20 years ago...
The capital city of Planet Vegeta buzzed with activity under its crimson skies. In shops, homes, offices, and streets, the air was thick with anticipation. People spoke of only one thing: the full moon.
This celestial event, occurring once every five hundred years, was just days away. The glow of anticipation matched the intensity of the twin suns setting over the horizon, casting long shadows and bathing the city in a golden hue.
Recently, King Vegeta had covertly replaced most of Frieza's men stationed on the planet with his own. Official orders and statements were now penned by Saiyans, with Frieza's men forced to sign them. The tension in the air was palpable, like the calm before a storm.
A week ago, Dodoria's crew had departed after their monthly check. King Vegeta seized the opportunity immediately afterward. The pink blob had ensured everything appeared normal before leaving. Neither Frieza nor his cronies suspected what was about to unfold.
In the palace, the atmosphere was charged with a sense of urgency. King Vegeta sat on his throne, the grand hall illuminated by flickering torches that cast dancing shadows on the walls. A hundred Saiyans, their faces etched with determination, gathered before him. "We have one shot at this. We can't afford any mistakes. Am I clear?"
"Yes, our king!" the crowd responded in unison, their voices echoing through the hall.
A mustachioed man raised his fist. "Long live..."
"The king!" the crowd roared, their collective breath misting in the cool air of the evening.
"Long live..." the man yelled again, his voice cutting through the silence.
"The Saiyan race!" the crowd shouted, the sound reverberating off the stone walls.
King Vegeta addressed the man. "Paragus, I have matters to discuss with you after this."
Paragus bowed slightly, his eyes reflecting the torchlight. "As you wish, your highness."
The plan was set. They needed to lure Frieza and his army to attack Planet Vegeta. As the battle raged, the full moon would appear, triggering the Saiyans' transformation into Giant Apes. One Giant Ape could annihilate an entire army. An army of them? Not even Frieza could withstand their fury.
Outside, the twin suns dipped below the horizon, and the first stars began to twinkle in the sky, signaling the coming of a night that would change the fate of Planet Vegeta forever.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vegeta stood, shooting energy blasts at the fleeing animals. His eyes narrowed as he focused on his targets.
Finally, one blast connected, roasting an animal. The smell of charred flesh filled the air.
Raditz grinned. "Right on!"
Nappa chuckled, arms crossed, watching the spectacle.
A baby boy sitting on a nearby rock began to cry loudly, his wails echoing through the forest.
Vegeta growled, annoyed by the disruption. "Shut up, boy!" This was unacceptable behavior for a Saiyan child.
The child continued to wail, undeterred.
"Aww," Nappa teased. "How cute. That's what you get for marrying a woman from one of those weakling planets, Vegeta."
Raditz smirked. "I'm curious too. Was no Saiyan woman good enough for our prince?" The young Saiyan, still in his early teens, couldn't resist the jab.
Vegeta glared at them both. "Keep your mouths shut if you value your lives." He loathed when anyone spoke about his personal life.
Nappa grinned but stayed silent. Vegeta had grown stronger since their last meeting. The prince could actually give him a run for his money now.
Raditz looked less confident, slightly shaken by the threat.
Vegeta turned to his son, pulling a small, shimmering green fragment from his armor's pouch and placing it in the boy's mouth. The infant's cries faded as he gnawed on the bitter-sweet fruit, his tiny fists unclenching.
Nappa chuckled. "I can't believe this. If that was my kid, I'd slap him senseless until he couldn't speak for a week."
Vegeta smirked. "My son is different. From experience, this is the best way to deal with him."
Nappa scoffed. "You're going to spoil him, Vegeta. He won't grow up to be a warrior like you."
Vegeta grunted, needing to maintain his tough-guy image. "We'll see... To tell you the truth, I don't hit him because when I do, I tend to overdo it... if you know what I mean."
Raditz looked at the boy with a hint of envy. If only he had been born to an elite. Despite his father's hard work, Raditz was still looked down upon by the high-class Saiyans. His father's and grandfather's services to the Saiyan king didn't change their 'low class' label due to their birth status.
Raditz's father, Bardock, had sent him to accompany the prince on his hunting trip, hoping it would motivate him to become a stronger warrior. But instead of encouragement, it often left Raditz feeling disheartened.
. ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
King Vegeta motioned for Paragus to approach as the crowd in the palace began to disperse through the grand main gate, their murmurs echoing off the high stone walls. The flickering torchlight cast dancing shadows.
Paragus obeyed, stepping forward until he stood within arm's reach of the throne.
"Is Bardock and his crew ready?" the king asked, his voice low and commanding.
"Yes, my king," Paragus replied, his tone firm.
"Ensure their spaceships are in perfect condition. They must be flawless. It is crucial for our plan."
Paragus nodded, understanding the gravity of the task. "It will be done, your majesty."
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bardock and his crew stretched their stiff necks as they emerged from their spaceships, having just landed on Planet Vegeta. They had stopped by their home planet for some checks, but their true destination lay elsewhere.
As they disembarked, the gravity of the situation quickly became apparent. Bardock absorbed the updates, a smirk forming on his lips. A huge burden had been placed on his shoulders, but he relished the challenge.
After a group of technicians meticulously inspected their ships, Bardock and his crew reboarded and set off for another planet.
The plan was clear. Bardock was to launch a surprise attack on an ammunition store dangerously close to where Frieza's spaceship currently rested. Frieza's ship, the only one on the planet, housed the tyrant and many of his elite soldiers. Following the attack, Bardock and his crew would race back to Planet Vegeta, hoping Frieza would follow them into the trap.
It was risky, fraught with countless variables, but it had to be done.
.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Frieza sat in his hoverchair, gazing out of the expansive window of his spaceship. "Zarbon," he said softly. "Any word from Paragus?"
The teal-skinned Zarbon stepped forward. "Yes, my lord. King Vegeta has sent a low-class Saiyan named Bardock towards our planet. He hopes to lure us to Planet Vegeta on the night of a full moon."
Frieza smiled, his eyes closing in satisfaction. "Oh Vegeta... you seem to be in such a rush to meet me. How about I honor you with my presence sooner than expected, hmm?"
Zarbon remained silent, watching Frieza intently.
"You have far too many traitors among your ranks, Vegeta. How unfortunate for you... and how convenient for me."
The tyrant opened his eyes, his voice turning cold and chilling. "Zarbon, prepare the soldiers. We depart for Planet Vegeta immediately."
Zarbon nodded. "What have you decided for the Saiyans, sire?"
Frieza stared ahead, a look of disdain on his face. "I have decided to exterminate them. I never understood why my father kept them around. They are weak, yet they think themselves strong. Pathetic... a bunch of monkeys."
Zarbon smiled, his expression mirroring his master's cold satisfaction. "I see."
"As for that low-class Saiyan and his crew... leave Dodoria here. He will suffice."
"Yes, my lord," Zarbon replied, a chill running through him as he turned to carry out Frieza's orders.
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Paragus chuckled to himself as he walked through the bustling streets of Planet Vegeta, the air filled with the sounds of Saiyan life. The scent of roasted meats from nearby stalls mingled with the metallic tang of the planet's unique flora. He had just destroyed his scouter, the remnants of the device now scattered in an alleyway. Now, the king wouldn't be able to contact him anymore.
Paragus, the prime minister, had harbored a seething hatred for the king for the last five years, ever since the day his eldest son was sentenced to death. The reason? A crime against a low-life inhabitant of a backwater planet. What did it matter if the planet came under the king's control? To Paragus, it was a petty justification for an unforgivable act.
He vividly remembered that dark day, the memory seared into his mind. The execution of his eldest son for a so-called heinous crime. The sight of his son's lifeless body still haunted his dreams, fueling his unending rage.
But now, revenge was within his grasp. Frieza would be the instrument of his vengeance. Paragus hoped that his loyalty and usefulness to the tyrant would secure him a position of power within the PTO, similar to the one King Vegeta enjoyed.
His thoughts drifted to his younger son, Broly. Even as a baby, Broly showed an astounding amount of promise, his power levels far exceeding those of other Saiyan infants. If Paragus could conceal his son's true potential from the watchful eyes of the PTO, then one day... he might have a chance to kill Frieza himself.
Paragus' lips curled into a sinister smile.
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The streets of Planet Vegeta were bustling with activity as Saiyans went about their daily routines. The city roads were alive with the hum of commerce and chatter, a wave of excitement crackling in the air as the populace eagerly anticipated the upcoming full moon event. The atmosphere was vibrant, with traders shouting their wares and children playing amidst the busy thoroughfares.
Suddenly, the serenity was shattered by a deafening explosion that rocked the city. The ground trembled, and a plume of smoke and debris billowed into the sky, casting a grim pall over the vibrant scene.
...
King Vegeta, seated on his ornate throne, shot up from his chair, eyes widening in alarm. "What is that?" he demanded, his voice tinged with unease.
He turned sharply to his right-hand man. "Zator! Go and investigate immediately!"
Without hesitation, Zator sprang into action, dashing out of the throne room.
King Vegeta's jaw clenched, his mind racing. The city's energy shield was down, a vulnerability they hadn't anticipated. A sense of dread gnawed at him as he braced for the worst.
...
From the sky, PTO soldiers descended like a relentless storm, their armored forms cutting through the clouds. Chaos erupted on the streets below. The Saiyans, caught off guard, scrambled to defend their city. The once-bustling roads now resembled a battlefield, the vibrant marketplace replaced by the clamor of conflict.
Ki blasts streaked across the sky, illuminating the chaos with bursts of brilliant light. The air was filled with the sounds of explosions, shouts, and the crackle of energy blasts. Buildings shook as the two sides clashed, turning the once-familiar streets into a war zone.
BAM! A Saiyan's fist punched a gaping hole through a PTO soldier, the force of the blow sending the soldier crashing into a nearby wall.
KARACK! A PTO soldier twisted a Saiyan's neck with a brutal efficiency, the sickening sound echoing through the chaos.
DISHUUM! In a desperate struggle, a Saiyan and a PTO soldier grappled, their locked fists straining as they fought for dominance.
Zator moved with relentless precision, zipping through the melee like a pinball. He struck and dispatched foes with lethal efficiency, but his momentum was abruptly halted when a powerful punch connected with his jaw.
Stunned, Zator looked up to see Zarbon and his crew emerging from the fray. Zarbon's smirk was chilling. "Zator... Frieza has had enough of your kind. He has decided to eliminate you."
Zator's eyes flared with defiance. "What?! Well, he won't be the first one to try!"
Zarbon chuckled darkly. "I know, but he will surely be the last." He then signaled his crew to attack.
Zarbon's crew, resembling fierce alligator-like creatures, closed in on Zator from all sides. The relentless assault forced Zator into a desperate defensive stance.
Amidst the tumult, King Vegeta burst through the ranks, his imposing figure cutting a path through the chaos. His cape billowed dramatically as he slammed his fist into one of Zarbon's crew members, sending the soldier crashing to the ground.
Without missing a beat, the king charged toward Zarbon, his eyes blazing with fury.
Zarbon gritted his teeth, barely managing to deflect the king's initial punch. However, he was unable to block the following kick that collided with his chest, sending him reeling backwards. His crew, now engaged with the Saiyans, left Zarbon isolated.
King Vegeta roared, his voice reverberating with raw power. "Come on. Fight me!"
Zarbon's expression twisted into a grotesque snarl as his body bulked up and his previously handsome features contorted into something far more hideous. "I will, Vegeta!" His voice had deepened, taking on a guttural resonance.
The two combatants clashed with a fury that shook the very air around them. Their blows erupted in shockwaves, the energy from their fierce exchange creating a barrier that pushed back everyone else in the vicinity.
Meanwhile, Zator had resumed his vicious assault. But just as he was about to deliver another blow, a sudden, jarring impact collided with his abdomen. He gasped, blood spraying from his mouth as he looked down to see Cui—a purple alien with a malicious grin.
Cui reared back, his fist connecting with Zator's gut once more, followed by a brutal kick to his neck. The sickening crunch of bone reverberated through the air.
Zator collapsed, his lifeless body crumpling to the ground.
King Vegeta was engaged in a fierce battle with Zarbon when his scouter's alarm went off, signaling a sharp drop in Zator's energy. "No, Zator..."
Zarbon noticed Vegeta's distraction and smirked. "You seem worried, Vegeta. What's the matter?"
BAM!
Zarbon's punch struck Vegeta's chin, sending him reeling backward.
BAM!
Vegeta quickly retaliated, landing a powerful kick to Zarbon's gut. Zarbon flew through the air and crashed into a nearby building.
King Vegeta immediately followed after the teal-skinned alien.
Zarbon lay dazed on the ground when Vegeta descended upon him with a brutal knee strike. The impact was jarring, sending a wave of agony through Zarbon. The alien's voice broke, the pain evident in his hurtful gasp.
Without hesitation, King Vegeta delivered a powerful kick, sending Zarbon's body skidding across the ground. Vegeta's eyes blazed with resolve—he was done toying with his opponent.
As Zarbon lay incapacitated, Vegeta's gaze was drawn to a figure emerging from the shadows. A short, horned silhouette stood imposingly before him.
"Frieza," King Vegeta's voice was low and resolute. "Your reign ends now."
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Prince Vegeta's jaw dropped open as he read the message sent to him by a Saiyan over his scouter.
"What's wrong, Vegeta?" asked Nappa.
Vegeta gritted his teeth. "Frieza... he's attacked the capital city!" The prince took off his scouter and, with a growl, crushed it in his fist.
Both Nappa and Raditz were shocked. "What...?"
Raditz clenched his fists. "We have to get back to our planet."
"No, it's no use," said Vegeta. "It would take us at least a day to get there. By then, the battle would be over."
Nappa looked toward the horizon, his eyes narrowing as he noticed pin-pricks in the sky.
BEEP! BEEP!
There was a collective alert on Raditz's and Nappa's scouters.
Nappa gnashed his teeth and got into his fighting stance. "Looks like we have some company."
Raditz also got into his fighting stance, a slight shiver running up his spine. This could be his first life-and-death battle. He had gone on missions before, but almost every time, the inhabitants were far weaker than himself. At least today he had two of the strongest Saiyans beside him.
Vegeta quickly grabbed his son with one hand. The prince turned around and, with a yell, threw the baby boy as far away as he could. His son would be safe now.
Soon, the horde of PTO soldiers was upon them.
Vegeta, Nappa, and Raditz crashed into the attackers with a yell.
Nappa tore through most of his opponents with ease.
Vegeta, too, wasn't having a difficult time. A kick impaled the gut of one soldier. A ki blast destroyed another.
Raditz had chosen the weakest-looking soldiers for himself. Still, he was having a harder time than his comrades. He punched an orange-skinned soldier in the face but got kicked in the side by a purple-skinned one.
With a growl, he threw an energy blast at his attacker, but it was dodged.
Raditz heard a soldier come at him with a yell from behind. Immediately, he turned and struck a chop at the soldier's side which cut through him clean.
Raditz grinned. However, he was not given much time to rejoice as someone grabbed him from behind in a full nelson.
The teen struggled to break free, but his captor didn't budge.
Nappa was tearing his way through the soldiers when someone kneed him in the gut.
"AGH!" Saliva flew out of Nappa's mouth. He looked at his attacker with fury. Who could it be to hurt even him?
When Nappa recognized the face, his jaw dropped. "Recoome?"
The orange-haired fighter, famous for his brutishness and comparable to Nappa in that department, grinned widely. "Recooooome... crackdown!"
Nappa fell face-first to the ground from Recoome's slap connecting with his cheek.
BAM!
A groan escaped his lips as Recoome elbowed him in the back, pinning him to the ground.
Recoome then began to repeatedly punch the base of Nappa's shoulder. The Saiyan general groaned with each hit as his form became increasingly buried inside the ground.
Vegeta was fighting furiously when he was suddenly terror-struck. Standing before him was none other than a horned, purple-skinned alien... Captain Ginyu.
Vegeta looked around. He saw Nappa lying on the ground, out of commission, while Raditz struggled in the grip of a large, purple-skinned alien.
Captain Ginyu chuckled. "So nice to see you, Vegeta."
Vegeta took a step back, his mouth hanging open. 'No, this can't be happening..'
To be continued...