Chapter 2: Faith in a boy
"That someone is you, son."
Against all odds, Dad called upon me. Some of the strongest warriors in the world like Vegeta and Piccolo and Trunks were standing a few meters away from me, but he still chose me. I noticed that everybody was staring at me now. Vegeta's stare was filled with anger and jealousy. Piccolo's stare spoke of horror. Krillin's stare was laced with pity. Trunks' stare held fair amounts of worry. Tien looked at me with disbelief in his three eyes and Yamcha's entire face was stunned with shock.
I noticed that my face was frozen, stripped of any recognizable emotions.
He wants me to fight? But what can I do? If my dad can't beat Cell, how can I?!
Dad flew up to the rock we all resided on. "You can do it right?" He asked me with a friendly face.
I stared up at him with a frown, not getting my mouth to work for a second there. "Me, fight with Cell?" I finally managed to stutter out.
Cell was clearly not pleased with the choice of warrior my father picked. "You promised me a challenge but you give me nothing but a child!" He yelled, making me flinch.
Like Cell, Piccolo was also not shy about airing his displeasures loudly. "You are going to get your own son killed, you fool!" Piccolo yelled. "Goku, stop this madness. Stop and think what will happen if you maintain this course of action. If Gohan fights with Cell he is going to die!"
My shoulders slumped at his outburst. The last glimmer of faith in myself for being able to do this vanished. No one thinks I can do this, not even Piccolo. I don't know why Dad would think that I can win this fight, if no one else has faith in me.
"Listen, Gohan has a power hidden inside him which you and I cannot begin to imagine." Dad spoke up for me. He smiled down at me before he turned to face the others again. "Just think about it guys, don't you realize that he has keeping up with the rest of us ever since he was just a little boy? When I was that age, I wasn't half as strong as he is."
Krillin stepped up. "Goku we all know Gohan is strong for his age, but fighting Cell?" His eyes moved over to me. And then back to my dad, his eyes were pleading.
"You are just going to have to trust me on this one Krillin. I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't know that Gohan could win." He reassured, but it didn't make me feel any better.
Dad bent down to my level. "Look at me son, tell me something, while I was fighting with Cell, was it ever too hard for you to keep up at all, I mean did we ever move too fast for you?"
I shook my head. "No, I could see it all, but that's just because you and Cell weren't fighting with your full strength. I am sure that if you did, I wouldn't have been..."
"I don't know about Cell son, but I was giving my all." Dad interrupted. "You thought I was holding back, because you were comparing the energy you sensed from me to your own." He placed his hands comfortingly on my shoulders.
Piccolo's mouth fell open, he probably remembered our previous conversation. "Is that true Gohan?"
I nodded. "Yes."
"It's impossible!" Vegeta screamed. "He is just a child, how could he be.. It's impossible!"
"Any day now." Cell urged impatiently.
Dad squeezed my shoulders. "So what do you say, son? Go out there and win this one for me, okay? Then we can all go home."
Against my beter judgment, I nodded, not wanting to disappoint Dad. He seemed to have a lot of faith in me. "Okay Dad, I'll do it."
He smiled and rose to his feet. "Great."
Piccolo looked displeased.
Krillin scratched the back of his bald head. "Gohan, are you sure about this?"
I mustered a smile at my dad's closest vriend. "I am." I tried to sound sure, but he didn't seem to buy my affirmation.
I took in a deep breath and threw off my cape, the one similar to Piccolo's. Casting one last look at my mentor, I flew down to the battlefield with an uncertain heart, but shook the feeling off as I stood face to face with the most dangerous foe we have ever encountered on earth.
"How absurd." Cell said as he looked me over. I stared up at him, nothing but determination on my features. I reminded myself of all the destruction he has caused on my planet. I found myself thinking of the huge amount of humans who died at his hands. I thought of him hurting my friends. Anger swelled inside of my being and I realized that I hated him with all of my heart. He must be stopped and I am the one who is going to kill him!
Okay Gohan you can do this. Dad has a lot of faith in you; you cannot let him down, again... The fate of the whole world is resting on your shoulders... No pressure...
Well, at least Dad did quite a lot of damage on Cell in their battle, I noted as I saw Cell with countless bruises and slices on his body while breathing heavily as he floated in the air, staring me down. I could use that to my advantage!
A glimmer of hope settled in my stomach, chasing the nervousness and doubt away. Maybe I can beat this overgrown grasshopper after all.
My mind reached out to where Cell was standing. I compared my energy to his and smiled confidently. We weren't that much apart, he is still a tad bit stronger than me but if I just strategize correctly, I can win. I really can do this! I can really beat...
"Cell!" My father called, trying to get Cell's attention. "Here, catch!" He shouted and threw a bean with lighting speed at Cell. Cell caught it between his fingers and stared at it confusingly. The z-warriors wore horror-stricken expressions on their faces. "It's a sensu bean, eat it." He explained. My eyes widened in horror.
Wait! What is Dad doing?! I panicked. Is he seriously giving Cell a sensu bean? I felt my last glimmer of hope in winning this tournament disappear, as if it was literally being flushed down the toilet...
What is he thinking?! Does he want me to die?! I know I have let him down in the past, but... But allowing your son, your own flesh and blood, to be killed by a tyrannous villain? My mind went crazy. My brain was buzzing like a disoriented colony of bees, trying to find a logical explanation for my dad's illogical actions.
Maybe he has a plan; he has to have a plan! I contradicted my negativity. Maybe he wants me to serve as a distraction, bait if you will; so when Cell's attention is entirely focused on me, he will go in for the kill. Yeah! That must be it! Phew. I must just play along with this charade and it will be over before I know it!
I loosened my body and took a deep breath. Let's do this!
I released my power; not allowing Cell to have the first move. I smiled as I felt the familiar and warm feeling of my energy pulse vividly through my body. The earth shook a bit and a few pieces of debris were held in the air around my body as my power was uttered. I chuckled softly as I saw Cell and my other friends' shocked faces as they felt my strong power, a power even stronger than Dad's!
I am going to show Cell exactly what I am made of, I decided with confidence when I noticed that the bug was still analyzing me with his eyes, not yet daring to make a move.
"Okay Cell, I'm ready." I urged.
"Well, maybe Goku wasn't entirely bluffing about his son's strength." Cell admitted with a smile. "Of course it was a bit of an exaggeration to say that you are strong than me, but oh well."
I got into a flawless fighting stance and Cell chuckled.
"I'll give you this, you are very brave and loyal too. Not a lot of sons are willing to die fighting their father's battles you know." He shook his head slowly with amusement. "Your devotion is very admirable."
"You can do this Gohan!" My dad cheered from the sidelines.
At that moment Cell decided to make his first move. He shot a kick my way, but I blocked it with my arm. We made eye-contact and I scowled at him, making him smile. He increased the energy in his kick, but I held my defense firm, which prompted him to barge me with more attacks. I was quicker than him and dodged or blocked every blow he threw my way.
Finally I took to the skies. I was mainly on defense now and he was dominating at offence. I looked for a gap in his movements for the perfect moment to strike, but he was flawless.
He gathered a significant amount of power for his next kick and I just barely dodged it. I was off balance for a second, but gained my composure as I fell down to the ground, using my arm to balance myself again.
"Good son!" Dad cheered approvingly. "Make him come to you! Make him fight on your terms and not his!"
Cell charged me again and his attacks were quicker than before. He must have flung over a hundred punched my way, but I was still able to dodge every single one of them.
"You are pretty fast aren't you?" Cell said with approval. "But let's kick things up a notch."
He sped so quickly over to me that I didn't even detect the movement. All I knew was that he was hovering opposite me one moment and the next head-butted me in the face. I flew back, but he caught me on my shirt. The force of his attack was still radiating all over my features. I didn't even have enough time to recover before he started bashing in my head with his feisty fists.
He held me in such a position which made it impossible for me to defend myself.
His hits were hard and when he finally stopped, I found myself being dazed and confused. I opened my eyes before he delivered the fatal blow of his attack: knocking me over my head. I helplessly rocketed to the ground, momentum being my worst enemy in this situation. I barely felt the crash and found comfort in the few seconds I got to lay on the cool ground.
I got up again quickly though, and wiped a trail of blood off the corner of my mouth with a smile. I was having fun. The fight was satisfying my animalistic Saiyan desire of fighting.
Cell floated down to my level. "Well Gohan, I see that you are ready for round two."
"I am ready when you are, you creep."
He chuckled and took to the skies. I frowned, not expecting him to do that. As soon as he was high enough he started shooting numerous energy attacks down my way. My excellent dodging skills still prove effective as I managed to elude each one of his attacks.
He started to get annoyed with that fact. "Hold still!" He yelled on countless occasions as he failed to hit me. But suddenly he was behind me, and one of his kicks connected.
I felt something crack in my abdomen and let out a yell due to the pain. I fell to the ground and he was next to my side in a second. He looked down at me with distaste.
"This was a good fight kid." He aimed his open palm at me and energy started to glow in it. "But all good things must come to an end." He released the power before I could muster up a quick defense and took the hit directly from such a close range. I was sent flying into one of the nearing rock formations, and almost went completely through it before the whole thing collapsed on top of me.
Now my head was hurting too, but other than that, I was still in tip-top condition.
I threw the large boulders off my body and rose to my feet, dusting off my clothes as I did.
"WE TOLD YOU THIS WOULD HAPPEN, WE TOLD YOU!" I recognized Piccolo's voice yell louder than I have ever heard him yelling. "BUT YOU DIDN'T LISTEN. MAYBE YOU WILL HEAR THIS... YOUR SON IS DEAD GOKU, HE IS DEAD!" His yells actually echoed through the valley and made its way back to my ears a couple more times.
I shook my head, disappointed that my mentor would think that I could be killed after such a short time, and such a weak attack. "I hope you are not too shocked by this mister Piccolo." I muttered under my breath as I released a fair amount of my energy to disintegrate the boulders and debris that blocked my way. My golden aura radiated around my body like a burning sun.
I looked up at the cliff where my friends stood. "I don't die that easily Piccolo." I said just loud enough for him to hear, and I could see his eyes widen a bit.
I turned my attention back to Cell, and menacingly walked over to him. I stopped when I was close enough to touch him.
"It seems I didn't give you enough credit." He said. "You've got a lot more nerve than I thought."
"This fight is meaningless Cell." I spoke up, ignoring his previous statement.
He stared at me with bafflement for a few seconds before he started laughing. "You're just like your father. Do you really think I'll stop my Cell Games just because you think it's meaningless?"
I sighed, knowing that he won't listen to reason. "Yes."
He chuckled and stared intently down at me. "Well think again. Let me explain something to you boy, you have to fight." His voice was lined with venom. "Unless you beat me today, I will destroy. The. Earth." He emphasized. "Now how is that for meaning?"
"I'm telling you I don't want to fight anymore Cell, even though you're evil I have no desire to kill you." My voice was menacingly low, and my eyes didn't break away from his. "You don't have to continue this senseless violence." I stated. "I am giving you a chance to put an end to it right now."
He folded his arms over his chest. "Correct me if I am wrong, but did I just hear you, threatening to kill me?"
I stared at him, not stating the obvious answer.
He chuckled. "And how are you planning to carry out this senseless threat, really, do tell." He mocked, humoring me.
"I know now what my father meant. I know now why I am the only one who can take you down."
"Don't make me laugh. You can't touch me kid."
"Maybe not right now, but I think it is important for you to know what will happen when you push me." I clenched my fists, remembering. "When I was just a little boy a Saiyan warrior, Radditz, came to Earth, he was a lot like you Cell, and he enjoyed hurting others, especially my dad." I shot Cell a scowl. "He was continuing his ruthless torture, and I was trapped, helpless inside his spaceship, but I could still hear my father's screams." I paused. "Each time he cried out in agony, my heart cried out with him. The pain I felt by not being able to help him was maddening. Then something happened... Something snapped. The pain I felt became so great that I lost myself in it. A furious blinding force began to surge through me and I knew only one thing: I had to help my dad, no matter what. That was the first time I learned I had a hidden power, but I had no idea from where it came from or how to use it..." My voice trailed off.
"Fortunately those were things that Piccolo was determined to teach me. I think he recognized my power for what it was, he knew that the only way for it to surface is for me to be faced with a crisis so great that I would have no other choice but to use it. This wasn't a voluntary decision on my part, but more like a feeling, a gut reaction to a situation beyond my control. I lost myself in it and the power emerged."
"I would learn even more about my hidden abilities while we were on Namek, fighting Frieza. Krillin was hurt really badly, but I knew there was still a chance to save him, so I tried to reach him as fast as I could, but before I did, Frieza was right there, laughing. Krillin, my vriend was sinking to the bottom of that lake, and Frieza, that tyrannous monster was actually enjoying it. I couldn't control what happened next. I attacked. I didn't care that Frieza was the strongest person in the galaxy. All I knew was that I must help my vriend, and the only way to him was through Frieza. I still don't know how it happened, I was lost in a raging vorm of emotions. It was like a switch had been pulled, and for those few moments, nothing could stop my power from raging to the surface. I was an unstoppable force. Once unleased, the hidden power was enough to bring Frieza crashing to his knees. That was a long time ago, and I have gotten a lot stronger. I think my dad took that in account. He realized that if I would lose control, it's no telling how powerful I will become, or how much damage a power like that would cause." I clenched my fist, angry at the idea that I could hurt my friends or the planet with my catastrophic power.
Cell laughed. "An interesting story, but it didn't work. Not in the way you intended, you gave me something to work for. This hidden power of you intrigues me, and I am determined to see it for myself."
I gasped as my air-flow was cut-off by his gigantic head colliding with my stomach. I stumbled backwards and crashed into the ground. My eyes widened as I saw he was charging again; I instinctively jumped up and ran towards him. I saw an opening and kicked him in the stomach; he went flying to the ground, crashing.
He yelled as he released more energy and charged at me with full speed. I swung my fist out toward him as he neared, but he jumped up, my shot barely missing the soles of his feet and he kicked me in the nose. I stuttered backwards and he grabbed my arm. He twisted it in an unnatural angle behind my back and I squealed in pain.
"Getting angry yet?" He breathed over my shoulder.
"I am just warming up…" I spat out with effort.
He threw me to the ground and stepped on my head, stomping his foot down on my head.
"You stubborn child. Get angry!" He yelled as he kicked me repeatedly in the stomach. "Release your hidden powers. Protect yourself!" He yelled again and brought his foot down on my hand. I let out a cry as the bones in my fingers were crushed.
He let out a frustrated cry as I didn't give him what he was after. He kicked me up into the air and caught me in his arms, hugging me tightly against his chest. I was confused for a moment by what he could possibly achieve by this attack, but then it became clear as he started to squeeze me, like a snake trying to kill his prey.
Pings of pain shot through my body, originating at my torso.
I sent more power out, trying to get him away from me. It didn't work. My raising energy didn't blow him away like a used tissue; he didn't spiral through the air. I stayed put in his arms, losing oxygen by the second.
Cell laughed at my cries. "What a wretched way to die, but no one can stop me. Except for you. Except for you, Gohan! I can feel your bones starting to break. You must not like the pain. Save yourself!"
He was in control now. My body felt weak under his pressure. I found myself wondering why Dad and the others weren't trying anything to help me.
"That's it! Scream out! It makes you mad that you are in pain!"
He let go after a while. My body fell to the ground softly and I floated down too. He easily got up into a sitting position and sat crossed legged in front of me with a smile planted on his face. It felt like some of my ribs pressed against my lungs, making it difficult to breathe. I flinched with every breath I took. I clutched my side, in hope of making the pain more bearable, but it only made it worse.
"Stubborn creature. Perhaps you will respond better to the pain of your friends."
My eyes snapped open, my arms reaching out to Cell. "Don't!" I yelled.
"With these out of the way, I won't have to fight them myself." I saw he was holding our bag of sensu beans in his grasp.
I got up to my feet. "What are you planning to do?" I asked angrily.
"I am going to make you release your hidden power, and if your friends die because of it, you can go ahead and blame yourself for that too."
"I'll kill you!" I yelled.
He chuckled. "When I get my fill I will stop you myself."
"Come on, defend yourself!" Cell yelled as started to charge me. Giving a quick dodge, he watched as I flew through the air. I landed on my feet to see that Cell was making another dash towards me, this time I dodged and jumped into the air.
With a grunt and a yell I allowed myself to be emerged in a golden aura. My cold teal eyes scanned Cell running toward me with another attack. This time Cell landed on his behind in surprise and a small amount of pain.
The other Z-Fighters continued to watch as the android stood to his feet. I glared at the android when he wiped the blood from his mouth.
"Well, maybe I'll get through to you just yet." Cell said as he assumed his stance.
"So, Gohan." Cell casually said as he watched me clench my teeth. "We still have yet to see you angry." He smirked and turned to the Z-Fighters. "I'd say that we try some friendly persuading." Cell muttered as he softly counted the Z-Fighters. "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven." He shrugged. "Seven it is!"
Cell gave a grunt as he threw his head back and his two black wings opened up to reveal his pale colored stinger. "Haaa!" He shouted as the small stinger grew in diameter and shot out seven tiny beings.
"What the hell are those things?" Piccolo shouted in surprise as he watched them with disgust etched on his face.
The creatures couldn't help but laugh and giggle at their surroundings as they stood to their feet. The small little monsters were blue and black, and extremely small. Yet, sadly, their power didn't match their height.
"Now my darling children, those seven people you see up there are your enemies. Make them suffer, if it please you, kill them." Cell said to the Cell Jrs much to my dismay. "Now get to it!" He ordered as he crossed his arms victoriously.
I watched all of the fights with a pained expression. I…I want to help, but I found that I didn't know how. I clenched my teeth and my fists as I felt rage building within me. The one fight that really struck me the most was Dad's. Here he was, in this predicament because he had faith in me, but I was letting him down. I punched the ground a few times in frustration. 'Why?' I pleaded to the skies. 'Why am I so useless!'
"Playtime is over children." Cell exclaimed in a cheerful voice. "You can kill them now."
"Noooo!" I shouted and clenched my fists. Tears were streaming down my face freely now. I closed my eyes in despair. If only I were stronger! I tried locating the vault of my hidden powers, but I just couldn't reach it. I was mortified; if I don't tap into my powers soon, Cell is going to kill them all!
"Hurry up now." Cell's impatient screech interrupted my thoughts. "First one, who kills one of those pests, wins a prize." He exclaimed happily.
I flinched. How dare Cell treat their lives as a game! "Stop it!" I yelled at the grasshopper and aimed a punch at him. Cell easily dodged it and kneed me in the stomach. I doubled over in pain, gasping for air.
"Why... are you doing... this?!" I managed to stutter out through my gasps. "Just kill me and get it over with."
Cell scoffed. "Where's the fun in that?" He laughed. "Don't worry boy, your death will come soon enough; just unleash your hidden powers and you can pretend that this was all just a bad dream..."
Krillin's body fell lifeless to the ground; his energy was dangerously low. One of the Cell junior's kept kicking him in his side and I flinched with every blow connecting with his mangled body. A few tears flowed down my cheeks; I closed my eyes. "Krillin, I'm so sorry." I whispered.
Only Vegeta, Trunks and Piccolo were still able to defend themselves; not even my dad could keep up anymore: he was being kicked back and forth like a ragdoll.
Yamcha, Tien and Krillin were all lying on the ground, facedown; unconscious.
Why did you do this Dad, why did you count on me so much? If you are so sure I have these powers, tell me how to bring it out. I want to help. I want to save you Dad. B...but I can't; I don't know how. I am too afraid to do this alone. I am just a child! I am still supposed to watch cartoons and play games; not defend the earth. I...
"Gohan." I opened my eyes. I was surprised to see one of the remaining androids' head in front of me.
"S...Sixteen?" I stuttered confused.
"Gohan, let it go." He said in a gentle voice. "It is not a sin to fight for the right cause. There are those, who words alone, will not reach. Cell is such a being. I know how you feel Gohan." He smiled at me. "You are gentle; you do not like to hurt; I know, because I have also learned these feelings. It is because you cherish life, that you must protect it."
"Ugh." Cell scoffed in disgust. "This sentimental downpour is killing me. It is very nice of you to help Sixteen, but I plan on doing this my way."
Sixteen's smile grew more sincere. "Please, drop your restraints. Protect the life I learned to love. You have the strength, my scanners sensed it. Just, let it go."
Cell stepped closer and crushed Sixteen's head. Mechanical parts and some blood flew in the air, some landing on my clothes. My mouth fell open in shock and despair. How can someone be so cruel?!
"Yet another fighter you could have saved." Cell stated smugly.
I stared at the bits and pieces, once belonging to Sixteen, longingly. His final words bounced wildly around in my skull.
Sixteen, you loved life; you gave everything up to save it, and you were just an android! I let you die! I can't do this; I can't watch anymore.
No! I have been letting people down my whole life! Flashbacks of the fights with Vegeta, Nappa, the Ginyu Force, Frieza and Garlic Junior raced through my mind. How many times have I let my friends down when they were counting on me? How many of my friends got hurt or, I cringed, died because I was too weak or too scared to help them?
I frowned in despair. If only I were stronger! If only I could have done more! Whenever I get in trouble, every time I am in over my head and I don't think that I am going to make it, Dad, Krillin, Piccolo; one of my friends is always there to bail me out! But when the situation is in reverse, I just stand there like a little helpless child.
Dad, you have always been able to do anything you set your mind to. I envy you for that. There was never a challenge you couldn't meet. I sighed sadly. But Dad, I am not like you. I am so sorry. I just don't think I have what it takes. No! I have to be strong! If I can't do this, Dad, Piccolo, Everyone! I am going to lose them all!
I...I feel it slipping. I won't watch this anymore! The vault opened and I tapped into my hidden power; releasing every fragment of it...
