Chapter: 1

:A New Stowaway as The Cell Games Begin

Disclaimer: I Do Not Own Dragon Ball Z. All rights are owned by their respective owners,Toei, Toriyama, etc. This is purely a fanfictional work done by a simple fan done for fun. I do no get profit from this in any way.

" " regular speech

' ' thoughts

(A/N) Authors notes and or notes of interest

_ Bars are for shifts between scene perspectives. Mostly between Gohan and Videl at the start. But also later on shifts between scenes across large distances between characters.

As Gohan Son raced through the skies towards Kami's Lookout during the morning hours, he thought back to what was likely to come this day. Today was the day of The Cell Games, where the fate of the world would be decided on a simple four sided square martial arts ring. He had gone on ahead of his father to the Lookout that morning. Gohan had been puzzled by his fathers strange confidence about the coming battle. While his and many of his friend's confidence in their chances had waned, they still had complete faith that Goku would somehow pull it out at the end as he'd always done before. However, he had a nagging feeling in the back of his head. He'd had it since the moment he woke up and continued to have it all day. That something very bad was about to happen. There was also another feeling that crept at him. It told him that something wonderful was about to also happen, to him. One way or another, he knew he would findout by the end of the day. But for right now, he had to put those thoughts to rest as he had to concentrate on what he was doing. Gohan put an extra burst of speed and headed for the rendezvous at the Lookout.

"Pleeeeeeeaaaaaaaaasssse... Daddy!" Begged a certain 10yo girl at her big obnoxious lug of a father. "No! Absolutely not Videl!" replied her father. The arguement continued on unabated as both sides stubbornly clung to their side of the arguement. Hercule Satan was refusing to let his little girl, the daughter of the Marrtial Arts Champion of the World, Videl Satan to accompany him to The Cell Games. Videl was determined to go see her father fight, but Hercule would have none of it. He had lost his former wife, first to a divorce, then he lost her to a car crash a few months ago. He would not lose his only daughter as well. Hercule then gave a look that rarely graced his face. He knelt in front on his daughter wearing what one would describe as a 'loving smile'. "Listen sweat pea, its too dangerous for a little girl like you to be there. And I couldn't bear to live with myself if anything happened to my little girl." Said Hercule with a voice much lower than the one he had been using previously. He then switched his expression to a much more serious look. "And thats my final word on the matter!" He said with a much louder voice. Hercule then walked out the door and headed for his car, leaving behind a fuming Videl.

However, Videl was still determined to see her father fight, either with his approval or not. In the time that the doors her father opened and closed, Videls' trained eyes spotted the trunk of her fathers' car was lazily left open. With near super-human speed and a small body, Videl was able to reach the trunk undetected. Hercule was too busy being full of himself (i.e. Thinking on his acceptance speech and coming up with even dumber catchphrases.) to notice. Videl placed her small body into a fetal-position-like arrangement and then shut the trunk door. Not long after she'd secured herself, the car's engine came to life and began speeding to its destination carrying its driver, the self-proclaimed 'Worlds Hero' and a very young stowaway to their 'Date with Destiny'.

When the car finally reached the now infamous Cell Games ring, the merciless bioengineered living weapon known only as Cell awaited. When Mr. Satan got out of the back of the car, he wore an ever confident grin that simply screamed 'I am so full of myself'. After her father started walking to the ring, Videl slipped out of the trunk and quickly ran to a good hiding place behind some nearby rocks before anybody could see her. Fortunately for Videl, the announcer and his cameraman on a nearby ridge were too busy focusing on her brain dead father and his antics so they didn't notice her. (A/N: I seriously think they should have sent the announcer from WMT to The Cell Games instead of that idiotic Mr. Satan fanboy that they actually sent. At least he would have some knowledge on the various techniques not to mention know how to survive a tournament. He is also one of the few regular people to know just how much of a hero Goku really is, as well as know who many of the Z-Fighters are and what great fighters they truly are.)

Shortly before reaching the ring, Mr. Satan pointed towards Cell and said "You're going down!" Gesturing a 'thumps down' as he finished. Cell merely met this gesture with cold disinterest as he said "Well then, lets begin." with an almost bored tone of voice. Mr. Satan then walked up to the ring still wearing his ever cocky smile. He then gestured for the announcer and his cameraman to come to him. The two observers gathered whatever courage they had and cautiously made their way to Mr. Satan's side. With microphone in hand Mr. Satan began boasting like there was no tommorrow. Cell refused to move an inch or even acknowledge the boastful simpleton's existance. After repeatedly demonstrating just how much of an ignorant idiot he was with his boasts, Mr. Satan and his fanboy announcer moved on to physical taunting. Meanwhile, using a listening device that she always carried with her to quickly get in on any secret, Videl Satan overheard every syllable and observed every action while hiding behind some rocks. Videl just slapped one of her hands onto her forehead and sighed in embarrassement at some of her father's antics. 'Way to make yourself look reeeeeaaal smart dad.' Videl sarcasticaly thought to herself.

Meanwhile, in the skies above the Earth a certain 11yo boy and his father and friends sped along to their destination. Gohan's mind was filled with thoughts about the up coming struggle that he and his father had spent ten and a half months preparing for in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. 'I wonder why my dad's been saying that he isn't strong enough to beat Cell when he's been acting so confident. I know he hasn't found some great all powerful secret. How could he without me knowing about it? I was with him the whole time. It doesn't make sense.' Goku turned his head to see the worried look on his son's face. "Something bothering you Gohan?" asked Goku. Gohan snapped out of his train of thought and turned to look at his father. "Huh!? Oh, its nothing dad. Really." Goku knew that something was troubling his son more than h wanted to let on. Goku frowned at his son, telling him that he wanted the truth.

Gohan faltered under the questionning frown on his father's face. Finally, Gohan buckled under the pressure. "Well...Its just that... Its just that I wish I could be as strong as you are dad. Its just that I feel like i'm always letting you down by being so weak." Gohan said with a bit of a depressed attitude. Goku just smiled at his son's foolish self-doubt. 'When will he ever learn that the only person that he ever lets down is himself. He has sooooo much potential, but he undermines it by giving in to his own self-doubt. I guess that in seeing me succeed so much he feels that he's always going to weaker than me. He doesn't even realise that i'm not the strongest one here. - He is -' Thought Goku. "Don't put yourself down so much Gohan. I'll bet that when we get to the tournament, you'll find out that you're much stronger than you give yourself credit for." Said Goku with a smile on his face. Hearing his fathers comforting words brightened Gohan's face and gave a little more confidence. Gohan then lead off by putting on an extra burst of speed which was followed by the other Z-Fighters as they sped to their desination.

Meanwhile, at the Cell Games arena, after having completely ignored Mr. Satan's antics and insults, Cell's eyes finally showed movement as they darted skyward. Puzzled by this act, Mr. Satan and his fanboy ceased their taunting and looked to where Cell's eyes pointed. Off in the distance they saw what appeared to be a bluish light that was getting closer. Finally Cell's face showed movement as a small smirk formed on Cell's face. Judging from the energy that he was sensing, he knew exactly who it was. 'Aaaahhh Vegeta. I thought you would've leaned by now.' thought Cell in that warped and twisted mind of his. The source of the bluish aura became evident as a figure in blue spandex, white body armor and gravity defying black hair touched down next to the ring. Known to his enemies for his mighty saiyan strength and crafty mind. Known to his allies for his quick temper and endless ego. He is the figure known only as Vegeta, the Saiyan prince.

Vegeta placed his icy focus directly on Cell, who returned the gaze with a stare. Both flabbergasted and stunned by the new arrivals' flight to the ring, Mr. Satan and his two supporters simply stared at Vegeta for several seconds. Videl Satan was equally surprised by the manner with which the new arrival arrived. Hercule merely explained it away as another fancy trick. When the annoucer went to question Vegeta, he figured that Vegeta had only come to watch the fight and so he told him to back away from the ring. All he got in response from Vegeta was "Quiet! I've had enough of your insolence. Get out of my face." The announcer quickly ran back to Hercule's side and exclaimed "If you ask me, that guy's totally nuts!" Mr. Satan simply commented that he thought Vegeta was one of his fanatical fans. (AN:*cough* yeah right!)

Vegeta and Cell continued to keep their focuse on each other while the announcer fanboy kept singing Mr. Satan's praises to the world audiance for a little bit. Suddenly another figure flew down from the sky. This very tall figure in a black suit and green armor with what looked like a red mowhawk answered to the designation of Android 16. Cell turned his attention to the android and with a veiled smile said. "Well what a surprise. Android 16, you're still alive and kicking, and with beautiful repairs no less." The android simply continued with an icy cold stare. Even though Cell and Android 16 seemed to now each other, Mr. Satan simply brushed off the latest arrival as a nobody.

Suddenly, Cell's eyes darted upwards again, at first at seemingly nothing, a smirk appeared on Cell's face as he then said "Aaah there you are Goku, and just in time. I can hardly wait." Goku, Gohan and the rest of the Z-Fighters then appeared out of the clouds and landed behind Vegeta. The Z-Fighters all had intensely serious looks on their faces as if ready for action. Mr. Satan and his announcer were starting to get somewhat nervous at all these arrivals. The annoucer asked "How is it physically possible for all of them to fly?" Mr. Satan weakly tried to cover an excuse that "That trick must be popular today?" Android 16 then walked up from the far side of the ring to where the Z-Fighters were standing. Krillin welcomed him to the group. The android put a smile on his face and thanked Krillin for his help in getting him repaired. Goku walked up to Android 16 and tried to introduce himself with a handshake. "My name is Goku." he said. An oddly placed frown graced the normally peaceful face of the android as he looked down at Goku. "I know your name. I was created solely to destroy you, though I've chosen not to." said the android with a serious look on his face. "Get a load of Mr. Personality." Goku wispered to Krillin.

Meanwhile, Videl Satan was wondering the same thing as her father, the news crew and the entire world were asking themselves. 'Who are these guys?' she asked herself. Videl got her pocket binoculars and began scanning the new arrivals. They all seemed to look strange enough, but then one of them in particular caught her eye. 'That boy looks just about my age. He can't really be thinking of fighting Cell is he? He seems cute though, for a boy.' Videl then blushed in embarrasement as she realised her last train of thought. 'Wait minute!? What am I thinking!? I'm Videl Satan! I'm not suppose to like boys! Damn, sometimes my girlish instincts get the better of me.' Thought Videl as she regained her composure. She then went back to observing what was happening inside the ring.

The announcer walked up to the Z-Fighters and asked if they were going to take part in the Cell Games. Goku responded by saying "Of course, I'll be going first." When he heard this Hercule ran up and shoved the announcer out of his way and yelled out "I've had enough of you clowns! And your stupid jokes! NOW clear outta hear BEFORE I GET ANGRY!" To which Krillin sarcastically responded with clear annoyance "Hey don't blow a vein ya greaceball." Surprised at first by the insult Mr. Satan then simply smiled and chuckled. "I'm sorry, I forgot. You ignorant hicks have spent your whole lives playing banjo in the woods so you don't realise that I HERCULE SATAN am THE MARTIAL ARTS CHAMPION OF THE WORLD!" Goku and the rest of the Z-Fighters were all left wondering one thing. 'How stupid is this guy?' Hercule remained smug and cocky. "Okay, seeing as you don't know who I am I'll show you!" he said. 'Wait dad, what are you-Oh no. Not the...' thought Videl. Hercule then jumped to the ground and pulled a very large rock from the earth and then broke it on his head. '...rock trick...' "Yeah! Now who rules!" exclaimed Mr. Satan. The Z-Fighters remained totally stunned at Hercules stupidity. Krillin turned to Goku and said "I say, we let the Neanderthale go first." To which Goku said "You think we should?" Then suddenly Cell spoke out "Its time to begin. Who will be the first to challenge?" Mr. Satan stepped up and said "You're lookin' at him. Let's get it on!"

Author's Final Thoughts: Well there you have it, the first chapter. I hope you can forgive any slight spelling mistakes and typos over the course of my story. But my computer doesn't have any spellcheck so I had to get by with plain memory about what I was taught in school and what I could find in dictionaries. Anyway I hope that you'll know that my writing does improve greatly over the course of writing this story. I hope that you'll all enjoy and just bare with me through the start.