Chapter Fifty Three: Humanity
Cell Saga: Part One
"Haha, what a fool," Cell's voice came from behind the female Android.
Krillin, who was trying to help her escape was plastered in his fear.' Y-yamcha, didn't do it? What will then?' he groaned mouth shaking while his eyes looked at the monstrosity.
Eighteen turned backing away with mouth held open. Her icy blue eyes were shaking, words unable to flee her gaping mouth nor her body moving ready to evade what was sure to come." H-how? H-he shot you to the horizon, that attack," she muttered finding courage for words, but yet again her body seemed drilled into place by a strong force of fear.
Cell licked his thick lips, a beast leering down at prey." What a joke, your brother's barrier was quite useful. That attack sure would have hurt had I not used it," the bio-android laughed, hand extending toward the bubbling water below, where Yamcha was laid out." I'm sure Yamcha will understand you handing yourself over to me. He learned that his limits and you should learn yours!" a ki blast launched to the water.
A huge explosion surged across the surface, a spiraling dome of destructive energy that steamed water and sent vapors trailing into the sky. Krillin's body suddenly started to convulse, his hands clenching tightly at his sides from the sight. Discharge crackled through the angry white auras that burst around him, his muscles quivering with a hidden potential.
"YAMCHA!" crimson filled the air, Krillin's body being consumed by a raging Kaioken inferno. Cell raised a brow curiously while a billow of red energy burned the air from the short former monk. Discharge rippled out in long chains, coiling around Eighteen almost protecting her." It's over Cell! I won't let you hurt anyone else!" he shot forward in a rugged charge.
Cell's forearm swatted out and blocked his kick, a blasting wind churned out pushing the air to the side. Krillin twisted and jabbed bis other foot forward, Cell's hand swatting it away with effort. Krillin crashed in with furious punches, the air burning crimson with his rage. The bio-android musically moved through them with a smile on his face
"Did I strike a nerve Krillin? The little ones snap so easily," Cell mused driving his knee upward.
Krillin's head snapped back, blood shooting from his mouth while his eyes seemed to hollow out. a kick crushed into Krillin's stomach before he could move away Cell grabbed him by the scruff of his gi, driving a knee into the human's stomach. The blazing red light around his body proving that he was holding fast to the insane level of Kaioken.
Cell released and vanished impacts yanking Krillin's frame left and right before smashing him down to the surface of the water. At the waterline, a spike of water exploded, Cell's right hand jabbing into Krillin's stomach. Blood gushed from the human's mouth, bruises sparking around his body from the barrage from moments prior.
Krillin slumped forward on Cell's forearm, blood spilling along the chimera's wrist." You know this conclusion was foregone Krillin. Had I kept dodging your little body would have popped like a firework from the Kaioken anyway, but at least you're going to die by the soon-to-be perfect lifeform rather than by your own hands," Cell laughed picking Krillin by the scruff of his neck.
The bald warrior's eyes looked to the side, his mouth spilling blood down his face." R-run Eighteen, you can't let him become perfect. I know you're an enemy too, but this guy is bad news," he mustered to say, tears streaming from his eyes with the pain.
"Shut up!" Cell's knee drilled into Krillin's stomach, the sound of creaking bones ringing through the air. Sadistically Cell had spared a death blow on the little man." Don't do something that we'd both regret Eighteen. Join in my perfection."
"Run, Eighteen! Why haven't you gotten away already? Can't you tell he's just going to kill me anyway," Krillin gurgled, blood running from his mouth with more haste.
"Can't you listen? And just let me absorb her?" Cell hissed delivering another sadistic strike to Krillin's stomach.
"I-I can't Goku'd never forgive me," he muttered almost inaudibly, a third knee to the stomach showed Cell heard loud and clear.
"Stop it Cell," Eighteen ordered looking at Cell coldly." I'd rather have you absorb me!" Eighteen yelled shocking Cell delightfully
"Really Eighteen?" a cruel smirk crossed the bio-android's face as a flight noise came up behind him. Without words he turned around blowing a ki blast just across the top of Sixteen's head leaving an opening in his metallic cranium." You? I actually counted you as one of the smart ones Sixteen oh well," he said throwing the fully robotic Android back with a kiai.
Krillin draped from his hand as he touched down onto the near shoreline, his face showing his glee." Come Eighteen, join my perfection," the cold tone in his voice chilled the air.
"Eighteen, why?" the bald monk questioned looking at her.
"You trust Son Goku with this planet, right? Enough to risk your own life to buy him time?" she asked rhetorically while descending from the sky." Well, I'll just have to trust him too. And besides, I think your cute," the cyborg replied with a chuckle while hovering over the sandy beach.
The bald human passed out in Cell's grasp before falling to the ground released." Wonderful," Cell chuckled dusting his hands of the filth that was Krillin.
Cell paced slowly as she placed both of her boots onto the sandy ground. His pink lips were curled into a devious smile, the greatest moment in his life was about to come true. Cell allowed his tail to arch over his head much like a scorpion ready to strike. How foolish of the girl to actually sacrifice herself for a fool like Krillin.
"This won't hurt a bit," his tail snaked its was towards Android Eighteen the tip expanding into the same funnel that only hours ago sucked up Seventeen." Now join perfection," Cell hissed with glee. The tip began to lower over the enhanced-human's head she trembled and closed her eyes. Tears dribbled down her cheeks she hoped that there was someway to stop Cell.
There was silence the tail had stopped lowering. What had happened or who had happened? Slowly she grabbed the lip of Cell's tail and lifted it up slowly backing out from under it the taut muscles keeping it in the same position. She grinned not having traceable ki had its advantages.
The Android looked over and saw two people staring down the monstrosity. One was tall and muscular as shown but the bulging muscles pulling at the under suit. The other was shorter with flaming black hair but his definition elsewhere fit his slightly taller companion just as well. She deciphered the short one as Vegeta well only after she wiped the tears from her eyes.
"So you're Cell?" Vegeta asked in a snide tone much like the one Cell had gained with his Semi-Perfect state." You know the way Kakarot made you out I was expecting someone taller," the Saiyan prince grinned his arms crossing as always.
"Father do not underestimate him he has absorbed one of the Androids," Trunks stated looking at how Cell seemed different than the cocoon he and Gohan had found a few days ago.
"Silence boy, I have no need to overestimate him, he's a weakling," the raven haired royal smirked causing Cell to take a step back. The bio-android and anyone with ki sense would have picked up that Vegeta's power had doubled since his first encounter with the Androids." What Android? Afraid?" he taunted as gold flirted with the white in his aura.
Vegeta's hair floated up even moire rigid than in his base form and the ground beneath his feet slowly parted into spidering cracks and a hole beneath him. A chuckle radiated from within him as his eyes shifted from coal black to green-blue. His hair sparked to life with gold and stayed that way the Saiyan prince was a Super Saiyan but his power had increased greatly.
"You still do not have enough power to touch me," Cell reassured himself as his own aura danced around him. Cell was confident but had he not absorbed Seventeen he would have been crushed like an insect." Come on now, Vegeta why show me this when you struggle is worthless?" the green former insectoid asked in a taunting way.
"Because this is far from all of my power," Vegeta laughed his aura expanding out wider than usual.
"No, no, there can not be a level beyond Super Saiyan that's impossible!" Cell growled taking a step back as Vegeta's power jumped some more.
"We will see what is and is not impossible Cell."
A few moments earlier...
"They should be coming out now," Turles stated arms crossed. He was impatient and just wanted his shot inside the Time Chamber.
"Yep here they come," Goku said in stark contrast to his brother's tone. The door creaked opened slowly as light filtered out.
A white gloved hand was still attached to the handle as the owner of said hand stepped out. Vegeta was more defined and seemingly more powerful but his ki level was hidden semi-well. The warrior had a smirk on his face as if to say he was the strongest in the universe but he kept silent as his son from a different time followed.
Trunks was in just as good shape his shoulder length hair tied back with a piece of cloth. His own frame had grown with not only muscle but height the time in the chamber changed his appearance.
"Hey Trunks how did it go?" Gohan asked his time-travelling friend. The ten year old was worried that he would be brushed off but Trunks smiled at him with a peaceful smile.
"It went well we found the next level," the lavender haired warrior grinned from ear to ear his father simply passing everyone a cold and distant glare." We both grew stronger as well so the Androids won't be a problem."
"That would be true if the Androids were our biggest threat," Turles answered snidely." Cell, that thing that was fighting the Namek. Has evolved into a different form you better be ready for it."
"Silence clown I could swat away this Cell with my littlest finger just watch," Vegeta responded his Saiyan pride growing inside of him.
"You guys better get going before he absorbs the other one and well we need to go in right now," Goku stated which Trunks nodded in agreement.
"He's right father we need to stop this before it goes any further," Trunks remarked as Vegeta walked out of the room.
"Fine I'll be back in one day's time with this Cell's limp body," the prince spoke in his very typical manner." And I'll want that rematch with you Kakarot," and like that both of the Saiyans were gone off of the lookout.
"Let's hit it Gohan," Goku smiled giddily. He was ready to find that next level of power and then some.
"All right," and so the Son patriarch and his son entered and shut the door behind them leaving Turles and Raditz lone on the outside.
"AHHHHH!" he began to charge energy slowly. His muscles expanded slightly as his aura grew more erratic and flame-like. His clenched hands tightened even more veins appearing under the suit on his arms. His hair spiked up even more and his skin took on a glow as more ki filled every possible spot in his body that needed it. The Saiyan prince continued to growl and Trunks smiled at Cell as the towering being took a few steps back.
As soon as the sparks started they were gone Vegeta's body now being slightly more muscular and his face more aggressive. The form he had taken on seemed to be more primal or at least more agitated than the Super Saiyan original form. Vegeta's grit teeth separated as he closed his emerald eyes. A breath parted his lips again and he stared at Cell.
Eighteen stood in shock at this power, frozen for an entirely different fear.
"Now you are going to die Cell!" without a hint of doubt Vegeta sneered at the bio-android his body coursing with energy." Let us begin!"
As the words left the spiky haired warrior's mouth Cell was plastered with a right hand. The bio-android went skidding across the island his hand unable to be raised to stop the fighter. The chimera looked up and was spun around with an ax fist. The mutated warrior then was planted in the ground with a kick, his frame crashing down like a redwood tree.
Cell forced his way up but an instant later something dribbled out of his mouth. It was bitter and tasted like iron and it did not stop as the prince forced his left hand in the same spot in the same spot. A gurgle was all that Cell could muster as he was struck again and again his whole body was then riddled with blows. As soon as Cell threw a punch he made contact but it was weak and only nudged Vegeta few inches back where the prince touched the ground and looked at him playfully.
"What cat got your tongue Cell? Or are you too busy choking on blood?" Vegeta mocked with crossed arms this 'Ascended' Super Saiyan state enhancing his own arrogance as well. The prince grinned as Cell spat away the purple blood." Don't worry weakling you will only be conscious for the next few minutes but do not think I'll stop once your are out," he cackled.
"Galick GUN!" the purple blast shot from his cupped hands but Vegeta took it head on watching it as it smashed into his chest. Smoke steamed around the Saiyan prince in billows and concealed whether or not Cell had finished him." So much for his highness being so high and-"
"High and what? Cell," a voice cut through the smoke. The Saiyan's aura lapped out of the smokescreen its gold as vibrant as ever." High and Mighty.? Why thank you but that compliment will not spare you life," the cloud faded off and so did Vegeta his knee smashing Cell in the side of the head.
"How are you so damn fast!" the monster fired a ki blast but Vegeta was gone his fist striking Cell's left cheek. The prince phased in and out throwing a punch or extending a kick before disappearing again.
"I'm not even trying insect," Cell was blasted in the face with a yellow bolt of ki sending him skidding back where he hit a side of rock. Vegeta's hand was pointing down towards the sand but soon Cell looked up extending it towards the monster.
Cell mimicked Vegeta having a loose knowledge on the attack the prince was about to use. Energy grew in both of their hands red for Cell and whitish-yellow for Vegeta. The prince grinned as his blast formed faster it was over Cell was going to experience real power.
"BIG BANG ATTACK!" he fired his and watched Cell's horrified expression as it drew closer. The attack met Cell's and was forced upwards as Cell used his other hand to fire a kiai straining the bio-android's mind and body in the process." What afraid to take my attack head on? Fine, your death will be far less swift."
'THUUM!' Cell was smashed in the face with a left handed chop before he could respond the prince was gone.
'CRACK!" an elbow hammered the chimera's chest winding him and sending him sprawling.
As he flew Vegeta appeared above him throwing down four or five punches before Cell was pushed to the ground. The Saiyan warrior stopped and looked down at his prone foe a grin spreading across his face." I was actually hoping for an enemy that could match me but it looks like I have found an overgrown roach that is out of his depth," Vegeta's word were as sharp as daggers and Cell winced at every syllable.
The bio-engineered monster arose, his face contorted in anger. His hands clenched and sparked with light as ki gathered. Cell held both hands above his head forming a duo of energy balls. Both spheres began to slowly lower until they were flat like plates but they were saw-like around the fringes. It was Krillin's technique no doubt but much like Frieza, Cell could quite possible control their flight.
"Yes the bald one's attack I presume you believe that they have enough power to cut me in half? Go ahead and try," the arrogant prince looked forward his body ready for the attack to hit him." What are you waiting for? Go ahead, I'll wait."
"Dual Kienzan!" Cell threw both in a fluent motion sending them directly towards Vegeta. They were flying closer and closer but Vegeta did not flinch he was arrogant and much like when he first arrived on Earth Vegeta had the power to back it up. The blades were inches away when he finally did something Cell believed it to be too late however the result proved other wise.
A spark of light ran through both disk shredding them in two and causing the energy to disperse." How were you able to do that? The Kienzan is too well formed to be broken by a kiai," the freak of nature asked every word he spoke shaking.
"What was that? Comparing my power to a mere basic technique like that," Vegeta extended his index and middle finger sending a tiny spark towards Cell were it exploded but not to the extent of harm." In fact, this technique, it could probably destroy you as well. Though, I have decided that I would kill you in a far more humiliating manner for wasting my time."
Cell readied to charge and as soon as he took off Vegeta made the perfect counter, he himself charged using speed to combat the coming attack. The Super Saiyan prince grinned as the Semi-Perfect life form recovered as soon as Cell did gain any balance Vegeta capitalized by swinging a right backhand straight into Cell's jaw sending him crashing into the water.
The mutant rose from the water his body dripping wet and an scowl on his face.' I need to outsmart him,' Cell realized as Vegeta touched down on the shore in front of him.
"What Cell ready to give up and accept your fate?" the prince as usual taunted.
"You deserve a true challenge one that I can not give to you in this form," the terrified monster said hoping Saiyan battle lust could be used against the royal warrior." However if you allow me to obtain my perfect form you can test your power's limit on a being at his greatest point. Please consider it Vegeta you know beating someone at their prime adds more pride to the victory," Cell made a point and Vegeta agreed a smile inching across his face.
Inside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber...
Gohan was straining against the gravity as Goku threw lightning fast punches around him. The boy looked up at his father with tired eyes he had expended a lot of energy just trying to stand up and the boy began to give up.
"Here Gohan don't be afraid to ask for help," Goku reached down his now gloved hands gripping his son just below the armpits. The half-breed's legs shook as his father let go and his knees began to buckle under the massive strain the ten times gravity brought onto him." Son you need to reinforce your body with your ki focus and take a deep breath in."
"O-okay dad," the spiky haired boy muttered as his aura began to glow around him. The flames instead of reaching out curled in, filling his joints and his body with the energy. Gohan's frame was now standing straight and his muscles were rejuvenated." Hey you were right dad," he smiled throwing a few punches around in the dense but warm air.
"Good Gohan now let's start," Goku stood in an open stance awaiting his son's first blows. The first Super Saiyan of his time was holding back somewhat but not enough to discourage his son." Ready son?" he asked as the ten year old took in a breath.
"Yep I'm ready," Gohan breathed out. His body blurred out of sight as he charged his smaller gloved fist striking his father's open palms. Soon both were in the air above the central hub punching and dodging their way slowly deeper into the chamber." Catch this one!" his hand swigged back gathering crackling ki. It was a modified version of Raditz's own attack.
The Saiyan half-bred threw it forward watching as his father smacked it away where it exploded out a few dozen feet away. The boy had to go straight to a physical offense again as his father charged him for the first time. Goku's fist broke through the stream of punches, Gohan quickly threw both hands out to grab it but it was too strong connecting with the child's gut with a sufficient amount of force.
"Wow dad you're really strong," Gohan commented spinning a kick that met his father's arms which were guarding his face." I was putting a lot of my strength into those punches."
"Don't worry son you'll catch up to me before ya know it," Goku instantly ascended to the legendary state the winds produced forcing Gohan back. Goku's hands gathered ki as he tucked them to his sides.
'He's planning a Kamehameha I can't stop it so I need to at least slow it down,' the spiky haired boy thought as he pulled back his own hands.
"KA!" in sync both of the Saiyan's spoke the first part of the chant forming the tiniest of spheres between their cupped hands.
"ME!" more ki gathered but Goku's was most definitely stronger.
"HA!" the distance between their power's became apparent when Goku's ball flashed out twice the size of his son's.
ME!" Gohan failed to back down his own ball growing somewhat closer to his father's energy blast.
Goku nodded knowing that this was going to be a very powerful beam struggle even though he was not fully accessing all of his Super Saiyan power Gohan was going to lose it. The look of determination on his son's face made the father smile it was great to see such emotions in someone his son's age.
"HAAA!" in unison they fired out their blast. Gohan's met his father's head on but truly failed to do anything to it as it was cut through without even the slightest difficulty.
Goku spread his feet further putting a little bit more energy into his blast watching as his son shook with fear. The boy was being pushed back by the pressure of both energy blast and he straining to just stay up. Teeth grit Gohan pushed more of his own energy but he could not resist and soon Gohan was defenseless his Kamehameha sent back at him.
'No, I'm not strong enough,' the half-breed's mind buzzed as the blue field of light sped towards him. The child's eyes began to blur as he froze in place it was not possible to stop the attack Gohan thought himself as useless, dead weight now.' I'm slowing down dad like this he's too strong for me,' the heat was reaching him the dense air doing nothing to halt it. The half-breed's eyes were now blurred with tears. Gohan sniffled as the beam got closer.
"STOP IT!" the hybrid screamed as his aura suddenly expanded around him. The blue blast was slowed by it as the boy began to cry. Gohan's hair spiked even more as golden light floated around him. Young Son Gohan was going through something that was only reserved for legend and myth he was ascending beyond the base form even the Oozaru. His tail's fur began to stand on edge as his eyes color shifted.
The golden aura began to fade and the beams raced towards the boy. Gohan's hands were clenched and his eyes closed as the blue lit up his quiet face.
'Come on Gohan you are almost there just stop this attack,' Goku hoped as his son held out his right hand.
"HIYAH!" the boy opened his eyes the deep blue sending out a massive kiai that tore the beams away. Blue particles faded out around him as his golden aura danced up like a fresh fire. Gohan's body was shaking within the visible ki his arms quivering all the way up to his shoulders.
As soon as the energy left he had dropped down to his knees taking in heavy breaths. Sobs echoed out of the half-bred Saiyan's mouth his shoulders lifting and falling with chest. Gohan's face was more tired than angry or even worried as he had expended everything he had not only to access the Super Saiyan form but to just hold off the Kamehameha Waves. Both of his gloves hit the ground as he fell forward unable to continue. His hair returned to its jet black and his eyes narrowed out as he dropped face first.
"D-dad I-I'm sorry," the half-breed panted as his father's shadow loomed over him." I couldn't stay s-str-strong," Gohan lost all consciousness and fell into sleep he was finished.
"Don't worry Gohan we've only been in here for an hour or so there is plenty of time to train and help you," Goku picked up his son and draped him over his shoulders." Just relax son," he grinned as they walked back towards the hub.
"T-thanks da-" he could not muster the energy to even finish thanking his father. The black haired warrior smiled happily as they stepped into the hub.
'One thing Gohan you've gotten a whole lot stronger just by transforming,' Goku smiled tucking the boy into bed. The palm haired Saiyan headed out slowly he was calm but efficient in his movements not to wake his son.
Cell waited the prince's answer but the Saiyan remained silent. The warrior's aura flowed out around him in a golden fire the muscular frame of his Ascended state standing out against it. A grin crossed Vegeta face as the demon created by his DNA if only in part stepped forward.
"You know what Cell," he put his arms down from his chest now they sat clenched at his sides. He glared at Eighteen then Trunks and even to Sixteen trying to determine if they would interfere if he did allow the bio-android to absorb the cyborg." I have thought about your request!" he vanished.
Cell was suddenly bombarded with a series of rapid rights and lefts his face and stomach welting over and even breaking to reveal trails of blood. The side of his head was pushed into the the sand his legs flailing about above him. Vegeta grabbed his exposed tail and lifted him up a sinister grin crossing his face as his eyes turned back to his son.
"And my answer is yes," he whispered slamming Cell into the ground with a powerful palm strike his hand extended with ki. The energy ball was far from fatal but it exploded anyway sending Cell bouncing towards Eighteen covered in smoky dust and debris.' Even if he does move linearly his prior ki will only gain two hundreds million units as it did when he supposedly absorbed the other tin can. I will crush this perfect life form without a second thought even if I do need to release more energy and weigh myself down slightly,' Vegeta calculated he was taking a pretty protected risk.
"Father, what did you tell him?" Trunks asked looking at his father from the few yards gap between them.
"You will find out soon enough boy."
"What about Krillin? He'll be in the line of fire, he can't move."
"Hah, hah, had, don't worry about the bald one," his gloved hand was extended ki gathering inside of it. Cell gulped looking at this extended hand, the energy there enough to blast him into nothingness.
"Eh, no good," the lavender haired half-breed sighed.' Krillin get up please you are right in the line of fire. And Yamcha's ki, it's around here somewhere, the two of you could be in a lot of trouble, get up. I'm not sure if my father used his brain or not for this choice,' the son of Vegeta thought as the human's chest rose slowly he was unconscious if not worse.
Has Vegeta taken his own words back? Will he kill Cell? If Cell obtains perfection will it be enough to defeat the mighty prince of Saiyans? What will Goku and Gohan do to keep pace? Will Turles and Raditz keep pace?
Hopefully you'll find out next on Destiny Shattered.
As always thanks for the read,
~Herodan3 and Luke
