Honor Trip

Chapter Four: Intercession

Disclaimer: Dragon Ball, the glorious franchise it is, is not in any way a property I control. I can only wish to supplement its mystique with stories such as the one herein. The same is in regards to related characters, symbols, plot elements, etc.

With that said, I hope you enjoy the story!

Cell stood amongst the warriors, smiling about a victory he would never have conceived of at the start of the day. He was more than eager to answer the question his friend had posed. "What now, Piccolo? What now, you ask? Why, now is the beginning of a whole new adventure, a wonderful life in which I'm no longer driven to kill out of misguided rage." "It feels so strange to say it, but after witnessing what just happened and piecing together your most recent actions in light of that, it looks like I was … wrong about you after all," Trunks said with a bit of a smirk. "Cell, throughout the entirety of my life, and in the now alternate futures in which we were born, the androids have kept on killing with glee, doing everything they could to cause horror and pain. I'm still quite amazed that you shattered a rule which I thought could never be broken." "It was time for a change, Trunks," Cell said. "It was time for me to change. And Gohan, I still can't thank you enough for helping me find my true self." "I must admit, I also find it very strange that you're so different now, especially since you were so diabolic before," Gohan said. "That was shaping up to be a fierce battle back there. We need to finish it sometime, but when that time comes, let's not get into it with the mindset that it's going to be a struggle of life or death. I wouldn't want to hurt you too bad." "Or vice versa," Cell said, in a way that both he and Gohan, at last, mutually could laugh at regarding the fact he was joking. Goku had been relieved that Cell had actually meant it when he said he wanted to change. 'It is a great day for hope,' he thought as he took great relief in seeing his son acting joyful again. 'Everyone has been wished back, and the person who had killed them has changed his heart and helped us accomplish our goal of making things right.' This was the first time for as long as Goku could remember when a battle had finished with an opponent conceding defeat and actually stating his intention to give up his evil ways and join the side of good. Not even Vegeta had truly done that. This was a glorious day for all Goku believed in, and he knew it. "So Cell, you have the dubious distinction of being the first and only foe of the Earth who has become a friend and officially surrendered his fight," Goku said. "With this in mind, I have a simple question for you; 'Would you like to help us defend the world from future harm?'" Cell turned to look at his former foe. "I would love nothing more, Goku, but if I ever get the opportunity to truly do so, it may be a long time from now, and far off," Cell said. "And why is that?" Tien asked. "Don't tell me you're going to spend a couple of years on vacation." "Not at all," Cell said. "It's because, Tien, of the fact that I must atone for all I've done. I must feel pain for the pain I've caused. I can't just pretend I wasn't a monster and didn't kill all those people." "But Cell, aren't they all back, every single last one of them? Isn't that what you just make sure of?" Yamcha asked. "What do you have to atone for if no good soul actually got trapped in Otherworld?" "I think I understand what Cell's getting at here, Yamcha," Piccolo said. "Cell, you think the punishment you feel you

deserve is irrelevant and irrespective of the fact that the people you harmed are no longer in dire straits. It's all about what you did, and the malice with which you committed your deeds." "That's right, Piccolo," Cell said. "I must admit, that is rather noble of you, but I also don't know if it's absolutely necessary given the extreme circumstances of your upbringing," Goku said. "After all, you took a long time to make it clear to us that your ability to deviate from evil was close to or completely nonexistent. And because that was true, your actions, the same ones you now want to punish yourself for, were not really in line with your way of reformed thinking now. And the way you think now, in my opinion, should be what counts, especially after our wishes with the Dragon Balls." "That is also very valid, and thank you for pointing that out," Cell said. "But, I must be open to serving justice for my misdeeds. I once killed people for fun, Goku, and that can never be forgiven, even if I've changed. I need to be put on trial so that the world can have its chance to make me pay for what I've done. And even if the panels choose not to put me away through their means, at least members of the public will have the opportunity to process, question, and delve as must justice as they possibly can from the horror who terrorized them." "Are you sure you want to do this?" Gohan asked. "Trust me Gohan, I wouldn't have it any other way," Cell said. "It's for the good of the world, even if its citizens choose to put me away for decades." "Decades?" Mr. Popo asked. "Yes, even then," Cell said. "Especially then." "So, how does one arrange such a trial?" Dende asked. "It's quite simple, really," Cell said. "I'll just fly over to West City, land right outside of the police department, and if I'm not arrested within seconds of my arrival then I'll just have to walk right in there and turn myself in. The criminal proceedings should begin in short order after that." "Why West City?" Tien asked. "Think about it, Tien. West City is home to Capsule Corporation and most of the planet's other major business firms," Cell said. "With the world's most profitable companies right there, the caliber of courts and lawyers in that city is likely going to be higher than anywhere else because of the importance of all the business transactions there. Even though my criminal case won't be directly related to business, it will be professionally handled by a court system and a lawyer circuit that are adept at processing high-profile cases." "All this talk of business and law stuff is making me think about patents, and I come to wonder if Dr. Gero ever ripped anything off from my mother or grandfather," Trunks said. "It's quite possible, but if true, I wouldn't know what for sure," Cell said. "And, ah, yes, we'll need as many witnesses of competence as we can muster. I want all of you to testify against me." "But if we do that, and we're telling the truth, then we're also going to speak about how you're now on our side," Goku said. "If you must, but they may not believe you," Cell said. "I'm also going to have to find my siblings before this trial begins so an even fuller picture may be represented. I was planning on trying to find them eventually; this gives me all the more reason to find them now. They must be very confused as to what's going on, and especially with regards to why they've manifested in physical form once again." "I'd like to help you find them with my instant transmission technique, but it only works if you can sense their power levels," Goku said. "Since they don't have any that can be detected because they don't have internal energy that can be sensed, I can't locate them, let alone find them the conventional way. Y'know something, come to think of it, I've never actually seen Androids Seventeen and Eighteen, have I?" "Dad, I think you happen to be right about that," Gohan's said. "Punk with black hair, crappy black shirt and girly blue jeans, that's him," Trunks said. "You can distinguish Android Seventeen from all the other people that fit that description by the cold, lifeless blue eyes and the outrageously obnoxious attitude."