Chapter 5: Training
Gohan regained consciousness and sat up on his bed. "I can't go back, can I?"
"No," said Goku. "But if you could, would you really want to?" He paused. "I feel that I owe you an apology. There is a rule that we do not free a mind once it reaches a certain age. It is dangerous. They have trouble letting go. Their mind turns against them. I've seen it happen. I'm sorry. I broke the rule because I had to." He went by Gohan's bed and sat down. "When the Cell Game was first built there was a man born inside that had the ability to change what he wanted, to remake the Cell Game as he saw fit. It was this man that freed the first of us and taught us the truth; as long as the Cell Game exists, the human race will never be free. When he died, Kami prophesied his return and envisioned that his coming would hail the destruction of the Cell Game, an end to the war and freedom for our people. That is why there are those of us that have spent our entire lives searching the Cell Game, looking for him. I did what I did because I believe the search is over," He looked at Gohan. "Get some rest. You're going to need it."
"For what?"
"For your training."
Goku and Gohan walked into the Room of Spirit and Time and were met with white light that faded and replaced with a dojo. "This is a sparring program, similar to the programmed reality of the Cell Game. It has the same basic rules, like gravity. What you must learn is that these rules are no different than the rules of a computer system. Some of them can be bent. Others can be broken. Understand?" Goku held out a hand and beckoned to Gohan. Gohan lunged, but Goku easily blocked the punch. Gohan punched and kicked furiously, but Goku blocked and dodged it completely. "Come on, Gohan. What are you waiting for? You're faster than this. Don't think you are. Know you are." WHAM. Gohan lets out a chi blast that hit Goku straight in the jaw, some blood coming out of his mouth. Goku rubbed the blood off his face and smiled. "Good. I think that's enough." The white space returned, and they walked off.
Videl entered Gohan's room, carrying a tray of food. "Gohan, I brought out some—" She saw him on his bed, fast asleep. She set the tray down and walked out of the room to find Vegeta standing there.
"There's something about him, isn't there? I just keep wondering if Goku is so sure, why doesn't he take him to Kami? He would know."
"Goku will take him when he's ready." She turned and walked away.
In the Cell Game, Cell was talking to Vegeta. "Do we have a deal, then?"
"All right. You reinsert me into the Cell Game and I'll get you what you want. I don't have them. But I can give you the man who does."
Cell smiled. "Goku."