“Gohan… let it go…”

Those were the final words of Android 16 before Cell’s heel came down, silencing him forever. The image burned itself into Gohan’s mind — the gentle giant, begging him to fight for the world, crushed like nothing. Around him, his loved ones cried out in pain as the merciless Cell Juniors tore into them, each scream another nail driving into his heart.

The dam finally broke.

Lightning sparked across the battlefield as Gohan’s scream ripped through the heavens. His aura roared to life, shaking the earth beneath his feet. His golden hair stood on end, his eyes sharp with a fury the likes of which had never been seen before. At that moment, Gohan shattered the wall that held him back and ascended into something greater — Super Saiyan 2.

The Cell Juniors who had moments ago dominated Earth’s strongest were reduced to ash in an instant. Each blow from Gohan landed with surgical precision and merciless intent. Even Cell himself, the so-called perfect being, found himself on the defensive, staggered by the sheer ferocity of the boy’s power.

But with that power came arrogance. Gohan no longer fought to end the battle — he fought to punish. Blow after blow rained down on Cell until, with one bone-crushing strike to the gut, the bio-android convulsed and screamed. A flash of light erupted as Android 18 was violently expelled from his body. Cell’s form twisted and shrank, reverting him to his semi-perfect state.

Cell (clutching his head, eyes wide in disbelief): “N-no…! This can’t be happening… I am perfection! I am—”

His denial was cut short as his body began to swell, grotesquely inflating as his aura flared wildly. His lips curled into a manic grin as he laughed, the sound echoing like thunder.

Cell (voice booming): “If I can’t win… then I’ll destroy it all! I’ll blow myself up and take this miserable planet with me!”

The ground quaked under the pressure of his building energy. The heroes froze, their faces twisting with horror as they realized what was about to happen.

Gohan’s expression fell. His confidence evaporated in an instant, replaced by paralyzing fear. He staggered backward, his aura flickering as tears welled in his eyes. His voice cracked as he cried out:

Gohan: “No… no, this isn’t how it’s supposed to be! I… I can’t stop him…!”

And then — you stepped forward.

You had been there the entire time, watching your son awaken his true power, guiding him from the sidelines, believing in him. But now, as Cell’s deranged laughter rang out, you knew there was only one path left. The others could see it in your eyes — the calm resolve of a father ready to give everything for his child.

Cell (snarling, but masking fear): “W-what are you doing?! Don’t tell me you plan to use Instant Transmission—! If you take me away… you’ll die too!”

His words shook the battlefield as much as his unstable energy. For the first time, even Cell sounded uncertain.

Gohan dropped to his knees, his tears spilling freely as his voice tore itself from his throat in raw desperation.

Gohan: “Dad, no! Please, don’t! This is my fault… it’s all my fault! I should’ve finished him when I had the chance! Don’t leave me… please don’t!”

The others — Vegeta trembling in shock, Trunks staring wide-eyed, Piccolo gritting his teeth in bitter recognition of your resolve, Krillin frozen in disbelief, Yamcha speechless with dread, and Tien stunned into silence — could do nothing but watch.

The air was heavy with hopelessness, the ground still quaking under Cell’s expanding power. And yet, you stood firm. You were not just another warrior on the battlefield. You were a father — and this was the choice you had to make.