PART THIRTY ONE: ULTIMATE WARRIORS

Chapter 153

Translated by npberryhill

Far away, in the deepest reaches of space...

Several felt a deep uneasiness, as if something tragic was taking place in their absence. Even Vegetto, the dangerously overconfident fusion, felt a certain concern. Of course that was nothing compared to Universe 18 Vegeta, who kept wincing in frustration and clenching his fists as he still couldn’t find the arena.

“Sorry if I’m missing something here,” Eleim of Universe 19 suddenly spoke up, addressing Vegetto. “But I don’t understand. Aren’t you able to teleport anywhere you want without having to sense energy, like Son Bra?”

“Yes, but it’s not that simple. I have to know the precise location in space I’m trying to go and how far away it is!” Vegetto’s frustration was driving his tone of voice. “Back home I can go anywhere, I know my whole universe. But here I don’t recognize anything — the arena was my only point of reference when I followed Broly into space, or when I took care of...”

He suddenly fell silent, eliciting puzzled looks from those around. His hesitation left everyone with an uncomfortable silence.

“Anyway,” he continued with a more relaxed tone. “I don’t know what direction that is, but the second anyone picks up even a faint bit of energy I’ll take us there. No problem.”

“We’ve got to concentrate,” Son Goku reminded everyone, the serious tone of his voice marking a noted urgency. “Everyone there could be in danger, they need us!”

“Plus we’re missing all the action,” muttered Vegetto, refocusing and disappointed he wasn’t there participating in the melee. His lack of concern for the warriors of his universe was actually just confidence in their eventual victory.

“It feels like we’ve been stuck here for months,” lamented Trunks from Universe 16.

Android 16 was quick to correct him.

“Since we arrived, only nine minutes and thirty-four seconds have passed.”

“Ten minutes? That’s it?” Trunks panicked. “Why does it feel so much longer?”

“The danger to our friends, the pressure to get back,” answered Trunks of the 12th. “There’s a chance that everyone at the arena has already been killed...”

With that dismal reminder, the Saiyans all refocused quickly on their search, while Buu of Universe 4 merely whistled inside his head to pass the time. Indeed there had been dramatic losses, but that was none of his concern. Finally, the climax was about to begin, a major question about to be answered. Exactly what was the full power of Son Gohan?

Back at the arena, chaos reigned with such violence that it was difficult to describe everything at once. The casualties were piling up to such a degree that, had this universe had an Otherworld and a King Enma, he no doubt would have a monstrous job. It was still much less than if an entire planet had been obliterated, like the Earthlings by Majin Buu, but the number of people killed was still far beyond the reasonable norm.

Such loss of life was all a byproduct of the deceitful sorcerer’s attempted takeover. He’d assembled a formidable army, with many elite warriors whose power was difficult to match.

But, despite their superior numbers and even with these infamously overpowered fighters, the opposition had managed to hold their own. The strongest remaining fighter on the side of good was the chosen one of a certain deity, whose name was Son Gohan.

But Son Goku’s eldest had only ever truly faced one opponent — Cell, the perfect being, and that back when he was a teenager. Even having been blessed by the old Kaioshin, he hadn’t solicited all his potential against Majin Buu.

During this free-for-all, Cell knew that Gohan had yet to go all out. Subconsciously, he was still holding back, a byproduct of his peaceful nature. But the perfect cyborg knew exactly how to free Gohan from his shackles of pacifism, those chains that prevented him from becoming the ultimate warrior he should be.

He’d seen it in glimpses, like when the Saiyan’s daughter had been killed by Bojack. An ice cold stare and a bubbling anger inside of him had been forcibly contained — setting a good example for his younger sister. But what if that rage were to be unleashed? What if he couldn’t control it any longer?

Cell was dying to see it. He doubted that Gohan’s full power would be able to seriously injure him — he had once taken a full-on Kamehameha from him unexpectedly, and that had only taken out the right half of his body. It wouldn’t matter what level Gohan was at now, Cell wanted to draw out that immense fury even if it came straight at him full force. It was like he had a strange obsession with ending that pacifist inhibition holding back the half-Saiyan. He wanted to see the end result... and to start their final clash off with a bang.

To that end, Perfect Cell had thought up the best possible trigger.

As Gohan continued helping his younger brother of the 18th universe, anxiously awaiting Piccolo’s delivery of a senzu, his face suddenly went white. Several energy signatures were suddenly wiped out by a much higher one. He understood it instantly, trembling with fear.

“Piccolo!! Videl!!!” he screamed. “FUCK!!!”

He dropped his brother in a mad dash, Goten groaning in pain as he fell, but he understood the urgency. He was just as worried, and didn’t want his brother to bother with him at a moment like this.

Gohan quickly reached the bleachers to find the horror of both Piccolos decimated and torn to pieces — and worst of all the mutilated body of his wife, the one from his own Universe. A pool of blood was starting to congeal a few steps below her, the red trail having trickled down from her wounds. All that remained of her now was the terrified expression she had worn upon her death.

Gohan collapsed to his knees, stricken by a grief greater than any he’d ever felt, eyes burning with tears. He reached towards his soulmate gently, taking her remains in his arms as he wept and wept.

“Why... He didn’t even give them a chance... P... Why...”

“Isn’t that obvious, Gohan!?” a loud voice boomed from off in the distance, grabbing his attention. “This is the price you pay for having abandoned our fight! You have no one to blame but yourself!”

Another flash across the shattered mind of Goku’s first-born, and another energy signature faded to nothing. Again, Gohan understood what had just happened immediately, yelling and rushing towards the voice.

“NO!!!”

Reaching the top of the grandstands, he witnessed firsthand as his worst nightmares continued to become reality. Not only had he just lost his mentor and best friend, not only had the love of his life just been slaughtered like a lamb, but now Cell had continued his murderous torture out of pure spite. At the bottom of the arena’s exterior, the perfect android stared up at Gohan with a twisted grin, holding in his hand the lifeless body of Videl from Universe 18 — whom Gohan had left alone with Bra in order to rescue Goten. Vegeta’s daughter, not far from Cell, had collapsed on her knees, her face covered in tears and her hand covering her mouth.

She was completely devastated. Such a brutal and senseless murder, executed so sadistically by Cell, had left her horrified at the situation. The addition of her own guilt at being so helpless only worsened things. She gasped for air, overwhelmed by tears.

Cell tossed the Earth woman’s body to the ground as if he were dropping a mop. Gohan was paralyzed, his pupils small and grey.

“I’ve got to say, Gohan, it takes more and more effort to get you angry these days...”

In reality, only about three seconds passed. But those passing moments multiplied into what felt like an eternity for the Saiyan. He couldn’t take his eyes off of his fallen wife from Universe 18, or Cell who seemed extremely proud of himself.

Why?

Why did this nightmare have to continue? Why was her life written in violence and blood? Why did he inevitably always have to see his loved ones suffer and die?

It broke him.

He was no longer a husband, or a peaceful research scientist... that man had ceased to exist mere moments ago. Years of inactivity, all the choices he’d made during this battle and in recent years, had cost him everything that mattered.

Like his younger brother, he’d entrusted the defense of the Earth to his father Vegetto and sister Son Bra. Even his daughter Pan was well on her way to joining the ranks of the Z fighters in protecting the world. And he, who at one point in time was the most powerful in the universe, who’d had the potential to defeat Majin Buu but ultimately failed because he made mistakes — and who necessitated the appearance of Vegetto the Eternal as a result... Everything was his fault. He had lost the desire to fight and train, and now he had lost those most precious to him as well.

Now, from the bottom of his heart, he regretted his choice.

Cell was rightly taunting him. His whole world was crumbling. This was the price of his neglect.

But Cell was just as responsible... the heartless monster... who’d provoked him, who’d treated Videl’s body like a ragdoll, who was grinning at him now...

He couldn’t forgive him. He would never forgive him.

He was going to end him... Once and for all!

As his energy levels soared, Gohan’s gaze took on a new darkness Bra had never seen before, causing her to tremble.

“You killed her too?”

“Oh yes,” Cell answered ironically, far from being impressed. “You’re not able to concentrate when your little darlings are around. You should be thanking me, Gohan, I’ve done you the favor of removing such unbecoming weaknesses.”

“...”

“Go... Gohan?” Bra thought aloud, seeing this new aura overtake the Saiyan.

“In that case...!”

Gohan’s tremendous power suddenly exploded outwards in an immense radiant burst, crackles of lightning shimmering all around and electrifying his aura. At first, Cell was delighted, though that feeling quickly became shock at the amount of raw power building up around his enemy. Soon, it had become dread. He never expected removing any inhibitions from Gohan would reveal such immense reserves! This was the real divine power offered by the ritual of old Kaioshin. This is what the true potential of a Saiyan was. Cell had just recovered from near death, surpassing Goku’s son in the process. But now that the full power of the half-Saiyan was being unleashed in full, he felt inferior again — by far. Still, a part of him was amazed, anxious... and even happy.

Paradoxical as it seemed, Cell was actually reassured inwardly. This turn looked most promising, as long as he managed to survive and regenerate.

Son Gohan’s eyes were consumed with hatred and sorrow, and almost instinctively he clasped the palms of his hands together and aimed at the murderous Cell. It wasn’t any specific technique or attack, only power — raw power, fueled by a blind rage. His anger seemed bottomless, as if every thought was only hate and every atom of his body pure vengeance. This was all of his resentment in energy form, to eradicate Cell at any cost.

An ethereal roar burst out of Gohan and the tremendous wave of energy was fired. Cell barely even had time to react, as if the beam was instantaneous — and equally savage, enraged, and ruthless. The Ki wave struck him and everything around him, including Videl’s lifeless Body. But Gohan didn’t care anymore, he was blinded by fury and knew his wife could return with the Dragon Balls. It still hurt him inside to obliterate his beloved’s remains, but the destruction of Cell for good mattered most, more than anything else.

The perfect being had not at all been prepared to die. Immediately, he began to fear he wouldn’t survive this. In his mind, a very real fear that he had made a mistake struck hard, doubting if he would be able to carry out his plan. Cell tried to raise his guard, to block or save even a small part of himself — but in vain. Very quickly, his entire body was disintegrated. He yelled a final cry of agony as Gohan’s attack consumed him and penetrated the asteroid.

“Gaaaaah!!”

Gohan finally ceased his fire, staring blankly at the gaping hole down below him. Cell had been destroyed, but his despair and sadness hadn’t. His heart was still heavy, his soul grieving. Gohan slowly levitated down onto the edge of the dark abyss, his mind still processing.

Footsteps from behind alerted him, and he turned to see Bra hurriedly approaching, her cheeks still wet with tears.

“Oh, Gohan, I’m so sorry!” Her voice sounded heartbroken. “I couldn’t do anything!”

She clung to him, wrapping her arms around Gohan and crying more hot tears into his chest.

“It’s not your fault, Bra...” the distraught Gohan answered, stroking her hair.

“If I had made different choices, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“But... I should have listened to my father,” she lamented. “If only I had trained... If I was stronger...”

“You have nothing to be ashamed of,” Gohan replied more firmly. He rested a hand on her shoulder now, looking down at her affectionately. Bra stopped crying, looking back up.

“You have other champions, ones you can rely on who have dedicated themselves to training. And you know your father Vegeta loves you, even if he has a weird way of showing it. There’s no shame in you choosing your own path. Besides, against Cell you wouldn’t have been able to do anything anyway. Don’t worry about Videl, she can come back with the Dragon Balls.”

“But... If I was like your Bra... I could’ve fought beside you, and saved everyone...”

“The two of you are very different though... And that’s a good thing, believe me,” Gohan replied, reassuring her the way he would his own daughter.

Inwardly, the Saiyan was still under the spell of his unleashed anger — his mind uninhibited by moral constraint or pity for his enemies. But Bra had managed to help him keep his sanity. There were still enemies out there, and he would incapacitate them and end this senseless struggle. He would make sure that Vegeta’s daughter was returned safe and sound to the former prince.

Meanwhile, in the Universe 11 apartments, Son Gohan of Universe 18 was trying to concentrate his aura so that it would sync up with the magical waves emitted by Babidi’s sorcery. Doing that would break the dimensional barrier and expose the wizard’s hiding place. Without the power he’d gained from old Kaioshin, the Saiyan wouldn’t have been able to detect these tiny variations in the atmosphere. He was doing his best to align with it, but not having any experience with magic made this a challenge. Still, he knew he had to, there was no other way. With each passing second, the loss of life outside only grew.

After a few more moments of focusing, Gohan finally managed to synchronize with the dimensional vibration of the veil that separated them.

“I’ve got it!” he cried, igniting his aura.

He fired off a powerful kaia which smashed the barrier between realities — but he had been expected.

At the exact spot where he stood, a huge pink mass had already been prepared to swallow him up. Panicked, Gohan then heard someone give the order.

“Now!”

He immediately understood his situation — he had been anticipated and now was trapped by Babidi and Majin Buu!

Gohan’s response was to intensify his energy right away and try to dissipate the pink marshmallow wall. He spotted Babidi nearby, protected by his usual purple shield. As he turned to rush towards him as fast as possible, he recognized the soldier standing beside him as his own grandfather from Universe 3.

“Master, plan B!!” Baddack exclaimed.

“Pappara!!” Babidi hurriedly yelled, raising his arms in the air.

Immediately, Gohan was teleported outside, his fist swinging through empty air. With a quick glance, the Saiyan took in his surroundings, finding himself back out in the arena. The sly little wizard had been against the ropes, it definitely seemed as if he hadn’t had time to prepare a better defense.

However, the Saiyan sensed movement behind him. Majin Buu had been transported along with him, having reformed his body, and was now the last line of defense to keep Gohan at bay. But the wizard and the Saiyan both knew that this form of Buu would hardly slow him down.

Gohan easily parried Majin Buu’s attacks, responding with a powerful uppercut in the stomach. Ordinarily the Djinn would’ve taken the attack as if nothing had happened, but his opponent was far superior.

Still, Goku’s son was well versed in Buu’s stamina and regeneration. He knew his opponent would recover quickly and couldn’t afford to ignore the threat he posed. He had to knock Buu out for a while. Keeping a unique creature like Majin Buu down would require him to pulverize him, depleting all of the creature’s energy reserves, to the point of near death. Only then would he lose consciousness.

To that end, Son Gohan channeled as much strength as possible into his muscles and unleashed a furious storm of blows onto Majin Buu. The Djinn’s body was being ragdolled apart with each hit. He took a devastating uppercut, then Gohan teleported above him and delivered a powerful kick that sent him careening down in a large explosion.

As Majin Buu tried to stand back up, panting with small squeals of pain, Gohan dove straight down on him. At full speed, the Saiyan delivered the knockout blow with his right fist. A huge jet of saliva flew out of Buu’s mouth before he lost consciousness, the impact being too powerful for him.

For a split second, Gohan wondered if he would be better off annihilating him now, while he was inert and defenseless. It would only take a simple energy wave. But this Gohan hesitated in a way perhaps his counterpart wouldn’t have. In his own universe, Majin Buu had become a friend — he was Hercule’s partner in everything, and Gohan himself had become fond of the big-hearted pink child-djinn. If he could get rid of Babidi, this Majin Buu had a chance at becoming free back in his home universe — and with that a chance that he might taste the sweetness of being good.

He couldn’t kill him. And he understood now why Uub hadn’t finished him in their fight either.

Spotting the Grand Kaioshin a short distance away, Gohan recalled how he had been able to restrain Buu using Gast Carcolh’s technique. That would be perfect.

“Lord Kaioshin, would you please imprison him in your hand like you did with the other Buu!” he shouted.

“Uh...” the Grand Kaioshin appeared embarrassed.

He couldn’t reveal that his little show with Buu from Universe 4 was a total ruse. Sure, he could probably maintain him if he were already sealed in the magic ball, but it had been Buu himself that had created the simulation in order to appear more credible. He hadn’t actually explained to the Grand Kaioshin how the spell worked, he’d just given him the keys to how to release it.

But Gohan didn’t have time to wonder why the leader of the gods was hesitating. Sensing all the remaining energy signatures within the arena, he was terrified at the sheer loss of life. And most of all...

“No, it’s not true! I can’t feel Piccolo, or Videl! We’ve got to end this quickly!” he exclaimed.

He swiftly spun towards the Universe 11 apartments and raised his arms. There was no time to go in stealthily or try to break the dimension again, where Babidi would just banish him with another spell. He had to put an end to this now, in the most efficient way he knew.

“Maxi Kienzan!!!”

A huge energy disk formed above his head, wide enough to slice through three of the individual sections of the arena at once. He immediately flung it towards the Universe 11 balcony, there would be no way for Babidi to escape this time.

Indeed, Baddack’s visions were proven to be only so reliable. This sequence of events had transpired too quickly back to back. With so many possibilities and so little time, even with all his years of practice, the precognitive Saiyan wasn’t able to plot a path safely through.

He and Babidi were appalled at the sight of a huge Kienzan slicing through their wall and coming straight for them. Being the closest, Baddack was severed in two. As for Babidi, he didn’t even have time to re-form his shield, which would’ve been useless anyway. His life flashed before his eyes, was this how he was going to die?

SLASH!

Babidi’s eyes were clenched tightly, but he’d heard the air around him split, like the sound of a powerful blade hissing through energy. The Kienzan was severed in half, each side passing harmlessly by the wizard and flying out into space. He opened his eyes, suddenly feeling a delighted sense of relief.

“Ha... Ha ha... HA HA HA HA! It took every bit of effort and persuasion I could muster, but in the end it paid off! You certainly took your time getting here, my ultimate slave!”

A moment prior.

As Gohan of Universe 16 had continued to comfort Bra of the 18th, the appearance of a certain energy signature caught his attention. He was seized by disbelief, but the Ki was unmistakable. Cell.

Impossible! He had been completely destroyed, Gohan was certain! He had seen the disintegration with his own two eyes, alongside his beloved Videl.

Cell’s voice suddenly echoed into his head telepathically. Was Cell speaking to him from beyond the realm of the living?

“You gave it your best, Gohan.”

“Cell!?” Gohan replied in his mind, so as not to frighten Bra. “Is that really you? How? You’re alive somehow, aren’t you?”

“Maybe... maybe not... in any case you’ve proven yourself... you’re stronger than I am, thanks to me of course. You were nowhere near this level at the start of our fight. Indeed, I thought I’d surpassed you, but you’re more powerful than ever. Bravo...”

“So everything you did was on purpose? Just like all those years ago at the Cell Games! That confirms my suspicions, you aren’t following Babidi’s orders at all, are you?”

“Oh, that, yes!” Cell’s voice sneered. “Why of course I’m following the orders of my master Babidi. Together we will defeat you!”

“Very convincing...” the Saiyan replied. “Well the other Gohan just defeated Majin Buu, I felt it a few seconds ago. As for you, you just admitted you’re beaten. All of Babidi’s minions have fallen, I’d say the chances of you winning are almost zero! Except... hmmm... what’s this new energy?”

An unknown force had just appeared somewhere in the arena, moments after Majin Buu’s energy signature had faded away. It wasn’t someone on the side of good. He could feel his counterpart still in the heart of the arena, but apparently this alien Ki was originating from Babidi’s chambers.

“You see?” Cell hissed again telepathically. “You’re still a long way from winning.”

“Cell, just give up this act already! Why do you keep pretending to be on his side? Babidi’s finished, you know you have no chance of surviving if you align yourself with him!”

Bra could sense that Gohan was getting angry again and was surprised. Goten’s older brother seemed very preoccupied, and his blank stare into space was incredibly intense, his fists tight.

“Vegetto should be back any minute!” Gohan continued telepathically. “Even if you were somehow able to win against me and my double, you’d be an insect against him! This is over. Let’s do this the easy way, give up now.”

“Oh I’m certain the other tournament competitors will find a way to join us shortly... but it will be too late. You will be dead, and we will be waiting to face them.”

“Come on, Cell. Even with all your strength, Babidi’s most powerful slave, you don’t stand a chance against my father. The only person who could even touch him was Broly, and he was stronger than you and I combined. You could add all the other participants together and we’d still be nothing but dust in front of Vegetto.”

“Oh, so you’re saying I don’t stand a chance? Me?”

“Not just you, no one. Vegetto’s level is not something an ordinary warrior could ever attain. Remember what his energy felt like when he was facing Broly!? All of that and he still wasn’t even using the advanced techniques you saw Son Bra use against Cold earlier. You can’t win.”

“... Ah yes, this girl you mention, Son Bra. We couldn’t defeat her either then I suppose?”

Inwardly, Son Gohan was becoming angry. Cell was trying to provoke him yet again, playing up the participant’s departure, bringing attention to the fact that as long as he survived he could find a way to turn the tables. He would remind Gohan that there were at least two fighters immensely superior to him.

“No doubt. If she hadn’t been teleported, she alone could’ve ended all of this before you’d done any harm.”

Gohan hadn’t had time to properly assess the entire situation, if he had he’d have realized that a few of the competitors were actually still present. Each of the remaining participants had been in their rooms when Babidi launched his coup, such as the members of Universe 9 and Son Goten. Little did he know, Son Bra had been resting in her apartment at the time, meaning she wasn’t actually lost in space with the others. But for the first time, Gohan realized that his brother from Universe 18 still being here didn’t add up. Why and how had Goten managed to remain behind?

“Surely you’re overestimating her a bit?” Cell continued, trying to sow even more doubt.

“On the contrary, I’d say if anything I’m being conservative,” Gohan replied, trying to hide his budding concerns. “And that’s as she is now. Once she actually masters her potential, she can be as strong as Vegetto.”

“So you really aren’t exaggerating those two then? And as powerful as you are, they’re both in another realm above you?”

“That’s what’s crazy about their fusion. Compared to them, we’re all insignificant.”

“Everyone?” Cell repeated skeptically. “You, me, Majin Buu? ... Not one of us could hope to win against your little sister?”

“...That’s right,” Gohan answered irrevocably, but he was starting to pick up on Cell’s undertones. The insinuation behind his line of questioning was quite terrifying.

“Ahhh...” Cell said in acknowledgement. “That’s... Too bad...”

Gohan knew the truth in the back of his mind already, but hadn’t acknowledged it. A part of him still held out a faint hope that Cell was giving up, that he’d realized he couldn’t win, and that his line of questioning was just an attempt at destabilization. But Cell’s voice continued, confirming his worst fears.

“Too bad... For you.”

The unidentified energy began to intensify, to the point that Son Gohan could no longer deny its source. He began to tremble, frightening Vegeta’s daughter, who was now seriously worried about him. But even she had sensed the atmosphere changing as well. All she knew was, something terrible was happening.

Son Gohan let go of her shoulder and rushed down the hallway, giving her a last set of instructions as he left.

“No matter what happens, stay right here! Do you understand?”

Bra nodded. The arena was now an unbelievably dangerous place, and she knew it. The look on Gohan’s face only heightened the sensation of fear.

Gohan flew in a zip down the hallway of the universe 18 apartments and reached their balcony. Leaning against the inner wall he saw Son Goten, covered in blood and wounds, immediately try to get his attention. He too had sensed the enormously vile energy and his face was absolutely distraught.

Gohan turned to see his counterpart over on the Universe 11 patio. Approaching, his eyes confirmed his worst fears.

Emerging out of the devastated apartments was Babidi, his forehead dripping with sweat but a triumphant grin on his face. And standing protectively in front of him was an overpowered fighter and bodyguard. Or rather, a new Majin...

High up in the grandstands, the watchful eyes of Universe 4 Buu quivered with excitement. Finally, he would get to see a battle worth watching, the one he’d hoped to see from the start!

“No, not you...” begged Gohan of Universe 16, his tone heartbroken.

Her hair was standing in sharp spikes.

Her aura was electrified with crackles of blue lightning.

Her clothes shone with an outer glow of recognizable gold.

Her forehead was obscured with an evil mark, in the shape of an “M”.

Her eyes were filled with hate and rage, tinged with a deep black eyeshadow.

Before the two Gohans, now a slave to Babidi’s whims, stood the second most powerful being in all the universes.

Son Bra of Universe 16 had revealed herself.