A/N: Ladies and Gentlemen!
Hiya! Welcome to my very first story for the site. I'm a newbie author hoping to do right by my future readers and fellow authors. Sure, you're wondering if this story is gonna flop or is it gonna be a hit. Well for starters I've been a member for what seems like forever when really it's been roughly a year. I've read tons of amazing stories over my time as a member. Some were great one-shots while others were full blown books done by fantastic authors who had a great sense of vision. But enough about that.
This is the story of Bardock and Fairy Tail. It started out as an idea from seeing the fact that there weren't enough good crossovers between Fairy Tail and Dragon Ball Z. Sure there have been a handful that has legions of follows and favorites but sadly we weren't given a complete story. I'm hoping not to fall in to that curse of bad luck so I'm hoping to do previous authors proud.
So without further ado... to the Prologue!
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or Dragon Ball Z. All rights, characters, and media belong to their respective owners.
Cover Art credit goes to Deviantart artist hsvhrt.
The Story of Bardock and the Saiyan Race
Long ago amongst the stars…
There existed an alien race of humanoid beings whose sole existence hinged on strength and power. They were vicious, ruthless and lived a lifestyle that would be deemed barbaric by the more "proper" races in the intergalactic community. These beings were known as the Saiyans. For a long time their culture thrived on conflict, conquering world after world and building up a large amount of wealth. And with all the wealth, resources and worlds, they held an immense amount of power.
Some time, around Age 550, the Saiyans settled on the Planet Plant and discovered that a society was already present. This society was the alien race known as the Tuffles. This was a fateful meeting due to the fact that the Tuffle race, who at first welcomed the Saiyans upon first contact, would eventually go to war against the Saiyans over their respective differences. This war occurred during Age 720 where the Tuffles were driving back the Saiyans with ease. For ten long years, the Saiyans fought with all their might in attempt to drive the Tuffles off world, suffering losses along the way.
With a stroke of luck, the Saiyans found a way to survive and ultimately win, driving the Tuffles into annihilation in Age 730. This was thanks to the Full Moon that would appear every 1000 years for Planet Plant, thus giving the Saiyans the power of the Great Ape. Following their victory, they eventually met other alien races who aided them in building a much more modernized society. It seems the Saiyans had nowhere to go but up. Tragically this wasn't the case for long, as their violent nature and thirst for power and glory ended up being their downfall.
Around Age 731, their home was invaded and conquered by the galactic tyrant Frieza who then ordered the Saiyan race to be a part of his army. Their strength was put to good use for six long years but it had a cost. One man amongst the Saiyan population experienced this first hand. This man's name was Bardock.
Bardock was a low-class Saiyan warrior who led a squad of four other Saiyan warriors. His duty was the same as the rest of his comrades: conquer a planet and convince the population to join. Or if the population resisted, exterminate them and simply hand the planet over to Frieza. One fateful day, a simple mission goes horribly wrong. On Planet Kanassa, the dying survivor of the Kanassan race strikes Bardock and gives him the ability of precognitive foresight. In other words… Bardock would pay for the sins of himself and the Saiyan race by seeing the past and the future collide in his mind and soul.
This incident nearly broke Bardock but he was more than determined to decide his own fate, regardless of the consequences to himself. After all, he had a loving wife, a son who served alongside the great Prince Vegeta and another son who was still relatively young given he was just a year old. He needed to change what fate would await his family and the Saiyan race or die trying…
It is Age 737… (Or Age 739 according to the Manga)
Bardock has lost his squad to Dodoria and Zarbon, by orders of Frieza. He failed in avenging them and has also failed in alerting the Saiyans to Frieza's betrayal. They won't listen or they just think that he's acting crazy. Given the circumstances, he has to make a stand. So he goes on to face Frieza… alone.
Prologue: The Lost Warrior's Last Stand
Song Used: Reminded by Drowning Pool
Age 737
Above Planet Vegeta
Frieza's Spaceship
Frieza is in his ship, sitting in his chair as he observes the Planet Vegeta. It was only hours ago that he had murdered King Vegeta, just one part of his plan for the Genocide of the Saiyan race. Of course he still had use for Prince Vegeta and his personal squad, figuring having the last few Saiyan warriors on his side would be beneficial in terms of his galactic conquest. But he knew he would dispatch of them too, it was just only a matter of time.
Suddenly Frieza is alerted by one of his two most trusted commanders, the odd fellow with a weird knack for his beauty: Zarbon.
"Lord Frieza."
Zarbon made a quick bow motion before Frieza turned his chair around.
"Yes, Zarbon. What is it now?" Frieza asked albeit trying not to lose his patience.
"We have bit of a problem my lord. It seems that Saiyan we took care of before has survived."
Frieza raised a brow while sporting a frown. The Saiyan in question was threatening to rebel for reasons unknown to Frieza. What Frieza did know however that among the Saiyan people, was a "chosen one" of sorts that would achieve the ultimate power a Saiyan could attain and become a living legend. But that also means that individual had the potential to usurp Frieza and upset the order Frieza had established during his reign.
Frieza didn't think this lowly Saiyan rebel was going to fulfill a prophecy but if he was planting seeds of rebellion amongst the Saiyans…
"Oh? And where is he now?" Frieza asked genuinely curious.
"Well… he's heading here as we speak. Dodoria has already sent out the orders to guard the ship. But I'm afraid the hundreds we sent out there won't last long against this one." Zarbon said, disappointment and apprehension evident in his tone.
Frieza only chuckled at this. He then redirected his chair for a view through the window. Zarbon then walked to Frieza's right, arms still hanging at his side.
"Let's see how well he does Zarbon…"
Meanwhile
Skies of Planet Vegeta
Bardock knew time was running out. He raced through the sky as fast as he could, making up a plan as he went along. Given the circumstances, things couldn't get any worse for the Rebel Saiyan. His own people didn't buy into his warning on the threat Frieza presented, given he was the proof. The upper left strap and part of the chest plate was gone on his battle armor. He lost the sleeve he wore on his left hand and a good chunk of his right pants leg was also gone. Bardock was bloodied, bruised and lacking any energy to put on a sustained assault on Frieza and his men.
To add on to his problems, Saiyan security found that he had stolen a pod for his still infant son Kakarot. Not only that, Kakarot was readily being sent off world and no one could stop Bardock's plan. A plan he discussed with his wife Gine sometime earlier. However, he hasn't seen her in a while, especially since he just got back from near death and losing his squad. He didn't want to worry her, she and his sons were all he had left. Gine wasn't much of a warrior but she had a different kind of strength that made Bardock fall for her… hard. Her heart, compassion, intelligence and… love changed Bardock for the better.
("Gine… Babe I'm sorry. But I have to do this. Not just for us… but for our people. We deserve to suffer for all the pain and suffering we have caused, but I won't let it end like this. I will at least make sure our newest addition gets off world. Radditz… son know this… don't hold this against me if… when you find out the truth. And Kakarot…") Bardock's thoughts suddenly cutoff. His family… their faces had flashed through his mind. The vivid memories, both good and bad settled into his psyche. But he didn't have the luxury to think about them or the goodbyes he wouldn't get to say if he didn't succeed.
"No… not yet." Bardock said to himself.
[Start "Reminded"]
He narrowed his eyes as he pressed on faster, breaking through the atmosphere. He had an adrenaline high and knew his body could give out at any moment. Bardock wasn't much of a prideful individual but knew the Saiyan blood running in his veins was part of his warrior persona. Being a Saiyan meant something to him. And he had to make that point clear to a tyrant trying to eradicate his people.
Bardock then felt the slight chill of space as he slowed down some. Suddenly his senses alerted him to enemies nearby.
("I can sense their power… how the hell is that possible? Is this from the Kanassans too? No, this something else. Regardless I have to take Frieza down. And I won't let his goons stop me.")
"You bastards want a piece of me?! Come on! I'll take you all on!" Bardock yelled.
Soldiers only grinned at Bardock's apparent cockiness. They were eager for promotions and showers of praise from their commanders and Lord Frieza. But their eagerness would cost them dearly. Especially right now…
"RARGHHHHHHHHH!"
Bardock then roared as he powered up considerably. This boost would get him past the soldiers.
"For Lord Frieza!" one soldier yelled, rallying his comrades.
"Kill him!" another soldier exclaimed.
Bardock then made the first move. He flew forward, fist cocked back before knocking one soldier out completely. Next he turned to his left, shot a ki blast at a small group approaching from his flank. Three of them were killed when he lucked out when the blast went through their torsos.
("Hell yeah!")
Bardock then jumped up when a soldier swiped at his feet; While Bardock was flying up and looking down at the idiot who tried to get the jump on him, he then side-stepped a punch from his rear. The arm he saw in his sights he grabbed and gave it good twist, shattering the bones and tearing the tissue making the unfortunate soldier scream in agony. His cries of pain were ended when Bardock delivered a haymaker to the middle of his face, destroying the soldier's scouter and nose in one move.
Bardock then picked up the pace and decided to up his game. His white aura flared around him as he spotted Frieza's ship.
("There!")
He took off and the soldiers decided to rush him when they noticed where Bardock's attention had gone. One group was chasing behind him while another group formed a protective wall. Bardock then charged blue ki orbs in both hands while maintaining his flight pattern and threw them in without losing momentum.
One soldier dodged while the other was decimated. The victim was charred and bloodied and started his descent towards the planet beneath them all. Soldiers who witnessed this testament of power, found themselves afraid at the possibilities in front of them. They could either take the Saiyan down, possibly dying in the process. Or they could die without having done anything to slow him down. There was also the possibility of being punished for a piss poor job in dealing with a low-class warrior, even if they succeeded in capturing or killing him.
With beads of sweat on every soldier present they raced forward towards the speeding white bullet. But Bardock was more than ready to meet the challenge.
Meanwhile
Frieza's Ship
"Dammit…" Dodoria muttered to himself.
The Saiyan Dodoria had assistance in dealing with… the battered and broken warrior he left not that long ago on Planet Meat was now here. And not only that, he was coming for Lord Frieza's head.
"Where is this power coming from? Just how much stronger did he get since we dealt with him? This shouldn't be possible." Dodoria continued to talk to himself.
Bardock was taking out soldiers left and right like it was a warm-up. In under a minute he knocked out or killed 27 of Frieza's men (not including the ones he engaged since coming from Planet Vegeta) and barely broke a sweat doing so. Was it the rage of seeing his comrades killed? Or was it desperation trying to survive against impossible odds? Either way, if any Saiyan on Planet Vegeta witnessed this… Bardock would be regarded as an admirable and ballsy man or a complete reckless fool.
As Bardock continued to plow through soldier after soldier, Dodoria was alerted by a voice to his rear. He turned to his right to see Zarbon exiting the ship… and Frieza trailing him.
Dodoria sweat dropped noticing his fellow commander being followed by their leader.
"Zarbon… Lord Frieza…" Dodoria said fearfully.
Frieza was then allowed to pass by Zarbon once he stepped to the side. Now, Zarbon and Dodoria were standing on the right and left sides respectively of Frieza.
"Interesting. It seems he is much more powerful than you give him credit for."
Frieza kept his gaze on the battle all the while smirking. His subordinates of course were nervous and for good reason. Zarbon was merely watching Dodoria's back on Planet Meat when the commander carried out Frieza's orders. But he glanced over at his comrade seeing he had the same exact look of nervousness and doubt. Dodoria of course was watching Lord Frieza, not wanting to incur the wrath of his leader. He never had a death wish, same with Zarbon.
"But it is of no concern. Observe." Frieza said with confidence.
Between Frieza's Ship and Planet Vegeta
("Damn, they just keep on coming!")
Fatigue was finally settling in after five minutes of non-stop fighting. Bardock's senses were still razor sharp but his body was not going to last much longer. He needed to find Frieza and fast.
Bardock's thoughts were interrupted when he took a right cross to the jaw, saliva proceeding to fly from his mouth. He was a bit taken back by this but he didn't let it deter him. He was pushed back a few feet by the punch and prepared to retaliate, fists clinched in anticipation of paying back the soldier who clearly didn't care for his own life. But then it hit him…
("Wait… this power… it's him!")
Bardock grit his teeth and turned his head and body wide eyed at the sight before him. Hovering only slightly above the spaceship was Zarbon and Dodoria. And right in front of them was Frieza, the traitorous monster he sought out.
With all his anger and might he yelled out, stopping the soldiers from attacking him further and meeting their demise at his hands. Or possibly Frieza's…
"Friezaaaaa!" Bardock shouted.
He flew forward and several dozen soldiers followed close behind him. He stopped to a considerable "talking" distance between him and Frieza's ship.
"You bastard! Why are you doing this?! We've done everything you asked! Why betray us?!"
[Pause "Reminded"]
Suddenly just as those last few words left his mouth, Bardock has another vision. On the outside of his mind it seemed less than 10 seconds. Inside, it felt like a lot longer. He found himself hovering planet side, the sky and environment being different from the previous vision he had before seeing his son.
("Looks like a storm is brewin'… or are the skies naturally like this?")
Bardock stopped his observation to spot what appeared to be his son facing off against Frieza. This version of the faceoff was much different than when he saw it while he was on Planet Vegeta.
Kakarot, known as Goku in the future, was no longer in his base form. Goku's hair was standing up and was a shining variation of cyan color and the irises were darker than the hair. Not only was Goku's hair different, the gi he wore before was different as well.
("Kakarot…")
Bardock knew of the myth of the Super Saiyan. He knew that Saiyans had the potential to achieve this power but the way things were with his people, he had doubts that anyone could achieve that power. Still it was myth and nothing more for so long until the visions came. Bardock then realized his son could be the one to attain this legendary power for his own and use it to eventually defeat Frieza.
Bardock turned his head to the left and saw something that disturbed him slightly. Frieza had evolved and not only that, he had a golden form; Which could only mean that he attained a greater form of power that could rival Goku's power.
("What the hell?! This is different from before. My only guess is that we're on a different planet. Not only that, they're much stronger than before. They have to be… whenever this happens.")
Bardock was then thrusted out of the vision, above Planet Vegeta, having an audience with Frieza.
[Resume "Reminded"]
"Why you say?"
Frieza then let out a chuckle. Bardock narrowed his eyes and grit his teeth at Frieza's behavior. Deep down he knew Frieza could back the condescension he showed towards all opponents to his reign, but refused to be intimidated.
"I think it should be rather obvious by now." Frieza said matter of factly.
"So you think we have the guts to betray someone like you? Is that it?! Feeling threatened Frieza?! Is that why-" Bardock was cutoff.
"I did give the order to deal with your companions. I thought nothing of it of course."
"Bastard!" Bardock said clinching his fists tighter nearly drawing blood.
"You see Saiyan, I simply cannot allow the spark of rebellion to occur within my army. You and your fellow monkeys were merely hired muscle, nothing more. I used you to get what I want and now your usefulness is at an end." Frieza explained.
"Why you…!" Bardock was then cutoff again.
"If you don't believe me ask your king. Although I doubt he could take any questions right now. Seeing how our poor King Vegeta is currently… indisposed."
Bardock was then shocked to the core. He thought of only one possibility that originated from Frieza's claims.
"You were going to annihilate us from the start…" Bardock started out.
His mouth agape, eyes wide like a deer in the headlights. Sweat was coming off of him only slightly and his sore body was not helping the feeling he had in his gut.
"And you killed our King… my squad…" Bardock then clinched his fists and shut his eyes tight.
"If it's any consolation, they died with what little pride I allowed them to have. Be grateful their deaths were as merciful as I allowed them to be."
Frieza continued to smirk while his commanders held a scowl towards the Saiyan rebel.
Bardock looked up, eyes open and for the first time since Planet Meat… he smiled. Now was the time to make his stand. His right hand came up, arm bent at chest level almost. His left arm hung by his side, slightly bent and fist still clinched. His adrenaline was going again and he was ready to make Frieza pay for everything.
"Your fear and paranoia will end you someday Frieza. No doubt about it. You underestimate us. We are a warrior race for a reason. Our pride as warriors won't allow us to bow down to you anymore! You hear me?!" Bardock said before letting off a low chuckle.
Frieza then slowly lifted his hand so that his right pointer finger was pointing up. A small bright orange ki orb was forming at the tip.
"Yeah… that's it."
Bardock formed a decent sized blue ki orb in his right hand.
"We don't fear you anymore Frieza. For the king… for my team… for my family…" Bardock listed off before pausing.
Bardock cocked his right arm back ready to take Frieza out in one shot using his Final Spirit Cannon. Frieza continued to sit in silence as he anticipated delivering the killing blow to Bardock's false confidence. His sinister grin didn't deter the rebel from the path they were going to take.
"For all the people who suffered at your hands... and especially for me… this is for all the pain that you've caused! Here have it!" Bardock exclaimed launching his attack.
Frieza then started to laugh maniacally as his Supernova attack expanded exponentially in seconds. Once it expanded to full size, the Supernova consumed Bardock's attack effortlessly causing Bardock to react just as Frieza predicted.
"What?! No way!" Bardock shouted in shock.
Frieza's maniacal laugh was nearly muted by the sound of his Supernova proceeding forward unimpeded, taking hundreds of his own men out in the process. All poor Bardock could do was cross his arms in an x-shaped pattern to try to lessen the damage of the attack, shutting out the thought that he was going to die in the next few moments.
("Shugesh… Borgos…Fasha…")
The attack inched closer as Bardock felt the heat pierce his skin and strip away his right armband. He grit his teeth in agony as his mind was finally starting to catch up to the reality of his situation.
("Tora… my friend…")
As the ball of energy hit him like a raging meteor, some more of Bardock's clothes started to burn away. His eyes widened at the pain he was experiencing.
("Radditz…")
His regrets and fears started to flood his mind but his body and soul refuse to break. The sheer force of the attack Frieza sent was pushing him towards the planet and it would only take maybe a minute before he would join his fellow Saiyans in the afterlife.
("Gine…")
"Dammit…"
("Kakarot…")
"My son… lives on…" Bardock muttered to himself.
("Is this really… the end…?")
Bardock then screamed in agony as the attack consumed his body, sending him into his homeworld.
Frieza of course enjoyed his handiwork as Zarbon and Dodoria simply stared in awe… and fear. Frieza's power could not be matched and those two were fortunate enough to work for him.
The Saiyan race had met its end moments later when Planet Vegeta exploded, leaving no trace of the Saiyan who tried to rescue his people or even the people themselves. Although Kakarot was sent to Earth and Prince Vegeta was off world with his own squad, the Saiyan race was all but extinct. Four survivors now had to carry forward the Saiyan Legacy as the story of Dragon Ball… starts here. As for Bardock…
[End "Reminded"]
Unknown Time
Unknown Dimension
Bardock was floating horizontally, unconscious given what he just went through.
"…"
Bardock's eyes slowly fluttered open.
"Hm?"
Bardock then slowly oritented himself while ruffling his hair with his right hand. He then got a good look around his surroundings. All he could see was white space mixed with a colorful aura or fog. But whatever this smoke, aura or fog was, it wasn't dense enough to obstruct his vision. He could see the nothingness for miles on end which made him think.
"Am I dead?"
Bardock checked himself to see that his Saiyan battle uniform was restored and his body was fully healed. He even felt stronger than before, oddly enough.
"Did I end up in Hell or…" Bardock trailed off.
He then closed his eyes before taking a deep breath. He then let out the breath he held for a good three seconds and opened his eyes. Bardock straightened his posture and then crossed his arms across his chest.
"No… there is no way this is the afterlife. Which means… I survived what happened."
But then Bardock looked down in frustration continuing to voice out his thoughts.
"But if that's the case… just where the hell am I? And how the hell did I get here?"
Bardock closed his eyes for a moment. He then decided for kicks to run through his memories as a way to pass the time. Even though it pained him to relive everything up to what was his last moments, he needed something to alleviate the stress of being alive but in a place he had no way out of.
Minutes pass and just as Bardock was going to drift asleep, his senses were telling him to check for people again. Bardock opened his eyes and right in front of him was a mysterious figure covered in a bright red glow.
("A Saiyan… He has a tail and the hair is definitely a giveaway.")
Bardock uncrossed his arms and floated over to be several meters away from his new companion.
"You're new here too?" Bardock asked.
The figure simply kept his fists at his side and gave no response.
"I'll take that as a yes."
Bardock then gave the figure another look over.
("Ain't much of a talker are ya?")
"Maybe you can help me out. This place… what is it?" Bardock asked while looking around his surroundings again.
The figure suddenly reached behind his back and brought forth a scroll. Bardock saw this and his eyes widened slightly.
("Okay… maybe that might help me out.")
The figure walked on air and held out the scroll with his right hand. Bardock took this cue and nodded his head. He then took the scroll and floated back a small distance.
With his body turned to the side, Bardock opened the scroll and his eyes widened to the size of saucers after reading several of the passages.
("What?! This can't be right?! Can it?")
Bardock continued reading, albeit still maintaining the shocked expression on his face. In the scroll, he learned not only that he was saved but pulled into an alternate dimension by the figure standing in front of him. Additional information also revealed that he was being sent to another universe to quell the threats leaking into a place called "Earth Land".
("So I'm just a hired gun again… is that it?!")
"Dammit!"
Bardock threw the scroll to the side as rage and confusion clouded his judgement. He had a hard time believing what he was just told. Not only that, he by no means wanted to do someone's bidding to accomplish a goal, good or bad. Yes he was selfish when it came to the survival of his son and avenging so many lives lost thanks to Frieza's thirst for power. But he was no hero and he never really wanted to be. He fought for his own reasons and his own motivations and that was enough.
"I don't serve you! So you can take this offer of yours and shove it up your-" Bardock was then cutoff by a blinding light.
The mysterious figure opened up his right palm, fingers straightened as a orb of light shined in front of Bardock. Said man then noticed the light was consuming everything around him, even though he did his best to protect his eyes with his arms, something was telling him this wasn't going to end well.
("What now?")
This was Bardock's last set of thoughts before the light consumed him, sending him to where he was going regardless if he did so willingly. He's about to go on a journey that will lead him to redemption for the sins of his past and a chance to re-write his own destiny.
A/N: So that happened.
Fans of the entire series should know by now that Saiyans are far too stubborn to die. That and they have what every soldier and warrior needs... luck.
You guys are probably wondering, how does the prologue affect the overall story with regards to the Dragon Ball Timeline? What villains might appear in Bardock's new quest for redemption? And what surprises await him in the world known as Earth Land?
Let the speculation, comments, snarky remarks and criticisms commence in the comment section.
See ya later!