiting guys. Did we miss anything?" Trunks asks calmly, stepping forward. His voice is slightly lower then what is used to be.
Julliet waits patiently for them getting up to speed and pointedly ignores Vegeta's boasting. She can make out though that his and Trunk's relationship is still strained to say the least. It was probably too much to ask of Vegeta to remain civil towards his son.
Julliet's eyes light up when Trunks turns to her and she can immediately see the recognition in them, the relief and happiness, but also worry as he looks her over.
"What happened?" he asks, stepping up to her.
She glances away from his intense gaze. "I'll tell you later. I promise." she nods, seeing his doubtful look.
"Are you okay though?" he questions, petting down her unruly hair.
She nods. "I'm fine right now. Just glad to have you back to be honest. This day felt like it took forever to pass."
Trunks cracks a tiny smile. "I know the feeling."
He slowly reaches out to hold her hand, the synthetic one. "I missed you." he whispers so softly so only they can hear and Julliet is sure that if she could blush, she would.
"What. is. that?" Vegeta's voice interrupts.
Trunks moves to stand next to her, eying his father carefully as he points at Julliet's arm. "You know what it is." Julliet herself challenges, not backing down from the look he gives her in return.
"So you're an android, hiding amongst us all along?" Vegeta questions irritably before glancing around at the others. "Am I the only one bothered that she played us for fools?!" he snaps.
"She didn't play us Vegeta. She protected us by not saying anything, meanwhile putting herself on the line. She's a good person and a friend." Goku tells the other Saiyan calmly, though frowning just slightly.
"She's an android!" Vegeta rebukes.
He growls as he recieves no sympathy. He turns back to glare at Julliet before smirking. "Fine then. I'd like to test my power, see how hard I will bring down those other two androids. The only way I get to find out is to beat you first." he states, making Julliet glare.
"I'm not going to fight you. So you can just forget about that idea." she scoffs angrily.
"You seemed eager enough earlier." Vegeta scowls in reply, remembering his humiliation.
"You attacked me first remember? I have the right to defend myself." she reminds him.
"Then defend yourself again! I need to test my power!" Vegeta shouts, eager to do so.
"Knock it off! I'm not going to let you fight her even if she wanted to." Trunks growls, fed up. "We have more important things to do." he reasons and to everyone's surprise, Vegeta actually seems to listen.
"Fine boy. But if she gets in my way, she's done for." he promises.