CHAPTER 4: UNEXPECTED

Goku, Vegeta, and Whis arrive on a planet that once flourished with green flora but is now gray and drained of all life. The air is thick and humid, carrying the faint, bitter scent of decay. Remnants of once-towering trees lie scattered across the ground, their bark brittle and blackened. Wilted plants cling to the soil as if they tried to survive, and the lifeless bodies of fauna are strewn across the barren landscape. The entire planet seems to be withering away.

"What happened here?" Goku wonders aloud, his voice heavy with concern.

"It's just as King Kai said," Vegeta replies, holding what looks like a plant in his palm. The brittle stem crumbles into dust, disintegrating in the damp air.

Goku furrows his brow, focusing, trying to hone in on the energy spike they had sensed earlier. After several moments, he shakes his head in frustration. "I don’t sense that spike of energy anymore."

"They could’ve suppressed their power—like we do," Vegeta suggests grimly.

"Only one way to find out," Goku says, his usual optimism breaking through as he cracks his knuckles. 

The trio ascends into the air, their eyes scanning the planet below. The further they fly, the more dire the scene becomes. Patches of green become sparse until they vanish completely, replaced by an endless expanse of gray ash. The planet’s surface is riddled with deep scars, as though massive roots tore through the ground, leaving nothing but barren wastelands. Dust storms whip across the landscape, painting the horizon in muted tones of black and gray.

Ahead lies the remnants of what once was a bustling civilization. Broken structures stand feebly among the rubble, and shattered monuments hint at a society that thrived here long ago. The three touch down in what seems to have been the center of a village, their boots crunching against the ashen ground.

All around them lie bodies drained of energy, their faces frozen in eternal screams of agony.

"These ruins aren’t that old," Vegeta observes, his sharp eyes scanning the area.

"It reminds me of Moro," Goku says, glancing around at the desolation.

"No, this is different," Vegeta counters. His gaze falls on a soldier’s corpse nearby. The man’s face is twisted in terror, and thick, gnarled roots are embedded deep into his skin as if they had drained the life energy straight out of him.

Vegeta crouches closer to inspect the body, his expression darkening.

"Vegeta is right," Whis says, his voice unusually somber. His eyes drift upward, and he gestures ahead with his staff. "It’s much worse."

Goku and Vegeta follow Whis’s gaze. In the distance, silhouetted against the ashen sky, is a massive, withering tree. Its trunk is impossibly wide, its bark pale and cracked like ancient stone. Its sprawling branches stretch across the planet’s surface, extending high into the atmosphere. The tree seems alive, but barely—it pulsates faintly as its branches reach outward, as though desperately clinging to the remnants of the planet’s energy.

The closer they get, the more oppressive the atmosphere becomes. The air grows heavier, tinged with a faint hum that vibrates through their very bones. The ground is riddled with massive roots, some of which twist around lifeless bodies, their energy completely siphoned.

"This is a nightmare," Vegeta mutters, his voice low.

Whis examines the roots protruding from the ground, his gaze narrowing. "These roots aren’t just sapping energy from the ground—they’re extracting something deeper. This level of devastation... it’s methodical."

Vegeta steps ahead, his eyes locking onto the body of another soldier. This one is different—it hasn’t been drained of energy like the others. Instead, there’s a gaping hole in its chest, as if something pierced straight through it.

"Something’s here," Vegeta growls, his instincts on high alert.

The ominous silence is broken only by the faint hum of the tree in the distance, its branches shifting as though reacting to their presence. Whatever caused this devastation, it’s still lurking nearby.

In the distance, a surge of energy barrels toward them. Goku’s senses snap into focus.

"Vegeta, look out!"

Vegeta turns, spotting the incoming blast, and dodges just in time. Both Saiyans whip their heads toward the source, but before they can react, a barrage of ki blasts rains down on them. Whis effortlessly steps aside, watching as Vegeta and Goku dart through the air, evading the relentless attacks.

Goku seizes the moment to practice his dodging techniques, weaving through the blasts with precision. Suddenly, a massive shadow looms above him. Vegeta notices the threat but knows he won’t reach Goku in time. With quick thinking, Vegeta fires a ki blast directly at Goku, knocking him out of the way just as the shadow slams down with a deafening crash.

"H-Hey! What gives?!" Goku shouts, startled, as he flips back to his feet.

Standing between Goku and Vegeta is a towering figure, his sheer size imposing. He’s a hulking man with long, spiky black hair cascading to his thighs, save for a shorter bang that hangs over his face. His crimson-red irises glow menacingly as he glares at Goku, who stares back in awe at the figure’s raw power and presence.

Before Vegeta can act, a second attacker strikes. A woman appears out of nowhere, forcing Vegeta to dodge her rapid, precise blows. She’s relentless, her strikes aimed at his vital points with almost surgical precision.

She’s targeting my vital spots… with such accuracy, Vegeta notes, gritting his teeth. Using a quick blast to the ground, he creates distance between them and bolts toward Goku, who is dodging attacks from the towering brute.

The two Saiyans regroup, landing side by side as their opponents step into view once more.

"If you’re not going to use Ultra Instinct properly, don’t bother relying on it now," Vegeta snaps at Goku.

"You’re right," Goku admits, his gaze fixed on the two attackers. "But there’s something… familiar about them. I just can’t put my finger on it."

The woman smirks, clad in sleek black battle armor that gleams faintly under the planet’s dying light. Her eyes burn with excitement as she pounds her fists together, her movements deliberate and filled with anticipation. Behind her, a tail sways methodically, coiling and uncoiling like a predator ready to strike. Beside her, the towering brute stands in silence, his imposing frame radiating menace. His tail sways freely, a stark contrast to the tension building in the air.

Whis watches from a safe distance, his expression calm yet intrigued. "A battle between Saiyans… How fascinating."

Goku and Vegeta tense, their muscles coiling as they process the sight before them.

"It… it can’t be," Vegeta mutters, his voice low and filled with disbelief. "Who are you?!"

The woman’s grin widens, and her tone is laced with amusement. "We weren’t expecting company," she says, her eyes flicking between the two Saiyans. "But since you’re here..."

The towering brute, Cumber, cracks his knuckles, his lips curling into a menacing smirk. His blood-red eyes glow with unrestrained eagerness.

Avoca glances at him and shrugs with a sly smile. "Alright, Cumber," she says, her voice brimming with confidence. "Let’s have a little fun while we wait."

They vanish in an instant. Goku and Vegeta spin around, their eyes darting in every direction, trying to track their opponents. Before they can react, Avoca reappears between them, her speed a blur.

With a sharp, calculated motion, she drives her fists into their stomachs, knocking the air from their lungs. Both Saiyans crumble to their knees, gasping for breath. Vegeta barely lifts his head before Cumber’s massive boot crashes into his face, hurling him through a wall of debris.

"You take care of Widow’s Peak," Avoca says casually, her tone dismissive yet laced with amusement. "I’ll handle the other one myself."

Cumber gives a curt nod and turns his attention toward Vegeta, who rises from the rubble, brushing dirt off his armor. Their eyes lock, the tension between them palpable.

Vegeta narrows his gaze, every sense heightened. The sheer weight of Cumber’s energy feels like a gravitational force pressing down on him.

Their auras ignite, clashing violently as the air around them distorts.

Vegeta clenches his fists. "His ki... it’s overwhelming—something I’ve never felt before."

Without so much as a gesture, Cumber unleashes a barrage of ki blasts. Vegeta leaps into action, dodging and deflecting the projectiles with precision. He retaliates, darting forward with a punch aimed at Cumber’s chest, but the brute shrugs it off effortlessly. A sudden pulse of energy from Cumber sends Vegeta stumbling back.

Before Vegeta can recover, Cumber’s fist slams into his face, sending him flying once again into a heap of debris.

Nearby, Goku is locked in a fierce exchange with Avoca. Her strikes are pinpoint accurate, aiming for vital points with surgical precision. Goku draws on his training with Whis, narrowly dodging each blow while working to find an opening.

Finally, he lands a punch square against her chest plate, sending her sliding back. But Avoca simply grins, unfazed, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Not bad," she says, her tone dripping with amusement.

She retaliates with a barrage of ki blasts, which Goku deflects with ease before launching into a counterattack. His speed catches her off guard as he vanishes mid-combo, reappearing behind her.

Avoca grins wider, more intrigued than ever. But as Goku closes in for a decisive blow, she anticipates the strike and meets it head-on. Their fists collide with a resounding shockwave that ripples through the battlefield.

Meanwhile, Vegeta, analyzing Cumber’s relentless attacks, searches for patterns. He dodges a devastating punch and sees what he thinks is an opening. But before he can capitalize, Cumber catches his fist mid-strike and grips him by the throat.

Vegeta struggles against Cumber’s iron grip until a well-placed ki blast from Goku strikes Cumber in the side, forcing him to release Vegeta. Goku follows up with a flying kick to Cumber’s face, cracking the brute’s menacing mask.

Seizing the opportunity, Vegeta joins in, and together they unleash a coordinated flurry of attacks, finally sending Cumber crashing into the massive tree roots behind him.

Goku lands next to Vegeta, both breathing heavily but ready for more.

"Who are they?" Goku asks, his voice tinged with both awe and confusion. "They’re strong."

"Can’t you tell, Kakarot?" Vegeta growls. "They’re Saiyans."

"Yeah, I got that much already!" Goku replies, exasperated.

Cumber rises from the rubble, unscathed, his blood-red eyes burning with fury. Avoca joins him, her tail flicking behind her with excitement.

"You’re not bad," Cumber finally speaks, his voice deep and guttural. "But I’m not impressed...yet. FIGHT ME!"

His ki erupts in a violent surge, shaking the ground beneath them. Goku and Vegeta instinctively transform into Super Saiyan 2, their golden auras crackling with energy.

Avoca’s eyes widen with interest, a delighted grin spreading across her face. "So, you’re Saiyans too," she says, her voice brimming with excitement. "Looks like there are a few of us left out there after all."

Her energy spikes, and the ground trembles as her aura flares around her, wild and untamed. Her hair whips violently in the wind as she powers up, her bloodlust evident.

"The fun’s just getting started!" she shouts. "So, by all means—ENTERTAIN US!"

Suddenly, the ground beneath Vegeta and Goku explodes as Cumber fires off a massive ki attack. They leap away just in time, landing beside each other as they survey the crater where they had stood moments earlier.

"Did you see that, Vegeta?!" Goku exclaims, his excitement tinged with unease.

"Too close," Vegeta mutters, his eyes locked on Cumber. "We need to even the odds. That brute’s the real problem."

Avoca suddenly reappears between Goku and Vegeta, her speed a blur. Goku notices her presence but has no time to react before they’re both struck by precision ki blasts that send them crashing into the ground. Though the blasts don’t inflict much damage, they’re enough to keep the two Saiyans on edge.

"Her speed’s going to be a problem," Goku states, brushing himself off.

"I wasn’t expecting you to notice in time," Avoca remarks, a smirk playing on her lips. "You’re both stronger than I expected."

Her eyes gleam with excitement as her aura flares up. "All the more reason you both need to fight me!"

Before Goku or Vegeta can respond, Cumber barrels into the fray, his colossal figure cutting through the air with frightening force. He lunges at them with raw, unrestrained power. The two Saiyans meet him head-on, trading punches as the battlefield shakes under their clash.

Cumber swats away a strike from Vegeta, aiming a devastating punch at him, but Goku intercepts it just in time, blocking the blow with gritted teeth. This gives Vegeta the opening to counter with a fierce punch to Cumber’s side.

"Finally, worthy opponents," Cumber growls, his voice filled with a strange satisfaction. "Truly."

Despite their combined efforts, Cumber’s immense energy and raw strength keep the two Saiyans on the defensive. Every attack they block or dodge only reveals more of his seemingly untapped potential.

"I’m going to enjoy destroying you both!" Cumber roars, his blood-red eyes glinting with savage glee.

"Save some for me, Cumber!" Avoca interjects, landing gracefully beside him. Her expression is equally thrilled. "This battle has me pumped with joy—just like you!"

The two Saiyans stand their ground, their breathing heavy as they consider their next move.

"Guess we’re going to have to keep working together, huh?" Goku suggests, glancing at Vegeta.

"I’m in no mood for teamwork," Vegeta retorts sharply, his pride as fiery as ever. Then, begrudgingly, he adds, "But it might be our only chance. You thinking about going Ultra Instinct?"

Goku shakes his head, a small grin on his face. "Not yet. I’m having too much fun to try and use it right away. But I might not have a choice. That Cumber is strong."

The four warriors face off once more, their energy flaring and colliding in the air as they prepare to charge.

From a distance, Whis observes with a calm yet curious expression.

"I wonder if they’ll be alright," he muses, his voice almost playful. "Still, that big one’s ki is incredible."

As Whis watches, he kneels to inspect one of the massive roots tangled in the ground. Gently pulling a strand of it free, he examines it closely. The root pulses faintly, and he feels the planet’s life energy flowing through it. His expression darkens as he notices how deeply the roots have penetrated, leeching the planet’s essence.

"Fascinating," Whis says to himself, turning the root in his hand. "Seems there’s more to this story to unfold."

___________

Writer's Note:

Well that was "Unexpected". Two mysterious saiyans have appeared and prove to be worthy foes for our heroes. Yes, the Cumber they are fighting is that Cumber. He's similar to the Super Dragonball Heroes counterpart and how/why he's here and in the story will reveal itself soon. This is a story where saiyans suddenly reappear and there's a specific reason why I picked him as one of them. 

Despite learning their Ultras, Goku and Vegeta only went SSJ2 because as in any DBZ/DBS fight the battle gradually escalates and overtime they use various forms. However, here I wanted them in SSJ2 to quickly have our two new saiyans first witness the transformation first hand and also the battle suddenly just happened so without any chance to think Goku and Vegeta do what they can instinctively which is go into a form they know well while conserving energy and give a good fight. 

There's more to this story that will unfold, but the next chapter is when things get interesting.