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Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or make a profit from writing this fic.

Son Gohan the Warrior

Chapter 48:
The Doomsday Broadcast

Trunks didn't even look up as Krillin and Vegeta landed next to him.

"Tell me," said Vegeta scathingly. "What happened to Cell?"

"I tried to beat him," said Trunks, humiliated. "I couldn't do it!"

"It's okay!" said Krillin, running up to Trunks. "What happened here?"

"I lost," said Trunks, calming down. "His power is much greater than mine."

"Of course it is," said Vegeta. "Foolish boy, what made you think you could take on Cell now that he's complete?"

-DBZ: SGTW-

"Hey, what are you waiting for?" asked Bulma to Piccolo and Tien. "Trunks needs your help! He could be hurt, or worse! What's happening down there anyway?"

"Don't worry," said Piccolo. "Trunks is still alive."

"And Cell?" asked Tien.

"I thought Trunks was going to beat Cell for sure!" said Piccolo. "His power had grown to such an incredible level. Yet Cell's complete power was still too much for him. We must find a way to beat Cell!" He clenched his fist together, lightning forming around it. "Perhaps it's time I entered the Hyperbolic Time Chamber for some intensive training of my own!"

-DBZ: SGTW-

"What?" asked Krillin. "A Martial Arts Tournament? Are you sure about that?"

So Cell wants to humiliate me again, thought Vegeta angrily.

"So... what's the deal?" asked Krillin. "Who's going to be in this? I mean, nobody can beat Cell, so it won't be much of a tournament."

"Yes, you're right," said Trunks. "I thought I could beat him. I was certain I could do it. But I failed. Maybe he is unstoppable." He stared, lost in thought. "Wait!" he suddenly said. "Of course! When Goku and Gohan get out of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, I'll go back in and continue my training."

"There's no need for you to do that," said Vegeta. "I will be the one who goes back inside that room. Then I'll beat Cell."

"I will also fight," said a voice from behind them. Turning around, they saw it was Android 16, who had managed to make his way over to the group. "Let me help. You must."

"You're still alive?" asked Krillin, surprised.

"I need help," said 16. "Please, take me to someone who knows how to repair me."

"No," spat Trunks. "Why should we help you?"

"Once my circuits are restored, I will fight alongside of you. I will, I promise you."

"No way," said Trunks, shaking with fury. "You're a plague to the Earth, just like all the other androids! Why would anyone want to help your kind?"

Krillin approached the injured Android. "Hang tight," said Krillin. "I'll get you the help you need." He turned to Trunks, who was staring in shock. "Hey, it's okay! Relax. He's going to be one of the good guys now."

"He's an android!"

"Yeah, well, he's also a living being. And I think he deserves a second chance. Things don't have to happen like they did in your time line, Trunks. An Android may save the world this time! You and I both know we need all the help we can get." He pulled 16 down to lean on him.

"Thank you," said 16.

I'm not going to sit around here and wait for Kakarot and his brat to get out of that room, thought Vegeta. I alone have the strength to beat Cell. I must get back in there and train!

-DBZ: SGTW-

Later...

-DBZ: SGTW-

Mrs. Briefs turned as she noticed Vegeta and Trunks standing right behind her.

"Oh, hi, Vegeta," she said. "How are you? You're looking good. Nice of you to visit." She walked up to Trunks. "And I see you brought a friend with you. Oh, my, you're handsome too."

"You think so?" asked Trunks, scratching the back of his head, blushing. "Well, thank you."

"Heads up!" shouted Krillin, landing behind the group with 16 leaning on his shoulder. "Coming through!" 16 stood up. "Oh, hi, mam," said Krillin to Mrs. Briefs. "Is Bulma here?"

"Hey, Krillin," said Dr. Briefs, riding over on his bike. "Bulma just called. She's on her way. She'll be here any minute now."

"She's not back from Kami's place yet?" asked Krillin in surprise.

"Hello down there!" shouted a familiar voice. Looking up, they saw Master Roshi leaning out of the window of a plane, which was lowing itself for landing.

Chi-Chi, Yamcha, Chiaotzu, Puar, Oolong, and Master Roshi emerged from the plane upon landing. "Hey, Master Roshi!" shouted Krillin, running forward. "You made it!"

The old man nodded. "Bulma told us to meet her here at the Capsule Corporation. So, uh, here we are."

"What's this all about, Krillin?" asked Yamcha. "Come on, what's going on?"

"Where's Gohan?" asked Chi-Chi, moving forward menacingly.

"He's still training at Kami's place," answered Krillin, stepping back as a reflex.

-DBZ: SGTW-

"Let's see," said Dr. Briefs, examining Android 16. The Android had come into one of the examination rooms at Capsule Corp.

The others were gathered around a table. "For real?" asked Yamcha. "He wants a tournament?"

"Yes, that's what Cell said," answered Trunks. "It will be held 10 days from now. He told me to watch the television for details."

"Can anyone who wants enter the competition?" asked Chiaotzu.

"He'll take on anyone who challenges him. And he expects to have a battle with each of us one-by-one."

"Of course," said Master Roshi. "I know what he's trying to do. His plan is to eliminate the competition in one fell swoop."

"Well," said Yamcha, "I kind of like the idea of another martial arts tournament. I mean, hey, I think I'll dominate."

"Just make sure you don't get choked to death like last time," said Oolong. Yamcha fell to the ground, remembering how when 19 had grabbed him, he'd nearly died.

"But why would Cell host a tournament?" asked Chiaotzu.

"Yeah, why?" asked Yamcha. "If he wants to rule the world, whys he wasting time on this competition?"

"Cell doesn't want to rule the world," said Trunks. "He wants to destroy it." The others looked at him in surprise. "The androids have never been interested in power. It's just that they find pleasure in causing fear and chaos. And Cell's no different, he's using this stupid tournament as a way to spread fear."

"Boy, he's got some nerve," said Krillin.

"Don't worry, Krillin" said Yamcha. "This time we'll knock the wind out of that windbag for good."

"Oh, stop deluding yourselves," said Vegeta. "Cell will make short work out of every one of you."

-DBZ: SGTW-

"Perfect," said Cell to himself, looking around at a section of landscape. "This will make an ideal spot. Now, to build a ring." He raised one hand. "I'll have to clear some of this land away first." He shot an energy blast, completely flattening the area it hit.

"Perfect," said Cell, examining his handiwork. He levitated a nearby cliff off the ground. Making some measurements with his fingers, he cut it up into equal, rectangular blocks. He arrayed them in a grid fashion in the flat area of the ring.

"This will make an excellent floor," said Cell. He looked off into the distance. "Now, to get the word out." He shot off, searching for a TV Station.

-DBZ: SGTW-

The Z-Fighters relaxed, staring at the TV. All Cell had told them to do was watch the television, but he hadn't told them what station to watch.

Master Roshi was watching his usual ladies work-out program, while the others stared at the old man in disgust.

"That's it, girls!" said Master Roshi. "Keep up the good work! You need to stay in shape!"

"Old man," said Oolong, sitting next to Master Roshi. "You are pathetic." Moments later, he too was giggling, staring at the girls.

One of the girls flipped over, placing her hands on the ground. Suddenly, directly below her, there was a flash of light, and a green-colored insect-like humanoid came flying through the floor.

The others were alerted by Master Roshi and Oolong's screams of terror. "Cell!" said Vegeta, staring at the image of the android with incredible hatred.

Cell vanished from sight, heading up floor by floor. "Quick!" said Krillin. "Switch it to another channel!" They flickered through a few more channels, rewarded by another sight of Cell.

The android continued his ascension through the floors of the television station, Z-TV. They continued to switch channels, following Cell.

Finally, they landed on the new channel. Cell exploded from the ground, stopping.

"Hey, what's the deal?" shouted the anchorman. Cell reached out and grabbed his throat.

"You," said the android. "Tell me, is this Studio B?" He dropped the anchorman on the floor.

"Of course it is!" said the anchorman, shaking in fear. He turned to the people off-screen. "Call security!" Cell raised one finger and blasted the anchorman out of existence. He then turned to the camera, smirking.

-DBZ: SGTW-

Gohan launched a wave of energy blasts at his father, who was barely managing to stay out of the way of the energy blasts.

Finally, Goku disappeared, reappearing behind Gohan, launching a kick at his son's head. Gohan, sensing his father's movement, turned around and blocked the kick. He raised one hand and sent an energy blast at Goku's stomach.

Goku smacked the blast out of the way, but it had just been a distraction on Gohan's part. Gohan drew his sword in a flash of light, and drop-kicked his father into the ground. Charging down, he stopped when his sword was two inches from his father's face.

"You lose," said Gohan. "Dad, I know you too well. I know all of your moves."

"Yeah," said Goku, climbing to his feet. "And that sword is a definite advantage. It won't be much good against Cell, though."

Gohan nodded. Cell's regenerative abilities meant his sword would be rather useless against the android. "I'll have to rely on my own skills rather than the sword."

"From now on," said Goku, "I want you to leave your sword back at the entrance. You need to get used to not having the extra weight on your back, and not suffer the temptation to use it."

Gohan put his sword on his back. "Feel like a break?" Goku didn't have to answer- his stomach growled at that exact moment, which was all of the answer Gohan needed.

The two sprinted off to the entrance.

-DBZ: SGTW-

"I... am Cell," said the android over the television. "I have a message for all the people of Earth. Now pay attention to what I say."

The android smirked. "Your boring lives are about to get a lot more interesting, thanks to me. I have enjoyed terrorizing the earth, but now I have something far more entertaining planned for this pathetic planet. For those of you who don't remember me, take a close look at my face." 'The big monster of Nikki Town,'" he said in the voice he had when he was imperfect."

The television crew still surrounding Cell audibly gasped. "I am the evolved form of that creature," continued Cell in his normal voice. And I owe it all to this worthless planet for providing me with the bio-extract I needed. But the reason I'm here is to announce my decision to hold a martial arts tournament. I'm calling this competition The Cell Games! It's a catchy little title, don't you think?"

Cell laughed at the sight of the people in front of him. "The Cell Games will be held nine days from today, at Area S.5, 28 miles northeast of Eastern City. There you'll find an arena that I have designed myself. I modeled it after the one used in the original World Martial Arts Tournament. I believe it is the ideal location to crush my competition. Bring me your best fighters, and I will face them all one-by-one in a contest of strength. This is the last chance for Planet Earth. If I am not defeated, it belongs to me."

The group at Capsule Corp stared in horror at the image of Cell in front of them. "My opponents will have the advantage since I won't be able to rest between matches, and my new opponents can enter the competition immediately. The rules will be the same as the World Martial Arts Tournament. If you give up, or your body touches the outside of the ring, you lose. And I will try to avoid this, but if you die, you are disqualified."

"Cell," said Krillin in immense anger.

The android raised one hand and blasted a hole in the back of the television station. The blast continued on, causing a massive line of destruction through the city it was in. "Come and get me if you dare," taunted Cell. He flew out of the hole, heading off.

"He's really serious!" said Master Roshi.

"He'll destroy the whole planet if we don't stop him!" said Krillin.

"That's right," said Yamcha. "The stakes are a lot higher than we originally thought! We're in trouble, guys. Not one of us can beat Cell, not even Vegeta and Trunks! We need Goku and Gohan."

Vegeta ran out of the building, then flew off towards Kami's Lookout. Trunks made to follow him.

"Wait," said Bulma. "Let me cut your hair first." Trunks sighed, and sat down.

-DBZ: SGTW-

The call has been put out, and the Earth has been shaken with the news of the deadly Cell Games! Will anyone stand a chance against the menace of Cell? Find out in the next chapters of DBZ: Son Gohan the Warrior!