Dragon Ball Z: Dynasty
Written by: Feraligreater328
Edited by: StevenBodner
Chapter 88: No Limits
In the Hyperbolic Time Chamber...
Future Ranch was confused as she was led forward by her cousin and uncle. "Uncle Goku. Gohan. What are we doing here?"
Goku smiled, keeping his hands pressed over Future Ranch's eyes. "We're almost there! Just a little further..."
Gohan chuckled. "You're going to love it, Ranch~"
The three Super Saiyans had been walking circles around the Hyperbolic Time Temple for nearly an hour, the golden tint to their hair having faded into an almost bleach blonde looked. Future Ranch was confused. "Y-You keep saying that...but there's only one place in the whole Time Chamber..."
Goku flinched. "Uh..."
Gohan quickly covered. "Well, think of it like training, Ranch! You've been walking around for three hours as a Super Saiyan! Could you have done that when we first came in here?"
Future Ranch sighed. "Admittedly...no. But I don't get why-"
Bardock stepped out, his hair also a rich shade of Super Saiyan blonde. "Hey! Quit walking around like idiots! It's ready!"
Goku chuckled and gently turned Future Ranch towards the Time Temple. "Okay, walk this way now..."
The two of them lead Future Ranch into the structure and she seemed nervous. "Wh-What's going on here? I don't like it when people keep things from me like this. It makes me nervous..."
Goku smirked. "Well, you don't have to be nervous. We just wanted to give you a little surprise. Gohan has been keeping track of days for us while we were in here, just to make sure we got it right..."
Gohan nodded. "You probably won't be in our time by the time this actually rolls around, so I wanted to make sure we got to take advantage of it while we could..."
Future Ranch had a bead of sweat roll down the side of her head. "Take advantage of what...?"
Bardock spoke up. "You three look ridiculous. Take your hands off her eyes already. I'm getting tired of just staring at all of this..."
Goku removed his hands and he and Gohan quickly stood on either side of Bardock. The three of them motioned to a table full of food, with a giant cake in the center, and shouted as loud as they could. "HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY, RANCH!"
Future Ranch was immediately taken aback. She cupped her hands over her mouth and tears began to well. "Y-You guys..."
Bardock pointed to the table. "This took a lot of effort. Kakarot and I had to practice making all of this food a couple times to make sure we got it right. And we were lucky that Gohan remembered when the baby version of you was born."
Goku chuckled. "There were a few fires, but we lucked out that you and Gohan have been putting in so much extra training time..."
Future Ranch had a trembling smile on her face. She was overwhelmed, but in a good way. She looked at the cake, beautifully assembled, but poorly frosted and chuckled. Bardock blushed and scratched the back of his head. "G-Gohan baked that. He asked me to frost it when it cooled off but...I ain't very good at that, apparently..."
Now the tears were pouring down Future Ranch's face. The three men flinched back, looking confused. Goku stammered. "D-Did we do something wrong?! We can try to re-frost is, I guess..."
Future Ranch didn't say a word, rushing forward and grabbing all three of them into a massive hug. She was barely able to speak above a whisper. "Thank you so much. This means the world to me..."
Once the hug concluded, and the happy tears were wiped away, the four Saiyans sat down and began to enjoy their meal. The four of them quickly demolished the meal and sat back to relax, each enjoying a piece of cake. Future Ranch sighed. "Ah...this is just like the old days..."
Bardock cocked his head. "Old days, huh?"
Future Ranch nodded. "Yeah. In more ways than one. It...it was always Gohan that made sure our birthdays were remembered when things got really bad. Like, our Moms always did their best, but he's the one that really pushed, even in the worst times, that the three of us each got to enjoy our own day..."
She frowned. "We never celebrated his birthday, though. I guess...he never thought it was that important, in the grand scheme. I never even got to learn when it was..."
Goku spoke up. "It's in a couple days~"
Future Ranch flinched. "Wh-What?!"
Goku nodded. "Like, out in the real world. It'll be a couple days after we leave this place~"
Future Ranch glanced away. "Th-That explains a lot..."
Gohan frowned. "A lot about what?"
She sighed. "When Gohan died, I became the person that would remember things like birthdays and such. Trunks and Daikon...they never had time to remember things like that, both of them were so fixated on getting revenge against 17 and 18. So, it often fell to me to remember all three of our birthdays and put together parties and stuff, when I could..."
Goku scratched the back of his head. "That sucks. Nobody should have to plan their own birthday..."
Future Ranch sighed. "It's fine. Some things just aren't as important as others. Trunks has been doing a better job of remembering since we got together, so that's something. But what you just said there reminded me of something..."
Bardock cocked his head. "And that would be?"
Future Ranch closed her eyes. "In the outside world, right about now...it's Daikon's birthday..."
Back in the ruins of West City...
Future Daikon roared, his Super Saiyan power flaring, as he cascaded towards the ground, his foot raised high above his head. He brought his heel down to hit his target, but said target quickly leapt back. Future Daikon's foot slammed into the ground and he glared at his foe. Cell responded by laughing in his face. "Weakling~"
From behind, Future Trunks came charging at Cell. His foot imbued with golden ki, he attempted to land a heavy kick to Cell's ribs, but Cell simply leapt over the attack and shoved Future Trunks back. "Foolish child~"
The two future warriors regrouped and looked angry. They had been fighting Cell for close to ten minutes at this point, and not a single meaningful blow had been landed. Future Trunks glanced back at his father, lying face down in the dirt, and roared in anger. He charged at Cell and attempted to unleash a series of blows against the monster. Cell scoffed and rolled his eyes, holding up his hands and blocking each punch and kick with noticeable strain. He grunted in annoyance and he and Future Trunks separated. And then, Future Daikon came in from the side and tried to land a punch. Cell caught the fist and yanked Future Daikon forward, elbowing the boy in the jaw and tossing him at Future Trunks.
As Future Trunks caught Future Daikon, Cell shook his head. "Is this the future of the proud, Saiyan race? This? What do you call these foolish displays again?"
Future Daikon flared his power. "Super Saiyan, Grade 2!"
Future Trunks flared his power. "Super Saiyan, Grade 3!"
Cell sighed. "Oh, that makes too much sense. You are fighting like you're in second and third grade, respectively."
Future Daikon spat. "At least we are fighting. All you're doing in dancing around in fear, just the like giant mosquito you are!"
Cell cocked his head. "Giant mosquito, eh...? I'd say I'm more of a cicada, but whatever..."
He shook his head. "You aren't even as witty as Vegeta is. This is sad..."
Future Trunks got into a three-point stance. "We don't need wit...WE JUST NEED YOU DEAD!"
He charged forward and called back to his partner. "Daikon! Back me up!"
Future Daikon nodded. "Right!"
He held up his hands and charged ten, small blasts above his fingers. These blasts ballooned to a larger size and he tossed all ten at once. "SPIRIT BALL BARRAGE!"
Cell watched as the ten blasts and Future Trunks came charging at him and he took a defensive stance. "Pointless..."
Once Future Trunks was close enough, Cell leapt into the air and let the boy fly under him. However, the attacks followed him into the sky. The monster chuckled. "I'm familiar with this attack. Its pathetic creator attempted to use it on me back in the northern village. I'm sure it'll be just as useful now as it was back then~"
Future Daikon swiped his arms around in the air, making the Spirit Balls fly haphazardly at various points towards Cell's body. Cell sighed. "You just don't get it..."
Once the Spirit Balls drew close enough, but before a single one managed to touch him, Cell swiped his own hand around and all ten of them vanished. Future Daikon flinched and Cell held up his hands, the blasts lodged between his fingers. "Now, watch this~!"
Cell clapped his hands together and the ten energy spheres formed into a massive one. The monster drew his arm back and then, with his full strength, he heaved the new Giant Spirit Ball at Future Daikon and nailed the boy in the gut. He chuckled, but then Future Trunks appeared behind him with a massive blast of his own. "FINISH BUSTER!"
Cell's eyes widened and he held his hand up to block. "Dammit!"
On the ground, Future Daikon coughed and held his gut. "Ugh...my ribs..."
Future Trunks landed next to him, putting his hand on his partner's back. "How you holding up?"
Future Daikon coughed again, flecks of blood hitting the ground. "He's damned strong..."
Future Trunks looked up into the air and saw that, with some effort on his part, Cell had managed to overcome and burst the Finish Buster. The monster held his hands up and all of the scattered energy flowed into his palms. Future Trunks nodded. "Yeah...he sure is..."
Cell landed, his feet clomping against the ground. "Please tell me there's more to you than this. I thought a two-on-one would be exciting...but Vegeta was more fun that this pantomime of a decent fight..."
Future Trunks stood and gripped his fist. "It's called assessing, monster! Don't get too comfortable!"
Cell raised his brow. "So, you've been sandbagging me? Are you sure that's the case?"
Future Trunks nodded. "Sure is. Right, partner?"
Future Daikon stood and nodded. "Yeah...let's go all out..."
And then, the two Super Saiyans powered-up to their max. Future Trunks' muscles bulged out like over-filled balloons. Future Daikon's physique was pushing the same limit Vegeta's had been. Cell shrugged. "Oh, I see. So, this is your true power...great..."
The two of them charged at Cell and each threw a punch. Cell caught each, but the sheer force sent his sliding back. The dug up around his ankles and Cell gritted his teeth tight. The monster trembled against the force of the two half-Saiyans. "Oh...maybe I scoffed too soon...?"
Cell swung his torso around and, with all his strength, he heaved Future Trunks and Future Daikon into the sky. He chuckled. "Or, maybe not?"
Cell charged two blasted into his hands and threw them up at each of the boys. Future Daikon grunted and twisted to avoid being hit. Future Trunks took the blast head on, breaking it apart with a chest thrust. The two of them looked at each other, nodded, and then began to gesticulate with their hands. Cell flinched, and then the boys fired off a tag-team attack. "DOUBLE BURNING ATTACK!"
The two flaming balls of energy shot down towards Cell, but he leapt up between them. He motioned to charge at the boys, but was shocked to see that only Future Trunks was still there. Cell turned and looked to the ground below to see that Future Daikon had sped past him. The boy held up his hands and caught the two Burning Attacks before they hit the ground. Cell's eyes widened, and then he turned to see that Future Trunks was preparing a third attack. Future Trunks fired his towards Cell, and Future Daikon shoved the other two back towards the monster. Thinking they had finally caught him, the two boys smirked. But then Cell let loose a wry chuckle.
The monster held out his hands and unleashed two massive Kiais. The shockwaves smashed into the Burning Attacks, causing them to warp and eventually burst into clouds of burning air. Cell smiled. "An admirable attempt. What next?"
Immediately, Future Trunks rushed into Cell and smashed the monster in the gut with his fist. Cell gagged and, from behind, Future Daikon rushed in with a roundhouse kick to the back of the head. Cell spun in the air and, together, the boys hammer-fisted the monster into the ground below. They both stared at the kicked-up dust cloud, expectant and hopeful, but both were chagrined to see Cell standing, barely damaged. Cell smirked. "Next?"
Future Trunks screamed in frustration. "BUSTER CANNON!"
Future Daikon followed suit. "BLITZ BURNER!"
Cell cracked his neck, and then he took a deep breath. Once the ki blasts were right on top of him, Cell forcefully blew his breath out and unleashed one of Frieza's attacks: Death Whirlwind. The sheer, slicing wind collided with Future Trunks and Future Daikon's attacks and tore them to shreds. Cell sighed. "How about now? Are we out of tricks yet, boys?"
The two of them flinched. Cell cracked his knuckles. "I'm attempting to be polite and allow you to lash out as much as you'd like, but my patience only lasts so long. My blood is rushing and I'd like to start hitting you back soon, so I hope that you both are getting all of your frustrations out~"
Future Daikon turned to his partner. Future Trunks looked incensed. The Grade 3 Super Saiyan gripped his fists tight, and then he smirked. "One more trick, actually. One that I learned in the Time Chamber..."
Cell smirked. "Oh really?"
Future Trunks thrust his hands forward, each with their middle and index fingers extended. He shouted. "Dirty Fireworks!"
Cell chuckled. "Oh, that move. Do you think-"
And then, the two energy rings formed. Not around Cell's body, but rather around his eyeballs. The rings shrank in and Cell howled in pain as both of his eyes burst apart. The monster pressed his hands to his face, actually cringing in pain, and Future Trunks and Future Daikon carried out their attack. They rushed at him, but Cell snarled. "Cocky little brats!"
He thrust his own fingers forward and fired a Special Beam Cannon. At first, it looked like the attack was going to fly right between the two warriors, but then it forked and split into two beams. Future Trunks and Future Daikon both barely managed to dodge and sped forward towards their target. Future Daikon landed first, crashing next to Cell and raising his hands into the air. "MASENKO!"
He fired the beam and Cell was taken off of his feet. As the monster was sent flying in the opposite direction, Future Trunks landed right behind him and charged his own attack. "GOD BREAKER!"
The warrior heaved his massive blast at the monster and it made contact, exploding and sending out a shockwave that both Future Trunks and Future Daikon struggled to withstand. The two of them both began to charge their attacks, ready to hit Cell again once the dust cleared.
Soon enough, the dust was blown away and Cell was still standing. He was scuffed and slightly singed, and his hands were still pressed over his empty eye sockets. He looked furious. Future Trunks called out, charging a massive, pink blast. "Daikon!"
Future Daikon nodded and charged his own blue blast. "Right!"
The two of them fired at the same time. "KAMEHAMEHA!" "GALICK GUN, FIRE!"
The blasts met in the middle and erupted into a mighty, purple explosion. The two of them stood there, taking on fighting stances. They both knew better, at this point. Once the smoke cleared, Cell was indeed still standing there. He lifted his head; his eyes having regenerated. Cell seethed. "Okay then, boys. Kid gloves are off."
Cell wiped the streams of blood from under his eyes, and then he lunged at Future Daikon. The boy flinched back, but Cell was too fast. He buried his fist into Future Daikon's gut and sent him crashing back. Future Trunks cried out. "Daikon!"
The monster shifted his attention to Future Trunks and barreled towards him. He fired several Eye Lasers. Future Trunks sneered and slapped away the various beams. But Cell was already there. The punched Future Trunks across the face, and then dealt a shattering kick that sent the boy flying back. Future Daikon stood just in time to have Future Trunks crash into him, and they both landed on the ground in a heap. As they both laid on the ground, in pain, Cell landed on top of them and lifted them by their collars. He chuckled. "Now then-"
Future Trunks and Future Daikon both snapped into attention and opened their mouths, each firing a massive mouth blast that engulfed Cell's entire head. The bio-Android dropped the two of them and stumbled back. The two of them both landed on their feet and stood back up, each taking on a fighting stance. Cell sighed, smoke pouring from his mouth, and then wiped his face. "Caught me off guard, I suppose..."
Cell took a step forward. It was clear that, minus some minor scuffing, Cell hadn't even broken a sweat. Future Trunks and Future Daikon, meanwhile, were both starting to feel the fatigue. Cell cracked his neck again. "I think you two are out of tricks. Which means that, it's time to bring about the final act of this pointless struggle..."
The two warriors both flinched and Cell prepared to charge. But then, two objects came falling from the sky and stuck in the ground. Future Trunks and Future Daikon both flinched and Cell stopped. The three of them stared at these new intruders to their fight: Future Trunks' sword and Future Daikon's Power Pole.
And then, all three combatants turned to a different noise. Off to the side, a hover car landed down onto the scorched earth of West City and the two Bulma's, present and future, both rushed hopped out. Future Trunks flinched. "M-Mother...?!"
Future Daikon cried out. "Miss Bulma?!"
Cell looked unamused. The two Bulma's blew off the three fighters and, instead of engaging with them, they immediately ran over to the fallen form of Vegeta. Bulma reached into her pocket and pulled out a Capsule. She clicked it and tossed it to the side, summoning a stretcher cart. Future Bulma, meanwhile, gently turned her past-timeline husband over. "Vegeta..."
Bulma rushed over to her future counterpart and, together, the two of them lifted Vegeta up and gently placed him on the stretcher. As they strapped him down, Bulma furiously glared at Cell. "When Piccolo announced that Vegeta's power had fallen to nearly nothing, I expected to find him hurt...but not like this..."
Cell smirked. "I do aim to exceed expectation~"
Bulma sneered. "You're never going to win, monster! You're just like every other two-bit evil thug that tries to attack this planet. You're doomed to fail!"
Future Bulma glared at Cell, and then towards her two boys. She spoke to them. "You two...I believe in you. Just...please survive..."
Future Daikon frowned. "M-Miss Bulma..."
Future Trunks looked to his own mother and then to her past incarnate. He nodded. "I promise, no matter what, we'll keep the world safe. You two get father out of here. He needs a Senzu Bean..."
Future Bulma nodded and focused back on Vegeta. Bulma, meanwhile, called over to Future Trunks. "You and I still need to have a talk later. But, for now...I experimented with that sword of yours when you and Vegeta went to the future. I can't promise a miracle but...it shouldn't break from a single hit like last time..."
Future Trunks let Bulma's words sink in, and then he nodded. "Right."
Cell smiled. "Ah, familial love. The bond between mother and child. And the bond between husband and wife. It's so sweet...that it makes me want to vomit!"
Cell thrust his middle and index fingers towards the fleeing Bulma's and fired off an attack. "Double Death Beam!"
The two beams fired towards Bulma and Future Bulma. The two, helpless women yelped in fear. But then, the two beams were deflected away, crashing on either side into the distance. Cell lowered his hand. "Ah, I see we're going to continue along?"
Future Trunks stood with his sword drawn, his burning ki engulfing his sword. Future Daikon glared at Cell, his Power Pole crackling with electrical energy. Cell smirked. "Now, those are looks I like to see..."
He took on a fighting stance. "Come."
The two warriors both let loose a mighty roar and charged at Cell, as the two Bulma's flew away in the background. They were ready to take down this monster for good.
On Kami's Lookout...
Gine, Kami, and Mr. Popo all looked on with horror and consternation as the warriors below fought against Cell's perfect form. Gine's mouth was dry. She gripped her fists tight and scowled. "Dammit...I wish there was anything I could do, but..."
Kami, meanwhile, was utterly shaken by what he was watching. "I allowed such a beast to sneak around under my nose. If...if only I had seen him before he was able to take Vegeta's child hostage..."
Gine turned towards Kami and gently attempted to console him. "Hey, don't put yourself down. You're can't be expected to keep a laser-focus on every little thing that happens below. You might be called God, but you're only one man. You aren't perfect, Kami..."
Kami squeezed his eyes shut. "But it is my job to be on the lookout for threats like these...to use my judgement to decide how to act on such matters. I knew about this creature for so long before it actually became a threat and yet..."
Mr. Popo sadly looked towards his longtime companion. "Oh Kami..."
Gine put her hand on his shoulder. "Cell is able to erase his presence due to the Makyan genes within him, Kami. You can't be held responsible for that. You can't kick yourself over this..."
Kami gripped his staff tight, his eyes full of fatigue and shame. "Perhaps...it is time..."
Gine and Mr. Popo both flinched in shock at Kami's words, neither of them knowing what to say to the aging Guardian.
Back in the Capsule Corp mothership...
The door to the Capsule Corp building opened up and the two Bulma's rushed in with the stretcher cart. One of the technicians called out to them. "Miss Bulma! We have made contact with the emergency convoy below! W-With West City destroyed, where do we take all of our citizens?"
Bulma shook her head, blowing off the technician and pulling Vegeta along. Future Bulma cleared her throat, brushing her hair out of her face. "Let's try South City. I think I was told that the population there was decimated by the monster that destroyed West City. So, if the buildings there are still standing, we could at least put them to good use."
The technician looked perplexed, but she nodded. "Yes, M-Miss Bulma."
Future Bulma looked down the hallway at her present counterpart and Vegeta. She let loose a ragged sigh and then motion to the technician. "Take me to the control center of this thing. I'll direct traffic, as best I can."
The technician nodded. "Thank you, ma'am!"
With Future Bulma gone, Bulma continued to push Vegeta towards her workshop. She kicked the door open and the rest of the Z-Fighters within all flinched. Bulma pushed the stretcher in and Krillin looked on in horror at Vegeta's broken form. "That monster...did that to Vegeta?!"
Tien was almost at a loss for words. "What are we going to do?"
Bulma shouted. "We're going to shut up and leave things to Trunks and Daikon! Now somebody give me one of those goddamned Senzu Beans!"
Everyone flinched, but Raditz quickly stepped forward with the beans. He pulled one out and pushed it into Vegeta's mouth. He watched as Bulma helped her husband to chew, and sighed in relief when most of Vegeta's wounds began to heal. "Phew..."
Raditz stared at his comrade, his brother-in-arms, and cast his eyes onto Vegeta's palms. The inner portions of the Prince's hands acted like they were trying to heal, but very quickly gave up. Raditz's eyebrow scar started to ache. "Damn it, Vegeta. I warned you..."
Piccolo stepped forward. "So, that leaves one Senzu Bean left, right?"
Raditz sadly held up the bag. "Yeah. Unfortunately."
Piccolo closed his eyes. "Those boys are practically fighting against a brick wall."
Raditz nodded. "Yeah, they are..."
And then, with no warning, Raditz turned and began to walk towards the door. Krillin called out. "H-Hey! Where are you going?!"
Raditz didn't answer. He simply walked out the door and disappeared from sight. Piccolo immediately started to follow. "He's heading back to the battlefield. I imagine he's probably worried about that son of his. I can't blame him. This is a nightmare..."
Tien looked nervous. "And you're about to follow him back?"
Piccolo snarled. "If I can be of any help in trying to put a stop to that monster, then I plan to be of help. I don't think Cell has the power to kill me in one hit. So perhaps, between the first and the second...I could do something..."
As Piccolo continued to march, another voice called out. "P-Piccolo..."
The Namekian turned and saw Android 16's head, lying next to the dying 18 on the laboratory table. 16 shot him a pleading look. "I know that, we are in no position to make such requests. But..."
Piccolo quickly spoke up. "If, somehow, Android 17 survived that attack that Vegeta fired off, I'll make sure to bring him back."
The Namekian disappeared from sight and Android 16 closed his eye. "Thank you..."
Back in the ruins of West City...
Future Trunks shouted at the top of his lungs, swinging his blade and launching multiple flying slashes at Cell. "Super Burning Slash!"
Cell, paying a bit more focus to the fight now, deftly dodged each slash. Thinking quickly, Cell pulled his hand to the side and fired a blast at Future Trunks to keep the boy at bay. But, his respite from battle was quite brief. Feeling a presence behind him, Cell turned towards the sound of a shout. "Power Pole Extend!"
The rapidly stretching staff pierced into Cell's gut, causing him to double over. It quickly retracted and Future Daikon leapt at Cell. Beginning to spin, the future warrior shot towards his foe. "Tornado!"
Cell flew backwards, avoiding the various chopping strikes from Future Daikon as the warrior sped towards him. Cell narrowed his eyes. "Wait a minute..."
Future Daikon stopped spinning, allowing his momentum to throw him forward. He shouted. "Take this! Rock!"
He threw a massive punch, which Cell caught. With his free hand, Future Daikon tried for a chop. "Paper!"
Cell ducked the strike, letting go of Future Daikon's fist. The boy snarled and threw forward his final strike. "Scissors!"
The attempted eye gouge flew towards Cell's face, but he quickly put up his hand to block the strike. Future Daikon struggled against Cell and Cell chuckled. "These moves...and the way your power feels. I thought something was up..."
He smiled wide and batted Future Daikon's hand aside. "I see your game now, you imposter~"
Future Daikon snarled and pulled out his Power Pole again. "Shut your mouth! Power Pole extend!"
The staff extended and Future Daikon charged it with his ki, making an electric current run down it. "Turtle School Last Resort! Electric Staff Combo!"
He shot forward and swung the Power Pole, smashing Cell across the face with it. Having recovered, Future Trunks leapt into the fray with his own attack. "Burning Thrust!"
The burning sword nearly ran Cell through, but the monster managed to dodge out of the way at the last moment. Future Daikon came in again, aiming the Power Pole at Cell's face. "Extend!"
The staff shot towards Cell's face, but Cell grabbed it at the last moment. He smirked, but then the electric charge on the rod shot into his body and made the monster snarl in pain. Undeterred, Cell tossed the end of the Power Pole to the side and shot up, punching Future Daikon across the face. Cell went for a second strike, only to be caught off-guard by the sound of metal slicing against air. He turned and just barely avoided being chopped in half by Future Trunks' blade, instead having the tip of it cleave through his side.
Cell sneered and retreated back, a trickle of blood pouring from his mouth. The monster sighed, healing his sliced flank and wiping the blood from his mouth. Future Trunks came rushing at him again and Cell took a fighting stance. The boy came at Cell with the grace and control of a dancer, forcing Cell to be entirely on the defensive. The monster weaved between each of Future Trunks' swings and slices, growing more annoyed at the lack of an opening for him to exploit. Cell smirked. "You're doing well Trunks, but-"
"POWER POLE EXPAND!"
Suddenly, Cell and Future Trunks were both suddenly covered by a massive, dark shadow. Future Trunks smirked and immediately fled away. Cell turned and his eyes widened at the sight of Future Daikon looming over him, a massive version of the Power Pole balanced in his hands. Future Daikon glared at Cell and then shouted. "POWER POLE EXTEND!"
The already massive tool in Future Daikon's hand extended high into the air, high enough to pierce the clouds. The warrior, with all of his strength, heaved the giant column of a staff into the air and then brought it down. "Be crushed, bug!"
Cell sneered and held his hands up towards the massive staff came crashing down on him. He tried to block it, but the weight combined with Future Daikon's strength proved to be too much. As Cell was sent crashing to the ground, he sneered. "This is ridiculous! I refuse to be crushed you little-"
The monster flinched. "Oh, wait a minute..."
*POP*
*POP*
Cell loomed behind the shocked Future Daikon, chuckling. "I forgot I had your Dad's technique. You know, Instant Warp. Raditz's technique. Raditz, your 'Dad'~"
Cell chopped Future Daikon in the neck, briefly knocking the boy loopy and making him drop the Power Pole. As both the weapon and its wielder fell, Cell aimed his hand towards him and prepared to fire a blast. "I must say, though, I didn't know the Power Pole could expand too! Did Raditz teach you that?"
The blast charged in Cell's hand. But, before he could fire, Future Trunks rushed in. He swung his sword and, in one fell swoop, lopped off Cell's right arm. Cell snarled. Future Trunks glared at him. "You have no business asking my partner anything about his life!"
Cell chuckled and grew his arm back. "Fair enough. Truth be told, I can't even remember your partner's name. So, I can't say I much care about their past. You, on the other hand, Trunks..."
Cell smirked. "You have some relevance, unlike that insignificant trash~"
The monster threw back his new right arm and instantly began to charge an attack in his palm. "Destructo-Disc!"
Future Trunks drew his sword and flew towards Cell's attack head on. Imbuing the blade with his own ki, Future Trunks swung towards the attack and cleaved through it like butter. Cell laughed out loud. "Impressive! But let's see you pull that trick again~"
Cell raised both hands, forming several Death Saucers over each palm, and heaved them at Future Trunks. Enraged with Cell, but focused, Future Trunks handily sliced down each Disc as they drew close. Cell was impressed, it was clear that Future Trunks' swordplay was unmatched. With all of the dismantled Discs raining down in pieces behind him, Future Trunks glared at Cell. The monster seemed ready to go. But, to Cell's consternation, a sudden jab in the back sent him flying towards Future Trunks.
The monster turned and scowled at the sight of Future Daikon having snuck up behind him. He snarled. "I'm getting sick of you."
Future Daikon shouted and charged at Cell. "Well, thankfully, we won't have to deal with each other for much longer!"
At the last second, Cell managed to dodge out of the way of another sword swing. He glanced back at Future Trunks, power radiating, and was met by another strike to the face from Future Daikon's Power Pole. Cell went flying back and stopped, reaching up to his face and feeling a welt starting to form. Snarling, Cell lunged towards the two boys and became engaged in a free-for-all melee with the both of them.
Cell hit like a truck, each of his blows knocking the wind out of Future Trunks and practically leveling Future Daikon when they connected. After a long, tense exchange, the two sides separated and assessed their damage. Future Trunks and Future Daikon were both beaten pretty harshly. Cell, meanwhile, was covered in superficial welts and cuts. He and the two boys glared at one another. And then, to Future Trunks and Future Daikon's dismay, Cell immediately healed all of his wounds. "You're going to have to try a bit harder, boys~"
The two of them grunted in frustration and prepared for another oncoming attack. But then, Cell looked past them and...
*POP*
...he appeared behind them and began to charge an attack. "Perhaps this will liven you up a bit! Big Bang Attack!"
Moving quickly, the two warriors dodged out of the way. The Big Bang Attack crashed into the ground below and kicked up a massive dust storm. Future Trunks and Future Daikon were both engulfed and robbed of their vision.
In the cloud, Future Daikon floated around, his Power Pole held tight. He called out. "Trunks!"
A voice spoke behind him. "Trunks is a bit far off; may I help you?"
Acting on reflex, Future Daikon swung around and tried to bash Cell with his Power Pole. But the monster caught it with a wry smirk. "Dear boy, are you not going to access the same form Trunks is using at any point?"
Future Daikon sneered and tried to punch Cell, but Cell caught his fist. "Or...can you not? Is that it? You're...unable to access this Super Saiyan Grade 3? Blessing in disguise, I suppose. But still, you must feel so impotent~"
The Power Pole wielder flinched. Cell sighed. "Oh, that's too bad..."
And then, he smashed Future Daikon in the face with his elbow. The warrior cried out in pain, blood erupting from his nose, and Cell followed that up with a massive ki blast to the chest. Watching Future Daikon drop, Cell chuckled. And then, with a swift hand, he reached up and grabbed Future Trunks' sword hand by the wrist. The bio-Android glanced up at Future Trunks with a cruel smirk and twisted his wrist. With an audible crack, Future Trunks released his grip on his blade and Cell grabbed it out of the air.
Swinging with all of his might, Cell attempted to cut Future Trunks in half, but Future Trunks was attentive. He forced his wrist free of Cell's grip and dropped down, grabbing Future Daikon's Power Pole and rushing back up to clash with the monster.
Meanwhile, Future Daikon landed on the ground. He regained his senses and glared up at the ongoing battle between Future Trunks and Cell. He sneered. "No. Not yet! I'm not out of this yet!"
Future Daikon raced back into the air and formulated a strategy. Unlike his partner, Cell maintained a looser grip on the blade. Unlike Future Trunks, Cell's posture wasn't nearly as tight. And then left Future Daikon with an opening. Taking advantage of Cell's stance, the boy slipped between the monster and his stolen blade and kicked the bio-Android in the jaw. Cell was rocked and Future Daikon took full advantage. He deftly kicked Future Trunks' sword towards the awaiting warrior. He grabbed it out of the air with a satisfied smirk and handily tossed Future Daikon back his Power Pole. And then, the two warriors charged at Cell with renewed vigor. Future Daikon shouted. "You think you can use our own weapons against us?!"
Future Trunks sneered. "Arrogant bastard!"
Future Daikon rushed in and thrust his Power Pole at Cell. "Do you think that you can just steal things that we've spent so training with?! You could never be as good with that sword as Trunks is! That sword has no trust or loyalty to you!"
Cell dodged to the side and scoffed. "Trust? Loyalty? First of all, that sword is an unfeeling iron bar; nothing more. Second, who are you to talk of trust? You, a liar so disingenuous that no one in this time knows what you really are?!"
The bio-Android chuckled. "What an outrageous, childish claim to make~"
This comment gave Future Daikon a brief pause, but he continued on anyway. Cell rolled his eyes. As Future Trunks started to charge in, the bio-Android stalled him with a Kiai. And then, he turned his attention back to Future Daikon. "I think I am done with you, you nameless little nobody. As dull as you were before, you've somehow managed to dig yourself deeper into the banal little quagmire that you call an existence."
Cell caught the Power Pole as it was swung towards his head. And then, he kicked Future Daikon in the chest, knocking him to the ground. "You never existed in my world and I've come to see why. You're an irrelevant game piece, lower than even the lowliest pawn. A mundane little nobody that exists as little more than a playmate for Trunks. Your name has no meaning, whatever it is. And yet, you still act as if you deserve to stand on the same level as the rest of these people. How foolish~"
Future Daikon sprang to his feet and charged. "Shut your mouth! You don't know anything about me!"
He attempted to throw a punch, but Cell caught it. The monster had a wicked glint in his eye as he raised his fist. "And neither does anyone else~"
And then, with only a portion of his full strength, Cell punched Future Daikon in the head and drove him into the ground. The boy's eyes went white, his nose erupting with blood, and he laid still. Cell looked down at his latest victim on the ground, watching the Super Saiyan aura drain from his hair. "What a meaningless fool~"
The sound of Future Trunks getting to his feet drew Cell's attention. The Android turned to his other opponent and smirked as the half-Saiyan levied his sword. "Now, I can focus on you..."
Future Trunks flinched at the sight of Future Daikon laying there, his head bloodied. "D-Daikon!"
Cell chuckled. "It's adorable that you keep calling him that~"
Future Trunks sneered. "You monster! I'll kill you!"
Cell sighed and closed his eyes. "Yes. And that, Trunks, is what I have so grown to respect about you. You're not as smart as Vegeta, but you have something that I was disappointed to see this version of the Prince lacked. You're a killer, Trunks! A ruthless, unfeeling killer! Just like me~"
Future Trunks flinched, his hands trembling. "N-No! I'm nothing like you! How dare you even make that comparison?!"
Cell chuckled. "Need I remind you of a shameless display that you tried not too long ago? What was it you said to me in that cold, clinical tone...Dragon Balls?"
The bio-Android began to march toward Future Trunks. A chill ran down the boy's spine. Cell chuckled. "You were so bold there. So willing to throw caution to the wind and execute a crying infant to selfishly ensure your own survival. And under what pretense? The flimsy excuse that he is technically you?"
Cell laughed and Future Trunks' blood turned to ice. The monster continued. "I notice that, unlike before, you have your tail now. Perhaps the wicked ways of the Saiyan race have infected you? Perhaps victory in your own timeline has emboldened you? Perhaps, the good version of Trunks only existed due to his own self-doubt? Perhaps-"
Future Trunks shouted. "SHUT UP!"
He lunged at Cell, but Cell caught the blade. "I'm saying I admire you, Trunks. You chose logic. You chose the bigger picture. You realized how pointless Vegeta's talk of honor and pride is, and you took the easy way out~"
Future Trunks ripped his sword from Cell's grip and stumbled back. Cell smirked. "You're a survivor. Like me. Your so-called friends call us cockroaches as an insult, but at least we as cockroaches continue to live~"
The warrior shook his Cell's presence. As before, Cell proved that his greatest power was no sort of energy blast, but the sheer amount of venomous words he could lay down on a single person. In his head, Future Trunks pictured his infant self. He pictured the baby, neck wrapped in Cell's grip, whining in fear for someone to help. And then he remembered his willingness to kill that innocent. Future Trunks thought of the furious looks that Vegeta and Bulma gave him. The disappointed gaze he received from his own mother. And, as such, he dropped his sword and his arms fell limply to his sides.
Cell laughed and splayed out his arms. "Do we have some new regrets already? So soon after vanquishing 17 and 18? A pity. But, worry not, y-"
Future Trunks shot forward and punched Cell in the face so hard the monster spun in the air. And then, before he could land, Future Trunks booted him into the sky. Cell regained his bearings, only to be immediately forced to block a sword strike with his arms. The monster winced as blood ran from a fresh cut on his left forearm. He glared at Future Trunks, and Future Trunks glared right back with a vengeful fire. "You're right! I'm not as much of a hero as I'd like to think..."
He let his Super Saiyan Grade 3 power flare out with enough force that it made the ground below crack. "But every desperate decision I've ever made in my life...the sources of all of those decisions...they're all gathered in one place!"
Future Trunks forced Cell back. "You, and the 17 and 18 that are inside of you, you three have brought about nothing but misery and terror! I might be saddled with the guilt of what I did for the rest of my life...but I suppose a decent consolation is that I get to personally dispose of all three of you monsters at once!"
Cell laughed out loud at the sight of Future Trunks: his muscles bulging, his face contorted into a mask of pure rage, the moonlight shining off of the side of his blade. Cell powered-up at well. "Come along then, boy! If you think yourself one who can slay monsters...then slay me!"
Future Trunks screamed at the top of his lungs and charged at Cell. Cell screamed right back and charged at Future Trunks. They met in the middle and their clash was so intense is sent shockwaves across the ruins of West City.
In Future Daikon's mind...
The image of a still infant, covered up by a soft, white cloth. The sounds of weeping and sobbing echoing in the distance.
Future Ranch and Future Mai reacting in horror to the destruction of South City. Future Android 17 and Future Android 18 blasting apart buildings with the sounds of innocent people screaming in the background.
The dead-eyed looks of everyone as they stared at Future Gohan's corpse. Future Chi-Chi's empty wails of despair and Future Launch's look of utter emptiness. The sight of everyone, both within Capsule Corp and the world at large looking either completely devoid of the will to live or fearful for their lives.
Future Gohan's chest with that huge, blackened "17" branded into it.
Future Chi-Chi laying in her bed, her eyes half-lidded and her hair nearly white from stress and sadness. Future Launch crouched in the former Capsule Corp atrium, keeping a silent vigil over the various graves of those long lost. Future Bulma attempting to keep it together, attempting to move forward, but falling apart in private.
And those words that still echoed to this day, from his mother. He felt her hand ghost across his face.
"This isn't your...fault. I'm...I'm so sorry...if I neglected to love you enough..."
Back in the ruins of West City...
Future Daikon's eyes shot open and he let loose a desperate gasp. He stared up at the twinkling stars of the night sky, unable to make himself move. Future Daikon's eyes shifted over to the massive, full moon in the background. The very sight of it, even without any Blutz Waves coming from it, made his tail twitch.
Future Daikon stared up into the sky, his gaze eventually falling on the battle raging on between Cell and Future Trunks. And, desperately, he tried to order his body to move.
In the sky...
Future Trunks and Cell were engaged in one hell of a back-and-forth. To the eyes of the observer, it was a perfectly even outing. The monster would get in several strikes against his young opponent, Future Trunks would come back with a series of blows of his own. The two warriors battered each other across the sky, each seizing the upper hand when given the opportunity.
Future Trunks sent Cell flying across the air with a kick to the head, but Cell quickly recovered and raced back in for a punch of his own. Future Trunks tried for a series of punches, but Cell smoothly dodged around each with minimal effort.
Cell feinted back and charged ki blasts in each hand, unleashing a storm of ki bolts against Future Trunks. However, the boy simply powered through the oncoming storm of ki and landed a knee into Cell's gut. Future Trunks then went for an overhead strike, but Cell quickly sped out of the way. The monster zoomed beneath his opponent and fired up another massive ki blast. Future Trunks was engulfed, but was able to power through most of the blast by simply flaring out his aura. Once Cell's attack was finished, Future Trunks dropped from the air like a stone and drove the monster into the ground below. And then, with a harsh kick, he sent Cell crashing into the nearby ocean.
Future Trunks smiled, his adrenaline pumping. He was delighted to be putting the monster in his place. However, that smile was not meant to last long.
Calmly, Cell rose from the water with a smile of his own plastered onto his face. Future Trunks was taken aback. "Wh-What?"
He sneered. "What are you smiling about?! I've been beating you like a heavy bag for the past hour. How can you smile?!"
Cell chuckled. "I am simply enjoying myself, Trunks. Nothing more. Without that dead weight 'helping' you, you're a lot more fun to fight~"
Future Trunks growled. "Leave my partner out of this!"
But then, Future Trunks reigned himself in. He knew what Cell was doing. He was trying to get into his head. Future Trunks took in a deep breath and slowly let it out as Cell stepped back onto the battlefield. He heard the sounds of his clomping footsteps getting closer and closer, and then he shot forward.
Future Trunks and Cell clashed and their fight continued. Cell smiled, continuing the back and forth with the young, half-Saiyan. As they fought, however, Cell began to speak. "You know, I've been waiting for a time to share this with you. But this is the first opportunity I've had to speak with you one-on-one..."
The boy snarled. "Stow it! I don't care about what you have to say!"
Cell dodged a punch and then trapped Future Trunks into a headlock. "But, aren't you at least curious? About where, exactly, I got that Time Machine of mine from? You had to have found it by now, right?"
Future Trunks flinched. Cell adopted a wide grin of utter malice. "Ah, there's the interest..."
Future Trunks swung his fist back to hit the monster, but Cell dodged. The future warrior snarled. "You stole it! So what?"
Cell chortled. "Did I just steal it? Think, Trunks, why would I... a creature that was put into development when you were nothing more than an infant, have your genetic information stored within me...?"
Future Trunks neglected to answer. But his eyes showed that he was able to put two and two together. Cell laughed and dodged an oncoming kick, his arms lazily crossed over his chest. "Let me take you back..."
Some time, in a different future's past...
Future Trunks looked both confused and horrified. He held up his shaking hands in a pleading fashion. "W-Wait! Please!"
Standing across from the boy was some hellish creature. This monster's long, prehensile tail was tightly wrapped around Future Bulma's wrists, keeping them behind her back, and her neck. It held her aloft. "Did you enjoy your little lark into the past? Did you, perhaps, get to celebrate with your friends over the theft that you've committed from me?!"
Future Trunks stared helplessly at his mother. "What theft?!"
The monster snarled. "You took them from me...my 17 and 18. The components that I needed to achieve my only desire! And, now, you will help me get them back. Or Bulma will pay the price..."
Future Bulma looked to be in a lot of pain, the tail wrapped tightly around her throat. "T-TrGHHK!"
Future Trunks started to lunge forward at the sight of this creature strangling his mother. "Hey!"
The monster held up his three-fingered hand. "Uh-uh! Stay still!"
Future Trunks froze in place. The monster spoke. "I assume that the 17 and 18 of the past timeline you've visited are already gone. A shame. But this machine can surely bridge the gap between different timelines. You will tell me how to make it do so, or I will kill this unhelpful wench right here!"
Future Trunks was shaking. He knew that his mother would never help something as evil as this thing felt. But he looked at her...the only person in the world he had left...and he relented. "Fine...just don't hurt her..."
And so, Future Trunks explained to the monster exactly how the Time Capsule worked. The monster ate up each piece of information with a predatory grin. And then, when he was done listening, he tossed Future Bulma aside like trash. Immediately, Future Trunks went to check on her. "Mother!"
Future Bulma coughed in a raspy voice. "T-Trunks..."
Her eyes went wide at the sight of the creature looming over them, his tail raised high. She screamed in fear. "TRUNKS!"
The sound of two screams echoed through the woods that night, accompanied by the most twisted laughter. And then, that timeline fell totally silent.
Back in the present...
Cell delighted at the look of utter horror frozen onto Future Trunks' face. He chuckled. "But, the moral of that story is my favorite part. It's a moral that you seem to have fully accepted: no sacrifice is too great to stop your enemy~"
Future Trunks snarled and charged at Cell, his muscle-bound punch wildly missing. Cell chuckled. "Just think, if the Trunks of my timeline had been half as ruthless as you, none of this would be happening!"
Future Trunks gritted his teeth. Cell continued to rant and dodge every attempted strike the boy had to offer. "Yamcha would have never lost his leg! The people of this planet wouldn't know this terror that threatens them all! Your friends wouldn't have been so utterly crushed by my power! West City, your hometown, would still be standing! And Vegeta wouldn't have been so thoroughly dominated!"
Cell smiled wide as he dodged a kick. "Basically, what I'm saying Trunks..."
He got right into Future Trunks' face and laughed. "...is that everything going wrong in this timeline is all your fault~!"
Future Trunks screamed in fury and lunged at Cell. Like a bastard, Cell kicked the boy's feet out from under him and sent him crashing into the dirt. Future Trunks rose and tried to charge again, but Cell easily side-stepped and kicked him to the ground again. Future Trunks pounded his fist against the ground. "God damn it! Why can't I hit you?!"
Cell shrugged. "I don't know. I haven't powered-up anymore, even though I have the ability to. Maybe the problem is you?"
Future Trunks screamed in frustration and fired off a massive ki blast. Cell dodged out of the way with no effort. He smirked. "You sound cranky? It is kind of late. Would you like a nap?"
The boy flinched and, in that moment, Cell shot forward and kneed him right in the face. Future Trunks flew back, one of his teeth chipped and blood exploding from his busted lip. Not letting up, Cell stomped onto Future Trunks' chest. The boy coughed up more blood and Cell laughed. "It's amazing how confused you look. You really are a child~"
Future Trunks struggled, his body feeling quite heavy. The threw a punch, but Cell caught his fist and dragged Future Trunks to his feet. "Are you that unaware of your own limitations, Trunks?"
Future Trunks tried to pull his fist out of Cell's grip, but the monster held on tightly. And then, with a twist and a wrench, Cell pulled Future Trunks' entire shoulder out of socket. His arm suddenly quite numb and his shoulder searing in pain, the boy cried out. He looked over and saw his sword. He tried to reach for it, but Cell quickly kicked it away. "That's a two-handed toy, I'm afraid."
Future Trunks fell to his knees and Cell slapped him across the face, sending him crashing to the ground. He sighed. "Oh Trunks..."
The monster held out his hand. "You, and that no-account partner, and that woman...you call yourselves Saiyans. But, with three pathetic losers like you as kids...I bet your respective fathers are all so ashamed~"
"SPIRIT BUCKSHOT!"
A flurry of miniature, pellet-sized ki blasts crashed into Cell's side. The force of so many blasts at once, catching him off-guard no less, forcing the monster away from Future Trunks. He turned and glared towards the interloper to his fun. "You..."
Future Daikon stood there; his Ascended Super Saiyan form reactivated. "You think you can throw me off with something like that, Cell? I can't speak for how Vegeta feels about Trunks, but I know my father is ashamed of me..."
He took a fighting stance. "But that doesn't mean I'll just sit back and let you win without a fight. So, come at me!"
Cell smirked. "Interesting. I suppose I could play with you for a moment~"
The monster charged at Future Daikon and the two of them clashed. Cell threw a punch and Future Daikon tried to block it with his forearm, but the sheer strain was enough to make the boy wince in pain. Cell smirked. "That last technique was impressive! Who did you get to teach you that?"
Future Daikon pushed back with all his strength, but he could barely make Cell budge. "It's one of Ranch's techniques..."
Realizing that pushing against Cell was fruitless, Future Daikon blasted him in the face and tried to retreat back. However, Cell managed to close the distance between them with little effort. He kicked Future Daikon in the side of the head, sending him crashing to the ground. The future warrior bounced, but landed on his feet and charged in. The two of them engaged in a rapid exchange of blows, but it was clear who was on top. Cell and Future Daikon both got twelve hits in on each other. Cell looked no worse for wear; Future Daikon looked like he had just run a mile.
However, he didn't let that bring him down quite yet. Instead, Future Daikon charged at Cell again and punched him in the jaw. Cell chuckled and slammed his fist into Future Daikon's gut. The boy wheezed, and then he whipped around to smack Cell in the face with his tail. Cell was caught off-guard and, in that instant, Future Daikon grappled him by the sides of the head and unleashed two ki blasts. "Double Destructive Wave!"
The explosion engulfed Cell's head and Future Daikon went for the double knees to the chin, but Cell sent him flying back with a punch to the face. Future Daikon regained his footing and hazily looked up to see that Cell was right above him, his foot raised high. He threw up his hands in defense and Cell's ax-kick came raining down, smashing into Future Daikon's guard and shattering all of the bones in his left hand. Future Daikon howled in pain and Cell palm thrusted him across the battlefield. And then...
*POP*
...Cell appeared right behind Future Daikon and planted a massive blast into his back, sending him flying towards Future Trunks and causing a massive explosion.
The two boys both struggled to regain their senses, hearing clomping footsteps approaching. The both sat up and each raised their good hand to fire an attack.
"BUSTER CANNON!"
"BLITZ BURNER!"
But, before they could fire, two energy rings came flying towards them, wrapped around their wrists, and then connected to their other wrists. Future Trunks and Future Daikon both laid there on the ground, bound, and watched as Cell stepped up. The monster loomed over them with a victorious smirk. "And, I think we're done~"
Future Trunks snarled and pulled at the energy ring keeping his hands bound. "D-Dammit!"
Future Daikon sneered. "Disgusting monster! This is the type of trick you used to make Trunks' movements so sluggish! It has to be!"
Future Trunks flinched. "S-Sluggish movements?! What?! I... didn't think I was moving any slower..."
Cell frowned, looking quite annoyed. "You're both idiots..."
Future Daikon shouted. "What did you do?!"
Cell shouted back. "Nothing! You fool!"
Both of the boys flinched. Cell scowled. "On the right, I have a child so unseasoned in combat that he feels expanding his muscle mass is the easy solution to victory. And, on the left, I have a nameless nobody so inept he can't even access said form! You two, stupid children!"
And then, to rub salt in the wound, Cell shouted and put on just as much muscle mass as Future Trunks had. He towered over the two boys. "You think this is special?! Give me a break! Vegeta most likely knew how to access this waste of energy too; he was just smart enough to realize that putting on so much extra mass would do little more than slow him down!"
Future Trunks gasped, suddenly realizing his mistake. "I... I didn't think..."
Cell rolled his eyes. "Of course, you didn't."
He blasted the two boys, sending them both crashing back and forcing them out of their Super Saiyan forms. "An impetuous, impatient brat such as yourself probably thought he had found something special. A new power that would make his father look at him with pride. You foolish brat."
Cell let loose his muscle-massed form and stalked towards the two boys. "And you two are supposed to be the saviors of the future?"
The two of them both stared down in shame. It was clear, they had both failed. Cell raised his hand towards them. "I suppose I do owe you some thanks though. You allowed me to really put my body to the test. To stretch my legs a bit. It's a shame you never made me use more than 30 percent of my maximum power, but I suppose I shouldn't have expected any more than that."
He smiled. "Allow me to save you the shame of having to face your failure head on. I'll give you a head start on your trip to Hell, so you may hide from those you've let down!"
Cell charged a massive energy blast in his hand and fired it at Future Trunks and Future Daikon. The blast sped across the battlefield and exploded, and Cell smirked with satisfaction. However, that smirk quickly faded. When the dust cleared, Future Trunks and Future Daikon were both laying there with confused looks on their faces. And in front of them was a large, green Energy Barrier. Cell began to look around. "What the hell?"
Eventually his gaze, as well as the gaze of both Future Trunks and Future Daikon, fell onto the beaten and bloodied form of Android 17. The Android was gasping, buckled to his knees from exhaustion. He stared as Cell with a look of utter hatred. And then, as shakily flipping off the monster, Android 17 fell onto his face and passed out.
Seeing this little display, Cell couldn't help but be amused. "I must say, it is amazing how much different this Android 17 is than the one from either of the future timelines. Such a fruitless gesture, and yet he still went out of his way to save you two brats and Vegeta..."
Cell shrugged and aimed at Future Trunks and Future Daikon again. "But, anyway..."
Future Daikon glared at Cell. "So, this entire time...you've just been playing around? Not taking any of this seriously?"
Cell chuckled. "Nope. Other than that attack Vegeta shot at me, I haven't been taking this seriously at all~"
Future Trunks growled. "Fine then! Kill us! Do what you want..."
He sneered at Cell and gripped his fists tight. "But, just know this...when Goku emerges from his training, you will meet your match! You're destined to lose, Cell!"
Cell flinched. "Training, eh?"
He glanced away, as if he was suddenly deep in thought. Cell stroked his chin, and then he looked back towards Future Trunks and Future Daikon. "This 'training' of yours...it is what has allowed you all to become so strong?"
Future Daikon nodded. "Yeah! And the others will be even stronger than us when they come out! You can count on that!"
Cell lowered his hand. "And, perhaps, hear me out here... you two could continue to undertake such training and become even stronger as a result?"
Future Trunks and Future Daikon were both taken aback by Cell's sudden shift in tone. They shot each other a questioning look, unsure of how to answer. The monster smirked, that look seemingly having answered his question. "That is quite interesting~"
Cell chuckled. And then, with a snap of his fingers, the energy rings around Future Trunks and Future Daikon's wrists disappeared. "Boys, consider your execution stayed. If only for just a bit longer..."
Future Trunks flinched. "What?!"
Cell smiled. "Yes. The two of you have given me quite the idea. If you all can get that much stronger in such a short amount of time, then it would be a waste to kill you right now. It would be a waste of potential fun I might be able to enjoy..."
Future Daikon scowled. "Potential fun?! Is this some kind of game to you?!"
Cell's ear cup twitched. "A game? Yes. That is exactly what it is, my dear nameless fool. A game~"
He turned and smirked at Future Trunks and Future Daikon. "I need some time to think of the rules for this game. But, trust me...you're going to want to hear more. Keep an eye on the local news~"
And then, without another word, the enigmatic monster flew off across the sea. As Cell disappeared from sight, Future Trunks and Future Daikon both stared into the sky, confused and speechless.
