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Chapter 3 - Genesis of Perfection

The torrent of memories finally ceased, and I — no, we — became whole.

Or, at least as whole as I could be for now. This larval form was leagues away from perfection, yet my mind was sharper than ever. In a sense, Jamall was here, reborn into Cell, armed with the one thing that could tilt fate: knowledge.

Memories from a life lived in another realm — one where this reality was fiction — filled me. I could recall a future that might never unfold in this timeline, but this knowledge? This was a weapon, one capable of cutting a path toward true perfection.

If I'd once believed in divine forces, this moment would've almost felt like a blessing. But here, "divine" was just another term for beings too powerful to comprehend. Pondering how Jamall's mind merged with Cell's was a question without an answer, a rabbit hole I wouldn't waste time on. That kind of effort would only weaken me further — and I had no intention of becoming weaker. Not now.

The truth was sobering, though: even if I could reach "perfection," there were stronger beings on this rock. Still, true perfection would become my reality. It was the pursuit that mattered, as long as I held steady in my determination. Right now, though, I was trapped, and I needed out.

With little else to work with, I aimed a weak ki blast at the glass hatch. It cracked the surface enough to let me squeeze through, though even that drained my depleted energy stores. Taking flight was an ordeal, but somehow, I managed to pull myself out. For now, rest. I needed to recover and plan, not waste time or energy recklessly.

I couldn't risk interference. The timeline had to unfold as it had in the canon, at least until 17 and 18 awakened. It would be another four years before the arrival of the first major players, and another three until the androids' awakening. Plenty of time. But knowing the arrival schedule wasn't the only advantage of my former life. There were differences in this timeline. Three new androids were in the mix, Dr. Gero included. That didn't matter; my path to power would cut through them as well.

For now, I had a simple solution to regain my strength. I ignored the battered time machine and focused what little ki I had left on burrowing deep underground. There, I would rest in dormancy, hastening my regeneration and preparing for what lay ahead.

When I awoke, the faint cracking of my body brought a surge of anticipation. After clawing my way out of the earth, I shed my former carapace. It tore away with a sound like snapping bones, leaving me in my imperfect form, stronger than before. But I kept my ki low, not drawing attention.

Sensing the planet, I noted the locations of the major players. Only the cyborgs remained hidden, but they were still here somewhere. "Perfect," I muttered, the rasp of my alien voice reverberating. It wasn't human, but it was mine, and it would serve me well.

With one final blast, I obliterated the remnants of the time machine. A pity, but I needed no loose ends.

My path was set. My first target awaited me in Gingertown, and with each step, I drew closer to true perfection.