Hope everyone is as excited as I am for this next chapter. We are finally at the end of the Cell Games! This fanfiction will now take a bit of a twist in about two chapters. Also, I am sorry if you got an email/ notice saying that I uploaded a new chapter, but I ended up changing something in the author's note for chapter 1. Either way, I hope you enjoy the end of the Cell Games!
Chapter 8: The End of the Cell Game
Gohan continued to stare at the ground, the place where his father had been moments before. Tears streamed down his face and a light wind stirred his golden hair a bit, almost trying to comfort the crying boy. Gohan found some comfort in the wind, but he knew it would do no good; that light comfort could not ease the amount of pain that he was feeling.
Gohan could hear silence behind him, well almost silence; the only noise that stirred from that direction was the confused voices of the camera crew and Hercule. He wanted to look behind him to see what they should do now, but he didn't have the strength to do so. His eyes stung from the tears that still blurred his vision. Suddenly, Gohan heard footsteps from behind him, and then felt a hand on his back.
"It's alright Gohan; go ahead and cry. Everything will be all better soon. It's over. You and Goku did it together." Krillin whispered in a comforting tone, all the while rubbing his hand against Gohan's back. It did some to comfort him, but still it wasn't enough.
"It's my fault," Gohan said as he clenched his eyes shut to try and stop the tears, but that only made them flow harder, "I could have ended it earlier; I should have. Then dad wouldn't have had to…"
"Hey, don't blame yourself Gohan. Your father was proud of you till the end. He had to do what he had to because he loves you." Krillin stated softly before the half Saiyan could beat himself up anymore. When Krillin said 'he loves you', Gohan looked up at him.
Daddy said the same thing, the same thing before… Gohan thought, but could not bring himself to finish his thought.
"Now let's get you home. Your mother is probably worried sick about you." Krillin continued as he started to help his 'nephew' up. Gohan was grateful for the help; every part of his body was protesting at the movement and, if it weren't for Krillin supporting him, Gohan was sure he would have fallen and fainted from exhaustion. Gohan saw Krillin look over at something once he was completely standing. Krillin ran over to that 'object' and Gohan, out of the corner of his eye; saw that it was a slime-covered Android 18.
"I completely forgot about her," Krillin stated to himself as he stared at the android and then picked her up, but Gohan knew that everyone else heard his statement, "guys, come on, we need to help her!"
"Krillin, what are you doing with that machine?" Vegeta asked with mocking harshness; Gohan knew that he had emphasized the word 'machine', "Destroy it!"
"But, she's a person too…" Krillin started at the Prince of all Saiyans, but was never able to finish what he was going to say next. A strong gust of wind suddenly blew from behind where Gohan was standing and, being in the state that he was, nearly knocked him over. Everyone looked at where the strong wind was coming from and Gohan followed suit, noticing with fear at the rising Ki that was making the dust stir so almost nothing was visible. It happened so suddenly that no one knew what to do: a Ki beam came out of the cloud of dust at a high speed. Gohan was sure it was going to hit him; but to his horror, it went passed him and he heard a choked noise behind him. Gohan spun around in fear just in time to see Trunks fall to the ground, blood seeping out a fresh wound on his chest. He saw Yamcha and Tien instantly run to help the time traveling Saiyan, but Gohan knew that with as much as the wound was bleeding, that it would almost highly be fatal. He whipped his head around as he heard a dark chuckling sound come from the cloud of dust that was starting to settle around a very familiar form.
No, Gohan thought in terror as he knew who it was, but if he survived then…
He instantly started to look around for his father, but he could not see or sense the Ki that was so familiar to him. Gohan felt slightly angered.
Why? Why does this thing get to be alive, but still I can't find… Gohan thought angrily as he stared at the form now surrounded by dust. He almost had the mind to go and punch the object that was now causing him so much pain.
"Cell, you monster, look what you did to Trunks!" Gohan stated instead, almost in disbelief. He still couldn't believe that Cell was still alive.
Even after all the suffering we caused him, Gohan heard the voice in his head again say. Gohan could then tell that 'the voice' was getting amused by what it said next, oh well, I guess he just needs a bit more punishment to stay dead.
Stupid voice, Gohan thought to himself, not really sure if it could read his thoughts or not. He then tried to talk back to it,
No, I am not going to listen to you anymore; it's your fault that daddy's… Gohan thought but then stopped as the voice answered him.
Well, you're no fun… it stated in an almost annoyed tone.
I really hate how you sound like me, Gohan thought to himself.
That's not my fault, the voice said, almost like it was mocking him. Personally, it annoyed Gohan almost as much as Vegeta.
So you can read my mind, Gohan started but was then stopped as 'the voice' interrupted him again.
Yeah, what else do you want to know?
Again, with the annoying tone? Uh yeah, can you stop interrupting me? Gohan asked in a slightly rude tone, annoyed at the voice that kept invading his mind. Although this time, there was no answer.
Great, what a waste of time, Gohan thought, annoyed, as he turned his attention back to Cell.
"I really hadn't counted on regenerating. I was lucky." Cell stated as he stared at Gohan, almost as if he knew that the half Saiyan hadn't been paying attention.
I probably missed his whole life story or something, Gohan thought, I really need to ask someone about what I missed later.
"Even better, now I'm complete without Android 18. And I've powered up greatly," Cell continued his little 'speech', "It must have been my Saiyan cells- a boost in power after a brush with death. I've even learned to teleport like Goku. So I've come back more perfect than ever. Goku didn't defeat me at all. He just made me better."
That last sentence infuriated Gohan. He didn't understand quite why, but he guessed it had something to do with that stupid voice inside his head making him annoyed as well.
Made you what? Made you better? Gohan thought in anger, How can you be any better than you recently were? All because of you, daddy's gone. And he's never coming back!
Gohan didn't know what happened next. He felt something push on that power that he thought was impossible to reach again; pulling it upward and with that kind of pressure made his power level skyrocket. Next thing he knew, he was in his new form again: Super Saiyan 2. He smirked confidently at the android.
"You don't scare me Cell," Gohan stated as his power finally came to a resting place, "One thing that I learned from my father is that to never run away from a fight, even when the odds are stacked against. My father died because of my arrogance; I will defeat you, but I'm sure he would rather be here taking care of you himself."
Not bad, the voice returned, piping in with an impressed tone, you're actually getting better at this.
Just leave, Gohan stated harshly, I don't need you to be bossing me around, and I certainly don't need you now.
Luckily, the voice actually obeyed him for once and was quiet.
"Oh really," Cell stated in a mocking tone, one similar to the voice inside his head, "haven't we been here before? I don't think it'll work out as well for you this time."
Suddenly, Gohan heard a scream from beside him. And strangely enough, the scream came from Vegeta. The Prince of all Saiyans quickly turned Super Saiyan and launched himself at the green android; firing multiple Ki blasts at the android for several minutes. Gohan stood bewildered where he stood. He knew that what Vegeta was doing was a bad move; every Ki blast that the full Saiyan fired was draining his overall Ki until he would be too weak to fight. Gohan knew Vegeta was angry, but at what he was not certain. Then he remembered: Trunks. Vegeta was angry at Cell for killing Trunks!
Wow, he really does have a heart, Gohan thought in surprise, glad for once that 'the voice' did not interfere with his thoughts.
"Vegeta," Gohan heard Krillin say in an annoyed tone, "why did you have to go and do that? We could have just wished Trunks back to life with the dragon balls."
Suddenly, Vegeta stopped. The Prince of all Saiyans, exhausted and spent, floated in the air for a few moments; that is until Cell's shape appeared out from the dust that the attack had made.
"It's not over until I say it's over," Cell said as he came flying out at Vegeta, "And now, it's over!"
"No!" Gohan yelled as Cell swung his arm at the exhausted Saiyan. He didn't know why he cared, he just did. Maybe it was for Bulma's sake, or even Trunks. Most likely for Trunks's; it's possible that he didn't want the poor kid to grow up without a father. Gohan saw Vegeta land harshly on the ground below, and not move after that. He really hoped that Vegeta wasn't dead, but he figured that the Saiyan was just passed out. Gohan then looked quickly up at Cell and saw that the android was charging a strong Ki blast that could possibly kill Vegeta at the state he was in.
"Stay out of my way Vegeta!" Cell yelled as he released the ball of Ki. Gohan didn't really know what compelled him to do what he did next; it's just that something did. He flung himself at Vegeta just as the Ki blast reached its mark. Gohan screamed as pain once again flooded through him. Then, everything went black.
The next thing Gohan heard was Cell, who was apparently above him.
"Well, this was a bonus," he heard the android say. When he opened his eyes, Gohan saw Vegeta in front of him, but safe.
Well, that's a relief, Gohan thought as he started to get up. But one thing Gohan wasn't counting on was the pain he would feel next. It spread like a wildfire through his whole body, but was centered mostly around one area: his left arm. He looked over at it as he tried to keep his balance. Blood was dripping down his arm in a huge amount; he could even hear the sound of it when it hit the ground, already forming a puddle underneath it.
Darn it, Gohan thought as he felt like he might be sick, forgot to think before I acted.
Really? That's all you're worried about? The voice inside his head stated angrily. Why didn't you let him die?
Um, good question… I don't know. Instinct? Gohan tried to answer back as best as he could, but he was already getting dizzy from blood loss and exhaustion. The last thing he wanted to listen to was the 'made-up' voice inside his head berating him for everything he did wrong or what he should do.
"Enough fooling around. I've let this go on too long." Cell said as Gohan looked up at the android. Cell was already floating down to the ground and Gohan knew he had something planned.
Cell's power has increased more than I imagined, Gohan thought with horror.
"None of you will walk away," Cell said as he started to form a pose that was similar to Gohan, "you will die- along with the Earth!"
The blue ball of light continued to grow as Cell powered up his final attack: the Solar Kamehameha.
Dad, I'm sorry. I should have been able to save the Earth from Cell… but I failed, Gohan thought with regret.
"I can't believe I was only a liability. I'm sorry Gohan," Vegeta said from behind him. Gohan knew that saying that was a major blow to the Saiyan Prince's pride.
Vegeta apologized? Gohan thought with confusion, then coming to a conclusion, He knows. He knows there's no hope.
"What's wrong, little warrior? Has your 'incredible power' died?" Cell asked mockingly.
"Just get it over with. I know it's pointless to resist. I just wish I could have defeated you earlier." Gohan said, not knowing what to do. He knew everyone was counting on him, but he didn't know if he could save them, not this time.
"Well, this is a dull ending. But I won't complain," Cell said as the light from his Ki got brighter, "Oblivion to everything!"
"Gohan don't you dare give up!" Gohan heard his father's voice, almost wanting to cry with relief. But when he looked around for his father, he couldn't see him.
"Daddy? Where are you?" Gohan questioned as he looked around.
"I'm with King Kai in the Other World," he heard his father say; "he is letting me speak to you through telepathy. Now come on, fire off a Kamehameha just like Cell. I'll help you! I know you can win!"
"But dad," Gohan stated in an almost whining tone, "I have the use of only one of my arms, and my Ki is cut in half."
"You can do it! Believe in yourself! One last time- show me the power we made together!" he heard Goku say encouragement to him once again.
"I'll do my best…" Gohan stated but he could tell that his 'enthusiasm' wasn't very convincing.
"There we go! I don't want to have died for nothing! Avenge me and King Kai!" Goku said once again in an encouraging tone.
"I'm sorry dad. I let you die because I got too confident…" Gohan started to say again but was cut off by his father.
"Forget about it! I'm having a great time here with King Kai! You have fun on Earth too ok?"
Ok, Gohan thought as he tried to summon as much of his remaining Ki as possible; drawing back his right arm and gathering Ki in it. He could feel shock radiated from everyone's Ki including Cell's.
"Ka… me… ha… me…" Gohan said the syllables one by one as the Ki in his hand got stronger. He could feel his father's presence with him, and it made him feel stronger. He knew no matter what that he at least had to try, even if he did end up failing in the end.
"DIE!" Cell yelled as he released his Kamehameha at last.
"HAAA!" Gohan yelled as soon as Cell released his attack to counter with his own. The two blasts collided, tearing up the ground below and shaking the Earth with the impact. Dust flew in all directions as the beam struggle started, but from the start you could tell that Cell's blast was stronger.
"Hang on Gohan!" Goku's voice rang out in his son's head, "you haven't used all of your power yet! Let it rip!"
"I'm doing my best," Gohan said through clenched teeth, trying to hide the pain and exhaustion he was feeling, "I can't do any more!"
"You're holding back! Trying not to destroy the planet!" Goku said as he voiced one of Gohan's fears, "the dragon balls can fix it! Don't worry about it! Just let it out!"
Gohan could then feel himself slipping; Cell's Ki beam was getting closer, and Gohan didn't know how much longer he could hold on. He then felt his friends' Kis coming closer; he tried to warn them that they were going to get hurt if they tried to help, but they just kept continuing to fight.
"Goodbye!" Cell yelled as he saw that Gohan was losing. Suddenly, something caught the android off guard. Gohan instantly knew that Vegeta had fired a strong Ki blast at the android, distracting him for a moment.
"Do it NOW!" Gohan heard his father's voice ring out clearly in his mind just as something push upward on the power that was still dormant in him. He finally let go as all the energy he had in him left in the final explosion of the beam battle. He heard Cell yell something, but he was too weak to understand it. As the smoke cleared, Gohan's hair and eyes turned back to their normal black color, and he landed on the hard ground below. He saw his friends fly closer and then alight to the ground around him.
"I can't believe it…" Tien stated breathlessly.
"Great job kid," Yamcha stated as he picked Gohan up as gently as he could, "don't worry, we'll get you to Dende; he can heal you without a Senzu."
"Sorry about the mess," Gohan stated out of breath, before darkness once again covered his vision.
Gohan was trying to remember everything when he was thinking in his mind. Darkness was still all he could see, but he could sense his friends just beyond his sleep. He could also sense another Ki.
Your welcome, he heard the voice say.
For what? Gohan answered back, confused. What did he have to thank the voice for?
For saving you, the voice said, and Gohan could already tell it was getting distant.
Wait! Gohan yelled out to the voice, who are you? How did you save me?
Don't worry, the distant voice said, you will understand everything soon.
Gohan couldn't call out to the voice anymore; he was too weak. Unconsciousness then came over him once again.
What was the last thing Cell said? Gohan thought as he felt his strength returning quickly. Was it 'I am perfect' or 'I love cornbread'?
Suddenly, Gohan heard a familiar voice ring through his head. He opened his eyes and saw Dende sitting beside him. His friends had formed a circle around him as well.
"Gohan!" the little green Namekian stated excitedly, "I am so glad you're ok!" Then Dende's voice turned sad, "I mean, I'm really sorry about your father."
"Don't be," Gohan stated loud enough for everyone to hear, but he was mostly saying it to encourage himself, "he was there with me, through the whole battle; cheering me on."
"Are you sure Gohan?" Krillin asked, not really sure if Gohan was hallucinating or not.
"Yep, I'm sure. He was so close that I felt I could have touched him." Gohan stated truthfully.
"Dende, could you heal her too?" Krillin asked as he layed Android 18's body down by the new guardian. He got a nod from Dende, and a blue light then surrounded the android. As soon as it was gone, Android 18's eyes flung open. She immediately jumped into a guarding stance.
"Dende, you better get away or she'll kill you!" Yamcha shouted from a distance.
"No, she won't," Krillin said as he looked back at Yamcha, "you're at the Lookout. You don't need to worry anymore. Gohan defeated Cell."
"Gohan?" her surprise was clear as it took her a second or two to register the information.
"Yeah he's incredibly strong, so there will be not head chopping today." Yamcha's voice rang out from the back again.
"You should thank Krillin," Piccolo suddenly cut in, "he was the one who cared for you after Cell vomited you out."
"Well, I couldn't just leave you there," Krillin said defensively as everyone stared at him. Suddenly, a thought hit Gohan. He was going to keep it in his head, but it slipped out as soon as he thought of it.
"I get it," he said quickly, "Krillin, you have a crush on Android 18!"
For Gohan's great discovery, he was rewarded with a smack on his head.
"She's standing right there!" Krillin said as Gohan rubbed the back of his head.
"Don't kid yourself. You really think you have a chance with me, you shriveled shrimp?" Android 18 stated coldly as she flew away.
"What's with her attitude? She's looking to get clobbered!" Yamcha put in as he suddenly can closer to the group.
"Not by you though," Tien stated to Yamcha.
"Our first task is to revive everyone who was killed by Cell with the dragon balls," Piccolo put in before the conversation got too strange. As the dragon balls started to glow, Gohan looked at Krillin.
"Don't worry, Krillin, you still have us as friends," he said to his adoptive uncle.
"Do me a favor," Krillin said sulkily, "be quiet."
Suddenly, the dragon Shenron appeared in the sky and Yamcha stated their first wish,
"Please bring back to life everyone Cell killed."
Gohan turned around as he heard groaning behind him.
"Trunks!" he stated joyfully as he helped his friend up.
"I don't feel Goku's Ki," Piccolo said suddenly, "it didn't work."
"Can't you please bring back Goku somehow?" Yamcha asked, "we really need him on this planet.
"That cannot be. Son Goku has died and come back to life once before. Ask me another." Shenron said. Everyone looked at the ground when they heard a voice echo across the Lookout.
"Hey guys, listen. I'm talking to you from the Other World," Goku's voice rang out as he talked. "Bulma told me once that I attract bay guys. And I kinda think she's right. Earth'll have a better shot at peace if I'm not around. King Kai agrees with me. Hey, I'm not being a martyr! They're going to give me special treatment here since I saved the planet. Regular people and bad guys like Cell turn into spirits, but I can keep my body, I won't age anymore, and I get to meet all of the great martial artists from history! King Kai could ask the dragon to wish him back too, but he's staying to keep me company. Either way, Gohan's stronger than me now. I have nothing left to teach him."
"But that doesn't mean that I don't need you!" Gohan shouted into the sky, trying to keep from crying again. But his father seemed to ignore his plea.
"Well, I guess I will see you guys later!"
And with that, Goku's voice disappeared.
"Ahem. I am still waiting for that second wish. Hello?" Shenron cut in at last.
"Well my girlfriend's been wanting an expensive necklace…" Yamcha started to say. Gohan was confused by that statement, but he decided to let it go.
"Shenron, could you turn Androids 17 and 18 back into humans?" Krillin asked the green dragon; Gohan guessed that he didn't even know that he had interrupted Yamcha.
"Alas, their powers are too great and strange. My own powers cannot affect such creatures against their will," Shenron stated.
"Then how about this," Krillin asked after he had been silent for a few moments, "could you at least take the bombs out of their bodies?"
"Yes, it does not weaken them or change the fundamental nature of their beings," Shenron stated as his eyes glowed red and then dimmed, "It is done. The bombs are no more. Fare you well."
Gohan watched in amazement as the dragon turned to a blinding white light, and the dragon balls turned to stone and dispersed across the planet; not to be found for another whole year.
"Krillin, why did you wish for that?" Trunks asked his friend after a few moments of silence.
"I felt bad for them. Imagine having a bomb in your body," Krillin stated quickly.
"You're a sweet guy," Gohan stated softly even though some part of him knew that Krillin only used that as an excuse.
"I'm sorry you couldn't get the necklace for your girlfriend, Yamcha." Krillin said as he turned towards his long-time friend.
"The…" Yamcha started almost in confusion, and then started nervously laughing, "can't you tell a joke when you hear one? You think I'd use Shenron for something that dumb?"
"Krillin, I thought you like Android 18," Tien questioned from his place where he was leaning on a pillar, "So why remove the bomb from Android 17?"
"Well, yeah… I do like her," Krillin started nervously, "and I know Android 17 is the perfect guy for her."
Is this what is known as "love"? Gohan heard Piccolo ask him through their link, I do not understand it…
Gohan inwardly laughed at his mentor's words, knowing that he was in the same situation as his long-time friend. Suddenly, a shape quickly rounded one of the pillars at the Lookout. The shape was revealed to be a disbelieving Android 18.
"You moron, Android 17 and I are twins!" She yelled directly at Krillin. Gohan was more surprised to see her than what she had just said; he thought that she had left a while ago.
"Don't get the wrong idea!" Android 18 continued, "And don't think that I am yours just because you took the bomb out of my body!"
She then turned around to leave, but stopped.
"Although it was nice of you," she said, looking back at Krillin, "Later."
And with that Android 18 flew off, and Gohan hoped it was for good this time; he hated how she kind of kept insulting Krillin.
"Hey, she said 'Later'!" Yamcha suddenly said with his voice full of enthusiasm, "that means you still have a chance!"
Everyone started to laugh at that, no matter how true it was; the fact was that it was still strange. Then the atmosphere got quiet and gloomy.
"It's kind of hard to feel hopeful," Krillin stated with his head bowed, "without Goku being around."
"Well, I'd better be getting back home. Chaotzu's probably worried about me. I know you can beat the androids now Trunks, but good luck." Tien said his goodbyes as he flew off in the direction of Kami house.
"I guess we should get going too," Krillin said after a few moments. Then Gohan remembered something.
"Trunks, when are you going back to your timeline?" he asked the older half Saiyan.
"I'm going to rest up tonight and then head out in the morning," Trunks answered. They all agreed to then see him off in the morning.
"Piccolo, are you going to be living here now?" Gohan asked his mentor.
"That's my plan," Piccolo said as he stared at the half Saiyan.
"Then can I come visit you and Dende sometime?" Gohan asked. He knew it got pretty lonely up on the Lookout, and plus he wanted to see his old mentor more than just in times of trouble. He got a nod for his answer. Everyone then soon parted ways, flying back in the direction of where they were staying. Gohan would normally be flying home with his father, but because of the circumstances that the Cell Games left him with, Gohan would be flying home alone. He once again felt his mentor reach out to him through the link that they shared.
Hey, kid? Piccolo asked. Gohan could feel that his mentor had something important to ask him. Something on your mind?
No, Gohan lied as he answered back. Of course he had stuff on his mind, his father had just died and there was a creepy voice inside his head. Piccolo seemed to pick up on the lie that he was telling and instead took a different approach.
Gohan, you seemed distracted today when Cell came back, Piccolo urged, I also felt another Ki in your mind. What is going on?
Nothing, Gohan said a bit rudely. He didn't want anyone to figure out about 'the voice'. No one needed to know. Then he remembered his rudeness to his mentor and answered nicer this time.
I'm sorry, Mr. Piccolo. I guess I am just a bit tired. That's all. Hope to see you soon, anyway.
Gohan then closed off the link before his mentor could ask him anymore and flew home in his thoughts.
So they can sense you, Gohan thought with his mind on 'the voice', I have a lot more to ask you, so you should be prepared for the bombardment of your life.
So how was that? Sorry it was so long, but there was a lot of stuff going on. I am celebrating when I post this though, because it is the longest chapter I have written so far: 26 pages in Microsoft Word! Yay! Well anyway, I would like to know your thoughts on this chapter as well as what you think of 'the voice'. Is it a little rude to ask for reviews? I have been getting near two reviews most of the time; I don't want to sound selfish but it is easier to get a new chapter out when you have a constant reminder, right? Either way, thanks to all of you reading out there; you guys rock! Anyway, please R&R!
-AnimeWolfGirl9