The story of Goku is a... complicated matter. Though born as a Saiyan sent to Earth to escape the fate suffered by his kin, he would forget his heritage because of a bump on his head. His caretaker, Grandpa Gohan, would raise him to be a kind, respectful, but sometimes naive young lad. That is until one fateful night, when Gohan learned of a terrifying secret too late - Goku had transformed into a mighty beast, resulting in Gohan's unfortunate demise. Though Goku would not learn the truth of his grandpa's death until many years later, would he be more receptive of this knowledge if told to him by another just like him?

During one night, just as the heroes was on their way to Fungus Town for a quick supply run before they head to the location of the final Dragon Ball, Ayote is on the roof of the Capsule House as she stares directly at a non-full moon. A thing she studied about Earth's moon was its various phases; any phase besides full couldn't provide the energy needed to turn her or Goku into a Great Ape, which is lucky for these more restless nights.

Ayote: "Only one more night until the full moon. But... According to Bulma, we should arrive to the next Dragon Ball before then, even with the few minor distractions. Our quest is coming to an end... Maybe... I'll get to see my mother after all... Assuming this wish granting dragon can do so in the first place... If it is possible... Maybe reviving Gine and Bardock could be next. Though... Goku would likely want to bring back his Earthling caretaker more than his actual parents..."

Ayote began to feel tiredness start to overwhelm her as her thoughts continued to drift. Tomorrow was another day...

The next day, the heroes arrive to Fungus Town, with Mai and a dog in a ninja suit, Shu, following them close behind, observing them. Mai pulls out a radio in order to speak with her leader, Pilaf.

Mai: "Emperor Pilaf, sir. Two groups are getting closer to our hideout, looking for the Dragon Ball. Orders?"

Pilaf: "Continue to observe them. As long as they bring the other six Dragon Balls to me, world domination is within my reach."

Mai hears Pilaf cackle as she nods to Shu.

Shu: "So we just keep watch, huh?"

Mai: "For now. Considering we just saw one of them send someone as mighty as the Ox-King flying, we have to be ready to strike if they end up becoming a threat."

Shu: "Yeah, but... Should we really mess with someone that strong...?"

Mai admittedly had to contemplate this. But they were experts at their craft; surely this group wasn't that hard to deal with. ...She hoped.

Goku and his friends enter the small town in order to gather supplies for the last leg of their journey. Namely gas for Bulma's vehicle and some food for the Saiyans. Ayote turned to look at a corner, thinking she had spotted something... but it turned out to be nothing. Or so she thinks as Yamcha and Puar peer from the corner, being sneaky with their approach.

Yamcha: "So far so good. Once those guys get the last Dragon Ball, that wish is as good as our's."

Puar: "Yeah, Master Yamcha! We'll snag that wish before they even guess what's going on!"

Yamcha: "That said, we gotta be careful. This place is Monster Carrot's territory. And if the rumors are true, he's not someone you want to mess with on a good day..."

Yamcha continues to watch Goku's group from afar as they split up. Bulma goes with Ayote to get supplies, leaving Goku and Oolong to get gas for the vehicle. To Yamcha's dismay, the Dragon Balls were with Ayote, so just stealing them wasn't an option. Ayote, as she walked with Bulma, noticed the citizens, while friendly towards them, seemed a bit jumpy.

Ayote: "Fungus Town seems to be quite... startled. Is it us?"

Bulma: "Hm? I don't think so. We're just a couple of gals looking for supplies."

Unlike the events of the story proper, Bulma wasn't in a bunny suit so the citizens would be afraid of her. This did mean she had to pay for supplies and the gas, but considering her status, she didn't mind it. Ayote and Bulma soon return to the boys to find Goku had just fought with two goons wearing bunny hoods. One of them pulls out a radio and calls in 'The Boss', much to the citizens horror. A car rides into town before a figure walks out of it. A small white rabbit wearing sunglasses and some... goofy outfit.

Monster Carrot: "Are you mugs the ones messin' with my boys?"

Goku: "Yeah. Your friends here were messing with the townspeople. If you think I was going to just sit by..."

Monster Carrot: "I see. ...I like your strength, boy. Put 'er there."

Monster Carrot, rather than looking at all malicious, actually seemed friendly, much to Goku's confusion. Goku warily accepts the hand, thinking it was just some substitute to an honorable bow. But as soon as he touched Carrot's hand, he was poofed into a carrot, much to Bulma and Oolong's shock.

Oolong: "G-Goku!"

Oolong immediately ran away, not wanting to be turned into a carrot. Yamcha, still watching from afar, growled as he saw Goku fall for such an easy trick. The goons laughed as the citizens looked on in horror. But then Ayote walked up to Monster Carrot, nonplussed by the whole ordeal.

Ayote: "Fancy trick there, rabbit. But you mind turning my friend back to normal?"

Monster Carrot: "Hm?"

Rabbit Goon: "Hey! That's no way to address Master Monster Carrot! Show some respect you-"

Monster Carrot raises his hand to quiet his goons before he picks up Kacarrot. Yamcha thought this girl was insane, confronting Monster Carrot so boldly like that.

Monster Carrot: "Why should I turn him back? If you touch me, I'll turn you into a carrot."

Ayote: "Oh? That so?"

Ayote then lifted a single finger, asking the rabbit to follow it. Curious, he does, as does everyone else as Ayote points to the sky. A small ball of ki is formed then flies high in the air. Within seconds, a massive explosion is ignited. Everyone - Mai, Shu, Yamcha, Puar, the Rabbit Mob, and even the townspeople - had their eyes bulging out from the display, mouth practically on the floor. Monster Carrot, however, stood frozen. Out of fear. With Ayote just smiling politely, he just places Goku back on the ground, then performs a little dance, turning Goku back to normal.

Goku: "Huh? What happened?"

Ayote: "Oh nothing much."

Monster Carrot said nothing as he just walks by Goku and Ayote to his car. He gets in, with his goons hastily following him out of more obvious fear, prepared to drive off. That is until Ayote lifted the car over her head, stopping them. Monster Carrot finally broke his silence as he shouted in a panic.

Monster Carrot: "P-PLEASE! LEAVE ME ALONE! I TURNED YOUR FRIEND BACK TO NORMAL, WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT!?"

Ayote: "Oh, just making sure you don't ever mess with these folks. Don't want you stirring up trouble and all."

Ayote flips the car over as she catches it with both hands. She then jumps into the air, giving the car a hard toss out of the stratosphere, the Rabbit Mob screaming as they leave the planet to parts unknown. The citizens weren't sure whether to be afraid or cheer for Monster Carrot's defeat. Goku seemed confused by the whole affair as Oolong, more so afraid of stoking Ayote's wrath than anything now, rejoined them.

Meanwhile...

Mai: "YOU HEARD ME! THAT GIRL BRAT JUST BLEW UP THE F***ING SKY! THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL WE ARE APPROACHING THAT!"

Mai was screaming into her radio, full panic mode as Emperor Pilaf was clearing out his ears over Mai's screaming.

Pilaf: "Mai, calm down. Surely what you saw wasn't anything too terrible, was it?"

Shu: "Nope, sir. I saw it too. Between the kid with the pole and that girl... There is no way we can steal the Dragon Balls..."

Pilaf: "I don't care what it takes! You are my hired henchmen! Think of something or else you'll have something else to fear!"

Pilaf then hangs up, much to Mai and Shu's grim dismay. Mai takes a moment to calm herself, recomposing herself.

Shu: "Wh-What do we do, Mai? If we return to Emperor Pilaf without the Dragon Balls, we'll be punished for sure!"

Mai: "I'm thinking... Maybe... Maybe we can separate that girl from the others somehow..."

Shu: "Great idea! ...How do we do it?"

Mai: "I don't know! Just... What do we have right now?"

Shu takes out their supplies, which featured mostly gadgets and capsules.

Shu: "Let's see... M15? No, too loud. Um... Pilaf Machine? ...Nope. Sleeping spores? I doubt it..."

Mai: "Wait. Sleeping spores? Where'd you get that?"

Shu: "From the mushrooms growing around here. I've been feeling restless the last couple of nights and I figured these could help me sleep better!"

Mai's gears begin to turn before a light bulb over her head appeared.

Mai: "Shu. I think I have a plan."

She smiles as she picks up the container of spores.

The heroes finish their shopping after that minor distraction with Monster Carrot. Bulma pulls out her Dragon Radar, smiling as their final destination was just ahead.

Bulma: "Good news, gang. We take this path here, we'll find the last Dragon Ball before nightfall. The last stretch is here!"

Voice: "Excuse me!"

A black haired woman, dressed the same as other ladies in the town, aside from the mask over her face, approaches the group, bowing to them politely.

Woman: "I'm sorry to bother you, but are you the one that saved our town from that nasty Monster Carrot?"

Ayote: "Um... I guess so. I was more just helping out Goku."

Goku: "Hey, I didn't need help."

Woman: "I see. Well, would you be willing to join me? The town chief would like to speak with you as the hero of our little village."

Bulma: "Should we wait, or come with? We have time if you want, Ayote."

Ayote: "Nah, it's fine. You three go on without me. If all goes well, I'll join you as soon as I can."

Bulma was unsure... But given that display of power earlier, she trusted Ayote and went ahead without her. The woman smiles as she takes Ayote back into the village, hiding a sinister smirk.

Ayote and the woman enter a building, a seemingly vacant building. Ayote didn't know the town at all though so she didn't think much of the building until she saw the interior.

Ayote: "Huh. So where's this town chief you mentioned, lady?"

Woman: "Oh don't worry. He'll be here. But in the meantime, how about taking a rest?"

Ayote turned, curious by what she meant. But as she turned, she was splashed in the face with powder, causing her to cough.

Ayote: "Gack! What... *cough* ...was that for...?"

As she glared at the woman, the Saiyan started to see the room spinning and her vision blurred. Dizziness began to set in before she fell to the floor, asleep. The woman pulled off her mask, revealing Mai as she smiled a wicked smile. She pulled out a radio, contacting Shu, who was ordered to go on ahead.

Mai: "Mai to Shu, over. Pretty girl has been effectively separated from her friends. Take care of the rest and snag the Dragon Balls."

Shu: "You got it, Mai!"

Mai smiles before leaving the building, locking it up so no one could bother "Sleeping Beauty".

Some time passes before Ayote awakens. The young Saiyan rubs her head before sneezing loudly.

Ayote: "Ugh... Some of that p-powder got into my nose..."

She shakes her head as she stands, only to peer out of the open window. It was... nighttime. She was out for a good while it seemed. She hoped her friends didn't make the wish without her.

Ayote: "Well... Assuming things went well, we should be good to make that wish... Although I wonder what Bulma or Goku would wish for..."

As she spoke to no one in particular, a sudden realization came to her. It was night... A full moon was present tonight... And out of everything she told Bulma during their travels, she neglected to tell her or the rest what happens to Saiyans... if they saw a full moon. And just as she feared, she felt a huge surge of energy... from Goku. And it was steadily rising...

Ayote: "Kakarot!"

Ayote used a ki blast on the door of the building, destroying it as she flew out and away from the village, going in the direction of the rising energy, hoping she wasn't too late.

While Ayote was asleep, the events of Dragon Ball up to that point carried on like normal. From the first encounter with the Pilaf Gang, to the first summoning of Shenron - resulting in a wish for panties by Oolong. Yamcha and Puar were captured with the rest of the heroes, during which time, Goku explained a mysterious incident... His friends made a slow and horrifying realization as Goku explained the death of his Grandpa Gohan, with their fears confirmed as Goku began to transform... into a Great Ape.

Bulma: "Goku!?"

Oolong: "I-I don't think he's quite Goku anymore!"

Goku's roar echoes through the area as the giant monkey starts to destroy Pilaf's castle in a rage. With no care for collateral damage, even as the Pilaf Gang escape in a panic, the monkey destroys their ship with a mouth beam. They were alive thankfully, but they couldn't escape impending doom now.

Oolong: "Wh-What do we do!?"

As the heroes panic, Goku is suddenly punched in the face by a mighty - yet small - fist, sending him flying back away from his friends, landing on his back from the force. Ayote had arrived, having put on the goggles her outfit Bulma gave her came with to protect her from the effects of the full moon.

Ayote: "Sorry about the sneak attack, Kakarot! But you need a time out!"

Bulma: "A-Ayote!"

Ayote: "You all get out of here! I'll handle Goku!"

Yamcha: "Are you insane!? You'll get clobbered!"

Goku rubs his face as he glares at Ayote, standing back up as he lets out a roar, then fires a mouth blast directly at her. Ayote flies around the blast before spinning and landing an axe kick to the top of the Great Ape's head. This thoroughly gets Goku's attention as he swats at the smaller Saiyan.

Ayote: "Come on, Goku! I thought you wanted to spar with me!"

The giant lets out a roar before picking up a piece of the castle and tossing it at Ayote. The Saiyan dodges it, but then sees Goku close in, a fist raised as he lands a hard punch on her. Even if this punch wasn't lethal to her, it did hurt, given it was the size of her entire body. The girl is sent flying to the ground, bouncing on the sand before quickly landing on her feet. She rubs some blood from her mouth as Goku lands on the ground, pounding his chest. Her eyes then focus on the tail.

Ayote: "It's no use... Goku doesn't have near enough practice in that form to control it. And something tells me he won't ever. Well... He'll thank me later for this."

Ayote then hops back into the air as she flies at the Oozaru. Goku raises a fist, aiming to slam it on top of the Saiyan. But his attack misses as Ayote runs up his arm, then jumps to slam a kick to his cheek. He reel back from the force of the kick before Ayote then moved to slam a fist at Goku's gut, causing the beast to roar out in pain, knocking him back as he's forced to a knee, rubbing his stomach in pain. With this light distraction, Ayote flies between Goku's legs, grabbing his tail, squeezing tightly. This causes the giant to roar as he tumbles onto his front, unable to move.

Ayote: "Yeah! Something I learned the hard way during training with Master Roshi! No matter what form, a poorly trained Saiyan's weakness is always... THE TAIL!"

With a mighty pull, the tail is snapped right off of Goku's behind, causing the Oozaru to roar in pain before he starts to shrink back down to the size of a young boy, now without any clothes. Ayote drops the tail as it too shrinks before descending to the ground, sighing with slight exhaustion.

Ayote: "Whatever I was hit with, it made me quite a bit weaker... But not that weak..."

Bulma: "Ayote!"

Ayote's ears perk up as she turns to see her friends, along with Yamcha and Puar, run up to her, smiling at her and Goku's safety.

Yamcha: "Whoa! That was amazing! How did you handle Goku like that!?"

Oolong: "Yeah! Goku was massive, yet you handled him like he was just one big... well, monkey!"

Ayote: "Well... He and I are Saiyans. In my case, I'm a better trained Saiyan, so I kind of knew what to expect with Goku."

Bulma: "But why did Goku turn into that monster?"

Ayote: "Long story short, Blutz Waves from the moon. If a Saiyan isn't wearing eyewear that protects their eyes from said waves, they turn into the giant ape you just witnessed. I didn't think we'd run into that, since I thought we'd wish upon the dragon and that would be it. ...Speaking of, where are the Dragon Balls?"

Bulma: "O-Oh... Um... A-About that... Uh..."

Puar: "Oolong wished upon Shenron for panties."

Oolong: "Hey, tattletail! Why don't you screw off!?"

Ayote looks at Puar before then turning to Oolong. A bright glare hid her eyes, but her cracking her knuckles sent shivers down the pig's spine. Within seconds, his head was buried deep into the sand as he struggles to get out.

Ayote: "So who might you two be? I recognize you as the guy Goku was fighting a few days ago when me and Bulma went to that oasis, but I never caught your name."

Yamcha: "O-Oh. Uh... I'm Yamcha, the Desert Bandit. And this is my little buddy Puar."

Puar: "Hiya!"

Ayote: "Nice to meet you. ...Not gonna lie, you look very... feral. In a good kind of way."

Yamcha: "Really? Well, I am the master of the Wolf Fang Fist! I'm just... uh... scared of... girls..."

Yamcha blushed, admitting that hurting his pride a bit. But Ayote raised an eyebrow.

Ayote: "...I mean... I'm a girl. Bulma's a girl. And yet... You're not looking so scared."

The bandit pauses before he takes a moment to process what Ayote said. He's talking to a girl... normally. Not with any stuttering or fear. He then looks at Bulma, who, due to her boy-crush ways, blushes as he makes eye contact. It then clicks... By some miracle, Yamcha had cured his fear of girls. But... he had to check for himself through one test. He took a deep breath before approaching Bulma.

Yamcha: "Um... Bulma, is it? W-Would you like... to go out with me?"

Bulma's blush got brighter as she turned away, now bashful. She, without a mighty dragon, got her wish. They both did. The two then celebrated as they danced in celebration. Ayote was left... confused at best. At worst, slightly annoyed.

The next morning came as Goku soon woke up, yawning as he stretched... only to land on his butt. Rubbing his sore spot, he noticed something missing.

Goku: "Huh? Hey... Where's my tail? And why am I in... Oolong's overalls?"

Bulma: "Morning, Goku!"

Goku looks around before seeing Bulma with a Capsule Jet beside her and Yamcha. Ayote was nearby, waving to Goku silently. Bulma and Yamcha were heading back to West City to get further acquainted with one another, much to Goku's confusion. Before Bulma leaves, she hands Goku her Dragon Radar as a way to find the 4 Star Dragon Ball, so he could reunite with his Grandpa Gohan. Thankful, Goku bids Bulma, Yamcha, and Puar farewell before approaching Ayote.

Ayote: "Hey, Goku. How was your sleep?"

Goku: "Okay. I don't really remember last night much... Though for some reason I'm sore in a lot of places..."

Ayote: "Yeah, I figured that was the case."

Ayote then calls the Flying Nimbus for them both before hopping on it.

Ayote: "Come on. We need to have a little chat."

Goku: "A... chat?"

Goku gets on the Flying Nimbus with Ayote, sitting on her lap as the two flew off towards Mount Paozu. During the ride, Ayote began to speak.

Ayote: "So last night was... kind of a wake up call for me. One that I should have spoken up about sooner since... Well..."

Goku: "Well what?"

Ayote pauses, trying to think of how to word her next sentence.

Ayote: "Does the name 'Saiyan' mean anything to you?"

Goku: "Saiyan? ...I... think so? It... sounds strangely familiar. But I don't know from where or when."

Ayote: "Then this is going to sound... surprising. But this is entirely true, Goku. Remember when I called you 'Kakarot' when we first met?"

Goku: "Yeah. I didn't quite get it at first..."

Ayote: "You likely forgot, living on this planet long enough since you were an infant... Goku, you are a Saiyan, a creature not from Earth, but from a far away, long gone planet called Planet Vegeta. I am as well and... You and I are... friends... At least I wanted us to be."

Ayote holds Goku close as she thinks back to the day she first saw Kakarot in the incubation chamber. Goku took a moment to process this, starting to remember two figures... A man and a woman, who smiled at him before he was sent skyward. The man had this look of a fierce warrior and hair similar to his own; the woman was softer, the look of a kind and gentle mother. Ayote continued.

Ayote: "After meeting you, our planet was destroyed by an evil tyrant, who sought our destruction. My mother, and your parents, saved us from total extinction... at the cost of their lives... We are the last Saiyans left in the entire universe... When the idea of these wish granting orbs were brought up... I wanted to try and revive my mom. Maybe your parents too since I owed them a lot too. I... I miss them, Kakarot... The day we met again, after years of thinking I was the only one who survived... I... I was just so happy... After all these years..."

Ayote began to cry, Goku looking at her as he began to slowly understand. She's lived all this time, thinking she was the only Saiyan left... Thinking about it, Goku was reminded of himself when Grandpa Gohan died, a lonely existence...

Goku: "I think... I understand. If I am a Saiyan... Then it would explain my tail. I honestly thought I was some weird human."

Ayote: "Far from it. But... now comes... the sad part... Aside from last night, have you had any other notable moments of memory loss?"

Goku: "Hmm... There was that time my Grandpa Gohan died. A giant monster came and killed him, I think, but I don't remember seeing it... When I woke up, I was naked too."

Ayote: "...Goku... You..."

Ayote paused, her lips quivering before she took a deep breath, coming out and saying it.

Ayote: "You... killed your grandpa."

Goku's eyes... widened. He stopped the Nimbus abruptly, he staring ahead as he tried to process what he heard.

Ayote: "I'm... I'm sorry, Goku... I... It's my fault... I should've spoken up sooner... You see, we Saiyans transform into a monstrous form called a Great Ape under a full moon. For most Saiyans, the form is uncontrollable and liable to kill anything in our path. You were young so... Gohan may have ended up as an unintended casualty in an attempt to stop you from hurting any nearby town..."

Tears began to well up in Goku's eyes as he was told this. Ayote held him close, joining him as she let her tears flow too.

Ayote: "I am so sorry, Goku... I just... figured you'd want to know..."

Goku: "N-No... It's okay... I... I'm glad you told me... I finally have closure on my grandpa's death... If... If you don't mind though... I'd like to enjoy the silence for a while..."

Ayote: "...Sure."

The Nimbus continued forward, slower this time as the rest of the trip resumed in silence. Goku was processing all that he heard, from his origins, his parents, and him killing his caretaker. It was all so much to take in...

When Goku and Ayote arrived at Mount Paozu, the silence only persisted, even as Goku sat silently in front of a pillow that once housed the 4 Star Dragon Ball, the keep sake from Son Gohan. Ayote respected Goku's silence as she slept outside... At least until Goku told her that she could sleep inside. That was all that was spoken. For hours, from dawn to dusk, Goku sat, unflinching and unmoving, almost in a meditative state. Neither Saiyan spoke... Then the next morning came... Ayote heard the front door slide open, causing her to awaken as she then saw Goku, sporting a new blue gi, standing outside, looking at the morning sun.

Goku: "I've decided."

Ayote: "...Decided? Decided what?"

Goku: "Grandpa Gohan gave his life to protect me and others. And those two people... My mom and dad... After everything you told me, I almost... stopped. Like everything stood still. But then, I found my strength. I need to move forward. For Grandpa... For mom and dad..."

Goku then turns to Ayote, giving her a genuine, determined smile.

Goku: "And for you. You said you'd train me if I beat you one day, right?"

Ayote: "...I did say that, yes. Are you going to be able to get strong enough to beat me?"

Goku: "I know I will. Right now, you're my goal. So look out, Ayote."

Goku extends a fist out, holding it out for his fellow Saiyan. Ayote was... awe inspired. Goku radiated something that she's only seen from one other person - true determination to overcome a challenge. Not since herself has she seen this. With a smile, she fist bumps Goku, solidifying their friendship... and their future. For them, their story only begins...