Monkey Moon part 7b

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

        "Like what?!" Goku approached him.

        "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.

        Kami...

        Kakarot grinned. "Nice, huh?"

        "What!"

        "You forget, I'm you. I know what you're thinking!"

        "No you don't. Now face me and fight!"

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

        Goku stared. "Why the hell are you talking this way?!"

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

        "I think father's angry at us" Kakarot continued to whisper.

        "You sound like a freaking idiot."

        "Go on, kiss her. Touch her soft skin, take her in your arms."

        Goku looked at him sideways. "You've lost your damn mind..."

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

        "You mean besides getting my head broken?"

        "He'll forgive you later. You still don't know our ways."

        "Who are you trying to convince? Why am I talking to nothing?"

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

        "Stop it" Goku hissed, waving him off.

        "The others could see it...the way you kept looking at her ass..."

        "Shimatta! What will it take to shut your mouth?!"

        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.

        /Gorgeous.../

        /Hn.../

        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.

        /Brazen chibi!!/

        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."

        "I'll 'baby' him, all right...with my fist!"

        '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."

        Goku held his throbbing skull. "I've had it with this insanity."

        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."

        "Like hell, you faker."

        "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.

        Bardock had seen enough. "We grow bored with this."

        "Eh?" Goku and Kakarot turned as he and Kaliope approached.

        "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."

        "I realize you need a foot up your ass."

        "That's the me in you talking."

        "Shut up, butthole!!"

        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.

        Goku stared. "What's that in your hand?"

        Kakarot's eyes lit up in recognition. "I see..."

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

        "The moon simulator!!" Kakarot blurted. Goku's eyes went wide.

        "Wait, Vegeta had one of those when we fought on earth..."

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

        "Split!! And let the better warrior win!"

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

        "Excellent! Now we'll see the true Kakarot!"

        ****

        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 spun, feeling behind himself. "What...it's gone?!!"

        "HA HA HA HAAAA..."

        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.

        So that's what I look like...

        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.

        "You'll have to do better than that!"

        "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.

        "YIELD, GOKU. I MIGHT LET YOU LIVE TO SERVE ME."

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

        "Never" he heaved in pain.

        "FOOL. I CAN ALMOST ADMIRE MY ASPECT IN YOU. IT IS MOST UNIQUE."

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

        Kakarot pointed down. "NO! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'D TRY THAT..."

        "Believe it. HAYEEEEEEAIIIIIIII!!!!!"

        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.

        "Let's end this quick, Kakarot. I have a family to get home to!"

        In rage, the oozaru lurched forward to attack...

        ****

        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.

        "A pity...all that size and can't land a blow!"

        Red eyes gazed up at him. "YOUR INSOLENCE ISN'T AMUSING."

        Goku folded his arms. "Wasn't this supposed to be easy?"

        "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.

        Kakarot didn't move. "AH, YOU'VE REVERTED TO NORMAL. GOOD."

        Goku could barely raise his head. "A...and what...about...you?"

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

        Goku coughed in pain. "Don't...buy...it..."

        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."

        Goku rolled to an elbow. "Vegeta was bred for it."

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

        "I was always stronger than him..."

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

        "But I achieved the power when angry."

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

        Goku gasped at the truth of his words. Kakarot continued.

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

        "But..."

        "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."