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Pojo's Dragonball - What If?

What if Trunks destroyed Android 18 rather than trying to stop Cell from absorbing her? - KaiserBenjamin

Author's note:  I was watching the Cell saga, specifically #179 the episode where Trunks returns to the future.  It occurred to me that if he was capable of destroying the Androids in the future (admittedly where they were weaker) and he was capable of trouncing Semi-Imperfect Cell, than he surely had the power to destroy Android 18 without too much difficulty.  Consider how easily Cell had damaged Android 16, and then consider than 16 was stronger than 18 and Trunks was stronger than Cell.  I don't see why he would resist the impulse – unlike Krillin never got all wishy-washy over the Androids, and I'm sure he had a lot of bundled up hostility against them from his own timeline experiences.  This is the hypothetical if Trunks decided upon a more direct solution than simply beating back Cell repeatedly.

After blasting Vegeta, Trunks charges Cell who has opened up his tail and is preparing to absorb Android 18.  Trunks knocks him out of the way and rather than telling her to run, blasts her with a powerful ki blast.  Krillin is upset and has an inner monologue about "oh well, perhaps it's for the best."  Android 16 is also upset, but is too damaged to do anything. 

"It had to be this way," Trunks explains.

Cell is furious about not being able to achieve his perfect form and throws a tantrum.  Meanwhile Vegeta returns to find that he will never be able to test his powers against a completed Cell.  He is furious, but recognizes that it's too late to do anything.  Cell tries to convince Vegeta to help him steal Trunks' time machine to travel to a time where Android 18 hasn't been destroyed, but at this point Vegeta has had enough and blames Cell for being so incompetent that he needs Vegeta's help to do even the simplest of tasks.  "You could never be a worthy adversary," he tells Cell, before finally fighting him seriously and eventually destroying him in a Final Flash.  

Trunks and Krillin help Android 16 return to Kame's lookout with them, while Vegeta flies ahead, disappointed with how the battle turned out but eager to see the result of Goku and Gohan's training.  

Goku and Gohan get out of the chamber as Super Saiyajins and are told that the battle is already over and Vegeta destroyed Cell.  (Which prompts and indignant outburst from Krillin about the near-disaster involving the Prince's complicity with Cell.)  Goku is extremely disappointed, but congratulates Vegeta.  Vegeta demands to know how strong Goku has become, but as usual doesn't get a straight answer.  

Vegeta challenges Goku to a fight to see who is the strongest and Goku, still sad that he won't have the chance to test his abilities against Cell, accepts on the condition they find some place remote to have their battle so that no one is harmed.  After a day of rest, during which time Bulma begins to repair Android 16, Vegeta and Goku have their fight.  While hardly one-sided, Goku is able to defeat Vegeta but of course doesn't kill him.  Trunks is amazed at Goku's power level and says something characteristic such as, "Goku is a true hero."  He returns to the future in awe of Goku's prowess after having a few final words with Vegeta when the Prince is able to admit that while Trunks, "remains a fool, but [his] strength is worthy of [his] royal bloodline."  

The saga ends with Trunks destroying the Androids and Cell in his timeline and Goku's reflection that Gohan's true power remains dormant.  Android 16 "replaces" Android 18 as the new Z Fighter.

The Bojack movie doesn't happen because King Kai isn't destroyed and thus Bojack and his henchmen are not freed.  

During the interim period between the Cell and Buu sagas, Goku and Gohan train together.  Vegeta is still determined to surpass Goku, so he continues his training much as in the original series (with the exception that he isn't as bitter or angry because he didn't have to bare the humiliation of being visibly surpassed by Gohan and has the additional esteem of having been the one to destroy Cell.)

Goku is the first to achieve Super-Saiyajin 2 during his training, as Gohan would lack the stimulus and Vegeta simply doesn't have Goku's natural abilities.  As he is training on Earth, Vegeta would sense this and know that there is a higher level of Super-Saiyajin to be achieved.  He and Gohan would both achieve Super-Saiyajin 2 before the Buu saga.  However Goku does not surpass this level of ascension to transform into Super Saiyajin Three because Earth is simply not as good a training environment as the Otherworld.  Gohan is much stronger than in the series, however, as a result of his additional training with Goku.  Thus he is still on par Goku and Vegeta's power levels and fighting form by the time the Buu saga starts.  

Somewhere close to the martial arts tournament Broly is awakened (as in Movie 11).  He is beaten much more decisively this time (as Gohan is stronger and Goku arrives at the end of the fight to help him finish the job.)  

The Z Fighters still enter the tournament as normal (except that Android 16 enters instead of Android 18.)  Trunks and Goten fight and this time it is a much closer match (as Goten has had the benefit of Goku's training rather than Gohan's.)  Trunks still wins, but this is due more to his greater tactical abilities than any advantage in strength.  

In the adult tournament, Krillin beats Pintar and Piccolo still gives up to the Supreme Kai, much to the confusion of everyone.  Videl fights Spopovitch and still loses (although not as badly as in the actual series since she is able to benefit from some instruction from Goku and a much more capable Gohan.)  Kabito and Gohan enter the ring, Gohan powers up on request and his energy is stolen.  He receives a sensu bean and the Z Fighters chase after Babidi's men.  This time the healed Videl and Android 16 go with them because she is a much stronger fighter (capable of using energy attacks).  

This allows "Mighty Mask" (Trunks and Goten) to win the Tournament, beating Hercule in the final round.  However, during the victory ceremony the costume falls apart and Goten and Trunks are revealed to be two children.  This disqualifies them from becoming the true winners, which allows Hercule to save face by claiming he knew they were cheating all along and was just faking his defeat in order to expose them.  Hercule is still World Martial Arts Champion and Trunks and Goten sense the high power levels of the Z Fighters battling (specifically Gohan and Dabura) and rush off to help (and escape their mothers).  

Meanwhile Piccalo and Krillin are still turned to stone.  Videl is asked to guard the statues (as she wouldn't really be able to help fight Babidi's henchman) and Goku, Gohan, Vegeta, Android 16, the Supreme Kai, and Kabito continue on.  Android 18 fights and destroys Pui Pui with ease.  Goku destroys Yakon.  Dabura fights Gohan but after a protracted battle is knocked unconscious by a powerful ki blast.  Vegeta tells Gohan to destroy Dabura and finish him off.  Gohan hesitates but Vegeta reminds him that it is the only way to save Piccalo and the Prince destroys Dabura with a ki blast, awakening Piccalo and Krillin.

Babidi tries to use his magic against Vegeta, but the Prince isn't as susceptible as in the series.  While Vegeta clutches his head, Gohan and Goku blast ahead and see Babidi working his magic.  Goku blasts Babidi's glass ball, which breaks the incomplete spell.  

Sensing that he is in trouble, the wizard decides to release Buu prematurely.  Buu has gained more energy from the Dabura-Gohan fight, but still isn't at his full strength.  Vegeta, Kabito, and the Supreme Kai charge into the room and Vegeta demands the right to destroy Babidi for attempting to control his mind.  

Sensing his loss of control, Babidi releases Buu prematurely.  Gohan attempts to blast the egg but is unable to completely destroy it.  Majin Buu is released at approximately two-thirds full strength.

The Z Fighters are unimpressed by Fat Buu's visual appearance.  Android 16 warns them not to underestimate his power.  Vegeta demands the right to fight Buu, since he hasn't gotten a chance to fight yet.  Piccalo, Trunks, Goten, Krillin, and Videl show up at about the same time at this point, making Babidi very nervous about his chances of survival.  

Vegeta ascends to Super Saiyajin Two and battles Buu.  The Prince seems to have the edge in power.  However, as in the series, Vegeta is unable to muster enough strength to destroy the creature completely.  After nearly destroying Buu several times, and his energy nearly spent, Vegeta is exhausted but extremely frustrated.  Goku tells him not to worry because they each still have a full day left in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.  Babidi orders Buu to destroy Vegeta, but Piccalo decides he has had enough of the wizard and blasts him before Buu can intervene.  (Although, for the sake of continuity with the series, this doesn't completely kill Babidi.)  

Fat Buu starts to get angry and seems intent on finishing his fight with Vegeta.  Goku flies up to him and tries to convince him to be patient and that he would have "really tough opponents to fight if [he] waited one day."  Buu, however, simply blows steam and demands a fight immediately.  At this point, Goku orders everyone to go to Dende's Lookout.  Grabbing Buu's arm, Goku uses instant transmission to teleport the two of them to the arctic.  The Supreme Kai uses his teleportation to get everyone back to Dende's Lookout quickly.  

Goku teleports back to Dende's lookout, saying that he's bought them at least a few minutes to work out a game plan.  Vegeta eats a sensu bean and recovers his strength.  Goku doesn't know about fusion (because he never was in the Otherworld to learn it.)  Instead, Goku says he wants to train in the Time Chamber because he "can sense a level beyond even an ascended Super-Saiyajin" (level beyond SS2) and thinks he can discover it if he has more time.  The Supreme Kai mentions the legendary Z Sword and says he thinks that one of the Saiyajins would be capable of pulling it out.  Vegeta says that it sounds stupid but Gohan volunteers.  Gohan, Kabito, and the Supreme Kai teleport to the Supreme Kai's planet.  Piccalo says they need some time to stall while Goku is training.  Vegeta tells them that he will fight Buu again to regain his honor.  Piccalo tells him it is a useless gesture since he has no chance of actually destroying Buu.  

Vegeta ignores Piccalo's advice and looks Goku in the eye.  "Kakarot, I hope you take advantage of the time I am buying you and unlock the ultimate power of the Saiyan race."  Vegeta flies off to face Buu again and Goku goes into the Time Chamber.  

Buu flies out of the arctic and back to the spaceship, finding it abandoned.  He does see Babidi, who (as in the series) is not completely dead and heals him.  Babidi says they must find and destroy the Z Fighters and uses his telepathy to contact everyone on Earth and (as in the series) says that if Piccalo and Vegeta do not reveal themselves, he will destroy the Earth in five days.  Buu then turns a city's inhabitants into candy and then demolishes the city.  

Vegeta arrives and demands a rematch with Buu.  Vegeta powers up to SS2 and launches himself at Buu.  Attempting to conserve his energy, Vegeta is able to keep the fight with Buu going for a long time.  After about forty minutes (two episodes worth of fighting), he begins to tire, however, and Buu begins to pummel him.  At Dende's lookout, Trunks says he refuses to stand by and watch his father die, so he turns into a Super Saiyajin and charges off to save his dad.  Piccalo tries to stop Trunks, but is too slow to grab the determined child.  Goten turns Super Saiyajin takes off after Trunks, with Piccalo and Krillin flying after both of them.  Buu eventually beats Vegeta into unconsciousness.  Babidi orders Buu to destroy his opponent, but before he can, Trunks arrives blasts Buu (of course not damaging him at all.)

Trunks and Goten challenge Buu to a fight.  Babidi orders Buu to kill them both, but Trunks and Goten are able to use their childish tactics to avoid Buu's attacks.  (Keep in mind that this Buu is much weaker than the one in the series and, while capable of defeating Trunks and Goten, wouldn't be able to do it with the same ease that the Buu in the series would have.)  Piccalo arrives and is amazed at the bravery of two young Saiyajins.  Seizing the opportunity, he picks up Vegeta's fallen form and flies back to the tower.  

Trunks and Goten are finally in trouble when Krillin overcomes his fear (and inner monologs) and intervenes.  Yelling at the children to close their eyes, Krillin uses the solar flare technique to blind Buu and Babidi and he and the children flee.  After seeing that they've failed to destroy their enemies yet again, Babidi starts yelling and cursing at Buu which prompts Buu to rebel and kill him.  

The series then progresses as normal with Gohan pulling out the sword and breaking it, unleashing the Old Kai.  The Old Kai begins rearranging Gohan's energies.  Mr. Satan (Hercule) is sent to stop Buu and ends up befriending him.  Buu's puppy is killed which unleashes the Evil (gray) Buu.  Evil Buu and Good Buu fight and Evil Buu wins, absorbing Good Buu to become Super Buu.  

At this point Goku emerges from the Time Chamber.  Dende has healed Vegeta, but Vegeta's pride has been damaged by his second defeat.  He is also ashamed at having to be rescued by his own son.  Goku thanks him for his sacrifice and tells him that his efforts were not in vain.  Goku flies off, confidently, to fight Buu.  

Goku challenges Super Buu and powers up to Super Saiyajin Three, amazing all the Z Fighters at Dende's lookout.  Unfortunately, Super Buu is much stronger than Fat Buu and is able to hold his own, even against Goku's new abilities.  (Again, keep in mind that every form Buu has is weaker than the equivalent in the series on account of being released prematurely.)  After a protracted fight, Goku uses instant transmission to retreat.

Back at Dende's Lookout, Goku is shocked that his Super Saiyajin Three isn't strong enough to destroy Buu and isn't sure how to proceed.  At this point, "Mystic" Gohan arrives, transported from the Supreme Kai's planet by the Supreme Kai.  He tells them not to worry and that he has the power to destroy Buu once and for all.  

Mystic Gohan takes off to fight Super Buu.  Gohan is much more powerful than Super Buu.  During the fight, he severs part of Buu, which lies on the ground.  Gohan actually destroys the remainder of Buu, but forgets about tip of the antenna he cut off with the earlier energy attack.  This portion then absorbs Gohan (to keep with the main storyline of the series) and becomes the most powerful form of Buu yet.  At this point the Old Kai explains about the Potara Earings.  

After some initial reluctance from Vegeta, Vegeta and Goku fuse and the remainder of the Saga progresses exactly like the series with Vegeta and Goku beating Buu and then allowing themselves to be absorbed so they can free Gohan.  This causes Buu to revert to Kid Buu, etc…

At the end of the Saga, Goku destroys Buu with a Spirit Bomb after Vegeta and Gohan buy him time by fighting with Kid Buu on the Supreme Kai's planet.  The world is saved and Fat Buu becomes a protagonist.

Thus at the end of Dragon Ball Z the main differences from the actual series are: Goku never dies and thus trains a more powerful Gohan to follow the path of Martial Arts rather than becoming a scholar (much to Chi Chi's chagrin), a Vegeta with far less blood on his hands that will get to keep his body when he dies (because he never relapses into his evil self or succeeds in allowing Cell to achieve his completion), no fusion dance utilized or learned, and Android 16 rather than Android 18 becomes the "good" Android, which means Krillin marries someone else.