It had taken almost the whole time before the start of the Cell Games for Rori to convince Radditz that she wasn't just a mirage. Yes, he had trained her nonetheless, but he took no interest in her other than the training, until she started to get tired unusually quickly. This caused him to reluctantly start asking questions, and when she'd explained that she was pregnant, she was not expecting a very positive remark from her big brother. Not after what had happened when he'd found out that Piccolo was her mate. This time however, he just smirked placed one of his palms on the top of her head ruffling her hair like he would when they were on Frieza's ship. It was then that she not only knew he'd finally started to believe it was really her, but that he really wasn't himself when he'd come to Earth the last time. Before she'd never really questioned his strange behavior, she'd only reacted to it, and tried to forget it. Now she was feeling guilty for not picking up on it before.
After Radditz found out she was pregnant, they took training a bit slower, much to Rori's dismay. She worried that she wouldn't learn his ki techniques in time, but he reminded her if she was out of commission, it wouldn't matter if she couldn't learn his Weekend or Vacation Delete techniques. So, she complied.
After what seemed like days of training Rori had finally pulled her fist back, her eyes widening with delight as she saw how it turned all sparkly and pink ready to send out one Radditz's ultmiate attacks back on him. Before she could release her attack, she heard King Kai's voice, "Rori, Goku's here to take you back."
Rori let her ki go, her hand falling to her side returning to normal. She sighed before replying to King Kai, "I'll be right there."
"So, you're leaving?" Radditz concluded after hearing King Kai's voice as well.
"It looks like it's that time..." Rori swung one of her arms at her side the other crossing at her chest holding her bicep, unsure of how she was supposed to say goodbye to her brother, knowing where he was staying, "Promise you won't go back near that lake? You don't need to put yourself through that. I forgive you and I'm sure Goku would too..."
He stayed silent for a moment, before looking down the mountain, "they tell you when you arrive that if you repent you can get out of here... but if I did that would mean I'd become someone else..."
"You don't want that?" Rori questioned, seeing that this didn't seem to put him at ease. He didn't answer.
"Radditz, if you want I'll wish you back with the dragon balls." she explained, "We've done it before. And I know you won't try to blow up a planet Prince Vegeta is calling home, right?"
"We'll see. If you can't beat this Cell, there's no use in getting my hopes up is there?" he questioned, "For now, I think I'll go pay Frieza a little visit."
"I guess either way, I'll be seeing you soon." Rori smiled at him, waving goodbye, before using her wristband to poof back to King Kai's planet.
Back at the lookout, Piccolo waited while all the Z fighters began to arrive. By now Vegeta had already come and gone, eager to arrive at the scene before the others. Trunks was waiting with Krillin and before long Yamcha and Tien arrived as well.
"Isn't the Lookout out of the way for you two?" Krillin asked arching a brow.
"Yes, it is." Tien answered in a tone of annoyance as he shot a glare at Yamcha.
"Rori went training with Goku... so I thought I'd bring her a Senzu, if she didn't already have one..." Yamcha said sheepishly, rubbing the back of is head.
Piccolo arched a brow at this, not due to Yamcha's actions, but because he hadn't sensed Rori and Goku training at any point over the past week. He was also certain that they weren't in the Time Chamber either because he himself hadn't left the Lookout. If she was there he would have known. Was Rori actually listening to his advice and doing some meditating? Perhaps her and Goku had been training with their minds?
A few moments later, Goku arrived with Gohan in toe. Piccolo lost his train of thought when saw Gohan and remembered that the young Saiyan was wearing the same training gear as him. He had been touched when Gohan had asked to wear his fighting gear, though he would admit that to no one. His pride had taken a beating for a while after he'd learned that he wouldn't become a father and watching Goku's lack of parental skills had only caused past vulnerabilities to resurface in his mind. The world was unfair, Piccolo's father had made sure to impart that little bit of wisdom on him. Those undeserving always seemed to have what the deserving did not. It was the way of things and he'd learned to deal with it a long time ago, but it still stung to know that Goku could have what he couldn't and at times he didn't even appear to appreciate it. When Gohan had walked over to him in need of new clothes, Piccolo had expected him to ask for a gi like his father's, but no he'd asked for one like Piccolo's. Maybe the world was unfair, maybe he would never have a son of his own, but he had Gohan. And Piccolo had never been certain that he really had Gohan before that moment.
His lips tugged back into almost a smile when the two Saiyans arrived, but he quickly he suppressed it so no one would notice.
"Hey, guys! Why the long faces?" Goku asked looking around at one unhappy looking group of fighters.
Krillin explained to him how Dende had made the dragon balls with 2 wishes like they'd asked, but the dragon balls wouldn't be able to bring back someone who'd already died. As usual, Goku laughed this off, acting as if there was no imminent threat ahead that they were about to face.
"Well let's get going then." Goku started for the edge of the Lookout.
"Wait!" Yamcha called out causing Goku to turn back, "Where's Rori? Weren't you training with her?"
Goku's eyes got wide, "Oh...shoot... Be back in a minute!" With that he disappeared.
The group of fighters waited for longer than a minute, wondering exactly what had happened. Gohan gave an exasperated sigh, "he forgot Aunt Rori..."
"Forgot?" Trunks arched a brow, "How could he forget her if they were training together... couldn't she have just come with you guys?"
"No, she went to King Kai's so she could find Radditz and train with him." Gohan explained.
"What?! She shouldn't be going there! What if..." Yamcha stopped mid-sentence as everyone was looking at him now like he was over-reacting and he remembered Rori had asked them to keep this quiet for now.
"What if what?" Piccolo glared over at Yamcha when he didn't finish his sentence.
"Uh...heh heh... what if..." he tried his best to fill in that sentence, "she's too tired now? She caught a cold before she left..."
Before Piccolo could grill Yamcha any further, there was a poof and Goku and Rori appeared in its place.
"All right... now everyone is here..." Goku laughed.
"Wait, did you forget about me?" Rori glared at her brother.
"Well... yeah..." Goku admitted.
Rori shrugged her shoulders, "I forgot a bit too..."
As everyone headed off toward the Cell Games, Yamcha grabbed Rori's wrist hanging back for a second with her, "You went to the other world? You didn't over do it, did you?"
Rori shook her head, "No... I'm a little bit tired though..."
"Here." Yamcha held out a Senzu bean for her, "I'm not sure this will help keep you from being tired, but it'll give you some energy back."
"Thanks, Yamcha" she took the bean and it was as he said, she felt the energy she'd lost from training come back to her, but the fatigue that came with her pregnancy could not be gotten rid of so easily.
"Just... make sure you stick by one of us, you know, just in case." he offered.
Rori nodded. She knew he was right, she wasn't about to argue. The two headed off and caught up with the rest of the group quickly. Soon Piccolo fell back in line until he was near Rori, "You're not maintaining your phoenix form?"
Shit. She'd forgotten about that. Now really wasn't the right time to explain to Piccolo that he would be a father as long as they don't die. "Oh... well, I don't actually think it's necessary anymore. I've learned something that will be more useful if I'm not a Super Saiyan."
Rori didn't wait for another question and sped up until she was next to Trunks. "Vegeta's not here?"
Trunks shook his head, "no... he kind of stormed off ahead of us... Not that it was unexpected, but he told me I shouldn't bother coming after the last trick I pulled. When I said I'm coming and that I've learned from it... he told me I'm as stubborn as you and just left. Know what that's about?"
"No idea!" Rori laughed nervously. She knew that Vegeta would be upset not only when she showed up, but when his son did as well, but she didn't think he was still this angry. Vegeta was a Saiyan after all, he knew Rori or Trunks wouldn't want to back down. It wasn't in a Saiyan's nature. At the very least, she concluded Vegeta hadn't told Trunks what Cell had been planning for them. She thought it was for the best, but she sensed with Vegeta's attitude that he was likely regretting that decision.
It wasn't long before they all landed near Cell's tournament ring. While everyone had expected to see Vegeta waiting, Rori was surprised to see not only Mr. Satan and a camera crew, but also Android 16, looking like new. Krillin headed immediately over to the Android followed by Rori and Goku.
"Hey 16, looks like they fixed you up real good." Krillin said holding out his hand. The gentle android smiled at the Krillin and shook his hand, before looking Rori over. He smirked focusing on the mid-section then back up to her face, "It looks like you're feeling better too... the both of you..."
Rori's eyes widened a bit. She'd forgotten that Bulma had been working on Android 16 when Vegeta had brought her by. At the time she'd though he was completely out, but apparently he hadn't been as out of it as she'd thought. She chose her words carefully knowing Piccolo might overhear. Luckily Krillin didn't appear to understand the hidden meaning and without even knowing it he helped her out.
"Yeah we're doing as well as we can before the end of the world... It's not like we haven't looked death in the eyes before. I think were getting pretty good at it now, don'tchya think?" Krillin asked elbowing Rori in the side, having understood 'both' to mean the two of them and not Rori and her baby.
"Yeah..." Rori smiled with a sigh of relief. 16 just winked at her knowing his little joke would go over Krillin's head.
Goku stepped out from behind them offering his hand to 16, "I'm glad to see you're doing better. Let's do our best."
Suddenly the androids face turned stoic. He didn't share the same caring demeanor toward Goku as he had with Krillin and Rori. 16 simply glared at the Saiyan, "Goku... Do not forget I was created to destroy you."
While Goku was going over the fighting order with the rest of the group, Rori happened to notice Hercule was not planning on waiting. He was getting ready to jump right into the ring and get himself killed. She sighed, contemplating for a moment just letting him see for himself that he was out of his league. Still, she felt she had to try. Rori walked over towards the side of the ring where Hercule was preparing, but before she could get anywhere near him, the reporter swung his microphone in her face.
"Isn't this sweet, Son Seirori the sports model had made her way to the champs side of the ring. Are you here to cheer on the champ, today?" The reporter asked.
At first Rori was a little taken back by the name 'Son', but then she remembered Yamcha had given her agent her brother's last name when he'd helped her find her job.
"Why would I do that?" Rori asked looking over to Hercule who was now giving her a pleading look once he realized she was actually there.
"Well, it was all over the tabloids months ago about your arm wrestling match. Sources say you've had a secret relationship ever since." The reporter waggled his brow waiting for a response.
"Sources, huh?" Rori immediately glared at Hercule.
Hercule began to give a loud nervous laugh, "You can't believe everything in those magazines."
Rori looked at the camera, then at the microphone in her face. She grabbed it, glaring daggers at the reporter, "You can tell your sources that I'm here to fight Cell. The only reason I came to this side of the ring was to let this idiot know that he's no match for Cell and if he wants to be around to take care of his daughter, he'd better get out of here."
Rori threw the microphone back and was about to leave, but the reporter smirked and looked to the camera, "It looks like the two are having a lover's quarrel, but our sources inform us that this is not the first and as soon as the champ defeats Cell all will be well for the young couple."
Rori quickly grabbed the mic back, "You can tell your damn sources to get their story straight. I'm with that green guy over there."
Before the reporter could make another comment the camera broke, blowing up in a puff of smoke. Rori looked back to see Piccolo was staring their way. Rori smirked triumphant and threw the microphone, once again, back at the reporter before making her way back to the group.
"Don't hold back your feelings, Rori. We all know you can't resist the Champ," Krillin grinned unable to help himself.
"Oh, shut it, Krillin" she rolled her eyes before mouthing a thanks to Piccolo. He answered her with a nod.
"Alright, I'll go first." Goku said as he began to step into the ring.
By this time the camera man had gotten out another camera and the reporter was yelling over for the 'lightweight' Goku to wait his turn.
Despite Rori and Goku's warnings, Hercule made his way to the ring, his proud chest puffed out. Who did these people think they were. Sure, Rori had appeared to have the upper hand on him in their arm wrestling match, but over time he'd realized that she must have tricked him somehow. There's no way a puny girl like her would have been able to actually hold their own against him. He chuckled to himself as he pulled out a capsule filled with tiles. He'd show them. Hercule began to stack the tiles up until he'd gotten 25 in a row. He made eye contact with Cell before he shouted, "Just wait Cell, this is going to be you if you don't back out!"
"He can't be serious..." Krillin commented unable to tear his eyes away from the ridiculous spectacle that Hercule was about to make out of himself.
Yamcha scoffed, "I shoulda decked him when I had the chance."
"Shouldn't we do something?" Goku questioned.
"There's nothing you can do Goku, this is the only way he'll learn." Rori shrugged her shoulders, though she secretly was rooting for Cell for once.
By now Hercule had karate chopped his way through most of the tiles and was being praised by the reporter at his side.
"Can you believe it, folks! 24 tiles!" the reporter triumphantly shouted, "Looks like Cell will be dealt with in no time!"
What happened next was a surprise to no one, other than Hercule and the reporter. Mr. Satan started toward for Cell, charging at him with full strength, only to be swatted aside like a rag doll into the distant plateau. Cell let out an audible sigh before his eyes shot over to Goku, "Now that that's taken care of, shall we begin the real fight?"
Goku stepped into the ring now agreeing with Cell, that it should be him to start and no one else questioned him. Rori watched her brother intently. She'd liked to have thought that she could hold her own against the mutant android, but she knew that even if she didn't have a baby growing inside her now that she would probably only have been a match for Trunks or Vegeta. Her brother had yet again attained a level that none of the other Saiyans had been able to reach. Still, she couldn't sense that he was anymore powerful than Cell, nor that Cell was the most powerful one among them. It made her wonder if there wasn't someone else she wasn't taking into account. Normally, she could tell right away who was the strongest, she could smell it in the air. But if it wasn't Goku with the power he had now, it would be no one. This was his fight. She was just glad she was around to watch it. She wanted to see him wipe the floor with that psychopath and if their opponent tried anything underhanded, which she wouldn't put past Cell, she'd happily lend a hand in his demise. Radditz, if you could see our brother now... she thought to herself with a smirk, before she knew what she was doing she lifted her hands around her mouth to make a megaphone affect, "Kick his ass, Goku!"
Both Goku and Cell came out of their intense staring match, turning to her awkward outburst that disrupted the silence before their battle. She felt her face burn red in a blush and choked out a quick 'sorry'. Cell smirked over at her, now knowing that he had really gotten to her the last time they'd spoken. He turned his gaze back to Goku, and in a split second, the two began their fight. Across the field and in the air, the fight quickly became hard to follow to the common eye. The reporter and the cameraman were having a hard time keeping up. The Z fighter however were watching the whole thing, their eyes and ears darting back and forth across the ring. Before long the two fighters landed back into the ring, Goku reached an arm over his head, holding it by the other hand as he stretched a bit.
"That's enough of a warm-up, don't you think?" Goku called across the ring to Cell.
Cell could barely contain his excitement for their match, now that he'd been able to test out Goku's strength, he was sure the Saiyan would be a good opponent and a worthy adversary to unleash his full strength upon, "I suppose you're right."
As the two went back at it, the reporter began to slink his way over toward Rori, sticking the microphone back in her face. "You appear to know this country bumpkin, what tricks are they using now?"
Rori groaned in frustration, "There's no trick and that 'country bumpkin' is my brother."
Before the reporter could make another comment, Hercule was back at the scene explaining how it was nothing but a mere light show and of course Rori couldn't be trusted, she worked in that industry, the fact that she was here was just proof that this whole thing was just a light show.
"You heard it here first folks!" the reporter concluded.
"D'you think Cell didn't kill him because he knew how pissed off that guy would make us?" Krillin muttered.
Yamcha's eyes widened as he turned to Krillin, "He really is evil..."
They all had a good laugh until they heard Goku yelling down from the sky to them, "Get out of there, he's going to blow up the ring!"
Yamcha feeling more protective than ever of Rori since he'd found out about her situation, grabbed her arm and pulled her with him as he flew off to a safe distance, pulling her in close to protect her. Then came the blinding light from Cell's ki blast and when it dissipated Rori found Yamcha hovering over her on the ground, "You ok?"
"Yeah" she nodded, trying to take in what had just happened. She looked over Yamcha's shoulder and found that 16 had unfortunately saved Hercule along with the annoying reporter and cameraman. Her eyes panned over to see Gohan was fine as well standing next to Piccolo, who's eyes briefly met hers before darting back to the fight as if they'd never met.
Piccolo had been watching Yamcha and Rori since they'd arrived. He'd figured out that the two were together now, which should have made him happy. This was technically what he'd wanted, her to be with someone who could give her children. Just not Vegeta... he wasn't good enough for her. Besides they'd probably end up killing each other. And not Krillin... he didn't know why, just not Krillin... And definitely not that Android 17... an android couldn't have kids right? The thing that pissed him off the most about her timely affair with 17 was that fact. He wanted her with someone who could give here what he couldn't... he didn't think 17 was that person. 17 would just bring her down to his level. No, when he'd thought about it, he'd hoped she'd end up with Trunks, he seemed like a good guy... a bit young, but Saiyan so he'd be able to keep up with her... Gohan did train him after all... or Yamcha seemed fine as an alternative. He'd decided he'd be fine with those two. He wouldn't get involved. Yet something about the way Yamcha was treating her was off. Rori could hold her own and she was much stronger than Yamcha. Piccolo supposed he should just be happy that Rori was with someone who was taking care of her not just messing with her like 17. Yet, he couldn't shake off the feeling that something wasn't right there, but then again he was a Namekian... He'd never really understood matters of love. He could barely say he understood how him and Rori came to be something. He tried to explain it away thinking it was just the scent she gave off when she was in heat, but he knew that wasn't the truth. He'd never had the same reaction the Saiyans had around her and he was drawn to her form the second she landed on this planet. No, she just wriggled her way into his life. Penetrating his soul with her eyes, trying to figure him out, like he found her doing now from where she was being protected by Yamcha. He quickly broke her stare turning back to Goku and Cell. He shouldn't be thinking about this now, it wasn't important now. If they survived, then he'd try to find away to get rid of all these damn emotions. This was not in his nature.
As Piccolo turned back to the action, he realized Goku was doing something reckless. He was going to shoot a Kamehameha down at a range that would likely destroy the planet. This wasn't like Goku. Did he not think there was another way? "Goku no! That's too close you'll destroy the planet!"
"He wouldn't!" Krillin shouted unable to believe that Goku would put all of their lives in danger.
"He's going to do it!" Vegeta shouted.
Just before Goku could release the blast he disappeared, only to reappear before Cell with a poof, letting his attack make contact with the android, disintegrating his top half completely. The only thing that was left was a pair of legs on the ground and the bottom half of a torso.
"Yeah he did it!" Yamcha shouted in relief, but he was the only one to cheer, "What's going on. It's over why isn't everyone happy?"
Rori shook her head at him and nodded for him to watch.
"He can regenerate, be careful Goku!" Krillin informed them.
Within seconds, Cell had regenerated back to his full self and the fight proceeded as if it had never stopped.
"This is insane... we had him." Yamcha grumbled.
"Piccolo's cells..." Rori sighed, "He'll have to make sure to take out his whole body next time... though I doubt Cell will give him another opportunity to do that."
The battle went on and before long everyone noticed that Goku appeared to be losing his stamina. Trunks had considered throwing Goku a Senzu bean only to get chewed out by Vegeta for even suggesting something so cowardly. It was then that Piccolo couldn't believe his ears. Had he heard correctly? Of course he had, his big ears weren't just a decoration after all. Goku was forfeiting.
"If this next guy can't beat you, no one can Cell" Goku smiled with pride as he looked over toward Gohan and Piccolo's direction, "You're up, Gohan."
That idiot. The thought went through Piccolo's head several times before he realized it wasn't just going on in his head, it came out of his mouth as well. "You idiot! You're just going to watch that monster kill your only son!" He couldn't believe this. Sure, he had helped train Gohan and encourage him to fight when he needed to, but he would have never sent Gohan in alone against an opponent like Cell. "He's a kid Goku!" Piccolo's could not be more infuriated, cursing Kami that someone like Goku was able to have a son like Gohan and he had to go without. Surely Goku was not deserving. Goku had always been Piccolo's rival, but he had never held more hatred for this man, even when trying to avenge his own father's life, than the hatred he felt in that moment.
"Piccolo, he's got this. He's been training with us since he was little and I trained with him in the Time Chamber and I'm telling you, he's gotten much stronger than even me. Just ask him... Gohan did you think you couldn't keep up with me and Cell?" Goku questioned his son.
"Well.. you weren't going all out though... so of course I thought I could keep up." Gohan admitted.
Piccolo's eyes widened, "...Gohan..."
"I can assure I was giving it all I had... my guess is Cell was too" Goku admitted.
"You can do this Gohan." Goku smiled as his son made his way over to cell, sliding his weighted tunic off over his head.
Rori had been watching as well. She knew Piccolo would be worried about Gohan, but after talking with Gohan recently, she thought this might be his time. He was sick of being treated like a child. His father was giving him his shot. She had completely been with Goku on this one until he threw Cell a Senzu bean. Perhaps it was some new maternal instincts that she wasn't yet aware she possessed, but when she saw Goku toss that bean to Cell something inside her snapped. She stomped over to Goku, who was now paying attention to Piccolo as the Namekian looked like he was ready to scold her brother yet again, and slapped him as hard as she could in the back of his head before anyone else could get a word in, "Are you completely insane?!"
She heard Vegeta snickering in the background saying something about Saiyan hormones. Before she could tell him to shut it, everyone went silent as Gohan unleashed his power. The group looked astonished, all except for Goku, who just stood watching, like the proud father he was.
Gohan and Cell began there fight, which at first looked evenly matched, but soon it became apparent that Gohan didn't want to kill even Cell. He didn't want to fight like his father and he paid for that. Cell would not let up on in. Goku told everyone to just wait until Gohan became angry, but Piccolo couldn't hold back.
"I'm going in if you're not Goku. He's just a child. He's not trying to get angry, he's trying to understand why his father is letting this happen to him. He doesn't like fighting like you do!" Piccolo shouted at him.
Piccolo was about to go in, but Rori couldn't let him. She knew Goku could beat Cell and she wouldn't risk losing Piccolo now. "Goku you're his father! It should be you!"
Piccolo grimaced at her words, but he backed off, though he was now angered that Rori would say something like that in front of him. He knew he wasn't Gohan's father, but still... he didn't like hearing it.
"Krillin... get me a Senzu..." Goku conceded.
Krillin grinned, "Good choice." He reached in for a Senzu, but it was too late. Cell flew over grabbing the bag of beans before anyone could get use out of them.
"What are you doing?!" Gohan shouted.
"Making you mad" Cell retorted.
Cell could not get far with his plan however, because Android 16 jumped in gripping Cell to his body with all his strength, threatening to blow both of them up. Unfortunately, nothing happened. Krillin informed 16 that the bomb had been removed from his body, just before Cell made quick work of discarding the red haired robot, completely disintegrating his body, sending 16's head flying behind him as if he'd been nothing.
Cell then turned to the group watching and counting them. He chuckled before he created mini versions of himself, shooting them out of his back, creating one for each of the Z fighters.
"What are those things?" Krillin shuddered.
"Cell juniors." Cell retorted as if it should be common knowledge, "I was feeling bad that not everyone could participate. Now that won't be an issue."
Trunks floated over toward Rori and whispered in a hushed voice, "Father told me... stick by us and we'll make sure no one gets hurt..."
"No one?" she questioned and then noticed him eyeing her stomach.
She looked back to Yamcha who just nodded to her, "I'll be all right. I'll stick with Tien, you stick with those two." She nodded and flew over with Trunks to Vegeta.
"Perfect, just like me. Play with them as you will Cell Juniors, but be sure not to kill Trunks or Rori. I haven't made up my mind yet." Cell laughed as his minions went after the Z fighters. Cell watched along with Gohan as his minions were having no mercy on the fighters. His regeneration ability wasn't the only thing he'd gotten from Piccolo, he'd also gotten the Namekian's astute perception. Though he'd been fighting Goku and Gohan, he'd also taken note of everyone's behavior from the beginning and had noticed how Rori was no longer in her Phoenix form. He found that odd and then he noticed how Yamcha and Trunks and Vegeta appeared to be keeping tabs on her throughout the match and more so now that he'd sent in the Cell Juniors. Something was amiss.
"Enjoy the show without me for a moment, won't you?" Cell offered to Gohan as he flew up in the air, calling the specific Cell Junior that Rori was fighting to lead her away from the group. As this happened he was sure now that something was up because Vegeta, who was having a hard time with his own Cell Junior tried to call her back. She was too into the fight though and by the time she knocked the Cell Junior to the ground, Rori realized she was now face to face with the real deal.
Cell stared at her, arms crossed, as if trying to figure something out, "Enjoying yourself? What do you think of my Cell Juniors? They put up quite a fight don't they. Still not as strong as I am, but enough to take out all your little friends."
Rori didn't answer, she knew anything she said he would just turn against her.
"Oh you can ignore me all you want, but you're more of a Saiyan than I am... You must be getting a little bit excited." He tried.
"Don't think you know me just because you share some DNA with the rest of us." Rori started unable to hold back, "This is not the kind of fight I enjoy."
"Oh please, you weren't dropped on your head like that brother of yours. No matter what you say, you enjoy a good blood show. I know you do... you're forgetting." Cell came closer to her, but she only rolled her eyes.
"I know you... very well... and I think you're hiding something..." 17's voice came from a smug looking Cell.
Rori just glared back at him. He couldn't know. There's no way he could know, her hand instinctively went to her stomach, as if to protect her child from hearing any of this.
"You know you can tell me anything. You're mine remember? It'll just be between us." 17's voice continued trying to coax it out of her.
"Aren't you done with that game? It's tired and I'm not buying it anymore!" Rori spat.
"I know, but it makes you so mad that I can't help myself." Cell let out a content sigh before looking down to the Cell Juniors, "I've decided. You can kill them all except this one!"
Cell looked up making eye contact with her before leaning into her ear and whispering, "or should I say two."
"How did-" Rori started but was cut off by his whisper, "Of course I knew... A father always knows. Don't worry, I promised, it'll remain between us."
With that Cell went back down to Gohan leaving Rori confused. Did Cell think this kid was his? How? Oh... Piccolo's DNA... Still that didn't make him the father. She muttered to herself that he was just trying to find more was to piss her off like with 17's voice. He wanted Rori to think he was going to take this child and turn it against her. He had another thing coming.
Rori came down just in time to watch Cell crush 16's head, causing Gohan to go into a rage. That's when she noticed it, Gohan's scent. It'd been him all along. It was over now. Gohan went through all the Cell Juniors like they had been nothing and took back the Senzu beans, tossing them to Trunks. Gohan then focused in on Cell. As they fought, it seemed that no matter what Cell tried, he was no match for Gohan. Even after sending a full Kamehameha blast to the Earth, Gohan managed to send it back on Cell causing him to lose a few limbs.
That's when things went bad, as everyone yelled for Gohan to finish Cell. Gohan claimed that Cell should suffer more and left Cell the time to grow back his limbs. In Cell's anger he made the same mistake Trunks had earlier, bulking up in strength and size but losing his speed. It was still no match for Gohan who landed a hard punch to Cell's stomach causing him to throw up a lifeless looking Android 18. As the now Imperfect Cell had little options, he resorted to a self-destruct, his body increasing in size, blowing himself up like a balloon, getting ready to take the planet with him.
"In one minute I'll explode and take you all out with me!" Cell cried with laughter.
"I won't let you!" Gohan yelled, angry at both Cell and himself for letting it come to this.
"Don't come any closer. One hit and I'll blow up!" Cell laughed.
"It's over..." Piccolo concluded, looking hopeless.
Rori looked over to Piccolo, wanting to go over and calm him. And what was stopping her? They were all going to die soon anyway. As Piccolo watched the android becoming larger and larger, he suddenly felt a hand in his, looking to see who it was he found Rori staring up at him with a soft, but hopeless smile. She wanted to be with him when it happened. He met her smile for a brief second before turning back to the scene as Goku made his way toward Cell or possibly to comfort Gohan who was now cursing his own name for letting himself get too cocky as he pounded his fist to the ground.
"Bye everyone... this is the only thing I can think of to do..." Goku said before he disappeared and then reappeared infront of Cell.
"I'm proud of you Gohan... You did a good job." Goku said before he placed a hand on Cell and they both disappeared. Within moments, Goku's ki was gone as well. That's when Gohan started to cry, blaming himself for his fathers death.
Krillin was the first to make his way over to Gohan, trying to console him. Piccolo and Rori then exchanged a look before they both made there way over. Rori bent down beside Gohan, trying to put on her bravest face for him, "It's going to be alright, Gohan."
"We're all proud of you, kid..." Piccolo tried, but he knew that would not make him feel any better.
Gohan stood up, still drying his eyes. Krillin picked up Android 18 and smiled at Gohan, "Your dad looked happy, even knowing he was going to die, when he saw how powerful you'd become Gohan."
"Come on." Rori put her arm around Gohan, "let's get you to the Lookout and back home. You'll feel better once you've had some down time."
"What are you doing with that Android?" Vegeta asked eyeing Krillin, "If it's alive you should kill it already."
"What?" Krillin asked a bit taken back, "but she didn't do anything..."
Before anyone could comment on Krillin and Android 18, Cell's ki could suddenly be felt. It wasn't imperfect Cell's ki either, it was Perfect Cell. Out of a poof of dust Cell appeared and fired one of Frieza's deadly quick shots right through Trunks' heart.
"Did you miss me?" Cell chuckled as everyone stared at him in shock, "You all look surprised to see me. Don't worry I'll fill you in. I have a small lump in my head that helps me to regenerate. I honestly wasn't planning on it either, just lucky I guess, but the explosion didn't get the lump in the blast. So I was able to regenerate to my full power, I don't even need android 18 anymore. And as I was brought back, I realized I had gotten a little power boost thanks to my Saiyan heritage... And I was able to learn Goku's instant transmission as an added bonus. So in trying to defeat me, Goku only helped me to ascend perfection... I should write him a thank you note... or maybe send him a gift basket... I wonder if they make deliveries to other world..."
Gohan began to laugh as he watched Cell.
This only gave Cell an uneasy feeling, "Did you go crazy after watching your father die, boy?"
"I'm just glad I get the chance to kill you myself." Gohan retorted as he powered up, but didn't have the opportunity to get the first jump on Cell as Vegeta rushed past him,angered by the loss of his son, firing everything he had at Cell. It didn't last long however, Vegeta was no match for Cell before and certainly not now. Cell had Vegeta on the ropes, and threw him down into the ground breaking his arm, before getting ready to send down a deadly ki blast on the prince. Gohan saw this just in time and when the smoke dissipated, Gohan was panting as he'd gone in to save Vegeta.
"Gohan!" both Piccolo and Rori shouted. He looked tired, and now one of his arms was completely out of commission.
"Don't we have any Senzu beans?" Piccolo cried at Krillin who was rummaging through the sack of beans, but there wasn't enough time. Cell had already started a Kamehameha that was headed straight for Gohan. Just when it looked like Gohan was about to give up, he suddenly charged up a Kamehameha wave and sent it towards the one Cell had launched.
"It's no good, it's not enough!" Piccolo shouted before he jumped down behind Cell and fired a Masenko blast. Yamcha, Tien, and Krillin soon followed all sending waves of ki to the other side of Cell. He began knocking them down one by one but they kept getting up. Rori had followed suit, but was stopped as Vegeta yelled up at her, "You're crazy if you think that will help! You'll just get yourself killed!"
"We have to try! Stop being so proud!" she yelled back before she joined the others.
Cell laughed as he saw her line up with the others, "Oh what are you going to do Rori? Throw a rock at me? You can't use ki blasts!"
"Hmph" She laughed both hands at her side as she charged up to her phoenix form, her hand glowed a pink red before she sent out a two rays of ki, the weekend blast she'd learned from Radditz, "I told you, you know nothing about me!"
Her blast seemed to cause Cell to worry and Vegeta arched his brow from his position watching what he'd previously thought was the end. Could this actually work? If those weaklings could all cause him to waver a bit, perhaps his help would do something. He waited for his moment, when Cell thought he'd all but won, before he jumped overhead with his own ki blast, firing it down at Cell, giving Gohan just enough room to overpower Cell and disintegrate him for good.
"He... won..." Piccolo commented, barely believing his own eyes.
"He did it!" Yamcha shouted behind the rest running over to pick up Gohan, "Let's get you back to the Lookout so Dende can heal you."
Rori came over taking Gohan out of Yamcha's arms smiling at him, "If you don't mind I'd really like to escort my nephew there."
"Are you sure you're ok?" Yamcha questioned.
"I'll be fine. At the very least I can do this for him." She said ruffling Gohan's hair. With that Rori took off with Gohan in her arms, eyes half open laughing to himself. He, like the rest, could barely believe that it was finally over.
Yamcha took off following Rori closely, Tien behind him, carrying Trunks. Krillin scooped up 18 in his arms and followed the rest.
The only ones left were Piccolo and Vegeta. Piccolo looked back to the prince. It was obvious his ego had taken a beating along with his body. "Do you want a hand?"
"I don't need your help!" Vegeta muttered dusting himself off.
"Too bad... I needed your help." Piccolo retorted. After everything that had happened today, Piccolo realized that Vegeta had been right, as long as he was around Rori would come to him, despite what she could have with Yamcha. She'd told the reporter that she was with him and she'd come to him in the end. He remembered she'd said she wanted an explanation when all of this was over, but he knew she wouldn't accept any explanation he could give her, "You said one day I'd see... one day I'd come to you... well... You were right. Tomorrow when everyone's lives are back to normal. I'll be ready then." Piccolo explained before he took off towards the Lookout.
Vegeta stared at Piccolo's form as it disappeared. He didn't ask for this. He didn't ask for any of it. He never wanted a son to care about. He never wanted a human mate. He never wanted a friend, let alone a female Saiyan friend. He never wanted to be living on Earth or care about anyone on this miserable ball of dust. All he wanted to do was beat Kakarot and take his rightful place as Prince of the Saiyans. Yet, here he was... with a son that, he was pressed to admit it, but that he cared about. And he did care about that brat, enough to almost get himself killed and make a stupid enough move that he would get everyone else killed too. He was way too involved in his own love life with Bulma. Some how she'd worn him down. And now his friend's love life was staring him in the face too. He didn't want to be involved in any of this... but he knew now that he was in too deep. If he said nothing now... he'd probably only have a bigger mess to clean up when Piccolo was dead and Rori gave birth to Piccolo's child. If there had only been something close to him that he could punch, but now Cell and Gohan had destroyed even that. He was standing in a barren wasteland. So, Vegeta settled for blasting off toward the lookout in a rage, "Dammit!"
A/N: Hey... so... Cell Games are over. Next chapter Rori and Piccolo will finally sort out their problems, some insight on how Krillin and 18 got together, and 17 will be back. Hope you enjoyed it. Sorry for the wait and thanks for all the comments!