The Firebird could feel Goken's strength giving out. The boy's energy was slowly draining away, absorbed by the Firebird himself. It was only a matter of time before he'd gain the ability to fully control the powers he got from Goken.

The Firebird's eyes scanned the surrounding rubble of what used to be Satan City for any life signs; life signs that would have to be terminated. Just a few moments ago, there had been an elderly man, wearing the shreds of what used to be a pressed shirt. His leg had been caught under a chunk of rubble not much larger than an automobile. Wrinkles formed around his face as he winced in agony.

The man took notice of the Firebird and reached out a prune like hand begging for help. "Please, help me remove this rock," he pleaded.

The Firebird decided to have a little fun with him and he said, "Don't worry sir, I'll help you move the rubble from your leg." He placed his hands at the bottom of the huge concrete chunk that had the man's legs pinned, and lifted.

"Oh thank you," the man said as tears of joy slowly crept out the corner of his eyes. His hands ran over the sore wounds on his leg, analyzing the degree of damage. He had taken his attention off the Firebird, who still held the concrete boulder in his arms.

"I'm getting tired," the Firebird said, "and you told me to move the boulder. So I did, but now I gotta put it down somewhere." Using only a portion of his strength, he threw the boulder onto the elderly man, hearing it come into contact with his torso. The impact made a dull, wet sounding crack as it crushed his body under its immense weight.

"Asshole…" Goken managed to whisper from the back of his mind.

"Damn it, kid," the Firebird cursed, "what the hell are you still doing alive?"

* * *

"What the hell are you still doing alive?"

Vegeta heard it with his own ears. How had the Firebird noticed their presence? Those bloody Z soldiers had to tag along, he grumbled silently. I could've taken the Firebird out myself but-

"We're here to take you out," Yamcha said, standing out in the open from the protection of the rubble they were hiding behind. Vegeta sneered at his stupidity. The man can't even hold his own in an arm wrestle against me! What makes him think he'll put up a decent girl fight with the Firebird?

"It's time you stop hiding behind one of our own Z soldiers for protection," Juuhachi Gou added in.

"Bad enough you had to do that," Piccolo said, "but to a child? That's despicable."

"I'm beginning to lose my interest in your justice speeches," the Firebird said lethargically. "How foolish of you to stand in my way, especially since I have the body of the Devotee in my possession!"

"That does it!" Vegeta yelled, his voice echoing the loudest above everyone else's. "Do you really think we give a flying fuck about who's body you possess?" The others turned around to face the Saiyan prince. Even his comrades had been surprised at his reaction. "I've been saying this the whole time, but nobody seems to wanna believe it. I say if Goken is foolish enough to not resist your presence in the first place, then the brat is getting everything he deserves!! Even if it means killing him to get to you!!"

* * *

The words cut painful wounds into Goken. All this time I've been keeping the Firebird away from my consciousness… just so everyone else will get a chance to destroy him. And now, they want to kill me too?

"I don't know where you get the idea to resist me from," the Firebird said to Goken. "But these people are clearly not your allies. Why do you still give them the opportunity to destroy us?"

"Because I thought they…," the boy replied weakly.

"You thought wrong, Goken!" the Firebird interrupted harshly. "Your foolish decision to resist my power could've cost the both of us our lives. Now you know who the real enemies are!"

"Real enemies?!!" Goken nearly choked after hearing what he said. "You're the one who admitted to tricking me into letting you absorb my body! And speaking to me like I'm a kid, I mean…"

The boy has a point, the Firebird realized. I did admit to being the bad guy in the past.

"It looks like you have no allies in this world then," the Firebird replied. "But think of it this way.

You are the Devotee. Through me, you can exact your revenge on them." His voice calmed down to a sympathetic tone. "You are not of their kind. It's only natural for them to loathe what they don't understand. Such is their nature. I may have deceived you for my own reasons, but in doing so look at all the power you get in return! I've told you from the beginning -"

"You are my savior," Goken repeated what the Firebird had said when they first confronted each other. The emotion this time was lost in his voice, merely blank words and slipped out of his mouth. "I think… I think I'm beginning to understand…"

"Let me into your mind," the Firebird said. "Let me gain the abilities to control the powers inherited from you. We will merge as one and together, we will exact revenge on those who've betrayed you."

I'm sorry father, Goken prayed silently to Goku in the heavens. I've been fighting for the wrong side this whole time. I can't fight the Firebird any longer. He probably doesn't mean well, but if I don't go along with his plan, the Z Soldiers will kill me. Besides, once I merge with the Firebird, I'll have the ability to stop him before he starts abusing his power. After all, we will be one in the same, right? Goken's reason convinced him enough and his sadness and disappointment immediately gave way to rage. "We'll spare none of them," he said. "This time, I want to be a part of their deaths, not a mere bystander."

"Just say the word and you may do as you wish," the Firebird said, smirking with glee. Thank you, you foolish Saiyan prince. You've just angered the Devotee and by doing so, you have brought death upon yourself and everyone you care about.

"One more thing," Goken said. "When we find Gohan, save him for me. I want his blood."