A young man walked down a street in South City. His blonde ponytail swung across his back, brushing against the mounted katana. People stared at him, and with good reason. He was armed with more than a sword. A short staff was slung even with his waist, a collapsable arm shield was strapped to his right wrist, and a look of painful thoughts ruined his otherwise good looks. His lack of a shirt allowed others to see the scars; scars that told of his numerous battles.
He had fought his entire life. He grew up in a world that could not understand him. He was an anomely in the world of the living: A fallen angel. He was once a hero on his home planet, saving millions of lives by himself. Unfortunately he had died in the process. At the age of nine he was introduced to the afterlife. It was decided by the great King Enma that he would keep his body and train to participate in the Otherworld Martial Arts Tournament. He participated several times before deciding that he did not want the "Life" he had been granted. He begged to be treated as others who had died, but no one would listen. He even went so far as to attack innocents in order to be given different treatment.
All of his efforts went unpunished. They knew that he would not actually destroy anyone that did not deserve it. His pure heart would not allow it. So he resorted to the only option he had left: He broke the rules. Over one hundred years ago he traveled to the planet Earth of his choice. He has been pursued by Angelic Bounty Hunters ever since. Unfortunately for them, he learned of the Dragonballs. Over what was more than the average persons lifetime, he collected them. Once he had all seven he wished for his life to be restored. As a living person, he was no longer in their jurisdiction.
It has been nearly thirty years since then. Now he was being followed by the unliving once again.
He turned into an alley and stopped. "Show yourself, I know you are there. What I don't know is why you are following me. I am no longer the concern of Otherworld."
The follower formed out of the shadows. "I have been sent to deliver a message."
"Why should I care?"
"There may be a way to redeem yourself."
"Redeem myself? Have you people learned nothing?!" The man's eyes flared with hatred. "I don't want to be redeemed, I don't want to be a hero, nor do I want to be liked. I want no special treatment because of what I did in my past. If the only way to keep from being treated like a savior is to go to Hell, then so be it. I accept that I broke the rules, and I will accept my punishment when it is that time."
"But you feel guilty. You have killed hundreds, and it haunts your every move. I have been sent with a message."
"You've already said that. And you have already said the message."
"But I haven't. Redemption was a lure to keep you rooted where you are. I know that in your heart you can not stand what you have turned yourself into. The message is a request from the former Guardian of Earth."
"Former?"
"Yes. The creator of the artifacts that you used to elude us is now dead. He has chosen you as his successor."
"Me? But why?"
"Because he sees in you exactly what King Enma sees: A pure heart. You are one of the few who needs to help others, no matter the cost. You are perfect for the position. You... Are a born Guardian."
"Take me to him... So I can tell him 'No' in person."
-------------------------
Goku stared at the clouds stretched out in front of him. "This is the end, but where's King Kai's place?" He looked around and noticed a tiny planet far above him. "I guess that must be it."
He jumped up to the planet. As he neared it, the gravity caught him and pulled him down. He landed much harder than expected and sank into the dirt. He raised his head, with great effort, and spotted a monkey staring at him.
"Hello." He said as he struggled to rise. He managed a sitting position. "You wouldn't happen to know where King Kai is would you?"
The monkey raised both hands in the air and began to dance around the newcomer. Goku watched curiously and decided that the monkey was showing him how to stand in the harsh gravity. He pushed everything he had into standing and imitated his new friend. After several minutes he heard a chuckle behind him. A squat man in black robes was watching him.
"I've heard of 'monkey see, monkey do'," The man's two antenae wavered slightly. "but this is ridiculous."
"Oh." Goku turned to the man. "And who might you be?"
"I could ask you the same question."
"Oh right, I'm Goku. King Enma sent me here to train with King Kai."
"Is that right? Well if you want to train with King Kai, then you'll have to pass a test first."
"What kind of test?"
"You must... Make me laugh. And the monkey antics don't count."
"Make... You laugh? What kind of a test is that?"
"One you have to pass if you want training. Come on now, I haven't got all day."
"Right. Well, uh... There was this barber..."
"Heard it."
"You have? This is gonna be harder than I thought."
----------------------
Pasha smiled as she brought her foot down on Yamcha's gut. "I'm not sure why you are so eager to fight me, but it has been fun beating you to a pulp."
"I'll win eventually."
"I won't let you live long enough for that to happen."
As Pasha tormented her opponent, Bordos was pounding on the other three. Krillin was fading in and out of consiousness, while Tien and Chioatzu were attacking him with full strength. Bordos grabbed Tien's hand and bent it backwards. Tien screamed in pain as his wrist was snapped. Chioatzu fired a Dodonpa at his foe, but the attack was dodged. Krillin shakily stood and stumbled forward.
"Krillin," Tien yelled through clenched teeth. "help Yamcha."
Krillin nodded groggily and walked slowly over to his friend. Pasha noticed him and laughed.
"You can barely move. Why would you even attempt to fight?"
"Kame..." He pulled his hands to his right side. "Hame..." Energy began pulsing in his hands.
Pasha moved so fast that his addled brain couldn't keep up. She ran behind him and kicked him into the ground. She turned to Yamcha and was surprised to see him gone. She turned to look for him. Bordos blasted Chioatzu and widened his eyes as his scouter beeped. He turned to the source and yelled to his friend.
"Above you Pasha!"
Pasha looked up and saw both Tien and Yamcha charging energy into their hands. Tien stared at the woman through his triangular window.
"Take this. HA!"
"HA!"
The two attacks hit their desired target with full force. They pushed everything they had into the blasts and hoped for some damage. The Saiyans not fighting admired the Humans' dedication. As the beams dissapated Pasha could be seen on one knee. She looked up at them and smiled.
"You guys are tougher than I thought, but you're still not tough enough." She pointed at each fighter and blasted them with small beams of energy.
The two friends fell to the ground, lifeless. Bardock laughed at the fallen Humans. As they two battle worn Saiyans walked back to their team, their scouters indicated an attack. They turned to see Krillin holding a spinning buzz saw of energy. He threw it at Bordos and collapsed.
"Too easy." Bordos said as he raised a hand to block it. The disk sliced through his outstretched arm and his torso. He was dead before he hit the ground.
"Bordos!" Bardock's anger got the best of him as he flew at Krillin. He then proceeded to punch the monk until all life faded from him.
"I got one." Krillin said as the fighters awoke from their journey.
"Alright Krillin." Yamcha said seconds before being punched by Tien. "What the hell was that for?" He asked as he got to his feet.
"We're supposed to be a team Yamcha. You attacked that woman after we had already agreed to fight the other one."
"What does it matter? I had a score to settle with her and we knew we weren't gonna win."
"That's not the point. We work together and we have a chance. You ignored the rest of us most of the fight. Besides, we beat one of them. If you had worked like part of a team, then we might have survived to see it."
"You're way too uptight Tien. I'm gone."
"Yamcha wait." Krillin said as he hurried after him. "We were gonna go again, remember?"
"So go again. Maybe your 'team' will do better without me."
He shrugged off Krillin's hand and left the room. The others looked at each other and frowned. If Yamcha was no longer training with them then it would be even harder to beat the Saiyans... And less likely that they would survive against Frieza.