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 brooding on the edge of a rugged cliff, the jagged rocks beneath him contrasting with the sweeping view of the valley below. His cape billowed dramatically in the gusty wind, echoing the turmoil within him. As always, his mind was consumed with thoughts of revenge against Goku.
Suddenly, a sharp instinct made him tense up.
"WHAT IS THAT?!" He spun around, eyes wide with alarm. A massive power was approaching rapidly, making the very air around him crackle with energy.
With a soft impact, a long-haired, well-built man landed.
"Wait, you are not Kakarot!" the tall man shouted, his voice carrying over the roaring wind.
Piccolo quickly regained his composure, narrowing his eyes. "You have five minutes to tell me why you are here before I blast you to pieces," he said, masking his fear. He could feel the stranger's immense power, like a looming storm.
The man ignored him and pressed a button on his eyepiece. "Power level 322. I can tell you're not from this planet. Blast me to pieces, you said? Heh! I'd like to see you try."
Piccolo bristled. How dare this guy mock him? "RAAH!" he exclaimed, firing an energy blast directly at the newcomer.
DHISHOO!
Smoke rose, billowing out from the impact. As it cleared, the tall man stood unfazed, the ground around him scorched but his body untouched.
"Impressive. You actually managed to singe some of my leg hair," the man said, chuckling.
Piccolo's mouth dropped open in shock.
BEEP! BEEP!
"That's it. It must be him," the tall man said, looking at his eyepiece. "I am coming for you, Kakarot!"
With that, he took off, leaving a terrified Piccolo behind.
Piccolo dropped to his knees, sweat pouring down his face. The wind continued to howl, now feeling colder. "My God...what was that guy?"
**At Master Roshi's island**
The island was a serene haven, with the sound of waves gently lapping against the shore and seagulls calling in the distance. Goku, Krillin, and Master Roshi sat in the sand, their laughter mingling with the ocean breeze.
"And then," said Krillin, "Me and Master Roshi were thrown out of the restaurant."
"Really?" asked Goku, his eyes wide with amusement.
Master Roshi nodded, a mischievous grin on his face.
Suddenly, Goku's expression turned grim, the lighthearted atmosphere abruptly shifting.
"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 power level!"
Now, Master Roshi could feel it too. His eyebrows furrowed deeply.
"Wait, I feel it too."
Meanwhile, an unaware Gohan was building a tiny hill in the sand, his giggles adding an innocent contrast to the growing tension.
It was then that a speck appeared in the sky, gradually growing larger.
"Who is that?"
Seconds later, a tall man landed on the island, the ground shaking slightly. Goku and his friends stared in shock at the newcomer.
"So, I finally found you, Kakarot. You look just like your father," said the tall man. He raised his finger and pointed at Goku. "KAKAROT! Your mission was to kill all the people on this planet. Why haven't you carried it out?"
Goku and his friends looked at the man with puzzled expressions.
"Now, now," Krillin said, walking towards the stranger, chuckling. 'Out of Dew Dork's mental asylum, I guess,' he thought to himself. "Now, allow me to escort you back to the hos—"
SMACK!
"OWW!"
Krillin was sent flying into the wall of Kame House, the impact sending cracks spider-webbing through the structure.
"A tail!" exclaimed Master Roshi. "And...my house! What have you done?!"
The stranger's belt had unfurled and hit Krillin on the cheek. It was now waving behind him, clearly a powerful tail.
Goku gnashed his teeth in anger, the usually calm ocean now feeling ominous.
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. "You were supposed to kill every human on this planet and prepare it 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 there with a smirk, arms crossed.
For a few moments, silence reigned on the island, the only sound being the distant crash of waves and the rustling of palm leaves. A bruised Krillin climbed out of the rubble of Kame House, groaning.
"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 something he had been hiding 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 from the sky. After that, he heard a crashing sound that shook the area. He went to investigate and found a freshly made crater. In the center 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."
Raditz 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 friendly," Raditz said, raising his hand towards Master Roshi, a ki ball forming in his palm.
"Don't dare!" yelled Goku. In a flash, he 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 flying from his mouth. He landed in the sand, the impact sending ripples through the shoreline. "Agh!" he groaned, holding his abdomen in pain.
"Daddy!" wailed Gohan, running towards his father.
"No, Gohan!" Krillin yelled.
But it was too late. Raditz stepped forward and grabbed the wailing Gohan.
"No," groaned Goku, unable to move. "Oh God."
Krillin and Master Roshi looked on in horror, powerless to interfere. They could sense that their strengths were nothing compared to this alien.
Raditz chuckled, holding 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 towards him. "No, please. No..."
"After you have exterminated the population of at least ten cities, you can meet me in the plains eight hundred kilometers northwest of here. The place is just two hundred meters from this Saijan 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, disappearing into the horizon, as Goku watched helplessly from the ground, the setting sun casting long shadows over the beach.
...
Five minutes later...
Goku had finally managed to stand with support from Krillin and Master Roshi. The waves crashed against the shore in a rhythmic pattern.
"I am going after him!" Goku declared, his eyes blazing with determination.
"No, Goku!" Krillin said urgently. "You will get killed!"
Master Roshi remained silent, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
Goku groaned, frustration evident in his voice. "Then what should I do? How will I be able to show my face to Chi-Chi if something happens to Gohan?"
Krillin tried to calm his friend, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Stay cool, Goku. We've still got forty-eight hours. Surely we will find a way out of this by then."
Master Roshi was stroking his beard thoughtfully. "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." A glimmer of hope appeared in Goku's eyes. "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 at the prospect.
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."
Suddenly, a voice echoed above them. "YOU WILL NEVER SUCCEED! YOU ARE TOO WEAK!"
All of them looked up and to their dismay saw Piccolo floating above them, his cape fluttering in the breeze.
Krillin looked at the green man with dismay. "Oh great... this day just keeps getting better..."
Piccolo descended, landing softly in front of them on the sandy shore.
Goku tensed, readying 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, the tension palpable in the air.
Krillin and Master Roshi fell into their battle stances, ready to defend themselves. However, Piccolo calmly walked past all of them, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
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 listened carefully, his mind racing. He knew what Piccolo said was true. His stomach still ached from the last blow it had received.
Piccolo continued, clenching his fist in front of him and grinning. "But together we might stand a chance."
"Hey!" exclaimed Krillin. "Why would you want to help Goku?"
Piccolo growled, his eyes narrowing. "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, weighing the options.
"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."
"Yes," said Goku, smirking back. "Krillin, could you give me a senzu bean, please?"
Krillin tossed the bean to Goku.
"That will do it," said Goku, consuming the bean. Instantly, he felt his strength returning. "Let's go, Piccolo."
Without another word, Piccolo and Goku jumped into the air and flew away, the sky swallowing them as they headed towards their destiny.
Silence reigned on the island for a minute, the only sounds the gentle lapping of waves and the distant cries of seagulls. Krillin and Master Roshi were still trying to make sense of what had happened.
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...