Notes: This chapter reinforces some of the oddness that may have been overlooked in the previous chapter, as well as introduces two other characters that play important roles in Dragon Ball Z. Slowly but surely, things are expanding. And to tim33, I thank you for your compliments and your keen notice of detail and grammatical knowledge. I am aware of the mistake in dealing with allusion/illusion and intend to change it as soon as possible. As for the word undermine, it was meant in context to "weaken" or "undercut." But perhaps, I'm completely wrong in my usage, as you stated and I may change it as well.  Thank you once again. Anyway, I hope that everyone is in character and that you enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: Dragon Ball Z and its characters are the property of Akira Toriyama.


Chapter 4: Bakuro

Faye couldn't take it anymore. Being left alone in the place that moments ago was to serve as the stage for her death was making her anxious. Not to mention the fact that Cell could pop in at any minute and finish what he started, she reflected critically.

Despite the strange occurrences, it was the newly developed fear of death that put Faye on edge. It was an irony, as well as a new weakness that gave Cell yet another advantage over her. As though the fact that he was the most powerful being on Earth and belligerently evil weren't enough.

So rather than stand and face Cell like some imprudently brave lunatic, Faye had began walking. She knew she being cowardly, but the altruistic rage that had driven her to contemplate murder had been dulled after receiving a proverbial slap from reality.

She could do absolutely nothing to hurt Cell. All of her efforts, her rudeness had done little but pose him some amusement. And why shouldn't it have? She was after all, just a 'common cliché.' Faye humph-ed in displeasure at the reminder as she continued to cross the rocky landscape. I was a joke to him. My suffering was just some kind of game. 

Faye felt the same spark of hatred that had spurned her begin to burn, but hastily quelled it. Yet for some reason, I'm still standing. Healed of any and all injury and going on my not-so-merry way with no sight of Cell.

Sighing lightly, Faye kicked a small rock ahead of her. So where does that leave me? I have no revenge, no heavenly choir and no one to return to. What a useless excuse for a life…

A sharp "ding" sound caused Faye to look up from the ground and smile slightly. The rock she had been kicking had bounced off the hood of her car, something that would have otherwise annoyed her. But the relief she felt at seeing something familiar, albeit horribly outdated, overshadowed any negative feelings.

But as Faye made her way closer to the vehicle, the unthinkable happened. Before she could even blink, the car exploded, sending pieces of metal and mechanical parts flying. Coughing loudly and blinking in shock, Faye then glanced upwards irately. Scant feet above her, with one arm extended and golden light dulling in his outstretched hand, floated Cell.

Noticing the venomous expression of spite on his face, Faye bit back an insult and stepped backwards. Damn…this is definitely not good.

~*~

Cell watched smugly as anger and hesitation crossed her face when she connected him to the destruction of her vehicle. When she moved away from the desolation, his developing theory was confirmed, she was indeed afraid of him.

It was an affirmation that gave him the slightest hint of pleasure. Her earlier bravado had been merely the product of her rage, once that emotion had spent, she was just another human. Yet it was also that fact that vexed him. 'Just another human' had been able to humiliate him.

Cell's enjoyment left him. 

"I must say that I'm offended." He called out as he began to descend. "After going through so much trouble to insult me, the moment I vanish you decide to leave. Surely you were raised with better manners than that."

Cell touched down on the ground and masked a smirk when he noticed the young woman's darkened expression. He had come to know another one of her weaknesses, for his mocking of her dead family usually caused her to react unpredictably and often stupidly.

And this time was no exception.

"How I was raised in none of your business." She fairly snarled, clenching her fists tightly.

Cell frowned at her tone. How quickly she forgets the precariousness of her situation. 

"Perhaps." He spoke aloud coolly as he drew towards her. "However, I have no doubt that those who did raise you would find you as much of a disappointment as I do." 

Her face paled at his words and for a moment, Cell wondered if she was going to enact the most useless of human rituals and begin to cry. Yet as quickly as her expression had wavered, it hardened once again. Without warning, the girl ran forward, most likely ready to kick, scream and fight like the unbalanced person she was, until she was granted death.

Cell wasn't about to give her the chance. Faster than human eyes could perceive, he moved until he was directly before her. Unnoticed and unseen, he reached out , grasped the girl by her throat and raised her above his head…

~*~

Faye didn't know what happened. One moment she had blindly attacked Cell and the next she was tightly held at the neck. She gasped, the strength of Cell's grip nearly overwhelming.

"Tell me my dear, how exactly did you think this was going to end?" He inquired evilly. "With a last moment rescue perhaps? Or did you believe that I would simply let you go?" Cell relaxed his grip in the slightest. "If so, then you are not only foolish, but unduly naïve as well."

Faye tried her best to inhale and gripped Cell's larger fingers in a futile attempt to wedge them from her throat. "Let go." She whispered nearly inaudibly.

Cell stared at her mockingly. "I don't think so. Though I do admit the change in your appearance is nothing short of mystifying, your time to enjoy it has ended."

This is really it, Faye thought despondently. I wanted to join Mom, Dad and Adamu so badly before and it looks like I'm finally getting the chance. She mentally readied herself for the inevitable snap and received an even greater surprise. A panicked look suddenly crossed Cell's face and with no known rationale or motive, he carelessly dropped Faye to the ground.

The oxygen-deprived teenager tried to breathe in as much air as possible, in result making deep heaving gasps that caused her chest of burn with a pain that nearly matched her bruised throat.

Faye glanced cautiously at Cell and her eyes widened when she saw him crouched on the ground, mirroring her movements. What the… I'm the one he was strangling, so why is he chocking?

~*~

Far above the ground, in a palace that seemed almost out of place against the blue sky, the young, Namek-se-jin known as Dende brooded. The Kami of Earth felt a surge of undeniable worry and given the fact that the final battle with Cell was days away, it was to be expected. Yet he couldn't help but wonder if that was the true source of his apprehension.

Earlier that day he had sensed a remarkable ki, one that definitely warranted consideration. But before he could bring it to attention, the ki vanished. He had found it most disturbing.

"Dende-sama," Mr. Popo's serene voice came from behind the Namek-se-jin, interrupting his thoughts. "Are you still concerned about the ki we sensed earlier?"

Dende turned to face his wise companion. "I'm afraid so Popo." He admitted warily. "I know it seems to be a small matter, especially in comparison to the problems that have been caused by Cell lately, but I jut can't stop thinking about it."

"It was a most unusual ki signature." Mr. Popo agreed. "And for it to disappear so quickly is very strange."

Dende nodded. "But what bothers me the most is the fact that this ki, wherever it went, wasn't human."