What has Davin done now?? Only one way to find out!
It's not mine, okay?! Get off my case!!
I'd like to send big thanks to Holly for her wonderful beta-ing!! **************************************************************************** ** Battle of the Heart by NansJns
Ch.8
Aume and Lilith were in Maruberu's room performing healing charms on her injuries when they heard the roar of Oozaru-Goku. Through the window of Maruberu's room, they watched in disbelief as the enraged giant ape stomped around for a bit before he found Chi-Chi and seemingly calmed down. The two elf girls also watched as Davin, like a fool, flew up to the giant ape, who, in turn, attacked him. When the artificially conjured moon disappeared, Davin cast a sleep spell upon the rapidly shrinking Oozaru- Goku. With their hearts in their throats, they watched Chi-Chi furiously confront Davin, and Davin's equally angry response. The bright, green light of his spell reflected off every window on that side of the palace, as well as on the horrified elf girls' eyes and faces.
"Oh, dear Kami. . ." Lilith choked. "He truly _is_ mad!"
"It's over. . .if he's willing to do something like _that_ to _her_, no one is safe. . .oh, Kami, what can we do?!" Aume gasped, her throat tight with misery.
"What's happened? What was that light?" Maruberu asked sluggishly, pushing herself up from her bed to look at her friends.
"Davin has turned on Chi-Chi," Lilith answered her in a tiny voice. Upon hearing this, a distraught Maruberu buried her face in her pillow, unable to face what she herself had wrought.
"What of her husband?" she asked, her voice muffled.
"He's under that sleep spell of Davin's! Helpless!" Aume answered, shaken by what she'd witnessed. "We. . .we've made everything worse, haven't we?"
"We had to try! It might still work out, you never know! It might still. . .!" Lilith tried to sound strong, but her voice wavered and cracked at the end.
"Kami, forgive us. . ." Maruberu whispered a fervent prayer into her pillow.
Chi-Chi wasn't sure about what was going on. She knew she wasn't really awake, but she also knew she wasn't really asleep - she was aware of things, but she couldn't move or open her eyes. She could hear a little, but the sound coming through was heavily muffled and hard to make out. There was something hard and cold holding her on all sides. What had Davin done to her this time? Her whole body was cold with fear, and her pulse was racing. The only comfort she could glean was the steadfast feel of Goku through the bond, even though it was only the soft hum of magic- induced slumber.
**Goku, can you hear me? Please, please, I know we can't normally talk if one of us is asleep, but this situation isn't natural, so maybe we can! Goku, are you there? I need you!** she called out through the bond with everything she had. **I need you!** There was an abrupt jerking sensation, and Chi-Chi found herself standing in the middle of some kind of surrealistic field. Around her flickered little bursts of memories and feelings, and a feeling of great strength suffused the whole area. Chi-Chi blinked in confusion, and a moment later gasped with realization. Was she actually in Goku's mind?! Some psychic part of her certainly was, undoubtedly because of Davin's spells.
"Goku?!" she called, her voice echoing around her. "Goku, where are you?!" There was a faint rumble, and the scattered memories encircling her suddenly became solely about her and Goku, their wedding, their life, and their sons. Fascinated, she saw herself through his eyes, smiling at Goku, talking to him, scolding him, and even yelling at him. The memories shifted slightly, and Chi-Chi blushed a little as several memories went by of them making love. "Goku, really!" she gasped, a little embarrassed, but secretly pleased that he held those particular memories in such high regard.
"This way, Chi-Chi. . ." said a faint, thin voice from somewhere over the horizon. "I'm down here. . ." Chi-Chi picked up her feet and ran towards the beckoning sound, as thoughts of how to bring Davin down continuously streamed from her to him as she went along. She could feel the bottomless swell of hatred that her husband now felt for Davin, and couldn't blame him in the least. Her own hatred for Davin matched that of Goku's, but even more so now. Before, he'd been a minor annoyance that she'd learned to tolerate, but nothing serious about which to worry. Now, he had become a real threat to everyone around him. She ran for what felt like a long time, and the area around her became darker and wilder. At the same time, the memories flickering around her became older, and less clear. The sensation was kind of unnerving, knowing she was going so deeply into her husband's subconscious. Uncertain about her direction, she slowed down and looked around, wondering if she was still on the right track.
"Goku, can you still hear me? Talk again so I know I'm in the right place!" Chi-Chi called out again.
"I'm over here," Goku's voice called in return. "I can't move!"
"I'm coming, Sweetheart!" Chi-Chi answered, and ran for the voice again, which now seemed to be to the left of her. Her surroundings were changing more rapidly now, becoming more wild and indistinct. Vague, infant-memories flickered around her. Chi-Chi wasn't sure where she was going, but one thing was for sure: it was near the very core of Goku's being.
"You're getting close, Chi-Chi! Just a little further!" Goku called again, sounding eager. Chi-Chi let out another burst of speed, and then the ground dropped. She stumbled down the mental embankment, cursing quietly as she fell. It wasn't a very steep drop, though it almost felt like it used to be, and had worn down over time. When she finally hit bottom after a few seconds, she landed on her hands and knees. Chi-Chi grunted in annoyance as she pushed herself back onto her feet. Giving herself a quick once-over, she half-expected to find that she was hurt from the impact of the fall, but she was fine. No bruises or scratches. ((Right. This isn't my real body; it can't be hurt.)) she reasoned.
"Of course not," said Goku's voice, now sounding very near. Forgetting the minor fall entirely, Chi-Chi sprinted ahead, noticing something shining in the distance. She came to a skidding halt when she realized the shine was reflected off a wall in front of her. It stretched off into the distance on all sides, and appeared as if it was made of glass or ice. Chi-Chi slowly walked up to it, and ran her questing fingers over its cool, smooth surface.
"A wall? Why is there a wall this far inside of Goku's mind? Did the spell make this?" Chi-Chi murmured to herself as she flattened her palm against the wall. Was Goku trapped inside it?
"No, this was made years ago. . .when I was just a baby," Goku's voice answered, his hand suddenly appearing on the other side of the wall as a mirror to her own. He stepped fully into her view, and Chi-Chi's whole face lit up for a moment.
"Go--" she started, then felt her voice fade off as a sense of disorientation came over her. Standing on the other side of the wall was Goku, but he wasn't the Goku she'd known throughout her life. He had Goku's familiar face and muscular body, but he was completely outfitted in Saiyan armor, with gloves, boots, a scouter, and had his tail wrapped tightly around his waist. She stared at this strange incarnation for a moment, her head spinning as she slowly realized at whom she was looking - but it wasn't possible! Her mouth ineffectually opened and closed several times, trying to force the word out. It finally emerged as a thin and quiet stammer: "K-_Kakkarot_?" He smiled back in obvious pleasure as she gave voice to his name.
"Yes," he said.
"_You_ lead me down here?" Chi-Chi said, starting to back away from the wall. A look of surprise and sadness mixed with panic crossed Kakkarot's face as he watched her retreat.
"Wait, don't go! No, Goku _was_ calling to you - he's down that way," Kakkarot pointed to the left. Chi-Chi gave a quick look in that direction, but didn't see anything.
"What are you doing here? You were destroyed when Goku hit his head. . ." Chi-Chi was numb; she didn't understand how this part of him could still exist. Hadn't Goku lost everything in his character that would have made him Kakkarot when, as an infant, he'd suffered a severe head injury? Wasn't that the reason why he'd become such a good, loving man, and not a planet pirate like the rest of his barbaric Saiyan race?
"We weren't that bad!" Kakkarot suddenly protested, and Chi-Chi startled. She began to open her mouth, to demand to know just how he knew what she was thinking, and then shut it with a snap, realizing how stupid that question would sound. The embodiment of her that stood before him was nothing but her thoughts given a recognizable form; both of them were in the deepest part of the bond, so of course he knew what she was thinking. "It was Frieza and those beings like him that turned us into planet pirates. Most of us Saiyans still retained some honor and nobility within our souls. As for me being here. . .when I hit my head, this part of me wasn't destroyed, just sealed away beyond reach."
"So. . .so you've been here, this whole time?" Chi-Chi pushed. She was still having trouble wrapping her mind around the concept. Kakkarot nodded.
"I help him as best that I can," he said. "Unfortunately, I can only send Goku the basest of Saiyan instincts, from time to time; the need to fight and to win, and to always protect what's mine. . ."
"You. . .you're the part of him that instinctively knew to bite me and mark me as his, even when he didn't know that's what it was. . .you're the part of him that told us what the bond was, when we first came together; that tiny, whispering voice. . ." Chi-Chi said, moving closer still. Kakkarot smiled again.
"I am indeed! As I said, I could only send him basic instincts. However, I am able to do a little more now. This wall used to be much thicker," he answered, lightly tapping on the barrier between them.
"What do you mean?" Chi-Chi asked, moving in closer, to Kakkarot's supreme relief.
"I mean it used to be many times thicker. It's worn thin over the years. The first time I went Super Saiyan, it was cut in half. Then, it was cut in half a second time when I first went SS2, and yet again when I hit SS3. It shrank again when you and I bonded. And now that my tail has been restored, the wall's gotten even thinner," Kakkarot grinned widely. "Pretty soon," he added, pushing on the wall and making a tiny crack appear. "I'll be free!"
"And what will happen to Goku, when you get free?" Chi-Chi asked slowly, unable to keep a small quaver from her voice. Kakkarot looked at her with a smile so warm and gentle that she knew then he really was a part of Goku.
"You don't need to worry about that. I couldn't overwhelm him, even if I wanted to. His persona is too strong-willed and well established. I'll just complete him; we'll be as one, like we're supposed to be, instead of two," said Kakkarot reassuringly. "I've born witness to my whole life from behind this wall; it's been like being trapped inside a deep, transparent well. The only things that have felt truly genuine to me are you, our sons, and the battles in which I've fought." Chi-Chi drew in a slow breath, and Kakkarot gave a nod of his head to indicate they should move. He walked to the left, toward where he said Goku was, and Chi-Chi trailed half a step behind him. "Mind you, these events feel real to me only while they're actually occurring; once over, they fade like the memories of a dream."
"But. . .you are just the Saiyan part of Goku, right?" Chi-Chi asked quietly. He faced her as she spoke.
"Yes," said Kakkarot, sensing her unease. "You're safe, Chi-Chi; our sons, our friends, our home; they're all safe. I would never intentionally hurt any of them. And I'd sooner die than hurt you or either of our children. Do you believe me?" Chi-Chi went quiet for several moments, looking into his dark eyes. They seemed to hold a harder cast than those of Goku, but they were still his eyes. Just add one more amazing facet to the man she loved. Even if she couldn't feel it all around her, his reaction to her earlier retreat told her he loved her, just like all the rest of Goku's mind and soul; so why should she doubt or fear this part of him?
"Yes, I believe you, Kakkarot," Chi-Chi said, placing her hand on the wall and offering him a small smile. Relieved by her answer, he beamed at her, and mirrored her hand again. Despite the wall, she sensed his wish to touch her, if only for a moment. Without thinking, she pressed her hand a shade firmer against the smooth surface, and she felt it pass through the wall as if the wall was only made of thick mud. She gasped in alarm and quickly pulled her hand back. Kakkarot was so surprised he didn't try to catch her fingers when he could.
"How did you. . .? Try that again!" Kakkarot said quickly.
"I-I don't know, my hand just passed through. . ." Chi-Chi shook her head and stared at the hand that had somehow slid through the wall.
"It's the bond!" Kakkarot chuckled, as the insight suddenly hit him. "The bond connects the two of us completely, even where I, myself, can't reach!" Chi-Chi pressed her hand through the wall again, just to see, and this time Kakkarot caught her hand in one of his.
"I guess you're right. . .I never tried going in really deep before," Chi-Chi admitted, and then tried to retract her hand, but Kakkarot held firm. He then began to pull her towards him. "Wait! What are you doing?!" she yelped.
"It's all right. I just want you on this side for a little bit," Kakkarot answered. "I only want you to really walk by my side." He had pulled her through the wall up to her shoulder, but then stopped when he saw the panic-stricken look on her face. He hesitated, but then released his hold on her. "I. . ." he started, as his face became firm. "I won't ever force you, Chi-Chi. I'm not anything like Davin; if you don't want to be on this side of the wall with me, you can stay there." Chi-Chi pulled her arm back and gasped softly a few times to slow down her rapidly beating heart. In that brief, unsure moment, this side of Goku had really scared her.
"How far is it to Goku?" she ventured.
"A little ways; look, you can see the orange of his outfit," Kakkarot pointed down the way again, and when Chi-Chi looked, she could, indeed, see orange. As they continued to walk along their respective sides again, Chi- Chi began to feel a little guilty about her reaction to Kakkarot trying to pull her through the wall. Right now, there could be nothing but truth between them, and she inwardly knew that he meant her no harm. He'd only wanted get closer to her; but she was afraid that if she went all the way through the wall, she wouldn't be able to get back. In order to distract herself, she tried to think of something else, and her mind drifted back to how Goku had looked when he first came to rescue her from Davin.
"I didn't look so good, did I? Barely eating and sleeping for a week while flying all over the place looking for you took its toll," Kakkarot observed wryly, picking up on her thoughts.
"It did. . .Kami, you looked like you hadn't eaten properly in over a month, not just a week," Chi-Chi said with a nervous sigh.
"By human standards, that's not too far off the mark," Kakkarot answered with a small shrug.
"What do you mean?"
"You know how much food we Saiyans can consume at any given meal. Like you humans, we need all of those calories to keep our strength up, but on a significantly larger scale. But because we need so much more than humans, we. . .well, we. . ." Kakkarot paused uncomfortably for a moment in the middle of his speech, and then continued. "We will starve faster than humans if we're denied nourishment." Chi-Chi snapped her head around to stare at him.
"Wait, what? Are you saying that Saiyans are. . .prone to starvation?" she asked. Kakkarot nodded.
"Normally, it would take a human what. . .about two months to starve to death if only water was available? Denied food, a Saiyan would be lucky to survive for four weeks, tops," Kakkarot explained. "And that's _only_ if he or she isn't expending any ki energy in the meantime. At the rate I was going. . .I probably would've starved to death in barely over two weeks."
"Oh, my poor Goku!" Chi-Chi gasped in horror. "He could've died because of me! When we get home, I'll make him the biggest meal he's ever had. . .!"
"Is that a promise?" Kakkarot asked teasingly, and Chi-Chi responded with a nod and a smile.
"Yes!" she promised, beaming at him. Then Kakkarot reluctantly drew his gaze away from her and faced forward once more.
"There he is," Kakkarot said, and Chi-Chi looked as well. They were within ten feet of Goku, who was sitting cross-legged with his back to the wall.
"Goku! Thank you, Kak-" Chi-Chi turned to him, but he was no longer there. She looked back to Goku, and gasped quietly. Kakkarot was sitting right behind Goku, mirroring his image on the other side of the wall. Goku snapped his head up at the sound of Chi-Chi's voice, and reached for her as she elatedly ran towards him.
"Chi-Chi! Are you all right?! What happened?" Goku asked anxiously as Chi-Chi all but threw herself into his welcoming embrace.
"I'm not sure! Davin did something to me, my body can't move!" Chi- Chi told him quickly. Goku went quiet for a moment and she felt his hate for Davin grow. Then she felt him swallow nervously.
"Chi-Chi. . .I-I didn't get a chance to ask you earlier, but. . .but, when I came to get you, when I had you in my arms, I couldn't help but notice. . .Davin's scent was on your skin, Chi-Chi. He'd touched you. What. . .what happened while he had you brainwashed? What did he do to you?" Goku had to force the words out; they felt as if they'd been glued to the back of his throat. Chi-Chi became aware of a faint tremble of fear, and she shared in it, as well. She hardly noticed Kakkarot's presence, still mirroring Goku's body language.
"I. . .I'm not sure, Goku. My memories are jumbled, I don't know for sure!" Chi-Chi shakily admitted. "I-I can remember him kissing me a few times, but I pushed him away because it didn't feel right. . ." Goku nodded, somewhat comforted. In a rush, a half-memory arose between them. It was of Davin coming to her room at night and laying his hands on her. Chi-Chi went rigid with horror and Goku felt an icy clump forming in his stomach from the fear and hate.
"No. . ." Goku breathed, and Chi-Chi began to cry in his arms.
"I don't know!" she gasped, frightened by the uncertainty. "I don't remember! He tried, I know that now, but I can't say if he. . .if I. . .if we. . ." She choked on her words and buried her teary face in Goku's chest. "I don't know! Kami forgive me, I don't _know_!"
"Shhh, Chi-Chi. It's all right, I don't blame you. If - if it happened, it was the same as rape; he brainwashed you, you didn't even know who you were," Goku said quickly, while beginning to tremble with all of the strong emotions flooding through him. He felt his wife shudder against him, and the Kakkarot part of him hissed in quiet anger about all the ways to kill Davin. Goku, though not truly aware of the wall or Kakkarot, simply nodded in agreement with the plans. Davin would pay in blood for what he'd done!
A raggedly gasping Davin sat on the floor before the book. Tears mixed with sweat slipped down his cheeks and nose, dripping steadily onto the floor. The accumulation of power and negative emotions were crushing him; his corporeal body was having trouble holding them all in check. The Ahdicionious was still glowing green, its pages flying back and forth in a kind of malevolent joy. The tears burned as they leaked down Davin's face, and he tried to make his racing heart slow down.
"Oh, oh, Kami. . .what did he make me do? To _her_. . .to _Chi-Chi_! Damn that alien; damn him to Hell and back!" Davin said between pained heaves. He looked at the book and frowned, then forced himself onto his feet to stop the pages' flapping motion. "Oh, stop it! This is terrible! I can undo it, right? I can get her out of there!" Frantic, Davin started going through the pages again, and abruptly stopped when he saw a spell connected to the spell he'd cast on Chi-Chi. A thin, relieved smile spread across his sweat-streaked face. "I see! This could truly make her mine forever! Of course, you were helping me, like always! And to think, I'd almost started to doubt you!" Davin sighed softly. ((Listen to me, I'm talking to a book like it was person.)) He shook his head for a moment. The spell was drastic, to say the least, and one misstep on his part would destroy her, but. . .but if it worked, anything concerning Goku in her mind and soul would be obliterated forever. He quickly found the spell to free Chi-Chi, and nodded to himself. Satisfied with the way his plans were to be set in motion, Davin suddenly expelled an exhausted sigh. "I need to rest before I do anything else. To do this spell properly will require all of the acquired power I have," he sighed once again to himself, and all but fell onto his bed. ((For you, Chi-Chi. . .only for you!)) he thought as his eyes grew heavy. ((But should I do it? Maybe I should just change her memories again; there must be something I missed before. . .it could also have something to do with Goku not being human.)) Davin frowned deeply. He just couldn't understand how she could give herself completely to someone who wasn't even really a human man, but an alien creature! Even so, the new spell was so dangerous. . . He forced the tiny, gnawing doubt in his mind to be quiet and went to sleep. He'd decide, one way or the other, when he awoke.
Videl found Gohan sitting on a rock by the lake near his house. He looked like there was a huge weight pressing down on him, and he had given up trying to fight it. His usually bright eyes were glassy and dull, and his shoulders sagged down; his mouth was hanging in a deep, sad frown. Videl landed beside the rock and walked up to him. He glanced up briefly to acknowledge her presence, and then dropped his gaze toward the water again.
"Gohan?" Videl said gently, moving to sit beside him. "Still no word on your mother?" she ventured. He shook his head slowly.
"And now, my dad's disappeared, too. No one's seen him since yesterday," Gohan said, his despondency burned into every word.
"What?! That's terrible!" Videl gasped, now understanding the defeated look on Gohan's face. "But, did Davin. . .?"
"Not so far as we know. According to Piccolo, there was another feeling of magic right before he disappeared, but it was like elf-magic, not what Dende sensed when my mom vanished," Gohan said softly. "We're all sorta hoping this latest development means that my dad found a way to get to wherever it is Davin has my mother, and went to get her. . .but. . ." Videl watched him quietly for several long moments, and then did the only thing she could think of to do; she wrapped her arms around him and held him tight. Gohan let his weary head fall on her small shoulder and returned her gentle embrace, taking what comfort he could from her warm concern. Like the tremors of a tiny earthquake building beneath them, Gohan began to shake. Videl murmured comforting words to him as he finally released the tears he'd been holding in all week. Videl felt tears prickle at her own eyes as they sat there, clinging tightly onto each other like anchors in a storm. She remembered the pain she had felt when her mother died; but, to have both parents just inexplicably disappear had to be far worse. As she held him for all she was worth, Gohan felt like he could never grow tired of the feel of her arms, the scent of her skin and hair, or the sound of her voice. He lifted his head a bit to gaze into her blue-violet eyes.
"Videl. . ." Gohan said softly, a little afraid of what he'd say next. "I love you." She blushed at the words, then smiled back at him.
"I love you, too, Gohan," she said gently, and leaned in for a kiss. It was a small, soft kiss that tasted of his salty tears as much as their lips. She pulled back barely an inch to speak, looking deeply into his black eyes as she did. "And I have faith in your family. Your parents are coming back, Gohan, safe and sound. Hopefully, they'll bring what's left of Davin so that you and Goten can kick him around, too!" Gohan smiled at the thought, and chuckled in return.
"Yeah, you're right! There's no way Davin can beat my parents! They'll be back - and soon," he agreed.
"That's the spirit!" said Videl, smiling brightly at him.
"Thanks," Gohan said gratefully, as he rested his head back on her shoulder. She nodded at him gently as if to say "no problem".
Hours must have passed as Goku held a crying Chi-Chi through the bond. Her memories were still jumbled, rife with uncertainty as to what happened between herself and Davin while she was brainwashed. Her inner fears swirled around them both; what if the worst _had_ happened? Even worse, if it had, what if she had actually _enjoyed_ it? She was absolutely sick with the thought that she may have been forced into betraying her husband. Goku was equally heartsick, unable to console her since he shared that dread and she knew it. All he could do was hold her and assure her over and over again that he didn't blame her if it had happened, that he wasn't angry with her and wouldn't hate her. Goku was suddenly startled by a thought that shot unbidden through Chi-Chi's mind - that she was filthy now; a filthy whore. . .
"Chi-Chi!!!" Goku jerked back to look at her tear-streaked face. "How could you even _think_ that?! It was all _his_ doing! I told you before, _if_ it happened, it was rape! You can't blame yourself! _I_ don't blame you!"
"I-I know you don't, and I know I'm n-not, but. . ." Chi-Chi sniffed and hiccupped as she looked into his eyes. "I can't even remember if I fought him or not!"
"Chi-Chi, your mind had been badly tampered with! Whatever happened, it wasn't your fault, it wasn't even you!" Chi-Chi started to turn her face away, but Goku caught it and brought it back to face him. "Listen to me," he cupped her face gently in his hands. "Nothing could ever change how I feel for you. You're pure in my eyes, Chi-Chi." New tears spilled down her cheeks, but these were mixed with as much relief as with sorrow and worry. She pressed herself into his embrace again.
"Thank you. . ." she whispered. A sudden shift in the feeling around them made them both raise their heads and look around. A thin shaft of light was working its way down toward them, and Goku could feel his body regaining its ability to move.
"The spell must be breaking," Goku realized. "I'm waking up! Chi- Chi, you'd better head back to your own body; there's no telling what might happen if you're still this deep in my mind when the spell completely breaks."
"You're right," Chi-Chi nodded, stood up, and regretfully moved away from him. "Call to me when you're fully awake, all right?"
"I will. . .Beloved." Chi-Chi was a bit surprised, but pleased; Goku had never called her that before. She turned and ran back the way she came, periodically glancing back over her shoulder at Goku and Kakkarot for as long as they were in sight. The world was warping around her so much that she could hardly keep her footing. Then there was another harsh jerking-sensation, and she was back in her own trapped body. Whatever Davin had done to her, it hadn't worn off. She desperately wanted to move, to have an opportunity to fight against whatever it was Davin had done, but no part of her could do it. She was held immobile on all sides.
Goku opened his eyes and saw the familiar surroundings of his dungeon cell again. ((What a shock.)) he thought sarcastically to himself. He was back in chains again; no surprise there. His tail was chained, now, too, to his annoyance. And, to top it all off, he was really hungry. ((Haven't I already been through all of this?)) he thought. **Chi-Chi?** he called to her.
**I'm here. I'm still trapped, though.** she answered a moment later.
**Hold on, Sweetheart. I'll get us out of this!** Goku went to work fighting with his magical chains again, when he suddenly scented Aume and Lilith coming his way. And, by the appetizing smell of it, with food. The elf women came into view a few moments later down the hall, once again carrying trays heaped with food. He noted that they moved more easily, their grievous wounds from the previous day now greatly healed.
"We're not supposed to bring you any food, so eat quick!" Aume said as she slid her tray through the slot. Lilith swiftly did the same. A ravenous Goku shoveled the food in at top speed, nearly choking once, and polished off both trays of food in record time.
"We. . .also brought you some clothes," Lilith said, blushing as she pushed the shirt and pants through the slot, after retrieving the two trays.
"Clothes? Why. . ." Goku started, and then looked down at himself. He only vaguely remembered the change into an Oozaru; he'd altogether forgotten he was quite naked. "Oh, yeah. I was wondering why it felt chillier in here than before. Thanks." He pulled the clothes on quickly, actually feeling a little embarrassed at having been naked in front of the two near-strangers. The few pieces of clothing didn't fit him very well; they were very snug, and the pants and shirt sleeves both ended a few inches too short. What made them most uncomfortable was that they stank heavily of Davin. Goku scowled in angry annoyance when he realized they must have been Davin's clothes. Once he was dressed, the chains once again shrank to pull his arms behind his back. He decided to shelve his clothing concerns and think about them later, and turned back to Aume and Lilith as they gathered up the trays and dishes. "Listen, do either of you know where Chi-Chi is? What did Davin do to her?" Aume and Lilith exchanged a couple of uncertain glances between them, in turn, looking frightened, sad, and sorry.
"Davin. . .trapped her," Lilith finally spoke up, not sure how to tell him the full truth.
"Trapped her where? Where is she? I can still feel her!" Goku pushed, not liking the less-than-whole-answer.
"She's still here," Aume admitted. "But. . .Davin. . .he trapped her inside. . ." Before Aume could finish her explanation, Goku vanished out of his cell. "What is Davin doing now?" Aume whispered, and she and Lilith dashed out of the dungeon to find out.
Goku was dropped onto the floor of a large room he hadn't seen before. There was a darkly ominous feeling to the room, cool and burning at the same time, which made his skin crawl. He managed to prop himself into a kneeling position and took quick note of his surroundings. The ceiling arced high overhead, and a tall, crystalline tower stood against the far wall. Positioned in front of it were a podium and a book, which Goku could only assume was the Ahdicionious, and in front of them was Davin. Goku scowled at him deeply and shuddered in rage.
"What do you want now?" Goku said, the words a growl.
"I've tried being reasonable, Goku," Davin said, sounding very calm and annoyingly smug. Goku snorted his disbelief.
"Oh, yeah, 'very reasonable'," Goku half-spat.
"I have. But reason isn't going to work in this instance, obviously," Davin said, glowering down at the ensnared Saiyan.
"Davin, your 'reasoning' is beyond twisted!" Goku's voice lowered threateningly. "And frankly, I'm tired of wasting my energy on words that you refuse to hear!"
"Funny, I was going to say the same thing," Davin answered coolly. "If you'd only stayed away! Everything would've been fine if you'd just stayed away from here! Because of you. . .well, what's done is done. I've brought you here for one last spell. One last spell to free Chi-Chi from you forever."
"What?" Goku breathed, momentarily numb with surprise. He then turned fierce again, demanding, "Where is Chi-Chi, Davin? What did you do to her?" Davin diverted his eyes.
"She's safe. And it's all your fault! You made me do it to her!" Davin replied tensely.
"_I_ made you. . .?! You sick piece of. . .!" Goku cursed. "If anything _made_ you do it beyond your own vile mind, it was that accursed book! That is the Ahdicionious, isn't it?" Goku motioned to the book behind Davin.
"It is, indeed," Davin said with a nod, a faint smile tilting his mouth. "But you've got it all wrong; _it_ doesn't make me do anything! The stories told about it have clearly been exaggerated; I'm in total control!"
"That's a laugh," Goku muttered under his breath. The bond was nagging at him again, telling him that Chi-Chi was nearby and in danger, but he wasn't sure where. He drew his eyes off of Davin, and focused them instead upon the crystal tower behind the ranting human. It was an odd piece of decoration, that was for sure. It had a strange feel to it, too. He craned his neck back a bit to see all of it, but then Davin abruptly moved in front of his line of sight, holding a knife in one hand. "What- ?!" Goku reflexively leapt out of the way and launched himself into the air. He didn't need his limbs free to fly.
"Wh -?! Come down here!" Davin angrily barked up at the hovering Saiyan. A sheen of nervous sweat was covering the human man's skin, and the Saiyan wondered what was wrong. Davin's gray eyes darted back and forth several times between him and that peculiar crystal tower, and Goku turned to stare more closely at the crystal once more. Its smoothly faceted surfaces were thick and green, but he could see through it without much difficulty - then he noticed a darker shadow positioned near the mostly rounded, slightly pointed top. His sharp Saiyan eyes locked onto it, and his heart all but stopped. He flew straight up to get a better look, even though he already knew the answer. Completely incased within the crystal was Chi-Chi, her eyes closed and her arms at her side. Her loosened hair spread around her suspended form as though she was floating underwater. Goku felt like someone had just knocked the wind out of him.
**Ch-Chi-Chi! Are you all right?!** he called.
**I guess so. . .what's happening?** Chi-Chi answered, unnerved by the panic she felt in him. Then she knew what he knew; she saw the image of her entrapped self through his thoughts, and fought down the urge to scream. **Get me out of here! Goku, help!**
**Hold on!** Goku replied, but before he could do anything, he was yanked out of the sky and back onto the floor by the irresistible force of yet another of Davin's spells. Davin had put his knife away for the moment, but Goku didn't care.
"Get away from there!" Davin hissed. "You have no right!" Goku ignored his diatribe and began to growl to himself, pushing his rising ki into a bright flare. He raised his head to look at Davin, rage blazing out from his eyes.
"You _bastard_!!!" Goku bellowed, his ki shooting so high and so fast that he finally broke the chains' hold on him. A few seconds later, he transformed into SS2, borderline SS3, and the palace itself began to shake from the power surge. A staggering Davin fell back a step. "This ends _now_!!" Goku shouted, cupping his hands to one side, gathering energy between them.
Davin became surrounded by the green glow again, and his eyes returned to their bright silver hue. "Yes, it does," he said lowly. Goku suddenly leapt past him toward the crystal, a ki ball at the ready. "STOP!! YOU'LL KILL HER!!" Davin screamed, and Goku stopped himself before he hit the crystal. He turned his head to look at Davin, then turned all the way around when he saw the terrified look on the smaller man's face. Davin's face was a pale and sweaty mask, his eyes frozen wide, and his mouth open in a twisted gasp of fear. It was an expression of absolute horror.
"What do you mean, Davin?" Goku asked cautiously, drawing the ki ball back into his body.
"If you just _break_ the crystal, it'll kill her!" answered Davin, as he pulled himself back together with effort. "I'm the only one who can get her out of there safely; and I plan to do that just as soon as I've taken care of you!"
"Davin, you have far too high an opinion of yourself - your over- inflated ego is going to get you killed," Goku said coldly.
"You don't frighten me!" Davin sneered in defiance. Goku smirked at the man's obvious and stubborn inability to appreciate the situation as it now stood.
"I will. You have my word on that!" Goku promised, and shifted into a battle stance. It was well past time for this nonsense to end! The Kakkarot part of him screamed for Davin's death at his hands. For once in his life, Goku was more than happy to oblige his Saiyan urges, with no regrets hanging in his mind. Rather than suppressing it, he now wanted to surrender control to his base Saiyan nature. Whatever happened in this fight, so long as it ended with him and Chi-Chi going home safely, he would accept it, without any reservation or regret. From this point forward, Davin's life was forfeit!
**************************************************************************** ** Next: The conclusion!
NansJns@sa-tech.com
It's not mine, okay?! Get off my case!!
I'd like to send big thanks to Holly for her wonderful beta-ing!! **************************************************************************** ** Battle of the Heart by NansJns
Ch.8
Aume and Lilith were in Maruberu's room performing healing charms on her injuries when they heard the roar of Oozaru-Goku. Through the window of Maruberu's room, they watched in disbelief as the enraged giant ape stomped around for a bit before he found Chi-Chi and seemingly calmed down. The two elf girls also watched as Davin, like a fool, flew up to the giant ape, who, in turn, attacked him. When the artificially conjured moon disappeared, Davin cast a sleep spell upon the rapidly shrinking Oozaru- Goku. With their hearts in their throats, they watched Chi-Chi furiously confront Davin, and Davin's equally angry response. The bright, green light of his spell reflected off every window on that side of the palace, as well as on the horrified elf girls' eyes and faces.
"Oh, dear Kami. . ." Lilith choked. "He truly _is_ mad!"
"It's over. . .if he's willing to do something like _that_ to _her_, no one is safe. . .oh, Kami, what can we do?!" Aume gasped, her throat tight with misery.
"What's happened? What was that light?" Maruberu asked sluggishly, pushing herself up from her bed to look at her friends.
"Davin has turned on Chi-Chi," Lilith answered her in a tiny voice. Upon hearing this, a distraught Maruberu buried her face in her pillow, unable to face what she herself had wrought.
"What of her husband?" she asked, her voice muffled.
"He's under that sleep spell of Davin's! Helpless!" Aume answered, shaken by what she'd witnessed. "We. . .we've made everything worse, haven't we?"
"We had to try! It might still work out, you never know! It might still. . .!" Lilith tried to sound strong, but her voice wavered and cracked at the end.
"Kami, forgive us. . ." Maruberu whispered a fervent prayer into her pillow.
Chi-Chi wasn't sure about what was going on. She knew she wasn't really awake, but she also knew she wasn't really asleep - she was aware of things, but she couldn't move or open her eyes. She could hear a little, but the sound coming through was heavily muffled and hard to make out. There was something hard and cold holding her on all sides. What had Davin done to her this time? Her whole body was cold with fear, and her pulse was racing. The only comfort she could glean was the steadfast feel of Goku through the bond, even though it was only the soft hum of magic- induced slumber.
**Goku, can you hear me? Please, please, I know we can't normally talk if one of us is asleep, but this situation isn't natural, so maybe we can! Goku, are you there? I need you!** she called out through the bond with everything she had. **I need you!** There was an abrupt jerking sensation, and Chi-Chi found herself standing in the middle of some kind of surrealistic field. Around her flickered little bursts of memories and feelings, and a feeling of great strength suffused the whole area. Chi-Chi blinked in confusion, and a moment later gasped with realization. Was she actually in Goku's mind?! Some psychic part of her certainly was, undoubtedly because of Davin's spells.
"Goku?!" she called, her voice echoing around her. "Goku, where are you?!" There was a faint rumble, and the scattered memories encircling her suddenly became solely about her and Goku, their wedding, their life, and their sons. Fascinated, she saw herself through his eyes, smiling at Goku, talking to him, scolding him, and even yelling at him. The memories shifted slightly, and Chi-Chi blushed a little as several memories went by of them making love. "Goku, really!" she gasped, a little embarrassed, but secretly pleased that he held those particular memories in such high regard.
"This way, Chi-Chi. . ." said a faint, thin voice from somewhere over the horizon. "I'm down here. . ." Chi-Chi picked up her feet and ran towards the beckoning sound, as thoughts of how to bring Davin down continuously streamed from her to him as she went along. She could feel the bottomless swell of hatred that her husband now felt for Davin, and couldn't blame him in the least. Her own hatred for Davin matched that of Goku's, but even more so now. Before, he'd been a minor annoyance that she'd learned to tolerate, but nothing serious about which to worry. Now, he had become a real threat to everyone around him. She ran for what felt like a long time, and the area around her became darker and wilder. At the same time, the memories flickering around her became older, and less clear. The sensation was kind of unnerving, knowing she was going so deeply into her husband's subconscious. Uncertain about her direction, she slowed down and looked around, wondering if she was still on the right track.
"Goku, can you still hear me? Talk again so I know I'm in the right place!" Chi-Chi called out again.
"I'm over here," Goku's voice called in return. "I can't move!"
"I'm coming, Sweetheart!" Chi-Chi answered, and ran for the voice again, which now seemed to be to the left of her. Her surroundings were changing more rapidly now, becoming more wild and indistinct. Vague, infant-memories flickered around her. Chi-Chi wasn't sure where she was going, but one thing was for sure: it was near the very core of Goku's being.
"You're getting close, Chi-Chi! Just a little further!" Goku called again, sounding eager. Chi-Chi let out another burst of speed, and then the ground dropped. She stumbled down the mental embankment, cursing quietly as she fell. It wasn't a very steep drop, though it almost felt like it used to be, and had worn down over time. When she finally hit bottom after a few seconds, she landed on her hands and knees. Chi-Chi grunted in annoyance as she pushed herself back onto her feet. Giving herself a quick once-over, she half-expected to find that she was hurt from the impact of the fall, but she was fine. No bruises or scratches. ((Right. This isn't my real body; it can't be hurt.)) she reasoned.
"Of course not," said Goku's voice, now sounding very near. Forgetting the minor fall entirely, Chi-Chi sprinted ahead, noticing something shining in the distance. She came to a skidding halt when she realized the shine was reflected off a wall in front of her. It stretched off into the distance on all sides, and appeared as if it was made of glass or ice. Chi-Chi slowly walked up to it, and ran her questing fingers over its cool, smooth surface.
"A wall? Why is there a wall this far inside of Goku's mind? Did the spell make this?" Chi-Chi murmured to herself as she flattened her palm against the wall. Was Goku trapped inside it?
"No, this was made years ago. . .when I was just a baby," Goku's voice answered, his hand suddenly appearing on the other side of the wall as a mirror to her own. He stepped fully into her view, and Chi-Chi's whole face lit up for a moment.
"Go--" she started, then felt her voice fade off as a sense of disorientation came over her. Standing on the other side of the wall was Goku, but he wasn't the Goku she'd known throughout her life. He had Goku's familiar face and muscular body, but he was completely outfitted in Saiyan armor, with gloves, boots, a scouter, and had his tail wrapped tightly around his waist. She stared at this strange incarnation for a moment, her head spinning as she slowly realized at whom she was looking - but it wasn't possible! Her mouth ineffectually opened and closed several times, trying to force the word out. It finally emerged as a thin and quiet stammer: "K-_Kakkarot_?" He smiled back in obvious pleasure as she gave voice to his name.
"Yes," he said.
"_You_ lead me down here?" Chi-Chi said, starting to back away from the wall. A look of surprise and sadness mixed with panic crossed Kakkarot's face as he watched her retreat.
"Wait, don't go! No, Goku _was_ calling to you - he's down that way," Kakkarot pointed to the left. Chi-Chi gave a quick look in that direction, but didn't see anything.
"What are you doing here? You were destroyed when Goku hit his head. . ." Chi-Chi was numb; she didn't understand how this part of him could still exist. Hadn't Goku lost everything in his character that would have made him Kakkarot when, as an infant, he'd suffered a severe head injury? Wasn't that the reason why he'd become such a good, loving man, and not a planet pirate like the rest of his barbaric Saiyan race?
"We weren't that bad!" Kakkarot suddenly protested, and Chi-Chi startled. She began to open her mouth, to demand to know just how he knew what she was thinking, and then shut it with a snap, realizing how stupid that question would sound. The embodiment of her that stood before him was nothing but her thoughts given a recognizable form; both of them were in the deepest part of the bond, so of course he knew what she was thinking. "It was Frieza and those beings like him that turned us into planet pirates. Most of us Saiyans still retained some honor and nobility within our souls. As for me being here. . .when I hit my head, this part of me wasn't destroyed, just sealed away beyond reach."
"So. . .so you've been here, this whole time?" Chi-Chi pushed. She was still having trouble wrapping her mind around the concept. Kakkarot nodded.
"I help him as best that I can," he said. "Unfortunately, I can only send Goku the basest of Saiyan instincts, from time to time; the need to fight and to win, and to always protect what's mine. . ."
"You. . .you're the part of him that instinctively knew to bite me and mark me as his, even when he didn't know that's what it was. . .you're the part of him that told us what the bond was, when we first came together; that tiny, whispering voice. . ." Chi-Chi said, moving closer still. Kakkarot smiled again.
"I am indeed! As I said, I could only send him basic instincts. However, I am able to do a little more now. This wall used to be much thicker," he answered, lightly tapping on the barrier between them.
"What do you mean?" Chi-Chi asked, moving in closer, to Kakkarot's supreme relief.
"I mean it used to be many times thicker. It's worn thin over the years. The first time I went Super Saiyan, it was cut in half. Then, it was cut in half a second time when I first went SS2, and yet again when I hit SS3. It shrank again when you and I bonded. And now that my tail has been restored, the wall's gotten even thinner," Kakkarot grinned widely. "Pretty soon," he added, pushing on the wall and making a tiny crack appear. "I'll be free!"
"And what will happen to Goku, when you get free?" Chi-Chi asked slowly, unable to keep a small quaver from her voice. Kakkarot looked at her with a smile so warm and gentle that she knew then he really was a part of Goku.
"You don't need to worry about that. I couldn't overwhelm him, even if I wanted to. His persona is too strong-willed and well established. I'll just complete him; we'll be as one, like we're supposed to be, instead of two," said Kakkarot reassuringly. "I've born witness to my whole life from behind this wall; it's been like being trapped inside a deep, transparent well. The only things that have felt truly genuine to me are you, our sons, and the battles in which I've fought." Chi-Chi drew in a slow breath, and Kakkarot gave a nod of his head to indicate they should move. He walked to the left, toward where he said Goku was, and Chi-Chi trailed half a step behind him. "Mind you, these events feel real to me only while they're actually occurring; once over, they fade like the memories of a dream."
"But. . .you are just the Saiyan part of Goku, right?" Chi-Chi asked quietly. He faced her as she spoke.
"Yes," said Kakkarot, sensing her unease. "You're safe, Chi-Chi; our sons, our friends, our home; they're all safe. I would never intentionally hurt any of them. And I'd sooner die than hurt you or either of our children. Do you believe me?" Chi-Chi went quiet for several moments, looking into his dark eyes. They seemed to hold a harder cast than those of Goku, but they were still his eyes. Just add one more amazing facet to the man she loved. Even if she couldn't feel it all around her, his reaction to her earlier retreat told her he loved her, just like all the rest of Goku's mind and soul; so why should she doubt or fear this part of him?
"Yes, I believe you, Kakkarot," Chi-Chi said, placing her hand on the wall and offering him a small smile. Relieved by her answer, he beamed at her, and mirrored her hand again. Despite the wall, she sensed his wish to touch her, if only for a moment. Without thinking, she pressed her hand a shade firmer against the smooth surface, and she felt it pass through the wall as if the wall was only made of thick mud. She gasped in alarm and quickly pulled her hand back. Kakkarot was so surprised he didn't try to catch her fingers when he could.
"How did you. . .? Try that again!" Kakkarot said quickly.
"I-I don't know, my hand just passed through. . ." Chi-Chi shook her head and stared at the hand that had somehow slid through the wall.
"It's the bond!" Kakkarot chuckled, as the insight suddenly hit him. "The bond connects the two of us completely, even where I, myself, can't reach!" Chi-Chi pressed her hand through the wall again, just to see, and this time Kakkarot caught her hand in one of his.
"I guess you're right. . .I never tried going in really deep before," Chi-Chi admitted, and then tried to retract her hand, but Kakkarot held firm. He then began to pull her towards him. "Wait! What are you doing?!" she yelped.
"It's all right. I just want you on this side for a little bit," Kakkarot answered. "I only want you to really walk by my side." He had pulled her through the wall up to her shoulder, but then stopped when he saw the panic-stricken look on her face. He hesitated, but then released his hold on her. "I. . ." he started, as his face became firm. "I won't ever force you, Chi-Chi. I'm not anything like Davin; if you don't want to be on this side of the wall with me, you can stay there." Chi-Chi pulled her arm back and gasped softly a few times to slow down her rapidly beating heart. In that brief, unsure moment, this side of Goku had really scared her.
"How far is it to Goku?" she ventured.
"A little ways; look, you can see the orange of his outfit," Kakkarot pointed down the way again, and when Chi-Chi looked, she could, indeed, see orange. As they continued to walk along their respective sides again, Chi- Chi began to feel a little guilty about her reaction to Kakkarot trying to pull her through the wall. Right now, there could be nothing but truth between them, and she inwardly knew that he meant her no harm. He'd only wanted get closer to her; but she was afraid that if she went all the way through the wall, she wouldn't be able to get back. In order to distract herself, she tried to think of something else, and her mind drifted back to how Goku had looked when he first came to rescue her from Davin.
"I didn't look so good, did I? Barely eating and sleeping for a week while flying all over the place looking for you took its toll," Kakkarot observed wryly, picking up on her thoughts.
"It did. . .Kami, you looked like you hadn't eaten properly in over a month, not just a week," Chi-Chi said with a nervous sigh.
"By human standards, that's not too far off the mark," Kakkarot answered with a small shrug.
"What do you mean?"
"You know how much food we Saiyans can consume at any given meal. Like you humans, we need all of those calories to keep our strength up, but on a significantly larger scale. But because we need so much more than humans, we. . .well, we. . ." Kakkarot paused uncomfortably for a moment in the middle of his speech, and then continued. "We will starve faster than humans if we're denied nourishment." Chi-Chi snapped her head around to stare at him.
"Wait, what? Are you saying that Saiyans are. . .prone to starvation?" she asked. Kakkarot nodded.
"Normally, it would take a human what. . .about two months to starve to death if only water was available? Denied food, a Saiyan would be lucky to survive for four weeks, tops," Kakkarot explained. "And that's _only_ if he or she isn't expending any ki energy in the meantime. At the rate I was going. . .I probably would've starved to death in barely over two weeks."
"Oh, my poor Goku!" Chi-Chi gasped in horror. "He could've died because of me! When we get home, I'll make him the biggest meal he's ever had. . .!"
"Is that a promise?" Kakkarot asked teasingly, and Chi-Chi responded with a nod and a smile.
"Yes!" she promised, beaming at him. Then Kakkarot reluctantly drew his gaze away from her and faced forward once more.
"There he is," Kakkarot said, and Chi-Chi looked as well. They were within ten feet of Goku, who was sitting cross-legged with his back to the wall.
"Goku! Thank you, Kak-" Chi-Chi turned to him, but he was no longer there. She looked back to Goku, and gasped quietly. Kakkarot was sitting right behind Goku, mirroring his image on the other side of the wall. Goku snapped his head up at the sound of Chi-Chi's voice, and reached for her as she elatedly ran towards him.
"Chi-Chi! Are you all right?! What happened?" Goku asked anxiously as Chi-Chi all but threw herself into his welcoming embrace.
"I'm not sure! Davin did something to me, my body can't move!" Chi- Chi told him quickly. Goku went quiet for a moment and she felt his hate for Davin grow. Then she felt him swallow nervously.
"Chi-Chi. . .I-I didn't get a chance to ask you earlier, but. . .but, when I came to get you, when I had you in my arms, I couldn't help but notice. . .Davin's scent was on your skin, Chi-Chi. He'd touched you. What. . .what happened while he had you brainwashed? What did he do to you?" Goku had to force the words out; they felt as if they'd been glued to the back of his throat. Chi-Chi became aware of a faint tremble of fear, and she shared in it, as well. She hardly noticed Kakkarot's presence, still mirroring Goku's body language.
"I. . .I'm not sure, Goku. My memories are jumbled, I don't know for sure!" Chi-Chi shakily admitted. "I-I can remember him kissing me a few times, but I pushed him away because it didn't feel right. . ." Goku nodded, somewhat comforted. In a rush, a half-memory arose between them. It was of Davin coming to her room at night and laying his hands on her. Chi-Chi went rigid with horror and Goku felt an icy clump forming in his stomach from the fear and hate.
"No. . ." Goku breathed, and Chi-Chi began to cry in his arms.
"I don't know!" she gasped, frightened by the uncertainty. "I don't remember! He tried, I know that now, but I can't say if he. . .if I. . .if we. . ." She choked on her words and buried her teary face in Goku's chest. "I don't know! Kami forgive me, I don't _know_!"
"Shhh, Chi-Chi. It's all right, I don't blame you. If - if it happened, it was the same as rape; he brainwashed you, you didn't even know who you were," Goku said quickly, while beginning to tremble with all of the strong emotions flooding through him. He felt his wife shudder against him, and the Kakkarot part of him hissed in quiet anger about all the ways to kill Davin. Goku, though not truly aware of the wall or Kakkarot, simply nodded in agreement with the plans. Davin would pay in blood for what he'd done!
A raggedly gasping Davin sat on the floor before the book. Tears mixed with sweat slipped down his cheeks and nose, dripping steadily onto the floor. The accumulation of power and negative emotions were crushing him; his corporeal body was having trouble holding them all in check. The Ahdicionious was still glowing green, its pages flying back and forth in a kind of malevolent joy. The tears burned as they leaked down Davin's face, and he tried to make his racing heart slow down.
"Oh, oh, Kami. . .what did he make me do? To _her_. . .to _Chi-Chi_! Damn that alien; damn him to Hell and back!" Davin said between pained heaves. He looked at the book and frowned, then forced himself onto his feet to stop the pages' flapping motion. "Oh, stop it! This is terrible! I can undo it, right? I can get her out of there!" Frantic, Davin started going through the pages again, and abruptly stopped when he saw a spell connected to the spell he'd cast on Chi-Chi. A thin, relieved smile spread across his sweat-streaked face. "I see! This could truly make her mine forever! Of course, you were helping me, like always! And to think, I'd almost started to doubt you!" Davin sighed softly. ((Listen to me, I'm talking to a book like it was person.)) He shook his head for a moment. The spell was drastic, to say the least, and one misstep on his part would destroy her, but. . .but if it worked, anything concerning Goku in her mind and soul would be obliterated forever. He quickly found the spell to free Chi-Chi, and nodded to himself. Satisfied with the way his plans were to be set in motion, Davin suddenly expelled an exhausted sigh. "I need to rest before I do anything else. To do this spell properly will require all of the acquired power I have," he sighed once again to himself, and all but fell onto his bed. ((For you, Chi-Chi. . .only for you!)) he thought as his eyes grew heavy. ((But should I do it? Maybe I should just change her memories again; there must be something I missed before. . .it could also have something to do with Goku not being human.)) Davin frowned deeply. He just couldn't understand how she could give herself completely to someone who wasn't even really a human man, but an alien creature! Even so, the new spell was so dangerous. . . He forced the tiny, gnawing doubt in his mind to be quiet and went to sleep. He'd decide, one way or the other, when he awoke.
Videl found Gohan sitting on a rock by the lake near his house. He looked like there was a huge weight pressing down on him, and he had given up trying to fight it. His usually bright eyes were glassy and dull, and his shoulders sagged down; his mouth was hanging in a deep, sad frown. Videl landed beside the rock and walked up to him. He glanced up briefly to acknowledge her presence, and then dropped his gaze toward the water again.
"Gohan?" Videl said gently, moving to sit beside him. "Still no word on your mother?" she ventured. He shook his head slowly.
"And now, my dad's disappeared, too. No one's seen him since yesterday," Gohan said, his despondency burned into every word.
"What?! That's terrible!" Videl gasped, now understanding the defeated look on Gohan's face. "But, did Davin. . .?"
"Not so far as we know. According to Piccolo, there was another feeling of magic right before he disappeared, but it was like elf-magic, not what Dende sensed when my mom vanished," Gohan said softly. "We're all sorta hoping this latest development means that my dad found a way to get to wherever it is Davin has my mother, and went to get her. . .but. . ." Videl watched him quietly for several long moments, and then did the only thing she could think of to do; she wrapped her arms around him and held him tight. Gohan let his weary head fall on her small shoulder and returned her gentle embrace, taking what comfort he could from her warm concern. Like the tremors of a tiny earthquake building beneath them, Gohan began to shake. Videl murmured comforting words to him as he finally released the tears he'd been holding in all week. Videl felt tears prickle at her own eyes as they sat there, clinging tightly onto each other like anchors in a storm. She remembered the pain she had felt when her mother died; but, to have both parents just inexplicably disappear had to be far worse. As she held him for all she was worth, Gohan felt like he could never grow tired of the feel of her arms, the scent of her skin and hair, or the sound of her voice. He lifted his head a bit to gaze into her blue-violet eyes.
"Videl. . ." Gohan said softly, a little afraid of what he'd say next. "I love you." She blushed at the words, then smiled back at him.
"I love you, too, Gohan," she said gently, and leaned in for a kiss. It was a small, soft kiss that tasted of his salty tears as much as their lips. She pulled back barely an inch to speak, looking deeply into his black eyes as she did. "And I have faith in your family. Your parents are coming back, Gohan, safe and sound. Hopefully, they'll bring what's left of Davin so that you and Goten can kick him around, too!" Gohan smiled at the thought, and chuckled in return.
"Yeah, you're right! There's no way Davin can beat my parents! They'll be back - and soon," he agreed.
"That's the spirit!" said Videl, smiling brightly at him.
"Thanks," Gohan said gratefully, as he rested his head back on her shoulder. She nodded at him gently as if to say "no problem".
Hours must have passed as Goku held a crying Chi-Chi through the bond. Her memories were still jumbled, rife with uncertainty as to what happened between herself and Davin while she was brainwashed. Her inner fears swirled around them both; what if the worst _had_ happened? Even worse, if it had, what if she had actually _enjoyed_ it? She was absolutely sick with the thought that she may have been forced into betraying her husband. Goku was equally heartsick, unable to console her since he shared that dread and she knew it. All he could do was hold her and assure her over and over again that he didn't blame her if it had happened, that he wasn't angry with her and wouldn't hate her. Goku was suddenly startled by a thought that shot unbidden through Chi-Chi's mind - that she was filthy now; a filthy whore. . .
"Chi-Chi!!!" Goku jerked back to look at her tear-streaked face. "How could you even _think_ that?! It was all _his_ doing! I told you before, _if_ it happened, it was rape! You can't blame yourself! _I_ don't blame you!"
"I-I know you don't, and I know I'm n-not, but. . ." Chi-Chi sniffed and hiccupped as she looked into his eyes. "I can't even remember if I fought him or not!"
"Chi-Chi, your mind had been badly tampered with! Whatever happened, it wasn't your fault, it wasn't even you!" Chi-Chi started to turn her face away, but Goku caught it and brought it back to face him. "Listen to me," he cupped her face gently in his hands. "Nothing could ever change how I feel for you. You're pure in my eyes, Chi-Chi." New tears spilled down her cheeks, but these were mixed with as much relief as with sorrow and worry. She pressed herself into his embrace again.
"Thank you. . ." she whispered. A sudden shift in the feeling around them made them both raise their heads and look around. A thin shaft of light was working its way down toward them, and Goku could feel his body regaining its ability to move.
"The spell must be breaking," Goku realized. "I'm waking up! Chi- Chi, you'd better head back to your own body; there's no telling what might happen if you're still this deep in my mind when the spell completely breaks."
"You're right," Chi-Chi nodded, stood up, and regretfully moved away from him. "Call to me when you're fully awake, all right?"
"I will. . .Beloved." Chi-Chi was a bit surprised, but pleased; Goku had never called her that before. She turned and ran back the way she came, periodically glancing back over her shoulder at Goku and Kakkarot for as long as they were in sight. The world was warping around her so much that she could hardly keep her footing. Then there was another harsh jerking-sensation, and she was back in her own trapped body. Whatever Davin had done to her, it hadn't worn off. She desperately wanted to move, to have an opportunity to fight against whatever it was Davin had done, but no part of her could do it. She was held immobile on all sides.
Goku opened his eyes and saw the familiar surroundings of his dungeon cell again. ((What a shock.)) he thought sarcastically to himself. He was back in chains again; no surprise there. His tail was chained, now, too, to his annoyance. And, to top it all off, he was really hungry. ((Haven't I already been through all of this?)) he thought. **Chi-Chi?** he called to her.
**I'm here. I'm still trapped, though.** she answered a moment later.
**Hold on, Sweetheart. I'll get us out of this!** Goku went to work fighting with his magical chains again, when he suddenly scented Aume and Lilith coming his way. And, by the appetizing smell of it, with food. The elf women came into view a few moments later down the hall, once again carrying trays heaped with food. He noted that they moved more easily, their grievous wounds from the previous day now greatly healed.
"We're not supposed to bring you any food, so eat quick!" Aume said as she slid her tray through the slot. Lilith swiftly did the same. A ravenous Goku shoveled the food in at top speed, nearly choking once, and polished off both trays of food in record time.
"We. . .also brought you some clothes," Lilith said, blushing as she pushed the shirt and pants through the slot, after retrieving the two trays.
"Clothes? Why. . ." Goku started, and then looked down at himself. He only vaguely remembered the change into an Oozaru; he'd altogether forgotten he was quite naked. "Oh, yeah. I was wondering why it felt chillier in here than before. Thanks." He pulled the clothes on quickly, actually feeling a little embarrassed at having been naked in front of the two near-strangers. The few pieces of clothing didn't fit him very well; they were very snug, and the pants and shirt sleeves both ended a few inches too short. What made them most uncomfortable was that they stank heavily of Davin. Goku scowled in angry annoyance when he realized they must have been Davin's clothes. Once he was dressed, the chains once again shrank to pull his arms behind his back. He decided to shelve his clothing concerns and think about them later, and turned back to Aume and Lilith as they gathered up the trays and dishes. "Listen, do either of you know where Chi-Chi is? What did Davin do to her?" Aume and Lilith exchanged a couple of uncertain glances between them, in turn, looking frightened, sad, and sorry.
"Davin. . .trapped her," Lilith finally spoke up, not sure how to tell him the full truth.
"Trapped her where? Where is she? I can still feel her!" Goku pushed, not liking the less-than-whole-answer.
"She's still here," Aume admitted. "But. . .Davin. . .he trapped her inside. . ." Before Aume could finish her explanation, Goku vanished out of his cell. "What is Davin doing now?" Aume whispered, and she and Lilith dashed out of the dungeon to find out.
Goku was dropped onto the floor of a large room he hadn't seen before. There was a darkly ominous feeling to the room, cool and burning at the same time, which made his skin crawl. He managed to prop himself into a kneeling position and took quick note of his surroundings. The ceiling arced high overhead, and a tall, crystalline tower stood against the far wall. Positioned in front of it were a podium and a book, which Goku could only assume was the Ahdicionious, and in front of them was Davin. Goku scowled at him deeply and shuddered in rage.
"What do you want now?" Goku said, the words a growl.
"I've tried being reasonable, Goku," Davin said, sounding very calm and annoyingly smug. Goku snorted his disbelief.
"Oh, yeah, 'very reasonable'," Goku half-spat.
"I have. But reason isn't going to work in this instance, obviously," Davin said, glowering down at the ensnared Saiyan.
"Davin, your 'reasoning' is beyond twisted!" Goku's voice lowered threateningly. "And frankly, I'm tired of wasting my energy on words that you refuse to hear!"
"Funny, I was going to say the same thing," Davin answered coolly. "If you'd only stayed away! Everything would've been fine if you'd just stayed away from here! Because of you. . .well, what's done is done. I've brought you here for one last spell. One last spell to free Chi-Chi from you forever."
"What?" Goku breathed, momentarily numb with surprise. He then turned fierce again, demanding, "Where is Chi-Chi, Davin? What did you do to her?" Davin diverted his eyes.
"She's safe. And it's all your fault! You made me do it to her!" Davin replied tensely.
"_I_ made you. . .?! You sick piece of. . .!" Goku cursed. "If anything _made_ you do it beyond your own vile mind, it was that accursed book! That is the Ahdicionious, isn't it?" Goku motioned to the book behind Davin.
"It is, indeed," Davin said with a nod, a faint smile tilting his mouth. "But you've got it all wrong; _it_ doesn't make me do anything! The stories told about it have clearly been exaggerated; I'm in total control!"
"That's a laugh," Goku muttered under his breath. The bond was nagging at him again, telling him that Chi-Chi was nearby and in danger, but he wasn't sure where. He drew his eyes off of Davin, and focused them instead upon the crystal tower behind the ranting human. It was an odd piece of decoration, that was for sure. It had a strange feel to it, too. He craned his neck back a bit to see all of it, but then Davin abruptly moved in front of his line of sight, holding a knife in one hand. "What- ?!" Goku reflexively leapt out of the way and launched himself into the air. He didn't need his limbs free to fly.
"Wh -?! Come down here!" Davin angrily barked up at the hovering Saiyan. A sheen of nervous sweat was covering the human man's skin, and the Saiyan wondered what was wrong. Davin's gray eyes darted back and forth several times between him and that peculiar crystal tower, and Goku turned to stare more closely at the crystal once more. Its smoothly faceted surfaces were thick and green, but he could see through it without much difficulty - then he noticed a darker shadow positioned near the mostly rounded, slightly pointed top. His sharp Saiyan eyes locked onto it, and his heart all but stopped. He flew straight up to get a better look, even though he already knew the answer. Completely incased within the crystal was Chi-Chi, her eyes closed and her arms at her side. Her loosened hair spread around her suspended form as though she was floating underwater. Goku felt like someone had just knocked the wind out of him.
**Ch-Chi-Chi! Are you all right?!** he called.
**I guess so. . .what's happening?** Chi-Chi answered, unnerved by the panic she felt in him. Then she knew what he knew; she saw the image of her entrapped self through his thoughts, and fought down the urge to scream. **Get me out of here! Goku, help!**
**Hold on!** Goku replied, but before he could do anything, he was yanked out of the sky and back onto the floor by the irresistible force of yet another of Davin's spells. Davin had put his knife away for the moment, but Goku didn't care.
"Get away from there!" Davin hissed. "You have no right!" Goku ignored his diatribe and began to growl to himself, pushing his rising ki into a bright flare. He raised his head to look at Davin, rage blazing out from his eyes.
"You _bastard_!!!" Goku bellowed, his ki shooting so high and so fast that he finally broke the chains' hold on him. A few seconds later, he transformed into SS2, borderline SS3, and the palace itself began to shake from the power surge. A staggering Davin fell back a step. "This ends _now_!!" Goku shouted, cupping his hands to one side, gathering energy between them.
Davin became surrounded by the green glow again, and his eyes returned to their bright silver hue. "Yes, it does," he said lowly. Goku suddenly leapt past him toward the crystal, a ki ball at the ready. "STOP!! YOU'LL KILL HER!!" Davin screamed, and Goku stopped himself before he hit the crystal. He turned his head to look at Davin, then turned all the way around when he saw the terrified look on the smaller man's face. Davin's face was a pale and sweaty mask, his eyes frozen wide, and his mouth open in a twisted gasp of fear. It was an expression of absolute horror.
"What do you mean, Davin?" Goku asked cautiously, drawing the ki ball back into his body.
"If you just _break_ the crystal, it'll kill her!" answered Davin, as he pulled himself back together with effort. "I'm the only one who can get her out of there safely; and I plan to do that just as soon as I've taken care of you!"
"Davin, you have far too high an opinion of yourself - your over- inflated ego is going to get you killed," Goku said coldly.
"You don't frighten me!" Davin sneered in defiance. Goku smirked at the man's obvious and stubborn inability to appreciate the situation as it now stood.
"I will. You have my word on that!" Goku promised, and shifted into a battle stance. It was well past time for this nonsense to end! The Kakkarot part of him screamed for Davin's death at his hands. For once in his life, Goku was more than happy to oblige his Saiyan urges, with no regrets hanging in his mind. Rather than suppressing it, he now wanted to surrender control to his base Saiyan nature. Whatever happened in this fight, so long as it ended with him and Chi-Chi going home safely, he would accept it, without any reservation or regret. From this point forward, Davin's life was forfeit!
**************************************************************************** ** Next: The conclusion!
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