Dragon Ball: Cell’s Alternate Timeline, Explained

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Summary

  • Cell’s alternate timeline (History 3) sees Future Trunks defeating Androids 17 and 18, leading to Cell’s demise.
  • Despite having no defenders, History 3 faces no Majin Buu threat, living in peace for at least some time.
  • Potential threats like Beerus, Frieza, Zamasu, and Universe 7’s fate are examined in History 3’s unique timeline.

In the primary Dragon Ball Z storyline, Dr. Gero’s creation, Cell, caused havoc among the Z Fighters. However, let’s delve into what became of Cell in another timeline, referred to as History 3. This grim future isn’t as frequently explored as Future Trunks’ timeline (History 2), but it remains significant within Dragon Ball lore. These alternate realities or “histories” are labeled and numbered based on information from the Daizenshuu guidebooks, which will serve as our primary source for this discussion.

In stories involving time travel and multiple timelines, things can become complex quickly. To put it simply, consider Cell’s alternate reality, also known as History 3, as the one where Cell was born, killed Future Trunks, took his time machine, and used it to go back in time to absorb Android 17 and 18. Of course, due to the nature of time travel, there are numerous details that make up the entire narrative, which you might find interesting to explore further.

What Happens in Cell’s Alternate Timeline?

The Birth of Cell and the Death of Trunks

In this universe, the primary storyline we follow is called “History 1.” The world where Future Trunks originates to alert us about the Androids is referred to as “History 2.” (Anime and manga timelines)

In another possible reality, Future Trunks was able to aid the original Z Fighters in defeating Android 17 and 18. In this scenario, he retrieves a device that disables these androids, returns to his time, and subsequently uses it to annihilate the Androids of his timeline. This alternate reality is referred to as History 3, while the time where History 3 Future Trunks travels to is called History 4.

Eventually, I, Cell, make my grand entrance in the annals of history, eagerly embarking on a quest to track down Android 17 and 18 in order to absorb them and attain my ultimate form. Alas, my search proves fruitless as Future Trunks has already eliminated them using a remote device. Regrettably, I learn about Future Trunks’ actions, which ultimately lead to me ambushing and eliminating him in the 143rd episode of Dragon Ball Z, titled “His Name is Cell”. Determined not to let my objectives be thwarted, I seize Future Trunks’ Time Machine and journey to History 1, the main timeline, where the Androids are still alive and kicking. This sets the stage for the epic Cell Saga that we all came to know and love in Dragon Ball Z.

Regrettably, during the period I hail from, Android duo 17 and 18 no longer existed. It was Trunks who had somehow eliminated them. Yet, fortunately, I stumbled upon the fact that Trunks owned a time capsule, which I chose to temporarily acquire for my own purposes.

What Becomes of Cell’s Timeline’s Future?

Does Majin Buu Come and Destroy the Earth?

In the aftermath of Trunks’ death and Cell’s departure, Earth in History 3 is devoid of any Androids, and lacks defenders. Seven years later, a new global threat emerges, but not as Majin Buu. This is because, unlike the main timeline, Majin Buu doesn’t get revived in History 3. The reason being, there are no characters with enough power to provide Babidi the energy required for the resurrection. In theory, Beerus and Whis are still present, but it’s highly unlikely that Babidi and his crew could ever approach them without being wiped out, given their awareness of Majin Buu and their immediate response to such threats.

From my perspective as a bystander, it seems that if one is intrigued about History 2’s meeting with Babidi, it was the Supreme Kai who discovered and tutored Future Trunks in preparation for Babidi’s impending arrival. The education he received not only equipped him to handle Babidi, Dabura, and their entire army, but also thwarted any attempts at reviving Buu, thus ensuring peace.

Is History 3 Safe?

Surprisingly, even though Goku and the rest have supposedly perished, it seems that History 3 may enjoy a period of tranquility for a while. Here are some potential dangers that could endanger the primary timeline’s universe, and their possible impact on History 3.

  • Beerus: Beerus will pretty much have no reason to wake up from his long slumber since Goku and every other Saiyan are already dead in History 3. So, Beerus wouldn’t have gotten the prophecy about a Super Saiyan God that could give him a fun challenge.
  • Resurrection ‘F’: Frieza’s resurrection wouldn’t come, at least not on Earth. With Piccolo dead, so are Kami and the Earth’s Dragon Balls. Frieza’s henchmen would have to go to New Namek for a wish, but the Namekians actively guard their Dragon Balls, so that isn’t a good route for them to take either.
  • Zamasu and Goku Black: Zamasu’s case is interesting. Technically, if Zamasu and Goku Black won against main timeline Goku and Vegeta and History 2 Future Trunks, History 3 would also be in trouble. In the Dragon Ball Super manga chapter 20, “The Zero Mortal Project”, Zamasu mentioned that he planned to take control of all parallel universes, which meant that History 3 would also have been purged of mortals had they succeeded. Fortunately, Zeno erased Zamasu, ending his threat to any and all timelines.
  • The Tournament of Power: Now, this is where things take a turn. In Dragon Ball Super episode 80, “Awaken Your Dormant Fighting Spirit! Gohan’s Fight!”, Zeno revealed that even if the tournament didn’t happen, he would have erased the weaker universes anyway. And Universe 7 has the second to the lowest average mortal level. Actually, with Goku and the other Z Fighters gone in History 3, Universe 7’s mortal level would drop drastically, so there is a good chance that Zeno would wipe out Universe 7 along with the other weaker universes. This is likely where History 3’s Universe 7 ends, in a blink of an eye by Zeno’s hands. Depending on who you ask, it might be a better fate than being constantly terrorized by evil Androids or a mortal-hating god, but a bleak one nonetheless.

Dragon Ball Z is available to stream on Crunchyroll.

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2025-01-11 20:33