A/N: Enjoy guys ;)

"Before I continue, let's have a brief moment of silence simply to digest what just took place. It's the least I could do." Cell taunted.

Videl's knees suddenly felt weak, her legs buckling together as she choked back a sob of grief. Her hand smashed against her mouth, preventing the whimper that was frantically trying escape. Finally she broke down under her own weight, the balls of her knees digging into the soft earth, the tears that had been teetering on the brim of her glistening blue eyes cascading down her pale cheeks.

"Kami…V-Videl…" Tears stinging her eyes, Erasa whined as she crouched down and enveloped her friend in a soothing hug.

Sharpner, unable to stomach the splattered remains of the world champion, doubled over and retched his insides out.

Trevor's teeth clattered rapidly, terror rolling down his spine as he desperately tried to get rid of Mr. Satan's blood and guts off him.

Surprising enough Tony had stood his ground, his hands firmly wrapped around the handle of the camera to make sure to kept it leveled, fearing that the ivory Android would blow him up too if he disobeyed his orders.

Though Krillin didn't care for the man, he still hadn't wanted for him to meet his end, especially not in the manner he himself had perished at the hands of Frieza. As for Eighteen, her jaded orbs lacked any emotional response, having not known the man; Yamcha couldn't seem to avert his gaze from the bloody sight.

While the Saiyan Prince Vegeta was mostly shocked about the way Cell had killed the buffoon, Trunks' gloved hands creased when he balling them up with anger.

Goku berated himself as a little voice in the back his mind insisting that if he had been quicker, faster, he might have been able to use his Instant Transmission to save Mr. Satan.

"There was nothing you could have done…" Bra said while clasping her hand with his, utilizing their mental link to pick up on the full Saiyan's negative train of thoughts.

"Goku…what are we going to do?" Piccolo asked.

"I-I don't know…" he admitted, his shoulders sagging.

The Namek jerked his head towards the shaky form of Gohan, who look anything but ready for a rematch with Cell. Seized with fear, the half Saiyan's hands trembled, his black orbs having a distant look.

"Gohan…" Goku breathed, taken aback upon seeing that his son was back on his feet. Sure he had heard a pled for Cell to not kill Mr. Satan, but for some reason it hadn't registered at the time that it had been in fact his son's voice.

The full Saiyan's heart reached out to his son, hating to see him in such a state of distress; he then sighed. "I had thought that if Cell had pushed him enough, had him cornered, that he'd let that rage and power he had shown me while in the Time Chamber. But I-I was wrong…Gohan's just not a ruthless, blood lusting fighter like Vegeta and I. Despite his uncontrollable outburst of anger at times, he's still that gentle and caring boy that Chi-Chi and I had raised. Look at him Piccolo, he's scared to death…"

"Damn it, if I had went with what I had planned, leaving Gohan behind, then maybe-"

Piccolo scoffed. "It would have failed Goku! Your son would have turned up anyways! And even if he had stayed behind, we'd be in no better shape than we are right in this moment!"

His greenish-blue eyes narrowing, he came to a decision. "You gave Gohan a bean while I was out right?" Piccolo nodded. "Then there should be one left."

"Hey Krillin, pass me the last Senzu bean!"

The former monk lowered his head in shame. "I'm sorry Goku…during the fight with the Jrs I had lost it…"

"What?! You have got to be kidding me!" Receiving no reply, Goku's orbs widened and shook with dread.

All heads turned toward Cell when he snapped his clawed fingers.

"Well, now that the feeling of hopelessness has settled in, let's get to it." With a wave of his hand, just like before, Cell Jrs materialized from thin air. However instead of nine of the little creatures, there were twenty.

"I think you'll find that things will be different this time around!"

Yamcha took a step back. "We are so screwed!"

"Get them boys!"

Release it all Gohan! Let Your Power Explode!

Immediately taking action, Vegeta felt first hand that these Jrs were about twice as strong as the last batch when a single punch from one of them brought him to his knees, a second small Android following up with a skull cracking kick to his temple; three more joining in the assault on the Prince, Trunks came down from the air, punching and kicking the little bastards off his father. Landing back to back, the full and half Saiyan eyed the five Jrs carefully, trying to figure out their next move as Cell's spawned cackled wickedly, slowly inching a path toward them.

"Ready boy!"

"Ready!"

"Galick Gunnnn! Firrreeee!" Both father and son cried out in union, completely wiping out the five Jrs.

Yamcha howled in pain when a Jr took ahold of his arm and popped it out of its socket. While he was down, it then began to continuously kick him in the ribs, giggling madly with every hit.

"Yamcha!" Krillin cried out as he rushed to assist his friend, but was put to a stop when a Jr tackled him to the ground, latching his tiny fingers around his neck, squeezing the life out of him.

And yet again Eighteen came in for the save, kicking the creature off of him. Unfortunately the female Android couldn't check on the former monk's wellbeing as a Jr crashed right into her, one of its brothers coming from the side, giving her rapid strikes which she had a tough time keeping track of. When a third and fourth one joined in the fight, Eighteen became overwhelmed, terror slithering its greedy paws on her.

"GET THE HELL OFF OF ME!" Eighteen screeched out, releasing an Android Barrier which caused the four Jrs to scatter into the air.

Breathing heavily, Eighteen shot off after them.

Tired of being saved, Krillin hopped onto his feet and blasted toward the brunette, determined to be an asset to her instead of a liability.

While all that was going on, Goku, who had next to no energy left, cried out in pain, his orange gi becoming tattered and ripped as he was punched, kicked and dragged about like a ragdoll by six of the Jrs. Right in the nick of time, Piccolo appeared in front of the battered full Saiyan, successfully knocking a couple of Jrs aside with two kicks. Piccolo gave a pain filled yell as a Jr dug its claws into his arms and tore it right off, purple blood gushing out profoundly.

"N-no! Pic-Piccolo!" Goku attempted to stand up, but to no avail. I might not be able to stand, but I can still help!

Bringing forth his remaining power, a red ball of ki began to form within his left palm.

"Kamehamehaaaa!"

Three Jrs wailed loudly as they faded into the wind, the red energy wave having swallowed them up. Completely exhausted, Goku's Super Saiyan power left him, his black orbs staring at the sky aimlessly.

Having regenerated a new arm, the Namek stood protectively over his friend.

"Final Shine! Attackkkk!"

A beam of glittering green ki eclipsed the last three Jrs which had been assaulting Goku, obliterating them into particles.

Landing near Goku, Bra placed her hand on his chest and gave him a quarter of her energy. He sighed with content when his body was filled with warmth, the Saiyan relishing the ki that his half Saiyan had offered him.

"Thanks a bunch Bra."

The Saiyan Princess smiled lovingly. "You should be able to stand now. You could probably transform, but I'd advise you not to unless you really need to."

Piccolo cracked a grin when he saw their other friends land next to them, probably having taken out the rest of the Jrs.

"Man hopefully that's the last of them!" Yamcha said, nursing injured arm, which he had Krillin pop back into its place.

With a nasty grin, Cell waved his hands in the air again, causing thirty Jrs to appear before him.

"Ah Shit!"

DBZDBZDBZDBZxxxxxxxxxDBZDBZDBZDBZ

As the battle resumed, the Z-Fighters clearly tiring from the seemingly never ending swarm of Cell Jrs, Gohan lingered behind. The little creatures not once ventured toward the half Saiyan, probably not seeing him as a threat. Cell hadn't ordered his spawns to assault him, but nor did he tell them not to.

Gohan's expression was blank and his black orbs were glazed over, having a faraway look to them. In his foggy mind, nothing mattered anymore. However even though the haze had consumed his conscious, dulling his senses, he could somewhat still process thoughts. His vision was just fine as he could see his friends fighting for their lives out there, his father included.

Despite knowing that he should be out there assisting them in any way possible, having eaten a Senzu bean which made him the most powerful, he couldn't will himself to do so. His feelings of worthlessness was at a new low, his negative thoughts causing him to drown deeper and deeper in a chasm of darkness, in which he believed that no one could drag him out of.

Gohan…

A familiar voice suddenly cracked through the darkness, forming a lengthy fissure that brought some light into the abyss; but it wasn't enough and almost as if the voice understood that, it tried again.

Gohan…

The haze alleviated slightly, just enough for the half Saiyan to register just who the voice belonged to.

D-dad?

When he responded his voice sounded horse, which was strange as it had only been a mere thought.

Yeah son, it's me…

Wh-what is it dad?

Gohan…are you seeing what is happening out there?

I can't…I don't want to…I'm too scared…

Of Cell?

No…

Then what?

I don't want to watch you guys get hurt…I can't help because I'm too scared… because I'm too weak.

Hey, that's not true...

Yeah it is! While you're all out there fighting for your lives, fighting for the planet, I'm here…doing nothing…

His father's sudden silence had caused him to become alarmed.

Dad? Are you still there?

His father's voice moaned. Ye-yeah, sorry…one of the little guys had almost taken my head off…

This information had piqued his interest. Are you going to be okay?

I won't be if you don't help, nor will the Earth…

It was Gohan that hadn't replied this time, though it was more because he didn't know what to say.

At least just open your eyes…

Okay…

Now take a deep breath in and then let it out…

Goku heard an intake of breath which was followed by an exhale, telling him that his son had done was he was told.

Good, now listen for any noise, listen and pay attention to your surroundings

Gohan's ears visibility twitched. I hear…I hear fighting…

What else?

Laughter…childish laughter and it's not the nice kind. It's the kind that makes my skin crawl…

Keep going… Goku urged.

Screaming…screams filled with pain…explosions…the ground shaking and cracking…

So tell me son, do you want that to be the last thing you hear before you die along with the planet? Think about it Gohan, when you die, you're not gonna just disappear. You'll be in the Otherworld…and you will have to 'live' with the fact that you failed to protect the Earth along with everyone you love, for eternity…and what's worse is that you didn't even try…do you really want that?

Wh-what? Gohan was shocked that his father would be so forward with him.

I know that was rather blunt, but it's the truth. I wish it were different, that I had the power to take him on and defeat him. But reality is well, reality.

Now Gohan, be honest with me. During my fight with Cell, did you have any problems catching me and his movements?

No, but I'm sure the other didn't either.

I don't think they could see us at all times. Okay, did you at any time feel like you could do better than me? That I was holding back?

Yeah I did but it was only brief. And yeah I had thought that you were…but when I saw how exhausted you were after that last attack…I was surprised. But dad, you should have seen my fight! I did horribly. Cell defeated me so easily…he was just toying with me and-and he even tortured me for a while… I almost died.

I know, he had caught me off guard and knocked me out so I missed it. However Gohan, you weren't giving it your all.

Gohan scoffed Yes I was! How would you know anyways, it's like you said, you were unconscious.

Goku paused for a moment and released a sigh. Right then and there Gohan got an awful feeling that he was going to learn something that he wouldn't like… something that would change everything forever.

Son I have to tell you something…I was never going to tell you, but I see I have no other options. If it helps you show your true power, then well it doesn't matter what you think about me after I tell you this…

D-dad?

I lied to you…again and this one is big

The half Saiyan suddenly felt dread, his hands starting to moisten as anxiety began to bubble to the surface, a barb wired nest built by the nastiest of creatures settling in on his quickly thumping heart.

Remember...remember after you woke up from that coma in the Time Chamber and I had told you that I had ascended to the second level

Y-yeah

Do you recall what I said?

You said that while I was in a coma, you had trained for hours far from the entrance and at one point you had gotten lost. The fear of being lost forever had caused you to ascend.

Did you believe me?

Gohan gave a terse laugh. I wanted to, but I knew you were hiding something.

You did follow through with it Gohan…with the threat to hurt me.

The threat to-ugh! Something sharp penetrated his skull and this time the pain was much far worse than it's ever been.

You called me a coward-

"Coward!" Gohan cried out, Goku feeling alarmed when he felt that his son's power had long exceeded his own maximum.

Because I wouldn't tell you the truth…you said that you'd-

"Just have to beat it out of you!" Gohan screamed, his ability to contain his full hidden potential all but gone, leaving dust and fragments behind.

Latching his hands alongside of his head, Gohan applied pressure, desperately wanting to reduce the throbbing pain but all he succeeded in doing was make things worse.

I really tried son, I really tried to calm you down and get you to-

"Stop…please…"

What's happening?! D-dad! Gohan gasped as he dropped to the floor on his hands and knees, the smooth soil in between his fingers molding together, the grits of dirt caking within his nails.

Ughh!

Goku felt horrible. He knew what this was doing to his son, but it had to be done. And as terrible as it sounded, if this all back fires and all he managed to do is kill his son or worse drive him insane, then so be it…he will accept going to hell forever. After all if this doesn't work, they were all going to die right?

So he forced himself to continue.

But no, you were so upset with me…you wanted me suffer-

"For little while longer."

Vivid images flashed before the half Saiyan's dark eyes, the disgusting twisting and burning sensation that rolled within his stomach fusing into one, creating something wicked, something sinister.

A powerful kiai threw Goku across the air, Gohan meeting him from behind with a roundhouse kick which sent him rocketing forward. The full Saiyan hardly blinked when he saw Gohan in from of his spiraling form, or at least his after-image which wore that seemingly ever present grin that made his stomach churn unpleasantly.

FLASH!

"I don't lo- I don't love your mom anymore. No, I never loved her in the way I love...Bra."

Through all the pictures, all the images along with the sickening bone-crunching sounds that erupted within his ears, nearly bursting his eardrums, Gohan heard himself chant-

"Super..."

Tears began to trickle down his cheeks, his scuffed blood-clotted skin stinging when the salty fluid skimmed over it, splashing onto the ground.

"Kameeeee-"

Gohan's body tightened, his arms flexing as his hands and fingers contracted together, balling up so firmly that the sand between each digit began to dissolve.

"Haaammmeeee-"

His hair pulsing that familiar golden hue and spiking upward, Gohan's eyelids slammed shut as the earth started to quake slowly; little by little, its magnitude increased with each time that his small fists banged against the terrain, creating fractures and splits that extended further than the eye could see.

Son…you almost killed me….

"Gohan! Are you really going to kill me, your own father?!"

NO! DIDN'T! I WON'T! Gohan's eyes rudely snapped open, his turquoise irises bleaching to marble white as madness finally consumed him.

"HAAAAAAAAA!" A pained scream tore from his son's throat as he thrust his hands forward, the crackling blue wave of energy exploding from his palms, a trail of blood escaping from one of his nostrils and journeying down his chin.

"GOOOHANNNN!"

And with a mighty roar that put the loudest of sirens to shame Gohan exploded, his whole reality falling apart and turning into ashes, the power that had been locked away do to his coma now unleashed for the world to see.

I'm sorry Gohan…

DBZDBZDBZDBZxxxxxxxxxDBZDBZDBZDBZ

Videl, who had been rather unresponsive since the ivory Android had killed her father, came back to life upon hearing a sudden boyish scream of agony ring through her ears. Peered from under her black bangs, her small mouth rounded. Hurriedly wiping the dried tears from her bright blue orbs, she became mesmerized at the sight which greeted her.

With his head thrown back and standing tall, the boy that had stolen her thunder back at Orange Star City was yelling at the top of his lungs, the once vibrant sunny sky turning black and gloomy as the heavy currents of wind began to tear and rupture the ground, mountains and any landscape that dared to block its destructive path.

"Wh-what's wrong with him?!" Sharpner shouted as his hands wrapped around Erasa's, much to her annoyance.

"It's like he just went crazy! Eeek!" Erasa yelped when a whiplash of blue-lightning sliced clean through a mountainside, the bolt of electricity charring the earth below.

Seeing drops of tears sprinkling from his terror filled orbs and blown into the wind, Videl's heart sunk, not having been used to seeing such distress on a person before. His teal eyes resemble that of insanity however deep inside, for reasons unknown, she felt like she knew that this sudden outburst of rage must've been caused by some kind of emotional tragedy.

"No…he's hurting…" She whispered.

Videl was never someone to be sentimental, preferring to mask it behind a bland and hardheaded attitude, but today things were obviously different. Today marked the day that she had experienced her first taste of despair since her mother's death. When her mother had been alive, she was a lively and sassy girl, probably not unlike her friend Erasa. However when she passed away when she herself was the tender age of four, she turned into a moody and anger person, setting out to became a fighter in order to avenge her mother from the bastard who had killed her. Fortunately, it wasn't long before the crook had been caught and arrested and now is serving life in prison; but that never repaired her damaged heart. She still remained the same.

And now that her dad was killed by an out of this world monster, a new wound had appeared in her heart and well, she knew that that'd change her again; into what, she did not know.

Thankfully, her friends hadn't heard her brief words. She'd be damned if she let them find out that they had been right, that she cared about the boy and was indeed smitten with him.

I wonder what his name is…

A/N: Hmmm...I honestly have nothing to say other then thank you for reading my latest installment of Eternal Hope!

Until next time!

Later!

(Posted: 7/2/17)

~Gater~