Chereads / A Bizarre Encounter / Chapter 15 - Reunion and Redemption: Healing the Bonds of the Past

Chapter 15 - Reunion and Redemption: Healing the Bonds of the Past

Raditz was about to return to the medical building when his attention was caught by a sudden commotion. In an instant, a group with a space pod materialized before his eyes, leaving him in shock. As he blinked, he noticed the group standing in a circle around the space pod, and his gaze fell upon a young girl, tears streaming down her face, as she released her grip from the pod.

Before Raditz could fully comprehend what was happening, the girl threw herself at him, embracing him tightly as if she had lost him forever. In a trembling voice, she whispered, "I forgive you for what you did, brother." The words struck him with profound intensity, and despite his father's earlier admonishments, tears welled up in Raditz's eyes. Overwhelmed by emotions, he returned the embrace, holding her tightly, and whispered, "Thank you, Jocha. I'm truly sorry. Since that day, I've tried my best to change. I've carried the weight of my actions with me."

Raditz's cry drew the attention of the Stardust Crusaders, and his father rushed into the midst of the group. They formed lines, allowing Bardock to approach them. As he took in the sight before him, his stance softened, and his expression gentled. Bardock crouched down, his voice filled with emotion, and uttered, "Jocha? Is that you?" Raditz could feel the tremor in his father's voice through their embrace.

Jocha, shivering, asked hesitantly, "How do you know it's me?" Bardock's response was resolute, "A father never forgets his daughter." Jocha's embrace loosened, and she took a step back, hugging their father. As she withdrew, both Raditz and Bardock focused their gaze on her visible body, marred by bruises and scars.

Filled with anger, Bardock's voice trembled as he asked, "Who did this to you?" Jocha's response was solemn and filled with pain, "Frieza," she uttered. Bardock nodded, a silent confirmation of what he already suspected. The medical bays opened, and Gine and Fasha emerged, their curiosity piqued by the commotion. Gine's eyes glazed over as she ran forward, tears streaming down her face, and screamed, "My baby!" She scooped Jocha up into her arms, clinging to her as if afraid she would disappear. Jocha struggled to breathe, her pleas for space falling on deaf ears. Eventually, Gine placed her down, overwhelmed by a mix of emotions.

Fasha observed the scene with a bittersweet expression, her gaze catching the curious and confused look on Jotaro's face from the nearby trees. In the midst of the chaos, Jocha's clothes ripped, revealing her tiny, scar-ridden body, a testament to the abuse she had endured and the malnourishment she suffered. A shudder rippled through everyone witnessing the sight, and it seemed to break Gine, who stood frozen, unable to comprehend the extent of her daughter's suffering. Bardock's face hardened with determination.

Recognizing Gine's distress, Fasha approached her, intending to guide her inside. To her surprise, Gine fainted while still standing, collapsing in an unconscious heap. Doctors rushed out, swiftly carrying her inside and placing her on a bed. Bardock, picking up Jocha, brushed her hair away and felt the beginnings of a fever on her forehead. Concerned, he hurriedly carried her into the medical building, where the doctors conducted a thorough examination.

Their diagnosis was grim — Jocha's body was preparing for a powerful stand, and she would soon enter a deep coma. The doctors exchanged worried glances as they worked diligently to stabilize her condition. Bardock remained at her side, his face etched with a mix of anxiety and determination.

As Jocha lay in the healing tank, her body enveloped in a soothing light, the scene was filled with a mix of tension, remorse, and raw emotion. Baby Kakarot, sensing his sister's presence for the first time, squirmed within his incubation chamber, as if drawn by an invisible bond connecting them.

The stardust crusaders, their hearts heavy with concern and curiosity, approached the group of guards, eager to understand the circumstances that led to this moment. Krang stepped forward, his voice filled with a blend of sorrow and determination, as he explained the arduous journey that Jocha had endured.

"We were the only ones who cared for her," Krang began, his voice tinged with sadness. "Under the watchful gaze of the Frieza Force, we did our best to protect her after the destruction of Planet Vegeta. After every brutal beating from Frieza, Jocha would make a solemn vow to grow stronger and avenge the Saiyan race. Other times, she would cry herself to sleep, burdened by the weight of our tragic past."

A hushed silence settled over the group as the weight of their collective guilt became palpable. The revelation that Zarbon and Dodoria had kidnapped Jocha, intending to end her life on a secluded planet, pierced through the air. But the next words that echoed in the chamber ignited a fierce anger and self-reflection within Bardock and his crew.

A robed guard, whose intense gaze bore into them, removed their hood, revealing a scared Kanassian who brimmed with anger and resentment. Bardock and his crew could feel the color draining from their faces as they confronted the consequences of their actions.

"They landed on my planet," the Kanassian, named Toolo, spoke with a trembling voice. "They found me, picked me up, and showed me love. But you... you left me there, standing amidst the bloodshed of my race. You abandoned a child, forced to find solace in the arms of his deceased mother and father. You let all the other children perish. Why did you let me survive alone, without even a female companion to share my burden?"

Toolo's words hung heavily in the air, piercing the hearts of Bardock and his crew. The weight of their past decisions and the consequences they had unwittingly caused bore down upon them. They had been warriors, following orders without question, but now they were faced with the painful truth of their actions.

Bardock's hardened expression softened, his eyes filled with regret and sorrow. He stepped forward, closing the distance between himself and Toolo, his voice sincere and tinged with remorse. "Toolo, I... we failed you, and for that, I am deeply sorry. We were blinded by our loyalty to Frieza, unaware of the immense pain and suffering that befell our fellow Saiyans. But please know that we have changed, that we are no longer the same people we once were."

Toolo's initial anger wavered, replaced by a mix of disbelief and cautious hope. Bardock's crew, too, gathered around, their faces etched with remorse and a genuine desire for redemption. They yearned to make amends, to right the wrongs of the past, and to create a better future for their newfound family.

The air crackled with tension and the weight of their shared history. It was a moment of reckoning, a turning point that would shape their collective journey. They stood on the precipice of change, ready to embrace their shared destiny, and to forge a new path—one filled with forgiveness, understanding, and the relentless pursuit of redemption. Toolo walked away and said "later" to hint that this wasn't over.

Krang continued to recount their journey, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and nostalgia. The group gathered around him, eager to hear every detail.

"After we saved Toolo, we returned to our homeworld," Krang began. "We wanted to show Jocha our planet and introduce her to our cousins who shared our heritage. It was a time of connection and rediscovery, as we embraced our roots and found solace in our shared experiences."

He paused, his gaze reflecting the weight of their future. "During a meeting with Toolo, he had a vision. A devastating asteroid was destined to obliterate our solar system in 20 years. It was then that we realized Jocha held the key to our survival. She had to journey to Yardrat, a planet renowned for its unique techniques and teachings."

The group nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. Yardrat became their destination, where Jocha encountered a wise Yardrat named Pybara. Krang's voice brimmed with admiration as he spoke of the Yardrat's teachings.

"Pybara shared his knowledge with Jocha, imparting skills such as teleportation, cloning, healing, gigantification, and spirit fission," Krang explained. "Jocha honed her abilities, pushing herself to the limit and mastering each technique. She grew in strength and wisdom, preparing herself for the challenges ahead."

The mention of Namek caught everyone's attention. Krang's words carried a sense of both trepidation and hope. "We traveled to Namek to further practice spirit fission, a skill that would prove vital in the face of adversity. It was there that we also learned about metamoran fusion, a powerful technique that allows two individuals to become one for a limited time."

Jocha's heightened senses guided her to the planet they now stood upon, where three Namekians resided. Krang's voice softened as he spoke of their encounter with the grand elder.

"One of the Namekians led Jocha to the grand elder, who shared a harrowing tale. A devastating storm had ravaged Namek, wiping out the majority of our people. Only a few managed to survive by being off-world during the cataclysm," Krang revealed.

Bardock, his eyes filled with understanding, nodded in acknowledgment. He recognized the resilience of the Namekian race and the importance of their presence on this planet. The weight of responsibility settled on his shoulders as he contemplated the task at hand.

As the conversation continued, a guard approached Bardock with a request. "Do you have room for us?" the guard asked, his voice tinged with hope. Bardock's eyebrows furrowed as he considered the staggering number mentioned. "How many are there?" he inquired, bracing himself for the answer.

"Two hundred million billion trillion quintillion," the guard responded, causing Bardock's eyes to widen in disbelief. The sheer magnitude of the number left him momentarily speechless. "And you all fit inside that small space pod?" Bardock questioned rhetorically, his mind racing to comprehend the logistics.

Bardock turned to his crew, engaging in a brief discussion to weigh their options. After a moment of deliberation, he made a decision. "Have Broly build you a building," Bardock declared, pointing in a specific direction. "He is located over there."

Krang, Moah, and Angol took the lead, approaching Broly to discuss the additional housing needs. Broly, renowned for his immense strength and stand, welcomed the task with a determined expression. With a focused gaze, he summoned his stand, "Iron Maiden," a manifestation of his power and determination.

As the crew watched in awe, Broly snapped his fingers, and the island began to tremble. With each crack and rumble, the land expanded, creating space for numerous houses to accommodate the Shamonians. The buildings took shape, reminiscent of the Shamonian dwellings, blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings.

Satisfied with the progress, Krang, Moah, and Angol returned to the space pod where the guards continued to emerge. Bardock and his crew listened intently, their senses catching the faint sound of bones cracking as the guards stretched their weary bodies. Among them, half were female, their presence noticeable as the uniform hugged their curves.

Curiosity piqued, Bardock and his crew approached Moah, one of the guards. "Why don't you take off your helmets?" they asked, genuinely intrigued. Moah, unwavering in his conviction, replied, "This is the way," before bidding them farewell and departing to his own dwelling.

"We've got to stop Dio, remember," Shugesh reminded Bardock. Bardock nodded, his determination unwavering. They rejoined the rest of their crew, their minds focused on the task at hand. Leaving the vibrant island behind, they made their way towards Egypt, the next destination in their journey.