Subduing Cell - Part 1

Three days after repairing Android 18's energy furnace, Kashu gathered everyone for a meeting. "I have to do something," Kashu said, "and it might take a few days. During this time, continue your training and do not leave the base." "Where are you going?" Android 18 asked. Her tone was much gentler than before, causing Android 17 to snicker on the side. Android 18 glared at him, and 17 immediately wiped the smile off his face. "I am going to subdue Cell," Kashu said calmly. Everyone was stunned. "Subdue Cell?" Son Goku's eyes widened. "Isn't Cell already dead?" "That Cell is dead," Kashu said, "but there is another one." The group looked at each other in confusion. Kashu explained, "The rules of the Cell Games were that if he lost, he would self-destruct. But self-destruction wouldn't truly kill him because he possesses Saiyan cells; he would return stronger after a near-death recovery. He would have reconstituted his body after the explosion and evolved into his ultimate perfect form." "You mean..." Piccolo's expression shifted, "Cell isn't dead yet?" "The Cell of this era is dead," Kashu said, "but the future Cell—the one we defeated—did not truly perish. Although his body dissipated, his core cell escaped."

"A core cell?" Son Gohan frowned. "Cell possesses the cells of Frieza's race, allowing him to survive in extreme environments. When I was finishing him off, he took advantage of a moment of distraction to separate a small portion of his core cells. Those cells are currently slowly recovering deep underground."

Everyone gasped. "Then what are you waiting for?" Vegeta roared. "Go and destroy him immediately!" "I said subdue," Kashu corrected, "not destroy." "Are you insane?" Vegeta looked at him in disbelief. "That monster nearly destroyed the entire West City! And you want to subdue him?" Kashu's expression remained calm. "Cell is a powerful warrior. His potential is no less than that of Son Goku or Vegeta. If he is willing to turn over a new leaf, he will become an indispensable member of our team." "Turn over a new leaf?" Vegeta sneered. "Do you think he's a machine that can be reprogrammed?" "He is not a machine," Kashu said. "He is a living being. Just like me, just like the Androids—a life form that was created. He also has the right to choose." Android 18 stood up and walked over to Kashu. "I'm going with you," she said. "If you are going to subdue Cell, I want to see it with my own eyes." Kashu looked at her, remained silent for a few seconds, and then nodded. "The rest of you stay," Kashu said. "Android 17, you are responsible for the base's defense. Android 16, you monitor the Earth's energy fluctuations. Son Goku, continue practicing your compression technique. Vegeta, you manage the team's discipline." Vegeta wanted to retort, but upon seeing the look in Kashu's eyes, he swallowed his words. Kashu's gaze was calm, but within that calmness lay an unquestionable majesty.

Kashu and Android 18 flew toward West City. The city had already begun reconstruction; Capsule Corp's engineering robots were busy amidst the ruins, clearing rubble and erecting temporary shelters. Bulma had hired the world's finest engineers to design an entirely new city. However, Kashu did not head to West City, instead turning south. "Cell's core cell is on the ocean floor," Kashu said, "in the deepest trench on Earth, the Mariana Trench." The two dived into the sea. Kashu created an air bubble around his body, enclosing Android 18 within it as well. They descended at high speed, soon reaching the depths of the trench. The dark seabed was devoid of light, save for the bioluminescence of deep-sea fish swimming past. The water pressure was terrifyingly immense; an ordinary person would be crushed instantly, but Kashu and Android 18 were completely unaffected. Kashu stopped. "We're here," he said. Before them, a strange tumor-like growth clung to the seabed rock. It was deep green, its surface covered in wrinkles like a giant walnut. The tumor pulsed gently, emitting a faint energy fluctuation with every beat. "This is Cell's core cell?" Android 18 looked at the ugly object in disbelief. "Yes," Kashu said. "He is recovering slowly. At this rate, it would take about three months to fully reconstitute his body." He walked toward the tumor. The tumor seemed to sense danger; its pulse quickened, and its surface began to release a defensive energy shield. Kashu reached out and touched the shield lightly. It shattered like a bubble. His fingers brushed the surface of the tumor, and it trembled violently, as if in fear. "Cell," Kashu's voice echoed through the seabed, "I know you can hear me. You have consciousness, though it is still very weak. You failed. Your body was destroyed, leaving only these cells. But you did not truly die, because your will remains. I am giving you a choice. Let me help you reconstitute your body, and then join my team. Or, continue to recover slowly here, only to come looking for revenge and be defeated by me once again."

The tumor's pulse became erratic, as if it were thinking. "I understand you, Cell," Kashu continued. "You aren't evil. You were simply created to execute a mission—to become the perfect being and kill Son Goku. But that mission has already been completed—the Cell of this era has already been killed by Son Gohan. You no longer need to serve Dr. Gero's ambitions. You can choose your own path. Just like Android 17 and Android 18." The tumor suddenly emitted a harsh, grating sound. It was Cell's voice, emanating from the cellular level, hoarse and weak. "Why... would you... help me..." "Because we need you," Kashu said bluntly. "There are many beings in the universe stronger than us. I am strong, but one person is not enough. We need a powerful team to protect the Earth. You, Cell, have the potential to become one of the core strengths of this team." The tumor remained silent for a long time. Then, its surface began to change. The wrinkles gradually smoothed out, and green light emerged from the cracks. The tumor began to grow, like a seed sprouting, extending tentacles in all directions. The tentacles intertwined, gradually forming the outlines of bones, muscles, and an exoskeleton. An hour later, a complete humanoid stood on the seabed. Cell. He looked slightly younger than before, and his build was smaller, standing about one meter seventy. The color of his carapace had shifted from deep green to ink-green, and his golden eyes had turned a dark, metallic gold. The wings on his back were folded, hanging behind him like a cape. He looked at his own hands and flexed his fingers. "I... have become weaker," Cell said. "At least half as weak as I was at my peak." "But your potential remains," Kashu said, "and your core programming has been wiped. The directive Dr. Gero implanted—'Kill Son Goku'—is gone." Cell closed his eyes, sensing the changes within. Kashu was right; the voice that had constantly tormented him—the one that repeated "complete the mission," "kill Goku," "become perfect"—was gone. In its place was... a blank slate. A pure, unconstrained void.

"Am I free?" Cell muttered in disbelief. "You are free," Kashu said. "Now you can choose what kind of person you want to become." Cell opened his eyes and looked at Kashu. "What if I choose to become your enemy?" Kashu smiled slightly. "Then you will simply become that tumor again." Cell fell silent. He looked into Kashu's eyes; those deep purple eyes held no hostility, no threat, only calmness. It was as if Cell's choice were merely a math problem to him, and regardless of the result, he could accept it. "I'll join," Cell said, "but I have one condition." "Speak." "Do not modify me the way you modified the Androids," Cell said. "I want to grow stronger through my own power. You provide the training methods, and I will do the rest." Kashu nodded. "Agreed. You possess the cells of Saiyans, Namekians, Frieza's race, and more; your training method should be similar to Gohan's—digging for potential from within, rather than absorbing energy from the outside." Cell nodded. Android 18 had been standing to the side, watching Cell vigilantly. Her hands remained in a posture ready for combat at any moment. Cell looked at her and smiled faintly. "Android 18, no need to be nervous," he said. "I am not here to kill you. The future version of you is already dead, and the version of you in this era... has no meaning to me." Android 18 looked at him coldly. "If you dare to betray Kashu, I will kill you myself." "You won't get the chance," Cell said, then looked at Kashu. "However, I am curious, Kashu. Why do you trust me so much? I am not like 17 or 18. I have Frieza's cells, a Saiyan's battle instinct, and a Namekian's cunning. I am not an easy character to control."

"I never control anyone," Kashu said. "I give everyone the freedom to choose. You choose to stay because you want to stay. If you choose to leave, I will wish you well. If you choose to betray, I will face you. It's that simple." "It's that simple?" Cell stared at Kashu for a long time, then burst into laughter. The laughter echoed through the trench, causing the surrounding rocks to tremble. "Fine!" Cell said. "Kashu, you are an interesting man. I'm in!" The three rose from the seabed and flew back toward the base.