CHAPTER ONE

Invasion

Twenty-four years had passed since Princess Zukanna first landed on Namek, and in that time, she had transformed into a stunning Saiyan woman in her early thirties, embodying both grace and strength. Her slightly curvy, athletic figure showcased powerful muscles honed from years of training and combat. Her hair was a striking cropped style, with spiky bangs framing her face, giving her a fierce yet beautiful appearance.

She exuded confidence, her piercing eyes reflecting the determination forged through countless battles and losses. Every movement she made was fluid and precise, a testament to her mastery of martial arts and her Saiyan heritage. The scars of her past served as reminders of her resilience and unwavering resolve to protect those she cared for, particularly the Namekians who had raised her.

Zukanna wore a battle outfit that accentuated her athleticism while providing the mobility she needed for combat. Each piece of her attire was practical yet stylish, designed for both functionality and showcasing her formidable presence. As she prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead, her spirit burned bright, ready to fight for justice and honor.

One sunny afternoon, Zukanna found herself in deep conversation with Guru, discussing the balance of energy in the universe and the lessons she had learned over the years. Just as she began to feel a sense of peace, a familiar chill ran down her spine. Her instincts flared, and she abruptly paused, focusing on a distant energy signature.

"Guru, I sense something... dark," she said, her voice laced with urgency. Guru's expression shifted, his wisdom guiding him as he reached out with his own senses. "What do you feel, child?" "An immense evil energy... It's coming from space," she replied, her heart racing. "I have to see!" Without waiting for a response, Zukanna dashed outside. She leapt into the sky, soaring above the lush fields of Namek. As she reached a vantage point, her breath caught in her throat.

Before her, a fleet of Frieza Force ships descended like a storm cloud, darkening the serene sky. The unmistakable insignia of Frieza marked each ship, and the familiar dread clawed at her heart. Memories of her home's destruction flooded back, and her resolve hardened. Zukanna landed back in the courtyard where Guru awaited, determination etched on her face. "It's Frieza. He's come to claim Namek!" Guru nodded solemnly, his expression grave. "We must gather the Namekian warriors. We cannot let him take this planet."

Just then, Nail approached, sensing the tension in the air. "What's happening?" he asked, his eyes narrowing as he looked to the sky. "Frieza's fleet is here," Zukanna said, her voice unwavering. "We need to prepare for battle." Nail clenched his fists, his own warrior spirit ignited. "Then let's show him what we're made of!"

With purpose in their hearts, Zukanna, Nail, and Guru quickly gathered the Namekian warriors. As they assembled, Zukanna's confidence surged. She had trained hard, and now, standing alongside her friends and mentors, she felt ready to face the darkness threatening their home. As the ships loomed closer, she raised her chin, a fierce light in her eyes. "We will protect Namek! Together, we'll stand against Frieza and his forces. We won't let him destroy another home!"

The warriors around her echoed her determination, their spirits unyielding. United, they prepared to confront the approaching evil, ready to defend their planet and uphold the legacy of the Saiyans and Namekians alike. Zukanna was no longer just a survivor; she was a protector, and this time, she would fight with all her strength to ensure that the darkness would not prevail.

Zukanna's senses tingled as she felt a surge of hostile energy racing toward a nearby Namekian village. Her heart pounded with urgency, and she immediately turned to her mentor and father figure, Nail. "Nail, I need you to stay here and guard Guru. Something's wrong at the village!" Nail frowned; concern etched across his features. "Be careful, Zukanna. We don't know what we're up against."

"I'll be quick," she reassured him, determination igniting within her as she launched into the sky, racing against time. The flight as short and as Zukanna arrived, a chill settled in her bones. The village lay in ruins, smoke rising from the remnants of homes, and the air was thick with despair. The horrific scene revealed the aftermath of a brutal attack—the villagers had been slaughtered, and fear gripped her heart as she searched for any signs of life.

Amid the chaos, she spotted a lone Namekian boy standing defiantly between two menacing aliens. He looked terrified but resolute, his small form trembling as he faced down the two intruders. Without hesitation, Zukanna flew down, landing protectively beside the boy just as the two aliens prepared to strike. "Get away from him!" she shouted, her voice strong and fierce.

The boy looked up at her, wide-eyed with a mix of fear and hope. Zukanna could sense the boy's bravery; he wouldn't let fear conquer him, and neither would she. The aliens turned to Zukanna, their expressions shifting from surprise to recognition. "A Saiyan?" one of them sneered, the other chuckling darkly. They were Frieza's enforcers, Zarbon and Dodoria, figures, she had met them when she was a child in the royal courtroom, back on planet Vegeta.

Zarbon stepped forward, a smirk spreading across his face. "Well, well, what do we have here? It seems another monkey survived the destruction of planet Vegeta. How quaint." Dodoria grinned, holding a shimmering Dragon Ball in his hand. "This will make a nice addition to Lord Frieza's collection. But first, let's deal with you."

Zukanna clenched her fists, a fire igniting within her. "You'll pay for what you've done here! I won't let you harm anyone else!" She squared her shoulders, channeling her energy and allowing her aura to flare. The boy behind her watched in awe, and she felt a renewed sense of purpose. This was her moment to defend not only the boy but to avenge the slaughtered village. "Stay behind me, little one!" Zukanna commanded, positioning herself protectively in front of the boy, ready to face the enforcers head-on.

As Zarbon and Dodoria advanced, Zukanna took a deep breath, her determination solidifying. This wasn't just about her strength; it was about protecting her home and avenging the lives lost. As Zukanna stood protectively in front of the frightened Namekian boy, the two aliens exchanged glances, their expressions shifting from surprise to sinister recognition. Zarbon's eyes widened as he looked closer at her. "Dodoria, that's no mere Saiyan, look." he exclaimed, a wicked smile spreading across his face. "Well, well, if it isn't the little princess, all grown up."

Dodoria snickered, his grip tightening around the Dragon Ball. "This just got interesting. Frieza will love to hear about this." Zarbon turned to his partner, his voice dripping with malice. "Take the Dragon Ball to Lord Frieza. I'll deal with the little princess myself. She won't be a problem for long."

"Sure thing," Dodoria replied, glancing back at Zukanna with a mocking smirk. "Good luck, princess! You'll need it."

As Dodoria prepared to leave, Zukanna's heart raced. She couldn't let him escape with the Dragon Ball. "You won't get away that easily!" she shouted, her voice fierce as she stepped forward, ready to engage. Zarbon laughed, the sound cold and cruel. "You think you can stop me? You're just a child playing at being a warrior." "I'm not a child!" Zukanna shot back, drawing on her training and the strength of her people. "I've trained to protect this planet, and I will not let you destroy it further!"

With a fierce battle cry, she powered up, her aura flaring as she faced Zarbon. He looked momentarily taken aback by her energy, but then his expression turned to one of amusement. "Let's see what you can do, princess." The air crackled with energy as they circled each other, waiting for the moment to strike.

Without warning, Zukanna burst forward, her fist aimed directly at Zarbon's jaw. He barely managed to block it, and even then, the force sent him reeling. Before he could recover, she was on him again, moving faster than he could track, her fists and feet a flurry of brutal strikes. Each hit landed with bone-crushing force, knocking Zarbon back in the air. She didn't let up for a second, shifting seamlessly from punches to a spinning kick that cracked across his ribs, sending him rocketing toward the ground.

Zarbon grunted, stunned. He had never faced a Saiyan this powerful, nor one with such skill in martial arts. His composure faltered as he tried to counter with an energy blast, but Zukanna swatted it aside with ease, appearing beside him in an instant and delivering a powerful knee to his stomach. Zarbon doubled over, gasping, and Zukanna slammed an elbow into his back, driving him straight down, smashing him into the jagged rocks below.

Gritting his teeth, Zarbon struggled to his feet, his armor cracked and dirtied. "You… little Monkey," he growled, fury twisting his features. "I'll make you regret this." Zukanna smirked, hovering above him with a hand on her hip. "Big talk from someone who's getting his tail handed to him."

Zarbon's face contorted with rage as he began to transform, his body expanding, muscle and skin stretching grotesquely as he shifted into his monstrous form. His power surged, shaking the ground and forcing Zukanna to brace herself against the shockwaves. When the transformation completed, he stood, towering and monstrous, his face twisted into a beastly snarl.

"Let's see how cocky you are now!" he bellowed, his voice echoing across the once tranquil land. Zukanna lunged forward, throwing a punch aimed at his chest, but Zarbon caught her fist mid-air with a monstrous grip. She struggled, gritting her teeth, as his other hand swung up in a crushing blow, landing squarely on her side and sending her spiraling back, gasping as pain erupted through her body. Zarbon charged after her, slamming his fist into her face with brutal force, then following with a kick to her stomach that sent her crashing through a rocky cliffside.

Zarbon laughed, his voice filled with malice. "Not so tough now, are you?"

Bruised but defiant, Zukanna pushed herself up, breathing hard as she steadied herself. She charged again, throwing a rapid series of punches and kicks, but Zarbon anticipated each one, swatting her attacks away and countering with brutal strikes of his own. His monstrous form overwhelmed her, and with each hit, her strength began to waver.

Just as Zarbon prepared to unleash a final, devastating attack, two unknown figures appeared on the edge of the clearing, a bald man in an orange uniform and a young boy, having watched the battle unfold from a safe distance, they flew toward the embattled Saiyan.

"Hey, lady, cover your eyes!" the bald man yelled, his voice urgent. "Now!"

Zarbon turned, momentarily distracted by the newcomers, and Zukanna caught the bald man's signal. She threw her hands up to shield her eyes just as the bald man shouted, "Solar Flare!"

A blinding flash of light erupted from the bald man's hands, illuminating the entire wasteland. Zarbon howled, clutching his eyes, blinded by the intense light. The man rushed towards the Namekian boy and picked him up whilst the boy rushed towards and grabbed Zukanna by the arm as she struggled to steady herself.

"Come on!" the boy shouted, pulling her away as Zarbon thrashed wildly, blinded and furious. Together, the four of them soared into the sky, making their escape as Zarbon's angry roars echoed behind them.

As they disappeared over the horizon, Zukanna glanced back, her expression a mix of frustration and relief. She may have been outmatched this time, but she knew this wasn't over. She clenched her fists, vowing to return stronger for the next encounter. For now, however, she allowed herself a sigh of relief, nodding her thanks to the two as they flew away from Zarbon. As they touched down in a safe area, the group finally took a moment to catch their breath. The boy stepped forward first, offering Zukanna a friendly smile. "I'm Gohan," he said. "And this is my friend Krillin."

Zukanna nodded, brushing some dust off her armor. "Nice to meet you both," she says, her tone cautious but curious. Krillin eyed her warily, his gaze fixed on the tail swaying behind her. "You… you're a Saiyan, aren't you?" he asked, voice tense as he raised his guard. "Listen, I've dealt with your kind before. Saiyans are nothing but trouble. I've seen the kind of destruction your people cause."

Zukanna frowned, taken aback. "You've seen Saiyans before?" she asked, her expression hardening. "How could you even know about us?"

Gohan stepped in, his voice calm but earnest. "Well… I'm part Saiyan too," he explained, and Zukanna's eyes widened. "My dad, Goku, is a Saiyan who was sent to Earth as a baby, but he didn't end up like other Saiyans. He's good, and he's fought his whole life to protect Earth from people who try to hurt it. He's actually on his way here right now to help us."

Zukanna's cautious expression melted into a look of relief and amazement. "So… there's another Saiyan who chose a different path?" She smiled slightly, the tension in her shoulders easing. There were other Saiyans alive, she wasn't the last of her kind, and this Saiyan, Goku, was a good-hearted person, like her. "For a long time, I thought I was the only one who wanted to be something better than just a… a conqueror."

Krillin exchanged a glance with Gohan, who nodded, encouraging him to continue. "Yeah," Krillin said slowly, relaxing a little. "But not all Saiyans are like Goku. One of them, Vegeta, came to Earth and caused a lot of pain… killed a lot of our friends. We're here because we need the Dragon Balls to bring them back."

The mention of Vegeta's name hit Zukanna like a shockwave. "Vegeta is… alive?" she murmured; her gaze distant. "He's… my brother." She explained, noticing the looks of confusion from the two. They were taken aback by this piece of information but chose to remain silent. A mixture of relief and heartbreak crossed her face, and she clenched her fists. "Ever since our home was destroyed, I believed I was the last of my kind, but now I find out that not only are there other Saiyans out there, but my brother is still alive and he's evil, do you know where he is?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Gohan nodded solemnly. "He probably went back to his homebase, he was ruthless when he came to Earth. My dad had to fight him to stop him from destroying everything. Vegeta wanted to recruit my father and I, he fought us because we refused."

Zukanna looked down, the pain evident on her face. "I thought he was gone… But hearing he's alive and still trying to conquer planets…" 'Damn you father.' She thought to herself. Zukanna believed her father was to blame for all of this. He raised Vegeta to be the monster he had become, the pinnacle of the Saiyan race. Vegeta was out in the universe repeating the same mistakes that made the rest of the universe view their people as a threat. She loved power and fighting, but had long since let go of the notion that she needed to conquer the weak in order to achieve that goal. It seemed Vegeta, because of their fathers brainwashing, was yet to learn this lesson. Her expression hardened as she lifted her gaze to Gohan and Krillin. "I won't let him become a monster. He's my brother, and I have to believe there's a way to turn him from this path."

Gohan placed a hand on her shoulder, offering her a small, hopeful smile. "My dad believes that anyone can change, if they really want to. Maybe you can be the one to help him." Zukanna nodded, determination blazing in her eyes. "Thank you," she said quietly. "Maybe, together, we can bring him back from this darkness. And if Goku's on his way, then maybe we have a chance."

Krillin and Gohan exchanged glances, understanding that they had found not only a new ally but perhaps someone who could help them face the challenges ahead. And Zukanna, for the first time, felt a spark of hope that not all was as bad as she had always believed.

Zukanna glanced over at Gohan, noticing again the absence of something so familiar to her. "Gohan," she asked, her curiosity evident, "if you're part Saiyan, why don't you have a tail?" Gohan scratched the back of his head, chuckling nervously. "Well… I used to have one," he said. "But it got removed because, well, when I looked at the full moon, I transformed into a giant ape. I'd go on a rampage without even realizing it. My dad was the same way when he was a kid."

Zukanna nods, piecing things together. "Ah, the Great Ape form, it's a powerful, primal transformation of us Saiyans," she said, glancing down at her own tail wrapped securely around her waist. "You're not alone in struggling with it. Not all Saiyans can control it."

Gohan tilted his head, intrigued. "So, you can turn into a Great Ape too?" Zukanna nodded. "Yes, but it took time. A few years after arriving on Namek, I focused on training to control the Great Ape form. My Namekian mentors had drilled it into me that, left unchecked, the form could be our downfall. So, I trained, using an artificial moon, until I learnt to stay aware and in control during transformations."

"Wow," Gohan said, impressed. "That sounds like it took a lot of patience. I didn't even know it was possible to control it… I thought Saiyans just went wild when they transformed."

Zukanna smiled slightly. "Many do. Controlling the Great Ape form requires exceptional willpower and focus, and it's not something every Saiyan can master. But I've always felt the tail was a vital part of our identity and our strength, so I refused to just lose it." Her eyes flashed with pride. "I wanted to prove that I could handle it."

She then turned to the young Namekian boy standing nearby. "What's your name?" she asked, her tone softer now. "Dende," the boy replied, his eyes wide with curiosity. Gohan and Krillin exchanged glances before stepping forward. "Nice to meet you, Dende!" Gohan said warmly. "That was amazing how you stood up to those guys!"

With a gentle smile, Dende approached Zukanna. "You are the guardian, the one Nail and Guru raised, I can heal you," he said quietly. Zukanna raised an eyebrow, intrigued but also skeptical. "Really? You can heal?" Without waiting for an answer, Dende placed his small hands on her, a warm light enveloping them. Zukanna felt an intense surge of energy coursing through her. Her power began to spike, almost doubling in strength as she received a massive Zenkai boost from the near-death battle.

"Wow!" Krillin exclaimed; eyes wide, sensing the power surge. "That's incredible!" Zukanna felt revitalized, her senses sharper than ever. "Thank you, Dende," she said, beaming with newfound strength. "We need to get to Guru's hut. Nail will want to hear about this." "Let's go!" Gohan added, his enthusiasm infectious as they all took to the skies, racing toward Guru's home, the horizon brightening with hope.

They landed and Zukanna felt a hand on her shoulder, she looked up and saw a familiar figure beside her, Nail, her mentor and father figure. "Zukanna!" he called, relief flooding his voice. "I sensed you were in danger. We have to regroup!"

"Zarbon transformed," she gasped, her heart racing. "He's stronger now, we need to—" Nail interrupted, his expression serious. "We can't let him get the Dragon Ball or harm anyone else. We need a plan. We need to talk to Guru."

Hello people,

Chapter One is done, if you like these kinds of stories, I can write more what if scenarios. Feel free to make requests in my inbox.

Please feel free to drop reviews or give suggestions as I feel they will help improve the quality of the story.

cheers,

maximuskahn1994