Chapter 36: Rest Before the Storm
The Lookout hovered high above the Earth, untouched by the chaos below. The Z Fighters stood on its platform, their minds weighed down by the upcoming battle. Ten days. That was all the time they had before the Cell Games began.
Vegeta, arms crossed, stood near the entrance to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, scowling. His training had made him stronger—far stronger—but it wasn't enough.
"I'm going back in," he declared suddenly, his voice sharp.
Before anyone could react, two familiar energy signatures descended from the sky. Goku and Kara landed lightly on the platform, looking relaxed.
Goku stretched, glancing at Vegeta with mild curiosity. "Didn't you already spend a whole year in there?"
Vegeta barely spared him a glance. "It wasn't enough. I need more."
Goku tilted his head. "Huh. So, you think going back in will fix that?"
Vegeta snapped his gaze toward him. "What are you implying?"
Goku blinked, then shrugged. "I dunno. Just seems like no matter how much you train, you'll always feel like you need more."
Vegeta's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Are you implying that you're stronger than me, Kakarot?"
Goku met his gaze, his expression calm, as if the answer was obvious.
"Sure," he said with a shrug. "I'm far above you."
Silence.
The wind whistled through the Lookout as Vegeta's fists clenched.
Before he could explode in anger, Goku casually turned and walked away.
"Come on, Kara," he said cheerfully. "Let's go."
As the two of them took off into the sky, Vegeta remained where he stood, his face twisted with frustration.
Kakarot… I will surpass you.
Rather than spending the days leading up to the Cell Games training, Goku and Kara did something unexpected.
They stopped training.
Instead of pushing themselves to their limits, they took time to relax. They had done everything they could.
Now, they waited.
While Kara worked, Goku spent most of his days at Mount Paozu, his childhood home.
The quiet, the fresh air, the gentle rustling of the trees—it was peaceful.
He sat by the river, fishing for hours, his mind at ease.
Sometimes, he thought about the fight ahead. Other times, he just enjoyed the moment, letting the world slow down.
It reminded him of the times when life was simpler—before Saiyans, before Frieza, before Cell.
And yet, despite everything that had changed, he was still just Goku.
When the sun started to set, he'd gather his catch and Instant Transmission back home, where Kara would already be waiting.
In National City, life continued. People feared what was coming, but the world still moved forward.
For Kara, that meant returning to CatCo as if nothing had changed.
At night, after their separate days, Goku and Kara spent time together cooking.
Sometimes Goku cooked, preparing simple but delicious meals—grilled fish, rice, and stews.
Other nights, Kara took over, introducing him to different dishes she had learned. She even attempted some Kryptonian recipes, adjusting them with Earth ingredients.
One evening, as Kara flipped vegetables in a pan, Goku watched with fascination.
"That smells awesome," he said, sniffing the air.
Kara smirked. "I'm surprised you're not sneaking bites yet."
Goku laughed. "Nah, I learned my lesson."
Kara raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Goku rubbed the back of his head. "Last time I tried, I burned my tongue."
Kara chuckled. "Serves you right."
When dinner was ready, they sat together, eating in comfortable silence.
For a moment, it felt like there was no Cell Games. No looming battle. Just them.
That night, after Goku had fallen asleep, Kara lay awake, staring at the ceiling.
Her mind drifted back to their time in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.
She remembered the moment Goku had ascended, achieving Super Saiyan 2—the sheer force of his power, the way his energy crackled with electricity, his golden hair standing even taller than before.
He had pushed past his limits because he was thinking of everyone he wanted to protect.
Because he was thinking of her.
But more than anything… she remembered his trust in her.
"I'm going to fight him first. I'll wear him down. And then… you're going to finish him."
Her fingers brushed against the fabric of his gi as he lay beside her.
Even now, after all the training, she could feel the weight of that trust.
Goku had no doubts. He believed in her.
And because of that, she wouldn't fail.
Kara leaned closer, gently brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. "You're amazing, Goku," she whispered. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
As she rested her head against his shoulder, she resolved herself.
She would be the one to finish Cell.
And she wouldn't hesitate.
To be continued...