Dragon Ball: Rise of Nitrate [DBZ/DBS X Icejin OC]

Chapter Twelve: A Heavy Loss

[Nitrate POV]
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I watched from the side-lines as Gohan faced against Cell in the arena, their golden auras pressing against each other with unnatural ferocity. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the rest of the Z Fighters watching the scene in awe and worry as the Saiyan child began to throw punches at Cell.

The Android smiled to himself before raising a hand, using it to strike the side of Gohan's face. With a powerful gust of wind, he slammed the teen into the dirt and used one of his feet to kick him towards a nearby rock formation. I wanted to help Gohan, but I also knew that his struggles in this fight would unlock the next evolution of Super Saiyan.

I continued watching, hands tightening around the muscle of my forearms, and my eyes narrowed as Cell attempted to eliminate Gohan with a powerful Ki blast that he aimed into the remains of the rock. With a powerful gleam of light, he fired the blast and exploded the nearby landscape, leaving nothing but a smoking ruin. I waited for a moment, staring, before a small grin stretched across my face.

Gohan surprised Cell by rushing out of the smoke and using his left hand to fire his own Ki blast. The Android groaned at the challenge before jumping into the air, avoiding the blast entirely, and then flying towards Gohan at amazing speeds. He grabbed the child by the front of his Gi and punched him in the face before using his head to smack his head back.

Throwing Gohan away, Cell charged another Ki blast into his outstretched hand and fired it directly into the boy's chest. The result of the attack was jaw-dropping, as it caused all of the surrounding rocks to disintegrate into nothing, and the Saiyan teen was thrown backwards. There was a long, eerie silence, as everyone assumed that Gohan was dead, before a sudden explosion reassured them of his survival.

Gohan emerged from the attack's crater, his Gi torn and blood dripping down his mouth, and he approached Cell with a determined look in his eyes. I watched him with a curious expression, but I already knew what he was trying to do: He wanted to convince Cell to give up on the match. I couldn't help but sigh, knowing it wouldn't work on him.

Cell: "I'm surprised you're still standing. You're a lot tougher than I thought."

Gohan: "...L-Let's not do this. This battle is pointless."

Cell: "Of all the things to say! The Cell Games have no point? Sure it does! I'm having fun, and you're trying to save all of humanity from total annihilation!"

The bio-mechanical monster smiled at Gohan with a dark look in his eyes, as if he found the boy's words humorous and wanted to hear more of his words if only to mock him. This seemed to have little effect on Gohan, however, as he continued staring at Cell with sweat falling down his face.

I shook my head disappointedly at Cell's inability to see the meaning behind Gohan's words. Although I understood why the man was confident in his power, as he wasn't aware of the strength I had gained since we previously spoke. Even if I hadn't bothered to do minimal training, earning more power for the Cell Games, my 4th Form's full capabilities would have been enough to kill him.

Gohan: "But I don't like to fight... Not like dad does. I don't want to kill anybody. Not even someone as awful as you."

Cell: "...Ok. So you don't like to fight. But what's this nonsense about not wanting to kill me? You couldn't kill me in a hundred years! Am I wrong?"

The conversation continued, and I began to wonder if there would be a change to the original ending of the Cell Arc. I hadn't experience any massive changes since arriving in this world, but that was due to my desire to develop the other characters into the people I remembered from the end of the anime and Manga. Once things reached Super and the world after that, I would be free to do whatever I wanted.