Son Gohan The Destroyer

by EmeraldSaiyan

Death greets Gohan at the end of the Cell Games, yet instead of passing on to the Otherworld, Whis takes an interest in the young half-saiyan's incredible power and decides to train him as Lord Beerus' successor. With the balance of the universe at stake, Gohan accepts the deity's offer. (AU)

30. The View From Halfway Down

A/N: SHE LIIIIIIIIIIIVES!

Thank you for being so patient with me, it has been trying times for everyone. Atm I'm still working hard on the front line during the pandemic and delving into FF where I can! I have some great friends on here who have supported me to complete this chapter - thank you so much for your inspo ladies! You know who you are :)

I present to you - Chapter Thirty. I hope you all enjoy!

ES

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Chapter Thirty

The View From Halfway Down

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It was so dark. The kind of darkness that occurs with a complete solar eclipse, blocking out the light, the noise, the feeling of being. It pressed inwards, thick and suffocating, and Gohan only knew that his eyes were still there because he could feel himself blink.

He knew he was falling. That familiar feeling of his stomach in his chest and his heart in his throat, as though his organs had been temporarily displaced by the sharp dispel of gravity. The portal had closed as soon as he had fallen through it, the crimson glow of fire and hell disappearing and instead there was nothing but black.

His golden aura had been snuffed out, though the long hair of his transformation remained. He could feel it brushing over his frame in rapid succession, some of it getting into his eyes and mouth but somehow he couldn't gather the strength nor Ki to stop.

His gloved hands reached out, grasping at an endless crevasse of darkness as he hurtled towards an invisible floor. He strained to crane his neck, willing himself to see something in the empty void but the force of air pushing against him made it impossible to do so. The ferocious wind roared past his ears, cutting through his skin with its icy chill in constant harsh blows. He couldn't scream, nor shout, his throat constricting so that he could hardly draw breath.

He felt paralysed, but whether it was by shock or fear or by some other otherworldly force he wasn't certain. Everything appeared distorted. Time seemed to slow and speed up and then do it all over again. There were times when he accelerated, faster and faster towards to what he knew he wouldn't like the answer to. Then after a time he felt like he was floating and not falling at all.

Just how long had he been falling?

Seconds? Days? Years? Minutes? Hours?

Then, no sooner had the thought crossed his mind, did it stop. The sensation of rapid descent came to an abrupt halt, and suddenly did he realise that the bottom of his boots were flat against solid ground, his body standing upright. He jolted at the sudden change, knees knocking together as he stumbled forwards, managing to catch himself before he face planted the floor.

He breathed a sigh of relief, though his stomach churned and he had to force himself not to vomit. Beads of sweat trickled down his brow, even though it was freezing cold down here - wherever here was exactly.

The residual heat he had absorbed from the fire and explosions of battle were gone, the blistering scorch mark on his chest stinging in the frigid air. He touched where the armour had broken apart tentatively, gritting his teeth as he noticed bits of burned skin and blood clinging to his glove before wiping it begrudgingly on his spandex.

He couldn't sense the imposing darkness of Janemba's Ki anywhere - nor his grandparents or Raditz for that matter, which was certainly concerning. There didn't seem to be anything, Gohan observed, looking about the blackness. Though he could just about make out a few shapes here and there of stone and rock that jutted outwards.

Was he in a cave of some sorts? If so, then how in the world did he fall into it?

Well, there was no use exerting more energy than necessary, he relented, letting go of his transformation with a low sigh. Warm air escaped his lips in hot swirling clouds as his hair returned to its usual length and colour, his eyes following suit. His senses were still on high alert, however, should Janemba suddenly spring up out of thin air.

Igniting a yellow ball of Ki in his palm, he realised that he was surrounded by a thick and misty fog which stretched for miles into an endless abyss, nothing but empty blackness above him. Small peaks of rocks and boulder crept out of the mist, from which he could make out a long winding path in between them. He must still be in HFIL somewhere, judging by the aura of darkness and despair surrounding him, but where exactly he didn't know. He could try and fly out or teleport, but it would be risky, for he had no clue as to where he was, and he'd be damned if he fell for another one of Janemba's traps.

The silence was eerily unnatural, lingering in the air like a thick and heavy blanket. Alarm bells sprang up in the back of his mind, an ominous feeling of exposure encompassing him. He felt as though he was being watched.

Suppressing the shudder that fought to crawl up his spine, Gohan started forwards.

It was strange. He felt as though he was moving but not going anywhere at all, as though he was on a conveyer belt and walking in the opposite direction. The shadows barely moved for what felt like an age, and he was about to give up and try and blast himself out of there when a pinprick of light caught his eye.A small yellow dot suddenly appeared in the blackness, growing bigger and bigger as he picked up his pace.

This must be a way out, he thought, gathering more speed as the light continued to spread. The growing glint of warmth bounced off his armour, casting long shadows over his muscular form. Dispersing his Ki ball and leaving the long stretch of emptiness behind him, his eyes adjusted to the swell of light, and now he could make out just where the light was coming from.

To say that he was surprised was an understatement. The soft glow appeared to be emitting from a small lamp sat upon a wooden desk in the middle of the void. Stacks of textbooks, papers and multicoloured pencils littered the surface, a child-sized chair tucked in beneath the well polished wood.

He approached almost in a trance, his gaze fixated on the strange collection of furniture that had appeared in the middle of nowhere.

Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.

A small carriage clock ticked from its place at the corner of the desk, long pointed arms bouncing from one number to the next in a discordant rhythm. The sound was much louder than it should have been, echoing over the emptiness and jarring against his eardrums in imposing strokes.

Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.

Something felt wrong about this place, Gohan thought, smoothing his fingers over the thick knotted grooves of oak. Something, dark, foul and rotten.

Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.

He didn't understand. Why would Janemba send him here of all places?

Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.

And then, something else caught his eye. A notebook took centre stage, folded open upon the desk. It was worn and faded, the pages coated in a thick layer of dust.

Had that been there before?

Curiosity getting the better of him, he leaned closer and blew the majority of the dust away with a sharp outburst of breath. Lines of cursive yet childlike scrawl decorated each page, as though the author was trying incredibly hard to keep all of the letters joined up.

Gohan felt a prod in the back of his mind, an odd sense of familiarity sending a surge of adrenaline rushing through his veins.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

Dark eyes darted across each sentence, up and over the cambers of 'm' and awkward loops of 'g' and 'd'. He barely registered what he was reading as his breath quickened, the lettering becoming messier, the words fragmented and staggered until an illegible scribble finally took its place. It was as though someone who was left handed had suddenly switched and started writing with his right.

And then, a harsh stroke of the pencil cut the writer off mid-clause, creating a long jagged line that ran down the rest of the page and left a sharp impression in the oak.

He looked down, despite himself, finding the offending pencil broken in half at his feet, the lead completely shattered.

Tick. Tick.

He didn't like this, he didn't like this at all. And still, still something told him to look back. To look back at the faded edge of the page and confirm what he had already deciphered. The subject heading, the date, and the name of the penman that seemed to jump right out at him -

A Study of Control Systems Utilised by Capsule Corporation Vehicles - By Son Gohan

26th May, Age 767.

Tick.

Gohan had no choice but to fall back, as with a final stroke of the clock did a calamitous clang penetrate the air. It was like a rapid alarm had gone off in his brain, sending a rip-roaring dispel of agony shooting through his every nerve.

It was overwhelming, unnerving even, for Gohan could not tell where on earth it was coming from. The sound screamed until it was hoarse, ricocheting off of the none existent walls and causing his head to spin. His vision blurred and he felt as though he had been momentarily dunked under water, failing to catch his breath and his surroundings becoming distant and distorted.

It stopped before he could think straight. The horrific screaming bells ceased and the electric shocks of pain relented so that only pins and needles remained. They crawled up and down his arms and legs like tiny spiders, prompting him to give an involuntary shudder from the unpleasant feeling. Cold beads of sweat lingered on his brow as he stood upright once more, shaking the hair out of his eyes and trying to make sense of what in gracious Gods all that was about when the uneasy feeling of being watched struck him again.

Senses kicking into overdrive, Gohan spun so quickly on his heel that any mortal being would have surely missed it. But no amount of divine training would have prepared him for what - or rather who was standing in front of him.

"Son Gohan!" His mother scolded, taking a threatening step towards him, "You've been gone way too long mister, keep this up and that mind of yours is going to ROT!"

He blinked, and blinked again. For a split second he thought that maybe Janemba really did hit him a bit too hard, but this was no kind of hallucination from what he could see. His mother was as solid as any human, her hands placed upon the curvature of her hips in disapproval. Her long yellow dress swished as she walked, black hair unmoving in a tightly wound bun upon her head like always.

Her brow furrowed when he didn't answer, "Do you even know the sacrifices your father and I made so that you can become a doctor? A scholar? And this is how you repay us?!"

"M-Mum, what - ?" He finally found his voice, but she was quick to cut him short.

"It's time to stop this ridiculous game and come on home!" Chi-Chi spat, more viciously this time, "You need to hit those books!"

Need… need… need…

Her barbarous tone carried around them, his eardrums vibrating with each echo.

"Oh when did I become such a terrible mother?!" She suddenly sobbed, great fat globs of tears rolling down her cheeks, "All I wanted was the best for you, the world at your fingertips! Is that so wrong to want for my son?!"

All I wanted… wanted… wanted…

It was like looking into a reflection of the past, only a lot more terrible. His mind was racing with memories of his mother scolding him for running off before finishing his homework, or getting upset when he wanted to go and save the world with his father rather than study like a 'normal' kid.

But Gohan was anything but normal, forever caught between two worlds, torn between the ideals that his parents yearned for him to achieve.

As if reading his thoughts, Chi-Chi's head snapped to the side and she snarled like a wild animal. Thick, black smoke filtered out from under the pleats of her dress, spreading across the desolate abyss in an unfurling mass. It gathered quickly and pushed her upwards, the length of her body twisted and distorted as she became suspended above him in midair, the clouds pushing her upwards like a spring uncoiled. Close up, Gohan could see that her face was ashen, pale like some kind of ghost, but her eyes were like jets of fire.

"You ungrateful boy!" She shrieked, her pitch reaching new heights as it boomed over him, "Do you have any idea just how much time you've wasted?! How many degrees you could have had?! How much money you could have made?! You could have had everything!"

You could have had everything… everything… everything…

"WAS IT WORTH IT?!"

It was just like that night in the garden of forgotten souls, in which the Oracle Fish gave him the most infuriating 'advice' - if one could call it that. But this was not a trick of his own mind, for he had certainly not overexerted himself whilst image training, nor had Makhai spiked his drink without his knowledge again. No, this thing was here in front of him, looming over his head with its now gangly elongated frame. Whatever it was, he felt some small solace in his logical outlook - that this ghastly depiction was not his mother.

And just as the thought crossed his mind, did Chi-Chi howl. Her face twisted and sank inwards, as though ageing rapidly. Wrinkles deepened and then sank and her skeleton started to creep through the loose skin, leaving nothing deep holes for eye sockets and a wide gaping mouth.

Gohan almost screamed in horror, but fought against the cry that threatened to spew from his lips. He bit down hard, catching the inside of his cheek and drawing blood. But the young saiyan paid no mind to the metallic taste of copper filling his mouth, as the skeleton exploded in a sea of black ash and smoke and in its place appeared another form.

"Hiya son!"

Not nearly recovering from his minor stroke, Gohan was dumbfounded by the presence of his 'father', who was waving at him from the peak of the largest mountain of food that he had ever seen in his existence - and that was saying something.

"What are ya waiting for?!" Goku called, fists full of chocolate cake and dinosaur legs, "Get up here kiddo before it's all gone!"

He frowned deeply, still incredibly on edge. Watching as the orange-clad warrior shovelled food into his face with his bare hands. His father's cheeks were puffed out so much that he resembled a hamster on a cheat day.

"Remember!" He scarfed and swallowed, "A super saiyan eats everything on his plate!"

Super saiyan… Super saiyan… Super saiyan…

As the echo returned, so did the dark clouds, encircling the humongous food pile in a cloak of shadows. Then, the shadow became an oozy black substance, tar-like and viscous, melting both his father and his throne of treats away until they became a puddle at his feet.

He automatically lurched away, as the glutinous mass crawled ever so slowly towards him. He watched with mingled dread and anticipation, as it moulded into an all too familiar shape. And with another sickening squelch of tar he was there, the startling form of Son Goku materialised in front of his eyes, moulded from very depths the oozing tar.

His father smiled, though it appeared very difficult for him to do so, given the fact that the corners of his lips were stapled shut, giving him an altogether crazed appearance. His body was caked in slick crimson blood, that seeped out of the many lines embedded into his skin. They criss-crossed in a irregular fashion, as though the man had shattered like china, a fragmented pile of flesh and bone that had been stitched back together again. And indeed, the sutures were just visible beneath the bubbles of blood. His gi was shredded in places, the orange fabric burned and charcoaled and his strong leather boots practically reduced to cinders.

A gruesome chill ran down the length of his spine, his gut churned and bile rose to his throat. He tried to shake himself free of the damning thoughts, the incriminating memory of just what this represented, but then his father spoke again.

"Show me your power, Gohan," he said, a gleeful glint in his obsidian eyes even though his body was barely being held together. "Spar with me!"

"I-I can't -," the teenager croaked.

Goku let out a bark of laughter, the strain of which almost pulled his mouth apart and caused even more blood to pour from the wounds. It splattered nauseatingly onto the ground, some splashing onto Gohan's boots - but his father didn't appear to notice.

"Can't?!" He pressed disbelievingly, "There's no such thing! Just let it out, Gohan! Show me! I wanna see how strong you are, don't you?!"

Let it out… Show me your power… Let it out…

It was hard to think, to breathe. A wet, heavy smog descended, the air tense with a nervousness for what was to come.

More blood spewed from the mesh of lips like drool, eyes wide like dinner plates, "Show me! Show me! Show me your power!"

Gohan tried to step back, as the nightmarish portrayal of his father slithered towards him - closer. But he was trapped, finding that his feet were stuck in the tar that continued to pour from underneath 'Goku's' gi trousers.

"Show me what you're made of!" His father's voice spoke to him again, but it was frantic and strained, "I want you to train hard and become stronger than me!"

Stronger than me… stronger than me…

"So why aren't you?"

The halfling's eyes widened, something striking an uncomfortable chord within him. He stared back at this patchwork of a man, whose hungry eyes raked over his frame expectantly, as though eagerly waiting for him to retaliate. To fight back, to prove his worth.

It was true that he may have been stronger in terms of power compared to his father, having far surpassed him as a young boy. However, his resolve was not so strong. And whatever this thing was, it had seen right through it.

"I'm not playing games, Janemba," Gohan glowered, struggling to wrench his foot free, "Just what kind of sick trick are you trying to pull?!"

"What do you mean, son?" It blinked innocently, the corners of his father's eyes weeping crimson, "It's just me - ."

"Shut it!" He snarled, "Whatever you are, you're not him or my mother! And I won't let you get into my head! Show yourself, you coward!"

"Oopsie, did I touch a nerve?"

Gohan whirled around, this time ready to strike with his fist flying through the air when he stopped. It felt as though the floor had give way underneath him, his feet suddenly free, stumbling slightly as he just about managed to pull his punch at the last second -

"G-Goten?" He whispered aloud, more to himself if anyone, as if trying to convince himself that he really was seeing his little brother standing in front of him.

It was true that a distant part of him thought that the little brat really did deserve a good smack. But he certainly couldn't bring himself to smash an eight year old's face in that badly, even if this was a manifestation of one of Janemba's dirty tricks.

Closer inspection of the boy further confirmed his suspicions, for Goten was unable to give him that trademark scowl that he seemed to reserve only for him, what with his eyelids melded shut with barbed wire. His skin glistened in the dull lamplight, though it was deathly pale - grey almost. Blueish lips drawn into a sadistic smirk that was a gruesome contrast to the childlike voice that escaped him.

"Things are better now you're gone," said Goten, almost playfully, "Mum and Dad are happier without you."

"Shut up," Gohan growled, but the hellish boy ignored him.

"You've caused them enough pain," he taunted, "I mean, who would want you as a son? Someone who abandoned his family only to disappoint them by becoming a butcher for the Gods? Ironic really, you're undoing all of Dad's life's work. He strove for nothing but peace for so many years, only for his son to go around murdering people."

The words stung, lingering in the air like some sort of chilling temptation. Waiting for him to grasp at it, to succumb.

"S-Shut up," he rasped, his throat constricting painfully as though someone had wrapped a noose around it, pulling it tight, "Just shut up! I-I'm not - !"

Goten cut across him with a bark of laughter that prompted goosebumps to erupt over his skin, "You're funny, big brother. I mean, all that potential that everyone always spoke about, going to waste. Tell me, was it really worth dying for?"

He swallowed thickly, the invisible rope around his neck cutting off his ability to speak.

"Dad said I've got potential, you know," said Goten, "I was much younger than you when I became a super saiyan. Mum said that I could be a scholar or a doctor if I wanted. I can go to school and university, be anything I want to be, anything I choose. But you can't because you're DEAD."

You're dead… dead… dead…

"Does it make you angry?" He quirked, head titling to the side in an unnatural manner, "Are you jealous of me? That I'm the replacement for all the mess you caused? How pathetic."

"You're wrong," Gohan spat, finally able to find his voice, "You're no replacement. Mum and Dad would never choose one son over the other - !"

"Oh really?" 'Goten' smiled wickedly, as if he could sense the seed of doubt in his mind, "Then how do you explain their reaction to what you've become? Was it awe that you saw in their eyes? Or fear?"

When he didn't respond, the boy giggled, "See? You already know the truth. You're not a hero or a God. You're nothing but a monster."

A monster…

Roars like the sound of a thousand nightmarish ghouls battered from within the depths of his mind. The familiar feeling of dread and regret clutching at his heartstrings and threatening to rip his entire chest cavity apart. He felt as though his head was about to split open from the sharp pang of agony that rippled across his skull. A voice so raw and familiar booming out from the rest -

You're not a boy, you're a monster!

"No! That's not who I am!" Gohan yelled desperately, scrunching his eyes shut so that he could no longer see that menacing grin of his brother's, "Listen, whoever you are, whatever you're trying to do by getting into my head - you won't succeed! Because I won't fall for it!"

As the words left him, it was like someone had thrown a large pebble at a pane of glass. Goten stood stagnant for a moment before he shattered, deep cracks forming and cutting right through flesh and bones until he crumbled into nothing but dust.

And out from the ash rose a tall and looming figure who once again was all too recognisable. His next spectre, levitating in a familiar pose of tranquility, arms and legs folded in a state of indifference. His long white cape brushed at the freezing air like flames desperate to ignite warmth, yet the rest of him remained still and silent.

It was the kind of silence that fell right before an attack, the only sound that of the flutter of his cloak in the none existent wind.

"So you've made peace with your decision, I see. How selfish."

Gohan pivoted, tearing his gaze away from his old mentor and settling instead on another haunting silhouette that emerged from the darkness.

He dodged on instinct, as a vibrant purple blast screamed towards him. It sped through the emptiness and out into the deep beyond. Unnervingly, there was no explosion, leading the halfling to believe that it would continue on in its destructive path for an eternity.

But there was no denying the raw power behind the attack, whoever was behind it was out for blood.

So it wasn't all too surprising when it was the flame-haired prince who revealed himself, drenched in darkness much like the phantoms before him. Except that his features were full of an intense loathing, demonic eyes raking over his form as a disgusted snarl spewed from twisted lips.

"Typical," berated Vegeta, suffocating clouds of ash erupting from the soles of his boots, "You're so blinded by your self-serving righteousness that it's made you ignorant to your own failures."

"Kid," Piccolo spoke quietly from beside him, he was stuck in between the pair now, "You won't believe what you put us through…"

"Don't deny it!" The prince bellowed, his harsh tone ringing in his ears, "It is your hubris that got you killed! It was your damned pride that kept you from facing your demons!"

"Becoming a God isn't easy, Gohan," said Piccolo, "Don't you want to come home?"

"You think that you're strong?! You're nothing! A worthless brat who left behind his family, his planet, his responsibilities just so that he could run and hide from his own guilt!"

"No one is over what happened to you, kid."

"I-I-," Gohan tried, voice cracking from the strain. Piccolo and Vegeta's onslaught bombarded his brain and mis-wired the synapses. It was like he could no longer think logically, and if he tried all that would surface came out in a scrambled jumble of thought.

"Goodbye is forever…," Piccolo sighed solemnly, looking out into the distance as Vegeta's arduous cry bounced off of the darkness and reverberated right through the teenager's chest.

"You're supposed to be a God aren't you?! A mighty Destroyer?!" Vegeta sniped, baring his teeth that looked curiously pointed, "What a joke! You can't even do that right! Power is nothing without the will to carry out the task!"

A surge of rage and regret burst forth before he could stop it, and he tried desperately to ignore the sinking feeling in his gut that warned him that perhaps this wasn't just Janemba's doing. Or perhaps not even Janemba at all.

"SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP!" He roared, "You know nothing about me! You know nothing about THEM! I told you to hurry up and show yourself, you bastard! Stop trying to get into my head and let's fight! Or are you too scared to face me?"

Vegeta chuckled grimly, "Ah, and there's that pride again. How unbearably ugly."

"And how ugly must you be? Must be pretty hideous not to have the balls to even show your true self and hide behind the faces of my family and friends," Gohan scoffed, slipping into a flawless fighting stance. Ready and waiting, determined not to let this beast get the jump on him again, "But just so we're clear, I left Earth because I wanted to save the universe. I-It wasn't to do with hiding from what I'd done, and it certainly wasn't anything to do with pride."

A sudden chill ran down his spine, causing the fine hairs on the base of his neck to stand to attention, as at once did the shadows of Piccolo and Vegeta snap their heads towards him in a terrifying syncopation.

He stood his ground, trying not to show that he was freaking the HFIL out from the awkward way their necks twisted like something straight out of a horror film.

They smirked in unison, "Hmm, perhaps you're right."

BOOM!

He fell back, catching himself at the last second before he toppled over from the sheer force of the explosion that followed. He coughed, thick curls of smoke invading his lungs and burning at his insides. His eyes were stinging as he attempted to blink out the cascade of dirt and dust that flung forth from the aftershock. His throat was dry and scratchy, and he swallowed a few times to try and soothe the sudden soreness.

His vision slowly adjusted to the dim light of the desk lamp that still remained unharmed despite the amount of explosions that were happening around it. He breathed a hoarse sigh of relief when he found that the haunted shadows of Piccolo and Vegeta were no longer present. But he couldn't shake the eerie feeling that something was amiss.

Whoever or whatever it was - Janemba, or some other kind of hellish being - why hadn't it shown itself yet?

And then he saw it. A ghostly form emerging from the half-light, his eyes widened and his voice was unable to articulate a single sound. His brain froze, as the figure spread beautifully across his childhood desk, offering no course of action for his now trembling limbs to take.

This wasn't real, he thought defiantly, but was unable to tear his disbelieving eyes away. This could not be real!

A spark of anger flickered within him at the audacity that someone could delve this far into his mind, and reveal something so private, so cruel … yet so lifelike that he couldn't will himself to fuel the fire.

"It's been too long, wonder boy," she spoke softly, her sultry half-lidded gaze taking him in, running over his frame as though undressing him with her eyes.

He gulped, for there was nothing for him to undress as it were. Every part of Videl's glorious skin was exposed to the icy chill of the blackness, yet she appeared rather comfortable, her bare backside resting on the solid oak and her legs crossed upon the seat of the chair. Her hair was free of its pigtails, cascading down her front and barely covering the soft curvature of her breasts.

The long raven silk seemed to mould with the dark surrounding her, as though wisps of smoke were steaming right off of her head. It contrasted brilliantly with her nudity that shone brightly in the nothingness, her sapphire eyes penetrating the empty void and right into his heart. His chest began to ache with an indescribable need, and all sense of logic seemed to slip through his mind like falling grains of sand in an hour glass.

Before he could process what was happening, Videl stretched out her hand towards him, slowly twisting her wrist and wiggling her index finger in a 'come hither' gesture. His feet involuntary lifted from the ground, pushed by an invisible wind until he was forced before her. The chair clattered to the ground and disappeared in a swirl of ash, as the naked girl grabbed him by the straps of his amour and pulled him closer.

Her tongue was in his mouth before he could even speak, dominating him as her strong legs wrapped around his waist and pulled him devilishly in between her thighs. He kissed her back eagerly, unable to stop himself from relishing in the familiar touch of her, the exhilarating feeling of her bare curves pressed all against him, urging him forwards, silently asking him for more.

Torrents of fire erupted from the ground surrounding them - one, two, three, four, five, six, seven. One after the other, casting their entwined shadows upon the grooves of wood they were collapsed upon. The flames of passion licked at her body in an intricate dance, as though carving a path for Gohan's wandering hands to follow. And follow he did. His fingertips brushing against her waist, grasping at her hips, her curves, her breasts. His feverish lips finding salvation in the crook of her neck, causing her to let out a familiar moan in his ear that sent his damaged soul soaring into oblivion.

And just like that, he gave in like he had done so many times. His weak, already broken heart no longer able to mend on its own. He was blinded by the mesmerising notion, the foolhardy belief - or wanting to believe that this was real, that she was here with him and not in his dreams. That Videl was kissing him, touching him, and allowing him to love her.

Something inside of him snapped. It shattered and it nearly tore him apart. Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes as the radiating heat from the roaring flames threatened to burn his skin clean off. Cold sweat continued to roll down his back, but he couldn't bring himself to pull away. His tongue encircled hers, a guttural groan of pleasure escaping his lips as Videl reached for his spandex and plunged one of her lustful hands into his underwear.

Gods he wanted her so badly.

And it struck him just how much. The want, the need, the sinful urge to just tear off the rest of his clothes and let the girl have her way with him right there on the desk.

"V-Videl -," he moaned, closing his eyes in ecstasy. He was barely able to catch his breath as she quickly found his lips again, drawing him even closer, pressing her body hard against his and biting his bottom lip in the process.

He let out a hiss of pain and annoyance, the harsh taste of blood hitting his tongue and causing him to pull away. She chuckled again - but it was not Videl's laughter.

Gohan's eyelids flew open, the girl's warmth leaving him completely as dread filled him. Her smokey strands of hair lingered upon his shoulders, warping, twisting into long white fingers that grasped at his neck, sharp black nails sinking into his larynx.

He choked, clawing at the speckled green arm that held him in a vice grip. Cold, fuchsia eyes dancing in delight at the horror-stricken look on his face. The maniacal laughter that had once haunted his nightmares grated on his every nerve like claws screeching across a chalkboard.

"Y-You!" The teenager spluttered, fury replaced shock, disgust replaced fear as his mind whirred in a heated frenzy.

Just what the fuck was going on?! Had it been HIM taunting him the whole time?!

Wait, no, Gohan griped, shaking the gruesome thought out of his head. Think logically, stupid. He never had that kind of mental power!

Berating himself for getting duped by such a powerful distraction, he sent his foot flying into his assailants cheek. The powerful kick smashed across his skull, launching the brutes' lecherous claws off of him and sending him skidding across the darkness.

Cell growled dangerously, purple blood oozing from his lips as he struggled to bring himself back to full height. Green armoured scales shimmered in the light of the fires that still raged angrily around them, pitch black wings reaching down to his ankles and eclipsing the deadly pointed tail hiding underneath. He cracked his neck in agitation, a sickening pop of cartilage echoing throughout the void. Upwards pointed horns stretched above his head, almost like a crown that was certainly unbefitting of his person. And as Gohan's glare met his, he couldn't help but notice that the android was without a halo.

Another fake, he confirmed, keeping poised in a defensive stance should he try and lure him into another cheap shot.

He forcefully pushed thoughts of Videl to the back of his mind, and instead attempted to focus on the enemy in front of him. He desperately tried to ignore the way his lips were still tingling from her kisses, as well as the ebbing frustration, embarrassment, and guilt that gnawed at his resolve.

Damn it! How in the hell did he allow himself to fall for such a ruse?! Did he have no bloody self restraint?!

He shook his head again in defiance. He couldn't afford to get distracted. He had to focus on the task at hand, and he could be angry at himself later. Janemba hadn't shown himself yet, meaning that if he wasn't behind this mind-fuckery then he could be anywhere, reeking havoc and putting the entire universe in danger - not to mention his grandparents and Raditz. Who he still couldn't sense.

"Oh Gohan, how weak you are," Cell taunted, drawing his attention once more, "It appears you haven't changed much from that snivelling little brat I met all those years ago."

"Is that right?" The teenager sneered, "You know, I have to admit that you got the jump on me for a moment there, but the next time you try to get into someone's head be sure to do your homework. If you had, you'd know that I took Cell with me to the grave, as well as the fact that I'm not scared of him any more. So if your plan is to get me to surrender then you'll be sorely mistaken. I've killed that evil bastard once, I'd be more than happy to do it again."

A pregnant pause drifted between them, until Cell's lips stretched into an all out grin. It was unnatural, unnerving and misshapen, causing Gohan's hands to curl into fists almost on instinct.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk…," said Cell, wagging a finger at the air, "So vengeful, so deliciously wrathful. No wonder it was your downfall."

"What are you talking about?" He spat angrily, becoming even more furious as Cell all but chuckled in response, "Answer me, damn it! I don't like being tricked!"

"Trickery?" He guffawed, looking positively scandalised, "Oh no, 'tis not I that is the trickster here, poor soul. I simply expose the faults, the darkness hidden deep within. How unfortunate that your judgement is so skewed in death, when you are tasked with judging the living."

Gohan stared, his jaw clenching. This wasn't like the other spectres, that was for certain. For a start, it wasn't even acting like Cell, and neither was it trying to.

Something was wrong here, very very wrong.

"W-Who are you?" He asked, failing to hide the trepidation in his tone. His grandmother's words of warning suddenly echoing in his mind -

Pure spirits aren't supposed to wonder into this realm. Some with stronger wills might be alright for a while, but slowly the darkness can eat away at your pure heart. It can drive some insane, to the point where they are but a shell of their former selves, nothing but a lonely shadow fated to wonder the depths of HFIL for all eternity…

Well… shit.

"Who am I?!" The being laughed almost jubilantly, Cell's monstrous form still clear in the lamplight, "Who am I?! Surely you should be asking yourself that same old-age question, young halfbreed! Oh yes, your heart may be 'pure' but you reek of sin! The beast inside cries out from the darkness within, covered in scars of the past and carrying the scythe of destruction - and will it lead to your own?! That is the great mystery of your soul, and the very reason why I am going to take it!"

"Take my soul?" Gohan frowned, "So you're connected to HFIL then? Either way, it doesn't matter. Just see what happens when you try and take it."

"Oh ho!" The fake chortled gleefully, "Now this was what I was hoping for! Such a ferocious fire burning within! You certainly don't disappoint!"

"You talk way too much," He shot back in annoyance, "Now are you going to fight or not? I really haven't got time for this, there's a bit of a 'sitch' going on in the Otherworld that's got my name on. So if you wouldn't mind…"

'Cell' watched with a sadistic pleasure as the halfling readied himself for a fight, "How fitting this form is. Oh yes, the wrath you felt facing Cell fed the restless beast you had tried to sedate time and time again…"

Gohan's dark eyes hardened like steel, as the mysterious being continued.

"A child cried out for help on that fateful day, and it was rage that answered the call," he told him, still grinning madly, "Don't deny it. Out of all seven, it is the sin of wrath that has left the deepest impression on your heart."

He grit his teeth in anger, it was clear that this psychopath was just trying to push his buttons, and he'd be damned if he gave it the pleasure. But there was one thing that it'd said that confused him.

"Seven what?" He demanded hotly, "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Why, the seven deadly sins of man of course," it said, the hot ribbons of fire bursting upwards in a spectacular display, reaching far above them and into the void, "Greed, Gluttony, Envy, Sloth, Pride, Lust and Wrath. A trial of sorts - of a souls resolve that would drive many of the weak to damnation as soon as the first appeared to test them. Your resistance is commendable, but unfortunately for you… not enough for salvation."

Amber, gold and orange bled out into the black veil, the roar of flames thundering past his ears and blowing his hair backwards from the fiery winds it created. The temperature soared, a wall of intense heat threatening to burn his lungs to a crisp and cook him from the inside out. Showers of sparks flew from the light and danced at his feet, the seven great towers joining together so that it became one gigantic blaze that danced in a ring around him and his trapper.

And then it dawned on him like solid punch to the gut. His grandmother's warnings should he stay down in HFIL too long, the ancient texts he had read back on Lord Beerus' world, even the hearsay of various religions and cultures that he had come across throughout his travels across the universe…

It all pointed to one entity, one who he had previously brushed off as a mere fable. The manifestation of evil, the gatekeeper of the underworld, the devil, the king of the damned, the corrupter of souls… or simply -

He coughed and spluttered, gasping for water as all of the moisture suddenly left his mouth, choking on the words as he managed to croak, "Y-You, you're - !"

Hell itself.

"Bravo!" Hell laughed, clapping Cell's hands together in a rousing applause as they continued to use the facade as a puppet, "Such a clever soul. It's no wonder that you aren't so easily corrupted by an obsessive thirst for knowledge, status or power. Greed and Glutton are amongst the easiest sins to exploit, but not for you. Envy - hmm, not so envious of others are we? Jealousy does not colour your soul green, no matter how much your regrets pull at your heartstrings…"

One by one the nightmarish versions of his family escaped the flames, their features stoic as clouds of darkness exuded from them. First Greed and Gluttony in the form of his parents, then his unseeing brother as Hell spoke of Envy. He stared, unable to summon the will to make his legs move, as though he had sunken into a muddy bog and his feet had become trapped once more. Moving felt difficult and sluggish, as the entity of evil continued.

"Sloth and Pride," They mused, the blaze parting to make way for the ghosts of Piccolo and Vegeta, "Both formidable sins to overcome, but as you've proven in both life and death, you aren't content with a state of indifference. You cannot bring yourself to disassociate from events that could change the course of the future, or the universe by extension. Maybe it is your pride, the hubris of your Saiyan ancestors that burns just as brightly within you as it did them. But no, just when I thought I'd caught you in my claws of condemnation did you break free…"

Gohan's breath hitched, his cheeks prickling from the heat, "That's right, I'm not going to fall for your -."

"Lust, dear child," Hell interjected smoothly, "Lust is a pleasure bought with pain, a delight hatched with disquiet, a contentment passed with fear, and a sin finished with sorrow - a sorrow that you feel."

Videl's naked form came forth on command, amber streams wafting through her long hair like ribbon. His stomach dropped, a throbbing drummed through his chest like tearing open an old wound. Her seductive eyes caught his in that moment, but they were no longer that dazzling blue that he had fallen for - no, they were red.

"S-Stop," he growled somewhat weakly, suddenly feeling incredibly sick, the heat verging on unbearable, "You have no right - no right to use her like that, you bastard!"

Fuchsia eyes blinked back with a fiend innocence, "Me? Use her? 'Tis not I who abuses the passions of the flesh. 'Tis not I who could not let go of my own selfish desires to pursue unholy unions. I did not become forgetful of future suffering, nor hurried along a forbidden path that only lends its strength to loss and regret."

"I loved her," Gohan stated fiercely, glancing towards the fake Videl or Lust as it were, "I loved Videl with everything I had, and I still do."

"'Tis not love you stupid child," They scorned, spit flying from Cell's mouth in disgust, "'Tis not love or affection. 'Tis want and need, a need to fill the gaping hole left in your heart that you welded by your own hand, a craving that you followed blindly despite your duties. Yet Lust is what you ought to fear, the headstrong beast that rushes forwards, impatient of the course, neither hearing the rider's call nor the pull of the rein. Yes, just a temporary fix wasn't it? For the loneliness you feel."

"Y-You're wrong," he stammered, his voice rising, "I love her, and she loved me. I just know it! It wasn't out of selfishness or needs or whatever the hell you said! I-I didn't know … I didn't know that it would turn out this way!"

"The art of self-destruction," the entity observed the defeat in his eyes through Cell's smug demeanour, "It appears that you have an uncanny knack for it, most befitting for a junior God of Destruction - wouldn't you agree?"

"Fuck off," Gohan spat, panting from the excretion of heat attacking his body, he felt as though his armour was about to meld to his skin.

"And now we've come full circle," Hell chuckled, Cell's arms opening outwards in a strong pose as though he was about to take a final bow.

"Wrath," They stated, "Wrath presents itself with self-destruction, perturbs to violence and a hatred that provokes war. A rather appropriate end for a soul wracked with the guilt of what his own wrath has inflicted. The death of your father, the death of you! Come now, don't look so shocked child, you should have known all along that it is your greatest sin, why else do you think you have carried out the role of a Destroyer so well thus far? One has to have a deep seeded wrathfulness to be able to erase billions from existence - ."

WHAM!

A gasping wheeze was wrenched from his lips, as faster than lighting, Gohan surged forwards in an explosion of gold and embedded his fist straight into Cell's - or rather Wrath's - gut.

The teenager's lips curled in a twisted satisfaction as he felt the abdominal muscles rip and tear apart, leaving a sizeable dent in his torso. Powered up in his ascended form, electricity rippled across his golden aura, emerald eyes piercing as his opponent slammed onto his backside.

Though to his annoyance, the wretched beings staggering breath quickly recovered - letting out a nauseating cackle of laughter.

"Very good, very good!" Hell sang from the lips of Wrath, "But know this, boy. You can never atone for the suffering you've caused! So, what's the point in fighting the inevitable?"

Gohan remained silent yet unwavering as Wrath stood, swiftly getting to his feet and ignoring the blood that seeped from their wounds. The irritating squeak - tap of heels sinking into place reverberated throughout the void, intermingling with the crackling flames that continue to burn. They seemed rather amused by the halflings hardened gaze, their mouth quirking into a crazed smirk.

"You're a complex soul, Son Gohan," Wrath told him, sleek black wings springing outwards and glistening magnificently in the reflection of the inferno, "Oh yes, quite a difficult one to crack. But they all crack, they all succumb - and you will too."

---

Eastern Province, Planet Earth.

"Damn it, Goku! Do yeh have to fly so fast?!"

Goku sighed for what felt like the umpteenth time in the last half hour, the wind whipping through his messy hair as he turned to pout at the old man clinging onto his back for dear life.

"You know," he said pointedly, "It'd be a lot easier if you could just ride the Flying Nimbus, Master Roshi. And I already told you that you didn't have to come along…"

"And give up my precious hobby just to ride that deathtrap to the supermarket?! I don't think so!" Roshi guffawed, although he nearly inhaled his fuzzy white beard from the action, causing him to cough and splutter, "Besides, is that any way to speak to a respected elder?!"

"Alright, sorry!" He replied with a guilty smile, "I was just saying!"

"Pah, you rotten kids," the old man huffed, conking him over the head with his nobbled wooden staff - which had next to no affect on the warrior, "Always giving me lip."

"Hey, I said I was sorry!" Goku chuckled, rubbing his skull out of force of habit and reluctantly slowing in his flight, "I didn't mean to fly so fast, I just wanted to help out the others. And Goten is -."

"You worry too much over that young lad of yours," Roshi cut across him, his trademark sunglasses reflecting the gleaming sun that shone above the deathly black clouds several feet below, "If your grandfather or I had fretted over you that much at his age, do you think you'd be where you are now?"

He swallowed, suddenly unable to look his old master in the eye.

"Thought as much," he observed, his moustache tickling his lips into a small but knowing smile, "I understand that you want to protect him. I think that you understand the consequences better than any parent should you not. But believe me when I tell ya that kids got just as much spunk as you had when you were a boy."

"Yeah," said Goku, a deflated look about him, "That's what worries me."

"Suffocating the boy isn't gonna do you or him any favours!" Master Roshi scolded, smacking him across the head - a little harder this time around, causing Goku to yelp, "He certainly ain't thanking you for it."

"He's still just a kid," he sighed, his flight coming to a complete halt, "And the last year has been hard on him, what with Majin Buu, and then Bulma's birthday, I -."

"He's a kid that became a super saiyan barley after losing his first baby tooth, don't forget," he interrupted, raising an eyebrow, "With that in mind, he's a tough one. I'm sure he'll come around, Goku."

"Yeah, you're probably right," Goku shrugged, flashing a half-hearted smile although a weight still lay heavy on his heart, "Even still, I'd like to get to West City to help. I can sense some higher than average dark forces hanging around there, and Krillin's good and all, but there's no way he can keep both Goten and Trunks in check."

"Fine," Roshi sighed, "But if another pigeon flies into my face then you'll be doing milk rounds for a month!"

"Thanks, old timer," he grinned, prompting the Turtle Hermit's nostrils to flare in agitation.

"Yeah, yeah, just hop to it!" He retorted, mumbling to himself, "Honestly, you whippersnappers. This is why I never settled down…"

Sure it isn't, Goku thought to himself, rolling his eyes as soon as he turned away. He was more than tempted to just use his Instant Transmission technique to get to West City faster, but knew it would be wiser to work his way upwards from the South and take care of any escapees on route. That way, they would cover the most ground.

Thick, swirling clouds continued to rumble beneath them, creating a storm of hellish shadows upon the Earth and eclipsing the entire globe in a deadly shroud of darkness. They were an unnatural shade of purple, ripples of black lightening shooting out from their depths and creating cataclysmic explosions that rocked tremors throughout every landscape, igniting fires amongst forests and creating whirlpools in the oceans.

Cities were in ruin, the undead crawling out of their graves and pandemonium sweeping the streets. Frightened screams echoed from every corner of the Earth, nightmares becoming a reality as haunted ghosts of history and the forgotten departed literally unleashed hell.

He and Roshi had cleared up the South fairly swiftly, but what they had faced thus far were just small fries in comparison to people like Frieza and King Cold - who he was certain would turn up at some point seen as they had met their dismal end here on Earth. Mainly zombies causing havoc in small villages and a giant undead sea monster that had emerged in South City's harbour and tried to swallow an entire fleet of fishing boats.

They had just crossed over the Southern-Eastern boarder when a powerful spark of Ki caught his attention. He let out a faint sigh of relief, sensing a familiar presence hurtling towards them.

"Oh, it's Vegeta!" Goku chimed, careening to a halt and almost sending Master Roshi flying over his head.

"Great…," Roshi mustered gloomily, righting himself again just as the flame-haired prince skidded before them.

"So, you finally caught up," Vegeta smirked, his dark eyes alight with maddened delight. "You certainly took your sweet time."

Roshi gulped at the crazed yet joyous look on his face, yet Goku genuinely smiled.

"Hi Vegeta, are ya having trouble? Need some help?"

"Fuck off, clown," he snarled, "As if I'd need your help. No, I'm just curious as to how your body counts going. I see you've brought the old man with you… he doesn't count you know, even if he is on his last legs."

"Oi!"

"Well we haven't come across anyone exciting if that's what you're asking," said Goku, completely missing the jibe, "We've been clearing out the undead in the South. Where have you been?"

"I did the smart thing and went to Central City," said Vegeta with an air of annoyance, "Some of the larger vortexes were there. I even ran into a few old acquaintances who I was more than happy to send screaming back to HFIL."

"Oh?" The younger saiyan quirked, "Like some of your old Frieza Force buds?"

He scowled irritably, "Cui and his cronies certainly weren't my buds as you so callously call it."

"Whatever you say," Goku laughed, "No sign of Nappa then? That's a shame."

"The only shame is his, in the fact that he was so weak and worthless that I had no choice but to off him," Vegeta glowered, "This is by no means a friendly reunion Kakarot, we're here to win!"

"I know that," he retorted, his features becoming serious, "I just think that it's odd that none of the 'big bads' have made an appearance yet, you know? I would have thought they'd be the first to break free in an uprising."

The prince rolled his eyes at his use of the phase, but he couldn't help but agree, "It's unusual. But know this, I will be the one to take them out."

"Okie dokie!"

"Argh!" Vegeta snarled in frustration, "Why are you always so goddamn - ?!"

KA-BOOM!

The clouds blasted apart beneath their feet, a pillar of fiery smoke and dust boiled upwards and reached for the sky. The blackness rolled outwards and exposed the city streets below, where a series of violent flashes broke out across several blocks of crumbling buildings.

A plethora of blood-curdling screams and sirens rang out in a shrill symphony, causing Goku's eyes to harden in determination, adrenaline charging through his veins.

"Let's go!" He shouted, his plan for reaching West City abandoned for now - people were in trouble!

"What have I told you about giving me orders, damn it!" Vegeta yelled behind him, though he followed regardless, belting through the air at rapid speeds.

A glimmer of above average Ki struck his senses, and Goku was quick to drive a powerful kick right into said persons face. They screamed in shock and agony as they were launched from their pedestal atop a fallen skyscraper and into a pile of rubble.

The blast they were powering up had already released from their palm, but due to Goku's quick save, it all but fired up into the distance and exploded in a shower of blinding light. It cascaded over the clustered spirals of towers and metal cranes, drenching every crevice of brick and mortar in shadows that rippled like waves in great succession.

Looking about him, he realised that they were in the middle of Orange Star City, the giant billboards of the golden-haired boy a dead give away for starters - they were found mainly in the Eastern cities, given the fact that the saviour of Earth hailed from the region, and its citizens were incredibly proud of it.

Not only that, it appeared the building he was stood upon had collapsed into a playing field of sorts - no doubt the source of the explosion they had just witnessed. Underneath the debris, symmetrical white lines marked emerald green grass that was overshadowed by the sleek marble structure overhead. Bound by wrought iron gates, a concrete path led back out to the pavement and onto the main road. A large sign with loud orange lettering hung over the entrance that read;

Welcome to Orange Star High School!

The name rang a bell, he could have sworn this was where Videl said she had gone to high school - though she had long since graduated. Similarly, Chi-Chi had set her sights on the institution for Goten to attend one day, deeming it quite prestigious and easy for the boy to get to on Nimbus by himself. Although, it no longer looked all that fancy what with half of the building caved in and black scorch marks marring the paintwork.

He straightened up, stance strong and imposing as he turned his attention to glare at the escaped convict of HFIL lying out cold a few feet away. That was, until a loud shriek reached his ears.

"Whoops! Sorry Master!" Goku called sheepishly, "I forgot that you were on my back!"

"You will be sorry!" Roshi's muffled cries came from a litter bin on the other side of the field. Only his legs were visible from the top, kicking out wildly in a furious frenzy. "Now stop lolly-gagging and get me outta here!"

"Hm," he observed, meandering over and casually tipping the can upside down and freeing the hermit from his temporary prison, stinking piles of rubbish scattering across the grass as he did so. "That one looked like one of Garlic Junior's old henchmen."

"Oh it did, did it?!" The old man scoffed and spluttered from the ground, swiping a rotting banana skin off of his bald head, "I couldn't tell, because some good-for-nothing punch-jockey chucked me into a pile of filth!"

"Seems rather fitting," drawled a voice, belonging to Vegeta as he kicked his way out of a pair of blue-painted double doors that led to the school gym. He dragged an unconscious pair of odd-looking brutes behind him before tossing them roughly at his feet. "Well, looks like I got the others. That puts me at ninety-three."

"Ninety-three?!" Goku gaped, "B-But that's not fair! You got a head start!"

"There, there," Vegeta smirked, "No one likes a sore loser, Kakarot."

"But - !"

"Will you boys be quiet!" Roshi griped, suddenly serious, "There's someone else coming."

The warriors braced themselves for what they presumed was an oncoming attack, that was, until a bellowing shout resounded from somewhere inside the school.

"SATAN PUNCH!"

"Don't tell me…," Vegeta groaned, as a mutilated zombie crashed through a window on the ground floor.

The sound of tinkering glass penetrated the air as the pane shattered and glass exploded out onto the field. The undead corpse of a man groaned and moaned, his bones poking out at odd angles as he struggled back to his feet.

"Yeep!" Roshi yelped, brandishing his staff at the fiend, "Those things give me the heebie jeebies!"

Goku made to retort, that was until the zombie was blasted into smithereens.

"And that makes ninety-four."

"Vegeta!" He gawped angrily, causing said prince to scoff.

"What? I saw an opening so I took it, don't blame me for your shortcomings, clown."

"It's not that!" Goku frowned, "You can't just - !"

"Kill them?" He finished, giving him an incredulous stare, "Stop being so soft. Besides - not that it matters - but they'll just re-spawn once they're back in HFIL anyway, remember?"

"Oh Goku! It's you!" Mister Satan called, clambering out of the busted window at that moment, his beaming smile greeting them.

"Hiya Hercule!" He grinned back, giving a cheery wave from atop the pile of concrete.

"What a treat!" He laughed, "I've been fighting these losers all on my own, and there's never any stinkin' press around when you need 'em!"

They looked behind him to where he was gesturing with his thumb, spotting a long line of unconscious zombies slumped up against lockers that lined the corridor within.

"Still, it's a good opportunity for me to test my moves!" Hercule continued boastfully, "Wouldn't you say so?"

"Oh give me strength," Vegeta griped with a roll of his eyes, but the old champion appeared not to have noticed.

"Buu's gone up ahead," he explained, "Apparently there were some undead dinosaurs rampaging across East City, causin' a right mess! These monsters just started randomly showing up everywhere! Mind getting me up to speed?"

Deeming the high school safe for now, the men decided to take a walk out towards the main district, where the distant flash of blue sirens lit up the dark sky in a dome-like fashion. Even though it was still only the afternoon, it was pitch black out. The streets were deserted save a few terrified stragglers, which Goku and the others helped direct to safety - albeit Vegeta rather reluctantly.

In between rallying up stray citizens and taking down the odd zombie or Saibaman that sprang from the shadows, he filled Hercule in on the days events.

"Escapees from hell, eh?" Mister Satan said as he let out a low whistle, "That's rough."

"Yeah," He replied, casually launching a member of the Crusher Corps over his shoulder as the brute jumped out of an alleyway and made to attack him, "But it's like King Kai said, without the barriers being reinforced, there's nothing stopping them from coming back here again."

Hercule's eyes widened, as Vegeta quickly incinerated the red-skinned giant with a small blast of golden Ki ('That one counts as mine! You didn't go for the kill!').

"W-Well," he stammered, tentatively skirting around the newly formed pile of ash on the pavement, "I-If what he said is true, and Gohan really is in HFIL trying to defeat that meddling demon, then I'm sure we'll be outta this mess in no time!"

"It can't be that simple," Master Roshi piped up thoughtfully, thrusting his staff into the stomach of an unsuspecting mummy, a dark look about him as it thudded to the floor, "If it were that easy then I have no doubt that the boy would have got things back up and running by now, what with the amount of strength he's achieved over the past eight years."

"Er w-well. I'm sure he'll be fine! Yeah!" Mister Satan fumbled nervously, looking towards Goku who was wearing a troubled frown, "S-speaking of the kids, how was my Videl doin' today? She was telling me all about this shopping trip Chi-Chi and Bulma had got organised…"

"Oh yeah," he smiled back gratefully, "She was fine, got a lot of stuff for the baby. But something tells me that Chi-Chi isn't done with her yet."

"Rather you than me, Goku!" He laughed gruffly, "Although I am sorry that I couldn't be there, you know how Buu gets when he goes shopping, there's only so many ice-cream headaches he can handle."

"Don't worry about it!" Goku chuckled, waving off his concern, "I understand."

Hercule smiled softly, until a worry line appeared on his forehead, "Videl was alright though, wasn't she? She didn't over exert herself or anything, did she?"

"Well, she -."

"Ugh, enough of this! This is going too damned slow!" Vegeta spat suddenly, whirling around on the old champ, "If you insist on joining us oaf, then you had better keep up and stop prattling on about ridiculous - !"

Goku wasn't listening to his fellow saiyan's ranting. Instead, his attention was drawn to an enormous television screen that overlooked the streets - miraculously still intact. It seemed that they were everywhere nowadays, advertising the latest protein bar or newest toy. Though just like the screens back in West City's shopping plaza, they were displaying the devastation that currently had the planet in a choke hold.

A global crisis - they were calling it. News reporters gawped and twittered in amongst the hoarse howl of people, the rush of crowds, the frantic commands of police, military and ambulance crews. Smoking craters stood in place of what was once homes, villages overrun with ghouls, ghosts and monsters. It was almost like halloween had come a couple of weeks early, but the nightmarish dystopia was all too real. Cold corpses moved freely unlike the plastic dummies one might buy from a fancy dress outlet to entice trick-or-treaters, the blood splattered over the innocent injured was neither fake nor funny.

And in the thick of the chaos, explosions and flying debris, he recognised Androids Seventeen and Eighteen from a report in the North, fighting against blizzard-like conditions and charging a squadron of Red Ribbon submarines. Hundreds of worn out warships skimmed across the icy ocean of the far North, firing torpedoes only to have them decimated by the super-powered siblings. The rampaging bombs broke the surface of the water before they were booted apart in a rip-roaring series of explosions, leaving rising smoke rings to float more slowly after them.

The picture changed rapidly, just as a thunder clap breached the sky. He caught sight of his friends darting in and out of camera shot, facing the evil spirits head on from every main province and beyond. The reporters were quick to comment on the mysterious heroes, though some were recognised immediately from their participation in The Cell Games. Words of gratitude and amazement followed, as it was divulged that King Furry's army had been unsuccessful so far against the sheer number of enemies - not to mention their power.

It was all too clear that this battle wasn't going to be short or tactical, it was an all out war on the living at the mercy of the dead, and according to King Kai it was not only happening on Earth but all over the universe.

The smell of gunpowder and toxic fumes invaded his nostrils as he finally tore his gaze away and hurried along after Vegeta and the others. He could sense the mighty Ki signatures of the Z-Fighters standing out, rising high above the darkness like a shining beacon. Their energies flickered and surged as they fought, trying their damnedest to force the hellions back into their eternal prison.

The carnage was worse in the centre of the city. Sirens blared obnoxiously, wailing like a frantic choir. Useless barricades lay broken and charcoaled, police tape melted right in half, preventing unstable buildings from being cornered off.

Blown out windows left gaping black holes in amongst the monotonous grey concrete and steel. Cars and trucks were overturned and oozing petrol and flames, sewage pipes had been ripped apart and were spewing out pungent water. Deep crevices had sunk many a lamppost and postbox, the dusty ground slowly inching apart as distant tremors rumbled the earth. Severed cables swung from side to side, hanging dangerously from busted telephone poles, churning out flickers of light that would be lethal should anyone get in their path.

Throngs of terrified civilians stumbled away from the epicentre, just as a devastating jet of light punched its way out of a nearby complex, sending each level crashing down on top of the other, almost as though the building was shrinking. Dust and debris belched outwards, flooding the pavement and the surrounding area, frightened screams barely audible over the destruction.

Goku reacted on instinct, pressing two fingers to his forehead and disappearing from view, grabbing as many people as he could and dropping them off safely in an alleyway away from the rapidly building smoke. He turned and flashed a grin at his comrades, who appeared beside him moments later with their own casualties, though to his relief no one appeared to have any major injuries.

"There," Master Roshi puffed, passing a soot covered puppy to an incredibly grateful little girl, "I think that was all of them."

Goku nodded firmly, rolling up the sleeves of his bomber jacket as they prepared to rush into the fray, when a startled shout cut through the air.

"Constable Satan! What do you think you're doing?!"

Sharing a horrified look with Hercule, the pair wasted no time in bolting down the pavement, careening to a halt in shock when they got to the source of the commotion.

Videl was standing atop a wrecked police car, that was turned on its side with its windows smashed in and sirens flashing luminous blues and reds. The girl's leather jacket was torn on one shoulder and laden with dirt, a smudge of soot blemishing her cheek - but thankfully she was otherwise unharmed.

Her jaw was tightly clenched as chaos continued to rain around her, a deep swirling vortex eclipsing the sky high above her head. A fresh pile of smoking rubble lay to the side of her, a pair of green alien feet stinking out of the mess, which she paid no mind to. Instead, she appeared to be arguing with a few of her colleagues from the police force, as they struggled to control the urban battlefield. Her long hair whipped about her from where she had pulled it upwards in a high pony tail, her hands placed upon her hips in defiance and making her pregnancy bump look even more prominent.

"Listen up!" Videl bellowed over the commotion, sapphire eyes blazing fiercely as she commanded attention from a group of burly male police officers, pointing in different directions to emphasis her points, "I need armed officers in these buildings! Those of you who are out of ammo, you take the lead and get these people off of the streets. Take them underground and use the subway lines if you have to - the trains are still down! And I need a perimeter as far back as Elm and Bamboo Street!"

Her elder colleagues stared back at her dubiously. One plump, greying man even let out a bark of laughter at the girl's gall, "Pah! Who the bleedin' hell put you in charge girlie?"

"Yeah!" Another snorted, "I ain't taking orders from some newbie, even if she is Satan's kid! We only answer to the Sergeant!"

"Well, Sarge got injured," she shot back, flashing a shiny gold Sergeant's badge towards them as proof, "And it's going to take at least an hour to get military back up, so he asked me to take charge and - ."

Videl paused, as a horrifying screech reached their ears. She spun rapidly on her heel, bringing up her knee and cracking it into the sternum of an ugly winged beast that had swooped from the clouds in a feral attack.

Goku's eyes widened, recognising her assailant as none other than Tambourine - one of King Piccolo's offspring. But he didn't get a chance to help, as with impressive speed, the girl pulled her hand gun out from the holster on her thigh and fired two shots that cut through the monster's cartilage, his wings rendered useless as a shriek of agony escaped his throat.

Videl didn't let up, instead grabbing the mutant Namekian by the base of the skull in a finishing blow and slamming his head off of the side of the police car, leaving a sizeable dent in the paintwork. With the heel of her boot resting on top of the brute that was suitably KO'd, Videl blew away the smoke that filtered out of the barrel of her gun and looked dangerously towards her flabbergasted audience.

"So, is there a problem?"

They blinked, and blinked again. Until finally, the first officer managed to squawk, bringing up a hand to his temple in a shaky salute, "N-No! N-Not at all ma'am!"

"Y-You heard her!" Another of their group bellowed, speaking into his walkie-talkie as they quickly moved out and took off down the streets, "We need police in the towers on main street! If you're out of ammo, retreat and get the citizens to safety using the subway! We need a perimeter as far back as Elm and Bamboo-!"

Videl watched them go with a satisfied smile, clipping her gun back into place and dumping Tambourine on the ground with a swift kick to the side.

"VIDEL!"

She flinched at her father's staggering cry that rose above the sounds of scrambling police, and Goku watched as she caught his own disapproving stare, swearing under her breath before she broke out into an all too innocent smile.

"Oh, hi guys," she greeted, jumping effortlessly onto the pavement and nearly sending Hercule into cardiac arrest, "What's up?"

"W-What's up?!" Mister Satan fawned, clutching at his chest, "I'll tell you what's up young lady, you shouldn't be out here where it's not safe!"

"I don't see what the problem is," Vegeta said indifferently, looking rather bored, "Saiyan women would give birth on the battlefield, brush themselves off and continue fighting. This whelp isn't given close to being born."

"Well, my baby girl ain't no freaky super-powered alien!" Hercule snapped without thinking. He quickly back peddled, looking sheepishly towards Goku, "I mean uh… no offence…"

As much as the comment didn't bother Goku, Videl was less than impressed, "Daddy, did it ever occur to you that your GRANDCHILD is part freaky super-powered alien?!"

"I-I didn't mean anything by it, princess," The man stammered nervously, "But you're in a delicate state right now."

All four of them flinched. They could have sworn that her eyes just flashed red.

"Uhh… I-I mean…"

"Your dad's right Videl," Goku interjected, saving his skin, "I'm supposed to be your master, aren't I? Yet you jumped into this fight when I specifically warned you not to."

"I'm sorry, Goku," she sighed, "But my emergency radio went off not long after you'd left. My unit needed my help, they were in trouble! My commanding officer was injured and I didn't get there in time. And I couldn't just stand aside and allow anyone else to get hurt."

Damn, how could he not admire that? He thought, giving her a half-smile.

"I know you couldn't, and that's what makes you pretty great kiddo," he told her, resting a strong hand upon her raven hair that was now matted with a copious amount of dirt and sweat from fighting, "But sometimes, just because you want to help doesn't mean that it's always the right thing to do. Did it ever occur to you that some of our old enemies can sense a high power-level coming from you? It makes you and the baby a target."

He could see the realisation and shame reflected in her eyes, "I really am sorry, Goku. I-I, damn, I didn't think about it that way… I just didn't want to do nothing. I'm still a police officer, and it's my duty to protect this city and its citizens. I can't just sit behind a desk in the precinct feeling helpless."

"You? Helpless?" He chuckled, pulling his mouth into an all out grin, "Nah, you're as tough as they come, and that's what's gonna give me greys! Ain't that right, Hercule?"

"Bwah ha!" Mister Satan barked, "Yeah, just because I'm going to be a Pops soon doesn't mean that I've gotta start looking like one!"

"Well fine, I'll let you old geezers have your way," Videl giggled, her cheeks tinged ever so slightly pink, "I suppose that I'll help lead the evacuation for now, but if I end up punching anybody - it was in self defence."

"That's my girl!" Hercule praised, one large hairy arm holding her to him and giving her a gentle squeeze.

"Excuse me Sirs!" A young man in a white helmet and a jumpsuit called, waving frantically as he jogged over to them, ruddy cheeks puffed out from the strain - one of the evacuation crew no doubt, "Please disperse! It's not safe - O-Oh!"

Beady eyes widened behind spectacles sheathed with grit as he let out a ragged gasp, "I-It's you Mister Satan! A-And Son Goku too! Wow, gosh! I'm a big fan! I-I'm ever so sorry, I didn't realise - ! Have you both come to help?!"

"IN THE FLESH!" Mister Satan boasted before Goku could even open his mouth to reply. Flexing a bulging bicep, the old champ beamed, "We martial artists take our jobs very seriously! Now point us in the direction of those miserable reprobates so they can EAT. MY. FIST!"

"But Dad," Videl tried, "I already - "

"Oh Miss!" The starstruck man interjected, staring wide-eyed at the girls' rounded stomach, "You're pregnant!"

"Yeah, and?" She snapped defensively, folding her arms haughtily across her chest, "What's it to you?"

"You're a high priority case!" He chirped, "You must evacuate immediately!"

"Listen buster, I'll tell you when I need to evacuate!" She snarled, "I'm the one heading up this operation!"

"A-Apologies," the young man gulped at the fiery look in her eyes, "I-It's just that you don't look like you should be - ."

"Oh! Is that right?!" Her eyes flashed angrily, leering over him as he shrunk away in fright, "Just because I've got a bun in the oven I can't possibly handle a city wide emergency evacuation, huh?! Is that it?!"

"N-No! I-It's just that y-you aren't wearing a p-police uniform!"

"Well maybe it doesn't FIT me anymore!"

Goku cringed, about to step in to save the poor man from Videl's wrath, when a deep roll of thunder echoed over the city. At first, he thought it was a part of the hellish storm that wracked the planet, but then it got louder, not unlike a magnificent crescendo.

It wasn't thunder at all. It was the furious roar of an enormous engine, that clattered and churned and hummed through his chest as the spectacle came into view. He recognised the spaceship instantly, and how could he not when he had almost been exploded along with it back on Planet Namek all those years ago?

The strange oval disk decorated with circular windows whirred overhead, slowly manoeuvring into view and leaving a large trail of smoke and fumes behind it. It looked as though the ship itself had been wrenched from its own grave, scraps of metal barely being held together and enormous cobwebs hanging from its broken bodice. Scorch marks littered its surface, along with a sizeable hole burned straight through its centre.

The ghost ship made a less than stellar landing, meandering downwards as though one wrong movement would send it crashing into a heap. The trapdoors opened, and long steel legs sprang from its undercarriage like a crab, sinking into the pavement and crushing several abandoned vehicles in the process.

Goku looked over to Vegeta, who was smirking at the sight. The horrified shouts of the crowds seemed lost on him, as the ships bow slithered open, sending pressurised steam spewing out into the air. A smooth ramp protruded from its edge, allowing for two hulking figures to step out onto the deck - yet it got stuck half-way, prompting the pink-skinned alien to give it a good few whacks with the bottom of his foot to get it to start up again. It continued downwards like a regal red carpet, kissing the earth just as Zarbon and Dodoria dropped to one knee, bowing in respect as the evil emperor made his presence known.

A deafening crack of sheet-lightening bathed the city in a spectacular glow, as Frieza reached the ground. Sharp, dark horns glinted atop his head much like the halo nestled between them, his first form still just as intimidating as his last. His purple lips drew upwards with sadistic valour, the vengeance reflected in his eyes almost palpable in the air.

"It's about time," Vegeta said as his smirk boarded, and Goku couldn't help but feel the excitement bubbling in his gut. It was as if Christmas had come early.

"Hn, Earth looks even more putrid than when I was last here," the tyrant drawled, surveying the decimated city, "Tell me, Zarbon. How long has it been since I graced the realm of the living?"

"According to our scanners, my Lord," the green-haired general informed him dutifully, "It has been eleven years since…" He tailed off meekly, as Frieza's subsequent snarl dripped with venom.

"Eleven years," he scorned, "Eleven long years I have wasted away in that infernal prison - !"

It happened in a flash. As without warning, did he unleash a deadly jet of Ki from his fingertip. It shot towards a group of civilians that were escaping via the underground train line, lighting up the entranceway in an alarming red.

Goku quickly phased out and knocked the blast flying into the clouds before it could make impact. The shock of the warrior appearing in midair caused a number of people to scream and almost topple down the stairs. Though they didn't turn back for longer than was necessary, running faster towards their sanctuary at the end of the tunnel.

Frieza looked rather amused by the sight of him, as he landed back with the others, glaring at the wicked being with fire in his eyes.

"It may have been years but I'd recognise that ridiculous hairstyle anywhere," said Frieza, "And it's just as I suspected, my skills are a little rusty. All the more reason to use you as target practice."

"I hope that you're not expecting to win, Frieza," said Goku, an almost humorous tone to his threat, "I've gone through a lot of changes since we last met."

"As to be expected of you monkeys," He spat viciously, until a smirk graced his lips, "Although I have to admit, it is rather salubrious for me."

Goku was dumbstruck, "... Wha - ?"

"It means beneficial to a persons health or wellbeing," he retorted, agitated, "And what could be more salubrious for a conquerer than the motivation to become so strong that he is never dethroned again?!"

"That's rich," Vegeta sniped, "You're always so quick to talk Frieza, but you forever fail to overlook the fact that your biggest threat lurks right under your nose."

"Tsk," Frieza hissed, "Once I'm finished with you, dear prince, you'll barely be able to twitch under my heel!"

"Last time I checked, your half-metal ass was chopped into pieces by a teenager and his toy sword," he scoffed, "So forgive me if I'm not a little dubious."

A vein in the tyrants head popped, "You vile, filth-sucking maggots! You will rue the day that you ever crossed my path! My escape has come at a well-versed time, I will rebuild my empire and spread the terror of Lord Frieza across the universe! My vengeance must be satisfied, and I will not rest until ALL of you super simians are vanquished! YOU WILL PAY FOR WHAT YOU DID TO ME AND YOU WILL PAY IN BLOOD - ! W-What in the Gods name are you monkeys DOING?!"

Goku looked up from where he was engaged in a vigorous game of rock-paper-scissors with Vegeta.

"Oh, would you mind just waiting a minute?" He waved, "We're just deciding which one of us is gonna take a crack at you first!"

Frieza looked as though he had been slapped, his jaw hit the ground along with Zarbon and Dodoria's.

"YOU WORTHLESS APES!" He roared, spit flying as he immediately powered up to his final form, the entire Earth quaking with power, "I'LL MURDER YOU! PREPARE YOURSELVES TO FACE OBLIVION - !"

"Yeah, yeah, we know," Goku shrugged indifferently, throwing his fist back into the fray - losing to Vegeta's paper again, "We'll be done in a - Damn it! Best out of three, Vegeta?"

"Ugh fine," the prince huffed, "But only because I'm feeling generous today, Kakarot."

"Hey, Master Roshi!" He called behind him, "Do you want in on this too?"

"Hell no!" The hermit squawked, "Leave me out of this!"

"Okay, suit yourself," said Goku, as Mister Satan stepped forward - a little too big for his boots after his victories of the day.

"Well I might give it a shot -."

"Don't you fucking dare!" Vegeta snapped, shutting him down immediately, "This is between myself and Kakarot only, you two peons can do us all a favour and get out of here - and take the harpy with you."

"But - !" Videl tried to protest, when Goku cut across her.

"Yeah, he's probably right," he said, "Frieza isn't exactly one you want to stay close to during a - YES! SCISSORS BEATS PAPER!"

"Fuck off!" Vegeta shouted angrily, "You always do this! I call best out of five!"

"Nuh uh," the earth-raised saiyan sang, giving him a cheeky wink, "You agreed to best out of three. All's fair in rock-paper-scissors, Vegeta."

"You mother f - !"

Another boom of thunder drowned out the rest of his sentence, more lightening attacked the sky, protruding out of the vortex and stretching outwards across the city in one gigantic wave. The ensuing power surge knocked out every electric source for a split second, and as the street lamps flickered slowly back to life, a jarring static noise fizzled through the air. It emitted from the enormous plasma screen that hung over the main district. Only instead of depicting the fighting happening all over the world, it focussed on one person and one person alone.

Goku felt his blood run cold, like an inky blackness had seeped into his very bone marrow. His heart pounded like a bass drum in his chest. Rage, guilt, loss, grief, vengeance sprang up from a part of him that he had always tried to hide away since that fateful day - the last time he had seen that face.

The image continued to distort as the connection drifted in and out from the pressure of the storm. Fuzzing grey lines jutted downwards, over and over and caused the screen to become pixilated and hard to stare at for long. Though Goku could not tear his gaze away. He ignored the frustrated taunts of Frieza, as a series of white and grey lit up around them. The light poured out from the shop windows that weren't destroyed, depicting the same nightmarish image on every television screen available.

He faintly heard Videl's mobile phone buzz beside him. She gasped, horrified as she pulled it from her pocket - Cell's malicious grin smirking right back at her.

The screen shattered as soon as she dropped it to the ground. A soft pitter patter of rain started to fall, so gentle amongst the destruction. The majority of the crowds had fled, but the few stragglers left behind were glued to the spot, either gaping at the giant screen or gawping at their own handheld devices. Whether Cell could sense the Earthling's fear, or he just simply paused for dramatic effect - he seemed to relish in it. His nostrils flared as he breathed in deeply, opening his eyes that glimmered in vitriolic delight as he addressed them from a petrified newsroom.

Goku grit his teeth, he was up to his old tricks it seemed.

"Greetings Earthlings," Cell mused devilishly, another distant crack of lightening causing the image to flicker, "I'm sure that introductions aren't necessary, but for those of you who were lucky enough to be born in the aftermath of my untimely demise - I, am Cell."

The atoms in the air shuddered with tension, no one dared to make a sound except for Frieza who spluttered spitefully, "Who the HELL is this interloper?!"

"Fear not children, I'm sure that your mummies and daddies remember the little martial arts tournament I hosted some years ago - The Cell Games," he continued with a dark chuckle, "But despite obtaining my perfection, there was no clear winner."

"It was a mere draw, a shameful stalemate," He snarled, his stare reflecting the madness within, "But know this! Today I have returned from beyond the grave to exact my revenge on this miserable world and all of its inhabitants - starting with your so called champions."

Goku and the others stiffened, as Cell flashed a smug smile towards the camera, pressing two fingers to his forehead in an all too distinguishable pose, "I hope that you're prepared for round two. Why don't we meet in a familiar spot for old times sake? You know how I like to keep things personable. I'll be waiting."

A crimson blast and a blood curdling scream later, the screen went dark.

"Vegeta," Goku stated, the first to break through the stunned and eerie silence, "I've changed my mind, Frieza's all yours."

"W-What?!" He gaped, hardly believing his ears, "Are you serious?"

"Yeah," he said, smashing a fist into an open palm in determination, "I've got some unfinished business to take care of."

His comrade rolled his eyes, "I'm glad to see that you've finally come to your senses. But no take-backs, Kakarot! Do I make myself clear?!"

"Crystal," he confirmed, flashing a grin before a dark shadow crossed his features, "But you'd better have finished the job by the time I'm done."

Vegeta smirked back, "Do you really have that little faith? I've been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. I'm not going to waste it."

"Me neither," Goku replied shortly, as Mister Satan subtly whispered into Roshi's ear (Yikes! Talk about an intensive therapy session!).

"Goku, wait!" Videl spouted, causing him to turn in surprise.

She held her broken phone in her hand, looking a little shaken up. He couldn't blame her, Cell had nearly killed her when she was just a little girl, and as well as that…

"Do you think this is a good idea? You going after Cell?" She implored, "I mean, shouldn't one of the others - ?"

"It'll be fine, Videl," he told her, forcing a smile, "Now do me a favour and get your dad and Master Roshi out of Vegeta's blast zone. Somethin' tells me that he's not going to hold back."

She bit her lip, looking like she wanted to say more. A brisk wind drifted between them, the cold spray of rain clinging to their hair and clothes.

"Wait a minute!" Frieza bellowed, realisation dawning - he was furious! "Where do you think you're going you stupid monkey?! GOKU! DO YOU KNOW WHAT I'LL DO TO THIS PLANET IF YOU DON'T TRY AND STOP ME?! HOW DARE YOU IGNORE THE MIGHTY WILL OF LORD - !"

Goku ignored him, as Videl swallowed her words, allowing him to teleport away.

He reappeared not a millisecond later, having focussed on Cell's malignant jumble of Ki almost like it was a second nature. He was surprised at how easily he'd locked onto it, but he supposed that once he'd felt something that evil, it would never leave his memory.

The rain was much heavier out in the Northern wastelands, which was strange for the desert terrain. Even still, just like the rest of the Earth, vast dark clouds hung over the sky like a suffocating blanket, unleashing its depths in the form of a torrential downpour. The parched ground lapped it up eagerly, unable to soak up the rain fast enough before more would replace it. The deep craters that littered the dirt quickly filled with water, creating murky brown puddles that would soon overflow.

He was only a few feet away from the menace, who was undisturbed by the harsh droplets of rain that bounced off of his green armoured skin. Instead he stood calm and stoic amongst the rows upon rows of flowers that were now suitably battered by the downpour. It was unsurprising that Cell had paid no mind in adding to the butchery of the memorial, having trudged a destructive path up towards Gohan's grave.

During Goku's many visits over the years, he would carefully avoid the flowers that numerous visitors had laid out by levitating himself above them. Most times, he would just hover in the air and think or meditate rather than bringing something as an offering. Gohan wasn't exactly one for flowers, except when picking them out as a gift for his mother. The best were situated at the top of one of the East's highest peaks, and more often than not ended up with him having a few run ins with some pretty miffed dinosaurs, who weren't all too thrilled that the young boy had disturbed their nests.

It was a nice gesture though, Goku had to admit, as a few wilted petals blew past his feet. His eyes followed the ground up to where Cell was standing at the foot of the grave, looking up at the statue with an unreadable expression. He briefly wondered if he knew that there were no bones under the earth, and all that remained was just the memory of what the boy once was - solidified in bronze.

The wind howled. Cell knew he was there.

"'The last enemy that will be destroyed is death'," He read, his lips curling into a disgusted snarl, "How pathetic."

"I wouldn't expect you of all people to understand," said Goku, obsidian eyes flashing green, "You were afraid of dying, and your worst fear was realised when Gohan destroyed you."

"Oh? And you're telling me that he wasn't afraid of death?" Cell's head perked up, finally meeting his gaze, the golden light emanating from his halo humming in the rainfall, "You seem so sure of yourself, Goku. Is that why you didn't bring him back to life with those nifty dragonballs of yours? I see that you're still standing."

Goku's chest tightened as a surge of anger boiled up from within. Dangerous bars of heated light gave way to more explosions of thunder in great waves of discordant, demented sounds.

Cell smirked.

"How disappointing," he mused, folding his arms over his chest, "I was so looking forward to a reunion. I was hoping to put an end to that little brat for good, but it looks as though you beat me to it."

"Shut up," Goku spat, his fury rising. He tried to subdue it, to not let Cell get to him, but it was extremely difficult to do so what with those gloating fuchsia eyes and mocking tone, drawing him into a dark temptation from where he stood - his mere presence defiled his firstborns resting place.

"Temper, temper," Cell purred, "I must say I had always wondered where Gohan got his insatiable rage from, but now I can see it eating away at you just as unfavourably as it did him. Come now Goku, you're no amateur. Are you really going to let mere words get under your skin so easily?"

"You've got some nerve," Goku seethed, "You've got some nerve showing up on Earth, and here of all places."

"And it appears that you are losing yours," he chuckled, glancing at the statue once more, "Don't look so perturbed, I am merely paying my respects."

"Get away from there!" He yelled, "I won't tell you again."

"So emotional, I don't remember you being this cliché, Goku," he sighed, before giving him a villainous stare, "But whilst we're here reminiscing, do you want me to tell you how I blasted his insides apart? Oh those screams of agony were a memory almost worth dying for! Only bested by watching the light slowly fade from those vengeful eyes as the blood haemorrhaged from his tiny, helpless little body…I daresay that he may have lived if he hadn't used the last ounce of his strength to defeat me."

"You bastard," Goku growled, suddenly finding it hard to breathe.

He willed himself to take larger gulps of air to keep himself from flying off the handle and losing all sense of himself. The rain pelted his skin relentlessly, his clothes sticking to every inch of him and his hair slapped against the sides of his face. A distant earthquake rumbled from miles and miles away, no doubt the result of Vegeta's and Frieza's clash.

Cell, as per usual, was enjoying the sound of his own voice as he continued maliciously, "But I am curious. Piccolo's cells tell me that the reason for Gohan's lingering death implies that something must have gone wrong in the wish-granting process. Although, there's something else I can't help but wonder… is it that you couldn't bare to look at him?"

"W-what?" He mustered, his voice barely a whisper in the storm. But Cell caught it.

"I'm asking if you didn't wish him back because his lack of judgement in battle subsequently lead to your death?" He pressed, "Or is down to your own selfishness? In by not wishing him back to the living world, you saved yourself the task of explaining to him just why his precious daddy sent him to his death. What a father-son conundrum you wound yourselves up in! Betrayal on both sides!"

"You know NOTHING!" Goku bellowed, his guttural roar intermingling with the clash of clouds overhead, "You know nothing about me or my son, and I won't give you the twisted satisfaction of telling you why he didn't come home!"

The androids lips drew into a thin line, as he continued to shout, "I've learned from my mistakes Cell, but seems you haven't. You make the mistake of threatening the Earth again, and you're going to regret it. You see, you're not the only one out for revenge today."

To Goku's aggravation, the wicked bug merely laughed, "How very touching. You're determined on protecting that miserable brat's honour even though he's long gone."

He paused, fuchsia eyes settling on bronze, "You seem rather attached to this monument. Does this eyesore really give you what little comfort you have left in your pathetic existence?"

The wind spurred forth, creating spirals in the sky, tussling the relentless shower and spattering them with fresh globules of rainfall.

"'A beloved son, friend and hero'," Cell spat venomously, reading out the engraving at the stagnant boys feet. But Goku didn't need it repeating, he knew each word like the back of his hand - he had spent so many days staring at that plaque, "Yet he's nothing but a glorified martyr. It says something about your miserable species when the supposed hero of your world is a dead boy."

"NO DON'T!" Goku cried suddenly, as without warning, did the android swipe his arm sharply through the air like a knife.

A harrowing silence followed, there was even a lull in the thunder.

And then, with his heart in his throat, he watched the distinct fracture appear on the statue. It cut right across the jugular and spread in a keen and imposing line before the severed head was sprung from the shoulders. His son's decapitated head flew through the air before landing with a wet and heavy impact in the mud - brown water splattering in every direction.

The momentum from Cell's savage blow sent it rolling, rolling, only coming to a halt when it knocked against his foot.

Goku's throat ran dry, a crackle of lightening caused the bronze to glow. The cruel irony of Gohan's young cheery grin staring emptily back was not lost on him. It was a smile frozen in time, yet the rain streaked down his metallic rounded cheeks like fat, uncontrollable tears.

The heavens cried. They screamed as Cell's haunting voice drifted through the fog -

"Tell me Goku, just where is their hero now?"

---

28th August, 2020.

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A/N: And there you have it! A good old father son battle against their respective demons ;) I cannot wait for the next chapter!

I hope you'll forgive me this time in not replying to reviews, but know that I have read every single one of them and I appreciate them so much. I will reply next time! But for now, stay safe out there everyone!

ES x