Just as the battle between Piccolo and 17 intensifies it is interrupted by the arrival of Cell!
Piccolo is stunned when he realizes that the androids have no knowledge of this other creation of Dr. Gero and then horrified by the monster’s increased power level knowing how he gained it.
17 takes umbrage at the interruption and orders Cell to leave.
Piccolo shouts at the young male android, attempting to warn 17 what Cell‘s intentions are, but the brash overconfident young 17 disbelieves the Namek. Instead he faces off against Cell.
Cell attacks the youth thrusting it’s tail like snake striking, trying to spear 17 on it’s hypodermic like point.
17 barely manages to dodge the rapid fire strikes, but even as he avoids the tail, Cell latches onto the youth’s arm and slams 17 heavily into the ground. It’s tail arches over it’s head to come down in an attempt to pierce the other android in the chest!
But Cell quickly learns that it’s disregard of the Namek was a mistake.
It is knocked away from 17 when Piccolo’s foot impacts it inside of the face, forcing it back and off of the fallen boy.
17 freed, quickly regains his feet and backs up to almost flank Piccolo. “The ugly bug caught me off guard.” Says the youth as he wiped dirt from his face. Side by side the two face the grinning monster. The Namek warrior quickly explains what he knows of the creature Cell to 17.
At Roshi’s the others had sensed that Cell approaching and knew it would soon arrive at the battle site. Desperate to stop Gero’s bio-construct from getting a chance to complete itself by absorbing the androids, Krillian decides it would save time if he were to meet Bulma on the way, since his speed is much superior to that of her aircar.
Tien also decides impatiently that he has to go determine what’s happening with Piccolo, and if needed offer any help he’s capable of.
The two depart, going in opposite directions, leaving Roshi and ChiChi to wait in helpless suspense.
A jubilant Cell confirms Piccolo’s statement and gloats in anticipation. Now that it has found 17 and 18 it knows that it will soon able to be complete itself. All it needs to do now, is to absorb it’s other two components to become perfection!
16 and 18, overhear the entire conversation between 17 and Piccolo.
But while 17 and 18 are both still disbelieving. 16 who can sense Cell’s strength realizes that the Namek’s assertions are correct. Cell indeed poses a danger far more serious than either of his companions are willing to accept. To both of them and then ultimately, the entire universe!
Still disbelieving and as yet undaunted, by the threat of Cell, 17 confidently springs to the attack.
Gero’s ultimate bio-construct meets 17‘s onslaught, turning it’s back disdainfully on Piccolo, and swiftly places the belligerent young android on the defensive once more. Then it suddenly elbows 17 face down into the ground momentarily dazing him.
But the Namekian doesn’t stand idly by as the monster prepares to absorb the fallen youth again. He attacks Cell from behind and manages to distract it from 17. This time igniting Cell’s ire against himself.
Cell turns on Piccolo determined to eliminate this pesky Namek once and for all.
Up on the lookout Gohan becomes more and more agitated by Piccolo’s fight with Cell. so much so that Goku has to prevent his son from rushing to his mentor’s aid. The boy rails and agonizes over Piccolo’s plight but reluctantly obeys his father.
As Goku wonders aloud about what is taking the Saiyan Prince so long in the Chamber.
The mechanical youth soon realizes his mistake after being rescued by Piccolo yet again at the last second. This leads the two erstwhile combatants to finally combine forces against the insectoid monster.
Meanwhile 16 knowing the great danger posed by Cell and vainly attempts to persuade the female android to flee. But 18, who like her brother is unequipped with 16’s ki sensors is just as confident as 17 is and discounts her huge comrade’s assertions of peril.
But even the almost unbelievable combined strength and power of the Namekian warrior and Android 17 is not enough to oppose Cell successfully.
In one last effort to stop the creature, Piccolo expends the last of his energy to employ his ultimate attack in an effort to disintegrate the monstrous creature.
Tien arrives at the battlefield just in time to see Piccolo‘s blinding attack beam seem to blow Cell away into the ocean.
But Piccolo’s effort proved nearly useless.
Unharmed Cell rises ominously out of the water, returning to the battle and relentlessly attacks Piccolo. Breaking the Namek’s neck with a single motion and then blasting a hole through the emerald alien’s chest.
Tossing Piccolo’s limp body into the ocean like so much offal, Cell then turns his attention back to 17 and starts battering the young android, readying him for absorption.
Striding forward, 16 bids 18 goodbye urging her to flee and warns Tien to leave as well before entering into combat with Cell.
The huge automaton intervenes in the knick of time, stopping Cell from engulfing 17.
16 and Cell begin to battle, but as the huge mechanical man has surmised the two are evenly matched. Their battle continues relentlessly until Cell manages to ‘sting’ 16 in the throat in an attempt to absorb this additional android.
But when Cell tries to suck the life force from 16, he is startled to belatedly realize that this particular creation of Dr. Gero, is completely mechanical.
This is exactly what 16 was waiting for, the huge android laughs and pulls the stinger loose. Then exerting it’s enormous strength it uses the creatures’ tail like handle and whips it around slamming it into the ground with stunning force, placing his foot on the creature’s back he then rips off Cell’s tail with a single mighty jerk! 16 discards the extremity and grins believing with this act he has thwarted the insectoid’s plans.
But Cell surprises them all by simply regenerating his tail.
The two renew their battle once again, 16 uses all of his capabilities and finally manages to blast Cell into the ground temporarily, in the brief respite he tries to convince the other two androids flee one last time. But they continue to refuse to listen.
Suddenly Cell emerges, having burrowed it’s way underground, unexpectedly coming up behind the unprepared 17!
Tien shouts a warning but it’s far too late, and with lightening like swiftness Cell’s stinger opening expands and it engulfs 17, swallowing the young male android whole, before he can even make a move to escape.
The acquisition of the first of the two triggers Cell’s transformation into it’s next stage of development.
Tien, 16 and 18 look on in horror, watching as the creature begins to glow blindingly.
The insectoid’s form expands becoming taller, broader, it’s musculature fills out becoming more humanoid. The three fingered talons split and become more hand like five fingered claws. The repulsive y-shaped shield of it’s bug face alters lengthening and widening, into a more manlike visage with cheek bones bulging out to replace the narrow sub-orbital ridges. The sharply pointed chin broadens into a squared jaw. The beak like mouth opening transforms into wide lips topped by a strange dark triangular projection that rises to a point between his eyes. Their reptilian-like slits expand becoming rounded pupils encircled with more mammalian appearing golden irises. The wide spread pointed horns have moved closer together becoming crown like parallel protective carapaces, rising several inches above each side of Cell’s newly, now domed, skull.
On the lookout Goku senses the exponential increase of Cell’s power level. He guesses that the reason for it, is it’s acquisition and absorption of one of the androids.
16 reacts with like lightening and grabs 18 in an attempt to escape. But they are stopped by the blinding speed of the new improved Cell. Smirking the monster confronts them and 16 attacks trying to block Cell from getting to 18. 16’s fist impacts against Cell’s face with little effect. In retaliation Cell raises his hand firing a pointblank beam at 16 as he attempts to defend her. The blast tears a portion of huge android’s head away for his efforts.
Roshi calls Bulma to let her know that Krillian is coming out to meet her.
Tien realizes that Cell must be prevented from acquiring 18. Fully knowing he is completely out matched, the three eyed warrior still heroically enters into the fray, in an effort to give the androids time to escape and prevent Cell from absorbing 18 as he had 17. The brave warrior is willing to commit his own life in the cause of preventing Cell from becoming even more powerful.
Without hesitation Tien resorts to using his ultimate attack, the neo-ki-ko-ho to pound Cell into the ground. Repeating the triangular blast each time Cell starts to rise up out of the hole. Thoroughly aware that each firing of the ki cannon beam, depletes more and more of his own life’s energy.
Now fully aware of her danger 18 assists the badly damaged 16 as the androids use Tien's distraction to flee the island.
The three eyed monk continues on with his attacks buying the androids as much time as he possibly can until he is completely exhausted and falls to the ground, now helpless, unable to even rise to his feet in defiance.
On the Lookout, Tien’s heroic self sacrifice is the final straw for Goku. The Saiyan protector of Earth’s last bit of patience has evaporated. Using his instant transmission technique Goku teleports to Tien's rescue.
Cell is surprised by the Saiyan’s sudden unexpected appearance when he materializes between him and his vengeance on the annoying tricloptic warrior.
Until now he had not known that any of the full blooded Saiyans were still alive. In the timeline he had come from Goku was long dead by this point, laid low by the heart virus and Vegeta had been slain by the androids when he had confronted them during their first attacks.
Goku now confronts the beast, informing Cell that although there is no way he could oppose him successfully now, if Cell is willing to be patient for just one more day, Goku will be ready and willing to fight and defeat him.
Cell scoffs at Goku’s assertion and undeterred challenges him to fight immediately, then prepares to attack the Saiyan.
Goku ignores the challenge and turns away unconcernedly, laying a hold of his fallen comrade’s wrist. Just as he’s about to teleport away, Goku suddenly senses another faint, extremely weakened source of ki nearby.
It’s Piccolo! Somehow the Namekian is still alive!
Goku quickly wastes no time, teleporting to Piccolo’s location, startling Cell once more with his instant transmission.
Goku lets go of Tien and rushes over to Piccolo pulling him from the surf, where he’s clinging weakly to the shore resisting the back flow of the breakers. Hoisting the Namek to his shoulders, Goku returns to Tien, turning to glare warningly at Cell one last time before he dematerializes and teleports back to the lookout with his double burden.
Cell is left alone and furious, deprived of 18, of his victims and even the Saiyan.
At the Lookout, Tien and Piccolo are soon restored to health with the help of Corrine’s senzu beans.
Alerted to be on the watch for Krillian, Bulma continues to race towards Roshi’s island.
Maternally talking aloud, from habit in an effort to encourage the baby’s languages skills, she tells her son. “We gotta watch for Krillian, now Trunks. Roshi says he’s on his way to meet us.”
Baby Trunks, due to his almost unique heritage, is far more aware of his surroundings than a mere human child of his age. So the almost toddler can fully comprehend his mother’s words even if he still isn’t quite capable of forming them properly himself, he smiles at her with precocious childish understanding. Then chibi begins scanning the distance, looking for his new friend. Due to the greater acuity of his half Saiyan vision, he is the first to see the little monk approaching.
The child happily mangles Krillian’s name as he babbles his discovery to his mother as soon as he spots him, “Krkin. Krkin!” He had taken an immediate shine to both him and Gohan ever since they had first met a couple days earlier. The monk and the other demi- Saiyan had been closer to his size and were not quite as intimidating as the other warriors had been.
Bulma beams at the baby as she compliments her son’s accomplishment, “Good job Trunksie!”
Stopping the aircar, Bulma puts the auto pilot on hover so they can rendezvous in midair.
Opening the door she calls to him, “Hey Krillian! Roshi called and told me you were coming.”
“Yeah I thought it would be quicker to meet you!” Shouts the small warrior over the craft’s humming engine, “Piccolo was already fighting the androids and by now Cell’s there too. It was pretty close when I left. We gotta stop it from absorbing 17 and 18!”
She passes the remote to her small friend, “This will deactivate them, but you gotta get within 10 meters of them to make sure it’s effective.”
Krillian looks down at the small device in his hand, it looks as innocent as a TV remote. “That’s pretty damn close.”
“I know but it’s the best I could do on such short notice.” She says, “The variable wave frequencies made it tough to get much range. All the frequencies have to maintain the exact same strength level together for it to work properly, I had to sacrifice distance for power level control.”
Then she informs Krillian of the worst part. “But it’s not going to be enough to just shut them down anymore. I’m afraid you‘ll have to completely destroy them after they’re deactivated. It’s the only way to be sure that Cell won’t be able to use them.”
Bulma turns to retrieve something behind her, so she fails to notice Krillian’s depressed reaction to that particular bit news. “Destroy?”
The little monk has been feeling very ambivalent about the female android ever since she had kissed him.
Bulma turns back holding out her hand there's a capsule on her open palm. “Hey can you give the guys these uniforms, too? They’re just like the prototype I made from Vegeta’s old armor. They should give you all a little more defensive protection when you do have to start fighting.”
Krillian shakes his head, “The guys aren’t at Turtle house Bulma. Goku took them all up to Kami’s retreat for some sort of special training. Why don’t you go and take them over yourself?”
“So they all went to the Lookout, huh.” She grins, that bit of information explained a lot. Like why she had felt like she was going away from her mate instead of getting closer to him as she had flown towards Roshi’s. She’d just assumed that her mate and son from the future had been training off somewhere else, which would be just like Vegeta, but now she knows better.
And Goku took Vegeta to Kami’s!!! Her old friend must trust her mate an awful lot to do such a thing. No one had ever offered to take Vegeta there before. Heck, she hadn‘t even seen it.
“I’ve never been to Kami’s palace before. It’s somewhere over on the western isthmus in the amerind lands, above Corrine’s tower, right?”
“Yeah! Once you get to the top of the tower just keep going straight up.” Krillian looks down at the device in his hands reluctantly, “I guess better go and get this over with.”
Bulma nods in agreement, “Good luck!”
“Thanks I’ll need it.” Then Krillian heads back the way he came.
Bulma turns her vehicle about and heads back in the general direction she had come, only veering slightly more to the south than her earlier route. Heading west northwest towards the forested plains across the inland sea beside West City.
Trunks and Vegeta’s year in the chamber has almost come to an end. The Prince had attained his goal quickly enough but had continued on with his training for the full time period, knowing it would help to vastly improve Trunks strength and techniques.
Vegeta had ascended and then had even gone the next step beyond that. But his strategic instincts had quickly brought to him, the realization of the inherent drawbacks of that even higher level. So he rejects using it for much of anything, for even though there is a greater strength and power in that level, the advantage is badly offset by the loss of maneuverability and speed, making it almost useless during any kind of rapid physical combat.
The boy has ascended too and Vegeta is finally satisfied by both their improvements.
They leave the chamber.
Mr. Popo is the first to realize and he excitedly shouts the news to the others. “Goku, Gohan, they’re coming out!”
Goku, who had been conferring with Piccolo and Tien about Cell’s transformation, turns and says in relief, “FINALLY!”
Trunks appears first, emerging from the shadowed recesses of the colonnade a few meters ahead of Vegeta, looking like a young godling.
During the year of their isolation, the boy has grown physically as well as in strength and power. His confidence has increased too. Taller now and more muscular, he has the regal good looks of a true Saiyan Prince. With his long grown out lavender hair pulled back in a pony tail, he’s far more imposing and confident looking.
Vegeta watches with well hidden pride, at the looks of awe Trunks inspires from the others.
The youth from the future, strides forward, and smiles at the gathered group, puzzled slightly by the fact that Piccolo and Tien are now here too, “Thanks for waiting, guys.” Then asks curiously, “What’s happened, have we missed much?”
At first, Goku’s only answers is, “It’s good to have you both back.” He glances back at Vegeta in interest, and notes that the Prince doesn’t seem quite as belligerent seeming towards the young man. Maybe more developed than just their strength and power.
But from the looks of their tattered clothing it’s still obvious they had put their time in that chamber to good use.
Goku grins a little then turns serious as he answers the youth’s question. “Unfortunately, things have gotten a lot worse since you went inside.”
Gohan has been staring wide-eyed at the other demi-Saiyan, “Hey Trunks, you’ve really changed!”
Goku nods in agreement with his son, “I’ll say, you both look fantastic, it seems like you’ve really gotten a whole lot stronger!”
Mr. Popo has been staring at them and finally manages to bring voice his own astonishment, “You stayed in the chamber for a whole day! I’ve never known anyone to that before, not even any of the Kami's could endure it that long!”
Trunks shrugs, “We probably could have come out sooner, but father wasn’t willing to leave until he was sure he had done all he could do.” Says the youth, “He insisted on training for the full year,” adding with a little bit of pride, “Even though it only took him two months to asce...”
“QUIET!” Barks Vegeta, “you’ve said more than enough already, boy. Our training is not to be discussed... Ever!”
Trunks stops, torn by indecision, but then respects his father’s wishes, with obvious reluctance.
“I.., I guess you’re just going to wait and see for yourself.”
Kakarot smirks at Vegeta. “So it worked out. I guess...”
Vegeta glares at his rival, well aware that the other Saiyan is referring to more than just the training.
He smiles ruefully, “Maybe, who knows.”
The Prince then continues, “There’s no need for you to go in there Kakarot, it‘s pointless. I’ll take care of both Cell and the androids.” He smirks confidently, “They’ll be nothing more than a mere footnote in history, once I finish with them.”
Having spent a year alone with his father, Trunks now knows the reality behind Vegeta‘s seeming show of arrogance. This is his father’s attempt to take on his fair share of the responsibility for protecting his new home, while still maintaining the semblance his pride.
Vegeta states, “There’s no need for you to even attempt the training. I doubt you could survive it anyway Kakarot. Besides I can guarantee I won’t be needing anyone’s help to dispose of the problems.” Tien protests vehemently, “You’re nothing but a fool Vegeta!”
“Watch it weakling! Do you want to die again!” Growls the Prince.
Piccolo extends a hand restraining the triclops warrior. He’s slowly becoming aware of an odd difference in the prideful Saiyan Prince. The belligerence and arrogance are still there but something else is too. It almost seems like a hunger for something.
The Namek cautions Vegeta, “Listen, I’m not sure how powerful you think you’ve become, but you shouldn’t underestimate our enemies.”
Still bristling, Tien adds, “While you were taking your sweet time in there, Cell swallowed up android 17! It’s transformed and become almost unbelievably strong. So don’t try and tell us you can handle him. You have no idea at all of what you’re up against!”
Vegeta starts to guffaw. “Ha! Ha! Ha! Clearly your attempts to defeat Cell has taken a greater toll than I realized on all of you! That's why I’m offering to dispose of him for you!”
Piccolo suddenly realizes with shock the cause of the strange sensations. Another long ignored ability has also increased dramatically since he merged with Kami.
While all Nameks are telepathic to one degree or another, both Diamoa and then Piccolo’s telepathic gifts as warriors had been fairly weak. Due to the fact that Kami had retained that talent when he and Diamoa had split apart.
Add to that his constant use of it over the centuries, as he monitored his Earthly charges, his telepathy had continued to strengthen even more and Kami had even developed a kind of empathy with the humans he protected. Now after the refusion, it seems to have bolstered Piccolo’s previously tenuous ability into the guardian’s full fledged powers.
It’s suddenly made things much more evident to the normally aloof Namek. He can actually see through Vegeta’s bravado, to what the Saiyan Prince is trying to do.
Piccolo’s newly awakened abilities cast Vegeta in a totally different light. Astonished understanding dawns in the Namek. This is the Saiyan Prince’s way of offering to join them. A way that still protects his battered and still very vulnerable pride.
Only Trunks, the now fully telepathic Piccolo and surprisingly Gohan, realize the incredible concession Vegeta is making.
Even Goku misses it, “Vegeta... I really suggest that you listen to Piccolo and Tien. I mean you’d have to triple your strength to have a chance!”
Vegeta smiles enigmatically and chuckles again.
The last two full blooded Saiyans exchange long searching stares, and suddenly Goku realizes that Vegeta has done just that and perhaps even more.
As Vegeta stares at Kakarot he feels the approach of his truemate. Bulma is very close, she almost here!
Even though he longs to take her in his arms to hold her and their child, he wishes she weren’t coming. Knowing that he must steadfastly resist that temptation her mere presence offers. Her gentleness would unman him, weaken the strength his fury has given him. But because of their bond he knows she’ll understand the reasons for his gruff distance when she appears.
Though Bulma has never been to either Kami’s Lookout or even Corrine‘s Tower, she easily follows her sense of Vegeta. It had suddenly gotten stronger and continues to do so the closer she comes to him.
Even in it’s attenuated state, it leads her unerringly. During the last part of her flight, and even with the danger they are all still facing, Bulma feels a sudden onset of exultation. She knows it’s emanating from her mate and she realizes that means he‘s succeeded in whatever he was trying to do! His triumphant feelings infect her, and out of pure exultation she playfully sends the aircar into several high speed victory rolls.
Baby Trunks giggles in glee, infected by his mother’s sudden high spirits and she laughs along with him. Then Bulma becomes more serious again, settling back down as she senses her beloved Prince’s resolve stiffening, just as Corrine's tower hoves into view.
Vegeta's small family speeds onward and upwards to Kami’s lookout.
She understands that his greeting will be cold and distant but that it‘s because he thinks he’s doing it for her and their son’s sake. But now, she doubts the efficacy of his self imposed exile. She still feels all of his angry pain and can sense what lies within her truemate’s concealed heart. She knows he‘s doing what he thinks is best for all of them but she longs hungrily for the feel of his arms about her.
Anxious to do whatever she can to help, she decides that ,at least for the moment, she won‘t tell Vegeta of her suspicions. If he thought for even a second that she was suffering with him, he might hesitate and hold back. Her own contributions to this battle are small, just the remote, and the newly finished Saiyan uniforms she is bringing for them. So she will endure the shared pain without complaint, it’s the least she can do.
Bulma frowns thoughtfully, now if Krillian can just manage to get close enough to deactivate the other two androids then maybe they’ll all have a better chance at defeating Cell.
When Bulma appears, Vegeta glares at her, anger over their separation burning out of his dark eyes. He fights the urge to go to her, but the icy shield about his heart splinters ever so slightly at the sight of her and their child.
She glares back, resisting the pain that the fire of his inner anger burns fiercely into her soul, even through the weakened bond, his emotions are still affecting her strongly. Vegeta’s anger is almost overwhelming. Even so he can still see the concern for his safety shining from her cerulean eyes.
Looking at her and their son the Prince feels like a swimmer far out at sea, glimpsing the longed for distant shore but being relentlessly pulled away by the ocean’s irresistible tide.
Bulma is his island of peace and salvation in the ocean of rage that consumes him. The babe in her arms, a promontory of hope emerging from the depths old evils and his burning fury. His heart yearns for them both, but he needs to remain apart yet a little longer.
Unable to go to Vegeta, Bulma turns her attention to the youth instead. She stares at him in astonishment, “Trunks what’s happened to you?” She rushes over to the youth and pausing to gaze up at him, “You are Trunks, that’s right, isn’t it?”
She’s amazed at the sudden change, two days ago he had been a seriously eager but unsure youth, now he’s a very determined looking young man. His lavender locks cascade in a tail down his back.
She runs her fingers through his lengthened bangs, looking up at him, “Is that a wig,.?” She tugs at the long strands, then stands on tip toe patting the top of his head measuring his height. “No, your hair has just grown out and you’ve gotten taller too.” Bulma is completely puzzled, this kind of growth doesn’t occur over the course of just a couple of days! “How did that happen?”
Trunks draws back a bit, startled by this younger Bulma’s motherly attentions and slightly bemused by it, unsure of how to act towards this timeline’s version of her.
She turns to look critically at Vegeta, “But you hair hasn‘t changed, now or ever!”
Then she glances at Goku, “And come to think of it yours never has either.”
Vegeta frowns, Bulma’s moved so close he could reach out and touch her, he steps back as he growls in response, “A full blooded Saiyan’s hair doesn’t change from the day he’s born, woman!”
Goku scratches the back of his head, “So that’s why I’ve never needed a hair cut. I’d wondered about that, but I sure wish I could get rid of these split ends!”
Bulma grins mischievously at Goku and playfully suggests, “Maybe you should try using a creme rinse when you shampoo.”
Vegeta shouts at Kakarot in irritation, “We don’t have time to discuss hair care, baka!”
Then he glares at Bulma, “Why did you come here anyway?”
Bulma, even though she’s expected his gruffness, she is still taken aback a bit by her mate’s fierce anger. Something must have happened to him, stirring awake some of the bad old memories they had worked so hard to dispel. She can see his furious defenses are fully aroused and up.
“Krillian told me you were all here. I’ve brought something that might help, or at l east give you some extra protection.” She retorts, glancing at his tattered uniform, “Looks to me like you’re needing it!”
Pulling one of the companies patented capsules out of her pocket, she activates it and tosses to the ground in front of them. A large crate appears. “It’s some new battle armor.”
She smiles at the others, “Just like Vegeta’s, it’s taken longer that I thought it would to replicate the material exactly but we finally managed it! I made enough for everybody. And you don‘t have to worry about the fit, the size is pretty flexible.”
Gohan grins, “Yeah I remember that! Hey this reminds me of being on Namek.” The boy pauses wistfully, thinking of his young Namekian friend Dende.
Trunks, Gohan and Goku eagerly don the new outfits. Bulma had turned away as they had changed their clothes to give them privacy but couldn’t resist watching Vegeta through lash veiled eyes, as he had stripped and replaced his tattered one. With awe she notices his new heavier musculature, he too had increased in size just as Trunks had, and even seems to have gotten just a bit taller.
She licks her lips, the glimpse of her mate’s body only serves to make her desire for him all the stronger. Increasing her determination, once this is over she won’t let him remain apart from her or leave her for such a useless reason ever again.
As Goku finishes dressing, he glances over at Piccolo and Tien, asking curiously, “Aren’t you guys going to put one on?"
“I’m a Namek, not a Saiyan!” Replies Piccolo curtly. “I’ll wear my own clothes.”
And Tien growls sarcastically, “I’d rather die than wear the same thing as that monster Vegeta does!”
Vegeta smirks over at him, “You already have, once three eyes. Care to try for a second?”
Tien glares in anger and clenches his fists, starting to take a step towards Vegeta.
Trunks intervenes, distracting them from arguing, saying as he pulls on his gloves, “So this is a real Saiyan battle suit!” The youth’s eyes shine with enthusiasm.
Vegeta turns to look at his rival, “You needn’t bother yourself Kakarot, I’ll dispose of Cell by myself. “
Goku grins, “It’d be great if you do. Ya want me to teleport you to him?” “I don’t need any of your help!” Sneers Vegeta just before he takes off in a flash of light.
Trunks prepares to follow. “I’d better go with father.”
But Goku stops him. “Wait a sec, Trunks! Take these, they’re you and Vegeta's share of the senzu beans. Just in case.”
“Thanks, Goku.” He says as he tucks them into his uniform’s collar. The tight stretchy material holds the two beans securely against his neck.
Just before he take offs he glances at this realities version of his mother.
Bulma’s eyes are filled with her concern, “Be careful, Trunks. Death isn’t an option,” she pauses and a worry flashes brightly in her eyes, “...for either of you.” Then she smiles at him encouragingly, “So take care of yourself and Vegeta..., for me!”
He nods in agreement, then the Saiyan youth streaks off after his father.
Vegeta is zooming towards the location he senses Cell, the enormous ki it’s emanating only serves to rouse his Saiyan battle hunger. Finally a challenge worthy of his strength!
The Saiyan Prince can barely contain his excitement. If this creature was indeed created from both his and Kakarot’s cells, then it could harbor enough power to make for a truly glorious battle.
Suddenly he hears Cell’s deafening bellows as it searches for the elusive 18 and 16.
The Prince can contain his excitement no longer and he instinctively powers up, suddenly ascending to Super Saiyan without effort.
Vegeta can sense the immensity of the creature’s power but it doesn’t daunt him in the least, the fact is, it only further arouses his thirst for battle!
The Prince knows his power has increased as well and he’s eager to test it’s full extent in a real combat, training exercises are fine but the true measure of power and strength can only be found it all out combat.
He’s fully confident he can defeat the monster.
But Vegeta had been a bit surprised by the other fighters odd reactions. They’d actually seemed to be literally terrified of Cell. Which was totally at odds with what he thought he knew about them. These same fighters who had courageously faced and fought Frieza and the androids, seemed to lack the courage to confront this creature.
And while it’s true, that Cell does have a great deal of power, it doesn’t seem as if it would be beyond their abilities to counter if they teamed up on him.
Vegeta is totally unaware of the real reasons for the z-fighters reactions. It’s not so much that they afraid as that they are in utter shock. The concept of a completely created creature, constructed from their own cells, is so repellant and unnatural for them that they cannot help their revulsion.
While as a soldier in Frieza's army, Vegeta had encountered many strange creatures, both natural and manufactured. So for the Prince, Cell is just another foe to defeat.
The Saiyan Prince senses that Trunks is trailing after him. Good that’s for the best, it will be an excellent example of what a battle hardened Saiyan truly is. It will be good learning experience for him to watch a real warrior fight. It will help the youth understand the full extent of his own strength and power. As well as teach the youth the full value of well executed battle tactics.
Back on the lookout, Goku and Gohan have entered the chamber.
A few minutes later Piccolo and Tien had felt the Prince’s power spike as he transformed into Super Saiyan. They’re both startled by his increase of strength in that form. They glance at each otherin astonishment.
Tien remarks in awe, “That’s Vegeta?”
Piccolo nods in equal wonder, “His power level is almost unbelievable!”
Bulma can feel something happening to her mate too. Her pulse starts pounding in empathy with his and she can feel his sense of anticipation growing. She guesses that Vegeta’s battle lust must be starting to rise.
Vegeta is unable to comprehend the disabling disgust that Cell’s very existence causes in the other fighters. His is a broader view of the universe, makes him see things in a different perspective, he has a more galactically cosmopolitan point of view. Although he too is disgusted by the thought of someone using his cells without permission but it’s not any kind of a disabling concept for him.
During the long years of fighting under Frieza‘s orders, he’d often encountered such artificial bio-constructs from many differing worlds and cultures. The machine mutants to name just one. So the Saiyan Prince is not handicapped by the parochial prejudices and fears of the less sophisticated Earthlings. Cell just another enemy.
But Earth’s defenders had never encountered a completely artificial bio-construct before. They can take robots, cyborgs, and even aliens in stride, but the knowledge that insect-like Cell is a completely cloned creation, made by an almost Frankensteinian genius. That it actually contains bits of their very selves and all of their strongest opponents, is horrifying beyond belief for them. Then adding the fact that it knows and has mastered all of their techniques, makes it even worse.
Finally Vegeta zeros in on his opponent, the Saiyan Prince streaks in at full speed then a stops suddenly face to face with Cell,, confronting the insectoid high above a lush peaceful island. The blasted, smoking ruins of the others in the once tranquil archipelago indicate what the ruthless monster has been doing, along with his intentions for the one below.
Cell is startled to be encounter yet another Saiyan who he thought was dead! “This can’t be! Y-you’re Vegeta!”
“Oh it can and it is.” Smirks the Saiyan Prince. “And you must be Cell!” .
“You're still alive!? How odd!” But the creature recovers from his shock quickly and shrugs it off. “Oh well, just one more on the list for me to kill I guess. It doesn’t matter that much.”
“It matters monster, from everything I’ve heard, I thought you’d be much more formidable. And even though it’s obvious where you got your strength from, it’s a shame Gero didn’t give you my good looks too. Are you sure there wasn’t a data download malfunction during your creation? No one would make something as ugly as you are on purpose!”
At first Cell in amused that Vegeta would even dare to challenge him. But the Saiyan Prince’s insults hit home and the creature begins to get irritated.
Then when Vegeta orders Cell to land it really starts to infuriate the creature. He follows the Saiyan Prince down and they land facing off from each other.
“I hope you’re not going to do something ridiculous like telling me you're going to defeat me.” Says Cell dryly, “I have far more important things to do than listen to groundless threats from a mere Saiyan!”
“Oh they are not groundless, but I plan on doing more that just defeating you. I’m no bleeding heart like Kakarot!” States Vegeta.
Suddenly Cell’s attention is drawn to yet another figure’s arrival. What in the hell is going on here? It seems as if yet another dead Saiyan has suddenly reappeared! Cell knows this is utterly impossible, he’s already killed this one! It can’t possibly be..., Trunks! But sure in the hell looks like him!
Cell looks back at Vegeta, “So you’re not alone, anymore reinforcements coming? I can wait, not that it matters how many of your friends show up. I’ve killed Trunks once already, doing it a second time will make no difference to me.” Then Cell grins ironically, “How about that two demi-Saiyans for the price of one.”
“He’s only here to watch,” retorts the Prince, “I alone will suffice to take care of you Cell.” But Vegeta had heard the rest of the monster’s words, ‘Killed Trunks? Then that must be how Cell had gotten a hold of the boy’s time machine. Did this creature kill this Trunks sometime in his future? Or is it possible that there is yet another reality, another timeline? What ever the truth, it’s obvious that some where, some when Cell has raised his hand in violence against a member of Vegeta’s family!
Saiyan honor demands that the Prince seek vengeance for that lost son from whatever time or reality. “No one attacks my family and survives, I hope you’re prepared for the next dimension Cell.”
“I’m growing rather weary of your stupid jokes.” Answers Cell grinning nastily, “Like you’re capable of even fighting me let alone killing me.”
“I am fully capable of your destruction but I don’t just intend to just kill you, Cell. First I plan on wiping that stupid grin off your face before I even start to destroy you.” Retorts the Prince coldly. “Then I will enjoy tearing you completely apart and pulverizing the pieces until there is nothing left of your ugly carcass!”
Vegeta’s smirk grows wider, “Now watch carefully monster, and see the birth of a power that has not been revealed in thousands of years!”
Then the Prince begins to power up even higher. His aura flares from yellow to gold to blinding white. His veins pop out as his muscles bulge and swell. He screams with the painful effort of his ascendance.
A rumble rises from the ground and grows louder as the earth beneath their feet begins to tremble and shake from the overflow of the Prince’s increased energy output. The surrounding rocks start groan as they begin vibrating in sympathy then shatter explosively.
Trunks who had taken his father’s usual crossed arm stance a little ways off to watch, is startled out of it when he realizes what is occurring. “He’s changing into that already!?”
Up in Kami’s temple Piccolo and Tien are shocked by the sudden unexpected growth in Vegeta’s power. When they had felt his initial power up enroute they had assumed that it was his apex. Since it was so much stronger than what he had been before.
Now they are aware of their apparent mistake! And the Prince’s power level is still in the process of rising!
Bulma can sense something incredible is happening to her truemate. But her empathy with Vegeta is just that, empathy and the look of shock on her two companions’ faces worries her.
She is unable to sense or ‘see’ the events that are occurring on Earth, like they can.
Concern for him and the strange son of theirs from the future makes her nervously clutch their infant child as she asks worriedly, “Hey guys? What’s happened to Vegeta, is Trunks alright?”
Not getting an answer from either, she moves closer to them, “Come on fellas, talk to me. How about some commentary for the cheap seats!!”
Piccolo glances over at her, as his eyes catch hers sudden comprehension dawns in the Namek warrior now fused with the old guardian.
The green warrior is startled once again by his new psychic strengths. It seems that when Piccolo had merged with Kami he had suddenly gained all of his alter ego’s powers. Now he can feel the impact of her thoughts, and even her human emotions. It seems as if the fusion with Kami has increased much more than just his muscular and battle strength, Piccolo’s just starting to fully understand ALL the implications of it. He’s becoming almost as perceptive as Kami had been. He’s even is beginning to understand and even feel the full depths of human emotion. That is definitely something that he gotten directly from the old guardian. Merging with his older alter ego has left behind an unexpected ghost, the spirit that had inspired Kami’s guardianship, to awaken within Piccolo.
He had know vaguely before that Bulma and Vegeta were linked psychically somehow but now he suddenly knows the full strength of their bonding. That despite all the apparent hostility and their angry dissembling in front of the others, just how really close she and her Saiyan mate truly are. He answers her reassuringly, reading for the first time that they’ve been apart and seeing the reason why.
“They’ve found Cell but the fight hasn’t started yet.” He tells her gently, “Vegeta’s just powered up, he’s gotten much bigger and stronger.”
Bulma smiles in relief, at Piccolo’s confirmation of what she had sensed.
“Now we just have to wait and see what happens.” says the Namek.
Tien unaware of Piccolo’s new insight, responds vehemently, “No I can’t wait. There’s no way Vegeta can beat Cell alone!”
Piccolo moves towards the edge of the lookout, “We have to let him try!” As he reaches the edge, and gazes down his cloak and turban rematerializes. “Vegeta’s determined to prove himself to us all. We need to give him his chance.”
Because of his new sensitivity he now realizes just how much Vegeta’s heart has really changed. The Saiyan is no longer the callous blood-thirsty warrior that had attacked Earth just a few short years ago. Bulma’s love and acceptance has affected the arrogant Saiyan Prince far more than any of them had ever suspected.
And King Kai must have known that such an occurrence was possible, that was why he had pushed Bulma to accept Vegeta, to take him in, along with the Nameks way back then. She has gentled the Saiyan’s savage soul, healed his injured heart and soothed his burning anger. Beauty had tamed the beast. Bringing out the Prince’s long protected, hidden nobility, her unconditional love reached out and found his true long lost heroic spirit.
Vegeta is doing this now so he could prove his worth to them all. Piccolo suddenly guesses the truth, that the Prince longs to join in, at least at the edges, of the tight knit group of Earth’s defenders. He wishes for their camaraderie even as he denies it. Piccolo finally senses the depths of Saiyan Prince’s loneliness.
The Namek pauses and looks down at the Earth, “All right Vegeta, now it’s your turn. Show us what a pure blooded Saiyan warrior is truly capable of!”
Vegeta is fully powered up. He glares at Cell and the smirk becomes evil looking smile with a savage glint in his eye.
Cell is taken aback by the immense ki that the Saiyan Prince is now radiating.
This is getting more and more confusing for the creature. Now not only is he facing a Saiyan who is supposed to be dead, but one that is far more powerful than records ever indicated he was. What’s happened to this timeline? Saiyans who should be dead showing up alive, far stronger than they should be, with techniques that he doesn’t have a single shred of information on!
Cell steps back warily as Vegeta starts towards him.
The Saiyan Prince charges and hits the creature with a stunning blow to the stomach followed by a left cross to the chin.
Cell, totally surprised at the Saiyan’s increased speed and strength, is literally thrown for a loop.
He lands yards away flat on his back. As Vegeta strides towards him, in a single motion Cell flips back up onto his feet.
The creature begins fighting back in sudden desperation, Vegeta’s power is much greater than his data history indicates than it should be. Somehow this Saiyan Prince is far stronger than he ever should have been. Not only has he survived but his power has increased dramatically.
Vegeta ducks aside from the blow from Cell’s oncoming fist and grabs it‘s arm. Using the creature’s own momentum to flip him over his shoulder flinging Cell violently into the ground. The Prince follows up with a left kick that impacts Cell as he began to struggle to his feet.
The kick sends Cell flying into a nearby rock outcropping, shattering it and flinging him with still enough impetus to imbed him into the cliff face behind.
Cell struggles out of the rocks, “I see you really want to fight.”
Vegeta follows and lands in front of Cell then sneers, “I thought we were fighting? Don’t hold back on my account.”
Cell wipes the back of his hands across his face. Then barks a short sharp laugh before raising his power level.
Vegeta watches unimpressed. “Is that it? Quite an improvement I suppose, but not good enough.”
Trunks looks on and comments aloud to himself, “Father’s won.”
Unbeknownst to the two fighters or the watching demi-Saiyan , they have had an audience. The two androids had been watching everything from concealment. 18 had been stunned by the change in Vegeta‘s power level. Now that audience increases by one more as Krillian arrives drawn by the sensations of Vegeta's power output.
The little monk hovers high above the island, watching the combatants from a bird‘s eye view. He notices the change in Cell immediately. “Kami has it completed itself already?”
Dismayed, he glances down at the remote he holds in his hand, “If it has this thing is useless!”
Then instead of fear his mind goes back to the petite blonde 18 and an odd feeling floods through Krillian, a strange melancholy.
Meanwhile Cell now powered up punches Vegeta.
The blow snaps Vegeta's head aside but otherwise barely budges the Prince.
Vegeta slowly turns his face back towards Cell, a trickle of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. “Heh!” He wipes it away with the back of his glove. “I guess that is all you’ve got. My training did exceed your power. Too bad.”
Cell is struggling with disbelief, in his world Vegeta had already been slain, by the weaker of the two androids! The Saiyan Prince had been strong but not this strong. Here this Vegeta has far more power than even Cell does after absorbing 17! Whatever happened it has altered this timeline drastically! The creature stares in shock at the Saiyan warrior standing before him.
“Im-impossible... you’re not Vegeta, you can’t be?! My data never indicated you were this strong.”
“That’s what you get for trying to depend on cold facts. I’m still Vegeta but the new improved version.” The Prince smirks largely and jerks his thumb towards himself. “You can all me Super Vegeta!”
To be continued.....
Go to Chapter Eight- Princes Against Cell
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