A/N: My invincible story is taking a little while since I was focusing on this chapter but I'll have it done soon. Again, give me feedback on this story. I'm still new to writing, but I like the concept I have for the direction of this story.
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"Yeah. It's me, Raditz."
The moment the words left Daiko's mouth, his expression shifted from nostalgia to pure irritation. Without a second's hesitation, he launched forward and slugged both Raditz and the collapsed Goku squarely in the forehead.
"OWWW!" Goku yelped, rubbing the crown of his head with one hand, while the other clutched his wounded ribs. "That hurts!"
Raditz reeled back, staggering and gripping his head with both hands. "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR!?" he barked.
Daiko stood over them, eyes narrowed and brows furrowed with the burning frustration only a pissed-off older sibling could carry. His brown tail flicked in irritation behind him. "That's for both of you being complete morons! Trying to kill each other! Seriously!? What the fuck is wrong with you both!?"
Raditz grumbled as he got to his feet, pointing at Goku like a child caught in a scuffle. "We wouldn't even be fighting if Kakarot had destroyed this planet like he was supposed to!"
Goku, still clutching his ribs, glared weakly up at his so-called brother. "I will never hurt the people of Earth. Not like you monsters."
Daiko's teeth clenched, and without missing a beat, he slammed another solid punch across Raditz's skull, sending the younger Saiyan reeling once more.
"ARGH! AGAIN!?" Raditz shrieked, cradling the new lump forming on his scalp. "What the HELL!?"
"What the hell are YOU talking about!?" Daiko shouted, his voice booming. "Kakarot wasn't sent here to conquer this world! That was never the plan!"
Both Goku and Raditz stared at him, stunned into silence.
Raditz blinked. "…Then why else would he be sent here? He's low-class. Why send him anywhere unless it was to wipe the place clean?"
Daiko's expression hardened, eyes narrowing suspiciously. "What exactly did our parents tell you before we were sent off?"
Raditz crossed his arms and looked off to the side, visibly annoyed. "Tch. I didn't pay much attention. I was heading out on a recon mission. Mom mentioned that she sent you and Kakarot to Earth, so I assumed it was another one of Frieza's jobs."
"Idiot," Daiko muttered, palm to his forehead. "You absolute idiot."
"Excuse me?" Raditz snarled, glaring at his older brother.
Daiko ignored him. "She probably didn't say much because she knew Frieza was listening. If you were on scouters, there was no way she could risk the truth."
He paused for a second, his gaze shifting to the sky above. "Me and Kakarot… we were sent here to survive. Not to conquer the planet."
"What?" both Goku and Raditz said at once, stunned.
Daiko clenched his fists.
"Father felt something was off when Frieza ordered all Saiyans back to Planet Vegeta. He didn't trust Frieza, and he was right not to. He said something about Frieza fearing the Saiyan race, and… he acted. He loaded both our pods. Removed the scouters. Shut off the trackers and sent us both to Earth."
Goku sat silently on the ground, mouth open in shock. Raditz's expression was unreadable as he dropped to his knees, staring down at the ground.
"It was… all to save you both?" Raditz whispered.
Daiko nodded, his voice lowering. "The planet didn't fall to a meteor, Raditz. Frieza did it. I know it. And if I hadn't been shot down mid-flight by one of his soldiers and landed on a desolate planet… I would've been there when Kakarot landed."
He looked toward Goku.
"Mother told me to protect you."
Goku looked down, lips tight. "I… I don't remember any of that. Master Roshi said apparently, I hit my head when I was little, and it made me lose my memories. I didn't even know I was a so-called Saiyan until today when Raditz showed up…"
Daiko's jaw clenched. He clicked his tongue. "Tch. This is Frieza's fault. If I hadn't been shot down, I could've trained you, protected you, and explained everything about our Saiyan heritage. Instead, I crash-landed on a nightmare world and spent decades eating monsters and battling the native beasts."
His voice softened slightly. "Still… I'm glad you survived. Even if you are pretty weak."
"Hey!" Goku shouted, suddenly offended. "I'm not that weak!"
Daiko scoffed. "Kakarot, I had more power when I was nine than you do now."
Suddenly, the sound of flesh against the ground echoed through the plains.
The three turned toward the sound.
Raditz's fist was pounding the ground in pure rage, his long hair spilling over his face as he trembled.
"That bastard…" he growled. "That lying bastard. Frieza used us. Treated us like trash. Destroyed our people and blamed it on a damn meteor. He played us. Turned us into his dogs."
"That fucking bastard!"
He stared at his palm as if it disgusted him, imagining Frieza's face.
Then he looked up, eyes blazing with new resolve. "We have to tell Prince Vegeta. He and Nappa need to know. We can unite. Form a squad and get revenge!"
He leapt up and ran toward his fallen scouter lying in the dirt.
Daiko's eyes widened. "Fuck!"
With lightning speed, Daiko raised two fingers and fired a pinpoint ki blast.
The scouter exploded in a shower of green sparks.
Raditz shielded his face from the burst. "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR!?"
"Remember... Frieza listens in on those things!" Daiko roared. "If he didn't already hear us, he sure as hell would've the second you turned that thing on and told the others if it wasn't on already! Idiot!"
"Wait," Goku said, standing now with effort. "Who… is Frieza?"
Daiko exhaled sharply.
"A monster," he said. "A tyrant who rules the galaxy. He took over his empire from his father, King Cold, and he was born with insane power. He commands the Frieza Force to destroy and conquer worlds. Then, they either sell them to the highest bidder or keep them for their empire's force."
Goku clenched his fists. "That's… horrible."
Daiko nodded. "If he was listening to us, Earth might already be a target."
"Then we've got to do something!" Goku shouted. "Earth is my home. I'll protect it with everything I've got!"
Daiko raised an eyebrow. "Kakarot… you're weaker than most of Frieza's foot soldiers. You wouldn't even survive the first wave."
Silence.
The air grew tense, heavy with realization.
And then Daiko blinked, glancing around as if noticing something for the first time.
"…Wait. Who's the green guy?"
Piccolo, who had been observing in silence, narrowed his eyes.
"What's a Namekian doing here?" Daiko asked, scratching his head.
"Name… what?" Piccolo asked, still missing his arm.
Raditz snapped his fingers. "Oh yeah! That's what he is! I didn't recognize him before!"
"Namekian?" Goku asked, confused.
Daiko looked at them, dumbfounded. "Does everyone who lands on this rock lose their memories?"
He sighed. "You're a Namekian from a planet called Namek. They are a peaceful race capable of with special magical capabilities."
Piccolo frowned. "Peaceful?"
Goku blinked. "Wow… Piccolo's an alien too? That's neat."
As Piccolo quietly processed this, Daiko's eyes were drawn to a small, unmoving form nearby.
He stepped toward it, pausing when he saw a brown tail curling limply behind the figure.
Goku's voice rang out, strained. "No! Stay away from him!"
Still too injured to move quickly, Goku tried to crawl.
Daiko picked up the small boy by the shirt and held him up, studying him.
He blinked. "He's… Saiyan?"
Raditz scoffed, rubbing his injured chest. "That's Kakarot's brat. Little sucker headbutted me earlier…"
Daiko's eyes widened, staring at Goku. "You're a father!?"
Goku was still dragging himself forward, panting. "Leave… my son… alone…"
Daiko rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Relax. I'm not gonna hurt the little guy. That'd make me… what, his uncle?"
He slung Gohan over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
Then, a whirring sound filled the air.
Daiko turned his head just in time to see an aircraft descending from the sky.
XXXX
The airship's descent kicked up a cloud of dust and grass blades as it landed near the battlefield crater. Its engines hissed softly as the hatch popped open.
From within, Bulma, Krillin, and Master Roshi rushed out. They scanned the wreckage of the battlefield, eyes immediately locking onto the most familiar sight
"GOKU!!" Bulma shouted, sprinting across the grass.
"Hang in there, buddy!" Krillin followed close behind.
"Oh dear Kami," Master Roshi muttered, gripping his staff tightly as he looked across the field, eyes freezing as they locked onto Daiko. He didn't say anything right away, but his grip visibly tightened.
"Goku!" Bulma dropped to her knees beside her old friend. "Are you ok!?"
"I'm okay… just a little banged up…" Goku smiled weakly.
"Don't worry," Krillin said. "We'll take you up to Korin's and get you some Senzu beans—"
"No need."
The unfamiliar voice cut through the air like a blade.
All eyes turned to Daiko, who was standing a few meters away, holding Gohan over one shoulder like a sack of grain. The sharpness of his presence was impossible to ignore.
Daiko reached into a small pouch at his hip and pulled out a plump, orange fruit that shimmered with golden sheen. With a casual flick of his wrist, he tossed it to Goku, who caught it instinctively.
"Eat it," Daiko said. "That fruit will heal you."
Krillin narrowed his eyes. "Wait… who are you?"
Daiko said nothing.
Goku sniffed it. Then took a bite.
In seconds, the color returned to his face. His wounds sealed. His bones popped audibly back into alignment. His ki surged receiving a Zenkai boost.
Goku jumped to his feet with a whoop of joy. "WOW! That was amazing! It's just like a Senzu bean—but way tastier!"
Daiko smirked. "Amber fruit. I lived on them for twenty years. They have special healing properties, and they can even keep you fed for 5 days."
He handed Gohan off to Goku, who took his son gently.
"That's good, Gohan is fine," Goku said.
"A Saiyan hybrid, that's interesting," Daiko said.
At that moment, Bulma stepped forward, eyes wide and pupils sparkling. She looked Daiko up and down, from his towering, muscular frame to the defined features of his face.
"And who is this handsome hunk of beef?" she asked, practically purring as she closed the distance between them.
Goku chuckled, holding Gohan in one arm. "That's Daiko. Apparently, he's my older brother."
Bulma's jaw dropped. "Wait—another alien!?"
She immediately looked down at Daiko's tail, wrapped neatly around his waist. Her eyes then snapped to Raditz, who was leaning casually nearby.
She backed up fast, dragging Krillin and Roshi with her. "Goku! Why haven't you BEATEN them yet?!"
"Relax," Goku said, scratching the back of his head. "Turns out there was a misunderstanding. We stopped fighting."
"More like Daiko would beat us up if we continued," Raditz muttered.
Goku began to explain what had happened to his friends. He walked them through Daiko's arrival, his separation from Kakarot, his apparent survival on a harsh alien world, Frieza's destruction of Planet Vegeta, and his potential arrival on Earth.
When Goku reached the part about Frieza possibly targeting Earth, Raditz snapped to attention.
"Then we need to stop wasting time!" Raditz barked. "Frieza could be listening right now! He might already be on his way!"
Daiko, standing with his arms folded, looked unbothered. "If Frieza's paying attention, it's already too late. Besides… for all we know, Vegeta and Nappa could be on their way here too."
Raditz blinked. "Wait, you think Vegeta would come to Earth?"
Daiko nodded. "The scouter was still on so Vegeta probably will come after learning all that information, so will Frieza."
Raditz began to panic. "Then we should leave! If Frieza finds us here, we're dead men!"
But Daiko only smirked. "You know, the planet I was stranded on… had various areas of Gravity with some being 10x to 100x stronger than Planet Vegeta. The creatures there were some of the strongest and strangest beasts in the universe and I had to fight them every day in order to survive. All the hardships I went through led me to grow stronger."
His eyes flashed.
"Strong enough to kill Frieza."
He opened his stance. His muscles buffing up slightly. His power began to rise softly at first, then rapidly, like a boiling kettle about to scream.
"HAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!" Daiko screamed as he raised his aura, unleashing his full power.
The grass flattened, the dirt cracked, and the wind howled as Daiko's aura roared to life.
Krillin dropped to his knees from the pressure.
Roshi stumbled back.
Even Goku braced himself.
Raditz, for his part, was stunned; he couldn't sense Daiko's KI like the other warriors could, but he could feel the pressure rolling off of Daiko. He then began laughing like a maniac.
"YES!! THIS POWER!!" he shouted. "IT'S STRONGER THAN ANY SAIYAN IN HISTORY AND SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO KILL FRIEZA!!"
If any of them had a high-grade scouter, it would have exploded trying to measure the fast increase in Daiko's power level. But, at full power, Daiko's energy was in the realm of six million.
"Man," Goku whispered, sweat on his brow, "your power is insane…"
"More than enough to kill Frieza," Daiko said. "But I'm not going to do it alone. You two," he pointed to Raditz and Goku, "need to be strong enough to handle his army, especially if you want to protect this little planet."
Goku nodded firmly. "Then we'll need to train."
"I know a place," Goku added. "It's called Kami's Lookout. He's Earth's guardian. He helped me train before."
Daiko and Raditz looked confused. "What the fuck's a Kami?"
XXXX
The group had flown across the skies on Bulma's airship, Goku's Flying Nimbus, and Raditz and Daiko just flying, now landing gently atop the wide, circular platform of Kami's Lookout. The stone floor gleamed under the sunlight, and at its center stood Kami, the aged Namekian, staff in hand, flanked by the ever-silent Mr. Popo.
Daiko tilted his head. "…Another Namekian? But, he doesn't look like he can fight at all."
Kami smiled faintly, unoffended. "I've long since passed my prime. I hoped Goku might take my place one day, but he declined."
Daiko snorted. "No offense, but this is the guy who trained you?"
Goku responds. "He's stronger than he looks and really wise."
Raditz scoffed from behind. "He's the one who cut off your tail, right?"
Daiko's ears twitched. He turned his head slowly toward Goku.
"…What?"
Goku blinked. "Huh?"
"What do you mean, he cut off your tail?" Daiko's voice was sharp, his power level rising.
Goku scratched his head, confused. "Kami removed it… to restore the moon. And I haven't really needed it since I was a kid."
A flicker of raw fury burst from Daiko's aura. The sky itself seemed to darken slightly as he turned fully toward Kami.
"You cut off his tail?" His tone was low and dangerous.
Kami stepped backward in fear, sweat was pouring from his forehead. "At the time, it was the only option to protect the Earth. Goku's tail was a hindrance to his stable mind."
"You robbed him of his potential," Daiko growled. "He didn't even get a chance to learn to control it."
"Woah, woah, woah!" Goku stepped in between the two, hand raised. "It's fine. I mean… I only ever used my tail to fight since I was a short kid. It's not like I needed it since I grew."
Raditz looked like he was going to have an aneurysm. "You're an idiot."
Daiko looked ready to explode. "You never knew how to transform?"
"Transform into what?" Goku asked, now genuinely lost.
Daiko and Raditz stared at him like he had just confessed to eating rocks as a child.
"You're joking," Daiko said flatly, his power falling all the way down in the face of stupidity.
Goku blinked.
"Are you telling me you've NEVER transformed into an Oozaru!?"
Bulma, Krillin, and Master Roshi, who had been watching nervously, started waving their hands and shaking their heads behind Goku's back in a desperate attempt to shut Daiko up.
They failed.
Daiko looked dumbfounded. "I know you forgot your memories about being a Saiyan, but surely you should know what happens when you look at the full moon. Your body absorbs the Blutz Waves from the moon, and you transform into a giant ape! Giving you a power level of ten times your normal strength!"
Goku's mouth opened slightly.
His expression shifted.
"…Wait…" His voice grew quiet. "The night Grandpa Gohan died…"
Bulma stopped waving her arms.
Krillin lowered his head.
"…There was a full moon," Goku said. "He told me not to go outside. He was… scared of a monster that appears around the full moon. And then on the night of a full moon, he was gone. And the house was partly crushed…"
He looked at Kami, Bulma, and Roshi. "That's… why you guys asked about Gohan and the full moon. Isn't it?"
Bulma sighed. "Yeah. We figured it out a long time ago… Yamcha, Oolong, and I pieced it together when you told us how your Grandpa died. Then, you transformed during our fight with Pilaf. Yamcha had to cut off your tail while you were rampaging."
Krillin added, "You transformed again at the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament. Jackie Chun blew up the moon to stop you."
Kami spoke softly, voice full of solemn regret. "And when I watched those transformations, I realized… even with your pure heart, you posed a danger to Earth if you ever lost control again. So, I removed your tail, telling you that it was a nuisance and necessary for me to restore the moon."
Goku stood in stunned silence.
"I killed Grandpa Gohan…" he whispered. "I never knew… I'm sad that you guys never told me."
He looked up, eyes heavy but determined. "Then, when I die, I'll apologize to him. I'll tell him I'm sorry."
Bulma wiped a tear from her eye.
Krillin's voice cracked, "You're amazing, Goku."
Raditz gagged. "You're all soft."
But Daiko—Daiko's aura pulsed in pure rage.
"You don't get it," he snapped. "Your tail is your birthright. Without it, you'll never access the true extent of our power as a Saiyan race. Frieza's coming, and you're training without what you were born with!"
Bulma's head whipped around.
"Okay, that's ENOUGH!" she shouted, storming up to Daiko and jabbing a finger in his face. "He just found out he killed his own grandpa, and you're standing there like a jerk shouting at him like it's HIS fault!"
Daiko blinked.
Bulma got right in his face, blue eyes burning with fury.
"You're acting like a bully. You may be big and strong, but it doesn't mean you get to act like a jackass!"
Daiko's face twitched. His tail snapped in irritation. "You dare—?!"
"Yes, I dare!" Bulma roared. "Shut up! You say you're his brother—then ACT like it and feel sorry for him!"
The silence was suffocating.
Even Raditz took a step back.
Daiko stared at Bulma. His aura flickered violently for a moment.
And then…
He growled.
"Earth woman, you've got guts, I should blast you away right now," he muttered. "But if Kakarot still had his tail, I could've taught him to control his great ape state. Could've made him strong enough to take on Frieza's soldiers instead of being a burden!"
"Say that again and I'll deck you myself!" Bulma snapped.
The two glared at each other. Neither backed down.
No one dared step between them.
Not even Goku.
Then, a cough broke the tension.
Kami raised his staff. "If I may… I have an idea."
Everyone turned toward him.
XXXX
"There may be a way for Goku to grow stronger," he said, walking forward, staff lightly tapping against the tile beneath him. "Perhaps even strong enough… to help stop Frieza."
Daiko folded his arms, his glare still pointed toward Bulma with irritation. "And what magical old man trick are you about to suggest?"
Kami ignored the sarcastic tone. "There is a god… one higher in authority than myself. His name is King Kai. He resides at the end of Snake Way, in the Otherworld."
"Otherworld?" Goku asked, eyes wide.
"You mean like the afterlife?" Krillin added, looking nervous.
Kami nodded. "Yes, his training is intense and more than most beings can endure. But his methods are unique. If you reach him, and if he agrees to train you, Goku, I believe you'll return much, much stronger."
Goku's face lit up. "Wow! That sounds incredible! But… how do I get there?"
"I'll bring you to King Yemma and ask for permission for you to cross Snake Way. A long, narrow path that winds through Otherworld. No easy feat for a living being. Especially, since you'll have to eat, sleep, and you'll get tired."
Kami turned to Mr. Popo, who silently produced a small satchel.
"In this bag," Kami continued, "are several senzu beans, saved from Korin's tower that Yajirobe hadn't completely devoured. Just enough to keep you nourished for the journey. And King Kai should be able to provide you with food when you get there."
Daiko scoffed. "Sounds like a waste of time. I could just train him myself. We're Saiyans. Our power increases through battle."
"You say that," Kami said, eyes still a little fearful looking at Daiko, "but King Kai may offer him skills that may make up for his lack of tail."
Daiko looked unconvinced.
Goku, however, grinned. "It sounds like a great idea! I'll do it!"
Raditz raised a brow. "You're seriously gonna let this geezer send you to Otherworld?"
"He said I won't die," Goku replied. "Just travel through it."
Daiko grunted. "Fine. But if you come back weaker than I expect, I'm putting a hole in your chest to give you a nice Zenkai."
Goku laughed like he usually does, still a little confused, but said. " Sure, deal."
Kami nodded solemnly. "We'll begin the preparations immediately. I'll ask King Yemma to grant passage."
Goku stepped back and took a breath, eyes flicking down to Gohan, still resting peacefully in his arms. "Can I… have one more day? To see Chi-Chi and explain everything?"
Kami looked thoughtful, then nodded. "Very well. One day."
Goku smiled. "Thank you."
He turned to Daiko and Raditz. "You guys have a place to stay?"
Raditz shrugged. "I'll sleep in my pod."
Daiko cracked his neck. "I've got a Frieza Force ship I stole, so Raditz, you can stay with me since there are plenty of rooms. But…" He looked toward Goku. "I want to meet this 'Chi-Chi.' And I need food."
"Me too," Raditz added quickly to the food part.
Bulma, who had been angrily observing, suddenly perked up. "Wait… did you say spaceship?"
Daiko raised an eyebrow. "Yeah."
"And a space pod?" she asked, looking to Raditz.
He nodded. "Yeah."
Bulma's eyes sparkled like stars. "I want to see them! Please, please, PLEASE!!"
Daiko looked her over suspiciously. "Why?"
"I'm a scientist, and studying a real spacecraft would be amazing!" she grinned. "Just let me look!"
Daiko and Raditz just agree, so long as she doesn't break them.
Goku chuckled. "Alright, let's head to my place. You guys can meet Chi-Chi, and Daiko, Raditz—you'll love her cooking."
"Whatever," Raditz muttered. "As long as there's meat."
Roshi spoke up from the back of the group, finally breaking his awkward silence. "Uh… how am I supposed to get home now that you're taking the plane, Bulma?"
Krillin had already left to go find the others so they could train for the threats coming from space.
"You could fly," Bulma offered innocently.
Roshi looked personally insulted. "I'll never use a Crane School technique!"
"Then you're walking."
Roshi groaned.
Bulma, then, glanced over at Daiko. "You can fly, right?"
He blinked. "Of course."
She smirked and tossed Roshi the plane's capsule. "Great. Then you carry me."
Daiko scoffed. "Why would I do that?"
"Because first I'm a lady, second I'm going to see that spaceship you have, and third you're a jerk. So this is your penance," she said, stepping forward and poking his chest.
Daiko rolled his eyes and grabbed her by the waist, lifting her over his shoulder.
"HEY!" Bulma yelped, beating her fists on his back. "This is NOT how you carry a lady!"
With a sigh, Daiko adjusted her into a princess carry, even if he looked mildly annoyed.
Goku hopped onto his Nimbus, holding Gohan securely as the golden cloud lifted them up.
"Alright," he said, waving to Kami and Mr. Popo. "I'll be back tomorrow!"
"Be safe," Kami said.
Daiko flew beside the Nimbus, Bulma in his arms.
Raditz soared behind, muttering under his breath about food.
And below them, Kami watched the brothers disappear into the horizon.
"…This planet is in for dark days," he whispered.
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Power Levels:
Kid Goku: 2
Bulma: 5
Gohan: 100
Master Roshi: 139
Kid Daiko: 164
Krillin: 206
Piccolo: 408
Goku: 416
Gohan (Emotionally amped): 710
Raditz: 1200
Daiko (Full Power): 6,000,000