Disclaimer for the following chapter: I started doing creative writing as a way to cope with trauma from abuse. I initially did other kinds of art: watercolor was the most fun. But writing and exercise really hit home for me. As a results of what I went through, I crave a Goku rescuing Chi-Chi story. So, I wrote it. Chapter 10 is dark for multiple characters. I just want to give you all fair warning that we really start to nosedive into unchartered waters here. I also craved a moment where Chi-Chi rescues herself because if you've been through it then you know you're the only one that can get you out of that headspace. That moment comes later in my story. I know I know. This is just FanFic. But I think many of us channel our own experiences through this creative outlet. If you've been through something like this, I am so sorry. Your worth is not defined by that and you're not a victim. You're a survivor and you kick ass. My story is for you.
Marked Part 10:
Little More than a Damsel
"Burter, what are you doing here?" Ginyu asks seeing his subordinate arrive with the unconscious female in his arms.
"Her mate is almost here. Thought it would be better to keep them separated and let the doctor get started," Burter informs him.
Ginyu nods. "Right. Put'er down right here. Let's wake up our new friend," he says gesturing to a metal chair in the doctor's operating room. Once she's seated, Ginyu crouches in front of her and starts patting her cheek. "Hey, sunshine. Wake up. We need to talk. Come on."
Chi-Chi's head begins to sway slightly as she tries to blink her eyes open.
"That's it. Good girl. Yeah those are some pretty eyes."
Chi-Chi works to focus on her surroundings while rubbing her head. She feels dried blood in her hair and on her forehead. "Where… where am I?" But once she finally focuses on the figure in front of her she tries to flee. Her efforts are foiled when he presses his palm against her chest to keep her in place.
"Yeah that's not an option," Ginyu apprises. "Look, just answer a few questions for me, we'll get this ugly business out of the way and you'll be fine."
Chi-Chi continues scanning for any possible way to escape this situation.
Ginyu chuckles as he watches her eyes dart about the room. "I like how you think. Honestly, you're not weak. Stronger than half the men on the Frieza Force and if Lord Frieza didn't have plans for you I'd keep ya on. But that Kakarot fella is who he has his sights set on."
She looks at him confused with her head still a jumbled mess. How do they even know Goku's Saiyan name? How did she get here? Where's… "Gohan! Where's Gohan? Where's my son?!" she panics trying to get away again. She searches for his ki but is too weak to feel much more than the energies in the room.
"He won't be joining us," Burter says insinuating something sinister happened to her child.
Tears well in her eyes as she slowly shakes her head in disbelief. "No… No… You didn't. He's a child!"
Burter smirks. "You're right. I didn't. But Recoome did. Brat was good as dead when I left. Quite the broken neck he had."
Chi-Chi's face falls when she remembers her son on the ground. Her will to fight escapes her.
Ginyu sees that distant, defeated look on her face and takes her chin. "No no. I need you to focus. Who's Kakarot?"
She simply stares at the wall ahead to which he snaps his fingers in front of her face.
"Who is Kakarot? And what are you people doing on Namek?" He stands up frustrated when she doesn't respond again. "Listen female, I'm really trying to be diplomatic because you've got something very unpleasant coming up. You need all of your strength for that," he says nodding toward the medical table being prepped by the ship's doctor. "Hate to weaken you before the doc gets started. So, I'm gonna ask you one more time. Your mate, Kakarot. Tell me who he is."
Unwilling to betray any information about her husband she turns empty eyes up at the malevolent soldier in front of her and says two words. "Fuck. You."
Ginyu stands there with a smirk on his face and thinks to himself for a moment. Burter has seen that look before so he stands back and gestures to the doctor to do the same.
Without warning, the large purple alien grabs Chi-Chi by her neck, launches her at the wall, then delivers rapid blows to her torso and face as she lays crumpled on the floor. Once he's finished his assault, he puts her on the medical table and straps her in.
"Get to work, doc. I want her in the healing tank as soon as possible. There's a trade ship going to port tonight and I want her on it. Burter, you head back to the others. Stall them a little bit so we can give the doc more time."
"Yes, Captain," Burter says before running out of the room in the blink of an eye.
"Captain, please seal and soundproof the doors as you exit. For good measure," the doctor requests as Ginyu is walking out.
With that, Ginyu obliges the doctor's request and leaves to give a status report to Frieza.
Chi-Chi wiggles and reaches for the straps that bind her but it's no use. Her eyes shoot open when she sees the doctor pull out a syringe and fill it with a bright red serum. "What is that?" she asks knowing that's going to be in her system soon.
"This, my dear, is a simple but effective serum," the doctor says clearly having no problem explaining his work to her. "It will free you of that pesky bond you have with your primitive Saiyan mate. Trust me, you're better off. You won't have that disgusting scar on your body," he says as he touches it with his finger causing her to flinch. "I've always found it fascinating, however, how the bond works. When we worked with Saiyan pairs in the past, it was truly remarkable how what happened to one, the other, at the very least, felt the pain. As a scientist that was most intriguing. Once the bond was broken, the males were always so much more… amenable… to Lord Frieza's commands. Much better soldiers. It's unclear why, but I deduced that their mates made them more… well, human. That's something you'd understand." He chuckles when he sees her shock at his use of that word. "Yes, I've encountered a few humans in my time. I've been all over this galaxy. But," he says getting back on track, "Saiyan males without their mates, they became like primitive machines. Very useful for conquering worlds. But I've never broken the bond of a pair where only one was a Saiyan so this will be interesting research."
Chi-Chi's face is contorted in confusion and pain as she processes this information. "All of this is because this Frieza person wants Go- I mean Kakarot?" she says trying to conceal Goku's real name.
The doctor gives her a horrified expression. "This 'Frieza person?' Bite your tongue female. Lord Frieza is the strongest in the universe. He'd have your tongue for a remark like that one," he rebukes. "But to answer your question, yes and no. My brief says you're both valuable," he says nodding to a brown folder on his desk. "Apparently, your hybrid child was quite strong? I imagine their plan is for you to make more of those with even stronger races than Saiyans."
Chi-Chi loses all of her color at the implication and shivers at the thought of all the women on her planet. Will they have the same fate if they can't put a stop to this? Clearly this is a longstanding operation. Someone has to do something.
"But that's enough chatting for now." The doctor walks back to her and prepares her arm for the needle.
Chi-Chi tenses up and looks for any other way out of this that she didn't see earlier.
"Just relax dear. It shouldn't take too long."
A moment later the serum is coursing through her body. Chi-Chi stares at the ceiling fighting to keep the pain locked inside, not wanting to give him the satisfaction. He pumps more… more… and a little more…
"No… No… NO! GOKU!"
Goku can feel his connection with his wife dwindling every second but he has to push that aside. The only way to get to her is to handle the situation directly in front of him first.
"Gohan. You and Krillin go get your mother right now while I deal with this," Goku says as he stares at Jeice and Recoome.
They nod and take off but are stopped immediately by a new arrival.
"I don't think so," Burter says as he cuts off their path.
"Nice of you to come back," Jeice teases Burter.
"Yeah, you know me. Always late to the party," Burter chuckles. "You two will stay put or I'll call in an order to have that female killed before you're even in the air."
Goku glares at the soldier and can't decide if he's bluffing or not. "Stand down you two," he tells his son and Krillin unwilling to risk his wife's life.
Recoome steps forward positive he can handle the situation.
"Remember, subdue only. Don't kill him," Jeice reminds him.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. I guess that's fun, too," Recoome whines.
Not willing to play any of their games, Goku disappears.
"Uuh… hey! Where'd he go?" Recoome asks as they all look around for Goku, everyone except for Vegeta that is, who kept up with his fellow Saiyan's movement the whole time. He growls when he realizes Goku's exceptional speed.
Jeice and Burter turn around in shock when they realize he's standing right behind them.
"Where's my wife?" he asks stepping toward them. "If you take me to her now, I'll let you leave this planet peacefully."
Jeice and Burter look at each other and begin to laugh. "I'm assuming 'wife' is what you call your mate? She'll be good as new in no time, but I don't think you're going to be seeing her any time soon," Burter taunts.
"Hey! That was rude! You're supposed to fight me first," Recoome continues to whine.
Goku growls and then moves back to Recoome. "Any order is fine with me."
Chi-Chi lays on the table drenched in sweat trying to catch her breath and desperately regretting screaming for Goku. She faintly heard the doctor sharing her husband's name with someone else through his scouter. She can only assume he was speaking to Ginyu.
"See, I'm giving you a small respite every now and then. It's finally working so it shouldn't be too much longer. That little mark is getting lighter and lighter every minute. Just relax," the doctor says in his best attempt to soothe.
The sealed door abruptly opens and Chi-Chi watches as the doctor stands at attention.
"Lord Frieza. How can I help you sir?" he asks with his head bowed.
"I just wanted to see what all the fuss was about," Frieza states walking to the table observing its contents. "Is this the female? She looks… odd. Like a Saiyan but smaller. She really produced that strong Saiyan child? We've confirmed this is the correct female?"
The doctor stammers. They hadn't gotten exact clarification. "Captain Ginyu said this was the one and she is bonded with a Saiyan sir," he says pointing to her mark. "She calls him Goku, but they seem to be one in the same."
Frieza frowns at the doctor's half-answer. "You there, tiny female," he says tapping on her forehead. "You're Kakarot's mate, right? The one with the hybrid Saiyan child."
Chi-Chi simply stares at the ceiling.
"She has something of a spirited personality, sir. Captain Ginyu has already started working on that, as you can tell," the doctor says of Chi-Chi's battered appearance.
"Right. Well, that'll break soon enough, or I'll break it for her. Carry on." Frieza leaves the room to complete his task of getting his wish granted.
Once Goku has demolished Recoome and Burter, Jeice decides it's time to flee for reinforcements. However, Captain Ginyu arrives just in time.
Jeice quickly gives him an update. "Captain, sir. The situation is more difficult than we thought. We're dropping like flies and I'm not sure subduing this guy is gonna be an option," he speaks quietly.
Ginyu looks around at his defeated team and scowls before his eyes meet the new Saiyan's.
"Ah, so you must be Kakarot. Or is it Goku? That's what she calls you, right?" Ginyu says with a sinister grin.
Goku's energy begins to rise and Ginyu's scouter takes note.
Ginyu smirks deciding to further provoke him hoping to draw out his real power level. "She really didn't want to tell me, and she put up a hell of a fight before we got something out of her. Don't worry about her too much. I'm sure she'll end up somewhere nice and charming. A real fairytale ending. She'll have to watch that mouth, though. That'll get her in trouble. I smacked some sense into her for ya."
"Stay calm Goku," Krillin quietly begs feeling his friend's climbing energy. "We have to be smart."
"Now, it seems like we've got a quandary before us. You're all fired up over the mate, which, I get it. All you Saiyans are like that. But you gotta understand. It's not personal. It's business."
"Tearing families apart seems pretty personal to me," Goku growls.
Ginyu then notices the child standing upright and Vegeta and the bald one in much better shape than he expected. "I thought that kid was almost dead?" he asks Jeice under his breath.
"Yeah, he was. They've got some kind of magic pill or something that heals'em in a second. I dunno Captain. I told ya things were gettin' weird," he whispers back.
"Well, I'll handle this then we can move on. Lord Frieza I can tell is itchin' to get off this planet. You go back and keep watch on the Dragon Balls," Ginyu says quietly before stepping to Goku.
Jeice darts off immediately as commanded.
Goku keeps his eyes focused ahead on his opponent but directs his words to Gohan and Krillin. "Now you two go get Chi-Chi while Vegeta and I take care of this."
"Kakarot, our focus needs to be the Dragon Balls. We cannot allow Frieza to make a wish," Vegeta insists.
"Our focus will be on my wife," Goku snaps. "If he's had the Dragon Balls all this time and still hasn't made a wish, then he doesn't know how to summon the dragon. Has the sky gotten dark? Has a dragon appeared?"
Krillin and Gohan shake their heads.
"Then he doesn't know what he's doing. Go get her. Now."
"Jeice is stronger than Recoome was! Those two don't stand a chance against him and he clearly went to guard the ship!" Vegeta points out.
"I have to try Vegeta! They have my mom!" Gohan shouts.
Goku nods proudly. "I'm right behind you, son."
The two take off in Chi-Chi's direction leaving Goku and Vegeta to face Ginyu.
"You really shoulda listened to Vegeta there Kakarot. Not sure you'll get to save your kid's neck twice," Ginyu says cracking his knuckles.
"He won't be without me long," Goku assures the Ginyu Force leader before he begins to power up.
"What the…? That's impossible!" Ginyu cries at the readings.
Frustrated by Goku's enormous show of strength and wanting to take the Dragon Balls for himself, Vegeta races off and leaves his fellow Saiyan to fend for himself.
Chi-Chi opens her eyes after blacking out and feels her forehead being wiped with a cloth.
"You…" she whispers looking at the doctor, " you are a monster."
"There's a thin line between madness and brilliance," he says putting the rag down. "Some of the greatest advancements in scientific history were made by those considered mad." Putting on glasses, he sits down at his computer and takes diligent notes from his current experiment. "You know, Saiyans were under the belief that their bonding was spiritual. Like the gods picked them to be special," he says chuckling at the absurdity. "After careful research, I found it to be purely biological. While their race was barbaric, they were rather evolved. I assume that the variety of abilities produced by that mark were borne from evolution. What was initially simply a way to stake their claim on their mates became so much more." He walks back over to her and brushes her fading mark with his gloved fingertips. "I've never encountered a female that was able to withstand breaking a bond this strong. Usually they died while their mates survived. But it's fascinating that your child is so strong… your bond is so strong…" he says as if he's trying to solve a puzzle. "You're clearly incredibly strong for a human female. But your mate… well, he'll be a welcomed addition to the Frieza Force," he says inferring that Goku is incredibly strong.
"You people," she says breathlessly, "you're beyond insane if you think Goku would ever join you. You don't know my husband. He is not someone you should test," she says barely keeping her eyes open.
As the doctor leaves the table to prep the next round, an exhausted Chi-Chi feels a tug on her heart when she feels an energy that must be right outside the ship. 'Gohan?' she asks herself. 'That's… that's Gohan! My baby! But where is your father?' She begins wiggling on the table with her little amount of strength trying desperately to break free.
The doctor frowns. "You know that's not going to work. Although I do commend you for your efforts, especially your attempt with ki earlier. But you ended up only hurting yourself more," he says pointing to a gash on her leg. Trying to think of everything she could to escape earlier, Chi-Chi created a tiny Destructo Disc thinking she could cut the straps. However, she was too weak at that point to control it and sliced her thigh.
Exerting everything she has left, Chi-Chi makes one final attempt to get to her nearby child by raising her ki to break the straps.
"Mom! I can feel her! She's in the back of the ship!" Gohan yells as he and Krillin stare down Jeice trying to plan an attack.
But as quickly as her ki spiked, it fell.
"Krillin we have to get in there! She's hurt!"
"I know Gohan, I know. But we have to get past him first."
Jeice laughs. "Yeah, good luck with that."
Gohan dashes to the door to retrieve his mother but is easily tossed to the ground by Jeice.
Krillin leaps in to assist as he and Gohan attack with all of their force.
The fight, however, ends quickly with Gohan and Krillin lying face down on the ground in pain.
Jeice moves to finish them both when the Saiyan prince arrives. "Ey, Vegeta. You know, I bet if you puckered your lips to Frieza's ass he'd forgive you and let you back on the team. There's an opening or two on the Ginyu Force, I hear."
"Shut the hell up, Jeice. Where are the Dragon Balls?" Vegeta spits.
Jeice launches at Vegeta eager to eliminate his opponent and move on but misses.
"What? Since when are you so fast?!" Jeice cries in frustration.
"Speed isn't the only new thing about me," Vegeta smirks. He builds a ball of ki in his palm.
"Vegeta! No!"
Vegeta swiftly ends Jeice's life without a second thought. He looks over his shoulder at Gohan and Krillin knocked out on the ground and is disgusted by their weakness.
"Now, where are the Drag… What the hell?" Vegeta gives a curious glance as Goku arrives at the scene. "Ginyu go down that easily?"
"Oh uh… Hey Vegeta. Nice work," the alleged Goku says landing in front of him, surveying the scene with Jeice's lifeless body. 'Vegeta is that much stronger than Jeice?' he asks himself.
Vegeta crosses his arms. "Well… Aren't you going to get your mate?"
A weakened Gohan stands to his feet and rushes to his father. "Come on Dad! Let's go get Mom!" the Son child yells tugging on his father's hand.
"In a minute brat," his father says with a different look in his eyes.
"Dad? Come on let's go. Mom needs us!"
"Gohan!" a voice calls from the sky. "That's not me! Listen to me son! That's Ginyu in my body!" The purple leader of the Ginyu Force lands in front of them holding a bleeding wound on his chest.
Gohan takes a massive leap back as he tries to figure out what's going on.
"Gohan, that's not me." The words come from Ginyu's mouth, but the demeanor is Goku's.
"Enough! I'm ending this right now!" Ginyu in Goku's body roars as he tries to increase his power to take on Vegeta and the small demi-Saiyan. "Wait… What?" Ginyu asks disappointed at his weak power level on his scouter.
Goku, out of breath in Ginyu's body, gives a labored laugh when he realizes what's happened. "Son, Ginyu doesn't know how to use my body. You've gotta take him down Gohan."
Gohan hesitates at the prospect of fighting his father's body.
"Now son! We're running out of time!"
Gohan shifts to a fighting stance trying to focus on the fact that's not his father when…
Vegeta stands there dusting his hands after happily jabbing Ginyu's cheek, knocking him to the ground. "Kakarot, if you needed someone to kick your ass, all you had to do was say please."
Krillin sits up and rubs his head but is quickly jolted to reality when he sees Vegeta and Gohan fighting… Goku?
"Krillin! Come here!"
Krillin looks confused at the purple giant hollering for him but then realizes that's why Gohan and Vegeta are fighting Ginyu.
"Come here! We don't have time! Ginyu is in my body!"
Krillin dashes over to his injured friend. "Well… not sure how Chi-Chi's gonna like this," Krillin jokes.
"He'll try to switch again. And when he does, you have to throw me in way of the blast so I can get my body back," Goku rationalizes.
Vegeta and Gohan each take turns delivering brutal, but not fatal, blows to the body stealer before sending him to the ground on his back.
Goku watches as Ginyu sets Vegeta up in his crosshairs.
"Okay, this is it. Get ready… NOW!" Goku yells.
Krillin tosses his friend in the direction of Ginyu's attack and prays to Kami that this works.
As the switch is made, Vegeta spikes Ginyu back to the ground creating a small crater while Goku lays on the ground catching his breath and looking at his hands to make sure they're his.
"DAMMIT!" Ginyu roars rolling over and realizing his failed plan. In his body, Ginyu tries to defend himself against Vegeta. Severely weakened, however, Ginyu is no match against the Saiyan prince's barrage of attacks.
A large cracking sound is heard when Vegeta kicks Ginyu in the jaw. Paralyzed on the ground, Ginyu sees one more opportunity to get a fighting body back. "CHANGE NOW!" he cries at Vegeta.
"No!" Doing the only thing he can think to prevent the switch, Goku catches a Namekian frog and tosses it in the way of the blast.
Once the light dies from the blinding blast, the fighters look at Vegeta to make sure he's still him but then notice a hopping Ginyu.
"Well, Kakarot. Looks like that little stunt worked," Vegeta says kicking the frog away rather than stepping on him. A life like this is a fate worse than death, he concludes.
Hearing the commotion, a small faction of Frieza Force soldiers flock out of the ship.
"There's Vegeta! Lord Frieza's orders are to kill on contact! FIRE!" one of the ranking officers orders his soldiers.
But before they can fire a single shot, Vegeta blasts them all to Other World.
Now in his own body, the weakened Goku slowly stands to his feet and collects himself. He feels out for his wife's drained ki and assesses how many soldiers he can detect inside the ship. After a few moments, he senses Chi-Chi barely hanging on. "You three stay out here," he says as he walks inside the ship.
"Goku you're hurt! Let us help you!" Krillin exclaims feeling his friend's weakened ki.
"Dad I'm coming!" Gohan shouts.
"Gohan. You will stay out here," Goku commands. "I won't say it twice."
Gohan shrinks back and stands down at his father's tone. He and Krillin do as they're told and stand guard outside while Vegeta begins hunting for the Dragon Balls. They are quickly distracted when they hear the sounds coming from inside the ship – the sounds of yelling, gun shots, ki blasts, screams and then… silence. Krillin leans into the ship and can hear the faint noise of a conversation at the other end of the hall.
Goku stands over a young shoulder, his body burning with rage, but this person caught his attention.
"Please don't kill me! I don't even wanna be here!" the small alien screams with his hands waving in surrender. "They took me from my planet! I just wanna go home!"
Goku's nostrils flair but he manages to trust his gut on this one. "Where did they take the female?"
"I-I-I… I don't know! But I know there was a lot happening in the medical wing! It's on the other side of the ship! I'll show you where it is!" he says hopefully bargaining for his life.
"Now," Goku orders.
The green-skinned, white-haired alien leads Goku down the curved hallway and to two black double doors. "Here! But you need a code to get in and I don't have it."
Goku can feel the faintest ki coming from his wife and punches through the door.
"Or, maybe we don't," the soldier notes seeing the doors busted open before running away to avoid being another casualty of this stranger's anger.
Goku walks into the room to find his wife unconscious on a medical table and an alien standing over her preparing a needle. This sight causes a change in Goku's eyes as they flicker the smallest flash of teal, the way a candle looks right before it burns out.
"What is the meaning of this?! I am work-" but before the doctor can finish his sentence, Goku puts an eternal end to his evil deeds.
Goku looks down at his wife's battered face and body and is overcome with a breadth of emotions. Knowing she needs him to care for her, however, he pushes them all aside and delicately brings her into his arms. "Chi," he whispers as he lowers his face to hers.
Upon being gently hoisted, Chi-Chi comes to for a moment but is unable to identify who has her. In fear, Chi-Chi musters all of the energy she has left, wildly punching and scratching to get away from the new figure while thrashing violently in his arms. "No! Let me go! Goku! Goku!"
He squeezes her tight hoping she'll recognize his body. "Chi-Chi! Chi-Chi! It's me! I'm here! Baby I'm here!"
Hearing his voice, she calms in his arms and works to focus her eyes on his "Go…Goku?" His face is blurry, but she easily makes out the shape of his hair.
"Yes, Chi-Chi. I'm right here." Goku takes a moment to examine her over… her perfect nose now out of shape, her supple lips swollen and cut, her hazel eyes bloodshot, the dried blood matted in her raven hair, and her knuckles and legs bruised and cut from clearly trying to fight back. He memorizes her damage and lets it burn in his brain. After quickly capturing every detail, he takes his last senzu out of his pocket and gently feeds it to his bride. "Swallow this Chi."
Restored immediately, Chi-Chi finally sees his face and clings desperately to his neck. "Goku…" she cries on his shoulder. "They tried to take you away from me," she whimpers remembering the feeling of being torn apart from him in their bond.
"Chi-Chi," he whispers as he holds her, "that will never be possible. It's like you said years ago, bond or no bond, mark or no mark, I am yours and you are mine." He leans down and kisses her healed lips, salty from her tears.
Feeling the battle ended and his mother's ki restored, Gohan follows Krillin into the ship to find his parents. Looking around, he understands now why his father wanted him to wait outside. They follow a trail of downed Frieza Force soldiers and destruction down the hallway until they're outside the door of the operating room.
Chi-Chi suddenly sits upright. "Gohan! Goku where is he?!" she panics.
"I'm right here, Mom," Gohan says running toward her while Krillin ducks out of the room to wait in the hallway feeling like this is solely a family matter.
Chi-Chi hops out of Goku's arms and sprints to Gohan. She falls to her knees in front of him and pulls him close, squeezing her child tighter than ever. "Oh, Gohan, I'm so sorry baby. I'm so so sorry. I should've protected you and I couldn't." She kisses his cheeks, his forehead, his neck where he was kicked, and runs her hands over his little body making sure he's completely healed.
"No, Mom. I'm stronger. I shouldn't have let them take you," he says squeezing her neck.
Goku walks to his reunited family. He stands his wife up and wraps an arm around her waist and hoists his son in his other arm. He feels like a failure. If it's anyone's fault, it's his. "You both are my responsibility," he says. He holds his family tight never more grateful to have them in his arms.
Now that she's well, Chi-Chi notices Goku's injuries. "Goku, you're hurt. Badly," she says realizing that he needs her support now. "Do you have another senzu?"
He shakes his head. "No but I'll be fine. Just need to rest for a second," he lies. Now that his adrenaline has died, he's feeling the pain take over his body and his ki is fading fast.
"This way, moron," a familiar voice says.
The family looks up to see Vegeta standing in the doorway.
"There's a healing tank. The time it takes to recover depends on the severity of the injuries and you really look like shit," Vegeta says as he leads them down the hallway and into a different room. The walls are lined with equipment and giant glass pods. He opens the door to one and gestures for Goku to get in.
Goku shakes his head. "I'm not getting in there. What the heck is this thing?"
Chi-Chi interjects. "It's safe Goku. They were going to put me in there to heal me once they were… done."
He begins to object again but feels better after her approval of the plan. "Fine. But you guys stay close by until I'm done. I want to know you're safe."
She kisses his cheek. "Promise, honey. Now, get in so you can get out," she says as she helps him into the pod.
Vegeta, very familiar with this procedure, hooks Goku up and provides him with an oxygen mask before shutting and sealing the tank. He pushes a button, and it begins to immediately fill with water.
*Stay close, Chi-Chi. I mean it,* Goku says through their bond.
*I promise, Goku. Please get some rest.*
Chi-Chi keeps her palm on the tank as she and Goku keep their gazes fixed on each other's before it's full of water and he has to close his eyes.
"Are we done with the dramatics?" Vegeta mocks the display of affection as he rolls his eyes. "You three follow me," he says to Chi-Chi, Gohan, and Krillin.
He leads them into what resembles a locker room and begins digging through clothes. "How you people fight in rags is ridiculous," he says pulling out two uniforms that resemble his and handing them to Gohan and Krillin.
"Um, thanks man," Krillin says not wanting to get too chummy with the guy.
Vegeta scoffs and leads Chi-Chi further into the room as Gohan and Krillin clean up the injuries they sustained fighting Jeice and change into the uniforms.
"Female uniforms are harder to come by, but they exist," he says rummaging through a different locker now. "Here," he says handing her a black Frieza Force uniform similar to the one he gave Krillin. However, where his armor was gold, hers is…
"Pink, Vegeta?" she says looking at the uniform.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Feminism hasn't made it's way to the Frieza Force. If you'd prefer, you can wear this," he says holding up what looks like an ornate black and gold bikini. "This is what the females around here are usually forced to wear. I thought I was being generous. However, I'd much prefer this," he grins.
She yanks the black and pink uniform and boots from his hands. "And just when I was about to thank you for saving Gohan from Guldo earlier, you remind me who you really are," she says walking around him.
He puts his arm up against the locker blocking her path. "You don't know a thing about me," he growls at her.
"I know enough to recognize a little-man complex when I see it," she says looking him square in the eyes. "Couldn't get your own woman so you have to take someone else's?"
He remains in place. In the days that followed his battle on Earth, that's the action he's regretted the most. He fought tirelessly for years to keep his head above the fray and not lower himself to the likes of the other scum on the Frieza Force. Saiyan race or no Saiyan race, he was still royalty and royalty did not behave in that manner and he expected the same from his fellow Saiyan brethren. Sure, he followed orders to sell the planets, but he never lowered himself to partake in the activity at the port planets that other Frieza Force members engaged.
"Now entering the atmosphere for Planet Frieza 435."
Vegeta wakes up at the sound of his ship's alert as his pod begins to depressurize.
Minutes later, he lands at the Frieza Force basecamp, exits his ship and quickly makes his way down the hall to the bathing rooms.
"Hey, Vegeta. You made it just in time," Raditz says as he, Nappa and other members of the Frieza Force are headed out for a night of well-deserved mischief. "Join us. Drinks are on Cui tonight. He lost a bet."
Vegeta turns around so they can see his face. They try to control their expressions when they see the blood splattered across his face, torso, and hands. This isn't a new sight for them by any means, but something about Vegeta's demeanor gives them pause.
"Hey, we'll catch up with you guys. Order me something dark," Raditz says as he sends the group off and approaches Vegeta. "Vegeta," he states. "What happened?"
This was Vegeta's first solo mission and it didn't go as planned. Raditz and Nappa had always been protective of Vegeta going out on his own. He's the Prince of all Saiyans, even if there were only three. But now that he was grown, they couldn't keep him from it any longer.
"Vegeta," Raditz says again at his lack of response.
"There was no moon on that planet Raditz," Vegeta finally speaks. For the three Saiyans, their job was usually made pretty simple by being able to transform into the Oozaru. It makes the work quick, painless, and impersonal. Without having a moon however, this time it was difficult and intimate. Simply creating a ki blast to wipe out all life wasn't an option as the planet had to be ready for resale. So, combat was really his only option. The planet's inhabitants were a peaceful race, something Frieza has very little tolerance for. "Peaceful is simply a synonym for weak," Frieza would say. The biped amphibious race wasn't a match for Vegeta. They did try but ultimately failed.
Raditz recognizes the look on Vegeta's face – the look of a person that had to do things that will keep them up at night for the rest of their life. Unwilling to let Vegeta succumb to this he acts quickly. "Vegeta, you gotta shut that shit down right now. You did your job and nothing more. Where's your Saiyan lust for blood?" he questions.
"Our lust is for fighting! Not…" he says unwilling to say it out loud.
Raditz sighs. They come from a long line of proud conquerors, but perhaps now that they're doing the conquering for someone else, it's not the same. "Nappa and I have spared you from some of the dirtier parts of this job. That's on us. But you have to accept that this is the job. It's us or them. And there aren't any of us left other than you, me, Nappa, and," but he stops himself from finishing that thought.
"And?" Vegeta asks.
"And nothing. Get cleaned up and meet us at Zero. Be there in fifteen minutes or I'll come hunt your ass." He squeezes Vegeta's shoulder and sends him down the hall. "Oh, and tomorrow, I'll show you how to make your own moon. It's rare to need it but it can come in handy. We should've already shown you that," he says before he goes to catch up with the rest of their crew.
After getting cleaned up, Vegeta walks into the club in a fresh uniform. The soldiers always wear their uniforms for two reasons: they never know when they'll be summoned for duty, and everyone treats them with respect knowing they're strong enough to be on the Frieza Force.
"Welcome to Zero Gravity," a beautiful, winged hostess greets him as he walks through the door. "We hope we can make you feel 'light' tonight," she winks as she leads him to the table of soldiers waving him down.
Nappa immediately forces a drink into his hand and Vegeta works to catch up to their level of inebriation.
The club is full of females from all kinds of alien races performing, dancing, flirting, and teasing the soldiers in the room. Forced servitude to be sure, but they consider themselves lucky to have even survived their planets being exterminated or the fate of others in their race, so they do their jobs with a strained smile.
Vegeta's gaze catches one of the females dancing at a different table across the room. He watches as she dances and bends her body in front of the patrons. His eyes survey her shimmering lavender-colored skin and platinum hair and pretty soon his mind is far-enough removed from the events on the planet he destroyed that he's almost enjoying himself. She begins walking away from that table when one of the soldiers yanks her back demanding she dance more. Vegeta's blood boils seeing how rough she's being handled, and he begins to get up when Nappa puts a hand on his chest to sit him back down.
"Nuh uh," Nappa says. "You'll cause her even more problems. Unless you wanna pay for her, leave it alone."
Well, that only gives Vegeta an idea. He looks to see how many units he has and presses a button on the table. A few moments later one of the club waitresses approaches and Vegeta whispers something to her. She walks away, speaks to the club owner then returns with a room key for him. Vegeta takes it and gets up.
"Where are you going?" Raditz asks only half-paying attention at this point now that he's had enough booze to topple a Saiyan.
"None of your business," Vegeta says before he walks to the exit.
He watches as the club's owner informs the lavender dancer that she has been purchased for the evening, much to the chagrin of the soldier who currently has his grip on her. The soldier growls and sees Vegeta clearly waiting for her.
"How much?" the brute soldier asks ready to beat the price.
The club owner whispers the going rate in his ear and the soldier reluctantly releases his grip.
"Whatever. She's not worth that," he says pushing her away.
The dancer is then escorted to Vegeta where they are then led down a hallway and assigned a private room.
"You paid for the entire night so we will see you in the morning," the club owner says before shutting the door and leaving them alone.
Vegeta walks to a cart of drinks and trays of food and eats some of the exotic meats. The dancer remains in her spot, clearly nervous and unsure what to do.
He rolls his eyes at her coy behavior. "Don't just stand there. Have a seat. Get something to drink."
Confused by his requests, she takes a careful seat in a chair by the bed, grabbing a pillow and holding it in front of her body so that she's not quite as exposed.
His expression softens from a glare to a scowl when he realizes how afraid she is. "I don't want anything from you if that's what you're worried about. I just needed to get out of there and you looked like you did too." He hands her a glass of water which she quickly accepts. "Do you have a name?"
"They call me Amethyst. I guess because of the color of my skin," she says in a thick accent looking a little less nervous.
He refills her water. She was clearly thirsty. "I didn't ask what they call you. I asked if you have a name."
She shakes her head. "I was told I am not allowed to use my name when I arrive yesterday."
He looks at her shocked. By the way she moved in the club and with her athleticism he assumed she was a seasoned pro. But now looking at her, the fear in her eyes and the fact that she still feels innocent enough to need to cover herself, he sees he was wrong. "You got here yesterday?"
She nods sadly as she sips her water but quickly perks up when she remembers the penalty if he reports her for complaining. "But I am thankful. So many were not as fortunate as I."
He considers arguing and telling her she can speak freely but changes his mind uninterested in actually conversing. What he wants more than anything is some real rest. He removes his boots, armor and shirt and lays on the bed with his hands behind his head. "I'm sleeping. You're welcome to leave, eat, sleep, whatever you like," he tells her.
Still unsure by his actions she remains in her spot. "You… you really don't want a thing from me?"
He sighs with his eyes closed. "Just silence," he says.
"They will not let me leave. So, l sit here quietly," she says relaxing a little more in her chair.
Once an hour has passed, Vegeta wakes up to the noise of munching. He opens one eye and sees the dancer sitting on her chair still, but she retrieved some of the food at one point. She tries to hide it when she sees he's awake.
"I don't care if you eat. Just do it quietly," he says rolling over.
"Forgive me, I did not mean to wake you," she apologizes with a hint of fear in her voice.
Her tone gets his attention. He's never spent time with the enslaved females. He doesn't need to. His female companions are scattered throughout the galaxy and he visits whichever one is near the planet he just finished prepping for sale whenever he feels. But something about her skittish behavior is getting to him.
"You've only been here for a day. How are you so traumatized already?" he asks gruffly. "Try being in this your whole life then you can whine."
She remains silent trying to prevent him from detecting her tears. If he's annoyed with her tone, he'll surely be upset she's crying.
Vegeta flips on a lamp. "Look. You're gonna have to toughen up fast," he says channeling the same energy Raditz had in his pep talk earlier. "You won't last a week here if they see you cry."
This talk, however, only makes her cry a little harder. Vegeta grumbles and walks to sit in front of her on the edge of the bed.
She flinches not knowing what he will do to her for her insubordination, but she can't seem to stop.
Vegeta sighs. "Fine. Get it out here and now. But do not cry again once you leave this room. Got it?"
She nods as she wipes her falling tears. "Thank you."
Vegeta doesn't dwell much on his past. Why would he when it really doesn't exist anymore since his home planet and people were destroyed by an asteroid. After he was sent off from Planet Vegeta, his life went from bad to worse. He's always blamed his father for not protecting him more from his fate as a Frieza Force soldier. Why should he be reduced to such a life when he was the next rightful ruler of the Saiyan race? However, the older he's become, the more he realizes this may have been his father's way of protecting him the most. He recalls his father being all but powerless under Frieza's thumb and confused as to why he never fought back. Well, the answer is obvious now: he couldn't. His father was simply trying to survive. So, Vegeta remembers being this girl. He remembers going from thinking your life would go one way just to have your system completely shocked when it becomes something else.
"My name is Odette," she offers to express her gratitude. Her former identity, she feels, is all she has left to give to say thank you for his kindness and understanding.
Vegeta nods knowing how vulnerable she just made herself. "Vegeta," he responds. "I just have one question: if you got here yesterday, where did you learn to dance like that?"
Her tears slow and the smallest smile spreads across her face. "On my planet, I was dancer. But not the kind of dance they make me do." She stands and Vegeta watches as her eyes twinkle for a moment. She demonstrates her kind of dance by doing the most graceful eight count from a performance. "That kind of dance," she says as her feet return to position.
"Ballet?" Vegeta asks.
"Yes! It is called 'ballet' in your language," she says happily nodding.
Vegeta almost lets a grin escape when he sees how excited she is to talk about her passion. "Where are you from and how did you end up here?" he asks really just intending to get to know her better. That's basically the standard question for when you meet someone new at a port planet and the answers are all the same. Nobody chooses to be here but there always seems to be something freeing in telling your version of it. Her smile fades immediately and he realizes his mistake. "We don't have to talk about that."
She sits back in the chair. "I was taken from my planet a week ago. We were divided by… trade… skill? Is that the word?" she asks, and he nods. "Anyone able to serve on the Frieza Force were sent to be soldiers. I know they took many doctors, cooks and science… science?"
"Scientists," Vegeta says helping her finish her thought.
"Right. Scientists. My papa is scientist, and they took him." She pauses as her eyes water. "They took me to be dancer here but my mama… they left her on the planet when they…"
He knows the next part all too well. It's what he does every day. He hands her a linen towel from the nightstand when more tears fall.
"And now I'm here. But I guess my first night could be worse. You have been very kind," she notes.
"Don't get used to it," Vegeta grumbles. "We both need some rest," he says as he lays back in the bed and gets comfortable again. "I won't bite. You can lay down," he says gesturing to the empty side next to him.
Not wanting to test the dynamics of their relationship, she does as she's told and climbs into the bed. The silence gives way to hearing the activities in the other rooms. Now that it's later in the night, more patrons are participating in the amorous services of the establishment.
Vegeta and Odette each roll over on their sides and cover their ears with pillows before Vegeta lets out an annoyed groan.
"Forget it. It's useless. Let's go." Vegeta throws his armor and boots back on and tugs her arm to get up.
"I can't leave. I'm not allowed." She shows him a bracelet and he remembers that's how they track their slaves. "You can leave. I'll just have to go back out there," she says with a sullen face.
Vegeta sighs a deep, frustrated breath. This whole endeavor was a mistake.
Odette sees the conflict on his face. "I know some games…" she says gently.
He looks at her unamused. "Games? You want to play charades in a brothel?"
She grins and retrieves something from an armoire drawer. "I saw these on the tour one of the girls gave me. Sometimes these rooms are used for gambling," she says returning with a deck of cards. "Cards are universal, no?"
More grumbling, but he can't help but admit to himself that doing something so simple sounds nice. "Fine. But I deal," he says snatching the deck to shuffle.
Vegeta and Odette pass several hours of the night sitting on the bed playing different games, each taking turns showing the other how to play a game from their culture. The more comfortable they become with each other, the more they share about their experiences.
"Mine!" Odette announces as she slaps her hand down on the face card with his right behind landing on top of hers. "I beat you to it!" she cheers.
Vegeta chuckles ever so slightly. Her reflexes don't compare to his but he's enjoying letting her win.
Odette smiles up at him as she begins to collect her stack of cards meeting his gaze. Her green eyes are a shade he's never seen before.
"This has been a nice escape," she says turning away and blushing. "But look, the sun will be up soon, and they'll be knocking on the door any moment."
Feeling stingy with the time they have left, Vegeta leans forward and kisses her lips feverishly to which she happily participates. He hears the knocks on the doors starting down the hall and knows there's will be tapped soon.
"I'll come back tonight and buy your time again," he informs her.
"You promise?" she asks not ready for him to leave.
"I promise. Dance poorly so nobody else will want you," he advises equally joking and serious.
She smiles but then cringes when their door is knocked. Vegeta gives her one more kiss and then puts on his normal glare so as to not raise suspicion as he exits the room.
Vegeta maintains his scowl at Chi-Chi. "You've lived a privileged life to think that you're little more than a breeding mule. Your planet has been spared the realities of this universe and I can only chalk that up to Kakarot not doing his job and doing away with the lot of you. Females provide pleasure, brats, and food. Someone tried to convince you you're a warrior when obviously that's not the case otherwise your mate wouldn't have had to save you twice. Next time try saving yourself," he spits before walking off.
Chi-Chi tries to shake off his words when he leaves but he's right. She should've been stronger and twice now her family has almost been ripped apart because she needed Goku.
She steps into a shower and rinses the dried blood from her body and hair. Just because her injuries are gone, doesn't mean the aftermath isn't there. Once clean, she stands in front of a mirror and wipes away the steam before staring at herself in shame.
"Vegeta was right. You're little more than a damsel," she says in disgust. But then she notices her mark. The doctor mentioned it faded as their bond grew weaker. But looking at it now, it's extremely visible again. She watches as the color seems to restore before her eyes. Understanding now that it is biological, she deduces that as her and Goku's physical strength is restored, the strength of their bond rebuilds as well.
She exits the locker room dressed as a member of the Frieza Force to search for Gohan and Krillin.
The boys stand when they see her coming down the hall. Gohan has seen her in a gi but never in armor. "Whoa Mom. You look…"
"Scary," Krillin teases referencing their 'girls are scary' conversation on their way to Namek. "Nah you look like a warrior."
Chi-Chi chuckles. "Like Warrior Barbie maybe. The armor is pink." She crouches in front of her son. "You look cute Gohan."
Gohan frowns. Fighters are not cute.
"I'm sorry sir," she apologizes in a soldier's tone. "I mean you look tough. But, when I'm a hundred years old and you're eighty I'll still tell you you're cute," she says ruffling his hair. "Do we know where the Dragon Balls are?" she asks quietly.
"The radar says they're right outside. Vegeta's asleep in that room Goku's in," Krillin whispers. Now that Chi-Chi's safe, they can focus on the remainder of their mission.
"Well then what are we waiting for? Let's get our wishes granted and get the heck off this planet," she whispers back.
The boys nod in agreement and the three make their way out of the ship.
Chi-Chi sees the path of bodies down one hall and shudders. 'Did Goku do that?' she wonders as they turn the opposite direction to avoid the scene. Once outside, she spots Ginyu's jumping body in the distance and panics.
"It's okay, Chi-Chi. It's a long story but that's not him. I'll let Goku tell you about it," Krillin laughs trying to ease her tension. They keep walking but she keeps her eyes peeled.
They follow the radar and find a patch of dirt in the middle of green grass. "Right here. This dirt was dug up recently. They must be hidden here," Krillin deduces.
The trio begins digging and quickly recovers all seven Dragon Balls.
"Okay… now what? Do we know how to summon it?" Chi-Chi asks never having taken part in the ritual before.
Krillin clears his throat, "Allow me." He follows the protocol used to summon Earth's dragon and…
"That can't be right," Chi-Chi scratches her head confused. "It must be different for theirs."
"I guess it needs to be said in Namekian…" Gohan keenly observes.
"Of course! Gohan, you're a little genius man," Krillin compliments. "But… none of us knows Namekian."
"We need to find… DENDE! Look! There he is!" Gohan exclaims seeing the Namekian child flying toward them.
"Gohan, Chi-Chi, Krillin!" Dende happily shouts as he approaches.
Gohan and Dende give each other a quick hug and Chi-Chi's heart melts seeing her son so happy for a moment.
"Guru sent me to help you. My brother Nail is trying to keep Frieza's attention so that you can make your wishes. We need to be fast!"
"You're a life saver, Dende. Let's take the Dragon Balls over there," Krillin says nodding to a nearby island. "Hopefully, we'll be far enough away from Vegeta to get this done before he figures it out."
They collect the Dragon Balls and spring to the island.
Vegeta lays in bed caressing Odette's arm after another tryst. In the few months since meeting her, he's visited his other female companions less and less and spent more time on #435. He's bleeding through his units faster than ever to buy her time but if he's on the planet, he's not letting another soul touch her.
"That was wonderful," she says kissing his neck. "How long will you be gone this time?"
"At least three weeks," he says softly.
She knows what he does. She's not thrilled about it, but she knows they're both just victims of a brutal system at this point. He's the brightest spot in her life and she clings to every visit he's able to make.
Their moment is abruptly interrupted as Vegeta's scouter goes off with a message and an alarm blares throughout the building alerting all of the soldiers.
"What's happening?" Odette asks fearfully as she throws on her dancer's clothes.
"Must be an attack. Who would dare attack one of Frieza's planets?" Vegeta says quickly suiting up.
He looks at his lover wearing so little and frowns. "Here, wear this. It's too big but it's better than nothing," he says putting his armor on her tiny body.
"No, Vegeta. You need it! You're going into battle!" she says attempting to reject his offer.
"No time to argue. Let's go." He takes her hand, and they dart out of the nightclub to find blasts falling out of the sky.
"Vegeta!" Nappa yells seeing the pair headed toward the base.
"Nappa, what's going on? Who the hell is that?" Vegeta asks.
"I don't know but lose the broad and let's go kick some ass!"
"I'll meet you up there."
Nappa takes off in the sky and Vegeta looks for a safe place to leave Odette.
"Stay here. I'll find you when this is done," he says putting her in one of the base bedrooms.
"Wait, Vegeta!" she clings to him and kisses him deeply. "I'll be here," she assures him after she pulls away from the kiss.
The entire Frieza Force currently stationed on #435 ascends to the sky ready to battle the fleet of ships in front of them when the blasts suddenly stop.
"Are… are those our ships?" Raditz asks confused.
"What in the…" Nappa gasps.
The doors to the largest ship in the middle opens for the soldiers to enter. Unsure what to do, they cautiously fly through the entrance and file into the ship's hangar.
Seconds later, the doors close and they turn their attention to the windows to see Frieza exiting the ship.
"What's he doing…?" the soldiers ask among themselves.
They watch as Frieza raises one finger creating a mass of energy that engulfs the sky around him and launches it at the planet.
"He's firing on our own planet!" a soldier shouts!
Vegeta dashes to lower the door but the mass hits the planet annihilating it on impact.
Most of the soldiers had little sentiment attached to the planet. It was merely a place to refresh before the next mission, but they aren't any less terrified. Murmurs and whispers breeze through the ranks.
"He just blew up a planet… with his finger."
"Why would he do that?"
"Glad we got outta there."
Vegeta stands frozen in place processing what he just witnessed. Odette, along with everyone else, is gone.
Frieza reenters the ship and joins his troops in the hangar followed by Zarbon, Dodoria, and the Ginyu Force.
The soldiers stand at humble attention not making a sound praying to their god they won't be next.
Frieza stands in front of them all and puts his hands behind his back. "You're probably all asking yourselves 'Why did Lord Frieza just do that?'" he says pacing in front of them. "It's really quite simple. There have been more and more disturbing rumors of rebellion… dissent… anarchy. You know. Nonsense." He stops in the middle and hovers off the floor above them so they can all see him. "Do we all see now why something like that would never work?"
"Yes, Lord Frieza!" the soldiers answer in unison, all except for a still stunned Vegeta. Thankfully, that goes unnoticed by their leader.
"I hope you feel appreciated that I spared you from such a fate. The harlots, cooks, and other laborers are all replaceable. My soldiers, you have the most important job of all and that is contributing to the expansion of our great Cold Empire. And as if saving your lives today wasn't 'thank you' enough for all of your work, a massive feast has been prepared in your honor." He pauses for gratitude.
"Thank you, Lord Frieza!" the soldiers chorus.
"Oh, and one more thing." Frieza moves like lighting to one of the high ranking soldiers and pierces his heart with his hand. "It would seem our dear Commander here was leading the charge," he says pulling his hand out of the soldier's chest. "I do wish he would've expressed his complaints in person. Then maybe only he would've had to die. Enough business for the evening. Carry on."
Vegeta remains in place still as the tension slowly dissipates from the room. The soldiers pick up their chit chat to get this moment out of their mind as quickly as possible and head to the dining area. He, Nappa, and Raditz all look at each other in silence knowing they're thinking the same thing. But none of them dares makes the accusation out loud.
From that moment forward, Vegeta closed off any notions he had of love and found his only driving forces to be bitterness, hatred, and Saiyan pride.
Vegeta startles awake when he feels Frieza's ominous presence racing toward the ship. He looks at Goku's estimated time remaining on the tank and curses when he sees Goku is nowhere near ready to fight. But then he sees something igniting the sky. "Those bastards!" he yells racing toward the dragon.
"Do you see him?!" Chi-Chi asks looking around for Piccolo.
"No! Where is he?" Krillin asks Dende.
"He's got to be on the planet, but we didn't ask for him to be brought right here!" Dende says flustered.
"Dammit! Why didn't we do that?!" Krillin yells frustrated.
Vegeta lands at the scene furious. "You imbeciles! The most important wish is to make me immortal! We have no chance of winning without that! Are there any wishes left?" he says picking up Dende by his collar demanding an answer.
"Just one!" Dende admits.
"Then do it now!" Vegeta orders tossing him to the ground.
Dende hesitates mortified by the position he's been put in.
"NOW NAMEKIAN!" Vegeta screams but at that moment the dragon leaves the sky, and the Dragon Balls turn to stone.
"What happened?!" Vegeta asks.
"That… that means that Guru has… passed," Dende says sadly. "The Dragon Balls will no longer work."
"Well, well, well. Isn't that disappointing. It's been quite some time since I was this angry. I suppose congratulations are in order," Frieza says standing above them all.
The group jumps startled by his appearance.
Chi-Chi moves protectively in front of Gohan and Dende.
*Goku… How's it going?* Chi-Chi asks her husband.
*Where are you? Please don't tell me you're near Frieza. I just felt his energy explode this way.*
Chi-Chi's nerves begin to rattle more than ever before. *We'll try and buy you some time Goku. You have to stay put until you're healed. You will need all of your strength for this.*
*No, Chi-Chi. I'm on my way,* Goku says reaching for his mask.
*Vegeta is here and Piccolo is on his way. We will give you some more time. Please Goku. You have to be as healthy as possible. I've never felt anything like him.*
Goku's anger builds. He can't believe he's already in this situation again, but he knows she's right. *I'll be there soon, Chi-Chi. Just stay alive.*
*I promise.*
"Gohan! Take Dende and get out of here!" Chi-Chi orders her child. "Go get Bulma and leave this planet!"
She and Gohan watch in horror as Krillin is skewered by Frieza's horn with the evil tyrant toying with their friend.
But before Gohan can respond, Frieza flings Krillin to the earth and appears right before them.
"Hello, female. You've cost me quite a few men today," Frieza seethes taking Chi-Chi by the neck and lifting her into the air.
Chi-Chi kicks her feet and punches at his arm but it's useless.
Gohan's energy soars seeing his mother in pain. " LET GO OF MY MOM!" In all of his rage, Gohan attacks Frieza causing him to lose his grip of Chi-Chi.
The two keep up an even fight for a few minutes but Frieza soon overpowers the demi-Saiyan until a ki attack catches him off guard, slicing off part of his tail.
"Who dares?!" Frieza shouts looking for the responsible party before finding Krillin. "How?! I just stabbed you!"
Chi-Chi and Dende race toward Gohan with the Namekian child placing his hands on him. She looks on curious and quickly discovers that Dende has the ability to heal, explaining Krillin's recovery.
Frieza prepares another assault when a new warrior arrives.
"Pic… Piccolo?" Gohan stutters.
Chi-Chi could nearly cry at her friend's arrival.
"Sorry to keep you waiting kid," Piccolo says staring at Frieza.
"You're that Namekian from Earth… How did you get here? Wait… Is this what you morons used your wishes for?! To bring a Namekian to this fight?"
Vegeta and Piccolo exchange words but Chi-Chi is distracted by a voice in her head.
*Chi! Is that Piccolo?! His power is enormous!* Goku asks.
*Yes! We may have a chance! Keep healing babe!*
After an impressive match, Frieza remains triumphant against the newly reborn Namekian. He severely wounds Piccolo bringing out more rage from Gohan.
"I won't let you hurt anyone else!" Gohan screams and attacks Frieza.
"How did the brat get so much stronger?!" Frieza questions knowing the child should be weakened after their earlier match. He knows of a Saiyan's ability to increase their strength after being healed but how are they healing?
Gohan fires a blast at Frieza who volleys the energy back toward him.
"NO!" Chi-Chi cries racing to move in front of her son but isn't quick enough.
Piccolo, however, manages to send a blast to counter the attack, saving Gohan yet again.
Frieza glares at Piccolo but is quickly distracted by a joint effort from Vegeta and Krillin. Seeing that he's struggling against multiple opponents, Chi-Chi joins the fight, quite enjoying returning some of the damage done to her earlier in the day.
Dende and Gohan rush to Piccolo's aid, the Namekian child healing him.
"ENOUGH!" Frieza cries in irritation. The fighters are knocked back by the force of his energy and the planet begins to shake all around them.
"Is he transforming AGAIN?!" Chi-Chi yells.
Searching for any solution, Vegeta gets an idea. "Woman! Baldy! Beat me so the Namekian brat can heal me!"
Chi-Chi and Krillin look at him confused.
"Saiyans are always stronger after being healed from battle! This is our only chance! NOW! I know how much you both want to kick my ass! Now's your chance!"
That motivation works and the pair take turns delivering attacks to Vegeta while Frieza continues his transformation.
*Chi! What's going on?!* Goku asks almost healed.
*Just hurry Goku!* she says as she continues to beat Vegeta.
"That's… that's enough," Vegeta coughs falling to his knees. "Come heal me brat," he orders Dende.
Dende remains frozen in place. This person slaughtered his people.
The planet continues to shake and Frieza's power is climbing through the roof. Chi-Chi sees his hesitation and gives him a nudge. "It's our only chance right now honey."
Dende frowns but uses his power to restore the Saiyan's strength.
The planet calms and the fighters look to see what terror awaits them now.
A newly transformed Frieza raises one finger and points it in their direction and they all stand ready to fight.
"Bang," Frieza whispers and a blast of ki the size of a bullet navigates through them all and pierces the Namekian child through the heart.
Chi-Chi drops to her knees next to the child and cradles him in her arms, the life already gone from his body.
"A child…" she whispers. She knew he'd killed children but hadn't seen it with her own eyes. "You killed a child!"
"Would you like to see me kill another?" Frieza grins and fires a second blast at Gohan who is saved by Vegeta again.
Chi-Chi's rational thought escapes her. She places Dende back on the ground and attacks Frieza herself. Being no match, he slaps her to the ground before picking her up with his tail. He holds her out for the group to see and begins treating her torso like a punching bag.
Gohan and Piccolo race to rescue her but are easily swatted away with Frieza's free hand.
As much pain as she's in, she's just thankful his focus isn't on Gohan.
Frieza pauses his assault to question her. "Where's the famous Kakarot? I was hoping to meet that simian today. I'm starting to believe he doesn't exist," he taunts.
Vegeta fires a blast hitting Frieza in the face. "Your fight is with me Frieza! Today, you will be defeated by a Super Saiyan!"
Frieza throws Chi-Chi to the ground.
"Mom!" Gohan says supporting her with his shoulder.
"I'll be fine baby," she winces holding her rib cage.
Yet again, Vegeta, or anyone, is a match for Frieza.
Chi-Chi catches herself tearing up as she sees Frieza's assault on the proud Saiyan prince. How she's found herself caring what happens to him, she'll never understand. But after her hours of torture, she wouldn't wish this on anyone.
Gohan and Piccolo make one more attempt at Frieza but are tossed to the side again. The three are forced to watch Vegeta's torment.
*Go-* Chi-Chi begins calling through her bond when a gush of wind races past them.
"Hey, Chi," Goku says surveying the scene. "Sorry I'm late. Again."
Chills cover Chi-Chi's body when she feels the strength radiating from him. There is definitely something to the Saiyan races' recovery process.
Frieza drops Vegeta to the ground and faces Goku.
"So, you're Frieza," Goku states as he analyzes his opponent.
"And you must be monkey senior. Mrs. and junior monkey I'm sure had all but given up hope," Frieza mocks.
Goku's expression remains unchanged.
"Ka-Kakarot," Vegeta coughs.
Goku looks down with a surprising amount of sympathy for his fellow Saiyan.
Vegeta, through tears, proceeds to inform Goku and the others of the horrors of Frieza's reign, the universe he's trying to create and how he exterminated the Saiyan race out of fear.
"Kakarot… please destroy Frieza. He made me what I am. Don't let him do it to anyone else. Whatever it takes, end this."
Chi-Chi holds Gohan tightly to her chest. If Goku had been on the planet when Frieza killed the Saiyans, she wouldn't know Goku… she wouldn't have her son.
Goku clenches his fists as he watches Vegeta take his last breath. While he's not sure he could forgive him for what Vegeta tried to do to his family on Earth, he understands him now. Vegeta didn't stand a chance in becoming anything other than what he was.
Chi-Chi caresses her son's head and wipes her tears as she watches her husband process all of this information, her heart breaking as they both realize he's the last of his kind.
Goku creates a grave for the Saiyan prince and reverently buries his body.
"I understand now, Vegeta," Goku says covering Vegeta's body. "Thank you for saving my wife and my son while I recovered. Please share with me the might of the Saiyan race so that I can carry out your wish."
He stands to face Frieza. "You have no honor. You rip families apart, force horrible lives on those you conquer and eliminate anyone you're threatened by before they know what hit them. I vow today to put an end to your terror in this universe."
Frieza smirks. "Is that supposed to scare me? I will crush your friends, your mate, and your child before your eyes and then exterminate you like the last pesky cockroach that you are."
Goku doesn't flinch at the threat drawing an annoyed attack from Frieza which Goku swats away.
Frieza glowers seeing his attack so easily dismissed.
"Piccolo, Chi-Chi, get everyone out of here. This is between me and him," Goku orders.
Chi-Chi zips to stand in front of her husband. "No way Goku. I'm not leaving you here."
Frieza seeing an opportunity with her back to him, shoots another blast which Goku again easily deflects shooting a look at Frieza.
"Fire at my wife again, and you'll be leaving this planet in pieces," Goku threatens. He looks down at his wife and takes her face in his hands. "I can't fight with you here Chi. You know that. Go find Bulma and get ready to go. When I'm done, we'll go home. I miss your cooking," he says brushing her cheek.
Chi-Chi's eyes water but she knows he's right. This feeling of helplessness is something she's more than sick of.
Keeping his senses in tune with his surroundings, Goku bends down and kisses his wife, unsure when he'll be able to do so again.
"Come home with me Son Goku," Chi-Chi pleads.
"That's all I want."
With a breaking heart, Chi-Chi leaves with Gohan, Krillin, and Piccolo.
Frieza gets a sinister grin and becomes thrilled by the impending battle. "Alright. Let's go monkey."
"Bulma!" Chi-Chi yells entering the ship.
"Thank Kami you're back!" Bulma cries hugging her neck. "Where's Goku?"
"He's fighting," Chi-Chi tells her as she gets medical supplies ready knowing Goku will need them when he's done. "We have to have the ship ready to go the moment he's ready to leave. I don't think we can take it closer without risking damage." As she finishes her sentence, Chi-Chi collapses to her knees overwhelmed by the power Goku's emitting through their bond.
Krillin squats to help her up. He quickly pieces together that the rise in Goku's energy correlated with her spell.
Unable to do anything but wait, they sit outside the ship and feel the two warriors collide.
Goku finds himself being drowned by the Cold tyrant.
'No! I have to get out of this!' Goku panics.
Frieza pulls him out of the water and Goku takes a huge breath.
"This has been fun monkey, but I think I'll power up to fifty percent of my real power, put an end to this and kill your family before taking my leave," Frieza jeers maniacally.
"We have to go!" Chi-Chi cries feeling her husband's ki fading fast.
Piccolo grabs her arm. "No, Chi-Chi. Trust him. He's nowhere near his limit."
But she buckles again, and Piccolo holds her up.
"Times… times twenty," Chi-Chi gasps gripping her mark.
"He used the Kaioken at a times twenty multiplier?" Piccolo asks and she nods.
"KAAA…MEEE…HAAA…MEEE…HAAAAAA!" Goku fires his attack at Frieza and the brilliant bule beam ignites the sky.
"I can't take this! Goku is fading! I can feel it! Please trust me!" Chi-Chi begs.
The rest can feel it too and they head to follow her back, leaving Bulma at the ship.
"But Gohan stay. Keep Bulma safe," Chi-Chi instructs not willing to get Gohan close to this. She sees he's about to argue but she gives him the look.
Defeated, he remains in place.
Once the dust settles, Goku sees Frieza standing tall, sustaining little to no injuries from the attack.
"That actually stung a little bit," Frieza grins evilly.
'Okay… Plan B,' Goku thinks to himself. He raises his hands to the sky and begins collecting energy for a spirit bomb.
"What are you doing now?" Frieza asks annoyed.
Chi-Chi, Piccolo, and Krillin arrive just in time to see Goku planning his next attack.
"That's a spirit bomb! We have to buy him some time!" Krillin shouts.
The three dash at Frieza giving everything they've got but now that Frieza is using more power than he's exerted in quite some time, he's more than a dangerous foe.
"AGH!" Chi-Chi screams as she's kicked to the ground and Goku winces watching them take hit after hit.
*Don't worry about us Goku! Just focus!*
Goku closes his eyes and pulls everything the life on the planet will spare him.
Gohan senses the technique of the spirit bomb and raises his hands in the air.
"Bulma! My dad is trying to create a spirit bomb! Give him some energy like me! Every bit helps!"
She nods happy to contribute and raises her hands to the sky.
Gohan sends everything he can. "You got this, Dad."
"GOKU! You did it!" Chi-Chi screams rushing to her husband's side. "Baby! Are you okay?" she asks holding his tired body.
"I'm fine Chi. Just tired," he chuckles knowing that he's given just about everything he has left.
"Well, we'll put you back in that healing tank before we leave. I bet Bulma can figure it out." She kisses his bloody, sweaty lips and presses her forehead to his. *You did it.*
*Yeah,* he smiles. *I guess so.*
"Let's get Gohan and Bulma and get the hell outta here," Krillin begs. "Wait… What's that?"
"WATCH OUT!" Piccolo yells as an energy blast shoots out of nowhere aimed at Goku. Selflessly, Piccolo moves in front of the blast and takes all of the damage for himself.
"Piccolo!" Chi-Chi cries in horror.
"Oh no! That was Piccolo! I'm going back Bulma! Stay here!"
Gohan flies away before she can get a word in.
Krillin rushes to Piccolo and feels for a pulse. "He's alive but just barely."
Suddenly, Krillin's body is hurled into the air against his will.
"NONE OF YOU ARE LEAVING THIS PLANET ALIVE!" Frieza declares standing atop a boulder using his hand to shoot Krillin into the air.
"Help me! Goku!" Krillin cries before his body explodes before their eyes.
"Krillin! No!" Chi-Chi screams as she supports her husband. "Goku! We have to get out of here! Let's go!" Chi-Chi grips Goku's gi top to make her point.
Goku's rage is swelling in a way he's never felt before. "Chi-Chi. Get out of here. Now. Take Gohan and Bulma and go home."
"SON GOKU! You are crazy if you think I'm leav-"
Goku looks down at his hands and sees she isn't there anymore. He turns his eyes up and his heart sinks to his stomach.
Frieza had yanked Chi-Chi out of his arms faster than Goku could react. In front of him, Frieza holds Chi-Chi out to him by her hair, taunting Goku with his bride.
"I told you. None of you are leaving this planet alive."
Goku's eyes lock with Chi-Chi's as they both know what's coming next. Goku's face pales and he reaches out retrieve her but falls to his knees. "No… No Frieza! Don't do it! KILL ME!"
Frieza waves his arm in the air, creating a spear with his hand and thrusts it through Chi-Chi's chest.
Chi-Chi keeps her focus on Goku as her eyes fill with tears.
Frieza pulls his hand out, licks the blood, and throws her to Goku's feet.
Goku pulls his wife into his arms. "Chi. Stay with me." Not knowing what else to do, he pours the little amount of energy he has left into his wife but knows it's a losing battle; she's dying faster than he can sustain her.
Chi-Chi's head rolls over, her eyes focusing on Piccolo lying on the ground in the distance. If he dies, this is it. On this side of Other World, this will be the last time her husband holds her… this will be the last time she sees his face…
It's true what they say. When you die, your life really does flash before your eyes, at least the moments that meant the most.
"Chi-Chi, I pride myself on my instincts. They're better than most, if not the best. And my instincts are telling me that we should be married. But not only that, I promised to marry you and I never break my promises."
"Umm… I don't really know why I bit you. It's like my body moved on its own. I just… did it."
"I love you Chi-Chi. I am in love with you."
"It's a tail, Chi! Look! I can see it! There's a tail like mine!"
"I can't but you got this. I know you do. This officially makes you the strongest in the world. Now, push babe."
"That's right, Gohan! Mama! I am your Mama! Goku, he said 'mama!'"
"You cannot be my Gohan. My Gohan is a little baby and you look like a big three-year-old!"
"It's hard to explain but King Kai is helping me speak with you. Chi-Chi… I am so happy to hear your voice."
"Sorry. Couldn't wait any longer for that."
"You knew better than to wear your hair down."
"Come home to me, Son Chi-Chi."
She turns her head back to her husband whose eyes are wet with tears. His heart breaks as he watches her try to speak but coughs up blood instead.
"I'm right here, Chi. I've got you." He streams ki into her one more time in a desperate attempt to keep her alive. All around them, lightning strikes from the sky fueled by Goku's developing rage.
Unable to speak, Chi-Chi uses the strength he's providing to connect with him through their bond for what could be the last time. *If I don't get to see you again for a long time, know that you and Gohan have been the greatest joys of my life and I wouldn't change a thing.* She brings her delicate palm up to his face and caresses softly. *Give him hell, Son Goku.* Nuzzling her face into his chest, Chi-Chi's life leaves her body. Their bond… severed.
Gohan lands at the scene and all the color drains from his face. "Mom…" he whispers.
Goku stands with his wife's limp body in his arms and looks up at Frieza as he laughs wildly, proud of all of his destruction.
The planet rumbles and quakes all around them causing Frieza's laughter to shift to excited intrigue.
"You… you monster…" Goku growls. More lightning falls from the sky and Gohan leaps back.
"You killed her…" The ground breaks apart and loose rocks ascend around him.
"YOU KILLED HER!" Goku's hair begins standing on end and flashing a bright gold matching the aura that surrounds him.
Now, Frieza looks worried.
Goku grips his wife's body tightly. "I am going to make you pay for this Frieza," he snarls with venom dripping from his voice. "YOU… ARE GOING TO… PAAAAAAYYYYYYYY!" Goku filled with pain and fury screams with a loud primal roar at the sky as he's completely unhinged! What was once caged is now free and consumes his body. His onyx eyes lose all their color as he's possessed by his rage. A storm fills the sky and lightning destroys the terrain around him. But when he focuses back on Frieza, he reveals teal eyes that are fixed on obliterating his enemy.
Gohan falls to the ground from the force of his father's energy before looking up. He sees a sight unlike anything he's seen before. His father is almost unrecognizable as this golden warrior.
Even in his state of wrath, Goku manages to gently place his mate's body on the ground.
"Gohan, grab Piccolo, get back to the ship, take Bulma and get out of here," Goku says as he glares at Frieza.
Frozen in awe and reverent fear of his father, Gohan doesn't move.
"GOHAN! Do as I say right now while I still have some control! If Piccolo dies, your mother is gone forever!"
That snaps him into gear. Gohan rushes to Piccolo and carries him off over his shoulder.
Still feeling arrogant, Frieza points a blast of ki at Gohan. "Not so fast, little monkey!" He fires it off but Goku moves faster than a blink, flicking the blast away as if it were an annoying bug.
Goku lowers himself back to the ground. "You…" he snarls. "You killed all of the Namekians… You killed Vegeta… You killed my best friend… And then… YOU KILLED MY WIFE! NO MORE!"
His energy flares and a golden aura consumes the sky while Frieza trembles in excited amazement clearly drunk on Goku's fury.
Gohan keeps flying as fast as he can but turns around one more time when he's a safe distance away to take another look at his father's transformation. "Good luck, Dad. I know you'll avenge Mom and our friends," he whispers as he jets off again.
The renewed battle between Goku and Frieza resumes with Frieza unprepared for the fury behind Goku's every hit. After being tossed about like a rag doll, he loses control.
"No monkey will defeat me!" he screams as he takes off into the sky. Goku watches as Frieza collects a mass of dark energy with his finger. "I have the distinct advantage of being able to survive in space, so if I can't kill you, I'll simply destroy the planet!" he yells sinisterly as he shoots the energy to Namek's core.
Goku quickly retrieves Chi-Chi's body and puts her out of harm's way for the moment.
"Frieza! This ends now!"