Chapter 38: The Cell Game Part 1

Inside Capsule Corp. in the Dragon Ball World, Dr. Briefs is working on repairing an android. He pulls down the switch that activates the electricity. The electricity was charging the android for a few seconds. Dr. Briefs then turns off the electricity, but nothing happens.

Dr. Briefs: There's nothing wrong with my design, it's perfect. There must be something wrong with the parts those imbeciles brought me. I need to find better assistants.

Dr. Briefs walks over to his computer to see what went wrong. Then when he turns around, the screen blacks out with a clank. Meanwhile, back with Sora, Plucky, and Dizzy, they are at the Land of Korin. There, they found Goku and his gang with three Dragon Balls. They noticed the trio.

Goku: Sora! Perfect timing! Would you lend us a hand? We're looking for the Dragon Balls for Dende.

Sora crossed his arms.

Sora: You just happened to find them?

Goku: Of course, Sora. We'll need to collect them to make a wish.

Sora: What do you wish for?

Gohan: We wish to revive all the innocent people killed by Cell and the androids. Videl is helping us to find the rest of the Dragon Balls. Come on! We've got work to do!

The trio nods and decided to join Goku's gang. They all flew up to the lookout, where Dende and Mr. Popo are waiting. Goku brought three Dragon Balls to them.

Mr. Popo: Wherever did you find them?

Gohan: We found them with the Dragon Radar. We'll be needing them to revive people. Right, Dende?

Dende: Of course. But we still need four more of them. Also, I hear that someone else is stealing them.

Sora: Someone else is stealing the Dragon Balls?

Goku: But, Dende. It can't be us.

Mr. Popo: Still searching for them, I see.

Gohan: We just wanna keep them safe. But if you don't believe me, then we'll have to find the thief.

Dende: Very well, I'll leave it to you guys.

Goku: Alright! Sora, Plucky, Dizzy, we're off!

Before the gang could leave the lookout, they hear a glass breaking sound inside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.

Dende: Hold on! Somebody's in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.

Sora: Then we better go check it out!

The gang went inside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber to find Monty and Team Rocket inside.

James: This looks like a good place to set up our base.

Jessie: Are you kidding? There's nothing interesting in here.

Monty: That's right! This place is so boring.

Plucky: Hey! What are you guys doing?

The four thugs turned to see Sora, Goku, and the rest of the gang.

Meowth: Great! Now we have da twerps to deal with!

Sora: I bet you guys are looking for the Dragon Balls!

Monty: What are you talking about?

Gohan: And I'll bet you guys work for Cell!

Goku: It's like you're asking for trouble!

Meowth: Did you just say trouble?

Sora: Great, you just had to say the t-word, Goku.

Jessie: Prepare for trouble, we don't know about any Cell...

James: But make it double, we'll send you all to hell...

Monty: To protect the world from devastation...

James: To unite all people within our nation...

Jessie: To denounce the evils of truth and love...

Monty: To extend our reach to the stars above...

Jessie: Jessie...

James: James...

Monty: Montana Max, now that's a name...

Jessie: Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light...

James: Surrender now, or prepare to fight...

Monty: And we'll make sure this will be your last night!

Meowth: Meowth, dat's right!

Wobbuffet: Wobbuffet!

Mime Jr.: Mime! Mime!

Sora, Plucky, and Dizzy just sweatdrops, while Goku and his friends started laughing, making Team Rocket angry.

Meowth: GRR! First da Digitwerps and now da Z-twerps! How many people keep laughing at our motto?

Goku: And I thought the Ginyu Force were corny enough.

Monty: That does it! Nobody shall get away with mocking Team Rocket!

Jessie and James pulls out two Pokeballs each.

Jessie: Lickitung, Yanmega, COME ON OUT!

Jessie released Lickitung and Yanmega.

James: Victreebel, Carnivine, YOU TOO!

James released Victreebel and Carnivine.

Sora: So it's gonna be eight against four. This will be easy!

Goku: Not so fast, Sora. I think it would be fair if one of us fight with you three against these clowns.

Sora: Oh, well. This will still be an easy fight!

Yanmega uses Ancient Power on Sora, but he deflects it back at her, sending her back at Team Rocket. Lickitung uses Lick on Goku, but he grabs his tongue and threw him back to Team Rocket. Carnivine and Victreebel both use Razor Leaf, but Plucky uses Fira and Blizzara to burn and freeze the leaves. Dizzy uses Spin Attack to knock Carnivine and Victreebel back to Team Rocket. Sora and Plucky uses Thundara to zap Team Rocket, creating an explosion, and sends them flying.

Jessie: No fair! We're blasting off this early?

James: The chapter just barely started too!

Meowth: We never even carried out our evil plan!

Monty: We were just looking for a new base!

Wobbuffet: Wobba!

Monty & Team Rocket: Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!

Wobbuffet: Wobbuffet!

Mime. Jr.: Mime! Mime!

A star twinkles at where they were sent flying to. The gang left the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.

Dende: Did you catch the thieves?

Gohan: Yeah, but they don't seem to have any Dragon Balls.

Mr. Popo: Then that means...

Suddenly, Videl came to the lookout.

Gohan: Videl, what are you doing here?

Videl: Thank goodness! You're all here.

Sora: Is something wrong?

Videl: The Heartless are back in West City. I thought you should know.

Sora: That's our cue!

Plucky: Back to West City!

Sora, Plucky, and Dizzy were about to leave the lookout, but Goku stops them.

Goku: But wait! What about finding the Dragon Ball thief?

Videl: Actually...The Heartless were playing with some of the Dragon Balls when I saw them...

Gohan: Now we have our culprit!

Sora: Let's hurry back to West City!

The gang left the lookout and flew all the way back to West City. In West City, Mr. Satan is trying to fight the Heartless again. Some of the Heartless are carrying four Dragon Balls.

Mr. Satan: You! You can't be here! Leave West City, by the order of Hercule Satan!

Mr. Satan punched one of the Heartless, but it had no effect. He freaks out again.

Mr. Satan: Somebody? Anybody? I can't handle this by myself!

The gang finally arrives and found the Heartless carrying the Dragon Balls.

Gohan: Videl was right! We've gotta get the Dragon Balls!

The gang took care of the Heartless. Sora uses Magnera to trap the Heartless in a sphere, Plucky uses Thundara, Dizzy delivers punches and kicks, Goku and the rest of his gang fires some ki energy blasts, taking out all of the Heartless. Gohan walks over to the Dragon Balls.

Gohan: What a shame that those Heartless tried to steal the Dragon Balls. At least we've got them back before they could fall in the wrong hands.

?: GOKU!

Everyone turns to see Bulma and Dr. Briefs running to them. Bulma is still carrying Baby Trunks.

Goku: Bulma, Dr. Briefs, what's wrong?

Bulma: The android that my father was working on is gone! It's been stolen!

The gang went inside Capsule Corp., where Dr. Briefs explains what happened?

Dr. Brief: I was just sitting here brainstorming, when all of a sudden, I was attacked! I collapsed! And when I awoke, the android was gone!

Goku: Don't worry, Doctor. We know who took it.

Sora: The Heartless took it.

Plucky nods in agreement.

Bulma: What, those black creatures? Impossible! This was nothing like a Heartless.

Sora: Not the Heartless...

Plucky: Who else could it be?

Gohan stood there to think for a moment, then he spoke up.

Gohan: Say, I have an idea. The thief must be stealing the Dragon Balls. So...We'll place the fake Dragon Balls around to draw him into a trap.

Dr. Brief: And this thief is the same one who stole the android?

Gohan: That's right.

Sora: How will we know for sure?

Goku: Well, that's easy! We'll scare the confession out of him!

Sora turns to Plucky and Dizzy.

Sora: What do you say we go with Goku's plan...just for now?

Gohan: Let's get back to the lookout immediately! We've gotta make some Dragon Balls!

The gang went back to the lookout.

Dende: Have you found the remaining Dragon Balls?

Gohan: Yes, Dende. Now we need to catch the thief.

Sora: Now we need to reel in the thief with the Dragon Balls as bait.

Gohan: Would you mind if we could make some fake Dragon Balls?

Mr. Popo: Dragon Balls as bait? Goodness...I don't like the sound of that.

Goku scratched his head.

Dende: Just this once, I suppose. It's for a good cause...Alright, make some fake Dragon Balls and put some heart into them.

The gang went inside the lookout, grabbed some round stones and paint, and painted them to look like Dragon Balls.

Plucky: All done!

Goku: Not quite.

Dizzy: There more?

Goku: Don't worry, I'll take care of the rest.

Sora, Plucky, and Dizzy returns to Dende.

Dende: Did you finish making the Dragon Balls?

Sora: Yep, just waiting for Goku.

Dizzy: Where do Sora think we leave Dragon Balls?

Mr. Popo: I know a good spot. Whenever you're ready, just say the word.

Suddenly, Goku and his gang returned.

Goku: We're back!

Dende: Good, then let's get started!

Everyone went down the lookout to the teepee village.

Mr. Popo: This village should work out for your plan. By the way, Goku...what is your plan?

Goku: I've got it all figured out.

Mr. Popo: You do...

Goku: Of course! And I also have a wonderful idea. If we catch the thief for you, I would be honored to use the-

Before Goku could say something, Sora covers his mouth.

Sora: And on that note, we'll be going.

Goku:(Muffled)What are you doing? Let me go!

Sora, Plucky, and Dizzy drags Goku along, with the rest of the gang following. They placed the fake Dragon Balls all over the place and hid inside a bush.

Plucky: Stop kicking!

Dizzy: It not me, Plucky.

Gohan: Quiet, everyone.

Plucky: I said cut it out!

Dizzy: Was that Sora?

Sora: How come we have to watch from the bush?

Goku: Good plan, eh?

Plucky: OW!

Suddenly, they hear someone walking in and collecting the Dragon Balls. They got out from the bush.

Sora: GOTCHA!

The gang looks in surprise and saw the same android that Dr. Briefs was repairing.

Trunks: So it was Android 16!

Sora: Android 16?

Gohan: He was the android that Dr. Briefs was busy repairing.

Android 16 flew away with the fake Dragon Balls.

Goku: We have to follow him!

The gang starts flying after Android 16. Along the way, Krillin, Yamcha, and Tien joins the group.

Gohan: Look, there's Krillin, Yamcha, and Tien.

Goku: Hey, guys! How are you doing?

Tien: We're following that Android too.

Yamcha: We saw that he is carrying the Dragon Balls.

Piccolo: Oh, but those Dragon Balls are fake. We painted them so we can go after the thief.

Krillin: Those Dragon Balls are fake?

Sora: Yep, let's keep following him.

The whole gang follows Android 16 to what looks like a square arena. On the arena is a green insectoid with a white face and black wings. The android flew to him.

Sora: Goku, who is that?

Goku: That's Cell. He's an evil bio-android who wants to destroy the world.

Android 16 gave the fake Dragon Balls to Cell. Cell looks at them, then he destroyed them.

Cell: Those Dragon Balls are fake! How could you mess them up with the real ones!

Goku: We did it, Cell!

Cell looks up to see Sora, Goku, and the rest of the gang.

Cell: Goku, so wonderful to see you here. And I see that you brought some new friends.

Goku: Cell, did you kidnap Android 16 and reprogrammed him?

Cell: No, I didn't kidnap him. I found him in the wilderness. I told him what he wants and he said he was looking for a heart. So I told him that if he can gather the Dragon Balls, I can use the wish to give him a heart.

Gohan: So that's what he wanted?

Trunks: Android 16, don't work with that Cell! He's a heartless monster that wants to destroy the world!

Cell: You can call me all you want. It won't change a thing. Now which one of you weaklings will fight me?

?: I WILL!

Everyone turns to see Mr. Satan enter the arena.

Everyone: Mr. Satan?

Mr. Satan: Now, Cell! If that is your real name.

Cell: It's actually Perfect Cell-

Mr. Satan: It's actually garbage! And Mr. Satan is gonna take out the trash!

Cell:(Laughs)YOU? You're gonna fight me? I thought you were just a hype man.

Mr. Satan: I AM THE HYPE!

Vegeta: STOP TALKING AND START KILLING!

Mr. Satan: You better say your prayers, Cell! Cause I'm gonna end this in a single blow! And it's gonna be faster than light!

Mr. Satan charged at Cell and was about to punch him, but Cell just knocks him back to a cliff. He turns back to the gang.

Cell: Now which one of you will fight me?

Goku: Gohan, he's all yours.

Gohan: Dad, why me?

Goku: You're the strongest fighter we have.

Gohan: But I thought you were training for this.

Goku: You're being a little insecure.

Piccolo: Why are you sending your son to fight him? He's just a little kid!

Krillin: Piccolo's right! How would Chi-Chi react to this?

Goku: Guys, trust me on this one. I spent a whole year training him in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. So get out there, Gohan! You got this.

Gohan: OK, I'll go fight Cell.

Gohan walks forward.

Cell: So I get to fight the world's strongest bookworm. Fine, I'll play along with your game, Goku. But I want you to know. While I'm busy pounding your son, I'll be thinking of you the entire time.

Gohan enters the arena. Then he and Cell both powered up. Gohan went into his Super Saiyan form.

Sora: Goku, why didn't you send me, Plucky, and Dizzy to fight him? We faced many foes as strong as Cell!

Goku: Sora, just watch. You're going to see amazing things out there. Gohan may be a kid, but he's also like a million times stronger than me when I was his age.

Piccolo: Goku...

Goku: He's been keeping pace with me since he was a baby.

Piccolo: Goku...

Goku: After spending a year alone with him, I know more than anyone that he's going to-

Piccolo: GOKU!

Goku: What is it Piccolo?

Piccolo: He's getting beaten up by Cell!

Everyone turns to see Cell beating up Gohan.

Cell: Thinking of you, Goku!

Sora looks back at Goku.

Sora: Goku, are you sure this is a good idea?

Goku: Don't worry, Sora. At some point, Cell's hand will cramp up. And then Gohan will-

Cell kicks Gohan down to the ground. He slowly flew down the ground.

Cell: You're quite a treat to knock around, kid. Durable like your father, but soft like your mother. But if you think the only way to win is not to play, I have news for you, brat.

He flew back up the sky.

Cell: You're playing the wrong game!

Cell fires some ki energy blasts at Gohan. He dodged most of them, but Cell teleports in front of him.

Cell: Game over, kid.

He blasted Gohan through a cliff.

Cell: So which one of you wants to describe the word "filicide" for Goku? I'd ask Gohan, but...well, he's been filicided.

Dizzy: Dizzy not sure what it mean.

Plucky: I think it's when you murder a pony?

Piccolo: It mean's Gohan is dead!

He turns to Goku.

Piccolo: And it's your fault, Goku! HE'S DEAD!

Goku: Yo, Gohan! Stop hiding your powerful and come on out, you goof!

An explosion came out of the rubble and out came Gohan. He slowly walks towards Cell.

Gohan: Can I say something?

Cell: I've been humoring you the entire time anyway, so why not? But if you're looking to exchange barbs, I'd recommend cutting your teeth on something simpler first.

Gohan: I know why I'm here. I know why dad threw me to take care of the biggest wolf in the woods.

Cell: Oh, trust me! I'll huff and puff and blow you down.

Gohan: Whenever I get backed in a corner, I snap. And when I do, I hurt people.

Cell: Well, what do you do to them?

Gohan: When I get angry, when I lose my mind, my power skyrockets. Everything goes red. The world around me just...fades away. And all I can see is the person I wanna kill. So if I snap here...

Cell: Let me guess, you'll kill me?

Gohan: You said it, not me.

Cell laughs maniacally.

Cell: Well, threaten me with a good time! At first you had my curiosity, but now you have my attention.

Cell fires a Death Beam at Gohan, but he dodged the attack. Cell charged forward and grabs Gohan in a hug.

Cell: So to be clear, when you break, I die! Let's see how you will break!

Cell starts squeezing Gohan hard.

Piccolo: In this endless pile of hay, this is the last straw, Goku! If you don't go out there, your son will die!

Goku: But-

Piccolo: NO BUTS!

Cell: Speaking of butts, which way do you think his organs are gonna come out? Because I'm betting mouth, but I'm hoping butt. Listen to those bones cracking and popping. So where's the snap, kiddo?

He squeezes Gohan even harder, making him cry in pain.

Cell: HA! Like father, like son! WAIT! Like father, like Son Gohan.

Cell then drops Gohan to the ground.

Goku: Krillin, I need a Senzu Bean!

Krillin: What do you need one for?

Goku: I need to use it on me.

When Krillin was about to pull out a small bag, Cell grabs it.

Cell: Just a quick update, everyone. These beans are now tournament illegal.

He flew back to Gohan.

Cell: I see now that not all roads lead to Rome. Torture won't do the trick, so let's change up the game plan, shall we?

He looks back at the gang.

Cell: I'm going to drag each one of them down here and murder them, until you finally give me what I want.

Gohan: No, please!

Cell shushed Gohan.

Cell: It's OK. I'll save your dad for last. Hear that, Piccolo?

Gohan: Stay away from-

Before Gohan could attack, Cell kicks him to a boulder.

Cell: Sit down! This might take a while.

?: ENOUGH!

Suddenly, Android 16 grabs Cell from behind.

Cell: Sixteen! Why did you turn on me? I promised you a heart!

Android 16: Those people are right. You are nothing more than a heartless monster.

Sora: Android 16, what are you doing?

Android 16: Within me is a high-yield nuclear explosive. I'm going to self-destruct and take Cell with me.

Cell: I do not consent to this!

Android 16: Your compliance isn't a factor.

Krillin: WAIT! You don't have to do this, Sixteen! You still have so much to live for!

Android 16: If I do not do this, Cell will destroy this world. Also, if I cannot kill Goku, nobody will kill Goku.

Cell: We can split him, Sixteen! In half! Together!

Android 16: You cannot talk your way out of this one, Cell. My countdown has started.

Android 16 starts glowing.

Sora: Everyone, brace yourselves!

Plucky: I didn't even kiss Shirley good-bye!

Everyone braced themselves for the explosion. Then Android 16 stops glowing.

Android 16: A critical error has occurred. Where's the kaboom? There was supposed to be a Cell-shattering kaboom!

Trunks: My mom said she took out your bomb during repairs!

Android 16: Who gave her the right?

Cell: Well, Sixteen. Not that this long embrace hasn't been heartwarming and all, but I have a child to break.

Cell frees himself from Android 16's grasp.

Cell: Now, if I'm correct, you were looking for a kaboom?

Cell aims his hand at Android 16.

Android 16: If I said no, would you still-

Before Android 16 could finish his sentence, Cell fires a beam at him, blowing his body to bits. All that's left was his head.

Everyone: SIXTEEN!

Cell: Oh, Sixteen. I wanted you to be the wind beneath my wings, but all you've done is take the wind out of my sails. Now I don't even feel like killing these fools.

Gohan: Does that mean-

Cell: Yes, kiddo. I'm not gonna kill your daddies.

Cell turns to the gang.

Cell: They are.

Gohan: The implication being...

Suddenly, 10 things came out of Cell's tail.

Cell: Now Behold: THE CELL JUNIORS!

The 10 creatures that came out of Cell are called Cell Juniors. They look like Cell, except they are smaller and have light blue skin.

Plucky: So is Cell female or what?

Sora: Actually, I think he is unisexual.

Dizzy: That gross!

Cell: Gather round, children. Daddy's set up a play date for you. Now make sure you share your toys, don't leave daddy's site, and bring me the bodies. But most importantly, have fun!

The Cell Juniors started flying after the gang.

Sora: Cell Juniors incoming!

Goku, Vegeta, and Trunks went into their Super Saiyan Forms. The Cell Juniors are fighting everyone.

Cell: Are they not precious, my own little family? Now after I'm through with this worthless little planet, I'll have someone to accompany me as I trounce about the stars. Perhaps I'll try conquering Namek. Wear that hat for a while.

Gohan: No...

Cell: Yeah, that's the Frieza talking.

He turns to Gohan, who was making a face of despair.

Cell: How pathetic! That face of yours. That is why is despised you.

He turns back to the gang fighting the Cell Juniors.

Cell: You know what they have in common? The Saiyans might be fools, the humans might be weak, the Namekian might not belong, and the Keyblade Master and his toon friends might be meddling, but they're still out there fighting. Not just for their lives, but for this dung hill of a world.

One of the Cell Juniors kicked Plucky down to the ground.

Cell: See? Even Plucky's doing his best!

The Cell Junior lands besides Plucky.

Plucky: Thanks for noticing.

The Cell Junior kicks Plucky.

Plucky: At least I tried.

The Cell Junior kicks Plucky again.

Gohan: PLUCKY!

Cell: But not one of them shares that trait with you so vile, it drives me to wretch. You are a coward, Gohan.

Gohan: No...I'm just a pacifist!

Cell: So a coward patting himself on the back. Congratulations, pint-size. You can stand proud next to their bodies.

The gang are struggling to fight the Cell Juniors. Cell turns to Gohan, who is crying.

Cell: Are you...crying? Are you serious? Your friends and family are getting beaten in mulch and all you can do is CRY?

He turns back to the Cell Juniors.

Cell: That's it! Kids, put your toys away. We're going home. And I mean "kill them all, so I can blow up this world and find something better to do."

Gohan: Hold on! I'm just one step closer to the edge, and I'm about to-

Cell turns to Gohan and interrupts him.

Cell: Everything...You say to me...Is pissing me off! You had your chance, kid! And in the end, it didn't even matter!

Suddenly, Android 16's head is thrown to Gohan.

Android 16: Thank you for your assistance...Mr. Satan.

Mr. Satan is hiding behind a rock.

Mr. Satan: Don't mention my name!

Cell turns to the Cell Juniors.

Cell: Kids, when you're down with them, draw and quarter that buffoon.

He turns to Android 16's head.

Cell: As for you, I'm surprised you're still...Well, I was going to say kicking, but-

Android 16: Gohan.

Cell: Alright, fine then. You can go talk to him.

Gohan: What are you-

Android 16: Grow up. You act like you're the only one suffering, but I believe Trunks have some stories for you. And I can assume they all end with, "And then he died too." And before you start whining about your father, take a moment to consider that my father made me a soulless killing machine to kill your father. And that doesn't even come close to the complete tragedy of fatherhood that is Vegeta. But Cell was right. You think you are better than everyone else, but there you stand. The good man doing nothing. And while evil triumphs, and your rigid pacifism crumbles into blood-stained dust, the only victory afforded to you is that you stuck true to your guns. You were a coward...to your last whimper. Of fear and love, I fear not that I would die, but that all I have come to love. The birds, and the thing that are not birds, will perish with me.

Cell slowly walks up to Android 16's head.

Android 16: So please...Gohan...stop holding back.

Suddenly, Cell crushed Android 16's head with his foot.

Cell: I'd say he's gone to a better place, but...we both know he never had a soul.

The death of Android 16 made Gohan snap and yell in anger. His yelling made his powers increase dramatically. Everyone turns to Gohan and saw that his golden hair is much longer and standing upright. His tears are flying up in the air. He has become a Super Saiyan 2.


That's it for chapter 38. Many of the lines are again from TFS DBZ abridged. Next time, the battle with Cell will really begin.