I do not own Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, or Dragon Ball Super. I only own the original characters that I create.

Things start to spice up!

The Mask

Chapter 6

The next day has come with the sun rising in the east. The leaves had all completely fallen off the trees, leaving the forests looking bare and exposed to any outsiders. The animals hid away in their burrows to escape the cold and went into hibernation. The birds flew south to escape the harsh weather in the formation of a V. For some it was a time of dread because of the incoming cold that would soon be having everyone wearing their warmest of clothing. However, for others, it is a time of joy and happiness. A time of peace of tranquility to spend time with friends and family by the fire on a cold night drinking hot cocoa. The mere thought would make anyone smile. But, not to Bardock, he only viewed as the joyfulness as an annoyance, even the cold that did not bother him was a nuisance. He simply didn't like the cold weather and cheerful attitudes. However, there was the expectation of his smiling son and grandsons. Their smiles were enough to drag him from the shadows of himself to the light with them in happiness. With them, there wasn't a thing he wouldn't do to keep them from smiling. They were his everything. His whole world. Without them, he slips back into the dark, never to be seen again.

Wearing scarfs, pullovers, pants and boots, Goku, Bardock, Gohan, and Goten were outside playing. Tossed into the air with glee, Goten giggled as he was tossed once more into the air by Goku. The two shared laughs and smiles as Goku tossed him once more, "Whoopie," Goku yelled then laughed when he lightly tossed his baby boy then caught him safely in his arms. Bardock and Gohan watched in amusement as the two displayed their affection with another by nudging the sides of their faces. The only one that was missing was Chichi. She had gone on a shopping spree with Bulma and wouldn't be coming home till late at night.

Goku then looked to Bardock with a smile, "Bardock! Goten wants you to toss him now!" Goku laughed with Goten's giggle. Smiling affectionately, Bardock happily took Goten from Goku's arms and began tossing him lightly. Goten would giggle and coo while being tossed and caught in Bardock's arms. Bardock was also the time of his life. Leaning next to his dad Gohan smiled at him and whispered to him. Bardock turned around but couldn't hear a thing. Goku looked to Gohan when he was done whispering, and the two exchanged sly grins. They looked back to Bardock with Goten in his arms with plotting eyes. Bardock raised and eyebrow at the boys, "What?" They chuckled and leaped forward. However, they came to a stop when a fist collided with the tops of their heads. It was Bardock who had struck them, and as he looked down at them in their dizzy state, he scoffed, "That wasn't smart boys, and have you forgotten I was holding Goten?" He presented the small baby to them. Goku chuckled nervously and rubbed the forming bump on his head while they were helped to their feet by Bardock.

Bardock let out an exasperated sigh, "Okay, let's go inside. I think Goten's getting a bit cold out here." And set Goten on the ground, letting him walk independently on his wobbly legs. Bardock stopped for a moment and looked to the forest area. He felt something, something strange. He squinted his eyes to get a look in the forest, but his attention was directed to Gohan yelling, "Hey, Bardock!" Bardock looked back to the forest and whatever he had felt vanished. He shook his head and looked back to Gohan, "Huh-oh, yeah," He yelled then jogged to the house and closed the door behind himself. Stepping into the humble abode, Bardock was instantly overcome with a feeling of warmth and comfort. However, the presence he felt still lingered in his mind like a nightmare.

Bardock was tapped on his shoulder and had a cup of cocoa shoved his face by Goku and his grin, "Here! Hope you like it! I put a bit more chocolate in it!" Bardock stalled for a moment, he blinked, then took the cup and gratefully took a sip and smiled at Goku, "Thank you..." Then Bardock sat on the couch next to Gohan who was greedily gulping down the hot cocoa. Shortly after Goku entered the living room with Goten in his arms while they both drank from the same cup. They sat down on a reclining chair and Goku rocked him and Goten back and forth. Reaching for the remote Gohan grunted as he began channel surfing, "Nothing good is on," He complained as the t.v. flashed with commercials then changed to a holiday film, "Well, I guess this will have to do. Is it alright dad? These movies can get kinda cheesy," Gohan looked to his dad who shrugged and took a sip of the cocoa. Gohan then dropped the remote on the coffee table and crossed his legs. Bardock watched the film with boredom, he wasn't all that interested in the holidays. Why a man had to go across the country just to return an earring is beyond Bardock, "Cheesy ass movie..." Bardock muttered while taking a sip from the mug. Soon after the movie had ended, Goku and Goten fell asleep. Then Gohan. Finally Bardock, who didn't notice that he had too, fallen asleep.

The night quickly came with the stars and rising moon in the east. Temperatures had reached below zero, allowing anyone to see their breath. The chilling wind whistled through the leafless trees and howled. However, a lone man stood atop a tree branch at the edge of the forest, staring down at the house Bardock was in. The wind did not bother him for he had been through worse conditions that would make this child's play. His masquerade mask's eyes glowed bright pink. Then, slowly a sick grin twisted his lips and growled menacingly while showing his sharpened canines, "Barrdo-ck.." He said through his teeth and chuckled demonically. He stood there for a moment, then vanished like the night before, without a trace.

Abruptly waking up, Bardock looked around and noticed that it was dark outside and the t.v. was now showing static with a loud and constant 'shhh'. He turned to Gohan who was leaning on the arm of the chair and sleeping. He looked to Goku, then Goten who was on Goku's chest sucking his thumb. Bardock wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and looked around again. For some reason, he couldn't shake this terrible pit in his stomach. He went to turn the t.v. off but was stopped when he heard shuffling. Bardock turned around to see Gohan waking up with sluggish movements. Gohan looked around and noticed Bardock turning off the t.v., "Wait. Leave it on," Gohan's voice was slow and lazy. Bardock looked at him and raised an eyebrow, "Why?" His voice was a bit too rough. Gohan fidgeted for a moment, "I don't like the dark." A blush then crept across his cheeks in embarrassment. Bardock didn't want to question the boy, and went to the couch while grabbing the remote, "Okay, let's watch something then." He handed Gohan the remote. Gohan turned then switched the channels and turned the volume down a bit. They sat there for a bit and Gohan finally went back to sleep. Bardock was on the verge of passing out himself as well, but he felt something. Like it was in the house with them. e willed himself to stay awake to keep the others safe, but he soon passed out before the t.v. shut off, and the room being thrown into pitch-black.