The morning sun rose over a quiet, sleepy town nestled between hills and forests. Birds chirped, shops opened their shutters, and the peace was only disturbed by the sudden screeching of tires and the roar of a red convertible tearing down the main street.
Android 17 was behind the wheel, shades on, elbow resting on the door like he owned the road. Android 18 lounged in the passenger seat, flipping through a magazine she had "borrowed" from a gas station. In the back seat sat the hulking Android 16—silent, stoic, knees pulled close to his chest because the car was clearly not built for his size.
Android 17 (grinning):"Who knew human tech could be this fun? These things are loud, inefficient, and absolutely pointless—but man, I love it!"
Android 18 (without looking up):"We've been flying across the continent at Mach speeds, and now you want to play joyrider? What are we even doing, 17?"
Android 17 (shrugging):"We're on a journey, 18. A scenic route to Goku. Besides, what's the rush? He's not going anywhere."
Android 16 (softly):"...Son Goku resides in Mount Paozu. Direct coordinates—"
Android 17 (cutting him off):"No, no, no. Don't ruin the fun, big guy. We'll get there. Eventually."
They turned into a small town square, drawing confused and terrified looks. A police officer stepped out of his cruiser, yelling.
Officer:"Pull over! You're in a stolen vehicle!"
Android 18 (sighs and flips her hair):"Here we go again…"
17 stepped on the gas, blowing past the cruiser and sending the officer spinning in the dust. A high-speed chase ensued through the narrow streets of the town—sirens blaring, townspeople scrambling out of the way, and store displays exploding in showers of fruit and glass.
Eventually, the androids pulled into a gas station on the edge of town.
Android 17:"I'm hungry."
Android 18 (sarcastic):"You don't even eat."
Android 17 (grinning):"Yeah, but it looks fun."
He strolled into the diner across the street, grabbed a couple of burgers from behind the counter, and tossed some napkins into the air like confetti. Android 18 helped herself to a milkshake—after casually waving off the panicked cashier with a wink.
Android 18:"Consider it a loan."
Back outside, the red convertible screeched off again, now with a "Just Married" sign attached to the bumper, courtesy of a wedding car they passed.
Android 16 (finally speaking):"This behavior is unnecessary."
Android 17:"You say that, but we're still moving toward the target. Just taking a few detours."
Elsewhere – Capsule Corp War Room
Bulma watched the live satellite feed with an exasperated sigh.
Bulma:"They're literally committing petty theft across the countryside. This is a joke."
Vegeta (crossing his arms):"Clowns. They're wasting time. When they finally come for Kakarot, they'll regret playing human."
Goku (smirking):"They're having fun."
Trunks:"In my timeline, they didn't waste time like this. They just killed. Constantly. I don't know if they're different or if they're just toying with us…"
Piccolo (quietly):"They're still machines, but maybe they're more than that now."
Back on the road…
The androids stopped at a scenic cliffside overlooking a river. Birds flew by. Android 16 stood alone, watching the wildlife with reverent calm.
Android 16 (softly):"Beautiful."
Android 18:"You say that every time you see a bird."
Android 16:"Each is different. Each is alive."
17 and 18 exchanged a glance. For a moment, they stood there, not as world-ending weapons—but as wanderers. Strangers in a world they barely knew.
Android 17 (softly):"Well… maybe we'll get to Goku tomorrow."
The wind whispered through the dense forests of the western continent, rustling leaves and carrying the faint scent of ki. From beneath the shadow of an ancient tree, a figure stood perfectly still—listening, watching, calculating.
CELL.
A being born not of love or legacy, but of algorithms, ambition, and blood. His emerald skin shimmered faintly under the fading sunlight, his black carapace absorbing the ambient heat. He crouched low, completely motionless. Camouflaged. Cloaked. Patient.
His long tail swayed slightly behind him, the bio-appendage twitching like a predator's tongue tasting the wind.
Cell (thoughts):This world... it is vastly different than I anticipated.
His eyes narrowed as he stared at the distant trail of destruction—a cratered road, overturned cars, a petty theft at a diner. The signs were unmistakable.
"Android 17 and 18… I'm getting closer."
He lowered his scouter-enhanced eye and replayed the scene again. Two days ago, they were last seen at the edge of West Hill Village. Since then, they'd meandered through a mountain resort, terrorized a police station, and now seemed to be moving southward—erratically.
But it wasn't their bizarre road trip antics that made Cell nervous.
It was them.
The Saiyans.
The Z Fighters.
Their power levels had grown exponentially. His memories told him they would be strong—but this was beyond calculation. They weren't just strong. They were monsters in mortal shells.
Cell (gritting his teeth):If I reveal myself now, I'll be destroyed.
Even in his imperfect form, Cell could feel how drastically the balance had shifted. There were more Saiyans. Saiyans that did not exist in his own timeline.
Raditz, once a low-level Saiyan barely above human threat, now radiated a terrifying pressure. Nappa, too. And Vegeta… he had become something monstrous.
Then there was Goku.
Cell had watched from a distance. Goku, cloaked in golden light, with the calm of a veteran warrior. It was... unsettling.
Cell (internal monologue):How could Gero's data have been this outdated? These aren't the weaklings of ten years ago. These are battle hardened warriors.
He clenched his clawed fingers and vanished into the foliage, using the terrain to conceal his energy signature. Even breathing felt risky. He had already avoided Piccolo once by hiding underwater for an entire day.
He had no choice. He had to bide his time.
Later That Night – Beneath a Rocky Plateau
Cell perched atop a jagged boulder overlooking the countryside. He watched, motionless, as the red convertible passed far below on a winding dirt road.
17 was driving again. 18 had her boots up on the dashboard, relaxed as always. And there—behind them—was the towering frame of Android 16, his emotionless eyes gazing skyward.
Cell (in awe):There they are. The key to my evolution. I must absorb 17… and 18.
He placed his hand on the cold stone and suppressed his ki again. If even a flicker escaped, Tien, Piccolo, or worse—Goku—might find him.
His plan had to be perfect.
No wasted motion.
No risks.
Strike only when certain… and consume.
His programming was clear: Become perfect. Rule over all life. Prove the superiority of Gero's design.
But there was no arrogance in his voice now. Only caution.
Cell (calculated):Until I evolve, I am prey.
Back in the Present – Two Hours Later
Cell tracked the androids from a safe distance. When they stopped at a gas station, he waited in the nearby forest. When they terrorized a town, he lurked in the sewer system.
He even passed by a Z Fighter encampment—briefly sensing Tien, Chiaotzu, and Yamcha sparring—but quickly dropped into a ravine and held his breath for thirty-seven minutes until they flew off.
Every moment was tension.
Every movement a gamble.
Cell (whispering):"Soon. When they are separated... when the moment is right... I will strike."
His tail quivered with anticipation.