Destiny is always a path of alternative futures. Sometimes fate gives or takes away the chance to change a hopeless existence. As he watched his friends and family grow old and die, Goku truly understood the meaning of loneliness. He had no idea what he had been fighting for anymore; only that he had sacrificed far more than any being in the universe should have been asked. This could not have been the fate of the Saiya-jin race; could it? Even Vegeta; his greatest friend and enemy was gone. Saiya-jins were never supposed to age and die, so long as they continued to fight. However, after Goku had left, Vegeta no longer had a reason to continue his training.
Goku stared at Earth, his soul heavy with the centuries of watching and protecting it. He should have been greatful, but his mind was weary from the long battles and often wondered if things could have been different?
"It was different." Startled, Goku whirled to come face-to-face with himself; at least he thought it was himself. The Saiya-jin was slightly taller, his expression filled with a weariness that surpassed even his own.
"Who are you?"
The Saiya-jin snorted, as if he were more diappointed than amused. "You forgot everything!"
Goku stepped back at the intensity of the Saiya-jin's fury, confused at why he felt a sense of guilt and regret. "If you're here to tell me that my mission was to destroy..."
Without warning, the Saiya-jin attacked, knocking Goku flat before he could put up a defense. Goku stared in numb disbelief. It had been many centuries since his last defeat and he never thought it would come from another of his kind. He didn't see a halo over the Saiya-jin's head. "Raditz was an idiot! Frieza had no idea what he was meddling with when he tried to program the Saiya-jin children to destroy. All of them had to be terminated."
Goku paled, slowly comprehending the powerful Saiya-jin's words. "But Raditz said..."
"That was supposed to be your job, but the computer programming was changed an hour before your space pod launched."
"I don't understand."
"You must undo what you have forgotten. The destiny that lies ahead is a false future, one that has no purpose. Avoid the old man and do not forget the lessons you have learned."
The Saiya-jin vanished, leaving Goku alone. He was right; there was nothing for Goku or the people of Earth. They were a violent race, and like the Saiya-jins were doomed to the same fate if he didn't do something. "Shenron, I need you!"
The mighty dragon appeared, always a part of Goku since they had become one. He knew Shenron could read his thought and the dragon was just as weary as himself. "Was he telling the truth Shenron? What was my purpose on Earth?"
"To find and protect the last female born on Vegeta-sai."
Goku stared at Shenron in horror. "Female? A Saiya-jin? If she was here, why did none of us ever find her?"
"Her space pod was intercepted by Cooler. Enslaved, they Ice-jin trained her to fight. At the age of sixteen, her life came to an end as she tried to free the other Saiya-jin prisoners."
Goku started to shake. He had no idea; the idea that he had failed did not settle well with the proud and powerful warrior. "If that was my programming, it should have been on the space pod Bulma found."
"She hid the knowledge of the Saya-jin female, at the request of Chi-chi."
"Why? I don't understand! Why would they hide something like that?"
Goku knew the answer and a rare rage exploded to the surface. Chi-chi had always wanted him and had stopped at nothing to keep it that way. She manipulated the fight in the tournament, had lied to him about what what marriage was, and now the ultimate betrayal. "What did the programming say; the entire message Shenron?"
"Kakarot; this is the only chance I have to atone for the many wrongs I have caused in Frieza's name. Alone she wanders space and you alone must find her. None know of her existence, including her older brother Prince Vegeta. Her fate was death, I gave her the chance for survival. To ensure the continuation of our race, I am changing yet another fate. I will not allow Frieza to destroy yet another Saiya-jin, to use him as a mindless slave to later disgard because he cannot be controlled. Find her, Kakarot. This race is doomed, unable to believe the future that I have forseen."
"Two futures I have forseen. Raditz, Prince Vegeta... Both are victims and slaves to Frieza. They know no other existence, but you alone have the ability to change it. Save our race and take what is rigthfully yours. She is your equal in every way. Reflecting the power levels of a third class warrior, none will know the legend you shall become in the future. Do not forget who and what you are! You cannot or our fate is sealed. Earth has the key to our survival; and hers. Take care my son and I'm sorry."
Goku roared in pain and fury, sinking to his knees in a blur of tears. Never had he cried, but the feelings invoked by Chi-chi's betrayal and lies were more than he could bare. Not only had he forgotten, but she had hidden the truth from him. Everything made so much sense now, the restlessness that drove him to fight and to explore space.
"What do I do Shenron? How can I change what has already happened?"
Shenron was tired, very tired. After Dende's death, he should have ceased to exist, but so long as Goku remained immortal so did he. The Saiya-jin deserved far better than eternity watching a race that would destroy itself in a few short years. "I give you a chance to save both races, Kakarot. Be forewarned. You will never remember the events that have led to this future for it will not have come to pass."
"Tell me what to do Shenron."
Shenron's eyes began to glow red, dark shadows forming all around Kakarot as the present began to fade away. "Time unwind what greed and jealousy has caused. Give back the past and set the chosen one on the path destiny has decreed him to follow." Shenron bent low and came face to face with the mortal that had shared his life for more than six centuries. "Kakarot, a gift I give to you. Your memories will remain after your accident with the old man. When the time is right, you will know what you must do to fullfil the mission given to you at birth. Do you understand?"
Kakarot nodded, realizing he would never again be Goku. He knew this was right though, the he had to save not only the last female of his race, but Vegeta and Raditz. He wondered why Nappa wasn't included, but assumed it didn't matter.
In a flash, everything was gone and the next time he woke, a bandage was wrapped around his head and he was lying on a matteress in an old hut. Kakarot snarled, determined to rid himself of the old man. He tried to stand, but roared in pain. His arm and ribs were broken. He had little choice but to wait, watching the old man move about his home. Kakarot didn't trust the human or his strange language and habits.
All Kakarot cared about was his mission. Failure was not an option, but the agony of his injuries forced him into a restless sleep. The old man watched the young boy sadly, wondering how one so young could be so violent and full of hate.