Spirit - Another Dragon Ball Fanfiction

Chapter 32: Countdown

(10 Days Until The Cell Games)

Yamcha watched the television, staring at the news report as Cell announced the commencing of the Cell Games. He had been rewatching it over and over, and every time he became more and more worried. Finally, the news report ended, and Yamcha stood up, then walked out towards the door. Puar floated towards him. 

"Yamcha? Where are you going?" "I can't just sit here while the world is in danger of destruction, Puar. I'm going out to train." Krillin walked up. "Hold on. I'll go with you." They were walking out when Vegeta spoke. 

"You two go outside and play. I'm sure you'll get a chance to fight." "Hey, thanks, Vegeta! I was- you're being sarcastic, aren't you?" Krillin asked. Vegeta responded with a smug smirk. Yamcha grimaced. "You know, if you're gonna skulk around, you can at least not be a total jerk about it!" "Very well, allow me to try again: Ahem! Hello Earthling! How's that gaping chest wound?" "Just fine! How's your spine?" Yamcha retorted. He turned around and was about to leave when Vegeta fired back: "Big talk, coming from someone who was easily beaten by an android!" Yamcha froze, then slowly turned around until he was facing Vegeta. He stared the Saiyan prince dead in the eye. "That's pretty funny coming from a guy who was effortlessly beaten by an android, don't you think?!" 

(9 Days Until The Cell Games)

Yamcha was walking out of Kame House when Marorizu flew down and walked up to him, smirking. "Well. I hear you gave Vegeta a dose of reality." Yamcha laughed nervously. "Uh, yeah. Hope you aren't mad." Marorizu seemed surprised. "Mad? Why would I be mad?" Then she laughed and swatted Yamcha's arm. "OK, maybe I'm a tiny bit mad. Also, Vegeta isn't exactly happy about that." Yamcha rolled his eyes. "When is he happy, excluding when he gets to boast and all that?" Marorizu shrugged. "Fair enough, I suppose." 

(8 Days Until The Cell Games)

Yamcha continued to train as hard as he could. Then, after hours upon hours of nonstop training, he stopped and headed to Kame House and found Krillin on the couch, twiddling his thumbs with a nervous expression on his face. Yamcha sat down next to his friend. "Krillin? What's wrong, buddy?" Krillin looked up and smiled tiredly. "Oh, it's nothing... I'm just..." "Worried about 18?" Krillin blinked in surprise. "How did you-" Yamcha grinned. "C'mon, Krillin. Whenever someone mentions her, your face either goes red or you seem nervous. You've got a crush on her, don't you?" Krillin sighed, but Yamcha patted him on the shoulder. "Don't worry about it! We'll defeat Cell and get her back along with everyone else." Krillin took a deep breath and nodded, then smiled. "Yeah! Thanks, Yamcha."

(7 Days Until The Cell Games)

Yamcha headed to Goku's house and found Goku and Gohan resting- in their Super Saiyan forms. Yamcha smiled to himself. I remember now- they're fully mastering Super Saiyan. Gohan noticed Yamcha and stood up. "Yamcha!" Yamcha raised a hand in greeting. "Hey, Gohan." He looked over at Goku. "Goku, I need to ask you about something." Goku stood. "Yeah?" "How long until the Hyperbolic Time Chamber becomes more harmful than beneficial?" "Oh, uh... I think about 3 to 5 real-world days." Yamcha grinned. "Thanks!"

(6 Days Until The Cell Games)

Yamcha stood outside the entrance of the Time Chamber. He took a deep breath. Alright. Here goes. Yamcha headed inside. 

Once he was inside, he pondered on what to do. Should I increase my base power or should I- A lightbulb seemed to go off in his head. I'll fully master the Kaio-ken! If Saiyans can fully master Super Saiyan, then I can do the same with the Kaio-ken! 

(3 Days Until The Cell Games)

Yamcha exited the Time Chamber and found Vegeta waiting for him. But Yamcha wasn't afraid. "Oh, hey, Vegeta." Vegeta folded his arms. "Huh! You took long enough!" He entered the chamber, and Yamcha grimaced. I haven't mastered the Kaio-ken yet. The only way I can is through gravity training, apparently. He sighed and flew off towards Capsule Corporation.

(2 Days Until The Cell Games)

Everyone was getting worried about the Cell Games now. Yamcha walked into the main Capsule Corp. building and found everyone discussing Cell's tournament. Tien noticed Yamcha walk in and headed over. "Where have you been?" "Training." "Yamcha, 4 days? We were getting a little worried!" 

Yamcha spread his hands. "Hey, I need to prepare myself." He looked around at everyone, and his expression turned very grim. "We all do." Tien nodded, though he was the tiniest bit disturbed at Yamcha's tone. And Yamcha's eyes were shining, though with what, Tien didn't know. Anger? Determination? Tien decided to store that thought away for later. 

Later, Tien bid the others goodbye and was walking out when suddenly he realized something that jarred him- the way Yamcha had spoken. It was almost like he had seen the future and was dreading it greatly. 

(1 Day Until The Cell Games)

Yamcha headed to Kami's Lookout (now referred to as just "The Lookout" by everybody) and found everyone else already there. Vegeta noticed him land. "Hmph! About time, Earthling!" Yamcha snorted. "Good to see you too, Vegeta." He walked over to Goku and Piccolo, who were discussing who would fight and when. They noticed Yamcha walk over, and Goku's expression brightened. 

"Yamcha! Hey, buddy! Are you gonna be participating in the Cell Games?" Yamcha laughed, then shook his head. "Nah." Goku looked taken aback. "Wait, really?" Yamcha nodded, smiling apologetically. "Sorry, Goku, but not this time. I spent 3 real-world days in the Time Chamber and another full day training under increased gravity, but I know for sure that it wasn't enough. I can't compete with Cell." 

He looked at the ground dejectedly, but Goku placed a hand on his shoulder. "Yamcha, even if you can't fight Cell, you're still a huge help. Everyone is." Goku looked around at the others as he said that, and Yamcha looked around at everyone, too. He smiled, and Goku nodded at them all. "And hey, we're all in this together, right?" Yamcha chuckled. "That's for sure. If you guys are in trouble, then I'm not going anywhere." 

(0 Days Until The Cell Games)

"Well, today is the big day." Yamcha muttered. Marorizu nodded as the group flew towards Cell's arena. "Indeed it is." Yamcha looked over at her. "I can't be the only one who's freaking out inwardly, right?" Everyone laughed (except Vegeta, of course). Even Piccolo cracked a smile.

Finally, after another half-hour of flying, Krillin spotted the arena. "There it is!" he exclaimed, pointing. Everyone followed his finger, and Trunks snorted. "A bit anticlimactic, isn't it?" Tien nodded. "True. I was expecting it to be bigger, more flashy." Gohan shook his head. "Cell wouldn't waste time with the arena. He just wants to fight strong warriors and cause destruction." Everyone else murmured agreement. 

They landed on the ground, and Cell noticed this, looking towards them and smirking. "Well, look at that! You all made it on time! Can't say I'm surprised, though. This tournament will be a true spectacle!" He scanned over them, then laughed. "Everyone's here, eh? Marorizu, Vegeta, Piccolo, Trunks, Tien, Krillin, Yamcha, Gohan, and-" he paused for a moment, then continued: "-ah, Goku! I never had a doubt about you showing up. This is going to be interesting!" Then, Cell seemed to notice something.

"Wait a minute- where's Chiaotzu?" He looked at Tien and grinned. "Too chicken to appear?" Tien clenched his teeth. "For your information, Cell, no. He would've shown up, but I left him behind for his own good." Cell nodded. "Typical. Regardless of that..." He turned towards the news crew and spread his hands, smiling deviously. "Welcome, one and all, to the Cell Games!"