Humanity (Trunks x OC)

Part 37

As Vegeta's blasts approach Cell, Cell prepares himself to block the attack with his energy. As they hit, the area is soon clouded in sand and dust. And while Krillin believes he overdid it, Vegeta isn't quite satisfied yet.

He doesn't want to give Cell the chance to regenerate, so as soon as he catches his breath, he unleashes another round. His anger towards Cell and himself fuels him. He feels so upset with himself for letting his son down, for not protecting him like a father should.

When he's finally done, he's out of breath. "At last...It's over." he pants, not sensing Cell in the middle of the dust.

His eyes suddenly widen when his worst nightmare jumps up from the cloud, appearing in front of him. "Wrong, its over when I say it's over." Cell smirks before smacking Vegeta aside like he's nothing. The Saiyan Prince lands in a heap on the ground. "And it's over now!" Cell shouts, shooting a blast at the defenseless man.

Gohan is quick to react, hurrying over to safe Vegeta's life. "No!" he yells, not wanting a repeat of what happened to Trunks, or worse. He gets in front of the blast just in time, but it hit himself full on. He saved Vegeta's live, but at his own expense.

Gohan rises shakily to his feet; his left arm is hanging limply at his side. It took the bulk of the blast and is bleeding profusely.

"I do hope you are not planning on continuing this fight. I wouldn't want you to suffer." Cell chuckles as Gohan turns to him. His blue eyes are filled with wrath and determination.

"So," Cell starts, setting his feet on the ground. "I see you are still as stubborn Gohan. Well, have it your way then. Let's get this over with."

Gohan doesn't back down, despite the pain. He's the only one who is possibly strong enough. He's going to try, without senzubeans available to patch him up before the final showdown.

His eyes widen as Cell puts his hands together and drops in a familiar stance. "Gohan, this is it. First I'll destroy you and your friends and then this worthless planet! But before I do, I want you to remember something.... I will live forever!!" he shouts.

As Gohan watches him power up, Vegeta opens his eyes and tries to sit up, only to fail. "I'm completely useless on this battlefield. I'm making a mockery of my Saiyan race." he grunts before his eyes fall upon the teenage boy before him.

"I'm sorry Gohan. I am." he tells the boy who stands beaten and broken before the terror that threatens to wipe them all out. The apology shocks the Gohan and doesn't motivate him at all. Vegeta already believes they're doomed. Slowly but surely, Gohan's confidence starts to waver.

'So this is it. This is how it ends.' Gohan thinks to himself.

Suddenly a voice sounds in his mind, shocking him. It's his father's; "Are you kidding? Thinking of giving up already? This is not the Gohan I know."

"Dad? Where are you?" Gohan wonders, looking around to seek him out.

"The other world." is his reply. "Thanks to King Kai I can communicate with you telepathically. I know you have the power to beat him Gohan. I've sensed it all along. Now, give him the biggest Kamehameha you've got. I know you can do this Gohan. I promise."

Gohan still is unsure despite his father's words "No dad. I can't even use one of my arms anymore. And my energy's been cut in half."

"Remember what you learned in our training and trust yourself. It may feel like Cell weakened you, but what really is draining your strength is your own doubt. Just don't listen to it, okay?" Goku urges.

Finally he gets through to his son and Gohan casts away his doubt. "I've got one arm left, but that's all I need." he says, preparing himself.

Goku tells him to turn his regrets and feelings of guilt towards Cell and make him pay and that is just the thing he does. He powers up his own Kamehameha blast and when Cell fires his, Gohan's own meet his halfway.

They clash in the middle and it's difficult for Gohan to hold Cell's blast back. It slowly starts to creep closer towards him. It threatens to overcome him, but Goku steps in, scolding him for holding back. He tells him to stop worrying about the damage it might cause and to stop worrying about the bystanders. It can all be fixed with the Dragon balls.

Gohan gets his act together and strengthens his blast, pushing back against Cell's. The fighters still capable of doing anything gang up on Cell. They know they can't beat him, but they sure as hell can try and break his concentration.

Cell blasts them away with a burst of energy, angering Gohan even more. He taps into his final strength as Goku continues to edge him on and remind him why Cell needs to go down.

Vegeta surprises Cell with one final blast, making him waver for just a moment and that moment is all Gohan needs. His Kamehameha blast overcomes Cell's and it consumes Cell, breaking him up. It destroys every last cell of him. He will not be coming back from this one.

Gohan collapses with a smile on his face before his friends surround him, looking proud of him. They take a moment to celebrate the victory and congratulate Gohan before he finally passes out from the strain.

All are happy but for Vegeta, Trunks and Julliet that is. "Come on." states Yamcha after they all close in on Julliet and Trunks. "Time to go to the lookout and fix you both up."

"Is he going to be alright?" Julliet asks meekly as Tien helps her up with one hand, his other holding Gohan while Yamcha picks up Trunks.

"Sure he will." Krillin assures, holding a limp android 18 in his arms. "He his dad's son after all." he tells her, glancing back at Vegeta who stands away from them, glaring down at the crater.

Julliet glances towards Vegeta, who seems to want to have a moment to his self. He has a lot to think over and although he'll never admit it, he mourns Goku's death. There is no one to edge him on now. His drive is gone.

Piccolo stays behind for a moment while the others go ahead, only to join them soon after, having had a word with Vegeta.

Cell is gone, for good. Now has the time come for healing. And they will need a certain dragon for that.