Out in the depths of space
"Nappa, did you hear that?" Vegeta's voice came sharply over the communicator as their pods sped toward Frieza's base.
"Yeah, I heard it, Prince Vegeta… but it's gotta be fake, right? Something that magical can't really exist out there in the universe," Nappa said, sounding doubtful.
"Idiot. If Kakarot spoke with that much certainty, it's real. And there have been rumors for years that the Namekians possess strange, almost supernatural abilities," Vegeta snapped.
Even at high-speed flight through the void, their comms were crystal-clear.
"So… should we head to Namek?" Nappa asked, excitement creeping into his voice.
"Baka! You think Frieza isn't listening to every word on our scouters? We're close to Earth right now. Change course. We'll go there first. I want immortality… Frieza, you'd better be ready," Vegeta growled, tearing off his scouter as he spoke.
"Yes, my prince!" Nappa's thick fingers danced across his control panel, quickly reprogramming the destination.
Frieza's Headquarters
"Report, Lord Frieza! Great news, fantastic news!" a soldier blurted as he rushed in, startling Frieza so badly that the wineglass in his hand slipped and shattered, its contents splashing across the floor.
The phrase "startled to death" wasn't just an expression though in this case, the unlucky fool wouldn't live to prove it.
Zzzap!
A thin red beam punched through the soldier's chest. He crumpled instantly. He had thought he was delivering a reward-worthy message. Instead, he earned himself a swift execution.
"Dodoria, go find out what could possibly be worth interrupting me for," Frieza said coolly.
"Yes, Lord Frieza." The pink, hulking brute bowed and headed for the First Corps headquarters.
Serving a tyrant was dangerous. Serving Frieza was downright life-threatening. Dodoria took his time, savoring the excuse to be away from his master.
Half an hour later, he finally arrived, but only three minutes after that, a sonic boom split the air as Dodoria shot back toward Frieza's throne room, cold sweat on his brow.
"Damn it! Took me too long… I hope Lord Frieza doesn't notice. Faster! I need to move faster!" he urged himself, pouring on the speed.
Back on Earth
"Kakarot, spare me! I'm your brother!" Raditz lay sprawled on the ground, body battered.
Moments earlier, Goku had pummeled him mercilessly, venting his rage. It hadn't taken many blows before Raditz's strength gave out completely.
Energy swirled in Goku's palm deadly, final but he couldn't quite bring himself to finish it.
"Need me to do it for you?" Piccolo sneered.
"Shut it, Piccolo! If you're feeling itchy, I'll be your opponent instead!" Gohan barked.
But he didn't intervene. Whether Raditz lived or died would be Goku's decision.
"Get out of here. Leave Earth, and never come back," Goku said, his killing intent slowly fading.
"I…" Raditz hesitated.
"Wait, Dad. He can't go," Gohan stepped forward.
"You're… Kakarot's son?" Raditz stared at him in shock.
"Gohan? Why?" Goku frowned.
"He's already signaled the other Saiyans. They'll be here soon."
"You destroyed his scouter… was it a communicator?" Piccolo asked, suddenly realizing.
"Yeah. But too late. You've already given away the Dragon Balls." Gohan's face remained calm.
Goku looked embarrassed; Piccolo's scowl deepened. Namek's Dragon Balls had been mentioned, too that was even worse.
"Is Namek in danger?" Piccolo asked grimly.
"No. I promised to protect them, and I will," Gohan said simply.
Piccolo exhaled in relief.
"Actually, this is a good opportunity. The threat coming for Namek will be worth your while. You'll both have real opponents."
Somewhere in the universe, Frieza chuckled without knowing why.
"Good! I haven't fought all-out in ages. Gohan, stay out of this one!" Goku's fighting spirit flared.
"I'm in too," Piccolo said firmly.
"Fine. I wasn't planning to interfere. If you can handle it, that's less trouble for me," Gohan agreed.
"And him?" Goku nodded toward Raditz.
"Leave him to me." Gohan stepped closer.
"By blood, I should call you uncle. But Saiyan hearts are cold you know that. So you get two options. One: follow my orders from now on. I'll make you stronger than Vegeta. Two: I send you to meet Grandpa Bardock."
In a flash, Gohan's hair blazed gold, power erupting around him.
"This… this is the legendary… Super Saiyan?!" Raditz gaped.
"You guessed right. Choose submit or die." Gohan's voice was ice, killing intent washing over Raditz like a tidal wave.
"I submit! From now on, if you say go east, I'll never head west!" Raditz said instantly.
Serving a stronger warrior wasn't shameful and this was the legendary Super Saiyan.
"Good. Do as I say, and you'll become one yourself one day," Gohan said, returning to normal.
"Yes, master!" Raditz beamed.
"Don't call me that. Just Gohan you're still my elder in years," Gohan frowned.
"…That's… improper," Raditz said cautiously.
"Hmm?" Gohan's eyes narrowed.
"Yes, Gohan!" Raditz blurted, correcting himself at once.
From his upbringing, Gohan still held a deep respect for tradition. Letting an elder call him "master" just felt wrong.
"Hmph!" Goku snorted, still sour about Yamcha's death.
"Dad, don't be mad we can revive him later. Besides, Raditz can be your sparring partner. Train together, push each other," Gohan said.
"…Alright," Goku nodded, the thought of a training partner soothing him.
"Come on, Raditz," Gohan said, lifting into the air toward Kame House.
"Yes!" Raditz followed.
The pile of meat that had once been Yamcha was left behind.
Only Bulma's eyes lingered with a flicker of sadness quickly replaced with indifference. Yamcha's last actions had shattered her final hopes for him.
It was as if no one else even remembered him.
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