Gohan stood inches away from Cell. "Please...please, let's just end this," the eleven year-old Super Saiyan begged. The android frowned. "Why? We were having so much fun."

"Because..." His voice trailed off.

"Because why?" Cell questioned.

"Because...because I don't want to fight anymore! I hate fighting. I've proven that I'm stronger than you. Please, we have to stop this before anyone else gets hurt," Gohan answered.

Cell scoffed and shook his head. "Pathetic." He extended his arm outwards and aimed at Gohan with his index finger.

There was a flash of light that took the half-Saiyan by surprise. The purplish energy beam struck the boy's eye, partially blinding him.

At first, Gohan wasn't quite sure what had happened. And then the pain overtook him. It was fierce and fiery, and was enough to drop the boy to his knees. He could feel warm, fresh blood trickling down his face. He opened his mouth in a long, horrible agonizing scream.

Cell found this amusing and began to laugh.

Vegeta felt chills rush down his spine. He recognized the attack, and he remembered it all too well. It was none other that Freeza's finishing move.

Goku, who had been cheering his son on just moments ago, went completely silent. What had just happened?

Piccolo wore an expression of shock and utter horror. The only person he had ever cared about now lay on the ground, sobbing and writhing in pain. "Gohan?"

Gohan, blood and tears streaming down his cheeks, rose to his feet, breathing shakily.

A second energy beam tore through his chest. The power of the attack sent Gohan flying backwards. His body hit the ground hardly.

Everything grew quiet.

"Why...why isn't he getting up?" Goku asked, not taking his eyes off of his son's body.

Piccolo swallowed hard, and answered: "I think he's dead, Goku."

"No he can't be. He...he can't be..." Goku found he couldn't bear to say the last word. He quickly rushed over to the scene. Piccolo followed.

Goku dropped to his knees and scraped Gohan up in his arms, cradling the boy.

"Daddy?"

Gohan coughed hard. "Gohan, just hang on, son. It'll be okay," Goku assured, shushing the boy.

Piccolo took a seat beside his long-time arch enemy. "Goku...he's dying."

"No! He's not dying!" Goku felt tears well up in his eyes.

"Daddy...don't cry," Gohan said.

"You'll be okay," Goku insisted.

Gohan looked over at Piccolo, and smiled. "I'll miss you Mr. Piccolo."

He looked back at his father. "I'll miss you too, daddy."

"Don't talk like that!" Goku shouted.

"I love you guys," Gohan said quietly. He went silent.

"Gohan?"

Goku shook the boy's limp body. "Gohan! Gohan, wake up!"

He got no response. "Wake up! Gohan, please wake up!"

Still, Goku got no response. He began bawling, holding his son's body close to his own, rocking back and forth.

He couldn't be dead. He couldn't be.

But he was.