*(Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, or Dragon Ball GT. All characters and places associated with the Dragon Ball series belong to their own respected creators and I have not used them to make any profit in any shape or form.)
Jason9000: Hello everyone, hope you're doing well. We'll start this off with the Sons and then focus a bit on Daimaō. Hope you enjoy.*
The doors closed for the second time with a loud thud. Gohan turned his eyes toward Daimaō. He had a feeling that what came next would be something he thought he overcame years ago.
"So what do we face the 'all mighty' Demon King by ourselves then?" Goten asked the Demon King standing in front of them.
Daimaō didn't respond. The upper part of his body was swaying and he looked dazed. It looked like he didn't even know where he was. But, before Gohan could say anything, Daimaō turned toward Goten and laughed.
"You're not even worth my time boy. If I really wanted to, I could vaporize you all to ashes before you could power up to defend yourselves," Daimaō told him.
"You keep saying that, but you've yet to prove it. I doubt you're the strongest out of your little group," Goten said.
Daimaō raised an eyebrow at him. "If I wasn't, then how could I control Cell and the others? If I were weaker than them, they'd dispose of me and take my place. I'm not that stupid. I don't try and recruit people when I know I cannot defeat them," He told him.
He pushed open the door and there in a grassy field was Cell waiting for them. He had his arms crossed and was waiting for them to come through the door.
"If by some chance you survive through this, I'll be waiting to have a crack at you myself. I wouldn't mind using you all as a punching bag," Daimaō grinned wickedly.
"Whoa, hold up a minute. You said if we win this you'll turn yourself in," Goten said.
"Oh I will. When I said win, I meant beating my associates and myself in combat. Come now, don't tell me your Human blood has diluted your anticipation for battle?" Daimaō said.
Before Goten could respond his brother put a hand on his shoulder. Gohan's gaze at Daimaō was hard. Daimaō could practically taste the anger, frustration, and loathing from his gaze. It made Daimaō smile inwardly that he was capable of doing this to the young man.
"No, in fact it has made us stronger than our parents could ever be at our age. Now if you'll excuse us. We have a fight to get underway," Gohan said coldly.
He walked through the door with his brother behind him. Goku stayed behind and looked at Daimaō for a moment. He shook his head.
"It's a shame. I really do pity you and the others. Maybe one day you'll understand," He whispered before walking through the door.
Before Daimaō could call him back Goku was already through the door and it started to close behind him. Leaving the Demon King confused at his foe's words.
Cell was standing in a tall grassy field. His eyes were closed with his head tilted toward the ground. His arms were crossed in his usual fashion. Cell was enjoying the peaceful quietness. Compared to the loud, chaotic noise of the Demon Realm this quiet planet was a paradise. Cell wasn't sure how much longer he would be able to deal with the place before he lost his mind.
He felt three distinct powers appear suddenly on the planet. Two of them he was very familiar with. The third actually got his blood to boil. The Saiyan side of him knew what to expect from Goku and Gohan, but the youngest of them Goten. He was an enigma to him. The genetic cells of Frieza were telling him to take care of this newcomer immediately. The Namek side was telling him to be cautious of Goten. For all he knew, he could be exactly like Gohan which would be troubling based on his past experiences…But, the Saiyan side in him was excited to fight someone new. If he was anything like Gohan or his father, it would be an exciting match.
He felt the three of them land in front of him. He smiled as he opened his eyes and lifted his head up. He took a deep breath and stared at the three of them.
"Hello Goku, Gohan. It's been a very long time has it not?" Cell asked them.
Gohan stood in between his father and his younger brother. He had discarded his teaching outfit. Now he wore an outfit that was a mix of Piccolo and his father's. He had the purple low cut V-neck top. But, his pants were the orange gi of his father. He had the familiar blue wristbands of his father. His shoes on the other hand were of Namekian design.
Goku and Goten were dressed identical to each other. They both had the similar orange gi outfit, complete with blue shoes and blue wristbands. In fact, if Goten's hair wasn't spiked out and straight Cell would mistake them for twins.
Goten was looking at Cell with curiosity. He had always heard stories of Cell. Sure he'd seen some old videos of him. Like when he broke into that news studio sent out his broadcast to the world. Now he saw him in the flesh. He didn't understand why people were scared of his looks. To Goten he looked like a giant green moth or some weird bug.
"So this is Cell? It's a good thing looks don't mean much for power. Because otherwise I'm not sure how I could feel terrified by a giant green bug. I guess Dr. Gero proved that you shouldn't mix Saiyan genetics with lizard or Namekian DNA," Goten quipped.
Cell's head turned slightly toward Goten's direction. His eyes glared at the young man's remark.
"As if you're one to talk boy, you look like an exact clone of your father. All you need is to stylize your hair to look more like a homeless person," Cell shot back.
"Hey at least in my case I'm acceptable. It's usually common for sons to look like their fathers. I was called 'Mini-Goku' for years. That's why I changed my hair to the awesome style it is now. Besides better to look like my father than a failed science experiment," Goten said shrugging his shoulders with a half-smile.
Cell's arms unfolded themselves. He lowered them down to his side and his fists tightened.
"You're really pushing it Saiyan brat! Keep talking and I may not let you suffer before ripping your flea bitten heart out!" Cell snarled.
Goku and Gohan looked at each other with raised eyebrows. Both thought Goten had told one of them a private plan to push Cell's buttons. Neither of them had any idea what he was doing.
"You know what? I am speaking out of turn. I do apologize," Goten said shrugging his shoulders.
Cell merely rolled his eyes not accepting his apology. He knew he was just pushing his buttons and so far it was working to Cell's annoyance.
There was a pregnant pause. Goten grinned again and foolishly decided to open his mouth once more.
"So do you get many 'radioactive moth' jokes down in Hell? I don't think there are many of you crawling down in the bowels of Hell," Goten asked him grinning.
Cell sighed and shook his head in frustration. "That's it, I'm killing you now brat," He said.
Before anyone could blink Cell's fist slammed into Goten's stomach. Goten was caught off guard and was sent hurdling back down the plains. He disappeared from view and in the distance a giant cloud of dust appeared in the air.
Both Goku and Gohan turned toward Cell. Gohan powered himself up while Goku immediately turned into a Super Saiyan.
Cell turned toward them with a smile and brought his hands up to a defensive stance.
"Now that the annoying child is out of the way…let us get the real show on the road!" Cell cried out powering up.
Suddenly they felt a giant power coming at them at high speeds. Cell had just enough time to turn his head toward its direction when two feet connected to his nose. He was sent flying off in the opposite direction.
Goten landed on the ground with a smirk. He was in his Super Saiyan form. His aura radiated raw power as if started to branch out from him, indicating that he was powering up. He had a cocky grin on his face as his head turned toward his older brother and father.
"You two can relax for a little bit. I'll handle moth man for now! Just be ready to jump in when I can't hold him off anymore," Goten said.
Before either could respond or warn him to not underestimate Cell, Goten flew off toward Cell's direction.
Both stood for a minute before Gohan shook his head. "Oh yeah, he defiantly takes after you dad. It looks like I'm the only one that isn't crazy enough to poke fun at my opponent when I'm not sure of the outcome," He said.
"Hey I don't do that too often," Goku said chuckling taking off after Cell and Goten.
"Do I need to bring up Frieza and Kid Buu?" Gohan asked sarcastically.
He was met with silence as Goku chose not to dignify responding to his Gohan's question.
Cell was flying back from Goten's kick trying to figure out what just happened. He wasn't expecting for the young Saiyan to get up so fast. Perhaps this will be more entertaining than he originally thought.
His muscles tightened as he used his body to flip itself over and he slammed his hand on the ground to slow himself down. A long fist-sized hole stretched for twenty feet on the planet's surface. Cell looked up and saw Goten charging at him again.
Cell was taken aback momentarily. He did not expect the boy to recover from his quick and vicious attack so quickly. Internally he smiled as he hoped the boy would be a good warm-up for his real challenge.
Goten brought his fist up at aimed a punch at Cell. But, the Android was faster as he brought his hands up in an x-formation in front of his face to protect himself. He didn't even budge from the attack.
Goten smiled as he broke off from the attack. His aura exploded around him. The golden flames igniting the area as his aura flickered around him. He kept raising his power more and more which delighted Cell.
Finally he stopped powering up with a confident smile. "So bug-breath, are you ready for the warm-up?" He asked him.
Cell merely studied him for a moment before laughing at the young Saiyan's expense. Goten stood firm though and not an ounce of worry was on his face.
"Warm-up you say? Very well I will play your game for a little while. I don't want to accidentally pull a muscle when I go to fight your brother and father," He told him.
"Well then, let's hope I pull every muscle in your body!" He called out.
Cell blinked not understanding this one's game. This Goten was…way too eager to fight. Even for a hybrid Saiyan. This wasn't even the eagerness of either Vegeta with his smug pride or Goku with how he was giddy to fight someone to test his strength. Eventually both would realize how serious their opponent was and drop either their smug act or happy exterior and get serious.
Yet for some unknown reason this boy was just happy. Too happy, it really disturbed Cell that he was related to this person. No one should be this happy when they're about to face imminent defeat and destruction. Surely Goten could tell from Cell's punch that he didn't have enough to defeat him. Unless this boy was suicidal…he could not figure out why he had that grin on his face.
"I'm going to enjoy wiping that pathetic grin off your face. If you even had rudimentary energy sensing skills, you'd realize that you stand no chance against me," Cell said.
"Don't count your chickens before they hatch. There's always that little silver lining that I might beat you. Maybe you're in the wrong. For all you know I could have access to a level beyond Super Saiyan 3," Goten said.
Cell blinked for a moment before recomposing himself. There was NO conceivable way that this impudent brat found a way to even get passed Super Saiyan 2 at such a young age by himself. When he was fused with Trunks it was one thing. It's impossible to even consider that Goten could somehow access Super Saiyan 3 and go beyond its level.
"Alright I've had enough of your false bravado," Cell snarled. He brought his arms in front of his body as he slowly powered up. He started roaring as he concentrated more and more. Soon A similar golden aura erupted around Cell. Soon electrical sparks came out of Cell in random directions. His aura grew bigger and brighter the more he pushed his power out of his body. Soon a faint purple light would flicker around Cell's body that would light up his face. It was just noticeable as it flashed every few seconds.
Finally Cell finished powering up. His jagged flaming aura had overtaken Goten's. If Goten were to guess he must have pushed his aura out for show to try and frighten Goten or intimidate him. Unfortunately for Cell, it wasn't working. Goten still had that cocky grin on his face and he started to feel his blood boil. His Saiyan side was starting to show as he could not wait to face off against the might of Dr. Gero's greatest Android.
"Now that's what I'm talking about. Alright big guy, show me what you've got!" Goten called out.
Cell only frowned at Goten before he charged him at blinding speeds. He was going to tear this brat to shreds. There wouldn't be a trace left of the cocky young man on the battlefield. No one would be able to find a single trace that belonged to Goten when he was done with him.
Both of them took a slow deep breath simultaneously. Finally Cell struck at Goten with a well-aimed round kick to his stomach. Goten at the last second actually moved fast enough ahead of the kick as if he was mocking Cell. He spun around Cell with his left palm opened. It had golden energy building up. Cell felt a tap on his shoulder and turned.
Goten's hand was in Cell's face with the golden orb only inches from his face. Goten was focusing on Cell's forehead with deep concentration. "I think there's a pimple on your face, here let me help you pop it!" He exclaimed popping up another irritating smile.
Before Cell could even try to get away, Goten released the golden orb into Cell's face. Cell was blown back into the distance with murder in mind.
Gohan and Goku were gaping at the spectacle before them. Both of their mouths were wide open. Not one of them could believe what was going on before them.
"Is Goten on some sort of drug? What's the matter with him?" Gohan asked out loud.
Goku couldn't answer him. He had never seen Goten act this way before. Sure he was cocky during a spar, but he chucked that up to his Saiyan heritage. Not once in all of their spars had he seen him behave this way.
"Seriously this way out of character for Goten. Why is he harassing Cell like this? It doesn't make sense. Can't he see he can't beat Cell in the long run?" Gohan asked him father.
Again Goku couldn't answer him as he was trying to figure out his son's plan. Why would angering Cell openly help him? If anything he should be doing the exact opposite. Angering Cell was not something Goku would do. He might try to blow himself up again trying to take them out and then regenerate into a stronger being. That is, if he could perform the same trick twice.
"I guess we should just trust in your brother for now. If it looks like he's in trouble we'll jump in. For now just watch and see if you can see any weaknesses in Cell's technique," Goku said.
Gohan was going to voice against this course of action, but he kept silent. He knew that Goten wanted a crack at Cell by himself. He heard stories about the Android for years. Now was the time to see if he could stand shoulder to shoulder with his brother and father facing an old foe.
Daimaō watched as the door closed before him slowly. He was simply staring ahead at the giant door before him. He looked up at the stone carven Demons at the top of the door.
'This is it; we're so close to gaining complete control over all of existence. At long last the fruits of our long labor will be realized! Soon everything and everyone will bow down to me as their Supreme Master.' The Demon King thought while staring up at the statues above him.
He frowned as he thought of what happened to himself not a moment ago. It was brief, but he knew something was wrong with him. For a moment it felt like something was wrong with his mind. The headaches were getting worse and worse lately. It felt like someone was trying to enter his mind.
He ruled out the wizards trying to gain control of him. He had long studied the magical arts from the various groups of magic users within his kingdom. While none of his subjects were at the level of the infamous Bibidi and his son Babidi, they knew some spells that were long forgotten. He was no fool. He knew he couldn't recruit the two without a countermeasure to their magic.
It couldn't be any of his offspring. He had direct command of them all with the exception of Piccolo. Each of his offspring was born conditioned to only take orders from their father and no one else. The very thought of trying to dispose of them wouldn't cross their minds. He made clear examples when he was slowly gaining power over the years. None of them were stupid enough to try and make a coup.
It obviously wasn't Piccolo. His son was too exhausted from battling Bojack. He was still resting at the top of his tower. Judging from the low energy signature he was probably unaware that Goku and the others were just here. Also it didn't feel like his son was trying to invade his mind. He knew his son's telepathic skills and what his mind felt like. It wasn't his son.
If it wasn't anyone he knew then what was going on with him? It had all started after the Elder Kai unlocked his power. The only time he felt close to what he was feeling was around eleven years ago…
His entire body froze. A chilling thought entered his head and for the first time in eleven years…he was nervous. How could he miss the signs? Raging headaches, an out of body experience, zoning in and out real in short lapses? It was all in front of him and he was blind to the signs. He thought he mastered this problem years ago. Why was it happening again? It made no sense.
There was only one person that could possibly know how to fix this. He had to hurry and fast. Things could go downhill rapidly if he lost it now. He was so close to obtaining victory! He was not going to be defeated, because of some mental breakdown!
He took off toward his castle at fast speeds. He did his best to calm himself down. He wasn't going to get answers if he was irritated and shouting at the one person who could help him.
He passed by the two guards at the door who immediately let their king inside. He walked into the Entrance Hall quickly and went toward the door that would lead to the dungeons below.
He walked through the confusing corridors swiftly. He made sure to avoid the part of the dungeons where the prisoners were screaming. He was sure his eardrums would implode from the noise of the tortured and insane inmates.
He walked down deeper and deeper in the cold, dark dungeon. Green slime was dripping from the walls as he descended further below. The temperature was dropping more and more. If he were Human or Saiyan he was sure he would be shivering from the cold. It was another reason to show how he was superior to everyone.
Finally he reached a door at the very end. It was a wooden door with a small window with bars. He tried to open it, but the door wouldn't push open.
He looked down and noticed he needed a key. He cursed himself in his haste for forgetting to grab the key from the guardroom. He had these doors specifically enchanted to resist opening unless one had the key. Magic did hold its uses, but he didn't like using it to solve all of his problems.
"My liege what are you doing down here? I was unaware you were making a visit to the prisoner today," A voice called behind him.
Daimaō turned and saw the captain of the guard standing behind him looking confused at his king's presence. His facial expression changed once he realized he was not adhering to protocol. He quickly got down on one knee and bowed his head.
"I merely need to speak with him for a little while. He may hold some information I may need. Do you have the key?" He asked.
The captain stood up slowly and spoke with trepidation. He knew he was in danger of losing his life if he did not please his king.
"Not on me my lord. I cannot carry the keys around as this battle armor and spandex do not have pockets. I put in an order for it, but the Cold Empire apparently does not understand the use of them. However, the spare is back up this corridor hanging on the wall. Shall I shall fetch them for you?" He asked.
Daimaō nodded his head while making a mental note to ask the Colds why the specifications of the battle armor he ordered for his men were not applied to. If this was a recurring thing, the Colds would suffer painfully…
The captain returned momentarily with the key in hand and a torch in the other. He walked by his king sweating a little as he put the key in the keyhole and slowly unlocked the door. He pushed it open for his king and stood back handing him the torch.
"Lock the door behind me and wait for me here," Daimaō ordered him.
The guard nodded as he pulled the door after Daimaō was on the other side. He locked the door and then proceeded to wait on the side of the door.
Daimaō walked in slowly lighting the other torches on the wall on his way down. It smelled horrible down here. It was a sick combination of rats, insects, and insect creatures that liked to inhabit this place. He walked down a small flight of stairs. Finally he reached the bottom and stared into the darkness before him.
For a while there was silence. Daimaō was slowly losing his patience before a voice before him spoke.
"Why have you come usurper? Did you fail in your pathetic quest and are looking for my advice?" It asked weakly. From the sound of it, he hadn't used his voice since the last time Daimaō was down here.
Daimaō openly scoffed at the person before him. He didn't come down here to play his prisoner's little games. Although it had been almost a year and a half since he visited this person.
"I'm surprised you're not a drooling monkey by being alone for so long. How have you stayed sane? I must admit, I am impressed by it," Daimaō commented.
The person before him looked like it shrugged, but Daimaō's eyes couldn't see into the darkness before him. The only thing visible was a floating pair faint yellow eyes.
"You get used to it after a while. Since I still have my memories, I usually just focus on them. I'm just as surprised as you are," The voice said weakly.
For a moment there was silence and Daimaō could tell the prisoner was trying to wet his mouth to speak. No doubt he hadn't had much to drink the last two days.
The Demon King grew tired of waiting and conjured a small water bottle and threw it his prisoner. He heard a weak groan as it hit him.
"Death by poison? Oh you are merciful," The voice said.
Daimaō growled. "I need you to speak to me. So you obviously need some water. That is the only reason for it. You should be thanking me for being so merciful," Daimaō told him.
"Daimaō the Merciful, Daimaō the Great, etc…etc…I get it, why have you come here?" The voice asked tiredly.
Daimaō snarled and held up his hand out toward his prisoner with a small green Ki ball forming in his hand. It lit up the room a bit and Daimaō could just see the person's white boots.
"If you don't keep your mouth shut. I swear I will kill you!" He snarled.
The figure's eyes stared at him. If Daimaō were to guess he had an eyebrow raised.
"Go ahead. Non-existence is better than where I am now. You'd be releasing me from this torment. But we both know you'd never do it. You just love tormenting me and also you wouldn't get the information you need from me," He stated calmly.
Daimaō growled again and lowered his hand. He hated how this one prisoner could push his buttons. If his knowledge wasn't so useful, he would have killed him ages ago.
"Why have you come?" The voice asked again wearily.
"The symptoms have returned again. You said they would go away. Why have they returned?" Daimaō asked him.
The prisoner's eyes blinked a couple of times at the Demon King. He sighed and Daimaō saw him shake his head in annoyance.
"The only reason the symptoms would return would be if you dramatically increased your own strength in such a short period of time," He said in an annoyed tone.
Daimaō's eyes tightened in anger. He had expected as much, but he was hoping his prisoner had more useful information for him.
"Let me guess…you stupidly went through with your plan of having that Elder Kai unlock your power. I warned you of what could happen, but as I recall you gloated that you were above the risks. You may hold the title Demon King, but you act like a young brat. Rushing in without pausing to THINK of what would happen if you were wrong," The voice said.
Daimaō was silent as he let his prisoner mull over what he found out. If he wanted a definite answer, he would need to let him think this over for a little while.
"So now you're coming to me to see if there is a way to stop your mind from being destroyed or taking over by the other Demons you fused with. Oh how the mighty have fallen," The voice said shaking his head.
"To answer your question…there might be a way. Your case is unique unlike the other Demons stupid enough to fuse with others. You told me once that part of your soul exists in your son yes? The answer is simple. You need to refuse with him," The voice said.
Daimaō's eyes narrowed. There was no way it was that easy. Not after all the cryptic warnings he received over the years. This had to be a trap.
"What are you talking about? How does becoming one again help me?" Daimaō asked him.
The being sighed again and waited a minute to respond. "Simple, a small part of your soul exists in your son. You're only what one third of your original self? I think you once told me you shared your soul with another besides your son. You're a fractured soul fusing with Demons that have whole souls. It's amazing you haven't lost your mind to the countless other Demons inside you. Fuse with your son and your soul will be repaired. Being reunited with your mind and soul should give you the strength to hold the other Demons inside your head at bay," He told him.
Daimaō stood silent for a minute mulling over the words. It was true. His soul was originally split between himself in Kami. He tried to reincarnate his soul again into his Junior, but only was partially successful since he didn't have much time. He was angry when he awoke in the Otherworld in the long line and not coming out of the egg he just launched into the distance. Also Junior did fuse with Kami…so he didn't have to hunt down the other third of his soul.
"For your own sake though I suggest you have the Elder Kai unlock all of your son's power. Your condition might get worse if your precious son doesn't have his full strength to help combat the other Demons in your mind," The prisoner said simply.
Daimaō considered his words. He might be correct. He wasn't going to fuse with his son the same way he did with the other Demons. No, he would fuse the Namekian way with himself as the host. That way Junior could help him on a subconscious level and help make sure Daimaō always had complete control over his mind and body.
"If that is everything I would like to be left alone now. Your pathetic questions tire me out easily," The prisoner said.
Daimaō growled as he extended his hand and punched the voice somewhere in the abdomen. The prisoner flew a foot before crashing into the wall and landing with a painful thud on the ground.
"You should know better than to make fun of your superior. You forget your place fool. Be thankful I have more important matters to attend to than teaching you how to talk with your Master," Daimaō said turning around swiftly.
He walked up the stairs quickly. He had to meditate over this and think over his options. He had a difficult choice to make, both roads ahead held great promise, but also consequences.
"Captain open this door," He called out when he reached the door.
He heard the Demon put the key into the lock and turn it. Daimaō took a step back as the door opened toward him. He walked through and the guard shut the door behind him. The captain of the guard locked the door and addressed his king.
"Will you be needing anything else sire?" He asked him.
Daimaō shook his head. "No go back to your job and hang that key up next to the door. I may need to come back down here later," He told him.
The captain bowed his head slightly and hung it above the door on an old rusty nail. He then followed his Daimaō out of the lonely corridor back to the guardroom.
Down in the darkness the prisoner was breathing heavily trying to stay conscious. He knew provoking Daimaō would result in pain, but if he could get under the pretender's skin…he didn't care. It was worth every second.
The prisoner sat himself up so he was resting against the wall. He smiled to himself at the turn of events.
"Perhaps there is hope. Just a fool's hope maybe, but just enough…" He said tiredly to himself.
*Jason9000: And there. What a chapter eh? Goten acting very cocky around Cell to provoke the Android is probably not a good idea. It certainly did work in ticking Cell of to attack him. Goku and Gohan watch in confusion as they're trying to figure out what plan Goten could have. Also Daimaō seems to be in trouble. Looks like all the Demons he fused with are starting to wake up in his head like Elder Kai said way back. Any guesses who the prisoner Daimaō has locked in his basement? I think you're all smart enough to figure out. Now please leave a review for me? Reviews are fuel for the story. I'm happy people are adding this to their favorites, but at least drop a review to tell me why you like it so much okay? Well hope you enjoyed this chapter, till next time.*