Back to Home
Goku lay face-first on the ground, the weight of his body evident in his every move. "Oh God," he groaned, pushing himself up slowly. Standing unsteadily, the Saiyan from Earth began to walk, his steps heavy, toward a small house visible in the distance. The path seemed endless as he forced each step forward.
Finally reaching the house, he called out, his voice hoarse. "Hello! Anybody there? Is this supposed to be King Gai's place?"
The door creaked open, and a small monkey ambled out.
Goku's eyes widened in disbelief. "NO! IT CAN'T BE!" he exclaimed.
The monkey raised its hands and began to perform a series of fluid, almost comical movements.
Goku took a deep breath, grounding himself. "So you really are the legendary martial arts master, King Gai," he said, watching as the monkey continued its exercises. "Doing such exercises at this high gravity must really require an awful lot of strength," he remarked.
The monkey then walked away in its typical fashion, and Goku followed, mimicking its every move.
"Ha-ha-oo-oo-ee-ee..." Goku's muscles burned with the effort of copying the monkey's actions. This wasn't going to be easy.
"What do you think you are doing?" a voice interrupted.
Goku halted, turning to see a short, round, blue-skinned man with antennae on his head. "Who are you?" Goku asked.
"Me?" the man replied. "I am the legendary martial arts master, King Gai."
Goku looked shocked for words.
----------------------------------------
.............
Gohan sprinted through the forest, a tiger hot on his heels. "Catch me if you can!" he shouted over his shoulder.
The tiger, exhausted, finally stopped and lay down, panting.
Gohan turned and slowed, grinning. "Come on, Mister Tiger," he said. "Tired already?"
The tiger ignored him, closing its eyes for a nap.
Gohan sighed and picked up a stone, aiming it at a large pigeon perched in a tree. His throw was precise, and the bird fell.
The tiger's eyes snapped open as the bird landed in front of it. Delighted, it began to feast.
"This time I hope for a better performance from you, Mister Tiger," said Gohan with a smile. "You better not disappoint me."
----------------------------------------
.............
Piccolo stood on a mountain road, surveying the landscape.
Suddenly, a deafening roar echoed through the valley as an avalanche thundered down. An enormous rock hurtled toward him, casting a huge shadow.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
Piccolo crossed his arms before his face, his body glowing with energy. "RAAAAH!" he roared, unleashing a powerful wave that shattered the rock into rubble.
VROOOOM!
The rocks disintegrated around him, leaving Piccolo panting amidst the falling debris.
----------------------------------------
...............
"Ha!" yelled Yamcha, dropping into his wolf stance.
Tien mirrored him, falling into his crane stance.
For a few tense moments, they sized each other up before launching forward, colliding with a flurry of blows.
Yamcha blocked a punch to the face with his forearms, then retaliated with a punch of his own, which Tien deflected.
Tien's fist struck Yamcha's stomach, making him gasp and falter. Yamcha responded with a powerful clawed slap, his hand crackling with energy, sending Tien stumbling backward.
Yamcha dropped to his knees, spent.
Tien smirked, blood trickling from his mouth. "Not bad," he panted.
Meanwhile, Yajirobe charged at Krillin, sword in hand. "Take this!" he yelled, slashing downward.
Yajirobe's mouth hung open in shock as his blade passed right through Krillin.
"Agh!" Yajirobe grunted as a kick landed on the back of his head.
The fat man turned around. "You trickster! Just what was that supposed to mean?"
Krillin grinned. "That's the after-image technique," he explained.
Yajirobe, red-faced with anger, attacked again, his sword a blur. But Krillin weaved through the strikes effortlessly.
Bam!
Krillin staggered as Yajirobe struck his head with the sword's handle.
"How's that?" Yajirobe taunted.
Krillin smiled. "You lack power in your attacks."
Yajirobe fumed. "Why you! You won't be talking like that once I'm done with ya!"
Chiaotzu meanwhile concentrated energy on his fingertip. "Dodon Ray!" he yelled, firing a beam that shattered a stone on the table. "Bull's eye!" he exclaimed.
----------------------------------------
...............
Three months later... (Six months post Raditz)
King Gai's planet....
Goku jumped with delight as a cricket fell unconscious on the grass.
King Gai watched, smiling.
"Now that I have hit Gregory, what's next, King Gai?" Goku asked.
King Gai chuckled. "Bubbles," he called. The monkey arrived promptly.
"Let's see how long it takes you to catch Bubbles again," King Gai said, stopwatch in hand. "Ready..get set...GO!"
Bubbles sprinted away, but Goku, moving with blinding speed, caught him in under a second.
"Zero point nine seconds," King Gai said in awe. "A new record."
"Thanks, King Gai," Goku said, lifting Bubbles onto his shoulder.
King Gai's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Yes. Finally, a fighter worthy of being trained by me. A fighter I can teach the Kaio-ken attack!"
"Whoa.." said Goku, curiosity and excitement on his face. "That sounds amazing," he said.
----------------------------------------
................
Meanwhile, back on Earth...
Gohan stood in front of his home, his heart pounding with anticipation. "I am here, Mom!" he shouted, his voice echoing in the empty yard. He rushed to the door, only to find it locked from the outside. Confusion twisted his features. "Mom?"
He sat down on the front step, hope fading with each passing moment.
One day...
Two days...
Three days...
The sun rose and set, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson. Morning turned to afternoon, afternoon to evening, and evening to night. The cycle repeated, relentless and unforgiving. Gohan felt the weight of despair settle over him like a heavy blanket, his silent tears falling onto the cold, unyielding ground. All his hard work to get home seemed wasted. Where were his parents?
"So, Gohan. Giving up, are you?"
Gohan startled, his head snapping up to see Piccolo standing there, his expression stern.
Piccolo's gaze pierced through him. "Your parents are alive and well, Gohan... Trust me, I know."
Gohan swallowed his tears, hope flickering weakly in his chest.
"But," Piccolo continued, his voice grave, "if we aren't able to stop the Saiyans approaching Earth at this very moment, ...you can forget about seeing them alive. You'd be lucky to glimpse them dead."
Something snapped inside Gohan. He felt a surge of adrenaline course through his veins, a fiery determination igniting within him.
"So," Piccolo said, "do you want to train and do something about it, or sit here crying like a baby and wait for everything to end?"
Gohan's eyes shone with a newfound resolve. "No. I will train."
"Good," Piccolo said, a rare hint of approval in his voice. "If the Saiyans get their way, not only you but millions of children will be orphans. If they spare the non-fighters, that is. Otherwise, there won't be anyone left... to mourn the deaths of the fighters of Earth."
Gohan clenched his fists, his body trembling with anger and determination.
Piccolo's lips curved into a small, grim smirk. "Six months have passed, Gohan. It's time we begin your training."
----------------------------------------
................ ..
Two months later... (Eight months post Raditz)
At Khami's place...
Krillin, Tien, Yamcha, Yajirobe, and Chiaotzu stood before Khami and Mr. Popo.
Khami surveyed the group. "Congratulations," he said. "You have all completed your training. Each of you has reached a new level of strength, both in mind and body."
Mr. Popo smiled proudly.
Khami continued, "I hope you use your strength for the right cause. I pray for your success."
The fighters nodded.
"Now, you may choose to continue training here or at your own pace for the remaining months before the Saiyans arrive." Khami looked to Mr. Popo, who nodded and took out a small device—Raditz's scouter.
Mr. Popo applied the scouter to his eye. "Let's see... Krillin's at 709... Yamcha's at 713... Tien's at 720... Yajirobe's at 725... and Chiaotzu's at 522..."
Krillin clenched his fist. "Incredible."
Yamcha nodded. "Also, we're all at around the same level."
Chiaotzu looked down, dejected. Tien patted his back. "It's alright, Chiaotzu."
Khami addressed the group seriously. "Stay in touch with the news on your mobile phones. When the time comes, gather together. Hopefully, your combined strength will be enough to overcome the enemy. Keep your phones charged."
Everyone nodded. "Yes, sir."
To be continued...