Hiding in that van had already made Android 17 feel incredibly stifled.
Now that the van had been flipped by Cell's invisible energy, 17 could no longer endure it. He burst through the van's chassis and charged out.
Androids 16 and 18 no longer hesitated either, soaring into the sky. The three of them landed steadily, appearing not far from where Cell stood.
Cell was stunned for several seconds, staring blankly at the three figures who had flown out of the van. He felt as if happiness had come far too suddenly.
17! 18!
Cell: "????"
When Cell saw 16, his eyes were filled with confusion.
Who is this Android?
From the Red Ribbon Army logo on his chest, he should also be an Android created by Dr. Gero.
Never mind him; he's just an obsolete model anyway.
Cell was truly ecstatic.
I've been looking everywhere for you three; I never expected my luck to be this good.
Cell stepped toward the three Androids, drawing closer and closer.
"Hmph, monster! You're too arrogant!" 17 snorted, glaring at Cell.
Cell gave a light smile, and the tail behind him twitched slightly, lunging toward 17.
17 was startled and quickly dodged at high speed. However, how could 17 possibly be a match for Cell?
BAM!
17's arm was seized by Cell, who slammed him heavily into the ground.
SPLAT...
Blood sprayed from 17's mouth.
"Become one with me, my brother!" Cell laughed maniacally, preparing to absorb 17 into his body.
BAM!
At the critical moment, 16 threw a powerful punch that landed directly on Cell's cheek.
Cell's head tilted slightly. He momentarily released 17, then looked at 16 with a smile.
16's expression was one of shock.
A direct punch, and he's completely unfazed?
"Who... who on earth are you?" 17 gritted his teeth as he climbed up from the ground, glaring at Cell.
"Heh heh heh," Cell gave a triumphant smile. "I am also an Android created by Dr. Gero. My name is Cell, and I have yet to reach my Perfect Form!"
"What... what did you say? An Android?" 17 was taken aback.
16's brow furrowed slightly. 18's face turned pale.
How did another Android suddenly appear?
"I am the Android Cell, created by a computer. The computer told me that only by absorbing 17 and 18 can I reach my Perfect Form," Cell said with a confident smile. "Brothers, you should feel honored! By becoming part of my body, you will become an invincible, powerful Android! This has been Dr. Gero's dream for many years!"
"Absorb?" 18 looked disgusted.
Especially recalling the scene of the girl being absorbed by Cell earlier, 18 couldn't help but shiver.
It's too revolting!
"I won't be absorbed by an ugly freak like you!" 17's expression was grim as he snorted.
"I knew you'd say that, but since I've finally run into you here, I naturally can't let you go!" Cell's mouth curled up, his smile becoming even more reckless.
"17! 18! Run, quickly! I'll stop him! We must not let him reach his Perfect Form!" 16 said, immediately charging forward without hesitation and throwing a punch at Cell.
Looking at the charging 16, Cell gave a disdainful smile and delivered a direct elbow strike to his body. 16 was instantly knocked to the ground.
"Hmph, an obsolete piece of junk looking for death!" Cell sneered, lunging his tail forward and stabbing it directly into 16's chest, beginning to absorb his life essence.
SPIT!
In the next moment, Cell spat out a mouthful of machine oil.
What the hell...
What is this stuff?
"Damn it! He's a fully mechanical robot!" Cell looked disgusted and quickly pulled his tail back.
16 seized Cell's tail and let out a roar, swinging his body and trying to slam him heavily into the ground. But before doing so, 16 didn't forget a very important matter.
"17, 18, what are you two just standing there for? Get out of here, run as far as you can!" 16 shouted loudly. "You have no Ki signatures; he can't find you at all!"
BAM!
16 exerted all his strength. And then... nothing happened.
With 16's strength, he couldn't even budge Cell's body. Cell just stood there calmly, sneering continuously.
"Hmph, I told you, none of you are getting away!" Cell's smile grew more disdainful as he reached out and aimed his hand at 16's head from a distance.
16 was instantly horrified.
BOOM!
Energy erupted from Cell's hand, striking 16 directly in the head. With a loud explosion, 16 was sent flying backward, crashing heavily to the ground.
When he looked again, 16's head was smoking, and a lot of machine oil was leaking out. 17 and 18 were completely terrified.
"Heh heh heh, I told you, you're just an obsolete robot. You're lucky you weren't killed on the spot," Cell mocked. He ignored 16 and looked with interest at 17, then at 18.
Which one should I absorb first?
"18, run!" 17 didn't hesitate for a second, immediately charging toward Cell.
"17!" 18 cried out repeatedly.
"Get out of here!" 17 shouted, throwing himself at Cell without looking back.
"Hmph, a guy delivering himself to my door. Then I'll start by absorbing you," Cell was ecstatic.
He was just about to find something to eat, and a buffet had delivered itself. This was simply too good.
At the Lookout.
"Over there... there's an evil Ki fluctuation. Is it that guy Cell?" Krillin had long since sensed Cell's powerful Ki and couldn't help but turn to ask Mr. Popo.
"It's him..." Mr. Popo nodded, his face pale. He said grimly, "Those two Androids... are about to be absorbed by Cell!"
"What... what did you say? Does the Androids you mentioned... include 18?" Krillin was stunned, his expression shifting repeatedly.
"Why haven't Lord Kami and Mr. Goku returned yet?" Mr. Popo sighed softly.
Krillin gritted his teeth and immediately leaped down from the Lookout.
"Krillin, where are you going?" Mr. Popo shouted loudly.
However, Krillin no longer had the patience to explain. A brilliant light erupted from his body as he flew rapidly toward the city.
"Haven't Vegeta and Trunks come out yet?" Mr. Popo grew increasingly anxious.
BAM!
17's punch landed heavily on Cell. Cell didn't even bother to dodge, taking 17's punch head-on as if it were nothing.
"You... you..." 17 was completely stunned.
"Is this your attack, 17?" Cell gave a cold smile and shook his head in disappointment. "I'm starting to have my doubts now. You're so weak; even if I absorb you, how much stronger will I actually get?"
Did the computer program get it wrong?
Making me absorb such weak Androids!
Can I really become stronger?
Never mind, it's a free buffet; might as well eat.
"Then I won't be polite." Cell clapped his hands together, directly pinning 17's shoulders with both hands.
The immense strength instantly left 17 unable to move. 17 struggled desperately to no avail, his face turning pale.
"I'm going to absorb you now. Are you mentally prepared?" Cell's smile grew more radiant as the tip of his tail expanded like a trumpet flower and clamped down over 17's head.
"18! Why aren't you running?" 17 shouted loudly.
18 no longer hesitated and turned to fly into the sky. But immediately after, 18 returned, helping the injured 16 up and taking him into the sky.
"Naive. If you ran by yourself, you might actually have a chance—though the probability is only 0.01%. But by taking the injured 16, you don't even have that 0.01% chance anymore." Cell gave 18 a flat look and ignored her, focusing intently on absorbing 17.
17 continued to struggle with all his might, but it was completely useless.
GULP...
Cell quickly absorbed 17 into his body. Instantly, a brilliant light erupted from Cell. Immense energy surged wildly from him. At the same time, Cell's body rapidly transformed.
In just a few seconds, Cell completed his transformation after absorbing 17, becoming his Semi-Perfect Form.
Afterward, Cell silently felt the changes in his body and the powerful energy surging within him, his expression growing more exhilarated. At this moment, Cell felt that his strength should have already surpassed that guy Vegeta.
You think just because you dyed your hair red, I, Cell, can't beat you?
Vegeta, just you wait!
But just to be safe, he should reach his Perfect Form as soon as possible. He couldn't let 18 get away.
WHOOSH!
Cell transformed into a streak of light. In a few flashes, he appeared directly in front of 18 and 16, blocking their path. 18 and 16 braked hard in mid-air, their expressions shifting repeatedly.
"Tsk tsk... this speed is even surprising to me!" Cell marveled, becoming increasingly excited. "My strength already far surpassed yours, and now that I've absorbed 17, my power has multiplied who knows how many times!"
16 was no longer able to fight, machine oil still leaking from his head. 18 was terrified, knowing it would be difficult to escape his clutches, so she stopped trying to run.
"18, now it's your turn. Let me absorb you quickly so I can reach my Perfect Form," Cell chuckled.
FLASH!
18 immediately pressed her hand to her chest, her face becoming exceptionally solemn as she said coldly, "Stay away from me, or I'll self-destruct right now."
Cell's expression shifted slightly.
"If I die, it won't be good for you, will it?" 18's attitude was resolute.
"18, can you hear this voice?" Cell had a sudden idea and immediately mimicked 17's voice. "18, it's 17! After merging with Cell, I feel absolutely fantastic! A sensation of pleasure like never before is coursing through my body! You should be absorbed by him as soon as possible too, so we can become eternal life forms! And we can be together forever!"
18: "..."
18's face darkened.
"Don't be fooled, 18!" 16 gritted his teeth. "That's just Cell mimicking 17's voice."
"Don't meddle in things that don't concern you!" Cell gave 16 a flat look. "How could a robot like you understand our feelings? 18, don't hesitate anymore. You and 17 are a pair! Come into my body, and I'll let you be together forever."
"Hmph, are you an idiot? 17 and I are twin siblings!" 18 was shaking with rage.
Cell: "..."
Well, that's awkward.
"Besides, we've already betrayed Dr. Gero, who modified us at will. I'll never do anything for Dr. Gero again!" 18 said righteously.
Cell: "..."
This 18 is really stubborn.
"Hmph, even if you're unwilling, I'm still going to absorb you." Cell grew a bit impatient and snorted. "You need time to charge up before you can detonate your bomb, right? I'm fast enough to stop you from self-destructing! Try it if you think you can!"
18 remained silent, cold sweat continuously trickling down her face.
"Heh heh heh, you'd better give up now!" Cell gave a disdainful smile.
"Cell, I'm over here!"
Suddenly, someone shouted from the sky. Cell was taken aback and instinctively looked up. 16 and 18 also looked up and were shocked to see that the person in the sky was that bald guy, Krillin.
Cell, 16, and 18 were all a bit stunned.
Why did this guy come here?
What are you doing here?
Don't tell me you want to join the fight?
With your level of strength... you might as well just go home and sleep.
"Solar Flare!"
Krillin placed both hands beside his face and unleashed a Solar Flare toward Cell's position. Cell's pupils shrank violently, turning white instantly. 18 and 16 were also blinded by the intense light.
Krillin's move was simply too slick. He had unleashed a group-wide attack.
You could have at least given us a heads-up.
Krillin looked delighted and immediately flew down quietly, grabbing 18's hand and whispering, "Follow me!"
18 nodded obediently. Immediately after, Krillin grabbed 16 with his other hand. Then, Krillin quickly led the two away from the scene and found a place to hide.
By the time Cell's vision returned, Krillin, 16, and 18 had vanished. Cell's face turned as black as coal, his expression exceptionally grim.
"It's that bastard Krillin!" Cell was shaking with rage.
If it were Vegeta or Trunks doing this, I'd accept it.
The problem is, I, the great Cell, was actually toyed with by a guy who's practically a weakling.
Cell grew more furious the more he thought about it. He immediately took to the sky, looking around and searching everywhere for the three of them.
But where could he find them?
Krillin had long since hidden his Ki and found a place to hunker down. Since 16 and 18 were Androids, they had no Ki fluctuations, so Cell couldn't sense their presence and could only search with his eyes.
"Damn it! That bald Krillin!" Cell was in a towering rage, trying to force himself to calm down.
After weighing his options for a moment, Cell felt that Krillin couldn't have taken those two very far. If they flew into the sky, Krillin would inevitably unleash his Ki, and I would definitely sense it. So they must be somewhere in this city, not far away.
"Hmph, you think I have no way to deal with you?" Cell hovered high in the sky, taking a deep breath and puffing out his chest.
In a certain basement.
By now, Krillin had led 16 and 18 into this dark basement.
"Don't worry, this place is very well-hidden. Cell will never find us," Krillin said to the two Androids with a smile.
"Thank you for saving me," 18 was deeply moved.
"Thank you," 16 also nodded in gratitude.
"It's nothing... I just did what I could. But I'm no match for that Cell; now we can only pray that he leaves soon." Krillin was still shaken; his mouth twitched at the thought of what had just happened.
I was so brave just now!
My brain must have short-circuited.
I almost lost my life for a robot.
Mainly because Goku and Vegeta aren't here right now.
Wouldn't it be better to just have Bulma make a robot?
Goku, it's all your fault for saying 18 and I were a good match.
"But will Cell really leave?" 16's voice was low.
"16, say less; you're leaking oil," 18 quickly advised.
16: "..."
Krillin: "..."
The two looked at each other in silence.
"18! Krillin! Listen to me, get out here right now! If you don't, I'll destroy this city!" Cell shouted at the top of his lungs.
Cell's voice was very loud and had strong penetration; it passed through the basement and reached them. Krillin and the others were horrified.
"I'm not bluffing. You must think that if I destroy 18, I won't be able to reach my Perfect Form, right?" Cell snorted and continued to shout. "I do want to reach my Perfect Form, but right now, I'm already number one in the universe! Even that guy Vegeta is no match for me!"
"What should we do? This is bad," 18 clenched her fists tightly.
"Don't worry!" Krillin gritted his teeth and whispered. "Let's just stay here quietly. Even if he wants to destroy the city, he won't use too much power! This basement is very sturdy; it's said to have been built as a doomsday shelter and can even withstand a nuclear bomb!"
"How did you find this place?" 18 asked curiously.
"I heard about it by chance while I was out a year ago," Krillin scratched his bald head and replied with a smile.
"Cell probably wants to reach his Perfect Form and won't release a large-scale energy blast to destroy this place. Maybe we really can escape," 16 mused.
At the Lookout.
CREAK...
The heavy doors slowly opened. Vegeta and Trunks walked out of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, one after the other.
Seeing Vegeta and Trunks appear, Mr. Popo quickly went up to greet them and told them everything about Cell finding the Androids.
"What? Cell is still alive?" Trunks was slightly taken aback.
"Yes... he has Piccolo's cells, so his body can regenerate," Mr. Popo nodded.
"Hmph, so, has he reached his Perfect Form yet?" Vegeta's mouth curled up as he asked with a smile.
"Not yet... but he's already absorbed 17 and reached his Semi-Perfect Form," Mr. Popo replied. "He wanted to absorb 18 too, but Krillin went down and found a way to save 18 and 16."
"Mr. Krillin?" Trunks was a bit surprised. "How did he do it?"
"Krillin unleashed a Solar Flare and took the opportunity to lead 16 and 18 away," Mr. Popo replied.
"That's impressive, Mr. Krillin," Trunks said with a smile.
"Trunks, how are you? Have you learned Vegeta's Super Saiyan God transformation?" Mr. Popo asked Trunks, glancing at Vegeta as he spoke.
"Yes," Trunks nodded confidently.
"Go and help them quickly!" Mr. Popo urged. "Cell is about to destroy the city where Krillin and the others are hiding; they might be in danger."
"I understand, I'm going right now!" Trunks' expression grew more solemn.
"Let's go, Trunks," Vegeta said without wasting words, taking to the sky.
"Wait for me, Father!" Trunks followed him into the sky, waving goodbye to Mr. Popo as he left.
WHOOSH!
The two transformed into two bright streaks of light, flying rapidly toward Cell's location.
"Hey, get out here! Come out! You little bald guy and 18!" Cell shouted at the top of his lungs, truly furious.
After shouting for a long time, 18 still hadn't responded or shown any sign of coming out.
"Still not coming out, what a pain!" Cell bared his teeth and pressed his hand down, an energy blast erupting from his palm.
BOOM!
The energy blast struck the city below. With an earth-shattering explosion, a massive mushroom cloud rose over the city. The energy aftershocks expanded outward in layer after layer. The city was quickly reduced to dust.
Luckily, the place Krillin had found was relatively safe. The basement, known as a doomsday shelter, withstood the onslaught of Cell's energy blast. Even so, cracks appeared throughout the shelter, and it nearly shattered.
Krillin was trembling with fear and stepped forward to hug 18 tightly.
18: "..."
I strongly suspect you're taking advantage of me on purpose.
However, 18 was still somewhat moved. Such a weak person had risked his life to save her. If it weren't for Krillin, she might have already been absorbed by Cell and become part of his body.
Thinking of this, 18 gently patted Krillin's back.
"It's okay, luckily you found such a good place," 18 comforted him with a smile.
To be continued…
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