Review Responses
Cooldude101011: I don't know about that one. But I've got a lot of recommendations you sent me that I'll peruse over. I'll let you know if I choose any of them.
Guest, Jul 27: Popeye would make a decent cartoon adaptation. And you're right, Taiyang and Qrow would definitely do something like that, lol.
megacarroll: I don't know much about Xenoblade, but I'll look into it. Thank you for the recommendation.
Pharamine: I know that feeling. I used to love watching re-runs of "Looney Tunes" as a kid. "Rabbit of Sevile" was one of my favorites, so that's why I chose it for the adaptation.
Guest, Jul 16: I was never a big fan of "Wallace and Gromit", but after watching part of "The Wrong Trousers" on YouTube, I think it would make a great adaptation with Oobleck and Zwei playing the roles you suggested. If I ever get around to it, I'll be sure to mention you. Thank you for the idea.
NavyThunder4: IMO, that's the best zombie movie ever made. I'll think about it.
ultima-owner: Indeed. Maybe it's just me, but I feel most modern cartoons can't hold a candle to the classics.
JC: Either one would make good adaptations, though I'm more likely to choose "Mass Effect".
Darkknight1227: I think I'm more likely to write an adaptation of the FFVII remake. Perhaps the introduction and first battle against the Guard Scorpion.
kirito21naga: LMAO. That would have been great! I can picture the look of disgust and bewilderment on Velvet's face upon seeing her counterpart kiss Cardin.
Inspiration: Dragon Ball Z
Disclaimer: The following is a non-profit story for entertainment purposes only. "RWBY" is the property of director and animator Monty Oum (RIP) and production company Rooster Teeth, and "Dragon Ball Z" is the property of manga artist Akira Toriyama and production company Toei Animation.
"So, you say this viewing is a mixture of action, adventure, and martial arts?" Ozpin asked Gold-Sith.
"That's right. I have a feeling the students will enjoy it the most," Gold-Sith affirmed.
"I've got a feeling I will," Nora said with an excited grin.
The viewing opened to a vast grassy field on planet Remnant. On the field stood three individuals. A large impact crater with a round metal object in the center was nearby.
The camera focused on the first figure: a tall, muscular man with very long, spiky black hair with a noticeable widow's peak, strange brown and black colored armor, including boots and armored gloves. Over his left eye was a partially transparent monocle attached to a small computer device covering his left ear.
"Who is he?" Nora asked while pointing at the screen.
Jaune shrugged. "No idea, but I don't like the looks of him," he said warily, having a hunch the man onscreen was a bad guy.
"Me neither. Except maybe that hair," Yang complimented, noticing the man's mane was even longer than hers.
"Only now, Kakarot, that it's too late do you realize what it means to face a Saiyan," the tall warrior said in a haughty voice.
"A Sai-yan?" Oobleck said slowly, preparing his notebook. "What are they, Gold-Sith."
"Saiyans are a race of humanoid aliens. They're an aggressive species that thrive on battle and conquest. The one you see onscreen is named Raditz," Gold-Sith answered.
"Really? He's an alien?" Winter said skeptically. "He looks perfectly human to me."
"Look more closely Ms. Schnee. That object wrapped around Raditz's waist is a tail."
Ren looked more closely. "He's right."
"You know, it looks kinda like my tail," Sun noted the similarity.
Ruby blinked. "And who is he talking to? This Ka-ka-rot?" she questioned.
"I don't know. But that name sounds an awful lot like the word carrot," Velvet noted as she finished eating her salad.
"I tried to warn you brother, I asked you to see reason, but you refused to listen," Raditz lowered his gaze menacingly. "And you'll pay for that."
Across from Raditz stood Taiyang Xiao Long, dressed in an orange Gi with a blue obi around his waist. He was poised in a combat stance.
Ruby and Yang both beamed to see their father onscreen. Qrow and Ozpin were similarly happy to see Taiyang.
"Look, sis. There's dad!" Yang said with a gleeful smile.
"We've been getting to see a lot of our parents in these viewings," Jaune noted as he ate a handful of popcorn.
"That's a nice get up," Coco complimented Taiyang's outfit.
Then Ruby's smile faded as she realized something. "Wait a second…did Raditz call dad…brother?"
Yang's smile also vanished. "Yeah. So…that guy is our uncle?" she said in disbelief. "Then that means dad's a Saiyan too?"
"Wait, why did Raditz call him Kakarot?" Glynda questioned.
Standing next to Taiyang was a towering, hairless, humanoid with green skin and pink patches around his arms. He also had pointed ears, fangs, and antennae. He wore a dark purple Gi, pointy orange shoes, and a red obi.
If the revelation that Raditz was alternate-Taiyang's brother didn't cause jaws to drop, then the strange appearance of alternate-Qrow's counterpart certainly did.
"Qrow…is that you?" Ironwood questioned in bafflement.
Qrow squinted his eyes, examining his counterpart "Yeah. At least the facial structure and eye color are correct. Everything is else is just...bizarre," he commented, a little weirded out.
"Are those antennae sprouting from his forehead?" Ruby asked while pointing at the screen.
"He isn't human either, I take it," Ozpin presumed.
Gold-Sith paused. "That's correct, headmaster. In this universe, Qrow is actually a demon," he explained, keeping Qrow's true species a secret for now.
"A demon, you say? Hmmm," Oobleck hummed as he jotted down some notes.
Taiyang scoffed. "And even if we don't there's still two Saiyans out there, right?"
"So what?" Qrow dismissed. "Personally, I find the prospect exciting."
"Heh. Yeah, you would," Taiyang said, unsurprised. "But exciting's probably not the word I'd use right now. To be honest, I'm completely terrified."
"Heh. Yes. I don't blame you, Kakarot," Raditz chuckled darkly. "But enjoy the feeling while it lasts. Very soon you'll feel nothing at all."
"I'm done listening to this!" Taiyang declared loudly. "Where's my daughter?!"
"What does he mean by that?" Yang asked in a dangerously low, protective tone.
"Where have you hidden her?! Tell me!" Taiyang demanded.
"I haven't hidden her anywhere. She was annoying me with her crying, so I shut her up," Raditz answered. "I tucked her away in my space pod in the crater behind you."
Taiyang looked behind him. "Huh?"
"Space pod? I thought that was a meteor or something," Sun said.
Ironwood was confused. "I don't understand. If Raditz and Taiyang are aliens, then why are they on Remnant?"
"Saiyan culture involves searching the cosmos for habitable planets, then utilize their power to exterminate any sentient life there. After that, the Saiyans sell the planet is sold to the highest bidder," Gold-Sith answered.
This information horrified the audience.
"They're civilization thrives on genocide and conquest?!" Blake gasped.
"That's horrible!" Penny said in terror.
"Now that you mention it, the aliens we've seen so far haven't been friendly," Jaune remarked.
Pyrrha agreed. "Jaune is right. The Saiyans are as bad as the Covenant," she stated darkly.
"Long ago, Taiyang was sent to Remnant as a baby to conquer the planet. And since Saiyans are the strongest species in the cosmos, even their infants are capable of conquering planets like Remnant. As an infant, Taiyang was discovered and raised by a man named Son Gohan, who gave him his Remnant name. The only reason Taiyang didn't carry out his mission was because he hit his head as a child," Gold-Sith went on.
"What do you mean? He suffered from amnesia?" Oobleck assumed.
"That's right, but Taiyang still maintained his natural Saiyan desire to fight, albeit in competitions rather than actual battle. His personality changed positively to that of a hero. Eventually, Taiyang met Summer, and they both married and had Ruby," Gold-Sith finished his tale.
"Wow. That's quite a story," Ozpin nodded. "Very fortunate that Taiyang forgot all about his original purpose on Remnant."
Taiyang ascended into the air to get a better view, spotting Raditz's spherical space pod in the center of a large crater.
"In there, huh? Ruby…" he whispered.
"Whoa! Dad can fly?!" Ruby said in amazement.
"Yes. Part of his training throughout his life so far has granted him the ability of flight," Gold-Sith confirmed.
Yang did a fist pump. "That's so awesome! I wonder what else he can do?"
Inside the pod was little four-year old Ruby wearing a Hanfu-style top that was yellow with green sleeves, green pants, and black boots with white laces. Most prominently, however, was her a hat with a smooth, orange ball with four stars on it.
"Help, daddy!" Ruby begged tearfully. "I-I want out! Save me!"
"Awww," most of the female audience cooed in sympathy for the frightened girl, especially team RWBY.
"Poor little Ms. Rose. She can't be more than five years old here," Glynda said with a hand on her chest, feeling her maternal side kick in.
"That scumbag. Why did he kidnap Ruby?" Yang snarled, feeling her own protective side flare up.
"Well, Raditz came to Remnant to check on Taiyang's progress, and was disappointed when he discovered the latter lost his memories and failed to carry out his assignment. So, he took Ruby and gave Taiyang a choice: either kill one hundred humans, or he would kill Ruby."
Gasps of shock and disgust filled the theater at Gold-Sith's revelation.
"That monster! He'd do that to his own niece?!" Neptune said, aghast.
"That is despicable!" Winter hissed, prompting nods from most of the audience.
Back outside, Taiyang could faintly hear Ruby's muffled cries for help. "Just hang on, Ruby! Daddy's gonna get you outta there really soon! I promise!" he assured.
Down below, Raditz cackled as he gazed up ag Tai. "Don't get the girls hopes up," he called. "You know that's a promise you can't keep."
Tai turned to glare at Raditz, gritting his teeth.
"You'd have to get through me first, and that's not likely to happen!"
"Oh, I'm going to enjoy watching dad and uncle Qrow kick your ass!" Yang shouted, already fed-up with Raditz's cocky attitude.
Ruby gasped. "Yang! Language!" she scolded.
Tai floated back down to Earth and got into a combat stance. "All right, let's do this!"
"Finally, I'm sick of all this talk!" Qrow stated as he got into a stance as well.
Unfazed, Raditz just laughed as Tai and Piccolo charged him at once and unleashed a flurry of lighting fast blows…
…and Raditz dodged all of them with a smug grin on his face.
Everyone was astounded by how quick Taiyang and Qrow's attacks were. They could barely track them with their eyes.
"Look at how fast their moving," Port said in amazement.
"Even I can't punch that fast," Yang said, impressed.
"And yet he's dodging every punch they're throwing at him," Sun noted, wondering if he and Tai could take Raditz.
Seemed to simply materialize behind Raditz. The Saiyan, however, was fully aware of the attack coming from behind and simply pivoted his body forward to kick his two opponents, sending them both flying.
Tai and Qrow managed to compose themselves, land on their feet, and try another charge at Raditz. But this time, Raditz flew upwards as the two passed beneath him. They flew up in pursuit.
But it was a trap. Raditz chuckled as his two opponents approached beneath him and aimed his hands at them, palms facing downwards, and unleashed a Double Sunday. Two blindingly bright energy beams lanced downward.
"Whoa! What is that?" Ruby questioned while pointing at the screen.
"That is a powerful Ki attack called a Double Sunday," Gold-Sith answered.
"Ki? What's Ki?" Velvet asked.
"Ki is essentially the life force inside every being on Remnant in this universe. With the proper training, warriors like Raditz can draw their Ki out, and manipulate it to use outside their bodies for certain abilities. In this case, Raditz is utilizing it to launch an energy-based attack," Gold-Sith supplied more information.
Alarmed, the two combatants attempted to dodge. Taiyang barely made it. But Qrow wasn't so fortunate as one of the beams struck his left arm.
The two energy beams then swerved and launched into the distance in opposite directions, both striking mountains with enough explosive force to blow them to pieces.
The audience stared dumbstruck at the sheer amount of power in Radtiz's attack.
"By the Brothers…" Winter muttered.
"So much destructive power," Ironwood said in awe and horror.
Taiyang and Qrow landed back on the ground. "What? Where'd he go?!" the former shouted, looking up.
Just then, Raditz appeared seemingly out of nowhere behind Taiyang. "I'm right here," he smirked before sending Taiyang flying with another kick.
"What the- can he teleport?" Jaune asked in amazement.
"Either that, or he's so fast you can't even see him moving," Pyrrha suggested, equally astounded.
"One way or the other, Tai and I aren't doing so well," Qrow admitted with a concerned frown.
Taiyang got up and wiped blood from his mouth. "Damn! Hey, are you okay, Qrow?" he asked, before gasping in shock.
Qrow's left arm had been severed just below the shoulder by Raditzs energy blast, purple blood dripping from the stump.
"Uncle Qrow!" Ruby cried out with a hand to her mouth.
"He just shot your arm off!" Yang added, knowing a "disarmed" pun would be in very poor taste. [1]
Qrow clutched the stump with his good arm. "Don't worry. It's not as bad as it looks," he assured. "I only need one arm to fight."
Raditz burst out laughing at how absurd Qrow sounded. "Ridiculous! You're even more pitiful than I thought!"
Qrow and Taiyang both snarled at Raditz as he continued laughing.
"How on Remnant can you fight with only one arm?" Winter asked, perplexed.
Qrow shrugged. "Don't ask me. I have no idea how demons fight."
"Hey, Taiyang, I suppose you don't have any new tricks up your sleeve that you've been holding back?" Qrow asked in frustration.
Taiyang chuckled nervously. "Yeah, sorry. I've got nothin'."
"Hah! You've been slacking," Qrow scoffed. "Lucky for you, I've spent the last few months perfecting a new attack," he whispered.
"What are you two whispering about?" Raditz called over. "Some new strategy, perhaps? Please! What say you quit wasting my time and just give up?"
Taiyang ignored Raditz. "Can you do this attack with only one arm?" he whispered.
"Yeah, that's not a problem," Qrow confirmed. "But I will need some time to charge up my energy. A few minutes, that's all."
Raditz gave a low, dark chuckle, waiting patiently for Taiyang and Qrow to make the next move.
"You'll have to find a way to keep him occupied until I'm ready," Qrow instructed Taiyang. "You think you can do that?"
"You got it," Taiyang said resolutely, knowing Ruby's life was on the line.
"Heh. Ironically, I'd been saving this attack to kill you," Qrow said bluntly.
"And now you might end up using it to save me, huh?" Taiyang acknowledged the irony.
Qrow, Yang, and Ruby's eyes all widened at that line.
"K-kill him? But why?!" Ruby asked in shock.
"I don't know, kiddo," Qrow shook his head.
Raditz shifted his footing and narrowed his eyes as he waited.
Qrow chuckled. "Then consider it a preview. If we do manage to beat this guy, you're next," he threatened.
"All right, you've got yourself a deal," Taiyang agreed simply. "After we win, I'll let you take your best shot."
"Why does Qrow have an ax to grind with Taiyang?" Ironwood asked with a sip of water.
"It'll probably come as a surprise, but Qrow attempted to conquer the world five years ago, just before Taiyang and Summer were married. Taiyang thwarted Qrow's plans, and the latter has been seeking to defeat the former and continue pursuing his goal ever since," Gold-Sith said concisely.
Everyone was taken aback by Gold-Sith's summarization of Qrow's counterpart.
"So...Uncle Qrow is dads arch enemy here?" Ruby asked tentatively.
"Yes. At least for the time being."
"I didn't see that coming," Qrow said in surprise.
"He's as different in personality as he is in appearance," Ironwood noted.
Taiyang lunged forward at Raditz and resumed his fight, trading lighting fast blows with him, while Qrow placed his right index and middle fingers against his forehead to begin charging his attack.
Taiyangs assault didn't last long, as Raditz quickly countered with his own punches and kicks, strike multiple hits onto his opponent.
Yang and Ruby cringed. "I hate to say it, but dad's getting creamed," Ruby admitted begrudgingly.
"Let's hope he can at least stall him long enough for Qrow to ready his attack," Penny said.
Qrow began to groan with the exertion of gathering ki for his attack, an aura of bright blue light surrounding him. Next, he channeled the ki between his two fingers, creating a bright yellow spark.
But Taiyang wasn't faring well against Raditz as he was sent flying again.
Taiyang rebounded off the ground and shot up in the sky to prepare his next attack.
"Aren't you persistent?!" Raditz chuckled.
Up above, Taiyang held his palms together. "Kaaaa-meeee-" he shouted, preparing his strongest move.
"Oooh, this looks like it's gonna be cool. Is this a Ki attack?" Ruby asked excitedly, thinking the attack would beat Raditz.
"Yes. It's called the Kamehameha," Gold-Sith replied.
"Can anyone use Ki attacks, Gold-Sith?" Ren asked with interest.
"Yes. With proper training, anyone has the potential of using Ki," Gold-Sith answered.
"It reminds me of aura and semblances," Oobleck voiced the similarities as he wrote in his notebook.
Suddenly, Raditz's scouter beeped as he examined Taiyang. "Huh? His power level's rising," he observed.
"-haaaa-meee-"
Behind Raditz, Qrow was still powering up his own attack.
Raditz turned around to face Qrow. "And his too?" he gasped. "His power level's shot up to 1,020! And it's still climbing!"
"What's this power level they're talking about?" Oobleck tapped his notebook with his pen.
"Well, a power level is a reading converted into a set of numbers that estimate a person's physical capabilities. And the more a person trains, the higher their power level increases," Gold-Sith said briefly while Oobleck nodded and continued writing notes.
"Oooh, that sounds pretty cool," Nora said, before cupping her chin. "I wonder what our power levels are?" [2]
"And that device Raditz is wearing allows him to scan power levels?" Ironwood asked.
"Correct. That device is called a scouter. Measuring power levels is one of its functions."
"Haaaa!" Taiyang bellowed as his most powerful attack emitted from his hands.
Raditz turned and began to run, while Taiyang rotated the blast towards his target.
Raditz stopped running. "Fine! Let's have it!" he shouted as he stood his ground, palm facing the energy blast.
The Kamehameha struck Raditz's outstretched palm and exploded. Raditz groaned as he struggled to hold back the blast force and a big cloud of purple smoke engulfed him.
"Yeah! You got him dad!" Yang cheered her father.
"Nice job, dad," Ruby added.
"I wouldn't celebrate too soon," Ozpin cautioned, feeling Raditz wouldn't be beaten so easily.
Up above, Taiyang observed the large explosion.
Slowly, the cloud of smoke dissipated…and there stood a panting Raditz, almost completely unscathed.
"He deflected it!" Taiyang exclaimed in disbelief.
"What?!" half the audience cried out in disbelief.
"Just how strong is this guy?!" Jaune exclaimed.
"From what Gold-Sith has told us, his power level must be substantially higher than either Taiyangs or Qrow's," Oobleck theorized correctly.
Port nodded slowly. "Unfortunately, I believe you're right, my friend."
"Neat, huh? Now, can you do the same?" as he launched a red energy blast up at Taiyang.
Taiyangs eyes widened as the lightning fast projective jetted toward him. He didn't even have time to dodge as it struck him and sent him falling from the sky.
Raditz wasted no time as he bellowed and charged towards Taiyangs landing spot.
Taiyang, now bruised and dazed, had barely even hit the ground before Raditz appeared in front of him. He seized Taiyang by the collar of his tattered gi and raised his fist…
…and then he stopped in mid-blow as he remembered something.
Gasping, Raditz shot a look back at Qrow. "Power level…1,330?!"
Qrow just grinned as he stared daggers at Raditz, the sparkling ball between his two fingers still crackling with tiny bolts of blue lightning now arcing from it.
"Somehow, he's concentrating all of his energy into his fingertips!" Raditz realized in shock. "They've been holding back! They can alter their power levels at will!"
"That's right, you creep," Qrow snarled. "It's all over for you now!"
"Let him have it, Uncle Qrow!" Yang hollered.
"Take this, Saiyan! Special beam cannon!" Qrow loudly announced his attack.
Goku and Raditz both gasped in amazement as the beam straight for the latter. It slammed into a distant mountain, blowing it to smithereens. The resultant explosion so bright, Qrow and Taiyang both winced and squeezed their eyes shut.
After a few seconds, the explosion dissipated, and the resultant smoke cloud cleared…
…and there was a smiling Raditz standing only a few feet to the right, just out of the beams trajectory. The only damage was to his left pauldron, along with a few lacerations on his shoulder.
"He-he dodged it," Qrow whispered in horror.
Yang threw her hands up. "Oh, come on!" she shouted in exasperation.
"Awww, he almost had him," Nora whined slightly.
"Dodging from that close? He's lightning fast," Ren commented Raditz agility.
"Congratulations," Raditz said sarcastically. "You actually managed to give me a little scratch. And for that, you will pay dearly."
Raditz raised his left hand into the air and grunted as a bright, white ball of energy formed his outstretched palm.
Qrow shuddered in terror, knowing he was done for.
Everybody went rigid, thinking Qrow's number was up.
"No! Uncle Qrow!" Ruby cried, not wanting to see her uncle die.
"Say goodbye!" Raditz shouted as he prepared to launch his attack.
Then Raditz stopped in mid attack, a stricken look on his face.
"Huh?" Qrow didn't comprehend at first.
"Huh?" a few people said as well as their worry changed to confusion.
Raditz turned around slowly.
Taiyang was holding him tightly by the tail. "You let your guard down. Now I've got you by the tail," he snickered.
Raditz collapsed to the ground. "How did you manage to…?" he groaned in disbelief.
"What? That's it? Grabbing his tail is all it takes to immobilize him?" Neptune questioned.
"Indeed. When a Saiyan's tail is squeezed, it causes them agonizing pain."
"I don't like having my tail grabbed, but it wouldn't incapacitate me," Sun remarked.
Ruby scratched her chin. "That reminds me. What happened to dad's tail?"
"It was lost in battle long ago. I'll explain more later," Gold-Sith said briefly.
"Now! Qrow! I've got him!" Taiyang shouted. "Hurry up and charge your attack again!"
"Well done, Taiyang! Now hold him still. Don't let go no matter what!"
"I only have enough energy to use this technique once more," Qrow said as he prepared another special beam cannon.
"Kakarot, please. Would you really kill your only brother?" Raditz asked, his tone pleading. "Your…your own flesh and blood?"
"Shut up!" Taiyang spat. "We've already been through all this. As far as I'm concerned, I don't have a brother! Especially not one as horrible as you! Besides, you tried to kill me first!"
"Yes… yes you're right. You've shown me the error of my ways," Raditz babbled.
Blake scoffed. "Yeah right. What a liar," she remarked.
"I'm sure your father's heard that one before," Weiss assumed.
"Let me go, and I'll leave you and your son in peace!" Raditz promised.
"Don't be fooled, Taiyang! He's lying!" Qrow warned, still preparing his attack. "He doesn't mean a word of what he's saying!"
"Qrow's counterpart is correct," Ironwood agreed. "Judging from Raditz's behavior thus far, his please are likely insincere."
"I agree," Glynda nodded. "After all he's done so far, he must be faking it."
"Let's hope Taiyang doesn't listen to him," Ren said, given the circumstances.
"There's no way he'll just leave quietly now!" Qrow warned Taiyang.
"Please, believe me, brother," Raditz begged. "It's true, I've done some horrible things. I realize that."
Taiyang hesitated, uncertain if he should trust Raditz's claims.
"You're right to be cautious. I'll leave as I say," Raditz continued.
"Dad. Don't. You. Dare!" Yang punctuated, well-aware Ruby's life depended on it. In fact, the entire planet depended on it.
"Don't listen to him, Tai!" Qrow echoed his counterparts' warnings.
"He's just playing you!" Pyrrha finished.
Taiyang looked conflicted as he listened to Raditz's pleas, his conscience clearly affected.
"I promise," Raditz seemingly swore. "On my life I promise."
"Do you mean that?" Taiyang asked as his guard began to lower.
"I do! I swear it!" Raditz said, still groaning in agony.
The audience tensed up, apprehensive about Taiyang's serious decision to believe or disbelieve Raditz.
"Dad…don't!" Ruby whispered.
"No, Taiyang! Don't let go of his tail! This is all a ploy!" Qrow implored loudly.
"Please, Kakarot! You have to believe me! I'm begging you!"
Slowly, Taiyang released Raditz's tail.
That was a big mistake.
"Taiyang!" Qrow shouted.
But it was too late. In the blink of an eye, Raditz smirked, got back to his feet, and elbowed Taiyang in the face, sending him flying across the field and landing on his back.
Most of the audience groaned deeply in frustration and disappointment at Taiyang's gullibility.
"Let that be a lesson, students. There are opponents who will play upon your conscience and empathy to gain the upper hand," Ozpin gave his sagely advice with a sip of coffee.
"That's true. And some opponents simply don't deserve mercy. Raditz is one of them," Qrow added angrily.
"But I would never want to kill someone," Ruby said earnestly.
"Killing is never a pleasant experience, Ms. Rose. But, when all bets are off, you may have to one day," Ironwood cautioned.
Raditz glided over to Taiyang and pinned him to the ground with his foot.
"You fool! In all my travels, I've never met anyone as stupid as you!" Raditz mocked Taiyang.
"You lied…" Taiyang choked out furiously.
"Of course I did!" Raditz admitted shamelessly. "I'm a first-class warrior, I do what it takes to survive, without hesitation, even if that means lying to my own brother."
"I'm not weak, like you," Raditz continued to mock Taiyang. "This is what happens to fools who show mercy on the battlefield."
With that, Raditz began ruthlessly stomping on Taiyangs chest, eliciting cries of pain from the latter as his ribs began to break. The screams echoed across the field.
Inside the space pod, little Ruby perked up upon hearing her father's cries of agony.
Most of the audience winced or scowled in anger as Taiyang was being brutalized.
Ruby whined softly as she watched the scene through her fingers.
"Sadistic bastard," Qrow snarled through clenched teeth.
Yang shot up in her seat, her eyes going crimson. "Leave him alone, you piece of crap!" she shouted, trembling with fury.
Blake gently put a hand on Yang's shoulder. "Calm down, Yang," she implored her partner.
After a pause, Yang complied and sat back down, still glaring at the screen.
Raditz stopped stomping on Taiyang to glance at Qrow. "Well go on, what are you waiting for?" he sneered. "Let's see your little attack."
"Of course, I can't. He'll just dodge it again," Qrow said to himself, frustrated.
Just then, the hull of Raditz's space pod began to crack, electrical bolts emanating from the gap. As if something from the inside was trying to force its way out.
Raditz took notice. "Huh?"
"Huh?" a few people parroted Raditz's surprise.
"What's going on with the pod?" Penny asked.
"A malfunction, perhaps?" Oobleck shrugged, having no knowledge of the space pod's properties.
Then, with an echoing scream, Ruby burst out of the pod, shattering it to pieces. Her hat fell off in the process.
Qrow gasped in shock.
"What?!" Raditz exclaimed.
"What?!" everyone echoed Raditz, never expecting what they just witnessed.
Ruby briefly floated in the air, tears of rage in her eyes as she glowered at Raditz. She performed a multi-flip, jump and touched down on the ground with her arms outstretched.
"What?! What is this?! Impossible…" Raditz questioned in bewilderment.
Taiyang glanced over at his daughter. "Ruby…" he rasped out. "Run…! Run away…! Ruby!"
But Ruby didn't listen. Her enraged gaze was fixed on Raditz.
"Ruby! Run! Run away!" Taiyang pleaded.
Raditz scanned Ruby. "Her power level," he gasped. "It's at…1,307?!
"What's happening?" Velvet asked, wide-eyed.
Yang smirked. "Something awesome!" she predicted.
"I think so too," Nora smiled.
Next, a red aura surrounded Ruby. "Leave...my dad…ALOOOOONEEE!" she shrieked.
Raditz stood there completely dumbstruck as the screaming Ruby rocketed toward him and hit him square in the chest with her head. The impact was so hard, it cracked Raditz' chestplate as he was sent staggering backwards, barely keeping his footing.
"Wow!" Ruby muttered, mesmerized by her counterpart's sheer power.
"That a girl, Ruby!" Yang cheered as she high fived her sibling.
"Yes!" Weiss and Blake joined in encouraging other-Ruby.
"All right!" Jaune cheered his first friend at Beacon.
"Kick his butt!" Nora whooped with her hands to her mouth.
"She's only a toddler here and already strong enough to injure Raditz. Most impressive!" Port praised the powerful young Ruby.
Ruby fell to the ground, her eyes wide with surprise at what she just did.
Taiyang gaped at the scene. "R-Ruby…?"
Ruby stood up, smiling. "Daddy!"
"Did…did you?" Taiyang stuttered.
"You're hurt daddy?" Ruby asked as she approached her father.
"Awww," the female audience members cooed again.
"That takes me back to when Ruby and I were kids," Yang reminisced on her childhood.
Raditz trembled with rage and pain. "You…you brat!" he hissed with a hand to his chest.
"Go! Run away!" Taiyang warned Ruby as Raditz stalked towards them. "Go, Ruby! Fast as you can!"
Ruby turned around to find Raditz staring balefully down on her.
Any reprieve the audience felt vanished as they saw Raditz was still on his feet.
"He's still up?!" Blake said in surprise.
"If Ruby is strong enough to hit him that hard, maybe she can take him," Yang said, confident that Ruby could handle Raditz.
"Hurry! Please! Just go!" Taiyang begged Ruby.
Raditz's scouter scanned Ruby again. "What?! You're kidding. Hey kid, what happened to all that power you had?!"
"Wh-what power?" Ruby whimpered cluelessly.
"Wait…what's happening? Why isn't Ruby's power still active?!" Yang began to panic.
"Perhaps it only activates when she's angry," Penny theorized, equally afraid for Ruby's counterpart.
"Uh-oh..." Ruby muttered, realizing her counterpart was in serious danger now.
"Bah! Play dumb if you want," Raditz scoffed. "You'll pay all the same."
Ruby stood frozen in place as Radiz's shadow fell over her. "D-daddy…help…"
Raditz brutally sent Ruby flying with a backfist.
"Ruuubyyyy!" Taiyang cried out, his hand outstretched.
"You son of a bitch!" Yang screamed, her eyes going red again while Ruby was too scared to scold her sister's profanity.
And Glynda was too angered at seeing a defenseless child be brutalized. "How dare you! She's only a child!"
"Leave her alone!" Qrow roared, clenching his flask tightly.
Raditz began to walk towards Ruby to finish her off.
Taiyang tried to crawl after Raditz. "No, stop! Don't do it, please!" he begged. "She's just a-".
"Just a child?" Raditz cut off. "Is that what you're going to say? Don't make me laugh. This child has a far greater power level than either one of you."
"If she ever learns to use that power, she could become a real threat," Raditz continued. "But don't worry, brother. You'll see your daughter again…in the next world!"
Raditz laughed and continued walking towards Ruby. Taiyang tried to crawl to his feet, but the pain of his broken ribs pinned him down.
"Nooo waaaait!" Taiyang cried.
"Get up, dad! Get up!" Ruby shouted urgently.
Yang broke into a cold sweat, horrified at the peril Ruby was in.
"For the love of the dust, Qrow! Do something!" Glynda begged.
"He dodged my attack! What else can I do?!" Qrow held his hands up.
Overhead, dark clouds began to roll in, casting shadow over the field.
Raditz reached Ruby and held his hand up. "To think this puny little brat is the first opponent who's caused me any real damage on the battlefield," he thought to himself.
Ruby lay unconscious on the ground, utterly helpless.
"An embarrassment I will soon erase!" Raditz finished his thought as purple electricity crackled in his hand.
Raditz roared as he prepared to finish Ruby off with an energy blast…
RWBY all diverted their eyes away from the screen; they couldn't bear to watch. Ruby even gasped sharply and pulled her hood over her face.
Everyone else either looked away or bristled at Raditz.
"Ruby!" Yang cried, reaching toward the screen.
"Oh no..." Weiss said shakily.
Penny scrunched her eyes shut. "I can't look!"
…but it never happened.
With his very last ounce of strength, Taiyang managed to sneak behind Raditz and locked him in a full nelson.
"You wretch!" Raditz growled as he struggled to break out of the hold. "I should have killed you!"
Ruby withdrew her hood. "Huh?"
Yang wiped sweat from her brow. "Dad stopped him just in time," she breathed out.
"But how long can he hold him like that?" Weiss questioned.
"Qrow! Quck, you're attack! Taiyang shouted. "Do it! Do it now!"
"Finally!" Qrow said in exasperation. "It's about time you decided to make your move!" he said as his two fingers began to spark again as his attack charged. "Now hold him! It's almost ready!"
"Hurry, Qrow! I can't keep this up for long!" Taiyang strained out.
Raditz struggled with all his might to break the full nelson, but the crack in his armor glowed, indicating he was injured from Ruby's attack.
"How could that little brat's attack weaken me so much?!"
"Ha-ha! You're not getting out of this one!" Yang, knowing Raditzs number was up.
"But with Taiyang right behind Raditz, how will he-" Penny began stopping mid-sentence, her eyes widening in realization.
"How will he what, Penny?" Weiss asked before gasping softly, realizing what Penny was saying.
"Are you really this stupid?! Let go!" Raditz yelled. "If you're behind me when he fires, the blast will hit you too!"
Taiyang just laughed. "Then I guess that's the way it's gonna have to be," he declared.
"What?! Are you insane?!" Raditz asked. "You're daughter! Think about her!"
"I am!" Taiyang retorted. "This is the only way to defeat you!"
Qrow chuckled darkly. "Alright, Taiyang. If that's what you want, I won't hold back! I've been trying to get you out of the way for a long time. I won't pass up this chance!"
"What?!" Ruby cried out in shock.
"Uncle Qrow!" Yang shot Qrow a look of outrage.
"He…I…" Qrow sputtered, just as shocked as Ruby was.
"I've been meaning to ask, what's the story between Taiyang and Qrow in this universe?" Ozpin inquired from Gold-Sith.
"He's going to sacrifice himself to save Ruby, and the rest of the planet," Jaune realized.
"Such bravery and devotion" Glynda said in reverence, prompting a few nods.
Raditz became desperate. "Wait! Please let me go! I was wrong, I'm sorry!" he begged, trying to fool Taiyang again. "Release me! I'll leave this planet!"
"Forget it! I won't fall for that again!" Taiyang refused,
"I mean it this time! Please!" Raditz rambled on. "Don't you trust the word of your own brother?!"
Taiyang ignored him. "Qrow! Hurry up!"
"D-dad…no…" Ruby said shakily as tears began to brim in her eyes.
"There's gotta be another way," Yang shook her head, on the brink of tears herself.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Qrow snarked as his attack finished charging. "Are you ready, Taiyang?"
"Do it!" Taiyang shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Right!" as he aimed his attack at the two Saiyans.
"Stop!" Raditz plead loudly one last time.
But the plea fell on deaf ears as Qrow launched his attack. "Special beam cannon!"
The bright, ray struck Raditz square in the chest, prompting himself and Taiyang to cry out in agony as the beam burned clean through both of them, creating gaping, bloody holes in their chests.
"Nooooo!" Ruby wailed, burying her face in her hands.
"Dad…" Yang whispered, tears trickling down her cheeks.
The two sisters embraced and wept in each other's arms. Blake and Weiss joined in to console their respective partners while trying to hold back tears as well.
Penny reached over to hug Ruby from behind. "I'm so sorry, Ruby…" she comforted her first friend, a tear rolling down her cheek.
Qrow poured out his flask for Taiyang. "Rest in peace, old pal."
The remainder of the audience bowed their heads in respect for Taiyangs valiant sacrifice.
"N-n-noooo!" Raditz howled, blood spouting from his mouth.
The two mortally wounded fighters hit the ground, Raditz on his stomach and Taiyang flat on his back.
The area was quiet, save Qrow's exhausted panting. The fight was over.
"Well, they did it. Raditz is dead," Glynda said plainly.
"But the cost was so great," Ozpin grieved for Taiyang.
"Poor Ruby. She's going to be devastated when she wakes up," Coco said with a deep frown.
"So will Summer," Qrow said.
"And Raditz mentioned two more Saiyans still out there somewhere," Ironwood reminded forebodingly.
Raditz lay on the ground, his eyes wide open. "How did…this happen?" he rasped, blood dribbling down the side of his mouth. "How…could I lose…to these fools?"
Qrow calmly approached the dying Raditz.
"Kakarot…I didn't think…he'd do it," Raditz went on. "Just…throw away…his own…life."
"Don't worry. I doubt Taiyang will stay dead for long," Qrow said casually.
Ruby perked up at that. "W-what?"
"What?" half the audience muttered.
Raditz's eyes widened. "What?!"
"You heard me," Qrow said. "On this planet, we have these things called the Dragon Balls. Gather all seven, and together, they have the power to grant any wish. Even if that's bringing someone dead back to life."
"You can all go to hell!" Raditz snarled, lifting his head slightly.
Yang and Ruby gawked at the screen, then looked at each other, their grief lessening upon hearing about the Dragon Balls.
"S-so…they can bring dad back?" Ruby said softly, a hopeful smile on her face.
"Still…thank you for the information," Raditz grinned. "Everything that's happened here today…has…been transmitted to…my two Saiyan comrades…deep in outer space."
"What?!" Qrow gasped at the revelation.
Raditz coughed up a gob of blood. "They'll come to…avenge me. They'll wipe you out. You…and every living thing on this planet. You…won't have a chance. You're as good as dead already."
Taiyang lifted up his head to look at Raditz. "Other Saiyans…when will they be here?" he demanded.
Raditz managed a smile. "One year…one short year," he chuckled, feeling he'd get the last laugh.
Qrow began to tremble at the bad news. "Two of them. Stronger…than him," he murmured.
"Two stronger Saiyans? After all they just went through to beat him?!" Yang said in exasperation, feeling as though her father died for nothing.
"Feels like a hollow victory. Like they've only just bought themselves time," Ironwood said grimly.
"Indeed. Raditz was merely a precursor to what's in store for Remnant," Ozpin concluded.
"How sweet does that victory taste now?" Raditz asked Qrow, still smiling. "They'll soon…have you writhing in agony…like the worms you are."
Qrow grunted angrily at Raditz, the latter's eyes finally rolling back into his head as he died.
"You thought that was funny, huh?" Qrow sneered. "Well, we'll just see who has the last laugh when it's all said and done."
Qrow walked towards Taiyang. "It's over. He's gone," he informed.
Up above, a small, yellow, jet-powered aircraft flew towards the battleground. Three people were aboard. The pilot was a man with blonde hair and a white polo shirt. His two passengers were with a young man with a blue crewcut and wearing a red gi, and an elderly man with a thick beard and mustache and wearing a tropical shirt.
"Look Peter! You're in this one, old friend," Oobleck said happily.
"Indeed. And I have a beard to go with my marvelous mustache," Peter admired his counterparts' full facial hair. "Yet, I'm dressed rather casually. What role do I play Gold-Sith?"
"You're a martial arts master and former teacher of Taiyang. In fact, you were one of his earliest mentors who taught him the Kamehameha. As for the tropical shirt, you reside in a house on a tiny island called Kame house," Gold-Sith answered.
Port hummed with pride. "Hmmm. So, it's not much different from my real-life counterpart: teaching aspiring warriors how to fight. How splendid!" he said, referring to his role as Taiyang's teacher.
"And you have your own private island," Coco added with a hint of envy.
"And what about Sun and Neptune? What kind of roles do they play?" Velvet inquired.
"Well, they're both old friends of Taiyangs. Sun is the heir to a company called Capsule Corp [3]. and Neptune is a martial arts monk," Gold-Sith answered.
"So, I'm rich huh?" Sun said in interest before noticing his counterpart had no tail. "And human too, apparently."
"Why is my hair so short?" Neptune questioned, running a hand through his own do'.
"To prevent opponents from grabbing it during a fight," Gold-Sith answered simply.
Neptune shrugged. "Fair enough."
"Oh no! Only one of them is still standing!" Whitley exclaimed as he began to land the craft.
"Who? Which one is it?" Neptune asked worriedly.
"It's Qrow," Port identified the survivor.
Cut to a very distant planet. One of Raditz's fellow Saiyans were sitting by a campfire. He was a huge, bald, muscular man with a mustache and wearing armor similar to Raditz.
"Hmph! Raditz got himself killed," the bald Saiyan said gruffly.
"Serves him right," a second, female voice said offscreen.
Qrow did a double take, recognizing the voice instantly. Ozpin was also surprised to hear the familiar voice.
The camera zoomed out to reveal the second Saiyan. She was a woman with long black hair and eyes. Her attire consisted of a dark blue, form-fitting jumpsuit beneath her Saiyan armor, a red-lens scouter, and white boots and gloves. [4] She was feasting on the roasted, severed limb of one of the unfortunate inhabitants of the planet that she and Nappa had killed.
"If he can't handle a couple of puny fighters with power levels less than a thousand," Raven sneeringly disregarded Raditzs death.
Upon seeing Raven onscreen, Qrow and Yang's eyes widened in surprise. Ozpin, Glynda, and Ironwood were also visibly surprised to see Raven Branwen.
"Raven," Qrow said sullenly.
"Who is Raven?" Blake asked her partner in concern.
Yang paused at first, unsure if she wanted to discuss the topic. "She's…my biological mother," she said, discomfort clear in her voice.
Blake and Weiss exchanged silent glances, while Ruby frowned and placed a comforting hand over Yangs, earning a small but grateful smile. Ruby smiled back.
Ozpin cleared his throat to change the subject. "So, she's one of the other two Saiyans mentioned earlier?" he questioned.
"Yes. And the other is her partner, Nappa," Gold-Sith answered.
"Raditz, Kakarot, and now Nappa?" Velvet said in amusement. "Is it just me, or do Saiyan names sound like vegetables?"
Coco realized her partner was correct. "No, you're right, bun-bun. They are," she nodded.
"So what now? Should we put this planet on hold and head for Remnant?" Nappa asked, indicating that Raven was the leader of the two.
"Did you catch the last bit?" Raven asked her partner. "Those things; the Dragon Balls, I believe."
"Yeah. They said they could grant any wish, right?"
Raven stood up. "I'd say that's worth investigating."
"Maybe we can bring Raditz back to life," Nappa suggested.
Raven glanced at Nappa. "Is that a joke?" she scoffed. "Why would we waste a wish on that worthless scum?"
Nappa stared at Raven. "Huh?" he said in shock, though he knew better than to question her.
"Such disregard for her own comrades. Even her partner is taken-aback," Port stated with a scowl.
"Unfortunately, that's just how Raven operates," Qrow lamented his sister's ruthlessness.
"If the story is true, we can have anything we want," Raven went on. "Immortality. Eternal Youth. Think you could live with those?"
Nappa approached Raven, mouth agape in interest to her proposal.
"We could be the most unstoppable force in the universe," Raven smirked, arms crossed.
"I like it. Yeah! I'm in!" Nappa declared with a raised fist.
"Can the Dragon Balls truly grant immortality?" Ironwood questioned hesitantly, hoping Raven's counterpart was wrong.
"Yes, in fact, they can," Gold-Sith confirmed flatly.
Amazed mutters and whispers filled the theater at this revelation.
"Such astonishing power," Oobleck said as he wrote in his notebook.
Ozpin was silent, knowing first-hand that immortality wasn't all it was cracked up to be. He even shuddered a bit at the thought of the Dragon Balls existing on his own version of Remnant, and what would happen if they ever fell into the wrong hands.
Back on Remnant, Neptune was crouched over the dying Taiyang. Qrow and Peter stood nearby.
"I see," said solemnly.
"Taiyang!" Neptune cried. "Can you hear me buddy? Oh no!"
Nearby, Sun held Ruby in his arms. "I think Ruby's gonna be okay," he reported. "Looks like she just got knocked for a loop."
Peter and Neptune both nodded in understanding.
"That's a relief," Pyrrha exhaled gratefully.
"Lucky girl. Raditz could have seriously hurt her with that backfist," Ozpin said.
"But…what about dad?" Ruby sniffled and dabbed at her eyes with a napkin.
"Good...she's safe," Taiyang said softly, managing a smile.
"Hey man," Neptune comforted his dying friend.
"Summer...would probably kill me...if she got hurt," Taiyang joked, still.
Sun looked on in sorrow. "Oh Taiyang..." he said shakily.
Taiyang laughed. "Neptune...please...take...take care...of R-Ruby for me," he requested.
"Yeah. Sure, buddy. But it's not going to come to that, okay?" Neptune said frantically. "You're going to make it! That's all there is to it!"
"No...no, not this time," Taiyang said. "I'm too...far gone."
Neptune gasped. "Well, don't you worry! We'll find the Dragon Balls and wish you back!" he vowed.
"Please do. Please…don't let him stay dead," Ruby croaked out.
Yang put her hand over Ruby's. "Don't worry, sis. They'll bring dad back to life, and then they'll fight off Raven and Nappa. I know they will," she assured.
"You bet we will, right bro?" Neptune said, clapping his partner on the shoulder.
"Absolutely," Sun nodded.
Taiyang chuckled again. "Sounds..." he began, but then his eyes finally shut as his breath gave out.
Everyone gasped at Taiyangs passing, all of them, sans Qrow, having tears in their eyes.
"Taiyang...TAIYAAAAAANG!" Neptune cried in anguish, his voice echoing at his best friends passing.
As the viewing ended, Ruby and Yang still had downcast expressions. The fact that their father could be resurrected with the Dragon Balls did little to lessen their grief.
Yang glared up screen. "Gold-Sith…I really don't appreciate you upsetting me and my sister like that!" she reprimanded.
"I apologize for causing you and your sister distress, Ms. Xiao Long. But you must understand, not all of these viewings will be entirely pleasant to watch," Gold-Sith said bluntly.
"Well, except for Taiyangs death, I enjoyed it," Nora gave her input.
"I liked it too. In fact, I wouldn't mind watching more," Pyrrha said positively.
"Oh, most certainly. There will be more viewings of that particular universe to come."
"Well, until then, let's hope the next viewing will be less of a tearjerker," Glynda said sympathetically for Ruby and Yang.
"If that is what you wish for, then the next viewing will be more light-hearted," Gold-Sith promised.
Cast
Taiyang Xiao Long as Son Goku
Qrow Branwen as Piccolo
Ruby Rose as Son Gohan
Raven as Vegeta
Neptune Vasilias as Krillin
Sun Wukong as Bulma Briefs
Peter Port as Master Roshi
Summer Rose as Chi-Chi (Mentioned only)
Raditz as himself
Nappa as himself
Author's Note: I'm surprised nobody has done a "Dragon Ball Z" adaptation using the early episodes. I used dialogue from "Dragon Ball Z" and "Dragon Ball Z Kai" for this one; primarily Kai. I'll be publishing more DBZ chapters, but only major battles and events like this one. If anyone has any cast suggestions, feel free to PM me.
Anyway, I'll be taking a break from this story and shifting my focus back to Cinematic Multiverse for now. I can only work on one story at a time while balancing my schedule. The next flick there will be published early to mid- August. I'll see you all back in here in a few months. In the meantime, keep those recommendations coming via PM.
Author's Points
[1]- Just as Yang said in "Painting The Town...", there's a time and place for puns, and this is neither.
[2]- I've occasionally pondered this myself. Just how high would RWBY characters power levels be? Your guess is as good as mine.
[3]- I've got my reasons for casting Sun as Bulma. I know it seems very strange now, but it'll make sense later.
[4]- If anyone is fit to play Vegeta, it's Raven. Both are ruthless, arrogant, and self-absorbed social Darwinists with black hair.