Chapter 5: The Demon Lives

Note: Goku is only one or two years older than Turles in this story. Keep in mind this is AU, so it won't turn out like the DB series.

Chapter 5: The Demon Lives

Dodoria sighed in disappointment and shook his head. "You're getting weaker, old friend."

Even if he had the strength left, Bardock wouldn't have bothered to spit in the pink alien's direction. At that point, saliva would've been a welcome substance in his mouth. Just as long as it didn't taste like blood.

Dodoria was considering a third beating when Zarbon appeared.

"Now, Dodoria, is that any way to treat our proud Papa?" he asked with a smirk.

"You're right," Dodoria agreed, chuckling. "Where are my manners?" He ripped the remaining armor from Bardock's chest and hit him with a ki blast at point-blank range.

Bardock shuddered and collapsed to the floor in a heap.

"Much better," Zarbon said approvingly. "Now, I think it's time Bardock met his son."

* * * * *

The doctors didn't want to say anything. Fasha may have been Frieza's prisoner, but she was still a Saiyan, and much stronger than they were.

Fasha wasn't stupid. She'd never actually seen a Saiyan woman give birth, but she knew something was wrong. For one thing, they'd almost thrown the child away, and she couldn't blame them. It hadn't been moving, crying, or even breathing at first. Scouter scans had proved useless, and after twenty minutes, the head doctor was ready to pronounce it stillborn.

And then, for some odd reason, the scouter suddenly picked up a power level of 300 where there had been nothing minutes before.

The doctors had then gone to work running various tests, and through it all, the child had never moved, never cried, never even opened its eyes. But they were met with a new problem after that. A runner had already been sent to Frieza, and until he arrived, no one was sure what to do with the child. It certainly deserved some sort of special attention, since Frieza had even asked to be notified.

After much hesitation, the child was finally placed with its mother. Fasha had thought that the most obvious solution in the first place, but she hadn't said anything. Part of her was still worried about Bardock's visions of what the child might do to her…if it ever woke up, anyway. Yet, she held it just as any mother would: with the utmost care and caution, but for an entirely different reason. She didn't even want to think of what might happen if she made it the slightest bit uncomfortable.

For the most part, the boy looked like a tiny version of Bardock, as she'd expected. His skin was strangely darker, but the hair and face were definitely the same. She imagined his eyes would be the same, too. He wasn't exactly radiating with power like Bardock had claimed, but he was still pretty strong for a newborn baby. Fasha could already see the tiny, hardened curves of new muscle growth where other babies would've had fat.

Moments later, Frieza arrived in his hoverchair. "Ah, Fasha, my dear. How is our new little Saiyan doing? Well, I hope."

Fasha scowled, but held up the baby for the Changeling's inspection.

At first, Frieza only stared at the child, occasionally instructing her to turn it to this side and that. Then he reached out to take the baby.

In a show of what Fasha considered to be extremely good taste, the baby opened its eyes, looked at Frieza, and let out an ear-splitting wail.

Frieza growled and backed away. "Ignorant brat!" He glared at Fasha. "Keep that thing quiet!"

Suppressing a smile, Fasha cradled her son and gently rocked him, humming quietly.

The baby instantly fell silent and stared up at its mother with wide, confused eyes. Perhaps it was surprised by the sharp contrast of Frieza's angry tone and Fasha's hushed singing. Either way, he settled down in her arms and wrapped his furry tail around her wrist.

"That's better." Frieza regained his composure and smiled. "Oh, I almost forgot. You have another visitor as well. Bring him in, Zarbon."

The green alien strode in, smiling as usual. "Hello again, Fasha. Always a pleasure to see you."

Fasha remained silent, but her arms shuddered slightly. As if sensing her discomfort, the baby frowned at Zarbon and began to fuss.

"Moody little thing, isn't he?" Zarbon chuckled. "So much like his father." He slowly raised his hand, revealing his gruesome delivery.

Fasha gasped as she took in Bardock's face. She wouldn't have recognized him at all, if it weren't for the red bandanna around his forehead. She remembered that it belonged to Tora, and wondered if their teammates were still alive.

"Let's leave the two lovebirds alone for a while," Frieza suggested. "Come, Zarbon."

"Yes, Sire." Zarbon dropped Bardock on the floor, flashed another smile at Fasha, and then followed Frieza out of the room.

Fasha looked over the edge of the bed. "Bardock?" she whispered fearfully.

There was a quiet grunt, and Bardock's body shuddered slightly. "F-Fa…sha?" He rolled over and looked up at her. "Did they…hurt you?"

"No more than usual. I wish I could say the same for you."

Bardock smiled grimly. "This IS my usual."

Fasha forced away the mental picture. "Can you get up? I want you to see your son."

The word "son" hit Bardock like a ton of bricks. He grabbed the edge of the bed and slowly pulled himself up with some effort.

For months, Bardock had pictured a snarling, bloodthirsty bundle of terror ripping he and Fasha to shreds. But what he saw was something far different. His eyes took in the small, perfect person snuggling into his mate's arms. Any thoughts of a murderous monster left Bardock's mind as he tickled the baby's foot with a large finger.

The baby grunted and kicked at the offending finger, then playfully wrapped his tail around it, giggling.

"Still think he's a monster?" Fasha asked, smiling at Bardock.

"Not really. But you're still wrong."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"You called him my son." He affectionately stroked her cheek. "Any fool could see that he's our son."

Fasha blushed slightly and pressed her cheek against his palm. "I missed you," she whispered.

Bardock only pulled her closer, gently stroking her brown hair.

"Do you want to hold him?"

He looked at her. "No. He's perfect just where he is."

Fasha smiled. "Okay. But it's only a matter of time before you break down and beg to hold him."

"I wouldn't bet on it." Bardock suddenly frowned. "They'll probably be back any second now."

"Bardock." Fasha whispered his name as if it were a treasured secret, then pressed her hand to his cheek. "Don't give them any reason to hurt you. I want you to be alive the next time I see you. I want you to be alive for our son."

He knew what she was asking him to do, and had it been anyone else, he would've been angry. She was asking him to take the beatings, the insults, and the hardships in silence, without protest. It took a certain kind of strength to take them all and still be alive, and it took even more to take it all and still fight back. Perhaps there was even more strength in fighting back without anyone but Fasha realizing it. Even if there wasn't, he would do it for her, and their son.

"Please," she said, gazing into his eyes. "I don't want to do this alone. I need…no. We need you."

Bardock took her small hand and kissed the palm. "For you, my love. Only for you."

The baby squirmed in her arms and flicked his tail at Bardock.

"Okay; you, too," Bardock growled, catching a tiny fist.

Fasha smiled. "I think he has your temper."

Bardock stiffened, then sighed. "Forgive me, my son." He grabbed the baby's tail and pulled it.

The baby wailed and retaliated, his fist shooting out with much more force behind it this time. It caught Bardock in the center of his forehead, and a new river of red sprang up to join the dried ones.

Bardock quickly dropped to the floor in a heap.

Seconds later, Frieza returned, only to find the baby wailing. "Aw! Baby doesn't like his father?"

Fasha rocked her son and gently stroked his tail with a finger. "Bardock must have scared him."

"I could understand that," Frieza replied with a smirk. "Zarbon! Take Bardock back to his cell."

"Yes, Sire."

As the green alien dragged the bloody Saiyan away, Frieza turned back to Fasha, an evil smile forming on his face. Yes, my dear. Hold that baby as much as you can now. Because once he's old enough, the child will belong to me…

* * * * *

Eight Years Later

Zarbon had come to a rather startling conclusion: he liked the kid. Well, that was a bad way to put it. He liked things ABOUT the kid, such as his strength, his skill, and his intelligence. He pretty much hated the kid as a person, and not just because he was a Saiyan. The kid was more or less a brat. But he was a brat under Frieza's protection, and that made him a very annoying brat. A really, really annoying, untouchable brat.

Fortunately, the kid liked Zarbon, or at least, respected him. Everyone else was fair game, though. Even Dodoria had been swatted down the last time he'd gotten too close. Of course, Frieza hadn't been there, and no one believed Dodoria when he tried to bring it up later. After all, the kid pretty much stayed around a power level of 8,000. Frieza had immediately decreased the intensity of his training, for obvious reasons.

There was something else Zarbon liked about the kid: his devotion to Fasha. No one could touch her in his presence. Well, only elites could've gotten away with it before the kid was born. Now even they stayed clear of her. It was almost inspiring, really. If in the mood, Frieza could've punished the boy for even looking at an elite the wrong way. Yet, the boy was fiercely protective of his mother, no matter who was watching. He didn't care who saw him; he only cared about her.

It was only natural that Zarbon began to wonder if the boy felt the same way about the rest of his family…

* * * * *

"Had enough?" Fasha asked, cracking her knuckles.

The boy wiped a tiny trail of blood from his mouth. "I was about to ask you the same thing."

She smirked. "So you say. I think you're tired."

"Thinking is very different from knowing, mother. I KNOW you're tired." The boy smiled dangerously at her. "Do I have to prove that to you?"

Fasha glared at him for a moment, then sighed. "No. I guess you don't."

"Then allow me, Lady Fasha," a voice interrupted. "I'll make sure the boy's very tired when I'm done." ('Lady Fasha' is merely a way of showing Fasha and her son are under Frieza's protection, nothing more)

Fasha glared at the small, purple alien that entered the training room. "Kiwi. Run out of boots to lick?"

Kiwi ignored her and turned his gaze on the boy. "How about it, kid? You up for a spar?"

The boy knew instantly that he was weaker than Kiwi, but he didn't dare refuse. If Frieza got wind of it (which he most certainly would, since he'd probably sent Kiwi in the first place), there would be some form of punishment in the near future. So he merely nodded and went into a battle stance.

The battle only lasted a few minutes. Kiwi won, of course, and was about to hurt the boy further.

"I think," a voice said quietly, "that will be enough."

Kiwi glanced up to see the menacing form of Radditz towering over him. He was about to get angry, until he spotted Zarbon standing behind the Saiyan. Without a word, Kiwi made himself scarce.

Radditz crossed his massive arms over his chest and waited.

Fasha stared at him for a long moment, then went to stand next to her son. She made no move to help him up, though, and he knew better than to expect one. She'd taught him to be strong, and to depend only on himself. Still, she almost beamed with pride when he stood up and ignored the obvious pain shooting through his body.

Radditz slowly walked over, keeping his eyes on Fasha. "So. You are my father's new mate."

Fasha was hardly "new," but she let the comment slide, since she'd never seen Radditz before, either. She made do with a quick nod, and nothing more.

Radditz stared at her face in silence, then grunted, as if to say, "You'll do." His gaze shifted to the boy. "That must make you my little brother. Yes, you even look like him."

The boy arched one eyebrow, but remained silent.

Radditz stared at them a moment longer, then nodded, turned, and walked off.

Fasha sighed and adjusted her wrist guards. "C'mon. We'd better get you cleaned up. You've got a level check today."

The boy blinked and nodded. "Yes, mother."

As Fasha passed Zarbon, she shot him a knowing look, but kept walking.

The boy nodded respectfully, as he always had, and waited until they were out of earshot. "I've never seen him before."

Fasha suspected her son would have some sort of question about Radditz. She'd never mentioned the other members of their family, and he was the curious type. "No, you haven't. But he is your brother. Well, half-brother, anyway."

"Will I ever see my father, then?"

Fasha sighed again. "I don't know, son."

* * * * *

"When's the last time they fed us?"

Bardock shrugged and counted on his fingers. "Two, three days ago."

"Well, is it two or three?" Tora demanded.

"Ask me again tomorrow."

Tora sighed. "Look, this really isn't the time for joking. If we don't die of hunger, we'll die of stiffness from sitting here for three years!"

"Nah." Bardock brushed some dried blood off his arm. "We'll die of boredom before anything else."

Tora glared at him, but only muttered something and closed his eyes.

Bardock closed his own as well. Sleeping was the only thing they really could do. Talking was no good anymore, and hoping was pointless, too. Nothing happened unless Frieza commanded it, and he'd long since forgotten about his two favorite punching bags. Even Dodoria and Zarbon had lost interest in beating them senseless. Bardock's only question was why they were still alive. Most prisoners ended up dead when Frieza got bored with them, so why hadn't they?

Call it a really good stroke of fortune, old man.

Bardock's eyes slowly opened. Who's there?

I could tell you my name, but you wouldn't know it, anyway.

His eyes narrowed. Then humor me.

Fine. There was a sudden movement in the darkness, and then a tall Saiyan emerged, wearing the armor of a middle-class soldier. What could only be described as a thick mane of dark hair flowed down his back, reaching all the way to his knees. It's Radditz.

Bardock grunted softly and closed his eyes. What do you want?

An excuse to see my father again. Fortunately for you, I finally have one.

Bardock's head snapped up, and he studied Radditz's face. Once he got a good look, the resemblance to his first mate was all too clear. What do you mean…again?

I saw you years ago, right after you returned from Tyais. Zarbon was dragging your carcass away at the time, so there was no chance for a conversation.

Bardock's face clouded with memories, but he forced them away. So why are you down here?

I've just seen them. Fasha and the boy…my brother.

Bardock blinked several times. How?

Radditz smirked. Zarbon, believe it or not. As soon as I landed earlier today, he walked up to me and said there was something I should see. I followed him to one of the training rooms, where Kiwi had just wiped the floor with the boy. He would've done more, if I hadn't been there.

Kiwi, huh? Then the boy's strong?

Strong for his age. I wasn't wearing my scouter at the time, but he's definitely got potential. Of course, Frieza's keeping him on a short leash. He won't let the boy get too strong.

Same with me, I guess.

Not exactly. Radditz smirked. Frieza wants to use the boy as a weapon. He's just using you as bait.

Bardock's blood ran cold. What…?

Radditz nodded, making the mental version of a heavy sigh. If the boy doesn't do what Frieza wants, he'll threaten to kill you. Even if the boy doesn't care about you, Fasha does. He'd do anything she told him to.

Bardock growled. I should've known.

Don't feel too bad. At first, they were just going to use you for breeding. I'm the one that came up with the idea of bait.

WHAT?!

Yeah. If I wasn't a close, personal friend of Prince Vegeta, you'd be dead right now, and they'd be threatening to kill Fasha instead. So just be glad that one of us has connections.

Bardock calmed down after that. Radditz was keeping them all alive, for now. There was no sense in changing his mind. Tell me…is the boy anywhere near Vegeta's level?

Radditz's eyes widened a bit. Maybe. How would you know?

Bardock closed his eyes. You could say I saw it. Never mind. Go, before they catch you down here.

Radditz stared at him a moment longer, then faded back into the darkness. I'll be back.

Bardock nodded and smirked. Yeah, I know. Saw that, too.

* * * * *

Frieza nodded approvingly. "Very good, young one. You're progressing as I'd hoped you would."

The boy kneeled and lowered his head. "Thank you, Sire."

"Don't thank me yet." Frieza grinned. "I'm giving you your next assignment."

The boy slowly looked up in surprise.

"That's right. But Mommy won't be joining you this time, since I have an important job for her. This will be your first mission alone. Think you can handle it?"

The boy nodded. "Yes, Sire."

"Good. Zarbon will tell you all you need to know. Remember, this mission will determine your future. Do well and you may earn a place at my side. Fail, and…well, don't fail…"

* * * * *

"Kaaa…meee…haaa…meee…HAAAAAAAA!"

A giant beam of blue energy flew from the young boy's hands as he forced them forward.

"Incredible!" the older man whispered, staring at his readings. "According to the power meter, this boy just gave off enough energy to power the entire Capsule Corporation for six months!"

The boy grinned sheepishly. "Sorry, Doc. I thought you just wanted a sample." He began building up his energy again.

"No, NO!" Dr. Briefs shouted. "Any more and you might fry us all!"

"Oh." The boy dropped his hands. "So I'm not…what's the word again, Bulma?"

"Radioactive," Bulma said. "And no, but you might as well be. Nothing's ever registered that high on the power meter. It's a wonder you didn't overload Daddy's machine."

"Well, dear, whatever your friend is, he certainly isn't human. No mere human body could contain that kind of power." Dr. Briefs adjusted his glasses. "Of course, that begs the question of where he really comes from…"

"I couldn't tell you that, Doc. But I know how I got here." The boy drew a capsule out of his belt.

"Hey, that's mine!" Bulma cried.

"Sorry, but I needed to borrow it. I got tired of carrying this thing everywhere." The capsule burst open.

Dr. Briefs dropped his machine. "My goodness!"

"It's…a spaceship!" Bulma whispered.

The damaged vehicle was still in fairly good condition, save for the door, which was hanging at an odd angle, as if it had nearly been torn off.

"I can't remember not having it, so I figured it was mine." The boy shrugged. "Besides, I've never seen anything like it on this planet."

"Well, neither have I," Dr. Briefs murmured, running his hand across the cool metal. "What did you say your name was again, son? And where's your family?"

"Oh, that's easy. I'm Goku. I had a grandpa once, but he…died…"

"You're welcome to stay with us, then. But I must ask that you don't destroy anything while you're here."

"Thanks! Um…when's dinner? I'm STARVING…"

Continued in Chapter 6: A Family Affair

Alone on a mysterious planet, the son of Bardock & Fasha must fight to survive against impossible odds. Bardock risks all to save his family, and Frieza's not in the best of moods…