The Cell Games: Opening

Krillin's collapse left everyone stunned. Yamcha was the first to rush forward, his hands gathering a Spirit Ball of maximum energy as he hurled it at Cell. But Cell didn't even glance at him; with a casual flick of his tail, he swatted Yamcha and his energy sphere away. "Yamcha!" Bulma cried out. Tien Shinhan launched a surprise attack from the flank, firing his Tri-Beam repeatedly. The dense pillars of energy rained down on Cell like a storm, yet Cell merely swayed slightly, weaving through the gaps in the blasts without a single one landing. "The speed..." Tien Shinhan gasped, a chill running down his spine. "Is he so fast that he can track the trajectory of a Tri-Beam?" Cell appeared before Tien Shinhan and delivered a sharp hand-chop. Tien Shinhan crossed his arms to block, the sickening sound of bone fracturing echoing for all to hear. He was driven deep into the ground, his arms hanging at unnatural angles. Chiaotzu lunged toward Tien Shinhan, using his psychic powers to try and impede Cell's next strike. Cell's body stalled for a brief moment, but after only a second, he broke free from the restraint. "A Namekian's psychic ability?" Cell looked at Chiaotzu. "No, some similar power. Interesting, but you are too weak." With a flick of a finger, a needle-thin beam of energy pierced Chiaotzu's shoulder. Chiaotzu shrieked and fell to the ground, blood gushing from the wound. In just a few seconds, four Z Fighters had been rendered combat-ineffective. Cell turned to face Goku and Gohan.

"Son Goku," he said, "I will give you a choice. Let Android 17 and Android 18 willingly be absorbed by me, and I will spare the others of this era. Otherwise..."

He glanced at Krillin and the others lying on the ground. "These people are just the beginning." Goku's face turned terrifyingly grim. "You're dreaming." "Then there is no other way," Cell said, shaking his head as he raised his hand. "Do not say I am cruel." A purple-black energy sphere coalesced in his palm. It was small, but the energy contained within made everyone present turn pale.

"This Ki... it's at a planetary destruction level!" Piccolo exclaimed. Cell tossed the energy sphere into the sky. Once it reached a high altitude, it suddenly split into hundreds of smaller light orbs, raining down upon West City like a meteor shower. Explosions erupted one after another. Every time a light orb struck, it leveled an entire city block. Flames soared into the sky, and thick smoke blotted out the sun. The terrified screams of people echoed throughout the city, only to be quickly drowned out by the relentless chain of explosions. "Stop it!" Goku roared, charging at Cell. Cell easily evaded Goku's attack while raising his hand to condense another energy sphere. "This is war," Cell said calmly. "In my time, humanity was nearly wiped out by 17 and 18. I am simply letting them taste that same feeling." A second wave of energy orbs rained down, further expanding the destruction of West City. Bulma's Capsule Corporation finally gave way, the main building collapsing amidst the blasts. Bulma and Chi-Chi escaped from the ruins, covered in soot but fortunately uninjured. "You bastard!" 17 finally lost his composure. He had always remained calm, but the destruction of West City triggered memories deep within him that he had been unwilling to face—memories of his life before becoming an android, of being forcibly modified in Dr. Gero's laboratory. A blue aura erupted from 17's entire body as he charged at Cell. His speed was so great it left afterimages, his fists raining down on Cell like a downpour. Cell retreated a few steps but sustained no serious injuries. He caught an opening in 17's defense, wrapped his tail around 17's neck, and hoisted him into the air. "17," Cell looked at him, "do you know why Dr. Gero created you?" 17 struggled, but Cell's strength was too great; he couldn't break free. "You are the perfect android he created," Cell said, "but you lack one thing—the instinct to kill. Your heart is too soft."

The tail tightened, and 17's neck began to creak. His face flushed deep red, and his consciousness began to blur. "Stop!" 18 rushed forward, kicking at Cell's head. Cell caught her foot with his other hand and slammed her into the ground. 18 crashed into a deep crater, struggling to rise, but Cell already had a finger pointed at her forehead. A beam shot from his fingertip, piercing 18's shoulder. "I won't kill you yet," Cell said. "Your value lies in being absorbed by me. If I kill you, I cannot become a perfect being." He tossed 17 onto the ground and released his tail. 17 clutched his neck, coughing violently, his eyes filled with rage and humiliation. Cell looked up at the sky and took a deep breath. "Alright, the warm-up is over. Now it is time for the official game." His voice suddenly amplified, carrying across all of West City and even further. "I announce—the Cell Games, open!" The rules are simple: all of you can come at me together, or one by one. As long as you can injure me, you win. If you lose..." He looked around, his golden eyes sweeping over everyone's faces. "17 and 18 belong to me. Son Goku, I want a one-on-one duel with you. As for the others, your fate is in your own hands."

In the spring of Age 760, the Cell Games began. Future Cell had built a massive arena on a wasteland, identical in shape to the World Martial Arts Tournament. He stood in the center of the ring, arms crossed, waiting for challengers. Kashu led all the warriors to the front of the arena. The warriors participating in the Cell Games were: Kashu, Son Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, Tien Shinhan, Krillin, Yamcha, Luo Ling, Gore, Nappa, Raditz, and—five-year-old Son Gohan. "Gohan, step back," Piccolo said. "This is not a battle for a child." "No, I want to participate." Gohan's eyes shone with a resolute light. "I want to protect the Earth, protect Mom, and protect everyone." Piccolo looked at Gohan, remembering the words of the Grand Elder. Perhaps Gohan was the true savior.

"I'll take the first round." Vegeta stepped onto the arena. Future Cell looked at Vegeta and shook his head dismissively: "You are too weak. You aren't even enough to be my warm-up opponent." "Shut up!" Vegeta transformed into a Super Saiyan Second Grade, his golden aura crackling with blue lightning, his combat power reaching one billion. He charged at Future Cell, throwing a punch at his face. Future Cell didn't even move; he simply released a sliver of his Ki, blowing Vegeta away. "Next." Son Goku stepped onto the arena. He transformed into a Super Saiyan 3—the result of his training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. His golden hair reached his waist, his eyebrows vanished, and the golden aura surrounding him became even more intense, his combat power reaching 1.2 billion. A flicker of interest crossed Future Cell's eyes: "Super Saiyan 3? Not bad, much stronger than that prince." Son Goku charged at Future Cell, his strikes like a violent storm. Future Cell blocked, dodged, and countered; the two traded hundreds of blows, neither gaining the upper hand. "Your strength is good, but your body cannot withstand the energy consumption of Super Saiyan 3," Future Cell said. "In five minutes at most, you will be exhausted." Son Goku gritted his teeth, accelerating his attack speed. But just as Future Cell had said, his energy was draining rapidly. Four minutes later, Son Goku's Super Saiyan 3 form automatically dissipated, and he collapsed onto the arena, gasping for air. "Next," Future Cell said. Piccolo, Tien Shinhan, Krillin, Yamcha, Luo Ling, Gore, Nappa, and Raditz took turns, but all were defeated by Future Cell in a single blow. "Who else?" Future Cell looked around. "I'm next." Kashu stepped onto the arena.

Future Cell looked at Kashu, a flicker of surprise in his eyes: "Your Ki... 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 will use my full strength." He released the aura of the Legendary Super Saiyan Fifth Grade—Crystal Form. A pure white aura surged from his body, his hair turned from black to pure white, and his pupils shifted from brown to gold. A terrifying pressure enveloped the entire arena; the ground began to crack, and the clouds in the sky were blown away. Combat power: 16 billion.

Future Cell's expression finally changed: "16 billion? Impossible! Three days ago you were only at 6 billion!" "Three days ago was three days ago. Today is today." Kashu charged at Future Cell, his speed so great that even Future Cell's super-vision couldn't keep up. He punched Future Cell in the abdomen, sending him flying. Another punch struck his chin, knocking it askew. Then a kick shattered his tail. "Aaaah—!" Future Cell shrieked. "Didn't you say energy attacks were ineffective against you?" Kashu gathered Hakai Energy in his palm. "What about physical attacks?" He slammed his palm into Future Cell's chest, the Hakai Energy surging into his body. Future Cell's body began to disintegrate, but his powerful regenerative ability quickly repaired the damaged parts. "I am immortal!" Future Cell roared, throwing a punch at Kashu. Kashu sidestepped and countered with an elbow to Future Cell's back. Future Cell stumbled forward, nearly falling. "Your regeneration consumes a massive amount of energy," Kashu said. "Every time you regenerate, your combat power drops a little. 16 billion, 15.5 billion, 15 billion... how many times can you regenerate?" Future Cell's pupils contracted. Kashu was right; his energy was draining rapidly.

"Then I'll finish you in one move!" Future Cell gathered all his energy, a massive purple energy sphere appearing between his hands. "Ka—me—ha—me—HA! Cell version!" Kashu did not dodge. He also gathered all his energy, a pure white energy sphere appearing between his hands. "Legendary Super Destruction Kamehameha!" The two energies collided, erupting in a blinding light. The entire Earth trembled; giant waves rose in the distant oceans, and volcanoes began to erupt. The collision lasted for over ten seconds before Kashu's white energy gradually suppressed Cell's purple energy. "No—!!!" The white energy engulfed Future Cell, decomposing his body bit by bit. This time, there was no regeneration. When the light faded, the arena was empty. Future Cell had been completely eradicated. After the battle with Future Cell, Kashu invited 17 and 18 to New Vegeta City. Bulma had already reprogrammed 17 and 18, so they were no longer Dr. Gero's killing machines. They retained their immense combat power but now possessed free will. "Mr. Kashu, did you want to see us?" 17 asked. "I want to invite you to join us," Kashu said. "Your strength is great; if you train properly, you can become a force to protect the Earth." "Protect the Earth?" 18 smiled. "We used to be the ones destroying it." "The past is the past, and now is now," Kashu said. "Everyone has the right to choose." 17 and 18 looked at each other. They had slept in Dr. Gero's laboratory for over a decade and knew nothing of the outside world. Joining the Saiyans' ranks might be a good choice. "I'll join," 17 said. "I'll join too," 18 added, "but I have a condition." "What condition?" "I want to go on a date with Krillin." 18 looked toward the distance where Krillin was training, the corner of her mouth curling upward. Kashu was stunned for a moment, then laughed: "That's your business; I won't interfere."

Krillin had sharp ears and heard 18's words, his face turning bright red instantly. Just when Kashu thought it was all over, a faint Ki emanated from the ruins of the arena. It was Cell's Ki—not Future Cell's, but the original Cell of this timeline. His cells had scattered when Future Cell was destroyed, and a small piece had regenerated. Kashu flew into the ruins and saw a Cell the size of an infant curled up in the rubble. There was no madness in his eyes, only fear. "Don't kill me..." the small Cell's voice was weak. "I don't want to die..." Kashu looked at this tiny life, a complex emotion welling up in his heart. Cell was not born evil; he was a product created by Dr. Gero. If he could start over, perhaps he could choose a different path. "I won't kill you," Kashu said, "but you must agree to three conditions."

"What conditions?" "First, you are not allowed to absorb humans. Second, you are not allowed to cause chaos. Third, you must follow my arrangements." A flicker of hope flashed in the small Cell's eyes: "I agree! I'll agree to anything!" Kashu brought the small Cell back to New Vegeta City. Bulma built a special incubation chamber for him that could simulate his growth environment. The small Cell grew slowly in the chamber, and Kashu personally taught him what was good, what was evil, and what was responsibility.