Dragonball Z Special: The History of Trunks

This movie special is based on the alter world that would have taken place if Trunks had not come from the future and given Goku the heart medicine. It starts off with Gohan racing towards his house. All the Z fighters are there, as it appears Goku is very sick. As Gohan arrives, Goku dies. Everyone, including Vegeta, is very upset over the death of Goku. Life continues peacefully for about six months, until a pair of androids wreck havoc on the world. The Z warriors rush over to stop them, but Piccolo, Yamcha, Tien, Vegeta, Chiaotzu, and Krillin all perish at the hands of the androids. Only Gohan was able to escape (In the alter world, this event causes Gohan to go Super Saiya-jin). 

Thirteen years later, the earth has become a literal hell to live on. The androids, called #17 (guy android) and #18 (girl android), continue to destroy city after city all in good fun. They have absolutely no compassion towards the humans and kill them at will. They arrive at a peaceful city and torment its inhabitants. They give them ten seconds to start running, and then they blow the city up with a simple blast. Pepper Town is no more. 

Everyone is trying to deal with the stress of the robots in their own way. Roshi, Oolong, Turtle, and Puar have moved into a submarine and live off the coast of Kame Island. Roshi would love to try and fight the androids, but Oolong reminds him he doesn’t stand a chance since they even beat Vegeta with ease. Roshi wishes Goku had never died. 

The androids do not seem to have a care in the world. #18 decides she wants to go shopping and stocks up on new clothes. #17 then destroys the store, angering 18. She reminds him not to blow up any more clothes shops. 

Bulma appears next, driving down the highway with Trunks, now in his teens. They are both upset about Pepper Town’s destruction. She reveals that these androids destroyed their creator, Dr. Gero. Trunks asks his mom to pull over and he jumps out, ready to take on the androids. #17 and #18 continue to ravage the city, finally annihilating it. Trunks arrives and is horrified by the site. Low and behold, a grown up Gohan appears to Trunks’ delight. Back at Bulma’s, Trunks, in tears, tells Gohan he can no longer sit back and wants Gohan to train him. Gohan sees a young version of himself in Trunks and agrees. After a dinner with Gohan, Bulma is reminded of Goku just by the appearance and eating habits of Gohan (dresses and eats the exact same). She says Trunks idolizes Gohan and wishes Gohan would tell him not to fight. But, the training for Trunks begins immediately, similar to the training Piccolo gave Gohan, with no remorse or help at times. Chi-Chi has a brief seen with her father, Ox King. Ox King tells her that Gohan is training Trunks to fight the androids. She just wishes Gohan had become a scholar and wants his safe return. The next phase in Trunks’ training is turning him Super Saiya-jin. Gohan explains that the power to turn comes from anger, but Trunks is still unable to change. 

The androids have now found an operating amusement park and start terrorizing the people. After enjoying a few rides, they are interrupted by the arrival of the two remaining Z fighters. A battle ensues, with Gohan squaring off with #17. He appears to have gained the upper hand until #18 steps in. Both androids attack Gohan, causing Trunks to join the battle and challenge #18. He tries a flurry of punches, but is unsuccessful. After taking a punch from #18, he counterattacks with a knee to her stomach. Enraged, she attacks the boy, and just as she is about to finish him off, Gohan is in for the save. #17 fires a blast at Gohan for a direct hit. Gohan is still able to grab Trunks but takes another blast from #18. He tries to get some cover from some remaining walls, but the androids blow up the entire amusement park. The robots then fly off, leaving Gohan and Trunks for dead. Gohan begins to crawl over to Trunks, but Gohan is missing his left arm! He pulls out a senzu bean, but decides to give it to Trunks and then passes out. Trunks carries Gohan back to Bulma’s and she treats his wounds. After recovering, the training continues as Trunks tries hard to reach the Super Saiya-jin level. Just as the two take a break, another explosion is seen in the distance. Gohan powers up to go fight, but Trunks wants to go as well. After a brief argument, Gohan agrees, but instead knocks out Trunks (he says Trunks is the last hope for Earth). #17 and #18 are relentless in their goal to destroy the human race as they destroy another city. Out of nowhere, Gohan kicks #17 in the head and sends him flying. #17 knew Gohan was still alive and, together with #18, will now finish him off. Gohan and the robots seem to be evenly matched, but after a vicious double team, Gohan is killed. 

Trunks revives but can’t feel his friend’s power level anymore. He quickly flies to the city in search of his master. He spots Gohan’s body and quickly lands. In tears, he walks up to the fallen Gohan and embraces him. His rage consumes him, and with a scream in anger and sadness, Trunks finally turns Super Saiya-jin.

Three years then pass by since the death of Gohan. Trunks is now 16. Bulma has built a time machine that can send Trunks back 20 years so he can alert the Z fighters of the past. Trunks strongly believes he is powerful enough to beat the robots, and after hearing news of their arrival in a neighboring town, he flies off to fight, armed with his sword. Again, the robots destroy the city. A fight starts with #18, and she has the upper hand. Trunks pulls out his sword and swings wildly at her, cutting some of her hair. #17 steps in but is almost stabbed in the head. Trunks keeps firing back, sending a huge energy blast that he thinks have taken out the androids. However, they are still alive. Trunks gives everything he has and drains all his energy. The robots begin toying with him, but he refuses to give up. Trunks asks why they are doing this, and they reply that either they were programmed to take over the world or they were just killing humans for fun. Trunks tries one last surge, but is basically knocked around like a ping-pong ball. #18 then fires a massive blast at him, then they leave him for dead. Trunks somehow survives and is next seen back home in bed covered in bandages. He had been in a coma for 5 days. He decides to use the time machine. Bulma has an antidote for Goku’s strange heart condition that killed him, and gives the vial to Trunks for the delivery to Goku. Bulma reassures him that if Goku were alive, none of this would have ever happened. Trunks looks forward to meeting him as well as his father, Vegeta. With HOPE written on the machine, the mother and son say their goodbyes and Trunks flies into the past.