Here are the salient features of this fic:
No Dragon Balls (Character death shall occur)
Limited ki sense (functional only nearby)
Utilization of the under-utilized characters
A more realistic environment
Unpredictable twists and turns
Hopefully, a motivating piece of work.
A brief summary of the events of OG Dragon Ball in this alternate retelling: (You may skip this portion written in italics if you want)
One day, Goku's grandpa tells him of a treasure beneath a huge rock but to get it Goku must be strong enough to push the rock first.
Years later, after Grandpa Gohan has passed away, Goku is able to push the rock. He finds a map there. Goku sets out for the island marked on the map.
On his way there is a desert. Here he is ambushed by Yamcha but Goku defeats and befriends him.
When Goku finally reaches the island, he finds Master Roshi there. Master Roshi tells him that the treasure is the Turtle school of martial arts.
Krillin also arrives on the island. Training begins. Sometime later 21st Budokai (world martial arts tournament) occurs. Goku and friends participate. Goku almost wins. Krillin makes to the semis. Yamcha becomes Roshi's new student.
After the 21st Budokai Goku sets out on a journey to explore the world. On his way he gets into a scuffle with the Red Ribbon Army. It ends with Goku single-handedly taking out whole of Red Ribbon.
Some years later, the 22nd Budokai takes place. Here, it is a matter of Crane school vs the Turtle school. Yamcha gets his leg broken in the fight against Tien. Krillin manages to defeat Chiaotzu. Goku and Tien face-off in the final. Tien barely wins.
Immediately after this, Krillin is ambushed and almost killed by a mysterious person. Krilin is critically injured and admitted to hospital. An enraged Goku sets out for revenge.
It turns out that King Piccolo is on the loose with the singular target of eliminating all martial artists on Earth. Goku is knocked out by one of King Piccolo's henchmen.
Tien, Chiaotzu and Master Roshi try one by one to put an end to King Piccolo's onslaught but each of them are defeated and barely survive. In the end, it is Goku who ends up killing King Piccolo.
But unknown to Goku, King Piccolo has a young son who vowes for revenge...Piccolo Junior.
Yajirobe informs Goku of the matter.
Goku undergoes some special training to prepare for Piccolo Junior.
Goku and Piccolo Junior face-off in the 23rd Budokai. A breathtaking fight ends with Goku winning by a narrow margin. Goku saves Piccolo Junior's life by giving him a Senzu bean.
With the promise that he would be back for his revenge, Piccolo flies away.
Goku marries Chichi. They have a son who Goku names Gohan after his Grandpa. Five years pass by...
The Reunion
Piccolo stood thinking on a cliff, his cape fluttering in the wind. Currently, just like always, he was planning on his revenge against Goku.
Suddenly...
'WHAT IS THAT?!' He turned in his place, his eyes wide open with terror. He could sense a huge power coming right for him.
All of a sudden, there landed a long-haired well-built man.
"Wait, you are not Kakarot!" he shouted.
Piccolo was quick to regain his composure and narrowed his eyes. "You have five minutes to tell me why you are here before I blast you to pieces," he said, keeping well to hide his fear. He could sense that the stranger's power-level was huge.
The tall man ignored him and pressed a button on his eyepiece. "Power level 322. I can tell you are not from this planet. Blast me to pieces, you said? Heh! I would like you to try."
Piccolo was triggered. How dare this guy mock him?! "RAAH!"
DHISHOO!
Smoke rose but when it cleared, the tall man stood unfazed.
"Impressive. You actually managed to singe some of my leg hair," said the tall man, chuckling.
Piccolo's mouth dropped open in shock.
BEEP! BEEP!
"That's it. It must be him," said the tall man, looking at his eyepiece. "I am coming for you, Kakarot!"
And with that he took off and flew away, leaving behind a terrifed Piccolo.
Piccolo dropped to his knees, sweating and panting. "My God...what was that guy?"
At Master Roshi's island
The island was filled with the laughs of Goku, Krillin and Master Roshi.
"And then," said Krillin. "Me and Master Roshi were thrown out of the restaurant. "
"Really?" asked Goku.
Master Roshi nodded.
Suddenly Goku looked terrified.
"Er..what's the matter, Goku?" asked Roshi. "I know that was sad and all but you look terrified!"
Sweat dripped down Goku's forehead. "I am sensing a great powerlevel!"
Now, Master Roshi could sense it as well. His eyebrows furrowed deeply.
"Wait, I feel it too. "
An unaware Gohan meanwhile was building a tiny hill in the sand.
It was then that a pin-point in the sky could be made out.
"Who is that?"
Seconds later, a tall man had landed on the island. Goku and all of his friends looked in shock at the new-comer.
"So, I finally found you, Kakarot. You look just like your father," said the tall man. He raised his finger and pointed towards Goku. "KAKAROT! Your mission was to kill all people on this planet. Why haven't you carried it out?"
Goku and friends looked at the man with puzzled expressions.
"Now, now.." Krillin walked towards the stranger, chuckling. 'Out of Dew Dork's mental asylum, I guess' he thought to himself. "Now," said Krillin, coming near to the stranger. "Allow me to escort you back to the hos-"
SMACK!
"OWW!"
Krillin was sent flying back to crash into the wall of Kame house.
"A tail!" exclaimed Master Roshi. "And...my house! What have you done?!"
Actually the stranger's belt had unfolded and had hit Krillin on the cheek. It was now waving behind him. Yes, the belt really was his tail, which had hit Krillin.
Goku gnashed his teeth in anger.
The stranger was observing Goku carefully. "Kakarot," he said. "Did you ever get hit on the head when you were young? I mean a really severe hit."
"Grr, yes, I did," said Goku. 'How come he knows about it?' he thought.
"That's it. You forgot."
"I forgot what?!" shouted Goku.
"You forgot your mission!" the tall man shouted back. "That you were supposed to kill every human on this planet and make it ready for sale. You were sent here for this very purpose! You are a Saiyan, Kakarot! You are from a proud race of warriors! And I, am your brother, Raditz..."
It took Goku a few moments to absorb what the stranger was saying. "What?" he asked, blinking. "You must be joking. "
Raditz just stood with a smirk, his arms crossed across his chest.
For a few moments silence reigned the island except for the sound of a bruised Krillin climbing out of the rubble of Kame house.
"Goku," said Roshi. "Maybe there is some truth to what he's telling. "
"What are you saying, Master Roshi?" asked Goku, a look of shock on his face.
Master Roshi made eye contact with his pupil as he decided to reveal to him something.. Something which he had been hiding from him for years. The old man began. "Your Grandpa Gohan told me one day about how he found you... Years ago on a starry night he saw something falling down from the sky. After that he heard a crashing sound which shook the area. He went there to investigate and found a freshly made crater there. In the centre of it was a small pod. When he went near, inside, he found you, Goku."
Goku was bewildered. "I am.. from outer space?"
Meanwhile Krillin had made his way back to where Master Roshi stood. An abrasion was visible on his head from where the tail had hit him. "Hate to say it but he does look like you, Goku. Not to mention his tail. "
Raidtz was laughing. "Hahaha! Good, little man. "
Goku clenched his fist as he turned to face his brother. "Even if what you say is true I now belong to this planet. Nice to know that I have a brother and all but I really would have hoped our reunion to be friendlier than this." he said, glancing towards Krillin and the destroyed wall of Kame house.
"Oh, it's going to get so much more friendlier.. " Raditz raised his hand in the direction of Master Roshi, a ki ball forming in his palm.
"Don't dare!" yelled Goku. In a flash he had jumped forward and threw a punch aimed at Raditz's face but.. Raditz easily dodged it and kneed Goku in the stomach.
Goku was sent flying back, spit passing out of his mouth. He landed onto the sand. "Agh!" he groaned, holding his abdomen in pain.
"Daddy!" wailed Gohan and began to run towards his father.
"No, Gohan!" Krillin yelled.
However, it was too late. Raditz had stepped forward and grabbed the wailing Gohan.
"No," groaned Goku, unable to move. "Oh God."
Krillin and Master Roshi looked on in horror but they were powerless to interfere. They could sense that their strengths were nothing compared to this alien.
Raditz chuckled, holding on to the screaming child.
"So, Kakarot. I am giving you one last chance. Either you return to your mission of killing the people on this planet or I will do it for you anyway and make your son suffer. "
Goku looked at his wailing son and extended a hand in his direction. "No, please. No.. "
"After you have exterminated the population of atleast ten cities, you can meet me in the plains eight hundred kilometres northwest of here. The place is just two hundred metres from this Sayajan farmhouse of your planet," he added, looking at information on his eyepiece. "You have only got forty-eight hours."
With that, Raditz took off with a wailing Gohan and disappeared into the horizon, as Goku watched helplessly from the ground..
...
Five minutes later...
Goku had finally been able to stand with support from Krillin and Master Roshi.
"I am going after him!"
"No, Goku!" said Krillin. "You will get killed!"
Master Roshi was silent.
Goku groaned. "Than what should I do? How will I be able to show my face to Chichi if something happens to Gohan?"
Krillin tried to calm down his friend. "Stay cool, Goku. We have still got forty-eight hours. Surely we will find a way out of this by then."
Master Roshi was stroking his beard. "I know of something. Do you remember what would happen to you, Goku, when somebody squeezed your tail?"
Goku nodded. "Yeah. I was paralyzed. I felt all of my strength sap out of my body." Goku's face slightly lit up. "And if my brother shares the same weakness..."
Krillin grinned. "Then we can take him out, no problem."
Master Roshi shook his head. "He won't just let us walk up to him and grab his tail, Krillin. Hmm, I think...the three of us should attack him straight away...together. He would least expect it."
Krillin looked horrified.
Goku stood straight now, determination gleaming in his eyes. "Alright. It's settled then."
Master Roshi clenched and unclenched his fist in front of him. "Hope these old bones still pack a punch."
"YOU WILL NEVER SUCCEED! YOU ARE TOO WEAK!"
All of them looked up and to their dismay saw Piccolo floating above them.
Krillin looked at the green man with dismay. "Oh great.. this day just keeps getting better.. "
Piccolo descended to land softly in front of them.
Goku tensed himself. "I don't know what your intentions are, Piccolo, but if you want a rematch I am really not in the mood right now."
Piccolo began to walk towards the group.
Krillin and Master Roshi fell into their battle stances. However, Piccolo calmly walked past all of them.
Piccolo stood with his back facing Goku as he looked out at the sea. "I saw everything that happened here. I have fought your brother, Goku. Neither of us alone can defeat him."
Goku was listening carefully. He knew what Piccolo said was a reality. His stomach still ached from the last blow it had received.
Piccolo continued. "But together we might stand a chance." He clenched his fist in front of him and grinned.
"Hey!" exclaimed Krillin. "What would you want to help Goku for? "
Piccolo growled. "I am not here to help your friend! I am in fact waiting for the day I see him dead! But..I can't let this guy take over the earth. I plan to do it myself!"
Goku looked serious.
"So what do you say, Goku?"
Goku had never thought he would see a day like this. "Well if that's the only way to beat my brother.. "
Piccolo smirked. "Good choice. But remember, this alliance is only temporary," he said.
"Yes," said Goku, smirking back. " Krillin. Could you give me a senzu please? "
Krillin tossed the bean to Goku.
"That will do it," said Goku and ate the bean offered to him. "Let's go, Piccolo."
Without another word, Piccolo and Goku jumped up into the air and flew away.
Silence reigned on the island for a minute, Krillin and Master Roshi still trying to make sense of what had happened just now.
Finally, Master Roshi yelled in excitement. "Come on, Krillin! We have to see this! The two greatest fighters on the planet fighting together on the same side!"
To be continued...
