Chapter 26: Saiyan Showdown: Battling Brothers and New Allies
I had a few hours at max before Raditz's confrontation with Kakarot and Piccolo. Enough time to prepare. I considered my options and decided to open a portal to retrieve Gine, Tato, and Hanasia. Not that I couldn't just beat the shit out of everyone currently on the planet, but I wanted to give Gine a chance to reunite with her sons.
With a focused mind, I used my ability to create a portal, reaching across the dimensions to find Gine, Tato, and Hanasia. The portal shimmered before me, and I stepped through, ready to bring them to Earth.
As I appeared back in the sky above the gourmet city, a flood of memories and emotions replayed in my mind. It would be odd for some of my friends to see me again. I hadn't really aged beyond the appearance of 18. To be fair, I'd probably outlive everyone back in the DBZ world while barely a few would live close to what I normally would in this universe. Now, if I ate more food from this world, I'd live far longer than even a Viltramite's would. Like, by a lot. The president was currently around 200 and something but only looked to be in his mid-40s.
As I descended, I could sense the presence of Gine, Tato, Hanasia, and even my Aunt Fasha. The last time I had seen my aunt was at her wedding with Mansam. Strangely, their relationship had begun shortly after Mansam had subjected her to a harsh beating. Well, she always liked the idea of mating with someone stronger than King Vegeta, so she was happy when I found out they were dating. I doubted she would be thrilled to accompany us back, but if I were to tell her she would get a chance to beat the shit out of the ex-prince, it might change her mind.
As I touched down in front of Setsuno's store, I could feel their energy emanating from within. Tato and Hanasia had not faltered in their strength. I estimated their power levels to be around 8,000 and 9,000 respectively. Even Gine had gotten much stronger; whether it was due to the food or training, I wasn't sure. She felt the closest to me in power, just like my aunt. Both seemed to be at 11,000, which was a bit exciting.
I entered the store, and the bell chimed, signaling my arrival. Setsuno looked up from behind the counter, her face lighting up with surprise and joy. "Celera! It's been too long."
"Hey, Setsuno," I greeted, smiling warmly, she didn't even seem to have aged since I last saw her. Guess the others would probably look the same. "I need to speak with Gine, Tato, Hanasia, and Fasha. It's urgent."
Setsuno nodded, her expression becoming serious. "They're in the back. They have been meeting every year since you left, waiting for you to return."
A few moments later, they emerged from the back room, looking as surprised as Setsuno had and it seemed like they didn't really age as well, Tato and Hanasia looked to be in their early 20s. While Gine and Fasha looked like they hadn't aged at all Gine's eyes widened with recognition, and she rushed forward to hug me. "Celera! You're back!"
I returned her embrace, feeling a surge of warmth. "Yes, Gine. And I need your help. All of you."
Tato, Hanasia, and Fasha gathered around, listening intently as I explained the situation with Raditz, Kakarot, and the impending confrontation. When I finished, Fasha crossed her arms, a smirk playing on her lips. "So, you want us to help stop Raditz and reunite Gine with her sons? Sounds like fun."
Hanasia nodded. "I'm in. I've been itching for a good fight."
Tato grinned, clenching his fists. "Count me in too. It's been too long since we've had a real challenge."
"Well you might be very disappointed as the only real challenge will be the ex-royal prince Vegeta and maybe Nappa, but we will have to give them a reason to come to the planet Earth," I said While eating some food that Lady Setsuno had brought over to our table to eat.
Gine looked between us, a mixture of concern and resolve on her face. "I want to see my sons again. And if that means I have to scold them, I will."
I chuckled, appreciating her motherly determination. "Alright, then. Let's get going."
With that, we all stepped back through the portal, returning to Earth. The energy shift was palpable as we reentered the atmosphere, and I could feel that my timing was off. They were already fighting, We arrived at a clearing not too far from where I sensed Kakarot and Raditz clashing.
As we approached the scene, the battle between Kakarot, Piccolo, and Raditz was interesting to see firsthand. Raditz's power dwarfed theirs, and it was clear that they were struggling to keep up with his overwhelming strength.
Gine, Tato, Hanasia, Fasha, and I observed from a safe distance, hidden by the trees. Raditz hadn't noticed our arrival yet, his attention fully focused on Kakarot and Piccolo.
"lets hang back and watch," I whispered to the others, my voice barely audible over the sounds of the battle. "Let's see how this plays out first."
Kakarot and Piccolo launched a coordinated assault, their attacks coming at Raditz from all sides. But Raditz effortlessly dodged and countered, his movements fluid and precise. With each blow, he inflicted devastating damage, sending Kakarot and Piccolo reeling.
Despite their best efforts, Kakarot and Piccolo couldn't keep up with Raditz's overwhelming power. It was clear that they were outmatched, and Raditz was enjoying every moment of it.
As the battle raged on, I could sense the frustration building within Kakarot and Piccolo. They were desperate, their attacks becoming more erratic and reckless as they struggled to find a way to overcome Raditz's.
"This isn't going well," Tato remarked, his voice tinged with concern as he watched the fight unfold.
Hanasia nodded, her eyes narrowed in concentration.
We continued to watch in tense silence as Kakarot and Piccolo struggled against Raditz's overwhelming power. As air crackled with energy as each blow landed, sending very minor shockwaves rippling through the landscape.
Gine's brow furrowed with worry as she observed the battle. She could sense the desperation in Kakarot and Piccolo's attacks, their determination to protect Earth driving them forward despite the odds stacked against them.
"This isn't looking good," Gine muttered, her voice strained with concern. "They're outmatched, and Raditz is only getting started."
Tato nodded grimly, his eyes fixed on the unfolding conflict. "We need to be ready to step in if things get any worse," he said, his tone resolute. "But for now, we must trust in Kakarot and the Namekian's strength."
Hanasia crossed her arms, her expression stoic as she watched the battle unfold. "They're holding their own for now," she remarked, her voice calm and composed. "But Raditz won't keep hold back much longer."
Fasha remained silent, her gaze focused intently on the combatants. She seemed to be calculating, analyzing each move, and assessing the situation with a keen eye. "Bardock would be disappointed."
Kakarot gritted his bloody teeth, his muscles straining as he launched himself at Raditz with a flurry of punches and kicks. But Raditz easily dodged his attacks, moving with a speed and agility that belied his size.
Piccolo unleashed a barrage of energy blasts, aiming to catch Raditz off guard. But Raditz simply smirked, effortlessly deflecting the blasts with a flick of his wrist.
"This is pathetic," Raditz sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "Is this the best you can do, Kakarot? I expected more from my brother."
Kakarot growled in frustration, his fists clenched as he struggled to land a hit on Raditz. "My name is not Kakarot, Give me back my son!," he shouted, his eyes blazing with determination.
But before Kakarot could make another move, Raditz lunged forward, his fist connecting with a devastating blow that sent Kakarot crashing to the ground.
Piccolo moved to intervene, but Raditz was already upon him, delivering a series of bone-crushing strikes that left Piccolo reeling.
As the battle raged on, I was honestly enjoying the fight. It made my blood pump even if they were weak for now.
As Raditz continued his tirade, his voice filled with anger and frustration, Kakarot rose back up from the ground, his one non-swollen eye blazing with defiance. "I don't know who you think I am," Kakarot declared, holding onto his shoulder. "But my name is Goku, not Kakarot. And I'm not going anywhere with you."
Raditz's expression darkened at Kakarot's refusal, his fists clenched as he took a menacing step forward. "You dare defy me, Kakarot? Your brother!" he snarled, his voice laced with venom. "Do you have any idea what Frieza will do when he learns you're still alive?"
But Kakarot remained undeterred, his resolve unwavering. "I don't care about this Frieza or you" he declared, his voice ringing with conviction. "I have a life here on Earth, a family. I won't abandon them."
Enraged by Kakarot's defiance, Raditz's ki flared as he charged up a deadly blast, aiming it directly at Kakarot. But before he could unleash it, Gine intervened, her presence like a bolt of lightning as she appeared in front of Kakarot, her eyes blazing with fury.
With a swift motion, Gine deflected Raditz's ki blast, sending it harmlessly flying into the distance. She then turned her attention to Raditz, her voice sharp and commanding. "You will not keep harming your brother," she declared, her words echoing with authority.
Raditz froze for a moment, his eyes widening in recognition as he beheld his mother standing before him. Memories of their past flooded back, the warmth of her embrace, the sound of her laughter. It was a moment of clarity amidst the chaos, a reminder of the family he had left behind.
Meanwhile, Kakarot watched in bewilderment, unsure of who this woman was or why she was protecting him. Her sudden appearance had caught him off guard, leaving him at a loss for words.
As the tension between them reached its peak, I along with Tato, Hanasia, and Fasha moved in as we stepped past Piccolo while Gine faced off against her estranged son. Raditz's expression twisted with a mix of anger, confusion, and pain, his gaze locked on Gine's figure.
Tato cracked his knuckles, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well, well, look Gine is done with watching, guess it's time we did something," he remarked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Hanasia nodded in agreement, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Looks like Raditz needs to be taught a lesson."
Fasha cracked her knuckles, a predatory grin spreading across her face. "Winner gets to go at him," she said as they all three started playing a game of rock, paper, scissors.
"you were alive?" Raditz's voice sounded betrayed as he asked Gine, whose expression turned to one of pain. While Piccolo looked at me as if assessing his chances of winning.
Gine met Raditz's gaze with a mixture of sadness and determination. "Yes, I'm alive," she replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her heart. "And I won't let you harm your brother any longer."
Raditz's fists clenched at his sides, his eyes flashing with a tumult of emotions. "Why did you leave? Why didn't you come back for us?" he demanded, his voice raw with pain.
Gine's expression softened, her eyes brimming with tears. "I had no choice," she explained, her voice tinged with regret. "But I never stopped thinking about you, Raditz. I never stopped loving you."
Raditz's resolve wavered at Gine's words, his anger giving way to a sense of longing. "I... I thought you were dead," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
Gine reached out to him, her hand trembling as she brushed his cheek. "I'm here now, Raditz. And I won't let anyone hurt you or your brother."
Raditz hesitated for a moment, his gaze flickering between Gine and Kakarot. "I don't understand," he muttered, his voice filled with confusion.
"It wouldn't have mattered if you had killed Kakarot," I said gathering everyone's attains with my words. "Isn't that right Piccolo"
"How do you know my name!" Piccolo asked surprised and worried at feeling everyone's strength. "There are Dragon Balls on earth ones that can grant any, one wish. I'm sure the earthlings would have used it to bring Kakarot back to life." Piccolo seemed annoyed at my words as I had shouted them, and thanks to my enhanced hearing I could hear Vegeta and Nappa talking in Raditz scouter.
"I mean I could even wish for immortality if I really wanted to. but for now its time to deal with you Raditz." I said as I charged up my Ki and shot it near him, as Raditz stumbled backward from the force of the Ki blast, I moved swiftly, closing the distance between us in an instant. With a well-aimed strike, I knocked him out cold, ensuring that he wouldn't interfere any further in our plans.
Turning to Piccolo, I flashed him a grin. "Just a little insurance policy," I remarked, as I tossed it to Kakarot, Raditz's scouter. "We wouldn't want him causing any more trouble, now would we?"
Piccolo his expression was a mix of surprise and approval. "Impressive," he conceded, his voice gruff. "But what now? Raditz may be out of the picture, but we still have to deal with those two other Saiyan, and they claimed to be far stronger than Raditz."
I glanced around at the others, "Well that's more of your guy's problem, after all, they will be arriving in a year." I lied, Needed to create a reason for us to save the day.
Gine, Tato, Hanasia, and Fasha nodded in agreement, their expressions resolute. "We just came here for Kakarot," Gine said, her voice firm. "but we shouldn't allow them to destroy this world or use those dragon balls you were talking about."
"Well, we can talk about that later," Just as I finished those words a large spike in ki appeared behind me around Raditz space pop as it exploded and a child with a tail was flying. "LEAVE MY DADDY ALONE!" Shouted Gohan as she charged at me.
As Gohan charged at me with all the determination of a young Saiyan hybrid, Fasha reacted quickly. With a swift movement, she intercepted Gohan's path, her hand shooting out and striking him in the stomach hard, causing him to tumble to the ground, knocked out cold.
I turned to face Fasha, a mixture of surprise and gratitude in my expression. "Thanks, Fasha," I said, acknowledging her quick thinking. Not really looking forward to hitting Gohan as I had massive respect for him as a character.
Fasha shrugged nonchalantly, a smirk playing on her lips. "No problem," she replied, her voice casual. "Can't have kids interfering in grown-up fights, now can we?"
With Gohan momentarily out of the picture, I turned my attention back to the others, my mind racing with possibilities. "We need to figure out our next move," I said, addressing Gine, Tato, Hanasia, and Piccolo. "With Raditz out of commission for the moment, we still have Vegeta and Nappa to deal with. And from what I overheard, they're not weak at all" I said excitedly that it even infected Tato, Hanasia and Fasha.