Chapter 6

"Now, Goku," Istimus said, his voice nervous and terrified, when from behind him came a different voice.

""The dreamer sleeps but will soon awake, beware the snake's fatal mistake. Istimus sits on a throne of bones, but soon piled on him will be his drones. The fated one will come and then, Istimus's reign will reach its end," the Seer's voice echoed around them, and then she laughed cruelly, "prepare yourself, Istimus! I have been seeing this day as long as I've lived. You meet your end today. The dreamer has awakened!"

Goku then did a curious thing. He turned and bowed low to the Seer, and then crossed in front of Istimus. "It ends now Istimus. I owe you."

Chikou, who was sitting near Istimus still, looked confused, "Daddy, what's wrong?"

"Chikou, come here," said Goku quietly, and Chikou did. "Go stand by that beautiful woman with the dark hair, alright, Chikou?"

"Okay, Daddy," she said, then skipped away.

Istimus grinned. "I've been waiting for the rematch. Do you really think you will fare any better this time?"

Goku grinned and began doing his stretches. Istimus shook his head and crouched low in a fighter's position. Goku, blood pouring from his back and side, viewed his Master of three years and said clearly, "Today you will die, Istimus, and it will be the beginning of the redemption of the pain and suffering you have forced me to cause to so many people."

Istimus charged, faster than most could see, but Goku met his charge with one of his own. They fought back and forth, and though Goku normally would be stronger, his strength was pouring out with his blood from his injuries caused by Stritle's attack. However, they still were evenly matched. Istimus charged at Goku and Goku used instant transmission to appear behind him and strike him with a hand. Istimus sailed to the ground, but as Goku turned to follow him, Istimus turned and kicked him hard in the side, where he was injured. Goku grunted, sweat pouring down his face, but he aimed a vicious attack at Istimus's face. The fight continued, Goku quickly wearing down, Istimus growing tired, until suddenly, the tide of battle changed. Goku had plummeted down to push off the ground and send himself back up to meet Istimus in a head on collision, but he had slipped on his own blood and gone down. Istimus had come down on his stomach. He had gasped and stayed down. He faded slowly to Super Saiyan 4. Istimus kicked him hard in his injured side, and he gasped. Istimus continued to kick him and he faded slowly down to normal form. At normal form he could not stand the pain.

"Leave him alone!" a voice screamed, and Istimus turned to find Chikou in his face. Her little face was tightened with anger, and she screamed and for the first time, at the age of five, went Super Saiyan. Surprised, Istimus was hit by her attack, but predictably, it didn't phase him. Suddenly, however, he was slammed from the other side, and he turned to see one of his soldiers.

"Now, victims, now!" chanted the Seer, "avenge your planets and gain you freedom!"

The army, that was so fond of Goku, in one movement charged at Istimus. He had gotten the best, and now it came back to haunt him. All of the soldiers attacked him, and fought like never before. Goku's training had paid off. Chikou jumped in as well, and Goten, Gohan, Vegeta, and Trunks joined the battle. Goku managed to stand up, blood gushing from his side, and dribbling from his mouth, and flashed to Super Saiyan 5 one more time. "Ka-me-ha-me..." he chanted, and everyone pulled back knowing what would happen next.

Istimus stood alone, as he would always be and looked into the eyes of the one he had controlled. Hoping a little of the hypnotism remained, he said, "Goku, you will never be stronger than me."

Goku's face faltered for an instant, and everyone watched, fear plain on their faces at the thought that he might give in, and then he smiled and yelled, "HA!"

The normally blue blast was silver with his power, and it enveloped Istimus. He howled in agony as his flesh burned away and he was fried to a crisp. The smoke cleared and he was gone. "Even so," Goku gasped in pain, "that hasn't stopped me before."

Goku collapsed on the ground fading back to normal. However, three of his soldiers raced and picked him up supporting him. Krillen, who had come to in time to see the victory, tossed him a sensu bean. Goku laughing quickly ate it, and stood, stronger and healthier than ever. As Goku turned around he was hit by Goten and Chikou who yelled "Daddy!" in unison and hugged him tightly. He held both close, and whispered, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

Chichi again came up and he kissed her right then and there, not caring who saw. Gohan also came up and he was enveloped in the family hug.

Goku looked up to see Vegeta staring at him. "So, what happened, Kakarott? Did you get dropped on your head again?"

Goku grinned. It was good to be back.