Disclaimer: See previous chapters.
Author's Note: Fair warning, some of you probably aren't gonna like this chapter too much, unless you're major Piccolo fan that is.
Darker Essence: An Alternate Universe
Chapter Four: Fall of a Hero
Goku took a deep breath as he cradled his son in his arms. Silence filled the mountainous landscape around him, dust still settling from his Kamehameha that finished off Piccolo. The wind blowing through his hair felt soothing. Goku assessed his injuries for a moment. A deep gash in his right shoulder, which still was bleeding, deep scratches from Piccolo's sharp nails, not to mention numerous scrapes, scratches and bruises from taking blow after blow from the Demon King, not to mention being slammed into a cliff-side. As grievous as his injuries were, Goku knew it could have easily been worse.
It was worse the last time I fought him... sheesh I felt like every bone in my body was broken then... Goku thought to himself. He looked down at Gohan. Despite the occasional scrapes and bruises that were evident Gohan still looked peaceful as he rested. Goku couldn't help but smile down at his son.
"I'm proud of you son." Goku said.
Just then Gohan's eyes cracked open, taking a moment to focus.
"Daddy..?" Gohan said quietly, "what happened?"
"It's over Gohan." Goku said, "we won. Rest now."
"Okay..." Gohan whispered, "I love you"
"I love you too son" Goku said before his son's eyes fell shut again.
Goku took another deep breath, accessing his surroundings once more. His eyes narrowed slightly as he took in one minor, almost insignificant detail.
"So.." Goku said, his voice becoming harder, "you're still alive.."
Krillin couldn't help but grin as he felt Piccolo's power level fall down drastically. To think he had gotten worried over nothing. They were worried when Goku's power level had fallen, and surprised when they felt another power flare up. It had to be Gohan. Still, if things were so bad that Gohan had to help his father, they might be seriously injured.
"We're almost there guys," Bulma said a matter-a-factly, "Just a little longer."
"Good." Krillin said, "we know Goku won, but he and Gohan might be hurt"
"I don't like this" Master Roshi said ominously, "if Piccolo dies, so does Kami"
"Ack!" I forgot!" Krillin stammered out, "but is Piccolo dead?"
"No.." Roshi said, "at least not yet."
Krillin was getting worried again. It seemed like a lose-lose situation to him. Just like at the last tournament. Rid the world of its highest protector and its greatest villain, or leave the demon alive to attack again later. Maybe Master Roshi would know what to do when they got there...
Piccolo felt horrid. That didn't even sum it up. He was covered in violet blood, some of which was still seeping out of some open wounds, not to mention his severed arm. His chest was grievously burned from taking a Kamehameha at point blank range, maybe even some internal damage. Piccolo couldn't figure that one out; he hurt like hell all over. Not to mention there was an annoyingly jagged rock that he landed on wedging it's way into his back.
"So... you're still alive." he had heard Goku say.
Well of course I'm alive you fucking idiot! The thought venomously, he opened his mouth to say something to that effect and only ended up coughing some blood on his chest. He did his best to glare at the warrior standing over him, but probably wasn't too effective in his injured state.
"Even though you sealed your own fate Piccolo, I still pity you."
Piccolo's vision blurred a moment and he felt unconsciousness creeping towards him again. Piccolo willed himself to stay awake, grinding his teeth furiously, as he managed to life his head, scowling at his enemy.
"I don't... want your pity fool." Piccolo ground out.
"You lost Piccolo. I'm sorry that you wouldn't see reason and forced me to do this." He droned on, "I'm leaving now."
Lost have I? We'll see about that Goku, this isn't over! It will never be over! Goku turned around and began walking off. Piccolo summoned up all his inner will and gathered his energy. Bringing his remaining hand to his forehead, Piccolo began to focus his energy. He was sure that he could manage one more attack. He shakily extended his arm out, his middle and index fingers outstretched.
"Special... beam... cannon..." the fallen demon spat out.
Goku even realize what happened until he saw the corkscrew beam exploding from his right shoulder blade. It was so fast that he saw it even before his body registered the pain. Then there was the pain; it felt like a bolt of lightning had just exploded in his body. He vaguely felt his body being lifted up by the beam, and wasn't even aware of Gohan slipping from his arms. Only the pain.
Goku suddenly was aware that his back was on the ground, he forced his eyes open and saw the gaping hole in his chest, only for a moment before crimson blood filled the gap. Oddly enough he felt warm... as the blood seeped under his back and over his chest. Then he heard something, the echo of a horrid scream. He had been screaming?
"Picc...piccolo..." he whispered, "what... have you done?"
Climbing over a mountain, Krillin was now able to see the battlefield. They had been expecting to walk into a victory, and suddenly all three bodies were on the sprawled out on the ground, not moving. But gasped, before stifling a scream.
"Goku!" Krillin had shouted before kicking open the hatch on the jet, and jumping out. He was barely aware of his surroundings; he just had to get to his best friend.
"No.." Krillin said out loud when he got to his friend. He was in horrible shape, and covered in his own blood. His hand was covering some sort of grievous wound on his right shoulder. So his surprise Goku forced a smile.
"Hey Krillin..." he breathed.
"Goku... no..." Krillin said, his voice taking a whine, as he grabbed Goku's free hand in a deathgrip "what happened?"
"Piccolo... blasted me from behind..." Goku said, "I... I'm not gonna make it Krillin..."
"No Goku don't say that!" Krillin shouted.
"Would you rather he lie to you weakling?" an all too familiar voice cruelly said, "Yes your friend's gonna be just fine"
Piccolo was back on his feet, but not looking much better than Goku as missing an arm Krillin noted. Still he let out a mocking laugh.
"Hey Goku... don't you worry..." Krillin said, tears welling up in his eyes, "We'll wish you back. Just like you did me... it'll all be fine"
"Thanks" Goku barely managed, "tell ChiChi... I love her... Bye..."
Goku's eyes closed, his expression looking peaceful despite the bloody pool he was in. Before anything else could happen Goku's body just disappeared much to Krillin's dismay, the hand he was grasping just gone.
"GOKU!!!" Krillin shouted to the sky as tears ran down his face.
"No!" Bulma gasped from behind before grabbing Master Roshi (of all people) and sobbing. Master Roshi just remained silent, putting a comforting arm around her, and to his credit didn't make an attempt to grope Bulma in her vulnerable state.
"The fool was too soft, that's why he died." Piccolo said letting out a demonic laugh.
"You monster!" Krillin shouted, jumping back to his feet.
Piccolo then ground his teeth once more as his ki started to rise once again. Bulma let out a whimper, as Krillin took a step back, protectively placing himself between the Demon King and his two friends. Suddenly Piccolo's severed arm sprouted back out dramatically, good as new, save it being covered with a sticky residue.
"Ah.. much better" the Demon King said taking a few steps forward. A bright flash of light, surrounding the green demon's form gave way to reveal his white cape and turban, not to mention a new black gi, as his old one was quite tattered. The Demon King was whole again.
"Well.. you weaklings should feel lucky that I'm in a good mood today" Piccolo stated, a wicked smile filling his features most disturbingly, as he bent down seizing Gohan's tail with his left hand "I'm taking this runt now. He's mine to do with as I will."
"No!" Krillin shouted as he lunged at the arch villain, only to be sent reeling back as he met Piccolo's fist.
"What do you want with him Piccolo?" Master Roshi asked with as much of an edge to his voice as he could manage.
"Well... every evil dictator needs his loyal followers" Piccolo said with a grin, "this brat has demonstrated he had great hidden powers. I intend to awaken them and bend him to my will. He's young, so it should be easy"
"We'll stop you Piccolo!" Krillin said defiantly.
"I give you this one warning here and now," he said in a serious tone, "come for this brat and you will die."
The three didn't dare say anything as Piccolo tucked Gohan under his arm and turned to make his exit.
"Oh..." Piccolo said, half turning and extending his hand towards something on the ground. "I wouldn't want to forget Gohan's hat. He might be sad without it."
Just like that the red-hat capped with the 4-star Dragonball flew into Piccolo's hand as he flashed a toothy grin at the humans. Without further delay the Demon King blasted off to the sky once again, letting a demonic laugh slip as he flew away with his new charge.
"Wha... what now?" Bulma said in a whimper. "Goku's dead... Piccolo took Gohan and he has a dragonball..."
"Now..." Master Roshi said gravely, "we can only hope..."
~~~
Goku's dead... is there any hope for the Earth now that it's greatest hero has fallen? Will Piccolo's plans for world domination succeed, and will he be able to turn Gohan to the path of evil? Find out next time.