PART THIRTY TWO: RAGING DOKKAN

Chapter 159

Translated by npberryhill, edited by Guilarai

Son Bra was ecstatic. At last there was no one left to oppose her and Master Babidi. All that was left to do was finish off Gohan and be done with it. That, and erase the filthy impotent reflection of herself standing before her, a girl that was the epitome of everything Bra despised.

She extended her arm, forming an energy ball in front of her palm. But yet another voice interrupted from behind her.

“Such a stark contrast... One of them killed her Gohan, the other protects hers. Don’t you see what you’ve become?”

Surprised to have not sensed his approach, and already exhausted by his self-righteous tone, Bra spun and literally punched her energy ball through the round torso of the Grand Kaioshin — who collapsed to the ground with a trail of blood falling down his chin.

‘Whoops, looks like she got you too,’ Buu pretended to lament the Kaioshin’s death inwardly. ‘That’s what happens to the losers. But I’ll be sure to resurrect you first, don’t worry.’

The god ignored him. He had foreseen his own death, he knew exactly what he was doing. He even had a bit of a smirk, as Buu’s taunt proved that the djinn didn’t really comprehend the scope of this act. Yet, the Grand Kaioshin had just simply intervened, just like Buu had been goading him into doing several minutes prior — daring him to try to fix the situation, as god of gods. Of course he couldn’t fight at this level, he could only press a point.

Son Bra strutted over to the dying deity, eyeing him quizzically.

“Just look at you. Supposedly the greatest of the gods, right? And yet here you are lying at my feet in a pool of your own blood. You don’t even deserve the title Kaioshin. Pff. Vegetto, on the other hand, has the true power of a god — and I, his former daughter, am in fact the greatest of all goddesses!”

“But...” the Kaioshin tried to speak, wearing a smile somehow. “But are you happy with yourself?”

“Pssh. Of course!” Son Bra answered, arching an eyebrow. “Look around. I crushed them all single-handedly, all your mighty warriors!”

“Ah... I just thought... you were aiming for higher than that...”

“What?” she repeated in annoyance. “What kind of crap are you babbling about now, fatass? I AM at the top, I have mastered my power, nobody can compete with me now!”

“But at what cost? You’ve lied to yourself... This is all an illusion. Sure your strength may be real, but look around at the price you paid for it... You’re just a slave now, any individuality that made you a proud fighter before is gone... And no, you're not the strongest either, not with these chains imprisoning the true you...”

“Sh... Shut the fuck up!” Bra yelled, raising her boot and then bringing it smashing down onto the Kaioshin’s skull. The deity’s final words, before his brutal death, had cut her deep. These good samaritans and their virtue signaling, daring to lecture her — she hated them more than anything else! Just who did they think they were, judging her?

“It’s over! I won!” she exclaimed with raised fists and a crazed look. “I’m finally free, thanks to Master Babidi! Now I’m number one! I’m in control, I’m fully complete!”

“You’ve gotta be KIDDING me!” a voice yelled from behind her.

Bra of Universe 18 had straightened up. Witnessing the scene of Grand Kaioshin’s murder, listening to Son Bra’s insane ravings, that had pushed her over the edge. It was the final straw.

This twisted copy of herself had been bowed in submission to a vile wizard worm. So many innocent people had been slaughtered. Her own family had been murdered in cold blood, without the slightest hesitation. And yet this girl had the gall to proclaim herself as the best?

Bra knew her own father, Vegeta, had at one time fallen under this same spell. Innocent people had been killed as a result, but her father had never obeyed that pathetic puppetmaster, his Saiyan pride had shielded him from ever being truly controlled. Although she sometimes gave her Dad a hard time for doing nothing but train, she still admired him greatly — he’d always been there for her, and had respected her hopes and dreams.

But her doppelganger, this daughter of Vegetto, didn’t seem to have an ounce of that pride. She had stooped to the lowest of lows, celebrating a strength that wasn’t her own all while being subservient to a devious wizard’s schemes. Bra couldn’t take it anymore, the hypocrisy, the arrogance, the celebration of evil — Vegeta’s daughter surged with righteous wrath in every fiber of her being!

“Number one? Complete?” she yelled, tears rolling down her cheeks. “You wanna know what you really are? You’re worthless!”

Son Bra merely stared at her silently, before the rage took her over. Her eyes were wide with a murderous white.

Slowly, she began to approach Bra, the trembling terrified and very normal girl in front of her. But the latter, still holding Gohan in her arms, dug deep and refused to back down. This time she would face Son Bra without shuddering.

“Ooooh...” Buu of Universe 4 thought, widening his eyes.

The Djinn could sense Fat Buu nearby, his body magically regenerating. This wasn’t a good time for him to interrupt, so Buu put him to sleep with a quick spell.

“You...!” Son Bra snarled, grinding her own forehead against Bra’s. “I dare you to say that again! The balls you have to talk to me that way when you can’t even fight! Not even able to transform, and yet you of all people wanna call me out? You pathetic weak little bimbo!”

“No YOU’RE pathetic!” Bra screamed back, forcing her own forehead against her alter-ego’s. “You say you’re the strongest, but you’re just a brainwashed little slave-girl! Tell me again how proud you are to lick the boots of that filthy old shaman! At least MY dad didn’t obey him!”

“Oh shut up!” Son Bra roared back. “You think you’re better than me, huh? Because you’re the daughter of a prince, little miss royalty who shows up after the fight’s over? Pfff. Yeah, hit me then, show me your fucking pride with your fists if you think you can! You might be your father’s little darling girl, but I’m a literal goddess! You can’t even begin to compare with me!”

“Oh you’re so right about that!” Bra shouted back. “Me, I’m clean! Do you think I would ever let a rat bastard enslave my mind? No, I’d rather die than kill Mom or Trunks! But you... oh you didn’t even flinch when you spilled your own brother’s guts all over the arena, or when you splattered your friends' innards over the bleachers. You even hunted down the people you promised to save and killed them too! Best in the universe, no you’re the absolute worst traitor to ever draw breath — whatever honor you used to have has been bashed against the rocks like the bodies of the innocents you killed here today, all so you could make yourself feel good by getting a teeny bit stronger!”

Speechless, Son Bra reached out to grab her alter-ego’s tank top and yanked her in close.

“You wanna talk about family? Fine! You’ve got life easy, nobody looking over your shoulder pressuring you, just a picture perfect Dad who nurtures and supports you. All this ridiculous fashion and glamor just proves how spoiled your life is — you don’t have to fight or defend yourself, you couldn’t protect the people around you if you tried! Don’t you dare talk to me about pride when you don’t have even an ounce yourself. If you’d even trained a little bit you might understand, but all I see here is a weak little crybaby waiting to be saved by someone who DOES train. You’re no different than any of the other sniveling whiners who rely on me or Vegetto to save them without ever taking charge themselves!”

“And yet I’m still indisputably better than you!” Bra glared at her contemptuously. “I hate that I couldn’t protect Videl, if I had listened to Dad maybe I would’ve been strong enough. But it was YOUR Gohan who told me to choose my path! Dad even respected my choice not to become a fighter. But you made the choice to train and become a champion! Yet all I see standing here is the most pitiable fool in all the universes. At least you earned the title of number one loser on your own, nobody can take that away from you!”

Son Bra’s ears swelled with heat as her anger fumed. ‘This insolent little bitch actually thinks she’s better than me! I can’t believe I’m actually being lectured by this version of myself that’s so weak she makes me want to vomit!’

“I defeated TWO Gohans at once, plus Cell. All of them were incredibly strong and I crushed them, they literally couldn’t do anything against me! How could I possibly not be the best?” she defended herself. “You really don’t know anything about fighting! Just shut up if you’re such a moron!”

“Oh here we go again,” Bra smirked, rolling her eyes. “Back to boasting about how you killed the people you love just so you can stroke that big fat ego of yours. But I watched the fight, girl! They gave you a hard time, you had to cheat and heal yourself multiple times because — surprise — it turns out they actually could put up a fight against you! You’re so completely lost if you think you’re invincible and undefeated. Just because you view your father like a god doesn’t give you the right to dispose of other people’s lives as if they were insignificant. And don’t try and make yourself out as some great heroine, because you do not have what it takes!”

“Tch, I survived,” Son Bra growled in retort. “It’s in my blood, the power of a goddess, I’m the most powerful Saiyan ever born! If Master Babidi won this war, it’s all because of me — I’m the strongest. He saw my true value, I’m eons past the rest of his pathetic soldiers that all got slaughtered in seconds. Babidi opened my eyes! Why should I have to worry about controlling myself all the time? Before, I always had to pay attention to even the slightest gesture, bottling up my frustrations and being forced to suppress my incredible power! You don’t have to worry about any of that, your mundane life is pathetic, you live on Easy Street! But ever since I was just a kid I've gotten nothing but antagonizing lectures. ‘Get it under control, Bra!’ ‘Stop transforming!’ ‘Quit firing wild energy blasts!’ Everyone’s always been afraid of me. Nobody in my universe actually likes me!”

“Do you know how stupid that sounds?” Bra answered, her eyes widening. “Your Gohan is exactly the same as mine! And mine is sweet and caring, an amazing father to Pan, and a great friend to my family! I’m sure he was there for you, especially because he’s your brother! Look me in the eyes and tell me that he doesn’t love you!”

“He... doesn’t...”

Flashbacks of her brother surfaced in her mind.

“I didn’t think you’d go through with it…”

“Don’t worry, Bra. I know this must be hard for you, and your power’s totally gone to your head. Let me help you control it.”

Son Bra shook her head, confused.

“But they never actually helped me control my power. When a parasite stole my body from me, my own father took the opportunity to get out his aggression and beat me to a pulp! And that body snatching bastard even managed to control Super Saiyan 2 when I couldn’t even try because I was forbidden. But thanks to Babidi that injustice has been righted! I’m not some toy to him, I’m his single greatest asset! The true slave was the teenage girl being repressed and restrained by her family and Vegetto, with their overbearing pathetic morality! They guilted me countless times just for throwing little fits, sure maybe I killed an innocent bystander or two by accident — but that’s stupid, we always fixed things with the Dragon Balls! Besides, I had no way to let off steam, they could’ve at least let me blow up a planet or two every once in a while.

“Oh, so death’s just a joke to you then?” Bra repeated, shocked. “Is that your excuse? — don’t worry that I killed someone, we'll just resurrect them? It’s like you won’t even acknowledge the fact that killing someone is a horrible thing! You’re so desperate to make excuses, but deep down I know you know the truth! Whatever pressure you felt from your family, they were trying to help you understand! Death is serious, imagine how you’d feel if there weren’t any Dragon Balls, y’know? It’s not just about protecting life, the fact is that we’re talking about family! My Dad is the prince of an entire warrior race, but so what? Above all else, he’s my Dad — a genuinely good man who loves Mom and has a great life on Earth! He was brainwashed by Babidi once too, but he resisted! He even sacrificed his life to save the planet! You say you’re the number one hero in the universe, that you go save those who call for help, but would you lay down your own life to save someone else? Answer me!”

“Me, give my life?” Son Bra replied shakily. “I... I shouldn’t have to die for some weakling, I’m so much more important! Plus I’ve got as much right to exist as anyone, maybe even more!”

“Son... Bra...”

Behind Vegeta’s daughter, Goten of Universe 18 had somehow managed to stand to his feet. His body was almost completely covered in blood and burns. With his remaining strength, he’d managed to make his way to his best friend’s sister, inspired by the courage in her words. But his condition struck the two girls, who were shocked to see him on his feet at all.

“You?” the Saiyan replied, taken aback.

“I don’t know everything you’ve gone through,” Goten managed to say, staggering. “We aren’t from the same family, but the other me is your brother. And I know that if I had a little sister, I would give my life for her. Look at me, you can see that I gave everything I had fighting your cronies, trying to protect Bra and Videl! My only regret is that I didn’t train harder. I can’t fight you, and even if I could, I wouldn’t. I’m right in front of you now, so go on, kill me if that’s what you really want. I’m totally at your mercy.”

A bit hesitantly, Son Bra raised her finger, pointing it at Goten as it began to glow with Ki. But Bra stepped in between the two of them.

“You’ll have to kill us both if that’s the way it is!” Vegeta’s daughter proclaimed. “Then you can be all alone with that twisted shaman you love so much. Make your choice — a family that loves you, or that gross wizard that turned you into his prideless slave.”

“Shut up, dammit!” Son Bra screamed. “You don’t understand anything!”

“Maybe I don’t, but I still have my pride. That’s the real difference between you and me. I would never sell my soul just to be able to feel better about myself, because unlike you I realize how lucky I am. Let me ask you another question, and I expect an honest answer! Would you kill Mom if Babidi ordered it?”

“I...” Son Bra stuttered.

A stinging sensation flooded her whole body as she couldn’t help but picture the scene — her mother’s body lying dead at her feet, bloodstained hands held out in front of her as she stared at them.

Immediately, a nauseated gasp left her throat and she nearly vomited.

‘Kill Mom? I... he would never order me to do that, I’m free now, I’m complete. I’m done dealing with all this weight on my conscience!’

“Don’t you dare hide behind your ridiculous justifications!” Bra exclaimed, taking the lead. “You were a true warrior back when you fought against that big lizard to try and save people. But you slipped down the wrong slope, you let Babidi get to you! What will Mom think when she sees what you’ve become, what you’ve done? Poor girl, your mind has been overrun! And you’ve lost everything you love, is power really worth that? You’ve even lost your pride! No more bragging about being number one, it’s time to admit you’re at the bottom of the ladder!”

Gradually, all the words of those who had spoken truth to her echoed within her mind.

“Son Bra, you are much stronger than this!”

“You are a proud and independent Saiyan!”

“She sincerely is good at heart…”

“I thought you aimed higher…”

“We took you for a heroine, a true warrior!”

None of them, not Bra just now or any of the others, had ever referenced physical strength.

“Sh... Shut up!” she frowned, holding her head in her hands.

Son Bra’s aura exploded out from her, knocking her counterpart back a bit. But Bra managed to stay on her feet by crossing her arms in front of her and bracing. Son Goten, meanwhile, collapsed back onto the ground.

“You’re weak!”

“You’re a fraud!”

“You attacked your own friends!!!”

Son Bra’s knees buckled, gravity pulling her to them as her mind was bombarded by all the guilt and shame previously held back. Her energy evaporated into the air, and Bra once again approached her — after doing a quick check that Goten was still stable.

She glared at her double in disgust. “Your soul must be truly rotten for you to become a servant of Babidi.” Her contemptuous tones continued. “Only now are you finally questioning yourself?”

“You think everything’s so simple!!” Son Bra answered, her voice apprehensive. “But you have no idea — the voices, the cries of horror, they’ve haunted me for years! Everyone’s eyes staring daggers of accusation at me! Pressure and judgment and discrimination — you can’t begin to imagine what I’ve lived through!”

True, the two girls came from entirely different backgrounds. And comparing the quiet life of this girl to hers was simply impossible — of course Gohan would seem loving to her. But her own father, the cold Vegetto, was the furthest from that. The little Saiyan princess couldn’t possibly know about the blade of nepotism being held over her neck. All the stress, the crushing burden, the constant tension...

“No, I can’t, so what!?” Bra replied, annoyed.

Son Bra was jolted out of her train of thought by the interruption, her eyes widening.

What did this girl mean by ‘So what!?’ Wasn’t being empathetic and loving the whole point for these candied cajoling good guys?

“SO WHAT?!!”

“So you’ve had some traumatic experiences, do you want a hug, is that it? Let me put it to you in a way you can understand — life sucks for everyone sometimes. We all face suffering, sweetie! But that’s no excuse to go sell your soul to some hunchbacked wizard! You’re repressing your problems, sure, but we only grow when we face them head on and learn to cope — my Dad taught me that. But you, Madam, the great Saiyan, you just can’t cope, can you? The fact that your life has been difficult doesn’t give you the right to hide behind your trauma like a shield. Look at all the trauma you caused to others by fleeing to Babidi to save you! But if you still wanna be number one in all the universes, then you more than anyone else should face your problems with your head held high!! Even if you stumble, even when adversity stacks the deck against you, even when your frustrations at how unfair life is threaten to drive you crazy, you have to stand tall — you have to pass the tests set before you. If you choose the quick and easy path, you’ll never be number one! You’ll just be someone carried along by the tides!”

Her heart had at last begun to grow heavy. “I...I...” Son Bra’s stuttered words were rife with realization. “I didn’t choose Babidi, he came to me, he offered me freedom from all of that — I didn’t pick him! I just wanted to feel, for once, like someone was considerate of me!”

“Then that’s even worse, you didn’t even try to resist,” Bra spat, crossing her arms. “You didn’t bat an eyelid when you killed Gohan, who was ALWAYS considerate of you — and you’ll never convince me otherwise! You allowed your mind to be taken over, you conceded your heart to a darkness that, through you, committed absolute atrocities! So no, madam “I am the strongest”... You aren’t the best, you surrendered, you handed yourself over. For all your great strength, you just gave in. You’re completely passive.”

“Passive...?” Son Bra’s lips echoed the words. “Is that really who I am? A traumatized little girl? But, I’m the strongest in the universe...!”

“No...”

“So Babidi is... the stron...”

“I have... I’ve never been the strongest... has it been him? Is it really that weakling that can’t even defend himself without me?”

“You don’t have to fight or defend yourself, you couldn’t protect the people around you if you tried! Don’t you dare talk to me about pride when you don’t have even an ounce yourself.”

“I’m still much stronger than you. But eventually, one day, you’ll surpass me. So, before that day comes... I will kill you.”

Son Bra’s cheeks suddenly felt a single wet streak as one tear followed another. Her fists balled tight with passion.

It was true... Her strength, her power, it had been her birthright! But... number one in the universe?

Her physical power now had only been obtained through training. Diligently, yes, but overall strangely effortless. None had ever challenged her as a fighter on her actual level! That’s what the Kaioshin had said, that’s what her double had pointed out... a true warrior needs to be complete in both body and mind! And in her spirit, she’d never really made any true effort. In fact she’d been eager to turn away from any of her actual problems!

She ran from the transformation that caused her to lose control. She hid behind her father. She waited for help from her big brother. And Babidi’s control... he hadn’t solved any of her problems, just swept them under the rug! It was she who had no pride, who had allowed all of this to transpire. She wasn’t some supreme warrior on a path of great destiny, she was just a puppet that happened to have been born with extraordinary potential!

“No, no... I always thought I was doing my best, but now I see how the reality was the opposite! I’m a disgrace, and it’s taken the weak version of me spitting in my face for me to finally realize! I... I don’t... I...”

“I... AM... NOT... PASSIVE!!!” she roared with all her might. Truly she had become the antithesis of everything she had aspired to be in life, and she hated and cursed herself for it. From her earliest childhood, she’d always looked up to Gohan and Vegetto. They’d done everything in their power to accompany her, despite her prodigious power ravaging her from within. And now their efforts had all come to naught.

And to top it all off, she’d further proven herself unworthy of that power by allowing herself to be enslaved to a wizard.

She had murdered Son Gohan, her mentor, her own beloved brother.

Suddenly, she began pushing her power level to the absolute pinnacle, fueled by her remorse and desire to change. Thanks to the words spoken by her alter-ego, by Son Goten, by all those who had tried to reason with her, she had finally found the will to resist — and thus Babidi’s seal began to weaken. It was time to put an end to this madness, before her soul was lost for good.

It was time to face all her inner deficiencies, to find balance and control of her mind.

Positive emotions flooded Son Bra’s heart, washing her clean of the stench of Babidi’s spell. The seal... had finally been broken.

Still slumped over on the ground, arms shaking, tears rolling down her face, Son Bra allowed her SSJ2 transformation to dissipate. Her hair fell down normally around her shoulders and her eyes returned to their normal hue. The other Bra, who had just been knocked back by the energy wave from her aura, remained standing over her. The girl on the ground could only weep with a broken heart.

“Shit, shit... Oh, shit, what have I done? No, no dammit...”