CHAPTER 20: DUALITY

The air in the Saiyan archives was thick with tension, the dim lighting casting eerie shadows over the ancient scrolls and relics that lined the walls. Turles stood tall, his dark eyes locked on Goku, who stood firm in the center of the chamber. The Crusher Corps flanked their leader, their rigid stances betraying flickers of unease despite their unwavering loyalty.

Goku’s gaze swept over the room briefly, taking in the strange devices and artifacts imbued with the legacy of their shared Saiyan heritage. But his focus always returned to the warriors blocking his path, each of them poised to strike at Turles’s command.

Turles smirked, though there was a tinge of frustration in his expression. “Kakarot, it doesn’t need to be this way,” he said, his tone carrying an uncharacteristic mix of exasperation and conviction. “You don’t understand what I’m trying to achieve. Together, we could rebuild what was lost. Do you really want to stand in the way of that?”

Goku frowned, his arms folding across his chest. “What you’re doing… it’s not right. You think tearing down everything around you is the way to rebuild? That’s not how it works, Turles. I’m not gonna let you hurt anyone else.”

Turles sighed, shaking his head. “You’ve seen what our people have suffered, and still, you refuse to see reason.” His expression hardened, and his voice dropped an octave, dangerous and commanding. “I was willing to give you a chance, but if you won’t help me…”

He raised his hand slightly, signaling the Crusher Corps. Their bodies tensed, energy flaring around them as they prepared to attack.

Goku’s eyes darted to the Crusher Corps, then back to Turles. He could feel the rising energy, the shift in the air as the moment of peace crumbled.

“Well,” Goku said with a smirk, raising one hand casually. “Guess that settles it.” A mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes.

Before anyone could react, a brilliant flash of light erupted from Goku’s hand.

“Solar Flare!” Goku shouted, vanishing in an instant as the radiance consumed the room.

The Crusher Corps and guards staggered back, shielding their eyes from the searing brightness.

Turles snarled, his voice booming against the ancient walls. As the light faded, his expression darkened, fury etched into every line of his face. “Don’t let him escape! Find him!”

Alarms blared across the palace, bathing the labyrinthine corridors in flashing crimson light. Guards poured in from adjacent chambers, scouters beeping frantically as they scrambled to locate their target.

***

Goku bolted through the winding halls of the palace, his mind racing as fast as his feet. "I’ve gotta get to that tree,” he muttered under his breath. “If I can destroy it, this whole thing falls apart."

His senses flared, picking up energy signatures closing in from all sides. The palace was a labyrinth of towering stone walls and intricate carvings, each turn leading to another hallway or chamber. Goku cursed under his breath when he hit a dead end, forcing him to double back.

Behind him, he heard the Crusher Corps rallying the guards. Amond’s deep voice boomed, “Spread out! He couldn’t have gotten far!”

In an instant, Goku vanished, teleporting to a higher vantage point on a balcony overlooking the central hall. From there, he spotted patrols pouring in from multiple entryways, their scouters lighting up as they scanned for his ki.

“Smart,” Goku whispered to himself. “But not smart enough.”

He took a deep breath, suppressing his energy until it was nearly undetectable. The scouters flickered and beeped faintly, but no solid readings appeared.

“Where is he?!” Daiz growled, his eyes scanning the upper levels.

Goku crouched low, blending into the shadows of the balcony as guards stormed past below. The flashing red lights painted the walls in ominous streaks, the sound of boots pounding against the stone reverberating through the air.

As Goku leapt silently across a gap between balconies, a guard turned at the last moment, spotting movement in his peripheral vision.

“There!” the guard shouted, firing a barrage of energy blasts toward Goku’s position.

Goku ducked and rolled, the blasts ripping through the stone railing behind him. “Tch, almost got me there,” he muttered, sprinting forward.

He vaulted over a ledge, landing in a lower hallway where more guards appeared. Their scouters beeped faintly, struggling to lock onto his faint energy signature.

“Fan out!” one of them barked.

Goku darted into a side corridor, using a quick burst of Instant Transmission to reappear several halls away. He kept his ki masked, his breathing steady despite the pounding of his heart.

Up ahead, Goku caught sight of a massive exit, its towering doors bathed in the pulsing glow of crimson emergency lights. Relief flickered across his face, but before he could reach it, a familiar voice stopped him cold.

“Stop right there, Kakarot.”

Goku turned to see Rasin and Lakasei stepping out from the shadows, their energy flaring faintly as they blocked his path. Unlike before, there was no arrogance in their expressions—only a grim resolve.

“Turles doesn’t want this to escalate,” Rasin said, his tone firm but carrying an edge of hesitation. “Come quietly, and no one has to get hurt.”

Lakasei’s eyes darted toward Goku, uncertainty flickering in his gaze before he masked it. “We don’t want to fight you, but we will if we have to.”

Goku’s stance shifted slightly, his brows furrowing. “I get it—you’re just following orders. But you both know this is wrong. Turles isn’t saving our race; he’s destroying everything in his path. You’ve seen what the Tree does to planets, to life itself. How can you stand by and let this happen?”

Rasin’s expression tightened, the weight of Goku’s words sinking in, but he shook his head. “It’s not that simple. Turles has a vision—a way to rebuild what we’ve lost. If that means sacrifices, then... then maybe it’s what we have to do.”

Lakasei stepped forward, his voice lowering. “You wouldn’t understand. You’ve never lived like we have. You’ve never known what it’s like to hold on to the last thread of your people’s existence. Our king...he gave us hope.”

Goku’s voice rose, his frustration evident. “Hope? This isn’t hope—it’s destruction! What’s the point of rebuilding the Saiyan race if it costs countless innocent lives? You don’t have to do this. You can choose to walk away. I’m giving you that chance.”

The twins exchanged a brief glance, doubt flickering between them, but their resolve hardened as they turned back to Goku.

Lakasei raised his hands, his energy crackling faintly. “We’ve made our choice. Stand down, Kakarot. Don’t make this harder than it has to be.”

Rasin followed suit, his voice heavier this time. “Please, don’t force our hand.”

Goku sighed, his eyes narrowing. “I wish you could see what I’m trying to stop. But if you won’t listen...”

The twins lunged at him, their movements synchronized and precise. Goku responded instantly, slipping between them with fluid grace, his speed far outpacing their attacks. He didn’t strike back, instead leaping into the air and firing a controlled burst of energy at the ceiling above them.

The resulting explosion sent debris crashing down, blocking their path. Dust filled the corridor as Goku turned toward the exit.

“Sorry,” he said quietly, a flicker of regret in his tone. Then he bolted toward the towering doors, his resolve steeling with every step.

The final stretch of the palace grounds was teeming with guards. Towers overlooking the area lit up with searchlights that swept the grounds, and scouters buzzed with frantic activity as they attempted to pinpoint Goku’s location.

“There! He’s on the move!” shouted a voice from one of the towers.

Goku gritted his teeth, breaking into a full sprint as a barrage of energy blasts rained down around him. He zigzagged across the open space, his movements sharp and precise, evading the attacks with a grace that belied the tension of the moment. A blast grazed his shoulder, the heat searing through his gi, but he ignored the sting, focusing on the glowing horizon ahead.

Through the chaos, his eyes locked onto it—the Eternal Tree of Might. Even from a distance, its colossal form was unmistakable, its glowing bark emanating an oppressive energy that seemed to smother the very air around it.

“There it is,” Goku muttered, his resolve hardening as he adjusted his path.

Guards swarmed into his way, their weapons trained on him, but Goku’s instincts were razor-sharp. With a burst of speed, he ducked under one’s swing, deflected a ki blast with the back of his hand, and vaulted over another, twisting midair to avoid another barrage of attacks.

As the guards regrouped and prepared to strike again, Goku smirked. “Time to wrap this up.”

With a sharp intake of breath, he focused on the tree in the distance. In an instant, his form flickered and vanished from sight, leaving the guards behind in a flurry of confusion.

Goku reappeared at the base of the tree, the oppressive energy hitting him like a wave. He skidded to a halt, panting as his eyes traveled upward to take in its immense height and otherworldly glow. The bark pulsed with an eerie energy, alive with power that seemed to hum in his ears.

“All right,” he said, wiping the sweat from his brow as he steadied his breathing. “Let’s see if I can take you down.”

Planting his feet firmly into the ground, Goku raised his hands, blue energy crackling and growing between them as he prepared to unleash his attack. The oppressive energy of the tree loomed over him, but he pushed the weight from his mind, focusing entirely on his target.

“Let’s see how you handle this!” Goku shouted, thrusting his hands forward.

A massive beam of energy tore through the air, slamming directly into the tree’s glowing bark. The impact shook the ground beneath him, sending shockwaves rippling outward. But as the smoke cleared, Goku’s eyes widened in disbelief.

The tree stood unharmed. The glowing bark seemed to absorb the blast entirely, its surface rippling faintly before returning to its natural glow. The energy he’d unleashed dissipated as if it had never existed.

“What the—?!” Goku muttered, his jaw tightening. He quickly charged another attack, pouring more power into it this time.

“Kamehameha!” he roared, sending another devastating blast toward the tree. The beam collided with the bark, its power crackling and flaring outward, but once again, the tree absorbed it, the energy vanishing harmlessly into its surface.

Goku fired again. And again. Each time, the result was the same. The tree stood tall and unyielding, as though mocking his efforts.

“Damn it,” Goku hissed, beads of sweat forming on his brow as his breathing grew heavier. His hands dropped to his sides momentarily, frustration flickering across his face.

He was preparing to charge another blast when a sudden, sharp spike in energy sent a chill down his spine. Turning quickly, Goku saw familiar figures hovering above, their armor gleaming under the pale light of the moon.

The Crusher Corps.

They strode forward with purpose, their presence exuding an intimidating calm. Amond led the group, his massive frame casting a long shadow over the ground. His piercing gaze locked onto Goku, and for a moment, neither moved.

Amond stepped forward, his deep voice cutting through the silence. “Stop this, Kakarot,” he said, his tone firm but lacking malice. “You’re wasting your time. You can’t destroy the tree.”

Goku’s eyes narrowed, his stance shifting defensively. “I don’t care what it takes. I’m not going to let Turles use this thing to hurt anyone else!”

Amond shook his head slowly, cracking his knuckles. “Don’t make us do this...”

The other members of the Crusher Corps fanned out behind Amond, their postures tense and ready. The air grew heavier as the standoff began.

Goku raised his hands defensively. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

Daiz sneered. “We don’t have a choice.” The Crusher Corps launched their attack.

The battle erupted beneath the towering tree. Goku, still in base form, moved like a blur, dodging and countering the Crusher Corps’ coordinated assaults. Amond’s powerful punches tore through the ground, while Rasin and Lakasei’s synchronized attacks came at Goku from every angle.

From a distance, Turles and Avoca arrived unnoticed. Turles stood still, arms crossed, his calculating gaze fixed on the battlefield. His expression remained unreadable, but his eyes sharpened as the bark of the Tree of Might faintly glowed, pulsating in sync with each burst of energy Goku unleashed. The faint shimmer of the tree's response reflected in his focused stare, a subtle yet telling indication of his thoughts.

Goku dashed to the side, narrowly evading Rasin and Lakasei’s coordinated blasts, which detonated with enough force to send shockwaves through the battlefield. He retaliated with a spinning kick to Daiz, who blocked but was forced back, his feet skidding across the ground. Goku didn’t stop, leaping into the air to avoid a flurry of energy shots from Cacao. Mid-air, he twisted and deflected one of the blasts with his palm, redirecting it into the ground, where it erupted in a fiery explosion.

Landing with a thunderous crash, Goku stood firm, his body radiating raw power. His hair spiked upward, and his aura erupted into a golden blaze as he ascended to Super Saiyan 3. The overwhelming surge of energy sent the Crusher Corps stumbling back, shielding their eyes from the brilliance.

The ground beneath Goku cracked and splintered as he charged forward with lightning speed, appearing in front of Amond in an instant. The giant swung a massive fist, but Goku ducked under it and delivered a punishing uppercut to his jaw, sending the towering warrior reeling. Then, with a sudden smirk, Goku let his energy drop, reverting back to his base form.

“Alright,” he muttered under his breath, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “You asked for it.”

In a flash, Goku powered up again, this time ascending to Super Saiyan Blue. The battlefield erupted with his divine energy, its radiant glow illuminating the Tree of Might in the distance. Without hesitation, Goku lunged at Amond, driving his fist straight into the warrior’s chest. The force of the blow sent Amond hurtling backward, crashing into the ground and leaving him momentarily incapacitated.

The remaining Crusher Corps regrouped, their bodies bruised and battered but their resolve unwavering. Goku stood tall, his piercing gaze fixed on them as his aura continued to pulse with power. “Stay down,” he warned, his voice calm but firm. “I don’t want to hurt you any more than I have to.”

But the Crusher Corps refused to yield. Their bodies tensed, their energy flaring wildly as they drew upon hidden reserves of power. One by one, they let out guttural screams, their auras exploding in a fiery spectacle. Goku’s eyes widened as he felt the shift.

It was undeniable. Each of them—Amond, Daiz, Rasin, Lakasei, and Cacao—had transformed into Super Saiyans.

Daiz’s aura shimmered with a unique neon glow, while the others radiated the classic golden hue of their transformation. Their newfound power tore through the battlefield, kicking up gusts of wind and cracking the earth beneath their feet.

Goku clenched his fists, his eyes widening briefly as he took in the glowing golden auras surrounding the Crusher Corps. “You’ve… finally reached it,” he said, a hint of pride in his voice. “That’s Super Saiyan power. Not bad… not bad at all.”

His expression grew more serious as he dropped into his fighting stance. “But you’re not used to it yet. Let’s see if you’re ready to handle what comes next.”

The Crusher Corps wasted no time, launching a coordinated assault on Goku. Cacao charged first, his metallic armor gleaming under the moonlight, robotic limbs crackling with concentrated energy as he advanced with terrifying speed. Rasin and Lakasei flanked him, their movements swift and calculated, launching high-speed attacks from both sides.

Goku met them head-on, his form a blur as he dodged, blocked, and countered with precision. Cacao lunged with a crushing blow, but Goku deftly sidestepped, his body weaving through the chaos. Daiz appeared behind him, unleashing a spiraling energy wave. Just in time, Goku turned, redirecting the blast upward with a swift flick of his wrist before closing the distance and delivering a spinning kick that sent Daiz crashing into a nearby boulder.

Amond’s massive form loomed over Goku, swinging a double-fisted smash. Goku caught the blow, his feet grinding into the earth as the impact reverberated through his body. With a surge of strength, he flipped Amond over his shoulder, sending him crashing into the ground with a heavy thud.

The battle raged on, the force of their attacks shaking the battlefield. Despite their newfound power, Goku’s experience and mastery over his transformations gave him the edge. He moved like a whirlwind—dodging, striking, and countering with impeccable timing. Though the Crusher Corps fought valiantly, their lack of control over the Super Saiyan form made them predictable.

Breathing heavily, Goku stood over the defeated warriors, watching as they collapsed one by one, their bodies too drained to continue. He looked down at them with a mixture of respect and pity. “You’re not used to this power,” he muttered. “You can’t keep fighting like this.”

But just as Goku thought the battle was over, a faint shimmer from the distance caught his eye. The bark of the Tree of Might began to glow in sync with the energy pulsing through the battlefield. Unbeknownst to Goku, a shadow observed from afar. Turles, arms crossed, stood with Avoca, his sharp gaze fixed on the scene. His attention shifted from the warriors to the tree—an eerie glint of calculation in his eyes.

The third round began as Turles’s silent command echoed through the air. The Crusher Corps, battered but not broken, surged forward once more. This time, despite their newfound strength, they struggled to keep up with Goku’s unmatched experience and combat precision. One by one, they fell, their auras flickering erratically as their lack of control over the transformation left them vulnerable to Goku’s overwhelming mastery.

As the dust settled and the final blow was struck, Goku stood tall amidst the defeated warriors, breathing steadily. He glanced around, his eyes falling on the fallen Crusher Corps. Their bodies littered the battlefield, but he didn’t feel triumphant. Instead, he turned, sensing the shift in energy—a new presence.

Turles stepped forward, his dark aura overwhelming, the very air around him seeming to crackle and vibrate with power. His eyes studied Goku with a mix of begrudging respect and something darker.

“You never cease to amaze me, Kakarot,” Turles said, his voice smooth and calm. “You’ve crushed my forces with surprising ease. But I’ve been watching...and the Tree of Might has been reacting to your energy.” His gaze flickered to the glowing bark of the Tree, as if it too sensed the divine energy Goku had unleashed.

Goku met his gaze, wary. “It doesn’t have to be like this, Turles...”

Turles shook his head slowly, a half-smile curling on his lips. “You’ve made your choice. And now, I’m making mine.” He raised his hand and, with an almost ceremonial flourish, pulled from his garb a glowing fruit from the Tree of Might. Its radiance hummed with power, an almost intoxicating aura emanating from it.

Without another word, Turles sank his teeth into the fruit. The moment he did, a surge of energy exploded from him, his aura expanding in violent waves. The Tree of Might seemed to respond in kind, its bark glowing more brightly as though feeding off Turles's newfound power.

Goku’s eyes widened slightly as he felt the magnitude of the energy now coursing through the king of the saiyans. "What is this...?" Goku muttered under his breath, but Turles wasn’t done yet.

"This," Turles said, his voice now rich with confidence, "is the future of our race. Once I’ve unlocked its true potential, with a bit of your divine energy to help nurture it... it will bear fruit unlike any before, and I will have the strength to reshape this universe.”

Turles stepped forward, his eyes locking with Goku’s. “Now, you’ve seen what I can do, Kakarot. But I’m not holding back anymore. I want you to see just how far this power can go.”

___________

Writer’s Note:

That was intense! Adding the palace chase with Goku was a fun addition during the revision process, and it allowed for some great character moments. I especially enjoyed the dynamic with Rasin and Lakasei—they’re loyal to Turles, but their hesitation to harm Goku adds depth to their conflict. They give him chance after chance, but when it comes down to it, they’re forced to act.

Goku’s fight against the Crushers near the Tree of Might was a deliberate callback to the original movie, though with plenty of key differences. One of the biggest changes is the inclusion of the Crushers turning Super Saiyan, along with Goku utilizing both Super Saiyan 3 and Blue. To clarify, Goku has been on Idun for quite some time now—more than just a few days. During this period, he’s been training with the Crushers, helping them unlock the Super Saiyan transformation.

The fight near the tree was pivotal because it pushed the Crushers beyond their limits, finally allowing them to tap into this legendary power. However, just because they’ve achieved Super Saiyan doesn’t mean they can fully match someone like Goku, who has mastered these transformations over years of experience.

As we near the final chapter of Part 1, the tension is building, and big reveals are just around the corner. The story is reaching a wild turning point (or at least, I hope you think so too)!