EP. 24 - Snap

                                    

                                          
Damn it! Kusuke mentally swore. He wished more than anything to help Gohan!
                          
Cell moved to kick Gohan to the ground. "If you're going to get mad, do it for real!" he frowned. 
                          
He only froze when he felt something nearby. But when he turned, he was met by a tight grip from none other than Android 16. 
                          
Everyone was surprised. Out of all the moments and all the people, what was 16 plotting? How could a grip like that hold Cell for long or defeat him? 
                          
Cell groaned and growled at his new predicament. "Sixteen!" he tried to wriggle free, but the red-haired Andriod had an iron grip. Some panic began to settle in. 
                          
Overhead, the Z Warriors wondered how 16 had managed to sneak up and what he was planning on doing. 
                          
"When did he get there?" Goku questioned. 
                          
"He's a machine! His energy can go undetected!" Piccolo answered. 
                          
The saiyan siblings shared a look. How come they hadn't sensed anything? They were both on high alert with their Red Jewels. But maybe, they realized as they turned back to the fighters, it was because they were so worried for their friend, Gohan, that they confined themselves to only the fight between Cell and Gohan. 
                          
"Sixteen is going to fight Cell!" Krillin stared in shock. 
                          
"He doesn't stand a chance," Trunks shook his head. 
                          
Niya tensed. She thought back to when the Android had been kind to her and kept her safe. She knew he wasn't a match for Cell, so what was he doing? Sure, he was an Android, but she knew he didn't have ill-intent. She didn't want him to die for nothing. 
                          
Then, the mysterious Android began to explain himself. "Forgive me for sacrificing all of you!" 16 started bluntly. "I'll have to blow myself up along with Cell!" 
                          
"What?!" Cell continued to wriggle. "No! You're bluffing!" 
                          
It was one surprise over another. The Z Warriors took a few steps back, preparing themselves for the detonation anyway. If what 16 had said was true, it was either that or death. 
                          
The saiyan siblings turned to each other once more and nodded. They let out a breath, and their Red Jewels began to glow. "Hah!" they pushed their arms around and created a shield large enough it length to protect all of the Z Warriors. It was a shimmering, transparent crimson. Every now and then, a dash of electricity would appear on it. 
                          
The siblings gave each other a smile for a job well done, at least, they hoped. They held their hands in place, concentrating on keeping the shield up. 
                          
"Thanks, guys," Goku turned to them. 
                          
"What about Gohan?!" Piccolo questioned. 
                          
Kusuke's eyes widened. "Sis, hold this up while I go over to him!" Without waiting for a reply, the teen left his post to hurry over towards his best friend. He flashed into his Phase One form and created a barrier instead for him and Gohan. 
                          
Gohan was on the ground. "Kusuke?" he questioned. "What are you doing? Get out of here!" 
                          
"No!" Kusuke refused. "I'm not letting you die! Not alone! Not like this!"
                          
Gohan was touched. "Kusuke, I'm not worth--"
                          
"You're my best friend, Gohan," Kusuke told him. "And you're a good person. You fought real good today. Seems like I've got to catch up to you now, heh." 
                          
Gohan didn't reply, but he still felt guilty. 
                          
Everyone snapped their attention to the Android about to detonate. "This is the final power I was never meant to use!" 16 shouted. "None of you can survive a blast at such a range!"