Sorry, I'm Late...

Cell watched the two run past him, a strange smile flickering at the corner of his mouth.

In an instant, he dashed after them and blocked their way.

"You can't take Android 18 with you. Give up!"

Cell said confidently.

His power had increased, and he was in high spirits.

After speaking, he turned around and looked at his reflection in the seawater, then slowly nodded.

He seemed very pleased with his current strength and appearance.

When he turned back again, Android 16 had already charged forward, slamming a massive fist straight into his face.

"Bam!"

Cell didn't dodge. He smiled as he took the punch.

But his body didn't so much as sway.

"You're too weak, Android 16. Your strength is far too weak!"

Cell said, shaking his head.

At the same time, he raised one hand. A flash of light streaked past, and a Ki Blast sent Android 16 flying!

Since Android 16 was a robot, he couldn't feel pain.

But half his head had been knocked off.

Android 18 hurriedly looked toward Android 16, but before she could go check on him, Cell was already standing in front of her.

"Come on, Android 18. You're next!"

Cell said wickedly as he slowly approached her.

Android 18 hurriedly took two steps back and covered her left chest with her right hand. "Don't come any closer, or I'll self-destruct!" she warned.

Clearly, her threat had worked, and Cell stopped moving forward.

But then he smiled faintly, and Android 17's voice came from his mouth. "Android 18, hurry over here! Being absorbed feels amazing. It doesn't hurt at all. Let's conquer this world together!"

Android 18 wasn't stupid. She knew Android 17 couldn't possibly have said that.

She took another two steps back and snapped angrily, "Stop trying to trick me! I'll never let you absorb me!"

Seeing that his ruse had been exposed, Cell stopped pretending and revealed a vicious expression. "In that case, I'll just have to use force and absorb you!"

He wasn't worried about Android 18 self-destructing, because it would take her some time to do it.

His speed was now beyond anything Android 18 could react to.

As long as he absorbed her before she could self-destruct, he'd be fine!

Li Lin watched everything from above. Seeing Android 18 in danger, he prepared to go down and save her.

In fact, he could have gone down as soon as Android 17 had been absorbed.

But he hadn't wanted to, because he wanted to teach the guy who had destroyed his house a lesson.

However, just as he was about to make his move, Tien Shinhan suddenly rushed out.

He clasped his hands together, aiming through the gap between them at Cell below, and shouted, "Neo Tri-Beam!"

Cell hadn't expected someone to come out of nowhere.

Before he could react, a golden beam struck him.

"Ah!"

Cell cried out as he was blasted deep underground.

"Damn it!" he yelled angrily. After steadying himself, he quickly flew back up.

"Pant, pant!" Tien Shinhan gasped for breath after using the Tri-Beam, sweat pouring from his body.

After all, the move consumed a tremendous amount of stamina and even drained his life force!

But the situation was urgent, and he couldn't worry about that now.

"Ha!"

With another furious shout, golden light flared again.

Cell had barely emerged when he was driven back underground.

"You bastard!" Cell cursed through gritted teeth.

He fought desperately to fly upward, but although Tien Shinhan's Tri-Beam wasn't especially powerful, its suppressive force was immense.

Before Cell could rise, his whole body was forced down again.

This happened several times in a row, and he kept plunging deeper into the pit!

"Run!" Android 16 called out to Android 18.

Android 18 came to her senses, hurriedly helped Android 16 up, and prepared to flee.

Although Cell was underground, he had inherited Piccolo's blood and had excellent hearing. He vaguely heard Android 18 was trying to escape.

He immediately gathered all his strength. After enduring another Tri-Beam, he shot out of the pit!

"Pant, pant!" Tien Shinhan was now completely exhausted. Seeing Cell break free, he focused his mind again and shouted, "Neo Tri-Beam!"

Cell had just flown out of the pit and taken two steps when he was blasted back underground once more.

By then, Tien Shinhan was swaying on his feet. At last, he could no longer hold on and plummeted heavily from the sky!

Cell emerged from the pit again and saw that Android 18 had escaped. He was consumed by rage, raised his hand, and roared, "Damn it! You're all going to die!"

"Tien Shinhan!"

The others on Earth cried out in horror.

Unfortunately, they were far too weak and didn't dare go up to stop him.

At the most critical moment, a figure suddenly appeared.

He caught Tien Shinhan, then scooped Piccolo out of the sea, and vanished right before their eyes.

"What?!" Cell was shocked.

The figure who had just appeared was Son Goku. Cell simply didn't know how the man had suddenly appeared in front of him, or how he had suddenly disappeared.

Li Lin had been getting ready to go down, but seeing how fast Son Goku was, he decided to wait a little longer.

At the same time, he thought, Instant Transmission really is useful. I've got to get Son Goku to teach me sometime!

"You bastards! Then you can all die!"

Seeing someone rescued right before his eyes, Cell wanted to vent his rage on Krillin and Yamcha.

"What do we do? Krillin, what do we do?"

Yamcha looked terrified. He didn't want to die.

Krillin's mind had gone completely blank. At this point, it seemed they could only wait to die!

But just as Cell was about to attack, an enormous ki engulfed the area.

Krillin's eyes suddenly widened, and he exclaimed with delight, "Li Lin! That's Li Lin's ki! Li Lin's here!"

Cell also sensed this astonishing energy and didn't dare attack.

Even though he had evolved into his second form, he still couldn't match this power.

Cell understood that discretion was the better part of valor. Right now, catching up to Android 18 was what mattered most.

With that, he turned into a streak of light and chased toward the horizon!

The moment Cell left, Li Lin appeared before everyone in an instant.

Krillin watched Cell leave, then saw Li Lin arrive. Finally able to breathe a sigh of relief, he said in a choked voice, "Li Lin, you're finally here! If you'd been any later, he would've killed all of us!"

Li Lin surveyed the scene, then put on a remorseful expression. "I'm sorry, I'm late!"

"I thought Piccolo could handle the Androids easily, so I took a little longer to get here."

"Who knew Cell would show up too? I let my guard down this time!"

Seeing how pained Li Lin looked, Yamcha patted him on the shoulder and said, "It's okay. If it weren't for you, we'd both be done for!"

"Mm!" Li Lin nodded slowly.

He'd stayed out of it because he wanted to play the hero and save Android 18, winning her heart in the process.

That had been the perfect opportunity, but who knew Tien Shinhan would show up out of nowhere and let Android 18 escape? It seemed he'd have to wait for another chance!

As for everyone else on Earth, as long as they weren't in mortal danger, he could turn a blind eye.

For the sake of my happiness, you can all suffer a little. After all, these are hardships you're supposed to go through.