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DRAGON BALL HARDCORE
THE CELL SAGA, part 4
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Goku greeted his friends as if he didn't almost died of heart failure, and all their hopes returned with full force. He actually woke at midnight, and spent most of the night just thinking things over. The team explained all the crazy stuff that happened since he was away. They wanted to know if he could do anything about the current situation. Goku just looked at his hands, trembling a bit. He doesn't know. He still felt faint, and he fears that he can't go all out anymore without suffering greatly. He didn't want anyone to lose their hope so he kept pretending to be fine. And while they discussed an ambush for the androids, they all felt a power skyrocket somewhere on Earth. The Z-warriors knew it to be Piccolo.
Goku told his friends to stay sharp and on guard, because he doesn't know what will happen next. He called Gohan over to him, and together they teleported to Kami's Lookout using the Instant Transmission. They appear right beside Dende and Mr. Popo, who were in awe staring at the temple's entrance. From the shadows within, Piccolo walks up to them; his power making Goku sweat. He tries to exchange a few words, but Piccolo's reply was cold and to the point. He stood face to face with Goku and said, "Listen to me Goku. I'm going to defeat the remaining androids. And if I win, I'll be forced to return here and kill you. Then I'll take over the world and destroy all who oppose me. Do you understand?"
He just gave Goku an ominous stare, but Goku was smiling at him. He welcomed the challenge. Gohan asked why Piccolo was saying that; he sounded way too serious. Piccolo didn't say a word to Gohan, he just turned to Dende and asked where the androids were. They should be arriving at Goku's house pretty soon. Without another word, Piccolo just blasted off after them. Gohan continued to ask his father what Piccolo meant with that. Goku would tell him all about it, but they need to get somewhere first. He asked Mr. Popo if the Room of Spirit and Time was still working after old Kami passed, and Popo said it was. As long as there is someone to use a spell on the door, it should work just fine.
Gohan asked what that was, and Goku said it would be the place they shall spend some time on. Goku was thrown in there once by Popo when he trained him, and he almost died because of the peculiarities of the room. Goku was confident that Gohan could help him train there. In the back of his mind, Goku remembered the last words of his old master Roshi. "No matter how hard or how long you reach, there will always be someone better, younger, and stronger than you, that will achieve much more than you can possibly imagine."
Goku felt like he was twiddling between life and death. Now he looks at his little son, Gohan. Ever since he was five years old he showed much more talent than many of them. Gohan saved their lives far too many times for them to count. At the age of 10 he is millions of times stronger than Goku was at the same age. Not only that, he is smarter both as a fighter and as a scholar. He is brave and has his heart in the right place. Above all else, he's also a Saiyan. Goku has no doubt that Gohan will surpass him very soon, and now is a better time than ever. If either Piccolo or his illness claims his life, the last thing he wants to work on is teaching Gohan everything he knows. He wants to know if maybe he can make his son be the next Super Saiyan.
Goku pleaded that Dende slows down the flow of time inside the room for them, and so they went in together. The door was simple, like any other door in this giant magic temple. The only difference it's the clock on the door. A clock that instead of showing all twelve hours of the day it shows all twelve months of the year. According to Popo, by placing your hand on the clock you can focus your mind to speed up time inside the room. Kami could speed up the time so then a week outside is a month in there. But since Dende is much more powerful than Kami was, the effects might be astounding. Dende got a feeling of how to do it by placing his hand on the clock; it was quite difficult but it should be okay.
Gohan and Goku enter the room, counting on Dende and the others to keep each other alive. The door closes behind them, and suddenly they are met with a nice little room with an open view to the absolute white void. Goku took his time to show him everything, and at the same time apologized for forcing his son to spend who knows how long in this place. Their goal now was to get Gohan to be as strong as Goku, and also teach him a few things along the way.
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The previous night.
When the winds and light finally stopped inside the artifact room of Kami's temple, Piccolo was met with an ugly sight. King Piccolo, once one of the strongest creatures who have ever roamed the Earth, was now a decrepit old man, laughing as he tried to get up from the ground. He was laughing because of his own greatness. Even his last minute plan turned out to succeed. His last and greatest spawn had finally come to his rescue. Now they could finally take over the world for themselves. King Piccolo assumed that wretched Goku was dealt with already.
Piccolo simply admits to him, he failed. Goku defeated him in a fair fight. What's more, he saved him. Kami wanted to execute Piccolo and Goku stood against it. He trained for a long time in order to try and fight for revenge, but so did Goku, and they remained in a stalemate. When he finally made up his mind to strike, he was met by an even more dangerous foe. He had to team up with Goku and his friends to ensure the world wasn't destroyed. More enemies of absurd power came after that, and he almost met his end in that fight if it wasn't for Kami's interference. He sacrificed his life to save Piccolo, and that gave him a new power that allowed him to fight back against insurmountable odds.
Through thick and thin, more and more enemies appeared, and with time Piccolo became no different than Goku. He suddenly had a strive; greater goals, higher levels to reach, and even people to call friends. And now once again they face a foe far beyond what they are capable of. What Piccolo wants is that his father fuses with him in order to save the world.
King Piccolo then threw a sudden punch of rage at his son's face. Piccolo tanked that attack like it was nothing. King Piccolo continued attacking him repeatedly to no reaction. "Jr, why won't you die?!" he said. He was in such a rage because of the failure that is his son. All this talk and story made him unbelievably angry. He lashes out without understanding how below he currently is.
King Piccolo was all and every evil that mankind has ever committed. He was truly evil incarnated, so you can't imagine his disgust when he heard that his son was out there saving the world while he rotted in this room for fourteen years. To stop his outburst, Piccolo released a wave of Kiai that blasted his father away. He couldn't understand how Jr. got so strong. Since he couldn't fight, he tried to flee behind Piccolo, but that also failed miserably for dozens of attempts.
Talking it out didn't work, so Piccolo got straight to the point. "Listen, old man. You either fuse with me and help defeat that enemy, or I'll seal you back myself so then you can rot in here for the rest of time."
"As if that is a viable option for you, is it?"
King Piccolo soon realized he and his son were both at the edge of the situation. But of all things considered, he knows that he won't be leaving here in any way. It's either do or die. He could try to kill himself, but he doubts Piccolo will let him. Little did he know, he did lose all those years ago… and now he has no choice but to accept that.
Then so be it. He'll fuse with Piccolo, but under one simple condition. Once he is done, his next goal will be to kill Son Goku and take over the world; to fulfill the mission that he was born to accomplish. He had to promise.
Piccolo closed his eyes and got lost in thought for a moment. Then he looked his father dead in the eyes and promised that IF he survives the battle, then he'll do it. With an evil smile, King Piccolo gave his hand for Jr. to shake it, and so they did. In his last moments, King Piccolo wondered if only he had those things; a second chance, a greater goal, and a friend, would things have been so different as it was to his son.
The lights enveloped them both, and reached the deepest points of this void room.
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Now, Piccolo stands with his arms crossed in front of Goku's house. His mean look shows that he's all business from now on, and is ready to fight. Soon enough he starts hearing two people bickering about this god awful climb. And so from out of the treeline came androids 16, 17 and 18. They all looked surprised to see Piccolo there; they thought last time was enough of a beating to keep him away. 18 was ready to break his legs this time, but 17 wanted to fight for once. If he only lets 18 fight, people are gonna think he's a pussy. Piccolo then told them to follow him to the islands nearby, since he didn't want to destroy his friend's house.
They all land in some empty rock land, with nothing but sea and clouds surrounding them. As 17 gets ready for another pointless beat down, 16 warns him to be careful, as this enemy bugs out his energy censors. Meaning: he must exceed them way beyond the calibrated limit. 17 didn't know what he meant with that, and only found out when he took the first punch to the face.
That punch got a lot of questions in his head, and the two most prominent were: How the hell did Piccolo get so powerful? and: Why didn't Gero remove his ability to feel pain?
Well, to describe that fight would be pointless, because it wasn't much of a fight. Piccolo had plenty of chances to kill 17 but just didn't use them. He held back his techniques while 17 had to use most of his. 17 for a strange reason was developed with a prototype barrier that can deflect energy and physical attacks. That was a trick he didn't expect to be forced to use, and now it was the only thing saving him from Piccolo.
Eventually 18 got tired of this travesty and decided to join in. With both of them fighting at the same time they had a better chance against Piccolo. He couldn't hold back anymore. The fight held itself really balanced with all the three. The Z-warriors at kame house thought that to be it; Piccolo was going to beat them. Just then they receive a call from Bulma, who was going straight to kame house with the finished remote in her possession. Boku and Yamcha decided to go meet her halfway there; it would be faster. Everything was coming together.
But out of this whole situation, a threat from the shadows decided it was time to strike.
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The two androids were getting beaten at every opportunity, and Piccolo still refused to do them any serious harm. They were angry; he absolutely wasn't this strong when they fought him last time. Piccolo revealed that he truly doesn't care about that anymore. If they were as dangerous as he expected them to be, then all of them would be dead already. Piccolo believed he should thank 16 for holding them back on their adventure. Truth was, Piccolo kept watching them from afar since yesterday. He feels like he can spare them a meaningless death as long as they agree to not do the world any harm. Piccolo sounded way too commanding for them, and that's something that especially bothers them. They were about to charge him again when something appeared out of nowhere.
Piccolo suffered a sneak attack by someone. It was Cell. He locked himself to Piccolo and stabbed him in the back. Piccolo didn't know what was happening, but he knew he was up against another stupid android who could suck away his power. He was rapidly losing the energy to fight back; that damn thing was almost instantaneous. He couldn't believe he was gonna lose like that, but thankfully he was saved. Saved by the people he least expected saving from.
17 and 18 took the offensive against Cell. He was forced away from Piccolo, and now he suddenly realizes that maybe these people aren't working together. 17 and 18 didn't like Piccolo, but this whole thing is getting chaotic. They proposed a truce until they get rid of this weird bug bastard that is laser focused on them. Unfortunately, Piccolo's energy had been drained almost completely, and now Cell had all that power to himself. Needless to say the fight wasn't fair anymore. 17 and 18 attacked him with Piccolo, but now Cell wielded far too much power. The fight seemed lost until 16 decided to join. For far too long had he remained without a purpose, so now he shall choose one himself. And he wants to protect these two friends that he made. His body isn't as strong as 17 and 18, but his energy blasts are just as powerful.
With a little bit of teamwork they manage to keep themselves alive against Cell. Piccolo was doing his best to keep 17 and 18 out of harm's way, which was a little unexpected for them. The fight comes to an end as they grab Cell by the tail and toss him towards the Earth. He slams into the ground causing an earthquake. 16 went ahead and jumped on top, and by removing his hands he pointed two arm cannons towards Cell. It was a powerful blast with all the focused energy that he saved up from his own Ultra Reactor ever since he was awakened. With that, Cell's presence vanished. For a second of silence they could rest assured.
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After all that, they didn't know what to do. Should they just start fighting again? Piccolo didn't think so, and neither did 17. He started questioning why they should even fight these people. Gero is dead and so are his dreams of vengeance. 18 argued that the last order he gave them sounded fun; didn't 17 want to kill Goku too? And that was 17's point. Gero had made something with their brains; he twisted them to believe it would be a fun thing to do because they wouldn't do it otherwise. He felt stupid for not realizing it earlier. 17 for one wants to say screw it to that bastard. Out of the 24 hours that they've been free, the worst part of it all was fighting these weirdos for no reason. They are free to choose, and he decides to give up on this stupid mission to kill Goku.
As the uncomfortable silence stuck by them, 18 asked, "So what do we do now? get a job?" That sounds like boring adult stuff. She hated that. All she ever wanted was to seek thrills and have fun; they have no one else or anything to return to. Now she had the strength to do everything she ever wanted. Why stop? What else is there to do with all this power? Was all those shitty years of enslavement for nothing?
Piccolo interjected, saying that they should just keep on living, and find their own answers to what they truly want. To use this power for a greater goal; maybe the others could help them with that. 18 wondered, "Why should we trust you people after you tried to kill us?" And Piccolo said that they are all a bunch of simpletons; they'll forgive them. He speaks from experience. 18 just looked on in silence, still unconvinced.
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To think this whole situation that started with a death battle would end with just a short talk. All it took was a bit of maturity on everyone's behalf. Maybe they were wrong to think fighting and getting stronger was always the best answer. The only problem that Piccolo faced right now is that he had to fulfill his promise to his father.
But of course, things will never… never be so easy. The threat of the present has been quarreled, but the ominous unknown enemy was just beginning his revenge.
When the wind stopped for just a second, Cell emerged. He burrowed out from the ground right behind 17. It caught everyone by surprise, but what he did next was the weirdest thing they ever saw in their life. 18 witnessed her twin brother be eaten by that thing's tail in a flash. She was paralyzed. Piccolo himself was in total shock and couldn't understand what was happening. He got up but it was too late to save 17; he was slapped away by Cell. Finally the tail swallowed 17 completely.
Cell's entire body began to vibrate really hard, and a light surrounded his whole body. He began to change. His power became unmatched in a blink of an eye; all the Z-warriors scattered through the world could feel it. He became bulkier; his body got even more sectioned. And now he had a mouth from which to speak. He had achieved his second form. He was quite happy with that change, because now he can introduce himself to these people he has been terrorizing. He is android 20, but all things considered, he shall go with… Cell.
As Piccolo was trying to get up, Cell felt it was only fair for them to know why they are being killed. His story isn't a long one, for it's because of them that it didn't last.
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Cell, just like Boku, comes from the future. Although, he comes from a different timeline of events. All the information he has comes from his cerebral chip implant. And it all began with Boku's arrival to the past. He helped Goku and friends defeat Cold, told them about the future, gave Goku the medicine and yadda yadda. Turns out this isn't the second timeline created, but actually it is the third.
Cell comes from a timeline where the Z-warriors were specially cautious and fearful of what the future held. Instead of waiting for three years to fight the androids, they all went ahead with Bulma's plan. As soon as the dragon balls were made, they wished for a map to the powerful android's location. And in a short time, they found it.
Through bizarre circumstances of luck, they managed to find Gero's lab while he was away. They managed to secure all of his work easily. Android 19 was currently being made, and was rightly destroyed by Piccolo. 17 and 18 were still asleep in their pods. Dende could feel ominous feelings by just looking at them; their amazing power was subtle and dormant. He decided to keep them in Kami's lookout where they will be safe, and eventually free them. In a single day, decades of Gero's progress was erased. He was a dying old man, and he lost hope. The circumstances that led the Z-warriors to finding his lab were very suspicious. Once again he decided to spy them using his Nanobug, and after months he found out the truth; time travel. A boy from the future that warned them of his creations. He was happy to know that he succeeded in some timeline at least, but he didn't give up. He just wanted to give one final shot to his revenge even if he was to die before achieving it. The last thing he created was Cell.
He managed to find the location of another secret research base for biological weapons that belonged to Red Ribbon. It wasn't the usual way he wanted to make androids, but he had no other way. To create the perfect biological being, Cell was given the DNA of all the strongest warriors of Earth that Gero collected over the years, and now even King Cold's gene that he collected from his red cape. Cell was part Saiyan, part Earthling, part Namekian and part asshole space dictator, and that created the ultimate life form. Through a cerebral chip implant, Cell was born with knowledge of the Z-warriors strengths and techniques. However, what could give him true power was an Ultra Reactor, but Gero didn't have the resources to craft another one anymore. Stealing 17 and 18 from Dende's care was impossible; Cell was still too weak and Gero's health had taken a turn for the worse. And to top it all off, the dragon balls were active once again. The Z-warriors realized that leaving the scientist out there was a bad idea, so a year later they called the dragon again to find his location specifically, and Gero was found. As soon as he saw them in front of him, he suffered a nervous heart attack and died.
He did manage to set Cell free, with the only goal of getting stronger and killing the Z-warriors who were now hunting him as if he's some kind of unrecognizable evil. It was still impossible to try to defeat them without an Ultra Reactor powering him up, but he didn't have to worry about that for too long.
Three years after he first arrived, Boku returned on 4th of May for the same reason he returned in this timeline. His future still didn't change even with Gero's absolute defeat. Cell felt his energy arriving in this timeline, and made his move. He killed Boku, absorbed his energy and gained a huge head-start power. With him dead, he was free to take the Time Machine for himself, and used it to go back in time. Unfortunately the time machine was too small for him, and so he had to return to his primal larvae state to fit in. He went four years back in time, and as he arrived, he remained slowly returning to his normal state for the past four years. He wanted to go farther back, but Boku's time machine didn't have enough fuel for it. And now, he is here.
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To simplify, Cell came to the past to hunt down the people who took away everything from him; his father, his purpose and his future. It was all taken away because their fears were bigger than their hearts. Cell just wanted enough power to kill the Z-warriors because he genuinely believes they are dangerous and irresponsible, and keeping them alive could only end in catastrophe. And of course, that would include Piccolo.
Cell pointed his hand towards him, beginning to shine. That appeared to be the end, but once again Cell was interrupted. He was struck in the back by punches and kicks that couldn't do that much against him but were quite annoying. 18 was letting out tears of anger as she demanded him to give back her brother. Looking at her, Cell realized something. His body was made with such durability that it could probably intake another Ultra Reactor and become stronger. Not to mention Goku must still be alive in this timeline. Cell doesn't know how he would compare against his Super Saiyan form. All those questions led him to believe that he should absorb android 18 as well.
She tried to fight him but was completely outmatched. 16 tried to defend her, and ended up with his robotic cranium split open, but still alive. It seemed that Cell was about to achieve his perfect form, but as it's natural to him at that point, more rats came in for the sneak attack. Absolute Karma.
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Boku and Yamcha caught up with Bulma and finally got the remote. They were sure of victory with that. Yamcha promised that she'll get the credit for this one, and together they head back to kame house. Tien was sitting there, meditating and gathering as much natural energy from the planet as possible, and so they went after Piccolo's ki signature. They were on their way when they suddenly felt his energy disappear in a flash, and that jumbled mess of energy appeared again. Cell attacked him. They doubled the speed, but only arrived in the aftermath. They hid away and watched Piccolo sitting there along with the androids after the struggle, and Cell was nowhere to be seen. When they tried to jump in, Piccolo heard them with his enhanced hearing and gave them a mean look that meant, "stay there, I got this."
They got to hear their truce, and 17's monologue. It was clear to the three that these kids aren't evil, at least not anymore. Boku's grip on the remote got looser and looser as the realization got to him. He didn't know what to think any more. He held those two in such absolute spite, and now they don't seem bad all of the sudden. Is it really okay for him to hate them for things that they did in another timeline?
They didn't have that much time to ponder on that thought, because it was then that Cell made his attack. They watched silently as his power doubled, and were in absolute shock of his explanation about his story and mission. Once they saw 18 getting defeated by him, they knew it was time to step up. Yamcha was hesitant, but Tien didn't give a damn about that power of his. They heard him; he'll kill every single one of them unless they stop him. The least they can do is to help 18 flee. They can't allow him to become even more powerful.
When Cell was about to finish off Piccolo, he heard a scream from Tien up above him. He was floating there already in pose. Cell mocked him for his low power, saying that he cannot do anything against him even with his Kikoho. Little does Cell know, Tien has been gathering natural energy for a whole hour now. Natural energy cannot be felt by anyone other than the person wielding it, and Tien knew he could use all this power to keep him occupied.
"SHIN…. KIKOHOOOO!"
And so it began. From above Cell saw the instant light coming down on him. The perfect square hole was open deep into the Earth, and Cell took an unexpected amount of pushback from that. Tien shouts for android 18 to get the hell out of there. Despite wanting to stay and fight, 16 just tackled her and flew away really fast. Tien proceeded to fire blast upon blast of instantaneous energy to keep Cell in that hole. To Cell it was like trying to climb up a raging waterfall. Tien had so much energy stored that he managed to do this for a good dozen minutes. Even he was surprised how much he just unleashed. To think that people had to throw their lives away to use it once.
As he feels his death is imminent, Tien does a little chuckle before falling from the sky with no energy left; neither the planet's natural energy or his own. Cell slowly flew up while looking really moody. Despite that, he commended Tien for being absurdly powerful for an earthling.
Before Cell lies two of his targets; Piccolo and Tien. What better thing to do if not kill both of them in one big boom. But as he suspected, Tien had company. And they were developing a little scheme there.
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When everything failed, Boku decided to take upon himself to buy time, even if he dies. He is the reason Cell came to this timeline in the first place, and he'll not allow Piccolo and Tien to die because of him. Yamcha tried to put his head straight. He wasn't the least powerful like the rest, but Boku had a plan. He was going to use the Shape-shifting technique to become 18 and attract his attention somewhere else. He wants his dad to take Piccolo and Tien to the lookout and heal them. Boku was ready to die before ever fulfilling his promise in order to write his wrong.
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Of course Yamcha didn't have to think twice about it; there's no way in hell he would let his son do that. Instead, he volunteered to do it himself. He saw that Boku had something truly valuable; he had the smarts that can overcome power. His son is gonna save the future, he has to; Boku cannot afford to die here. Like Yamcha himself says, to save the world they need people like Boku; not some lousy martial artist like Yamcha. And before Boku could understand the true meaning of his words, Yamcha knocked him out cold. He said, "use that brain of yours to think of a way to win, and not a perfect way to give up."
And so Yamcha focused his mind. He remembered two years ago, not long after the battle against Cold. He had been thinking of the boy that used the Shape-shifting technique and asked Puar about him. He too didn't know the boy, but figured that he might be a kid of someone in his old class of Southern Shapeshifting Kindergarten. Yamcha kind of wanted to learn how to do it, since the boy used it in such a creative way that had Yamcha hooked. Puar was willing to teach him good, it wasn't hard; a toddler can do it.
And just like Puar taught him two years ago, Yamcha used the technique and transformed into a perfect copy of android 18. He never thought he was gonna die while on the body of a hot teenage girl, but now he wouldn't want it any other way.
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Just as Cell was about to execute two of the Z-warriors in one go, an incoming ki bullet hits him at the back of the head. "Grr-what the hell now, for the fourth time?!"
It looks like his primary target just came back; 18. She was acting a little odd; for once, she flipped him off and smacked her ass for Cell to come and get her, and then she just flew away. That's… unusual. Cell told Tien and Piccolo to wait there, even if they run now they'll be at his mercy in the end. And so Cell took the bait. He blasted off right after her, and left Tien and Piccolo there; winded and struggling to hold on.
Tien asked what the hell was she thinking, to which Piccolo answered, "That's not 18…"
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For how powerful Cell was, Yamcha knew it was only a matter of time before he catches up to him, and eventually they end up face to face. She strikes a very feminine pose and asks if he was really gonna harm such a pretty girl. Cell asked if she had suffered some bash on her skull, but then she puffs into colored smoke. Cell's face sank as he realized it wasn't her; it was just silly Yamcha, keeping his energy on the minimum to perfectly mimic her lack of ki. Cell was really upset.
He asks why would Yamcha throw away his life so idiotically, to which Yamcha responds that he has nothing to regret. He met good friends; he learned cool things; he fought against the most powerful beings in the universe and survived; he married the prettiest, hottest and richest woman on Earth, and he's best friend's with TWO legends incarnated. By all means he lived the perfect life and he didn't even hit his forties yet. And now he dies to save his friends and his home from a monster.
Cell scoffs him for his point of view; Yamcha and his friends have caused as much and if not more problems than he did. Does he need to remind him of the Namekian race that lingers on thread due to their actions?
Yamcha thought that was funny coming from the guy that sucked the life of dozens of innocent people without a care. But to his surprise, Cell felt sorrow in regards to that. In his first form he couldn't really control himself, and feels bad for all the ones he killed because of it; even the wild animals. He would wish to bring them back to life if he could. Yamcha then questions him; if their thoughts on justice are so aligned, why should they fight?
And so Cell explains to him a little bit more than before. He came to understand that the Z-warriors caused far too much trouble. Piccolo Jr. remained alive because of them; the Saiyans came to earth because of them; Vegeta and Frieza went to Namek because of them; Cold came to earth because of them; and even he and his android fellows were created because of them. Cell understood that as long as powerful people remain alive, problems will escalate more and more with time; getting more and more impossible to survive for the innocent people that surround them. He imagines what kind of thing would happen if he were to allow the Z-warriors keep on living with such powers. Enemies from across the galaxies would come and threaten the world just for an opportunity to fight them. He doesn't doubt that Goku's thirst for challenge might grow so selfish to the point he won't care for how many innocent people may die in his search for a good fight.
And so he decided; that shall be his goal. To become the strongest, most perfect being to exist, and then destroy all other powerful beings in the universe to ensure that order and control is taken away from the strong and vicious.
Yamcha called him a fool. If he thinks any of them are stupid enough to make such mistakes then he's terribly wrong. Goku is dumb but he's not insane. Cell knows Yamcha speaks from the heart, but he doesn't understand. Cell came from a timeline where the powerful Z-warriors saw him as a threat even if he was weak compared to them, and tried to kill him. He had to live in hiding because he knew the second he showed up his face he would die. They thought they had the right to do that because they had the power, and that is the mindset that curses them. He will ensure it goes extinct.
There's nothing Yamcha can do to convince Cell now. He had a few people to find and others to kill, and didn't want to keep them waiting for too long.
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In this little empty island that they found themselves in, the thunder clouds coming from the sea quickly took over the skies. The place suddenly got really dark. It was just one of the last two turtle students and the ultimate life form eyeing each other. Yamcha rushed against him, and he went prepared with everything he got.
The last fight of his life began.
Fists accompanied by lightning, Yamcha and his energy claws couldn't do much against Cell, who either tanked the attacks or just dodged them. Yamcha's technique made him one of the deadliest warriors to fight up close, but it wasn't enough. Thankfully, he had a new trick.
Soon Yamcha showed him his new weapon. A sword that emerged out of his arm; made of pure ki. It was quite powerful and dangerous.
Its first swing against Cell opened up a slash on the sea, on the clouds, and it kept going through space until it eventually sliced a third of the moon, leaving it in a bizarre shape. Everyone witnessed the strange happening, and even Yamcha was surprised with its cutting power.
Wielding that ki sword soon showed a glaring flaw. He gathered literally all of his energy into his arm as if he was trying a new style of the Kikoho, and that left him wide open in the other parts of his body.
Yamcha quickly changed his style. He made not one; not two; not three and not four, but FIVE Soukidans that fly around him like satellites. They protected him from Cell's punches and attacked when his fists could not. With body and mind aligned, he was able to overwhelm Cell by all sides. He needed to end while still on the advantage.
And so he continued his offensive by attacking Cell with a full-course Wolf Fang Fist, and finished it up with a Kamehameha. Yamcha's energy blast took the form of a wolf's head and fangs, biting down on Cell's arm as he stopped the blast with one hand. He was slowly pushing Yamcha back; he had to end it now. He used his last resort.
"Kaioken... times... FIVE!"
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The light took over the entire horizon, and when the dust settled down it began to rain. Yamcha was wrecked and out of energy, and as he looked straight at where he fired. There stood Cell; nothing more than burn marks and scratches on his chest and arms.
It was fearsome; quite fearsome for an earthling. If he fought against the likes of Frieza on this current level, Cell had no doubt Yamcha would come around as the winner. Unfortunately, Frieza is merely 25% of Cell; both biologically and power wise. Unable to fight back, Cell begins to beat down Yamcha; breaking his bones, bruising him horribly and leaving him stuck to the ground. The rain was getting heavier. If it served as consolation, Cell promised to send his friends and Boku to the other world with him soon afterwards.
He flew up and shot down on Yamcha with a barrage of ki bullets that completely reshaped that landscape, and caused the entire planet to shake from the explosion.
…
…
Looking down at his corpse, Cell remembers that android 18 must be already in a good hiding place on the other side of the planet. He'll have to spend a long while searching, but now with 17's Ultra Reactor he feels like he can identify their location by the strange signals they transmit to each other. He just needs to get closer, and so he blasts off.
…
…
The explosions could be heard on the other side of the world, and the tremors woke Boku up. He was dazed, but he quickly understood what happened and already started panicking. He could feel his father's energy reach a breaking point. Tien and Piccolo were still left lying on the rocks, and Boku picked them up on his shoulders. They beg him to follow the energy.
Soon they arrive at the empty battlegrounds of what once was a section of the sea. The heavy rain was falling down on them, and it didn't take long before they saw what was left of the battle. Right there, in the middle of a huge crater, lies the body of their friend and family. Although he must have been suffering quite a deal of pain, Yamcha died with a smile.
…
Boku just walked over his father, triggering memories of the same nature. Almost as if the universe is playing a cruel joke, his father died just like his best friend; just like Dina. And once again it was his fault. He fell to his knees, and he didn't know what to think. When he decided to start this whole time traveling journey a year ago, he promised that he wouldn't let this feeling get to him. He promised to himself that he wouldn't get attached to anything from the past. But now here he was, crying over the body of his father. He didn't change; he is still as weak as he was when he left. And now his innocent father had to pay with his life for his stupid son's mistakes.
…
Yamcha was always a tough nut to crack, but once through his fake exterior he was a rather gentle and silly man. He was brave, because he believed that bravery is the most important thing a person can have, even if it was misguided. He lost many fights over his life, and he lost many of his friends, but he never lost himself to fear and weakness.
Seeing him now, Piccolo looked down and closed his eyes. Another one; another warrior that gave up his life so then Piccolo could keep going. He never allowed his emotions to slip, but that doesn't mean he does not have them. If Piccolo lived, it has to be for a reason.
Tien was taking the worst out of the three. He always kept such composure, but whenever this happened he tends to expose a boiling rage. Not towards enemies but to himself. He knows; they all know they can die at any moment in these fights, but every time it happens he just wishes it could've been him instead. He just sat there and watched as again and again, his friends fell before his eyes; for his sake. His best friend had a wife and child at home. How could he possibly make up for this?
With his eyes forcefully closed while looking down, he asks Boku if he still had the remote. And yes, it was still in his pocket. Tien told him to go after Cell; save 18, and use the remote wisely. Until Goku and Gohan leave their special training in the lookout they have to do anything to stop Cell. He and Piccolo are not in shape to fight now, and he told Boku to leave them there. Yamcha's sacrifice cannot go in vain.
With a surge of determination, Boku threw away his yellow beanie and black coat, and was wearing a black tank top underneath. He ripped off a bloody piece of cloth from Yamcha's gi, and wrapped it around his arm as a memento of his father's last words. Just like he did so many times before, all the dread in his heart turned into motivation, and he was ready to fix his wrong. Just like that, Boku blasted off into the sky.
…
The rain stopped. Piccolo and Tien sat there to gather their pace and energy back so they could join the fight later. They were ready to sacrifice anything if it meant that there was going to be a future for tomorrow, just like Yamcha did.
When Tien and Piccolo looked back at him, his body had faded away.
…
…
At the split second that Cell was spotted at an island at the coast of South City, a thousand phones rang to a certain man and his camera crew. He has been on record, live on TV, promising the people to crack down on this green monster that has been terrorizing the world. His popularity grew in a flash, and suddenly the world was crying the name, MR. SATAN. It was time for him to make good on his word.