The moment Perilla entered the lab, she analyzed it. Decoded its structure. Shorted the buried bombs. Turned them into scrap.

  "You—when did you gain this power?! Impossible! You're just an experiment!"

  The Android's fear was palpable. The data said she couldn't do this.

  "Oh? You don't know I became a deity. Makes sense. I've been jamming Gero's micro-drones for years. You couldn't spy on me. But you watched Bulma. Found out about the Time Machine. And you focused on Gohan and Trunks. Never noticed me change."

  Perilla smiled.

  The Android roared. "Damn you, Twelve! I'll—"

  He lunged. Hit an afterimage.

  Perilla appeared behind him. One finger to his neck. "Seal."

  He froze.

  "What did you—why can't I move?!"

  "Quiet. Let me see your memories."

  She pressed her hand to his head. Read him.

  As expected. Cell. Fused from the cells of warriors. Strength matches canon. But in the original timeline, Cell killed Trunks years later and regressed to travel back. Here, the computer calculated First Form Cell couldn't beat Trunks. So they stole the Time Machine instead. Even built this Android to do it.

  "I see. Cell—the Android fused from all warriors' cells. But he needs to absorb 17 and 18 to reach Perfect Form."

  The Android laughed. "You're scared! Twelve, you only have Saiyan genes! Cell has everyone's cells! His Perfect Form surpasses your imagination!"

  Bulma paled.

  Perilla smirked. "Your data's outdated. Even Cell's Perfect Form? Vegeta could fight him now. Good thing I kept them off-world. You couldn't gather intel. Made a fatal miscalculation."

  "Impossible! You're lying!"

  "Goodbye."

  ZAP.

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  The Android disintegrated.

  Bulma fidgeted. "Cell went to the past. Will he cause catastrophic damage?!"

  "Don't know. But I'm going after him."

  "How? The Time Machine's—wait. You're going to—"

  If she can construct spaceships from blueprints, she can construct a Time Machine.

  "You figured it out. Also, mortals tampering with time is a crime. As Apprentice Kai, arresting Cell's my job."

  "Wait—making a Time Machine is a crime too?"

  "No. And relax. Rules are flexible. I'll look the other way. But Bulma? Upgrade your security. Your basement didn't even have cameras."

  "...Fine."

  I've been so busy with the Hero Committee. Didn't think Androids would target it.

  "Don't be like a certain Superman's lab. Public restroom vibes. Anyone walks in and out."

  "Who's Superman?"

  "Long story. He's a scientist. You'd have lots to talk about. Anyway, let's search this place first."

  "Shouldn't we hurry?"

  "Time Machine lets us visit any point. We're fine. Oh, let me introduce you to someone. Another kind-hearted Android who was sealed away."

  "Like you?"

  Bulma's curiosity sparked.

  Perilla led her to a capsule. "16" marked on it.

  She opened it. Inside—orange hair, green armor, black bodysuit, white socks, green boots.

  The man's eyes opened. "You're... Twelve?"

  Perilla extended her hand. "I'm Twelve. Call me Perilla. I don't like Gero's numbers. You're free now, Sixteen."

  He shook her hand. Memories flooded his mind.

  "This is your ability? So Son Goku's dead... If only I'd woken sooner. I could've stopped 17 and 18."

  They destroyed lives. They destroyed nature.

  "The world's mostly repaired now. Dragon Balls, you know. Think about what you want to do."

  "What I want...?"

  Goku's dead. What's my purpose?

  "If you're lost, join Bulma's Hero Committee. But hide that you're an Android. People still have PTSD."

  "Understood. Thank you."

  Sixteen bowed politely. Bulma hesitated, then nodded.

  If Perilla trusts him...

  Perilla used Teleportation. Moved Gero's entire lab to Bulma's basement.

  "I'll use Gero's tech to create Androids who protect Earth."

  Perilla borrowed the Time Machine blueprints. Constructed one instantly.

  "You're really going alone? Not calling Gohan?"

  She doesn't know about Pseudo God Form. Still thinks Gohan's the strongest.

  "I'm cautious. Wouldn't go without certainty. See you!"

  The hatch closed. The Time Machine vanished.

  Main Timeline.

  Z-Fighters stared at Cell. Golden aura. Lightning crackling.

  Krillin groaned. "Vegeta, you idiot! Trunks can be revived with Dragon Balls, but you had to charge in! Now Gohan's hurt!"

  Teen Gohan—Super Saiyan 2—clutched his limp arm. Saved Vegeta. Lost my arm.

  Cell grinned. Lucky me. Not only did I surpass my calculated peak, I crippled Gohan.

  After arriving in this timeline, I laid low. 17 and 18 were different than expected, but I absorbed them. Reached Perfect Form. Got cocky like Vegeta. Teen Gohan surpassed Super Saiyan. Beat me half to death. I tried to self-destruct. Goku teleported me away. Only killed him and a few nobodies. But I revived stronger. Lightning Form.

  "Hahaha! Looks like I win! Son Gohan, with one arm, can you still fight me—someone beyond Super Saiyan?!"

  Gohan smiled bitterly. My odds aren't good.

  Then—

  "Found you, Cell."

  A Time Machine materialized. The hatch opened.

  A silver-haired girl jumped out.

  Cell's triumph cracked. Panic flashed. "Twelve?! Why are you here?!"

  Twelve?

  The Z-Fighters exchanged glances. Android 12?

  ~~~~??~~~~~~~~??~~~~

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