Last Time on…

Dragon Ball: Reborn

It's been five years since Goku's fearsome battle against the offspring of Lord Piccolo at the World Martial Arts Tournament. With his childhood dream of winning the gold accomplished and no new adventures to embark on, Goku resigned himself to a quiet life with his family. But this new status quo was briefly halted by an impending reunion. The former students of Master Roshi's Turtle Hermit school of fighting and their loved ones were gathering for a long overdue party. While best friends Goku, Krillin, and Yamcha sparred with their old teacher, Bulma and Chi-Chi decided to split off, taking Gohan, Oolong, and Puar with them. Chi-Chi proceeded to bare her soul to her son's godmother, expressing her fears of the magic inherent to their world, blaming it for Gohan's kidnapping a year earlier.

Later on, the group finally convinced Chi-Chi to soften on her agreement with Goku that they keep magic out of their son's life. This allowed them to wow the little boy with stories from their shared youth, among them the legend of the Dragon Balls, as well as how his father saved the world many times over. A newfound hero-worship began to bloom in the child, along with a welling of fatherly pride in Goku. His new, boring life was starting to seem less so. Maybe being a good husband and father could be exciting enough adventures on their own.

Just as things were starting to look brighter, a malevolent presence arrived on the beach outside Kame House…

Season 1, Episode 2 —

"The Alliance"

This power…it's unlike anything I've ever felt before.

Goku approached the front door. He hesitated as he closed his hand around the knob, much as he did each time prior to entering Gohan's room. He swallowed hard, that bolt of fear refusing to ebb out of his system. His heart thumped like mad in his chest, loud enough he was sure the others could hear it. Everyone was on edge, hyper-aware of their surroundings.

It was a blessing and a curse, the fighters being so in-tune with their senses. On one hand, it was the best barometer for incoming danger anyone could ask for. On the other, once those instincts flipped on, there was no turning them off.

Goku held his position at the door. He turned to address the group.

"Chi-Chi. Take Gohan upstairs. Right now. Stay away from the window. Keep out of sight."

"Why? Goku, what's going on?" Bulma asked, worry spreading across her face.

"I don't know. I need you all to trust me. Please," Goku replied.

Chi-Chi studied his face. In the five years since they married, never once did she see such concern from him, let alone the twelve years they'd known each other. He was never this quiet and reserved, either. It wasn't his style. He was the kind of guy who would run into most situations brazenly, fueled by sheer adrenaline and bravado. The fact he of all people looked scared terrified her.

"Okay," she shuddered. She knelt down and scooped Gohan into her arms, then dashed up to the bedroom. Goku permitted himself a sigh of relief, fleeting a sensation as it may be.

"Krillin, Yamcha, I want you on either side of me. Roshi, you come in from behind. No one makes a move until I say so. Bulma, Puar, Oolong, you're my eyes and ears—"

"—Why, because mine are so big?" Oolong joked. The pig was already a walking, talking sarcasm factory. His tendency to make light of a situation often ratcheted up to eleven when he was nervous.

"Not the time," Goku breathed.

It was rare he ever got this serious. He often had a penchant for gallows humor, was usually the first to make a crack in an awful situation. The gang could only remember two occasions when this wasn't true. Both times, it was either the fate of the world or the life of his son on the line. In times like these, it was as if he became a completely different person. Like the accident that defined his youth never occurred. This was Goku at his most fit, his most capable. His change in demeanor was as inspiring as it was haunting.

Krillin was the first to step forward. He narrowed his eyes and wrapped the straps of his azure belt around his fists. He flexed and yanked the straps tighter.

"We're with you, Goku," his friend affirmed.

"'Til the end," Yamcha vowed, slapping his bicep, pumping himself up.

"Thanks, guys. Now, as I was saying, Bulma—you're my eyes and ears. I want you hidden inside the doorway, behind the screen. I'm hoping whatever this thing is, it can't sense energy and won't know there's anyone in the house. If anything happens, you signal Puar and Oolong. You two will be at the bottom of the stairs. If Bulma gives you guys the go-ahead, you get up there as quick and quiet as you can. Turn into something, anything to hide Gohan and Chi-Chi. You keep them shielded. You keep them safe."

The floating cat nodded. The long-eared pig gulped. His jowls glistened with sweat.

"You got it, Goku," said Bulma.

He took one more look around the room. Master Roshi retrieved his walking stick at some point. It had a large, bulbous wooden end carved into the shape of a tortoise that doubled as a weapon. All the Turtle Hermit students held not-so-fond memories of getting smashed upside the head with it. This served as both a motivator and method of discipline in the old days. Their teacher's looks were deceptive; he was spryer and nimbler than most any enemy or uppity student gave him credit for.

"Do we need to worry about Turtle?" Puar croaked as an aside.

"Nah, he's gone fishin'. Should be gone 'til late tonight," Roshi whispered.

"All right…let's do this," Goku commanded, leading the charge. He opened the door and stepped out onto the porch. He made sure to leave enough room behind him for the others to get into formation.

It took a few seconds of scrutinization until he realized there was a body attached to the 6'4" mane of raven hair at the edge of the beach. As the gang fanned out from under Kame House's front door awning, the mysterious figure shifted its stance, revealing itself to be a man. His back was to them, but his elbows protruded from his sides at shoulder height, denoting folded arms. The ocean lapped at his feet, his locks swaying in the breeze. Only when the others stopped moving did the man turn to face them.

"Oh, good. Don't mind me, just admiring the scenery. Really is a beautiful planet. I was wondering if I'd have to come in there and get you," said the man as he flipped some wayward hair out of his face.

Goku guessed the guy was some sort of fighter, given his muscular build and imposing aura. He possessed an olive complexion much like his own, also sporting doughy cheeks and a pointed chin. His prominent brow framed his dark-brown eyes. One of them was covered by what looked like a slice of translucent green glass attached to an earpiece. His clothing appeared to be a one-piece gray jumpsuit with defined musculature and attached boots. His arms were bare but for the fitted gloves around his hands. He sported red accents around his thighs matching the strange, furry sash around his waist. The shoulders and abdominal muscles of the jumpsuit were adorned in what could only be bronze armor.

The man smiled. He unfurled his arms and took a few steps forward. Krillin, Yamcha, and Roshi each braced themselves. Goku stuck out an index finger at his side, stopping them.

The man froze less than a foot away. He gave Goku a once-over and chuckled to himself.

"My. You certainly have grown into the spitting image of Bardock. Though you're less, shall we say, weathered? This planet must suit you."

"What're you talking about?" Goku spoke under his breath.

"I mean it as a compliment, of course. You got lucky. I got the shallow end of the gene pool. I've got much more Gine in me."

Since they were so close, Goku needed to extend his neck to look at the man head-on. He was only a little taller, but his height compounded with his physique warranted keeping on one's toes.

The man threw his arms around Goku in a bearhug. The group scrambled into a circle around the duo, though didn't attack. Goku still held his hand out to his side in supplication.

The hold was tight, though not crushing. This wasn't meant as an attack. The guy was clearly strong enough to do some damage with such a move if he wanted to. No, this wasn't intended to start a fight. It was a display of power without a show of force. Even so, there was something else behind it Goku couldn't quite place. He still needed to keep the muscles in his arms, chest, and stomach tight to keep them from hurting.

"It's been such a long time. It's good to see you, Kakarot."

"What?"

The man released Goku and took half a step away. He kept one hand on his shoulder.

"Damn. You don't remember me, do you? I knew they sent you out too young. Mind you, I've always had gripes with the Infiltration Protocol. I've never believed it's worth the wasted childhood and squandered upbringing to send a baby. Especially when a full-grown Saiyan can get the job done in a matter of days, tops."

"What're you saying?" Goku questioned, growing more confused by the minute.

"Don't fret, I'm not here to reprimand you. If anything, you're living proof why the Protocol should be abolished. Someone also didn't do their due diligence in vetting this world. Obviously, the Earthlings are more resourceful than we anticipated. I convinced the top brass you could probably use some help. I was mostly interested in the family reunion, but killing two birds with one stone is never a bad thing."

The group convulsed at the word "kill", however, remained silent.

Goku shrugged the hand from his shoulder. There was a brief flash of indignation on the stranger's face. Goku noticed it and immediately did his best to keep everyone calm.

"Listen. We don't want any trouble. You've got the wrong guy. I'm not this 'Kakarot' you're looking for," Goku spoke at a measured pace.

The man tilted his head and wrinkled his brow.

"You have to be him. You're the strongest being on this planet by a decent margin. Not as strong as I hoped you'd become, but still. And you look exactly like Bardock."

"I don't know who Bardock is. I'm sorry," Goku breathed, trying hard not to sound hostile.

The man was quiet for a long time.

"I'm not stupid. I know who you are. Either you're lying to me for reasons I cannot begin to fathom, or…" He trailed off. He proceeded to look around, made eye contact with each of the other fighters. "Are you protecting these people? They don't mean anything to me, Kakarot. I'm not here to harm them. Well, I mean—"

"—Look, man. How many times we gotta tell ya? This is our friend; his name is Goku. G-O-K-U. He's not this Rotten Kaka dude. Get it through your thick skull, a'ight?" Yamcha hollered, ever the boisterous one. Krillin, Roshi, and Goku all swung their gazes at the loudmouth, aghast.

The mystery man frowned yet didn't budge. The hairy girdle around his midsection pulsated, then uncoiled of its own accord, revealing itself to be a tail. It curled and uncurled in the air, now aimed directly at the former desert bandit.

"Yamcha, that's enough," Goku spat. The man turned his attention back to him. "Sorry about my friend. He likes to talk smack. He didn't mean anything by it. I'm sure we could help you find the person you're looking for if you like."

Each time Goku spoke, it only made the stranger more irritated. And while the Turtle Hermit graduate continued to feign ignorance, he now knew he was missing a piece of the puzzle. This was no simple case of mistaken identity. As soon as Goku saw the tail (in fact unable to look away from it), it was evident there was some connection between them. He never met another person who had one. No one who looked human, in any case.

As if reading his thoughts, the man craned his neck to see around Goku's backside.

"Tell me you're tucking yours into your clothes. Tell me you didn't lose it," he said through grit teeth.

Goku swallowed hard. He absentmindedly touched the spot above his buttocks where his own tail used to be. At last, the rest of the group seemed to realize what this bit of back and forth meant. Their defensive poses eased as they too became transfixed by the undulating tail of their visitor.

"My tail was removed. Purified. By Kami."

"By who!? How could you let someone get rid of your tail? You can never reach your full potential now! Do you have brain damage or something!?" the man shouted.

Everyone except Goku retook their fighting stances, though a strange tremor went through them all as soon as the visitor mentioned brain damage. Instead of assuming the position, Goku's look became one of embarrassment. Without intending to, his hand flew up to the top of his head and massaged it unconsciously. The mystery man watched him do it. At once, his look of anger mutated into one of dismay. Understanding, at last, washed over him.

"That's it. That's it, isn't it? Let me see that spot," he demanded. He stepped forward and put a hand around the back of Goku's neck. He resisted, though was caught off guard by the move. The rest of the Hermit students sprang into action. As soon as they did, the green eyepiece on the man's face began to blink and emit sound wildly.

"Give it a rest, I'm not going to kill him!" the man roared. Goku groaned in protest, then decided to give in.

"Everyone, s-stand down!" yelled Goku.

The warriors heeded his words—not throwing any punches, not backing off, either.

Goku relaxed his neck and shoulders. He allowed the man to bend his head forward. A rough, gloved hand combed through his thick black hair, parting chunks of it until he unearthed what he was seeking.

He stared at Goku's scar. The one he received after the accident which nearly took his life when he was so young. The man ran two fingers across it. Goku could tell from the motion the stranger was trembling.

"Well. That explains a lot," he mumbled. He released Goku from his grasp.

"You're the one who better start explaining, pal," growled Krillin.

"Yes, I suppose I should," the man agreed. "You might want to sit down for this…Goku." He grimaced when he said it as if the name didn't taste right in his mouth.

"I'm f-fine where I am," Goku replied, averting eye contact, his hand having gone back to covering his scar.

"Suit yourself. I'm going to sit," the man said as he dropped to his rear. He stuck out one leg and bent the other to rest his arm upon it.

"Start from the top," said Goku.

The man took his time responding. He wanted to carefully formulate his words, decide how best to break this news. He decided giving it to him straight was really the only option.

"You are not of this world. You are a Saiyan from the planet Vegeta. Evidently, whatever gave you that scar erased your programming. And any trace memories you might've possessed." He spat off to the side, making sure everyone knew he was bitter about that last point. "It's a rare occurrence. Not unheard of. The subject almost always assimilates with the population, however unintentionally. I never thought it would happen to you."

Naturally, this was an insane notion, and Goku wasn't buying it. Not completely. At least, he didn't want to. What he wanted was to stay upright, to maintain his position of dominance. He always got defensive whenever anyone made him feel self-conscious about his injury. Something about the man's change in demeanor disarmed him. And he liked to think he was pretty good at being able to tell when someone was lying. As crazy as this revelation was, it carried an unmistakable air of truth.

Goku crouched to speak with him on equal footing, much as he did with Gohan so as not to talk down to him.

"Okay. Let's pretend for a minute I believe you. You still haven't told me who you are or what you want."

The two men locked eyes. Were Goku to decide to take inventory of his friends' expressions, he would've noted their former incredulity. Incredulity which gave way to uncomfortable contemplation. They too were wary to believe something about their friend that sounded so nuts. But as their comrade concluded, they couldn't deny the guy didn't seem to be deceiving them.

"What are we to each other?" Goku murmured.

The gang's skepticism was soon replaced with shock, the realization blooming on their faces. Apparently, they pieced it together before the man even said it. After all, it was only becoming more evident with each passing minute how much they looked alike.

"My name is Raditz. I'm your big brother."

Goku reeled. He reconsidered his stance against sitting and chose a spot two feet away from Raditz.

"You're…you're my brother?" he stuttered.

"Yes. Your elder by six cycles. Like you, I am a Saiyan. As humans are the dominant lifeform here, we were the dominant lifeform on Planet Vegeta. Ours was a proud race, one of the most powerful in the universe. Your lineage is to blame for your natural strength, what I assume is your aptitude in battle. A pity then you lost your tail," Raditz exhaled. The others began to take seats around him.

"What do you mean, 'was' a proud race?" Krillin questioned.

"Our homeworld was destroyed. Not long after Kakarot was sent off it as an infant."

"How?" Yamcha piped in.

"That detail is less important than others at the moment."

"W-why do you keep calling me K-Kakarot?" Goku interjected, his voice shaky. He was becoming overwhelmed. The information overload was beginning to take its toll on him.

"It's your birth name. The name given to you by our father, Bardock, and our mother, Gine. Unfortunately, they perished in the destruction of our home planet. There aren't a great many of us left. I'd prefer to call you by your Saiyan name, as opposed to the one you took to fit in amongst these. People," Raditz said, his words coated with resentment.

"I g-guess it's all right," Goku spoke as he nodded. It took great effort to categorize and organize all the new information in his head. He had a brother. He had a mother, a father, deceased as they may be. His whole life was changing, irrevocably. He wished Gohan and Chi-Chi were there to comfort him. Even Bulma would've been great. Anyone to help talk him down, reassure him everything was going to be fine, that he was still the man he thought he was. Someone to make sense of these revelations in ways he knew he would never be able to on his own.

He couldn't risk bringing them out yet. Not until he was completely sure it was safe and Raditz meant them no harm.

"What's the tail got to do with all this?" asked Roshi, deciding it was his turn to speak up.

"All Saiyans are born with tails. It is both our greatest source of strength, as well as our greatest weakness. Without it, a Saiyan would have to work twice as hard to amass power."

"Never been much of an issue for Goku. He's been training his whole life. Why do you think he's so much stronger than us?" Krillin retorted. Raditz shrugged.

"Be that as it may, it's a handicap. Not dissimilar to your other disadvantage. My turn. Please, tell me how it was you received your scar."

Goku's hand was on his head before he was even aware of it. His eyes darted to his lap.

"I can fill in the blanks there," Roshi added. "Y'see, I'm a martial artist. I had a hand in training everyone here. A former student of mine by the name of Gohan found Goku in the woods one day. He was only a lil' tyke at the time. Still had his tail back then. He looked like he'd been wanderin' around alone fer days. Gohan took him in, adopted him as his own. He called himself Goku's grandfather, due to their age difference. Boy, was he a feral child. Couldn't sit still to save his life, wouldn't sleep, tore up the whole damn house."

"His subliminal programming," Raditz interrupted. "Whenever a newborn is sent off-world, they travel in a pod. Said pod comes equipped with conditioning technology. The aim is to teach the young one as early as possible where they're from. What their mission is. How best to survive in the harshest of environments. If you ask me, the efficacy of such treatment on one too young to speak, let alone perform their job, is dubious at best."

"Makes sense, I s'pose. Anyways, Gohan didn't know what to do with 'im. Then, fate stepped in and solved all his problems. He was trying to get Goku outta the house for some fresh air one mornin'. They lived up in the mountains, see. Goku struck off on his own, and wouldn't ya know it? He took a mighty tumble down a ravine. Split his head open somethin' fierce. He was in a coma fer three weeks. Gohan didn't think he would make it. He did. And when he woke up, it was like he wasn't even the same kid. He became the sweetest, most gentle little boy you ever did see."

Raditz blew out a long breath.

"As I guessed. The fact he strayed so far from his pod when the old man discovered him must be why none of you ever suspected anything."

"Sounds about right," Yamcha agreed.

"I mean, we all thought it was weird that he had a tail. Figured it was some sort of birth defect. That said, weird isn't exactly an uncommon thing on this planet. Seeing as he didn't find it abnormal, and we all liked him so much, we kinda just didn't question it after a while," added Krillin.

"What did you do whenever there was a full moon?" Raditz wondered aloud.

It'd been so long since the team dealt with any of Goku's monthly outbursts. They practically forgot they were a thing.

"You can thank Kami for that," answered Roshi. "Must've known what Goku was since long ago. Put up a magical barrier in our atmosphere. Said it 'filtered out the moon's rays'? Somethin' like that."

"Someone on this planet is powerful enough to do such a thing?" Raditz asked. He turned more than a little pale at the thought.

"When They need to be," Roshi continued, "it's not a sort of strength particularly useful in battle. It's a spiritual strength."

"Yeah. Kami's Earth's Guardian. They're what most on the ground would consider a god. Watches over everyone. Only interferes in human affairs when necessary. You get the idea," Yamcha elaborated.

"Well. I wasn't wrong when I said my compatriots didn't do their research. This would be the same Kami who cut off your tail, then?"

"Didn't cut it off. Purified it. Another magic thing. Think of it more like a ritual than a surgery," Krillin said as he folded his arms and hunched forward. "Goku transformed a couple times when he was young. Hurt some people. Kami must've erected the barrier not long after. Before we knew it, he was able to look at the moon and nothing would happen. Once he met Kami face-to-face, he got his tail purified, and there was no need for the barrier anymore."

This was bordering on being too much. Goku was already wrestling with his realigned concepts of his birth, family, and true origins. Now, these awful memories were coming back to torment him. The ones he dismissed as buried and forgotten. He was sure he put the past behind him. That he needn't ever think about transforming into a fifty-foot-tall ape and endangering everything good in his life ever again. He already lost so much to his tragic circumstance of birth. The tragic circumstance which now appeared to have an explanation, at least. Still. So much of his youth was shrouded in chaos from the mere possibility of it happening. It was why they nipped the issue in the bud and made sure Gohan's tail was surgically removed shortly after birth. Chi-Chi agreed their son should never have to deal with such pain, such a state of living in fear. And here was his brother. Treating the banishment of the curse as some sort of wasted opportunity.

"There's something I'm still not clear on," Goku spoke up. He forced himself to remove his hand from his scalp. "Why are you here? After all this time? What do you want from me?"

There was a pause. Raditz looked intently focused, perhaps wondering how best to answer such a question.

"As I said, I wanted to see you. I'm also here because the ones who sent you were concerned why your mission is not yet complete after more than two of your decades. They planned to send someone much worse. I stepped in, asked if it could be me. I figured if anyone was going to get you on track, it should be your own flesh and blood."

"On track to what? What was my mission?"

Another pause. This one was decidedly less contemplative. It was obvious he was doing his best to sugarcoat something less than desirable.

"Your mission is at cross-purposes with the grander design. It's a means to an end. As I mentioned, there are other survivors besides you and me. We have a plan, and you are an integral part of it."

"You're not answering me. What. Was. My. Mission?" Goku seethed, becoming impatient. The others read his body language and started to feed off his tension.

A blip appeared on Raditz's one-eyed visor. He sighed.

"Your mission is to exterminate all indigenous life on this planet. Just like all Saiyan infants with higher than average battle potential sent off-world."

Everyone except Goku recoiled. He remained stiff as a board, his sights fixed on Raditz.

"The Infiltration Protocol?" Goku asked. His hands became fists in his lap.

"The Infiltration Protocol," Raditz confirmed, "which, I'll remind you, I'm against."

"Why?" Goku grumbled.

"I told you, I don't think it's necessarily right to rip a child from their home and family. Not when an adult is perfectly capable of doing the job."

"No, why is this a job that needs doing!?" Goku screamed at him. He fell forward on his knees, his eyes turning glassy.

This was the difficult part. Raditz was wholly unprepared for bringing what was ostensibly a native Earthling around to his employer's line of thinking. But he needed to try his best.

"Ten cycles before Vegeta blew up, its military was absorbed by the Planet Trade Federation. They're a company spanning the entire galaxy. Their business model relies on wiping out all life on a habitable planet, then auctioning it off to the highest bidder. Be it species evading the destruction of their own worlds or empires looking to expand their reach. Sometimes a planet is bought by someone very rich, or a small group of someones looking to play god. I mean, what could be more opulent and luxurious than your own planet all to yourself?"

The group had heard enough. One by one, they all began to stand. They stepped away from Raditz to retake their places at Goku's side. He was still on all fours in the sand, grappling with this terrible deluge.

The forces amassing against Raditz did not go unnoticed.

"Is it wrong? Who's to say? Depends on your definition of the word. It's the only trade we know, the only one we have left. When the Federation came, they put the Saiyans' natural talents for destruction to good use. I won't deny the arrangement's been mutually beneficial."

Goku bared his teeth. He wasn't hearing any nuance to the cold, hard truth.

"I can tell you're angry. Trying to put myself in your shoes, I understand. I get it. If I grew up here with no memories, learned to care for these people, this world, I'm sure I'd feel the same. We are all victims of circumstance. You're focusing on the wrong details. Yes, we do a morally ambiguous thing to stay employed. To keep our employers happy. To stay alive. I promise you, there is a bigger picture here. And to further that, we need you, Kakarot."

Goku sluggishly got to his feet. He moved at a snail's pace. Not because he felt weak, nor because he was exercising caution. He was desperate to stay cool, to use every ounce of willpower he owned to keep from wringing Raditz's neck right there.

"I don't want your understanding. I don't want your promises. I don't care what you need me for. You think killing billions of people is," Goku stopped, pinched the bridge of his nose, tried to recall and fully comprehend the words, "morally ambiguous? Then we have nothing else to discuss. Especially if you still expect me to carry out this…mission."

Raditz stood and dusted himself off. He squared up to Goku.

"Kakarot. I know this is upsetting you. I know a great many things don't make sense right now. Believe me when I say there is no avoiding this, brother. There is no choice in the matter," he tried to say sternly, though as non-threatening as he could manage.

"Don't call me Kakarot. My name is Goku Son. I'm an Earthling. Always have been, always will be. And I am not your brother. No brother of mine would ask me to do this."

"I'm not asking," Raditz spoke, purposely leaving the precise meaning of the sentence open to interpretation. "I'm flexible. My employers aren't. We can set aside whoever you'd like. These friends of yours, it doesn't matter. We can make arrangements for the connections you've made here. No harm will come to them. This is a fight you cannot win."

"Shows how much you know about Goku," said Yamcha as he rotated his head and cracked his neck.

Raditz was getting mad. He tapped the red button in the center of his earpiece. It emitted a series of beeps, followed by the green eyepiece displaying something only he could decipher.

"I'm through playing games. Even accounting for energy spikes, none of your power levels come anywhere close to mine. Even yours, Kakarot. Is this the road you truly wish to go down?"

"If we have to," Goku said, standing his ground. "The way I see it, you've got two choices. Tell your bosses to screw off. Stay with us, make amends. Or leave. Leave and never come back."

That tore it. He supposed a healthy dose of tough love was going to be the only way to get through to him.

Raditz clicked the button one more time. A smirk crept across his face.

"I choose option three. Beat the sense into you. Will it be the five of us fighting? Or will the five in the house be joining us as well?"

Goku went from defiant to petrified at the drop of a hat. His eyes went wide as he processed what was said to him.

"What?" he stammered.

"You heard me. The five in the house. How long did you think you could keep them hidden from me? They must be important to you."

The battlefield was quiet for ten more seconds.

"Guys," Goku growled as he crouched, clenched his fists.

Yamcha fanned his hands in front of his face, then locked his arms forward. He made a come-hither gesture with one hand.

Krillin mimicked Goku's stance. Roshi spun his walking stick and tore off his salmon button-up, revealing a far more chiseled body than anyone his age should've had.

The device affixed to Raditz's face shrieked, its display cluttered with myriad new data on his opponents. The smirk never left him.

The word "NOW!" was barely out of Goku's mouth when everyone leaped into the fray.

Yamcha came down from above with an ax kick. Raditz gingerly sidestepped it. He ducked a mighty swing from Roshi's staff by bending back, not losing his balance for a moment. He allowed himself to drop to the ground, landing on the palm of one hand. He let all his weight rest on it while he lifted his legs and kicked like a horse, nailing both Yamcha and Krillin square in the face. They pitched backward, covered their wounds, blind to the next assault.

They didn't even see the movement. The next thing they knew, Raditz was behind them, driving his elbows into the center of each of their spines. They roared in pain, the blows strong enough to lift them off the sand. Raditz slammed his palms into their chests as they rose into the air and drove them back into the ground with an earth-shattering impact.

Roshi spun his stick twice and entwined his arm around it. He formed his free hand into a claw, then lunged. The old man sent a flurry of jabs Raditz's way mixed with flourishes of his weapon, to no avail. He dodged every attack with little effort.

Roshi made another attempt, this time not pulling away quick enough. Raditz grabbed the teacher's forearm in mid-punch, yanked him forward off his feet, pivoted, and used him as an improvised shield for the incoming blow from Goku. Goku pulled his hit at the last moment to avoid sucker-punching his master. Raditz threw his weight into a tackle with Roshi between them, the strike powerful enough to shatter Roshi's ribs and fire Goku several yards away.

Goku did a spinning sweep on the grass, using the momentum to carry himself to his feet. Roshi was on the beach, clutching his chest, gasping for air. Krillin and Yamcha were mustering the strength to get up. They massaged the contusions on their chests and spines for the few seconds they could.

"This is pathetic. You're only making fools of yourselves," Raditz taunted. The heroes ignored it.

Yamcha was again the first to jump in. He howled like a wolf and charged. He became a blur of swipes, surprising the Saiyan with their speed and fluidity. When Raditz caught a hit to each cheek, he grew annoyed.

"That's enough of that, Loudmouth," the invader said from the pit of his throat. He seized Yamcha by both wrists and twisted violently. The former bandit went to his knees, the pain white-hot and searing, the brute's grasp inescapable.

"Yamcha!" Goku shouted in protest.

It was too late. Raditz raised his hands then pumped them down, cracking Yamcha's upper body like a whip, breaking both his arms at the elbows. He screamed in agony and toppled to the floor as soon as Raditz released his grip.

"You bastard!" Krillin hollered. He sprinted at Raditz, deaf to Goku's cries to wait.

Raditz matched the bald man's dash, weaved out of the way of his single attempt at a punch. He palmed Krillin's face, plucked him off the ground by it, and continued running on a collision course with Goku.

Krillin flailed, unable to do anything. Goku was stunned, not knowing what to do either, sure whichever move he made, his brother would counter it in the most brutal fashion possible, likely forcing him to accidentally injure his friend. He decided the only best course of action was to tank himself against whatever was coming.

Raditz used the back of Krillin's head like a bludgeoning weapon and struck Goku across the jaw. He swiveled back and drove another blow into his solar plexus. All Goku could see were stars, his vision murky and untrustworthy.

Raditz threw Krillin into the side of Kame House. His body splintered several planks of wood as he ricocheted off it, landing in an unconscious heap in front of the porch steps.

Goku wasn't sure if he fell from dizziness and disorientation, or if Raditz landed on him. Either way, the results were the same. Goku fazed in and out of awareness as his brother sat on his chest. He hammered his torso and skull with rapid, gorilla-like pounds, each one like a progressively bigger truck slamming into him. Only when Goku was spitting teeth and blood in equal measure did Raditz stop. He remained sitting atop him for a minute or so and breathed heavily. He shut his eyes, opened and closed his fists, mentally putting the beast back in its cage.

When he finally seemed to return to himself, Raditz stared at the mess he'd turned his brother into. He looked around the beach, observing the fighters he'd left broken and bleeding in the sunrise. It was a sickening display; spilled blood and anguished bodies somehow looked more wrong in naked daylight.

"I didn't want things to go this way. You forced my hand, Kakarot."

Raditz got off his sibling, brushed himself, and turned his attention to the house. He locked his gaze on the upper level.

Without a moment's hesitation, Raditz made a motion like he was catching a ball out of the air. As soon as he did, the second story of Kame House exploded in a hail of wood and glass shrapnel. Several screams were heard from inside the dwelling.

The elder Saiyan focused his energy, caused his body to levitate off the ground. He rose to where the upstairs window used to be. He looked at the open roof, spotted a panicked Bulma on her knees staring up at him. He tapped the button on his earpiece again.

Apparently, the armoire and matching dresser beside her were not what they appeared.

Raditz made a slapping motion with one hand, causing Bulma to fly telekinetically into what remained of the far wall. She crumpled to the floor, instantly knocked out from the impact. He performed the motion again going the other direction, and the same happened to the furniture. As soon as they thudded into the opposite wall to Bulma, they mutated back into Puar and Oolong. The two collapsed in a pile in front of Master Roshi's bed. In the spot they formerly occupied was, he guessed, a frantic mother cradling her crying child.

Raditz coasted down to land in front of them.

"You must be who Kakarot was trying to protect. Let me guess," Raditz said as he looked Chi-Chi up and down, "he mated with you, yes? Will his depravity never cease?"

"Go to Hell," Chi-Chi retorted.

"Not yet," said Raditz. He threw a hand forward, blowing Chi-Chi backward against the staircase. She didn't have a chance. She tumbled down, unable to get out a single threat or plea. Gohan was left precisely where he was, cowering in fear.

"And you must be my nephew. Hello. I'm your uncle, Raditz."

"I already have an uncle," Gohan whimpered. He gathered up enough bravery to look at Raditz through his web of fingers. "And his name is Krillin!"

"Duly noted," his uncle acquiesced as he tapped the child on the head. The move caused his puffy hat to tumble to the ground shortly before he did. Out like a light.

Goku was coming to on the beach as Raditz touched onto the grass. He was holding Gohan in his hand by the nape like a cat. Goku tried desperately to tell Raditz not to harm him, though was unable to get any words out.

"I'm sorry, brother," Raditz said with solemnity in his voice as he approached. He actually sounded like he meant it. "I told you, I didn't want to have to do this. I'm still willing to play ball with you, to find an arrangement that works well for both of us. This planet must be razed. Everyone need not die. Exceptions can be made. Your family and friends can be spared. I'm sure we can reach a sort of…compromise."

Goku turned. He spat more blood. He groaned in pain.

Raditz looked at him for a long while. The guilt he felt was genuine. He dislodged the device from his ear and face.

"Pick yourself up. Do some soul-searching if you have to. Once you're ready to talk, use this to find me."

He tossed the wearable a foot away from his brother's reach. Goku was inching his way closer, stretching out a feeble hand towards his son.

"Don't worry. I would never kill my own nephew. Think of him as insurance. You have a role to play in this, Kakarot. You are one of us. And what remains of our species needs you. Make the right choice next time," he said, then turned away from him.

Raditz was about to take off when he saw Chi-Chi crawling out the front door on her belly. She held something strange in her hand.

"Here," Chi-Chi blurted out.

She threw the object at Raditz's feet. It was Gohan's puffy hat.

"What's this?" Raditz questioned.

"Take it. It's what you want, isn't it?" Chi-Chi spoke, frantic. She looked up at the Saiyan with pleading eyes, tears streaming down her face. "Please. Don't hurt him. Give him to me. Just take the Dragon Ball and go!"

Raditz took a beat. He looked back and forth from the hat to Chi-Chi, more puzzled than anything.

"What in the world is a Dragon Ball?" Raditz asked rhetorically.

Chi-Chi stared at the man, uncomprehending. Her breath exited her in harsh, ragged wisps.

Raditz launched into the air with Gohan in tow and took off towards the horizon.

When Bulma next awoke, the first thing she noticed was the sound of hysterical sobbing below her.

Her vision took a while to refocus. She found herself staring up at the gaping hole where the ceiling used to be. The sun beamed on her, its rays harsh and unforgiving. How long was she out? She wasn't looking forward to the burns she'd likely have this time tomorrow as a consequence.

Get a grip. Hardly the most important thing right now.

She sat up and touched the side of her head. A bolt of pain coursed through her body, intense enough to banish away any leftover delirium.

Yup, definite concussion.

She knew it was minor, due to her lucidity. It was time to gather her bearings, to figure out what was going on.

The sun was at the top of the sky. It'd been a few hours, at least. It was starting to come back to her.

She'd heard every word of the gang's chat with Raditz from the doorway. She nearly gave away her position several times as she gasped at each horrific newsflash. Then the fight broke out, and she followed Oolong and Puar upstairs to hide with Chi-Chi and Gohan, as Goku wanted. Then the roof disappeared. Everything was still a little fuzzy after that.

She got to her knees and crawled over to Oolong and Puar. They were still laying on their sides by the futon. A gentle shake was enough to rouse them. They'd gotten off pretty lucky, all things considered. No damage they'd be feeling the next day, far as she could tell.

"Where is everyone?" Puar squeaked as he flexed his paws.

"I think they're downstairs," Bulma replied.

"Cripes, is that Chi-Chi?" Oolong questioned. His ears twitched at the sound of the tortured cries. Bulma thought so. She prayed she was wrong.

The trio made their way into Kame House's living room. They walked carefully so as to avoid the broken glass and splintered wood strewn about in every direction. Once they made it to the first story, they saw the ruined warriors scattered around the room.

Krillin propped himself up on his elbows over the kitchen sink. He ran cold water over a series of ugly bruises across his scalp. Roshi was limping out of the bathroom, for once using his walking stick for its intended purpose. A sick wheeze followed each of his sharp inhalations. Goku was sprawled across the floor, staring blankly at the wood paneling. A consistent line of blood drooled from his lips like a leaking faucet. Only when he blinked a couple times did Bulma realize he wasn't dead.

"Yamcha!" Puar cried as he soared across the room.

Yamcha was leaning against the front doorway, both arms bent at unnatural, disturbing angles. He groaned and slammed his head into the wall repeatedly to distract himself from the pain.

"Oh no," Bulma uttered. She ran over to her partner and inspected his breaks without touching them. She knew the others could take care of themselves, no matter how bad a shape they were in. Oolong, unsure what do, how to be of help, could only follow.

"Babe! We're gonna fix this. You're gonna be okay, I promise."

"Don't…don't," Yamcha sucked a mouthful of air and held it for a moment. "Don't worry about me. Help them."

Though fraught, Bulma couldn't help smiling. Yamcha always showed the best of himself in dire straits. Whenever the world was in danger, every ounce of selflessness he possessed bubbled to the surface. Crazy as it was to reflect on it at such a moment, she relished those reminders why she still loved him.

"I'll be back," said Bulma. She kissed him on the cheek as gentle as she could. Puar fluttered to his shoulder to keep him company in the meantime.

"B-Bulma," Roshi hacked. He stumbled over the carpet, caught himself with his palms. His staff clattered to the floor. The noise echoed in the silent house. The blue-haired scientist ran over to him, the talking pig close behind.

"Roshi! How bad is it?" she asked, frantic.

"B-bad. Nevermind that. Upstairs. Under my bed. There's a Senzu Bean. I keep it there for emergencies."

Bulma's eyes lit up. She couldn't remember the last time she heard such good news. With a cry of joy, she whirled around and made her way back to the bedroom. She lifted up the futon, not caring one iota how dirty it may or may not have been.

An off-green morsel about the size of her thumbnail laid on the floor. She plucked it off the ground, gave it a cursory wipe on her shirt to get rid of any dust or grime, then returned to the living area.

"There's a mortar and pestle in the cabinet closest to the microwave. Grind it up. Mix a splash of water with it. Goku won't be able to chew," Roshi instructed, having made his way to the sofa. His breathing sounded much better, far less labored now that he was off his feet.

"On it!" Bulma shouted, following his directions to the letter.

She withdrew the heavy granite bowl that filled her palm and dropped the bean inside. She grabbed the cylindrical gray rock that served as the grinder and got to work. She diligently mashed up the tiny godsend for thirty seconds, then trotted over to the sink.

"I'll have you all fixed up in a jiffy," she said to Krillin, motioning for him to move over an inch so she could steal a few drops of water from the running spigot.

"Not us. Goku. Give it to Goku," Krillin muttered.

"Excuse me? You're telling me you don't want any of this?" Bulma scoffed.

"I'll be fine. We both know I've been through worse," Krillin went on.

"You're nuts. C'mon, everybody gets a sip."

"He's right, Bulma," Roshi raised his voice. "There's not enough there for all of us. We were distractions, anyways. We're down for the count. It's up to 'im, now."

She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Usually, anyone in the group would jump at the chance to eat a Senzu, even when they didn't need it bad.

The insinuations gradually started to make sense. Krillin, Yamcha, and Roshi were all strong, no doubt. Some of the greatest fighters in the world. Even on their best days, none of them could hold a candle to Goku. The Turtle Hermit prodigy. The mysterious little boy who grew into a man, strength the likes of which no one had ever seen. Some of the mystery was gone now. The source of his power made a bit more sense, thanks to Raditz's explanation. Once she realized all this, she knew why they were all giving up their shares of the bean for their friend.

The fight wasn't over.

Where's Gohan?

She was smart. She pieced the rest of the encounter together without having to ruminate on it. The reason behind Chi-Chi's wails suddenly became clear.

Bulma faced Yamcha, a pleading look in her eyes.

"Baby, please. You take a sip at least. Look at your arms."

"No…no can do," he winced. "I've been…through worse, too. Remember?" he chuckled, his voice laden with pain. He expended all his energy to maintain his smile, the soft look in his eyes. Bulma couldn't argue with him anymore.

"All right. Goku, you're up," she said as she spun towards him. She knelt, got on the floor, and put a hand behind his noggin, cradling it. She was extra careful not to touch his scar.

She tugged the hair above his neck just enough to tilt his head without exacerbating his wounds. She poured the pasty liquid into his mouth. Down his gullet it went. Then the miracle happened.

Bulma never tired of seeing the Senzu Beans work their magic. In all the times she tried dissecting and studying them, she was never able to figure out how they functioned, what their chemical properties were. It wouldn't be inaccurate to say they were alien. They certainly weren't of this world. Or maybe that's precisely what made them of this world. Those were the sorts of mental gymnastics she needed to master once she made peace with wish-granting dragons, ghost-summoning fortune tellers and the like. The true nature of things she'd been forced to accept as a young girl. In the grand scheme of it all, she supposed a plant that could instantly heal any lesion wasn't so out-there.

Goku cried out. This part was always unpleasant. Due to missing several teeth, new ones needed to grow from his ravaged sockets. Bulma shrunk away from the sight, having overestimated her constitution.

Watching gashes close or bones heal was one thing. Calcified protrusions growing from damaged tissue was entirely another.

In minutes, it was done. Goku blinked rapidly, lifted and curled his hands. He puffed out his chest, delighted to find his ribs and collarbone intact. He clacked his teeth, spat a mouthful of coagulated blood, and sighed.

"Thanks, Bulma," he exhaled. She grinned and scratched his neck playfully.

"You back up to speed, m'boy?" Roshi questioned as he leaned forward, immediately regretted doing so, then rocked back.

"Yeah, I'm good. Thanks, guys. You didn't have to take yourselves out of the equation for me," Goku spoke, a little ashamed, though not ungrateful.

"Don't worry about us. You do what you gotta do, buddy," Krillin said as he lightly patted his dome dry with a washcloth.

"Get 'im, Goku," Yamcha hissed, giving a shaky thumbs-up. Even he wasn't sure how he managed it.

The moans outside seemed to have finally died down. Goku stood and angled his gaze out the door.

"I guess we better go see her," he said.

He tightened the straps on his belt and began to walk towards the beach. Bulma shadowed him, apprehension on her face and in her step.

Chi-Chi was sitting at the edge of the sand. The tide washed up to her feet and rear-end every few seconds. The shock of cold wetness didn't phase her. She hugged her knees to her breasts, her chin between them, staring out over the horizon. The tears running down her face were dried, crystallized into a powdery consistency. Clutched in her hands was Gohan's hat. The Dragon Ball affixed to it reflected the rays of the burning ball in the sky. The four stars danced inside as if mocking her.

Goku and Bulma took a seat on either side. Bulma placed an arm around her shoulder and started to cry.

"I'm so sorry, Chi'ch. This is my fault. If I didn't pressure you, didn't force you to let go of Gohan, then—"

"—Then a monster wouldn't have dropped out of thin air to abduct my son?" Chi-Chi said with an eerie calm. Bulma was stunned.

"I mean…well…"

"Stop it. It's not your fault, Bulma. How could it be? What did that man say we all are? 'Victims of circumstance'?"

She looked over at Goku. His mouth was agape.

"Yeah, I was at the window. Wanted to know what was going on," Chi-Chi shrugged. "For the record, it's not your fault either, Honey."

Chi-Chi got to her feet, shivered as icy seawater drizzled across her legs. Goku and Bulma followed suit.

"He didn't even want the Dragon Ball. Didn't even know what it was," she said as she twisted and ripped the orb from its hot glue bindings. She discarded the rest of the hat, then turned to Goku. She put a hand on his head, unafraid to touch his scar. He flinched once, then relaxed.

"Goku. You are the strongest man I've ever known. And yes. You are still a man. You're my husband. You're the protector of this planet. Don't ever forget it," she whispered, their eyes locked together.

Her words emboldened him, made him feel like they were true. He took her free hand.

"Bring our son home," Chi-Chi finished.

"I will," Goku promised.

He stayed there with her a little longer, drinking in his wife's ferocity, her belief in him. It was encouragement the likes of which she'd never shown him before.

Goku pulled something from his pocket and tossed it to Bulma. She nearly dropped it into the ocean, unprepared as she was.

"What's this?"

"Raditz gave it to me. Said when I was ready I should use it to find him. Lucky for us, I was right. He can't sense energy. I'm guessing this thing does. Study it, find out whatever you can about it. I won't be needing it. And the fact he doesn't have it anymore puts him at a disadvantage."

Bulma examined the earpiece and attached visor. She turned her attention to her friend and nodded in affirmation.

"NIMBUS!" Goku yelled.

He took off running alongside Kame House and performed a mighty leap at the water. The yellow cloud arrived in the nick of time to break his fall. He bent his knees, pushed his arms behind him, and took off into the air at dizzying speeds.

Goku located Raditz immediately. Not only was the brute incapable of sensing energy signatures, he was also unable to hide his own. The fact he was so powerful made him a cinch to track. He'd flown a couple hundred miles northeast of Kame House, then came to a stop.

Goku could've gone to meet him at once, challenged him for a rematch, taken back his son with force. However, he knew if he tried, he'd get himself killed, no question about it. He needed to take a minute, think things through, utilize the cognitive skills Gohan and Chi-Chi spent the last few years building in him. Playing this smart was the only way to win.

After a while, he came to a conclusion. He needed to pay someone a visit prior to the impending conflict. He didn't like it. But there was no other choice. Especially with his comrades laid up and unable to lend any assistance.

You know the answer's gonna be no.

"I have to try. They're the only hope I've got," Goku mouthed to himself.

His only other options for backup were Tien and Chiaotzu. Most often, they would do in a pinch. Alas, they were both halfway around the world. Getting to them would take time he wasn't certain he could spare. He didn't want to put Raditz's patience to the test, not when he was holding his son captive. Besides, Goku knew the one he was on his way to see was stronger. Much stronger. In fact, it was quite probable they were equals in strength these days.

Goku had been keeping tabs on them, of course. Hardly a minute went by when he couldn't sense their power growing. If they weren't in some far off corner of nowhere practicing immense feats of energy control, they were meditating. Training their mind, sharpening their reflexes. They were on a mission. And Goku of all people knew how powerful a motivator the thought of his own death was.

Truth be told, the idea someone was pushing themselves that hard to defeat him was thrilling to no end.

Goku readjusted the Nimbus' course. There was a barren, rocky valley a few dozen miles west of where Raditz was. It didn't take him long to get there. He could pilot the cloud quite fast when he didn't have to worry about the safety of his comparatively fragile family.

Once it reached the end of the detour, the vehicle coasted to a stop. Goku hopped off and looked around, getting his lay of the land.

The basin was littered with jagged peaks, cliffs jutting out of the ground like spires threatening to pierce the heavens. The stone was a dull rust color that accentuated the shadows pooling in every nook and cranny.

He continued to walk towards the edge of the rock wall he'd landed upon. Once he was twenty feet from the drop, he halted in his approach.

There was a body standing where the gravelly path terminated, overlooking most of the quarry. They remained motionless on their perch in spite of their enemy's arrival. Goku decided for once he would wait to speak until spoken to.

I'll bet they outright attack. Wouldn't be out of character.

"Why are you here?" the figure questioned in a deep, booming voice. The tenor sounded masculine, though registered at a pitch and octave human vocal cords couldn't quite reproduce. The being wore a pair of baggy violet pants, a matching cummerbund, and a set of loafers somewhere on the color spectrum between purple and brown. They were bare-chested, brawny, taller even than Raditz. These were the only somewhat conventional qualities the person possessed.

"You felt it too, didn't you?" Goku asked, his expression steely.

"The power? Yes. I also felt it take you and your cohorts down like you were nothing," they replied. There was a distinct hint of mirth in the way they said it.

"Yeah. Kinda why I'm here," Goku confirmed.

He dared to take a step closer. This prompted them to turn and face him.

Their skin was an emerald-green with pink lines of sinew outlining the muscles protruding from the flesh at the bulging points, the salmon-colored striations visible to the naked eye. The exposed tissue was present on their forearms, biceps, shoulders, and abdomen. A dense, protruding brow ridge sat above their ocular cavities. There was a set of six-inch-long antennae which started as veins in their temples before jutting out from the forehead. The antennae swayed in the breeze, twitching and reacting to imperceptible changes in the environment around them. They were identical in length to the set of pointed ears which flanked the smooth head attached to them. They too did not remain stationary, in fact in a state constant motion, picking up and analyzing every minute sound for miles.

"You look good. Been working out?" Goku complimented.

The green one sneered.

"Can't exactly let you get a lead on me, can I?" they replied.

"There's more to life than training," Goku said, completely by accident. Chi-Chi's words coming out of his mouth, wholly unsolicited. He felt like he was being puppeteered by her.

"Says the man who's done nothing but his whole life," they snapped back.

"Fair enough."

The two stared at each other for a long while, each waiting for the other to say or do something first. This was good. So far, it was officially the most civil discussion the two ever shared.

"I'll ask again. What do you want?" they repeated, growing irritable.

"I need your help, Piccolo," Goku spoke, dispensing with the good-natured ribbing, deciding his sincerity needed to show through. This elicited a bout of sardonic laughter from the green one.

"I figured as much. Poor, poor monkey-boy can't defeat the big bad, so he comes groveling to the spawn of his adversary?" Piccolo mocked.

They folded their arms and turned away, in their mind ending the dialogue. Goku forced himself to endure the insults. If he needed to beg, by Kami he would do it.

"You and I fought together once. About a year ago, remember? When the world needed us, we put our differences aside to fight the good fight. You helped save my son's life. I haven't forgotten that. I need to ask you to do it again. For his sake as much as my own. I also like to think we made a pretty good team."

Piccolo twitched, then rounded on him.

"You have a very selective memory, Goku. Firstly, we did not 'set aside our differences'. We did not 'fight the good fight'. You and I bore a common enemy, so we used each other. And it matters not to me your brat didn't happen to die that day."

Goku's jaw hung slack. He wanted to argue, to say more. The words were escaping him.

Bulma's Capsule Copter evidently possessed a knack for sneaking up on people. Goku and Piccolo noticed the approach of the denizens inside, though didn't actually hear the vehicle until it was cresting over the nearest ridge. It did a far more conservative bank than last time, meaning even if it were possible in his condition, Yamcha wasn't behind the wheel.

The craft made a smooth landing fifty feet away from Goku, then powered down. The passenger's side door opened as the rotor slowed to a crawl. His wife stepped out, though did not approach. He stared at her with frustration, wondering why she tailed him. He looked to Bulma, who was in the driver's seat. She made what appeared to be an "I'm sorry" hand gesture.

Piccolo watched the proceedings yet didn't make any aggressive movements.

"Don't get your panties in a bunch. I won't harm them. Seems that friend of yours will take care of them for me."

Every time someone's tried to reassure me today, its just sounded like a threat.

A surge of anger rose in Goku. He took a breath, stifled the flare-up, and decided to try once more. He knew it would be in vain.

"Piccolo, please. I'm begging you. This guy is too strong for me to handle on my own. If I don't stop him, my kid's gonna die. He plans to destroy every living thing on this planet. I can't allow that to happen."

Piccolo chuckled. "You're only hurting your cause. Sounds like this guy is in the business of doing me favors. Why would I want to deter him from getting my revenge for me?"

Piccolo started walking. They didn't stop until they were inches from Goku, staring him directly in the face, drilling holes into him with their stare.

"I can watch him choke the life from the man who killed my forebearer, then stand by as this heap burns. Once it's all said and done, I will reign over what's left."

Goku didn't back down, didn't budge. He tensed his body, sure Piccolo would lash out and take a swing at any moment.

"Funny. Lord Piccolo said something similar, once. They were also cool with ruling an empire of ashes. I assumed their child would have a little more ambition."

This got to Piccolo. Their face twisted into a furious scowl. Goku braced himself, ready for the incoming hit.

It never happened. His foe looked to have gotten better at managing their temper.

"Get out of here. Leave. Go meet your death. Before I change my mind about speeding it along."

Piccolo turned away from him, arms crossed. Conversation over.

Goku stared at the ground, crestfallen. He made his way over to the Capsule Copter.

The meeting went pretty much how he expected it to. Nonetheless, he hoped he would be wrong. His rival was his best shot at standing a chance against Raditz. Now he needed to regroup, figure out what to do, formulate a new plan of attack.

Goku confronted Chi-Chi. Her eyes were red and swollen, indicating she'd done a great deal more crying since they parted last.

"Why did you follow me? Do you realize how dangerous this is, you being here?"

"I had a feeling this was where you were going. Guessing it didn't go well?" she asked, steamrolling his query. He heaved out a tired, disappointed lungful of air.

"No. Wasn't betting on it. Really could've used 'em, though."

Chi-Chi nodded. Without saying another word, she strode past Goku. There was a delay, wherein his mind had to catch up with what he was seeing.

"Chi-Chi, wait!" he shouted. He stuck out a hand to pull her back, but she was already out of his reach.

She stopped a mere ten feet from Piccolo. She watched them for a few seconds, then cleared her throat loudly. Piccolo jerked away from the noise. Nevertheless, they didn't acknowledge her presence.

"Mr. Piccolo? Sir?" Chi-Chi tried again.

Piccolo cringed at being addressed this way, a growl building in the pit of their throat. It succeeded in getting their attention.

"Chi-Chi, enough! You're only gonna piss 'em off," Goku yelled through cupped hands. She ignored him. Instead, she closed the gap between her and Piccolo and tugged at a tightened bicep. This forced them to look at her. It was a bold move.

Piccolo remained silent, now more out of disbelief than fury or indifference. Goku's reaction was identical.

"Please. Listen to me," Chi-Chi implored.

Her hand stayed on Piccolo's arm. It was cold to the touch, the texture almost leathery. It hardened beneath her grasp. She declined to move it.

"You humans are insufferable. Fine. What do you want? Let me guess. Are you going to cry and beg me to save your little cretin's life? I politely decline," Piccolo bellowed.

Chi-Chi's eyes accrued moisture, but she didn't let her tears overflow.

"Can I ask you a question?" Chi-Chi persisted. Piccolo jeered.

"You're going to no matter what. Out with it."

Chi-Chi knew to be extremely careful how she worded the next part. Otherwise, she could very well be murdered on the spot. She took a long breath and made a silent prayer to Kami.

"Piccolo. What happened after my husband killed your," she paused, doing the mental math, accounting for their kind's lack of gender, "progenitor? What did you feel?"

Piccolo felt several things simultaneously. First, there was blinding, unadulterated rage at the woman's audacity. Second was a begrudging admiration of her bravery, her fearlessness. Third was disgust at her awkward usage of the term "progenitor". Those emotions were trailed by the one they supposed was emblematic of the truest answer to her question.

"I felt…alone. Empty. Your husband took from me my ancestry. Any sense of purpose I might've had. When my forebearer birthed the egg from their mouth carrying me, they imbued it with all their thoughts, their feelings, their memories. I've known nothing my whole life except a hatred of Goku. If Lord Piccolo survived, I might've been born under different conditions. Bred for something more."

Piccolo was oddly calm in Chi-Chi's presence. They let their arms unfold. Chi-Chi slid her grip down their wrist and held their hand. It had long white nails, and save for the jade skin tone, looked remarkably human.

"We're all victims of circumstance," Chi-Chi repeated. She hated Raditz's words were becoming something of a mantra for her.

"Indeed. In another life, perhaps Goku and I could've been allies. Lord Piccolo desired to make this world better by presiding over it. Your mate killed them for that. He didn't simply take my heritage from me. He took away my place in this world. Replaced it with something different. Something other."

Piccolo didn't know where these admissions were originating from. They were feelings they never articulated, never gave a chance to coalesce into coherent ideas. Somehow, this stern woman with nothing to lose was disarming them.

"I cannot express how sorry I am, Piccolo. I wasn't there. I was still a little girl. I was barely a fighter. I didn't know what was going on, couldn't see both sides of the conflict. In my experience, there're always two people with a different side to the same story, the truth existing somewhere in the middle. Goku did what he felt he needed to. Because of that, you were robbed of doing anything besides living in Lord Piccolo's shadow."

Piccolo was speechless. They didn't consciously decide to squeeze Chi-Chi's hand in return. It happened, all the same.

"It's not too late. You were born to be the heir to Lord Piccolo. You don't have to be. You can still forge your own path. Start by saving my son. He's innocent in all this."

Piccolo angled their head up. They squinted their eyes.

"What will that accomplish? I owe you nothing. I care not for your child."

"I know. Hell, he might not even die. That monster might settle for killing Goku instead. In which case, congratulations. Your mission's accomplished. Hooray for you. But then my son will grow up fatherless. Like you did. Another victim of circumstance."

Piccolo was taken aback. They didn't know what to say. Chi-Chi allowed a solitary tear to breach her defenses.

"Whatever you might be, I know you're not some heartless, unfeeling creature. Despite what others might think. Ask yourself: if you could prevent someone from experiencing the same pain you did, from growing up alone with an insurmountable legacy to uphold…wouldn't you want to try?"

Chi-Chi gave a tight-lipped smile and squeezed Piccolo's hand. They stood there for a while in silence together. Then, Chi-Chi let go and walked away. She returned to the Capsule Copter. Only when she was in front of Goku again did she let the rest of her tears spill forth.

"Well, I did my best," she croaked.

Goku was as flabbergasted as Piccolo, in just as much awe of her. He threw his arms around her and held her close, doing all he could to console her.

"It's gonna be okay, Chi'ch. Everything's gonna be okay. I'm gonna bring him home, I swear it."

"I know," she sobbed into his chest, clawing the material of his orange coat.

"Wait!" came a roar from the other direction.

The couple turned their heads to see Piccolo stepping over to them. Goku knotted his brow, unsure what this could mean. Chi-Chi held her breath, daring herself to hope.

Piccolo was turning over a great many things in their mind, then. What they were about to say wasn't easy for them.

"I. Will help you," said Piccolo. Not to Goku.

Chi-Chi grinned wide and cried harder all at once.

"Thank you," she hiccupped. Piccolo waved it off, mortified at having to respond to a pleasantry. They turned their focus to Goku.

"You and I will have an alliance. Our last alliance. This changes nothing between us, understood? Once the intruder is dead, we are enemies once more."

"I can deal with that," Goku agreed.

To Be Continued…