A guy gets inserted into an AU Future Cell in Future Trunks timeline and goes off to become Perfect, rather quickly...
Cells of Bells (DBZ SI)
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Cells of Bells (DBZ AU, Perfect Cell SI)
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Chapter 1
While obvious I'll say it, dying sucks.
There are millions of ways to die. Ran over by a car, murder, natural causes, unnatural causes, and many others.
As for me, I'd die from embarrassment if I hadn't already. Death by banana peel, off the stairs. How sad.
As you'd expect when a person dies they go somewhere. Here it's just dark, as if I was sleeping. And seeing as my eyes certainly felt shut right, that may be right.
So where the hell am I? Am I in a tube or something?
"Hello, my child. This is your creator speaking, I am Doctor Gero. If you are hearing this then your growth is complete. Your primary objective is to become perfect. You will achieve this by absorbing Androids 17 and 18. Everything else that you need to know should already be imprinted by now." Then the recording stopped.
This just confirmed where I am. The world of Dragon Ball. Neat.
As I walk out of the tube all I see are ruins. Damn it I'm in the future timeline. Might as well make the best of this.
Feed.
What?
You must feed. You are week. To feed is to gain strength.
Alright then I'll find some animals, they should be fine.
They will do, for now.
For that I have gotta get out of here then. So where is the exit. Amongst the recharge I see a hole in the ceiling. I jump but find myself unable to reach.
Fly.
Oh yeah. You can in this world. But how the fuck do I do that?
Think of it.
Ok. 'Fly'
Holy shit it worked!
Of course. Now escape.
I float towards the hole. I punch around it to make it bigger.
Good. Now find sustenance.
Once I'm outside all I can see is mountains. At least I don't have to worry about the androids or Gohan.
There should be some animals around here.
Sense
Ok got it. 'Sense'
Eagle
Power Level: 4
Ha! I found some birds in the sky. About ten of them. And they're weak too. So all I have to do is kill them and-
No. You do not feed. Not like them. No need to, not yet at least. You feed by absorbing.
But how?
Simply let your tail do its function. All you need to do is provide it with sustenance. Use your ki.
I get what it means. I aim my hand at them. 'Shoot Ki Blast'
*BOOM*
The blast hits its mark as all ten eagles hit the ground. I run over to where they landed.
Good. Now feed. Let your tail do the rest.
My tail moves to the birds as it opens up. It takes them as they move down my body.
DAMN! What was that!? Whatever it was it felt good.
It is what happens when you feed. When you feed you gain strength and pleasure. The higher the power level, the more you earn.
Oh yeah power levels. Speaking of them, what's mine?
Bio-Mech Android #1
Power Level: 30,000,009
Wow. That's pretty insignificant. I mean I'd destroy everyone in Dragon Ball, the Saiyan Saga, and almost everyone n the Frieza Saga. However, after that I'd be cannon fodder compared to the later ones.
The Androids were stronger than Frieza in his final form and he was in the millions. Gohan was stronger and then there's the Androids. I'm not even gonna mention the ones after that.
If you wish to gain strength then you must feed.
Oh wow like I didn't hear that before. I get it Cell got stronger from eating people. But could I even do that?
Yes you can. You are stronger than those worms. You could destroy this entire planet if you wished. You should have no pity for those lesser life forms.
Sure, but I dont want to go through the effort of maintaining secrecy, it'd be pretty tedious to do when they're likely not many humans left.
Besides, am I not part Saiyan and whatever Frieza is?
You contain the DNA of the Saiyans: (Son Goku, Son Gohan, and Vegeta) and UNKNOWN RACE: Alien #1 and Alien #2
Great! Now I could just find wherever Kami's Lookout is and assuming that the Tome Chamber is still there, just train my ass off.
Location known as Kami's Lookout is destroyed.
Damn, but it makes sense. That place would likely be one of the first places that the Androids destroyed.
Ok, so hardcore grinding isn't an option. What now?
Not going to Gohan since that'd just drag me into his fights with #17 and #18. I don't know which version of Dragon Ball this is and each version has Gohan at different levels of strength. He's either on par with #17 or way below him. And with my power level I doubt I could do much to help out.
Joining #17 and #18 likely won't work for me either. Sure I could just stay close until I get an opportunity to absorb them, but I doubt that they'd trust me so easily. Android I may be, I'm not their actual sibling.
There is no need to join them to gain a chance at absorbing them. At becoming PERFECT.
Really, why not?
Just deactivate them.
That was an option?
Androids #17 and #18 were rebellious and not likely to accept becoming one with PERFECTION, so Dr. Gero saw fit to include a deactivation signal for them within you.
Wow, that is incredibly convenient! Sucks for OG Cell that he never came with this!
Though that does beg the question, where the hell do I find those Androids?
*BOOM*
What the hell was that?!
That explosion was far too powerful to be natural or man made, it had to be a result of either the half Saiyans or Androids.
Ki Explosion
Source recognized: Android #17
'Sense direction of Ki Explosion, then fly towards it, conceal Ki signature'
My body then rises into the air and moves as my mind had directed it. Not the most optimal way of using this body but I'm still not too used to using Ki like it's second nature so this will have to do for now.
It takes some time to get there since I'm not going at my top speed, but it's better that way so I can remain undetected. After all, I don't know what's going on over there or what reaction any of them may have, so best not to clue Gohan to my existence just yet.
Once I land my eyes instantly lock on to the Androids, to some relief I notice that Gohan is absent. Though it's because the man isn't here yet, is recovering, or dead remains to be seen. Still, it'd be better to act while he isn't around to interfere.
Right now they're just fucking around by killing a bunch of humans. It's a waste of their abilities and time really, how they don't get bored of doing this shit for seventeen years is astoundingly stupid!
Whatever, I guess I'll do humanity a favor and put these two out of commission. But first I need to get close while hidden. I don't want to get atomized by mistake after all.
Stealth is a skill you possess, it is a necessity for absorption. Helpful agaisnt the weak, needed against threats.
Useful to know, and useful to do.
'Sneak to a close and hidden position near Android #17'
Like earlier, my body moves as my mind orders it to. Now it's best that I deactivate #17 first, him being the strongest means that he's also the fastest and most likely to end me if he wanted to.
'Deactivate both Androids!'
Unable to deactivate both at once. You only contain a deactivation signal for each of them.
Super inconvenient but better than nothing!
'Deactivate #17!'
As soon as I order it, #17's body instant ceases all action and falls to the ground motionless.
"What the hell?!" Android #17 cried out in shock.
"Seventeen?! What's with you?!" Android #18 asked in alarm.
"I don't know! I was fine one moment and suddenly I couldn't move anymore! It was like… like being deactivated!" #17 said, fear and uncertainty laced in his words.
"I swear that if this is Gohan or Bulma's behind this then I'm killing them, no matter how amusing their struggling used to be!" #18 threatened with rage, about to fly and likely begin to search for either.
"By all means, go ahead. Just don't forget to reverse this first!" #17 yelled, his fear giving way to anger as well.
Not so fast little lady, can't have you going off too soon!
'Deactivate #18'
With my second command, she fell out of the sky just as motionless yet aware as her brother.
"No!" Both cried out in horror. With the both of them defenseless, they knew that it would be the end of them.
Both Androids have been deactivated.
Why are they still conscious? Won't that be a risk?
Dr. Gero wanted them to be aware of their helplessness. As punishment for their rebellious nature against him. Now is the moment at hand to absorb them and finally become PERFECT.
Yes, now is the time.
I don't bother with stealth anymore as I walk, my footsteps now audible as they step on the ruined city roads.
Despite such a thing being completely unnecessary, I keep on walking slow yet loud. Due to my heightened senses, I could hear their heartbeats. They're afraid.
Good Good
Let them have a taste of what these people have been forced to feel. Let their final moments be full of fear, let them die as helplessly as any other human had.
"You… you're not Gohan! What the hell are you?!"
"Hello, brother." I greeted.
"What?!"
"And hello to my beautiful sister!" I greet before rasping out with my tongue.
"Oh fuck no!"
"Why are you doing this?!" #17 demanded.
"Just like you two, I was an Android built by Dr. Gero."
"Don't tell me that this is revenge for that bastard!" He shouted, enraged at the thought of the good doctor.
"No, I care nothing for our creator. Though the deactivation signals he has provided me with and what m about to do to you can be considered an act of post-mortem revenge."
"Even from beyond the grave that bastard still fucks us over!" #17 cursed with bitterness. "If you're not here for revenge, then what the hell do you want?"
"Simple. I was built with one goal in mind. PERFECTION. To accomplish this, I need to absorb the two of you. Rejoice, for you will be elevated to a level far beyond what you deserve, even if you won't be aware for any of it."
"You can't fucking do this!" #17 cried out.
"Of course I can bitch, I drink people. Besides, why not? It was what I was made to do after all, to achieve, to ascend. A far more worthwhile purpose than the waste you made of yourselves. All that power, all that potential, and yet for seventeen years you've only used it to hunt down those infinitely your lesser in strength."
"We'll stop killing humans! We got the message, crystal clear! Just let us go!" #18 pleaded. I wonder how many have begged like this before them.
"You have more value paralyzed and helpless than you do fully mobile. You have nothing to offer me beyond your bodies, which I'm already taking. Prepare for PERFECTION, my siblings."
'Absorb #17'
My tail moves to obey that command, the stinger opening up as it began to suck #17 inside. Much to their chargen, but who cared what they thought?
Their thoughts are irrelevant.
"It can't end like this! I'm the strongest in the world damnit! It can't end like th-!" Were #17's last words before he ceased to be. Before he now became a part of me.
Initializing transition to : Semi-Perfect
YEEESS!!!!!!! YES.
My Imperfect form glowed as my metamorphosis began and my body shifted. I had evolved.
This… this was far beyond what I could have gained from absorbing lesser life forms, be it animals or humans. Both the high I've attained and the boost in power. Sure this may be nothing compared to what comes after my initial PERFECTION, but I possess both the potential and knowledge to easily surpass that.
Yet, despite the feeling that came attached, I still feel ugly as fuck. But hey, it's nice having lips again.
Once the sound of my euphoric and maniacal laughter along with the sound of my bio-electricity died down, I heard sobbing. Sobbing.
Usually, it's a shame to hear such a pretty voice in sorrow, yet for this woman, this shallow shell of a far better person from the past, I'll make an exception.
It makes me wonder how often she heard such a thing before laughing or mocking the person before they died, before she killed them. Oh how karma is a bitch, ain't it?
"Y-you said that we… I had nothing to offer but my body, right? Well-"
"Oh, you certainly have something to offer physically at least." I interrupt. Oh, she seems to think that she has a chance at bargaining with me, that I'd give up PERFECTION just to get laid, how quaint. Unfortunately for her, I'm not Krillin. "Though this version of your personality is utter trash, to be honest. So alas, this match wasn't meant to be." She bristled at the truth that I spoke at her before giving in to impotent rage once she realized that her last gambit wouldn't work.
"Damn you! Damn you and Gero straight to hell!"
"If it's any consolation to you, that is where Gero is. And besides, you'll be reunited with your brother soon. You'll both become a part of PERFECTION."
'Absorb #18'
#18 continued to spew out every curse and hateful word in the book at me while my tail did to her what it did to her brother. The sound of such words would crush most men, but I was only euphoric.
I'm going to become PERFECT!
Initializing transition to: PERFECT
My body began one last metamorphosis as my inferior form was being discarded and elevated to heights I've only recently dreamed of. And the transition was so much more than before.
My power was overflowing as it flowed out from me, bio-electricity crackling in an intensity far beyond what a storm could hope to achieve. And as I yelled in euphoria and my power burst forth, the whole world felt it.
I had become Perfect
I am Perfect.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
This was something I had on my Google docs for a long time. Though there wasn't much past 500 words, but I managed to beef a story out of it after a bit of a late nighter. Not much happened here so it can be considered a prologue to an actual story. Hope you enjoy and leave me your thoughts.
There are millions of ways to die. Ran over by a car, murder, natural causes, unnatural causes, and many others.
As for me, I'd die from embarrassment if I hadn't already. Death by banana peel, off the stairs. How sad.
As you'd expect when a person dies they go somewhere. Here it's just dark, as if I was sleeping. And seeing as my eyes certainly felt shut right, that may be right.
So where the hell am I? Am I in a tube or something?
"Hello, my child. This is your creator speaking, I am Doctor Gero. If you are hearing this then your growth is complete. Your primary objective is to become perfect. You will achieve this by absorbing Androids 17 and 18. Everything else that you need to know should already be imprinted by now." Then the recording stopped.
This just confirmed where I am. The world of Dragon Ball. Neat.
As I walk out of the tube all I see are ruins. Damn it I'm in the future timeline. Might as well make the best of this.
Feed.
What?
You must feed. You are week. To feed is to gain strength.
Alright then I'll find some animals, they should be fine.
They will do, for now.
For that I have gotta get out of here then. So where is the exit. Amongst the recharge I see a hole in the ceiling. I jump but find myself unable to reach.
Fly.
Oh yeah. You can in this world. But how the fuck do I do that?
Think of it.
Ok. 'Fly'
Holy shit it worked!
Of course. Now escape.
I float towards the hole. I punch around it to make it bigger.
Good. Now find sustenance.
Once I'm outside all I can see is mountains. At least I don't have to worry about the androids or Gohan.
There should be some animals around here.
Sense
Ok got it. 'Sense'
Eagle
Power Level: 4
Ha! I found some birds in the sky. About ten of them. And they're weak too. So all I have to do is kill them and-
No. You do not feed. Not like them. No need to, not yet at least. You feed by absorbing.
But how?
Simply let your tail do its function. All you need to do is provide it with sustenance. Use your ki.
I get what it means. I aim my hand at them. 'Shoot Ki Blast'
*BOOM*
The blast hits its mark as all ten eagles hit the ground. I run over to where they landed.
Good. Now feed. Let your tail do the rest.
My tail moves to the birds as it opens up. It takes them as they move down my body.
DAMN! What was that!? Whatever it was it felt good.
It is what happens when you feed. When you feed you gain strength and pleasure. The higher the power level, the more you earn.
Oh yeah power levels. Speaking of them, what's mine?
Bio-Mech Android #1
Power Level: 30,000,009
Wow. That's pretty insignificant. I mean I'd destroy everyone in Dragon Ball, the Saiyan Saga, and almost everyone n the Frieza Saga. However, after that I'd be cannon fodder compared to the later ones.
The Androids were stronger than Frieza in his final form and he was in the millions. Gohan was stronger and then there's the Androids. I'm not even gonna mention the ones after that.
If you wish to gain strength then you must feed.
Oh wow like I didn't hear that before. I get it Cell got stronger from eating people. But could I even do that?
Yes you can. You are stronger than those worms. You could destroy this entire planet if you wished. You should have no pity for those lesser life forms.
Sure, but I dont want to go through the effort of maintaining secrecy, it'd be pretty tedious to do when they're likely not many humans left.
Besides, am I not part Saiyan and whatever Frieza is?
You contain the DNA of the Saiyans: (Son Goku, Son Gohan, and Vegeta) and UNKNOWN RACE: Alien #1 and Alien #2
Great! Now I could just find wherever Kami's Lookout is and assuming that the Tome Chamber is still there, just train my ass off.
Location known as Kami's Lookout is destroyed.
Damn, but it makes sense. That place would likely be one of the first places that the Androids destroyed.
Ok, so hardcore grinding isn't an option. What now?
Not going to Gohan since that'd just drag me into his fights with #17 and #18. I don't know which version of Dragon Ball this is and each version has Gohan at different levels of strength. He's either on par with #17 or way below him. And with my power level I doubt I could do much to help out.
Joining #17 and #18 likely won't work for me either. Sure I could just stay close until I get an opportunity to absorb them, but I doubt that they'd trust me so easily. Android I may be, I'm not their actual sibling.
There is no need to join them to gain a chance at absorbing them. At becoming PERFECT.
Really, why not?
Just deactivate them.
That was an option?
Androids #17 and #18 were rebellious and not likely to accept becoming one with PERFECTION, so Dr. Gero saw fit to include a deactivation signal for them within you.
Wow, that is incredibly convenient! Sucks for OG Cell that he never came with this!
Though that does beg the question, where the hell do I find those Androids?
*BOOM*
What the hell was that?!
That explosion was far too powerful to be natural or man made, it had to be a result of either the half Saiyans or Androids.
Ki Explosion
Source recognized: Android #17
'Sense direction of Ki Explosion, then fly towards it, conceal Ki signature'
My body then rises into the air and moves as my mind had directed it. Not the most optimal way of using this body but I'm still not too used to using Ki like it's second nature so this will have to do for now.
It takes some time to get there since I'm not going at my top speed, but it's better that way so I can remain undetected. After all, I don't know what's going on over there or what reaction any of them may have, so best not to clue Gohan to my existence just yet.
Once I land my eyes instantly lock on to the Androids, to some relief I notice that Gohan is absent. Though it's because the man isn't here yet, is recovering, or dead remains to be seen. Still, it'd be better to act while he isn't around to interfere.
Right now they're just fucking around by killing a bunch of humans. It's a waste of their abilities and time really, how they don't get bored of doing this shit for seventeen years is astoundingly stupid!
Whatever, I guess I'll do humanity a favor and put these two out of commission. But first I need to get close while hidden. I don't want to get atomized by mistake after all.
Stealth is a skill you possess, it is a necessity for absorption. Helpful agaisnt the weak, needed against threats.
Useful to know, and useful to do.
'Sneak to a close and hidden position near Android #17'
Like earlier, my body moves as my mind orders it to. Now it's best that I deactivate #17 first, him being the strongest means that he's also the fastest and most likely to end me if he wanted to.
'Deactivate both Androids!'
Unable to deactivate both at once. You only contain a deactivation signal for each of them.
Super inconvenient but better than nothing!
'Deactivate #17!'
As soon as I order it, #17's body instant ceases all action and falls to the ground motionless.
"What the hell?!" Android #17 cried out in shock.
"Seventeen?! What's with you?!" Android #18 asked in alarm.
"I don't know! I was fine one moment and suddenly I couldn't move anymore! It was like… like being deactivated!" #17 said, fear and uncertainty laced in his words.
"I swear that if this is Gohan or Bulma's behind this then I'm killing them, no matter how amusing their struggling used to be!" #18 threatened with rage, about to fly and likely begin to search for either.
"By all means, go ahead. Just don't forget to reverse this first!" #17 yelled, his fear giving way to anger as well.
Not so fast little lady, can't have you going off too soon!
'Deactivate #18'
With my second command, she fell out of the sky just as motionless yet aware as her brother.
"No!" Both cried out in horror. With the both of them defenseless, they knew that it would be the end of them.
Both Androids have been deactivated.
Why are they still conscious? Won't that be a risk?
Dr. Gero wanted them to be aware of their helplessness. As punishment for their rebellious nature against him. Now is the moment at hand to absorb them and finally become PERFECT.
Yes, now is the time.
I don't bother with stealth anymore as I walk, my footsteps now audible as they step on the ruined city roads.
Despite such a thing being completely unnecessary, I keep on walking slow yet loud. Due to my heightened senses, I could hear their heartbeats. They're afraid.
Good Good
Let them have a taste of what these people have been forced to feel. Let their final moments be full of fear, let them die as helplessly as any other human had.
"You… you're not Gohan! What the hell are you?!"
"Hello, brother." I greeted.
"What?!"
"And hello to my beautiful sister!" I greet before rasping out with my tongue.
"Oh fuck no!"
"Why are you doing this?!" #17 demanded.
"Just like you two, I was an Android built by Dr. Gero."
"Don't tell me that this is revenge for that bastard!" He shouted, enraged at the thought of the good doctor.
"No, I care nothing for our creator. Though the deactivation signals he has provided me with and what m about to do to you can be considered an act of post-mortem revenge."
"Even from beyond the grave that bastard still fucks us over!" #17 cursed with bitterness. "If you're not here for revenge, then what the hell do you want?"
"Simple. I was built with one goal in mind. PERFECTION. To accomplish this, I need to absorb the two of you. Rejoice, for you will be elevated to a level far beyond what you deserve, even if you won't be aware for any of it."
"You can't fucking do this!" #17 cried out.
"Of course I can bitch, I drink people. Besides, why not? It was what I was made to do after all, to achieve, to ascend. A far more worthwhile purpose than the waste you made of yourselves. All that power, all that potential, and yet for seventeen years you've only used it to hunt down those infinitely your lesser in strength."
"We'll stop killing humans! We got the message, crystal clear! Just let us go!" #18 pleaded. I wonder how many have begged like this before them.
"You have more value paralyzed and helpless than you do fully mobile. You have nothing to offer me beyond your bodies, which I'm already taking. Prepare for PERFECTION, my siblings."
'Absorb #17'
My tail moves to obey that command, the stinger opening up as it began to suck #17 inside. Much to their chargen, but who cared what they thought?
Their thoughts are irrelevant.
"It can't end like this! I'm the strongest in the world damnit! It can't end like th-!" Were #17's last words before he ceased to be. Before he now became a part of me.
Initializing transition to : Semi-Perfect
YEEESS!!!!!!! YES.
My Imperfect form glowed as my metamorphosis began and my body shifted. I had evolved.
This… this was far beyond what I could have gained from absorbing lesser life forms, be it animals or humans. Both the high I've attained and the boost in power. Sure this may be nothing compared to what comes after my initial PERFECTION, but I possess both the potential and knowledge to easily surpass that.
Yet, despite the feeling that came attached, I still feel ugly as fuck. But hey, it's nice having lips again.
Once the sound of my euphoric and maniacal laughter along with the sound of my bio-electricity died down, I heard sobbing. Sobbing.
Usually, it's a shame to hear such a pretty voice in sorrow, yet for this woman, this shallow shell of a far better person from the past, I'll make an exception.
It makes me wonder how often she heard such a thing before laughing or mocking the person before they died, before she killed them. Oh how karma is a bitch, ain't it?
"Y-you said that we… I had nothing to offer but my body, right? Well-"
"Oh, you certainly have something to offer physically at least." I interrupt. Oh, she seems to think that she has a chance at bargaining with me, that I'd give up PERFECTION just to get laid, how quaint. Unfortunately for her, I'm not Krillin. "Though this version of your personality is utter trash, to be honest. So alas, this match wasn't meant to be." She bristled at the truth that I spoke at her before giving in to impotent rage once she realized that her last gambit wouldn't work.
"Damn you! Damn you and Gero straight to hell!"
"If it's any consolation to you, that is where Gero is. And besides, you'll be reunited with your brother soon. You'll both become a part of PERFECTION."
'Absorb #18'
#18 continued to spew out every curse and hateful word in the book at me while my tail did to her what it did to her brother. The sound of such words would crush most men, but I was only euphoric.
I'm going to become PERFECT!
Initializing transition to: PERFECT
My body began one last metamorphosis as my inferior form was being discarded and elevated to heights I've only recently dreamed of. And the transition was so much more than before.
My power was overflowing as it flowed out from me, bio-electricity crackling in an intensity far beyond what a storm could hope to achieve. And as I yelled in euphoria and my power burst forth, the whole world felt it.
I had become Perfect
I am Perfect.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
This was something I had on my Google docs for a long time. Though there wasn't much past 500 words, but I managed to beef a story out of it after a bit of a late nighter. Not much happened here so it can be considered a prologue to an actual story. Hope you enjoy and leave me your thoughts.
Last edited:
Chapter 2
I had become Perfect.
I am Perfect.
-------------
I took a few moments to take it in, to bask in the glory of my newly found Perfection.
While I can admit that some part of me felt a little disappointed at how easy this was, likely my Saiyan DNA demanding that I should've struggled for this power, the rest of me disregarded that pride due to the sheer euphoria that overshadowed any of that. So great was my Perfection that it overshadowed both Goku's lust for battle and Vegeta's ego.
No matter how it had been attained, I had become Perfect.
And sure, my current form wasn't the strongest in the universe, but Perfection was never about being the strongest at this very moment, something that the original Cell missed. My Perfection gave me the potential to become the most perfect of all life.
Saiyan biology and proficiency for battle along with their limitless potential for growth, Namekian regeneration, the mutated genes of the Cold Family that granted them such durability and power compared to most beings in the universe, the limitless energy of the Androids. Adding in that I received these traits from some of the most powerful members of those groups to hold those traits.
These along with many other aspects of my Perfect form are what will allow me to reach the apex of this universe. No, all universes.
So, I have something to work towards. Something to strive towards. Something to Perfect. My Saiyan blood along with Frieza's sang within me at the concept, of improving myself until all are beneath me. Of course I'll be sure to keep it at self-improvement rather than going all murderhobo, I have more class than that after all.
Now what?
Enjoy your Perfection
Of course I'm going to enjoy it, it's Perfection after all. And the future for me is settled towards that path, but what of the here and now?
The first thing Perfect Cell did was host the Cell Games to show off his might to the world. Though I'm eager to show my strength off as well, there's not much of a point since the only fighters worth a damn on this planet are Gohan and Trunks who I outclass and that tub of lard Majin Buu, who by the way infuriates me that some imitator but with magic is so above me at the moment. Sure in universe Buu had existed for millions of years before I had, but the Cell Saga came out first damn it!
If it contains something that you lack, merely take it and surpass it. Eldritch, ancient, and magical it may be, but it is still organic. It is still Imperfect compared to you.
Of course, of course. Buu has potential, I'll admit. The boon of magic coursing through his essence guaranteed it. But that essence can be taken for myself, just as much as the DNA that formed my being and the infinite energy that now powers me. But I'd be a fool to mess around with magic that I have little understanding in with so little knowledge or preparation in handling. The Dragon Balls will be a necessity, and likely more to proceed with that. And a procedure I'll go into later.
I could explore the stars and hope to happen upon something, the only being that could equal me without exceeding me greatly in power that came to mind was Broly, yet that was assuming it was the old school version, otherwise I'd be turned into paste by the modern one. Sure the Zenkai would be obscene, but his wild power also had a good chance of no-selling my regeneration if he just blasted me rather than smashing me. Perfect compared to that wild monkey I may be, but I can admit when my power isn't up to par yet. Yet.
Going back to Earth, it may be safe to assume that my Trunks who may be currently undergoing the events of the Cell Saga may paint a different story for him being a worthy oppo-. Nope. Not gonna pull an Eidolon and screw myself over with a subconscious desire to screw myself with a challenge, Vegeta and Goku's DNA was enough of that for me thank you very much.
Speaking of Trunks and his unknown status, it'd be nice to know what exactly is going on at the moment. My guess is that either Gohan and Trunks are alive, going off what Android #18 said, or Trunks is off into the future, since it's just as likely that the Androids were throwing out guesses as to who could've ambushed them before I revealed myself. My best shot at finding out is Capsule Corp, I just need to ask Bulma is all.
Capsule Corp. located in West City.
'Fly in direction-' Wait a second, forget about that. I'm Perfect now, such assistance is beneath me. Such movement should be both thoughtless and effortless, seamless even.
I rose into the sky under my own conscious effort and flew towards Capsule Corp as I concealed my Ki signature.
While there's not really a need to hide myself anymore, I don't want to trigger Gohan or Trunks into doing something desperate or-
Wait. What is my Power Level?
Bio Mech Android #1 (Perfect)
Power Level: 3,250,000,000
Oooh, juicy. And also something that anybody with functional senses, Ki trained or not, should be able to sense. Especially when my power was unleashed for the whole world to sense. Which means that I may want to hurry up before Bulma, Gohan, Trunks, or any combo of them do something drastic.
I change my course, now flying directly to Capsule Corp at the closest I can get to my full speed without fucking the planet or the nearby cities over.
Still, despite it being limited, I flew at speeds far beyond anything a human could hope to comprehend. Far beyond any being below me could even conceive.
Eat your heart out Burter, I'm one of the fastest beings in the universe! And I will dethrone Whis of that title of the fastest someday, just as much as I'll dethrone Beerus as the mightiest mortal in this universe and said Angel as the strongest period.
Now isn't that a thought, replacing Beerus as the God of Destruction of this timeline? I mean, it's not impossible. Shove me into the Time Chamber for 7 years and I'd likely bitch slap Jiren and Broly with ease. With a training partner who could provide a decent warm up, make that 3.5 years.
And I couldn't possibly do any worse than the cat, for fucks sake this is literally the second worst universe out of the ones that little shit Zeno kept around. For one, the first thing I'd do is fire Shin, that useless fuck, unseal the Elder Kai, and put that old fuck to work in replacing the countless and needlessly destroyed planets and training a new successor. The next would be abusing the fact that I have the strongest being in the universe as my personal trainer and work towards eventually surpassing him. That'd likely take decades if not centuries, but I'd be willing to bet both of my hearts that Goku ends up surpassing Whis at the final conclusion for the series.
Kami, the God of Earth was utterly outclassed by the planet he was supposed to be guardian of. Deities are just as fallible of being Imperfect as any other mortal. Even if you are not of their strength, it is only inevitable for your to surpass them utterly.
Look at you being all positive and encouraging,
And even if I'm not too fond of taking up the responsibility at first, the benefits of the position seem too good to ignore. Yet being subservient to Zeno, who despite his power being beyond all was beyond Imperfect, definitely sours them, though of course I don't plan on doing so for long.
Just as that thought stops, so do I stop a few meters in the air above the front of the iconic building. Honestly I'm surprised that this place wasn't the first to go.
Locations of mystical power were deemed a higher priority. Kami's Lookout, Korin's Tower and Uranai Baba's Fortune Telling Place being the primary targets. Bulma Briefs was dismissed as a threat as Dr. Gero did not believe that for all of her brilliance that she could trump his Androids.
Really? Damn, there goes drinking the Ultra Divine Water. But it makes sense that Baba was on the list, couldn't have her resurrecting undead Z-Fighters after all. But still, you'd think that a scientist like Gero would know not to underestimate another mad scientist who could pull off bullshit, smh.
Whatever, the old man had made his mistakes but as his Perfect creation I could at least attest to his successes.
Of course, you are Perfect, the pinnacle of all in this world.
I shiftly descended to the ground right at the front entrance and rang the doorbell.
Sure I could just barge in but there's no reason not to be polite first.
"Hello, it's the guy with the massive power you just felt!"
Dingdong dingdong dingdong
"I'd like to speak with you, Miss Briefs!"
Dingdong dingdong dingdong
Seems that no one is opening up. Normally that would mean that no one's home, but there's the fact that I can sense life forces, and Bulma being one of the many heat and Ki signatures programmed into me, was easy to detect inside.
It was also easy to detect that neither Trunks or Gohan were here.
While it could be said that they were out training, it'd be something I would've already noticed. Those two were the strongest beings on the planet, and seeing as the Androids couldn't sense Ki, they'd have no reason to suppress it.
So Gohan is already dead and Trunks is in the future. Though it remains to be seen if this was Trunks' first or second trip. The first I can handle just fine, the second time may be a struggle. Hell, possibly even a threat as his maximum output could genuinely stand a chance of killing me. But the form that allows him such strength would be useless against me with its reduction of speed and I don't feel the need to stand still and let that happen. Though the Zenkai from that would be nice.
Still, I do need to confirm either way.
While I thought on all of that, I continued to ring the doorbell. At this point it became apparent that Bulma wouldn't be answering the door, so I decided to be a bit petty.
In Dragon Ball, the top tier martial artists were able to move at speeds and use strength far beyond an average human, though they also had the control to interact in everyday lives without that getting in the way. Me as of now being literally billions above that,
Let's see how far I can push this doorbell!
Dingdong dingdong dingdong Dingdong dingdong dingdong Dingdong dingdong dingdong
I rang the bell 1 million times in a second, though the bell ceased making a ring after the 100th time it played. My ringing was such that it'd make Hector Salamanca froth at the mouth in jealousy if he could.
Whelp, can't say that I didn't try to be nice.
I force open the door with the slightest effort while also taking care not to damage any other part of the house. Following that I just strutted on in, and I did so until I reached Bulma's lab. Which was also locked. Behind a ridiculously thick titanium door, but considering the things that she gets up to it shouldn't be that much of a surprise.
"Mrs. Briefs! I'm gonna knock on this door, if you don't open up I'm bursting in!" I warned, though I wasn't actually going to burst it down. But she doesn't know that.
"Alright! Alright! What the hell do you want?!" Bulma yelled a bit panicked after finally opening the damn door.
"Just wanted to ask. Is this the first or second time that Trunks went traveling through time?" I popped the question that I came all this way for.
Her anger quickly went into shocked confusion. "H-how the hell do you know-"
"Well, that's for me to know and for you to continuously guess at. Now please answer the question." At her continued silence, likely from fear or shock, I still kept up my friendly demeanor. No reason not to, is there? "There's no need to be alarmed or afraid-"
"A few minutes ago there was this extraordinary power being generated! Hell, I know nothing about Ki or martial arts and even I could feel that power!" Good. My Perfection was a glorious event yet had no witnesses! Which was a shame because I really wanted to sing the Perfect song, but with no audience it wouldn't be the same.
"Then would it help relieve you if I told you that this power was what neutralized the Androids?" I brought up, casually dropping that bit of life changing info.
At that she just blinked. "Neutralized? Not killed?" She was more than smart enough to understand that I deliberately hadn't said killed.
"I absorbed them, so it's less killing them and more neutralizing them since they're now a part of me." I clarified.
"Huh, they're finally gone…" She said, seemingly still in disbelief of that fact. The long unanswered prayer of hers along with the entire planet now finally answered, lifting an ever present weight off of her shoulders. Sheer relief came over her at that realization, along with it was gratitude in her eyes. But that soon turns towards suspicion, she was too smart to remain in the comfort of ignorance and assumption. "But now there's you. Another android.-"
"Biomechanical android. It's a rather important distinction." I corrected. I could absorb almost any organic creature but I couldn't absorb any purely mechanical androids at the moment.
"Android nonetheless." Bulma glared at me for the interruption before remembering the situation. "So, what are you going to do now? Seeing as you aren't just continuing where they left off."
Ain't that the question.
"To be honest with you, I'm still just figuring that out. Part of that is finding out the status of your son. He'll either come out after warning Goku or back from facing off against the androids and succeeding. Care to tell me which is correct?"
"I have no idea how the hell that you got either, but it's the second one." Bulma said before murmuring, "God I hope it's the second one."
"It'll be the second one, don't you worry." I assured the worried mother before asking. "And how long ago was that?"
"You know that he went back in time, twice, but have no idea when he did?" She asked, both annoyed while also confused at my knowledge being more than it should yet lacking.
"Just answer the question, woman." I sighed at her. Apparently a bit of Vegeta leaked through that as she slightly perked up a moment at that statement.
Bulma's gaze was slightly distant before she shook it off and answered. "I'd say that he traveled back about 7 or 8 days ago? Of course time may or may not fluctuate for the finer details like seconds or minutes which could end up affecting the days between our times."
Hmm, that's awfully close towards the beginning of the Cell Games…
So even assuming that time fluctuation adds a day or two to the amount of time Trunks was in the past, that still leaves me about a day until he returns. Otherwise it could be 2 to 3 days. Good to have a time table. Of course that's me assuming that other Cell became perfect in a day because I honestly don't know the details beyond the fights, them flying around, and the fact that the last time I watched the Cell Saga was through the Abridged version…
Fuck it. I'll work with my estimate and not over think it any further.
"Thank you for the time and info, Bulma." I thanked, and decided to throw in the fate of her son as a show of said thanks. "Assuming that all goes well in the past, after dying your son should be back in as soon as a day or as late as 3."
"Trunks what?!" Bulma shrieked in alarm. "How the hell do you know that?! My son dies!?"
"Oh calm down, they have Dragon Balls in the past, don't you know." I waved off. Death was meaningless in this universe after all. "Hell, Goku found New Namek after teleporting to and picking up Dende to replace Kami after he fused with Piccolo. Now they have two sets of Dragon Balls."
"Goku finds New Namek? Dende replaces Kami? That could happen? Just like that?" She questioned, face numb as the words came out. "Wait, two sets of Dragon Balls… what the fuck."
It seemed that before she could fall any further into digesting that last bit of information of how trivial Goku made her struggles in the past, she snapped out of that and defaulted back to outrage, likely to avoid such a pit of thought. "That doesn't even answer my question! Stop deflecting the damn question!"
"Alright, alright. I shall grant you some mercy and answer your question." I say with my hands in a surrender position. Though I could never hope to hide my smirk at my next words. "Multiverse theory."
Upon hearing it, that brain of hers seemed to have crashed and just as quickly rebooted. "That just gives me even more questions!"
"As a scientist who once turned himself into a pickle once said, "Infinite timelines, infinite possibilities". Now it's up to you to find out what those possibilities are out of infinity. I'll be seeing you. Bye~" I end off with a two fingered salute before strutting out the door in a speed that an enraged Bulma had no hope of catching up to but could still follow.
Once I was outside, it was then that I flew off into the air. And out running from Capsule Corp was a beyond nettled Bulma.
"ALL OF MY HATE!"
Even after reaching the point that she was but a speck, her rage was still audible to me. To that I just laughed as I dashed through the heavens.
"...thank you."
As was her gratitude. I was glad to hear it. Sure, I was fucking around with her but she was my first conversation with a decent human being in this new life of mine. Besides, the parts of me that were Goku and Vegeta felt warm with her. It wasn't close to the feeling of achieving Perfection but it was more enjoyable than torturing the Androids, a more lasting and pleasant thing for someone far more deserving.
Alright, enough of that mushy sap.
So I have some time until Trunks comes back. He's likely gonna be pissed once he finds out that I visited that mother of his, like a good momma's boy that he is (To be fair, Bulma has been a dear old mum to the boy), but it wouldn't be a significant boost since she's still alive. Though I imagine that any attempt to threaten or harm her just as he was so close to saving his timeline could result in a death through Ssj2 just as easy as killing her would.
I might as well head over to Gero's old lab and check it out with nothing else to do until then. Maybe find some long forgotten goodies over there.
-----
As expected, the place was trashed. Still, it was easy to find what I was looking for as it was the most maintained here. Which wasn't hard given the amount of greenery that grew over most of this lab.
And what I found was Android #16's pod, completely covered in green. Surprisingly enough however, the pod was equipped with a power source separate from the lab, meaning it was still functional.
I decided to let the guy out, he was a good fellow in the future and I figured that it wouldn't hurt to set him free. And strangely enough even the door opening was seamless despite its wear and tear.
And out from the pod did the Android modeled after Gero's dear old son emerge.
After stepping out of the pod, he was content to just stand and stare around until his gaze fell upon me.
"I detect the DNA of Son Goku within you, along with the DNA of his allies and unknown entities as well. What are you?" #16 asked as he narrowed his eyes at me, his voice an emotionless monotone.
"I'm Biomechanical Android #1, composed of the DNA of the most powerful warriors to have stepped on this Earth, which includes the long since deceased Son Goku." I said introducing myself.
"Son Goku has perished? Then that means that my mission parameters are concluded." #16 concluded, accepting that information rather calmly.
"They certainly are. So you're free to go out and explore the world if you'd like. Connect with nature and all that." I start off genially before shifting towards a more threatening approach. "And since you can scan DNA, you can also scan power levels. Then you should know that it's hopeless to try to fulfill your mission through killing me. And that thermonuclear bomb of yours won't work on me either." I mean, if there's anything that could kill me it could be the radiation but best not let #16 know that.
If my words triggered anything with him I wouldn't know as he seemed nonplussed at my threat, still as emotionless as he ever was. "I see no reason to seek your death. It is only the death of Son Goku along with those who may interfere with that goal that I would seek. And seeing as my programming has been fulfilled and that you are not an enemy, I have no reason for conflict with you."
Yet it seemed that my words did go through since a small smile made itself known on his face. "Though I will say that your suggestion on what I should do as a new goal is appealing to me."
"If I may add to that, most of the world is currently in ruins at the moment thanks to Androids #17 and #18. If you'd like to fix that, I'd recommend visiting Bulma Briefs at Capsule Corp and offering your assistance in repairs. Speaking of which…" I say before I start to run around the lab in search of a…
AHA! Capsules!
I grabbed an unopened pack of the affront to physics known as capsules before proceeding to grab everything, functional or otherwise, unattached to the ground or otherwise, and stuffed it all into them.
What had probably taken the mad doctor an incredible amount of effort to retrieve, build, set up, or otherwise get used to for this lab, I had just stripped completely bare after a minute and planned on giving over to Goku's greatest ally. Oh how Gero must be rolling down in hell.
"Bring all of this to Bulma, and be sure to tell who she can thank for it."
"That sounds agreeable to me." #16 nodded after accepting the capsules. "I shall depart now."
"Hold on!" I shout before he goes and quickly scrape off the Red Ribbon logo on his armor. At that he merely looks at me in confusion. "That logo is associated with the Androids that caused the world to fall into ruin. Anyone who has lived in fear of the Androids, which is practically the entire planet, would react negatively to your presence if that is seen on you."
"I see. Thank you for the assistance." #16 thanked before flying through the roof.
Well, there's my good deed for the day. I wonder how shocked Bulma's gonna be when she realizes that there was another Android in addition to myself that was in stasis. Though I do hope that she appreciates my gift in the various state of the art tech I just gave away. I mean, sure it's seventeen years old and but for a woman who had to work with the scraps of a fallen society to work miracles, she'd appreciate some decent mad science tech.
I also wonder how shocked Trunks is gonna be when the first thing he sees along with his mother is #16. Or me! That oughta be fun for the lad.
After seeing #16 off I checked out the sublab where my old tank was as well as where the juicer parts of Gero's stuff was. Stuff I wanted to look at before handing it off to Bulma personally. Also there were the pods for Androids #13, #14, and #15. They were all assholes but #13 was decently strong once he absorbed the other two so that should be good enough to release them.
And as for why I didn't just fight #16, why would I? Odds are that the guy is dead in the past and seeing as no one bothered to wish him back, purely mechanical Androids didn't have souls. At least the guy would be alive here and could do some good here. And like Gohan, #16 wasn't a fighter, but unlike Gohan, he would actually put up a fight without needing another to die for him.
I say let the mandroid have some peace.
Android #13 on the other hand was a movie villain with not much depth to him, so he would make for an acceptable punching bag. With that, I push the buttons to release those held within, blissfully unaware of the state of the world.
"Well now stranger, I do believe that you have me at a loss seeing as I have no idea who or what the hell you are." Android #13 greeted upon opening his eyes and spotted me.
"I'm Biomechanical Android #1, also known as Dr. Gero's greatest and final creation. But you can call me Cell." I introduced, before adding on, "By the way, Goku has been dead for the past 17 years. So you're pretty much meaningless and obsolete."
"Hey now, I'd say that applies to you just as much as it does to me pal, seeing as all Androids as far as I know are built for that purpose." #13 said, not at all happy with my words. But he soon grew a sharp smile and malicious intent in his eyes. "But seeing as you contain Goku's DNA, you're my best shot at fulfilling my programming."
"#14! #15!" He barked out. Those two followed his wordless order as they all then got into a fighting stance.
Not likely to be of any concern but I'd like to take a look at their power levels, see how they are compared to the newer models.
Android #13
Power level: 390,000,000
Android #14
Power level: 360,000,000
Android #15
Power level: 370,000,000
Obsolete levels of power for obsolete models, to be expected of those who came before Perfection.
"Wait, really? You defects think you stand a chance against Perfection? With your power level! Hahaha!" I laughed, because the thought that these obsoletes could do any meaningful harm on me was beyond null.
"Who the hell are you calling defects!?" #15 shouted offended. Is he serious? The fact that none of them bothered to scan me beyond having part of Goku inside of me should be telling enough of their flawed logic processes. Because if they had scanned my power level then that'd be a critical failure in logic.
"You, a purple midget, probably have an alcohol addiction." I pointed out to #15, who was in the middle of consuming said drink before I called him out on it, before turning to address an ever-frowning #14. "You, big, tall, and probably have a broken voice box. Or are you a generic big strong and silent type? If you don't like it then feel free to tell me otherwise." And I then turn to the leader of these stooges. "And you, you talk funny and your trucker hat is dumb."
"Honestly, #19 looked just as ridiculous as y'all but at least he could absorb energy." I chastised as I shook my head. I even crossed my arms for good measure.
"I can excuse the racism and comparing us to that tub of lard but I draw the line at you insulting mah trucker hat!" #13 screamed in outrage.
"Then feel free to try, you Red Ribbon redneck." I taunt with a relaxed grin while making no effort to take a fighting stance, which made them even more incensed. Oh come on, like I'm supposed to take them seriously, honestly they should be grateful that I'm wasting this much time on them at all.
They were already dead the moment they thought to stand against Perfection and believed in their obsolescence.
I simply flex my fingers and all three of them are suspended in the air. I swiftly dismembered #14 and #15 and let go of them, letting gravity do the rest as they fell to the ground.
"I know that you can absorb them to grow stronger. Now that I think about it, it's likely that you're a prototype of some kind. But of course the prototype is always inferior to the final design. Especially one as Perfect as yours truly."
"He can what!?" #15 yelled in shock and outrage. Even #14 turned his eyes to glare at #13.
"I'LL SHOW YOU INFERIOR YOU FUCKING OVERGROWN BUG!!!" #13 roared at me just as he was absorbing the parts of his fallen comrades, a green energy enveloping some of their parts as they rose into the air. He likely hadn't even noticed the betrayed looks on the faces of his comrades, the last ones they could ever give, as that rage of his soon fueled his gleeful laughter, that he would soon deliver my comeuppance.
Well, he tried to.
"No! You can't just do that!" #13 cried out in horror as I destroyed each and every part that he was just about to absorb into himself with a multi-fired Ki Blast from my fingertip.
"Can do, just did. I mean, they flew so slowly, how could I not take pot shots at them? You know, I considered letting you take that ultra, final, pinnacle form of a redneck smurf with piss colored eyes. But then I realized that if you, #14, and #15 are significantly weaker than Android #16, who I ridiculously outclass, then what the hell would you absorbing them amount to?"
"...you said that yer Biomechanical, right?" #13 asked, strangely calm.
"Yep." I answered with a tilt of my head. Where was he going with this?
"Then that means," #13 starts after charging a Ki Blast, something he could do only because I released him from my Psychokinesis. "Just like a meatbag, you need to breathe!"
Oh, you think yourself clever.
"No, not really. But for what you're planning, you need limbs."
"What in tarnation are you…" #13 was about to ask before he noticed his new and intimate introduction to the ground. Due to him joining his comrades in losing their limb privileges. To help along with introducing them to each other, I applied some telekinesis to ensure that the introduction was swift.
"By the way, I'm taking that hat of yours as a prize. Let that be your solace, that your most defining accessory will outlive you and be your only proof of existence." The android joined his comrades in the disassembly pile as I applied some pressure to his head, crumpling like tin foil.
I didn't bother to gaze at his face as he died. That fear wasn't as satisfying as it was on #17 and #18, humans who wasted themselves along with their power, such wastes compared to their main selves that I had to elevate to Perfection out of necessity. Hell, you could even argue that these three could've been innocent in comparison to the monsters that #17 and #18 wasted themselves being.
Except for the fact that they were still loyal to Dr. Gero, and likely the idea of the Red Ribbon Army. Which I shouldn't have to point out would be a tremendously horrible decision. Not even Neo-Nazis would support the Third Reich after facing the atrocities that they would've brought to them, their loved ones, along with all life as they knew it.
Then again I doubt that those three knew much beyond 'kill Goku' so that probably wouldn't be a worry.
Well, I still have some time before Trunks is back. Now that I've dealt with Gero's garbage, how about I find some treasure in here while I can. Ooooh here I come Android #21!
"CELL!" An enraged voice called out. Annoyingly enough it wasn't the latter devil but the former. Aka, Future Trunks. Though I suppose that it'd be more accurate to call him Present Trunks, huh?
######
Probably not in the same tone as the first chapter, but just like it it was something I threw together in a few moments of spare time. I think you'll notice that there was much more of character interaction than there was of Cell's inner monologue/reflection with his imprints, for which I hope isn't too much of a turn off. The imprints are a guide Gero installed to help Cell along, now that he's Perfect he won't be needing much for long.
Anyways, I would like to hear what you thought of this chapter overall and thanks for reading.
As for the title, I'll wait until the poll ends to make a change, so free feel to make suggestions until then.
I am Perfect.
-------------
I took a few moments to take it in, to bask in the glory of my newly found Perfection.
While I can admit that some part of me felt a little disappointed at how easy this was, likely my Saiyan DNA demanding that I should've struggled for this power, the rest of me disregarded that pride due to the sheer euphoria that overshadowed any of that. So great was my Perfection that it overshadowed both Goku's lust for battle and Vegeta's ego.
No matter how it had been attained, I had become Perfect.
And sure, my current form wasn't the strongest in the universe, but Perfection was never about being the strongest at this very moment, something that the original Cell missed. My Perfection gave me the potential to become the most perfect of all life.
Saiyan biology and proficiency for battle along with their limitless potential for growth, Namekian regeneration, the mutated genes of the Cold Family that granted them such durability and power compared to most beings in the universe, the limitless energy of the Androids. Adding in that I received these traits from some of the most powerful members of those groups to hold those traits.
These along with many other aspects of my Perfect form are what will allow me to reach the apex of this universe. No, all universes.
So, I have something to work towards. Something to strive towards. Something to Perfect. My Saiyan blood along with Frieza's sang within me at the concept, of improving myself until all are beneath me. Of course I'll be sure to keep it at self-improvement rather than going all murderhobo, I have more class than that after all.
Now what?
Enjoy your Perfection
Of course I'm going to enjoy it, it's Perfection after all. And the future for me is settled towards that path, but what of the here and now?
The first thing Perfect Cell did was host the Cell Games to show off his might to the world. Though I'm eager to show my strength off as well, there's not much of a point since the only fighters worth a damn on this planet are Gohan and Trunks who I outclass and that tub of lard Majin Buu, who by the way infuriates me that some imitator but with magic is so above me at the moment. Sure in universe Buu had existed for millions of years before I had, but the Cell Saga came out first damn it!
If it contains something that you lack, merely take it and surpass it. Eldritch, ancient, and magical it may be, but it is still organic. It is still Imperfect compared to you.
Of course, of course. Buu has potential, I'll admit. The boon of magic coursing through his essence guaranteed it. But that essence can be taken for myself, just as much as the DNA that formed my being and the infinite energy that now powers me. But I'd be a fool to mess around with magic that I have little understanding in with so little knowledge or preparation in handling. The Dragon Balls will be a necessity, and likely more to proceed with that. And a procedure I'll go into later.
I could explore the stars and hope to happen upon something, the only being that could equal me without exceeding me greatly in power that came to mind was Broly, yet that was assuming it was the old school version, otherwise I'd be turned into paste by the modern one. Sure the Zenkai would be obscene, but his wild power also had a good chance of no-selling my regeneration if he just blasted me rather than smashing me. Perfect compared to that wild monkey I may be, but I can admit when my power isn't up to par yet. Yet.
Going back to Earth, it may be safe to assume that my Trunks who may be currently undergoing the events of the Cell Saga may paint a different story for him being a worthy oppo-. Nope. Not gonna pull an Eidolon and screw myself over with a subconscious desire to screw myself with a challenge, Vegeta and Goku's DNA was enough of that for me thank you very much.
Speaking of Trunks and his unknown status, it'd be nice to know what exactly is going on at the moment. My guess is that either Gohan and Trunks are alive, going off what Android #18 said, or Trunks is off into the future, since it's just as likely that the Androids were throwing out guesses as to who could've ambushed them before I revealed myself. My best shot at finding out is Capsule Corp, I just need to ask Bulma is all.
Capsule Corp. located in West City.
'Fly in direction-' Wait a second, forget about that. I'm Perfect now, such assistance is beneath me. Such movement should be both thoughtless and effortless, seamless even.
I rose into the sky under my own conscious effort and flew towards Capsule Corp as I concealed my Ki signature.
While there's not really a need to hide myself anymore, I don't want to trigger Gohan or Trunks into doing something desperate or-
Wait. What is my Power Level?
Bio Mech Android #1 (Perfect)
Power Level: 3,250,000,000
Oooh, juicy. And also something that anybody with functional senses, Ki trained or not, should be able to sense. Especially when my power was unleashed for the whole world to sense. Which means that I may want to hurry up before Bulma, Gohan, Trunks, or any combo of them do something drastic.
I change my course, now flying directly to Capsule Corp at the closest I can get to my full speed without fucking the planet or the nearby cities over.
Still, despite it being limited, I flew at speeds far beyond anything a human could hope to comprehend. Far beyond any being below me could even conceive.
Eat your heart out Burter, I'm one of the fastest beings in the universe! And I will dethrone Whis of that title of the fastest someday, just as much as I'll dethrone Beerus as the mightiest mortal in this universe and said Angel as the strongest period.
Now isn't that a thought, replacing Beerus as the God of Destruction of this timeline? I mean, it's not impossible. Shove me into the Time Chamber for 7 years and I'd likely bitch slap Jiren and Broly with ease. With a training partner who could provide a decent warm up, make that 3.5 years.
And I couldn't possibly do any worse than the cat, for fucks sake this is literally the second worst universe out of the ones that little shit Zeno kept around. For one, the first thing I'd do is fire Shin, that useless fuck, unseal the Elder Kai, and put that old fuck to work in replacing the countless and needlessly destroyed planets and training a new successor. The next would be abusing the fact that I have the strongest being in the universe as my personal trainer and work towards eventually surpassing him. That'd likely take decades if not centuries, but I'd be willing to bet both of my hearts that Goku ends up surpassing Whis at the final conclusion for the series.
Kami, the God of Earth was utterly outclassed by the planet he was supposed to be guardian of. Deities are just as fallible of being Imperfect as any other mortal. Even if you are not of their strength, it is only inevitable for your to surpass them utterly.
Look at you being all positive and encouraging,
And even if I'm not too fond of taking up the responsibility at first, the benefits of the position seem too good to ignore. Yet being subservient to Zeno, who despite his power being beyond all was beyond Imperfect, definitely sours them, though of course I don't plan on doing so for long.
Just as that thought stops, so do I stop a few meters in the air above the front of the iconic building. Honestly I'm surprised that this place wasn't the first to go.
Locations of mystical power were deemed a higher priority. Kami's Lookout, Korin's Tower and Uranai Baba's Fortune Telling Place being the primary targets. Bulma Briefs was dismissed as a threat as Dr. Gero did not believe that for all of her brilliance that she could trump his Androids.
Really? Damn, there goes drinking the Ultra Divine Water. But it makes sense that Baba was on the list, couldn't have her resurrecting undead Z-Fighters after all. But still, you'd think that a scientist like Gero would know not to underestimate another mad scientist who could pull off bullshit, smh.
Whatever, the old man had made his mistakes but as his Perfect creation I could at least attest to his successes.
Of course, you are Perfect, the pinnacle of all in this world.
I shiftly descended to the ground right at the front entrance and rang the doorbell.
Sure I could just barge in but there's no reason not to be polite first.
"Hello, it's the guy with the massive power you just felt!"
Dingdong dingdong dingdong
"I'd like to speak with you, Miss Briefs!"
Dingdong dingdong dingdong
Seems that no one is opening up. Normally that would mean that no one's home, but there's the fact that I can sense life forces, and Bulma being one of the many heat and Ki signatures programmed into me, was easy to detect inside.
It was also easy to detect that neither Trunks or Gohan were here.
While it could be said that they were out training, it'd be something I would've already noticed. Those two were the strongest beings on the planet, and seeing as the Androids couldn't sense Ki, they'd have no reason to suppress it.
So Gohan is already dead and Trunks is in the future. Though it remains to be seen if this was Trunks' first or second trip. The first I can handle just fine, the second time may be a struggle. Hell, possibly even a threat as his maximum output could genuinely stand a chance of killing me. But the form that allows him such strength would be useless against me with its reduction of speed and I don't feel the need to stand still and let that happen. Though the Zenkai from that would be nice.
Still, I do need to confirm either way.
While I thought on all of that, I continued to ring the doorbell. At this point it became apparent that Bulma wouldn't be answering the door, so I decided to be a bit petty.
In Dragon Ball, the top tier martial artists were able to move at speeds and use strength far beyond an average human, though they also had the control to interact in everyday lives without that getting in the way. Me as of now being literally billions above that,
Let's see how far I can push this doorbell!
Dingdong dingdong dingdong Dingdong dingdong dingdong Dingdong dingdong dingdong
I rang the bell 1 million times in a second, though the bell ceased making a ring after the 100th time it played. My ringing was such that it'd make Hector Salamanca froth at the mouth in jealousy if he could.
Whelp, can't say that I didn't try to be nice.
I force open the door with the slightest effort while also taking care not to damage any other part of the house. Following that I just strutted on in, and I did so until I reached Bulma's lab. Which was also locked. Behind a ridiculously thick titanium door, but considering the things that she gets up to it shouldn't be that much of a surprise.
"Mrs. Briefs! I'm gonna knock on this door, if you don't open up I'm bursting in!" I warned, though I wasn't actually going to burst it down. But she doesn't know that.
"Alright! Alright! What the hell do you want?!" Bulma yelled a bit panicked after finally opening the damn door.
"Just wanted to ask. Is this the first or second time that Trunks went traveling through time?" I popped the question that I came all this way for.
Her anger quickly went into shocked confusion. "H-how the hell do you know-"
"Well, that's for me to know and for you to continuously guess at. Now please answer the question." At her continued silence, likely from fear or shock, I still kept up my friendly demeanor. No reason not to, is there? "There's no need to be alarmed or afraid-"
"A few minutes ago there was this extraordinary power being generated! Hell, I know nothing about Ki or martial arts and even I could feel that power!" Good. My Perfection was a glorious event yet had no witnesses! Which was a shame because I really wanted to sing the Perfect song, but with no audience it wouldn't be the same.
"Then would it help relieve you if I told you that this power was what neutralized the Androids?" I brought up, casually dropping that bit of life changing info.
At that she just blinked. "Neutralized? Not killed?" She was more than smart enough to understand that I deliberately hadn't said killed.
"I absorbed them, so it's less killing them and more neutralizing them since they're now a part of me." I clarified.
"Huh, they're finally gone…" She said, seemingly still in disbelief of that fact. The long unanswered prayer of hers along with the entire planet now finally answered, lifting an ever present weight off of her shoulders. Sheer relief came over her at that realization, along with it was gratitude in her eyes. But that soon turns towards suspicion, she was too smart to remain in the comfort of ignorance and assumption. "But now there's you. Another android.-"
"Biomechanical android. It's a rather important distinction." I corrected. I could absorb almost any organic creature but I couldn't absorb any purely mechanical androids at the moment.
"Android nonetheless." Bulma glared at me for the interruption before remembering the situation. "So, what are you going to do now? Seeing as you aren't just continuing where they left off."
Ain't that the question.
"To be honest with you, I'm still just figuring that out. Part of that is finding out the status of your son. He'll either come out after warning Goku or back from facing off against the androids and succeeding. Care to tell me which is correct?"
"I have no idea how the hell that you got either, but it's the second one." Bulma said before murmuring, "God I hope it's the second one."
"It'll be the second one, don't you worry." I assured the worried mother before asking. "And how long ago was that?"
"You know that he went back in time, twice, but have no idea when he did?" She asked, both annoyed while also confused at my knowledge being more than it should yet lacking.
"Just answer the question, woman." I sighed at her. Apparently a bit of Vegeta leaked through that as she slightly perked up a moment at that statement.
Bulma's gaze was slightly distant before she shook it off and answered. "I'd say that he traveled back about 7 or 8 days ago? Of course time may or may not fluctuate for the finer details like seconds or minutes which could end up affecting the days between our times."
Hmm, that's awfully close towards the beginning of the Cell Games…
So even assuming that time fluctuation adds a day or two to the amount of time Trunks was in the past, that still leaves me about a day until he returns. Otherwise it could be 2 to 3 days. Good to have a time table. Of course that's me assuming that other Cell became perfect in a day because I honestly don't know the details beyond the fights, them flying around, and the fact that the last time I watched the Cell Saga was through the Abridged version…
Fuck it. I'll work with my estimate and not over think it any further.
"Thank you for the time and info, Bulma." I thanked, and decided to throw in the fate of her son as a show of said thanks. "Assuming that all goes well in the past, after dying your son should be back in as soon as a day or as late as 3."
"Trunks what?!" Bulma shrieked in alarm. "How the hell do you know that?! My son dies!?"
"Oh calm down, they have Dragon Balls in the past, don't you know." I waved off. Death was meaningless in this universe after all. "Hell, Goku found New Namek after teleporting to and picking up Dende to replace Kami after he fused with Piccolo. Now they have two sets of Dragon Balls."
"Goku finds New Namek? Dende replaces Kami? That could happen? Just like that?" She questioned, face numb as the words came out. "Wait, two sets of Dragon Balls… what the fuck."
It seemed that before she could fall any further into digesting that last bit of information of how trivial Goku made her struggles in the past, she snapped out of that and defaulted back to outrage, likely to avoid such a pit of thought. "That doesn't even answer my question! Stop deflecting the damn question!"
"Alright, alright. I shall grant you some mercy and answer your question." I say with my hands in a surrender position. Though I could never hope to hide my smirk at my next words. "Multiverse theory."
Upon hearing it, that brain of hers seemed to have crashed and just as quickly rebooted. "That just gives me even more questions!"
"As a scientist who once turned himself into a pickle once said, "Infinite timelines, infinite possibilities". Now it's up to you to find out what those possibilities are out of infinity. I'll be seeing you. Bye~" I end off with a two fingered salute before strutting out the door in a speed that an enraged Bulma had no hope of catching up to but could still follow.
Once I was outside, it was then that I flew off into the air. And out running from Capsule Corp was a beyond nettled Bulma.
"ALL OF MY HATE!"
Even after reaching the point that she was but a speck, her rage was still audible to me. To that I just laughed as I dashed through the heavens.
"...thank you."
As was her gratitude. I was glad to hear it. Sure, I was fucking around with her but she was my first conversation with a decent human being in this new life of mine. Besides, the parts of me that were Goku and Vegeta felt warm with her. It wasn't close to the feeling of achieving Perfection but it was more enjoyable than torturing the Androids, a more lasting and pleasant thing for someone far more deserving.
Alright, enough of that mushy sap.
So I have some time until Trunks comes back. He's likely gonna be pissed once he finds out that I visited that mother of his, like a good momma's boy that he is (To be fair, Bulma has been a dear old mum to the boy), but it wouldn't be a significant boost since she's still alive. Though I imagine that any attempt to threaten or harm her just as he was so close to saving his timeline could result in a death through Ssj2 just as easy as killing her would.
I might as well head over to Gero's old lab and check it out with nothing else to do until then. Maybe find some long forgotten goodies over there.
-----
As expected, the place was trashed. Still, it was easy to find what I was looking for as it was the most maintained here. Which wasn't hard given the amount of greenery that grew over most of this lab.
And what I found was Android #16's pod, completely covered in green. Surprisingly enough however, the pod was equipped with a power source separate from the lab, meaning it was still functional.
I decided to let the guy out, he was a good fellow in the future and I figured that it wouldn't hurt to set him free. And strangely enough even the door opening was seamless despite its wear and tear.
And out from the pod did the Android modeled after Gero's dear old son emerge.
After stepping out of the pod, he was content to just stand and stare around until his gaze fell upon me.
"I detect the DNA of Son Goku within you, along with the DNA of his allies and unknown entities as well. What are you?" #16 asked as he narrowed his eyes at me, his voice an emotionless monotone.
"I'm Biomechanical Android #1, composed of the DNA of the most powerful warriors to have stepped on this Earth, which includes the long since deceased Son Goku." I said introducing myself.
"Son Goku has perished? Then that means that my mission parameters are concluded." #16 concluded, accepting that information rather calmly.
"They certainly are. So you're free to go out and explore the world if you'd like. Connect with nature and all that." I start off genially before shifting towards a more threatening approach. "And since you can scan DNA, you can also scan power levels. Then you should know that it's hopeless to try to fulfill your mission through killing me. And that thermonuclear bomb of yours won't work on me either." I mean, if there's anything that could kill me it could be the radiation but best not let #16 know that.
If my words triggered anything with him I wouldn't know as he seemed nonplussed at my threat, still as emotionless as he ever was. "I see no reason to seek your death. It is only the death of Son Goku along with those who may interfere with that goal that I would seek. And seeing as my programming has been fulfilled and that you are not an enemy, I have no reason for conflict with you."
Yet it seemed that my words did go through since a small smile made itself known on his face. "Though I will say that your suggestion on what I should do as a new goal is appealing to me."
"If I may add to that, most of the world is currently in ruins at the moment thanks to Androids #17 and #18. If you'd like to fix that, I'd recommend visiting Bulma Briefs at Capsule Corp and offering your assistance in repairs. Speaking of which…" I say before I start to run around the lab in search of a…
AHA! Capsules!
I grabbed an unopened pack of the affront to physics known as capsules before proceeding to grab everything, functional or otherwise, unattached to the ground or otherwise, and stuffed it all into them.
What had probably taken the mad doctor an incredible amount of effort to retrieve, build, set up, or otherwise get used to for this lab, I had just stripped completely bare after a minute and planned on giving over to Goku's greatest ally. Oh how Gero must be rolling down in hell.
"Bring all of this to Bulma, and be sure to tell who she can thank for it."
"That sounds agreeable to me." #16 nodded after accepting the capsules. "I shall depart now."
"Hold on!" I shout before he goes and quickly scrape off the Red Ribbon logo on his armor. At that he merely looks at me in confusion. "That logo is associated with the Androids that caused the world to fall into ruin. Anyone who has lived in fear of the Androids, which is practically the entire planet, would react negatively to your presence if that is seen on you."
"I see. Thank you for the assistance." #16 thanked before flying through the roof.
Well, there's my good deed for the day. I wonder how shocked Bulma's gonna be when she realizes that there was another Android in addition to myself that was in stasis. Though I do hope that she appreciates my gift in the various state of the art tech I just gave away. I mean, sure it's seventeen years old and but for a woman who had to work with the scraps of a fallen society to work miracles, she'd appreciate some decent mad science tech.
I also wonder how shocked Trunks is gonna be when the first thing he sees along with his mother is #16. Or me! That oughta be fun for the lad.
After seeing #16 off I checked out the sublab where my old tank was as well as where the juicer parts of Gero's stuff was. Stuff I wanted to look at before handing it off to Bulma personally. Also there were the pods for Androids #13, #14, and #15. They were all assholes but #13 was decently strong once he absorbed the other two so that should be good enough to release them.
And as for why I didn't just fight #16, why would I? Odds are that the guy is dead in the past and seeing as no one bothered to wish him back, purely mechanical Androids didn't have souls. At least the guy would be alive here and could do some good here. And like Gohan, #16 wasn't a fighter, but unlike Gohan, he would actually put up a fight without needing another to die for him.
I say let the mandroid have some peace.
Android #13 on the other hand was a movie villain with not much depth to him, so he would make for an acceptable punching bag. With that, I push the buttons to release those held within, blissfully unaware of the state of the world.
"Well now stranger, I do believe that you have me at a loss seeing as I have no idea who or what the hell you are." Android #13 greeted upon opening his eyes and spotted me.
"I'm Biomechanical Android #1, also known as Dr. Gero's greatest and final creation. But you can call me Cell." I introduced, before adding on, "By the way, Goku has been dead for the past 17 years. So you're pretty much meaningless and obsolete."
"Hey now, I'd say that applies to you just as much as it does to me pal, seeing as all Androids as far as I know are built for that purpose." #13 said, not at all happy with my words. But he soon grew a sharp smile and malicious intent in his eyes. "But seeing as you contain Goku's DNA, you're my best shot at fulfilling my programming."
"#14! #15!" He barked out. Those two followed his wordless order as they all then got into a fighting stance.
Not likely to be of any concern but I'd like to take a look at their power levels, see how they are compared to the newer models.
Android #13
Power level: 390,000,000
Android #14
Power level: 360,000,000
Android #15
Power level: 370,000,000
Obsolete levels of power for obsolete models, to be expected of those who came before Perfection.
"Wait, really? You defects think you stand a chance against Perfection? With your power level! Hahaha!" I laughed, because the thought that these obsoletes could do any meaningful harm on me was beyond null.
"Who the hell are you calling defects!?" #15 shouted offended. Is he serious? The fact that none of them bothered to scan me beyond having part of Goku inside of me should be telling enough of their flawed logic processes. Because if they had scanned my power level then that'd be a critical failure in logic.
"You, a purple midget, probably have an alcohol addiction." I pointed out to #15, who was in the middle of consuming said drink before I called him out on it, before turning to address an ever-frowning #14. "You, big, tall, and probably have a broken voice box. Or are you a generic big strong and silent type? If you don't like it then feel free to tell me otherwise." And I then turn to the leader of these stooges. "And you, you talk funny and your trucker hat is dumb."
"Honestly, #19 looked just as ridiculous as y'all but at least he could absorb energy." I chastised as I shook my head. I even crossed my arms for good measure.
"I can excuse the racism and comparing us to that tub of lard but I draw the line at you insulting mah trucker hat!" #13 screamed in outrage.
"Then feel free to try, you Red Ribbon redneck." I taunt with a relaxed grin while making no effort to take a fighting stance, which made them even more incensed. Oh come on, like I'm supposed to take them seriously, honestly they should be grateful that I'm wasting this much time on them at all.
They were already dead the moment they thought to stand against Perfection and believed in their obsolescence.
I simply flex my fingers and all three of them are suspended in the air. I swiftly dismembered #14 and #15 and let go of them, letting gravity do the rest as they fell to the ground.
"I know that you can absorb them to grow stronger. Now that I think about it, it's likely that you're a prototype of some kind. But of course the prototype is always inferior to the final design. Especially one as Perfect as yours truly."
"He can what!?" #15 yelled in shock and outrage. Even #14 turned his eyes to glare at #13.
"I'LL SHOW YOU INFERIOR YOU FUCKING OVERGROWN BUG!!!" #13 roared at me just as he was absorbing the parts of his fallen comrades, a green energy enveloping some of their parts as they rose into the air. He likely hadn't even noticed the betrayed looks on the faces of his comrades, the last ones they could ever give, as that rage of his soon fueled his gleeful laughter, that he would soon deliver my comeuppance.
Well, he tried to.
"No! You can't just do that!" #13 cried out in horror as I destroyed each and every part that he was just about to absorb into himself with a multi-fired Ki Blast from my fingertip.
"Can do, just did. I mean, they flew so slowly, how could I not take pot shots at them? You know, I considered letting you take that ultra, final, pinnacle form of a redneck smurf with piss colored eyes. But then I realized that if you, #14, and #15 are significantly weaker than Android #16, who I ridiculously outclass, then what the hell would you absorbing them amount to?"
"...you said that yer Biomechanical, right?" #13 asked, strangely calm.
"Yep." I answered with a tilt of my head. Where was he going with this?
"Then that means," #13 starts after charging a Ki Blast, something he could do only because I released him from my Psychokinesis. "Just like a meatbag, you need to breathe!"
Oh, you think yourself clever.
"No, not really. But for what you're planning, you need limbs."
"What in tarnation are you…" #13 was about to ask before he noticed his new and intimate introduction to the ground. Due to him joining his comrades in losing their limb privileges. To help along with introducing them to each other, I applied some telekinesis to ensure that the introduction was swift.
"By the way, I'm taking that hat of yours as a prize. Let that be your solace, that your most defining accessory will outlive you and be your only proof of existence." The android joined his comrades in the disassembly pile as I applied some pressure to his head, crumpling like tin foil.
I didn't bother to gaze at his face as he died. That fear wasn't as satisfying as it was on #17 and #18, humans who wasted themselves along with their power, such wastes compared to their main selves that I had to elevate to Perfection out of necessity. Hell, you could even argue that these three could've been innocent in comparison to the monsters that #17 and #18 wasted themselves being.
Except for the fact that they were still loyal to Dr. Gero, and likely the idea of the Red Ribbon Army. Which I shouldn't have to point out would be a tremendously horrible decision. Not even Neo-Nazis would support the Third Reich after facing the atrocities that they would've brought to them, their loved ones, along with all life as they knew it.
Then again I doubt that those three knew much beyond 'kill Goku' so that probably wouldn't be a worry.
Well, I still have some time before Trunks is back. Now that I've dealt with Gero's garbage, how about I find some treasure in here while I can. Ooooh here I come Android #21!
"CELL!" An enraged voice called out. Annoyingly enough it wasn't the latter devil but the former. Aka, Future Trunks. Though I suppose that it'd be more accurate to call him Present Trunks, huh?
######
Probably not in the same tone as the first chapter, but just like it it was something I threw together in a few moments of spare time. I think you'll notice that there was much more of character interaction than there was of Cell's inner monologue/reflection with his imprints, for which I hope isn't too much of a turn off. The imprints are a guide Gero installed to help Cell along, now that he's Perfect he won't be needing much for long.
Anyways, I would like to hear what you thought of this chapter overall and thanks for reading.
As for the title, I'll wait until the poll ends to make a change, so free feel to make suggestions until then.
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This is beautiful. Was that a bit of TFS DBZA shining through there?
TFS was the most recent dub of DBZ I've watched so that was fresh on my mind while I wrote this. Hell, I wrote/read this with their voices more often than I did the originals. Though this is still taking place in mostly regular DBZ/S
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Chapter 3
"CELL!" An enraged voice called out. Annoyingly enough it wasn't the latter devil but the former. Aka, Future Trunks. Though I suppose that it'd be more accurate to call him Present Trunks, huh?
----------
Above me in the air stood the Trunks of my time, my present if you will, in his Capsule Corp. jacket with his hair in the ever iconic gold and spiky style commonly associated with the Super Saiyan form. Along with said golden locks was the golden aura swelling furiously from him. And judging by his muscles he's in SSJ Grade 2, it seems that he learned his lesson from the last time he went Grade 3.
And boy is he pissed off judging by that glare of wrath, yet I could also detect some fear and desperation within him through said glare. Rage has many sources after all.
Which is very much understandable considering what he went through in the past. Hell, what was to be a moment of triumph and long awaited revenge for Trunks and all that was lost upon his return home has just become the worst possible scenario for him to encounter. Perfection.
But I'm not the Cell for said scenario now am I?
Welp, time to de-escalate this before monkey boy here bursts a vessel or two.
"Who, me?" I asked, pointing to myself.
"Yes you!" Trunks confirmed.
"Couldn't be."
"It shouldn't be!"
How could this be!? Hehe, metal cooler.
"Well, hello Trunks! It's a pleasure finally to meet you." I greeted with a smile, not one like the usual cruel and mocking ones Frieza or Vegeta gave, but a simple one like Goku's.
"Yet you already know who I am, along with what I have already done." Trunks said back tersely.
"Yep, you went back in time to save the Earth from Androids #16, #17, #18, #19, and Gero. Then had a run in with my alternate self which ended in your death, Son Gohan killed him back, then you got brought back, said your goodbyes, and are now here. I believe that covers most of it, though events may vary." I listed off, giving a brief summary of his shenanigans.
"Speaking of which, wood ya recognize this here trucker hat?" I asked in a mocking recreation of #13's accent as I pointed to the hat hanging on my crown/head thing. It was too big to put on the middle of my head so it was hanging off the side of it. "Or would you recognize these pieces of scraps?" I said as I waved my hand towards the mess on the floor.
"Androids #13, #14, and #15." Trunks quickly identified with narrow eyes before bringing them back to me. "We destroyed them in the past, just as much as we destroyed you."
"Correction, that was Son Gohan along with the slight assistance of daddy departed Goku and your daddy dearest Vegeta." I corrected, but that reminder only served to make the boy tenser, which wasn't what I wanted. But I should possess an easy fix that should calm him down. "And I know that you can't help but think the worst of this situation but I'll ask for you to do one thing. Check my Ki, hell I'll make sure it's loud and clear for you."
I imitated Cell's pose from his intro in Fighterz and let out a yell heard from many an EVO tournament.
"HAAAAAAA!!"
I couldn't help but let out a satisfied grin, the yell was just music to my ears along with the feeling of flexing my power at its entirety. And you can't just power up without some loud screaming. Though I could see that Trunks suppressed the urge to cover his ears judging by his slight wince.
"Now tell me what you noticed." I asked.
"...There's not a single presence within you that isn't your own." Trunks realized stunned with wide eyes. "Other than the Androids, you haven't absorbed anyone."
Of course there was a risk that fully powering up could've pushed Trunks into deciding to fight me, but like I expected, the revelation of no human being absorbed was the first impression he got from it. After all, it could be easy to lie and say that I hadn't absorbed any humans just by suppressing my Ki to hide their influence, but by letting it all out for him to sense, it became rather clear that I was telling the truth.
"Correct! The first thing I've done since emerging from my pod was to deactivate the Androids using the shutdown signal Gero installed in me,"
"He installed what!?" He said with shock. After the big ordeal that is the Cell Saga happened, it'd be pretty understandable to be surprised that it could end so quickly and easily.
"I know right, that was incredibly convenient! Anyway, after absorbing #17 and #18 while they could do nothing to stop me, I paid your mother a visit and had a lovely chat. I believe that you already spoke with her, yes?"
"Yes." His face tightened in anger at the mention of her, but I could also sense some relief from him that she was unharmed, barring her mind hehe. With that relief came confusion as well. "Both her and Android #16. All you asked about was for me from my mother, and then you went looking for whatever could be in Gero's lab."
It then dawned on him. "You were waiting for me."
"Indeed I was, good on you for figuring it out so quickly." I praised with a little applause.
"But why? If you already knew about me, why didn't you just hold my mother hostage until I came back-"
"Because I didn't want to?" I cut off. "Bulma's a pleasant woman who's done me no wrong, and you've done me no harm either. Though I'll admit that I'm surprised, but happy that we're talking at all."
"Why's that?"
"I expected you to be your father's son. But I'm glad that you could use the brain your mother gave you and speak rather than just shout as you Saiyans tend to do."
"I know that I have no chance against you." Trunks freely but sourly admitted, his fists clenched at his sides. But he then pulled a still clenched fist against his chest. "Still, I was more than willing to die if that was what it took to spare the Earth from your cruel amusement."
Huh, what does he mean by that? Don't tell me that he's comparing me to that jackass from the past.
"Him, not me. Much like the Androids of the past weren't murderous cunts, the Cell of your present isn't a genocidal maniac who would misuse his Perfection."
"Wait! You're from this timeline?!"
"Is it really that much of a surprise? I mean, sure I woke up earlier than expected-"
"You're as strong now as he was after coming back from blowing himself up!"
Huh. That's weird, does that mean I'm stronger than Gohan now? Neat. Oh wait, Gohan was still stronger and would've beat him if it weren't for that arm injury, but still it's good to know that some light training is all I need to close the gap.
"If I were to wager a guess, it seems that since these Androids had 17 years to waste with Gohan as their chew toy every so often likely made them stronger than the past, thus yielding a higher boost in power from absorbing them."
"Now if you excuse me, I'm going to open Android #21."
"There's another one?" Trunks asked exasperated, before quickly turning frustrated. "How many of you damn Androids are there?!"
"Well, I'd say that almost all of them should be decommissioned. Barring Android #8."
"And where has he been all of this time?"
"Oh he's hardly relevant. He's a bigger softy than Android #16 and was made when Goku was a kid. He actually betrayed the Red Ribbon Army to help Goku save that village, which is where he's been all this time."
I looked deeper into Gero's sub lab until I finally found it. Android #21's pod.
"What are you doing here now?" He asked as he followed me deeper inside.
"I didn't come just to mess around with these inferior models, you know." I explained, turning to address him. "I really did just want to give this place a look around, then I found #16's pod all mossy yet functional. Figured that I might as well set him on the right path and give your mother some help and a gift."
"According to her you gave her a headache with that info of yours and a heart attack with Sixteen."
"And I'm sure that the lab technology cheered her up some?"
"She was gushing over it when I came back from the past. By the way, she isn't too pleased that you failed to mention who killed me however."
"Standing there, you should've realized, You've self-sabotaged to not have fucking dodged.~" I taunted in a singing tone. If Gohan saw fit to continue Piccolo's teachings, then with the fellow inside me I should offer some of that to Trunks too.
"You try to not be surprised when your enemy comes back from what was certain death!"
"Goku blew his head off and he was still alive, not to mention that he does have Frieza and Saiyan DNA, of course he'd be a sturdy enough fucker to walk that off."
"You can't expect people to use techniques that they've never used before!"
"That was literally how Goku learned the Kamehameha Wave and he used Instant Transmission enough that Cell would've eventually gotten the hang of it."
"...I can understand why my mother was so frustrated after a conversation with you."
I simply laughed as I turned my attention back to the pod. Like mother, like son, so fun to mess around with.
"I'm going to open Android #21's pod now, so it'd be really appreciated that you don't do a repeat of the last time you saw an Android awaken, I still want to loot this place for your mother."
"You can't be serious, what reason would you have to want to awaken it? You've already absorbed Seventeen and Eighteen and set Sixteen free, you know of them. But I never even saw what Android this is, how would you know about this one? What does it hold?"
"Oh you'll learn soon enough." I said, trying not to sound ominous but couldn't help but feel that I failed judging by how guarded Trunks was.
With a push of a button, the pod opened just as seamlessly as #16's did.
And out from the pod did the Android modeled after Gero's fine wife emerge. She looked the same as she did in Fighterz, long auburn hair, white lab coat with the Red Ribbon logo on it, red and blue turtleneck sweater, and black leggings. The only thing she was missing were her glasses but I quickly found them in her coat pocket.
After stepping out of the pod, a 'clock' from her shoe rang throughout the lab though it was drowned out by Trunks' still ongoing aura. Unlike #16, who seemed ready to go as soon as he woke up, #21 was still groggy from her sleep. Which was further proved when the first thing to come out of her mouth was a yawn.
After rubbing the sleep from her eyes, reaching into her coat pocket for her glasses and putting them on, it was only then that she noticed the two of us, a giant bug man and a guy with spiky hair on steroids. She blinked a few times, checked her glasses again, and gave us a few more glances.
"Oh, hello!" She greeted a bit sheepishly, "Sorry for not noticing you, I didn't see you until just now. I'm…Android #21? Yes, Android #21."
"Funny that, I'm technically Android #21, though I am designated as Biomechanical Android #1."
I greeted back.
Android #21/Biomechanical Android #2
How the hell does that work? Gero must've gone senile in terms of labeling.
"I thought your name was Cell?" Trunks asked.
"Said who? I never told your mother that and I did introduce myself to #16 as Biomechanical Android-."
"You did when you accepted me calling you that."
"I don't know, thinking of changing it to something else now. I'm thinking… Jiren." I couldn't help myself, not when the opportunity just presented itself.
Trunks was not amused while #21 only looked confused at me.
"Yeah, I thought the name was a bit boring too. Seems like Cell will have to stick for now." And honestly, I couldn't think of a better name at the moment. Oh, sure, there were countless ones that I could borrow from throughout fiction but I'd like to see you try to rename yourself into something other than what your parents gave you, it's a tricky thing after all.
"It certainly seems to fit you well enough." #21 said.
"Thank you #21." I thanked before turning to my companion of sorts. "Now for the grump with the ridiculous do, that's Trunks Briefs."
"It's not ridiculous!" Trunks defended a little too quickly.
"...I'll admit, it is a little outlandish." #21 added.
Trunks expressed his displeasure by shifting his glare from me to her, at which she just held up her hands with a shrug. "And you sure do seem grumpy."
"It wouldn't surprise me if that thing was sharper than your sword. How poor Tapion must feel at having his sword outclassed."
Rather than feel offended for the hero that gave him his weapon, he just blinked in confusion. "Who the hell is that?"
I blinked in confusion as well. "... the guy who gave you that sword, I think."
"You thought wrong, that was Gohan. He said it was something that his teacher had done for him when he finished his training."
Huh, guess that Tapion giving kid Trunks that sword really was just a symbolic thing. Damn you DBZA, you got me lacking with fanon.
"Now, #21, how much are you aware of?" I asked, going back to the person of focus here.
"Hmm, not much to be exact. I can recall my designation, my status as a bio-android, and the fact that despite this body I'm only ten years old. Anything else either isn't there or will hopefully come to me later."
"Disregard that last part, you were built 10 years ago, but you aren't 10." I interrupted. Yeah, no, miss me with that loli bullshit, she has an adult body and acts like one, she damn well is one (Applies to robots only, no comment on meatbags). "You were modeled after Vomi, the late Dr. Gero's wife."
"I was modeled after my maker's wife?" #21 questioned with surprise and a slight amount of alarm. Seems that she picked up a few implications.
"Gero had a wife? Who could possibly love that monster?" Trunks questioned with revulsion.
The urge to give him a half-lidded stare and let my only reply be 'Vegeta' was really strong. I mean, Gero did some fucked up things so he wasn't wrong to feel that way, but he's the son of Vegeta, he has have no room to complain.
Instead, I said. "If you can consider the resemblance between Gero and #13 to mean that he built a younger version of himself, it might not be too much of a surprise how they got together. Besides, I never knew the woman. I just know of her. Like I do of most things."
"Besides how I got my sword." Trunks, that cheeky brat, added in.
"Like I said, most things. Kinda like how you got the appearance of the Androids wrong when you went back in time to warn Goku and friends." I shot back just as cheeky.
"How does that work?" #21 asked.
"Me knowing things or the time travel."
"The theory of time travel isn't in my area of expertise so while I'd be more than happy to hear of it was possible, I was referring to how you know things."
"It's in a similar vein to time travel actually."
From the way Trunks was about to tell #21 something, it was likely a warning if Bulma was to go by, but he was too late.
"Multiverse theory." I simply said. The last time fried Bulma's head, let's see what it'll do to #21's.
"...how?" She asked with a simple curosity.
"You are familiar with the theory, yes?" I asked.
"Like time travel, it's not my area of expertise but I am aware of it."
"I thought that you weren't aware of much?" I asked with a raised brow.
"It just came to me." #21 blinked at that before she shrugged it off. "Anyway, while I am aware of the idea of the multiverse and branching timelines, I want to know from you how exactly such a varied thing applies to your knowledge."
"In case you can't speak S.C.I.E.N.C.E!-" I said to Trunks.
"I am more than aware of science!"
Didn't even capitalize it smh.
"That's a story for another time, my dear. You haven't been exposed to enough of the weird things that go on here to believe me. But I do want to ask, how's your stomach?"
"My stomach? Why would you-." #21 was about to ask confused before a rumble came out of her, followed by a pink blush against her pale skin. "Oh. I suppose that I am hungry."
"As in hunger for food, or as in mad hunger for energy that'll make you go crazy. Because there's not much energy to go around on the planet, unless you'd like to engage in Ki Transfer with me. In which case I'd be more than happy-"
"What do you mean by a mad hunger for energy!?" Trunks demanded.
"How did you know about that before I did?" She asked before shaking her head at it. "And no, I do mean hunger for food. I've just woken up and haven't had any breakfast yet! Though I could go for some sweets…" She trailed off with a faraway face, so it seemed that she was a sweet tooth even without Buu's cells being within her,
Huh, what time is it anyway? Judging by the sky still being blue, then again it was almost always blue since sunsets were never used during fight scenes, I'd say that it's still daytime.
4:44 P.M. EST
I come with a clock? Neat.
"It's too late for breakfast and much too soon for dessert I'm afraid. But lunch does sound good. Speaking of,"
"Trunks, how exactly do you or Gohan eat?"
"What the hell brings that up for?"
"She's biomechanical, much like I am. Therefore we share the same DNA, which includes Saiyan."
"Oh." Trunks just understood, not much more needing to be said. But that was soon replaced with confusion. "Wait, you two are just going out to eat?"
"If you wish to join us, I see no reason why you can't." #21 welcomed, but then took notice of his aura and the raging wind-like effect that it had. "Though you may have to turn off that aura of yours if you don't want to blow away the food."
"Huh, no not that." Trunks said a bit stumped, even toning down his aura a tad. "The fact that the first thing you plan on doing is going out to eat. Regular food at that, rather than go on a rampage and eat people."
At that claim, she just scrunched up her face in distaste. "I don't exactly find turning to cannibalism to be an appealing prospect. And I just woke up so I don't exactly have the inclination or desire to do such a thing even if I had."
"Alright, despite not knowing you, I can… believe you." Trunks said to #21 before he turned to me, his aura back in full force. "But you. What the hell are you up to?"
As much as I'd like to say 'doin' your mom' I can't exactly say that since it's a reference nobody would get, the most unfortunate ones. Though it may catch him off guard enough to clear up that distrust with shock or just piss him off royally.
But in all seriousness, this is likely my moment to convince him of my intentions. The lack of absorbed humans and his desire to not fight an unwinnable battle have already given me an in, our interactions along with #21 have wormed the idea that we don't need to be enemies into him, now is the time to solidify that.
"Are you familiar with the concept of Perfection? It can hold many meanings and definitions depending on who you ask and what it can be applied to."
"The one that likely comes to mind to you is the concept that my alternative preached to all who could hear. Rather insistently and forcefully at that."
"If there is one thing that you could take in that would separate me from the Cell that you knew, one fundamental difference among the many that we have, it is our interpretation of Perfection.
"His interpretation of Perfection is without flaw or fault. That once it was attained, he was the pinnacle of all and thus infallible. Which is rather ironic when that view in itself is flawed, and thus leads that Cell to be flawed himself."
"My interpretation is that Perfection is not something that one could truly have or be but what one can strive to. Once I had attained my Perfect form, it did not make me the embodiment of Perfection but out of all life in the cosmos it has given me the most potential to do reach it."
"In essence, I wish to grow rather than to be. And where better to grow than on Earth?" I ended my speech with my answer.
Interestingly enough, you could also simplify our approach to Perfection by using what we both have. Alternate Cell's take was Frieza like in seeing himself as already the pinnacle despite the fact that he should know better, my take was Goku like in seeing how far I can go and continually pushing himself.
Trunks was silent but paid rapt attention to my monologue. Seemingly analyzing and dissecting every word that came out of my mouth. By the time I was done, his face was scrunched up in deep thought, yet still focused and more than ready to defend or strike should he need to.
#21 kept silent, having seemed to sense the tension between Trunks and myself. Though she did listen on to my words as well with a look of fascination.
After a few moments, with the only sound being Trunks' aura that raged in tandem with his thoughts, did he finally speak.
"I sense no deceit, malice, or ill-will from you, besides a contempt towards the Cell that I faced. Your concept of perfection is far preferable to what he had tried and failed to practice. Honestly, it's what Goku or even my father would describe themselves to be if they had the desire to explain it in a way you had. It's for those reasons that I tentatively accept that you are not an enemy of the Earth. But if you show any signs of evil as your past self had, I will do everything in my power to ensure that your concept of perfection ends just like the other Cell's did." Trunks acquiesced, proven as while he did not depower himself out of his Super Saiyan form, he reverted back to Grade 1.
"I find that to be agreeable. Perfectly agreeable." I accepted with a smile and an open hand.
Trunks looked at it wearily, likely preparing to intercept a Ki Blast or just recalling the last time he saw an open hand from my alternative self. But soon bit the bullet and grabbed my hand with his own.
I made sure to give Trunks a firm handshake to convey my intentions while keeping it light enough that he could let go at anything he chose to.
Trunks chose to grip my hand as hard and firmly as he could, but his intentions were conveyed through this action, not gently or lightly but still willing.
We shook on it, signalizing the acceptance between us.
"Now that we've gotten that out of the way…" I started before I went off in motion.
Much like I did for the main lab, I looked for some empty capsules before proceeding to loot everything in the lab, even including the scraps of the Androids that I had destroyed. All that was left was one supercomputer.
The supercomputer containing Dr. Gero's memories.
Trunks seemed to realize this as he walked beside me.
"I can understand why you'd take everything from here when I'd much rather destroy it all and be done with it, but surely you can understand that this has to be destroyed. Dr. Gero has no place in the world that his actions led to the destruction of, be it in the form of an Android or a computer."
"Be that as it may, would you mind allowing me to speak with my maker? There is so much that I'd like to know but am missing. Of myself and whoever Vomi was." #21 requested Trunks, though her focus was entirely on the machine containing our creator.
"I wouldn't bother, this man is a monster." Trunks stated bluntly but not rudely either, seems that there's some sympathy at play. "If you're an Android, it could be just as likely that he forcibly turned you into a cyborg or even worse if you are fully bio-mechanical."
"I agree with Trunks. Our maker he may have been, I hold no love for the man." I said, adding my voice in this. He looked at me surprised, not expecting me to share his opinion. "And while he may have loved his wife Vomi and son Gevo enough to rebuild them, Android #16 was considered a failure in his eyes. You might not like how he'll view Android #21." I also cautioned. Now both Trunks and #21 looked at me in surprise at the reveal of Android #16's parentage.
"You both raise valid points regarding who he is. But still, I want to speak with him. I don't want to remain in the dark regarding my history, no matter how unpleasant it may be."
"Fine, but should it attempt anything I will destroy this entire cave and the surrounding area. I won't take any chances this thing may try to take." Trunks stated, while he compromised somewhat he was still fully intent to carry out his words.
"That's understandable." #21 accepted Trunks' condition without much fuss.
She stepped right in front of the main panel and stared at it for a moment before moving to turn it on. Trunks was tense and ready to act should he feel the need to. I was also ready but more to get #21 out of the way should Trunks or Gero do something.
The supercomputer came alive as it started up with lights and beeps. Its activation was a little slow but was otherwise seamless. How the man could be content to leave what was essentially a clone of himself here is beyond me yet not too surprising since he was content to abandon his original body, but at least that was a body rather than just a brain. Dr. Wheelo would be malding if he saw this smh.
"Ah, Biomechanical Android #1! It is good to see that you have achieved perfection so swiftly." The remnant of Dr. Gero praised, probably the most genuine thing I've ever heard out of his mouth besides his hate boner for Goku..
"Thanks for the shutdown signals, that was really convenient." I thanked, just as genuine as he was. Sure Gero was human garbage but it would've been a pain in the ass to become Perfect without those signals and likely damn near impossible for me to get Trunks to allow me to absorb them and not just vaporize me.
"You are welcome. Though if only I had installed such a mechanism into my own Android body… Regardless, my project has come to completion and Son Goku is dead. As regrettable as it is that neither I nor my Androids could've done it, the death of his allies has made up for it."
"Yet I detect the DNA of Bulma Briefs and Vegeta right beside you. What is the meaning of this, why is he not terminated?" Gero demanded with a mix of confusion and displeasure.
"Why should he be?" #21 spoke up with a confusion and displeasure of her own. "He has done no wrong to you and was born long after the fall of the Red Ribbon Army. There is no reason to kill him."
"You." He said in a tone that didn't bode well. "It seems that even one of my most successful of projects can carry defects."
"...what is that supposed to mean?" She asked with furrowed brows, voice tinged with concern.
"Android #16, too much like Gevo who was soft despite being willing to fight for the Red Ribbon Army. You are too much like Vomi, still too soft despite knowing of the work that must be done."
"What do you mean by 'too soft'? I simply do not wish to harm another who is of no threat to me, that is just decency."
"Bah! Even now you still speak to me of decency. You were a genius, a peer to my own intellect! Yet you've almost always allowed morality to blind you, to slow us down. You and that damned Frappe."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"You were driven and dedicated, more than any other that I knew. It was what drew me to you, Monroe." A woman said wistfully.
"But that just meant that when you decided to get revenge on Son Goku, for destroying the army that you slaved away for, that Gevo died for, you've allowed that drive for revenge to consume you utterly. You still had other children to live for, a grandson for fucks sake! And now you're torturing these kids… How could you fall so low from the man I loved?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"...I can see why I remember very little of my past beyond what seems to have truly mattered to me. My son and my decency. Whatever love Vomi once had for you must've been too painful and distant a memory to bother keeping."
At that the supercomputer was silent, all beeping and flickering absent as if it had suddenly shut down. Then it soon came back to life blaring in alarms and flashing lights.
"BIOMECHANICAL ANDROID #1! YOU ARE TO PUT ANDROID #21 BACK INTO STASIS! SHE REMAINS DEFECTIVE! CLEARY SHE HAS BEEN SABOTAGED BY THAT TREACHEROUS WOMAN!"
"Hmph, it's just that she has a conscience. You build Androids with decent hearts and you deem them defective, you build Androids with the monstrous qualities you seek and they rebel against you and ruin everything. Are you sure that you're not the one who's defective?" Trunks said, righteous anger fueling his taunts.
"AND TERMINATE THAT BASTARD CHILD AS WELL!"
"While you aren't wrong about the bastard part," I started off.
"What the hell?"
"I'm going to have to say, no." I ended.
Gero didn't take that so well. "WHAT?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY NO!? YOU ARE MY CREATION! YOU! MUST! OBEY! ME!"
"Funny how often that seems to work for you, the whole demanding to obey thing. I'm sure #17 seemed real inclined to obey right before he put #20 out of commission. Besides, I am Perfection, so while grateful to you for my existence, I owe no obedience to an inferior relic such as yourself."
"FAILURES! WHY IS IT THAT EVERYTHING THAT I CREATE ENDS UP A FAILURE?! EVEN WHAT SHOULD BE THE PINNACLE OF ALL MY CREATIONS FAILS TO OBEY! IS ANDROID #19 THE ONLY NON DEFECT THAT I COULD CREATE!?"
"You know, phrasing it like that also implies that #20 and this supercomputer counts as defective too. Kinda proving the bastard child's point." I pointed out.
"ARRGGGHHHH!!!!!"
After letting out a roar of rage that I was more than sure ruptured some of his audio speakers, the most unexpected thing happened. Three models of Android #20 revealed and activated themselves.
What the hell?
"KILL THE BASTARD AND SUBDUE #21!" He ordered. Two of the Geros lunged for #21, one of them aiming for her throat, while the other went for Trunks.
I used my telekinesis to suspend all of them in the air.
"You can detect power levels and you still chose to send units who aren't even close to #18 at #21 and a Saiyan who's power is beyond that. You really are defective, old timer." I chided as I shook my head, it seems that I was right. Gero's gone senile.
"Trunks, since I feel bad for stealing your catharsis in dealing with #17 and #18, how about I make it up to you and let you thrash Gero around a bit." I offered to the half-Saiyan. I even waved a Gero frozen in fury while screaming around for emphasis.
"I was just about to blow this place to kingdom come, but when you put it like that… Sure, I can use the relief. I want two." Trunks agreed, his Super Saiyan aura roaring with life at the prospect.
"#21, I'm sorry that you had to learn firsthand about how much a piece of shit Gero is. Would you like some catharsis as well?"
#21 says nothing as she walks over to the suspended Gero, her face a sad but frustrated one to Gero's angry mania.
"...it's sad that you lost your wife to your insanity. I don't need to know what happened to Vomi, she's more than likely dead and it's a certainty that you were involved somehow." She said, her face like her tone in being soft but unwavering. Though they both hardened in scorn. "But it's pathetic that you felt the need to recreate a version of her that you had the total obedience of! You are no longer the version of the one that she loved, and as you drifted away from decency, your cold heart pushed away from her decency."
"They say 'till death do we part' is how a marriage is ideally supposed to end. But that is far beyond what you deserve, and since it's likely that Vomi never got the chance to, I'll do it for her."
"Consider this a divorce!" #21 exclaimed as she charged an energy ball of black and red crackling ki in her hand while powering it up with her arm on it.
"HAAAAAAAA!"
"YOU INSOLENT BITCH! WE ONLY HAD A CERTIFICAAAAAAAA-!"
"No! Wait! I didn't even get to kill my Gero yet!" Trunks cried out while in the middle of beating Gero with his leg.
*BOOM!*
It was kinda funny how similar the explosion effect was here to how it was when she performed that move as a finisher in Fighterz. A massive explosion of light that could've been seen for miles while it briefly rained rocks and rubble.
"While I'm happy that we got through… that mess, it didn't make my hunger go away." #21 said after a few huffs and puffs.
"You hear that Trunks, she's still hungry. We'd best get on that before she starts hungering for people."
"But I didn't get to kill my Gero yet! Or an Android at all!" Trunks whined.
"You literally just had Gohan and Vegeta as an example of what not to do when it comes to having an opponent that you outclass. Hell, it's probably a lesson you were taught since you were a toddler, don't play with your fucking food." I lectured. The boy should know better by now.
"You were just doing that with Androids Thirteen, Fourteen, and Fifteen before I got here!"
"Yes, I had my fun but I didn't drag it out needlessly. And such a shame too since you did it masterfully with Frieza and Cold."
"...there was no emotional investment on my end though…" He grumbled under his breath.
"She said that she didn't want to eat people!" Trunks said, changing the subject once he knew that there was no winning that last one, but was still concerned with this one.
"She also said that she's missing some details about herself, and even I don't know if not eating normal food will keep that energy hunger away."
"After the emotional ache that I went through, I could go for a tub of ice cream. Oh, with whipped cream, caramel and chocolate syrup! With little bits of candies on it too!"
"And a movie! And a shoulder to cry on! That's what people do during emotional duress, right?!" She asked while gripping and shaking my shoulders.
To that, I just turned my head to Trunks and asked. "Do you guys still even have ice cream, or tvs with decent movies?"
"What do you mean by 'do they'?" #21 asked after tightening her grip on my shoulders.
"Oh. It may not look it from where we are, a giant crater surrounded by rock, but we're currently in a post-apocalyptic world courtesy of Androids #17 and #18 being genocidal cunts." I helpfully explained. Though it didn't help much judging by her down spike in mood.
"Huh… so I guess that means no ice cream or movie then."
"Yep."
"...don't tell me that means sweets either."
"Sorry to say but people are more concerned with surviving from rampaging monsters than they are for making candy."
"We may not have ice cream but we do have powdered yogurt. It's just as edible and more importantly nutritious too." Trunks added, trying to help but only got a dirty glare from #21. Not so fun getting glared at now is it?
"Dammit! I killed that bastard Gero too quickly!" She cursed at the top of her lungs.
"At least you got to kill him." Trunks grumbled at the reminder of the second time his kill got stolen.
To that I just laughed. Seems that out of the two, I'm the only one who came out a winner here. The diabetic #21 getting food blocked, Trunks getting 0 Android killstreak, while things so far have been going Perfect. (eat a bag of dicks murphy nothing happens here until years later)
A dark and hopeless time this world may have been in, I have a feeling that things will be getting lighter as time goes on. I'll make sure of it.
--------
"Hey Mom, I'm back! We also picked up another Android and I need you to cook enough food for three saiyans…" Trunks greeted as he walked in with dinosaur meat. Though the lad was happy to be back, he was also quite nervous.
"Hello Mrs. Briefs, you have a wonderful home. A pleasure to see you here as well Android #16." #21 greeted while munching on her dinosaur meat, her munchies made her impatient enough to just fry it with Ki despite it apparently tasting like crap Trunks warned and #21 soon confirmed.
"Hey Bulma I'm back, did you miss me!?" I re-introduced while waltzing in the place the same way I left. "Now rev up those fryers! Because I sure am hun-gry-"
#16 was just about to say something before an oil and soot covered Bulma rushed in. "You assholes!" She screamed upon the sight of us.
"Why'd you include me?!" Trunks asked with wide eyes and a hurt tone.
"Because you brought that asshole back here." She explained, pointing at me for emphasis, before continuing. "After worrying me about the shit a version of himself has done in the past. Thanks for not mentioning that Cell, YOU ASSHOLE!"
"Would it help if I told you that I brought more advanced tech?" I asked, waving up the capsule packs in my hands. She just walked over and snatched it out of them. After reading a brief Sparknotes-tier summary of what was in said packs, she seemed to have calmed down significantly though she still kept me in her eye with a glare.
"And cooking for multiple Saiyan appetites isn't fun. The artificial food garden doesn't grow like it used to." She finished in a more subdued tone.
"How about Chi-" Trunks brought up but was swiftly interrupted.
"You are more than welcome to fly all the way over to Mount Paozu and ask Gohan's mother to cook you some food, I'm sure it'll be a pleasant time too." Bulma countered, that statement full of conflicting emotions. A bit irritated that her son would just as quickly go to someone else for food and some uncertainty I couldn't source.
"Oh come now, lunch would be a perfect opportunity for us to get to know each other better. And we can share stories. " I suggested, drawing everyone's attention. I added to that with the second most enticing thing I could think of. "Bulma, all the embarrassing things baby Trunks has gotten into."
If there was anything that could brighten a mother up, it was the idea of embarrassing her kids, as proven by Bulma rushing off to the kitchen. Though Trunks seemed to be debating between killing himself to avoid that fate or killing me for suggesting it.
"Trunks, the fun you must've had spending two entire years training with Vegeta."
"You know just as well as I do that fun was the last thing I had in mind to describe that."
"Unfortunately, neither #21 nor #16 have much of any stories to tell but that's fine, we'll make some together. By the way #16, she's a copy of your mother."
"And I'll be looking forward to that, Cell."
#16 just blinked at me before turning to stare at #21. She looked back at him with a sweet smile.
"And what about you?" Bulma asked with her head out of the door, a bit too smug for my liking. "What story of the past can you tell that Trunks or I don't already know?"
"Via the multiverse, quite a lot actually, but that's not entirely what I'll be talking about. I'll be telling stories of the future, both the present's and the past's!" I revealed with dramatic gravitas. Though it quickly seems to dawn on Bulma and then Trunks why I'd feel the need to mention this. They aren't too happy.
###########
(A thing to note, this is the last chapter for this fic that I have written, so you'll have to wait for me to finish chapter 4 like the other sites do)
Not much happened this chapter but what happened was big, Trunks confronts Cell, Cell finds #21, and they all confront Gero's supercomputer. Originally I was just going to have Trunks blow it up and have #21 find some answers later on, but I figured that Gero would be good for some drama and the interactions all three of them had with him were fun for me to write. The most fun this chapter was Cell and Trunks, but I also enjoyed having #21 being a third and mostly oblivious third wheel as well.
As for the three Geros, that was a thing in DBZ Supersonic Warrior 2. Found it on the DBZ wiki for future present Gero's supercomputer. Trunks and Past Gohan went to the lab to destroy the supercomputer and ended up fighting the three Geros. Pretty weird since it's an old video game and something I thought about removing since it was similar to the last chapter with Cell thrashing inferior androids. But like I said earlier, I felt that it was nice for #21 to get some answers to her past.
Next chapter as you can tell from the cliffhanger will be Cell telling Trunks of the shit that will go down in the future for both timelines. That ought to be fun for Trunks lol.
And I'm sorry for the wait, but the only reason I've been able to get chapters out so fast, for those of you who are familiar with me my update speed is significantly slower than this lol, is that they were mostly made last month lol, as some of you may know that chapter 1 was a thing finished and posted since the 23rd of August and chapter 2 finished and uploaded on the 8th of September. Tbh I probably would have posted this a few days ago but I usually like to iron things out a bit before sending it out. I hope you guys liked the chapter and feel free to tell me what you thought.
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Above me in the air stood the Trunks of my time, my present if you will, in his Capsule Corp. jacket with his hair in the ever iconic gold and spiky style commonly associated with the Super Saiyan form. Along with said golden locks was the golden aura swelling furiously from him. And judging by his muscles he's in SSJ Grade 2, it seems that he learned his lesson from the last time he went Grade 3.
And boy is he pissed off judging by that glare of wrath, yet I could also detect some fear and desperation within him through said glare. Rage has many sources after all.
Which is very much understandable considering what he went through in the past. Hell, what was to be a moment of triumph and long awaited revenge for Trunks and all that was lost upon his return home has just become the worst possible scenario for him to encounter. Perfection.
But I'm not the Cell for said scenario now am I?
Welp, time to de-escalate this before monkey boy here bursts a vessel or two.
"Who, me?" I asked, pointing to myself.
"Yes you!" Trunks confirmed.
"Couldn't be."
"It shouldn't be!"
How could this be!? Hehe, metal cooler.
"Well, hello Trunks! It's a pleasure finally to meet you." I greeted with a smile, not one like the usual cruel and mocking ones Frieza or Vegeta gave, but a simple one like Goku's.
"Yet you already know who I am, along with what I have already done." Trunks said back tersely.
"Yep, you went back in time to save the Earth from Androids #16, #17, #18, #19, and Gero. Then had a run in with my alternate self which ended in your death, Son Gohan killed him back, then you got brought back, said your goodbyes, and are now here. I believe that covers most of it, though events may vary." I listed off, giving a brief summary of his shenanigans.
"Speaking of which, wood ya recognize this here trucker hat?" I asked in a mocking recreation of #13's accent as I pointed to the hat hanging on my crown/head thing. It was too big to put on the middle of my head so it was hanging off the side of it. "Or would you recognize these pieces of scraps?" I said as I waved my hand towards the mess on the floor.
"Androids #13, #14, and #15." Trunks quickly identified with narrow eyes before bringing them back to me. "We destroyed them in the past, just as much as we destroyed you."
"Correction, that was Son Gohan along with the slight assistance of daddy departed Goku and your daddy dearest Vegeta." I corrected, but that reminder only served to make the boy tenser, which wasn't what I wanted. But I should possess an easy fix that should calm him down. "And I know that you can't help but think the worst of this situation but I'll ask for you to do one thing. Check my Ki, hell I'll make sure it's loud and clear for you."
I imitated Cell's pose from his intro in Fighterz and let out a yell heard from many an EVO tournament.
"HAAAAAAA!!"
I couldn't help but let out a satisfied grin, the yell was just music to my ears along with the feeling of flexing my power at its entirety. And you can't just power up without some loud screaming. Though I could see that Trunks suppressed the urge to cover his ears judging by his slight wince.
"Now tell me what you noticed." I asked.
"...There's not a single presence within you that isn't your own." Trunks realized stunned with wide eyes. "Other than the Androids, you haven't absorbed anyone."
Of course there was a risk that fully powering up could've pushed Trunks into deciding to fight me, but like I expected, the revelation of no human being absorbed was the first impression he got from it. After all, it could be easy to lie and say that I hadn't absorbed any humans just by suppressing my Ki to hide their influence, but by letting it all out for him to sense, it became rather clear that I was telling the truth.
"Correct! The first thing I've done since emerging from my pod was to deactivate the Androids using the shutdown signal Gero installed in me,"
"He installed what!?" He said with shock. After the big ordeal that is the Cell Saga happened, it'd be pretty understandable to be surprised that it could end so quickly and easily.
"I know right, that was incredibly convenient! Anyway, after absorbing #17 and #18 while they could do nothing to stop me, I paid your mother a visit and had a lovely chat. I believe that you already spoke with her, yes?"
"Yes." His face tightened in anger at the mention of her, but I could also sense some relief from him that she was unharmed, barring her mind hehe. With that relief came confusion as well. "Both her and Android #16. All you asked about was for me from my mother, and then you went looking for whatever could be in Gero's lab."
It then dawned on him. "You were waiting for me."
"Indeed I was, good on you for figuring it out so quickly." I praised with a little applause.
"But why? If you already knew about me, why didn't you just hold my mother hostage until I came back-"
"Because I didn't want to?" I cut off. "Bulma's a pleasant woman who's done me no wrong, and you've done me no harm either. Though I'll admit that I'm surprised, but happy that we're talking at all."
"Why's that?"
"I expected you to be your father's son. But I'm glad that you could use the brain your mother gave you and speak rather than just shout as you Saiyans tend to do."
"I know that I have no chance against you." Trunks freely but sourly admitted, his fists clenched at his sides. But he then pulled a still clenched fist against his chest. "Still, I was more than willing to die if that was what it took to spare the Earth from your cruel amusement."
Huh, what does he mean by that? Don't tell me that he's comparing me to that jackass from the past.
"Him, not me. Much like the Androids of the past weren't murderous cunts, the Cell of your present isn't a genocidal maniac who would misuse his Perfection."
"Wait! You're from this timeline?!"
"Is it really that much of a surprise? I mean, sure I woke up earlier than expected-"
"You're as strong now as he was after coming back from blowing himself up!"
Huh. That's weird, does that mean I'm stronger than Gohan now? Neat. Oh wait, Gohan was still stronger and would've beat him if it weren't for that arm injury, but still it's good to know that some light training is all I need to close the gap.
"If I were to wager a guess, it seems that since these Androids had 17 years to waste with Gohan as their chew toy every so often likely made them stronger than the past, thus yielding a higher boost in power from absorbing them."
"Now if you excuse me, I'm going to open Android #21."
"There's another one?" Trunks asked exasperated, before quickly turning frustrated. "How many of you damn Androids are there?!"
"Well, I'd say that almost all of them should be decommissioned. Barring Android #8."
"And where has he been all of this time?"
"Oh he's hardly relevant. He's a bigger softy than Android #16 and was made when Goku was a kid. He actually betrayed the Red Ribbon Army to help Goku save that village, which is where he's been all this time."
I looked deeper into Gero's sub lab until I finally found it. Android #21's pod.
"What are you doing here now?" He asked as he followed me deeper inside.
"I didn't come just to mess around with these inferior models, you know." I explained, turning to address him. "I really did just want to give this place a look around, then I found #16's pod all mossy yet functional. Figured that I might as well set him on the right path and give your mother some help and a gift."
"According to her you gave her a headache with that info of yours and a heart attack with Sixteen."
"And I'm sure that the lab technology cheered her up some?"
"She was gushing over it when I came back from the past. By the way, she isn't too pleased that you failed to mention who killed me however."
"Standing there, you should've realized, You've self-sabotaged to not have fucking dodged.~" I taunted in a singing tone. If Gohan saw fit to continue Piccolo's teachings, then with the fellow inside me I should offer some of that to Trunks too.
"You try to not be surprised when your enemy comes back from what was certain death!"
"Goku blew his head off and he was still alive, not to mention that he does have Frieza and Saiyan DNA, of course he'd be a sturdy enough fucker to walk that off."
"You can't expect people to use techniques that they've never used before!"
"That was literally how Goku learned the Kamehameha Wave and he used Instant Transmission enough that Cell would've eventually gotten the hang of it."
"...I can understand why my mother was so frustrated after a conversation with you."
I simply laughed as I turned my attention back to the pod. Like mother, like son, so fun to mess around with.
"I'm going to open Android #21's pod now, so it'd be really appreciated that you don't do a repeat of the last time you saw an Android awaken, I still want to loot this place for your mother."
"You can't be serious, what reason would you have to want to awaken it? You've already absorbed Seventeen and Eighteen and set Sixteen free, you know of them. But I never even saw what Android this is, how would you know about this one? What does it hold?"
"Oh you'll learn soon enough." I said, trying not to sound ominous but couldn't help but feel that I failed judging by how guarded Trunks was.
With a push of a button, the pod opened just as seamlessly as #16's did.
And out from the pod did the Android modeled after Gero's fine wife emerge. She looked the same as she did in Fighterz, long auburn hair, white lab coat with the Red Ribbon logo on it, red and blue turtleneck sweater, and black leggings. The only thing she was missing were her glasses but I quickly found them in her coat pocket.
After stepping out of the pod, a 'clock' from her shoe rang throughout the lab though it was drowned out by Trunks' still ongoing aura. Unlike #16, who seemed ready to go as soon as he woke up, #21 was still groggy from her sleep. Which was further proved when the first thing to come out of her mouth was a yawn.
After rubbing the sleep from her eyes, reaching into her coat pocket for her glasses and putting them on, it was only then that she noticed the two of us, a giant bug man and a guy with spiky hair on steroids. She blinked a few times, checked her glasses again, and gave us a few more glances.
"Oh, hello!" She greeted a bit sheepishly, "Sorry for not noticing you, I didn't see you until just now. I'm…Android #21? Yes, Android #21."
"Funny that, I'm technically Android #21, though I am designated as Biomechanical Android #1."
I greeted back.
Android #21/Biomechanical Android #2
How the hell does that work? Gero must've gone senile in terms of labeling.
"I thought your name was Cell?" Trunks asked.
"Said who? I never told your mother that and I did introduce myself to #16 as Biomechanical Android-."
"You did when you accepted me calling you that."
"I don't know, thinking of changing it to something else now. I'm thinking… Jiren." I couldn't help myself, not when the opportunity just presented itself.
Trunks was not amused while #21 only looked confused at me.
"Yeah, I thought the name was a bit boring too. Seems like Cell will have to stick for now." And honestly, I couldn't think of a better name at the moment. Oh, sure, there were countless ones that I could borrow from throughout fiction but I'd like to see you try to rename yourself into something other than what your parents gave you, it's a tricky thing after all.
"It certainly seems to fit you well enough." #21 said.
"Thank you #21." I thanked before turning to my companion of sorts. "Now for the grump with the ridiculous do, that's Trunks Briefs."
"It's not ridiculous!" Trunks defended a little too quickly.
"...I'll admit, it is a little outlandish." #21 added.
Trunks expressed his displeasure by shifting his glare from me to her, at which she just held up her hands with a shrug. "And you sure do seem grumpy."
"It wouldn't surprise me if that thing was sharper than your sword. How poor Tapion must feel at having his sword outclassed."
Rather than feel offended for the hero that gave him his weapon, he just blinked in confusion. "Who the hell is that?"
I blinked in confusion as well. "... the guy who gave you that sword, I think."
"You thought wrong, that was Gohan. He said it was something that his teacher had done for him when he finished his training."
Huh, guess that Tapion giving kid Trunks that sword really was just a symbolic thing. Damn you DBZA, you got me lacking with fanon.
"Now, #21, how much are you aware of?" I asked, going back to the person of focus here.
"Hmm, not much to be exact. I can recall my designation, my status as a bio-android, and the fact that despite this body I'm only ten years old. Anything else either isn't there or will hopefully come to me later."
"Disregard that last part, you were built 10 years ago, but you aren't 10." I interrupted. Yeah, no, miss me with that loli bullshit, she has an adult body and acts like one, she damn well is one (Applies to robots only, no comment on meatbags). "You were modeled after Vomi, the late Dr. Gero's wife."
"I was modeled after my maker's wife?" #21 questioned with surprise and a slight amount of alarm. Seems that she picked up a few implications.
"Gero had a wife? Who could possibly love that monster?" Trunks questioned with revulsion.
The urge to give him a half-lidded stare and let my only reply be 'Vegeta' was really strong. I mean, Gero did some fucked up things so he wasn't wrong to feel that way, but he's the son of Vegeta, he has have no room to complain.
Instead, I said. "If you can consider the resemblance between Gero and #13 to mean that he built a younger version of himself, it might not be too much of a surprise how they got together. Besides, I never knew the woman. I just know of her. Like I do of most things."
"Besides how I got my sword." Trunks, that cheeky brat, added in.
"Like I said, most things. Kinda like how you got the appearance of the Androids wrong when you went back in time to warn Goku and friends." I shot back just as cheeky.
"How does that work?" #21 asked.
"Me knowing things or the time travel."
"The theory of time travel isn't in my area of expertise so while I'd be more than happy to hear of it was possible, I was referring to how you know things."
"It's in a similar vein to time travel actually."
From the way Trunks was about to tell #21 something, it was likely a warning if Bulma was to go by, but he was too late.
"Multiverse theory." I simply said. The last time fried Bulma's head, let's see what it'll do to #21's.
"...how?" She asked with a simple curosity.
"You are familiar with the theory, yes?" I asked.
"Like time travel, it's not my area of expertise but I am aware of it."
"I thought that you weren't aware of much?" I asked with a raised brow.
"It just came to me." #21 blinked at that before she shrugged it off. "Anyway, while I am aware of the idea of the multiverse and branching timelines, I want to know from you how exactly such a varied thing applies to your knowledge."
"In case you can't speak S.C.I.E.N.C.E!-" I said to Trunks.
"I am more than aware of science!"
Didn't even capitalize it smh.
"That's a story for another time, my dear. You haven't been exposed to enough of the weird things that go on here to believe me. But I do want to ask, how's your stomach?"
"My stomach? Why would you-." #21 was about to ask confused before a rumble came out of her, followed by a pink blush against her pale skin. "Oh. I suppose that I am hungry."
"As in hunger for food, or as in mad hunger for energy that'll make you go crazy. Because there's not much energy to go around on the planet, unless you'd like to engage in Ki Transfer with me. In which case I'd be more than happy-"
"What do you mean by a mad hunger for energy!?" Trunks demanded.
"How did you know about that before I did?" She asked before shaking her head at it. "And no, I do mean hunger for food. I've just woken up and haven't had any breakfast yet! Though I could go for some sweets…" She trailed off with a faraway face, so it seemed that she was a sweet tooth even without Buu's cells being within her,
Huh, what time is it anyway? Judging by the sky still being blue, then again it was almost always blue since sunsets were never used during fight scenes, I'd say that it's still daytime.
4:44 P.M. EST
I come with a clock? Neat.
"It's too late for breakfast and much too soon for dessert I'm afraid. But lunch does sound good. Speaking of,"
"Trunks, how exactly do you or Gohan eat?"
"What the hell brings that up for?"
"She's biomechanical, much like I am. Therefore we share the same DNA, which includes Saiyan."
"Oh." Trunks just understood, not much more needing to be said. But that was soon replaced with confusion. "Wait, you two are just going out to eat?"
"If you wish to join us, I see no reason why you can't." #21 welcomed, but then took notice of his aura and the raging wind-like effect that it had. "Though you may have to turn off that aura of yours if you don't want to blow away the food."
"Huh, no not that." Trunks said a bit stumped, even toning down his aura a tad. "The fact that the first thing you plan on doing is going out to eat. Regular food at that, rather than go on a rampage and eat people."
At that claim, she just scrunched up her face in distaste. "I don't exactly find turning to cannibalism to be an appealing prospect. And I just woke up so I don't exactly have the inclination or desire to do such a thing even if I had."
"Alright, despite not knowing you, I can… believe you." Trunks said to #21 before he turned to me, his aura back in full force. "But you. What the hell are you up to?"
As much as I'd like to say 'doin' your mom' I can't exactly say that since it's a reference nobody would get, the most unfortunate ones. Though it may catch him off guard enough to clear up that distrust with shock or just piss him off royally.
But in all seriousness, this is likely my moment to convince him of my intentions. The lack of absorbed humans and his desire to not fight an unwinnable battle have already given me an in, our interactions along with #21 have wormed the idea that we don't need to be enemies into him, now is the time to solidify that.
"Are you familiar with the concept of Perfection? It can hold many meanings and definitions depending on who you ask and what it can be applied to."
"The one that likely comes to mind to you is the concept that my alternative preached to all who could hear. Rather insistently and forcefully at that."
"If there is one thing that you could take in that would separate me from the Cell that you knew, one fundamental difference among the many that we have, it is our interpretation of Perfection.
"His interpretation of Perfection is without flaw or fault. That once it was attained, he was the pinnacle of all and thus infallible. Which is rather ironic when that view in itself is flawed, and thus leads that Cell to be flawed himself."
"My interpretation is that Perfection is not something that one could truly have or be but what one can strive to. Once I had attained my Perfect form, it did not make me the embodiment of Perfection but out of all life in the cosmos it has given me the most potential to do reach it."
"In essence, I wish to grow rather than to be. And where better to grow than on Earth?" I ended my speech with my answer.
Interestingly enough, you could also simplify our approach to Perfection by using what we both have. Alternate Cell's take was Frieza like in seeing himself as already the pinnacle despite the fact that he should know better, my take was Goku like in seeing how far I can go and continually pushing himself.
Trunks was silent but paid rapt attention to my monologue. Seemingly analyzing and dissecting every word that came out of my mouth. By the time I was done, his face was scrunched up in deep thought, yet still focused and more than ready to defend or strike should he need to.
#21 kept silent, having seemed to sense the tension between Trunks and myself. Though she did listen on to my words as well with a look of fascination.
After a few moments, with the only sound being Trunks' aura that raged in tandem with his thoughts, did he finally speak.
"I sense no deceit, malice, or ill-will from you, besides a contempt towards the Cell that I faced. Your concept of perfection is far preferable to what he had tried and failed to practice. Honestly, it's what Goku or even my father would describe themselves to be if they had the desire to explain it in a way you had. It's for those reasons that I tentatively accept that you are not an enemy of the Earth. But if you show any signs of evil as your past self had, I will do everything in my power to ensure that your concept of perfection ends just like the other Cell's did." Trunks acquiesced, proven as while he did not depower himself out of his Super Saiyan form, he reverted back to Grade 1.
"I find that to be agreeable. Perfectly agreeable." I accepted with a smile and an open hand.
Trunks looked at it wearily, likely preparing to intercept a Ki Blast or just recalling the last time he saw an open hand from my alternative self. But soon bit the bullet and grabbed my hand with his own.
I made sure to give Trunks a firm handshake to convey my intentions while keeping it light enough that he could let go at anything he chose to.
Trunks chose to grip my hand as hard and firmly as he could, but his intentions were conveyed through this action, not gently or lightly but still willing.
We shook on it, signalizing the acceptance between us.
"Now that we've gotten that out of the way…" I started before I went off in motion.
Much like I did for the main lab, I looked for some empty capsules before proceeding to loot everything in the lab, even including the scraps of the Androids that I had destroyed. All that was left was one supercomputer.
The supercomputer containing Dr. Gero's memories.
Trunks seemed to realize this as he walked beside me.
"I can understand why you'd take everything from here when I'd much rather destroy it all and be done with it, but surely you can understand that this has to be destroyed. Dr. Gero has no place in the world that his actions led to the destruction of, be it in the form of an Android or a computer."
"Be that as it may, would you mind allowing me to speak with my maker? There is so much that I'd like to know but am missing. Of myself and whoever Vomi was." #21 requested Trunks, though her focus was entirely on the machine containing our creator.
"I wouldn't bother, this man is a monster." Trunks stated bluntly but not rudely either, seems that there's some sympathy at play. "If you're an Android, it could be just as likely that he forcibly turned you into a cyborg or even worse if you are fully bio-mechanical."
"I agree with Trunks. Our maker he may have been, I hold no love for the man." I said, adding my voice in this. He looked at me surprised, not expecting me to share his opinion. "And while he may have loved his wife Vomi and son Gevo enough to rebuild them, Android #16 was considered a failure in his eyes. You might not like how he'll view Android #21." I also cautioned. Now both Trunks and #21 looked at me in surprise at the reveal of Android #16's parentage.
"You both raise valid points regarding who he is. But still, I want to speak with him. I don't want to remain in the dark regarding my history, no matter how unpleasant it may be."
"Fine, but should it attempt anything I will destroy this entire cave and the surrounding area. I won't take any chances this thing may try to take." Trunks stated, while he compromised somewhat he was still fully intent to carry out his words.
"That's understandable." #21 accepted Trunks' condition without much fuss.
She stepped right in front of the main panel and stared at it for a moment before moving to turn it on. Trunks was tense and ready to act should he feel the need to. I was also ready but more to get #21 out of the way should Trunks or Gero do something.
The supercomputer came alive as it started up with lights and beeps. Its activation was a little slow but was otherwise seamless. How the man could be content to leave what was essentially a clone of himself here is beyond me yet not too surprising since he was content to abandon his original body, but at least that was a body rather than just a brain. Dr. Wheelo would be malding if he saw this smh.
"Ah, Biomechanical Android #1! It is good to see that you have achieved perfection so swiftly." The remnant of Dr. Gero praised, probably the most genuine thing I've ever heard out of his mouth besides his hate boner for Goku..
"Thanks for the shutdown signals, that was really convenient." I thanked, just as genuine as he was. Sure Gero was human garbage but it would've been a pain in the ass to become Perfect without those signals and likely damn near impossible for me to get Trunks to allow me to absorb them and not just vaporize me.
"You are welcome. Though if only I had installed such a mechanism into my own Android body… Regardless, my project has come to completion and Son Goku is dead. As regrettable as it is that neither I nor my Androids could've done it, the death of his allies has made up for it."
"Yet I detect the DNA of Bulma Briefs and Vegeta right beside you. What is the meaning of this, why is he not terminated?" Gero demanded with a mix of confusion and displeasure.
"Why should he be?" #21 spoke up with a confusion and displeasure of her own. "He has done no wrong to you and was born long after the fall of the Red Ribbon Army. There is no reason to kill him."
"You." He said in a tone that didn't bode well. "It seems that even one of my most successful of projects can carry defects."
"...what is that supposed to mean?" She asked with furrowed brows, voice tinged with concern.
"Android #16, too much like Gevo who was soft despite being willing to fight for the Red Ribbon Army. You are too much like Vomi, still too soft despite knowing of the work that must be done."
"What do you mean by 'too soft'? I simply do not wish to harm another who is of no threat to me, that is just decency."
"Bah! Even now you still speak to me of decency. You were a genius, a peer to my own intellect! Yet you've almost always allowed morality to blind you, to slow us down. You and that damned Frappe."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"You were driven and dedicated, more than any other that I knew. It was what drew me to you, Monroe." A woman said wistfully.
"But that just meant that when you decided to get revenge on Son Goku, for destroying the army that you slaved away for, that Gevo died for, you've allowed that drive for revenge to consume you utterly. You still had other children to live for, a grandson for fucks sake! And now you're torturing these kids… How could you fall so low from the man I loved?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"...I can see why I remember very little of my past beyond what seems to have truly mattered to me. My son and my decency. Whatever love Vomi once had for you must've been too painful and distant a memory to bother keeping."
At that the supercomputer was silent, all beeping and flickering absent as if it had suddenly shut down. Then it soon came back to life blaring in alarms and flashing lights.
"BIOMECHANICAL ANDROID #1! YOU ARE TO PUT ANDROID #21 BACK INTO STASIS! SHE REMAINS DEFECTIVE! CLEARY SHE HAS BEEN SABOTAGED BY THAT TREACHEROUS WOMAN!"
"Hmph, it's just that she has a conscience. You build Androids with decent hearts and you deem them defective, you build Androids with the monstrous qualities you seek and they rebel against you and ruin everything. Are you sure that you're not the one who's defective?" Trunks said, righteous anger fueling his taunts.
"AND TERMINATE THAT BASTARD CHILD AS WELL!"
"While you aren't wrong about the bastard part," I started off.
"What the hell?"
"I'm going to have to say, no." I ended.
Gero didn't take that so well. "WHAT?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY NO!? YOU ARE MY CREATION! YOU! MUST! OBEY! ME!"
"Funny how often that seems to work for you, the whole demanding to obey thing. I'm sure #17 seemed real inclined to obey right before he put #20 out of commission. Besides, I am Perfection, so while grateful to you for my existence, I owe no obedience to an inferior relic such as yourself."
"FAILURES! WHY IS IT THAT EVERYTHING THAT I CREATE ENDS UP A FAILURE?! EVEN WHAT SHOULD BE THE PINNACLE OF ALL MY CREATIONS FAILS TO OBEY! IS ANDROID #19 THE ONLY NON DEFECT THAT I COULD CREATE!?"
"You know, phrasing it like that also implies that #20 and this supercomputer counts as defective too. Kinda proving the bastard child's point." I pointed out.
"ARRGGGHHHH!!!!!"
After letting out a roar of rage that I was more than sure ruptured some of his audio speakers, the most unexpected thing happened. Three models of Android #20 revealed and activated themselves.
What the hell?
"KILL THE BASTARD AND SUBDUE #21!" He ordered. Two of the Geros lunged for #21, one of them aiming for her throat, while the other went for Trunks.
I used my telekinesis to suspend all of them in the air.
"You can detect power levels and you still chose to send units who aren't even close to #18 at #21 and a Saiyan who's power is beyond that. You really are defective, old timer." I chided as I shook my head, it seems that I was right. Gero's gone senile.
"Trunks, since I feel bad for stealing your catharsis in dealing with #17 and #18, how about I make it up to you and let you thrash Gero around a bit." I offered to the half-Saiyan. I even waved a Gero frozen in fury while screaming around for emphasis.
"I was just about to blow this place to kingdom come, but when you put it like that… Sure, I can use the relief. I want two." Trunks agreed, his Super Saiyan aura roaring with life at the prospect.
"#21, I'm sorry that you had to learn firsthand about how much a piece of shit Gero is. Would you like some catharsis as well?"
#21 says nothing as she walks over to the suspended Gero, her face a sad but frustrated one to Gero's angry mania.
"...it's sad that you lost your wife to your insanity. I don't need to know what happened to Vomi, she's more than likely dead and it's a certainty that you were involved somehow." She said, her face like her tone in being soft but unwavering. Though they both hardened in scorn. "But it's pathetic that you felt the need to recreate a version of her that you had the total obedience of! You are no longer the version of the one that she loved, and as you drifted away from decency, your cold heart pushed away from her decency."
"They say 'till death do we part' is how a marriage is ideally supposed to end. But that is far beyond what you deserve, and since it's likely that Vomi never got the chance to, I'll do it for her."
"Consider this a divorce!" #21 exclaimed as she charged an energy ball of black and red crackling ki in her hand while powering it up with her arm on it.
"HAAAAAAAA!"
"YOU INSOLENT BITCH! WE ONLY HAD A CERTIFICAAAAAAAA-!"
"No! Wait! I didn't even get to kill my Gero yet!" Trunks cried out while in the middle of beating Gero with his leg.
*BOOM!*
It was kinda funny how similar the explosion effect was here to how it was when she performed that move as a finisher in Fighterz. A massive explosion of light that could've been seen for miles while it briefly rained rocks and rubble.
"While I'm happy that we got through… that mess, it didn't make my hunger go away." #21 said after a few huffs and puffs.
"You hear that Trunks, she's still hungry. We'd best get on that before she starts hungering for people."
"But I didn't get to kill my Gero yet! Or an Android at all!" Trunks whined.
"You literally just had Gohan and Vegeta as an example of what not to do when it comes to having an opponent that you outclass. Hell, it's probably a lesson you were taught since you were a toddler, don't play with your fucking food." I lectured. The boy should know better by now.
"You were just doing that with Androids Thirteen, Fourteen, and Fifteen before I got here!"
"Yes, I had my fun but I didn't drag it out needlessly. And such a shame too since you did it masterfully with Frieza and Cold."
"...there was no emotional investment on my end though…" He grumbled under his breath.
"She said that she didn't want to eat people!" Trunks said, changing the subject once he knew that there was no winning that last one, but was still concerned with this one.
"She also said that she's missing some details about herself, and even I don't know if not eating normal food will keep that energy hunger away."
"After the emotional ache that I went through, I could go for a tub of ice cream. Oh, with whipped cream, caramel and chocolate syrup! With little bits of candies on it too!"
"And a movie! And a shoulder to cry on! That's what people do during emotional duress, right?!" She asked while gripping and shaking my shoulders.
To that, I just turned my head to Trunks and asked. "Do you guys still even have ice cream, or tvs with decent movies?"
"What do you mean by 'do they'?" #21 asked after tightening her grip on my shoulders.
"Oh. It may not look it from where we are, a giant crater surrounded by rock, but we're currently in a post-apocalyptic world courtesy of Androids #17 and #18 being genocidal cunts." I helpfully explained. Though it didn't help much judging by her down spike in mood.
"Huh… so I guess that means no ice cream or movie then."
"Yep."
"...don't tell me that means sweets either."
"Sorry to say but people are more concerned with surviving from rampaging monsters than they are for making candy."
"We may not have ice cream but we do have powdered yogurt. It's just as edible and more importantly nutritious too." Trunks added, trying to help but only got a dirty glare from #21. Not so fun getting glared at now is it?
"Dammit! I killed that bastard Gero too quickly!" She cursed at the top of her lungs.
"At least you got to kill him." Trunks grumbled at the reminder of the second time his kill got stolen.
To that I just laughed. Seems that out of the two, I'm the only one who came out a winner here. The diabetic #21 getting food blocked, Trunks getting 0 Android killstreak, while things so far have been going Perfect. (eat a bag of dicks murphy nothing happens here until years later)
A dark and hopeless time this world may have been in, I have a feeling that things will be getting lighter as time goes on. I'll make sure of it.
--------
"Hey Mom, I'm back! We also picked up another Android and I need you to cook enough food for three saiyans…" Trunks greeted as he walked in with dinosaur meat. Though the lad was happy to be back, he was also quite nervous.
"Hello Mrs. Briefs, you have a wonderful home. A pleasure to see you here as well Android #16." #21 greeted while munching on her dinosaur meat, her munchies made her impatient enough to just fry it with Ki despite it apparently tasting like crap Trunks warned and #21 soon confirmed.
"Hey Bulma I'm back, did you miss me!?" I re-introduced while waltzing in the place the same way I left. "Now rev up those fryers! Because I sure am hun-gry-"
#16 was just about to say something before an oil and soot covered Bulma rushed in. "You assholes!" She screamed upon the sight of us.
"Why'd you include me?!" Trunks asked with wide eyes and a hurt tone.
"Because you brought that asshole back here." She explained, pointing at me for emphasis, before continuing. "After worrying me about the shit a version of himself has done in the past. Thanks for not mentioning that Cell, YOU ASSHOLE!"
"Would it help if I told you that I brought more advanced tech?" I asked, waving up the capsule packs in my hands. She just walked over and snatched it out of them. After reading a brief Sparknotes-tier summary of what was in said packs, she seemed to have calmed down significantly though she still kept me in her eye with a glare.
"And cooking for multiple Saiyan appetites isn't fun. The artificial food garden doesn't grow like it used to." She finished in a more subdued tone.
"How about Chi-" Trunks brought up but was swiftly interrupted.
"You are more than welcome to fly all the way over to Mount Paozu and ask Gohan's mother to cook you some food, I'm sure it'll be a pleasant time too." Bulma countered, that statement full of conflicting emotions. A bit irritated that her son would just as quickly go to someone else for food and some uncertainty I couldn't source.
"Oh come now, lunch would be a perfect opportunity for us to get to know each other better. And we can share stories. " I suggested, drawing everyone's attention. I added to that with the second most enticing thing I could think of. "Bulma, all the embarrassing things baby Trunks has gotten into."
If there was anything that could brighten a mother up, it was the idea of embarrassing her kids, as proven by Bulma rushing off to the kitchen. Though Trunks seemed to be debating between killing himself to avoid that fate or killing me for suggesting it.
"Trunks, the fun you must've had spending two entire years training with Vegeta."
"You know just as well as I do that fun was the last thing I had in mind to describe that."
"Unfortunately, neither #21 nor #16 have much of any stories to tell but that's fine, we'll make some together. By the way #16, she's a copy of your mother."
"And I'll be looking forward to that, Cell."
#16 just blinked at me before turning to stare at #21. She looked back at him with a sweet smile.
"And what about you?" Bulma asked with her head out of the door, a bit too smug for my liking. "What story of the past can you tell that Trunks or I don't already know?"
"Via the multiverse, quite a lot actually, but that's not entirely what I'll be talking about. I'll be telling stories of the future, both the present's and the past's!" I revealed with dramatic gravitas. Though it quickly seems to dawn on Bulma and then Trunks why I'd feel the need to mention this. They aren't too happy.
###########
(A thing to note, this is the last chapter for this fic that I have written, so you'll have to wait for me to finish chapter 4 like the other sites do)
Not much happened this chapter but what happened was big, Trunks confronts Cell, Cell finds #21, and they all confront Gero's supercomputer. Originally I was just going to have Trunks blow it up and have #21 find some answers later on, but I figured that Gero would be good for some drama and the interactions all three of them had with him were fun for me to write. The most fun this chapter was Cell and Trunks, but I also enjoyed having #21 being a third and mostly oblivious third wheel as well.
As for the three Geros, that was a thing in DBZ Supersonic Warrior 2. Found it on the DBZ wiki for future present Gero's supercomputer. Trunks and Past Gohan went to the lab to destroy the supercomputer and ended up fighting the three Geros. Pretty weird since it's an old video game and something I thought about removing since it was similar to the last chapter with Cell thrashing inferior androids. But like I said earlier, I felt that it was nice for #21 to get some answers to her past.
Next chapter as you can tell from the cliffhanger will be Cell telling Trunks of the shit that will go down in the future for both timelines. That ought to be fun for Trunks lol.
And I'm sorry for the wait, but the only reason I've been able to get chapters out so fast, for those of you who are familiar with me my update speed is significantly slower than this lol, is that they were mostly made last month lol, as some of you may know that chapter 1 was a thing finished and posted since the 23rd of August and chapter 2 finished and uploaded on the 8th of September. Tbh I probably would have posted this a few days ago but I usually like to iron things out a bit before sending it out. I hope you guys liked the chapter and feel free to tell me what you thought.
Once again hit it out of the park! Is it wrong that i continue to hear them in their DBZA voices?
Thanks dude
. Considering the fact that I wrote this with DBZA voices in mind more often than the original dub, you're good
This is soooo good.
Oooh, this was a fun read!
I guess the next order of business is figure out if Majin Buu is on the planet, then decide what to do with him and train for that.
Then a few years until Goku Black I suppose.
I guess the next order of business is figure out if Majin Buu is on the planet, then decide what to do with him and train for that.
Then a few years until Goku Black I suppose.
Buu is currently sealed away on the Earth though Cell has no idea where or how to find Buu, so he'll just have to wait for Babidi to arrive to sort that out.
Though the next order in business is to actually head to the past so that they can get a ship and New Namek's location/coordinates. They need to get that as soon as possible to help rebuild the present which will be their main priority at the moment. Also, a bit of a spoiler but Trunks and Cell will be arriving a year after the Cell Games, so the Dragon Balls are nice and ready, which would just so happen to be during Hercule's tournament where Bojack pops up.
- Location
- The ETERNAL battlefields of the apocalypse
Wait wasn't #21 made with majin buu dna/cell witch resulted in the endless hunger issues and the food transformation powers and her evil alter ego
Buu cells were added later on in her development when Buu was released and his DNA grabbed, so since she doesn't have Buu cells her hunger isn't anywhere near as bad as it would've been. Plus Buu cells are eldritch magic which also played a role in messing her up with her evil alter ego, especially since she doesn't have a Grand Supreme Kai absorbed to keep it in check.
She does have the classic Saiyan appetite which is more towards food in general and only towards energy if she doesn't get enough food. So kinda problematic but much more managable.
More importantly, how is he going to
introduce himself? Is he gonna learn to disguise 🥸 himself partly as random employees to mess with the ZFighters with paranoia? Maybe figured out ol' 3-Eyes multiplication Jutsu for that?Flare his Ki? Just straight up walk in Kami house with a stack of pizzas before sticking his head out and yelling Yolo! Maybe visiting 16 and 17 and saying 'sup dinner! Or ask her to join me for dinner?
Maybe ask Vegeta how it feels to be number 3 again?
More importantly, how is he going to
Flare his Ki? Just straight up walk in Kami house with a stack of pizzas before sticking his head out and yelling Yolo! Maybe visiting 16 and 17 and saying 'sup dinner! Or ask her to join me for dinner?
Maybe ask Vegeta how it feels to be number 3 again?
Those all would be good (especially #18 ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)), but I do hear that the best introductions carry musical numbers...
I have no idea if videos can be linked, still new here lol
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A Cell of a Good Time (DBZ/YJ SI)
"Baby I'm
Priceless as you'll see,
Eccentric as can be.
Running through your ass
Fantastic with my endless sass
Every curse underneath your breath
Can't stop my beams of death
Tell me have you heard it
That I am Perfect tonight."
I
I've linked the specific chapter he sings in.
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It's been a long while since I read that fic so I forgot that it was done there too lol. Hella funny tho, I really ought to read it again one of these days, so thanks for the spacebattles link (I read this on FFN at first so color me miffed when it was going through a rewrite).
Ngl, I forgot that Arale/Dr. Slump was canon. That should be able to work well enough.
Funny thing is that while the rest of the world went to shit, Penguin Village probably just continued life as normal unless the edgy/hopeless narrative of the present was able to overcome the power of gag manga.
Chapter 4
Merry Christmas to you all!
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
And what about you?" Bulma asked with her head out of the door, a bit too smug for my liking. "What story of the past can you tell that Trunks or I don't already know?"
"Via the multiverse, quite a lot actually, but that's not entirely what I'll be talking about. I'll be telling stories of the future, both the present's and the past's!" I revealed with dramatic gravitas. Though it quickly seems to dawn on Bulma and then Trunks why I'd feel the need to mention this. They aren't happy.
—-
Following that, everyone was stunned into silence by my words. It was one thing to know of the past but the future as well.
To many, the ability to foresee the future is considered quite a blessing. It's enough that many have prayed and some have even sacrificed just for a glimpse into the unknown ahead.
Yet it can just as much be a burden as well as a curse. One that Bardock could attest to.
"The fact that you're even bothering to tell us this…" Bulma said as it dawned on her, "Means-"
"No! It can't be!" Trunks cried out as he turned Super Saiyan, not taking the reveal well.
"You can't be serious! The Androids have been terrorizing the Earth for 17 years! If there were any more threats to the planet, it would've shown itself by now!" Bulma said, very much distressed.
"I can understand why you would find this distressing. The knowledge that you will not be able to enjoy your newfound peace is unfortunate." #16 spoke, his calm and monotone voice interrupting the Briefs disparaging, "However, we should consider ourselves fortunate in turn that we will be aware of what such a threat would entail before it could occur and prepare ourselves accordingly." He finished reassuring the panicking Briefs. Which worked, though they were still quite miffed. First Gohan and now them, I oughta get this guy to go into the self-help business.
"Thank you #16." I thanked before turning back to the mother and son. "Yes, it sucks that after going through hell for so many years you still have to deal with the universe's bullshit. But thanks to my own special brand of bullshit, it won't be so bad. So, Trunks, do you recall the reason behind Goku's decision to stay dead?"
"Yes.-" Trunks answered but before he could say anymore, Bulma's surprise made itself known with a collision with the floor. At least it would've if I hadn't caught her.
"Huh, thanks for that." She thanked me once she noticed that she was in my arms before turning back to Trunks. "Wait, Goku chose to stay dead!?" Bulma asked in disbelief. Considering that it could be said that Goku's death was what led to this living nightmare, had he been alive in the initial attack of the Androids that things might've gone better, as they always had whenever these things happened. So it was understandable that the idea of Goku willingly remaining dead didn't sit well with her.
"It was to avoid attracting any more harm to the Earth. He believed that every threat that has come to the Earth was because of his existence." Trunks explained Goku's reasoning.
"Do you believe that he made the right decision?" I asked.
"Well, I think it's unfortunate that he chose to remain dead, but his reasoning does make some sense."
"That's ridiculous!" Bulma yelled, clearly disagreeing, "There were plenty of things that were happening with or without Goku! The Red Ribbon were still at large and making Androids before they even knew about him. The military couldn't handle them back then and neither Kami nor Roshi were doing much to stop it. And Frieza was still out there, without Goku I shudder to think what would've happened had he or his minions come across Earth."
"Like I said, it's unfortunate and maybe he's wrong, but it's his choice at the end of the day. And it's one that he wouldn't budge on." Trunks said, becoming less sure of Goku's decision. But he soon brightened up. "Besides, the rest of Earth's defenders are still alive, and as of now the most powerful warrior on Earth is Gohan who surpassed Goku. And if I know Gohan, I'm sure that he and Father along with the rest could handle anything that comes at them." He ended with utter certainty.
That's quite the optimism he has, it's honestly gonna be a shame to tell him what'll happen in the Buu saga. He'll be feeling the pain that many a Gohan fan had soon enough.
Bulma let out a huff at that before shaking it off, "So, how long will it be until the next threat arrives?" she asked me.
"In the past, maybe a year for one but definitely another in seven years. Here, I would say about two to five years."
"So you have a definitive time for the past but a guess for the present? That's pretty spotty info you know." Bulma pointed out with a raised brow.
"It'll be the same threat, but the reason for such a delay has to do with Earth's population and the energy of said population. In the past, Earth was ripe with life which made it appealing for one who wished to use the energy of others as fuel. Here, it'd be essentially a barren desert for him, and with his power being that of magic, he couldn't sense the Androids or their unlimited energy. Once life starts being ripe again…" My memory on why Babidi arrived so late why a bit spotty, but it fit in rather well with both instances of his arrival, be it in Super or Shin Budokai, where he only came after the Earth was populated. A fighter of Trunks' calibur also seemed to be a juicy prospect for energy as well.
"Then that's the most likely time he'll arrive. But what exactly does he plan on doing that would need so much energy?" Trunks asked.
"To free a bubblegum eldritch monster man from his container." I said bluntly.
The answer floored everyone, even #16 was visibly confounded by my answer. Though Bulma was the least phased by it, likely due to her experiences from Dragon Ball.
"...you can't be serious." Trunks said. I wouldn't blame him, the magical aspect of Dragon Ball to this point has essentially been nonexistent barring the Dragon Balls themselves. And with Baba and Kami dead, and Roshi nowhere near their level, such things would've been relegated to stories of the past.
"You have to admit, that sounds incredibly far-fetched." #21 agreed. Isn't that ironic considering that you were originally to become a bubblegum eldritch monster girl yourself.
"Eh, I'm not too surprised." Bulma shrugged, "I've seen some weird stuff back in the day. Hell, this is probably the same as King Piccolo, just replace bubble gum with slug."
"Well, that's what he is essentially. But for a more detailed explanation," I agreed before pausing to gather said explanation.
"Long ago, about 5 million years or so, there was a great evil rampaging across the universe. So great and terrible it was that it frightened even Frieza and his family, only surpassed by one other being. This creature was Majin Buu, an eldritch creature that craved nothing but destruction and was let loose upon the universe by the wizard Bibidi, destroying countless worlds and even galaxies worth of civilizations. It was bad enough that the Supreme Kais, the highest power in the universe, were all but slaughtered or eaten by him save for one apprentice. Eventually, he was sealed away by Bibidi who was then killed by Shin, the apprentice and now sole Supreme Kai in the universe. 5 million years later, Bibidi's clone/son, Babidi, comes around with his mind-controlled minion Dabura, king of the Demon Realm, and wants to reawaken Buu. All to kill Shin and take over the universe."
I finished my dramatic exposition before adding on, "And that's the main reason why Goku is not the cause of all the trouble to the Earth, though he does cause some of it but that's more on Vegeta this time than him."
Trunks is still taking in the story of what I've told him before the mention of his father draws a reaction.
"For the love of all that is holy, please do not tell me that my father let Babidi unseal Majin Buu just to test himself." Trunks begged me and the universe while rubbing his temples. Bulma and #21's eyes widened at the plea, a mix of shock and concern that such a thing could be said.
"Oh, nope." I answered with a simple smile while popping the p, "He couldn't care less about fighting Buu."
"Oh." Trunks said, visibly relieved as his body relaxed and deflated. "Oh, that's a relief, I'm glad to know that Father has gained some sense."
My smile turns evil as I continue, "He lets Babidi mind-control him because he doesn't like the fact that Earth made him soft and gets pissy that when Goku returns to Earth for a day, rather than immediately getting into a fight with him, he wants to spend some time with his friends and family before he goes back to the Otherworld. He gets his fight and wins, but surprise, Goku throws the fight to help him feel better and that fight gives Babidi more than enough energy to awaken Buu."
Trunks was left gaping for a few moments, that relief evaporated in an instant as that tension came back with a vengeance. "What the fuck father!? Did you not learn from Cell!?"
"According to my database, however outdated it may be, that is well within Vegeta's personality to have not." #16 answered, missing that it was a rhetorical question. Trunks glaring at the android didn't clue him on to that either.
"If it helps, after getting over the one win he had on Goku, he realized that he fucked up. He gave his son a hug for the first time and sacrificed himself in a Final Explosion against Majin Buu." I continued, finishing Majin Vegeta's role in the saga. "Also turned into stone for some reason."
"Huh, it seems that we really grew on him…" Bulma said wistfully, lamenting for what could've been had things gone better.
"To think that Father was capable of such a thing..." Trunks said, sharing his mother's feelings.
"The self-sacrifice or giving you affection?" I asked.
His face soured at my pointing out, "...as much as it irks me to admit, both."
"Well, he chops you on the neck and lets you fall on your face after. So he's still the Vegeta you know."
"...that's painfully familiar." Trunks said, likely recalling his last moment with Present Gohan when he was still alive.
"But seeing as you haven't said kill, I take it that it failed." #21 noted with interest. That comment brought Trunks and Bulma out of their thoughts.
"Buu has stupidly powerful regeneration, akin to yours truly. As just a single piece of Buu remained, that single piece regenerated. And since bubble gum manages to stick all over the place, such a piece remained. So that sacrifice amounted to nothing."
"That's bullshit!" Trunks cried out, not happy that his father's genuine act of character development was for naught.
"I did tell you that he was an eldritch creature, that's a part of the package when it comes to them."
"But I'm sure that they in the past managed to defeat it, they beat you after all. So how do we?" Bulma asked optimistically.
"Hm, let's see. They do, but its quite a mess as to sum it up, basically a ton of fucking around happens. Goku goes SSJ3, fights Buu for a bit but ends up going back to the Otherworld. Past Trunks and Goku's other son fuse into a guy who can turn SSJ3 (I don't know how) but is made irrelevant rather quickly by Super Buu. Gohan gets a power up and is the strongest in the universe but doesn't do crap, because, like Vegeta, he still hasn't learned from past experience. Then Goku and Vegeta fuse and become a guy who dominates Buuhan, that doesn't last, then Goku ends up using an Ultra Spirit Bomb to kill Kid Buu."
"Wait, before we untangle whatever the hell you just said, Goku has another kid?" Bulma asked.
"I'm going to assume that being a Super Saiyan all the time comes with super fertility, and since the Cell Games may have been a stressful time…" I explained. There was also the possibility that Goku knew he may end up dying and wanted to leave Chi-chi something of himself, coming to the conclusion of staying dead before the time he had actually died. This could be backed up by Goten essentially being a mini-Goku for most of his early life. But I didn't have the heart to tell Bulma this seeing how the decision alone rattled her. Plus it was a bit depressing to think about for the kid.
"I get that, world ending threat and all, it's just. Even with Chi-chi having to raise a new kid, he still chooses to stay dead..." Bulma frowned at the thought, not happy with Chi-chi having to experience being a single mother. Though Chi-chi would have it significantly easier in having Gohan to help out in addition to not living in an apocalypse, raising a child without the other parent is a difficult process to go through.
"He still looks over them, but he's dead set on the idea that he's what brings trouble to the earth. There being seven years of peace since then is what's keeping him dead. Once he's proven wrong, he'll come back for good." I reassured, citing it as a temporary absence that he's willing to break if he could.
"You mention that this Goten and a past Trunks, then Goku and Vegeta fuse into one. Why would they? Unless… the fusion happens to combine their powers!" #21 theorized and hit the mark before continuing to question, "In that case, how does it work?"
"There are two methods, the Metamoran and Potara. The Potara involves a set of earrings that belong to Supreme Kais, and is thus out of reach for the foreseeable future. The Metamoran fusion is a technique that requires both partners to perform a dance. Yes, both combine their powers multiplicatively. Making the fusion of Goku and Vegeta, into the most powerful mortal in the universe." Not sure if they'll go with Vegito or Vegetto but I don't really need to go into it for now so I'll worry about that later. Besides, I can't have Trunks start poking at the holes of my metaknowledge because reality is different than I expected.
"Goku and Father's powers combined result in the most powerful being in the universe!? I'm not surprised to be honest." Trunks said in awe. His father and the man he knew to be Earth's greatest hero coming together would naturally believe it. "No wonder that they manage to dominate Buu- wait, did you say Buuhan?"
"Like me, it can absorb others. Unlike me, it can absorb someone without needing to drain them and gets every ability of the one that they absorb. As mentioned before, Gohan got cocky and drew out the fight, again, and this time ended up absorbed."
"What the hell! This all is so easily preventable! I can buy Father making things worse again but at least he finally has some regret for his actions, but there's no way that Gohan would!"
"Alas, such is the world that we live in. But if we're smart, which we have in spades compared to the past, we shouldn't have to worry about any of that. So to make sure that we won't have to deal with such a mess, we just need to train you up enough that you can kill me so you can kill Dabura and then Babidi and spare us this clusterfuck.
"I already could-" Trunks pointed out but I held up a hand to stop him.
"Without slowing yourself down with the ridiculous bulk that Grade 3 gives you, how you can walk around with muscles bigger than a man's skull is something I don't wish to experience." I already could, but such a thing would be worthless unless I really need the boost in power.
I got serious again as I continued my explanation, "Besides, when I say that Dabura is my equal, that includes speed as well. And he has magic spit that turns anyone it hits into stone, do not get hit with that at all costs. Since if that stone breaks, so do you." Trunks sighs but nods in understanding.
"Alright, so we know about the next threat that'll come to us in a couple of years, but you mentioned that there'd be another that comes in a year for the past. How does that happen and why hasn't it appeared for us?" Bulma asked.
I turned back to Trunks before asking, "You know where Goku teleported past Cell before he blew up?"
"King Kai's planet, why?" He answered, confused on what a destroyed planet could have to do with this.
"Similar to Majin Buu, a few hundred years ago, there was a group of space pirates called the Galaxy Soldiers, ironic name let me say, who were rampaging around until King Kai and the other three Quadrant Kais sealed him away. What they sealed the Galaxy Soldiers into happened to be King Kai's planet." I explained with another history lesson.
"Technically that kinda proves Goku right." Trunks said.
"No, it's King Kai's fault for not making any mention of that until Bojack shows up on Earth wanting to take it for himself. You'd think that it'd be something to report about asap..."
"How strong are they if they merit the Kais having to seal them away?"
"His mooks would be around your level in strength give or take while Bojack himself would be comparable to myself."
"Well, then there shouldn't be anything to worry about. We'll just need to head to the past and warn them about it and Gohan can handle it."
"He can't go Super Saiyan 2 without a motivator again."
"He didn't train to master Super Saiyan 2?"
"One year of peace added with Chi-chi continuing his studying along with Goku not calling should already tell you why. And that extends for the entire seven years as well."
His face went through a few emotions at that, disappointment was initial followed by a minute anger but acceptance came soon after, "...that's unfortunate but understandable, a time of peace wouldn't need the constant vigilance of the Gohan I knew. And despite how often his mother forced it on to him, from the stories that he told me, he seems to have enjoyed the life of a scholar rather than that of a warrior."
Past Gohan does end up doing well as a scholar, but Present Gohan is likely looking at that path with some rose tinted glasses. Which is completely fair since the life of a warrior has brought the man nothing but pain and strife since his childhood. Still, that power shouldn't be left to decay however. Yes, there's the age old classic of studying and training, but perhaps there's a profession that would involve both, like say adventuring. That needs both brain and brawn, demonstrated perfectly with Bulma and Goku. But that's enough of that, I'll think of Past Gohan's training problem when I get to the past, I still need to focus on the present.
"But hasn't my father made any headway into unlocking the form for himself? I'm pretty sure that he wouldn't rest until he unlocked it himself and a year should be enough time."
"The issue with that is I don't know when he does, just that in between the seven years he unlocks Super Saiyan 2 while Goku unlocks Super Saiyan 2 and 3."
"That's pretty spotty you know." Trunks repeated his mother, before pausing at my mention of Goku. "Wait? What the hell!? There's a level even further beyond!?"
I already mentioned the form twice but I could understand being more focused on the wacky plot of the Buu Saga and the fusions. "Funny, that's the exact same thing he said, minus the questioning aspect and followed by screaming right before he transformed into it. If you thought my power shaking the Earth was bad, woo boy his was just on a whole 'nother level. I'd say about 4 times the level of Super Saiyan 2 or 8 times the level of Super Saiyan, essentially multiplying your base power by 400."
Following my explanation, Trunks and #21 were wide-eyed at the notion of power that I had just revealed. To #21, this was huge since she had no idea about the Super Saiyan beyond what data she could've potentially gained from her cryo-sleep, which would be limited to just what Gohan had demonstrated of it. To Trunks, this was likely a surprise of how much further he had to grow.
While those two were still on that, I turned to Bulma and asked, "By the way, Bulma, you still remember Raditz, right?"
"Goku's brother, the guy who started all of this. What about him?" Bulma asked.
"Super Saiyan 3 gives you his haircut and a lack of eyebrows." I informed, dropping a nice bit of trivia.
"...what? Where would all that hair come from? And why the loss of eyebrows?" She asked, her own eyebrows being scrunched up in use. Once she seemed to notice the movement of her eyebrows, she pulled a glove off to feel them.
"I mean, Super Saiyan 2 makes your hair spikier and slightly longer. So of course Super Saiyan 3 would go further beyond for that as well. About four times the hair to go along with the power." Total bullshit but knowing Toriyama this may actually be the lore reason.
"That kind of power seems unreal… With that, Goku should be able to overcome any threat that comes his way." Trunks finally said, awed by the prospect of such power.
"Not necessarily," I said, in a mix of lecturing and seriousness, "That kind of boost in power carries one hell of a drawback in a similar vein to Grade 3. Only, rather than making you too slow to use that power, it drains far too much Ki for it to be viable for a fight. In fact, it extracts power from every last drop of blood inside of you. The only reason Goku was able to get the form at all was due to his body in the Otherworld being far more durable than it would've been alive. You'd be better off mastering Super Saiyan 2 in the same way Goku did with the standard one, especially since a Mastered Super Saiyan 2 can possess equal power to Super Saiyan 3."
"Couldn't you master that drain by attaining a Grade 4 form for it? Making it a more worthwhile investment to train." He asked, and the reasoning was sound going off the previous forms, but…
"Theoretically, yes, but Goku had never done so until he regrew his tail, which was many years later after having used the form."
"The tail? Isn't that a liability? All it does is give a Saiyan a weakness and allow them to transform into a giant ape, I could hardly see why that would help at all in mastering Super Saiyan 3."
"Trunks, as the son of a scientist I presume that you're aware of evolution, yes?" At his nod I continued, "And since a race like the Saiyans would be geared primarily for battle, if the tail was such a liability, either all of the Saiyans who had one would've died out or it would've been phased out."
"I can understand why the tail has remained for the ancient Saiyans, they did nothing but conquer and destroy planets so the great ape was useful for that. But how would it be relevant for me now?" He asked.
"The great ape, or the Oozaru, grants a Saiyan a 10x multiplier to their base form. Which can be used in conjunction with Super Saiyan-"
"Granting a power far beyond the lone transformations. That would justify the obvious weakness and loss of control in mental function since that power would more than make up for it when realized and controlled." #21 concluded for me. "But wouldn't this in of itself be another form of Super Saiyan?"
"Yes." I answered her with a jubilant smile before turning to Trunks with taht same smile, "Which is why in my honest opinion Trunks, you would be far better off putting that effort into something else that'll get you more viable results sooner. Like Super Saiyan 4 or Saiyan God."
Yes, I know that officially it's Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan, but that shit is such a mouthful and it makes far more sense for the first god transformation to just be Saiyan God while adding Super in front of it would be for SSG. Though it would be annoying to have Beerus force that to be a thing just because of some dream that he had.
"You're kidding me!? There's more!? Just how many forms are there!? And what is Super Saiyan 4 and Saiyan God?" Trunks demanded in a rush, the excitement of the Super Saiyan Oozaru carrying over.
"Well, that's where the Super Saiyan transformation reaches a diverging path. If you further embrace and master your inner Saiyan, the tail and instincts, you achieve the pinnacle of Saiyan power by combining the Oozaru form with the legendary transformation, which is Super Saiyan 4. The other is when you transcend your mortality and reach the level of gods and their use of Ki, which is the Saiyan God."
"Could it be possible to combine both, to reach the pinnacle of mortality and ascend with it to the level of gods?" Trunks asked me, mesmerized by the new height of power he could reach. His Saiyan blood and desire to protect singing at him. I could relate as my own blood sang at me to reach these as well, and I will soon enough.
"Ah, you mean to combine Super Saiyan 4 with Saiyan God? The farthest a Saiyan has been able to do is turn into a Super Saiyan God. For Vegeta, the only one at that, SSG Ascended was the furthest they could go. But for you, I'd like to think that it'd only be a step on the way."
"For the sake of the Earth, I must attain the highest level of strength possible. I'll surpass even my Father and Goku if it means doing so." Trunks vowed.
"That's the spirit! With an attitude like that you'll get there in no time, plus with actually being aware of it much sooner you may even live up to surpassing Goku and Vegeta."
"I knew that Saiyans had potential, but to think it could go so far. Fascinating!" #21 said enthused. I'd imagine that for a scientist in her line of focus, the Saiyans would be the research of the highest caliber. Being one of the most overpowered races in fiction does that.
"Speaking of which, shouldn't you be able to turn into Super Saiyan too? Considering that you have Saiyan genes." Bulma asked her fellow scientist, her own curiosity being aroused despite not being as specialized into genetics as #21 was..
To which #21 only blinked, "Huh, I'm not too sure about that." She turned to me to ask, "Cell?"
I just shrugged in response, "Not too sure on that either, the most I know about you having a transformation is being able to absorb me into yourself. And all that does is give you purple skin with my dots all over you."
"...strange, but going by how you used the infinite energy generators within the Androids to fuel yourself, I take it that was an option available to me should I desire to."
"It could also be likely that Gero or the supercomputer limited the effect of the Saiyan genes under a mistaken attempt of removing the weakness from yourself." Bulma added, which was a perfectly valid point. This may even explain why Majin #21 had a tail in the first place, her Majin DNA awakening more of her Saiyan DNA, gaining a tail but without the weakness attached.
#21 narrowed her eyes at the mention of Gero, even scowling at the mention of him modifying her.
"If you'd like, I'm sure that you'd be more than capable of making yourself more Saiyan beyond having the Zenkai boost. The best part of being a Saiyan is abusing our absurd growth, no reason not to share that fun if possible." I suggested.
"Hmm, I'm not too keen on experimenting on myself after having come out of stasis, but what you suggest does have merit. In fact, I can feel my hunger both dim and grow at the prospect." She said after some thought.
"If she would be modifying herself, shouldn't her first priority be to fix her hunger? I'm still concerned about the potential for her to go after people's energy, which is oddly similar to Babidi now that I think about it." Trunks suggested as well. It wasn't out of malice or suspicion but genuine concern, still it did rankle my feathers a bit.
"I have the utmost faith that she'd be able to handle her hunger just fine. Besides, if the worst case scenario is about to occur, we'd have Dragon Balls to fix it by that point." I replied, making sure to not imply that the Dragon Balls would be used to fix the deaths but rather the problem since I knew Trunks would never agree to that unless absolutely needed. And my choice in words proved successful when he nodded his acceptance. #21 was touched at the faith that I had in her, and it was genuine on my end as well. After all, without the circumstances she faced in the Fighterz storyline, she should be more than able to control herself and be fixed.
With that done, I clapped since we needed to move on, "Alright, now besides restoration our first priority should be getting Trunks to Super Saiyan 2. But before we get there you'll need to master Grade 4."
"It took Goku and Gohan an entire year to master that, and it was within the harsh conditions of the Time Chamber. I can't devote such time with the world in its current state."
"Which is why we're going to need the Namekian Dragon Balls to help fix things. Speaking of which," I note before I slap Trunks on the back of his head.
"Ow! What the hell was that for!?" Trunks demanded while clutching his head in minor pain.
"Because your dumbass forgot to ask for New Namek's location and a spaceship." I replied with a glare.
"Oh." His anger completely disappeared as his face went blank.
"Oh! How the hell did we forget about that!?" Bulma asked in a bit of a frenzy.
"You were so focused on destroying the Androids that you didn't think about what would come after besides a better future as a concept." I interjected with an excuse, "Or Trunks' murder boner was so strong that he forgot to ask about them before leaving." I shrugged with another.
Trunks snapped out of his blank state to defend himself, "I wouldn't call wanting to stop the Androids' reign of terror a 'murder boner' for them!"
"Anyway, we should probably fix that while we can. So we just need to go back in time a year after the Cell Games, use the Dragon Balls and get the location of New Namek, and warn everyone in the past of the future and help with Bojack, then come back and fix things properly."
"By the way, when are you guys going to tell the world that the Androids are gone?"
"I was planning on announcing it as soon as I did."
"Good, glad to see you can look ahead, though not far enough. Without their cold dead bodies on display, you're going to have a hard time getting people to believe you. And it's not that they don't want to, it's that they can't afford to get their hopes up in case it was a false alarm or some cruel joke on the Androids' end."
"Damn, you raise a good point. I doubt that you're going to spit them out,"
"Hahaha, no." I laugh a bit before I deny that flatly. "Besides, you did a master act in making them feel the terror of your revenge while dealing with them swiftly, leaving not a single trace of them. So eventually people will believe that they're gone, it'll just take a while."
"Nice to know about the kills that you stole from me." Trunks glared at me, still not over not getting to kill any Androids yet. It seems that his Android murder boner will forever rage on, unlike Raging Blast 3 unfortunately.
"So we won't tell the world at large just yet, but what about the few that'll believe you? I think Chi-chi would like to know that her son's killers are gone."
"Oh, right, Chi-chi. Well, we haven't seen her in a while and honestly I don't feel like cooking, so let's go deliver the good news!"
"Didn't you just complain about me suggesting that?"
"Yes, but that was because no mother likes hearing their son going to another mother for what she could provide. It seems that a year with your father hasn't done your manners very well."
"Considering that I managed to keep them while being with him for so long, I'd like to think that they've done well enough for remaining."
------------------
It was a rather serene place to be, Mount Paozu. Nature was practically undisturbed, which was strange since I figured that the Androids' would've destroyed this place out of spite for not getting to kill Goku or just to hurt Gohan.
Regardless of why it remained, it was still a depressing sight knowing that this used to be home to Goku and Gohan, both of whom are dead and left behind a grieving wife and mother.
Bulma knocked on the door in a specific rhythm. After a few moments the door opened to reveal a beast of a man. The age was apparent, gray hair and winkles from the passage of time and stress, but the man's size and strength remained.
"Bulma? Trunks? And stranger? It's good to see you two, and nice to meet you, but what are you doing here?" Ox King asked.
"Ox King, we have great news. But we'd like to see Chi-Chi before we deliver it." Bulma answered.
"You'd like to see Chi-Chi? I must warn you, she still hasn't recovered since learning about Gohan's …passing." He warned, his voice filled with a silent pain but moved out of the way to welcome us in.
"It has to do with Gohan actually." Bulma added.
The moment that Gohan's name left Bulma's lips, a door slammed open. And from it was the woman in question, Chi-Chi.
"What about my son?" She asked in a broken voice. And she looked as broken as she sounded. Her hair was disheveled, bags under her eyes.
"His killers, the Androids, are gone. Never to threaten or hurt anyone ever again." Trunks answered.
"Good! That's the least that those monsters deserve for taking my son away from me!" Chi-Chi screamed, a mix of pleasure and anger in her voice. But the tears in her eyes revealed the sadness that she was still feeling.
Yet despite the tears her eyes hardened, carrying a strength that seemed to have surprised her father, "But Bulma, tell me why."
"Why what?" Bulma asked, not sure of what was being asked.
"Why could I sense both Goku and Gohan when that overwhelming power happened a few hours ago?"
"She could sense Ki?" Trunks asked.
"Trunks, if I could've felt that, then the martial artist and Goku's wife certainly could've."
I can't blame the boy entirely for not knowing, since he'd likely fall under 'only saw Z, who dis' but I still shook my head at the lad for a bit. Then I turned to look Chi-Chi in the eye.
"That overwhelming power wasn't just Goku and Gohan. It was also-"
"I don't care about Piccolo, I don't care about Vegeta, or whatever else it was made of. I want to know why I felt my d-dead husband and son in it!"
"Well, that's because you're looking at the owner of that power, composed of the DNA from the most powerful warriors in the galaxy which just so happened to include Goku and Gohan."
"My name is Cell, and I'd like to say. Hello."
XXXXXXXXXX
Merry Christmas to y'all! Figured that now might as well be as good a time as any to post this chapter. Shorter than the previous one but I think that the length works for what happened so far.
It's alive! So sorry about the wait, but to be honest this chapter was kicking my ass for a bit. then there was the fact that I was updating/starting other fics, then college started to be keeping me hella busy. But I finally managed to get myself some time to get this out!
Cell sat down and explained the most relevant threats so far, Bojack for the past and Buu for the present, then went into the evolution of the Saiyans before talking a bit about future plans. So not much happened but set up is important and all that so I this done well for it, though there may be some edits or parts to add or change once I look at this again. As for why Cell didn't mention Zamasu, the fact that there were more threats was already distressing for Trunks and Bulma, the fact that an evil kai wore Goku's face and did a repeat of the Androids' act which ended up with their timeline completely erased would not go well. Plus, they'd already be preparing for Zamasu and Black and by the time that they arrive, Cell should be more than enough to handle them, so not much of a need to mention them.
As for what I'm sure many of you are looking forward to, yes, Cell and Trunks will be traveling back in time to the first "intergalactic" tournament to take Bojack off the menu. That'll happen either in the next chapter or after, idk tbh. Next chapter will start with some Chi-Chi interaction because I feel that the poor woman got dealt dirty and needs some attention. She's a bit depressed and Cell's presence is gonna confuse the hell out of her, though I'm sure news of Gohan being wished back will cheer her up.
Now I won't lie to you, not entirely happy with this chapter but it's been a while since I've been in the head space to write for it so I suppose some things would be off. As some of you may know, some of this was released in a sneak peak. The rest I finished after staying up stupidly late for a Christmas Eve/Day event with family, so this may or may not be coherent or properly filled. I'll fix this after some sleep. So free feel to tell me your thoughts and critique, be harsh if you'd like but please be constructive about it. Still, I hoped that you enjoyed what you've read.
(sorry about the cliffhanger but I hope a taste of the reference will sooth the bitter taste that it'll leave.)
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
And what about you?" Bulma asked with her head out of the door, a bit too smug for my liking. "What story of the past can you tell that Trunks or I don't already know?"
"Via the multiverse, quite a lot actually, but that's not entirely what I'll be talking about. I'll be telling stories of the future, both the present's and the past's!" I revealed with dramatic gravitas. Though it quickly seems to dawn on Bulma and then Trunks why I'd feel the need to mention this. They aren't happy.
—-
Following that, everyone was stunned into silence by my words. It was one thing to know of the past but the future as well.
To many, the ability to foresee the future is considered quite a blessing. It's enough that many have prayed and some have even sacrificed just for a glimpse into the unknown ahead.
Yet it can just as much be a burden as well as a curse. One that Bardock could attest to.
"The fact that you're even bothering to tell us this…" Bulma said as it dawned on her, "Means-"
"No! It can't be!" Trunks cried out as he turned Super Saiyan, not taking the reveal well.
"You can't be serious! The Androids have been terrorizing the Earth for 17 years! If there were any more threats to the planet, it would've shown itself by now!" Bulma said, very much distressed.
"I can understand why you would find this distressing. The knowledge that you will not be able to enjoy your newfound peace is unfortunate." #16 spoke, his calm and monotone voice interrupting the Briefs disparaging, "However, we should consider ourselves fortunate in turn that we will be aware of what such a threat would entail before it could occur and prepare ourselves accordingly." He finished reassuring the panicking Briefs. Which worked, though they were still quite miffed. First Gohan and now them, I oughta get this guy to go into the self-help business.
"Thank you #16." I thanked before turning back to the mother and son. "Yes, it sucks that after going through hell for so many years you still have to deal with the universe's bullshit. But thanks to my own special brand of bullshit, it won't be so bad. So, Trunks, do you recall the reason behind Goku's decision to stay dead?"
"Yes.-" Trunks answered but before he could say anymore, Bulma's surprise made itself known with a collision with the floor. At least it would've if I hadn't caught her.
"Huh, thanks for that." She thanked me once she noticed that she was in my arms before turning back to Trunks. "Wait, Goku chose to stay dead!?" Bulma asked in disbelief. Considering that it could be said that Goku's death was what led to this living nightmare, had he been alive in the initial attack of the Androids that things might've gone better, as they always had whenever these things happened. So it was understandable that the idea of Goku willingly remaining dead didn't sit well with her.
"It was to avoid attracting any more harm to the Earth. He believed that every threat that has come to the Earth was because of his existence." Trunks explained Goku's reasoning.
"Do you believe that he made the right decision?" I asked.
"Well, I think it's unfortunate that he chose to remain dead, but his reasoning does make some sense."
"That's ridiculous!" Bulma yelled, clearly disagreeing, "There were plenty of things that were happening with or without Goku! The Red Ribbon were still at large and making Androids before they even knew about him. The military couldn't handle them back then and neither Kami nor Roshi were doing much to stop it. And Frieza was still out there, without Goku I shudder to think what would've happened had he or his minions come across Earth."
"Like I said, it's unfortunate and maybe he's wrong, but it's his choice at the end of the day. And it's one that he wouldn't budge on." Trunks said, becoming less sure of Goku's decision. But he soon brightened up. "Besides, the rest of Earth's defenders are still alive, and as of now the most powerful warrior on Earth is Gohan who surpassed Goku. And if I know Gohan, I'm sure that he and Father along with the rest could handle anything that comes at them." He ended with utter certainty.
That's quite the optimism he has, it's honestly gonna be a shame to tell him what'll happen in the Buu saga. He'll be feeling the pain that many a Gohan fan had soon enough.
Bulma let out a huff at that before shaking it off, "So, how long will it be until the next threat arrives?" she asked me.
"In the past, maybe a year for one but definitely another in seven years. Here, I would say about two to five years."
"So you have a definitive time for the past but a guess for the present? That's pretty spotty info you know." Bulma pointed out with a raised brow.
"It'll be the same threat, but the reason for such a delay has to do with Earth's population and the energy of said population. In the past, Earth was ripe with life which made it appealing for one who wished to use the energy of others as fuel. Here, it'd be essentially a barren desert for him, and with his power being that of magic, he couldn't sense the Androids or their unlimited energy. Once life starts being ripe again…" My memory on why Babidi arrived so late why a bit spotty, but it fit in rather well with both instances of his arrival, be it in Super or Shin Budokai, where he only came after the Earth was populated. A fighter of Trunks' calibur also seemed to be a juicy prospect for energy as well.
"Then that's the most likely time he'll arrive. But what exactly does he plan on doing that would need so much energy?" Trunks asked.
"To free a bubblegum eldritch monster man from his container." I said bluntly.
The answer floored everyone, even #16 was visibly confounded by my answer. Though Bulma was the least phased by it, likely due to her experiences from Dragon Ball.
"...you can't be serious." Trunks said. I wouldn't blame him, the magical aspect of Dragon Ball to this point has essentially been nonexistent barring the Dragon Balls themselves. And with Baba and Kami dead, and Roshi nowhere near their level, such things would've been relegated to stories of the past.
"You have to admit, that sounds incredibly far-fetched." #21 agreed. Isn't that ironic considering that you were originally to become a bubblegum eldritch monster girl yourself.
"Eh, I'm not too surprised." Bulma shrugged, "I've seen some weird stuff back in the day. Hell, this is probably the same as King Piccolo, just replace bubble gum with slug."
"Well, that's what he is essentially. But for a more detailed explanation," I agreed before pausing to gather said explanation.
"Long ago, about 5 million years or so, there was a great evil rampaging across the universe. So great and terrible it was that it frightened even Frieza and his family, only surpassed by one other being. This creature was Majin Buu, an eldritch creature that craved nothing but destruction and was let loose upon the universe by the wizard Bibidi, destroying countless worlds and even galaxies worth of civilizations. It was bad enough that the Supreme Kais, the highest power in the universe, were all but slaughtered or eaten by him save for one apprentice. Eventually, he was sealed away by Bibidi who was then killed by Shin, the apprentice and now sole Supreme Kai in the universe. 5 million years later, Bibidi's clone/son, Babidi, comes around with his mind-controlled minion Dabura, king of the Demon Realm, and wants to reawaken Buu. All to kill Shin and take over the universe."
I finished my dramatic exposition before adding on, "And that's the main reason why Goku is not the cause of all the trouble to the Earth, though he does cause some of it but that's more on Vegeta this time than him."
Trunks is still taking in the story of what I've told him before the mention of his father draws a reaction.
"For the love of all that is holy, please do not tell me that my father let Babidi unseal Majin Buu just to test himself." Trunks begged me and the universe while rubbing his temples. Bulma and #21's eyes widened at the plea, a mix of shock and concern that such a thing could be said.
"Oh, nope." I answered with a simple smile while popping the p, "He couldn't care less about fighting Buu."
"Oh." Trunks said, visibly relieved as his body relaxed and deflated. "Oh, that's a relief, I'm glad to know that Father has gained some sense."
My smile turns evil as I continue, "He lets Babidi mind-control him because he doesn't like the fact that Earth made him soft and gets pissy that when Goku returns to Earth for a day, rather than immediately getting into a fight with him, he wants to spend some time with his friends and family before he goes back to the Otherworld. He gets his fight and wins, but surprise, Goku throws the fight to help him feel better and that fight gives Babidi more than enough energy to awaken Buu."
Trunks was left gaping for a few moments, that relief evaporated in an instant as that tension came back with a vengeance. "What the fuck father!? Did you not learn from Cell!?"
"According to my database, however outdated it may be, that is well within Vegeta's personality to have not." #16 answered, missing that it was a rhetorical question. Trunks glaring at the android didn't clue him on to that either.
"If it helps, after getting over the one win he had on Goku, he realized that he fucked up. He gave his son a hug for the first time and sacrificed himself in a Final Explosion against Majin Buu." I continued, finishing Majin Vegeta's role in the saga. "Also turned into stone for some reason."
"Huh, it seems that we really grew on him…" Bulma said wistfully, lamenting for what could've been had things gone better.
"To think that Father was capable of such a thing..." Trunks said, sharing his mother's feelings.
"The self-sacrifice or giving you affection?" I asked.
His face soured at my pointing out, "...as much as it irks me to admit, both."
"Well, he chops you on the neck and lets you fall on your face after. So he's still the Vegeta you know."
"...that's painfully familiar." Trunks said, likely recalling his last moment with Present Gohan when he was still alive.
"But seeing as you haven't said kill, I take it that it failed." #21 noted with interest. That comment brought Trunks and Bulma out of their thoughts.
"Buu has stupidly powerful regeneration, akin to yours truly. As just a single piece of Buu remained, that single piece regenerated. And since bubble gum manages to stick all over the place, such a piece remained. So that sacrifice amounted to nothing."
"That's bullshit!" Trunks cried out, not happy that his father's genuine act of character development was for naught.
"I did tell you that he was an eldritch creature, that's a part of the package when it comes to them."
"But I'm sure that they in the past managed to defeat it, they beat you after all. So how do we?" Bulma asked optimistically.
"Hm, let's see. They do, but its quite a mess as to sum it up, basically a ton of fucking around happens. Goku goes SSJ3, fights Buu for a bit but ends up going back to the Otherworld. Past Trunks and Goku's other son fuse into a guy who can turn SSJ3 (I don't know how) but is made irrelevant rather quickly by Super Buu. Gohan gets a power up and is the strongest in the universe but doesn't do crap, because, like Vegeta, he still hasn't learned from past experience. Then Goku and Vegeta fuse and become a guy who dominates Buuhan, that doesn't last, then Goku ends up using an Ultra Spirit Bomb to kill Kid Buu."
"Wait, before we untangle whatever the hell you just said, Goku has another kid?" Bulma asked.
"I'm going to assume that being a Super Saiyan all the time comes with super fertility, and since the Cell Games may have been a stressful time…" I explained. There was also the possibility that Goku knew he may end up dying and wanted to leave Chi-chi something of himself, coming to the conclusion of staying dead before the time he had actually died. This could be backed up by Goten essentially being a mini-Goku for most of his early life. But I didn't have the heart to tell Bulma this seeing how the decision alone rattled her. Plus it was a bit depressing to think about for the kid.
"I get that, world ending threat and all, it's just. Even with Chi-chi having to raise a new kid, he still chooses to stay dead..." Bulma frowned at the thought, not happy with Chi-chi having to experience being a single mother. Though Chi-chi would have it significantly easier in having Gohan to help out in addition to not living in an apocalypse, raising a child without the other parent is a difficult process to go through.
"He still looks over them, but he's dead set on the idea that he's what brings trouble to the earth. There being seven years of peace since then is what's keeping him dead. Once he's proven wrong, he'll come back for good." I reassured, citing it as a temporary absence that he's willing to break if he could.
"You mention that this Goten and a past Trunks, then Goku and Vegeta fuse into one. Why would they? Unless… the fusion happens to combine their powers!" #21 theorized and hit the mark before continuing to question, "In that case, how does it work?"
"There are two methods, the Metamoran and Potara. The Potara involves a set of earrings that belong to Supreme Kais, and is thus out of reach for the foreseeable future. The Metamoran fusion is a technique that requires both partners to perform a dance. Yes, both combine their powers multiplicatively. Making the fusion of Goku and Vegeta, into the most powerful mortal in the universe." Not sure if they'll go with Vegito or Vegetto but I don't really need to go into it for now so I'll worry about that later. Besides, I can't have Trunks start poking at the holes of my metaknowledge because reality is different than I expected.
"Goku and Father's powers combined result in the most powerful being in the universe!? I'm not surprised to be honest." Trunks said in awe. His father and the man he knew to be Earth's greatest hero coming together would naturally believe it. "No wonder that they manage to dominate Buu- wait, did you say Buuhan?"
"Like me, it can absorb others. Unlike me, it can absorb someone without needing to drain them and gets every ability of the one that they absorb. As mentioned before, Gohan got cocky and drew out the fight, again, and this time ended up absorbed."
"What the hell! This all is so easily preventable! I can buy Father making things worse again but at least he finally has some regret for his actions, but there's no way that Gohan would!"
"Alas, such is the world that we live in. But if we're smart, which we have in spades compared to the past, we shouldn't have to worry about any of that. So to make sure that we won't have to deal with such a mess, we just need to train you up enough that you can kill me so you can kill Dabura and then Babidi and spare us this clusterfuck.
"I already could-" Trunks pointed out but I held up a hand to stop him.
"Without slowing yourself down with the ridiculous bulk that Grade 3 gives you, how you can walk around with muscles bigger than a man's skull is something I don't wish to experience." I already could, but such a thing would be worthless unless I really need the boost in power.
I got serious again as I continued my explanation, "Besides, when I say that Dabura is my equal, that includes speed as well. And he has magic spit that turns anyone it hits into stone, do not get hit with that at all costs. Since if that stone breaks, so do you." Trunks sighs but nods in understanding.
"Alright, so we know about the next threat that'll come to us in a couple of years, but you mentioned that there'd be another that comes in a year for the past. How does that happen and why hasn't it appeared for us?" Bulma asked.
I turned back to Trunks before asking, "You know where Goku teleported past Cell before he blew up?"
"King Kai's planet, why?" He answered, confused on what a destroyed planet could have to do with this.
"Similar to Majin Buu, a few hundred years ago, there was a group of space pirates called the Galaxy Soldiers, ironic name let me say, who were rampaging around until King Kai and the other three Quadrant Kais sealed him away. What they sealed the Galaxy Soldiers into happened to be King Kai's planet." I explained with another history lesson.
"Technically that kinda proves Goku right." Trunks said.
"No, it's King Kai's fault for not making any mention of that until Bojack shows up on Earth wanting to take it for himself. You'd think that it'd be something to report about asap..."
"How strong are they if they merit the Kais having to seal them away?"
"His mooks would be around your level in strength give or take while Bojack himself would be comparable to myself."
"Well, then there shouldn't be anything to worry about. We'll just need to head to the past and warn them about it and Gohan can handle it."
"He can't go Super Saiyan 2 without a motivator again."
"He didn't train to master Super Saiyan 2?"
"One year of peace added with Chi-chi continuing his studying along with Goku not calling should already tell you why. And that extends for the entire seven years as well."
His face went through a few emotions at that, disappointment was initial followed by a minute anger but acceptance came soon after, "...that's unfortunate but understandable, a time of peace wouldn't need the constant vigilance of the Gohan I knew. And despite how often his mother forced it on to him, from the stories that he told me, he seems to have enjoyed the life of a scholar rather than that of a warrior."
Past Gohan does end up doing well as a scholar, but Present Gohan is likely looking at that path with some rose tinted glasses. Which is completely fair since the life of a warrior has brought the man nothing but pain and strife since his childhood. Still, that power shouldn't be left to decay however. Yes, there's the age old classic of studying and training, but perhaps there's a profession that would involve both, like say adventuring. That needs both brain and brawn, demonstrated perfectly with Bulma and Goku. But that's enough of that, I'll think of Past Gohan's training problem when I get to the past, I still need to focus on the present.
"But hasn't my father made any headway into unlocking the form for himself? I'm pretty sure that he wouldn't rest until he unlocked it himself and a year should be enough time."
"The issue with that is I don't know when he does, just that in between the seven years he unlocks Super Saiyan 2 while Goku unlocks Super Saiyan 2 and 3."
"That's pretty spotty you know." Trunks repeated his mother, before pausing at my mention of Goku. "Wait? What the hell!? There's a level even further beyond!?"
I already mentioned the form twice but I could understand being more focused on the wacky plot of the Buu Saga and the fusions. "Funny, that's the exact same thing he said, minus the questioning aspect and followed by screaming right before he transformed into it. If you thought my power shaking the Earth was bad, woo boy his was just on a whole 'nother level. I'd say about 4 times the level of Super Saiyan 2 or 8 times the level of Super Saiyan, essentially multiplying your base power by 400."
Following my explanation, Trunks and #21 were wide-eyed at the notion of power that I had just revealed. To #21, this was huge since she had no idea about the Super Saiyan beyond what data she could've potentially gained from her cryo-sleep, which would be limited to just what Gohan had demonstrated of it. To Trunks, this was likely a surprise of how much further he had to grow.
While those two were still on that, I turned to Bulma and asked, "By the way, Bulma, you still remember Raditz, right?"
"Goku's brother, the guy who started all of this. What about him?" Bulma asked.
"Super Saiyan 3 gives you his haircut and a lack of eyebrows." I informed, dropping a nice bit of trivia.
"...what? Where would all that hair come from? And why the loss of eyebrows?" She asked, her own eyebrows being scrunched up in use. Once she seemed to notice the movement of her eyebrows, she pulled a glove off to feel them.
"I mean, Super Saiyan 2 makes your hair spikier and slightly longer. So of course Super Saiyan 3 would go further beyond for that as well. About four times the hair to go along with the power." Total bullshit but knowing Toriyama this may actually be the lore reason.
"That kind of power seems unreal… With that, Goku should be able to overcome any threat that comes his way." Trunks finally said, awed by the prospect of such power.
"Not necessarily," I said, in a mix of lecturing and seriousness, "That kind of boost in power carries one hell of a drawback in a similar vein to Grade 3. Only, rather than making you too slow to use that power, it drains far too much Ki for it to be viable for a fight. In fact, it extracts power from every last drop of blood inside of you. The only reason Goku was able to get the form at all was due to his body in the Otherworld being far more durable than it would've been alive. You'd be better off mastering Super Saiyan 2 in the same way Goku did with the standard one, especially since a Mastered Super Saiyan 2 can possess equal power to Super Saiyan 3."
"Couldn't you master that drain by attaining a Grade 4 form for it? Making it a more worthwhile investment to train." He asked, and the reasoning was sound going off the previous forms, but…
"Theoretically, yes, but Goku had never done so until he regrew his tail, which was many years later after having used the form."
"The tail? Isn't that a liability? All it does is give a Saiyan a weakness and allow them to transform into a giant ape, I could hardly see why that would help at all in mastering Super Saiyan 3."
"Trunks, as the son of a scientist I presume that you're aware of evolution, yes?" At his nod I continued, "And since a race like the Saiyans would be geared primarily for battle, if the tail was such a liability, either all of the Saiyans who had one would've died out or it would've been phased out."
"I can understand why the tail has remained for the ancient Saiyans, they did nothing but conquer and destroy planets so the great ape was useful for that. But how would it be relevant for me now?" He asked.
"The great ape, or the Oozaru, grants a Saiyan a 10x multiplier to their base form. Which can be used in conjunction with Super Saiyan-"
"Granting a power far beyond the lone transformations. That would justify the obvious weakness and loss of control in mental function since that power would more than make up for it when realized and controlled." #21 concluded for me. "But wouldn't this in of itself be another form of Super Saiyan?"
"Yes." I answered her with a jubilant smile before turning to Trunks with taht same smile, "Which is why in my honest opinion Trunks, you would be far better off putting that effort into something else that'll get you more viable results sooner. Like Super Saiyan 4 or Saiyan God."
Yes, I know that officially it's Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan, but that shit is such a mouthful and it makes far more sense for the first god transformation to just be Saiyan God while adding Super in front of it would be for SSG. Though it would be annoying to have Beerus force that to be a thing just because of some dream that he had.
"You're kidding me!? There's more!? Just how many forms are there!? And what is Super Saiyan 4 and Saiyan God?" Trunks demanded in a rush, the excitement of the Super Saiyan Oozaru carrying over.
"Well, that's where the Super Saiyan transformation reaches a diverging path. If you further embrace and master your inner Saiyan, the tail and instincts, you achieve the pinnacle of Saiyan power by combining the Oozaru form with the legendary transformation, which is Super Saiyan 4. The other is when you transcend your mortality and reach the level of gods and their use of Ki, which is the Saiyan God."
"Could it be possible to combine both, to reach the pinnacle of mortality and ascend with it to the level of gods?" Trunks asked me, mesmerized by the new height of power he could reach. His Saiyan blood and desire to protect singing at him. I could relate as my own blood sang at me to reach these as well, and I will soon enough.
"Ah, you mean to combine Super Saiyan 4 with Saiyan God? The farthest a Saiyan has been able to do is turn into a Super Saiyan God. For Vegeta, the only one at that, SSG Ascended was the furthest they could go. But for you, I'd like to think that it'd only be a step on the way."
"For the sake of the Earth, I must attain the highest level of strength possible. I'll surpass even my Father and Goku if it means doing so." Trunks vowed.
"That's the spirit! With an attitude like that you'll get there in no time, plus with actually being aware of it much sooner you may even live up to surpassing Goku and Vegeta."
"I knew that Saiyans had potential, but to think it could go so far. Fascinating!" #21 said enthused. I'd imagine that for a scientist in her line of focus, the Saiyans would be the research of the highest caliber. Being one of the most overpowered races in fiction does that.
"Speaking of which, shouldn't you be able to turn into Super Saiyan too? Considering that you have Saiyan genes." Bulma asked her fellow scientist, her own curiosity being aroused despite not being as specialized into genetics as #21 was..
To which #21 only blinked, "Huh, I'm not too sure about that." She turned to me to ask, "Cell?"
I just shrugged in response, "Not too sure on that either, the most I know about you having a transformation is being able to absorb me into yourself. And all that does is give you purple skin with my dots all over you."
"...strange, but going by how you used the infinite energy generators within the Androids to fuel yourself, I take it that was an option available to me should I desire to."
"It could also be likely that Gero or the supercomputer limited the effect of the Saiyan genes under a mistaken attempt of removing the weakness from yourself." Bulma added, which was a perfectly valid point. This may even explain why Majin #21 had a tail in the first place, her Majin DNA awakening more of her Saiyan DNA, gaining a tail but without the weakness attached.
#21 narrowed her eyes at the mention of Gero, even scowling at the mention of him modifying her.
"If you'd like, I'm sure that you'd be more than capable of making yourself more Saiyan beyond having the Zenkai boost. The best part of being a Saiyan is abusing our absurd growth, no reason not to share that fun if possible." I suggested.
"Hmm, I'm not too keen on experimenting on myself after having come out of stasis, but what you suggest does have merit. In fact, I can feel my hunger both dim and grow at the prospect." She said after some thought.
"If she would be modifying herself, shouldn't her first priority be to fix her hunger? I'm still concerned about the potential for her to go after people's energy, which is oddly similar to Babidi now that I think about it." Trunks suggested as well. It wasn't out of malice or suspicion but genuine concern, still it did rankle my feathers a bit.
"I have the utmost faith that she'd be able to handle her hunger just fine. Besides, if the worst case scenario is about to occur, we'd have Dragon Balls to fix it by that point." I replied, making sure to not imply that the Dragon Balls would be used to fix the deaths but rather the problem since I knew Trunks would never agree to that unless absolutely needed. And my choice in words proved successful when he nodded his acceptance. #21 was touched at the faith that I had in her, and it was genuine on my end as well. After all, without the circumstances she faced in the Fighterz storyline, she should be more than able to control herself and be fixed.
With that done, I clapped since we needed to move on, "Alright, now besides restoration our first priority should be getting Trunks to Super Saiyan 2. But before we get there you'll need to master Grade 4."
"It took Goku and Gohan an entire year to master that, and it was within the harsh conditions of the Time Chamber. I can't devote such time with the world in its current state."
"Which is why we're going to need the Namekian Dragon Balls to help fix things. Speaking of which," I note before I slap Trunks on the back of his head.
"Ow! What the hell was that for!?" Trunks demanded while clutching his head in minor pain.
"Because your dumbass forgot to ask for New Namek's location and a spaceship." I replied with a glare.
"Oh." His anger completely disappeared as his face went blank.
"Oh! How the hell did we forget about that!?" Bulma asked in a bit of a frenzy.
"You were so focused on destroying the Androids that you didn't think about what would come after besides a better future as a concept." I interjected with an excuse, "Or Trunks' murder boner was so strong that he forgot to ask about them before leaving." I shrugged with another.
Trunks snapped out of his blank state to defend himself, "I wouldn't call wanting to stop the Androids' reign of terror a 'murder boner' for them!"
"Anyway, we should probably fix that while we can. So we just need to go back in time a year after the Cell Games, use the Dragon Balls and get the location of New Namek, and warn everyone in the past of the future and help with Bojack, then come back and fix things properly."
"By the way, when are you guys going to tell the world that the Androids are gone?"
"I was planning on announcing it as soon as I did."
"Good, glad to see you can look ahead, though not far enough. Without their cold dead bodies on display, you're going to have a hard time getting people to believe you. And it's not that they don't want to, it's that they can't afford to get their hopes up in case it was a false alarm or some cruel joke on the Androids' end."
"Damn, you raise a good point. I doubt that you're going to spit them out,"
"Hahaha, no." I laugh a bit before I deny that flatly. "Besides, you did a master act in making them feel the terror of your revenge while dealing with them swiftly, leaving not a single trace of them. So eventually people will believe that they're gone, it'll just take a while."
"Nice to know about the kills that you stole from me." Trunks glared at me, still not over not getting to kill any Androids yet. It seems that his Android murder boner will forever rage on, unlike Raging Blast 3 unfortunately.
"So we won't tell the world at large just yet, but what about the few that'll believe you? I think Chi-chi would like to know that her son's killers are gone."
"Oh, right, Chi-chi. Well, we haven't seen her in a while and honestly I don't feel like cooking, so let's go deliver the good news!"
"Didn't you just complain about me suggesting that?"
"Yes, but that was because no mother likes hearing their son going to another mother for what she could provide. It seems that a year with your father hasn't done your manners very well."
"Considering that I managed to keep them while being with him for so long, I'd like to think that they've done well enough for remaining."
------------------
It was a rather serene place to be, Mount Paozu. Nature was practically undisturbed, which was strange since I figured that the Androids' would've destroyed this place out of spite for not getting to kill Goku or just to hurt Gohan.
Regardless of why it remained, it was still a depressing sight knowing that this used to be home to Goku and Gohan, both of whom are dead and left behind a grieving wife and mother.
Bulma knocked on the door in a specific rhythm. After a few moments the door opened to reveal a beast of a man. The age was apparent, gray hair and winkles from the passage of time and stress, but the man's size and strength remained.
"Bulma? Trunks? And stranger? It's good to see you two, and nice to meet you, but what are you doing here?" Ox King asked.
"Ox King, we have great news. But we'd like to see Chi-Chi before we deliver it." Bulma answered.
"You'd like to see Chi-Chi? I must warn you, she still hasn't recovered since learning about Gohan's …passing." He warned, his voice filled with a silent pain but moved out of the way to welcome us in.
"It has to do with Gohan actually." Bulma added.
The moment that Gohan's name left Bulma's lips, a door slammed open. And from it was the woman in question, Chi-Chi.
"What about my son?" She asked in a broken voice. And she looked as broken as she sounded. Her hair was disheveled, bags under her eyes.
"His killers, the Androids, are gone. Never to threaten or hurt anyone ever again." Trunks answered.
"Good! That's the least that those monsters deserve for taking my son away from me!" Chi-Chi screamed, a mix of pleasure and anger in her voice. But the tears in her eyes revealed the sadness that she was still feeling.
Yet despite the tears her eyes hardened, carrying a strength that seemed to have surprised her father, "But Bulma, tell me why."
"Why what?" Bulma asked, not sure of what was being asked.
"Why could I sense both Goku and Gohan when that overwhelming power happened a few hours ago?"
"She could sense Ki?" Trunks asked.
"Trunks, if I could've felt that, then the martial artist and Goku's wife certainly could've."
I can't blame the boy entirely for not knowing, since he'd likely fall under 'only saw Z, who dis' but I still shook my head at the lad for a bit. Then I turned to look Chi-Chi in the eye.
"That overwhelming power wasn't just Goku and Gohan. It was also-"
"I don't care about Piccolo, I don't care about Vegeta, or whatever else it was made of. I want to know why I felt my d-dead husband and son in it!"
"Well, that's because you're looking at the owner of that power, composed of the DNA from the most powerful warriors in the galaxy which just so happened to include Goku and Gohan."
"My name is Cell, and I'd like to say. Hello."
XXXXXXXXXX
Merry Christmas to y'all! Figured that now might as well be as good a time as any to post this chapter. Shorter than the previous one but I think that the length works for what happened so far.
It's alive! So sorry about the wait, but to be honest this chapter was kicking my ass for a bit. then there was the fact that I was updating/starting other fics, then college started to be keeping me hella busy. But I finally managed to get myself some time to get this out!
Cell sat down and explained the most relevant threats so far, Bojack for the past and Buu for the present, then went into the evolution of the Saiyans before talking a bit about future plans. So not much happened but set up is important and all that so I this done well for it, though there may be some edits or parts to add or change once I look at this again. As for why Cell didn't mention Zamasu, the fact that there were more threats was already distressing for Trunks and Bulma, the fact that an evil kai wore Goku's face and did a repeat of the Androids' act which ended up with their timeline completely erased would not go well. Plus, they'd already be preparing for Zamasu and Black and by the time that they arrive, Cell should be more than enough to handle them, so not much of a need to mention them.
As for what I'm sure many of you are looking forward to, yes, Cell and Trunks will be traveling back in time to the first "intergalactic" tournament to take Bojack off the menu. That'll happen either in the next chapter or after, idk tbh. Next chapter will start with some Chi-Chi interaction because I feel that the poor woman got dealt dirty and needs some attention. She's a bit depressed and Cell's presence is gonna confuse the hell out of her, though I'm sure news of Gohan being wished back will cheer her up.
Now I won't lie to you, not entirely happy with this chapter but it's been a while since I've been in the head space to write for it so I suppose some things would be off. As some of you may know, some of this was released in a sneak peak. The rest I finished after staying up stupidly late for a Christmas Eve/Day event with family, so this may or may not be coherent or properly filled. I'll fix this after some sleep. So free feel to tell me your thoughts and critique, be harsh if you'd like but please be constructive about it. Still, I hoped that you enjoyed what you've read.
(sorry about the cliffhanger but I hope a taste of the reference will sooth the bitter taste that it'll leave.)
- Location
- A place
I love that you went into detail about how Cell Told them about his meta knowledge. I often find myself thinking about how self inserts could go about presenting their knowledge to others only to see it often summarized as a disappointing "and then I told them everything" if they even bother to tell anyone. This really scratched a itch I've had for awhile while reading fanfiction Self inserts.
A truly Great Christmas Gift.
A truly Great Christmas Gift.
To be honest I was a bit worried that I would just be expositioning stuff that the audience already knows, which is probably why some authors go that route with summarizing. But I can't exactly end a chapter with the promise of Cell telling the group his meta knowledge and resolve that with a summary, so I went the route that I did. Glad that I had tho as the reactions to that knowledge was fun to write.
Glad to hear that you liked it, thanks for reading and you're welcome for the gift