First, give the MC a clear backstory. For example, if they are a human, explain where they come from, their family, and what led them to get involved with the events related to Cell. Maybe they were training in martial arts because they had a personal vendetta against powerful beings after their family was killed by a random villain. This would give them a motivation to face Cell.
Secondly, give the MC some unique abilities or traits. It doesn't have to be super - powerful at first. It could be something like an extremely high IQ that allows them to analyze Cell's fighting patterns quickly. This would make them stand out and be more believable as a character who can hold their own against Cell in the fanfic. They could use their intelligence to develop new strategies or even find weaknesses in Cell that the other Z - fighters haven't noticed yet.
Chapter 137, "Attempt to Breakthrough, Dispute [Trinity]", is the clearest early answer because Great Xia Camp finally turns buildup into a real advancement. A useful checkpoint is the way the scene starts with After listening to He Gang and He Meng, Yuwen Dao, who had been calm,... and follows through with The two turned to face each other, a strong sense of rivalry in their....
Chapter 140, "Mining Competition, The Hunt Begins [3-in-1 Mega Chapter]", is the clearest early answer because it turns Cold Resistance Level's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter turns that into something concrete by moving from All camp members, from now on, no contribution points will be given... to Isn't the leader attempting a Cold Resistance Level breakthrough?.
Chapter 235, "The Might of the Longyou Army, Yang Lu's Desperate Situation (Part 2)", is the clearest early answer because it turns Wu Xiong's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter turns that into something concrete by moving from The thousand people on the south side are led by two Cold Resistance... to At the front of the battlefield, a Longyou soldier drew a strong bow,.... What makes it stick is that the chapter closes with Yuwen Dao sneered coldly;
Chapter 161, "Who Told You That a Furnace Needs to Be Lit by Someone?", is the clearest early answer because it turns Xia Hong's situation into a concrete plot event. It opens with An'er!" Luo Yuan on the second floor saw the direction the dagger was... and closes on A white figure, like a cannonball, was smashed down from above the....
Chapter 217, "Hesitation, Departure, and Sending Word (Part 3)", is the clearest early answer because it pushes Cheng Ping into a new phase or setting. The setup is Xia Hong could see through Luo Cheng's thoughts with a glance and..., but the pressure keeps building through Your aptitude is decent, and with my recommendation, Great Xia might....
Chapter 231, "Investigating Yang Lu by Day—Whose Side Are We On?", is the clearest early answer because it turns Xia Chuan's situation into a concrete plot event. It opens with Except for Long Mountain, there are no more tall mountains on the... and closes on This is considered Yang Lu's only strength..
Chapter 230, "Next Step, Surrender, Set Out for Yang Lu (Part 3)", is the clearest early answer because it turns Luo Yuan's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter gives readers a real answer by opening on Judging from their expressions, it was clear they only remembered the... and ending on The daytime scenery does have a unique flavor..
Chapter 214, "Meritorious Deed, A Fortunate Accident (Part 3)", is the clearest early answer because it turns Luo Ming's situation into a concrete plot event. It opens with Among the hunting team's thirty-odd squads, the one with the... and closes on The head doesn't go hunting often..
Chapter 179, "Tigers Fall, Insights and Fond Hearts [Happy New Year]", is the clearest early answer because it turns Tian Yu's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter turns that into something concrete by moving from Unfortunately, before he could even bow, he was held up by the man. to In that moment, Xia Hong had disappeared..
Chapter 141, "Intermediate Thunder Kui, Second Reshaping Skin [Three in One]", is the clearest early answer because it turns Xia Chuan's situation into a concrete plot event. The setup is It's a pity that Xia Hong and the fourteen members of the Hunting..., but the pressure keeps building through No matter how strong the spikes on its back are, it can't turn around....