Previously…
The air had grown heavy with tension as the Z Fighters stood gathered on Kami's Lookout.
Android 16's mechanical voice cut through the silence.
"I will enter the tournament. Please… take me to Capsule Corporation. Have me repaired. I will prove useful."
Trunks clenched his fists, eyes narrowing. "Are you insane? You're one of Dr. Gero's androids!"
But Rykon stepped forward, his tone calm yet firm. "Relax, Trunks. I'll take him. He's not like that anymore."
"Rykon…" Trunks muttered, uncertainty still weighing on his heart.
Rykon smiled slightly, resting a hand on Trunks' shoulder. "You said it yourself—this timeline's different. 17 and 18 weren't the monsters you feared. Trust me."
For a moment, Trunks said nothing. Then, reluctantly, he nodded.
The group turned their eyes skyward.
Kakarot and Gohan should be finishing their training soon, Rykon thought. We'll need them.
With that, they soared toward Kami's Lookout, a sense of destiny hanging over them like a storm.
Now…
Rykon stood at the edge of the platform, the wind brushing through his hair as he gazed out over the clouds. The horizon shimmered beneath the midday sun, but his heart remained uneasy.
Tien smashed his fist into his palm. "Damn that Cell! To him, this is just a game?!"
Trunks clenched his jaw. "He went on TV, Tien. He told the whole world. Said if no one beats him, he'll destroy everything."
Rykon sighed, his eyes narrowing. "Perfect. Now the entire planet's panicking."
I just hope Goku and Gohan get out of the Time Chamber soon.
He turned to Mr. Popo. "How much longer?"
"Three hours remain," Mr. Popo replied, his voice soft but steady.
Vegeta scoffed, folding his arms. "Hmph. No guarantee they'll come out right on time."
Piccolo's voice carried over the tension. "We still have nine days until the games begin. No need to rush."
Suddenly, the air shifted—an unmistakable wave of energy washed over them.
Rykon's eyes sharpened.
There it is…
"They're out already?" Tien gasped.
Vegeta's head snapped toward the horizon. "Wha—?! What are they doing out this early?!"
In an instant, Goku and Gohan appeared, both radiating a calm yet fierce golden aura. Their hair gleamed in the sunlight, locked in the serene glow of Mastered Super Saiyan. They strode toward Rykon, their faces serious but warm.
"Rykon!" Goku called, rushing up to him.
"Hey, guys!" Rykon greeted, but before he could say more, Goku gripped his shoulders tightly.
"What… was that?!"
"Huh? What do you mean?" Rykon blinked.
Gohan's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "That power you unleashed… we felt it all the way from inside the Time Chamber!"
Oh, right… for them, it's been fifteen days. For me, just an hour…
Rykon's thoughts swirled back to the moment of his rage, the surge of energy that had erupted from deep within him.
"I don't know what it was," Rykon admitted. "I was angry… angrier than I've ever been. Something inside me broke loose. It's like… a power was hiding inside me all along."
"Then that's the key," Gohan said excitedly. "My dad always told me—anger unlocks new forms. It's how you become a Super Saiyan."
"Exactly," Goku agreed, a smile breaking across his face. "If you can remember that feeling, you might tap into it again."
Rykon stared at the ground, fists tightening.
I have to… It's our only chance to beat Cell.
"What made you so angry, anyway?" Goku asked, tilting his head.
"Was it Vegeta?" Goku pushed, half-joking but still curious.
Rykon gave a sly smirk. "Let's talk about that later, Kakarot. We've got more pressing matters."
The Plan
After bringing Goku and Gohan up to speed on Cell's announcement, the group sat in silence for a moment.
Goku rubbed his chin. "A tournament, huh? Honestly… that sounds kinda fun."
Rykon chuckled, their laughter blending in the breeze. "Heh. I thought the same thing."
They slapped hands, their bond unspoken but real.
Goku asked Mr. Popo for his gi, and Gohan shyly requested new clothes from Piccolo. With a beam of energy, Piccolo conjured Gohan's new outfit—dark and serious, just like his own.
Vegeta stepped forward, voice sharp. "So? Do you really think you can beat Cell?"
Goku shrugged. "I won't know until I fight him. Actually… I'll go meet him now."
Before anyone could respond, Goku placed two fingers on his forehead and vanished with Instant Transmission.
Seconds later, he reappeared, his face grim.
"He's stronger than I thought," Goku said quietly.
Trunks' eyes widened. "Then what do we do?"
"We train," Goku replied. "But not in the Time Chamber. I and Gohan are done with that place."
"But why?" Piccolo pressed. "You've only used one of your two days."
Goku shook his head. "That place… it wears you down in more ways than one. We need real-world training now. And rest."
Vegeta scowled. "Hmph. Looks like even you have limits, Kakarot."
Rykon clenched his teeth, imagining himself slicing off Vegeta's arm the way Cell had done.
"Focus," he told himself. Now's not the time.
"Maybe I do have limits," Goku admitted with a smirk. "But training in there any longer won't help. If you want to go back in, Vegeta, be my guest."
Vegeta's eye twitched. "What…?"
"I'm a lot stronger than you now," Goku said plainly, his tone soft but heavy.
Homecoming
Later, Rykon, Goku, and Gohan touched down outside Goku's house, their golden auras fading as they returned to base form.
"It feels good to be home," Rykon sighed, stretching his arms.
Goku laid out the plan. "Three days of rest, three days of training, and three more days of rest."
"Sounds like a lot of naps," Rykon teased, but a grin spread across his face. "Not complaining, though."
Gohan's eyes darkened with worry. "Dad… are you sure that's enough? Can we really beat Cell?"
Goku looked at both of them with calm certainty. "I know two warriors with the potential to do it."
"Really?" Gohan asked.
"Yep. They're standing right in front of me."
Rykon felt a strange warmth stir in his chest. Me…?
Before they could process it further, the front door swung open with a loud SLAM.
"GOKU!" Chi-Chi's voice rang out, her eyes blazing with frustration. "You've been gone for so long! Where have you been?!"
"Training!" Goku said, scratching his head nervously.
"Well, now it's time for your punishment!" Chi-Chi snapped, grabbing him by the ear. "Rykon, Gohan—go far away from here!"
"Uh… right!" Rykon laughed awkwardly, grabbing Gohan's hand. They flew off quickly, Goku's cries fading behind them.
Preparations
Days passed like whispers in the wind. Dende became Earth's new Guardian, restoring the Dragon Balls with a simple glow of his hands. Shenron's statue pulsed with life once more.
On the eve of the Cell Games, the fighters gathered at Goku's house.
"Time to go," Goku said.
Rykon exhaled, his chest tightening. "Can't believe it's finally here."
Chi-Chi pulled Goku close. "Don't you dare die on me."
"We won't!" Goku promised, though his smile held a shadow of something deeper.
"And Gohan—he's not fighting, right? Promise me!"
"…Wow, look at the time! Bye!" Goku said, dodging the question as he placed his hand on Rykon's shoulder and vanished.
The Arena
At the Cell Games Arena, the sky felt heavier, the earth itself holding its breath.
Cell stood in the center of the ring, arms folded, a smile playing on his lips.
Announcer voices crackled over the speakers. "Only twenty minutes until the games begin! The fate of the world is at stake!"
Mr. Satan strutted forward, cloaked in bravado. "I've got you all figured out, Cell! Your tricks won't work on me!"
Cell's eyes narrowed, amused. "Who… is this clown?"
Vegeta landed silently on one side of the ring. Android 16 landed on the other, his new body gleaming under the sun.
One by one, the rest of the Z Fighters arrived. Trunks. Yamcha. Tien. Piccolo. Krillin. Gohan. Rykon. And finally, Goku.
Cell laughed, his cold gaze scanning them. "Eleven warriors? Fine. I'll change the rules."
Android 16 approached Rykon. "Thank you, Rykon. And you, Gohan—for helping repair me."
"Glad you're back, 16," Rykon replied, his tone sincere.
"Let's do our best," Goku added, his eyes locked on Cell.
"I was created to destroy you, Goku. Do not forget that."
Goku whispered to Rykon, "Man, this guy's all gloom and doom."
Rykon chuckled under his breath. What do you even say to that?
The Cell Games Begin
Cell's voice echoed across the arena.
"It's time. Let the games begin."
Mr. Satan charged first, fists flailing.
"TAKE THIS! AND THAT!"
Cell swatted him aside like a fly, sending him crashing into the mountainside.
"Well then," Cell said, eyes gleaming. "Who's next?"
Goku stepped forward, his expression calm but fierce.
"I guess I'll go first."
Cell smiled, hunger in his eyes. "I've been waiting for this."
Rykon's heart thundered in his chest.
Show him, Kakarot. Show him what a true Saiyan can do.
"I won't let you down!" Goku shouted back, stepping into his stance.
The two warriors launched at each other, fists colliding—
—and the Cell Games officially began.
[End of Chapter 22]
POWER STONE!!!?
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