Disclaimer: I own neither Dragon Ball or DC Comics.

The being that resided beyond the known universe smiled. The barrier the source wall placed on him isn't what you think it is. While he was technically just a permanent piece on the source wall, certain circumstances allowed his mind to separate from his body. Through the cracks that are rapidly expanding from his mind's barrier, he can do so many things. Fortunately for him, though, he doesn't have to do anything to get out of his barrier. Trunks and Cell are doing all the work for him.

Bulma slumped down on her chair. She watched with broken eyes the satellite video feed. She inhaled and exhaled deeply in an attempt to calm herself. When that didn't work, she cursed Batman and Superman again.

Bulma's perceived thoughts of the final transformation were far off. She expected a hulking monster, one that made everyone else look like ants in comparison. Instead, this being looked slender. On just appearance alone, he looked as if he got even weaker. His presentation does look more human, though. The human-like sculpt of his face, and the insectoid like body makes him overall very different. The only problem now is to find how strong is he.

Bulma can hear chattering outside the lab. Superheroes that were in the watchtower during Cell's transformation were awed at the tremors they felt. Although most were unaware of what caused the ''earthquakes'', those like Booster Gold who understood the situation somewhat explained it to who they can.

"It's Cell I tell ya," Gold stated, waving his arms around as he explained. "Not sure he's done something like this before… but it's him!"

"Yeah, right," Super-Chief chillingly replied. "Most people don't even think he's that strong. He got his ass whooped by every senior member at least once."

"I can't argue with that, but what do you think caused those tremors then?"

"Spacequake? The hell if I know."

Bulma turned her attention from the conversations to the video feed. Even if there is only a slim chance that they may be able to win, perhaps…

A chilling breeze swept across Metropolis. Though Cell's man-made clouds dissipated, the natural ones that replaced them weren't that friendly either.

Batman couldn't tell if it was the breeze or just Cell's vibe that gave him goosebumps. Judging by the looks of everyone else, he wasn't the only one feeling this either. Even Superman's morale weighed down from the mere presence of Cell. Only Trunks persevered.

Trunks has endured so much not to keep fighting. So many people in his universe died fighting for the same cause. Gohan, his master, died battling the same androids everyone else died trying to fight against. But no matter what happened, he continued to stay strong. When he lost his arm and decided to attack the androids with Trunks's help, he remained determined. Trunks wanted- needed that fire for so long. Now he has it.

Trunks transformed back into a Super Saiyan and unsheathed his blade.

"CEEEEELLLL!"

While Trunks made his charge, Cell was still admiring his new body. He could feel his newfound power pulsating through his body. His strength was multipliers above his Semi-Perfect stage. This new power made him eager to try it on something, preferably someone. Trunks's proximity to him made him too valuable to pass up.

With one hand, Cell pushed out an airwave that effortlessly blew Trunks away. The Saiyan-hybrid got up as fast as he could and continued his charge. Cell did the same thing again, but Trunks stood his ground this time. His steps dramatically slowed down as he flew with all his might. When Trunks got close enough, he fired an energy blast at point blank range.

Trunks readied his sword and threw himself in amidst the smoke. Everyone else only saw one slight shadow make two kicks, which blew Trunks away. Trunks lied on the ground nearly unconscious. His body barely withstood even the first kick.

"That strength…" Batman gasped. He was one of the few too weak even to see Cell's attack, but even he could feel that power.

Cell poised his hand towards a defeated Trunks.

I could just kill Trunks right—no. He's a reminder of where I came from.

"Hera…" Wonder Woman mumbled while examining Trunks's body. She carefully flew him back to the group.

There was something odd with this new body. While it was good, perfect even, he still didn't feel... complete. Something was missing that he doubted even Dr. Gero would know. Every member grew cautious as he hovered closer and closer to them. The frightened look in each of their eyes would usually make him smile, but not now.

While staring at the faces of his enemies, one thought, designed to help fill this hole he feels, just might do the trick.

Maybe a display of dominance should be in order.

"Now," Cell exclaimed, planting his feet on the street. "I have a proposition."

"If Superman defeats me in a duel, I'll leave the Earth as is and never return. Perhaps I'll go to my universe if I please."

"And if he loses?" Martian Manhunter replied, still weary of Cell's every movement. Not that he could do anything to stop him.

"I'll slaughter the lot of you. When I finish, I'll murder every Earthling alive before I just blow up the planet."

The casual way Cell spoke gave everyone chills. Would he go out of his way to kill everyone like that? Someone has to do something.

"I accept," Superman said, literally rising to the occasion.

Ideologies don't matter anymore. Even villains frightened as they may be, stand next to Superman. It invigorated him. It makes him proud to be a hero, bringing the weight of the world on him. He's shouldered this weight all his life to the point of him not even feeling it anymore.

"Wait!"

Everyone, even Cell rushed over to see Luthor rush in with a device in his hand. The look in his eye alone makes him look like he's out for blood from more than just one person.

"I have it! What we need! Everyone j-just stay calm…"

Luthor's mind was all over the place. Not only was he frightened to be next to all these powerful beings, but if he fails, he'll be dead for sure.

"I'm going to save us all!"

"Just what are you planning, Luthor?" Batman questioned while glaring at him.

"Can't see this device in my hand? Just a press of a button will activate the bombs in Cell and blow him from the inside!"

"While killing us in the process?" Hal Jordan replied frantically.

"It has to be done for everyone! We'll be heroes! Martyrs!"

"Since when did you care about that?"

Luthor pressed the button before anyone else can protest. A period of frantic thinking happened next, with everyone dazed at just what might happen a second later. As time went on, however, nothing happened. No bomb exploded. Cell watched this entire ordeal with his arms folded in discontent.

"You're a fool, Luthor," Cell began.

"Whatever bomb you might have put in Doomsday or C-19 as a failsafe measure won't work. I'm sure my body would have filtered something as deadly as that. But before I kill you Luthor, I'd like you to know how good you were to me. You sent me C-19 and Doomsday, the only reasons I transformed twice in the first place. Thank you."

Cell turned to Luthor and placed his hand over his head. Cell imagined a clean shot to wipe Luthor's skull clean off, but to his surprise, nothing shot out of his hand. In fact, he couldn't even move his body. He tried helplessly to advance but failed at every corner. Cell's muscles were pulsating as strong as possible to break these invisible bonds.

Suddenly, Cell's body started to become blue. It was only in his hands and only the shell-like part of his body, but still. The group watched as Cell's body turned to a complete light shade of blue.

His demeanor changed. Instead of a calm, jaded, yet collective attitude, his entire demeanor was blank, submissive even. Luthor was the first to realize that C-19 is back.

"C-19!"

Luthor was just about ready to hug the creature. When he tried to, C-19 placed his hand between them.

"There are several hostiles in your way. Shall I kill them for you?"

Luthor's demeanor changed from a crazed frenzy to a smugness that put everyone back on the cautious side.

"What are you thinking now? You're going to kill us because you think you have the upper hand?" Superman said, floating towards the two.

"This is your last mistake Luthor! I always knew you'll betray the Legion at one point!"

Wonder Girl paused at Grodd's comment. It reminded her of the same thing she said earlier to Trunks.

Gorilla Grodd stampeded over to C-19 and fired a continuous ray from a device of his own. One meant to transfer the strength of the victim to him. The device had ultimately no effect; C-19 was so powerful he overloaded the device. C-19 flicked Grodd away with his finger, knocking him out in a similar way Cell did to Trunks earlier.

"Before you all go apeshit like that gorilla; I have a proposition. I'll allow you all to live if I get a permanent pardon from all crimes I'll commit, as well as 50 billion dollars to cover up damage costs from when Cell destroyed my headquarters. And when I'm done, I guess I'll leave crime for a time. Sip wine in my mansion in Texas, ya know?"

When Luthor realized no one agreed to his demands, he pointed to his left, where his destroyed headquarters lied in ruin.

"Do you guys see this pile of shit? That used to look good! I need that 50 billion! …Or… at least 25 billion. Please."

"You're insane. Even for the greater good I should've never joined you."

"Likewise bats," Luthor said with a smirk. "I made C-19 on my own. Our project Doomsday might have been stronger at the time, but things change. We were equals yesterday… now you're under my boot."

Luthor turned to C-19 for confirmation that his sarcasm played out well. He promptly realized that he can't get that kind of help from an emotionless being.

"Our answer is a resounding no." Superman firmly placed his feet on the ground, dividing C-19 from the group.

"Then I'll just have C-19 kill you. But before you die Supes, just know that I'm gonna cherish this moment forever."

Luthor and the group gave the two the space they needed. While the stakes are much more different, Superman's impending battle with Cell pretty much continued through C-19. Even C-19 wanted this fight, a wish that Cell passed on to him. Once Superman and C-19 became combat ready, they dashed at each other at light speeds. The red and blue hero placed one hard punch into C-19's abdomen, causing the creation to stagger midflight and spasm. Blood needlessly poured out of its mouth.

Superman watched as C-19's muscles tensed for seemingly no reason. Every fiber of its body pulsated while a bit of green started to appear from his crown. This color quickly began to take dominance. C-19 no longer had control of movement, and soon enough, the entire body.

The green color covered his entire body, save for the white skin underneath the bug-like shell. This new Cell had such a cocky demeanor that everyone knew who was in control now.

"This reminds me so much of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde…" Flash said to no one in particular.

"Right?" Zoom replied. Flash's eyes widened. That was the first time the two ever talked without trying to kill each other.

"NO! NO! What happened to C-19? My C-19? Dammit! It was a foolproof plan!"

Without much thought, Cell pulsed out an airwave that sent a crying Luthor flying before he even realized it, crashing him into a ruined building. Its weak support collapsed on him the moment he made contract with it.

"Okay... the hell just happened?" Flash said. He was puzzled ever since Cell turned blue.

"I haven't the slight clue," Green Lantern replied back.

"That was interesting." Cell remarked. He flexed his body around to see if he had full control. A wave of information C-19 retained in his cells finally given to Cell. At last, he understood just what exactly was his imposter.

"The fact that I'm in control of the body is irrelevant. However, it seems that there was a man named Dr. Nero that created C-19, not this Luthor. He shares some impeccable similarities to Dr. Gero indeed."

Although Cell didn't think too much about it, Trunks did. Is it just mere coincidence that this Dr. Nero created C-19 to have almost the same features as Cell? He'll have to consult his mom with this. After a short while, though, Cell he reverted his attention back to the proposition he made for Superman earlier.

"Ready?"

Superman nodded a yes. Although they were already a short distance away from the group, Cell urged Superman over a far distance away from the group. Not that he cares for their safety, but he knows Superman will. He wants Superman to go all out, a dream of his even before he became perfect. This vision supersedes even his biological want to fight Goku.

Cell and Superman stood next to each other in a practically bare area. The grass, the only thing surrounding them, has withered and died, making the area different from the rest of the destroyed city.

While Cell and Superman stood there, everyone else watched them with anticipation. Those bold enough like Wonder Girl got closer for a better look.

Cell wasn't the only one eager to fight. It's exceedingly rare for Superman ever to fight at his fullest. Even with the stakes at its highest, he couldn't help but embellish himself in vigor and excitement.

"Ding."

Superman soared in, beating Cell away with a single hit. He rushed towards the flying Cell and attacked him at maximum power. Cell downed in a few hits, his face resting flat on the ground. Superman rushed in again, deflecting some of the bio- android's punches before succumbing to the sheer amount of them. He was beaten back so severely that he coughed up blood. Cell's onslaught drew to a close when Superman caught the next round of fists, sending some of his own. When the two stopped to take a breath, Superman smiled.

"I've had this problem Cell that you just might've fixed."

Superman started to walk towards Cell with gusto, the latter looking apparently surprised. He didn't expect the Kryptonian to maintain such composure after the beating he gave him.

"I feel like I live in a world made of cardboard, always taking constant care not to break something, to break someone. I can't allow myself to lose control, even a moment, or someone could die."

Cell tried to throw a fist at him, but the hero quickly caught it, as he grabbed his face and tussled him to the ground. Cell decided to look relatively unfazed like Superman did, but the pain was just too much to bare.

"But you can take it, can't ya big man?"

Cell growled.

"What we have here is a rare opportunity for me to cut loose, and show you just how powerful I really am."

Superman flew over to Cell before he could even realize it and punched him as hard as he could. Its powerful vibrations alone made the group of supervillains and heroes stumble to the ground. Cell was flung miles away across the sky. Once Superman reached him, he cupped his hands and slammed him headfirst into the ground. An absurd amount of smoke and debris piled up in Cell's massive crater.

Superman hovered in closer to Cell's crater. Cell was damaged extensively, with purple blood dripping down his lips and across his body. He almost felt sorry for hitting Cell that hard.

"Had enough?"

Cell grunted, forcing his body up to face Superman. His teeth were clenched, and yet underneath, a smile. He couldn't hold it in any longer. The Android grinned a cocky grin, one that angered Superman.

"Not... quite."

Superman raised his eyebrows while watching Cell laughably try and get up. Once he did, however, he was able to move around quite quickly.

"Did you honestly think I would make it that easy?"

"Huh?"

A bright, golden aura erupted across Cell's body. Cell powered up to an extremity, blowing away everything in his sight. The group, now much closer to be able to see the fight, watched with freight as Cell's power began to multiply.

"So he was playing with him the whole time?" Wonder Woman said while watching Cell.

Trunks, who recently awoke following his short duel with Cell, looked at Cell through his scouter. The calculations it gave him proved his and Wonder Woman's suspicions.

"Makes sense. When I fought Cell, his strength felt so repressing that it was ridiculous for me to try."

Cell's aura disappeared from his body, his charge complete. Trunks's scouter blew up the moment he decided to read Cell's current power.

While everyone else cowered at Cell's power, Superman, oblivious to just how strong Cell became, continued to fight with high spirit. The world still depended on this battle, even if Cell had some strength hidden.

Superman charged in heat vision. Cell effortlessly dodged each barrage of beams that came his way. When Superman approached him and tried to attack him, Cell dodged them so swiftly that he even had laughed in between hits. Superman continued to work his hardest no matter what. Whenever Cell laughed or deflected his attacks with seemingly no effort, he thought of his family. Superman thought of Lois and the thought of finally going home after the battle. He could imagine holding her in her arms for the first time in half a year. He'll have a big feast to celebrate the League's victory, following with him checking on Lois for her ultrasound.

Reality hit him hard when Cell smashed his jaw. His home is gone because of him. His family and friends might not even be alive because of him. He might not see Lois again because of him. He can't even make her pregnant. He had the chance to succeed the time, but he blew it.

Cell threw Superman's beaten body on the street, good enough for everyone to see. Wonder Woman, Supergirl, and Aquaman all tried to step in where Superman fell but were all blown back by Cell's hand airwave.

Superman's face broke into near disfigurement, with his jaw broken and blood plastered across it like icing on a cake. His body bruised to the point of almost being unrecognizable. Even his cape burnt to a half. Despite all of these injuries, Superman got up again.

The first few tries were wildly unsuccessful, each time resulting in him stumbling to the ground. It took him a while for him to be sure he wouldn't just fall again.

"I almost forgot you were there. Still trying to play hero are we?"

Superman spat blood on the ground and beat his chest. His left eye was swollen shut, lightly masked by his mattered black hair. Superman punched Cell over and over again, each strike loud enough to be heard by the group. They all looked at Cell and noticed that it didn't even faze him. Cell grabbed Superman's arms and squeezed them until they broke. He happily went to beat down Superman again, this time with much more ferocity and vigor.

Cell looked at Superman distastefully before kicking him to the sky. He managed to go as high as the beginning of the troposphere before Cell appeared behind him and elbowed him. Time seemingly slowed, while Superman's lungs were exhausted of all the spit it had in him. The pain the man of steel felt at this moment made Cell grin, but not for long. Superman uncontrollably flew to the ground, his body splayed in his crater. Cell watched Superman as all the fight in him disappeared in a moment. While he thought he would be ecstatic, he still feels empty.

I should be feeling satisfied. I defeated the man who bested me at every step of the way, and yet I still feel unsatisfied? It's like something's missing despite being complete…

Cell turned to face the petrified superheroes and villains. If Superman was defeated, what chance do they possibly have even if they attacked together?

Perhaps this will cheer me up.

"Superman failed." Cell stated, raising his index finger at the posy of targets.

"Now you will all die."

His first strike was on the ground. The impact created enough smoke to cover the area so that it's hard for even him to see. All according to plan. Cell began to fire indiscriminately everywhere. Flash was the first to be on a direct path as one of the beams. He narrowly dodged it, brushing just past his shoulders. He dodged two more before looking to his back to see where the beams landed. His eyes widen, he watched Zoom take the brunt of a beam into his head. It made him sick. He was just about ready to vomit when he had to dodge another beam.

Batman was next. Lucky enough, Wonder Woman was right next to him and deflect the beam with her bracelets. The beam whizzed off course to the right before exploding.

Hal Jordan had just about enough time to construct instinctively a half-shield that protected him as well as Grodd, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, and Electro-Man. Fear, and the chaos and confusion Cell brought by creating all this smoke not only disorientated Hal but made him lose concentration. A few more direct hits dissipated the shield entirely. Green Lantern barely had time even to breathe before one beam shot straight to his heart. Aquaman was right behind him, taking some of that beam himself, although fortunately not hitting any vital parts. The rest scattered like ants.

Electro-Man as a human was too slow to dodge anything. Unlike Batman, who had someone by his side, no one was able to help him when a massive beam bore into his chest. He was dead before he even had the chance smile. He may not have avenged his uncle, but at least he'll get to see him again. The young man fell on the ground with a thud, breathing his last few breaths while blood endlessly poured from his chest. The smoke turned pitch black. In the far distance, he could see something. He could see a white light, with a man that looked much like his uncle reaching for him. If only he could reach him…

Trunks was able to deflect the beam away with his blade, protecting him and Wonder Girl. Superboy, Supergirl, Shazam, and Black Adam all had fast enough reaction times to blast the beams before they could reach them, preemptively exploding them. Flash wanted just to break and escape the madness, but he just couldn't. The fear took precedence over his mind and everyone else's. He could only lie flat on the ground and pray that a beam doesn't come flying for him.

After a minute of this agony, a voice rang from the madness. It was Batman, who yelled loud enough for everyone to hear.

"STOP!"

Despite his better judgment, Cell ceased to fire. He didn't have much better to do anyway. Batman waited for the smoke to clear before conversing with the mass murderer.

"You want to fight strong opponents, right? Is that what you want?" Batman said almost hysterically.

Cell crossed his arms. It wouldn't be a stretch to say he was a bit interested.

"The whole universe is filled with beings even stronger than Superman, miles above even!"

Cell looked at Batman point to the sky with awe. Despite absorbing so many people, his knowledge of the outer space abroad is very limited. Only heroes he absorbed like Cyborg have some pieces of useful information, which in itself is very limited and hazy to think about.

"Please, spare the Earth."

Cell's eyes widened with glee. He can see it now. He will venture across the cosmos to fight the greatest beings alive. He will defeat them all, proving as the greatest creation this universe has ever seen. He will fight gods and monsters, bring star systems and galactic tyrants to their knees. Yes, he will show them all their place. All will fear his might. Some might even throw their lives away just to get absorbed into his collective.

"I beg you." Batman was on his knees, ready to cry. Cell hardly even noticed the man. He begrudgingly ceased his pondering for a moment to tend to the weaklings before him.

"Fine." Cell sheepishly replied, putting his hands on his hips.

The bio-android honestly didn't care about the Earth anymore. Still, he'll allow the Earth to exist because of the revelation Batman gave him. He's done enough to them. Even Cell was surprised at how utterly broken and defeated everyone looked. There wasn't an iota of fear in them anymore.

"I'll allow the Earth to exist because I'll be preoccupied battling gods somewhere. After every worthy foe is defeated, I'll come back to fight you all again. Consider this as round one."

After giving a wave, Cell whizzed away in the sky, eager to fight all new enemies. The hole in him as finally been fulfilled. Since Goku didn't exist in this universe, Cell thought that Superman might as well be a substitute, even though that didn't work. This new goal he has, though, this destiny, is the new master plan of his design.

Cell, killer of gods. Destroyer of men. The bane of the universe. Fear and death personified. Oh, I am going to love this...

Cell reached outer space. Since he had no idea where he was going, he flew off into space in a random direction.

His greatest quest has begun.

3 Weeks later…

"Cyborg, Green Lantern, Electro-Man, Geo-Force, Adam Strange, Captain Atom. Their real names are Victor Stone, Hal Jordan, Jimmy Decan, Brion Markov, Adam Strange, and Nathaniel Christopher Adam respectively. They were heroes, excellent ones, despite what Captain Atom would want you to think. They were there to protect the people when Cell attacked. Had they not intervened with their lives, thousands would have died in their place. It's people like these five that will remind you what it means to be a real hero. It doesn't matter how strong you are, or how strong are you compared to some arbitrary villain. While some of the people in these statues are stronger than others, what makes them, all the same, is their selfless acts. They are the reason we are here today."

Superman walked out of the way for everyone to have a clear view of the curtains. The curtains were removed, revealing the golden statues of all five heroes. The crowd of citizens cheered. Electro-Man's parents cheered the loudest, tears streaking down their faces. One person admist the mass smiled at the statues, his assistant moving his wheelchair so that they can get out of there. Superman walked deeper into the hall of justice to see much more tourists gawking at the souvenirs from past enemies. With the Watchtower as their headquarters, the hall of justice was more of a museum or backup offices.

Out of the many superheroes that came to see the grand unveiling, him, Martian Manhunter, and Wonder Woman were the only senior superheroes to go. Flash wanted to take a break from being a superhero. He wasn't seen since. Batman hasn't outright disappeared at after the battle in Metropolis. After Cell had left, Batman called for his Bat-plane and left.

Superman looked at Trunks observing a boom box on display that Darkseid used to invade the Earth at a speedy fashion. Superman chuckled when he remembered that the boom box he was looking at was a fake, the real one being tested on by Bulma to try and make it work again.

Superman nodded and Trunks, which he did the same. After Trunks and Bulma had decided to stay for the long haul, Trunks was inducted into the League as a part-time member. In between break days of consistently training for Cell's reemergence, he'll defeat a few villains acting up around the world. He's been hanging out with Supergirl and her posy ever since.

The blue and red caped hero paced back to the six new statues. He saw one Green Lantern in particular look at Hal Jordan's statue with interest. This new Lantern looked much more intimidating than Hal, yet younger and stoic looking. Superman quietly walked beside the new League recruit.

"I see you're admiring his statue John." He said, extending his hand out.

"A pleasure to meet you, Superman." John shook the hand warmly. Superman wasn't pleased.

"How did he die?"

"He died protecting his comrades." Superman began, folding his arms on his back.

"Hal shielded several League members while Cell's attack was bombarding us. When he couldn't keep up his guard, he was pierced in the heart."

"It's this Cell I always keep hearing of. Who is he?"

"He came from a different universe, murdering tens of thousands. The League failed so many times to beat him because we didn't know what to do with a mass murderer. It's a mistake I damn well won't make again.

"I see."

While the two had a meaningful conversation, the idea of a replacement of Hal automatically made Superman dislike this new Lantern. John Stewart himself hasn't been on Earth for years, defending the other planets of sector 2814 with little ties left on Earth. He even married an alien, twice.

"I hope you know that you won't have the same senior status in the Justice League as Hal Jordan."

"I wouldn't dream of that. I want to show you guys what I am truly made of, not just a reflection of a dead man."

"That's the spirit."

"Literally."

Superman pulled out a green tinted scouter and gave it to John.

"What's this? Some induction device?"

"Just place it on your left ear, John. It's a utility instrument."

The new Green Lantern placed it and watched it automatically hum to life. Alien symbols he couldn't hope to understand despite having a ring plastered on its screen before disappearing.

"Well, this is interesting. Thank you."

Superman was about to say something else before Wonder Woman waved him down so that he can walk with her and Martian Manhunter. Superman nodded at John before walking towards the two.

"See you around."

Batman couldn't let go of the past. He couldn't let go of what he's done to Metropolis, blasting it with the watchtower's cannon just to maybe incapacitate Cell. And for what? Cell wasn't even near the explosion. People could have died. He knows this because he's been running calculations on the possibility for months, almost every day. What he has done even worse though was carrying on his ideology to the point of betrayal.

Batman sat on his supercomputer in the Batcave. Batman has extremely reclusive ever since Cell disappeared, only venturing out of his manor to keep the streets of Gotham relatively safe. He spent the rest of his time on his supercomputer, where only Alfred can enter.

One of the screens in his supercomputer had a live viewing of the Hall of Justice's grand unveiling of the statutes. It pains him so strongly to remember that most of those good men died because of him that he turned that screen off right when they removed the curtains. Batman continued to sit on his computer in silence, damning decisions he made long ago, over and over again.

"Batman?"

He looked up. The middle screen, which he completely forgot existed, was occupied by the face of Bulma. She had the broken boom box on the side of her table, jotting notes of the thing before she made any attempts to do anything to it, lest she makes an accidental portal. Cyborg had this boom box last, integrated into his mechanical body. The boom box was damaged almost beyond repair when he fought and died against Cell. Fortunately for them, they have a bored scientist on their side. She did all of this while observing Batman rifle through his emotions.

"Don't worry about me. I'm just thinking."

"Thinking about what you did?"

"…Yes."

"I understand," Bulma said while taking more notes. "But we need to get that mind of yours focused on the bigger threat. The reason why you even did what you did in the first place."

"You're right," Batman stated, sitting upright. One stiff cough brought him from his brooding state to his old dark self again.

Once Batman finished battling with his emotions, a new user invited himself into the video call. It was none other than Luthor, sporting a grin almost as big as the one he had right before Cell's body was taken over. The billionaire had his hands covering his mouth in a sophisticated like way, yet it was so that he doesn't giggle thinking about what he's just done.

He was no longer in his Texas home. He had to sell that and the laboratory beneath it in order to keep him and his business afloat. The destruction of his headquarters is starting to really ruin his company's revenue. Instead, he takes residence in one of his houses in Washington D.C., to be able to see the grand unveiling of the statues of the fallen heroes. In truth, he almost felt compelled to be there. Even though he caused a lot of trouble during Cell's rampage, he was in the fight just as much as the League.

"Found something Luthor?" Batman questioned.

"Not something, someone. After settling a few issues about the value of US currency in space, I arranged for Lobo to take care of Cell."

"Lobo? If Lobo's around Superman's league, how can he possibly defeat Cell?"

"Who says he has to fight? Besides, I have a plan B."

Luthor looked down on his own supercomputer's keyboard. His wheelchair was plain to see behind him. When Cell made him crash into the building, all those metric tons of building material almost crushed him outright. Most of his body was spared, but his legs weren't.

"Luthor?" Wonder Woman yelled out, putting her hand out so she can pull him.

Luthor's eyes screamed of horror and agony in the rubble.

"I can't feel my legs!"

"There is a scientist named Dr. Nero, who real creator of C-19. Although I thought I killed him, he bribed my assassins and disappeared off the face of the Earth. If I can find him, he might be able to make C-19 dominant in Cell's body again."

"Just how the hell did you think we'll let you do that? If I remember correctly, you threatened to kill us all with him!" Batman yelled out.

"This time is different. I could've always retired from Lexcorp and sip wine from my Texas house. And when Cell's defeated, I will. No questions asked."

Although Batman could see his genuineness in his eyes, he was not ready to believe what he is saying. A villain, he and Superman, has been fighting for years just decides to give up? He could see why, though. Luthor's face was as weary as his, a side effect of the stress of trying to defeat Cell. At this point, you either truly wanted Cell defeated, or you give up. Lex is about to do the latter if these plans end up biting him in the ass.

"This Dr. Nero sounds awfully like Dr. Gero."

"Who's that?" Lex replied.

"He was a revolutionary robotics scientist in my Earth, a man that my father had the pleasure to talk to before he enlisted in the Red Ribbon Army as an engineer. When that army disbanded, and his son who also enlisted in the army died, he disappeared. He re-emerged decades later to create androids that destroyed the Earth on their 'quest' to kill a man named Goku. He was the one who created Cell, who looks a lot like C-19."

"They're the same person," Luthor said flat out.

"It does make sense. Even Trunks told me that C-19 might be correlated, but you really think so?"

"He had capsules that looked a lot like yours for starters. In his spare time, I heard that he was fixing a device that also looked a lot like your time machine."

"If you do intend to go to him, let me come with you," Bulma replied.

"Same. My bat plane is a much faster ride than your commercial ones." Batman belittled at Luthor.

"And while we do that, Lobo will be sending Cell on a suicide quest." Luthor scoffed.

Batman closed the video call. Bulma went back to her tinkering, Luthor to his plotting, and Batman on his brooding. A plethora of light years away, one lone being was destroying everything he saw.

Another one of those less action-y chaps!

This chapter basically gave you what's going to happen in the next several chapters. Cell's on a conquest battling the strongest people he knows, while the League's still trying to figure out a way to silence him for good.

Since I'm making an effort to make updates bi-weekly (with updates to the older chapters every now and then), expect the next chapter July 5th(I'll have plans July 4th, independence and everything y'know).

UPDATE:

PLEASE reread some of the earlier chapters. I extensively fixed every chapter up to the 4th chapter, C-19, for better clarity, consistency, removed redundancy, and overall better writing. I will REALLY appreciate it if you do check if those stories improved, as well as what should I improve on writing wise.

As promised, my power list below! It's top to bottom, consisting of every person who fought in the story so far, including minor characters!

Note: For characters like Trunks who has gotten stronger during the story, I'm only putting characters like these at their strongest in the list.

Relative Power List

Perfect Cell

Superman (at his strongest)

Superman (edge) = Doomsday

Martian Manhunter = Wonder Woman (slight edge) = Aquaman (Sea)

Trunks = Black Adam

Semi-Perfect Cell = Supergirl = Captain Atom ([Deceased], slight edge) = Amazo = Shazam

Wonder Girl = Aquaman (Land; slight edge) = C-20

Superboy

Flash = Zoom = Green Lantern (Hal Jordan AND John Stewart)

Imperfect Cell = C-19

Batman (In batlesuit) [Surprising, no? That's because he has techniques to beat every below.]

Cyborg (Deceased)

Parasite (Deceased)

Geo-Force (Deceased)

Metallo (Deceased)

Electro-Man (Deceased)

Gorilla Grodd = Lex Luthor (In battle-suit)

Adam Strange (Deceased)

Captain Oswald from Intergang (Deceased)