Chapter 1: Red Ribbon Revival and the Creation of Cell Max

Read the synopsis and tags.

The first 7 chapters will be basically a recap as cell max is still in development.

This story will have different povs, like Dragon Ball Kakumei, but the mc is Cell.

----

The Red Ribbon Army was thought to be a distant memory, defeated and scattered decades ago by a young Goku. But deep within the mountains, hidden beneath an advanced layer of holographic projection and military defenses, the sinister organization was making a comeback.

And at the heart of its revival was Magenta, the son of Commander Red, who had quietly built Red Pharmaceuticals into a front to finance the new Red Ribbon Army's ambitions.

Magenta strode down the long corridor of his secret base, the lights casting harsh shadows that emphasized his rigid expression. Behind him walked Carmine, his trusted assistant, and close by was their latest ally: a strange young scientist named Dr. Hedo.

Though eccentric, Dr. Hedo was undeniably a genius, and his arrival had sparked a new hope for Magenta's ambitions. Hedo's creation of advanced androids, the Gammas, was promising, but Magenta wanted more. He needed something that could handle the mightiest threats on Earth, including the Saiyan warriors they feared most, like Goku and Vegeta.

As they approached a large, metallic door, Magenta's voice broke the silence. "Dr. Hedo, are you certain your creations will be enough? We've dealt with Goku's kind before. They don't die easily."

Dr. Hedo, despite his eccentric, almost childlike demeanor, spoke with an assurance that seemed unnatural for someone his age. "The Gammas are powerful enough to rival anything that walks on this planet," he replied, a slight smile crossing his lips. "I've studied their capabilities thoroughly. With their unique abilities and personalities, they're essentially superheroes."

"Superheroes…" Magenta murmured, his tone uncertain. He had never thought of the Red Ribbon Army as aligned with heroes, but if that's what it took to keep the public oblivious and their real intentions hidden, so be it. "But still," he pressed, "there must be more. This planet has seen Saiyans reach unprecedented levels of strength. It's not enough just to match them. We need something… beyond them."

Dr. Hedo's eyes flickered, a sign that he was holding something back. They reached the door, and Hedo keyed in a series of numbers. The thick metal door slid open with a hiss, revealing a dimly lit room beyond, where two containment pods stood upright.

Inside were two humanoid androids, identical in size but visibly different in demeanor, even in stasis. One was stern, poised with calculated determination. The other seemed to smirk, his body language far more relaxed, even playful.

"These are the Gammas," Hedo said, gesturing with a wave. "Gamma 1 and Gamma 2. Each designed with unique strengths. Together, they're nearly unstoppable."

Carmine took a hesitant step forward, peering at the two androids through the thick glass. "And how are they different from each other?"

Hedo adjusted his glasses, a glint of pride in his eyes. "Gamma 1 operates with precise logic. He's a strategist, focused, efficient, a born leader, if you will. Gamma 2, on the other hand, is more… dynamic. He relies on impulse and instinct. He's brash, energetic. In battle, he can throw off opponents by breaking patterns, doing the unexpected."

Magenta considered this, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Interesting," he said. "But we've faced androids before. Dr. Gero, your grandfather, had his share of 'perfect' creations. One of them nearly brought the world to its knees. What makes these any different?"

At the mention of his grandfather, Dr. Hedo's expression shifted. He rarely spoke of Dr. Gero, even though his legacy hung heavily over his work. But today was different. Today, Hedo had something more. He turned back to Magenta, a peculiar look in his eyes.

"It's funny you mention Dr. Gero," Hedo began, his voice lower. "You see, while I was studying his research, I stumbled upon something… unexpected. Hidden, almost as if he wanted no one to ever find it. Advanced schematics, buried deep within his files, detailing an evolution of the creature known as Cell."

Magenta's eyes widened. The word Cell echoed in the dim room, and he felt a chill run down his spine. Cell was the ultimate weapon that Dr. Gero had designed, a creature meant to evolve endlessly, absorbing fighters to grow stronger. But Cell had been destroyed, brought down in a climactic battle by Gohan, Goku's son.

"You're telling me you found something left behind by Gero? Something related to Cell?" Magenta's voice was a mix of suspicion and interest.

"Precisely," Hedo replied, almost reverently. "Dr. Gero had envisioned a being that could not only absorb organic beings but also adapt in a way that would allow it to surpass even the most powerful fighters. Cell Max."

Carmine's face went pale. "Cell… Max?"

"Don't misunderstand," Hedo continued. "My Gammas are strong, perhaps even beyond Saiyan-level, but Cell Max, this creature, has potential they can't even touch.

Imagine a being that can absorb not only flesh and bone but any type of energy, even the energy of androids, continuously evolving and perfecting itself. It can take whatever it needs and convert it immediately into raw power and potential."

Magenta's grin widened. "And you're telling me you have the means to bring this 'Cell Max' to life?"

Hedo hesitated. "Not entirely," he admitted. "My designs for Cell Max are incomplete. What I've managed to put together was based on the notes I found, but… let's just say, it's not entirely stable. If I add in the absorption abilities, there's a high risk it could become impossible to control. Imagine a creature that grows with every punch it takes, every energy blast it absorbs, it could easily turn against us."

"Then don't activate it fully," Magenta said, undeterred. "Keep the absorption ability a secret. Make it a failsafe, a backup option, something we can use only if the Saiyans return, and only if things get truly desperate."

Dr. Hedo nodded, though a flicker of doubt crossed his face. The idea of something as dangerous as Cell Max, especially with the ability to absorb anything freely, gave him pause. But the vision of his grandfather's legacy was compelling, intoxicating even. He could create something unparalleled in power, something that could strike fear into the hearts of the strongest fighters on Earth.

Without another word, Dr. Hedo led them through another corridor, finally stopping at a larger door. Inside lay the main laboratory where the project, dubbed Cell Max, was taking shape. Hedo activated the lights, illuminating a towering incubation pod filled with a thick, green liquid. Suspended within it was the monstrous outline of Cell Max, still forming, a beast both familiar and alien.

Magenta and Carmine stared, transfixed. The creature's massive, muscular body was reminiscent of the semi-perfect Cell, but larger, more jagged, and imbued with raw, untamed power. His body wasn't as sleek or refined, but there was a primal quality, an untamed energy barely contained within the glass walls.

Magenta let out a low whistle. "So this is the infamous Cell Max…"

Dr. Hedo's voice softened as he spoke, almost as if addressing a sleeping child. "Yes. I've based his design on Gero's original blueprints but added my own touches. This creature, once complete, will have the potential to absorb any opponent, absorbing their energy, strength and knowledge, surpassing them within seconds."

He walked over to the control panel, running a hand over the switches and dials as if each one held a sacred power. "The absorption ability remains dormant," he said, addressing Magenta's unspoken question.

"But should the need arise, I can trigger it remotely. If Cell Max ever becomes a true threat to us, it will be an option. However, I should warn you… once it's activated, we won't have a way to shut it down. It could adapt beyond our control."

Magenta watched Cell Max, an expression of triumph spreading across his face. "Then let's make sure we only need him if things go south," he said. "But it's good to know we have a backup plan."

----

Go on patreon for more!

Patreon: SaintNull