Krillin's collapse left everyone stunned. Yamcha was the first to charge, summoning a Spirit Ball at full power and hurling it at Cell. But Cell didn't even glance his way. A casual sweep of his tail sent Yamcha flying along with his attack. "Yamcha!" Bulma cried. Tien attacked from the side, firing Tri-Beams in rapid succession. Dense pillars of energy rained down on Cell, but he merely swayed and slipped through the gaps without a single blast hitting him. "That speed..." Tien sucked in a breath. "He's fast enough to see the Tri-Beams' trajectories?" Cell appeared in front of Tien and brought down a karate chop. Tien crossed his arms to block, and the sound of breaking bones rang clearly in everyone's ears. He was driven into the ground, his arms twisted at unnatural angles. Chiaotzu rushed to Tien's side and tried to hold Cell back with his psychic powers. Cell's body froze for a moment, but just one second later, he broke free. "A Namekian's psychic powers?" Cell glanced at Chiaotzu. "No, something similar. Interesting, but you're too weak." He pointed a finger, and a needle-thin beam pierced Chiaotzu's shoulder. Chiaotzu cried out and fell to the ground, blood pouring from the wound. In just a few seconds, four of the Z Fighters had been put out of commission. Cell turned to Goku and Gohan.
"Son Goku," he said, "I'll give you a chance to choose. Let Android 17 and Android 18 allow me to absorb them, and I'll spare everyone else in this era. Otherwise..."
He looked at Krillin and the others lying on the ground. "These people are only the beginning." Goku's expression darkened. "In your dreams." "Then I'm afraid there's no other way," Cell said, shaking his head as he raised a hand. "Don't call me cruel." A purple-black sphere of energy formed in his palm. It wasn't large, but the energy inside it made everyone present go pale.
"This energy... it's powerful enough to destroy a planet!" Piccolo cried. Cell tossed the sphere into the sky. Once it reached a great height, it suddenly split into hundreds of smaller orbs that rained down like meteors across West City. Explosions rang out one after another. Every orb that hit the ground leveled an entire city block. Flames shot into the sky, and thick smoke blotted out the sun. Terrified screams rang out across the city, soon drowned out by the repeated explosions. "Stop!" Goku roared, charging at Cell. Cell easily dodged his attack and formed another energy sphere. "This is war," Cell said calmly. "In my era, humanity was nearly wiped out by Android 17 and Android 18. I'm just letting everyone else experience the same thing." A second wave of energy spheres rained down, spreading the destruction across West City. At last, the Capsule Corporation building gave way and collapsed in an explosion. Bulma and Chi-Chi escaped from the rubble, covered in dust but thankfully unhurt. "Bastard!" Android 17 finally lost his composure. He had kept calm until then, but West City's destruction stirred memories deep inside him—memories he'd rather not face: his life before he became an Android, and the forced modifications in Dr. Gero's lab. Blue energy flared around Android 17 as he charged Cell. He moved so fast that afterimages trailed behind him, his fists raining down on Cell. Cell staggered back a few steps but wasn't badly hurt. He seized an opening, wrapped his tail around Android 17's neck, and lifted him into the air. "Android 17," Cell said, looking at him. "Do you know why Dr. Gero created you?" Android 17 struggled, but Cell was too strong for him to break free. "You were his perfect Android," Cell said, "but you're missing one thing—an instinct for killing. You're too softhearted."
Cell tightened his tail, and Android 17's neck creaked. His face turned red, and his consciousness began to fade. "Stop!" Android 18 rushed at Cell and kicked at his head. Cell caught her foot with his free hand and threw her to the ground. Android 18 slammed into the earth, leaving a crater. She struggled to get up, but Cell had already aimed a finger at her forehead. A beam shot from his fingertip and pierced her shoulder. "I won't kill you yet," Cell said. "Your value lies in my absorbing you. If I kill you, I can't become perfect." He threw Android 17 to the ground and released him. Android 17 clutched his neck, coughing violently, fury and humiliation in his eyes. Cell looked up at the sky and took a deep breath. "All right, warm-up's over. It's time for the real game." His voice suddenly grew louder, carrying across all of West City and even farther. "I hereby declare—the Cell Games have begun!" The rules are simple: all of you can attack me together, or take turns. If you manage to hurt me, you win. If you lose..." He looked around, his golden eyes sweeping over every face. "Android 17 and Android 18 are mine. Son Goku, I want to fight you one-on-one. As for the rest of you, your lives are in your own hands."
In the spring of Age 760, the Cell Games began. Future Cell built a huge ring on a barren plain, shaped exactly like the one at the World Martial Arts Tournament. He stood in its center with his arms crossed, waiting for challengers. Kashu led all the warriors to the ring. Those taking part in the Cell Games were Kashu, Son Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, Tien, Krillin, Yamcha, Luo Ling, Gore, Nappa, Raditz, and—five-year-old Son Gohan. "Gohan, stay back," Piccolo said. "This isn't a fight for a child." "No, I want to fight," Gohan said, his eyes shining with determination. "I want to protect Earth, Mom, and everyone." Piccolo looked at Gohan and remembered the Grand Elder's words. Perhaps Gohan was the true savior.
"I'll take the first round." Vegeta stepped into the ring. Future Cell looked at him and shook his head contemptuously. "You're too weak. You're not even fit to be my warm-up opponent." "Shut up!" Vegeta transformed into Super Saiyan Second Grade. Golden energy laced with blue lightning surrounded him, and his battle power reached one billion. He charged Future Cell and punched at his face. Future Cell didn't even move. A faint pulse of energy was enough to send Vegeta flying. "Next." Son Goku stepped into the ring. He transformed into Super Saiyan 3, the result of his training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. His long golden hair reached his waist, his eyebrows vanished, and his golden aura burned even brighter. His battle power reached 1.2 billion. A flicker of interest appeared in Future Cell's eyes. "Super Saiyan 3? Not bad. You're much stronger than that prince." Son Goku charged Future Cell, his fists and feet coming down in a storm. Future Cell blocked, dodged, and counterattacked. The two exchanged hundreds of blows without either gaining the upper hand. "You're strong, but your body can't withstand the energy drain of Super Saiyan 3," Future Cell said. "You'll be exhausted in five minutes at most." Son Goku gritted his teeth and attacked faster, but just as Future Cell had said, his energy was draining quickly. Four minutes later, his Super Saiyan 3 transformation automatically wore off. He collapsed onto the ring, gasping for breath. "Next," Future Cell said. Piccolo, Tien, Krillin, Yamcha, Luo Ling, Gore, Nappa, and Raditz all took their turns, but Future Cell defeated each of them with a single move. "Anyone else?" Future Cell looked around. "Me." Kashu stepped into the ring.
Future Cell looked at Kashu, surprise flashing in his eyes. "Your energy... it's at least twice as strong as it was three days ago." "Three days ago, I used thirty percent of my power," Kashu said. "Today, I'll use everything I've got." He released the power of Legendary Super Saiyan Fifth Grade—Crystal Form. Pure white energy surged from his body. His hair changed from black to pure white, and his brown eyes turned golden. A terrifying aura enveloped the entire ring. The ground began to crack, and the clouds overhead were swept away. Battle power: 16 billion.
Future Cell's expression finally changed. "Sixteen billion? Impossible! You only had six billion three days ago!" "Three days ago was three days ago. Today is today." Kashu charged Future Cell so fast that even Future Cell's enhanced vision couldn't keep up. His fist slammed into Future Cell's abdomen, sending him flying. Another punch struck his jaw, knocking it crooked. Then a kick severed his tail. "Aagh!" Future Cell screamed. "You said energy attacks don't work on you, right?" Kashu formed Hakai Energy in his palm. "What about physical attacks?" He pressed his palm against Future Cell's chest, and Hakai Energy flooded into his body. Future Cell began to disintegrate, but his powerful regenerative abilities quickly repaired the damaged parts. "I'm immortal!" Future Cell roared, punching at Kashu. Kashu dodged to the side and drove an elbow into Future Cell's back. Future Cell stumbled forward a few steps, nearly falling. "Your regeneration takes a lot of energy," Kashu said. "Every time you regenerate, your battle power drops a little. Sixteen billion, 15.5 billion, 15 billion... How many times can you regenerate?" Future Cell's pupils contracted. Kashu was right—his energy was draining fast.
"Then I'll finish you in one move!" Future Cell gathered all his energy, and a huge purple sphere formed between his hands. "Kamehameha—Cell Style!" Kashu didn't dodge. He gathered all his energy too, forming a pure white sphere between his hands. "Legendary Super Destruction Kamehameha!" The two blasts collided, releasing a blinding light. The entire planet shook. Far-off seas surged into towering waves, and volcanoes began to erupt. The clash lasted for more than ten seconds, with Kashu's white energy gradually overpowering Cell's purple blast. "No—!!!" The white energy engulfed Future Cell, disintegrating his body piece by piece. This time, he didn't regenerate. When the light faded, nothing remained in the ring. Future Cell was gone for good. After the battle with Future Cell, Kashu invited Android 17 and Android 18 to New Vegeta City. Bulma had reprogrammed them, so they were no longer Dr. Gero's killing machines. They had kept their incredible strength, but now they had free will. "Mr. Kashu, you wanted to see us?" Android 17 asked. "I'd like you to join us," Kashu said. "You're both powerful. If you train hard, you can help protect Earth." "Protect Earth?" Android 18 laughed. "We used to destroy it." "That was then. This is now," Kashu said. "Everyone has the right to choose." Android 17 and Android 18 exchanged a glance. They'd spent over a decade asleep in Dr. Gero's lab, knowing nothing about the outside world. Joining the Saiyans might not be a bad choice. "I'll join," Android 17 said. "I'll join too," Android 18 said, "but I have one condition." "What condition?" "I want to go on a date with Krillin." Android 18 glanced at Krillin, who was training in the distance, and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly. Kashu froze for a moment, then laughed. "That's between you two. I won't interfere."
Krillin had sharp ears and heard Android 18's words. His face turned bright red. Just when Kashu thought it was all over, a faint energy signature rose from the ruins of the ring. It was Cell's energy—not Future Cell's, but the Cell originally belonging to this timeline. Some of his cells had scattered across the ground when Future Cell was destroyed, and a tiny fragment had regenerated. Kashu flew to the ruins and saw a baby-sized Cell curled up among the rubble. There was no madness in his eyes, only fear. "Don't kill me..." the little Cell whispered. "I don't want to die..." Kashu looked at the tiny creature, a complicated feeling welling up inside him. Cell hadn't been born evil; he was something Dr. Gero had created. If he had the chance to start over, perhaps he could choose a different path. "I won't kill you," Kashu said. "But you have to agree to three conditions."
"What conditions?" "First, you must never absorb humans. Second, you must not cause trouble. Third, you must follow my instructions." A glimmer of hope appeared in the little Cell's eyes. "I agree! I'll agree to anything!" Kashu took him back to New Vegeta City. Bulma built a special incubation chamber for him to simulate his natural growing environment. The little Cell slowly grew inside it, while Kashu personally taught him the meaning of good and evil, and what it meant to be responsible.
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