Golden Clash

Dust swirled around Cell as he rose from the cratered earth, his green hands brushing off the grime that clung to his sleek, armored form. He stood tall, wings buzzing faintly in the still air, and fixed his sharp gaze on me, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You're Goku's runt, aren't you? The youngest one?" he asked, his voice a low growl laced with mockery, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of curiosity.

I stood firm, feet planted on the cracked ground, the wind tugging at my tattered gi as I met his stare without flinching. "Doesn't matter who I am, Cell," I said, my tone steady, cool, a blade of certainty cutting through his taunt. "All you need to know is today's your last day breathing." My words hung heavy, a promise forged in two years of relentless training, every punch and kick a step toward this moment.

Cell's smirk faltered, his expression shifting to something darker, more dangerous. "Tch, that arrogance, it's nothing like your father or Gohan," he spat, folding his arms across his chest, his black-spotted tail flicking behind him. "But I'll make it clear, kid, your story ends the same way theirs did, in the dirt at my feet." His confidence oozed, thick and venomous, a predator sizing up prey he'd already dismissed.

I tilted my head, unfazed, a faint grin tugging at my lips. "Let's see what you've got then," I replied, my voice calm, almost bored, masking the fire roaring in my chest. This wasn't a fight I'd lose; Ultra Instinct Mega hummed beneath my skin, a trump card I could unleash in a heartbeat to erase him.

Krillin staggered to his feet beside me, his cyborg body gleaming faintly under the sun, scars fading as the senzu bean worked its magic. "Goten, don't get cocky," he warned, his voice rough but urgent, eyes wide with the memory of Cell's brutality. "He's stronger now, way beyond eight years ago; Gohan hit Super Saiyan 2 and still couldn't win, and this guy's a monster unleashed."

I glanced at him, nodding slightly, acknowledging the weight of his words. "Got it, Krillin," I said, keeping my tone even, though my mind sharpened, filing away his caution. Cell's power pulsed in the air, a storm I could feel pressing against my senses, but I'd trained for this, built myself to face it.

Cell's grin widened, bloodthirsty and wild, his patience snapping. "You want my skills, brat? Fine, I'll show you, then send you straight to your family reunion!" He lunged, a blur of green and gold, his body cutting through the air so fast Krillin's gasp was the only sign he'd moved.

I braced myself, fists clenching as the wind howled around us, Cell's fist rocketing toward my face with murderous intent. I met it head-on, my own fist surging forward, a collision that shook the earth beneath us, a deafening boom splitting the sky. A mushroom cloud billowed upward, the ground caving into a massive crater, shockwaves rippling out as we both skidded back, boots carving trenches in the dirt.

Krillin stumbled, shielding his eyes from the dust, his jaw dropping as he steadied himself. "Unreal, Goten's holding his own, and he's not even Super Saiyan yet!" he muttered, awe threading his voice, his bald head glinting as he stared. "That punch could've flattened me, and he took it like it was nothing; this kid's going to outshine Goku and Gohan, no question."

I straightened, shaking out my hand, the sting of impact fading fast; Cell's strike had been a test, a jab to feel me out, not his full might. "He's holding back," I thought, narrowing my eyes as I watched him, his stance loose, casual, like a cat toying with a mouse. He hadn't tapped his Super Saiyan power yet, let alone that lightning-charged form I'd heard whispers of, and I wasn't about to get smug over a warm-up.

Cell chuckled, a low, rumbling sound, his wings twitching with excitement. "Not bad, Goku's spawn; you've got some punch," he said, cracking his neck as he paced, his gaze sharpening. "But that was barely a taste, less than one percent of what I've got; the real fun starts now." His voice dripped with anticipation, a predator scenting a worthy hunt.

Golden flames erupted around him, a torrent of energy blazing to life as he clenched his fists, his aura crackling with Super Saiyan power. His hair spiked higher, glowing bright, a mirror of Goku and Vegeta's strength woven into his stolen cells. The air thickened, trembling under his might, and I felt the shift, the game leveling up fast.

I didn't hesitate, my own fists tightening as golden light flared around me, Super Saiyan full power igniting in a rush of heat and fury. My hair stood sharp, eyes flashing green, the ground quaking beneath my boots as I matched his glow, a beacon against his storm. "If he's going there, I'm not holding back either," I thought, muscles tensing, ready for the clash; against this Cell, anything less was a death sentence.

Cell's eyes widened, a flicker of shock breaking his smug mask. "That strength, it's on par with Goku back then," he muttered, almost to himself, his mind racing as he sized me up anew. Eight years ago, I hadn't existed in his world; now, at seven, I stood toe-to-toe with his old foes, a prodigy he hadn't accounted for.

Krillin edged closer, his voice low, urgent. "Goten, he's still got more; that lightning form's a nightmare, and he's tougher than Gohan ever faced," he said, his cybernetic hand flexing nervously. I nodded, keeping Cell in my sights, knowing this was just the opening act, a dance before the real blades came out.

Cell smirked again, regaining his composure, excitement simmering in his stance. "Too bad for you, kid; I'm not the Cell they fought," he said, his tone sharp, eager. "Even if you've got Gohan's power beat, you're still no match; let's spice up my dull days." He cracked his knuckles, the sound echoing over the shattered landscape.

I moved, a golden streak flashing behind him, my hands clasping together as I leapt, swinging down toward the back of his head with all my might. The air screamed, but my strike sliced through nothing, an afterimage fading as Cell vanished, his speed a step ahead. "Predictable," I muttered, landing lightly, not surprised; a guarded Cell wouldn't fall that easy.

He retaliated, dropping from above, his leg sweeping toward me in a blur of gold and green, a strike meant to cleave me in two. I twisted, leaving my own afterimage to take the hit, reappearing a dozen feet away, dust swirling where I'd stood. Our eyes locked, a silent acknowledgment passing between us, two warriors testing the edges of their power.

"Fast little pest," Cell said, grinning wide, his voice alive with thrill. "This is the fight I've been craving; let's see how long you last!" His aura flared brighter, the ground trembling as he prepared to escalate, and I braced myself, heart pounding, ready to meet him blow for blow in this golden storm.

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