Author notes (19/07/2021):

After another long gap, here's another chapter. I know it's taken a long time to post a new chapter, but I gotta make sure IRL that everything's alright. I mean, if I wanna write from the heart, I gotta be in a good place both mentally and physically, right?

And I've promised myself that I will complete this fanfic one way or another. I will get up to the Cell games. Once I've done that, I can celebrate since I know then that part 1 is complete.

Yes. Part 1. Part 2 is gonna take a different direction and I hope I'll still be kicking with energy to write. I have the ending all planned out, but the marathon is still going. So this is gonna take some years- but I will not give up! I've been crafting this fanfic for 4 years (My starting point at Fanfiction net), so I can't give up now.

Tbh, I just wanna write and keep writing. Even if a few people read my fanfic, it won't stop me from writing because I just love DB. There's so many concepts to explore and characters to just mess about with. I ain't Fuu's best friend or anything, but I just like what if stuff.

Anyway, I just wanna complete a fic because I've been hanging on all those incomplete fics that never will return. But I can understand why. S* happens in life.

That's enough squabbling from me. I hope you all enjoy!

- - - - -

South Galaxy - Planet ??? - Wastelands

The navy skies cracked awake, streaming rays of crimson over the black mountains in the distance. The silent winds brushed over the rugged lands, plucking the blue sands and tossing them up into the chilly airs.

What a day this will be...

Standing alone on the massive, open rooftop of a charred, black building, Saishi observed the blistering land beneath her. She shifted her cold gaze from the slums of the Shamoians directly beneath her, to the desolate, crooked building raised behind her… and finally, to the white and barren desert, the black and jagged mountains merging with the red horizon in the far distance. She took in a deep breath, her throat dry from the heat, and sighed.

A hostage… just how was she supposed to escape those prying eyes? A hostage… a bird in a cage- a caged animal. An animal… like those rats trapped for the sole purpose of science.

Towa...

Bearing the blood of countless other races; Earthling, Namekian, Demon and even the Frost Demons, Saishi was meant to be Towa's experiment, only her puppet. But, it resulted in a failure no less. A weakling- that's all who Saishi was; a human. Yet, Towa snatched away that core belief, shattering the very foundations of who Saishi was. Just what human remnant remained besides her locket?

"More power? I can give you that..."

Saishi snapped open her cold and quivering eyes.

Those twisted thoughts...

The Demoness Scientist's purple lips purred. Her lavender eyes softened.

And as much Saishi pleaded, her little hands striking the glass incubator trapping her had no effect. Yet, those little hands were the only memories of her Earthling form.

"Asking to complete such a task will be an honour for you." The Demoness Scientist Towa continued, her lips crept into a smile, "To be a hero? With such power, you should be able to carry it out without a single problem." She tilted her head to one side as she cradled her staff. "What's wrong? I see you crying-"

"Isn't this what you always wanted?"

And as much as Saishi screamed, as much as she cried, as much as she denied Towa's help, there was nothing she could do to return to her human roots. Jiri… to return was just a long and forgotten dream. To protect those of Jiri… how could a monster crafted by Towa's cruel hands return to see her family?

Or more importantly, how could she protect the ones she loved?

Saishi's cold eyes snapped open, scanning the jagged, black mountains afar. A crimson halo brightened the horizon, a shroud of orange mist masked the navy mountains-

Yet a flicker of crimson and black drifted in the wake of the dry heat.

T- Towa! What was she doing here?

Saishi clenched her fists, her wide and thin pupils trembled. If she fled now, there would be not a single doubt that the blond bastard would capture her again.

"What's the matter, little lady?"

Saishi snapped her cold gaze to Dore, who sneered from the charred wall to her left. She gritted her fangs tightly shut, unable to muster a word from her dry throat.

"You're not trying to run away, are you?" Dore continued, raising his hand out at Saishi. "You're aware of the consequences if you try to run away."

Saishi shifted her gaze away from Dore.

"You don't understand that there's more to the picture." Saishi spoke harshly under her breath. "You can work for your master, but that won't mean anything if your master falls on hard times."

"You dare smear Lord Cooler?"

Saishi closed her eyes shut, aware of anger seeping through Salza's voice.

Salza walked to Saishi, slowly yet quietly. His amber and lightless gaze observed her still form.

"No." Saishi answered, masking her silent anger behind her gritted fangs. "Despite the fact we may not be allies, at least I show my respects where they are due-"

Salza's fingers touched Saishi's throat, the sudden pressure silencing her from uttering another sound.

"Respect?" Salza spoke, his amber eyes hardened on her. "If you had any ounce of respect for Lord Cooler, you would have acknowledged his desires to recruit you," He pressed his fingers deeper into her pale skin, "And even if Lord Cooler did accept you as a part of my own faction, I will not let an outsider get anywhere close to Lord Cold's eldest son."

"I have no means of playing 'favourites'." Saishi replied with a forced voice, her cold eyes remained firm on the Captain. "Why you believe Cooler has any favouritism towards me is absurd. Turles abducted me to be recruited, and now you abducted me as a means for Cooler to recruit me-"

"I am very aware that I am only targeted as a means to be used as a weapon."

Salza widened his amber eyes briefly. With a harsh, hissing sigh, Salza drew his hand away from Saishi. He turned away from Saishi and observed the dark and dreary slums beneath him.

"Boss?" Dore asked, aware of the annoyance Salza held.

"I am completely calm." Salza replied, drawing one hand to his chin. After several minutes of observing the desolate slums in silence, he closed his eyes. "Saishi?"

"What else do you want?"

Salza opened his eyes, his amber gaze holding a tiny gleam.

"What made you assume that Lord Cooler will use you as a weapon?" Salza rubbed his chin, his amber eyes shifting from the charred ground beneath him to the white wasteland afar.

Saishi raised one of her brows, trying to deduce what Salza's motives were. If this was an opportunity to avoid conflict, then perhaps revealing a small truth should not hurt…

"... I… made a lot of… assumptions." Saishi replied, her tail swayed side to side against the charred ground. She lowered her head, her cold gaze skimmed the blackened ground before herself. "When all you know is the purpose of being a puppet, and only a tool to be used for another's gain, that's all I can assume."

Salza shifted his gaze from the wasteland to Saishi. However, her gaze did not meet his.

A puppet… were there truly such masters that were that despicable? How revolting. A Lord, a master, a Captain… surely they must have respect and some form of compassion towards their own followers. But… the thought of a master who berates and uses their own followers as a tool for their own selfish gain, disregarding their own humanity… no master deserves any respect!

"It's a shame you refused Lord Cooler's offer." Salza spoke, shifting his gaze from Saishi to the red horizon. "Maybe you would have met a master who could have treated you more of a living person than whatever you were subjected to."

Saishi snapped her gaze to Salza, her lavender eyes widened at his words. Where did she- How did Salza come to that conclusion so quickly?

As Saishi opened her mouth to speak, Neiz swiftly appeared from behind her.

"I'm back from the scout." Neiz spoke, landing beside Salza with a quiet tap. He tapped his scouter, passing on the findings of his search to his comrades.

"Let's see…" Salza read several paragraphs of Neiz's findings, "The Shamoians are busy storing the last of their resources. They don't seem like the usual warrior type races at all." He tutted. "The Angols are, and I'm sure rounding them up shouldn't be that difficult." He shifted his gaze to Neiz. "But what about the Saiyan, Broly?"

Neiz sighed and raised his shoulders.

"I see…" Salza drew his fingers to his lips. "To think he can evade detection of our scouters. It looks like we may have to use the old fashion method of using our own eyes." He shifted his gaze to Saishi. "Or, perhaps use an alternative method."

"He'll be here soon enough." Saishi replied, a slight smirk shifted on her lips. "And when he finds you, you better be prepared against that wild anger he has." She squinted her cold eyes, "He has one heck of a temper." Her gaze fell onto the red horizon, casting the scarlet light over the desolate world afar.

Meanwhile...

Far out into the white wastelands, a set of footsteps traced back to a lone individual. He stood, his pale blue eyes hardened on numerous strands of what seemed like a black fire flickering into the blistering winds. With another harsh torrent of wind, his black trench coat fluttered in the wake of the sandstorm. Trudging; his gaze soon fell onto the black, desolate city ahead.

Even here? The distortion even reached this far? What were they trying to do? And why here of all places?

The lone traveller ran his brown, leather fingers under his chin. His icy eyes gazed up at the brightening skies, transforming into a hue of a crimson wildfire.

Turles, Slug, Cooler- they shouldn't exist in this timeline. But they are; like as if this timeline makes this all acceptable-

The lone traveler's eyes widened.

A spark of green soared across the red sky.

The lone traveller's eyes trembled, his mouth soon parted.

Not him! Anyone but him!

With one, swift action, the lone traveller unsheathed the sword tied to his back and stabbed it into the shifting ground. He pulled out a scroll from within his trench coat, opened it and laid it on the ivory ground.

"Supreme Kai of Time," The lone traveller spoke towards the scroll, "Can you hear me?"

After several seconds of silence, a faint form of a child-like girl appeared. Her bright and youthful eyes met the traveller's anxious gaze.

"Yes, what is it, Trunks?" The Kai replied, her voice rich and bubbly with optimism.

After a deep sigh, the traveller continued.

"Towa and Mira…"

The bubbly Kai's gaze soon became dark and stern at those names.

"Not only are they scouting and amassing energy," The traveller continued, "But they're probably scouting for fighters that we may have fought previously. Turles, Slug, Cooler, the androids, Bojack's lot and Janemba, it's basically people who are not meant to be a part of the 'True' timeline."

"Calm down Trunks." The Kai spoke, waving one of her hands up and down as a means to calm the lone traveller. "It's only Turles and Slug whom we've seen- and besides; we have dealt with all of them before. Goku and his friends were able to put them back in their place. What's the worst that this distortion can do?" Her voice perked up.

"There's two other people who are not supposed to be a part of this timeline." Trunks replied, gripping the leather handle of his sword tighter. "They could influence this timeline in a big way. Okome," He paused for a moment at the mention of her name.

Those blue and soft eyes, her ability to bend water, and her cheery persona… Trunks tried to remember who exactly Okome was. Amaya… Of Mount Jiri… Was that child truly her? Once he returns to the Time Nest, he must consult the other Time Patrollers.

"Even though she wasn't directly involved," Trunks continued, drawing one of his hands to his lips, "Somehow… history was changed. Raditz… he changed for the better. But, Slug ended up going to Earth a lot sooner than we expected."

"Good or bad, a change is a change Trunks, this still allows Towa to take energy from every distortion made." The Supreme Kai of Time continued, wiggling her index finger at Trunks from the scroll.

"I understand." Trunks bowed his head. "The second distortion is from here... but I can't seem to make out what race the individual may be." He raised his head, circling his hand to the scroll. "It reminds me of Cell's ki- I sense Frieza, but I also sense some other ki," He placed his finger under his chin, drawing his finger down to his collar. "A ki I'm not entirely familiar with."

Unless… No… If that was her now…

"Take all the time you need Trunks, we really can't afford to make any mistakes when these distortions happen." The Kai warned Trunks.

Trunks snapped his icy gaze back up at the crimson skies, observing the lone streak of green scarring the crimson sky, drifting with black, steel clouds.

"Supreme Kai of Time..." Trunks spoke, his throat tightening as he swallowed a cold handful of dry air. "Do you remember a Saiyan going by the name of Broly?"

"The Legendary Super Saiyan, right?" She blinked. "Why?"

"He's here, even in this timeline." He rubbed the nape of his neck. "And at this point in time, my father, Goku, Piccolo and Gohan are far too weak to take him on. Goku hasn't achieved the Super Saiyan form yet, neither does my father, or Gohan." His pale blue eyes trembled, "If Broly runs into any of them, it's game over for everyone."

The Kai remained silent for several moments. She hummed and nodded her head.

"I know you worry, Trunks, but he's not in his Super Saiyan state." The Kai chirped. "A Saiyan, who is in their normal state won't be ruled by their rage, pride or lust for battle, right?" She squinted her eyes shut with a smile.

"Yes?" Trunks blinked. Although that may be true, some Saiyans did retain their tendency to be very arrogant in their normal state, something the time travelling warrior learned.

His dear father...

"Then he should be a piece of cake, right?" The Kai chirped.

"He's still tricky to deal with," Trunks sighed, shaking his head, "One strike from him is still enough to do some nasty damage. I'd rather deal with the androids rather than dealing with him, at least they have a chance of changing... or that's what I've heard." Trunks brushed his fingers down the blunt side of his steel sword.

"And you're implying that Broly has no chance of changing? I… really doubt he can change. He's incredibly crazy based on the very little information we have on him. And Towa doesn't make it any easier either to recruit him."

"Yes..." Trunks replied, inspecting the reflection of the crimson sky by his sword. "I understand that the Raditz of this timeline wasn't so bad and joined Goku to defeat Nappa and... my father-" The ends of his brows dipped up, "But, who said that Frieza is going to have a change of heart? He despises all the Saiyans." Trunks raised his hand before curling his fingers into a fist. "It would be the equivalent of opening the gates to Hell if Broly ever considered changing sides- because it doesn't even matter to him-"

"I think we're solely basing this off from his Legendary Super Saiyan state Trunks. Who knows? Goku was pretty threatening as a Super Saiyan, but yet he's innocent and pretty childish. Who knows about Broly? We've only seen glimpses of him in his normal state."

"His past would say otherwise, Supreme Kai of Time." Trunks's voice fell flat. "I'm sure you're aware of the fact he ravaged the South Galaxy in his childhood- who said he can't do the same to the North galaxy?"

"Because Goku's there." The Supreme Kai of Time chirped. "And if not him, Broly has still got the highest order to answer to... if he ever wakes up and carries out his job like he's supposed to do!" She raised her voice in annoyance.

Yes… where was the one who maintained order of the entirety of Universe Seven? Well, either way, the Destroyer will be unhappy once he awakens from his slumber- well, he will be unhappy since there were a few who did his job. The Emperor of the Universe, the Berserker of Destruction, and the one who has fallen into a deep slumber for the last million of years or so.

"Uhh, okay." Trunks nodded, rubbing his head. "Let's hope Towa doesn't have her sights set on him. I can only imagine how much more of a problem Broly will be." He shuddered internally. Trunks drew his finger over his cheek; if Towa could freely manipulate anyone to do her bidding, the army she would have will raise Hell on Earth.

The cold winds blew past him, Trunks's icy gaze settled on the steel blade of the gift of his mentor and close friend. If he was alive, what would he do in a time like this?

"Trunks, you said that there was someone else not a part of this timeline?"

"Oh, right." The lone warrior drew his hand over the open scroll, to which another list of names appeared. He looked at the one glowing purple. "She goes by the name of… Saishi." He ran his finger over the scroll, pointing to the purple name. Trunks sighed, shaking his head to her name. "It says she was one of the experimental subjects that was used by Towa to gain energy, but I guess she was thrown aside for some reason or another."

Those Demonic scars… Surely she was none other than Layla. With Layla here, this must mean Amaya is here too. But, what if his assumptions were wrong? What if Layla was already dead, and that this 'Layla' was a clone of the original?

A distrubed mess… just how many people were left in that predicament because of Towa's games?

"What is one of Towa's test subjects doing here?" The Kai asked, furrowing her brows.

"I might know who this person is." Trunks answered, drawing his hand away from his lips. "This person… might be Amaya's sister. Towa must have separated the both of them to different destinations. But; I have no idea how that may have happened." Trunks sighed. "Thinking about all the reasons for these distortions racks my brain." He rose to his feet and drew his sword from the ground. "The only solution I have for this distortion is to pull out both Okome and Saishi,"

-"In hopes of erasing their history if they agree to become Time Patrollers." The Kai questioned. "... That's not going to work if Towa has already had a part in this timeline. She already has tampered with so many fights. Goku, Raditz, Vegeta, Nappa, Slug- even Turles took a massive turn in this history!"

"I know, but I worry about the future for this timeline." Trunks continued, "Don't get me wrong, there are possibilities where the bad guys can change, I mean the androids who destroyed my timeline ended up with loving families in another timeline... but I think it's highly unlikely that individuals like Frieza, Cooler, Bojack, Janemba, and even Broly would have a change of heart." He held his sword up to his stern gaze, looking at the reflection of his cold eyes from the sharp edge of his blade. "But if that's true, then who said that the heroes can't be the villain in another timeline?" He mumbled.

"Well; we'll keep this timeline under observation, at least then we can send in a group of Time Patrollers to fix any major problems of this timeline." The Kai chirped again. "Besides, none of the villains should be able to have a change of heart because they are very set in their ways. So I highly doubt that Frieza, Cooler and the bunch will change. But… maybe if they were younger..."

"Maybe, who knows..." Trunks shrugged. "Technically, speaking of this Broly, he's the same age as Goku, so he still could be influenced... maybe… but, he's absolutely crazy. So- uhh..." Trunks ran his finger down his face. "No, I really don't think that Broly will change. Unless something drastic happens... but even with that; that will lead to another time distortion that Towa can take advantage of."

"Let's just leave this timeline for now, we need to still deal with the other timelines, especially the one Cell messed up."

"Cell!" Trunks gasped, "But I thought we-"

-"Remember, different timelines means different people, even if they may seem to be the same. Let's check it out first."

"Alright." Trunks agreed, clicking his sword into this sheath. "I'll observe from a distance and see exactly what and why Towa is so intrigued about this timeline. If a major distortion happens, I'll report straight away. I'll check up on Cell's timeline now."

"Alright. Be safe Trunks."

"Yes Supreme Kai of Time, I will."

The lone warrior soared into the crimson sky, vanishing in a hue of blue without another trace.

Meanwhile...

From the black and crooked buildings, Saishi snapped her eyes open. That energy... who was that in the desert?

Only time will tell.

A green burst of ki ripped through the blistering air and zoomed towards the location where Saishi and the Armoured Squadron stood.

Sweat trickled down Saishi's pale face. Directly in his line of sight! Really?

"Oh... He knows we're here." Salza smirked, back handing the incoming ki blast to the far reaches of the barren desert.

With a spark of green, the mountains in the distance crumbled to dust.

Saishi let out a small sigh. Perhaps she should not hold any hopes, just yet.

From the crimson sky, casted with black clouds, awaited a Saiyan. His dark and sharp gaze fell onto the trio, twisted with scarlet anger.

"What do you think you pathetic bugs are doing here?" The raven-haired Saiyan snarled, his voice dry with anger.

"Captain..." Neiz looked over to Salza, "His ki literally screams murder."

"All the Saiyans were like that." Salza retorted, clicking his scouter. "Neiz, take Saishi away; she won't be needed now. Dore," He shifted his amber eyes to his strongest comrade, "Stay put."

"Right." Neiz turned his focus to Saishi. "If you don't want to be toasted meat, you've got to follow my lead-"

"Except, who said I was going to follow you?" Saishi retorted, arching one of her brows. She drew one of her hands close to her lips, her skin encased with grey scales.

"Oh! Not this again!" Neiz exclaimed, aware of the smoke leaving Saishi's palms.

"HAH!" Saishi yelled, clapping her hands together and casting a dense fog of smoke.

Just as she took two steps from Neiz, her arms limped to her sides, her knees slammed against the metal, rusted floors with a clang.

Damn that stupid electric shock!

Saishi's eyes rolled to the back of her head from the excruciating pain.

Neiz drew his hands, crackling with lightning, away from Saishi.

"Tut tut..." Neiz shook his head side to side as the smoke washed over him. "You completely forgot my tracking abilities and paralysis. It's a shame you have to get toasted into submission."

As the smoke obscured the area, Neiz hoisted the unconscious Saishi over his shoulder and made his escape from Broly's enraged sight.

Yet, Broly snapped his attention to the drifting plumes of smoke directing him to Neiz- not to mention the familiar bitter scent of smoke Saishi created.

"You're not getting away!" Broly roared, clenching his fists in preparation to strike Neiz. He soared past Salza and Dore and zoomed straight towards Neiz.

However, Salza tilted his head to Dore. Their intended target will not escape.

Dore zoomed in front of Broly and intercepted the Saiyan's path with two wide arms.

"Sorry, but our Boss needs her more than you do." Dore smirked, throwing a sharp punch towards the Saiyan.

Broly backed off, dodging the punch from Dore. He shifted left and right, evading the rapid string of consecutive punches Dore threw- Until he caught Dore's fist with one arm.

"HAH!" Broly roared, hurling Dore towards the desolate city beneath him.

As Broly turned away from Dore, Dore leapt off from a charred, iron beam and propelled towards Broly again.

"You seem to have some weak arms, Saiyan!" Dore sneered, clenching one hand into a fist. "Let me show you how to grapple!"

Broly rolled his lightless eyes. This wasn't the time to show off his might! The Saiyan sparked into a crackle of green ki. He blasted around the incoming towering wall of muscle and headed straight after the toad. Right now, retrieving Saishi was his priority, then killing these idiots was next.

A buzz caught Broly's ears. A flash of purple zipped past his sight.

Broly halted in the blistering air. Several strands of his stiff and raven hair drifted in the air before his eyes.

Broly's dark eyes fell onto the blond warrior hovering behind him by several metres. Whatever that technique was, the Saiyan dreaded the full damages it could have done. Perhaps… his head could have been decapitated if he was any faster.

"A monkey like you should not be so hasty to make such absurd assumptions and act on your impulses!" Salza spoke, his right arm extended out. Yet, his arm was coated in a shroud of crackling, purple ki, as though used as a sword. His amber eyes hardened on the Saiyan. "If you did not act with such hostility, maybe our conversation could have been a lot 'nicer'."

Nicer?

Broly scowled at the Captain. Just what 'Master' would be considered nice? Such idiocy.

"Let me guess," Broly spoke, clenching one of his hands into a fist, "You want to recruit a Saiyan like myself because of my power. Sure." He shrugged his shoulders. He soon laughed up at the red and humid sky. After a moment, his laughter hushed. His dark and lightless eyes fell onto Salza once more, as though deeply angered. "I hate bastards like you." He snarled lowly, the bridge of his nose furrowed.

Salza's eyes widened briefly. This Saiyan… He was nothing like the average Saiyan back on Planet Vegeta. Even though the Saiyans were a violent and hostile bunch, this particular Saiyan wavered between his calm composure and silent wrath in a matter of seconds- something that most Saiyans did not express.

"Listen," Salza said, his voice became calm and modulated. "Lord Cooler wishes to meet with you, and we were dispatched to-"

"I don't care." Broly raised his voice. He drew his clenched and trembling fist up to Salza. "I refuse to cooperate with some 'Lord', and with some bugs who think they're so high and mighty." A smirk crept on his lips. "I answer to no 'Master'. Not now, and never in the future."

Salza remained quiet, deducting the Saiyan's bitter words. Now why did this Saiyan hate the idea of a master so much? Salza observed the golden piece resting on the Saiyan's forehead.

No… the Captain very well knew why.

"Do you honestly believe Lord Cooler will treat you like a tool?" Salza asked, raising his hand out to the Saiyan. The purple ki coating his arm vanished into the empty breeze as he extended his hand out to the Saiyan. "Perhaps," Salza narrowed his amber eyes, "Like your father?" His voice became sterner.

Broly observed Salza, his fists trembling, itching to beat Salza senseless.

"Lord Cooler would never treat his fellow comrades like what your father had-"

"I refuse... to bow my head low… and kneel to some 'Master'… " Broly growled lowly, his quivering voice dry with anger. With every breath, his rage burned deep within, his coal eyes flickering with the scarlet flames of wrath.

Salza drew his hand to himself, sensing the glaring anger oozing from the Saiyan's twisted and dark eyes. How, and why, did this Saiyan resent a Lord who he never met? Or rather more, speak with such resentment and anger towards a Lord who has a great deal of interest in his capabilities.

The Saiyans… they were a troublesome bunch to understand...

"I refuse to lower myself to anyone… And if I did, I'll personally tear them apart!" Broly's voice grew into a roar, his ki sparked around him with a vicious and chaotic power. "DIE!" He raced towards Salza, his hand outstretched towards the Captain's face.

In the moment the Saiyan zoomed towards Salza, Dore intercepted the Saiyan's rapid strike with both hands. Yet, the impact of the enraged Saiyan's punch blasted through Dore, causing the soldier to yell out in pain.

With a stunned Dore, Broly raced past Dore and Salza and straight towards the fleeing Neiz.

"Neiz!" Salza yelled into his scouter. He soon coughed, grimacing at the pain as a result of the powerful shockwave from the strike Dore blocked from the Saiyan.

Neiz twisted his head back. A pair of dark and glaring eyes rapidly closed in on him. Yikes!

A crackle of ki erupted from Broly's palm.

"Gragh!" Broly roared, thrusting the crackling ki blast towards the toad.

Bzzt!

Salza zipped past Broly, his arm coated in an aura of purple. With one slash, the green ki blast was nothing more than shattered pieces of light.

A dull punch slammed into Broly's jaw, stopping the Saiyan from advancing any further. An eruption of burning anguish struck his abdomen. The Saiyan drew back; coughing. His stomach tensed before his chest ached from the sudden rush of pain. A surge of blood left his lips. Another dull strike struck the Saiyan in the head, forcing the Saiyan's head to snap back and face the black clouds drifting past. A sharp strike struck Broly in the diaphragm, causing the Saiyan to yell out in agony.

The lone Saiyan fell.

The Saiyan crashed through the blistered, glass window, and slammed against the charred and rusted iron ground.

From the sky, Dore readjusted his gloves.

"Boss?" Dore turned his attention to Salza, who rubbed his white glove covering his right hand.

"No need to worry over my health, Dore." Salza replied, his face twisted at the blood tainting his glove. "We cannot let our guard down around a Saiyan who Lord Cooler believes is a Legendary Super Saiyan."

"But do we have to keep this monkey alive?" Dore raised his gloved hand out to the location of where Broly fell, billowing with a bitter stench of smoke and dust. "There's no way we can guarantee Lord Cooler's safety if he has those unpredictable bouts of anger- He didn't listen to your proposition!"

"Oh, he will listen if he likes it or not." Salza squinted his amber eyes on the billowing smoke, watching for any movement of the Saiyan below.

With a rugged and pained breath, Broly opened his quivering eyes, his face laid on the cold, iron floor. With gritted teeth, he lifted his head slowly, his body rattling with pain. This isn't good. The wounds inflicted from Turles's battle throbbed throughout his body. He soon clutched his diaphragm with both hands, cursing and restraining his urge to scream in pain.

"... D- Damn it!" Broly whispered harshly to himself, sweat dripped off his face. "It f* h- hurts!" He shook his head side to side, trying to keep his mind clear from the haze of scarlet pain blinding his vision.

Yet, his quivering eyes snapped wider at a familiar, green light glinting off the reflection of the shattered, glass fragments scattered across the iron floor.

No… Anything but that shock!

The crown clinging onto the raven-haired Saiyan's head erupted into a hue of green. The Saiyan roared out, his body engulfed in the flames of his agony, his blood boiled by the silent rage he harboured. His lightless and blinded eyes stared up at the empty, scarlet sky above, searching for something to extinguish this deep rooted pain.

Yet… No one heeded the Saiyan's cry.

A blast of howling heat exploded from the black building below and rushed past Dore, freezing the soldier in his tracks. His, and Salza's, scouter blared multiple beeps. With a tiny zap, Dore's and Salza's scouters shattered into pieces.

This power… why did it howl with intense agony? No… it wasn't agony anymore… It was thick with black hatred and scarlet lust for blood.

Green lightning ripped through the black and heavy smoke. Another feral roar left from the abyss of the world of shadows below.

Salza widened his eyes, searching for where the Saiyan could strike first.

Yet, the moment Salza looked to Dore, he caught the enraged Saiyan's fist flying towards Dore's head.

And those twisted and frenzied eyes…

"DORE!" Salza screamed, hoping for his comrade to dodge a lethal strike from the enraged Saiyan. "Behi-"

As Dore just turned his head in an attempt to look, Broly slammed his fist into Dore's skull, shattering his helmet and hurling the soldier into the black and burning city below. With a deafening boom, all the windows within a particular, crooked building fissured.

Yet, the enraged Saiyan was not finished.

As Salza prepared to aid Dore, Broly pursued Dore, his chaotic ki tossing Salza back by several metres into the blistering air.

"Insolent monkey!" Salza grimaced, regaining his bearings once more. "Dore! Stand your ground!" He yelled out.

This power… was this surely the reason why Lord Cooler wished to recruit this Saiyan? Salza thought, rubbing the blood from his cheek as a result of the debris passing him. If Lord Cooler did… containing this prowess will require a massive reserve of soldiers- no… Surely Lord Cooler had something else planned.

From the burning city below, Dore tore his head out from the shattered debris piled around him. As he gasped, his vision soon snapped black.

"You'll be the first victim." Broly snarled.

Broly gripped Dore's face with one hand and lifted the soldier up from the rubble. Yet, Dore gripped onto the metal bands the Saiyan wore, as a means to crush his arm. However, his fingers failed to dent the metal.

With a feral roar. Broly slammed Dore into the rubble once more, tearing the iron ground beneath him. The Saiyan dragged the soldier across the ground, across the searing, rusted steel and hurled the soldier out through the metal wall of the building.

Once Dore was freed from the Saiyan's grasps, he gasped, catching his breaths. However, without his scouter, finding the Saiyan was a difficult task. No matter. At least a soldier like himself was built for such durability and power.

A chilling wind brushed over the soldier from behind.

Crik!

"GAH!" Dore yelled, his sight falling onto the scarlet sky hanging above him. His ribs thrusted out, his spine on the verge of snapping in half.

Broly shoved his fist deeper into Dore's spine, savouring the pain Dore cried out.

"What's the matter?" Broly growled, drawing his head closer to Dore's shoulder. "Is that all your stupid 'Master' taught you? To roll over and die like a dog?" He squinted his dark and frenzied eyes, his lips creeping with a wide and twisted smirk.

"You're nothing without your master. Just die like the worthless slave you are."

Such words of disrespect angered the loyal soldier.

"Get off me you stupid ape!" Dore yelled, swinging his arm back at the Saiyan. However, Broly backed away, still retaining the ill smirk on his lips. "You don't understand anything about Lord Cooler's sense of respect and talents! How dare an ignorant and heedless monkey like you slander his name!"

"Oh?" Broly tilted his head to one side, raising one of his brows. "A slave who's incredibly sensitive. Don't worry," He held his hand out at Dore, facing his palm at the soldier. A crackle of green ki formed in Broly's palm, "You can wait for your master to join you, in Hell!" He guffawed, launching the orb of ki at Dore.

Yet, a sudden, burning pain zipped through the Saiyan's arm.

With a snarl, Broly clasped his right arm, forcing himself to back away. The hand concealing his arm was soon drenched in blood.

"Dore?"

As Dore opened his eyes, he witnessed his Captain hovering in front of him, his right arm shrouded in purple ki.

"I'm okay, Boss." Dore winced, yet his eyes glinted with a light of hope. "If you didn't show up now, I would have been toasted."

Salza nodded. He kept his amber and hardened eyes on Broly, his hands trembled in silent anger.

"I will only say this once," Salza spoke with a low and sharp voice, "Surrender now to Lord Cooler and have your life spared!" He ordered, slashing his ki coated arm at Broly. He raised his chin at the Saiyan. He gritted his teeth tightly shut as his cold eyes observed the Saiyan's next, potential action.

Broly scowled at Salza. He dug his bloody fingers into his wounded arm.

"Never!" Broly raised his head at Salza, showing his teeth at the Captain. "A scum like you-"

With another several, rapid slashes, the Saiyan's golden armbands shattered. The muscles of his arms gushed open with blood. With a grunt, Broly squeezed his eyes shut.

"Surrender and pledge your eternal loyalty to Lord Cooler!" Salza raised his voice at Broly, his amber eyes sharp- ruthless enough to tear into any common civilian. He kept his arm, coated with ki, raised towards the Saiyan. "Under Lord Cooler's eyes, you will be freed from the burden of your father's control and live like a free man!"

Loyalty… Freedom…

Never…

NEVER!

"NEVER!" Broly roared, his ki sparked golden, then to silver. "TO HELL WITH YOUR LIES!"

A shockwave of energy blasted through both Dore and Salza, the heavy energy gripping the soldiers into one spot.

Yet, the dark blue gem located on the Saiyan's limiter sparked again. Soon after, Broly grasped his head, his fingers digging into his scalp. Like a savage animal, the Saiyan shook his head side to side, trying to drown out the pain from consuming him. With another roar up into the crimson heavens, his ki surged silver, his hair and his eyes sparked silver.

The Saiyan refused to be caged once more.

In a blink of an eye, the Saiyan appeared in front of Salza, his twisted and frenzied eyes glaring at the Captain, his fist moments away from striking Salza's head.

In that brief moment, the Captain of the Armoured Squadron saw nothing but an endless abyss of blinding, blistering rage from the Saiyan's glaring gaze.

Just what caused this Saiyan to have this abnormal level of wrath?

"CAPTAIN!"

A deafening boom rocked the black lands, and rattled throughout the crimson sky.

Then… Silence…

Salza's pale eyes met with his comrade's back facing him.

Dore caught a punch from the enraged Saiyan, his gloved hands trembling from the immense shockwave of catching such a powerful and rapid strike.

"Ey, Boss?" Dore panted heavily as he met the enraged Saiyan's steel gaze, "When we're done with this mission, authorise my vacation. I'm taking a long break after this ordeal."

Salza cracked a smirk. Dore's unshakable loyalty and guts was surely a key asset that Lord Cooler refused to ignore.

"Of course. For Lord Cooler!" Salza raised his voice, his arm sparked into a shroud of purple. He raised his arm and raced towards Broly.

Now it is time to finally end Lord Cooler's pursuit for the Legendary Super Saiyan. Lord Cooler will acquire a powerful asset to his army!

However, the Saiyan refused to lose now.

With a feral yell, the chaotic ki consuming the Saiyan lashed out, hurling in the incoming Salza towards the black and burning city below. He kneed Dore in the gut, causing Dore to throw up. He raised both of his hands above his head, clenching them into fists.

"DIE!" Broly roared, swinging his fists down at the stunned Dore's head.

Whish!

A sudden, blistering pain tore through the Saiyan's spine.

Blood gushed out from the wide and deep scar slashed across the Saiyan's back

"GRGH!" Broly yelled up at the crimson skies, forcing the Saiyan to retreat from Dore. He panted; sweat slithered down his face, his steel eyes barely open from the continuous bouts of pain rattling his senses. His silver aura vanished into the breeze.

The Saiyan onyx eyes soon quivered, his silver hair faded back to black.

What's happening to me? Broly thought, his blank gaze fell onto his hands, trembling.

A sudden pain stabbed his diaphragm. With a sudden gasp, the Saiyan covered his mouth with one hand for several seconds. Yet, blood seeped between his fingers. The Saiyan squeezed his eyes shut, trying to drown out the pain crippling him.

"If only you accepted our proposition earlier, you would not be in this terrible mess." Salza spoke, his sharp eyes softened, as though pitying the Saiyan's injured state. "Please, heed Lord Cooler's invitation and be freed from that painful lifestyle you have endured for so long."

That fight against that rogue Saiyan...

Salza observed the Saiyan's weakened and withdrawn state. The Saiyan… His ki... It must be surely ruptured. Perhaps, such a weakened state should allow the Saiyan to reconsider his decision.

Yet, the Saiyan shook his head slowly, growling lowly.

"... To Hell-"

"Lord Cooler can help you-"

"I DON'T NEED YOUR MASTER'S HELP!" Broly yelled over Dore, his face twisted with scarlet anger and pain. "I REFUSE TO BOW MY HEAD TO ANOTHER KING, ANOTHER MASTER- A HIGHER BASTARD BY THAT TITLE!" He showed his bloody canines at the soldiers, glaring with his lightless and frenzied eyes.

"Reconsider-"

A spark of green caused Salza to hush.

The Saiyan hurled a barrage of ki, relentlessly striking the soldiers. Once a billow of smoke obscured the crimson sky, he soared, descending into the desolate and burning city below and vanished into the blistering gloom of deris and smoke.

As the curtain of smoke faded into a mere whisper, Salza and Dore lowered their arms. They exchanged a look, both aware of the difficulties this mission now proved to be.

"Dore," Salza spoke, his amber eyes falling onto the desolate city below, "I need to report on the severity of the situation to our comrade and Lord Cooler." He closed his eyes briefly and sighed. "Forgive me for the difficult task I will ask of you," He turned his attention to Dore, "But I need you to stay here and keep an eye on that monkey. To capture him 'alive' will be an extremely difficult task and I must speak to Lord Cooler of the best possible action we must take to make sure Lord Cooler's vision comes to fruition."

"Even if it comes down to murder?"

"Unfortunately," Salza drew one of his hands to his lips, "If that monkey continues to keep up his wrathful animosity, we may have to put him out of commission, for good." He drew his hand out, guiding Dore's gaze to the barren city below. "There is no empire if all the people who revere Lord Cooler are dead. That Saiyan has a dangerous amount of uncontrolled wrath harboured within himself- he is a threat to all. And his trust… I can only assume why he has zero trust towards any newcomers. Yet…" His amber eyes ashened, "I question if the result of Lord Frieza's actions had a part in his resentment. It's a cause for alarm."

"But what about the little lady? She seems to know what's going on." Dore mentioned, raising both of his hands out to his Captain.

"... Saishi." Salza uttered, drawing his hand to his lips again. "Perhaps… I now understand why Lord Cooler told me to not dispose of her as of yet." His eyes lightened. "She may be able to influence the Saiyan to join Lord Cooler." He clicked his index finger and thumb. "Dore," He turned to his comrade, "I have a plan, and I'm sure Lord Cooler has already reached the same conclusion as myself. Whatever you do, do not let that Saiyan out of your sight. Understood?"

"Yes, Boss!" Dore saluted his Captain with a wide smile, his eyes beamining with determination.

Salza departed.

Their victory must be close.

Meanwhile...

Below the heavy blanket of smoke, as though one could imagine the black fumes acting as the sky for the desolate city smoldering beneath, the lone Saiyan limped against the cracked and scorched walls- gripping his bloodied wrists. He panted, wincing as his tongue filled with the taste of rusted metal. The smell of burnt rubber caught nose, his throat tightening from the foul stench.

The Saiyan collapsed.

His twisted face struck the scorched and burnt ground. The blood painting the Saiyan's back streamed down his pale skin.

For several seconds, the Saiyan laid against the ground. His mind swirled with emptiness, his body rattled with scarlet pain.

And after several more moments, the Saiyan slowly lifted his head, his weak and quivering eyes falling onto his bloody and bruised hands.

Survival and pain… This was a world the Saiyan only knew.

Broly gazed up at the sky; a stream of red crept through the crumbling walls of what remained of the black, towering buildings. He exhaled, closing his eyes. He ran his hand over to his diaphragm, inhaling- his scars burning from deep within his flesh.

When will this sick game end?

Broly drew his hands to the crown resting on his head. He dug his fingers into the crown and attempted to yank it off. Yet the crown refused to budge. He continued to pull at the crown, trying to break the chains restricting his actions.

Yet, despite the Saiyan's might and desperation, the crown still refused to budge.

"TO HELL WITH IT!" Broly screamed, his fingers pale from gripping the crown tightly. Eventually, his hands slipped and struck the charred ground in front of him. With several, wavering breaths, he hung his head. "To… Hell with it… All…" He panted, the edge of his vision darkening.

He froze.

A shattered glass fragment glinted the Saiyan's reflection.

"Is this what I am? A Saiyan legend who is nothing but a whimpering dog?"

The Saiyan's dark and empty eyes widened. Not those whispers… Please… It was only a year.

"I should be relishing the blood of my victims, not the blood of myself!"

The Saiyan dug his fingers into his scalp, trying to hush out those vile impulses.

"I should be laughing at the agony of those weaklings! I should not be licking my own wounds like some injured animal!"

The Saiyan's eyes became cold and lifeless.

"Those insects will not escape the ridicule they spoke of me. I will paint the walls with their blood, their screams filling the silence of this dying land!"

The Saiyan's eyes became twisted and frenzied once more, slowly returning to the origins of such savagery and violence. His pain soon faded into the depths of his scarlet rage; his Saiyan thirst for carnage and pleasure.

And he laughed.

His guffaws roared up into the black sky. His energy became nothing but emerald fury, shattering the burning city into oblivion. The Saiyan watched the city burn to nothing, his lightless gaze revealed not a single light of remorse.

Those weaklings will all burn in their despair!

North galaxy - Planet Earth - Kame's House

The blue waves at sea glistened in the heat of the golden sun. With numerous, roaring splashes, the ocean foam drifted back and forth on the ivory sand and into the cool afternoon breeze.

And if one was to inspect the sand, one would find three footprints; the bigger and deeper footprint leading two smaller and lighter footprints. And if one was to follow those footprints, they would find themself observing a cheery Goku mentoring his son Gohan, and the Jirian Okome.

The young duo drew each of their own hands together, the inner part of their wrist touching the other wrist. They both drew their hands close to the side of their abdomen, taking steady and controlled breaths. With their sight focused on the blue sea roaring before them, they both took in a sharp breath. With a swift motion, the young duo thrusted the palm of their hands out towards the sea, sharpening their stances.

After several seconds of silence, Goku whistled a cheery tune. After several rounds of practice, it was time to put the young duo's understanding to the test.

"With all of that practice now, you both should be able to perform the Kamehameha." Goku spoke with a cheery tone to his son and Okome. With one hand raised up in the air, he rested his other hand on his waist. "Of course, I don't expect you both to master the Kamehameha on the first try." He chuckled, drawing one hand to his nose.

"Says the one who did." Krillin squinted his eyes at his childhood friend from the window of Kame's house. After taking a sip of the chilled smoothie, he chuckled. "Man, those were funny times."

"Hey…" Goku widened his eyes at Krillin, "I was surprised myself. I didn't mean to dampen Muten Roshi's spirit- 'coz you know… hundreds of years and stuff." He shrugged his shoulders.

From outside the house, Roshi laid back in his deck chair, lowering his prized magazine in his grasp.

"There's no reason for me to be disheartened." The Turtle Hermit Roshi spoke as he shifted his gaze to Goku. "If there is one thing in life I have learned, it would be that sooner or later the next generation surpasses the older generation." With a gentle sigh, he gazed up at the blue and clear sky. "Goku sonny," He shifted his gaze to his disciple, "There will be a time you will be surpassed by the next generation-"

"No offence to you or Goku," Okome spoke, turning her attention to the Turtle Hermit, "But since Goku is a Saiyan… And they get stronger after every fight, how would anyone surpass that?" She raised her hands and showed her palms to the elder.

"Hmm…" Goku rubbed his chin. "Maybe if I decided to stop fighting, maybe someone can surpass me? But…" His shoulders slumped forwards, "I can't just sit around and do nothing." He sulked.

"That's typical Goku for you." Krillin chuckled with closed eyes. "I don't think anyone can beat our bud."

"Perhaps…" Okome shifted her gaze to Gohan, who joined in with the laughter.

Once Gohan noticed Okome's lingering gaze, he pointed to himself, his laughter hushed.

"Hmm?" Gohan hummed, his brows raised up. What was Okome trying to hint at?

"Oh…" Okome widened her eyes, realising she had been watching Gohan for a while. "Don't worry about it," She waved her hand up and down, dismissing her thoughts, "I didn't realise I was looking at you." She laughed weakly as she shifted her embarrassed gaze from the young hybrid.

After a moment, Gohan shifted his gaze away from Okome to the ivory sand. Was she implying- no. Surely not. There was no way a boy like him could surpass his father's combat ability. Besides, how was he supposed to surpass his father if he wasn't a fighter at heart? The young boy sighed.

"Anyway," Goku chirped with a beaming smile to the young duo, "Let's try out the Kamehameha, shall we? Oh," He raised his brows for a moment, remembering a thought, "If I'm not around to train you, Chi and Krillin are always around to lend a helping hand."

"Right." Okome nodded her head.

"Son?" Goku raised his hand out to Gohan, "You're up first."

"Alright dad." Gohan nodded his head. He stood in front of his father and Okome, facing the roaring, blue waves of the ocean. He took his stance; shifting his feet apart and bending his knees. With a steady breath, he drew both his hands out towards the sea.

"Ka…" Gohan uttered, his palms glinting with a blue light. "Me…" He drew both his hands closer to one side of his abdomen, his coal eyes fixed on the blue and swishing waves. "Ha…" The light between his palms grew brighter. "Me…" His breaths became sharp, "HA!" He yelled, thrusting his palms out towards the sea.

A sudden light roared from his palms, ripping the sea into two. Yet, the beam of light from his palms only lasted for a second.

A bead of sweat dripped from Gohan's brow. He couldn't maintain the power of such a blast for long, compared to his father, mother, Krillin and the turtle hermit. Talk about a long path to follow...

Goku raised his brow and itched the back of his head.

"That's alright son, not everyone can pull that technique off the first time." Goku said, patting Gohan on the shoulder. "You need to start gathering your ki at the start of performing the Kamehameha," He mimicked the stance of the Kamehameha, drawing his hand to his side, "Or it'll come out as a puff of smoke." He thrusted his hand out.

"Alright dad, I'll try again." Gohan bowed his head at Goku.

As Gohan took his stance, Goku ruffled Gohan's hair, laughing with a smile.

"Try again later, otherwise you'll tire yourself out." Goku drew his hand away from Gohan's messy hair. "Alright," He looked over to Okome, "You're up Okome." He raised his index finger to her. "Remember, you might not get it the first time either."

"Yes Goku." Okome nodded as she took her stance. She took a deep breath, taking in the salty smell of the sea. She raised her hands up at the sea. "Ka..." She cupped her hands, "me... ha..." She drew her hands close to her chest, "me..." She thrusted her palms out. "HA!"

Blasting a large volume of water out to sea, the waves parted into two towering walls, partially blocking out the light of the sun for several seconds. Okome squinted her eyes shut, a bead of sweat slipped down her face.

Not the results she was looking for.

Goku drew his hand to his chin, his index finger resting on his upper lip as he raised his brow.

"That's definitely not a Kamehameha." Goku whistled at the dispersing waves. He placed his hands on the blue belt tied around his waist, then turned his attention over to Okome. "I guess you should focus more on drawing ki- I mean to really manipulate the ki into a form." He raised his fists close to his chest. "Here, I'll show you guys how it's done again."

Goku stood before the glistening, blue sea, feeling the ocean spray against his skin. He shuffled his feet out, bending his knees as his sight remained fixed on the waves ahead. Whatever gentle eyes he had sharpened into a steely stare.

"Ka..." Goku held his cupped hands to the ocean, "me..." He drew his hands close to his chest, "ha..." A blue spark left his hands, glowing ever brighter, "me..." A low, humming sound echoed into the open sea around him. He thrusted his hands out, "HA!"

With a yell, a beam splits the seat, leaving a towering wall of water in his wake. Then, the high walls broke away into smaller pieces, spraying the trio with a cool sprinkle of the ocean foam.

And in those moments, several thoughts occured.

Okome's eyes glimmered at the sight of such power. The Kamehameha… Goku's swift motion and unwavering confidence… That mastery was something she could only dream of achieving. If she trained to gain that mastery, could it be enough to stop Towa and her evil schemes?

Gohan shifted his gaze from his father's demonstration to Okome. He noticed her glimmering eyes fixated on the scattering waves.

And those glimmering eyes of hope, was this the same power Okome saw in the young boy?

Gohan pondered to himself. His father… He was a powerful warrior, and Gohan… He was just a mere boy who didn't share the same passion like his father. If Gohan truly sought to become his father's successor, just how was he supposed to tackle that dislike for fighting?

Perhaps… time will tell of the young boy's exceptional talents. And perhaps, ignite his fierce Saiyan spirit for when the time is right.

"See?" Goku smiled, turning his attention to the duo. "You guys will get there eventually." His eyes shifted over to the monk, who leaned on the window pane next to Chichi. "Oh... right," Goku knocked his fist into his palm. "If I'm not around to teach the Kamehameha, just ask my bud Krillin, or Chichi. They'll certainly help you guys out."

Goku's gaze shifted from Krillin to Chichi, soon meeting her firm and sharp stare. Oh boy… that stare never meant anything good…

Goku snapped his attention to Gohan with a wide smile.

"Son," Goku spoke with a chirpy tone, "You need to balance out your studies and your training if you want to become strong like your father- and smart like your mother," Goku patted Gohan on the shoulder with one hand and raised his fist to him with the other. "Okay?"

Gohan shifted his gaze to the window of where his mother stood. Though he noticed his mother sipping a glass of iced orange blossom tea, that extremely calm state of his mother made the boy feel uneasy.

Gohan shifted his gaze back to his father, his lips also shifting a smile. Maybe he should not ponder about his mother's silent annoyance.

Then again, his mother never favoured the thought of a mere boy fighting for his life. As she says, a mere boy should spend their time being a child, rather than witnessing extreme bloodshed and violence at that age.

Yet… Gohan was not entirely an Earthling. He was a hybrid, a child with Saiyan blood running through his veins. Raditz mentioned that Saiyans of this age fought and drew blood.

Yet… Gohan's thoughts returned back to his parents. His parents… they were people who fought for good and for the sake of Earth. Perhaps… He would learn of what his parents truly wanted of him when the time was right.

"Yes Dad." Gohan replied, raising both his fists up to his chest. "I'll try to do my best." He nodded with a gleam in his eyes.

"That's the spirit!" Goku laughed, ruffling Gohan's head. "With that spirit, you'll be able to master the Kamehameha in no time." The Earth-raised Saiyan shifted his lightened gaze to Okome.

Okome stared out to the shimmering ocean waves. Her hands remained relaxed to her sides. Yet, her eyes did not match her relaxed form. Rather more, they were sullen, yearning for something.

Those yearning eyes… Goku became aware of Okome's withdrawn persona. She was a child far from her home- yet that was what he only knew. How could he relate to someone when he knew nothing of his own home? Planet Vegeta.

Yet… Earth was his home. Even if Goku was not an Earthling by blood, an extremely valuable person accepted him as one. That particular person… His teachings surely made Goke take pride as a warrior from Earth.

"You may not be of this world, Goku, but I still accept you as my own. If someone tells you that you are not from this world, or taunts you, they are wrong. The world we live in is open to all, and those who wish to be a part of Earth and accept Earth's ways are more than welcomed to stay."

Grandpa Gohan… It's been a while, hasn't it? Goku pondered to himself with a smile shifting on his lips.

Gohan followed his father's gaze. Upon seeing Okome, he noticed her silence.

So it wasn't just him who noticed Okome's longing silence. Under that smile she had, her heart must have ached. That same aching heart… Gohan understood that pain. To be snatched away from home without any reason… No, that was the last thing Gohan wanted her to feel.

They were all friends and family of one another- no one should suffer alone.

As Gohan approached Okome, Goku passed him and ruffled his hair. Gohan blinked, clueless at why his father smiled.

And the last time when his father did that… No… It was too soon to even assume Goku's time was near.

But that smile, it was a smile a father wore as acknowledgement of his son's compassionate heart.

Perhaps… When his time comes… Gohan will be ready.

"What's up?" Goku asked, raising his hand out to Okome.

Okome glanced from the ocean to Goku, breaking away from her world of thoughts and memories of her home, and family. Her gaze shifted to Gohan, noticing his concerned gaze. For them to ask how she was… She must have suffered those moments of unusual silence again- opposed to her optimistic and cheery side.

Okome drew her right and clenched fist to her left and open palm.

"I'm alright." Okome replied, bowing her head, "But, thank you for asking."

Goku remained silent. That sign; the bowed head and the hands… It was a symbol of respect. Respect to a master. To think he would be acknowledged as a master?

"There's no need to be so serious, you know?" Goku raised his hand up to Okome. "And really, you don't need to repay me. I mean, you're an ally after all." He looked to the Gohan, who smiled in response, "If Gohan sees you as a good friend, I'll treat you like my friend too." Goku smiled, squinting his eyes shut. "Heck! Even that grumpy Piccolo can be my friend foo!"

Those words of pure naivety caused a Namekian in Otherworld to sneeze, violently. And the Namekian very well knew who spoke of him.

As Goku laughed, a tiny smile shifted on Okome's lips. Those calm and reassuring words, Okome's thoughts drifted to the memories of her father.

"Amaya, my daughter, there are several types of people in this world. The most important ones are those who do everything in their power to help you and are ready to catch you with open arms when you fall at any time. Your connection to them will feel like they are right besides you, even if they're not physically with you. As our youngest daughter of the Jirian bloodline, cherish them when you search for Layla. As yours and her father, please, remind Layla that she still has a home to return to after everything she may be going through."

Home…

"Goku?" Okome spoke, keeping her head bowed.

"Yup?"

"I'm grateful to you, to your family, and to your friends." Okome continued, meeting Goku's lightened gaze. "They have helped me out, and taught me a lot of valuable lessons. And I want to make it clear to you that I am in yours, your family and friends, and Piccolo's debt."

Upon hearing Piccolo's name, Krillin choked on his drink.

"Uh… bud?" A concerned Goku asked, shifting his gaze to Krillin.

"I… I'm great!" Krillin coughed. After clearing his throat, he beamed a smile at Goku for several seconds. "The drink just went down the wrong side of my throat."

The monk hoped he did not spoil the mood. Yet, the thought of Piccolo doing good… It was such a jarring action for a Demon who sought world domination in the past. Perhaps… It was possible for Piccolo to change- but what if this was a ruse? Piccolo wasn't one to be truthful. If more than anything, he was cunning and ruthless.

Krillin sighed. This was like Raditz all over again. Maybe time will tell if Piccolo was truly changing, or not.

Okome observed Krillin briefly, aware of his concerns of the former Demon King.

"I know speaking about Piccolo is still a bumpy subject to talk about," Okome spoke, shifting her gaze from Krillin to Goku, "But, despite his evil actions, he protected Gohan and me against the likes of Nappa." Her eyes softened, "He sacrificed his life."

And to think… In his dying moments, a cold heart like his could shed a tear- let alone smile.

"You know…" Goku spoke, resting both hands behind his head. He raised his elbows for a moment, "I didn't expect Piccolo to do what he did back then." He squinted his eyes shut with a toothy smile. "You see, we were sworn enemies back then, until my older bro popped up." He sighed and slumped his shoulders. "Life is a crazy thing; one minute; I'm someone's enemy, and the next I'm their friend- not that I'm complaining if they want to be my friend."

"It makes sense…"

Goku, Krillin and Okome turned their attention to Gohan. The boy's dark eyes glimmered with a fire.

"I understand why Mister Piccolo was so cold towards me at first." Gohan continued. "I'm my father's son, and because of that, Mister Piccolo must have assumed I'm like my father."

"But because you're Goku's son," Okome chimed next to Gohan, "Goku's compassion was passed onto you, and eventually onto Piccolo." She squinted her eyes with a smile. "If you think about it-"

"I was the reason why Mister Piccolo chose to sacrifice his life for us." Gohan answered, his eyes brightened up. "No," He looked at Okome, "We both were."

Okome blinked for several moments. Surely a kid who's been around Gohan and Piccolo for over three months couldn't have made 'that' much of an impact, could she?

"No offense Gohan, but you knew Piccolo longer than me." Okome chuckled, "All I did was gate crash on accident in search of my sister."

"Speaking of her, Mei," Goku shifted his attention to her, "Because my son's so keen trying to help you out, why don't you tell us how she looks?" He itched the back of his head. "I mean, I could try to sense her ki, but even then I have no idea how strong she is." He chuckled with a toothy smile.

"That's a fair point." Krillin nodded. "Who knows if we just passed your sister back then at the infirmary?"

"Trust me, she wouldn't set foot at a hospital." Okome laughed, shaking her head side to side. "But as for looks, let's just say it's kinda… bizarre."

To be fair, how was Okome supposed to explain those 'inhuman' characteristics to them? For sure, no human has a tail- unless they were an Anthropomorphic, or a Beast man. Yet… the Frost Demons could be passed off as reptilians.

"There can't be anything more strange than having a bud not from Earth," Krillin snickered, pointing his thumb at Goku, "Right?"

"Ditto." Goku nodded.

"Well…" Okome showed her palms to Krillin and Goku, "For simplicity sake, she has messy, red hair- but the fact she has a tail will stand out like a sore thumb."

"A tail?" Goku exclaimed with wide eyes, "Like a Saiyan's tail?"

"But… you're human, right?" Krillin tilted his head.

Gohan tilted his head to one side. A human with a tail?

"I am, and she was." Okome chuckled. "To be fair, it's… complicated…" Her shoulders slumped. Her smile faded.

Those black and tainted claws, those bloodied fangs holding a chilling laugh, those crimson eyes of fury, those inhuman features… No. That wasn't Layla. That Demon was not her sister-

A phone rang loudly from inside Kame's house, disrupting the silence.

Several seconds later, Launch raced to the door.

"It's Bulma everyone!" Launch called out to the group. "The ship's nearly ready!"

Okome snapped her eyes open, shaken out of her thoughts.

"You okay?" Goku asked, shifting his gaze from Launch to Okome. Okome… Seemed jumpy. Perhaps asking too many questions now will only worsen her state more. Maybe these questions should wait for another time.

After several seconds, Okome nodded.

"Remind me to have this talk another time." Goku continued, patting her shoulder "We can't just leave you hanging when you're with us," He raised his thumb up at her, "You're a part of our group now, and I'm not going to leave anyone behind," He winked, "Alright?"

As Okome met Goku's lightened gaze, her eyes glimmered with hope. To be officially a part of their group… Those warm and welcoming words from Goku lifted her spirits.

It felt as though a lump formed in the young Jirian's throat.

"Thank you!" Okome squeaked, bowing her head to Goku once more. As she bowed her head, her navy hair fell before her eyes, concealing the tears leaving her glimmering eyes. "I won't forget, and I won't let you down." She squeezed her eyes shut as she spoke from her heaving heart.

Upon noticing the tears hitting the sand, Gohan softened his gaze. At least, now she had a home to return to, even if it may not be the home she knew.

"Mei?" Gohan asked, placing his hand on her shoulder.

"Hm?" Okome looked at Gohan, though she rubbed the tears away with one hand.

"We'll get your sister back," He drew his fist close to his chest, "I promise." He smiled at her.

"We sure will." Krillin squinted his eyes shut with a beaming smile. "So in the meanwhile, don't burden yourself with everything. Maybe with the Namekian dragon balls, we'll be able to find where your sister is and wish back our friends. I mean," He chuckled, "Who knows what the Dragon of Namek is like?"

With a nod of approval, the group made their way to Capsule Corporations- not after when Goku was scolded by his wife for leaving her behind. With a pouting Goku, and the Nimbus by his side, they made their way to Capsule Corporations.

The Turtle hermit stood, resting on his staff as the Defenders of Earth flew away into the ocean mist like seagulls.

Be safe and take care of everyone. Roshi thought as the reflection of the sea glinted off his shades. Especially you, Son. He closed his eyes.

Those blinded, searing eyes; what was that terrifying energy? And that rage... Only when Krillin died at the hands of Tambourine; one of King Demon Piccolo's offsprings, Goku descended into a fit of rage.

Hopefully, the Earth-raised warrior knew better.

Planet Earth - Capsule Corporations

The neon haired woman gazed out from the sleek, rectangle windows of the dome building. She rested her elbows on the smooth, white workbench and tapped the white surface with a spanner with several clinks. Bulma sighed.

"Namek... " Bulma hummed, tilting her head to one side, "I wonder how the people are going to be up there? I mean, it's not that they're going to freely give us the dragon balls; it's their precious keepsake. Kinda like Goku's when he was a kid." She smiled to herself at a thought.

Yes. The time when she ventured out as a young woman and ran into him in the mountains. Weren't those the good old days? Adventure, friendship, love, jokes and the whole crazy group of people they met.

Bulma circled her fingers on the smooth tiles as her mind circled through many old memories.

People like Monster Carrot, Mercenary Tao, General Blue, The Red Ribbon Army and the Demon King Piccolo. Oh, and then there was Pilaf and his gang... she wondered where they went off to? She sighed. Well, now things have gotten crazier; Goku being an alien and all, Yamcha being dead, Piccolo being dead and having a race of his own... and well- aliens!

But Yamcha… oh Yamcha! Why did he make a promise if he knew he couldn't keep it? What a dummy! He should have just left it to that freak Piccolo; it wasn't that anyone liked the Demon King for what he's done- even though he was able to fend off Raditz. But, that Demon still killed Goku! Then again, Piccolo was just as important as Kami.

Bulma buried her head into her arms. Why is everything so complicated?

"Yuhoo! You in there?" A peppy voice broke Bulma's stream of thoughts.

"Yes Goku." Bulma replied, pulling away from the window ledge.

"Oh, there you are." Goku peeped up from the window ledge. "So…" He drew closer to Bulma, raising one hand close to his lips with squinted eyes, "When are we going?"

"Goku!" Chichi yelled from the patio below. Goku flinched at his wife's raised voice. "Don't rush her!"

Goku chuckled sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his head with closed eyes.

"It's alright." Bulma said, drawing a stand of her neon hair from her face and behind her ear. "Both ships are ready, but I hope you guys brought your own clothes. It's going to be a long trip."

"Don't worry," Goku waved to Bulma. He patted his orange gi, "I've got my favourite-"

-"Not in those clothes you're not." Chichi raised her voice, her arms crossed over her chest. "You can wear those clothes, but you should bring some casual clothes too, you know? Maybe for the days you're not training on; just so that you don't smell so bad." She murmured the last part, averting her gaze from Goku.

"Yeah, your wife's right." Bulma agreed. Goku turned his gaze back at Bulma, puffing out his cheeks with squinted eyes. "Don't give me that." Bulma squinted her eyes at Goku. "There is a limited amount of water and food. So make sure you don't have a frequent shower, otherwise you'll be left with no water to drink."

Though, hopefully there was enough for Goku, since he had a massive appetite. Bulma sighed at the thought and rested her hands on the workbench.

"I hope there's water on Namek." Goku stretched his arms over his head. "Then I can have all the showers I need!" He smiled, squinting his eyes closed.

"... You really are something, aren't you?" Bulma retorted, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Huh?" Goku's smile dropped.

"Never mind, the sooner we get to Namek, the quicker we can bring back Yamcha and the others." Bulma walked over to the door. "Ready?"

"Always." Goku raised his fist up. His dark eyes burned with determination. Finally, he can do something for his friends- And for Piccolo.

And maybe carry out the wishes of his deceased Saiyan family.

From the massive, emerald patio below, Chichi, Gohan and Okome stood. Though, Krillin held a thick, leather book

"Mother..." Gohan asked, inspecting the suitcase spilling with papers. "Is this really necessary?"

"Of course it is." Chichi replied, smiling as she handed the suitcase over to Gohan. "I don't want my baby boy to become a brainless brawler now, can I?" She tilted her head at her son. "You need the brains and the skill too- and I want you to become a great scholar one day, okay?"

Okome raised her brow at the sight of the overpacked suitcase. Surely this was a joke, right? What intergalactic alien would care if their enemy reads or not?

"No offence, Chichi," Okome raised her hands out to her, "But, if the world went kaboom one day, what is the point of studying?"

Chichi furrowed her brows at Okome.

Okome gulped at the sight of a mother's sharp gaze.

"I understand that knowledge is power," Okome continued with a firm voice, "But, with some intergalactic aliens running about, I'm sure they just won't care about," She raised both her hands at the suitcase, "That."

Chichi rubbed her temples.

Krillin and Gohan exchanged a glance. Uh oh…

"Okome…" Chichi prolonged her voice for a moment, "Explain what do you mean by that?"

Okome blinked. Surely she wasn't serious about this, was she?

"We're dealing with a tyrant." Okome answered bluntly with slumped shoulders. "From what I understood from both Raditz's and Vegeta's words, I'm sure what Frieza is doing is an act of a tyrant."

"Surely there must be a set of rules to stop him," Chichi questioned, "We have King Furry who's a splendid leader of Earth."

"A… wait, what?" Okome blinked, surprised at Chichi's words.

"... Okome?" Gohan glanced at her, anxious at what Okome meant by her uncertainty.

"Sorry." Okome laughed. She stuck her tongue for a moment. "I had a habit of sleeping through history class." She squinted her eyes shut with a smile. "I'm not good at history." She giggled with squinted eyes, like a cat hiding one's intentions with an embarrassed, yet cheerful persona.

Krillin and Gohan turned their attention to a silent Chichi. The duo noticed her closed eyes and gritted teeth.

"... Alright." Chichi met Okome's gaze, after giving Okome's words some thought. "Just like my son, you can train-"

"But-" Okome widened her eyes, her smile wiped off her face.

"-But," Chichi spoke over Okome, "You both also need to study." She pointed at Okome, then to Gohan. Gohan blinked and stuttered back like a startled parrot. "If you both can be sparring buddies, then I'm sure you both can be book buddies too."

"B… Both?" Okome pointed at herself.

Chichi nodded, firm in her words.

"Aww..." Okome hung her head, though Gohan chuckled quietly. A mother's love can be both a blessing and a curse.

"Hey there, it's going to be alright." Krillin chimed in, closing the leather book. "I'm pretty sure you'll both ace the exams-"

-"They're going to be home-schooled at the moment." Chichi rested her hand on her waist. "I need to double check with my husband a few extra details." She shifted her gaze to Okome.

At least, Gohan won't be lonely anymore.

However, Gohan blinked. He wondered what his mother meant by that.

"...Oh," Krillin raised his brows for a moment, assuming what Chichi could have meant. "Well," He rose up to his feet, "You're both going to do great! I can tell." He raised his fist at the young duo, facing his knuckles to the children. "If you need a hand, I'm here to help." He smiled.

With a smile, Gohan and Okome thanked the monk.

From the window above, Goku landed behind the group with a quiet crunch.

"You guys ready?" Goku asked, bouncing up onto his feet. "Bulma says to meet at the back." He pointed his thumb behind himself.

With a combined agreement, the group ventured forth.

Krillin rubbed his wrists. Yamcha, Tien and Chiaotzu; hopefully retrieving the dragon balls shouldn't be too difficult, especially for their sake.

Gohan nodded, curling and stretching his fingers. Mister Piccolo; he will finally see his teacher again.

Okome nodded, looking down at the lush grass. Namek; will she find her sister there?

But most importantly, just what perilous path laid ahead?

After two steps, Chichi stopped.

She held her hands close to her chest as her gaze observed the shadows of her friends walking away from her in the warm embrace of the scarlet sunlight.

Something… Was familiar…

"Goku." Chichi called, her words quiet on her lips.

Goku perked his head up at the sound of his wife's voice. He turned to Chichi.

"Please," Chichi continued, dipping her head down at the Earth-raised Saiyan, "Look after our son, and everyone else." She lifted her head, her coal eyes glistening with tears. "And please, come back alive!" She gasped, her eyes streamed with tears.

Everyone snapped their attention to Chichi's sudden cries.

Goku widened his eyes for a moment. Then he softened his eyes.

Despite her fiery nature, the Earth-raised Saiyan acknowledged Chichi's passionate and motherly persona. That year after Raditz's defeat at Piccolo's hands… Surely that entire year must have affected Chichi so deeply- even motivating herself to train in preparation against Vegeta and Nappa.

A gentle smile formed on his lips.

"Come on Chi," Goku chuckled, walking towards her as a means to cheer her up. He reached one hand to her shoulder, "We'll be back before you know it." He patted her shoulder and winked at her.

Chichi cupped her hands to her mouth, trying to suppress her cries. Yet, this same optimism Goku had... She couldn't help but believe this was an ill omen.

"I can't lose you, not permanently!" Chichi cried, her hands gripped Goku's shoulders. She buried her face into his orange shirt. "You, and Krillin, both already died once. If I lost you… If I l- lost you again…"

Goku remained still. He very well understood what Chichi wanted.

That normal life Chichi dreamed of… He couldn't promise such a life to her- not after Raditz revealed to him that he was a Saiyan. And the fact that Gohan was a hybrid, he too may never have a normal life either...

"There's nothing to worry about, Chi." Goku softened his voice, drawing her into a hug. "I'm not going to let you down- or anyone else." He drew his hand over his wife's head and cradled her closer to himself.

Chichi's cries hushed. Yet, she was unable to utter another word.

"Just keep smiling and be happy," Goku continued, "Stay strong for our son, and for everyone else." He pulled Chichi away gently. He met her glistening eyes. "We can't have anyone else targeting our home while I'm gone; okay?" He kept a firm grip on her shoulders.

After several seconds of silence from Chichi, she nodded. "Yes Goku," Chichi rubbed her tears away. "As the Ox King's daughter, I will do whatever I can." She clenched one hand into a fist and raised it to him as a symbol of her word.

Goku leant over to Chichi, his nose gently brushing against her small nose. That was the Chichi he knew, the fierce daughter of the Ox King.

Just before Goku pulled away from her, Chichi tiptoed and pecked Goku's forehead with a kiss.

Perhaps… This could be the last time she would see him again.

As for Gohan and Okome, Krillin covered their eyes. However, Okome scoffed; she was very well aware of what happened. Just lovey-dovey stuff between two lovers…

Okome bit her trembling lips as the rims of her blue eyes glimmered with tears.

A love two parents share, this thought forced Okome to look away from Goku and Chichi. To be so far from her own parents… It felt as though a lump formed in her throat once more. Those tears… How much she hated feeling so weak and useless.

But as much as it hurt, Okome forced a smile on her lips.

Though a keen-eyed Gohan noticed a silent tear rolling down Okome's face. If only there was a way to comfort her-

Or reunite Okome with her sister sooner.

Two hours later...

The group stood before two massive spaceships, both vastly different in designs. One was more rougher around the exterior whilst the other had a smoother exterior. Yet, both ships had only one purpose in mind.

To travel to Namek.

Bulma took a breath. She held her helmet under one arm and gazed up at the towering structure of the ancient Namekian ship. Yamcha... The thought of being able to reunite with him made her skin tremble. And Launch, she promised to return Tien and Chiaotzu back to her.

Bulma gripped her helmet firmer. No. She will bring them all back!

She raised her other hand.

"Piccolo!" Bulma commanded with a loud and clear voice, and raised one hand to the ship.

Click!

A circular platform detached from the bottom of the ship and descended towards the green patio in front of Bulma.

"So it's true." Goku muttered, his arms relaxed behind his head. "Well, I'm not going to learn any Namekian language any time soon."

"Yeah, it's better that way too." Bulma retorted, looking over her shoulder to Goku. "We can't have you saying anything wrong and then head off to the moon."

"That's definitely what Goku would do." Krillin snickered next to Bulma.

"Hey, it's not my fault I forget easily." Goku replied, wiggling his index finger at Krillin. "I can't sit still." He puffed his cheeks out.

Krillin laughed, rubbing his bald head at the fuming Goku.

"I wonder what would happen if a Saiyan with a tail headed to the moon though…" Okome pondered to herself.

"Mei?" Gohan tilted his head.

"Oh! Nothing." Okome chuckled with squinted eyes. "It's amazing that Bulma translated everything word by word." She looked at Bulma with gleaming eyes. "I wonder how long it-"

"It's actually common sense really." Bulma replied, running her fingers through her blue hair.

Okome froze. So… that was a no brainer? She hung her head.

Krillin patted Okome's shoulder with a chuckle. No one could match Bulma's genius- or her quick, intellectual wits.

"In Goku's case," Bulma raised her index finger to the clear sky, "Myself and my Dad made it easier to operate for him." She looked over to Goku, "And my father helped out to implement the gravity chamber for him, Goku can do something whilst we're heading to Namek."

"Thanks Bulma!" Goku exclaimed, his eyes beaming with joy. "You're the best!"

"No problem Goku." Bulma raised her thumb up at Goku with a wink. "Anyway, we should get going to Namek." She walked towards the circular platform before her. "So let's make our way then."

"Be safe, all of you!" Chichi called out, waving up at the ascending trio. As for Goku, he hopped into the opening door of the ship, leaving with a beaming smile.

That smile… Please! Don't snatch that smile away from her!

"Don't worry Chichi, they'll be back."

At the sound of his gruff voice, Chichi snapped her attention to her right.

A towering, brawny man with a helmet, with two horns protruding from both sides, stood besides her.

"Oh, hey dad." Chichi shifted a smile to him, "When did you get here?"

"Just a couple of minutes ago." The Ox King smiled down at his petite daughter. "I can't miss my son in law and grandson's departure now. Right?" He laughed heartily. "I heard we're going to have another new member to our family."

Chichi turned her head away, squinting her eyes. How could she forget about that?

"Yup." Chichi nodded, "It's time to crack on with those adoption papers." She laughed with a raised fist. "I'm sure Gohan will be happy when he finds out Okome will be staying around our place."

"And Goku?"

"I'm sure he wouldn't mind having her around." Chichi waved her hand up and down. "Goku thought about it and said it would be great for Gohan to have a friend that's his age."

If only Chichi knew that Okome was eleven years older than Gohan- or that's how much older her soul was compared to Gohan. Time will reveal all secrets in due time.

As the circular floor of the Namekian ship clicked shut, Bulma inspected the red and shiny tiles. With a single breath, the scent of faint metal and disinfectant drifted through the interior of the ship. Looks like this smell will linger for a few days.

"Alrighty then," Bulma spoke, resting one hand on her hips. "Let's store our stuff and get moving."

"We really are staying here for a long time, aren't we?" Krillin questioned, looking around the vast room. As he looked behind himself, he noticed a white door, with two seats set in front. "Wow! It's enough room for some light training, sleeping and food."

Krillin looked to Gohan, noticing the boy seated and already reading a book. Talk about no time to lose…

"Hey ya," Krillin waved his hand at Gohan. "If your mother's not here, there's no need to stress over your studies. It's not that me or Bulma are going to scold you over it."

Gohan widened his eyes briefly at Krillin's words.

"Oh," Gohan tore his gaze from the book to Krillin. Yet, the boy's mind was troubled.

To be a scholar? Or to be a fighter? How was Gohan supposed to balance his time to please his parents? If the likes of the Saiyans, or Slug, were to attack Earth again, surely fighting was more important than his studies, right?

Yet… For some reason, he couldn't bring himself to draw blood. Why? Why wasn't he able to kill anyone for the safety of Earth? Just what was stopping him?

Gohan pondered, until Okome interrupted his thoughts.

"Look at this ship!" Okome exclaimed, zipping from one place to the next within the ship. "I've never been- no, I never had a chance to witness such- WOW!" Her eyes beamed as she continued to waffle about the sleek details of the interior of the ship.

"Calm down Mei." Bulma shifted her focus to the buzzing Okome. "It's nothing that big. Surely you've seen a car-"

"Actually," Okome raised her index finger to make a point, "From where I'm from, we don't have access to cars and all these gadgets." She chuckled, "The terrain is too harsh for machines to pass by, even navigating airborne is a problem due to the mountains."

"... Interesting." Bulma rubbed her chin. Perhaps this may be a worthy challenge to exercise her knowledge in the technological arts of machines. Afterall, she was the head of Capsule Corporations.

Gohan observed Okome. Where did she get her burst of optimism and energy from?

"Um… Mei?" Gohan asked, lowering his book on his lap. "I was wondering, do you want to study with me?"

Okome blinked at Gohan. Well… studying alone was tiresome, and lonely. Perhaps having a study partner would liven it up- and dull the memories of her time with her dear sister.

"Sure!" Okome replied, smiling. "And when the exams roll around," She squinted her eyes at Gohan, "I hope we both pass."

Gohan blinked at her. His head tilted to one side, surprised at her optimism.

"Uh…" Okome blushed, drawing her hand close to her chest. Did she say something wrong?

As for Bulma and Krillin, they both suppressed their laughter. How cute is it to see two young ones getting along? And so innocent as well.

"Buckle up guys!" Bulma warned, walking to the seats set before the wide, circular window. "Next stop: Namek."

"Alright!" The trio replied.

With a boom, both ships blasted up into the skies above, leaving a swirl of wind in its wake. Soon after, the ancient Namekian ship took the lead and paved the path onwards to their destination;

Planet Namek.

"And there they go." Dr Briefs saluted at the departing ships. The former director of Capsule Corp shifted his gaze to the emerald grass. A sparkle of purple caught his gaze. "Oh... What's this?"

The scroll.

Dr Brief grasped the scroll and inspected the fine details. This scroll surely did not belong to his daughter. Perhaps a messenger bird dropped it?

As the elder hobbled to his laboratory for further investigations on the scroll, a slender form vanished into the pleasant breeze like a phantom.

"Now that's out of the way, let's try something more extreme."

Somewhere in West City, below the layers of humanities known knowledge, remained a scientist sculpting his perfect warrior.

Within the glass chambers howling with silence, a frail man stood in the darkness before his incomplete creations.

"Ah yes, Son Goku. My perfect specimen for research." His voice croaked within the darkness of his lab. "I will exact my revenge on him for what he's done." He drew his wrinkled hand to the glowing, glass container before him.

And held within the glass container was a small, green bug, absorbing the knowledge of every known fighter of his master's wishes. Just a few more years and he will be complete. In the meanwhile, something else should occupy the doctor.

But, it wasn't just one scientist who sought after the infamous Son Goku.

Far lost into the glaciers dwelled another scientist, frozen and forgotten within the last fifty years. His metal skin craved for the strongest body known to mankind. He will soon shed that metal husk and be reborn as the strongest! Son Goku's body will be his!

Yet, just passing the silent surface of space, Goku's stomach churned. Something just didn't feel right. First Nappa and Vegeta, then Slug, and now. Something was horribly wrong, but what?

Beware Son Goku. Your hard work may be stolen by those who pry on you from the shadows.

North Galaxy - Space

Several hours later, zipping through the depths of space, Krillin, Okome, Gohan and Bulma sat in silence. As Krillin, Gohan and Okome sat in a triangle formation facing one another, engaged in a mental form of intensive training, Bulma inspected a small and round gadget in her hand. She clicked the button at the top of the device, causing the device to enlarge the grids.

This gadget was none other than the dragon radar.

The question was… Will Bulma's genius invention work on the Namekian dragon balls? The thought had never made her stomach churn so much. If the radar worked, then it would be a piece of cake. But if the radar did not… Then they all were in for a bumpy ride.

Bulma sighed silently through her nose. Staying on edge and over complicating her thoughts now will only tire her out. Perhaps a little rest should do her some good. Afterall, Goku was here.

Goku was always here to help, right?

Following behind the ancient Namekian spaceship was the Capsule Corporation's creation of their spaceship. However, the latter had more activity taking place.

Push up, pull back, striking the heavy air with a rapid string of kicks and punches, then a quick breath. Goku huffed, sweat trickled down his face in the heat of the raised gravity. There was no excuse to slack off. King Kai warned that this Frieza guy was powerful. Yet, this thought made the Earth-raised Saiyan's blood race; from anticipation and from excitement. He must be prepared if he planned to face Frieza- and the same for Vegeta..

Goku drew his hand back and close to his chest.

"HA!" Goku yelled, releasing a blue blast of energy. Let's see if his body was strong enough to withstand his own strike.

The wave struck him with a boom. From the smoke, Goku tilted his head; messy from the damage and his orange top torn from the blast. Goku wheezed. Now that was a bad idea…

I'm not gonna do that again. Goku thought, relaxing his body. Boy, trying to take a blast head on is going to need a lot of ki- and a high tolerance for pain. He sighed, rubbing his head with frustration. Hopefully this Frieza guy won't be one of those guys... but what would happen if I do? He folded his arms, hanging head down. If it's unexpected, it should work… but if it doesn't, then I'll need to come up with something else; like a ki blade? Goku chuckled to himself.

Who was he kidding? His only choice of weapon will only be the Power pole. Even if he was to use a form of ki manipulation, Krillin was far better than him; the Kienzan was one of the examples of proving Krillin's best control over his ki- but… was there truly no counter against the Kienzan? That technique sliced through everything with ease, unless…

Unless the user themselves have a fault of some sort. Perhaps someone who does not share the same values as Krilin could suffer a horrible end.

Goku took his stance again. Never mind, he'll just have to improvise when that time comes. Until then, he hoped the slower rate of travel of this ship would not leave his friends in a dire predicament on Namek- hopefully not like Nappa and Vegeta.

S everal days later - Planet Namek

Being a few days earlier than they had anticipated; Bulma, Krillin, Gohan and Okome stood on the blue and charred grass. They observed beyond the rugged land to the green horizon, yet the horizon was littered with crimson plumes. Three fiery balls of heat from the heavens glared through the wall of soot and smoke from the sky.

"Oh no…" Okome's voice quivered, her eyes shrivelled into small dots to the sight before her.

"Woah…" Bulma gasped, tilting her head beyond disbelief.

"How could they?" Gohan hissed, clenching his jaws tighter.

"What monster would do this?" Krillin's voice trembled, his fingers digging into his palms.

Crops and unmoving bodies burned, laying within the rubble of their village. Children and the elderly; everything was burned to the ground.

This was only the beginning of their horrors on Namek.

- - - - -