Earth, the Great Western Plains.
"Burdock, what's going on...?"
Gine, petite and delicate, gazed around with a confused look on her face. "Where are we? Are we not on Planet Vegeta?"
The unfamiliar surroundings left her unsettled. She clearly remembered Planet Vegeta being destroyed by Frieza.
But what was happening now?
Burdock, ever cautious, surveyed the area. After a careful observation and realizing there was no immediate threat, he let his guard down slightly.
"It seems we've ended up on another planet," he said in a firm tone.
The truth was, Burdock had no idea what was going on either. The last thing he remembered was being struck down by Frieza's star-killing blow. Now, suddenly, here he was—alive again. But he had no clue how or why this happened.
For the moment, he knew better than to make any sudden moves, not until he figured out what kind of planet this was.
Just as Burdock and Gine tried to make sense of their situation, a seven-colored rainbow suddenly appeared overhead. It streaked across the sky before descending rapidly, landing right in front of them. The radiant light scattered to reveal two figures: Kahn and Vados.
"Burdock!"
Gine, instinctively hiding behind her mate, quickly tensed, wary of the strangers.
Burdock also assumed a defensive stance, ready for anything. He didn't know these two.
"Who are you?" Burdock demanded.
The sight of his parents standing alive before him, after so many years, caused Kahn's heart to race. After forty-one long years, he was finally reunited with Burdock and Gine.
Despite his strength, seeing the two of them in the flesh overwhelmed him with emotion. He took a deep breath, suppressing the flood of feelings, and forced a calm smile.
"My name is Kahn."
"K... Kahn?!"
Gine's eyes widened with disbelief. "Burdock, didn't we have a son named Kahn?" she asked, looking to her husband for confirmation.
Burdock nodded slowly. "Yes, we did."
Though they had a son named Kahn, Burdock never imagined his son would have grown up so much. To them, the destruction of Planet Vegeta and the subsequent events felt like a blink of an eye.
Kahn took a deep breath and replied, "I'm your son, Kahn. Take a good look at me."
Gine stood frozen for a moment, unable to believe her eyes. Her son, who was once a tiny infant, had now grown into a young man. She studied him closely, noticing familiar traits: the same resolute face as Burdock, the brown tail, and most importantly, the unmistakable bond of Saiyan blood.
Tears welled up in her eyes as the familial connection hit her. "You... really are my Kahn," she whispered, unable to contain her emotions.
Burdock, too, had noticed the unmistakable resemblance. Still, he struggled to fully accept this miracle. He finally spoke, his voice laced with disbelief: "But... how is this possible? Kahn should have only been four when Planet Vegeta was destroyed."
Kahn smiled softly and began to explain. "Forty-one years have passed since the destruction of Planet Vegeta. I used a wish from Shenron to bring you both back."
"Shenron...?"
Burdock and Gine exchanged a glance, still processing the magnitude of Kahn's words.
"And the planet you're on now," Kahn continued, "is called Earth."
"Earth?!"
Burdock's voice was filled with shock. "This is Earth?"
Gine gasped. "Burdock, I remembered we sent Kahn and Kakarot to a planet called Earth too."
Burdock nodded gravely. "Yes, I remember it. But still, you're saying you're really Kahn?"
Kahn nodded confidently. "Yes, father, mother. I'm here now, and no one will harm you anymore."
"Kahn, my child!"
Unable to hold back her emotions any longer, Gine rushed forward, wrapping her arms around her son.
Kahn opened his arms wide and embraced her. The same mother who once held him in her arms now held him again as an adult.
Gine pulled away, gently cupping Kahn's face. Her eyes glistened with tears of joy. "My child... Let me see you. You've been through so much on Earth."
Kahn smiled warmly. "You're still as beautiful and youthful as I remember."
Gine chuckled through her tears. "You're such a flatterer, Kahn."
Watching the emotional reunion, Burdock finally relaxed. His son—his long-lost son—was standing right before him. The reality of it all began to sink in. He smiled, his stern, battle-worn face softening for the first time in years.
Burdock stepped forward, opening his arms. "Come here, Kahn. Let me hold you too."
Kahn and Burdock shared a long, silent hug—father and son, reunited after forty-one years.
Vados, watching the heartfelt moment, couldn't help but smile.
Gine turned to Vados, noticing her for the first time. "Who is this lovely lady?"
Kahn laughed, realizing he had forgotten to introduce her. "Oh, right. This is Vados," he said, gesturing toward her. "She's my wife."
Vados gave a polite bow. "Greetings, Mr. and Mrs. Burdock. I've been married to Kahn for over decades now. I hope we can get along."
Gine beamed, clearly excited. "My son's married? Let me take a good look at her!"
Gine immediately began pulling Vados into conversation, eager to get to know her daughter-in-law.
Meanwhile, Burdock turned to Kahn. "I'm happy to see you've grown up safely, Kahn. But... what about Kakarot?"
Kahn chuckled. "Kakarot looks just like you, but he's not on Earth at the moment. I'll contact him and bring him back soon."
Burdock let out a relieved sigh, knowing that his sons were both well. "Good, good. I'm glad to hear that."
But then his expression grew somber again. "And what about Raditz? I remember, when Planet Vegeta was destroyed, he wasn't there."
Kahn's expression grew serious. "Raditz... I killed him."
Burdock's eyes widened, but Kahn continued, explaining the circumstances in full detail.
Burdock listened in silence, then sighed deeply. "I should have disciplined him better... but still, it's my fault too."
Kahn shook his head. "No, Dad. It's not your fault. Raditz had his chances, but he didn't change. He chose his path."
Burdock was quiet for a moment before nodding slowly. "Perhaps... but it's in the past now. What's done is done. We can't change it."
Kahn nodded in agreement. "Exactly. The past is gone, but we're here now, and we'll move forward."
The two shared a look of mutual understanding. The pain of the past was behind them now, and all that mattered was the present.
"Well," Burdock said, a grin creeping onto his face, "I'm just glad you're here, Kahn."
And in that moment, Kahn realized that, despite the trials and the losses, they had made it through. They were together again.
The end of the past, the beginning of a new family story.