Bringer of Death

Cell Saga - Part 13: The Longest Night

Cell Saga - Part 14: The Longest Night

Moments after the destruction of Mars...

The starry night was a crisp 56 degrees with a soft, gentle breeze.

Goku's home was a small building with a circular white roof, just to one side of a slightly larger dwelling. Inside, the Saiyan was enjoying his first night of rest in his own bed in over a month. Having been awake for over two full days, he was exhausted...but he hadn't been too exhausted to eat. He and Chi Chi had sat down to a long, satisfying meal, talked for a while, enjoyed their time together alone...then finally passed out in each other's arms, asleep.

It had been a long time since Goku had been home regularly. He wanted to make it up to his wife; she simply wanted more time with him. But he couldn't afford that now, not until the threat of Cell had been eliminated.

He had fallen asleep with a smile on his face, his messy black hair digging into his pillow and his wife's head on his chest. But, early that morning, his dreams abruptly turned dark and troubling. He awoke with a start, sitting up in bed and staring straight up as if he could see right through the ceiling.

His wife, startled, sat up beside him. "What's the matter, Goku?"

"Hey, honey. I'm really sorry to do this...but Cell is causing big trouble. He just destroyed a nearby planet, and he's on his way here. I can sense it."

"Oh, Goku, that's terrible! But...do you have to go so soon?"

The Saiyan turned to his wife, hugging her once more, then rolled out of bed. "You know I don't have a choice. This planet is in danger, and that includes you."

Goku's wife wasn't worried about herself or her own safety, she just wanted her family to be all together again. Ever since Goku had gotten the heart virus, things had been incredibly stressful on her. Worrying was only natural, and no matter how good she was at taking her mind off of the danger Goku and Gohan were in, she just couldn't find peace. She had only learned of Goku's survival and return to the past a mere six hours ago. This was all happening too fast.

"You look like you've got the weight of the world on your shoulders," she said with a sigh. He was still putting on his gi and boots. "So, what are you going to do? Can you beat him?"

Goku looked up, questioning if he should tell Chi Chi of his plans to spend an entire year training with Gohan. "First, before I can even think about facing Cell, I've got to train some. I've decided to go back into the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. You remember me telling you about that place, right?"

"Oh!" she exclaimed, surprise. "Yes...but...you'll be gone a year! You've just gotten back!"

"Don't worry. It'll only be a year for me, and I'll be fine this time...no more heart viruses. Plus, it's the only way I can think of to get strong enough to face Cell, if that's even possible. I'll try my best, and push myself to the max. I just hope it's enough."

"Promise that you're going to come back to me, Goku," his wife said. "You can't keep running off like this, or I worry you'll forget all about me!"

"Hey, there," Goku said, walking over and kissing Chi Chi on the forehead. "That's not gonna happen. I know I don't say it enough, but I love you, Chi Chi. And I'm sure that when Gohan and I finish our training, at least one of us will be strong enough to take on Cell."

His wife's eyes bulged. "What!? Did you just say you were taking my BABY IN THAT TIME CHAMBER!? I'll miss him growing up! You can't do this to me, Goku!"

The Saiyan, having expected his wife to react in such a way, was already preparing to instant transmit. "Sorry, Chi Chi, gotta go!"

Goku reappeared on the lookout instantly, standing in front of Tien and Krillin. The pair was expecting him, as their view of the explosion of Mars was the best naked eye perspective available on Earth. The remains of the red planet were only the size of a small marble in the black canopy above, but the view from the lookout was chillingly clear. All three of them had senses which greatly exceeded the vision of the average human.