Fallen Hero

Chapter 10

*the crowd awaits the start of another chapter as CMG looks around backstage*

CMG: It seems the natives are becoming restless for the next chapter. And I just thought of a rather interesting twist while I was working on my Granny square afghan.

Zi-Kita: *stares at CMG with wide eyes* YOU are creating a Granny square afghan? *starts laughing*

CMG: *fumes* Well, even a semi-godly authoress must have a hobby. Besides, I've been crocheting now for about 11 years.

Scrix: *whistles* You really had a boring childhood, didn't you?

CMG: *goes Super Bitchin' 5* I'd take back those words if I were you, Scrix.

Scrix: Yes mam!

CMG: *reverts to normal* Good. As usual, I don't own Dragon Ball Z. If I did, who knows? Maybe I'd be in Florida instead of this rainy muddy weather we've been having in Ohio since Christmas ended.

Karis: It rained last night and you're still complaining?

CMG: You try taking a dog who's likely to escape the yard outside on a leash through all that muck! *points outside to a swamp that's not even the authoress' backyard*

Infr: *hobbles to the doorway as he peers outside* I don't see them out *CMG kicks him outside from behind* here... *splat*

CMG: We better get started. Goku! Bardock! Everyone! Let's get this show on the road!

*the curtain slowly starts to rise as everyone, sans CMG, were on stage to perform the next act*

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Grunting was heard as Kakarotto struggled against the very bonds that held him on the table. Since regaining consciousness, he had a foreboding feeling as Infr and Saria watched on across the room. As Scrix entered the room followed by the mortal Saiya-jins, Bardock walked straight toward his son as the former Earth-raised Saiya-jin stopped struggling against the very bonds that held him.

/Kakarot,/ said Bardock. /Calm down./

/How can I be calm at a time like this,/ said Kakarotto. /I feel something bad is about to happen./

/What?/ said Vegeta. /Explain./

/In a vision, I heard a woman screaming "Goku",/ said Kakarotto as everyone tensed up.

/We need to know who it is,/ said Radditz. /Is it our mom?/

/Idiot,/ said Bardock. /She calls him Kakarot./

/Could it be my mate?/ said Vegeta as he thought of Bulma.

/Let's find out,/ said a familiar voice as everyone turned to see...

/Saria?/ said Bardock as the elder woman walked across the room with a mirror floating behind her.

/This is now a trial where we need to find out if Kakarot's telling the truth about the matter or lying,/ said Saria as she positioned the mirror in front of Kakarotto. /If this mirror shows us that what Kakarot claims, then it will appear here in this mirror./

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Are the dragon balls ready?" said Zi-Kita as Slug bows.

"Yes," said Slug. "Does thy master have a wish?"

"Indeed," said Zi-Kita. "My wish is that Kakarotto's Earthen mate is brought to this very planet. If he still is the weak-willed Saiya-jin, he will come after her."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

On Mount Paozu, Chi-chi was home alone drying the clean dishes when suddenly, she felt herself fading away. The plate that was in her hand hit the floor as a scream was heard.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Kakarotto winced as he saw the very vision play out in front of him again. Before anyone could say anything, Kakarotto blurted out the woman's name.

"Chi-chi!"

"Who's Chi-chi?" said Radditz and Nappa at the same time.

"Shit," growled Bardock as he felt his son getting angry.

"Release me," said Kakarotto. "I can't just let Zi-Kita get away with this."

"Are you on his side our ours?" said Scrix.

"Right now, I'm still a bit confused," said Kakarotto. "With my mate in that bastard's hands though, I cannot and will not let him hurt her."

"Just answer the question, yes or no, Kakarot," said Vegeta.

"For now, I'm on your side, so let me go already!" snapped Kakarotto as Bardock slapped his son in the face.

"What do you mean 'for now'?" said Bardock angrily. "You're either going to be on this side or you're going to stay there for the next several hours while your mate gets abused by that psychopath!" Bardock regretted saying those words the minute Kakarotto broke through the binds and hand his father pinned to the wall. Kakarotto's hand was on Bardock's throat as Kakarotto stared at the man with red eyes tail lashed behind him; the tail lashing behind him as Bardock struggled to breathe. Nappa winced at the grip Kakarotto had on his father's throat.

"Listen, I have no time to waste," hissed Kakarotto with venom and hate mixed in his voice. "I want to save my damn mate even if I have to kill you in order to do it. Until I can distinguish who's friend or foe, stay out of my fucking way." (A/N: Dude. Kakarotto's woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Let's see what happens next.)

"Kakarot, release your father," said King Vegeta as Kakarotto let his father down, but kept his guard up. Radditz was speechless on how his brother acted right then and there. It was pure Saiya-jin as he decided to keep away from the brother until the haze on his mind cleared. Bardock was regaining his breath as he glared at his son angrily as he got up on his feet again.

/If you're sure you can stop Zi-Kita, go ahead,/ said Bardock angrily. /He's managed to defeat you before and he'll end up killing you the minute you go back to Caduto without any clue on what's going on./

/What do you mean?/ said Kakarotto. /Did he defeat me before?/

/Yes,/ said Vegeta as Kakarotto looked at the Saiya-jin Prince. /He had you pinned to the ground while he made it impossible for you to stop him./ For a moment, Kakarotto's amber eyes flickered as though there was a delay in processing that information. /He intimidated you by giving you false visions./

/Stop,/ growled Kakarotto as his head started to ache.

/He made you believe that he was a God!/ continued Vegeta as Kakarotto felt the pain increase. /If you are truly going to go after that bastard, you need to remember what you've forgotten! Don't think that you'll be able to take him down alone!/

/THAT'S ENOUGH!/ roared Kakarotto as the golden aura surrounded him, his eyes becoming teal. /MY MATE'S LIFE IS IN DANGER AND I NEED TO GET THERE OR ELSE I'LL.../ Kakarotto fell to the ground to his knees as he started to whimper in pain.

/You'll what, Kakarot?/ smirked Vegeta as the golden aura around Kakarotto faded and the teal eyes turned back into amber eyes that continued to flicker every few seconds. /Let us help you./

/Vegeta's right,/ said Piccolo as he appeared in the doorway. /Goku, you need to remember that you are on our side. Remember that we are your allies./

/Allies,/ whispered Kakarotto as he weakly looked around. His eyes finally held the black color as he looked at his father. /Dad, I-I'm sorry for the way I treated you.../

/Are you really back, Kakarot,/ said Bardock as he felt afraid, but through the bond, he felt reassurance, hope, and a sense of calmness as his son nodded his head.

/If it wasn't for any of you,/ said Kakarotto as the signs of Goku were starting to show in his emotions, /I would have killed all of you without a second thought. I guess I'm getting soft by the way my counterpart's been living his life./

/Where have we heard this before?/ said Scrix as he stared at Bardock. Without even realizing it, he began to remember when he was heading to Earth after spending their time preparing for Freeza on the Planet Yardrat.

*** Flashback... ***

"Hm, I guess you're loyal to your planet," said Bardock. "If that's your home and if your friends live on it. I wonder if I'll become as soft as you if I go there?"

"It depends if you're wanting to become soft," said Goku as he chuckles.

"Hey," said Bardock a bit angry. "I am not going to be soft, you hear me?"

"Yeah, yeah," said Goku. "Keep telling yourself that."

"Don't make me come over there and kick your sorry ass," said Bardock.

"I'd like to see you try and fit your ass inside this cockpit," said Goku. "I'm squished as it already is and you should know how that feels."

*** End Flashback ***

/Now's not the time to bring that up,/ said Bardock as he realized that he had indeed become soft during his time on Earth after he claimed he wouldn't all those years ago. Scrix chuckled as Bardock felt angry. /You owe me a sparring session after we kill Zi-Kita./

/I'll put that on my list of things to do,/ said Scrix. /Now let's get going! The more time we waste, the less time we have to save Kakarot's mate./

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"So, you're Kakarotto's mate," said Zi-Kita as he circled the frightened Chi-chi as he lifted her chin with his bulky fingers. "I can see what taste he has in vulgar Earth women. I think I should give him credit."

"What are you going to do to me?" said Chi-chi.

"Nothing yet," said Zi-Kita. "Too bad you're a waste of Saiya-jin blood though."

"What?" snapped Chi-chi. "How am I a waste?"

"You humans are the reason Kakarotto's loyal to his planet," said Zi-Kita. "If you were a Saiya-jin, perhaps maybe you'd understand."

"Don't you dare make me into one!" cried Chi-chi as Zi-Kita smirked.

"Too late, my princess," said Zi-Kita as Slug smirked. "Slug, tell your pet dragon to make Chi-chi into a full-blooded Saiya-jin so that she would understand why Freeza himself feared us."

"No!" yelled Chi-chi as Slug started translating the wish. "Don't do it! I beg you!"

"Your wish will be granted," said Tronikor as his eyes glowed. Chi-chi screamed as pain raked her body. Every single cell within her body changed as Zi-Kita's laugh was heard throughout the palace.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

/Are we ready to face Zi-Kita?/ said Scrix before Goku suddenly yelled out in pain.

/Kakarot!/ said Vegeta and Bardock as Goku fell to his hands and knees.

/We need to go after him,/ said Goku bitterly as he tried to catch his breath. /He's hurting her!/

/Actually,/ said Scrix, /he's just made a wish to change Chi-chi into a full-blooded Saiya-jin./

/What?!/ growled Goku. /How dare he mess with my mate!/ Without even touching anyone, he teleported all of the fighters to Caduto.

'I'll have to remember to ask Kakarot how he did that,' thought Bardock as they appeared in the throne room where Chi-chi was on the ground in pain. Goku ran towards her as he gently lifted her into his arms, glaring at Zi-Kita in anger before his eyes softened by the sight of Chi-chi in pain.

"Chi-chi! Chi-chi, are you alright?" said Goku as he gently shook Chi-chi. Eyes fluttered open as Chi-chi looked at Goku weakly.

"Goku?" said Chi-chi weakly as her tail wrapped around his wrist. Goku flinched at the touch, but forced himself to relax as he purred softly to comfort her.

"Don't worry," said Goku. "I'll make him pay for turning you into a Saiya-jin against your will." Getting up with her cradled in his arms, he carried Chi-chi towards Scrix as he took her from his arms. Chi-chi's tail slid off his wrist as Goku looked up toward Scrix with a sign of respect. "Watch over her, Scrix. This is my battle."

"Very well," said Scrix.

"Goku, be reasonable," said Piccolo as he saw how much pain Goku had in his eyes. "He beat you without mercy the last time and..."

"I know Piccolo, but he had also messed with the person I swore to protect and I cannot forgive him for doing it," said Goku as he turned around slowly. "Zi-Kita, your fight is with me, isn't? You don't have to wait anymore."

"Ah, so the traitor showed up," said Zi-Kita. "Once I kill you, this very universe you swore to protect will be shown no mercy."

"You messed with the wrong Saiya-jin to take your anger out on," said Goku as he transformed into the forbidden level. "I cannot and will not forgive you."

"Come at me then," said Zi-Kita as he transformed and they stared each other down.

"Go... ku..." whispered Chi-chi as she felt a spasm of pain.

"Relax," said Scrix as he knew the former Earthling was having trouble adjusting to the blood flowing through her. Gently, he purred to comfort her as she fell asleep in Scrix's arms in exhaustion. All eyes were on Goku and Zi-Kita now as the two mighty warriors stared each other down before their feet shifted on the ground. Without a word, the two warriors lunged at each other as they met midway. Punches and kicks were traded with grunts as they were either blocked or dodged in perfect orchestration.

/Whoa,/ said Radditz. /They're good!/

/It seems that they're evenly matched,/ said Nappa

/No,/ said Vegeta. /Zi-Kita's holding back./

/How do you know?/ said Nappa.

/I can tell by the way Kakarot's rushing into battle,/ said Vegeta. /I've known him for being patient and gauging the enemy's strength./

/He's also using the ability to foresee into the future,/ said Bardock. /He's taken it to another level altogether and is using it to face that bastard with everything he has./

/I had no idea he was that good at using that ability,/ said Vegeta.

/What are you talking about?/ said Radditz. /I had no idea that Kakarot's can see into the future./

/Bardock was cursed with it,/ said Scrix. /Kakarot got it through the Zoi Stone and Vegeta got the ability when Kakarot attempted to purge the darkness from Vegeta's mind during the struggle with Majin Buu./

/Thick stuff!/ said Nappa. /If Kakarot wins, what will we do after this?/

/We'll have to change Chi-chi back into a human,/ said Piccolo as he carelessly forgotten the promise he made not to speak in Saiya-go on the planet as Bardock stared at him rather angrily. /Damn. I forgot the promise./

Across the battlefield, Goku was starting to get hit by the blows as Zi-Kita knocked him into a wall. Wincing, the Earth-raised Saiya-jin planted his hands against the wall as he pushed himself out of the way before Zi-Kita's fist could hit his face as he flew forward and tried to punch Zi-Kita in the gut. However, Goku was met with an after-image as he was knocked into the ground from above by Zi-Kita. Without warning, Zi-Kita suddenly grabbed Goku's tail as he reverted completely to normal as he winced in pain.

//Where's that strength you boasted to have?// said Zi-Kita as he squeezed Goku's tail harder. On the sidelines, Bardock was about to interfere, but Vegeta held the warrior back as he tried to get free and save his son.

/Let go Vegeta!/ growled Bardock.

/There's nothing we can do,/ said Vegeta. /He's just too strong!/

/I don't care!/ said Bardock as he continued to struggle. Without warning, Radditz flew at Zi-Kita. /Radditz! You can't attack him! It's too dangerous!/

Flying at Zi-Kita, Radditz hit him from behind as the Dark God's tail snaked up and grabbed Radditz by the throat. Goku growled as he saw his brother risking his life for him and kicked Zi-Kita in the shin. Loosing his grip on both Radditz and Goku, they both lunged at the Dark God as they both punched him in the gut as he flew into the altar and destroyed it..

/Thanks Radditz,/ said Goku as Radditz landed beside him.

/Sure thing, little brother,/ said Radditz.

/I think you're the little brother since I'm technically older than you,/ said Goku.

/You'll always be little no matter how old you are,/ said Radditz as Zi-Kita started to recover from the last attack.

//You insolent fools!// hissed Zi-Kita as he stood up. Blood ran down the side of his mouth as he wiped it away. //How dare you make a God shed blood!//

/This plot sounds familiar,/ smirked Vegeta as he remembered the first battle he had with Goku that he almost won. /I wonder if it will end the same way or not./

/What are you talking about,/ said Bardock.

/The way he's talking, it sounds like Kakarot and Zi-Kita are about to get into an energy blast battle,/ said Vegeta as he finally let go of Bardock.

/I wonder who will win?/ said Nappa.

/We should be cheering for Kakarot to win,/ said King Vegeta.

/Yeah! Go Kakarot!/ yelled Nappa as Vegeta scoffed.

On the battlefield, Zi-Kita flew up in the air as he held his hands in a clam-like position with fingertips touching each other. Goku shoved Radditz out of the way to protect him as he growled. However, he noticed Goku had shifted his hands in a familiar position as he suddenly understood and got away from the two warriors and returned to the sidelines. Goku powered up to the forbidden level again as he prepared to take the blast that Zi-Kita was creating with his own blast that he learned long ago on Earth from Master Roshi. It seemed fitting to use this blast.

"Chou Ka... me... ha... me..." chanted Goku as Zi-Kita prepared to unleash his blast.

//Burn in hell!// yelled Zi-Kita as he unleashed his attack. //Ending Light!//

/HAAA!/ yelled Goku as he did the same. Both blasts met at the middle as Goku's feet dug into the ground; his tail flailing in the energy generated wind. The other warriors held their ground as the power struggle began. Goku clenched his teeth as he make a clicking sound in his throat. As Goku's beam started to get taken advantage of, Zi-Kita laughed evilly as Goku continued fighting.

/You're no match for me,/ boasted Zi-Kita. /So why don't you just die already?/

/Kakarot!/ said Bardock. Nappa noticed that King Vegeta and Vegeta were planning something.

/King Vegeta?/ questioned Nappa.

/What are you and your father discussing, Vegeta?/ said Radditz.

/We are planning a counterattack,/ said King Vegeta. /Get ready, son./

/Right,/ said Vegeta as they both got on the battlefield where Goku was at and charged up their energy attacks. King Vegeta transformed into a Super Saiya-jin while Vegeta transformed into a Super Saiya-jin 3 and both father and son aimed their energy blasts at Goku's Chou Kamehameha Wave to add power. "Big Bang Attack!"

"Hell's Flash!" roared King Vegeta as the two energy blasts added to the one struggling to hold back Zi-Kita's Ending Light. As the three warriors kept the blast from hitting Goku, they were still struggling as Radditz, Nappa and Bardock were running towards the battlefield. Piccolo and Scrix stayed on the sidelines as Chi-chi cried out in pain as she remained unconscious.

/Hang on Kakarot!/ said Radditz as he ran towards the others and powered up. He wasn't a Super Saiya-jin, but he still wanted to help. "Hell's Fury!"

"Final Flash!" yelled Nappa as his body reached Super Saiya-jin and a golden aura surrounded his body. He looked rather funny with the golden mustache, but everyone ignored it for the time being.

"Chou Kamehameha!" yelled Bardock as he powered to the forbidden level and poured his power into the blast.

The five Saiya-jins added to Goku's energy blast as it pushed back Zi-Kita's blast. However, Zi-Kita laughed as he poured more power into the blast.

/No way!/ yelled Goku as the other fighters found out that they fell into a trap.

"Masenko-Ha!" yelled Piccolo as he appeared.

"Piccolo! Run away!" said Goku.

"No way," said Piccolo. "If we all die, we might as well go together."

"Well spoken," said Vegeta. "We will all die if our power isn't united now, Kakarot."

"Too bad it was in vain," said Zi-Kita as everyone noticed that Zi-Kita's blast was almost on top of them.

In a minute's time, five unspeakable things happened. One, Chi-chi appeared by Goku's side and added her blast in. Two, Scrix entered the fray and aimed his blast at the beam in the forbidden level. The third thing that happened...

"I won't let it end like this!" roared Vegeta as he reached the forbidden level for the first time. The fourth was Radditz transformed into a Super Saiya-jin for the first time and the fifth...

"Super Kaio-Ken!" roared Goku as the reddish aura surrounded his body. The combined effort that the fighters trying to save the universe from a mad man were enough to drive Zi-Kita's Ending Light away as Zi-Kita was caught in the monstrous energy blast as his body was broken down atom by atom. As the warriors rejoiced for barely winning the battle, Goku suddenly passed out as Chi-chi cried for her husband and mate. The earth began to shake as the castle began to fall apart. Quickly, Scrix teleported everyone off the planet before it exploded. It was Zi-Kita's power that held the planet together and it was the same power that destroyed it.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Is he alright?" said Bardock.

"He's overexerted himself," said Karis. "He's lucky to be alive."

Inside the room, Chi-chi was crying against Goku's chest by his bedside.

"Goku..." cried Chi-chi as she no longer cared if she was a Saiya-jin or not as Goku slowly regained consciousness.

"Chi-chi," said Goku as Chi-chi suddenly leaned over and hugged her husband. "Ouch! Not so rough! Chi-chi! I'm still bruised pretty bad!"

"I was so worried about you," said Chi-chi as she suddenly became cross. "The next time you ever make me worried like that again, I won't ever forgive you!"

"Aw, you don't really mean that, do you?" pouted Goku as he put on his best puppy dog face.

"I guess not," said Chi-chi in a defeated voice as her tail stroked Goku's; earning a moan out of the warrior as he suddenly became aggressive and seemed to have an evil glint in his eyes. "Um Goku? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Are you sure you want to become human again?" said Goku in a husky voice. "There's a lot of advantages of being a Saiya-jin."

"Fine, but you better not be so rough on me," said Chi-chi as she caught on to Goku's plan and she giggled as Goku's lips met hers.

Outside the room, Bardock was about to go in when Piccolo suddenly came down the hallway and shook his head no.

"And why not?" said Bardock as Piccolo motioned his hands in a way that meant that the two were making out. "For the love of..." Piccolo covered Bardock's mouth as he dragged the Saiya-jin away to leave the two lovers alone to recuperate and get used to each other's presence again.

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*the crowd cheers for an encore as the curtains fall*

CMG: I hope everyone liked this chapter. At long last, Zi-Kita is dead as well as the others. Too bad I didn't keep my promise on Ganki showing up. Who knows. This story's only started to get interesting.

Scrix: At least I don't have to worry about Zi-Kita causing anymore chaos.

CMG: This series is not over yet though. There will be more pitfalls in the future and the title "Fallen Hero" means something more than it seems. Until next time, remember to review on your way out. Thank you and follow through!