"Now," Goku said sitting down at the long wooden table, "explain what's going on." He was looking at Tanipu.
"I think you should start with what happened on Namek," Tanipu said, "Everything from before your arrival on the planet and up to its destruction."
"Fair enough," and Goku recounted the events from Raditz's arrival (Tanipu showed no emotion when she learned that Goku killed Raditz) to Goku's arrival on Yaarsdat. The other Saiyans were amazed that an Earthling and Goku's son took on a member of the Ginyu Force. Vegita was proud that his son killed four of the Ginyu Force but was a little sad when he learned that the Prince of Saiyans died at Freeza's hands.
"Your son fought with pride and with honor," Goku said, "Even when it was obviously hopeless, he fought on. But I think it was the first time he accepted that someone was stronger than him."
"We always accept that fact," Vegita said, "But we are Saiyans."
"That's true," Goku said, smiling, "I forgot that we enjoy a challenge. Fortunately though, your son was resurrected with everyone else we intended to bring back and everyone unintended."
"Yes," Ardat said. He had been invited to the meeting for his wisdom, "that brings up a point. How were they unintended?"
"The dragonballs of Earth were used to resurrect all of Freeza's victims, as well as his men's. But there is supposed to be only a window of time you could do it in. An Earth year to be precise."
"Yet, we were brought back even though we died over twenty years ago." Celipa said.
"Exactly," Goku nodded, "Which leads me to believe that Kami-san probably thought of putting a window of time for resurrections but never included it in the final product."
"Kami is?" Toma asked.
"The guardian of the Earth," Goku explained, "But he's originally from Namek. One of the two Nameks to have survived the natural disaster that wiped out a lot of life on Namek." Toma nodded to show he understood. Tanipu leaned forward.
"Now," she said, "I have a few things to tell you." She paused.
"Go on," Goku urged.
"It looked like you were going to ask me something." She said.
"I have a funny feeling you'll answer it in your story." Her son replied.
"Very well then," she started her tale, "When I was pregnant with you, something happened inside of me that weakened me greatly. It felt like a giant jolt, but it didn't come from you. When you were born, I was weakened to the point where I could not resist the strain of labor and I died because of it."
"Luckily, I made it into heaven. I never went on any of the raids Freeza ordered me to go on, so I never killed anyone or destroyed anything."
"Now, that's odd for a Saiyan." Goku said.
"I was an outcast but Bardock seemed to be attracted to that quality," she said reminiscing, "But I'm going off on a tangent there. So I was in heaven for twenty years along with these fine people," she gestured to the other Saiyans except Vegita.
"What about dad?" Goku asked.
"No," Tanipu replied sadly, "He went to hell. And that's where the problem begins." Goku leaned forward, intrigued, "A few days before the destruction of the planet Vegita, your farther was on a planet called Kanass. A Kanassai-jin gave him the power to see into the future. When Bardock died and went to hell, the demons learned that he had this power and decided to use it."
"For what purpose?" Ardat asked.
"Every year the fabric of reality separating hell and this universe weakens slightly at a certain place." Tanipu answered, "If they wanted to, the demons of hell could tear through the fabric and escape from hell. The only problem they have is that they can't the weak spot before the fabric is mended again."
"And once there is a tear?" Goku asked.
"Someone from this side has to close it." Tanipu answered.
"Oh shit," Goku
said, "So those demons are bringing dad back to hell so they can find the
weakness in the fabric before it is weak."
"Exactly," Tanipu said solemnly. Goku
sat back into his chair. Then he thought of something.
"How did those demons get out in the first place?" he asked.
"Good and evil have to be balanced in this universe," Tanipu explained, "When your people resurrected all of Freeza's victims, there was too much good. To regain balance, demons were allowed to escape from hell."
"You're saying there are more demons out there?" Ardat asked.
"Yes, many more." Tanipu replied.
"Okay," Goku said, "I understand what we have to do, but there is one thing that is still…" he looked at Tanipu and the faint outline of a ring above her head.
"You're still dead!" Goku exclaimed.
"Yes," Tanipu said, "I only had five days to tell you and Bardock of this danger." She stood up and walked over to Goku. The ring was becoming more and more apparent. Goku rose from his seat. When Tanipu was next to him, the ring was glowing.
"My time is up now," she said, embracing Goku, "I'm glad I got to see you before leaving. You've grown to be a great man. You've surpassed all my expectations. I'm proud of you, Kakkarot. Or maybe I should say Goku."
"Either one is fine," Goku said, holding back tears.
"I know the feelings you have for your father," she said, pulling out of the embrace but she held on to his arms, "But you have to put them aside," she was starting to fade away. Her voice sounded as it game from far away. "He will understand if you talk to him. Besides, you have to save him. Save him, and you'll save the universe."
"I will do that mom," Goku said, crying now, "I'll save him for you."
"And for you." She said. Her voice was very distant now. She was transparent. She kissed Goku lightly on the cheek and disappeared. Goku's arms dropped to his sides and he cried freely. Celipa came over, tears in her eyes as well, and held Goku close. There was silence for a long time, with the exception of Goku's sobs. Finally, he regained his composure. He moved away from Celipa.
"Right," he said, wiping away the tears, "We got work to do."
"What's our first move?" Toma asked.
"First, we find Bardock." Goku said, "I'm sure Ardat can help us with that."
"I'll have transmissions to as many planets as possible," Ardat said, "Hopefully they haven't left the galaxy."
"Or this plain." Totepo said.
"No, their still in your universe." A voice said.
"King Kai?" Goku said.
"Yes, it's me," King Kai said, "I had Tien go check with King Enma if Bardock had passed by. He hasn't yet."
"Couldn't the demons bring Bardock straight to hell?" Panboukin asked.
"Not possible," King Kai replied, "Every sentient being that dies has to pass by King Enma."
"But if they know how to get into my dad's mind, they don't have to go through the trouble of killing dad," Goku said, "They can get the information they need and pass it along to their friends downstairs."
"Which means we got to work fast because we don't know if when the fabric will weaken." Celipa said.
"Or where." Ardat added.
"Okay," Goku said, "Ardat, go put in those calls. Toma, Celipa, Panboukin, take some ships and some of Ardat's men to search this system. King Vegita, Totepo and I will search this planet."
"I don't sense them, so they can't be here." Ardat said.
"Demons don't have souls and they might have the ability to cloak other people's power."
"Or he's unconscious." Ardat added.
"That's a possibility," Goku agreed, "But we got to get moving. Let's go."