SailorStar9: This is Chapter 20 of the Cell Games Saga. Read and review.

Disclaimers: Only the plot is mine.

Chapter Summary: After Cell's amazing, yet shocking return, he begins the fight with Gohan again. He is much stronger now, because of the Saiyan ability to gain power when recovered from a serious attack, and beats up Gohan. Cell gets very angry and says he will finish off everyone. He begins a Kamehameha attack, and tells the Z-Senshi of how he is now complete without any flaws, he has achieved ultimate perfection. Gohan, only able to use his right arm, does nothing as he cannot defend himself against Cell anymore. Goku telepathically talks to Gohan, and talks him into using a Kamehameha attack with only his right arm. Gohan agrees, and then begins to use all of his energy in a huge attack.

Chapter 20: The Horror Won't End

"The Earth will be blown away." Cell declared. "Everything will be blown away.

It's no use. Gohan realized. I can't win. Cell has returned with tremendous power. Father, I'm sorry. I couldn't defend the Earth against Cell. "If only I hadn't overdone things, I would be able to defend the Earth."

"How can this be?" Vegeta wondered. "To think that I've become excess baggage. Me, a warrior race Saiyan. Sorry about that, Gohan." He told the boy.

Vegeta just apologized. Gohan was surprised. "He's realized that there's absolutely nothing we can do now."

"Gohan." Krillin muttered.

"Dammit!" Piccolo hollered. "I hate the fact that we are powerless."

At Kami's Lookout…

"Kami, what is it?" Mr. Popo inquired.

"Incredible power." Dende replied. "I've never felt power like this."

"Cell?" Mr. Popo asked. "What will happen?"

"Gohan…" Dende prayed.

Back in the battlefield…

"I am perfect." Cell chuckled. "I never imagined I could come this far. Is this the ultimate 'Perfect Form' that Dr. Gero was aiming for? However, even after Dr. Gero died, I continued to be cultured by his computer. Several years later, I came forth on Earth. At that time, it had already been turned into a dead planet by No. 17 and No. 18. Even so, I took in what little living energy remained, and continued to grow in order to reach my 'Perfect Form'. However, for some reason, no matter where I looked, I could not find No. 17 or No. 18 anywhere. No matter what, I desired to achieve my 'Perfect Form'. In pursuit of No. 17 and No. 18, I returned once again to my larval state, and using Trunks' time machine, I came back ten years into this time period. That is how I reached my 'Perfect Form'. However, at the time, I still had not realized the ultimate strength that Dr. Gero was after. Dr. Gero's ambition wasn't about something small, like defeating Son Goku. It was to develop ultimate strength, with which to rule the world, the entire Universe. And during this fight, I've come to understand that. That is to say, like Piccolo, having the ability to regenerate, so long as there is still a tiny nucleus, along with the ability of the Saiyans to power-up even greater than before, after being saved from the brink of death, as well as having a merciless, cold-blooded, unfeeling heart, like Frieza, put together, they all served as Dr. Gero calculated. The only thing he was mistaken about was the destruction of the Earth. But several more years into the future, the Earth would be destroyed anyhow, and I could use 'Instant Transmission' to go to another planet. Perfect strength, it is beyond what I could have imagined."

"Damn, is there really nothing we can do?" Krillin cursed. "Is this how the Earth comes to an end?"

"I've already stored up enough energy to blow away not just Earth," Cell laughed. "But the entire Solar System. What's wrong, Gohan?" he taunted. "I know, show me your final resistance!"

"Do it." Gohan remarked. "I know that my resistance is futile. Father isn't the only one I'm going to let die… we're all going together."

"How dull." Cell snorted. "What a disappointing end this has turned out to be. Well then, how about I help myself to bringing the end of everything?"

It's over. Gohan mused. It's all over… the Earth will be wiped out.

Don't talk such foolishness. Goku's voice echoed in the boy's head. Gohan, it's not like a Saiyan to give up. Gohan.

"Father!" Gohan looked up. "Where are you?"

The Next World. Goku replied. I'm having King Kai help me talk to you. You've got the blood of the warrior Saiyan race flowing through you. Slam him with a 'Kamehameha' as hard as you can. If you can, you can beat him for sure. I guarantee it.

"But right now, I can only use one arm, and I've got less than half of my Ki left." Gohan pointed out.

"Who is he talking to?" Krillin wondered.

"You're so terrified that you're talking to yourself, huh?" Cell mocked.

That's alright, you can win. Goku assured. Believe in your own power, Gohan. Right now, you're the strongest one in the Universe.

"Understood, Father." Gohan replied. "I'll do everything that I can." He focused on the battle. "I'm so sorry, Father. Because I got too carried away, I got you killed."

Gohan, there's nothing to be sad about. Goku told him. Your father may be dead, but whenever you think of me, we'll always be together.

"But…" Gohan protested.

If that's what you think, then avenge me. Goku stated. Now, let Cell have it.

"Right!" Gohan returned to the battle, powering up as his confidence was returned.

"Gohan!" Piccolo gasped.

"He's set his mind back to fight back." Krillin realized.

"Ka… me… ha… me…" Gohan readied his attack.

"So, you've finally come around, huh?" Cell smirked.

At Kami's Lookout…

"What is it, Kami?" Mr. Popo inquired.

"Gohan, hang in there." Dende prayed.

Back in the battlefield…

"It's no use!" Piccolo gasped. "He can't win. Gohan's Ki is too weak, too weak."

"Burn in hell!" Cell released his attack.

"HA!" Gohan ended his attack cry, unleashing his attack as well.

Omake

The Sincerest Form of Something or Other

In a swirl of leaves, Kakashi and Sasuke appeared in the center of the arena; back to back, arms crossed, flaming with… well, flaming, anyway.

Come on, were they trying to make the cover of the NAMBLA newsletter?

"Did we miss anything?" Kakashi asked indifferently, his attention more focused on his little orange book.

("Damn you, Kakashi!" came a faint shout from the stands.)

"Actually," Genma replied. "You did. Sasuke has been disqualified for his failure to appear at the scheduled time. The Hokage wants to see you both in his office after the exams. What the hell were the two of you thinking?"

As Security led the shocked and argumentative prima donne out of the arena, Sakura slowly counted a thick stack of ryo into her gloating teammate's hand.

"I guess you were right," she said, shaking her head sadly. "More like him every day."

SailorStar9: Hmmm… (Ticks points off with her fingers)

1. Obsessed with his dead 'family'.
2. Rightly or wrongly, considered a prodigy.
3. Acts cool and aloof; keep people at a distance.
4. Treats his teammates badly.
5. Female teammate has a crush on him; male teammate is a clumsy buffoon.
6. Has the Sharingan.
7. Lightning affinity & the Chidori.
8. Willing to let a teammate die to meet his own objective.
9. Unconcerned about the impact his actions have on other people.
10. Bad haircut.
11. Shows up late (for the third exam) because it makes him look cool?

(Nods) Yup, might as well just go ahead and give him one of those dust masks – Kakashi has his own little Mini-Me, just like Gai. Stay tuned for Chapter 21: Save The World.