Chapter Text
The night hung heavy with sorrow as Bardock and Gine led their two children to the spacecraft waiting just outside their home.
They were about to embark on a one-way journey to Planet Earth, a distant world capable of sustaining life, where they hoped their sons would find safety and peace.
Raditz: Mom, Dad... can't you come with us? We could be a family, somewhere else, away from here.
Bardock put his son's shoulder, his gaze serious and full of unspoken sadness.
Bardock: Raditz, my son, our destiny is to fight here. But you... you have a chance to live, to grow strong. Protect Kakarot and always stay united!
Gine hugged Raditz, her tears wetting the boy's hair.
Gine: My dear, always remember that the love we have for you is stronger than any distance. You will always be in our hearts.
Raditz, fighting back his own tears, nodded, understanding the sacrifice his parents were making.
Gine: Raditz, take care of your brother. Always remember us... and the love we have for you.
Bardock: Raditz, my son, I love you both. Be strong my boys and survive.
It was the first time Raditz had heard these words from his father, and they would echo in his heart throughout the trip.
With one last tight hug, Bardock and Gine said goodbye to their children, knowing it was the last time they would see them. They watched the ship depart, holding each other as the uncertain future unfolded before them.
As the ship pulled away, Raditz saw through the small window a blinding glow followed by the explosion of his home planet.
The shock of loss hit him like a wave, and involuntary tears welled up in his eyes.
Raditz: No... it can't be...
Kakarot, feeling the tension and fear emanating from his brother, began to cry, clinging to Raditz for comfort.
Raditz, though shaken to the core, wrapped Kakarot in his arms, trying to be the rock his younger brother needed in that moment of terror.
Raditz: Shh... it's okay, Kakarot. I am here... I will protect you.
The words were more for himself than for Kakarot, a silent promise to his parents and his planet.
As the ship continued its course to Earth, Raditz knew that from that moment on, he and Kakarot only had each other.
The ship found its destination on Earth, where old Gohan discovered them. With kindness and wisdom, he took them in, and Raditz, in gratitude, helped the old man take care of his farm and Kakarot also did this.
11 years later...
Bulma, in her search for the Dragon Balls, found herself in the mountains, following the radar signal.
Everything was going well, until she went through a part that had a stream, and she saw a boy, this boy got scared by her motorcycle and pulled out a magic stick that he carried and knocked down the bike mercilessly.
Bulma, with body aches, went to take satisfaction from the cheeky boy.
Bulma: Hey! What do you think you're doing?!
The boy, named Kakarot, stood in a fighting position, determined to protect his freshly caught fish.
Kakarot: I won't let you take my dinner! If you want you'll have to beat me in a fight!
Bulma tried to explain, but the boy was resistant to any conversation, and this changed only after his brother, Raditz, intervened in the quarrel.
Raditz: Kakarot, put the bat down. She's not a threat, see! She doesn't even want to fight you.
Kakarot: But what is this animal she was riding?
Raditz: That was a motorcycle, Kakarot.
Kakarot: What is a motorcycle?
Raditz: I'll explain later, now apologize to the girl.
Kakarot, still hesitant, obeyed his older brother.
Raditz: Sorry about that. He is still learning about... motorcycles and other things coming from the city.
Bulma: Amazing how someone doesn't know what a motorcycle is, but anyway, who am I to judge?
Noticing the girl’s fatigue, Raditz offered to her a break.
Raditz: Well, I realize you're tired, do you want to go talk to us at our house? It would be a pleasure to brew some more coffee.
Bulma, puzzled and a little relieved, followed the brothers. She didn't know it yet, but this reunion would be the start of an adventure bigger than anything she could have imagined.
Raditz led Bulma to a small wooden house, hidden among the trees in the mountains. Kakarot, still suspicious, followed closely, looking curious at the stranger who had invaded his simple world.
Raditz: Sorry for my brother's behavior. He is not used to visitors...We have lived here on this mountain for several years, and since Gohan died, we are on our own.
Bulma: Why do you both have tails?
Raditz: Well, unfortunately we suffer from a genetic anomaly that made us grow a tail.
Kakarot tried to say that he was from another planet, but Raditz interrupted him, he then told his younger brother that they do not want to be labeled crazy or suffer from mean comments.
Bulma then saw the scene and did not understand anything, but went on.
Bulma: Well, anyway, I've been looking for the Dragon Balls. Do you know anything about them?
Raditz exchanged a glance with Kakarot, who shook his head.
Raditz: Dragon Balls? No, we've never heard of it... But maybe we can help somehow.
Bulma: That would be great! I'm trying to get them all together to make a wish.
The conversation continued, with Raditz and Bulma arguing about what these spheres were that she had said.
Kakarot, with a gleam of excitement in his eyes, ran to a corner of the house and came back holding something tightly in his small hands. He opened his hands to reveal a bright orange sphere with four stars in the center.
Kakarot: Is that a Dragon Ball? I've always had that with me. Old Gohan gave me before... before he mysteriously passed away.
Bulma approached, her eyes widened at the sight of the sphere.
Bulma: Yes, it is! It's the four-star one! Do you know what that means? We are one step closer to completing the set!
Raditz watched the interaction, feeling a twinge of sadness as he remembered the old Gohan, but also a growing sense of hope.
Raditz: So this sphere has a special power?
Bulma: Definitely. When we gather all seven, we can summon the Dragon Shenlong and make a wish.
Kakarot looked at the sphere with a new respect, thinking of the old Gohan and the legacy he had left behind.
Kakarot: So let's find the others!
Bulma, with a proud smile, took out a small box from her purse and carefully opened it to reveal a glowing Dragon Ball with two stars.
Raditz: So you already had one with you?
Bulma: Yes, I found it at an archaeological site I was visiting, or rather invading...after researching about I found out what they were and now I'm here.
She then took out a compact device and held it so that Raditz and Kakarot could see.
Bulma: And this is the Dragon's radar. It shows us where the other spheres are located.
Raditz became worried and hesitant, soon he turned to Kakarot and said.
Raditz: I don't know, Kakarot... it's dangerous. What if something happens to you?
Kakarot turned to Raditz, his large, innocent eyes filled with entreaty.
Kakarot: Please, Raditz! It will be a great adventure! Shall we help her?
Bulma: Yes, Please help me!
Said Bulma, who was already shown to be flirting with Raditz, was that a genuine interest?
Raditz, unable to resist his younger brother's pleading gaze, sighed and gave in.
Raditz: All right, but we have to be careful. And I'll be there to protect you.
Bulma cheered, excited at the prospect of having two strong protectors on her journey.
Bulma: This is going to be amazing! Let's find all the Dragon Balls together!
And so, with the Dragon's radar in hand and two spheres already in hand, the trio prepared to set off on a journey that would take them to many new places and not explored by them until then.