Bringer of Death

Cell Saga - Part 9: I came here alone

Cell Saga - Part 9: I came here alone 

The warm orange rays of the setting sun kissed the unbroken horizon, casting a warm glow on the huddled group. For the moment, all seven warriors turned their faces to the sea, letting the salty spray and the crimson light wash over them. 

The breeze from the sea was gentle, a stark contrast to the roaring maelstrom that had consumed the area just minutes before. The smooth softness was a comfort after their long ordeal. Gohan could feel the salty wind drying his sweaty clothes. This moment was an unexpected blessing...a brief respite no one could have anticipated. 

The clouds above were now nothing but small, scattered wisps, tinted golden from the setting sun. The sky itself seemed to reflect their exhaustion as it faded from blue to twilight. A thin cloud of smoke still lingered above them, the only evidence of Cell's transformation. 

This day had truly been unexpected. As each of the fighters stared in silence, they could hear a flock of seagulls flying overhead, the first brave group of animals to return to their normal routine. Even Vegeta forced himself to be quiet for a brief moment and listen to the planet, though he also had much on his mind. This was what they were fighting for, at the core; the right of all men to have peace at the end of the day. 

After a few moments, the voice of Goku broke through the silence. He was sitting up now, feeling a little better, and stared at the darkening sea with a hint of a smile. 

"Well, guys," he slowly began. "I think I have an idea." 

Vegeta, his arms crossed, shot Goku a curious look. The others also turned to him, wondering what he was about to suggest. 

"What is it, dad?" his son asked. "Is it about Cell?" 

Goku crossed his legs as he sat, and rested his chin on his fist for a brief moment. "Well...it's kind of about him, sure." He continued to think. "But it's mainly about us, how we can find a way to catch up to Cell's new power." 

"What do you mean, Kakarott?" asked Vegeta. "Do you actually have a plan, or is this just more of your typical nonsense?" 

Trunks shot his father a disapproving look, but Goku didn't seem to mind-he never did. Rather, the hero of Earth lifted his hand up toward Gohan. His son reached down and helped his father to his feet. 

"Ok! Here goes," Goku began, a note of excitement sounding in his voice. "What if I told you I knew about a place where you could do a year's worth of training in a single day?" 

"Nonsense!" Vegeta snapped, more out of habit than genuine disbelief. "Is that really possible?" 

"Of course it is!" Goku replied. "Based on how quickly I grew stronger while I trained in the future, I'm guessing that a year will be plenty of time to practice and master these new Super Saiyan forms." 

"What's the catch, Kakarott?" the prince asked suspiciously. He knew it couldn't be that simple; it never was. 

"Huh?" Goku asked. "There's no catch, Vegeta." But the Saiyan thought for a moment longer. "Well, actually there are a couple, now that I think about it. Rules, really." 

"Naturally, bird-brain, you overlook them until I force you to actually think," Vegeta grumbled. "So? Get on with it." 

"Well let's see," Goku began. "First off, only two people can go in at a time." He lifted his index finger as he began to explain. "This training room is actually in a different dimension, connected to our world by a small door. If more than two people go inside, the door will disappear forever and you'll be trapped there for all eternity. At least, I think that's how it works. I'm not sure about all the rules."