The sudden appearance of the creature caught everyone off guard.
Emerging from the shadows was a monstrous figure, a green humanoid lizard with a grotesque appearance. Its sharp, beak-like face and spotted, monkey-like cheeks made it hideous beyond compare. It was no exaggeration to call it an abomination—a bizarre and unnatural creation.
This hideous being was none other than Cell, the ultimate artificial human, sent from the future via a time machine. His mission was clear: to absorb Android 17 and Android 18, allowing him to evolve into his perfect form.
Cell had been lurking nearby, biding his time. The severe injuries inflicted on Android 17 and Android 18 by Kahn had inadvertently made Cell's task easier; without Kahn, it would have taken far more effort for him to achieve his goal.
Before anyone could react, Cell appeared in front of Android 18. His tail, tipped with a grotesque, open maw, lunged toward her head with terrifying speed.
Already pale from her injuries, Android 18's face turned ghostly white at the sight of Cell. Fear gripped her heart. The thought of being absorbed by this monstrosity was unbearable. She would rather die than face such a fate.
Her body, too battered to move, betrayed her will to escape. Desperate, she cried out, "Help me!" She didn't know who might answer, nor did she care. All she knew was that she couldn't let herself be absorbed.
Cell sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "No one can save you. You'll become the fuel for my evolution."
His tail descended toward her like a deadly serpent. But before it could reach her, a shadow fell over them. A large boot crashed down on Cell's tail, pinning it to the ground.
Standing before Android 18 was none other than Kahn, the very man who had injured her moments earlier. He stood tall and unyielding, a figure of undeniable strength.
"I told you, you underestimate me," Kahn said calmly, his tone carrying an air of authority. "You've been hiding, Cell, but did you really think I wouldn't notice?"
Cell's snake-like eyes narrowed in rage, glowing a furious red. "You bastard...!" he hissed. He had been moments away from absorbing Android 18 and evolving to the next stage, only for Kahn to shatter his plans.
Kahn waved dismissively, flicking his fingers. "What are you staring at? Scram!" The gesture sent Cell flying, slamming him into the ground. A portion of his tail remained writhing under Kahn's boot.
"Disgusting," Kahn muttered. He obliterated the severed piece with a casual Ki blast.
Android 18 stared at Kahn in disbelief. Why had he saved her after injuring her so severely? His motives made no sense.
Seemingly aware of her gaze, Kahn looked down at her and asked, "What? Do I look like a god to you?"
Android 18 was momentarily speechless. In that moment, he did look like a savior, appearing just when she had given up hope.
"Stop looking at me like that; it's embarrassing," Kahn said, smirking. "Even though you hurt my nephew earlier, I'm not heartless enough to let Cell have his way."
Android 18 couldn't help but chuckle at his arrogant tone. She hadn't expected this man, who had seemed so menacing moments ago, to reveal such a disarming side.
"Hmph. Don't expect me to thank you just because you saved me!" she retorted. "If you didn't want Cell to absorb me, why attack me in the first place?"
Kahn shrugged. "I don't need your thanks. I just didn't want this ugly creature to have his way."
His response left her baffled. She couldn't understand him. But Kahn had no intention of explaining himself further. Maybe he saved her out of some sense of interest, or perhaps it was simply to deny Cell the victory. Whatever his reasons, they didn't matter anymore.
Cell, however, wasn't done. Rising to his feet, his tail regrew in an instant. He glared at Kahn, seething with rage.
"How did you find me?" Cell demanded, his voice trembling with anger and disbelief. "I didn't make a single sound or leave a trace of energy."
Kahn smirked. "The stench of your body gave you away. Even a hundred kilometers away, I could smell you. Did you think you could hide?"
Cell's snake-like eyes glowed green with fury. "You dare insult me? I am the ultimate artificial human, and you'll pay for underestimating me!"
With a roar, Cell unleashed two crimson energy beams from his eyes, aiming for Kahn's chest. The beams struck, but the result was anticlimactic. The energy dissipated harmlessly against Kahn's body, like water droplets hitting a stone.
"Is that all you've got?" Kahn said, brushing imaginary dust off his chest. "That felt like a tickle."
Cell snarled, his humiliation complete. "You arrogant fool! I am the ultimate being!"
He raised two fingers to his forehead, gathering dark yellow energy. Piccolo's eyes widened in recognition.
"That's… the Special Beam Cannon!" Piccolo exclaimed.
"How does he know my technique?!" Piccolo's disbelief was echoed by the others.
Kahn, however, wasn't surprised. "Dr. Gero's spy drones collected cells from all of us. That's why Cell has not only your techniques, Piccolo, but also Krillin's Destructo Disk and Goku's Kamehameha. It's no mystery."
"Take this!" Cell roared. "Special Beam Cannon!"
The spiraling beam shot toward Kahn with incredible speed. But when the smoke cleared, Kahn stood unscathed, his expression bored.
"This is impossible!" Cell stammered, stepping back in horror. His ultimate move had failed to even scratch Kahn.
"This… this shouldn't be happening! In my timeline, no one like you exists!"
Kahn smirked. "Welcome to this timeline, Cell. Here, monsters like you don't stand a chance."