This is an a/u, so if something's off the wall or completely wrong, go with it and humor me.
Disclaimer- I don't own Dragonball Z… not like you can tell that there's a connection right now, but anywho-
The Long Way Around
-Prologue-ish type Chapter
A lone figure stumbled hurriedly along the dark alley; hunched-over grasping an arm with one hand while the other hung limply by its side. Late-Autumn wind carried the faint smell of burnt rubber and exhaust from the main road, weaving its way through the crumbling buildings and to the trespassing figure. Light from shabby homes and far-off streets reflected dimly in muddy pools. Sounds of labored breathing fell in-tune with the even thud of boots on pavement and the occasional splash. Farther the strange figure trudged at its stiff stride, never missing a beat to the bizarre rhythm, only stopping when he reached the glow of a solitary street-lamp. For a he, he was.
A soft orange light washed over his features and reflected the diminishing fire in his eyes, the dark grey orb's look of rage and terror faded into one of sorrow. A chiseled jaw unclenched, a pair of black eyebrows loosened from their knitted position, and slowly, a hand released the death grip on its counterpart. From his mouth escaped a moan of despair, he slumped to his knees, looking up to the stars. Gazing at a distant red planet for what seemed like eternity, the lone stranger sat wondering how he'd had let something that important slip from his grasp.
_ _
The sun rose, chasing away any sanctuary to be found in the dark, bringing light to the desolate area, which happened to be small but trashy parking lot. The lonely street lamp was temporally released from its duty to keep the light and dimmed as dawn came and went, leaving the mystery of the stranger unveiled.
The serious face of, what daylight proved to be, a young man peered out from under a coat. With a slight groan he got up from his curled position, still favoring his left arm. He stood at least 6 and a half feet including his gravity defining ebony hair. The black tendrils were more or less on end, shooting out in various directions, while supported by slight widow's-peak. The man didn't look to be of this world.
The stranger had a built but somewhat slender figure, hidden in dark blue jeans, a wifebeater, and a black unmarked military trench coat. Upon much closer inspection a small delicate silver chain could be found around his neck, disappearing under his shirt. Three small scars newly acquired, ran from his left ear to his cheek. The vivid red lines stood out as much as they were a painful reminder of his most resent failures. From his face protruded a rather pointy nose, and lips set in a grim line. The stranger's dark grey eyes focused on first the sun and sky, and then down a little closer to home.
Nothing too surprising surrounded him, litter, decaying homes cornering the lot, and a big black stray dog sniffing here and there in the distance. What caught the man's dying interest the most was the colorful phrases painted surrounding walls. In a failing effort to divert his attention the man read a few of the more legible lines, " Izzy Y Dave" spray-painted in a hot pink, "Eureka was great" in silver, "The Captain was here" scrawled in crimson, and particularly, "Dark Horse Rides On" in a jagged storm grey.
The man paused to look at the stray, which had crept up behind him. Whining the dog wagged it's ratty tail and gave the man a pleading look. As an answer the man revealed an abnormally large canine and growled. Happily the dog barked and wagged it's tail harder. The man muttered something incoherent in a harsh voice, and turned on his heel continuing his pace down the crisscross of back roads. The stray stopped to sniff the ground one last time and ran after the retreating figure.
_ _
Looking, but not seeing the people around him the young man followed his feet to a busy street. In a zone as some would say, the realization had come, but there was still an effort to hold it at bay. No organized thoughts pasted through his head, only a fading despair. The conditioning had paid its toll, and indifference was slowly taking over.
Merrily the stray trotted after the man, also having the appearance of one too many cobwebs between the ears.
The citizens of Maple Avenue were quite surprised to see the stranger strolling their humble street, not on either sidewalk but straight down the middle, trailed by the ever-present, ever-happy stray. The gawking people had never seen a man of such a mien in daylight, so close to their clean cut homes. In his daze the man was oblivious to the car-horns, yelling, and obscenities courtesy of passing youths. Then it happened…
The man froze in the street, snapping his head upwards. The stray sat down patiently and gave the stranger's back a questioning look. Ignoring the yells, the stranger's mind began to walk the path of rational thinking. A power level over 3000 on this planet… and it's coming this way. After a second of contemplation the stranger came to a different conclusion. Not one…but three powers… Bewilderment came over him; he was exiled to this planet for a reason: no way off, no off-planet communication. There was no alien species recorded to have inhabited this place. The native weak idiots on Mw-284-03 had yet to obtain a method of space travel and wouldn't for another century or two, and another hundred until they created a working galactic com-wave. He was left here for safekeeping if he formed any usefulness.
These newcomers did not seem to be weak; the life-energy was different from the rest of the planet's miserable population, alien in some ways and familiar in others. Nor have the newcomers proven to be stupid. Maybe it's them come to finish the job. That idea seemed likely enough. They seemed if-y about letting him live in the first place, and were much less understanding of letting him live freely. But then again who would want an angry prince on their hands? Exiled or not.
Realizing he was still the center of attention on Maple Avenue, the stranger looked for an escape route while suppressing his ki, to a level an old teacher believed to be closer to death than sleep. The powers loomed closer with surprising speed. Passed over, slowed down, and stopped by a large dome-shaped building two, maybe three blocks away, the Stranger didn't waste any time. Not wanting a confrontation in the air, the Stranger stayed on the ground making his way to inspect the current situation. We'll see who's the last standing this time. He thought with a grim smile, turning to look over his shoulder the Stranger caught a glance of the black stray running for all it was worth after him. Great…
_ _
After he came in through an open window on the ground floor, a sight of Malibu Barbie enjoying a cup of tea with Summer Fun Ken in their comfy pink beach house banished any thoughts of the power levels belonging to them. Further more the room's pastel decor and Brittany Spears poster was pointing in an all-together different direction. Below the window the stray began to bark a constant low 'woof'. Quickly losing his temper the stranger turned walk to teach the mutt a lesson. Luckily for the dog a fire engine red Barbie Convertible had other ideas. The stranger tripped and started to fall, grabbing on to a nearby bookshelf for support. At his dismay the bookshelf groaned and processed to topple over with a loud crash. Outside the dog's bark become more laugh-like. Covered in the Babysitters Club and Sweet Valley Twins the Stranger dragged himself to the window and leaned out to give the stray a glare and the middle finger, who in which countered with a happy whine.
"Mommy what was that?" a little girls voice full of curiosity and more than a smidgen of fear. The stranger's head jerked up and his eye's widened as he heard footsteps. Coming Closer.
"I don't know honey, why don't we get daddy and check it out?" an older women's voice. Laden with over-protection and a hint of, anger? This can't be good. The stranger had one leg over the sill preparing to jump.
"Okie Dokie." Fear completely erased. Instead she was now thrilled. Not good at all. Even as alert as the stranger was now nothing could have saved him from the ear-piercing scream that came next.
"DAAAAAADDIIEEEEEE." The surprise knocked him over and he fell on his back next to the stray, which promptly started licking his face. Shoving the dog aside the stranger ducked under some scrubs encircling the massive house. He could feel a larger power level move overhead. At least it isn't the wrong house. He could hear the creak as the room's door opened. A gasp at the catastrophe he left followed by a muffled conversation between the woman's voice and a new masculine one. After a long wait the power retreated along with two sets of footsteps. Sighing in relief the stranger started to form a new plan of attack. Standing dead center in the window's line of view the dog began to bark again.
Ready to strangle the mutt, the stranger slowly stood up not noticing a small aqua-haired child climbing out her window to pet the sweet little doggy. It's safe to say she saw him first, inhaling to let loose a scream that would leave her last to eat dust. By chance the stranger looked up, then growled while snatching the girl from her drainpipe and covering her mouth with a rough hand.
The girl bit his hand and continued to kick him in the shin. Quickly the stranger grabbed her hair and pulled until tears of pain welled up in her eyes. Her thrashing soon stopped. In a harsh baritone the stranger began to speak. "Knock off the crap and I'll let go" Slowly the girl nodded, and he removed his hand. "Now kid, What's your name" it was an order not a question.
With small sniffles the girl responded, "B-bra…Who a-are you?" Backing away the Bra's back hit the dog, which had moved closer. The stranger gave her a devilish smirk, one that could match her father's.
"Why Keiran of course."
A/n- -_-'?… ^_-?… o_O?…