Author notes:

28/07/2020: Here's another revised chapter. Enjoy!

Distant planet

A light. A small spec of glowing light floated in the abyss, as if it was Saishi's only way out of this nightmare. If only that light was her ticket out of here, she would have taken it- unfortunately there were other things at stake other than Saishi's own life. She must find that girl, that girl who claimed to be her sister. That girl… Amaya… just what did she know?

"Wake up mortal... someone's crying over you..."

That cold and empty voice, Saishi made sure she dealt with that Demon first.

Snapping her eyes open, Saishi's lavender eyes scanned the dark room. The ceiling was like a void, the smell of wax filled the air, and the bed was stiff... except for the weight throbbing at her knees. Damp, cold; her knees stiffened.

"You're awake! Thank goodness!"

Jerking her body up, Saishi's gaze locked onto the green alien's ones. It was Samoe. Her garnet eyes; raw and baggy.

The child cried.

"What happened?" Saishi croaked, brushing her hand through the child's lilac hair. To see Samoe cry- a child crying, what exactly happened when Saishi was unconscious?

"Please, stop the fight!" Samoe cried, collapsing onto Ssishi's knees, tears streamed down her damp face. Please, that bone chilling echoe of that monster's prowess crept over the land. This must stop. This heavy, twisted atmosphere of insanity resting on the child's lungs… this must stop!

A fight? How long was I out for? Saishi thought, scanning the faintly lit room. Her gaze glanced back to the crouching child. Samoe's weeps echoed throughout her body, sinking into her conscience. This felt familiar- forget it. This wasn't the time to remember those memories.

"Don't worry, I'm on it." Saishi assured, rubbing the shoulders of the weeping child.

"But you're hurt." Samoe's teary eyes met with hers again. "You'll be-"

-"It's better than doing nothing at all." Saishi said, limping up to her bare feet. Damn it. Who thought he could leave her crippled just after one confrontation? If only she was faster, maybe she wouldn't have ended up this way. Wait, maybe she could regen-

Whish…

Saishi whipped her head towards the window. Her eyes widened, her pupils thinning into slits. A green ball of light headed straight towards the window.

"Get down!" Saishi threw her arms around Samoe.

The wall exploded, sending plumes of dust into the room and burying both Saishi and Samoe. The candle light died out, drowning the room in darkness.

Taking short breaths of air, Saishi shot up from the rubble, her tail coiled around herself and sheltered the trembling, pale Samoe.

"Get out of here. I'll deal with it." Saishi ordered, pointing towards the door.

It was getting too dangerous for Samoe to stay. But, letting the child go alone was even riskier. However, it was better than staying in the same room where that Saiyan dwelled in. A room reeking with iron; like the fresh blood of his victims, and darkness that no light could reach deep into the prison walls. Even if Saishi was crippled, she refused to let a vulnerable, innocent child watch the brutality of that Saiyan; she must take the risk of separating herself from the child.

Heeding Saishi's order, Samoe dashed towards the narrow hallways, painted red by the nearby sun's rays. Saishi's hands... they were all covered with scales. Just like that time when the child was looking for Saishi. Never mind, Samoe must get to safety now. As much as she hated leaving Saishi behind, Samoe knew she had no place on the battlefield; baggage that Saishi must protect or clear up.

Looking left to right, Saishi scanned the navy barren lands, starting at the crimson horizon, from the remains of the collapsed window ledge. Nothing. It was best to scan the land below. She leapt out of the window ledge; the rushing air lashed at her face as she made her descent. She landed with a gentle crunch on the dry soil, though with a slight stumble.

A green light emanated from the window from where she left. Saishi craned her head up towards the towering building behind her, only seeing a group of green energy balls exploding, like fireworks, against the rocky skin of the building.

Must be Broly's doing. Saishi thought, clenching her fists towards her chest. Tch! He's going to be one tricky target.

"Get out of here Saishi!"

Saishi snapped head to her right; Paragus plummeted towards her... then the raven-haired pursuer, Broly. She ran her hand against the rough, stone walls of the building. The girl looked from her pale hand, then to the angle of Broly's aerial position. Maybe this could work…

No! Don't be foolish woman! Paragus thought, gritting his teeth as he darted towards Saishi. He's going to see right through you!

Swiftly racing across the stone walls, Saishi pursued Broly. Once she was at Broly's height, she leapt from the chilly walls witha feral yell.

The wind roared past her face.

Broly's dark, fiery gaze met with hers.

Saishi hushed; a cold shiver ran down her spine. Was this fear, again?

"Don't interfere!" Broly snarled lowly as Saishi darted towards him. Swerving to his left, Saishi brushed past his shoulder, missing her strike completely.

Saishi gritted her teeth as the Saiyan fell below her.

"Don't get in my way!" Broly threw a sharp punch at her gut.

With no time to block, the force of a fright train rammed into the girl's stomach. Sharply gasping, scarlet blood escaped her lips.

With a stunned Saishi, Broly gripped her by the ankle. He watched the navy, barren land below. His father-

-Whoosh.

Whipping his head towards his left, the fluttering of his father's cape was a recognisable one. His father slipped behind the towering Saiyan. Damn that man!

Turning his attention to the sound, Broly hurled Saishi as a projectile towards Paragus.

"Saishi!" Paragus yelled as Saishi slammed into his raised arms. He gripped Saishi firmly, and fled from the pursuing Broly. "He's lost it," He whispered close to Saishi's ear, "don't try to take him on by yourself."

"What should we do then?" Saishi whispered back, her eyes snapped back at Broly- wait, where did he go?

"Urgh!"

A green ball of energy rammed into Paragus's back, causing both Saishi and Paragus to spiral towards the barren ground in a plume of smoke.

Broly hovered alone.

I'm going to make you suffer. Broly thought, furrowing his brows. Slowly and painfully. His dark eyes observed the dark land below, flickering left and right. The area around his eyes tightened, glowering as the cool winds brushed past him. He clenched his jaws tighter. He glanced at his hands, damp and sticky with blood. Just like the mangled corpses he dealt with as a child. The mangled corpses of the tyrants that pursued him and his father.

Sometime ago...

Pant... pant...

Running... fleeing...

For fifteen years, they had no other choice.

Racing though the barren wastelands of the planet that neither had no knowledge of, they were pursued by a tyrant. The air hung chilly, their breaths were thick with vapour, and the stench of rotting flesh hung around them... not that this smell bothered the two fleeing Saiyans.

Breaking away from his father's grip, the young Saiyan had enough of running away from them.

"Son! Don't be foolish!" Paragus yelled as a young Broly stood up to the army pursuing them.

Like a swarm of insects, the army surrounded the young boy, observing the specimen. They all raised their artillery at the young Saiyan, ready to shoot on command.

Paragus stopped, his only eye twitching as the sheer multitude of soldiers surrounded his only son. He couldn't afford to lose him, but he was helpless at the sight of that tyrants men here.

"You're telling us that this kid is meant to be some kind of threat?" One of the purple-skinned soldiers sneered at the child. He held his gun towards Broly's head and pressed the scouter with the other hand.

The Saiyan child gazed up at the alien, silently without a blink.

Yellow blotches were scattered across the purple alien's face. And just like him, all the other aliens wore a similar uniform, brown shoulder and leg padding and a black body suit.

"Is this some kind of joke?" Another yellow-skinned alien shouted at Broly. He gripped the brown rags the child wore around his torso. "I'm sorry but Lord Frieza can't be serious if this monkey brat is meant to be that prophecy. 'Super Saiyan'. Ha! Give me a break." He spat at the Saiyan child and squinted his red eyes.

"Oh, but that's rather a rude thing to say behind Lord Frieza's back now, isn't it fellow soldier? Robery? Appule?" A silky voice emanated from the soldier's scooter. "I wonder what Lord Frieza would have to say now for underestimating his judgement..."

"N.. no... Forgive me Zarbon." Robery, the yellow-skinned alien, stuttered. He shoved the child back. The other soldiers pointed their gun at the child's forehead.

Broly skimmed through all the soldiers, his face showing no fear at the sheer multitude of soldiers surrounding him.

"I'm going to warn you once. All Saiyan offsprings kill. You underestimate this one and you will die. Humiliating, but it's the truth." The silky voice continued.

"Yes Zarbon." Appule, the purple-skinned creature, sighed. He tapped the button of his blue scouter, ending the intermission. "Come on boys, let's get rid of this monkey-tailed brat." The purple-skinned alien scowled down at the child. The child's eyes gazed directly up at the soldier's ones, waving his furry tail as he poked the metallic artillery on Appule's arm. "Say your prayers kid." Robery focused the beam on the child's head. Appule gazed into the child's deep, black eyes. How could a child have so much innocence from a bloodthirsty race? No- those eyes...

"Finish him no-"

-Crik!

Before uttering his last words, the Broly slammed his fist into the purple-skinned alien's gut, cracking the black armour. Blood trickled down the damaged area.

And from the distance, Paragus widened his only eye.

"Fire!" Robery shrieked at the horror of Appule's lifeless body thumping against the stone ground.

All at once, the swarm fired their beams of laser at the spot. A torrent of smoke spewed into the chilly air.

"Son!" Paragus yelled, his hands reaching towards the smoke consuming his only son. No… No! Please, Broly must pull through.

Seconds later, grunts and yells ripped through the barrier of smoke. Bodies plopped against the stone ground as blood sprayed against the air.

"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS THING?" One of the soldiers yelled, darting through the dense dust.

Splat...

A silhouette of the soldier was ripped in two, his organs and blood spilled against the ground. Another soldier had his head sliced off from his body.

Another soldier scrambled out from the thick dust, covered in blood from head to toe. He panted as the his wide and trembling eyes fell onto Paragus.

"Oh... it looks like I've missed one."

The yellow-skinned alien's lips quivered. Robery shifted his eyes towards the child. His skin flooded with sweat as he caught sight of the child's bloody fists.

But is wasn't the blood that frightened the soldier, it was the scouter held within the child's grasps.

The blue scouter of Robery's comrade; Appule.

"You little shit! How dare you!" Robery yelled, clenching his fists to his chest. Darting towards the child, the yellow-skinned soldier threw a punch towards the boy. No way was he going to let a child- a monkey brat, get away with murder.

Thud!

Blood splatter against the arid ground.

Letting out a faint yell, Robery shifted his red eyes towards his abdomen.

Broly's fists was shoved clean into Robery's gut.

There was no way that this child was this powerful... not even for an Elite Saiyan soldier.

Dragging his fist out, Broly ripped out the flesh from the alien's gut, pulling out what remained of his crippled spine.

"You… monster…" Robery wheezed quietly as he collapsed, his head passing the Saiyan child.

Monster...

Broly froze, his dark eyes widened at those dying words. What did that word mean? He shifted his gaze to his bloody hand, trembling. No. Surely his father would praise him. After all, his father did say he had to kill to live, right?

The child twisted his head up at his father, shifting a smile like any child would do... Even if the blood if his enemies was streaked across his face.

However, not a single word of praise left his father's lips.

Opening his eyes, his father's dark and only eye remained motionless. His jaws, hands, eye- every part of his body stiffened. This look... where was the praise? It seemed as though something had sucked out his father's warmth.

After several moments, his father smiled. Paragus ruffled the child's unruly, black hair.

Yet that fear from his own father… what did it mean?

Now...

Broly drifted in the abyss of his memories. That face… that fear… Was his father scared of him?

"Now!"

As Broly snapped his head towards the sound of his father's voice, something slammed into his gut. Saishi...

"I'm will murder you all!" Broly roared, raising his clenched, bloodied fists to his chest and glared at the girl.

The heat of Broly's ki burned against Saishi's pale face. That heat- it was similar to that night two weeks ago. This could spell danger.

No no no! He can't be! Paragus thought, sensing the rush in Broly's energy.

Static crackled around Broly, his gaze glowering at Saishi. This gaze was a grave one indeed- as if it was a type of creature hiding in the veil of darkness, waiting yet craving for something.

Saishi retreated. She dove down towards the arid land and landed with a crunch besides Paragus.

"Paragus!" Saishi exclaimed, her cold eyes wide at Paragus. "It didn't work."

"Tch, that should have been his weak point." Paragus muttered as he ran his index finger down his chin. "We only have one shot at this now." Paragus flicked his sullen eye to the crouching girl. "Once he transforms into a Super Saiyan, it will be the end."

"Super Saiyan?" Saishi questioned, snapping her head back up at Broly.

Broly now roared up at the amber skies, roaring his malicious warning over the colourless, rugged lands.

"If you don't remember Saishi, Broly will destroy anyone under a matter of seconds... an army, a child and even his own father." Paragus warned as he tightened the area around his eyes. "Don't you remember what I said that day?" Thin layers of dust levitated from the cracking, trembling ground. "Saishi, here's the plan."

Time was running out.

That power, his own birth-right, it rushed through the Saiyan's veins. His birth-right… now he could truly unleash this power, a power that was chained up and locked away for so long.

"Broly!" Saishi yelled. Hurled by Paragus as a projectile, she zipped towards Broly with a fist aimed at his face.

Broly snarled. He swerved to his left again, evading Saishi's strike. Broly snapped his focus towards the stone building- Saishi zoomed towards him again. With no time to dodge, Broly swatted her feeble attack like a fly. For that moment, he searched for his father's whereabouts.

Paragus was nowhere to be seen.

Growling lowly, Broly lunged towards the falling Saishi. Curse his father's low ki!

"What do you think you're trying to pull?" Broly roared, grasping anishi's wrists, making sure that every bone that remained in Saishi's wrists were crushed. Surely the pain will make her scream out her demise.

Wait! Was this a diversion?

Something cold and smooth slid over his forehead, something Broly recognised too well. No- it couldn't be!

"Son."

Sharply kicking backwards towards his father, Broly turned to face his father. His father held out a metal ring wrapped around his hand.

And Broly knew too well what this meant.

Checkmate.

"No... NO!" Broly roared as he darted towards his father, tossing Saishi towards the stone walls of the building. "DON'T DO THIS!" He yelled with utter fury.

"No you don't!" Saishi yelled, bouncing off from the walls again, knowing she had to brace a long fall as a result. She rammed both her fists into the towering Saiyan's bare back, causing the Saiyan to be knocked off his course... Just barely.

"If you listened to me in the beginning son, this wouldn't have happened!" Paragus warned, holding out the ring towards his son. A green light erupted from the ring, soon following the crown Broly wore to glow green.

Broly's vision blurred, the chains of control soon crushed him, immobilizing the Saiyan. He growl soon transformed into a scream as he tried to fend of his father's control. He clasped his hands over his head as his energy was drained out from him.

"FATHER!" Broly cried out, his eyes blinded by a searing pain.

Looking up from the barren land, Saishi gripped her bloodied arm as she stood alone. She observed the amber sky above, observing the howls of pain from Broly above. It was unfortunate for it to end like this.

After several moments, Broly stopped screaming. He plummeted towards the ground, his body and mind numb to the pain. Once he crashed against the stone ground, he crouched on his knees, writhing silently.

"Son." Paragus spoke, landing onto the navy land before Broly, "I'm only doing what's right for you."

"F..fa..ther..." Broly panted as sweat trickled down his face. "Why?" His voice strained, his trembling fingers glued to his scalp.

"You should know by now." Paragus's only eye gazed down at the kneeling Saiyan. "Saishi." He shifted his gaze towards her. Her hands... "Training will resume later. Call your attendant to patch up those wounds."

"Yes Paragus." Saishi bowed her head, placing her left hand over her chest before leaving in silence.

Alone they stood in the wastelands, the wind whistled through Paragus's white cape, fluttering like a beat of a crow's wing. He gazed down at his son, a squirming mess. If only Broly heeded his warnings, then things wouldn't have turned out this way.

"Broly... son." Paragus crouched besides Broly, his sullen eye observed his own and only son.

Broly was a threat to the King, even as a newborn. It was unfortunate Broly's hatred was aimed at him- or anyone in the matter. How was he suppose to tame that uncontrollable fury as a result of that cursed King's order?

"Please underst-"

A sharp blow stuck Paragus, launching him several metres away from Broly. Sitting upright, Paragus ran his fingers over the pained muscles on his face. His eye snapped up at his kneeling son.

Broly's black eyes burned with hatred, like the flames of eternal Hell. That glare, it was enough to rip a hole through Paragus's soul. Dark, detached, and terrifyingly cold.

"Don't act as if you really give a damn!" Broly snarled as his hands gripped the dry, navy soils. "You never gave a damn." He scowled, his voice sharp with dry anger. "Hell, why did you drag the girl into this?" He raised his brow. "You're a coward. Yeah, that's what you are." He tilted his head. "You can't stand on your own; you always run and hide like the coward you are!" He snapped his head at his father, spitting his words of venom.

"You don't understand son." Paragus countered as he rose up to his feet, brushing the dust off his cape. "That tyrant is stronger than the either of us. Be grateful he can't find us right now!" He swung his arm in the air, silencing the winds with a whoosh. "That tyrant would have exterminated the last ones of the Saiyan race. I refuse to let Frieza find, enslave, and then kill the last known Saiyans. Hell, I don't know if the Prince is even out there."

"You stole my freedom!" Broly glowered at Paragus, "My birth-right!" He jabbed his thumb towards himself. He rose up to his feet. If only he hadn't fallen for that trick, his hands would have snapped that man's neck by now. He raised his hand towards his father, focusing whatever energy he had to end this torture.

"Your freedom was taken away not because I hate you; but even if I tried to explain, you'll just try to kill me." Paragus pointed his ring steadily at his son. "Don't try to murder your own father."

"Don't you even know how much that thing hurts?" Broly growled, gripping the golden neck piece resting on his chest. A faint, green light formed from at the centre of his palm. His power… no, his own power slipped away from him.

"No. It's your punishment. Give it up." Paragus commanded as the green light from the ring faded.

Broly collapsed onto his knees again, grunting. He slammed his fists into the ground with another restrained growl.

"Instead of trying to kill every damn person, save your energy for the girl." Paragus continued. "She's going to fight you later on." Pulling out what seems like bands from his armour, Paragus tossed the material towards Broly. "Make her wear these. They're weighted material, which can be worn around her wrists and ankles. Now," turning away from his son, Paragus took off to the amber sky, "obey your father if you know what's best for you, Broly!"

The dried soil clumped against the skin of his bloodied palm. Broly glared up at the black bands that laid before him.

Your freedom was taken away not because I hate you...

Not because I hate you...

He staggered to his feet, raising his head up at the amber sky above.

Because I hate you...

Broly's eyes snapped wider. Red veins cracked across the white surface of his eyes at his father's words.

"When I break out of this crown, the first thing that I'll do is blow up this damn planet with everything on it!" Broly roared up at the crimson-streaked skies above, sending a shockwave across the barren land and shattering the scorched ground. "MARK MY WORDS!"

Several metres away, Paragus sighed. He placed his feet on the tiled floors of his room. He shook his head as he sat behind the mahogany desk; littered with papers that were scribbled with notes and drawings, accompanied by a lonesome, flickering candle.

Freedom... Paragus thought as he took a feathered quill, hidden under the scramble of papers. He dipped the tip into a black pool of ink. If I gave it to you... there's no doubt that you'll be able to control that power. You'll lose all your reasoning and be consumed by rage. I can't let that happen to you, especially when Frieza is still alive and well. The feathered quill stroked the creamy, thin sheet of the paper; the ink bled across the page. Your power has to be locked out of your reach. Broly, you have to understand that you pose a threat to everyone. I can't say how much I regret taking this path, but it was the only way to keep you away from letting that tyrant from getting to you. Undoubtfully, no matter how hard I try to justify my actions, son, you'll never forgive me- Hell! You wouldn't even listen to the first word of that sentence.

The elder Saiyan glanced to the amber, clear sky from his desk. Sighing, he leaned back on the wooden chair.

If Broly harboured this much hatred to his own father, did some of that hate lash out at the girl? Considering the fact she hadn't done anything to him.

Forgive me Saishi for the problems later on. I have one request…

Elsewhere in the mossed-infested building, a faint tremor rattled the building.

"I wonder what's happening out there..." Saishi winced as Samoe fastened a white bandage around her bloodied hands.

"At least it's not you who has to deal with him." Samoe said, patting Saishi's hand before pulling the end of the bandage from her mouth. "I'm glad he only broke your hand. Anything more and you would've been a right mess." Samoe giggled before fastening the bandage. She cupped her hands around Saishi's ones.

"Well, I have to train with him later." Saishi sighed as she shook her head. "You're going to expect more broken bones."

"I can't expect nothing less from that monster." Samoe twitched a faint smile. "Good luck."

"Thanks." Saishi reflected Samoe's smile. She turned her head towards the tinted window.

Those amber skies... Just like those days where she sat next to her; laughing, crying and exploring the lands without a care in the world. The amber skies blur. Saishi rubbed her lavender eyes with the back of her bandaged hands. Even if she couldn't remember much of Amaya, a part of her worried for her. Her sister… Saishi could only hope that Demoness didn't find her. She needed her answers.

"Saishi?" Samoe patted Saishi on the knees. As Saishi lowered her hands, the Shamoian child smiled up at her.

Saishi inhaled deeply. "It's nothing." Saishi replied, placing her hands on the grey bed sheet. "The sky reminds me of home."

"Home." Samoe turned her head to the window. To be so far from home, Samoe could only imagine the pain in her heart. "I know how you feel."

"Do you know how painful it is to be... s..so so alone?"

Samoe turned her attention back to Saishi.

Tears trickled down the Saishi's face. She bit her thin lips, hushing out her own silent cries as she drew her arms over herself.

"Saishi..." Samoe patted Saishi's knees. "It's alright. We'll somehow make it through, even it's a long path ahead."

Nodding in silence, Saishi took in another deep, shaky breath before exhaling. She sat up on the wooden frames of the bed. "I'll never let Broly see me like this." Saishi rubbed her damp face with the back of her hands. "He would consider this a weakness."

"That monster would." Samoe warned. "He's just a heartless monster who loves to see anyone breakdown and suffer. Whatever you do Saishi, don't give him the satisfaction he wants! Please!" She gripped Saishi's shirt, her garnet eyes trembling as they met with Saishi's ones.

"He won't. He doesn't seem to have any interest with me any way." Saishi yawned, covering her mouth. "I hope not any way…" she froze at the sudden thought.

"Interest?" Samoe drew back and loosened her grip, "Well... I guess you have a point." She tilted her head up and drew her fingers to her lips. "As long as you don't have his attention, then everything's fine. His centre of attention is the most dangerous place to be." She warned.

"Thanks for the advice." Saishi chuckled with squinted eyes. "I better get going then." She waved her hand to the child. She swayed onto her feet, her knees trembling. This was going to be one tough training session today.

"Be safe Saishi."

"Thanks, you too."

Several hours later...

"So..." Saishi said, crossing her hands over her chest. She stood opposite her mentor in the barren, turquoise wastelands. "What's the training schedule today, Broly?"

Looking down at the small, maroon-haired opponent, Broly's stance mirrored Saishi's. The nerve of this child…

"It's simple." Broly spoke, his voice holding an edge of irritation. His dark and sharp gaze watched the girl. "Land your strongest blow on me." His thumb jabbed his muscular chest.

"Huh?" Saishi tilted her head as the Saiyan drew his arms over his chest. "But shouldn't we finish off with the ki manipulation stuff first?" She raised her palms to him. "I still haven't grasp the concept of flight like you."

"That's not relevant right now." Broly's gaze steadily observed her small form. He stood still in the chilly breeze. "You need to build on your durability and agility. Then you can learn that. Right now, you can't take a blow to the stomach from a weak punch like mine." He raised his chin at her, "What makes you think that you'll be able to handle the storm up there?"

So if I took a full power blow… Saishi thought, raising her brows for a moment. "Tch. Fine." Saishi muttered, shaking her head. Her pupils thinned into slits. "If that's what you want, I'll attack you head on."

"The first rule is never to say what you're going to do." Broly grumbled, lowering his arms to his sides. This kid had a death wish.

Saishi took her stance. She faced her palm towards the towering Saiyan, bending her knees for balance. With a push of her legs, Saishi raced towards the Saiyan, her fingers pointed towards him.

Thump…

Saishi's fist struck the Saiyan's abdomen. She drew her throbbing and numb hand into herself, biting her lips and refused to scream. Her red knuckles felt as though they snapped.

"Your power needs some working on." Broly analysed, reaching his hand out to her reddened hand. "Speed seems not too bad." Aware of Saishi's instinct to pull away, he grasped her wrist firmly. "You'll need to try harder than that to hurt me." He shifted his gaze to Saishi's face, noticing Saishi tightening her jaws. Broly released his grip on her. The Saiyan strode away from the girl, leaving a few metres of distance between the both of them.

Saishi looked from her reddened hand to the Saiyan, suspicious of his actions. "So, do you want me to hit you again?" Saishi asked as she rubbed her wrists. She kept a steady gaze on him. Strange... He didn't attempt to crush her wrists.

"No." Broly twisted his head back at her, "Instead, my father told me to tell you to wear these." He held out a pair of black bands. "Catch." Broly tossed the bands towards her.

"Wait! What are tho-"

Saishi gasped as her hands slammed into the dry ground with a loud thud. Her feet dug into the shattered ground as she held the weighted bands.

"It's s..so heavy!" Saishi grunted, craning her head up at Broly; who had his arms crossed over his chest. "W... what is th.. this?"

"They're weighted bands." Broly answered, watching at the crouching girl. "If you didn't know already, you were already working against ten times the gravity of this planet." He pointed down at the ground, "wearing those bands will add another ten to the gravity you feel now."

"W.. what?" Saishi gulped as she heaved one of the bands over her wrists. "What type of planet am I on? And where?"

"This is an empty planet, dead and drifting somewhere in the South galaxy." Broly gazed up at the cyan skies, observing a small, white orb in the distance. That planet... Shamo... never mind, this wasn't the time to think about that.

"This gravity should have crushed my body-" Saishi muttered under her breath as she circled her wrists.

-"Stop whining." Broly turned his head towards the girl, "you're managing."

Damn it! Did I just say that out loud? Saishi thought, squinting her eyes shut.

Broly's dark gaze observed the girl's arms and knees. "Now the real training begins." He raised his fist at her. "Hand to hand combat. Do you think you can keep up?"

That power, where was that power she hid?

"If that's a challenge," Saishi panted as the blood rushed to her face. "I'll take you on."

The heat from the nearby stars rays scorched the land. Broly gazed down at the scarlet-faced girl. Was she actually serious?

"Forget it." Broly shook his head. "You won't last five seconds against me. Just stick to your ki manipulation stuff." He turned away from the girl.

"Huh?" Saishi hung her hands down to her sides. With a heavy thud, she found herself kneeling in front of the towering Saiyan. Damn these weighted bands!

"You heard me kid. You wouldn't last five seconds against me." Broly glared back down at her.

"Can you at least prove that?" Saishi hissed as she dragged her arms and legs back up.

Tsh...

Saishi widened her cold eyes. Her right arm; bare, showing the grey bandages wrapped around her arm.

"This is one of the best materials the Shamoians gathered to create the durable clothes you wear now." Broly mentioned, observing the torn, black material swaying in the cool breeze in his hand. "If I could rip this away from you in a mere blink of an eye, imagine what mess you would have been after the training?"

Sighing, Saishi hung her head. Her empty eyes stared at the turquoise, stone ground.

Broly crouched before her, gripping her by her bandaged arm. As Saishi yanked her arm away from him, Broly tightened his grasp. He pulled back her sleeve, revealing multiple wrappings concealing her arm.

"I don't understand this- your logic." Broly studied her arm, running his fingers down the bandages of her arm. As Saishi jerked her arm away again, Broly eased his grip on Saishi. "You have all of these... injuries, but you won't give in? What's the point of fighting me if you can barely stand your own?" Broly questioned, tilting his head at Saishi.

"I'm not scared to take chances." Saishi replied, placing her other hand over her bandaged one. "Especially if it's someone like you." Her gaze sharpened, locking her gaze with the Saiyan.

"Even for your sister?" Broly said, locking his eye contact with the girl. Yes, those eyes...

"How do you know about her?" Saishi glared at Broly. She tightened her fists. This information, it shouldn't have been possible for the likes of him to know of her- Unless Paragus!

"I heard you and the insect talking." Broly twisted his attention towards the navy, rugged mountains in the distance. "Not that she's relevant right now..." His dark eyes looked back to her. "Show me what you can do with that ki control of yours." He traced her bandaged palms, his eyes focusing on the scars concealed under wraps.

"N..now?" Saishi stuttered, her body trembled. This Saiyan- the same one that attacked Paragus seemed gentle. She had to flee. This monster… just what did he want from her?

"You're scared." Broly poked his finger into the girl's palm. That scent was too familiar. That Shamoian child; the wide, garnet eyes and the down-turned lips, No. He was certain the girl was afraid of him. Why? Where was her fiery nature two weeks ago?

His gaze had been fixed on her palms for a few minutes now. Saishi clasped her palm, jolting her hand to her chest and staggered back from him.

The Saiyan glanced at her, his grip tightened on her wrist.

"Why are you afraid?" Broly raised his voice, "I told you to stop being so scared!" His hands dug into her skin, deeper into her bruised wrist.

Wincing, Saishi's eyes trembled as they met up with his. There was no signs of escape from someone like him. It was tragic to see what Paragus explained so well about him; his strength, his brutality and his lack of understanding. He was lost in that sea of rage.

A lost cause.

"Saishi!"

Snapping their attention to the direction of a child's voice, Broly and Saishi saw a shattered casket laying against the stone ground.

It was Samoe.

Samoe raced towards Saishi. "Leave her alone, you monster!" Ssmoe yelled as she raced past the numerous plants scattered in front of her.

Monster…

Broly clenched his jaws tightly shut. He shoved Saishi away from him and stood away from both the Shamoian and girl.

"Samoe." Saishi said, the ends of her brows dipped down. Samoe ran her stubby hands down the bloody arm of the girl.

"Are you alright Saishi?" Samoe asked, ripping away the crimson bandages from Saishi. "Forget that- you need attention!"

Observing both Samoe and Saishi, Broly dug his fingers into his palms. One was a fighter, the other was a mere insect. The scars across Saishi's arms... what did they mean?

Wait- those eyes!

Samoe's garnet eyes flashed with a deep hatred; like the flames of the ruins of her home. No- like the eyes of her parents. Intentions of murder. Her eyes flicked back to Saishi, wrapping the new, cotton bandages around Saishi's arms.

Why did those eyes constantly followed him? Cold yet so alive.

"Thanks Samoe." Saishi said as the Samoe fastened the bandage around her wrists. She turned her focus to Broly, who was deep in thought.

His eyes... they were empty. And his brows were furrowed.

"Broly?" Saishi called, tilting her head up at the still, lone Saiyan. Stumbling to her feet, Saishi ambled towards the Saiyan. His eyes- they were trembling. Something wasn't right.

Broly dug his fingers into his scalp and shook his head side to side, squeezing his eyes shut. A guttural growl left his throat. As he opened his dark eyes again, ki crackled from him.

A bad sign.

"Broly!" Saishi yelled as the ground below her shattered apart. She grabbed Samoe and leapt away from Broly.

With a scream up into the sky, Broly shot off into the sky, leaving a whirlwind of debris in his wake.

Those eyes, those murderous eyes, it shouldn't be possible for a weakling to have those pair of eyes- and the girl... She was still afraid, why? Then there was his father.

Those eyes. The fear. The helplessness. It was wrecking Broly, eating him from inside.

As Saishi readied to pursue him, Samoe stumbled in front of Saishi and raised her arms up, blocking Saishi's path.

"Leave him." Samoe warned, forcing Saishi to stop. She shook her head. "His mind's slipping."

"What?" Saishi asked as her brows shot up. Slipping?

"He's a very dangerous guy to be around." Samoe ccontinued. "If he stayed, he would have destroyed everything here. There's no use in helping him."

"There's no use in helping him…"

Paragus said the same thing. Saishi loosened her arms, letting them brush her thighs. How much more darker secrets will emerge?

Planet Earth

Drip... drip…

Okome panted as she limped to her feet. She ran her hand over her arm as blood trickled down her brow. Her sleeves; damp and sticky. Fearing of what happened, she flicked her eyes to her arm.

Crimson and numb. Her arm was broken.

I'm sorry... Okome thought as she hung her head. Her navy strands of hair fell over her face, blocking her view of the giant standing before her. I'm so sorry... Gritting her teeth, there was nothing she can do now.

"Get ready squirt!" Nappa's coarse voice thundered towards the tiny girl. He lunged towards the small female, "'cause you're going to be my first victim!"

The Saiyan behemoth refused to let an insect disgrace an Elite. Not now, not ever. That girl- that insect! She will be squashed underneath his feet. How he imagined the screams escaping that child's lips, crushing her tiny body with a satisfying crunch and blood oozing from her mangled muscles. It was a pleasurable site as the giant grinned at the beauty of her despair.

"Okome!" Gohan screamed at the top of his lungs. Another ally was going to die in front of his very eyes. There must be something he could do to save her.

Gohan lunged towards the doom awaiting Okome. He refused to standby and watch her be played like a toy. It was too much to bear for the youngest Defender of Earth.

A sharp jolt jabbed at Gohan's shoulders, hurling the boy backwards onto his bottom.

"Don't be a fool!" Piccolo yelled as he stood in front of Gohan. The green-skinned demon glared at the boy. He refused to let the young fighter die. The boy was special. Gohan… hid a powerful storm within him. Now the boy must unleash that power on those blasted Saiyans, or so Piccolo thought. There was something else Piccolo learned, but he couldn't understand what it was. What was it that gave him the reason to protect those annoying brats?

"Mister Piccolo! We have to help her!" Gohan yelled, pouncing onto his feet before charging once again to Okome's aid. However, Piccolo grabbed him by the back of the white collar of his gi, causing Gohan to dangle in the air. As Gohan turned his head to his teacher, Piccolo shook his head at the small child. Piccolo turned his attention to Tien, who walked ahead of Chiaotzu. He knew what he was going to do, even if it was going to cost the silent warrior an arm for the whole process.

"Not on my watch." Tien spoke, standing in front of Piccolo and the other warriors. He dashed into battle. He redused to let another ally die. His rival, Yamcha, died because of his cruel fate with the Saibaman. He redused to standby and watch another die. He trained, even if the odds were stacked against him, and he would fight any enemy who dared to destroy his home and harm any of his comrades. It was his solemn oath as a disciplined student of the martial arts.

"Tien! No!" Chiaotzu called out, cupping his hands around his mouth. No- he mustn't insult his friend's actions. The girl was a valuable ally, a student of Piccolo, who the green demon was a worthy adversary to even Tien acknowledged.

Nappa's footsteps crunched against the dry grass, closer and closer, before ending the girl's foolish attempt at defeating a monster. He was both superior to her in strength and speed.

Okome bowed her head in defeat, knowing that death was a few inches away. She thought only of the harsh venom spat from her older siblings lips.

"You're pathetic. Why don't I end your pitiful life here?"

Those words stabbed at Okome's conscious.

Sometime ago…

Blood stained the city walls. The black, tinted windows of the tall, black buildings were broken in from the corpses hanging from their glass coffins. It was a massacre, a violation and nightmare to Okome's morals. What made it worst was the crimson sunset that painted the entire city, setting the mood of helpless despair. Okome raced through the deserted city, searching for the murderer who she did not expect to be.

The slitted, crimson eyes that she, her older sister, had. Bloodlust. That creature, who claimed to be her sister, stood like a crow at the top of a towering building, staring down at Okome.

Okome couldn't help but realise how insignificant she meant to Layla. That face, it was blank.

Blank.

No guilt, no tears. Just blank. But then, as soon as Okome thought she lost her sister, something was revealed in those darkest moments. Something changed within her sister, something that gave the child hope that her real sister was in there... somewhere in the abyss of her mind.

Okome must survive, even if the odds were stacked against her.

Now…

A head splitting thud vibrated throughout the ground. The rubble crumbled away into dust.

It was Tien. Nappa lashed at the Triclops as he stood in front of Okome; defending the girl from the damage from Nappa's devastating blow.

"Snap out of it!" Tien yelled, blocking the blow from the giant. Nappa decapitated Tien's shoulder clean off. Crimson blood gushed out from the missing limb, causing the monk yell.

"Looks like he's been... unarmed." Vegeta grinned at Tien's agony. His dark gaze watched the glorious flow of blood spraying into the scorched air.

"... I get it!" Nappa smirked, instantly agitating the Prince from his cool attitude.

"Shut up Nappa!" Vegeta yelled back at his comrade. "Focus on the Triclops."

No! Tien! Okome thought, her navy eyes widening in shock. The blood splattered against the sandy grass in front of her.

A hand… drenched in crimson blood. A burnt body and hollow eyes...

That horrifying memory...

"Get away now!' Tien yelled, swiping his remaining arm at the child as a signal for her to flee.

Okome froze. Fear overtook her. Blood. The sight of blood caused her own blood to pump cold. That swift strike snapped Tien's arm like a matchstick, similar to the swift strike that her older sister used.

Excruciating merciless agony.

Piccolo dove in. As Piccolo grabbed Okome by her waist, Tien leapt towards the clear sky above.

Cocky brat... Nappa grinned, observing each fighter's movements. He made his cruel judgement. Shifting his focus to the sky, he dashed towards his prey at blinding speeds.

"Gah!"

Ambushed from behind, Tien was hurled towards the earth below by an earth-shattering strike. He slammed into the arid sand, casting a whirlwind of debris. Tien silently yelled out in pain. He refused to lose now. He must wait for an opening in order to defeat that monster- especially when he and his lifelong friend promised to protect Earth no matter the costs.

Especially for her.

Charging up a finishing blow to the Triclops, the tips of Nappa's fingers crackled a crimson light. Swiping his right arm towards his left, he drew a line across the crater where Tien laid. A violent explosion followed; rocks and dust were tossed into the air as the explosion blinded the defenders of Earth.

Krillin, who tried to stop Tien from attempting suicide, was blown away several metres. Gohan crouched down, clinging onto the baked earth for dear life.

"Tien!" Okome gasped as she was carried by her mentor. A massive scar was left by the explosion on the earth. There was no way Tien could have survived the blast. It was too powerful to defend against, especially when Tien was one arm less.

"This wouldn't have happened if you didn't charge in like a mindless fool!" Piccolo yelled at her, dropping the child to her feet.

Feeling heavy at her stomach, Okome collapsed to her knees. She knew she messed up. Her foolish attempt seemed as though she ended another ally's life. Everyone was going to suffer; her actions made it more the worse. She couldn't help but stare at the dull soil, gripping the dry soil with her hands.

"Don't lose hope!"

Okome snapped her eyes wider. That voice… who was that?

What power! Piccolo thought, peering into the crater, it's so deep that there's no end... If only the kid knew what she was doing, this could have been avoided. The Namekian looked to Okome for a moment. He turned his attention to the hovering behemoth.

"Now..." Nappa spoke, observing the remaining fighters, "time to take out the rest of the trash." His black eyes gazed down at Okome. It seems as though she gave up the will to fight any longer. Yes, the face of utter despair.

As a confused Krillin rose to his feet, he scanned his surroundings, trying to gain his bearings.

Where is everyone? Krillin thought as the heat of the sun prickled his skin. Wait... who's-

-A Chi signiture plummeted.

No! Chiaotzu couldn't have!

Sweat trickled down his bald head. It was only then when Krillin realised what his rival planned.

"Die! You worthless weakling!" Nappa thundered, charging towards Okome.

Okome furrowed her brows at the remark. She refused to die, yet her legs refused to budge. She squeezed her eyes shut.

"Don't lose hope!"

That voice again… who was it?

Okome snapped open her eyes, facing the giant just five metres away from her. As she raised her fingers at Nappa, the Prince intervened.

"Behind you!" Vegeta barked up at his subordinate.

"Eh?" Nappa glanced to Vegeta. His foot screeched to a stop, his feet just landing directly in front of the tiny fighter. The shockwave of his stomp hurled Okome back, and slammed her against a boulder.

If Vegeta could, he would have growled in fustration at the sheer stupidity Nappa had- or blasted his bald head straight off. But, this wasn't the time to lose his temper now.

Just regaining his consciousness, Tien staggered to his feet. Only having one arm left made it more the challenge. He evaded that blow by the skin of his teeth. It would have been better if he performed the multiform technique, but Okome would have been long dead if he hadn't intervened. His decapitated arm was now dried up with blood. Refusing to show any weakness, the warrior got up, keeping his mental struggle to himself.

Where's Chiaotzu? Tien thought as he scanned the open wasteland. His eyes narrowed as he felt a Chi energy fade. No, Chiaotzu! That's not going to work! Tien snapped his head to the falling chi signature. There must be a way another way. Not this!

"Chiaotzu!" Krillin exclaimed, pointing up at the small fighter clinging to the behemoth's back.

Tien snapped his head towards Krillin's direction. His eyes widened.

Chiaotzu clung onto Nappa for dear life.

"Why you little-" Nappa grunted, shaking the small fighter off his back. First it was the girl, and now it was the pale doll. What an annoyance!

"Goodbye Tien…"

No… Chiaotzu… Tien thought, his trembling eyes widened.

The rims of Chiaotzu's eyes glimmered with tears. If only it didn't had to end like this... "I'll miss the fond memories that I shared with you... Please," Chiaotzu continued, "Tien... Please don't die... for Launch's sake…"

"No Chiaotzu!" Tien yelled as his brows shot up. "Don't do it! You've already died once, and the Dragonballs won't be able to bring you back."

"I'm doing this for the best," Chiaotzu thought as his vision faded to white. "I know I'm not strong enough, but I have to put every last energy into this blast and.. I'm sorry Tien if this fails. I just want to help in anyway I can. I hope I can meet you some day in Otherworld. For now, it's goodbye…"

Shock overcame Krillin. In silence, Krillin could only watch his rival throw away his life. If only he was stronger, maybe this wouldn't have happened!

Tien, Krillin thought, turning his head towards the silent monk, there's nothing the either of us can do now...

With a defeaning, violent explosion, the giant and tiny fighter vanished in a blinding light. A torrent of wind brushed over the forlorn lands, rattling everything in its path.

He self destructed! Gohan thought, bracing himself against the harsh shockwave rumbling the skies and lands afar.

That's so foolish! Piccolo thought, covering his eyes from the blinding light.

Silence fell over the battlefield. What seemed like an eternity, the scorching sky began to clear.

A distinctive, massive form hovered in the air above. There was no sign of the small fighter.

Chiaotzu's sacrifice was in vain.

"CHIAOTZU!" Tien cried out, digging his fingers into his palms. Chiaotzu, his life long ally, dead. And Chiaotzu's final attack, to self-destruct, it did absolutely nothing to the behemoth. The behemoth… he still hovered in the sky, unscathed by the explosion.. A rush of blood seeped through the gaps of Tien's fingers.

"That was a complete waste of effort," Nappa grinned as he rubbed his cheek with the back of his hand. He clenched his other hand into a fist. "Since everyone's going to have a turn, which one of you bugs wants to volunteer next?"

Like a deer caught in the headlights, Nappa turned his dark gaze towards Okome. "I know..." He landed with a crunch in front of the child, who laid against the shattered boulder. One side of her head bled.

Krillin snapped his attention to the unconscious Okome. Crap! There was no way he could save her on time!

The giant will finish what that insect started. He refused to let that go unnoticed.

Elsewhere in Otherworld...

Zooming down the winding roads of Snakeway, two Saiyans raced down the long, winding road. Below the narrow pathway, a blanket of yellow, fluffy clouds floated and obscured the view below.

"Come on Kakarot!" The wild-haired Saiyan yelled in a raspy voice. He flew down the path alongside his younger brother, "I don't want to miss my fun against that giant of a clown!"

"I know Raditz!" Goku replied, sprinting down the narrow path. "But we're not going to make it in time!"

"Damn it! If only that old geezer knew how to count, we could of got to Earth sooner!" Raditz muttered, crossing his arms of his chest.

"Don't blame King Kai. I'm sure he knew what was best… You even said yourself that they're way stronger than you. And by the way..." Goku twisted his head towards his older brother, "stop calling me that. I'd prefer it if you call me Goku."

"Look... little brother..." Raditz sighed as he turned his head to face his younger sibling, "That's your Saiyan name and I'll keep calling you that until the day you die."

"But I did die." Goku remarked. He slowed his pace to a jogging speed and smile at Raditz.

After several moments of silence, Raditz's brows twitched.

"Oh for the love of Kami, I don't give a damn anymore!" Raditz yelled, "let's just get this stupid deal over and done with!" He blasted ahead of his younger sibling, leaving Goku behind in his dust.

I can't believe that father had another son that was so damn gullible... The fuming Raditz thought as the wind whipped through his spiky hair, who in the family gave him that? Father was a fighter. He was ruthless, but he valued his team members more than anyone... so... then that means... his brows shot up. Mother?

Even though he claims to be my brother, he seems to have a short fuse. Goku though to himself, cupping one of his hand under his chin.

Did every Saiyan have this problem? I mean Piccolo didn't look like the typical Earthling... he was too green... well including Tien with his third eye... Goku itched the front of his head. I mean they didn't act like my... I-don't-know-I-had-an-older-brother-that's-an-alien. Hmmm... I already told him multiple times to stop calling me a carrot. He puffed his cheeks out and squinted his eyes on Raditz. I hate carrots... oh well… He shrugged his shoulders, it's not my fault if I like the colour ora-

-"Well?" Raditz shouted back at his sibling.

"Oh yeah," Goku mumbled as his flow of thoughts were disrupted, "I better get serious." Goku dashed towards a sharp turn. Upon reaching the sharp turn, he leapt off the edge of the pathway and somersaulted towards the air. He flew next to his older brother, passing over the endless, yellow clouds.

Just a few more kilometres left. Just hold on the Defenders of Earth, help is on the way.

Back on Planet Earth…

In the scorching heat of the battle, Tien furrowed his brows, his hand clenched into a fist.

"You'll pay for this!" Tien yelled at Nappa.

As Nappa snapped his attention from the unconscious Okome to Tien, Tien's foster met with Nappa's jaw. Perfect!

With the behemoth's attention distracted, Piccolo landed in front of Okome, who regained her consciousness. As she swayed onto her feet, Piccolo lifted her off her feet by her collar.

"You don't have the time to ponder now." Piccolo showed his teeth at the child, "Get up!" He raised his voice at her, shaking her back and forth.

Noticing his black eyes glaring at her, Okome nodded in response to Piccolo's violent strangling. Piccolo dropped her, causing Okome to crash face first into the dirt. She wanted to yell out pain, but now was not the time. She swayed onto her feet, rubbing the side of her face.

"Be on your guards," Piccolo spoke, observing the group approaching him, consisting of his two students, and the short, bald monk. "When there's an opening, we'll all attack against that monster."

"That's a nice plan..."

The fighters turned their attention to the prideful Saiyan grinning from ear to ear.

"But sadly it won't work." Vegeta continued as he crossed his arms. Even if the Namekian could find an opening, the Prince knew trying to expose that weakness will require the most accurate timing. Those fools standing before him had no chance of landing a blow on Nappa.

That stupid face will disappear once Goku gets here, Piccolo thought, smirking at Vegeta. Even if he and Earth's Defenders all lost, Piccolo knew his hated rival had a time to show up and prove his power. Goku never failed to surprise the green warrior.

"Don't look at me, you'll miss your chance that way..." Vegeta sneered up at the Namekian.

The deafening blows rattled the landscape, becoming louder as it got closer to the fighters. Small craters were left behind as a result of the multiple, powerful blows.

Okome and Gohan observed the fight between Tien and Nappa, or what they could of the battle. They flicked their sight to see, even sense, their ally's and enemy's power levels.

There!

In front of Piccolo, Gohan, Krillin and Okome, both Nappa and Tien appeared.

"Die!" Nappa thundered, zooming towards Tien. He threw his massive fist towards the Triclop's head.

Summoning all of his remaining energy, Tien lifted his only arm up. It was all or nothing against this monster.

"Now!" Piccolo yelled, lunging towards the giant. Landing a solid punch to Nappa's face, Piccolo knocked Nappa several feets away, towards the clear sky above.

P... Piccolo? Tien thought, his brows shot up. He was grateful to have a warrior like Piccolo on his team... Even though Piccolo tried to rule the world once before, Tien was thankful for Piccolo's intervention at this moment. That strike from Nappa could have very well decapitated his remaining arm off. However, it wasn't the best time to take a break just yet. Tien must observe the fight if he and his comrades had any chances in defeating the Saiyan behemoth.

WHERE THE F*** DID THAT COME FROM? Nappa thought as he was hurled into the arid sky.

Following Piccolo's lead was Krillin. Up in the sky, and his form concealed by the blinding glare of the sun, he clapsed both his hands together above his bald head.

MY EYES! Nappa thought, clasping his hands over his sore eyes as a result of looking directly at the sun.

Using the glare to his advantage, Krillin grinned. He swiftly brought his arms down, knocking the scalp of the giant clear out of the sky.

Now for the final part.

Nodding silently in agreement, Okome and Gohan observed the plummeting giant, waiting for the correct moment to strike. Okome guided the remaining water from her water pouch. Curling her fingers to guide the water, the liquid began to expand, like a net, below the towering Saiyan.

I swear there was no source of water when I got here... Nappa thought as the wet, icy liquid crept on his skin. Unless it's that little brat!

Successfully freezing Nappa, Okome and Gohan consecutively focused to take down the giant. Gohan raced straight towards Nappa. He leapt up, somersaulted in the air and used his moment to land a solid punch to Nappa's face.

As for Okome, she raced towards Nappa on a path of ice and used her speed to send a swift kick to the behemoth's knees.

As Nappa lost his balance, Gohan and Okome both struck Nappa in his abdomen. Though Okome's hand was drenched in sweat. As Gohan leapt back, Okome flicked her fingers up.

The ice surrounding Nappa burst into a scalding steam.

"Did that finish him?" Gohan spoke as Okome landed besides him. He observed the steam vanishing into the warm atmosphere around them.

"No... I don't think so..." Okome spoke, just as cautious as Gohan. They both searched their surroundings, trying to sense the behemoth's energy. As the smoke disappeared, the giant was no where to be seen. All that remained was a puddle of crimson water.

"We did it!" Krillin exclaimed, raising his fist to the sky above.

"I don't think you should get too ahead of yourself!" Piccolo barked at the bald monk as they both hovered in the air.

Vegeta smirked. He tilted his head up at the sky. The Prince knew what trouble they were in for now.

After a moments of silence, a massive form appeared above Okome.

"I'M GOING TO MURDER ALL OF YOU!" The giant bellowed as he clenched his hand into a fist. Blood dripped from the cracks in his armour, his eyebrows, and his shiny, bald head, were also scratched and raw from the scolding steam.

"Oh snap..." Krillin mumbled, glancing towards the furious, towering Saiyan. And this is why you don't mess with bald people... Krillin thought as a sweat drop slipped down the back of his head. He should have known better that it was too early to celebrate their short lived victory.

"Chiaotzu..." Tien mumbled as he watched the giant hovering in the air above. Knowing that using the remaining of his energy would kill himself, he would rather die trying to defeat that monster while he was wide open. He clenched his only arm, drawing out the remaining energy from himself. "YOU WILL BE AVENGED!" He shot a bright, white beam of Chi towards the behemoth.

As Nappa was about to swing his fist at both Okome and Gohan, a white beam of energy flew towards him.

OH WHAT THE F- Nappa thought before the light expanded outwards into an explosion. The remaining fighters braced themselves from the harsh light as a strong current of wind shook the landscape. Gohan and Okome gripped the dry grass to have any chance of surviving the battle. As the smoke cleared, Piccolo could still feel the monstrous energy that the Saiyan had.

What a monster! Piccolo thought as the giant appeared from the smoke. The leg and shoulder guards were blown off from the behemoth's body armor. What made it worse was that the monster refused to budge a muscle.

Damn it, that was all that he had left... The Neo Tri beam had little effect on that monster. "I've failed..." Tien panted as his body felt heavy with strain.

I'm sorry Chiaotzu... Tien placed his only hand onto the soft soil, breaking his harsh fall, at least I'll be seeing you soon... his breathing became louder.

Then he remembered her. Launch... the sudden thought of her name caused Tien to smile sliently on the battlefield, I'm sorry that... I won't be seeing you anytime soon.. But please... stay... strong…

With his final thoughts, the warrior thudded against the dry, sandy dirt. His eyes watched the world he knew fade away from his reach.

Launch... she was going to be all alone. Would telling her about his feelings changed anything? No, he didn't have the time to dwell on such things, those things what others would call 'romance'. He did save her from multiple threats, even if it was her blonde side, which even now Tien couldn't deny that Launch deeply- no, she was madly in love with him. But, it didn't mean that he loved her back.

Tien did not loved Launch the same way how she loved him. Launch was someone who was special, but not special that most regular humans usually think. She was reckless, but she also had a heart of innocence. She had the attitude, but she also held compassion. Tien could never over look the traits that only her 'calmer' side had. Those traits resembled his friend: Chiaotzu. She was a valuable comrade like Chiaotzu.

Would Launch return to robbing the banks again? Launch needs guidance. She needed someone to support her when everyone walked out on her. Could Launch forgive his actions? He must save Earth so that she, a vulnerable civilian, didn't have to see the horror and destruction of those monster's in front of him. Even if she was the most skillful gun user, she wouldn't be a match for those monsters.

Tien could only put his faith into his surviving comarades so that Earth will be saved.

Launch... I... Please don't cry for me... You're a strong woman... Tien thought as he closed his eyes to the world he knew for the final time.

Launch… you have to stay safe.

"That spooked me a tiny bit." Nappa rubbed his cheek with his thumb. He observed Tien's still body laying in the dirt. Like all weaklings, that insect finally learned his placed.

"What a shame, another one bites the dust." Vegeta grinned, shifting his face from Tien to the opposition. One by one, they will all surely fall like flies.

"GOKU! WHERE ARE YOU?" Krillin cried up towards the blue sky. He refused to witness Earth destroyed by those tyrants. Goku would never abandon his friends, would he?

Goku? Okome thought, looking over to Krillin. This was the only time she heard this name. That name sounds familiar, but it didn't add up. It was a weird feeling that confused her. Goku, a hero recognised by the people of Earth- no, that title belonged to someone else...

"Since there's four of yous left, I'll take you three midgets on and leave the Namekian behind." Nappa observed the still opposition. "We need the Namekian alive for the Dragonballs, right Vegeta?" Nappa shifted his gaze to the Saiyan Prince.

"Goku? Who is this 'Goku'?" Vegeta mumbled as he tilted his head towards his left in thought. "Unless-"

"You know, I'm ever so grateful you're on our side Piccolo." Krillin hovered to Piccolo's side, "Even though it's temporary..." he mumbled, "But at least they only think that you only know about the Dragonballs."

"It doesn't matter now," Piccolo observed Nappa's next movements, "they'll kill all of us once they're done."

"So... do you have any idea how to beat them?" Krillin trembled a faint smile. He hoped Piccolo had another trick up his sleeve. He had to! Piccolo was the mastermind of the group, and not to mention the strongest in the group besides Goku.

"...None."

Krillin snapped his head to Piccolo's direction.

"He's clearly outmatched Raditz and..." Piccolo turned his head towards Krillin, "I've never dreamed about someone with this much power."

"Well then... we're officially screwed!" Krillin exclaimed. The bald monk's only hope crumbled away into nothingness.

"Hey," Okome whispered next to Gohan. Gohan nodded in response. "What are they talking about?"

"We're 'screwed', quoted by Krillin." Gohan shifted his gaze from Krillin and Piccolo to Okome. He stopped and blinked.

"That's not-"

"Good..."

Okome said with Gohan finishing her sentence. They both stared at each other for several moments. They turned their focus to the giant before them. All they could do was to mentally prepare for the next set of horrors awaiting them.

Elsewhere on Planet Earth - Kami's Lookout

In the silent world above, two beings observed the battle for Earth.

"Where is he?" An elderly male spoke to himself. He focused his energy to search for Goku. His white robe fluttered in the breeze as he leaned on his wooden staff. Kami; those red words were visible against his robe, and the beings name. "He should be here by now..." Kami continued, scanning for Goku's ki from the world beyond.

"Can you not feel his presence?" The dark-skinned genie, Popo, spoke, gesturing one of his open palm towards the elder. He wore a white turban, a red jacket, and white trousers.

"No. But I can feel death upon me..." Kami spoke with a grim thought. He looked down at the white tiles of the lookout.

"No... that can't be... that means-"

"Piccolo is about to die." The Guardian of the Earth replied to Popo's unfinished sentence. They stood in silence as the wind brushed over the towering structure looming over the Earth's atmosphere. If death was upon him, that would mean the end of Shenron, the Eternal Dragon.

Elsewhere on Planet Earth- Wastelands...

Piccolo knew very well he was outmatched by the Saiyan behemoth. He scanned his surroundings; from the battered landscape left by the Saibamen, to the previous battle with Nappa's merciless attacks. Craters littered every half a metre, and from the Namekian's observation, there was one thing that was clear to Piccolo...

There was no room for mistakes.

I'm running out of options... Piccolo thought, shifting his eyes to the giant. "We need to take the fight to the ground," Piccolo's voice dropped into a whisper to Krillin. "Obviously, he's got the advantage in the air."

Nodding quickly in agreement, Krillin and Piccolo plunged towards the barren land below.

"No matter where you fight, it won't matter!" Nappa bellowed, pursuing the duo from the sky.

Snapping their heads up, Gohan and Okome took their stances as Nappa speeded towards their allies.

"Mister Piccolo-"

"Krilli-"

"NAPPA WAIT!"

The duo exclaimed before being silenced by the prideful Saiyan. All action on the battlefield froze. No one moved a muscle.

Being inches away from Nappa, Piccolo and Krillin shifted their head towards Vegeta. Even the giant was shaken by the sudden alarm set off by the Saiyan Prince.

"What's the matter Vegeta?" Nappa asked, hovering still in front of the insects. Although his body dared not to moved, his lips could not help but force a trembling smile at the Prince. "I'm about to kill these weaklings."

"We have plenty of time for that," Vegeta placing his hands on his waist. "I was curious about something... tell me," he looked over to Krillin and Piccolo.

"Huh?" Krillin blinked.

"This 'Goku' you keep shouting for- he's Kakarot isn't he?" Vegeta continued, observing the duo for an answer.

"That's right, so what if he is?" Krillin held up his fist towards the flame-haired Saiyan.

"So I was right then, he was resurrected by the Dragonballs." Vegeta confirmed, raising one of his open hand towards Piccolo and Krillin. "It's sad though. He was your only hope... he couldn't hold his own against Raditz."

"You're wrong about that!" Krillin raised his voice, clenching his fist tighter. "You'll see that Goku's stronger than ever before!"

"Goku isn't a warrior that you want to underestimate." Piccolo added on as he stood up tall. He met proud Saiyan's gaze with a sharp one. Why was that Saiyan interested in Goku? Something didn't seem right, that tyrant should be focusing on them than Goku.

"Is that so?" Nappa stretched his arms out to his sides, taunting the surviving fighters. "Where's he hiding then? Is that why he's not here yet?" He smirked, "'Cuz he's afraid!"

To taunt those pathetic fools, the Saiyan behemoth took every liberty to break their body and soul. Their 'Saviour' Goku was not going to save them at all. He grinned crept wider as he awaited for their answers.

"My father will beat the living daylights out of you when he gets here!" Gohan yelled at the giant. "Just you wait!" The small boy raised his tiny fists up at Nappa. He refused to let someone disrespect his father. The boy knew his father will end that giant's cocky attitude once and for all.

I don't know who Goku is, Okome thought as she looked at Gohan, But if he's Gohan's father... who's meant to be coming back from the dead, it should be good news, especially if Krillin and Piccolo speak so highly of him.

That's some faith that these fools have... no matter I'll just wait for him. Vegeta sternly observed the opposition. If Goku does appear for the battle, waiting for him would be a satisfying end before eradicating the scums of this planet. "Alright, we'll have to wait for him." Vegeta spoke, his lips crept a grin.

"You must be joking!" Nappa bellowed at Vegeta.

"Three hours and not a minute longer." Vegeta ignored Nappa and lifted three fingers up towards the opposition.

"But I've been sleeping over a year! I'm dying for some action! TO HELL WITH WAITING!" Nappa lunged towards the fighters, raising both of his massive fists up at Piccolo and Krillin.

"NAPPA! WHAT DID I JUST TELL YOU!" Vegeta barked at the rebellious Nappa. He crossed his arms, his ki sparked for a moment.

Stopping dead in his tracks, the giant shook. He turned his head towards the angry Saiyan Prince.

As for the Defenders of Earth, they stood still at the sudden spike in Vegeta's power level.

"Sorry Vegeta... I got carried away." Nappa laughed, holding a shaky smile at the Prince.

A giant being stopped by a midget... this is really weird. Okome thought as the fighters regrouped near a low laying tree.

"Three extra hours of life... do go and enjoy them." Vegeta said as he turned away from the opposition. He sat down on a low lying boulder, with Nappa returning to the Prince's side.

"Ummm... Krillin?" Okome asked, tapping him on his shoulder with her good arm. Who and why was Goku highly respected by the group?

"Yeah?" Krillin shifted his gaze to her. He refused to hear any more bad news. If Okome broke down, that was be the monk's limit.

"Who's Goku?" Okome itched the back of her head with a twitching smile. Man I'm going to sound stupid... She noticed Krillin's brows shoot up.

"How could you not know who Goku is?" Krillin exclaimed, clenching his hands into a fist towards his chest. "He was the winner of the Twenty Third Budokai Tenkaichi World Martial Arts Tournament!"

Piccolo gritted his teeth at Krillin's comment.

"Sorry! " Okome shot her hands up in defence, soon aware of the tension between Piccolo and Krillin..

"I wouldn't blame you though," Krillin sighed as he lowered his hands, "I mean, you look similar to Gohan's age any way."

I know that... Okome thought, shifting her gaze to Gohan for a moment. Gohan gave a small smile to her. Does that mean I'm stuck in a body of a five year old? But I was sixteen before being warped here... that probably means why I got so worn out easily. This is bad. Very bad... Realising her power was severely weakened due to her bodies limitations, Okome felt her face burn. Will I age naturally like Gohan? Or will it take a few months for me to be the age I'm suppose to be? Is Layla having the same problem as me? Okome became increasingly flustered by her thoughts. She needed the answers as soon as possible, but it wasn't appropriate right now.

"Is everything alright?" Gohan tapped her out of her thoughts. As Okome's face blushed bright as a tomato, Gohan wondered if she was going to pass out any time now.

"Apart from a broken arm, Yeah..." Okome twitched a smile at the innocent Gohan.

Hmmm? Piccolo glanced to Okome before looking at the behemoth from across the battlefield. Never mind... that's not important right now. What's important now is why Nappa is listening to every command Vegeta gives. That giant is scared of him, which means that we're in trouble if that shorter Saiyan is stronger than that giant.

While Earth's fighters spoke amongst each other, the Saiyan threats observed them from a few miles.

"Hey Vegeta," Nappa stood opposite the Saiyan Prince. "I don't get it why we should sit around and wait for Kakarot."

"He's a traitor to the Saiyan race," Vegeta replied, observing the opposition. "A traitor should see his friends and son die before his eyes. We'll show him how powerless he is before sending him to Hell."

"I like how you think Vegeta!" Nappa raised his clenched fist in agreement. "Let me kill those four weaklings while you take care of Kakarot!"

"That's only if he shows up..." Vegeta shifted his gaze to his subordinate. "We also need the Namekian alive to get answers for the Dragonballs."

"Yeah! Wait... Vegeta?"

"What is it now?" The proud Saiyan rested his chin on his right hand.

"About that girl... did we fight any aliens that can use water?" Nappa rubbed his scarred, bald head, "it's really weird if she's the only one doing it."

"Maybe she's not from around here, like Kakarot. He was raised on Earth." Vegeta replied with a flat tone. No fancy water tricks was going to insult the Prince of all Saiyans. "Don't let your guard down against the girl, she already caught you off guard once. Interesting enough, there's a huge gap in power between her allies, her being the weakest." He tapped the side of his head, "the girl has the brains, but not the strength, and that's what makes it more interesting-"

-"She must be an aquatic species!" Nappa interrupted the Prince. "She's like a fish because of her smooth movements!"

After a moment of silence, Vegeta drew his hand over his face, restraining his urge to strike his subordinate.

"Just shut up Nappa." Vegeta snapped his head up at Nappa, showing his annoyance at his subordinate. Once Nappa understood Vegeta's annoyance, the Prince rested his head again. He could not believe the idiocy blurted from his comrade's mouth. Vegeta knew Okome must be a human- not a Saiyan. It wasn't possible for Saiyans to pull off such trickery, and the aquatic creature blasphemy! Don't get the Prince started on that rant.

"Damn! What's keeping Goku?" Krillin placed his hands on his head. He gazed up at the blue sky, his mind in a state of frenzy.

"If Goku's dead, how is he coming back?" Okome asked, tilting her head. She drew her index finger to her cheek.

Piccolo looked at Okome and tilted his head at the Saiyan duo. Seeing that Piccolo shook his head in silence, Okome remained silent.

"Oh, okay..." Okome followed Piccolo's example.

Knowing that it was a risky thing to do, Piccolo knew revealing anything about the Dragonballs would be dangerous if the Saiyans ever got their hands on them.

"Oh what's the point in staying here and waiting for death when we can run away?" Krillin dropped his hands to his side.

"Idiot!" Piccolo gashed his fangs at Krillin's cowardice. He crossed his arms in anger. "We will all get killed along with humanity even if we managed to escape."

"I'm sure we'll destroy them!" Okome glanced towards the Saiyan duo, raising her fists towards her chest. "Fear is just another enemy. Even if they're stronger than us, Goku will come and save the day! Right?" She smiled up at the fighters.

I'm guessing Goku's going be the main hero then... Okome thought as she hung her head. If only the girl knew about the formula for Shonen... but this alternate reality held something different. If my sister was here, she'll probably take the giant down with ease. Not sure about the other one... maybe toe to toe? Okome thought as she loosened her fists. If Layla was here, Okome knew Layla could easily handled that giant with no sweat.

"You're naive..." Piccolo faced the blue skies above, "That's only if Goku gets here."

"He'll come!" Gohan answered, meeting his mentor's gaze. "And when he does, he'll kick their butts!" He held his fist up to no one in particular. His fists trembled. His father never let him down, not now, not ever.

- - - - -

Until next time!

-ClumsyPigeon signing out