SailorStar9:This is the start of the Perfect Cell Saga. Read and review.

Disclaimers: Only the plot is mine.

Chapter Summary: Cell has absorbed 17 but he still needs 18. Tien isn't about to let him get her, using up all his energy in a vicious attack while the androids escape to safety. Goku knows that Cell is far stronger than Tien, so he descends on the battlefield to help the mighty warrior recover. Whilst there he notices Piccolo is still alive, but he's hanging on barely by a thread. Goku uses his 'Instant Transmission' to get back to Kami's lookout successfully where Ami uses her Divine Ki to heal the two outclassed Z Senshi, and Vegeta and Trunks finally emerge from the 'Hyperbolic Time Chamber', but will their training be enough?

Prologue: Sacrifice

Cell glared at Tien and charged upwards.

Tien retaliated by firing another wave of 'Shin Kikoho' in succession. "What are you doing?" he barked at the two Androids. "Run away! Run away from here!"

"Come on." Android 18 urged. "Now, while we still can, No. 16." as Cell came under another 'Shin Kikoho' barrage. "Let's go, No. 16!"

"Damned if I'm letting you get away." Cell growled, as he saw Android 18 take Android 16 off. Flying out of the crater, he was met by another 'Shin Kikoho' blast. "Why you..."

"Rotten monster!" Tien snapped, letting loose another 'Shin Kikoho' wave.

At Kami's Lookout...

"Tien's hanging in there." Gohan muttered. "But his Ki is dropping rapidly."

"Tien's 'Shin Kikoho' uses a considerable amount of energy." Ami remarked. "Even so, all he can do, is stop Cell from moving. If this keeps up..."

"Stop it, Tien!" Goku cursed, realizing Ami's implication. "Don't use your 'Kikoho' anymore. I said stop it, and I mean stop it!"

Back in the battlefield...

"Still, the only one who can keep Cell in check right now is me." Tien panted. "As long as my energy holds out..." and he released another wave of 'Shin Kikoho'. Not letting Cell get out of the crater, Tien fired another 'Shin Kikoho', even more powerful than his previous ones, at the green Android, before his body finally gave out and he collapsed to the ground.

"Damn." the relatively unharmed Cell emerged from the huge hole. "They've escaped, have they?" and floated over to the fallen Tien. "Can't you move?" he barked. "To think that I could possibly have been hindered by the likes of you." and sent Tien flying with a kick.

At Kami's Lookout...

"He'll be killed!" Mr. PoPo gasped.

"Tien!" Gohan muttered.

"Damn..." Goku cursed.

Back in the battlefield...

"You look like you'll die if even if I leave you be." Cell noted. "But I'll eradicate you anyway." he grinned, readying a Ki blast.

At Kami's Lookout...

His worry getting the better of him, Goku used his 'Instant Transmission' technique and teleported off.

"Father!" Gohan blinked.

Back in the battlefield...

"What?" Cell gaped in shock as Goku appeared in front of the fallen Tien. "Goku?"

"So, you're Cell?" Goku inquired.

"How did he just appear?" Cell wondered.

"It looks as though you're one fantastic monster." Goku admitted. "I'd like to settle everything right here, but no matter how you shake it up, there ain't no way I can win the way I am now. However, just you wait one day, and I'll be sure to thoroughly defeat you, you'll see!"

"Of all the things I would have expected you to say!" Cell laughed. "After one day, you're going to show me that you can defeat me?"

"That's right." Goku replied.

"In just one day, what is it you're saying you can do, huh?" Cell taunted.

"It's Piccolo's Ki." Goku looked around, sensing Piccolo's deeply weakened Ki. "Piccolo is still alive."

"What?" Cell frowned as Goku grabbed Tien's wrist.

"Tien, don't you leave me." Goku teleported to where Piccolo was. "There he is!" he noticed Piccolo by the shore. "Hey Piccolo, stay with us."

"How did those guys move in that one instant?" Cell gaped as Goku carried Piccolo on his back and walked over to Tien.

"Piccolo, Tien, both of you are going to be alright now." Goku assured, taking Tien's wrist. "Once we get to Kami's palace, the Senzu we got from Karin will be there."

"You're planning to run away?" Cell mocked. "That will not do, Goku." and charged at Goku.

Goku teleported out with Piccolo and Tien in tow before Cell's punch landed.

"They vanished." Cell gaped. "That's a peculiar technique. Goku, when did you come up with this technique? Well, right now, that doesn't matter. I have to catch No. 18. Lousy gal, she couldn't have gotten too far away together with the broken-down No. 16." with that, he set off to find his target.

At Kami's Lookout...

"Piccolo!" Gohan gasped as Goku returned with the two defeated Z Senshi. "Thank goodness you're still alive."

"Gohan, give them both a Senzu." Ami instructed, kneeling between Piccolo and Tien as she transferred her healing Divine Ki into Piccolo first, then Tien.

"Right." Gohan nodded.

Elsewhere...

"Damn." Cell cursed. "Where did that miserable No. 18 disappear to?" as Android 16 and 18 took refuge on an island.

At Kami's Lookout...

"Are you really alright, Piccolo, Tien?" Gohan asked.

"Yeah, the Senzu, coupled with Ami-sama's healing Ki, truly do work well." a re-energized Tien replied.

"Anyhow, Tien, you really were reckless, huh?" Ami chided.

"Really." Gohan agreed. "I was worried too. But thanks to you, Tien, we got away without No. 18 being absorbed by Cell and that's great."

"Still, that monster Cell has an abnormal strength." Piccolo stated. "Frankly, no one is able to beat him. Not even Vegeta. Not even Goku. That's what I think."

"Hey!" Mr. PoPo shouted. "Goku! Vegeta and Trunks about to come out of room."

"Really?" Goku echoed and the group hurried over to the 'Hyperbolic Time Chamber' door. The door creaked open and a battle-battered Trunks stepped out, along with Vegeta in tow.

SailorStar9: Phew, another chapter down. Stay tuned for Chapter 1: Saiyans Emerge.