Disclaimer: Tenchi Muyo! is owned by AIC/Pioneer and was created by Masaki Kajishima. Dragonball Z is owned by Toei Animation and Bird Studio/Shueisha, and was created by Akira Toriyama.

CHAPTER 4

A few moments earlier, in Yugi's dimension, Yugi watched as Cell slaughtered her minions.

Yugi *shocked*: How… how did this happen?! One moment, my minions had Cell on the ropes, and the next moment, he absorbed them all in the blink of an eye! This is horrible! On the other hand, if he gets rid of Tenchi's friends, then he just might prove to be… beneficial. But if he messes with my plans any further, I may just have to interfere personally!

Back at the remnants of Tenchi's high school, Kiyone continued to fire away at Cell, but to no avail. He either evaded or deflected her shots.

Cell: You know, I could finish you off right now, but I find your futile struggle against me hilariously amusing.

Kiyone growled in frustration, over both Cell's remark and the fact that her blaster was completely useless against him. Just then, Kiyone got an idea.

Kiyone *thinking to herself*: Of course! I almost forgot that I had an antimatter bullet on me! Now all I need is a diversion.

Kiyone took off her left earring.

Kiyone: Hey Cell! Care for a LIGHT?

Kiyone tossed her left earring directly at Cell, and blinded him in a giant flash of light. As it turned out, Kiyone's left earring was actually a miniature flare bomb in disguise, while her right earring hid the anti-matter bullet. Making use of the diversion, Kiyone removed and unscrewed her right earring, revealing an anti-matter bullet. Loading it into her blaster, she aimed and fired right at Cell's head. The bullet went straight into the android's left eye, exploding on contact, and blowing up the entire upper half of Cell's body. The explosion sent Kiyone flying a few yards, but she quickly recovered. As the smoke cleared and the light vanished, all that was left of Cell was his lower torso, which lay on the ground.

Kiyone: YES!!! I GOT HIM!

Washu: All right! Time for me to go get some free samples of Cell!

Ryoko: Hold on, Washu. Let's make sure he's dead first.

Washu: I seriously doubt that that demon could regenerate his entire upper torso, not without a head at least.

Suddenly, the lower torso of Cell sprang to its feet.

Kiyone *surprised*: No way! He can't still be alive! Not after I used an antimatter bullet on him!

Cell's lower half began moving around, and within moments, his upper half sprouted up from his lower torso, and he was whole once more.

Cell: A nice trick, my dear, but I'm afraid it was all in vain. You see, so long as at least one of my cells are still alive, I can regenerate any or all parts of my body, no matter how many times they are destroyed. In other words, I'm not dead until every cell in my body has been eradicated.

Cell then disappeared and reappeared behind Kiyone, placed her in a half nelson, and ascended toward the sky. Kiyone struggled to get free.

Kiyone *struggling*: Let me go *urgh* you monster!

Cell: As you wish.

Cell released Kiyone from his grip, and watched as she fell a couple thousand feet toward the pavement below. Just when she was about to hit the ground, Cell grabbed her by the legs, thus preventing her from becoming street strudel. Just then, the bio-monstrosity swung her hard against the side of a nearby building, which K.O.'ed the Galaxy Police officer.

Everyone: KIYONE!!!

Cell then grabbed the now-unconscious Kiyone by the throat.

Cell: Payback for destroying my upper body.

Just as Cell was about to absorb Kiyone, a bright orange flash of light appeared. Within the next few seconds, the orange light sliced off Cell's tail, which loosened his grip on Kiyone, picked up Kiyone, returned her to Tenchi's group, and confronted Cell. The orange light turned out to be Ryoko. Cell quickly regained his composure and regenerated his tail.

Cell: So, we finally meet, face to face.

Ryoko nailed Cell in the face with a hard right, sending the monster reeling back.

Ryoko: On the contrary. We finally meet, fist to face.

Cell recovered and charged toward Ryoko, but she easily evaded his flying tackle, and elbowed Cell in the back, sending him to the ground. The android quickly got up, took to the sky, and began firing a whole barrage of ki blasts. Ryoko countered his attack with a rapid-fire multitude of energy blasts of her own. The two attacks canceled each other out. Right when the smoke was about to clear, Cell rapidly flew towards Ryoko, and nailed her with a hard fist to the stomach. The blow caused Ryoko to slump in mid-air, but she then began laughing and leaned right back up.

Cell: Hrrm? What's so funny?

Ryoko: The way you look right now. It's hilarious.

Cell suddenly noticed a huge, gaping hole in the center of his stomach.

Cell *surprised*: How… how did you….?!

Ryoko: Simple. About a millisecond before you hit me, I saw an opening and ran you clean through with my energy saber.

Cell: You'll pay for that!

Ryoko: Yeah, sure. Where haven't I heard that one before?

Cell quickly regenerated the hole in his stomach, and resumed his ferocious battle with Ryoko. The two rapidly traded kicks, punches, and energy blasts with one another.

Meanwhile, over at Tenchi's group:

Tenchi: Washu, how are Mihoshi and Kiyone doing?

Washu was monitoring their status on her holographic computer.

Washu: Kiyone seems to be making a slow recovery, but I'm using the term "slow" very figuratively, as her recovery has been incredibly slow. Mihoshi, on the other hand, appears to be getting gradually worse. If she doesn't start to recover soon, she could end up in a coma, or worse. If I had some medical supplies on hand, I might be able to improve their current conditions.

Sakuya: Hey Tenchi! Doesn't the doctor's office inside of the school have a ton of medical supplies?

Tenchi: They sure do. Only problem is, thanks to Cell's rampage, the entire entrance has been blocked off by rubble.

Just then, Sasami got an idea.

Sasami: Ryo-Ohki! It's show time!!

Ryo-Ohki: Miyah!

The tiny cabbit instantly transformed into a giant robot. (Writer's note: Just for creative purposes, I have named the transformed Ryo-Ohki Robo-Ohki.)

Sakuya *thinking to herself*: Amazing! A cat-rabbit hybrid that can change into a giant robot. Now I have seen everything. Tenchi, I must say, your friends truly are more than meets the eye.

Sasami: Ryo-Ohki, do you think you can remove the rubble that's blocking the entrance to Tenchi's high school?

Robo-Ohki *nodding her head*: Miyah!

As Robo-Ohki approached the rubble, giant drills popped out of her paws. Within a matter of seconds, the wreckage that cut off Tenchi from his goal had been reduced to dust.

Tenchi *speechless*: Wow!

Sasami: Good job, Ryo-Ohki.

Robo-Ohki reverted back to Ryo-Ohki, ran toward Sasami, and started licking her face.

Sasami: *Giggle!* Hey! That tickles!

Tenchi: All right! We can get in! Ayeka, I want you to help Washu take care of Mihoshi and Kiyone while I go get the medical supplies.

Ayeka: Certainly, Lord Tenchi.

Sakuya: Wait a second, Tenchi. You may need my help in there, carrying the supplies and whatnot.

Tenchi: You're right, Sakuya. Let's go get some medical supplies, stat!

Sakuya *thinking to herself*: *Giggle!* That's why I love him!

Ayeka *thinking to herself*: Why does that miserable hussy always have to be alongside Lord Tenchi? I should be the one to assist him, not Sakuya. But then again, he did give me an important task. Could this be like in those romance novels, where the heroine stays behind to help the sick and the wounded, while the hero goes off to save the day, and returns victorious, and to the heroine's loving arms, where they get *GASP!* married? Could this be a sign that Lord Tenchi really doesn't love Sakuya, but me instead? And could it be that this situation we're in right now is the moment that cements our relationship?

Sasami *thinking to herself*: Uh oh. It looks like my big sister's getting starry-eyed again. Perhaps I should stop recording those soap operas for her.

Tenchi and Sakuya entered the remains of their high school. A few minutes later, they returned with a bunch of medical supplies.

Tenchi: We're back. Did we miss anything?

Washu: Not much, just that Ryoko and Cell are still fighting with one another.

Tenchi: Just out of curiosity, why did you need the medical supplies? Couldn't you have simply used one of your inter-dimensional tunnels to get some medical equipment, or to send the injured back home?

Washu: If I had used my inter-dimensional tunnel in the situation we're currently in, it would've been too risky. Cell would've probably seen the portal as a means of escape, and we would've lost sight of him. Not only that, he would've probably destroyed my lab and absorbed my experiments, and who knows would he would've become after that. In other words, using my inter-dimensional tunnel would've caused more harm than good. Also, I'd hate to see my lab in ruins. It took me a good twenty minutes to build it, and I don't want to have to waste that my time building another. Plus, I didn't bring an inter-dimensional tunnel with me. Besides, I like working with your planet's primitive devices, be they scientific or medical. I find them quite interesting.

Tenchi: I see.

Meanwhile, Ryoko and Cell continued to clash with one another. The two of them were evenly matched, with neither person gaining the upper hand. Each move they made against one another was more strategic than the last. On and on, the two continued to fight, evading, countering, and equaling one another blow for blow. As time wore on, neither combatant had tired out, and neither person was willing to back down.

Three hours had passed, and not much had changed since then. Tenchi and friends watched in amazement as both Ryoko and Cell stepped up the intensity of their attacks. As the two hovered in mid-air, Ryoko charged toward Cell and tried to nail him from above with a diving saber attack, but Cell ducked underneath, grabbed Ryoko by the legs, and threw her toward the ground. Luckily, she was able to stop herself in mid-air, and flew back toward the android at a rapid intensity. Cell was unable to evade the speed of the space pirate's ascent toward him, and ended up getting kneed in the stomach. The impact of the blow made Cell double over in pain, but as he leaned back up, he began to laugh.

Ryoko: What're you laughing about this time, demon? Have you finally realized that you're no match for me?

Cell: No, just the opposite. In fact, I'm going to be honest with you. I've been toying with you the whole time. Furthermore, I've been fighting you at only fifty percent of my power.

Ryoko: WHAT?!? You're lying!

Cell: I'm afraid not. This time, I won't be holding back any more. When I'm through with you, they'll have to use your dental records to identify your remains.

Cell quickly rushed towards Ryoko. Expecting that Cell was about to nail her with one of his flying punches, Ryoko stood in a blocking position, ready to fend off the attack. Just as she thought that he was about to hit her, the monster disappeared.

Ryoko: Where'd he go?

Cell: Right behind you, my dear.

Before she could even react, Cell elbowed her in the back, then appeared in front of her, delivering a flurry of punches before slamming her down to the sidewalk. Fortunately, Ryoko landed softly on her feet, but was a little bit stunned from having been taken off-guard.

Ryoko *thinking to herself*: Damn! He wasn't kidding about holding back earlier.

As Ryoko flew back up to confront Cell, she suddenly found herself surrounded by three different versions of Cell. As it turned out, while Ryoko was on the ground, Cell had performed the Shishin no ken (Multi-form Technique), thus separating into three versions of himself. The trio quickly encircled her, and the space pirate found herself caught up in a whirlwind of punches and kicks. During the attack, however, Ryoko saw an opening. Grabbing the Cell duplicate behind her, she flipped it over using a behind-the-back throw, colliding it into the other Cell clone. Upon impact, she rushed on over and ran the two of them through with her energy saber. The copies exploded in a cloud of dust.

Ryoko: Huh. I guess that wasn't the real Cell. I wonder where he went?

As Ryoko turned around, she spotted Cell and noticed that his hands were in a unique position over his face.

Cell: TAIYOKEN! (Solar Flare)

A massive flash of light encompassed the city, blinding Ryoko, as well as Team Tenchi. As everyone struggled to regain their vision, Tenchi&151; through blurred vision&151; noticed Cell appear behind Ryoko.

Tenchi: Ryoko! Behind you!

But it was too late. Taking advantage of a blinded and slightly worn-out Ryoko, Cell delivered a whirlwind of punches and kicks, each attack more powerful and rapid than the last, until it got to the point where no one could keep track of him. For a few moments, it looked like an invisible force was beating up Ryoko. The android then grabbed hold of Ryoko's legs, spun her around, and tossed her down to the pavement below. On the way down, Ryoko crashed through a phone booth, and eventually skidded to a stop along the sidewalk. Despite being exhausted from Cell's assault, Ryoko was able to stand back up.

Ryoko *exhausted*: Is that…the best…you've got…you bastaaaa…*THUD!*

Everyone: RYOKO!!!

Ryoko collapsed on the sidewalk, having been overwhelmed from all of Cell's attacks. Seeing a golden opportunity to consume a worthy combatant, Cell dove toward the now-unconscious Ryoko. Just when he was within striking distance of his target, two paw-shaped missiles appeared out of nowhere and made contact with the android, sending him flying back a few yards. As it turned out, the attack came from Sasami and Robo-Ohki.

Sasami: You stay away from Ryoko, you filthy monster!

*Begin flashback*

A few moments earlier, Sasami and Washu watched as Cell knocked Ryoko out of the sky.

Sasami: Oh no! Ryoko's in trouble! Ryo-Ohki, transform now!

The lovable cabbit changed into its menacing mecha form. Opening up her cockpit, Sasami jumped inside.

Sasami: Let's go, Ryo-Ohki.

Washu: Hold on a minute, Sasami. I think it would be best if we double-teamed that monster.

Sasami *inside Robo-Ohki*: Good idea, but how do you plan on fighting that demon?

Washu: With this.

Washu pulled out her Power Glove and put in on.

Ayeka: Miss Washu, isn't that the power glove you used to force open the door to Lord Tenchi's apartment?

Tenchi: You did WHAT?!

Giant sweat drops appeared on everybody's heads.

Washu: Uhhh… nothing, Tenchi. Besides, can't it wait until we take care of Cell?

Tenchi: *Sigh* I suppose so…

Washu then pressed a red button on her glove, and in an instant, was encased in a suit of battle armor, which looked similar to that of Priss's hardsuit from Bubblegum Crisis, except that Washu's hair was sticking out.

Washu: This battle armor increases the wearer's agility, speed, and power tenfold. It also enables the person to jump incredibly high & far distances.

Sasami *inside Robo-Ohki*: Cool! But can it fly?

Washu: Hey, I could only fit so much into such a small piece of hardware. Now, let's go get ourselves an android.

Sasami: Right!

Washu A *in tiny battle armor*: Go get 'em, Washu!

Washu B *same deal*: Washu! Washu!

Sasami, inside Robo-Ohki, and Washu dashed off into battle.

*End flashback*

Leading off the attack, Sasami and Robo-Ohki were able to divert Cell's attention long enough for Tenchi and Sakuya to grab the now-unconscious Ryoko and return her to their group.

Sakuya: Tenchi?

Tenchi: Yes, Sakuya?

Sakuya: Can you please get me that suit of armor for Christmas?

Tenchi: I'll see what I can do.

Washu followed up Robo-Ohki's attack by firing a bunch of electro-needles from her left arm. Instinctively, Cell tried to bat them away, only to discover that when he did, they stuck to his arm, and gave him a massive shock. With Cell stunned, Washu leapt up into the air, applied a flurry of kicks to Cell's abdomen (Chun-Li style), and finished off with a high kick to the chin, sending the monster falling towards the ground. Hoping to add more damage to Washu's killer combo, Sasami readied Robo-Ohki's next attack.

Sasami: Now Ryo-Ohki! Forehead Gem Beam… FIRE!

A bright yellow beam was fired from Robo-Ohki's forehead, which cut through the air, and nailed Cell on his back, sending him flying up even farther.

Sasami: Got him! Now let's use the Cabbit Kick attack!

Robo-Ohki leapt up into the air, appeared above the already-stunned Cell, and pressed both her feet into Cell's stomach, which sent the android plummeting into a building nearby, and crashing through all of the floors on the way down.

Sasami: Yeah! That took care of him for sure!

Enraged by that last assault, Cell unleashed a ki wave that destroyed the building he fell into, and streaked straight towards Washu. Un-intimidated by Cell's furious charge, Washu stood her ground, and right when Cell was about to collide into her, she nailed him with a lethal uppercut to his already-softened chin, stopping him in his tracks.

Washu: Gotcha!

Just when Cell was about to fall down, he leaned back up and grabbed hold of Washu's right arm&151; the arm she’d used to punch him&151;, all within the blink of an eye.

Washu: What the…?!

Making use of the opening, Cell stuck his tail into the armor's energy pack located on Washu's back, and siphoned all of the energy out of it.

Cell: Mmmmm. Fortifying.

Washu: Oh no! He's drained all of the power out of my suit! Even the reserves have been depleted! I… can't… move. This can mean only one thing… I'm screwed!

Powerless and unable to move, Washu was now a sitting duck for Cell, who crushed her right hand like a soda can. Just then, Sasami and Robo-Ohki noticed that Washu was in danger, as Cell took to the sky with Washu in his grasp.

Sasami: Oh no! Miss Washu's in trouble! Hurry, Ryo-Ohki!

Robo-Ohki quickly leapt on over to where Cell was.

Sasami: You let go of her, you ugly freak!

Cell: You want her? Come and get her!

Cell flipped Washu over and held her by her legs.

Sasami: *GASP!* He's going to do the same attack he did to Matori earlier. We must stop him now, Ryo-Ohki!

Washu *in pain*: No Sasami! Don't…

But Washu's warning was in vain, as Robo-Ohki leapt up to try and free Washu. Just as the mecha-cabbit was about to reach her target, Cell swung Washu like a bat, which sent Robo-Ohki flying out of control. A loud "PWANG" could be heard upon impact. Cell then finished the duo off with a powerful single-handed ki blast, sending them out of the battlefield.

Sasami *screaming*: WHHAAAAAAA…!!!!

Everyone: SASAMI!!!

Robo-Ohki's “miyahs” of panic could also be heard in the distance as she and Sasami went careening out of the city.

Cell: Humph. That takes care of the little girl and her pet robot. Now, as for you, my dear Washu, I'm impressed that your armor was able to withstand that last attack. But, let's see how durable it really is.

Cell tossed Washu up into the air and fired a rapid barrage of ki blasts, damaging the outer casing of her armor. As she fell toward the ground, the android appeared right above Washu and punched her hard in the face, shattering the front of her armor's helmet. She then landed hard atop a parked car and fell unconscious.

Everyone: WASHU!!!

Cell: Now to claim my rewa… wait a second. *thinking to himself* Whenever I render one of Tenchi's friends unconscious, another one steps in and prevents me from absorbing the other. Clever plan, but it won't work this time. Go ahead and bring on the next opponent. I'll be waiting.

Having sensed a pattern from all of the previous attacks, Cell simply stood still in mid-air, awaiting the next attack.

Ayeka summoned forth her guardians.

Ayeka: Azaka! Kamidake!

Azaka and Kamidake: Yes, princess?

Ayeka: Ready the ULTIMATE attack!

Azaka: *GASP!* You don't mean…!

Kamidake: You can't be serious!

Ayeka: We have no other choice! Right now, we're the only ones standing between Cell and Lord Tenchi. If we don't stop Cell now, Lord Tenchi will… I can't even bear to think about what that hideous abomination will do to him!

Azaka and Kamidake: Very well then, Miss Ayeka.

The two guardians and Ayeka began powering up their most powerful attack. A different color energy field surrounded each person; Azaka's was blue, Kamidake's was red, and Ayeka's was purple. None of this escaped Cell's notice, however, and as the android watched, he began secretly powering up an ultimate attack of his own. Soon, both combatants were ready to unleash their devastating attacks upon his/her opponent. Sensing that a lot damage was going to take place, Tenchi and Sakuya took cover inside the remains of Tenchi's high school.

Azaka and Kamidake: We're ready and standing by, Miss Ayeka.

Ayeka: Good. Standby to open fire on my command.

Both Ayeka and Cell had each other in their sights.

Ayeka/Cell: Now! Ultra-Mega-Hyper-Shield…/Galick Gun… Ayeka/Cell: ATTACK!!/FIRE!!

Both attacks collided into one-another with a ferocious impact, sending out a shockwave that tossed the unconscious bodies of Ryoko, Mihoshi, and Kiyone in all directions. Neither of the attacks showed any signs of letting up, until…

Ayeka: Keep it up! I think we're winning!

Cell *thinking to himself*: Hmm… Those three are more powerful than I had expected, but you can only be so powerful before someone greater usurps you from your throne.

Cell: KAIOKEN X2!!

All of a sudden, Cell's Galick Gun received a huge power boost and started overpowering Ayeka's Ultra-Mega-Hyper-Shield Attack. The trio was soon overwhelmed, and the ensuing explosion from Cell's attack sent Ayeka and the guardians flying into the side of a building, where Azaka and Kamidake were buried underneath tons of rubble, and Ayeka was slammed hard against the wall. Before succumbing to unconsciousness, Ayeka's last thoughts were focused on Tenchi.

Ayeka: T-Ten… chi…

No longer hearing the sounds of battle, and thinking that Ayeka had taken care of Cell, Tenchi and Sakuya emerged from the high school, only to discover that Cell was the victor. Tenchi looked to his left and noticed that Ayeka was unconscious against the side of a building.

Tenchi: AYEKA!!!

Cell slowly descended to the ground, arms folded.

Cell: And then, there were two.

Tenchi: Run, Sakuya, run!

Tenchi and Sakuya tried to retreat back into the school, but Cell simply lifted up two fingers, and performed his Bakuhatsuha attack, creating a large explosion underground which destroyed the rest of Tenchi's high school, and cut the duo off from escaping.

Cell: Leaving already? But I was having such fun. Oh well, time to bring this game to an end.

Both Tenchi and Sakuya were too scared to move.

Sakuya *scared*: What do we do now, Tenchi!?

Tenchi: Don't worry, Sakuya. I have a plan.

Meanwhile, some distance away, Robo-Ohki continued flying through the air; sirens and warning lights were going off inside her cockpit. The central monitor read: "WARNING! Maximum damage limit has been reached! Reverting to normal form in 55 seconds!" She eventually landed a few seconds later, dragging to a stop along the street and creating a long groove in the road in the process. Sasami bailed out of Robo-Ohki just in time for her to revert back into her cabbit form.

Sasami: I have to get back to Tenchi and the others… they could be in big trouble!

Picking up the now-unconscious Ryo-Ohki (complete with swirls for eyes, a la Pokemon), Sasami headed off to try and find Tenchi and company. She soon came across a sign stating that Tenchi's high school was 2 miles away.

Sasami: I have to hurry, but if I run the entire way back, I'll be too tired to defend myself from Cell.

Sasami started walking as fast as she could, hoping that Tenchi and friends were doing OK. Along the way, Sasami discovered clothes scattered all over the city, as well as a whole bunch of damaged buildings, and realized that Cell had been through this part of the city before.

Back over at the battleground that was Tenchi's high school, Tenchi faced towards Cell, somewhat scared, but unwilling to back down.

Tenchi: I won't forgive you for what you've done, Cell. You've taken the lives of so many people, beaten up or consumed all of my friends, and for what? Just so that you can achieve your mad dream of perfection? Your time has come, demon. This day will be your last!

Cell: Bold words, coming from someone who's about to die. Besides, how are you going to stop me? By berating me to death?

Tenchi: No, I plan on stopping you with this. *whispering* Sakuya, please step back.

Tenchi pulled out the seven crystals that the girls gave him earlier. He placed them next to each other, and watched as they started glowing as they hovered in mid-air. Within a few moments, a bright flash occurred, and in place of where the crystals were floating appeared a giant crystal-like sword, glowing with power. Cell was amazed by the power emanating from the sword.

Cell *surprised*: Wha… What's this?! This must be it! The power I sensed before coming here! *thinking to himself* So, it wasn't the boy's power level I felt, when, in fact, it was the sword's. Amazing!

Sakuya *amazed*: T-Tenchi?!

Tenchi: Sakuya, please move away from me, now.

Sakuya: But Tenchi, I…

Before Sakuya could say another word, Tenchi dashed toward Cell, sword in tow, and swung it down upon him. Cell caught the blade between both his hands, but had trouble freeing the sword from Tenchi's grasp. Suddenly, Cell noticed that the sword's power was starting to overwhelm him; slowly, small pieces of Cell started evaporating, weakening the android with each piece lost. Just when it looked as though Tenchi had gained the upper hand, Cell started to increase his ki dramatically.

Cell *struggling*: I…will not…be beaten…by… a mere…WEAPON!!

Using a large amount of his remaining ki, Cell unleashed a brutal ki backlash, which forced Tenchi to lose his grip on the sword, sent him flying back a few yards, and shattered the sword all at once.

Sakuya: Tenchi!!!

While in mid-air, the shattered weapon reverted back into seven crystals. Weakened but still able to move, Cell snatched all seven of the crystals from out of mid-air.

Tenchi: NO! The crystals…

Cell: …Are all mine!

Cell swallowed the seven crystals, and triggered a horrifying transformation, much to the horror of Tenchi and Sakuya. Not only did he fully restore himself, he now had a giant crystal in the middle of his chest.

Cell: YES! I can feel my ki rising rapidly! Never before have I felt such power. And I have you to thank for all of this, Tenchi Masaki!

Meanwhile, at Kami's sky palace, a piercing feeling of dread washed over Goku.

Goku: No! It can't be!

Gohan: What is it, father?

Goku: All of the unknown fighters' power levels have dropped greatly. And to make matters worse, Cell has absorbed their most powerful warrior and become more powerful than ever before.

Gohan: Darn it! We have to put a stop to him now!

Goku: Gohan! Wait!

Before Gohan could take off, Goku punched his son hard in the stomach, and thus prevented him from leaving.

Gohan *in pain*: Father…why?

Goku: Sorry son, but I don't want you to risk getting killed by someone who's far more powerful than you are. Besides, leave Cell to Vegeta and Trunks, once their training in the Room of Spirit and Time is completed. And if they can't take of him, then we will, once we've finished our training, of course.

Gohan: Gosh, dad, you're right.

Just then, a loud "BONG" echoed throughout the halls of Kami's palace. It was the signal that Vegeta and Trunks had completed their 24 hours of training in the Room of Spirit and Time. Goku and Gohan rushed over to the entrance of the ROSAT, where the door had just opened up. Out emerged Trunks, sporting longer hair, followed by Vegeta, who looked no different than he did before. Both of them looked battle-worn, but Goku and Gohan could tell that they were much stronger than before.

Back at the battlefield:

Cell: Well, Tenchi, I must thank you for granting me such power. Now no one, not even the androids, will be able to stop me. At last, my dream of achieving perfection will become a reality. As a reward for your generous donation, you get to become a part of me. Be sure to say "Hi" to your friends, Amagasaki, Misa, Akari and Hitomi. MWAHA HA HA HAAAA!!!!

Cell aimed and extended his tail toward Tenchi, who stood in a defensive position and closed his eyes. Just when his tail was about to make contact with Tenchi, Sakuya jumped in front of Tenchi and took the attack that was intended for him. Cell's tail impaled Sakuya through her stomach, which forced her to collapse on the ground. Tenchi was amazed, shocked, and horrified by Sakuya's act of bravery.

Tenchi: Sakuya!!!

Tenchi ran over to where Sakuya lay and gripped her hand. Tears began running down his cheeks.

Tenchi *saddened*: Sakuya…why? Why did you sacrifice yourself to Cell's attack?

Sakuya *dying*: Tenchi, I didn't want to see you die. I realize now that all of your friends put their lives on the line in order to save you. Don't worry about me anymore, Tenchi. You still have six lovely women who would rather die for you than see you get killed. But remember this… I love you. I always have, and I always will. Don't ever forget about me…*

Sakuya died in Tenchi's arms. He could feel her hand slipping away as she was slowly being absorbed by Cell. Soon, all that was left of her were her clothes.

Tenchi: SAKUYAAAA!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

To be continued…

Author's notes: And so ends chapter 4 of Cell-Out. Wow! Talk about a real cliffhanger! Anyways, here's a preview of chapter 5:

Oh, no! Sakuya's dead! And to make matters worse, all of Tenchi's friends have been defeated. Is this the end of Tenchi Masaki?! (To quote Mr. T: "Don't bet on it, fool!) In the next chapter, Trunks. Vegeta. 'Nuff said! Be here for chapter 5 of Cell-Out!

I have way too many people to thank, so I'll thank the noteworthy people: Rowan Seven, for his continuous feedback since chapter 1, Sam Packwood, for sending me the most serious feedback (would've also said longest feedback, but Rowan Seven just beat him out), and David Spergel, John Baervel, CeliaSetsuna@aol.com, myukatenrai112@aol.com, and hotluvchef@aol.com for their most recent feedback since the last chapter. But most importantly, I'd like to thank you, the reader, for checking out this latest chapter. Oh, and the surprise is still coming; prepare thyselves. Finally, I'd like to thank everyone for being SO incredibly patient in waiting for chapter 4 to be completed. Thanks so much, and remember, please, please, PLEASE send feedback to insaneben@yahoo.com. See ya next chapter!

Webmaster: Larry F
Last revision: January 7, 2006