One Month Earlier…

"I don't see why we can't just go in now and deal with Frieza now!"

Prince Vegeta let out a scoff at that as he munched on his food, not even bothering to look up. The small grassland moon they had found was full of fat juicy animals and the Saiyans had made quick work of taking down as much as possible so they could have a feast. It had been a busy month and they deserved that much. "And we'd be killed before we even got near him," he said as he grabbed a container of water and took a large swing before returning to the sucking the meat out of a shelled creature's tail.

"Come on!" Nappa declared, a half eaten green fruit the size of his fist held tight in his fingers. "Frieza never fights, you said it yourself! We go in and we'd probably be able to break his arms before he could say a word!" He grinned at that, clearly thinking about how wonderful it would be to hear the sounds of the Emperor screaming in agony. Raditz had to admit it was something he'd love to hear… would probably record it with his scouter and enjoy it while soaking in one of the water tubs.

"Use your head," the Prince snapped as he grabbed a large well roasted leg of… well, Raditz had no idea what the creature was called but he did know it tasted really good. Perhaps they should hold off wiping out their entire species… would be nice to have a regular supply. "Frieza is never alone! He has Zarbon and Dodoria always at his side! Do you think that they are going to meekly stand there while you attack Frieza? They are utterly loyal to him… to betray him would be like hacking off their own foot."

"We can take'em!" Nappa declared.

Raditz rolled his eyes at that. "No, we can't." He snagged a wing of some creature that had been scaly yet also had fur as well and sank his teeth into it. The bastard had been hard to clean and cook but it was worth it, as it had a good spice to it even without them doing much other than tossing it into the fire. "And then there is the Ginyu Force. Do YOU want to face those five?"

"Frieza wouldn't have the Ginyu Force around!" Nappa declared. "He only brings them to a planet if there are super strong fighters. There is no one around like that."

"Other than us?" Prince Vegeta said slowly, eying Nappa carefully.

"I… I didn't mean to say…" the older Saiyan stammered, realizing he'd stepped in it.

"No, you didn't. Just like you haven't been thinking things out clearly. We only get once chance at this and if we have any hope of taking out Frieza and gaining control of the Empire we MUST think things through carefully." He paused. "Because the moment we kill Frieza, King Cold and Prince Cooler will be alerted. If we do not have the Frieza Force on our side then they will wipe us out. But please, Nappa, if you wish to die so quickly you are more than welcome to go retrieve your scouter and let Frieza know what you are plotting."

Nappa turned and stared fearfully to the north. About four miles away they had left their scouters attached to some slow moving, rather lazy looking furry creatures. Despite then having long claws they'd only yawned and scratched themselves as the three had attached their scouters to the creatures before flying off. While it was possible to turn off the communication feature on a scouter there was a chance that someone at one of the Frieza Stations could flip it back on; they did that at times, just to make sure that no one was plotting or scheming. It wasn't common but occasionally someone would decide to quietly take one of the planets they were supposed to cleanse as their own and thus the random check ins would help catch them doing just that. Raditz himself had been sent twice to deal with such soldiers who thought to make themselves kings. And then there were the survivors of planets that they wiped clean who tried to infiltrate the Frieza Force and take it apart from the inside; it was always amusing to see just who of the new recruits would die first. Cui still owed Raditz after their last bet.

So the scouters were attached to the sleepy animals and would record that the Saiyans were sleeping if anyone activated any of their tracking features. As much as Raditz hated how everyone saw them as little more than savage brutes he was willing to use their own beliefs against them in this case.

When Nappa made no move to leave Prince Vegeta shook his head. "I thought not." He looked at the two of them with narrowed eyes. "We will need to choose our moment… and keep this quiet. We can not rely on anyone else to do this, only the three of us. So I suggest you keep your mouths shut."

"Of course," Raditz said, a touch annoyed at the Prince was speaking to him like he was any other soldier in Frieza's army. 'We have fought side by side since he was 5 years old and yet that means nothing to you. My father proved to be the most successful squadron leader in his generation. King Vegeta honored him by placing me as a part of your squad. I was meant to be your advisor and ally… and yet you treat me like I am little more than hired muscle.'

He didn't say a word of that, however. If he had Prince Vegeta wouldn't have bothered attacking him, choosing instead to send Nappa after him. The loyal lapdog, bond by his promise to a dead man that could never say it completed, never attempting to rise up in the ranks by proving his strength. And they had all seen how having him be the Prince's shadow had affected Vegeta, preventing him from truly understanding how the world worked.

'He believes that he is destined to lead purely because of his birth. King Vegeta could bring to submission any who dared tried to stand against him and they would show their honor by falling into line. He knew that they would continue to plot his downfall and used that to motivate himself to grow stronger. That is how it is supposed to work. Offer a hand to your fallen foe but know they would always be a threat so you needed to continue to strive to grow stronger. But if Prince Vegeta ever suspected that I was attempting to take command from him he would see me killed in an instant!'

"But Vegeta," Nappa said and Raditz wondered if the man noticed how much the Prince HATED how familiar the bald headed saiyan was with him, "would it not be better to try and have others fight with us?" He grinned. "I'm-"

"You have something stuck in your teeth."

Nappa blinked, his boast short-circuited by that, and Raditz chuckled softly as the large man hurried to removed the bit of stringy meat that had gotten caught between his two front teeth. When that was done he began again, trying to build up his bluster but failing. "I'm sure there are plenty who are tired of groveling to Frieza. And if not I'm sure I can… convince them… to join up." He pounded his fist into his open palm.

Vegeta though merely shot him a cold stare. "Tell me, Nappa… what would you do if you learned that there was someone plotting against me?"

"Well, I'd tell you." He said it so matter of fact that even though it was the truth it came off as being so utterly stupid it hurt Raditz's brain.

That caused the Saiyan to snap, "And you think that those members of the Frieza Force you went to in hopes of bringing them to our side wouldn't run and tell Frieza?"

"Watch your tone!" Nappa snarled, leaping to his feet. And jabbing a finger at Raditz. "You are lucky you are allowed to sit with us, you weakling-"

"NAPPA!" Vegeta snapped and at once the bald Saiyan froze. "Raditz is right. We can only trust the three of us. No one else. It will make things harder for our plan but this is a matter that only we can handle."

Seeing his chance Raditz spoke up. "What if… there were more of us?"

"Oh, this isn't about the rumors about your uncle we heard back at Station 318?" Nappa said with a laugh, sitting back down. "Turles is long dead! The only reason his body wasn't brought back to King Vegeta is because I vaporized his ship!"

"Assuming Turles existed in the first place," Prince Vegeta stated. "I have always believed he was just a fabrication my father created to ensure no Saiyans thought themselves strong enough to disobey. 'Remember Turles and let him be a reminder of what happens to he who betrays me'."

Raditz didn't react in the slightest to the mockery. He knew that his mother's brother was still out there. He'd heard enough whispers of the saiyan with gray hued skin who led a band of Space Pirates that nibbled on the edges of Frieza's empire. Of the planets found stripped of their riches, rendered so inhospitable that even Frieza found little use for them at times. But Turles was not someone that he'd ever want to go after; he had been warned by his father (in the few times he'd seen the man before his death) that Turles cared only for himself, not even showing loyalty to his own squad. A Saiyan that no Saiyan should strive to be like.

No… he had someone else in mind.

"I was referring to my brother."

"Your brother?" Prince Vegeta asked, raising an eyebrow at that. "You have a brother?"

"Kakarot, yes," Raditz confirmed. "My father sent him to a planet to serve as an eradicator when he was just a baby, only a few hours before Planet Vegeta was destroyed."

"And you just bring this up now?" Nappa snapped. "There was another Saiyan out there and you failed to mention it?"

"I thought him dead, destroyed with the planet," Raditz answered. "But when we began discussing our… issues… with Frieza I decided to look the last day of Planet Vegeta in hopes someone might have escaped as we did through luck and discovered that his pod had managed to launch before the planet's destruction. He landed on a planet known as Earth according to the records we have and is there now."

"And if he isn't?" Nappa pressed.

"Then he would have been useless to us," Raditz reasoned.

"Hmmm… another Saiyan," Prince Vegeta stated, eyes half shut. He smirked slightly and nodded. "Yes… yes that might work out well. Even if he proves weak he would be something that Frieza wasn't prepared for." Prince Vegeta rose up. Behind him and on either side were piles of bones and the only thing that would have made the Prince of Saiyans happier would have been if they were the bones of his enemies. "You can retrieve him without anyone noticing?"

"I've been told to take out a band of planets; per my pod that will take 8 months to reach and I have been given another six to do so, as they are said to be technologically advanced." He leaned forward and grinned. "However I learned just a few days ago that their sun went supernova… they were wiped out, rendered little more than charred rocks. I managed to kill the one that found that out and made it look like a desertion. I now have just over a year… more than enough time to go, retrieve my brother, and make sure he is up to snuff."

Prince Vegeta nodded at that. "Nappa and I have been assigned 12 planets each… we will work together and get it done in half the time and then begin training. We will meet back here in 14 month's time… and see if Kakarot is worth all this trouble."

"It will be on your head if he isn't!" Nappa warned.

Raditz merely bowed in respect and Prince Vegeta flew off to retrieve his scouter, Nappa following right behind him.

'Bastards,' Raditz thought to himself, realizing they meant for him to clean up on his own. It had been his gear that they'd used to cook the meal and instead of helping him scrub the knives and such they'd left him to deal with it, like he was little more than a non-combatant!

Raditz narrowed his eyes, hands clenched into fists.

'I was supposed to be your ally… I was willing to be your advisor and instead you treat me like a nothing. Well, my prince, you are in for a surprise. I'm going to find Kakarot and once I prove myself his better he will help me grow strong enough to defeat you and Nappa. You will submit to me or you will surrender all your honor at the cost of your life.'

He paused.

'And then, Frieza… I will take all you care about.'

It hadn't just been Kakarot's location that he had learned of a few weeks back. No… the Frieza Force soldier he'd forced to hack into the records had also discovered footage of the day Planet Vegeta had been destroyed. It had been no meteor… it had been Frieza himself who had done the deed. Why he did Raditz did not know, only that their Emperor had decided to destroy the Planet and the entire Saiyan race save for the four that remained. But the Saiyans hadn't died meekly… some had fought back. Resisted.

And at the front had been Raditz's father.

'You will die, Frieza,' Raditz thought, the image of his father's final defiant stand burned into his brain. 'Vegeta and Nappa might not care about their families… but you killed my mother and father. Took my home. And with my brother… you will pay. I will claim your Empire and the universe will grovel at the feet of Emperor Raditz!'

~MC~MC~MC~

Present Day

"I believe we have found them, sir," Isco stated as we spotted three figures battling each other in the distance. They were on a grassy plain but with the way they kept getting hit I doubted the grass was cushioning Goku and Piccolo's falls all that much. "Do you have a plan?"

"A theory or two, mostly," I admitted. "Depends on how Raditz reacts to me showing up."

I saw a glow coming from one of the figures and quickly sent the cycle into a dive just before an orb of energy came racing towards me. While I'd never driven a motorcycle before and certainly not a flying one I had rode 4-Wheelers growing up, racing them through the bumpy fields and along tractor lanes. That knowledge and experience came in handy and I had quickly been able to push the bike to the limit. Thankfully my quick handling of the bike got us out of the way of the attack with plenty of time to spare but it didn't make me feel good that I was already being fired on and hadn't even stepped onto the ground.

Parking the bike I saw Goku and Piccolo, both of whom had already removed their weighted clothing, looking a bit mussed up while Raditz wasn't looking that flustered at all. All three turned to stare at me, Raditz smirking while Piccolo frowned.

"Goku, who is that?"

"Oh, that's Kayos!" Goku chirped. "Not sure why he's here though…"

Raditz jabbed a finger at me, a dark smirk on his lips. "I warned you, Kakarot, that I would only allow you one partner in this battle. And I only allowed that because the Namekian here seems rather interesting. Yet here is a little human come bursting in here. You broke your word… so its up to me to show you why you shouldn't lie to your family!" Raditz's hand began to glow and I did what I could: talked right out of my ass.

"Haven't you ever heard of the press corp?" I called out quickly even as I tensed, ready to run. "Documentation of victory?"

Raditz didn't lower his hand but he didn't make the glow any more intense. "Documentation of victory?"

"Of course. We do it on earth all the time. Any time there is a fight of importance we record it so everyone else on Earth can see it. Would be hard for everyone to watch, after all… but this way you have freedom to do whatever you need to in a fight but still get everyone watching." I glanced at Isco. "We record the fight and make sure everyone knows who the strongest fighter is. Neutral bystander."

"Damn it Goku, why did you ask a camera man to come here?" Piccolo demanded, unknowingly backing up my claim. "If he can't fight he's useless-"

Raditz though held up his other hand while the one that had been gathering energy dismissed the ki instantly. "Wait… you mean to say that everyone on this mudhole will know that I am the mightiest fighter?"

"Of course!" I said quickly. "Goku and Piccolo are the two strongest fighters on Earth. Everyone knows that thanks to the last tournament we had. If I record you beating them then everyone knows that you are the strongest."

That made the Saiyan smile for more genuinely. "Oh… oh I like that. I like that a lot! I'm all for a good fight but it gets so tiring dealing with weaklings that can't take a punch! Keeps me from the real fun! This would cow all you worthless humans into submission, wouldn't it? Let you know that you have no chance in defeating me if they saw me defeat they best they can muster! Which isn't much when the best aren't even from this planet!" He let out a boisterous laugh. "Finally, a human with a bit of brains! I might keep you around, worm, if you prove your worth. I always wanted a pet."

I nodded. "I'll just stay out of the way. Won't even realize I'm here."

"Very well." Raditz turned back towards Goku and Piccolo… only to suddenly shoot a ki blast right in front of me, causing me to jump. "But… if any more of your friends show up, Kakarot, I won't miss. This one is your last freebie."

"Beep, boop, do not mention what I am, beep, boop," Isco said.

"Laying it on thick there buddy-FUCK!" I dove for cover as the three warriors began to battle each other, throwing kicks and punches at one another as they attempted to find an opening, letting the Ki blasts fly freely.

Despite the fact that up until 30 minutes ago the two had been enemies it was rather interesting to see how in tune with one another Piccolo and Goku were. They didn't stumble over each other or need to watch out for when one was throwing a punch lest the other get hit. No… they moved perfectly in sync, knowing when to push forward and when to fall back to allow the other a chance to get in a blow. Despite what Piccolo might have desired others to believe he wasn't a selfish fighter who wanted to claim the kill on his own. Rather he gave just as much as he took.

'The hero he is destined to be is there, waiting to be born,' I thought to myself as Piccolo fell back, allowing Goku and Raditz to trade blows. Or, to be more accurate, allow Goku to swing and kick at Raditz who ducked and bobbed and weaved. At times he didn't even bother to raise his hands, instead keeping them folded over his chest or pressed against his sides, merely twisting his torso and ducking to avoid the strikes.

And then suddenly Goku went low, moving for a leg sweep that Raditz easily dodged… only for Piccolo to fire off a barrage of ki blasts that struck him right on the chest, pounding into him like a flurry of haymakers and sending the Saiyan flying back. Piccolo let out a battlecry and began to thrust his hands out again and again, sending more ki blasts that rained down on Raditz, causing him to disappear in a cloud of dirt and grass.

"Yeah!" Goku cheered, thrusting his fist into the air. "Great job Piccolo! That's… oh."

Raditz got back up, brushing off his armor.

"Well well well… the Green Man has some interesting tricks. Quite the impressive display… I think you managed to scratch my armor." He looked it over, rubbing his fist against it before sighing. "No… just a scuff. Well then, let me show you how a true warrior does it!" Raditz rapidly thrust out his own hands, over and over and over again, and 30 different ki blasts launched from his palms, flying all over and forcing the Namekian warrior to try and twist and dodge. But there were simply too many and he took a good number of hits; unlike Raditz though he went crashing down beside me, gasping in pain. "Aw, I think I broke him already, little brother. And you said he was your rival? That doesn't say much about you and your power!"

Goku, to his credit, instantly leapt back into battle.

"Are you okay, Piccolo?" I asked, kneeling down beside him.

"I'm fine," he said curtly, getting up. "Just need a moment to catch my breath."

"Right," I said before dropping my voice to a whisper. "Goku's too honorable to do what needs to be done."

"What's that?"

"Goku. Him and his friends… they are the best of humanity. But you know us humans… we clawed and scratched and did everything we could to rise to the top. And we always do. We will kill each other in order to have just a little bit more of something we don't really need." I looked back at the fight. "So… willing to fight dirty, like human?"

He glanced at me and a smirk slowly formed on his lips. "What do you have in mind?"

"Raditz rarely leaves the ground. He can fly but he likes to use the earth to propel himself forward."

"Of course, it uses less energy to do that and you can stop quicker."

"What if the ground wasn't safe anymore to do that?" I asked, holding up my hand to reveal a few capsules.

"Hmm… that might work. It would be best if you tossed them… I can distract him. I'll make sure to stay off the ground as much as I can."

I nodded before holding up a few more capsules. "Also, if you were able to shove one down his throat…"

THAT caused the Namekian to twist back to stare at me. "What?"

"Where I'm from there's a combat move known as Ant-Man In Thanos. I think it might work here."

"That is horrifying," Piccolo said before flashing me a fang-filled smile. "I like it."

"And just what are you two plotting?" Raditz asked, catching Goku in the stomach with a powerful punch that had the young hero gasping for air. He lifted Goku clear off his feet, letting him dangle off his fist for a moment before he casually let him drop, kicking him away for good measure before he could touch the ground.

"Getting his statement on the fight, sir," I called out. "Do you mind me calling you sir? Or is there another title I should use for you?"

"Master would work fine."

I grimaced. "Miiiiiight wanna think of a different one. In a lot of cultures that has a very… sexual undertone."

That caused Raditz to pause, blinking as he considered my words. "…seriously?"

"Apparently," Piccolo admitted.

"Hmmm."

"Lord is a good one," I pointed out.

Raditz smiled at that. "Lord Raditz. I like it. Yes, you may refer to me as such!" He suddenly was right on Piccolo, swinging at him only for the Namekian to duck while I once more found myself scrambling for cover. Isco, the lucky bastard, had taken to the skies to avoid any chances he might get hit after the last flurry of key blasts. "I would suggest coming up with titles for this one-" He grabbed Piccolo by the head, forcing his skull back, "-but he won't be around long to hear any of them."

Piccolo opened his mouth and fired off an energy blast that had Raditz cursing and yanking his arm away. "Only because I'll be too busy celebrating your defeat!" he declared as he moved in to once more take on Raditz, the Saiyan warrior returning to the defensive.

"I hope you aren't expecting me to begin calling you 'lord', sir," Isco said, floating down to me.

"I'm not conceited like that," I commented, waiting for the right moment so I could fling out a capsule. Piccolo suddenly rose up in an attempt to try and slam his knee into Raditz's face only for his foe to easily duck away before aiming to strike Piccolo in the chest with an open palm. For his part Piccolo dodged that attack before kicking at Raditz, catching him on the chin and snapping his head back. "Now."

The capsule flew out of my hand as Raditz stumbled back.

The long haired Saiyin wiped his mouth with the back of his hand as he braced himself to launch another assault. "Oh, you are-"

His foot came down and suddenly he was flung up as a large four post pink princess bed formed under him.

"…god damn it, Bulma," I muttered.

"Well… that happened," Isco commented as Piccolo, rather than laugh at what had happened, went on the offensive. He fired off several ki blasts at Raditz who spun around and recovered, too angry about the suddenly appearance of the bed to actually question it. He instead snarled and launched himself at Piccolo only for Goku to rocket right at him, having recovered finally and join in on the fight. Goku, much to my surprise, grabbing one of the posts of the bed and slammed it into Raditz's stomach before trying to tie him up with the sheets.

"You think those little tricks will stop me, brother!?" Raditz roared as he flexed, bursting out of the linens. "I have encountered every tactic there is!"

"Okay then!" Goku said, spinning in the air before launching himself upwards again. Piccolo fired a few more ki blasts and I took aim, flinging another capsule, this one in a high arc. Sure enough after a few seconds it poofed open to reveal an entire vanity with mirror, which crashed down beside Raditz, startling him as makeup and powders bounced around him. "How about this? Ka... ma…."

"We should move," I whispered, Isco already buzzing off as I leapt onto the cycle and turned it on.

"Ha… ma…."

Raditz roared and thrust out his own hands to prepare for the hit, taking several blasts from Piccolo along his back for his trouble. But still he refused to move, focused entirely on his brother.

"HA!" Goku roared, firing off the Kamahamaha. The energy blast thundered down at Raditz and when I glanced back I had the distinct impression of him staring in shock before the blast hit him full on, the warrior screaming with a fury as he fought against it. I had to turn away thanks to the light that was coming off of the blast, bringing the cycle to a stop about a football field's length away from where I had been.

"Did that work?" Isco asked.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Raditz roared.

"Nope," I muttered as the warrior blasted himself into the air, pounding Goku repeatedly in the face, battering the orange gi-wearing hero as he had no chance to raise his hands to defense himself. Again and again he pounded into Goku, grabbing him by the hair and forcing his head up so he could have better access to his face.

"Impressive, little brother!" Raditz bellowed. "But not nearly enough to defeat me!"

Piccolo was suddenly on him, slamming his hand against Raditz's open mouth. The Saiyan blinked as he realized that something had been shoved between his teeth…

…before an entire banana cream pie appear between his lips.

"Fuck I grabbed a food one," I muttered even as Raditz, startled, dropped Goku who slammed into the ground in a heap.

Raditz spat and hissed as he yanked the tin out of his mouth before he delivered a double-fisted haymaker down on Piccolo's back, sending him crashing down next to Goku.

"And so it ends," Raditz whispered, panting and wiping more cream away with his forearm. He dropped down, pressing his foot on Goku's back, making the younger Saiyan groan. "Surrender, brother!"

"Hey!" Krillin shouted as he flew in. Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu were right behind him, all landing with their fists clenched and bodies tensed as they prepared for battle. "You stay away from them!"

"Oh look, brother," Raditz said with a pleased growl, "more of your little friends are here to see you submit." He pressed his foot down more and Goku let out a cry. "Do you see… at your very best you had no hope of defeating me. Now surrender!" Goku said nothing and Raditz snarled and kicked him in the ribs hard. "You are beaten! Know your place, brother! Acknowledge me as your better!"

'Your very best,' I thought as my brain screamed out a way for us to get out of this mess. It might lead to my death… but at this point with Goku and Piccolo down and the rest of the Z Fighters no where ready to take on Raditz? It was our only chance.

I stepped forward.

"You're wrong, Lord Raditz!"

He turned towards me and I forced myself to meet his gaze.

"Oh? And what mistake have I made? Kakarot is broken. Defeated. Unable to even rise. The Namekian proved to be a disappointment. And these other humans are barely worth my time. I could destroy them with a single blast. So tell me, servant… what mistake have I made?" He narrowed his eyes, the threat clear if I didn't answer in a way that pleased him.

'All or nothing,' I thought. "Goku wasn't at his very best. He hasn't fully been training for five years. He worked out, yes… but he isn't in fighting shape."

"So what?" Raditz asked with an annoyed huff.

"So you can't claim you beat him at his best. You didn't break Son Goku at his prime."

Raditz… considered that.

"You think he can do more?"

"I do," I answered. "And I think you want to see that. You need to know that you can beat him when he's prepared himself for you. Because if you don't… him dying at your hands? It means nothing. It proves nothing. And you'll spend the rest of your life wondering if you could have beaten him if he had been ready. The whispers will always follow you."

Goku let out a moan as Raditz lifted his foot from him.

"And how long do you think he would need, human, to reach his prime?"

"2 years?" I offered. 'With that we could use the Dragon Balls multiple times… even have a chance to maybe go to Namek and see if Guru could unlock everyone's potential. Get everyone up to a power level where they could survive the Hyperbolic Time Chamber…'

Raditz scoffed. "I don't have two years."

"You'd be able to train to," I suggested. "That way no one could claim either side had an advantage. You prepare, we prepare. Truly determine who is the best, so there is never any doubt."

"Krillin, who is this guy?" Tien whispered.

"Bulma's friend but let him speak," Krillin hissed. "Anything that keeps that guy away from Goku…"

"What is Piccolo doing here though?" Yamcha asked.

"We can ask later if we survive," Chiaotzu said softly.

Raditz shook his head again though he had considered my suggestion for far longer. It was his Saiyan blood, after all. He couldn't help but hunger for the fight. "Like I said… I don't have two years. Six months."

'That won't work. The gang was barely up to snuff against the Seibermen with a year.' Outloud I offered, "18 months."

"9 months."

'Time to go for the kill.' Outloud I offered, "13 months earth months. One month for them to recover from this, as well as allow you to find where you want to train, as I imagine you don't want to stick around this shithole we call home. One year to train."

"…deal," Raditz said after a moment, kneeling down and grabbing Goku by the hair, lifting his head up. "Did you hear that, brother? In 13 months time we will all return to this spot… and if you give me as pathetic of a showing as this then I will have you submit to my authority. You fall into line and do as I say. As is my right." He slammed Goku's face down into the dirt before rising up into the air.

I let out a sigh of relief as he took off.

"OH!" Raditz called up, causing my head to snap up in time to see his hand out, palm glowing. "I NEARLY FORGOT! I WARNED YOU WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO YOUR NEXT FRIEND WHO SHOWED UP UNINVITED! SATURDAY CRUSH!"

"NO!" Goku cried out, struggling to get up. But it was too late as the energy ball raced right at Krillin, the first of the Z Fighters to land. "Krillin!"

Goku's best friend could only stare in horror before shielding himself with his arms but as he did so I knew he didn't stand a chance. The blast was simply too strong and-

Krillin went flying, shoved to the ground.

Yamcha screamed as the blast struck him in the side, making him shake in place for a moment before he was sent flying, his body falling a few meters away, skidding through the grass. When he landed he remained utterly still.

"You bastard!" Tien roared, charging up his own attack but by that point Raditz was long gone, having not even bothered to watch what his attack would do.

The ultimate disrespect.

"Yamcha," I whispered before I rushed forward, moving to join the others as they gathered around the scarred face bandit. Tien rolled him over onto his back and I winced as I stared at the blood smeared across his face and his glassy eyes. There was a wet sound as he took in a breath, gurgled and trembling.

Krillin sniffed, kneeling down next to his friend. "Yamcha… why did you do that?"

"You… were already brought back once," Yamcha said, managing a weak smile. "Besides… everyone knows… its better… if you're around… Goku needs you…"

"No… do say that," Krillin whispered. "Yamcha… Yamcha?"

Yamcha didn't say a word, staring sightlessly into the sky.

"Yamcha," I got out, dropping my head.

"What… what do we do now?" Krillin asked.

Tien sighed. "We get everyone back to Kame House… and then figure out our next move."

"I'll help Piccolo," I offered and Tien looked at me, clearly wondering who I was but realizing that at this point they needed all the help they could get. "Isco… call-" I stopped, swallowing the lump in my throat. I hadn't even met Yamcha. Only knew him from the show. And the joke he had become to so many. Yet I had seen him throw himself at certain death just to save his friend, because he knew if he died… that would be it for him.

That… was no joke.

"Call Bulma," I got out. "Let her know to get Gohan someplace where he can't see us. At least not at first."

"Yeah," Krillian said as he moved to help Goku up, Tien having the task of picking up Yamcha. Piccolo glared at me but still allowed me to help him up, his arm drapped over my shoulder as I carried him towards the cycle. "Little guy shouldn't have to see this."

With that we moved to return to Kame House, none of us feeling like we'd won a damn thing.