Savage…merciless…destructive, for the way of the Saiyans could lead to the end of the universe. They devastated the planets they inhabited with their strength and ape like transformations. The Tuffles would experience firsthand, the barbaric nature of the Saiyan race.

When the Saiyans first appeared on Planet Plant, the Tuffles opened their arms to them, but only fists and kicks were returned from the ruthless race. It didn't take long for the Saiyans to establish dominance over the physically inferior Tuffles.

The Tuffles had to face the reality that even with their advanced technology they were no match for the Saiyans. They needed time to plan, time to discover some type of technological breakthrough that would give them an edge, time that the civilized society they created didn't have.

Buildings fell, broken glass lay scattered in the streets covered in the blood of the fallen. To think that not long ago these were flourishing cities made the sight that much more difficult to look upon.

The surviving Tuffles would have to let go of what was, as there was no denying the final alternative…leave Planet Plant.

And that's what they did. The remaining Tuffles were able to squeeze into four spaceships that received minimal damage from the chaos.

Just wanting to get as far away from what used to be their home as possible, the Tuffles cared not for where they would land. For the first time since the Saiyan invasion, the Tuffles could breathe a sigh of relief.

They weren't exactly jumping for joy, but if one were to look around the spaceships they'd see slight smiles on the faces of a group of people that got to feel safe.

However, as the spaceships exited the planet's atmosphere there was a child looking through the window. There wasn't a smile on his face, or any trace of positive energy. The child stared and stared at his birth place until the planet was as small as a coin, and then eventually out of view.

Those sharing the spaceship with the child noticed his continuous staring into the void of space, and several tried to comfort the child. He simply ignored them. The only people that could comfort him, hold him, tell him everything will be alright, and actually make him believe them were his parents.

Unfortunately, they were unable to escape Planet Plant, as they stayed behind as a distraction, giving their son the opportunity to escape. Now he was alone. Of course there were other survivors, but they weren't family. Those people were gone, and never coming back.

After two days of space travel, the Tuffles landed on a planet they hoped to make their new home. The four spaceships had been able to communicate with each other using monitors which gave them a visual of the happenings inside each ship. Running low on food, the decision to land was made for them.

The Tuffles grew nervous as the doors to the spaceships slowly opened. None knew of the planet they now inhabited, and the thought of being greeted by Saiyan like beings caused a silent fear.

However, all it took was one Tuffle to take that first courageous step, off into the unknown, giving the others the bravery they needed to follow.

Lush fields could be seen into the distance. The green leaves on the trees were overshadowed by orange ones that carried a flame like appearance. Enjoying the scenery, it would seem the Tuffles had chosen a good planet to settle.

The Tuffles converged, hoping that family or friends that they haven't seen, escaped on one of the spaceships. Truth be told, there was at most 200 Tuffles that made it off their home planet, so the odds of finding a companion was low, but low isn't impossible.

Like on the spaceship, the same child that was staring into space was now staring into the sky. It could be that he had never seen a blue sky, as Planet Plants is red. However, if one were to look at the boy's face, they wouldn't think he's admiring the sky's appeal.

He had a warm beige skin color. His eyes were as yellow as the corn growing in the fields. His hair was a dirty blond with a thick texture that came down to the bottom of his neck. Two short but thick bangs sit on both ends of his forehead. The hair matched his yellow hoody, which was dirty enough to give it a darker tone than it would otherwise be. He wore blue pants with blue shoes.

"Hey Ash! Aasshh!" A young voice called out to him. He turned quickly, recognizing the voice.

"Lewis!" Ash shouted as he embraced his friend.

At eight years old, Lewis was two years younger than Ash. He had short black hair that leaned to the left down his forehead. He wore only a white tank top with red pants.

The two children had been best friends for all of their short lives. As they clung together Ash decided to ask, "So where are your parents?"

He felt Lewis' grip on him tighten. He looked down on the smaller boy to see he was crying.

"Me too," Ash said.

Ash noticed that Lewis had stopped crying on his shoulder, and the sadness in his black eyes was replaced by fear.

Ash turned and saw that the group of Tuffles were being approached by what were apparently this planets natural inhabitants.

A cloud of fear hung over the Tuffles as the last time they were approached by another species, things didn't go so well.

This time however, they were the intruders.

The natural occupants of the planet were now close enough to be recognized.

They were all equipped with different kinds of armor. The slacks they wore were the only part of their attire not encased in the tough armor plates that covered their upper half.

No faces could be seen, as they all wore helmets that were designed in their own unique way.

One thing they did have in common is they each had the word Calypse written somewhere on their suit.

Now face to face with the Tuffles, a member of this body of soldiers stepped ahead and spoke, "We weren't expecting any visitors. You're welcome to stay and live among us peacefully, but if you're looking for trouble, I the leader of the Calypsian army will have no choice but to signal my soldiers to attack."

An elder Tuffle slowly stepped forward, "I assure you we Tuffles are a peaceful race. We were ran off of our planet by savages called Saiyans."

"…I see." The leader of the army of warriors said calmly.

It was quite obvious based on the frightened faces and condition the Tuffles were in that they weren't looking to pick a fight.

This didn't stop the soldiers who stood behind their leader from keeping their guards up

Putting his hands on his hips the captain looked over the last of the Tuffle race as if coming to a decision, "Well, you can't fake those injuries or scared faces. Should we be expecting anymore of you?"

The old man opened his palms in front of his chest, "We're all that's left."

Trying to put the people at ease the army's leader said with joy, "Welcome to Planet Calypse!"

With those words, the tension left the atmosphere. The soldiers began to relax and most of the Tuffles no longer felt fear.

"See Lewis, we're going to be okay," Ash said, trying to convince his young friend as well as himself.

The captain of the Calypsian army led the Tuffles through a city that was rather similar to those on Planet Plants. The rest of the soldiers left to tend to other matters while the Tuffles examined the environment. The Calypsians technology was up to par, so the Tuffles should have no problem settling in.

They were taken to a former military base, where the captain informed them that this is where they would stay.

"Sorry if it's a little cramped. Over time our army has located to different cities, so when this place was abandoned we decided to use it as a shelter for those in need. We turned the housing tents into multi-level buildings that could hold mass amounts of people. I couldn't tell you how occupied this place is, but as you can see, there are plenty of buildings containing plenty of rooms. Food is brought here daily, so your stomachs will be kept nice and full."

As he talked he realized the Tuffles were more focused on taking in their surroundings than paying attention to his words.

One man could only keep the attention of 200 for so long.

Starting to feel useless the captain spoke his last words dispassionately, "Well uh…feel free to survey the area for yourself. Imma head home."

The Tuffles took the captains advice and began to explore their new home. Ash and Lewis started wondering on their own.

"Hey Ash, it's like they built a city inside a city," Lewis said with excitement.

Ash was glad his friend was happy, as Lewis' eyes were lit, seemingly no longer affected by all they had seen this past week.

It reminded him of home. Lewis and he would go on their own expeditions with Lewis always getting carried away and having to be reminded that they had to be home before sunset, else they face the wrath of their parents.

Looking up to the sky, Ash noticed the sun beginning to set.

Yep just like at home, he thought.

A sad smile was on his face, as the inevitable thoughts of his parents came to mind.

"Ash… are you okay?" Lewis asked, head tilted to the side.

"Yea I'm fine. We should fine a room to stay in."

After waking up from his daydream, Ash realized Lewis was the only other Tuffle in sight. On top of that it was starting to get dark.

"Congratulations Lewis, you split us from everyone."

Not wanting to be blamed, Lewis made a response without thinking, "Well…well it's not like we belong to anybody!"

He has a point, thought Ash.

It's very unlikely the others would even notice two small Tuffles missing. And even if they did, would they care? No one was obligated to take care of them.

"Anyways let's keep moving. I'll let you pick the place we'll stay."

"Leave it to me Ash!"

With Lewis leading the way, Ash couldn't see his face. They traveled deeper and deeper through the base.

It's starting to feel creepy, thought Ash.

To their knowledge there was nothing to fear. However, wondering in a foreign place at night would make anyone feel uneasy, especially children.

After a while of walking Ash was ready to settle somewhere.

"I know I said I'll let you choose, but-"

"That one Ash," Lewis Interrupted.

Lewis was pointing at the very last building. It would seem the boys had reached the end of the compound

Ash sighed, it had to be the very last one huh. Likely far away from where everyone else would be.

"Okay let's check it out."

They entered, and no surprise to Ash, the place looked empty. It was rather nice though. There were a bunch of doors that when opened held a room with two beds.

This must be where the soldiers would sleep, thought Ash.

After touring the rest of the floor, they found the shower room, bathroom, and all the other essentials a person would need.

All the floors were pretty much the same as they came to the final one.

They could hear laughing coming from a room that had lights on as they walked down the hallway. A young girl had stepped out from the room, and was startled by the boys.

"Whoa!" Her body jerked as one would when being surprised.

"Ramona what's wrong," an old voice asked from within the room.

"Are you two lost," Ramona asked with a raised eyebrow?

Lewis hid behind Ash, peeking around his shoulder

Ash spoke up, "No, we're still in the base right?"

Sharpening her eyes and putting her hands on her hips she responded, "Yea, but of all the housing units, why'd you choose this one?"

"Now now Ramona. You just turned thirteen, but you're acting like a grumpy old woman."

The person behind these words revealed himself to be an elderly man.

Stepping into the open he looked at the boys with a smile.

"Hello there, I'm Zar. This is my Granddaughter Ramona. With all these empty rooms, I don't see why you two can't stay here."

Before Ash could introduce himself, Ramona spoke while looking at the boys, "But granddad, don't you find it straaannnge that two kids just happen to appear out of nowhere?"

Still smiling, Zar turned to his granddaughter, "Not at all, it's getting late, of course they'd look for a housing unit at some point.

Turning back to Ash, he asked, "I bet you two are hungry?"

From behind Ash, Lewis shook his head, "mm hmm, mm hmm."

"Ramona, grab some food would you," Zar asked his granddaughter without waiting for reply as he led the boys into the room.

Sighing, Ramona said to herself, "Right."

In the room and out of the dark, the boys could better make out what Zar looked like. They could already tell by his movement and voice that he was an older man, and his appearance confirmed it. Wearing a black robe, he had short white hair, blue eyes, and wrinkled cheeks.

Sitting opposite each other on separate beds, Zar initiated conversation, "While we wait on Ramona, why don't you tell me a little about yourselves."

"I'm Ash, and this is Lewis. We didn't mean to disturb you. See this is our first day here and we were just snooping around."

"You're not disturbing. You did rather scare Ramona, surprising her in all," Zar chuckled.

He continued, "First day here huh. What city are you two coming from?"

"Not city, planet," Ash responded. "We're Tuffles and we're from Planet Plant."

Shocked, Zar looked to Lewis who was shaking his head with a smile in confirmation, "You don't say."

Just then Ramona entered, with a tray of food, "For our guest."

Bigger than Ash and Lewis as she was older, Ramona had purple and pink hair. The purple flowed past her shoulders. The two thin bangs resting on her forehead were pink. She wore a white sleeveless sweater, a red mid-thigh skirt, white boots, and a red scarf that was wrapped around her neck.

Ash and Lewis each grabbed a bowl from the tray and begin to eat. The food looked to be a mix of rice and what looked like beans except they were yellow.

"This…food is…great," Lewis managed to squeeze out in between bites.

"It's called bale. It's the food that's brought in from the city…why don't you tell more about how you came to this planet. I'm sure your home is just as beautiful as ours," Zar asked.

Eyes wide, Ramona dropped the tray and turned to her grandfather, "They're from different planets! Like SERIOUSLY!"

"Yes, Tuffles they say."

Now showing interest, Ramona sat next to Zar opposite Ash. She stared as if he had two heads, "I'm listening."

Taking one final gulp, Ash told their story, "Yes, Planet Plant was beautiful. The sky was red. The people were nice. We all lived our lives peacefully. We didn't deserve this. They could've lived amongst us if they wanted to. Tuffles had always been peaceful."

Then something changed in Ash. He looked like he was in a trance. Like he was no longer telling a story to others, but reminiscing in his own mind.

"My mother… and father…gone. Along with everyone else who didn't make it to the spaceships. The Saiyans destroyed everyone. I'd never seen people so happy to destroy."

"Stupid monkeys," Lewis muttered.

Ash continued, "In space we were safe, but we had lost our families… our home…We survived. That's all we could do. We couldn't save everyone. We were too weak… I was too weak."

Ramona was at a loss of words, having no choice but to believe this story of misery. The look in his face, the sorrow in his eyes, he spoke the truth, his truth.

It took Zar to end the silence, "I'm sorry for your loss. Don't blame yourselves. Parents should be willing to give up anything and everything for their children, and yours gave the ultimate sacrifice. That should show you two how much they loved you. Their spirits are smiling right now because you both are safe."

The dejected expression on Ash and Lewis' face didn't change, leading Zar to only hope that his words were felt.

These boys have been through a lot. Better let the subject go, thought Zar.

Yawning, Zar stretched his arms in the air, "I'm tired. I'm sure you two could use a good night's sleep. Ash, you and Lewis can share the room next to ours if you'd like."

Ash stood to his feet, "That'd be great. Let's go Lewis."

Grabbing Lewis' hand they began to leave.

"Goodnight," Ramona said. It was the kindest tone she had used since meeting the two.

"Goodnight," everyone repeated.

Ash had found himself on the roof of the building. Wanting to feel the night's air on his skin after not being able to sleep, he sat on the roof's edge, staring into the sky.

Alluring it was as the moonlight lit the sky, causing everything in its reach to sparkle with its own idea of blue.

Ash once again had that trance look on his face. The night's sky could seduce you to praying to whatever Gods you worship for the wings to be able to explore it at will.

Ash however, wanted more. To soar past the sky into the vastness of space to the planet of his birth and exact vengeance against the Saiyans.

On the spaceship, when landing, this was his reason for staring up and out into the vacuum of space. Their crimes shouldn't go unpunished. He wanted to be the unyielding spear of justice.

For that was his dream, to become the Saiyans nightmare.

Perhaps that's why he couldn't sleep. Dreams are fantasy, and he wanted this to be reality.

I can do it. I can become strong, Ash thought as he closed his eyes and entered his mind.

"All those rooms and you choose to sleep outside?"

Ash turned to the voice and saw Ramona. Choosing not to speak, he turned back around and once again gazed up in the air.

Ramona moved to sit next to him, there were things she wanted to say. "I guess that's fair. I did come at you maybe a little aggressive when we first met. I'm sorry, I tend to be on guard."

"On guard, what for? Don't tell me aliens tried to take over this plant too," Ash asked, beginning to open up.

"Well, you told your story so I'll tell mine," she begin. "I'm sure when you landed on the planet you met the Calypsian captain. Long ago my grandfather was the army's captain. He was well respected and known for introducing our world to ki."

"Ki?" Ash asked.

"Don't interrupt!" She continued, "He used this new form of energy control to send a wave of peace over the land. With peace established he set out to teach his abilities to the world. My parents were soldiers under grandpa in the army and of course were his first pupils. As a family they fulfilled grandpa's dream of spreading knowledge on ki."

Ash started to pay closer attention. He wondered why Ramona and her grandfather lived alone at the far end of the base. From what he could tell, they were good people.

"This… had an undesired affect. Many people became arrogant and started to see themselves as being above others. A cult was formed by the strongest of warriors and they set out to establish themselves as the rulers of the world. No longer seeing everyone as being equal they had a cult mindset that the strong should rule the weak. A war was had between the cult and the soldiers of peace led by my grandpa. Grandpa's army won, but not everyone survived."

Ramona's grip on the roof's edge tightened, "So many people died on both sides… my parents were among them. The bystanders who bore witness to the destruction blamed grandpa. If he had never taught the inner workings of ki none of this would have ever happened. On top of dealing with everyone's ridicule, he went into depression over not being able to protect my parents. His legend stained, he retreated from the city he spent his life protecting. Taking only one thing, me."

"So that's why you two live alone?" Ash asked.

Ramona stood to her feet, "Yes, to this day people blame grandpa and it's not his fault. The same hate they have for him I have for them. He didn't know teaching ki would make idiots out of people."

Curious, Ash joined her in standing, "Can you show me ki?"

Ramona smiled and stuck both her hands out. Ash grabbed them, and noticed his feet lift from the ground.

Holding hands quickly turned into Ash hugging Ramona like a husband who's holding his wife for the last time before he goes to war.

"You're flying! We're flying!" Ash screamed.

Laughing inside, Ramona feigned surprise, "I'm using ki. Isn't this what you wanted?"

Too scared to pick up on her act, Ash answered, "No… yes."

Barely getting out that last word, Ramona intervened, "Yes? Okay."

Picking up speed, Ramona shot across the sky like a shooting star. Two sounds could be heard, Ash screaming his lungs out and Ramona laughing because of it.

How ironic it was that Ash had just daydreamed of flying through space with wings like an angel, and here he was. However, this wasn't the experience he expected as he wasn't in control and his life depended on this crazed she devil.

Having enough fun, Ramona landed back on the roof where they took off, "Ash, I want to be friends, but let's take this romance one step at a time."

Ramona made this joke, hoping to get a reaction from Ash who was still holding on to her for dear life, as well as possibly alluding to something else Ash was two or three years short of understanding.

Realizing he was back on the roof, Ash dropped his hold and gave Ramona and unexpected reply, "Of course I'll be your friend."

Ramona mentally took a step back. It wasn't his words that shocked her, it was his sincerity behind them. Never having any relationships outside of her grandpa, Ash's failure to interpret her words as the joke they were had led to the beginning of their friendship.

"ALL HAIL KING VEGETA!"

This chant could be heard around the ruins of Planet Plant. No building was left undamaged. Maggots could be seen within the flesh of dead Tuffles, eating away at the rotting skin. How sad, for the thread of life to have snapped for so many before their time.

The breed of man responsible for this blot of death stood within the wreckage. Standing there before their king, were a race of people who carried the demeanor of savages more than warriors.

"Men, I am proud. I don't think we've ever conquered a planet as quick as this. Even so, that's not what makes this takeover so special. This occasion is historic because my son not only participated in this battle, but killed more Tuffles than any other Saiyan. And he's got the bodies to prove it. With that said, I present to you, PRINCE VEGETA!"

The Saiyans went wild as the prince took a place by his father. He crossed his arms as he stood next to his father, unfulfilled with their conquest and wanting more.

They were identical except that the prince was prepubescent and lacked his father's goatee. They both wore armor containing dual shoulder pads, white boots, white gloves, and capes. What stood out most was their spiky hair that stood straight.

Putting his hand on his son's shoulder, King Vegeta resumed his speech, "It has become quite clear that we are the most dominant race in the universe. What say you my people to making this world the official planet of the Saiyans."

"YEAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" The Saiyans cheered, throwing their fist up and down into the air.

Lifting off into the air, King Vegeta raised both hands, "THEN I HEAR BY NAME THIS WORLD, PLANET VEGETAAAAAA!"