by Jamie L. Word
"New Alliances"
The Saiyan Space Pod.
The female looked to the children with eyes which were both sad and happy at the same time, finding two little pairs of eyes that matched hers in emotional content. The children looked up at the female, awaiting to hear if she would say something.
"Isao, my son. Kumi, my daughter," the adult female addressed the two children. "You've handled your father's death admirably so far, but take heart. Before he died, he gave me a third child, this daughter Kimie. He never got to see her, and she never got to see him. It will be up to us to teach her what he was like, and to commemorate his legacy in her."
"Very well said, Makiko," the Namek interjected from a short distance away, prompting her to turn her eyes towards him.
"Tieh," she replied. "You have been by my side ever since my husband's death. You've acted as a protector and a trainer to Isao and Kumi. I ... I'm very glad you're here with us now. Thank you."
"The pleasure's all mine, my friend," Tieh replied with a pleasant smile on his face. "Besides, the children need someone to train them while you're busy tending to the youngest."
Makiko smiled as she affectionately stroked her infant child's head while craddling the young one in her arms.
Zodoria.
The heroes had arrived at the site of yet another dragon ball, and there were now five round lumps in Kato's backpack. Finding themselves in a decorative grove, they looked around for the dragon ball, and Yoshio checked the radar.
"It's around here somewhere," Yoshio informed the others, a grim and serious look on his face matching the grim demeanors of the others.
"Alright, spread out and look around," Kien commanded the others instinctively. "We may not have much time before whoever, or whatever, we sensed earlier finds us!"
"You don't have to remind me!" Yoshio muttered with a 'scared goofy' expression on his face. "I don't wanna think about it!"
They quickly began looking around for the dragon ball, scutinizing the area as quickly and as efficiently as possible. Once more, they checked thoroughly, but, this time, they checked the place over more quickly than before.
Other World.
Koji and Yukio stood before the Kai Tong-Li once more. They stood beside each other a short distance apart, and the Kai stood patiently, his hands cupped behind his back as he observed the two Saiyans. The Kai's smile prompted the two Saiyans to put on their smug smirks.
"It's time," the Kai Tong-Li said with an air of absolute calmness about him as he watched the two Saiyans.
Koji and Yukio began powering up without transforming into Super Saiyans. Glowing auras ensheathed them, and strong winds blew out of them as they powered up. After several moments, they had achieved matched power levels and were ready to begin the fusion dance. They performed the dance with the decree of "fusion-ha!"
A brilliant white light engulfed the two Saiyans when their fingers touched, and, for a moment, the view of them was obscured! Powerful winds buffeted the old Kai, pushing him backwards as he drew his hands in front of himself to protect himself! When the light faded, one being stood there before the recomposing Kai!
This new fighter shared the physical traits of both Koji and Yukio, and this fighter's clothing was a combination of both of their attires. He looked strong and confident, and he exuded the power his confidence seemed to boast of. The old Kai was quite impressed.
"Allow me to introduce myself," the new fighter said with a voice which sounded like both Koji and Yukio speaking simultaneously. "I'm Kojukio!"
Zodoria.
The modified Saiyan space pod landed near to where the heroes were looking for the dragon ball. The heroes then turned their attention in the direction of the landing space pod as they sensed the arrival of the people within it.
"Whoever this is, they're not anywhere near as strong as the one we sensed earlier," Kien said as his concerned countenance broke into a slight smile. "One of the energy signals seems familiar to me. You guys keep looking for the dragon ball. I'm going to welcome the new neighbors."
Kien flew off towards the site of the landed space pod as the others returned to the dragon ball hunt. The others seemed confused by Kien's familiarity with one of the energy signals, but they resumed the search nonetheless. Kien seemed almost excited about his familiarity with the energy signal.
Onboard the space pod, Makiko entered another chamber with her infant daughter in her arms. Across the chamber was a elaborate sword stand with a katana-like sword resting in the stand's 'arms' like a child in a craddle. She took the sword, still sheathed in its scabbard, into one hand while craddling Kimie in her other arm. She turned and left the chamber with the sword in hand.
Outside in the main chamber, Makiko reemerged with Kimie and the sword. She handed Kimie to Kumi, and the older daughter took the infant carefully from her mother. Makiko then strapped the sword across her back before taking Kimie back from Kumi. They all then turned to Tieh as they seemed to sense something.
"I'm sensing several strong energy signals on this planet," Tieh informed them as they instinctively recognized the truth of what he said. "The strongest energy signals are still very far away, but several strong signals are very close by, and one, an energy signature that is somewhat familiar to me, is approaching. We have to be careful. The one approaching us is very powerful indeed. I'll lead."
They fell in behind the Namek as he disembarked from the space pod first. They looked around the area cautiously as they studied their surroundings carefully. Then, they looked to the sky, seeing a caped figure flying towards them in the distance, too far away for them to discern any notable details.
Moments later, Kien landed just a short distance away, eliciting a smile from Tieh. The others gawked at Kien in awe. Kien smiled pleasantly.
"I thought I sensed another Namek," Kien said as he noted the assembly before them. "I don't recognize your friends though."
"I am Tieh," the Namek warrior replied, more at ease. "The lady is Makiko, a Saiyan. The infant is her youngest child and daughter Kimie. The boy is her eldest child and son Isao. The young girl is her middle child and daughter Kumi."
"My name is Kien," Kien informed the makeshift family before him. "I'm with some friends nearby. We're on a quest. You could stay with us if you'd like. We might need the help if that bigger power stumbles upon us."
"Agreed," Tieh answered with a much relieved expression on his face. "Perhaps there is some place we could take the children so that they will be safe from harm."
"I know of a place," Kien replied. "We could send a couple of my friends back with them to show them the way. The Kami of our planet will keep them safe."
"The Kami of this planet?" Makiko repeated inquisitively in her confusion. "What the heck is a Kami?"
"A Kami is the guardian of a given planet," Tieh answered his friend before turning his attention back to Kien. "Out of curiosity, is this Kami a Namek?"
"Yes," Kien replied with a smile. "His name is Shun, and he is assisted by a Kai Genie named Jontu."
"You are extremely powerful," Tieh replied. "I didn't know a Namek could get so powerful. You must've fused with another of our kind, just as I have."
"Two others to be precise," Kien answered with a smile. "I'm a Super Namek, and one of the two Nameks I fused with had also fused with another."
"I'd suggest we move it," Makiko muttered with a hint of anxiety. "Whatever that other power is, it's heading our way!"
The Nameks and the children turned their attention towards the distance, confirming Makiko's sensing of energy. Kien and Tieh locked eyes for a moment, and then Kien took flight, returning to his allies. Tieh followed him, prompting Makiko and the children to follow him.
Other World.
Koji and Yukio were sitting at a table in Tong-Li's humble dwelling devouring a meal fit to feed a small army. Tong-Li was eating a meager meal, but he paused to gawk at the feeding Saiyans in stunned disbelief. The two Saiyans paused a moment to converse with each other.
"So, tell me, Yukio," Koji began, getting Yukio's attention. "What did you leave behind when you died on Zodoria?"
"Well, " Yukio said with a slight pause as he lowered his head and took a deep breath before answering that difficult question. "I had a wife ... and two kids. I left them on another planet when I entered the tournament where we fought, and I left them again when I ventured to Zodoria to fight against Usami. When I last saw my wife, she had taken a Namek to help her look after the children. I thought she had gone mad when she took in that lesser creature into our family."
"What makes you think that Nameks are lesser creatures?" Koji interupted Yukio with a curious question.
"They are not Saiyans," Yukio answered with a proud and haughty demeanor, full of sincerity and supremacist notions.
"No, they are not Saiyans," Koji responded with a gentle rebuke. "I want to tell you a story. Please, listen closely. When I was just four-years-old, I watched my father as he was killed in battle against a Changeling named Tarboz. Upon defeating Tarboz, I tried to return home only to discover that there was no more home. Another Changeling by the name of Frieza had destroyed our homeworld, Planet Vegeta, killing my mother, my father's team, and almost all of our people.
"After that, I wandered the universe, a bitter, angry child. I carved a path of death and destruction across this galaxy, making my name infamous for quite some time. However, not long after, I met a Namek named Chih. He became my first friend, my only friend for many years. When I was fifteen, my close friend Chih, the Namek, was killed by Tarboz, who had survived our initial encounter.
"Then, years later, I entered the tournament where we fought. I learned to respect humans there. I married the human girl Yuko who pursued me the entire time we were there. Despite the fact that both she and her brother were much weaker than we were, they were both honorable and brave fighters. The Namek Kien who also fought at the tournament likewise should the same honor and courage as Chih. I have learned to respect many species we've been taught to regard as lesser creatures.
They might not have our power, but they do have honor and courage. They possess a warrior spirit a-kin to our own. Do not discount them due to inaccurate teachings during our upbringings. Do you understand?"
"I ... suppose so," Yukio muttered, contemplating deeply the words of the mighty Saiyan Koji. "I never thought about it like that. Perhaps I should tell you my story now. I'm not of royal heritage like you, just a low-class Saiyan warrior ... like the one who defeated Frieza.
"My parents were both low-class Saiyans, and my father was a warrior in a Saiyan battle team. When he wasn't out fighting, he trained me in the warrior arts. We really didn't respect you royal types or any of the higher class Saiyans that much. We only acknowledged you because you were always so much stronger than we were. We actually resented you, but you were still Saiyans like us, so we did like you more than we did others.
"As I trained and then, later in life, joined my father's battle team. I fought alongside him and grew stronger and stronger until I was the strongest fighter on the team. Over time, our team was whittled down until only I was left. I then found out that Frieza was out to rid the universe of Saiyans. I heard that a meteor had struck our home planet, but then some loose-lipped flunky of that honorless Changeling tyrant was in a tell-all mood in a tavern one night, not knowing that I was right behind him in a hooded cloak. He told his drinking companions about how Frieza had actually destroyed Planet Vegeta and that he was out to rid the universe of our kind.
"It was then that I noticed that my hooded cloak hid my true nature as a Saiyan. Then the idea struck me that if they didn't know I was a Saiyan, I could survive long enough to exact my revenge upon them one day. I decided to use the guise of an Arcosian to mask my movements from Frieza's forces. I knew that I wasn't strong enough to defeat Frieza at that time, so I chose to bide my time until I possessed the power to avenge our people. Of course, I also managed to take out numerous loud-mouthed braggarts and fools along the way.
"Then I met you at the tournament. I knew you were of royal blood from the moment I laid eyes on you. I saw it in your manner, in your composure. I heard it in your voice. I knew what you were, but you never guessed what I really was until we fought and I managed to trick you into using the moon image technique. I saw it in your eyes. You didn't realize what I was until you saw me transform into our Oozaru form right before your eyes, but it wasn't enough. Even with my power increased tenfold in my Oozaru form, I still was not able to overcome you. It was then that I finally learned to respect you. You earned my respect in our fight.
"As I was leaving, I was witness to the unbelievable transformation that befell you. I knew I could achieve it too. I refused to accept that the power of a Super Saiyan status was an exclusive birthright of Saiyan royalty. Was not this Kakarot who defeated Frieza and transformed into the first Super Saiyan in over a thousand years the son of a low-class warrior? Was I not also merely the son of a low-class warrior? I vowed that I would achieve that status. I pushed myself in a maddening pursuit of this greatness. I pushed myself to my limits and beyond. I pushed myself in battle after battle, overcoming foes each more powerful than the last.
"It wasn't long before I found myself pressing against an invisible, impenetrable limit to my power and abilities. The harder I pushed, the more futile my efforts were revealed to be. Finally, in one epic battle with a mighty opponent who was on the verge of killing me, it happened. My rage over my perceived failure to achieve that which I desired triggered my transformation, and I won that battle. Over time, I learned there was a level above that of a Super Saiyan, and I achieved that. I discovered the increased power of this new level when I tested it in battle. The victory was too easy, and I needed a true challenge.
"I found my way to Zodoria. I don't know why I went there. I felt compelled to. When I arrived, I found the biomechanical menace Usami terrorizing your family and friends. I revelled in the challenge he presented at first, but even he proved too weak to truly challenge my power. In my vanity, I made the mistake of allowing him to absorb the third and final android he needed to complete his evolution into his perfect form. I could not resist the passion of my Saiyan blood, and I was drunk on the power I felt inside me, thus I made a dreadful mistake and died a fool.
"I know there is a level beyond the one I found because you found it. You achieved a penacle of power none of us had ever dreamed of before. You succeeded where I failed. Sure, it cost you your life, but you did defeat the monster. Now, I am training in the Other World alongside of you on this venerable Kai's world. Only now, as I talk to you, do I fully appreciate just how much my family must be missing me. I am such a fool!"
"Finish your food, my friend," Koji said with a smile as his hand came to rest reassuringly on Yukio's shoulder. "I'll help you reach a higher level, just as I helped my son achieve the status of a Super Saiyan not that long ago."
"Thank you, my friend," Yukio replied with a smile, graciously accepting Koji's offer of training.
"Think nothing of it," Koji said as he prepared to resume eating. "Now eat. You'll need all of your strength to endure the training I am going to put you through. In all actuality, you might want to withdraw your gracious thanks when the training actually begins. I am a tough mentor. Now let's eat."
The two Saiyans returned to filling their seemingly endless appetites for food as the Kai Tong-Li observed them with great facination. He had been listening intently to them as he ate his meal, and he had finished eating.
"Facinating!" Tong-Li thought to himself as he watched the Saiyans eat. "Their appetite seems to know no end! They can eat many times more food than any other race I've ever seen of roughly the same size, and yet not an ounce of fat on them! They get stronger after every fight or encounter, they seem to have no limits when it comes to training in high gravities, and they crave battle like some sort of addiction! They are truly incredible! If anyone can save the planet Zodoria from certain doom, one of these shall surely accomplish that task!"
Continued in Chapter 4.