Author's Responses:
Shiva the Sarcastic: ... I'm just going to assume I'm one of the exceptions in your second to last sentence. In case you didn't realize, yeah, I'm a guy.
ssj3gohan007: No, it was only a first draft. But the comments I got on it were generally all positive, so minor work for the second and final drafts. But thanks for your vote of confidence in my writing skills.
Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or make a profit from the writing of this fic.
Son Gohan the Warrior
Chapter 47:
The Cell Games
Krillin was in some alarm when Trunks turned towards him. "Trunks?" asked the human. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," said Trunks. "I've got a plan. But I need you to take my father to Master Roshi's house so he can recover."
"You bet!" said Krillin, relieved. "What a relief. Trunks, I sure am glad you're one of the good guys. For a minute I thought you were gonna pull a Gohan and go ape. Trust me, the last person to see Gohan angry regretted it."
"Don't worry. I'm all right." Trunks threw a Sensu bean to Krillin. "Just make sure my father gets this. It should be enough to restore his strength and get him back on his feet."
"But Trunks! This is the last Sensu bean! What about you?"
Trunks looked at Cell. "I have no use for it. I don't plan on losing." He lowered himself towards the island.
"Well, I really hope you don't either. Good luck, Trunks."
I wonder what Trunks has to offer, thought Cell, watching as Trunks flew down to meet him. His power level has taken a sudden jump. Maybe I will finally have a challenge.
"Cell," said Trunks, glaring at his enemy. "Step away from Vegeta and face me."
"Don't you think Vegeta is right where he belongs?" asked Cell, chuckling. "With his face... in the mud!"
"It's all over, Cell," said Trunks, approaching.
"Well, I've heard that one before," said Cell, walking towards Trunks. "You Saiyans are like cockroaches. Squash one and another crawls out from the wall."
The two stopped, two feet between them. Cell launched a kick, but Trunks ducked under it, sweeping his feet at Cell's. Cell leapt over them, launching a kick at Trunk's head, who blocked it.
Suddenly, the two vanished. "What?" asked Krillin from where he hovered overhead. He looked around, trying to spot them. He looked upwards just in time to see a black speck come crashing down, with another one glowing golden directly behind.
Suddenly, there was an explosion on the ground, and Trunks landed next to a newly formed crater.
"I don't see Cell," said Krillin in awe, "and Trunks is still standing! Man, all that training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber must have really paid off! WAY TO GO, TRUNKS!"
"KRILLIN!" shouted Trunks. "LOOK OUT!"
Just then, there was an explosion. Cell hovered out of the hole. "Well, wake up, Trunks," said the android. "I'm real. I've said it before, I'll say it again. You Saiyans don't know when to give up. You have a strong fighting spirit. I will enjoy draining you of it."
The two charged at one another. Just before they made contact, they disappeared, reappearing just below Krillin, trading blows faster than Krillin could follow.
Trunks caught both of Cell's fist in his hands and pushed the android into the ground.
"Cell will destroy him!" said 16 from where he watched.
Just then, a trench seemed to dig itself into the ground. It moved out to sea, then finally, the two emerged, Trunks still pushing Cell. He released the android, throwing a kick at Cell's head, but Cell blocked the blow. The second kick Trunks threw got through, though, sending Cell flying towards the ground.
Trunks went haring after Cell. He threw a punch, but the android vanished before it made contact, and Trunks landed on the ground, looking up at Cell, who was charging at him. Trunks threw himself backwards to avoid the blow, landing near Vegeta, who still lay unconscious.
"Well done, Trunks," said Cell. "I see you've learned all of Vegeta's moves. Now let me demonstrate how to do them properly." He shot at Trunks, who vanished, reappearing behind Cell, throwing another punch. Cell ducked under it and curled his hand into a fist, delivering a punch to Trunk's gut. He followed up by kicking Trunks away.
Trunks sat up just as Cell launched a second kick, knocking Trunks off to the side.
Trunks turned and looked at Krillin, pointing inconspicuously towards Vegeta. Krillin nodded, getting the message. He flew down and landed next to the Saiyan Prince, picking him up, and carrying him off.
"What's that saying, like father like son?" said Cell, walking towards Trunks. "Yes, you are as headstrong as Vegeta. But soon you'll be wishing your head was stronger, when I'm crushing it! But it looks like you've saved Vegeta for now."
Trunks was shocked. Cell let Krillin take my father off without even trying to stop him? he thought to himself.
"What? Thought I didn't see, huh?"
"Why'd you let me?" asked Trunks.
"Isn't it obvious? I'm interested in you, not him. I can kill him any time I want."
"Not if I can help it."
"Your loyalty to your father is a sign of weakness, Trunks. It will be your downfall. But enough about your weakling father. I'd much rather address my fight with you."
"You want me," said Trunks, flaring his aura around him. "Come and get me."
"I will," said Cell, smiling. "But show me more of that wonderful power of yours first."
Trunks began powering up. "That's it," said Cell. "Take your time. I want you to be at full strength when I destroy you."
-DBZ: SGTW-
"No," said Piccolo. "This can't be real! Trunks is going through an incredible transformation! His power is now far greater than Vegeta's. I didn't want to believe it, but I guess there really is a level beyond that of a Super Saiyan."
"He's so powerful," said Tien.
"He's even stronger than Cell now!"
"Hey, guys, what's going on?" asked Bulma. "A little play-by-play for those of us in the cheap seats would really be appreciated right now."
"Trunks is big and strong, okay?" said Piccolo.
-DBZ: SGTW-
Trunks finished his transformation. He shot at Cell, throwing a punch and kick, but Cell managed to dodge both blows.
Trunks swiveled, shooting at Cell again. Cell once again managed to dodge the blows.
Cell landed, Trunks still hovering in mid-air, gasping for breath.
"Not bad, Trunks," said Cell. "But give up. You just can't beat me."
-DBZ: SGTW-
Vegeta began to stir as Krillin carried him off to safety.
"Vegeta, you alright?" asked Krillin. "Hang on, I just got to find somewhere safe to set you down." He spotted an island not too far away. "That'll do." He shot towards it.
Setting Vegeta down, he asked, "Hey, Vegeta, you okay?" Krillin reached into his gi, pulling out the Sensu bean. "Here, take this. It's a Sensu bean."
Vegeta sat up moments later. "Cell," he said, snarling in frustration.
-DBZ: SGTW-
"Alright, Gohan," said Goku. "I think I may have figured it out."
Gohan stopped his training and turned to his father. "Figured what out, dad?"
"You'll see. First, transform into a Super Saiyan, then just keep powering up."
Gohan nodded, transforming in an instant. He kept powering up, and eventually, his muscles swelled slightly, taking on more power.
"That's it!" shouted Gohan. "I feel incredible! I think I could beat Cell now!"
"No," said his father, looking him over. "You have an incredible weakness in that form. Try hitting me."
Gohan shot at his father, who simply moved out of the way of the punch. Gohan launched a few more punches and kicks, but Goku managed to dodge every single one with ease.
"You're right," said Gohan, powering down to his normal form. "I'm nowhere near fast enough to even have a chance of hitting you. I gained a lot of power, but lost way too much speed."
"Now it's my turn," said Goku, pumping his own muscles up. He shot at Gohan, who dodged every single blow easily. "The speed we lose with our muscles this bulky is a definite disadvantage. We might have incredible power, but what's the good of it if we don't land a single blow?"
Gohan nodded, realizing his father was correct. "So what are we supposed to do? If we can't get enough power to beat Cell without losing the speed we need to use that power, do we even stand a chance?"
"It's not all that," said Goku. "Transforming takes a lot out of you. We could really use that energy to help us in our fight." He powered down to regular Super Saiyan. "Our best bet is to try and make it so we're used to Super Saiyan. That way, we can stay Super Saiyan for as long as we need it, without the strain it puts on our bodies."
"So, what you're saying is," said Gohan, turning back into a Super Saiyan, getting where his father was going, "is that we need to remain in Super Saiyan for as long as we can, until we get used to the power and it gets easy to transform?"
"Exactly," said Goku. "We need to remain in these forms for as long as we can. That way, we'll have all the advantages, but none of the disadvantages. We'll slow down our training until it stops feeling so weird."
-DBZ: SGTW-
Trunks shot at Cell once again, who simply leaned out of the way of the punch. Trunks smashed into a rock. He turned around and took a few more shots at Cell, but the android, once again, dodged.
"You said you'd show me true Saiyan power," said Cell. "But all you've done is pump up your muscles. And there's nothing special about that. I could do that too, if I wanted."
The android flooded his muscles with power, bulking up significantly. Trunks stared in horror as Cell's power increased. "You see," lectured Cell, "it's rather easy to transform and flaunt you powers. But it's not going to get you anywhere if your opponent has any sort of speed. You fool."
Cell dropped back to his original form. "Honestly, it's a very simple concept to understand," said Cell. "Even Vegeta figured it out. So why can't you?"
"Of course!" said Trunks, realizing. "That's why father stopped getting stronger. He could have, but he knew about it's limits! And I just kept plowing forward, like a stupid child." He dropped back to his normal self.
"You can finish me if you want," said Trunks. "I've failed."
-DBZ: SGTW-
"Hey," said Krillin, looking towards where he had felt Trunks moments before. "How come Trunks's energy signature suddenly decreased so fast? It... doesn't make sense. What happened? And Cell's still just as strong! And now I can't feel Trunks at all! Maybe Cell beat him."
"Fine by me," said Vegeta, standing. "I'll take him. Cell is mine." He shot off, heading towards Cell.
"What was I thinking?" asked Krillin to himself. "It's just no use trying to talk any sense into Vegeta. Here we go again." He shot off after the Saiyan Prince.
-DBZ: SGTW-
Bulma noticed Piccolo and Tien's sudden silence. "What's up?" she asked. "Hasn't Trunks put Cell's lights out yet?"
"It's over," said Piccolo.
"He did it?" asked Bulma, smiling. "Trunks beat him?"
"No," said Tien. "He means Cell has beaten Trunks!" Bulma looked at them in horror.
"This is bad!" exclaimed Piccolo. "Very bad!"
-DBZ: SGTW-
Cell raised one hand towards Trunks. "What shall I do with you?" asked Cell. "Such an interesting predicament. Both you and Vegeta have disappointed me. I expected more of a challenge from a pair of Super Saiyans. However, there is something I'm rather curious about. I see you're very strong. How did you become so powerful? It's hard to believe you could develop those fighting skills in such a short time. Tell me, how did you do it?"
Trunks continued to stare at the ground. "Don't want to talk?" asked Cell. "Then let me ask you this: if you had more time, could you get stronger?"
Trunks looked up in surprise. "Maybe," said Trunks. "What difference does it make now? And why would you even want to know?"
"Just curious. Oh, and one more question Where has Goku been hiding all this time?"
"For your information, he's training to defeat you," said Trunks, raising a fist. "And make no mistake, Cell, he will be the one to beat you. He'll take you no contest."
"No contest?" asked Cell, getting an idea. He lowered his hand. "Then, a tournament!"
"What do you mean?" asked Trunks, bewildered.
Cell chuckled. "The tournament will begin in ten days. And consider yourself lucky that I am giving you a second chance."
"But... what are you talking about?" asked Trunks.
"You really don't know, do you? Long before we ever existed, there was a competition on this planet called the World Martial Arts Tournament. I'm going to revive it, and prove once and for all that I have no equal! Each member of your team may challenge me. I will fight them one-on-one, and when I win, I will face the next challenger on your team. Do you understand? Bring all the fighters you can. The more fighters you have, the more chances you have to survive. I have yet to decide on a location for the tournament, so keep an eye on your television for details."
"The television?" asked Trunks, now completely thrown. What is his plan? he thought.
"It should be very entertaining," said Cell, ignoring Trunks's question. "All right. Oh, and make sure you bring plenty of those Sensu beans."
"Wait, tell me! What is the real purpose of this tournament? What are you really going to do? I know what you androids are like. I'm sure this is some sort of a trick. Just a trap to get us all in one place, right?"
"Must you always treat everything like it's the end of the world?" asked Cell. "There is no secret purpose. I simply want to get as much out of this planet as I can before I destroy it. I have proven that I am unstoppable. Neither you or your friends are any threat to me now. However, there is one that I want to test my complete power against. I want you to bring me Goku." He smirked. "This tournament is sure to be a guaranteed hit. Everyone will be watching me! I just can't wait to see that look of panic and fear."
Trunks's expression was one of horror. "That's it!" said Cell. "That's the look!" He laughed. "Until then," he said, flying off.
-DBZ: SGTW-
In a shocking turn of events, Cell has given Trunks and the rest of Earth's heroes a second chance! Why? Find out in the next chapters of DBZ: Son Gohan the Warrior!
