Disclaimer, in case it wasn't obvious. I don't own Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, or really any other property. Thank you.
The Long Road
Chapter 41: Suffocate
Gohan:
"That was Vegeta."
It seemed unreal as they propelled themselves through the sky. The words came from Piccolo as the two of them passed through the air. It was stating the obvious as what felt like an army threw Vegeta back, and threw him back hard. His energy entirely disappeared in what he was just hit with. And if his energy disappeared, there was a very, very good chance that Vegeta had just been scorched into oblivion. That screwed a lot of potential in terms of dealing with the situation. They'd all seen the sky go black, and they'd felt all the powers in the area. None of them were a threat until the sky cleared. That meant very obviously Garlic had used the Dragon Balls to increase his power. Everything locked into place.
"The Dragon gave him enough power to defeat Vegeta?" Gohan asked, looking over to Piccolo seriously.
There was a look of concern written across the Namekian's face as he tried to work out what had just transpired. It looked as perplexed as Gohan felt. He didn't know much about the Dragon Balls, but he assumed Piccolo did. Piccolo was once two beings, or at least he recalled Goku telling him that, and one of them made this planet's Dragon Balls, which meant he had to have some clue as to what was going on, as right now all he understood was that Garlic and his band of idiots just became colossal by comparison. All of them together taking down Vegeta was impressive by any standard, but he could sense just how powerful the midget was at the head of them.
Biting off more then you can chew as usual, Vegeta.
"It's unlikely the Dragon gave him all that power. And it's even less likely he gave his men all that power. It's likely that the Dragon multiplied Garlic's power as greatly as he could, that was the first power boost you felt. Then Garlic asked for some kind of change that gave his minions and himself a further advantage. Which meant Vegeta had no clue what was happening until it was too late," Piccolo said, almost snarling as he did. "He always does this. He should have just struck Garlic as quickly as he could, and now the whole world has to deal with the consequences of Vegeta taking his time."
"Yea, Vegeta toyed with Cell. But it was okay because we beat Cell in the long run, even after he let Cell become perfect and nearly kill everyone."
His father's casual explanation of the planet's greatest trial, according to him, didn't quite add the depth or volume he wanted to any description.
The biggest worry he had was the fact these creatures had come out of nowhere before, when they blew up his apartment. They still didn't know exactly how they were doing that. And if they could do that again-
Suddenly all of the powers that were amassed together, disappeared again. Immediately it caused the two of them to halt their flight where they were, leaving Gohan's eyes to scan every part of the horizon of the Earth, trying to find any sign of Garlic jr.'s energy. It was just gone again. It was enough to make his hand form into a fist. The muscle in his arms felt like they were going to rip through his skin from all the tension, and his teeth were grinding against one another. Again, he just got away again, and he did so even with all that power? The only one he knew who could do that was his father, and he doubted Garlic was getting any help from him, or had learned Instant Transmission.
But without all that power there, there was something small, subtle, and dying in the distance, close to where the showdown had occurred.
Vegeta.
Looking over to Piccolo, he just eye the Namekian seriously.
"You still have the beans, right?" Gohan asked quickly.
Looking off in Vegeta's direction, Piccolo nodded.
"Two left," he answered, before turning his black eyes back towards him. "One for you, and one for Vegeta. I think Korin may be holding out too, but you can never be sure with the cat."
One for him? What did he mean one for him? The dull ache on the left side of his face from a day earlier had gone almost entire unnoticed. It was angry and red, but the swelling had gone down even. It helped to regulate your body with ki, and Saiyan biology also helped. To be blunt, he didn't care if he was pretty, and he didn't care to waste a valuable sensu bean.
The look he gave Piccolo, let the Namekian know that. He didn't need to say anything.
"One for Vegeta then," Piccolo remarked, looking back in Vegeta's energy's direction. It was only then that something emerged in the distance. Several significant, dark powers swirled into existence in West City.
Shit!
The target was obvious, and he needed time to get there. Goten and Trunks were the only ones there to take care of everything. His lungs caught as he felt everything falling apart around him. The demon was going to try and kill their families and friends again. He knew exactly where to strike and when. And if they were able to stop Vegeta, the odds of them being able to stop Goten and Trunks were astronomically high. Demons never let you down when it came to living up to their expectations. Any demons he'd come across on strange worlds across space were vicious monsters. He'd never met one that wasn't. He'd killed them all in as horrific a fashion, so perhaps he was just as much a demon as they were.
Or at least he was.
They were going to torture and kill his family.
Suddenly his heart started to race as he realized the volume of the situation.
"Piccolo, go get Vegeta," Gohan ordered, seeing the Namek staring back at him.
"As soon as they sense you coming, they'll just grab the others and disappear-"
"I know! Go get Vegeta now. I'll take care of it!" Gohan shouted, letting his rage slip through to conceal his fear.
Alright Gohan. You can do this. You've done this before, let's get this done again.
As soon as his feet touched the Earth, revealing the world around him as a vast expanse of forest, and in the distance, mountain, Gohan suppressed his energy as far as he could, before bounding forward as quickly as he could. Even heading to West City may have been folly, if the demons were smart they'd just grab as many of their victims as they could and disappear. But inherently, he knew how malicious their nature was. He was betting they'd stick around and humiliate and torment their adversaries as much as they could before they ran out of time.
How long it would take him to get there he didn't know, but he did know one thing. He was utterly powerless.
Goten, Trunks, this is your show. Keep everyone alive until I get there. Don't fuck this up.
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Goten:
It was odd, just standing there next to Trunks as they stood on top of an administrative building at the Capsule Corporation Headquarters, looking into the distance. Only minutes ago there had been cheers from the two of them as they felt Vegeta beat down enemies as if they were nothing. The youngest son of Goku had always found Vegeta intimidating, but that didn't change his jubilation at the end of their struggles. Vegeta was going to pummel the jerk who nearly killed Trunks, Bulla, and actually did kill Mrs. Briefs.
Then it all went wrong.
The two boys now just stared into the distance as they felt as if something unreal had happened.
"Dad," Trunks managed to whisper.
Trunks had been there when his father died before, Goten remembered. If anything he knew more about it then most people did, recalling just how Trunks had described it all to him later. Now it was happening all over again, only what made it better... or maybe worse, was that Trunks wasn't there to see it this time.
"I'm sure he's gonna be okay Trunks," Goten offered. "I mean, he's gotten through worse-"
"He died last time," Trunks cut in, his voice sounding empty. "What if they can't bring him back this time?"
"He's not dead," the black haired Saiyan said from his side. "Last time it took that monster to kill him."
Broly.
And Goten remembered Broly all too well. He remembered being helpless in his hand, before everything went black. Just thinking about it made his body tingle with a mixture of fear and distress. In truth he'd not been fighting as much since then, or training. He still did, but it'd caused a small divide between him and his father even. Now he regretted it more then ever, not because he felt weak, but because he'd not seen his dad in so long now. It was different then any other time he'd been gone, as there was nothing, it was a blank void of contact.
"Besides... with Piccolo there, I'm sure it'll be alright. And Gohan is around too," Goten remarked.
The last words were hard to say, but true. Despite their continued 'strained' relations, Goten wouldn't shy away from the fact that Gohan was stronger than anyone on the planet right now. But Gohan wasn't here, he was heading off towards the power in the distance. This time, Goten was more than comfortable not being in the thick of everything. The last time they'd gotten involved it just... ended badly.
Still, his words didn't seem to move Trunks at all, who braced his arms before letting his aura overtake him. The twelve year old's hair turned from purple to gold and his aura burned around him.
"I'm going to go find Garlic, and I'm going to stop him," Trunks said with a cool gaze ahead.
"But you're weaker than you're dad-"
The argument was cut short as the energies all disappeared, save Gohan and Piccolo. But there had been dozens of them, and it made no sense for them all to just disappear into seemingly nothing. It was the same thing that happened the last times. Like when they appeared in East City, and then when they attacked this very place, the Capsule Corporation. They were going to teleport somewhere, probably secluded.
Or they're going to come to finish what they started.
Immediately Goten turned up his power. Energy flushed through his system as his hair turned gold as well. Turning his head right away, he looked towards the still being rebuilt Capsule Corporation building.
"Goten?" Trunks asked, looking confused by his seeming change of character.
"They're going to come here, for us," Goten responded immediately, his eyes turned towards the energy he now faintly felt forming, before it overwhelmed his senses.
In the sky, air was seemingly being sucked in from nowhere, before in the centre of the sky itself a black orb appeared for the briefest of moments. When it disappeared in the blink of an eye, there were a half dozen figures in the sky, all of them grinning maliciously. All of them were brimming with power. None of them were anywhere near as powerful as the likes of Vegeta, or his dad, but they were definitely strong.
It was strange, that the first thing that came to mind was what his brother told him.
He'd told him to protect their house, and by extension their family while their father was gone. These monsters were there to kill them, and they were there to kill his mom and sister, and all their friends. The only ones there who could do anything were him and Trunks. His father had taught him something more important then anything. It was a duty to use your power to help those weaker then you, no matter the odds.
Well, uhm, I guess duty calls.
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Salt:
The blackness around them seemed endless, and it was. This was a reality of nothing. Nothing save the victims and materials sucked into it. The only thing that shielded them from being thrown further and further into the emptiness was the power of their master. It was the greatest testament to their master's powers and overwhelming determination. This reality bent and warped to his whim. A place that was a prison to all others who entered it, was merely a tool for their master. He now protected dozens of them with his ability to warp and displace the very fabric of existence in this place. On the edges of this 'bubble' of the Deadzone, he could see the energy swirling around them in the perfect sphere which had been constructed to save from the the harshness of nothingness 'outside'.
It was strange to know that the space outside wasn't even really space, it was just void. This was almost a universe that had never been born.
"Spice?" Garlic's voice quietly moved through the captured air around them, echoing around this chamber of reality a thousand times, bouncing off the edge of existence again and again.
"Yes, Lord Garlic?" Spice's almost silent response came, fearing his own echo could cause them all unnecessary hearing loss.
"Tell me who should be sent to kill Son Goku and Vegeta's family?" Garlic enquired, his red eyes flashed back at all of them.
The tall, sleek demon blinked several times to their once again tiny stature master, unable to find an immediate suggestion.
"You are my second in command, Spice, you're the strongest one here other than myself, when I am asking you something, I expect a quick answer."
"It's just, you should normally-"
"I should normally what, Spice?"
Immediately the taller demon bowed, his white hair inclining forward with his head, one hand moving over his chest as he saluted Garlic.
"A thousand apologizes, Master. I forget my words and their rightful placement. I also fail you in my duties to obey. I believe Salt should lead the attack against the weaker members of the Saiyans."
Him? Getting to kill two brats and a bunch of women and children?... This was going to be fun and easy. Especially given all the power he was soaking up from being in the immediate proximity to the power of the Makyo Star's energy. He felt strong enough to fight the Namek who came here centuries ago and defeated Garlic. Hell, he felt more powerful then any other demon in existence, save for Spice and Garlic himself.
Well, Mustard and Vinegar were maybe stronger.
Maybe definitely stronger.
Well, he felt like the fifth strongest demon to have ever lived. Maybe barring Garlic senior as well.
He felt like the sixth most powerful demon who'd ever lived.
My confidence is really falling and it shouldn't be. I'm amazingly powerful now with the full power of what I'm receiving! I'm stronger then the Saiyans who defeated Frieza on this planet! And with Garlic jr. here to stop Piccolo, or Gohan, no one else compares to me!
Which of course, did nothing for him other than remind him that he was weaker then not only his other Monarch counterparts, but of their last two enemies as well. In fact, if Vegeta hadn't been stupid enough to fight them all at once, he would continue to be a burden, massacring their fighters. It didn't matter though, because the brats Goten and Trunks would be little more than speedbumps, especially if he was assigned any men to him to finish the job.
"Good," Garlic remarked, before turning his gaze to Salt.
"You and those five over there," he commented, gesturing his hand. "Make sure that when you kill all of them, you do so as slowly as painfully as possible. In fact, kill Son Goku's hag and daughter in front of the son before you kill him too. Oh and Salt?... If you fail, make sure you don't try coming back. I don't like failure. Am I understood?"
The short red demon blinked several times to his master, who basically told him to find victory, or death. With a hard swallow, he nodded.
"Yes, master," he responded, bowing his head. "I'll make sure they all suffer, just as you order."
Before another word could be said, he felt reality leaking away around him as the fabric of space began to wax and wane. It was like watching glass cracking all around the inky orb of darkness he was now in. His eyes looked for light from anywhere, but he couldn't find it. Until light began to pour through the cracks in the world around him.
When it shattered, slowly the veil of darkness around him lifted, revealing the world around him to be West City. It took several seconds for him to draw in the energy around him enough to realize who was nearby. Two powers were immediately near of any note. Only minutes ago they would have terrified him. Now?
Well, the demon just grinned to himself before turning his attention towards two figures standing on top of a short administrative building. One was already glowing as Vegeta had been moments earlier.
"Mmmmmm... you fools go and exterminate the weaker prey. I want to try this new power out on these brat monkeys."
"But our master-"
"Put me in charge, and I'm the strongest one here," letting his energy flicker dangerous, his kept his red gaze towards his allies. "Don't forget that!"
Besides, what was there to worry about? His master was surely to descend upon Gohan and Piccolo and crush them in short order. Which meant he could easily take his time with this.
"I don't want you to kill the weak ones right away. Make sure its slow, so that these monkeys know that all their deaths will be painful!"
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Goten:
They'd heard every word just shouted by the red imp and his gang.
It was one thing to trump yourself up and think that duty was the only thing that mattered, it was another to act out on it. It was hard to breath for a brief moment as he felt Broly's hand on his throat, choking him in front of his father and Gohan as they watched on helplessly. That was what duty could afford you.
"I'll take care of the red one, he's stronger than the rest," Trunks cut in. "You take care of the other ones."
Trunks was older, but he wasn't as strong as Goten, and Goten knew it. Of course the reason wasn't that Goten fought harder, or trained more. The reason was simple, he'd been killed before and came back, and Trunks hadn't. That meant if anyone was to take down the stronger one, it was going to be him. They both wanted to throw themselves in danger for one another, but they needed to be pragmatic. He hated to admit it, but some of Piccolo's advice did make it through his numbskull.
Flaring his aura more brightly for a moment, he turned his head towards his slightly taller friend.
"Nope, can't do that, I'll deal with the pudgy red skinned guy," he said quickly. "You get to our moms and sisters."
There was a long pause between the two boys as they made eye contact. The weaker ones weren't the strongest, but they'd be a handful all together. Normally they'd be thinking of games to play with them even, like who could land the most punches, or make one of the enemies punch one another. The red one was strong however, much stronger then the minions and certainly stronger than either Goten or Trunks. Whoever was going to squire off against the red demon, at first, was entirely reliant on hoping that someone would come to the rescue, because taking on the other five would be exhausting for anyone else.
And that was only if they could break up the gang now hovering menacing, preparing to enact their first assault.
"Goten," Trunks said his name directly. "I can take care of it. Take care of the other ones and get everyone-"
"I'm stronger, I can hold him off longer," Goten immediately countered.
It felt like they were their fathers for a moment, arguing and bickering over who had the opportunity to throw themselves in battle. In truth, Goten was just a boy who wanted to make sure his mom and sister were okay, and he knew that a price had to be paid for that. It was a price he was all too familiar with, at all too young an age.
"But he'll kill you, and you've already died before," Trunks said, his concern showing through.
They were best friends, hell, they were almost brothers. He knew Trunks felt like he owed him something, somehow, but it didn't matter. This wasn't about them, or their friendship, at least not in the end. This was about saving everyone as quickly as they could, and they had to stop arguing.
"Forget about me," Goten said, turning back towards the red monster. "I'll be fine."
The lie was meant for Trunks, but also rang true to his own ears. It was trying to encourage himself to dive into the fray and hope for the best. He'd scatter the others as well, and give Trunks time to either attack them, or get to the others.
With an almost tiny roar, Goten pushed the last of his power to the surface. His muscles ached just from the exertion of doing that, his body struggling to contain the power within. Even if he hated to admit it, he realized full well what Gohan and their father went through the last times they were thrown into battle against impossible odds, looking to defend his family and friends. He'd understood it the second Broly broke his neck, the risks became real. A part of his hatred of his brother died that day, he just didn't have the stomach to admit it to himself, or to Gohan.
He wasn't just some brat, or kid. He was Son Goten, son of Son Goku, and he was going to make sure that everyone he cared about was okay.
The ground beneath him burned away before Goten cried out, blasting into the air towards the monsters above. As he closed, he saw the first reaction he'd wanted.
Cowards always break when under threat.
Piccolo's words rang true to him, and they proved true when the weaker demons split the moment he closed distance, the only one who maintained his ground was the odd looking tiny demon. Throwing his fist out, the small Saiyan felt his hand caught a second later as the devil stared back at him. There was a boom that exploded out from the point of contact as Goten's speed halted in place the moment they met. Wide eyes opened before looking towards the fist itself, seeing the white gloved hand wrapping around it.
"You know, only minutes ago you would have terrified me," the red skinned demon admitted to him, clearly amused. "But now the universe is going to know the power of my master Garlic, and his power runs through me. Know me as the Monarch Salt!"
Goten's stomach felt almost hollow when the counter punch came, imbedding itself in his gut. Everything felt like it was being drained out of his insides out of his mouth and backside. The force reverberated through his body, almost forcing him from consciousness even. Choking for air, Goten almost didn't feel the ensuing wave of force following the punch, sending him flying back from where he came. His frame crashed into the roof of the administration building, shattering it and breaking him through several floors before his body busted through a wall and half a window, slamming into the dirt behind the building.
His training gi torn badly, and his body in pain, already sensing his muscles and bones attempting to adjust to what they'd just been through. For all that extra power he'd just pushed forward, it all felt like it was as forced out of him as his organs were.
It went without saying, that he realized Salt was already standing over him. As soon as he looked up from the small pit his body had made in the grass, he already felt the boot collide with his side.
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Piccolo:
It was impossible to miss the powers out there. Six demons, all of them vastly stronger then they should be, and then two kids. They weren't nearly as outclassed as they'd been before, but it didn't help at all. The odds of Gohan arriving in time, while concealing his energy, was highly unlikely. But in truth, it was the sons of Goku and Vegeta trying to hold these monsters at bay. If anyone could hold out until help arrived, it was them. Of course, part of that would also rely on two other factors which Piccolo hoped to be true. The first factor would be that Salt, Garlic's main minion there, was intensely stupid. The second hope was that Salt was... sadly... more malicious than was advised for someone committed to the battle.
If everything aligned, they just might hold out.
As the Namekian slowly descended towards the faint energies he'd detected for Vegeta, Piccolo's mind couldn't do anything except scan the energies he felt in the distance. Five of Garlic's minions were little stronger then Frieza, the only problem was that Trunks was little stronger then when Piccolo had first met him on Earth, when Frieza arrived there now over a decade ago. Goten on the other hand was stronger then Goku when he got back from Namek, at least from what he was sensing. The bigger problem was that Salt was reminding him of the kind of power Cell had... Imperfect Cell, that was. It was still too big of a bridge to cross for children however.
When his two Namekian boots touched the Earth below, he was greeted with the scorched, nearly formed canyon. Trees were burnt and shattered all around him. The ground was torn asunder itself, and everything was still smoldering. This wasn't even where the blast was, this was below where the beam had been. Before escaping orbit, it was likely the energy wave caused havoc across thousands of kilometres, and may have damaged part of the planet's atmosphere as well.
We can use the Dragon Balls to fix that, if we have to.
If they ever got the chance to use Dragon Balls again, that was.
He was almost exactly on top of where Vegeta should have been, but he didn't immediately see any sign of him. It was typical of course. That meant this was either a residual signature of the Saiyan, or Vegeta was weakly bleeding, both energy and blood, nearby.
"Vegeta!" Piccolo shouted, looking around as his voice echoed throughout the wilderness around them.
Only two left.
Reaching into his sash, Piccolo retrieved one senzu bean, staring at it. If they had time, he was going to go see if he could shake down Korin again. The cat was more then willing to share his magical beans, but there were limits to his patience unless the world was at stake. It was odd that he could be thankful that the world was at stake, so he could retrieve more beans, at least potentially.
Great, now I've got to go find Vege-
Something grabbed his ankle, and Piccolo stiffened, looking down immediately and bracing himself. It was a bloody and torn glove, with a trembling hand beneath it. The surprise was enough to make the Namek almost respond violently, but knowing Vegeta's energy was in the area, and keeping a level head, meant he realized who it was all too quickly. Vegeta was buried in this apocalyptic devastation. Without further hesitation, focusing his energy, Piccolo scattered the dirt around him in a single pulse of energy, revealing... what was left of Vegeta.
A struggling, blood filled gurgle managed to escape the Saiyan. His right arm was almost severed, and the right side of his face was nearly missing. Burns covered any visible flesh, and it was very clear that both of his legs were broken, laying in a dead heap behind him. It meant spinal damage as well. Kneeling down, Piccolo slowly brough the bean down to Vegeta's mouth, who angrily snatched it from him with his 'good' left hand. Even now Vegeta was hardly one to accept help.
"Bean," Vegeta wheezed, looking at it with his one good eye.
Slowly, the object went into his mouth, before crunching down on it. Several seconds of chewing ensued. Almost seconds after Vegeta swallowed the bean, flesh seemed to knit itself back together, before as if magic his entire body healed. Even the arm which had only hung on a few pieces of burnt muscle and snapped bone, was now in perfect working order.
"You're welcome," Piccolo commented, before crossing his arms.
When Vegeta rose, it wasn't the Saiyan he normally saw. Inside the Prince's eyes he could only see rage.
"Where is he?" Vegeta asked, his voice under control, but completely void of any real emotion.
He may well have shouted at Piccolo in a furious snarl, as far as the Namek was concerned.
"Who? Garlic? We don't know right now. Gohan went to go save your family and his at Capsule Corporation, and I'd have left with him if you hadn't let yourself get in over your head... again, Vegeta."
Vegeta was a man, and a warrior. He could take the truth.
"And before you go and blast off into the sky, know that these demons can come in and out of reality seemingly as they please. That's how they've been jumping all over the planet and avoiding us for months. Which means if you go blasting off towards them they're going to know you're coming, and they'll leave, potentially with your wife, daughter, and Trunks in captivity."
The sneer that now appeared on Vegeta's features was uncomfortable even for Piccolo to endure, though he made no comment towards it.
"Then you propose what? We just stand here?!" Vegeta shouted back.
"No, we find out where Garlic's going to be, and we deal with him," Piccolo retorted immediately.
Beyond the horizon, Piccolo could still sense what was happening, and he knew Vegeta could to.
"This is intolerable," Vegeta snapped angrily.
So far, Piccolo's hopes and fears were being realized.
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Trunks:
No matter what was happening with Goten right now, he had to focus on the task at hand. It was stunning to him that Goten was in fact, the stronger of the two of them, when only a year prior the difference in their power was small, and he was the one ahead. But his father's words rang true when it came to what they were. Saiyans, if they survived the most horrific injuries, gained power. The more horrific the injury, the more power. There wasn't much more horrific then death. Still, its not as though that was going to help Goten much. The little red dwarf out there seemed to be impossibly strong by comparison.
He was almost as strong as the blue-green midget he'd fought, who was supposedly Garlic jr. himself. But where he found himself right now, was diving towards the building, knowing he had to get to their families in time. The real target of all of this was obvious. Garlic sent these monsters to kill his family, just as he'd done before. Only now he wanted to kill Goten's family too. What kind of coward attacked people weaker then him? What kind of coward tried to kill kids and people who couldn't even defend themselves?
With his body shooting through the air towards the half reconstructed building, Trunks swung his leg around as quickly as he could, attempting to catch one of the five monsters by surprise. With Super Saiyan speed and strength, he managed to catch the monster off guard, and a tremendous boom exploded outward when he made contact with the orange skinned monster's chin, just as he turned to look towards him. The young Saiyan could feel his jaw break from the impact. With his purple tongue hanging out, the body of the creature quickly fled from the skies, finding shelter in the ground below. Or in more accurate terms, made gargled sounds before shooting straight into the ground, causing it to implode all around him, burying him in the mud.
"Alright! Got one!"
"You little punk. You think you can just attack us?" one of them hissed.
"Uhm, actually yea, I think I can," Trunks corrected, rubbing his nose with one finger as he looked back at them. "You losers can't even touch this."
The other four demons formed up around the lead one. The entire time Trunks put on his 'face', his thoughts were really to the people below, his grandpa, mom, sister, and Goten's mom and sister. If he could keep these guys focused on him, then there was a chance he could keep everyone safe. Of course, he was overplaying just how strong he was. The four of these guys together were more then a challenge for him, and that would mean he needed to play things smart.
"Can't touch this?" the lead demon, with his brown-green bald head sneered. "Can't touch this!? We're the emissaries of the Demon Lord Garlic jr.!"
"Well, you look like a bunch of idiots to me," Trunks cheekily informed. "But, looks can be deceiving, cuz idiots are a lot smarter then you guys."
Purple and red auras burned across from him as the four warriors began to power up their energy fields, intent on most certainly proving his boast wrong.
Time to get some distance.
Blasting off a second later, Trunks shot straight up, trying to clear as much of West City as he could. Below, he knew full well that Goten was behind left behind to fight that thing down there, and already he could sense his friend's power buckling under whatever assault the monster could dish out.
Time to pull off the impossible. Beat these guys, save the family, and then turn around and stop the red midget from killing Goten and me. Yea, this'll be no sweat.
The final thought was most certainly sardonic in origin. Below him the four darker energies twisted into the air after him, their energy burning violently as they moved to overtake him.
Think, think think think! What now?!
Blocking the first strike from the leader, Trunks batted the blow back before striking down viciously. Before he had any chance to react however, an elbow collided with his ribs from the side, before a kick crashed into his side.
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Chi-Chi:
Normally Chi-Chi wouldn't feel worried in the face of almost any danger, but this was different. The figures bouncing around before her eyes in blurs of motion she couldn't follow were all too familiar. The first time she'd lost Gohan, monsters like these came to take him away, rather then aliens. Now they were coming to take away her other children, and Bulma's? Goku had never told her much about Garlic jr., or his thugs, or the battle that ensued as a result. But she remembered when she was cast aside without any effort by the off-green-brown imp that'd assaulted her.
Without even realizing it, she clutched her daughter to her chest with an intense worry, her eyes scanning over to Bulma, looking for what to do. All Chi-Chi wanted was for Goku to just show up and fix everything, to stop the monsters outside and come home, but that wasn't going to happen right now. When she heard a thundering series of booms outside, she turned towards the window foolishly. The shock-waves of the impacts shattered the glass, causing her to turn her head away quickly, closing her eyes and twisting her body to protect Keiko. Immediately the little girl shrieked as the wave of force rolled over Chi-Chi, making her almost fall over as the entire building rumbled.
"Chi! What're you doing, we have to get away from the-"
"That's my son out there!" Chi-Chi shouted above the noise of falling debris and creaking metal.
With the glass now clear, she turned and looked outside, only to see Goten, glowing with golden energy, trading blows with some red imp. They were moving too fast for her to truly follow, but in the moments they came into view, she saw glimpses of her son dying. Each blow left their mark on the world around her, sending powerful ripples through the world around them. She wanted to run out of the building to him, to protect him, to do anything. But the urge was stopped by one thing. In her arms she heard her daughter beginning to cry, making her wake up to the reality of what could be done.
She couldn't help, and it made her sick. All she could do was watch, and even that seemed to be cut short the second she felt Bulma grab her arm, looking panicked, perhaps even more then she was. She already knew what her friend was going to say the second she realized her hand was there, gripping her skin in a panic.
They had to leave, because this wasn't safe. Their boys were out there fighting monsters and all they could do was... run.
"Chi, we need to go!" Bulma urged. "We've gotta get my dad, and Bulla, and then-"
Chi-Chi stopped listening, almost zoning out at her words as she numbly nodded. Bulma could have been ranting about anything in that moment and Chi-Chi would have agreed. The world was just numb right now.
Following in a run Chi-Chi moved through the half rebuilt, and now once again damaged, capsule corporation building. Trying to collect herself, Chi-Chi was interrupted by another terrible intervention. The sound of walls breaking above them was disturbingly familiar. There was another fight going on, one travelling at a much faster pace then the one outside involving Goten. That was probably Trunks. Which meant that Goten had no one out there to help him, and Trunks, Bulma's son, was in just as much danger.
"We're almost there," Bulma breathed.
Her heart raced as they entered Bulla's room and Bulma grabbed the girl, her eyes looking around frightfully in all directions before the room rumbled violently once more. Only this time, it was much closer.
The wall broke away to the next room, revealing a completely destroyed series of shattered rooms. Fires were burning in the utterly annihilated floor, and there were huge holes in the floor as well, revealing levels beneath. But worst of all, was the giant, purple skinned monster in front of them, grinning with his huge canines protruding.
"Master Garlic said to make sure the two of you, die slow."
It seemed impossible to believe that someone would want them all murdered, but it was staring back at her right now. Goku had done everything he could to be kind and gentle to almost everything he ever met, and yet for that, everyone he knew was going to be punished? Because he believed in doing what was right?
Bulma cringed, turning away and clutching Bulla as she did, but Chi-Chi found herself just staring back in defiance.
There was no reason to be afraid. Even if this was the end, then she'd lived the best life she could have, and wouldn't have taken a moment of it back, both of the good and the bad.
Before the monster could strike though, there was a flash of motion as a single figure appeared in the air next to the giant demon. The cracking sound that echoed through the room was overwhelming being so close. This time she was knocked back, off her feet. Tumbling in the air, Chi Chi landed shoulder first on the ground several meters back, wincing in pain as she did. Immediately Keiko began screaming and crying, and Chi-Chi thought to look down, but only looked up.
The giant was felled, laying there on the ground, his jaw clearly broken as a bloodied image stood above him. The thirteen year old Trunks was covered in cuts, bruises, and blood. His golden hair was still arched up as the aura burned off his body. With a desperate level of urgency, Goku's wife saw him attack the downed demon. Three, four, five punches crashed into the monster's head as purple blood spit and splattered against the wall. He was killing him, if he hadn't already. It was maybe the death of innocence for him, or perhaps that'd already come some time ago.
But it was the look in his eyes that spoke the most to Chi-Chi. He was worried, anxious, angry, and most certainly hurried. Was it to get to Goten?
The real answer presented itself to her a moment later as three more monsters appeared, all of them looking furious, and all of them glowing with dark auras.
"So, you wanna play for keeps, huh?" one snapped, arching his hand up, before red energy appeared across his deep brown skin. When the arm came cutting down, the world turned red.
It was only at the last moment that Chi-Chi managed to leap against the side of the wall as Bulma rolled out of the way. The heat from the energy set the world around them on fire. Chi herself felt her skin almost feel like it was cooking, and the world only a few feet to her side, simply vanished in a wave of vapour and smoke.
A long line, cut for kilometres, Chi-Chi was sure, had cut into the crush of the Earth and through half of West City. There was no sign of Trunks at all, and all she could hear was the giggling of monsters hovering only a few metres away.
For a moment, she felt as if she reached out without knowing, looking for anyone, Goku, Gohan, even Goten.
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Goten:
For some reason, Goten just felt profoundly lonely.
Laying in a shattered remnant of a road outside of Capsule Corporation, blood oozing from his left nostril, and a crack on his cheek, Goten needed to get back up and fight. Staying still meant being dead, dead like he was before. Every time he thought he had enough strength to jump into the battle, looking for a place to land a blow, or even evade, it betrayed him. The red demon found a way to just overtake him, laughing like an idiot the entire time. The beast was a sloppy fighter as well, hardly the calibre of any of his father's friends. He was a brute with power, and little else.
Worst of all, he wasn't very strong at that, he didn't have to be. He just needed to be stronger then him. Digging his fingers into the clay as he sniffled blood through his nose, Goten slowly started to pull himself up, looking at the midget who was assaulting him. It was obvious he was getting off on being stronger then him as well.
"My master Garlic jr. has informed me that I am to kill the majority of your family in front of you," the strangely dressed little gremlin said, his smiling growing at the words. "It's only too bad that I won't have the opportunity to kill Son Gohan myself, to avenge my master's defeat."
Avenge his master's defeat? When did Gohan beat this "Garlic jr."? It didn't add up. It didn't need to add up either. Bracing himself, letting his aura burn around him once more, Goten stood as ready as he could be.
"Still willing to fight more? Are you sure? I could have the others bring me your family here and we could just get it over with," he chuckled. "As the Demon Lord Salt, I am not without some mercy!"
False sympathy dripped off every word of the demon's lips as Goten just stared back at him with Super Saiyan eyes. This wasn't the monster of the stories from before he was born, like Frieza, or Cell. This wasn't a Saiyan monster like Nappa, Raditz, Turles, or Broly. This was just some thug who worked for some strange demon who Piccolo and Gohan disregarded as weak. Now he was stronger than him, and wanting to hurt his mom, sister, and friends? He could feel energy being thrown around in the distance and his nerves were on edge, knowing that Trunks was desperately trying to keep everyone else safe, and given how wildly his energy was flicking, he was putting himself at risk to do it.
Where are you Gohan? Piccolo? Vegeta?
Of course, he knew where Vegeta was, as far as he could tell he was dead. Piccolo's energy was so far in the distance, he'd never get there in time, and Gohan's energy, was typical, meaning it was nowhere to be found.
Honing his own energy, and just ignoring the imp in front of him, Goten breathed in as he looked inside. He could hear his father's words in the back of his mind as he did, gathering energy.
Remember Goten, that power comes from within.
"Oh? So you've decided to become the strong and silent type now?" Salt chuckled, cracking his knuckles as he continued to smile darkly. The smile disappeared a moment later, being replaced by a scowl. "Boy, I asked you a question."
Remember to focus on your opponent, feel out his energy and look for weaknesses.
As Goten focused on his enemy, and not his words, he brought his hands to his side, letting his energy take form in his palms. Blue light lit up the the cratered road all around him as he kept his breathing level. Edges of desperation and panic were on the fringe of his thoughts, attempting to overwhelm the calm he needed to gather energy, but he did as his father told him, keeping himself focused on his opponent. Instead of letting the fear govern him, he let it guide him as he looked through Salt, seeing more then just his physical form.
Goten could see Salt's energy just as clearly as he could see him, and he could see its unwieldy nature. It was all raw, and that was something he knew he could bypass. It moved around him in a strange effect, twisting and tilting around him almost uncontrolled. It wasn't just about attacking him head on, it was about surprising him, and not allowing him to recover.
"Kaaaaaa-"
The familiar sound of Master Roshi's technique began to leave him as he declared his move.
Immediately, the midget of a demon's face turned back to amusement.
"Hah! The Kamehameha-"
"Meeeeee-"
"-wave? You're pathetic! Your power is no match for mine! I have the same power as if I walked of the surface of Makyo itself! I am a paragon-"
"Haaaaaa-!"
The intensity of the light threatened to escape Goten's hands as he pulled in everything else he could. It drew out of him cleanly and strongly. This was what he'd found inside himself.
"-of the demons! I am a direct servant of Lord Garlic!... And you are -"
"Meeeee-"
"Nothing but some kid."
Immediately the demon burst into laughter as the light from Goten's hands intensified. He only paused when Goten knew he detected how much energy was gathered. There was one thing that Goten factored into his plans, that wasn't planted by Goku or Piccolo.
Honour? What honour? You get in a fight? You fight to win. There is no such thing as cheating, there is only victory, or defeat.
Goten's words rang true, as he examined exactly how to deliver the knock-out blow. Kicking dust off the ground towards the red demon's eyes, the red imp didn't respond in time before he was momentarily blinded, raising his arms to shield his face further.
"You little-!"
Rushing forward in one quick motion, Goten slid across the ground, keeping his arms locked in position before sliding beneath the squat creature's legs. The chubby demon's legs brushed against him, but that didn't matter.
"Wha?!"
"HAAAAAA!"
Thrusting both his arms up, now pointing directly up, away from the city, his palms made contact with Salt's chest, just as the blue energy was unleashed. The tunic the beast wore seemed to vaporize, and his ki was in flux, unable to protect him. All Goten heard was the familiar sound of the Kamehameha wave, and the furious and horrified scream of Salt. The beam of energy skyrocketed at an intense speed, before twisting into the sky past the clouds. When it reached its peak, there was a second sun in the sky. Clouds were pushed away before being dispersed entirely in all directions as the entire city rumbled beneath the new blue sun which appeared in the sky.
Falling back and breathing heavily, Goten's hair turned back to black as his Super Saiyan power fled him. He raised one hand to block the intense blue light coming from above as he just watched on in his exhaustion. He'd never killed anyone before, but now there was this. Even if it was a demon, it was leaving him with an unsettling feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Oh no.
His mom, Trunks, Bulma, Keiko, and Bulla were all still in danger. Struggling to sit up, he managed to almost fall forward as soon as he rose up. The pulsing blue light in the sky slowly evaporated.
Suddenly, the world came to a horrible thud in front of him.
Two huge bare red legs shattered the road in front of him. Blinking, unbelieving to his eyes, Goten looked up to see a hulking form. Huge muscles covering over what had once been a frame smaller then his own. Energy began to brim all around the demon as Goten felt who it really was. How? He'd launched him almost into space with everything he had. But what now? With wobbly legs, Goten rose to stare back at the monster in front of him.
Salt was every bit as terrible as Goten feared. Huge legs replaced stubby once, and a muscled chest and abdomen replaced the fat, tunic covered imp that had once been. His had was annihilated as well, revealing a bald head. Fury was the only discernible feature on his face. Burns covered much of his almost naked frame, all from the Kamehameha blast.
"You!... YOU!"
He was clearly so mad he couldn't even think coherently.
The only response Goten could think of, was a simple one.
"Me."
Before Goten could even think of what was really happening around him, the huge figure lunged ahead to attack.
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Garlic:
Well, you couldn't always get everything you wanted, at least not right away. Son Gohan had done an excellent job concealing his power, but he could smell it out anywhere it was. It was something he could never forget, not after experiencing it for himself. Salt had failed in his overall objective, it was now only a question of how much he failed, because very shortly he would find himself dead by the hands of Gohan he suspected. Not that it mattered very much. What really mattered was the first phase of his revenge was beginning with some success.
He could always kill these other fools later, once he dealt with Piccolo and Gohan. They were the only real threats to him left on the planet, but this wasn't just his ascendency to godhood, this was also about revenge. Goku had already been dealt with, but he didn't blame Goku for his defeat. It wasn't Goku who overwhelmed him, and cast him into the Dead Zone. Making Son Gohan suffer for all of those years in the deep darkness of oblivion was deeply important to him. Especially knowing Gohan's fate shortly after his own imprisonment.
Taken away from his family, and broken into the savage monster he'd become in space. Then broken back into the 'reformed', reluctant warrior he was now. He wanted Gohan to know a fraction of his own pain before he died. And part of that would be through his next very interesting step. Even now as he dwelt once more in his castle, Garlic walked up the old, unmaintained steps towards his throne, before just smiling to himself, feeling the Kai's presence once more. Abaddon would soon outlive his usefulness.
"So, you're plans are already falling apart," Abaddon commented, looking on with a dismal look on his features.
Slowly turning his head towards the newcomer, Garlic smiled slowly. Ah, so this was the part where his 'friend' began to tear apart all they'd done together? How tragic. Of course, Garlic knew who the stronger of the two of them was now. Taking several steps towards him, the demon just smiled knowingly.
"Oh? And who said my plans had failed at all yet?"
"The Saiyans are still alive, and your little minion didn't get the job done-"
"Salt isn't finished yet," Garlic commented. "He very well may kill the smallest of Goku's male children. I hold little hope for his return alive however, given how close Gohan is now."
It was then that Spice stepped forward, placing his hand on his chest and bowing.
"With respect, Master, should we not save Salt then?"
"We have other things to do," Garlic immediately responded. "Salt is just the distraction. We didn't need him anyway."
Mustard and Vinegar's eyes both opened slightly wider at the comment, staring back at their master from behind the slightly confused Spice.
"But, Salt's one of the four monarchs-"
"Yes, he is," Garlic cut in, his annoyance showing through. "What about it? Does anyone have a problem with this?"
"I do," Abaddon cut in. "Not because the little red midget is set to die, but rather that you are incompetent. You promised me the death of-"
Glaring at him, Garlic just stared coldly back at the Kai, making even him freeze in place. It was enough to make the supposedly superior god halt his remarks. It was enough to make Garlic almost grin internally, because for all his smug remarks and ego, the Kai could see exactly what he'd bargained with. He was Garlic jr., the king of the demons, devils, and all of the creatures across the universe which lurked in the darkness.
Earth will be my first conquest. The death of the Saiyans will be the first event listed in the new history of the universe.
"I promised you the death of the Saiyans," Garlic responded, walking forward, his red eyes staring into the Kai's blue ones. "And you'll have it."
Gesturing his hand towards the open space in front of his throne, air started to be sucked into an infinitely black sphere. Immediately, despite their reservations, his minions rose to their feet, knowing who their master was.
"Into the breach," Garlic said, turning a satisfied and dark grin towards the Kai, who reluctantly stepped back.
"I fear I cannot join you, Garlic. But perhaps I was wrong. Perhaps you do have the power to end the Saiyans, once and for all."
Of course I do, fool. I've already dealt with Goku, and Vegeta. I'll be dealing with the rest today. By the time the sun sets, there won't be a Saiyan left. Except the ones that I choose to keep alive. And the last one I'll kill is Son Gohan. He can die knowing his race dies with him. He deserves that.
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Trunks:
The gaping gash in the earth that cut across his family's property, and much of the city, left Trunks with ice in his veins. His mom had barely gotten out of the way before everything was just incinerated. The only thing that made him pause was when they were all blinded by the massive blue ball in the sky. The waves of power that rolled through the sky broke over the city like waves crashing against the shore. Windows shattered and buildings creaked. The force was enough that people screamed in terror across the entirety of West City as they were left in panic and confusion. For Trunks it was enough to make him cover his eyes and body, trying to protect himself with his arms.
"Goten! What the Hell was that?!" Trunks shouted.
The demons below looked up in confusion themselves, feeling the energy for themselves.
"Lord Salt!" one gaped, trying to comprehend what they were all seeing.
That monster, despite being many times stronger then Goten, was slain by a boy.
When the light faded, Trunks looked down at the three enemies, putting his fists on his hips as he stared down at them.
"Pretty nervous now, huh? I bet you guys don't even wanna fight anymore!"
The comment was in vain as three furious demons turned their eyes to him once more, barring their teeth furiously.
"That brat has no power left! And you can't stop all of us!"
Damn it! Henchmen are supposed to be stupid!
Before Trunks could try to coax them into more conversation, the three blasted towards him. Preparing his defence, Trunks knew where to strike to optimize his chances of holding his ground. But instead he found nothing but air. The three shot clear past him, spiralling into the air. Turning up to face them, all Trunks felt was three boots from three enemies, each one colliding with his head and chest. Helpless, he fell back, falling out of the sky before crashing into the edge of the gash in the world. His head was ringing, but that alright. He was going to stop these jerks and then get everyone-
Looking to his left, he saw his mom and sister, and to his right he saw Chi-Chi, looking up in the sky in terror as she clutched Keiko.
"Mrs. Goten's mom, what's-"
He sensed it a second later, turning his eyes up to the three demons as they collectively pointed their hands down, gathering red energy at the fore of their persons. No time to grab people and run.
His golden aura flickered violently before standing up himself, charging his arms with energy as he focused his own ki. He was stronger then any one of these creeps. But stronger then three? He already knew he wasn't. When the red wave burst forward from the three of them, all Trunks could do was throw his own beam towards them with abandon.
Blue energy collided with red in a swirl of force as the ground beneath the contact point shattered and exploded. Dust was sent flying up into the heart of the collision itself, making the air and dust around it catch fire in a magnificent light. Struggling, all Trunks could feel was pressure. His aura drained into the wave itself seemingly as he pushed back as hard as he could. From the other side he only heard confident laughter.
"Trunks," Bulma managed, looking on with wide eyes.
"Mom, get out of here," Trunks urged, turning his head slightly despite the struggle. "Now!"
Slowly, he felt his own ability to push back collapsing as his blue wave began to give ground. Trembling, he felt his arms slowly starting to give way, before finally everything imploded. The world above him went from blue to red, and all he could do was stare into the light. It overwhelmed him as he cried out in terror, before there was a brief flash. Heat and noise whirled around him as he felt the energy wave close.
Blinking, Trunks realized he wasn't dead. No one was dead in fact. In the flash itself, he'd seen a blur of motion he couldn't fully follow. Only now there was a shadow over him.
"You okay, kid?" Gohan asked, turning his head and giving a small nod before looking up towards the three demons in the sky.
To say they looked terrified, would have been a gross understatement.
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Gohan:
Just in time.
At least, just in time for his mom. He could sense Goten's energy waning not too far away. It was almost non-existent, but it was still there. A powerful force was running over it, but if he hadn't stepped in here, everyone else would have been dead. It was a shitty set of choices, but it was the ones he was given. With a deadly gaze, Gohan just stared into the air at the three monsters who'd come to murder his family. Of course, he'd not been too different from them less then a decade earlier. In their smirks he could see the same viciousness he imagined himself showing. They were monsters undeserving of any real pity.
Taking one step forward to balance out his stance, standing tall and just looking up at them, he felt his jaw tighten.
"Y-y-yo-you! You're not supposed to be here!" one demon yelped through his sharpened teeth.
They were cowards. Cowards fighting children. Narrowing his eyes further, Gohan let his Super Saiyan form overtake him. Golden energy burst from around his skin and his eyes flashed-blue-green. Hair shot up and turned gold as the shattered drywall and concrete dust around him picked up off the ground and swirled around him briefly, before being cast in call directions. They were all pathetic. Each one of them was little stronger then he was when he first came to Earth, and almost none of that power was their own. They won through being a pack of wolves, and now they wanted to tuck tail?
Not a chance.
"Maybe we should give- HUGRK!"
Appearing in the air in front of the lead one, in a single strong motion, Gohan drove his fist through the monster's stomach. Bursting out the other side, covered in deep, thick, purple gore, Gohan just heard the gurgled and choking response as his victim tried his best to realize what had just befallen him. He clutched Gohan's shoulder a moment later, turning to let his red eyes look directly into his, coming to the realization of what indeed just happened. Gohan looked into the eyes of a creature that just realized it was dead, only not yet.
Casting the body off his arm a moment later, a weak cry escaped the demon's lips as he plummeted towards the ground below. Pointing one hand down after him, and without a second though, the Saiyan dispatched an energy wave to follow the creature. When it hit, it had just enough force to blow the monster into a scattered pile of limbs and organs, which all promply slopped against the side of the gash in the crust below.
"No! Wait-!"
A single round house kick resolved the next one's cries, taking the head clean off his shoulders, before Gohan grabbed the last by the neck, who squirmed immediately, flailing in his grip.
Just as he crushed the demon's neck, Gohan felt something incredible emerge only a hundred metres to the west. Turning his head, he felt his body react to the wave of energy which crashed into him. Raising his arms, he took on the full force as he hung in the sky.
"Goten!"
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Goten:
Blood spat out of Goten's mouth as the huge red fist collided with his face again, slapping his body limply against a already half destroyed building. His limbs felt heavy like lead when he tried to move them, and his head almost couldn't move. His mouth tasted only copper and his tongue hurt to move. It was hard to find the power to even keep his jaw open. The hulking red beast stormed towards him. As soon as he closed range, he shoved his large, horrible foot in his face, shoving it roughly back against the half destroyed concrete he was 'resting' against.
"You think you bought time, kid?" it spoke to him again, its voice grating against him, trying to wear down his spirit as much as his body had been.
In the distance he could see flashes beginning, but it didn't matter. When the foot was pulled away he gave a half cry when the huge red had came down, grabbing his neck roughly, pulling him into the air with his huge thumb pressed against his head and fingers wrapped around his neck. Immediately his throat constricted, desperate for oxygen.
"WELL!? You think you could make me look pathetic, didn't you! You thought some KID was going to beat me!?"
With the feral shout of rage, Salt slashed him across his torso with his claws, drawing blood down his chest, before violently swinging him by his neck, slamming him back into the same concrete wall. He had no energy left, nothing to buffer the blow. Laying on the other side of the wall a moment later, Goten just choked for air as he felt himself tremble. He couldn't reach further into himself for more energy, there was just nothing there. He couldn't reach out for anyone else. He couldn't cry out and beg for mercy. He couldn't even try anymore.
In his left eye, he could tell he was going blind from the last impact. With his vision dizzy, hazy, and now being clouded by blood, all Goten did was stare back against his attacker. It wasn't fear of him that he felt, it was a fear of death. It was a fear that he'd be the only one gone, and that there were no dragon balls. It was that he was going to be all alone over there, and he'd have to wait for everyone else.
When Salt grabbed him by the neck again, hoisting him in the air, he could feel his neck being squeezed shut again. He struggled desperately to breath, but all it did was push ever so slowly more against him every time he struggled to breath. Every time he'd fight for any air, it was quashed only seconds later. He was being choked, suffocated, strangled. Panic set in as his legs kicked out from under him. His one good arm reached up, grabbing the red beast's arm impotently as he tried his best to keep himself alive.
"You're a natural Goten! Golly! It took me forever to become a Super Saiyan!" His father said, his voice as joyous and carefree as it always seemed.
"Goku didn't just change one day, Goten. He and I were fighting Frieza on Namek, when after Krillin was killed, your father found his power within himself." Piccolo's words followed through.
And then, he saw something in his mind's eye.
Goten watched as his father's beam overwhelmed Gohan's, blasting into him and overwhelming him. All he could hear was a cry of pain, and something more emerge from it all. It'd been the first time his father hadn't beaten someone with his Kamehameha wave which Goten had ever seen. In the heart of the light, golden energy emerged. Goten could see more then just power, and more then just ki, he could see the pain of something lost. He could see a man who was broken, who snapped, who lost everything.
The clawed hand continued to crush his throat. It was exactly as it'd been when he'd died before. The hulking beast, as it cackled in front of him, was replaced by a figure with tanned skin, and no eyes. Super Saiyan hair and a nefarious grin.
"Look how pathetic you are, you're just a waste of Saiyan Blood!"
Suddenly he couldn't think anymore, he couldn't hold on. He couldn't breath, and he couldn't see the world around him. He was in complete darkness and he was all alone. In all that darkness, and with all that pain. With all his fear, and with all of his regrets, Goten felt something in his heart beat, as his heart nearly beat its final breath. He felt his father's presence, and he felt something deeper within himself then he'd ever imagined.
I am not going to die here! I'm not going to let him hurt my friends! I'm not going to let him! I can't! I won't! I can't hold on!
It was as if he let go of it all.
Suddenly, with a rush of force he'd never felt before, Goten's body burst with energy. His hair turned upward, arcing with lightning, as his aura swelled around him. His body was still utterly wrecked, but power awakened like a sleeping giant. He couldn't think, he couldn't control anything, it even felt like he couldn't even be there. All he felt was the power, wild and uncontrolled.
His lungs broke free, and his neck opened up, as air entered his lungs for the first time in what seemed to be eternity, it was used for one great scream, as his energy escaped him. Salt's hand caught fire as golden light burned around them, the demon's eyes widened as he stumbled back, but it was too late. As Goten's power awakened, it was released. His body ejected it all. A powerful ray of golden energy domed around him as his hair spiked.
"How can this... I... I!" Salt screamed as he tried to hold on himself now, unable to resist the raw power pushing against him. "AHHH! AAAAAHHHHHHHH!"
It was as if his body turned to sand in the middle of a wind storm, one mixed with golden fire.
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Gohan:
He wasn't even a teenager.
That was the incredible thing about it. Gohan knew exactly what he'd felt only seconds earlier. It was utterly impressive. Certainly it was measurable, it wasn't the most powerful force he'd ever felt, but it was staggering because he was only twelve. It was an incredible achievement. He didn't even know who to compare it to, as Goten was certainly weaker then Piccolo, but it was just amazing that a twelve year old kid did it. The other power which had been attacking him was literally washed away in the awakening.
Goten has ascended.
As soon as he'd dropped his guard, he turned and looked down towards the bright and smiling purple haired Saiyan, as well as a grateful Bulma. Gohan gave a long, slow smile to his mother as she held on to his sister. He gave a half wave to her, but knew he had to check on the brat first. Taking off, blasted through the air and seconds later was already near the centre of the awakening.
Buildings were levelled all around them, with thankfully not many human energy sources trapped anywhere. But at the centre of all of it was a crater, with a single, lone figure laying in the heart of it. Slowly descending from above, Gohan landed next to the brother who he'd barely recognized throughout most of his life. The body was almost lifeless, without any motion. Fresh blood was smeared over parts of his skin, and the side of his face was bruised and bloody. Slowly turning him over, Gohan winced, seeing the huge slashes across his chest as they oozed blood themselves. Reluctantly, he pulled him up, looking down at him.
"Dad?" Goten whispered, looking up at him with only one good eye. "Did I do it? Is everyone okay?"
Something caught in Gohan as he stared, not even sure what he was seeing. A kid was willing to give everything he had to save those important to him. He knew what death was like, and he was still willing to give it all away just so they could live. It was more then he ever imagined he could do, let alone his kid brother. Even right now he wasn't sure just how long the recovery would be for him, just looking at him made Gohan want to look away.
But he was alive. It was just the stare he was giving back to him that he couldn't take. It reminded him of everything he felt he wasn't.
"Yea, Goten," Gohan answered. "You did it. Everyone's safe now."
As soon as he spoke, he saw the hopeful glaze in his brother's eye disappear. There was a connection as to who he was. He wasn't Goku, and Goten must have now known who it was. For a second he felt Goten tense, before the body just seemed to relax again.
"Good," Goten managed, before he finally slipped out of consciousness.
Shit, don't pass out kid. You've probably got a-
Suddenly, Gohan's thoughts were cut off. The world seemed to freeze as he felt Garlic jr.'s power again. Slowly, his heard stopped beating as well when he turned and looked in the direction it was coming from.
Without realizing it, Gohan had already let Goten's body slip back into the mud, leaving him there without a word as he rose to his feet, before blasting into the air.
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Videl:
It was impossible not to be a wreck.
She'd not slept since it'd happened. The fight that had been building up since the day Gohan just intruded his way into her life, had just left everything else blank, empty, even void. Even now almost two days later, she was in the same clothes, she was sitting on her couch and just trying to comprehend everything that'd happened. Gohan's blood was still on the kitchen ceiling, and it was still on the knife. She couldn't understand how it'd all happened anymore. She couldn't understand how she'd gotten there.
She remembered how much she used to love life. She loved every second she was alive, and thought she could help so many people. Now here she was in the middle of a forest, as secluded as she could be, sitting trembling in her half wrecked living room trying to avoid sleeping. She was terrified of falling asleep at all. Every time she thought to close her eyes, she thought she'd relive what had just happened. She'd nearly killed herself... and for what?
It wasn't even something she could answer herself now. Now that she was away from it, now that things seemed so final. It was a relief, but it felt like an empty relief. She'd spent so much time hating Gohan, that now that he was gone, seemingly forever, she couldn't... imagine... what life was going to be like with him gone. What was important?
How stupid do I look?
With strained eyes, she looked over towards the knife again, trying to get a grip on her life. What was all this fighting for, if she couldn't be the strongest? Even if she could be the strongest, what would that do for anyone? What had being the strongest done for Gohan. All he was, was a bully, and a monster. Did strength turn everyone into that?
And for all his strength, she'd cut him. After years of fighting him, of trying to push back against him impotently, of being useless, she finally cut him. So what did it mean anymore? What did her life mean?
Slowly, and weakly, Videl managed to pick herself up, awkwardly stepping past the knife on her table, before walking towards the hallway. Opening the door to Pan's room, she found a solitary figure sitting on the bed just staring at the wall.
Pan hadn't said a word since Gohan had left. Not to her at least. She'd heard some muttered words, choked by sobs, but nothing else. The desire for power had done this more then anything else. If not for her own wants, then Pan may have actually looked towards her, the way she now looked towards Gohan. Maybe if she'd been stronger for Pan, stronger in spirit... maybe... maybe.
Videl felt herself fall against the door frame, trying to support herself.
Pan's scream of terror when she'd cut Gohan in the kitchen rang in her ears in the silence of the hallway and her daughter's room.
"Pan," Videl tried again from the door. "Pan, let's get some food."
Videl's own voice sounded weak, but she couldn't eat herself for days. Anxiety over everything ruled her stomach, and ruled her mind as she obsessed over everything she'd failed at. Only now she knew where she'd let everyone down. She dared to dream, but her dreams were warped.
And because of them, because of everything, her daughter was just sitting there ignoring her.
"Pan?" she asked again.
She could still hear quiet sobbing from the bed, and knew what it meant. Her daughter was still crushed over what'd happened. Though Videl expected that. A day ago, Videl was certain Pan would be speaking to her again by now. But now? Now there was a growing, terrified voice emerging from the back of her mind that whispered something terrible.
She will never forgive you.
"Honey, look I just-"
Looking up, the outside wall of the room creaked and whined before something tore it cleanly from the side of her house. Adrenaline pumped into her veins a heartbeat later as Videl's mind raced to understand what was going on. Outside the wall were four figures. Three were taller, but the one they stood behind sent chills through her spine just seeing. Red eyes stared back at her through under a white-pink hood. Pale green skin pushed away from his mouth as he grinned.
"Ah, hello," a tiny creature said. "I'm here to leave a message for Son Gohan."
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Author's Notes:
Sorry for the delay everyone. This chapter's been in development for a while. It faced several rewrites as well. I think this one just came out the best. I also decided to cut back on a bit of the action, and focus on other things really happening around it all.
Still super short on time. I read over this three times, but as everyone knows I'm a terrible proof reader.
Reviewers:
maesde: I'm actually super stoked for the two big Vegeta moments coming up. I think we're about 1-2 chapters away from one, and the other I won't disclose when, other then to say this Saga.
Pyromania101: Revenge is a great motivator for innovation, lol
Brelic: Thanks a bunch, Brelic.
Perfect Carnage: Answered via PM.
Bigblukrew: Yea, I've been pulling overtime shifts at work still. But as a result though my time for everything suffers. Ugh.
Morisako83: I would expect something a bit different.
DarkKnightShiva: Hurrah for Cliffhangers :P
Aqua Roxas: I think you got to see tons of Goten, Gohan, and a bit of Videl and Pan this chapter :P
Guest1: Actually, I really wanna section this one out and write a pretty detailed response. One reason why I've tried to use different words when describing this from time to time, is because of a kind of disturbing segment of my reader base. Without disclosing people, I will say that there have been some pretty uncomfortable back and forths with some readers over PM, who take on a kind of peculiar obsession with the circumstances around Pan's conception. In other words, I've had some people who seem to get off on the fact its a rape. Which is principally why I'm just trying to avoid that terminology right now. Not because its not accurate, it is, but because some people are kinda sick in the head, and I really don't want them to get their jollies.
Guest2: Have you considered, she wasn't as strong as Raditz when she fought Spopovich? Derp.
VuvuzelaHero: I normally say I looked forward to writing it, but this chapter was really hard to put together.
Kaosmoshpit: Firstly, Vegeta was overpowered by an army. Second, let's remember that Garlic jr. in Dragon Ball Z started with a power level under 1000. With the help of the Makyo Star, he was as strong as 2nd or 3rd form Frieza. In this? Garlic had a power level much higher, though still under 1,000,000 before he got enhanced. He's very, very strong right now, especially considering his proximity to the source of the Makyo energy (ie himself)
DBZ Fan the First: Super review :O
OpenSourceArtist: This review really bummed me out. Answered by PM.
Tomorrow4eva: Vegeta's made of win, trust me.
Imc9389: Vegeta is an asshole! So is Gohan XD
Guest3: Don't worry, not nearly as pathetic as Vegeta after his mid life crisis and alcoholism! Lol
PuppetMaster: The villains are coming too fast? I actually checked in on this. From Chapters 31-39, I wrote and put up over 75,000 words (90046 including Author's notes). I've written more character development in the last 10 chapters then in the chapters prior to the WMAT. This has been a much slower build then there was to Broly, and a comparable one to where there was Turles. So I just want to point out that if anything, it's taken more readingto get where we currently are in the story, then at any other point.
Min's Awesomeness: Don't fear for Goku's role in the story. I'm super excited for Goku's bigger role in all this. Trust me, Kakarot's not being cast aside.
Guest4: Welcome to Dragon Ball? I don't think he is by Dragon Ball standards, but whatever. I won't argue to change your mind. Have fun with that.
Guest5: I actually really wanted to answer this one, given that I think the critic really doesn't want to look at things a certain way.
Videl is different then in the core story of Dragon Ball, because she's been traumtized.
Someone's angry over Vegeta losing to Garlic? Like he lost to Frieza. Like he lost to Cell. Like he lost to Buu. Like he lost to Turles in TLR. Sorry bro. Vegeta gonna Vegeta.
Too much angst crap? Alright. Neato. I'm glad you read all 250,000 words of it then :)
And actually, have you considered that most of Gohan's power in TLR, actually comes about for the exact reason you posted? "His Pure Heart/positive Ki was the Bomb and his Negative Emotion/Negative Ki is the Triger."
Let me just point out, that every time Gohan's gained in strength, every time he's struggled and pushed forward, or faced an ever threat, it's been because of the good side of his heart and life, that he's been able to overcome them. When Gohan was nefarious at the start, he was a loser. He was a terrible fighter, and his performance reflected that. As he rediscovered himself, and the the good side of himself, his power grew. When he's in a tight spot, it's usually not selfishness that saves him.
Its his reluctant selflessness.