Same as always. Not mine. No money made. Blah, blah, blah...
**************************************************************************** ** Battle of the Heart by NansJns
Ch.6
Goku chased Vegeta through the forest, delivering smashing blows that the Prince deftly deflected, blocked, and returned. Under normal circumstances, he'd have given Vegeta a serious run for his money, but not today. It had been an entire week since Chi-Chi disappeared; Goku had barely eaten or slept in all that time, and was severely worn out. He wouldn't have been fighting with Vegeta at all if Vegeta hadn't called Chi- Chi a harpy again. All of Goku's pent-up anger and frustration desperately sought an outlet. His furious efforts were channeled towards breaking the Saiyan Prince's face for insulting his wife, but he couldn't keep up the pace this time. Vegeta was toying with him, and he knew it. Moreover, his heart wasn't fully into fighting. As much as he hated Vegeta at that moment for bad-mouthing Chi-Chi, he knew his true anger and hate was directed toward Davin. Vegeta was just being Vegeta, it was nothing personal. Vegeta finally delivered a painful blow to Goku's head, which dropped the taller Saiyan to the forest floor.
"All right, Kakkarot, that's enough," Vegeta said, lightly landing beside his fallen opponent. He, also, hadn't gotten away from this little skirmish unharmed, not by any means, but if Goku had been at full strength, he would've caused him far more damage. As it stood, Vegeta just had some bruises and mild ki burns over his compact body. He didn't even have any broken bones. "Feel more in control now?"
"What?" Goku panted, and then stared at him in shock. "Wait, you goaded me into a fight on purpose? Why?"
"You needed a physical avenue to vent some of your anger, before you did something you might have regretted," Vegeta answered casually. "You were on the verge of exploding, Kakkarot. By forcing you into fighting me, I helped to defuse your anger, which is something that most of your human friends could not do. You might be much weaker than normal right now, but you're still far more powerful than they are."
"Y-you're right. Thanks, Vegeta," Goku said, bobbing his head once in acknowledgment. "Now, apologize for calling Chi-Chi a harpy!" he sharply added, looking Vegeta straight in the eye. Vegeta snorted.
"I never apologize, except to Bulma. But I didn't mean it, Kakkarot," Vegeta answered gruffly, and Goku knew he was not to speak of this admittance to anyone else. Vegeta then turned from him and began to sniff the forest air. "I'm going to catch something to eat, Kakkarot," he said.
"Okay. I'm gonna rest here for a bit, then maybe I'll join you," Goku said, waving him off. Vegeta took to the air and Goku sat back onto the grass. The moment he was alone, looking at the star-strewn night sky over head, his mind went straight back to Chi-Chi. The bond was causing a throbbing pain in his head, and he fought back tears as he thought of the last time he'd seen her lovely face. ((What am I going to do? I can't take this much longer! Where did Davin go? Where did he take her? Is she all right? What has he done to her?)) The questions were driving him mad. He was so worried about her, and missed her terribly. ((It's not fair!! I finally have her back after seven long years, and then she's taken from me?! What the hell kind of justice is that?!)) he thought, and rubbed his temples. Seven days with no clues, no signs. Davin hadn't returned to the village all that week; no one had reported seeing him anywhere. Goku felt his resolve crumble as the tears began to fall free. ((Chi-Chi. . .!)) Before Goku could completely fall into his despair, a faint hum hit his ears. Brushing the tears away, he looked up towards the sound and realized there was a thin beam of light coming through the trees. . .and it was pointed right at him! Following its path, he saw that the end of the light touched the center of his chest. He didn't feel anything from the tiny beam; if it was an attack, it was pretty pathetic. "What in the name of Dende. . .?" he said as he continued to stare down at the light, which stayed trained upon him, even as he stood up. Faint footsteps suddenly joined the humming, and he snapped his head up to see a what appeared to be a girl step into view from the trees. She wasn't human, he could tell that right away. She had big, pointy ears, similar to Piccolo's but less so, and only three fingers and a thumb to each hand. She also had long, flaming red hair and brilliant yellow eyes. As far as her height went, she looked like the top of her head would barely clear the top of his waistline. In one small hand, she held what looked like a photograph. She studied him with those wide yellow eyes, and then her gaze darted back and forth between him and the picture a few times. He could hear her give off a visible sigh of relief and she approached him.
"Excuse me, are you Goku?" she asked, hopefully. Goku arched a questioning eyebrow down at her. Before he could answer, she held out the picture to him. "Chi-Chi's husband, Goku?" she clarified, as she came closer to give him a better look. A shocked Goku stared fixedly at the picture in her outstretched hand; it was the copy of their most recent family photo, the one Chi-Chi carried in her wallet! The puzzling creature's identification of him only added to his stunned surprise, which quickly snapped into desperation.
"Yes, I am!! Do you know where she is?! Is she all right?!" Goku demanded, grabbing the girl by her shoulders and shaking her. She nodded quickly.
"Yes, yes, I know! Thank goodness I found you! I've been searching for three days! This planet is a pretty big place when you're traveling on foot!" Maruberu said in a rush. "My name is Maruberu. Chi-Chi is fine, physically. . .listen, can I explain on the way?"
"Yes! Kami, yes! Take me to her!" Goku said, releasing the elf- woman. "Wait, there's a faster way!" With that said, he picked her up and took to the high night air. "Now, which way?"
"Ah-oh-whoa!" Maruberu gasped. "You can fly?!"
"I can do a lot of things! Now, tell me! Where's Chi-Chi?!" Goku answered shortly, his patience running thin once more.
"Okay, listen - the thing is, we're going to need some magic to help us get there and defeat Davin. I know someone who might help us if we ask," Maruberu said, and watched as a deep twitch of annoyance coursed through Goku's face and down his arms. "If we don't, there's no way to get Chi-Chi back; not to the way she was, not after what Davin. . ."
"WHAT?!?!? WHAT DID HE DO TO HER?!?!" Goku's voice boomed across the countryside, startling all living things in earshot - including the buck Vegeta had been about to fry with his ki. The goodly-sized stag flashed its white-tailed backside to the Saiyan as it bounded off in alarm.
"What. . .? That stupid third-class is going crazy again! I suppose I'll just have to beat a little more sense into him once I get back," Vegeta growled in annoyance, and fell back into his pursuit of the buck again. As Goku's eyes drilled into her, Maruberu fearfully cringed at the dark, dangerous look in them.
"Please, I didn't do it, and I couldn't stop it; I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" she said quickly.
"I don't blame you! But what did he do to her?!" Goku said, forcing his tone back down to normal. His entire body was cold, as a fear-induced sweat broke out across his skin. ((Oh, Chi-Chi, what's happened to you?! I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you. . .!))
"Davin cast a spell on her. . ." Maruberu started to explain, and Goku felt his heart constrict. "With it, he took away all of her original memories of you and your family, and replaced them with new memories; filled undoubtedly with false ones of loving him and wanting to be his wife," she finished, and Goku felt rage-induced strength burning through his body.
"He _what_?" Goku growled through gritted teeth.
"I'm sorry, I really am. By this time, all the residual memories she ever had of you and your two sons, no matter how vague, have been erased. Because of that, she won't know you when we get there. None of us - there are three of us elves that Davin had been holding prisoner, I managed to escape - know how to undo the spell. Davin won't let anyone near the enchanted book he's been using. That's the main reason why we first need to see the person I mentioned earlier. He's a powerful wizard, and he might know how to undo the magical damage that Davin's done. Also, we'll need a little extra help getting back into Davin's pocket world," Maruberu carefully explained.
"Pocket world. . .?"
"Davin built a small world in a side pocket of reality."
"Then. . .then that's why I haven't been able to find any clues.and that's why I can't feel her!" Goku said quickly, somewhat relieved to finally have an answer to all his maddening questions. "All right, how do we get to this wizard?" Maruberu clasped her hands together in front of her face with her index fingers pressed together and pointing up. A small ball of light appeared, hovering over her fingertips.
"Sun, Moon, Stars - light to shadow, shadow to light. Take us to the cottage of Poshun," she chanted, and the light suddenly enlarged, engulfing them both inside. When it finally faded, they were flying above a completely different forest, which seemed deeper, wilder, and far older than the ones to which Goku was accustomed. Below them sat a small, thatched cottage on the raised banks of winding river, and Goku could see strange creatures flitting through the trees and bushes.
"Why can't we just use that transporting technique of yours to get to Chi-Chi and Davin?" Goku asked tensely. If Maruberu could do that, why did they need this wizard's help at all? "In fact, why did it take so long for you to find me if you already have the ability to teleport like that?"
"Believe me, Goku, I would have loved to! You see, that particular spell requires that the wielder has previous knowledge of his/her destination. I didn't know where you were! Davin's pocket world has barriers wrapped all around it, and I don't have the strength to breach them alone," Maruberu explained as they rapidly descended onto the forest floor. As soon as Goku set her down, she sprinted up to the cottage and began knocking on the front door.
"Sir? Lord Poshun, are you home?" she called as she knocked vigorously on the door.
"Yes, yes, I'm home! There's no need to knock my door down!" answered a surly voice from inside the house, and a moment later the door swung open. Poshun was head-and-shoulders taller and clearly older than Maruberu, though he didn't really look ancient. He sported a thick head of pale yellow hair, a beard of the same color, and a pair of piercing brown- green eyes. He wore a green wizard's robe that reached his ankles, and had a gold, rope-like belt tied around his waist. He eyed his two guests curiously, especially the much-larger Goku. "Who might you be, and what brings you to my house?" he asked.
"Lord Poshun, my name is Maruberu, of the Sutonu clan. This man's name is Goku. We need your help," Maruberu answered, and rapidly launched into a full explanation of the situation before Poshun could get another word in edgewise. "And we need to get back into the pocket world to free Chi-Chi and get her true memories back. Can you help us?" she breathlessly finished, watching as Poshun thoughtfully stroked his beard.
"Indeed, this is a most serious situation. Though I'll admit, I've always been something of a softie when it comes to true love. Come inside while I prepare some things. I have some additional questions that I need to ask of you," Poshun answered waving them inside. "Come now, _both_ of you," he insisted when Goku didn't look like he was going to move. Goku sighed in reply, forcing his tensed muscles to relax, then ducked inside the doorway, following the small elf-woman into the small hut. He didn't want to waste more time! Once inside, Poshun motioned them to sit before he began rifling through his cupboards and pulling various items off the shelves. "Now, tell me, do either of you know anything about how the memory spell works?"
Marberu shook her head slightly before she answered. "Not really. . .except that when I brought Davin his breakfast a few days ago, I noticed that he had a cauldron boiling and a thick jar sitting beside it. A light was flowing out of the cauldron into the air and from the air back into the jar. But that might not have anything to do with Chi-Chi." She paused briefly, adding, "Davin became very defensive when I asked about it."
"No, no, that's a memory spell all right. Strange, though. . ." Poshun went still for a moment, as he held a small bowl in one hand, some blue pellets of some sort in the other.
"What's strange?" Goku asked, getting antsy from the delay.
"Well, that particular spell is very easy to break. _Very_ easy. All you have to do is smash the jar, or at least uncap the lid, with the enchanted person in the same room, and the false memories will be eradicated and the real memories will return. For him to use such an easily reversible spell indicates he wasn't very sure of this course of action. Of course, if the jar is destroyed and the enchanted one isn't close by, the real memories will be lost forever, but still. . ." Poshun explained.
Goku grunted distractedly at the old man's rambling words. Instead of feeling reassured, he felt a cold wave of absolute hatred hit the pit of his stomach as he realized he didn't care about Davin's motivations anymore. Throughout his life, the sympathetic part of him had always opted to give anyone a second chance, especially if they had demonstrated they weren't purely evil; but _this_ time he didn't care! Despite his knowing that Davin probably didn't want to do this to Chi-Chi, Goku was more than ready to rip him apart. The inborn Saiyan part of him knew, deep down, he would never truly regret it if he did. For a moment, this suddenly bloodthirsty side of him, which had surfaced so very, very rarely, startled and unnerved him. However, when faced again with the idea of Chi-Chi being brainwashed to love another man, his rage replaced his fear just as quickly. It didn't matter; Davin was going to pay! In order to hold his murderous emotions in check, Goku focused his attention on Poshun again as he ground the pellets he'd been holding into a fine powder in the small stone bowl with a pestle. Poshun stopped in his grinding to ask, "Now, what book is he using? Each one has its own peculiarities, you know."
"Um, I think he called it the Ahdicionious," Maruberu said, and a horrified Poshun nearly dropped what he was holding.
"The-the Ahdicionious?! Some fool mortal is using the Ahdicionious?!" Poshun gasped. "Oh, Kami, I thought that vile book was long destroyed! There's been no news regarding it for so long!"
"It was kept hidden by my wife's family. You've heard of it?" Goku queried, unable to help being curious by the wizard's reaction.
"Yes, long ago. Dangerous thing; a corrupting entity. Well, that does it, then. My help ends here," he said, shaking his head as he mixed the powder with a few more things.
"What?! But-!" Goku jumped up from his chair.
"Oh, no, I'm sorry, young man, but all I can do for you is put together enough magic to get you both into that pocket world. Engaging in a magic-on-magic battle with that horrific thing will only end in world- shattering catastrophe! And I'm not exaggerating; not by a long shot!" Poshun said with a weary finality, as he poured the finished powder into a leather pouch. "The Ahdicionious gets stronger when it has other magic close by to absorb and control. I'd only make things worse if I went with you." He handed the pouch to Maruberu. "Pour this in a circle around the both of you, and then cast the spell to access this Davin's pocket world."
"Isn't there anything else you can do to help?!" Goku said, his black eyes pleading with the older man. Poshun shook his head sadly and gave a resigned sigh.
"I'm afraid not. I'd offer you a protective amulet to wear, but the Ahdicionious would overwhelm its meager magic in a heartbeat," Poshun said. "I can only give you my heartfelt blessing and hope for your luck and success." Goku felt his shoulders sag for a moment. The more he heard of the Ahdicionious's reputation, the more it worried him. Could he possibly defeat something so different from ki? He abruptly straightened up as he felt his confidence return. He was a Saiyan! If it meant that Chi-Chi would be safe and back in his arms, he could defeat _anything_!
"Can you tell us more about this book?" Goku ventured again. Information, he knew, could be as useful as strength when properly applied. "I know it's very old, because Chi-Chi's family has protected it for four hundred years, and its power is addictive and corrupting; is there anything else we should know? For instance, where did it come from?"
"As I recall, it was created by a human wizard while he was in the grip of some kind of terrible emotional pain. He tried to use its power to erase the cause of that pain, but to this day, no one knows whether or not it worked as he intended. The book, however, fed off his most negative emotions, amplified them, and sent them back into him stronger than before. In return, the book itself grew more powerful on his destructive feelings. All magic used against it was simply absorbed or overwhelmed and controlled by the book; the ensuing battles to destroy it caused many terrible tragedies. Entire cities were wiped out, many fertile lands were scorched past saving for generations. Eventually, the book turned on its original master, killing him in a most unspeakable fashion, and manipulated itself onto a new, more malleable owner, where it repeated its cycle. The Ahdicionious repeated this pattern of corruption and destruction over a long period of time before it finally vanished from sight, presumably into the safekeeping of your wife's family. That is all of its history that I can remember," Poshun said.
"Not much of real use. . .still doesn't explain how Chi-Chi's family got stuck with it," Goku muttered under his breath.
"That's all I can tell you, young man," Poshun said with a hint of sadness in his voice. "I wish I could be of more help to you, I honestly do."
"That's all right. Thank you for what you have done," Goku said, remembering his manners.
"I'm truly sorry it couldn't be more. It is clear to me that you love your wife a great deal; I can only hope that the strength of your love will give you the power you need to free her," Poshun answered. Goku nodded.
"Thank you, Lord Poshun. We'd best go now," Maruberu said with a deferential bow, as she and Goku left Poshun's hut.
"Goodbye, and good luck to you both!" he said, waving a good-bye to their departing backs.
"Goodbye, and thanks again!" they said together; then Goku picked Maruberu up and took to the night sky again.
"Do we have to be some place specific before you can get us into Davin's world?" Goku asked.
"We do, yes. Since Davin created his pocket world, he can get in and out of it from just about anywhere, but we're not so lucky. Hold on, I'll use the teleport spell again," Maruberu replied, as she clasped her hands together again and chanted under her breath. The familiar flash followed, placing the two of them the middle of a distinctly different forest. He gently set Maruberu down, and she quickly set about making the preparations. She meticulously sprinkled the powder Poshun had given them around both of them in a circle, then began chanting in a language Goku couldn't place. Her hands began to glow and sparkle, and she leaned forward to push against a barrier Goku couldn't see. The air seemed to bend away from her as though she was pushing into a bubble, and the bluish dust circle around them glowed brightly. The bubble-wall bowed a little further, and Goku placed an encouraging hand on Maruberu's straining shoulder.
"Just a little more. . ." he muttered. ((Just a little more, and I'll find her again!))
"Get ready, we'll only have a moment!" Maruberu said, pushing with all her might. "On my word, jump forward!" Suddenly, the bubble wall gave way, and she felt herself beginning to tumble into it. "Now!" she shouted. In the blink of an eye, she was back inside Davin's magically created forest, with Goku by her side. "It worked! I just hope Davin didn't notice." Goku wasn't listening to her elated voice. For a moment, his senses ignored everything around him, as he felt the bond re-connect. ((I can feel her. . ._I can feel her_!!)) The sheer joy of feeling Chi-Chi's heart and soul through the bond again momentarily overwhelmed him. She was there, and she was all right! He reluctantly came out of his temporary euphoria when he felt Maruberu shaking his shoulder. "Goku! What's wrong with you? We have to get moving!"
"Sorry; I just. . .I can feel her again," Goku shook his head, still smiling from the re-established connection. Briefly taking in his new surroundings, he paused and inhaled slowly. Everything about this world felt false to his Saiyan senses. The smells, the sounds, and the taste of the air, all felt unnervingly artificial
"Okay, whatever. . .this way," Maruberu edgily answered, motioning him forward. He followed her eagerly, although he already knew the way in which they'd be headed. At the edge of the garden, Maruberu stopped and pulled Goku with her behind some tall privet bushes. "All right, I'm gonna try to get my hands on that jar of her memories. In the meantime, I'll tell my friends to make up some excuse to send her out here to you. For right now, stay right here! Davin's spy-spells will alert him to your presence the moment you enter his house and, like I said before, Chi-Chi won't know who you are," she said in parting, and crept through the garden to the door. Goku watched wordlessly as Maruberu made her stealthy way towards the house, until she was out of sight.
"Wait _here_? Sorry, lady, but _I_ don't think so," he said to himself, and raised two fingers to his forehead. He easily locked onto Chi- Chi's ki and immediately teleported to her. He found himself the middle of a darkened bedroom, cluttered with all kinds of unfamiliar things, and Chi- Chi fast asleep in a good-sized bed.
Goku looked down on Chi-Chi's peacefully slumbering form and felt himself grow weak with relief. The feeling of her heart, soul, and mind through the bond, though at present all he sensed was the soft hum of her slumber, was the most wonderful thing he'd felt in recent days. The last, hellish week started to blur in his mind like a bad dream, and he suddenly realized how absolutely exhausted he was. He'd gotten a scant fifteen hours of sleep in the last seven days. Now, all he wanted to do was to get into that warm bed with his very own wife, hold her body tightly to him, and sleep until he was fully rested. His body was trembling with fatigue and joy at the thought of touching Chi-Chi again, but he caught himself as soon as he edged a knee onto the bed. He had to get her out of there first; they could sleep in their own bed. His hand reached out and caressed her cheek gently. He smiled as she hummed and sighed softly at the warmth of his touch, turning her head with a half-smile toward him. ((Doesn't remember me, huh?)) Goku thought to himself with a brief smirk, and pulled back the covers. Chi-Chi began to stir at the sudden chill against her uncovered skin, and Goku quickly moved to scoop her up. But as he slid an arm beneath her shoulders, he found himself leaning toward her sighing mouth. After all of the fear and pain of the last week, he felt a burning need to kiss her, to feel the touch of her soft lips yielding to his. Even though he knew this wasn't the time or the place, he couldn't stop his mouth from connecting with hers. His kiss was deep and hungry, and her sweet taste was welcomed by his thirsty soul like water in the desert. He felt a sweet, familiar ache in his body. He longed to do more; to drive the remaining feelings of the past seven days out of his system and hers with physical contact, but there was no time for that now. It was with supreme effort he broke his mouth from hers. However, as careful as he was being, Goku's movements were waking her up. Chi-Chi began to shift and stretch in his arms. It wasn't until that moment that he became aware of a foreign scent on her skin. Had he been better rested and calmer in spirit, he would have noticed it much sooner. Enraged by the realization, his teeth began to grind and fire filled his black eyes. Davin's scent was on his Chi-Chi's skin! On her face and shoulders, her arms. . . it wasn't very strong, but it was there - he'd touched her at some point. Rage shot through him again, but before it could overtake him, he pushed it away. First things first. Just as he pulled Chi-Chi more securely into his arms and started to carry her to the window, she finally opened her eyes all the way.
Chi-Chi stared up at him, her dark brown eyes wide with puzzled surprise. She was in a strange man's arms, being carried from her bed. The man holding her looked familiar, but she didn't know where she'd seen him before. He was very handsome and his furrowed brow made him appear to be concerned about something. She realized he was carrying her over to the window, yet she felt no fear of him. . .then he looked down at her, giving her a warm smile, and she felt her heart speed up just a little. There was such love pouring out from his eyes; but how could he love her when they had never met?
"Who. . .who are you?" she asked carefully. She watched his face drop with disappointment at her question.
"Chi-Chi. . .it's me, Goku!" he said urgently. He could feel her complete lack of recognition of him through the bond, and it made his blood run cold. Did she truly not remember? Deep down, he had refused to believe that even a magic spell could make her forget him entirely, but it seemed - to his horror and fury - that he was wrong.
"Goku?" Chi-Chi blinked, trying to remember the name. What confused her more than anything was that she could actually hear his thoughts, and feel what he was feeling. What in the world was going on?
"Yes! Your _husband_, Goku!" Goku insisted, and watched her face fill with shocked disbelief. His heart lurched painfully. "You have to remember! Our life! Our sons! We even marked. . ." he started, then froze as he looked at her shoulder. It was smooth and clear. . .his mark was gone!! Davin had somehow stolen his mark!!!
"You-you must be mistaken! I'm not married yet! I'm betrothed to Davin, but the actual ceremony. . ." Chi-Chi shook her head, but even as she spoke the words, the disquieting feeling pricked at her. Every time Davin touched her, something didn't feel quite right. And here she was, being abducted for all intents and purposes by a stranger (albeit a very attractive one!), and yet, the feel of this man's arms around her made her feel warm, safe, and better than she'd felt in days. To top it all, she realized, to her growing amazement, that the empty, lonely, painful feeling was finally gone. In its place was a rush of thoughts and emotions that weren't hers, but his! Goku's eyes filled with pain and anger, and Chi-Chi sucked in a breath as she felt not only an all-consuming hatred for Davin touch her mind, but also a deep sorrow at her not knowing him. How could she hear his thoughts this way?! Why did she feel what he was feeling?!
"That's a lie. . .! You're my wife, my mate. . .we have two sons! Davin _stole_ you from me!! He-" Goku began to explain, only to stop as Davin himself burst through the door. Davin looked shocked for a moment to see him, and then his face filled with anger. The two men glared at each other, the hate and fury almost tangible between them.
"You--! How did you get here? Why are you here?" Davin demanded, his eyes turning a hard, glittering silver.
"I had a little help," Goku answered. His hate for the human man was flaring higher with every passing moment. "I should kill you where you stand for what you did, you bastard!" The heated words came out before he realized he was saying them. Such vehemence wasn't like him; it sounded more like something Vegeta would say, but even so, he meant it.
"Put her down, Goku. She's where she belongs now," Davin said lowly. Goku only tightened his grip around her.
"She belongs with her husband and sons," Goku said. He looked down at Chi-Chi, somewhat unnerved by the confusion on her face. "Chi-Chi, you have to remember! We've been married for close to nineteen years!"
"Nonsense!" Davin barked, and Goku snapped his head up to snarl at the man. "Chi-Chi's never been married. She's my betrothed, but we haven't yet wed. Ask her, she'll tell you so herself," he grinned nastily. Goku gently set Chi-Chi onto her feet so she could look him directly in the eyes.
"Chi-Chi, please. . ." Goku begged, searching her eyes desperately for some sign of recognition. Chi-Chi didn't know what to say or think. She didn't know this man, but at the same time, she couldn't deny that his touch felt more genuine than Davin's ever had. Moreover, when Davin had uttered, "She's where she belongs now", told her she hadn't always been here, despite her memories telling her otherwise. The bothersome memory lapses that had been plaguing her had basically ceased, but she remembered having all of those gaps. ((What's going on?! Do I know you, Goku? Are you my husband? But if you are, why don't I remember? Why do I remember being engaged to Davin?))
**Yes, you know me! I'm your husband! Davin cast a spell on you to make you forget me, forget us!** Goku answered through the bond, and Chi- Chi jumped in surprise. Goku frowned a bit, feeling the invasive strength of the spell on her mind. His assertive telepathic statement caused a reaction of disbelief that Davin would do such a thing to her.
"I-I'm not sure," Chi-Chi admitted. "I-"
"Enough! Goku, leave! You're only upsetting her!" Davin said, advancing toward them. Goku placed himself between Davin and Chi-Chi, his ki flaring white-blue.
"I'm. . .? You son of a--!! _You_ did this to her!" Goku snarled, stepping forward to confront him.
"I'm giving you one last chance to leave my house peacefully, and then I'll just throw you out! She's happy here with me, she doesn't need you anymore!" Davin declared sharply. Chi-Chi gasped softly at this declaration; he'd all but admitted that what this man Goku was saying was true!
"'Happy'?! You brainwashed her, you bastard! She's only happy because you made her forget her real home and family! She'd be miserable if she was still herself!" Goku barked back. "Give _me_ one good reason why I shouldn't send you straight to Hell for what you've done to us!"
"I've had enough of you!" Davin bellowed, and began chanting.
"Too slow!" Goku answered, and his hand began to glow with ki. He fired his ki blast before Davin could finish his spell, but the ball of energy struck some kind of invisible shield and dissipated without delivering any damage to Davin.
"Do you think I'm stupid? I know all the stories about you and your powers!" Davin snapped. Goku seethed.
"Then I'll just put a little more power behind my next one!" Goku answered, even though he could feel his energy dropping from the rough week he'd had.
"I think not!" Davin shouted, completing his attack spell. A bolt of light shaped like an arrow roared straight at Goku at an incredible speed, but he easily dodged it, pulling Chi-Chi along with him. The attack hit the windowed-wall and made it explode, causing wood, glass, and other debris to rain down on the lawn below. Goku stood to the side of the gaping hole, holding Chi-Chi securely in his arms, and glared a challenge at Davin again. He was about to just lunge at Davin and break every bone in his body, when he realized Chi-Chi was trembling. Allowing himself to focus on her thoughts, he suddenly realized she was scared witless by the fight, shaking and crying. She'd always had a small problem with fainting spells when she'd witnessed certain fights, but her inner strength bore her through them all. He could sense that she wasn't even mad about them fighting over her like she was a thing instead of a person. All he felt was fear and confusion radiating from her; there was no trace of her usual feisty anger, or a hint of her quicksilver temper. Goku reared on Davin again.
"You son of a bitch! What did you do to her?! What happened to her fiery spirit, her strength?" Goku glared at him hatefully. Davin just snorted. Goku was so angry now he couldn't see straight. Davin hadn't just stolen her memories, he'd radically altered her personality to be what he wanted it to be! Goku released Chi-Chi and fell into a battle stance. Before he could move, Maruberu, Aume, and Lilith appeared in the doorway behind Davin. Clasped tight in Maruberu's arms was a jar full of light. Davin snapped his head around at their arrival.
"Maruberu! I knew it! You brought him here, didn't you?! You might have ruined everything!!" Davin bellowed at her, and then lunged for the jar. "Give that to me!" Maruberu nimbly ducked out of the way and thrust the jar into Aume's hands, who tried to edge her way into the room. Davin flung out a hand and a wave of force struck Aume so hard she was driven backwards into the stair railing. The impact caused her to lose her grip, sending the jar flying out of her hands and over the railing.
"NO!" Goku screamed, and then seemed to disappear.
"Now she'll be mine _forever_!" Davin hissed low in triumph. His victory was short-lived, as a second later he watched in disbelief as Goku floated up the stair well, the jar securely in his hands. Goku landed, and an intrigued Chi-Chi moved forward to get a better look. ((What is in that jar?)) she wondered.
"You may be faster than them, but you're not faster than me!" Goku snarled, and then crushed the jar in his hands. The light rushed toward Chi-Chi as Davin howled in fury. The world slipped out from under her feet as the false memories were erased and her real memories began flooding over her. The sheer rush of it all caused her to fall over, but this time she was caught in Goku's strong, warm arms. "Chi-Chi?" he asked, quietly and hopefully. She looked at him for a moment, and then smiled.
"Oh, Goku! It really is you!" she whispered. Happily relieved, he started to pull her into a tight embrace, when his arms were suddenly bound behind his back by glowing chains, and his legs were chained together as well. Chi-Chi found herself being dropped into Davin's waiting arms, as Goku snarled loudly in anger and strained against the chains. To his great surprise, they didn't break. They didn't even bend!
"You haven't beaten me yet! Those chains are magic; the more strength you put into trying to break them, the stronger they become!" Davin gloated evilly, watching Goku's struggles. "I should have known I'd have to get rid of you somehow before I could truly have her for myself. Go to the dungeon while I figure things out." He waved his hand and Goku disappeared.
"Let me go, Davin! Let me go!" Chi-Chi growled and writhed, but she was still too incapacitated by the reversing spells to struggle very hard.
"Sleep, Chi-Chi. You need to rest," Davin said, and Chi-Chi went limp as her eyes fell closed. He looked back at the doorway, but his three elves had taken off. "They will pay dearly for their treachery," he growled.
Goku continued to struggle with the chains as he sat fuming in the small prison cell to which Davin had sent him, far away from Chi-Chi's room. He could feel that Chi-Chi was asleep again, and he knew that her slumbering state wasn't natural. He struggled harder at the thought that Davin could be doing anything to Chi-Chi while she was under his power and he was stuck down in this hole. The Saiyan part of him swore a vow that the next time he had Davin in his sights he wouldn't waste time and words, he'd just blast him into hell. After a while, Goku stopped trying to forcefully break the chains and slumped against the wall. ((I'm just too tired. . .)) he thought. ((Gohan, Vegeta, and the others were right. . .I should've gotten more rest. Well, all right, I'll sleep now. . .in the morning, when I'm back to myself, breaking these chains won't be a problem.)) Goku decided, and pulled his weary body over to the mattress that sat on the floor to one side of the cell. He flopped sideways onto it and closed his eyes. ((Tomorrow, Davin, tomorrow!)) Goku promised, then mentally shoved all thoughts of the human man from his mind. With that done, he focused his waning concentration to reach out and touch the sleeping Chi-Chi through the bond and, after only a few seconds, fell deeply asleep.
**************************************************************************** ** The roller coaster continues next time when Davin makes (yet another) really BIG mistake! See you there!
NansJns@sa-tech.com
**************************************************************************** ** Battle of the Heart by NansJns
Ch.6
Goku chased Vegeta through the forest, delivering smashing blows that the Prince deftly deflected, blocked, and returned. Under normal circumstances, he'd have given Vegeta a serious run for his money, but not today. It had been an entire week since Chi-Chi disappeared; Goku had barely eaten or slept in all that time, and was severely worn out. He wouldn't have been fighting with Vegeta at all if Vegeta hadn't called Chi- Chi a harpy again. All of Goku's pent-up anger and frustration desperately sought an outlet. His furious efforts were channeled towards breaking the Saiyan Prince's face for insulting his wife, but he couldn't keep up the pace this time. Vegeta was toying with him, and he knew it. Moreover, his heart wasn't fully into fighting. As much as he hated Vegeta at that moment for bad-mouthing Chi-Chi, he knew his true anger and hate was directed toward Davin. Vegeta was just being Vegeta, it was nothing personal. Vegeta finally delivered a painful blow to Goku's head, which dropped the taller Saiyan to the forest floor.
"All right, Kakkarot, that's enough," Vegeta said, lightly landing beside his fallen opponent. He, also, hadn't gotten away from this little skirmish unharmed, not by any means, but if Goku had been at full strength, he would've caused him far more damage. As it stood, Vegeta just had some bruises and mild ki burns over his compact body. He didn't even have any broken bones. "Feel more in control now?"
"What?" Goku panted, and then stared at him in shock. "Wait, you goaded me into a fight on purpose? Why?"
"You needed a physical avenue to vent some of your anger, before you did something you might have regretted," Vegeta answered casually. "You were on the verge of exploding, Kakkarot. By forcing you into fighting me, I helped to defuse your anger, which is something that most of your human friends could not do. You might be much weaker than normal right now, but you're still far more powerful than they are."
"Y-you're right. Thanks, Vegeta," Goku said, bobbing his head once in acknowledgment. "Now, apologize for calling Chi-Chi a harpy!" he sharply added, looking Vegeta straight in the eye. Vegeta snorted.
"I never apologize, except to Bulma. But I didn't mean it, Kakkarot," Vegeta answered gruffly, and Goku knew he was not to speak of this admittance to anyone else. Vegeta then turned from him and began to sniff the forest air. "I'm going to catch something to eat, Kakkarot," he said.
"Okay. I'm gonna rest here for a bit, then maybe I'll join you," Goku said, waving him off. Vegeta took to the air and Goku sat back onto the grass. The moment he was alone, looking at the star-strewn night sky over head, his mind went straight back to Chi-Chi. The bond was causing a throbbing pain in his head, and he fought back tears as he thought of the last time he'd seen her lovely face. ((What am I going to do? I can't take this much longer! Where did Davin go? Where did he take her? Is she all right? What has he done to her?)) The questions were driving him mad. He was so worried about her, and missed her terribly. ((It's not fair!! I finally have her back after seven long years, and then she's taken from me?! What the hell kind of justice is that?!)) he thought, and rubbed his temples. Seven days with no clues, no signs. Davin hadn't returned to the village all that week; no one had reported seeing him anywhere. Goku felt his resolve crumble as the tears began to fall free. ((Chi-Chi. . .!)) Before Goku could completely fall into his despair, a faint hum hit his ears. Brushing the tears away, he looked up towards the sound and realized there was a thin beam of light coming through the trees. . .and it was pointed right at him! Following its path, he saw that the end of the light touched the center of his chest. He didn't feel anything from the tiny beam; if it was an attack, it was pretty pathetic. "What in the name of Dende. . .?" he said as he continued to stare down at the light, which stayed trained upon him, even as he stood up. Faint footsteps suddenly joined the humming, and he snapped his head up to see a what appeared to be a girl step into view from the trees. She wasn't human, he could tell that right away. She had big, pointy ears, similar to Piccolo's but less so, and only three fingers and a thumb to each hand. She also had long, flaming red hair and brilliant yellow eyes. As far as her height went, she looked like the top of her head would barely clear the top of his waistline. In one small hand, she held what looked like a photograph. She studied him with those wide yellow eyes, and then her gaze darted back and forth between him and the picture a few times. He could hear her give off a visible sigh of relief and she approached him.
"Excuse me, are you Goku?" she asked, hopefully. Goku arched a questioning eyebrow down at her. Before he could answer, she held out the picture to him. "Chi-Chi's husband, Goku?" she clarified, as she came closer to give him a better look. A shocked Goku stared fixedly at the picture in her outstretched hand; it was the copy of their most recent family photo, the one Chi-Chi carried in her wallet! The puzzling creature's identification of him only added to his stunned surprise, which quickly snapped into desperation.
"Yes, I am!! Do you know where she is?! Is she all right?!" Goku demanded, grabbing the girl by her shoulders and shaking her. She nodded quickly.
"Yes, yes, I know! Thank goodness I found you! I've been searching for three days! This planet is a pretty big place when you're traveling on foot!" Maruberu said in a rush. "My name is Maruberu. Chi-Chi is fine, physically. . .listen, can I explain on the way?"
"Yes! Kami, yes! Take me to her!" Goku said, releasing the elf- woman. "Wait, there's a faster way!" With that said, he picked her up and took to the high night air. "Now, which way?"
"Ah-oh-whoa!" Maruberu gasped. "You can fly?!"
"I can do a lot of things! Now, tell me! Where's Chi-Chi?!" Goku answered shortly, his patience running thin once more.
"Okay, listen - the thing is, we're going to need some magic to help us get there and defeat Davin. I know someone who might help us if we ask," Maruberu said, and watched as a deep twitch of annoyance coursed through Goku's face and down his arms. "If we don't, there's no way to get Chi-Chi back; not to the way she was, not after what Davin. . ."
"WHAT?!?!? WHAT DID HE DO TO HER?!?!" Goku's voice boomed across the countryside, startling all living things in earshot - including the buck Vegeta had been about to fry with his ki. The goodly-sized stag flashed its white-tailed backside to the Saiyan as it bounded off in alarm.
"What. . .? That stupid third-class is going crazy again! I suppose I'll just have to beat a little more sense into him once I get back," Vegeta growled in annoyance, and fell back into his pursuit of the buck again. As Goku's eyes drilled into her, Maruberu fearfully cringed at the dark, dangerous look in them.
"Please, I didn't do it, and I couldn't stop it; I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" she said quickly.
"I don't blame you! But what did he do to her?!" Goku said, forcing his tone back down to normal. His entire body was cold, as a fear-induced sweat broke out across his skin. ((Oh, Chi-Chi, what's happened to you?! I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you. . .!))
"Davin cast a spell on her. . ." Maruberu started to explain, and Goku felt his heart constrict. "With it, he took away all of her original memories of you and your family, and replaced them with new memories; filled undoubtedly with false ones of loving him and wanting to be his wife," she finished, and Goku felt rage-induced strength burning through his body.
"He _what_?" Goku growled through gritted teeth.
"I'm sorry, I really am. By this time, all the residual memories she ever had of you and your two sons, no matter how vague, have been erased. Because of that, she won't know you when we get there. None of us - there are three of us elves that Davin had been holding prisoner, I managed to escape - know how to undo the spell. Davin won't let anyone near the enchanted book he's been using. That's the main reason why we first need to see the person I mentioned earlier. He's a powerful wizard, and he might know how to undo the magical damage that Davin's done. Also, we'll need a little extra help getting back into Davin's pocket world," Maruberu carefully explained.
"Pocket world. . .?"
"Davin built a small world in a side pocket of reality."
"Then. . .then that's why I haven't been able to find any clues.and that's why I can't feel her!" Goku said quickly, somewhat relieved to finally have an answer to all his maddening questions. "All right, how do we get to this wizard?" Maruberu clasped her hands together in front of her face with her index fingers pressed together and pointing up. A small ball of light appeared, hovering over her fingertips.
"Sun, Moon, Stars - light to shadow, shadow to light. Take us to the cottage of Poshun," she chanted, and the light suddenly enlarged, engulfing them both inside. When it finally faded, they were flying above a completely different forest, which seemed deeper, wilder, and far older than the ones to which Goku was accustomed. Below them sat a small, thatched cottage on the raised banks of winding river, and Goku could see strange creatures flitting through the trees and bushes.
"Why can't we just use that transporting technique of yours to get to Chi-Chi and Davin?" Goku asked tensely. If Maruberu could do that, why did they need this wizard's help at all? "In fact, why did it take so long for you to find me if you already have the ability to teleport like that?"
"Believe me, Goku, I would have loved to! You see, that particular spell requires that the wielder has previous knowledge of his/her destination. I didn't know where you were! Davin's pocket world has barriers wrapped all around it, and I don't have the strength to breach them alone," Maruberu explained as they rapidly descended onto the forest floor. As soon as Goku set her down, she sprinted up to the cottage and began knocking on the front door.
"Sir? Lord Poshun, are you home?" she called as she knocked vigorously on the door.
"Yes, yes, I'm home! There's no need to knock my door down!" answered a surly voice from inside the house, and a moment later the door swung open. Poshun was head-and-shoulders taller and clearly older than Maruberu, though he didn't really look ancient. He sported a thick head of pale yellow hair, a beard of the same color, and a pair of piercing brown- green eyes. He wore a green wizard's robe that reached his ankles, and had a gold, rope-like belt tied around his waist. He eyed his two guests curiously, especially the much-larger Goku. "Who might you be, and what brings you to my house?" he asked.
"Lord Poshun, my name is Maruberu, of the Sutonu clan. This man's name is Goku. We need your help," Maruberu answered, and rapidly launched into a full explanation of the situation before Poshun could get another word in edgewise. "And we need to get back into the pocket world to free Chi-Chi and get her true memories back. Can you help us?" she breathlessly finished, watching as Poshun thoughtfully stroked his beard.
"Indeed, this is a most serious situation. Though I'll admit, I've always been something of a softie when it comes to true love. Come inside while I prepare some things. I have some additional questions that I need to ask of you," Poshun answered waving them inside. "Come now, _both_ of you," he insisted when Goku didn't look like he was going to move. Goku sighed in reply, forcing his tensed muscles to relax, then ducked inside the doorway, following the small elf-woman into the small hut. He didn't want to waste more time! Once inside, Poshun motioned them to sit before he began rifling through his cupboards and pulling various items off the shelves. "Now, tell me, do either of you know anything about how the memory spell works?"
Marberu shook her head slightly before she answered. "Not really. . .except that when I brought Davin his breakfast a few days ago, I noticed that he had a cauldron boiling and a thick jar sitting beside it. A light was flowing out of the cauldron into the air and from the air back into the jar. But that might not have anything to do with Chi-Chi." She paused briefly, adding, "Davin became very defensive when I asked about it."
"No, no, that's a memory spell all right. Strange, though. . ." Poshun went still for a moment, as he held a small bowl in one hand, some blue pellets of some sort in the other.
"What's strange?" Goku asked, getting antsy from the delay.
"Well, that particular spell is very easy to break. _Very_ easy. All you have to do is smash the jar, or at least uncap the lid, with the enchanted person in the same room, and the false memories will be eradicated and the real memories will return. For him to use such an easily reversible spell indicates he wasn't very sure of this course of action. Of course, if the jar is destroyed and the enchanted one isn't close by, the real memories will be lost forever, but still. . ." Poshun explained.
Goku grunted distractedly at the old man's rambling words. Instead of feeling reassured, he felt a cold wave of absolute hatred hit the pit of his stomach as he realized he didn't care about Davin's motivations anymore. Throughout his life, the sympathetic part of him had always opted to give anyone a second chance, especially if they had demonstrated they weren't purely evil; but _this_ time he didn't care! Despite his knowing that Davin probably didn't want to do this to Chi-Chi, Goku was more than ready to rip him apart. The inborn Saiyan part of him knew, deep down, he would never truly regret it if he did. For a moment, this suddenly bloodthirsty side of him, which had surfaced so very, very rarely, startled and unnerved him. However, when faced again with the idea of Chi-Chi being brainwashed to love another man, his rage replaced his fear just as quickly. It didn't matter; Davin was going to pay! In order to hold his murderous emotions in check, Goku focused his attention on Poshun again as he ground the pellets he'd been holding into a fine powder in the small stone bowl with a pestle. Poshun stopped in his grinding to ask, "Now, what book is he using? Each one has its own peculiarities, you know."
"Um, I think he called it the Ahdicionious," Maruberu said, and a horrified Poshun nearly dropped what he was holding.
"The-the Ahdicionious?! Some fool mortal is using the Ahdicionious?!" Poshun gasped. "Oh, Kami, I thought that vile book was long destroyed! There's been no news regarding it for so long!"
"It was kept hidden by my wife's family. You've heard of it?" Goku queried, unable to help being curious by the wizard's reaction.
"Yes, long ago. Dangerous thing; a corrupting entity. Well, that does it, then. My help ends here," he said, shaking his head as he mixed the powder with a few more things.
"What?! But-!" Goku jumped up from his chair.
"Oh, no, I'm sorry, young man, but all I can do for you is put together enough magic to get you both into that pocket world. Engaging in a magic-on-magic battle with that horrific thing will only end in world- shattering catastrophe! And I'm not exaggerating; not by a long shot!" Poshun said with a weary finality, as he poured the finished powder into a leather pouch. "The Ahdicionious gets stronger when it has other magic close by to absorb and control. I'd only make things worse if I went with you." He handed the pouch to Maruberu. "Pour this in a circle around the both of you, and then cast the spell to access this Davin's pocket world."
"Isn't there anything else you can do to help?!" Goku said, his black eyes pleading with the older man. Poshun shook his head sadly and gave a resigned sigh.
"I'm afraid not. I'd offer you a protective amulet to wear, but the Ahdicionious would overwhelm its meager magic in a heartbeat," Poshun said. "I can only give you my heartfelt blessing and hope for your luck and success." Goku felt his shoulders sag for a moment. The more he heard of the Ahdicionious's reputation, the more it worried him. Could he possibly defeat something so different from ki? He abruptly straightened up as he felt his confidence return. He was a Saiyan! If it meant that Chi-Chi would be safe and back in his arms, he could defeat _anything_!
"Can you tell us more about this book?" Goku ventured again. Information, he knew, could be as useful as strength when properly applied. "I know it's very old, because Chi-Chi's family has protected it for four hundred years, and its power is addictive and corrupting; is there anything else we should know? For instance, where did it come from?"
"As I recall, it was created by a human wizard while he was in the grip of some kind of terrible emotional pain. He tried to use its power to erase the cause of that pain, but to this day, no one knows whether or not it worked as he intended. The book, however, fed off his most negative emotions, amplified them, and sent them back into him stronger than before. In return, the book itself grew more powerful on his destructive feelings. All magic used against it was simply absorbed or overwhelmed and controlled by the book; the ensuing battles to destroy it caused many terrible tragedies. Entire cities were wiped out, many fertile lands were scorched past saving for generations. Eventually, the book turned on its original master, killing him in a most unspeakable fashion, and manipulated itself onto a new, more malleable owner, where it repeated its cycle. The Ahdicionious repeated this pattern of corruption and destruction over a long period of time before it finally vanished from sight, presumably into the safekeeping of your wife's family. That is all of its history that I can remember," Poshun said.
"Not much of real use. . .still doesn't explain how Chi-Chi's family got stuck with it," Goku muttered under his breath.
"That's all I can tell you, young man," Poshun said with a hint of sadness in his voice. "I wish I could be of more help to you, I honestly do."
"That's all right. Thank you for what you have done," Goku said, remembering his manners.
"I'm truly sorry it couldn't be more. It is clear to me that you love your wife a great deal; I can only hope that the strength of your love will give you the power you need to free her," Poshun answered. Goku nodded.
"Thank you, Lord Poshun. We'd best go now," Maruberu said with a deferential bow, as she and Goku left Poshun's hut.
"Goodbye, and good luck to you both!" he said, waving a good-bye to their departing backs.
"Goodbye, and thanks again!" they said together; then Goku picked Maruberu up and took to the night sky again.
"Do we have to be some place specific before you can get us into Davin's world?" Goku asked.
"We do, yes. Since Davin created his pocket world, he can get in and out of it from just about anywhere, but we're not so lucky. Hold on, I'll use the teleport spell again," Maruberu replied, as she clasped her hands together again and chanted under her breath. The familiar flash followed, placing the two of them the middle of a distinctly different forest. He gently set Maruberu down, and she quickly set about making the preparations. She meticulously sprinkled the powder Poshun had given them around both of them in a circle, then began chanting in a language Goku couldn't place. Her hands began to glow and sparkle, and she leaned forward to push against a barrier Goku couldn't see. The air seemed to bend away from her as though she was pushing into a bubble, and the bluish dust circle around them glowed brightly. The bubble-wall bowed a little further, and Goku placed an encouraging hand on Maruberu's straining shoulder.
"Just a little more. . ." he muttered. ((Just a little more, and I'll find her again!))
"Get ready, we'll only have a moment!" Maruberu said, pushing with all her might. "On my word, jump forward!" Suddenly, the bubble wall gave way, and she felt herself beginning to tumble into it. "Now!" she shouted. In the blink of an eye, she was back inside Davin's magically created forest, with Goku by her side. "It worked! I just hope Davin didn't notice." Goku wasn't listening to her elated voice. For a moment, his senses ignored everything around him, as he felt the bond re-connect. ((I can feel her. . ._I can feel her_!!)) The sheer joy of feeling Chi-Chi's heart and soul through the bond again momentarily overwhelmed him. She was there, and she was all right! He reluctantly came out of his temporary euphoria when he felt Maruberu shaking his shoulder. "Goku! What's wrong with you? We have to get moving!"
"Sorry; I just. . .I can feel her again," Goku shook his head, still smiling from the re-established connection. Briefly taking in his new surroundings, he paused and inhaled slowly. Everything about this world felt false to his Saiyan senses. The smells, the sounds, and the taste of the air, all felt unnervingly artificial
"Okay, whatever. . .this way," Maruberu edgily answered, motioning him forward. He followed her eagerly, although he already knew the way in which they'd be headed. At the edge of the garden, Maruberu stopped and pulled Goku with her behind some tall privet bushes. "All right, I'm gonna try to get my hands on that jar of her memories. In the meantime, I'll tell my friends to make up some excuse to send her out here to you. For right now, stay right here! Davin's spy-spells will alert him to your presence the moment you enter his house and, like I said before, Chi-Chi won't know who you are," she said in parting, and crept through the garden to the door. Goku watched wordlessly as Maruberu made her stealthy way towards the house, until she was out of sight.
"Wait _here_? Sorry, lady, but _I_ don't think so," he said to himself, and raised two fingers to his forehead. He easily locked onto Chi- Chi's ki and immediately teleported to her. He found himself the middle of a darkened bedroom, cluttered with all kinds of unfamiliar things, and Chi- Chi fast asleep in a good-sized bed.
Goku looked down on Chi-Chi's peacefully slumbering form and felt himself grow weak with relief. The feeling of her heart, soul, and mind through the bond, though at present all he sensed was the soft hum of her slumber, was the most wonderful thing he'd felt in recent days. The last, hellish week started to blur in his mind like a bad dream, and he suddenly realized how absolutely exhausted he was. He'd gotten a scant fifteen hours of sleep in the last seven days. Now, all he wanted to do was to get into that warm bed with his very own wife, hold her body tightly to him, and sleep until he was fully rested. His body was trembling with fatigue and joy at the thought of touching Chi-Chi again, but he caught himself as soon as he edged a knee onto the bed. He had to get her out of there first; they could sleep in their own bed. His hand reached out and caressed her cheek gently. He smiled as she hummed and sighed softly at the warmth of his touch, turning her head with a half-smile toward him. ((Doesn't remember me, huh?)) Goku thought to himself with a brief smirk, and pulled back the covers. Chi-Chi began to stir at the sudden chill against her uncovered skin, and Goku quickly moved to scoop her up. But as he slid an arm beneath her shoulders, he found himself leaning toward her sighing mouth. After all of the fear and pain of the last week, he felt a burning need to kiss her, to feel the touch of her soft lips yielding to his. Even though he knew this wasn't the time or the place, he couldn't stop his mouth from connecting with hers. His kiss was deep and hungry, and her sweet taste was welcomed by his thirsty soul like water in the desert. He felt a sweet, familiar ache in his body. He longed to do more; to drive the remaining feelings of the past seven days out of his system and hers with physical contact, but there was no time for that now. It was with supreme effort he broke his mouth from hers. However, as careful as he was being, Goku's movements were waking her up. Chi-Chi began to shift and stretch in his arms. It wasn't until that moment that he became aware of a foreign scent on her skin. Had he been better rested and calmer in spirit, he would have noticed it much sooner. Enraged by the realization, his teeth began to grind and fire filled his black eyes. Davin's scent was on his Chi-Chi's skin! On her face and shoulders, her arms. . . it wasn't very strong, but it was there - he'd touched her at some point. Rage shot through him again, but before it could overtake him, he pushed it away. First things first. Just as he pulled Chi-Chi more securely into his arms and started to carry her to the window, she finally opened her eyes all the way.
Chi-Chi stared up at him, her dark brown eyes wide with puzzled surprise. She was in a strange man's arms, being carried from her bed. The man holding her looked familiar, but she didn't know where she'd seen him before. He was very handsome and his furrowed brow made him appear to be concerned about something. She realized he was carrying her over to the window, yet she felt no fear of him. . .then he looked down at her, giving her a warm smile, and she felt her heart speed up just a little. There was such love pouring out from his eyes; but how could he love her when they had never met?
"Who. . .who are you?" she asked carefully. She watched his face drop with disappointment at her question.
"Chi-Chi. . .it's me, Goku!" he said urgently. He could feel her complete lack of recognition of him through the bond, and it made his blood run cold. Did she truly not remember? Deep down, he had refused to believe that even a magic spell could make her forget him entirely, but it seemed - to his horror and fury - that he was wrong.
"Goku?" Chi-Chi blinked, trying to remember the name. What confused her more than anything was that she could actually hear his thoughts, and feel what he was feeling. What in the world was going on?
"Yes! Your _husband_, Goku!" Goku insisted, and watched her face fill with shocked disbelief. His heart lurched painfully. "You have to remember! Our life! Our sons! We even marked. . ." he started, then froze as he looked at her shoulder. It was smooth and clear. . .his mark was gone!! Davin had somehow stolen his mark!!!
"You-you must be mistaken! I'm not married yet! I'm betrothed to Davin, but the actual ceremony. . ." Chi-Chi shook her head, but even as she spoke the words, the disquieting feeling pricked at her. Every time Davin touched her, something didn't feel quite right. And here she was, being abducted for all intents and purposes by a stranger (albeit a very attractive one!), and yet, the feel of this man's arms around her made her feel warm, safe, and better than she'd felt in days. To top it all, she realized, to her growing amazement, that the empty, lonely, painful feeling was finally gone. In its place was a rush of thoughts and emotions that weren't hers, but his! Goku's eyes filled with pain and anger, and Chi-Chi sucked in a breath as she felt not only an all-consuming hatred for Davin touch her mind, but also a deep sorrow at her not knowing him. How could she hear his thoughts this way?! Why did she feel what he was feeling?!
"That's a lie. . .! You're my wife, my mate. . .we have two sons! Davin _stole_ you from me!! He-" Goku began to explain, only to stop as Davin himself burst through the door. Davin looked shocked for a moment to see him, and then his face filled with anger. The two men glared at each other, the hate and fury almost tangible between them.
"You--! How did you get here? Why are you here?" Davin demanded, his eyes turning a hard, glittering silver.
"I had a little help," Goku answered. His hate for the human man was flaring higher with every passing moment. "I should kill you where you stand for what you did, you bastard!" The heated words came out before he realized he was saying them. Such vehemence wasn't like him; it sounded more like something Vegeta would say, but even so, he meant it.
"Put her down, Goku. She's where she belongs now," Davin said lowly. Goku only tightened his grip around her.
"She belongs with her husband and sons," Goku said. He looked down at Chi-Chi, somewhat unnerved by the confusion on her face. "Chi-Chi, you have to remember! We've been married for close to nineteen years!"
"Nonsense!" Davin barked, and Goku snapped his head up to snarl at the man. "Chi-Chi's never been married. She's my betrothed, but we haven't yet wed. Ask her, she'll tell you so herself," he grinned nastily. Goku gently set Chi-Chi onto her feet so she could look him directly in the eyes.
"Chi-Chi, please. . ." Goku begged, searching her eyes desperately for some sign of recognition. Chi-Chi didn't know what to say or think. She didn't know this man, but at the same time, she couldn't deny that his touch felt more genuine than Davin's ever had. Moreover, when Davin had uttered, "She's where she belongs now", told her she hadn't always been here, despite her memories telling her otherwise. The bothersome memory lapses that had been plaguing her had basically ceased, but she remembered having all of those gaps. ((What's going on?! Do I know you, Goku? Are you my husband? But if you are, why don't I remember? Why do I remember being engaged to Davin?))
**Yes, you know me! I'm your husband! Davin cast a spell on you to make you forget me, forget us!** Goku answered through the bond, and Chi- Chi jumped in surprise. Goku frowned a bit, feeling the invasive strength of the spell on her mind. His assertive telepathic statement caused a reaction of disbelief that Davin would do such a thing to her.
"I-I'm not sure," Chi-Chi admitted. "I-"
"Enough! Goku, leave! You're only upsetting her!" Davin said, advancing toward them. Goku placed himself between Davin and Chi-Chi, his ki flaring white-blue.
"I'm. . .? You son of a--!! _You_ did this to her!" Goku snarled, stepping forward to confront him.
"I'm giving you one last chance to leave my house peacefully, and then I'll just throw you out! She's happy here with me, she doesn't need you anymore!" Davin declared sharply. Chi-Chi gasped softly at this declaration; he'd all but admitted that what this man Goku was saying was true!
"'Happy'?! You brainwashed her, you bastard! She's only happy because you made her forget her real home and family! She'd be miserable if she was still herself!" Goku barked back. "Give _me_ one good reason why I shouldn't send you straight to Hell for what you've done to us!"
"I've had enough of you!" Davin bellowed, and began chanting.
"Too slow!" Goku answered, and his hand began to glow with ki. He fired his ki blast before Davin could finish his spell, but the ball of energy struck some kind of invisible shield and dissipated without delivering any damage to Davin.
"Do you think I'm stupid? I know all the stories about you and your powers!" Davin snapped. Goku seethed.
"Then I'll just put a little more power behind my next one!" Goku answered, even though he could feel his energy dropping from the rough week he'd had.
"I think not!" Davin shouted, completing his attack spell. A bolt of light shaped like an arrow roared straight at Goku at an incredible speed, but he easily dodged it, pulling Chi-Chi along with him. The attack hit the windowed-wall and made it explode, causing wood, glass, and other debris to rain down on the lawn below. Goku stood to the side of the gaping hole, holding Chi-Chi securely in his arms, and glared a challenge at Davin again. He was about to just lunge at Davin and break every bone in his body, when he realized Chi-Chi was trembling. Allowing himself to focus on her thoughts, he suddenly realized she was scared witless by the fight, shaking and crying. She'd always had a small problem with fainting spells when she'd witnessed certain fights, but her inner strength bore her through them all. He could sense that she wasn't even mad about them fighting over her like she was a thing instead of a person. All he felt was fear and confusion radiating from her; there was no trace of her usual feisty anger, or a hint of her quicksilver temper. Goku reared on Davin again.
"You son of a bitch! What did you do to her?! What happened to her fiery spirit, her strength?" Goku glared at him hatefully. Davin just snorted. Goku was so angry now he couldn't see straight. Davin hadn't just stolen her memories, he'd radically altered her personality to be what he wanted it to be! Goku released Chi-Chi and fell into a battle stance. Before he could move, Maruberu, Aume, and Lilith appeared in the doorway behind Davin. Clasped tight in Maruberu's arms was a jar full of light. Davin snapped his head around at their arrival.
"Maruberu! I knew it! You brought him here, didn't you?! You might have ruined everything!!" Davin bellowed at her, and then lunged for the jar. "Give that to me!" Maruberu nimbly ducked out of the way and thrust the jar into Aume's hands, who tried to edge her way into the room. Davin flung out a hand and a wave of force struck Aume so hard she was driven backwards into the stair railing. The impact caused her to lose her grip, sending the jar flying out of her hands and over the railing.
"NO!" Goku screamed, and then seemed to disappear.
"Now she'll be mine _forever_!" Davin hissed low in triumph. His victory was short-lived, as a second later he watched in disbelief as Goku floated up the stair well, the jar securely in his hands. Goku landed, and an intrigued Chi-Chi moved forward to get a better look. ((What is in that jar?)) she wondered.
"You may be faster than them, but you're not faster than me!" Goku snarled, and then crushed the jar in his hands. The light rushed toward Chi-Chi as Davin howled in fury. The world slipped out from under her feet as the false memories were erased and her real memories began flooding over her. The sheer rush of it all caused her to fall over, but this time she was caught in Goku's strong, warm arms. "Chi-Chi?" he asked, quietly and hopefully. She looked at him for a moment, and then smiled.
"Oh, Goku! It really is you!" she whispered. Happily relieved, he started to pull her into a tight embrace, when his arms were suddenly bound behind his back by glowing chains, and his legs were chained together as well. Chi-Chi found herself being dropped into Davin's waiting arms, as Goku snarled loudly in anger and strained against the chains. To his great surprise, they didn't break. They didn't even bend!
"You haven't beaten me yet! Those chains are magic; the more strength you put into trying to break them, the stronger they become!" Davin gloated evilly, watching Goku's struggles. "I should have known I'd have to get rid of you somehow before I could truly have her for myself. Go to the dungeon while I figure things out." He waved his hand and Goku disappeared.
"Let me go, Davin! Let me go!" Chi-Chi growled and writhed, but she was still too incapacitated by the reversing spells to struggle very hard.
"Sleep, Chi-Chi. You need to rest," Davin said, and Chi-Chi went limp as her eyes fell closed. He looked back at the doorway, but his three elves had taken off. "They will pay dearly for their treachery," he growled.
Goku continued to struggle with the chains as he sat fuming in the small prison cell to which Davin had sent him, far away from Chi-Chi's room. He could feel that Chi-Chi was asleep again, and he knew that her slumbering state wasn't natural. He struggled harder at the thought that Davin could be doing anything to Chi-Chi while she was under his power and he was stuck down in this hole. The Saiyan part of him swore a vow that the next time he had Davin in his sights he wouldn't waste time and words, he'd just blast him into hell. After a while, Goku stopped trying to forcefully break the chains and slumped against the wall. ((I'm just too tired. . .)) he thought. ((Gohan, Vegeta, and the others were right. . .I should've gotten more rest. Well, all right, I'll sleep now. . .in the morning, when I'm back to myself, breaking these chains won't be a problem.)) Goku decided, and pulled his weary body over to the mattress that sat on the floor to one side of the cell. He flopped sideways onto it and closed his eyes. ((Tomorrow, Davin, tomorrow!)) Goku promised, then mentally shoved all thoughts of the human man from his mind. With that done, he focused his waning concentration to reach out and touch the sleeping Chi-Chi through the bond and, after only a few seconds, fell deeply asleep.
**************************************************************************** ** The roller coaster continues next time when Davin makes (yet another) really BIG mistake! See you there!
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