CHAPTER 10: WHAT DRIVES YOU?
The dining hall within Turles's palace was vast, a long table stretching nearly the entire length of the room, covered in piles of food from across the galaxy. Goku devoured everything within reach, his hunger ravenous after days of non-stop fighting. Each bite was bliss, and he shoved another piece of bread into his mouth with childlike enthusiasm.
Turles sat across from him, calmly eating from his plate, observing the younger Saiyan with a faint smirk. A palace attendant arrived with another platter, and Goku beamed.
"I gotta hand it to you, Turles—this is great!" he said between bites, his cheeks bulging like a chipmunk’s.
Turles chuckled, taking a sip from his chalice. “You are our guest. It’s my pleasure. Saiyan appetites are legendary, after all.”
“You can...say...gulp...that again!” Goku replied, crumbs flying as he laughed.
The momentary levity faded as Turles set down his chalice and leaned forward. “Tell me, what is it you’re searching for?”
Goku paused mid-bite, his mind catching up to the weight of the question. Turles had been different than he’d expected. Despite their rocky introduction, Goku couldn’t help but feel there was more to the man than ambition and power.
After a moment, Goku swallowed, setting his drumstick down. “I guess it’s to meet stronger fighters,” he said, rubbing the back of his head. “Power’s never really been my goal. I just want to get better and face the best. It’s like...if I can push myself and my opponent to grow, it’s worth it.”
Turles nodded, intrigued. “Spoken like a true Saiyan.” He glanced down at his hands, flexing his fingers as if recalling memories buried deep within. His voice softened. “You truly remind me of someone I once knew…”
Goku tilted his head. “Where have you all been this whole time?”
Turles’s fists clenched, his knuckles whitening as old memories surged to the surface. Standing abruptly, he looked up at the glass ceiling, the moonlight bathing the room in a pale glow.
“My clan and I are from Sadala—the original homeworld of the Saiyans. It was once a thriving planet, full of honor and nobility, before war broke out. Factions turned against each other, and the constant fighting drained the planet’s resources until it was no longer sustainable. The king at the time—the second King Vegeta—chose to abandon Sadala, searching for a new world to colonize. But I…” His voice tightened. “I tried to save what was left.”
Goku listened intently, captivated.
“But my efforts were in vain,” Turles continued. “My clan and I were left behind, abandoned to die. Yet we survived. Generation after generation, we endured, while the universe around us changed. Now, I refuse to let the Saiyan race fall into obscurity again.”
He turned to Goku, his expression hard yet earnest. “You and I—we were both deemed low-class. But you’ve achieved the power of a god. With your strength and my knowledge, we could lead the Saiyan race into a new era. Together.”
Goku scratched his head, taking in the weight of Turles’s words. He could see the determination in his fellow Saiyan’s eyes, the burden he carried. Yet leadership wasn’t something Goku had ever considered—it wasn’t his style.
“I can see you really care about your people,” Goku said slowly. “But I’m not sure if I’m the guy for something like that. I’ll help you fight, though. If someone’s threatening the Saiyan race, I won’t back down.”
Turles studied Goku for a moment, then gave a slight nod. “Fair enough. For now, let’s put a tab on this discussion.”
The two Saiyans locked eyes, an unspoken understanding passing between them. While their goals might differ, their Saiyan blood burned with the same desire to fight and protect.
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Writer's Note:
Well this chapter you get to see the two have a chance to speak one on one. This is the moment we get a few answers on how Turles has just been existing in the universe under the radar. It's up to the reader to determine if what he says of his origins are true or a lie. I will admit certain things he says are true. I wanted to bring in the saiyan history of his home world and such into this story and for Goku to finally learn about it without being told by a saiyan that's shameful of him for not knowing and not having that "pride".
What I also wanted to dive into was their motivations being nearly the opposite of one another even when you can see Turles as an "evil Goku" on the surface. The original Turles only sought power no matter the means and I felt that motivation was good enough to dive deeper into without drastically changing his character. Him being King he has the power he needs, but there's always a chance people with power will want more. For Turles the question is "why?" and soon we shall find out. Stay Tuned next time on DBS: The Might of King Turles
