Dragon Ball Z: Dynasty
Written by: Feraligreater328 and StevenBodner
Edited by: StevenBodner and SparkerLightning
Chapter 96: The Games Begin
Mt. Paozu, Goku and Chi-Chi's house...
The door to Goku's house opened up and, one-by-one, they filed out. Dressed in their finest fighting finery and ready for war, the Z-Fighters were ready for the day they had ahead of them. The sun was cresting over the eastern hills of Mt. Paozu as, for possibly the final times, the warriors conferred with their families.
Chi-Chi was holding the slumbering Goten and Chika tight against her chest, their tails intertwined with one another. As Ox-King massaged her shoulders to try and keep her calm, Chi-Chi looked up at Goku with sadness and worry in her eyes. "You'd better come back in one piece, Goku! We...we need you, ya know..."
Goku nodded, placing his hands atop Goten and Chika's heads. "I know, Chi-Chi. I know."
Chi-Chi stood on her tip toes, giving Goku a brief, but forceful kiss on the lips. It was clear that she was a nervous wreck. Goku chuckled. "Well, I mean...look on the bright side, Chi-Chi~ Once this is over, you won't have to deal with my hair being blonde anymore."
Chi-Chi didn't laugh though, instead, she buried her face into her husband's chest. "I don't care if you stay blonde for the rest of our lives, just come home. Okay?"
Goku gently nodded, wrapping his arms around Chi-Chi. "Okay, honey. I promise."
Gohan stepped up to his mother and father. "You don't have to worry, Mom! We're all ready! Cell might be strong, but he can't win against all of us~!"
Chi-Chi and Goku both looked down at Gohan, a fire burning in the boy's eyes. Goku couldn't help but crack a smile at the sight of his boy looking so determined. Chi-Chi reached out and grabbed him, pulling him into their family huddle. "You'd better stay safe too! Goku was born a warrior, I can't help that. But you..."
Chi-Chi's voice broke, but she maintained composure. "When you were born, I never pictured you being one of the ones to go out and fight threats like everyone else does. I... I'm proud of you...but please don't let yourself get hurt. If things get too hectic, just run! Please..."
Gohan gripped his fist. "I can't do that, Mom! Just like everyone else...I have things I want to protect! You, Goten, Chika, Grandpa Ox! And everyone else! If it comes down to me fighting Cell to keep you all safe, I'll fight him with everything I have!"
The notion of Gohan having to fight that hateful monster made Chi-Chi shudder. Goku, while outwardly positive, felt a deep, uncomfortable ache on the inside. Gohan smiled. "Right, Dad?!"
Goku took a deep breath and sighed, giving his son a smile. "Attaboy, Gohan. Let's do this..."
As Goku's family talked amongst themselves, Bardock and Gine stood off to one side. Bardock shook his head. "No, Gine! You need to stay here!"
Standing there, wearing a dark teal variant of Bulma's armor with a pink body suit, black gloves, and black boots was Gine. She gripped her fists tight. "Bardock! This...this isn't like the Androids from before. This is different! C-Cell is exactly like Frieza was so...even if I don't like to...I-I have to help fight! Please!"
Bardock crossed his arms, a scowl on his face. He closed his eyes and pressed his fingers to his forehead, remembering the vision of the future from the Time Chamber. A golden, raging silhouette stood up to Cell, but at that figure's feet was...
The older Saiyan shook his head. "No. You need to stay here in case shit goes south. If we all die, you and Bulma need to take everyone and get the hell off of this planet! You guys might be our last hope, if all else fails, Gine. I need you to be here for me, in case things become irreparably bleak. You might be the only hope we have, at the end of the day..."
Gine gritted her teeth, tears welling in the corners of her eyes. "B-Bardock..."
Bardock grabbed Gine, lifting her off the ground and holding her close. "Gine, my love, I've always trusted you. You've always been loyal, never mislead me, never lied to me or turned your back on me...you trust that I would treat you the same way, right?"
Gine grabbed Bardock by the back of his head and pressed her forehead to his. "I have so much faith in you, Bardock. I always have. Just...please don't be reckless, okay?"
Bardock paused for a moment, and then he closed his eyes. "I'll try and handle things as safely as possible..."
Meanwhile, over with Bulma. She adjusted the straps on his new armor. "And you're sure that everything fits right? No loose spots or negative pressure on areas of circulation?"
Vegeta rolled his eyes. "I'm not a damned child, woman. I know how to dress myself appropriately..."
Bulma was frantic, her parents standing behind her with Baby Trunks slumbering in Panchy's arms. Bulma growled in frustration. "I-I know you are! I'm just stressed, okay?! This is a lot to take in all at once! And last time we faced down this monster, you and Trunks and the Trunks from the future all-"
Vegeta pressed his hand over Bulma's mouth. She and Vegeta stared into each other's eyes. Bulma, gently, reached up and moved Vegeta's hand aside. And then, in front of everyone, she leaned forward and kissed Vegeta, long and passionately. She pulled back and the two of them stared at one another. Bulma spoke in a whisper. "I have all of the faith in the world in you, Vegeta. You'd better not disappoint me out there~"
Vegeta smirked. "Well, look on the bright side. If we all die, you'll be in Heaven and I'll be in Hell. So, you won't have to see me if I fail..."
Bulma smirked. "If you think I wouldn't jump headfirst into damnation to bitch at you, you're dreaming~"
Vegeta chuckled. "Spoken like the future Queen of all Saiyans~"
As the two of them spoke, Raditz held Blonde Launch and Baby Ranch close. Raditz smiled at his luck, his baby being the only one wide awake. She looked up at her father with sparkling eyes and Raditz tenderly brushed her hair out of her face. "Even now...after so long in the Frieza Force...this just doesn't seem real. I keep expecting to wake up from this all like a pleasant dream at any moment..."
Blonde Launch smiled. "Well, it's real Raditz. It's very real."
Raditz chuckled. "I bet you're pretty worried, huh? A non-Super Saiyan going out to fight a Super Saiyans fight..."
Blonde Launch scoffed. "Raditz, I don't pine after losers. Let me make that clear. I've had two men in my life that made my heart swoon, and I know they're both going to go out there and beat the shit out of that monster! Right?!"
"Indeed."
Raditz flinched as a muscled arm wrapped over his shoulder. He turned and saw Tien, looking confident. Chiaotzu floated up on Raditz's other side with a smile. "Don't worry Launch, Tien and I will be there to support Raditz every step of the way~ Cell doesn't stand a chance."
Blonde Launch chuckled. And then, she leaned forward and gave three kisses: one on Chiaotzu's left cheek, one on Tien's right, and one right on Raditz's lips. She pumped her fist. "Give 'em hell, boys! I better be makin' dinner for you three tonight~!"
Meanwhile, Piccolo stood under a shady tree with Dende and Mr. Popo. Dende's eyes were glued to the floor. "This is so disheartening. I...I wish I had more to offer than just making new Dragon Balls..."
Piccolo chuckled, placing his hand atop Dende's head in a brotherly sort of way. Dende looked up and, for a brief moment, he saw Nail's face rather than Piccolo's. He gasped. Piccolo smirked. "Not everyone needs to be a warrior, Dende. You're doing everything you can. And you're doing it remarkably well for a boy your age. You and Gohan really are two of a kind..."
Dende nodded. "I'm glad you think...so..."
Dende and Mr. Popo both looked concerned. Piccolo turned, wondering what they were staring at, and saw Chi-Chi standing right behind him. Chi-Chi looked up at Piccolo, her eyes wet. "Piccolo...I... I know I haven't always been the kindest towards you...but please..."
Piccolo frowned. He wasn't the most empathetic person on the planet, but he could see that something was really bothering Chi-Chi. And, while he wasn't exactly thrilled about it, he gently placed his hand on Chi-Chi's shoulder and motioned her off to the side. "Let's talk."
As the two of them walked off, Future Bulma looked her three kids up and down. Future Trunks was dressed in Saiyan armor that matched Vegeta's. He had his sword buckled around his chest and hanging off of his back. Future Ranch was wearing camouflage pants and a dark blue tank top. Her hair was done up in a taught ponytail that hung all the way down to her butt and she had several bandoliers of Capsule Guns draped over her chest. Future Goten, meanwhile, was dressed in a brown and black version of Goku's outfit, but with long sleeves that ran all the way down his arms and looped over his thumbs. He had his Power Pole hanging from his belt like a sword. The aged scientist smiled at her three, young charges and laughed. "I don't really know what to say here. The three of you look like warriors, but you've always looked like that..."
Future Goten chuckled. "Well, we've been fighting this fight for quite a while now. It's comforting to know that this might actually be the final challenge, though..."
"Isn't it?"
The four of them flinched and turned to see Vegeta walking up. He put his hand on Future Bulma's shoulder and smirked at the Future Trio. "I don't hand out praise often...but the three of you look battle ready..."
Future Ranch rolled her eyes. "Well shit, statements of fact are considered high praise now, huh? I know you need the bar set pretty low, half-pint, but you really can't do any better than that?"
Vegeta glared at Future Ranch, but then smirked. "Fine. Let me just say, I'm sure an uncouth brat like you won't hold us back too much."
Future Ranch smiled back. "And let me just take the time to remind you that, every night, your heir and I are fu-"
Future Goten flinched. Future Trunks, with a chuckle, cut Future Ranch off. He reached out his hand. "Mother...Father...we're going to stop Cell and put Dr. Gero's evil to an end once and for all!"
Future Bulma and Vegeta both looked to one another. Future Bulma smiled with confidence. Vegeta returned the smile. And then, he reached out and grabbed Future Trunks' hand into a firm handshake. "Damn right we are."
Nearer to Goku's door, Android 16, Android 17, and Krillin all gathered around Android 18's wheelchair. The female Android punched her knee and snarled. Gently, a larger hand reached down and blocked her from delivering a second punch. 18 looked up and 16 smiled at her. "I understand that you are frustrated, but please do not harm yourself."
18 frowned. "16..."
Android 16 gripped her hand tight. "When we are finished with Cell, I would love to tour another nature preserve together."
18 nodded. "Right. I'd like that too, 16."
16 hugged her close and she hugged him back. And then, once they separated, 16 turned. "I have one last conversation I would like to engage in before we leave. I will be going now."
As 16 walked off, 17 and Krillin both tried to reassure 18. 17 placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "It's okay to be okay, 18. You don't have to-"
18 cut him off. "This is bullshit! That I have to sit here while you three are sticking your necks out against that disgusting freak! I hate this!"
18 went to punch her knee again, but this time a hand smaller than hers stopped the punch. She turned and glared at Krillin. Krillin smiled. "We know you wanna come along, 18. And that means a lot. We could use a powerful fighter like you out there with us...but the chance of your Infinite Energy Engine malfunctioning while it's still trying to help your body recover it too high. We wouldn't want you to be vulnerable around Cell. If he did something to you..."
17 spoke up. "It's for your own good, sis. If Cell did something to you after all of this, I'm not sure how Krillin, 16, or even I would take it. You get that right...?"
18 crossed her arms, remaining silent and refusing to look at either of them. Krillin and 17 both frowned, but they were used to 18's colder side at this point. Krillin stood and he and 17 looked to one another. Krillin smiled. "Look...we don't want you to come along and get hurt...but that doesn't mean you aren't there with us. We're both heading into this battle knowing you're right there, 18..."
17 smirked. "And don't worry, we'll put in a few hits for you against that insect bastard~"
Meanwhile, Yamcha stood in front of Master Roshi, Turtle, Oolong, Puar, Suno, and Eighter. He chuckled and scratched the back of his head. "Is it weird to say that I'm just hoping I don't get impaled again...?"
The former bandit crossed his arms. "Between the Saibaman, Dr. Gero, and Cell the last time I saw him...I haven't had the best luck with either Androids or green people..."
Oolong nervously chuckled. "Well, that's no reason to be down on yourself, Yamcha..."
Eighter chimed in. "Yeah. Maybe...maybe your opponent will be blue this time..."
Yamcha sighed. "Great...so I can get my butt kicked by the entire rainbow..."
Master Roshi bonked Yamcha on the head with his staff. "Don't be so down on yourself! You're one of my student's, Yamcha! And I don't teach untalented fools! You're just as good a warrior as anyone else here and you need to start acting like it!"
Yamcha rubbed his head. "Ugh...I just...I don't..."
Suno spoke up. "Yamcha..."
Yamcha turned and looked towards Suno. Her face was a red as her hair. She was poking her fingers together. "I...I...um..."
Yamcha walked up to her, placing his hands on her shoulders. "What is it, Suno? You can talk to me if you need to..."
Suno looked to him, a lump in her throat. And then, to both Yamcha and seemingly her surprise, she leaned forward and pressed her lips against his. After the kiss, Suno pulled back and spoke in a nervous, quiet voice. "I believe in you. You can do this. And, when you come back...I'd like to go get dinner together again..."
Yamcha was stunned silent, his eyes wide. Turtle chuckled from the ground. "Young love is always so beautiful~"
Puar landed on Turtle's back, hearts billowing from her eyes. "It certainly is~"
Finally, Goku was standing off by himself. He looked at the sun rising over the hills of Mt. Paozu and then down at his fist. He gripped it tight and remembered the move that Grandpa Gohan had given him. He sighed. "Grandpa..."
"Are you also plagued by images of dead loved ones in your head...?"
Goku flinched and turned to see Android 16 marching up behind him. He shook his head. "No. I'm just...thinking about a conversation I had a few days ago..."
16 nodded. "Hm."
Goku turned to him. "What about you...? You have some lost loved ones you're thinking about?"
16 flinched. "Personally, no. However..."
Goku cocked his head. "What's up?"
16 sighed, closing his eyes and picturing that same woman from before in his mind. He had no context for who she was, but everything within his brain screamed that she was important. And, beyond that, thinking of her for extended periods of time all-but-muted Dr. Gero's "KILL" command. 16 looked to Goku and shook his head. "It is nothing. I just wanted to come and speak to you privately."
Goku smiled, the uncertain look in his eyes fading. "About what?"
16 smiled. "If we both survive this battle, I would like to explore Mt. Paozu with you."
Goku chuckled and gave the hulking Android a pat on the back. "I feel the same way, 16."
And then, with all that was to be said having been said, the warriors gave their final goodbyes, Korin and Yajirobe gave them a huge bag of Senzu Beans, and they took to the air, rocketing off in the direction of the Central Continent with fierce glares of pure determination. Cell wasn't going to take the Earth without a fight!
At the Cell Games Arena...
Cell stood with his eyes closed in the center of the ring as various humans scurried around on the outside surrounding it. The various tech and crew of Jimmy Firecracker's show were trying their best to get cables and cameras up and running without disturbing Cell, afraid that any perceived slight against the monster would end with them reduced to a bloody stain on the ground.
Jimmy Firecracker, however, was not so meek. Exiting his personal car, microphone in hand, the intrepid reporter marched into Cell's ring without waiting for permission and thrusted his microphone into the monster's face. He snapped his fingers at one of his cameramen. "Get us rolling, Larry! The world is waiting for this broadcast!"
The cameraman was stunned at the bravado of his boss, but quickly put up the camera. All around the world, the Jimmy Firecracker Broadcast went live and the first sight the people got was the fearless journalist with his microphone in Cell's face. Firecracker cleared his throat. "Mr. Cell! Jimmy Firecracker! Firecracker Tonight! Here for the pre-tournament interview with you, the hideous beast that's threatening the world at large! Viewers have sent their questions in and are eager to know, how do you feel you stack up against your main challenger, the World Champion: Mr. Satan?!"
One could hear a pin drop as Firecracker's entire crew froze in place. The reporter adjusted his glasses. "Do you need me to repeat the question, sir?"
Cell opened his eyes and turned to Jimmy Firecracker with a genuinely impressed grin. "I must say...of all the meaningless trash I have spoken to leading up to this, you're probably my second favorite after Hiki. I appreciate your courage, human~"
But then, Cell's smile faded. "However, I will say this only once. Unless you intend to fight, you will exit my ring at once. This is your only warning. I have nothing to say to you, nor the miserable vermin cowering around their television sets. The combat-ready genes that make me up are not in the mood to talk...they merely scream in anticipation of a fight~"
Cell's aura flared and crackles of electricity ran through the ground. Jimmy Firecracker was blown back, but did not fall over. He nodded. "I see. The lust for a true battle against a highly-skilled combatant is certainly a feeling any fighter would share. Even a wicked man such as yourself!"
Cell chuckled, feeling flock of high-power levels heading right towards him. He smiled from ear-to-ear. "Oh, you have no idea..."
Back at Goku and Chi-Chi's house...
All of the non-combatant Z-Fighters gathered together in Chi-Chi's living room, watching the television with vested interest. Bulma, Dr. Briefs, Panchy, Future Bulma, Blonde Launch, Suno, Puar, Eighter, Yajirobe, Korin, Dende, Mr. Popo, Roshi, Oolong, and Turtle were all sat on the various couches and chairs set out. Chi-Chi was sat in her rocking chair, her face buried in her hands. Ox-King, meanwhile, was sitting in the background with Trunks, Goten, Chika, and Ranch all cradled in his massive arms.
Android 18, meanwhile, sat in the corner sulking and fuming. Having a clear view of the television from her vantage, the very sight of Cell's Perfect Form filled 18 with a focused, vitriolic rage. She gripped her fists hard enough to make every knuckle pop like a shotgun shell. She, more than anybody, due to having been ingested by that monster, wanted to tear him to pieces.
As 18's temper very nearly snapped in half, however, a mug of tea suddenly plunked down onto the table next to her. Android 18 turned and saw Gine pulling up a den chair, sitting down with a mug of her own. She turned to 18. "Chamomile. Helps to calm the nerves."
18 was taken aback. Gine put on a small smile. "I can get you some honey or sugar if you want. Maybe some milk too, I... don't know if Chi-Chi has any left after breakfast this morning..."
Android 18 didn't say a word, holding the mug with a scowl. Gine took a sip. "Don't feel bad, 18. I get it. That monster...needs a woman's touch, if you know what I mean..."
The tone that Gine said that with had great effect. Against her will, Android 18 let a small chortle out. Very quickly, however, she returned to her serious demeanor. Gine sighed. "Sucks to be forced into the sidelines, huh? Especially when, for the first time in a long time, you want to fight..."
18 took a deep breath and let it out. "I... I'm afraid, okay? For 17, for 16...for...other people..."
Gine nodded. "I'm trying to maintain composure here, but I'm shaking in my boots. My husband saw a vision of the future that he just won't share with me and it's bothering me. Bardock never hides things from me, and yet he won't say what he saw. Just as much as you're worried for your brother, your friend, and the object of your affection...I'm worried for my husband, my sons, and especially my grandson..."
18's intense look faded into one of fear and sadness. She gripped her mug tight. "They say that I need to stay here for my own safety, but..."
Gine finished her sentence, taking a sip of tea. "What is safety worth without the people you care about, right?"
18 nodded. Gine sighed. "Just drink your tea, dear. And remember, we're two of the fastest people on this planet, in a pinch."
Android 18 gasped, looking at Gine and the hawkish way the Saiyan mother was glaring at the television. Nodding, the female Android began to drink her tea as well.
And, as the two of them drank, Jimmy Firecracker began to freak out on the TV. "Ladies and Gentlemen! Is that...? IT IS! That's his limousine! Ladies and Gentlemen, THE CHAMP IS HERE!"
Back at the Cell Games Arena...
An all-white, stretch limousine with bull horns attached to the hood pulled up next to the Cell Games arena. The door to the vehicle kicked open and out he stepped. Towering like a muscle-bound skyscraper and with a full head of curly, black hair was the World Martial Arts Champion: the imposing Mr. Satan!
The World Champion threw his arm out, making his flowing white cape flourish, and then jabbed his pointer finger directly at the monster standing in the ring. "You!"
Jimmy Firecracker cheered into his microphone. "Ladies and Gentlemen, hope has arrived for the meek and the downtrodden! The mighty Mr. Satan is here and that arrival has kicked to start the doomsday clock for the insectoid monster's final downfall! The only question here folks is thus: will Mr. Satan even break a sweat against this latest frightening foe?!"
Mr. Satan put on a show, puffing out his chest and talking down to the monster. "I've seen how you work, Cell! You're nothing more than a flashy joke! All sizzle, no steak! You elaborate deceptions might fool the untrained eye, but you won't catch good ol' Mr. Satan lackin'! Pre-set explosives?! Ridiculous! Flashy gadgets?! Pathetic! That ugly, bug suit you're wearing?! I've seen dollar costumes stores with better outfits!"
Mr. Satan flexed one of his arms, showing his bulging muscles through his gi. "But the people whose lives you've taken for your little stunts? Those are very real! And you won't get away with all of the lives you've ruined, monster! Your insults to martial arts, and your disregard for innocent life has only served to land you a one-way trip to the heel of my boot!"
Jimmy Firecracker and his crew all cheered the mighty Mr. Satan as he finished his monologue. Firecracker smirked. "And there we have it, folks! Mr. Satan has laid down the law! And Cell has been rendered utterly speechless by the Champs impassioned words!"
Standing in his ring, Cell was truly rendered speechless. Not by whatever nonsense that nameless, human scum was spouting, but by the ever-approaching horde of power levels coming his way. Cell shivered as he felt the power each warrior was hiding. The lot of them really were spending the last ten days preparing for this and the results Cell was feeling sent mirthful shocks up his spine.
In Orange Star City, in a certain palatial estate...
Running through the foyer of her home, a certain little girl was excited to make it to the family room where the big television was. This was the big day! The one she had been waiting for ever since she saw him accept Cell's challenge on the Jimmy Firecracker show.
Making it into the room, next to her parents' room, the little tyke hopped onto the couch and eagerly flicked on the TV with the big remote that her daddy always controlled when he was in the house. And then, when the picture came into view and the first thing she saw was Mr. Satan, she squeed with excitement and delight. "Mommy! Mommy! Come quick! Daddy is telling that mean ol' Cell off!"
Videl was awestruck at the sight of her father on the television, his muscles popping out of his gi, shouting down that evil monster that had hurt so many people. He was her hero more than anyone in the world. The coolest guy ever to live. One of her two best friends. One of the people that she strived to grow up and be like. Videl called again. "Mommy! Hurry! Daddy might start fighting soon!"
Slowly, the squeak of a wheelchair approached, getting louder and louder the closer it got to the family room. The rider, a frail woman with hair the color of autumn leaves, was valiantly attempting to move around unaided. As she reached the doorway to the family room, however, she doubled over in her seat and broke out into a hideous coughing fit.
If there was one word that could not be used to describe how this advent of choking and sputtering sounded, it was pleasant. The poor woman in the chair sounded as if her lungs were caving in. Each hollow eruption wheezed out like a gunshot followed by a harsh, empty wheeze. Immediately terrified, Videl got up and ran up to her mother. "Mommy! Are you okay?!"
Miguel shakily lifted her head, her shining blue eyes locking with her worried daughter. She didn't move her hand from over her mouth, but still smiled behind it. "I... I'm okay, V-Videl..."
She broke into another, hideous choking fit and Videl wrapped her arms around her mother. "Tell me what you need, Mommy! I'll help anyway I can!"
As Videl checked on her mother, the family butler quickly rushed in. "A handkerchief for your mouth, Lady Miguel?"
Miguel nodded, reaching up with her free hand. Her voice, normally buttery smooth and almost song-like in quality, was hoarse and raspy. "Th-Thank you..."
She looked over to Videl, her eyes full of love for her worried, little tot. "Videl, sweetie, go back into the family room and keep watch over the TV. I don't want to miss anything Daddy does~"
Videl's face was creased with worry, but she nodded. "Right! I won't miss a thing! I promise!"
Videl turned and ran back into the family room, her pigtails bouncing and her trainee gi flopping about. Once her attention was well focused on the television, Miguel moved her hand and wiped the handkerchief over her mouth. The butler leaned over and whispered into her ear. "Lady Miguel, don't you think it would be wiser to view Master Mark's competition from the comfort of your own bed...?"
Miguel looked to the butler with tired eyes. "I-"
Immediately, the coughing came back. Miguel painfully gagged and wretched into the handkerchief, tears building in her eyes as she thought back to earlier that morning.
Earlier that morning...
Sitting in what was once hers and her husbands' bed, surrounded by all manner of machinery, Miguel looked frantic. She has been dreading this day since she had seen him go on TV and proclaim his intentions to fight that...thing. Now, the morning of the Cell Games, Miguel was reduced to tearfully begging from her place, stuck like a child in a crib and unable to get out until the all of five breathing treatments were successfully completed. Speaking under the plastic mask strapped over her face, Miguel stared over at the couch her beloved husband had been sleeping on for the past few months. "You know, you could always sleep in... wake up around noon when these damned treatments are over and you, Videl, and I go could for a trip to her ice cream place she likes so much..."
Mr. Satan stood in front of the mirror attached to his dresser, adjusting his cape and championship belt. "Sounds like a great idea! We can go after I go and put that bastard Cell in his place!"
Miguel flinched as her husband reaffirming his plans. She turned in place and looked at him. "Mark...please just think about it one more time! We don't need titles or money or anything like that to be happy, but Videl and I do need you! We have so much money and nothing to do with it! We could buy a spaceship or something, adventure into the unknown, just the three of us..."
Mr. Satan looked shocked. "Miguel! I'm surprised at you! To think, a silky-voiced performer like you would be saying that we should forsake the adoring public! What about all those smiling faces that have attended your concerts! All those autographs you've signed! All-"
Clearly stressed, Miguel snapped at her husband. "I'D CAST THEM ALL AWAY NOT TO LOSE YOU AND VIDEL, MARK!"
Immediately, a coughing fit set in. Miguel doubled over in bed, hacking and coughing. Mr. Satan turned to look at her and gasped in horror at the sight of her breathing mask filling up with crimson red. Immediately, the Mr. Satan persona melted away and Mark rushed to her side. "Sweetheart! Are you okay?!"
Miguel pulled the mask from her face and tossed it aside, staining the sheets with the contents. "I'm...I'm so sick of all of this, Mark. I just...I don't have much time left...and I just want to know that you and Videl are okay...does that make me selfish?"
Mark smiled. "What are you talking about? Not having much time left, are you crazy?!"
Miguel was struggling to even draw in shallow breaths. Mark gently massaged her shoulders. "You just gotta keep up the treatments, honey. That's all. Just another month at most and you'll be back on your feet! You can record more music! We can play doubles tennis again! Whatever makes you happy~"
Miguel stared into her husband's sparkling, hopeful, crystal blue eyes. "Mark..."
He planted his fists into his hips. "And that means I have a job to do! If this world is going to be safe for you, and Videl, and all of my adoring followers...then I just gotta go out and beat the crap out of that stringy, costume wearin' creep!"
Miguel could feel a pit in her stomach. "Mark..."
He shook his head. "I'm tellin' you, Miguel! You'll see when I step in the ring! That Cell bastard ain't any sort of God, he's just some flashy, trickster nutjob in a suit attackin' people with secret weapons and hidden explosions!"
Miguel coughed and shuddered. "Even if...even...even if...he's just some nutjob in a suit attacking people with bombs..."
She wheezed and doubled over. "That means he's STILL a nutjob in a suit attacking people with bombs, Mark...he could KILL you! And then what about Videl...?"
Mr. Satan paused, looking down as a photograph on his dresser of him, Miguel, and Videl at Super World the day before he won the World Martial Arts Tournament. Mr. Satan swallowed a lump in his throat, but then he shook his head. "He won't have the chance, Miguel! I'm gonna step in that ring and kick that pathetic trickster's ass front, back, and sideways!"
Miguel reached out to him as he started for their door. "Mark, wait..."
Mr. Satan shot his wife a thumbs-up. "I'm gonna be fine! Now you get back to your breathing treatments so that you can get better!"
Back in the present...
Miguel looked down in her hand, seeing a handkerchief soaked a deep, dark red. It felt sticky in her palm as she squeezed it. Wheezing, she wiped her mouth on the sleeve of her gown and handed the rag back to the butler. "No... I can't be in my room for this..."
With all of her strength, she forced the wheelchair to move forward. "Videl can't sit with me on that bed and she needs me. I... I have to be there for her for as long as I can be..."
Rolling up next to the couch, Miguel thankfully accepted a hand from the butler and carefully sat herself down on the couch. Gently, Videl laid her head on her mother's lap and smiled. "You must be getting better! You can sit on the couch with me again~"
Miguel's chest was on fire, but she nodded. "Anything for you, baby."
Videl smiled. "This is so cool! We get to watch Daddy kick butt together! Just like back at the tournament when he beat up that Spinach guy~!"
Miguel repressed a rather painful cough. "S-Spopovich, baby...you don't wanna be rude, even if he lost..."
Videl nodded. "Right~"
As they both sat there, the butler returned with beverages. He gave Videl a soda and Miguel a cup of cool, honey-mint tea. Videl happily enjoyed her drink. Miguel cringed at the taste of blood sliding down her throat. Seeing her daughter excitedly bounce in place, Miguel wrapped her arm around Videl and pulled her close with a loving smile.
But then, she looked back at the television, seeing both Mr. Satan and Cell in the shot. She thought to herself as she worriedly watched the television. 'Mark...I will never forgive you if you make our daughter an orphan...'
Back at the Cell Games Arena...
Mr. Satan stared down at the gold watch on his wrist. As the second hand ticked more and more around the face of the watch, the martial artist's anticipation was rising. Soon, just like at the tournament before, Mr. Satan would prove that he was truly the greatest fighter under the heavens! He would save the world! For the sake of his fans, for the sake of his fame, for...them.
Mr. Satan closed his eyes, picturing his wife and child. "Miguel, Videl, I hope you two are watching. I'm gonna knock this guy's block off for you two..."
Finally, the second hand struck the top tick of the watch, shifting both the hour and the minute hand over. It was 10:00 am. At the very moment, Cell raised his head and looked up at the sky. "Right on time~"
Mr. Satan began to storm towards the ring. "Get ready, Cell! Now you're finally gonna-"
In a loud burst, the various Z-Fighters appeared in the air, floating high above the ring and staring down at Cell. Cell chuckled as he stared up at all of them. "Finally, my challengers have arrived~"
Mr. Satan and Jimmy Firecracker were both confused by what they were seeing. The two of them watched as this group of unknown strangers descended to the ground below. Suddenly, Cell's drifting attention was firmly locked on these people. The monster smiled. "I sensed your approach. And, believe you me, I have been anticipating your arrival. But I can't help but express amusement at the presence of those I didn't sense..."
Cell cocked his head. "I was positive that you two were dead, 16 and 17. Or, at the very least, that you would know better than to be near me after what happened to Android 18~"
He narrowed his eyes with a sneering confidence as he stared at 17. "Does it hurt that your sister is dead, 17? Does it eat away at you on the inside?"
Android 17 looked furious at Cell even mentioning his sister, but he still kept a cool head. Cell thought that 18 was dead, that was probably for the best. Cell chuckled and pointed to 16. "And you, attack dog. I see that you have a body again~ So why don't you use it to attack Goku? I mean...he's right there. Isn't your prime directive yearning to kill right now?"
Android 16 glared at Cell with cold-as iron eyes. "Indeed. My prime directive is urging me to kill one person more than anyone, Cell."
Cell rolled his eyes and then glanced over at Tien, Yamcha, Krillin, and Chiaotzu. "Let us move on from last generation technology and take a moment to compliment the new and improved. I was originally assuming that the four of you were coming here dressed in miniskirts and pom-poms, but you've actually managed to acquire quite a bit of new power, eh?"
The four humans didn't say anything, glaring at Cell with determined eyes. Cell smiled. "Oh my...it is going to be fun ripping you lot asunder..."
No response. Cell frowned. He looked to each warrior present and saw nothing but steeled gazes and firm stances. Nothing resembling outward fear or dread. Nothing to hook onto or mock. Cell didn't let it show, but he was actually quite annoyed on the inside. How dare they not react to him?!
Finally, before Cell could continue on with his attempts at banter, Goku stepped forward from the pack. He stretched his arms with a look of eerie calm on his face. The Saiyan from Earth stopped just short of the arena and opened his eyes, a look of cold seriousness frozen onto his face. Cell smirked. "Oh, you look ready for this~! But, are you sure you wouldn't rather sit back and let everyone else have a shot first? Having your friends throw their soon-to-be-corpses at me might slow me down and give you at least a chance at winning, Goku~"
Finally, someone among the Z-Fighters did speak up. Bardock growled at Cell. "Why don't you stop posturing and just get this shit underway?! Some of us have more important things to do than watch you nurse your damned ego!"
Briefly, Cell scowled. But he quickly regained his composure. "I suppose Bardock does have a point. What has talking ever gotten anyone? I could much more easily inspire terror simply through crushing the lot of you~"
Goku gripped his fists. "I will not let that happen."
The Super Saiyan immediately separated from his pack, walking towards the Cell Games ring with purpose. Cell slightly flinched. "A-Are we really starting off with-"
"HOLD IT!"
Everyone came to a stop, all the warriors looking over and seeing some weird, mustachioed clown marching up to Goku with a ticked off look on his face. Mr. Satan grabbed Goku by the collar of his shirt and glared right in his eyes. "Now listen here, punk! I here that hick accent of yours and I can tell you're from the boonies, but who in the hell do you think you are that you just walked up and try to take my fight?!"
The Z-Fighters were stunned by the gall of this random idiot. Even Cell was taken aback. But, Goku remained calm. He looked at Mr. Satan, studying his face closely, and then gasped. "Wait! I recognize you! You're the guy who won the 24th World Martial Arts Tournament, right? Mark...something..."
Mr. Satan sneered. "I am the reigning, defending, undisputed, World Martial Arts champion! I am Mr. Satan! Now who the hell are you?!"
Goku smiled. "I'm Son Goku. I'm the guy who won the Tournament before you~"
Jimmy Firecracker gasped upon hearing this. "Hold on just a moment...THERE ARE TWO WORLD CHAMPIONS HERE?! AND ONE OF THEM IS THE ELUSIVE SON GOKU?!"
Leaping from his seat, the commentator lunged towards Goku with purpose. He jammed a microphone into the Saiyan from Earth's face and immediately began to question. "Sir! The Martial Arts World wants to know, where have you been all this time?!"
Goku flinched. "Wh-What do you mean?!"
Firecracker continued. "It was a controversial event at the 24th Tournament preliminaries! For the first time in the history of the Tournament, the previous champion could not even be reached for comment! It was seen as a snub towards the entire martial arts community! Most assumed you were dead!"
Goku nervously chuckled. "Well...mighta been. Was a pretty busy year...heheheh..."
Jimmy Firecracker smiled. "This is amazing, ladies and gentlemen! Two high-caliber fighting forces have shown up here at the Cell Games! The reigning Champion, Mr. Satan, and the undefeated Champion, Son Goku~!"
Goku smiled. "Well, that's not all, I mean Tien is-"
A Dodon Ray came flying at Goku and he barely dodged. He looked back and saw a rather annoyed looking Tien dragging his thumb across his throat and whisper-grunting. "Shutupshutupshutup."
Jimmy Firecracker smiled. "You know what that means, folks?! That means that, once Cell has been defeated, we can finally have the match that everyone has been waiting for! A truly epic clash between two truly great martial artists~!"
The journalist cackled. "But the real question is: who would win?!"
Goku didn't even hesitate. "Me. Pretty easily, honestly."
Jimmy Firecracker and Mr. Satan were both taken aback. Goku had an innocent expression on his face, scratching his left ear. "What...?"
Firecracker shouted into his mic. "The flagrant disrespect from the undefeated champion! Mr. Satan, do you have any comments?!"
Mr. Satan growled. "Listen here you cheap, safety orange, light-show flauntin' trickster..."
As Goku and Mr. Satan had a one-sided argument over the mic, everyone else watched in stunned silence. Vegeta sneered, contemplative. "I beat him back during the invasion, didn't I?"
Raditz flinched. "Y-Yeah..."
Vegeta smirked. "Then that makes me the World Champion~"
Bardock cut in. "Frieza whooped your ass. That makes him Champion."
Vegeta snapped. "I killed Frieza! That makes me Champion!"
Android 17 cut in. "My sister beat the shit out of you. That makes her Champion."
Android 16 spoke up. "But then, Cell absorbed 18...so that would make Cell the Champion..."
17 whipped around. "Dude!"
Android 16 smirked. "But then, I blew Cell up...so that makes me Champion~"
Vegeta sneered. "Bullshit! I beat Cell on the islands, so I'm still Champion!"
Finally, Cell cut in. "But then, I beat you in your own front yard...so that makes me Champion~"
Vegeta sneered at Cell. Cell smirked. "Do you want to try and prove otherwise while Goku and that buffoon argue?"
Android 16 crossed his arms. "I still say that I am Champion."
Raditz stroked his chin. "Wait, I beat Kakarot before most of you-"
16 spoke up. "You were impaled."
Cell shook his head. "Doesn't count."
Vegeta snapped. "Shut up, Raditz!"
Suddenly, both the arguments between Goku & Mr. Satan and the Z-Fighters & Cell were cut off by the sounds of sirens and swinging entrance music. Everyone turned their heads towards the sky to see a garish, hot pink helicopter approaching. From within the helicopter, a female voice called out. "Now hold on just a moment, everybody! Mr. Satan isn't the only one that wants a crack at Cell!"
Goku looked confused. "A helicopter...?"
Mr. Satan sneered. "I told them to stay at the dojo! Why are they here?!"
Cell pressed his face into his hand. "Oh, my gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood..."
The door to the helicopter opened up and three people leapt out. An attractive, blonde fop, a mammoth of a man wearing a metallic helmet, and a red-headed woman with a microphone as landed in the Cell Games ring and called out their names.
"Caroni~!"
"PIROZHKI!"
"And Miss Piiza~!"
And the two men flexed and posed behind her, Miss Piiza got on the microphone and did her thing. "Ladies and gentlemen, I bring to you a spectacle to behold today! Having toiled for the past two years in the Satan Dojo underneath the World Champion himself, these two men have strength nearly equal to the champ himself! They are Caroni and Pirozhki! The Secret Powers of Mr. Satan's training regime! And, in honor of their master, they challenge you, Cell, to a two-on-one match!"
Caroni smirked. "Mr. Satan need not bother himself with a trickster like you~"
Pirozhki flexed. "Not when we can step in and crush you ourselves!"
Miss Piiza smirked. "So, the only question Cell is..."
All three of them spoke. "Which member of the World's Greatest Tag Team do you want to face first?!"
Jimmy Firecracker spoke. "This is astounding, folks! In addition to the two world champions who have chosen to attend this tournament today, we now have two of the greatest, up-and-coming martial artists on the circuit! The high-flying Caroni and the powerful Pirozhki are here!"
Miss Piiza stepped up next to him. "That's right, Mr. Firecracker! Hot and fast action has arrived here at the Cell Games!"
Jimmy Firecracker turned to Miss Piiza. "Well, ma'am, may I invite you to the commentary desk to help me with the play-by-play?"
Miss Piiza winked. "Certainly~"
Everyone looked confused as Caroni and Pirozhki flexed and posed in the ring. Mr. Satan looked angry. "I told them to stay back. How dare they disobey me to steal my limelight...?"
Goku walked back to his friends. "Guys...what's going on?"
Krillin looked to Goku and shrugged. In the ring, Cell still had his hand clamped over his face. "Idiots. This planet is inhabited exclusively by idiots..."
Yamcha crossed his arms over his chest. "So, at least Cell is getting annoyed. That's something, right...?"
Jimmy Firecracker and Miss Piiza took their seats and the intrepid reporter blared into the mic. "A bit of backstory for the folks at home who may be out of the loop! Caroni is a prodigious, young martial artist! He's only recently turned 20! A master of several forms of combat that he's melded into his own style, Kuuchuu-Sappou, Caroni has been declared the victor of many lesser tournaments all across the world! He is currently preparing for his first participation in the World Martial Arts Tournament, where he hopes to be able to face his mentor, Mr. Satan, in a true display of martial prowess!"
Miss Piiza chimed in. "Caroni also has his own fragrance line: Roses on a Blue Moon! Available at a local Z-Mart near you~"
Firecracker cleared his throat. "Next up, folks, we have the titanic powerhouse, Pirozhki! Always feared be others for his larger frame, even as a child, Pirozhki has never been one to let adversity keep him down. After going on a winning streak with his high-school varsity battle ball team, the Mammoth Pirozhki took his talents to the All-Pro-Wrestling League where he bulldozed his way through the competition, only being stopped by the might of the XXX Wrestling Conglomerate Champion, Spopovich!"
Miss Piiza chimed in again. "But that victory was not long for the disgraced wrestler! Once Caroni and Pirohzki teamed up, they were able to go back and put a real hurting on Spopovich, cementing the two of them as a force to be reckoned with!"
Jimmy Firecracker smiled wide. "Indeed, Miss Piiza! Now the only question, which Cell must answer, is thus: who does he dare to face first?!"
Caroni preened. "The bug man would do good just to flee!"
Pirozhki puffed out his chest. "He is not prepared for-"
Cell spoke. "Both of you."
Everyone but the Z-Fighters fell silent. Caroni and Pirozhki both glared at Cell. Caroni sneered. "Is this some kind of joke?!"
Cell rolled his eyes with a very irritated sigh. "No. It's not a joke. Everything up to this point has been a joke. I am ready to get down to business, but garbage keeps landing in my ring. So, before I engage in the fight of my life, I suppose I must act as a custodian. So, in order to save me time and effort, the two of you shall come at me all at once! If you're the World's Greatest Tag Team, then you will accept!"
Pirozhki snarled. "You must think you're pretty tough, huh? That will be your doom!"
Cell nodded. "Yeah. Sure, it will. Just come at me."
Legitimately fearing for the safety of the two warriors, Goku called out. "H-Hey! You guys should really just back down, ya know? Cell isn't a joke! He might kill you!"
Caroni and Pirozhki both sneered at Goku, looking down on the Saiyan with disdain. Caroni shouted. "Was anybody talking to you, you irrelevant fool?!"
Pirozhki rolled his eyes. "This guy skips out on fighting Mr. Satan and acts like he's allowed to give us advice."
From her place at the commentary table, Miss Piiza shouted. "Why don't you just keep your opinions to yourself before Caroni and Pirozhki decide to come after you?!"
Goku flinched. Finally, Mr. Satan spoke up. He talked down to Goku, still thinking himself superior. "Listen up! I might not want them here, but I guarantee that both of my students are tougher than some flashy, trickster martial artist like you! So why don't you just back off before I step in?!"
Goku tried to plead with them. "But..."
Raditz and Krillin both grabbed Goku, pulling him back. He looked to both of them. Raditz simply shook his head and gave Goku an understanding pat on the shoulder. Krillin whispered. "Look, man, I know it sucks...but even if Cell kills them, their bodies will still be on the Earth, so we can just wish them back..."
Cell's ear-cup twitched and he smirked. "Oh ho... ~"
And then, without any further interruption, Caroni and Pirozhki took their fighting stances. Cell looked to them and raised his hand up, splaying out all five of his right-hand fingers. "Maybe it's just the genocidal, space dictator in me talking...but I'm going to give you idiots five minutes. Five minutes to show whether or not you are up to snuff~"
Pirozhki chuckled. "Five minutes?!"
He and Caroni lunged, the blonde fop shrieking in his high-pitched voice. "THIS WON'T TAKE THIRTY SECONDS!"
At Goku and Chi-Chi's house...
Bulma sighed. "Those two are going to die, huh?"
Chi-Chi nodded. "Oh yeah, they're super dead."
Korin chimed in. "Uber-dead."
Master Roshi shook his head. "They'd have better luck swatting flies out of the air with a blade of grass than surviving this..."
Bulma shook her head. "That sucks. I can't imagine what Goku must be feeling right now, being forced to watch this farce..."
At Mr. Satan's home...
Videl was on her feet, pumping her fists into the air and shouting. "Uncle Caroni! Uncle Pirozhki! Kick the ugly bug-guy's butt! You can do it!"
As her daughter danced and pranced in front of the television, Miguel watched Caroni and Pirozhki fight with a vested interest. Before, she thought that this Cell thing was utterly untouchable. But now, watching the two of them throw him around like a toy, Miguel felt a small blossom of hope in her heart. Maybe things would work out after all...
Back at the Cell Games Arena...
The Z-Fighters watched as Cell's body went flying back and forth through the air, being tossed between Caroni and Pirozhki and getting assaulted by their best techniques. Future Ranch looked genuinely baffled. "What the hell is Cell doing?"
The warriors all watched as Cell went flying, noticing how limp Cell's body was, and how comfortably closed his eyes were. Future Goten gasped. "I-Is he asleep?!"
Piccolo shook his head. "No. He's not asleep. He's meditating. I can feel his power gathered in his core. He's merely preparing for the real fight ahead."
Gohan nodded. "That makes sense...but why just allow himself to be tossed around by these two?"
Future Trunks quickly spoke up. "Because that's his game. Cell loves doing this, letting people feel like they have the upper hand, only to crush their hopes. He likes seeing people despair before he puts any effort in..."
Vegeta gritted his teeth, a vein popping out of his forehead. Bardock, too, looked quite pissed.
In the ring...
Caroni and Pirozhki were going at it with the monster. The blonde fop leapt into the air and delivered a devastating axe kick to the back of the bio-Android's head. Cell went crashing down, only to be caught by Pirozhki and power-bombed onto the ring floor. Cell's body went bouncing, but Caroni quickly caught him with a diving drop kick. The two fighters fist bumped and then Caroni shouted. "Hold him in place, Pirozhki!"
The big man did as he was asked, running over to Cell's limp body and grabbing it into a bear hug. Caroni leapt into the air. "BEAUTIFUL FLYING ROSE ATTACK!"
The high-flyer shot into the air and began to spin, coming down at Cell like a buzzsaw and delivering multiple kicks to the back of Cell's head, ending the assault by smashing the monster's forehead into the ring.
Outside of the ring...
Chiaotzu watched as Caroni and Pirozhki continued their hilarious ineffective assault against the mighty bio-android. Watching as Cell flopped around, he shook his head. "They aren't even leaving bruises..."
Tien sighed. "What do you expect? They're like gnats attempting to kill a dinosaur by bumping into it. They could keep this up for years and not even draw blood..."
Piccolo sounded annoyed. "It's insulting. Their fundamentals are off. They aren't even fighting. They're show-boating. Is this really the state of what martial arts has become since Goku and I fought...?"
Bardock watched as Pirozhki did his "Rolling Thunder Punch", something resembling a toddler throwing a tantrum and helicoptering their arms. He groaned and scratched his fingers under his headband. "This is hard to watch, huh Kakarot...?"
No answer. Bardock turned. "Kakarot...?"
Bardock looked over to his son and saw that Kakarot was shaking. Bardock flinched, feeling the grief and rage coming off of Goku. He walked up to his son. "Hey, Kakarot..."
Goku spoke in a furious tone. "He's mocking them, Dad. He's mocking them and all their efforts, just to make them feel as miserable as possible before he finishes them! It's...it's stomach-turning..."
Bardock frowned, feeling his son's plight. "Kakarot, it'll-"
Suddenly, every Z-Fighter present was stunned silent. As, at that very moment, Cell's much reduced power returned in full force. Caroni and Pirozhki's five-minute window of opportunity was spent.
Back in the ring...
Pirozhki lifted Cell onto his shoulders. "Caroni! Let us finish him with the Doomsday Device!"
Caroni smirked. "Indeed, my friend. Let's do this!"
The high-flyer leapt up, rebounding off of one of the ring spires and lunging at Cell. He was going to grab Cell around the neck and deliver a Spike DDT that would smashing the monster's head into the ring. Miss Piiza cheered. "HERE WE GO! THE BIG FINISH!"
Jimmy Firecracker shouted. "Is this the end of Cell?!"
Mr. Satan crossed his arms and closed his eyes. "Damned brats! I'll make them pay for coming here and stealing my glory. They might be strong, but they should know better than the show me up..."
But then, right as Caroni was about to grab Cell, the monster's eyes snapped open. He reached down and tightly gripped one hand around the neck area of Pirozhki's helmet, gripping it tight and crushing it in around his neck. With the other hand, he caught Caroni by the throat and snatched him out of the air. "Time's up."
*POP*
All three suddenly disappeared, much to the shocked silence of Jimmy Firecracker, Miss Piiza, and Mr. Satan. After a few moments, the intrepid reporter spoke up. "Wh-What happened?! Where did they go?!"
Meanwhile, all of the Z-Fighters had their heads craned upwards, staring up into the sky in the direction of Cell's power level. Vegeta snarled. "What is he doing now...?"
Krillin thought back to what he said before, about Caroni and Pirozhki's bodies still being on Earth even if they died. He gasped. "N-No! He wouldn't..."
Goku, meanwhile, looked horrified. By the time he pinpointed exactly where Cell was, he could tell that it was already too late.
Up in the outer reaches of Earth's exosphere...
Caroni and Pirozhki were both very confused, looking around at their sudden change in surroundings. Caroni gasped. "What in the bloody hell is going on?! Where are we?!"
Pirozhki looked at the surging aura enveloping his body. "Why are we glowing?!"
Cell began to chuckle. "That would be my aura serving to shield you morons..."
Both martial artists looked at him with an angry glare. Caroni snapped. "What's so funny?!"
Cell sighed. "Just take a moment. Look around. Maybe...look down?"
Caroni and Pirozhki both did as they were told. They both looked down and, immediately, they gasped in terror. Below their feet was the glowing, blue form of the Earth. Pirozhki was suddenly quite fearful. "H-How is that possible?! We are in space?! H-How...?!"
Cell sighed. "It was a valiant attempt, gentlemen. But, unfortunately, you're both hilariously untalented."
The two of them tensed up. Cell smiled. "Oh well. You need not worry. I will make sure to let everyone know that, technically, this counts as a ring out~"
Caroni gasped, realizing what Cell meant. "Wait!"
Pirozhki was in tears. "Please don't!"
And then, without so much as a forceful push, Cell let the two of them go. His aura faded and, immediately, Caroni and Pirozhki were exposed to the vacuum of space. In an instant, the whites of their eyes went red and blood erupted from their noses as the two of them stiffened up. Caroni and Pirozhki, both utterly helpless, floated into the void and space.
And Cell happily smiled as he watched them drift off.
Back in the Cell Games Arena...
*POP*
Cell returned into his ring with a satisfied smirk. He sighed. "Well then, it would appear as if Cahreemy and Pietro have lost. So, I suppose that would mark the end of the buffoon's parade?"
Jimmy Firecracker gasped. "Lost?! Wh-What do you mean lost?! Where are they?!"
Miss Piiza, suddenly looking quite frantic, called into her microphone. "C-Caroni! Pirozhki! Wh-Where are you?!"
Mr. Satan, on the other hand, stood dumbfounded at the sudden disappearance of his students.
Meanwhile, over with the Z-Fighters, the feeling on what just happened was one of cold-blooded dread. Vegeta, not particularly caring about fools such as Caroni and Pirozhki, was nonetheless disturbed. "Th-That monster..."
Android 17 sneered. "This is what 'perfection' is...? Disgusting."
As the rest of the Z-Fighters murmured amongst themselves, however, Goku stood with his fists gripped tight enough to make his knuckles turn white. This latest horrific act by Cell was enough to finally push Goku's patience over the edge.
Cell splayed his arms out as he faced the Saiyan from Earth. "Are you angry, Goku?! You look quite angry! Shall we now-"
"HOLD IT!"
Cell's words hitched in his throat and he turned to face the source of the voice, one of his eyes visibly twitching. Standing in the ring behind him, tossing his cape to the side, was Mr. Satan. The World Champion glowered at Cell. "I don't know what you did, but I am saying right here, right now, that you didn't defeat Caroni and Pirozhki!"
Mr. Satan took on a fighting stance, the sunlight reflecting off of his Championship Belt. "This is some sleight of hand! It has to be!"
The martial artist scowled, gripping his massive hairy fists tight. And then, in a showing of strength, he reared his fist back and smashed into the ring, making a small crater directly in front of him. Miss Piiza swooned at this show of strength. Jimmy Firecracker was in awe. "Ladies and Gentlemen! We have not lost hope! In spite of the mysterious disappearance of Caroni and Pirozhki, Mr. Satan is still here! Which, of course, means that Cell's defeat is not a possibility, but a guarantee!"
Cell turned and scowled at Mr. Satan. "You. Broke. My. Ring."
Mr. Satan snapped back. "That was only the beginning, creep! In order to make Caroni and Pirozhki disappear like you did, you would had to have installed a trap door into this ring somewhere! So, once I'm done kickin' you left, right, and sideways, I'm going to tear this entire stage apart to free them from wherever you've locked 'em up!"
Cell gripped his fists. "You. Broke. My..."
The bio-Android's eyes locked onto Mr. Satan's Championship belt. "Wait a minute..."
Mr. Satan gripped his fists and pumped his arms to the side. "I'll show you the true power of the World Martial Arts Champion!"
And then, Mr. Satan began to bellow in a deep, hefty tone. It sounded as if his voice was emanating from a deep, dark cave. Jimmy Firecracker gasped. "My word, ladies and gentleman! This is a true treat! One of the secret techniques of Satan-Style Martial Arts: The High-Tension focusing chant!"
At Mr. Satan's home...
Although she was thrown off by the disappearances of Caroni and Pirozhki, nothing got Videl excited like watching her Daddy fight. She stood there, chanting alongside him, helping him focus his energy, just like she did back at the 24th World Martial Arts Tournament!
Watching as her daughter had fun, however, Miguel felt ice running through her veins. Now, she was certain more than ever...Cell was no ordinary foe. And now she feared, more than ever, that her husband's arrogance was going to get him killed!
Back at the Cell Games Arena...
Once his High-Tension chant was finished, Mr. Satan took a deep breath and let it out. And then, he charged at Cell with speed that was almost superhuman. "Eat this! Satan-Style Special Move: DYNAMITE KICK!"
The Champ leapt off of the ground with force, his kicking motion enough to crack the tile beneath his foot. Mr. Satan lunged at Cell with his foot jammed forward and roared as he attempted to make contact with Cell's face.
But then, before his foot landed on its mark, Mr. Satan stalled mid-air. He gasped. "Wh-What?!"
Mr. Satan turned and saw that Cell had caught him by the collar of his gi. He sneered. "What in the hell do you think you're-"
Without even acknowledging Mr. Satan, Cell reached down and snatched his championship belt from around his waist. Cell stared at his reflection in the gold and smiled. "Yes..."
And then, he tossed Mr. Satan in the air and bitch-slapped him into the distance like a bag of garbage. The blowhard martial artist went flying and crashed hard into a rocky structure in the distance. As he slid down the rockface, Cell chuckled and strapped the belt around his own waist. "There we go..."
Cell puffed out his chest. "Ah, yes! Mr. Perfect Cell! The World Champion~!"
Jimmy Firecracker and Miss Piiza both went white as sheets, not a sound able to leave their throats.
Cell turned to the Z-Fighters with a vain, cocksure smile. "Now then, may we get the Cell Games under way before more trash shows up?"
At Goku and Chi-Chi's house...
Everyone present in Goku's house watched the television as Jimmy Firecracker, Miss Piiza, and the camera crew all ran across the wasteland to check on the humiliated and defeated Mr. Satan. As they did, Ox-King turned to Master Roshi. "Hey, Master Roshi?"
Roshi turned to him. "Yes, Ox?"
Ox-King cocked his head. "Back when me and Gohan were training with you, didn't you send us to spar against people from the Satan Dojo?"
Roshi nodded. "I did."
Ox-King looked confused. "So, what happened to them if that guy is their best student?"
Master Roshi sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Well, I'm not gonna say that big gorilla doesn't have potential...he just seems out of practice. But...it is worth remembering that Tao supposedly killed every member of that school over a disagreement on a food bill, so..."
Chi-Chi shook her head. "That was embarrassing. I sure hope that guy doesn't have any kids. They'd be so ashamed..."
At Mr. Satan's home...
Videl fell to her knees. "B-But...Daddy is invincible. H-He's the strongest..."
Miguel, in the background, looked like she was fighting the urge to throw up. Her face was pouring with sweat as she listened to Jimmy Firecracker give updates. She watched as the cameramen tried to stir her husband up. "No... Mark..."
But then, to Miguel and Videl's immediate relief, Mr. Satan leapt to his feet. The hulking martial artist was bleeding from his forehead, moaning in pain as he held his injured face. "D-Damn it..."
On the screen, Jimmy Firecracker cried out. "M-Mr. Satan! What happened?! That monster...he..."
Mr. Satan flinched at Jimmy Firecracker's pointed question, cringing away from it as both he and Miss Piiza gathered around. "I... uh..."
It was clear they were waiting for an answer. Thinking on his feet, Mr. Satan quickly weaved quite the tall tale. "A-As I was rushing at Cell, I heard a noise getting louder and louder! Once I got to where Cell was standing, I realized what it was! It was, uh, the sound of Pirozhki snoring! Yeah! So, you know what that means, right?"
Jimmy Firecracker, Miss Piiza, and the cameramen all shook their heads. Mr. Satan made his point clear. "Ain't it obvious?! Pirozhki and Caroni disappeared so quickly because, when Cell opened that trap door they must've fell down, he shot them both with tranquilizer darts! That must be what that pointy thing on his lower back is! That tricky, cheating shyster drugged my students and hid them away!"
Jimmy Firecracker stammered. "B-But what about your flight from the ring?!"
Mr. Satan cleared his throat. "I-In my distraction, Cell must have dodged! So, the force of my Dynamite Kick had nowhere to connect with and I was sent flying as a result! I-I would have had a graceful landing, but that dirty thief grabbed my Championship Belt, so...he, uh, threw me off balance! Y-Yeah...!"
Miss Piiza blinked a few times, and then she nodded. "Y-Yeah! That makes sense! I would be distracted too if Pirozhki were snoring while I was trying to concentrate!"
Miguel leaned back into the couch, breathing easy by her standards. "Oh, thank goodness..."
Videl looked angry. "So, that big bug guy cheated! That's not fair! Daddy should get a rematch!"
Miguel rubbed her hands over her face, and mumbled to herself. "Please, Mark, just cut your losses while you're ahead..."
Back at the Cell Games Arena...
The Z-Fighters were all left stunned by the sight of Mr. Satan blustering in the distance. Vegeta stared with utter disbelief. "He's alive?! What is that buffoon made of?!"
Cell sneered, snapping his fingers. "Hey! Hey! Ignore the sideshow, I'm right here! Pay attention! To me!"
Goku breathed a sigh of relief. "That guy is pretty strong by normal, human standards. Between that and Cell being more interested in his belt, he got lucky..."
Cell rolled his eyes. "Now that the vermin have been displaced, let us get to the main event! Goku and friends: behold!"
The bio-Android threw and energy bolt towards some form of large signboard covered by a cloth. The ki bolt incinerated the cloth and, once it was burned away, the Z-Fighters were taken aback by what they saw. It was a massive scoreboard, covered with caricatures of the Z-Fighters, all acid etched onto stone tiles. And all of these caricatures were arranged around and connected to a single, highly detailed drawing in the middle. That drawing was of Cell.
The monster chuckled. "I spent an entire day working on it. I even went through the effort to make tiles for Android 18, Gine, and even Chi-Chi~! But..."
Cell fired three Death Beams, blasting through the pictures of the three, absent women. "It would appear as if they are irrelevant."
He smirked. "Now then, I was hoping that we might have you all draw lots to see whom I torment and slaughter f-"
Miss Piiza shouted. "Now just hold on a minute! Mr. Satan isn't done yet, you dirty cheater! You need to beat the real fighters before you move onto a bunch of-"
Cell's head jerked around. He looked utterly enraged by yet another intrusion. His eyes glowed, as if he were about to shoot off energy beams. Such an attack would easily kill a non-powered person on the spot and Miss Piiza was frozen in place by shock.
But, before the attack could be fired, a single boot stepped into the ring, sending a shudder through the ground and directly up Cell's spine. The monster turned and stared at this newest intruder. "W-Wait...you were serious?!"
Goku stood there, on the edge of the ring. With a stone-cold edge in his gaze, the Saiyan from Earth leered at the bio-Android terror. Cell looked almost disappointed. "Seriously, Goku, what kind of tournament is this going to be if the best fight happens first? Can't you allow at least a few of your friends to try and fail first...?"
Goku didn't answer. He stepped all the way into the ring and marched up to Cell, glaring right in the monster's eyes. "I'm done, Cell. I'm done hearing about your evil. I'm done watching you terrorize innocent people. I'm done with every horror that Dr. Gero has put on this planet out of some sick obsession with me."
He gripped his fists. "I don't care about your tournament, about showmanship, or about how much my mind and body want me to enjoy such a challenge standing before me..."
Goku gripped his fists and his Super Saiyan power shot out, releasing a pulse that spread across the ground for miles. It was finally time. Goku snarled at Cell. "The only thing I want is to stop you!"
Cell was perturbed, at first. But then he laughed out loud. "Oh Goku~"
The monster pointed his finger towards the board and fired off a series of Death Beams. When he was done, every tile on the board but Goku and Gohan had a smoking hole going through their face. Cell let loose a low chuckle. "I've eliminated every fool whom I've already bested in a fight. From Yamcha in Jingle Village to Trunks and Goten in West City, they aren't worth my time~"
All of the Z-Fighters chafed at Cell so thoughtlessly blowing them off. Cell smiled. "And, while I didn't eliminate Gohan, killing a child is so effortless it would be beneath my notice...for now~"
Gohan frowned at being so casually cast aside. He turned to his grandfather. "Grandpa Bardock, can you believe the nerve of that guy?!"
Bardock remained silent, staring at his own destroyed plaque and showing a much different sort of frustration than all of the others.
In the ring, Cell glared down at Goku and gripped his fists tight. "Can you feel the tension in the air? Are you ready, Goku?"
Goku narrowed his eyes and took a fighting stance. "I won't let you win..."
Cell took a fighting stance of his own. "Well then...let the games begin~"
