Dragonball: Rewritten

Chapter 39: Cell Saga

Goku barely had a moment to sit down and relax like he needed. The moment he arrived back to the Lookout with Nappa and Piccolo's unconscious bodies, Dende and Mr. Popo rushed up to him with the most horrified looks on their faces.

He accidentally dropped Nappa and Piccolo's bodies like sacks of potatoes when Dende exclaimed something he never, ever expected to hear.

"Trunks snapped! He's taking Cell directly to Eighteen!"

In that very instant, flashbacks of their year spent in the Chamber rushed through his head. Trunks revealing how Vegeta-like he was, along with the many aspects of Bulma there too. Telling Goku all about what happened to Gohan and ChiChi and how that impacted Trunks, Vegeta and Bulma going forward. Trunks taking care of him when the virus hit. How he didn't leave Goku's side until he was able to get out of bed without a headache, a fainting spell or a shortness in his breath. The endless amount of training Goku put the two of them under, prior to the virus hitting him. The endless amounts of advice and relentless training Trunks endured, under Goku's tutelage. How eager and excited Trunks was to get back out into the real world. How determined and Vegeta-like he looked, talking about the Saiyan credo—honor, strength, pride—and how he'd make his dad proud, how he'd do something his dad would never expect in a million years—

"GOKU!" Dende waved something in front of him. "Get a hold of yourself!"

"Urgh." He shook his head multiple times. "Hnngh." His body moved slow, too slow, his brain barely catching up with his voice. "Y-Yeah, I—I'll—"

"Take Mr. Popo's carpet!" Hands shoved him onto something. "He'll take you right to where Krillin's at in Jingle Village."

"I-Instant—"

"No time! I took out of Piccolo's ear a communication device, so I'll call Bulma so she can warn Krillin and the others. Hopefully she got that other android working."

Mr. Popo's gentle hand touched his forearm. "Deep breaths, Goku. Focus. Remember your training. It's one more fight. One more, then you can rest."

He listened to his old mentor, latching onto his soothing touch and voice, his eyes falling shut. Even as the carpet moved within seconds, taking him from the Lookout to the heart of Jingle Village, he focused on his breath work. Four count inhale. Eight count exhale.

He made it through two rounds before fluttering his eyes open, staring at the front door to Suno's home. He stepped off the carpet, giving Mr. Popo a quick wave. "Get on outta here." He added in a low mutter under his breath, "And thank you."

Goku reached for the doorknob as Mr. Popo disappeared behind him. He barely got to touch it before it swung open, revealing a distraught Suno. "Oh Goku! Thank goodness it's you."

"Where are Krillin and Eighteen?"

"They went into a hiding place deep inside the Jingle forest. Bulma told us."

"Clear out the place—"

"Already underway. I'm heading out there now with Launch to ensure everyone's fled elsewhere." She walked past Goku, giving his shoulder a quick squeeze. "Please be careful."

He gave her a quick nod. "You too."

One last squeeze to her shoulder, and Suno headed out. In the near distance, Goku caught the sight of a blonde Launch leading a team of villagers out of the area. He watched Suno run right up to her, the two of them giving each other a quick peck on the lips, before rushing out with the whole village into the forest.

Ten minutes later, the arrival of two powerful kis registered. Goku walked towards the middle of the village as those kis increased in size. He stopped right when two figures floated in the air above him—one in Saiyan armor with a lavender tail, the other in green with a needle-tipped tail.