Chereads / DBZ: Reborn As Cell / Chapter 18 - Stuck

Chapter 18 - Stuck

POV-Piccolo

Jamall's transformation was nothing short of terrifying. His body crackled with an unnatural energy, tendrils of shadowed aura weaving around him like sentient smoke, coiling and expanding as though it had a life of its own. His skin, once a dark green, had darkened to an abyssal black, as if the darkness within him had seeped outward to stain every inch of his being. Purple fissures lined his arms and face, giving him an almost black void like appearance— destructive, dangerous, and brimming with malice.

I stood motionless, every sense sharpened to study this monster Jamall had become. I felt it—pure, unadulterated malice radiating off Jamall, a darkness l couldn't recognize an evil so evil it was on a scale of its own.

Goku's gaze was steady, though his mouth was set in a grim line. For all his usual optimism, there was no mistaking the chill of fear in his eyes. Goku had fought countless enemies, many fueled by evil and cruelty, but this was something different. This was a darkness without end—a twisted being controlling Jamall . And Goku knew as well as i that we might not be able to pull him out.

"Piccolo," Goku whispered, a hard edge to his voice. "I don't think this is a fight we can hold back in."

I nodded. "Agreed. This isn't the same Jamall we knew before. He's… become something else."

As if to respond, Jamall's laughter echoed across the battlefield, low and taunting. It reverberated with a cold edge, amplified by the dark energy swirling around him, each sound cutting through the air like a blade.

"Jamall?" he sneered, spreading his arms wide, as though he were the center of the entire universe. "We are Ultimate Cell perfection incarnate—no longer weighed down by the weaknesses of Jamall's emotions. No longer shackled by his consciousness."

Their eyes glowing with a burning red , locking onto me. "And you, Namekian, should understand better than anyone. We you sensed that we were a separate Consciousness from Jamall"

When suddenly the ground beneath us rumbled as Jamall—or what he'd become—took a step forward, each step sending shockwaves that shattered the earth in spiderweb cracks. Ultimate Cell flexed his fists, dark energy pulsating from his core, radiating a chilling aura that seemed to devour light itself. The battlefield dimmed, blanketed in his oppressive power.

Goku took a breath, his eyes narrowing, the calm focus and then in an instant, his aura flared bright yellow, the surge of his Super Saiyan form blazing to life. Piccolo watched him, and as their eyes met, no words were needed. They would fight together—no hesitation, no holding back.

"Ready, Piccolo?" Goku's voice cut through the darkness.

I nodded. "Let's finish this."

With a surge, we both launched ourselves at Ultimate Cell. Goku moved like a comet, a streak of yellow light as he closed the distance. I shot in from the side, channeling my ki into my fists, each strike planned with precision, every move intended to overwhelm. We moved in sync, a deadly coordination that had come from countless battles fought together.

But Ultimate Cell didn't flinch. Instead, he met Goku's fist with his own, the impact sending a shockwave that rippled through the air. Their energy clashed and expanded outward, causing the very sky to crackle with lightning. I came in low, aiming for Cell's midsection, my fist landing solidly, but it was like hitting a wall of reinforced steel.

But Cell didn't even budge. Instead, he lashed out, a whip-like tendril of his aura striking me across the chest, sending me sprawling back. I felt the ground skid beneath me, digging my heels in to regain my balance.

Goku didn't let up, firing a rapid succession of punches and kicks, each blow faster and stronger, but Cell blocked them with an eerie ease, almost as though he were toying with him. Finally, with a single, brutal swipe, Cell slammed Goku into the ground, cratering the earth.

But before Cell could press his advantage, I was back in the fray, firing a concentrated beam of energy that hit him square in the back. It didn't even scorch him, but it bought Goku enough time to recover, and together we pressed in, forcing Cell to retreat a few steps, his smile never faltering.

"Oh, how cute," Ultimate Cell mocked, voice dripping with amusement. "I thought Saiyans and Namekians were supposed to be warriors. Is this truly all you've got?"

Goku gritted his teeth, his aura intensifying. "Piccolo, let's try together!"

He didn't have to say anything else. With a shout, I poured all my energy into my ki, aligning it with Goku's. Our combined energy flared, forming a brilliant spiraling orb of power between us. We aimed it directly at Cell, pushing everything we had into this single, devastating attack.

"Kamehameha!" Goku roared, releasing the wave.

"Special Beam Cannon!" I joined him, my voice a fierce echo.

The two attacks merged into a blinding vortex of light, barreling toward Cell with enough force to level a mountain. For a moment, there was only the hum of pure energy, a crescendo that built and expanded, drowning out all other sound.

The blast struck Cell head-on, engulfing him in a storm of light and raw power. We watched, chests heaving, waiting for the dust to clear. The silence was deafening as we stood there, every fiber of our beings hoping this had been enough.

But then—through the smoke and rubble—a slow, dark laughter began to resonate. The air shifted, and as the dust settled, we saw him: Ultimate Cell stood there, completely unfazed, his crimson eyes gleaming with an unholy light. Not a scratch marred his body. If anything, he seemed… amused.

"Is that all?" he sneered, stepping forward, his aura swelling with each word. "Perhaps I overestimated you both. You can't defeat- what am I saying never could defeat a being that has bypassed perfection."

And in that instant, before we could even react, he was upon us. His movements were a blur. I felt his fist connect with my side, pain lancing through me like fire. Goku was sent flying with a single kick the kick so hard that he was not out of his transformation. We hit the ground hard, gasping, struggling to stand, but he was already there, looming over us like a dark god.

"You're insects," Cell murmured, almost contemplative, as if disappointed. "I think it's time to show you the true power of Ultimate Cell."

With a flourish, he raised his arms, his energy swelling even further, creating a dense sphere of darkness above him, pulsating and crackling with power that seemed to bend reality itself.

"Goodbye," he sneered, hurling the energy toward us.

It descended with the weight of a collapsing star. Goku and I braced ourselves, channeling what little strength we had left, knowing we didn't have enough to counter it.

Then, out of nowhere, he just stopped and he rabsorbed it I don't know how or why

But then...silence then out of nowhere Ultimate Cell started laughing really loud and then just said

"Deal"

PovJamall

I found himself engulfed in darkness, a cold void, forced to watch just like the scene from get out. I tried to move, but it was as if my limbs had been held in place by an invisible force and though i could sense this body moving, engaging in combat against Piccolo and Goku, i obviously wasn't the one directing it.

This isn't how it was supposed to be, I raged, watching helplessly. I died to have this new life though my past life wasn't truly the best I still want to train with the Z Fighters, to push my limits against the strongest beings in the galaxy maybe try to acquire a baddie or two but now it's being taken from me? No. No… I need a plan. Something. Anything…

A flicker of an idea sparked in my mind, and I seized it like a lifeline. I took every ounce of energy I could summon and forced it into my voice, reaching out, aiming straight into the dark, twisted consciousness that had taken control.

"I am Jamall," I bellowed, my voice ringing out defiantly through the void, slicing through the oppressive silence. "I am the perfect being!"

The voice that answered echoed through my mind like the scrape of steel against stone, confident, mocking. No, it hissed, dripping with contempt. We are Cell—The Ultimate Cell, A Being Beyond Perfection.

The words clawed through me, cold and absolute. A chill crept up my spine, and for a moment, I almost folded. But no—this was exactly what i needed For my plan to work, I'd have to play the game carefully, to get under their skin. I steeled myself, letting a calm confidence fill my voice.

"Oh? The Ultimate Cell, are you?" I chuckled, infusing my tone with a taunt, just enough to sting. "A being beyond perfection? Then you wouldn't mind a little wager, would you?"

A pause. I could sense their slight hesitation, A wager?"They echoed, the arrogance waning just enough to spark interest. What could you possibly wager with me?

I pressed on, fueling my words with a casual confidence that masked the calculation beneath. Well, if you're as 'ultimate' as you say you are, if you're so beyond perfection, then you'd have nothing to fear in a challenge where you get the chance to prove that you're the true Cell.

A ripple of satisfaction flickered through the darkness, the Cell's arrogance flaring. I have no need to prove myself to you, they sneered, though I sensed the edge of ego in their tone.

Come on now, I replied smoothly, forcing a smirk into my voice. "What's the harm in a little competition if you're so certain of yourself? Don't tell me you're....chicken"

That struck a nerve. I could tell their blood was boiling, wait is that smoke coming out of it's nose Chicken? They spat, voice laced with venom.

Then I'll make it simple, I continued, leaning into my words, letting them land with calm finality. We separate into two beings.

You get your own body, I get mine. We train for one year, completely on our own terms. And at the end of that year, we fight. Winner takes everything. Full control, the powers, the abilities—all of it. One true Cell. Just like you want.

The silence was thick with tension as they considered. I could feel them mulling over the offer, pride prickling at the suggestion that they needed to prove themselves. I let the silence linger, waiting, letting Ultimate Cell feel that temptation, feeding it with my own sense of inevitability.

Finally, its voice came, brimming with self-assurance. You're a fool if you think you have any chance against us, it growled. But very well… I accept your wager.

I forced myself to keep my tone even, controlled, letting a small smile creep into my voice. Of course you do. After all, only the Ultimate Cell could be so confident. I knew you had it in you.

Their form was a twisted reflection of my own and those red gleaming with that malevolent glint. One year, Jamall, it sneered, its voice rich with as usual pure malice. In one year's time, we'll meet again. And I'll take back what's rightfully mine proving to every being that we are beyond perfection.

Stretching out my hand, which was hard to do, meeting their gaze with a concealed expression. Is that a deal then.

They laughed ,a sound that resonated through the void. Not even shaking my hand by the way, then they stopped to make a final mocking grin.

Deal