17 was standing below him, Cell licked his lips and smiled from his position high above. He had found only one of the androids, but it would do for now. His energy was low, and it appeared the saiyan was a lot stronger than he expected. One would do just fine.
Landing in front of him with full force, sending rock showering everywhere, Cell enjoyed the look on 17's face. Both of them jerked their heads to the side as they felt Goku flying in from the side. Cursing his luck, Cell prepared to try and absorb 17 before Goku arrived, but then fate intervened.
Three blurs of motion shot out from the mountainside, two catching Cell and propelling him into the opposing rockface. The third was aimed for Goku, who barely ducked out of the way. Whirling, Cell dislodged both of his attackers and dived for 17 once again. Seeing him, the android struck the cliff behind him, sending a veritable avalanche down on Cell. He deflected the rocks easily, but 17 had already escaped into the lab.
Before he could follow, Cell found his way blocked by what appeared to be two humans.
"Out of my way!" he hissed. "Do you want to die?"
"I'd ask the same thing of you," the first form said in a toneless voice. The two made a stark contrast, the first sticking out as a dark black, while the other was nearly unnoticeable. Wearing a white gi over pale skin and pure white hair, he seemed to blend into the background if Cell didn't keep his eyes on him.
"Fools! I can't even feel your kis, you're so weak!"
"Perhaps that's because we're androids," the dark one said, smirking.
"This is my partner, #22," the first intoned. "I am 00. We cannot allow you to harm 17."
"Don't bite off more than you can chew, small fry," Cell hissed, firing a ki blast at both of them. 22 was catapulted backward, and 00 just barely wove out of the way. Before either of them could react further, Cell leaped forward and hammered them both with a double kick. Android 22 went flying, slamming into a rock face. Following up with a punch, Cell failed to realize that 00 was still mobile and received a series of biting kicks from the side. Righting himself, he off the side of the rock face, driving 00 back and getting away from the recovering 22.
Getting to his feet and hurling 00 away, Cell faced off with both of them again, and slowly smirked.
Righting himself in the air, Goku turned to face his attacker, who slowly turned to gaze emotionlessly at him. Again his opponent charged, but Goku blocked the kick with his foot and caught his hand. Before he could go further Goku slammed his head forward into his opponent's chest, sending the android, whoever he was, falling to the ground. Catching himself, the android leaped up at him again.
Avoiding the attack, Goku used Instant Transmission instead of attacking further. Disoriented, his opponent fired ki blasts randomly where he felt Goku's ki but Goku merely continued teleporting. Whipping a hand through the air, Goku hit the android from behind with a slicing energy attack.
Slowly flying up to Goku's level again, his opponent glanced up at him and smiled cruelly, brushing aside long black hair.
"I'm impressed. I can't find you in my programming anywhere. Who are you?"
"Programming? Most of the androids were built to destroy me personally, how can't you know me?"
"Built?" His opponent's smile widened. "I was never built."
"What do you mean?"
"Stop being evasive! Who are you?"
"My name is Goku. What about you?"
"Android 23. Now that we've exchanged pleasantries, let's get down to business."
Goku realized he had been shortsighted as 23 launched a massive wave of ki his way; ki that he had apparently been charging while they spoke. Bracing himself he concentrated and forced it to flow around him instead of striking him. Then he hurled himself forward, slamming 23 with his shoulder.
23 attempted to hit him, but Goku caught his hand and swung him around, hurling 23 downward. Dust exploded up from the point of contact, and Goku looked down carefully. Deep below, obscured by dust, 23 charged an attack and then launched it directly upward. Smirking, he looked carefully for the charred heap of his opponent. For one instant he felt the ki that was behind him, and then a foot hit him from behind, sending him further away. Flying uncontrolled through the air, he fell victim to another of Goku's punches and then hit the ground, collapsing.
Watching around him carefully, Cell waited for both his opponents to attack. In a coordinated attack, 00 attacked from the front and 22 flew toward him from behind. Cell deflected 00's fists with his own, and his tail flashed dangerously, forcing 22 to call off his attack. Only momentarily put off, 22 attacked him again, only to have his blows fended off by the flashing tail.
Though they weren't strong enough to beat him, Cell knew he was tired from his fight with Goku. Whirling, he smacked 00 directly with his tail and deflected 22's attacks. Suddenly alone, 22 launched an energy burst directly at his opponent, who promptly wasn't there. A metallic flash struck him from behind.
When 00 made his way back to the fight, he saw Cell draining 22 from existence. Gritting his teeth, 00 charged, but realized he was far too late. Now revitalized, Cell batted him aside, sending him crashing down into the hills below.
Before Goku could end the fight, 23 charged. For a brief instant Goku was puzzled, as it would be a poor attack, until he realized his opponent was actually attempting to reach the other battle. At the same time, 00 launched a massive energy beam toward Cell. The attack did little damage, but while Cell was distracted, 00 leaped to the armor of the fallen 22. It lifted off the ground and seemed to fuse into him, and 00's skin glowed with a brilliant light. His clothes suddenly shifted to a dark blue, and Goku felt the energy around him rise significantly.
"I am now Ultimate 00!" the android said, his voice seemingly louder than it should have been. "You fools cannot defeat me!"
Cell immediately launched hundreds of ki blasts toward him. Ultimate 00 easily avoided them, coming closer and closer and then slamming Cell backward. Hitting the rock face and falling, Cell barely managed to avoid having his head crushed by 00's stomp.
None of this registered to Goku, however, who had other things on his mind at the moment. 23 bent down beside what remained of 22 and touched him, and then energy began to flow between them. The point where his fingers touched grew brighter and brighter, and energy flew up 23's arm. His long black hair shimmered, and his frontmost locks became solid silver.
"Such power," he chuckled softly, then looked up and realized Goku had not merely been watching. Directly above him, Goku slammed his fists into the back of 23's head, knocking him into the ground. The area around seemed to rumble and a second later 23 shot out of the rock, blasting rubble all around him. Spinning rapidly, he arced nearer Goku, who skimmed backward to avoid the attack.
Gathering energy over his head, 23 hurled it down. Goku deflected the attack to the side then slid forward. Barely moving his elbow down in time, 23 blocked the attack, then attacked more ferociously than before, pressing Goku to defend.
Across the battlefield, Cell fired a Special Beam Cannon, which 00 promptly jumped over, delivering a solid kick to his chin. Catching himself, Cell knocked 00 backward briefly, but then both massive arms caught him from both sides and crushed him against the massive android in a deadly bear hug.
Blasting energy around himself, Cell knocked the android away, giving him some desperately needed breathing room. 00 chuckled tonelessly. Behind him, Cell noticed Goku knuckle 23 hard enough to blast him away, then fire an attack toward both of them. Rolling to the side, Cell left a bemused 00 to be blasted full on by the massive blast. Both androids flew into the air and righted themselves, not yet coming back.
Goku and Cell glanced at each other suspiciously.
"A temporary truce?" Cell asked, glaring at the saiyan before him. Goku's eyes tightened, but he nodded.
"Until we end this android threat. Then I have something to settle with you."
"Right. Whatever." Cell turned to face the oncoming androids.
Firing together, Cell and Goku launched a gigantic Kamehameha that overcame both androids, blasting them backward. Leaping forward before Cell could, Goku kicked 23 again, but his second kick was blocked. From beside Goku, 00 launched a haymaker into his jaw. Cell chose that moment to come in, knocking 00 away and using his foot to kick 23 further downward. An energy blast came in response from the android, and it stunned Cell a second, allowing 00 to hammer him downward.
Hitting the ground, Cell looked up at 00, whose foot was coming down toward him. Goku fired energy from the side, knocking him off course, then flew at 23, who barely avoided the attacks coming his way. Attacking a disoriented 00, Cell sliced a nasty gash across his chest with his tail. Falling back, 00 grimaced as Cell smirked, watching him.
Flying to the side, Goku avoided another of 23's attacks, then responded with one effectively placed kick that sent him backward. Unable to stabilize in time, 23 was blasted by another attack. Generating energy, 23 launched a massive ball of ki toward Goku, who barely caught the attack against himself in time. Keeping it from incinerating him, Goku slowly pushed the attack away and then back on 23, who fell back and lay still.
Cell's cocky grin slowly faded as 00 gasped in pain and then gritted his teeth. Slowly the gash in his chest closed together and became whole once again, then 00 smirked at him.
"I am the Ultimate Android!" 00 hissed. "Did you re-"
He cut off abruptly as Goku's fist came down on him hard from behind and he collapsed. Running forward, Cell sliced briefly, ending whatever life remained within him. For a brief time, both of them just stood there, breathing heavily after the fight.
"You know," Goku panted, "you did a pretty good job there!"
"Yeah, you too." Cell smiled cruelly and held both his hands up. "Solar Flare!"
Grabbing his eyes in pain, Goku stumbled backward. Cell laughed and flew off once again toward the lab. A brief while later Goku blinked the lines from his eyes, flew into the air and followed in hot pursuit.
Racing over the ground, Cell quickly turned on his inward sensors and tried to find either of the original androids. Far too much time had been wasted fighting these new androids. He hadn't thought he had a way to get around Goku, but for now he had the advantage. His window of opportunity was too small for his taste, however.
At last getting a reading, he flew toward the site. It was 17 again, but that was fine with him. Either one worked, as long as he could do it soon. Arriving directly over the location, Cell looked around for the android and failed to see anyone. Now what was going on? In frustration, Cell dived directly downward and hoped that there was part of the lab beneath him or something.
Rock and meter splintered by him as he dove through the ground and unexpectedly broke through in a larger cavern than he knew existed. What immediately caught his attention was 17, who was standing beside a bluish portal, looking curiously at it. 17 immediately fired a blast his way, but Cell merely deflected it off to the side. As he attacked, Cell was knocked off course by someone who leaped from the shadows. Throwing him off, Cell angrily poured a massive amount of energy into an attack that blasted whoever this new fighter was away.
17 attempted to attack him and Cell easily evaded his punch and then backhanded him with just enough electrical power to knock him out. Raising his tail to absorb him, Cell was surprised as a hand suddenly reached out from the portal and grabbed his tail, then an attack blasted him backward, sending him into the wall nearby. Deciding not to get up, Cell watched the portal carefully.
A female form stepped through shortly and glanced around. She turned to glance upward, where the android Cell had blasted returned to the ground, landing softly. His clothing was a bizarre combination of purple and red, his hair a startling green.
"24, report," she said simply, brushing back brown hair. The android nodded.
"As far as I know, Unit 17 is still secure. Cell is in the area and still at large. There appears to be a saiyan in the area, with some power."
"Why hasn't this been taken care of?"
"00, 23 and 22 have all been destroyed. I could not discover by whom."
Gathering energy, Cell launched a Kamehameha at them. 24 was hit dead on and blasted into the sky, but the other android jumped from the blast, barely avoiding the edge of it. Stalling for time, Cell smirked at her.
"Well, who could this be?"
She turned to him, eyes narrowed. "Android 21. I'm the leader of this expedition here. You will have to be destroyed immediately."
"Well," Cell smirked, then leaped forward, slamming the portal closed. "What do you think of that?"
21 responded by launching a haymaker into his jaw, sending him flying backward, crashing through support beams above. Coming out over ground level, Cell launched an attack that demolished the lab area below. His head jerked forward from a kick from the returning 24, who attacked again, forcing Cell to retreat. Before Cell could attack again, 24's hand morphed into a boomerang like weapon, which he hurled at Cell.
Ducking, Cell slid forward in the air, knocking 24 down a bit. The android evaded his follow up attack and leaped into the air, catching his hand when it circled around. As they fought, the pile of rubble behind them cracked and split open, and 21 flew out easily, setting down the unconscious 17. Flying into the fray, 21 attack with a vicious series of blows. Now seriously out-manned, Cell began to go on the defensive, just trying to stay away from them. He was still weakened from his last fight, but both of them were fresh.
The white body of 00 lay still, not sensing the energy that blasted near by it. It was just as oblivious as a shadowed figure walked over to it and bent down. A flash of silver lit the arena for its unseeing eyes and then 00 faded from existence. Turning, the form flew off.
Considering strategy, Cell took his mind off the fight for a brief instant, and 21 hit him, throwing him off balance. 24 took advantage of his weakness by landing a haymaker on him, one that sent him down. Getting to his feet, Cell looked up in time to have both of 24's boomerang hands hit him, driving him backward. Flying alongside him, 21 launched a series of punches he couldn't avoid, dealing some heavy damage. Catching himself with one foot on the ground, Cell pivoted, sending 21 flying as his foot crashed into her face.
Leaping into the air, he barely avoided 24's dive to where he had been moments before. Hovering, Cell turned to face both of them, hoping they'd give him some breathing room before they attacked again. No such luck. 21 charged instantly, but before she covered half the distance she suddenly seemed to alter course and crashed into the rocks below. The next instant Cell realized that Goku had kicked her and was once again on the field.
For a brief instant Goku looked directly at Cell, his gaze piercing him to the core, but then he turned and attacked a startled 24. The android dodged and wove, but soon made an error and was sent catapulting backward. Getting up, he smirked at Goku.
"So you're the saiyan who's been meddling in our affairs. Well, I think it's time I end that."
Attacking, 24's cocky grin slowly faded as Goku easily fielded every one of his strikes, then grabbed his wrist on one punch. Pushing him backward, Goku let 24 fall briefly before flying behind him and delivering a solid kick. 21 was back in the action and flew in from the side, sending him spinning, but he righted himself and avoided her next attack.
Trying to fly back into the action, 24 was intercepted by Cell, who kicked him to the side and followed up with a blast. As they fought each other, Goku squared off with 21. Spinning rapidly, she kicked at him repeatedly, but somehow he remained untouched and launched a blast directly at her face.
Tumbling back, 21 launched a blast his way, which he deflected. Charging forward, both of them clashed together, then fell toward the Earth. Twisting in flight, Goku grabbed her hair and used it to catapult her into the nearby rocks. Shaking herself, 21 attacked again, only to find Goku behind her. Barely blocking his kick, she turned and the battle began again.
Getting a brief break, Goku surprised 21 by flying directly backward, crashing into 24. Left without an attack to counter, she was surprised long enough for Goku to smash 24 into a cliff face. Having a bit of breathing room, Cell deflected the energy attack she launched at them and then attacked in a series of deadly tail strikes that forced 21 slowly back.
Leaping, 24 fired one of his hands once more. Goku ducked backward, the whirling blade nearly touching his face. Taken by surprise, Goku didn't counter, but instead deflected the next energy shot 24 sent his way. The boomerang arced around, hewed through solid rock and returned to 24, who caught it. Pulling himself together, Goku charged and kicked 24 directly, knocking him back, perfectly vulnerable for a knife hand that dropped him to the ground.
Transforming both his hands, 24 fired them at Goku. This time the saiyan was more prepared for the attack and caught both blades between his fingers. 24 gasped, and then screamed as Goku snapped both of the blades. Unable to concentrate, the android failed to notice Goku dive into the ground. An energy blast burst up from beneath 24, frying the android to a blackened crisp. From the tunnel beneath him, Goku floated up and then flew to the 21 battle.
Launching a wild energy attack, Cell forced Goku to dodge to avoid it. While both of them were distracted, he dived away from them, toward the fallen 17. Sensing danger, though not realizing the reason, Goku attempted to get in his way, but 21 took the opportunity to slam him from the side, sending him tumbling. Cell landed beside 17. His tail expanded into a giant suction tube and 17 was sucked inside. There was a brilliant flash of light and Cell changed, becoming uglier than ever. He gained a few inches, and the two prongs on his head tightened and got closer to his head. Morphing, his face changed and gained fat, blubbery lips.
Charging at Goku, he slammed him into the cliff face again, where Goku got an excellent view of another transformation. 21 ripped off her outer brown cloak and energy collected around her. Cell attacked, but without warning green flames engulfed her, sending Cell reeling back.
"You fool, I have reached my semi-perfect form, you stand no chance!" Cell mocked. 21 smirked.
"I don't believe you understand the sort of power I possess."
"You speak well, but how well do you fight?"
As both powered up fighters charged and attacked each other, Goku got up and dusted himself off. Both attacks in succession had been painful, but they were ignoring him now, so he had a bit of time to recover. In the meantime, Cell stabbed with his tail and was shocked when the android grabbed it and then returned with a painful kick to the side of the head.
Jumping back and ripping his tail out of her hands, Cell was prepared as she flew directly behind him. Pivoting, he fired an energy blast that hit her directly, and responded with a dual kick. For an instant he couldn't find his opponent anywhere, and then a series of spinning kicks to the back of his head made that all very clear. He fell to the ground, allowing her to follow after him, then launched a beam up, blasting her away.
Following up his attack, he was surprised to see her mostly recovered and ready for him. Her fist sent him flying back down the way he had came. Hitting the ground with surprising force, Cell got to his feet, but not quickly enough. 21's foot crushed down on his back, and Cell gasped in pain.
Flying from the side, Goku delivered a flying kick to Android 21, who had been oblivious to his presence. Reaching down, Goku helped Cell back up, his eyes searching.
"Truce?"
"Fine." Cell muttered, watching as 21 attacked once again. Both of them sped out of the way in opposite directions. Flipping backward, Goku knocked 21 off balance, leaving Cell time to plow into her from the side. Staggering, 21 gained her balance in time to avoid both their next attacks. Leaping away from the combat, 21 fired a constant stream of energy blasts toward them.
Dodging them easily, Goku waited until he sensed 21 was starting to overheat. Cell was clipped by one blast and several more drove him into a pile of rubble. Using Instant Transmission, Goku got behind 21 and got off a perfect haymaker. Falling forward and turning, 21 lunged at him.
Barely avoiding the shot, Goku used her own momentum to hurl her onward, then as she turned and came back at him, hit her directly with a roundhouse kick. Diving toward her, Goku got off one punch, but she blocked his second and then her elbow sent him crashing into the ground. A beam sliced in from the side and 21 fell off course again. Cell emerged from the rubble, now looking ticked off. Momentarily distracted, 21 fell victim to Goku's next attack.
Falling back, 21 took a hard hit from Cell and catapulted into the air again. Unable to slow her momentum, she flew directly toward Goku, who kicked her again, slamming her into the ground. Getting up and flying backward, the android faced off with both of them, now barely standing.
Smirking, Cell began to gather energy.
"You were a fool to try and fight us," he hissed mockingly, folding his hands into the well known Kamehameha position.
"Who are you?" 21 gasped, looking at both of them.
"I am the ultimate creation of Dr. Gero!" Cell laughed, slowing his charging a brief moment, reveling in victory. "I was created using the cells of all the greatest warriors the galaxy has seen. This alone makes me far stronger than you or any other fool!"
"I didn't know that," Goku murmured, but Cell heard him.
"I have your gene's too, saiyan," Cell spat. "Consider it an honor. But I have surpassed all of you; I contain all your power and know all of your techniques! Once I absorb 18, I will be complete and nothing will stop me!"
"You have potential, you don't have to use it for evil," Goku argued, then broke off as he sensed what 21 was doing. She had been slowly gathering ki the entire conversation, preparing for something.
"Cell, do something now!" he yelled. Hearing him, 21 sensed she had been found out and the green aura returned around her again. Cell's Kamehameha flew harmlessly off into space as she moved out of the way and hurled a gigantic lavender ball of ki. Diving to the side, Goku avoided the blast, but Cell wasn't so lucky. It hit him head on, plowing him off into the horizon, where his fall caused a cloud of dust.
Distracted, Goku was hit from the side by a blow from 21. Whipping his hand down he grabbed her fist and pulled her along with him as they both plowed through the air and crashed into the nearby mountain. Rolling away from each other, they found themselves in a relatively sheltered valley. Charging, 21 nearly made contact with another punch, and then spun around to try again, only to have Goku catch her punch.
Wrenching her hand from his grasp, 21 flew back and the green aura appeared around her once again. Smiling, Goku clenched a fist and his hair arced into the air, stiffening and becoming golden. 21's mouth dropped as his power skyrocketed and golden flames surrounded him.
Leaping forward in attack, 21 was easily deflected, but as their aura's clashed, both seemed to become fused together, the energies crashing against each other. Goku's golden flames licked toward her green ones and consumed them with startling speed. There was a brilliant flash and 21 found herself propelled back, without energy. For an instant her eyes flickered green, and then faded lifelessly.
Powering down, Goku smiled briefly and stretched. It was apparent he still had all his Super Saiyan ability with him. For now, however, it probably wouldn't be necessary. Shrugging off weariness from the battle, Goku lifted into the air and flew from the rocky area, toward where Cell had been.