Sorry for the erratic nature of this chapter.
Chapter 12 – P is for Perfect
Later
Vegeta and Trunks finally exited the Chamber to be greeted by Goku and the others. Popo rushed in behind them to restock it for the next group. "I need to restock the food stores before anyone else can enter." He said more to himself then anyone nearby.
Vegeta didn't have much to say, not wanting to diverge how his training went, but Trunks did at least. "So, have Cell or the androids been located yet?"
Goku could only shake his head. "No luck so far. Things have been pretty quiet."
"I see." Trunks said. "I was hoping to test myself a bit."
"I will not stand around idly and wait for our foes to come to us. I will find them, and destroy them. By myself." Vegeta declared, and flew off the lookout without another word. Goku sighed. "Me and Gohan will be going in next. What will you do?"
Trunks considered his options at the moment. "Normally I'd follow my father, but I doubt he'll have much luck blindly searching for them. I'll wait here for the time being." Gohan seemed eager to enter and was waiting by the chamber door.
Mizuna walked up to Trunks. "I was hoping for a favor. Would you go in with me? I didn't want to go in alone."
Trunks nodded with a smile. "Of course!"
It only took 30 minutes for Popo to finish, then Goku and Gohan entered the chamber.
Androids 17 was yelling at no one with all the pure excitement of a child as he sped along the ocean, waves crashing against the sides of the boat he had stolen. They were well on their well to Kame House now, and would be there within an hour or so.
18 was sitting against the back of the boat, hand to her chin, and a bored expression on her face, while 16 sat next to 17, and looked out stoically waiting. "Goku is not in this direction. I detected his energy some time ago briefly. It vanished soon after, but I know that he left Kame House." 16 repeated for the third time in the last 15 minutes.
"Yeah, I know that." 17 said, carelessly. "But that's not important. I'm sure one of his little buddies will still be there and we'll just get the information we want out of them."
"If you had listened to me earlier, seventeen." 18 spoke up, in an ever constant irritated voice. "We would've caught up to him in time."
"Well, it doesn't really matter! We're only going after Goku because 16 wants to. If it were up to me, we'd still be checking out that race track we passed earlier."
"Not a huge loss there." 18 muttered and looked off again.
"I detect an approaching energy." 16 suddenly said, caution clear in his voice.
Before 17 could respond, an energy blast rocketed towards them from the side and destroyed the boat in a large explosion. The three androids, caught off guard flew into the air and looked around.
"Who the hell was that?! You're gonna pay for destroying me boat!"
A voice from behind them. It had a pleasant sound to it, but it was ice cold. "You didn't listen to me."
17 and 18 spun around to face their attacker. The person who had freed them. The woman. Something was off about her, her usual blue eyes from before were solid red now. 17 had noted that there was something deeply wrong with her, like there were two people there. 18 charged to attack her, her fist pulled back. 16 called out to her to stop. "She's far too powerful for you!" A solid kick sent 18 careening in the water. The woman laughed at the attempt. "You're all so pathetically weak, you know you can't fight me. None of you."
Her attention turned to 17. "I released you for a reason. Did you forget our agreement?" Her eyes flashed dangerously.
"Sure, you did." 17 said with an angry sneer. Everything in him wanted to attack her, but he knew it was pointless. 18 floated back up from the water next to him. She was also shaking with rage. "But who said we were going to listen? I'd never willingly go along with that!"
"I did, I let you have some freedom like I promised to find Goku and enjoy a small dose of fresh air, but it's over now. Now, you'll do what I asked."
"I don't think so! I don't know how you even found us."
She lifted a button blinking remote. "A tracker, I couldn't actually trust you to actually follow through, after all." She said with a giggle. "Unfortunately. You two are coming with me." Then with a flash. She was behind 16 and smashed him downwards with such force that it displaced miles of water as he crashed to the bottom of the sea, then the water quickly overtook him. "He's not dead. Not that it'll matter much for you two." The two androids charged at her together, they were very competent as a team, they never saw the blows that hit them, they were knocked unconscious and ferried away by her.
Cell had just finished devouring yet another town, and his power was finally where he wanted it to be. Piccolo wouldn't be capable of stopping him this time. The prep work was complete. He floated to the skies. He was ready to go after the androids. He'd search high and low for them now, he had no need for stealth now. It wouldn't matter if he was found now. As if in response to him revealing himself, another presence was heading towards him, he could see a figure some distance off, with two unconscious bodies in their arms. Could it be?
He stopped in mid air to watch as she landed on the ground a few feet away from him. She dropped both androids to the ground near her. Who was this? A brunette in an oddly colored dress wearing a scientists coat? No one he had seen before. He lowered himself to the ground by her. "Who are you? He hissed out.
"No one important." She said, then gestured down to 17 and 18. "You were looking for them, correct?"
"I was, yes." Cell answered. Perfection was within his grasp, but this situation felt off. A strange woman delivered it right into his hands, she apparently knew all about what he was doing, and she had found him so easily. It didn't matter. Success was his at last. He'd be unstoppable after this. Still, he needed to know. "Why would you simply hand them over? I will be the end of this planet, you realize. Doing me a favor now won't save you or Earth."
The woman smiled. "Of course I know that, this isn't for you after all. Your a stepping stone for what comes next. This is really about me." She put her hands on her hips. "Whether or not you can hold onto them or not is what I wonder." He pointed a thumb over her shoulder. "I can feel them coming, even now. We'll see what this perfection of yours is worth." She said with sarcastic glee. Then she simply walked away. "Good luck, Cell." She was gone after that.
Cell looked back up towards the sky. Someone was indeed coming. He couldn't tell who from this distance, they were concealing their energy. No time to waste then. His tail opened up and swallowed up the two androids at once, and the transformation began.
Vegeta was the first to arrive. It was difficult to see what was even happening, the clouds were dark, there were typhoons across the sea. He had first sensed Cell here alongside another unknown person, the second person quickly last, and now Cells power was growing enormously. He must've located the androids somehow. Perfect. Now we had the greatest possible challenge to test his new might on. Even better, there was no one around to interrupt. He'd defeat this foe and reclaim her honor as the greatest Saiyan to ever live. He sat down near the massive orb of swirling green energy and waited for the transformation to finish.
Everyone on the lookout took notice of Cell then. His power was rapidly growing, no one was even there to face him beside from Vegeta. "The worst possible scenario had occurred. With Goku and Gohan occupied, Mizuna under-powered. It's up to Vegeta to hold him off." Piccolo all but yelled. Trunks rushed to the edge of the lookout to go after him. Mizuna called out before he left. "Can you beat him?" She asked. Trunks could only look back at her, his face pale. "I really don't know. I'll definitely give it my all." He said and gave her a thumbs up and took off. She felt completely helpless. She knew she'd be of no help to anyone until she trained, until then. She could only wait.
Cells body began to stabilize along with his power, the winds died down and Vegeta walked closer to the large crater that had formed around Cell. What he saw was surprising a sleek form with black wings, speckled green skin and some sort a crown for a head. Vegeta crossed his arms and bellowed a laugh. "Is this the perfect form you've been working so hard to attain? I'm not impressed!" Cell looked up and noticed Vegeta standing there and smiled back at him. "Perhaps you'd like to be my test subject, Vegeta? This is your chance, power up and show me what you're capable of." Then he slowly walked towards him.
Vegeta quickly took a stance and began powering up, his muscles bugled with power as his aura exploded around him, he shook the earth with his power. His body looked strained at the amount he was building.
Trunks arrived soon after Vegeta began powering up. He knew just by looking at Cell that they had no chance at defeating him. Even with their new power, Cell was too far ahead of them already. Should he stay and try to help or go get reinforcements? Even together, they'd all die. He knew that. There was no helping it. Vegeta would be furious at Trunks getting involved, but it wasn't important. All he could do was try. He rushed down to Vegeta side and began his own powering up.
Mizuna and Piccolo stood together at the look out and sensed the events happening down below. "Their power is incredible." Piccolo said breathlessly. "And yet I feel like Cell is greater still."
Mizuna shook her head hopelessly. "What chance do we have against him now? He's so powerful."
"There's no way they can hold him off until Goku and Gohan as well as you finish your training." Piccolo said. "But there's always hope, even if it's a slim one."
Mizuna didn't believe him, but she just tried to stay positive.
Trunks and Vegeta stood side by side, their auras raging around them. They were both in the bulky Ascended Super Saiyan form. Cell clapped politely as he watched. "I'm impressed. You've both come a long way. Let's see how good you are."
Trunks and Vegeta wasted no time and fired forward towards Cell. He met their charge and their fists clashed in the air. A rush of energy shot out for miles from the force of their fighting. To an onlooker, it would appear to be a stalemate. Neither side was giving ground, but the cold reality was that in those first few seconds, both Vegeta and Trunks knew they couldn't pull off a victory. Despite that, they would give it their all. Cell was simply too dangerous.
Cell only smiled as he casually deflected every punch and kick they threw at him. Their coordination was impressive, their timing was solid. Yet, they couldn't breach his defense. He was almost disappointed. He had expected far better from these two. He'd barely have to exert himself to end both of them. With a swift kick he knocked Vegeta into the ground and blasted Trunks away just as easily. There a brief lull in the combat as they stood back up. They were already breathing hard. These forms weren't meant for extended combat.
Again they rushed in to fight him and again they were knocked to the ground, even faster this time. It was clear Cell was playing with them, he was stronger and much faster, the only reason they even made contact was him was because he allowed it.
Vegeta was growing angry now, he had pushed himself incredibly hard and for what? He felt as weak now as he did against the other androids. He brough both of his arms out to either side of himself and began focusing his energy into two large yellow balls, the ground shook as he charged his attack. Trunks had still hopelessly kept charging in after Cell.
His inexperience was really showing while he fought alone. Cell avoided every attack he tried and grabbed him by the throat. Trunks struggled to get free, but it was pointless. He was had. He could see Vegeta charging an attack behind Cell and he knew that was a smart move. He brought both of his hands up to either side of his face. "Solar Flare!" He shouted as Cell let go of his and blocked his eyes from the blinding light. He copied a move he had seen Vegeta use while training. He focused purple energy against the side of his chest. Then both Vegeta and Trunks released their attacks at once.
"Final Flash!"
"Galick Gun!"
Cell had been caught completely in the middle, but the massive energy attacks, didn't detonate. The two Saiyans struggled as best they could do force their attacks forward, but Cell had caught both of them in one hand and now he too had grown irritated with his fight. With a shout. He angled both of the blasts to hit the opposite Saiyan.
Vegeta took the full brunt of Trunks and Trunks only narrowly avoided Vegetas. Cell didn't let up them, he pursued Trunks in earnest and began pummeling him with punches and ended his combo with a solid kick to his gut. Dropping Trunks to the ground, holding his stomach in pain. Cell then brutally kicked him in the face and he flew into the now empty nearby village and crashed into a house. He was out cold.
Vegeta struggled to stand back up after that, only to find Cell inches in front of him, waiting. Cell then swept his legs out from under him and drove his elbow into Vegeta face. Breaking his nose and causing to land awkwardly on the ground yelling in pain as tears unwillingly welled up in his eyes. Then Cell rained kicks on Vegeta until he was only whimpering in agony.
"Such a pathetic showing from the royal line of Saiyans." Cell said, shaking his head with a smile. "I barely had to try." Vegeta lifted a bloody hand towards Cell and fired a blast which only dissipated on his Cell. He sighed and leaned down to pick up Vegeta by his throat. "Luck is on your side today, because I've decided not to kill you just yet. I might hold a Tournament instead. Give the rest of your little band a chance to fail at killing me. Check your television for an update." Then he dropped him back to the ground. "I'd suggest training a little harder if you don't want a repeat of this day, little prince." Cell said with a boisterous chuckle, then he flew high into the sky and left. He was headed towards space, he had a fighter or two to go collect for this.
Mizuna arrived on the scene a moment later, having teleported there. She took Trunks back to the lookout first and then Vegeta, who weakly protested but went along anyway. Piccolo gave both a senzu bean. Vegeta had grown even more angry at this failure and stood away from everyone while Trunks sat dejectedly. "We failed, and none of us will ever be strong enough to face him." Trunks said angrily.
Mizuna sat down next to him. "We'll win. Those bulky forms you used. That's no good. I think there's another way."
"There is?"
"Maybe. I have to train first and find out. I think Gohan will realize it too."
"Cell said he's going to do a tournament." Trunks said, changing the subject.
"A tournament? Interesting idea. That gives us a decent amount of time to get stronger at least." Mizuna mused on the idea. "It might just work."
A capsula corp aircar was suddenly approaching the lookout, and then landed there, Bulma hoped out and was looking at all the sullen faces of the fighters. "What's going on?" She asked as she approached Mizuna.
"We lost." She said plainly. "Cell achieved his perfect form and is way too strong."
"I see, you won't need these then." She said taking out the remotes for the androids.
"Probably not." She shrugged.
"Is Vegeta here? I wanted to talk to him."
"Over there." She pointed at where he was sulking, and Bulma walked off. Then Mizuna noticed the driver standing next to the car. The woman from the other day. She had switched outfits, just wearing casual clothes today with her hair loose. Mizuna walked over towards her, and smiled. "Didn't think I'd get to see you again so soon."
The woman smiled back at her. "I could say the same."
Mizuna took her hand in hers. "I didn't get to introduce myself before. I'm Mizuna."
"Akane." The lovely brunette replied.
"It's a pleasure." Mizuna said and gently kissed her hand.
"Mon dieu" Akane said in french with a light blush to her cheeks. Only then did Mizuna notice the slight accent. "The pleasure is all mine."
Mizuna let go of her hand, but stayed close to her, she enjoyed the close proximity between them. "How long have you lived in West City?"
Akame seemed confused by the question for a moment. "Only recently. I needed work and Mrs. Bulma was kind enough to hire me."
"Well, I'll say she she made a good choice."
"Tu me flattes trop" Akene responded. "You're sweet."
Bulma walked back a moment later, with a raised eye brow. "If I'm interupting something.."
"Not at all. I'm sure you have to get back. We'll be in touch." Mizuna said, almost sadly as she stepped back and let Bulma get on her aircar. Akene moved to follow before looking back at Mizuna. "I know you guys have a lot going on, but I wouldn't mind seeing you again." She said, hopefully.
"Absolutely." Mizuna said, perking up immediately. "I'll stop by soon." Akene nodded with a grin and then left with Bulma.
Krillin strolled up next to her afterwards and gently elbowed her. "Smooth. Nice to see some love in the air after everything going on."
"Love?!" Mizuna said, blushing and turning away. "Hardly."
Yamcha chuckled, appearing next to her. "I don't know, looked that way to me too."
Mizuna rolled her eyes. "You're the expert, right?"
"Something like that." He answered with a grin.
Trunks waved her over then. "We still have quite a few hours before they come out. We could do some training while we wait."
Mizuna nodded. "Sounds good. I don't want to get rusty standing around up here."
Four days flew by for the group. Cell had left Earth and not yet returned. While they had been concerned about that, everyone choose to just enjoyed the time they had to get stronger and relax a bit. Aside from Vegeta who was biting at the bit to get back inside the time chamber. Currently Mizuna and Trunks had just left the chamber. Goku and Gohan had decided to not enter again and take time to master the Super Saiyan form so it didn't cause stress. Mizuna had also taken after them. Her hair had returned to it's original length before she cut it, but like all Pure Blooded Saiyans, It wouldn't grow futher then that. She had also managed to convince Yamcha, Krillin and Tien to enter as well as they could use the boost. Goku immediately left to go to New Namek for a new guardian of earth. Dende had offered to return, and he restored the Dragon Balls, giving them two wishes now, instead of one.
Now they continued going on about their lives while they waited. Goku and Gohan spent a lot of time home with Chi-Chi. Mizuna romantically pursued Akena, who she was deeply taken by. Everyone else kept up their training in preparation.
It was then that Cell returned to Earth.
His ki suddenly reappeared at night, he had stopped hiding himself, apparently. He stopped at a location for about an hour before Cell left. While Cell moved rapidly towards a city. He wasn't hurting anyone this time so they decided to wait and see. What Cell had really been doing was preparing his ring, and a tower where his fighters could watch the fights and be hidden from view. As well as spawning juniors. He only made three of various strength. He wanted to be entertained, after all. One looked like a mini version of himself.
The others were a small version of Freeza, and another looked like a young Vegeta. As well as the other fighter he picked up in space. That Mizuna woman would be especially interested in that one. They were all strong, but he wanted to test all of the Z Warriors properly. None of them could avoid fighting.
Yamcha had been watching a sports game at Kame House then it fizzled and changed to an image of Cell holding a news team hostage. "I am Cell. I have intruded on your television with good news. News that will make all of your boring lives a bit more interesting. I'm sure you remember the news of a terrifying monster that wiped out populations by the hundreds every day. I am that monster, evolved to perfection. I thank you all for providing me with so much life energy."
"Fear not, I have no need to do that anymore. I am now hosting a tournament called the Perfect Tournament. The location will be 28 miles west of East City. There is a ring there. The rules are different from the Tenkaichi Budokai. If people on your side lose, then the next challenger will take their place until you run out of people or my team loses. You have the advantage. There are fewer on my team then you will have. I may just become tired eventually. The rules are the same as the Tournament you know. Death is however an acceptable loss. Should you lose, I have decided to kill every single last human. None shall be spared. Should no one show up, it's an automatic loss and you'll all still die anyway. You have ten days." Then he lifted his hand and an explosion erupted, cutting off the channel. Most likely destroying the entire building.
"That bastard." Yamcha cried.
"He's a monster, killing every person on Earth.." Krillin said quietly.
"How can any of us fight him?" Yamcha said. "Here I was being hopeful. Trunks and Vegeta were no match either. It's hopeless."
"It's never hopeless," Mizuna said, having just arrived. Akene in tow beside her, they were near inseparable. Still in her Super Saiyan form. She had taken to wearing an outfit that was a cross between her old one and Trunks'. She wore a jacket over her high tank top along with her normal baggy pants. She had a new scar on his cheek. Probably from her extreme training. "I know Cell has some surprises waiting for us there. But we'll have some for him too. Just you wait."
Power Levels The boost for Super Saiyan for Vegeta and Trunks has now increased from 145 Mil to 360 Mil due to the Saiyans having acquired a higher SSJ form, or ASSJ. There will be another general boost for SSJ2, SSJ3, SSJG, etc. Goku, Gohan, and Mizuna having mastered the SSJ form, their boost is greater. Which will be revealed in time.
Piccolo (Kami) - 210 Million
Imperfect Cell - 190 Million
Semi-Perfect Cell (Unseen) - 463 Million
Perfect Cell (Suppressed) - 663 Million+
Base Vegeta - 120 Million
SSJ Vegeta (120 + 360) - 470 Million
ASSJ Vegeta (120 + SSJ x1.5) - 645 Million
Base Trunks - 110 Million
SSJ Trunks - 445 Million
ASSJ Trunks - 645 Million
MSSJ Goku (Resting) - 505 Million
MSSJ Gohan (Resting) - 535 Million
MSSJ Mizuna (Resting) - 515 Million