Dragon Ball Z Dynasty

by Feraligreater328

When travelling along Snake Way, Son Goku suddenly finds himself plummeting down to Hell. There, he meets a surprisingly familiar ghost from his past that promises to change everything about his life going forward. How will the Saiyan react to this sudden, positive change in his life? Find out in Dragon Ball Z Dynasty.

6. Chapter 5: The Return

Dragon Ball Z: Dynasty

Written by: Feraligreater328 and StevenBodner

A/N: So, I wrote a new section for this chapter during the recent hiatus. It's something that I wanted to include somewhere in the story for a couple of reasons, but nowhere felt quite right. Given the fact we're reposting the entire thing, I figured it wouldn't hurt to slot it in for people to enjoy where it should have been in the first place.

Chapter 5: The Return…

On the Earth…

Vegeta was sitting on a rock, waiting for the 3-hour break he generously gave the Earthlings in hopes of Kakarot finally showing up. He was lightly dozing in the Earth's afternoon sun. As much as he hated this place and the idiots on it, Vegeta couldn't help but feel that this warmth was pleasant. He had grown used to this sleeping posture since he had undertaken the life of a planet conquering marauder, all those years ago. It was almost at the point he could call it comfortable.

As Vegeta dozed, his mind began to cloud. If any of the remaining idiots tried to attack him, those clouds were sure to disperse. But it's not as if any of them had the gall to try. Vegeta could slumber while he waited for Kakarot to show up and, once his Scouter went off and the disgrace, of course, didn't show, he would have Nappa kill the runts and he would restrain the Namekian. And then they slowly knead the information about the Dragon Balls out of him. Once that was done, immortality was on the horizon.

Vegeta smirked. He couldn't believe that Nappa wanted to waste a free wish on bringing back a waste like Raditz.

Such a foolish use of such an interesting prospect.

Vegeta fell into a complete doze with that ridiculous thought running through his mind. Who could possibly be important enough to waste a seemingly limitless wish to bring them back...?

?...

Vegeta felt warm. But he also felt more than that. He felt warm and... safe? No, what could trouble him enough to make him feel apprehension? Loved...? What use was such a ridiculous emotion? Happy...? Again, with foolish sentiment.

And yet, the feeling persisted. He was definitely warm, and not uncomfortably so. As he focused on the sensation, the Prince of all Saiyans felt something else. Something wrapped around him, firm but not tight.

His first instinct was to fight back and fight back he did, flinging his arms around and trying his best to break loose of whatever was restraining him. He refused to be held in place. Who would even dare make an attempt to do so?! He would kill them! He would burn their world to the ground! He would-

"Sh-sh-sh-sh-shhhh. It's okay, Vegeta. You're okay."

All at once, Vegeta felt calm. He felt calmer and more at peace than he thought he'd felt in a long, long time. The things holding him down were still as strong as they were before his tantrum, but now he found that he didn't care. He couldn't make out the voice speaking to him, or the nature of the melody its voice was making, but he suddenly found that he didn't want to kill it. Or burn its world. Vegeta found that he suddenly wanted to be here forever.

The voice above him spoke with a warm smile. "You can be such a little terror, sometimes. You'll live a much happier life if you learn to relax, Vegeta. I'm just Saiyan~"

The voice laughed at its own joke and Vegeta felt his eyes becoming heavy. He enjoyed a little chuckle, in spite of himself. The prince normally hated jokes, but that one made his heart feel light. As he closed his eyes, ready for the land of deeper slumber, Vegeta heard the voice begin to chant his name.

"Vegeta."

"Vegeta."

"Vegeta."

The quality of the voice began to change.

"Vegeta."

"Vegeta."

Now, the prince recognized it. But, he couldn't quite work out who it was yet. The quality of the voice went from soft and soothing to rougher, more brash. And yet, the undertone of care still remained. He could almost figure out who it was.

"Vegeta."

"Vegeta."

"Hey, Vegeta."

Back on Earth...

A larger hand lightly slapped Vegeta's arm. "Hey, Vegeta!"

Vegeta snorted, instantly sitting upright. He could feel a small stream of drool running down the corner of his dignified mouth and immediately wiped it away. His vision was clearing up. He could see the three remaining Earth fools huddled off in the distance. The noseless one was consoling the brat while the green one was glaring right at him.

Vegeta growled under his breath. The Namekian was far too insignificant for Vegeta to vocalize his disdain, but he really, REALLY didn't like him. He was going to enjoy beating the secret of the Dragon Balls out of that trash.

Vegeta shook his head, rubbing his sore neck with his other hand. "What is it, Nappa?"

Nappa was sitting, legs crossed, on the ground next to the stone that Vegeta had made his perch. The bald Saiyan sighed, scratching his armpit. "Sorry to wake ya. Your neck was at a weird angle. Didn't want ya to get a crick."

Vegeta nodded. "Very good. Nice attention to detail."

Nappa looked up at Vegeta, Vegeta glowered down at him. "What?"

The hulking Saiyan looked sheepish. A rare face indeed, but one that Vegeta could instantly connect to a specific feeling. The Prince rolled his eyes. "Did you eat all your rations while I napped? Are you still hungry?"

Nappa groaned. "N-No. I was gonna eat my rations, but then I realized they all got incinerated when that three-eyed prick hit me with that attack. All my protein packs. My choco rations. My dehydrated juice. All gone!"

Vegeta closed his eyes. "So, in reality, you only woke me up to mooch off me. Wake me when you're done whining."

Nappa frowned. "C-C'mon, man! Please share!"

Vegeta's eyes snapped open. "So, I'm 'man' now?"

Nappa cringed. "S-Sorry, My Prince! I... forget myself."

Vegeta kept his gaze locked on Nappa for a long time. Nappa was sweating bullets, perhaps wondering if he had just earned himself a 'royal whuppin', as he often called it when speaking to Raditz, or even Quassh and Cucuo way back when. Vegeta reached into his armor, pulling out a Frieza Force ration, this one scallion pancake flavor, and tearing it open.

Vegeta pulled out the vaguely brown loaf and tore it in half, tossing the smaller piece to Nappa. Nappa eagerly accepted. "Thanks, buddy! Er, Prince Vegeta!"

The two Saiyans sat there and ate in silence, Vegeta watching the filthy flying Earth life flutter about through the air. He popped the last piece of the ration into his mouth and swallowed without really tasting it.

As Nappa was licking his fingers, Vegeta spoke aloud a question that was barely skimming the surface of his subconscious. "What's the worst joke you've ever heard...?"

Nappa's eyes went wide. Whatever he had expected Vegeta to say, it certainly wasn't that. He leaned his head into his cupped palm. "Uh... the worst?"

The brute seemed to take a moment to genuinely consider that. After a few moments, Nappa nodded. "Okay, ya ready?"

Vegeta rolled his eyes. He wasn't asking to hear a joke. But he was also exceptionally bored. So, he nodded. "Sure."

Nappa took a deep breath. "So, there are two identical Brenchians that live together. One happens to be a pretty renowned dentist. The other is a bum that can't hold a job. Instead of looking for something to do with his sorry hide, his sits around and does nothin' all day!"

Vegeta nodded. "Mhm."

Nappa continued. "One day, the dentist Brenchian is hungry and turns to the bum. He says to him, he says 'Get off your lazy ass and go get some food, or I'll beat your head in.'. The other Brenchian is a fatass wimp, so he goes to avoid getting whupped. In the meantime, the dentist takes a nap. Turns his Scouter off so no one wakes him up."

"So, about 30 minutes later, the fatass gets into a head-on collision, crashes his hover ship right before he gets to the store. Goes to the hospital, vital signs fading, unconscious, barely moving, yada yada. He's picked up and taken to the hospital, ends up in the critical wing under observation. They call the fatass' roommate, no answer cuz his Scouter is off."

"The dentist eventually wakes up to a knock on the door. He ignores it. The knocking continues. He goes to the door to yell at the knocker and there, wouldn't ya know, the Grim Reaper!"

Vegeta gave a sarcastic little chuckle. "Oooooh..."

Nappa continued. "Reaper takes a look at the dentist and says 'Damn. This always happens with twins.' The dentist asks what he means. Reaper says the dentist's twin was killed in the accident and he's here to drag him to Hell. Apologizes for wasting the dentist's time and leaves."

"The dentist is upset! Demands a challenge to save the fatass' life. After all, the reaper made a mistake this time around. The reaper laughs and asks how a dentist plans to beat him. The dentist says 'I challenge you to a teeth-brushing competition! Cleanest teeth after 5 minutes of brushing decides what happens to my roommate!"

Vegeta rolled his eyes. "This joke sucks."

Nappa smirked and waggled his finger. "The reaper ain't impressed either. He and the dentist walk into the bathroom and the reaper pulls back his hood. His skull is glistening. He takes a toothbrush, loads it with paste, and brushes like hell for a solid 5 minutes! When he's done, those teeth are sparkling like diamonds! The reaper turns to the dentist and says 'Beat that, fool!'.

"So, the dentist takes his turn. Loads the brush. Brushes like hell. Spits. Then he smiles. And the reaper is shocked! The shine from the dentist's teeth is so bright it makes the reaper's eye sockets burn! The winner is clear! The reaper bows his head in shame! He says, 'You win. This time. Your worthless roommate will live another day.' Then he's gone in a puff of smoke. The smoke clears and there's the fatass, uninjured and perfectly healthy!"

Vegeta scowled. "This is growing irksome. Is there a punchline in this joke?"

Nappa nodded with vigor. "The fatass looks at the dentist and says 'You'll never believe it! On the way to the store, they say I was involved in an accident! Now here I am.'. And the dentist looks at his roommate and says 'I heard! It sounds like you had a brush with death~!'."

It took a moment for Vegeta to really process what Nappa said. His face twisted into a sneer of utter disdain. "Goddammit."

Nappa nodded. "Yep. Heard Dodoria make that joke in a mess hall a couple years back. Some newbie told him the joke sucked and Dodoria twisted his head off."

Vegeta sighed. "Sounds about right."

Nappa chuckled. "Yeah. So, why were you askin' about a joke anyway? Don't you hate stuff like that?"

Vegeta nodded. "Yeah. I just thought of one I heard a while ago. I can't remember who told it."

Nappa glanced over at him. "Oh?"

Vegeta crossed his arms. "It wasn't an overly long abomination like yours. It was worse. A pun. Someone giving advice and following it 'I'm just Saiyan'."

The prince cringed. "I'd almost accuse Frieza of making it if I thought he'd stoop to such a stupid bit of wordplay..."

Nappa felt everything go tight. Unlike Vegeta, he could remember exactly where that stupid pun came from. For as miserable as that woman was, Nappa could always recall her popping it into the most random conversations. Once, he had made the mistake of chuckling and King Vegeta had punched him to the ground for it. He didn't even want to bring her up...but it was clear that, for whatever reason, Vegeta was thinking of her.

And, though Vegeta was his boss first and foremost... Nappa didn't not care about the little guy. Ever since the young prince left his incubation chamber, Vegeta had become Nappa's ward when the king and queen were not around. In his own head, Nappa almost saw Vegeta as a son. Almost. He knew he could never bring that up or Vegeta would probably kill him.

Still, he felt he owed the prince this much at least. "I... I know who used to make that joke..."

Vegeta glanced over. "Oh, really? Who?"

Nappa sighed. "... Queen Cassava. Your mother."

Vegeta said nothing, and Nappa wouldn't dare to look. They sat there, in uncomfortable silence for what seemed like forever. And then, Vegeta spoke. "We still have a little over an hour before my Scouter goes off. Do not wake me up again unless it is an emergency."

Nappa nodded. "R-Right. Just... lean back or something so your neck doesn't flop. Cricks and all, ya know?"

Vegeta didn't answer, but he obliged Nappa's request, leaning his back against the tree next to the rock and immediately falling asleep once more. This time, dreams didn't come.

Over Snake Way…

Bardock shot over Snake Way like a bullet, using the Kaioken's 50% boost to propel him further and faster. Eventually feeling he could keep it up no longer before seriously straining himself, Bardock dropped the technique and resumed his normal pace. He had no time to catch his breath or look back to check whether he was leaving the others behind. He just knew that he had to make it over this endlessly long road and quickly. He hadn't seen Prince Vegeta since the man was a brat, but he knew all about that idiotic thug, Nappa.

Minutes later, feeling he had enough time from the last usage, Bardock used the Kaioken again. Again and again, he would intermittently switch the technique on and off to make up for lack of time.

However, as he launched himself, a very loud and angry voice screamed in Bardock's mind. "WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?!"

Bardock slapped the side of his head and snarled. "Shut the hell up, Kai! I'm busy!"

On King Kai's Planet…

King Kai shook his head. "No! You must stop! You don't understand! You haven't been taught how to properly use the Kaioken! You don't know the intricacies or the form! Even at its basic level, if you keep using it-"

Bardock interrupted. "If I keep using it, I will get back to the Check-In Station sooner! If I get too worn-out, I can just use one of the crazy healing beans that Kakarot told me about. Now shut up and let me do my job!"

King Kai clenched his teeth. "You need to listen to me, you idiot!"

Nothing in response. King Kai shook his head and screamed as loud as he could. "IF YOU KILL YOURSELF USING THE KAIOKEN, THEY CAN'T WISH YOU BACK, YOU FOOL!"

Back on Snake Way…

Bardock shook his head as he mentally shut King Kai off. So, what if it was a dangerous technique?! That didn't matter! The older Saiyan heard his youngest son's voice echo in his head. "Chi-Chi wants him to be a scholar."

Bardock snarled. "Dammit..."

As Bardock flew, to his surprise, several more visions assaulted his brain all at once. He saw two battered bodies and ashes flowing in the wind. The older Saiyan shook his head, his nostrils reeking of rusty metal, and began to fly even faster. "Dammit!"

Quite a ways behind him, Goku was flying along. He was surprised at how much faster Bardock was than him. Furthermore, he was equally as shocked that Raditz had managed to catch up, despite carrying Gine. Goku turned to his brother. "You're moving pretty quick!"

Raditz grimaced. "I've known how to fly for much longer than you have. But it's not like it matters. Dad is beating us both in terms of speed. He's going to arrive before any of us do."

Goku nodded. And then, King Kai came into mental contact with him. "Goku!"

Goku looked around. "King Kai?!"

King Kai sighed. "I'm talking to you telepathically. I'm just letting you know that Kami is waiting for you at the Check-In Station. So, hurry! The Saiyans are already on the Earth and they're causing havoc!"

Goku nodded. "We're flying as fast as we can, King Kai. My dad is going to arrive before any of us can. So at least he can go and hold the other Saiyans off while the rest of us rush to get there!"

King Kai nodded. "Okay, Goku! Best of luck to you!"

Goku pushed the gas, trying to fly even faster. "Right!"

Up ahead, Bardock snarled as he flew. Another vision crossed his mind and he shuddered. "DAMMIT!"

At the Check-In Station…

Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu all stood before King Yemma, their faces grim. Next to them was Kami, the Guardian of Earth. The old guardian stared up at King Yemma, speaking to him in a reverent tone. "Yes, King Yemma. Much like Goku, I believe that these three warriors are deserving of a trip to King Kai's planet to receive the same special training Goku had."

King Yemma nodded, glancing over all of the papers before him. "Yes. Each of them has died a valiant and noble death. Truly, they all display the spirit of a warrior. Furthermore, both of Chiaotzu's deaths are quite honorable. I do believe that, given this, they-"

With a burst of pure power, a familiar face flew into the Check-In Station. Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu all flinched back, trying to see through the dust that this person's landing had kicked up. Upon initial view, Yamcha smiled. He called out to the silhouette he saw from his distinct hairstyle. "Goku!"

Chiaotzu smiled wide. Tien was sterner. "Goku! Be careful when you get back to Earth, that big Saiyan Nappa is-"

Bardock roughly emerged from the dust and pushed past the three, dead warriors. "I know who Nappa is!"

He grabbed Kami by the collar. "Take me to Earth now, Namekian! I have to hurry or my grandson is going to die!"

Chiaotzu was confused. "G-Grandson?"

Kami, while also confused, did not sense any dishonesty from this more intense version of Goku. He nodded, placing his hand on Bardock's chest. Sensing his exhaustion from the long journey down Snake Way, he proceeded to quickly heal the fatigue.

Bardock flinched in shock, but Kami smiled. "You won't want to face such threats at less than full power."

With that said and his hand still touching Bardock, Kami and the older Saiyan immediately teleported back to Earth. After they disappeared, Tien and the others were all left dumbfounded by what they had just seen.

On the Lookout on Earth…

Mr. Popo flinched in shock as Kami and what appeared to be Goku wearing Saiyan Armor appeared from within the Lookout. "Goku" didn't even take a moment to address Popo as he furiously grabbed Kami by the collar. The man snarled at him. "Which way?!"

Kami pointed to the southwest and Bardock immediately took off. Popo turned to his master. "Kami, who was that man?!"

Kami grumbled. "From what I can determine... that was Goku's biological father..."

Popo gasped. "Oh my!"

Kami sighed. "It has been an enjoyable life spent with you, Mr. Popo. I look forward to the day we meet again, old friend..."

Popo flinched. "K-Kami?"

Before saying another word, Kami disappeared.

Back at the Check-In Station…

Tien, Yamcha, and Chiaotzu still stood confused. Who was that man that Kami had just taken back to Earth? Before this question could be thoroughly discussed, Goku arrived at the Check-In, accompanied by two other Saiyans, the first being a surprisingly kind-looking female.

The humans were shocked by the return of Goku's evil brother, having been brought up-to-date on the discovery of Goku's true origins. Yamcha ran up to his newly revived friend. "Goku! What the heck is going on? Who was that other guy?! And why the hell is Raditz alive again?! What's he doing with you?!"

A frown spread across Goku's face. "Yamcha... Tien... Chiaotzu... I was too late...?"

Tien shook his head. "That doesn't matter right now, Goku. Piccolo, Krillin, and Gohan are all still alive, but they're fighting that massive bastard, Nappa. I don't think they'll last very long, so I'm warning you to be careful!"

Goku nodded. "Right!"

Chiaotzu frowned. "Even if they somehow manage to beat that Nappa guy... I have the sinking feeling in my stomach that-"

Raditz interjected. "Your feeling is correct. Vegeta is much more powerful than Nappa is. That's why we need to hurry!"

Not liking his questions being ignored, Yamcha repeated himself. "Goku... WHY is Raditz with you?!"

Goku grinned. "Don't worry, he's switched sides."

The Earth warriors were left dumbfounded by that comment. As they looked at Raditz carefully, Raditz glanced around, looking angry. "Where the hell is our way back?!"

Kami appeared before the Earthlings and Saiyans. "I am here. Your father is already heading to the battleground as quickly as possible. I will now transport you three back to the Earth as well."

Goku nodded. "Right!"

He ran up and placed his hand on Kami's shoulder. Raditz and Gine did the same. As the three of them teleported away, Goku called over to his friends. "Yamcha! Tien! Chiaotzu! Don't worry! I promise that I'll find a way to bring you all back as quickly as possible!"

And then, they were gone.

Yamcha turned to Tien and, in spite of it all, he chuckled. "So... Goku found his family in the afterlife, huh?"

Tien nodded. "It looks like it, yeah..."

Above them, King Yemma's voice boomed. "That Goku is certainly something else. Such an increase in power in such a short time..."

The massive ogre picked up his stamp and stamped three papers. "Now then! You are holding up my line. You three are approved for the long walk of Snake Way to King Kai's Planet."

Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu all looked at each other and nodded. And then, they all walked towards the back exit towards Snake Way.

Back on the Lookout on Earth…

Kami arrived with his three Saiyans in tow and smiled. "It makes me proud to see how strong you have become, Goku. It is up to you to protect the Earth now."

Goku smiled. "You can count on it! But first, how about a recharge?"

Kami placed his hand on each Saiyan' shoulder, rejuvenating them as he did Bardock.

Raditz and Gine studied themselves at how all their fatigue was instantly gone. Raditz shook his head. "How the hell…?"

Kami waved his hand dismissively. "Think nothing of it. Mere rejuvenation is a simple trick for me. Now that I have done all I can, I leave the rest to you all."

Goku nodded with a smile. And then, waving goodbye, he ran from within the Lookout with his brother and his mother following closely behind. As they leapt off the edge of the Lookout, Goku called out. "FLYING NIMBUS!"

The faithful, golden cloud showed up in a flash and Goku gently led his mother to it. "Ride this, Mom! It'll help you conserve your energy!"

Goku then shot off like a lightning bolt, Raditz and the Flying Nimbus following closely behind.

Kami sighed as they all took off. He had hoped they would make it... but he knew in his heart of hearts that it was too late. So rather than force Popo to watch the inevitable, the Guardian of Earth simply teleported away back to the Check-In Station.

The Paprika Wasteland…

Nappa stared in horror at what Vegeta had just said. "Si-Si-Si-Si..."

Vegeta's face was grave. "16,000. A power level of 16,000 is flying right towards us..."

Nappa shuddered. "16,000! But that's ridiculous! How could-"

The Scouter beeped again and Vegeta's pupils shrank. "Also a power levels 15,000... 14,500... and 10,000!"

Nappa's jaw dropped. Even the weakest of those stats eclipses his maximum of 7000. Vegeta shook his head. "It must be Kakarot! But who are the other three?!"

As the two Saiyan's were freaking out about these new power levels, wondering if this was just the beginning as the Earth warriors they already faced knew how to suppress and even amplify their power levels, Piccolo and Krillin both gathered in front of Gohan. While the promised 3 hours weren't up, Piccolo could tell that the Saiyans would be breaking their agreement very shortly. The Namekian looked back at the scared young boy he had bonded with over the past year and snarled. "Gohan! Just... run!"

Gohan flinched and looked up at Piccolo. "Wh-What?"

Piccolo shook his head. "Krillin and I will cover your escape! Just leave! Now!"

Gohan's face dropped. He stood up and stared at Piccolo and Krillin's back. Both of them were fairly beaten up, but they both stood firm.

Krillin nodded. "I agree with Piccolo, Gohan. Get out of here! That power that they're scared of... I don't know who the other three are, but I'm willing to bet that the strongest one is Goku! He'll take care of these guys once he gets here!"

Gohan trembled. "But, Mr. Krillin..."

Krillin shook his head. "No buts! Goku is my best friend, Gohan. I can't just let his son die! So, you get out of here as fast as you can and Piccolo and I will hold this big, ugly bastard off!"

Gohan was speechless. Fortunately, Vegeta spoke in his place. "There's no way in hell we're letting any of you flee! Nappa! Kill all three of them, the sight of the corpses will throw Kakarot off guard when he shows up! Do it now!"

His face white, Nappa snarled and charged at the three warriors. He was fighting with an extra purpose now. If the Scouter was right, he would be no match for any of those powers that had just shown up. He needed to do as much damage as possible to make it easier for Vegeta to work.

With his heavy right arm, the Saiyan brute smashed Krillin aside. The Earthling warrior slammed into a rock and coughed up blood. Rather than worry about his circumstantial comrade, Piccolo immediately acted, vanishing behind Nappa and grabbing his tail.

Nappa was surprised by this, but he quickly smirked. In one swift motion, the brute smashed his elbow into the top of Piccolo's head. The Namekian gurgled, and then dropped like a stone and smashed into the ground.

Vegeta smirks. "You don't get to be an Elite Saiyan with a weakness like that holding you back!"

Nappa turned to Gohan and snarled, coating his hand with energy and going to behead the child. And then Krillin cried out. "Destructo-Disk!"

He was stopped, however, by the sight of some sort of ki-based disk shooting toward him out of the corner of his eye. Nappa turned just in time to duck out of the way. He wasn't able to fully dodge, however, as the attack sheared off three of his fingers. Nappa screamed in agony, his hand slowly being covered in a glove of steaming, red blood.

The little human cried out. "That was for Tien, you bastard!"

Nappa was livid. He moved to punch Krillin in the face, but was shoulder-tackled by Piccolo. The Namekian screamed at the top of his lungs and sent Nappa sailing back with a Destructive Demon Wave.

Nappa landed on the ground, his entire front smoking. Vegeta, annoyed, called out to his subordinate. "Nappa! You damned idiot! Kill them now or I will do it myself!"

Vegeta leered at his subservient partner. "And you will be joining them!"

Nappa, terrified and angry, stood back up and faced the three warriors. Blood spurted from his broken nose and he roared. "You little pricks! I'll kill you all!"

Nappa took a deep breath and, with a scream, he fired his Break Cannon at the three of them. Piccolo's eyes widened. He knew that they couldn't stop that. Thinking fast, the Namekian threw himself in front of the blast, shielding Gohan and Krillin, much to their surprise.

Piccolo braced himself for the worst, clenching his eyes shut. But the worst never came. As the blast came roaring to them, a figure suddenly appeared before them, dispersing the blast with a single punch.

Piccolo cracked his eyes open and stared in shock as it appeared that Goku was standing in front of him. However, something was off about this version of Goku. He was radiating something the kind-hearted fool that Piccolo knew never had before: malice.

As the light of the Break Cannon disappeared, Nappa gasped at what he saw. He recognized that face. The bald Saiyan gasped in shock. "B-Bardock?!"

Bardock sneered at Nappa and charged a blast in his hand. "Piss off, Nappa!"

The rebellious Saiyan flung his arm forward and launched a massive Riot Javelin at Nappa, engulfing the other Saiyan and blasting him into the nearby mountain range. He turned around to face Piccolo, Gohan, and Krillin and snorted.

Gohan looked up at the intense older man looking down at him and, to his surprise, didn't feel fear. The older man, in turn, didn't smile at the boy... but his eyes softened just a bit. Bardock glared at Piccolo and pointed in the opposite direction. "Take my grandson and get out of here, Namekian."

Piccolo flinched. "Grandson?"

Bardock didn't answer. He turned away from Piccolo and glared at Vegeta. The prince was clearly livid. "Bardock, eh?! I've heard your name before, you low-class wretch! Just who-"

Bardock charged, mid-monologue, and booted Vegeta in the stomach. With a roar, he immediately launched the prince away with a heavy blast. Once Vegeta was gone, Bardock turned to Piccolo and gave the Namekian a solemn nod. And then, he chased after Vegeta.

Piccolo was still for a moment. After swallowing hard, the Namekian turned to Gohan and Krillin. "We had better take his advice and retreat."

Krillin nodded, grabbing Gohan's wrist. Together, the three warriors beat a hasty retreat from what was surely soon-to-be a warzone. However, in their retreat, they did not notice the nearby rubble shifting. With a crumbling burst, a bloody, two-fingered hand erupted from its early grave.