Chapter 14: Darkness Returns

Goku's eyes fluttered open, much to his own surprise. He remembered the strain he had placed on his body to maintain the Super Saiyan 4 state, out of fear of losing the massive power boost, but he now felt the strain had been completely lifted. As if the small nap he had taken cured every ailment within his body.

Goku huffed slightly, rising up to his feet within the middle of the ring surrounding him. He glanced at the four warriors surrounding him, and instantly recognized what had happened.

"Thanks everyone. I'll make sure to put this energy to good use."

Kabito Kai smiled, nodding up to the sky above. Goku followed the Kai's gesture, and his eyes widened at the sight of Baby and Vegetto facing off. The two remained perfectly still, apparently sizing each other up and oblivious to what was occurring below them. Goku grinned from ear to ear, and nodded to the others.

"I should go. He could use my help in defeating Baby."

Without waiting for a response, Goku instantly shot into the air, heading straight for the battle above.

A smirk returned to Vegetto's expression as Goku approached him and Baby. The fusion had kept an eye on his progress the entire time, and now that Kakarot was finally ready to return to the fight, he could begin the next stage in his plan.

"It's over, Baby! Surrender now and I might let you live!"

Baby grunted in response, but his eyes widened as he turned his attention away from Vegetto. The fusion himself chuckled, glancing over his shoulder.

"I'm glad you finally decided to join us, Kakarot."

Goku smirked as well, now floating next to the fusion. He then shifted his gaze back to Baby.

"I wouldn't miss this for the world."

Vegetto glanced back towards Baby, his confident smirk widening slightly.

"Not only are you outclassed by both of us, you're also outnumbered! Surrender and leave Vegeta's body, or perish in vain!"

Baby snarled, the overwhelming truth and arrogance beginning to weigh heavily on his emotional rage. He studied the two, hoping that he could finally implement the plan he had been waiting for once and for all.

The moment came, and Baby's eyes widened at the sight he had been waiting for. A small drop of red liquid dripped from the edge of Vegetto's elbow, the small scratch had been the work of a microscopic ki blast Baby had been using during the face off against the two Saiyans. Impatience dominated the parasite's motives, and Baby screamed.

"YOU'RE MINE!"

Baby suddenly let out a massive explosive wave of ki, sending out a bright and blinding light in every direction. The powerful force of the explosion sent gusts of winds at the two Saiyans, who both shielded their eyes in defense. Goku grunted as he glanced out from under his arm, shouting.

"What's Baby doing?"

His eyes widened however, watching the scene next to him unfold. In the midst of the energy surge, a grey blob rapidly shot towards Vegetto, who was still blocking from the wind. Goku watched in horror as the blob suddenly expanded outward, rapidly engulfing the fusion in it's radius and compressed onto him. The grey liquid then entered in through the only cut on the fusion: the elbow slash. The energy then suddenly spike, blinding Goku in it's bright light for the duration of the explosive wave.

Once it had died down in intensity, Goku quickly searched for Vegetto. The fusion was no where in sight, much to Goku's dismay. He then decided to focus on the second problem: Vegeta. Without a doubt in his mind, Goku knew Baby had just attempted to take control over Vegetto which meant Vegeta was no longer the host body for the parasite. The Super Saiyan 4 quickly glanced down, shouting at Kabito Kai.

"I NEED SOME OF THAT HOLY WATER!"

Kabito Kai nodded in response, and reached into his shirt pocket. Pulling out a small vial, Kabito Kai tossed it up at Goku. He caught it with ease, holding it firmly within his palm as he turned his attention back to the battle.

Now, to get some of this stuff for Vegeta...

Suddenly, a massive golden arm appeared directly at Goku's side, instantly swatting him with full force. Goku howled in pain, shooting down towards the ground from the powerful strike from Baby Vegeta. However, his rapid descent soon stopped as slammed into an unknown force, holding him in place. His eyes widened in shock, watching as a pair of arms shot out from underneath his armpits and pulled Goku into a powerful shoulder lock. The Saiyan squirmed, and his fears proved true once he heard the duel voice in his ear.

"What's the matter, Kakarot? You seem to be under a lot of pressure!"

Goku continued to squirm in vain, rapidly attempting to swing his arms down. He watched as Baby Vegeta descended down in front of him, smirking.

"It would seem that this will mark the second time that I have defeated the mighty Goku! How pathetic!"

The parasite laughed in triumph, and Goku grunted in annoyance. He swung his arm down, his last hope resting in his clenched fist.

C'mon, c'mon!

Goku let out a roar, swinging his arms down with all his might. His expression lit up, achieving the desired effect of having his hands within centimeters of his face. He quickly shoved the vial in his mouth, just in the nick of time as Vegetto reapplied pressure to the hold. The fusion chuckled darkly, tightening his grip even more.

"There's no escaping, Kakarot. It's over!"

Goku winced slightly, but continued to work towards the task at hand. Using his tongue, the Saiyan uncorked the bottle within his mouth, allowing the curing water to flow freely into his mouth. With extreme care, Goku leaned forward slightly, and spat the bottle out without losing a drop of liquid.

Baby Vegeta had seen the events unfold, and chuckled at Goku's struggle.

"There is no need for that, Goku! The Holy Water only removes my influence after I have invaded your body. It won't save you from joining your friends in eternal servitude to me!"

Goku's expression remained blank, glaring back at Baby. However, he grinned on the inside, excited that Baby had not figured out his rather simple plan.

Goku knew that Baby was actually located in the body behind him, so the Holy Water would have no effect on a host body. He knew his only shot lied within the golden ape in front of him.

Just a little closer...c'mon...

Baby Vegeta continued to smirk, reeling his fist back.

"Time to end this little game!"

Letting out a primal roar, Baby Vegeta leaned forward and shot his fist forward. Goku grimaced, waiting for the impact as his bubbled cheeks prepared to unleash the Holy Water within. The fist soon connected with his stomach, and Goku held nothing back as he spat every drop of the Holy Water in the golden ape's face. He then whirled around, catching Baby Vegetto off guard in the commotion and roundhouse kicked him away.

Goku turned his attention back to Baby Vegeta, and couldn't help but smirk at the reaction taking place. Red steam flowed off his body, and the Golden Oozaru struggled from the battle within. He let out a primal roar, airing his inner pain and strife to the world.

The golden Oozaru stopped in mid roar, however, and his red eyes lost some of it's intensity. Goku blinked in confusion, watching as the red steam then changed into a golden hue and a bright golden light beginning to take over the giant ape. The light was too bright, leaving only a golden outline of the great ape in sight from it's rays.

Goku's eyes widened in shock as he realized what had taken place, the massive golden outline rapidly shrinking to the size of a small Saiyan prince. It began to die down in intensity, starting at the new red appendage on Vegeta's waistline, and soon faded away to reveal Vegeta back in his humanlike form.

As a Super Saiyan 4.

The Elder Kai sat attentively at the crystal ball in front of him, rubbing his chin at the events unfolding.

Very interesting development. Yes, I should've seen this coming...

He then sighed heavily, turning his focus to the possessed Vegetto that floated a few feet away.

When you first arrived on my planet, you told me that no matter what happens, I should always trust in your actions. That even when things seem to have taken a turn for the worst, I should trust in you to pull through.

The Elder frowned.

I've never had the comfort of knowing what it is like to raise a son, but you and the youngin have been the only ones that I can even consider a true family...

The Elder Kai's face scrunched, his anger boiling over as he shouted at the ball.

"SO DON'T LET THAT ARROGANT BUFFOON CONTROL YOUR BODY! THICKHEADED NUMSKULL!"

Vegeta's eyes remained wide in confusion, the smaller Saiyan studying the massive boost in power he now wielded, the red fur, and long hair that came from the Super Saiyan 4 transformation. He glanced up to Goku, his angry confusion clear in his tone.

"What is the meaning of this, Kakarot? Where are we-"

The small Saiyan smirked.

"Where did this wooonderful power come from?"

His smirk disappeared, and Vegeta glanced around angrily.

"And where is that disgusting little parasite Baby?"

Goku blinked, remaining silent from the sudden emotional tidal wave Vegeta had displayed. He then whirled around, his eyes narrowing at the power surge he felt.

Baby Vegetto kept his confident smirk, glancing between Goku and Vegeta with crossed arms.

"I have to admit that I'm impressed, Goku. You have Vegeta back...but in the end, it won't save you from me!"

Vegeta raised an eyebrow, studying the new body Baby had now possessed. He then turned to Goku.

"Who is that, Kakarot?"

Goku's eyes remained narrowed.

"Do you remember when we used the Potara earrings to fuse in order to defeat Majin Buu?"

Baby Vegetto chuckled darkly, continuing from where Goku left off. However, instead of the swindling voice from the parasite, the distinct duel voice rang out as he spoke.

"What do you call a Vegeta and a Goku? Vegetto sounds alright..."

Baby Vegetto glanced over his shoulder, examining his body.

"I was a little worried about the two of us sharing a body, but it looks like it came out pretty good..."

Vegeta's eyes widened in shock, studying the fusion before him. He then glanced over to Goku.

"How...how is this possible?"

Goku shook his head.

"Now isn't the time Vegeta."

He turned to the small prince.

"But we can beat him if we work together! He may be the result of our combined powers, but there's no way he can take on two Super Saiyan 4s!"

Vegeta blinked.

"Super Saiyan...4?"

Goku nodded, grinning slightly.

"Yes! We can do this!"

Baby Vegetto chuckled at Goku's enthusiasm, and uncrossed his arms.

"By all means, Goku, try your hardest! You have no idea what kind of power I possess in this body, and I can assure you that it will be enough to kill you without even breaking a sweat!"

Goku grunted.

"Go ahead and let the pride blind you, Baby! Mark my words, we will defea-"

"He's right, Kakarot."

Goku blinked in confusion, whirling around at the serious tone Vegeta had made the comment in. The smaller Saiyan kept his eyes narrowed, locked on Baby Vegetto.

"If we attack now, we'll die..."

Goku frowned with narrowed eyes, turning back to Baby Vegetto.

"Well, this wouldn't be the first time. If I have to die again then I'm ready."

Vegeta smirked, letting out a small chuckle as he continued.

"There's need when there's fusion."

Goku whirled around, the shock apparent in his expression.

"Vegeta?"

Vegeta's smirk disappeared.

"You know I wouldn't suggest joining bodies with you unless it was our only hope."

The smaller Saiyan's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Our last hope."