Part 3

 

 

            Alora came home from another day of school.  This time she wasn’t greeted by Contessa and Destiny in the hallway, and she didn’t have to hear about her clothes.  No, instead it was about how the people knew that she was in the car with the four other teens, but she survived.  Though the authorities knew she was innocent of the crime, her peers were almost convinced that she planted a bomb in the car so when she got out, it would blow up.

            The small condo was empty when she returned home.  Her mother was working late, and her brothers were in daycare after their pre-school lessons. 

            Tired of the ridicule she went through, she decided to take her emotions away with food, something she rarely would do.  Upon entering the small kitchen, she passed the table with the newspaper on it.  She took a glass of milk and carrot sticks to the table.  Flipping the paper over to the front page, one of the carrot sticks fell from her hand to the floor.

 

THE MONSTER STRIKES AGAIN

            …Authorities say that the only possible explanation for the explosion of West Side Bank was from the powers of Cell.  This monster is known to be able to blow up large towns and cities.  Anyone with any information is to call their local police.  The mayor insists that no one is to go near the tournament arena where the monster is holding what he is calling the ‘Cell Games’….

 

                Alora dropped the paper and took a seat.  She couldn’t believe it.  Well, in fact she could believe that he’d destroy something, but why just the bank and not the entire city?  Criminals are getting away with everything because the damn police can only focus on Cell. 

            She had to know for sure.  She knew that Cell told her to never come back, but she couldn’t help it.  She couldn’t rest until she knew if he was behind it, or the police and reporters are making things worse than they already are. 

            As to not worry her mother to death again, she left a note saying she’d be back later that night.  That was truth, but she just didn’t have the heart to tell her where and why.  Taking a jean jacket she had hanging in her closet and this time putting on sneakers, Alora set out towards Cell’s arena.

 

            It took her about an hour of walking before she found anything.  Only, it wasn’t the arena.  No, it was something that would stay in her mind for a long time.  The shell of the car Justin and the others were in.  Granted, it wasn’t very noticeable that it used to be a car, but Alora was sure that’s what it had to be.

            She continued walking, but it didn’t take long before she saw the white marble arena in the distance.  The closer she got, the more positive she became that it was empty, for there weren’t any signs of someone standing in the middle.

            Her feet were killing her after the walk, and now she questioned herself why she bothered to come out.  She knew that Cell was evil, and she knew that he would probably kill her after he told her not to come back.  He let her go for a reason, so he wouldn’t kill her.  She should’ve taken that as a hint.  But, there was something about him that she couldn’t be away from, although she didn’t know what it was.

            The arena was bare.  There was no sign of Cell anywhere.  Should she stay and wait?  Or did he see her coming and go hide?  I doubt that he’d hide from anyone.  She sat Indian style next to a pillar so she could lean up against something.  She waited.  And waited.  And waited.

            Alora caught herself dozing off several times, but made it a point not to let sleep take over her tired body; mostly because she was scared of Cell’s reaction.  As she was fighting sleep, a small pitter-patter caught her attention.  “Wonderful,” she said to herself as she used her jacket as an umbrella.

 

            Cell flew quickly back to the arena.  He didn’t like staying away long, thinking that some ridiculous human army would be lined up for target practice.  He so hated to waste energy on little boys. 

            There wasn’t an army parked out by the ringside.  Instead there was one single person in one corner.  At first he couldn’t make out who it could be because of the rain that started to fall a few minutes ago. 

            He landed on the platform with ease as he eyed the girl.  At first he was happy to see who it was, but then his happiness turned to disgust.

            “What are you doing here?” He almost snapped at her.

            Alora was startled.  She didn’t see nor hear him coming.  Standing up, she went over to him, shielding her eyes with her jacket.  “I needed to come see you and ask you something.”

            “You bothered to come all this way to ask me a question?  What in the world for?”  By now, Cell was using his ki to keep him dry.  Getting wet wasn’t something he enjoyed.

            “I had to know if it was really you who destroyed that bank in West Side City.”

            “Why would I blow up one measly little building when I can destroy the entire city itself?  Honestly, Alora, you should know be better than that.”

            “That’s what I thought.  I knew you didn’t do it.”  She smiled up to him and took a step closer.

            That one step made Cell feel uneasy.  He was starting to get soft because of her.  Something about her made him feel light headed every time he saw her, along with a strange feeling deep inside him.  He couldn’t let a human do that to him.  He wouldn’t allow it.

            “I told you not to come back here, but you did anyway.”

            Alora’s smile faded.  “But Cell, I just…”

            “I’ll give you five seconds to leave here, and if you don’t I will kill you.”

            “Cell…”

            “One.”

            “You can’t honestly mean…”

            “Two.”

            Alora was pushing her luck.  She opened her mouth to speak again when she heard the number three.  She backed up, looking at him through the rain.  He wouldn’t kill her…would he?  He didn’t do it before. 

            But she saw it.  She saw a little glow in his hand.  He was dead serious, to pardon the expression.

            Alora turned to run, but slipped on the wet and smooth platform surface.  “Four.”  She pushed herself to her feet, almost flying off the edge and running.  The mud splattered onto her faded jeans, but she had no time to worry about it.  The brand new sneakers her mother had been saving for were now covered in wet, brown mud.  The rain came down harder; thunder could be heard in the distance.  The wind picked up and was making it hard for her to hold onto her jacket above her head. 

            Cell yelled, “Five!”  Alora started crying.  She knew this was a bad idea, but she had thought that he wasn’t as terrible as everyone said.  Why didn’t she listen to what the newspaper said like everyone else did?  Her father would be ashamed to know she disobeyed.

            A large blast exploded behind her.  All she could think of doing was dodging behind a rock, while tears added to the rain to make her face wetter.

            Alora dropped her jacket in her lap and cried.  She was feeling guilt and betrayal.  Why did everything in life have to be so difficult for her?  It wasn’t fair.

            Something tapped her foot.  Looking over her knees, which she held to her face, she saw yellow feet.  The rain started to slow down, and the thunder could no longer be heard.  Alora gasped when she figured out that Cell was in front of her, holding out his hand.  Her wet hair fell in her face, and she thought his hand was outstretched to kill her. 

            “Well, what are you waiting for,” he asked in a low tone. 

            Alora pushed her bangs and focused her eyes.  He wasn’t going to kill her.  Instead, he was waiting to help her up.  I’m so confused, she said.  One minute he wants to kill me, and the next he wants to help me.  I thought girls were bad with not being able to make up their minds!

            “I…don’t understand,” she said wiping water out of her eyes.  The rain stopped, and the dark clouds went away revealing the hiding afternoon sun.

            Cell smirked.  “Are you going to take my offer or not?”

            Alora looked at his hand, wondering what kind of trick he was trying to pull.  The first thought that popped into her head was him taking her hand and throwing her across the country.  She decided to take his hand when she felt her pants feeling a little wet from the wet ground. 

            Cell pulled her to her feet, letting her stumbled into him.  She put her hands on his chest to prop herself back up and move away, but his hands rested firmly on her shoulder blades.  Alora looked up at his face, which seemed to be rather serious, not a smile peeking through.  His eyes were their normal sharpness of magenta, which stared her down as if she was a fly. 

            “Cell, let go, please,” she asked him gently.  She didn’t feel comfortable being in his grasp.  If he did this before, she probably would’ve accepted without a fuss, but after what he just attempted, she didn’t feel safe one bit.

            “Were you scared?” He asked in a monotone voice.

            Alora answered a sarcastic yes.  He grinned.  “That’s what I thought,” he said at last.

            “You did that on purpose?”

            “Yes and no.  I wanted to see how serious you were about coming to see me.  And I was also starting to lose my temper with the day’s circumstances.”

            “What do you mean?”

            “I don’t find it amusing to be accused of something that I did not do.  If they wanted me to blow up their buildings, I would’ve been happy to come.  But to blame it on me is unforgivable.”

            “Cell…you didn’t.”

            “I did.  I couldn’t let them get away with that, now could I?”

            Alora finally ducked away under his arms.  “Why?  Why do you insist on terrorizing those who can’t defend themselves?”

            “I didn’t destroy the entire city.  I just added fuel to the fire.”

            “That’s not the point!  You’re contradicting your own words!”

            “How so?  I find it simple.”

            Alora sighed and turned away.  “You don’t like things being taken out on you.  Yet you take your anger out on the innocent.  And you expect me to forgive you for trying to kill me.”

            “I wouldn’t have killed you.”

            “Sure,” she replied once again with a sarcastic tone.

            “You don’t believe me?  Well, why did I let you go the first time around?  Why did I bother to come help you up out of the mud?  Why do I bother talking to you at this very moment?”

            “Stop with the questions,” she said humbly.

            “I will when I’m ready.  The reason why I’m asking those questions to you is because you’ve brought something out in me that I’m still trying to decipher.  Perhaps you think it a simple concept, but to me it’s mind-boggling.  I won’t let myself rest until this is finished.”

            “What in Kami’s name are you talking about?” Alora asked turning around, her arms crossed, and her face stern.

            “I’ll show you.”  Cell came closer once again.  Only when she stepped away did he lunge out and grab her.  They left the ground and flew towards the ocean. 

            Alora held onto him tightly, fearing that he was going to kill her the way she asked him to in the first place.  “Cell!” She yelled at him when he started diving down towards the turquoise water below. 

            The two hit the water, but neither felt it because Cell’s ki kept it from feeling like a hard impact.  The two were only under the waves for a brief moment.  Cell swiftly took her up to a cliff that over looked the death rocks and crashing waves.  He let her go and stepped away.

            Alora looked at her once again drenched body.  However, she knew why he had done what he did.  Now, she was no longer covered in mud.  Her clothes appeared to be clean.  She looked up at him.  His face showed a want of gratitude from her, yet he didn’t make it that obvious.

            “Cell…I don’t know what to say.”  She let her head fall to stare at the ground.

            “I want you to tell me about the human emotions.  Why do I have this feeling that I’m suffering from them?”

            Alora’s eyes went wide.  Now she knew what all his questions were leading up to.  He must love her.  That’s the only possible explanation.  Why would he be so kind and let her go?  Why would he go through the trouble of cleaning her from the mud?  It must be love; it must be.

            “Are you going to answer me sometime tonight?” He asked, his face still showing no other signs of emotion.  He was very good at that; except when he was angry, that is.

            “Why me?”  She figured he’d snap at her for answering his questions with one of her own. 

            To her great surprise, he didn’t.  “I don’t know why.  I haven’t figured that out yet.”  They stood in silence for a moment.  The android couldn’t let the quietness last forever though.  “Perhaps its because you tried to stand up to me, something a normal human doesn’t do.  You seemed to be an outcast from your group; much like me.”

            “You’re not an outcast,” she told him.

            “Of course I am.  No one is as perfect in power and strength as I.  Yet, I envy you because you started to teach me something.  Something I still don’t think I’m ready to learn, yet now that it’s peeking through, I must find out what it is.  There must be someway you can clear my mind…you must.”

            Am I hearing this all correctly?  Perfect Cell is asking me for help?  Is it really that complicated for him to understand?  But what can I possibly do to tell if his feelings are true or not?  There’s one possibility…but I can’t.  It’s not right.  I’d be betraying the entire human race if I did, but a part of me wants to know if my own feelings are correct…

            She pondered her thoughts for a long while.  Cell just stood and waited.  She didn’t know what was right and what was wrong anymore.  Right now, Cell was acting more human that even he might realize.  He’s like a boy trying to figure out what life is all about. 

            “Alora,” Cell said softly, breaking the silence between them.  “Do I have your permission to try something?”

            Once again the android surprised her.  He sounded so sincere and thoughtful.  “I…guess so.”

            Cell seemed to have taken a small deep breath before stepping up to her.  His hands gently rested on her shoulders, which she could swear were slightly trembling.  His eyes seemed to be lost in hers.  After hesitating, and seeming to be rethinking what he was about do, Cell leaned slowly down to her face.  His nose stopped inches away from her own.

            Alora’s breathing became more rapid.  She felt as if he was hitting her chest; on the other hand it could be her own heart demanding to be let out.  She couldn’t believe how close she was to this destructive android.  And it wasn’t for a bad reason either.  But she was sick of waiting for him to finish.  She knew what he was after. 

            Cell felt a surge of power shoot through every vein in his body.  His cells seemed to vibrate with fury.  That strange feeling he had whenever he saw her became more powerful that he had ever felt.  He was kissing a human.

            That thought hit him like a lead ball.  He was kissing a human.  Him.  Cell.  The Ultimate Warrior was lowering his standards to a weak human being.  He wouldn’t stand for it.  He’d be the laughing stock of the Z Fighters. 

            Cell pushed her away, but not with any force.  He turned around and walked a few steps away from her.  His hands held the sides of his head as if something was inside demanding him to do something.

            Alora watched him.  She figured that he was contemplating his actions towards her.  After all, its not every day such a powerful android does something romantic, if that’s what you want to consider it.

            “Please say something,” she finally said, tucking a lock of hair behind her ears.  The wind blew harshly at that moment.  Alora strained her ears to hear if he was speaking.

            “What can I say?  So many thoughts, so many questions, and I don’t know where they start or end.  Do I ignore this?  Or do I pursue it?”

            Alora caught his head turn just enough so he could see her.  “That’s something only your heart can decide.  I know what my decision will be.” Now she wished she hadn’t said that last part. 

            Cell turned his body just enough so she could see part of his face.  “And what would that be?”

            Alora wanted to slap her face for putting herself in such a predicament.  “I guess…” she tried to think of the best way to put it.  “I think that I’d be honored that you picked me, who is nothing but an unwanted human.”

            Cell turned back around, his wings shining once again with the help of the setting sun.  “You’re not completely unwanted, Alora,” he said softly and soothingly.

            Alora’s heart leapt out of her chest.  Are her ears deceiving her?  Cell, the destructive android who’s mind is set on destroying the world, told her, the one that everyone has rejected since the third grade, that she wasn’t completely unwanted.

            “Do you…mean that?”

            “I do not lie.”  He still didn’t look at her.  It was as if he was embarrassed to face her for some reason.

            Alora felt as if she herself could fly.  Her feet felt like they were walking on clouds and that her life was starting to turn around.  Someone, other than her family, did care for her.  Figures it has to be the enemy, but hey, its not all that bad I suppose.

            Cell’s eyes were closed at the time and he was too busy thinking to notice that arms had wrapped around his waist and hands rested on his back.  He couldn’t help but let a small crack of a smile escape at the corner of his mouth.  His own hands wondered up to her and held her close to him.

            Cell’s world was drastically changing around him.  Dr. Gero said that he’d have no need for anything except power to survive.  But now, for some reason he felt a sense of security.  It still confused him, but it all started to come together.  Goku, the greatest Super Saiyan to ever live, had taken a mate and produced offspring.  Even Vegeta, who was almost as cold-hearted as Cell, had settled down. 

            “Alora, you must promise to stay with me,” he told her.

            Alora’s eyes popped open, her head moved away from his chest.  He wants me to stay with him?  As in, never go home?  Travel with him from planet to planet and let me watch him terrorize it?  Or, does he just need me to be there with him for a little while? 

            “Cell,” she started, moving away just a little bit and letting her hands move to his sides.  “I…can’t leave my home forever.  My family needs me.”

            Cell looked down at her with fear of rejection in his eyes.  “What does that mean?  I thought you said you made your decision.”

            “I did.  I’m here for you, but I don’t want to watch others suffer, especially those I care for.  And that includes you.”

            Cell’s face became sterner.  This human girl was starting to confuse him once again.  Does she want me or not?  “So, I take it you’ll refuse to spend the night at the arena again.”

            Alora didn’t know what to say.  Stay on that cold floor again with no pillows?  “I’ll think about staying the night Cell, but I can’t stay forever if you insist on continuing your work.”

            “Nothing will stop me from doing what I must do.”

            Alora had hoped he was going to change his mind now that he started having feelings for her.  “I’m sorry to hear that, Cell.”

            Cell smirked.  She was a stubborn one.  That’s probably why he admired her so much.  She stayed with what she believed in and didn’t let anyone else affect her.  That’s probably why she’s not welcomed into groups at school, he thought. 

            “Alora, when do you have to go to that place you call school?”

            Alora looked up at him once again with curiosity.  “Tomorrow morning.  Why do you ask?”

            “Perhaps those miserable children you must deal with will feel a little differently towards you if I make a personal appearance.”  He had a grin that stretched across his face. 

            “Your just being there would make a lot of trouble, you know.”

            Cell chuckled lightly.  “Oh I assure you I’d just stay only a moment, just long enough for everyone to have a good stare.”

            “Why do you want to do that for me?”

            “I feel as if I must do something to help you, now that you’ve helped me figure these strange feelings I’ve been suffering from.”

            Alora was going to tell him that he basically figured it out on his own, but she decided to let him have his way this time.  He wanted to help her, it seemed, more than she or anyone else would ever have expected.

            “Now,” Cell said to her, a devilish grin on his face.  “Shall we be off?”

            “Where are we going?” Alora asked with a smile.

            “Oh, you’ll see.  I feel its time for you to lose your fear of flying.”

            He wouldn’t…she thought.  Would he honestly try to teach her how to fly?  That’s the last thing she really wanted to get from life at the moment.

            Cell laughed as he scooped her up in his bulky arms.  Her arms immediately tied themselves around his neck and she buried her face against his chest, for his speed was incredible.  “Let go,” he told her. 

            “Are you crazy?” she asked him.  But it was then that she felt how he was holding her.  He had his hands placed firmly around her legs and shoulders, proving to her that he wasn’t going to let anything happen that he felt would hurt her.

            Alora slowly but surely released her hold on him.  She caught another smile appear from his lips.  Then, he let go.  She started falling to the ocean below.  Her voice let out a terrorizing scream.  The dark water seemed to be opening its mouth to swallow her up.

            She closed her eyes, as she was about to smash through the surface.  However, she felt hands grip her sides.  Her eyes opened to see her body ‘flying’ over the water.  Her head cocked up a bit to see Cell’s sparkling eyes looking down at her.

            “Are you still scared?” He asked almost mockingly.

            Alora looked ahead, seeing the traces of the shore in the darkening atmosphere.  “Cell, this is so cool!” Acting like a bird, she stretched her arms out to the sides, feeling as if they were chopping at the air. 

            Cell started to fly up higher from the water, arching back as if they were going up the side of a tall building.  Finally, he flew upside down, his wings and back facing the water below.  Alora’s back rested on his strong abdomen.  Her arms laid on Cell’s, his hands finding hers and interlocked their fingers. 

            Alora wondered how he knew where he was going, but he was doing a great job of flying blindly. 

            The android’s body went back down towards the water, his wings cutting the surface, and his speed causing the waves to rise next to them as they passed through.  Birds flocked away from their swimming spot as the two trespassers came through.  They screeched in horror that such creatures had the nerve to disturb them.

           

            Alora had never had so much fun in her entire life.  She felt so special to have had the privilege of experiencing something so wonderful and exhilarating.  The thought of the other kids seeing her with Cell made her feel evil herself.  She knew it wouldn’t be fair to scare them to death, but some of them just needed to learn to respect her for whom she was.  And Cell was the only way they’d notice. 

            Cell flew back to the cliff they had been on earlier.  He barely had the chance to start to stand themselves up when Alora told him not to.  Cell wondered why as he hovered in the air.  Alora saw that he was only a few feet from the ground, which would make it easier for her.  She slid off him and then got back up as if she was sitting on a horse’s back.  Cell looked at her like he was seeing her for the first time.

            “That was the best thing anyone had ever done with me.  Thank you.”

            “You’re quite welcome.  I enjoyed it myself, to be precise.”

            Alora giggled and leaned down, her elbows resting on his chest.  She held her head up with her hands and looked down at him.  “You know what?  You’ve got beautiful eyes.”

            Cell almost choked, but it turned into a laugh.  Never had anyone complimented him on something like that.  His hands went up to the sides of her face, his fingers weaving through her blondish hair.  He pulled her down for a long kiss.

            Alora didn’t even realize that Cell had rested his body on the ground.  He continued to hold her and give her kisses that she would never forget for as long as she lived.  But the hoot of an owl caught her attention.

            “Cell,” she said on a breath.  He mumbled something that seemed to be a ‘what?”  “I need to go home now.”

            Cell didn’t seem to be listening.  He was quite content with his present situation.  Alora finally got his attention when she moved away.  He sat up as she rolled off him and stood up.  His expression was enough of a question for Alora to answer.

            “It’s getting late, Cell.  My mother will wonder where I am.”

            “Can you not forget about your family for one night?”

            “Cell, I just can’t.  She’s been through so much already, I don’t want to make her think that she’s lost me yet again.”

            “You can’t leave if I don’t let you,” he smirked.  But her serious face made him give in.  “Alright, I’ll take you home.”

 

            Alora quickly gave Cell a kiss on the cheek before entering her house afraid her mother might see.  Cell watched as the door shut behind her and he was left alone in the street.  He observed the surroundings, which weren’t that wonderful.  Now he understood when she said that her family didn’t have any money.

            “Perhaps tomorrow will be an eventful day.  The eve of a tournament usually is.”  With that he flew off only to return the next morning.

 

            “Alora!  Hurry up or you’ll miss the bus!” Her mother yelled down the hall. 

            The eighteen-year-old girl pretended to be in a rush, but knew that missing the bus wasn’t going to be a problem.  The only one she did have was the feeling in her stomach, which she was sure were nerves.  She had no idea what would happen when she showed up with Cell at school.

            Finally she was ready and left the house to make her way to the bus stop.  She took her time, keeping and eye and ear out for the android.

            A shadow flying over caused her to look up, but she saw nothing.  Shrugging her shoulders, she started to move on only to meet the owner of that shadow.  “I thought you might have forgotten,” she said with a grin.

            “I never forget,” he replied as he picked her up.

            He quickly flew to the school grounds, which she pointed out as they soared above the city.  However, Alora quickly told him to land somewhere other than the school grounds, for she saw black smoke quickly rising into the morning sky.

            “Well, I suppose you’ll be coming to the arena after all,” he commented.

            “Cell you didn’t…”

            “A fire Alora?  Really.”

            That’s exactly what it was.  Flames burst out of the east side of the high school, the black smoke getting thicker.  Fire engines from all over the city came hustling in to put out the flames that were proving to be more of a hassle than the firefighters originally thought.

            “Cell, can’t you do something?”

            Cell’s eyes widened with surprise.  “You want me to help them?  After people like them tried to attack me?”

            “Cell, you must!  It could engulf the entire city in a heartbeat.”

            “Pity.”

            “Cell, please!  For me…”

 

            Students and teachers watched from across the street as they watched their school burning to the ground.  Only a month left, and now who knows where they’d be sent to finish the year.

            Alora came up next to the crowd, but no one noticed.  She smiled, as she was the first one to catch a glimpse of the android flying overhead to do what the firefighters were attempting. 

            “The things I do for attention,” he said jokingly to himself.  He raised both hands and powered up enough energy to blow down towards the burning building.

            “Run!  He’s going to kill us all!” One of the teachers yelled.  People started to panic and run in every direction.

            “No!  Wait, he’s helping!” Alora shouted amongst the crowd. 

            The people ignored her until shouts of shock and then joy rang through the streets.  The fire was gone, and the damage was done.  Cell hovered above the crowd as he sought out Alora.  She smiled at him as he came down towards her to land. 

            The people stood and watched, an abnormal silence echoing throughout.  Cell had his arms crossed, trying to play the role he was well known for.  Alora just stared up at him with a half smile on her face.

            “Thank you,” she whispered.  Cell didn’t say a single word.  His eyes were all Alora needed to know that he was saying ‘you’re welcome.’  He soon flew away, leaving a flabbergasted audience.

            When the menace was no longer in sight, the crowd turned their attention to the young teen girl that had stood up to him in their eyes.  “That was amazing!” and “How did you do it?” sentences rang through the air.  Alora was soon bombarded by people asking her questions and praising her for her bravery.