The Chirping

The sound drew closer.

"Beep—beep—beep."

It wasn't an ordinary electronic sound from a machine. It was the cry of some kind of creature, like a cricket's, but a hundred times sharper. The sound waves carried a frequency that set one's teeth on edge, echoing through the valley.

Android 17 slowly got to his feet and faced north.

For the first time, his expression shifted—not with fear, but with a hint of... wariness.

"Cell."

He spoke the name.

Cell.

The S-2 Project.

The ultimate biological weapon.

Gohan lay at the bottom of the crater, covered in blood, but kept his eyes fixed on the approaching shadow. His heart pounded—not from fear. Well, all right, it was fear.

But more than that, he felt that it had finally come.

As someone who had crossed over into this world, he knew better than anyone how terrifying this monster was.

It wasn't an ordinary android. It was a perfect life-form created by Dr. Gero, who had combined the genes of the Saiyans, Namekians, and the Frieza Clan. It possessed the Saiyans' ability to grow stronger after recovering from near death, the Namekians' regenerative powers, and the Frieza Clan's ability to survive in space.

Even more terrifying was its tail.

At the end of the tail was a needle-like absorption stinger.

It could drain the energy from any living thing it touched.

The shadow drew closer.

Gohan finally got a clear look at First Form Cell.

It was a bipedal insect-like creature about three meters tall. Its dark green skin was covered in shell-like patterns, and sharp bone spikes protruded from its joints. Its head resembled a cricket's, and its two compound eyes glowed a dull red. A pair of wings, thin as a cicada's, spread from its back, buzzing as they kept it aloft.

Most horrifying of all was its tail, about two meters long, ending in a pitch-black, needle-like stinger that gleamed like metal in the sunlight.

This was Cell.

And he was still only in his first form.

His battle power was fifty million at most. He couldn't even beat a Super Saiyan at their peak.

But once he absorbed Android 17 and Android 18...

Gohan couldn't help shuddering.

Perfect Cell.

His battle power would surpass the combined strength of Android 17 and Android 18.

He could effortlessly slaughter Super Saiyan 2 Goku.

"Well, well."

Cell landed on the battlefield about twenty meters from Android 17. He tilted his head, sizing up the android before him.

"Android 17. Long time no see."

Android 17 didn't answer.

"No, that's not right. I should say, 'At last, we meet.'" Cell grinned, revealing a mouthful of crooked teeth. "I came here especially for you."

"Cell." Android 18's voice came from the rooftop. "You know how strong you are right now."

"Of course." Cell shrugged, unconcerned. "Around fifty million. I can't beat any of you."

"Then why—"

"But that doesn't matter."

Cell narrowed his eyes and fixed them on Android 17.

"Because defeating you was never my goal."

Absorption.

Gohan silently repeated the word in his mind.

He only needed to touch you.

Even a tiny scratch would let him steal your power.

The shadow drew closer.

"Dr. Gero, that old fool, really thought I was his 'ultimate biological weapon.'" Cell scoffed. "All he did was provide the nutrients I needed to evolve."

"Android 17."

Cell raised his hand and pointed to the stinger on his back.

"Can you feel it?"

"It was made for you."

Android 17's brow furrowed slightly.

"You're going to absorb me?"

"No." Cell shook his head. "The word 'absorb' is too crude. I prefer to call it fusion."

"Your power will become part of my body."

"And then..."

Cell spread his arms, his voice brimming with fervor.

"I'll become perfect!"

The battlefield fell silent for a brief moment.

"That bug..." Krillin muttered from afar. "What did he just say? Absorb Android 17?"

"Can androids absorb each other...?" Tien Shinhan's expression darkened.

Piccolo stared at Cell, his pupils contracting sharply.

He knew about the S-2 Project.

Dr. Gero had once mentioned that if S-2 were completed, Android 17 and Android 18 would no longer be a threat.

Back then, he'd thought S-2 was some kind of new weapon.

Now it seemed... it was nothing less than a monster.

Gohan lay in the crater, watching everything unfold.

A three-way battle.

Cell versus the androids versus the Saiyans.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend? No. In this world, the enemy of my enemy was still my enemy.

It was just that even enemies tore at one another.

He struggled to sit up, but the pain throughout his body forced him back down.

The Reverse Frequency Device...

Gohan felt at his waist.

It was still there.

But he was too far from Android 17. And Android 17 was so focused on Cell that he hadn't noticed Gohan at all.

A godsend.

Gohan gritted his teeth and began quietly gathering his ki.

"Android 17." Cell stepped forward. "Quit standing there daydreaming. Come on, show me what you can do—"

"Stop."

A golden figure stepped in front of Android 17.

It wasn't Android 17 himself.

It was Android 16.

The giant android, who hadn't said a word throughout the whole fight, had finally moved. His blond hair fluttered in the wind, and his deep red eyes stared straight at Cell.

"Android 16?" Cell raised an eyebrow. "You're going to protect him?"

Android 16 didn't answer.

But his stance said it all.

"Interesting." Cell grinned. "Dr. Gero's programming really did make you think of us as 'comrades.'"

"Too bad..."

Cell vanished in an instant!

"I'm not one of you!"

Boom!

The two clashed in midair, and the shockwave exploded, sending dust billowing in every direction.

"Android 16!" Android 18 cried.

"I'm fine." Android 16's voice rang out, calm as if he weren't even fighting. "This one... isn't as strong as I expected."

No kidding.

Fifty million against over two hundred million. He's four times weaker.

Android 16 could turn Cell to dust with a single punch.

But a strange smile curled across Cell's lips.

"That's right. I can't beat you right now."

Android 16's punch sent him flying, crashing through two mountain peaks.

"But..."

The next second, Cell emerged from the ruins, completely unharmed.

"I'll keep getting stronger."

Android 16 narrowed his eyes.

"Regeneration?"

"That's just one of my abilities."

Cell flew into the air and spread his arms, as if embracing something.

"See that over there?"

He pointed toward a rock in the distance.

Something moved behind it.

A wild rabbit.

"That little thing can make me stronger, too."

Cell's tail shot out like lightning, piercing the rabbit with pinpoint accuracy.

The next instant, the rabbit shriveled up, becoming a withered corpse.

And Cell's aura grew slightly stronger.

"See?" Cell licked his lips. "I can absorb any living thing. Even a rabbit can make me just a little bit stronger."

"And if it's you..."

He looked at Android 17, greed glittering in his eyes.

"Absorbing you will let me reach my second form."

"Then..."

"The whole Earth will be my hunting ground."

"That monster..." Krillin's face paled. "Can he really absorb other people's power?"

"Not just absorb it." Piccolo's voice was heavy. "Did you see his wounds? The parts of his body that were smashed apart are regenerating."

"Regenerating?" Tien Shinhan frowned. "That's impossible—"

Before he could finish, Android 16 smashed Cell's left arm to pieces with a punch.

But in the very next moment...

The fragments seemed to come alive. They writhed and joined together at incredible speed, growing back into a whole left arm!

"How is that possible...?" Krillin's eyes widened.

"The Namekians' regenerative powers, combined with the Saiyans' ability to grow stronger after recovering from near death..." Gohan's voice came from the bottom of the crater, weak but clear. "As long as this monster isn't killed in one blow, he'll keep getting stronger."

"Gohan!" Krillin rushed over. "Are you okay?"

"I'm not dead yet." Gohan gave a wry smile. "But I can't move, either."

He forced himself to point at Cell.

"Krillin, listen... That monster can't be allowed to touch anyone. Especially... Android 17 and Android 18."

"Why?"

"Because if he absorbs them..."

Gohan took a deep breath.

"It'll be the end of the whole Earth."

In the distance, Cell and Android 16 were locked in a fierce battle.

Android 16's attacks were still devastating, but Cell's ability to regenerate had brought the fight to a standstill. Every time he was smashed apart, he instantly recovered.

"Android 16, you're really trying hard." Cell was knocked flying, but he laughed as he got back to his feet. "But you can't stop me."

"Android 17!"

He suddenly shouted.

"What are you waiting for?"

"Why don't we team up and take out this nuisance, Android 16? Wouldn't that be better?"

Android 17 was silent.

Android 18 flew down from the rooftop and stood beside Android 17.

"Little brother." Her voice was cool. "What do you think?"

Android 17 turned to look at Android 18, then at Cell.

"...I don't like that bug." He said, "The way he looks at me, it's like I'm something on a plate."

"Then"

"But I don't like Saiyans either."

Android 17 turned toward Gohan, who was lying at the bottom of the crater.

"So..."

The corner of his mouth curled into a dangerous smile.

"Let them fight first. We'll watch the show."

Cell narrowed his eyes.

"Are you sure?"

"What, are you scared?"

"Scared?" Cell burst out laughing. "I just think it's a shame. I wanted to absorb you first, but it looks like I'll have to start with someone else."

His gaze swept across the battlefield, finally landing on Gohan at the bottom of the crater.

Son Gohan.

A Half-Saiyan.

Power level... a little lower than Android 17's, but still not bad.

"Then you'll do."

Cell's tail rose high, the black needle at its tip glinting coldly in the sunlight.

"I'll drain you dry first and take the first step toward my perfect form."

Gohan's pupils contracted sharply.

Oh, crap.

Why's he got his eyes on me?!

"Cell!"

Android 16's fist came crashing down, but Cell had been ready. He dodged to the side, then dove straight toward Gohan!

"Gohan!!"

Krillin's cry rang across the battlefield!