Dragon Ball: Perfection

The dimly lit meeting room at Capsule Corporation was filled with a tense energy. Goku, Vegeta, Bulma, Gohan, Dende, and Broly sat around the table, each deep in thought. The recent battle had left scars both visible and hidden, and the memory of Cell's escape hung over them like a dark cloud. Though Cell had barely managed to flee, his broken body missing an arm and tail, he was a threat no one dared underestimate.

Goku broke the silence first, his usual lightheartedness replaced by a somber tone. "We all saw the damage Cell took, no tail, no arm and with his body in pieces, i don't think he's going to be absorbing anyone soon."

Vegeta's gaze remained fixed on the table, arms crossed. "That doesn't mean he's done. He escaped, didn't he? He'll find some way to rebuild, and when he does, he'll be back with a vengeance."

Bulma nodded thoughtfully, her hand resting on her chin. "But what can we do to prepare? If he's out there somewhere, maybe we should be working on a way to track him."

Dende, sitting quietly at the table, gave a small nod. "Right now, we can only assume he's hiding. I can't sense him. Even if he's alive, he's somehow masking his energy."

Gohan clenched his fists, determination in his gaze. "We can't wait around for him to strike first. If he shows up again, we have to be ready." He looked at Broly, and the two shared a silent understanding.

Goku turned to Dende and smiled. "I think I'll stick around here for now. I need to check on Krillin's daughter, and… Chi-Chi too. She'll want to know what's going on."

Vegeta raised an eyebrow. "Hmph. While you're dealing with family matters, I'll stay here and work on my own training. I have a plan in mind." His eyes narrowed with a hint of challenge. "When Cell shows up again, I won't be caught off guard."

Bulma sighed but gave Vegeta a look of approval. "Just don't blow up anything here, alright?"

Goku chuckled softly, a hint of his old optimism surfacing. "Guess we'll all prepare in our own way. But we'll be ready, no matter what."

....

In the quiet of the recovery wing, Goten and Trunks stirred within their healing pods, the nutrient-rich fluid drained, and the capsules opened with a soft hiss. They sat up, taking in their surroundings, their expressions serious and alert. Any trace of their usual carefree nature was gone, replaced by a somber awareness of the weight of the recent battle.

"Trunks," Goten said, flexing his fingers as he adjusted to being fully healed. "We need to see the others. We… we almost lost everything."

Trunks nodded, the usual gleam of mischief in his eyes replaced with determination. "Yeah. Let's go." Without another word, the two leapt from their pods, moving toward the familiar ki signatures gathered in the meeting room.

They burst through the door, drawing surprised glances from the others. Goten and Trunks took in the somber expressions and, for a moment, felt the full gravity of the situation settle over them.

Their gazes landed on Dende, whose appearance was strikingly different. He looked older, taller, and around his neck gleamed a necklace of small, brilliant orbs, the Dragon Balls.

Trunks's eyes widened in shock. "Dende, what… what happened to you?"

Dende offered a small, bittersweet smile. "I had to make a choice, one that would help us all. I've merged with Shenron, and in doing so, I've taken on part of his power." He glanced at the Dragon Balls, glowing softly against his chest. "But it came at a price."

Goten and Trunks exchanged a solemn look, understanding the sacrifice their friend had made. Then, as if deciding on something unspoken, they turned to their fathers.

"Dad." Trunks said, his voice steady, "we want to train with you. We can't sit on the sidelines anymore. We need to be ready if… when Cell comes back."

Goku and Vegeta looked at each other, silent approval passing between them. Vegeta gave a faint smirk. "You're finally starting to sound like warriors."

Goku nodded, resting a hand on Goten's shoulder. "Alright, but this isn't going to be easy. You both have to take this seriously. Got it?"

Both boys nodded, determination blazing in their eyes.

Vegeta stood up, his eyes on Trunks and Goten. "I'll train you both myself. We're not going to wait for Cell to strike first."

Goku smiled, a hint of pride shining through his somber expression. "But first, Goten, you're coming with me. We need to let your mother know what's going on." His expression softened as he glanced at the others. "And there's something else I have to take care of."

Gohan, too, rose from his seat. "I should check in with Videl and let her know about Pan. Broly and I will be training, but I want my family to understand what's happening."

Vegeta crossed his arms, nodding toward Gohan and Goku. "You two go handle your family matters. We'll take things from here."

With a nod, the group parted ways, each preparing in their own way for the looming shadow that was Cell Max.

....

Capsule Corp's large doors opened into a courtyard, where Goku, Goten, and Dende prepared to leave. Goten glanced over at his father, a look of quiet determination on his face.

"Dad… Krillin's daughter… do you think she's okay?" he asked quietly.

Goku's expression softened. "That's where we're going, Goten. She needs to hear the truth."

A short flight later, they reached a quiet neighborhood where Krillin's teenage daughter, Marron, now lived. Goku and Goten landed softly, their expressions somber as they approached the door. Marron, now much taller and leaner than the little girl Goten remembered, answered the door with a hopeful smile, one that faded the moment she saw the look on Goku's face.

"Marron," Goku said gently, stepping forward. "There's something we need to tell you."

She looked between Goku and Goten, her face growing pale. "What… what happened? Where's my dad?"

Goku's voice was soft but steady, a tone full of both sorrow and respect. "Your father had to leave, Marron. And… he wants to make sure you're safe."

Marron's gaze faltered, the words hanging heavily in the air. "And… and Mom? Where's my mom?"

Goku swallowed, pain clear in his eyes. "Eighteen… your mom fought bravely. But she… she didn't make it. Cell took her from us."

Marron's knees buckled, and Goten instinctively stepped forward to catch her, his arms steadying her as the weight of the news struck her like a physical blow. Her eyes glazed over, filling with tears that began to spill over in silent, heartbreaking grief.

"No… no, she can't be…" Marron's voice broke, and she covered her face with her hands, sobbing as Goten held her.

Goten spoke softly, his own voice thick with emotion. "You're not alone, Marron. You can come with us. My mom… Chi-Chi… she'll take care of you."

Marron nodded weakly, her frame trembling as she wiped her eyes, her once-bright spirit now dulled by the loss. "Thank you, Goten. I… I don't know what to do."

Goku placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You have family with us, Marron. Your dad would want you to be safe, to be around people who care about you."

With a small, grateful nod, Marron stepped back into her home to gather her things, and soon after, the three took to the sky, flying toward Goku's house, where Chi-Chi was waiting.