DRAGONBALL Z
DESTINY/FATE VARIANCE
CHAPTER 1
HYBRIDS
Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or any of its related characters, techniques, locations, races…etc.
Earth
Remote Mountains
The old man saw the streak of light coming down from the sky. The thunderous crash reverberated across the mountain. He began to make his way towards the point of impact, not knowing what he would find, but knowing that he had to go there any way. He found a deep impact crater more than a mile wide and at its epicentre the cause of the crater was plain too see.
A white silver pod was buried in the ground, and the wispy smoke coming from it was a clear testament to the intensity of its entry into Earth. He could see two lines on the front of the pod and a round glass window between them, indicating that it was the hatch. There was also a V like symbol painted on the front of the hatch. His observations were interrupted when he heard a loud hissing and he saw the steam coming from the door. It was no doubt depressurizing the contents and whoever or whatever was in there would soon be coming out.
The hatched opened… but nothing came out, instead he heard a loud wail. The sound did not startle him as much as he would have thought and instead of walking away he began to make his way down to the pod.
The wail seemed to increase as he came closer but he could not see the occupant of the ship. The steam and smoke was still obscuring his view. A sudden breeze cleared all the smoke and steam and the old man was finally able to see the inside of the ship.
A small naked baby was seated in the pod, wailing its lungs out. It had thick, wild spiky hair that shot out in different directions. The most striking feature about the child was the long, furry brown tail that came from his back.
Son Gohan in all of his years had never seen the like…
He took the boy out of the pod determined to give him a good home, because he had no children himself he wanted to leave a Legacy behind in the boy. It was a shame that the child did not agree with him. He was wild and aggressive and this was not helped by his incredible strength. For an infant he had more strength than most of the trained martial artists on Earth. If it was not for his own training he would have been overwhelmed by the boy very easily.
As it was though he was able to subdue him and the boy fell asleep and with some trouble he got them both out of the crater and towards his home, with the child on his back
It was on the way there that the clouds in the sky parted and the full moon came into view. Gohan suddenly felt the boy's weight increase and his tail began to thrash wildly, the boys weight became so great that he had to put him down. When he turned to get a good look he was shocked to see that the boy's body was now covered in thick brown fur and his size was increasing.
The boy suddenly woke up and his eyes locked onto something in the sky and they turned red. Gohan followed the boy's line of sight and it ended at the full moon. He heard heavy snorts and grunts coming from the boy and he turned to see that the boy had grown long fangs, even more hair and his size had more than doubled.
Luckily for him the moon's light was obscured by an unnatural darkness.
Son Gohan had experienced this kind of darkness before and one word came to his mind
Shenron…
He breathed a prayer to Kami, scooped up the boy whose transformation had reversed very quickly. He channelled his Ki and sped away towards his home, leaving a huge plume of dust in his wake.
Son Gohan breathed a sigh of relief as he made it to his home. He set the child down on his sofa and made his way to his room to retrieve the long piece of cloth that he made his clothes.
After several minutes he emerged with a yellow body suit for the boy with a small hole for his tail. He dressed him in the clothes and then picked him up and put him in a pallet that was next to his own.
Laying there he thought about, fate and destiny. He had never started a family preferring a quiet life of solitude in the mountains but now it seemed that fate had delivered to him a son… no a grandson… and from what he could feel, the boy had a great destiny ahead of him.
Goku… Son Goku will be his name. A good name, a strong name. He had lain down on the pallet next to the boy and he turned his head to look at him.
He smiled at the peacefully sleeping boy and soon he himself went to sleep…
16 Years Later
Capsule Corporation HQ
She was in her father's laboratory, having just gotten an idea for a good invention. Even though it was technically her fathers she used it more than him. She was seeing it as a sign of things to come. She was getting older and more mature and it was only a matter of time before she became the head of Capsule Corp.
The idea for her current invention had come to her while she was in the kitchen with her mom. Her mother had handed her a tray of her famous cookies and she accidentally touched it without an oven mitt. The pain had been a trigger because it made her realize that on their planet there were no metals strong enough to withstand intense temperature and pressure. If somehow she could create an alloy powerful enough to stand up to a Ki blast from her best friend Goku then she could construct a powerful training tool for them.
She was currently in front of some test tubes in the lab experimenting with some lead. She had remembered to put up the 'Genius Work' sign outside the door which meant that she would not be easily disturbed and so the lab was very quiet. She was concentrating intently on the experiment in front of her.
Because she used it so much Bulma had gotten into the habit of storing a lot of her stuff in the lab and as fate would have it she had recently placed the Dragon Radar in one of the drawers, knowing that no one could get to it due to the privacy of the lab.
It was her greatest invention and even though she was not actively searching for the Dragonballs she still kept it activated.
Her concentration was broken by a familiar ping… she looked to the drawer where she had placed the Radar. Moving away from her work she made her way to the device. She picked it up and heard it ping again. She was surprised that it activated because it was not so long ago that the Dragon had been restored following the Tenkaichi Budokai, where Goku had defeated Piccolo. She studied the screen and saw that the Radar was not detecting a Dragonball, it was something entirely different. She clicked the top to see activate the GPS coordinator. What she saw from the screen shocked her. The object that was being detected was coming from space and headed towards Earth.
She raced to the enormous centre console where her father's super computer was situated. She switched it on and activated the most powerful Capsule Corp. satellite in existence to track the object. She was able to get a partial visual as the object raced past and entered Earth's atmosphere.
She plotted its coordinates and raced out of the laboratory and into a waiting super hover car. She blasted off… on another adventure…
She came in sight of the sphere just as it struck the ground. It created a five mile wide crater in the dessert floor. The pod had not disintegrated on entry meaning that it was definitely a spacecraft and Bulma felt a thrill of excitement. Landing the craft she got out and walked to the edge of the crater. She saw the white sphere in the centre, still smoking, and throwing caution to the wind she clambered down into the crater.
As she got closer she heard the hiss of depressurizing air and she saw a hatch open. She still kept going though, intent on seeing who or what was in the pod.
What stopped her in her tracks was the bloody gloved hand that reached out of the pod and onto the side. She saw it grip the outer edges and she heard a grunt.
Midnight black hair, in the shape of a flame was what she saw coming out of the pod, a pronounced widow's peak and finally a face. From the angle she was looking at she could see that he was handsome. If not for the blood oozing out of a cut above his left eye.
He wore a blue body suit, with some sort of armour over the top half. It was torn and shredded in some places and from what Bulma could see the man had been in an intense battle.
He looked up at her as if he could sense. Onyx eyes locked with deep cerulean blue.
She them focus for a split second and then they rolled into the back of his head. She jumped towards him and caught him before he hit the ground. He was heavier than she had thought, but she managed.
She turned him around and went down with him to the ground. He seemed to come to himself for a second and she heard him whisper a word
"Vegeta" and then he passed out.
She checked his vitals to ensure that he was not dead and she felt a weak but steady pulse. She removed a capsule from her jacket and activated it.
A bang and a puff of smoke later, a fully functional CC floating stretcher appeared. She struggled to get him onto it but once that was done it became plain sailing… towards Capsule Corp.
I think that's his name… Vegeta. She rolled the word in her mind liking the sound of it. As she looked at him while she drove the thought became more true…
Vegeta…she smiled, focused and blasted off towards Capsule Corp.
5 Years Later
En Route to Kame Island
A gold cloud raced across the ocean, carrying two occupants on it. It was an ancient creature known as the Flying Nimbus to the world but those who rode it called it by its true name.
Kinto.
Only the pure hearted could ride it and on planet Earth there were none more pure hearted than the Son's. The Father, the mother and the beloved child who did not call it servant…but friend.
At the moment the creature was transporting the Son Goku, Chichi and Gohan towards Kame Island, where they would attend a reunion with all of their friends. They were currently over the South Eastern Ocean and soon they were in sight of the fabled home of the Kame-Sen'nin…Master Roshi.
Goku was seated at the back of the cloud with Chichi in front of him and Gohan in front of her. Goku could see his son's tail swishing back and forth, while his was firmly wrapped around his waist.
He was going to see his friends and introduce them to his and ChiChi's son. He was excited about seeing them after so long and he knew that they would all have a lot to say.
As the cloud slowed down Goku spoke to his son.
"See it Gohan, that's Master Muten Roshi's house" he said while unwrapping his arm from around Chichi and pointing to the house that was in view.
The cloud stopped and the Son family disembarked.
"Here we are!" he said to his family in an enthusiastic voice that carried into the house.
They heard movement coming from inside the house.
Krillin and Master Roshi came rushing out.
"Son!" Master Roshi exclaimed
"Goku!" Krillin finished.
"Master Roshi, Krillin it's great to see you!" he greeted.
"Hello everyone," Chichi greeted them in a soft voice. She had been carrying Gohan since they landed but now she slowly began to put him down in front of her.
"Whose kid is that?" Krillin asked
"Yeah Goku are you babysitting?" Master Roshi inquired.
"This is our son, Gohan" Goku filled them in.
"WHAT!!!" they both exclaimed, "You have a kid!"
"Everybody's having kids except me" Krillin grumbled under his breath
Goku nodded and smiled. It was then that he heard the door of Master Roshi's house open and then he saw a man wearing a blur bodysuit, with white boots and gloves. He had flame like black hair that was wild like his and he had a pronounced widow's peak.
Goku could sense that he was a very strong warrior perhaps even stronger than him but the way he walked did not set off any alarm bells in him.
The man was soon followed by a woman with blue hair, wearing a white lab coat and Goku immediately recognized her as his best friend Bulma, what shocked him though was the small child Bulma had in her arms.
It was a girl and from what Goku could see she looked exactly like Bulma.
"Hey Bulma!" Chichi said to her.
"Hi Chichi" she greeted. "Hey Goku long time no see" she said to her best friend but it was obvious that he was not concentrating on her.
Goku was staring at the stranger. There was something about him that Goku could not quite place but he knew it was important.
He gave the man another once over but this time he froze in shock.
Wrapped around the man's waist was a furry brown tail.
Just like mine and Gohan's he thought to himself
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"Goku" Bulma said to her friend snapping him out of his thoughts. "This is my husband…Vegeta" she waited for it to sink. "Vegeta, this is Son Goku"
Bulma watched the two of the most important people in her life size each other up. There seemed to be an unspoken communication going on between the two. She looked at Chichi for support seeing as her husband was also involved in the staring contest and it was then that she saw the child at Chichi's feet. She moved off the porch and towards her friend. Her child's tail twitched slightly and Bulma the child down.
"This is my son, Gohan" Chichi said to her
"This is my daughter, Bra" Bulma introduced her.
The two children sized each other up and slowly they approached each other. It was very cute. Both of them with their tails raised and swishing, and shyly approaching each other.
Until they both came close to each other. They regarded each other for a while and then Gohan's tail inched around him and Bra's did the same. The two tails began to intertwine and when they were finished the two held hands.
"My name's Gohan, I'm four and a half" Gohan said to her.
"My name's Bra, I'm four" she said with a smile
Both children smiled at each other…
"Kawaii" Bulma and Chichi said in unison.
An intense and evil power pressed down upon all those on the small island. Goku saw Vegeta unfold his arms and quickly move to Bulma and Bra. He instinctually moved Chichi and Gohan behind him. He had seen the tail on Vegeta and he had wanted to ask so many questions but he felt that he would not get any answers.
Right now though there were more important matters to attend to.
"Such an intense, evil power" Master Roshi said, confirming what they were all feeling.
"It's here Krillin!" shouted and they all looked to where he was pointing.
In the sky a purple skinned being wearing a black bodysuit, black armour with gold trim, floated with arms crossed. He had a device on the left side of his, it covered his ear like a large headphone and it extended to cover his eye with a scope like screen.
The monstrous power coming from him sent chills down Goku's spine.
He quickly shot down and landed on the edge of the island.
"Greetings Prince Vegeta" the alien being said to Vegeta. "I have come for you."
Goku looked towards Vegeta searching for a reaction from the warrior, but he was disappointed to find that his face remained impassive. "It has taken some time but we managed to trace you back to this backwater planet. Nappa suffered long and hard and even then he did not break. The Saiyan dog was too stupid to know that we would find you in the end."
The word 'Saiyan' sparked an unknown feeling deep inside Goku and looking back he felt that the same had happened to Gohan and Bra.
"Cui" Vegeta growled. "You will pay for what you've done."
"I have come to you back, since we are short of Saiyan dogs and I see that there are more than I had accounted for. A veritable kennel" he insulted.
Goku knew that the being was talking about Vegeta, Gohan, Bra and himself.
"Vegeta" he called "What's a Saiyan?" Goku asked what he felt was the most important question in his life.
Vegeta turned to him and their eyes locked. Goku noticed the similarities in himself and Vegeta. They both have thick black hair, dark onyx eyes, incredible power and the most important one was their tails.
"I am glad you asked, Kakarot. Saiyans are a proud warrior race of great power, and you and I are part of that race-"
He was going to say more but Cui interrupted him.
"Tell it right Vegeta. Saiyans were a warrior race. Past tense. You two are the last of the filthy monkeys."
"Monkeys?" Goku said quizzically.
"No, not monkey's. Oozaru's. The powerful transformation we are able to achieve through our tails. When the light of a full moon shines a Saiyan with a tail can achieve the powerful Oozaru transformation. He becomes a Giant Ape like creature that we call the Oozaru." Vegeta said in answer to Goku.
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"Enough chitter, chatter. Both of you are coming with me." Cui commanded. "If you don't I can't guarantee the safety of your kids" he threatened.
His scouter suddenly beeped as it read the increasing power levels of the two in front of him. He moved faster than they could anticipate, and when he slowed down he had two brats in his hands.
"Don't try anything funny. I was told to bring back a Saiyan they didn't specify which one." He mocked. "Both of you come quietly and the children won't be hurt."
He was ready for retaliation as he saw the other Saiyan, Kakarot dash towards him. Cui did not even have to put the brats down. He simply kicked out and nailed the Saiyan in the stomach. He fell down clutching it in great pain and it brought a smile to Cui's face.
Vegeta had not blindly charged obviously noting the great difference in their power.
Cui raised his power level and floated into the sky. "Come with me quietly and I will spare these brats" he told them and then he blasted off.
The two women had not stopped crying ever since their children were taken. Goku had since recovered from the blow and they were now formulating a plan to retrieve their children.
Vegeta was definitely stronger than Goku but his brief history with Cui told him that the warrior was also extremely strong.
"So it's settled, we attack together and take him down." Goku said to him.
At this point Vegeta knew that they had few options and this seemed the best one. The only problem was that next to Kakarot there was no one with enough power to help them in the battle.
"I hope I make it out alive" the short bald one said.
"Your presence won't be necessary" a deep voice said. They all turned to see a green skinned warrior descending from the sky. He was dressed in a purple Gi and he had a blue swath around his waist. He also had long pointy ears, two green antennae, very sharp teeth and his green skin was broken in some places by pink muscles.
"Piccolo" Kakarot shouted.
"Goku" the new arrival growled. It was clear to Vegeta that there was some animosity between the two and it was then that he remembered what Bulma had told him about the greatest battle in the history of the Earth. The 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai, where Kakarot faced off against a green skinned demon named Ma Jr with his true name being Piccolo. Vegeta recognized him as a Namek and he placed the information away for later use. For now they had to concentrate on defeating Cui.
"That being is extremely powerful Goku, you won't be able to defeat him" The Namek said and even as he spoke he took notice of Vegeta.
Vegeta did not miss the analytical with which the Namek studied him. He saw the Namek's eyes travel from his face to his waist, noting the similarities between himself and Kakarot.
Kakarot must have noted Piccolo's interest because he said "Piccolo, this is Vegeta, Bulma's husband. That warrior took both our children and we have to get them back".
They did not say anything to each other preferring to see each others actions on a field of battle.
Vegeta reached into his suit and took out a capsule. He depressed the button on top and in his hand a scouter appeared. He placed it on the left side of his face over his ear and eye and clicked the button. Immediately numbers sprang up and it was only a matter of seconds before he picked up the powers on Earth.
Kakarot was reading at just below 6000 and the Namekian was at 5000.
"You two are too weak to help in this battle. That warrior has a power level of at least 18000." He informed them.
"Piccolo growled and Kakarot seemed puzzled for a second.
"Does that thing read Ki?" he asked.
Ki? Vegeta pondered and after a while he spoke "If you mean a fighter's energy, then the answer is yes."
"How accurate is it?" Piccolo asked.
"Very accurate" he informed him
"I saw that the warrior was wearing a similar device, but I don't think he got a good reading. He said my power level was at 2000. At the time I was suppressing it, so I don't think it's as accurate as you believe." He said in a derisive tone.
"Oh yeah. Even now, I'm suppressing my Ki so, it might not be reading my entire power" Goku added.
Suppressing their power… what other tricks do these earthlings have…?
"Enough. We \will have to fight either way and from what I can tell you two are the most powerful fighters on this planet. Let's go" Vegeta began to levitate but before he was too far up he sent a psychic thought to Bulma.
Don't worry I'll get her back The Saiyan Prince directed his scouter to find a large power level and sure enough it found Cui. A blue aura surrounded him and in a burst of power and speed he was gone.
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Goku saw Vegeta blast off and he saw Piccolo following him. He ran to Chichi's side and enveloped her in a hug.
"I'm going to save Gohan. I love you Chichi" he said to her.
Her sobbing still for a moment in her husband's arms and Goku felt hope kindling in her aura.
He released and ran in the direction of the others and just when he was about to enter the water he raised his Ki and a brilliant white aura surrounded him and he blasted off into the sky blowing sand and sea water away.
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He was very scared. Everything had been fun and exciting until the purple man came. His daddy had told him stories about all of his friends and the adventures they had been on and he had wanted to meet them all. He had been even more excited when he had seen the little girl with a tail, just like his and daddies. She had told him her name was Bra and she had smiled. He liked her smile it was funny.
The man had taken them away and he had put them in a small room. He did not really know what it was but it was tiny and it smelled.
Bra was quietly sleeping next to him and he did not want to wake her up. He was trying to be brave but it was so scary.
He heard people shouting outside of the room and that was when he realized that it was not a room. He saw a small round glass window above and being careful not disturb Bra he stood up on his tiptoes to see through. He saw what looked liked a wall but then looking at it more carefully he saw that it was not a wall it was actually the ground. He was in a crater.
"Let my son go" he heard a voice shout.
The fear that had been building inside of him began to subside.
Daddies here, he'll take care of everything… he thought to himself.
"G…Go...Gohan-chan" a small voice said and Gohan turned to see the source. It was Bra and she was awake. Only kassan calls me chan. The thought was fleeting but it nonetheless caused Gohan to see Bra differently.
She was no longer a stranger but a precious person he wanted to protect. He couldn't describe but he knew that it was different to what he felt for his kassan and otousan.
"Don't worry Bra-chan, my daddy is here. He'll save us."
His words were innocent enough and he was surprised when Bra's nervousness disappeared.
"My dad is going to save us. He's a Prince" she stated matter-of-factly.
At this point Gohan became confused because he vaguely remembered his mom calling his dad her 'prince charming' and his Grandfather called his dad the Prince Consort. He himself was called a Prince but only when he visited his Grandfather in the big house…
Not knowing what to say he gave her a bright smile
She looked at him funny and Gohan could see that she was struggling to stay angry but eventually she relaxed and smiled.
Their fear for the moment was forgotten but
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The wave of dark Ki caused their fear to return…
End of chapter one.