The ruined city groaned beneath the weight of battle. Twisted steel beams leaned against broken concrete; fires licked at the edges of shattered towers. Smoke choked the sky until it was black. And at the center of it all, two warriors clashed.
Trunks' aura blazed gold, illuminating the ruins like a second sun. Android 17 stood across from him, brushing the blood from his lip, smiling even as dust slid down his tattered clothes.
{Power Level: 360,000,000}
Trunks' system flashed the number above 17's head. It was terrifying—yet his own display burned brighter.
{Power Level: 405,000,000}
He swallowed hard, forcing down the lump of fear in his throat. I'm stronger… but power isn't everything. One mistake, and he'll tear me apart.
This was the first time he had fought anyone this strong, so he had to adapt a bit first.
17 tilted his head, smirk widening. "That kick… you almost broke my jaw. Almost. Guess I'll have to take you seriously."
Trunks' fists clenched. His knuckles turned white. "You won't get the chance."
They vanished.
The world around them convulsed. Pavement exploded as their first clash sent shockwaves rolling outwards. Rubble leapt from the ground, hovering for a moment before raining down. Trunks struck first — a straight punch to 17's chest — but the android twisted aside, countering with a knee to the boy's gut. The air cracked like thunder with each blow.
Trunks staggered back, coughing, but he launched forward again, golden sparks snapping around his aura. His heel smashed into 17's ribs, driving him into a collapsed skyscraper. The building disintegrated, glass and concrete erupting skyward like shrapnel.
"Not bad, kid!" 17's voice rang from the dust, mocking and calm. "But can you keep it up?"
Android 17 has infinite stamina, so he would remain at 100% throughout the match, while I have to carefully manage my stamina. First, I need to gauge his speed, reflexes, and strength so I can unleash all my power in one decisive move and take him down, thought Trunks as he narrowed his eyes.
He burst out of the smoke, elbow aimed for Trunks' skull. The boy ducked, countering with a fierce uppercut that lifted 17 off his feet. Without pausing, Trunks followed, slamming a knee into his stomach, then twisting midair to deliver a spinning kick that sent the android flying across the skyline.
The android crashed through three buildings before righting himself, floating amid the rubble cloud. His face was twisted into something between annoyance and excitement.
"You've got bite. I like it."
Trunks didn't respond. He launched forward again, their fists meeting midair. The shockwave shattered every window within blocks, sending civilians screaming in the distance.
Blow after blow, Trunks pressed his advantage. His young body burned with effort, veins straining, lungs clawing for air — but with every strike, every dodge, every counter, he felt sharper. Faster. He was growing even as they fought.
17 narrowed his eyes. "You're adapting…" His smirk faded. "Then I'll just push harder."
The android's speed doubled. His fists blurred, raining down like a storm. Trunks blocked desperately, arms aching, ribs screaming as a few strikes landed. A punch to the jaw sent his vision spinning, but instinct kept him grounded. He ducked, countered, rammed his shoulder into 17's chest, then blasted him point-blank with a ki burst.
The explosion carved a crater into the city, fire swallowing the remains of a parking garage.
Trunks staggered, panting. He doesn't tire… but I do. If I drag this out, I lose.
17 rose from the flames, smoke curling off his body. He grinned, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. "So that's your limit, huh?"
He let his guard down. I've analyzed his speed, strength, and reflexes—now I need to use strength beyond his limits so he can't react, thought Trunks as he prepared himself.
Trunks' golden aura flared violently. His eyes hardened, turquoise light burning with fury. "I haven't even started!"
He vanished.
The combo began with a straight punch to the ribs, then a left hook to the jaw. Before 17 could react, Trunks slammed a knee into his stomach, folding the android in half. He grabbed his hair, dragging him down into an uppercut that snapped his head back with a sickening crack.
"RAAAAHHHHH!" Trunks roared, unleashing a barrage — fists raining down like meteors, each one detonating with golden sparks. His kicks smashed ribs, his elbows shattered defenses. He finished with a spinning roundhouse, sending 17 skidding across the broken streets, leaving a trench in the earth.
All of this happened in less than a second.
The android tried to rise.
Trunks didn't give him the chance. He appeared in front of him, fist glowing, ki surging into his palms. The ground quaked as energy gathered, blue light swelling into a blinding sphere.
"This… ends now!"
Trunks spread his stance, cupping his hands at his side. His voice shook the ruined city as he roared:
"KAAAAA… MEEEE… HAAAAA… MEEEE…"
17's eyes widened. His body was dented, cracked, sparking with damage. "You wouldn't—"
"—HAAAAAAA!"
The beam tore through the sky, a blinding torrent of blue and gold. It engulfed 17 completely, his scream lost to the explosion as the blast carved through rubble, through streets, through everything in its path.
The earth split open from the force. Flames rose in towering pillars as silence fell across the battlefield.
When the light faded, a smoking crater remained. Android 17 was gone.
Trunks staggered forward, chest heaving, sweat dripping down his face. His golden aura flickered, then steadied. He stood in the ruins, trembling, but alive.
I did it… I killed him.
High above, Gohan and 18's battle raged, their battle echoing through the wasteland. Trunks clenched his fists, staring into the smoke.