( This is only forever late! Thank you to everyone who messaged me or left a comment, you guys keep me going after all these years! Please give any input you need, it's always appreciated and makes me write chapters faster! This one chapter is a little dry, but we're really close to seeing young adult Calina and Gohan!)
" You still never told me what you decided on.. Which one did you choose?"
Bulma spoke from across the kitchen at Capsule Corp. She was in a beautiful red dress that scented her well sculpted legs. She blew a few stray strands of hair from her face, which was up in a tight bun. Bulma waited impatiently, tapping her manicured, curved nails against her coffee cup.
Calina sat quietly at the kitchen table. She had finished eating a few minutes ago, and was thinking to herself, staring down at an empty plate. Bulma had bothered her the night before about what outfit she wanted to wear to the fight with cell. To be honest, she was torn. As a proud Saiyan she wanted to wear her spandex suit, but she'd enjoyed training in the more loose fitted clothing while she was with Piccolo.
Bulma's impatient tapping was met with a few sighs before Calina finally made up her mind.
" I'd like to maybe wear the spandex suit, the black one,, maybe with the long sleeves and a loose fitted shirt over it… To be honest I just want to be comfortable. The last thing I want to be worried about is why something is too tight. "
Bulma's face lit up." Totally, I definitely agree and I'll have it ready for you within the hour! "
Bulma always enjoyed helping Calina, and the young Saiyan wasn't always sure why.
" Uh, Bulma.." Calina spoke, pushing away from the kitchen table and standing up.
She wasn't sure if it was entirely appropriate to talk to a woman like Bulma, the way she was about to talk to her, and the entire situation made her nervous.
" Hmm? " Bulma had finished her coffee and was giving Calina her full attention.
Calina could feel her body unnerve from her brain all the way to her stomach, she wasn't sure if she had improved enough to stand a chance against Cell. The last time she had faced him, she nearly died.
" I wanted to thank you for being so accommodating with, well, with everything. You've been very generous and I'm not positive if I've shown you the proper amount of thanks, and well.."
Bulma walked briskly across the kitchen and embraced the young Saiyan.
" Stop it, okay. Just stop, you're like family. And today? Well everything is going to be just fine. Trust me." Bulma spoke, pulling away and smiling down on her. " Okay?"
Calina nodded and shook her head, embarrassed with how comfortable Bulma was with showing affection towards her. " You have Goku, remember. That idiot has yet to let me down."
Calina listened to what Bulma had to say and said goodbye to her as she rushed out the door. The whole 'end of the world' thing was making the entire world crazy, and her business associates were no different. Calina had been informed that both Bulma and Trunks would be watching the matches at the Kame house. Which reassured her that both her and Trunks would have some protection.
Calina hadn't bothered to turn on the light in her room, and she contemplated just getting dressed and rushing to the Son house to see Chichi and Gohan. She decided not to, she wasn't sure that she would want to leave.
Bulma had gotten her the things she wanted, the traditional Saiyan armor was more male fitted any way, she would be more comfortable this way. Calina dressed in the cool darkness of her room, thinking about her training and about how today could or would go.
Her tail flickered behind her as her mind rushed about, she was so close to becoming a super Saiyan, but couldn't get over that last hurdle.
Calina put on a black, fitted spandex shirt that stretched the entirety of both arms and put on something similar on her legs. Her knees and calves were visible, and she tied a pair of lightweight training boots onto he feet. She grabbed a light, white, short sleeved t-shirt and quickly pulled it over her torso. The shirt had a large blue Capsule Corp logo on the back.
She stayed silent through her process, concentrating on her training with Piccolo, and remembering how Cell nearly killed her not too long ago. She had gotten stronger for her friends, because she wanted to protect them.
Gohan and the others had gone through there own morning schedules, and soon they would all meet out, far away from people. Calina left her room within the quiet quarters of Capsule Corp and left for the fight for the end of the world.
Calina was late, but also, on time. Everyone had gotten there earlier then her. Something she would have loved to of been informed of.
Calina took in the landscape briefly.
The desert area they were in was vast and dry. Luckily the sky was clear and there was nearly no humidity in the air, making it ideal fighting weather. There were large sand craters and towering pillars of rock decorating the area around them. Cell had set up a relatively average tournament platform, and Calina looked uncomfortably at everyone around her.
Vegeta was standing next to Trunks, both displaying themselves in Saiyan armor. Yamcha, Krillin and Tien were also standing next to one another, as was Tien's smaller comrade. Calina was next to Gohan, who was wearing clothing that was very similar to Piccolo's. She kept focusing on everyone else, she was nervous.
Piccolo and Goku stood next to one another. Neither talking or looking at the other, Calina seemed to be the only one having a hard time dealing with what was going on.
Cell, in his perfect form, was much taller than Calina. He's power range greatly exceeded her own, and his over all ability as an opponent frightened her. She was beginning to question her role in this fight.
A small camera crew had popped up with a human man, named Hercule. He was loud and obnoxious and smelled terrible. Calina was too concerned with how annoying the human man with the afro was acting, and missed the arrival of Android 16.
Cell watched everyone from afar, and Calina's tail tightened around one of her thighs as she clenched her calloused hands. The look of disgust on her face was only matched by that of Vegeta's.
Cell spoke, and with each egotistical, rude word that came from his mouth, Calina could feel her anger burning. She still hadn't fully recovered from what he had done to her. And for a moment he looked over directly at her, and smiled. Calina clenched her jaw and took a step forwards, only to have Gohan's arm come up and block her.
She paused and momentarily made eye contact with him, also seeing anger in him that she'd never seen before. She retracted her leg and remained silent.
" And who will be the first to come up against me? Hm?.. is it you Vegeta, perhaps even you Goku? Who is willing to end their life for the sake of humanity. " Cell's voice was shallow and dark, and the way he sneered and laughed after every comment he made, caused Calina's heart rate to increase.
" Me.. I'm going.." Calina looked over and listened as Goku stepped up to face Cell. No one objected.
Over the past few days, Calina briefly discussed with Gohan, what Goku's plans were when the fight with cell came, his answer was very unspecific.
" Um, well I'm not sure. Dad said he had everything figured out though.. So no worries, I guess.."
Calina remembered how concerned Gohan had been with his father and the fate of everyone around him, it bothered her. It bothered her because Gohan always had a cool head, he always had the utmost faith in his father, but this time, everything seemed different.
" Wish me luck! " Goku sheepishly smiled back at the group of warriors before disappearing and reappearing infront of cell.
" Dad…" Gohan managed to speak up just as Goku disappeared. Calina only had a few moments to focus on the thought of comforting Gohan before the battle began, and everything infront of her seemed to light up.
Goku's speed was incredible, and at first it was a little difficult to keep up. As the match progressed a few more minutes, Calina's eyes adjusted and soon she had no problem tracing every kick, and every high speed punch.
" They're … incredible…"
Piccolo spoke, gasping loudly. Soon Tien followed.
" It's taking everything I have just to keep up.."
Calina watched from below, her body completely still while her eyes darted everywhere, following their movements. Finally there was a shift in momentum.
With a surprise twist, Goku tricked Cell into an instant transmission Kamehameha wave, a wave that exploded just inches from Cell's face.
With an immense, blinding light, Goku released his signature move and completely evaporated the head and top portion of Cell's body. Within moments of receiving the wave, Cell's torso collapsed with a heavy, lifeless roll.
" HE DID IT! " Tien and Yamcha both immediately rejoiced the moment Cell's body fell lifeless to the ground. Calina had seen something, back when they had first faced Cell, back when he was still in his weaker stage. He regenerated a limb after having it torn off.
" Not so fast.." Piccolo's words sounded far away and cold.. He knew what was going to happen.
" His whole head got blown off, there's no chance-"
Krillin's words were interrupted by the sound of Cell's body rolling and flopping around on the ground infront of Goku.
" Forty five seconds. " Calina spoke aloud, and Piccolo crossed his arms and began to growl under his breath.
" Even if it wasn't fatal it's still useful.. Remember when his arm was taken off? He regenerated that within seconds.. Maybe his nervous system takes longer regenerate than normal muscle tissue.. If we need to stall him.." Calina paused and looked over to Piccolo who began to gain a slight smirk.
" At least we have one card against him .."
Cell's regeneration was a heavy reminder of how quickly the tables can turn. And as his head finished regenerating and his voice box completed, he spoke again.
" Nice try Goku, but you're going to have to do better than that.."
The wind had begun to pick up, which had made the hot desert sun more bearable. For a few moments Calina's body felt a little relief.
" Whew, what a work out.. Man, I'm no match for you.." Goku spoke as his Chi level began to drop, and everyone stared on in shock.
" Stop that nonsense, no one is buying that lie! " Cell smiled and laughed at Goku, but Goku shook his head.
" I'm no match for you, seriously. You're stronger than me, and there would be no point in me continuing. "
As Goku spoke, the more seriously everyone began to take him. Especially Cell, who's wide grin had changed into a look of disgust with a dense glare.
" So I win.. I'm going to kill everyone you-"
" Hold on, I didn't say we quit.. I said I'm done."
Goku paused, and looked back at the group of warriors behind him.
" THEM? ONE OF THEM IS GOING TO BEAT ME?" Cell frantically screamed at Goku as he pointed up and over to the group of fighters.
Calina's whole body began to tense. What kind of a plan was this? Was be bluffing?
" No not them, just one.. My son, Gohan." Goku spoke as his body disappeared and re appeared infront of Calina and Piccolo.
Everyone became quiet, angry and upset at what Goku was saying.
" THIS WAS YOUR BIG PLAN!? " Piccolo Shot at Goku, lunging forwards and grabbing onto Goku's shirt, pulling him up and into the air.
" Woah, woah!.. I wouldn't have volunteered Gohan if I didn't think he wasn't ready. " Goku spoke in a calm, clear tone. Causing everyone to look on in distress.
" Gohan.." Calina spoke quietly, looking next to her.
The golden haired young teen didn't look at her, or answer her plea. He looked over to his father and stayed quiet.
" You've been thinking I've been holding back this whole time, right? Gohan?"
Goku's voice became more stern as Piccolo lowered him towards the ground. Gohan didn't speak, he nodded.
" I haven't son, I'm barely holding on here.. You think I'm holding back because you're stronger than I am.. Gohan you've excelled my power level.." Goku spoke to Gohan and Piccollo interrupted them.
" Is that true Gohan? Does Goku seem like he's holding back? " Piccolo's tone was near frantic, he didn't want to believe what was happening. A ten year old boy shouldn't be the one saving the world.
" I realized it while we were training.. Your powers have grown so drastically.. You have the ability to push through to the next level, Gohan.. You can beat him and end all of this. " Goku's very calm tone was putting everyone else on edge.
" Kakarot you've completely gone off the deep end, if you think your young son can beat cell. You're going to get him killed. "
Vegeta spoke from affar, sharing a distasteful look with the rest of the group.
" We don't have time for these games.."
" It's not a game, you can do this Gohan. I know you can.." Goku spoke at the group before looking over and at his son.
Without any more hesitation Gohan nodded at his father and prepared to enter to fight cell. Glancing back at Calina for a moment, giving her a reassuring nod. She remained quiet while everyone spoke. She didn't want him to fight, but who was she to talk. She stood no chance against Cell, she was sure of it. Gohan was their last hope to save the humans and Earth.
" Calina! Why don't you say something!?" Krillin looked over to the young Saiyan, she looked over at him as he seemed to snarl at her.
" He's a Saiyan warrior, and he's fighting for the people he cares about. This is the noblest thing he could do.. "
" Calina.." Trunks listened from behind her and seemed to sympathize. He reached out to touch her shoulder, but she turned and shot him a cold look from over her shoulder.
She was terrified of losing him, if he died she didn't know what she would do. But she wouldn't let that happen, if she had to she'd sacrifice herself in some way. This place had become too important to her. She'd rather keep up the façade of being cold than let anyone know what was going on in her head.
The moment Gohan stepped up to fight cell, things began to progress at a fast pace. Gohan did a better job at fighting Cell than Goku had, but was holding himself back from using his full power.
Cell noticed and decided to liven things up. In a disgusting turn of events he birthed nearly a dozen mini versions of himself, all of which had incredible strength.
Calina tried, but the creature that barely reached up to her shoulders, had her at it's own knees.
Everything moved much faster now, the scene around them became chaotic and violent as no one could keep up with the speed and strength of the creatures. With every punch and blow, Calina could feel her determination beginning to drop. She felt like she was running out of time, she had wasted her time training for this. To become thrown around by a knockoff Cell, who couldn't have been taller than a child.
The glimpses she got of the others around her were gruesome. The Cell mini's kicked and fought even though everyone was beginning to give up. With only small glances from the ground, she could see Krillin and Yamcha fall just yards from her, blood staining the rocks below them as they tried to fight back. They could barely get a moment to breath.
Calina's mind seem to slow down as her body took more and more blows. Her eyes clenching shut, as hard as she could close them. Unconsciously her body wanting it to end, but her mind wanted her to fight. She was frozen, completely worthless to everyone that was depending on her.
The cell junior over her sent a large blow to her stomach, snapping her from her trance. Her body jolted awake as she gasped for air, choking from the lack of oxygen. She rolled onto her stomach and vomited, as she began to gain feeling in her limbs again.
" Is this really what its come to, Gohan? You're going to take advice from what? A robot?.. I am severely disappointed, and to think you're Goku's son. " Cell began to speak and Calina's wide eyes adjusted to the scene before her.
Android 16's head was laying out on the battefield, she wasn't sure what had happened during her brief moments on the ground, but things were looking badly for them.
" You don't have to do this cell, please. Don't make me hurt you.."
" Gohan, you have to do this. Cell is going to destroy everything. " Android 16's voice spoke loudly from his disembodied head. His voice beginning to glitch in and out.
Gohan's voice sounded sullen, and pained. He hated fighting so much, especially when it meant killing another living thing. It was in that moment that Calina realized how different the two of them were. He was so pure hearted, compared to the many atrocities she'd had a hand in, in the past. She began to faintly smile, even in the face of a foe so great, he still wanted to show mercy.
" Let's see, we need to pump you up.. Hmm" Cell looked around at the mangled mess that was their group. Calina looked over and saw even Goku was past the point of fighting.
Gohan looked across at his friends and family. He stopped at Calina and shared a glance with her for a moment. She could see how terrified he was. She couldn't stand to see him like this, but her body hurt too much to move.
She smiled at him from the dusted, barren ground that was beginning to take on a robust crimson color.
" Thank you for choosing for me! " Cell spoke again, this time only raising one hand in the direction of Calina.
The young Saiyan tried to fight back, but her body felt exhausted from taking the blunt force from just minutes ago. There were cries from the small group behind her, but to her they seemed like muffled sounds. For a moment she blacked out, and before she came to, she felt the soft warmth from the sun and a cool breeze push past her face. She knew everything was going to be okay.
" This is what this has come to, although I probably should have finished what I started before with her… Well, anyway. " Cell's condescending tone and lack of sympathy led Gohan to stare on helpless.
Android 16 spoke up for a final time, making sure to use his remaining moments alive to spark Gohan.
" It is important to preserve life, Gohan. But it is also important to stop those who do not care about how precious life is. Sometimes you need to kill, in order to save others. You-"
The android's words were cut short as a Cell Junior jumped forwards and smashed the robot's head in. Bits of metal and debris flying into the air as both cell and his clones began to laugh in unison.
Calina's body hung limply within one of Cell's hands, his height allowing her feet to dangle feet above the ground. His fingers intertwined deeply within her hair.
" This is so pathetic, the same position but with a different son. Before it was Trunks and now it's you! How ridiculous is it that this pathetic woman is so important to you both that you'd fall to your knees every time she is in danger!? " Cell held back laughter as he spoke loudly, Calina's body moving and shifting like a puppet with every shake.
Trunks and the others were holding on and watching from their own spots, each of them in bad shape.
" GOHAN!" Trunks's voice seemed to be lost in the wind that was blowing around them, but Gohan's was transfixed with the situation around him.
His entire body was shaking violently, a constant stream of tears pouring down his face as he was too shocked to move.
Calina's complexion had paled, and her olive skin tone began to look peculiar. Blood was running from somewhere on her scalp and down her face and chest, staining the white shirt she was wearing.
Cell held up Calina further and turned her so she was facing him.
" Hmm, yes she is quite pretty by your standards, isn't she.. " He paused and looked over to Gohan.
" Maybe after I kill everyone you love and blow up your planet, I'll take her with me? After all, I'm going to need another Saiyan if I want to repopulate the species. "
Cell's laughter was cut short by Gohan.
" Stop it.." Gohan spoke, not even making eye contact with Cell or looking at Calina, tears still flowing down his cheeks.
" You need to stop.."
" OR WHAT! GET ANGRY GOHAN! " Cell spoke again and this time, was more agitated.
" I've nearly killed most of the people you care about, I'm going to destroy your home, and THIS is what I get! " Cell's body began to pick up white whisps of energy as he became more angry.
" I'll take her and make her wish she was never born, is that what you want.. " Cell spoke again, this time he brought Calina's bloody face to his mouth and ran his bare tongue up her chin and jaw line.
Gohan's energy began to surge as what seemed like a rolling electric storm began to form around him, Cell noticed and his mouth left Calina's face.
Cell's grip shifted and Calina's head began to tilt up, allowing the sun to rest against her face.
She was in a familiar place with him, again. She wasn't quite sure where, but she was on Earth?.. No, someplace like it, but the sun had just set.
She couldn't move, but she knew she wasn't in danger. She felt at peace.
" You can't be here. " Calina listened and slowly the sky and landscape began to darken. She finally knew where she was.
The small, abandoned home that her and Gohan had found years ago. She sat out front on the soft grass that overlooked the beautiful mountain landscape. That landscape was beginning to disappear, as a vast black curtain began to wave over the valley's and hills.
Calina looked next to her and saw Zero, but this time was different than the others. He looked, just as she remembered him, just before he died.
His body armor was badly damaged and his face had fresh blood splashed over it.
This wasn't like the other fond memories she had of him, where his disposition was composed or his body was in peak condition. This was moments before he was killed.
She still couldn't really move, even as the darkness began to close in around them, leaving a poorly illuminated circle around them.
" You need to go back, Calina. " Zero's voice was panicked and rushed, his face and body had a silvery layer of sweat upon it.
" No." Calina's voice was agitated and blunt. This time her dream was going to go her way. She wasn't going to let her imagination call the shots.
Zero's stood over six feet tall, teetering close to seven feet even. His body was thick with muscle and scars, Calina could feel her stomach dropping from her body and into the ground below her. The déjà vu she was having with him was making her want to vomit. She couldn't understand what was going on.
" No, you can't be here! You need to go back, it's not your time. "
Zero's words were rushed and scrambled, he tried to speak again, but his mouth just gaped open. He was at a loss for words.
The landscape around them began to change, this time it was an unfamiliar place she'd never seen. A place with a lavender sky, and burning red hills in the distance. Calina could begin to feel the temperature of the air around her, and the heavy smell of smoke began to flood her senses. As the scenery became more and more clear, Zero lashed out and grabbed her by her shoulders.
" YOU NEED TO GO BACK! " His voice paused for a moment before Calina felt his hands begin to shake.
She looked down at his hands for a second before moving them back up and to him.
" Where are we.."
Calina's question was ignored as Zero's grip became tighter, abruptly he pulled her close to him and embraced her for a few moments.
Although her arms never reached all the way around, she embraced him back. Calina could feel his arms still tremble as his chest seemed to fall and rise more rapidly than she could keep up.
" I'm so proud of you.." Zero spoke and Calina could feel the sensation around her begin to change, again. She listened as Zero sighed and released his grip around her.
There were only a few brief seconds she'd spend here with him before she was jolted awake on Earth.
" I'll see you again.." Calina's voice was low and horse, but very clear.
" I hope not, kid.." Zero spoke again, this time Calina's vision changed in the blink of an eye. She felt as though her body had been pulled through time or space.. She felt sick and dizzy.
" This is what it's come to then. Well, I'm disappointed in you. " Cell's voice was the first thing Calina could hear, and it turned her stomach.
The warn sunlight from above was blinding her open eyes, so much so that it looked like the world around her was dark and sun was infact, a full moon. She could feel her primal Saiyan blood beginning to take over the more she grew conscious.
She wasn't completely sure of the situation around her, she knew she had lost consciousness. She wasn't sure if the dream she had, just moments before, was real or a hallucination from losing so much blood. She'd have time to think about it later.
" Put me down.." Calina managed to speak, her throat was dry and sore but Cell heard her clearly.
" Oh, look who woke up! Look, she's still alive Gohan, you'd better.. " Cell spoke and this time his voice trailed off.
" Impossible.." Cell's voice was distant and unsure. Calina's vision hadn't returned, but she knew exactly where Cell was.
She'd have one chance. Her Oozaru form was too large for her to be at an advantage here, but she could use the large power boost it would give her. She'd have to attack right before her body transformed. She had gone through something similar with Piccolo while training, she had an idea of what she could do, but it would only buy everyone time.
Calina's power shot up unexpectedly, so much so that Cell's hand flinched and released her from his grip. The moment her body released from his hands her back bent back wards and her arms and hands extended behind her.
Calina's bright blue eyes were taken over by terrifying crimson pigment and the moment her knees touched the solid rock ground below her, she released any bit of energy she had left.
Calina's hands lapped over one another as she forced a terrifying dark violet chi from her body. The blast that emitted from her made a low howling sound as sparks of black static bounced from the outside of her hands. The concentrated attacked shot up and through Cell, evaporating his entire upper torso and head. The rich darkness of the attack darkened the area around them and dissipated shortly after Calina broke her concentration.
Cell's body fell heavily to the ground below it and Calina turned to the same ground shortly after.
The lapse in time allowed for Gohan to shoot over to Calina to see if she was alright. In a low, pained voice she told him to go find the others and that she'd survive.
Gohan pressed the question again, this time reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small bag of Senzu beans. But there were only enough for a few of them. Before Gohan could pressure her again to eat one of the senzu beans, Goku called out for him.
Gohan paused, but listened to what his father was saying. Calina laid against the ground on her stomach, with her right cheek and lips pressed against the dry soil. She was just grateful she was alive.
Cell's body began to regenerate fast, and Gohan managed to give her half a senzu bean before Cell's body was nearly fully constructed.
" That was incredible, where did you learn to do that! " Krillin shot from behind her. Calina began to feel her energy slowly crawl back onto her muscles and bones, allowing her to slowly grow to her feet and take in a lung full of fresh air.
Everyone was on their feet, and while Calina was pushing between conscious and not, the Cell Jr.'s were destroyed.
" YOU DEFECTED THEM WITH YOUR ENERGY! WHAT KIND OF POWER HAVE YOU BEEN HIDING!? " Vegeta's angry voice began to rise as his temper flared at the sight of Gohan's new Super Saiyan form. Goku stood silently, smiling. Having the utmost trust in his young son's ability.
" You did great, kid.." Calina listened as Piccolo spoke behind her, and she couldn't help but grin momentarily. It was him who showed her what proper chi control could do. She'd grown so much because of it.
" Look sharp.." Krillin's voice rang again past everyone, this time sounding more frightened.
Cell's body had completely regenerated, and the expression on his face wasn't anything short of rage. The moment his body fully became whole, his power shot up, and the short break that the group was enjoying was cut short.
Gohan made his way down and from the group, and resting his feet just yards from the creature.
" Looks like your ape friend escaped death after all.. " Cell's agitated tone didn't affect Gohan, and the young super Saiyan stood infront of the bio-made-monster.
Calina's eyes became more intense as a large grin resurfaced over her face as she spoke in a quiet, calm tone.
" Luffa.."
The word that came from Calina's mouth made Vegeta gasp loudly and turn to her, as though she had just spoke the name of god.
" What..?" Trunks's expression and tone were confused, as was most of the group.
Calina didn't say a word, her glowing expression said more than enough. Cell's attempts at bringing down Gohan verbally were failing and Calina could feel how much more powerful Gohan was than him.
" It's an ancient word, a name given to the first Saiyan to ever reach the level of Super Saiyan. But he didn't just become a Super Saiyan, he managed to become it's ultimate form. The Golden Transformation State." Vegeta was far less concerned with explaining who Luffa was than looking out at the transformed Super Saiyan Gohan.
" But to say that Kakarot's son is anything like Luffa is an insult. " Vegeta's tone changed to a dramatic angst, as Calina remained quiet.
The fight had come to a dramatic pause, as Gohan's ability clearly overweighed Cell's. With every punch, Gohan was faster, with every blow, Cell's body deteriorated more and more.
" Finish him off son! " Goku spoke loudly to Gohan, the young Saiyan didn't bat an eye.
" What's up with him, why is he taking his time? " Krillin spoke as the group seemed to grow more and more uncomfortable as the fight continued.
Cell finally caught a hard blow to the stomach, causing him to fall to his knees and gasp for air.
" No.. " Gohan paused, not taking his eyes off of Cell. " I want him to suffer.. "
Gohan's entire demeanor had changed, and Calina watched as the gentle half human boy, became a blood thirsty Saiyan. She could feel his energy change, his entire persona had shifted. He wasn't her Gohan any more.
" WHAT! NO YOU HAVE THE CHANCE TO END THIS BEFORE ANYONE ELSE IS HURT! FINISH HIM OFF GOHAN! " Goku's voice was bewildered and upset. Gohan had the ability to kill Cell, but wanted to watch him writhe in pain instead.
He had become the thing she had been before she met him, before she met any one on Earth. A warrior. A being capable of bringing death and not batting an eye when blood was shed. He wasn't himself any more.
That part of herself she had let go of, or at least she had tried to compress it. She loved Earth and the humans that inhabited it, and she had fallen in love with Gohan's intense desire to rescue and save over the mentality of the Saiyan race, which was find and kill.
The uproar was cut short as Cell's body began to glow and mutate, his stomach and back heaving up and down as his body prepared to purge. Everyone looked on in horror as a body came sliding out of his unhinged mouth, covered in fluids.
" IS THAT 18? " Krillin's voice echoed amongst the quiet landscape the group was standing on. Everyone was stuck in stock as Cell's body, no longer having the android's power to grow from, began to regress from its perfect form.
Cell's second form was bulky and weak compared to his perfect form. And his arms and legs shook as shock overtook him.
" NOWS YOUR CHANCE GOHAN! PLEASE END THIS! " Goku yelled again, and Calina listened, unable to sum up the words needed to push him to finish cell.
"GOHAN YOU'RE GOING TO GET EVERYONE KILLED! " Trunks's voice echoed off of the tall rock pillars around them, but Gohan's ears were deaf to their pleas.
" You.." Cell spoke, beginning to compose himself. " ..fucking child, I've been beaten by a child.." Cell's words were thick and almost unperceivable. Thick gushes of saliva pushed out and down his mouth and onto the ground below him. He began to throw up again, coughing in between breaths.
" I'm going to get her.." Krillin spoke, and shot up into the air before anyone could rebuttal. He picked up the blonde woman and declared her still alive to the group before bringing her up and away from Cell.
" Why isn't he ending this! " Trunks had become furious watching Gohan blow off ending the fight, and was prepared to take matter into his own hands.
" You.. worthless humans.. I won't give you the chance to kill me.. " Cell's words were almost lost amongst the whistling of the rising wind.
Calina saw the scene that was unfolding and lashed out at Gohan, pleading him to put anything he was thinking behind him.
" You need to protect the humans on this Earth, don't let your revenge get the better of you, Gohan. "
Calina spoke and Gohan's head tilted slightly, his back was faced towards her and he didn't bother to turn around as he spoke.
" I'm going to make him suffer for what he did to you.."
Calina's skin began to crawl as she listened to the creature now inhabiting Gohan's body speak. Even though he was only a hundred yards away from her, with every word he spoke it seemed like more and more miles were added between them.
She loved him because he wasn't like the men and women she'd grown up with. He had a soul, he had compassion. If reaching the next level beyond Super Saiyan was this. Was becoming like this, she wished he hadn't reached it.
Without notice Cell's last ditch effort to take out everyone was put into full effect.
Cell's legs finally strengthened enough to hold his weight, and just moments after getting to his feet, he began to laugh.
His laughter wasn't shrill or light, it was deep. As though it was coming from a dark, horrid place within himself. Straight from hell.
Cell's thighs and torso began to swell unexpectedly. Quickly and without warning, his body grew dramatically in girth as his laughter continued. Calina's eyes kept up to what was happening, but it was Goku who reacted.
Before anyone knew what was going on, Goku appeared in front of Gohan. The young Saiyan looked on confused.
" SAY GOOD BYE TO YOUR PRECIOUS PLANET! BECAUSE IN THIRTY SECONDS THERE'S GOING TO BE NOTHING LEFT OF IT! " Cell's voice brought fear into everyone's eyes. His body continued to grow as time began to run out.
" Gohan, no matter what happens I am incredibly proud of you. I love you, son.. Tell your Mother I'm sorry.." Goku spoke to Gohan with a cheerful smile, but with remorse in his eyes as he disappeared and prepared for his death.
Cell's body was about to explode when Goku placed a hand onto Cell and the other onto his own forehead.
" Take care of your mom, Gohan! " Within seconds of touching Cell, Goku's body disappeared as he used his Instant Transmission technique to move Cell from Earth, and save the planet.
Calina listened as Gohan spoke his father's name, again and again. Pleading to the nothingness infront of him for Goku to return.
Everyone was silent for a moment as Gohan dropped to his knees and began to sob. Calina watched, and quickly rushed up and through the air to where he was.
Calina wanted to comfort him, make him feel like everything was going to get better. But something in her gut prevented her from doing that. She remembered being a small child, and Zero doing the opposite. It had made her stronger.
The group behind Calin and Gohan were speechless, Piccolo was the only one who spoke, and even his tone was low.
Calina stood over Gohan as he sobbed and her arms shook angerly at her sides. Her hands balled into tight fists as she bit her bottom lip and prepared to give him tough love.
" Get up.." Calina's voice sounded dry and exausted.
Gohan didn't reply, he continued to mumble to himself and sob his father's name.
" Stop being so weak, and get UP! " Caline spoke again, this time bending down and grabbing Gohan by his shirt. His limp body only rose to his knees before nearly collapsing again.
" CALINA! " Piccolo's scorning voice echoed from the cavern walls around her. She ignored him and pushed Gohan again.
" You need to be strong, it's what your father wanted. Now. Get. Up.." Calina spoke once more, fully prepared to throw him onto his feet. She was more upset than she realized, and cursed at herself as she felt tears roll down her dusted cheeks. He had become something she had tried to whole life to run from. A monster.
Although she swelled with pride for her own kind, Calina had seen her beatherin kill far more innocent people than she cared to realize, and that Saiyan instinct was in Gohan. Telling him to toy with his prey before biting it's throat. He wanted Cell's death to be long and full of unbearable pain, but it had backfired and he needed to come to terms with what he had done.
Calina could hear Trunks mumble her name in frustration, but he was quickly silenced by Vegeta, who knew what Calina was trying to do.
Calina stood over Gohan again, but this time they were interrupted by the group behind them. Everyone pushing forward to console Gohan and come to terms with Goku's unexpected death.
" Where do you think he brought cell? " Yamcha's voice sounded off behind her.
"Hey… HEY!" Trunks screamed, and everyone around him looked at him surprised.
" Do.. you guys feel that? " Trunks spoke again and this time everyone froze, moments later face after face went from calm to terrified as the group began to pick up Cell's energy.
The amount of time it took him to regenerate this time was far less than the last. This time, however, everyone could feel how much stronger he was.
It was almost like an invisible meteorite had struck the Earth infront of them. A small explosion followed by lots and lots of dust.
The sun above them became clouded for a moment as dirt and debris filled the clean air, polluting everyone's sight and letting Dr. Gero's creation loom infront of them.
The world seemed to slow for a moment, as her vision became unclear and her lungs stale. Calina felt her body get thrown to the ground as a bright beam of light push through the group. Calina closed her eyes for a moment, but as the dust cleared, the scene unfolded.
As if he was unveiling his own entrance, Cell cleared the dust and debris, leaving everyone's questions answered.
Calina glanced infront of her and saw Cell in his previous perfect from, smugly smiling at the group of misfits infront of him.
" Looks like I missed. " Calina felt her skin crawl as his voice met her ears, she never wanted to hear him speak again.
The group behind her was silent, except for Vegeta, who was crying out in rage. Calina turned to see the assailant behind her who had pushed her, or rather pulled her to the ground. It was Tunks.
The harsh winds of the borderlands had begun to blow sand atop his, still warm, dead body. Trunks's stiff hand was on her calf, clutching tightly as blood from his wound began to soak into her shoes.
She screamed the loudest she had ever screamed. Calina was terrified and enraged, one of the only other Saiyans, besides Gohan, that she had grown to love on this planet was dead. Even if it was his older future self. Calina helplessly kicked away Trunks's hand and scooted backwards, getting yards from him before stopping.
Everyone was surprised, and upset but Vegeta was much more than that, he'd become overcome with wrath. In a one shot lunge, he disappeared from eyesight and blasted Cell with an attack that could have easily destroyed all of them. The hot, white light that followed caused everyone to flinch.
The seconds before the dust cleared was hopeful, but as it settled it was clear that the direct attack had no damage.
" Funny thing about you Saiyans, the more you get hurt, the better you bounce back! All I needed was a near death experience to turn me from a fighter, to a God.. And thanks to Goku, I can do this now, too.." Cell spoke and as he did he brought up his right hand and placed two fingers onto his forehead. Simultaneously disappearing and reappearing.
" Wonderful, just wonderful. It's going to make it so much easier to blow this planet up and transport wherever I want to go." Cell's talking had continued for far too long, and Vegeta attempted again to attack him. This time Cell easily threw him and prepared to kill him.
" I have no use for this planet any longer, but I think I'll stick around to pick you off one by one.."
The fight progressed quickly, and before Calina could register what had happened, Gohan had thrown himself infront of Vegeta and blocked Cell's attack from killing him. In the process the blast had broken his arm.
The look of exhaustion within the group was obvious, but still everyone gained to their feet and prepared to fight to the death. Calina quickly grew to her feet and raced over to Gohan's side.
Gohan looked up at her, bewildered and ashamed, but Calina had nothing but pride in her eyes. He had risked his own life to save a friend, he was him after all.
" I can fix this- " Calina spoke quickly, but Cell was already attacking from afar. Calina wouldn't have any time to try to heal him or Vegeta, Cell wanted to end this before one of them pulled a counter attack.
Calina grabbed onto Vegeta and pulled him from the direct line of attack, something he'd immediately scorn her for, but he was in no shape to fight back. Cell's hands let out a terribly powerful chi blast, one that looked eerily similar to Goku's, and as he spoke, Calina knew why.
" Ka..Me..ha..me.." Cell's dark tone writhed in joy as he spoke the syllables of Goku's trademark attack. Gohan countered with the same attack, but his was unsizeably smaller than Cell's.
In his attempts earlier to heal everyone else, he hadn't tried to heal himself. Staying in his high powered Saiyan form was starting to take a toll on him physically and Calina knew he was doing everything in his power to just hold on.
The training with Piccolo had made her stronger, mentally and physically. But what had really given her was confidence in herself. Without that she would never of been able to stand up to a foe with as much strength as she now had. Calina left Vegeta's side and appeared behind Gohan. There was no time to heal him but she could extend what energy she had in her, to him. It wasn't much but it could help him power up enough to stop cell.
The more seconds that trickled by the larger the energy blast got. It would no longer just destroy her and Gohan, if he failed against Cell, the energy attack infront of them would obliterate the Earth.
Calina placed her hands against the bare skin of his back and closed her eyes, focusing on what she needed to do and nothing else. Her training was just that, experiments and attempts at trying to master a skill. This was her first time using it in the field, she knew she couldn't fail.
"Dad.." Calina's eyes opened just slightly as Gohan spoke aloud to himself.
" Dad I'm so sorry, I got you killed.." Calina could feel the muscles in his back tighten as he fought off tears. The Chi attack infront of them began to grow and Calina could barely see the light from the energy was so bright.
Gohan was speaking to someone, but Calina couldn't understand who. A small blast shook them from his focus and Calina looked up and behind Cell.
Prince Vegeta hovered above them, panting and shaking as he prepared to fire another attack at Cell.
It took a few moments for Calina to understand what was happening, but once she fully took in the situation she knew. They were distracting him so Gohan could get the upper hand, and she would make sure it didn't go unnoticed.
Calina's hands began to glow a bright green as her energy began to flow into Gohan. The moment his body began to restore it's health he took an unexpected deep breath, as though he hadn't had one in hours. Tien and Krillin also joined in with Yamcha and Vegeta in attacking Cell from affar, everyone trying to do their part in chipping away at Cell before he had a chance to notice what was happening.
With a sudden loss of energy, Calina felt Gohan's body absorb any energy she had and use it to attack Cell. With a prideful scream and blistering attack, Calina watched on for a few moments as Gohan pushed forward, moments after her muscles and body fatigued enough that she blacked out.