Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Dragonball V: A World Both Familiar and Foreign ❯ The Cell Games Round 1: Bid My Blood to Run ( Chapter 35 )

DragonBall V: A World both Familiar and Foreign

Author's Note: Yeah yeah, I know, been ages again (almost four months!) I've been busy. I finally finished that computer mod I was working on, and I was supposed to have already been touring in Russia but I'm on my way now and typing this up on my laptop on the flight because it's freaking long. So, an update. I may get a chance to write more often now that I'm actually playing music again. Hard to tell at this point, I wrote the majority of these chapters when I was recovering from my shattered shoulder, after all. Anyway… let the story begin!

Required Disclaimer: I don't own the DB franchise, I've never worked for them, I'm not making any money off this, and I'm dead sexxy baby! Read and enjoy.

Chapter 35: The Cell Games Round 1: Bid My Blood to Run

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please? This is Channel 16 news bringing you the latest breaking stories! It is our privilege to be the first to state that the Red Ribbon Army that has been on a seemingly nonstop road to world domination has been utterly and soundly defeated!" A news reporter stated, reading from a prepared statement. "We're going live to the person responsible for the single-handed defeat of the army! Gail?"

The screen behind the reporter lit up and an attractive red-haired lady stood near the remnants of the Red Ribbon Army's main camp that had been wiped out by Cell. "Thank you, Kyle. I have here the man responsible for the defeated army shown behind us, a Mr. Hercule Satan! You may all know him as the winner of the last Tenkaichi Budoukai martial arts tournament, naming him as the greatest martial arts master in the world. And he certainly proved his might today! Mr. Satan, how did you defeat the entire army?"

Hercule blinked and scratched the back of his head. "Uh… well, to be honest, I don't know. Um… wait, can you edit that out?"

"We're live, Mr. Satan." The reporter replied with a smile.

"Uh… see, what I meant to say was, I covertly insinuated myself into the group. I brought in a bunch of explosives and stuff, and then uh… you know… blew them all up. And then I used my astounding strength and skills to defeat the remaining soldiers!" He paused for a moment, looking upwards in thought. "Oh yeah, uh… if you're watching, baby-cakes, I wanna say hi to my daughter Videl! Hi sweetie-pie! Daddy defeated the mean soldiers! I know I've made you proud. Daddy will be home soon, baby doll!"

The reporter smiled. "How old is your little daughter, Mr. Satan? 3? 4?"

"10." The proud father replied.

A sweat bead formed on the back of her head. 'Why are you talking to her like she's a toddler then?' Gail, the reporter, coughed then continued on. "I see. Now, do you mind answering a few more questions about this fierce battle?"

The martial artist laughed and posed. "Anything for a fan, doll."

"Right…" She frowned for a moment then went about her job, asking him questions which me mostly answered with half-truths, lies, and irritating laughs. At the end, he remembered to relay the message that Cell had given him, for fear that the creature would come after him and his daughter should he forget.

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Videl frowned and started pacing. "I don't like waiting here while Gohan and the others are off fighting Cell." She griped for the fourth time in the past ten minutes.

Roshi patted the girl on the back, for once not even thinking about trying to pat something else. Perhaps it was that he finally got her young age through his thick perverted skull, or perhaps it was because his favorite students were likely on their way to their deaths. Regardless, he stared off into the distance, feeling them approach the designated spot of the Cell Games. "All we can do now is trust in them to do everything that is necessary to win. We'd only be in their way."

"I know, but…" The blue-eyed girl began.

"Roshi's right. Now quit your blabbering and concentrate on their energy. Try to picture it all in your mind." The cat-like Korin instructed.

Videl sighed and leaned against the railing of the tower on her elbows and reached out with her mind. Experimentally she let the awareness of Cell seep into her mind's eye and focused on just his power and not his mind. She sighed in relief as she wasn't drawn into the vast evil of the bio-engineered monstrosity. "Got it." She informed her other sensei. "They've arrived…" Korin and Roshi merely nodded, focused on the impending battle.

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The Z warriors all landed next to the large stone tiled ring that Cell had constructed. They took a moment to glance around, noting that it was a bigger than a normal Budoukai ring, but that wasn't a bad thing. "He obviously intends for us to fight by martial arts tournament rules." Krillin observed. He cast a nervous glance at the others, seeing determination and a bit of fear in their eyes and knowing the look was mirrored in his own. All except for Goku, who looked calm, determined, and a bit excited. 'Typical Goku. Getting his ass kicked last time doesn't seem to worry him. Man… I sure would feel better if Vegeta were here though.'

Peasa glanced at the diminutive monk and nodded slightly, similar thoughts in her mind. "Cell doesn't look worried, does he?" She observed.

The bio-monstrosity, in fact, looked relaxed and almost bored. "I was hoping for a few more challengers." Cell stated. "Oh well. The cream of the crop are here, why bother with the rejects? Who shall be first, then?"

"Me." Goku, Peasa, Krillin, and Trunks stated simultaneously. Then they all glared at each other and repeated themselves.

"I want revenge for Vegeta." Peasa growled.

"Yeah, me too!" Trunks added. "You know, the actual child?"

The Saiyan princess growled at her brother. "How dare you!? We both know I am the rightful heir to the Saiyan throne, therefore it is my right to avenge OUR father!"

"Take your time." Cell said with a yawn.

"I'm first. No more arguments." Goku stated, walking forward to face Cell.

"Well, when you put it like that…" Krillin grumbled. 'I want revenge for Vegeta… and 18. But I guess it's more important that Cell dies, no matter by whose hand. We all want a piece of this freak… and if Goku can get the job done, more power to him.'

Cell glanced around then nodded. "It's decided then. We'll be following the Tenkaichi Budoukai rules that you are all so fond of. The noted exception, of course, that killing your opponent is an acceptable method of winning. You can all take a turn at me in any order you wish. Let's start then."

The monster took a step forward when Goku suddenly put up his hands. "Wait, wait! Let me stretch first!" He grinned and started stretching, much to the embarrassment of the other Z warriors.

Cell growled and crossed his arms. "You're trying my patience, Goku. Don't push me."

Goku grinned as he flexed one shoulder then the other. "You want me at my best, right? What's the use of all this if I go into the fight with cold stiff joints?" He started stretching his back then his legs and took a few moments to flex every other joint before he shook his limbs then nodded. "Ok, ready!"

Cell launched into an offensive, not waiting for the Saiyan to come up with another stall tactic. The surrounding area started to shake from the ever increasing force of their blows. Goku grimaced in concentration, looking for openings as he traded blows with the green monster. He suddenly found himself sliding along the ground for several meters with a sore chin as Cell's fist connected solidly with his face. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the edge of the ring rapidly approaching so he dug his hands into the stone tile and used the friction to slow his momentum enough to regain his footing. He rushed forward and turned his offence up a notch, paying more attention to his defense this time around.

They started floating into the air, trading kicks nearly as fast as punches. Goku took advantage of a momentary lapse in defense as Cell lashed his foot forward for a high kick, rolling with the force of the blow and connecting with a punch to the creature's face. They both plummeted to the ground and rolled before finally landing on their feet. Cell paused for a moment and dabbed at the side of his mouth and frowned slightly at the sight of his purple blood. "You're holding back, Goku." Cell stated.

Goku smiled and scratched the back of his head. "So are you." He pointed out.

"Indeed. I say it's time to go at it full force, don't you agree?" Cell inquired.

The eldest living Saiyan nodded. "It was good for a warm-up, at least." Brilliant golden energy erupted around him as he raised his power level, watching as Cell did the same.

"They're enjoying themselves." Peasa observed with a frown.

"Goku's always like that. I imagine Cell inherited it from him… even Vegeta. They both love a good fight." Piccolo replied, standing in his classic pose of crossed arms with cape billowing behind him.

"Vegeta's right, he's a clown." She grumbled.

The others wanted to smile, but the seriousness of the situation prevented it. "Dad knows how dire the situation is. Don't worry." Gohan assured her. Though he knew he stood no chance at all against Cell, he had still wanted to come, if nothing else to watch the creature be destroyed. The other Z warriors hadn't argued. Goku and Piccolo felt it was good for him to be this close to a battle, to re-awaken his warrior instincts.

"Ready when you are." Cell stated, waiting as the Saiyan continued powering up.

"That's a good sign, right?" Trunks inquired, glancing at the others. "Goku's still powering up and Cell is done… so Goku has more power… right?"

"More likely Cell either didn't power up completely, or he's just more efficient." Tien replied, watching the battle with all three eyes wide open and intense.

Trunks frowned and fell silent. It was growing too difficult to sense exactly how strong either combatant was at this point, and he wondered if the others were faring any better at gauging the abilities of the warriors.

Goku finished powering up, his aura disappearing as his energy level settled. "Ready." He launched a quick ki blast and disappeared, reappearing behind Cell when he knocked aside the underpowered blast. He grunted when Goku drove both fists into the back of his neck in a hammer-punch but was too slow to recover from the attack and got a spinning kick to the back for his trouble. He rolled for several meters and stopped, then took to the air, intent on getting some distance between them. He blinked in surprise when Cell seemed to materialize before him, but his reaction was short-lived as the creature buried his fist into the Saiyan warrior's gut so hard an indentation was formed in his lower back. Blood flew from his mouth and he coughed, flicking more blood out. "Ow…" Goku grumbled. Just as he was kicking off the bio-monster, Cell brought his foot around and connected with the back of the eldest Saiyan's neck, sending him straight into the ground where he formed a two meter deep crater.

Cell landed in front of him and scowled. "I had hoped for a better fight than that from the 'great Son Goku'." He raised his hand, palm outwards, forming a ki blast to finish the man off.

Goku's eyes snapped open and he burst out of the crater heading into the sky faster than he had before. He turned around in midair suddenly and shouted, "Kamehameha!" Bringing his hands down, his signature energy wave shot out. Cell barely had time to bring his arms up to block the attack. Moments later, the energy dissipated and the bio-monster's arms had melted off. Cell stared at the Saiyan warrior in surprise, his body in momentary shock from the damage.

Goku slowly floated back down to the ground, taking deep breaths, feeling winded from the staggering energy attack. "It looks like your reign of terror is over, Cell."

"Goku, look out! He regenerates!" Piccolo shouted, shocked to see that the Saiyan hadn't finished the creature off immediately.

Goku swore, having forgotten that ability of the monster, quickly firing off another blast.

The bio-entity had already recovered from his shock however, and jumped up just enough to kick the ki blast back at the other warrior. As his opponent was dodging his own energy blast, Cell's arms regenerated as good as new. He chuckled and nodded. "Not bad, Goku. You caught me napping, as you Earthlings are so fond of saying. It won't happen again."

Goku frowned, still recovering from his energy attack. Unfortunately for him, Cell was already completely recovered and was now attacking. He barely managed to stay on the defensive, being pushed back with the force of the intense blows, his limbs buzzing and growing slightly numb. He finally started returning the attacks and the battle seemed to even out again. It was then that he felt the ground under him give slightly and he realized he was now standing in grass. "Whoa… guess I lost. How do you like that? Oh well… next?" He backed away from Cell's offensive as the creature realized what had happened.

"What?! We're not finished yet, Son! Get back here!" Cell demanded.

Goku shrugged innocently. "You came up with the rules. You defeated me. Who wants to go next?" The Saiyan addressed the other Z warriors who were all staring at him in shock.

Cell roared in anger and launched forward, attacking Goku despite his defeat. Goku was dodging his blows rather than blocking, infuriating the creature further. "I decide when this battle is over! For now on, no rules! The fight is over when one of us is dead!" He threw a punch into air and growled, looking around in confusion. 'He seems… faster now. Was he still holding back? Damn him!' He looked up suddenly as he sensed a massive energy building and was shocked to see Goku powering up a huge attack… more than enough energy to take out the whole planet. "What?! What are you doing, Goku! You'll destroy us both!"

"Goku! Stop! We'll find another way to defeat him!" Several of the Z warriors cried, sweating as they watched the crazed look in Goku's eyes, thinking he had finally lost his mind.

"Ka…. Me…. Ha…. Me…." He smiled suddenly and touched his fingers to his forehead and vanished.

"What?!" Cell blinked in surprise.

"HAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!" The creature heard from behind him. He started turning, but it was too late as the massive energy blast struck him at point blank range. The energy enveloped the creature's entire body, blinding everyone with the intense brightness of the attack. They covered their eyes as best they could, backing up if they needed to. The whole planet seemed to vibrate from the power of the attack.

What seemed to be ages later, but was in actuality a few seconds, the attack was over and Goku had dropped to his hands and knees, gasping in exhaustion. They all watched the smoke cloud, unable to sense the presence of Cell as of yet but knowing from experience that such a thing might not mean anything.

"See anything?" Peasa asked in a soft voice, glancing at Trunks for a moment before returning her attention to the smoke cloud.

Trunks shook his head. "No… I think he's gone."

Peasa felt relief and disappointment at the same time, wanting to have been the one to finish off the creature even though that would have meant that Goku likely would have had to die first. She sighed, deciding that it was for the best this way. "Vegeta… father… it's done."

The smoke cleared finally, and Cell was no where to be found. Goku felt hot tears sliding out of his eyes. For once, he was able to stop the threat to Earth without losing any of his friends. He shook his head, amending that thought… without losing any friends at the battle itself. Vegeta, even Android 18, were still casualties.

"Daddy! You did it!" Gohan cried, tears of joy springing up in his eyes.

Yamcha sighed in relief. "Damn, even after all that training, I'm glad I didn't have to fight."

They all started laughing but then stopped suddenly… Cell's ki was felt by them all simultaneously. They looked around frantically and saw the last of the monster's regeneration taking place. The bio-engineered freak laughed and shook some goo that was best left unidentified from his body. "Too bad, Goku. I can regenerate even from a single cell. Did I mention…" He pointed a finger and a blast of purple energy shot out. Everyone felt like they were moving in slow motion as they tried to figure out if the blast was coming their way and dodging if they felt it prudent. Peasa was dodging too, but the blast was still going to strike her, likely straight through her pure-blooded Saiyan heart.

"Oooooooh fuuuuuu" Peasa was crying, feeling like she was trying to move in a vat of molasses.

"LOOK OUT!" Trunks cried, knocking her down out of the way but stiffening as the energy shot through his own chest. "Oops… I forgot to… duck." He collapsed, his lifeblood pouring out of his chest through the gaping hole in his heart, despite the cauterization of the wound.

"Trunks!" Peasa cried, kneeling down to turn the teenager over onto his back. She looked down at him, seeing the life disappearing from his eyes. "You stupid… moronic… imbecilic…"

"I… don't regret any of it, sis. None…" His voice choked off as blood seeped from his mouth and his head fell back limply, his life gone in a single moment of noble sacrifice.

Cell laughed. "I was aiming for the girl, but a fatality is a fatality, wouldn't you say?"

Peasa looked up, murder in her eyes. "I will kill you, Cell." She stated with grim certainty.

The bio-monster chuckled and looked at Goku. "Perhaps, girl, but my fight with this one isn't over with. We're both still breathing."

Goku struggled up to his feet, vainly trying to gather up the last bit of his power. "You… monster! I was going to offer you mercy if you survived… but I see now that you're beyond mercy. You're no better than Frieza." He spat blood from his mouth. He glanced at Peasa and saw the rage in her eyes and her energy level skyrocketing and realized his own reserves were depleted. "But… you win, Cell. I'm finished. I quit. I think it's time Peasa had her turn."

Cell frowned. "No, you are not allowed to quit, Son! You will fight me at the full extent of your ability and when you are dead, I will deal with the girl and then the rest of them! I know you've been holding back this whole time… stop playing and fight me!"

Goku laughed, wincing in pain as his fractured ribs began to throb. "I wasn't holding back, Cell. This is it… this was all I had. It's someone else's turn now."

The creature growled and pointed his palm at the Saiyan warrior. "I'll destroy you where you stand if you don't fight me!"

Goku nodded. "That's your choice."

Cell clenched his other hand into a fist, infuriated. He knew there just had to be more to the 'great' Son Goku. There had to be! His whole reason for existence was to end the man's life and by the information he had, he knew when pressed the warrior could find reserves necessary to continue a fight when given… incentive. He smiled, an idea coming to him. "If your own life isn't enough of an incentive to fight me at your full power… then your son's should be!" He quickly turned his hand and blasted energy from his fingers in a similar manner to Piccolo's patented energy attack.

Goku cried out in horror, seeing that Gohan was too slow to dodge the attack and no one else was close enough to get him out of the way or take the blast.

Gohan's eyes widened as the energy streaked towards him faster then he imagined possible. Everything was moving so slow and he realized he was going to die. He felt himself shoved backwards by the force of the blast and his eyes closed, feeling blood splatter all over himself. It took him a few seconds to realize that he wasn't in pain and his eyes cracked open, then widened in shock as he saw his father's blood-streaked face looking down at him in relief, love… and pain. "Daddy?" Gohan blinked, trying to figure out what had happened.

Goku's arm fell limply to his side from where his fingers had been touching his forehead. "Darn… I thought I could use Instantaneous Movement a second time before the blast hit… oh well… I'm sorry… Gohan. Tell your mother… I….. love…….." He crumbled to the ground, lifeless.

Gohan stared down at Goku's corpse, realizing that the blood covering him was his own father's… the shock of the situation threatened to tear apart the foundations of his psyche. He screamed in grief and rage, falling to his knees in front of his father's body.

Piccolo was the first to snap out of his shock, the events of the last few seconds finally sinking in. "Goku… no. Poor Gohan…" He paused and stared at Gohan in shock. Something was wrong… very very wrong. "Gohan?" He moved towards the boy, glancing at Cell who looked equally confused and intrigued.

"F…father…. No…………… it can't….. be. I was too slow… too weak…. Father is dead… because of me. NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!" He cried in rage, an explosion of energy streaking out from his body and knocking everyone back from the sudden force. The demi-Saiyan felt the carefully constructed dam holding back the bulk of his power eroding, but he wanted it. He wanted all of it… no matter the cost. An anguish-filled cry echoed throughout the surrounding region, a bright white aura flecked with gold bursting into existence around him. But he wanted more… The shock of Goku's death finally shattered the dam blocking his energy, and power flooded forth. His cry became louder, his mind beyond reason as his aura flashed golden a few times before the Super Saiyan transformation hit full force. But he wanted more… He brought it all out, years of repressed energy flooding through his body and raising his power to ungodly proportions.

"That's it! That's it! Do it Gohan! You're doing it!" Peasa urged, smiling as another Super Saiyan was born.

Cell smiled, realizing he had picked the wrong Son to be his rival. It was Gohan… Gohan who would take him to the limits of his abilities and beyond. This was too just too good…

Gohan's eyes cracked open and he fixed his gaze onto Cell, the object of his hatred. 'Uncle Vegeta… the innocent Android 18… Trunks… and now… Father. It has to end… I need more.' He lowered his center of gravity and the power started flowing through him faster, his aura brighter. He had to be stronger than Goku… stronger than Cell. He had to be.

Piccolo was smiling in pride, but the expression dropped. "No… Gohan! You have to stop! That's enough! You have enough power! STOP!" But Gohan wasn't stopping. He was beyond reason. He didn't notice the blood pouring out of his nose, the corners of his mouth, even staining his tears. He didn't feel the strain tearing apart his insides. He didn't realize that his body, deprived of training, couldn't handle that much power. Such things never crossed his mind, only his overwhelming rage. He simply hadn't been ready.

"GOHAN! NO!!! STOP!" Piccolo begged, struggling to approach the awesome power of the newest Super Saiyan. But it was too late.

Gohan's cry of rage stopped suddenly and his eyes went vacant as he felt a snap in his mind. Despite trying to attack the monstrosity that had killed his father, instead his body just fell limply to the ground and blood poured from his nose and eyes. He was unconscious a moment later, his energy dying out and his hair returning to it's normal black color. Piccolo cradled the boy in his arms, ignoring the threat of Cell, staring at the blood-covered face of what had in one moment been Earth's greatest chance of survival, and now was simply a half-dead boy. Piccolo fought back the flow of tears that sprang to his eyes, then gave up and let them fall. Gohan was in a coma and Cell was going to kill them all.

Cell stared at the scene before him in confusion before realizing what had happened. "No. No! You were supposed to allow me to test the full extent of my abilities! How DARE you die?!" He growled and raised his hand, ready to end the existence of Gohan and perhaps the whole world.

Peasa stood, laying the still body of Trunks to down gently and walked forward, her gi stained by her brother's blood. "You'll have to settle for me then, Cell." She informed him, her voice thick with emotion. She took a deep breath and assumed a fighting stance.

Cell grumbled and turned his attention to the girl. It was worth a try. "Fine then… come at me little girl. Show me how much you learned."

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And thus, another chapter comes to a close. One of the scenes that has been blazing in my mind's eye from the moment I conceived the notion of this story has come to fruition and it was one of the saddest scenes I've ever written. I hope you all enjoyed it (even if you're wiping away tears.) Hopefully I'll get the next chapter written in a somewhat timely fashion. This is a hell of a way to leave a story for a lengthy period of time… haha. So until next time… da svidanya!