Chapter 4: An End and New Beginning

A/N: Yes PoeticBliss you caught onto my slight alteration quicker than I would've guessed about her eating her own placenta to gain saiyan like powers. An original take I hoped, but I suppose this chapter we take off the kid gloves.
You all should know whose writing this and what I love doing. So this will be the end of our prologue chapters and set the stage for the real start of the fanfic.

One week, it had been one week of ignoring him. She couldn't train in her usual spots anymore or very much leave the palace without seeing him appear. Whether or not it was a good thing remained to be seen, but Chi-Chi was dead set on keeping her promise. I will never fight you again. And she was going to honor that commitment to herself.

Returning home that night she'd felt great, although as the effects of her rage and lust for battle had worn off she did feel worse. She'd told her father and Kenyo that she had just gotten carried away with her training and was going to be taking it easy for awhile. A partial lie and they had bought her words to a degree. There was precious little they could do to dig it out of her as she had become extra vigilant of Gohan. An unforseen effect of revealing to him that he was not only a dad, but also that she had a son who was like him might be too tempting for even him to pass up.

She didn't want Goku to get any further ideas, or that she would put it past him to take her son in order to encourage a brawl with her. She also knew that he wasn't that low, though not much better than the scum that she wiped off her boots. He'd keep his hands to himself for now, and leave her family in peace as he made himself scarce whenever her father or husband appeared close by.

He had become less of her most hated being and transformed into more of a constant buzzing fly, though hundreds of times larger and just as annoying. Her feelings for him hadn't changed either, he had run out on her. Didn't care about her or her feelings and then wanted everything to go right back to normal as if he hadn't done the worst possible thing to her.

That was what she couldn't forgive, maybe if she gave him fifty years and having his own family with someone else that might understand and grovel for forgiveness then she might consider it. But there was little chance of that happening, there wasn't probably a woman alive that could handle his compulsive behavior or have a chance at controlling him.

Fortunately for today, she'd been given a reprieve. It was time for a town festival, her father and husband along with other members of the village had gone out of their way to work on making the evening another memorable one. Fireworks displays, catered food, music, drinks, and plenty of entertainment for the children.

A time for everyone to just relax and enjoy the coming summer and rejoice in the company of their neighbors, no matter what they did or who they were. It was one she enjoyed as a little girl and come to love even more as people in her village praised her and her husband for having such a wonderful son together and being a role model family. Even if the traditional norms were reversed, it was always welcoming to have everyone wish her well.

It had been a dark time at one point, but so many people had helped pull her from wallowing in that self imposed misery and break down the barriers of her heart in such a manner that she'd so appreciative of everything that she had. Wallowing in her own self imposed misery, trying to bring back the pieces of heart, while trying not to rush and let anyone in too quickly.

That self-imposed exile in her own mind had lasted for quite a long time. But, with friends, family, a patient father, and a man who never gave up on her she had recovered. She hadn't fully healed but she was in a much better place.

It was going to be her turn one day to be Queen, and Kenyo the king of her small village. Gohan perhaps an eventual leader but she wasn't going to go to far and dictate to her son what his life was going to be. She'd steer him in a certain direction but she didn't want to take his legs out from underneath him before he had even begun to use them.

For now she was fixing herself up for a wonderful evening. Her cheongsam was bright blue with intricate purple and white flowers rolling up the side and around her body into the shoulder. Her hair pinned and wrapped with several separate buns with a small tiara keeping all three held in place. With only sandals on she gave herself an approving thumbs up in the mirror.

She did a light spin to show off the loose bottom half of her clothes which swayed in the air lightly resting against her ankles. Once she was certain of her appearance - not that she wasn't already - Chi-Chi gathered one of her mother's fans as was customary and made her way towards her balcony to go see if her husband and son had taken off already.

Gohan had been wearing an adorable kimono that was white and purple with her husband wearing white and blue. The contrast showing a mix of all three that just looked great. Of course as it was getting later into the evening Chi-Chi could tell Gohan was getting tired. He had roughhoused with Icarus and the other children who were enjoying the morning festivities and he was already going to be asleep soon and probably most of the night. But she'd imagine her husband waking him up for the fireworks display, he'd put a lot of time and effort into setting it up just right.

As she made her way outside she looked around and noted that she was alone. Looking towards the table she saw a note for her. One of her husband's medical pads.

'Went on ahead, I had to help your dad with something. Gohan is with me, see you soon, Hun.'

P.S. you look amazing.

She smiled, always happy to see Kenyo taking to Gohan so well. It was something that really touched her heart and he had no problems doling out the compliments, which she deserved. "Well guess I'll have a stroll around and see what is going on." In the village before finding them. Gohan's ki was substantial and she could generally sense him when he was nearby, but when sleeping he'd be a little harder to detect. Her poor little Einstein was even overworked sometimes.

Pocketing the note she turned-

Hitting a wall of orange and blue. "Hey, Chi-Chi."

Growling, one hand going to her hair to make sure she hadn't just ruined that, If I have to spend another twenty minutes fixing this I'm going to kick him square in the fucking balls.' Chi-Chi thought as her hand touched the top of her head, which fortunately hadn't been ruined yet. Looking annoyed she stared at Goku, "I'm not dealing with you," She attempted to sidestep him but he blocked her. The sharp glare she sent him next was a warning, "Get. Out. Of. My. Way." Emphasizing her words as she just didn't have the patience to be dealing with him and his petty antics at all. Whatever his reasons were for showing up she didn't appreciate them, not when she was trying to enjoy her family, the one he abandoned.

"Why can't we talk?" He stated, his face showed he was disappointed at her already aggressive attitude towards him. She wasn't giving him anything, barely more than a few words before turning and leaving. He'd been trying to figure out what had happened between them but nothing, his mind was still a complete blank. "I didn't come to fight, I know you don't want to really see me."

She growled, "I don't want anything to do with you, why not run off and go train. Find some big baddie to fight or save the world again. You didn't need me years ago, you didn't even remember me so why are you here now wasting your precious time?" Sneering at him as she turned away from him, "I'm not going to forgive you, so just leave already."

If only she knew that her words were having the exact opposite effect, it was like dangling that carrot in front of him. Telling him no was only encouraging him further, with the added cherry on top that there was apparently an amazing sparring partner for him to test himself against wasn't helping that case any less.

"Chi-Chi, you won't tell me why you won't let me try and earn your forgiveness." Goku again pleaded but she kept her back to him.

"If you aren't smart enough to figure that out then I'm not going to tell you, it's as simple as that. Go run off and find that billionaire genius, I'm sure she'd rather have someone like you so doggedly follow them around. Didn't you ever have to go after her and look for an apology for something you did?"

If he had ever done something like that to Bulma, aside from breaking the dragon radar once, or three times or more. No, he couldn't imagine, well that and he let her get kidnapped by Junior. "She said it was fine because everything worked out. Besides Bulma has Yamcha doing that for her and Bulma can't fight like you can."

"Oh so you just want a fight?" She stated matter of factly, "I'm sorry, you were looking for an apology, weren't you?"

"That's not what I meant," Goku said approaching her and touching her shoulder. He felt her body tense, and for a second she moved on instinct. Her hand grabbing his wrist, her feet moving into a throwing position. But she caught herself. "Get your hand off of me."

"You could move it," He almost taunted her. "Going to carry my weight and slam me headfirst into the ground with your shoulder, weren't you?" Recognizing the act he'd done many times before, even if it was for a fraction of a second.

"Like it even matters to you, it's all you know anyway." Chi-Chi said, grabbing one of his fingers and painfully wrenching it so that he let go, making him yelp and pull his hand back as she walked around him.

Goku reasoned he might've pushed as far as he could today, but he didn't want to leave empty handed. There was one thing that had been bugging him. "Could you at least tell me how you got so strong?" In three years he'd never made such gains, because not only had she surpassed where he had been before but kept up with him. Despite his training, fights, and otherwise constant fighting Chi-Chi had been his equal.

How?

She stopped just at the top of the steps leading down. Isn't it obvious? "I trained, harder than I ever have and with a single goal that consumed me for two years, I sacrificed time with my child, my husband, family and friends all for one thing."

"That was me?" Assuming that what it was.

"Me." She breathed out, "Now get lost." She then made her way down the steps, not bothering to do anything too expedient when she left and ruin her clothes, hair, and makeup. She was already holding back tears that he wasn't worth. Forget him, it's time for your family.

But, even as she told herself that. The problem was, that man was always going to be a part of it. Gohan forever linking them together. But that was all she had, once Goku was gone everything could go back to the way things were. 'The way things were supposed to be.'

The gathering crowd over an hour later was creeping into the later hours, around nine in the evening. It was almost time for the fireworks display where Kenyo, Chi-Chi, and Gohan were all sitting at their spot. Their villages 'chief' fireworks expert promised her one hell of an evening. Of course Gohan was presently sleeping in Chi-Chi's lap. The small boy curled up against her chest, one hand holding lightly to her clothes the other limp as his face was pressed up against her body snoring softly. He let his tail lightly flick around his mother's fingers as she did.

"Our little monster is tuckered out I see." Kenyo joked, rubbing Gohan's hair.

Chi-Chi smiled, "Well he was playing for five hours. I'd imagine he'd be a little tired. But I'm sure he'll need a midnight snack once were back to keep him down for the evening." Knowing that he hadn't had dinner, and he'd probably get fussy about not eating if he woke up. But waking him up for food then letting him fall back asleep was her plan for tonight.

Kenyo saw that she was in a better mood and figured he could press a little more in regards to what his wife was going through. He'd been having suspicions that Son Goku was dropping by, but not once had he seen him. But his wife didn't spontaneously get angry for no reason at odd hours when she was by herself. "Have you seen him around?"

Chi-Chi's smile pressed flat and she looked ahead, she confirmed his suspicions but he'd guessed that already. "Look I'm not mad, but I am here to listen. I don't care about him and I don't believe for a second that you want anything to do with him." He put his hand on hers. Dropping his words softer, squeezing her fingers as well. "But I see how you've been. You're not the same dropdead training superstar mom I'm used to."

It made her laugh for a moment and he laughed with her. "What is it that he wants?" Deciding that he could get a little bit more from her tonight.

"Something stupid, another fight with me… but a few other things." Chi-Chi said, her eyes looking down at her son before looking to her husband.

"I see." He caught what she was referring too. "And does he want custody?"

Chi-Chi shook her head, "No he wants to meet him, of course I don't want him anywhere near Gohan." Her voice almost venomous, Goku was not needed, she could handle this by herself. That selfish bastard wanted to see a son he didn't even know existed. As if!

That he understood, but he didn't agree with. "Chi-Chi maybe-"

"Don't, let's not fight, not tonight and not about him. He's consumed enough of my life already." Chi-Chi said, pulling her hand away from him.

Kenyo sighed, "I understand but I say let him see his son, I think it might be good for the two of you to at least have that moment."

"Goku doesn't know how to be a father, he doesn't even care. When I told him he was just happy about the name, not about how he was, what he was doing. No, he just egged me on into a fight with him."

"But he has a right to at least see him, I'm not saying give him to him. But maybe that'll wake him up, sometimes having a serious responsibility changes people for the better."

"You don't know Goku," Chi-Chi sighed, shaking her head in mild irritation. "He's cared for one thing in his life and one thing only and that is getting stronger. Having a son would only limit him and you know how any kid would be when seeing their father. Wanting to get their approval, he'll distance himself from you because his 'biological' father walked out on mom or turn on me because I'm the bad mother who couldn't make things work out while Dad does all the super heroics that everyone just 'loves' him for." Chi-Chi said sarcastically.

"Gohan wouldn't do that," Kenyo said, trying to plead his case.

"You don't know that, and I don't want the only good thing I got from that bastard to turn against me." Her fingers feathered lightly against his hair. "I don't need him, and Gohan doesn't either."

"Alright, alright." He said holding his hands up knowing that Chi-Chi was putting up her walls. Not letting him see his point, she was remarkably stubborn sometimes, but then again that's why he loved her. "I'll go get the fireworks going you just stay here and prepare to be amazed."

Getting up from his spot Chi-Chi nodded not wanting to remain bitter towards him. He was a nice guy, sometimes a little to nice but that was a minor fault of his. Keeping her hand on her baby boy Chi-Chi just remained where she was looking out at the sky which began to fully envelope its purple hue to black. The stars were out, and the moon was perfect.

Sitting idle for about ten minutes, Chi-Chi paused as she felt a light wisp of air pass over her head. Instinctively she dodged the next one her eyes flicking down to see small pieces of rock, barely pebble size but they were landing next to her.

Accurately too, which meant to her only one thing. 'You asshole!' Setting Gohan down on the ground she turned and looked for Goku and her sharp eyes quickly spied that orange gi in the trees about a hundred meters from her. "Oh you think you need my attention, I'll give you some damn attention." She grumbled grabbing the rocks in her hand intent on nailing him in the balls if she could.

Before she could toss them her husband reappeared. "Hey Chi-Chi!" He said waving at her, taking her hand in the air as a wave to him.

"Oh, Kenyo?" She said, slightly startled at his reappearance. "Back already?"

"Of course, didn't take too much. Just need another minute and then everything will be going off like clockwork!" He said puffing his chest out proudly. "I do know a thing or two about timing and chemistry."

Chi-Chi smiled at him, "Could you watch Gohan for me, I have to find the ladies room and yes I promise I'll be back to watch the fireworks." Finding a quick out, telling her husband that she needed to see him wasn't on her menu of options.

"Not a problem." He said picking up Gohan and putting him on his lap. The little boy still exhausted shifted and brought his thumb to his mouth. "Hey Gohan, come on your dad set up all these fireworks." He gently prodded him and adjusted him to have him watch all the cool explosions he had prepared.

Smiling she turned and jumped into the air, knowing she might ruin her appearance but she just had to get rid of Goku. He was seriously stressing her patience. Landing just below the tree she crossed her arms and looked up at him. "WHAT?!" her voice snapping like a whip as Goku jumped down. The typical goofy grin and smile were missing, he looked more like when he was fighting Piccolo than trying to talk with her, but she didn't bother wasting more time on his attitude and instead focused on why he was obsessing over her attention.

"What are you doing outside tonight?" His voice a bit more serious than normal. Chi-Chi ignored it assuming he was playing one of his typical games with her. "Don't you know what happens?"

Feeling her temple throb she put a hand on her forehead. "Happen? What's going to happen is I'm watching fireworks with my family, something my husband put together for the village with my Dad. Now if you're through wasting my time I'd like to get back to enjoying that."

Goku's eyes narrowed and he grabbed her shoulders. "No Chi-Chi, not that. I mean don't you know what happens tonight?"

"Goku I swear to Kami I will break your hands if you so much as touch me like this again without my permission." She shrugged him off angrily snorting.

"No, Chi-Chi listen there's a monster that comes out at night when the full moon appears." Goku said in a hushed tone as the fireworks began to explode behind Chi-Chi, a streak of red yellow and green filling the air before bursting into a glitter of sparks.

His face was burning, his entire vision spun sideways as he felt a huge jolt. Chi-Chi's hand was raised up across her body. Blinking he realized that he had just been smacked on the face. "Ow, what was that for?" Rubbing a stinging red mark on his face.

"For? I'll tell you what it was for." She spat at him. "Wasting my time, I should be enjoying myself with my family not dealing with you and your quite frank stupidity." A werewolf, is that what he is wasting my time with? Some mythological creature, I can't believe this man is that desperate for another fight with me that he's making up garbage. Maybe I should call some of his friends to get him out of here, because I am running out of patience.

Now she actually regretted giving him that fight she should've just walked away. He seemed almost obsessed with her now… Maybe that's it?

He was doing this solely for her attention, if she wouldn't fight him, then she'd drag him away from what she wanted until: he got what he wanted.

He frowned, "Hey that's not nice. I'm trying to tell you about a monster, it's real I swear." Why was she being like this. Goku didn't get her anger, he wasn't trying to be rude he was actually concerned and all Chi-Chi seemed to get was more angry and more violent.

The monster that appeared was the one who had taken Grandpa from him, it had attacked at random and he'd never been able to find it since then. But then when he saw Chi-Chi out here with her village he had to warn her, but she didn't seem to want to listen. She had before, even if she didn't like him that didn't mean he was trying to hurt her. It was for her safety, a measure of forgiveness perhaps and mend some of that damage. But she always seemed more eager to lash out at him than listen to him.

"Chi-Chi-"

"I don't want to hear it!"

"But it killed Grandpa, I just want to protect you and your village from the monster!" Goku shouted back at her, "This is serious! You could get killed or hurt if that monster shows up."

Rolling her eyes, she just wanted to smack him again but he was a bit out of range for that. "Well then" Her voice rising into mock sarcasm, "how about you go check the area for this monster instead? I mean you could catch it." Whatever did she see in him? Was there anything anymore?

Goku pondered it for a minute before agreeing, "You know that's not a bad idea." Slapping his fist into his palm, "Okay I'll scout around and be back soon."

"Be extra thorough, Goku. Take the whole area." She said before turning around as Goku blasted off. Chi-Chi watched him disappear before walking close to a tree and placing her forehead against it. Taking just a moment to lightly bang her head against it and recover herself before going back to her family. "Maybe I will use the restroom after all."

Gathering her dress so it wouldn't get anymore ruined she lept to the bathrooms and opened the door. Going inside the public area, while not her first choice, was at least decent enough as she cleaned up her face and rinsed off her hands. I don't know what I'm going to do with him. He seems intent on ruining my life now. I thought that he'd get upset and whine but he's like okay with everything. My words don't even seem to matter to him!

The decision to tell him everything might've already blown up in her face. But she couldn't undo what she'd-

A shattering roar broke through the air, it was so deep and massive the entire place shook even the ground! Chi-Chi's entire body jumped at the sound and immediately rushed outside to see people fleeing in mad panic, screaming in sheer terror as everyone tripped and trampled anyone who fell.

"What's going on?!" She yelled but no one cared as they passed her by. "HEY-!" Chi-Chi snagged alice who had her hands in the air shrieking. "Alice what the-"

"MONSTER! MONSTER!" She cried, grabbing at Chi-Chi's hands. "Some beast, it came from nowhere! It's It's-! OH KAMI LOOK-" Alice's face turned and Chi-Chi followed her eye and watched a massive ball of fiery red come streaking towards her. It was already too late, the explosion hit right next to them and Chi-Chi was blasted into the air landing in a heap bouncing once and hitting her head.

Another ear shattering roar later and several more explosions ripped around the ground all over. People were sent exploding into the air as cries of terror and panic were silenced as a massive brown furry monstrosity beat into the ground. Its foot crushing one person, while its fist slammed another into paste against a wall.

Those who ran were met with more blasts as it seemed to not miss anyone fleeing. The monstrous form lifted up one foot revealing the body of its first victim, a young man with brown hair, his entire body crashed into the ground, his head almost unrecognizable. Pounding onto its chest in some sort of triumph it was almost caught off guard as a massive axe spun past its head before embedding itself into the castle wall.

"I am the Ox-King! You shall-!" Gyu-Mao offered his challenge but this thing didn't wait and swung its fist nearly the size of his entire body. Even with his bulk he managed to avoid one fist but before he could see a second one was already at him.

The blow knocked his helmet clean off of his head as he was sent flying like a cannonball impacting through a house and exploding out the otherside. But if the beast were to think him dead he was wrong!

Rising up from the other side his head already dripping blood and body felt on the verge of snapping. But he wasn't going to lose to some brainless beast. The Ox-King looked as he saw several men shooting firearms at the creature but they only seemed to annoy it.

Backhanding them in the next moment their bodies twisted and shattered by the force that was more than enough to nearly cripple a man like Gyu-Mao. They were nothing but matchsticks before a wrecking ball. "No… No…" Gyu-Mao said, watching the beast kill women and children alike. Its explosive bursts from its mouth were decimating everything and everyone!

But with a tremendous scream the giant monstrosity met a double kick to the side of its face. Knocking it off balance for but a moment as its huge tail steadied him. Swatting at the new attacker who flipped backwards, her dress now gone leaving her in but a black training bra and underwear. The creature growled looking at the new female arrival, bearing a massive set of teeth to which Chi-Chi bared her own and screamed at the beast.

Her eyes shifted downwards though as she looked for some type of weakness at its legs or anywhere she felt her entire heart jump into her throat. The body just near its feet, was 'Kenyo! My heart! NO!' Tears burst from her eyes as she looked back at the creature attacking her village. "DIE!" She shrieked and shot forward, landing a full uppercut with one fist under its jaw knocking the monster into the air but her moment of success was met with the beast flipping and opening its massive jaw right at her.

Gyu-Mao watched as Chi-Chi was blasted downwards, hitting the ground and tearing up the concrete until landing just a foot or two beside him. Holding his side which he knew had to be several broken ribs, he came over and rolled Chi-Chi over.

The brown monster threw its hands up in the air in celebration and released several more blasts into the air. Roaring even louder, pleased with its own actions.

"Chi-Chi… Chi-Chi are you still with me?" Gyu-Mao asked, dropping to one knee as his daughter grunted but struggled to open her eyes as blood now ran freely from her right arm. A piece of jagged concrete was still inside her skin and had cut a three inch gash into her flesh.

"Hold still." He told her, grabbing at the offending piece. "This is going to hurt."

Like… I don't already- AHHH!' Her voice broke into a weak cry as Ox pulled out a four inch piece of rock and tossed it to the side. Helping Chi-Chi to her back he looked to the creature who began to smash the castle and other buildings nearest to it. The few screams and cries vanishing just as suddenly as they appeared.

"Chi-Chi, we should run. We can't beat that thing." Gyu-Mao said, seeing the beast take two full hits from his daughter and act unaffected along with batting her aside like a doll made him question their chances. He would love to flay it alive, but dying here pointlessly wouldn't do his people any good.

Pushing herself up Chi-Chi just grit her teeth through the pain. "No." She said, "You can go Dad, but I'm not letting him-" A thought slammed into her head, "Where's Gohan?! Oh my god! Dad where is Gohan?!" The image of Kenyo's dead body still remained but she hadn't seen her baby. Her child might still be out there.

Gyu-Mao shook his head. "I don't know, Kami, Chi-Chi this thing appeared from nowhere. Before I knew it, this thing was killing people and I didn't even hear it approach us. Like it just materialized from thin air."

"But where is my son! Please Dad, is he dead, is he alive?!" Chi-Chi clutched to his arm as her father just looked down at her with nothing but a pained expression. "Please, if he's alive I can't leave him! I won't let him be killed by a monster! I-I'll buy you time, you just-"

"No." Gyu-Mao said, pushing her back. "I'll buy you time. It won't be much, but I know you can probably sense Gohan's energy somewhere since I can't." He gave a look back over his shoulder at his beloved daughter, the image of his dead wife. Pain was wracking his body but his love for his family would trump such trivial things. If there was but a chance to save his grandson he'd be the one to make the sacrifice. Chi-Chi was his pride and joy and probably the only one who could escape.

It couldn't be happening, her father wasn't going to seriously consider this. She was the only one who could handle the monster, no one else would have to die. She could lure it away, she was strong enough. "Dad, no you can't you'll die let me get you-"

Her father drew her into a tight squeeze, his large arm holding her tightly to him, tears of remorse fell from his eyes. I'm going to break your heart again, but I'll do this a thousand times for you, my darling daughter. The final time he'd hug her, to feel her warm skin against his own and remember every single moment he'd shared with her since the day he became a father. "A father's duty is to protect his family." He told her, kissing her cheek, blood smearing her face.

"Dad-! Dad don't!" She told him, "Don't be an-"

"Goodbye, and I love you." He told her before pushing away from her. It felt wrong but as he turned and began to run the pain in his body evaporated. "COME ON YOU DAMN MONSTER! YOU UGLY SACK OF SHIT! COME ON-!" His voice bellowed, catching the brown beast's attention which roared and fired a blast in his direction but it missed.

"That all you got, come on you fucking bastard! CHASE ME!" He shouted, darting for the edges of the village where the creature used its hands like forepaws did exactly that.

Gyu-Mao cleared the forest line as the beast crashed into the trees, splitting roots and knocking through oak trees as if they were grass.

Chi-Chi wanted to curse and berate her father but she couldn't, accepting his sacrifice with a pained choked sob before she pulled herself to action and went looking for Gohan.

The Ox-King made it maybe another five hundred meters before the was kicked by the huge beast. Fortunately he managed to tuck himself into a ball and only shatter two trees before stopping.

Coughing up blood as he rolled onto his side, he looked up at the huge creature that growled down at him. "Think, you're pretty strong. Don't-! You?" He said, despite his body ready to just collapse onto the ground. He'd never been through such pain, but after seeing so many people he knew and cared for die this was but a pittance. He grabbed one piece of a broken tree trunk, his fingers curling through the wood forming a grip into it.

"Alright you bastard." He said his voice almost cocky, "Come- ON!" His hand pulled back and threw the small car-sized tree trunk at the creature who smashed it aside with one fist. It missed the clear distraction as the huge man shoulder charged its stomach.

The blow made it gasp and fall backwards, breaking into other chunks of the forest upending dirt and rock as the larger lumbering man pulled himself to another final attack. A hand came at his side, he jumped it. A second came after it but he wasn't stopped, he aimed his elbow and-

Roaring in pain, its finger smashed by a direct blow to the joint, it pulled back letting Gyu-Mao one more chance to buy his daughter time. Landing just above its pectoral, he felt the beast starting to rise back up. "No, you're staying- DOWN!" his head smashed into the side of its jaw.

Its huge pawed feet staggered and spun before it toppled right back over. Landing with a heavy thud onto the ground face first.

"That was for my family!" He swung hard into the creatures back with all of his might, "This is for my people!" Another hammer blow making even the beast cry out in pain. "This one is for my daughter!" Pulling back, he jumped into the air using every ounce of his body weight he crashed into the back of the monster's skull, making it bite down into the dirt.

"And this is-" he was snapped by a huge whip that knocked him forward, tumbling right over its heads and landing on the ground in front of him. Barely recognizing what happened until he was again blasted except by a fist and right into the ground. He felt his arm crack and his ribs impale his lungs. Blood spurted from his mouth as he could barely even breathe without sending fire through his entire body. He looked up into a pair of red eyes that only radiated pure malice towards him.

There was no more last stand as the creature stood right back up. Then, as if in slow motion, the huge foot was raised upwards above him. 'Chi-Chi…. Forgive Daddy… I won't see you grow anymore…. I'm sorry I wasn't a better father… I love you.' The slow descent was captured in what felt like minutes.

He could see his wife again, he saw all of the villagers beyond a veil of white light. I go to my Death… His wife's hand reach out for him, though he could not reach back for her he knew she was getting closer then the rush and then darkness overtook him. The shattering of bone and spurts of blood ripped outwards from the beast's foot as it began to pound its chest louding itself in the kill.

A blood curdling scream shattered the air giving pause to the monstrosity who acted surprised. Turning around only to be hit by a small flying object, the area surrounding the monster exploded as it was sent several feet down. It was being pummelled and it covered its face to protect itself, but met with only rapid blows that were sending it further into the cold dark earth.

Chi-Chi's face was red with rage and pain. Nothing else mattered, not even her own life, she'd lost everything! I don't care if I die, I'm going to kill you! I'm going to rip your heart out and then I will watch you die! There was nothing but bloodlust, her head was pounding with her heartbeat, she couldn't even hear the beasts cries as she just threw everything she had into beating this creature into a mess of blood and bone.

"You killed Kenyo, my village, my father and even my baby!" She cried out kicking one hand away from the beast's face only to land a flush hook to the exposed part cutting into its skin and causing blood to spill free.

Seeing it bleed gave her hope. I can kill it! I will kill it or I will die trying! Faces of her friends and family were burning at the edges of her vision and she only felt her heart constrict tighter as she did everything she could to waylay into the beast. There wasn't any fear or concern for her own wellbeing. Her life had been once dedicated to getting her just rewards against the man who abandoned her were now turned wholly into the destruction of this creature.

She'd found Gohan's clothes not far from Kenyo. They were all burnt leaving several patches of charred remains of which she could only know in her heart of hearts that her child was dead. Burned alive by this horrible abomination. Once she knew that she tried to go and save her father only to watch the fountain of gore explode as her poor dad was squished like a bug.

She jumped onto its nose and began hitting the creature square in the eyes. Crying out, it released a volley of red ki exploding the small crater they were in and forcing Chi-Chi to back off or be buried in rubble. A cascade of rocks burst from the crater walls and fell onto of the beast. Some, perhaps hundreds of pounds or even boulders, smashed into its unprotected hide slowly swallowing its entire body as she now stood at the edge of the crater she had beaten the monster down into.

Her injuries came back though, protesting all of her current actions as she could feel the blood loss beginning to take its toll. Her arm had been trickling blood for minutes now and she had done little if anything to stop it in her haste. I don't know how long I'll be able to keep myself up.

Shaking her head and blinking her eyes to remove some of the fogginess Chi-Chi felt the ground shift as two hands reached out from the rock and rubble and drew out the face of the beast. Blood showing on its nose but it didn't seem any bit slowed down. It then leapt - not climbed - out of the hole and landed with an earthquake level of force making Chi-Chi wobble.

The creature snorted through its huge nostrils creating a level of hot steam like air to the cool midnight air. Its red eyes burned completely at her so intently she could view her own reflection back in them. She didn't back down and looked right back at it. "I won't go down. Not unless you," She drew her one good hand back as the creature cocked its head at her. "DIE-!" A burst of blue ki shot from her hand and blasted the creature in its face. Smoke flew from its scorched face as it beat off the flames only to be blasted again from the side. Then again and again, Chi-Chi was just drawing as many chunks of her own energy and throwing them as fast as she could.

Blasting apart the landscape as the beast couldn't follow her, its eyes never able to keep up as she remained at a distance. Her speed was her best asset and getting in close quarters with a monster twenty times her size was fool hardy. She had to use any and every advantage.

Sections of earth were torn apart as the creature began to fire at its attacker in vain, its own strong blasts of red fire were just pelting the Earth all around her forcing her to keep moving. An explosion would tear apart a football field of debris, another would cut a gouge about twenty yards down.

This was not a fight but a battle for survival.

Leaping over debris and sometimes springing off a tree while it was still in the air to shift positions when she could, Chi-Chi flipped high and then let loose a volley of ten ki blasts to the beast's back leaving a thin trail of red and scorched flesh in her attempt. The explosions made the creature fall onto its hands giving Chi-Chi but a moment. As she hit the ground she nearly collapsed, panting heavily as she could feel her consciousness slipping quickly away.

Not… yet… come on… I can keep going! Chi-Chi told herself, but she was sent flying as she forgot about its other weapon. She was battered by the creatures tail, rolling along the ground she tried to rise only to feel it coil around her legs and pull her back, her one hand leaving a trail as she tried to stop it along with more blood from her other hand. Picked up she was slammed onto the ground like toy with the tail keeping her unable to do anything.

She crashed through a tree, smashing her face on the ground, then the creature tossed her into the air only to be punched by its huge fists. Chi-Chi blacked out for a moment as she went limp. She awoke to bone crushing pain, her body forcing her back to consciousness. Its hand was around her body holding her with an incredible amount of force. Looking at her with the same expression that it had killed her father with, Chi-Chi was only able to cry out until her lungs had no more air left.

Those red eyes were staring at her and preparing to take the only thing she had left and Chi-Chi knew it. She was going to die, but there was no merciful swift death. It seemed intent on making her suffer.

I… I can't- Please KAMI MAKE IT STOP! It was crushing her to death, and no matter what she had trained to do this was far too much even for her. She couldn't draw in any real breaths as it held her in its fist.

"LET HER GO-!" A voice shouted from somewhere but coming at an incredible speed. She heard the crackle of thunder in her ears and the roar of the monster before she looked up and saw only the moon looking down at her. The pain vanished for but a brief moment as she fell, the ground impacted but she didn't even really feel it when every single bone in her body was nearly at the breaking point.

She just felt so tired, sleeping forever... That's what I want to do. Embracing that warm blanket of death that would hopefully come for her soon. Her entire body was left in simmering pain, like a bed of electric nails jolting her nerves and bones at odd moments making her twinge and only further her misery.

What happened next she couldn't say as she let her eyes close, praying that it would be for the last time. She didn't want to wake up. Dad, Kenyo, Gohan… please forgive me when I cross over. I couldn't avenge you. Please… please wait for me. It would be her only small comfort that she'd be joined with the people she loved in the afterlife. However short her life had been and violent her death she just wanted to be with the people she loved.

But as she hoped she felt herself being lifted from the ground and carried away, a faint smile graced her lips. It was her time…

Yet fate wasn't done as she slipped into darkness, Nimbus carried her away per Goku's instructions leaving him to battle with the beast. The monster that had killed the village, Gyu-Mao, his grandfather, and maybe even Chi-Chi!

"You are going down!" Goku cried out before launching himself at the massive behemoth. Intent on doing what Grandpa and Chi-Chi couldn't do. His blood boiling and a fire coursing through his veins, he was ready to do what he had wanted since the day he found Grandpa murdered.

[***]

The sun rose over Gyu-Mao's village, or more precisely, its burning ruins. Nothing was left, except the cries of a small boy. He woke up hurting, cold, alone, hungry, and most of all. "Mommy! Mommy!" He screamed. Naked with cuts and bruises all over, he screamed for the only person that he knew would come and save him.

He didn't know what happened, he wasn't in his bedroom. There was blood everywhere, along with small fires. His heart was beating and his face was awash with tears. Where is my mommy?! I want my mommy! She always came when he cried, she was always there to make him feel safe and make all the pain stop.

It felt so long, his tears and cries echoing everywhere and no one came. He just saw people laying in pieces all over. He could see a pair of hands grabbing onto a fence, a stroller crushed with torn up stuffed animals shredded sticking out from inside of the mess of plastic and metal.

"MOMMMMMY-!" He screamed again, harder and louder than he ever had before. But only the deafening silence was his answer.

Breaking into full deep sobs as his mother did not come, Gohan rolled onto his side and just kept crying. He didn't know what else to do until... Gohan heard labored breathing and sluggish footsteps. Rubbing his eyes with his hands Gohan saw a man looking at him. His hair was crazy with black spikes everywhere, he looked like he had been in a big fight. Sniffling, Gohan just stared at the man who gave him half a grin. The other part of his face was swollen badly, his arm looked higher than his shoulder and he didn't even have any clothes on save ripped underwear.

"H..he… Hey." The man said painfully going down to one knee. "Yo..u… mus be Go..han?" His breathing was a thick dry rasp.

"Uh..huh." he said still scared as the man offered him his hand. But he didn't take it, he didn't know him at all. But he couldn't run…

"It… s O..k. Mom is… whi...whh..with… m-me." The man coughed and his outstretched hand went to his chest in pain. He took a minute before looking back up. "I...m Go...go… goku."

"Will… will you take me to my mom?" Gohan asked again, watching the man's head nod. Gohan reached his hand out for his which he gently picked up and into his chest. "Where is mommy? Daddy? Grandpa?"

"Shhh...Shhh" Goku said slowly rising up. "Mom… first." He managed before beginning a slow and painful trek back towards where Chi-Chi was.

He had failed, failed to kill the monster before it vanished. He had been awakened by the cries of a small boy, a tiny miracle that he'd lived, even more incredible. It was Gohan, his and Chi-Chi's son. Sorry Grandpa, everyone, I couldn't do it… but I promise. I'll be ready next time. Goku told himself as he dragged his broken leg with him towards the small hut on the edge of the town and prayed that he could help Chi-Chi make it through. She was barely breathing and in terrible pain, he couldn't afford to lose anyone else to the killer monster.

Goku had already lost enough, if not more than he thought possible last night.

R&R

Kerghan: I told you, this was just the prologue