a./n.- This is a purely Goku chapter. Well, there's other Saiya-jins too,
but Goku's the main one. Did I say Saiya-jins? I meant demons. Yeah. And
Chi-Chi shows up. That's about all, I think.
Disclaimer: If DBZ were in my possession, Funimation would never have gotten their dirty, stinking, awful hands on it. So there.
Chapter 4: Trial by Combat
Goku stood proudly, facing the king of the demons; his king, or at least, his former king. Vegeta's father looked remarkably like his son, perhaps a shade taller and with hair a few shades lighter. His beard and moustache, however, made him easy to distinguish from his clean-shaven heir. His eyes seemed more aged, less hot-tempered and impulsive than his son, and they rested on Goku in thoughtful evaluation.
"Kakarotto sa Bardock," the king said at last. He spoke Goku's full given name slowly, contemplatively. "What shall I do with you? You have betrayed our race, fought against the ones who gave birth to you, denied your name and your heritage. This I know, this everyone knows, whether you deny it or not. However, despite this, despite even my son's presumed death, you are a fine warrior and I do not believe that you truly warrant a traitor's execution. So what shall I do with you?"
Goku had run every possible scenario through his head during the past weeks, and this was almost the best opening for his plan that he could have envisioned. The angel-demon jumped in hastily, before the moment passed.
"Sire, I do not deny the charges, although for some I would ask an opportunity to explain more fully. As for the execution, however." he drew himself up and took a deep breath before declaiming, "I would call upon the ancient right of trial by combat."
Raditz, standing guard at his brother's left shoulder, barely stifled a gasp. Bardock blinked in surprise, and then barely kept himself from smiling outright. The older demon had heard the stories, had even been in some of the battles. When his youngest son was truly motivated, only Prince Vegeta could stand against him in all the otherworld. Kakarott had grown into a clever one, or at least a straight thinker. This was the only option that gave him even a chance of survival, and King Vegeta could not deny him the ancient right of the accused to a trial by combat. It was one of the oldest demonic laws in existence.
King Vegeta favored Goku with a slow, amused smile. "Very well, Kakarotto. You will have your trial. At dawn tomorrow, in the north palace arena. Dismissed."
Without a word, the two demons and one angel-demon bowed low and left politely, if quickly, for the cells to discuss their audience.
* * *
"You're nuts," Raditz said flatly as soon as the door closed on the dungeons and they were out of everyone's earshot. "You want a trial by combat? What if King Vegeta fights against you? You wouldn't stand a chance!"
Bardock favored his older son with a ringing cuff over the head. "Don't be stupid. Kakarott knows what he's doing. You may never have seen him fight, but I have, and he's good. Unless King Vegeta himself takes a hand, which I don't think he will, your brother stands a pretty good chance."
"You think so?" Goku asked hopefully. "I was really just snatching at straws. By the way, has anyone heard anything about Prince Vegeta?"
Raditz shook his head. "Not a word. Nearly everyone thinks he's dead by now, but I'm not sure. Vegeta was always a survivor; I just can't picture him dying."
Goku shrugged, unwilling to voice an opinion, especially since he wasn't really sure what his opinion was. His common sense told him that Vegeta had to be dead, but something in his gut said that the demon prince was still alive and kicking. He changed the subject. "So, how's the war going without me?"
His father shrugged. "About the same as it was going with you, since you and Vegeta never did anything but fight one another anyway. Last I heard, it was stalemate. We've been getting some funny reports from the border scouts, but nothing major."
"What kind of funny reports?" Raditz asked, curious. "Why haven't I heard anything?"
"You've been busy," Bardock said sarcastically, since practically the only things Raditz had been doing over the past week were eating and sparring with his brother, although it was officially 'guard duty'. "Just.funny things. Most of them sounded pretty ridiculous, so it was probably just someone who took a long cold watch with a little something to warm him up."
His sons snorted in amused understanding, or at least, one of them did. Goku looked clueless until Raditz, sighing, enlightened him.
"Still.what kind of reports, Tousan?" Goku asked.
"Oh, weird things. Like.someone swore he saw the ground ripple and move like water. Another person said he saw shadows where there was nothing to cast them. Superstitious scouts." Bardock spat contemptuously. "Next thing you know, they'll be spreading tales about ghosts and monsters. Feh. The only thing they should be afraid of out there is their commander finding out they've been drinking on the job. Idiots."
Raditz snorted in agreement, and Goku grinned. That finished, Bardock leaned forwards. "So, Kakarott, care to enlighten us on your plans for tomorrow?"
* * *
Goku should have been nervous the next morning. His brother certainly was. However, the demon-turned-angel seemed to have no worries whatsoever, and indeed devoured more than his usual amount of breakfast. Raditz ate as well, only slightly less than normal (since a demon's appetite is never swayed by his emotions), and then sat back to watch his brother devour the rest of the meal.
"How can you be so.carefree?" the long-haired demon asked finally. "You could very well die out there today, no matter what father says."
Goku pushed back from the table and looked thoughtful. "I don't really know. It's just.I've never gotten nervous before a battle. I just can't work up to it. The most I can say is.I'm excited. Really excited. I can feel that this will be a great fight."
Raditz grinned crookedly. "Demon or angel, Kakarott, you're a true warrior. I. I'm proud you're my brother."
"Thanks, Raditz. That means a lot to me." Goku smiled back. They sat like that for a moment, until Bardock came in, breaking the spell.
"They're ready for you, Kakarott. Let's go."
* * *
The amphitheater was filled to overflowing with demons of every age and gender. No one wanted to miss what they assumed would be the final battle of the famous general and angel, Goku. It was highly classified information that Goku was actually Kakarotto, the demon who had vanished many years ago, but that was about to change. The angel stood tall and proud, dressed in the tatters of his old clothes, flanked by Raditz and Bardock. Raditz had offered to loan him some clothes, but Goku had declined for some reason known only to him. It was dark, in the arena; the sun had not yet risen. Although otherworld was not a planet, as such, it did have night and day as well as their corresponding light sources. There was a collective gasp from the crowd as the first red rays of daylight touched the sand, and King Vegeta came forth.
Everyone knelt, even Goku, which shocked many of the audience. They rose, Goku resuming his proud, straight-backed stance, his father and brother looking more like his bodyguards than his enemies. King Vegeta began to speak into the sudden hush.
"Kakarotto sa Bardock, otherwise known as the angel Goku, has been brought before me to be judged for his crimes." There was another collective gasp from the crowd as Goku's true name was spoken, and then silence fell again. "He is declaimed as a traitor to demonkind, an enemy, and the murderer of Prince Vegeta, my own son. Do you have anything to say in defense of yourself, Kakarotto."
Goku drew himself up even straighter as he replied. "Only this, your Majesty; that I acted as I felt best, fulfilling my loyalties, and.has Vegeta's body been found, then?"
King Vegeta's face hardened, but he answered. "No. He is missing, presumed dead. Do you have anything to say to that?"
"Um.no, sir, I don't think so, but.if you haven't proven that he is, in fact, dead, then how can you accuse me of his murder?"
Bardock, watching the king's face closely, could have sworn that his expression softened an iota. However, his voice did not change as he replied. "You raise a valid point, Kakarotto. Very well, the charge of murder is dropped, since my son's death cannot be proved and I believe that you have not killed any other demon."
There were shocked murmurs from the crowd as they realized that this was true; despite his fame as a fighter, Goku had always been too occupied with Vegeta to attack any other demons. King Vegeta continued. "However, the other charges still warrant the death penalty. Yesterday you appealed for the right to trial by combat. Is this still your wish?"
"Yes, sire."
"Very well. The terms are thus. You must fight three champions of my choosing, one after the other, with a break no longer than five minutes in between and no sustenance save water. If you defeat these three, your life will be spared and you will be set free. If you lose, your defeater will execute you immediately. Do you still wish to engage in the combat?"
"I do, sire."
"Very well. The first challenger will be Nappa, the captain of my personal guard."
The tall, muscular, bald demon emerged from the shadows behind King Vegeta's throne, grinning wickedly and cracking his knuckles. He dropped (lightly, for one so large) to the ground in front of Goku, and smirked.
"Five minutes until your death, Kakarott or whatever you're called. No one has ever defeated me except King Vegeta himself!"
Goku withdrew into the shade for his five minutes of rest, while Nappa stood leaning against the opposite wall. Even at such a distance, Goku and his guards could see the confident smile he wore. Raditz snarled.
"Cocky bastard. I've always wanted to beat the crud out of him." He grinned down at his brother. "Guess you'll just have to do it for me, eh, Kakarott?"
Bardock sighed, and spoke. "I really shouldn't be telling you this, but.Nappa's style is all brute strength. He'll try to get in close and overwhelm you, but he has a disproportionate lack of speed. He also has a horrible temper; get him to lose it and the battle's half over."
Goku grinned. "Thanks, father. I'll keep that in mind."
"See that you do. Your five minutes are over; hurry up and win."
"Yes, sir!" Goku strode out onto the sand.
* * *
The fight was not short; neither was it long. It was an average fight, if such a term could be applied, but it was obvious from the start who the winner would be. Goku defended himself easily, and Nappa desperately warded off the angel-demon's blows, barely keeping up his own defense and growing more furious by the second at his inability to score. Finally Goku got a blow through, and then another; in five more minutes Nappa was out cold on the sand, and the only wear Goku showed was a purpling bruise on one cheekbone.
Panting a little, he slowly raised his eyes from his defeated opponent and locked gazes with King Vegeta, pupils still glowing red from battle-rage. The demon king nodded once, in acknowledgement, and spoke loudly enough for the entire audience to hear, a feat rendered none too difficult by the post-battle silence.
"You have defeated your first opponent, Kakarotto. For your second.Chi-Chi sa Gyuu-Mao, come forth."
There were gasps and murmurs from the crowd as a beautiful demon girl emerged from the shadows behind King Vegeta's throne, dressed in a simple black tunic and leggings. Chi-Chi was widely known to be one of the greatest fighters in Hell, second only to Prince Vegeta and his father, with whom she frequently sparred. Goku knew all this, but as his eyes met hers he was caught, remembering.
~ "Kakarott, do you like me?" the girl gazes shyly at the ground as she speaks. "Of course I do, Chi-Chi," the boy replies, puzzled.
"Kakarott.when we grow up, do you.would you." the girl, unable to finish her sentence, ducks her head again as red floods her cheeks.
"Would I what, Chi-Chi?" the boy asks, genuinely curious.
She looks up, still shy. "Kakarott, will you always like me?"
"Sure I will," the boy replies, shrugging as though the answer is a given. "We'll always be friends, Chi-Chi. You wanna spar?"
"Sure, okay."~
As their eyes locked, Goku remembered that day.and grinned. This is going to be a great fight!
Disclaimer: If DBZ were in my possession, Funimation would never have gotten their dirty, stinking, awful hands on it. So there.
Chapter 4: Trial by Combat
Goku stood proudly, facing the king of the demons; his king, or at least, his former king. Vegeta's father looked remarkably like his son, perhaps a shade taller and with hair a few shades lighter. His beard and moustache, however, made him easy to distinguish from his clean-shaven heir. His eyes seemed more aged, less hot-tempered and impulsive than his son, and they rested on Goku in thoughtful evaluation.
"Kakarotto sa Bardock," the king said at last. He spoke Goku's full given name slowly, contemplatively. "What shall I do with you? You have betrayed our race, fought against the ones who gave birth to you, denied your name and your heritage. This I know, this everyone knows, whether you deny it or not. However, despite this, despite even my son's presumed death, you are a fine warrior and I do not believe that you truly warrant a traitor's execution. So what shall I do with you?"
Goku had run every possible scenario through his head during the past weeks, and this was almost the best opening for his plan that he could have envisioned. The angel-demon jumped in hastily, before the moment passed.
"Sire, I do not deny the charges, although for some I would ask an opportunity to explain more fully. As for the execution, however." he drew himself up and took a deep breath before declaiming, "I would call upon the ancient right of trial by combat."
Raditz, standing guard at his brother's left shoulder, barely stifled a gasp. Bardock blinked in surprise, and then barely kept himself from smiling outright. The older demon had heard the stories, had even been in some of the battles. When his youngest son was truly motivated, only Prince Vegeta could stand against him in all the otherworld. Kakarott had grown into a clever one, or at least a straight thinker. This was the only option that gave him even a chance of survival, and King Vegeta could not deny him the ancient right of the accused to a trial by combat. It was one of the oldest demonic laws in existence.
King Vegeta favored Goku with a slow, amused smile. "Very well, Kakarotto. You will have your trial. At dawn tomorrow, in the north palace arena. Dismissed."
Without a word, the two demons and one angel-demon bowed low and left politely, if quickly, for the cells to discuss their audience.
* * *
"You're nuts," Raditz said flatly as soon as the door closed on the dungeons and they were out of everyone's earshot. "You want a trial by combat? What if King Vegeta fights against you? You wouldn't stand a chance!"
Bardock favored his older son with a ringing cuff over the head. "Don't be stupid. Kakarott knows what he's doing. You may never have seen him fight, but I have, and he's good. Unless King Vegeta himself takes a hand, which I don't think he will, your brother stands a pretty good chance."
"You think so?" Goku asked hopefully. "I was really just snatching at straws. By the way, has anyone heard anything about Prince Vegeta?"
Raditz shook his head. "Not a word. Nearly everyone thinks he's dead by now, but I'm not sure. Vegeta was always a survivor; I just can't picture him dying."
Goku shrugged, unwilling to voice an opinion, especially since he wasn't really sure what his opinion was. His common sense told him that Vegeta had to be dead, but something in his gut said that the demon prince was still alive and kicking. He changed the subject. "So, how's the war going without me?"
His father shrugged. "About the same as it was going with you, since you and Vegeta never did anything but fight one another anyway. Last I heard, it was stalemate. We've been getting some funny reports from the border scouts, but nothing major."
"What kind of funny reports?" Raditz asked, curious. "Why haven't I heard anything?"
"You've been busy," Bardock said sarcastically, since practically the only things Raditz had been doing over the past week were eating and sparring with his brother, although it was officially 'guard duty'. "Just.funny things. Most of them sounded pretty ridiculous, so it was probably just someone who took a long cold watch with a little something to warm him up."
His sons snorted in amused understanding, or at least, one of them did. Goku looked clueless until Raditz, sighing, enlightened him.
"Still.what kind of reports, Tousan?" Goku asked.
"Oh, weird things. Like.someone swore he saw the ground ripple and move like water. Another person said he saw shadows where there was nothing to cast them. Superstitious scouts." Bardock spat contemptuously. "Next thing you know, they'll be spreading tales about ghosts and monsters. Feh. The only thing they should be afraid of out there is their commander finding out they've been drinking on the job. Idiots."
Raditz snorted in agreement, and Goku grinned. That finished, Bardock leaned forwards. "So, Kakarott, care to enlighten us on your plans for tomorrow?"
* * *
Goku should have been nervous the next morning. His brother certainly was. However, the demon-turned-angel seemed to have no worries whatsoever, and indeed devoured more than his usual amount of breakfast. Raditz ate as well, only slightly less than normal (since a demon's appetite is never swayed by his emotions), and then sat back to watch his brother devour the rest of the meal.
"How can you be so.carefree?" the long-haired demon asked finally. "You could very well die out there today, no matter what father says."
Goku pushed back from the table and looked thoughtful. "I don't really know. It's just.I've never gotten nervous before a battle. I just can't work up to it. The most I can say is.I'm excited. Really excited. I can feel that this will be a great fight."
Raditz grinned crookedly. "Demon or angel, Kakarott, you're a true warrior. I. I'm proud you're my brother."
"Thanks, Raditz. That means a lot to me." Goku smiled back. They sat like that for a moment, until Bardock came in, breaking the spell.
"They're ready for you, Kakarott. Let's go."
* * *
The amphitheater was filled to overflowing with demons of every age and gender. No one wanted to miss what they assumed would be the final battle of the famous general and angel, Goku. It was highly classified information that Goku was actually Kakarotto, the demon who had vanished many years ago, but that was about to change. The angel stood tall and proud, dressed in the tatters of his old clothes, flanked by Raditz and Bardock. Raditz had offered to loan him some clothes, but Goku had declined for some reason known only to him. It was dark, in the arena; the sun had not yet risen. Although otherworld was not a planet, as such, it did have night and day as well as their corresponding light sources. There was a collective gasp from the crowd as the first red rays of daylight touched the sand, and King Vegeta came forth.
Everyone knelt, even Goku, which shocked many of the audience. They rose, Goku resuming his proud, straight-backed stance, his father and brother looking more like his bodyguards than his enemies. King Vegeta began to speak into the sudden hush.
"Kakarotto sa Bardock, otherwise known as the angel Goku, has been brought before me to be judged for his crimes." There was another collective gasp from the crowd as Goku's true name was spoken, and then silence fell again. "He is declaimed as a traitor to demonkind, an enemy, and the murderer of Prince Vegeta, my own son. Do you have anything to say in defense of yourself, Kakarotto."
Goku drew himself up even straighter as he replied. "Only this, your Majesty; that I acted as I felt best, fulfilling my loyalties, and.has Vegeta's body been found, then?"
King Vegeta's face hardened, but he answered. "No. He is missing, presumed dead. Do you have anything to say to that?"
"Um.no, sir, I don't think so, but.if you haven't proven that he is, in fact, dead, then how can you accuse me of his murder?"
Bardock, watching the king's face closely, could have sworn that his expression softened an iota. However, his voice did not change as he replied. "You raise a valid point, Kakarotto. Very well, the charge of murder is dropped, since my son's death cannot be proved and I believe that you have not killed any other demon."
There were shocked murmurs from the crowd as they realized that this was true; despite his fame as a fighter, Goku had always been too occupied with Vegeta to attack any other demons. King Vegeta continued. "However, the other charges still warrant the death penalty. Yesterday you appealed for the right to trial by combat. Is this still your wish?"
"Yes, sire."
"Very well. The terms are thus. You must fight three champions of my choosing, one after the other, with a break no longer than five minutes in between and no sustenance save water. If you defeat these three, your life will be spared and you will be set free. If you lose, your defeater will execute you immediately. Do you still wish to engage in the combat?"
"I do, sire."
"Very well. The first challenger will be Nappa, the captain of my personal guard."
The tall, muscular, bald demon emerged from the shadows behind King Vegeta's throne, grinning wickedly and cracking his knuckles. He dropped (lightly, for one so large) to the ground in front of Goku, and smirked.
"Five minutes until your death, Kakarott or whatever you're called. No one has ever defeated me except King Vegeta himself!"
Goku withdrew into the shade for his five minutes of rest, while Nappa stood leaning against the opposite wall. Even at such a distance, Goku and his guards could see the confident smile he wore. Raditz snarled.
"Cocky bastard. I've always wanted to beat the crud out of him." He grinned down at his brother. "Guess you'll just have to do it for me, eh, Kakarott?"
Bardock sighed, and spoke. "I really shouldn't be telling you this, but.Nappa's style is all brute strength. He'll try to get in close and overwhelm you, but he has a disproportionate lack of speed. He also has a horrible temper; get him to lose it and the battle's half over."
Goku grinned. "Thanks, father. I'll keep that in mind."
"See that you do. Your five minutes are over; hurry up and win."
"Yes, sir!" Goku strode out onto the sand.
* * *
The fight was not short; neither was it long. It was an average fight, if such a term could be applied, but it was obvious from the start who the winner would be. Goku defended himself easily, and Nappa desperately warded off the angel-demon's blows, barely keeping up his own defense and growing more furious by the second at his inability to score. Finally Goku got a blow through, and then another; in five more minutes Nappa was out cold on the sand, and the only wear Goku showed was a purpling bruise on one cheekbone.
Panting a little, he slowly raised his eyes from his defeated opponent and locked gazes with King Vegeta, pupils still glowing red from battle-rage. The demon king nodded once, in acknowledgement, and spoke loudly enough for the entire audience to hear, a feat rendered none too difficult by the post-battle silence.
"You have defeated your first opponent, Kakarotto. For your second.Chi-Chi sa Gyuu-Mao, come forth."
There were gasps and murmurs from the crowd as a beautiful demon girl emerged from the shadows behind King Vegeta's throne, dressed in a simple black tunic and leggings. Chi-Chi was widely known to be one of the greatest fighters in Hell, second only to Prince Vegeta and his father, with whom she frequently sparred. Goku knew all this, but as his eyes met hers he was caught, remembering.
~ "Kakarott, do you like me?" the girl gazes shyly at the ground as she speaks. "Of course I do, Chi-Chi," the boy replies, puzzled.
"Kakarott.when we grow up, do you.would you." the girl, unable to finish her sentence, ducks her head again as red floods her cheeks.
"Would I what, Chi-Chi?" the boy asks, genuinely curious.
She looks up, still shy. "Kakarott, will you always like me?"
"Sure I will," the boy replies, shrugging as though the answer is a given. "We'll always be friends, Chi-Chi. You wanna spar?"
"Sure, okay."~
As their eyes locked, Goku remembered that day.and grinned. This is going to be a great fight!
