Chapter 9: Perfection Achieved
After 15 minutes flying time Galina and Pan finally arrived at the lookout. When they got there they saw Goku, Chi-Chi, Bulma with baby Trunks, Krillin and Yamcha there as well.
"Daddy!" Galina yelled to her father as they ran over to them. "It's Piccolo and Tien! They need help!"
"I know! I can sense everything from up here! I'll be right back!" Goku said and used his instant transmission to teleport himself to where Piccolo and Tien were.
"What's happening?" Yamcha asked.
"It's a long story…." Galina answered and then went on to explain everything to everyone. Just as she finished explaining they all sensed an enormous increase in Cell's energy. When Goku suddenly returned with both Piccolo and Tien over his shoulders, everyone almost jumped out of their skins in fright.
"I've got bad news you guys," Goku said grimly as he gently put Piccolo and Tien on the ground. "Cell managed to absorb Android 17."
"I know we sensed it," Krillin said panicking. "We're doomed!"
"What about Sai?" Pan asked worried.
Goku shook his head. "I didn't see him anywhere," he answered. "I think he must be helping Cell find 18."
Suddenly Mr. Popo ran over to where everyone was standing. "Goku! Trunks and Vegeta have finished their training! I heard some strange noises coming from the chamber. I think their time is up," he told everyone.
"That's great!" Goku said cheerfully.
"It's about time," Galina said equally happy.
Sure enough when the door to the time chamber opened Trunks and Vegeta emerged, their energy levels were much stronger than when they first went in.
Galina's heart almost stopped as she saw Trunks and felt his new energy. "Wow…." she said with a love struck look in her eyes.
"Well, what do you think?" Trunks proudly asked her.
Galina smiled and walked over to him. "I think I might be falling in love all over again," she answered.
Trunks blushed and pulled Galina close to him. "I really missed you," he told her.
"Not as much as I missed you," she said to him and then kissed him. Galina could feel Trunks' arms pulling her closer to his body as he kissed her, causing her to moan gently.
"Aww how sweet!" Bulma said happily with stars in her eyes, but then suddenly noticed how angry Vegeta looked. "Vegeta? Are you alright?" she asked.
"We don't have time for sentiment now!" he scowled at Trunks. "Especially with Kakarott's spawn!" he added.
"Hey…." Galina pouted with a hurt look on her face.
"Vegeta!" Bulma scolded angrily. "You know better than that!"
"Don't argue with me woman! That's Kakarott's daughter! I won't have her seducing our son!" he added with a sneer.
"Alright that's it!" Chi-Chi yelled angrily glaring at Vegeta. "It's time someone taught you some manners!"
"Mom….No!" Gohan said as he and Pan pulled her back.
"Vegeta this is not the time or the place for your feud with Goku!" Bulma said wearily. "It can wait till later!"
"You're right," Vegeta said calming down and looking at Goku. "I'll take care of everything now that I'm here," he said to him.
Goku looked at Vegeta appalled. "Vegeta in case you haven't noticed Cell already absorbed Android 17! You'd have to at least triple your power just to stand a chance against him…"
Vegeta just looked at Goku with a calm smug look while Goku just stood there stunned as he suddenly realized that at this very moment that Vegeta WAS stronger than him!
"So long," Vegeta said mockingly and left the lookout.
"What an ego…." Bulma said shaking her head in disbelief.
Trunks looked apologetically at Galina. "I'm sorry about him Galina. I'd better get after him before he does something stupid," he said to her.
Galina nodded her head. "Alright Trunks just please be careful out there," she told him.
"Don't worry I will," Trunks said with a wink and kissed her.
"And Trunks," Bulma added. "Make sure Vegeta DOSEN'T let Cell get his other two androids."
"I got it mom," Trunks said and quickly flew off.
Galina quietly watched Trunks leave.
"C'mon Galina! Let's go train!" Pan said excitedly, but she noticed that Galina wasn't listening to her at all. "Uh…Galina, did you hear me?" she asked.
Galina shook her head snapping out of her thoughts. "Oh sorry Pan….I guess I'm just kinda worried about Trunks…I mean what if he and Vegeta have to fight Sai! Knowing Vegeta he may kill him! Or worse Cell may absorb him then kill Vegeta AND Trunks!" she said getting nervous.
"In other words, you want to go and help them right sweet heart?" Goku asked with a smile.
Galina nodded her head. "If anything happened to Trunks or Sai….I don't think I'll be able to live with myself," she said to him.
"Me too!" said Pan. "I'm sorry you guys but we're going to have to skip our training and go help Trunks and Vegeta."
"Alright then," said Goku warningly. "But be careful."
"Now wait a minute Goku!" yelled Chi-Chi suddenly. "You can't just let our baby girl fight that Cell monster!"
"Aww mom….I'm not a little girl anymore!" Glaina protested. "Besides, I've got Pan's help and not to mention Trunks will be there to protect me as well."
Chi-Chi hesitated for a moment then gave up. "Oh all right!" she said. "But if it gets too rough you get back here young lady! And watch over Pan."
"Yes ma'am!" Galina said obediently. "C'mon Pan let's go!"
"Yeah! Good luck with your training Gohan!" Pan called to him and flew off with Galina.
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When Galina and Pan made it back to the island, they noticed that Cell had gone through some changes now that he had absorbed 17. His armor, wings, colors and tail were still the same, however he now looked less like a giant bug, in fact he looked quite like a giant ugly fish like person. Not very attractive to look atall. However despite his change of appearance and new power level, Cell was getting the living daylights knocked out of him by Vegeta who wasn't even raising a sweat.
"Wow!" said Pan impressed by what she saw. "I guess that one year of training really did the trick for Vegeta."
Hearing her voice Trunks took his attention away from his father and looked towards the two demi-saiyans in surprised amazement. "What are you two doing here?" he asked.
"We're here to help you of course!" Galina answered happily. But just as she finished speaking they heard Vegeta talking to Cell.
"I'll tell you what," they heard him say to Cell. "Since you are so weak I'll let you absorb one more of your androids, that way you won't be so pathetic the next time I battle you!"
"WHAT?!" Galina and Pan exclaimed in horror.
"Father!" Trunks cried out in equally appalled horror. "You can't let Cell do that! He'll be too powerful to handle if you do!"
"Shut up boy!" Vegeta yelled to his son. "This is too good of an opportunity for you mess up!"
Cell just had an evil smile on his face during this exchange. "Thank you Vegeta, you won't regret it. Will he 21?"
"Oh no he won't!" 21 said chuckling at some private joke.
"Now because I absorbed 17," Cell said thoughtfully. "18 must come next! 21!" he ordered. "Go and find that lovely young android and bring her here at once!"
21 obediently obeyed and flew off looking for 18. As he did so Galina suddenly spotted Krillin hiding nearby with 18 and a damaged android 16. She and Pan quickly flew over to him. "Krillin? What are you doing here?"
"Well uhh…Bulma gave me this remote that we found at Gero's lab that will help me deactivate Android 18….but I just can't do it…." Krillin answered hesitantly.
"Huh?" Pan asked puzzled. "How come?"
"No reason!" Krillin answered blushing red.
"Oh I get it!" Galina said with a giggle "You like her! Don't you?"
16 and 18 glanced over at Galina and Krillin as she said that and Krillin quickly covered her mouth. "Shhh!" he hissed to her turning even redder. "Not so loud, ok?!"
Galina smiled and nodded her head.
"We have to get you two out of here now," Krillin told 16 and 18.
"Too late now…" Pan said suddenly and pointed. Galina and Krillin followed her finger and saw to their horror 21 heading straight for them!
As 21 flew towards them he suddenly got knocked into the ground by Trunks. Unfazed by this attack 21 was able to get back up on his feet real quick, and then he started fighting with Trunks fast and furiously.
"I think now would be a good time to get out of here," Galina suggested.
"Yeah...I think you might be right...come on!" said 18 and then helped the damaged 16 to his feet. "We're not leaving without you though," she told him.
Krillin walked over to the androids giving them a helping hand.
"Vegeta!" Cell called out in angry disappointment. "I thought we had a deal here?!"
"We do!" Vegeta replied and looked towards Galina, Krillin, and Pan. "Let Cell and his stupid friend have their Android, I want a better challenge!"
"Vegeta don't you get it?!" yelled Galina almost tearing her hair out in frustration at his stupidity. "If Cell DOES absorb 18 we're all history! Even YOU won't stand a chance against him once he's complete!"
Vegeta scowled at Galina "Like I'm going to listen to the likes of you! You think I'm going to fall for that kind of defeatist talk? No CHANCE!"
While Vegeta was talking 21 took his chance to get by the distracted Trunks. He quickly grabbed 18 before she knew what was happening, draining her energy so she couldn't escape and then flew her to Cell.
"18!" Krillin yelled in horror. NO!!!!!!!"
"Your android Cell," 21 said with a smirk. "Enjoy."
"LET HER GO!!" Krillin yelled and charged towards 21.
"Krillin don't!" Galina warned him.
Unfortunately it was too late...Cell opened up his tail and absorbed 18 before Krillin even got to her. Suddenly Cell began to glow and change, as he did so his power sky rocketed! When the glow had finished a NEW Cell stood before them. Although the general outline of his composition had stayed the same, it was the minor details and the little extras that made him up that had changed completely. His face, for one, had taken on a more human approach; his eyes were no longer slanted OR cat like. Now they were a shade of pliable lavender, very enigmatic, and very alluring. His skin had also changed colors: it had turned into a soft tint of cobalt. Of course, his spotted, green armor still remained, and his wings were still attached to his back. They couldn't see his tail, but somehow they knew that it too was still there.
"AH!" Cell said in a deep smooth voice. "Perfection at last! Thank you 21."
"I am yours to command Cell," 21 said bowing to him.
"Yes you are, aren't you?" Cell said and then looked at Vegeta with an evil smirk. "Okay Vegeta, NOW you'll get a challenge!"
"It'll be your last!" 21 muttered quietly.
(Dad and Grandpa have to know about this!) Pan thought and flew off to the lookout without anyone even noticing.
Galina and Krillin flew over to Trunks staying by his side. "Can Vegeta beat Cell?" Galina asked him.
"No," replied Krillin. "But Trunks might have a chance against him."
Galina looked at Krillin confused and then looked at Trunks. "What is he talking about?"
"Well," Trunks said thoughtfully. "While I was training in the Time Chamber, I got even stronger. Much stronger than father I might add, it MIGHT JUST be enough to beat Cell. But I won't know for sure till I try."
"YOU'RE STRONGER THAN VEGETA!?" Galina exclaimed in shock.
Trunks just nodded his head.
"So why haven't you brought out your REAL power yet?" Krillin asked.
"Yes why?" 21 asked curiously as he hovered above them while Cell and Vegeta continued to fight. "I'm dying to know!"
Trunks ignored 21 and continued to watch his father battling off against Cell. "I can't do anything until my father looses consciousness," he told them and then fell silent.
They all continued to watch in horror as Cell brutally destroyed Vegeta in their fight. Nothing Vegeta did seem to even faze Cell now that was perfect, even super saiyan strength was no match for prefect Cell. He mopped the floor with Vegeta, it was a complete reversal to what Vegeta had done to him in his second form.
"Well Trunks," 21 said chuckling to himself. "Looks like you'll get your chance REAL soon!" Just as he finished speaking Cell slammed Vegeta into the ground making him loose consciousness and returning him to his normal state.
"Well Trunks," said Krillin. "Vegeta's unconscious if you've gotta plan on saving him now's your chance!"
Cell landed on the ground standing triumphantly over Vegeta's unconscious body. "Thanks for the warm up Vegeta. Now I'll end your miserable life," he said aiming his hand over Vegeta's body ready to blast him into nothing. However he stopped when he then suddenly sensed Trunks' power level increasing. "What?!" He asked in surprise watching Trunks power up.
Galina and Krillin looked on in amazement as Trunks powered up.
Galina smiled getting a dreamy look in her eyes as she watched Trunks power up, Krillin just gave Galina a strange look making Galina blush. "Sorry Krillin," she said embarrassed. "I know I shouldn't be thinking like that at a time like this."
Trunks meanwhile had finished powering up and was charging at Cell to aid his helpless father. But before he was able to help Vegeta, 21 got in his way. "Sorry hero, no interruptions! You'll have to go through me!"
"Fine! I will!" Trunks replied and then punched 21 into the ground and then resumed his attack on Cell. Trunks attack caught Cell completely off guard and he went flying, but soon he was back on his feet and they BOTH were fighting like mad. Even though Trunks seemed evenly matched with Cell, it was obvious that Cell was showing no sign of being weakened.
Krillin and Galina watched Trunks fighting Cell. "C'mon Trunks," Galina said with a hopeful look in her eyes. "You can do it…end this once and for all!"
Suddenly 21 came flying out of the ground VERY angry! He came up behind Trunks taking him completely by surprise, grabbed him and started draining his energy REAL fast.
"I'll teach you to attack ME pretty boy!!!!!!!!!!" 21 said furiously continuing draining Trunks' energy.
Cell smirked at this. "Thanks 21! Feeling sleepy now Trunks? Awwww, to bad!" he said in mock concern.
"TRUNKS NO!!" Galina cried out horror and charged towards them. She kicked 21 from behind setting Trunks free. "Are you ok?!" she asked him concerned.
"Yeah," Trunks answered weakly. "Just a little drained that's all..."
Galina looked towards Cell and 21 standing in front of Trunks. "You want him you'll have to go through me!" she told them. "Got that?!" While Galina was facing off against Cell and 21, Krillin took the opportunity to silently grab Vegeta and fly away real fast.
"Well, you're a feisty one aren't you?" Cell said slightly amused.
"She is," 21 said to him. "She's been hassling me ever since I came online."
"Is that so?" Cell replied even more amused. "Well, well, well!"
Galina glared at Cell staying close to Trunks. "Once my father finishes his training he'll beat you no contest!" she yelled to him.
Cell smirked at her getting an idea. "Hmm...You know something I have an idea," he said thoughtfully. "This might be right up your alley so listen carefully. We shall have a fighting tournament! Like the Worlds Martial Arts Tournament, only this one will determine the future of this planet! We shall have it in 9 days from now, just so you can all be on your best form! What do you think?" he asked his two opponents.
"I'd say you're out of your mind!" Galina yelled.
"Hey!" yelled Cell. "I'm giving you a chance to SAVE your stupid planet by a nine day breathing space!" He then calmed down and went on. "Anyway the planet's strongest fighters will compete in my special arena that 21 and myself shall construct! So watch the news and I'll give you the details!" Cell suddenly smirked advancing towards Galina and Trunks. "And just to make sure your father does come!" he said looking at Galina.
Before either Trunks or Galina could react, Cell grabbed Galina holding her in a tight grip.
"Trunks!" Galina cried out trying to reach for him, but it was to no avail.
"Galina...no...!" Trunks cried weakly trying to help her, but he knew it would just be his death if he were to fight Cell with his energy drained.
"Come along 21!" Cell commanded.
"Right Cell," 21 said obediently and then looked at Trunks. "Tell Goku what happened won't you? And don't forget to watch the news, bye!" With that he flew off with Cell.
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"Where are we going now?" 21 asked Cell.
"To a TV station," Cell replied. "I have to make my TV debut."
Galina rolled her eyes. "Give me a break..." she said under her breath desperately struggling from Cell's iron grasp.
Annoyed by this Cell handed Galina over to 21. "Here 21, keep her quiet. I have an important announcement to make." he said to him as they reached a near by city with a big TV broadcast building.
Ignoring Cell completely, Galina continued to struggle against her best friend's grip. "Sai! Let me go! Please!" she begged.
"KEEP STILL!" 21 snapped at her and then whispered in her ear, "Or would you rather I put you to sleep?"
Galina lowered her head and stopped struggling as Cell and 21 flew into the building terrorizing everyone inside it as they arrived at the news media section of the building.
"This will do nicely! Keep an eye on our special guest 21 while I make my speech." Cell told his comrade as he used his abilities to get the cameras to transmit on every channel.
Galina just glared at Cell while 21 held on to her.
Cell evilly smirked looking at the camera. "Greetings I am Cell. I have a message for all the people of Earth. Now pay attention to what I say, your boring lives are about to get a lot more interesting thanks to me. I have enjoyed terrorizing Earth with the help of my accomplice Android 21, but now I have something far more entertaining for this pathetic planet. For those of you who don't remember me, take a close look at my face. The big monster of Nicky Town, I am the evolved form of that creature and I owe it all to this worthless planet for providing me with the bio extract I needed. But the reason I'm here is to announce my decision to announce a World Martial Arts tournament! I'm calling this competition the Cell Games! It's a catchy little title don't you think?" Cell stated with a smirk.
Galina rolled her eyes as Cell continued his speech.
"The Cell Games will be held 9 days from today in Area S.5 28 miles northeast of Eastern City. There you'll find an arena that I have designed myself. I modeled it after the one used in the original World's Marital Arts tournament. I believe it is the ideal location to crush my competitors! Bring me your best fighters and I will face them one by one in a contest of strength! This is the LAST chance for planet Earth, if I am not defeated this planet will belong to ME! My competitors will have the advantage since I won't be able to rest between matches and my new opponents can enter the competition immediately. However my new opponents will have to prove themselves by challenging my comrade, Android 21! The rules will be the same as the World Martial Arts tournament, if you give up or your body touches the outside of the ring you lose. And though 21 and I will try to avoid this, if you DIE you will of course be disqualified." Cell stated completing his speech.
"This is wrong," Galina yelled. "He's scaring the entire planet!"
"I know," said 21. "It's great isn't it?"
Galina just stared at the floor not saying a word.
"And for specific people who do not come," Cell said in a sinister tone. "I have someone you're missing! 21!" he ordered. "Bring out our special guest."
21 walked over to the camera holding Galina with his wrist blades at her throat.
"We have a certain girl here that will be our insurance to make sure you do come!" said Cell with an evil smirk.
Galina tried her best to remain calm and not show fear.
"I bet Trunks and the rest of your family is going insane seeing you like this!" 21 whispered into Galina's ear.
Galina shut her eyes and looked away from the camera as tears were forming in her eyes.
"I hope I haven't frightened any of you from playing the Cell Games. Now you know where the competition will be held, all you have to do is find the courage to show up! Come and get me if you dare! Now….let the games begin. The tournament starts in 9 days! Good luck!" Cell said as he finished his speech letting out an evil laugh. He then looked at his comrade. "Now its time to build my arena come on 21 lets go!"
"Right!" said 21 obediently grabbing Galina and flying off with Cell to the area where the tournament would be held in 9 days.
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"Put me down!" Galina yelled as she struggled against 21's grip.
"Shut up and watch Cell at work!" he told her as Cell continued building his arena.
"It's not like I have a choice..." Galina groaned watching Cell put the finishing touches to his arena.
"There! Perfect just like me!" Cell stated looking at his completed work.
"Yeah you wish….." Galina muttered under her breath.
"I heard that!" Cell said glaring at her.
"So what if you did?!" Galina asked glaring back at him.
"If you anger me then I will punish you, and I'm NOT joking got it?!" Cell said threateningly.
Galina just continued to glare at him trying to stay calm, even though there was so much fear in her eyes. "I'm not afraid of you!" she stated defiantly.
"You will be. Having you here with us means we get to "play" with you until the 9 days are over, isn't that right 21?" Cell said looking at his comrade.
"Oh yeah," 21 replied with a smile.
Galina glared at Cell with hatred.
Cell smirked. "First 21 and I have some training to do, and then we'll play with you. Drain her energy 21," Cell ordered his comrade. "Just enough so she can't get away."
"Right!" said 21 obediently and advanced on her.
Galina slowly moved back. "Sai don't……"
"Look, WHO is this Sai you keep going on about?!" 21 asked her.
Galina lowered her head. "It's you!" she said to him. "You're my best friend! Not a cold hearted machine!"
"It's no good talking to him my dear," Cell said to her. "Not unless you have this!" he said holding up a disk that said: 'Android 21 Memory File' "Like it?" he asked mockingly. "I picked it up from Gero's lab in the future when I emerged."
Galina looked at the disk with wide eyes. "That disk has Sai's memories….?!"
"Oh yes," said Cell. "Gero saved it so he could study all your fighting techniques from Sai's memories. I do believe it even contains HOW the good Doctor made 21 the way he is."
Galina looked at 21 with sorrow. "Oh Sai……." she said sadly.
21 just looked at her. "That name does not register," he replied back emotionlessly.
Galina stared at the ground. "Yeah….I know…."
21 then grabbed Galina and drained her energy, not all of it, but only enough so she wasn't able to escape. Galina fell to her knees and watched helplessly as Cell and 21 sparred in the arena for the next few hours. The speed and agility that Cell had gain after absorbing Android 18 was mind boggling, it put the demi-saiyan in fear. "I don't think even Daddy can beat Cell," she said quietly to herself. "He's too powerful…." She broke off as Cell and 21 finished their training.
"What do we do now?" asked 21.
Cell smirked staring at Galina. "I think it's time for a little target practice," he said.
"That's an idea!" 21 stated.
Galina looked shaken, but she remained calm and tried to stay strong.
"Me first! And if I kill her….well that's just a bonus for me!" Cell said and started firing small energy blasts at Galina.
Galina saw the blasts coming and she managed to avoid most of them, but with every second that passed by she kept on getting weaker since her energy was already drained.
"Oh she's good!" said an impressed 21 as he watched her.
Cell continued to fire his energy blasts at Galina, but this time she wasn't lucky as she got hit by one of the blasts and soon she was trampled by thousands of energy blasts that Cell fired at her.
Galina collapsed to the ground staring at the clear blue sky. "D-daddy….." she said exhausted.
Cell just continued to fire energy blasts at her.
"STOP IT!!!!!!" An angry voice yelled and Cell stopped firing.
Galina weakly looked up and saw a VERY angry Goku standing over her. She smiled weakly up at him. "Daddy….." she said with relief.
"Here sweet heart eat this," Goku said gently to her as he lifted her head feeding her a senzu bean.
"Senzu bean….." Galina weakly said as she ate the senzu bean, but soon lost consciousness since her energy was so exhausted.
"Ah Goku," Cell said looking at his opponent.
"Yeah that's right," Goku replied as he glared at Cell.
"Right here is where the fate of the universe will be decided! So what do you think?" he asked.
Goku looked at the arena. "I don't know," he answered thoughtfully. "Looks kinda puny if it's supposed to decide all that wouldn't you say?"
Goku looked over at 21 and saw him guarding Galina like a hawk. "Sai….don't worry we'll get you back to normal." He told him and then turned his attention towards Cell. "I'll be your first opponent Cell, so leave my daughter and the people of Earth out of this until we meet in the ring. Agreed?"
Cell looked at Goku not impressed at all, and then shrugged. "Fine Goku, I agree to your ridiculous demand."
"You will pay for your crimes Cell," Goku said grimly and with that he used his instant transmission technique and left the arena.
(Well then Goku, you've just made my match even more interesting!) Cell thought to himself.
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When Galina finally came to she saw that her father was gone, thanks to the senzu bean he had given her she was all healed. Cell however was standing in the middle of his arena sulking while 21 continued to guard her.
"Where's my dad?" she asked.
"He left," answered 21. "He made Cell promise not to hurt you or anyone else until the Cell Games start, why do you think he's sulking?"
Galina just smiled. "Yup that's my dad! Always thinking of others!" she said happily.
"He'll regret it," 21 said grimly. "Cell was pretty ticked off about it, and if anyone tries to attack then they'll be in for it!"
Authors's Notes: Here's the latest chapter everyone, yeah I know we're pretty quick! Well everyone place your bets the Cell Games are about to start! Who will win? Goku or Cell? Or will the outcome of the Cell Games wind up just like it did in the series? Or maybe Cell will finally absorb Android 21? Find out next time and until then keep the reviews coming!