Chapter 75: Desperate Measures
King Kai had watched the last few minutes of Broly and Gohan's fight in complete horror. The fact made clear that there were at least two monstrosities on par or even above that of Bojack all those centuries ago.
Although he wasn't old by any means, his career as a Kai would likely be only another millennia or two before he'd have to begin training his eventual replacement. In fact, the Grand Kai should begin training his replacement in a matter of decades. He dreaded the idea of a new generation of Kai being forced to watch the galaxy torn apart like he had at the start of his career. In the span of a few centuries the galaxy was rocked by an endless stream of calamities with the rise of the Frost Demons, the exile of the dark Super Namekians, and the ascension of the first wave of super Saiyans all challenging the previously undisputed top race in the galaxy the Herans. Each wave of warfare brought destruction not seem since the terrors of old. The weaker races were exterminated in mass, or in some cases created abominations of their own, such as the Big Geta Star, or Hirudegarn out of their desperation.
If his intuition was right, the newest menace to arrive on the scene, the Saiyan named Broly was the reincarnation of one of the worst of those monsters. And in a way the reason life survived in the galaxy at all. If the Saiyan Race hadn't imploded the first time, the balance of power wouldn't have shifted in such a way to allow for the remaining terrors destroy each other, until only two remained. When Bojack was sealed away the galaxy was able to return to a somewhat peaceful state. With only the Frost Demons and Super Namekians, the two weakest of the top races remaining.
Another thing bugging the Northern Kai was the probable identity of the Super Saiyan child. 'Even if they beat Cell, they'd likely need years of training before I could send them against that monstrosity...I'm sorry Goku.' King Kai thought. 'I'll at least keep an eye on your son in the meantime.'
"Hey North Kai, what do you think? Should we prepare a team to take them out now?" South Kai asked obviously missing the similarities to the monsters at the start of their career.
"No not yet, I don't have any fighters who can beat him…yet. We need time for them to train. Then hopefully with the help of the other Kai's we can make a team strong enough to defeat him."
"If you say so, it's your quadrant that's going to take the brunt of their anger in the meantime.
Death hadn't been the easiest experience for Raditz, it's not every day that the hands of every creature you had ever killed grasped onto you and pulled you from your dying body, likely to complete oblivion. Somehow though the place he found himself in now wasn't anything like he had imaged hell to look like. All around him were bright yellow clouds, strangely dressed colorful creatures, and even small clouds that seemingly were talking to one another.
As peaceful as this place seemed, Raditz couldn't help but feel out of place here. He was a Saiyan warrior, a place like this would be a boring hell to a warrior such as himself. His eye twitched slightly at the thought. 'I'd better not be right…' He thought as he pushed his way through the line of clouds.
'First things first, I've got to find Turles, Ginyu, Recoome, or… No, he's got to still be alive…' Raditz thought to himself completely ignoring the complaints of the ogres rushing towards him.
As soon as one got without striking distance Raditz lashed out in a high roundhouse kick. It was only when his foot made contact that he came to another startling realization, 'I can't access my energy!' Still the attack had enough force to send the somewhat short and squat Ogre flying right off the side of the strange bridge he found himself on.
A loud scream echoed out as the creature fell to whatever was below, 'If there is even anything below us…' Raditz shook his head, he didn't have enough information to be busy day dreaming how this place worked.
"Hey you stop! Get back in line now or we're sending you straight to hell!' Another Ogre shouted running forward.
'Well that answers one question at least.' Raditz thought to himself as he easily dodged the second Ogre's attempted tackle, giving him just the nudge he needed to fall over the edge down to wherever the first had ended up.
All the other Ogres stopped in their paths. Now less than enthusiastic about confronting the troublemaker. The difference in skill was astronomical. Taking that as his que Raditz took a confident stride forward daring anyone to get in his way again. The Ogres for their part gave him a wide berth.
'That's more like it. Now then were does this lead?' He thought to himself as he continued to make his way down the path. As he walked for what seemed like hours he couldn't help but think of who else he might meet in this place. There were the obvious answers, his victims, Turles, the Ginyu Force. Maybe even Shizen since he apparently wasn't in hell yet. As he thought longer, names he hadn't thought about in a longer time such as Frieza. A slight grin crossed his lips, he was now much more powerful than Frieza's last recorded power level. Maybe he'd spend a few weeks paying the pint-sized emperor back for the years of torture. As he thought of Frieza though more people flashed through his mind. Would he meet Vegeta and Nappa again while he was here? Two more he'd love to give a good beating too. He was hundreds of times stronger than either of them. It would do Vegeta good to get put in his place by a low class Saiyan like himself.
After spending a few minutes planning in detail what he'd do if he got the opportunity to meet any of his past tormentors again, his mind wandered a different direction. First his parents, it had been so long since he had seen either of them. Was he older than his father at this point? He was sure Bardock would be proud of him now. He was among the strongest Saiyans to have ever lived. Not only that but he was the first Saiyan to witness a Super Saiyan transformation in centuries. With thoughts of his parents though a particular man came to his mind. 'Would Kakarot be here too?'
Raditz hadn't thought of the fight with his brother in years. He couldn't say he was disappointed with having to kill his brother. He was an abysmal Saiyan at the time. Plus, it had given him the chance to shape Gohan into the warrior he needed to be. If he hadn't done what he did, Shizen's vision couldn't have come true, that beast Broly would still be free to ravage the galaxy. 'I wonder then, is this actually someone's idea of heaven? I did help save the entire universe after all.' Raditz thought as he examined the area more closely again before shrugging. 'I guess I'll find out soon enough he thought as he rounded a large turn noting a disturbance taking place up ahead.
He picked up his pace to find a furious Turles surrounded by at least 30 Ogres. 10 or so more were laying limp on the ground, at the very least unconscious.
"Come on! Who's next!" Turles snarled. He'd never been so furious in his life. He had finally had everything he had ever wanted. Then Taiga had to show up and ruin that for him, and just to add insult to injury, just when he thought he was the most powerful creature in the universe again he discovered he wasn't even the strongest Saiyan alive. So even though he'd lost the power he had had in life, even if it was him against the entirety if otherworld, he was going to keep fighting until everything else hurt as bad as he had at the end, both in body and spirit.
The Ogres seemed to be trying to organize now, two teams of five were rushing from different angles, trying to overwhelm him. Turles took his stance and watched them come already formulating a plan to deal with them.
As the first wave got to him he lashed out with a high roundhouse kick causing the entire group to stop was quickly as they could, except one who took the attack straight on the chin. Teeth flew from his mouth from the impact as his body jolted sideways into the Ogres to his right.
Turles tried to turn his momentum into a full spin but it was going to be too late he was going to have to wrestle the remaining nine into submission and hope the rest of the group didn't rush into the dogpile.
Just as they were about to reach him though he saw the first one tried to stop himself, a look of surprise on his face. As a large blur passed just to Turles' left.
The Saiyan couldn't believe his eyes, as he saw Raditz launch horizontally past him his legs extended like a missile aimed right for the three center Ogres.
One leg crashed into each of the outer Ogres while Raditz landed on top of the middle one. One quick punch later and the fight had evened to 6 on 2.
Turles stared at Raditz in shock for a moment as his cousin quickly rushed onto his feet to take on the two remaining targets on that side.
"Don't just stand there, get to work!" Raditz playfully shouted just as the Ogres who he had stopped with the roundhouse kick jumped into action again. All four desperately tackling him trying to get him under control while the larger group hopefully dealt with the new arrival.
(Back on Earth)
"Well it looks like it's finally time for our bout Goku." Cell said with an amused smirk.
Goku's eyes met Cell's a look of grim determination flashing briefly as he dropped his arms, the light from the Spirit Bomb began to fade, somewhat slower than Cell had imagined. But then again it was a massive amount of energy.
Goku watched Cell closely, trying to get his heart-rate under control. Part of him was beyond excited to get to take on the strongest fighter he had ever seen, while another part of him couldn't help but think what might happen if he failed.
Goku flare his aura as his full power came forth.
Cell just chuckled, they could both tell how lopsided this fight was going to be. "How about this, to make things fairer, I'll fight with one hand behind my back."
"Fine with me." Goku said, his pride was stung, but he knew he needed to buy as much time as possible.
As both fighters dropped into their stances, 4 thuds rang out over the battlefield as another set of close in cameras arrived.
"Ah good, we'll have an audience for your demise. I'm sure Dr. Gero would prefer it this way" Cell said taking his eyes off Goku for a moment.
Goku took that opportunity to act. Quickly he put two fingers to his forehead and vanished, appearing behind Cell, watching carefully for Cell's tail he lashed out at his legs, only for his kick to pass through an after image.
Before Goku even had a chance to react Cell appeared next to him. His leg already cocked back to kick.
Before desperately raised his fingers to his forehead but couldn't make it before Cell's foot bad contact. Goku was immediately punted into the air. Cell appeared behind him the elbow of his free arm extended out to meet Goku.
Goku let out a yell of pain as his back bent painfully inward, his spine threatening to snap, finally though he ran out of momentum and fell limply, hundreds of feet back to the Earth.
"Goku!" Chi Chi shouted as she started to rush forward to catch her husband.
"Stay back!" Goku shouted back as he got ahold of himself for the last few dozen feet. As he desperately tried to catch his breath. The last thing he needed was Cell attacking any of the others. If anyone was going to take the risk of buying time it would be him.
Cell landed a short distance away chuckling. "My Goku, you must've been looking forward to our fight as much as I was."
"You could say that. It's not every day I get to fight the strongest fighter in the galaxy." Goku said buttering Cell up, while trying to stall.
"I take that as high praise coming from you." Cell replied fine to play along with whatever Goku was planning for the time being.
As Goku rushed him again, Cell took a moment to adjust his power level some, dropping it low enough that Goku went from moving as if he was trying to walk through thick molasses to moving as if he was merely underwater.
When Goku reached him again Cell allowed the Saiyan Warrior to give him his best shot.
Lime grit her teeth, it wasn't going to work, Krillin was gathering power as fast as he possibly could but it wasn't enough. Goku was doing the best he could but he could only hope to buy them a few more minutes.
The only other person who might even be able to slow Cell down for a few minutes was Trunks, but despite Videl's best efforts, the demi-Saiyan was still unconscious, he might not even be able to fight if he woke up.
She felt so helpless, there was nothing she could do but stand here and hope Goku could hold out long enough, or if he couldn't try and sacrifice herself to buy a second or two. Her frustration continued to build, why was it she could never be useful. The Generals were right, she wasn't ready to fight that much was proven when she tried to fight the new androids. All of her years of training were seemingly useless.
Tears began to well up in her eyes, she couldn't let another world die before her eyes. What's worse the entire world had to watch their inevitable failure.
Inspiration struck her like a lightning bolt, 'The whole world is watching!' Quickly she wiped her eyes, she had to make her move now, while Goku still had Cell distracted. She didn't know if it would make a difference or not but she had to try.
While Cell had his back turned she sprinted over as fast as she could move without raising her Ki a noticeable amount. She managed to make it to the nearest camera before Goku finished his latest combination of attacks.
Picking up the camera, weighing nearly a ton with all of the extra gear Bulma had included to try and protect it from the intensity of the fight, was no more difficult that most people would pick up a piece of Styrofoam.
Hefting the large camera up she darted behind the nearest hill.
Bulma had been watching the feeds closely watching for any sign of Trunks or Vegeta. Her heart was sinking lower and lower by the second, had Cell killed them both? Where was Piccolo, Cooler, or Nappa? Surely one of them should be helping Goku right now. Could Goku really be the last one left. The only one with the strength to challenge Cell? It seemed impossible that so many of the world's defenders would fall in such a short amount of time.
Now though something strange was happening, one of her cameras were moving on its own. When it stopped a familiar voice came over the microphone, the desperate look on Lime's face made her heart sank further, something had gone very, very wrong.
The world had been watching in pure silence as one of the defenders of Earth tried desperately to overwhelm the monster who was threatening the world. Based on the fact that the fighters that had lead the charge before all of the cameras were destroyed the first time were nowhere to be seen caused a sense of dread to begin to build throughout the crowd. The Earth's greatest defenders were falling one by one. No one could understand why they were rushing the monster together, surely, they would have a better chance as a team instead of one on one. Instead though the other defenders seemed content letting the lone fighter fight and fail alone.
The silence was only broken when one of the four feeds began to wobble, something was happening. Finally, it came to rest apparently facing a completely unrelated direction. No one could figure out what was happening. Even with all four high speed cameras they could only catch bits and pieces of the action, now they were missing even more of the fight.
Their confusion only grew when a desperate voice came over the camera. "Please let this have a microphone…" An instant later a young woman with brown hair appeared in front of the camera. "If you can hear my voice, if you can only read my lips, please we need your help."
"Please we need your help." Lime hoped they could hear here, and hopefully they would take her seriously even as young as she was. "We're in trouble and by we I mean all of us, the entire Earth. Most of the Earth's greatest fighters have already fallen. The strongest we have left is trying desperately to buy us enough time to prepare an attack capable of finishing Cell off once and for all. But we don't have enough time. We need your help. Please I know it sounds strange for people who cause earthquakes to happen just by fighting to ask you for help, but you all are our only hope. Please if you want to live raise your hands, if you want to see your children grow up happy and safe raise your hands! if there is anything in this world you think is worth protecting RAISE YOUR HANDS!" Lime's voice gradually rose as her speech continued. At the end it was loud enough to cut through the panic that had erupted in most of the cities across the world upon hearing that their heroes were being beaten back.
Her voice dropped back down to barely a whisper, "Please raise your hands and lend us any strength you can spare." Lime was near tears now, they had to hear her, it was their only hope. "Please, help us."
With the announcement that the majority of the Z fighters had already fallen, pandemonium had erupted in many of the city squares, in many houses people began rushing around preparing to head for the hills.
Her desperate yells did not unheard though. Her yelled pleading was able to cut through the uproar. Some had listened to her whole message. Of those who had some scoffed at the idea that they could help and decided the young woman was delirious. A few though believed her enough to give it a shot. Across the world thousands of hands raised up into the air and lent their energy to the Spirit Bomb.
After raising their arms, they immediately felt their power drain away. Suddenly even those who obliged her purely out of curiosity became convinced something was happening. That they could make a difference. They quickly went out trying to calm those who were panicking down enough to enlist their help.
Gradually their numbers grew, with enough time they might even have an attack capable of hurting Cell.
Raditz and Turles were bloodied and bruised but as they looked at each other they knew they had won. Against incredible odds they had forced the Ogre contingent into retreat.
That wasn't enough for the Saiyan duo though, while they were free to do what they pleased they wanted to make sure nothing could interfere with that freedom again. So, after taking a few minutes to catch their breath both took off at a brisk pace down the path to press their advantage.
Goku unleashed blow after blow, but Cell easily danced around his attacks, blocking and weaving through the attacks as if they were nothing.
Goku's latest jab harmlessly met Cell's forearm. He wasn't getting anywhere against Cell, what's worse Cell's patience in the fight was clearly waning.
As he was struggling to come up with a strategy, something else that could buy a few more minutes he heard Lime's voice call out. "RAISE YOUR ARMS!" Goku cringed, what was Lime thinking? She could blow the whole plan if Cell figured things out.
Cell's attention was suddenly diverted. As he looked behind the rock Lime was hiding. "What's going on over there?" He muttered out loud and he started to turn, completely ignoring Goku.
Goku decided it was time to get creative. Jumping back a few steps, he cupped his hands and began to chant "Ka...me...ha...me…"
"Do you seriously think that's going to work?" Cell asked not even bothering to turn and face Goku.
Suddenly Goku vanished again, appearing right in front of Cell. The Bio-Android's eyes opened wide in surprise. He thought Goku had to touch his forehead to teleport, but his hands were still cupped down at his side. As he began to stagger backwards Goku launched his attack. "HA!"
Cell hastily raised a Ki shield over his upper torso expecting a blue beam to come crashing down on his chest any instant, instead though Goku's body launched up at him faster than the Saiyan should've been able to.
Cell had no time to react as Goku's forehead slammed home into Cell's head. Cell's head lurched backward, he hadn't had time to properly brace for Goku's attack.
Goku blinked a few times trying to clear the cobwebs from his head. Headbutting Cell had been like slamming his head onto a brick wall full speed.
His attacked appeared to have paid off in the end though as Cell raised a hand and wiped a small trickle of blood coming from his nose. "All that work for a drop of blood?" The look he was giving Goku was somewhere between impressed and furious.
While it was understandable that Dr. Gero's greatest enemy would be able to fight above his weight class, even against a perfect being designed specifically to eliminate him, the fact he'd been able to actually harm Cell when the gap in strength was so extreme was an insult to the Android's pride.
Cell decided the time to play was over. In a swift movement, Goku's right arm was in his grasp. Before the Saiyan could even react, Cell had had already raised a leg into the air and was bringing it down across Goku's forearm. Cracking the bone like a twig.
Goku yelled out in pain, but Cell wasn't done with him yet as he brought a quick downward stomp onto Goku's extended leg as he tried to back out of Cell's reach. Again, the Earth-born Saiyan let out a pained yell. Finally, Cell had Goku by the throat and in one swift movement slammed him into the Earth hard enough to knock him out.
Then he turned his attention back to the hill Lime was hiding behind.
Lime felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on edge as she heard Goku's screams of pain and then the silence that followed.
'Crap.' She thought to herself as she peaked over the edge of the hill, Goku was down for the count. Which meant she and the other humans would have to find a way to distract Cell from here on out.
Her eyes briefly met Cell's own before she ducked back behind the hill her heart beating rapidly.
Compressing the entirety of the Spirit Bomb into a small enough form that he could hide it from Cell was proving a nearly impossible task for Krillin. Eventually out if desperation he drew a large portion of the spirit bomb into himself, so he only had to hold a small portion of the super attack outside his body.
This delicate balancing act had been fine for a few minutes as the rate of power flowing into the attack grown painfully slow, forcing Krillin to wonder if the attack itself would manage to get strong enough to defeat Cell before the Bio-Android decided to destroy the Earth.
To his surprise though, just as he started to imagine the consequences of failure it was like someone had opened the floodgates, power began flowing in from all directions giving him hope that they just might have a chance...if he could the attack, and his own body together that is.
As Cell continued a slow methodical approach to the hill, his senses had now fully stretched out over the battlefield again. For the first time he noticed that the Spirit bomb had apparently faded away, he could still somehow feel its power, and more concentrated on the far end of the battlefield.
A small smirk crossed his face as he began putting the pieces together on the Z Fighter's desperate plan. Calmly he walked to the top of the hill and looked down at Lime who had dropped into a defensive stance, as if that would do anything to aid in her survival.
Cell decided on a way to make the situation more fun for himself, while testing his theory, and instead of attacking he simply turned around and started walking in the direction that he could feel the spirit bomb energy concentrated. As he focused closer on that area he felt a second power desperately trying to conceal itself. It was easy to discern that it was Krillin.
He had barely taken 3 steps that direction when the first humans began to react to his sudden change in direction.
Tien was the first to try and distract Cell. "Tri-Beam!" He shouted. Using the attack in combination with his maximum Kaioken dropped the triclops to his knee, but he knew he had to use his best if he was going to have any shot of slowing Cell down.
Cell saw the wall of energy approaching him but didn't even bother to slow his stride, perfectly content to let the wave of power pass over him.
The attack detonated upon making contact shrouding Cell in smoke.
Before anyone could react again though a singular beam shot out from the smoke cutting right through his third eye. Tien was dead before he hit the ground.
Yamcha was the next to get in his way, taking the stance of his own wolf-fang fist technique and yelling "Wolf-Fang FIST!"
Cell paused briefly curious as to how in the world Yamcha thought such a technique could even slow him down.
Yamcha though did not attack he simply stood in his stance waiting. As the seconds ticked by Cell began to catch onto Yamcha's plan.
"Seriously this is your plan?" Cell unsure if he was disgusted at being fooled by Yamcha's plan or impressed with its originality.
"We'll it was worth a shot." Yamcha replied trying to force his roguish grin into his face, even as he knew what was coming next.
Cell simply started forward again, as if Yamcha wasn't even there, finally forcing Yamcha to act.
"Wolf Fang Fist!" He shouted and began to unleash his combination of attacks on Cell.
Cell took Yamcha's head off before the former bandit could even fully extend his arm the first time.
Human began rushing forth from all directions trying desperately to buy whatever time they possibly could.
The body count continued to grow several humans tried to attack en-masse, which just meant they died faster, cut to ribbons before they could get within a few feet of him.
Chiaotzu was the next one to try a significant resistance Cell first noticed his interference when of his legs suddenly felt heavier than it had before. As if he was walking with shoes covered in mud. Not enough to slow him down much, but enough that it was noticeable.
Cell just grinned as he formed a small ball of energy in his hands and lazily tossed it to the profusely sweating, pale warrior. He was vaporized instantaneously.
Lime finally got moving again appearing in front of Cell her hands already fully charged with energy. Without any further delay she started raining attack after attack point blank into Cell.
Quickly Cell became obscured by a cloud of dust as attack after attack continued to rain down. It went off for a few seconds before a singular blast fired back out of the smoke destroying Lime like he had Chiaotzu.
Chi Chi was the next to try her hand at slowing Cell down. She had been reluctant at first, afraid of leaving her daughter an orphaned alien on New Namek, but at the rate things were going her daughter wasn't going to have much of a chance to grow up anyway.
She reached Cell just as the smoke from Lime's attacks had finished fading. She landed one blow, and then another pounding against the back of Cell's head without even making his head move. Before the third attack could land though she found Cell's hand crushing down on her throat.
As Chi Chi struggled Cell thought about how he should finish her off, looking over he noticed Goku was still unconscious, which made killing Chi Chi much less enjoyable than it should've been.
In a flash he had released Chi Chi and moved behind her, delivering a 'soft' chop to the back of her neck was all it took to render one of the most formidable human fighters ever unconscious.
Cell had only covered half the distance to Krillin's hiding spot, but already the number of human fighters had been nearly exhausted. Only a handful of notable fighters remained. King Chappa and Nam were desperately trying to organize the remaining human fighters, many of the survivors were already fleeing the battlefield. Not that it was doing them any good as Cell paused for a moment to shoot the panicked warriors out of the sky.
"Please Trunks wake up!" Videl cried, tears streaming down her eyes. So many of her friends had been obliterated in a matter of a couple minutes. It was more horrible than anything she had seen before.
Videl watch Nam try and lead a small group of fighters forward, hoping to distract Cell for a moment or two.
The entire group was dead in a matter of seconds.
The remaining fighters were frozen in place, even Chappa looked at a loss for what to do. They weren't even buying more than a few seconds with each life lost.
Videl looked down at Trunks one last time, her heart beating wildly. Dipping her head low she pressed her lips against Trunks and said "I'm sorry Trunks...Goodbye" before standing up and facing Cell. Channeling all of the strength she could muster she launched straight at Cell.
The first sensation Trunks felt as he began to wake up was a strange pressure on his lips, followed by the distant sound of someone speaking. "I'm sorry Trunks...Goodbye"
It took Trunks a second to recognize the voice, 'Videl?' Finally, he opens his eyes looking around for his friend. She wasn't right next to him like he expected.
As his eyes continued to focus, he saw movement further away. It took a minute, but he was finally able to take in the scene unfolding in front of him. Videl was in a green monster's hands. 'Wait that's Cell!' He shouted in his mind as adrenaline flushed through his system the last few seconds of his memory beginning to replay. His father was killed by Cell. He wasn't sure how long ago that was but it was true. And now his best friend was in the grip of that same monster.
Quickly Trunks forced himself to his feet, before nearly losing his balance, his legs were incredibly wobbly. His aura began to flash around him, but he was too late. Cell's free hand had reached Videl's head, and with a quick snap of his wrist her neck bent in an unnatural position, her body instantly went limp.
His aura vanished immediately as he fell to his knees. 'This has to be a nightmare...this can't be real...I'm still unconscious...I have to be…' All he could do was watch Videl's body limply flying through the air and landing crumpled on the ground.
As Trunks' mind tried to make sense of what he was seeing, the whole area lite up with a blue light.
It had been difficult for Goku to force himself awake, his head was still ringing from Cell's final attack. What's worse was when he inadvertently tried to move to get into a sitting position. Both his broken forearm and shattered leg lite up in agony. He knew they were in a desperate situation though and he forced himself up, only to he met with a horrifying sight.
The bodies of his friends were strewn all over the battlefield. His eyes widened in shock as he saw Chi Chi laying limply a short distance behind Cell.
Immediately a golden aura surrounded Goku as his eyes met Cell's.
Cell for his part just gave him an amused smile as he snapped Videl's neck and casually tossed her body to the side.
Goku let out a roar of pure fury. Cell had robbed Goku of everyone. His friends had all met grisly fates. Videl, had become like his own daughter these last few years watching her grow. And then worst of all his wife, the person he loved the most in the world.
Without thinking Goku wrapped his injured arm and leg in casts made of Ki and cupped his hands to Cell's amusement, chanting his ultimate move. "KA….ME…" Goku was pouring all the strength he could muster into his attack. One way or another this would be his final attack, he would hold nothing back. The orb of power glowing in his hands filled the entire battlefield with a pure blue light.
"Really Goku this trick again?" Cell asked. But as he thought about it, killing Goku with his own attack would be a fairly satisfying finale to their struggle. "Well, I suppose I can play along." Cell decided as he mimicked Goku's stance channeling a small amount of his power to his hands and echoing "Kame...Hame…"
Goku continued to charge his attack undaunted to the fact Cell was willing to meet him in a beam struggle. "HA...ME…"
As Goku chanted this next line something changed about his aura, suddenly it wasn't the deep gold color Cell was used to, somewhere behind the blue glow, he could swear he saw a flash of red.
Before he had a chance to look into that further Goku unleashed his attack. "HAAAA!" So, Cell did the same "Ha!"
Both attacks collided in an instant Goku's attack was actually larger for an a moment and began to push Cell's back.
Trunks' head was spinning, he'd finally forced himself to look away from Videl's body, but no matter where he looked he saw the same thing, the body of someone he cared about. Videl, Lime, and Chi Chi's bodies were scattered in front of him. Nappa's body was to his left. His father's headless body on top of a small cliff to his right.
Anger the likes of which he had never felt before was surging up within him. He desperately wanted to succumb to it and rush Cell again desperately trying to repay some of the pain to him. He knew he wasn't strong enough. He remembered the first time his father had died, he'd pumped every ounce of power in his body to his muscles and although he'd been able to hurt Cell when he could hit him, he couldn't move fast enough to hit him.
The blue light filling his vision was just adding to Trunks' distress, He remembered the last time he saw blue this deep. The day his Mother and his Hero were ripped from him. The day his entire world was destroyed for the first time.
He let out a wail at the top of his lungs. No one could hear him though, it was completely drowned out from the struggle ongoing in front of him.
He could feel power rising up deeper inside of him deeper than he'd ever gone before. The instant he noticed it he instinctively knew what it meant. It was his chance for revenge. He welcomed the pain the agony flowing through his mind. He relieved every terrible memory that had ever been forced on him as he desperately clawed at the power inside of him, letting himself get washed away in the blue wave flowing through his mind.
Finally, the wall holding him back began to crumble away, in that instant he was transformed.
Cell gritted his teeth. 'Goku shouldn't have this much power' He thought, especially not after the beating Cell had given him before. He was quickly having to throw an ever-growing percentage of his power into just holding Goku's attack back. Every time he increased his outflow though, somehow Goku seemingly found it within himself to match Cell. It had only taken a few seconds for it to be clear to Cell, Goku had done what he thought was impossible, combining Kaioken with Super Saiyan.
He knew such a strategy would be short lived though. Goku could only sustain such an attack for a short time before he'd burn himself out. Then he would be washed away by Cell's attack along with Krillin hidden behind him.
As soon as Trunks' transformation had stabilized the demi-saiyan threw his hands out to his sides and began charging his attack. Cell had stolen his father from him twice, it would only be fitting if he could repay Cell using his attack.
Lightning was crackling all around him as the attack continued to grow. As long as Goku could hold on a few more seconds they would finally be able to win.
Goku's entire body was on fire, literally on fire. It was the second worst pain Goku had ever experienced, only topped from the agony of the scene he had awoken to a moment ago. He was destroying himself just in the vain hope he could take Cell to the afterlife with him. But it didn't seem like it would be enough. He'd already pushed himself as far as he could go. In a matter of seconds his attack would likely fade out as he turned completely to ash.
Just when his body was about to fail him though he heard the most beautiful sound he could've in that moment. Somewhere off to his right someone shouted "FINAL FLASH!"
Cell's eyes opened wide in shock, 'Impossible! Vegeta's dead!' But the attack coming at him was clearly the one Vegeta had used against him earlier, just super-charged.
Frantically Cell unleashed his full power, activating Overdrive as well as he was forced to split his Kamehameha wave between two hands, each pointing in different directions. Even with his full power, he was barely able to keep it at a stalemate.
As he reached out trying to figure out how Vegeta had come back from the dead so quickly, he was met with an uncomfortable fact, it wasn't Vegeta attacking him but Trunks who'd somehow unlocked the same transformation Nappa had.
Still though it wouldn't be enough, already Goku's power was fading,
The entire planet felt like it was shaking as Krillin tried to follow the titanic struggle going on a few hundred feet away.
He'd try to squeeze every last second, he could into preparing his attack, but now it seemed he was left with one last opportunity. If he could join the attack Goku and Trunks were sending Cell's way right now they could do.
By the time he made it to the top of the hill and prepared to launch his attack though he began to wonder if he'd already missed his chance.
Goku's attack was fading out before his very eyes, his entire life force seemingly spent.
The power he currently had gathered wouldn't be nearly enough to replace Goku's power. And the advantage of forcing Cell to divide his attention would vanish.
He was about to panic and launch his attack when another flash of inspiration struck him watching Cell have to divide his efforts between the two Saiyans.
Without waiting another second, he unleashed all of the power stored inside of him into his right arm and began rotating it forming the massive sphere of energy into a disc.
"Here's a present from the whole Earth!" He shouted as the massive buzz saw of an attack turned sideways and cut through the Earth down the middle of the two pillars of power.
Cell didn't see the attack coming until it was too late. One second he was sustaining two attacks, the next he was in two halves from brain to bottom. In that brief instant he couldn't sustain his attacks as Cell frantically tried to adjust thinking from his brain to his nucleus now trapped in just one half of his body.
Goku's body was nearly completely ash, the fact his soul was still inhabiting the few burnt remains you could call flesh was in its own way a miracle.
He could feel it though, this was their one chance to win. Krillin had figured out a path to victory. And so, he made one last push, letting whatever was left of him burn away and creating one last surge of power into the pillar.
Both Goku and Trunks attacks pushed through the space Cell's attacks had previously occupied before meeting in the middle, right on Cell's body.
His left half vaporized immediately, the right half where his nucleus was centered desperately tried to hold on until he reached the end of Goku's attack. But it wasn't to be. With only half of his body available he could only generate a fraction of his full strength. Everything was vaporized down to the last Cell as Goku and Trunks' attacks fully fused, the golden of the final flash mixing with the rich blue of the Kamehameha to form a deep green color as it launched outward into space.
Trunks' arms hung limply at his sides and he dropped to his knees. Even with with his transformation, sustaining an attack like that for so long left him completely drained.
"We did it Goku!" He shouted across the battlefield, before looking over.
Where the Earth's greatest defender once stood now was a statue made of nothing but ash. An instant later a slight breeze came through causing Goku to dissolve away.
"Goku no!" Krillin shouted as he ran over to his friend's ashes, before dropping to his knees himself.
It appeared they had defeated Cell, but the cost of that victory was an incredible price to pay.
Goku's eyes slowly adjusted to familiar surroundings. He was standing in the center of King Yemma's office. The giant Ogre looked weary.
"What in the world is going on today? First, I get a bunch of the galaxies' worst killers and now I keep getting so many retreads from Earth...At least your case is easy. Go ahead and go onto King Kai's place. I don't have time to entertain you today." King Yemma hit his gavel on the table returning the use of Goku's Ki. His voice sounded as if he was at his wits end.
"Sorry King Yemma I have something I have to take care of first. Just hold on." Goku said as he placed 2 fingers to his forehead and vanished.
Yemma let out a sigh, this was just not his day. At least the two figures who were causing so much trouble in his lines were getting close. The Ogres always did their job well. The villains were always the same, if they got out of line they would always try and fight the Ogres, if the Ogres overwhelmed them that was great. If they couldn't win the villains always felt invincible even without their Ki and made a b-line straight for his office.
Right on que he heard to voice proclaiming their arrival. Two Saiyans burst into the room. "Alright here is how things are going to go! We're in charge now!" Turles shouted.
Yemma's eyes opened wide, "Goku?" That same instant two new files appeared on his desk. "No, you're Turles...and you're Raditz, Goku's cousin and brother." Yemma mumbled to himself. "Goku's brother! Hold on there we've been waiting for you for years. Perfect timing too Goku will be back any time now."
"Goku?" Raditz thought for a moment. "That's the name my idiot brother given by the Earthlings."
Turles looked at him surprised. "You mean Gohan's dad, the weakling you killed?" Turles asked.
"Yeah that's him, I wonder if he wants a rematch now that that I'm not stronger than him." Raditz replied before looking at the Giant Ogre suspiciously. "That is if he is actually here and this isn't some trick to buy your pitiful little army more time to prepare."
Yemma just shrugged. He could send them both to hell without much of a struggle whenever he wanted so it was just a matter of Goku returning.
The trio didn't have to wait long as before their very eyes Goku appeared locking some sort of insect like creature in a headlock desperately trying to push Goku off of him.
"Here he is King Yemma, please we need him to go straight to hell. He's too much of a threat to be left in the line." Goku explained not realizing Cell didn't have his Ki.
"Don't worry about it Goku, we'll get to him in due time, since he is powerless at the moment there isn't much he can do. But if you would be so kind to turn around there is someone I think you are looking forward to seeing again." King Yemma said
Goku carefully released his grip on Cell and turned around, to see the last person he expected standing there.
Instantly Goku's aura surrounded him as he flew across the room, pinning Raditz against the wall by the throat. It took everything in him to keep his power low enough to avoid killing Raditz off right then and there. He couldn't keep himself from transforming completely though, his eyes were glowing blue. "Raditz...where is he? Where is Gohan!"
Hey everyone! So I know I said it would probably be mid-August before I could post again, but I got so excited for this finale I just couldn't wait to finish the arc! So here you go my present to you a few weeks early to hopefully make up for the long wait for the last chapter.
Power levels:
Broly (base full power) - 200,000,000
Gohan Ssj - 200,000,000
Broly Ssj - 1,000,000,000
Perfect Cell (After the the combination of Piccolo's near victory and 13's explosion) - 6,000,000,000 (Canon Super Perfect Cell was roughly 3,000,000,000)
Fssj Nappa - 950,000,000
Nappa Ssj2 - 3,000,000,000
Cooler base - 200,000,000
Coolerx20 - 4,000,000,000
Trunks Fssj - 950,000,000
Trunks Ssj2 - 3,000,000,000
Goku (base) - 100,000,000
Fssj Goku (2 time chamber trips) - 1,000,000,000
Fssj Goku (After first fight against Cell) - 400,000,000
Fssj Goku (x10 Final Kamehameha) - 4,000,000,000
Corrected from last time
Vegeta (post revival zenkai+nearly dying upon revival) - 150,000,000
Fssj Vegeta - 1,050,000,000
Reviews:
Spirax570, Wetham 444, Bro123, HERGE 8, Raaj2001, RKF22,
jj4life015 - Yeah in my original plan this was going to be the first time he died, but it worked out better to have him die the first time first. Yes I had been looking forward to his ascension for awhile!
super mystic gohan - Yeah he is! Since he isn't held back by the restriction on how far he can take Kaioken it gives him a leg up. Yes he did! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. Yeah I'm glad I was able to catch everyone off guard with that one :) I had been planning that move for ages. This is only tentatively the half way mark of the story. So there are several arcs before we'll see Buu. No Goku survived, Cell was just preparing to fight him.
JOEL - Honestly is completely fine, I love having feedback on the story. I'm sorry having Vegeta die disappointed you. In my original plan this was the only place he would've died so far, but for the sake of his character development, and Trunks and Nappa's, I had to have him die in his first fight. Hopefully you enjoyed the finale of the arc :)
EXTRA 9 - wouldn't based on my understanding of how it all works. Cyborgs would be able to.
So my understanding of Goten and Trunks powers would be comparable to Vegeta and Goku at the very start of the Android Saga, at least based on their fight against 18 in the tournament.
I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter, hopefully you enjoyed the finale as well!
JOEL - Thank you I hope you enjoyed the finale as well! It looks somewhat interesting. I'm still not a fan of the whole Super Saiyan god thing, but I do like Broly so I am curious as to what they'll do with his character. Hopefully his power is still maximum ;)
Luke -
He very well could become a universal threat I guess we'll have to see how it plays out :). That was a good guess, there was the precedent for it back at the end of the Saiyan Saga. Thank you! Hopefully I can continue to live up to your expectations :)
Guest - I'm glad I was able to catch you off-guard with the end of Gohan's fight. Hopefully this chapter answered your concerns on Raditz.
The Archsage - Yes Gohan isn't going to have a fun next few chapters. You're username looks familiar at least. I'm glad you're enjoying it! Hopefully you liked not having a long wait this time. It means a lot to me that you enjoy it so much :) Yeah I enjoy trying to keep everyone off guard. Hopefully you enjoyed the finale as well :)
chunnin33 (Chapter 10) - I'm glad you enjoyed that arc so much! That is still to this day one of my favorites I've ever written. It was actually one of the first three arcs I thought of when I first starting planning out this story. That and the current arc we are just now finishing up.
(Chapter 41) -I'm not sure which 9 you are referring too. Do you mean the human fighters?
Thanks for the reviews by he way! I always enjoy getting feedback even on the older chapters :)
tarrangar -Hopefully you enjoyed the finale! Not quite a pure Goku vs Cell in the end at least.
Sorry that was my confusion. I was running on like 3 hours of sleep over the past 2 days before posting the last chapter. That makes more sense. Yeah Goku not being able to be wished back makes sense since it was a natural death. And Vegeta and Nappa still aren't exactly trusted not only by Vegeta but by the others as well. In Culture shock Piccolo was already fused prior to the Androids arrival, so really he makes the most sense to get wished back. I suppose King Kai could've tried and located the Namekians to wish them back. That was a bit of an oversight on my part.
cyberas - Welcome! I'm glad you caught up. Thank you for the review :) I think you you'll be happy with the future I have planned for those two.
Thanks again for all the feedback everyone! I'm not sure when the next time I will be able to update is, but still aiming for a chapter in mid-august sometime so we will have to see.