The Definition of Pride

By Moonraker One

Chapter three - Further Saiyan Searches

            The ship quickly got situated and left Yardrat. There was a cheerful goodbye and then they were off to gather more of their own people. Kelietya's mighty new Saiyan empire had already grown to quite a large population, consisting of many different species, Saiyans being the obvious main majority. Goku was slated to become the king of this mighty new empire, but he himself was having some doubts about whether he was ready to give people commands. Chi-Chi reminded him about how he would always tell the others what to do in case of a apocalyptic threat to the Earth, so he supposed he was ready. He just didn't think he could bring himself to order people around in times of peace. Then again, he supposed this little adventure he was on would prove if he was or not.

            Kelietya knew what planet she wanted to go to, she just wondered if Goku was willing to go there. It was a planet she'd visited in the couple hundred years before returning to Namek a second time. She wanted to go to planet Tetral, for it was the place for diversity. There was one central government, but it was the minority. In fact, there were nine hundred seventy different species inhabiting that single planet. She'd gone there not knowing it was one of the best relaxation places in the universe. Once she got there, she couldn't bear to leave, but realized she had to. Ever since, she'd longed to return. She secretly had her own intentions of getting together with Goku when he wasn't with his wife, so maybe she could have a chance. Of course, the chances of her sweeping him off his feet after twenty years of devoted marriage was about the chance of her turning bright green. In any case, she had to try.

            "Kakarot," she inquired, turning to him for confirmation. "Do you want to go to planet Tetral?"

            "I'll try anything once," he replied. She smiled; he'd try anything? Good…

            "Sir!" The captain on Tetral said to his commander. "A ship is prepared to make a jump to super-light speed and rematerialize near our planet!"

            The commander looked at the screen; because they hadn't appeared yet, he couldn't see exactly what kind of ship it was, but it sort of looked hostile. He looked down at the captain.

            "Captain!" he ordered. "Shoot them a message."

            The captain nodded; he punched up the normal channel and opened communications. "Attention, unknown spacecraft," he said, in a tone that conveyed questioning. "Before you come, we ask that you state your intentions."

            "General!" exclaimed the communications soldier. "Incoming message from Tetral!"

            She lowered her eyebrows confusedly. How could they know her ship was headed for their planet before the light border had even been broken? "Onscreen!" she commanded. Instantly, the message appeared on the main screen. It was strange; she'd been NEAR this planet before, and such a message was never conveyed. Why had their policies changed? Were they at risk?

            "This is Saiyan Interstellar Transport One," responded Kelietya. "I am General Kelietya, supreme commander of Saiyan military forces. My only intention is to come here to relax, and to gather anyone who wants to return to Saiya with us."

            The captain looked over at his commander, then looked back with a not-so-demeaning look on his face. "Welcome back, General," he merrily replied. "It's good to have you with us again." She smiled back; it was good to be remembered. She was only two hundred thirty when she was here last; had it been that long? Really? It seemed to her like yesterday. If it was anything like it was last time, Goku'd really like it here. For her, he'd have to.

            "Should I make the switch to super-light speed?" inquired the lieutenant. He was responded to with a nod. Hastily, he moved forward the main force lever, causing time to pause again. And, like before, when they came out, they rapidly switched everything back to normal. Goku felt a little woozy every time they came out of hyperspace. Maybe it was because he wasn't used to being frozen in place for what seemed like an eternity when in reality only an instant had passed. Oh well; he figured it was an experience he'd have to grow accustomed to. Kelietya saw through the tough Super Saiyan exterior, into the soul of the powerful legendary one. She was quite excellent at seeing what you had in your mind and spirit, and she saw in him a constant restlessness. He probably didn't know it himself, but it made him always need to be moving quickly, never stopping the action for too long. She smiled that demeaning smile she was famous for; perhaps her chances of turning bright green were better than she expected…

                The planet was even more wondrous than when she was there previously. She could see straightforward what was the cause for the change in policy; there was obvious damage on the mountains from what appeared to be a minor scuffle. She saw the main welcoming message they beam onto the screens of every incoming ship, and it told her that a battle left the city in ruins that had to be rebuilt. She was impressed, because the city had been rebuilt to a better quality than it had previously ever been. If their builders were this good, certainly she'd need to bring some back to Saiya with her. Goku saw before him a grand city; one that seemed to yell out to him to slow down. The ever-moving Goku couldn't silence the inner urge to relax when he was here, even. His subconscious rationalized it. After all, not all of a warrior's activities had to be high-octane in nature. Kelietya seemed to hear his inner call to peace as if it were broadcast over a loudspeaker, which caused her smile to widen, and her eyebrows to lower. Phase one was nearly underway.

            "Attention, all soldiers!" Announced Kelietya over the main P.A. system. "You may go about your leisure at will!" Her command was heeded well, for once the main ramp was lowered, a flood of lesser beings exited. Teneko, being a Namek, knew his relaxation would involve hours in the meditation room. For some reason, his Namekian mind seemed to perk, the same way it did every time something was wrong in the air. It happened to him when a Cardarian named Cold the First came to Namek long before his great-grandson's son would come a few centuries later to die at the hands of a Super Saiyan. He kept his guard up, for his antennae only tingled this way in the event of a problem. The people of Tetral moved out of the way when the commander descended, for his seven foot stature and sweeping presence dwarfed them greatly. Chi-Chi told her husband she'd be at the main swimming area, catching up on the waves. Taking into account her past with Goku, she felt safe with him spending time with Kelietya. Such foolish human ways, Kelietya thought of this decision, ought to be ended.

            There was nothing for Chi-Chi to worry about; if Kelietya still had it-and she knew she did-it would be over before the human woman knew about it. Too quick for any sort of retaliation of any variety. "I've an idea, Kakarot," suggested Kelietya. "Why don't we go to the V.R. chamber for some virtual relaxation." Ouch; the V.R. room. Not the steam room, which would allow for some alluring flirtation, not the mountains, which would pry open the proverbial locked door; no, she went straight for her private V.R. chamber. She was not about to pry open the lock, she was rearing back in preparation to kick down the door to his weak, inner heart. He would then be completely under her thrall.

            He thought a second. "I thought we came here to BREAK from fighting," he replied.

            This response threw her off slightly. She quickly regathered her defenses and responded with, "Don't worry, Kakarot. This's my private V.R. chamber where we can relax without fighting."

            He looked up, thinking. "Um…Ok!" he shot back. She was screaming for joy inside; he was about to throw off her plan, but surrendered his defenses at the last minute! Some Saiyans she'd brought in and lost interest in later fought her for hours, never laying down their defenses! In matters of the heart, what a helpless moron he was!  "I guess I trust you." Oh yes, this was lovely; he was hers.

            The hallway to her chambers was longer than before, but it was the same way it had been left. Once the two of them set foot inside, he was in amazement at the level of detail she'd put into this place. She obviously had spent agonizing hours making this room as alluring as it could be. This also made him cautious; who would need such aesthetic value? Was she trying to get someone under her control, and who? He was no idiot, but he had much to learn. She slid open the door to her V.R. chamber slowly, showing him the two face visors that made up the central part of the V.R. system. "In we go," she said, entering the chamber. He went in after her, seeing the massive computer it was hooked to.

            She pressed a few buttons, then slid her mask on. He did as she did shortly thereafter, and found himself in the grass fields of Mekro. He'd never been there, but from what he could see, there was nary a planet more wondrous and excellent. Now he knew she was onto something, but what? He was still oblivious to what was right in front of him. Once he got his bearings, he looked over and found that her Saiyan armor had changed from the type she normally wore to her main General's formal armor, which she had not worn since she last left Namek. He could see why; it fit her curves better and appeared to a side of his emotions he did not know were still active. He looked at her and felt wilder, more primitive Saiyan instincts taking control. He fought them, knowing what would happen if he gave in.

            "So, is this relaxing?" she said, the tone in her voice soothing. Perhaps too much so; as soon as she said it, she cursed silently. She had just made a mistake she hadn't made in three hundred years; she gave away her position. He stood up abruptly with a stern look on his face. Damn; right amount, wrong finesse. Her green had just turned pale again.

            "I think you're trying to seduce me," Goku cautiously said, in response. Seeing as her position was done, she figured what was the point of not revealing her intentions.

            "Yes," she replied. "I'm trying to seduce you. I want you to leave Chi-Chi forever, and be my husband."

            He shook his head disgustedly. "Why didn't I see it before?" The words ran her through like a sword.

            "I'm…sorry I tried," she tried to explain. "I do this a lot. I crush the hearts of Saiyans for my own amusement."

            "Why didn't I see it before?!" He continued. "I can't believe it!"

            She thrust her foot down, and was about to say, "I'll never forgive myself!" But she was unable, because before she could speak, he grabbed her firmly and pressed his lips against hers. She felt like rejecting him at first, but found herself giving in slowly. What was he doing? He was just in the middle of asking why didn't he see it. Wait, what didn't he see? Was it her plan, or something else? He pushed himself away before she could figure it out.

            "I…can't understand, Kakarot," she began.

            "Why didn't I see it before," he repeated. "I couldn't see why I foolishly made a snap decision."

            She turned her head slightly in confusion. "I'm afraid I still can't understand. What decision?"

            "I'll be back," he replied, then ejected himself from V.R. He'd just thrown off any sense she had of him; what was the ultimate purpose of the kiss? She had to follow him to find out. Ejecting herself from V.R., she hid her power then waited for him to rush out, which he did.

            Keeping inconspicuous, she kept up with him as he power-walked towards the swimming area. The hallways went by at near rocket speed as the chase kept up. A few periods of twenty minutes passed before Goku made it to the gigantic swimming pool, but Kelietya stayed close behind.

            "Have you seen my wife, bodyguard?" asked an oddly concerned Goku.

            The lifeguard on duty thought a little, then said, "She left for the locker room." He shifted his walking direction, then quickened his pace. People rushed to the side as he seemingly stormed the door of the locker room, pushing it open effortlessly. His facial expression turned from concern to bewilderment. There before him-Kelietya saw it too-was his wife Chi-Chi. She was draped around the front side of a person whose face he couldn't completely see because her kissing him was covering it. When she was alerted to Goku's sudden presence, her face adorned a look of impending doom, allowing her to pull away, and him to see the stranger's face. It literally drove the wind out of him. Even after air seeped back in did he have a problem saying it.

            "J…JUUNANAGOU!?!" He rasped. "WHAT THE FU…!" His wind wore out before the obscenity could be heard, sparing many a pair of virgin ears.

            "By the order of Kami," someone whispered then immediately shut up, sensing an angry super Saiyan in their vicinity.

            "N…NO!" Screamed Chi-Chi, of Goku's presence. "YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE! IT WASN'T TO BE LIKE THIS!"

            "What the HELL was it supposed to be like then?!" He angrily boomed. "HOW WAS IT TO BE?! I DEMAND TO KNOW!" He, deep down, did not like the evil anger his voice was assuming, but he was far too pushed forward to control himself now. Chi-Chi whimpered back like a wounded animal, squinting so as not to see the sheer force in her gentle husband's stance.

            "I'd like to give my part…" Juunanagou (android seventeen) attempted to say, lifting his hand to hopefully silence Goku to give his side.

            Goku gave him an evil glare, then blasted off the hand of Juunanagou. The android glared at the nothingness where his hand had been, then quickly got angry. "YOU SHUT UP!" fired Goku, officially swept up in anger. "YOU'RE THE CAUSE, SO SHUT UP!"

            "Please don't hurt him," Chi-Chi pleaded. He focused his gaze on her, and she put up her hands defensively. Juunanagou, sensing possible hostility in Goku, launched himself forward in attempt to protect his lover. Seeing this insult of an action, Goku thrust forth a mighty fist, which easily cracked open the titanium rib cage of Juunanagou. He fell to his knees, clutching his chest. Goku force-kicked him in the chin, hurling him backwards, punching through eighteen lines of lockers. Goku stomped forward and snatched his wife, effortlessly raising her four feet off the ground by her neck. She gazed in terror at her current position, dangling above the floor, elevated by his left hand. The grip on her neck was tighter than a hydraulic vice.

            "I wish I was evil so I could kill you," he said, his voice less aggressive than before. "How dare you surrender yourself to that..that…machine?! My kami, Chi-Chi, he was about to unbutton his top pants button when I came in!"

            "I…tried to get Kelietya to seduce you," she said, her voice muffled by his tight grip. "At least then we'd be even…"

            He let go instantly, caught up by the sudden realization of the situation. He sensed Kelietya's ki behind him, so he rapidly whirled around. "Is this true!?" he screeched, most of his anger turned back into shock. "I didn't even see him on the ship!"
            "He…he caught another ship here," she explained. "Chi-Chi explained the affair to me, and I agreed to help her."

            Goku shot his glare back at Chi-Chi. "How long has this gone on!?" He demanded. "Are both my children my own!?"

            She'd been crying before, but this really brought out the tears. "H…how could you ask…" she tried to say, but tears silenced her. "Of…of course they…"

            Goku shook his head as he exited the room. "Bullsh…" he said, then didn't finish as he walked away. Before he even took two steps, there stood a terror-stricken Gohan, who'd heard the entire thing. Goku saw in him the sheer level of worry, anger, and sadness that he himself was feeling all at once. Neither of them spoke, but a million words were uttered between them; a full conversation compressed into two incredulous glances. Goku saw tears streak down his son's grown-man eyes, and it brought the mighty Saiyan himself to tears. The two Super Saiyans helped each other walk away, both angry as hell and sadder than a depressant at the same time.

            When they both got back to Gohan's chamber, and they could speak, Goku proceeded to ask a question that bothered him.

            "H…how'd you know to come here?" Goku asked in between crying.

            Gohan wiped away a tear and replied, "I sensed something was wrong, so I caught a ship here."

            Neither wanted to ask why would she do it, because they both didn't want to know. Goku strangely saw Gohan fading to black, so he tried to call out to his son, but his cries were muffled. He felt himself shaking, and he couldn't explain why.

            "Kakarot?" a voice cried, slowly becoming more and more audible. "KAKAROT!" As if shot by a gun, he sprung up, suddenly becoming conscious. He looked around him, and saw his surroundings in the ship were unaltered. He was in his chair, Chi-Chi was beside him, and Kelietya had her hand on his arm, shaking him. He was confused as to how he got to where he currently was.

            "How the hell did I get here?" he asked.

            "I was about to ask you if you wanted to go to Tetral," Kelietya explained. "But for some reason, you fell asleep in your chair before I could finish. I came down to wake you when you started tossing and turning violently, kicking and punching at something as if it were there."

            Goku slapped himself mildly on the cheek; was he really here? Now?

            "Do you want to?" Kelietya persisted.

            He shook his head confusedly. "Want to what?"

            She rolled her eyes. "Do you want to go to Tetral?" She repeated.

            He abruptly shook his head, assuredly. "No," he said, making sure his voice was heard. "Do NOT go to Tetral. We must steer FAR CLEAR of that planet."

            She walked up to her chair, bewildered by his urgent need not to go to the most relaxing planet in the galaxy. "Oh…oh-kay," she said.

            Basket case, she thought. What's gotten into him, all of a sudden?!

                "Um, General Kelietya?" he inquired. "Do you know if Juunanagou was taken up with us?"

            She looked left and right as if she knew such a person. "I know no androids with a number of seventeen," she answered.

            "Whew," he replied. "Thank Kami."

            He received a troubling telepathic message from Teneko. The Namekian said, I saw the dream you had, Kakarot. I have to tell you, such a nightmare is natural to a person the first time they experience hyperspace travel.

            He was confused by the Namekian's mental words. Why is that? he replied, mentally.

            The Namekian rolled his eyes. For some reason, a person's worst fear is brought to the surface the next time after that that they fall asleep. Also, in this nightmare, they perform their worst possible reaction to this fear. In essence, this nightmare you can't win.

            Thanks for explaining, responded Goku.

            Your wife having…a less than honorable affair with an immature teenage android?! Even Goku laughed a bit at the sheer absurdity of the nightmare. He knew, from reunion experiences that Chi-Chi despised Juunana's foolish antics around vehicles and anything else fast, like Krillin's old girlfriend. From such humorous memories, he knew his better-than-that wife was above being seduced by that.

            He looked up; Kelietya was smiling at him. I saw your nightmare too, Kakarot, she reassured him. Rest assured I'd never try to seduce you. I'm slightly envious of your devotion, yes, but what you have is honorable.

            He smiled back. Thank you much, he replied.

            Her smile turned to a stern frown. Also, I've NEVER been with a male of ANY species, ever. Don't you EVER insult me so, even in a nightmare in which you have no control over your settings!

            He rolled his eyes; as if he could control such a thing. In any case, he couldn't understand the sheer weirdness of the dream. It seemed beyond him that he would have a nightmare of Chi-Chi having an affair with Juunanagou. She'd expressed no concern in anyone else before, so why Juunanagou? Why would he have a nightmare in which the android was the one who would seduce his wife? More complications would ensue, he predicted. Of all the bizarre things to happen to him, this one easily took the cake. He didn't comprehend the ultimate purpose of the nightmare, but felt it didn't truly matter. He looked over at his wife; she'd probably never know of the incredibly real-feeling nightmare he just had. She would be concerned, but he'd tell her nothing. There was no point in getting her MORE worried. Such an act would borderline on madness. One question about the dream bothered him more than any other; why did he go off the deep end so abruptly? He'd fought villains who've done things far more terrible than what she did in the nightmare, so why the anger? It was even stupefying to him.

                Kelietya figured out why he didn't want to go to Tetral, so she thought up another planet to which he might want to go, this time perhaps, a nightmare wouldn't keep them from it. It was the place to which she'd spent a lot of her time training herself and her troops for combat. She figured it was here they'd find a majority more Saiyans than they had found. So far, Yardrat had been their only planet, and there were no Saiyans. She knew she'd find them here, because her people left Saiya all the time for Kepetro, the planet with the best fighting settings in the universe. She only hoped Goku wouldn't freak out again.

            "I'm thinking of going to Kepetro," she offered. "It has the best training accommodations in the universe. Do you want to go there?"

            He thought a minute. Best training accommodations? Excellent for him; possibly bad for his wife. After all, she despised his constant fighting, so perhaps she'd get angry with him. He always had a tradition of trying everything once, so why not? If she didn't like it, too bad; there was nothing she could do to stop him.

            "Sure," he replied. "I'd love to go there." He looked over, and surprisingly, Chi-Chi didn't seem angry at him. Quite the opposite; she, for some reason, appeared unusually pleased. This was not normal; was she ill? Or perhaps she finally saw the light?

            "Okay then," Kelietya said. "Lieutenant, set the thrusters for the fastest non-light speed. This planet isn't but two parsecs away."

            The lieutenant nodded and pushed the lever to one notch below the super-light mark. Most of the time, a ship can only go into hyperspace once. However, since the Saiyans developed power crystals that are perpetually crystallized. No more drainage due to de-crystallization. So, that meant the reason for not switching was to keep any more nightmares from happening. As they flew on, Teneko remembered his first hyperspace-induced nightmare. He would've torn up half the ship if Kelietya hadn't interfered. Once the ship was in range of the planet, Kelietya ordered the slowdown and communications line opened. Chi-Chi approached Goku.

            "Good luck with all your training!" she cheerfully exclaimed, then walked towards the break room.

            It's time, Chi-Chi thought. After all this time, Goku finally gets to learn my secret I've kept from him.