The Time Ring hummed on his finger, and Kyoto teleported them to a quiet neighborhood on Planet Vegeta. The houses here were modest, a stark contrast to the opulence of his own planet. He looked around, spotting a familiar structure. "This is it," he said confidently, striding towards Bardock's house.
The door slid open with a hiss, revealing Gine, a Saiyan woman with gentle eyes and black hair. She looked up from her cooking, startled by the sudden intrusion. Kyoto's heart skipped a beat—she was even more stunning than he had imagined.
"Who are you?" she demanded, setting down her spatula and standing tall. Despite her domestic setting, there was a clear warrior's poise to her.
"Just a...fan," Kyoto said, trying to keep his cool. "I've heard tales of your husband's valor. Is he home?"
Gine eyed him suspiciously. "Bardock? No, he's not here. He's on a mission. Could be weeks before he returns."
Kyoto's mind raced. This was perfect—his timing couldn't have been better. He had to get her out of here before she could be harmed in the upcoming catastrophe. "Well, in that case, I'd love to wait for him," he said with a disarming smile. "Perhaps we could chat about his exploits in the meantime?"
Gine studied him, her gaze lingering on the unmistakable black markings that danced across his skin. "Who are you?" she asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and caution. "And what's with the fancy getup?"
Kyoto chuckled, leaning against the doorframe with the ease of a man who knew his strength was unrivaled. "I'm Kyoto, a... friend of the universe," he replied cryptically. "And this," he said, gesturing to the markings, "is a reminder of where I've been and who I am now."
Gine's gaze flickered to Lyra, who remained silent, her opal eyes reflecting the turmoil within. Kyoto stepped closer, his voice dropping to a gentle whisper. "Lyra is a warrior from a distant world, and she's here because she believes in the same cause I do—safeguarding the innocent."
Gine's eyes narrowed, a hint of skepticism etched into her features. "And what cause is that?"
Kyoto's tail swayed behind him, a clear giveaway of his Saiyan lineage. "The cause of preserving life, of course," he said with a wink. "But sometimes, to do that, you gotta get your hands dirty."
Gine's gaze dropped to his tail, curiosity piqued. "You're a Saiyan," she murmured, her voice a mix of surprise and accusation.
Kyoto nodded, his smile never wavering. "That's right. But don't worry, I'm not here to cause trouble. I just want to make sure Bardock's family is safe." He paused, watching her reaction. "You know what's coming, don't you?"
Gine's expression grew solemn. "The whispers of Frieza's wrath have reached even here."
"Yes," Kyoto confirmed with a sigh. "Tomorrow afternoon, this planet will be nothing but ash. But it doesn't have to be that way for you and your family. I can save you. Take you to a place where you'll be safe, where you can live without fear."
Gine's eyes narrowed, a fierce determination sparking within. "Why should I trust you?"
With a flick of his wrist, Kyoto activated the Time Ring. A holographic projection flickered to life in the room, showing a terrifying scene. Frieza, the tyrannical overlord, loomed over a crumbling Planet Vegeta, his cackles of delight piercing the air as the planet's life force dwindled on his scouter's display. The once-proud Saiyan race lay in ruins, their power futile against the tyrant's might. Gine's heart pounded in her chest as the vision unfolded, the horror of what was to come stark and real.
The projection shifted, and now she saw Kyoto, standing tall amidst the destruction, his eyes filled with a fiery resolve she hadn't seen before. He raised a hand, and with it, a planet appeared in the sky—a beacon of hope for the survivors. Her eyes widened as she recognized the place from their earlier discussions: his planet, a sanctuary where they could live without fear.
"Come with me, Gine," Kyoto said earnestly, the chaotic energy around them seeming to still. "I can give you power beyond your wildest dreams. You'll never have to fear for your life or your family's again. You can leave this all behind—Bardock, Kakarot, Raditz—everything that holds you back. I'll make sure you're safe, and in return, all I ask is for you to stand by my side as I carry out my duty to Zirith."
Gine's expression grew solemn as she digested the gravity of his words. "But what of Bardock and Kakarot?"
Kyoto's gaze softened. "I'm afraid your husband, Bardock, won't be so lucky. He'll die fighting Frieza, his valor in vain against the tyrant's might." He paused, gauging her reaction before continuing. "But your son, Kakarot... he's destined for greatness. He'll survive, and under the right circumstances, he'll ascend to become a Super Saiyan, a warrior feared across galaxies. He'll be the one to finally put Frieza in his place."
Gine's eyes searched Kyoto's, looking for any sign of deception. But his gaze remained steadfast, the purple in his irises seemingly deepening with each word. "Kakarot will become a beacon of hope, but it's a heavy burden for a child. If you come with us, you can help shape the future, guide him from afar without risking your own existence. And as for Raditz, well...his fate is already intertwined with Kakarot's. But together, we can ensure that their sacrifices are not forgotten, that their names echo through the annals of history as heroes of the Saiyan race, not just forgotten footnotes in its tragic end."
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she thought about her sons. "What you're asking is...it's a lot to process. To leave everything I know, to abandon my husband...my duty as a warrior...as a mother..."
Kyoto stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I understand the gravity of what I'm asking. But Gine, if you stay here, you will be erased from existence. Your strength, your beauty, your love—all of it will vanish without a trace. But with me, you can live, and in living, you can ensure that your legacy does not die with this planet. You can be the guardian of your people's history, a beacon for those who survive."
Gine's chest tightened as she pondered his words. The warmth of his hand was a stark contrast to the cold reality she faced. She knew the legend of the Super Saiyan, the hope that burned in the hearts of her people. Could she really abandon her post, leave her family, and follow a stranger promising survival?
Kyoto's grip on her shoulder tightened gently. "Tomorrow evening, I'll bring you back to this spot, Gine. And when we arrive, there will be nothing left of Planet Vegeta but dust and memory. If you wish to survive, to carry on the Saiyan name, you must come with us now. Your family's legacy can live through Kakarot and somewhat through Raditz, but only if you live to tell it."
Gine's eyes searched Kyoto's, a storm of doubt and fear brewing within her. "But what of my baby, Kakarot? He's in a pod, waiting to be sent away."
Kyoto's smirk grew wider. "Ah, yes. The little hero-to-be. He'll be fine. In fact, he's going to do great things."
Gine's eyes narrowed, the fiery determination of a Saiyan mother igniting in her gaze. "You'd better not be lying to me, or I'll show you what a miserable life truly means!"