Dragon Ball Prime: The Origin of the Super Saiyan
Ch 1: Lost Pride: The Crash that Spawns Greatness
The night falls and 5 year old Trunks sits in his bed trying to go to sleep. He rolls over once, twice, three times, and finally he jumps out of the bed, determined to hear a bedtime story from either his mother, or if he's lucky his father.
The halls of the capsule corporation are black as the new moon. However, when Trunks stumbles into the hallway, the lights illuminate the halls. Trunks bypasses two hallways, and makes a left down the third, he goes down a flight of stairs and finally walks up to a massive archway. The doors of this room are closed, but they remain unlocked; just in case Trunks wakes up in the middle of the night.
Trunks takes a deep breath and opens the doors. When he takes a step into the room, Bulma sits up and says, "Are you okay, sweetie?"
Trunks replies, "I can't sleep mommy. I want a bedtime story."
"I have the perfect story for you, Trunks."
"Uh, mom do you mind if dad tells me a story?"
"I don't think your father would…"
Vegeta sits up in the bed and says, "GO BACK TO YOUR ROOM AND GO TO SLEEP, BOY! I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR YOUR WHIMPERING!"
Hearing his father scream, Trunks turns back, and begins crying. As the doors automatically close behind him, Trunks hears Bulma arguing with Vegeta.
When Trunks finally makes it back to his room, he lays under the covers sobbing. He slams his fists into this pillow, as he says, "Father is right. I need to stop whining about wanting to hear a story, and just go to sleep."
As he finishes his statement, Vegeta opens his door and says, "Sit up, Trunks. I have a story to tell you. It's a long one, but I guarantee that you'll be asleep by the time I finish."
Trunks sits up and smiles saying, "I didn't think you were going to tell me a…"
Vegeta interrupts, "I'm here aren't I? SO LISTEN UP! This is a story that my father used to tell me. Understand son, I am a prince… The prince of all Saiyans. I am son of the Lord of the Saiyans, named Vegeta after every Lord of the Saiyans since the Great War. I am destined to be the greatest of us all. But it was not always so. That fool King Kai told that clown Kakarrot the story of the Tuffles, and their war with the Saiyans. However, he got the timeline all wrong. Listening to him you'd think that my father won that war, but Great War happened over 25,000 years ago."
"My story begins immediately after that. This is the story of the first Super Saiyan. The father of all Super Saiyans, without him there would be no Super Saiyan."
Trunks looks at his father, and says, "Father what's a Super Saiyan?"
Vegeta stands to his feet saying, "It is the ultimate form, a form that only the strongest can achieve. Pay attention, son, this is a Super Saiyan." Vegeta closes his eyes takes a deep breath and in a burst of energy, transforms into a Super Saiyan. Light radiates from his body, as Trunks sits in awe of his father's awesome transformation.
Vegeta returns to his normal state and begins, "Listen well my son, and learn. Blood, sweat, tears, and pain, have become his mistress. A weary look envelopes Vegeta, my ancestor's, visage, as he looks upon the fertile valley.
The Great War ended finally bringing peace into the life of a mighty warrior. Vegeta turns back toward the massive chasm that holds the remaining 35 Saiyan warriors, 21 male and 14 female. They wait with a reverent patience as their leader passes through them. Each of the Saiyan lord's steps carry majesty with it.
Vegeta exhales, as he reaches his destination. A giant stone chair carved directly into the side of the mountain, covered in runes and symbols the likes of which can only be found here, the throne of the Lord of Saiyans, the rests here. Vegeta turns to his people and falls to his knees. He reaches out to the rest of the Saiyan population, and bows to his people saying, "I do not deserve to be here as your leader. Your strength has led to the end of the war. I never thought that I'd be tired of fighting, but I say this to you… Rest peacefully my brothers and sisters, for tomorrow we begin the rebuilding."
As he speaks, the people all lift their right fists into the sky, shouting, "HAIL VEGETA RULER AND LORD OF PLANET PLANT!"
Hearing his people shout, Vegeta stands to his feet saying, "Plant? That is a foul Tuffle word. The name of our planet should represent what we are. It should represent the strength that we had to exhibit to retake our home."
A Saiyan steps from behind Vegeta and places his hand on Vegeta's shoulder and says, "Yes, you are right nephew… This planet should be named after our strength. We shall name the planet strength. From this planet shall be called . In the common tongue VEGETA." And thus the planet Vegeta was born.
For fifty years Vegeta rules the people, nurturing their strengths and correcting their weaknesses. At the age of 75, Vegeta still possesses the appearance and mind of a 40 year old human. However, he is not unique in his longevity; for all Saiyans retain their youth in order to maintain their warrior's mettle, the result of the evolution of a warrior species.
The Saiyan's warrior mettle is vital to any Saiyan Lord, for who should rule the Saiyans, but the strongest. From his throne high in the mountains of , (Musharu), Vegeta looks down upon his people, tending to their needs and settling disputes. Sitting upon his throne, Vegeta watches as the population of his people grow from a measly 35 into a thriving 850.
Every 5 years a tournament is held in which the next Lord of the Saiyans will be crowned. For 10 tournaments Vegeta has dominated. Vegeta's domination causes a great stability to hold over the Saiyan people, he knows the people and they know him. However, even the most stable structures become shaken by an object with great energy.
Grunting as he rubs out the soreness in his slightly arthritic elbow, Vegeta calls to his most highly decorated servant. A massive Saiyan rushes into the room and takes a knee saying, "My liege, you called for me?"
"Yes Cinnatos, I need you to be ready to lead the people."
"But my lord, you are the strongest. It was determined on the battle ground not even two years prior. You defeated me again for the fourth time."
"I know Cinnatos, but you are young, and strong."
"What makes you think that I need to be leader? You're here and you're just as strong as I have ever seen."
"I'm tired Cinnatos, I can feel my body betraying me, but that's not why. I just have a bad feeling about today."
"My liege, you have a better sense of danger than most I've ever known, but it can't be that…"
Suddenly the cave around them begins to vibrating violently, and the sound of crumbling stone completely silences their conversation.
Rising from his throne, Vegeta turns to Cinnatos and says, "We must see what's…"
Silencing Vegeta, a humongous ball of fire falls from the sky, crashing into the jungle beyond the Saiyans' mountain home.
Without another word, Vegeta rushes from the cave and leaps into the air. Cinnatos springs into the air following closely behind his ruler with a smile of anticipation shining on his face.
As Vegeta and Cinnatos hurl their bodies into the air, gravity begins to pull down on their massive frames. However, as gravity pulls them both down, they both focus their minds on a spiraling sphere of energy swirling within each of their abdomens. As they take hold of the energy, they will the sphere of energy upwards. Instead of falling toward the ground, both Cinnatos's and Vegeta's bodies begin to rise and both fly through the air with avian precision.
After flying for nearly 35 miles, Cinnatos and Vegeta reach the smoldering pile of rubble. Cinnatos looks up into the jungle canopy and says, "Whatever fell from the sky ripped a tunnel through the jungle. The path above almost looks circular…as if the falling object was spherical."
"Shhhhhh…" Vegeta holds his arm in front of Cinnatos, signaling him to use caution and to remain silent. Vegeta cautiously steps one foot in front of the other, as a lion would when stalking antelope. As they go further toward the smoking wreckage, the ground slopes downward into a massive ditch nearly 40 feet deep.
As Vegeta and Cinnatos stalk their way closer and closer to the stone, Cinnatos steps in front of Vegeta saying, "My lord, I should touch the stone first. If the stone is dangerous it is better to lose a guardian than to lose a Lord."
"You could not be more wrong Cinnatos. It is your role to protect me. It is my role to protect the people. If this is a danger to my people, I shall take the risk." Vegeta says, as he pushes Cinnatos to his right.
"My lord, you would deprive me of my duty if you do this. Please allow me to keep my honor and check the stone first."
"…Very well, Cinnatos. You may touch the stone first."
With a smile on his face, Cinnatos bows to Vegeta and turns to the stone. Sweat beads form upon his forehead, caused by the heat radiating from the stone. Nervous, yet intrigued, Cinnatos reaches out and places his hand flat upon the surface of the stone. To his surprise, the smoking stone is cool to the touch. "My lord, the stone…It's cool."
Vegeta steps from behind Cinnatos and places his hand upon the stone. Again the stone is cool. However, as Vegeta rests his hand on the stone a hissing noise bursts forth and the stone cracks open, and a large banana shaped piece of the stone lifts into the sky.
On the underside of the rising banana piece of the stone, a soft cushioned pad is exposed. Vegeta scans the padded stone and says, "Curious, this stone is padded as if it were some sort of vessel." He moves his eyes downward toward the larger portion of the stone and sees five fingers appear over the edge of the stone. A grunting noise comes from the opening, and a spiked head of hair emerges from within the stone.
Vegeta steps toward the stone and says, "It is some sort of outer space craft."
Rising from the opening of the ship a boy emerges. Cinnatos steps next to Vegeta and says, "M'lord, do you see this? He appears to be a Saiyan. How could this be, from the war only Nappa and his tribe could have come from space? And look, he doesn't even have a tail. Is this how Nappa and his people have come to…"
Vegeta scans the boy in his entirety and says, "Silence Cinnatos, this boy could not be a Saiyan from Nappa's tribe. Nappa was a brother to me and he held to the teachings of Musharu stronger than even I. No Saiyan from his tribe would ever remove their tail."
Vegeta turns to the boy and says, "What brings you here, alien?" Though the boy stands over 6 feet tall, his face resembles that of a 16 year old child, thin chiseled and handsome.
The boy says, "Ah so you speak the basic language. That is good."
"Alien, I asked you a question. What brings you here?"
"First of all my name is Shineta! (Shin-Eat-Ta), besides that I'm no alien I look like I could be your son."
Cinnatos steps from behind Vegeta and says, "Don't play coy with us boy. You lack a tail. All Saiyans have tails so don't pretend that you are of the people."
Shineta smiles, "Very well, as I said my name is Shineta, I am a Sola… I…am exile. I was expelled from my race for my great strength, and because of my… unique birth."
Vegeta smirks as he says, "Your great strength?"
"I was amongst the strongest of my people. My people are known throughout the universe as a people of power, protectors of the weak. For eons we alone have guarded the universe from the greatest of evils."
"Then I would like to test this… great strength."
Shineta bows to Vegeta and takes a battle stance saying, "If you wish to test my strength, I will happily oblige."
Vegeta smiles and takes his battle position. In the blink of an eye, both warriors leap through the air towards each other. Both warriors pull back their right fists preparing to throw a flying right hook. The two warriors meet in the air and Shineta's blow connects with Vegeta's face, just as Vegeta's blow connects with Shineta's. The force of both attacks are so powerful that it emits a shock wave that causes Shineta's ship to rock within the crater.
After making contact with his target, Vegeta flips backward preparing for his next attack. However, just as he lands Cinnatos grabs Vegeta by the arm and says, "My lord, save this battle for the tournament. You need only wait three years."
Shineta sees Cinnatos grab Vegeta and says, "You do not wish for your master to continue?"
"It is not my place to force my wishes upon my lord."
"Then let your master fight."
Vegeta breaks free of Cinnatos's grip and vanishes punching Shineta in the face, sending him flying. Vegeta releases an exasperated sigh and says, "Do not spurn my general. His loyalty is unquestionable. However, he is right. If you wish to fight me, you will do it as all Saiyans do, with proper time and placement. We hold a tournament every five years. If you wish to battle me, that is your time, not now amongst the foliage and leaves. Also, judging by the strength of your attack you're going to need that time to train."
Vegeta smiles at Shineta and says, "Train well young lad. In three years you'll face destruction when you witness my power." The three warriors lift into the sky and head toward the mountain cavern that houses the Saiyan people.
As they fly over the valley Vegeta speaks to Shineta, "The Saiyan valley is layered into three tiers. The outer tier resides at the lowest elevation, the land is fertile with lush vegetation. The land is properly tilled and layered. This is the agricultural center of Saiyan Society. The weakest of our people stay here. They work to feed our people they are our labor force. With strength comes position, and a lack thereof forces you here."
Vegeta nods to Cinnatos, and Cinnatos slows his air speed and turns back to Shineta saying, "You are not of royal blood, and have not earned a high place amongst the people. Therefore, you must remain here in the agricultural center. Trust that you will not be mistreated. We treat our weak and frail with sympathy and give them much, but we do not allow them the amenities of the strong. Fend for yourself, find and grow food, live, train, and grow strong. In three years, present yourself at the tournament, there you will prove your worth, and earn your rank amongst the people."
Shineta smiles and nods his head in acceptance as he sees Cinnatos and Vegeta rocket away from the outer ring of the Saiyan valley toward the inner circle.
Shineta lands on well-managed farmland filling the valley. He takes a single step to allow the soft green grass to ruffle between his toes and beneath his feet. Hoping to build his strength to an untouchable level within the next three years, Shineta visits every cave and shelter in the entire outer ring. With each visit, Shineta makes an offer to the Saiyans: train with me and I'll make you stronger than the greatest generals in your armies. However, not a single adult will agree to train with him.
Living in the outer ring is comfortable to the Saiyans who dwell amongst the crops, and the thought of rising higher in the ranks does nothing to persuade them. Leaving dejected from nearly 30 homes, Shineta's hopes begin to dwindle. However, as he walks away from the thirtieth home, a teenage boy sprints from the entrance of his father's cave.
The teenage boy finally catches up to Shineta breathing heavily, and says, "My name is Borokla. Though my father has no desire to leave the outer ring, I have no desire to stay. Will you allow me to train with you so that one day I'll be strong enough to be your general? My father wants me to live off the land and keep the people well, but I want to be one of the leaders of the people."
Shineta smiles and says, "You are most welcome I will promise you that you will be a general. I'll show you how to fight and in three years you join the tournament alongside me."
For the next three years, Shineta trains Borokla three times per day. The teenage Saiyan's power grows exponentially, and as promised in three years, Borokla's power rivals even the greatest of the Saiyan generals.
The sun rises over the eastern peak of Mount Musharu. The morning dew begins immediately evaporating, which leaves a beautiful golden mist in the air. Pouring over his closed eyelids, the sunlight illuminates Shineta's body waking him with its serene rays. A sense of peace floods over him as he looks to the sun and says, "Hello my friend. Today is the day." Suddenly the blaring roar of a horn fills the air. Shineta allows his eyes to shut slowly, allowing the gentle warmth of the sunlight to drench him with its power.
Suddenly, Shineta feels a presence towering above him, he tenses his body and quickly opens his eyes. Borokla's familiar form looks down upon him with a pleasant smile. It's about time we get moving, master Shineta, the preliminary rounds begin an hour after sunrise."
Shineta rises to his feet and glances over Borokla's appearance. "You wear common farmer's clothing to a tournament? You sure you want to appear as a farmer in a tournament of this caliber?"
"Master Shineta, this is not only a matter of pride for me, but it also makes my opponent underestimate me. When has a farmer ever gotten past the first round of the tournament?"
"Ah…so this is a strategy?"
"Taught to me by you. I am eternally in your debt. I'd never be here if it weren't for you."
"Take it as a gesture of good will. If I win the tournament I expect you to be one of my greatest generals."
"But what if I win? I've got a few tricks up my sleeve, Shineta."
"Oh… Shineta now, huh…what happened to master?"
"We'll see…"
The two warriors embrace and begin their accent toward the inner circle of the Valley.
As the two hover above the arena, Shineta notices the magnificence of the architecture. The arena rests inside the peak of the mountain, carved into the very stone. Hand carved and etched into the various striations of the arena, each seat leaves enough room to sit comfortably, but saves enough space to house more than 300 thousand seats within. The likenesses of Saiyan Lords litter the common areas of the arena. The statues of these lords consist of a special type of limestone and quartz that allow the statues to glisten with every color of the rainbow.
Each statue demands the attention of all who pass it, but none more so than the statue of the current Lord of the Saiyans. Vegeta's statue sits at the highest point in the entire arena. Unlike the other statues, Vegeta's statue is not made of the quartz limestone combination that all the other statues consist. Vegeta's statue is formed completely from black Katchin, and white steel (Katchin and Iron alloy). Shineta lands next to Vegeta's statue and notices the perfect likeness of Vegeta, from his chiseled muscles to the scar cutting through his left eye etched in white steel.
As he and Borokla progress further into the arena, Borokla notices over 40 Saiyans in a perfectly straight line. He leads Shineta away from Vegeta's statue and into the line. Borokla places his hand on Shineta's back and says, "Can't you just feel the excitement filling the air. All of these warriors are here for the tournament."
Shineta smiles and says, "All of them are here to throw in their names for Lord of the Saiyans. I'm only here to challenge a warrior whose power rivals my own. None of these warriors would even survive a sparring session with him."
"I know. I've seen Lord Vegeta in action. His power is unparalleled."
"We shall see, my young Borokla…We shall see."
The preliminary rounds end quickly, of the 40 warriors only seven remain, including Borokla, Cinnatos, and Shineta. The current Lord of the Saiyans, Vegeta, fills the eighth slot.
Finally getting confirmation from the Tournament judges, the arena guards finally open the gates. As the gates open, thousands of Saiyans flood into the gate. The commotion echoing from the smooth walls of the arena is almost deafening. However, as the last Saiyans pour into the gates of the arena, an announcer's voice bursts over the roar of the crowd saying, "Welcome to the Tournament of Saiyan Lords, after some grueling preliminary matches we are finally ready to begin the quarter-finals. The match ups for the tournament semi-finals are, Borokla vs. Paprik. Borokla, a farmer from the lower ring has really been turning heads throughout the prelims. Our second quarter-final match is Shineta, a virtual unknown, vs. Tunipe, a battle hardened warrior, who was one of Lord Vegeta's greatest commanders in the Great War. Those are your combatants on the Lower Bracket. On the other side, Cinnatos, the general himself, vs. Be-at, and Vegeta, Lord of all Saiyans vs. Tullece in the Upper Bracket! Today promises to be a most exciting quarter-final round, and now LET THE GAMES ! BEGIN!"
Both Borokla and Paprik step out onto the warm sands of the arena grounds. As they near each other, the crowd suddenly goes completely silent. Borokla smiles at Paprik and says, "The silence before the storm right?"
Paprik laughs and says, "There will be no storm. A strike from me will be like lightening. One flash and it's over."
Borokla nods his head toward Paprik, suddenly the loud clang from a giant gong at the top of the arena, and Paprik launches himself toward Borokla. Approaching from Borokla's right side, Paprik throws a right hook toward Borokla's face. However, just before the blow can connect with him, Borokla drops to the ground. Laying flat on his back, Borokla kicks both his feet into the sky launching Paprik upward. Borokla pushes against the ground and flips himself onto his feet and in the blink of an eye leaps into the sky.
As Borokla ascends, he takes hold of the swirling energy welling up within his stomach and wills it towards Paprik. Paprik regains control of his movement and stops his ascent. However, as he does Borokla, moving with the speed of a missile, strikes Paprik in the chin with a soaring uppercut. This blow again knocks Paprik upwards. However, as his body rises, Borokla jets above Paprik and grips both his hands together. Using his hands like a mallet, Borokla slams his hands into Paprik's rising body. The blow sends him hurtling into the ground with such speed that it creates a pillar of dirt over 20 feet high.
Borokla changes directions and flies with incredible speed into the pillar of dirt. With an incredible thud, Borokla lands inside the cloud of dust, causing the dust to clear away from the force of his impact.
The crowd covers their eyes as the dust flies into their faces. The dust eventually settles, and the crowd regains a visual of the arena floor they see Borokla standing with his right foot on top of Paprik's back.
Vegeta looks down on his son and sees that he has finally fallen asleep. He smiles and then grunts, as he walks from his son's bedroom.