Part 1

“Look, she’s wearing that same blue shirt again this week,” whispered one.

Another snickered. “I guess the money’s even shorter than last week.” The two girls watched as their classmate, Alora Casablan, walked by with her normal sweet smile. “Morning Alora,” they said to her in a fake tone.

Alora smiled back as she continued down the hall. She knew that they were making fun of her again. It was the same thing every morning. The captains of the cheerleading squad purposely stood in the main hallway to comment on Alora’s clothes.

“I hope you brought different gym clothes today!” one of them yelled.

Alora sat in the cafeteria quietly eating by herself while doing homework. It was her senior year in high school, and she hadn’t missed a homework assignment yet, being the straight-A student that she was. She was a plain girl, as the others always reminded her. Her hair was a goldish blonde that she normally kept in a ponytail, and she had light purple eyes—a combination that wasn’t very common. Other than that, she was the same as every other eighteen-year-old. The only exception being that her father was dead and her mother had a very low income. Alora knew that her family, (which consisted of her, her mother, and five-year-old twin brothers), were short on money and accepted it. She didn’t really care if she wore the same clothes all the time. It didn’t matter if they had been washed, right?

Contessa and Destiny, the cheerleaders from that morning, sat a few tables over from Alora with their football friends Justin and Jason. The four of them made up the perfect snob group, knowing that everyone admired them. Everyone, that is, except Alora.

Contessa leaned over the table towards her friends. She tucked a piece of her royal blue hair behind her ear. “She’s so blah,” the girl commented.

Destiny leaned back and smiled towards the other. “Wouldn’t it be funny to play a joke on her? Something that would scare the pants off her. The one’s she wore yesterday and the day before, that is.” She took out a make-up compact and applied cover-up on her perfect peach colored skin.

“Like what?” Contessa sighed.

Jason looked over his shoulder and then back at the girls. “I’ve got the perfect idea.”

“Well, what is it?” Contessa demanded.

“Did you guys see that weirdo on TV a few days ago? The one that threatened the planet with his stupid tournament?” They nodded. “Well, we all know that Alora doesn’t have a TV anymore. So I’m sure she doesn’t even know about it.”

“What are you getting at?” Justin asked as he yawned.

Jason leaned forward as if in a huddle. “We tell her that it’s a movie.”

“I don’t get it,” Justin said.

“Stupid,” Jason explained, “if we get her to go out to that arena or whatever, then we can leave her there. That weirdo would scare the crap out of her. She’d have no idea what to do.”

“Jason, that sounds good, but isn’t he dangerous? We’d get arrested and go to jail if we were caught and she was killed.” Destiny looked over at Alora, imagining how funny it would be. “It’s a perfect idea though.”

“We won’t leave her there forever. Just drop her off for a little while, drive away, and the come back. Nothing will happen. It’ll be great!”

After school the four jocks confronted Alora with their proposal. “Alora, we were thinking,” Contessa said innocently. “We feel really bad about the past. I mean, how immature can we get? We’re a month away from graduating and we’re still picking on you.”

“We want to make it up to you,” Destiny finished.

“How?” Alora asked meekly.

Destiny put her arm around Justin’s. “We found out that there’s a movie being shot in the desert. My sister got called to be an extra and they told her to bring anyone she wanted. Well, seeing that she’s leaving for the U.S. tomorrow, she won’t be able to go. I’m going instead, and thought that I’d bring you as well.”

“You’re kidding, right?” Alora had a funny feeling that they were lying. But they seemed to be true to their word.

“We’re not kidding,” Contessa told her. “I’m going too. Besides, anyone chosen gets five hundred zeni for every shooting.”

Alora’s eyes went wide when she heard about the payment. “Well, I could use the money…when do we go?”

Alora looked out the window of the back seat, seeing nothing but dirt and rocks. She was wearing a black lace shirt that belonged to Contessa and a pair of new white pants that belonged to Destiny. They told her it was no big deal and that she needed to look good. And for a change, Alora kept half of her hair down, the other half pulled back to stay out of her eyes. The girls even helped her apply some of their own make-up, so she’d look fantastic. Even Justin and Jason had to admit that Alora Casablan looked pretty when she was all dolled up.

“I’m so excited!” Destiny exclaimed from the front seat. “How ‘bout you Alora?”

“I’m excited too,” she said looking over at the smiling girls.

Justin was driving down the narrow road, bored out of his mind. Then he started to see a small white speck come into view. “Hey, I think that’s it!” He said with a sigh of relief.

Alora looked over his shoulder with a smile. She could see the movie set now. It was only a marble like fighting arena, like the ones she saw in the newspapers when she was little.

The other four teens looked eagerly out the windows, only for a different reason. It seemed luck was on their side, for the terrorist they had all seen a few days before threatening the world wasn’t in sight.

Justin pulled up to the ringside and kept his foot on the break. “Looks like we’re the first ones.”

“I always thought they started really early in the morning,” Alora said as she looked around from inside the car.

“I think I see a sign over their on the pillar. Let’s go see what it says, Alora,” Contessa told her. She tried her best not to laugh as she saw Alora open the door and start to get out.

Alora stepped up onto the platform and looked for the sign. “Contessa, I don’t see…” she looked behind to see Contessa closing the door and Justin driving off.

“Sucker!” The four called from the car as they sped off.

Jason stopped laughing. “Justin step on it. That freak is coming back!”

Justin looked in his rearview mirror and saw the so-called maniac ‘flying’ towards the ring.

Alora saw the same thing. It was then she realized where she was. “How could I have been so stupid!” She yelled at herself as she jumped off the ring. She had heard about the flying monster from the other kids in school. It never dawned on her that those goody-goodies would have been that cruel to her.

“STOP!” Alora yelled at the top of her lungs as she chased the car. She prayed that they’d stop and come get her. No one was that mean, were they?

Alora looked over her shoulder as she ran. She cursed herself for doing so, too. For one thing, she saw that the monster was closing in fast, and the second, she tripped over a rock that she didn’t see. Falling to her knees, she scurried back to her feet. As she did so, she felt the force of wind swooping over her. The monster passed her out and continued on ahead. Did he not see her?

If he did see her, she wasn’t what he was concerned with. The four teens in the car opened their eyes after feeling the car bang into something. To them, it was like seeing a giant bug with a familiar face. The mouth of the insect curled at one end as it bent down and picked up the vehicle. The four screamed, fearing death.

“Perhaps this will teach you not to trespass on other’s property,” a deep elegant voice said to them. The cheerleaders and football stars could feel the car flying through the air and eventually the car landed on the ground…not in one piece mind you.

Alora could see the explosion. She fell back to her knees, totally scared to death. If the monster just killed them by blowing up the car, what would he do to her?

Her answer was sure to come, for the monster was coming back towards her. Panicking, Alora did what anyone else would do in a similar situation: run. She leaped onto the arena, trying not to slip on the smooth surface as she ran across and jump down to the dirt.

A body suddenly appeared in Alora’s running path, making her come to a skidding halt. The sun was directly in front of her, so she couldn’t see the face of the monster. She heard a funny squeaking sound every time the monster took a step forward.

Alora walked backwards until she felt the edge of the arena touch the back of her knees. Her eyes shifted down to see that she was trapped. Her eyes shut tightly and her head turned to the side as she awaited death.

She could feel the light fading from her eyes, as if she was leaving life. However, she didn’t feel any pain. Gathering enough courage, Alora opened an eye to see she was still in the same place, same position, and same situation. Both eyes opened when she heard a chuckle coming from the being in front of her.

“Are you quite through cowering before me?” a masculine voice asked.

The voice startled Alora. She never expected to hear a deep, yet gentle tone of voice coming from someone that was supposed to be a mass murderer. Perhaps this was all a dream, and it was a movie set that she was on.

Alora turned her head to see a black chest directly in front of her. Her vision wasn’t blurred anymore, for the sun had been hidden behind clouds—which would explain why it seemed to have gotten darker while her eyes were closed.

The purple eyes slowly shifted upward to see the face of the one standing before her. Her eyes saw a thick whitish-gray neck, a yellow chin, a purple and whitish-gray face, and beautiful magenta eyes. Blinking, she saw his face as a whole. It was very human like, except for the coloring. He had a peculiar object on top of his head, being the same color as the rest of his body. Her eyes went farther down to see his muscular shoulders, chest and arms.

Another chuckle snapped her out of the trance she had been in. She noticed a smile forming on his whitish lips. “Do you know what puzzles me?” the voice asked, more in a statement than a question. He didn’t wait for her to reply before answering his own question. “Why do humans put themselves in the center of what frightens them?”

Alora was at a loss for words. She didn’t know what to say. Usually, she wasn’t scared of anything, but his size alone was enough to knock her socks off. She was tall for a girl, being five feet six inches, but the person before her made her feel like a shrimp.

“I…I was tricked into coming here,” her mouth spit out. She couldn’t believe she had actually been able to speak.

“Ah, so the human girl does know how to talk,” the monster mocked.

Monster. He’s hardly a monster with his proper sentence structure, soothing voice, pink eyes and human like face. Alora dismissed her thoughts immediately and kept the present matter at hand.

“Are you going to tell me the rest of your story before I decide what to do with you?” he asked folding his arms.

“Story?”

“Yes, story. You were saying something about being tricked.”

Alora searched her brain for what she was going to say. She had never intended on telling him anything, but her tongue was quicker than her mind. “Those kids from school told me this was a movie set and had me go with them for extra tryouts. My family needs the money, so I took their offer.” Had she actually been able to say all of that without a problem?

“So that would explain why you got out of the vehicle and they left.”

“You saw?”

“Of course. My vision stretches out much farther than any normal human’s. I saw you and your friends coming. I just waited to see who or what emerged from the vehicle.”

Alora could feel her body loosen from the tension she was having. He wasn’t as scary as everyone made him out to be. Yes, she had seen him fly, and yes she had seen him blow up Justin’s car; but for some reason she was having trouble being completely scared of him. Perhaps its because she doesn’t know his whole story and didn’t see what he did on TV, (which was supposedly a terrible crisis).

“Who are you?” she finally asked. She knew she caught him by surprise, for his eyes blinked almost immediately and his mouth opened a bit.

“You don’t know who I am? I thought every pathetic creature on this planet knew.”

“Well, I guess that makes me lower than pathetic,” she said. “My family doesn’t have the money for a television set. I’ve only heard about you, but I don’t know anything more but the tournament.”

The half smile reappeared across the side of his face, as if he was excited to be able to tell his glorious tale to someone. “My name is Cell. I am an android created by the great Dr. Gero, whose intentions were the destruction of his greatest enemies and this pathetic planet.”

“You like that word, don’t you?”

Cell’s smile disappeared once again. “I beg your pardon?” He asked almost annoyed that she dared to interrupt him.

“Pathetic. You’ve used it several times now.”

Cell didn’t know what to say. He looked down at the girl with curious eyes. There was something about her that fascinated him. Perhaps it was just the fact that there was someone to talk to that wasn’t stuttering every time they opened their mouth to speak. She was pretty; he’d have to admit, although she was a mere human being.

His smile returned. “What’s your name girl?”

Alora was shocked. Did she hear him correctly? Was the murderous android asking him her name? “Why does it matter to you?”

“Once and a while I like to know who I’m killing.” His eyes gleamed as he saw her body tense at his sentence. He knew he had hit a common weak spot that every human possessed.

“Alora,” she said after a few moments of silence. “Alora Casablan.”

“Beautiful name, I must say.” He paused, deciding how long he should wait before he killed her. It was already obvious to him that she might be some sort of entertainment for the next four days as he waited for the opening bell of his tournament.

Alora waited for him to say something as they stood in silence. He had just complimented her after reminding her that she was just another pathetic human. It must be a curse that I have to hear everyone tell me that I’m pathetic, she thought. “Instead of blowing me up, like you did the others, perhaps you could just drown me? I think it would be less painful.”

Cell looked down at her. He started laughing out loud after hearing her ask him to kill her a certain way. “My dear, I will kill you the way I feel. But you’re not going to die just yet.”

“Oh? Why not? I thought that you leaped for joy when the opportunity of murder came to your fingertips.”

Cell’s face showed no sign of change. “You say you have no idea who I am, yet you act as if you yourself was there the moment I came into existence.”

“Which was how long ago?”

“Excuse me?” Cell was finding it a tad bit hard to keep up with her constant subject changes. He had never been questioned so much in his entire life.

“How long have you been alive?” Alora restated.

Cell thought a moment after it registered. “Twenty-two years.”

“You seem much older than that.”

“Eighteen of those years were spent being ‘put together’ if you will by my creator. I spent four years developing into what you see before you.”

“So you’re a robot?”

“Not exactly.”

“You said you were an android. That’s a type of robot.”

“Android yes, mechanical machine, no.” Cell switched the way his arms were crossed. “I was not born from another like humans are. Dr. Gero took the cells of the greatest warriors in the universe and made them into one, thus creating me. From the moment that first cell was brought to life, I grew in a tank until I was ready to move on my own. After that I went through three transformations. The first being like an insect in a larva stage, then into more like a human type form until I absorbed two robotic type androids-each bringing me into another stage. What you see before you is my perfect form. The ultimate being,” he had to add for his own glory sake.

He expected to see a confused expression on the girl’s face, but there wasn’t one. “Any questions?” He asked as if he just given a lesson that she was going to be tested on.

“Nope. I got it all.”

“All of it?” Cell questioned.

“All of it,” Alora repeated, yet again silencing the android. “Your name came from the scientist’s creation, which was that you were the first android to be created by the use of other’s cells. Of course, having the cells of the greatest warriors in the universe, you possess their strength and abilities, am I right?”

Cell was dumbfounded. Had he just heard her right? She picked up everything and yet more than he had told her. However, he wouldn’t let her know that he was impressed with her listening skills. “You are smarter than the average human.”

“Thank you.”

“Except when it comes to being gullible,” he quickly added. He saw her face’s color fade a little and her eyes looked away. “Tell me, why did you believe your friends like that?”

“They weren’t my friends.”

“Which confuses me even more.”

Alora sighed. “You see, they were the most admired in the school. They were so perfect compared to everyone else.”

“I doubt that, but go on.”

Alora sat down on the edge of the ring, her feet not wanting to hold her tired-of-being-tense body. “Every day since the first day of school back in sixth grade, the four of them made fun of me because of the way my lifestyle is. My father is dead and my mother’s job doesn’t pay. Therefore, with a teenage daughter and twin boys, there isn’t enough money for things like TV’s, stereos, and Nintendo sets. There’s not even enough money for me to have a variety of clothing, which would set them off every day. So, the other day they said they were sorry for being mean to me and wanted to bring me to this movie set with them to make it up to me. And that brings us to our present state.”

For a moment, Cell felt what seemed to be a spark of pity for her. But he dismissed the thought and went back to his ‘humans are pathetic’ thoughts. “So I’d be doing you a favor if I killed you.”

“For the most part. Except my mom would have the trouble of finding a cheap babysitter for my little brothers, and they’d be without an older sister to play with. On the other hand, no one in school would care, seeing that I have no friends.”

Cell smiled yet again. He walked beyond her and hovered up to the center of the arena that he himself built. Cell stood with his back to her, but shifted his head to the side just enough to see her out of the corner of his eye. He thought to himself whether or not he should do what was on his mind or not. Why not, he thought. Let’s see how brave she is when her life actually is on the line.

Alora looked at Cell’s backside, waiting in anticipation. He was very fearful, yet fascinating. To meet someone that seemed to be highly educated, yet is the most dangerous man alive seemed rather exciting.

At that moment, Cell decided to turn around and shoot a ki blast straight at the young girl. The blast hit and dust was everywhere. The wind blew it towards the android’s face; he held his breath long enough for the dust to clear.

Alora breathed heavily as she realized that she was still alive. She had felt herself fall from the platform and onto the ground. When the dust cleared completely and she saw a mini crater next to her from the blast that Cell shot at her. She looked up at the android that still had that smug smile formed on his mouth.

“What are you, crazy?! You almost killed me!” Alora yelled.

“On the contrary, my dear girl; you’re life is in my hands now.” Cell started walking towards her.

Alora moved back a bit. Now she was scared about everything. At first she didn’t think he’d kill her, but now she was convinced that it was only a matter of time before he did.

“Perhaps now you’ll realize how powerful I really am. You’ve missed a lot by not having a television. But I think I’ll show you what you’ve missed. I’ll give you a personal tour of my paths.”

Alora was frozen in place as the large green and black android moved closer. His yellow feet made the squeaking sound on every step, but her ears no longer heard it. She was too frightened.

Cell was just about to reach down to her when the teen’s feet lifted her up and she sprinted away. She ran as fast as she ever ran in her entire life. The sudden feeling of arms around her body and her feet leaving the ground brought out a scream that even hurt Cell’s ears.

Alora struggled within his grasp to free herself. She felt the android’s stomach vibrate with his laughter. “Let me go!”

“You’re not afraid now are you?”

“I’m terrified of heights!” Alora mentally kicked herself for telling him that. She was sure that he’d take it to the best of his advantage. On top of that, she felt as she was going to be sick. For one thing he was holding her so tight that she couldn’t breath. For another, his speed was making her eyes pop out of her head.

Cell made his way to the closest city that he had been to. He stopped directly above it, holding Alora with one arm. “This happened before I gained my perfect form,” he said rather proudly.

“You did all of this?” Alora couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Beneath her was nothing but a bunch of dilapidated buildings. Only a few still stood almost in one piece, but the rest was nothing but rubble.

“It didn’t take much.”

“How could you,” Alora asked more to herself than to her captor.

“Easy. One flick of the wrist was all it took.” Cell flew on and brought her to an area where a forest on a mountain could be seen not far away. He placed Alora back on her feet, but kept a hand on her shoulder so he didn’t have to go through the trouble of going after her if she tried to run away. “Now watch this,” he said. He raised his free hand, a sort of disk like structure coming out and flying towards the mountain.

Alora could see a bright line appearing through the center of the mountain; however, no apparent damage could be seen. But a moment later the top half of the mountain blew up. Alora gasped and stepped back, only to feel her back against Cell’s body.

“Why must you show this to me?” She asked, a tear streaking down her cheek.

“I wanted you to understand whom you are dealing with. I’m not just one of those kids, Alora. I am the ultimate warrior.”

“I don’t care what you say you are!” Cell was taken aback from her abrupt tone of voice. “You’re nothing but a murderous freak! You’re terrible and I hope that someone throws it back in your face!”

Cell’s temper got the best of him at the moment and he whacked her arm, causing her to fall to the ground in pain. His strike was hard enough to draw blood and of course break the bone in her forearm. He looked down at her with hatred, yet sympathy. He really didn’t want to hit her; he wanted to keep her in one piece until the tournament.

Alora curled into a sitting ball, afraid of the entire world. If he was going to kill her, why didn’t he just do it? She didn’t want to die, although she told him she did. Of course it’d free her from the jeers and laughter at school, but she loved her mother and brothers too much to want to leave them.

Cell noticed her tears and couldn’t bare to see a human cry. It annoyed him almost as much as their screaming in fear. “Let me see it,” he commanded.

Alora looked up. “Why? So you can blow it off my body?”

“Must you think I’m nothing but pure evil?”

“Aren’t you though?” She questioned him.

“I’ll give that to you. I am evil, but I do have feelings. I know I hurt you, which wasn’t my intentions until…”

“Until your damn tournament,” she finished for him. “Then what? Throw me into a cliff? Cut me in half? Step on me? What!?”

“Shut your mouth at once!” That was the first time Cell had ever truly yelled. It surprised even him. He didn’t think he would ever find a reason to raise his voice above normal level. “Here’s the deal. Until the tournament, you’ll stay with me. Once the games have started, that will determine your fate. If I win, you’ll belong to me. If earth’s fighters win, then you’re free to go.”

Alora was once again shocked. Was he going to make it that easy? He’d just let her go? After seeing his power, she found it hard to believe that anyone stood a chance against him. But she wanted his word anyway. “Is that a promise?” She asked hopefully.

Cell hesitated. “Yes.” He hovered in the air for a moment.

“Where are you going?” Alora asked, having absolutely no idea where she was at the moment.

“I’ll be back.” Then he was gone in the blink of an eye.

Alora eyed the damage. It hurt like hell, but she tried to hold it in. She wanted nothing but to cry. Why did she have to have such rotten luck with everything in life? First school, then the whole movie thing, and now she’s under the wrath of an evil android. What next? She falls in love with him and hopes he wins?

It wasn’t long before Cell returned with something in his hands. “What’s that?” Alora asked.

Cell knelt down next to her without answering her question. “Put your arm out.” Alora hesitated a moment, but did as she was told. She found that the items in his hands were bandages, ointments and a piece of metal. He took some shards of cloth and gently wiped the blood away.

Alora was amazed at his gentleness. Her arm lay on his knee as his hands worked. He wrapped a bandage around her arm to stop the bleeding, and then placed the metal piece against the arm to keep it from bending when it wasn’t supposed to, using more bandages to keep it in place.

Cell studied his work before standing back up. “That should do until I have the opportunity to get you a sensu bean.”

“A what?”

“Something that will heal you completely.” He threw the extra items over the edge of the cliff they stood on. “Do you want me to carry you back to the arena, or are you still mad at me enough to walk?”

Alora knew that walking all the way back to the arena in her boots wouldn’t be easy, but its either that or giving in. “I’ll walk, thank you.” She got to her feet and started.

“Suit yourself,” Cell said as he took flight above her. He flew directly above her as she walked on the ground, making Alora feel nervous with the arrangement, but she tried to ignore it.

After what seemed like an eternity of walking, Alora’s feet couldn’t take it anymore. Her knees buckled from under her and she fell to the ground. Cell landed in front of her and waited for her to ask him what he thought she would’ve long ago.

“Well?” he asked, trying to get it to move along quicker.

Alora sat there with her head down. “I can’t go on,” she said at last.

“Ah, I thought that’s what the problem was. I offered to carry you, but you were being too stubborn.”

“I don’t want to fly.”

“How do you propose we get back then?”

“You have two perfectly good feet. Use them.”

“We’ll compromise. You don’t like flying, yet I don’t want to walk. I’ll fly, but I won’t go fast.” Alora didn’t answer. “Well?”

“Alright.” Alora stood up and went over to him. Instead of holding her like he did before, Cell lifted her in his arms, supporting her back and legs. He told her it was because he didn’t want to injure her arm anymore than it already was.

For the remainder of the day, Alora sat in the corner of the ring looking at the floor or her feet. She refused to talk to Cell or even look at him for that matter. Cell himself, was becoming bored with her. He knew however, that he had made her a promise, and he wouldn’t go back on his word. If that was one thing he didn’t like, it was lying.

The sun began to fade in the distance and the moon started taking over the sky. Alora shivered as she felt a cool breeze pass through. Cell heard her slight shiver, but tried to ignore her. He decided it was time to do some training.

“I suggest you stay here,” he said as he took off into the night sky.

Alora looked up after him, trying to figure out where he’d be going now. It didn’t make any difference though. It wasn’t as if she wanted his protection. She just didn’t like being alone.

Cell flew through space, hitting asteroids that came flying towards him. As hard as he tried, he just couldn’t get the girl out of his head. Why? This isn’t supposed to bother me. I am perfect. I am the ultimate warrior! I do not need some child! Cell’s anger exploded through space, his energy firing out to blow up every asteroid around him for miles.

Alora looked up into the night sky to see strange lights bursting here and there. She figured it was the android. Better that he was there and she was here.

Looking at her watch that she had forgotten that she even had on, she saw that it was almost ten o’clock. She didn’t think that much time had passed. And now that she knew what time it was, the more she realized how tired she had become. “I wonder how mom and the twins are…” she thought out loud as she curled up on the cold marble floor. She made sure she didn’t lie on her arm as she found a comfortable enough position to lie in as her eyes grew heavy and sleep took her over.