Vegeta is just a child beside his father, the King, on their home planet. The King sits upon a throne and doles out orders and judgments to his subjects as they approach one at a time with their grievances. Vegeta admires the power of his father's authoritative voice. Still, he cannot help suppressing a giggle every time his father's goatee bobs while he speaks.
After a couple hours, the King turns the meetings over to his advisers. He places a hand on Vegeta's head and guides him to a room behind the throne. His stern eyes hold Vegeta's attention.
"I hope you found that demonstration insightful," says King Vegeta. "Dealing with the elites and commoners of the kingdom is an important aspect of ruling you will need to master when you take my place as king."
"I will father. I hope to emulate your swift and firm decision making."
"Indeed, now there is one more matter I must attend to…"
The King's eyes soften as he ducks to scoop up Vegeta by the armpits. He lifts him above his head. Both laugh. The King spins them around before setting his son down.
"Today, I'm going to teach you a technique my father taught me, and his father taught to him. I've been looking forward to this moment for a while now."
Vegeta beams at the prospect of engaging with his legacy. But more importantly, the chance to spend time with his father warms his heart. The scarce opportunities are the only thing his privileged life lacks.
They travel outside the castle and deep into a cave. Vegeta examines the vast cavern expanding before them. The familiar playground feels like a second bedroom.
"This technique is called the Gyarikku Ho. Now watch."
King Vegeta twists his body sideways. The palm of his right hand sits in front of his chest, facing away. His left hand hovers behind the curved fingers. A purple aura envelops his body, crackling with arcing fringes.
Vegeta marvel's at the display. His admiration for his father forces a smile from him.
The King shoves his hands at an upward angle. A great beam shoots from them. It crashes into the ceiling, knocking boulders and stalactites to the ground.
"That was amazing, father. You're so strong."
"No, I was holding back to avoid causing any real damage. Now you try."
Vegeta takes the same pose and channels his energy. He glows with a faint light before throwing his hands forward. The energy explodes in a harmless cloud of violet dust. Disappointment weighs down Vegeta's head.
"Very good my son," says the King. "I couldn't even get anything to come out the first time I tried. I knew you were much more talented than me. You'll make a fine king one day."
They embrace. They pull away quickly as someone intrudes on their tender moment.
"Who's there? Show yourself," says the King.
"It is I sire," says Nappa, stepping out of the shadows.
"Commander Nappa," says the King. "What news do you bring?"
"It's Lord Freeza, sire. A messenger has just arrived with new orders."
"Can't one of the advisers assign a crew to whatever mission this is?"
"I'm afraid he has asked for you personally to handle it."
An anger overcomes Vegeta from the interruption. He blurts out his frustration. "Freeza can't just order us around at a moment's notice!"
"Prince Vegeta," says the King with a stern tone.
"The least Freeza could do is send word that a messenger is coming. He acts without any respect for our proud people."
The King kneels and places a hand on Vegeta's shoulder. "I understand your frustrations. And I promise that one day you will be able to rule free of any foreign influence. But for now, we must keep good relations with the Cold Empire."
Vegeta grinds his teeth.
The King hugs him.
"I'll be back as soon as I finish with the messenger."
The King takes his leave. Vegeta watches helplessly as he goes.
"Buck up sunshine," says Nappa. "I know it's tough to watch a Saiyan as great as your father humble himself before another. But we will have our freedom once this partnership no longer benefits us."
"Commander Nappa. Please look after my father on whatever mission Freeza has for him."
"Of course. I'll make sure he returns to you as soon as possible. And then I owe you some payback in a game of Saiyan-ball."
Vegeta grins. "You let me win last time. I know you did."
Nappa laughs. "I didn't. I promise. But how about I take the next game as serious as I can. Sound good?"
Vegeta nods.
Nappa ruffles his spiky hair.
###
Vegeta snaps to attention from the memory. Ahead of him flies Zarbon checking the Dragon Radar. All around him, Freeza's soldiers fly at various heights. Below him skims a cruiser with Bulma in the back seat.
Zarbon calls back to the group about being near the target. They all descend and the cruiser comes to a stop.
"Everyone fan out and find the Dragon Ball," says Zarbon. "According to the captive, it's an orange ball with stars on it."
Vegeta looks at Bulma. She stares at her lap. A red cheek and black eye swell from her face.
"Well, Vegeta," says Zarbon, tapping a finger on the elbow of his crossed arms.
"Well what?"
"Start searching of course!"
"That's grunt work."
"Exactly, and you're a grunt. Get to work."
Vegeta grumbles and sulks off.
Zarbon strides to Bulma with his cape flowing behind him. She winces as he leans over her."
"Are you sure this thing can't narrow the area any further?"
Bulma nods her head.
"You better hope I don't find out otherwise. I'd hate to have to mess up that pretty face again."
The search takes nearly an hour. A soldier finds the ball nestled between some boulders. He brings it to Zarbon.
"So they really do exist," says Zarbon. "Bigger than the original reports described, but that should make finding them easier."
He hands the ball back to the man while glaring at him.
"Put this in the trunk of the cruiser and keep watch over it."
The soldier gulps beneath the angry eyes . Zarbon checks the radar for the next closest ping.
"Alright people, move out!"
###
"Hurry Goku," says Krillin. "They're hot on our heels. We need to get to the Namekians and come up with a plan."
Krillin looks back when Goku does not speak. The usual vigor he senses from his friend remains absent. Gohan catches his gaze and shakes his head.
I don't know what kind of funk Goku's in, thinks Krillin. But I hope he snaps out of it soon.
"We can't just lead them to the Namekians," says Gohan. "Dende and the others can't protect themselves."
"Yeah, you're right," says Krillin. "If we could destroy their scouters, then they wouldn't be able to follow us. Hey I know. Goku, I need you to power up as high as you can."
Goku gives Krillin a foggy look. "What? Why?"
"Because their scouters can't handle rapid rises in power. And while you're holding their attention, Gohan and I will hide and get a few more before they know what hit them."
"Alright, it's worth a try."
They all nod. Goku flexes his muscles as he draws out power. Krillin and Gohan swoop down to hide in some crevices below. White dots of aura appear on the horizon as they speed towards Goku.
Goku hits his maximum active ki and breaks into the Kaioken. The soldiers come to a stop as they surround him from every side.
"Looks like they sacrificed one to buy some time," says a fish-faced man.
"Too bad we'll kill you in just a few seconds—huh!"
Their scouters rip past 15,000 and shock their wearers. They heat up as smoke rises from the earpieces. A few start to explode as Goku pumps up to 20,000.
"Don't stand there you imbeciles," says Raditz from the outskirts of the group. "Get him!"
The thirty combatants charge in. Goku weaves between the fists and feet while counterattacking where possible. The ridges of his palms chop them in the sides of the head to both knock them out and crush their scouters.
Unbelievable, thinks Raditz. Kakarot is taking them all on like it's nothing.
A voice booms behind him as knuckles punch his lower back.
"Get in there maggot," says Dodoria.
Raditz looks over his shoulder, but any protests are lost to the cruel presence of Dodoria's menacing physique.
Raditz darts towards the battle. Movement from below catches him by surprise as his scouter lights up. The two other Earthlings fly out of the shadows from below and start to pick off distracted fighters one at a time.
"Those insects hid their power levels from our scouters … and that's exactly what they're targeting!"
Raditz taps his scouter off to avoid it being damaged by insane readings. He races after Gohan and grabs him by the ankle.
"Hey there little punk. Vegeta tells me you're a Saiyan."
Gohan yanks his ankle free.
"Yeah, so!"
"So show me what you got."
They dart around and trade blows.
I don't believe this, thinks Raditz. He's just as strong as the bald one.
Raditz uses his bigger size and experience to out position Gohan with a string of blows. Gohan evades each of them until Raditz grabs him by the scruff of the neck.
"Gotcha maggot."
Gohan yelps as his neck is squeezed. Goku immediately flies to his son. A swift boot to the chin sends Raditz sprawling.
"Are you okay, Gohan?"
Gohan nods.
"Goku!"
They both look up and see Krillin rising above the crowd.
"I'm going to use Tien's technique!"
Goku pinches his eyes closed and covers Gohan's. A bright light flares outside his lids. When the flash dies down, he peeks from tiny slits. His eyes blink to adjust, and then he and Gohan take the offensive alongside Krillin.
Krillin points with both hands and fires pinpoint accurate lasers from his fingertips. They find their marks as several scouters explode. Gohan weaves through the ranks of blinded foes, ripping the devices from faces and crushing them in his fists.
Before Goku can enter the fray, Dodoria swoops in front of him.
"You must be the big bad Saiyan from Earth that gave Vegeta so much trouble. Well those petty tricks won't work on me."
Goku cracks a wry smile. "And you must be Dodoria. Can't say it's nice to finally meet you."
Dodoria cannot hide the shock of his name being known. "Oh you've heard of me have you. Then you should know these are your last words."
"I'm not impressed."
Dodoria frowns and throws a heavy punch. Goku's red aura flares, and he blocks with ease. Dodoria's frown deepens. He unleashes a barrage of strikes. Goku deals with each of them effortlessly.
Raditz squints at the blurry images of the two fighting as his eyes clear up from the flash. "Either my eyes are permanently damaged, or Kakarot is actually matching Dodoria."
Goku and Dodoria pause in a stalemate.
"I should warn you," says Goku, "I'm not using my full strength. You should leave with your men before anyone gets hurt."
"You Saiyans are all the same," says Dodoria. "You think just because you beat another Saiyan stronger than you, you're the best there is. But what you don't understand is that there are people born superior to yours. None of you have ever amounted to more than dirt beneath my boots, and you never will."
Goku grins. "I was taught that once a fight starts, rank and power don't matter. All that matters is who wins."
The line triggers a memory from the recesses of Dodoria's brain. For a moment, he sees a new face on Goku's. One with a scar upon the cheek. The image fades.
Dodoria laughs. "You know, you look familiar. But I suppose after killing enough Saiyans, they all start to look the same."
The heartless remark boils Goku's blood. The anger bleeds into the aura swelling around him. It shifts from a light pink to a deep red.
Dodoria clicks off his scouter as Goku's power rises once more. He channels his own energy to meet the challenge.
Raditz watches them from afar. He repeats Goku's words in his mind. The last memory of seeing his father Bardock when he was just a little boy creeps forth.
Dad used to tell me that. But where did Kakarot learn it?
Goku's aura hits full power. He blazes forth, cocking back a fist. Goku drives it forward at Dodoria's face. The opponent smiles and turns his head to meet the attack.
Goku's knuckles strike the fleshy cheek. A jarring stop halts him. Pink energy shimmers over Dodoria's skin.
Dodoria straightens his neck against the resistance of Goku's pressing fist. Goku's eyes widen in surprise at the raw strength being displayed. He unloads a series of blows at the plump torso. Each one bruises and cracks his own knuckles. Dodoria barely flinches beneath the hits.
Goku's limbs grow heavier as they lash out. His lungs heave deeper for air. His violent red aura extinguishes, and he is left looking at an undisturbed Dodoria.
What's going on? thinks Goku. My power level felt like it was almost the same as his, and yet each of my attacks was completely neutralized.
Dodoria laughs as he checks his scouter.
"Looks like that impressive power of yours leaves you pretty winded. You're already dipping to a new low."
Goku grits his teeth and presses out more power. The Kaioken flares again but is unable to reach the height of the previous use.
Goku delivers a punch to Dodoria's gut. The enemy ignores the attack and grapples him around his waist. Both of Goku's arms lock to his sides as Dodoria cinches his elbows together and squeezes. The spikes of the puffy forearms dig into his lower back.
Goku screams as his fiery aura extinguishes.
"Dad!"
Gohan breaks towards Goku but is called off.
"No Gohan. It's too dangerous," says Goku, with anguished breaths. "Krillin, take Gohan and help the Namekians escape."
Krillin's face contorts in pensive confliction. He catches Gohan around the waist and drags him away from the army. Gohan resists as Goku screams and struggles in suffering.
Dodoria smiles. He headbutts Goku with his spiked forehead. Four spouts of blood gush from holes and run down Goku's face. Dodoria repeats the attacks until Goku droops unconscious in his arms.
Gohan loses his strength at the sight of Goku hanging limp over Dodoria's forearms. He turns away as Krillin carries him off. They disappear into the horizon.
"Raditz," says Dodoria. "What's his power level?"
"Uh, it's barely registering at all."
"Heh, all that bravado and yet he snaps like a twig. Here, catch."
Dodoria throws Goku away like trash. Raditz catches him in his arms. He looks at the lifeless face for a moment. It seems familiar. He hoists him over his shoulder.
"What should I do with him?"
"Just keep an eye on him. We may need bait later."
###
Krillin and Gohan land among the Namekians gathered around Lord Guru in the village.
"Gohan," says Dende, running up to him. "I was worried we'd lost you. Where's your father? And where's Nail? Someone said he was taken down by the enemy, but that can't be true right. Right?"
Gohan shakes his head.
"No. That can't be. It just can't."
Someone in the crowd yells out a panicked question.
"What are we supposed to do against a force that took out our strongest warriors?"
"We have to leave on the ships!" says another. "It's the only way. Right Lord Guru?"
They all look to their leader for guidance.
###
Dodoria and his men come upon the village their few remaining scouters point them towards. No one moves amongst the buildings. At the edge of the village, half a dozen insectoid shaped spaceships hover up from the ground. They gain speed and altitude.
"Shoot down those ships!" says Dodoria. "Don't let them escape."
Raditz leads the charge as they race to get within firing range. They break into six groups and swarm the ships. Energy fires from their hands and blasters to bombard the crafts. One by one they succumb to the siege. They explode into scraps and crash to the ground. Flaming debris litters the landscape, but something seems to be missing.
"Where are the bodies?" says a soldier.
"Awh! We've been tricked," says Raditz. "They were just decoys to buy them time to escape."
He looks at Dodoria, fearing the blame will rest squarely on him. Dodoria's wrath singles him out.
"Wait Dodoria," he says. "This isn't my fault."
Dodoria roars with frustrated rage and takes a swing at Raditz.
###
Krillin and Gohan bounce along the ground keeping their power levels and height low. Moori hovers behind them carrying Dende. Two warriors lift Guru with his arms over their shoulders.
"I hope everyone made it away safely," says Dende.
"I don't sense anyone being attacked," says Krillin. "We'll come up with a plan and fix this. We just need some time."
He looks at Gohan, but his head remains lowered.
"We'll get Goku back. I promise."
Gohan sniffles and makes eye contact. He nods with a whimpering lip. Krillin reaches out a hand, and Gohan takes hold of it.
"Let us rest here for a moment," says Guru.
They all land and sit down.
"Moori, I have chosen you to be the next grand elder of Namek and to take my place as leader. Please step forward so that I may awaken the full power of the Dragon Clan within you."
"But Lord Guru—"
"There's no time. Kneel!"
Moori does as instructed. When Guru's great hand graces the top of his head, a spiritual awakening takes place within him. It feels as if the hand reaches inside his soul and grasps a dormant power. The power is pulled to his conscious surface. As the surge settles, the sensation of being part of the planet, and its people takes hold.
"I have bestowed upon you everything but the ability to control the Dragon Balls," says Guru. "I do not wish for you to bear that burden."
Guru looks at Krillin and Gohan. "There is one more gift I would like to bestow upon our new friends," says Guru. "Please come forward; Krillin. Gohan."
They move to stand on either side of him.
"For a long time I have dwelled in deep despair that my people were doomed to a fate of persecution. I lived in constant anxiety that the greed from others would plague us forever because of the curse of the Dragon Balls.
"But your kindness has restored my faith that others can do good. I truly believed that hope was lost, and I could never trust again. You have done so much at your own expense to help us rebuild our lives without any truly selfish desire in your hearts. You are motivated only by the sadness of lost friends.
"And such selflessness yields great potential. Allow me to bring forth that potential from within you."
He reaches out his hands and places them upon their heads.
"Oh…"
"Is something wrong?" says Krillin.
"I sense a terrifying presence coming from within you, Gohan."
Shame racks Gohan as the sense of doing something wrong without knowing what it is attacks his self-consciousness.
"Are you sure?" says Krillin. "Gohan's just like his father. They're the nicest people I've ever met."
"It is frightening and fearsome, but it is locked deep away. It is not something I can release, nor would I want to until you are ready to handle such strength. Prepare yourselves. This may feel strange."
A spiritual hand dives into their minds and down their spines. The insides of their body burst with power. Every cell increases in density as the power surges outward. It feels as though they will implode upon themselves. The ki finally escapes as a vaporous white aura. It feels like a comforting liquid lapping their skin.
Krillin marvels at it before he realizes the power is a beacon for any nearby scouters. The fearful thought helps him get it under control and seal it back away.
"Gohan, you have to suppress that energy right away."
"I'm trying but it's so much all at once."
"It is. I think you got even more than me. Okay, I want you to inhale deep and then exhale slowly. As your lungs empty, visualize a hole opening for all that power to sink into."
Gohan works through the mental exercise. As the power slips away, Krillin scouts for any big ki signatures moving towards them. He senses none.
"That was amazing," he says, "but I'm sure it gave our position away. We need to move quick."
"We need to go back for Nail and Goku," says Dende, looking at Gohan.
"We'll figure something out," says Krillin. "But we need to be patient and smart. We're outnumbered and overpowered. But if we play our cards right, I think we can pull something off."
He hopes he sounds more confident than he feels.