Cell had to stop it…! His body was trying to change. Trying to become semi perfect. From all of his knowledge in the anime and manga material he'd accumulated in his past life he knew this would not be a pleasant looking transformation. He greatly disliked Semi perfect and his Perfect form.

After all these weeks in this world, he had a good understanding of what he could and couldn't do. He tested each of his individual powers from the warriors his body was made out of and learned to control the individual cells in his body.

While he couldn't completely halt the transformation, he managed to keep it from progressing beyond a true physical metamorphasis…Telling the cells in his body that the form he was right now IS the true perfect form…It only needed minor tweaks.

Because of this, as he assimilated 18 into his own systems, his limbs began to thicken with extra muscle and his tail grew longer and thicker with great strength as the claws on his hands and feet became sharper, more defined, as did the horns at the top of his head, retaining their shape for the most part but lengthening by a few inches as electricity sparked over his body.

His eyes sharpened, as he gained a newfound clarity in his surroundings. Deep within him he could sense 18 inside him. Very much asleep or rather…she had become tuned to his own consciousness. Why did she need her own anyway…He was what she was now and they both knew it. Physically, she had been compacted within him that his body didn't bulge aside from the additional muscle mass he acquired from her. He imagined she was just a tight ball in his belly.

"Heh…that's one down…and still 20 minutes to go…This is going to be fun." He laughed, dragging his tongue over his beak as he anticipated getting his tail around 17 next.

"This is going to be fun…Hmmm?" Cell was taken out of his own blissful thoughts when he heard the hum of an unfamiliar sound in the city. It was near Capsule corp…Nothing should have been able to penetrate the barrier that was surrounding the city. That's when he remembered who was on his way back. "Trunksssss! He's back. If I'm not careful he'll destroy me too…! I'd better find 17 before HE does." This was the biggest slip up in his calculations by far. By his estimations, the half saiyan shouldn't have made his return for at least a few more days.

"Plans change I suppose...!"

With that said, Cell began to stalk the city from the rooftops, masking his presence just enough so that he would not be detected by the half Saiyan. "Though…Perhaps Bulma can vouch for me. But knowing how strong he was against Semi Perfect Cell in the past I don't like my odds if that fails."

He did have one trick that might well help him manage to track down 17 though. At the very least it would give him a general idea of where he might be. Clearing his throat, he started using the one feature of his programming that he found especially intriguing when he first hatched from his larval form. He altered his voice so that he might sound like 18. "17…! Where did you go off too now? I managed to get slip away from that foul monster but I can't sense you…Where ARE you?"

He didn't understand the future android's or what drove them but he knew they were unsympathetic to most creatures…And one of the most vain. "Oh damn it 17 I swear you're always like a child, playing games when we should be trying to get out of here."

He could hear her voice, but he didn't know what to think of it. The words were right…And 18 definitely had the right idea. They needed to get out of here but with that…that thing out there and the increase in energy that he felt before he couldn't shake the feeling that might not be 18. He remained huddled behind a cashiers counter and waited.

{Well that didn't work…But then why am I surprised? It didn't work on Android 18 in the past either.} Cell let out a small sigh in disappointment. He'd hoped to catch 17 unawares but that didn't seem like it would be the case.

~TSK TSK TSK…KRTHUNK!~

His foot steps were all 17 needed to know that he was almost deceived. {This thing…! What did he do to 18…?! Did he…Did he devour her…?} Judging by the footsteps, and the thud above him he had a feeling that Cell was right above him on the roof. {As long as I don't move, he won't catch me.}

17 ran in this direction at the start of the game. There were only a few buildings that were viable as a proper hiding place. "Well…we'll find you eventually brother."

The WE part confused 17 for a second. Was Cell referring to 18 and himself when he said We? He waited until the Bio android's footsteps could no longer be heard as he passed along the other roof tops before whispering a curse. "No way in hell am I going to let that…that THING eat me."

"You're going to hurt my feelings."

17's hair stood on end as he heard that familiar raspy voice. He was certain that he could feel Cell's faint trace of energy just down the block and yet…he also could hear those footsteps inside the building…approaching the cashier's counter.

Positioning himself around the corner of the counter he saw what appeared to be Cell, holding a grocery basket in one hand with an assortment of fruits inside of it. The beast was mocking him…and yet it was coming right for him.

"I think I've almost finished shopping. Once I've got you then I'll have everything on my list." Cell cackled, licking his beak as he placed the basket over the counter, looming in front of 17 with a look that seemed as though he'd won. "Why not join her 17? You'll be much happier that way."

"H-How!" 17's face contorted into fear as he stepped away from the cashier's counter and pressed against the glass window at the front of the store. "I heard you walk away…!"

"Multiform technique is so useful isn't it?" Cell answered in a singsong like voice, even making little movements with his fingers as if he were a conductor. "Why drag your fate like this brother? I'm sure you feel it in your bones. You exist for MY benefit."

"You're…disgusting!" 17 charged at Cell, managing to knock the Bio android off balance just long enough to run out of the building and start sprinting out into the streets. "I've got to run or that monster will eat me too!"

"AAAAHAHAHAHA! YEEEES RUN! RUN LIKE A FRIGHTENED COWARD BROTHER! I'M GOING TO EAT YOU!"

Cell's voice boomed through the city's streets. Looking behind him, Cell was no longer behind him. Yet…his voice echoed across every building it was hard to pinpoint where he was. Eventually, 17 stopped in an alley with a crumbling fence and leaned against it to catch his breath. He didn't get tired, not normally. But this activity was draining him in a way that he was unaccustomed to.

He heard the chain fence clank just once behind him as whispered words echoed out behind him. "Join us…!" Followed by the eerie yellow eyes of his chaser who's claws slipped through the chain linked fence in hopes to catch 17 but the spooked android was already running from that fence.

"This…is…SO Uncool…! We're Doctor Gero's greatest creation, not you! Us! Leave us alone!" 17 was short of breath and making his way to what he assumed was the City hall. But just as he was approaching the door, it exploded outward with Cell stepping from it. Each TSK TSK TSK sound more terrifying than the last.

His yellow eyes tracked over 17, a cackle in his voice. "Join us." "You belong to me…" "Become the ultimate life form…" One Cell approached him from behind, while another started making there way to where he was from the east. He was being surrounded…! But before he could think to take the west side and escape, a fourth dropped down from the rooftops to block off his exit.

"This game of cat and mouse is fun brother. But we've got a mission to complete. Father expects us to get along so you should get in where it's cozy." Cell laughed, even as his multi form creations started joining back into his main body, the Cell that had come from the rooftops.

"You're…not human…" Those few words came out of 17's voice who had become increasingly shaken by these mind games. What's more…he could sense his sister in there. It was faint, but he could catch a glimpse of her own power inside this beast. "Why are you doing this…?!"

Cell held his tail out just above his head and let the tip expand into it's bell like shape even as he spoke. "Doctor Gero, our father created me out of the cells of the most powerful beings that ever stepped foot on the planet. But my design was made so that I could fully integrate with you and our sister. Don't you see?" Cell reached a hand out to his brother, almost as if extending an olive branch. "You and I are meant to be as one. You are meant to be mine. Let's stop these games brother, and fulfill the ideals our father had in us."

It would have been so easy to just give in. 's last words were still ringing in his head and he sorely regretted not taking that statement to heart. It was the last mention from Cell that snapped him out of his fear just for a moment. "Father…? You call that…Rat…! Our FATHER?! He's nothing like that…and I am not your brother! I'd rather die than become a part of you."

"Well…You won't be allowed to die." Cell muttered with a sense of power. He knew, after absorbing Android 18 that his sibling wouldn't stand a chance. One swift move of his tail was all he would need to claim the angry android. "You and our sister are destined to exist within me for all of eternity. I am your home now…" He decided enough talk had passed and simply lunged forward and allowed the funnel shaped tail tip loom over his victim.

"Aaargh…! NO!" 17 lifted his hands and grabbed the edges of the funnel as he worked to keep it from coming down on him. This however left him completely unguarded when Cell used a well controlled fist to punch his captive in the stomach, loosening his grip just enough that his funnel like tail sealed around his head and shoulders, effectively pinning him.

Cell couldn't help but let out a triumphant laugh of approval as he watched 17's hands twitch at his sides and his feet kick helplessly along Cell's legs. Neither motion would help his prey now, but they were fun to watch, and felt good struggling in his tail. "You're all mine now…!"

17 shouted in the fleshy, muscular cavern of Cell's tail as fear gripped him entirely. He started begging for Cell to reconsider. They could work together with the earth as their playground even as the tail contracted and pulled him further in, getting a groan of disgust from the android as that slimy pink flesh danced across his body. Wet slurping sounds filled his ears as did the ominous gurgles further on within…All of this felt so very wrong!

But it was just soooooo right to Cell. The Bio Android felt such sheer bliss…an un-explainable pleasure that tingled all throughout his body as his tail pulled and swallowed 17's arms and stomach right on into that long, muscular tunnel that would undoubtedly lead to the android's ultimate fate. In his excitement, Cell reached out with his hands and felt along the bulge that 17 made right along the scaled surface.

Fear…! As he traced 17s head bulge he could feel what he thought was an expression of contorted fear at what was to come and it only made the Bio Android shiver in pure bliss. {This is what I've lived my life for…This moment when all that our father desired for me comes together…! Welcome home 17…!}

Even as he pulled a few more inches of his brother deeper into his tail he could sense an observing presence. Turning towards the main Capsule Corp building, he saw it. Trunks was rapidly approaching, likely in an attempt to stop his full absorption.

"Blast…! I can't savor you…" Cell mumbled, quickening his process as he made his tail contract and swallow with much greater proficiency. With only 17's feet outside his tail tip, wiggling in his torture, Cell could feel the presence of the powerful saiyan approaching.

"Nooooo! Cell I won't let you…!" Trunks roared, already transforming into his Super Saiyan state as he readied to attack. "I won't let you become a menace to THIS world too…!"

{I'm not ready…Blast it…!} Cell lifted both hands up to his eyes and closed them. "SOLAR FLARE!"

A blinding light enveloped the land, prompting Trunks from halting his attack. It was in those few seconds that Cell pulled in what was left of 17 and felt the familiar sense of a big meal being dragged right on into his stomach as the bulge vanished from sight once it entered his abdomen. "There we go…You can't stop me now Trunks…!"

The Saiyan was busy rubbing the blindness out of his eyes, a howl of frustration coming from him once his sight did finally clear. The bulge of 17 had completely vanished from view…NO! "CEEEEELL!"

But the metamorphosis was already undergone. A bright light once again enveloped the area as Cell's body once again tried to initiate the transformation he had been designed for but he once again forced his body to rescind it…That he was already in his perfect state. He just wanted the power!

Deep inside of Cell, 17 had not been as fortunate as 18 to completely succumb right away. Once inside, he felt the pain and discomfort of his body being compacted…the flesh around him was alive, contracting and churning around him as it worked him down into a fetal position. From there he was finding it impossible for him to even move an inch…followed by his awareness slowly growing hazy. The body that completely enveloped him…dominated him…was taking away what he was…making it Cell's.

And yet…The fear he had before wouldn't go away. {What's…going to happen to me…? Am I going to die…Am I…} He couldn't find the words to describe it as the wet, natural sounds of Cell's body, and the pulsing beat of his heart overwhelmed all thoughts, soon he began to slip into a void of unconscious sleep…his own awareness fading away as if that itself was being stripped by Cell.

The muscles around Cell's body flexed and grew. For a moment the Bio Android stood there with a pained expression on his face that he thought he might pop…But as he urged his cells to obey him…he slowly altered that additional muscle mass into extra height and increased durability of his scales and claws. A purplish aura surrounded his body while the sky grew dark. The city shook as the mass of energy built up within him, his figure glowing as a green/purple barrier encircled his form.

"Damnit...!" Trunks gathered a pool of ki into his palms just as he'd done back in the past when he tried to stop Gero from activating the androids. "I won't let you ruin THIS timeline too!" With that the boy fired his attack, hoping to pierce through the barrier that had enveloped his foe but felt immediate resistance as sparks formed in their clash.

Cell could feel the resistance, sense Trunks's ever growing increase in anxiety but his attention was entirely on his body, the core of himself as his body overtook 17 within him that had been resisting for some time and claiming their power for himself. Once that feeble resistance within him had been snuffed out the glow in his body became as intense as a Solar flare itself before all went quiet.

Standing in the middle of the city, Cell stood a good foot or two taller than he'd been prior, muscles rippling with new strength while his tail twitched behind him. He'd successfully prevented a full transformation...Had achieved perfection without altering his physical appearance to a drastic degree. A little extra height and muscle was fine...He was still himself.

"I am…complete." Cell's voice remained as raspy as it always had been. There'd been no change in vocals or any bass added to his voice, but that's as he wanted. If he wanted a voice change he could do so with the range of voices that were now a part of him.

Trunks looked dumbfounded, frustrated that he couldn't stop the absorption in time as he clenched his fists. "Why…! You were supposed to be no match for me in that form...!"

"I think you have the wrong idea Trunks." Cell answered in a low voice, staring the half saiyan down with a smug smile. "I am going to rule this world, not destroy it."

"You're…a monster! A plague on humanity all of you Androids!" Trunks charged right at Cell, intending to put the monster out before he transformed and threw a pretty hard punch right into the monster's face. Unfortunately…it didn't seem to phase him at all.

Cell was almost disappointed that he didn't feel Trunks's punch. Was that what perfection had to offer? A strength that was incomparable by mortals? No…That thinking was dangerous. His past counterpart believed he was invincible and Gohan absolutely obliterated him. Besides, at this level, he knew there were many others much more powerful than he was.

With a flick of his tail, Cell began to coil around Trunks and disarm him just as quickly as the boy had charged him. It was something that the half saiyan either didn't expect or thought wasn't plausible but he froze when he realized he'd been caught. {He's going to kill me…! Just like that Cell had done in the past to get at the Androids…! Mom…I'm sorry…}

"Now then…If you're going to get in my way of world domination I just have one thing to say to you…!" Cell grinned, reaching his hand out in front of Trunks's head, lifting it ominously as if he were about to destroy the boy but broke the tension almost immediately, when he used a claw to boop the boy in the nose. "Boop! Got your nose…!"

The action was…so bizarre…Trunks was left speechless by the whole thing. Here he thought Cell was going to kill him, but he just…poked him in the nose! "What…You…HUH?!"

That got a cackling laugh out of Cell who seemed to delight on the boy's apparent fear and then abrupt confusion of the situation at hand. After he'd accomplished what he set out to do to the boy he uncoiled his tail. "I have your nose." He repeated it as if it needed to be done then continued. "I don't want to destroy this world Trunks. Not like my counterpart did in the past. I want to rule it and protect these humans. Now…you can work against me which would be unfortunate…With as few capable warriors as there are in this world, your assistance would be invaluable. Or we can work together."

Even free, Trunks couldn't grasp the concept. The idea that Cell was actually proposing. Protect humanity…? That doesn't sound like the usual MO of the androids that Gero created. He was about to object to the whole idea when some of the humans started crawling out of hiding as the barrier went down.

"He did it…! Lord Cell finally slayed the androids!" One man cheered, he looked ragged, but happy, lifting his arms in the air as he cheered. "Three cheers for Cell!"

"Our savior!" A lady in the slowly growing crowd joined in, followed by several others who started shouting praises at the bio android that left Trunks increasingly confused. Here Cell was…none of them seemed to fear him, if anything all the humans appeared to be praising and admiring him as they would Hercule from the past.

"What's…going on here!" Trunks shouted out his objections, utterly confused and lost about what happened while he was gone. "Why is CELL the one that stopped the androids? And why are you all treating him like he's some sort of messiah."

Stumbling out from the crowd, Bulma approached her son and embraced him in a hug, happy that he was back home where he belonged. "Why don't the three of us return to Capsule Corp and we can explain everything there."

"Oh right…" Cell did promise Bulma that she could examine his body head to toe once their plan succeeded. By his numbers, the next threat to the planet wouldn't be for another few years. He and Trunks would have to train hard to prevent this worlds next peril from ever occuring. For now, he would allow himself to enjoy the peace. He idly patted his belly as he felt the two who were now bonded permanently to his being and spoke in a singsong voice while he tread towards the Capsule corp building {Welcome home brother and sister. Forever.}