The sun had just begun to rise over the Lookout. Golden light spilled across the marble tiles, and the ever-still air of the sanctuary hummed faintly with divine energy. Rudra appeared in a flash, his expression calm but his mind sharp.
Kami-sama was already waiting for him, his staff resting gently in his hand, eyes closed as if peering across the stars.
Rudra stepped forward. "Kami-sama… how long before Frieza's ship arrives on Earth?"
The old guardian slowly opened his eyes. His voice was grave, steady as stone.
"Tomorrow. At dawn, Frieza's ship will descend upon this world. He will bring devastation with him."
Rudra exhaled, but instead of panic, a faint smirk tugged at his lips.
"So soon, huh? …Doesn't matter. Even in his final form, Frieza won't be able to beat Vegeta. And Goku's already stronger than ever. Earth doesn't need me to worry about Frieza."
Kami-sama's brows knit together, studying Rudra with concern. "Do not underestimate him. Frieza's hatred knows no limit. He may be driven to powers even he has yet to reveal."
But Rudra shook his head lightly. "Then that only makes it more fun for them. As for me… I need to focus on what matters." He closed his eyes, feeling the energy of his body settle into a rhythm. "It's time I master the Muladhara state completely. Only then can I move on to the next stage."
Without waiting for argument, Rudra took only two senzu beans from his pouch, slipping them into his pocket. He turned toward the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.
"One year's worth of training… compressed into a single day. When I walk out, I'll be stronger than ever."
And with that, the chamber swallowed him in silence.
---
The Next Morning – 8 AM
The sky over the mountain ranges of Earth cracked open with thunder. The clouds split, and from the heavens descended a massive shadow—Frieza's flagship. It was a sleek, terrifying vessel, dripping with menace as it pierced through the atmosphere and slammed down onto the mountainside. The ground quaked, birds fled the forests, and animals roared in terror.
The ship's hatch hissed open. Rows upon rows of Frieza's soldiers marched out, their armor glinting, their auras eager for blood. Then came the sound of mechanical gears.
Floating gracefully down the ramp in his hovering chair was Frieza himself, his form compact, elegant, almost deceptively small. His cruel smile was sharp as a blade. In this form, his energy was suppressed, hidden away—but his presence was still enough to chill the air.
"Earth," Frieza said softly, his voice a snake's hiss. "It feels so… fragile already."
Zarbon stepped forward. "Lord Frieza, your orders?"
Frieza raised one slender hand. "Begin. Spread out. Tear down the cities, one by one. Leave no stone standing. Let them all know the price of defiance."
"Yes, my lord!" The soldiers roared, splitting into squads.
Within minutes, waves of Frieza's army shot into the sky, racing toward the four cardinal cities—West City, North City, East City, and South City. Explosions soon followed, plumes of smoke rising into the heavens.
---
Far above, Kami-sama's eyes darkened as he watched from the Lookout. His voice echoed telepathically into the minds of Earth's warriors.
"Z Fighters, hear me. Frieza has landed. His soldiers are already spreading chaos across the cities. Go to him. Protect this planet!"
One by one, the Earth's defenders responded.
---
Krillin and Piccolo were the first to arrive at the mountain site, descending swiftly. Their path here was littered with the corpses of Frieza's soldiers, already felled by their combined strength. Piccolo's cape snapped in the wind, his face hard. Krillin wiped sweat from his brow, but determination burned in his eyes.
"Looks like we made it in time," Krillin muttered.
"Barely," Piccolo growled. "But this is only the beginning."
Not long after, the ground shook again as Nappa and Raditz landed beside them. Their scouters were gone, their old armor replaced with Earth-forged training suits.
Zarbon's eyes widened the moment he saw them. Rage twisted his face as he pointed a finger.
"You traitors! How dare you show your filthy faces before Lord Frieza!"
Raditz's hair swayed in the wind. His lips curved into a cold smile. But he said nothing. His fists clenched, crackling with energy.
Nappa cracked his knuckles, snorting. "No words needed. Today, fists will speak louder."
Zarbon sneered, but before the clash could begin, another presence erupted from the sky.
A golden aura streaked down like a comet—Goku. He landed lightly on the rocks, waving casually as if the tension wasn't suffocating.
"Hey guys! Hope I'm not late to the party."
Behind him, Vegeta touched down with far more intensity, his eyes locked firmly on Frieza. His pride burned like a second sun.
The group now stood assembled: Krillin, Piccolo, Nappa, Raditz, Goku, and Vegeta. Their combined energy made the air ripple.
Krillin turned quickly to Goku. "We've got a problem, Goku. Frieza's men already split up. They're attacking every major city—West, East, North, South. We can't just stand here. People are dying!"
Goku's face hardened instantly. He glanced at Piccolo, Krillin, and then to the horizon where smoke already filled the sky.
"You're right. Frieza may be the main fight, but we can't ignore the cities."
He pointed firmly.
"Krillin, Piccolo—you two split up and take down as many soldiers as you can. Master Roshi should be heading for West City. Coordinate with him. Stop the destruction."
Krillin nodded, determination lighting his eyes. "Got it!"
Piccolo grunted in agreement, his cape flaring as he launched into the sky. "Try not to get killed while I'm gone."
Goku turned back to Vegeta, Raditz, and Nappa. His expression shifted into a smirk.
"As for Frieza and his lapdogs… we'll handle them."
Vegeta's smirk was sharper, darker. He clenched his fists.
"Finally. The day I've been waiting for. Frieza will pay for everything. Today, the Saiyans reclaim their pride."
Raditz's tail swayed, and he nodded silently, while Nappa laughed thunderously.
"Ha! About time I got to break some of these bastards!"
Above them, the sky seemed to hold its breath. The wind stilled.
On one side stood Frieza, Zarbon, and the endless tide of Frieza's elite soldiers.
On the other—Earth's warriors, battered but determined, standing tall.
The war for Earth was about to begin.