Author notes (15/04/2021):

I know… it's been a long while, hasn't it?

I know I've been gone for several months, but a lot of stuff happened. For one, let's say I did suffer from COVID at one point and that s* hits like a truck. But that was all the way back in February, so everything's pretty good now.

As for this chapter, I have changed a lot of things compared to the old chapter. So I hope you don't mind some more Uncle Raditz time, some more development between Saishi and Broly, and a calmer and reserved Cooler. Enjoy!

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North Galaxy - Planet Earth - Kame's house

After their gruelling battle against the menace named Slug, the current Defenders of Earth rested far and isolated from the silver and robust cities- and a location more exotic and humid compared to the white, icy peaks of the mountains.

With the swishes and sways of the ocean waves, surrounded by thousands of kilometres of the deep, blue ocean, one would find a small island holding a single house. Only a handful of Earth's inhabitants truly knew what caused the random earthquakes and rising sea levels- or rather more, those who sought to conquer Earth.

Kame's house; the home of the Turtle Hermit Roshi resided here. Yet today, the elder was not alone. One of his disciples, Krillin, knelt beside him and joined his daily meditation. As they listened to the sound of the tranquil swishes of the ocean waves, and took in the smell of the herbal tea from the low, wooden table in front of them-

A constant and loud snore from a sleeping Goku disrupted the peace.

A prolonged sigh left Raditz's lungs as he leaned against the window side. He squinted his drained eyes on his snoring, little brother. As much as he wanted to throw a bottle of water at him- or anything to get his little brother to shut up, Raditz was unsure how his brother's allies would react to that. The last thing he needed was to be accused of attempted murder.

Krillin laughed with closed eyes, aware of Raditz's lack of sleep. "Heya bud," Krillin spoke, opening his eyes, "why don't you join us with some mental training?"

"Nah, I'll pass." Raditz waved his hand up and down. "Besides," he shifted his gaze to the window besides him, "I'm not going to be around for much longer." His voice mellowed. He shifted his gaze to his reflection, namely to the faint halo hovering above his head. His gaze shifted to the two children outside.

Gohan and Okome. One who carried the Saiyan bloodline and the other who carried only Earthling blood. Even though those kids were different, whether prowess or experience, there was surely a lesson learnt for Raditz to understand in that short span of time.

If only he learnt and understood that lesson sooner.

Raditz sighed. Oh how life was a precious thing, yet a failure like himself wasted it. He opened his dark eyes, his gaze fell onto his halo once more.

If only he didn't act with such haste- no. If only he wasn't such a coward.

"Do you think Mister Piccolo will be proud of us?"

"Yup. He must be grinning up there in Otherworld."

Raditz widened his eyes upon hearing Gohan's and Okome's words. Piccolo… ah yes, the Namekian who fought alongside Kakarot a year ago. To think a serious character like him was able to make friends. Well, the word 'friend' seemed quite a stretch.

A friend…

Raditz shifted his gaze to his little, snoring sibling, then to Krillin. Raditz blinked. He glanced away from Krillin. Awkward. The Saiyan did not know how long he drifted in his thoughts.

Krillin chuckled, aware Raditz noticed his stare. Man, who thought a serious guy like Raditz looked so confused? A slight smile shifted on the monk's lips.

To think Raditz didn't turn out so bad after all.

"I assume you're waiting for Uranai Baba." Roshi spoke as he rose up to his feet with the support of his staff. "She drives a hard bargain I tell you." He chuckled to himself as he passed Raditz.

"You're telling me." Raditz shifted his gaze to the elder. "My overly optimistic, little brother over there made a deal with that hag and the North Kai." He raised his shoulders as his gaze shifted to Goku briefly. "You see, King Yemma is the type of guy who remains firm with his judgement. But," he sighed, his brows dipped up, "Kakarot somehow pestered him to get me to move from Hell to a Kai's homeworld."

"Hmm," The Turtle Hermit hummed as he stood by the door way, "I assume my older sister agreed on a deal of ten million zeni for you t-"

"Older sister?" Raditz exclaimed, widening his eyes. "That ha- your sister somehow made a Kai pay ten million to-"

"It could have been more." Roshi interjected as he re-adjusted his shades. "My sister has a way with money. The bigger the trouble, the bigger the amount as she says."

Raditz blinked, his brows still raised at Roshi's revelation. "Either way, that blasphemous amount not only bailed me out of Hell, but also allowed me to return to the world of the living for a week." He crossed his arms over his chest, still comprehending the Earthling's logic. After a moment, he shook his head. "What on Planet Vegeta is with the Earthlings?"

Krillin chuckled. "Just like how you guys are 'Super-powered Warriors', we Earthlings do have some weird quirks of our own." He raised his finger and rested it on his non-existent nose. "But hey, that's what makes Earth a pretty cool place to visit."

"Yeah…" Raditz shifted his gaze to Krillin. "But it's a lot calmer and slower compared to Planet Vegeta." His voice quietened. "Not that I'm saying that's a bad thing," he shrugged his shoulders, "we low-class Saiyans never had much time to think about our actions, not in a fast paced lifestyle." He closed his eyes and sighed. "You know, ever since I returned to Earth under Kakarot's supervision, it's given me the time to think and re-evaluate my life." His gaze shifted to the sound duo outside, namely to his nephew studying a thick book in one hand.

"Earth does have that type of effect on people." Roshi mentioned, breathing in the fresh sea breeze. "Funnily enough, Goku sonny seems to have the same effect on the people he meets."

"Him, and his son." Raditz spoke, his onyx gaze lightened on his nephew. "Despite what I've done to them, they gave me another chance- unlike someone else I know." He muttered under his breath.

As Krillin opened his mouth to speak, he fell silent. Vegeta… how could anyone forget the atrocity he committed against his ally, Nappa? Such a thought upsetted and angered the monk.

"My husband's a reasonable guy."

The trio snapped their attention to Chichi. Raditz dipped his head down and away from her gaze.

Chichi came to a halt at the bottom of the stairs. Aware of Raditz's withdrawn persona, and possible shame, she walked to him with a kind and soft gaze. Yet, she walked with a slight limp as a result of recovering from the grievous injury scaring her abdomen.

"I know you and Goku got off on the wrong foot," Chichi continued with a gentle voice, "but everyone has those bumps from time to time. I mean, look at you now." She raised her hand to him with a smile.

However, Raditz did not smile back.

"I see," Chichi's smile faded from her lips, "I didn't mean to bother you-"

As Chichi turned away from Raditz, Raditz grasped Chichi's shoulder.

"It's not that." Raditz spoke, keeping his relaxed hand on her shoulder. "I have been meaning to speak to you under Kakarot's promise- and for Gohan's sake."

Chichi widened her eyes for a moment at the mention of her family. She relaxed her gleaming eyes and turned to Raditz. "There's no need to be so serious about it." Chichi spoke with a calm tone. "You're a decent fellow. You put your life on the line on two occasions for our safety." She drew one hand to her chest, "Goku would do the same- and I'm sure he's really proud of you for helping us out."

"I…" Raditz drew his hand away from Chichi's shoulder and shifted his gaze to the sleeping Goku briefly. "I can only assume the pain you-" he looked to Krillin and Roshi, "you all went through because of me."

As Chichi parted her lips, she fell silent and drew a lock of her black hair behind her ear. Krillin and Roshi exchanged a worried look. However, Chichi held a slight smile before meeting Raditz's stern and dark gaze.

Raditz paused for a moment at the sight of Chichi's gentle smile.

"I kidnapped your son and beated the living daylights of your husband, and yet-" Raditz raised his hand to her, indicating her faint smile, "here you are, still smiling and so positive."

Chichi laughed softly. "Well," her face blushed a faint pink, "I did promise my husband that I will stay strong for him, even when he's not around." She softened her dark eyes on the snoring Goku sleeping on the floor behind Krillin and Roshi. "Love makes you do crazy things sometimes, even though Goku might not see it the same way as I do."

"Huh." Raditz drew his hand to his lips and tilted his chin up. He closed his eyes. After several moments of silence, a small smile shifted on his lips. "Kakarot is a lucky guy to have found someone like you." He chuckled to himself and rubbed the back of his head.

"Why do you say that?" Krillin tilted his head to one side. To see a former villain smiling so fondly at a thought… a slight smile grew on Krillin's lips.

Goku truly was a special person.

However, Roshi shifted his gaze to Chichi, observing her figure. Yes, Goku was lucky to marry a fine and beautiful lady.

"Mine and Kakarot's mother, Gine," Raditz raised both his hands up to Krillin, "Kakarot's wife really does remind me of her." He sighed and shifted his gaze to the blue and calm sky. "She had a kind but fierce heart- and she wanted the best from her sons." He slumped his shoulders. "Oh if only she knew what type of failure her first born turned out to be."

Failure...

Chichi arched her brows and rested her hands on her hips.

At the sight of an angry Chichi, Krillin and Roshi crept away from the fuming Earthling.

"Failure?" Chichi raised her voice at Raditz. Raditz flinched on hearing her harsh voice. "You better take that back mister." She wiggled her index finger side to side, "The word 'failure' sure doesn't exist here."

Raditz stared at Chichi with a confused, yet anxious gaze. "Let me guess," Raditz rubbed his face with one hand, "Kakarot doesn't know how to fail because he never learned how to give up?"

"Yup." Krillin replied, holding a twitching smile with squinted eyes.

"I don't know what made you believe that you're a failure," Chichi sighed, "but you're not." She relaxed her shoulders and raised one hand to Raditz. "We may have failed at something once in our life, but that doesn't make us failures. We learn how to overcome those mistakes and try to become better people." She curled her fingers into her palm and smiled, "This is something your little brother taught all of us, and trust me, he had to work hard to get to where he is now."

Krillin and Roshi nodded with a slight smirk.

Raditz laughed to himself for a moment. "My brother really is something else." He shook his head side to side. "I just wish," he opened his eyes, yet his brows dipped up, "I could spend more time with him, like how an older brother should." He sighed and closed his eyes briefly. "He has made so many good friends, and friends that are good to him in return." His eyes glimmered with a faint light. "But my time is coming to an end. It's time for those of the next generation to take the torch and move forward." He shifted his gaze to the young duo outside, who laughed in the light of the sun.

Gohan… he didn't seem to hold any Saiyan pride like himself, Nappa or Prince Vegeta. Raditz could only assume the calm life on Earth caused the young hybrid to be much more gentle and calmer, rather than ruthless and violent. It would be interesting to see how he developed as a warrior- or if the hybrid chose to follow the path of his father. Nevertheless, Gohan will continue his journey without his dear, old uncle.

And Okome; a child of the Time Patrol. Even if the Saiyan did not know her for long, he knew her journey ahead would be a long and difficult road. If a Saiyan like himself had no idea where his father was, how would an Earthling like herself find her missing sibling?

Raditz sighed. No. Surely Okome will find her sibling. After all, she had the support of his little brother and his allies.

To have allies like them…

Raditz smiled. This second chance truly was a gift. If only he could spend just a little more time with them.

From outside the beach house, Gohan shifted his gaze from his hefty textbook to Okome. He observed her from the shade of the palm tree, though he kept the book close to his line of sight. After all, he shuddered at the thought of his mother scolding him for not studying- though... he scribbled a green bean in one corner of the page.

Okome drew her hands close to herself, her breaths slow and steady. She drew her hands out to the shimmering sea, facing her palms to the swishing waves.

Breathe in… breathe out. Breathe in… now focus.

Opening her navy eyes, Okome drew her right hand close to her chest, drawing water from the waves.

A strand of water parted from the ocean waves.

With her left hand, Okome guided the strand of water. Soon, the water was collected into an orb in her palms. Okome held the orb for several seconds and breathed slowly and deeply. Yet, her fingers trembled.

Okome squinted her eyes. This power… why was it difficult to grasp? No. it wasn't difficult. This child-like body surely must be the reason why her powers must be restricted. If only there was a way to reverse this weaker body...

Gohan observed Okome's swift yet controlled actions. He rested one end of the pen on his cheek as his attention shifted from his studies to her.

To be a fighter, more specifically a Defender, how did one bring themselves to have blood on their hands for the sake of good? How could one protect without the need for violence and such hostility?

Gohan sighed silently. After fighting the likes of Nappa, Vegeta and Slug, he would have thought this unwillingness to fight was just his lack of faith and experience in a life or death situation. Yet, that unwillingness to fight and to draw blood still clung to him. The thought to kill someone… the only time he would perform such an act was that blind bout of rage. That rage… and that prowess… what was he-

The pen from Gohan's hand slipped. With a sudden sense of panic, Gohan gripped the pen, only for the nib to leave a black and fine stroke on his cheek. Gohan paused and blinked for several moments. Great...

And the sound of his uncle laughing didn't help at all.

Gohan shut his book, his face burning a faint pink. Hopefully his uncle didn't see the doodles in his book.

"You seem to be in a deeper thought than I was." Raditz guffawed as he walked over to Gohan. "You're not doing your head in with that-" he fell silent and tilted his head at the book in Gohan's hand, "study- whatever it is."

"Yup." Gohan replied, shifting his gaze to his uncle. "Remembering the theory is straightforward, but putting it into practice can be a little difficult sometimes." He chuckled for a moment with squinted eyes. He shifted his gaze to Okome, who seemed as though she was in deep concentration. "Okome seems to have a natural skill for fighting, faster than I could achieve."

Raditz opened his mouth, then fell silent. "No, I wouldn't say that's-"

With a sudden jolt of her palm, Okome returned the orb of water back to the deep sea. She lowered her hands and exhaled deeply, ending her short exercise. As Okome shifted her gaze to Gohan, Gohan glanced at the beige pages of his book. Okome blinked at Gohan, noticing his cheeks slightly red. She shifted her gaze to Raditz, then back to Gohan.

"Gohan?" Okome asked as she approached the young hybrid, "you weren't studying, were you?"

"I was studying." Gohan answered, shifting his onyx gaze to the blue-haired Earthling standing in front of him. "But, I noticed your stance was very fluid and relaxed, like as if you're a prodigy."

Prodigy? Okome thought, widening her eyes for a moment. Did I raise too much suspicion? She shifted her gaze to Krillin, Chichi and Roshi, who spoke amongst themselves. Surely if Gohan noticed this, then they must have noticed too- but… then why haven't the adults mentioned anything of the sort?

"Interesting you say that," Okome drew one hand to her chin, "but no matter how swift my actions are, if I can't land a good blow, then I'll be the one out cold." She sighed and slumped her shoulders. "Facing Nappa will be a lesson I won't forget." She shuddered internally at the thought. "I guess, Piccolo's training reminds me that we have to own our styles, even if we're still amateurs in our own minds."

Amateurs…

Gohan looked to both his hands as the book laid on his thighs. Maybe… that's why Okome was better prepared to fight compared to himself. She had the mentality to fight like a master, yet for someone like himself, he didn't think like a master- like his father? This was a tough concept to understand for the young and gentle warrior.

"Nappa is a brute." Raditz shifted his gaze to Okome. "He powers through everything thrown at him." He closed his eyes and smirked. "The best way of taking him down is to watch how he strikes, then use his power against him in a clever and timely method." He tilted his head to one side. "But, it's easier said than done. He does have a lot of experience considering he did work directly under King Vegeta- and before I was born." He shrugged his shoulders, "Never mind their long history. It'll bore you both to death-"

"As long as it's no fighting, a small history lesson won't hurt." Gohan shifted his eyes, warning Raditz of the danger behind him.

"Hm?" Raditz followed Gohan's gaze. He soon met with an overly cheerful Chichi watching Raditz from the window ledge. "Oh…" Raditz shifted his gaze back to Gohan. He raised his fist to Gohan, signalling a light spar. However, Gohan shook his head. Okome forced a cough, drawing Raditz's attention to her. She drew her index finger to the book on Gohan's lap.

Gohan raised one hand to his lips. "My mother will scream if she sees me fighting," he whispered to his uncle, "and since I'm still recovering from my injuries, my mother will get the power pole on you if you try to spar-"

"And it's not easy dodging the infinite reach of the power pole." Okome warned with a hushed tone. "I even have to study- and I'm not even related to Gohan." She scoffed the last part.

"I guess she just wants the best from you both." Raditz shrugged his shoulders. "I mean, back when I was a kid, I just had to make sure I lived. Otherwise my good old father would beat the s*-"

"LANGUAGE!" Chichi yelled from the window ledge.

Raditz froze. Talk about having a strong pair of lungs... "Sorry ma'am!" Raditz rubbed the back of his head with gritted teeth. "Now then," he shifted his gaze back to the young duo, "you both don't want to get burnt out here. So take a break inside and cool off for a bit," he patted Gohan on the head and raised his thumb to Okome, "alright?"

Gohan and Okome nodded.

"Maybe we can have a little story time about the Saiyans while we chill," Okome smiled to Raditz as she and Gohan followed the wild-haired Saiyan inside, "hmm?"

"Yes please!" Gohan nodded with gleaming eyes. "Tell us about the time before you came to Earth."

"You both sure?" Raditz raised one brow. The duo nodded. "I mean…" he averted his gaze from them, "it's not your typical, happy one. We Saiyans are a warrior race after all."

"We Earthlings don't always have happy histories either." Okome raised one hand to Raditz. "Hey, here's an idea," she knocked the side of her right fist into her left hand, "you tell us of the Saiyans and I'll tell you about the Earthlings history with a guy named 'Garlic'."

"Garlic?" Gohan tilted his head. "He sounds familiar." He rubbed his chin.

"Garlic Junior?"

Somewhere in the Otherworld, a Namekian sneezed. Piccolo blinked. Disrupted from his deep meditation, Piccolo observed the deceased warriors flickering with a faint, maroon aura. Looks like Goku's friends were seriously trying to keep up with him.

But Garlic Junior, rather more Garlic himself… to think Okome knew of that nuisance. If she knew something of him, surely she would know something of the Guardian of Earth of that era- maybe Kami himself.

Piccolo shook his head and continued with his meditation. Those answers will have to wait. Afterall, Frieza was the main concern now.

Yet Okome… the former Demon could not ignore the lack of information about her. Whether she was an ally or not, finding out her true intentions was important. Did she use the little evidence to disguise herself as a friend in need, but was actually an enemy in plain sight? Or was she truly an ally in need of dire help?

Piccolo opened his dark eyes. No. Okome has not shown any means of malice towards Goku and his allies. Yet, her attitude towards Nappa and Slug seemed more ruthless- perhaps as strong as his rival's convictions.

A smirk crept on Piccolo's lips.

Maybe Gohan could learn a trick or two about being a gentle warrior.

In the afternoon heat, Raditz shifted his gaze from the clear, blue sky to the young duo. "Hmm…" he hummed to himself, shifting his gaze from Okome to the single house in front of him. "I'm not sure who this Garlic guy is, but sure! Why not?"

Okome and Gohan exchanged a look; squinting their eyes and smiling. Now this was going to be an interesting topic.

As the group gathered together around the low lying table for a late afternoon launch, Raditz spoke of his days as a low-class Saiyan warrior. Though Chichi, Krillin and Gohan grimaced at the brutality of some of Raditz's actions as a youth, Okome listened keenly, learning more of the Saiyan heritage.

Though, a sleeping Goku woke up.

"What'cha guys talking about?" Goku yawned as he sat up, rubbing his blurry eyes.

"Oh you know," Raditz spoke as he leaned against the window ledge, "a little about my days as a Saiyan warrior. That's all."

"Hey, no fair!" Goku exclaimed, widening his eyes. "You said you were gonna tell me too." He squinted his eyes at his older brother.

"Maybe next time." Raditz smirked.

"Hmph." Goku pouted at his older brother.

"Anyway," Raditz shifted his gaze from his little brother to the loud whirring sound outside the beach house, "it looks like the genius is back-"

The door burst open.

"HELLO!" A gleeful Bulma exclaimed as she walked into the room, holding a capsule in one hand. "Now I've got some news for all of you." She squinted her eyes shut with a beaming smile.

"About Namek?" Goku tilted his head to one side. "Or about our friends?" He then opened his eyes, his gaze serious, "or about Vegeta?" His voice dropped into a serious tone.

Vegeta… the man who was responsible for nearly killing all his allies. If they meet on Namek, surely their battle will be another long and gruesome one. No. The Earth-raised Saiyan had no time for that. He must go to Namek and resurrect his fallen friends. But, what happens if Vegeta got his wish for immortality? Or worse, Frieza gaining whatever the heck he wanted?

Goku sighed and slumped his shoulders. "Maybe I'm overthinking it a little." Goku chuckled with a sheepish smile.

"Yeah..." Raditz sighed and rubbed his forehead at his little brother's sudden shift in his mood. "We need to somehow find a way to get to Namek and also revive your friends without Vegeta or Frieza catching wind of it."

"Well, yeah," Goku shifted his gaze to his older brother, "we take your Saiyan pod, ask Bulma to do something with it and then we'll be on our way, right?"

As Okome opened her mouth to speak, she fell silent. She shifted her gaze to the wooden table in front of her.

"Please, stay safe. Myself and Trunks are planning to meet you on Namek."

Okome shifted her gaze to her hands, resting on her lap. Namek… just what awaited them? And just who were 'they'? Hopefully it wasn't anyone related to Towa- or her legion of evil.

Gohan's lightened gaze fell onto Okome. The young boy's gaze softened on her, wondering why Okome always seemed so deep in her thoughts. No. Okome mentioned she was searching for her sister. Maybe, maybe that's why she seemed sad- maybe disconnected and lonely from everyone. The boy shifted his gaze to his uncle and father.

Maybe their bonds constantly reminded Okome of her lost bonds.

Gohan shuffled besides Okome as the adults continued to talk. Though Okome acknowledged his presence, she kept her gaze on her hands. Though, Gohan nodded his head, Okome also nodded her head, though much slower. Aware of Okome's slower movement, Gohan rested both of his hands on the table, though his hands remained close to Okome.

"Mei?" Gohan spoke with a quiet voice. "Are you thinking about her again?"

Okome nodded her head again, her sullen eyes closed for several moments.

Gohan leaned closer to her.

"I want to help you find your sister."

Okome opened her glimmering eyes. After a moment, she turned her head to Gohan, though her vision blurred. She glanced to her hands, her navy-blue hair fell over her glistening eyes.

"Thank you." Okome replied back softly, brushing the back of her hand against Gohan's palm. "That means a lot to me Gohan." She looked back to Gohan as a small smile beamed from her lips. "But honestly, don't worry about me." She squinted her glimmering eyes shut. "I hope, maybe on Namek we'll run into her."

Though Gohan was taken back by her sad smile, he nodded with a sharp hum. To smile through such loneliness… the young hybrid could only imagine how much silent pain she held in her heart.

As Okome and Gohan smiled at each other, Chichi took a sip of her orange blossom tea and observed the young duo. Namek… was a child like Okome really planning to go to Namek? This thought did not settle well with her. Even if Okome's missing sister was on Namek, it was better off for an experienced fighter like Goku to venture Namek.

As Bulma, Chichi, Goku, Raditz, Roshi and Krillin discussed how to get to Namek, Bulma sighed and placed her capsule on the table.

"I've already started modelling a spaceship based off from Raditz's Saiyan pod with the help of my dad, but it's taking a lot longer than I thought." Bulma slumped her shoulders. "As for the spaceship myself and Popo inspected at Yunzabit Heights, it seems intact and needs a little cleaning up." She clicked her capsule. With a poof, a small book and a pen appeared. "The only downside is," Bulma opened her book and flicked through the beige pages, "ah," she placed her finger on one of the pages, scribbled with blotted words and sketchy diagrams filling the page, "the downside is that controlling the ship requires speaking another language."

"No problem." Raditz drew one hand to his chin. "Maybe tweak the voice over and that should do the trick, right?"

Bulma raised her brow at Raditz. "Don't you think I've tried that?" Her eyes flickered with annoyance, "I'm ten steps ahead of you, genius."

"Okay…" Raditz arched one of his brows at Bulma's remark, "what do you propose, genius?"

Roshi, Goku and Krillim chuckled quietly, aware of Bulma's annoyance. As for Chichi, she took another sip of her tea.

"It's simple.'" Bulma rested one hand on her waist. "Myself and my dad are borrowing aspects of what your Saiyan pod has to offer, and also the spaceship me and Popo analysed." She flicked one page. "So, by combining the best components of both ships, we should be able to create the perfect spaceship!" She raised one hand up in excitement.

"And what about testing the spaceship you and Popo found?" Raditz raised one hand out to Bulma. "Didn't you test it to see if it works?"

Bulma drew her thumb and index finger to her forehead as her brows twitched in annoyance. Looks like someone has a bad memory.

Roshi cleared his throat, drawing Raditz's attention to him. "Slug's men made it impossible to test the spaceship at Yunzabit Heights." Roshi spoke, raising one hand up to Raditz. "I can only assume Popo couldn't risk the spaceship to get damaged- considering it's the only model on the entire Earth."

"Yeah… and when you have a thick blanket of snow, storms and thunder, it's asking for certain death." Bulma scoffed. "I'm not just going to die young, you know?"

"Wow…" Raditz raised his brows, "so you're trying to tell me the technology of Earth is inferior to whatever the heck Frieza has?" He laughed with a slight smirk. "Damn that's-"

"Oh shut it!" Bulma raised her voice at Raditz. "At least my creations didn't break to a child."

As Raditz opened his mouth, he blinked. "What?" Raditz raised his brows, not sure if Bulma referred to that particular day.

"Any way," Bulma continued, leaving a confused and blinking Raditz on the side, "who's planning to tag along?"

"Well…"

The group turned their attention to a curly-haired woman in an apron, holding a tray of cookies and cakes.

"Oh, Launch!" Chichi rose onto her feet, "what were you doing in the kitchen by yourself?"

"I thought since everyone's here," Launch spoke with a soft and smooth voice, "and by the time Miss Bulma came here, we could share some freshly baked cookies." She tilted her head to her right and smiled, "Puar offered to help me out."

"And Oolong?" Bulma squinted her eyes on the Turtle Hermit.

"Helping the young miss." Oolong answered, holding a tray of herbal teas and scuttled ahead of Launch. "You thought I was perv-"

Chichi and Bulma glared at the anthropomorphic pig. Oolong gulped at the sight of two angry ladies. Puar laughed sheepishly as he passed Oolong with a tray of sugar, sweeteners and milk.

"Sheesh, talk about some heat…" Oolong squinted his eyes as he placed the tray on the low lying table.

"... ignoring the tension in the air," Raditz shifted his gaze from Oolong to Launch, "any particular reason why you're not going, Launch?"

Launch froze for a moment. "Well…" Launch laid the tray of cakes and cookies on the table, "for Mister Tien's and Chiaotzu's sake, I don't want them to worry over me needlessly." She tilted her head to one side, her curly, purple locks brushed over her slim shoulders. "Afterall, putting myself in danger won't do any good for them- or anyone else here."

Raditz softened his gaze on Launch. To think a feisty blonde like her also shared a quiet and gentle soul.

"Understandable." Raditz nodded his head. "Don't worry about it. Not all of us are born to be fighters- but," he took a cookie from the tray and raised it to Launch, "you can still cheer from the sidelines, even if that's the only thing you can do for now."

Launch blushed. "My…" she drew one hand over her face and averted her gaze, "I don't want Mister Tien to think this the wrong way-"

Raditz blinked for several moments. Upon hearing Krillin, Bulma and Chichi snickering, Raditz placed the cookie in Launch's hand and cleared his throat. "It's not what you think!" Raditz yelled at the trio. "Can a man like myself give advice for once?"

"I don't know about them Raditz," Goku shifted his clueless gaze from his allies to Okome, who held a cup of coffee with deadpan eyes, "but it doesn't hurt to give advice."

Raditz paused. He snapped his focus to his little brother and blinked for several moments. "Oh you're so naive Kakarot." Raditz rubbed his forehead, aware of Goku's purity. "Even if it hit you in the face, your innocence blinds you."

"Eh?"

"Thank you." Launch spoke with a soft voice. "You do have a good heart." She beamed a smile to Raditz with closed eyes.

"Huh?" Raditz blinked. Noticing a wide smile from Krillin, Raditz scoffed and averted his gaze to the open window. "Yeah, whatever." He leaned one arm against the window ledge. "I'm just making sure Kakarot's got some good bu- friends-" Krillin bursted out laughing. "Oh, shut it!" Raditz yelled at the monk. "You guys really know how to wind me up." He gritted his teeth and his face burned a faint pink.

"But I bet you didn't have laughs like these with that Prince constantly having a rod up his a*." Okome chimed in. As she continued, Chichi knocked Okome's hands away from her coffee mug. "Ow!" Okome snapped her gaze at a fuming Chichi. Though, everyone drew back from Chichi. At the sight of an angry and disappointed mother's gaze, Okome held her tongue. "Sorry…" Okome pouted, averting her gaze from Chichi. "I won't use that language again."

"Please," Chichi softened her voice, "I don't want you developing that into a habit." Chichi reminded Okome. "Okay?"

"Yes… Chichi…" Okome pouted as she drew the coffee mug close to her lips.

Chichi… her hot-blooded temper really did remind Okome of her own mother, Wabisa. She couldn't help but wonder how her mother was doing after all those years- the same could be said about her father, Vairen. If only there was a way to reconnect with them and tell them that she was alright.

Bulma shifted her gaze from Chichi, to Okome, to Gohan, then finally to Goku. Her glimmering eyes softened on him. She sighed. There was no point thinking about that, Yamcha was not around at the moment. "Moving on," Bulma spoke, leaning against the wall besides Raditz, "who else is not going to Namek?"

"Even though I'll go to make sure that Goku's safe," Chichi spoke, her eyes softened on her husband, "I'm going to have to sit out on this one." She took a sip of her tea. "I need to keep an eye over Gohan's studies." She looked to Gohan as a small, yet sad, smile formed on her lips.

Those battles, the Saiyans, Slug and now Namek; how much more danger will Gohan have to endure? All that violence and bloodshed must have surely affected him by now. And surely the same must have affected Okome.

Gohan froze.

But Mister Piccolo! Gohan thought, his eyes widened slightly at his mother's words. As much as he knew his mother refused to let him travel to Namek, the boy acknowledged the fact he had the blood of a warrior race. There must have been a reason for Piccolo to have trained him, especially when the boy suffered those blinded bouts of rage.

"Mother…" Gohan prolonged his voice as he shifted his gaze to Chichi, "can I please go to Namek?"

As Chichi parted her lips, words failed to leave her lips. After several seconds, her dark eyes glimmered as the smile on her lips faded.

"Gohan," Chichi spoke with a quiet yet sharp voice. She crossed one of her arms over her chest, "We all fought an alien who we barely managed to beat. Imagine if you had to fight more of them when you go to Namek?" She raised the cup out to her son.

"Hey," Krillin gestured a circle with one hand and smiled up at Chichi, "He can join-"

-Chichi's dark eyes narrowed at the bald monk.

Oh man... Krillin thought, laughing sheepishly as sweat trickled down his face.

After several moments, Chichi sighed and softened her eyes. "I don't want my baby to be hurt." Chichi continued, "Gohan's only five, I don't want him to end up without a job in the future; you know?" She furrowed her brows. "Personally, I don't think a job in fighting would be a stable job."

"Well," Raditz spoke as he took a cup of herbal tea from the tray, "We Saiyans were paid a hefty good amount because of our fighting capabilities-" he scrunched his face up at the bitter taste of the tea, "Man, I don't think I've ever drank something so…"

"Refreshing?"

"Soothing?"

"Bitter?"

Raditz glanced from Roshi, Chichi and then to Okome.

"Bitter." Raditz agreed with Okome. "But, never mind that," he shook his head, "fighting and surviving, it's the good, old simple life any Saiyan would want."

"We're on Earth." Chichi replied, closing her eyes as a hiss left her lips. "It's a different culture to the Saiyans. We're raised, study, work, get married, have children and grow old together." She snapped open her black eyes. "We're very expressive, but…" she softened her eyes, "not through fighting." She sighed and cupped her hands around the warm and steaming mug. "Music, literature and the creative arts, that's how we express our burning spirit- and I guess that's better than spilling blood."

To spill blood…

Raditz drew one hand to his chin. The Earthlings… even if they were not known as a warrior race as a whole, and the fact only a handful knew how to fight, was it possible they would minimise bloodshed- no, refuse to draw blood? And solve their problems through words? Or was it the fact that they knew they are the weakest race, they chose to deter a fight through words as a result?

But music, and those methods… surely those methods would be useless against a race who knew nothing of the sort.

"How would that help you with fighting any intergalactic threats?" Raditz questioned, shifting his gaze to Chichi. "You can't just sing and hope for them to let you live-" he fell silent at a thought.

The Secret Forces...

Raditz curled his fingers into his palms. His dark eyes hardened on those faces, faces that constantly ridiculed him, Nappa and Prince Vegeta.

"Raditz?" Goku tilted his head, though aware of his older brother's fists trembling slightly.

Raditz widened his eyes for a moment. "Oh…" he shifted his gaze to his little brother, his hands loosened out to relieve his anger. "Don't mind me." He shifted a slight smirk, "where were we?"

"We were comparing Earthling culture to Saiyan culture." Okome answered after taking a sip of her coffee. "Any way, as an Earthling, we have the best control over our ki. Even if we're-" she cleared her throat, "weak. " She raised her shoulders briefly, "Control is everything these days; control of your power, control of your impulses, control of how and when to use a specific technique for a specific use- and all of that stuff." She waved her hand up and down as she took another sip of her coffee.

Raditz fell quiet. Gohan tilted his head, then nodded once he understood Okome's words.

"True..." Raditz prolonged his voice. "If we're talking about the Saiyan of legend, he had so much power to the point where he ended up exploding with his own power." He widened his eyes, "He even took the planet with him!" He exclaimed, raising both his hands up into the air.

After a moment of silence, Raditz cleared his throat and drew the cup of herbal tea close to his lips.

"Wow..." Krillin raised his brows in awe, "we have myths and legends of our own, but the Saiyans-" he whistled. "But," he leaned forwards, "do you guys really believe in those things?" He rested his elbow on the wooden table.

Raditz remained quiet for several moments. He shifted his dark gaze to the earthy surface of his tea.

"... Vegeta does." Raditz answered with a flat and quiet voice. "Since he's the only remaining blood of royalty, he has a strong belief that he was chosen to become a legend. I mean-" he sighed and shook his head, "given that he is a prodigy, and that fighting him back there was difficult, who knows?" He swirled the herbal tea. "The next time we face him…"

Okome placed her cup of coffee on the table with an audible tap. "So what if he's royalty?" Okome spoke with a stern tone.

Everyone turned their attention to Okome's calm voice, perhaps too calm for a child.

"Fate is a strange thing." The child continued, "Whether Vegeta becomes a legend or not, he won't waltz about and do whatever he wants." Her navy eyes hardened. "A legend will not stop me finding my sister. Even if I am a mere Earthling, my role to aid those in need will not change." She shifted her gaze to Krillin for a moment.

In that moment, Krillin met her steely gaze. For some reason, those words ignited a small fire within the Earthling's heart. Krillin's eyes gleamed with a small light.

Raditz remained silent for several moments, his dark gaze observing Okome's steely gaze meeting his dark ones. "Tell me, Okome," Raditz spoke as he placed his empty cup on the window ledge besides him, "For someone who is an Earthling, you seem to be a more versatile fighter than most Earthlings at that age. It makes me question," he drew one hand under his chin, "are you a pure-blooded Earthling?"

Okome observed the black surface of her coffee, smelling the bitter scent as she collected her thoughts for several seconds.

"I am a pure-blooded Earthling, of Jiri-" Okome shifted her gaze from Raditz to her coffee, then she glanced back to Raditz again, "given that you mean an Earthling like Krillin and not a hybrid like Gohan." She placed her cup on the table. "However," she sighed and slumped her shoulders, "the history of the Jirian bloodline is a long one."

"Jirian?" Roshi spoke, brushing his white and bristly beard.

"Is there something wrong?" Okome asked as she met the Hermit's concealed gaze.

"... No." Roshi replied with a slight smile. "It's a memory of my Sensei from long ago, but do carry on your discussion. An old hermit like me just likes to reminisce from time to time." His smile faded from his lips. He shifted his gaze to his mug of herbal tea, the earthy scent taking him back to the days when he was a young and foolish disciple.

Sensei Mutaito… It's been a long while...

As the elder reminisced of his youthful life, Goku tilted his head to one side.

"Interesting…" Goku rubbed his chin. "So this Jirian race you speak of, is that the reason why your skills are different to ours?"

Okome nodded.

"No wonder!" Goku exclaimed, "I was wondering why my buds, and Roshi, couldn't do it- Even Korin." Goku laughed as a smile beamed from his lips, "Heck! Kami and Piccolo couldn't do it and they're not from Earth."

Kami...

"The Guardian of Earth?" Okome mumbled as she concealed her lips with one hand. Could it be… no, surely the Nameless Namekian was his chosen successor. If this was true, then-

She was trapped in a time far from her own.

"Okome?" Gohan spoke as he tilted his head, aware of Okome's silence.

"Don't worry about me." Okome answered, flashing a smile on her lips. "We've been talking so much from the last couple of hours that I've tired myself out." She chuckled to herself.

"Speaking of something you said earlier, Mei," Goku spoke as he rested his hands against the table, "You mentioned you had a sister."

"Oh…" Okome widened her eyes briefly, "Yes, I did say that." She rubbed the back of her neck, anxious of Goku's next question.

"Do you have any clue where she could be?" Goku raised one hand out to her. "Like a technique to sense where she is?"

"Unfortunately, no." Okome averted her gaze from Goku.

"Hmm…" Goku hummed, "and you've been looking for her for how long now?"

Okome froze up. Shit… if they knew the truth, then who knows how much further this timeline will deviate from the original path?

"I-"

"Kakarot, you can't just ask someone something so trivial like that!"

Okome and the group widened their eyes at the sight of Raditz whacking his little brother over the head. In a heartbeat, Okome understood Raditz's antics.

"... I don't want to talk about her at the moment." Okome spoke with a quiet and dull tone. She sighed and shifted her empty gaze to her mug of coffee, playing along with Raditz's drama.

"Ow!" Goku winced as he grabbed his head. "Jeez! You didn't have to whack me for it." He pouted, squinting his bitter eyes at Raditz. "You're still a meanie."

"A proud one." Raditz smirked at his little brother. Yet, his smirk vanished when he felt a pair of sharp eyes on his back.

"Ahem." Chichi cleared her throat. "I'd appreciate it if you don't hit my husband, even when he has his little moments."

After a moment, Raditz sighed quietly through his nose. Thank Kami Kakarot's wife didn't beat him, otherwise who knew how he would divert a small issue. He shifted his gaze to Okome, noticing her eyes gleaming with gratitude. At least that secret did not get exposed- and hopefully not anytime soon.

"I have another question," Goku asked as he shifted his gaze back to Okome, "since you're-"

"Again with the questions?" Raditz squinted his eyes on his little brother, "you really know how to-"

And the Saiyan brother's bickered once more.

"Gohan told me you don't have a place to stay," Chichi said, turning her attention from the Saiyan brothers. "Why don't you stay around our place while you're looking for your sister?" She patted Okome on her shoulder. "It would be wonderful to have another girl around."

"And grow up to be a beauty like Bulma. He he he." Roshi chuckled, nudging Bulma with his elbow on her legs. His eyes squinted on her thighs.

"You pervert!" Bulma yelled, socking the old hermit in the head.

Any Saiyan female would have killed this geezer by now. Raditz said, covering his lips as he averted his gaze from the fuming Bulma- and the violence the hermit suffered. The Earthlings are a bizarre bunch.

"Are you sure?" Okome placed her mug on the table. "I mean," She raised one hand to Chichi, "I don't want to be a freeloader and interrupt the peace in your home."

"Please," Chichi waved her hand up and down, "We're only a small family of three, and," she giggled, "I've heard from Gohan that he really wants you to stay."

"Mother…" Gohan mumbled, glancing at his mother and Okome.

Okome shifted her gaze from Chichi to Gohan's blushing face. "Umm… I mean, if you really want me to stay, I can." She raised both of her shoulders as he brows dipped up. "And I guess it will make it easier for me to pay off my debts to Piccolo."

As Raditz bickered with Goku, and Bulma glaring at the Saiyan brothers, Goku snapped his focus to Okome.

"P..Piccolo?" Goku exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with a light. "Not only Gohan, but you too?"

"Uh…" Okome blinked at Goku, who shoved his brother's face away even though his brother gripped Goku by his navy shirt. "Hm." Okome nodded with a sharp hum.

"Wow!" Goku wrested out of his brother's grip and smiled at Okome. Though Raditz muttered in anger, Goku continued, "I can't wait to ask Piccolo. He was such a grouchy guy to be around." He squinted his eyes shut. "So, he really has softened up."

"And I'm sure he's going to soften you up the longer you delay our trip to Namek." Bulma retorted as she tapped her fingers on the window ledge. "Time is of the essence, so we really don't have time to sit around."

Krillin, Roshi and Launch laughed sheepishly at the sight of an annoyed Bulma. Though, Goku tilted his head like a confused parakeet.

"If you had a Saiyan's pod, you'll get there within a couple of days." Raditz sighed, raising one hand out to Bulma. "But it's only built for a one man trip."

"Don't you have one on you?" Goku asked, looking over to Raditz.

A red vein throbbed on Raditz's brow. That simple brain of his-

"Your son blew it up." Raditz hissed through his gritted teeth. "Remember?" He pointed his thumb at the little hybrid sitting at the table. "He heard you screaming and then he erupted out of anger and broke my armour?" He tapped the armour concealing his chest, reminding his brother where Gohan had struck him.

"Oh... right- Ow!" Goku winced as Raditz whacked him over the head.

"You hitting your head as a baby really screws with your memory didn't it?" Raditz wrapped one arm around Goku's neck. With his other hand, he ruffled his younger brother's head. "I can't believe that you're the Saiyan of Legend." He remarked, soon patting his brother's head.

"What?" Goku winced, widening his eyes. "But you said Vegeta-"

-"I know," Raditz continued, releasing his grip on Goku, "But then again; no one knows how the Saiyan of Legends looks like." He sighed and shifted his gaze to an annoyed Bulma. "This is serious information, so if you please…"

"Sure," Bulma bristled, shifting her gaze to her wristwatch, "Three minutes tops."

"The Saiyan of Legend," Raditz continued, looking back to Goku- and everyone else who was intrigued by his story, "Only warriors classed as Elites, and of royal blood, knew more about this Saiyan." Raditz turned his back at his younger brother, folding his arms over his chest. "Despite working alongside Prince Vegeta and Nappa, they both told me very little of that Saiyan."

As Raditz recollected his memories, he could only remember the subtle, quivering tone Nappa had, and the silent anger Vegeta held towards that Saiyan. Or, was it that Vegeta was envious of such a power? Who knows?

"So... you don't know who it is then?" Goku tilted his head to one side.

"Well, there were a few legends." Raditz gazed to the blue, shimmering sea afar. "The Saiyan of Legend was the first to have held a tremendous and terrifying power, but… that Saiyan vanished without a trace in an explosion along with the Saiyan's original home planet." Raditz sighed and slumped his shoulders. "The problem with this legend is that there are numerous legends, and not just one. It's tricky to say if that's the same legend of a Saiyan born with a ridiculous power every thousands of years or so." He shook his head. "But, I doubt they are the same person since the one with the ridiculous power level is born every thousands of years."

"When you mean ridiculous, how strong was that Saiyan?" Goku's eyes gleamed.

"Ten thousand." Raditz narrowed his eyes. "And that was his power at birth."

Everyone in the room fell silent. For a newborn to be born with a power of ten-thousand… they could only imagine how terrifyingly more powerful that child will become as an adult.

"But, from what I've heard from Prince Vegeta," Raditz continued, "He was executed at birth. So he's probably dead…" He twitched a shaky smile, "Until another one is born." His smile dropped.

For a Saiyan to be born with such a power, who knows how painful it was to hold such a burden- he must have been driven crazy with such a power. But that power, surely there were others who sought to use that power as their own.

"Do you know who he was?" Goku drew his face closer to Raditz.

"I don't know the boy, I was on an errand at that time." Raditz pulled back from Goku. "Our father may know who the kid was-" He clicked his fingers at a memory, "Apparently, he was born on the same day as you." He pointed at his little brother.

"Twinsies?" Goku clenched his trembling fists.

Raditz widened his eyes at the thought.

"No... Stop. Just stop." Raditz pushed Goku back on his shoulder. "I would be horrified if I was related to someone like him. Imagine how crazy and powerful he would be at your age now?"

"Very strong?" Goku's eyes gleamed with a blinding fire, "You think I could meet him in Otherworld?" He leaned closer to his brother, "Imma fight him!"

"Kakarot," Raditz ran his hand down his face, stretching the skin around his eyes. "Don't."

Goku lowered his fists to his lap, his smile fading at the growing disappointment written on his brother's face..

"I wonder how it's like to carry such a burden..." Raditz muttered, shifting his gaze to the shimmering waves at sea. "It must be painful to have such a powerful level of ki inside you at birth. You know, not trying to crack under that power and being just a child."

"I guess... everyone is given something for a reason." Okome chimed in, gesturing her hand up at Raditz. "If you're destined for greatness, you will be; if you work hard for it as well." She smiled once Raditz looked at her.

"Yup, even a low class warrior can beat an Elite with enough hard work." Goku raised his fist up in the air. "The fight with Vegeta proved it."

"Besides, Kakarot, you seem to pull through for your allies in the end anyway." Raditz turned his head back at the group. Yes. first it was with Vegeta and Nappa, then the Super Namekian Slug. But, will the results be the same with that galactic tyrant?

"No offense, but... uh;" Krillin chimed in, raising his hand to his lips as his eyes shifted to Raditz, "Why call him that name over Goku?"

Raditz blinked for a moment, trying to understand what Krillin meant.

"Okay…" Raditz rubbed the back of his neck, "Kakarot is his Saiyan name. I know he's referred to 'Goku' by you all, but I'm used to calling him by his Saiyan name; he is a full-blooded Saiyan afterall."

"So... would every Saiyan call me Kaka-whatever?" Goku tilted his head.

"Yes, if they know that you're a Saiyan." Raditz shifted his attention back to his little brother. "Since you don't have your Saiyan tail, they won't know you are one. But... " His eyes flicked to the right corner of his vision. "You resemble so much like our father that it's difficult not to call you out as a Saiyan."

-"And time's up!" Bulma announced, clicking her wristwatch. "Goku," She raised her index finger to Goku, "I know that this whole Saiyan history is interesting and all, but we have some pals in Otherworld who are waiting on us."

"How are you planning to get there first?" Raditz questioned, looking over to Bulma. "From what I understood, you're combining the properties of my Saiyan pod with that spaceship you found in Yunzabit Heights?"

"That's the idea, but not just yet." Bulma replied and leaned against the wall. "First, we need to get that ship all checked out," Bulma looked up at the ceiling. "So there'll be a lot of diagnostics, engineering and some cleaning to do- oh!" She snapped her head at the group, "Popo also told me that operating that ship requires a password, but it's in the language of the Namekians."

"So... Kami's language?" Goku mentioned, tilting his head at Bulma. Man... this was confusing.

"I'd say Namekian's language, considering that Kami is from Namek." Bulma replied, looking at Goku. "But, back to the point, in order to access the ship, the password is," She raised one finger close to her cheek with a wink, "Piccolo." She wiggled her finger side to side.

"Piccolo Sensei?" Gohan glanced at Bulma.

"Piccolo?" Okome uttered, also glancing at Bulma.

"Y..yes?" Bulma stuttered, hearing the duo speak simultaneously. She blinked for a moment. Were those kids fond of that Demon? She bit her lips, worried at the thought.

"Who would have thought Piccolo's name would pop up?" Goku chuckled, rubbing his head with a big smile.

"Please tell me you were paying attention earlier." Raditz muttered, raising his brow at his younger brother. "Of course he's a Namekian."

"With that said," Bulma pulled a capsule from the metal box attached to the belt of her shorts, "You guys can stay here while I run some tests. I'm going to discuss with my dad to see what's the best course of action." She clicked the capsule before tossing it out to the white sand outside. With a poof, a helicopter appeared. "Oh, before I go," She stood at the door of the helicopter, "I'll need you guys to make a final decision who's coming along to Namek or not. You know, for the food storage and all." Bulma hopped onto the seat of the helicopter. "Alright?" She raised her thumbs up to the others.

"Sure Bulma." The group agreed, waving their hands as they saw the lady of Capsule Corporations off.

"Looks like I'll be staying back here." Roshi spoke, seated in a tall, meditative stance. "A hermit like me needs to rest my old bones." He circled his shoulders before looking to his disciples.

"And I'll stay back with Launch too." Chichi chimed in, drawing her hand from herself to Launch as she met Goku's gaze.

"Krillin?" Goku looked over to the monk.

"Why not?" Krillin raised his shoulders. "We beat Slug, so what's the worst out there?"

Frieza, and his loyal followers. Raditz thought, keeping his dark gaze on Krillin.

"Dad, I want to go too!" Gohan clenched his fists together. "Please?" He clasped his hands together, his eyes gleaming at his father. Yet, he felt a dull pair of eyes on his back.

"Gohan." Chichi's voice fell stern. She folded her arms over her chest.

On hearing his mother's voice, the boy hung his head.

"Look," Chichi continued, "I disagree with you going to Namek. I worry for your health." Chichi tensed her fingers resting on her pink armbands. "I don't want my baby being hurt." As Gohan opened his mouth to speak, Chichi continued, "But," She softened her gaze, "If you must go, then I expect Goku, Krillin and Bulma to watch out for you."

Gohan's eyes gleamed. "Really?" He exclaimed.

Chichi nodded, though she held a sad smile on her lips.

Okome shifted her gaze from the waves at sea to Goku.

"Goku," Okome asked as she met the Earth-raised Saiyan's gaze, "I've also made my mind up to go with you guys."

"Sure." Krillin agreed, relaxing his brows. "I mean the more the merrier, right?"

Okome nodded. She hoped maybe there could be something there to give a hint on the whereabouts of her sister. As of now, she must not raise suspicions of her identity, though she questioned those who communicated to her and Raditz. Were they truly allies? or another ploy by Towa?

Only time will tell.

"Ditto." Goku chuckled before stretching his arms over his head with a long yawn. "So, me, Krillin, Bulma, Gohan, Okome and Raditz are-"

Raditz sighed. Maybe it was time to tell him of the contract.

-"I hate to break the news to you Kakarot," Raditz interrupted, standing away from the window ledge. "I'm not going to Namek."

Goku shifted his gaze to his older brother, his eyes widened briefly. "What?" Goku's voice cracked. "But Vegeta-"

-"The contract, Kakarot." Raditz reminded his younger brother, "I can't-"

-"So that's where you are." A croaking voice came from outside the small house.

Everyone, excluding Okome, snapped their attention to the white sand outside.

"I recognise that voice." Roshi shifted a small smile on his lips.

A small woman, dressed in black, sat on top of a hovering crystal ball. With her pink and short hair concealed under her large and pointed hat, a wide smile crept on her lips.

"Uranai Baba." Roshi said, seeing the creases grow around the lips of the fortune teller. "It's been a long time, sis." He squinted his eyes shut and stroked his white and bushy mustache.

"I suppose it has." The fortuneteller Baba replied. She clasped her hands over each other as her gaze shifted to her client. "But, a job is a job, so I'll have to make this short."

Goku turned his head back at Raditz. To think time flew past so fast...

"So, it's time then?" Raditz said, his lips shifting a small smirk.

"Yes." Baba replied. She turned towards the blue sea, which the shimmering waves reached out and beyond anyone's sight. "I assume you know what's next, correct?"

"Yes." Raditz walked past his little brother, his boots crunching against the white and shifting sand.

"My judgement."

Raditz's black and wild hair waved in the winds as his back faced his younger brother.

After watching his older brother enveloped in the late afternoon sunshine, Goku hung his head. There was much more he wanted to learn, yet… it looked like that won't happen.

No. Maybe he could learn one more thing before his older brother left.

"Hey, Baba!" Goku called, dashing outside to Baba and his brother.

"Hmm?" Baba hummed, turning her attention to Goku.

"I have a request, and I really hope you listen." Goku raised his hands to Baba and bowed his head.

"Go on."

"Can I please have a friendly spar with Raditz before he goes back to Otherworld?" Goku continued as he lifted his head to meet Baba's gaze. "There's just one, little thing I wanna test out before he leaves."

"Kakarot..." Raditz sighed, tilting his head at Goku. What was with the sudden request?

"Please?" Goku repeated, squinting his eyes at the witch.

"Hmm..." Baba hummed, placing one of her hands under her chin.

This is a direct order from King Yemma. Well, I did arrive here a few hours early. Baba thought, closing her eyes as she rubbed her chin. I suppose a few minutes of fighting shouldn't be a problem- This is the boy who did defeat my minions as a child.

"As long as you take no longer than five minutes, then I'll allow it." Baba raised her index finger at Goku. "Not a second longer."

"Alright!" Goku exclaimed, punching the warm air with a fist. "Come on Raditz, let's have a good time!" He jogged towards the edge of the land and waved his hand to Raditz to follow him.

"If you must." Raditz muttered. He crossed his arms and ascended into the blue sky above. "Now, don't disappoint me, brother." He smirked, his dark eyes burning for a good fight.

If this was surely his final time on Earth, then the wild-haired Saiyan wished to see how truly powerful his little brother had become.

Goku took his stance, shifting his feet apart on the white sand. He raised one hand close to his chest, his palm facing Raditz, and the other behind and raised above his head. How was this going to go down? Without Piccolo by his side, Goku's body trembled. A smile grew on his lips. The thought of this challenge thrilled Goku.

From the windowside, the group observed the Saiyan brothers.

"Mother." Gohan spoke, tugging Chichi by her red trousers.

"Yes Gohan?" Chichi replied, her sight fell onto her son.

"The Kamehameha," Gohan asked, looking out towards the blue sea ahead, "I remember you used it when we were fighting Vegeta and Slug."

"Hmm?"

"When did you learn to use the Kamehameha?" Gohan tilted his head to one side.

"When Goku handed me the Power pole and the Nimbus." Chichi replied, recollecting her thoughts. "After the whole ordeal with Raditz, I wanted to do my bit to protect Earth." She shifted her gaze from the Saiyan duo and observed the clear, blue skies. "Before anything of the Saiyans came about, your father happily agreed to train me. I mean; I'm the Ox King's daughter and I should hold up his honour." She placed one of her hands close to her chest. "Your father taught me some techniques from Roshi- one of them being the Kamehameha." She looked back at her son and sighed. "Mind you, that wasn't an easy skill to learn within a year without your father."

"Yup." Krillin chirped, raising his index finger up. "Goku instantly learnt that technique just by watching Roshi. Well... that's what Master Roshi told me anyway."

"That technique took me many years to master." Roshi mumbled, looking up at the clear sky with his shades, from the white sands outside. "I never thought a young boy would master such a technique at that age."

"Many?" Okome exclaimed. In shock, the mug she held cracked. "Uh oh..." She mumbled, noticing the coffee dripping from one side.

"It's alright kiddo," Roshi replied, raising his mug to Okome. "They don't call me a hermit for nothing you know." He leaned against the window ledge besides Gohan. "Your father is a talented boy, I tell you."

"He sure is." Krillin leaned on the window ledge besides Chichi. "I remember the days when I was stronger than him. Whew..." Krillin whistled. "Those were the simple days."

I remember those days when me and Kami were the strongest people around. Roshi thought, taking a sip from his cup. And then Goku sonny surpassed both of us.

"Goku was such a cutie." Launch chimed, her hands clasped behind her as she stood besides Krillin. She looked up at the blue sky, however her dark eyes softened as a lonely cloud passed overhead. After several moments, she looked to Chichi, "But now he's grown into such a handsome man." She smiled, forcing away the sadness in her eyes.

Tien… oh how her heart felt empty without him.

"Tell me about that." Chichi smirked, nodding her head. "I'm lucky to have met him." Her radiant gaze fell onto Gohan. "And to have a son just as cute."

"Mother..." Gohan mumbled. He bowed his head down as a means to hide his rosy face.

"Oh... here they start." Roshi drew everyone's attention to the sky with his staff.

A shockwave boomed across the vast ocean, splitting the blue and shimmering surface far and wide.

A kick, just hitting the ocean foam. A punch, caught within his palms.

Goku grunted as he nudged his fist away from Raditz's grips.

Man he's still tough... Goku thought, before kicking Raditz at the waist. Raditz swerved back, dodging Goku's kick with a grin and countered with a roundhouse kick back at Goku. Goku blocked the kick to the head with one arm and pushed Raditz back, his arm stinging from the rapid strike.

"Come on Kakarot, we're meant to be equals." Raditz reminded his little brother, his hair whipping in the winds as he pulled back from Goku for another kick.

Goku blasted away in a hue of white, backing away from Raditz and leaving a trail of raging waves.

"You may be good at dodging," Goku mentioned, rubbing his wrist, "but I still have another technique." He dashed towards Raditz once more. "Hya!" Goku threw another punch. Raditz fell back and missed his face.

Now!

Goku's body erupted into a shroud of maroon.

"Gah!" Raditz yelled as Goku slammed his foot into Raditz's spine, tossing the wild-haired Saiyan into the blue world ahead.

Better do this quick. Goku thought, shooting two balls of ki down into the depths of the ocean. He then cupped his hands to his side, sparking a blue orb within his palms.

The Kaioken... I should have known... Raditz thought, gritting his teeth. He tensed his muscles, halting in the ocean breeze.

"HA!" Goku yelled, thrusting his arms out. A blue beam raced towards Raditz at blinding speeds.

Raditz's dark eyes snapped wider. He dashed, away from the homing beam of light.

Goku pulled his hands closer to him, navigating the beam towards Raditz.

"Remember this move Raditz?" Goku chuckled as Raditz zoomed across the blue landscape. Left, right, down, and up, Goku observed where Raditz went and guided the beam after his brother.

"But you forgot one, little thing, brother." Raditz smirked. He vanished into the ocean breeze.

Goku widened his eyes. Oh crud!

The moment Raditz flew past Goku from above, a purple ball of ki crackled from his hand.

"HAH!" Raditz yelled, firing the purple ki blast down at Goku.

Goku darted out of range, before losing the blue light from his hands. That attack could have cost his arm! Wait, this was a sparring match- his brother tricked him!

"Gck!" Goku gagged, slamming into Raditz behind him. Of course! Raditz was fast enough to leave multiple afterimages.

"I suppose I'm still the faster one." Raditz smirked, catching Goku into a full Nelson. "Now, here's a little payback."

"Hehe, jokes on you." Goku chuckled. He flicked one of his hands up.

A blue glow, from below the ocean surface, rammed Raditz's back. Raditz lost his grip on Goku with a grunt. Goku swept his legs back, kicking Raditz in the chest.

"Gah!" Raditz gripped his chest, gasping for air as saliva left his lips. "That's a clever little trick you got there." He took a deep breath, though his chest creaked from the sharp blow. After regaining his breath, he hovered with a tall stance. "I didn't expect anything less from you, brother." He smirked, folding his arms over his chest.

"Hehe," Goku chuckled, rubbing his head. "You're pretty good too, Raditz."

As the harsh wind of the ocean breeze calmed, Raditz sighed. Guess it was time to finally say goodbye.

"Our father must be proud to have a son like you." Raditz spoke with a calmer voice. "I'm glad to have known you better." His dark gaze softened on Goku, glimmering with a faint light. "These last couple of days really made me think about the value of having such valuable allies by your side."

Maybe... just maybe Raditz could have fought alongside his younger brother. Maybe... to finally see through the vengeance over the massacre of the Saiyan race- to see Frieza finally defeated by a Saiyan he detested so much.

"Huh? What's with the glum look all of the sudden?" Goku asked, raising his hands up to Raditz.

"Kakarot," Raditz closed his eyes, "You have allies that will remain loyal to you." He opened his eyes once more and raised his palm to Goku. "Cherish them. They'll carry you far."

"Raditz, is there something on your mind?" Goku raised his brow at the wild-haired Saiyan and tilted his head to one side. "I know we won't be seeing each other after this but- boy, I didn't expect you to be honestly on my side." He laughed up at the sky.

All this time… and yet, Raditz remained true to the contract. All this time he could have plotted his revenge against Goku, yet, he did not. All those times Goku had a hunch that Raditz could have broken the contract, Raditz remained true to his word. Life was surely an interesting journey.

"Neither did I…" Raditz shifted his gaze from Goku to the sea. "But," He shifted his gaze back to Goku, "I suppose that's what big brothers are for." He uncrossed his arms. "My sole purpose was to defeat Nappa and Prince Vegeta- I considered them as allies because we were the last of our race, yet they left me to rot. Our father would never do such a thing to his allies." He took another breath and shook his head side to side. "But on a more serious topic, I relish to witness that tyrant Frieza to be defeated once and for all." He raised his clenched fist at Goku, "He caused so much pain to the Saiyan race." His fist trembled as his breaths seethed with silent anger. After several breaths, Raditz lowered his hand to his side and sighed. His brows dipped up. "I wish to have known of you sooner- and maybe if I came clean with what I should have said, maybe I wouldn't be stuck in this mess."

"Life's too unexpected for regrets, Raditz." Goku smiled, trying to cheer his older brother up. "I didn't know about my Saiyan heritage- heck, I didn't even know that I had an older brother. But," he raised his index finger to Raditz, "I'm grateful to know about my heritage- even if I'm an adult now with a son and a wife." Goku lowered his hand to his waist. "I'm honestly happy about all of this. Even if we started on a shaky foot, I don't hold anything against you."

Raditz widened his eyes for a moment. Was he… surely he must have some resentment towards him.

"You don't?" Raditz raised his brows up at Goku. For someone so strong, Kakarot was still the same, good-hearted warrior. How was this even possible for a Saiyan?

"Nope." Goku shook his head. "I've seen that you were able to do good; you've helped my son and my friends." He raised his palm to Raditz. "You're able to change, everyone has a chance to change; everyone has a chance to redeem themselves and do good for the world." A big smile grew on Goku's lips. "That's what my old man taught me when I was a kid."

Grandpa Gohan… What would his adoptive father think of him?

"Even Vegeta?" Raditz asked, his gaze became stern.

So much of his peppy behaviour was like their mother... Goku looked like their father but acted like their mother. Strong but also naïve...

"Yeah..." Goku prolonged his voice. He rubbed the back of his head and averted his gaze to the ocean waves.

"Before I take my leave, I need to tell you the honest truth about Prince Vegeta." Raditz followed Goku's gaze, looking at the swirling waves. Goku snapped his attention at Raditz. "Ever since Planet Vegeta, our home planet, was destroyed by that tyrant, myself, Vegeta and Nappa went through a lot of hardships. Vegeta especially had it hard." He looked back up at Goku, noticing his little brother widening his eyes slightly. "He was a Prince, without a throne and without a crown. He had to swallow his pride and listen to that tyrant as if he was a dog. It was horrible! I tell you." He raised his voice, clenching his fist at Goku, and furrowed his brows.

"Wait, Frieza is the reason why Vegeta became the way he did?" Goku tilted his head to one side and rubbed his chin. Raditz nodded, with a sombre look in his eyes.

"Nappa lost his ability to laugh and make light of the situation." Raditz mentioned with a sad tone. "Frieza's first hand cruelty made Nappa fear for his life, and made him that short-tempered and foul-mouthed brute you witnessed back there in the Wastelands."

"Wow…" Goku's voice lingered for several seconds. "That makes a lot of sense. But for Vegeta, it makes a lot of sense for that cold and cruel attitude of his."

"He had no option." Raditz added on, looking up at the clear skies. "Because we were under Frieza's rule, Prince Vegeta had no choice to be who he was. His childhood was snatched away from him. His father- the King; killed, and without a home..." He closed his eyes.

Nappa... Raditz thought, focusing on the heat from the sun radiating on his skin.

"It's my duty as an Elite to defend the Prince."

The grin of his former ally, Nappa, stated as he pointed to himself. What a joyous yet quickly angered fellow he was. Raditz opened his eyes to his former ally's voice, from his chasms of memories.

"The Prince has no one to support him; no home, no family and no throne. He was stripped of his heritage and reduced to a slave- as survivors of the Saiyan race, we must protect what's left of our bloodline." Nappa continued, holding his wide grin in those moments Raditz reminisced.

Yes... protect the Prince so that he can avenge the Saiyan race. Raditz shook his head. The Prince still treated them like the dirt beneath his boots.

"I get Vegeta, and that friend of his, had a tough life," Goku spoke with a serious voice, "But it doesn't excuse him from hurting my friends and family." His eyes darkened with annoyance. "Yamcha, Chiaotzu, Tien and Piccolo are dead because of that friend of his- and those were my friends I knew all the way back when I was a kid."

"I know how you feel." Raditz replied, raising his hands up at Goku. "I was betrayed by them; they had no thought of reviving me. I was nothing more than a low class Saiyan to the Elites- merely dirt underneath their boots. But," He sighed with a sombre look in his eyes, "I guess Nappa won't feel the same way." His voice dipped quieter. "Nappa was always loyal to Prince Vegeta. Even when the Prince killed him, Nappa seemed so honoured to die by the Prince's hand."

"It just seems to me that Vegeta's all for himself." Goku muttered, folding his arms over his chest. "I don't understand how you can turn on your own ally like that. Just like with Slug."

"Vegeta says that sacrifices like those are necessary." Raditz lowered his hands, hanging his head. "He's a cold and ruthless warrior Freiza crafted- the Prince will not shed a tear. His heart has been hardened into stone."

"But I'll never throw away my friend's life!" Goku raised his voice, raising his fist to his chest. "It's betrayal!"

"Kakarot, before I leave, you must promise me one thing," Raditz snapped his gaze at his little brother, "You must not face Frieza by yourself," He pointed at his little brother, "Understood?"

"But," Goku raised his brows, "we're bound to run into him, right? You said he has a massive army. So... avoiding him will be hard."

"...I suppose." Raditz rubbed his head. "But if you have no other option, then you'll have to play it smart. No one knows how strong he is, not even Vegeta." He furrowed his brows, keeping a sharp gaze on Goku. "But, you must not give Frieza a second chance." As Goku opened his mouth to answer, Raditz continued, "I know you're a gentle warrior, Kakarot, but you shouldn't even try to come to terms with him. He will use that gentle heart against you."

"I know." Goku lowered his clenched fist. "Vegeta and Frieza, I need to be careful with those two if I have any chance of reviving my friends with Namek's dragon balls."

"I bid you the best of luck, brother." Raditz dipped his head at his younger brother. As he turned his back to his brother, he widened his eyes at a thought. He glanced at Goku again. "Vegeta is also after the Dragonballs." He warned Goku.

"Huh? What reason would he need the dragon balls for?" Goku tilted his head to one side.

"Immortality." Raditz answered with a serious tone. "And I'm sure Frieza must be after the same thing."

"Trying to beat an immortal? Wow, that's not going to end well." Goku shook his head.

"Please, be safe." Raditz said, his voice softened. "You are one of the few remaining survivors of the Saiyan race. Remember your Saiyan pride, remember your allies, and everything close to you." Raditz pointed to his brother. "You are Gine and Bardock's legacy, you must not forget that." He drew his fist to his chest and patted his chest firmly.

"I guess…" Goku's brows dipped up, "This is really the last time then." His onyx eyes glimmered with a faint light.

"Yeah," Raditz raised his fist up at Goku. "Until we meet agai-"

"But I could revive-"

-"No," Raditz intervened, his gaze hardened on his little brother. "My time as a warrior is over now Kakarot." He closed his eyes. "There's nothing for me to achieve here. You have a wife and child, whereas I do not." He drew his hand to his chest, looking to Goku once more. "Take care of them." He patted his chest.

As Goku opened his mouth to speak, he fell silent. No. Maybe this was a Saiyan thing that an Earth-raised Saiyan could not understand. Maybe resurrecting a Saiyan was a blow to their honour and pride as a Saiyan warrior.

"Raditz," Goku raised his fist to his brother. "I have a small favour to ask of you." Raditz nodded his head. "Please say hi to our real father and mother for me," Goku smiled, "And when I meet you again in Otherworld one day, I can show you the one who raised me." He raised his thumb to Raditz. "His name is Gohan, Grandpa Gohan." He bent his thumb and held his fist out to his older brother.

"Sure." A small smirk left the wild-haired Saiyan's lips. He turned away from his younger brother and faced the endless, blue abyss before him.

Father... mother... Raditz thought. He closed his eyes, his lips parted to reveal his clenched teeth. You must be so proud of Kakarot. Unlike me, I do think that Kakarot will carry the bloodline far.

"Kakarot," Raditz opened his eyes, his gaze softening on the blue waves. He turned to Goku, raising his fist to his little brother. "I'll make sure I do." He bumped Goku's fist, seeing his little brother for one last time.

Baba tipped her pointed hat. It was finally time to leave.

As Raditz turned away from Goku, vanishing into the blue depths alongside Baba, Goku waved his hand.

Until we meet again, big bro. Goku thought, watching his only brother fade away into the vast blue depths of the shimmering waves.

An older brother's misunderstanding- now transformed into an experience of trust and compassion. Even if they were world's apart now, they shared one goal now.

To stop Frieza.

"Goku!" Chichi called from within the house, waving at Goku from the window alongside the other fighters.

"Hey guys!" Goku returned to Kame House. "So, what's up?" He landed on the white sand with a soft crunch.

Upon the sight of only his father returning, Gohan's onyx gaze saddened. "I guess Uncle Raditz is not going with us then?" Gohan asked, turning his attention to his father.

The smile from Goku's lips faded. "Sorry son." Goku shook his head. "He won't be tagging along with us for Namek."

Okome looked to Gohan, who slowly hung his head. She could only assume that Gohan wished to spend more time with his uncle. Now that Raditz is gone, who knows when they will meet again- or how long she could keep the secrets of the Time Patrol hidden from them. She walked to Gohan and ruffled his hair.

"I'm sure he doesn't want you to mull over him." Okome chimed besides Gohan. "You never know, he could return one day."

"I hope so too." Gohan spoke, shifting a slight smile to Okome.

"So it's just us then." Krillin said, raising his hands up. "You, Bulma, Gohan, Okome and me." He held up all five of his fingers up.

"Wait!"

A croaky voice echoed from within the minds of every person.

"Hey King Kai!" Goku replied, raising his hand up to his head. "Long time no see- well hear... or something." He mumbled.

"I suggest you guys should have two spaceships." King Kai continued from his small, green planet from Otherworld.

"Why?" Okome asked, tilting her head up as she stood besides Gohan. "I'm pretty sure one will be enough for five people."

"What's happening on Namek?" Goku narrowed his eyes. This was quite a sudden call from a Kai.

"Nothing too big," King Kai replied, twiddling his fingers behind him. "I was wondering that since you like to train, how about a place of your own without disturbing the others?"

Goku blinked. "I don't know..." He rubbed his chin. "I mean, me training would be a better idea than just sitting around and doing nothing. And I heard that the Frieza guy is strong."

"... well, yes," King Kai twitched his antenna, "But, Frieza's still out of bounds. You should focus on finding the dragon balls first before trying to take on any of Frieza's men."

"Yeah..." Goku looked over to Krillin. "Someone's gotta tell Bulma about this."

"Good luck with that." Krillin chuckled, "She's clever and incredibly rich... but wouldn't telling her now might delay the travel to Namek?" He raised his index finger to Goku.

"It's better being safe than sorry." King Kai chimed in. "The sooner you tell Bulma, the sooner you guys can prepare for the trip and rest up."

"Alright then." Goku raised his voice, clapping his hands together. "Then it's settled. We're going to Namek." He pointed up at the blue, clear skies above; with the look of steely determination shooting sharp from the depths of his black eyes. "Namek, here we come!"

"Yeah!" The fighters all cheered, all pointing towards the blue horizon.

Next stop; Namek.

King Kai's planet

Perched within the branches of the tree, Piccolo observed the Kai with his sharp eyes.

"You didn't tell him the truth, did you?" Piccolo interrogated King Kai from the shade of the tree.

"Look, I'm trying to get Goku to avoid fighting Frieza at all costs." King Kai replied, looking up at the golden sky afar. "Frieza is a terrible foe to challenge."

"And yet my people are being slaughtered like lambs down there!" Piccolo bared his fangs at the Kai. He swooped his arm across the air, creating a loud whooshing sound.

King Kai turned slowly to the Demon. What an odd turn of events? To think the once evil Demon Piccolo began to have concerns for those of his own race? Surely this was a sign that the Demon was slowly, but surely, changing.

"I know, but it's not that you can do anything now." King Kai kept his hands behind him. "Goku's the only person to take on Frieza without a doubt. But, Raditz doesn't know how truly powerful Frieza is. He's a nightmare beyond Hell."

"Then what are we supposed to do about Namek then?" Yamcha questioned, raising his palms at the Kai as he, Tien and Chiaotzu exited the Kai's small house. "There's no way that Goku can pass all of Frieza's men, even as a group with Krillin."

"But then why would I suggest that Goku should travel in another ship then?" King Kai turned towards the Earthling group.

"Hold on," Tien spoke, raising his brows as his arms were crossed over his body. "You let Goku travel by himself so that he can train? Without having to disturb everyone?"

"Yes." The Kai replied with a grin. "Remind me again, Goku hates sitting still, right?"

Yamcha and Tien nodded.

"Then why not let him travel alone in a spaceship and let him do his training that way?" The Kai raised one of his hands to the group and wiggled his index finger. "At least he's getting stronger without disturbing anyone." The Kai raised his shoulders, "Besides, Namek has ten times more the gravity of Earth. So this will give himself a head start."

"Right..." Yamcha ran his hand over his head. "Given Bulma's quirks, she'll be able to create another ship in no time."

"Then there's nothing to fear!" King Kai exclaimed, rubbing his nose. "As long as Goku and the others avoid Frieza's men, you guys should be alive in no time."

Yamcha raised his fists up, whilst Tien gazed over to Chiaotzu. Piccolo remained in the shade of the tree. As much as they had hope in Goku and their allies on Earth, something didn't settle well with them.

What about Vegeta? He's already a problem as it is, and if he's teaming with Frieza, this will make the situation much tougher than it already is. Tien thought, gazing up at the yellow clouds drifting by. I hope Krillin and Gohan are cautious around Vegeta if they separate from Goku.

Something's not right about all of this, Piccolo thought. Vegeta, I see him as another problem aside from Frieza. Shouldn't a Kai be able to sense everything in the North galaxy? His dark gaze fell onto the Kai. The Kai turned his back on the Namekian, as though he was aware of his gaze. He's a Kai; a Kai lives for thousands of years. He must know how truly powerful Frieza is.

What other dangers was the Kai hiding? Only time will tell.

- - - - -

South galaxy - Planet ???

Tap, tap, tap…

Desolation.

Where was he?

Saishi hustled down the dim hallway, searching for Paragus. She passed each grey room within the vast, archaic building. Empty. Each and every room she inspected was just the same thing again and again.

The chilly winds blew. A whistle echoed from the cracks scarring the stone walls.

Saishi shifted her cold and quivering eyes from the path ahead to the dark walls surrounding her. Her heart beated against her ears. She quickened her pace once more, as though trying to escape from the darkness soon consuming her.

Yet, her maroon boots halted.

Tangled wires… broken glass… a creature crouched, surrounded by the wings of darkness…

Saishi drew her bandaged hands to her head, her lavender eyes glimmering with tears.

Scarlet blood… agonising screams… and crystal tears…

"Stop it…" Saishi muttered to herself, her voice wobbling. "I'm not Towa's puppet anymore…" She lifted her gaze to the stone hallway ahead of her. Her eyes widened, her pupils shrivelled away into the size of a pinhead.

The hands of darkness… open… closing in on her from the shadowy depths ahead.

"Do you honestly believe you can escape from me?"

Then that laughter, that sound instilled into her mind and soul.

"Oh, my dear X-498?"

"GO AWAY!" Saishi screamed, firing a blast of crimson flames into the darkness ahead of her. After a moment, Saishi gasped and drew her hands close to herself, extinguishing the flames with a hiss. She then clenched her trembling fists and gritted her teeth, annoyed at herself, again. "I'm… I'm not your puppet, anymore." She muttered to herself, her voice wobbling under her sharp breaths.

Those memories, those nightmares, when will they stop haunting her?

After regaining her composure, she turned her focus to travel to the Shamoian's district. Surely, they should know where Paragus was.

Saishi leapt out from the nearest, cracked window and flew towards the vast, white wastelands, veiled by the crimson mist reflecting the nearby star's rays. As she travelled, she soon passed a desolate city. Sighting no Angols in the area, she flew towards the city of ashes. What secrets could she unearth?

After several minutes of exploring the barren city, just nothing. Nothing but pieces of shattered glass and metal hung from the remains of the black buildings. Dust and ash drifted in the scorched heat and clung to the lone girl's lungs. Saishi sighed. She dipped her head, passing a crimson, streaked window; the scent of iron faint on her nose.

This was what Samoe probably meant about him; the embodiment of destruction and despair. This place, this place was a grim reminder of life this place once had before being ravaged by a monster.

As Saishi drew her pale hand to the stained glass, a sudden pair of sharp eyes fell on her from the glass reflection.

"Oh, it's you."

Upon recognising the husky voice, Saishi snapped her focus behind herself.

"Broly." Saishi spoke, backing away from the brawny Saiyan. However, her back bumped into the metal wall behind her. "I was curious, that's all." She drew one hand to her chest, though her tail flicked up. "I heard stories about this planet, and I wanted to see it for myself if they were just rumours." Her heart beated against her ears as she observed the Saiyan keenly.

"That 'curiosity' of yours can get you into trouble." Broly warned, narrowing his dark eyes on her. "There is nothing left to see here." He shifted his gaze to the scorched and crooked building besides him.

Saishi followed his gaze. After observing the charred, iron beam, to the shattered glass on the scarlet ground, she shifted her gaze to him again. "Was it you?" She asked, raising her hand to indicate the desolate city besides her.

Broly's lightless gaze fell onto her small form. His gaze shifted to her bandaged arms, then to her weary gaze.

"That youth's bleeding badly! We need to help him!"

Those eyes of kindness… their warmth… and their comradeship…

Yet… that stern and cold gaze soon found him.

"You're a Saiyan warrior Broly. You must not be swayed by their false kindness!"

A sharp and cold strike to the gut. Yet, the youth reached his hand out at an incoming beam of light.

"DAD! PLEASE DON'T KILL THEM!"

[I[Scarlet blood splattered against the floor. A trigger.

Then… that howling roar of despair...

Their screaming lullabies… their black cries for mercy… and the stench of blood and ashes on that crimson night.

Broly snapped open his shaken eyes. After several moments, he shifted his wavering gaze to his fist. Trembling. It now dawned on him that his breaths quivered.

"They had no chance." Broly spoke quietly. "In one night, they were reduced to ashes by my hands." He lowered his fist and turned his head to the crooked building hanging over him. A faint smirk shifted on his lips. "Those poor bugs..." His gaze fell onto Saishi, twisted with darkness, "If only there was someone strong enough to save them."

Saishi drew back from the Saiyan, gritted her teeth tightly shut. Maybe she shouldn't have explored this place at all. His bloodlust, it suffocated her.

"Don't worry, you'll be the last person I want to kill." Broly continued, raising one hand out to her. "But first, I need you to recover from the rotting body of you-"

"Stop it!"

"Grgh!" The Saiyan grunted, his fingers digging into his scalp. He winced, his sharp gaze flickered for a moment as a heavy pain shot through his mind.

"Don't!"

Broly pressed the palm of his hand into one side of his face. He squinted open one and lightless eye.

[II"Please! Don't take my only friend away!"

"You… weakling…" Broly growled lowly under his breath as a child's voice pleaded from his mind. His breaths wavered. "There is no thing as…" The area around his eyes creased, "A friend."

Sensing a shift in his negative emotions, Saishi drew back from the Saiyan. As she raised her hands close to herself, she noticed the Saiyan resting his hand against the wall beside him. As she moved back, she noticed his gaze did not follow her. Yet, she remained firm in her stance, analysing what was wrong with the Saiyan.

After several moments of silence, the Saiyan drew away from the wall slowly. Yet, he concealed his face with one hand, namely the top half of his face.

"It's going to be one of those days, again…" Broly sighed quietly, drawing his hand away from his face. With a faint light in his eyes, he shifted his gaze to Saishi again. "If you're searching for my dad, you'll most likely find him in the Shamoian's District with the Angols-" He sighed and slumped his shoulders, "Not that I care where he is."

"But, if that was the case, why would his quarters be empty?" Saishi asked, raising one hand out to Broly. Yet, she kept a firm gaze on him, anticipating his next action. "Wouldn't his room be guarded by a few Angols?"

"It wouldn't have to be if I'm still chained." Broly drew his hand to the golden piece on his forehead. "I don't know what he hides in that room of his, but I have a hunch that it's a lot of trouble for me." He shook his head. "And even if I do get my hands on whatever he hid, that little researcher of his is another problem and a half." He scoffed the last part.

"Little researcher?" Saishi tilted her head to one side. "Wait! Paragus has a researcher?" Her eyes widened, quivering at a sudden thought.

Broly blinked for a moment at her. "My dad never told you? After all the time you were under him?"

Saishi drew her hands to her lips. "I… have a question," She drew her hands away from her lips, "If you don't mind me asking, that is."

"Go on." Broly raised his hand out to her.

"Going back to the night when I first ended up here," Saishi shifted her gaze from the shattered glass to the black mountains in the distance, "On whose orders did you keep me alive, and why?" Her cold eyes fell onto Broly, her tail stiffened against the scarlet ground.

Broly drew his hand to his side. "My dad." He narrowed his eyes on her. "But, I can only assume what his intentions are for keeping you around." He sighed and closed his eyes.

If that limiter failed to activate on that night… surely Saishi would have ended up as another victim to his frenzied bloodlust.

The winds whistled through the city of ashes, sweeping the scent of burnt rubble past the Earthling and Saiyan. A slight smile shifted on Saishi's lips as the black fumes bolstered past her and Broly.

"... I see." Saishi spoke, her smile faded. "Then here's another question for you," Once the black fumes subsided into a hushed whistle, she walked past Broly. Her tail swayed side to side, "If, somehow, I had a power that rivalled yours, what would your father do- or that researcher of his do?" She stopped. Her back faced him, yet her gaze observed the shattered window, viewing a reflection of the Saiyan.

Broly shifted his gaze from her small footprints to her, yet he still kept his back facing her. Just what was she up to?

"Most likely, you'll be in the same situation as me." Broly answered, closing his eyes briefly.

Saishi widened her eyes. She sighed silently through her nose and closed her eyes briefly.

"You will-"

"Be a puppet, similar to my time serving under Towa." Saishi shook her head side to side. As her fingers brushed the charred, iron window ledge, her black nails sharpened. With a rapid swipe, she slashed through the iron, her thin pupils glaring at the shattered iron falling to the ground with a clatter. "If two people are saying the same thing, then surely this must be the likeliest outcome." She muttered under her breath, her angered gaze dulled to sadness. After a sigh, she wrapped the bandages around her fingers again, concealing her bruised skin.

"Who's the other person you speak of?" Broly asked, turning to face her.

"If I told you, how am I sure you won't kill them?" Saishi turned her head slowly to Broly, her cold eyes observed him.

"If you don't tell me, then I might kill them by accident." He shifted a small smirk at her.

Saishi sighed, hissing through her gritted teeth. "Alright, then," She crossed her arms over her chest, "Then I ask you to stay away from all the Shamoians." Her tail pointed to him.

Broly's smirk vanished for a moment. "Those bugs?" He laughed. "I'm surprised they're so welcoming towards you." His brows furrowed, "After everything you told me about yourself, I thought they would treat you like me!" He guffawed up at the crimson sky.

As Saishi opened her mouth to speak, she fell silent at a thought. She drew right hand to her left arm, her gaze falling onto the ground.

"I want to believe that… maybe he could be like you- maybe someone who's not entirely evil, but just lost and left in confusion. If that is the case, why can't he do good, like you?"

Samoe… even if she seemed like a cold and short-tempered child at first, her heart was pure- and naive. That naivety… somehow it reminded Saishi of her little sister.

The Earthling shifted her lavender eyes to the Saiyan, observing his next set of actions.

"Maybe they could treat you like me," Saishi spoke with a calm voice, drawing her hand away from her arm to her chest. A rosy smile shifted on her lips, "Because like you said, we are similar." She laughed, pointing to him with one hand.

The Saiyan's guffaw hushed. He turned his head slowly at the smiling Saishi.

To be treated lesser than a monster…

To be treated… No. It's not possible, not after all the blood shed and the violence orchestrated.

The Saiyan shifted his dull gaze away from her, turning his back on her.

"Don't kid yourself." Broly spoke with a low voice. "My history with those bugs is none of your business. And even if you did negotiate with them, they are stubborn-" He fell silent. His gaze fell onto the shattered glass scattered across the scarlet ground. "I'm sure that kid must have told you stories about me." He watched Saishi from the reflection, glinting off from several shattered glass fragments scattered across the ground.

"... I," Saishi averted her gaze from him, aware of the child he spoke of. "I understand the pains she's suffered. But…" Her tail brushed against the ground, "Her emotions take control- and because she's a child, she can be rash." She sighed. "It makes me wonder if what she said about you is distorted as a result of her emotions."

Broly shifted his focus to Saishi, his dark gaze observing her. What a naive assumption. If Saishi was present during the time of the Shamoian's enslavement, there is not a single doubt that she would reach the same conclusion as the Shamoian kid.

"You're asking this question because you assume our truce will stop me from killing you," The Saiyan narrowed his eyes on her, "Right?"

"I would be lying if I didn't agree." Saishi met his gaze. "Under this truce, you did say not everything is what it seems," She raised her hand out to him, "So, I want to learn of your truths."

Broly widened his eyes for a moment. "Why not ask-"

"I don't want Paragus's, the Angol's, or the Shamoian's opinions about you," Saishi spoke over Broly, wiggling her finger side to side, "I want to know you," She drew her index finger to him, "From yourself." She pointed at him, her lavender gaze observing him once more.

With a silent sigh, the Saiyan turned away from her. His gaze fell onto the palm of his hands, then towards a lone cloud drifting in crimson sky hanging above him.

"You're persistent." Broly spoke, a smirk shifted on his lips for a moment. With a gleam in his dark eyes, he turned to Saishi again, raising one hand out to her. "If you want to know me better, then all I need you to do is two things," He pointed his index finger at her.

Saishi froze. Her body tensed up as she anticipated his next words.

"One," Broly continued, "You already know this rule, but I'll repeat myself; stay honest to your word." He then pointed his middle finger at her, "Two," He narrowed his eyes on her, the bridge of his nose creased, "You have to stay alive."

Stay alive? Saishi thought, breathing silently through her nose. She drew one of her hands to her lips and pondered for a moment. Something felt off about the second rule.

"If you don't mind me asking," Saishi raised her hand to the Saiyan, "The second one-"

"I have a history of violence, as you know," Broly turned away from her, "The people I met throughout my childhood didn't live long enough to see what I am. But you," He fell silent for several moments, his gaze fell onto the scarlet ground again. He sighed, his shoulders relaxed, "You lived longer than them. Perhaps," He turned to her. He took one step after another towards the small Earthling, crossing his arms over his chest.

Saishi stood firm. Yet, her spine shivered as the Saiyan approached her.

"You might live long enough to understand everything there is about me." Broly continued, standing in front of her, "Hm?" He hummed, tilting his head to one side. His lightened gaze met her gleaming ones.

"Considering that it's possible that Towa has her eyes on you, I'll find out everything there is about you before she can get her hands on you." Saishi shifted a slight smile on her lips. "Besides, I think this is fair since you did see me not so much as a 'small' human a few days ago."

"Whatever you tried to hide, it's a part of who you are," Broly smirked at her, "And eventually, you'll see me for what I am." He laughed to himself, thinking what chance the poor Earthling had to see his true, Saiyan self-

And find himself alone once more.

He fell silent. That deafening silence once more… All those weaker than him perished in the wake of his wrath, bloodlust and violence. Why would it be any different this time around?

"And maybe it's not all that bad."

Broly snapped his gaze to the Earthling. He noticed her small smile on her lips as she passed him.

And this made him question; despite her being weaker than him, how was she still able to retain her happiness and positivity?

"I think it's time I make a move." Saishi continued, turning her focus to the silver dome in the distance.

"Before you go, I have a favour to ask." The Saiyan's gaze followed her. As he watched her, the crimson ray from the star illuminated the city of ashes, soon concealed momentarily by plumes of black smog. The wind whistled past, though his gaze still remained firm on the Earthling.

A favour? Saishi thought, soon stopping. Why wasn't the Saiyan issuing an order? She turned slowly to him, her tail rested firmly on the ground. Though, the bitter stench of blood and smog settled on her lungs, she looked beyond the black air.

"After when you finish whatever you need to do with my dad," Broly continued, raising one hand to her, "Find me. I won't train you, but I decided to do something... different today." He turned away from her.

"Different?" Saishi tilted her head to one side like a bird.

"... You know, I never met someone so absurd like you." Broly shifted his gaze back at her, resting his hand on his waist.

"Huh?"

"We're going to talk, not fight." Broly sighed silently through his nose, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You know, I can't fight at the moment since I haven't exactly recovered yet."

"Oh…" Saishi swayed her tail side to side, "Why couldn't you just say-"

Noticing the Saiyan scowling at her, Saishi fell silent. She laughed to herself, itching the back of her head.

"Well… maybe I can check up on those wounds of yours?" Saishi offered, raising one hand to the side of her head, "I know a few things or two-" She fell silent as she noticed the Saiyan glaring at her. She laughed sheepishly and backed away from the Saiyan, preparing to run if that Saiyan snapped at her.

"You're not touching any of my wounds," Broly snarled lowly at her, "That's completely off limits." He snapped his head away from her and bristled. He crossed his arms against his diaphragm.

Saishi noticed his arms pressed firmly against his diaphragm, pondering about his grievous scar he suffered from birth. She chuckled weakly.

"And if I did?" Saishi raised her hand close to her chin.

"I'll most likely snap your head off without a second thought." Broly shifted his dark and lightless gaze at her.

Saishi blinked at him for several moments. After a moment, she rubbed her forehead.

"That makes a lot of sense now." Saishi sighed, recalling that particular day when the Saiyan fell unconscious for two weeks.

"Hm?"

"You're grouchy, that's what." Saishi spoke with a monotone voice. She drew her hand away from her head. "Not that it matters."

Broly blinked at her.

Saishi blinked back at him, assuming the Saiyan would say something. After several moments, Saishi pinched the bridge of her nose.

"What?" Broly prolonged his voice.

"You say I'm absurd, and I say you're daft as heck." Saishi squinted her eyes at him. "Seriously, did you forget that I had to tend you for two weeks?"

"... Is that really important?" The Saiyan squinted one of his lightened eyes shut.

Saishi's eyes twitched, annoyed at the Saiyan.

"The next time you-" Saishi fell silent at the sight of the Saiyan smirking at her. She whipped her head away from the Saiyan, her face reddened. Stupid idiot!

"Is there a reason why your face goes red like that?" Broly squinted his eyes shut, aware of her bashful nature.

A red vein throbbed at the Earthling's brow, annoyed at the Saiyan noticing her embarrassment. Now would be a good time to faint.

"I just find it warm." Saishi answered, keeping her gaze away from the Saiyan. She squinted her eyes, her skin flushed bright red.

However, Broly loomed over her, intentionally annoying her. A short and timid individual losing their temper, how humorous…

Saishi muttered under her breath, cursing in her home language.

"Alright!" Saishi raised her voice, meeting the Saiyan's lightened gaze again. "I take it back. You're not daft." She crossed her arms over her chest and puffed her cheeks out. "I'm sorry." She mumbled under her breath, averting her gaze from him again.

Broly snickered, though he concealed his lips with one hand.

Saishi's eyes twitched. As she opened her mouth to speak, the Saiyan guffawed up at the clear sky. Saishi's tail stuffed against the charred ground, her hands clenched into a fist.

"You a-"

"You have to stop apologising for every little thing you do." Broly spoke over Saishi, his laughter quietened. After pausing briefly, the Saiyan sighed deeply. "Remember, you're with me now, not with the other idiot." He raised his hand out to her.

However, Saishi averted her dreary gaze from the Saiyan and drew back, away from his reach.

Towa… To think her cruel nature crafted the Earthling to apologise for her failures.

Broly paused for a second, recalling her startled nature and her possible lack of trust in him. He drew his hand to his side, his lightened gaze faded to a darker gaze. That fear will do no good.

"Saishi-"

"I'll try." Saishi spoke softly, her right hand clasped her left arm from behind her back.

"Hm?" The Saiyan hummed, tilting his head to one side.

After a moment, Saishi shifted her lavender eyes to him, "I don't want us to leave on a bad note- who knows it would be the last thing we say to each other." Her tail brushed against the dry ground. Her tail flicked up at a thought, "Don't take this the wrong way," She glanced at him, her face reddened again, "It's not like I'm asking a favour-"

The Earthling hushed.

The Saiyan patted her shoulder, passing her with a smirk.

"You have a good heart." Broly mentioned, turning away from her.

As the Saiyan soared into the clear sky, Saishi tilted her head, confused at what the Saiyan meant. She rubbed her forehead. She sighed as her brain rattled with many questions. Maybe after sorting out Paragus's ordeal, she could find out what Broly had in mind.

As the Saiyan and the Earthling parted ways, Broly shifted his gaze to the Earthling one more time. He shifted his gaze away from her and observed the crimson sky, stretching as far to the black mountains in the distance.

Something wasn't right… Those ki energies, and the sudden absence of his father…

The Saiyan drew one hand to his lips as he soared into the air. Maybe those Angol idiots knew the whereabouts of his father. But, even then, something still didn't feel right. Some weight… he couldn't shake off the feeling of being constantly watched-

Broly snapped his dark eyes to the sky, seeing nothing but a faint streak of light in the far stratosphere. He stopped and turned his focus to the light. His eyes quivered for a moment. Just how long has that light been there? If this light was there during Turles's encounter-

Something was seriously wrong.

Meanwhile...

After several minutes of flying over the grey lands, Saishi soon found a massive yet deep hole; reaching into the darkest depths of the planet's core. As she gazed down at the darkness, webs of metal paths sprawled out from the darkness, like claws gripping onto the surface of the jagged land above. Rows of Shamoians waddled in a scatter; some carrying boxes over their head and other assortments with their hands.

Don't they have it tough? Saishi thought, taking a breath. She descended into the darkness, holding a ball of purple flames close to her chest. As she descended, not a single Angol was sighted. She soon gasped silently, worried that something was seriously wrong.

Whispers escaped into the humid air, hissing and quivering as the sounds of the sea of Shamoians shuffled in the darkness.

Saishi raised her hand up, gesturing no harm to the short aliens.

"No need to worry, I'm not here to harm anyone." Saishi said, flicking her lavender eyes to the sea of Shamoians surrounding her. "I want to issue an order," She raised an index finger up to her face, "So please, take a break from your daily duties until further notice."

The Shamoians looked around, whispering as their dark, garnet eyes remained on Saishi.

"Why so?" A familiar, child-like voice echoed from the sea of Shamoians.

"Samoe?" Saishi questioned. Her gaze fell onto a path giving way to two small Shamoians, one young and one frail.

"Saishi," Samoe continued, holding the elder Shamoian by his arm with one hand, and holding an oil lamp with the other, "It's been three days since no one's issued an order. Something similar like this happened when Turles came about."

"I wish I knew." Saishi drew her right hand to her left wrist and gripped it. "That's why I'm getting to the bottom of this."

"You're planning to find them and enslave us again, aren't you?"

Saishi widened her lavender eyes at the sound of a shriek. Her pupils thinned into slits.

As Saishi opened her mouth to talk, Samoe snapped her gaze at the Shamoian standing on the far opposite side of her. She furrowed her garnet eyes at her brethren, shaking her head in dismay.

"No, Saishi's-"

"You're the one that's working with that monster too!" One of the voices screamed over Samoe. That youth pointed an iron spade at Saishi.

Within a matter of seconds, all the eyes of the Shamoian's crinkled into a frown, a glare- feelings of resentment, sadness and fear.

"Saishi isn't"

-"What are you planning to do to us?" Another yelled from the crowd, drowning out Samoe's voice. That Shamoian youth raised a rock at Saishi.

"I'm not here to start-"

"You're going to punish us, aren't you?" A child shrieked, drowning out Saishi's sound voice.

One after another, the Shamoians teamed up against Saishi, hushing her, and Samoe, from uttering a single word.

"See? All of them fear you…"

The Demon's crimson eyes blazed into Saishi's consciousness.

At the sound of her bone-chilling voice, Saishi's eyes quivered.

" You're a monster in their eyes…" Karu continued, drawing her obsidian claws closer to Saishi's soul, her scorched breath from her needle fangs brushed against the Earthling's back.

And from the shadows of her claws, a splatter of crimson painted Saishi's black mind. A scream tore the blackness into crimson. Saishi's cold eyes trembled more violently, her hands shook. She collapsed onto her knees within her mind.

"STOP IT!" Saishi shrieked from within her mind. "I'm not a murderer!" As she opened her glimmering eyes, her eyes widened.

A pale body laid before her. Unmoving and surrounded by a pool of thick and glowing blood. Saishi crept towards the body, her hands- her black and sharpened nails scratched the black floors. Once her gaze fell onto her nails, she squinted her teary eyes.

"No…" Saishi whispered to herself. As she observed her hands, she noticed the black poison encasing her pale arms. As she snapped her gaze away from her arm, she noticed a pair of crimson eyes glaring directly into hers.

"What's wrong?"

Saishi observed the creature's red and luminous eyes. Those vengeful eyes… those eyes blinded with hate and endless misery. Those eyes… For two years… She recognised those blinded eyes.

Herself. A Monster.

"ENOUGH!" Saishi yelled, her black aura erupted around her, concealing her physical form.

The Shamoians all scurried back, their eyes trembling at the sight of such a chilling wave of power.

"I'M NOT HERE TO HARM ANYONE!" Saishi's eyes slitted to that of the Demon within. Her maroon hair lashed at the darkness, her crimson eyes glared at the silenced Shamoians surrounding her.

No… those eyes… frightenedquivering.

Fear.

With a silent sigh, the black ki shrouding her dispersed into strands of black air.

"I'm sorry." Saishi hanged her head. "I'm just asking a simple question- but I didn't realise how much stress it places on you all." Her voice softened. "It's nothing about punishing you guys." She gazed back to the Shamoians, most of which have shuffled quite away from the girl. Saishi closed her lavender eyes, letting out another trembling sigh.

That corpse… it was nothing more than an imposter. Saishi will make it through alive- she must. That girl- her little sister, she must find her and get to the bottom of this chaos orchestrated by Towa.

"It's alright Saishi." Samoe spoke with a lightened, garnet gaze. "Going back to the topic of Paragus, he didn't set foot here, neither did his underlings or that monster." She walked towards Saishi from the open path left by the Shamoians, where the elder remained surrounded by the ring of Shamoians. "My best bet is asking that monster, he is his son after all." She held the oil lamp up at Saishi, the golden glow flickering out into the darkness.

Saishi remained silent. Broly… if she mentioned she ran into him first, who knows what the Shamoians will do then. As long as Broly stays away from the Shamoians, and the Shamoians stay away from Broly, no problems should arise- or so she hoped. She sighed. Their history made everything seem more difficult than it should be- and lying to Broly wasn't an option anymore.

"...True." Saishi prolonged her voice, tilting her head to one side. "I wonder where Paragus could have wondered to? It's not like him to suddenly leave." She drew her fingers to her chin. "So I guess it's going to be Broly then." She lied, raising her hand to Samoe.

Samoe halted.

"Saishi," Samoe's voice quivered. She raised her hand up at her; her large, round eyes gazing up at Saishi. That monster; whatever his intention was now, it oozed with malice. "Please don't get too comfortable with that monster, he wants nothing more than despair."

"Samoe." Saishi sighed, rolling her head up at the crimson painted skies. "I'm just his student, it's not that he's interested in me in any way." She rubbed her bandaged wrists.

I wish I knew what his intentions were though. Saishi thought, her eyes catching Samoe's anxious gaze. Being in the centre of that man's attention is overwhelming. I can't tell if he's out to kill me or not- and now that he practically owns me, he's even more difficult to read. She clicked her wrist before scanning the surrounding Shamoians with her circular eyes. But I can't let my guard down around him; one strike from him, and it's lights out for me.

"Don't worry, I still have that promise to keep you you, Samoe." Saishi smiled at the child, then to the surrounding Shamoians. "Besides, I know how it feels to be far away from home. So I'll make sure you guys make it home alive." She raised her hand to the Shamoians, then drew her hand to her chest as an oath.

"How are we sure that it's not all just a trick?" One of the Shamoians called from within the crowd. "You know, that monster likes to taunt us. He points at our home, laughing at how sad it would be if our home was to suddenly go."

Home…

Saishi's brows dipped up, her eyes trembling. To have no home to return back to… Saishi gripped her red tank-top, her heart aching from a faint pain. After a breath, she drew her arms closer to herself.

"... Because, I'm not like him." Saishi answered, gesturing her bandaged hand up at the child. "I'm also getting taunted and beaten by him on a daily basis." She softened her voice, "I don't have the heart to do that to you all. It's not fair against you guys."

"Are they real scars?" Another Shamoian asked from behind Saishi, just a child. Saishi turned her head to the child, where the child pointed at Saishi's bandaged arms.

"Yes." Saishi replied, shifting her softened gaze from the child to her bandaged arms. She gently stroked her arm, recalling the times when and how she received her scars. She sighed. No child should see such violence. "These scars I hold, I can't bring myself to hurt someone else. I would never dare raise my hand at you all, not when the pain of my scars still hurt." She spoke with a rough and quiet voice.

The Shamoians looked around, with Samoe standing before them. Samoe walked to Saishi, aware of her glimmering eyes and trembling voice.

"Guys, there's nothing else for her to prove." Samoe said, looking over to the Shamoians. "I already trust her, so why can't you all?"

"Because she's with them!" One of the youths yelled again.

Saishi snapped her gaze at the youth, inspecting the youth from head to toes. Once she remembered the youth's scarred face, she hissed a quiet sigh. How unfortunate to have suffered those scars- and for someone so young.

"See you later Samoe." Saishi waved her hand to the Shamoian. "Take care and look after yourself." She brushed her hand over the child's lilac hair as she passed her.

"Okay..." Samoe replied, blinking for several moments. She rubbed her face with one hand. "I'll try to sort out this then."

Saishi nodded. With a burst of red, Saishi took off into the darkening skies above.

Please don't do anything foolish. Samoe thought, watching the red streaks vanish into the humid air.

It's time to make our move.

A trio left from the shadows of a nearby, desolate city, in silent pursuit after the lone Earthling.

After flying through the sky for several minutes, a yellow blast of ki shot past Saishi. Her hair lashed at the cold winds as her eyes widened. She halted. She whipped her focus to the direction of the beam of light. Above. Her eyes caught a silhouette of a trio, blocked by the rays of the sunset.

"What business do you three have with me?" Saishi yelled, baring her fangs at the trio.

"Oh... she's quite the feisty type, Captain." The brown toad noted, observing the girl with his sickly, yellow eyes. Oh well, she wasn't entirely of the Cold bloodline.

"What do you think, Boss?" The green, brawny alien asked, hovering beside the blond-haired alien. "Do you think Lord Cooler wants her?"

Lord Cooler? Saishi gritted her teeth and furrowed her brows at the thought. Another bastard's looking for me, this isn't good at all when Towa's-

-Karu's crimson eyes snapped open. Saishi drew her hand to her head, concealing her left eye as it glinted red for a moment.

"Shall I?" Karu sneered from within Saishi's mind. "Let me tear into their flesh-"

The chains crafted from magic tightened around the creature of darkness's throat, hushing the Demon from speaking further.

"Keep your cursed tongue behind your fangs." Saishi spoke, refusing to turn her attention to Karu. "The moment you roam free is the moment I lose control over my own body. I won't let a leech like you do as you please."

"You-" Karu snapped wider her crimson, glaring eyes. However, the chains dug into her scales, soon leaving cracks on them.

Saishi kept her focus on the trio watching her.

"She's a close associate with that other monkey," The blond-haired Captain replied, his arms crossed over his chest. "She'll be useful."

"I don't have time to wait about!" Saishi snapped at the trio. "You're-"

She fell silent as she noticed the trio getting into formation.

One member thrusted the chilly air with his hands, like that of a mantis, speedy and agile. Another tensed his biceps, clenching his fists at his muscle power, like that of a wrestler. Swaying his arms in a swift manner, the final alien rested his hands on his knees.

"Neiz!"

"Dore!"

"Salza!"

"Join us." Neiz, the brown toad, raised his hand to his chest. "Our Lord has been looking for you."

Saishi twitched her eyes, stunned at what she witnessed. Just where was the purifying water when she needed it...

"My name is Salza, Captain of this squad." The blond alien spoke, drawing his hand to himself. He drew his hand over to the toad introducing his comrades, "This is Neiz," He drew his hand over to the towering muscle besides him last, "And this is Dore; both who are my subordinates." He raised his hand out to Saishi. "We are on special orders to recruit you, so please, introduce yourself." He squinted his amber eyes on her.

"I choose not to say my name, neither do I want to join!" Saishi refused, snapping her head side to side. "I will not bow to another master." Her pupils thinned as her iris remained a chilling lavender.

Of course, Salza thought, rolling his amber eyes with a sigh.

"Oh dear," Salza spoke, drawing his hand to the scouter covering his ear. "It looks like I'll have to go through the trouble of persuading you to join." He clicked the button of his green scouter. "I believe your name was…" A name appeared from the countless data the scouter scrolled through, "Saishi?" He raised his brow at the irritated specimen. "Ah yes, you're the one who worked with the monkey known as Paragus," He smirked, "Correct?"

"Buzz off!" Saishi exclaimed, swiping her hand with a sharp whoosh. "Whatever your methods are, I will not join you."

That machine needs to go. Saishi thought, looking from Salza, to Neiz and to Dore. And they have Paragus. I'm assuming that since the Angols were absent for three days, Paragus must have disappeared at some point during that time span- but why they have him is beyond me.

Saishi shifted her body away from the trio. If she could escape them and give a distress call to Broly, maybe this Cooler person will show up himself. But for the plan to work… who knows if it will work or not. She hustled away from the trio, making as much distance as possible.

"I tried to be nice about this." Salza's voice droned, clicking his scouter off. "Oh well, it's time to pursue a disobedient recruit." His voice became stern, narrowing his eyes on the fleeing girl.

Saishi gritted her teeth tight. Aware of their pursuit, and a rapid on at that, she clasped her hands together. With a sudden swash of black smoke, she hid her form within the world of shadows.

"It's futile!" Salza pointing his gloved hand towards the incoming smoke. "Surrender now or your situation will get nasty." His fingers kept close together, like as if they mimicked a blade. Salza pulled his hand back. He clicked his scouter on; followed by Neiz and Dore switching on their scouters.

A swirl of black mist obscured their vision. However, the x-ray vision of the scouter highlighted a moving form within the smoke.

"There's nowhere for you to hide, little missy!" Dore yelled from within the smoke.

Neiz sniffed the smoke. He coughed; the fumes irritating his throat.

"Get out of the smoke!" Neiz yelled, snapping his head to his allies, "She's going to burn us to a crisp!"

Once Saishi got as far as she could from the trio, she clicked her index finger and thumb, using her rough skin to send a spark of red into the hazy world.

With a deafening bang, the smoke spewed scarlet flames.

I need to get away as fast as I can! Saishi thought, blasting away into the navy skies in a hue of red.

Swish

Three shadows zipped passed her.

"Tut tut..."

The hairs at the base of her head shot up. Saishi snapped her head behind her.

The trio sneered and jeered behind her.

"That was a 'cute', little firework." Salza sneered, his narrow, amber eyes observed her like a hawk to a little bird. "Too bad it's your thrall you were celebrating." He swiped his hand to his right, commanding his comrades to strike.

As Dore and Neiz zoomed to either side of the Earthling, Dore fired a blast of ki at Saishi. However, Saishi ducked, then backhanded a ki blast from Neiz. As she blasted on ahead, Dore fired a volley of ki at her, and continued to pursue her.

They're so f* annoying! Saishi thought, diving down and close to the grey earth, leaving a plume of dust in her wake. Flames erupted from her palms, burning the dry earth and fuelling the dust storm left in her wake. Maybe blinding them directly should lose them.

An electrifying beam ripped through the earth and struck her feet.

"Ga- ah!" Saishi gasped, slamming into the arid, rock earth and scrambled on the shattered ground. A rapid shadow flew above her. Saishi snapped her head up, a massive hand came plummeting down on her head.

"Give up, little lady." Dore warned, gripping the girl tighter around her head with his massive hand. He lifted her up, with each finger crushing into her skull.

With a snarl, Saishi fired a purple spark up at Dore, though Dore titled his head, evading the spark. "Grgh…" She winced from the numbing sensation swirling throughout her head.

Yet that whistling spark soon exploded, sending several sparks across the humid air.

Before Dore had the chance to move, one spark burned through Dore's helmet and into his scalp. With a yell, Dore loosened his grip on Saishi.

Once Saishi landed, she swept a low kick at Dore's knees. The towering wall of muscle fell onto his knees with a grunt. As Saishi leapt up into the sky once more to escape-

A zap caught Saishi's ears.

"Ga- AH!" Saishi shrieked, plummeting back down towards the grey lands. With a thump, she hurried onto her feet again. However, the electrifying shock struck her feet once more, darting up her knees and spine. With another scream, she collapsed onto her knees. Yet, she tried to remain conscious, despite her sight blurred from pain.

Salza and Neiz landed in front of her, whilst Dore stood behind her, caging her in.

"Like I have said before, it's futile." Salza spoke, standing tall before Saishi as Neiz stretched his fingers out at Saishi. "You see; Neiz can immobilise people, and as you know by now," He tutted, "It's not very nice, is it?"

"I'm... not... surrendering!" Saishi panted heavily. With each breath, it felt as though her head ached with a shroud of heavy and throbbing static. From her hands, a spark of red left her fingertips. Soon, she let out a feral yell and slammed her hands into the soil.

The land erupted into smoke, obscuring the pursuer's visions yet again.

"This is getting awfully boring." Salza yawned, drawing one hand to his lips as his scouter beeped to life once more. He flicked his wrist to Neiz and Dore. "No more messing around comrades, I think we played a bit too long with her now. We mustn't upset Lord Cooler now."

"Yes Captain." His subordinates agreed. After scouting for Saishi with their scouters, they soon located the Earthling, far from their current destination in the scarlet, desolate wastelands.

Within the colder reaches of the planet, Saishi raised her energy, despite her body rattling in pain. Sweat dripped off her freezing chin as she tensed her body, arms and legs.

Come on, Saishi thought to herself, He should be able to sense my ki.

"HAH!" Saishi yelled, her red ki sparked around her in the icy, white world surrounding her.

Yet, a sharp blow struck the nape of her neck.

"Hush now."

With no cry leaving her lips, Saishi plummeted towards the white and howling world below, her eyes blank.

Salza observed the lone girl falling, his hand raised in the air. How unfortunate… one swift strike from him was enough to knock the girl out of commission. He relaxed his hand to his side. This was not acceptable. If Lord Cooler deemed her to be a potential phenomenal soldier, then she was far from being the loyal and versatile soldier Lord Cooler envisioned.

"What a let down." Dore muttered, gripping the girl by the head. "I was hoping more of a challenge from one of that monkey's associates- considering this one looks like some hybrid of the Cold bloodline."

"I see your point, Dore." Salza ascended past Dore and Neiz into the inky sky above. "Her strengths are questionable, though with the adequate training, she could be a powerful asset for Lord Cooler to use." He drew his hand to his chin. "If she happens to have some form of relation to Lord Cooler, then we'll need to persuade her to stay with us and away from those filthy apes. And maybe educate her of the entire bloodline."

"Oh, right." Dore raised his brows, flying besides Salza with Neiz. "But I question if the lady is truly related to Lord Cooler, or even the King?" His brows arched, cautious at a thought, "What if she is from the enemy bloodlines that Lord Cooler spoke of-"

Salza and Neiz squinted their eyes on Dore. After a moment, Neiz blinked and Salza drew his hand away from his chin.

"Who knows." Neiz shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. "All I know is that Lord Cooler has a reason for issuing the order. I assume he could be looking for another strong and loyal warrior- He has a good eye for detail."

Salza remained quiet. His amber eyes observed the empty, arcane building below. A crumbled and wretched civilisation…

"I have no comment on such things," Salza spoke, his amber eyes shifting to his comrades again. "We need to deliver the girl to Lord Cooler. Then we can focus on the serious matters Lord Cooler has ordered us to investigate-" He narrowed his amber eyes. "The "Legendary Super Saiyan" is lurking here somewhere," His eyes hardened, "We can't let such a flimsy legend cripple the Cold empire bloodline."

Dore and Neiz nodded. "Yes Captain!" The duo saluted.

The trio vanished into the dark sky, leaving nothing but a whisper.

Several minutes later, a lone Saiyan halted in the barren, arctic wasteland. Alone. Broly shifted his focus up towards the starless sky. His coal eyes observed the darkness, his ears picked up the slightest sound and his nose caught the slightest scent in the world void of light. He flicked his eyes left and right.

That ki, the Saiyan very well knew who got targeted- and who was next to be targeted.

Broly averted his gaze to his abdomen; not a single bruise, but it still aches like Hell. Never mind, there were more important things at the moment to take care of.

Broly soared into the chilly air, looking over to his right. The light from the nearby, scarlet star sunk into the black mountains, leaving the world cold and drained of warmth. Lucky for him, he didn't have to rely solely on one skill.

And hopefully, this wasn't another mindless massacre.

South galaxy - Planet ??? - Stratosphere

A lonely spaceship hovered in the depths of space, just beyond the planet's stratosphere. Only a selected few were chosen, by the eldest son of the King of the Planet Trade Organisation, to work for him. Those with a heart of unbreakable loyalty and unwavering resolution worked closely alongside the Elite, to ensure the safety of the eldest- and potential heir to King Cold's throne.

Salza walked swiftly through the dark, iron hallway, accompanied by his comrades. After several minutes, Salza soon stopped at a pair of large, black, double doors. He sighed, relaxing his shoulders.

Just beyond those doors, the eldest son of the Cold bloodline waited. None should be rude in his presence; agreeing blindly, or cowering in fear, nor blissful ignorance, or arrogant superiority- none should disrespect Lord Cooler's wishes.

Salza nodded his head at his subordinates, signalling his comrades to be prepared.

Dore and Neiz nodded, though they restrained their unconscious prisoners; Paragus and Saishi.

With an elegant hand gesture, Salza swiped his hand, like as if it was a sword, to open the iron doors.

With a silent whoosh, the doors slid open. The Armoured Squadron entered the main room, void of light. As they approached the centre of the room, several monitors hung above, monitoring all the rooms within, and outside, the ship. The soldiers in training, the soldiers observing the captives within the prison cells, and also the barren planet beneath the spaceship, the monitors observed all.

"My Lord!" Salza announced, kneeling on the iron ground, his head bowed low. Behind him knelt Dore and Neiz, who also bowed their heads. "I have urgent information to share with you."

Basked in the light of the numerous monitors, a silhouette of a humanoid, lizard creature rested on his hovering throne of iron. Despite the light masking his form, his ruby eyes shifted from one monitor to the other, inspecting a set of recorded events. Once a recording of a familiar pair of gleaming, scarlet eyes appeared, he closed his eyes.

Foolish. To think Frieza took after his father's terrible traits; of such pride and of such arrogance.

His ruby and lightless eyes shifted towards the blue planet below, his purple tail patted the rim of his throne, slowly. After a sigh, he shifted his gaze to the wine glass in his hand, swirling the dark beverage.

"You may speak." The lone leader, Cooler, spoke, his ruby gaze inspecting the density of the beverage.

"Under your command, we have scouted and found our targets, Lord Cooler." Salza spoke, keeping his head bowed. "In respect towards your brother, his actions have indeed left some 'Saiyan' survivors." His voice lowered, disgusted at the word Saiyans.

After taking a sip of the bitter wine, Cooler's ruby gaze observed the wine for several seconds.

"My assumptions were right." Cooler mentioned, observing his gaze from the reflection of the midnight surface of his beverage. "My foolish, little brother was far too reckless handling the Saiyans, like so my 'dear' father." He pointed at the monitor with his other hand, causing a particular frame from one of the monitors to expand and overtake the window view of the planet below.

Dore shifted his gaze to Paragus, aware of the Saiyan slowly regaining consciousness.

"Besides the Saiyan pod escaping Planet Vegeta's destruction in that year, we have discovered that there are two more survivors that Lord Frieza failed to notice." Salza continued, looking up to his leader. "Though… not the same as Prince Vegeta and his group of so-called 'Elites'."

Cooler drew one hand to his dark lips. After a moment, he raised his index finger at the monitor before him, showcasing two individuals.

"Your findings, did you capture any of the three I requested?" Cooler asked, shifting his gaze from the massive monitor, displaying numerous frames of the two dark haired individuals. He shifted his gaze to a smaller monitor displaying several frames of a red-haired, tailed individual. With his free hand, he swiped his hand across the smaller monitor, to which the massive monitor blacked out momentarily. With three individuals shown on the massive monitor, displaying several frames of the same three individuals, Cooler took another sip of his wine. Yet, his ruby eyes lacked light.

Salza inspected the massive monitor of hundreds of frames. Soon, his amber eyes narrowed. A smirk crept on his lips.

They successfully captured two of the three targets.

"Lord Cooler!" Dore exclaimed, his dark eyes beamed with a harsh light.

Here we go…. Neiz and Salza thought. Neiz rolled his eyes whilst Salza covered his face, both of them embarrassed by Dore's abrupt optimism.

Dore tossed a chained Paragus at his leader's feet; restricted from his wrists and ankles. Neiz kept a firm hold on Saishi's wrists, keeping her arms raised and behind her back. Yet, Dore's yell caused Saishi's pointed ears to twitch, informing Neiz that she may also awaken soon.

Hearing a loud clang against the floor, Cooler closed his eyes and inhaled deeply.

"Dore…" Cooler spoke with a stern and calm voice. He slowly twisted his hovering, iron throne to face Dore, his lightless and sharp gaze fell on the wall of muscle.

Dore's gaze continued to gleam, unaware of Cooler's silent agitation.

Cooler rubbed his temples with a finger and thumb, restraining himself from throwing his frustration at Dore. "What have I told you about throwing prisoners at my feet?" He raised one hand to Paragus, who laid against the metal floor.

Salza stepped swiftly in front of Dore. "Forgive me Lord Cooler, Dore... always does that when he gets too happy." Salza apologised, bowing his head and resting his right hand on his luminous, green armour. "However, we have successfully captured two of the three targets." He shifted his gaze from the Saiyan laying against the ground to the tailed individual in Neiz's grasp.

As Paragus regained his consciousness slowly, Cooler shifted his gaze to the tailed girl, observing her small and Earthling form for several seconds. He drew his hand to his lips, speculating her possible species- and possible loyalties.

With a groan, Paragus opened his only eye. He lifted his blurry vision, soon meeting a silhouette of a purple, humanoid creature. His eye trembled violently at the sight of those ruby eyes.

"You..." Paragus's voice quivered, the area around his eyes crinkled.

Cooler cut his gaze at the kneeling Saiyan. The wine glass which Cooler held with his right hand left his grasp and hovered in the air, soon drawn behind him with a flick of his wrist.

"Remain silent until it's your turn to speak," Cooler warned, raising his hand to the chained Saiyan. He curled his fingers into his palm, only leaving his index finger pointed at the Saiyan, "If you wish to live."

Gripped by fear, no sound left the petrified Saiyan's throat.

Aware of the fearful Saiyan, Cooler uncurled his fingers and rested both of his hands against his lap.

"Let us keep this as a short and civil discussion." Cooler continued, leaning forward from his throne. "Now, as you are a Saiyan, what do you know of the so-called 'Legendary' Super Saiyan?" He narrowed his ruby eyes.

"You must answer to Lord Cooler," Salza clarified, his amber eyes observing Paragus closely, "The eldest son of the Cold bloodline."

Paragus shifted his trembling gaze from Cooler to Salza. Cooler… if he is the eldest son… then surely that meant…

"If you haven't realised already," Cooler spoke, leaning back and raised one of his hands towards the massive monitor behind him. With a click of his index finger and thumb, all the frames of the monitor behind him displayed one red and white symbol.

The Planet Trade Organisation.

"I am Frieza's older brother." Cooler continued, drawing his hand away from the monitor. "And I own a share of the Planet Trade Organisation, alongside him and my 'dear' father."

Paragus gritted his teeth tightly shut. Sweat drenched his skin, utterly petrified at the sight of another Frieza race clansmen.

To think… there was another powerful, tyrannical ruler hidden within the shadows.

Yet.. why was there nothing about this tyrant? Cooler… he was of an astronomical empire, yet… for some reason, this was the first time Paragus heard of such a person.

Salza observed his leader, waiting for his next command. Though, Dore cracked his knuckles, relishing the command to beat the only Saiyan into a pulp.

Yet, Neiz shifted his gaze onto Saishi.

As her vision soon focused on the iron grids of the ground, and a faint pain throbbing in her arms, Saishi snapped open her cold eyes with a quick and quiet gasp. Her gaze noticed the chains wrapped around Paragus's ankle, then to his submissive state in front of the audience.

"Kneel before your master and obey like the tool you were created to be."

Saishi's cold eyes trembled, her pupils thinned into slits at the sight of those ruby eyes.

"Oh?" Cooler shifted his focus to Saishi, meeting her shaking eyes. "Welcome," He raised his hands out to Saishi, his chin raised at her. His ruby eyes glinted with a faint light. "I was wondering when you will wake up-"

"... What the Hell do you want from me?"

Hearing her mumbled words, Cooler fell silent. He drew one hand to his chin.

"Hm?" Cooler hummed, observing Saishi's trembling fists, possibly from anger. "Pardon?"

"I said," Saishi spoke with a low snarl, "What the Hell do you want from me?" She glared at Cooler, the edge of her irises glowed crimson.

Dore and Neiz exchanged a weary look with Salza. Salza met Dore's gaze and nodded his head slowly.

As Saishi opened her mouth to speak, Dore grabbed Saishi by the back of her neck.

"There is no need for such hostility," Cooler spoke with a calm and smooth voice. "I did say I would rather have a civil discussion." His gaze cut to Dore, then to Neiz and Salza, lightless and sharp once more.

With a gulp, Dore released his grip on Saishi, aware of Cooler's silent anger. Salza and Neiz drew their hand to their chest and bowed their head briefly, apologising to Cooler.

"Salza," Cooler raised his hand out to Paragus, to which the Saiyan remained frozen in one place, "I need some privacy with our guest for a moment. Do me a favour and take the Saiyan away." He narrowed his eyes on the Saiyan. "I will interrogate him later."

"Understood, Lord Cooler." Salza bowed his head briefly.

As Dore grasped Paragus's arms behind himself, Saishi turned her head to the elderly Saiyan. As she parted her lips, she fell silent at a thought.

"As his son, I know what he's all about. It takes one wrong move for him to get a hold on you-"

As Saishi remembered those sincere and dark eyes, Paragus snapped his head at the tailed Earthling.

"DON'T SWEAR YOUR LOYALTY TO HIM!" Paragus yelled, reaching one hand out to Saishi as he struggled to wrest out from Dore's firm grasp.

However, Dore dragged the Saiyan back by the iron chains, forcing the Saiyan to follow Dore.

Yet, Saishi's empty gaze saw through Paragus, her ears hearing a faint ringing sound.

"SAISHI!" Paragus exclaimed as Dore dragged him past the iron doors. No… she must not work under that tyrant- he couldn't afford to lose his prized soldier!

And with a swift motion, the doors slammed shut.

"Good grief." Cooler muttered under his breath. "Now that we have some privacy, let us continue," Cooler rose up from his throne. "Shall we?" Once his feet touched the iron, cold floor, he stood tall and raised both his hands out to the kneeling Saishi.

Saishi closed her trembling eyes briefly, her shoulders slumped forwards. She forced back those haunting, cold, crimson eyes- memories carved into her consciousness by that Demon; Mira.

"It seems as though you're not focused," Cooler mentioned, drawing the levitating wine glass to one of his hands and held it. "I do apologise on behalf of my men. They are not…" He raised his other hand up to her, "Well equipped to handle their subjects gently."

"... You're a Frost Demon." Saishi muttered, her voice trembled with dry anger. "My blood runs deep with the malice of your race." Her fingers curled into her palms and trembled.

Cooler inspected her kneeling form. He swirled the midnight beverage for several moments.

"I suppose you are right to some degree." Cooler spoke, keeping his distance from the tailed individual. "For thousands of years, even before my time- even before my father's time, we have committed such atrocities." His voice dipped quieter, his ruby gaze dulled for a moment. "War is never a pleasant experience- and even more so when it was sometimes against the people of your own kin."

Kin?

Saishi opened her cold eyes and met Cooler's stern gaze. As she inspected his gaze for those moments, she noticed a faint gleam from those eyes- unlike Mira's cold and empty ones. There was something… different about Cooler's gaze.

"However, I am not here for an idle chat." Cooler continued, raising his voice into a modulate tone. "I see you possess some of the qualities of a Frost Demon," He took one step after the other towards her, descending down the iron steps from his hovering throne. "However, you are not truly a Frost Demon like myself. This is intriguing."

As Saishi drew back from the Frost Demon, her legs remained frozen in one place, as though a heavy weight was placed on her. This time… it was like that time-

"You were nothing more than an experiment, a mindless beast, controlled like a puppet to serve only my creator."

And those scarlet eyes.

Saishi drew her hands close to her head, her cold eyes trembling again. No. Not that episode again. Breathe… clear those thoughts... push back those thoughts...

A sign of a mentally damaged person...

Cooler halted and kept several metres away from her, her form casted into the darkness as he stood in the light of the monitors. Those who clutched their head, their eyes blinded by a vision of the past- surely they were individuals who suffered something so grievous to experience those episodes.

The Frost Demon sighed silently through his nose, closing his ruby eyes briefly.

"Saishi." Cooler uttered, raising his wine glass with telekinesis and guiding the glass behind him in the silent air once more. "I hate to make any assumptions about your race, so explain to me," He raised one hand out to the kneeling Earthling, "What are you?"

Saishi met his lightened, ruby gaze. Just what was the catch to answering this question?

"I was… an Earthling… a human to be precise." Saishi answered, her gaze fell low and remained on the iron floor. "I don't wish to-" She closed her eyes and shook her head.

Cooler swayed his tail side to side, brushing the iron floor.

"Was?" Cooler repeated, "Let me understand this; you were not of the Frost Demon bloodline from birth?"

"No." Saishi kept her gaze low. "I never was."

Cooler blinked for several moments. He drew one hand to his chin, pondering on several assumptions. Yet, his gaze still held a faint light.

"Explain to me this," Cooler continued, "If the blood of the Frost Demons are of malice, then why does an Earthling of a gentle nature have their blood 'tainted' by it?" He raised both of his hands out to her.

Saishi remained silent for several seconds. For Cooler to learn of her nature, surely those three who captured her must have watched her for some time- but for how long for? If she fabricated some of the information, it's possible she could be caught lying. Whatever! Lying was never an option, not when Broly made the consequences clear.

"My former master injected me with the DNA of the Frost Demons." Saishi answered, her gaze still remained low. "However, the mutations I developed had an adverse effect on me."

"And why would that master of yours choose to carry out that procedure?" Cooler squinted his ruby eyes.

"... I wish I knew." Saishi lied, meeting Cooler's stern gaze. "I can only assume my former master's intentions, not the truths of those intentions."

After several moments of silence, Cooler sighed.

"Very well." Cooler spoke, turning away from the Earthling. "I had the impression that you were a hybrid of sorts, but alas," He laughed to himself for a moment, "You are a person who has no knowledge of my lineage, and the lineage of my ancestors." He gazed up at the monitor before him, gazing up into the black void of space. "That Saiyan… I assume he is your new master, correct?"

"Yes." Saishi replied, slowly meeting his gaze.

"And are you aware of the history the Saiyans have with the Frost Demons?"

Saishi fell quiet for a few moments.

"I am not one to be easily angered, Saishi."

Saishi met his gaze, noticing the same, faint gleam from his eyes.

"Not like my father or my little brother." Cooler continued, his tail swaying side to side. "I am aware that there will always be multiple sides to a story, but those who open their minds will see the true fault of both sides."

As Saishi parted her lips, she fell silent. Despite being captured under Cooler's orders, he seemed extremely calm. This calm persona, it was unusual for someone who was her enemy-

Or was he truly an enemy?

"Paragus… told me stories of the destruction of his home, Planet Vegeta." Saishi answered, her fingers relaxed against her lap. "But, that's all I know."

"And at any time you were under him, did Paragus ridicule you?" Cooler asked, his voice dipped lower at the word 'Paragus'.

"... No." Saishi tilted her head slightly to one side, her tail swayed side to side briefly. "Not that I recall."

Cooler drew the hovering wine glass to his hand and held it. After taking a sip of the bitter beverage, he remained silent for several more seconds.

Just what exactly did it mean to be a great leader? A true leader, a leader recognised universally, not a tyrant by others- how could one achieve such a feat?

"Loyalty is a rare quality these days," Cooler mentioned, observing his reflection from the surface of his midnight beverage, "That Saiyan with that bizarre device controlling him," His gaze met her ones, "You should end his misery- before he becomes too much to handle."

Saishi widened her cold eyes at Cooler. Her hands trembled at those words.

Paragus also said something similar at one point… but what was the true meaning behind those words?

Finding the truth was a troublesome thing...

"I refuse to have my hands stained with more blood!" Saishi raised her voice at Cooler, her tail stiffened against the ground. "I can't…" She drew one of her hands to her chest and gripped her shirt. "Not… when I promised him… my life…" Her eyes quivered as her voice fell into a whisper.

Cooler observed her wavering form, his ruby and stern gaze shifting from her quivering eyes to her trembling hands. He sighed. He turned away from her and ascended to his hovering throne.

"How unfortunate." Cooler spoke, seated within his iron throne once more. "Just when I thought I found a suitable recruit, your loyalties belong to someone else." He patted his tail against the rim of his throne. "Loyalty is a quality I favour amongst my soldiers, but an unshakable loyalty to another is something I can admire." He paused, then continued. "I won't kill you, I see no reason to."

Saishi hardened her gaze on Cooler.

"But, if I am your enemy," Saishi spoke, furrowing her brows at Cooler, "What-"

"Oh, I never said you were an enemy." Cooler rested his elbows on his throne. "Despite your senior being a Saiyan, it does not mean you inherit the same motives as him." He raised one hand out to her, the light from the monitor fell onto his palm. "You could be an innocent bystander dragged into these affairs- something that the Elites of the Saiyan bloodline were known for." He shifted his eyes wider briefly.

Innocent… bystander?

Saishi raised her brows. The fact that Paragus was an Elite… this information did not bode well for herself. And the treatment Paragus had towards his own son… this thought made her stomach churn.

"You're telling me that…" Saishi spoke, her hands rested against the cool, steel ground, "Paragus dragged innocents for his own gain?" Her voice trembled.

"And this wouldn't be the first Saiyan to commit those atrocities." Cooler answered, drawing his hand to his chin. "But, I assume you knew what your senior was capable of, especially of his treatment towards his own men."

Saishi remained silent. The Angols, the Shamoians, those who fell prey to those two Saiyans alone… The distinctive smell of fear and anger, and their quivering eyes and trembling bones…

Paragus… Cooler… Who was telling the truth? Even worse, if they both were telling the truth, who was she supposed to follow?

No… There was no path to follow, not when the freedom to choose was-

Saishi widened her cold eyes. As long as she swore her loyalty to someone else, freedom will always be far from her reach- No… freedom… It could be possible if-

From behind Saishi, the double doors opened once more. Salza marched towards the centre of the room and soon stood to Cooler's right. Soon after, Neiz and Dore marched into the room and stood to Cooler's left.

"I would like to discuss more with you," Cooler continued, "However, time is of the essence."

"If you don't mind," Saishi spoke, her tail swayed side to side against the ground, "I-"

"Address him as Lord Cooler-"

Cooler raised his hand out to Salza, gesturing Salza to remain silent.

"There is no need for such formalities for a guest." Cooler shifted his gaze to Salza briefly. "Saishi has not said anything to offend myself."

"But this trait-"

"Salza." Cooler lowered his voice, narrowing his ruby gaze at his subordinate. "Saishi has told me of her lineage, and it was purely a miscalculation on my part. She is no traitor to the Cold bloodline."

Salza drew his hand to his side, averting his annoyed gaze away from his leader.

Observing Salza's swift action to strike on command, Saishi remained silent. Speaking recklessly could cost her, maybe her life.

"Now, to end our discussion," Cooler continued, drawing the wine glass close to his lips, "Saishi, here is a proposition for you." He raised one hand out to her, "I know that your loyalty lies with Paragus, and I can spare both yours and Paragus's lives under one condition," He raised his index finger up at his condition.

Saishi remained still, her cold gaze fixed on the Frost Demon before her.

"However, that Saiyan you speak of," Cooler continued, "You mentioned that you promised your life to him." He leaned back against his throne and drew both his hands close to his lips, his wine glass hovering besides him. "That is an extremely dangerous game you're playing with him."

"And why's that?" Saishi squinted her eyes at Cooler.

"He will not keep his side of the promise."

Saishi widened her cold eyes at those words.

"I have lived long enough to see how the Saiyans of Vegeta act. They are traitors amongst themselves, and none, who were deemed good, from Planet Plant survived." Cooler continued with a firm tone. He narrowed his eyes on Saishi. "I'm sure you must know of a Legendary Super Saiyan-"

"There-"

"Silence!" Salza hushed Saishi, raising his arm at her.

Saishi gritted her fangs tightly shut, hissing through her lips. That blond b* was getting really annoying!

Cooler waved his hand at Salza, commanding his subordinate to lower his hand. With a sigh, Salza reluctantly lowered his arm to his side.

"You may speak." Cooler spoke, raising his hand to her.

"In order for you to spare mine and Paragus's life," Saishi spoke with a low and trembling voice, "I assume you need me to kill the Saiyan who I swore my life to, because he's that much of a threat?" She squinted her cold eyes at him.

"Precisely." Cooler answered. "Though, I wonder if you know the true extent of the dangers he possesses."

Saishi fell silent, her breaths quivered.

The current state of the South Galaxy…

"The Legendary Super Saiyan is such a powerful warrior. That prowess alone allows him to rule the galaxy- maybe galaxies, within his grasp." Cooler continued, drawing his hands close to his lips. "Those weaker than him will simply perish in an instant, and those who are strong and stand against him will eventually crumble and perish to his power- he ultimately chooses who lives and who dies." He closed his eyes, "Perhaps, he could control the universe if he continues to live."

A sharp shiver rattled throughout Saishi's spine. Her skin paled at a thought.

"And if a Saiyan... is discovered with that power, their life is forfeit..."

"No…" Saishi whispered, her cold eyes trembled violently. Her arms hung, her empty gaze fell onto the iron ground.

"Saishi." Cooler called, noticing her empty gaze glued to the iron floor.

"... I only heard stories from those he enslaved- and from his father." Saishi answered with a quiet and trembling voice. "But… I always thought it was an exaggeration." She shook her head side to side. "And now that you also told me the extent of his power…"

"Remember… You were also crafted to eventually match that prowess and surpass it. Why do you fear that primitive animal?"

Saishi fell silent at Karu's words. She felt the Demon's crimson gaze on her soul from the void within, her scorching breaths against her back. After several moments of silence, Saishi drew her hand to her face-

And she laughed, laughing into the darkness of her mind.

"Towa is playing a very sick and twisted game with me." Saishi spoke telepathically to Karu. Her laughter stopped. She drew her hand away from her face, her hard eyes glinted with a gleam.

Karu squinted her crimson eyes, questioning where Saishi's fear vanished to. Or whether Saishi put up a fearful front.

"The sooner I find Amaya, the sooner I can escape this train wreck." Saishi continued, "But, considering all the promises I've made," She raised her hands out to her sides and shrugged her shoulders, "I need to keep to them first."

After several moments, Karu laughed.

"You actually honour a promise that primate forced you to make?" Karu sneered, her fangs spilled from her mouth. "Foolish mortal! Have you truly lost the ability to make sound decisions?"

The chains of magic dug into Karu's throat, hushing the creature of shadows.

"Despite what Broly has done, I'm willing to trust him." Saishi answered, observing the black and seemingly timeless void before her. "The difference between Broly and Paragus is that if I ask Broly a question, he's to the point. Paragus is not and withholds information, which I find the remainder from the Shamoians." She drew her hand to her chin, her purple soul illuminated the black void briefly. "And Paragus's treatment towards Broly- it makes me question if Paragus is concealing some information on purpose-"

"But how are you sure Broly isn't doing this as a ruse to gain your favour over Paragus? He is his son after all." Karu hissed through her fangs as the chains slowly loosened on her neck. "Once Paragus is out of the picture, how are you sure Broly won't turn on you? Even Cooler mentioned the Saiyans are not to be trusted."

"I…" Saishi drew her hand away from her chin.

It was that recurring memory.

In the light of the silver, crescent moon, she remembered the Saiyan's dark and firm gaze constantly watching her as she laid, recovering from her injuries after the events of Turles's battle. Every night, she reached out one hand to Broly, calling the Saiyan by his name to stay. Yet, he would turn away and leave silently into the night world.

"After that truce," Saishi spoke to Karu, "Broly had so many opportunities to kill me. Yet, he hasn't." Her shoulders relaxed. "And that odd time when Broly didn't wear that crown, he didn't kill me out of his own will. He… told me to stay alive… for some reason." Her gaze shifted from one spot of the void to another spot. "I know he mentioned this 'truth' about him, and he keeps insisting that I have to stay honest and alive-"

"That primate doesn't care about your well being, mortal! He hungers for a challenge and will drag it out of you." Karu sneered, "Why do you think he limits his time he spends training you? Surely you must have noticed the time he spends now is a lot shorter prior to making that truce to him." She drew her fangs closer to Saishi. "You should abide by Cooler's will instead." She whispered to Saishi.

With a glare, Saishi swiped her sharpened, black nails at Karu. However, Karu dispersed into the darkness of the void, laughing at the small Earthling.

"Like Hell I will!" Saishi exclaimed at the Demon. "You know more than anything that Towa orchestrated this mess!"

"I see..." Karu spoke with a low voice. Soon, her low voice turned into a dry, chilling laughter, soon roaring into the abyss. "You already chose who your loyalty lies with, despite being warned of the consequences!" The floor of the abyss swirled around Saishi, the eye of the abyss soon blazed a blinding crimson. "YOU UTTERLY PATHETIC MORTAL!"

Saishi squinted her cold eyes, her hands raised close to her face as she stared into the molten abyss.

"Go on then, go and walk to your death like the insolent lamb you are." Karu continued, "But remember this, you only have yourself to blame if Broly turns against you."

As Saishi vanquished the burning vortex from her mind, she opened her eyes and turned her cold gaze back to Cooler.

"Have I persuaded you enough to leave his side?" Cooler spoke, his back leaned against his iron throne.

After a few moments, a light glimmered in Saishi's lavender eyes.

"I wish the circumstances were different," Saishi spoke, a slight smile shifted on her lips, "Because I would have sworn my loyalties to you if I hadn't met him first." She squinted her eyes shut. "Just like what you have said, I understand that there are multiple views to one subject."

Cooler observed Saishi, his ruby gaze dwelt on her kneeling form- namely the gleaming light in her eyes. He sighed and closed his eyes. He drew his wine glass to his lips and took a sip of the bitter beverage once more.

"I have never met a civil individual as yourself," Cooler spoke, drawing his wine glass away from his dark lips, "Perhaps, when I successfully eradicate the two remaining Saiyans, maybe you could join my ranks. Or perhaps…" He narrowed his eyes briefly on her, "I could help you achieve your dreams."

"Likewise to you," Saishi bowed her head to the eldest son of the Cold bloodline, "May we meet again, on better terms."

On Cooler's orders, the members of the Armoured Squadron took Saishi away. As Saishi was taken away, Cooler observed her vanishing through the gaps of the double doors. Once alone in his abode, the eldest son of the Cold bloodline turned his red and empty gaze to the blue and desolate planet below.

Another loyal and powerful soldier, snatched from his grasps… How was he supposed to rival Frieza's proposition for their father's throne?

Cooler shifted his gaze from his wine glass to the receivers on his left, the receivers used to communicate with his soldiers. Yet, a white light blinked from Cooler's right side. Cooler shifted his dull gaze to the blinking receiver.

It's been twenty years… and yet no sound left that receiver. Not from his foolish brother, and nor from his father. Sure there were times where his only family boasted about the successful occupation of a planet, yet… that was all they ever spoke of.

The lone Frost Demon sighed, his tail hung on one side of his throne.

"Lord Cooler?" A voice of his right-hand man spoke from the receiver on his left.

Cooler raised his hand to the receiver on his left. With the use of his telekinesis, he clicked the green button on the receiver.

"Yes, Salza?" Cooler answered, resting his chin on his hand.

"We have delivered Saishi to the prison cell, away from the other monkey, and from any possible harms that you requested. We have tagged her using my comrade's ability."

"Understood. My next order is to bring Paragus back over to my quarters." Cooler shifted his gaze from the blue planet below to the monitor hovering to his left. "I have some unfinished business with him."

"And the other Saiyan, Broly?"

"Capture him." Cooler narrowed his eyes. "Ideally alive."

"But!" Dore exclaimed over the receiver.

"If my little brother can propose the idea of immortality to my 'dear' father, then I can propose to my father of capturing a legend that those two are so undeniably fearful of." Cooler crowed, the area around his eyes creased. He paused and took a breath, relaxing his silent rage. "I understand that there are methods to control that Saiyan, and I will exploit that to prove a point to my father."

"You wish to control that monster?" Neiz squawked over the receiver. "He'll-"

"Unless there is another means to force that Saiyan to swear his loyalty to me- which I highly doubt," Cooler muttered the last past, "Using a device to control him, and continuously maintain that device to stop him from breaking out, should solve that particular issue for the short term." Cooler sighed and rubbed his chin. "As for the long term, ideally I would rather make a truce with that Saiyan and somehow amend the tensions that my foolish brother recklessly made."

"Lord Cooler, in no way do I intend to offend you, but, I highly doubt Broly would want to listen to the propositions we have." Salza spoke. "When you sent us to scout during the chaos Turles made, that device Broly wore isn't guaranteed to stop him. Rather more, it's counterproductive."

Cooler fell silent. His tail patted the rim of his throne as he rubbed his chin.

"Salza," Cooler asked, shifting his gaze to the receiver again. "Do not do anything to Saishi. I have a plan, but executing it will be extremely difficult."

Upon hearing his leader's orders, Salza's amber eyes gleamed.

"There is no job that I find difficult." Salza spoke, "I will humbly accept your command."

"Good." Cooler drew one of his hands over the back of the other and drew them close to his dark lips. As soon as the double doors slid open with a whoosh, Cooler turned his sharp gaze to the chained and kneeling Saiyan. Cooler descended from his throne and loomed over Paragus, aware of the Saiyan's only eye trembling. "The Legendary Super Saiyan will be an asset to my army," A smirk crept on Cooler's dark lips.

"And a cowardly Saiyan like you will be perfect to aid me to achieve this vision."

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