The Lookout (100 miles north of Babidi's Spaceship)
Dende stood at the edge of the Lookout. It was a place that he had spent many hours of everyday in since he became Earth's guardian. Today was different for him though. He could feel the spine-tingling energy of Frieza and Cell as they rampaged across the planet. Their energies brought back so many unpleasant memories that Dende actual shivered slightly at the thought of their presence. It was times like this that he wished that he had the extraordinary powers of the Earth's protectors. He deeply wanted to help, but alas, there wasn't much that he could do. However, he could feel Earth's greatest protectors about to appear on the Lookout with him.
"Dende!" Goku announced as soon as he, Gohan, and Videl came into view.
Dende turned to face them. He already knew of the situation and immediately rushed over. "Yes, Goku," he said as he came to a stop in front of them. "You need me to try and heal Videl?"
Goku placed Videl down and said, "Yeah. Do you think you can help her?"
Dende placed his hand over Videl's body as he mentally scanned her body. With a sigh, he said, "I don't know if I can, Goku. Her injuries are awfully severe. Even after Kibito's attempt, she still has cardiovascular and cerebral tissue damage. Repairing that kind of tissue takes a LOT of effort." Looking up, Dende could see the pained expression cross Gohan's face. To try and appease Gohan's feelings, he continued with, "But I suppose it isn't impossible."
"I know that we are asking a lot of you, Dende, but could you please try," Goku pleaded.
He really didn't want to get their hopes up, but after saving his life from Frieza and then saving the entire Earth, hell even the galaxy from Cell, Dende would try his best. "I'll do the best that I can."
"Thank you," Gohan said, speaking his first words since appearing on the Lookout.
With Videl in Dende's care, Goku was ready to join the others. He was about to turn to let Gohan know that they were about to leave when he suddenly felt Supreme Kai's power level take a huge plunge. A worrying look crossed his face as the thought of another person falling to Cell and Frieza crept into his mind. Deciding it was time for him to get down there, he turned to face Gohan, but a huge gust of wind blinded him. When he opened his eyes, he could clearly see Gohan's retreating figure soar away from the Lookout. He tried calling his name, but Gohan was either out of earshot or was just ignoring him. After saying an awkward goodbye to Dende, Goku quickly took off after Gohan.
Destroyed Titan Village (60 miles south of Babidi's Spaceship & west of the World Tournament)
Frieza sat atop his rock. He was now holding the container of Gohan's energy in his hands while he looked down at an ant trail, though he had no idea what to call the tiny creatures. He thought that they were such simple organisms. He couldn't help but think what his life would be like if he was an insignificant creature like the ones that he was watching. No ruling a galaxy, no getting revenge against a pack of monkeys, no working with crazy wizards, just living life one day at a time. While he watched the tiny creatures continue in their single file trek, everything seemed to light up around him. He didn't need to look up to know what was coming at him. Using his super speed, Frieza quickly disappeared just as the energy blast connected with his previous seat. Appearing in the sky, he looked down at his former seat and sighed. All that was left of his once comfortable rock and trail of tiny animals was a large crater. He looked back into the sky as the barrage of energy blasts continued soaring through the air with Cell flying through the chaos.
Shin was unleashing a huge storm of energy blasts in hopes of hitting Cell, but the super android was swerving past each blast with relative ease. With each evasion, Cell inched himself closer and closer to Shin until he was directly in front of him. Shin was surprised at Cell's speed and while staring in shock, he was hit square in the jaw. Shin was knocked back several yards while Cell chased after his dazed body.
When Cell caught up with Shin's body, he tried to hammer him out of the air, but his fists went through an afterimage. Cell looked around perplexed for a moment before feeling Shin behind him. Looking over his shoulder, he saw Shin release a strong energy wave directly at him. His eyes grew wide with shock and just as the blast hit his body, it went through an afterimage. Shin watched in shock as the blast went through the hologram Cell. While he continued to force out more energy, he hadn't notice Cell appear next to him. "You're not the only one that can use the afterimage technique," Cell proclaimed as he roundhouse kicked Shin in his abdomen.
The force of the blow made Shin keel over in pain. Cell quickly grabbed a hold of Supreme Kai's Mohawk while pulling him into a barrage of punches to the face and chest. Shin's body quaked at each of Cell's powerful punches while leaving welts and bruises over his face and chest. After enduring over ten punches, Shin grabbed Cell's fist and with his other hand, delivered a fierce uppercut that released Cell's grip on his hair.
With malice in his eyes, Shin used the grip he had on Cell's fist to hold the android in place while delivered a hearty storm of kicks to Cell's entire body. Cell's body was forced to curl and uncurl with each powerful kick to his stomach, face, and chest. After an innumerable amount of kicks, Shin topped off his attack with a powerful dropkick to Cell's face. The force of the kick plus Shin's grip on Cell's fist was enough to rip Cell's arm off while he floated back, howling in pain. He wasn't left time to mourn the loss of his arm, though.
Shin quickly appeared above him and using Cell's own arm, Shin knocked Cell out of the air and crashing through the ground. Releasing Cell's arm, Shin placed his arms to the side and with his hands tightened into fists; a blue electrically charged ball of energy began forming around his hands. Placing both fists forward, he announced "Shockwave," as he released the massive wave at the downed Cell. The blast crashed through the surface of the Earth as it pushed deeper into the ground. He had no intentions of destroying the planet so thinking that Cell had been taken care of, Supreme Kai was about to divert his blast, but suddenly, the blast was knocked out of the crater and was sent flying into space.
Shin watched in amazement as the blast soared away and disappeared in the distance. Feeling a power behind him, he turned to see Cell floating with both arms folded over his chest while he stared directly at him. Shin was so in shock from his ultimate blast being deflected and Cell having both arms back, that he could barely speak. "But, I…don't understand," he managed to say.
"Well it's quite simple, actually. I can regenerate," Cell said while gesturing to the regrown arm. "And as for your blast, well simply put, it was pretty weak."
"I put so much into it, though," Supreme Kai said.
"Yes, yes you did. So much so that you're not even worth me pretending that you are a match for me anymore. You see, you were never going to beat me. I was just trying to entertain myself. But you used so much energy trying to blast me, like with the barrage of blasts and the energy wave that went through the afterimage that you effectively weakened yourself. That last little energy attack has left you practically drained. I am afraid that your fight is over." With that, Cell disappeared, moving too fast for Supreme Kai to comprehend.
Shin looked around in search for the speedy Cell before feeling something to his right. He turned just as Cell planted his boot in Shin's jaw. Supreme Kai was sent crashing into the ground and skid for a few yards before settling in a mound of dirt.
"Did you kill him?" Frieza said from his floating spot.
"Not yet," Cell replied as he began channeling his power into a ball of energy, but Babidi's screeching voice halted him.
"Cell! Frieza!" Babidi yelled telepathically to the two villains.
They had to hold their heads in pain as Babidi's voice tore through their brains.
"Heelllooo! Earth to Cell and Frieza!" he screeched again.
"WHAT!" they both telepathically yelled back.
"I have been tracking your movements for some time and you two are nowhere near the tournament. So, what are you two idiots doing?!"
"Cool your jets, Babidi. We have your precious energy. We were on our way there, but we got a little sidetracked," Cell replied.
"Well I suggest you get un-sidetracked and get your butts over here pronto or do I need to send you two back to hell?"
"We'll be there soon," Frieza said.
"Soon isn't good enough! I want the both of you here in the next five minutes! Don't keep me waiting or else!"
With that Babidi's voice left them and the surge of Gohan's energy came to Cell's mind. He could also sense that Goku was close behind Gohan while the others were coming from the east. He wasn't concerned with Babidi's wishes, but being a strategist, he knew waiting there like sitting ducks was a suicide mission. With that in mind, Cell said, "Let's go before I am forced to strangle that little cockroach." He was glad that Frieza couldn't sense ki signatures otherwise he would have had to fight him tooth and nail to get the Arcosian tyrant to leave.
"What about him?" Frieza said, gesturing to the Supreme Kai that lay beneath the mound of rubble.
"Babidi said be there in five minutes."
"This won't take five seconds," Frieza said while pointing his finger at the dirt mound.
Cell didn't know why, but there was something that was telling him to not kill Shin just yet. He felt that Shin would somehow be useful to him later on. Cell placed his hand on Frieza's wrist and said, "Let him be. He has already been beaten. He would be foolish to attack us again."
"When it comes to killing the humans, you are gung-ho, but when it comes to killing someone important then you are all 'let's wait.' Sometimes I don't understand you, Cell."
Cell shrugged and said, "I am a mystery."
The evil duo quickly flew off. Once out of view, the Supreme Kai burst free of his dirt tomb. He gasped for breath as he rubbed his throbbing jaw. These two are much more powerful than I expected. I am just glad that Kibito hadn't accompanied me. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if anything had happened to him, he thought. Still, I must find help if I ever hope to defeat them and Babidi. With a long sigh, he took a seat on the ground. He could feel that Kibito and the others were fast approaching. While he waited, he attempted to heal himself internally. I just hope that these Earthlings are as formidable as I've heard.
Gohan pierced through the air like a flying rocket. He had refused to let Cell and Frieza get away with killing someone else. He didn't need to look back to tell that his father was right behind him, but he didn't care. He could also sense that Cell and Frieza had left their previous area and was on a collision course with him and Goku. In no time he would be able to get his revenge.
The painful memory of Videl's lifeless body sprawled out on the tournament ring came back to him as he flew. It should've been him, not her. She didn't deserve to fall victim to Cell and Frieza's evil ways. He shook his head as if shaking a way the memory. He couldn't rewrite the past. He could only plan for the future and his future involved beating Cell and Frieza unmercifully.
While tearing through the air, Gohan could sense Cell and Frieza land. They were less than 20 miles away and at the speed that Gohan was flying, he could be there in less than five minutes.
Southwest Forest was a lush and peaceful area. The rural setting was an ideal place for a family to settle down. Far from the hustle and bustle of the big city, and assumingly, dangerous threats. Unfortunately, at this moment, southwest forest was anything, but peaceful. In a recently dug up area stood the wizard Babidi, the Demon King Dabura, and Babidi's minion Pui Pui. They stood not far from a small home, which on the outside laid the dead bodies of the once proud owners.
After giving Frieza and Cell their ultimatum, Babidi waited patiently for his newly acquired minions to arrive. While waiting, Dabura announced that Cell and Frieza should be landing momentarily. Babidi then said, "Pui Pui, after they hand over the energy, do me a favor and kill the both of them?"
"It would be my pleasure," Pui Pui replied with a sinister smile.
Just as Dabura predicted, Cell and Frieza had come into view and were about to land.
Gohan and Goku landed not far behind Cell and Frieza. They took cover behind a large rock formation and depressed their power levels while they watched Cell and Frieza talk with the three mysterious people. Less than a minute after they had taken cover, Supreme Kai, Kibito, Krillin, Piccolo, and Vegeta had landed as well. Supreme Kai was instantly taken aback by the presence of the tall red guy, who they had now learned to be Dabura.
"I fear things may have escalated far beyond what I had imagined," Supreme Kai said, still trying to contain his shock.
"What's so special about the big guy?" Vegeta questioned.
"He is the Demon King. His power is legendary in the world of the demons. Where one of you would be the strongest in this universe, Dabura would be the strongest by far in his world," Kibito replied.
"Wow," Krillin exclaimed. "Babidi must be powerful to control someone as strong as Dabura."
"Power has nothing to do with it. Babidi can harness even the smallest ounce of evil in someone's heart and use it to control them. Only someone of pure heart has any chance of defeating this wicked wizard," said Supreme Kai.
Krillin snickered slightly and said, "Well that accounts for most of us, but Piccolo hasn't always been on the good side."
Piccolo growled and replied, "This is not the time!"
"So, that is Dabura. Which one is Babidi?" said Goku.
"He is the smallest one and the other must be one of his minions," answered Supreme Kai. "Cell and Frieza is one thing, but with Dabura thrown into the mix, I may have to rethink my strategy."
"Give me five good minutes and I'll take Frieza and Cell out of the equation," Gohan replied.
Goku quickly shot Gohan and stunning glare, making Gohan rethink whatever plan he was about to initiate.
Supreme Kai then said, "No, we will wait. We do not want to run the risk of accidently releasing Majin Buu."
The newly assembled team maintained their hiding place while they carefully watched the evil squad below.
"Well I am so glad that you two have enjoyed yourselves," Babidi said with slight annoyance after Cell and Frieza explained what they had been doing since leaving the tournament. "But it appears that you were careless. You two have led a group of people back to us. And one of those unfortunate few seems to be the Supreme Kai."
"Seven in total. Each strong, but three stand far above the rest in power," Dabura remarked.
"The three strong ones have to be the monkeys and surely that damned Namekian has accompanied them," Frieza replied.
"You left them alive?" Babidi questioned.
"You never said to kill them. You just said drain their energy and we did that," said Cell.
Babidi grunted with frustration and said, "No matter. Surely we can find a use for the energy of the three strong ones. As for the rest, we can do nothing with the Kai or his friends' energy and the two weaker ones aren't worth my time. Dabura get rid of the stranglers and save the strong ones and the Kai for our pleasure. As for you two, hand over the container." Babidi stuck out his hand expectantly. Frieza hesitated for a moment out of disgust at the way Babidi spoke to him and Cell, but he handed the container over. Babidi could see Pui Pui beginning to make a move and quickly said, "Now Cell and Frieza, come along with me and Pui Pui, while Dabura handles his job."
Pui Pui looked at Babidi in confusion as he followed his master to the entrance of Babidi's underground spaceship. "I thought you wanted me to kill them, master," he said, trying to keep his voice low so that Cell and Frieza wouldn't hear him.
"That was before our unexpected guests arrived," Babidi replied. "Dabura is strong, but so are the three Saiyans and the Supreme Kai is quite formidable as well. He may need Cell and Frieza's assistance and when their purpose has been served, we will kill the insolent fools."
"Of course, Master Babidi," Pui Pui replied, taking a look over his shoulder at Cell and Frieza. He was startled to see Cell staring directly at him.
Cell and Frieza slowly followed, but at the sound of Dabura taking off they looked back. They watched as Dabura flew to the Z fighters' hiding spot and easily destroyed Kibito. After a quick attempt from Goku and Vegeta, Dabura spat at Krillin and Piccolo and in no time, the two fighters were turned to stone.
Cell took particular notice of Dabura's strength and strange ability. He disliked the red demon with a passion and if he ever had to face off against him, he wanted to be ready. As Dabura flew back to the ship, Cell and Frieza turned to continue after Babidi and Pui Pui.