"Agh!" Chi-Chi cries when multiple blasts are fired in her direction before firing her own back. "Goku, they moved everyone on us! There aren't prisoners here!" she says in her scouter when she looks in the last room.
"Chi, just get the supplies and get back to the ship! Now!" Goku orders as he fights off attacks from Cold Army soldiers and ships.
The Cold Army had finally caught up to Goku and Chi-Chi in an attempt to put an end to their schemes. Goku hadn't been able to turn Super Saiyan on his own since fighting Frieza and for whatever reason his rage kept Super Saiyan right at the surface, but just out of reach, except for small bursts of fury which tended to be more detrimental than helpful as they wore him out and caused him to lose focus. While he's strong in his base form, fighting this army alone and without Super Saiyan is proving to be a challenge.
"Hey, uh boss man, boss lady, we have a problem," Pek says looking out the ship's window, keeping his hand on the thrusters ready to take off the moment they're inside. "Reinforcements just arrived. Short range fighters."
"Shit," Goku mutters as he looks behind to see incoming Cold Army jets. "Chi get back to the ship right now," he orders again sensing that her ki isn't moving. "Chi?" She's definitely alive but she's standing in place. Is her scouter broken?
Supplies are scattered on the ground after Chi-Chi took a cheap shot from behind. Running low on energy from destroying their fourth base in two days, she's not completely up to the challenge this base has been.
"Chi?!" Goku says again as he slices through the jets and dodges blast after blast. He then panics when he senses an incredibly powerful energy next to hers. How did he miss that?!
Rising to her feet, Chi-Chi turns to see her attacker and her heart stops. Smooth purple and gray skin and a long tail. He's the spitting image of Frieza, only taller.
"So, you're the one causing all these problems" this new foe asks stepping toward her. "You're barely larger than a pebble in my shoe."
Chi-Chi looks at him, her expression as hard as stone, trying to figure out who he is.
"I always did try to warn my brother, gods rest his wretched soul, that if he didn't manage his portion of the empire with more… diplomacy some day this would happen to him. But I never imagined the universe's smallest Earthling would contribute to his downfall."
A twinge crosses Chi-Chi's face when he mentions her planet.
"Ah, Earth. It's never really been on our radar. We were under the impression that the planet was full of intelligible swine. Not… rabblerousers."
"Well, us Earthlings do have a pesky habit of enjoying freedom," Chi-Chi sasses, taking a stance ready to defend as her enemy continues closing the gap between them. "So, Frieza's brother," she says hoping Goku is paying attention in their scouter.
"Please, call me Lord Cooler."
She smiles politely. "Lord Cooler," she responds diplomatically as any good princess would, "I suppose there's no chance you're not a monster like your brother hoping to make peace? You did mention diplomacy."
Cooler stops in front of her and gives her a sly grin. "Nobody is a monster like my moron brother, but diplomacy flew out the window the moment you and that monkey killed him. Nobody makes a mockery of the Cold Empire!"
In a flash Cooler swings at Chi-Chi as she somersaults dodging his right hook. He lunges forward and jabs right, left, right, left while she narrowly dodges each attempt, fearing that he's simply toying with her.
"You are spry, I'll give you that. And as much fun as I have playing with my food," Cooler says licking his lips, "I'm in a hurry."
Faster than a blink, Cooler springs toward her and grabs her by the throat, lifting her off the ground. "I heard all about your escapade on Namek. Your friends, your Saiyan mate, and your son. Let me tell you a secret," he growls, "after I kill you, I'm going to step outside and end your mate."
Certain of his victory, he grips her neck tighter and tighter while lowering his guard, oblivious to the rage building inside the Ox Princess. Behind her back, she produces a small disc of ki. If she knows these villains as well as she thinks she does at this point, he will give her an opening.
"And then, I'll go to Earth and enslave everyone but not before I find your brat, pulling him apart limb by limb… slowly."
The hallway suddenly tremors, Cooler writing it off as the effects of the battle between his army and the Saiyan outside, failing to notice the fire in her eyes.
As predicted by Chi-Chi, the evil tyrant pulls her close to his face. Now is her chance.
"Your games are over. But before I gut your mate, I'll tell the Saiyan you fought-" but his voice stops suddenly, and his eyes roll back in his head while his grip remains locked on her neck. She watches as her ki disc finishes it's trajectory through his neck.
Chi-Chi claws to undo his grip as his head slowly slides off of his body. To her surprise, Goku is standing behind him a few feet away with balled fists ready to charge. Cooler's body drops to the ground and releases his hold on her.
"Well… looks like you got that taken care of?" Goku says, astonished by his wife's victory. "I guess I should've let you fight Frieza," he jokes.
Chi-Chi's hands are shaking. She's never killed anyone before. Goku moves to her and takes her hands in his.
"Chi, you did what you had to do."
"I know," she says looking at her hands as they tremble in his. "I can't believe I was even able to do that. His strength was enormous."
Goku's just as surprised if not more. He felt her energy spike but he's fairly certain Cooler was even stronger than Frieza. However, even the strongest can be brought down without proper defense. "He dropped his guard Chi-Chi. And he threatened our son. I know I wouldn't want to tangle with you in those circumstances," he chuckled. "Let's get out of here. We need to regroup, and they'll probably be sending more our way. Now that we've killed two of them…" his voice trails and she considers the implications.
Chi-Chi nods and they take off back to their ship. "We need to get everyone somewhere safe. We can't keep them with us any longer."
"You're right."
As they walk through the base, they continue opening the doors just to be positive they aren't missing anyone. They don't sense any strong kis but in the past, weak kis have belonged to prisoners.
"You two plan on taking your sweet time? We've got minutes or seconds before more of them show up and I gotta tell ya Goku, you weren't looking so hot out there," Pek says as he anxiously waits for them to board.
"We're on our way. Just making sure we don't miss anyone," Chi-Chi assures him. She approaches one more room and doesn't detect a ki but hears something going on inside. The door seems to be stuck so she pushes hard instead of blasting it down, fearing she may hurt someone on the other side. "Almost…"
"You got it, hun?" Goku asks as he checks the rooms at the other end of the hall.
"Yeah. Just trying to be care-" but just as she opens the door, a trap is set off and a blast is fired in her direction that sends her through the wall.
"CHI-CHI!" Goku screams as he bolts back down the hallway and through the hole in the wall. The color leaves his face when he finds her completely unconscious and a massive gash to the back of her head. He scoops her up and races back to the ship as fast as he can.
"DONIA!" he yells for the woman who had become the treater of all fighting injuries.
Donia's expression pales when she sees the injury on the Earth woman. "Set her down, Goku. Right here," she says knowing this is far out of her depth to treat.
"Chi, wake up baby," Goku says squeezing her hand.
"Give me some room, Goku," Donia firmly requests. She fiddles in her kit for something to clean the wound and close it as blood drains from her head.
Pek, seeing that everyone is on board, takes off as far away from the base as he can.
"We may be able to help," a voice says from behind.
Goku turns to see the elder and the child Chi-Chi had rescued from the medical room at the second base they raided. The child and the few of his kind had kept to themselves mostly. They seemed to be the most traumatized of the prisoners they'd rescued, only coming out of the deck below to eat.
"What do you mean? You can fix this?" Goku asks.
"We can," the elder says approaching with the child closely following.
"Can I Opu? She saved me," the child asks, bringing his hand up to her wound.
Opu nods and lifts the child up so he can reach Chi-Chi more easily.
Goku looks at Donia looking for assurance that this is a good idea, and she gives him a less than confident shrug. But out of options, neither intervenes.
"Easy Jax. Take your time," Opu heeds.
Jax closes his eyes and places his hand over Chi-Chi's injury.
Goku holds his breath but watches in awe as the child's hand glows a soft orange and Chi-Chi's injury seems to heal as if by magic, leaving one scar on her scalp and dried blood in her hair.
Once healed, Jax collapses a bit on the elder taking a few deep breaths.
Goku bends down to wake Chi-Chi but Opu stops him.
"Let her sleep. Healing is hard on the body," Opu advises. "She needs rest."
Goku gently kisses her forehead and they leave Chi-Chi in the medical area of the ship. "Thank you so much. That was incredible. You guys use your ki to heal?"
Opu shakes his head. "We're not trained with ki the way you are. This is simply a quality all of our kind has." He places Jax at a table and gives him some food to help him recover while he, Goku and Donia sit out of earshot. "We're Pinelias. And when the Frieza Force learned of our healing abilities, we were… harvested," he says in shame. "Our kind are healers. Not fighters. We've always partnered with warrior races in noble causes to help them heal but we've never had the means to defend ourselves," he says gesturing to his small frame. "And I'm one of the larger Pinelias," he chuckles before looking at Jax and smiling sadly. "Jax is the youngest of our kind. His blood has the most healing properties left. They were harvesting him while the rest of us were replenishing to create more healing serum for their tanks."
Goku and Donia's expressions pain. Goku assumed there was some kind of secret chemical compound to creating the tanks' accelerated healing properties. He should've known better. Of course, it would be just like the Frieza Force to literally suck an entire race of people dry. He cringes knowing he's been revived by those tanks more than once now. "Opu, I'm going to bring them down and that will never happen to your people again. I promise."
Opu snickers at the irony of his situation. "I believe you, Goku. But I must admit, I never thought I'd be partnering with a Saiyan. Usually, I was healing the damage Saiyans did."
"Yeah, sorry about that," Goku says embarrassedly as he rubs the back of his head. "Do you know how long she'll be asleep?"
"It depends. We accelerate healing. What would have taken her weeks to recover from, her body did in seconds and that takes quite the toll. Her body will rest and catch up to the recovery."
Goku nods. "I wonder what was in that room. I was so worried about her I didn't even think to see what could be so important that they booby trapped it."
"If I were to guess, I would say a record room. I overheard soldiers discussing increasing security on those rooms after your first raid," Opu suggests.
Donia nods to agree. "I know many of their systems are set to self-destruct when certain alarms are triggered but I assume they were protecting something vital. That was a top five base."
Goku stands to check on his wife but looks back at them. "Well, whatever it was, it won't matter for long. The most important thing now is trying to figure out how to get everyone on board to safety."
Gohan lays on his bed staring at the phone Bulma gave him. He hadn't seen his parents in three days now and, while he wouldn't say he was worried yet, he definitely missed them.
"Gohan? Can I come in?" Gyu Mao asks knocking on his bedroom door.
"Sure, Grandpa," he says sitting up and placing the phone on his nightstand.
"I was thinking we should go out to Mt. Paozu. We can check on things and get more of your stuff now that you seem to be getting around better."
While Gohan's physical injuries were cured by the senzu bean on Namek, he spent much of the last few days asleep clutching that phone. "Sure, Grandpa. That sounds good." Gohan hops off the bed and packs the phone into his backpack and follows his grandfather down the hallway of the castle.
"Gohan!" a voice squeals when Gyu Mao and Gohan make it outside.
"Hi, Kira!" Gohan smiles as he braces for her tight hug.
"Are your parents back? Have you heard from them?" she asks worriedly after breaking her hold on the demi-Saiyan.
"Not yet. But I know it'll be soon. It took my dad six days to get from Earth to Namek so maybe they're coming straight home? I don't know. I'm not an expert in intergalactic travel," he smiles.
"Well, if you wanted to be you would be you little genius," she says hugging him again.
Gohan and his grandfather hadn't told Chi-Chi's friends everything on Namek. Gyu Mao explained it would be better for her to tell them herself since he wasn't sure where they stood after their last encounter.
"Chi-Chi you can't be serious! He's not even human! You almost got kidnapped and taken off of the PLANET! Gohan almost died! Why would you stay with him?! You need to get as far away as you can!" Sami yells as she tries to talk sense into her friend.
"He is my HUSBAND! And you will NOT speak about him that way!" Chi-Chi fires back, regretting telling her friends about what happened in the last year.
"Chi-Chi, we could see it on the news! If you stay with him, you're going to be in danger! And now you're going to a different planet with Gohan and without Goku?! Chi-Chi, being with him is going to kill you!" Sami retorts with hot tears in her eyes before Kira places a calming hand on her friend's shoulder.
"Sami, that's enough. Chi-Chi is recovering from surgery. She shouldn't be yelling. If we can't talk about this calmly, then we shouldn't talk about this at all," Kira intercedes.
Sami nods her head hearing Kira's point and sits down on the couch in the corner while Kira pulls up a chair next to Chi-Chi.
Chi-Chi looks at her with a stone expression warning her to watch what she says.
Kira clears her throat. "Chi, we love Goku. You know we do. But we love you and Gohan more. I won't apologize for saying it. Do you really think being with him is the best thing for Gohan? And I'm not saying I know the right answer here. I just know if anything happened to you or Gohan because of him…"
Chi-Chi's expression softens seeing the concern written on her friend's face. They'll never understand her choices and she doesn't need them to. She just needs them to respect her choices. "Gohan and I are safe because of Goku. Let's live in a world for a moment where I did leave him, which would never happen, that doesn't change the fact that he's Gohan's father. I am tethered to Goku for the rest of my life either way. And I choose Goku. I will choose Goku every day, no matter what. Did I foresee all of this? Absolutely not. But now, I'm the proud wife of a Saiyan and the mother to one as well."
Sami stands and shakes her head. While she is Chi-Chi's most adventurous friend, she's also a realist and this is where she draws the line. "I can't watch you kill yourself, Chi-Chi. I can't. I love you too much." She storms out and waits in the hall for Kira before Chi-Chi can reply.
A tear falls down Chi-Chi's face as one of her best friend's walks out of her life. "And you, Kira? Are you going to make me choose between you and my family?"
Kira places a gift basket on the end table for Chi-Chi to easily reach, a basket she, Sami, Penni, and Elise crafted before she and Sami came to the hospital. "Chi, I am always here for you. But I have never been so scared for someone in my life. This may be the life you want, but I don't know how to support you in it."
Chi-Chi looks out the window as rain taps the glass. She got punched in the gut by a Saiyan days ago, but this hurts worse.
In the hallway, Goku is being wheeled back on his bed from being scanned. "Heya, Sami," he says seeing Chi-Chi's friend leaning against the wall. She turns her head and doesn't speak, causing a frown from the Saiyan. "Is everything okay?"
Still silence.
Goku enters his room and immediately feels the thick tension between Chi-Chi and Kira. "Hey, Kira..?" he says treading lightly.
Kira smiles as she puts on her coat. "Hey Goku. Take care. Feel better soon." And with that she leaves the room.
Kira squats back in front of Gohan with a slight tremble in her lip. "Gohan, when you do hear from your mother, can you try and tell her something for me? Just if you get the chance."
Gohan nods and gets a pencil and notebook from his backpack. "Sure thing, Kira. I've got a long list going to fill them in on. What do you want me to say?"
Kira smiles ear to ear at the boy's thoughtfulness. Of course, he has a list. Just like his mother. "Please tell her," she sniffs, "tell her I love her and I'm sorry."
"It's not like we can just drop everyone off at home. Sadly, most of their planets have been destroyed or sold by the Colds and most of these people will be starting over somewhere completely new," Pek says as he displays a map of the current Cold Empire planets. "Red planets are sold. Brown ones are uninhabitable. Blue ones are water planets meaning nobody on this ship could live there. And the few green ones are unexplored territories."
"And black ones?" Goku asks seeing how Pek skipped them.
"Eliminated," Pek says solemnly.
Goku stands and looks at the map and explores it with his eyes.
Pek, guessing at what the Saiyan is looking for, taps a black planet on the map and it expands, revealing its original state. "That's Vegeta-sei."
Goku peers at the planet but also notes the buttons on the screen next to the planet. "What do they say?"
"That's archive footage and records on the planet. I'm sure there's a lot since the Saiyans were such a large part of the force for so long."
"Can you show me?" Goku asks.
"Are you sure? I'm not sure you're gonna like what we find," Pek cautions.
Goku nods. "Yes. I just want to see… something from my people."
Pek taps the screen and opens the most recent folder. Suddenly, what looks like battle footage plays on the screen. "Oh wait. I'm sure you were looking for something cheerier," he says reaching his hand up to back out of the footage but Goku stops him.
"No. I want to see," Goku says with his eyes fixed on the screen. He's absolutely entranced as he watches Saiyan men flying up to meet their enemy. After a moment, Goku realizes this isn't footage of them fighting with the Frieza Force. They're fighting against the Frieza Force.
Suddenly, a deep angry voice is heard on the screen. "Frieza! Come out and fight me!"
"Pek pause it," Goku exclaims, unable to get the words out fast enough.
"Goku… buddy… that looks just like…"
"Me." The image frozen on the screen is a warrior identical to Goku wearing a red bandana with a deep scar on his left cheek.
"Goku?" a small voice is heard from behind him.
Goku turns to see his bride finally awake and well. He remains in his place and extends a hand out for her to join him. "Look, Chi," he exhales as he wraps his arms around her shoulders while she leans back against his chest.
Pek discretely exits while the two are fixated on the image.
"Kami," she says breathlessly. "Goku, that has to be…"
"I think so. No. I know so. That's my father." He reaches up to press play, but she takes his hand.
"Goku, are you sure you want to see this?" she asks with a feeling this doesn't end well.
He nods quietly and presses the button. His arms hold her tight as he watches his father valiantly face the evil tyrant before dying a hero's death. Chi-Chi closes the video and turns to face her husband.
"He was a good man, Goku. He was a good Saiyan. Just like you. You finished what he started," she says softly as she tries to caress the anger off of his face.
"Not quite. But I will."
After a meeting with the various elders that were rescued, Goku and Chi-Chi learn the universe is much smaller than they ever knew. While for Earthlings, universal travel seemed like a concept mostly seen in pop culture, they're quickly becoming educated in the intergalactic highways across the universe.
"So, at this point, how far away are we from Earth?" Chi-Chi asks Pek.
"Approximately ten days, boss lady."
Chi-Chi looks at Goku thrilled. "Goku, that's amazing. We're millions of miles away but only a week and a half from home. Once we get everyone settled and take out the remaining chief bases, we can be home so fast," she squeals.
Goku smiles at her enthusiasm but he doesn't share her optimism. The road before them is incredibly difficult and he's not going home until he knows this threat is behind them once and for all. He considered several times sending her home without him but ultimately decided it's too dangerous for her to travel the universe alone. "How far are we from Pinelia?"
When doing their research, the team learned that the planet of Pinelia was still largely untouched and Opu and his people could return. They also invited any of the others whose home planets were destroyed to settle there as well.
"Twelve hours. And then a day from Yardrat. I tried to connect with someone there to warn them we were coming but radio silence," Pek explains.
Yardrat currently sits on the outer rim of the Cold Empire. Opu and Donia theorized it was next in the empire's expansion plan and would hopefully be safe while the empire was busy arming their bases and preparing for the next attack. Knowing he's lost the element of surprise, Goku decided it best to lay low for a minute. And, unbeknownst to the rest of them, he really wanted to figure out Super Saiyan again, fearing he may not be able to finish the job without it.
"Then that's just enough time for some sleep. And we can call Gohan when we get to Pinelia," Chi-Chi says tugging Goku with her to their room. "Thank you, Pek. All of you, rest. We'll regroup in a few hours."
Once in their room, Chi-Chi squeezes Goku still so excited at the prospect of speaking with their son soon. "I know it's only been a few days, but I can't wait to hear his voice. Can you believe how much has happened?" she asks.
Goku zones out as she rambles and recounts all of their adventures over the last few days, his gaze fixed on her as she begins undressing in front of him. His eyes flicker as she slides off the straps of her black chiffon outfit and it puddles in the floor at her feet.
"Goku? Did you hear me?" she asked snapping him out of his gaze.
"What? Sorry, no I didn't."
Chi-Chi gives him a puzzled frown before placing a hand on his forehead to check his temperature. "No. Normal for you. Let's just get some sleep, babe. You look exhausted. But what I said was maybe let's not tell him I cut off Cooler's head. I'm not sure our son needs to know that about his mother," she repeats.
"No?" he asks as he sits on the bed and pulls her close. "I thought it was awesome," he says kissing her neck.
Chi-Chi lets out a soft moan as his lips nip at her neck and his hands paw at her breasts. "Goku, we can't do this in here. We will destroy the ship and kill everybody. All of our hard work will have been in vain," she teases.
Goku lets out a frustrated sigh. "Yeah, you're right. Just sleep for now."
"Sire," the soldier trembles nervously at the feet of the Cold Empire's ruler. "I'm… uh… I'm afraid…"
"Spit it out!" King Cold barks.
"I'm afraid we've lost more of Lord Frieza's bases. They've all been destroyed. And…"
"And what?!"
"And, we haven't received communication from Lord Cooler. We know that he went to confront the Saiyan and…"
The soldiers in the room all take wary steps back from the Cold Empire's supreme ruler as he marches forward to shoot the messenger.
"Wait! Sir! I've found something!" a different soldier harks from the ship's control panel. "I am detecting life!"
"Is it Frieza?" King Cold asks as he looks at the screen. But when his eyes find what the soldier is referencing, he begins to growl. "Is that my son? IN PIECES?!" he cries recognizing the bits of flesh floating in space. "Collect him! NOW DAMMIT!"
The following day, Goku, Chi-Chi and Pek said goodbye to their new friends.
"I'll never be able to thank you for saving us," Donia says as she hugs Chi-Chi so tightly. "But I can give you this," she says placing a necklace made of cool metal beads around Chi-Chi's neck. "On my planet, these are soothing. We place them on our young when they won't sleep, on our mates when they return from battle, and on ourselves when life is too much."
Chi-Chi looks down at the necklace as she twirls the beads in her fingers. "Thank you, Donia. I'll never forget you. Any of you. Especially you Jax," she says as she hoists the Pinelian child in her arms. "You saved my life," she says poking his nose.
Giving her a cheesy, cheerful smile, he replies, "You saved mine first. Chi-Chi will you and Goku come see us again?" he asks as he squeezes her neck.
Chi-Chi looks at Goku as she tries not to cry. There was something surreal about knowing that you'd probably never see someone again with whom you endured so much. "Jax, I will try my very best. But if I can't, I will think of you every day."
Jax nods and wipes his nose with the back of his hand as he tries to control his own sniffles. Opu takes him in his arms.
"Good luck, warriors. I've never been more proud to partner with a Saiyan," Opu gives a knowing nod to Goku to which Goku responds in kind as he wraps an arm around Chi-Chi's shoulder.
The now free people load onto Pinelian ships and leave for the village that awaits their arrival.
Goku smiles when he hears Chi-Chi's quiet cries. "Hey, babe. It's okay. I bet we can come visit someday."
"No, I know Goku. It's just… it feels like a weight has been lifted but an even bigger weight has taken its place. We rescued them but what about the others?" she asks turning her eyes up to meet his.
Goku sighs. He's used to carrying the weight of the world, and now the universe, on his shoulders. He doesn't want that for her. "Chi-Chi, I won't ask you not to care. But the one thing I've learned in my time of doing, well, this, is that you can't save everyone. You just can't. So, you have to enjoy the moments where you save someone. Just enjoy this. And… let's call Gohan."
Chi-Chi's face lights up immediately. "YES! Let's call Gohan!" She pulls the capsule out of her pocket and launches it on the ground. The ship pops out immediately and she races inside. "Come on slow poke! Gohan!"
Goku chuckles and boards the ship with her.
"Dad can you hand me the hydrospanner?" Bulma asks as she sticks her hand out from under the spacecraft she's currently working on. Afraid that they may have to go rescue Goku and Chi-Chi at any moment, Bulma got to work immediately on building a ship from scratch.
"Yes, yes dear. Here you go." Right as he places the tool in her hand, there's a ringing at their communication center.
"Dad! Answer it!" she says as she rolls out from under the ship. "It must be them!"
Dr. Briefs leisurely rolls his chair over, so she manages to beat him to the call.
"Goku?! Chi-Chi?!" she yells in excitement as she hits the button and turns on the screen. "Guys?! Can you hear me?!"
After a few seconds, a picture comes into view.
"Bulma?! Bulma!" Chi-Chi cries when she sees her blue-haired friend on the screen.
"Hey! I can see you! Can you see me?!"
"Yes! Oh Bulma, I'm so happy to see you. I don't know how much time we have so I'll just ask, is Gohan nearby?"
"He's not but do you see the blue button with a '2' on it? You can push that one and talk to him. He was here yesterday wondering if we heard from you and I upgraded the phone I gave him so he can see your face. If I'm guessing, he's training with Piccolo. He was definitely dressed for it," she giggles.
"Oh Bulma, thank you so much. Is he okay? Is everyone okay?" Chi-Chi asks.
"Everyone is fine, Chi. We're all safe and healthy and happy. Well, everyone that is except for our Saiyan Prince. You know he has got to be the most egotistical son of a bitch I've ever met."
Goku playfully rolls his eyes at his friend. "As much as we'd love to talk about Vegeta right now, we're gonna call Gohan. Okay?"
"Oh, right. Sorry guys. I'm so glad to see you, though. Thank Kami you're both okay."
"We're fine Bulma. And we're coming home as fast as we can. We'll be in touch," Goku says warmly before hitting the other button.
Chi-Chi takes a deep breath. Why is she nervous to speak to her own child? She sits in Goku's lap and he squeezes her thigh gently as they wait for him to answer.
"Wait, Piccolo! My phone is ringing!" Gohan hollers before Piccolo fires his next training attack. Piccolo dissolves the ki in his hand and smiles at the demi-Saiyan's excitement. He had a hunch today would be the day.
"Mom?! Dad?!" Gohan says as he taps the screen to turn on the phone. "Mom?"
"Gohan?! Gohan!" Chi-Chi cries as tears fall from her eyes uncontrollably when she sees their child's smiling face on the screen. Her face falls in her hands and Goku gently caresses her arm.
"Hey, buddy," Goku says to their son as he continues to comfort his wife. "Training with Piccolo today?" he chuckles seeing the Namekian in the background.
"Yep. Uh, is Mom okay? She's crying a lot," Gohan observes.
"Oh, I'm fine baby. I just, Gohan I miss you so much," she says touching the screen, desperately wishing she could feel his cheek. "I'm so sorry we're not home yet honey."
"Mom I'm fine. It's been four days. I'm okay. Are you guys on your way home?"
Chi-Chi chokes up knowing that they're not.
"Not quite, bud," Goku says breaking the news. "But we're working on it. There are some people that Frieza hurt that need our help."
Gohan frowns but he trusts them. "Okay, Dad."
"What's going on with you, Gohan? Tell us everything," Goku asks as Chi-Chi is trying to swallow her own tears.
"Well, I'm staying with Grandpa like Mom told me to. Hang on just a sec. I've got a list," Gohan says as he dashes offscreen to grab his notebook.
"A list? That is your son, Son Chi-Chi," Goku teases as he kisses her cheek.
"There is nothing wrong with keeping a good list," Chi-Chi retorts as she wipes under her eyes.
"Okay, first up…" Gohan rattles through his list with his parents: Secret passages he's discovered at the castle, Bulma's new habit of relentlessly sending him new gadgets – he assumes she's trying to keep him distracted – training with Piccolo, and showing Dende around Earth a little bit. "Oh, Mom, one more thing. I saw Kira at the castle."
Chi-Chi tenses up and Goku holds her hand knowing how much she's wanted her relationship with her friends repaired.
"I'm not sure why but she told me to tell you that she loves you and she's sorry. What's that about?"
Another weight feels like it's lifted off of the Ox Princess. "It's nothing honey. But thank you for telling me. If you see her again, give her a big hug from me, okay?"
"Okay, Mom."
The Son family sits on the call for nearly an hour discussing the couple's adventure since leaving Namek and Gohan's tour guiding skills with Dende.
"I know they don't have to eat, but I brought him to the castle and Dende ate almost as many chocolate chip cookies as I did," Gohan giggles before sighing. The moment almost felt normal. "We're gonna miss our trip to Adventure World again," he says sadly.
Chi-Chi holds the screen with both hands trying to hold his face. "Gohan, the moment we're home, we're making that happen. I promise you. I'm so sorry baby. I'm so incredibly sorry."
"It's not your fault, Mom. It's really pretty cool that you're saving the universe. I just wish I was with you guys."
Chi-Chi shivers at that thought. The things they've seen she'd never want her son to witness.
Seeing that his wife is barely holding it together at this point, he speaks for both of them. "Gohan you're exactly where you should be because you're safe. And we're getting home as fast as we can. We will call you in a day or so once we get to the next planet. Okay, son?"
"Okay, Dad."
"We love you, Gohan. We'll talk soon. Listen to your grandpa and Piccolo. The others… meh," he jokes hoping to see a smile on his son's face before they hang up.
Gohan giggles. Mission accomplished. "Love you, too. I've got this phone with me all the time."
"Okay son. Bye."
"Bye baby," Chi-Chi manages to squeak out without sobbing before the screen goes dark. "Oh Goku," she cries as she clings to her husband and weeps on his shoulder.
"I know baby," he consoles as he caresses her back. "You'll see him soon, hun. You'll see him soon."
The following day, Pek lands the ship on the outskirts of a village at their next destination: Yardrat.
"You got everything I gave you to barter?" Pek asks trying to make sure the Earthlings are ready for their next adventure.
"Yep, right here," Chi-Chi says pointing to the sack on Goku's shoulder. "Are you sure you don't want to stick around for a bit? Get some rest?"
"Nah. My work here is done for now. I'm going home. Your little tirade put a hold on their plans to destroy my world so hopefully my family is still there. I'm going to find them."
"We understand," Goku says shaking Pek's hand. "We couldn't have done this without you, Pek."
"I know, right?" he teases. "I'll be in touch in a few days and let you know anything else I learn."
Chi-Chi gives him a hug, sick of these tearful goodbyes.
"Ah, no tears for me. Not worth it. I promise. But when you get sick of him, give me a call," he jests causing Goku to chuckle. "Now, boss man, listen to boss lady and I think you'll survive," he says as he walks back up the ramp to his ship. "We'll talk soon."
Goku and Chi-Chi stand and wave as they watch their last new friend fly off into space.
"This has been the weirdest week of our lives," Chi-Chi says as they start walking toward the village.
"Is it though?" he asks as he picks her up, thankful to be truly alone with her for a moment. "Because I remember one week when you were pregnant all you wanted to eat was peanut butter on pickles and you cried when you realized you put your sandals in the toaster and the bread in the closet."
"Hey," she slaps his chest. "You can't make fun of me for the things I did while I was pregnant. Especially now that we know the kid I was baking in that oven wasn't even completely human," she says giving him a soft kiss. "I did have some weird cravings though," she chuckles.
They look at each other with delicate expressions. Nothing has gone the way they thought it would and if they had their way, Gohan would be a big brother by now.
"Let's get moving," Goku suggests before Chi-Chi can be dismayed by their circumstances again.
After flying for a few miles, they come upon a city and land outside the gate. In a blink, they're surrounded by a hoard of aliens that seemed to appear out of thin air, all with ki blasts ready to fire in their palms.
Goku and Chi-Chi stand back-to-back with his hand reaching behind to shield her.
"We will not yield to Frieza without a fight!" a soldier yells stepping forward.
"What? Okay… We're not here for Frieza," Goku says of the misunderstanding. "Oh, I guess the armor is confusing. That was all I had to wear. We come in peace! I promise!" he says holding up a peace sign with his fingers.
"What proof is there of that?" the same soldier asks. "You even brought an enslaved female with you. Do you have any honor?"
At the soldier's observation, Chi-Chi steps in front of Goku to display her freedom. "I'm not a slave. I assure you. But we understand why you think so. My name is Son Chi-Chi. This is my mate, Son Goku. And if you're an enemy of Frieza's, you are a friend of ours. He killed Frieza on Namek five days ago."
Quiet falls around the ring of soldiers as their mouths drop. Are the rumors they've heard in transmissions the last few days true? Is Frieza indeed dead? And is the hero responsible actually standing in front of them?
Goku notices their tension ease and lowers his guard. "If you think that's something, she killed his brother, Cooler."
More stunned silence.
A stately Yardratian moves through the soldiers and approaches the warrior couple, clearly the leader. "You truly eliminated two of the three leaders of the Cold Empire?" he asks.
Goku and Chi-Chi respond with humble nods.
"Are you also the ones responsible for destroying their chief bases?"
They nod again.
The Yardratian suddenly drops to his knee in respect, the other soldiers following suit.
Overwhelmed by the display, Chi-Chi takes Goku's hand. Not being a fan of the hero worship, Goku moves to ask the elder to stand, but Chi-Chi squeezes his hand. This is clearly their custom and she fears insulting them if he interrupts them.
Their leader rises. "I am Bimari. And you, Son Goku and Son Chi-Chi, are most welcome on Yardrat."
"I would like an update on my son," Cold says as he enters the lab.
"Sire, the healing tank will only be able to restore so much of Lord Frieza. I believe we will have to provide him with artificial body parts," the ship's chief scientist updates the evil ruler.
"And what kind of timeline are we looking at?" Cold says as he observes the tank with regenerating pieces of his son.
"Months, my lord. I've never restored someone so powerful with so little to work with," she replies.
"So be it. We won't take action on Earth until my son has the satisfaction of destroying it himself. At least the destruction of our bases seems to have stopped," he says taking a seat and rubbing his temple.
The scientist hands him a pill. "Here, sire. Take this. It will give you rest and relieve the tension."
Cold waives her off. "I need to be completely alert in case the monkey shows his face again."
"You also need to be refreshed and ready for the battle. This Saiyan will require all of your strength. This is a mild pain treatment. Take it," the scientist says with a familiarity no others have with the king.
Cold takes the pill and begins to relax a bit more. "How long have we been working together now, Satsuke?" Cold asks.
"I've been on your team of scientists for nearly a century, my lord."
"Would you consider us friends?"
Satsuke removes her glasses and gloves knowing that he now requires her full attention. "Why do you ask me this once a week, my lord? I am whatever you want me to be," she says as she sits on the arm of his chair, caressing his chest. "I was sorry to learn of Lord Cooler's death. Why didn't you come to me?"
"I didn't need to distract you. Your priority is restoring Frieza. He is now my only legitimate heir."
"And that will be done. I promise. What is your plan once he's whole again?"
Cold pulls her from the chair's arm and into his lap. "We will storm Earth with the full weight of our army and make the Saiyan watch as we eviscerate his loved ones."
Satsuke trails a finger down his horn and to his neck. "Then what, my king?" she asks with a crazed look of desire in her eyes.
Cold shifts the scientist so she's straddling his lap. "Then, we'll sell off the worthless inhabitants."
"Mmm. What next?" she asks as she nibbles his ear.
Cold pulls her face back to show her a small ball of red ki on his fingertip with his hand in the shape of a gun. "Then, we'll annihilate the planet so that only the blackness of space remains."
"Can I fire the trigger?" she asks as she tugs on his thumb.
Cold growls and dissolves the ki. "You may fire anything you like."
Goku and Chi-Chi stare in awe at the Yardratian civilization as they're given a tour by Bimari and his wife, Avieta. The planet is far more sophisticated than they ever dreamed as well as heavily guarded. They see now why the Frieza Force hadn't conquered. They were accustomed to conquering the physically weak and weak-willed. They would have their hands full with the inhabitants of this world.
"You two will be our guests," Bimari informs them as he leads them to their home. "Make yourselves at home."
Chi-Chi's mesmerized when she sees their home. "Oh, if Bulma could see this." Their home is what sci-fi dreams are made of while also being warm and inviting. The home is decorated in calming blues, making one feel peacefully adrift at sea. Their furniture appears to all be functional while still being delicately handcrafted. Chi-Chi's gaze follows Avieta as the homemaker walks toward their kitchen. A long, rectangular fountain separates their kitchen and living area and as she gets close, a pathway reveals itself as she walks over then just as quickly disappears once her path is complete.
"Your kitchen is amazing," Chi-Chi breathes out as she follows her hostess across the fountain. "I haven't cooked in so long. I fear I'm going to be out of practice, which is a problem when it comes to trying to keep him full," she chuckles looking at her husband.
"Chi, you've never let me go hungry," he winks but also seems… distracted.
Bimari observes the Saiyan and can't help but feel there is something brewing underneath his cheerful exterior. "Goku, would you like to join me for a tour of our armory?"
"Oh, do it," Avieta encourages. "It's what Bimari is most proud of, other than me," she giggles.
Goku looks at Chi-Chi for approval. He's not really let her out of his sight yet aside from the moments they were separated at the bases and those moments almost cost him. Marking her soon is a must.
"I'm fine, honey," she assures him. "You men go be men and I'll admire this kitchen a little longer."
The men venture out leaving the women to be women.
"Oh, it's been so long since we've had company that wasn't Yardratian," Avieta says as she pours them each a glass of orange-colored tea. "I've not met anyone with hair in ages. Before Bimari, I was on a Frieza Force planet as a lady's maid. That was ages ago now. Thankfully, my rulers were mostly kind. I loved playing with their daughter's hair. I learned how to do so many things with it. You must let me play with yours and see if my skills are still second-to-none."
Chi-Chi chuckles at the alien woman. She never considered having hair special. "That sounds like fun. Honestly, a little bit of girl time or something normal would be a welcomed change of pace." She sips her tea. The flavor is odd. Not bad. Just odd. She was expecting it to taste like oranges since it was orange but then quickly remembered that doesn't make any sense since they're not on Earth. "May I ask how you managed to escape a force planet?"
Avieta taps on her mug debating how much of their secrets she should share. "Bimari," Avieta responds plainly. "Some of our people were taken during a raid and our soldiers retrieved us. We were scattered across the universe, so it did them take months to locate all of us."
"Just like that? Their planets are crawling with soldiers. You make it sound like it was simple."
Avieta taps more. Perhaps after some more time she can tell of their soldiers' unique abilities. But for now, she will keep their secrets guarded. "Yes. Just like that."
Goku follows Bimari through a large stone building with weapons of all kinds lining the walls, many of them completely foreign to Goku. "These don't look like anything I've ever seen before," Goku says picking up two sticks that resemble nunchucks without the chain. "But I'm not really much with weapons. I've always preferred using my body and ki."
"Ah but these are ki weapons," Bimari says taking them in his hands. He creates an X over his chest before spearing them down to his sides. Now, the sticks glow at the end with dagger-shaped ki and he begins expertly wielding them. "We learned that ki wasn't the most effective tool for incognito work. So, we developed weapons that allowed us to channel our ki without having to fire booming blasts. Those of us that have mastered ki don't necessarily require the use of these tools, but our younger soldiers, this allows them more control," he explains.
"Mastered ki? You mean to tell me you believe you know everything there is to know about ki energy?" Goku asks fascinated.
Bimari confirms with a nod. "I suppose you don't know what you don't know and that there could be more uses for our energy. But when it comes to warfare, I'm confident in saying I know everything there is to know. If I had the strength that resides inside you and my knowledge, I would've eliminated the Cold Empire decades ago."
"That's pretty incredible, Bimari. Maybe you can teach me a few things? I'm not done with the Cold Empire. I plan to end them," Goku says with hardness on his face.
Bimari floats the weapons back to their place on the wall as if by magic. That is not a use for ki Goku had ever considered.
"Goku, forgive me if this is an unusual observation by someone you just met, but you seem troubled."
Uncomfortable by Bimari's observation, Goku turns away from the Yardratian's focused gaze. "Well, we have had a pretty intense few days," he says as he keeps walking down the wall of weapons.
"I'd imagine so. All of that can be traumatic. I know the things I saw when dealing with the Frieza Force scarred me. Had trouble sleeping for months. How long do you plan to be on Yardrat?" he asks as he looks for an opportunity to touch the Saiyan warrior knowing that if he can just get a hand on him, he can see what's under the surface.
"Just long enough to regain our element of surprise. Although… I'd like to leave Chi-Chi here while I finish this, if that's okay with you," Goku says quietly as if concerned she might hear him.
Bimari gives him a puzzled look. "Of course, she's welcomed here as long as you need. But she killed Cooler. Surely, she can handle herself?"
"You're a soldier, right?"
"All my life."
"Chi-Chi is the strongest woman I've ever met. But you and I both know when I go back out there, they will exploit every weakness I have. She won't be happy about staying behind, but I can't risk it."
Bimari understands all too well.
"I would send her home, but I can't be sure she'd make it there safely. We can at least communicate with our son now. But she's going crazy being away from him. I know it's killing her. It's killing me, too. But this is for them," he says more angrily than intended.
Bimari catches Goku's underlying hostility. "It's unfair that making the universe a better place rests on your shoulders," he says putting a hand on Goku's arm. In an instant, Bimari sees flashes of Goku's time since arriving to Namek: his son's mangled neck, his wife's battered body, his friends being tortured and killed right in front of him, his wife's murder, and their subsequent encounters with the poor souls enslaved by the Cold Empire, but most notable… the young warrior's transformation to Super Saiyan. A cold chill runs through his body and he yanks his hand away.
Goku looks at him confused. "You okay, Bimari? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Sorry, Goku. Just caught a chill. But as I was saying, while you do have a massive battle before you, don't forget to let others carry the burden with you. We're here to help," Bimari advises. "Why don't we join the ladies for dinner. We're having a feast prepared to welcome you and you can meet some of our soldiers."
"Food sounds great. I can't wait to eat anything that wasn't from one of the bases," Goku chuckles as they exit the building.
"I can imagine. And don't worry, we are familiar with the Saiyan appetite so eat as much as you like," Bimari says with a smile on his face as he searches for a way to tell his new Saiyan friend that he's a ticking time bomb.
"Wow, that is quite the tale," Avieta says as the group of soldiers finishes their dinner in the large dining hall of Bimari and Avieta's home, her mouth the only one not currently stuffed to the brim with food. "And what did this 'Frodo' do next?"
"Ah, I don't wanna spoil the ending for you, Avieta," Goku chuckles. "You guys will just have to come to Earth and watch it. Gohan prefers the books but I'm not much for reading. Also, he gets annoyed when I say they could've taken the eagles closer to Mordor and that I sound like 'such a movie watcher' when I say that."
Chi-Chi playfully rolls her eyes but is adoring her husband's liveliness right now. This is the closest to himself she's seen him be probably since Raditz showed up. The only thing that would make it perfect is if Gohan were actually with them. "Just tell them the ending Goku," she says pointing to him with her fork. "I'm not sure how soon we'll have a Lord of the Rings watch party with our Yardratian friends and I bet by the time we can make that happen they'll have forgotten the ending."
"Aw okay. Well, Frodo and Sam do end up making it into the volcano and destroying the ring. But not before Frodo's finger gets bitten off by Gollum."
"The skinny, creepy guy, right?" Avieta asks absolutely enthralled by the story.
"Right. The skinny, creepy guy that wants the ring. But he dies happy because he dies with the ring. It's a whole thing."
"And these are stories that you watch?" a soldier asks from the other end of the table.
"Mhm. It's amazing that for all of your tech you don't have movies."
"We obviously have cameras. We have always used them for surveillance. But we never thought they could also be used for entertainment. Bimari," Avieta says pointing her fork at her husband at the other end of the table, "I'm writing that down."
"A great idea, dear. Now, Goku, Chi-Chi. I know you want to lay low for a bit. Recover and make plans for your next attack, but I really must insist that you stay for our upcoming festival."
"Festival?" Chi-Chi asks as she takes a sip of their finest Yardratian wine – well what she's telling herself is wine.
"Yes. Our annual harvest celebration is coming up soon. It's centuries old tradition and a little over two months away actually," Avie explains. "It's the one night a year where all three of our moons are in alignment and light up the sky."
Goku and Chi-Chi freeze in place, a drink in his hand and her fork in her mouth as they stare at their hostess.
"Three… moons…?" Chi-Chi asks swallowing her bite.
"Yes," she confirms.
Goku accidentally squeezes his glass too tightly and the glass breaks in his hand.
"Oh, I'm sorry Avieta," Chi-Chi apologizes for her husband as she wipes his lap and the table. "I hope that glass wasn't special," she says knowing that crystal was clearly a luxury item.
"Think nothing of it. Is your hand alright, Goku?" Avieta asks as she retrieves another glass and more towels.
"Uh, yeah. Sorry Avieta. Still don't know my own strength sometimes," he chuckles nervously.
After drying off her husband, Chi-Chi looks at Goku as discretely as possible, desperately wishing they were bonded right now so she could say, *We gotta get off this planet before then.*
Goku, however, takes his hand and rubs Chi-Chi's thigh discretely under the table, desperately wishing they were bonded right now so he could say, *Mine.*
After the dinner guests leave, Avieta helps the couple settle in for the night, giving them clothes and essential items for their stay.
"We're the worst guests," Chi-Chi says taking a stack of towels from Avieta's arms. "Staying in your home and bringing only the clothes on our backs and some Frieza Force gear."
Avieta concluded earlier in the day that Chi-Chi's quite the homemaker herself and uncomfortable with feeling like an imposition. "Chi-Chi, please listen to me. I'm sure you've taken care of everyone else for as long as you can remember, right?"
Chi-Chi nods slowly feeling as if this woman is peering into her soul.
"What you and your husband did was remarkable. Please let us honor your heroism by taking care of you for a moment. Please."
Taking a deep breath, Chi-Chi tries to relinquish this feeling of being a burden and nods politely at the wise Yardratian woman. "Thank you. Truly."
After telling Avieta good night, Chi-Chi closes the door to their room.
"Chi? Did you see what they gave us to wear?" Goku says holding up a white shirt with an accordion for a neckline.
"Why are you surprised?" she giggles. "You saw what they were wearing. That collar does look itchy, though."
Goku tugs her to himself by her wrist. "Well, tonight you don't have to wear anything," he says as he slides the robe off that Avieta spared her, revealing her naked body.
"Goku, what are you doing?" she moans as his hands trace the sides of her body.
"I'm touching my wife," he says in that possessive way he gets.
"We cannot do that here. We will destroy their home."
"I can't wait any longer Chi. I miss feeling you in my head. I miss the way you taste. I miss being inside of you. You're mine. And I'm taking you back."
Chi-Chi's knees weaken and he holds her by the elbows before tossing her gently on their bed and climbing on top of her.
"Goku, there's no way you can be quiet and gentle," she whispers against his lips.
"I can be quiet. You hate it when I'm gentle." Goku begins a trail of kisses down her body, pausing to notice every detail and frowning when he finds cuts and bruises from their fights in the preceding days. "Your surgery scar is gone," he says kissing her stomach.
"Yeah," she says running her fingers through his hair. "Senzu took care of that. But then she suddenly squirms away from him. "Goku. No."
He looks at her confused. "Why won't you let me touch you? You've barely let me put my hands on you since we left Namek. What's going on?"
"You, and like many others before you, are simply viewed in this galaxy as a commodity. Once I can finally get this bond broken, I'll put you in the healing tank, you'll be good as new and sold to one of the dealers. A pretty crossbreeder like yourself will fetch a nice price."
Chi-Chi quickly tries to shake away the memory. It was true, Chi-Chi hadn't been open to affection aside from hugs and kisses, but they had agreed that they definitely shouldn't have sex while on the ship since every person on board would hear them. They were also using every spare minute to rest and really didn't even have the energy. Not to mention the new strength he had. But now that they weren't on high alert, they were both clean and well-fed, she was running out of excuses ways to keep the truth from him. The truth that she felt completely violated and emasculated after what happened to her on Namek. "I just don't feel… Just not now, okay?"
Goku's lust suddenly shifts to love when he sees something's off, but he decides not to pry. She always comes to him when she's ready. He pulls her close and rests his head on her chest, staring at the wall as Chi-Chi caresses the hair behind his ear. "You died," he says plainly.
She gives him a soft giggle. "So did you."
His grip on her tightens. "Chi, it's not funny. I can't believe I let that happen to you. I failed you. I said on our honeymoon I was a failure as your husband if you were in danger and you were taken out of my hands and killed. I failed you."
Chi-Chi sits up and pulls him up with her. "Goku, I'm not angry with you. Surely you know that, right? What happened was not your fault. Not even close."
"Of course, it was!" he snaps making her jump slightly. "I'm sorry. I just mean… Chi-Chi, all of this is my fault. Let's just look at Namek for a second and not even think about Raditz or Vegeta. I sent my wife and my child and my friends to a planet millions of miles away without me. How could I have ever been so dumb? What the fuck was I thinking?"
Chi-Chi sits quietly. Goku doesn't share his thoughts and feelings often. She's learned now that when he does, she needs to let him get it all out.
"Chi, when I found you… Chi-Chi I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry," he begins crying as he pulls her close and cradles her. "And now we're still out here, millions of miles away from Gohan. You almost died twice at the last base. How did it get so fucked up Chi-Chi?"
Her own tears gather in her eyes as she lets her husband process. "I don't know, honey. I don't. But we're all alive and healthy. Our son is safe. Your friends will be wished back soon. Goku, all things considered, we're doing okay."
*GOKU! GOKU! FIND GOHAN THE MOMENT YOU LAND! THEY BROKE HIS NECK! HE'S ALMO-*
*CHI-CHI?! CHI-CHI?! TALK TO ME!*
The memory flashes in Goku's brain and he begins to tremble with her in his arms. He quickly tosses her aside and stands away from her holding his head.
"Goku?! Goku! Talk to me!" she says frantically throwing on her robe and running to him, but he puts his hand out.
"Get back!"
"NO! You will not do this alone!" Chi-Chi launches herself at him and wraps her legs around his waist and clings to him. "Son Goku! Look at me right now!" she demands.
Goku keeps holding his head as if trying desperately to keep it from splitting in two. Chi-Chi jumps off of him as heat begins radiating from his body and his aura flashes a hazy gold around him.
"GOKU!"
Suddenly, Bimari appears right behind Goku and says something in his native language. In seconds, Goku's ki and appearance return to normal and the Saiyan falls to the floor in a deep sleep.
"Wha-What did you do to him?" Chi-Chi asks unsure if she should be angry or thankful.
"Don't worry. He's only asleep," Bimari says as he drags Goku to the bed.
Avieta walks in after the disturbance has died down. "Are you okay, Chi-Chi?" she asks with kind eyes.
"I… I'm fine. I don't understand. How did you get him to sleep? And where did you come from? What's going on?" she asks as she hugs her robe tightly.
Bimari looks at Goku one more time and places a hand over his ki. "I think he's down for the night. Chi, join us for some tea? I think we should talk."
Chi-Chi sits down beside her husband and brushes loose strands of hair off of his forehead. "Tea sounds good."
"What do you mean you 'peered' in Goku's mind? Did he give you permission?" Chi-Chi asks perturbed.
"I'm sorry but no. I don't take chances with the safety of my people and with someone as powerful as your husband I didn't have a choice. I could tell he was quite troubled, but I wasn't sure how deeply."
Chi-Chi paces in their kitchen. She can't really make enemies while stranded on an alien planet and she can't really blame him for needing proof that they were in fact who they said they were. They've been here less than a day and they've already caused quite the scene. Besides, even Goku is able to read people's minds and he has been known to do that without permission. She senses no malice from the Yardratian couple and is in short supply of friends. So, she puts her faith in them praying they won't fail her. "I'm worried about him," she admits. "Ever since he turned Super Saiyan he's not been completely himself."
"Anything specific you can share?" Bimari asks looking for an example.
"Goku! I just loaded the last few prisoners! Let's go!" Chi-Chi says in her scouter as she runs down the ramp to wait for her husband. "Goku come on! What are you still doing?!" With no response, Chi-Chi pins his ki and races to find him.
She dashes down the hallways of the ship until she stumbles upon… "Goku?" she whispers in horror at what she finds.
Before her eyes lay a trail of soldiers, none living, with brutal blows to their torso or face. At the end of the path her husband has his hand around the neck of the last shoulder saying something too lowly for her to hear. She shudders when she hears a crack before he tosses the body to the ground.
He's killed dozens, if not hundreds, of soldiers now as they've blown up bases when they leave, and she's accepted it. This is war. But for him to kill these so… intimately.
Goku turns his head slowly to the left to reveal solid white eyes that quickly take on their normal hue when his bride comes into focus.
Unable to speak, Chi-Chi turns to return to the ship debating whether she wants him to follow her or not.
Avieta, a nervous tapper, taps her foot waiting for Bimari to break the silence after Chi-Chi's done sharing the disturbing memory.
"I didn't know many Saiyans, Chi-Chi. The ones I did know, however, I must warn you, were not like your husband. Saiyans, historically, were known for their calloused and cold treatment of anyone they conquered. I fear what's awakening in your husband might be… nature."
After taking a moment to process what he just said, Chi-Chi narrows her eyes at her host. "Are you suggesting my husband is turning into a monster?"
Refilling his mug, Bimari shakes his head. "Not exactly. This is a fascinating study on the universe-old debate of nature versus nurture. Your husband was not raised the way most Saiyans were. He was raised to be gentle but fight when necessary – nurture. However, I can see that he also craves a fight – nature."
Chi-Chi considers his words as Avieta puts more snacks out in front of her, food being her love language. "Goku did say that his grandfather told him his nature changed when he hit his head as a child. After his brother showed up, he explained that the hit to his head essentially undid his Saiyan… well the word isn't programming but I'm not sure what you would call it."
"Nature," Bimari insists. "The brain and mind are a tricky thing to navigate. His injury must have been like hitting a reset button."
"But you think his transformation is his true nature awakening?" Chi-Chi says looking down the hallway to the room where her husband is sleeping, connecting the dots.
"I think that the choices that Goku makes are his character. We're all in control of our destinies. But I think he may now have to fight a little bit harder for who he wants to be and if he doesn't act quickly, it will probably be more difficult, and he may be a danger to himself and others."
Chi-Chi looks at him concerned and grips her robe tight above her chest. "We've been here less than a day. How can you develop these theories already?"
"There's a reason that Bimari is the leader of our people," Avieta interjects. "Bimari is not just a soldier. He is also a healer. But not a physician of the body. A physician of the mind."
What does that mean? Like a therapist? "I'm not sure I'm following," Chi-Chi says trying to understand their ways.
"Yardratians are a unique species, especially in our ki abilities," Avieta explains. "For us, ki sensing and manipulation isn't something that has to be taught like most races. It is a quality we are born with. But having the ability and using the ability are two very different things. Our people learned long ago that a mind healer was a crucial role in our society. Our abilities with the wrong person, or simply the right person but on a bad day, can be detrimental. So, being our most skilled ki master, Bimari has taken on the role and burden of mind healer." Avieta pauses to allow the Earthling a chance to ask questions and refills their tea mugs again. After setting the kettle down and receiving no questions, she places a warm hand on Chi-Chi's. "Bimari has seen much, the same as you two. He only wants to help. I promise."
Chi-Chi plucks one more treat and nervously munches at it while processing. "Alright. I'll speak to Goku tomorrow."
They exchange "good nights" again and she returns to her room pleased to see Goku still sleeping soundly with one leg out of the covers. She slides in next to him and kisses his cheek before laying her head on his chest. "Rest well, husband."
Chi-Chi stirs when she feels a wandering hand on her body. It's Goku's but he's not touching her the way he usually does when he wants to initiate intimacy.
"Goku, not now. I'm too tired," she yawns, half-awake and half-asleep. "We'll wake up Gohan."
But his hands keep pawing at her. She's startled by what she sees when she rolls over then remembers they are not at home and her child is not a sleeping toddler the way he was in her dream. Goku's eyes are white as his hair flickers from black to gold. "Goku?"
In an instant, Chi-Chi is thrown against the wall of their room. "Goku! What are you doing?!" she screams moving against his next attack but he's too fast. He picks her up by the throat and pins her to the wall. 'He's asleep!' Chi-Chi panics as she claws at his hand. "Goku! Wake up!" Chi-Chi begs as she's tossed about the room by her husband before he pins her to the bed.
"Go..ku…" she coughs as she slaps at his body and face unable to move from underneath him. He takes her throat again and begins to squeeze slowly.
"You're going to pay, Frieza," the Saiyan growls.
"Go… ku…" she sputters as her eyes roll back in her head.
"You'll answer for everything you've done!" Just as he grips for the kill, Goku snaps when he senses Chi-Chi's weakened ki. He jolts awake as his hair falls to black and his eyes return to normal.
"CHI-CHI!" he screams. "Chi-Chi! Wake up! Chi-Chi!" he says tapping her face gently.
Out of nowhere, Bimari appears and tackles Goku. The two tumble through the wall of the home.
"What are you doing?!" Goku asks dodging Bimari's attacks.
"Protecting your wife!"
"I didn't mean to! I was asleep! I don't know what happened, but I have to help her! Her ki is weak! Get out of my way!" Goku says catching Bimari's attack and hurdling him the opposite direction. He races back to his wife through the hole in the home to find Avieta frantically transferring ki to her guest.
"NO! You stay away from her!" Avieta yells moving between Goku and the battered woman on the bed.
Every ounce of color drains from Goku's face when he sees his wife. The last time she looked like that it was the result of Ginyu. Now, his own hands had done it. Her throat… that bruise… But he can hate himself later. Now, she needs help. "Please, do you have a doctor? A hospital?" he asks desperately wishing he had a senzu.
Bimari walks through the rubble and picks up the Earthling woman from the bed. "Of course we do, but you need to stay away from her."
Goku growls and moves in front of him. "That's my wife. I'm not letting you take her somewhere without me."
"Goku. You just attacked her. I am taking her anywhere you aren't," Bimari says protectively as tempers run high.
Bimari's words hit Goku like a ton of bricks. He did. He did just attack his wife, unknowingly or not. She probably wouldn't even want to see him when she wakes up, anyway. Goku steps aside and Bimari and Avieta leave with Chi-Chi for medical attention.
"We never should've left them alone after his episode earlier," Goku hears Bimari say as they fly off.
With his hand rubbing his face, Goku sits down on the foot of the bed. "Episode..?" he questions. "What happened?"
Goku paces outside of the Yardratian city's medical facility focused on Chi-Chi's ki. It's stable and stronger, but not as strong as he would like.
"Ahem," a throat clears behind him.
Bimari.
"She's fine Goku. Or at least she will be."
Goku exhales a sigh of relief. "Thank you."
Bimari takes a few steps forward. "You don't have any control, do you?" he asks as bluntly as possible.
"Bimari, I was having a nightmare. It only happened because I thought she was Frieza."
"That's not what I mean. Your transformation. You can't control it. It's controlling you. While you're awake and obviously while you're asleep."
Goku filters through his memories of his time since arriving on Yardrat. He didn't tell them about his transformation. Did Chi-Chi? He wants to know how he knows but that's not what's important right now. "I don't," he admits for the first time out loud.
Comforted by the warrior's humility, Bimari takes another step forward. "I'm sorry about earlier. But manners were a luxury we couldn't afford at the time."
"Don't be sorry. You were right to handle it the way you did. It's what I would've done. Honestly… thanks."
Bimari nods. "Goku, if you don't get a handle on this, it will take you. You understand that right? How serious it is? I can feel the storm you're carrying. Up until now, you've directed your rage at your enemies."
Goku looks up to the fourth floor window where he knows his wife is resting on the other side. "I don't think I knew just how bad it was until tonight. For the most part, when I have episodes," he says using the soldier's own word, "I haven't really remembered them in full. But, I think that's because I didn't want to remember."
Bimari sees this coping mechanism quite often from his soldiers when they return from particularly gruesome warfare. But he also detects there's something else the Saiyan isn't saying. "And?"
"And what?"
"Why do you think you don't want to remember?"
After slaughtering the soldiers that dared to stand in his way, Goku winced when a blast fired by the last soldier grazed his arm. He marched to him, using his finger to block every blast the soldier sent as he ran backwards away from the enraged Saiyan.
Backing him against the wall, Goku picked up the Frieza Force soldier by the throat and lifted him off the ground. "Just know, when I kill you, it's going to hurt you a lot more than it hurts me."
Goku looks away from Bimari in shame, but he knows… he knows if he doesn't do something about this soon, he's going to lose everything he holds dear. "Because I don't want to think about how much I enjoyed it."
"Enjoyed what?" Bimari asks forcing Goku to say it out loud.
"Killing."
The word echoes in the silence between them and Bimari's theory on Goku's nature is becoming more confirmed with each new revelation. "I'd like to help you Goku. If you'll let me."