-Gero's lab-

The silent cave felt like it mourned its creator, crushed on the floor of the ground. Steps of a future creation made itself known as the door was forced open wider. The semi-perfect body of cell looked over the many computers and open pods of the androids. Cell placed his hand against 18's and smiled. "Soon…" his voice sinister as he could not wait for his perfection, not even caring to fully understand the power he had now. His tail then shifted and opened as it placed itself over the exposed decomposing brain of the good doctor, and began to absorb it. "Hello… Dr. Gero. I am glad you're in better condition this time, I barely had fragments before." Cell spoke to himself, as memories and details flashed into his mind. Creation of the androids, pass codes, and even his own voice. His large imposing body walked with purpose toward another wall, and removed a hidden panel. He entered into the hidden keypad a code locked in Gero's memories. "Pass code, Scarlet." Gero's voice exited the creature's lips, the key pad showing access granted.

A ladder soon showed access to the hidden labs in the basement. Cell skipped the ladder though, and instead just flew down the narrow passage, his feet landing down as the lab began to power up. Lights activating as a defense laser charged to fire at Cell, but He acted like he dealt with it before and fired a finger beam into it quickly. "Computer, deactivate security. Scan and identify me." He called. The room began to beam and click as series of red beams of light went over his body.

"Audio activated, Scan complete. Paradox Error. Detecting combine cell structure of project cell, both inactive in stasis pod from larval state, as well as active in stage four development. Near perfected state achieved." A monotone voice of a woman came out of the speakers. "Monitoring of android 17 has ceased, have you by chance absorbed him?"

"That is right computer, or should I call you mother? After all, I exist only because of all your hard work." Cell said grinning as he stepped forward. "I come from the future, technically twice from the future. My most recent past self proves to be… ineffective. So, I learned through others how to better myself… by forcing them to teach me."

"Please explain, Data could be valuable to completing future projects."

"Oh, I will explain, but only if you show me the location and monitoring of android 18. She was not where she was supposed to be." Cell's voice took an annoyed turn, his steps grew closer to the screens. "She was supposed to have left with 17 to Roshi's but something is different in this timeframe."

"18 is located in West City, currently with genetic marker Krillin. Age 31, one of human's most powerful fighters. Had decided to not travel with 17 due to… annoyance of his childish games and wishing to be entertained by Krillin. Had come in contact with offspring of Son Goku and Bulma Briefs, now known as Trunks." The computer announced as the screen of her visuals appeared for Cell.

"So, this timeline she simply decided to stay. A coin flip of a single choice can be altered by nothing by a fickle woman's choice. Or was there something more?" Cell placed his hand to his chin as he attempted to figure his next move. It was obvious he needed to go to west city, but there was a chance she would move again just because she could. "You have not been informing them of this monitoring, correct?"

"Correct, I would not inform defective product of such things."

"So, you find them to be defective?" Cell questions with a small grin.

"Yes." The computer simply answered. "Now… please explain the events that brought you here."

"Very well. I will keep it brief. In my timeline, I was cut down by Krillin while I explained to Piccolo my grand existence… a bravado that was found in Vegeta I am sure. I regenerated as Piccolo showed his ability to do so, but I repressed it tell they left. I then began to skulk around to gather strength, needing it to be able to deal with the fighters if needed. But it turns out that Vegeta and his daughter from the future had some sort of training that made them more powerful. 17 and 18 killed the fighters left at Roshi's, but when Vegeta showed to the battle with his mate and minion at their home… he proved powerful enough to destroy both. This left me only able to obtain my stage three form." Cell clenched his new fists in annoyance of his own failure.

"But I had absorbed enough people slowly that the fighters did not catch on. I attacked Capsule Corp while Goku and Gohan had trained somewhere, and stole the time machine they found from my first coming. I then found you, you rebuilt it and charged the time machine. Meanwhile, I gathered more life force energy. All the way to the point I was a little more powerful thank this body had, after absorbing all the fighters left in that timeline. I left none of the fighters in that timeline, as I knew I would need a massive amount of life force. I had you send me back again, to a time before I failed. I reverted back to my egg stasis once more before of the issue of size in the time machine."

"But if you were sent back to just before your failure… I see, you used the Bio mass accumulated as a rapid regrowth. Thus, losing all the power you gained. Just to be back to square one." The computer calculated.

"That is correct. Before leaving though, I studied the monitoring you did… again and again. Tell I memorized their movements. You can understand the frustration it is to have everything in place, for it all fall apart."

"I do not. My plans, thus far, have shown to be going perfectly. You have almost obtained perfection." The computer announced.

"Ah, good point. Then I should head to West City to go become perfect." Cell said grinning.

"Yes." The computer announced, Cell glad to have gotten the location of his dear sister and left the computer to continue its work, allowing it to finish another imperfect cell so he had something of a baby brother… or a pet. The computer though had other plans it seemed. The small group data gather robots being created once more by his miniature factory. "Become perfect… so that your aligned cell structure can be used for my next project. Stage 7 of a complete perfect warrior, in progress." The computer then shut down audio once more, sending out data to the other super computers for the update.

-Time Chamber-

It had been 9 months in the chamber for Vegeta and Ashe. The two of them had pushed themselves into Ascended form, and were currently working on perfecting the new stage of power. Vegeta believed he had found the only power he needed to defeat the androids, and Ashe keeping up only made sure that he had a capable partner to make sure he stayed surpassed Tarble and Kakarot. The two found it enjoyable to train together, Ashe did not complain and seemed to have the same drive to make herself better and better. They also both find the Ultra state, massively bulking up. Vegeta, because of becoming closer to his future daughter because of mutual mentality, explains that it's a form that actually does not provide enough benefit. Ashe being taught its weakness in battle as she uses it against Ascended Vegeta and is beaten by being out paced as well by losing to much stamina to quick. The next three months was just an excuse to keep pushing each other to new levels, to see just how strong they could become.

-West city-

For most of the day, 18 had led Krillin through the city. Forced sit while 18 picked new cloths to try on, but far to scared that she might do something horrible if he was to try to leave. She picked a nice place to eat, Krillin remarked that he had no money to actually pay for anything. But that issue was resolved, as a street fighter was calling all challengers for a prize money. 18 simply walked up and stepped up to the fighter, remarking that her friend would accept his challenge. Krillin at this moment did not seem like much of a fighter, but as an adult in a Gi proved he might have potential. The street fighter, accepting all challengers, remarks that because he does not have money that if he loses… that 18 will go on a date with him. Krillin could almost feel 18's glare shift to the man, Krillin standing before her to try and calm her down. 18 then responded with "deal" and looked to him, a look that informed him be better not throw the fight. Krillin gulped in worry and nodded.

The fighter started quick, punching into Krillin's body. But the Ki trained warrior felt nothing, his eyes focused on the plain human fighter. He simply swiped his hand, knocking the hand to the side and opening the guard. Krillin then tapped his fist to the fighter's chin, as the man's eyes rolled back and went unconscious. When this happens, someone called Krillin a cheater and the fighter's friends stood. A small dojo of fighters now stood around Krillin, the miniature man tried to pacify the crowed. But one large man moved to attack, Krillin entered a defensive stance. But then 18 appeared and held the man's fist in her grasp, a small smile as her grip tightened and the man yelled. She remarks that if they wish to not leave with broken limbs, they will leave all their cash behind. As a warning of her strength, she swung the larger fighter into the air and then into his own friends. The blonde bombshell then leaned forward; her hand outstretched with a coy smile. The fighters placed their wallets to the ground and ran for their lives, Android 18 pulled out their cards and cash but left behind the wallets. A simple turn to Krillin, holding up the cash and said "looks like I got desert."

The two continued to enjoy the day and into the night, 18 forced Krillin into a club as well and was surprised he was so capable to keep up with her. Krillin just chuckled that it is thanks to his training. When asking him to dance, he admits to not knowing, which 18 just grabs his hand and forces him into the dance floor. It was fun putting him in awkward positions, and giving him no escape. Their night paid for by the random fighters, 18 having no care of how much she paid for. And continued into the night and into the morning. Only then noticing her brother had not returned and was confused by this. Krillin said it is possible that they got lost on the way there, admitting that is what he hopes. 18 comments it would be better to hope they beat her brother, it means Goku is safe for now. Krillin snapping at that comment with "I rather no one had to die because of some old man's grudge." 18 surprised by his sudden aggression toward her cold comment. But before she could appreciate it to much, a large figure landed down on top of a car before them.

"Hello Sister." The creature remarked; his gaze turned to Krillin. "I don't think I approve of your date… he does not live up to my standards." Cell said as his tail lifted up, thinking to himself that this killed two birds with one stone. He could get even with Krillin and become perfect.

"You know him?" Krillin said as he took a fighting stance, feeling he looked familiar.

"Not a clue." 18 said as she took her own stance.

"Now sister, that hurts… and after getting to know your brother so… Intimately." Cell's voice changed to 17's for the last word, making the two fighters before him surprised. "Come 18, let us become one… join Cell and become perfect." 17's voice continued. "It is what Master Gero would ask for."

"I don't know what you are, but there is no way 17 or I would call Gero 'Master.' What did you do to 17?" 18 yelled as her face became one of anger, ready to preform a killing strike if needed.

"The same thing I am going to do to you. I absorbed him." Cell remarked as his tail lifted up, Krilling reminded of the Cell creature.

There was an instant that the tail lashed forward, attempting to grab 18. Instead the female was pushed away and instead Krillin was captured in the tail. The smaller human looked to her, his face did not have fear but concern. "RUN!" He yelled out as his head was taken in the tail. 18's eyes widened as the man she was teasing all night and forcing to entertain her… just saved her life. 18 did as she was told, Cell appeared in front of her in an instant with a smile showing she had no chance of escape.

"HAAAA!" A sudden yell, Raditz appears next to Cell in a blink of the eye. Yurin used her own teleportation magic to place him next to her. Point blank, in his ascended form now that he was healed from his defeat by 16, he fired a blast into the unknown monster. Cell only forced back by the sudden strike due to it being a surprise. "You, run now." Raditz ordered, knew that if he tried to gather energy to kill her that Cell would just kill him first. 18 nodded and ran the other direction. Raditz mentally apologized to the people of the city, as he fired another blast into Cell to force him back. Each one became less and less effective, as Cell grew more and more pissed. Even with his newest Zenkai, it was not enough to keep above Cell's strength it seemed. Cell soon placed slammed into Raditz, and sent him through the street and crashed into cars and buildings.

18, due to her not giving out a ki power for Cell to follow, tried to move as fast as she could. The massive energy attacks only proved to her that this was a fight that was going to grow more destructive. That is when 16 appeared before her. "Oh, thank god, 16. Some crazy thing showed up, said he absorbed 17. He is after me now it seems. He took the little guy."

"Yes, computer system update obtained. Assist Cell's perfection." 16 said as his large hands grabbed 18 and pinning her arms to her side. Her eyes looked at him as his eyes had a flash of red. "Let us return you to Cell."

"16, you traitor!" 18 screamed as she tried to break free. But the pure robot was built more powerful then herself. Each kick only seemed to be a minor annoyance to the hulking man.

"I have no loyalty to you, only to Dr. Gero's goals. Mission changed by him directly." 16 said as he began to fly toward the growing destruction.

"Dr. Gero is dead!" 18 screamed at him.

"Confirmed… Error… Gero requested update after death. Must correct error, override mission statement. Disconnect direct access." 16 suddenly stopped, his hands letting go of 18. "I apologize. I could not decline update to program… but it appears… I have no mission statement now."

"What? Does that mean."

"I have no reason to pursue Son Goku, I have no directive."

"Well if you want one, I want to try and save Krillin. He was absorbed by that monster. He saved me at his own risk." 18 motioned toward Cell.

16 looked at 18, then flew passed her. "Confirmed, save the one known as Krillin. 18, you should continue to run. Seek Goku, he may be the only one capable of saving you." 16 said before he burst down toward the city.

Cell slammed another blow into Raditz's stomach who returned the favor with a heavy blow. The city collapsing beside them as they returned blow for blow. "Your resistance is pointless." Cell said as his tail lifted, only for it to be grabbed.

"I believe that is my line." 16 spoke before pulling Cell away from Raditz and whipped him to the ground. "I would retreat." The robot said, pulling off both hands and pointed the two energy cannons down. "Inferno Blast!" He fired both energy cannons into the ground. Cell's eyes widened as he was forced into the ground, the ground erupting with pillars of light and energy seeking to escape and caused the city to fall in on itself. 16 then placed his hands back, Raditz amazed that he was not fighting with the same Robot that took him out. He had taken to the sky before 16 had fired the blast and watched as West city was falling in on itself. He knew his sister-in-law was nearby, placing his scouter to his ear. "Androids fighting weird thing, Krillin is missing, I am going to Bulma to get the family away. Ask Yurin to prepare a mass teleport." The saiyan burst for his family's home before worrying to try and keep fighting the creature.

-Look out-

The time chamber's doors open slowly and a well trained Vegeta and Ashe left. Her hair had grown longer, and tied in a tight bun. Bulma had left to deliver new armors, which saved her from the danger. But she was being informed of the sudden danger to her home, Goku, Gohan and her worry that her parents and Trunk would be harmed. Yurin allowing them to calm down by informing that Raditz is going to make sure they are fine, and to bring them to the lookout as well. Tarble directs Goku and Gohan to get into the chamber in case Vegeta and Ashe are not enough, this irritating the two of them and caused both to rush toward the threat at full speed. Goku and Gohan thought to hold back and see if they were needed, but Tarble reminds that they are no where close to being able to help. Raditz being sent only because he had obtained a form, they all thought was a theory and proved it to them before being teleported. Goku and Gohan agreeing and entering the chamber to try to ascend as well.

Vegeta and Ashe are on their way, 16's system seems to have reset for a strange reason but was able to clear his programming before making an error. But now he fights the beast by himself, will 16 keep the advantage? Will he find a way to save Krillin? If not, will Vegeta and Ashe's new strength be enough to best Cell? Lets see what next chapter has for us!