Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Borrowed Redemption ❯ VI ( Chapter 6 )

Borrowed Redemption ::

Chapter 6

 

 

Goku paced through his house furiously, expression alternating between panic, excitement, and anger. Every now and then he murmured under his breath; occasionally he made as if to smash his fist against the wall, but for the sake of his wife, restrained himself.

 

 

***

 

Sighing, Vegeta powered down and slowly lowered the gravity back to normal. I guess after that, Kakarrot has the right to keep his distance, he thought, and glanced to the ceiling in resignation. Still… He had been checking up on Goku's ki every so often, and noticed its erratic spikes and drops. He wanted badly to find out what was going on…but he could make a good guess.

 

 

***

 

 

“What's bothering you, Goku?” Chi-Chi rolled over to find her husband still awake. “You've had such trouble getting to sleep lately…you always used to sleep like a rock…”

 

“Leave me alone!” Goku snapped, turning his back to Chi-Chi. After a moment, he turned back. “Sorry Chi. I don't know what's gotten into me.”

 

“Is there some sort of danger?”

 

“No…it's not bad guys or anything…”

 

“Well, what is it?” she lifted a hand to Goku's cheek, stroking it gently.

 

Her hand was a glove…soft but worn from battle… Goku shook his head, growling to himself. In his inward fury, he grabbed Chi-Chi's wrist, nails digging in.

 

“G-Goku! Stop!” Chi-Chi winced, trying to pull away.

 

“Sorry…again…” He softly held her arm, glancing over the imprints from his fingernails. “I didn't mean to hurt you.”

 

“Oh, Goku. You're just too strong! I'm only human…”

 

Goku exhaled deeply. “I think I need to go take a walk. Then maybe I can get to sleep. I'm just feeling…restless.”

 

Chi-Chi nodded, rubbing her wrist. “Please, whenever you feel like you can…tell me what's bothering you.”

 

Nodding solemnly, Goku pulled on a pair of pants as he prepared to leave. “I will, Chi. One way or the other…”

 

 

***

 

 

“Something up with Dad?” Gohan questioned his mother as he swung his backpack over his shoulder and put on his watch.

 

“Something,” Chi-Chi answered, raising her eyebrows pleadingly. “But who knows what?”

 

“I saw him go outside last night…and he wandered in just as I was waking up…”

 

“Don't worry yourself over it, honey. Just go off to school and get become a great scholar for me!”

 

Gohan smiled hesitantly. “Of course, Mom.” He perked up. “Did I show you my costume? I'm going to be,” he pressed the button and his costume appeared as he struck a few poses, “The Great Saiyaman! Defender of Justice! Protector of Truth! Master of Malice-Destroying!”

 

“I'd…leave off that last one,” Chi-Chi suggested.

 

“You're so cool!” Goten piped up as he hopped into the kitchen.

 

Gohan grinned. “Right, anyway—I'd better be off!”

 

 

***

 

 

“Hmm…this `Great Saiyaman' might have just the energy we needed. All in one place! Who shall I send out for this task…?”

 

“I'd be glad to, my lord.”

 

“Oh, let's not overdo it. Send someone else.”

 

“As you wish.”

 

 

 

***

 

 

Just as he sat down to meditate on the flurry of emotions with in him—most notably, the overwhelming wrath he felt toward Vegeta for putting him in such a state—Goku noticed something odd about Gohan's ki. “It's…gone? No…almost.” He jumped up, eyes moving in the direction of the quickly fleeing ki that had been near Gohan at the time of the incident. “Sorry, Gohan—I know you'll be fine. I have to find out who this guy is…and what just happened!” He streaked into the sky.

 

 

***

 

 

“What is Kakarrot up to now?” Vegeta paused, and as he did so his son landed a kick on his chest.

 

“C'mon, Dad!”

 

“Trunks. I need to investigate something.”

 

“Can I come along?”

 

“No.”

 

“Why not?”

 

“It's a…personal matter.”

 

Trunks eyed his father, trying to decide whether or not he would really be punished for sneaking after him. Simultaneously, he searched for Goten, planning on contacting him about it as soon as his father was out of sight. “Wait, Dad!”

 

“What?”

 

“I think…something weird happened to Gohan!”

“What makes you say that?” Vegeta spat, but searched for the young man to check for himself. “Hm…I believe you're right.”

 

“I think I should come along!”

 

“Absolutely not!” Recalling his son's talent at doing exactly what he said not to, Vegeta added, “What's more, you especially shouldn't go near Gohan. Who knows what happened to him…”

 

Trunks summoned up a serious face and nodded, his fingers itching to dial Goten's number. “Okay, Dad.”

 

 

***

 

 

“H-hey! Who are you?” Goku came to a stop quickly. “You guys don't happen to know the guy who…”

 

“No, I'm not. I suppose there is no time for formal introductions, either,” the smaller being nearly whispered, apparently attempting to evaluate Goku.

 

“I'm Son Goku, and something just happened to my son!”

 

“I am the Lord of Lords, the Supreme Kai. Kaioshin, if you will. And this is Kibito,” he motioned to his companion. “I have heard good things about you, Son Goku.”

 

“Whoa! Thanks,” Goku smiled, taken aback. He soon returned to a more serious demeanor, though this time his voice was tinged with excitement, “Why are you here?”

 

Kaioshin whipped around, staring at a point in the sky. As the point approached, it slowed. Vegeta came to a halt before the group, glancing over the two unfamiliar figures.

 

“Vegeta!” Goku hissed as a bitter rage jumped into his throat. He swallowed it back down and spoke in a level tone. “Do you realize what you've done to me?”

 

“Stop this!” Kibito's voice resounded in the sky. “Whatever your quarrel is—don't you realize there is something much more important afoot?” As if to emphasize the urgency of the matter, he began to fly once more, and Kaioshin followed, motioning to Goku to do the same. Turning his back to Vegeta, Goku fell into form with the two of them. Vegeta trailed, but listened as Kaioshin spoke up, telling a tale of evil wizards and a sealed-away djinn of unparalleled strength.

 

“And they are over here somewhere,” Kaioshin concluded, “almost certainly close to being able to revive Buu, with how much energy they stole from your son…” They touched down, hiding behind a rock formation to observe the goings-on as a woman carrying a strange container landed in front of what appeared to be a building…

 

“Vegeta, this doesn't concern you,” Goku frowned. “Gohan is my son. This is my business alone.”

 

“This is the universe's business,” Kaioshin spoke up, gravely. “And we need all the help we can find.” He nodded toward the woman with the container, who was conversing with a smaller, more alien figure.

 

“Hey, I think I've seen her before,” Goku muttered. “One of Gohan's friends…Videl!”

 

“Hm,” Kaioshin sighed, “Then I am sorry to tell you that she is no longer the girl you may have known.”

 

“What?”

 

“Somehow, Babidi got into her mind, using any malicious thoughts she had ever had against her.” He paused. “Unfortunately…it is not so difficult for a wizard like himself to break into a human's mind.”

 

Goku's eyes widened as he continued watching the girl, who he knew as Gohan's sweet but fierce crime-fighting friend. It was only recently that Gohan had taught her how to control her ki, how to fly…

 

The conversation between the wizard and the girl continued for several minutes more, until, suddenly, she was gone.

 

Blown to bits.

 

“My lord,” a demon stepped from the shadows, bowing to the wizard. “May I say that it might have been less trouble for you to keep her, to collect the rest of the energy…?”

 

“Bah,” the wizard grinned, “She was getting a bit feisty for my tastes. I have more…loyal…subjects.”

 

“Of course.”

 

Goku stared in disbelief for a few more moments. Gohan's friend—maybe even his girlfriend—gone…needlessly… He launched into the air violently. Kaioshin attempted to restrain him, but Goku batted him back, shooting over to the wizard and landing before him. “Monster!” he snarled. Vegeta touched down behind Goku, silent.

 

Goku whipped around. “Vegeta! Go away!”

 

“Kakarrot, you will not die in my presence again!”

 

“Stop hurting me, Vegeta. You have no idea how much what you said has disrupted my life!”

 

“So go on leading the same old miserable life, then,” Vegeta answered neutrally. “Since I have made you so aware of it.”

 

Babidi watched the exchange carefully, chuckling. “Hmm…”

 

“You two must forget about this for now!” Kaioshin shouted as he and Kibito approached. “If we can kill Babidi…” he moved his gaze to where Babidi had been…but he was nowhere in sight.

 

“You were too slow!” Babidi's voice laughed into their minds. “And thank you, Earthlings, for allowing me to revive Buu with so little effort!”

 

“Wh-what…?” Kaioshin's eyes widened.

 

“It seems one of you is just perfect for the job…”

 

Goku snorted, returning his attention to Vegeta. “Leave me alone and let me handle this!”

 

“You'd have to kill me,” Vegeta sneered.

 

Sparks danced across Goku's body. “Is that a ch—aaaauuugh!” He clutched his head, screaming, and buckled. “Aaaargh!”

 

“I simply could not turn down a vessel of so much anger!” Babidi squealed joyfully, “Even if he isn't evil through and through, I can hold him just enough…though I doubt he'll need my help! Just watch! Oh, Kaioshin, just look at your face right now!” Babidi's maniacal laughter faded into echoes in their minds.

 

Goku writhed on the ground, screaming, until he settled into a calmer state, the aura of a Super Saiyajin dancing around him as he panted heavily. A rumble issued from his throat, and he raised his head as he moved from all fours back onto his feet, revealing a sinister black M on his forehead. “I advise you move away,” Goku growled to Kaioshin and Kibito. “Very far away.”

 

“L-let's go into the ship,” Kaioshin suggested to Kibito. “We need to stop Babidi…before enough energy is gathered to awaken Buu!”

 

“I can help with that,” came a new voice. Piccolo glanced quickly over to Goku and Vegeta, and then back to Kaioshin. “Please, if you will allow me,” he added. “There is no way we will be able to stop the two of them.”

 

“H-how do you know what's going on?” Kaioshin begged, dropping all formality.

 

“I have been following you…listening carefully. Now, let us go. As you know, we haven't much time.”

 

Kaioshin nodded, stealing one last glance at Goku before ducking into the ship. I never thought…he could fall under Babidi's control. What polluted such a pure heart?

 

 

***

 

 

Vegeta took in a deep breath. “Kakarrot. Do you…even know what you're doing?”

 

“I don't give a damn!” Goku barked. “So what if this `Buu' is summoned! I'll take care of him just as easily as I will you, Vegeta!”

 

“So that's how it is.” Breathing slowly, Vegeta adopted a fighting stance, powering up. “There's something different about you. Kakarrotto. You're…less like yourself.”

 

“Really?” Goku grinned, lightning arcing about him. “Because I feel more like me than I ever have before!”