TITLE: LORD ABAGON AND THE CURSE OF THOSE HALF OR LESS

SUMMARY: Gohan has had strange outburst of power since he was a very young child. Moments of great strength that he can't seem to recall or control. No one knew why this would happen. But when Goku forces Gohan to fight Cell at the Cell games the truth is revealed, and it's a truth more devastating than Cell ever was. This changes the lives of all the Saiyans, but especially those half or less.

INTRO

"Listen, Gohan has a power hidden within him that you or I can't even begin to imagine."

Those words seemed to be cutting into Piccolo's brain as he watched Gohan down below screaming in pain trapped in Cell's grasp. This was horrific! Goku had clearly made a mistake...

"That's it! Scream out! Get angry! It makes you mad that you're in pain!" Taunted cell cruelly, and Piccolo just couldn't take it anymore.

"Enough of this game Goku! You're wrong about your son!" Piccolo snapped furiously. "Gohan may have that power, but it doesn't matter! He doesn't thirst for battle and mayhem, he's not a fighter like you!"

That one seem to strike a cord with Goku, and at last Piccolo saw hope that he was getting through to him. "Do you want to know what he's thinking? He's NOT thinking about strength or about competition! He's wondering why his Father is standing there letting him die! And so your son may be the most powerful person in the world! But he's also a scared eleven year old boy!"

Goku turned away from him at that, and rather disgusted Piccolo retorted, "I'd rather die than wait!"

And coming to his senses Goku turned to Krillin and asked for a Senzu bean. Right as Cell released Gohan letting him fall to the ground like a broken doll.

Goku could not hear what Cell said at this point, but the next thing he knew he was flying towards their cliff, and he snatched the senzu beans right out of Krillin's hands.

"These are those nifty senzu beans right? Well, you won't mind if I hold onto them?"

"I was too late!" Goku snapped cursing at himself internally. What had he done! Everything was happening so quickly. Android 16 grabbed him and claimed he would self destruct but realized only too late that his bomb had been removed. And Cell got rid of him in an instant. He made smaller versions of himself that flew up to attack them.

Even as he heard Piccolo warning Yamucha and Tien to protect him, because he was still worn out from fighting Cell earlier, he questioned his decision. If you've ever had a moment in your life that you wished you could take back. Just one thing you could change? This was Goku's. He was wishing he would have just continued to fight cell on his own, and not put Gohan or the others in this mess! Now 16 was dead, and they all might be soon as well...

And when the end seemed inevitable Goku apologized to his team fully believing they would be the last words he ever said to them...

Gohan could feel it. He was on the edge. Something was going to snap...

And that was when Android 16's head was thrown into his view.

"Gohan," he said. "Let it go. It is not a sin to fight for the right cause. Their are those whose words alone will not reach. Cell is such a being. I know how you feel Gohan. You are gentle. You do not like to hurt. I know because I too have learned these feelings. But it is because you cherish life that you must protect it."

"Ugh," scoffed Cell walking over. "This sentimental down pour is killing me. It's so nice of you to help 16, but I plan on doing this my way."

"Please," 16 pleaded. "Drop your restraints, protect the life I loved. You have the strength. My scanners sensed it. Just... let it go."

"Yet another fighter, you could have saved," teased Cell grinning maliciously. Had Cell realized what he had done just then, he would certainly have killed the boy as quickly as he could. But he didn't. He was clueless and unaware that he, Cell was unleashing the greatest evil to have ever existed in the universe. Far more than himself, far more than Dr. Gero. Far more than any villain that had stepped foot on Earth, or any planet for that matter.

And that was the final straw. Something inside Gohan broke. The thing he wanted to prevent, happened. Everyone could sense it. His power was unleashed, but that was not the only thing that escaped in this moment...

Gohan looked. Different. Their was a fury and hatred blend that seemed to have settled behind the boy's eyes. No expression of childlike wonder and innocence that Piccolo had come to know Gohan to possess. Even in the worst of times his kindness and the naive belief of their being good in all beings was always his underlining truth in him. But he couldn't see that in him anymore. He looked like an entirely different person...

In a flash Gohan had the senzu beans from Cell, and one by one he destroyed each of his creations until none were left. And the fight began... If you could call it a fight. Cell couldn't touch him...

Goku was relieved to say the least.

"Well, it looks like watching your fight with Cell has really helped him out," Piccolo said frowning.

"Thanks, but I doubt that. Right now Gohan's way beyond needing my help."

"He is?" Piccolo asked a bit surprised.

"Yeah, I'd say," Krilling said while staring in awe at the two of them. "He's winning!"

Yamucha nodded and Tien sighed, "Yeah, it's almost too good to be true!"

What's happening to me? Gohan found himself thinking. Slowly his moves were not being made of his own volition. Their was an emotion in him that was not his own, nor was it one he thought he had ever felt in his life. Their was a part of him that enjoyed hurting Cell. That was happy to see his torment.

"Don't get too confident!" Cell exclaimed. "For I have yet to show you young warrior what I am truly capable of. But you will see soon enough."

"Can it."

Gohan was almost surprised to hear the words escape his lips. He didn't say them.

"Ah, a cheeky one? Well then let's see how you fair against me when I fight at full strength."

He barely registered his friend's gasps of surprise at that statement and he began to power up. Their was an excitement and eagerness to completely annihilate the strength he was sensing. "I've been waiting for you to turn it up."

These were also not his words... These were not his feelings. Who thinks like this?

When he had finished Cell exclaimed proudly, "So kid? Are you impressed by what you see?"

"Is that all you've got?" his voice asked.

Is that all? Gohan found himself thinking. Isn't that enough?

But an overwhelming feeling of disappointment was flooding his body then and a realization that this game would not be as fun as he hoped over took him. Since the fight itself was no longer worth fighting. Tormenting the opponent, torturing him was just about the only excitement that he would find here. WHY AM I THINKING THIS! Gohan snapped in his mind since he could not control his own mouth at the moment. I've never, thought such violent thoughts before...

Gohan punched him hard twice. Each time putting much more force than was necessary, and after that this Cell creature could barely stand.

"This can't be!" Cell exclaimed. "He only had... two punches that made contact!"

Though his expression didn't show it, he was basking in that panic glare.

"So... So why am I so... So damaged!?"

How pathetic, Gohan thought to himself. He's shakning, he can't even stand...

The voice was mocking and Gohan thought, he's enjoying this... But then he remembered. He was the only one in here. Wasn't he?

After awhile, Cell found himself missing some limbs and Gohan took the look of pain and anguish as a trophy of what a good job he was doing. He couldn't help but smile at his handiwork.

Not too far away Piccolo suddenly gasped, "Uh! Hey, if he waits too long cell will regenerate himself. Remember he has my cells inside him!"

Goku turned to him calling, "Gohan! You've got to take cell down now before he can regenerate!"

"Take him down now?" Gohan called back. Also not his voice. "No, I think I'll wait. I'm going to let him suffer for a little while."

"Wait!?" Goku gasped looking shocked. "No Gohan..."

"He's running out of time Goku," Piccolo pleaded.

"Yeah," Goku sighed. "Gohan! Listen to me! You've got to get him! Do it now! We all know you have the power! It's time to use it!"

When Cell regenerated, he was mad as a hornet. He's throwing a tantrum, Gohan found himself thinking. How cute, like a pathetic child.

He dodged a few of his attacks and then kicked him hard across the face. "You're not a boy! You're a monster!"

That sounds about right, thought a voice. Physically he was grinning. Inside though, Gohan couldn't understand any of this. It really did sound and feel like their was someone else in his head, and by now. He was more than well aware that someone or something was controlling his body.

And in Cell's most pathetic display yet, he coughed up Android 18. Quickly regressing to his previous form. This is getting less and less fun... He's not even a challenge to me anymore.

Why am I thinking these things! Why can't I move the way I want? Gohan thought desperately.

"Gohan! Finish him off now!" Piccolo called.

I want to Piccolo, I do... I just, I can't! Even though he felt like he was screaming these words Piccolo didn't hear him. But his lips did begin to move, but they did not say what he wanted to say...

"Keep interrupting me," Gohan answered loudly, but in a dull tone. "And you'll be next."

Piccolo blinked. "What did he say?" Had he really just heard those words come from Gohan's mouth? Gohan was different somehow... He had never talked back to Piccolo before. A bit concerned he looked at Goku to see if he had noticed the change in his only son...

"Stay away from me you Monster!" Cell spat, and Gohan watched himself kick cell around with as much ease and boredom as child kicking a ball on a school playground.

"Gohan is toying with him..." Piccolo implored.

"NOW Gohan!" Goku ordered. "End it right now! Their is no time to waste! End it Gohan!"

"Fine..." Gohan frowned. "Ka— Me—"

Cell looked panicked, he backed up a few paces. He loved that frightened look in his eyes, and he was almost sad to part with it. "Ha— Me—"

"He's putting a lot of power into that blast," Krillin said nervously.

"Everyone take cover!" Goku demanded.

"No! Wait! Please!" Cell begged. "DON'T!"

The pleading tone of a victims dying breath. Music to his ears. "HAAAA!"

Goku and the others ducked. They were rather close for such a powerful blast. The energy was so bright it blinded anyone in the vicinity. The loud bang echoed and the dust cloud took some time to dissipate. When Goku and the others could open their eyes again they looked around and tried to sense Cell's energy. They could sense nothing...

"Gohan," Goku exhaled. "You... you did it."

Piccolo looked astonished. "I can't... believe it..."

Gohan turned slowly to face them and Goku immediately thought the look he was giving him was strange, but Piccolo felt like he was looking into the face of someone entirely different. Still fully powered, still with that hateful glare he suddenly grinned. "So, who here is next?"