Chapter 062 - Day of Judgement
The day had finally come. Earth had run out of time as finally the sun rose on the morning of May 26th, the day of the Cell Games.
Corset had spent her last day up on Kami's lookout hanging out with Gohan and Dende, both of which were studying whilst Corset chose to read quietly. All too soon their precious time together had been snatched away and now they had to ready themselves for the tournament. Now they were all waiting for Goku to arrive; the Super Saiyan had spent the past couple of days relaxing at home with Chichi going going about life as if Earth were enjoying a reign of peace.
"Here he is!" Krillin gasped as Goku suddenly teleported before them via Instant Transmission.
"It's finally time," Goku smiled though this quickly vanished and was replaced by a puzzled look. "... Where's Vegeta?" He asked.
"He went on ahead," Piccolo replied.
"So he's raring to go then? He must have gotten stronger." Goku mused cheerfully, a hint of excitement in his voice.
Corset didn't feel like smiling or feeling happy; her stomach was too busy tying itself in knots. So much was riding on today's showdown. Today she would see if her training with Goku had actually paid off and whether his advice to relax would get her killed. She along with the others had other things on their mind besides the thought of dying. Dende had delivered some bad news to them which had put everyone but Gohan and Trunks on extra edge.
"What's wrong with all of you?" Goku asked breaking through the silence. "You're not all nervous, are you?"
It took a moment before Krillin finally spoke up. "... Listen Goku, there's bad news. Dende made the Dragonballs in a way that lots of people can be brought back with a single wish from the Dragonballs... but those who have already died once still can't be brought back to life a second time because he used the already-existing Dragonballs."
"I'm sorry," Dende apologised in shame, "I should have said so from the beginning."
"Don't worry about it Dende," Goku smiled indifferent to the news. "We'll just have to not die!"
"N-Not die?" Krillin repeated baffled, "Goku, this is Cell we're talking about!"
Corset had died and been brought back to life already with the Earth's Dragonballs. She didn't feel too comforted with Goku's advice!
Goku wasn't having any of it and seemed insistant on keeping a positive attitude, "Come on guys, let's go or we'll be late."
Unfortunately the flight there didn't last nearly as long as Corset'd hoped it would. The strange but noticeable tournament ring quickly became visible as they approached, Corset observing it with interest as they landed. In the centre of the ring was Cell. Finally she'd seen him with her own eyes. He looked a lot shorter than he'd appeared on the television broadcast she'd seen, though his energy was nothing to laugh at. They were all in trouble if Goku didn't do something; he was their best hope.
Indeed her father was already here, as was Sixteen. He looked as good as new; Corset had to hand it to her mama and grandfather for restoring him. The android was making his way towards them. Her attention wandered as she observed the surrounding area a little more, trying to take in as much detail of how the fight may pan out. The immediate landscape around them was uneven but more or less level. In the distance were some mountains.
"It's Sixteen! I guess he got repaired after all." Krillin exclaimed.
The towering android stood before them. "I want to thank you Krillin," he spoke, "if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't still be in action."
"It was nothing," Krillin smiled bashfully.
Goku stepped forwards and held out a hand to the towering machine, "Let's do our best."
The android's smile quickly faded, his eyes momentarily losing their warmth as they fell upon the Saiyan. It was the most aggressive and coldest look Corset'd seen come from any of the androids' faces. "... I was created to kill you, Son Goku. Don't ever forget that."
Those words sent a chill through Corset's body. Was he still planning to kill Goku?
"... Well then, shall I get things started off?" Goku asked stretching and cracking his knuckles in preperation.
"Do you really think we should start with you, Goku?" Trunks asked nervously.
"Is it ok with you Vegeta?" Goku glanced over at the shorter Saiyan who stood a little ways away from the group, though close enough to hear them speaking.
"... Do what you want; I'll still be the one to finish him," Vegeta muttered.
"H-Hey! Who said you get to pick?"
Corset was startled by the sudden unknown voice! It was then she realised there were a couple more people here she hadn't expected. Two of them were a camera man and a reporter; the third she'd seen a lot recently on television. His afro, moustache and goofy outfit were even more bizarre to see in real life! It was Mr Satan.
She sighed and made a mental note to herself. These three would need to be wished back to life with the Dragonballs... if they somehow managed to beat Cell.
"Excuse me..." the reporter approached the group. He was a scrawny man wearing a black suit and tie, glasses perched on his nose. "Are you all entering the Cell Games?" He enquired.
"Yup, most of us," Goku answered.
"...You've got to be kidding?" The reporter was flabbergasted. "This isn't a game! Sure it's called a game but it isn't-"
"You're the one who doesn't understand," Krillin muttered unimpressed.
Mr Satan chuckled and looked at the group, "I didn't expect to see this... I guess some people have been living under a rock and never heard of Mr Satan!"
"This is the World Martial Arts Champion! He's the mightiest fighter in the world!" The reporter cried.
'World Martial Arts Champion or not, he's nothing compared to any of us or Cell! These guys are seriously underestimating the dangers here!' Corset grumbled to herself.
"It's time..." Cell's voice floated over the air towards them. "The Cell Games are open! I don't care who goes first – one of you step up!"
"I'll do it," Mr Satan smiled briming with confidence, though the entire group of fighters standing at the side of the tournament ring were certain his overconfidence would cost him dearly.
As much as she wanted to call out and stop him, Corset stayed quiet. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad and so much of a pain if this guy went first. She doubted Cell would want to dirty his hands with a regular human, especially one with an attitude such as that of Mr Satan.
"You'll get killed," Goku warned; apparently he was far more concerned with the man's welfare. "I'm saying this for your own sake – go home."
Mr Satan and the reporter exchanged glances before the reporter turned to the camera man muttering something under his breath. Shortly after, the camera turned in their direction fixated directly on Goku.
"I can almost hear the whole world groaning!" The reporter spoke into his microphone, "Did you hear what this man just said to our champion? He had the gall to tell him he'd get killed and told Mr Satan to go home!"
Corset glared annoyed at the reporter. These people really had no idea what they were in for and yet they had the nerve to be so cheeky and smug. "... What a bunch of idiots..." She mumbled to herself.
"Goku, let's just let the idiot have his way," Krillin frowned. "We'll bring him back to life with the Dragonballs."
"... If you say so..." Goku sighed, raising his hand to signal the ok, the reporter making some snide comment about the Saiyan coming to his senses.
Mr Satan wasted no time as the reporter babbled on his pointless commentary; the Earth's 'hero' tossed his cape up into the air before removing his belt, holding it above his head. To Corset and everyone else's surprise he pulled out a capsule from his shirt and tossed it to the ground; Corset interested in what he planned to bring out. It turned out to be a bag. On closer inspection and after the contents were removed, it was a bag full of tiles.
Corset groaned and realised where this was going. 'Please tell me he's not serious! What an idiot!'
"I don't believe this..." Krillin was in a similar mood, slapping his face in embarrassment.
Mr Satan stacked the tiles before him – Corset estimated there were about fifteen tiles there. The towering, overcompensating brute stood above them and began to focus his energy, every motion needlessly recorded by the reporter. There was a small but noticeable twinge in the man's larger than human ki as he roared out, slamming a chop down into the tiles.
He shattered all but the bottom tile.
"Oh no!" The reporter's babbles were loud enough for them to hear, "One didn't break! Yet look at that demonstration of power: fourteen tiles have been smashed into pieces!"
'Big deal...' Corset was unimpressed.
"Cell!" Mr Satan barked. "Look at these tiles – that's what you're gonna look like in a minute."
"Cell must be terrified! The once arrogant monster must be cringing now at Mr Satan's destructive power!" The reporter bellowed. "It's too late for apologies now - the people of Earth won't pardon his crimes!"
"Alright," Mr Satan lowered his stance and raised his defences. "Come at me!"
Already Corset could see several weak spots in the man's defences, although he seemed to have a basic grasp of defence. With a roar the man rushed forwards, leapt up and hit Cell in the side of his head. A barrage of weak shots followed, Cell's ki unwavering from this scale of attack, though Corset had to admit she was impressed the human hadn't broken his fists from hitting something as strong as Cell. Still it wouldn't be long now...
"Get out of my face," Cell lightly swung a hand out. Mr Satan was sent flying through the air for quite a distance, striking a rock formation not too far away before falling to the floor.
"For a moment there..." Krillin mumbled quietly to Gohan, "I was rooting for Cell"
'Me too,' Corset confessed.
Thankfully the reporter had finally shut up as he looked over to where Earth's 'hero' had been sent flying just a few seconds ago. It was nice to be able to hear the wind after so long.
"... He lived... Pity," Piccolo muttered. "I suppose even Cell must have not wanted to dirty his hands on something like that..."
Indeed Mr Satan was getting to his feet clutching his jaw with one hand. Corset was impressed he'd managed to survive Cell's hit as well as the hard strike he'd made on the rocks! He may have been nothing compared to the real fighters here but he certainly was more capable than any regular human. With any luck it would keep the fool quiet for the time being as the reality would sink in.
"Now let us get started," Cell demanded. "Who will be first? Will it be you, Son Goku?"
"Yep," Goku stepped forwards onto the tournament ring.
Corset glanced across to the two fighters, a serious expression on her face and a small glint of nerves floating in her stomach. Now was when the fight for Earth's fate would really begin...
"Mr Satan, what exactly happened there?" The reporter asked. "It looks like you lost."
"I just lost my footing," Mr Satan replied through pain-filled grunts.
"You... just... lost your footing?" The reporter repeated stunned.
"That's right!" Mr Satan bellowed. "I'll take a little break and then enter the ring when this guy's finished, then I'll really get down to business!"
"... That guy still doesn't realise what happened?" Vegeta muttered stunned. "... His stupidity's beyond belief!"
Corset had to agree with her dad there; this guy was utterly clueless as to what'd really happened.
"The fight's about to begin..." Gohan mumbled, making Corset's attention switch back to the ring as Goku took his place. Now was when she would finally see Cell's power for her own as well as what Goku was fully capable of.
"So you're going to start us off?" Cell mused with a smile as he unfolded his arms. "I was hoping to save the best for last."
"D-Don't worry, people of Earth!" The reporter's annoying voice drifted over. "Mr Satan slipped and fell out-of-bounds but he'll fight Cell again after a small break! In the meantime, one of these idiots who refuses to listen has stepped up to face Cell! Let him learn his lesson; only some stupidity death can cure! Mr Satan, what are your thoughts?"
Mr Satan chuckled, "I can tell by his stance that he's an amateur! He wouldn't last two seconds against me. I'll give him five against Cell."
Corset glared over to them shortly, narrowing her eyes in annoyance. 'Just you guys wait. When Goku starts fighting, you'll both learn to shut your mouths and watch quietly!'