CHAPTER 5: THE KING OF THE SAIYANS

Within the massive crater created by Cumber, the battle rages on with ferocious intensity. Fists fly, precision kicks are exchanged, and ki blasts light up the barren skies as the ground quakes beneath their power. The primal roars of four Saiyans echo across the desolate planet, shaking what remains of its crumbling surface.

Goku lands a punch aimed at Cumber, who blocks it effortlessly before countering with a devastating kick. The two exchange rapid blows, their battle ascending into the sky, leaving shockwaves in their wake. Below, Vegeta engages Avoca in a fierce one-on-one clash. Even with Goku and Vegeta fighting in Super Saiyan 2, their opponents’ raw power and relentless combat skill keep them on the defensive.

To disrupt their rhythm, Goku and Vegeta switch opponents mid-battle, attempting to throw the two Saiyans off balance. However, Cumber and Avoca adapt quickly, welcoming the shift with even greater ferocity.

Cumber suddenly grabs Goku by the face and slams him into the jagged wall of the crater, the impact shaking the ground. Vegeta rushes in to assist, but Avoca is quick to intercept, attempting to strike from behind. Goku and Vegeta barely manage to regroup, putting distance between themselves and their foes.

Cumber, undeterred, closes the gap in an instant. He slams his fists down, forcing Goku and Vegeta to fight him together.

"He’s enjoying this far too much," Avoca observes from a distance, her smirk widening. Raising her hand, she fires a barrage of ki blasts, forcing Goku and Vegeta to scatter.

Cumber seizes the opening, landing a brutal punch on Vegeta that sends him hurtling toward Avoca. Without hesitation, she lands a perfectly-timed kick to Vegeta’s chest, sending him flying back into the crater’s center.

"Vegeta!" Goku shouts, only to be met with a devastating punch from Cumber, sending him careening into Vegeta. The two crash into each other, collapsing in a heap at the center of the massive crater.

Cumber towers over them, his blood-red irises gleaming with anticipation. Raising one hand, he begins to gather energy, forming an enormous ball of ki that pulsates with deadly intent. The attack grows rapidly, its sheer size casting an ominous shadow over the battlefield.

Avoca lands beside him, watching with amusement. "Looks like you’re going all out. You’re not even giving them time to catch their breath," she comments, her tone almost teasing.

"I shall bury you both with my own hands," Cumber declares, his voice resonating like thunder.

Vegeta struggles to his feet, his anger erupting. "I’ve had enough of this!" he roars, his aura flaring violently as he transforms into Super Saiyan Blue. Goku, following suit, powers up as well, his energy radiating with equal intensity.

Side by side, they charge their energy, preparing to counter Cumber’s enormous Désastre Eraser.

"FINAL—"

"KAME—HA—ME…"

The two Saiyans combine their might, their attacks poised to collide with Cumber’s massive energy ball. The air around them crackles with raw power as the battlefield braces for the clash. Just as they prepare to unleash their attacks…

"ENOUGH!" a commanding voice echoes across the crater. The Désastre Eraser vanishes instantly, leaving the battlefield silent. Goku and Vegeta halt their attacks, reverting to their base forms in confusion. Cumber and Avoca, surprisingly obedient, touch down calmly on the ground.

Above them, a figure shrouded in white garbs descends slowly from the air, cape flowing in the wind.

From a distance, Whis watches the scene unfold, his interest piqued. "How intriguing," he murmurs.

The shrouded figure lands gracefully between the four Saiyans, radiating authority. "There’s no need to fight among ourselves," the figure states firmly. "After all, we are in the presence of two Saiyans whose names echo throughout the universe."

Vegeta narrows his eyes suspiciously. "And who would you be?"

The figure smirks under the hood before pulling it back, revealing gray and black battle armor and a scouter with a red lens over the left eye. Goku and Vegeta freeze in shock. The man’s face is identical to Goku’s—save for his darker skin tone and the golden crown of tree roots intertwined with a single glowing seed resting atop his head.

Goku’s shoulders slump in exasperation. “Not again... Why does everyone have to take my face? First Ginyu, then Zamasu, and now you!”

The man chuckles, raising an eyebrow. “Take your face? You’ve got it backward. If anything, you look like me.”

“What? No way! I had this face first!” Goku retorts.

“And yet, here I am standing before you with it,” the man replies, his tone calm but teasing.

The back-and-forth continues until Vegeta growls in frustration, cutting in. “Enough of this nonsense! Who are you, and what happened here?”

The man turns his attention to Vegeta, his smirk fading into a neutral expression. “I am Turles, the King of the Saiyans,” he declares firmly. “This planet was once a thriving hub of trade—a vital part of a network I’ve rebuilt to restore the Saiyan legacy across the galaxy. I came here on a diplomatic mission to reconnect with old allies, but when I arrived, I found nothing but death and silence.”

He gestures to Cumber and Avoca. “I brought my most trusted warriors to investigate the cause. Then, they found the two of you tearing through the remains of this world like it hadn’t already suffered enough.”

Goku looks around, finally noticing the eerie lifelessness of the planet. “You’re saying this place was destroyed before you got here?”

“Exactly,” Turles replies. “The galaxy is shifting in dangerous ways. Saiyan history is repeating itself, and if we don’t act, it will destroy us all.”

Vegeta’s eyes narrow in disbelief before flaring in anger. “King of the Saiyans? Who gave you the right to claim that title?!”

Turles chuckles softly, unfazed by Vegeta’s rage. “The universe is vast. Much has changed since you were last part of Saiyan affairs. I assumed you would have learned that by now.”

Vegeta’s aura begins to spark with electricity, his pride boiling over. Goku, sensing the tension, steps forward. “Wait, Vegeta. Let’s hear him out.”

Turles turns his back to Vegeta, his tone dismissive. “Focus your anger where it belongs, Prince. The universe is not your enemy.”

The remark cuts deep, and Vegeta’s pride finally erupts. With a furious roar, he transforms into Super Saiyan Blue Evolution. “You dare claim the throne and turn your back on me?! I’ll show you who the rightful ruler of the Saiyans is!”

“Vegeta, stop!” Goku shouts, but Vegeta charges forward, his fist blazing with energy.

Just as Vegeta’s punch is about to connect, Turles moves with blinding speed, catching Vegeta’s fist effortlessly. The force of the strike creates a shockwave, but Turles doesn’t flinch.

“And this rashness of yours…” Turles says with a smirk, his tone carrying a subtle taunt, “Hardly the mark of someone fit to call themselves a king.”

Vegeta’s eyes widen in fury, but before he can react, Turles strikes with a precise palm to his chest. The blow sends Vegeta flying back, crashing into a rock formation. He slumps to the ground, unconscious.

“Vegeta!” Goku yells, his body flaring as he transforms into Super Saiyan 2.

Turles sighs, turning to face Goku. “You’re quick to defend him, even when he’s clearly in the wrong.”

“You didn’t have to knock him out like that!” Goku protests, his fists clenching.

“I defended myself,” Turles replies coolly. “If your friend can’t control his pride, he’ll only bring harm to himself—and others.”

Goku charges forward, but Turles sidesteps effortlessly, appearing behind him in an instant. With a swift motion, he taps several vital ki points on Goku’s body. Goku’s energy collapses, reverting him to base form. Immobilized, Goku falls unconscious into Turles’ arms.

Turles hands Goku over to Cumber, his voice firm. “We’re taking him with us. He needs to understand what’s at stake.”

“What about him?” Avoca asks, nodding toward Vegeta.

“Leave him,” Turles replies. “He’s strong enough to recover on his own. But let this serve as a lesson—next time, I won’t be so merciful if he challenges me again.”

Turles glances at Whis in the distance before taking to the sky with Cumber and Avoca, carrying Goku with them.

As they disappear into the horizon, Whis approaches the unconscious Vegeta, tapping his staff lightly on the ground. A soft glow surrounds Vegeta, and his injuries fade instantly. His eyes snap open, fully recovered, and he sits up abruptly, scanning the sky.

“They’re gone,” Whis says matter-of-factly, his calm demeanor unshaken.

Vegeta’s eyes widen in alarm as he realizes Goku is missing. “Where’s Kakarot?! What happened?!”

Whis offers a small smile, his tone both amused and contemplative. “Ah, yes. It seems our Saiyan friend has taken him. Though I must say, the way he managed to incapacitate Goku was quite fascinating.”

Vegeta’s disbelief is palpable. “That’s impossible! Kakarot wouldn’t just let himself get captured—not by someone like him!”

Whis tilts his head, looking down at Vegeta with curiosity. “I was surprised as well, though not because they managed to apprehend Goku. No, what intrigued me was the method Turles used to do so. A technique derived from divine roots, one not many are aware of… and yet this Turles seems to have mastered it.”

Vegeta’s brow furrows, confusion briefly overcoming his anger. “Divine roots?”

Whis chuckles lightly, spinning his staff as he explains. “It’s a technique that disrupts the flow of ki at its very core, severing one’s connection to their power temporarily. It’s not merely an attack or a strike—it’s an art tied to a divine understanding of life energy. By targeting vital ki points with precision, Turles essentially rendered Goku powerless. What’s more, it seems to be connected to the crown he wears—a crown that isn’t purely ornamental, mind you.”

Vegeta’s eyes widen in realization, his gaze darting toward the horizon where Turles vanished. He reaches out with his senses, trying to locate Goku’s ki—only to find nothing. His expression hardens, a mix of rage and frustration bubbling to the surface.

“I can’t sense his ki…” Vegeta mutters, his voice low and trembling with fury. “That bastard…”

Vegeta clenches his fists, his aura sparking to life as his rage builds. The very idea of Turles, this self-proclaimed “King,” having the audacity to claim the throne and then capture Goku, fuels his prideful anger.

Whis watches him with a faint smile, tapping his staff on the ground again. “Careful, Vegeta. Anger can cloud judgment. But perhaps this will be a valuable lesson for you both. The Saiyan legacy appears to be far more complicated than either of you imagined. This Turles… well, he’s certainly not to be underestimated.”

Vegeta doesn’t respond, his fists trembling with rage as he glares at the sky, silently vowing to make Turles pay for his audacity.

__________

Writer Note:

And so truly begins our story, these first five chapters were the essential build up to the plot. Turles is here and he's the proclaimed King of all Saiyans. It was a choice I made in the beginning stages of developing this story with the idea in mind that Turles who is meant to be a low class saiyan is king and it challenges Vegeta to a title he's been full of pride for so long. As the chapters unfold, all will connect as to why Cumber, Turles and all these saiyans are appearing out of nowhere. Avoca is a new saiyan I came up with for I thought having more female saiyans would be cool to see fight. Since in "canon" Goku has faced people that stole his body I thought it was a nice “throw away” conversation assuring that this Turles isn't some doppelgänger or lost relative. It's none of that I can assure.

Compared to when we last saw Turles in the Cooler's Wrath Epilogue, time has surely passed. I'm aware that the ending and his introduction there felt dark, but there's a perfectly good reason for it.