Trunks and Ranch had spent the last night before the tournament camping together. When they woke up and got dressed, Ranch got into her usual fighting clothes, while Trunks put on his battle armor. "What?" Trunks asked, seeing that she was staring at him.
"Sorry, I only now realized how weird it is seeing you go into a fight without that sword of yours," Ranch said.
"I guess, but it broke, remember?"
"I know. I just miss how it made you seem like a big, tough guy that shouldn't be messed with," she said amusingly.
"You're hilarious," Trunks said sarcastically, putting all their stuff into a capsule.
From there they headed straight for the lookout, and as they approached it they saw Vegeta speed away in the direction of Cell's ring. At the lookout they found Piccolo, Krillin, Raditz, Gohan, Mr. Popo, and Dende all waiting in silence. From there they all just waited around, and eventually Ranch then had a feeling that there was something other than Cell bothering them. She was about to ask, when Goku suddenly appeared before them.
"Dad," said Gohan.
With an eager smile, Goku said, "Today's the day." He then looked around in confusion. "Where's Vegeta?"
"He went on ahead," Piccolo informed him.
"I see. He must be pumped up from all his training." He then noticed how most of them were wearing gloomy expressions. "Hey, what's with the glum faces?"
"Well we seem to have hit a bit of a snag," Krillin started. "You see, Dende made it so that we can wish everyone killed by Cell with one wish…. But unlike the dragon on Namek we can't wish back those that have already died."
"Sorry, I should have told you before I made him, Goku," Dende said solemnly.
Trunks and Ranch shared a look that plainly said, Oh wow, how awful it must be that their magical dragon's wish granting power is so limited.
"Hey, don't worry, nothing going to happen," Goku assured them once again. "He isn't going to beat us."
"Hello, we're fighting Cell here!" Krillin blurted out.
"Just take it easy. Now let's hurry up or we'll be late."
And so Goku, Piccolo, Krillin, Raditz, Trunks, and Ranch took to the air towards Cell's arena, meeting up with Tien and Yamcha along the way.
Meanwhile at Cell's arena, Mr. Satan had arrived on the scene before any other fighter and had begun taunting Cell with most of the world tuned in. Eventually Vegeta had also gotten to the ring. The announcer attempted to press Vegeta for an interview, but was quickly rebuked by him. Not long after Vegeta it was 16's turn to show up, his midriff composed entirely of brand new material, and with a Capsule Corp sticker placed over the Red Ribbon logo. And last but not least to touch down at the arena were Goku and the rest of the fighters.
As 16 greeted Krillin, and Goku attempted to introduce himself to the cyborg, Ranch looked at who was occupying the ring. Leaning into Trunks, she whispered, "Isn't that the blowhard from the TV?"
Looking as well, he said, "Yup, sure is."
After Goku failed at his introduction, the announcer approached them and asked Goku if he really intended on taking on Cell. As the announcer began saying how it wasn't a game and that it was dangerous, Ranch leaned into Krillin, and asked, "Want to take a bet at how long this guy will last?"
"Normally I'd feel bad that he's going to die," Krillin admitted. "But, hey, we've got Dragon Balls. I give it three seconds."
Ranch said, "One second."
"Five seconds," said Trunks.
She snorted with laughter. "That's generous of you."
"Will somebody get this started already," Cell demanded irritably.
And without further ado, Mr. Satan, World Martial Arts Champion and savior of the world, stepped into the ring, ignorant of Goku's warning that he could die. With the camera on him, and the eyes of the world upon him, Mr. Satan took his stance as the announcer told everyone that the Cell Games were now officially starting. Mr. Satan charged in and delivered a devastating Dynamite Kick upon Cell's head. Unperturbed by the lack of reaction from Cell, Mr. Satan began delivering a flurry of kicks and punches onto Cell. The whole world cheered on their hero, confident of the champ's strength and—
Cell swatted Mr. Satan aside and into a nearby mountain. All viewers were in shock at the ring out as Mr. Satan slid down until he hit the ground, bleeding and clutching his mouth in agony.
"I'll be damned, he's still alive," Ranch said, both surprised and slightly impressed.
"To be honest," Krillin told Gohan in an undertone, "I was sort of rooting for Cell."
"Guess I win," Trunks said.
"Alright, so what do you want?" she asked.
Getting more serious, he replied, "I'll figure it out if we live through this."
"Let's get this tournament started," Cell said rather irritably. "Who's first?"
Goku didn't waste any time stepping into the ring. "Let's do it."
Goku and Cell now stood in the middle of the ring cracking their knuckles and staring each other down. Goku's friends and family stood by the wayside waiting in anticipation at just what kind of power Goku was going to put on display. The two took their fighting stances as they got ready to start.
As the opponents were posturing, a bleeding Mr. Satan returned to the side of the ring. Jimmy Firecracker immediately went up to him, asking, "Mr. Satan, can I ask what happened out there?"
"It's no big deal," he claimed. "I just lost my footing. I'm just going to take a quick break and then I'll go right back into the ring to finish what I started."
"You hear that, folks?" Jimmy said into the camera. "Mr. Satan will get back into the fight soon enough, until then let's watch Cell go up against the man with the large hair!"
They began their fight. Goku started by throwing some punches at Cell, who blocked was able to block them. The two traded several blows in quick succession before they sudden backed off from each other. Cell then jumped forward to attack Goku, but Goku blocked all that was thrown at him. Goku kicked Cell up into the air, chased after him, and charging up a Kamehameha in the process. Cell smacked the weak attack out of the way; meanwhile Goku got behind Cell with an afterimage and hit him from behind. Angered, Cell turned around and hit Goku in the face, and then used both his fists to hammer him back down to the ground. Goku recovered on the way down and hit the area hard. He stood back up as Cell landed not far from him.
Goku smiled and so did Cell.
"Alright, I think that'll do for a warm-up," announced Cell.
"Yeah," agreed Goku.
Getting into a stance, Goku began to power up, and he immediately began emitting colossal amount of energy that shocked nearly everyone except for Gohan. The ground shook beneath their feet, and the wind kicked up. With one last yell, Goku unleashed a final shockwave that produced a strong gust and bright light. Now Goku stood there glowing brighter than ever.
Pleased by this, Cell decided it was his turn. He put his arms out, yelled, and unleashed his own power, emanating a bright light that penetrated the clouds. A huge shockwave was produced that blew back Jimmy Firecracker and Mr. Satan, and caused Goku's team to shield their eyes and brace themselves against the powerful gust. When things calmed down, Cell was glowing like Goku, who was now pleased as well. Mr. Satan continued claiming it had be all some sort of trick.
Goku and Cell approached each other, Cell told him to get started, and Goku obliged. Goku punched Cell in the stomach, elbowed him in the back, and followed it all up with a punch and kick to his face. When Cell froze in midair he commented on how the match would be no fun unless the opponents were well matched, and Goku agreed.
The two then closed in on each other, began to having an all-out brawl. Eventually Cell surprised them by using Tien's split-form technique. Gou fought against the four Cells at once, taking everything that was thrown at him. Then the four Cells surrounded Goku, and powered up the Special Beam Cannon. Goku easily managed to dodge it, took to the air, and the Cells followed. One by one, Goku managed to beat them all back down to the ground, fusing them back into one.
Once back in the ring, Cell charged up a Kamehameha that Goku saw would be powerful to destroy the planet. To avoid that Goku flew back into the air, Cell adjusted his aim, and fired. Just before the attack hit Goku, he used Instant Transmission to get away. When Cell lowered his arms after finishing his attack, Goku reappeared right behind him, and kicked him in the head.
The fight continued. Cell drastically increased his speed, and Goku had to try and match it. They were moving all over the ring and in the air so fast that some were having trouble keeping up. To Jimmy, Mr. Satan, and the cameraman they seemed to have disappeared completely except for the occasional shockwave. Whenever Goku and Cell didn't dodge the other's attack, they'd be taking a heavy blow.
Eventually, they paused their fight in midair high above the ring, with Cell telling Goku just how much fun he was having. Not wanting to constrained by the rules any longer, Cell announces that he would be getting rid of the ring so as to avoid having the fight end in a mere ring out. Cell charges up a shot, Goku yells down to warn everyone, and the Cell released his blast.
The fighters below scattered as the ring exploded, with 16 protecting Mr. Satan, Jimmy, and the cameraman. Once back on the ground, Cell began unleashing a barrage of energy attacks at Goku, who was forced to try and stay ahead of the explosions. After a particularly large blast, Goku escaped by flying into the air again.
Looking down at Cell, Goku put his palms together and began to charge up a Kamehameha of his own. Cell and Goku's team all looked up at him in disbelief. An attack like that pointed downward would destroy the planet! "Kakarot, what the hell are you doing!" Raditz shouted up at him. But it was to no avail. Goku kept charging up. When it looked like Goku would actually go through with it, he suddenly disappeared—and then reappeared below Cell.
Goku fired his blast upwards at him, releasing a powerful blast that took off the top half of Cell.
In the aftermath, Ranch stammered, "Is…is he…?"
"No," Trunks answered, on edge.
Just as predicted the remains of sprang up, and Cell's top half completely regenerated.
Although both of their energy levels were significantly drained, Cell and Goku continued the fight. They were almost equal at first, but Cell was quickly gaining the upper hand. Goku tried firing a barrage of attacks, but Cell used a barrier to block everything. When the attacks stopped, Goku went back to the ground as he panted heavily, while Cell loomed over him after the barrier went away.
"You look tired, Goku," said Cell. "How about you take a Senzu bean? It'll make the fight more even."
"You heard that!" Trunk started. "Krillin, toss him one!"
"Do you have no Saiyan pride, boy!" demanded Vegeta. "Kakarot would rather die than win like that. He's not even fighting for Earth right now!"
Ranch blustered, "What the—? Dad!"
"He's right, Ranch," Raditz said seriously, looking on anxiously. "I probably wouldn't do it myself."
Ranch angrily growled, "Screw that! I'll shove a bean down his throat if I frickin have to!"
Then Goku announced, "I give up."
"WHAT!" everyone cried.