"Not that I didn't like the lights, but can we go back to fighting?" Goku asked impatiently.
"Don't you mock me!" Spike said while clenching his fists angrily. "You know very well we are fighting!"
"But you haven't even moved from there yet... How can we fight if you don't move?"
Spike rubbed his forehead with the palm of his hand, not only did his head ache, but his brow was slick with sweat and he felt uncharacteristically nervous. Luckily, he still had an ace up his sleeve that he hoped would help even the odds between him and his little adversary.
"Fine then, why don't we begin the battle proper?" Spike said before reaching behind his back and pulling out a pitchfork far too large to be hidden behind himself. "With me stabbing you full of holes."
The demon lunged at Goku who easily dodged his lethargic attacks, they were slow not only because Spike was physically weaker than Goku but also because his wings had sustained more damage than he originally thought. Lunge after lunge, Goku dodged his attacks and waited for an opening. Spike read this as having Goku on the ropes, and increased the ferocity in his attacks, that was until Goku grabbed the pitchfork and snapped it in half. Shocked, Spike gazed at the half of his weapon that was still in his hand before being knocked to the floor by a punch to his left cheek.
"You shouldn't be using weapons. That's not fair or nice of you to cheat like that." Goku said.
Spike felt his cheek already begin to swell. He knew it was going to bruise and caressed it gently. It was at that point he weighed his options: Continue the battle and risk more damage to both his body and his pride; give up and call it quits, or perhaps...trick Goku into believing he's quitting. Yes, that's it, he decided he would use Goku's inherent goodness as a weakness. He raised his hands in the air. "You're right, I'm sorry! I give up!"
"You give up? But we just started..." Goku said disappointedly, dropping his guard in the process.
Seeing his opportunity, he tried to kick Goku off of the tongue but his leg was caught before it even got close to connecting. Goku was unsurprised that Spike had tried to trick him, his experience with Tao taught him that enemies can't be trusted even when they seem like they're giving up. He socked Spike in the jaw, knocking him out immediately.
Carefully, Goku picked him up and brought him to the right demon's mouth. Even though he couldn't trust his enemy, he could at least show some kindness in bringing them to safety, away from the poisonous pit. He walked back out shortly after and gave a thumbs up to his friends, "Only one more to go, Upa! We've got this!"
Baba rubbed her hands together anxiously, if her last fighter couldn't perform, she feared she might actually have to give out a fortune entirely for free. "Yes Goku, you've done very well thus far but just wait until you see my fifth fighter!" She turned her back to him and muttered, "Maybe then you won't be so confident."
Gohan watched Baba disappear back into the right demon's mouth, his heart was still beating rapidly, the worry for his father had completely dissipated but the adrenaline that came with it still remained. He was so surprised at how strong his father had become in such a short amount of time. Compared to his performance at the world martial arts tournament it was like watching an entirely different person.
When Baba returned to the Devil's Pit, she guided an elderly man wearing a white cat mask to the edge of the tongue, standing him just feet away from Goku. He was, by no means intimidating; in fact, apart from the mask, he looked like any regular guy, like someone you could pass by on the street.
Before she could float away the old man grabbed onto the edge of her robe. "Excuse me Baba, but can I ask a favor of you?"
Baba rolled her eyes. "Ergh, depends, what would it be?"
"Could we please fight outside? It's dreadfully cold in here and I think my old bones will perform a little better if I'm outside in the sun. It would mean the world to me if you could grant me that." The man asked as he stroked a long mustache that peaked out from the edge of his mask.
"Yes, well I suppose you do deserve that much." Baba mumbled. "All right Goku, you may return to your friends. The final match will be held outside in the Grand Arena."
Goku nodded and stood staring at the old man as he passed him, walking slowly towards the left demon's mouth and the corridor back to the others. Goku caught a whiff of the old man's scent as he passed, he smelled oddly familiar, but Goku couldn't figure out how he knew that smell, no matter how hard he tried. Goku walked silently back into the room and when he reentered Krillin and Upa were the first to greet him, Gohan would have welcomed him too had he not noticed that Goku was keeping his eyes solely on the old man. He turned to see the elderly fellow shuffle over to the wooden door that led out to the long staircase.
"Great job Goku! I'll admit I got a little worried after that big mummy guy pummelled Yamcha but you took care of him and Spike in no time at all! Looking at this old geezer I'd say it'll be as easy as pie beating him!" Krillin said enthusiastically.
Goku took a step forward like he was going to stop the old man as he closed the door gently behind him. Still looking at the door, Goku eventually responded, "T-thanks Krillin"
Krillin couldn't place the look on Goku's face, usually, it was pretty simple to figure out what he was thinking, his expressions were usually very simple and honest, but Krillin struggled to figure out why he was so distracted. "What's the matter Goku, you aren't tired are you?"
Goku finally looked at Krillin but it was obvious his thoughts weren't collected yet. "No, I'm good, just surprised I think. That man seems nicer than the other fighters."
Krillin tapped his chin contemplatively. "Well, you're right about that. Maybe he's just a temporary for Baba. I doubt an old man like that likes fighting very much."
Roshi stepped close to the boys, gracefully adding himself to the conversation. "I wouldn't be too sure of that. I've never seen this fighter before and knowing Baba I'm sure she's saved the best for last."
"I guess you'll just have to find out won't you?" Baba said with a mischievous grin, startling her younger brother, "Follow me, everyone."
The old woman floated over to the door, leaving it open behind her. Everyone followed Baba although, at a distance. Only Roshi followed close behind her.
Gohan noticed Goku fall behind as everyone began walking down the stairs. He approached him cautiously, "A-are you okay Goku? You seem really bothered by something."
"Jack have we ever met that old guy before? Maybe somewhere near Bulma's house in that big city? Or maybe sometime in that old town in the desert?"
"I'm not really sure...Why? Do you think he's someone we've fought before?"
"No, it's not that. He just smells so familiar, it's weird but... he makes me feel comfortable." Goku said before making his way over to the staircase, followed shortly thereafter by Gohan.
In no time at all, they caught up with the rest of the group and collectively made their way out into the sunlight. Everyone shielded their eyes as they adjusted to the bright daylight, apparently, the indoors of the Devils Pit was darker than they thought.
Gohan kept an eye on the elderly man, oddly enough, he agreed that he did feel familiar but he couldn't figure out how he knew him. He looked over the old man, again and again; his black pants, black shirt, and orange vest with a yellow oval design printed all over it was so distinctive, and yet, he knew no one who wore such clothing. He trailed behind his father who seemed to be analyzing the man as well. Gohan, tired of the enigma, tried to feel out the old man's ki for clues, perhaps he would be feeling nervous before the fight, perhaps confident. Surprisingly, Gohan didn't feel confidence or nervousness, only an overwhelming sense of joy, and pure happiness, all bottled up behind that silly cat mask. Another oddity to add to the list.
When the group finally reached the grand arena, they were somewhat disappointed, it was the same as the original sandstone arena they had fought in except it was significantly larger and slightly more elevated. The old man climbed up onto the sandstone arena and extended his hand out to help Goku up, and although thankful, Goku pushed himself up on his own. The two stood in the center of the ring and Baba began to explain the rules, "All right you two, this will be the final match! The rules are the same as all of the other matches and the first to be incapable of continuing the fight loses. Speaking of losses, if by some chance Goku does win this match then your group will receive your fortune and you will receive it cost-free." She said. "Now, if everyone is ready, you may begin!"
Despite still being perplexed by the mystery surrounding the man's identity, Goku stood firm and ready for whatever he could throw at him, he was caught off guard when the old man simply bowed to him, he felt oddly obligated to bow as well.
"You are a very respectful young man, I have the feeling if your friend with the wolf fang fist was facing me he might have already demanded my surrender!" The old man said struggling to keep in his laughter. "But it's ironic that I am now going to ask you the same thing. Goku, would you be willing to surrender?"
Goku lifted his head from his bow, "Would I what?"
"I asked if you would be willing to surrender."
"I'm sorry-sir...but I can't." Goku felt odd apologizing to an absolute stranger. "I need this fortune from Baba to help find the last dragon ball. That's the only way I can help my friend Upa see his father again."
"Ah, so that's why you came here. I should have known it was under noble circumstances." He rolled his sleeves up past his forearms and spread his legs out evenly, lowering into his fighting stance. "Well then try your best, that's all that you can do."
"Thank you, I will," Goku said respectfully before getting into his stance.
The two stared at each other for a moment. Goku was observing the stance the old man was in, it looked so familiar like he'd faced someone who'd used that exact stance before and not just once, but hundreds of times. The first punch from the old man came out, instinctively Goku misdirected it, and then a kick came, Goku ducked beneath it like he'd seen it a million times before. Continuously Goku dodged the man's attacks easily for reasons even he didn't understand. Something just told him exactly what was coming next. Suddenly the man switched his pose, but Goku recognized this one, it was his own. A lightning-fast kick to his jaw sent him flying back, skidding across the sandstone floor over to the opposite side of the ring, it was flashy but didn't hurt him too much.
Goku got back on his feet, the old man waited for a rambunxious counter-attack but instead, Goku took it slow, he was far more patient than the last time they sparred, time seemed to temper him. "Very good Goku, very good! Now let's see how you handle a kamehameha" The old man said, readying a blue ball of energy in his palms. "Ka-me-ha-me-HA!"
In the few short seconds it took for the beam of energy to reach Goku he was deep in thought, he noticed that the odd comfortableness he felt around the old man hadn't lessened, in fact, it grew as he barely dodged the blue wave of energy. His opponent's tactics, personality, and disposition all seemed so familiar, it almost reminded him of his grandfather. Goku used his momentum from his dodge to propel himself into a run towards the old man. When he was within striking distance, Goku jumped and floored the old man in a powerful chop to his right clavicle, he could tell he broke it after he landed back onto the sandstone.
The old man grabbed his shoulder, his reduced range of motion with that arm would make it almost impossible to maintain the upper hand on Goku, the young boy's clever nature almost made him giggle, but the pain kept his laughter in check. As he laid on the ground, the sun blinded him and so he used his left arm to shield the only part of his face not covered by his mask: his eyes. He sighed, realizing that he had lost.
"I tried my best," Goku said before standing in front of the sun and reaching down, offering his hand to help the man up, "But so did you. It was a great match."
The old man raised his hand, but instead of grabbing onto Goku's hand, he grabbed onto his tail. Goku felt his strength begin to leave him, starting with his legs, he fell to the floor like he was overtaken by an awful plague.
"I'm sorry kiddo, but I always told you to train that tail of yours. I knew it would get you into trouble someday." The man said, although Goku wasn't listening, the pain was too great for him to focus.
"P-please...let go of my t-tail...I really hate...when people grab it...it hurts a l-lot..."
"I'm sorry Goku, but I can't. You have to give up in order for me to do that."
"But I can't...Upa needs me." Goku said in a soft voice nearing the volume of a whisper.
"Well then, I'm sorry my boy but I'm gonna have to force you to quit." He said with a depressed sigh. "Let's get this over with."
From the sidelines everyone held their breath as they watched Goku be flung around and smacked into the floor, but no one took it harder than Gohan, who was in disbelief that the man had figured out Goku's tail was his weakness. Every slam and smack against the arena's flooring filled Gohan with a wave of seething anger. The mystery behind the man didn't matter to him anymore, his father treated him with honor and respect and still, the man tricked him and took advantage of something Goku had no control over.
"Master Roshi can't we do something!" Gohan asked.
The old man adjusted his sunglasses and shook his head, there was no way they could interfere. "I see you haven't figured it out yet." He said, leaning in closer to Gohan "That's your great grandfather, Gohan."
"What?!"
"Yes I had trouble figuring it out too, it seems Baba has used some sort of magic to hide his halo, helping to better hide his identity."
"B-but Dad always told me Gohan was an honorable fighter, he would never use an underhanded move like grabbing his tail! And even if that's Grandpa Gohan how come Dad never told me about meeting him here?"
"Well Gohan, your father is very sensitive about his grandfather. Before you showed up I hadn't heard a word about him from Goku. Perhaps he never told you because he doesn't like talking about it. Maybe he didn't need to because his love for you filled the hole in his heart after his grandfather passed."
Gohan placed his hands upon the sandstone. He hated it, but he just had to wait until his father gave up. He took solace in that if anything his father told him about his grandfather was true, then he wouldn't hurt him too much.
After five minutes of continuous slamming, the elderly Gohan's arm began to tire, a consequence of only being able to use his non-dominant arm. "So Goku, are you willing to give up yet?" He loosened his grip a little on the tail to give Goku more energy to speak. "I think I may have pulled a muscle with that last one hehe..."
Goku rolled onto his back to look at him. "I-I can't...give up. Upa needs me!" He gave a feeble kick to his opponent's arm which sadly got him nowhere.
"All right then Goku. I'm sorry but I'm going to have to throw you around some more then." he said. He tightened his grip on Goku's tail, again immobilizing him, and began to throw him. He was surprised as he heard a loud pop and only held a long furry brown tail in his grasp.
"OW! YOU TORE OFF MY TAIL!" Goku screamed. He backed away from the old man, his body ached but he backed away feeling reinvigorated now that he had no tail to be grabbed onto. "That wasn't fair at all! Why'd you do that?!"
"Oh, I- uhm. Oh, dear..." Grandpa Gohan adjusted his mask and studied the detached tail, he was relieved to see Goku wasn't bleeding but it didn't stop him from feeling terrible. "I'm sorry Goku, I think I will forfeit this match now."
"You're just saying that! Spike said the same thing and you're trying to trick me just like he did!"
"No, no I mean it, I surrender. I've used up too much energy during our battle and my arm is in no condition for me to continue." He held the tail out in front of him guiltily "I am truly sorry about the tail Goku, but how many times did I tell you to train it? I mean it must have been in the hundreds. Maybe even the thousands."
Goku recognized that lecturing tone in the old man's voice, now more than ever before. The height, the build, the scent, the clothes, the fighting style, they were all his grandfathers. The old man took off his mask and his large yellow halo became visible. Goku could hardly believe it, behind that mask was his grandfather's long, white and well-kept mustache, his pronounced but soft and rosy cheeks, and of course his soft and caring smile.
It became hard for him to swallow as his vision blurred and the tears welled up. "G-G-Grampa!" He yelled as he ran over and wrapped his arms around his grandfather. While still sobbing he said, "Grampa! Grampa! I missed you so much! W-where have you been all this time? I-I thought that monster got you grampa! I looked everywhere, all around Mount Pouzu but I couldn't find you anywhere!"
"Careful Goku not too tight! I may pop haha!" The old man wheezed gleefully.
Gohan gazed over from the sidelines. Master Roshi already had explained what was really going on and it touched the entire group's hearts, even Yamcha seemed to get a little emotional. For Gohan it seemed to be one shock after another, he never expected, not in a million years, to see his father sob like that, not even for his grandfather.
Daddy...you're crying... I've never seen you cry before. It must have been horrible for you to live by yourself for so long. No wonder you didn't tell me about you meeting your grandpa here, you didn't want me to worry about you missing him.
Gohan wanted nothing more than to rush over to Goku and hug him, to comfort Goku as he had done for him so many times, but he knew these weren't tears of sadness, they were tears of joy and he decided he'd wait. He didn't want to ruin the moment between the two.
"I missed you so much Grampa!" Goku said, still holding on tightly to the old man.
"I missed you too Goku, but would you mind if we went and greeted your friends? Master Roshi seems to be accompanying them and I'd like to say hello if I could."
"Of course Grampa!" Goku said. He wiped away his tears before grabbing his hand and leading him over to the group.
Roshi stepped onto the sandstone using his wooden staff to help himself onto the platform. "It's been a long time Gohan, you look a little older than the last time we met."
"And you haven't changed a bit, master."
Roshi stroked his beard. "I see you copied my stache...although you could do with a little hair on the chin."
The old man fluffed the edges of his long white mustache and grinned. "I see it as more of an improvement on your classic look."
Roshi shook his head and laughed. "So Gohan, I assume Baba let you come back so you could test Goku's strength. What do you think?"
"I think you've done wonderfully in training him. He's stronger than I ever hoped he could be and I'm pretty sure if I didn't get hold of his tail he may have broken more than just my collar bone."
"Well, I'm pleased that you're happy. Oh, and before I forget, I wanted to ask how long you have to stay? I'd enjoy catching up with you at Kame House."
Goku tugged on his grandfather's vest rather anxiously. "What does Master Roshi mean, Grampa? Y-you can't stay forever?"
"Well Goku, I'm sorry, but I can't stay forever. See this halo above my head?" He pointed to the golden ring floating only inches above his shiny bald cranium. "I have to go back to otherworld in just a few minutes. Baba is a busy lady and it took her a lot of negotiating to get me down here for this long as it is" He could see Goku's shoulders slump a little. "But before I go, I would be very happy if you could introduce me to your friend over there?"
It hurt to hear he couldn't stay, but Goku forced a smile and led his grandfather over to Gohan.
"Grampa this is my friend Jack."
Gohan extended his hand which was eagerly shaken by the old man. "Nice to meet you, sir."
The old man observed the similar features on the boy, he was as handsome as his grandson and he could tell by looking at him that he was just as kind. "So good to finally meet you, my boy. I was worried I wouldn't get the chance." He knelt down and looked at the stitching in the blue gi that Gohan wore, he recognized his high-quality threading immediately. "And you're in such fine clothing too! I see you and Goku have been on quite the adventure so far; I've got a feeling you still got a ways to go, so keep your chin up."
Gohan knew without him even saying it, his great grandfather was talking to Gohan and not Jack. "Thank you...That means a lot"
"No, no, no. Thank you for keeping my grandson out of trouble. His journey to West City could have gotten much more complicated if you hadn't guided him, not to mention the countless times your input has helped him make the right decision."
Baba tapped a small silver watch that revealed itself from her robes. "I...honestly do hate to interrupt this touching moment, but I am running on a schedule here and the line near my palace's entrance grows by the second."
"Of course." the old man said, raising himself to his feet. He playfully jutted his jaw out towards Gohan. "Remember chin up!"
Gohan smiled at his silly remark.
He suddenly felt a tug on his vest again. "Hm, what is it Goku?"
"I just want to say Grampa that I'll miss you, and I want to let you know I'll keep training and getting stronger every day."
"I know you will Goku, it's in your blood." He ruffled his grandson's hair affectionately. "I also know that goodbyes are tough, especially for you Goku, but I'm only saying goodbye for now. One day, one day far off into the future we'll meet again, but in the meantime enjoy your friends and make some memories. I'll want to hear all about them later."
Goku nodded. "Okay Grampa, I will!"
Baba slowly floated over to Grandpa Gohan and asked, "Are you ready to go?"
He nodded, "I am."
Everyone gathered around as the old man got ready to leave. Gohan could see how badly Goku wanted his grandfather to stay, it became more obvious in his tone when he spoke. "Goodbye Grampa."
"Goodbye Goku." said the old man before becoming translucent and then disappearing entirely.