Chapter 11

"Now try and kill me, Seiten Taisen Son Goku!!" The newly transformed Ladon bellowed as he launched himself at the still grinning saru.

Goku leapt up and launched himself at the creature unmindful of the fact that the monstrosity had a protective coating of fire surrounding its body. He bore his nyoibo down and hit Ladon near its stomach. Ladon howled in pain and thrashed his tail about. Goku was almost thrown when he came too near at the tail but managed to hit it out of the way with his nyoibo.

His feet had barely touched the ground when he launched himself in the air again, this time in the direction of Ladon's face. He murmured a quick apology before sinking his nyoibo deep in to Ladon's right eye.

Ladon double up with pain and was getting instantly desperate. He retracted all his ten samurai claws at once and started swinging them around him as if he was batting at an imaginary pesky fly. Goku smiled to himself as he mentally patted himself at the back. He had Ladon in the bag… As well as his memories. Here I come!!!

Goku launched himself in the air for the nth time, his nyoibo poised above his head. What he did miss was the additional presence of two people, dropping noiselessly as the top branch of the maple tree turning to watch the ongoing match.

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"Goku?" Nataku asks his mother as he saw the transformed Goku fighting the legendary monster, Ladon.

"Yes, son. He's fighting Ladon to get his memories back."

"What? How? Why?" Nataku could only question his mother incomprehensibly. Hestia smiled as she patiently answered his son's unspoken questions. She gestured towards 'paradise'.

"This your haven. Your favorite place." She stated as Nataku nods eagerly beside her. Hestia chuckled before she continued.

"When you fell into your stupor… I guarded this place. I wanted you to have it the same as it had been when you wake up." Nataku smiled at his mother gratefully. Even though they never really met until now, he was surprised that his mother would know what he wants.

"But when I came to this place… I saw something floating in the air. Something that resembles a broken glass. Upon inspection I saw that each broken shard held a memory in it. I saw you and Goku." Nataku gestured to her mother to continue.

"I thought it was your memory. But as I gathered each and every one, I noticed different people."

"Konzen, Tenpou and Kenren?" Nataku asks.

"Yes. All were happy memories. I gathered that it might be Goku's memory as each and every shard contained him."

"How did you guard this place? And Ladon…?" His son inquired further.

"From the broken shard of memory, I created Ladon." She paused and looked at the fight. Goku had leapt once again; cleanly evading Ladon's thrashing claws to pierce his other good eye with his nyoibo.

"I knew that that boy would come back to get his memories. But I have to test him… I had to know whether he's got good intentions." She looked at his son and smiled sadly.

"I know he had clear intentions right form the start but then he caused you some pain and I acted irrationally. I sealed his memories inside Ladon and the only way to get them back is to kill the creature." Nataku smiled and patted his mother's hand. He can understand that.

"The purpose of Ladon's judgment is to determine whether Goku is really intent on getting back his memories for the sole purpose of getting back to you. If he had determined otherwise, he would kill Goku without a second thought. And although Goku is a strong fighter… He won't be able to beat Ladon." Nataku creased his forehead in confusion.

"So no matter what Ladon decided one of them will have to eventually die?" Nataku inquired.

"Yes. And look…" Hestia gestured again at the fight. Ladon is now completely blinded, blood pouring from his eyeball-less eyes, thrashing around madly, swishing his claws and breathing fire randomly. He was obviously weakening and losing.

"His winning ain't he, my little one?" Nataku nodded. And from reasons he doesn't want to ponder, his eyes started watering with relief and happiness.

"The bond you shared was strong son."

"But why did he forget all about me? The spell's hitch's say…"

"He forgot all about you, yes. But it's not because your bond was weak. In fact it happened because it was so strong."

"What…?" Nataku was confused even more.

"Do you know why his memories are floating here broken in paradise?" Hestia asked her son. Nataku shook his head no.

"It's because he unwittingly sent a part of him here when you cast him the spell."

"The sealing of memories?" Nataku asked.

"Yes, he knew what you were trying to do, so instead of losing his memories with you, he sent his best memories to a place he could find easily to retrieve the shards back." Nataku's mouth fell open.

"Even though he knew that you were going to wipe his mind blank, it didn't matter to him. All he needed was you to find the key to get his best memories back."

"Me? Why me?"

"It's because you are the key. He figured he would be able to connect you and paradise. But he hadn't counted that he will be thrown to Mt. Kaka." Nataku was speechless.

"He had been thinking what's best for you right from the start son. He's a true friend."

The tears that were forming in his gold eyes started to roam freely as he watched his friend fight for his memory. And for him.

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Goku berated himself for blinding Ladon completely. Now it was twice as difficult to get near him. He was breathing fire continuously and it's hard to evade both the fire and the swishing claws.

"K'so." Goku exclaimed as he jumped to the side, barely missing a claw. He looked up and saw that Ladon had lost his protective coating of a fire around his body. He was profusely bleeding as well, from his eye wounds and his stomach wound. He was clearly losing strength fast.

Goku knew that close combat would be a dangerous call for him. So he decided to just use the ki ball attack. He crouched down low and palmed his hands together. Gathering his remaining strength, he directed it to his palms. Glowing gold ki was getting bigger and bigger by the minute. When Goku was sure that the power was strong enough… Even stronger than necessary… he released it.

"Bye, Ladon. You are a worthy opponent." He said as he eyed the creature shriek one final moment before bursting into ashes.

Goku sighed contentedly. He sank down to his bottom and stretched his arms. He was alive and he has kept his promise to Sanzo!!! Wait?! Where's my memories? Goku asked himself as he realized that he still hadn't got his memories with Nataku back. He looked around paradise and saw that from where Ladon stood, was a glowing crystal ball.

Goku felt himself being pulled by an unknown force towards the crystal ball. He stopped directly in front of it. That crystal ball started moving and then he saw himself with Nataku here in paradise.

"My memories… Oh, Nataku now I'll be able to keep my promise to you…" Goku whispered to himself as he clutched the crystal ball to his heart. Like magic, the ball was sucked into his being and he glowed white for a moment as he fused with his long lost memories.

A beautiful smile was adorning his face when the fusion was complete. He looked into the sky.

"Nataku here I come!!!" HE screamed at the top of his lungs as he proceeded to run out of paradise. Goku stopped short when he heard something drop to the ground followed by a shout.

"Where are you going Goku? I'm right here!!!" It can't be. Ever so slowly he turned back, his heart at his throat. When he had turned around, Nataku was right in front of him, smiling widely but tears were streaming down his face. Almost immediately Goku broke down and started crying.

"I'm so sorry Nataku… I'm so sorry…" He sobbed as he fell down to his knees, covering his face in shame.

"Shh… Goku it's not your fault." Nataku said as he dropped to his knees as well.

"But I… But I…" Goku stammered.

"Forget about it. What's important is: you do intend to keep your promise right?" Nataku asks smiling friendly. Goku looked up, hope brimming in his eyes.

"Of course!!! But you must forgive me first."

"For what?" Nataku asks.

"I haven't introduced you to my friends yet!!" Goku exclaimed horrified. Nataku laughed.

"You would certainly introduce me to them this time don't you?"

"Yes!!!"

"Then of course, I forgive you!!!" Goku squealed happily as he launched himself happily at Nataku's arms.

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Hestia watched the exchange, a fulfilled smile on her face. Now she is sure that her child will be taken care of, and will be eternally happy. She can rest now… Now that everything is in order. She can now rest.

Hestia's head rolled to the side of the tree as her lifeless hands fell from her lap.

End.

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A/N: epilogue will be coming up!