CHAPTER 24 – Three's a Crowd
Cell continued to pummel Vegeta with punches and kicks. What perplexed the android was the fact that Vegeta wasn't returning blows and he only half heartedly blocked his attacks.
Their mid air battle came to a halt when Vegeta left himself wide open and Cell's fist hit him square in the jaw. Vegeta's head twisted to one side and he floated backwards a few meters as Cell straightened himself. "What's wrong Vegeta? Did you forget how to fight? All those boring years of peace must have made you weak."
Vegeta began to laugh softly and he slowly turned his head and then his body to look upon the surprised android. Cell realized after his attack, the Saiyan remained unharmed. "Hahaha, weak? I've had better fights with my nine year old son."
"Trunks? Ha! How amusing. You are forgetting that I easily defeated his future version."
"Future Trunks didn't have me to contend with. Face it android, you are a waste of my time."
"Oh really?!" Cell powered up and his ki aura flared. He launched another attack and this time his blows came much harder and faster.
Cell's left knee found its way to Vegeta's stomach causing the Saiyan to lose his breath. It was instantly followed by a front right elbow to Vegeta's jaw. The Prince thought, 'Finally, we are getting somewhere.' Now he had to somehow get the android fired up. The instant Cell broke from his attack, Vegeta back fisted him, sending the android flying. Then Vegeta dropped his altitude to where he could feel the heat from the roaring blue fires that burned next to the cliffs below. Cell stopped and charged at the Prince with lightning speed. But Vegeta was faster, and he seemed to disappear when Cell reached him. The android finally was able to slow his ascent and turned to locate the Saiyan. Then he jumped, "Augh!" Flames had licked at his exoskeleton wings, scorching their tips. He looked up to find Vegeta smirking at him with his arms crossed.
Cell rushed up and past the unwavering Prince. Suddenly, Vegeta felt another presence and looked to his left. Cell took the opportunity and shot a ki beam at the distracted Prince. The blast hit Vegeta head on and he went flying backwards; slamming into the side of the cliff.
Cell floated down next to the newcomer who was gawking at the hole that swallowed the Saiyan Prince. He too looked down to admire his handy work. Then debris erupted from within and both jumped a little when they heard Vegeta's cry echo through the gorge. "Aaaaaahhhhhh, KUSO SEN!"
Cell leaned over and chuckled, "I think he's talking to you." Sen managed to close her mouth and nodded. Cell didn't care for the interruption either. His brow narrowed and he warned, "Might be a good time for you make yourself scarce." But it was too late. Vegeta was hovering among the swirling rubble in front of the crater and he was glaring at Sen. He let out another battle cry and this time he released a ki beam with it. Narrowly dodging the blast, they both looked to where Vegeta once was. Instantly they jerked around to see Vegeta hitting the ball of energy back at them. Sen shot upwards to avoid contact, but Cell stood his ground, smiling. With his hands reached out in front of him, Cell braced for impact. With a yell, he caught and held the energy but found he was unable to change its force of direction. So he twisted around the ball and let it go, sending it into the fires below. The blast caused hot blue and green cinders to fly about. The frustrated Cell examined his scolded hands.
Sen was enjoying the display of fireworks when she heard Vegeta speaking into her ear. "You've been a bad girl -" She looked over her shoulder to find Vegeta right behind her, "-and look were it got you."
"Look Vegeta, I came here on my own accord."
Vegeta glanced over her shoulder to see Cell coming at them, "Your third mistake. Strike three and YOU'RE OUT!" He grabbed Sen's arm and threw her aside, sending her reeling to the cliff's ridge just before Cell landed another blow to Vegeta's chest.
Sen was able to right herself and landed easily. She watched the fight and was confused by Vegeta's actions. "Why aren't you fighting back?"
The Prince closed his eyes and crossed his arms in front to block Cell's wave of punches. Then came a spin kick, followed by a back kick which sent Vegeta sailing backwards. Vegeta had dropped his guard, and Cell following, snap kicked him to the chin. The Prince arched backwards and the android flew up and his two feet slammed down on the Prince's chest. Once again, Vegeta became a projectile, this time skidding across the canyon's ridge. A channel of broken ground lay out before him, his body unmoving. Sen ran and followed the path until she came upon the Prince's body.
Sen stood over him, her fists shaking at her sides. "What are you doing?!"
She heard what sounded like a muffled groan and watched as Vegeta's head slowly came forward and he pushed himself up onto his elbows. "Go away!" The Prince stood, rolled his head and stretched his shoulders. He assessed for injuries and frowned when he found only minor ones.
Sen was furious now. Maybe the jerk would listen if she spoke Saiyan. "Zurakaru ze!" (Let's get the HFIL out of here!)
Vegeta was trying to sense were Cell was. "Urusai!" (Shut-up!) When he found Cell, he took off after him.
Upping the stakes, Vegeta charged at Cell with two formed ki balls, one in each hand. He tried to slam the first in the android's face but Cell was able to bat it away. Quickly, Vegeta swung behind and shoved the other in Cell's back. The explosion pushed them apart. Vegeta waited in a ready stance for Cell to comeback at him.
Cell approached cautiously as he called to the Prince, "Why didn't you follow through? You had me with that one."
Smirking, Vegeta replied, "Oh well."
"Still want to fight Buu?"
Vegeta nodded mischievously, "Still want to stop me?"
"That is the plan!" Cell made a rush for the Prince, this time with his own surprise. Suddenly there were four Cells. They surrounded Vegeta, attacking him at every angle.
When Sen heard Vegeta's grunts of pain, she jumped to the air and flew high above. She lowered her ki so they couldn't detect her coming. Then Sen turned kicking her feet out behind and extended her arms in front. She dropped, aiming straight for the center of the fighting mass. Gravity was her only propulsion and she gained speed as she fell. Right before meeting her target, Sen opened her hands. She cut right through the fighting Cells, pushing Vegeta on through. When they both cleared the attackers, Sen gripped Vegeta's shoulders and pulled back to stop their descent. Her aura flared light blue with reignited ki, and she blasted off with Vegeta in tow.
Vegeta slowly pulled his head back to look to see who had a hold of him. He was not surprised. He reached up and grabbed Sen's wrist plate and stopped midair, causing Sen to flip forward, slamming into Vegeta. Twisting her arm, Sen came around to face him. His cold eyes burrowed into hers as he spoke through gritted teeth. "I will destroy you, if that's what it takes for you to leave me alone."
She closed her eyes. Nothing would give her more pleasure. She growled, "I would love nothing more then to leave your sorry ass behind, but Yama is looking for you." She sighed and opened her eyes. "He thinking the hole freaking Universe is about to go to shit, and for some (she rolled her eyes) Gods knows why reason, everyone thinks you should be one of its saviors."
"Hsst. Why should I care, why should you? I– we reside on another plain."
"Because they do! They care about Earth, they care about the Universe, they even care about the f**king Prince of Saiyans."
Vegeta glared at Sen for moment then let her go. He crossed his arms and looked away. "You know nothing."
"Its unfortunate, but I'm afraid I do."
"Yes! Tell us all you know!" It was Cell. Visibly annoyed, he hovered close by with his arms crossed.
Sen looked over at the green freakish bug looking android then back to Vegeta, "Why are you wasting time with jeepers' creepers over there? You are way out of his league."
Vegeta smirked at Sen. "Think Saiyan, Sen. The stronger our opponent is, the stronger we become. I must become stronger."
"How? By wearing yourself out?! This is ludicrous!"
"Grrrr...baka onna! Haven't you ever comeback from near death?!"
"No, not really."
"Then you should TRY IT SOME TIME!"
Cell moved in, "I hate to break-up your little quarrel, but we have some unfinished business."
"Look, there's no time. You are needed now." Sen raised her two fingers up to her forehead and reached for Vegeta. But she only grabbed air. Cell had shoved the Prince out of the way and blasted Sen in the chest, sending her out of site. She rode the blast while the whole time cursing Vegeta.
Vegeta instantly came up behind and got Cell in a head lock. "Leave her out of this, freak!"
Realizing that Vegeta's allegiance was waning, Cell brought up his fists and began to power up to his full potential. Despite Vegeta's hold on his neck, he was able to let out a lengthy battle cry. A grin appeared on the Prince's face, he let go, and came around to face him. Cell's eyes and veins were bulging from the strain. His body began to float upwards from the emanating ki force.
This was it; Vegeta calculated the creature's ki. Now he lowered his own ki enough for Cell to hurt him good. It was risky; if he wasn't careful the android could end his existence.
When he was finished, Cell smirked at the look of surprise on Vegeta's face as he brought his hands together at his side. A white ball of energy appeared between them with streams of light escaping through his fingers.
Vegeta continued to play his cards by taking a mock ready stance. "The kamahamaha wave, how original."
"Maybe not original, but certainly lethal!" Thrusting his hands at Vegeta, Cell released his attack. His expression changed to confusion. The Saiyan did little to counter the move.
Bracing himself, Vegeta waited for impact. When the energy wave hit, it slowed, and engulfed him, trapping him within. Then it hurled the Prince into the burning inferno below. A tidal wave of blue flames and white hot cinders surged outward in all directions. The stream of energy disappeared into the folds of the fire and then the ground began to tremble. Suddenly, an explosive surge of fire and ash shot skyward and dissipated, leaving a billowing tower of black smoke fueled by the renewed inferno below.
Back at the cliff's edge, Sen gasped, leaped into the air after the surge. She rushed near to where Vegeta had entered the blaze. Shielding her face from the heat, smoke, and debris, Sen tried to sense the Prince's ki. She felt him, his power was way down, but it was moving. The warrior focused to trace his signature. She would locate the Prince and get him out of here...no matter what it took.
Sen was about to move when she felt four other ki's. She jumped, pulling her feet up, allowing Jeice to speed by. She felt another behind, and before she could turn and block, a doubled fist came crashing down between her shoulder blades. Stunned, she was only able to maneuver for impact as the ground raced up to meet her. Her feet hit first and the ground broke beneath. Unable to keep her balance, Sen fell forward onto her hands and knees.
Cell watched the female go to Vegeta's aid only to be hurled to the valley below by one of the idiotic Ginyu. He crossed his arms and dropped to the ground, below where Sen had hovered. The android walked towards the towering wall of blue fire and watched for signs of life.
The four Ginyu surrounded Sen in a semicircle. Mentally, she scanned the area for energy signatures to map out what she was up against. She could feel Cell moving but her attention was drawn to another that came down directly in front of her. Sen gasped and grimaced. The warrior knew without looking that it was the one being she never wanted to face.
Cell continued to pummel Vegeta with punches and kicks. What perplexed the android was the fact that Vegeta wasn't returning blows and he only half heartedly blocked his attacks.
Their mid air battle came to a halt when Vegeta left himself wide open and Cell's fist hit him square in the jaw. Vegeta's head twisted to one side and he floated backwards a few meters as Cell straightened himself. "What's wrong Vegeta? Did you forget how to fight? All those boring years of peace must have made you weak."
Vegeta began to laugh softly and he slowly turned his head and then his body to look upon the surprised android. Cell realized after his attack, the Saiyan remained unharmed. "Hahaha, weak? I've had better fights with my nine year old son."
"Trunks? Ha! How amusing. You are forgetting that I easily defeated his future version."
"Future Trunks didn't have me to contend with. Face it android, you are a waste of my time."
"Oh really?!" Cell powered up and his ki aura flared. He launched another attack and this time his blows came much harder and faster.
Cell's left knee found its way to Vegeta's stomach causing the Saiyan to lose his breath. It was instantly followed by a front right elbow to Vegeta's jaw. The Prince thought, 'Finally, we are getting somewhere.' Now he had to somehow get the android fired up. The instant Cell broke from his attack, Vegeta back fisted him, sending the android flying. Then Vegeta dropped his altitude to where he could feel the heat from the roaring blue fires that burned next to the cliffs below. Cell stopped and charged at the Prince with lightning speed. But Vegeta was faster, and he seemed to disappear when Cell reached him. The android finally was able to slow his ascent and turned to locate the Saiyan. Then he jumped, "Augh!" Flames had licked at his exoskeleton wings, scorching their tips. He looked up to find Vegeta smirking at him with his arms crossed.
Cell rushed up and past the unwavering Prince. Suddenly, Vegeta felt another presence and looked to his left. Cell took the opportunity and shot a ki beam at the distracted Prince. The blast hit Vegeta head on and he went flying backwards; slamming into the side of the cliff.
Cell floated down next to the newcomer who was gawking at the hole that swallowed the Saiyan Prince. He too looked down to admire his handy work. Then debris erupted from within and both jumped a little when they heard Vegeta's cry echo through the gorge. "Aaaaaahhhhhh, KUSO SEN!"
Cell leaned over and chuckled, "I think he's talking to you." Sen managed to close her mouth and nodded. Cell didn't care for the interruption either. His brow narrowed and he warned, "Might be a good time for you make yourself scarce." But it was too late. Vegeta was hovering among the swirling rubble in front of the crater and he was glaring at Sen. He let out another battle cry and this time he released a ki beam with it. Narrowly dodging the blast, they both looked to where Vegeta once was. Instantly they jerked around to see Vegeta hitting the ball of energy back at them. Sen shot upwards to avoid contact, but Cell stood his ground, smiling. With his hands reached out in front of him, Cell braced for impact. With a yell, he caught and held the energy but found he was unable to change its force of direction. So he twisted around the ball and let it go, sending it into the fires below. The blast caused hot blue and green cinders to fly about. The frustrated Cell examined his scolded hands.
Sen was enjoying the display of fireworks when she heard Vegeta speaking into her ear. "You've been a bad girl -" She looked over her shoulder to find Vegeta right behind her, "-and look were it got you."
"Look Vegeta, I came here on my own accord."
Vegeta glanced over her shoulder to see Cell coming at them, "Your third mistake. Strike three and YOU'RE OUT!" He grabbed Sen's arm and threw her aside, sending her reeling to the cliff's ridge just before Cell landed another blow to Vegeta's chest.
Sen was able to right herself and landed easily. She watched the fight and was confused by Vegeta's actions. "Why aren't you fighting back?"
The Prince closed his eyes and crossed his arms in front to block Cell's wave of punches. Then came a spin kick, followed by a back kick which sent Vegeta sailing backwards. Vegeta had dropped his guard, and Cell following, snap kicked him to the chin. The Prince arched backwards and the android flew up and his two feet slammed down on the Prince's chest. Once again, Vegeta became a projectile, this time skidding across the canyon's ridge. A channel of broken ground lay out before him, his body unmoving. Sen ran and followed the path until she came upon the Prince's body.
Sen stood over him, her fists shaking at her sides. "What are you doing?!"
She heard what sounded like a muffled groan and watched as Vegeta's head slowly came forward and he pushed himself up onto his elbows. "Go away!" The Prince stood, rolled his head and stretched his shoulders. He assessed for injuries and frowned when he found only minor ones.
Sen was furious now. Maybe the jerk would listen if she spoke Saiyan. "Zurakaru ze!" (Let's get the HFIL out of here!)
Vegeta was trying to sense were Cell was. "Urusai!" (Shut-up!) When he found Cell, he took off after him.
Upping the stakes, Vegeta charged at Cell with two formed ki balls, one in each hand. He tried to slam the first in the android's face but Cell was able to bat it away. Quickly, Vegeta swung behind and shoved the other in Cell's back. The explosion pushed them apart. Vegeta waited in a ready stance for Cell to comeback at him.
Cell approached cautiously as he called to the Prince, "Why didn't you follow through? You had me with that one."
Smirking, Vegeta replied, "Oh well."
"Still want to fight Buu?"
Vegeta nodded mischievously, "Still want to stop me?"
"That is the plan!" Cell made a rush for the Prince, this time with his own surprise. Suddenly there were four Cells. They surrounded Vegeta, attacking him at every angle.
When Sen heard Vegeta's grunts of pain, she jumped to the air and flew high above. She lowered her ki so they couldn't detect her coming. Then Sen turned kicking her feet out behind and extended her arms in front. She dropped, aiming straight for the center of the fighting mass. Gravity was her only propulsion and she gained speed as she fell. Right before meeting her target, Sen opened her hands. She cut right through the fighting Cells, pushing Vegeta on through. When they both cleared the attackers, Sen gripped Vegeta's shoulders and pulled back to stop their descent. Her aura flared light blue with reignited ki, and she blasted off with Vegeta in tow.
Vegeta slowly pulled his head back to look to see who had a hold of him. He was not surprised. He reached up and grabbed Sen's wrist plate and stopped midair, causing Sen to flip forward, slamming into Vegeta. Twisting her arm, Sen came around to face him. His cold eyes burrowed into hers as he spoke through gritted teeth. "I will destroy you, if that's what it takes for you to leave me alone."
She closed her eyes. Nothing would give her more pleasure. She growled, "I would love nothing more then to leave your sorry ass behind, but Yama is looking for you." She sighed and opened her eyes. "He thinking the hole freaking Universe is about to go to shit, and for some (she rolled her eyes) Gods knows why reason, everyone thinks you should be one of its saviors."
"Hsst. Why should I care, why should you? I– we reside on another plain."
"Because they do! They care about Earth, they care about the Universe, they even care about the f**king Prince of Saiyans."
Vegeta glared at Sen for moment then let her go. He crossed his arms and looked away. "You know nothing."
"Its unfortunate, but I'm afraid I do."
"Yes! Tell us all you know!" It was Cell. Visibly annoyed, he hovered close by with his arms crossed.
Sen looked over at the green freakish bug looking android then back to Vegeta, "Why are you wasting time with jeepers' creepers over there? You are way out of his league."
Vegeta smirked at Sen. "Think Saiyan, Sen. The stronger our opponent is, the stronger we become. I must become stronger."
"How? By wearing yourself out?! This is ludicrous!"
"Grrrr...baka onna! Haven't you ever comeback from near death?!"
"No, not really."
"Then you should TRY IT SOME TIME!"
Cell moved in, "I hate to break-up your little quarrel, but we have some unfinished business."
"Look, there's no time. You are needed now." Sen raised her two fingers up to her forehead and reached for Vegeta. But she only grabbed air. Cell had shoved the Prince out of the way and blasted Sen in the chest, sending her out of site. She rode the blast while the whole time cursing Vegeta.
Vegeta instantly came up behind and got Cell in a head lock. "Leave her out of this, freak!"
Realizing that Vegeta's allegiance was waning, Cell brought up his fists and began to power up to his full potential. Despite Vegeta's hold on his neck, he was able to let out a lengthy battle cry. A grin appeared on the Prince's face, he let go, and came around to face him. Cell's eyes and veins were bulging from the strain. His body began to float upwards from the emanating ki force.
This was it; Vegeta calculated the creature's ki. Now he lowered his own ki enough for Cell to hurt him good. It was risky; if he wasn't careful the android could end his existence.
When he was finished, Cell smirked at the look of surprise on Vegeta's face as he brought his hands together at his side. A white ball of energy appeared between them with streams of light escaping through his fingers.
Vegeta continued to play his cards by taking a mock ready stance. "The kamahamaha wave, how original."
"Maybe not original, but certainly lethal!" Thrusting his hands at Vegeta, Cell released his attack. His expression changed to confusion. The Saiyan did little to counter the move.
Bracing himself, Vegeta waited for impact. When the energy wave hit, it slowed, and engulfed him, trapping him within. Then it hurled the Prince into the burning inferno below. A tidal wave of blue flames and white hot cinders surged outward in all directions. The stream of energy disappeared into the folds of the fire and then the ground began to tremble. Suddenly, an explosive surge of fire and ash shot skyward and dissipated, leaving a billowing tower of black smoke fueled by the renewed inferno below.
Back at the cliff's edge, Sen gasped, leaped into the air after the surge. She rushed near to where Vegeta had entered the blaze. Shielding her face from the heat, smoke, and debris, Sen tried to sense the Prince's ki. She felt him, his power was way down, but it was moving. The warrior focused to trace his signature. She would locate the Prince and get him out of here...no matter what it took.
Sen was about to move when she felt four other ki's. She jumped, pulling her feet up, allowing Jeice to speed by. She felt another behind, and before she could turn and block, a doubled fist came crashing down between her shoulder blades. Stunned, she was only able to maneuver for impact as the ground raced up to meet her. Her feet hit first and the ground broke beneath. Unable to keep her balance, Sen fell forward onto her hands and knees.
Cell watched the female go to Vegeta's aid only to be hurled to the valley below by one of the idiotic Ginyu. He crossed his arms and dropped to the ground, below where Sen had hovered. The android walked towards the towering wall of blue fire and watched for signs of life.
The four Ginyu surrounded Sen in a semicircle. Mentally, she scanned the area for energy signatures to map out what she was up against. She could feel Cell moving but her attention was drawn to another that came down directly in front of her. Sen gasped and grimaced. The warrior knew without looking that it was the one being she never wanted to face.