Pt 5

"Report!"

Jessna looked up in irritation at the snapped command Zora issued as she stalked into his lab. "The boy will be fine," he replied. "There was some kind of malfunction in the transmitters I implanted in his head."

"Care to elaborate on that, Doctor?"

"I will 'elaborate' when I know more, Commander," came the tight reply.

"You've been working on it all night. His Lordship expects an answer immediately!"

Jessna growled softly. "Surely his Lordship and you understand that I must proceed carefully if I am to get the proper results required. I have said it before and I will say it one more time. The mind is a tricky thing to deal with. I cannot hurry with something like this. Now either get out and let me work or shut up and stay out of the way!" he ordered, giving the woman a challenging look. He stopped himself from smiling in satisfaction when Zora positioned herself in an out of the way corner of the room and kept her mouth shut.

He turned his attention back to Nekura, who lay motionless on the examination table, deeply asleep. He was hooked up to machines that were busily examining every inch of the child and the implants in his mind, trying to determine exactly what had happened. He studied the readouts of one machine and frowned deeply. "This can't be right," he muttered, turning to the readouts a second machine was generating. 'This is not at all pleasing,' he thought. Out loud, he said, "Someone has been tampering with my prize project. Either that or they have been tampering with me and my machines."

"What do you mean?" Zora asked, not moving from her corner.

"When I turned him lose, he was operating at one hundred percent of his full potential as I had set out to accomplish. I'm certain of it. But according to these readouts, he's only operating at seventy-eight percent! That doesn't make any sense! I'm certain he was at full power!"

"Are you certain he hasn't lost power along the way?" Zora asked.

"Impossible. The transmitters were designed to keep him at full power and stable. They would not have allowed so much as a one percent drop let alone twenty two percent! Something is very wrong here..."

"You just said the transmitters were malfunctioning," Zora challenged. "Perhaps they did allow the drop."

"No," Jessna answered, moving to look at the readouts of a third machine. "According to these results, the transmitters haven't allowed a single drop." He looked up at her, annoyance in his yellow eyes. "Which suggests someone on this ship led me to believe I had risen his power to full."

Zora's eyes flashed. "May have been Ritan but we don't know that for certain. That means I have to go hunting again." She growled quietly. "I'm going to have to convince Lord Nexus to stop taking on so many telepaths. This is getting irritating. Can you correct this little mishap?"

Jessna nodded. "Yes. Will take a few hours, but I should be able to correct this issue."

"And what about the transmitters? What happened there?"

"Well," Jessna replied slowly, looking at his readouts again, "I'm starting to suspect Nekura overloaded them. If they truly were set to hold him at only seventy-eight percent and he attempted to go above that, then of course they would have malfunctioned. This will not happen again, provided you find the one responsible and feed him to something."

"I'll find them," Zora replied, turning and heading for the door. "They will not escape me. Not this time."

As the door slid closed with her departure, Jessna turned back to his work, whispering, "Sometimes I do wonder."

Goku knew he wasn't alone within seconds of emerging from the water with the giant fish for that night's dinner. He dropped the fish on the bank, ignoring his nakedness as he scanned the trees. "Come out!" he called, almost certain he knew who it was. His suspicions were proved correct when his mystery friend emerged from the trees. Goku didn't approach, certain he or she would have stopped him anyway. "Is Goten alright?" he asked, "What happened to him?"

"He's fine. Although I'm afraid, in his work to correct the problem, the Doctor discovered my sabotage."

"Sabotage?"

"Aye. I have been manipulating the Doctor into believing he had brought out Goten's full potential when in reality, it was only a portion."

"He's only been operating at portion of his full potential?" Goku repeated in surprise. 'Wow,' he thought, pride filling his heart.

"Aye. And now that the Doctor has discovered this, he has risen the power level. I managed to keep him from reaching Goten's full power again, but the boy is still stronger than he was."

Goku closed his eyes. He was already so strong without the additional rise. How much worse could this get?

"There is hope, Kakarot. His strength, while great, is unnatural at this point in time. There is still a way for you to dominate both physically and mentally."

Goku opened his eyes, startled. "There is? How?"

"I have looked into your heart, your soul and your past. Goten shares more than just your looks and spirit. He has a dark side that rivals yours and is now much the way you would have been had you not hit your head as a child."

Goku shivered. That was not a pleasant thought.

"You fear your dark side," the stranger continued. "Yet it is your dark side that possess the power you need to save your son."

Goku frowned. "I don't understand." It was true that he feared his dark side. He was very much aware of what it was capable of as he had struggled with it many times in his life. How could something so awful be the key to saving his son?

"Your dark side holds power that you have not yet tapped into," his friend said. "It is not only physical but mental as well. If you can make peace with your dark side and learn to work with it, then you will be able to tap into this power, which may be what you need to get through this. I will try to buy you some time, but Nexus is getting impatient. I fear the next time Goten attacks, the battle will not end until someone is dead. However, if you surprise him with superior strength, Nexus may call him back to determine what the problem is. That will be your chance to follow."

Goku caught a small, coin sized object that was tossed to him. "When you are fighting him, slip that into his clothing. It will disrupt the collar for thirty seconds every two minutes, allowing his natural ki signature to emerge and enabling you to get to his location aboard a ship that has been blocked from your senses." The stranger paused. "I must go before I am missed."

"Wait!" Goku exclaimed, "Please, just tell me something first. What's your name? I know you're operating in secret here and I respect that but I'd just like to know what to call the person who's giving me a chance to rescue my son."

The stranger was silent a moment, then said, "You may call me Kitra. It means 'friend' in my language."

Goku smiled. "Fair enough Kitra. And please, call me Goku. That's been my name longer than Kakarot has."

"Remember all I have told you," Kitra replied. "And good luck....Goku."

As Kitra vanished, Goku examined the little device he had been given and thought over all he had been told. It chilled his bones and made his heart ache to know that Goten took after him in such a way. It wasn't right that his little boy had been forced to know such darkness so intimately. He could only hope and pray that when it was all over, Goten would be returned to them with no memory of what had happened. Deciding to seek out Piccolo for help in his new mission, Goku dressed, dropped the fish off at home, then went to find his old friend. After all, who knew more about dark sides than Piccolo?

"Making peace with one's dark side in a short period of time isn't easy, Goku," Piccolo said, "especially if you've been at odds for a long time." Goku had just finished telling the Namekian warrior about his talk with Kitra and what he needed to do.

"But it can be done, right?" Goku questioned and Piccolo nodded.

"Yes, it can be done. Assuming you can get your dark side to burry the hatchet somewhere other than your back."

Goku cast his old friend an anxious look. "Can you help? That is, can you help convince him to work with me?"

Piccolo shook his head. "Only you can do that. Best I can do is come along for the ride and try to prevent him from taking control from you." He sat down crossed legged and looked up at Goku. "If you still want to do it, then have a seat and let's get started."

Goku sat down across from him and Piccolo closed his eyes. "We're going to enter meditative states," he instructed. "I want you to take down all your mental barriers and open your mind to me."

Goku nodded and closed his eyes, slowly entering a meditative state. He took down his barriers as instructed, giving Piccolo full access to his mind. When he felt Piccolo connect to him, he opened his eyes internally, revealing the familiar surroundings of his mind.

They were in a circular room with several exits, all obviously leading to different areas of Goku's mind. Beside some of the exits stood replicas of Goku that Piccolo easily identified as different parts of Goku's personality. He spotted strength, courage, happiness, innocence and hope, all watching the pair quietly. Goku paid them no attention as he headed for the only exit that was barred by a heavy door that had an aura of foreboding surrounding it.

As Piccolo followed, he noticed more manifestations of Goku's personalities appear, some with anxious expressions. He could hear whispers flowing back and forth among them as they discussed what was going on. There was a mixed air of excitement and nervousness and Piccolo was pretty certain a few of them wanted to intervene and stop any attempted access to what lay beyond the heavy door.

Goku ignored the nervous whispers of those gathered behind them, his attention focused on the door. He reached out to open it, hesitating for a second before touching the handle. There was a flash of light and the door disappeared, revealing a dark corridor beyond. There were a few cries of fear and despair from the audience and Piccolo watched as many of them vanished, fleeing to some safe harbor deeper within Goku's mind. Those who stayed watched silently. Goku glanced at Piccolo, took a deep breath, then led the way inside.

It was cold in the corridor and seemed to get colder the further in they went. They soon came to another door, which opened on its own at their approach. "Wait," Goku said, stopping Piccolo from entering. "You'd better stand back."

Piccolo gave Goku a questioning look but did as asked, backing up a few feet as Goku took a stance for a Kamehameha wave. Seconds later, a massive Ki beam erupted from the darkness beyond. Goku quickly met the beam with his Kamehameha wave, decimating the trap they had sprung.

"Nice little surprise you set," Piccolo said with a small grin. Goku allowed a small smile of his own, then led Piccolo through the doorway. There was just enough light to reveal a set of stairs and as they descended, the temperature plummeted and the air grew thick with the presence of dark energy.

Goku hated being here. It shamed him to know that such darkness existed within him and he had no idea how he was going to make peace and work with it. At least Piccolo was with him. The Namek knew a thing or two about dark sides and his presence was comforting. Just moments after descending the stairs, they turned into what Goku knew was the final corridor. At the end was another door that radiated malice and blood lust. Thinking of Goten, Goku pushed his trepidation aside and opened the door.

The room they found themselves in was surprisingly warm compared to how cold the corridors had been. But the air was almost suffocating. Even Piccolo was growing nervous about meeting what resided here.

"Well, well," a voice said softly, "Look who's come to visit." Another double of Goku stepped from the shadows into the dim light, a predatory smirk on his lips.

"Hello Kakarot," Goku said, eyeing him warily and keeping distance between them. "Do you know why we're here?"

"Perhaps," Kakarot replied softly as he circled them in such a way that it felt like he was stalking them. 'Probably is' was Piccolo's thought as he watched. "You keep me locked away so tightly, it is difficult to know what is happening at any one time," the double continued. "You let me out to play so rarely, brother."

"Goten's in trouble," Goku said, ignoring the fear Kakarot tending to inspire. "Some overlord bastard kidnaped him and twisted his mind. He thinks he's the last Saiyan and that the rest of us are demon imposters."

"And what does that have to do with me?"

"A friend on the other side told me that I can gain access to power needed to help Goten if I can make peace with you and work with you."

Kakarot laughed coldly. "Now why would I want to make peace with you? Peace isn't any fun. And besides, I fail to see why this situation is a bad thing. I've always thought those two brats of ours had too much human in them. If brat number two is acting more Saiyan, as he should, then leave him to it."

Goku gave his darkness a hard look. "I may not know a whole lot about our Saiyan roots but I've learned enough to know that a Saiyan would never let some low class, unworthy being kidnap an offspring and use that offspring's power to achieve his goals. At least Frieza had the power to do what the Saiyans were doing on his own if he had wanted to. If this Nexus was more powerful than all of us, he would have already made an appearance instead of wasting all this time."

Goku paused, eyes boring into Kakarot's. "Despite how despicable you are, I know you won't turn your back on our son, especially when some scumbag is exploiting him for his power. Besides, if we're at peace, working together and supporting each other, then maybe you won't have to be locked away like this all the time. Maybe you can come out and have some fun once in a while."

Goku knew he had the other's interest by the look that entered Kakarot's eyes. A soft laugh escaped his lips. "You must be desperate to be offering that." He paused, eyes boring into Goku's. "All right," he finally said, "I'll make you a deal. You defeat me in a fight, and I'll grant you your peace." An ugly grin passed his lips as he added, "However, if I defeat you, I'll take control of our body and do what I wish."

Goku looked at the other critically. He was fairly certain he could defeat his darkness but there was always that chance that lingered on the edge of every battle he fought. The chance that he would lose. If that he take the risk? What choice did he have? Goten's life was at stake and therefore, he would not lose. Finally, he said, "How do I know you'll keep your word if win?"

Kakarot looked strangely insulted. "Oh please, just because I am darkness does not mean I have no honor."

"All right, then give me your word of honor that you'll do as I ask if I win," Goku said, watching Kakarot carefully.

Kakarot smirked and nodded. "Very well. You have my word of honor that we will make peace should you win."

Satisfied, Goku nodded. "All right then." He closed his eyes for a moment and the room shimmered and then faded away, replaced by a perfect replica of the wastelands. He opened his eyes and glanced at Piccolo, whose nod was barely noticeable. If Kakarot won, Piccolo knew what he had to do. Turning his attention back to his dark half, Goku nodded shortly and slipped into a ready position. "Whenever you're ready."

Kakarot smirked again and moved into his own position. They stared at one another for a few seconds, then simultaneously attacked. For hours, the battle between two halves of one person raged. It was difficult for either one to get the upper hand as they both knew the other's strengths and weaknesses and how to counter attacks far too well. As Piccolo watched, he began to doubt that it was possible for either one to win. Then again, Goku was constantly surprising him so maybe it wasn't as pointless as it seemed.

Three hours went by and then a fourth. Then, finally, something happened. Goku seemed to find and tap into the power he needed to defeat his darkness. By this time, both were glowing with their own light and dark energies and, as Goku found what he needed, a scream erupted from his deep inside and light brighter than the sun burst out from him, engulfing both himself and Kakarot, whose screams joined Goku's. Piccolo had been forced to look away, using his cape to help shield his eyes from the light and only when the screams stopped did he slowly lower his cape and open his eyes. He drew in a small breath at the scene before him.

Kakarot was on his hands and knees, panting heavily, his energy gone. Goku was standing over him, his breathing just as heavy, his energy barely there. He swayed and fell to his knees, unable to stand any longer and Kakarot raised his head to look at him. They stared at one another in silence for several long minutes before a tiny smile crossed Kakarot's lips followed by a small laugh. Seconds later, both were laughing quietly.

"Well," Kakarot said after a moment, "Looks like you win, brother. That was an impressive move worthy of respect." He offered Goku a hand. "As promised, there is now peace between us."

Goku smiled widely and took the offered hand. Instantly, a wind began blowing and light again formed around them. As Piccolo watched, the wind seemed to take control of the light as it began racing around them, darkness mixing into it. Both sides had their eyes closed and as the wind got stronger, they burst into Super simultaneously. There was a burst of light and then suddenly, Piccolo found himself back in his own body, staring up at a whole new version of Super Saiyan. Oh Dende....

tbc...