“Are you sure about this?” South Supreme Kai asked with concern.
“I’ll be fine,” Lila said, appreciating her fellow Kai’s worry about her. Her head thrummed from the drinks or ten she’d shared with Bra last night. But as an immortal with millions of years of drinking experience, she’d managed. Lila had to admit she had fun with the young saiyan. They were developing quite the link. “But I need to ask him some questions. With you outside, I’m not in any danger.”
“Fine.” South made a face but nodded. “Cry out if something happens.”
After an appreciative nod, Lila entered the small storage room. The Colosseum had no prison cells, so this storeroom was their next best option. While not secure, a dozen Nameks and South guarding the room, she doubted he’d get far if their prisoner tried anything.
“You’re in big trouble. The Vargas aren’t happy. You violated their hospitality. They’re tempted to teleport you to the most remote and desolate place in your universe,” she said.
“Is that right?” Bido kept his face neutral, but Lila detected the tension from the curl of his lip. “But you haven’t yet. I take it you’re here for a reason?”
Beyond a cot, the cream-colored room was bare. Her nose twisted from the dust that they hadn’t cleaned away yet, though she detected a hint of bleach. Lila sat on the cot and crossed her legs like she owned the place. “This is your lucky day. If you help me with an investigation I’m working on, I might lighten your sentence. Heck, you might even reunite with your buddies once they get wished back.”
“Okay. What do you wish to know?” The space pirate crossed his arms. While he pretended to be disinterested, Bido seemed alert.
“When you were fighting Pan of Universe 16, I heard something strange happened. Can you elaborate?” She’d already grilled Tsumuri about what happened, but she wanted Bido’s opinion. He’sbeen closer to the scene.
“The girl’s a freak! Nothing we did seemed to hurt her!” Bido’s mouth curled into a sneer. “We should have killed her several times over, but she kept coming.”
“But is there something else? Even with her power, I’m surprised she survived your gang’s attack,” Lila said, adding some flattery.
“Yes, something else happened.” Bido paused, gathering his thoughts, but Lila detected a hint of fear. “I don’t know. She got angry, and this darkness flowed from her. The craziest thing.”
The space pirate suppressed a shudder. “It was like death was coming for us. I can’t explain it otherwise.”
Lila tapped her chin. Tsumuri had mentioned an odd feeling, but nothing like this. It confirmed the worst of the abomination from Universe 16. “Thank you, you’ve been very helpful.”
The space pirate regained his composure and smirked. “Anything to help.” Though, she detected a hint of sarcasm.
“Yes, that should be everything.” Lila paused, taking in a breath. “Let go of me! You really think you’ll escape?!” she yelled at the top of her lungs.
“What?” Bido said, startled.
“I don’t need you anymore,” Lila whispered. In a flash, she disappeared. A beam lanced through the pirate’s chest, moving so quickly that he hadn’t the chance to defend himself.
The lumbering pirate collapsed in a pool of his own blood, eyes wide in shock. He clutched at Lila’s boot, but she only kicked it aside. With a hole in his heart, Bido died seconds later.
With perfect timing, South charged into the room. “What happened?!”
“I’m fine,” Lila said, pretending to be flustered. “This scum charged me and tried to take me hostage. Tried grabbing me around the throat. The fool thought it was the best way for him to escape, but he underestimated me and paid for it.”
She spat on his corpse. “We were right to kill these monsters back in our universe. What was Kais of Universe 16 thinking, not doing the same? Sealing them away? What kind of solution is that?”
South relaxed. “I’m glad you’re okay. That was a reckless risk. Did you at least learn something?”
“No, I tried to get him to talk, but he only stalled for time until his failed attempt to take me hostage.”
“Pity. I want to learn more about Pan of Universe 16.” South clenched a fist. “What is she? I can’t help a sense of foreboding.”
“Me too. That’s why she must be destroyed.” Pity her guardians were the greatest warriors in the multiverse. But she’d take care of that. Lila hid a secret smile.
---
“Oh, by the way, I give up,” Nappa of Universe 13 said, a smug smile on his face.
“What?” Frieza said, seething, annoyed he’d lost his prey. His teeth ground as Nappa explained that attacking him after surrendering would only disqualify him. Rage barely controlled, the Galactic Overlord stomped out of the ring. Raditz and Nappa exchanged a high-five, amused by their indirect victory over their long-time enemy.
“Master, are you okay?” But Burter of the Ginyu Force only earned a decapitation as his reward for his concern. Pan seethed in outrage at such a callous act, but a sudden flare of anger from another person caught her attention.
“Tsk.” King Cold clutched his fingers, righteous fury flaring like a supernova in his eyes. At least someone else found this pointless murder despicable, though the source surprised her. The other Ginyu Force members cringed as Frieza glared at them, daring them to complain.
“Do you have something to say, father?” Frieza said, spreading his arms in a half-hearted shrug. “They are my men, after all. I can do whatever I wish.”
King Cold didn’t reply, but the anger bubbled beneath the surface. Caught by this drama, Pan hadn’t noticed Goku of Universe 18 defeat Android 17 with a single strike.
But Aunt Bra didn’t seem too impressed. “If Dad was fighting, that Android would be dust.” Pan noticed her words didn’t have the bite they usually did. Her aunt seemed miserable, clutching at her skull with obvious pain from her hangover after a night of drinking.
Vegeta, her grandfathers’ other counterpart, earned an equally quick victory against Trunks of Universe 12, much to Pan’s disappointment. This entire tournament seemed unlucky for all Trunks in the Multiverse.
“Next Fight: Pan of Universe 18 against Kakarot of Universe 13,” the announcer said.
Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.
“This should be fun,” the evil Goku smirked, eager for the violence ahead.
“What’s the matter?” Gohan of 18 asked, as his daughter didn’t move to enter the ring.
“Getting cold feet? You’re a Saiyan warrior! Act like one!” Vegeta said, his usual scowl deepening.
“This other version of me won’t be an easy opponent to beat. You can’t blame her for being apprehensive.” Goku said. This only earned a scoff from Vegeta. It amazed Pan how they seemed to squabble like an old married couple.
“Are you okay? You got this. We’re behind you all the way.” Gohan of 18 placed a comforting hand on his daughter.
“I’m getting bored! Hurry up already!” Kakarot said, his voice a whine as he leaped into the ring.
“Remember, Kakarot. No moments of madness,” Vegeta of 13 said.
This earned a derisive snort from the evil Goku. “I know how to control myself!”
“If you don’t want to, Pan, it’s fine,” her mom from Universe 18 said.
“You can do this,” Gohan of 18 said, his words a balm to the other Pan’s fear. Goku gave her a nod, supreme confidence in his granddaughter.
Still, Little Pan shook her head. “Sorry, Dad. But I surrender.” This earned a shocked response from her family.
“Why?” Gohan asked. “You were looking forward to this tournament.”
“Yeah, I know. But last night’s fight with Bojack and his goons taught me I’m not ready yet. There’s still so much I need to learn!” Little Pan said. Her tone wasn’t fearful, but passionate. She hadn’t given up her aspirations, but now wasn’t her time.
“Are you sure?” Goku asked, lowering to his granddaughter’s level.
“Yeah, I want to learn everything I can from Big Sis Pan first.” Pan of 18 replied. “She’s everything I want to be!”
“Pan of Universe 18 has surrendered. Kakarot of Universe 13 is the victor!” the announcer said.
“She wants to be a freak like you?” Aunt Bra said, but both Pans ignored her barb.
“Okay. If you don’t think you’re ready, then you’re not. But you’re going to need to train harder for next time!” Goku’s words of encouragement earned an emphatic nod from Little Pan.
“Ridiculous. I was hoping at least someone from our universe won’t turn out a total embarrassment,” Vegeta said, sending unspoken barbs at Trunks and Goten. He snorted and turned away.
“Besides, I’d rather not risk turning into a zombie.” Little Pan said, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. “I’m not getting my neck snapped!”
Kakarot snorted, annoyed. “Seems you came begging and screaming about not killing your precious daughter for nothing.”
“What?” Pan of Universe 18 sent her father a scathing glare.
Sweat gathered on the other Gohan’s forehead as he suffered Little Pan’s scorn. “I just wanted to make sure you’re safe.”
“Now I’m annoyed with myself for giving up!” Pan of Universe 18 mumbled. From her expression, she won’t be quick to forgive her father. Like her, this Pan hated being told what she couldn’t do.
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure she’s ready for her next fight,” Pan said. Since she didn’t need to sleep, why not help her counterpart? If she survived her fight with Cell, anyway.
“One problem at a time,” Pan whispered to herself.
“Next Fight: Pan of Universe 16 against Cell of Universe 17!” the announcer said.
“And I suppose this is where you surrender, too?” Aunt Bra said, her words acid to Pan’s confidence. But Pan walked up to the stage, ready to face her next challenge.
“I’ve been looking forward to this,” Cell said. “Of all the combatants, you’re the one who’s interested me the most. You’re an enigma, a total wild card in every sense of the word. Please keep this fight entertaining!”
“I’m ready.” Pan stretched her limbs and got into a fighting pose. Neither combatant moved as they sized the other up.
“To think I’d be facing off against Gohan’s daughter. This brings me back,” Cell said. “It was quite comical, his desperation against me in a Kamehameha battle. Since you exist, I suppose in your universe I lost! How strange that fate brought us together in this arena!”
“Maybe it’s fate telling you it’s your time that’s run out,” Pan replied.
“No, I doubt it. It’s the other way around. Fate decreed that I fix a mistake, to show perfection, can’t be beaten!”
“We’ll just see about that.” On impulse, Pan made the first move. Cell was lightning quick as they exchanged blows, each testing the other’s reflexes. It was uncanny how her opponent’s body seemed to know instinctively how to dodge each of her attacks. Still, Pan pushed him hard in this first exchange. After they each inflicted a blow to the chest, both combatants leaped back.
“Not bad. Your father taught you well,” Cell said, inclining his head. “Now that our warm-up’s concluded, how about we start the real fight?”
Pan took a step back as Cell unveiled his true power, and it kept skyrocketing. Without any preamble, he charged. They zipped around the ring, both fighters keeping the other off balance. They were a blur as they exchanged blows, hundreds of feints and counterfeints passing between them. But Cell was impossibly fast, Pan just barely keeping him at bay. She hissed as a blow knocked her into the arena’s barrier, a crack spidering where she’d struck it.
“Come now. How about taking this seriously, Pan?” Cell said, crossing his arms. “You still haven’t gone Super Saiyan yet. Or did you foolishly believe you could defeat me without it? No, it’s not that. I heard about that little scuffle you had with Bojack and his crew. I don’t know how your odd zombie body works, but I’m guessing that fight has left you drained. And since you can’t eat Senzu beans, it’s left you precariously low on energy. Have I hit the mark?”
“Fine. I suppose I have no choice.” Still, using Super Saiyan was a risk. It used ki she couldn’t afford to waste. While she couldn’t feel pain or exhaustion, Pan was getting accustomed to the odd rhythm of her zombie body. Four hours hadn’t been enough to regain her lost ki.
“Damned if I do, damned if I don’t.” Her power sparked, and a golden aura flashed around her body. But the attack costed her. Blackness was already creeping into her vision, warning her she was already risking hitting the brink.
“That’s better!” Cell said, his Saiyan blood roaring in excitement at the possibility of a good fight. “Show me what you’ve got!”
“Impossible. She’s gotten this strong already?” Her aunt said, taken aback. “Pitiful compared to me, but still.”
Her father only smiled, pleased with his daughter’s development. Goku smiled, exciting by the prospect of facing her later. Her uncles cheered her on with unbridled enthusiasm.
“Show this biomechanical freak why the Son family is the strongest in the Multiverse,” her grandfathers said, arms crossed. In his mind, the fight was already a done deal. Pan wished she shared his confidence.
“Wow.” Her counterpart from Universe 18 marveled before erupting into cheering. Goku beamed with pride, eager to face this fighter later in the tournament.
“These Saiyans. Is there a limit to their potential for power?” Frieza said, whipping his tail in agitation. King Cold gave her a strange look, like gears were turning in his head.
The entire stadium rocked as the two combatants exchanged blows. Pan was like lightning as she zipped around the stage, using her speed advantage to keep her opponent flat-footed. With her energy reserves so low, she didn’t dare play around. But Cell was a monster, taking every punishing blow and eager to take another.
“You can do better than that!” Cell said, his words taunting. He landed a kick that rocked Pan to the core. Though impervious to pain, Pan recognized the blow had done serious damage. Cell’s greatest strength was his well-balanced abilities. Matched with his incredible regeneration, he was almost unstoppable. She struck him again, but he only laughed it off.
“I’m being too conservative with my power,” Pan thought in frustration. And unlike Bojack, she couldn’t unleash a powerful Kamehameha to debilitate him. He’d just regenerate from it. She’d seen how he’d healed from just being a head. It’d cost him power, sure, but not enough to make the effort worthwhile.
“What now? Have you given up already?” Cell said, giving her a condescending smile when he caught her hesitation.
“Give it up already,” Aunt Bra said. “This fight’s over. Look at her. She’s quaking in her boots!”
“No, you got this, Pan,” her father said. “Focus. You haven’t lost yet.”
“Right. I am overthinking this. Just go. Let your instincts handle the rest,” Pan thought.
She was still thinking like a mortal, fearing pain and defeat. But she was a zombie who could push her body past all logic. She needed to use that to her advantage.
“I’m ready, Cell,” Pan squeezed a fist, her whole body igniting with power. “I hope you are.”
With full force, she charged at her opponent. Startled by the force coming at him, Cell almost didn’t dodge in time. But Pan didn’t relent, giving everything she had. Ki charged her punches, purple blood erupting from Cell’s mouth as she landed a devastating blow to the chest. Her opponent leaped back before she could deliver a follow-up strike.
Cell spit blood onto the arena floor, smiling through his bloody teeth. “Better.”
Pan’s Saiyan undead blood sang as she pounded her opponent with everything she had, a dark voice urging her on to greater heights of violence and bloodshed.
“Gah!” Cell said, grabbing at his arm, which a glancing blow had broken. But he only smirked, more amused than hurt. When he stretched out the broken limb, it straightened, completely restored. Cell took the initiative, striking her back. Pan did her best to defend herself, but she’d wasted most of her energy trying to beat Cell to death. She screamed as Cell grabbed her by the leg and slammed her hard into the arena floor. She flailed as he tossed her aside like garbage.
“Hit your limit already? Pity.”
“Never!” Pan leaped forward, more determined than ever. Cell was fast, zipping around the field like lightning, but Pan was faster. Her opponent howled as she elbowed him in the face, then punched him hard in the gut.
“Again!” Pan wailed on him even harder, each punch causing the entire stadium to rumble. Cell tried to escape, but Pan was relentless. An elbow to the skull caved in a good portion of his skull, leaving her opponent dazed.
With Cell helpless, Pan gathered energy into her palms to devastate what remained of her opponent. “Kamehameha!”
The entire arena exploded as Pan unleashed her devastating attack, leaving little beyond dust. Her body sagged, darkness creeping into her vision. Pan cursed her recklessness. She’d allowed her temper to get the better of her again, wasting precious ki. She tensed as she waited for the dust bank to clear, waiting for the moment of truth. But, of course, she’d been too hopeful.
“Impressive. You almost had me! You fought well, daughter of Gohan.” The half of Cell’s body that remained said. Purple blood seeped from the side of his face, making it seem like the bio-warrior was weeping.
“No!”
“But you wasted everything on this final attack, didn’t you?” The other half of Cell’s body burst from its remains, restoring him as good as new. “This is the end. You’ve lost.”
---
Author’s note:
Sorry, what I said would happen next time will happen in chapter 7. I totally forgot Cell happened before those events. Doh!
Anyway, next time:
Cell vs Pan concluded. Vegito’s humiliating defeat. And Mary Sue vs. Android 18.