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Cell, the perfect Bio-Android designed by Dr. Gero from the future, terrorized the Z Fighters in the mainDragon Ball Ztimeline, but what happened toCell’s alternate timeline? Also known as History 3, this dystopian future isn’t as commonly discussed as Future Trunks' timeline, known as History 2, but is still an important part ofDragon Balllore. These timelines or “histories” arenamed/numbered in the Daizenshuu guidebooks, which is where a lot of the information presented here will be based on.
Whenever time travel and alternate timelines come into play, things get really confusing, really fast. But basically, think of it this way: Cell’s alternate timeline, AKA History 3, is the timelinein which Cell was birthed, kills Future Trunks, and steals his time machine to go back to the past and absorb Androids 17 and 18. Of course, since it’s time travel, there are a lot more intricacies to the whole story that you might want to know.
What Happens in Cell’s Alternate Timeline?
The Birth of Cell and the Death of Trunks
The main timeline, the one that the anime and manga focus on, is known as History 1. The world where Future Trunks came from to warn History 1 about the Androids is known as History 2.
Now, there’s another alternate timeline in whichFuture Trunks managed to successfully helpthe Z Fighters of the past beat Androids 17 and 18. This version of Future Trunks then gets the remote device that shuts down the Androids, returns to his future, and uses the device to destroy the Androids of his future timeline. This future timeline is History 3, and the present in which History 3 Future Trunks goes to is known as History 4.
Eventually, Cell is born in History 3, and goes searching for Androids 17 and 18 to absorb them and achieve his perfect form. Obviously,Cell fails to find thembecause Future Trunks has already destroyed them with the remote device. Unfortunately, Cell learns of History 3 Future Trunks' actions, which leads to Cell ambushing and killing this Future Trunks inDragon Ball Zepisode 143, “His Name is Cell”. Cell then stole Future Trunks' Time Machine to go to History 1, the main timeline, where the Androids are still alive and well. And thus beginsthe Cell Saga that everyone watchedinDragon Ball Z.
“Unfortunately, in the time from which I came, Androids 17 and 18 no longer existed. They had somehow been destroyed by Trunks… Luckily, however, I discovered that Trunks possessed a time capsule, which I decided to borrow for myself.” - Cell explaining to Piccolo how he arrived in History 1 from History 3
What Becomes of Cell’s Timeline’s Future?
Does Majin Buu Come and Destroy the Earth?
After Trunks dies and Cell leaves, History 3’s Earth is left without any Androids, but also no defenders. The next big threat to the world comes seven years laterin the form of Majin Buu. At least, that’s how it goes in the main timeline, but in History 3, Majin Buu never gets revived. There simply isn’t anyone else in this timeline strong enough to give Babidi the energy he needs to resurrect Buu. Well, technically Beerus and Whis are still out there, but Babidi and his henchmen are never going to be able to even get close to them without getting erased. Especially since Beerus and Whis know of Majin Buu’s existence and would instantly recognize what the evil wizard was plotting.
If you’re curious about History 2’s encounter with Babidi, the Supreme Kai finds and trains Future Trunks so he can be ready for Babidi’s arrival. The training he received proved more than enough to deal with Babidi, Dabura, and the rest of their forces, effectively stopping any chances of Buu’s revival.
Is History 3 Safe?
Ironically, despiteGoku and all the othersbeing dead, History 3 will likely continue to live in peace for some time. Here are all the potential threats that put the main timeline’s universe in danger, and how they would affect History 3.
