The skies hung heavy, the air saturated with tension that crackled like static before a storm.
At Kami's Lookout, the atmosphere was suffocating. Piccolo stood with his arms crossed, his sharp gaze locked onto the horizon, but his thoughts swirled in turmoil.
"Cell… he's reached a level beyond anything we imagined. Untouchable. If no one can stop him now…"
Piccolo's grim reflection was shattered by a sudden call.
"Hey! Everyone!" Mr. Popo's voice echoed from across the platform, his eyes wide with urgency. "Rykon and Vegeta are coming out of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber!"
Goku's expression lit up, a rare spark of hope in his usually calm eyes. "Really?!"
A blinding white door swung open, and two figures emerged from within.
Rykon stepped out first, his battle-worn gi tattered at the edges, golden hair softly flowing but eerily calm—no aura, no strain. Beside him, Vegeta followed, arms crossed, his cape fluttering faintly in the breeze. Their Super Saiyan forms were… different. No wild, spiking energy. No furious flame of ki. Their hair shimmered close to white, their eyes tranquil. They had achieved control.
Gohan ran up, his face beaming with joy. "Uncle Rykon!"
Rykon crouched, ruffling the boy's hair with a soft smile. "Hey, kiddo! Wow… it feels like forever since I've seen you."
But his expression shifted when his gaze turned toward the others. Wait… something's off. Why do they all look so tense? Did something happen while we were gone?
Goku's lips curled into a bittersweet grin. "You'd be surprised."
Rykon's eyes narrowed slightly. His senses could pick up the faint remnants of battles fought while they were isolated from the world. "We've… mastered Super Saiyan," he announced with a hint of pride, his tone light but laced with exhaustion. "Even ascended, actually—"
A cold voice cut through the air.
"That's enough, Rykon."
Vegeta's glare was sharp. His pride didn't allow for bragging, not when there was still more to accomplish. "Our training is not to be discussed with anyone."
Rykon tilted his head, smirking. Oh, come on, Vegeta. You gonna scold me for that?
Before the tension could thicken, Goku stepped forward. "Wow… you're in Super Saiyan, but you're so calm. That must be Mastered Super Saiyan, huh?"
Rykon nodded. "Yeah. It has its benefits."
Behind them, the breeze whispered as Mr. Popo brought out new training outfits. Goku's gi looked just like Vegeta's—sleek and functional. Bulma's design, no doubt.
"Alright, Gohan," Goku said, his eyes softening as he looked at his son. "Time for some father-son training."
Gohan straightened up, his fists trembling slightly. "I—I'm ready!"
With that, the door to the Time Chamber closed once again.
Vegeta's eyes narrowed. His voice was cold and resolute. "Enough wasting time. Let's go kill Cell."
Rykon's heart beat faster, a strange mix of anticipation and dread coiling in his chest. Yeah… time to end this.
The Battlefield—Near an Abandoned Island
Cell hovered above the ocean, his tail twitching lazily. A cruel grin stretched across his now semi-human features—sleek, pale green armor plating, a less grotesque frame than before. His Semi-Perfect form.
"Hahahaha… Rykon! Come back for a rematch, have you?"
Rykon floated down, arms crossed, eyes cold. "Yeah. And wow, Cell—new look. Better than before, I'll give you that. Still ugly, though."
Cell's grin widened. "I absorbed Android 17, of course! And now…" His eyes glinted with sadistic joy. "I'm Semi-Perfect! Once I absorb Android 18, I'll become… complete."
Vegeta scoffed. "Semi-Perfect? Either you're perfect or you're not."
"Shut up, Vegeta. This is between me and Rykon."
Cell lunged forward—but before his sentence could finish, his arm was sliced clean off. The world blurred. One moment, Cell was monologuing; the next, his limb spiraled into the sea.
Rykon's tail flicked behind him. "Were you saying something?"
Cell screamed, but his regeneration kicked in, flesh knitting itself back together.
"HOW DID YOU—?!"
"Just hurry up and fight me," Rykon yawned, his voice dripping with boredom. "Your speeches are putting me to sleep."
Cell's pride cracked. "YOU'RE DEAD!"
He lunged again, throwing punch after punch, but Rykon dodged effortlessly, weaving through the air like a phantom. Then, in a flash, Rykon grabbed Cell's fist with his tail, sending a jolt of electricity coursing through his bio-mechanical body.
"AGHH! WHY IS IT ALWAYS THE DAMN ARM?!"
Rykon's voice was cold. "Because it's fun."
In the distance, Android 18 watched, stunned. No way… that's Rykon? He's… changed.
"Vegeta," Rykon called, eyes locked onto Cell, "this thing isn't worth my time. Go ahead and take out the trash."
Vegeta's smirk was razor sharp. "With pleasure."
The Clash
Vegeta approached Cell, a cold fire in his eyes. "I didn't come to stop you. I came to tear you limb from limb."
Cell's laughter echoed, but there was an edge of desperation beneath it. "Tear me apart? That's hilarious!"
Vegeta's aura ignited—yellow flames dancing around his body.
"This is Mastered Super Saiyan Grade 4. But here's Grade 2!"
He powered up again, lightning crackling around his body.
Cell's face twisted. "You're powering… DOWN?!"
Before Cell could react, Vegeta's fist buried itself into his gut, sending him crashing through a nearby mountain.
Krillin's View—Above the Island
Krillin hovered above the chaos, clutching a remote in his shaking hand.
That's Vegeta now? His power's insane… but where's Goku? Where's Gohan?
A glimpse of movement caught his eye—behind the rocks.
Wait… the androids? They're here?!
He gulped, looking down at the remote.
I have to be within ten yards for this to work…
The Spiral of Betrayal
Back on the battlefield, Cell coughed, blood oozing from his mouth.
"No! If only I had my perfect form…"
Vegeta's gaze narrowed. "Perfect form, huh? Would that be enough to defeat me?"
Cell's eyes burned with hunger. "Of course! I'd be faster, stronger… superior in every way."
Vegeta's lips curled. "Then do it. I'll fall for your little ruse. Let's see this perfect form you keep babbling about."
Trunks gasped. "Father! No!"
Rykon's eyes locked onto Cell. He darted forward, cutting off his path.
"Yeah, not happening."
Cell's smirk twisted into a snarl. "You're a Saiyan! Don't you want to see my full power?"
"Of course I do. But I won't let you absorb Android 18."
Vegeta stepped forward, eyes narrowing. "You have feelings for that machine, don't you?"
Rykon's jaw tightened.
Vegeta's voice was venom. "How dare you let your emotions get in the way of battle?"
Without warning, Vegeta struck Rykon, sending him flying.
Rykon wiped the blood from his mouth. His eyes darkened. So that's how it is, huh?
Cell's Completion
As Rykon struggled to stand, Cell made his move. Android 18 screamed as Cell's tail wrapped around her.
"NO! RYKON! HELP ME!"
Rykon's body trembled. His muscles tightened, his aura burst back into Super Saiyan—but the pain in his tail stunned him.
"Dammit… I never trained for this."
He watched helplessly as 18 was swallowed whole.
No… I can't hear her anymore. She's gone.
Cell's scream of triumph echoed across the sky. His body glowed, a brilliant cocoon of light wrapping around him.
Vegeta crossed his arms. "Well, let's hope this perfection of yours doesn't disappoint."
Rykon's fists clenched. His mind burned.
Perfection Unleashed
When the light faded, Cell stood transformed—sleek, perfect, terrifying.
Krillin lunged at him in rage, but Cell swatted him away like an insect.
Vegeta's pride refused to waver. "If that's your idea of perfection, then I might as well go home."
Cell's eyes narrowed, but he smiled. "Destroying you will be my warm-up."
Vegeta smirked, readying his stance. But then—something shifted.
The air trembled.
"What's that power?!" Vegeta turned, eyes wide.
Cell turned too, and for the first time, he looked nervous.
Rykon's aura exploded, wild arcs of electricity tearing through the air. His hair spiked even higher, his body glowing with unrestrained fury.
"You selfish bastard…" Rykon growled, voice low and dangerous. "You made this happen, Vegeta."
With a scream that shook the heavens, Rykon vanished from view—only to appear in front of Vegeta, fist plunging into his stomach, dropping the Saiyan prince back to his base form.
A Dangerous Limit
"MAXIMUM… PRIME—"
"RYKON! STOP!"
Trunks' desperate voice cut through the haze of rage.
What am I doing?
Rykon's aura flickered. His transformation collapsed, leaving him breathless and drained.
Cell laughed coldly, and in a blink, he struck Rykon down with a single chop to the neck.
"Impressive," Cell whispered, looming over his unconscious body. "But sadly… still human."
The Cell Games Are Born
Trunks stepped forward, shaking with fury. "I won't let you hurt him anymore."
Cell smiled darkly. "Quite gutsy, Trunks."
As Krillin carried away Rykon and Vegeta, Trunks stood alone, fighting Cell with everything he had—but it wasn't enough.
Breathing hard, Trunks could only listen as Cell revealed his true plan.
"A tournament," Cell declared. "Ten days from now. At noon. I'll fight you one by one… until there's no one left."
Trunks' heart sank. "Why?!"
Cell's eyes gleamed with sadistic delight. "Because… what's the point of power if no one's watching?"
With a final smirk, Cell disappeared into the sky.
The Aftermath
Later, back at the Lookout, Trunks gave Rykon a senzu bean.
"A tournament, huh?" Rykon muttered, rubbing his neck. His eyes narrowed, resolve hardening.
Krillin stood silently, his fists clenched.
This is insane…
Vegeta said nothing. His pride had been shattered, but deep inside, flames of vengeance still burned.
Next Time…
Trunks and Rykon prepared to re-enter the Time Chamber.
Rykon's eyes narrowed toward the horizon.
Cell… I'm going to finish this. No matter what.
TO BE CONTINUED…
POWER STONE!!!?
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