A massive eruption in the nearby neighboring town of Ginger town, Krillin could feel the energy of the merged Piccolo and Kami fighting a devilish mix of many of the earth's greatest fighters. The windows of the city shuttered, some even cracked from the violent shaking made by the surge of power from the merged Namekian. The power was immense, it almost felt comparable to the Ki of Tarble in his Super Saiyan state. "What's going on over there?" He could feel a cold sweat come down his back, as the fight only just started. "If it comes over here… Goku's family will be in danger. I- I have to go and help." He said to himself, his legs shook though in fear of the powers he was sensing.
Piccolo stood were ginger town once stood, his massive blast caused the buildings to fall apart. But Cell simply stood with a grin, as Piccolo moved to follow up. Cell swiped to intercept his attack but Piccolo shifted behind him. A swift kick sent the Bio-android forward. Cell caught himself and began to turn as an energy blast collides with him. Piccolo appeared behind cell with a swift kick to his back and sent the strange bug man to the ground. Cell amazed by the sudden power behind the one known as Piccolo.
"I did not expect this from the Demon King Piccolo." Cell said as he was given a chance to stand, Piccolo hovered overhead for a short time before he took to the ground.
"Well, your half right." Piccolo said smirking as he knew he had the advantage over the creature. "You're the monster my better half was afraid of? I doubt the training was even needed."
"Other half? Oh, so you merged with this time's Kami." Cell said with a chuckle. "That does explain quite a bit."
"This time's Kami? So you are from another time as well. And pray tell, what your reason for coming is." Piccolo unnerved by the Cell's chuckle, and wondered if it had some sort of plan.
"I much rather show you a few interesting tricks." Cell dropped into a stance, Piccolo recognized it as the Kamehameha stance.
But Piccolo finds himself frozen unnaturally. Cell charges his attack, and fires the blast at the Namekian. Piccolo breaks free of his invisible bonds, allowing him to leap to the air and dodge the attack as it explodes. Cell appears behind him as Piccolo protected himself from the shower of debris colliding with him. Cell wrapped his arms around the unaware Piccolo, and his tail moves to stab into his chest. Instead Piccolo moved quickly to get his arm in the way, Cell draining a portion from Piccolo before he roared out and broke the hold and the two separate. Piccolo one arm down and a portion of his life force taken.
Piccolo feigned defeat, and Cell was played into his hand. The future threat explained that he was a forgotten creation of Dr. Gero, an experiment that would take too long to complete. But his super computer continued working hard on the completion of said being, but was unable to be completed. It was explained to Cell that he needed Androids 17 and 18 to become perfect, but in his time they were deactivated by the efforts of entities known as Rave, Riot, and Rebel. But with the time machine used by the woman known as Rave, he was able to go back in time to when the androids were available. Now it was only a matter of time for him to absorb them. Piccolo asking how he feels like all the others, Cell explaining that the small robot that Gero used were still about and collecting DNA and data to help him make the perfect being.
Piccolo then mocked as he pulled off his desiccated limb, and allowed himself to regenerate. Would be amused by this, but instead his eyes widened as he was cut in half. Krillin had tossed a Ki-enzan as he saw Piccolo in trouble. The small human had decided to make a bee line to the fight when he felt the merged Namekian's power dropping suddenly. Another already prepared and thrown to slice the creatures head off its body. Piccolo remarking that he was not expecting Krillin to show, but glad he did now instead of sooner. The two looked to the creature that seemed to be bleeding out, Piccolo thinking it seemed that he did not get his regeneration which was thankful. He would be a pain if he did. Vegeta and Ashe soon appeared, wishing to know how Piccolo had gotten so powerful. It explained about the merger, then Piccolo informed of Cell and his plan, but that it no longer mattered with his death.
The group soon returned to their search of the Androids, knowing a greater threat was killed before it could become an issue. But as they split away to take on the lesser threats, Vegeta annoyed he did not get a greater challenge now. Cell's body laid to rest, held off its regeneration tell it sensed they were far away. ~I have to use up to much Biomass for this, damn human. I will make sure to absorb him next!~ It thought, his head connected to his body, then his upper half and lower half. His limbs that were removed, his tail connected. ~Nothing will stop me from becoming Perfect.~ He thought, when he felt a stabbing pain in his back.
"Hello… weakling." Cell turned, only to see a mirror reflection. "Looks like you failed to get the job done… then again who am I to talk. I made the same mistake on my turn." The new cell chuckled as he drained his past self's form of all its collected life energy as well as its own. The new cell then rotated his neck with a smile. "Now… to find the androids before they are destroyed this time. Should I kill Vegeta now? No… I have time…" Cell began to calculate as he knew the fighter now thought him dead, and allowed him to take his time to gather more life force. He began to move, as if knowing where his targets would be next… headed toward Roshi's home.
-A day following-
Piccolo had joined the search for the androids, and no luck in finding them. The fighters had returned home to try to find any hint of the androids, but the three did not cause a big enough commotion that would pull their attention. The two human based androids only having a little fun on their way and enjoying the small stops… well 17 was, 18 was complaining with how slow everything was going, but had given in to her brother's demand for a 'road trip.' Krillin had stayed at Capsule Corp as Gohan had still not returned and left the house completely undefended, Piccolo had gone off to find Gohan directly. Piccolo felt as someone that has been around him for a majority of his growing years, he might be the best at understanding what the boy needed.
The location of the Androids changed abruptly though. As Krillin sipped on coffee given to him from Bulma's mother, a strange delivery van stopped before them. The human was confused as it did not look like a Capsule Corp van. Then he noticed a young woman with short blond hair, and a boy with identical black hair leave, then a giant of a man with a Mohawk of red. No product, no official uniform… not tell Krillin noticed the Red Ribbon Logo on 16's chest. His eyes widened, as he was alone and all three androids were here. "Everyone! Stay in the house. Do not go outside." Krillin said, the last defense for his best friend's family home. The bald human left the safety of his somewhat hidden location, and planted himself before the three. He could feel the dread of death looming over him as he did.
"Hey there short-stack. This is Goku's home." 17 asked with a smile and leaned over with a whistle. "I thought doctor's information on him would have him living out in the middle of nowhere."
"Goku's home is provided by the Briefs family, world renowned scientific minds and thought to be the richest family. Goku and Bulma consummated before marriage and began their relationship." 16 then stated, looking about as he noticed many small animals kept as pets by the Briefs.
"Well aren't you a wealth of knowledge, but I was asking the midget." 17 said as he stood straight. "It is rude to interrupt."
Krillin hated being spoken to as if he was not there, but these beings could tear him apart. "What is it you want?" He spoke quickly, and hoped to get them to at least leave the home alone.
"We are looking for Goku, is he home?" 17 asked as he walked closer. "And watch your tone, I am trying to be polite." He warned, his voice dropping to be more intimidating.
Krillin's body entered a battle stance, only for 17 to laugh at. "Goku is not here, his Ki signature is not in the Capsule Corp. He must have moved in our time to come here."
"16, buddy. I just said I am talking to this guy." 17 shook his head. "Well… is my friend correct."
"Your right, Goku is not here… he was moved to another place." Krillin said as he felt uneasy by 17's cold stare down, but held his ground.
"Sounds to me like you know where he is." 17 said as he stepped closer. "You want to tell me?"
"I will not! Even if it kills me." Krillin instinctively closed his eyes and readied himself for a beating. Instead he could just feel their eyes on him.
"Well you heard him, Goku's gone and no hint on where he went. Can we go now?" 18 said as she leaned onto the van slightly.
"Goku had most likely gone to one of two locations. Roshi's Island location, or his old home in the mountains. Both are the same direction." 16 said as he looked in the direction to go. "Both locations have a within 5% chance of being correct."
"Sounds like the bloodhound caught the scent." 17 chuckled as he walked back to his companions, Krillin confused by being left alone. "Which one do we go to? Or do we split up?"
"Splitting up would provide the most benefit, chances of success increase as our power is wasted when gathered as we are." 16 turned to Krillin. "There is also a chance that they may try to come back."
"What's the chance of that happening?" 18 asked as she looked at her nails in boredom.
16 remained quiet for a moment. "11.3%, increasing chances as more members of the family being located here." He finally finished calculated.
"Good, then I am staying here." She lifted from her leaned stature and pushed her hair to the side. Krillin both scared and admired the beauty of the android woman, somewhat kicking himself mentally for having a thing for a girl trying to kill his best friend.
"Come on 18, we can't just wait here." 17 showed obvious annoyance in her.
"I never said we, I said I. You two go, I have been stuck in a van with mister terminator and my own brother for days. I need to stretch my legs and get away from you two for at least an hour. You two go." 18 waved her hand as if to shoo them off absentminded.
"Whatever, come one 16." 17 motioned for 16 to follow, the red haired androids stared at Krillin with oddly soft eyes. The two take off into the sky and begin their journey by air for the two locations Goku could be staying at for safety.
18 waved goodbye to her brother before she turned to Krillin. Her cold stare hit the little man to the bone, she walked closer and soon the man was leaning back as she leaned forward. "You mind showing me to the restroom, I haven't had a decent mirror and can almost feel my hair being in the wrong place."
And so, this chapter ends with the Androids being found, but Krillin is alone with one of them now! What is the plan for the blonde android, is it nefarious or is she truly not evil like Kami once claimed? And with the coming of a second Cell, what will his knowledge of the future bring? Let's see what the next chapter brings!