PICCOLO
It was useless. Completely useless.
We couldn't track Cell. Anywhere.
Every time we thought we were about to catch him, he slipped through our fingers like water.
If we kept going at that pace, Cell could merge with Androids 17 and 18 and reach his perfect form. If that happened, we'd have no choice but to wait for Goku and the others to get stronger.
Now, we were at Master Roshi's house, resting after our latest search. It must've been around five-thirty in the morning, with the faint light of the sun lazily filtering through the windows of the living room.
Behind me, Tien, Krillin, and Yamcha were asleep on mattresses scattered across the floor. As for me, I kept my eyes glued on the television, which was broadcasting news about Cell's atrocities at a volume low enough not to wake the others—but perfectly audible to me, thanks to my enhanced hearing.
It had been two days since Lettie left with my nephew and brother-in-law to train in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, and I was more anxious than ever. Anxious about Cell, anxious about Lettie, anxious about the other warriors, anxious about the Androids…
"Didn't I tell you this would be your downfall?" My Enemy decided to show up. "Did you really think you could get married?"
I clenched my fists so tightly that I tore my skin. For a moment, the anxiety in my chest tried to take over—tried to consume the rest of my body.
The despair. The panic. The terror.
That's what my Enemy wanted me to feel.
But I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction. Not a chance.
"Shut up," I muttered through gritted teeth.
And he fell silent.
Even so, I didn't have time to let my guard down. Just minutes later, a commotion outside caught my attention. But what could it be? There were no animals on this tiny island, and it wasn't particularly windy.
When I peeked through the window, I gasped, eyes wide in shock.
The three Androids. Standing beside an aircraft.
"Hey, Piccolo!" Android 17 waved at me. "We're looking for Goku. Is he here?"
What?!?!
No, no, no! This was the worst possible time for them to show up!
"Hey! Tien! Krillin! Yamcha!" I shook them awake. "Get up! We've just received the worst kind of visitors!"
When I told them who was waiting for us outside, they leapt off their mattresses in an instant. We rushed to the front yard.
"You'd better leave!" I snapped. My tolerance was at zero. "Because Goku's not here!"
"That's what it looks like," Android 17 replied. "But are you going to tell us where he is?"
"H-How did you even find this place?" Krillin asked, half-hiding behind me.
Android 17 ignored him. When I realized he wasn't going to answer, I stepped in. "And what, you think we're just going to hand over Goku's location on a silver platter?"
"Well, we'll see about that," he replied with a cynical smile. "If you don't talk, we'll have to use force."
The tension between us grew thick and hostile. Yet I felt a wave of fear coming from someone. It wasn't from the Androids. And it wasn't from my companions.
Then I looked up at one of the second-floor windows of the house and saw Master Roshi and Chi-Chi watching us.
The fear came from Chi-Chi.
She was staring at me with her hands clasped over her mouth, clearly distressed and anxious. Through her gaze, it was like she was silently begging me to do something to help them.
That's when it hit me—Chi-Chi was my family now. If I was engaged to Lettie, that made Chi-Chi my sister-in-law as well.
And as my family… I had every right to protect her.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
"All right then," I curled my lips into a sly grin. "You can try to beat Goku's whereabouts out of me." I pointed toward a specific direction. "There's an uninhabited island over there. We'll fight there."
"Whatever you say," Android 17 rolled his eyes. "Geez, what a difficult guy…"
"Listen." I turned to my companions. "Don't follow me. I want to fight alone."
"W-What…?!" Krillin stammered. "Wait a sec, Piccolo!"
But I didn't give him a chance to argue. The Androids and I took off, flying away from Master Roshi's island. I didn't look back. I couldn't.
I just hope I wasn't making a huge mistake.
We flew over the ocean for a couple of minutes until we landed on a small deserted island covered in grass, rocks, and trees. Android 16 and Android 18 walked off to the shade of a tree.
"If you don't tell me where Goku is, I'll kill you," Android 17 said, pulling up the sleeve of his white shirt. "Are we clear?"
"Well…" I said. "This time, you're in for a surprise."
He narrowed his eyes, suspicious. Then, in one swift motion, I removed my cape and turban and tossed them aside. They landed on a small rock—which shattered on impact.
The three Androids looked surprised. Even if they tried to hide it on their faces, they couldn't hide it in their feelings — though it was still difficult to read.
Android 17 stared at my discarded clothes and swallowed hard. But soon enough, he resumed his arrogant posture and said, "You're all so stubborn. You think you can win every fight. Trying to distract us?" — He scowled. "Or are you just an idiot?"
In response, I gave him a mocking smile. That definitely didn't sit well with him.
"Come on!" Android 17 spread his arms. "Fight me if you've got the guts!"
"I just want to confirm something," I replied. "Your friends won't join in?"
By that point, Android 18 was fiddling with her pearl necklace. Android 16, for some reason unknown to me, was… surrounded by birds?
"No, they won't," confirmed Android 17. "Though I doubt a weakling like you will be any match for me."
I ignored the insult. The only thing that mattered was that this would be a one-on-one fight. That meant I might have a chance to defeat him. If I could take down even one of these Androids, I could stop Cell from reaching his perfect form.
Yes. That's what I had to do.
Without taking my eyes off Android 17, I shifted into a battle stance and began raising my Ki.
The entire island began to tremble.
The birds around Android 16 flew off. Rocks around us levitated. The trees shuddered under the force of the wind. Waves crashed fiercely against the shores.
And a massive surge of energy burst from my body.
It was incredible! Even I was taken aback by the amount of power I was releasing. And that wasn't even my full strength!
But the most astonishing part was that I could feel him… Like a warm, comforting embrace wrapping around my chest… His energy flowing through every inch of me…
Kami-sama.
Father…
The memory of him gave me even more strength. My Ki surged higher, and a bluish light radiated from my body.
The Androids widened their eyes. Yes… They were afraid. Not even their mechanical systems could hide it.
"What does this mean?!" asked Android 16. "This isn't the Piccolo's energy we calculated!"
"How come??" Android 17 turned to him, confused.
That was my cue. In that tiny moment of distraction, I hurled myself at Android 17 and struck him with a direct blow to the back of the neck, throwing him off balance.
As he turned toward me, stunned, I didn't let up. I unleashed a flurry of punches to his face, sending him stumbling backward, tearing up chunks of grass and earth as he tripped over his own feet.
But he managed to strike back. He twisted my wrist and threw me toward a boulder—but I was fast enough to dodge and counter. We exchanged punches and kicks for several good minutes. Android 17 kept throwing insults to try and get under my skin, but I didn't fall for his petty taunts. He was fast, dodging my attacks with impressive skill.
But I was faster.
At one point, as we hovered above the island, I evaded one of his elbow strikes and, with a surprise move, drove my own elbow square into his spine, sending him plummeting. To finish it off, I delivered a brutal kick that smashed him face-first into the grass.
I stopped near him, looking down.
I wasn't even slightly out of breath.
Lying face-down, Android 17 turned to me with wide eyes. "No… It can't be…" he whispered. "Your speed is… That's impossible!"
He started getting up, but I wouldn't let him. I extended my hand and raised my Ki even higher. This would be his end.
I roared, and a massive yellow energy sphere erupted from my palm, flying straight at Android 17. The light engulfed the entire island in a thunderous explosion.
When I looked at the spot I'd targeted, there was nothing left. Just a scorched path of dirt and devastation cutting through the center of the island.
And then I saw him—up above, hovering near the smoke cloud.
Android 17. His clothes were torn to shreds, blood dripping from his mouth.
He had escaped.
"You better get ready, you stupid alien!" Android 17 sneered from above.
And I did.
In a flash, he rushed me. Our clash was fiercer than before, every impact sharper, faster, louder. I launched a blast of energy—he dodged. I fired another—missed again. And another. And another. And another.
Not a single one hit the bastard.
That definitely didn't help my mood.
I charged straight at him. The shockwave of our collision blanketed part of the island in a blinding flash.
"Is that all you've got, Piccolo?" Android 17 taunted as we pulled apart, hovering over the ocean.
I had to take a deep breath to keep my patience from snapping. And just when I thought it was about to, I heard Android 18 shouting from the island, "UGH, THIS IS SO BORING, SEVENTEEN!!!" she screamed at her brother. "Just finish him already! Or do you want me to do it?!"
"Don't talk nonsense!" He shot back. "There's no way I'm letting you take over now, when it's finally getting fun—blah blah blah…"
I rolled my eyes. Perfect. Now I had to deal with two psychotic, bickering teenage siblings. If only they knew the kind of discipline I enforced with my students back at the Dojo…
"You agree with me, don't you, Piccolo?" Android 17 asked.
"Agree with what?"
He narrowed his eyes. "Huh… Were you not listening to our conversation?"
"Honestly? No," I replied.
He opened and closed his mouth like a dumb fish, then shook his head. "Whatever! What matters is that I'm the most powerful being in all of History!"
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really?"
Silence followed. An awkward one, I'd say.
"You're doubting me?!" Android 17 barked.
"No, no! Not at all," I replied quickly. (Truth was, I was laughing inside.) "Well then, if you're the most powerful being in all of History… show me!"
I charged at him. I fired one, two, five, ten, fifty—over a hundred energy blasts. They hovered in the air, circling Android 17 like glowing orbs. He looked around, clearly confused, unsure why I wasn't aiming directly at him. Finally, standing atop a boulder on the island, I extended my arms forward, palms open and parallel.
"TENKOCHI!!!!!!!!" I declared.
And then, all the energy spheres homed in like guided missiles.
He was bombarded. A massive yellow flash engulfed him completely.
The explosion was so intense, the island itself sank into the ocean. Androids 16, 18, and I had to stay airborne just to avoid being swallowed by the sea.
Did it work?? Had I destroyed Android 17??
And… would Lettie be proud of how I adapted her technique?
As the thick cloud of smoke began to clear, I looked to the skies, hoping to see only scraps of circuitry left behind.
But then a chill ran down my spine.
There he was—Android 17. Completely shielded by an energy barrier.
"Well, well, well…" he applauded. "Nice one. Using your little girlfriend's move? How original."
W-What?! How was that even possible? How did he survive that blast so easily?!
My blood boiled so hard I could feel my temples pulsing.
"Let's head to another island," Android 17 said. "You really need to learn how to take better care of nature, Piccolo."
My nostrils flared with indignation. How dare he say that to me?! Me—the warrior with the most eco-friendly color! The one who appreciates every corner of nature on this planet! Wasn't I the one who suggested that Lettie and Gohan train in the wilderness for a whole year to prepare for the Saiyans, because I knew it was the best environment for growth?! And now he had the audacity to say I don't care for nature?
Oh, give me a break, Android 17!!!
...Pardon the outburst.
Well, anyway, we flew off to another deserted island. This one was much larger—its terrain covered in dark soil and jagged black rocks, dotted with a few trees and a volcano smack in the center.
The perfect place for a fight. And I had absolutely no intention of losing.
Android 17 landed in front of me and wiped a thin trail of blood from his mouth. Behind him, the other Androids watched us in silence.
"You're not an Android like we are," he said, "but your powers are incredible. I can say for sure you're not the infamous Piccolo Daimaoh."
Seriously? This again? Is that all people ever say about me? How long was I going to be compared to that worm?
"Honestly…" he went on. "I couldn't care less about your true identity. We just want to know where Goku is. So? Not gonna tell us?"
"Your goal is to kill him," I replied flatly. "Do I look like an idiot who'd hand over his location?"
"Then I guess we'll just have to keep fighting," Android 17 said with a smile. "Until you finally decide to open your big mouth, old man."
Alright. Now my patience with that brat was truly wearing thin. I took my stance, ready for any sudden move he might make.
But nothing happened. On the contrary. Slowly, Android 17 floated toward me, all casual like he wasn't planning anything. He stopped just in front of me and assumed a fighting stance.
For a moment, I narrowed my eyes, utterly confused by his behavior. What was he up to? I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, scanning him top to bottom, racking my brain trying to figure out what the hell was going on and—
He suddenly punched me in the jaw. Brutally.
I was caught off guard and nearly lost my balance. Then he slammed a fist into my gut and dropped me with a strike to the neck.
How could I have been so naive?!
But I dodged his next attack just in time and put some distance between us. That android was cunning. My blood boiled as adrenaline surged through my veins.
I needed to buy time.
"You're pretty fast," I said, spitting blood and cracking my neck. "But your attacks are kind of weak."
"Excuse me?!" he snapped, indignant. "You're so rude! That's no way to treat the strongest android in History!"
I just smiled.
That was all it took to make him charge at me.
Our battle was brutal. The impact of our blows was so intense that craters and fractures formed beneath our feet, sending thunderous echoes across the sea.
The sheer force of our power triggered a volcanic eruption—lava spewed from the mountain's mouth, black smoke vomiting skyward.
The island split in half and began to sink, and with it, Android 17 and I plunged together, so consumed by our fight that we created a whirlpool beneath the waves.
It felt as if nature itself were responding to our clash—feeling the agony of that evil that was threatening humanity and the Earth.
I couldn't let it go on. How many more islands would we destroy? With a single motion, I grabbed Android 17 by the neck and dragged him back to the surface. We soared into the sky.
We crash-landed on another deserted island with a force strong enough to carve a massive crater into the grassy terrain. But I barely had time to recover before Android 17 slammed me into a rock formation and followed it up with a blast of energy to finish the combo.
I hated to admit it, but I was starting to wear out. How long had we been fighting at full strength? Several hours, at the very least.
But giving up wasn't an option. I caught my breath and rushed at Android 17 again—this time, I was the one who hurled him into a rock formation and fired off an energy blast to seal the deal.
But that kid was tireless. Being an Android certainly helped, and he only seemed to grow faster with every move, while I grew more drained and fatigued.
No matter how strong my attacks were, he always came back swinging with twice the force.
Eventually, though, we both stopped. Staring each other down, our chests rising and falling with every breath.
I might've been at my limit, but one thing was certain: Android 17 was annoyed. I bet he never imagined facing such a stubborn opponent. And yet, there was something almost amused in his frustration—a hint of sadism. After all, like he'd said himself, to them, this was all just a game.
And of course, I would use that to my advantage.
But just as I opened my mouth to taunt him, a deathly chill shot down my spine, because, standing atop a nearby rock, there was Cell, watching us.
I swear I nearly dropped dead on the spot. There he was—the monster we'd been hunting for days—glaring down at us with a murderous expression. How on earth had he gotten there?!
Damn it! I had to unleash my full Ki to keep up with Android 17, and that must've lit up a giant beacon over my head and led Cell straight to us.
But the strangest part was that the Androids didn't seem to grasp the severity of the situation. They just stared back at him with puzzled expressions.
Meanwhile, I was trembling—cold sweat pouring from every pore in my body. Only one question pounded inside my skull: What would we do if Cell fused with the Androids?
"Who's that weird-looking freak?" asked Android 17, confirming my theory—they had no idea who Cell really was.
My panic only worsened when, thanks to my heightened hearing, I caught Cell murmuring to himself how thrilled he was. The day of his victory had arrived—the day he would absorb Androids 17 and 18. As for Android 16, he didn't even care. Just an outdated model.
Cell leapt down from the rock and landed in front of us. He was a bit shorter than me, but that didn't make him any less terrifying. In the very next moment, he raised his Ki.
He reeked of death itself.
A yellowish, putrid stench rose from his body—so foul it made me nauseous. It was as if we could smell every soul he had drained.
Even the androids couldn't hide their fear and shock as they faced such an abomination. Cell's power was so overwhelming the ground trembled beneath us, and a violent gust of wind swept around us, scattering rocks in all directions.
This couldn't be real. It had to be a dream—or worse, a nightmare. My legs went numb, my body trembled as I stared at that horrifying creature standing right in front of me.
Terror consumed me.
Cell walked toward me.
"There's no escape," said my Enemy. "This is your end."
My eyes widened. My throat went dry.
Cell kept coming.
What now??
Two meters… One…
He stopped right beside me.
"So, Piccolo," he said. "What are you going to do?"
Silence.
What was I going to do?
My mind had gone blank. My voice—disappeared. My breath—held. My body… hollow.
But then, a warmth entered my chest. And a gentle, tender Voice reminded me: "Do not be afraid, I will help you, for I have called you by name."
Air returned to my lungs. I felt the ground beneath my feet again. My feelings came back—all of them. Especially the one burning brightest: Rage.
And as for fear… it no longer existed.
"You scoundrel!!!" I turned on Cell. "How many innocent lives have you sacrificed just to increase your power?!"
"Sacrificed?" Cell sneered. "On the contrary, it's an honor for humans to become a small part of my strength." Then he turned and walked toward the Androids.
Wait. "A small part of his strength?"
Did that mean… that wasn't all of Cell's power?!
No… No, it couldn't be!
"Well, well, you two," said Android 17, waving his hand impatiently. "Cut the chatter! Listen, Piccolo. This bug looks like a fun opponent, so I'm gonna take a break from our fight and play around with him for a bit, okay?"
I glanced at Cell, standing in front of Android 17. The tip of his tail was swaying like a snake, ready to strike.
Oh no!
I couldn't believe what I was about to do—but it was my only choice.
"Seventeen!!!" I shouted, desperate. "He's going to kill you and absorb you! RUN!!!"
"W-What…?" He stared at me, eyes wide.
In the very next instant, Cell lunged at him with his tail.
Thankfully, the kid was fast—he managed to dodge just in time. But Cell came after him, striking so quickly I could barely follow.
Before I knew it, Cell had pinned him to the ground and was aiming his tail right at 17's chest, ready to absorb him.
NO!!!
I didn't think—I just acted.
With a single blow, I shot forward and kicked Cell square in the face, sending him flying. Android 17 scrambled to his feet and positioned himself at my side.
"Think you scared me, attacking outta nowhere like that?!" he shouted at Cell, clearly scared. "You've got no idea who you're messing with!" He glanced sideways at me. "Hey, Piccolo, tell me… Is this freak seriously trying to absorb me?"
"Yes," I replied. "Long story short—his name is Cell. He's a creature built by Dr. Gero's computer. He's still in an incomplete form, but if he absorbs you and 18, he'll reach his perfect form."
"Say WHAT?!" Android 18 snapped, disgusted.
"Ah, my siblings…" Cell spread his arms wide. "Rejoice! Once we merge, we will become a warrior with superpowers beyond imagination. Together, we'll be invincible! Come—let us become the perfect being Dr. Gero dreamed of!"
"I've never heard such garbage in my life!" Android 17 scoffed. "None of us want to merge with you. I'M already the most powerful warrior there is!"
Good thing Lettie wasn't around—she wouldn't have survived so many walking clichés in one square meter. Still, all this chatter was buying us a little time.
"Your wishes are of no concern to me," Cell said, swaying his tail. "You will be absorbed. And nothing will stop it."
"I'll smash your mouth in if you don't shut up with this nonsense!!!" Android 17 shouted, squaring up for the fight.
"You better run, Number 17!" someone called out.
It was Android 16.
Everyone turned to look at him.
"My calculations show a massive difference in power between you and this creature," he warned. "We cannot allow his body to reach its perfected state. His goal isn't just to kill Son Goku—he aims to annihilate the entire Universe."
Oh, great.
Another one on the list?!
Do these people seriously have nothing better to do?!
But one thing became clear to me: this Android 16… felt different from the other two. There was something in his essence that didn't match the rebellious, teenage swagger of the sibling duo. Despite his burning desire to kill my brother-in-law, there was something else in him—something pure, something innocent...
Which made me wonder: did Android 16 really want to kill Goku, or was it just programming and lines of code shouting rules inside his head?
Android 17, still at my side, yanked me out of my thoughts, "Well, well, Number 16… I thought we were friends. Can't believe you just told me something that ridiculous—run from a fight? Ugh! I'm not a coward! AHHHHH!!!" He screamed and charged at Cell.
NO!!! Stupid kid!!!
Android 17 attacked—but Cell dodged with ease and countered in a blink, knocking him out cold. I couldn't just stand there. I lunged at Cell, but he blocked all my blows effortlessly and sent me flying.
I hit the ground hard—skin scraping across dry earth and jagged stones. I ate dust like a fool, and only then did I realize how much my body hurt. Oh, how much it hurt! I had used most of my strength fighting Android 17… Facing Cell today had not been on the schedule.
It was like my energy suddenly had drained away, and a heavy, suffocating fatigue dropped on my shoulders—the kind that hits you on the worst day of the flu.
I braced my hands on the ground to push myself up, only to see Cell standing right next to me. He smiled and kicked me hard in the gut. I went flying again, crashing down with a dull thud several meters away—completely breathless.
What was happening? Why did every single hit from Cell feel a hundred times stronger than anything Android 17 had thrown at me?
There was no way Cell was that much more powerful than him.
Or… was there?
If that were true… then… then…
I couldn't think straight anymore… My eyes were heavy… I could barely stand…
Cell was getting closer.
But I had to try. At least once.
Summoning the last shreds of energy I had left, I brought my hands together in front of me, formed an energy sphere, and raised my Ki. From the corner of my eye, I saw Android 17 bolt, finally realizing what I was about to do. At last, the kid had a smart move.
"DIE, YOU BASTARD!!!" I hurled the energy sphere at Cell.
The entire island was swallowed in a blinding yellow flash. The explosion from my blast left me deaf for a moment. The shockwave shook the sea so violently that a wave came crashing down on us, soaking us to the bone.
When the dust finally settled—Cell was gone.
"N-No way!" Android 18 smiled in relief. "Piccolo did it!"
Silence fell for a moment. My breathing was heavy.
"No," Android 16 announced grimly. "He didn't. And worse—Cell didn't take any damage."
We turned to face Android 16, pale as ghosts. There was no point hiding our shared dread anymore.
Now, truly, I couldn't feel a thing. If that attack didn't even tickle Cell, then what could possibly hurt him? I had nearly wiped out half the island. How was it possible that he didn't have a single scratch on him?!
To confirm 16's words, the sea before us began to stir. And then, like a beast rising from the depths, Cell emerged—untouched. Not a scratch on him. Worse still: his Ki was stronger. Darker. More overwhelming than before.
WHAT WAS THAT THING?!?!?!
He floated up and calmly landed right in front of me, as if he'd never left. We locked eyes for a few seconds—and I swear, I've never seen anything so sinister, so abominable in my entire life.
Cell might not have absorbed my body… but just his gaze felt like it could drain my soul and drag it down into the abyss.
And then, in one last desperate move, I screamed, "RUN, NUMBER 17!!!"
A moment later, Cell struck me on the head—and I hit the ground. The sensation was identical to when Nappa shattered my skull during the battle against the Saiyans. I think Cell did the same.
Everything went dark. I couldn't see anymore. My body stopped working—but I could still hear everything.
I heard Cell's footsteps coming toward me. I felt his sticky fingers lift me up. I felt his hand break my neck. I felt Cell fire a blast straight into my gut—merciless. I felt my insides spill out of me. I heard the Androids scream in horror. I felt Cell toss me into the sea like a bag of trash…
And at last, I felt myself sinking—deeper and deeper into the ocean.
No breath. No sight. No voice.
But I felt. I felt everything—the pain, the panic, the despair, the helplessness…
"I have won," declared my Enemy.
No… No…!
I needed to go back to my girls. Back to our home.
I couldn't abandon them.
Lettie… Naíma… My family…
I kept sinking… maybe forever.
Was there still a light left for me?
Friend… Please… Help me!!!