Monkey Moon

Chi Chi peeped through the door after about an hour. Her saiyan was out like a light, his powerful form buried under several blankets.

_He was dreaming again. A flat, barren landscape with endless terrain stretched in front of him. Some distance away lay a huge chest. Goku approached it with curiosity, looking about in confusion._

_Curiosity got the better of him as he reviewed the chest. There were no locks or clasps anywhere._

_Goku pulled the latch with all his legendary strength. It didn't budge. He blasted the chest with ki, kicked it, chopped it with his hand. Not even a dent. In desperation he picked the huge box up and heaved. It hit the ground with a tremendous crash, leaving a massive gouge in the cracked soil. The seal didn't break._

The perplexed saiyan stared, hands on hips. "What's this thing made of, anyway?!"

_Losing interest, Goku waved a dismissal at the object and turned to leave._

_Goku spun in shock and surprise. From out of nowhere stood his brother, Raditz. Silver armor gleamed like polished light against the endless gloom._

"This isn't a lesson. I see you tried to open that chest" the burly saiyan pointed.

"So what? I don't have time for this crap. Me and Chi Chi were having a good time!"

Raditz tapped the chest absently. "Hn, did you ever taste her blood?"

Goku smacked his lips in memory. "Hai, well enough...her blood's different than yours."

Goku stood in front of him, growling. "Don't even think it." his tail bristled.

Raditz leaned into him. "A challenge, brother? I made no claim to Chi Chi. Why so angry?"

_Goku spun at the new yet familiar voice. Dumbstruck, he saw himself approach. Or so it seemed, for this saiyan was nearly his mirror image. But unlike himself this one bore an intriguing scar._

_Bardock smirked and paused, observing his son._ "Why do you stand here, talking to yourself?"

Goku stood stubbornly to one side. "If that chest is so damned important, open it yourself!"

_Bardock crouched in attack mode, his tail uncoiling and free. Goku matched his stance, waiting._

_Goku launched himself high, his foot striking nothing but air. Awkwardly he landed, sailing past Bardock untouched._

_Bardock somersaulted with blinding speed, his moves precise and lethal. A double fist struck Goku's skull, driving him into hard soil like a divot._

Goku blinked, his head throbbing as it poked above the ground. "Wrong...you've underestimated ME!!" he blasted up and clear, spraying rock everywhere. Bardock shielded his eyes from flying debris.

"Always have been." Goku didn't apologize, hovering above him. Bardock stared up and shrugged.

Bardock floated up to face him. "I wished to see my son under the mask."

"That's hardly my fault, father. My own people abandoned me on earth."

Dark features flashed with pain. "Damn you, Kakarot...I tried...wanted to find you! But King Vegeta didn't believe the son of a third class was important enough."

Bardock shook a fist. "I was arrested for defying his imperial orders."

Goku floated down slowly. "What did you do?" curiosity replaced anger. Bardock joined him.

"I stole a light ship...they're several times faster than the pods. I knew the coordinates of your location."

Bardock smirked. "Hai, not even the King keeps me from my own. I nearly made it off planet before I was discovered."

"Nothing I couldn't take. Six months later I was released with a warning."

"You're my son, Kakarot. I was willing to do anything necessary to get you back. Regretfully it didn't work out."

Goku hugged him. "I don't care...these strange dreams are helping me learn a few things."

"You can." a female voice sounded now. Both saiyans turned as Kaliope approached, her curves clad in brasstone armor. Long spikes were twisted down her back in a braid.

Goku stared at her again, speechless. "You're still beautiful, mother. I remember the last time."

She winked at him. "Hai, my youngest. You're about to make a life altering decision."

Kaliope walked around him slowly, coiling tails. "Stop growling, it's nothing!"

"Hn!" he looked her over slowly. "I was somewhat late arriving at jungle run..."

"He attended me, Bardock. It was his place to do so, you know that."

Goku nodded. "No one came near her, father. I saw to that!" his eyes were wild, remembering her luscious flesh unclothed.

Kaliope laughed. "Hai, many were put off by Kakarot's appearance. No doubt they thought he was you!"

Bardock's tail puffed, his instincts warning. "I still want to know about this 'last time' you referred to, Kakarot."

Goku was taken aback, choosing his words carefully. "I made certain no one attempted her. We seemed to be drawing a great deal of attention-"

"And why would that be?!" Bardock was getting agitated, tail lashing.

"I'm not a fool, Kakarot!" he snarled, moving forward. "I've seen how you look at her!!"

"He's fine like his father." she purred, slapping his face with her tail. The dark saiyan growled, momentarily distracted by her scent.

"What's wrong with calling her beautiful, father?" Goku snarled. "It's a fact!!"

Goku purred, eyes glazed. "Shimatta, you still smell good!" he blurted without thinking, running his nose along her neck.

"You push me, boy!!" Bardock cracked sharp fangs in anger, reaching around his mate. Kaliope shoved him back.

Kaliope wedged them apart. "Bardock, think! This disproves our fears about his instincts, ne?"

Dark eyes lowered on her. "Maybe...but the proof doesn't need to be this clear."

"If I did something wrong I apologize." Goku said to them both, not really sounding apologetic at all.

Bardock pulled a stick from his pocket and chewed it. "Ai, you're saiyan all the way, boy...but beware. I broke your brother's nose when he tried for it."

Kaliope sat on the chest, tapping it. "You have the strength to pull this open, Kakarot."

Bardock pointed. "Ridiculous. You've delayed this long enough. Open the chest!"

Goku pulled his hair. "Are you both crazy? I may as well be talking to myself. I've tried. The damn thing's too tough!"

_The chest suddenly rocked, rolling about on dry soil. Light erupted from within, cracking the case like an egg._

"What the fug?!" Goku stood back, shielding his eyes from the glare.

_A deafening explosion wracked the air as a figure suddenly appeared from within._

Goku fell silent. He faced a duplicate of himself, down to the orange gi suit.

"What insanity is this?!!" he bellowed, pointing at the other 'Goku.'

"No madness, only truth." Bardock nodded. "You'll face yourself here once and for all.."

Kaliope shrieked in mad laughter. "Hai, game over!! The mask is broke, my son is free!"

"Clueless." Kakarot shook his head. "You've embarrassed our parents long enough."

Kakarot crouched to attack. "Image, am I? I guarantee if we fight, you'll feel my blows!"

Kaliope pointed at Kakarot. "You can't refuse. Defeat him if you can!"

"COWARD!!" Kakarot attacked suddenly, striking Goku with a flying kick. He went crashing into the earth face first. The stunned saiyan held his reeling head as he stared up.

Goku raised to a knee, adrenaline fuelling his rage. "Okay, clown. You'll pay for that cheap shot!"

A ki ball formed at his fingertips, blasting his double in the gut. Kakarot shrieked as he sailed high in the air, clothes smoking.

'Kakarot' suddenly halted his mid flight tumble, straightening up and firing back. Goku duplicated the gesture. Potent bolts of ki crashed together, illuminating the bleak landscape in weird shadow.

Kakarot closed once more, his face a mask of insane fury. He pummelled Goku mercilessly, allowing him no respite.

A good distance away, keen saiyan eyes observed the battle dispassionately. Kaliope curled next to Bardock as they sat on an outcropping, tickling his nose with her tail again.

"Hn, this is enough to make me forget the fight..." the dark saiyan purred dreamily, crushing her close.

Bardock managed to contain himself somewhat as he glanced up. "True. This may take some time, though. Goku is very resistant."

Kaliope looked up as well. "He's a shell, a persona that never was. For years he's smothered Kakarot, held him at bay-" her words were cut short by a deafening crack and blinding flash. They shielded their eyes.

_Far above, Goku and his shadow fought, neither holding sway. Desperation and conquest defined their every move. Perverse hatred poisoned their hearts as saiyan blood boiled beyond reason. Blows rained with no seeming cease._

_The combatants paused, appreciating the good fight in true saiyan fashion. No quarter was asked, none given. Cold smiles curled their lips in anticipation of the next round._

'Kakarot' abruptly dropped from the sky, landing near Kaliope and Bardock. Goku floated high above, perplexed by his actions.

"We will." Kakarot gave him a sideways glance. "But there's something to do first."

"Stop wasting time with this!" Kaliope shouted, snapping her fangs. "Attack already!"

Goku started to move when his nose caught a delightful fragrance once more. He sniffed the air vaguely.

To his shock and amazement, Kakarot approached him. "She's hot, isn't she, Goku?" he whispered confidentially.

Kakarot pointed at 'their' parents. Bardock was glaring murderously again, wrapping his tail tightly around Kaliope.

"No. I'd do it myself, but then I'm more familiar with saiyan society than you are. Anyway, what's the harm?"

"I'm not nothing. You wanted her during jungle run, even though father was nearby."

Kakarot shoved him forward. "A small kiss...she loves you anyway, so it's no big deal. See how firm everything is? No wonder father keeps an eye on her..."

Goku stumbled slightly from the push. Kaliope and Bardock were oddly silent, staring at him in open curiosity.

Goku looked Kaliope over, catching her scent once again. It was stronger this time. He growled softly at strange sensations pressuring his chest. Full lips smiled in invitation as Kaliope lowered her eyes seductively. Polished armor fitted her curves perfectly. Goku felt a sudden need for those curves as another impulse overwhelmed him...

With lightning quickness he grabbed her, smothering those sweet lips with his own. She tasted as good as she smelled.

In the distance Goku vaguely heard laughter, his own. But he wasn't the source. A thick tail encircled his waist as Kaliope clutched him.

Pain and white light slashed across his eyes. Seconds later Goku found himself on his back, staring up at an angry Bardock and laughing Kakarot. A sticky rivulet ran down the side of his face. Blood. Goku closed his eyes briefly at the pounding in his head.

"I warned you, boy." Bardock growled, his face a sinister mask. "Consider that a love tap. How dare you touch her to my face?!"

"I...wasn't...just felt..." Goku couldn't focus through double vision. His tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth.

Kaliope moved into his line of sight. "He has your talent, love. Such a kisser!"

Kakarot laughed insanely, pointing. "I'll give you credit, you actually did it! Stupid fool...you've been without your tail so long you can't control anything! Aren't saiyan hormones a bitch?!"

Goku squinted up at all of them. _It's like an insane house of mirrors, and I'm the joker._

Bardock reached down for another blow, but Kaliope knocked his hand away.

"Don't you dare hurt my baby! A fractured skull is more than enough."

'Kakarot' intervened. "Don't hit him anymore, father. I think his true instincts took control. Even I can appreciate that."

"Hai, he grew into adulthood without a tail before it returned." Kaliope added.

Bardock stood back, considering. "It does explain much. Confusion and denial still rage in his soul."

Kakarot walked away, flipping his tail in dismissal. "You aren't worth my time. I can dominate you whenever I wish."

"You're going down, mister!!" Goku abruptly flew at him, tackling 'Kakarot' to the ground.

Bardock pulled his mate over to the rocks again. "Round two. We may as well get comfortable."

_The continuing battle went on for minutes, hours, or perhaps days. In the mindscape time held no limit. One being split continued to battle itself, destroying the land and rending the skies. Power crackled as blue flames engulfed the combatants._

_Bardock and Kaliope watched, knowing the outcome. They would wait, but not too long._

_Deafening peals of power shook the terrain. Goku and Kakarot punched and kicked with blinding speed, finally exploding into super saiyan. Brilliant, golden glow blazed the landscape to infinity. Thundrous blows were heard for miles around._

_Bardock saw the tide change, a grim smile on his lips. Soon. Very soon..._

Goku couldn't believe it. All his moves were countered, his blows blocked. Kakarot pressed into him triumphantly.

"Surprised, fool? You forget, I'm you! I know what you'll do ahead of time!!"

Goku barely avoided another flurry of punches. _It's true, he anticpates everything I do!_

Frustration grew as he realized he couldn't formulate an attack. And Kakarot continued to grow stronger...

_Down below, the parents nodded knowingly. One combant was bruised and bloodied, the other untouched. It was only a matter of time now._

Goku tried a desperate maneuver, rematerializing behind his other 'self' and double fisting his back. Kakarot cried out in pain before plummeting. Goku's smile quickly disappeared. Kakarot recovered before landing and flew up once more in fury.

Goku heaved, feeling the effects of his injuries. His left eye was swollen and nearly closed. _This is crazy! I'm getting beat up and he doesn't have a scratch on him..._

His musings were interrupted by another blow to the jaw. Kakarot laughed again as Goku tumbled end over end.

"You're getting sloppy, leaving yourself open like that. Figured it out yet, stupid?! I am the source of your determination and power...I'm the one Prince Vegeta can't defeat!!"

Goku shook his head in denial. "No...it isn't true! We're one in the same."

Kakarot looked at his bloodied counterpart in disdain. "You can't win, Goku. Give it up."

"You share my stubborness, that much is clear. But stubborness won't get the job done."

Goku made a desperate rush at him once more, but Kakarot punched him in the head.

"The strong rule in the end, Goku. As a saiyan you should know this."

Goku abruptly dropped from the skies. Frowning, Kakarot watched him.

"If you're planning a trick, it won't work!" he alighted down as well. The two combatants glared at each other in silence.

"Saiyans finish their fights." Kaliope stated, annoyed. "Or do you plan to entertain us for eternity?"

"I'll finish him soon enough, mother. Even Goku realizes he can't beat me now."

Bardock smirked. "You two are priceless. However, I've decided to put an end to this myself, since neither of you seem capable." he bounced a round object in his palm.

"You should remember this." Bardock pressed a button on the small metal globe. "It's a device I developed specifically for our people."

"Hai, and now the two of you will finish this battle!" Bardock hurled the globe high into the skies.

Dumbfounded, Goku stared as it faded to a dot and disappeared. Kaliope laughed.

The skies filled with an eerie, preternatural glow. Goku felt a strange tingling, much like the sensation he experienced while his tail was growing back.

Kakarot stood in triumph. "You've delivered me victory, father. Goku has no chance!"

Goku moved in front of his double. "Don't get cocky. Anything you do I can do!"

"Really?" Kakarot's eyes held a wild gleam as he pointed. "Tell me, where's your tail?"

Goku jumped back in horror. Silvery rays filled the darkening skies. 'Kakarot' stared at the growing ball of light high above them.

"It's over, fool!!" his voice went gutteral as he shifted. Dark eyes blazed red as Kakarot pulsated with power, bursting hair everywhere. With an earsplitting roar he erupted in size, soon towering above his other self. Goku stared in shadow, transfixed at the awesome sight.

The mammoth were ape glared down, his voice a rolling thunderclap. "AND NOW WE WILL RESUME, GOKU."

"You can't destroy me!" Goku shouted up. "It would be like destroying yourself!!"

"DON'T COUNT ON IT. PREPARE TO PERISH!!" a huge foot descended. Goku barely avoided it, flying in a circular arc.

"I WILL." a giant hand nearly swatted the saiyan away. Goku burst into super saiyan mode, flying with the speed of lightning.

"A WORTHY MANEUVER, BUT DOOMED NONETHELESS." Kakarot bellowed, attempting to strike him down.

"Too slow, you big ape!" Goku taunted, blasting the oozaru square in the chest with a ki blast.

The beast staggered back, more from impact than injury. "IS THAT ALL? PATHETIC."

Stunned, Goku could only gawk as he hung suspended in air. "That blow should have knocked you down!!"

"YOU HAVE PRECIOUS LITTLE KNOWLEDGE OF AN OOZARU. ALLOW ME TO EDUCATE." a huge fist crashed over Goku. He went hurtling to earth like a comet before impacting a large crater.

Kakarot gave the stunned saiyan no respite. The massive were ape lumbered to the edge of the newly created pit.

Goku could barely move, his injuries finally taking their toll. He struggled to a sitting postion.

"ADMIRE THIS, HAIRBALL!!" Goku leaped to his feet and raised his ki level. His hair stood on end. Blue flame turned golden...

In a gigantic burst of power, Goku transformed to stage two and beyond. Golden hair tumbled down his back...

"I WON'T ALLOW THIS" the oozaru jumped into the pit, creating a near earthquake. Goku flew up like a shot.

_Their batlle raged a final time, and power hung in the balance. The stage three saiyan was a near match for the oozaru. Terrain split in protest, mountains were torn asunder. Power bolts and ki bombs collided with fiery breath and thundrous blows._

_Some distance away, the parents purred in content. It was a good fight, really._

Goku managed to frustrate his other self, avoiding crushing blows. He laughed mockingly as his golden mane flew everywhere.

"YOU CAN'T DECEIVE ME. I KNOW YOUR BODY AS INTIMATELY AS I DO MY OWN. THAT FORM CAN'T BE MAINTAINED FOR LONG. I FEEL YOUR KI DROPPING EVEN AS WE SPEAK!"

Goku flew off to gain some distance, cursing in silence. _He's right. I'll have to do something quick..._

The massive were-ape blundered towards him again, giant fists raised high.

"YOU OVEREXTEND YOURSELF, GOKU, BUT I CAN GO ON LIKE THIS INDEFINITELY."

Goku hesitated, uncertain of his next move. _If I drop this form I'm done!_

Surprisingly, Kakarot lowered his arms. "INTERESTING. YOUR FACE RESEMBLES OOZARU TO SOME DEGREE."

"You aren't exactly cute yourself!" Goku retorted, balling his fists.

"DID I MENTION THE LONGER A SAIYAN MAINTAINS THIS FORM THE HARDER IT IS TO CONTROL? I SUGGEST YOU SURRENDER NOW."

"Here's my answer!" Goku blasted him full in the mouth with a high level ki bomb. Kakarot bellowed like a thousand banshees, holding his face.

"YOU DIE FOR THAT." the sky suddenly went dark before Goku could escape. Streaks of color dotted his vision as he fell in vertigo.

Nearby, Kaliope jumped up from her mate's lap. "It's done, Bardock! The imposter falls."

The saiyan warrior nodded. "Goku won't rise from that blow. Now comes the unification."

_He lay defeated, bloodied and torn over broken rock. His executioner stood over him like a monstrous statue. Goku felt the bitter taste of true defeat for the first time in his life. Flowing golden spikes shortened before turning dark once more._

"YOU MISUNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OOZARU AND SUPER SAIYAN, GOKU."

The were-ape snorted in disdain. "SUPER SAIYAN IS ACHIEVED THROUGH TORTUOUS TRAINING AND GENETIC POTENTIAL."

"Bull...I was born...third class...became super saiyan because of need...was so angry..."

"ANGER ALONE DIDN'T DO IT. YOU'RE TRULY IGNORANT, DESPITE HAVING ACHIEVED THE STATE YEARS AGO."

"ROYALS HAVE THE HIGHEST PROBABILITY, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN OTHERS OVER THOUSANDS OF YEARS. THE POWER IS MOST OFTEN RANDOM."

"EVERYONE IS NOT EQUAL IN ABILITY. EVEN COMPARED TO LEGENDARY SUPER SAIYANS YOUR POWER OUTSTRIPS THEIRS."

"THAT WAS THE TRIGGER, NOT THE SOURCE. IDIOT! IF ANGER WERE ALL IT TOOK, EVERY SAIYAN IN EXISTENCE WOULD HAVE YOUR POWER."

"OOZARU REQUIRES NO SPECIAL STIMULUS. IT IS THE ORIGINAL FORM OUR PEOPLE DESCENDED FROM."

"SUPER SAIYAN IS AN ABERRATION THAT OCCURS OVER MANY MILLENNIA. IT IS THE ABILITY TO HARNESS MAXIMUM KI FROM ALL SOURCES. IN CONTRAST, OOZARU IS KI HARNESSED FROM WITHIN. THIS IS WHY YOU CANNOT BE BOTH OOZARU AND SUPER SAIYAN SIMULTANEOUSLY."

Goku still couldn't believe. "All that being said, I still should have beaten you."

"DO YOU EVER LISTEN? JUST AS YOUR STRENGTH AS SUPER SAIYAN IS UNMATCHED, SO IS YOUR OOZARU. YOU MIGHT HAVE DEFEATED ANOTHER, BUT NOT ME."