A bead of sweat trickled down Krillin's forehead. It cooled the heat from his face, as he tried to catch his breath. He trained with Goku and Vegeta, so it was safe to say he's dealt with tiring times before, but this was different. It took everything in him to defeat the two robots that had attacked him and 18. Even with her crazy strength to help, they were both barely standing when they finished.
So when they ran to try and find the others, he wasn't too happy to find out there were still more of those damn robots around, fighting everyone else who had been in the tournament. That Piccolo guy had been taking on two by himself!
So with no choice, as one robot had practically kicked him to fight, he was back to engaging in battle with these crazy little devils. His exhaustion was starting to show through though as he began to get sloppy and receive more hits than normal.
He tried shaking himself out of it, and braced himself to get back in the fight, but blinked in confusion when he realized he had lost sight of the opponent he was fighting. Not only were those things packing a punch despite their puny size, but they were also moving at a rapid speed.
He turned to the side, a foot coming towards him.
"Watch out!"
Before the foot reached him, Yamcha grabbed the robot's foot, flinging him to the other side. From there, Tien popped out, finishing him off with a clean cut to the neck. The thing combusted, leaving behind only pieces of the robotic parts.
Krillin breathed a sigh of relief, as he cleared the sweat from his forehead. A grin of gratitude appearing. "Hey, thanks, man. I don't think my face could have taken another hit from one of those things."
"Yeah, you and me both. Luckily, I think that was the last one," Yamcha replied.
Tien nodded, walking towards them while holding his stomach. He still wasn't fully recovered from his fight with Raditz but refused to sit around while the killer robots were around. It was a miracle he was still able to be of use even with the injury holding him back. It was no wonder he was able to handle himself well against Raditz.
Piccolo, who had also ended his fight, walked up to them. "I lost sight of those other three. They must have slipped away during the madness."
Krillin instantly knew who he was talking about. 18 had joined back with her brothers as soon as she caught sight of them fighting with the robots. He had seen glimpses of her throughout his fight but eventually lost sight of her as well.
"Where could they have gone?" Tien asked.
With the remote control that threatened their very existence now destroyed, there was only one place they could have gone. To finish off the last evil that hindered their peaceful lives.
"Dr. Gero," Krillin answered. "They must have gone to fight him."
"I see," Piccolo replied. "If we want to put an end to all this tragedy, it might not be a bad idea to follow them."
Yamcha nodded. "Let's go."
Krillin knew they weren't going to be walking into any type of spa. Wherever Dr. Gero was, there was sure to be chaos around. So when he finally caught sight of everyone and Dr. Gero yelling, he wasn't surprised.
What surprised him was the fact that Raditz was the one fighting back while everyone else watched in wonder. It only took seconds for everything to change right before his eyes.
Out of nowhere, the long green tail pierced Raditz while he was in the air. The older Saiyan's eyes widened in shock as he seemed barely aware there was a large tail stabbing him.
From the other side… some kind of monster.
It had to be because it certainly wasn't a human. It was huge! Height and length, but yet it still managed to look skinny. Its feet were like three super long toes and he had two spikes coming out of his head!
Actually… he kind of looked like a humanoid cicada!
"Ahhh-ARGH!" Raditz screamed out as something began to happen with the tail stabbed in his stomach. His face was screwed shut and all he could manage to do was continue screaming as the tail took something in like it was a straw, and Raditz was the drink.
He was draining him!
"RADITZ!" Goku's booming voice echoed. His eyes in disbelief, fear for his brother striking him. Raditz helplessly succumbed to whatever the monster was doing to him.
The thing's tail continued to suck in, whatever it was taking out of Raditz, causing him to slowly lower onto the ground as he continued to scream out in pain.
Goku reacted at the same time as Vegeta as they both flew forward in the span of the blink of an eye.
At the speed they were going—there was no way the monster should have been prepared for them.
But he was.
He released Raditz, allowing him to fall onto the floor unconscious, before grabbing both Vegeta and Goku by the neck. Their eyes widened in surprise as the monster moved faster than any of them could keep up with. Flinging Vegeta off into the air, he kept his hand around Goku's neck, smashing him against the floor, creating cracks on the ground.
His oddly shaped mouth opened up into a nasty grin, as Goku stared up in terror and anger; his mouth still covered. "Isn't this a lovely reunion?" He chuckled. "First your grandfather, then your parents, and now your brother… all have been lovely meals for replenishing my energy, but I'm sure I have room for one more."
His tail rose, the sharp end staring directly at Goku as he stayed pinned to the floor.
Chi-Chi watched from the sidelines, in shock at how everything was happening before her eyes. Her mentor was shot down before anyone could even blink. His body now on the floor unconscious as Goku and Vegeta tried to take on the monster ahead of them, but even with all their training, Vegeta was tossed like trash, and Goku was pinned to the ground like his muscles were just for show.
He was as helpless as his brother was mere moments ago, and if Vegeta and him were treated like mere inconveniences, there was nothing anyone else around could do for him. In her brain, Chi-Chi understood. Her heart couldn't compute though when the man she was in love with was being aimed at with a sharp tail that had just pierced a hole in Raditz. The thought was enough to snap her out of whatever fear-induced trance she was in.
"G-Get away from him!" She shouted, running towards them.
The monster let out a sound of interest as he turned to who was yelling. The slits in his eyes zeroing in on her as his lids widen in realization. "Ahh. This is the one, Lady Anonymous? And what a fine thing she would be to gobble up."
Goku's eyes widen at his words. A rush of strength coming to his aid, pushing the monster away from him. His muscles flexed as he tried even harder to get the thing off of him. His fears from before efficiently squashed and replaced with even greater fear.
"Goku!" She screamed.
He watched from the floor as she ran to him. Her eyes shone with worry, not even caring what else she was running towards, or her safety. His own eyes grew with terror as she got closer. "Mmmf! Ge- away-mmf!" He tried yelling.
"Chi-Chi!" Bulma shouted, throwing herself onto Chi-Chi to stop her. "You can't! He threw Vegeta like he was a sack of potatoes! I know your strong but-"
"Bulma! I don't want to hurt you, but this is my last warning! Get off!" She yelled in anger. She couldn't help it. That thing was still on top of Goku and if she didn't hurry there was a good chance Goku was going to end up like Raditz.
In Bulma's case though she knew her friend was just letting her emotions get the best of her. She couldn't let her go out like that, even if she was this crazy strong chick that had been saving the city for the past 2 years.
It was a friend's job to keep your friend from making a terrible decision. Usually, this meant stopping her after a few drinks, but in this case, it was stopping her from fighting this ugly bug guy who had the power to cause mass destruction.
So she had to stop her…. Even if she scared the crap out of her.
Squeezing her eyes shut, she held on even tighter to Chi-Chi. "No!" She shouted back.
Chi-Chi really didn't want to hurt her, but…
Krillin, seeing all this happen from afar, rushed in. "Chi-Chi stop!" He urged, blocking her path with his arms held out as Bulma continued to hold her, happy someone came to help her. "Chi-Chi I know what you're feeling, trust me I do, but this isn't the way to go about it."
Krillin was nervous she'd refuse to listen to him, but she eventually calmed down enough to give him a chance to speak. "You're too wound up right now, and if you rush in like that against something like... that, it'll only spell out trouble for you. And you and I both know it'll just throw Goku off his game to see you like that."
Chi-Chi looked between them, and Goku, as he continued to struggle against the monster that had him pinned to the floor. Their words made sense, but the picture ahead blocked any of her rational thoughts.
Luckily for them, another occurrence kept her from acting.
While the creature was still above Goku, Vegeta took the chance to come flying in, kicking it off of him. He flew off, as Vegeta landed next to Goku, who was coughing on the floor.
"Get up, Kakarot!" He ordered, keeping his eyes trained ahead.
Knowing the situation they were in, Goku took the advice despite still coughing. "Nice save," he managed to croak out.
"Uahh," the monster let out, as he grinned. "Nice of you to join us, Vegeta."
Vegeta let out a sound of disgust, his nose scrunching as he looked at the thing in front of him. "How the hell do you know my name?"
He let out a deep chuckle as he looked off to the side. His bug eyes turned to slits. "I know a lot of things. Like how I know Androids 16, 17, and 18 are hiding behind that leftover piece of the coliseum."
17's eyes widened in surprise as he and his siblings were suddenly outed. They had no ki signal to be detected by others, and they made sure to quietly keep an eye on things from moments ago. No one should have been able to sense them!
He stopped as he realized he was letting himself panic. No matter who was in front of him, they were an enemy to him. He couldn't let his emotions get the best of him if he wanted him and his siblings to finally escape the hell they've been tormented with, once and for all. He let a mask of cool features cover him, as he stepped out with his arms crossed, and a smirk present.
"Not hiding, as much as observing the situation," he replied, looking at the creature up and down. He turned to Dr. Gero, who looked shocked, himself, at how everything progressed. "So if you were planning to team up with us at this tournament, Dr. Gero," he said, gaining his attention. "Why would you have this other… creature around you? Seems like a lot of unnecessary back up when you were already counting on us to join your side."
Dr. Gero visibly sweated, backing up. "W-What do you mean, my son? Of course, I would bring him with me… he is your brother. Just as I made you three, I also made Cell."
17's brows shot upwards, along with anyone else who was in hearing distance. "That thing is a… an Android?! The same as us?!"
The tall creature opened the slits in his mouth to grin. "An Android, yes, but I am the furthest thing from any of you."
"Cell." Dr. Gero quickly warned. His tone was serious, but his scowl was missing its usual edge.
Cell continued to have his sinister grin. "No need to hold back, Doctor. Your old works are lacking not only in the strength to do any kind of real damage to this group of wannabe heroes but also in the intelligence of figuring anything out." He turned his attention back on 17, his tail swaying around, showing off the sharp tip attached to it. "I might be an Android by name, but my biological makeup far differs from yours."
"Cell enough of this!" Dr. Gero said, moving his arm across. "Any more, and you can endanger our- uh!" He stopped himself from saying any more, as 17 shot him a suspicious look.
With Dr. Gero forced to shut up, Cell took his chance. He turned to Vegeta, who returned a scowl though it was harder than intended like he was trying to make-up for the nervousness he felt.
Cell saw right past it though as he grinned.
"Vegeta, you must have felt it, right? The Saiyan blood that runs through my veins," he revealed, his grin widening, as he received waves of shocked faces all across the group.
Krillin's mouth hung open at the confession. He turned to Vegeta, hoping for once to see his usual cocky expression to prove this big green creature was nothing but a liar, but for once, even Vegeta looked lost.
Vegeta's stern expression returned though. "That shouldn't be possible! How could something like you even have Saiyan blood! You're nothing, but an overgrown cockroach!"
Cell just chuckled lowly. "Yes, how could something like me have the rare Saiyan blood you're so proud of having, Vegeta?" He taunted. "But that's not all you sensed, right?"
Vegeta visibly flinched back. Turning to Goku who was still next to him. Then Raditz who was still passed out on the floor.
Chi-Chi let out a sound as she remembered Vegeta's words from earlier. "A ki signature similar to Goku and Raditz's," Chi-Chi repeated. "That's who you said you felt coming from this creature, right?"
Cell let another chuckle out as he finally stopped his tail from moving around. "Unlike the other Androids you've met before, Dr. Gero did not make me starting from a human. I was born, using the cells of every great fighter known in existence. While Dr. Gero was working in a secret organization of elite fighters, he slowly began to collect the powerful cells that belonged to them, and built me over the years."
Recognition crossed 17's face. "That army…" His brows furrowed. "But that means he must have been working with you even when we were still working for him… I-I would have known! A project that big would have been impossible to hide!"
Cell sneered, but said nothing, as Dr. Gero finally stepped in front of him, his hand balled into a fist. "That is enough, Cell! Can't you see we're so close to achieving what we want? I will not have years of planning all ruined by your unnecessary chattering."
17 turned to the Doctor, his face a cool anger. "After all these years scum is still scum. That crap you were spewing earlier was nothing, but lies. You really were planning on betraying us again, weren't you?"
"O-Of course not!" Dr. Gero hurriedly replied, his calm facade quickly cracking to a more panicked one. "Cell is merely trying to get under the skin of our enemies. It has nothing to do with my-"
"You thought you had it all figured out, didn't you, 17?" Cell interrupted, leaving Dr. Gero to seethe in his growing rage. "This whole time you assumed Dr. Gero was secretly working on a remote to keep you guys in check. Unaware he already had the remote made by the time of your rebirth. When in fact, he was checking on my progress and making sure I was growing in the right way."
17 backed up in disbelief, as the other two Androids wore similar expressions of shock.
"Growing in the right way...?" Chi-Chi repeated to herself though Cell's sharp ears were able to catch her words.
"Ah, right, though my biological makeup came from the strongest fighters known to earth—It was feeding I needed. The strong energy helped me to grow to my best form. It was all done in secret though so no one figured it out before I had time to achieve my form, but it wasn't hard to hide when all that was left behind was only their clothes."
Chi-Chi let out a gasp, holding a hand to her mouth.
Cell chuckled. "Sound familiar, right?" He turned to Goku, who was also putting together everything in his head. "That's right when Dr. Gero heard of the special abilities of those born with Saiyan blood, he sent me to feed on someone with it. Luckily for me, I was able to find 3 suitable people with the blood, living in the middle of nowhere, who had already gotten far with their abilities. Little Raditz and Goku had still not yet reached their full potential, so there was no need to swallow them up as well, but as you can see, they have gotten much stronger in the past years surpassing even their parents and grandfather in strength, so I couldn't resist tasting Raditz for myself. I must say, it was well worth the wait." He licked his lips, keeping his eye contact with Goku.
There was a pause of silence as the group tried to digest what Cell was implying. Chi-Chi shook her head, not wanting this to be true for Goku. "...his parents and grandfather…" she was afraid to finish, but the confirmation had to be made. "You… you a-ate them…?
Her stomach lurched having to say that sentence out loud. It was almost enough to make her vomit on the spot. To think there could be someone so evil in the world… it made her skin crawl.
Cell merely let out another sinister laugh. "Yes, one could say I ate them… but the truth is, I pierced them just as I did Raditz. Heard their screams of terror until they couldn't no more." He let his words drag out like he wanted everyone to hear his horrific details. "I heard as their life slowly gave out to feed me. To help create me. So that I may be here today and once again do the same to their sons and everyone else they hold dear."
His laugh rang out as everyone in a near radius was forced to hear his sick description. Bulma had closed her ears mid-rant, just so she could try and shut out anything else the monster had to say. Krillin was sick to his stomach but was also angry at himself for feeling the fear in the pit of his stomach. His hands and legs, shaking despite not wanting to.
Everyone else who didn't know Goku or his story even felt the blow of this revelation. Most of them turned away.
The look of disgust never left Vegeta's face. His teeth clenched in anger, as the monster seemed to get off at telling his story; keeping his eyes on Goku the whole time.
Even the androids look like they were sickened by this demon's actions.
Not that Chi-Chi would even know because her eyes were trained on only Goku. He heard this story word for word, never tearing his eyes away from Cell. His face stony, not giving much away, but the rage radiating off his body was loud enough.
It was easy to tell he was holding himself back. He let Cell finish his story first, despite every muscle in his arms twitching, every fiber in his being wanting to interrupt his story by crushing his face in.
It was deathly quiet.
Goku took a step forward. No one made a move or said anything as he continued his patient trail to Cell. He didn't hurry nor did he slow down. He kept his pace, his boots crunching against the dirt being the only thing to break the silence.
Chi-Chi wanted to do something. She wanted Cell to suffer for everything he said and did, but it wasn't her place right now. Whatever Goku chose to do right now, she'd support it, and react after that.
Cell just smirked, getting into a fighting stance as Goku neared him. Dr. Gero somewhere off to his side next to android 19. "That night was so memorable to me, Goku. Not only did I steal the best energy I've ever had the pleasure of devouring, but I was also able to witness a little boy crying over a nightmare looking for his parents, knowing he'd never find anything, but their clothes."
Goku, for the most part, kept his steely face, but his cheek lifted, giving a glimpse of the revulsion he felt inside. He kept a tolerable amount of space between him and Cell, but he was now standing in front of him. His fists kept clenched and to his sides.
He kept his eyes trained on Cell, before finally letting out a smirk and a chuckle to follow.
The small gesture was enough to not only shock everyone else around, but Dr. Gero and android 19 as well, and especially Cell, who flinched back in disbelief.
Goku shook his head, pointing at Cell. "Your act doesn't fool anybody. You're nothing, but a coward through and through." The amusement in his voice dissolved to a more hardened one. "When you got here, you knew you were outnumbered. You took my brother by surprise first because he was your biggest threat, wasn't he?"
Goku took another step forward as his voice grew more powerful. "If that wasn't enough—you made sure you spoke of your killings to scare anyone else from joining in the fight, didn't you?" His eyes squinted. "Then you made sure to tell me all about my parents just so I would head into battle with my emotions all jumbled. Tell me Cell, am I close?"
Cell only looked on with widened eyes as Goku got through with his accusation. The look was quickly replaced by a more conniving and malevolent one. Cell's tail hitting the floor once more as he grinned. "Yes it's true, I decided to take out the most troubling one first, and I might have spoken with the intent to inflict fear in the hearts around, including yours, Goku, but you have one thing very wrong. This was not done with the intent to ensure my victory but to merely save my energy for something more appetizing. Something you'll never have the chance of figuring out. Not after I drain the life out of you!"
His tail had been slithering towards Goku, so when he moved to attack he was practically already there. What he didn't expect was for Goku to manage to grab him when he was only inching away from stabbing his abdomen. "Huh?!"
Goku had seen his tail inching closer to him, waiting to attack and catch him off guard. His grip tightened, knowing this was the same tail that ended the lives of his parents and grandfather. The same one that had stabbed his brother only moments ago. The same one that had already ended so many innocent lives.
His grip was crushing. "This thing has caused enough despair! This ends now!" He was ready to rip it off with his own bare hands, but before he could, he was hit by the side.
"Goku!" Chi-Chi shouted in concern.
Meanwhile, Dr. Gero could breathe easier, seeing Android 19 had gotten there on time. He was almost certain Cell's tail would have been ripped off if he was even a second too late. Something so important being destroyed would have cost them greatly.
"That's it," Vegeta angrily muttered, flying into the battle, landing in front of the big green cockroach and the rounder mechanical clown. "Since it was Kakarot's family you disrespected, it's only right he gets to be the one to take care of the cockroach." He turned to Android 19, his face scowling, but a cocky smirk present. "You though aren't so lucky."
From afar, Goku released a blast, which managed to accomplish two things: the scattering of the three opposing sides, and the start of the fight. Vegeta versus Android 19 and Goku versus Cell.
Dr. Gero looked on at the scene in great distaste, his yellow teeth showing as he clenched them. For a second, he looked ready to join the fight himself, but the arrival of three figures joining the scene stopped him.
17 smirked, holding his hand out. "I think it's better if you stay out of this for now. We wouldn't want you slipping into the chaos once more. Of course, I can't force you to stay but do remember, you no longer have control over me, and I am now more than free to stop you if I so choose to. Your choice though."
The doctor let out a growl. "Don't be a fool 17! If those brutes somehow manage the impossible of destroying Cell—what do you think will happen to you three? You're criminals! They will never accept you. They'll throw you in jail the first chance they get and you'll end up in the same position you were in before!"
18 frowned. "I'd rather try my luck with those weak humans than a crazy old man like you! Now stay there, and if you even try to make a move, the three of us will kill you before you even get a chance. Got it?" Her voice was stiff and ice cold.
Dr. Gero's face twisted, but held in however he truly felt, and only let out a small scoff, turning his attention back to the fight.
Back with the rest, Chi-Chi kept her own eyes on the fight, her worry only increasing. Though Goku wasn't losing, it looked like Cell was merely just playing with him. He was able to match every one of Goku's hits.
The look in his eyes though told her, Goku wasn't exactly being serious either just yet. The power he had gained through training was far more ferocious compared to what he was fighting with right now.
No—Goku was just testing the waters with Cell. They were both trying to read patterns and test each other's strength out. What worried her wasn't that though. It was the sickly feeling she got when she looked at the monster fighting her Goku. It was the fact that Goku still wasn't fighting in the right headspace despite his words.
He might have played the cool and collected part, but Goku was raging on the inside. He wanted revenge. For his brother. For his parents. If he kept fighting with this rage in his heart she was afraid he'd….
"I need to find a way to help…" She unconsciously whispered out loud.
"What?" Krillin said, turning to her in surprise. "Are you crazy? They're both doing great out there!"
"Yeah, they are totally dominating those other two," Bulma added from the side. "It's Goku and Vegeta after all, this fight will be over before we know it."
Chi-Chi bit her lip. She wanted to agree. The pit in her stomach wouldn't leave her though. She watched the fight holding her breath, waiting for something to go wrong at any moment. She knew Goku's strength. If anyone could defeat the monster it would be him.
What had her on edge though was being out of the fight. On the sidelines. She was used to fighting, and recently, she was also used to fighting alongside Goku. What she was doing now though wasn't fighting. It was waiting on the sidelines.
It was killing her to do so because this wasn't an easy opponent and if at any time anything went wrong, she'd always blame herself and always live with the regret of not joining the fight.
But what could she do?!
Vegeta was right. This was Goku's fight. It was only right he be the one to end this monster. He was the one who killed his family, and the one who injured Raditz. This wasn't her fight!
Was she supposed to stand around and do nothing? And what about this bad feeling she had. Was it a gut instinct, or was she just anxious because Goku was the one fighting?
"Hey," A voice called out. It was the tall green guy who had fought Android 19 and ripped his arm off. She was pretty sure his name was Piccolo.
Her eyes widened slightly at all the blood around his hands. He had told them he had known some basic healing and might have been able to help Raditz. Since they didn't have any other means of healing his wounds, it was the best bet they had.
"It's about your friend," he told her, "He was stabbed almost all the way through and with the little healing I know, I was only able to close the wound up enough to stop the bleeding. Since he's not fully human, he won't die, but he won't be in the best shape when he wakes up either."
She let out a breath of relief. At least that covered one worry. "Thank you!"
He gave a curt nod. "I can't do any more for him." He pointed his thumb back. "Yamcha's watching over him for now, but I think it'd be better if someone more familiar with him, be there for when he wakes up."
She nodded. That made sense. Of course, someone more familiar with Raditz should be with him when he wakes up. That way they could explain things to him. And she was one of his students... but….
Her eyes drifted back to the fight where Goku was blocking from a fury of hits.
"I'll go," Bulma volunteered. She placed a hand on Chi-Chi's shoulder, her eyes going kind of sad. "I want you to be safe, but I know if things go wrong you should probably be here to join the fight. Please stay safe though Chi."
She was engulfed in a hug, and she returned it, a smile appearing on her face. "I will. If it gets too dangerous here though promise me you'll leave with Raditz."
The bluenette nodded, her eyes set with determination, but a smile in place. "Count on it. Raditz looks pretty heavy to carry out, but I did it with you, didn't I?"
"Are you implying I'm as heavy as Raditz?!" Chi-Chi asked, totally taking offense to that.
Bulma playfully stuck her tongue out. "If you're mad, take it out on me after this, okay?"
Knowing what she was trying to say made it hard for Chi-Chi to be angry at her. "I will."
Seeing her retreating form, her eyes went back to the fight. There wasn't much of a change, but she wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing.
"We should move closer in case things go wrong," she told Krillin without taking her eyes off the scene ahead.
"I'm pretty sure we're supposed to do the opposite if that happens," Krillin joked. It had no effect on Chi-Chi though since she was too absorbed in watching Goku. He sighed knowing he had no choice, but to go with her. "Whatever you say Lady Anonymous."
That got her to snap out of it.
"Do not start calling me that."
"Oh come on," he teased. "You're the last person I thought would be running around in spandex of all things. To think I was worried about you going up against 18 when it's 18 I should have been worried for."
She opened her mouth to retort but thought against it after realizing Krillin could have been a lot angrier at her for hiding this from him and everyone else. Still, the spandex comment was going a little far. "Hm, and why would you be worried about 18 for…?"
His eyes widened. "I just meant—it wasn't—ugh let's just go," he resigned with his head bowed down.
Chi-Chi barely opened her mouth to laugh when a body flew past her so quickly, there was a whooshing by her ear.
"What the hell was that?!" Krillin exclaimed beside her.
"Move you, idiots!"
That was the only warning given to them as energy blasts began to go off. Krillin and Chi-Chi flew back as quickly as possible to avoid them, sending them in opposite directions into the air. Vegeta was in front of them still shooting off into the middle of them, sweat building on his forehead, but a smirk still present on his face.
"Are you crazy?!" Chi-Chi angrily shouted up at him once he finally stopped shooting. "What if you had hit us!"
"It would have been your fault for standing in my way," Vegeta simply said, an amused chuckle escaping him. "Now if you two don't want to be used as bait, I suggest the two of you get out of the way."
"What the hell do you mean by bait-" Chi-Chi was in the process of saying before something latched onto her foot. Her chin hit the cold, hard ground before she could even react.
"Chi-Chi!" Krillin cried out, going after her. A blast cut him off though sending him back.
"Idiot," Vegeta muttered, looking down at Android 19 pathetically clinging onto Chi-Chi. A mad grin on his face. Holding up his hand, he prepared another blast. "Hiding behind a girl? Isn't this a new low?" He chuckled.
"Don't shoot!" Android 19 shouted, keeping his grip on Chi-Chi. "If you shoot me, this girl gets hurt too!"
A prick of irritation hit Chi-Chi as Vegeta merely raised a brow as if to say, 'so what'. He was obviously enjoying himself in this fight since he was taking his sweet time to fight this android. Well, it wasn't like she had to rely on him anyway.
Turning, she was ready to blast the android away from her, when a flash of pain passed through her. Her eyes widened as the pain grew stronger. "Ah!" She let out, gritting her teeth, and shutting her eyes, unable to focus on anything except for the pain coming from her leg.
"Hey! What's happening to you?" Vegeta demanded.
She wanted to reply to him, but the pain was becoming unbearable. She could only open an eye, Android 19 staring down at her with a sadistic grin.
He giggled. "Your energy. It's delicious."
What the hell? He was… taking her energy?!
"Ahh!" She screamed again, unable to do anything else.
Then the pain was gone.
"You left your fight?! Are you an idiot?" Vegeta yelled down.
Chi-Chi blinked making sure she wasn't imagining things. Now replacing where Android 19 was, Goku stood, glaring at Vegeta in the air.
"You were taking too long to shoot him down! Chi-Chi could have gotten hurt!" He complained, before going to Chi-Chi to help her up. "You okay?" He asked, looking her over himself.
She nodded, holding onto his hand, and gripping it tighter. It felt like it had been forever since she had seen him. She had been worrying over him during the whole fight, but he had been so far away from her, and now he was so close, she could touch him. It calmed the anxiousness she was feeling earlier.
Their moment was broken by Vegeta landing near them though. "If I had blasted him, she would have gone down with him. Clearly, your brain isn't functioning to understand that though since you also decided to leave that killer bug in the middle of a fight."
"Huh? Oh yeah," Goku simply said. He turned back scratching his cheek. "I'm not exactly sure where he is. I left as soon as I heard Chi-Chi getting hurt."
"Aw, Goku…" She hugged his arm.
"Urgh." Vegeta practically spat out, once again being a forced witness for their love. "You two make me—MOVE!"
Chi-Chi held onto Goku, shutting her eyes as he moved them at such a speed, she's never been able to reach. Grateful for it too as the spot they were at moments ago now had a chunk of it missing.
A low chuckle rang out and froze her to her core. The grip Goku had on her hips tensed up too. It was only one quiet second that nothing happened where she tried to turn to Goku, but he had pushed her away before she could.
She fell to the ground hard, though she hardly cared for it at the moment, choosing to instead look back at Goku. His face screwed up, as he held back Cell who had his hand extended out, his fist being stopped by Goku's forearm.
"Leaving during the middle of our battle?" Cell taunted in amusement, his strength forcing Goku back bit by bit, even as he dug his boots into the ground. "Was that the smartest decision? Maybe for me who now has the two of you in range."
'Two?!' Goku's eyes widened as Cell disappeared in front of his eyes. "Chi-Chi! RUN!"
Chi-Chi had just gotten up as she heard Goku's demand. She was confused, but as a shadow loomed in front of her, she could only hold her arms up in defense. The hard kick came quick, and she was sent back a couple of spaces protecting herself from any bad injuries, but still losing her breath from impact.
She collapsed onto the ground, unable to hold back the ugly choking sounds that escaped her. Cell came for another attack but was hit by Goku who managed to knock him out of the way.
"This fight is between me and you!" Goku yelled.
"Be careful what you wish for!" Cell kicked his legs, pinning him onto the floor. His tail raised, his sharp end aiming at him. "This is what being in a rush gets you!"
"NO!" Chi-Chi shot a blast out, knocking Cell back, allowing Goku to throw Cell off of him. With him away from Goku though he went right back to going after her.
From up in the air, Vegeta aimed for the running Cell. He had a limited time to work with though as he was closing in on her. "Not on my watch." He blasted but was quickly hit on his side, causing his blast to twist in the air, shooting off at the wrong spot.
"What the hell was that!" Vegeta said in the air looking around at nothing. His eyes flickered to where Cell was, but the one moment cost him as he was struck on his back, sending him flying.
"Vegeta!" Chi-Chi said as he hit leftover parts of the coliseum, before falling. She couldn't spend time worrying for him though as her opponent came to her at her left. She ducked, avoiding a kick, and tried to go for an upper-cut, but her fist was easily caught. She was pulled forward, her face backing away as she was close enough to Cell to make out the gross details that made him before she was thrown back like nothing.
Her body was airborne, but she was caught by Goku before she hit anything.
"He's fast," he said, his features hardened. "Android 19 isn't letting up either."
"Yeah, well, he must be charged up after stealing some of my energy," Chi-Chi bitterly said, trying to catch her breath. Whatever adrenaline she had at the start of this fight was quickly leaving her, especially with the loss of energy she already had little of.
Goku wasn't in the same state as her, since he already had a surplus of energy to spare, but she could tell he was starting to feel this fight. Most of it was her fault since he was now watching her back as well. But even if she wanted to back out of the fight, Cell was determined to keep her in it. If she had to guess why it probably had to do with Goku being weakened by her. She couldn't let it continue to happen. She refused to be dead weight.
"Chi-Chi, maybe I should… use that," he told her in a low tone.
She gave him a look of worry. "You sound unsure."
"I-"
"You're taking me lightly!"
Cell flew after them both, his hand creating a ball of energy. His speed was great leaving the couple in the air, unable to defend themselves. Goku could only shield Chi-Chi as he came after them.
"Watch out!"
"What!" Cell cried out in anger, looking behind him as a giant ki blast hit him, forcing him off course.
Their savior was none other than Piccolo, who had barely made it to the scene. Not too far behind him were Yamcha and Tien.
"You two okay?" Yamcha asked as they lowered to the ground.
"Somehow," Chi-Chi responded, her feet finally back on the ground. She still wasn't so used to fighting in the air. "Thank you for saving us, Piccolo."
He nodded at her, his eyes still focused on the area Cell flew to. "Hope you two don't mind us crashing the party. That thing is playing too dirty to be left alone."
"Considering you just saved us, we should be glad you came in when you did," Goku said with a light-hearted smile before he returned with a more serious expression. "But you're right about him playing dirty. Be prepared for anything."
There was a whoosh, as someone flew to the group, but it wasn't Cell. Vegeta floated, rubble still on his hair, his face deeply scowling. "That tub of lard must be running on hippy crack if he thinks he can get away with his cowardly attack."
A giggle echoed across. The group turned to see 19 quickly approaching them. Vegeta took the initiative, flying towards him, a blast already charging. "You'll pay for—uh!" He stopped dead in the air in shock.
19 had stopped running, his eyes bulging out and his mouth dropping as he shakily turned to his side. "Uh—Uh—Uh," he could only say as the sharp tail stayed lodged in his back. Behind him, Cell stayed grinning.
"I'd ask for you not to think badly of me, but that would require having a brain, wouldn't it?"
"What the hell?" Vegeta spat out in complete disgust.
Chi-Chi covered her mouth, disgust crawling up her body.
"Cell!" Another voice shouted from the air. Dr. Gero looked down, his own eyes reflecting feelings of disgust as he saw his creations turn on each other.
The rest of the androids that had kept an eye on Dr. Gero—stayed when he moved—too shocked by the outcome.
Cell simply chuckled. His tail taking whatever it did in big chunks, as the pudgy 19 got smaller and smaller, unable to move, and only giving shouts of pain to the absolute revulsion of the people around.
"Dr. Gero," Cell started, paying no mind to the shouts of the dying android by him. "I think we can both agree this situation has become more than we expected. Those two are most suitable, yes, but desperate times call for desperate measures, wouldn't you agree?"
"B-But he was on our side," Dr. Gero could only say, still too stunned at his own creation. For once looking like something had been too evil even for him.
"Yes, and his sacrifice will not be forgotten." Laughter spilled out of him, as Android 19's screams slowly died down until there was nothing, but his clothes in place. Cell balled his fist, as power began to surge inside him.
"Yes! This is power! Uwahh!" Cell let out an excited scream, his body beginning to glow, brighter and brighter, as he began to grow.
"W-What is he…." Chi-Chi trailed off, too terrified to finish her sentence.
"He can't be…!"
"He is!" Piccolo yelled to Yamcha, his teeth clenched in anger. "He's transforming!"
His words confirmed what she was fearing. She turned to Goku for some kind of reassurance, but he looked as distressed as the rest of them. Her stomach dropping at that thought alone. She didn't have time to dwell on it though as a blinding light surrounded the area forcing everyone around to shield their eyes.
Their nightmare had just begun.