Watching the three Androids depart and leaving the unconscious Vegeta behind, the group couldn't help but twitch their lips in annoyance. Clearly, these three were nothing like the monsters Trunks had described.
And Vegeta... that guy really had the worst luck.
Krillin turned to Goku, looking concerned. "Goku, is it really okay to let them go?"
"Sure. They don't seem like they'll do anything bad," Goku replied with a confident smirk. "Besides, if they do start causing trouble, I'll deal with them. At their current level, they aren't much of a threat to me."
Goku's confidence was well-earned. He hadn't spent the last few years idle. He was already standing on the threshold of surpassing the Super Saiyan wall. To him, these Androids were opponents he could eliminate with ease.
Unlike Vegeta, who insisted on training in isolation, Goku had spent the past few years consulting Turles on various matters. His current goal was to transcend his limits and achieve the form of Super Saiyan 2.
"If you're that confident, then I'll take your word for it," Krillin said, finally letting out a sigh of relief.
On the other side, Piccolo stood staring at the sky, lost in thought. His sharp eyes flickered with unease.
It seems it's time to become one again, he thought, referring to his fusion with Kami.
Somewhere on a vast plain.
Swish!
An egg-shaped time machine appeared out of thin air and slammed into the ground. A tall, green figure burst through the hatch and landed firmly on the soil.
"Hahahaha! Finally! I've succeeded!!" the creature croaked, looking around at the landscape. "So this is the past? Such fresh air!"
The creature was hideous, possessing a mottled green hide and a pair of thick, protruding lips.
This was Cell, a traveler from another timeline. However, because he had already absorbed Android 18 in his own future, he had arrived in this era already in his Second Form.
"Now then, 17... I've come for you! Perfect Form... I can hardly wait. But where are you hiding?"
Searching through the data banks in his mind, Cell quickly located the coordinates for Dr. Gero's laboratory.
He flared his Ki and rocketed toward the lab. As for being detected? Don't be ridiculous. In his Second Form, Cell believed himself to be invincible in this era. Goku and Vegeta? They were just failures who had either died of a heart virus or been slaughtered by 17 and 18. Why should he care?
Near the ruins of Dr. Gero's laboratory, Turles and the others—who had just finished demolishing the place—were suddenly alerted by a massive surge of energy.
"What an evil Ki... and what is this signature?"
Everyone felt the complexity of the power. It felt like a chaotic fusion of Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, Frieza, and several others.
In the sky, Cell suddenly came to a halt. "Well, well... what do we have here? A wild 17 and 18? Hehehe... Perfect Form, here I come!"
BOOM!!
With a thunderous impact, Cell landed directly in front of Android 17 and Android 18.
"Hehehe... 17, 18! Come, fuse with me!! Be honored! Be grateful that you get to become a part of Lord Cell's glorious evolution! I will take your power and rule this world!"
To ensure his perfection, he had set his sights on the Android 18 of this timeline as well!
"What kind of monster are you?" 17 asked, narrowing his eyes. "Fuse with you? What are you babbling about?"
"Hahaha! Since you asked, I'll be merciful and tell you," Cell sneered. "I am the Ultimate Android, created by Dr. Gero for the sole purpose of eliminating the Saiyans and conquering the world!"
"And you—17 and 18—are the keys to my Perfect Form! Come, let us become one! Become a part of the great Lord Cell!"
"Pah! 'Ultimate Android'?" 17 looked at Cell with pure disgust. "With a face that ugly, you want to absorb me? You're dreaming."
17 gave Cell a look of utter loathing. The creature's appearance was an insult to his eyes. "Get lost. I'm in a good mood today, so I won't kill you."
"Hahaha! Interesting. Very interesting. It seems you don't realize how powerful I am!"
"Ha—!"
Cell flared his Ki. A golden aura erupted around him, and a terrifying pressure swept across the area. His power-up looked almost exactly like a Super Saiyan transformation.
"What?!"
Cold sweat trickled down 17's brow. He hadn't expected the monster to be this strong.
"Heh. Now, you don't have a choice!"
Cell's figure blurred. Before 17 could react, a fist slammed into his stomach.
Splat— Agh!
17's eyes bulged. The agonizing pain caused his body to double over as he coughed up bile.
Swish!
Cell reached out and grabbed 17 by his hair, lifting him effortlessly.
Looking at the incapacitated 17, Cell mocked him. "Heh. What's wrong, 17? Weren't you acting all arrogant a second ago? Why don't you try that again?"
Android 18 finally snapped out of her shock and lunged at Cell. "Let go of 17!!"
Android 16 followed suit, swinging a massive fist toward the monster.
"Hmph!"
Cell snorted. He pivoted and sent a side-kick into 18, sending her tumbling back. He caught 16's fist with his free hand and smiled. "Your strength is interesting, but that's all. Move!"
He delivered another kick, sending 16 flying into the distance.
"Cough... what kind of monster is this?" 18 scrambled out of a pile of rubble, staring in terror at 17, who was still in Cell's grasp.
"17! Become one with me!!"
Cell's eyes gleamed with fervor. The tip of his tail expanded into a wide suction cup. Under 18's horrified gaze, he pulled 17 into the tail.
"Lapis! NO—!!!"
But it was too late. Under 18's despairing eyes, 17 was completely absorbed.
BOOM!!
As Cell integrated 17, the golden light around him intensified. His physical form began to shift. The hideous, thick-lipped face smoothed out, becoming refined and handsome. His black wings hardened and grew sleek. The long tail retracted into his back. The transformation was total; he now radiated a sinister, elegant charisma.
"Hahahaha! Is this it? Is this the power of my Perfect Form?!"
Cell laughed maniacally, feeling the world-shaking power coursing through his veins.
"Hahahaha! It was worth the effort of traveling back to the past! This strength is incredible! However..."
Cell's eyes locked onto the grieving 18. "Now, it's your turn!"
18 forced herself to her feet, prepared to fight to the death.
Suddenly, a large green figure lunged forward and pinned Cell from behind.
"18, run! I'm going to self-destruct to take this monster with me!"
"16, you..."
"RUN!!"
18 looked at 16 with a heartbroken expression, then gritted her teeth and took to the sky.
Cell watched 18's retreating figure with amusement before turning his head toward 16.
"You really think a piece of scrap metal like you can hurt me? 18 is already in the palm of my hand. Run? Where exactly does she think she can go?"