Whispers of Fear: Bardock's Warning and the Arrival of Frieza

"Hi, Gine," I say, forcing a faint smile. "What brings you here?"

"Can't I visit an old friend? Is Fasha here?" she asked, her eyes searching mine. "No last I saw she was being taken to the medical bay by some Saiyan's. " I lied while keeping a calm face. As I was sitting on top of the house looking down at her.

"Ah then I'll go check on her at a later time, for now, I wanted to talk to you about Raditz."

"Ah, Raditz," I say, how much stronger would he become now? Last, I had heard he was close to his power level when he reached Earth. "He's left with Prince Vegeta and Nappa, right?"

"Yes," Gine nods, her eyes welling up with tears. "I miss him so much, but I know it's an opportunity he couldn't pass up. He'll become a great warrior."

"Of course, he will," I assure her, Hell I'd make sure of that, unlike most I had come to have a soft spot for him. "Raditz is strong and determined, just like his dad, though I have a feeling Kakarot will come out more like you."

Gine's eyes glistened with tears as she looked up at me and spoke the words, "Thank you, Celera." She quickly wiped away her tears with the back of her hand, trying to regain her composure. "I'm sure both my boys will become great warriors," she added, her voice filled with emotion.

As she spoke, her hands trembled a bit and she clasped them together tightly, as if trying to hold onto something. I could sense her anxiety and fear for her sons, and I knew how much she loved them.

Without hesitation, I flew down and wrapped my arms around her in a comforting embrace. She hugged me back tightly, her sniffling and shaky breaths making it clear how much she needed this moment of solace. And despite my usual indifference to such displays of emotions, I found myself offering her all the comfort and support she needed.

As we stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, I could feel the tension slowly easing out of her body. The weight of the worry she had for her sons was taking its toll on her, and I knew she needed the comfort of my embrace. I held her tightly, feeling her body relax against mine. Pulling away, I looked at her, and I could see the exhaustion and fear in her eyes.

We both fell into silence, watching the sun dip below the horizon. The sky was painted with colors of orange, pink, and purple, and the clouds were a canvas for the sun's final display of the day. It was a beautiful sight.

Maybe it would be best if I told her about the impending doom, the truth of what had happened so far, and the sacrifices I was about to force on her by making her leave her sons behind. But I knew it would be best if I didn't make her deal with those emotions. Instead, I focused on the warmth of her presence, a small comfort before the storm that would await me once it was all over. 

A month later, the news of Bardock's return spreads through the air, thick and palpable like the smoke after a raging fire. As I walk among my fellow Saiyan's, their eyes wide with anticipation, I can't help but feel a mix of dread. My plan was coming to an end now.

"Hey, Celera," one of my comrades calls out, his voice filled with excitement. "Have you heard? Bardock's back!"

"Yes, I'm aware," I reply, forcing a smile as my stomach churns with anxiety. I know that Bardock's return means Frieza is drawing closer, and my time is running out. I wish I was stronger, I'd love to fight him, just the thought of it made my blood pump.

"Isn't it amazing?" another person adds, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "However, it appears that the loss of his team has affected his mental state. He's been shouting about how Lord Frieza was going to kill us, which seems a bit strange."

I nod in agreement, trying my best to maintain a neutral expression. They are unaware of the truth behind his words, but they will soon have to confront the harsh reality. Not that it was my problem, I had saved those that I could and wanted to.

Moving away from them quickly I looked for my team by feeling for their Ki. "Look I need you to follow me" 

I didn't have time to explain plus I was tired of being awake for the last week. Thanks to my smart cell [smart atoms, whichever one it is] I hadn't needed to sleep and had managed my energy to this point.

As I gazed upon Tato, he simply nodded in agreement with my plan. Hanasia swiftly soared into the air, closely following my lead as we advanced towards the surge of Gine energy. I noticed a much larger Ki signature next to her, as well as a much smaller one, those must be Kakarot and Bardock.

A few moments had passed when I suddenly felt an immense and powerful force that made my entire body break out in sweat. I immediately looked up to the sky, and it seemed to be coming from beyond the planet. The magnitude of the power was terrifying, and it was clear that it was Frieza's arrival. I could feel the weight of the power, and it was as if a dark storm was approaching us from the horizon. My heart rate increased, and I tried my best to fight the urge to panic as I immediately flew faster to reach Bardock and Gine.

I could feel the size of the power, and it made me feel insignificant like an ant compared to a mountain. The current elites were nothing compared to this force.

Breathlessly, Tato asked Gine, As we noticed the flying space pod leaving the plant. "Where is Kakarot going?"

I finally caught up to them, and although they looked surprised to see me, there was no time to explain.

Gine replied, her voice trembling, "Off-planet, to keep him safe. Bardock says Frieza's coming for us." The fear in her voice was palpable.

"Listen, you all need to hide. Now," Bardock warns, his eyes filled with urgency. I nod and grab Gine's hand, pulling her along as I lead my team and her to someplace safe as I felt Bardock Leave the plant.

As I pull Gine behind me, her hand gripping mine tightly, the air around us crackles with tension. I could feel the battle currently happening up in space right now. Though I couldn't keep track of it I could still feel it. My two closest friends, their expressions a mix of fear, moved quickly to catch up.

"Can you keep up?" I ask them over the sound of air blasting by. "Do you trust me?"

"Of course!" they shout in unison, their voices resolute. They've been by my side through countless battles and now is no different.

"Then follow me," I command, putting all my faith in their loyalty and the plan I've spent months crafting.

My senses were heightened as we flew, moving further away from the city. We have mere seconds before Frieza's destruction rains down upon us. Despite the pressure, I focused on the small details trying to sense and feel every movement of the battle that was happening above.

I felt Bardock's energy in the distance, a beacon of strength amidst the chaos. He's fighting with everything he has, buying us precious time to make our escape. It's a shame but he would survive But I would remember his power and I knew where to find other versions of him, I would throw hands with him at some point.

I found myself standing on a muddy field where I had been training, my feet sinking into the soft earth beneath me. I could feel the energy coursing through my body as I gathered my Ki into my fist. In front of me, the symbol of the four-star dragon ball appeared, shimmering in the dim light.

Without hesitation, I slammed my fist into the dragon ball, the sound of shattering glass echoing across the field. For a moment, everything stood still as we watched the ball's surface shimmer and glow. It was like a beacon of hope amidst the devastation that surrounded us.

With renewed strength, we set off towards the dragon ball, running as fast as we could. Above us, the sky was lit up with the fires of Frieza's wrath, a large death ball was flying towards the planet.

"Jump through! Now!" I yell, pushing Gine and my friends ahead of me, one after the other. Their bodies disappear into the swirling vortex, leaving me standing alone on the brink of annihilation.

With one last glance at the rapidly disintegrating world around me, I take a deep breath and leap into the portal. The sensation of being pulled through space and time is dizzying, a mixture of pain and terror all at once.

As we emerge on the other side, the sounds of destruction are replaced by an eerie silence. We've made it to the Toriko universe, far from Frieza's reach. 

"Where... are we?" Gine's voice trembles, barely a whisper over the sudden symphony of this new world.