Still able to stay transformed and keep fighting after getting a severe spinal injury

"So...what do you think, Gohan?" the midget asked, somewhat hesitantly. "No sign of him so far. That's good."

RRUUUUNCH!

Suddenly, a pulverizing crumpling sound caused everyone to freeze. The marvel that was Cell, the phenomenon that was his miraculous escapes, had reappeared just behind Vegeta and landed a terrible blow just at the base of Vegeta's neck, directly on his spine. The prince tumbled forward helplessly, crashing face first onto the ground in sudden and surprising agony. In that instant it was as if control of his body suddenly fluctuated to the extreme. His fingers and toes went numb at first, then with a jolt it was as if a million tiny needles were poking into his body, all throughout. Worst of all, he didn't immediately realize what had just happened.

"Darn him!" Gohan yelled, angry, but not realizing the extremity of the situation. "That's the perfect afterimage technique he tried to beat me with before! Only, Vegeta never saw it!"

"That cheat!" Krillin hollered. "There's no way he would have survived this long if he wasn't always escaping just in the nick of time!" Though he was somewhat let down that it wasn't quite over yet, Krillin still had plenty of faith that it would be soon. "Even so, I'd hate to be Cell right about now. The second Vegeta gets up, he's gonna pulverize that lousy coward."

His closed fists now white from the force of his grip, Gohan could only wonder. An ominously foreboding feeling had crept into his mind over the last few seconds, particularly as he saw Vegeta struggling just to stand back to his feet. Something had gone wrong, something serious...but what was it?

By now, Cell was long gone, having happily made his way into the upper atmosphere moments ago. "Such a shame, Vegeta. And here I have no time to relish in your imminent frustrations at letting me escape. But very soon, I promise you, we will meet again in battle!" Passing once again into the empty vacuum of space, he could only grin at his own ingenuity. Just a second more and he'd be completely home free. Yet something caused him to pause.

Vegeta's energy...had suddenly and dramatically plummeted. The swirling vortex of deadly golden power, which moments before had been so vibrant and erratic, was now barely a flicker. In fact, the prince was still on his hands and knees, just trying to pick himself up.

Cell could sense it clearly, he just didn't believe it.

"Something...something's wrong, Krillin!" Gohan said somberly, angling his eyebrows. "Vegeta should be fine, a blow like that should have been nothing!"

Krillin's lightheartedness ended abruptly as he sensed out the prince's energy. "Uh-oh, Gohan. I think you might be right! But, what could hurt Vegeta? That's...crazy, right?"

"FATHER!" Trunks, equally stunned, quickly made his way over to the fallen Saiyan warrior. Kneeling beside him, he helped his begrudging father up halfway, the prince grumbling and reaching back to feel his neck.

"The hell is wrong with me!?" Vegeta cursed, utterly filled with rage. Even as he put his fingers on that spot, cringing from the pain he received by doing so, it all came back to him like a terrible dream he'd wanted badly to forget.

"My lord, your injuries were too extensive for purely organic repair. Part of your spinal column now contains a metallic alloy—it is far stronger and more durable than any normal biological tissue, but...it may inhibit the flow of your ki." Oniya said somberly. "Unfortunately, your energy won't protect you quite as well in that one small spot."

"So now I have a "weak spot"—ripe for anyone to find!? Damn it! You can't be serious!"

"My Lord, I'm so sorry. We did our very best. Compared to any other possible outcome, the surgery was a complete success. And as your body continues to recover, it's possible that the vulnerability may become less severe in time. Everything that can be done, will be done, I assure you. But...you will likely never regain complete defensive function in that region."

'That's it, then,' the prince realized, his pain excruciating. Though his legs felt like molten lava was being pumped into them, he willed himself to his feet, refusing help from Trunks. 'My energy has been cut in half...perhaps more,' he murmured to himself, angrily grinding his teeth against each other. Could he still fight? For that matter could he still walk? The Saiyan seemed too frustrated to bother with such questions.

"Damn it, where did that coward run off to!?" Vegeta yelled, putting on his boldest and bravest face in spite of the circumstances.

"Father...are you sure you're alright?" Trunks asked hesitantly, not wanting to get punched. "Your energy..."

"—Of course I am, damn it! Now where is that insufferable miscreant? I have unfinished business with him!"

Hovering above, calculating coldly, Cell really couldn't believe his luck. The simple fact that he'd planned out everything so far, until now, was most humorous to him. Whatever his kick had done to Vegeta was for real...he'd seen it for himself, not to mention the difference in the Saiyan's ki was impossible to miss. In fact, the best he could tell, he suddenly had the advantage! It was all thanks to his own regeneration, of course, but then again that was part of his perfect design. Yet it had been a pure stroke of luck, nothing more. The bio-android laughed jovially as his fortune.

"My, my," he chuckled, that old confidence suddenly back—almost as if it had never left at all. "What's wrong, Vegeta? You look terrible."

"Tch," Vegeta growled, shaking his fist up at Cell. "I've still got more than enough strength to deal with the likes of you!" The prince ignited his aura—what remained of it—sending an immense shock wave of pain throughout his body. He twitched, clenching his eyes shut from the sudden discomfort, but fought through it somehow. "The Saiyan prince will NOT be mocked!"

"Then I shall hold my tongue as I pummel you to death," Cell grinned in response.

Instantly, the two were at it again, swinging punches back and forth, exchanging fierce blows. It was clear to all spectating, though, that this wasn't even the same battle. The pain in Vegeta's neck, his power loss, the stiffness throughout his body, had handicapped him beyond belief. Cell's smile widened as he was finally able to completely predict each of Vegeta's moves—his speed and agility now far too hampered to be of any help.

A spinning kick from the prince flew in, badly telegraphed, which Cell caught easily with his left hand. "Come now," the creature laughed. "Don't tell me this is your best, haha..." Cell continued, pulling Vegeta in close, with a heavy gut punch, before hurling the Saiyan down towards the Earth.

Though his vision was swimming with stars, he barely regained enough focus to slow himself with a kiai. Even before he could land and defend himself, the monster sped up to him with a mighty backhand, followed by another flurry of barely visible jabs to the face. Vegeta blocked with all he could, stopping only half of the blows. Most of all, however, he was worried that Cell might once again take advantage of the spot on his neck. He couldn't even properly defend himself while worried about one miniscule area behind him.

- Bringer of Death Chapter 78