Captive Souls

Epilogue

"Chi-chi, wake up,"Goku shook the female to no avail. Her empty eyes looked heavenward past the Earth-raised Saiya-jin. Almost though it was the only warning he had, he felt pain rake up his spine when he felt a sharp object scrape against his backside in a brutal way. Turning in pure shock and horror, Goku saw Raizen grinning evilly at Goku.

"You cannot save her," Raizen chuckled darkly. "She'll never be the same ever again. And it's all your fault."

"NO!" Goku yelled; the nightmare instantly dispelling. Ever since Vegeta had talked to him, Goku had sought Chi-chi for comfort.

It had been two months now and Goku had long since joined the others in rebuilding what he and the aliens had destroyed during the course of a year. The nightmares still plagued him; offering him glimpses of his past and showed how much the cold-hearted alien had taken away from him. Had he won, he would have not been able to save Chi-chi and he would have been condemned to hell.

No matter what, Goku wouldn't allow the brainwashing that Raizen did to affect him and cause another calamity far worse than what the Earth could take. He was almost tempted when Chi-chi was knocked down by another male.

"Watch where you're going," the male growled at Chi-chi. Instantly, Goku grabbed the male by his shirt; a snarl escaping his throat.

"Goku! Let him go!" Chi-chi yelled at her husband in a worried tone. Had she not said anything, she would be sure Goku would have torn the male in two. Seconds later, the male was thrown down to the ground with minimal damage.

"I should just kill him," Goku darkly spoke. Chi-chi was surprised by these words that Goku said casually like it was not a problem to him.

"What's wrong with you? You're never like this before what Raizen did to you. What made you change?" Those words instantly made Goku snap out of the angered state he was in. Did he actually say that he was going to kill?

"I… I don't know." Goku admitted and bowed his head. He was losing the mental battle and knew that if he didn't do anything soon, he might lash out. "I… I'll be back." Before Chi-chi could dare stop him, he vanished thanks to Instant Transmission.

"I honestly wish he could have taught me that. Oh Goku. You were doing so well. What's happening to you?" She looked up in the cloudy sky that threatened to rain upon her at any moment.

Goku appeared silently on the alien landscape and walked towards a hut. Once again, he had no other choice but to turn to mystical means. Before he reached the door, a pair of eyes had fallen upon him; almost though the figure was watching the entire time.

"So, what do I owe you the visit this time?" a cryptic voice questioned.

Night fell and it had been hours since Chi-chi had seen Goku. She had extended her senses to try to find her husband to no avail. It was though he had vanished off the face of the Earth. A very cold feeling filled her soul. What if he committed suicide or left because of his anger? She hugged her knees closer; wanting to deny these thoughts that plagued her mind.

'Please don't be dead,' Chi-chi silently prayed while she drew the covers closer to her. The other side of the bed felt empty like her soul at that moment. 'I wouldn't like it if you were gone again.'

"You are to destroy! If not, then I will ensure you are not to be reincarnated!" Raizen's voice yelled within Goku's mind. The Earth-raised Saiya-jin heard this and struggled against the bonds that held him captive. He cried out when he felt something dig into the palms of his hands before consciousness fled.

'I don't want to remember this anymore…' Goku mentally struggled against the memories he had to face. On one hand, he had managed to overcome anything in the past; however, these memories would not leave him easily as he wanted.

"What is my mission?" Goku heard himself, rather Dusk question Raizen.

"Your mission is to capture the Mysterious Nightingale alive. She is the hindrance in my plans."

"Why though?"

"If she is to continue, she will make it so we cannot take this planet."

"Is… is this wrong though to take a planet that doesn't…" The words were not finished and almost though he was re-living the pain, Goku felt a whip crack against his bare back thanks to Raizen.

"You will do as I say and not question it." Raizen warned.

"As… as you wish my lord…" Dusk's voice weakly uttered from behind the mask he wore.

'I rather forget all the brainwashing…'

"If you wish to know about Son Goku, then I'll tell you this. The Son Goku you know is dead."

Moments after Dusk said these words, he thought he saw pain behind Chi-chi's hardened eyes. He was ordered to capture her and yet, he did not because she had gone out of her way to prepare a cake for his youngest son's birthday. He had lied to this woman so she would not continue to mourn for her husband's death. Just so he could protect himself behind the mask. So he could continue to play Dusk and cause more pain.

"…then remember the pain I caused her…'

"The devices implanted within you seem to be doing wonders to keep you from taking me down." Raizen grinned maliciously. Striding over to Chi-chi, he grabbed the unguarded female who put up an effortless fight against the demon-like Daza-jin. "There's no use resisting what is about to happen my dear."

"Let go of…" Chi-chi yelled at Raizen before a horrible sensation filled her mind and body. A horrified and magnified scream emitted from her throat in pure agony.

'It's my fault and I…'

"I HAVE DONE ALL THAT I CAN. IT IS UP TO YOU."

Goku's eyes opened weakly and he looked up at Porunga. Vegeta had said not to restore things the way they were, but he wanted to ease the brainwashing so he wouldn't do anything to harm anyone; even his wife.

"Thank you." Goku muttered weakly. "I have no other wishes."

Goku wasn't prepared the moment he entered his room and heard the soft crying of his wife. Worried, he crossed the room and pulled her into his strong arms. Minutes felt like hours before she calmed.

"Chi-chi, is something wrong?" Goku questioned.

"I… I thought you were…" Chi-chi whispered against his chest.

"I went to see Porunga to attempt to rid myself of the brainwashing." Goku admitted.

"Why?"

"I was hurting you and everyone else unconsciously without realizing it. If I didn't, then I would feel guilty for causing you pain."

"You should have told me. Otherwise…"

"Otherwise what? I wanted to kill him and I want to stop thinking like that."

Chi-chi gently kissed his cheek. "It's not that hard to be yourself you know. It's much closer than you think."

A quizzical look was in his eyes before he realized what she had meant. He was close to it and had he gone down the path of destruction, he would have never been able to grasp it. Reassuringly, Goku smiled softly; finally able to accept that despite what he had done, he would be forgiven if he asked.

"Thank you Chi-chi. Thank you for saving my soul." Goku purred softly. Nothing would tear him apart again. He had endured the trials that Raizen had thrown in front of him and overcame the demon in him.

Fin

Authoress Note: Well, this was a rough ending, but I made it. I hope that this tale was worth the read and hope that you will all join me again for another tale. Until then, I hope all of you are satisfied with this ending and continue encouraging me so I can continue writing these stories for all of you to enjoy.