A/N: Hey everyone!! This is my first dbz fanfic i started writing for fun and I'm trying to just write it for fun without stressing about the perfect plot. Trying to get out of a writing slump of the ages! Hope you enjoy !
If the cover is obviously AI generated, I'm sorry? I'm blind and accessible technology can only go but so far .
I took ragged breaths in the sweltering heat that weighed on me like a second skin. Kami, what hurt more? The heavy atmosphere or the ache in my bones.
The landscape wasn't anything I've ever laid witness to. Rusty sand stretched miles, nearly blending with the orange sky and blazing suns. Two. Freaking. Suns.
And was that a moon?
Sure enough, the waxing gibbous illuminated another section of the sky. A little ways ahead, there were rounded domes and creeping skyscrapers in various colors. It looked like your average city, but from where I watched I could see town-folk with massive power levels in flight. There wasn't an inch of grass in sight, but something told me grass would be the least of my concerns.
"Um… Do you guys have any clue where we are?" Krillin's tentative question broke the momentary silence that fell once we dropped onto the ground.
Burly men that sported an array of statures, but steady power levels stood stalk-still behind us. The chances of taking one of them out weren't even in my cards. I was nearly depleted with no real plan of getting us to safety.
"It sure as hell isn't earth," Bulma muttered dully.
Her shirt hung on by mere threads. I could only imagine she left it on for pure modesty. The majority of Bulma's skin was on display but not by choice. She was left to bake in a dirty pink bra and tattered cargo shorts. There was a hole big enough to expose her panties. No one was safe during the invasion; Bulma's appearance was proof of that.
Rage was a sultry burn at the back of my neck.
In the middle of a brawl with saiyan soldiers, I couldn't get to her any faster.
Impetuous by my sudden ire, my fingers curled, and I instantly regretted it the moment white hot pain Flared up my wrist. The appendages were crushed.
Funny, Raditz wasn't above genocide, yet he disintegrated the men responsible for Bulma's almost assault on the spot.
Krillin's eyes widened. Panicked gaze never lingering in one space for too long. Half of his face was covered in scorched marks, along with his entire left arm. The blast he took could've killed him, what would I have done without my best friend? By then I had felt so many familiar energies fading. I would've lost it if Krillin joined them in their death.
"But why not just kill us with the rest?"
No one had an answer.
During the commotion, I held out hope that maybe it was just some sick mistake. Unbeknownst to me the Saiyan had greater plans. A morbid outcome that involved throwing us in one of the very many space pods that accompanied his visit. There was no time to absorb my surroundings when a gas was released, and darkness fell.
Beside me Chi Chi lay sprawled out on the warm sand. She should've awoken but her injuries must've kept her down. A bruise bloomed on her closed lid. Her cheek was doubled its normal size. No doubt the asshole had broken her jaw. The grimy henchman said she deserved it for not minding her tongue. When the pain of my broken fingers returned, I welcomed it.
I yearned to reach out and touch her, but something bonded my wrists behind my back. Centering my laser-sharp gaze on her chest, I took solace in her rising and falling intakes of breath. She was alive. Of course she was. My Chi-Chi's strength clobbered a colony of alien invaders until that ruthless saiyan got his hands on her.
Raditz's battle prowess proved to excel every single one of us. Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu didn't even have a chance to lay a finger on the Saiyan. Those awful minions of his managed to kill them all. Consumed by my rage, the two oafs were no match for my wrath; couldn't say the same about Raditz.
The others donned collars around their necks. Blinking lights indicated some type of technology at work. While I could barely keep my head up, Krillin and Bulma sat upright on their knees with no issues. My guess was it had to be tied to whatever those collars were. The air wasn't normal here and if I had a problem, I knew they would too.
Power crackled in the air. The hair on the back of my neck rose as a chill slithered down my spine.
"What the fuck," I gritted through my teeth.
Up until now, Raditz was the most formidable opponent I've faced; I felt the well of substantial power he never needed to use during our battle. The energy coming toward us magnified that well and more. If these beings were the ones that greeted us to slay our home, none of us would have survived.
A man shorter in size came into view. Shirtless, muscles rippling as he walked, and black spandex shorts that hugged his corded thighs. His hair was like mine; onyx locks shooting upward in a flame with dark eyes to match. His posture screamed irritation but the slight curiosity in his eyes must have brought him to us.
A woman just an inch shorter than him ambled beside him. Tawny spikes jutting out the side of her head in three sections. Glittering violet eyes with a glint of mischievousness. She didn't share the same annoyance as her friend. She looked downright jubilant. Refreshed, despite the sweat covering her stomach. Her gaze met my own with a cocked brow, that smirk on her face growing. I looked away.
The man roamed his sights over us, landing on where I kneeled. He nodded once as if hearing a silent response.
"That's Kakarot alright, but why did you bring the rest?" His nose turned up in disgust.
Bulma bristled. Speaking through a smear of her own she spat, "We didn't choose to come here."
The man didn't bother answering. I don't think he even spared her another look. Raditz's obnoxious guffaws echoed in the clearing. He shrugged.
"I thought it would be a little more…" he trailed off as he thought for a moment, "Interesting if they tagged along. Besides, big mouth here is a scientist, she was the best goddamn thing that backwater planet had."
Anger burned in Bulma's eyes, but I shot her a stern glance. She pursed her lips. That didn't stop her from glaring frostily in Raditz's direction.
The man pointed at Krillin, who shrunk at the attention.
"I think you could have gone without that one. The idiot can't keep still."
"Enough," I growled. Trembling for an entirely different reason.
"Why are we here?" I demanded.
None of them responded but the woman began to take steps forward. I braced myself as she came uncomfortably close. A pair of luminous purple eyes searched my expression, but I didn't know for what. Up close, I could see her pupils were larger than the average human or Saiyan. Her ears had flesh-like skin, but its rounded shape resembled a lion.
Restraining from flinching, I stiffened as her warm dainty palm placed itself on my lower abdomen. Humanoid digits with cat-like claws for nails, slid across the planes of my torso. The man wasn't the only person here shirtless; I could thank Raditz for that.
There wasn't a clue in my mind as to what she was doing yet she looked deep in concentration. Her eyes unnervingly stayed on mine. The faraway look on her face told me she wasn't looking at me. She was somewhere else. Tingling energy exuded from her touch, but it didn't hurt. It was a surprisingly calming presence that didn't match the roaring emotions colliding inside me.
"So much pain," she mumbled. Oh shit, did I say something out loud?
"Natsu, what do you see?" The man barked, breaking her out of her trance.
Still looking at me her lips twitched. "He's absolutely phenomenal."
Raditz snorted. "If that were true my little brother would have done more for his precious Earth." His condescension caused me to grind my teeth.
He was right. I should have been able to do more, but I failed the people of Earth. I let us down.
To my surprise, Natsu doesn't laugh as her subordinate does. She rolled her eyes, finally turning to look at Raditz.
"That's because he's never had Saiyan's training him. Hell, someday he'll rival your rank Vegeta," she pointed at the man.
A lot of what she said didn't make sense, but Vegeta looked outraged. Suddenly calming, he scoffed.
"That third eye of yours must be fucked. No one passes the Prince of all Saiyans." If I thought Raditz was arrogant, this Prince was the embodiment of superiority and owned the title to back it up.
She lifted her shoulders. "Don't ask me for my visions if you aren't gonna listen to what I got to say."
She turned back around but her focus landed on Chi Chi's still frame. Brows furrowed; she reached out her hand.
"Don't you dare fucking touch her. I'll kill you," The words ripped out of my mouth on impulse.
Instead of getting angry like I assumed, Natsu's eyes glimmered with intrigue. Then, the first smug nature that seemed to be inborn in these people filled her expression. Given the girl could be considered a Saiyan. Violet eyes assessed me in a single sweep. Unimpressed, she clicked her tongue.
"Kill me? You can't even stand up straight, let alone touch me."
Raditz curled over like it was the funniest thing he ever heard. Amusement shone in Vegeta's eyes, but he watched us intently. Rage coiled through my veins, heat erupting throughout my body. Natsu's eyes widened the slightest, but she didn't move from her unguarded position. Forcing whatever strength I had left in my lower body, my muscles strained as I tried to rise. Grunting, I hissed through my teeth as I pushed Ki into the soles of my feet to give me a boost. Once I wasn't shaking from the effort, I gestured to the bound around my wrist.
"Let's see what you got to say with this off," I taunted darkly.
Something akin to satisfaction glinted in her eyes but I couldn't be certain. Though her words confirmed what I saw.
"No Saiyan belongs on their knees. Take that as your first lesson Kakrot."
"That isn't my name," I said the same thing to Raditz, but I guess it didn't matter to them. Still, I tried.
"You have the wrong people." The desperate rattle in my voice didn't go unnoticed but I didn't care.
We lost everything; I knew there had to be a way to retrieve it. The longer I stayed hostage to these beings I would never seek the answers I needed. Even if the dragon balls were destroyed along with Earth, if there were planets that existed like this one there had to be an alternate option.
"Your tail is gone but don't tell me you've forgotten your heritage Kakarot," Vegeta snapped, casting a glance in Raditz's direction.
"Did he obtain some type of head injury during your battle?"
Raditz shook his head, "His memories were already impaired once I arrived. It's no wonder no one knew of his whereabouts despite it being a secret."
Another wave of frustration tore through me which gave me the strength to take a step forward. The man who stood behind me attempted to haul me backward, but Natsu raised one hand, dismissing the guard and his fellow companions elsewhere.
"How could you know about my tail? I was a child when it was cut."
Natsu, Raditz, and Vegeta shared looks of horror. The furry band wrapped around Vegeta's waist unfurled as he pointed at it.
"A Saiyan's tail is a part of them. You really have forsaken your culture." The abhorrence in his tone should have struck a nerve but it only confused me further.
"You all keep saying saiyan like I'm supposed to be one. I was born on earth," I stated emphatically.
I ignored the twist in my gut at the mention of earth, and the perturbing knowing caving in my chest. Clearly, I wasn't raised under the same conditions as these Saiyans but the way they spoke of their tail felt familiar. No, I didn't know what it meant to be Saiyan, but I knew when I did have my tail it was like an extension of me. No one I ever came across sprouted a furry appendage like me until Raditz showed up claiming to be my brother.
"You were raised on earth,' Natsu corrected, "But your origins lie here on Planet Vegeta."
The sudden intakes of breaths behind me confirmed there was no denying the truth. Just as swiftly as the astonishment came, it subsided into rigid determination. I saw enough of what these beings were like. The things Raditz did to my friends, innocent lives, and my home. And so many other places I couldn't stomach to think about. There wasn't a doubt in my mind that I didn't belong here even after hearing the truth. Saiyan or not, earth was still my home, I refused to be associated with anything their kind took part in.
"I would never be a part of the likes of you people. If that's your plan you might as well kill me," I uttered without hesitation.
Raditz chuckled sardonically, a cruel smirk curving his lips. You're already a part of us little brother. Your time on Earth has foolishly made you believe otherwise but that'll soon change.""
Whether you like it or not, there is Saiyan blood running through your veins. You'll have the environment now to embrace your true instincts," Natsu spoke in a meaningful tone that implied she knew something I didn't.
Snarling, I pushed myself into her space, allowing the adrenaline to fuel me. Her frame remained unmovable, keeping its casual posture with my face inches from her own. The rage beginning to feel like a lifeline boiled that much hotter when a smile formed on her lips.
"I'm nothing like you."
Staring quietly, she finally spoke but her words weren't for me.
"Raditz, release his bounds."
My gaze didn't lift from hers. The gleam of approval in her eyes was unmistakable. I couldn't see Raditz's expression, but I knew he was amused when he responded. I could only guess Vegeta held no rejections because if his title stretched further than a label, none of them would disobey him.
"Go easy on him."
A moment later the metal cuffs fell to the ground with a dull thud. The binds hadn't touched the ground for a second when blinding pain exploded in my abdomen, the very spot her calming palm grazed minutes ago. What a fucking contrast. All the air in my body rushed out of me in a single breath, then I was sailing backward, hitting the ground exacerbating the wounds I already had.
"Goku," Bulma gasped, "You, you better do something."
Vegeta scoffed but I couldn't be sure her last statement was directed toward me. Natsu seemed to blink before me, folding her lean arms across her chest. If there was no way for me to keep up with her speed this battle would be over without me ever getting the chance to fix everything.
"Get up," she stated gruffly, slamming her foot into my side.
I began to rise but immediately fell back with her boot on my chest. Might as well have been thousands of tons crushing me. Gasping, a tortured scream escaped when her foot knocked into my ribs, shattering all of them on impact. I couldn't breathe. No. No.
"I don't think you are Saiyan enough to fit in with our leagues," Natzu said. There couldn't be much remorse in her words if her actions were to go by.
Blood dripped from the corners of my mouth as another excruciating sound tore from my throat. Her boot dug into what remained of my ribcage.
"Goku!" Bulma screeched. I knew she couldn't do much in her position. Hell, neither could I.
My body already ran on fumes before this fight started. Now? I was minutes away from blacking out. I desperately blinked the haze from my vision. Bulma. Krillin. They needed me. Come on Goku. Move!
Snickering, Natzu leaned over, creating agonizing pressure that had another gut-wrenching groan releasing.
"Without you, your friends won't be of much use. Guess I'll have to break them a part two."
Wrath had power bursting through me and fortifying my muscles.
My arms flew up from where they were slumped at my sides, and I wrapped a steely hold around her calf. Lifting her with ease, I threw her body into the ground and tossed her into a nearby boulder. Eager hands were around the Saiyan's throat before she could flinch. Electric currents vibrated through me; I couldn't feel a thing but the pulsing waves of Ki. The vivid ire curled the nasty sneer I knew I held.
"I told you. You aren't gonna touch either of them," I seethed, tightening my fingers and sinking into her flesh.
Natsu laughed and sputtered out a cough. Unaffected despite her dyer compromise. Suspicion prickled the back of my neck. Those senses whispered a warning to beware.
"You talk big Kakarot. That must be the Saiyan in you, but a real Saiyan knows how to back it up." Her words were strained but her face maintained a calm composure.
Fed up with the fucking Saiyan talk, I drove a fist into her stomach. Simultaneously rocketing a Ki blast that sent her flying through the rock behind her. Not a moment later, Natzu appeared through the smoke of the destruction, landing a hit to my gut that had bile crawling up the back of my mouth. Too good to be true. She had the upper hand all along.
Hunched over her arm, the next words she said neared my face.
"I gave you your chance, can't say I'm impressed."
Her backhand fired white-hot pain through my jaw, I'm positive some teeth cracked. Stumbling, I aimlessly swung but her small frame dodged with fluidity. It wasn't long before I was splayed on the sand again.
Dreadful defeat flowed through me. It had been a long day of it. So many of my friends were killed. At that point, I was shown time and time again there was no shot of me avenging them or Earth.
"Just let them go. It's me you want anyways," I croaked; the ache of my wounds becoming all-consuming.
Natsu shook her head. "It's a shame Kakarot. You had so much potential."
Her disappointment seemed genuine enough until I caught a glimpse of the Ki flickering in her open palm. From what I gathered, that blast would be strong enough to obliterate a village. I was done for. I barely had the will to keep my eyes open.
"I'm sorry Chi Chi," I mumbled, just able to force my sights on where she still lay unconscious. Didn't want her to see this anyway.
The female Saiyan cast a glance at her shorter leader. "He's not worthy of our leagues your highness."
It took another second to realize Raditz restrained a sobbing Bulma while Krillin was paralyzed in fear. Vegeta simply nodded, expression passive.
The glowing Ki above me expanded. The heat of it began to singe my skin. I never thought about death or how it would've happened. It was a morbid thought I never entertained because well, it wasn't an option for me. No challenge could ever be too much. That seemed so moronic now. Delusions covered up with optimistic ideals. The thought of going head-to-head against an opponent packing unbelievable fighting skills used to excite me, and now? I understood that the intentions behind extraordinary strength mattered, or so many lives would be at stake.
"I'll tell her you love her."
Natsu's statement slowly registered. It triggered an abrupt memory of the way I fought beside Chi Chi hours ago. I thought I couldn't picture a better scenario given the circumstances. Putting your life on the line with the love of your life to save the planet you called home. Now she would have no choice but to bend to these bloodthirsty animals.
I didn't think so.
Lightning quick, I called upon the Ki that burst through me. Chi Chi deserved so much more than what these monsters would do to her. As much as I hated to admit it, it was on me she ended up here. I promised to always protect her when shit hit the fan. She needed me. I couldn't let her down.
Empowered, I shot a stream of energy into Natsu's blast.
Bellowing, "Kamehameha!"
Attempting to regulate my breathing, I stood tensely. Watching the dust settle. To my dismay, Natsu was on her feet unharmed. Some of her attire bore tatters, but the skin beneath was unharmed.
I breathed out an incredulous laugh. "That was all I had," I stated honestly.
Natsu grinned slyly. Clapping her hands, she waved me off.
"We're done here. Let's get them to the rejuvenation tanks."
Stunned to silence, I held no resistance as Raditz placed the cuffs around my wrists again, not that I could put up much of a fight anyway.
Whether he wanted to or not, Raditz supported most of my weight as I wobbled on. The density of their planet caught up to me again, now that the adrenaline passed, my bones that still held their shape threatened to snap under the pressure. Fuck. Why couldn't I have had a special collar?
It was when the black spots in the corners of my eyes expanded in width. The drowsiness that enveloped my body caused my heavy lids to droop, I heard Raditz's quiet voice near my ear.
"And that was her simply toying with you, Brother."