Lightning Cell believed himself invincible. Even back in his original timeline.

  But seeing Perilla arrive—something twisted in his gut. "Why are you here?!"

  "Isn't it obvious? To arrest you. Mortals tampering with time is a crime. As Apprentice Kai, I'm here to take you in. Resist, and I'll destroy you."

  Cell laughed. "Destroy me? Hahaha! Are you delusional, Twelve?! You're an outdated model! I'm Dr. Gero's latest, strongest, ultimate Android! I've surpassed my peak! Reached my ultimate form! You think you can—"

  "Why does everyone call me outdated? I'm only a decade older than you. And lightning aura? I can do that too."

  Perilla roared. Her aura exploded.

  The Z-Fighters gasped. Her Ki—it's a mix of Goku, Vegeta, Raditz, and Nappa! And it's stronger than Cell! Stronger than Gohan!

  Cell's confidence shattered. "Impossible! You're an old model! How—"

  "Training. Unlike you, I don't rely on absorbing others to get stronger."

  Cell snarled. Lunged. Threw a flurry of punches and kicks.

  Perilla dodged. Effortlessly. Like a ghost.

  "Impossible! The computer said I'm the strongest! I'm the strongest!"

  Perilla caught his fist. "Factory settings? Sure, you were. But settings don't mean I can't upgrade myself. I don't need to absorb others."

  She drove a fist into his face. CRACK. Then kicked his gut. He cratered into the ground.

  "She's so strong! Cell's not even close!"

  Krillin's jaw dropped.

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  Piccolo sensed her Ki. Is she... a Kai?

  Perilla landed beside Teen Gohan. "You're this timeline's Gohan. You reached Super Saiyan 2 at this age. Impressive."

  "You know me?"

  "The Gohan in my timeline trains with me. He just broke through SSJ2 recently—your current form."

  So this is just the beginning?

  Perilla raised her hand. Soft light enveloped Gohan's arm. Healing Technique. The injury vanished.

  "There. Your arm's fine. Finish Cell yourself."

  Gohan flexed his restored arm. Confidence surged. He powered up. Glared at Cell.

  Cell staggered to his feet. Blood dripped from his mouth. One punch. One kick. Nearly killed me.

  "Damn it! DAMN IT!"

  He charged at Perilla and Gohan.

  Gohan met him head-on.

  With both arms, the fight turned even.

  They clashed mid-air. Vanished. Reappeared. Collided. Too fast for anyone but Perilla to track.

  "So fast! Is this beyond Super Saiyan?!"

  "I can't see anything!"

  Yamcha fidgeted.

  Perilla spoke calmly. "Relax. Cell surpassed Super Saiyan, but Gohan—fueled by rage—has the edge."

  As predicted—Gohan thought of his father. Killed by Cell. His aura flared.

  Cell faltered. Perilla's earlier hits weakened me.

  Gohan found an opening. Knee to the gut. Cell flew backward.

  "This time, I won't hold back! KAMEHAMEHA!"

  Gohan poured everything into his hands. A massive wave erupted.

  Cell fired back. But he was too weak.

  The beams collided. Cell's wave buckled.

  "Go, Gohan!"

  "Avenge Goku!"

  "Finish him!"

  The Z-Fighters cheered.

  Cell stared at the approaching wave. Am I... losing?

  Then—

  Space tore open.

  A black Dragon Ball—pulsing with dark energy—shot out. Latched onto Cell.

  His aura turned black. His Power Level exploded.

  He reversed the Kamehameha.

  "What?!"

  Gohan dodged. Barely.

  Cell used Instant Transmission. Appeared in front of him.

  "What—"

  WHAM. Fist to the gut. Gohan gasped. Reverted to base form.

  Cell grabbed his hair. Laughed. "I don't know what happened, but I've surpassed myself again! Die, Son Gohan!"

  He tossed Gohan into the air. Raised his hand. Fired a blast.

  Perilla teleported. Caught the unconscious Gohan. Crushed Cell's blast with one hand.

  Her expression turned grave.

  A Dark Dragon Ball. At the worst possible moment.

  If I ranked Dragon Balls—Super Dragon Balls are first. Dark Dragon Balls are second. Created by a Namekian Kami corrupted by a Demon God. After granting a wish, they scatter across parallel timelines. Fuse with evil beings. Massively boost their power.

  Cell isn't the problem. The Demon God behind the Dark Dragon Balls is. If he shows up, I can't win.

  "Hahaha! Scared now, Twelve?! Since you looked down on me, I'll start with you!"

  Cell's aura turned black. His eyes glowed crimson.

  The Z-Fighters' hearts sank. He knocked out SSJ2 Gohan in one hit. How strong is he now?!

  ~~~~??~~~~~~~~??~~~~

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