Chapter 1: A Twist of Fate

As the looming Cell Games drew nearer, Earth bustled with frenetic activity as the Z warriors diligently prepared for the impending battle. Deep within the hyperbolic time chamber, Piccolo's intense training regimen continued. While he was well aware he couldn't match the power levels of Gohan, Goku, Vegeta, or Trunks, Piccolo's unwavering determination fueled his efforts to make a significant difference in the impending clash.

Meanwhile, Goku and Gohan ventured across the world, soaking in precious moments of joy and bonding. Goku, in particular, relished this time with his wife, Chi-Chi, having been absent for long stretches due to his training. Amidst all this, Tien dedicated himself to honing his skills in his own unique way, even though, as a human, he understood the insignificance of his contribution in the battles to come.

Krillin, acutely aware of his limitations, carried the weight of past failures like a heavy burden. The recent events had only added to his sense of powerlessness. He couldn't shake the memories of his inability to thwart Frieza, protect his friends from Nappa, or prevent Android 18's absorption by Cell. It was, by far, one of the darkest periods in Krillin's life, which had begun in earnest during his days at the Orin Temple.

Still, there were moments in his past where Krillin's actions had made a difference. He had been instrumental in the battles against the Red Ribbon Army, had played a vital role on Namek, and bravely faced the Saiyans' saibamen. Even in martial arts tournaments, he had advanced to the semi-finals twice, narrowly losing to Piccolo in a hard-fought quarterfinal match.

One significant act that Krillin could claim as his own was saving Android 16, whom he had entrusted to Bulma for repairs. While he awaited the android's restoration, he cherished the time spent with his friends, sensing that these moments might be their last. Little did he know that these words would soon hold both truth and falsehood in a way he could never have imagined.

Looking out the window, Krillin spotted his old training partner and fellow Turtle School fighter, Yamcha. He sensed that Yamcha, too, grappled with a waning passion for battle, a sentiment that had long plagued Krillin. Even the woman he had once loved, lost to Yamcha, had changed beyond recognition.

Feeling the need for a change of scenery, Krillin decided to explore the advanced Capsule Corporation. The place was an oddity, a hub of technological marvels, even including a frog in the swimming pool trying to give orders. It was here that groundbreaking inventions were conceived, including the device that could have thwarted the androids. Krillin couldn't help but marvel at the robotic workers bustling through the halls.

Finally, he entered a room at random, driven by the anticipation of discovering something truly extraordinary. The room contained only one item of interest: the time-traveling device that Trunks had brought from the future. As Krillin approached, he marveled at the device's intricate design. Bulma's brilliance shone through, even though she could be less than pleasant at times. Krillin had long recognized her as a genius with a good heart.

Curiosity gripped Krillin. He had never seen a time machine before, and it dawned on him that this was not Trunks' time machine but the one Cell had used to journey to the past after killing Trunks. It appeared that Dr. Briefs or Bulma had attempted repairs on it. Krillin decided it would likely never see use again, but the thought crossed his mind that, in a dire future where Cell won the Cell Games, someone might use it to warn of Cell's threat, much like Trunks had warned them of the androids.

As he inspected the machine, Krillin couldn't shake a creeping feeling that it might be inhabited by ghosts, memories of a dead world with nothing left. Just as he began to exit, his hand inadvertently brushed a switch, causing the top of the machine to close and lock him in. Panic set in as numbers flashed on the dashboard, alarms blared, and the machine sprang to life. Krillin cursed his misfortune as he felt himself hurtling through time and space, leaving the room behind and finding himself in an entirely new world.

Krillin's surroundings were surreal. A crimson sky hung above him, reminiscent of a blood-red ruby. He scrutinized the unfamiliar panels on the time machine. Desperate to return, Krillin attempted to access the machine's controls, but to his dismay, it was unresponsive, devoid of the power needed to transport him back to his own time—or perhaps the past. He had no way of knowing where he was.

Exiting the pod, Krillin surveyed his surroundings. He found himself in a yard that bore a striking resemblance to West City from his own time, save for the eerie red sky. The town appeared advanced, likely West City, yet something was profoundly different. Robotic workers were aplenty, bustling about the city.

As he ventured further, Krillin noticed the peculiar denizens of this strange world gathering around his pod. To his surprise, they resembled him in every way. Bewildered, he addressed the crowd, "Um, hello. Could someone please tell me where I am?" His words earned puzzled looks, and he realized they might not comprehend him due to the language barrier. "I'm from Earth, from West City. My name is Krillin, and I mean no harm," he added, his tone tinged with uncertainty. "I'm sorry if you can't understand me. I'm not from here, and I don't know your language."

Approaching him was a man wearing what looked like a scouter, an unusual device on this unfamiliar world. "It's okay; my device can decipher your language and facilitate communication," the older man introduced himself as Dr. Pepino. "You are in Orange City, on the planet known as Planet." He scrutinized Krillin with curiosity, "We rarely receive visitors, especially not from other planets. Only those Saiyans."

Krillin, feeling a sense of dread at the mention of Saiyans, hastened to clarify, "No, I'm not a Saiyan. I'm an Earthling, a human. See, no tail." He offered a wry smile, hoping to establish some common ground.

Dr. Pepino raised an eyebrow, intrigued that this man was familiar with Saiyans. "Why don't you come with me to my lab? We can make you more comfortable there and talk in private," he suggested, leading Krillin towards his laboratory. He was eager to learn about this visitor and the Earth from which he hailed.

Krillin, still trying to grasp the reality of his situation, decided to follow Dr. Pepino. He had no means to return home, and he suspected that his mere presence had already altered history, potentially creating a new and divergent timeline. Stepping into the lab, he found it reminiscent of the labs at Capsule Corp.

Dr. Pepino quickly retrieved a scouter and began repairing it while conversing with Krillin. "So, about the machine you arrived in... it wasn't a spaceship, was it?"

Krillin hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Well, it sort of was, but I didn't make

it. I used it by mistake, and it activated unintentionally while I was inside. Honestly, I don't know much about it," he admitted, careful not to reveal that it was a time machine, a piece of information that could be dangerous.

Intrigued by Krillin's account of Earth's encounter with Saiyans, Dr. Pepino inquired further. "How did your people meet the Saiyans? Did they attack your world as well?"

Krillin responded with a somber tone, "Yes, they did. A small group of powerful Saiyans attacked my planet, but my friends and I were fortunate enough to defeat them. It was a tough battle; they were apparently elite warriors."

Dr. Pepino nodded in understanding. It made sense that if Saiyans had arrived on Earth, they would have ventured to other planets as well. Just then, an alarm disrupted their conversation.

"What's happening? Why is there an alarm?" Krillin asked, concerned and uncertain about the situation.

"It's a Saiyan attack," Dr. Pepino explained with a heavy sigh. "They're coming to attack our village. We must head to the shelters; our defenders will do their best to protect us and buy time for the women and children to hide. This has been our way of life for a year since the war began."

Krillin felt a rush of dread as he sensed the approaching Saiyans. The situation was dire, but he couldn't stand idly by. The memory of Vegeta and Nappa's devastating attack on a city back on Earth was too fresh in his mind. He realized he had the power to change history and prevent the tragedy unfolding before him.

"I have to go," Krillin declared, taking the scouter handed to him and rushing out of the lab. He ascended into the sky, heading towards the incoming Saiyan threat. Driven by a mixture of courage and the desire to protect innocent lives, he could not ignore the opportunity to make a difference.

Dr. Pepino watched in awe as Krillin's silhouette faded into the distance. He had assumed that humans like Krillin relied on technology rather than combat prowess, especially after witnessing the "spaceship" that had brought him here. Little did he know that the unassuming Earthling would soon demonstrate his formidable skills on the battlefield.

Krillin landed in the no man's land between the outskirts of the town and the approaching Saiyan invaders. He observed the dozen Saiyans in the distance, led by the unmistakable figure of Nappa. It was a twist of fate, Krillin thought, to confront the very Saiyan who had taken the life of his friend in his own timeline.

Nappa's arrogance was palpable as he taunted Krillin, oblivious to the threat he faced. "Well now, what do we have here? A little Truffle without a weapon? You must be seeking death, shorty."

Undeterred by Nappa's provocation, Krillin calmly replied, "Why don't you go home and leave these people alone? Let them live in peace."

Nappa's laughter echoed through the crimson-tinged atmosphere. "Why? This is our planet, as King Vegeta decreed. We Saiyans take what we want and eliminate anything in our way. Don't worry; you won't be around to witness it."

With a signal to one of his men, Nappa launched an attack on Krillin, but it proved futile. Krillin had already moved, leaving an afterimage in his wake. In the blink of an eye, he reappeared behind his attacker, delivering a precise strike to the man's neck, rendering him unconscious with ease.

The other Saiyans, dumbfounded by Krillin's display of speed and skill, rushed to attack him from all sides. Yet, each one found themselves outmatched and swiftly incapacitated. Krillin's power dwarfed theirs, and he showed no mercy, aware of the Saiyans' potential for Zenkai boosts. He wasn't like Goku, who might have spared them; these Saiyans adhered to a merciless warrior culture, where victory meant life and defeat meant death.

Krillin retaliated with a barrage of counterattacks, ensuring none of the Saiyans would threaten the village again. With Nappa as the last remaining adversary, he watched as the Saiyan powered up for a final assault. However, Krillin effortlessly deflected Nappa's attack with a backhanded strike and retaliated with a powerful ki blast, obliterating the Saiyan leader.

Back in the village, the Tuffles bore witness to this astonishing feat with a mixture of awe and relief. They knew that, had Krillin not intervened, their village would have been obliterated that day. Nappa's invasion would have mirrored the ruthless attacks he had orchestrated in the past, wiping out cities and innocent lives.

For Krillin, it was a moment of triumph and redemption. As he descended from the crimson sky, he was greeted not by Saiyan adversaries but by the jubilant cheers and spontaneous celebration of the Tuffles. In their eyes, he had become a hero and a protector, a beacon of hope in the face of an existential threat.

As Dr. Pepino observed the scene, he couldn't help but believe in the miracle that had unfolded before them. Krillin's unexpected arrival had offered a glimmer of salvation from the Saiyan menace that had plagued their world. It was a blessing he had long prayed for, and it seemed that, at least for now, the Earthling had changed the course of history on Planet Planet.

Power levels in the chapter:

- Nappa: 3,250

- 11 other random Saiyans: 800-2,500

- Krillin (suppressed against the Saiyans): 20,000